It lay on the book-stall for sale,
But no one to purchase seemed willing,
The ticket was "Humorous Tale,
Two-and-sixpence--reduced to a shilling."
But the humour was lost upon me.
And the jest fell uncommonly flat.
Could the jokes I had written then be
So fallen in value as that?
* * * * *
THE FIRST DUTY OF AN OPPOSITION (_As it now seems to
be understood_).--"To lie in cool Obstruction, and talk
rot."--(_Shakspeare_--slightly _adapted_.)
* * * * *
MODERN TRANSLATION BY OUR YOUNGEST SPORTING ETONIAN.--"_In formâ
pauperis_"--_i.e._, "in rather poor form."
* * * * *