(_FROM MR. PUNCH'S OWN HUMOURISTS._)
It is not generally known that the Emperor of RUSSIA visited London
the other day on his way to Paris, where he is to hold an important
secret conference with the President of the Republic and M. BLOWITZ.
His Imperial Majesty's disguise was complete, consisting as it did of
an aquiline nose of considerable size, and a secondhand gaberdine of
primitive cut. He visited the principal Music Halls of the Metropolis
and left by the last train for Surbiton, where his private yacht was
in waiting to convey him to Marseilles, and so on to Paris by the new
French canal system.
* * * * *
Monaco has adhered to the Triple Alliance. The negotiations thus
brought to a successful issue, have been for a long time in progress.
Obligations of honour, which no longer exist, have hitherto compelled
me, as your Correspondent, to keep secret the fact that amongst the
_croupiers_ of the _trente-et-quarante_ tables at the Casino for the
past three months have been the Chancellors of the German and Austrian
Empires, and the MARCHESE DI RUDINI, who, thus disguised, carried out
their delicate mission to the Court of Monaco. By this post I send
you the draft treaty by which Monaco engages, in the event of war, to
furnish a completely equipped contingent of ten men.
* * * * *
The BARON DE BOOK-WORMS arrived in town yesterday afternoon and
transacted business at his office in Bouverie Street, afterwards
returning to his country seat at Stow-in-the-Wold.
* * * * *