_Question._ Who was WILLIAM the Conqueror? _Answer._ The Managing
Director of an Exploration Company composed of the most respectable
shareholders.
_Q._ WILLIAM RUFUS, HENRY THE FIRST and RICHARD THE FIRST?
_A._ RUFUS, a worthy son of a worthy father; HENRY, a scholar, who
strongly objected to over-cramming; and RICHARD, a mild-mannered man,
who modestly shrank from canonisation.
_Q._ And what do you know about King JOHN?
_A._ That he gave to a grateful country the Magna Charta.
_Q._ And all the intermediate monarchs' being equally good, what have
you to say about King HENRY THE EIGHTH?
_A._ He was a model monarch, and worthy to be the father of MARY and
ELIZABETH.
_Q._ How about the Royal ladies you have last mentioned?
_A._ The first had as large a mind as the other a heart.
_Q._ What do you think of the STUART Family?
_A._ It was famed for its fidelity, trustfulness, and gratitude.
_Q._ Were WILLIAM and MARY, and ANNE, pleasant Monarchs?
_A._ Most pleasant. As witty as they were beautiful.
_Q._ And how about the GEORGES?
_A._ All that could be desired--and more. Indeed, all our monarchs have
been of the most exemplary character, against whom the most
scandal-loving would utter no word of complaint.
[Illustration: The Professor.]
* * * * *