_Question._ What are the functions of the School Board?
_Answer._ To protest against the conduct of the Educational
Department.
_Q._ In this protest has the Board the sympathy of the public?
_A._ Unquestionably; because the conduct of the Educational Department
is calculated to send up rates.
_Q._ But does not the Department look after the sanitary side of the
matter?
_A._ Perhaps so; but sanitation is too expensive a matter to be
treated without the maturest consideration.
_Q._ Are the recommendations of the Department unreasonable?
_A._ Very. The Board is required to make the most costly alterations
in buildings that have already eaten up a large sum of money, and
should not consume a penny more.
_Q._ But are not the suggested improvements ones that would be
accepted nowadays in any new design?
_A._ Certainly, but then their adoption would be the cause of little
or no expense.
_Q._ Then should science stop still until the rates become abated?
_A._ That would be the practical course for science to pursue.
_Q._ But leaving grievances out of the question, what can be said
about education?
_A._ That is a matter of secondary importance, when compared with the
latest sanitary developments.
_Q._ But how about the children? Have they been educated? What can be
said about them?
_A._ Nothing. So far as the School Board is concerned, the question of
education in general is absolutely of secondary importance.
_Q._ Then the career of a child need not be considered nor watched?
_A._ Of course not. The sole means suggested for teaching a child
is to squabble with the Government and to more or less ignore the
requirements of the schoolmaster.
* * * * *
[Illustration: "ON THE CHANCE."
_Young Mamma._ "WHAT HAVE YOU GOT THERE, MY GOOD MAN?"
_The "Good Man" (seeing she is not a Potato Customer)_. "ONLY BOILING
WATER, MA'AM. YOU SEE, THIS TIME O' YEAR, THE SEA GETS RATHER
COLD, AND SOME OF THE LADIES ARE SO PARTICULAR ABOUT THEIR LITTLE
TODDLEKINS, BLESS 'EM!"
_Young Mamma (struck with the idea)_. "OH, THEN, PLEASE BE HERE
TO-MORROW MORNING AT EIGHT O'CLOCK, AND BRING TWO CANS!"
[_At once tenders him a Shilling. Needless to say Our Artist was not
up in time to see if appointment was kept punctually._]
* * * * *