The Foreign Office, whether represented by Lord SALISBURY or Lord
ROSEBERY,--two "berries," so that we are to judge of the worth of our
Foreign Office by its berries, not by its fruits,--ought to be hauled
over the coals--the victim's name being suggestive of this process--by
the British Public. Mr. COLES was innocent of the charge brought against
him, was convicted in the face of evidence; and as there was no one to
screen COLES, poor COLES--COLES down again!--was shovelled into a black
hole, which was, _pro. tem._, a COLES cellar. After sixteen months of
Haytian bonds, and being kept in durance by Haytian Black Guards, the
energy of the British F. O. obtained for the unfortunate prisoner a free
pardon! But no further redress, except the offer of L500, which COLES
couldn't be "cokes'd" into accepting. Now this matter of Hayti and COLES
is a very black affair. What is going to be done? Do we leave COLES and
scuttle? Surely so gross a wrong perpetrated in Hayti ought to have been
put right in Hayti-seven.
* * * * *
THE MOST LITIGIOUS PERSON ON RECORD.--The man who had all his
invitations properly stamped at Somerset House, and then brought an
action against his hosts for breach of agreement if a dinner happened to
be put off.
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[Illustration: "MUMPSIMUS!"]
Reminiscence of a celebrated and highly popular picture, adapted to the
painful circumstance announced last week by _Truth_; namely, that the
Chorister Boys at a certain Cathedral have all got the Mumps.
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