[_The Morning Post_ has been conducting a vigorous campaign
against singers who dispense with careful and prolonged training,
and by their spasmodic and declamatory style suggest the title of
"gaspers."]
Oh, all young folk of tuneful aims
And fancy names like Joan and Jasper,
I hope you'll read (and duly heed)
_The Morning Post_ upon the "gasper."
'Tis not the "fag" that is turned down,
Though that often proves a rasper
Upon the larynx; here the noun
Denotes the human, singing gasper.
Rome was not builded in a day,
Nor even row-boats (_teste_ CLASPER);
No more are voices which will stay,
Unlike the organ of the gasper.
Attorneys need, before they start,
Five years of training, but the grasper
Who grudges one to vocal art
Will end, as he began, a gasper.
Wherefore, ye men and maids who chant,
Refrain at all costs from exasper-
ating _The Morning Post_, which can't
Abide the methods of the gasper.
* * * * *
Another Impending Apology.
"St. ---- Hall was filled last night with people, with Scottish
song--and with fog. Perhaps nothing but the ---- Orpheus Choir
could have done that."--_Scottish Paper._
* * * * *
"THE JAPANESE BUDGET.
Tokio, Tuesday.
The Cabinet has approved of the Budget, which totals 1,562 million
yen (about 2s.)."
_Jersey Paper._
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN, please copy.
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE POWER OF SENTIMENT.]
* * * * *