(_From Mr. Punch's Very Special Correspondents._)
Reports from all parts of the country are eloquent of the phenomenal
nature of the weather experienced everywhere. By an extraordinary
coincidence, of which it is hardly possible to make too much, the
intense cold has been accompanied by a lowness of temperature--on the
(Fahren) height.
The Oldest Inhabitant has had a high old time, and been in immense
form. To prevent the extinction in future years of this interesting
individual, oxen have been roasted freely, and, wherever at all
practicable, carriages have been driven over frozen rivers.
Occasionally irreverent descendants have roasted the Oldest
Inhabitant.
It is reported, on the authority of Lord SALISBURY, that the Liberal
Party intend at once to engage in snowballing the House of Lords. As
the ex-Prime Minister has promised to play the game with no lack of
mutuality, interesting developments are expected.
A very remarkable occurrence comes from abroad--considerations of an
international character make it advisable not to particularise
further. A bishop went out in the middle of a raging blizzard.
Although the bishop was suitably attired in episcopal dress, so that
no mistake as to his identity was possible, it went on blizzarding,
and the spiritual dignitary was put to extreme temporal temporary
inconvenience.
Ice floes have penetrated to London Bridge. Mr. SEYMOUR HICKS'S
topical song in the _Shop Girl_--"Oh, floe! ice and snow, you
know"--is received every night with even greater enthusiasm than
formerly.
The following letter will NOT appear in an early number of _The
Spectator_:--
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