NEW Year's Eve! The eve of the Jubilee Year! A merry party is assembled in the Palace of Punch. It is something like a Party, Punch's Own Party, embracing the pick of all parties. And they are enjoying themselves tremendously! "Look here, Markiss" cries the host, "don't you entirely monopolise our Hermit of Hawarden. His opinion on CARNARVON's latest Homeric effort is doubtless superlatively interesting; but he hasn't given us a song yet. Years ago he used to be great at Nigger Minstrelsy. What shall it be, WILLIAM? Your old favourite, Camp-Town Races,' or The Whole Hog or None'?"

expresses it, "a suck at the lemon," and then strikes up this latest composition. Such a chorus! JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN puts in a pretty "seconds." ("If he'd only do it as nicely at St. Stephen's, what harmony we should have!" whispers LABBY to GOSCHEN, who is beating time blandly with a cracker bon-bon.) Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT brings in his basso profondo at the wrong places, and only finds out his mistake when his leader frowns him down. Then he subsides, and tries to catch the tune occasionally, but fails. RANDOLPH's tenor comes out well, but Lord CROSS's alto is a trifle feeble, owing, he says, to the change of weather. Lord GRANVILLE hums an accompaniWhy," says the ex-Premier, modestly, putting up his shirt ment, and PARNELL executes a few variations on the original theme. collars, which have become a trifle limp in the course of the evening MORLEY has got an idea of the tune, but he's a trifle too sharp. ("O-limpy-'uns," RANDOLPH is heard to murmur, with that air BROADHURST wishes he had brought the marrow-bones and cleavers of resignation which he has recently assumed), if you don't with him, but, failing that, he beats time on his knees. Then RANmind, I'd rather give you my friend Lord TENNYSON'S Hands all DOLPH volunteers The Army and Navy for ever! Three cheers Round,' which JOHN BRIGHT has set to music, and HARTINGTON says for the Red, White, and Blue!" arranged as a trio for himself, it just suits my voice." Whereat HARTINGTON nods pleasantly. W. H. SMITH, and Lord GEORGE HAMILTON. Everybody delighted. Producing from some mysterious pocket a small bottle, containing Bravo, all!" cries Mr. Punch. "May differences of opinion his patent Vocal Vaseline, he takes, as JOHN MORLEY facetiously never alter friendship' is an old-fashioned sentiment. You will

66

MEMOIRS OF A SECRET MISSION. (Extracted from the Diary of BrTO, M.P.)

Have seen CHAPLIN and HARTINGTON, and arranged for them an interview with the Prince of MONACO. Rather a picturesque rendezvous. Have to be very careful, since we are constantly watched by the AETA, Satur-reporters. Our Chief has assumed the name of "Mr. BISHOP," and day. This looks very well in pair of blue spectacles. Wears a long cloak, after Gaeta a the Italian manner. HARTINGTON, who travels as "Mr. CAVENDISH," charming wears his hat on the back of his head, keeps his hand out of his place. The trouser pocket, assumes a jerky walk, and is conseqnently thoroughly Bay might disguised. We met at the foot of Vesuvius on the stroke of midnight. well compete Mr. CAVENDISH said it was bosh!" but our Chief, flinging the flap with that of of his cloak over right shoulder (as he has seen the Italian officers do), Naples for said mustn't omit any precaution. Chief seems certain that he has beauty of secured HARTINGTON. Professes not to care about CHAMBERLAIN or situation; GOSCHEN.

66

"THE CROCODILE."

FROM what I have read in the Daily News,

Of this new piece of Mister SARDOU'S,
I think The Crocodile is, sans doute,

Adapted from the Overland Route.

but it is the To-morrow we set off for Messina, Palermo, thence to Venice, and
town itself eastward through the Isles of Greece to the Golden Horn. If I suc-
that is un-ceed in my endeavour to see the Doge of Venice, I'll write again.
ique in in-
terest. The
Guidebook
has little to
say about it,
and tourists
are rarely
seen within
its ancient
gates. It is
very old, was
a free city
with its own
Doge, down
to the 12th
century, ta-
king its full
share in the

What! adapt from English! that can't be true

Of any French author, eh? SARDOU?

But it seems very like it, unless we say,
That both had worked from an older play.
And this suspicion won't be removed,
Until the contrary be proved.

A GOOD BUTLER IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

MR. PUNCH Congratulates Mr. TOOLE upon his new situation at his

wars of the period. (Sorry the Doge is dead; should like to have own Theatre, which suits him to a tea. Naturally it must, because interviewed him and recruited him with the rest. But he is no more.) Can only walk about the streets he once passed through in splendour. Such streets! about the width of an ordinary dining-table, flanked on either side by lofty houses budding into balconies at all kinds of unexpected places. For the ten centuries these streets have existed, the sun has never touched the pavement. There is all about a genial green mouldiness, which must be very refreshing when, in July or August, the sun is beating down upon the rock round which Gaeta has twined itself.

Naples, Saturday.-The voyage from Civita Vecchia to Gaeta was, by reason of fine weather, enchanting. That from Gaeta to Naples was even better-a perfect day, with the blue Mediterranean just rippled with a breath of wind, and all the hills that sentinel the mainland standing clear out under the cloudless sky. Yet another beautiful day, and we crossed the Bay in the steam-launch, landed at Torre del Annunziata, and drove through the narrow, crowded streets to peaceful Pompeii. Worth a long journey to stand for awhile in the streets of this silent city; could almost imagine that the inhabitants had quitted it but yesterday. Some of them, however, we saw lying in the Museum by the entrance gate, prone as they fell eighteen hundred years ago. Strangely human they look, their faces so well preserved that, doubtless, if the Wandering Jew were about, and had personally known them in Pompeii, he would be able to identify them. Evidently a luxurious race the Pompeiians, with a shrewd notion of making themselves comfortable. Barring the little tendency to accident, the site of the city is one of the most beautiful in the world, with its peep of the sea, and its amphitheatre of hills, prominent amongst them Vesuvius, smoking with a deliberate air of unconcern, in passive denial of having had anything to do with the present roofless state of the city.

Naples, a busy place, with no footpaths to speak of. The principal thoroughfares densely crowded; have to walk in the roadway; rather awkward, owing to peculiar method cabmen have of inviting custom. If they see anyone walking in the roadway who looks as if he had a franc in his pocket, they drive down upon him full speed, skilfully bringing the horse's head over his shoulder, and the near shaft into the small of his back. If he wants a cab, you know, there it is; if he don't, the man turns off in search of business elsewhere. This has its conveniences, but grows monotonous by the time you have walked the full length of the Chiaja, or the Via di Roma. One other street habit I notice, more desirable for importation to London. The morning and afternoon milk is brought to the door of the customers by the animals themselves. The milkman drives his goats their daily round, the customer produces a jug, and not only pays for his milk, but, to quote a familiar injunction, sees that he gets it." To-day we saw a number of turkeys being driven up a street. The Sailing-master says they are worked upon the same principle. The proprietor knocks at the door, inquires if eggs are wanted. If he gets an order for two, or half a dozen, the turkeys lay them, and pass on their round. I did not see this done myself.

66

"Allow me! Miss Linden and Miss Vanbrugh,-our Novice." it comes between his early dinner and his late supper. Mr. and Mrs. HERMAN MERIVALE call their play a Domestic Comedy, and they have not chosen this description inappropriately, as assuredly the Domestic" is the feature of the cast. Good, however, as Mr. TOOLE certainly is, he receives admirable support from the clever and versatile Miss MARIE LINDEN, the thoroughly conscientious Miss EMILY THORNE, the intelligent and piquante Miss VIOLET VANBRUGH (a valuable recruit), the useful Mr. E. D. WARD, and the evergreen Mr. BILLINGTON. The Company work together with a will that quickly finds a way to the hearts of the audience. Judging from the houses that have been seen since the production of the new piece, The Butler during the present season will have a constant supply of Christmas Boxes, to say nothing of Stalls, Dress Circles, Pits, and Galleries.

Tennyson's Latest.

IN "Locksley Hall after Sixty Years"
There's many a thought to awaken tears;
Many a line both true and strong,
And one great merit-'tis not too long;
But as to the tedious Promise of May.
'Tis dull as a poem, absurd as a play.

SOMETHING LIKE "A POWER OF ATTORNEY."-"Lewis" in the language of Freemasonry means "strength." It required LEWIS to pull the Colin Campbell case through. And it was pulled through triumphantly by GEORGE!

TURNING OVER NEW LEAVES.

(By Our Own Paper-Knifer.)

THE HON. HALLAM TENNYSON has been playing the part of the sweet little cherub he has been keeping watch o'er the life of poor Jack. And while he has been stalking his hero, he has not neglected his talk about his adventures. Don't you see what we are driving_atJack and the Beanstalk, (MACMILLAN & Co.). RANDOLPH CALDECOTT'S illustrations are full of spirit and humour, and the Laureate's son would pass with honour any examination in hexameters. A book for children of all ages!

Reviewing the Books.

The Land of Little People, (HILDESHEIMER & Co.,) will also be
vastly popular with little people and big.

Poems done by WEATHERLY, sparkling and featherly,
Miss DEALY's judicious, with pencil dealycious!

And so we sum it all up. But here is another book which children will clamour for. The Queen of the Pirate Isle (CHATTO AND WINDUS). It is full of hearty fun, or rather Bret Hartey fun, and the illustrations by Miss KATE GREENAWAY are excellent. A capital sea-story-quite a first-floor-fronter-is The Cruise of the Black Prince, by Commander LOVETT CAMERON. Older boys will delight in The Chronicle of the Coach, by J. D. CHAMPLIN, Junr. A rapid journey with plenty of wheel and very little wo, from London to Ilfracombe. E. L. CHICHESTER's clever cuts-not with the whip, but with the pencil-add materially to the pleasure of the trip. Glad Hours (WARD AND LOCK), by Miss MURIEL EVELYN, is an attractive volume. This version of "Evelyn's Diary," and all the pictures illustrating it, will be a favourite amongst the Tinymite Party. The Babes in the Wood, (RAPHAEL TUCK). The old, old story with capital new wood-cuts by WIEGAND. Ought to be called The Babes on the Wood. But supposing they are not wood-cuts? Supposing they are some process,"-copper? zinc? "Of what is the old man zincing?" This is frivolous-let us inspect The Knight and the Lady (EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE), TOM HOOD's capital ancient ballad with a number of admirable new illustrations by EDWARD JESSOP. The Theatre Annual, is a capital one this year, and contains a wonderful variety in prose and verse. Among the principal contributors beside the editor CLEMENT SCOTT, are E. L. BLANCHARD, GODFREY TURNER, H. SAVILE CLARKE, W. ARCHER, BRAM STOKER, and VIOLET FANE. Unwin's Annual is a good one, with a good title -The Witching Time. It consists of excellent stories well told, under the editorship of HENRY NORMAN.

spurs on the spur of the moment.-We heartily welcome the initial Number of Scribner's Magazine. The Messrs. SCRIBNER were the pioneers of that excellence in get up, printing, illustration, and literary value, which have made the American periodicals of this class famous throughout Europe. Their latest venture shows they have by no means forgotten their rare skill and admirable taste in such matters. The Number before us is well printed, capitally illustrated, and contains a great variety of valuable literary work. Of especial note is "Reminiscences of the Siege and Commune of Paris," by E. B. WASHBURNE, Ex-Minister to France. This Magazine is well charged-the charge, we may note, is the harmless but necessary shilling-and, though there is no chance of its "blowing up," there is every prospect of its "going off" in England in a manner that will prove, in all respects, satisfactory to its promoters.

As for COCKLE & Co.," Father Christmas replied,

They 're devoid of attractions for me;

For the lots that I take won't upset my inside,
Since I give even more, don't you see!"

"You're a brick, Father Christmas," the young child said,
"Yet you're rather like Bardolph, between us.
Say why do they give you a flushed figure head,
That reminds one so much of Silenus ?"

"Most Artists are muffs," Father Christmas replied,
"When true fancy, convention-clogged, slumbers;
But judge me, dear child, by my fame far and wide,
Not my pictures in cheap Christmas Numbers!"

THE OLYMPIANS.

A WONDERFUL place this Olympia. Quite handy to the Addison Road Station. Good omen in the name of "Addison," suggesting

numbers of Spectators. Nothing so extensive has yet been seen in London. A regiment of cavalry could be equipped from the stables,-cavalry of all ages, and of many nationalities. Doubtless we get a great deal too much Christmas literature at As for infantry, there are the tiniest Christmas-time, and next year it is to be hoped the Publishers will try a change, and give us tales of frost and snow at Midsummer, ponies there to suit the requirements and let us read verses celebrating the delights of sultry weather, of any nursery. We happened to look in while two of the Elephants were the river, and the sea, at Christmas. As Mr. Punch enjoyed his rehearsing. One of them evidently Christmas by anticipation somewhere about last August, he does not liked his part, but the other was want to hear any more about it. It is a relief to turn to Captain inclined to throw his up, judging by HAWLEY SMART's Outsider (WHITE & Co.). This story will probably the movement of his trunk. Howbe an "insider" during the festive season. It will be inside many a boudoir, library, and smoking-room, and add to warmth and ever, he was not more troublesome geniality by its dashing spirit and cheery good humour. Romantic Going Underground to Olympia. under similar circumstances; and, on than any other Actor would have been Spain (WARD AND DOWNEY) is a good book to read when the snow is consideration of being permitted to intersperse a considerable amount on the ground, or during the intervals of water-pipes bursting. of "gag," which he did by roaring with laughter, of course, and J. A. O'SHEA tells of his personal experiences in perturbed Spain trumpeting (his form of advertising himself), he consented to underfrom the abdication of AMADEUS to the entry of DON CARLOS. take the part, and went through it in a manner that promised well The book is full of adventure, and abounds in picturesque descrip- for its success with the public. The Olympians were in their tion. Very little guide-book and less history, for which the reader working dresses. The gods and goddesses seemed very tired. Eolus will be truly thankful. Margaret Jermine (MACMILLAN & Co.), by was making a tremendous noise in practising the wind instruments, FAYR MADOC, might be described, in the language of vintages, as a very fair Médoc." There is an excellent bouquet about the first and Apollo and Diana were arranging to rehearse the stag-hunt as we were leaving. More, after our official visit. volume, which, had it been sustained through the remaining two, would have supplied a novel of note. But there is scarcely sufficient body in the story to justify its dilution into three volumes. It would have been more successful as a big one-volume tale. In Riding for Ladies (THACKER & Co.) Mrs. POWER O'DONOGHUE (more power to her-not that she wants it) shows no signs of "falling off." Indeed, she shows her readers how to become riders, and to stick on gracefully. She sketches her pupils "in their habits as they ride," and gives them a bit of her mind about bits, and tells them all about

66

"M. DE

SEVERAL." No more comprehensive name since the days of Lot.
A LIST of the guests at the New Club last week included one

PLAYING " THE DUES" WITH HIM.-The Coals did it. At the last meeting with his Chief he had been hauled over them, and, in a temper, he resigned. They call him Lord RANDOM CHURCHILL now.

A YOUNG HUMANITARIAN.

"OH, MAMMA, MAMMA, COULDN'T YOU INTERFERE? THERE'S A HORRID MAN SQUEEZING SOMETHING UNDER HIS ARM, AND HE