MEM.--You can't expect much from the Speakers at a Convention, where the Speeches must be Conventional.
"HARPY THOUGHT!"--Mr. JOHN THOMAS's Grand Harp Concert.
The licence for the production of his French Play of _Salomé_, accepted by SARAH B., having been refused by the Saxon Licenser of Plays, The O'SCAR, dreams of becoming a French Citizen, but doesn't quite "see himself," at the beginning of his career, as a conscript in the French Army, and so, to adapt the Gilbertian lines, probably--
"In spite of great temptation To French na-tu-ra-li-sa-tion, He'll remain an Irishman!"
[A Correspondent writes to the _Standard_ in praise of pugs, as the most useful household dogs to prevent burglaries.]
Who bears, despite a wrinkled skin, A heart that's soft and warm within, And hates a visitor like sin?-- My puggy!
Who has a little temper of His own, and sports a winter cough, And thinks himself a mighty toff?-- My puggy!
Whose voice, disturbing midnight rest, Do wily house-breakers detest, And move to some less guarded nest?-- My puggy's!
Who does not, like a stupid cat, 'Gainst burglars' boots rub himself flat,-- Soliciting a felon's pat?-- My puggy!
And when the burglar's body's half Inside the sash, with doggish laugh, Who masticates his nearest calf?-- My puggy!
Who owns a phiz (which _I_ could hug), That's called by stupid boys an ug- ly sulky unattractive "mug?"-- My puggy!
Our old friend, Mrs. RAMSBOTHAM, has been sightseeing in the country. Being asked whether she had seen the Midgetts, she said, "Don't mention 'em, my dear! I've seen 'em, and felt 'em--thousands of 'em--they very nearly closed my eyes up."
[Illustration: THROUGH EVER-GREEN GLASSES.
["On the side of those poor men who constitute the Irish nation, with their few and disparaged leaders, we have found a consideration, a calmness, and a liberality of view, a disposition to interpret everything in the best sense, and to make every concession that could possibly bring harmony about."--_Mr. Gladstone in Edinburgh._]
Och, Erin dear, and did ye hear the cry that's going round? The Home-Rule plant they would forbid to grow on Irish ground. _I_ had my doubts at one time, but more clearly I have seen Since I took--in shamrock spectacles--to Wearing of the Green.