We, "to oblige the ladies,"
Have taken outside seats this many a year,
Cold, but with weeds to cheer
Our macintosh-enswathed umbrella'd bodies;
Now we are called churl-noddies
Because we puff the humble briar-root.
Is man indeed a "brute"
Because he may upon the knife-board's rack owe
Some solace to Tobacco?
If so it be, then man's last, only chance,
Is in the full advance
Of the "emancipated" sex. Sweet elves,
_Pray learn to smoke yourselves!_
Don't crowd us out, don't snub, and sneer, and sniff,
But--join us in a whiff!

* * * * *

A SHILLING IN THE POUND WISE.

DEAR MR. PUNCH,--As the School Board rate has already touched a
shilling, and seems likely to go even higher, why should not some of
our money be expended in teaching the young idea of the lower classes
how to develop into more valuable citizens than they seem likely to
become under present conditions? To carry out this idea, I jot down a
few questions to be put to a School-Board scholar before the granting
of the customary certificates:--

1. Describe the formation of a Regiment, and explain its position and
duties in Brigade.