it's mean, and unfair, and unperfessional to curry favour with one's
present backers by 'olding hup one's old pals to public redicule
for doing wot we 'elped 'em to do, and at the time praised 'em _for_
doin'. I call that 'hitting below the belt!' And I believe every
'onest and manly Pug from FIGG to SAYERS would ha' said ditter to
''Onest JOHN.' That's all, Gemmen!"

(_Comment of the I.B.H. "Bosh! JOE's style of hitting is no doubt
uncomfortable--for the Old 'Un and his pals. THAT'S EXACTLY WHY WE
LIKE IT! What's the use of hitting above the belt only when the foe's
only vulnerable below it? We rejoice to see the B.B. knocking the
sawdust out of the Grand Old Fistic Fetish, and squelching the cant
and claptrap out of 'Honest JOHN.'"_)

* * * * *

STORICULES.

VII.--GAZEY.

"You're the fust pineter whort I've knowed," said JULIA SANBY,
demurely. "Father works at a plumber's, but 'e ain't industr'us. 'E
ain't a good man. An' mother drinks. Orful!"

JULIA SANBY had consented, in consideration of money received, to let
me make a sketch of her. She was a tall thin child, with a dirty and
very intelligent face, great grey eyes, and long reddish hair. She was
very bright and talkative; and yet she amazed me by being distinctly
sanctimonious. She looked critically round my studio on her entrance.