A quarter past is showing,
And soon 'twill be a quarter to,
When you must think of going.

That man eats best who eats the first,
When fish and plates are warmer,
But being cold, the worse and worst
Fare still succeeds the former.

Then be not coy, but use your lungs,
And while ye may, cry "_Waiter_!"
For having held just now your tongues,
You may repent it later.

* * * * *

[Illustration: FANCY PORTRAIT.

THE HUMBUG-HUNTING FERRET. (_VIVERRA LABOUCHERIENSIS_.)

_The Times_ (_loq._). "AH! WONDERFUL INSTINCT, AND OCCASIONALLY
USEFUL. BUT I'M NOT PARTICULARLY PARTIAL TO HIM!"]

* * * * *

PONSCH, PRINCE OF OLLENDORF.

(_M. MAETERLINCK'S VERY LAST MASTERPIECE._)

The Belgian Master has tried, as he has already informed the world,