... . Once I used to tread the furrows, Turn the ferrets in the burrows, An' was called the 'andy-man by one an' all; Wore his Lordship's cast-off breeches, Kept his fur an' feathered creatures, An' was ever at the sportsmen's beck an' call. Kept the gun-room neat an' tidy, Complimented by his lidy On the way my bits o' brasses used to shine. Alius meek in my demeanour Never sor a man look cleaner ...

... AFTER BEARDS LEY. Two lumps of black side by side, Two eyes expressive of harm, Coppfir-plate mouth to deride, Feet 011 the end of each arm Waist that a wasp would disown, Simply a line, superfine Merely a wig and a bone This is a Beardsley design. Puck. ...

... . They tikes me for a Dook, dahn in the Dials, 'Cos I flash a bit o' rhino nab and then, An' they think- that I 've no troubles an' 110 trials, 'Cos I know the w'y ter cliarff mi feller-men. They think a bookie's life is one of pleasure, 'Cos 'e gen'lv 'as a smile upon 'is fice, An' when mi bloomin' tailor tikes mi measure, It 's, We '11 send 'cm to the Carstle for your Grice. The perfesshun ...

... THE SPIKIT OF SPRING. Simple, but rich in sympathy, From out the storm she. came: The zephyrs breathed a melody Her advent to proclaim And the Sun, aglow with gallantry, Made her a path of flame. Stooping, the tender plants she fed With kisses full and warm The Silkworm spun his finest thread Around her slender form And the Thrush sang out as she tossed her head And laughed at the beaten storm ...

... . The February gusts are brooms That sweep the cobwebs from the skv And chase the dead leaves to their tombs. The February suns are fires That light the crocuses' pale lamps In hundreds under leafless spires. There 's that in February makes The scillas crowd upon the grass In groups that distance turns to lakes. So blue, so bright, the scillas are, One scarce could ask another boon Of their ...

... . When primroses and heather-bells And fairy blossoms deck the dells When twinkling snowdrops kiss the breeze And kingcups whisper to the trees Then Spring has come with shine and shower To glad the life of bird and flower. When blackthroats sing and ring-doves coo, And every throbbing beart will woo When Joan and Will grow foolish fond And melt beneath love's gentle bond Then Spring has come ...

... TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION TO THE SKETCH. INLAND. Twelve Months (including Christmas Number), £i qs. 3d. Six Months, 14s. Christmas Half-year, 15s. 3d. Three Months, 7s. Christmas Quarter, 8s. 3d. A PROA D. Twelve Months (including Christmas Number), 2 Six Months, 19s. 6d.; Christmas Half-year, 1 is. Three Months, 9s. gd. Christmas Quarter, its. 3d. Subscriptions must be paid in advance, direct ...

... . Monsieur Vat is it, zee leetle zee leetle mont for zee ball Pitying Amazon The tee. Monsieur Zee the Mon Dieu Zen you carry zee the in zee caddie, n'est-ce pas What, 's the matter, old man Been speculating in stocks. Were you a bull or a bear Neither. I was a silly ass ...

... THE BREAD-GIVER. Bv NORA CHESSON. The meadow-lands are white with snow, Along the hedgerows robins go, And find no food save holly red Wherewith their hunger may be fed. But here comes one with daily bread For hungry bird-friends sore-bestead In scarlet cloak and scarlet gown, My Lady Fan has hurried down, And bread-crumbs mark the way she goes Across the dimples of the snows, Her way is ...

... . The world grows Old. But Youth demands I ts meed of praise Its more than meed, perchance. It stands At all the ways Where Fortune, Fame, or Glory lies, And seeks alone to win the prize. Youth is the magic spell that chains The fickle stage, The house, or so methinks, disdains The gift of Age. The old tragedian eloquent Gives place to some young walking gent. What of the Art that once took ...

... . Vsjk VN Upon the nursery window-pane There 's pitter-pattering of rain Along the nursery landing there 's a very old oak box That 's full of coats and shawls inside, and curtains, hats and frocks. We go along the landing 'Cause it 's a rainy day, And push the box-lid open wide, And then dress up and play. There 's me, and my friend Isobel, And Miggy comes along as well. And Isobel 's a lady, ...

... Sy ffilan ...