The Masked Ball story is very well told--quite a little comedy; and of course all the gay resorts at home and abroad are visited by the lively _Aureole_. 'Tis a sketch of "How we live now," and must please a number of people who are "in the movement," and a great many more who are out of it, but who like to be up in what is going on, and to imagine that they also could be of the gay world if only they chose. Fill me a bumper of cold (not iced) champagne, which, to _Aureole_, quaffs
P.S. To those among his reading-friends who appreciate the clever and amusing work of "GYP," the Baron strongly recommends _Le Coeur d'Ariane_. No necessity to send to "Rue Auber" for it: _allez le chercher chez_ M. ROQUES, 64, New Bond Street, and see that you get it. The Baron wishes you _may_ get it, as you are certain to enjoy the book immensely. Be prepared to be thoroughly _enjôlé_ by the artless _Ariane_.
The public, represented by the First Commissioner of Works in the Liberal Government, testified towards "Priory Lane" (if we remember aright, a provokingly private road, leading, as a short cut, from Wandsworth Common up to "Roehampton Gate," which is a closed entrance to Richmond Park) what _Sam Weller_ might have correctly described as a "Priory attachment"; but though its opening to the public would have been granted freely by its owner, on condition that the London County Council and Wandsworth authorities should make, repair, and keep in order the road, the London County Council refused to take any part in the matter, and so Priory Lane, "with bars at each end," remains a "spot barred" to the Richmond Park-loving Londoner. The cost of making this mile and a quarter is over-estimated at £2000. But as there are, as the _Daily Chronicle_ describes it, "_bars at each end_," surely these "bars," if properly licensed, would bring in a splendid revenue from thirsty pedestrians, equestrians, and wheelers of all sorts and conditions.
MRS. NICKLEBY BALFOUR (_aside to_ JOHN BULL). "I AM VERY SORRY INDEED FOR ALL THIS.... THE RATEPAYERS OUGHT TO BE THE BEST JUDGES--AND I HOPE THEY ARE. OF COURSE IT IS A HARD THING TO HAVE TO KEEP OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN ... BUT IF IT COULD BE SETTLED IN A FRIENDLY MANNER, AND SOME FAIR ARRANGEMENT WAS COME TO ... I DO THINK IT MIGHT BE VERY SATISFACTORY AND PLEASANT TO ALL PARTIES."--_Nicholas Nickleby_, Vol. II., p. 183.