"Not at all," replied the Croupier-Officer. "It is a military _coup-de-main_, that's all. The English company running this place, was, of course, in the pay of the British War Office. By a prearranged system of signals we have been making known everything that is going on at Toulon to the British Admiral out at sea. You may perhaps have noticed what an extremely large orchestra took part in last night's free classical concert; they were English marines disguised as musicians. And the gardens attached to the Casino, which rival those of Monte Carlo, what do you think those grassy slopes crowned with olives and orange-trees are in reality? Why, the artfully-contrived glacis of the impregnable fortress inside which you are now standing, and which I have the honour to command!"
Just then the booming of cannon was heard outside.
"It is our guns playing on the defences of Toulon!" exclaimed the Officer. "Toulon is ours!"
And the treacherous Britons, having cleared the tables of the five-franc pieces still remaining on them, proceeded, with the aid of the Germans and Italians, to the dismemberment of France.
["It is no use our building ships without the men to man them."--_Times' Correspondent._]
PROVERB suggested by the above:--"Do not spoil the ship for a pound of tar."
NOVEL PROCEEDING.--New Issue, _Japhet in Search of Something Farther_. By MARRIOTT.
SCENE--_Opposite the Griffin_. TIME--_The present day_. _Enter two well-known personages._
_Justice._ Welcome, Sister. We sometimes are severed, but when we do meet the right prevails.
_Law._ Certainly, Sister--to a great extent. And what is the cause of our present communion?
_Justice._ I have to call your attention, Sister, to many great works of mercy recently performed by wielders of the pen--in fact some of my servants.
_Law._ Your servants are noted for their good works.
_Justice._ You are very kind. Well, these good servants have defended the poor, protected the weak, and denounced hypocrites.
_Law._ Very right indeed. But how did they manage it without my assistance?
_Justice._ You have a short memory. It was with your aid that they brought these good things about. Surely you have not forgotten them?
_Law._ Well, since I have been combined with Equity I have been doing so much excellent work that I have neither time nor inclination for the recording of details. Well, and your _protégés_, were they successful?