_Friday._--Back again. Others being unable to form a Cabinet, have formed one myself. Think it will hold together, but one never knows. So far we have had an overwhelming vote of confidence. Put it to the Members whether we might do what we pleased with the windows. "Yes," and "Urgency" voted almost simultaneously. No doubt a veritable triumph!
_Saturday._--Everything went smoothly until the afternoon, when a Deputy wished to know the correct time. Minister of Education gave it as a quarter to six. It was proved that he was wrong. He should have said ten minutes to the hour. Serious Ministerial crisis in consequence. Fearful excitement. A Bill brought in and passed legalising everything that four men and a boy might decide. Ministry forced to protest; turned out in consequence. Base ingratitude; but a time will come! Generally hop in and out of office twice in a fortnight. Quite accustomed to it. Good exercise.
_Sunday._--Released from my Ministerial duties. Shall have a day's shooting with _Fido_ in consequence. But I must be back again to-night, because I am sure to be expected to form a New Ministry to-morrow!
_Query._--Why cannot Mr. GLADSTONE eat more than two-thirds of a rabbit, whether boiled or curried? _Answer._--It does not matter what Mr. GLADSTONE or anybody else can do, as nobody can eat _a rabbit (w)hole_.
"WHERE ARE YOU STAYING? I'LL CALL AND SEE YOU."
"DON'T! YOU'LL ONLY THINK THE WORSE OF ME WHEN YOU SEE MY SURROUNDINGS!"
"OH, MY DEAR FELLOW, THAT'S _IMPOSSIBLE_, YOU KNOW!"]
"SMALL BY DEGREES, AND BEAUTIFULLY LESS."
DEAR MR. PUNCH,--I see that the authorities at Monte Carlo very properly have refused permission to Doctors, their wives and families, to visit the tables of the Casino. I have not yet ascertained the reason for the prohibition, but no doubt it is because the "powers that be" consider Physicians too valuable to the community to run the risk of endangering their lives in the excitement of play. If we may accept this as a basis, we can see how the idea can be developed. If it is right to exclude Doctors, why then, as a kindred class, Lawyers should also be refused admission. Of course Clergymen of all denominations are, even now, conspicuous by their absence. If they are not, the decree of banishment should refer also to the wearers of the cloth.