hundred pounds per year, all told,

Leaves little room for "exes;"

And 'tisn't only public men

That "lack of pence" much vexes.

So please give me a Penny, Sir!

"ROOSE IN URBE."—Dr. ROBSON ROOSE has returned to town after a trip to Madeira.

"SWEET STRIFE."

By an Unionist M.P.

THE IN-KERRECT KERR.

IT was once said that Pianos may now be had on "MOORE and MOORE" easy terms every day. Mrs. WALTER found that those "easy terms" involved such pleasures as returning the instrument she had paid many instalments on, getting an order from the masterful Mr. Commissioner KERR to pay costs as well, and committal to prison for three weeks on the charge of "contempt of Court"—for disobeying an order which Justices SMITH and GRANTHAM declare the genial Commissioner had no sort of right to make!!!

If this is the "hire-purchase system," a piano-less life is infinitely preferable to braving its manifold perils and penalties. Easy terms, indeed? Yes,—about as "easy" as "easy shaving" with a serrated oyster-knife! Mrs. WALTER'S fate should be a warning to would-be piano-purchasers, and, Mr. Punch would fain hope, to exacting System-workers and arbitrary Commissioners.