BALLADE OF IMITATIONS.

(With Apologies to Miss Loftus for calling her "Cissie.")

The weary worldling of to-day

Uneasy wanders to and fro

To find in all things, grave or gay.

Just nothing that is "worth a blow,"

(Forgive the curious phrase,) although

It's absolutely certain, this—he

Will praise in phrases all aglow

The imitative charms of Cissie.

The orchestra begins to play,

The lights are high that once were low.

Then Cissie comes without delay,

Her simple dress tied with a bow.

How kind of Fortune to bestow

On us this captivating Missie.

'Twere vain to try to overthrow

The imitative charms of Cissie.

Miss Florence St. John's artless way,

Miss Yohè in her ballad "Oh,

Oh, Honey, Honey!" or Jane May

As Pierrette and Pierrot,

Yvette Guilbert's superb argot,

Miss Letty Lind in "Kissie, Kissie,"

Are all invoked to help to show

The imitative charms of Cissie.

L' Envoi.

Friend, if you chance to find it slow,

And seek a joyous form of diss-

ipation, quickly get to know

The imitative charms of Cissie

"A Deane should be more reverend," said Mr. Willis, Q.C., in the Bettini case.

"Where there's a Will is a way," retorted Mr. Deane, Q.C. "'If you will be honest with me, I will be honest with you.'"

"The whole matter is very clear," interposed the learned Judge, severely. "Mr. Bettini-Willis expects from the Deane, chapter——"

"And verse," interposed Mr. Deane, Q.C., and straightway broke out melodiously with—

"'Tis good to be merry and wise,

'Tis good to be thorough and true,

If you will be honest with me,

My Q.C.,

Then I will be honest with you!"

Chorus of everybody. Harmonious proceedings, and Court adjourned.