Problem for the Poet Laureate.
The Knights of King Arthur's Round Table of course formed a Circle when they sat round it. Tournaments in general used to come off in lists; but can the Author of The Last Tournament inform a Spiritualist whether, in a sÈance of Arthur's Knights at Table, there was ever any table-tilting?
MRS. WASHTUB ON TELEGRAMS.
Ah, drat them nasty telegrams that keeps folks all in sitch a flurry,
Whenever there's the least to-do, with constant worry, worry, worry!
I recollect in my young days when there was no sitch expectation,
And news to travel took its time, suspense was bore with resignation.
What was to be, we used to say, would be, and couldn't be prewented,
Which 'twas consolin' for to think, and made one happy and contented.
What would be we should live to see, if we lived long enough, 'twas certain,
And p'raps it might a mercy be the future was behind the curtain.
Misfortunes came, as come they must, in this here wale of trile and sorrow.
But then, if bad news come to-day, no news was like to come to-morrow.
No news was good news people said, and hoped meanwhile they might be better,
Leastways until the next day's post brought 'em a paper or a letter.
'Tis true, relief as soon may come, sometimes, by artificial light'nin'.
When days and weeks of dark and storm you've undergone afore the bright'nin':
All's well as ends well, thanks be praised, the croakers found theirselves mistaken—
But by them plaguy telegrams how my poor old narves have bin shaken!
Christmas Present for the Claimant.—Coleridge's Works.