Mediterranean.—... Here we have, in perfection, all the materials of a French lake. The water is there, the shores are there, there are no tides. What could be better? Nothing disturbs the Gallic character of this charming inland sea but the occasional presence of a line of coast belonging to another country, such as Italy, Spain, Turkey, Austria, or the accidental chance that has given an island here or a fortress there to England. But what are obstacles such as these to a new Minister of Marine fresh from a newspaper office? Why should England, the eternal boule-dogue in the manger, enjoy in the persons of her statesmen the monopoly of ornamental, if indiscreet, metaphors? If it is impossible to expel Nature with a fork, why should not I, in the infectious warmth of a banquet, be permitted to employ the long spoon of Lord Joseph Chamberlain?...
[The New Volumes also contain Articles on CARTHAGE, CORSICA, and AFTER-DINNER ORATORS.]
Meredith, George. See ORDER OF MERIT—in vain.
Superb Plate from the Article Poetry in the New Volumes of the INSIDECOMPLETUAR BRITANNIAWARE.
MR. ALFRED AUSTIN’S WREATH.
MR. ALFRED AUSTIN’S WEAPON.