“Well! this is not a real mongoose.”—Moral. Ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no lies.

Spurius Lartius.—I always liked that story. My father used to tell it.

Marcenas.—Hush, Spurius; the club Vers de société writer is about to favor us.

The Club Vers de Société Writer.—I have, in my pocket, some dainty verses. I have long written rondeaux, triolets, and pantouns.

I have, however, lately invented two new metres.

The first is called a “cabriolet,” and the other is a combination of a pantoun and a triolet, called a pantalet.

I will read them to you if you will be very, very still, for they are as delicate as porcelain:—

A BRITON’S WAIL IN NEW YORK CITY.

(A Cabriolet.)