His favourite is the Xestobium tesselatum, which boasts that at least 35 per cent. of the damage to historic roof stands to its credit. Turns out to be lively, intelligent creature. Wedgwood, always thoughtful of other people's tastes, brought down with him from the roof (in Thomas Roe's pocket) a few chips. One of these he placed in a saucer borrowed from the tea room. Here the grub, which for brevity we will call X., lives. In incredibly short time X. burrowed through the wood, its bright intelligent eyes gleaming out on the other side, as who should say, "Here I am again."
Expects in time to be able to make it converse. Busy teaching it difference between a coup and a plot. Hasn't grasped it yet, its mother tongue being Norman-French. But prospect promising.
Business done.—In Committee of Supply on Post Office Vote.
JOHNNY RIGG.
Johnny Rigg, the ranger,
He walked in Wood-o'-Lea
And happened on a stranger—
A nut-brown maid was she;
His heart it did rejoice of her,