Scilly Islands, Wednesday.—Blue sea, lovely weather. Delightful to have left all worries, all politics, far behind, and to—— Boat seen approaching from land. Man says he has a telegram for me! Oh, hang telegrams! Wish I were well out at sea. What can it be about? Japan? Siam? Chitral? No. Only to tell me result of Walworth and West Dorset elections! Hem! Seems I am at sea—politically. Thoughtless of Asquith to have wired me on the subject. Homer handsomely beaten. Why didn't he stick to his Iliad? And Reade—deserves the Old Bailey for being licked by the new one! Question now is—where's our majority? Ask Spencer. Spencer replies it's "as plain as a marlinspike." Says Walworth lost because not enough money spent on Navy. Assures me Navy "much more important than Army; in fact, it's the Predominant Partner." This is too much! Ask Spencer, as a favour, to maroon me on some desolate isle—say Lundy. Won't do it. Bribe a sailor. Landed at Lizard. Off to town! Next time I want sea air, shall run down to Clacton on the "Belle."
Oxford Degrees.—Certainly Messrs. Dan Leno and Albert Chevalier should have Masterships of Arts conferred on them. The "Voces Stellarum" at the Oxford Observatory (otherwise Music Hall) are well worth hearing. Mr. Burnett (J. P.) has just issued a brochure on this Music-Astronomical subject, chiefly remarkable for a brief essay on "The Pantomimic Art," by Paul Martinetti, whose right to speak on such a theme, as an authority, may be arrived at by any one who sees this most artistic pantomimist in a short melodramatic piece—a piece which thoroughly tells its own tale without words—now being performed nightly at the Oxford. It is admirable. If action can do so much, then why not a Shakspearian play in action, and "the student" could read the words to himself at home? We recommend the idea to Mr. Paul Martinetti, and should advise him to re-arrange Don Quixote, as "a piece without words," for Mr. Henry Irving, who now looks and acts the part to perfection; the piece itself might then be of the actor, that is,—if action were substituted for its very poor dialogue.
Politics à la Perkyn Middlewick.—The Radical wire-pullers now regard the middle-class Walworth voters (for Mr. Bailey) as "Shop 'uns," and the county division which returned Colonel Williams as "inferior Dosset"!
"GREAT CRY AND LITTLE WO(O)L-MER!"
Bathing Woman. "COME ALONG, MASTER SELBORNE, AND TAKE YOUR DIP LIKE A LITTLE NOBLEMAN!"