THE CONQUEROR.
[Mr. H. N. Pillsbury, a young American master of twenty-two years, won the first prize in the Chess Tournament at Hastings.]
Two Battles of Hastings—when young scholars rattle
Their "dates" off—henceforth may be reckoned:
If William the Norman did win the first battle,
'Twas Pillsbury pulled off the second.
A very young player old Steinitz to tackle,
Or enter the lists against Lasker!
When History's Muse is henceforth on the cackle,
One question a scholar may ask her,—
"Oh, which was the greater, chess-champion or war-man?"
In chess there is no hanky-panky;
Less fair was the win of the tricky old Norman,
Than that of the quiet young Yankee!
The "alliterative" epidemic, in connection with the names of marine resorts, is spreading to an alarming extent. A Welsh newspaper heads a quotation from the Western Daily Press by the taking title of "Improving Ilfracombe." This, however, has nought to do with the excellent mental and physical benefits derived by visitors to the North Devonian pleasure port, but refers to District Council resolutions for the improvement of the place itself—a Quixotic idea, which seems identical with that of "painting a lily." To the scribe of the "Seaside Series," whose penchant is for "apt alliteration's artful aid," we beg to offer—without any extra charge—a few suggestions to go on with:—Soothing Southend, Winsome Whitby, Congressional Cardiff, Sweltering Swansea, Peaceful Penzance, or "piratical" ditto, and so on ad nau-sea-am.
THE JUDGE'S DREAM.