RYMOND, writing lui-même with too infrequent pen, makes pathetic reference to the death of "one of the largest and best known purveyors of Rhine wine, with whom I have had business relations and personal intercourse for nearly thirty years." There is, we need hardly say, no basis for the insinuation thrown out by HENED that the business relations referred to were of the commission order sometimes established between purveyors of Rhine and other wines and gentlemen who have a wide circle of friends.
THEORY AND PRACTICE.
SCENE—Interior of a First-class Railway Carriage. Theoretical Passenger and Practical Passenger discussing the "Unreadiness of England."
Theoretical Passenger (at the conclusion of a long account of the national shortcomings). Yes, my dear Sir, France has only to declare war to-morrow, and we are completely ruined! We cease to exist as a nation!
Practical Passenger (with a smile). But hasn't this been said about us—by ourselves—for any number of years?
Theo. Pas. Doubtless, but that does not make it the less true.
Prac. Pas. Possibly; still, it is encouraging to find that we do exist in spite of the "temptation to belong to other nations."
Theo. Pas. (annoyed). Ah! you treat the matter with levity; but I assure you it is a most serious thing! How would you like to be bombarded?