464 NOTES OF THE MONTH. 



tage ; but we hardly know whether such economical efforts of the 

 " glorious Reform Ministry/' setting aside the legitimate objects for 

 retrenchment, and caricaturing themselves by running a-muck at 

 old women and cats, ought to be treated as most insulting or absurd. 



MANIFESTATIONS AT BILLINGSGATE A reverend gentleman named 

 Smith, but who is more generally known, without the fold of which 

 he is the faithful shepherd, by the more undignified cognomen of 

 Bo'sen Smith, was brought to the Mansion House charged with cre- 

 ating a disturbance in the fish market by the too energetic exercise of 

 his calling, or, as the complainant more pithily observed, " kicking 

 up a row !" The reverend defendant however, had a seasonable ally 

 in the person of Mr. Goldham, clerk to Billingsgate, who stated, that 

 (( the manners of the market had greatly altered since Mr. Smith was 

 in the habit of addressing them." Let no one henceforth say that 

 miracles have ceased in the days of Prince Hohenlohe and Bo'sen 

 Smith one causes the lame to walk, and the other has set the fish 

 fags studying Chesterfield. Irving has only to give them his un- 

 known tongue in exchange for theirs, too well-known and the mani- 

 festation will be complete. These are three congenial spirits that 

 may set the deuce at defiance. 



There is another public place however, which is well worthy their 

 united labours, and the conversion of its members is even more de- 

 sired by the people than was the emancipation of the blacks, by the 

 ladies of Clapham Common. If the reverend boatswain would but 

 alter their manners, and bring them upon a par with his female friends 

 at Billingsgate, he need not fear being brought up at the Mansion 

 House for his pains. 



DIGNIFIED CONDESCENSION. " As an instance/' says a morning 

 paper, <f of the Duchess of Kent's extreme consideration for the infe- 

 rior members of her household establishment, she gave directions for 

 a very agreeable fete to be prepared for them on board the Messenger, 

 steamer," We could relate many instances of her Royal Highness's 

 extreme consideration. It appears that when a fete is given at Ken- 

 sington Palace, H. R. H. condescends to ask the aid of one of the 

 bands of Foot Guards. Now these individuals, being talented per- 

 sons, are not only paid out of the private purses of the officers, but 

 are allowed to take engagements in theatrical orchestras, which pri- 

 vileges indeed are requisite to insure effective bands. Each of these 

 Kensington festivals therefore, costs each performer a night's salary, 

 with the expense of carriage to the Palace, and after exerting them- 

 selves all night for the gratification of the dignified revellers, they are 

 dismissed, and by the extreme consideration of H. R. H., each indivi- 

 dual is graciously presented with a ticket, value eighteen pence, to be 

 exchanged for bread and cheese at a neighbouring canteen ! 



We have often had occasion to remark the peculiarities of that 

 extraordinary variation of the human family, known to us as Police 

 Magistrates, their intellectuality, their humanity, and above all 

 notwithstanding their irresponsible and absolute power their stern 



