274 OCCASIONAL HAPPY THOUGHTS. 



However, the worse the material the greater the specula- 

 tion. 



A briUiant idea occurred to the entrepreneur, who immedi- 

 ately advertised Timmins as "The Great Basilikon Thau- 

 maturgist," and fitted him with a programme announcing 

 such wonders as had never before been seen there or any- 

 where else. Elephants were to fly out of snuff-boxes, a living 

 head would walk and talk in the air ; in fact, there was no 

 limit to the marvels, except that at the foot of the bill was an 

 intimation to the effect that " this progranune might be 

 varieiV^ — and so it was considerably. But there was one 

 good house at all events. " The Great Basilikon Thauma- 

 turgist" disappeared only to re-appear with some other title 

 elsewhere, probably in America, as a Lieutenant, a Colonel, 

 or a Doctor, for it is noticeable that these peripatetic legerde- 

 mainists are nothing unless dubbed with some military or 

 learned prefix. 



Had I but known five tricks, three with cards and two 

 without, I would have given an evening with Colonel Flix. 

 I should have chosen this title, it's so vague — " Colonel Flix, 

 the Celebrated Double-handed Isaurian Trompydeuxceilist 

 and Spiritualistic Asmodeusexmachinistical Delusoriat; with" 

 (of course) "testimonials from all the Crowned Heads of 

 Europe who have witnessed my astounding performances." 



As representing You, Sir, I am the soul of honour, and, 

 therefore, I did not venture upon the above entertainment. 

 No ; I went to bed early, and dreamt that I was King of the 

 Isle of Wight. 



O ! but if I were ! " Si fe'tais Roi de Bceotie / " What 



