March 21, 1891. 



OUR COLUMNS. 



7 



for the new Journal already foreshadowed (and now hapj^ily realized). He eongraulated 

 them upon the happy suggestion of Mr. DjTnock to start such a paper, and thought the 

 Society ought not to hide its light under a bushel any longer. Now that the whole 

 building was in their hands, there was room for still greater growth and development. 



The Rev. T. Watts seconded, and referred to the energy, wide culture, and knowledge 

 of books which the President possessed. At the same time he suggested that they might 

 take in one more Echo, and one less Star. 



Dr. Steinmetz supported the proposition, which was then duly carried. 



The President acknowledged the vote, and said their history taught them the 

 lesson of self-help, and suggested that there was still room for further development from 

 the inside. He felt that it was a great honour to have been connected with such an 

 institution. 



Thanks to the Librarian, moved by the Rev. J. Copxee, and seconded by Mr. Jackson, 

 brought the harmonious proceedings to a close. 



ASTRONOMY EXTRAORDINARY 



Wheke we sat, in row decorous, 

 Came a merry friend before us : 

 " Though I'm not a man o' bounce, I'll 

 Put a question to the Council. 

 \Yhen this News-room I frequent, 

 Late o' nights on £c/to bent, 

 I but find a silent S(ar. 

 Tell me what the reasons are." 

 Long we pondered on 'em, ere 

 Answered our Astronomer : 



AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. 



*' In the ordered regions round 

 None have ever heard a sound. 

 But if you that calm invade, 

 On each member making raid, 

 Fling the quiet Worlds about, 

 Turn their contents inside out, 

 Carry ruin, rage, and fluster 

 Into every S/ariy cluster, — 

 Loud enough, amid the wreck o' 

 Matter, Avill you find the — JEcho ! " 



H. M. D. 



Correspontience. 



To THE Senior Editok. 



Sir, — Upon the threshold of the enterprise in which we are about to embark — please 

 excuse the mixed metaphors of a beginner — various unforeseen difficulties have cropped up 

 before me, in regard of which a helping hand from you would go far- to clear the air. Be 

 good enough, therefore, to tell me, first, where I can get a serviceable pair of scissors, a 

 pot of sound paste, some cardboard, and a rubbish basket ? Secondly, whether you can 

 procure me a dictionary of quotations from all living languages, and spelling books to 

 match? Thirdly, what rhyming dictionaries are most in vogue among our fraternity, 

 preference being given to those containing an exact definition of a cockney rhyme ? 

 Fourthly, what the law of libel is ? Fifthly, and this is most important, how I am to 

 behave in the presence of a rejected contributor ? 



Yours faithfully, THE JUNIOR EDITOR. 



P.S. — Here is the only original contribution yet received ; I do not know whether to 

 accept it or reject it, since either course will make an epoch in my editorial life. 



The Signs of Spring. 

 When skies are smiling after winter's grief, 



And earth resumes her vernal drapery, 

 The Library puts forth its modest leaf, 



And blooms inco an Editorial We, 



