England, and to have ruined as many horses' feet as would fill St. Paul's, by the help of much effrontery, wearing a scarlet coat, and riding thoroughbred horses (he made it a common practice to ride to Brighton and back in a day), carried everything before him.

In his latter years George IV abandoned highmettled horseflesh, and was content to jog along in a pony chaise. Driving with Lady Conyngham one fine day, the two beautiful Highland animals, overpowered by the weight of Royalty, turned restive, and would not stir an inch. In vain did the Sovereign apply the lash; in vain did the attendants pull at them. Even the soft and rosy palm of her ladyship, which could do wonders in the coaxing and persuasive line, had no effect. The attendants were out of breath, and the lady was out of patience; but the merry monarch lost not his temper, but coolly ordered one of his servants to fetch another carriage. "It would require an Act of Parliament," said he, "to move these Northern rebels; but I must say one thing in their favour-they are true game, for they seem as if they would rather die than run."

It was George IV who, though a great dandy in his youth, contributed chiefly, it was said, towards making gentlemen's clothes inartistic and dull in colour. He first introduced black neckcloths. His choice of dress was much influenced by the famous tailor, Stultz, who left such a large fortune.

Near Mannheim is a costly Gothic monument erected to his memory. Stultz was very charitable to his

countrymen, and endowed and built a hospital, in consideration of which the Grand Duke of Baden created him a baron.

Men about town, with plenty of spare time upon their hands, were always up to jokes of one kind or another. A confirmed joker of this sort, entering a music shop, was told by the proprietor that his assortment of instruments could not be beat. "I am sorry for that," replied the wag, "for then I shall have to go elsewhere-I want a drum!" Elaborate practical jokes were very popular.

About the middle of the last century Londoners were much mystified by the appearance of a phantom coach. It was drawn by four white horses, and was of old-fashioned construction, of the time of George III. The coachman and two footmen were in the dress of that period, with cocked hats, powdered hair, and bag wigs. It used to drive slowly into the Park at Hyde Park Corner, and then down one of the drives. It created a great sensation, and was quite the talk of the day, numbers of people going into the Park on the chance of seeing it. The mystery was at last solved, and it was discovered that it was done by some medical students at St. George's Hospital, by means of lights and reflecting mirrors.

The following joke, perpetrated at a time when whiskers were fashionable, was certainly of a most original kind.

A certain young dandy, who prided himself upon his appearance, excited a good deal of amusement amongst his acquaintances by his love of dress.

His fingers were hooped with rings, his shirt bosom was decked with a magnificent breastpin; coat, hat, vest, and boots were all immaculate, he wore kid gloves of remarkable whiteness; his hair was oiled and dressed in the latest and best style; and, to complete his killing appearance, he sported an enormous pair of whiskers, of which he was about as proud as a young cat is of her tail when she first discovers she has one!

Chancing to be in conversation with some friends, one of whom had refused a good offer for a horse, the dandy said that for his part he would be ready to sell anything he had if he could make money out

of it.

"Oh, no," said some one, "not anything; for instance, you wouldn't sell your whiskers ?"

"Oh, yes, I would for a good price, but I don't suppose any one would want to buy them, for, except to myself, they would be of no use. If, for instance, I was offered fifty pounds, I would sell them like a shot."

"Well, that's cheap enough," said his friend, who was a business man, "you'll sell your whiskers for fifty pounds?"

"I will."

"Both of them?"

"Both of them."

"I'll take them! When can I have them ?”

"Any time you choose to call for them."

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Very well-they're mine. I think I shall double

my money on them in the end.”

The sale was concluded, the dandy writing on a piece of paper, "Received 50 for my whiskers, to be worn and taken care of by me, and delivered up when called for."

The fifty was paid, and the seller went off in high glee, telling every one he met of the good bargain he had made.

The purchaser meanwhile, though much chaffed, said:

"Who laughs last laughs best; I'll make a profit on those whiskers yet."

A week passed, and the dandy still had his whiskers, though whenever he met his friend he asked him when he intended to claim his purchases. "That's all right," would be the reply; "take care of my whiskers, I shall call for them some day, you may be sure."

A short time later, just before a great ball to which the dandy was going, the purchaser of the whiskers arrived in the latter's rooms, and was met by the remark:

"Come for your whiskers, I suppose; I am always ready for you, as you know."

"Perhaps," was the reply. "Well, now I think of it, the present would be as good a time as any other; let's send for a barber and have them off."

The dandy was rather upset at this.

"You couldn't wait until to-morrow, could you he asked hesitatingly. "There's a ball to-night, you know

"To be sure there is, and I think you ought to go with a clean face; at all events, I don't see any reason

why you ball."

should expect to wear my whiskers at that

After a short discussion, however, a barber was sent for, and the dandy having rather sulkily sat down, in a few moments his cheeks were in a perfect foam of lather. The barber was just about to commence operations when the purchaser of the whiskers said, "Stop," upon which the man quietly put up his razor, while the dandy started up from his chair in something very much resembling a passion.

"This isn't fair," he exclaimed ; your whiskers-take them."

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you've claimed

"I believe a man has a right to do as he pleases with his own property," remarked his friend, and walked out, leaving the poor man washing his face.

In a short time the story had got about, and several mutual friends told the business man that the joke was being carried too far, with the result that he eventually agreed that it was time for him to reap his crop the next day. He would, he so promised, write to the dandy to come round to a barber's, where the operation could be quietly performed. To this place the victim duly came, and, much to his disgust, found it full of spectators.

"I'm in a hurry," said he; so be quick. I've got to take some ladies out to-day."

"Set to work, then," said his torturer to the barber. "Don't detain the gentleman any longer than you need."

The lathering was soon over, and with about three