Punch: Punch (81.1881)

Iv PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI [December 31, 1881.

Koustan and Evelyn Wood. The one is at home already, enjoying himselfs and the other is on his way. They'll tell you
all about it."

Mb. Punch rose. His Host looked puzzled.

" Hum. Anything to say against the North ? " he asked, somewhat sulkily.

" Nihil," responded Mr. Punch, promptly, at the same time talking a little Latin, as a graceful compliment to the
classical antecedents of his Host. "But for further particulars I must refer you to St. Petersburg."

Again Toby set his tail contemptuously N.E. by E. The disconcerted Guardian of the Winds looked distressed.
" Then it seems that they 're a downright ill lot, that blow nobody any good," he said. " Not even capable of starting

a Fair Trade wind! "

" A little impudence and a good deal of ignorance, and that breeze is soon set in motion," responded the Sage. " But
if they are on the look-out for a real chance—there's a Free Trade wind that wants a bit of raising just now; and the sooner
it gets it the better. I commend that very cordially to your attention."

" It shall not be neglected," was the more cheerful reply. "A Puff? Ha! ha! I fancy I know how to contract
for that. Why, if you only knew the amount I had made out of a very popular and exalted department of Art alone, my dear
Sage and Philosopher, even you would stare. Call this the Cave of the Winds ? Why, regularly every Saturday it's so full
of Theatrical Managers that I have to order up a dead calm, and clear it by threatening a frost."

"Quite so," heartily responded the Great Visitor. " But meantime, while pegged up here, it is something, I opine,
to be able to know which way the wind blows. Would you like me to enlighten you ? "

" Rather ! " said 2Eolus. " But how ? By presenting me with an Abridged Edition of the Library of the British
Museum ? "

" That is the idea," said Mr. Punch, at length perfectly radiant, producing at the same moment a very handsome
presentation tome from a piece of costly silver paper. " For in this book you will find something more than the condensed
wisdom of all cycles."

"And that book is?-" asked the now dancing Custos.

Tobi wagged his tail to all points of the compass. Then Mr. Punch gave a final wink, and presented his —