Chapter III
Reading edition
And so the plot was discovered just in time. The nefarious Brown had kidnapped the Professor on his way to the hall, had stolen his robes, and disguised himself so as to play the part of the examiner himself. Another minute, and his wicked plan would have succeeded, Amaryllis's papers would have been burnt, and she and Strephon would have been separated for ever. Thanks to the latter's courageous action, the impostor had been detected, and was subsequently sentenced to several years' imprisonment.
When the real Professor had been liberated and came to look over Amaryllis's work, a slight difficulty arose. The law insisted that one who had answered with such perfect correctness must marry a peer, while Strephon was but a humble commoner. However, a grateful nation rescued him from this dilemma by awarding him a dukedom.
A TRIO.
[Air—"Three Blind Mice."]
Three new peers! Good ev'ry one! A. Borthwick, Plunket, H. de Wums, Are all conservatively chums, We hail with cheers in our col-lums The Three New Peers!
Query from a Correspondent.—Please, Sir, can you tell me where I can obtain a work entitled "Balmy on the Crumpet"? I have heard it frequently mentioned, but up to now have searched the lists at the British Museum and (with the exception of the works of one "Balmez, a Theologian,") all in vain. I presume the work in question is a treatise on some department of the baking industry. Is there also another work entitled Balmy on the Muffin? In fact, I should very much like to collect all the treatises of this author on bakery.—Yours, Old Rowley.
"Over!"—At last "Grace before wicket" has received his five thousand pounds' worth of shilling testimonials, and has returned thanks to the indefatigable Sir Edward Lawson, who initiated and carried out the idea in the Daily Telegraph. Your health, Dr. Grace, and song, which of course would be "Sing O the Green Willow!" And his motto, "There's nothing like leather!" Will the celebrated batsman give a ball to celebrate the occasion?