21 JANUARY 1899, Page 16

TO TIME, NOT TO HURRY WITH THE BOYS.

LET them be a little space, Though they lack our crowning grace ; Though their talk be not about

Things we talk of, dining out;

Though their jokes are hard to see : Let them be.

Could we once have been as they P Fat and rosy, fresh and gay, With such reverence for the fact, With such perfect want of tact, Yes P Well, all the same, prithee, Let them be. H. C. BEECHING.