A fat cat sat
On the parlor mat,
When through the room came whirring,
Right up to where the cat was purring,
A strange and ill-conditioned rat,
As though to tempt the pussy fat.
But, "No," said Puss, "this is too thin;
Such shams may take Skye-terriers in.
I've had too many first-class meals
To try to eat a rat on wheels."

The Ribbon Dance.—Children's balls are now in great vogue in France. The latest novelty for them is the ribbon dance. Eight ribbons of different colors are attached to a ring in the ceiling. Four girls and four boys hold the ends of the ribbons. The orchestra strikes up, and the eight children dance a measure which enables them to plait the ribbons. The orchestra then starts another measure, the children another step, and the plait is unplaited. Each of the dancers may be dressed according to the color of the ribbon that he or she holds, and the mingling of the colors will be all the more brilliant. The idea might easily be taken for a cotillion figure.