PENITENT, adj. Undergoing or awaiting punishment.

Alligator: The crocodile of America, superior in every detail to the crocodile of the effete monarchies of the Old World.

OBSERVATORY, n. A place where astronomers conjecture away the guesses of their predecessors.

BEG, v. To ask for something with an earnestness proportioned to the belief that it will not be given.

Mausoleum, n: the final and funniest folly of the rich.

PRIVATE, n. A military gentleman with a field-marshal's baton in his knapsack and an impediment in his hope.

GENEROUS, adj. Originally this word meant noble by birth and was rightly applied to a great multitude of persons. It now means noble by nature and is taking a bit of a rest.