But to return to Spain; or rather to Paris.  Don FRANCOIS D’ASSISSI has, it appears, suddenly discovered that his wife is not Queen of Spain so much as she was.  Much less so.  So, he has found her company rather expensive than agreeable; and proposes to abdicate it.  Not so very much of an ass, is he?  Bravo for Don FRANCOIS!

In London, to-morrow will be made famous in literature by the great dinner in honor of the advent of PUNCHINELLO.  Mr. PUNCH is talked of to preside.  An unprecedented rush for tickets has begun.  More about it in my next.

PRIME.

* * * * *

Cutting.

We see extensively advertised the “Saxon Razor;” but have not yet summoned up sufficient courage to try this article, which “no gentleman’s dressing-case should be without.”  We cannot dispossess our minds of the apprehension of cutting ourselves, remembering that line descriptive of the combat between FITZ-JAMES and RODERICK DHU, in which it is said, that,

    “——­thrice the Saxon blade drank blood.”

* * * * *

Musical.

The vocal abilities of hens are admitted; but they rarely attempt the
Chro-matic scale.

* * * * *

De Jure.

No man can now be a juror who knows any thing about the case which he is to try.  Thus a juryman was challenged in the MCFARLAND case merely because he belonged to Dr. BELLOWS’s church.  It was held that he might possibly have got Wind of the matter while listening to the Doctor’s discourse.

* * * * *

BOOK NOTICES.

AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL.  By LOUISA M. ALCOTT.  Boston:  ROBERTS BROTHERS.  New-York:  D. APPLETON & Co.

The author of “Little Women” seeks, and not without success, to draw from her “Old-Fashioned Girl” a contrast and a moral.  She presents to our view two young ladies of opposite “styles.”  One is fresh and rural:  the other isn’t.  The difference between country and city bringing-up is the point aimed at; and the difference is about as great as that between the warbling of woodside birds and the jingle of one of OFFENBACH’S tunes on a corner barrel-organ.  The book is neatly set forth, with illustrations by Messrs. ROBERTS, BROTHERS, of Boston.

RED AS A ROSE IS SHE.  By the author of “Cometh up as a Flower,” etc.  New-York:  D. APPLETON & Co.

A readable book, notwithstanding that there are several naughty characters in it, or perhaps because there are.  Probably it depicts with truth the kind of society presented.  If so, all the worse for society.  Shall we never again have healthful, virtuous novels of the old school, such as “Tom Jones?” The book is published in tasteful form by Messrs. D. APPLETON & Co.