My faithful “Co.” reports that he has been doing his duty nobly as a novel-reader.  He has already devoured Vol.  III. of the Man with a Secret.  He would attack Vols.  I. and II. if he had not had (so he says) quite enough of the Man and his Secret. Innocent Victims is written in the temperance interest.  “Co.” has every sympathy with the cause of undiluted water, but fears that this “story of London Life and Labour” may end in drink.  He found it himself a little dry, and was not cheered by the name of the author, Hugh DOWNE, which seemed to suggest he could not get up again.  He is eagerly waiting for more fiction, as “Expiation” by Octave thanet has scarcely satisfied his craving for the weird and the horrible.  In the meanwhile, he has found a cheerful interlude in Sanity and Insanity, a text-book (written in a popular yet scientific strain) of the maladies of the mind.  He says, that Dr. Mercier, the author, is to be congratulated on having treated a rather “jumpy” subject in a manner that can offend no one.  “Co.” had no idea up to now, that “t’other was so like unto which.”

All the Magazines for July are in, but the Baron has been unable to open them, and “Co.” has cut them.  Baron de book-worms & Co.

* * * * *

Advice to girl graduates.

(AFTER CHARLES KINGSLEY—­AT A RESPECTFUL DISTANCE.)

Dress well, sweet Maid, and let who will be clever.
Dance, flirt, and sing! 
Don’t study all day long. 
Or else you’ll find,
When other girls get married,
You’ll sing a different song!

* * * * *

Sad NEWS from Eton.—­“Bever” is dead.  Sorrowing boys followed the bier.  The Bever-age has ceased to exist.  What next?  Will the characteristic Etonian top-hat follow the Bever?

* * * * *

[Illustration:  His first ache.

“Oh, mammy!  I’ve got such A Pain in front of me!”]

* * * * *

Before Bisley.

    Scene—­Office of the Commanding Commander-in-Chief.  The
    C.C.-in-Chief discovered.  To him enter H.R.H.  GEORGE RANGER.

H.R.H.G.R. You sent for me, Mr. Punch.  I beg pardon, I should say, your Excellency?

C.C.-in-C. (severely).  Be careful, Sir, and remember in whose presence you are!  I believe about a month ago you asked for subscriptions in aid of the National Rifle Association?

H.R.H.G.R..  Yes, Mr. P.—­I should say, your Excellency.

C.C.-in C. And I presume the N.R.A. have been put to very great expense in changing from Wimbledon to Bisley?