My faithful “Co.” has been revelling in the Land of Fancy.  He expresses delight at two books called respectively, Dreams by French Firesides and English Fairy Tales.  The first is supposed to have been written before Paris in 1870-71 by a German soldier who had turned his thoughts to his home and children in the far-off Fatherland.  The second deals with British folk-lore, and is racy of the soil.  Both works are full of capital illustrations.  He has, moreover, read He Went for a Soldier, the WYNTER Annual of JOHN STRANGE of that ilk.  But what had the soldier done, that “he” should “go for him”?  The answer to this conundrum will be ascertained on reading the book. Nutshell Novels, by J. ASHBY STERRY, is also a volume that repays perusal.  The Lazy Poet has turned his leisure to good account—­the stories he tells are excellent.

Had the delightfully original Alice in Wonderland, and Through the Looking-Glass, never been written, I doubt much if we should ever have seen Maggie in Mythica, by F.B.  DOVETON, who announces it apologetically, as “his first”—­perhaps it maybe his “unique” fairy story,—­and he adds, that he has “kept out of the beaten track as far as possible.” “As far as possible” is good, for never was there such an example of the “sincerest flattery” than in this undeniable imitation of Alice in Wonderland.  Some of the illustrations, by J. HARRINGTON WILSON, are not quite as weak as the text, while the best of them only serve to heighten our appreciation of “Our” Mr. TENNIEL’s pictures in Alice, and its companion volume.  But the very title, Maggie in Mythica, recalls at once Alice in Wonderland, but the lovers of Alice, who being attracted by this title may purchase this book under the impression that “it is the same concern,” will soon find out their mistake, though it may perhaps amuse a very much younger generation who know not Alice, if such a generation exist, which muchly we beg to doubt.  BARON DE BOOK-WORMS & Co.

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[Illustration:  A MORNING CALL.

The Vicar.  “AND WHAT’S YOUR NAME, MY DEAR?”

Child of the Period.  “WELL—­YOU OUGHT TO KNOW!  YOU KWISTENED ME!”]

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THE REAL GRIEVANCE OFFICE.

(BEFORE MR. COMMISSIONER PUNCH.)

AN OFFICER OF VOLUNTEERS INTRODUCED.

The Commissioner.  Well, what can I do for you, Captain?

Officer of Volunteers.  Hush, Sir!  If you were heard to give me my military rank, you would be the cause of covering me with ridicule!

The Com. Ridicule!  Are you not a Captain?

Off. Certainly, Sir.  I hold Her Majesty’s Commission, and am supposed to be one of the defenders of the country.

The Com. Then why should you not be credited with the rank to which you are entitled?