January 22d, 1891._

  PROPOSED CURE FOR BIBLIOMANIA

A smile of exceeding satisfaction illuminated General McClurg’s features as he walked into the corner yesterday noon and found that historic spot crowded with Saints and Sinners.  Said he to Mr. Millard:  “George, you are a famous angler!”

  Mr. Millard assumed a self-deprecatory expression.  “I make no
  pretentions at all,” answered he, modestly.  “My only claim is that I
  am not upon earth for my health.”

  “I see our handsome friend, Guy Magee, here to-day,” observed
  General McClurg.  “I thought he had opened out a book-shop of his
  own.”

  “So he has,” replied Mr. Millard, “at 24 North Clark Street, and a
  mighty good book-shop it is, too.  I visited the place last week, and
  was surprised to see a number of beautiful books in stock.”

  “Let’s see,” said General McClurg, “24 North Clark Street is the
  other side of the bridge, isn’t it?”

“Yes, just the other side—­five minutes’ walk from the Court House.  Magee proposed to cater to the higher class of purchasers only, and with this end in view he has selected a choice line of books; in splendid bindings and in illustrated books he has a particularly large stock.  Meanwhile he remains an active member of the noble fraternity that has made this corner famous.  On Thanksgiving day we are going in a body to look at his fine things, and to hold what our Saints call a praise-service in the snug, warm, cozy shop.”

  “That being the case, I will go, too,” said General McClurg.

The Saints and Sinners were full of the Christmas spirit yesterday, and they were telling one another what they meant to buy for Christmas gifts.  Dr. W.F.  Poole said he had designs upon a set of Grose’s “Antiquities,” bound in turkey-red morocco.  In answer to Mr. F.M.  Larned’s inquiry as to whom he intended to give this splendid present, Dr. Poole said:  “To myself, of course!  Christmas comes but once a year, and at that time of all times are we justified in gratifying the lusts of the spirit. (Applause.) Nobody can scold us if we choose to be good to ourselves at Christmas.”

“I think we all have reason to felicitate Brother Poole,” said Mr. Charles J. Barnes.  “Happening to visit the nord seit the other day, I saw that work was progressing on the Newberry Library.  I should like to know when the corner-stone of that splendid edifice is to be laid.”

“The date has not yet been fixed,” answered Dr. Poole, “but when it is laid it will be with the most elaborate public ceremonies.  The corner-stone will be hollowed out, and into this cavity will be placed a number of priceless and curious relics.”

  Mr. Millard:  “The Saints and Sinners should be represented at those
  ceremonies and in that hollow corner-stone.”