in the Cornhill; which leaves the reader in doubt as to whether he has been egregiously “sold” or not; and, above all, the short and interesting—­too short and most interesting—­paper on THACKERAY, in Harper’s Monthly, with fac-similes of some of the great humorist’s most eccentric and most spirited illustrations, conceived in the broadly burlesquing spirit that was characteristic of GILRAY and ROWLANDSON.  THACKERAY, philosopher and satirist, who can take us behind the scenes of every show in Vanity fair, who can depict the career of the scoundrel Barry Lyndon, of the heathen Becky Sharp, and the death-bed of the Christian soldier and gentleman, dignissimus, Colonel Newcome, could on occasion, and when a rollicking spirit moved him, put on a pantomime mask (have we not his own pathetic vignette representing him doing this?) to amuse the children, or give us some rare burlesque writing and drawing to set us all on the broad grin.  The Baron trusts that Mrs. RITCHIE will give us more of this, and sincerely hopes that there may be a “lot more” caricatures in that portfolio “where these came from.”  I heartily thank you for so much, and respectfully ask for more, says yours, very gratefully,

THE BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.

* * * * *

IN MEMORIAM.

  Strong man and strenuous fighter, stricken down
  Just when foes owned thee neither knave nor clown! 
  The fiercest of them, time-taught, need not fear
  To drop a blossom now on BRADLAUGH’s bier.

* * * * *

ARTHUR AND COMPOSER.—­Saturday, January 31.—­First night of SULLIVAN’s Ivanhoe in D’OYLEY CARTE’s new Theatre.  Full inside, all right.  Sir ARTHUR’s success.  We congratulate him Arthurly, CARTE called before horse,—­should say before Curtain, but t’other came so naturally,—­looked pale,—­quite carte blanche; but, like SULLIVAN’s music, composed.  Could get a CARTE, but no cab.  Gallant gentlemen and delicate ladies braving rain and slosh.  More in our next, but for the present ... (Paroxysm of sneezing).

* * * * *

[Illustration:  ANNALS OF A QUIET NEIGHBOURHOOD.  AN ICE PICTURE.

Fair Damsel.  “WHAT A LOT OF HOLIDAYS YOU SEEM TO GET, MR. MINIVER!”

Pet Curate.  “WELL, YES.  I KEEP A RECTOR, YOU KNOW.”]

* * * * *

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

(A Song of the Session, as sung by that Eminent and Evergreen
Lion Comique, “JOLLY GLAD” at the St. Stephen’s Hall of
Varieties, Westminster.)

JOLLY GLAD, sings:—­

With a flower in my coat,
With a keen eye for a vote,
And a sense the things to note,
Buff and Blue think,
With fond millions to admire,
A last triumph to desire,—­
Am I going to Retire?—­
What do you think?