There was a lot of Hartists a going about makin skitches of the werry prettiest dresses insted of the werry prettiest faces, as I shood most suttenly have done.  One of ’em wanted for to take my picter, but as I coudn’t bleeve it was for my bewty, and was quite sure it wasn’t for my full heavening dress, and coud therefore ony be for fun, I respekfully declined.

It is roomered among us Hed Waiters, that the QUEEN’s own Daughter, which she’s a Hempress, has told her son, which he’s the HEMPEROR of GERMANY, and is a comin here next July, that the werry loveliest site as the Grand Old Copperashun can posserbly show him, will be a reppytishun of the glorious seen as I seed with my own delited eyes on Wensdy last.

ROBERT.

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OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

“Oh Willow!  Willow!” Mr. GRACE’s memories of Forty years of Cricket are full of interest, of enthusiasm, and of good stories.  “My Early Cricket Days” will hugely interest young would-be Willow-wielders.  “Cricketers I have Met” is excellent reading, the Champion being as generous in appreciation as keen in judgment.  On the science of the game he, of course, speaks as one having authority.  THACKERAY said he never saw a boy without wishing to give him a sovereign.  The “Co.” for some time to come will not look on an athletic lad without longing to give him a copy of “Cricket; by W.G.  GRACE.”  He hopes that lots of other “dasters” will feel the same yearning, and act upon it.

One of the “Co.” reports that he has been reading a work on Decorative Electricity, by Mrs. J.S.H.  GORDON, and a very pretty and original little book he found it, full of suggestions, ingenious, fanciful, and practical, all at once—­a rare combination.  “Those about to” instal—­and most of us will find ourselves in that position, sooner or later—­will gain some invaluable hints and ideas from this volume, which, in addition to its other merits, is charmingly illustrated.  Before very long we shall all be modern Aladdins, and summon our Slave of the Lamp as a matter of course.  But there is plenty of scope for imagination in devising the form of his appearance, notwithstanding, and Mrs. GORDON’s book shows us how the Genius may be compelled to present himself in a variety of pleasing and fantastic shapes.

The Baron is of opinion that The Seal of Fate, by Lady POLLOCK and W.H.  POLLOCK, is an interesting but somewhat discursive novel.  Will it be followed by The Fate of the Seal, a tale of the Fishery Question?

BARON DE BOOK-WORMS & Co.

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[Illustration:  LORD RANDOLPH—­PAST, PRESENT, AND TO COME-BACK.]

* * * * *

UPON AFRIC’S SHORE;

OR, THE BATTLE OF THE HEROES.

(NOT BY THE AUTHOR OF “THE BATTLE OF LIMERICK.”)

    Ye lovers of the nation,
    Who burn with indignation,
  And England’s obfuscation perpetually deplore;
    Ye flouters of our factions,
    And partisan distractions,
  How like ye the transactions upon Afric’s shore?