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SOMEBODY’S LUGGAGE.

In view of the intense public excitement aroused by the statement that Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL, in his expedition to Mashonaland, is only going to take two books with him—­SHAKSPEARE and MOLIERE—­an Inquiring Correspondent has recently written to several eminent persons on this subject, and has received—­so he says—­the following replies:—­

SIR,—­You ask me what books I should take if I were contemplating a visit to the Dark Continent, like Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL.  The question, in the abstract, and without reference to my own personality, is an interesting one, and no doubt human fallibility would, in the case you suppose, induce me to take several volumes of my own Gleanings with me,—­not so much for their intrinsic merits, as because perhaps they might form a new kind of literature for native African potentates.  HOMER, too, of course.  At my time of life, however, I must be excused from grappling with any new Continents, dark or otherwise.  I find that Ireland is quite dark enough for me just now.  Excuse a card.  Yours, W.E.  GL-DST-NE.

SIR,—­As I am not “contemplating an expedition to the Dark Continent,” and have no sympathy with Hottentots, there seems to be no sufficient reason for my answering your questions, or for your asking them.  S-L-SB-RY.

SIR,—­Your question is ridiculous.  The only books worth taking to Africa, or anywhere else, would be a bound copy of last year’s Review of Reviews, GENERAL BOOTH’s epoch-making volume, and—­this is indispensable—­SIR C. D-LKE’s invaluable Problems of Greater Britain. When I went to Rome, I naturally took with me the “hundred best books in the world.”  They were a little heavy, but I thought the POPE would like to see them.  However, circumstances prevented my presenting them to His Holiness.  Yours, W.T.  ST-D.

SIR,—­I don’t know much about books.  I’ve just written rather a good one on Cricket, and I think if I were going to Africa I should take a supply.  From all I’ve heard of TIPPOO TIB, I should think he would enjoy the game; at any rate TIPPOO ought to be able to master tip and run without much difficulty.  W.G.  GR-CE.

SIR,—­Having consulted my relatives—­also CAPTAIN M-L-SW-RTH—­as to whether there would be any impropriety in giving a reply to your questions, I am happy to say that they seem to think there would be none, but that on the contrary it might even assist the takings at the Aquarium.  I may therefore mention that if I were proceeding to Central Africa there is only one book I should dream of taking with me.  That would be a copy of the Proceedings of the London County Council, since the joyful date of its advent on this planet.  Yours obediently, Z-o.

SIR,—­The one book I should take with me to Africa would be DR. PETERS’ recent valuable work—­More Light on Dark Africa.  I should give it to the Dwarfs.  It would make capital poisoned arrows.  H.M.  ST-NL-Y.