“Write anyhow!  Write for the greatest need and the greatest
    number.”

“This is business,” quoth the Baron, “and Peter who passed so much of his life asleep seems, when not dreaming, to be uncommonly wide awake.”

A dainty book indeed for a Christmas present is The Vision of Sir Launfal, by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL, published by GAY AND BIRD—­lively names these—­but ought to have been GAY AND LARK.  There is an interesting portrait of the Author as he was in 1842.

“My ‘CO.,’” quoth the Baron, “deponeth thusly, as to Calendars generally,—­not, however, including the one-eyed Kalendar of the Arabian Nights,—­that MARCUS WARD, mark us well, comes out uncommonly strong, specially in the ‘Boudoir’ and also in the ‘Shakspeare’ Calendar, which latter hath for every day in the year ’a motto for every man.’  Methinks this pretty well wipes off the Christmas score, which includes New Year gifts.

“Now as to books,”—­continues the Baron, “here let me say that my favourite pocket-books, not specially for Christmas, but for all times and seasons, are those excellent travelling companions provided by CASSELL’s National Library, BRADBURY AND AGNEW’s Handy Volume Scott and Shakspeare, and ROUTLEDGE’s Pocket Library, all really portable, and printed in the clearest type.  These be welcome presents to ‘constant readers.’” The Baron presents his “many grateful thanks,” to quote our worthy ROBSON ROOSTUM PASHA, to a kind friend, poet, scholar and judicious critic, who, from the North, sends the Baron a seasonable present of a small volume of poems, published by HOLDEN, of St. Andrew’s, N.B. (Quoth Mr. WAGG, “quite a new ’un, published by a hold ’un”—­passons), entitled The Scarlet Gown, written by Mr. R.F.  MURRAY.  His verses are in the Calverley vein, the rhyming and rhythm easy, the jingle pleasant, the lines witty, and the subjects fresh.  The local hits will be specially appreciated by St. Andrew’s men.  Everyone will enjoy “The City of Golf, the Adventures of a Poet.”  Cantabs especially will sympathise with the humour of “The Delights of Mathematics.”  “So here’s to the poet in the wassail bowl; a Happy New Year and a Murray Christmas to him,” says

THE JOVIAL BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.

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[Illustration:  MR. PUNCH DRINKS TO THE OLD YEAR!]

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NOTICE.—­Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS., Printed Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, will in no case be returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed Envelope, Cover, or Wrapper.  To this rule there will be no exception.

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[Illustration]