SPIRIT IRONIC.

The curious thing about them is that some Have lesser parasites adherent to them—­ Bipedular and quadrupedular Infinitesimals.  On close survey You see these movesome.  Do you not recall, We once went in a party and beheld All manner of absurd things happening On one of those same—­planets, don’t you call them?

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS (screwing up his eyes at the Solar System).

One of that very swarm it was, if I mistake not. It had a parasite that called itself Napoleon.  And lately, I believe, Another parasite has had the impudence To publish an elaborate account Of our (for so we deemed it) private visit.

SPIRIT SINISTER.

His name?

RECORDING ANGEL.

One moment.

(Turns over leaves.)

            Hardy, Mr. Thomas,
  Novelist.  Author of “The Woodlanders,"
  "Far from the Madding Crowd,” “The Trumpet Major,"
  "Tess of the D’Urbervilles,” etcetera,
  Etcetera.  In 1895
  "Jude the Obscure” was published, and a few
  Hasty reviewers, having to supply
  A column for the day of publication,
  Filled out their space by saying that there were
  Several passages that might have been
  Omitted with advantage.  Mr. Hardy
  Saw that if that was so, well then, of course,
  Obviously the only thing to do
  Was to write no more novels, and forthwith
  Applied himself to drama, and to Us.

SPIRIT IRONIC.

Let us hear what he said about Us.

THE OTHER SPIRITS.

Let’s.

RECORDING ANGEL (raising receiver of aerial telephone).

3 oh 4 oh oh 3 5, Space....  Hulloa. Is that the Superstellar Library? I’m the Recording Angel.  Kindly send me By Spirit-Messenger a copy of "The Dynasts” by T. Hardy.  Thank you.

A pause.  Enter Spirit-Messenger, with copy of “The Dynasts.”

Thanks.

Exit Spirit-Messenger.  The Recording Angel reads “The Dynasts”
aloud.

Just as the reading draws to a close, enter the Spirit of Mr.
Clement Shorter and Chorus of Subtershorters.  They are visible
as small grey transparencies swiftly interpenetrating the
brains of the spatial Spirits.

SPIRIT OF THE PITIES.

It is a book which, once you take it up,
You cannot readily lay down.

SPIRIT SINISTER.

There is
Not a dull page in it.

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS.

          A bold conception

Outcarried with that artistry for which
The author’s name is guarantee.  We have
No hesitation in commending to our readers
A volume which—­