ntors
and the publishers of all handy books, meaning, says the Baron, books
which are really handy, and which, without destroying the natural
elegance of your figure or the set of your garments, you can carry
comfortably and imperceptibly in your tail coat pocket.

_Notes from the News._ By JAMES PAYN. (CHATTO AND WINDUS.) Notes on
passing events of all sorts, spiced with capital stories, which
will indeed be a big capital to be drawn upon by the dining-out
_raconteur_,--the only thing against his present success being that
most persons will have read these stories in _The Illustrated London
News_ or in this volume. It is a book for the weary work-all-day man
to dip into, and to come out of it again refreshed. When in doubt as
to what light reading to take up, the Baron advises, "Take PAYN'S."

BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.

P.S.--My faithful "Co." has been revelling in the Summer Holiday
Number of _All The Year Round_, which consists of a complete story
entitled, _A Mist of Error_, by MARY ANGELA DICKENS. The authoress is
the granddaughter of the great novelist, and the daughter of his son,
the most popular of editors, and the best of good fellows. My "Co."
reports, that the novelette is full of promise, and is a proof that
literary genius is hereditary. Interesting from the first page to the
last, _A Mist of Error_, in spite of its title, is never suggestive
of a fog. My faithful "Co." is also delighted with _Men of the Time
Birthday Book_, compiled by Mr. J. F. BOYES, F.S.A.--a charming little
Volume that everyone will be proud to possess. He prophesies that it
will be one of the most popular of Birthday Books, and congratulates
its compiler on the production of a work of distinct historical value.

* * * * *

A GREAT GUNN.

[GUNN, the great Notts' Batsman, playing for the Players of
England against the Australians at Lords, on June 19 and 20,
made 228 runs, the highest individual score ever made in this
country against the Australians.]

SUCH calm, graceful batting, of funk as defiant,
As proof against flurry, deserved the crowd's roar.
'Twas Cricket, indeed, when the Nottingham Giant,
Against the best batting, piled up that huge score;
And the crowd as they watched him smite, play, block, or run,
Could grasp the full meaning of "Sure as a GUNN!"

* * * * *

ROBERT AT THE LEATHERSELLERS'.

WE had been so preshus bu