shillings
per head can do in the way of stimulating business.

From the Bargain Basement we wander at will through the remaining
departments, making inquiries here and there from the expert assistants,
technically known as laymen, without being once importuned to make a bet.

And when at length, refreshed and pleased with a delightful afternoon, we
pass again through the portals of the House of Pryce, we make for home,
confirmed supporters of the modern personal touch, which has transformed a
drab business into a veritable romance.

* * * * *

OUR OPTIMISTIC ADVERTISERS.

"Will Person who took Gent.'s Trenchcoat by mistake whilst motor-cycle
was on fire in ---- Rd., on Wednesday night, please return same."--
_Provincial Paper_.

* * * * *

"Alec Herd, who went round in 72, and who is one of the old school, was
second in the Open Championship no fewer than 28 years ago, and won it
as far back as 19042."--_Provincial Paper_.

_B.C._, of course.

* * * * *

"Yesterday was St. Stephen's Day, and, therefore, the patronal festival
of the Abbey Church. Hence the choice of the date for the issue of the
appeal, though probably not one Englishman in a thousand connects the
Abbey with any particular saint."--_Daily Paper_.

Well, certainly not this one, though we have heard St. PETER alluded to in
this connection.

* * * * *

"THE HENLEY REGATTA.

A remarkable feature of the meeting is the number of ladies rowing, the
ten heats for eight-oared boats in the Ladies' Challenge Cup being
decided to-day."--_Provincial Paper_.

Lest the male element should be entirely forgotten, would it not be well to
call it in future "The Cock-and-henley regatta"?

* * * * *

IMPORTANT NEW BOOKS

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* * * * *

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"I am glad t