n its compilation." And
here I may conclude, by wishing everybody "A Happy New Year."

* * * * *

[Illustration: GETTING OUT OF IT.

_Fair Authoress._ "BY THE WAY, HAVE YOU READ ANY OF _MY_ BOOKS?"

_Q.C._ "NO; I'M KEEPING THEM FOR MY OLD AGE!"

_F. A._ "OH, DON'T TALK OF OLD AGE!--IT'S SO HORRID!"

_Q.C._ "NOT WITH YOUR BOOKS!"]

* * * * *

TRIFLES.

(_From Our Special Autolycus._)

MR. OSCAR BROWNING has republished, with other Historical Essays, his
account of the Flight to Varennes, in which he demonstrates that CARLYLE
was hopelessly wrong in the narrative which glows through the most
famous and fascinating chapter in _The French Revolution_. There seems
no doubt about it; but AUTOLYCUS says, he knows a man who would rather
be wrong with CARLYLE than right with O. B.

* * * * *

Met the Duke of SOTTO-VOCE to-day. Evidently in most doleful dumps. "No,
it's not the weather, AUTOLYCUS," he said. "Fact is that, although
supposed to be a rich man, I am reduced to extremities. Lunched
yesterday at the Carlton off dish of braised ox-tail, and supped at
night at Beefsteak on cow-heel _a la cordonnier_."

* * * * *

AUTOLYCUS hears that, early in the New Year, Mr. ARMITSTEAD, Mr.
GLADSTONE'S host in the South of France, will be raised to the Peerage,
under the title of Baron BIARRITZ OF BARMOUTH. "Pau! Pau!" said Mr.
STUART-RENDELL, when the rumour reached him. "What are Barmouth and
Biarritz? I took Mr. G. on to the Pyrenees, and Cannes. If a fresh
Barony is to be created for ARMITSTEAD, what shall I have?" "Why, a
Canne'd one," said ALGY WEST, who is always _so_ ready. (_Signed_)
AUTOLYCUS.

* * * * *

"THE LIBERATOR BUILDING SOCIETY:"--To liberate, means, "make free." If
the present charges are proven, the title will be rather appropriate,
considering how very free it seems to have made with a considerable
amount of property.

* * * * *

[Illustration: The Foreman of the Jury.]

* * * * *

THE MAN WHO WOULD.

V.--THE MAN WHO WOULD BRING AN ACTION FOR LIBEL.

The following incident in the career of BROWZER was recalled to memory
by an article in a literary journal. An author was airing his
grievances; among them this,--that writers of repute occasionally lend
their names and pens