vertisements--

'Friendly to all, save caitiffs foul and wrong,
But stern to guard the Holy Land of Song.'"

"What a comment is this on American criticism! O, Barry, it is such men as
you, with fine taste and fine talent, who bring literature into disrepute.
Your genius gives you responsible places in the world of letters, and how
you wrong the trust!"

"Thank you," returned Barescythe, coldly, "you blend flattery and insult so
ingeniously, that I hesitate whether to give you the assurance of my
distinguished consideration, or knock you down."

"Either you please, Barry. I have spoken quite as honestly, if not so
bluntly as you; and I regret that I have so little to say in favor of your
inconsistent criticism. I am sorry you dislike my novel, but--"

I looked toward the chair in which Barescythe had been sitting.

He was gone.

I was not surprised, for Barry does few things "after the manner of men,"
and a ceremonious departure is something he never dreams of. I sat and
thought of what had been said. I wondered if we were the dregs of time, the
worthless leaves of trees that had borne their fruit--if there were none
among us,

"Like some of the simple great ones gone
Forever and ever by!"

And lastly, I wondered if any of our city papers had such a critical
appendage as T. J. Barescythe.

=?=

* * * * *

It is pleasant to have your friend Mr. Smith pat you patronisingly on the
back, and say, "My dear fellow, when is your book coming out?"

Of course, you send Mrs. Smith a copy after that--and all Mrs. Smith's
relations.

"DAISY'S NECKLACE" is nearly ready. The following advertisement, which I
cut from "The Evening Looking Glass" of last Thursday, illustrates the
manner in which "my publishers," Messrs. Printem & Sellem, make their
literary announcements:

"_We have in Press, and shall publish in the course of a few days, a
New Work of rare merit, entitled_--

DAISY'S NECKLACE,
And what came of it.

A THRILLING NOVEL, SURPASING, in pathos and quiet satire, the most
felicitous efforts of Dickens!!

PRINTEM & SELLEM,
_Publishers_."

That was rather modest and pleasant; but it is pleasanter than all to have
an early copy of your book placed on the breakfast-