er company.
The episode of her shopkeeping experience is admirably told, and
affords the author abundant and varied opportunity of exercising her
gift of drawing character. _Mona Maclean_ is, apparently, a first
effort at novel-writing. The workmanship improves up to the end of the
third volume; and Miss TRAVERS' next book will be better still.

[Illustration: Affection's Offering--from Alfred the Second to Dear
George the first.]

To Mr. J. FISHER UNWIN comes the happy thought of issuing, in
a neatly-packed box, the whole twenty volumes of the Pseudonym
Library--and a very acceptable Christmas-Box it will make. The
volumes, with their odd, oblong shape, are delightful to hold; the
type is good, and the excellence of the literary matter is remarkably
well kept up over the already long series. Mr. UNWIN promises fresh
volumes, introducing to the British public Finnish and Danish authors,
or Danish first, and the others to Finnish.

See how these Poets love one another! How touching is the dedication
of ALFRED AUSTIN'S latest volume to GEORGE MEREDITH! May both live
long and prosper, is the hearty wish of their friend,

THE BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.

* * * * *

THE ROYAL ROAD TO COMFORT.--A DREAM.

The rival Steamboats were on the alert. It was a misty night, and it
was a difficult matter to make out the lights of Calais Harbour.

"We shall catch him yet," said the Captain of the Blue Vessel.

"He will not escape us," observed the C.O. of the Red.

Suddenly the Blue started at full steam ahead, and was lost to sight
in Calais harbour. She was quickly followed by the Red, moving with
equal expedition.

The vessels reached the quay nearly at the same time. Then there was
confusion and sounds of military music. Evidently the Illustrious
Personage had embarked. Then the mist cleared away.

"He is safe on board," said the Captain of the Blue Vessel, and his
Mate indulged in a short laugh of triumph.

"It does not matter," observed the Commanding Officer of the Red; "the
Blue may have his person, but _we_ have his luggage!"

And then the cheers were renewed again and again, and the Illustrious
Personage came to the conclusion that English enterprise was not
without its disadvantages!

* * * * *

[Illustration: WHAT OUR ARTIST HAS TO PUT UP WITH.

HE TRAVELS ALL OVER ENGLAND IN SEARCH OF A BACKGROUND FOR HIS "_VIVIAN
BEGUILING MERLIN IN THE FOREST OF