RGEANT O'FLANAGAN--

Illustration: --WHICH SUGGESTION SERGEANT O'FLANAGAN CARRIES OUT WITH A
HIGHLY SATISFACTORY RESULT.

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OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

(_By Mr. Punch's Staff of Learned Clerks._)

_Coasting Bohemia_ is the attractive title of a series of essays upon
men and matters by Mr. COMYNS CARR, issued in a portly volume published
by MACMILLAN. During the last forty years Mr. CARR, eminently a clubable
man, has made the acquaintance and enjoyed the friendship of a galaxy of
painters, authors and actors. He was equally at home with MILLAIS,
ALMA-TADEMA, ROSSETTI, BURNE-JONES, WHISTLER, GEORGE MEREDITH, HENRY
IRVING and ARTHUR SULLIVAN. A shrewd observer, quick in sympathy, apt in
characterisation, he has much that is interesting and informing to say
of each. Perhaps the chapter on WHISTLER is the most attractive, since
in some respects his individuality was the most pronounced. In a couple
of brief sentences, pleasing in the slyness of their gentle malice, Mr.
CARR hits off a striking quality in the character of the WHISTLER we
most of us knew. "At times," he writes, "Whistler was even greedy of
applause, and, provided it was full and emphatic enough, showed no
inclination to question its source or authority. There were moments
indeed when, if it appeared to lack volume or vehemence, he was ready
himself to supply what was deficient." Mr. CARR has in his time played
many parts. He made a start at the Bar, but did not get further than the
position of a Junior, which suited him admirably. As a critic, he cannot
plead in extenuation the dictum of DISRAELI that critics are those who
have failed in Literature and Art. He has written several successful
plays, was English editor of _L'Art_, was among the founders of the New
Gallery, and remains established as one of our best after-dinner
speakers. Of such is the kingdom of Bohemia. From these various sources
he draws a stream of reminiscence that runs pleasantly through many
pages. The only drawback to the delight with which I read them arose
from the circumstance that the volume was uncut. Why should a harmless
reviewer be compelled to "coast Bohemia" armed with a paper-knife,
interrupted, when he comes to an exceptionally interesting point, by
necessity for cutting a chunk of pages? _R.S.V.P._, Messrs. MACMILLAN.

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The ease with which the nuptial knot
In Yankee-land is severed--such is
The underlying theme o