as interesting
to Thackerayans, and "A Maiden Speech," in _Murray_, for August, the
latter being rather too sketchy, though in its sketchiness artistic,
as, like _Sam Weller's_ love-letter, it makes you "wish as there was
more of it."

Commended also by the Baron are "The Story of a Violin," by ERNEST
DOWSON, and "Heera Nund," by F.A. STEEL, in _Macmillan_. If "A First
Family of Tasajara" is continued as well as it is commenced in the
same above-mentioned Mac-azine, it will be about as good a tale as
BRET HARTE has ever written, and that is saying a good deal, mind you.

Unfinished Stories--that is, Stories finished in style, yet, as
another contradiction in terms, short stories without any end, are
rather the vogue nowadays in Magazines. Let me recommend as specimens
"Francesca's Revenge" in _Blackwood_, and "Disillusioned" in _London
Society_.

Don't tell the Baron that these hints are unappreciated. He knows
better. He can produce letters imploring him to read and notice,
letters asking him what to read, and letters complaining that his
advice is not more frequently given. Aware of this responsibility, he
never recommends what he has not himself read, or what some trusted
partner in the Firm of BARON DE BOOK-WORMS & Co. has not read for him.
_Verb. sap._

BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.

* * * * *

MISS DECIMA-HELYETT-SMITHSON-JACKSON.

One or two of the especially well-informed dramatic critics who, of
course, had seen the original piece _Miss Helyett_ in Paris, asked
why the English adapter had taken the trouble to invent nine sisters
for the heroine; the nine sisters never being seen and having nothing
whatever to do with the plot. Here the well-informed ones were
to a certain extent wrong. In the original French piece, _Miss
Helyett_,--whose name, as is suggested by _Woman_, is evidently a
French rendering for "Miss ELLIOT," which M. BOUCHERON "concluded was
her Christian name"--speaking of herself, says to her father, "_Vous
savez bien, mon pere, que vous n'avez pas de plus grande admiratrice
que votre onzieme enfant._" And the Reverend SMITHSON tells her, a
little later, "_J'ai case toutes tes soeurs tres jeunes_--" and "_Je
ne devrais pourtant pas avoir de peine a trouver un onzieme gendre._"

[Illustration: "Oh, shocking!!"]

That is why he is travelling to get an "_onzieme gendre_" for his
"_onzieme enfant_." The English adapter relieved Mr. SMITHSON of one
of his family, and