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_Short Papers in Magazines_.--"A starry night Is the shepherd's
delight," and as this sort of night is to the pastor, so are
short stories in Monthly Magazines to the Baron. Moreover, his
recommendation of them is, as he knows from numerous grateful
Correspondents, "a boon and a blessing" to such as follow his lead. He
owns to a partiality for the weird, and if he can come across a brief
"curdler," he at once singles it out for the delectation of those
whose taste is in the same direction. But no curdler has he come
across for some considerable time; but for short essays and tales
to be read by ladies in some quiet half-hour before toiletting or
untoiletting, or by the weaker sex in the smoking-room, the Baron
begs to commend "THACKERAY's Portraits of Himself," 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._