"King Diddle," by H. DAVIDSON, deals with the wondrous sight, Seen by
two little children in a lumber-room one night.
And "Rider's Leap," by LANGBRIDGE,--no, not by RIDER HAGGARD, Shows how
a brave and noble youth, can never be a blaggard.
[Illustration: Wrapped Up in a Book.]
* * * * *
(AIR--"_Zurich's Fair Waters._")
The Christmas Number of London _Society_--_Society_!
With STRANGE WINTER, GRIFFITH, and FENN,
Gives us all a most pleasing variety--Variety!
There's a tale from the CAMERON pen.
* * * * *
If sly FRANCIS BACON was SHAKSPEARE _incog._,
His publisher nowadays ought to be HOGG,
Whose books for the Season, the "Stories and Yarns,"
Must prove to us all that "one lives and one larns."
But "Cocky and Clucky and Cackle," I fear,
Which is from the German, is not very clear.
* * * * *
GRIFFITHS AND FARREN, farren-aceous food
For children's taste provide--all very good.
* * * * *
In his story of the "Willoughby" two "Captains," T. B. REED
Shows how a public school-boy's life both pride and courage need.
In your "Walks in the Ardennes," which some may prefer to Surrey--
PERCY LINDLEY'S is a Guide-book--to be re-named "LINDLEY-MURRAY."
Here's "Bo-Peep" and also "Little Folks," with prose and verse
combined,
Wherein the smallest readers may find something to their mind.
The charming "Rosebud Annual,", with pictures, we confess
Is a book all little gardeners should certainly possess.
* * * * *
The Sporting Cards of HARDING, funny.
HAZELBERG'S "Diadem" worth the money.
* * * * *
(AIR--"_The Flowers that bloom._")
For toys that pop up with a spring,
Tra la!
Or toys not at all in that line,
To CREMER'S you'll go, and you'll sing
Tra la!
I want to lay out a shil-_ling_,
Tra la!
For which you will get something fine
That cheapness and taste will combine.
For "_Modes et robes_ pour _les dames et les
en_fants,"
And toy model series amusing and strong,
To CREMER, tra la!
To CREMER, tra la!
Junior CREMER, go!
* * * * *
Paintings on leather, satin, whence this show?
We reply, "WALKER"--meaning JOHN & CO.
(_Chorus to "En revenant de la Revue."_)
You're searching out for something very new
These diaries, all shapes and sizes, view, Sir.
Instead of "_En revenant de la Revue_,"
With "date cards" _reviendrez_ DE LA RUE, Sir.
* * * * *
WIRTHS BROTHERS' cards we like, and for this reason--
They are in keeping with the Christmas season.
Of Christmas Cards you ask well where on earth's
Their point? Quite so: but here's your money's wirths.
* * * * *
(AIR--"_John Peel._")
Do you ken TOM SMITH
As you ought to do,
He is coming with
Some Crackers new,
Crackers and costumes not a few,
To make merry a Christmas ev'ning.
* * * * *
(AIR--"_The Jolly Young Waterman._")
Oh, did you ne'er hear of the name ARTHUR ACKERMANN,
Who imports Christmas Cards called after PRANG,
They are American, 'tis safe to back a man,
Who holds for landscape cards premier rang.
* * * * *
The MARION Album intended for photos,
Three-quarter pictures with scant legs and no toes.
* * * * *
Cards neat and droll, not too elaborated,
Come from card-houses, which are CASTELL-ated.
* * * * *
"Take a Card," says BENNETT, "do,"
And a satin card-case too.
* * * * *
The SOCKL Court Card much delighted the Bard.
And FAULKNER'S are charming. I "speak by the Card."
* * * * *
_The exhausted Poet addresses Mr. Punch._
Joy! Joy! my task I've done! and I, sweet Sire,
Vainly, Macbeth-like, strike the slavish lyre.[1]
I'll sing no more. Books! cards! go on the shelf.
Sooner than strike my harp, I'll "strike" myself!
My holiday's begun. Accept my benison!
Signed MORRIS-BROWNING-AUSTIN-SWINBURNE-TENNYSON.
[Footnote 1: "Lyre and slave! (_strikes him._)"--_Macbeth_, Act v., sc.
5.]
* * * * *