Hearty congratulations from the Baron and his assistants to Mr. H. W.
LUCY on his delightful life of Mr. GLADSTONE (W. H. ALLEN & Co).
No one certainly has had better opportunities than TOBY, M.P., for
studying the great statesman in all his varying moods; and it may be
affirmed with equal certainty that no other man (or dog) could have
used his opportunities to greater advantage for the benefit of the
public. There are in this little volume a tone of easy yet scholarly
courtesy, a fine literary touch, and a marvellous power of condensing
details into one vividly descriptive sentence. It is an admirable
piece of work, which, seeing that it only costs a shilling, ought to
be sure of a popularity fully equal to its high merits.
"Bravo TOBY!" says
[Illustration: THE BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.]
* * * * *
CHANGE OF DESCRIPTIVE TITLE.--In the Egyptian explorations, the
results of which, so far, have been recently given in Professor
PETRIE'S lecture, reported in the _Times_ of Thursday, April 18, the
lecturer tells us how he was accompanied in his researches by Mr.
GRENFELL, "The Craven Fellow." How doubly plucky of Professor PETRIE
to proceed with such a companion so extraordinarily timorous as is
expressed in such a _sobriquet_ as "The Craven Fellow." However, he
belied his name by showing such pluck and perseverance in rendering
assistance to the Professor as will entitle him to explain himself
as "_Late_ the Craven Fellow," but _now_ "the C. F., or Courageous
Fellow."
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE JAP IN THE CHINA SHOP.
_Master of the Situation_ (_loq._). "NOW THEN, YOU PIG-HEADED OLD
PIGTAIL, OPEN YOUR SHOP--AND HAND ME THE KEYS!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: SCORCHING.
_First Countryman_ (_to third-rate Amateur Jock, whose mount won't
have the Fence_). "NOW THEN, SHOVE 'IM AT IT AGIN, MISTER! WHOI DENGED
IF OI WOULDN'T JUMP THAT 'ERE LITTLE PLACE WI' A JACKASS!"
_Second Countryman._ "MAYBE YER WOULD, MA LAD; BUT YER SEE THAT 'ERE
'OSS DON'T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT JUMPING WI' A JACKASS!"]
* * * * *