[Illustration: Toll'd after Supper. Subject for a Knellegy.]
MR. JEROME K. JEROME, or, more easily pronounced, "Mr. JERUMKY JERUM,"
is occasionally very amusing in his book for Christmastide, entitled
_Told After Supper_. What he wants, that is, what he ought to have
whether he wants it or not, is judicious editing. Had this process
been applied to this eccentric haphazardy book, scarcely more than
a third of it would have been published. "His style, in this book
at least, and, for my part," says the Baron, "I say the same of his
_Three Men in a Tub_, suggests the idea of his writing being the work
of a young man who, among his companions and admirers, has earned the
reputation of being a 'deuced funny chap,' and so has to struggle to
live up to this reputation, or to live it down." JERUMKY JERUM still
somewhat affects Yankee humour, not, however, in so forced and vulgar
a manner as in his overpraised _Three Men in a Boat_. Two of the Ghost
Stories are humorous, but their setting is unworthy of them. Had they
been introduced into a tale as DICKENS (of whose style there is a very
palpable attempt at imitation in the description of a stormy winter's
night) brought in his story of _Tom Smart_, and of the inimitable
_Gabriel Grub_, their mirth-raising value would have been considerably
enhanced. As it is, these choice morsels--sandwich'd in between heavy
slabs of doughy material--stand a chance of not being tasted. To
anyone who comes across the book the Baron says, "read about the
Curate and the Card-trick, and JOHNSON and EMILY. The tinted paper on
which it is printed is a mistake, as are also most of the amateurish
illustrations."
[Illustration: Goblins.]
_WOMAN_--not "lovely woman" who "stoops to folly"--nor woman who in
our hour of ease is uncertain, coy, and hard to please. But Woman,
the weekly _Woman_ who is doing uncommonly well and in her fifty-third
number, gave the week before Christmas, her idea of a Christmas
dinner, and, but for "sweetbread cutlets," a very good and simple
dinner it was. The same _Woman_ gave also, among a variety of
next-day's treatments of Turkey, _Turkey in Aspic_, Turkey in Europe,
and Turkey in Asia--yes--but what about "Turkey in Aspic"? It doesn't
look well; much better in French. But we dare say it's very good,
though, for breakfast or supper, "devilled Turkey" is "hard to beat."
I have been trying to read LEIGH HUNT. His Biography interested me
muchly, and I had always heard, in time past, so much of his writings,
though I do not remember ever having heard the titles of his works
mentioned, that, when a neat-looking volume was sent me by Messrs.
PATERSON & Co. of _Leigh Hunt's Tales_, I anticipated great pleasure
from their perusal. Alas! the pleasure was only in anticipation. I
have tried, as the song says, "A little bit here, and a little bit
there--Here a bit, There a bit, And everywhere a bit,"--but, hang me,
says the Baron, if I can tackle any one of them. The matter doesn't
interest me, and the style doesn't fascinate me. This may be rank
heresy, but I can't help it. I have tried, and failed. Well, better to
have tried, and failed, than never to have tried at all. But I shan't
try again,--at least, not on this collection of Tales.