(_An Entirely Imaginary Letter._)
Dear MR. B-CH-N-N,--Our famous Third Page rather dull lately. Couldn't
you enliven it up by one of your characteristic letters--say on "The
Profession of Literature"? Say all the old things about its degrading
effect on those who follow it, including yourself--the public loves
to see a vivisection in public--and be sure to spice it well
with distinguished names, such as SW-NB-RN-, R-SS-TT-, etc. Any
depreciatory anecdotes would be very telling, and serve to evoke
indignant _free_ replies from those who wouldn't guess they were
jumping to a prepared bait. I shall count on you for a column.
Yours faithfully,