But what means this new style of printing on thin double sheets?  One advantage is that no cutting is required.  If this form become the fashion, better thus to bring out the Utterbosh Series, which shall then escape the critics’ hands,—­no cutting being required.  There are, as those who use the paper-knife to these volumes will discover, in this new issue of Messrs. CASSELL’s, two blank pages for every two printed ones, so that a new novel might be written in MS. inside the printed one.  The paper is good and clean to the touch; but I prefer the stiff cover to the limp, “there’s more backbone about it,” says the

BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.

Scarcely time to bring out a pocket edition (like those genuine pocketable and portable editions, the red-backed ROUTLEDGES) of The Bride of Lammermoor, between now and the date of its production, next Saturday, at the Lyceum.  But worth while doing it as soon as possible. Advice gratis.  B. DE B.-W.

P.S.—­(Important to Authors and Scribblers.)—­Unfortunately the Baron has been compelled to take to his bed (which he doesn’t “take to” at all—­but this by the way), and there write.  Once more he begs to testify to the excellence both of The Hairless Author’s Pad—­no The Author’s Hairless Pad—­and of the wooden rest and frame into which it fits.  Nothing better for an invalid than rest for his frame, and here are rest and frame in one.  Given these (or, if not “given,” purchased), and a patent indelible-ink-lead pencil (whose patent I don’t know, as, with much use, the gold-lettering is almost obliterated from mine, and all I can make out is the word “Eagle"), and the convalescent author may do all his work in comfort, without mess or muddle; and hereto, once again, I set my hand and seal, so know all men by these presents, all to the contrary nevertheless and notwithstanding.  B. DE B.-W.

* * * * *

GREEN PASTURES OR PICCADILLY?

TO THE EDITOR.

[Illustration]

Sir,—­I see that you have opened your columns to a discussion of the relative advantages of life in London and the Suburbs.  I don’t think that really the two can be compared.  If you want perfect quietude can you get it better than in a place where, between nine and six, not a single male human being is visible, all of them being in town?  Some people may call this dull; but I like it.  Then everything is so cheap in the Suburbs!  I only pay L100 a year for a nice house in a street, with a small bath-room, and a garden quite as large as a full-sized billiard-table.  People tell me I could get the same thing in London, but of course a suburban street must be nicer than a London one.  We are just outside the Metropolitan main drainage system, and our death-rate is rather heavy, but then our rates are light.  My butcher only charges me one-and-twopence a pound for best joints, and though