[Illustration]

The Baron is an amateur of pocket-books and note-books.  The best pocket-book must contain a calendar-diary, and as little printed matter, and as much space for notes, as possible.  No pocket-book is perfect without some sort of patent pencil, of which the writing-metal, when used on a damp surface, will serve as well as do pen and ink on ordinary paper.  Such a pocket-book with such a pencil the Baron has long had in use, the product of JOHN WALKER & Co., of Farringdon House.  It should be called The Walker Pocket-book, or Pedestrian’s Companion; for, as “He who runs may read,” so, with this handy combination, “He who walks may write.”  The Baron is led to mention this a propos of a novelty by T.J.  SMITH AND DOWNES, called The Self-registering Pocket Note-book, a very neat invention, qua Note-book only, but of which only one size has the invaluable patent pencil.  The ordinary pencil entails carrying a knife, and, though this is good for the cutler—­“I know that man, he comes from Sheffield”—­yet it is a defect which is a constant source of worry to the ordinary note-taker.  Otherwise, Messrs. SMITH AND DOWNES’ artfulness in making the pencil serve as a marker, so that the latest note can at once be found, is decidedly ingenious, and may probably be found most useful. Experientia docet:  Baronius tentabit.

While on the subject of pocket-books, the Baron must thank Messrs. CASSELL & Co. for the pocket volumes of the National Library edited by HENRY MORLEY, and ventures to recommend as a real travelling companion, Essays, Civil and Moral, by Francis Bacon.  In the eighteenth Essay “Of Travel,” the chief Diarists, “LETTS AND SON,” might find a motto for their publications.  The Baron directs their attention to this side of BACON from which this is a slice,—­“Let Diaries, therefore, be brought in use.”  A new reading for advertising purposes would change “Let” into “Letts,” or Letts could be interpolated in brackets.  “A cheeky way of treating BACON,” says the Baron’s friend little FUNNIMAN (Author of Funniman’s Poor Jokes); but, if nothing worse than this can be said against the Baron’s suggestion, why, “Letts adopt it,” says

THE BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.

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[Illustration:  MOMENTS WHEN LIFE IS REALLY WORTH LIVING.

(The Annual Visit to the Family Dentist.)

“WELL, MY DEAR YOUNG LADY, I’VE LOOKED VERY CAREFULLY, AND THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR ME TO DO TO YOU THIS YEAR!”]

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PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.