Which with a patriot's conscience plays most tricks?
Which most the venal virus has betrayed,—
The man who makes his Trade his Politics,
Or he who makes his Politics his Trade?
OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.
Burdett's Official Intelligence for 1893 is just out, a promising young thing in its twelfth year. It is a little early to talk of the holidays, but my Baronite, regarding this thin Vol. of 1783 pages, says he cannot help thinking with what pleasure the City merchant, or his clerk, hastening to the seaside, will pack it up with his collar-box. Every year the monumental work increases in value, by reason of accumulated information. To the tired City man, scaling some Alp, gliding in well-found yacht over silver seas, or prone in bosky dell, there can be nothing more soothing or delightful than to take his "Burdett" out of his waistcoat-pocket, and read it through from first page to last.
For The Tragedy of Ida Noble the Baron tenders his grateful thanks to W. Clark Russell. It starts well, and the excitement is artistically sustained. At the close of every chapter Oliver, the reader, is perpetually "asking for more." A capital story of adventure, where all, including the reader, are "quite at sea" until the very last chapter. On nearing the middle of the book, the question will occur to everyone experienced in such matters, "Does the hero marry the heroine?" Now this, being a lady's secret, will not be revealed by The Baron de B.-W.
