Messrs. Hutchinson & Co. have published a Book of Wise Sayings, by W. A. Clouston. Not that W. A. Clouston said them all, or any of them, but he selected them. One fault has the Baron to find with the selecting collector, and that is that his references are incomplete. He affixes the name of the author to every wise saying, but as he does not give chapter and verse, it is impossible for the ordinary unlearned reader to ascertain when and where the wise saying was uttered. Perhaps this omission is wise on the part of Mr. Clouston. However, here is a happy example for the time present:—
"Safe in thy breast close lock up thy intents,
For he that knows thy purpose best prevents."—Randolph.
Isn't that good? Isn't it "Randolph" to the life? Is anyone quite certain as to the course our Randolph will take?
There are, too, quotations from "R. Chamberlain"—not from Joseph—with whose works the Baron is not so conversant as he might be. Saith R. Chamberlain:—
"A foolish man in wealth and authority is like a weak-timbered house with a too-ponderous roof."—R. Chamberlain.
The Baron strongly recommends the study of this volume to Mr. Oscar Wilde; it will save him hours of painful cogitation during the incubation of his next play.
The Baron de B.-W. & Co.
Another Home-Rule Question.—Ulster objects. Ulster threatens. If Home Rule becomes the law of the land, the Ulstermen will resist vi et armis. Do they propose to set up an Opposition Sovereignty? If so, they have a monarch at hand with the very title to suit them. He is to be found at the Heralds' College, and he is the, par excellence, "Ulster King-at-Arms!"