"Well, I try to give satisfaction; and so does Mr. Browzer. If that young Mr. Smith writes to the papers that my sugars are not original, that I plagiarise them from a sand-bunker, or that my teas are not good Chinese,—like Mr. Browzer's French, which is what is usual in the Trade,—why, then, he interferes with my business. I bring my action, and hope to win it; and so, as a tradesman, I feel that Mr. Browzer was wronged." There was no reply to these arguments, but I pity the Reviewers.
TO MAUD.—A Birthday Roundel.
An empty purse! It's true we often say
This weary world of ours knows nothing worse,
And yet I send you, on this festive day,
An empty purse.
Do not consign to an untimely hearse
The friend who treats you in this heartless way.
Don't let your pretty lips invoke a curse,
But let me wish you happiness, and may
You guess the reason from this little verse
Why at your feet to-day I humbly lay
An empty purse.
OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.
The worst thing about Mrs. Henniker's new Novel, published by Hurst and Blackett, is its title. There is a London-Journalish, penny-plain-twopence-coloured smack about Foiled which is misleading. My Baronite says he misses the re-iterated interjection which should accompany the verb. "Ha! Ha! Foiled!!" would seem to be more the thing—but it isn't. The story is a simple one, wound about an old theme. It is well constructed, and admirably told. All the characters are what are called Society people; but Mrs. Henniker has studied them in the drawing-room, not from the area-railings, and reproduces them on her page with vivid strokes. Some of her acquaintances will probably feel uneasy when they read about Lord Huddersfield; whilst others will be quite sure that (among their sisters), they recognise Mrs. Anthony Gore. Those not in Society of to-day will find reminiscences of Becky Sharp in Mrs. Gore; whilst big-boned, good-natured, simple-hearted Anthony, pleasantly recalls Major Dobbin. The book is full of shrewd observation, and fine touches of character-drawing, with refreshing oases of flower-garden and moor in Yorkshire and Scotland.