"There are, methinks," quoth the Baron, "two or three novels—one certainly I can call to mind—wherein the interior domestic life of Jews strict in the observance of their ancient and most touching religious rites and ceremonies is more amply, as well as more minutely, described than in Mr. Farjeon's Aaron the Jew, which, be it my pleasing duty to testify, is one of the best of this prolific author's works; a simple, touching story, the interest being well kept up, as of course the "interest" should be when dealing with the true history of one who commenced as a pawnbroker." As to the rites above mentioned, no special or intimate personal experience is shown to be possessed by the author, who could very easily have obtained his materials from an interesting work entitled, as I fancy, The Jew at Home, which has, the Baron regrets to say, disappeared from its shelf in the Baron's library. Aaron is lively, is gay, is witty, a "Jew d'esprit," and, like Mr. Peter Magnus, he amuses a small circle of intimate friends; but his story, and that of his sweet wife Rachel, as related by Mr. Farjeon, will increase this friendly circle to a very considerable extent. The Baron ventures to think that a good deal of the dialogue and of the descriptive writing is unnecessary,—but Mr. Farjeon likes to give everyone plenty for their money,—and, further, that the story would have gained by the loss of what would have reduced the three volumes to two. But altogether, the novel is "recommended" by the interested but disinterested
Baron de Book-Worms.
A VOTE OF THANKS.
By a Hard-up Journalist.
[A strange light has appeared on that part of the surface of Mars not illuminated by the sun. The Westminster Gazette of August 2 asks the question, "Is Mars signalling to us?">[
Oh, men of Mars, we thank you, your behaviour's really kind! (Forgive us if you've lately slipped somewhat out of mind!) For now the silly season's set in with all its "rot," You once more raise the question whether you exist or not.
No doubt the good old topics will trot out yet again:— "Is Flirting on the Increase?" "Is Marriage on the Wane?" Big gooseberries as usual with sea-serpents will compete, To help the British Press-man his columns to complete!
But you, my merry Martians, have opportunely planned A mild but new sensation for the holidays at hand; Your planet's "terminator," it seems, is now ablaze— 'Tis, say the cognoscenti, a signal that you raise!
What is it that you're shewing terrestrial telescopes? Is't pills you're advertising, or booming patent soaps? How on earth can one discover what by this beacon's meant, Whether news of Royal Weddings or Railway Strikes is sent?