Crackers.—Tom Smith, the up-to-date magician, sends forth from his treasure-cave "bright things which gleam," but not "unrecked of"—at least they won't remain so long, especially if any quiet demon of a schoolboy with martial aspirations hears a report of "The Gatling Gun Cracker." The repeating process will be an uncertain pleasure—to others. Then "Snap Shots," taken unawares by a naughty little Cupid—we can imagine the "Surprises!" Knick-knacks are boomed in "Ye Olde Curiosity Shop"—but soft! I will not reveal any further the secrets of the "King of Crackers." Get them—they are an "Open Sesame" to a gaiety of delights.
ADDING INSULT TO INJURY.
Cyclist (to Fox-hunter, thrown out). "Oi say, Squoire, 'ave you seen the 'Ounds?"
OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.
A Baronitess junior sends word from the children's quarters that Your Fortune and Character is an amusing game, told by William Shakspeare, but published by John Jaques & Co.—evidently not a descendant of the "melancholy Jaques," for he would have "rail'd on Lady Fortune in good terms" had the game been at his expense.
Massa Blackie & Son send in a story by G. A. Henty, always so Hentytaining, entitled When London Burned. We all ken that when Rome burned Nero fiddled, but this hero—not an 'ero—had every opportunity of extinguishing—my Baronite means "distinguishing himself;" and our cavalier availed himself, after many other wondrous episodes, to rush with warm enthusiasm to throw cold water on this enlightenment of London. Needless to remark, he came scatheless through the fire!
From Snowdon to the Sea, by Marie Trevelyan, shows us Wales in the days of Merlin and mythical superstitions, likewise of queer doings on the part of bold, bad buccaneers, in whom we seem to trace something of the origin of the modern Welsher.