DEAR THOMAS,--As September advances, the wave of fashion is once more filling our best academies, so that a few hints as to the latest _modes_ may well be of service to you. Have you seen the new double pocket? It is quite _chic_. It is constructed simply enough by making a large hole in the side-pockets of your coat, thereby you will find there is an useful space beneath the lining, in which such necessary trifles as a lump of toffee or a Jew's-harp can be comfortably disposed of. Buttons will not be much worn, especially as the term advances. It is rumoured that FORKER _major_ has gone into tails; and if this be true, probably others will follow his example before long. My old friend RICHARD--a well-known connoisseur in such matters--strongly recommends the new confectioner's shop near the school. The Turkish Delight sold there is quite admirable, I am told, and a single bar of the stick-jaw, if used carefully, will last for an entire day. Talking of shopping, I have been to the bookseller's lately. What a misfortune it is that the publishers do not issue Messrs. BOHN'S Classical Library at a lower price! The present one is almost prohibitive to those of us who wish to avoid a certain amount of drudgery, and to please our excellent pedagogues at the same time. Have you heard rumours of a boom in marbles? Hitherto one has associated the game with the lower classes, but I understand that two Upper-Fifth gentlemen were seen to play it last week. If so, it will soon be widely popular. By the way, the report that JOHNSON _minor_ is seriously ill is absurd. The truth of the matter is, that this dashing sportsman had undertaken to eat thirty cracknels in ten minutes, without drink of any kind. The result--he lost by half a cracknel--was to cause him some temporary inconvenience, but he is now completely restored to health. Here are two recipes, which, I think, you will like:-- 1. _Bacon à la Dormitory._ Procure a piece of bacon, and cut it into strips. Impale these, one at a time, on a penholder, and frizzle them slowly over the dormitory gas. (Care should be taken that the tutor is out, as the fragrance caused by the bacon is considerable.) When sufficiently done, chop up with penknives, and serve hot. Condensed milk should be drunk with this dish. 2. _Marrons à la Poppleton._ Place some chestnuts between the bars of the fireplace. Do not break the skins. Presently the roasted nuts will fly into the room with a loud report, and much amusement will be caused if they happen to hit anybody on the face. They may then be picked up and eaten. Sherbet is an appropriate drink with which to accompany them. Yours ever, WILLIAM. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 109, September 21, 1895, by Various