Mr. HALL CAINE strongly deprecated the tendency to put a premium on rapid composition, as though there were any special virtue in speed. His own novels, which were written with his heart's blood, represented in their ultimate form a rigorous condensation of materials ten or even fifteen times as bulky. It was in this process of condensation that the self-sacrificing side of true genius was most convincingly shown. But, great as was the strain involved in this painful process, even greater was that imposed on a successful author by the cruel importunity of the interviewer on the eve of publication. Such methods were absolutely alien to his nature, but he had to set against his own convenience the immeasurable disappointment which his refusal would cause his readers. It was one of the most pathetic tragedies of genius that the dictates of an austere reticence were so often set at nought by the impulses of a tender heart. Sir H. H. HOWORTH said that the 6,500 columns of _The Times_ which he had filled in the last thirty years had been covered in exactly 3,000 minutes or 500 hours. In his contributions to _The Morning Post_, where he was accorded a larger type, he had attained a slightly greater velocity, almost equalling that of LOPE DE VEGA, the most prolific writer on record. On the other hand, in his _History of the Mongols_ he had adopted a rate of progress more in keeping with the leisurely habits of the race whose records he was collating. He added the interesting fact that, in spite of the saying _nomen omen_, both Dean SWIFT and Archdeacon HARE were slow composers. * * * * * THE SECRET OF OUR COMMERCIAL SUPREMACY. [Illustration: _Clerk_ (_to applicant for post of office-boy_). "The guvnor's out. Call to-morrow at nine." _Applicant._ "Oh, I say! Can't you make it later? I have my breakfast at nine."] * * * * * "Coroners' juries have frequently placed on record their disapproval of amateur doctring." _Manchester Guardian._ Which, in the opinion of _Mrs. Gamp_, they ought to mind their own business and not interfere with matters connected with religion. * * * * * [Illustration: The Picture of a Boxer As Published Fifty Years Ago.] [Illustration: And the picture of a boxer as published to-day.] * * * * * MANES A LA MODE. (_A vision suggested by the inspiriting rumour that green hair is about to become fashionable._) In Springtide when the copses stir And hawthorn buds on boughs are seen, My love shall seek the hairdresser And have her hair dyed green. Gay priestess of a Dryad cult With leaf-like locks she'll haunt the trees, Securing this superb result With Boffkin's verdigris. And feathered songsters all secure, The merle, the lark, shall come and sit Amongst her emerald _chevelure_ And build their nests in it.