Another work of outstanding significance is a volume of poems, entitled _Kailyard Carols_, from the accomplished pen of Mr. Alan Bodgers, whom Mr. DAVID LYALL, in a three-column article in the _Penman_, recently declared to be the finest lyric poet since SHELLEY, and Mr. LYALL seldom makes a mistake. Mr. Bodgers, it may be added, is the sub-editor of the _Kilspindie Courant_, and has a handicap of twenty-two at the local golf club. * * * * * Very welcome also is the announcement that Professor Hector McGollop has undertaken to edit a series of Manuals of Moral Uplift, to which he will contribute the opening volume on _The Art of Unction_. Other contributors to the series are Dr. Talisker Dinwiddie, Principal Marcus Tonks and the Rev. Bandley Chadd. * * * * * In the department of fiction the most remarkable of the novelties promised by Messrs. Odder and Thynne is _The Nut's Progress_, by Mr. EWAN STRAW. It will be remembered that in a four-column review of Mr. STRAW'S last book, _Nothing Doing_, which appeared in the Xmas number of the _Book Booster_, Sir CLEMENT SHORTHOUSE declared that this talented fictionist combined the lilt of FRANK SMEDLEY (the author of _Frank Fairleigh_) with the whimsicality of BARRIE and the austere morality of ANNIE SWAN. Otherwise we may be sure the firm of Odder and Thynne would never have published a work with so risky a title. * * * * * PERHAPS. Of wolves that wear sheep's clothing The world has long been full, But I've a special loathing For one in Berlin wool. Although the wool may cover Not more than half the beast, Perhaps when all is over He'll be entirely fleeced. W. W. * * * * * "MAGNIFICENT BEQUEST TO THE LOUVRE. Sunspot Visible to the Naked Eye." _Times._ France seems to have acquired Germany's spot in the sun. * * * * * Illustration: _Ethel (in apprehensive whisper which easily reaches her German governess, to whom she is deeply attached)._ "MOTHER, SHALL WE HAVE TO KILL FRAeULEIN?" * * * * * REASONING IN THE RANKS. [_Several journals have pointed out that the type of recruit now offering himself is in a high degree capable of reasoning and initiative._] "Now I want any of you who are puzzled about anything to ask questions about it," said the instructing sergeant-major ... and anon: "Right about, Number 3 of the front rank! There is no such thing as left about turn. Squad, form----" "Excuse me," interrupted Number 3, "but why do you say that there is no such thing as left about turn?" "Because there isn't," said the sergeant-major unsympathetically. "But, my good man," urged Number 3, "there must be. I've just done it. Why, look here!" He did it again. "Such a movement is not in the drill-book," said the sergeant-major curtly.