My faithful "Co." is employing his Easter holidays in reading "shockers." He has already been dreadfully upset by A SOCIETY SCANDAL, which, he declares, reminds him of "OUIDA" toned down with milk and water. It is by "RITA," who, as author of _Mystery of a Turkish Bath_, _Sheba_, _&c., &c., &c._ (see cover), can no longer be called a new writer. _Fair Phyllis of Lavender Wharf_, by Mr. JAMES GREENWOOD (the "Amateur Casual"), forms vol. 39 of "The Bristol Library." It is scarcely up to the standard of _Called Back_, and others of Mr. ARROWSMITH'S popular shilling publications, but is not uninteresting. Mr. JAMES SKIPP BORLASE, in _The Police Minister_, tells "A Tale of St. Petersburg." As an Irishman might say, no one could "Bore lase," so there is really no necessity to Skipp him. It would scarcely be fair to tell the plot of this thrilling narrative, but it may be hinted that _The Police Minister_ is _not_ a chaplain attached to the Court at Bow Street. The illustrated cover to _The Mynn's Mystery_, by Mr. G. MANVILLE FENN, shows a gentleman in the act of thrusting a knife into the shaggy body of Bruin, from which it may be gathered that the point of the story is a little hard to bear. But perhaps the best title that has appeared for many years is _Stung by a Saint_, which _should_ be the sequel to a book called _Kissed by a Sinner_. My faithful "Co." has not yet had time to read this last contribution to the shilling novelties, but expects to find that the hero or heroine must be either a right-minded wasp, or a more than usually conscientious mosquito. THE BARON DE BOOK-WORMS & CO. * * * * * The Penalties of Greatness. Be great, my son, and in the public eye All your life long you'll have to walk in fetters. Gossip your daily scourge; and when you die They'll make a market of your private letters, And try to mix you in some mess of scandal; 'Tis question if the game is worth the candle! * * * * *