_Notes from the News._ By JAMES PAYN. (CHATTO AND WINDUS.) Notes on passing events of all sorts, spiced with capital stories, which will indeed be a big capital to be drawn upon by the dining-out _raconteur_,--the only thing against his present success being that most persons will have read these stories in _The Illustrated London News_ or in this volume. It is a book for the weary work-all-day man to dip into, and to come out of it again refreshed. When in doubt as to what light reading to take up, the Baron advises, "Take PAYN'S." BARON DE BOOK-WORMS. P.S.--My faithful "Co." has been revelling in the Summer Holiday Number of _All The Year Round_, which consists of a complete story entitled, _A Mist of Error_, by MARY ANGELA DICKENS. The authoress is the granddaughter of the great novelist, and the daughter of his son, the most popular of editors, and the best of good fellows. My "Co." reports, that the novelette is full of promise, and is a proof that literary genius is hereditary. Interesting from the first page to the last, _A Mist of Error_, in spite of its title, is never suggestive of a fog. My faithful "Co." is also delighted with _Men of the Time Birthday Book_, compiled by Mr. J. F. BOYES, F.S.A.--a charming little Volume that everyone will be proud to possess. He prophesies that it will be one of the most popular of Birthday Books, and congratulates its compiler on the production of a work of distinct historical value. * * * * * A GREAT GUNN. [GUNN, the great Notts' Batsman, playing for the Players of England against the Australians at Lords, on June 19 and 20, made 228 runs, the highest individual score ever made in this country against the Australians.] SUCH calm, graceful batting, of funk as defiant, As proof against flurry, deserved the crowd's roar. 'Twas Cricket, indeed, when the Nottingham Giant, Against the best batting, piled up that huge score; And the crowd as they watched him smite, play, block, or run, Could grasp the full meaning of "Sure as a GUNN!" * * * * * ROBERT AT THE LEATHERSELLERS'. WE had been so preshus busy at "the Grand Hotel" lately, that I hadn't seen werry much of my deer old Citty, but larst week I was arsked for to go and offishyate there at the jolly Leathersellers Company's Grand Dinner, as they was about to have a very distangy Party including one of our most sellybrated Hartist's, who's that poplar that ewerybody calls him 'ARRY instead of 'ENERY, as must in course have been the name as his godmothers and godfathers gav him when he was quite young and had his fust taste of a cold Bath, and most probberbly didn't like it.