SIR,--I don't know much about books. I've just written rather a good one on _Cricket_, and I think if I were going to Africa I should take a supply. From all I've heard of TIPPOO TIB, I should think he would enjoy the game; at any rate TIPPOO ought to be able to master tip and run without much difficulty. W.G. GR-CE. SIR,--Having consulted my relatives--also CAPTAIN M-L-SW-RTH--as to whether there would be any impropriety in giving a reply to your questions, I am happy to say that they seem to think there would be none, but that on the contrary it might even assist the takings at the Aquarium. I may therefore mention that if I were proceeding to Central Africa there is _only one book_ I should dream of taking with me. That would be a copy of the Proceedings of the London County Council, since the joyful date of its advent on this planet. Yours obediently, Z-o. SIR,--The one book I should take with me to Africa would be DR. PETERS' recent valuable work--_More Light on Dark Africa_. I should give it to the Dwarfs. It would make capital poisoned arrows. H.M. ST-NL-Y. SIR,--The only book worth thinking about for such an expedition as you mention would be STANLEY's _In Darkest Africa_. Its Maps would be invaluable,--as presents for a rival explorer, whom one might desire to mislead as to his route. CARL P-T-RS. * * * * * MR. HERKOMER AND MR. PENNELL. PROFESSOR HERKOMER defends the use of Photography for the engraver's purposes, and clearly thinks that what TENNYSON ought to have written, in _Locksley Hall_, was-- "And the thoughts of men are widened by a Process of the Sun's." He also comforts himself with the reflection that being called over the coals in the _National Observer_, is one of the PENNELL-ties of success. * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S POCKET IBSEN. (_CONDENSED AND REVISED VERSION BY MR. P.'S OWN HARMLESS IBSENITE_.) NO. III.--HEDDA GABLER. ACT II. SCENE--_The cheerful dark Drawing-room. It is afternoon. HEDDA stands loading a revolver in the back Drawing-room._ _Hedda_ (_looking out, and shouting_). How do you do, Judge? (_Aims at him._) Mind yourself! [_She fires._ _Brack_ (_entering_). What the devil! Do you usually take pot-shots at casual visitors? [_Annoyed._ _Hedda_. Invariably, when they come by the back-garden. It is my unconventional way of intimating that I am at home. One does do these things in realistic dramas, you know. And I was only aiming at the blue sky. _Brack_. Which accounts for the condition of my hat. (_Exhibiting it._) Look here--_riddled_! _Hedda_. Couldn't help myself. I am so horribly bored with TESMAN. Everlastingly to be with a professional person! _Brack_ (_sympathetically_). Our excellent TESMAN is certainly a bit of a bore. (_Looks searchingly at her_.) What on earth made you marry him?