The Baron, while greatly admiring and certainly grateful for the Diamond editions of all the best works, and Diamond editions should reproduce only those that can be classed among the "brilliants," of which two or three specimens at a time can be carried easily in the pocket of an ulster, begs to remind Messrs. ROUTLEDGE, the republishers of DICKENS'S works in a very pocketable form, that much of our journeying is done by such gaslight as railway companies supply, and therefore, as this is not always of the most powerful kind, a book in small type, however clear the type may be, is unreadable. That is what the publishers have to consider. This excellent little pocket volume of, for example, _The Cricket on the Hearth_, is of no use to the Baron when once out of the pocket. True, the publishers may say "it is intended for the pocket only"; but if this be the case, then the pockets that would suffer would be those of the publishers, not those of the reading public. The Baron's hints are well worth consideration. For travelling, the publishers might provide and sell a small case containing the Diamond edition and a portable candle-lamp by which to read it. Only this would rather add to the expense, and with every volume one does not wish to be obliged to carry a candle-lamp. Therefore, bigger and clearer type. That's all. Try it, and if it does not succeed, blame the hitherto blameless BARON DE B.-W. * * * * * [Illustration: CRUELLE ENIGME; OR, TWOS INTO ONE WON'T GO. THE PROBLEM OF THE DAY:--HOW TO GET THIS YEAR'S SLEEVES INTO LAST YEAR'S JACKET.] * * * * * Mrs. R. saw a heading in a newspaper. "_Board of Trade Returns._" Whereupon she exclaimed, "Where's the Board of Trade been to? I suppose for a holiday, and we shall have to pay!" * * * * * THE BOGUS MANAGER'S VADE MECUM. _Question._ Is it an easy thing to become the manager of a theatre? _Answer._ Why, certainly; you require no cash, and very little credit. _Q._ Is it necessary that you should have any special training to enable you to appropriately fill so responsible a position? _A._ No. If you are sufficiently impudent, you may in the past have been a betting-man, a crossing-sweeper, or an unqualified dentist. _Q._ Will you have any difficulty in securing a theatre? _A._ Not at all. You will always find someone willing to accept you as a lessee without making any inquiry as to your antecedents. _Q._ Having obtained a theatre, what is your next step? _A._ To get together a company. This is easily managed, as the dramatic trade-journals give every week a long list of actors and actresses who are "resting." _Q._ What do you understand by such a word? _A._ That the advertiser is much in need of an engagement, but is too proud to acknowledge it. _Q._ Such a frame of mind is, I suppose, favourable to hurried and unconsidered engagements?