"Now _that_," quoth the Baron emphatically, as he deposed _My Lady Rotha_ in favour of the next novelty, what ever it might be, "_that_ is a romance after my own heart. Mr. STANLEY WEYMAN, author of _A Gentleman of France_ and _Under the Red Robe_, has not as yet, excellent as were both those works, written anything so powerful, so artistic, so exciting, and so all-engrossing (no further participles or adjectives wanted at present) as _My Lady Rotha_." This romancer has the rare talent of interesting his reader as much in the action of his crowds as he does in the fortunes of his individuals. He is the Sir JOHN GILBERT of the pen; and the Baron cautiously expresses his opinion that _My Lady Rotha_ is not so very far off _Ivanhoe_. To compare with the works of other modern romancers, it may be safely said that, from Chapter XXVI. to Chapter XXIX. inclusive, the situations are as exciting as any ever invented by RIDER HAGGARD, LOUIS B. STEPHENSON, or JULES VERNE; "which" the Baron freely admits, "is saying a good deal,--_Treasure Island_ always excepted." The Baron anticipates "Next please," with pleasure, but at the same time he would draw the attention of the prolific author to the ancient proverb "_festina lente_," which is not at variance with his exclaiming "On! STANLEY (WEYMAN) on!" and these are "the last words" (for the present on _this_ subject) of the BARON DE BOOK-WORMS. * * * * * POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS. [On hearing that an Archdeacon had withdrawn from the School-Board Controversy because he found himself opposed to his Bishop.] The Archdeacon is "sorry he spoke." Not that he has changed his opinion--oh dear no! far from that. But the Bishop thinks otherwise, so the Archdeacon retires as gracefully as may be from the controversy. He is, he explains, as it were, the Bishop's "oculus"--the man to whom the Bishop can proudly point, and say "All my eye!" This theory of subordination of thought to one's superior is highly suggestive. For instance, who will be surprised to read the following highly authentic document, now made public for the first time. _To the Editor of the Once a-Month Review._ DEAR SIR,--With reference to my article "Is Horse-racing Justifiable?" I desire to make known that while I still strongly adhere to my views therein expressed as to the wickedness of the turf, I shall, for the reason I am about to mention, take no further active part in the controversy. I find that the PRIME MINISTER is the owner of some racehorses (a fact previously unknown to me), and as I am his "dextera," if it is not presumptive to say so, it would clearly be unbecoming on my part to take up any antagonistic position. However much I may regret having to take this course, I am sure you will agree with me that it is the only one which is open to me. Yours faithfully, W-LL-AM V-RN-N H-RC-URT.