Although the tour is of this private character, Mr. SHORTER is not unprepared to record his opinions as they occur to him or to continue to nourish his mind on the latest productions of the human intellect. His travelling entourage comprises a brace of highly-trained typists, a librarian, the Keeper of the Paper-knife and a faithful stenographer known as "Boswell," who is pledged to miss none of the Master's _dicta_. During the voyage Mr. SHORTER had the services of a special Marconi operator, so that he might receive half-hourly bulletins as to the state of the publishing world, contents of the literary papers, deaths of editors and fellow-critics, new knighthoods and so forth. The Atlantic, on the whole, did not displease him. Details of the tour which have already reached home indicate that its success is profound. At Boston Mr. SHORTER, although his visit was brief, found time to deliver his famous _causerie_, "Men of Letters Whom I have Influenced," with special reference to GEORGE MEREDITH. At Waterbury (which there is some possibility of renaming Shorterbury) the great critic was made the recipient of an address of welcome and a watch. At Pittsburg the freedom of the Carnegie Libraries all over the world was conferred upon him by the famous iron-master. At Haworth (Minn.) Mr. SHORTER presented the postmaster with an autographed copy of his _magnum opus_ on the BRONTËS. At Salt Lake City he enchanted the Mormon Elders by anecdotes of THACKERAY'S relations with their namesake, the London publisher. At Peoria (Ill.) he kept his audience in roars by recounting the good sayings of his critical _confrère_, Sir WILLIAM ROBERTSON NICOLL. At Philadelphia a very old man, who claimed to be a younger brother of _Mr. Rochester_ (in _Jane Eyre_), publicly embraced the illustrious visitor and borrowed two dollars. The rumour that Mr. SHORTER is to be appointed as our Ambassador in Washington must not be too lightly dismissed. America often sends us a man of letters--LOWELL, for example, and HAY. Why should we not return the compliment? It would be a better appointment than many that could be named. The fact cannot be concealed that at home the absence of Mr. SHORTER in America is seriously felt. Fleet Street wears a bereaved air and Dublin is conscious of a poignant loss. As for our authors, they are in a state of dismay; some, it is true, like mice when the cat is away, are taking liberties, but most are paralysed by the knowledge that the watchful eye is not there, the hand, so instant to blame or praise, is resting. Even publishers, normally an insensitive race are shaken, and books that were to have been issued have been held back. For what is the use of bringing out new books if C.K.S. is not here to pass definitive comments upon them before their ink is dry? England's loss is, however, America's gain. A new cocktail has been named after him. * * * * * [Illustration: WITHIN THE LAW?]