Approbation from _Mr. Punch_ is praise indeed, and where he has given his favourable opinion of any book, it immediately attracts the public attention, and goes to any number of editions. So has it chanced with _Frith's Recollections_, which has now reached its third edition; and once _Mr. Punch_ spoke well of the Jubilee Edition of _Pickwick_, which has now been re-issued with some of the original sketches by "BUSS,"--to many it will be a surprise that _Mr. Pickwick_ ever took a buss, except under the mistletoe at Dingley Dell,--which are fairly clever, though one of them, the cricketing scene, might have been omitted without damaging the artistic character of the republication. There is a sketch by JOHN LEECH, illustrating the moment in the _Bagman's Story_ when the old arm-chair wakes up _Tom Smart_, and assumes the form and features of a gouty, but wickedly sly, old gentleman, which alone is "worth all the money." It is a real Christmas picture; and indeed a small volume of _Tales from Pickwick_, illustrated by fanciful and humorous artists, would make a capital Christmas Book of the good old Dickensian sort. _Mr. Punch_ has given the hint: _fiat!_ By the way, I see an advertisement of a book quoting opinions of the Press as to its being "the funniest book of the present reign." Heavens! It is only necessary to mention _Pickwick_, which is replete with such real fun, as makes the reader roar with laughter irrepressible, besides being full of genuine humour. BARON DE BOOK WORMS. * * * * * "I believe," said Mrs. R.'S nephew, meditatively, "that Paris will have a 'Directory' again." "Why not?" retorted Mrs. RAM. "Why shouldn't Paris have a Directory? London has--_Kelly's Directory_--and most useful it is!" * * * * * THE LAY OF LAWRENCE MOOR! A TRUE STORY. Four brave men set sail from Whalsey, In their open fishing-smack, Four strong fellows left the Shetlands, Only one at last came back. Hearken how the wind is howling, Close the curtains; shut the door, Whilst I tell the splendid story Of a sailor--LAWRENCE MOOR! Never yet has such a tempest, Screamed around the Shetland homes, Dealing death and devastation Where the northern sailor roams. Snow and hail in blinding fury, Swept o'er forest, field and lea, Deaf seemed Heaven to the praying For the brave men out at sea! Far at sea! four plucky fellows Bending back and straining oar, Hidden each from each in tempest, That had blotted out the shore! All at once the skipper steering, Cheering, shouting--look ahead! Heard a moan, his best companion Fell in arms of duty--dead! "For the love of home and Heaven, Brave it out as I will do." Shouts above the storm, the skipper, Rallying his fainting crew, "Let us pray, lads, all together, Heaven may save us! Who can tell!" But the prayer was scarcely uttered, When another sailor fell!