PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. VOL. 99. December 27, 1890. [Illustration: 'DRESSED-CRAB'] * * * * * OUR BOOKING-OFFICE. The origin of the phrase, _Le Coup de Jarnac_, is interesting, and the story is well told by Mr. _MAC_DOWALL in Mac_millan's Magazine_. Good, this, for "The Two Macs." [Illustration] In _The Argosy_, edited by Mr. CHARLES WOOD, there are two good most seasonable Ghost Stories, by CHARLES W. WOOD, the "Rev. F.O.W." The first is not new, as there is a similar legend attached to several old Manor Houses, one of a Sussex Family House, the Baron had first-hand, from a witness on the premises. It lacked corroboration at the time, and is likely to do so. The Letters passing between a fine young English Cantab, "all of the modern style," and his family at home, are uncommonly amusing. _Harry Fludyer at Cambridge_ is the title of the book, published by CHATTO AND WINDUS. Well, to quote the ancient witticism in vogue _tempore EDOUARDI RECTI et DON PAOLO BEDFORDI_ (the great Adelphoi, or rather the great "Fill-Adelphians," as they were once called), "Things is werry much as they used to was" at Cambridge, and University life of to-day differs very little from that of yesterday, or the day before, or the day before that. "_Hæc olim meminisse juvabit_," when, half a century hence, the rollicking author of these letters--which, by the way, first appeared in _The Granta_--is telling his _Minimus_ what "a dog," he, the writer, was, and what "a day he used to have," in the merry time that's past and gone. "His health and book!" quoth the Baron. A more muddle-headed story than _The Missing Member_ I have not read for some considerable time. The Baron sends HACHETTE & CIE.'S "_Mon Premier Alphabet_," and the moral tale of "_Mlle. Marie Sans-souci_," up to the nursery where they will be much appreciated by the little Barons. "LETT's get a Diary," quoth a Barren Jester, not _the_ Baron DE B.W., who, had it not been Christmas time, would have expelled the witty youth. "No joke, if you please," quoth he, "about LETTS's Diaries. We may advertise these useful and hardy annuals in canine Latin and say, '_Libera nos_!' i.e., Letts out!" BARON DE BOOK-WORMS & Co. _P.S._ I have it on the best authority that Mrs. SUTHERLAND EDWARDS, Author of _The Secret of the Princess; a Tale of Country, Camp, Court, Convict, and Cloister Life in Russia_, is about to produce a highly sensational work, entitled _The Bargain of the Barmaid; a Story of Claret, Cheese, Coffee, Cognac, and Cigar Life in London_. * * * * * CINDERELLA; FIN DE SIÈCLE. (_A FAIRY TALE FOR CHRISTMAS._) The Lady Help was busy at her domestic duties when her Godmother knocked at the kitchen-door, and entered. "Alas, poor CINDERELLA!" said the Fairy, in a compassionate tone, "and so your stepmother and sisters have gone to the Prince's ball, and left you to cleanse the pots and pans?"