As we finished the last chapter by an allusion to plans, we may wisely commence this by suggesting one of our own. It would be very convenient in narrative to print the narrations of contemporaneous events in parallel columns on the same page; but that contrivance not being sanctioned by high authority, we dare not adopt it. Now how pleasant and agreeable it would have been to the reader while perusing the last chapter, and reading how Mr. Markham to his very great annoyance received an epistle from Miss Henderson, how pleasant would it have been to turn his eye across the page, and see at the same time what was passing in Miss Henderson's heart, or in Mr. Henderson's house! And again, how agreeable to know how our good and noble friends, the Earl and Countess of Trimmerstone, are going on at this time! This plan may some day or other be adopted. It would be a good speculation perhaps to publish Tom Jones, or Hume and Smollet, on this plan, and call it the Laputan System. In like manner the stage at our theatres might be divided into divers compartments, and events that occur at the same moment might at the same moment be exhibited to the audience or spectators. There would in this arrangement be a great advantage, inasmuch as, if one scene were stupid and sleepy, the good people might give their attention to another. Among the ingenious men who are daily exhibiting proofs of their Laputan education, some will no doubt be soon found who will adopt and perfect this plan. For the present we must go on according to the old system.