BANGS, J. K. Has published the _Tiddledywink Poetry Book_. His verse is in much request by the better-class humorous papers and magazines in America. BARLOW, JOEL (1754-1812). After serving with the Revolutionary army as chaplain, he, in 1783, settled at Hartford, studied law, and was admitted to the bar. He joined the “Hartford Wits,” founded a paper, and began writing satirical verse. In 1791 he journeyed to England to take part in the political movements of the day, and published his _Advice to the Privileged Orders_, which the Government proscribed. He took refuge in France, and while there wrote “Hasty Pudding,” his most popular poem. After serving his country diplomatically on a number of trying occasions, he, while acting as minister to France, set out to visit Napoleon, then on his Russian campaign, and died of cold in the famous retreat from Moscow. BARR, JOHN, born in Canada 1858. Taught school, sailed the great lakes, appointed marine editor of the _Detroit Free Press_, and is now commercial editor of the paper. Has written under the pen-name “Baron Joe.” The extract given is from _The White Feather_, a farcical opera. BARR, ROBERT (1851), co-editor of the _Idler_ (1892), and for many years connected with the _Detroit Free Press_. His humorous sketches and short stories, both humorous and dramatic, under the _nom de guerre_ of “Luke Sharp,” first made him known to the readers of the United Kingdom and America, but lately he has taken to writing under his proper name. His published works are _In a Steamer Chair, and other Shipboard Stories_ (Chatto & Windus), _From Whose Bourn_, _Strange Happenings_, _One Day’s Courtship_, _Jones and I_, etc. Although inseparably connected with American humour, and having made his first success in America and on an American paper, he was educated in Canada. BARTLETT, JOSEPH (1762-1827), graduated at Harvard, studied law, and travelled to England to spend his money, which he easily succeeded in doing, and as a result found himself in prison for debt. In prison he wrote a play, and with the money obtained for it bought his release. Trying the stage for a while and not making headway, he obtained a cargo of goods on credit for sale in America, set sail, and was shipwrecked. In Boston he started in business, failed, opened a law office in Woburn, and removed to Cambridge. There he wrote “Physiognomy,” a poem lampooning celebrities of the day, and afterwards “The New Vicar of Bray.” He died penniless. BAYLES, MATHER (1706-1788), humorous verse-writer. BEERS, HENRY AUGUSTIN, born 1847, Professor of English at Yale. Has published _Odds and Ends_, _The Thankless Muse_, volumes of verse, and _Life of N. P. Willis_, _A Century of American Literature_, and _An Outline Sketch of English Literature_. Has written a few facetious poems.