BROWNE, JOHN ROSS (1817-1875), author of _Yusef_, _American Family in Germany_, _Land of Thor_, and other records of his travels in Europe, well worth reading. He was a great traveller, visiting every quarter of the globe, and his pen was never idle. BUNNER, HENRY CUYLER (1885), present editor of _Puck_ (1892). He is a writer of graceful verse and short stories, which are overflowing with refined humour. _Airs from Arcady_, a volume of short verse, _Short Sixes_ and _The Zodac Pines_, volumes of short stories, and _A Woman of Honour_, a novel, are his principal published works. He is one of the best of the many brilliant short-story writers America of to-day possesses. Charles Scribner’s Sons and Ogilvie & Co., publishers, America. BURBANK, “MAJOR,” editor _New Orleans Piccayune_, a humorous writer and lecturer. BURDETTE, ROBERT JONES (1844), first attracted attention by his humorous articles to the _Burlington Hawkeye_. These sketches have been collected and published in book form under the titles of _The Rise and Fall of the Moustache_, _Hawkeyes_, _Sumach Garden_, and other comic sketches. His humour is of the evanescent quality, and suited better to the columns of a daily or weekly paper than to publication in book form. BURTON, WILLIAM EVANS, born in England, 1804; died in America, 1860. In 1834 he emigrated to America, and for a time was the leader of the dramatic profession in America. In 1858 he published the _Cyclopædia of Wit and Humour_ (2 vols.). BUTLER, WILLIAM ALLEN, born 1825. A lawyer of New York who has been a frequent contributor to the periodical literature of the country. His _Nothing to Wear_, first published in 1857, is to be found in most collections of American humour. BYLES, DR. MATHER (1707-1788), more famous for his jokes in conversation and in the pulpit than for his writings. BYRD, COLONEL WILLIAM (1674-1744). Founder of Richmond, Va., three times agent for the colony in England, and for thirty-seven years member of the King’s Council. His _Westover Manuscripts_ were published in 1841. They are “A Journey to the Land of Eden,” “A Progress to the Mines,” and “History of the Dividing Line.” He wrote verse, and was considered a great wit. CARLETON, WILL, born 1845. Without doubt the most popular humorous verse-writer of the day in America. His versification is far from being irreproachable, but he takes the everyday occurrences of life and treats them in a simple humorous style which appeals to the great public. His works are, _Farm Ballads_, _Farm Legends_, _Young Folks’ Rhymes_, _Farm Festivals_, _City Ballads_, _City Legends_, all published by Harper’s, New York, and most of them by Sampson Low, Marston, & Co., London. For pictures of rural life his work is invaluable.