* * * * * In 1859 there lived three miles north-east of Skowhegan an Old Farmer, and he subscribed for the New York _Tribune_. The reason he subscribed was because the Editor, one Horace Greely, wrote Hot Stuff. Now the Old Farmer was a great admirer of Mr. Greely and of the Hot Stuff and he induced several of his neighbors to subscribe for the _Tribune_ on account of the Hot Stuff and the greatness of Mr. Greely. Now it chanced that Mr. Greely wrote on many themes and on a certain day he produced Hot Stuff on a certain subject about which no man should write unless he has had a Call. When the Old Farmer read that particular editorial he was very wroth and he wrote a very angry personal letter to Mr. Greely, cancelling his subscription; and he also induced his neighbors to cancel theirs. About a year after this the Old Farmer went to Skowhegan with a load of slipperyellum, and walking into a grocery he found the Grocer reading the New York _Tribune_. The Old Farmer started, stared, and exclaimed, “What er—eh—what er that paper you be readin’?” “The New York _Tribune_,” was the answer. “My! Judas Priest—that can’t be—me and three other fellows ordered it stopped a year ago!” * * * * * I hear that an article by Mr. Cudahy is soon to appear in _The Ladies Home Journal_. The subject is not yet announced but it probably will be “The Pigs that Have Helped Me.” * * * * * Latest advices from the Librarian of Congress confirm the report that Mr. Brander Matthews’ whiskers are fully covered by copyright. * * * * * Who says that woman has more feeling than man? Her feelings are more shallow, and this being so more ripple on the surface is seen, that’s all. So says Nax Moredough. * * * * * No doubt but that Mr. Howells is a great man, but he would be a greater if he never used in print those tattered and attenuated expressions, “so to speak” and “as it were.” These ancient terms belong with the hoary oratorical, “If I may be allowed the expression.” Further than this, I have gibes and jeers in store for any man who says “from time immemorial.” * * * * * In the _Forum_ for April Mr. Brander Matthews has a preachment entitled, _On Pleasing the Taste of the Public_. No man has made more anxious efforts to do it than Mr. Matthews. * * * * *