The truth seems to be that a large majority of the publishers do not like the idea of breeding up a new race of poets. Those who are already in the field must be tolerated, and those who are well dead may be quoted _ad. lib._ without fear of the copyright law. It is gratifying to note one shining exception to this rule. The editor of the transitory _Chip-Munk_ has evidently determined to publish anything and everything in the shape of verse that falls into his hands. This, if not actually announced, is clearly implied in his Easter number, where, among other things, are to be found these lines: Or there, or here, to toil or pleasure led, The tenants pass, and cut each other dead; Jones, second floor, administers affronts, Because his father was a governor once. After this, the amateur may comfort himself with the assurance that he has at least one friend, with a helping hand outstretched. While young Mr. Bumball’s paper, ink and type hold out, there is no reason why every state, every county, every town and every hamlet may not have a rhymesmith of its very own. This is encouraging, and leads to the hope that in time, if the brood of the mother hen keeps on increasing, it may come to pass that he who runs may rhyme and get his rhyme in print. * * * * * How far can a woman go to win in love’s race? A step backward is often good policy. * * * * * Beg pardon—but who is this Richard Arden Davies that _The London Bookman_ is chewing about? * * * * * That good savage and excellent Wm. T. Hornaday is about to fall into line and start a magazinelet, patterned after the _Chip-Munk_ brood. It will be called _The Dyak_ and the cover will be cut decolette. * * * * * Way & Williams are sending out _A Mountain Woman_. We used to have only two kinds of women, the good and the bad, but now we have many. The book is as good as _The Essays of Elia_, and that is high praise. * * * * * The poor writers we have always with us—if we take the daily paper. * * * * * No one knows the vanity of riches save he who has been rich; therefore I would have every man rich, and I would give every youth a College education that he might know the insignificance of it. * * * * * A Good Philistine is known by his never saying: