Round him on his knee sat the little sisters, their eyes wide open and their lips parted in breathless anticipation. When Alice (how the little Alice Liddell who was listening must have loved the tale!) rubbed the mushroom and became so big that she quite filled the little fairy house, one can almost hear the rapturous exclamations of the little ones as they heard of it. The story, often continued on many summer afternoons, sometimes in the cool Christ Church rooms, sometimes in a slow gliding boat in a still river between banks of rushes and strange bronze and yellow waterflowers, or sometimes in a great hay-field, with the insects whispering in the grass all round, grew in its conception and idea. Other folk, older folk, came to hear of it from the little ones, and Mr. Dodgson was begged to write it down. Accordingly the first MS. was prepared with great care and illustrated by the author. Then, in 1865, memorable year for English children, "Alice" appeared in its present form, with Sir John Tenniel's drawings. In 1872 "Alice Through the Looking-Glass," appeared, and was received as warmly as its predecessor. That fact, I think, proves most conclusively that Lewis Carroll's success was a success of absolute merit, and due to no mere mood or fashion of the public taste. I can conceive nothing more difficult for a man who has had a great success with one book than to write a sequel which should worthily succeed it. In the present case that is exactly what Lewis Carroll did. "Through the Looking-Glass" is every whit as popular and charming as the older book. Indeed one depends very much upon the other, and in every child's book-shelves one sees the two masterpieces side by side. [Illustrations: Facsimile: B.H. from C. L. D. A CHARADE. [NB FIVE POUNDS will be given to any one who succeeds in writing an original poetical Charade, introducing the line "My First is followed by a bird," but making no use of the answer to this Charade. Ap 8 1878 (signed) Lewis Carroll] My First is a singular at best More plural is my Second. My Third is far the pluralest-- So plural-plural, I protest, It scarcely can be reckoned! My First is followed by a bird My Second by believers In magic art: my simple Third Follows, too often, hopes absurd, And plausible deceivers. My First to get at wisdom tries-- A failure melancholy! My Second men revere as wise: My Third from heights of wisdom fall To depths of frantic folly! My First is ageing day by day, My Second's age is ended. My Third enjoys an age, they say, That never seems to fade away, Through centuries extended! My Whole? I need a Poet's pen To paint her myriad phases The monarch, and the slave, of men-- A mountain-summit, and a den Of dark and deadly mazes!