TIP FROM OUR OWN BOOKING-OFFICE.--Persons about to go to the Country,
whether to defend their own seat or attack someone else's, can't do
better, my Baronite says, than take with them P.W. CLAYDEN's _England
Under Coalition_, just published by FISHER UNWIN. It's not much to
carry, but it's worth the trouble of packing up; also of unpacking,
and reading. It tells the story of two Parliaments and three
Governments. A pretty story it is, more interesting than most novels,
and in one volume too. A marvel of condensation and lucid narrative.
Only one thing lacking to a work likely to be constantly used for
reference, and that is an index. "But you can't have everything," as
_Queen Eleanor_ said to _Fair Rosamond_ when, having swallowed the
contents of the poisoned chalice, she asked for a dagger.

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE POLITICAL JOHNNY GILPIN.

"NOW SEE HIM MOUNTED ONCE AGAIN
UPON HIS NIMBLE STEED,
FULL SLOWLY PACING O'ER THE STONES,
WITH CAUTION AND GOOD HEED."
]

* * * * *

[Illustration: OBVIOUS.

_Buttons_ (_fresh from the Country, evidently no French Scholar_). "I
SAY, MARY, THE GUV'NOR AND MISSUS ARE DINING OUT TO-NIGHT. BUT I CAN'T