"Up to any game at Christmas, if it's not too high," says the Baron of Hampershire, who detests all game that is lofty, but is glad to welcome a Shakspearian Revival by MYERS & Co. in the shape of a _Nine Men's Morris_, a title the Baron recommends to the notice of Mr. WILLIAM MORRIS, yclept "BILLY," when he is making another bouquet of poesies. By the way, BIM BROS.' Almanac Cards, one of the Baron's Lady Helps describes as "decidedly dainty." Christmas is specially a card-playing season, a time of _Pax_ to everybody.
From the _Gordon Stables_ of HUTCHINSON & Co. issues the nightmare tale of _The Cruise in the Crystal Boat_; when finished, try their _Family Difficulty_, by SARAH DOUDNEY. Send to the Deanery of DEAN AND SON, ask for _Baby's Biography_ and _The Little One's Own Beehive_. The Spindleside department of the Baron's Booking-Office recommends both the above for the Tiny Trots; while the Spearside tells the boys to go in for MANVILLE FENN's _Burr Junior_ and Mrs. R. LEE's _Adventures in Australia_. Then for all-comers, procure BEATRICE HARRADEN's _New Book of Fairies_, for, our "Co." thus puts it, "This is all concerning those poor little Fairies, about whom no one takes any trouble, and who are left out in the cold at Christmas time." Thus for this week conclude the duties of Mesdames BLYTHE and GAY, the Baron's Lady Assistant Perusers. "I trust my gentle Public will benefit by their advice," quoth,
["You will not find an alliance in which the weaker side has been so loyal, so straight, so single-hearted, so patriotic as the Liberal Unionists have been during the last five years.... Birmingham is the centre, the consecration of this alliance."--_Lord Salisbury at Birmingham._
"Now I neither look for nor desire reunion" (with the Gladstonian Liberals.)--_Mr. Chamberlain at Birmingham._]
Ye Gentlemen of England, Who follow SALIS-BU-RY, How little did you count upon Assistance from J.C.! Give ear unto his speeches old, And they will plainly show Once he'd scorn to be borne Where the Tory breezes blow, Where the Lilies and Primroses bloom, And the Tory zephyrs blow.
If once he did oppose you, To-day he is at war With GLADSTONE and his Items. Faith, JOE has travelled far! The Primrose Dames shall teach him True patriot "form" to know. He is leal, and will kneel To the "Lilies" in fair row; To the pretty, winsome Primrose girls, Who buttonhole Brum JOE.