Mr. Leighton, therefore, is quite wrong in his statement that Mr. Henderson offered to take a story from the young Scotsman, and gave him papers indicating the kind of story he wanted.' Treasure Island was written absolutely for the sake of writing it, and in conformity with the ideas suggested by the map which R. L. S. had elaborately drawn and coloured in sympathetic competition with his clever boy step-son, as he himself tells in the Idler article (reprinted in the volume My First Book); so that the statement that he found and adopted many incidents from Billy Bo's'n is thus wholly met and disposed of. The alterations on the final book form of Treasure Island were really slight. ALEXANDER H. JAPP." A Personal Explanation. SIR,-In reference to a paragraph in your last issue relating to myself, will you permit me to explain that I don't deserve the harmless appellation of chaplain to Punch"" except for the reason that it has given some people a false impression of my connexion with the paper. I am proud to be a frequent contributor to it, but I am not a member of the staff. And when a recent contribution of mine to another journal figured on the title-page as "By the chaplain of Punch," a number of strangers assumed that I make frivolous literature my one occupation. Thereupon they showered reproachful letters on me, suggesting that I am breaking my ordination vows! When one is being driven off their legs by parish work, and preaching five or six times a week, as I am throughout Lent, this seems a rather undeserved reproach to hurl at a humble curate who writes frivolous verse and prose as a recreation, and as a means of supplementing a not munificent stipend. Nearly all my lighter literary work appears over my signature or initials. I am not in the least ashamed of it. But ashamed I should be, and rightly so, if as these people have been led to imagine-I made it the main business of my life after taking holy orders.-I am, &c., ANTHONY C. DEANE. March 5, 1900. Cog" and "Mich." SIR, I write with no eye, either single or double, towards your Prize Competition; but here, if I mistake not, are two good old English and good old Shakesperean words which should not be allowed-in President Grover Cleveland's phrase-to lapse into desuetude. One of these words is " mich," in the sense of "play truant"; the other is "cog," used of a schoolboy who dishonestly purloins matter from his neighbour's slate. People now say "copy," but "cog" is by all odds the better word. Both "mich" and "cog" were words very familiar to my youthful ears. But, you see, that was a long time ago. By the way, in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" Maria describes Malvolio as one "that cons state without book." Maria's meaning is anything but clear. Suppose we read 'cogs stole wit out of books"-would not the phrase become at once much more intelligible and pertinent? Passaic, New Jersey: JOHN BAXTER. Feb. 18, 1900. New Books Received. [These notes on some of the New Books of the_week are preliminary to Reviews that may follow.] LAVENGRO. BY GEORGE BORROW. Prof. Knapp's edition of Borrow's works is inaugurated by the appearance of this well-equipped volume. The correct text of 1851 is followed, and certain passages Prof. needlessly suppressed by Borrow are restored. Knapp's notes are rigidly compressed and are dictated by need not zeal. (John Murray. 6s.) A BOOK OF IRISH VERSE. SELECTED BY W. B. YEATS. The Young Ireland movement is exhibited, and will be stimulated, by this collection of verse inspired by Irish ideals, and Irish models, and written by Irish men and women in the last two centuries. We refer elsewhere to the hope with which Mr. Yeats regards the poetical future of Ireland. (Methuen.) THE SYMBOLIST MOVEMENT IN Granted that a book against suicide is needed, or that its "morals" can be usefully discussed, this is a learned and thoughtful examination of the subject. The author approaches suicide from the standpoint of a Christian Socialist, and the metaphysical element is banished from his pages. (Longmans. 6s.) COLLECTED WRITINGS OF SAMUEL LAYCOCK. Lancashire men and women, and all who are interested in local poetry, will find in this volume a well-edited selection of Laycock's verses. Only verse written for passing occasions, or conspicuously below the author's ordinary level, has been excluded. The volume is therefore a purified, and also an expanded, edition of Laycock's volume, Warblin's fro' an Owd Songster. Why not have retained this old personal title? Laycock sang of all the domestic and industrial life of Lancashire, though he was not above celebrating his own minor troubles in verse; witness the poem, Oh, this Boil!" The illustrator, Mr. F. W. Jackson, has caught the poet's spirit admirably. (Oldham Clegg.) Muret-Sanders Encyclopædic English-German and German-English Dictionary. Abridged Edition (Grevel & Co.) Reid (Herbert), Play the Man: Talks with Boys on the Battle of Life (Oliphant) 2/6 Aikin (W. A.), The Voice: Its Physiology and Cultivation...... (Macmillan) 3/6 Carpenter (J. E.), Soldier Songs... (Warne & Co.) 1/0 Lucas (J. J. S.), Nordrach at Home, or Hygienic Treatment of Consump .(Arrowsmith) Gould (F. J.), Will Women Help?.. ..(Watts & Co.) 1/0 Smart (W.), Taxation of Land Values and the Single Tax ..... (Maclehose) Leland (Charles Godfrey) and Ward (H. Snowden), Useful Arts and Handicrafts .(Dawbarn & Ward) net 7/6 tion NEW EDITIONS. Rossetti (D. G.), Poems (Siddal Edition): Containing "Dante at Verona," &c.... Cholmondeley (Mary), Diana Tempest (Macmillan) 16 Foster (M.) and Rivers (W. H. R.), A Text Book of Physiology (Macmillan) 10/6 Parkin (George R.), Edward Thring: Life, Diary, and Letters (Macmillan) 60 Sterne (Laurence), Tristram Shandy and Sentimental Journey. 2 Vols. (Macmillan) 7/0 Stanley (Arthur Penrhyn), Life and Correspondence of Thomas Arnold, D.D. ..(Ward, Lock) 2/0 * New Novels are acknowledged elsewhere. * Replies received also from J. R. M., London; P. L. N., York; M. H. C., Cambridge; C. M. W., Meltham; E. M. T., London; M. T., Hull; A. B. S., Epworth; M. F., Bridgworth; G. N., Clifton; A. C., Edinburgh; R. H., Carlisle ; M. A. W., London; C. W., London; W. P., London; R. W., Sutton; H. W., London; C. F., Chard; E. M. W. B., Brighton; D. S., London; G. W., London; A. F., Tiverton; M. H. M., London; C. J., London; J. A. C., London; G. S. T., Redhill; A. B., Isleworth; C. F. P., Caterham; M. S., Beckenham; R. W., Over; Z. M., Whitby; E. K., Ambleside; "Ivy Leaves," Liverpool; M. A. C., Cambridge; R. W. M., London; B. R., London; A. S. M., Holywood. Competition No. 25 (New Series). Two weeks ago, as most of our readers must be aware, an elephant broke away from the Crystal Palace and ran for some miles through Kent, pursued by hundreds of people. After many hours he was tracked to a wood near Bromley, captured, and then led back to Sydenham in triumphant procession. We ask our readers to celebrate this unusual event in verse, not exceeding fourteen lines. The poem may take the form of narrative, or an address to the elephant. RULES. Answers, addressed "Literary Competition, THE ACADEMY, 43, Chancery-lane, W.C.," must reach us not later than the first post of Tuesday, March 13. Each answer must be accompanied by the coupon to be found in the first column of p. 212, or it cannot enter into competition. Competitors sending more than one attempt at solution must accompany each attempt with a separate coupon; otherwise the first only will be considered. We wish to impress on competitors that the task of examining replies is much facilitated when one side only of the paper is written upon. It is also important that names and addresses should always be given. We cannot consider anonymous answers. OUR SPECIAL PRIZE COMPETITIONS. (For particulars see inside page of cover.) Received during the week: Sappho, Blank, Paul Roman, Vilmar, John Cragdon, Derryillawn, The Chestnut Cat, Chaffinch, Iris, Adam, Columbia, Lyra, Irene. Tabberwock, Norlan Celt, Infelix, "The Boy Guessed Right," Salopean, Sandwich, Tantalus, Felix Stowe, Grange, Francis le Stening, Lois, George, Laurie, Burley, Marabau, Azul. HARPER & BROTHERS' PUBLICATIONS NEW FICTION. JUST OUT. 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