ht on the condition of society at the placers. (Published
by J. S. Redfield).

George P. Putnam has issued _The Wing-and-Wing_, forming another volume
of the Collected Works of J. FENIMORE COOPER. In the Preface to this
edition, the author remarks, that "he acknowledges a strong paternal
feeling in behalf of this book, placing it very high in the estimate of
its merits, as compared with other books from the same pen; a species of
commendation that need wound no man."

The same publisher has issued a new and revised edition of _The Conquest
of Florida_, by THEODORE IRVING. The author expresses his gratification
in finding his account of De Soto's expedition confirmed by the most
recent investigations. His work is justly entitled to the reputation
which it has obtained, as a classic authority, on an interesting period
of American history.

Phillips, Sampson, and Co. have published a valuable collection of
financial essays, entitled _The Banker's Commonplace Book_, containing
Mr. A. B. Johnson's pithy treatise on the Principles of Banking and the
Duties of a Banker, Gilbart's Ten Minutes' Advice on Keeping a Bank,
with several articles on Bills of Exchange, and a summary of the Banking
Laws of Massachusetts. It will prove a useful manual on the subject to
which it is devoted.

TWO LEAVES FROM PUNCH.

[Illustration: ENCOURAGEMENT TO BOOK-LENDERS.

"IF YOU PLEASE, SIR, MASTER'S SENT BACK THE FIRST VOLUME, AND HE SAYS
WILL YOU BE SO GOOD AS TO LET HIM 'AVE THE SECOND?"]

DIPLOMACY AND GASTRONOMY.

It is a very generally received opinion that _gammon_ is the basis of
diplomacy; but the fact is, that it is impossible to conduct
international negotiations on the foundation of that humble and
economical fare, even when rendered more palatable by the addition of
spinach. MR. RIVES, it is said, has written a letter to MR. WEBSTER,
complaining that the American Embassadorship can not be done at Paris
under L9000 a year, and adds that

"_According to_ MR. PAKENHAM, _good dinners are half the battle
of diplomacy, and the most favorable treaties are gained by
liberal feeding._"

This aphorism suggests important reflections.

A main point to be attended to in the formation of a diplomatic corps is
the commissariat; and the force must be well armed with knives and
forks, in addition to being supplied with plate armor.

The trenches in diplomatic warfare must be manned by regular
trenchermen.

Riva