10 JULY 1886, Page 25

The Mark Twain Birthday-Book. (Remington and Co.)—This book must be

regarded as a practical joke. You ask a friend, as the

custom in each cases is, to write his name on the blank page, and

look for something appropriate under the day ; and he finds, e.g., "You take the lies out of him, and he'll shrink to the size of your hat;" or, "A simple old dummy ;" or, "He's a most charming swindler and exquisite liar." It is clear that this little volume is one which can only be used among very intimate friends.