SPECIMENS.

Spectatum admissi risum teneatis, amici ?"-Ars Poet.

LITERARY.

THE PUFF MENDACIOUS.

"The Guards," a very popular novel (good news this for the "Hermit!") having commenced under the happy auspices of our beloved monarch's eye, scarcely were its sheets dry when it was in the KING'S HANDS (villainous treason!" Sound the alarumbell!") Such is his taste for literature (founded of course on the perusal of such superhuman works as the "Guards"), and such his paternal anxiety for every thing connected with the service.

THE PUFF IMPUDENT.

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Rogers, who has the credit of every unappropriated prodigy (poor fellow!), has been taxed with " May Fair:" ridiculous! it cannot be! Neither do we credit the reports of D'Israeli or Lockhart being the author. There is some truth in the rumour which fixes it upon two of the most distinguished witlings at Brookes's!

THE PUFF STUPID.

"Too many cooks spoil the broth."-What will become of the numerous book-intrigues now on foot? The crowd of noble authors who announce novels in high life, “à la Almack” (query, à la trash?) should look at the exposure in "Letters from Cockney Hands," and then see if their incog. and whispered nobility be out of the reach of detection.

THE PUFF TREMENDOUS.

Vivian Grey" has been styled "a prose Don Juan" (a fine compliment!) Judging, at least, from the three volumes just published, in continuation, "Vivian Grey" may be much more properly recognized as a new Anastasius (a libel!) The author has all the eloquence, the pungent wit, and agreeable satire, which distinguished the powerful novel we (i. e. the puffer) have named; and, if Mr. Hope be not the author of "Vivian Grey" as well as of " Anastasius," the latter novel has met with a formidable rival!

THE PUFF ASTOUNDING.

"Vivian Grey.”—We understand that his Majesty has expressed considerable curiosity to peruse the continuation of this extraordinary performance!!!

THE PUFF DISGUSTING.

The new novel of "High (query, Low?) Life" is, it appears, already on most fashionable tables (where will it be by the next year?) which is easy to be accounted for from the brilliant scenes, lively conversations, and splendid details, with which the noble authoress has enriched her pages, and which certainly promise to render this delightful novel one of the most popular of the season.

THE PUFF NAUSEOUS.

Ude and Jarrin.-The French cook and Italian confectioner! One's mouth waters at the auspicious sounds (!!!). If there be a talent in the world truly national, it is that of FRENCH Cookery (admirable bit!)

THE PUFF PRESUMPTUOUS.

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The rumour which fixes the authorship of the “ English Fashionables Abroad" upon a noble lord (qy. his butler?) is, we (the puffer) believe, unfounded; though the talent and liveliness of this fashionable new novel have induced many persons to ascribe it to the author of "Matilda." The writer of "English Fashionables Abroad" is in reality a lady of rank, who has for some time resided in Rome.

THE PUFF PARASITICAL.

The great charm of the new novel of Almack's, is undoubtedly its verisimilitude (to balderdash). We see and hear the exalted personages who are brought before us, in all their habitual elegance, wit, and peculiar refinement; indeed, so admirably are the scenes given, and so true to reality is the representation, that we never tire in the perusal of this delightful work, but recur to its entertaining pages again and again, with the same satisfaction we (a puffer!) should mingle with the fascinating circles described, enlivened as this very successful author has contrived to make them, by all that splendour, brilliancy, and accomplishment could contribute. (Well done, Messrs. Puff & Co.!)

THE PUFF DAMNABLE.

Lord Byron.-The opportunities enjoyed by Mr. Leigh Hunt, in his familiar and friendly intercourse with Lord Byron, not only while in Italy, but before his lordship voluntarily exiled himself from England, will naturally give a great value (i.e. eternal infamy) to his forthcoming work—"Lord Byron and some of his Contemporaries," which is said to be infinitely the most new and striking portrait of the noble poet ever given to the public, unveiling the most minute traits of his character, and reporting his most disguised conversations and opinions on men and books.

THE PUFF NASTY.

The talents and acuteness which have distinguished the authoress

of " Memoirs of the Princesse de L

are again, we (i. e. the puffer) hear, to be displayed in a new work, called "Private Anecdotes of Foreign Courts." The lady's connections both at home and abroad (vos dii!) her intimate acquaintance with persons eminent in literature, the arts, and political circles of the various courts where she has resided (in what capacity ?), have opened for her a wide vein for her amusing (query, filthy?) vein of writing, and will give her new work all the information of history, combined with the attractions of a novel!

THE PUFF ADMONITORY.

Though it is in our days very common for persons of rank and fashion to become authors-recent instances of which may be found in Lord Normanby, Lady Charlotte Bury, Mr. Lister, Mr. Ward, &c. &c.,—it has hitherto been their practice to conceal their names. We hope that the recent example of the Honourable Anne Seymour Damer, who has fairly acknowledged the authorship of her novel of “Belmour," will in future induce writers equally distinguished by birth, to grace their works with their names and titles, which reflect mutual honour on each other.