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“ R. WALTER BESANT was born at Portsmouth, and educated at King's College, London, and at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he took his degree in high mathematical honours. He was intended for the Church, and took several theological prizes, but abandoned this career. He was then appointed Senior Professor in the Royal College of Mauritius, but was compelled by ill health to resign, and returned to England, where he gave himself up to literary work. ”

“ Lucy took up the writing of the "Essence of Parliament" for Punch, which, under the title of "The Diary of Toby, M.P.," is still one of the brightest and most sparkling things appearing in the weekly press. ”

“ R. HENRY W. LUCY was born at Crosby, near Liverpool, and was at first apprenticed to a merchant, but at the age at which he is represented in our first portrait he obtained an engagement as reporter to The Shrewsbury Chronicle. In the little story of real life which begins on the next page the reader will discover allusions to this and other incidents of his career. ”