Peter Campbell,"Global Moods," LRB, 29 November, reviews Julian Bell's A Mirror of the World: A New History of Art.

In"The Howe of History," NRO, 30 November, John J. Miller interviews Daniel Walker Howe about his new book, What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848.

Arshad Said Khan,"Udankhatola Redux," Tehelka, 8 December, looks at the history of Indian science fiction. Hat tip.

Both American higher education and American baseball have grappled with and been grappled by speech codes. When the Robert Edward Auctions was offered an 1898 document,"Special Instructions To Players," for sale, it was struck dumb by the colorful language that it barred. Not Kid Safe! Thanks to Manan Ahmed for the tip.

Our colleague, Hugo Schwyzer, has an op-ed,"The Meaning of a Transgender Homecoming King," IHE, 4 December.

Ralph E. Luker - 12/7/2007

You could be right. It wouldn't be the first time that a document isn't exactly what it says it is. It would have been helpful if the auction house had included whatever publication information is on the document.

Dave Stone - 12/7/2007

I defer to expert opinion, and I am not one, but I'm a tad skeptical about the bona fides of this ostensible baseball policy. It may indeed be a period document, but my guess is that it's NOT an actual policy, but more along the lines of men's humor--the equivalent of a stag film.

I presume the closing note "UNMAILABLE" refers to the crime of sending obscenity through the mail.