Thoughts and Things Clare begins her column with a discussion of the first installment of Miss Preston's serial, "The Amber Gods," which recently debuted in the <cite>Atlantic Monthly</cite>.  Clare discusses the merits of the work, her expectations, and offers some critical advice about the story.  Clare mentions that she recently attneded Arthur Napoleon's benefit concert.  She openly praises the young musician and notes that he is from Gottschalk's "school of performance" (2).  Clare writes that she enjoyed <cite>Everybody's Friend</cite> at Wallack's and discusses Mr. Brougham's performance in the play and his merits as an actor.  Clare concludes with a discussion of "humor," the appropriate subjects for humor,and her distaste for vulgar humor that dismisses "woman's genius"  (2).