I had seen the appetising programme—­how the doors were opened at 10 A.M., to close a good thirteen hours later—­after a round of novelties full of interest to a provincial sight-seer, to say nothing of a Londoner.  I entered and found the Variety Entertainment was “on.”  I was about to walk into an enclosure, and seat myself in a first-rate position for witnessing the gambols of some talented wolves, when I was informed that I could not do this without extra payment.  Unwilling to “bang” an extra sixpence (two had already been expended) I tried to find a gratuitous coign of vantage, but (I am sorry to add) unsuccessfully.  But I was not to be disheartened.  Could I not see “KENNEDY, King Laughter-Maker of the World,” or “a Grand Billiard Match,” or (more interesting still) “the Performing Fleas”?  Yes, indeed I could, but only by expending a shilling on the Mesmerist, a like sum for the Billiard Match. and sixpence on the carefully-trained hoppers.  Seeing that “the Wonderful and Beautiful Mystic MURIEL” was in the building, I attempted to interview her, but was stopped at the door by a demand for the fifth of half-a-crown.  A like sum stood as a barrier between me and an entertainment that I was told was “described by Mr. RIDER HAGGARD in his well-known romance, called She.”  Passing by a small bower-like canvas erection, I was attracted by the declaration of its custodian that it was “the most wonderful sight in the world,” a statement he made, he said, “without fear of contradiction.”  But “Eve’s Garden” (as the small bower-like canvas erection was called) was inaccessible to those who did not expend the grudgingly-produced but necessary sixpence.  Foiled in this direction, I fain would have visited the celebrated Beckwith Family performances, but was prevented by finding that a shilling was the only passport to admission, unless I happened to be a child, when the modified charge of sixpence would be deemed sufficient.  There was, however, one entertainment almost free (only a penny was charged), an automatic sight-tester, which pleased me greatly.  By putting a copper in the slot, pressing a pedal, and turning a handle, I learned that anyone could discover, literally at a glance, the condition of his eyes.  Had I not made up my mind to disburse nothing further than the bare shilling I had already expended, I should certainly have ascertained if the time had arrived for my regretful assumption of a pinch-nose or a pair of spectacles.

I was now losing heart, when, to my great joy, I came upon “the White Kangaroo, the Laughing Jackasses, &c.,” all of which were to be seen “free gratis and for nothing.”  It is right, however, that I should add that I found some difficulty in distinguishing “the White Kangaroo” from “the Laughing Jackasses,” and both from “&c.”  I now made for Mlle. PAULA’s Crocodiles, but here, again, alas!  I was doomed to disappointment.  As I approached the Reptile-House, in which the fair dame was disporting herself (no