[Illustration:  After a Design by Michael Angelo Titmarsh.]

I must not forget, indeed, I cannot forget, Mr. LE HAY as Bulbo, who, not only on account of his make-up being an exact reproduction of THACKERAY’s sketch, gave us as good a grotesque performance as I’ve seen for some considerable time.  To see him on the ground after the fight, tearing his hair out in handfulls, is something that will shake the sides of the most sedate or blase, and among the audience that will crowd to see this juvenile show, there will be very few sedate (I hope) and still fewer (I am sure) blase.  It is an excellent performance throughout.  But, my dear Mr. CAROLUS HARRIS, one word,—­when you had that capitally-arranged and highly effective scene of Bulbo going to be beheaded, why did you not carry it a bit further, and make Bulbo on the point of kneeling down, and the burlesque axe poised in the air, and then, but not till then, the moment which, like the present winter, is “critical,”—­then, I say, enter the Princess with the reprieve?  As it is, the effect of this dramatically grouped scene is lessened by the absence of action, and Bulbo is off the scaffold ere the majority of the audience realise the peril in which his life has been placed.

I must not forget the army of children appearing from time to time as courtiers, cooks, fairies, soldiers, who will be the source of the greatest pleasure to children of all ages, from “little Trots” upwards.  Nothing in this genuinely Christmas Piece is there which can do aught but delight and amuse the young people for whom primarily it was written.  Let “all concerned in this” excellent piece of Christmas merriment accept the congratulations and best wishes for crowded houses—­which they are sure to be for all the Matinees—­from theirs truly, MR. P.’S FIRST COMMISSIONER.

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GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT.—­Sir FRANCIS SANDFORD has created a profound feeling of disappointment among all classes of society by not having added, “and Merton,” to his title.  “Lord SANDFORD OF SANDFORD” is weak; but “Lord SANDFORD-AND-MERTON” would have been truly noble.

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SIR JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE’s reply to President BLAINE:  “The point o’ this here observation lies in the Behring of it.” (Captain Cuttle adapted.)

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OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

I tried Criss-Cross Lovers the other day, a Novel, in two or three vols., I don’t remember which; but those may ascertain who are not choked off in the first hundred pages, as was the unfortunate Baron de B.-W.  He had the presence of mind to put it down in time, and, after a few moments of refreshing repose, was, like Richard, “himself again,” and able to tackle quite another novel.

[Illustration]