Mind you, it is not a piece for children; make no mistake about that; they will only laugh at the antics, be ignorant of the story, and be untouched by its truth and pathos.  All are good.  We like the naughty blanchisseuse the least of the characters, and wish she had been plus petite que ca.  But is it not in nature that the prodigal infant (veritable boy is Mlle. JANE MAY) should fall in love with a young woman some years his senior, and far beyond him in experience of the world?  Why certainly.  Then the Baron, played with great humour by M. LOUIS GOUGET, who wins the Mistress with his diamonds, and the inimitable Black Servant, M. JEAN ARCUEIL, who laughs at poor little Pierrot, and cringes to his wealthy rival and successor,—­are they not both admirable?  As for the acting of Madame SCHMIDT as Madame Pierrot, loving wife and devoted mother, it is, as it should be, “too good for words.”  Her pantomimic action is so sympathetic throughout, so—­well, in fact, perfect.  Who wants to hear them speak? Facta non verba is their motto.  Yet with what gusto the Black, heavily bribed, mouths out the titled Baron’s name, though never a syllable does he utter!  It is all most excellent make-believe.

Vive Pierrot a Londres! We see him much the same as he was when he delighted the Parisians in 1830,—­“Avec sa grand casaque a gros boutons, son large pantalon flottant, ses souliers blancs comme le rests, son visage enfarine, sa tete couverte d’un serre-tete noir ... le veritable Pierrot avec sa bonhomie naive ... ses joies d’enfant, et ses chagrins d’un effet si comique”—­and also so pathetic.

If this entertainment could be given at night, the house would be crammed during a long run; but afternoon possibilities are limited.  More than a word of praise must be given to M. ANDRE WORMSER’s music, which, personally conducted by Mr. CROOK, goes hand in hand with the story written by MICHEL CARRE FILS, and illustrated by these clever pantomimists.  No amateur of good acting should fail to see this performance. Verb. sap.

* * * * *

In the Salon this year, the Athenaeum says, “a Grand Salon de Repos will be provided.”  For pictures of “still life” only, we suppose.  Will Sir FREDERICK, P.R.A., act on the suggestion, and set aside one of the rooms in Burlington House as a Dormitory?

* * * * *

OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

Aha! special attraction in The New Review!  “April Fool’s Day Poem,” by ALFRED AUSTIN, and, an announcement on the cover that “This number contains a Picture of Miss ELLEN TERRY in one of her earliest parts.” Oh, dear!  I wish it didn’t contain this picture, which is a bleared red photograph of Misses KATE and ELLEN TERRY, “as they appeared” (as they never could appear, I’m sure) in an entertainment which achieved a great success in the provinces—­but