See to it, Mr. BULL! Mr. Punch, echoing Importunate Mr. BAYLY and Indignant LAWRENCE HAMILTON, lays it upon you as one of the most urgent of New Year duties!

* * * * *

[Illustration:  MAJOR AND MINIMUS.

Major (impatiently, to Page-Boy).  “WHY THE DEUCE DON’T YOU LIFT THE COAT ON TO MY SHOULDERS?”]

* * * * *

THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA.

THE ACTORS’ OWN PRESS-NOTICES COMPANY LIMITED.

    “Then came each actor with his Association.” Shakespeare, New
    Reading.

CAPITAL—­quite excellent.  The usual thing in sharing terms.

DIRECTORS.

The Managers of London who live at home at ease.

The Actors of England who have a pretty taste for literature.

[Illustration]

BANKERS.—­The Wild Time Bank, late PUCK’s Limited.

SOLICITORS.—­Messrs. BOX AND COX, Bouncer Buildings.

AUDITORS.—­Messrs. HEXTRA, SUPER, NUMERY & CO., Mum Street, E.C.

SECRETARY (pro tem.).—­A.  PLYACK TORR.

OFFICES.—­In the Adelphi.

ABRIDGED PROSPECTUS.

This Company has been formed for the purposes of establishing a thoroughly reliable newspaper in the interests of the Drama, and the shareholders belonging to the Theatrical Profession of the United Kingdom.

1.  To uphold every Shareholder’s claim to Acting as an Art.

2.  To secure the best possible criticism by enabling every shareholder to write the notices of his own performances.

3.  To take cognisance of the literature that grows up around the Stage, especially criticism in other quarters.

4.  To notice the Drama all the world over, when space permits.

5.  To support the work of the Profession in general, and the Shareholders in particular.

6.  To afford a means of exercising hobbies.

7.  To contain Articles by any of the recognised critics ("distinguished writers of the day").

8.  To serve as a Directory, or Vade Mecum, or Press-notes container for the benefit of the Shareholders.

Many leading theatrical lessees, managers, and actors, have expressed themselves strongly in favour of the necessity of establishing a paper, written by themselves, for themselves, to read.  Without such an organ it is impossible that they can be adequately represented.

The need of such a journal has long been felt by those whose theatrical notices have been the reverse of satisfactory.

A large number of prominent players have promised to take shares, and advertise, not only in the advertisement columns, but in other parts of the proposed paper.

The price of the paper will be hereafter settled by the Directors, who feel that this is a mere matter of detail.  The charge for advertisements will be very moderate, to suit the requirements of the shareholders.