arefully, you will see it was natural enough. Of course, you
must allow for the spirit of the period, and other surrounding
circumstances.

_Brown_. Are you going to stay for _The Gory Hand_?

_Jones_. Not I. I am tired of play-acting, and think we have had
enough of it.

_Robinson_. Well, I think I shall look in. I am rather fond of strong
scenes, and it should be good, to judge from the programme.

_Jones_. Well, we will "sit out." It's rather gruesome. Quite
different from the other plays.

_Robinson_. Well, I don't mind horrors--in fact, like them. There goes
the bell. So I am off. Wait until I come back.

_Brown_. That depends how long you are away. Ta, ta!

[_Exit ROBINSON._

_Jones_. Now, how a fellow can enjoy a piece like that, I cannot
understand. It is full of murders, from the rise to the fall of the
Curtain.

_Brown_. Yes--but ROBINSON likes that sort of thing. You will see
by-and-by how the plot will affect him. It is rather jumpy, especially
at the end, when the severed head tells the story of the murder to the
assistant executioner. I would not see it again on any account.

_Jones_. No--it sent my Maiden Aunt in hysterics. However, it has the
merit of being short. (_Applause._) Ah, there it's over! Let's see
how ROBINSON likes it. That _tableau_ at the end, of the
starving-coastguardsman expiring under the rack, is perfectly awful!
(_Enter ROBINSON, staggering in._) Why, my boy, what's the matter?

_Brown_. You do look scared! Have something to drink? That will set it
all to-rights!

_Robinson_ (_with his eyes protruding from his head, from horror_).
Here, help! help! (_After a long shudder._) Brandy! Brandy I: Brandy!

[_At all the places at the bar there is a general demand for
alcohol._

_Brown_. Yes. IRVING was right; soda-water does very well for
SHAKSPEARE's histories, but when you come to a piece like _The Bells_,
you require supporting. [_Curtain and moral._

* * * * *

"IN A WINTER (COVENT) GARDEN."

That indefatigable Showman, Sir DRURIOLANUS, the Invincible Knight,
commenced his Winter Operatic Season on Monday, the Tenth, at Covent
Garden, so as to be well in advance of Signor LAGO, who may now boast
of having _La Donna_, Her Most Gracious MAJESTY, for his patron.

_Monday Night_.--The two RAVOGLIS in good form in the _Orfeo._
Likewise the Player of the Big Drum made more than one big hit during
the evening. "_Che faro_" was r