manner calculated to give satisfaction to their friends and
relations. This was the entire plot. There was now and again some
attempts to turn amateur theatricals into feeble ridicule by the
introduction of a party of village histrions, who were allowed to
"clown" to their heart's content; and _voila tout_!

The mounting is excellent. Nothing better than "a Wood near Athens,"
painted by Mr. HEMSLEY, has been seen since Professor HERKOMER startled
the world with his representation of village life at Bushey. The music,
too (chiefly from the works of MENDELSSOHN), is always charming, and
frequently appropriate. Moreover, Mr. BENSON, no doubt feeling that his
author required every possible support, has introduced a number of
pretty dances, executed by comely maidens of ages varying from seven to
(say) seven-and-twenty.

Of course, such a play required very ordinary acting. Mr. BENSON was, on
the whole, a gentlemanly _Lysander_, Mr. OTHO STUART a dignified
_Oberon_, and Mr. STEPHEN PHILLIPS quite the best of the village
histrions. Miss GRACE GERALDINE was also fanciful in the _role_ of a
sort of gnome. But, allowing for the music, and the scenery, and the
acting, the piece itself was unquestionably dull. And now, having given
you my unbiassed opinion, I beg to sign myself,

YOUR UNPREJUDICED CONTRIBUTOR.

P.S.--I am told that the author of _A Midsummer's Dream_ wrote a number
of other plays of considerable merit. This I challenge, the more
especially as those who swear by Mr. WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE candidly admit
that his name is a deterrent rather than an attraction on a play-bill.

* * * * *

1890 ALMANACK FOR FUNNY DOGS.--Evidently "Whitty Curs'
Almanack."

* * * * *

MR. PUNCH'S MORAL MUSIC-HALL DRAMAS.

No. II.--JOE, THE JAM-EATER.

_A Musical Spectacular and Sensational Interlude._ (_Dedicated
respectfully to Mr. McDougall and the L. C. C._)

[Illustration]

The Music-hall Dramatist, like SHAKSPEARE, has a right to take his
material from any source that may seem good to him. _Mr. Punch_,
therefore, makes no secret of the fact, that he has based the following
piece upon the well-known poem of "_The Purloiner_," by the Sisters JANE
and ANN TAYLOR, who were _not_, as might be too hastily concluded, "Song
and Dance Duettists," but two estimable ladies, who composed
"cautionary" verses for the young, and whose works are a perfect mine of