A sigh ran round the theatre at this--a sigh as full of suffering as when a minister, having finished his thirdly and lastly, starts off again, with, "I cannot allow this opportunity to pass." Possibly the Critics' Dramatic Society are congratulating themselves on the undeniable fact that the sighs and hisses grew beautifully less as the performance proceeded.

But that was because the audience diminished too.

One man cannot be expected to sigh like twenty; though, indeed, some of the audience of Wednesday sighed like at least half a dozen.
[Illustration] If it be true that all men--even critics--have their redeeming points and failings, then was there no Charles and no Joseph Surface at this unique matinee.

For the ungainly gentleman who essayed the part of Charles made, or rather meant to make, him spotless; and Mr.Henley's Joseph was twin-brother to Mr.Irving's Mephistopheles.

Perhaps the idea of Mr.Labouchere and his friend, Mr.Henley, was that they would make one young man between them.