2. What do you know of (1) the Pantomime at the Crystal Palace, (2) the World's Fair at the Agricultural Hall, and (3) the Panorama of Waterloo at Ashley Place?
Answer. (1.) Aladdin is the subject of the Palace Pantomime, which is not half bad. Mr. Dauban, as usual, capital, and the dresses quite Drury Lane form. Scenery, too, (especially Willow-pattern Plate) up to the mark, if not more so. (2.) World's Fair, at Agricultural Hall, rather mixed. Excellent menagerie—good old Blondin—but side-shows second-rate. Shakspearian Pantaloon in one of the latter seemed to be enjoying Christmas in the old-fashioned manner. (3.) Panorama of Waterloo, not only patriotic, but artistic. Regular good set-to between the Highlanders and French Cuirassiers. Skull in the Relics Department—pretty ornament for the Annual Banquet at the Surgeons' Hall.
3. Given a traveller from Charing Cross to St. Clement's Danes, describe the places of interest he would pass during the journey.
Answer. I think the best way of flooring this question is to say what I should do if I made the voyage. Take a cup of chocolate at Aërated Bread Company, with two pennyworth of butter and cake; then to the Lowther Arcade, to get some toys for the young 'uns. Next to Gatti's Restaurant for Lunch. Being a good day for Matinées, look in at Terry's for First Act of Sweet Lavender, then to the Opéra Comique for Second Act of Real Little Lord Fauntleroy; lastly, wind up with a bit of Our Flat at the Strand. Dine quietly at the Gaiety before seeing the Dead Heart at the Lyceum, which will produce an appetite, to be appeased only at Rule's, where you can take a light supper—then to bed.
4. Do you think that the Head Master of your school would derive any benefit from a closer association with the Metropolis? If you do, give your reason for such an opinion.
Answer. I decidedly think old Swishtale would be better for a week (under supervision) in London. Might take him to the Empire, the Pav., and to see Ruy Blas, or the Blasé Roué. If it did him no other good, it would afford him a topic for conversation at lesson time.
JUSTICE AT HIGH-PRESSURE.
(Or what it has nearly come to in Judges' Chambers.)
Scene—Room in Royal Courts divided by railing into two parts. First part occupied by Chief Clerk seated in front of table covered with papers. Second part filled with Solicitors' Clerks hustling one another in the endeavour to attract attention. List for the day's causes about six yards long.