The Graphic's big picture, representing "All the Talents" of Her Gracious Majesty's reign grouped together in one tremendous crowd, directed apparently on their way down (ominous this!) by Sir Jem of the Academy, contains some of the best portraits that have appeared in any collective illustration. Each one of them separately would be entitled to a place in the splendid Victoria Album recently issued by Smith and Downes, and to say this is saying a great deal. The Graphic Stage-Manager has grouped his characters most appropriately. On the extreme right of the spectator is Sir Frederick Leighton, P.R.A., staring across at Sir Jem as if wondering why on earth the latter was taking so much authority into his own hands. The Baroness Burdett Coutts is well in front, evidently determined to get out first before the crush comes,—an idea that, apparently, has also simultaneously occurred to Messrs. Chamberlain, Browning, Ellen Terry, and Lords Charles Beresford, Tennyson, Salisbury, Gladstone, "our Mr. Tenniel," Mrs. Bancroft (without Mr. B., which accounts for the vacant space next to her, so perhaps he was late, or has politely gone to fetch Mrs. Kendal, with whom he will appear in the millionth re-issue of this picture), H.E. Cardinal Manning, apologising for accidentally treading on Madame PATTI'S dress (but it really couldn't be helped), who are all getting away as quickly as possible, either because Mr. Sala, up at the back, or Sir Arthur Sullivan (who is looking about for Mr. Gilbert) has shouted out, "Get on in front there!" Perhaps—ah!—they are all hurrying off to the Refreshment Room! Or going to stir the Christmas Pudding.
Bohn's Standard Library is to be republished at a shilling a volume. This is indeed putting life in the dry Bohns.
NOTICE.—Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS., Printed Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, will in no case be returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed Envelope, Cover, or Wrapper. To this rule there will be no exception.
Transcriber's Note:
Alternative spellings retained.
Punctuation normalized without comment.