Saturday bly sixteen to twenty fassargs; yet the city wall it- " And these boys at Westminster act the man's self, in its blooming period, when the French trav-plays in Latin ?" eller Chardin saw it, was only six German miles in "They do so ; and marvellously well they do it." circumference, and when we take in the detached “I can imagine nothing more melancholy and houses with spacious gardens which stretch beyond dreary; as bad as Racine's tragedies, which they the town, the statement of the Persian is but Orien- used to play in the little theatre at Her Majesty's tal, or what we call exaggerated. Still, Isfahan, as before it was burnt down, where everybody was it presents itself first to the eyes of travellers, is really supposed to understand French, because they had imposing. From the east to the west there is an once been with an English governess who had endless chain of buildings and gardens, among which learned the language at a Brighton boarding-school, cupolas, towers, and other high buildings are visible. and were therefore thought to enjoy the beauties of The view seems illimitable.“ Nothing," says Mal- the play. Of course, no woman would care to go to colm, “can exceed the fertility and beauty of the a Latin play, because she would confess frankly she country in the vicinity of Isfahan, and the first view did not understand it; and I am persuaded not one of the city is surpassingly striking. All the eye sees in ten of the men who go is able to understand what enraptures one's sense. Groves, avenues, luxuriant he hears, for all he may laugh, and clap when others gardens, — of these there is such an absolute over- do, and look wise, and think he is enjoying the flow as hides the ruins of this once famous city. The thing vastly. Talk of the Adelphi, I am sure an nearer view weakens this impression, but enough | Adelphi farce must be much more entertaining." remains of former grandeur to excite great admira- “ It is entirely a matter of opinion, madam; but tion." since I know you only slander yourself by appearing In the East all is beautiful, but only externally, to be ignorant of the Roman slave's writings, I have and in the distance. So I was not in the least sur-made so bold as to assume you would like to see prised when on entering the town I found the same one of his plays acted, and I have therefore procrooked streets, the same poor houses, the same cured you a ticket, of which I beg your acceptdirt and filth and unmended streets as in Teheran ance." and all Persian states. We went, this lady and I, to the Westminster Play, and saw the “ Adelphi” of Terence. DispuTHE WESTMINSTER PLAY. tatious at first at the prospect of separation which Hæc olim meminisse juvabit! I should think so. presented itself when we entered the hall, she went Who can forget the scene, be he spectator or ac to the benches set apart for the accommodation of tor? and to whom, remembering it, will not the re- | ladies, and thence looked upon the play, and upon membrance bring pleasure? I am speaking, ladies those who came to see it, with eyes that took in all and gentlemen, of the Westminster Play, the dra- that passed, and with a critical observation to which matic performance of high classical flavor, to which I am only too glad here and elsewhere to acknowlcome yearly the elite of a select portion of London edge my obligations. We compared notes after the Society, to see rather than to be seen. To see what, play was over, and we thought, in our vanity, that pray? Just this, madam ; a play of Terence, or of London Society, which interests itself greatly in Plautus, it may be, acted by the Queen's Scholars of the Westminster Play, would like to see what was St. Peter's school. on them. “ Terence! an Irish author, I suppose, - perhaps It is Thursday night, the grand night for the a Fenian ? I never heard of him.” players, the night on which grandees come, and on "Possibly not, madam. Dr. Johnson once ob- which the epilogue is spoken. Great is the exciteserved, in answer to a similar observation, that what ment in the halls of St. Peter. Already the play his commentator did not know would fill a very has run two nights, and has been applauded to the large library.” echo by crowded houses. But the performances " And Dr. Johnson was extremely rude when he have only served to accustom the actors to their parts, said so, as you are now, for repeating his silly speech. to make them feel less uneasy in their buskins and Who is this Terence ?" toga, to show them, by experience, where emphasis “ He was the very obedient humble servant of should be laid, and how the difficult parts may best his master, as I am of you, madam. He was a Ro- be enunciated. They have but braced up the man slave, madam." dramatic nerves of the players to speaking point, "But if he wrote plays that are worth being act- they have been but so many rehearsals in public. ed now, he must have had brains.” For the greatest of the visitors have not yet been, “ Undoubtedly, madam.” the most severe of the yearly critics have not yet " Then I should not advise you to compare your criticised, the epilogue, framed with care, fashioned self with him. What sort of plays did he write ? " secretly, and with as much curiosity-tempting mys " It would be presumptuous in me, after what you tery as surrounded the charm of wizard Merlin, has have said, madam, to attempt a description ; but I not yet been heard, save in the hidden places where may mention that he wrote, amongst other plays, the Queen's Scholars mutter their parts. one called the · Adelphi,' after which Mr. Webster's It is the Thursday night performance. The dorpretty theatre is not named, and another called the mitory of the college is transmuted for the occasion. * Self-tormentor,' or, as that title was found too long At one end are the stage and proscenium, and over for the fastidious Romans, the · Heautontimerume- | all the rest of the space are the seats for the audinos.'” ence. Temporary galleries, such as one has seen at “I do not believe that even you would be so fool- Hyde Park reviews, lead from the dormitory to the ish as to call a play, if you could write one, by such theatre, and are covered over all their length with a ridiculous title, and therefore I cannot suppose red cloth. Not otherwise is the arrangement in the this slave with brains would. But in what language theatre itself, and the bright red of the seats and did he write ? " benches lends a warm tone to the place. ImmediIn Latin, madam." | ately in front of the stage, below the footlights, is a space reserved, and the three arm-chairs which stand and literature ; names of men of renown in chună abreast at the head of it are backed by some forty and state. chairs of motley shape and size. On the right of Some names which might be there also one des them are raised benches, wherein "old boys” do sit, not see. One name, if ever it was engraved on the and on the left are others, where the masters' friends walls, must long ago have been effaced, – that most do congregate. In the rear of all these is a Jeffreys of the Bloody Assizc, “ the wicked Chan conglomeration of benches, raised, the hinder ones a cellor" of James II. He was of Westminster what little higher than those in front of them, on which time the renowed Dr. Busby taught and flogred sit “ the general,” who have received cards of admis- there. Busby, the successor — not the immediate sion. Here was my friend , the artist, from successor, I think — of poor Dr. Osbaldistone, who whom fate had severed me, and who was sitting like having been sentenced for some slight oilence to a gentleman in full evening dress, taking sketches, cruel punishment by the Star Chamber, when Arebunder difficulties, of what he saw that was sketcha bishop Laud sat at the board, saved himself by worthy. He is one who is wont to make himself at flight, and left a witty note in his study to the home wherever he may be, and the difficulties Ieffect that he had “ gone beyond Canterbury." H. speak of he is apt to treat as Nelson did the recall was sentenced to be pilloried before the whole signal at Copenhagen. He did so in this case, with / school. O, ye gods and little fishes! Fancy such what good fortune and success let a discerning pub- an order coming down from the Privy Council lic judge. Office in Whitehall, with the name of Dr. Scott in Stretching far away into the distance, behind my it, that respected and beloved chief on whose words friend's seat, are benches, and still benches, whereon modern Westminsters hang, and wbo sits there be sit “the gods.” Olympus is there, crowded with fore us in cassock and gown, with back and shoulders juvenile deities, who have driven the goddesses from broad enough, though scarcely so for Star Chamber the mount, and caused them to flutter down in lovely sentences to be written on. Procul este profan. solitude to the nest in the valley of the theatre, Get out, all the sort of ye, you who would think of where congregate the observed of all observers — doing such a thing, and you who would think of till the play itself begins. Time and space would ordering it, - or rather adeste infideles, and ste fail to tell at length how the great monarch asserts what sort of reception you would meet with at himself in the sacred mount; how, at his nod, the Westminster hands. lesser deities clap their hands, and how, at his frown, “For whom are those comfortable-looking armthey are still; how, at the shaking of his wand, I chairs reserved in the front?" I asked. Olympus resounds with cheers; how, at the lifting “Prince Arthur is coming, and the Dean, and of his finger, no dog dare bark. one or two more; it is for them the chairs are There is a mystery in the color of the wax on your kept.” ticket. According to the color, so is your place: The prince, it might have been the fault of those with one you are bidden to sit in high places; with with whom he was dining, did not observe the another you are suspended between heaven — that order of punctuality which his mother used to keep is, Olympus — and the terre pleine ; with a third you He kept us waiting for nearly forty minutes. But are relegated to what represent the stage boxes; with now he enters; the lady whom he is escorting is a fourth you are admitted to where a greater than conducted to her place among the goldesses, and be, Jove himself is to have his habitation for the even- I princeps optime, as he hears himself called in the prologue, is led to the central chair in front of the In a snug billet in one of the coulisses I take my footlights, and takes his place, the band strikes up seat. The guests arrive in quick succession; and “God save the Queen," and the divinities on the now and again, as some notable one enters, rumbles mount, keeping excellent time with their hands, of applause proceed greetingly from the dwellers on applaud the young gentleman to the echo. He has high Olympus. “ That is the Bishop of Weissnicht, heard the same thing before, and receives the 012and old Westminster," says a friend, as a portly tion therefore becomingly; he is as though he heard gentleman, with clerically cut, clothes, buckled shoes it not, and he talks to him in the chair on the right of the kind kept under glass cases in the more fash- hand, and to him in the chair on the left. ionable bootmaker's shops, and with an oddly built!" Whose is the clear-cut face,' swarthy, with in hat, enters, and takes his place. telligence stamped all across it, there, to the right of " Professor Wit, the great Social Science man, the prince?" who comes all ignorant of the epilogue," said my! “Him with the crimson velvet collar, and the friend again, with a smile, the meaning of which I, Order of the Bath round his neck?" also being ignorant of the epilogue, did not then! “ The same." understand. The professor was not cheered, but he 1 " That is the Dean. Stanley, princeps inter prinlooked around him benignantly, his beaming facecipes." radiant with the kindness he felt towards his alma " And he on the left ? " mater, whom he had come to visit. He, too, was an “You, will know better when the orator alludes “oll Westminster.” to him in the prologue. He is the Dean of the Old Westminster! How much do the words im- Arches, late Queen's Advocate, the man of whom port! Would you know who old Westminsters are ? his brother, a competitor, but not a rival in the prolook around. See their names, with their date in fessional career, said, that he was " omnis juris die the history of the school, deeply cut in the stone- ni ac humani sciens." Vir præclarissimus, as they work of the walls above. There all along, and from say down here." the level of the gaslights to the architraves of the * To look at him I should have thought no less." roof, is a long muster-roll of those who have done “But now my oat proceeds, and listens to the worthily at St. Peter's, and elsewhere, some of them. herald of the " stage, “who came in" Terence Behold names which the Russians learned to know "plea." in the Crimea; names of men whom the learned de- Forth from behind the green curtain steps a pale light to honor ; names of the famous in science, art, youth, clad in such weeds as Hamlet might hard ing. worn, barring the college gown and the bran new maid. Pamphila, concerning whom old Demea is trencher cap, which are conspicuous features of his disgusted, is spoken of but does not appear. She dress. He is the least bit nervous ; a live prince is does n't but they do; and look at them, oh! ye godimmediately before him, and a host of præclarissimi, desses from Olympus, saw ye ever such women ? to say nothing of criticising, if not critical compeers, Sostrata is by no means bad ; indeed, but for her are before him. He bows thrice to the audience, gait, which causes an irresistible flutter of laughter and very low to Prince Arthur; and amid rounds in the court of Juno, Venus, and Minerva, she might of anticipatory applause, he takes his stand full in pass for what she professes to be, an Attic matron the glare of the footlights, and directly in front of of a certain age. But for Canthara, do not hope, the division in the curtain, and at the first lull in oh ye players, that she will be taken even for the the enthusiasm of his reception enunciates the first servant “ maid of Athens." Stood ever woman so, line of the prologue. At the end of it he seems to disposed ever woman so of her hands ? Impossible, realize more distinctly that he is committed to a utterly impossible, in the words of your own epilogue, speech, and he grows nervous accordingly; but his “ istud futile et absurdum ridiculumque puto." No; question at the beginning of the third line, Quid non you should put your womankind through their paces novatur hodie ? brings the house down with great before you bring them on the stage, and you should, clapping of hands, and this and the prompter's as- above all, for indescribable reasons, drill them well sistance enable the young man to resume. A little at the manual. But the acting in other respects is stagey perhaps, a little stiff, the effect probably of good; and it is bigh praise to Sostrata to say that tradition, which is a great tyrant in these matters, he (she) did his (her) part " like a regular old but still effective, the prologue is delivered. woman." The tribute of a tear is paid to those departed But the plot, my dear sir ? Westminsters whom scevâ quotannis mors rapac car- Is briefly contained in the well-known words, well pit manu; and praise is lavished on those yet living known to every schoolboy, through his Latin gramwhose reputation is being bruited about the world mar, if not through his Terence, suo sibi gladio hunc by the trumpet of Fame. Notably is he who sits on jugulo. Demea, up to a certain point, represents the left of the prince commended in graceful terms, the cross, crabbed, miserly, and tyrannical old man, and sincere as loud is the approbation of the audi- resolved on bending all within his circle to his will, ence when the orator, bowing low to the excellent evincing great ignorance of the springs of human judge, says, referring to the past and the present, action, and believing that his parental duty lies in * relatum jam gaudemus inter juices." Then Prin- repressing the natural and youthful instincts of his ceps optime comes in for a welcome, and a little ex- children. hortation to follow in the steps of his father, than Micio thwarts him patronizingly in everything, whom “there will not easily be found a more ad. and encourages Æschinus in his love suit, giving mirable specimen of all the virtues"; and the orator utterance, however, in the course of his speeches to concludes, amid a hurricane of applause, with a bid much common sense and to some undoubted wisfor patient hearing, and for indulgentia. dom. Suddenly, towards the end of the play, DeThe curtain rises upon a well-executed view of mea, seeing how the land lies, determines to be reAthens, where the scene is laid, and Demea and venged on his brother, by taking the wind out of Micio, the two brothers who give their name to the his sails, much in the same way that the leader of play, enter, and in a long conversation discuss the the Conservative party determined to do by the goings on of young Æschinus, son to Demea, whom Liberals' sails in the matter of the Reform Bill last Micio has adopted and brought up to fare sumptu- session. He does so, changes his whole nature, outously and extravagantly, to the great horror of De- bids Micio in generosity so far that he even frees mea, who is wealthy but mean, and too fond of his slaves, and so manages to apply his brother's money, as such, to see it spent wastefully, though it maxims practically to their author as to make him be not his own. It is also a question about a lady play a very sorry figure indeed : and in this way, with whom Æschinus (whose conflicting emotions by adopting the use of Micio's own weapons, he acare rendered with much delicacy by E. Bray) has tually does * kill the inan with his own sword," — entangled his affections, to the disgust of Demea, for the biter is bitten. Æschinus is reconciled to his the old and ever new reason that the marriage is father, Ctesipho is made glad, and everybody, poor not suitable. Micio perhaps excepted, lives happily ever after, Syrus, the slave of Micio (admirably played by and the curtain falls amid the well-earned plaudits E. Giles), is a great character in the piece, taking of the entire company. the part of arranger-general of all his younger mas- Ah! my poor dear ladies, it must be a gladter's love affairs, hoodwinker of old Demea, whom some release to you, though you are so amiable you he fools to the top of his bent, and coin-extracter will not say so. Has it not been my duty, as well from everybody in his own behalf. as my pleasure, to watch you; and did I not see Geta, a slave to Escbinus's mistress, no less well that, say up to the end of the second act, you tried played by F. A. O'Brien, shows forcibly in his only all you could to look as if you enjoyed it? You scene how he would like to destroy the whole of smiled when the men laughed, looked serious when Æschinus's family, and the way in which this was they did, and scanned with genuine interest the done brought down the whole house, gods and men. dresses and the scenery. But when you had seen Ctesipho, Eschinus's young brother, juvenum pul- all the dresses and had looked that never-varying cherrimus, fearful for his brother, fearful for his own scene through and through, confirm me in my statebeloved mistress, fearful of his father's anger, enlists ment that you began to find the play a bore, not to Syrus in his service, and gets that worthy's help be endured with equanimity but for sake of some * for a consideration.” Time fails to speak, except son, or brother, or other interesting relation among in terms of passing praise, of Hegio, the grave coun- the actors ? sellor, and of Sannio; but of Sostrata and Canthara Did I not notice, up to the point above menwho would not stay to tell ? tioned, a certain wistfulness, a certain desire in you, Sostrata is the lady of the piece, Canthara is her to understand what was being spoken, the expres sion of a very natural wish to know the points of saying that he approves of it, and asks more abort “Much was said concerning meals- deque cloacis – About the known and the unknown - and all the knowableyou who think it foolish to exclude from your com About the impossible - and the possible, good. pany the only possible beings who could make the What thou should'st do -- whether retire, or rise, earlyplay agreeable by explaining it as it went on; and How sneeze - run- stand-think- and eat." I think it altogether unreasonable that you should Demea, bursting in with his notes of admiration, be asked to applaud that which you do not under- tells his son he will never do anything better," and stand. But there are compensations, dear ladies. offers forthwith to pay all the expenses, an offer You have the ices and the Falernian, if we have which elicits the warm admiration of the datiful the play and the enjoyment; and I am not quite Eschinus. Syrus, striking while the iron is bot. sure whether among those who are supposed to en- runs on with his description, and says the new mer joy the drama there might not be found some who ber will be at no loss for speech-matter, for be may would be willing to change places with you. They discourse on — are barbarians of course, and, therefore, could not “ Whether the garments now worn by lovely wobe exchanged against any one of you, unless — and man are better calculated to cover or to disclose the the suggestion is offered for what it is worth -- the body; whether the shoulders and breast reasonably condition were laid upon them that they should complain that they are naked while a long robe interpret intelligently and intelligibly the good bides the feet within its folds; in what respects a things in the play for the benefit of the ladies' slow girl (tarda puella) differs from a fast one (celo bench. ci); whether this or that is more pleasing to Diana; But the curtain rises again, and bebold, all shorn whether the reverence due to a father can be con of their Attic costume, the principal characters in sidered safe when he is spoken of simply as goverthe “ Adelphi.” No longer an Athenian “buck," nor; whether the boy, scarcely out of his baby Eschinus appears in his own proper character of clothes, can becomingly boast that he knows more an English gentleman, though long association with than his seniors.” the Terentian language prevents his uttering him- “ These are important matters, and worthy of self in any but the Latin tongue; and men still call serious consideration," says Demea. him Eschinus, though his dress would suggest to us - Most learned must be be who can untie such the right-hand side of the list of dramatis persone knotty points. Alas! for my own crass and dull as the place where his right name should be found. wit," exclaims Eschinus. Syrus, habited as a country gentleman's country At this point Micio enters, dressed up as an "old butler, is discovered, as the theatrical phrase is, talk- foger," and is delighted to hear from Syrus that his ing with Eschinus, and congratulating him that brother is a disciple. Demea, following bis bent to now he sees him, through the favor of the gods and take the wind out of his brother's sails, takes up the Syrus's good counsel, et omni parte beatum. He thread of Syrus's subject, and tells Æschinus that he questions him, however, concerning “ his careful - may discuss the question whether the contest bebrow and solicitous look," and gathering from him tween Eton and Harrow which yearly is fought at that he desires occupation which may lift him above Lord's (Lonii quod celebratur agro) injures or benemere considerations of earth, recommentis him an fits the ingenuous throng," and the old man makes aeronautic voyage, Glasheri cones. To this Eschi- an untranslatable pan about the " laudis” immensa nus replies that terra firma pleases him better : cupi:io. Eschinus, fired by the spark from the pa. whereupon Syrus, ready with suggestions tells him ternal energy, goes on: “ Then you can talk of the that if terrestria are his little game, he has bat to strength of the respective sides, and of the desterturn * promoter of any grand enterprise, and make ity of the members (he imitates the postures of many partake in his work," urging that he has noth- cricket). eres fixed, hands ready, and swift feet." ing to fear for himself, since - br limited liability Then, turning to Micio and pointing to Demea, he (certo ieris ) all possibility of loss is shut out." sars: * Beboki the patron of athletes, of bats, and This proposition proving unacceptable, Syrus of balls," a dding, it we may make so free with the asks him if he has not heard of a certain meeting, a Latin text, the juter is coming out! Sociai ( 77*, as they call it, which flourishes Micio cannot believe it, and questions if cricketwith great renown in the world." Professor Wit l balls can be any means he considered in the light becomes greatly interested, - and to this question of the terrestrial gioves. He goes on to deplore the techinus haring answered br another, which inconrenience to which cricket gives rise: the broaght the house down * sed sibi timp uro, shonting, the disorder, the party feelings, the illmune: (lat what is their drift and aim ?) Syras, concealed distress of the mothers and sisters of the strongir recommends him to become an associate, 'ransel, til Demea interrupts him witb, -- -* These because he wil be famous in consequence, if all things are not to be blamed rashly! Ther constiother means tail. (Professor Wit begins to see that tute the true social shrence, which teaches both to be and his cor eagues are being ridiculed, and be and to sut'cs. Ah! perish the Muses, perish both grows a little fidgety accordingly.) Go and Latin! Only let that poble game of While they are talking De mes, dressed as an bulldourish: old-fashioned squire, comes in, and orerhearing Træn there are allasions amtsing enough and Srtas sar that Micio is a great supporter of the witty, to the mass totum Clirur about the urrSonials Ciu s and has been made a rice bealthiness of voient exercise, which Demea indig. president for the year, determines, as in the plar, nantr scouts with — "lud fuile et añcurdum rito outtlank him, and though speaking at first of the page : and then reminding Micio of old congress work as a "farraco of nonsense, ends br, dars in allusion to his part in the plar), wherein he acted a boy's part with boys, he boasts that now, and consolation. The highest and most genuine .as in the play, he kills this man with his own sword:- form of biography is unquestionably the autobiog“But now the social strife of our Adelphi ceases! raphy. Two autobiographies of matchless value let us now be merry on our festal, joyful day! will doubtless occur to the reader, written indeed by And you, if perchance you have seen something good, very different men, and from very different points Applaud, because the time has sped with lightsome foot! But if we've made you sleepy, instead of smiling happy, of view, but both of them with a unique and absoApplaud no less, because you've license to go home. lute truthfulness. Of course we mean the ConfesOne thing yet remains ! Of social art a greater professor, sions of Augustine and the Confessions of Rousseau. More learned than all others, in his way, is the cook! Seek him ; let all thoughts centre in that one man ! We do not have such autobiographies now; and, inAnd you be as decided in the clapping of your hands." deed, the writer of an autobiography, like the writWho would not clap ? who would not be joyous in er of a diary, is under a temptation, unconscious, the joy of such lads ? Even the poor ladies, who perhaps, but most powerful, to give his own colorhave understood but little more of the epilogue than ing to his statements. To an age that delights in they did of the play (the men, you know, have seen introspection, and has no greater literary satisfaca copy of the epilogue, beforehand, hinc illorum sa tion than seeing its own manners faithfully mirrored pientia), catch the generous infection, and signify to its mental eye, a genuine autobiography of the their favor with gentle plaudits. The Prince, and Rousseau or the Augustine kind would be a source the Dean, and the Dean of Arches, and the Canons, of great delight, and in many respects a positive and the Professors, and the old Westminsters, and gain. Exoriare aliquis. the visitors all, cordially unite in the demonstrations | The statement may appear paradoxical, but we which the gods inaugurate, in answer to the request think that in novels there are elements which would of old Demea. go far to make up genuine and veracious autobiograWell-laden are the college trenchers which are phy. We strongly hold to the opinion that it is poshanded into Æschinus nć Bray, the courteous cap-sible in most fictions to disentangle from the general tain of the school. Acceptable, evidently, are the work a strong autobiographical element. In reality words of satisfaction with which Prince Arthur a novelist frequently goes into the confessional, takes his leave of the actors, and pleasant are the bares his soul and tells his secrets. Sometimes be memories which all who went will cherish of the way wears his heart upon his sleeve, and a most careless in which Terence's play of the “ Adelphi ” was eye may detect the outward varnish of disguise played by the Queen's Scholars at Westminster in which is only thinly and partially laid on. At other December, 1867. Even my lady friend who, as times a literary detective is needed for a “private shown in the beginning, professed such scorn for that inquiry” of this sort, to pierce through the manifold pleasant play, confessed to having enjoyed it thor- disguises that are laid on layer by layer. There oughly; and it is her opinion that I ought in com-are authors who so entirely project themselves into mon fairness and out of gratitude for a really intel- their created scenes and characters that the touches lectual entertainment, give not only the dramatis of their own individuality are faint and few. This, personce, but an extract from the praise which the however, is not ordinarily the case, especially in an Jupiter (not he of the Westminster Olympus, but of age like this, when most writers are morbidly given Printing House Yard) was so gracious as to bestow up to the analysis of their own idiosyncrasies. upon them. From this opinion there is no appeal. Look, for instance, at traces of individuality in Why should there be ? Here is the extract and the some of our most eminent novelists. What a comcast: ment are the battlements and turrets of Abbotsford, " We believe it was the unanimous opinion of its armory and painted glass, its fair domains and those present that the representation of the Adel- the adjacent ruins of Melrose Castle, on the heroic phi’of Terence in 1867 need fear no comparison and mediæval genius of Sir Walter. How faithfulwith those of the palmiest days of Westminster Play. ly his works reflect that leaning to rank and lineage Indeed, on the principle that there are as good fish and territorial possessions which at times becomes exin the sea as ever came out of it,' we say that these cessive, and degenerates into a weakness that mars performances are just as good now as they ever were a broad and generous character. Again, take On this occasion nothing could have been better Thackeray. Into very questionable places must he than the acting of Lefroy and Haden as Demea and have dived, and with very queer companions, in the Micio, of Bray as Æschinus, and of Giles as Syrus. days of wild oats! In his hard cynical humor, his In fact, a better Æschinus and Syrus we never saw. caustic wit, his disbelief in men and motives, in his Nor were the minor characters less well filled. identification of goodness and stupidity, we see a O'Brien as Geta, in his only scene, where he re- kind of literary Ishmaelite, with a kind of natural counts the various ways in which he would like to antagonism towards solvent respectability, neither destroy the whole family of Æschinus, root and asking nor taking quarter, very sore himself, branch, was most excellent; and the joyous tender caring what sores he inflicts on others. And when ness of Ctesipho, the boyish lover, who is divided be his fortunate evening set in, like a latter summer, tween fear of his father finding him out, love for his especially after his lucky American trip, and the sun brother, and affection for his mistress, was very well of prosperity had melted the hard, glittering ice in rendered. On the whole, the Play was most even which he had encased himself, how generous, courand admirably performed, and was greeted with teous, and considerate he became; how willing to prolonged applause." make allowances; how disposed to retract former asperities, and indulge in genial, hopeful views ! Then take Lord Lytton. He really presents some THE CONFESSIONS OF NOVELISTS. curious examples in the way in which he identifies Ir is one of Carlyle's forcible sayings that as the himself with his hero. For instance, just as Lord Gospel is a biography, so every true biography is a Lytton grows old, so he makes his heroes grow old. gospel. He means by this, as we understand, that Earnest Maltravers is a gorgeous youth; and, genevery biography honestly and sincerely put forth erally speaking, “ gilded youth” is the hero of the will be fraught with lessons of sympathy, guidance, / earlier Bulwer novels. But when we come to |