ith intelligence as the elder sister, but never for a moment
suggested a New York atmosphere. Indeed she adopted just the mincing
kind of speech which out there is held to bewray the "Britisher." The
only performance that made any real pretence of being American was that
of Mr. TURNBULL as the manager of the Efficiency Company.

[Illustration: STEPS TOWARD EFFICIENCY.

_Horace, the Butler_ (MR. C. V. FRANCE) lengthens his stride in
obedience to

_Alexander Y. Hedge_ (MR. DONALD CALTHROP).]

Still, after all, local colour is no great matter so long as you get
some recognisable aspect, though farcically presented, of human
nature; but the trouble with this play is that while our sense of the
probabilities is never too much outraged so long as the chief character
is just a piece of inhuman machinery, the author lapses into the
incredible the moment he tries to introduce a little humanity into his
scheme. However, I have perhaps taken things too seriously, instead of
being properly grateful for some very good entertainment.

O. S.

* * * * *

FASHIONS FOR MEN.

"Miss ---- takes Orders for Knitted Skirts, Jerseys, and Hats to
match. Also, Gent.'s Cardigan Coats and Hand-Painted Blouses."

_Scots Paper._

* * * * *

"The Rev. W. E. ---- based the subject of his discourse on 'The
Foolish Virgins.' A large number were present."

_South African Paper._

We trust they were edified.

* * * * *

"The discovery of Saturn's rings was made by Galileo in 1610
through his little refractory telescope."--_Welsh Paper._

The difficulty with this kind of instrument is to make it shut up.

* * * * *

[Illustration: EXCITING EXPERIENCE OF A NEW M.F.H. WHO HAS BEEN ADVISED
BY A FRIEND THAT HE SHOULD ALWAYS, WHEN GOING INTO KENNELS, FILL HIS
POCKETS WITH BISCUITS.]

* * * * *

OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

(_By Mr. Punch's Staff of Learned Clerks._)

Inevitably one's first thought on sighting _A Naval History of the War_
(HODDER AND STOUGHTON) is that he must be a brave skipper indeed who
would take out a lone ship, however excellently found, to cruise such
controversial waters. But Sir HENRY NEWBOLT is an experienced hand,
and, though (so to speak) one finds him at times conscious of Sir
JULIAN CORBETT on the sky-line, he brings off his sel