ail of the music-hall is
over it all. I admit the extreme ability of certain music-hall
comedians. I object, however, altogether, to the intrusion of such
artists into the domain of Pantomime, and I do so because they, and
others not so able, bring with them, so to speak, an atmosphere which it
is sad to see imported into the theatre. They bring with them, not only
their songs, which, when offensive in their wording, are sometimes made
doubly dangerous by their tunefulness; not only their dances, which are
usually vulgar, when they are not inane, but their style and manner and
'gags,' which are generally the most deplorable of all. The objection to
music-hall artists on the stage is, not only that they take the bread
out of the mouths of 'the profession,' which is a minor consideration
for the public, but that they have the effect of familiarising general
audiences, and children especially, with a style and a kind of singing,
dancing, and 'business' which, however it may be relished by a certain
class of the population, ought steadily to be confined to its original
habitat. The managers are, of course, very much to blame, for it is by
their permission, if not by their desire, that youthful ears are regaled
with 'W'st, w'st, w'st,' and similar elegant compositions. Such songs as
these would not be tolerated by _paterfamilias_ in his drawing-room,
yet, when he takes his children to the Pantomime, they are the most
prominent portion of the entertainment."

In the last century, Pantomimes, in the form so dear to our forefathers,
sometimes twice yearly--at Easter and Christmas--were given. The comic
and other scenes were in that true sense of the word humorous and funny.
The reason was not far to seek, as they were all played by _actors_. The
music-hall had not, as far as Pantomime was concerned, made such inroads
as at the present time it has done into the dramatic profession. Clown,
to _pater_ and _materfamilias_, and others, was a source of genuine
enjoyment; and though they may have passed the sere and yellow leaf of
age, the laughs and hearty merriment of their grand-children gathered
around them made them think of other days, when they were young
themselves. Picture them all, dear reader, sitting in the Family
Circle--now termed the Dress Circle--a happy party with smiling and
contented faces, laughing at some _genuine acting_--Pantomime though it
be--no _double entendre_ songs, and nothing to be ashamed of.

To the y