This will give an opportunity for introducing contemporary biographical sketches, varying from three lines to half a column.  Know his house, too—­once occupied by a foreign fiddler, next a Cabinet Minister, lastly, a successful artist, hints (if required) for scenes on the Continent, in Parliament, and the Royal Academy.  Wife and children.  Domestic scene—­good for two-thirds.  Wife playing piano as the children spin their tops, or gambol with Collie dog.  There now, I think I have got enough material for the present.  And here we are at Bolingbroke Square, South Kensington.

What’s this!  PODGERS’ servant says PODGERS declines to see literary gents!  He won’t be interviewed!

Won’t he!  With my materials, soon arrange about that!  After all, seeing him was only an empty form!

Tell Cabman to drive back to my house—­Butterfly Gardens.  He doesn’t know it!  On second thoughts, he says he supposes I mean “the place that used to be called Grub Street?” Yes, I do!

* * * * *

CHRISTMAS AND CLEOPATRA.

[Illustration]

MR. CLEMENT SCOTT, in his most useful column of theatrical information in the Daily Telegraph, told us last Friday, that the Princess’s Theatre is now “heated by a new process,” which must mean the exceptionally warm reception given every evening to Mrs. LANGTRY as Cleopatra.  In this favourable sense of the phrase, “She gets it hot all round,” and the public assists in “making it warm” for her, in return for her making it warm for them.  The more than CLEMENT SCOTT writes of “extra rows of stalls,” and of “money being turned away on account of the success of Antony and Cleopatra.”  Bravo!  “O rare for Antony!” and O most rare for Egypt’s fairest daughter!  Of course when the money is “turned away,” more money is admitted.  Great thing for a theatre when all the boxes are money-boxes, and the pit a gold-mine.  Those who are allowed to enter will not complain of being “let in,” unless they object to being “let in for a good thing.”

With its ballets and splendid mise-en-scene, and its splendid “Missis-en-scene,” too, “There would seem no reason,” continues the generous SCOTT, “why Antony and Cleopatra should not be regarded as what is euphemistically (a deuce of a word this) known as a ’Christmas Piece.’” By all means.  Be it so.  Will the fair Manageress take the hint, and announce a grand Transformation Scene for Boxing Night, with the pantomimic cast thus distributed:—­Harlequin, Colonel ANTONY COGHLAN; Columbine, Mrs. CLEOPATRA LANGTRY; Pantaloon, Mr. ENOBARBUS STIRLING; and Clown—­a real “Shakspearian Clown,” by Mr. EVERILL, who, in spite of his name, we hope will continue Ever-well, and be able to indulge the public with the good old classic song, “Poma Calida.”  Mr. CLEMENT SCOTT, at this inclement season, has hit on a first-rate notion, of which, no doubt, Queen CLEOPATRA will avail herself, if necessary.