on Stage.  “You infernal, black-hearted scoundrel! this is your work, is it?”) Well, I couldn’t ha’ put it more pleasant than that, could I? and old Mr. FITKIN, as was settin’ on it, he says to me, he says—­(Hero.  “Courage, my darling!  You shall not perish if my strong arms can save you.  Heaven help me to rescue the woman I love better than my life!”) but he’s ’alf silly, so I took no partickler notice of ’im, when, what did that woman do, after stoopin’ to me, as she ’as, times without number—­but—­Oh, is the play over?  Well, as I was saying—­oh, I’m ready to go if you are, and I can tell you the rest walking home.

[Exit, having thoroughly enjoyed her evening.

* * * * *

TO ROSE NORREYS AS “NORA.”

  Dear ROSE, in your way, you’re as brimful of Art
    As a picture by REYNOLDS, a statue by GIBSON;
  And we’ll never cut you, though we don’t like your part,
    Pretty ROSE, in A Doll’s House, as written by IBSEN,
  Yet we crowd on your track, as the hounds on the quarry’s,
  And, though carping at Nora, delight in our NORREYS.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  TROUBLE IN TOM TIDDLER’S GROUND.

British Tom Tiddler.  “IF THIS GOES ON, HOW ABOUT MY GOLD AND SILVER?”]

* * * * *

[Illustration:  A DAY IN THE LAW COURTS.

(A page from the Posthumous Diary of the late Mr. Pepys.)]

[MR. PUNCH’S “TABLEAU.”  SOCIETY IN COURT.]

Up betimes and to the Court at the New Palace of Justice hard by the Strand, and near the sign of the Griffin which has taken the place of Temple Bar, upon which did stand long ago the heads of traitors.  There did I see a crowd high and low trying to get in.  But the custodians and the police mighty haughty, but withal courteous, and no one to be admitted without a ticket signed by the Lord Chief Justice.  And I thought it was a good job my wife was not with me.  She had a great longing to see a sensation action (as the journals have it), and she being of a fiery disposition and not complacent when refused, might have made an uproar, which would have vexed me to the heart.  But in truth I found no trouble.  It did seem to me that they did not see me as I entered in.  And plenty of room and no crowding, at which I was greatly contented, as I love not crushing.  Pretty to see the crowd of fine folks!  And there were those who had opera-glasses.  And when the Bench was occupied by the Lord Chief Justice—­a stately gentleman—­and the other persons of quality, how they did gaze!  And the dresses of the ladies very fine, and did make the place—­which was splendid, and they tell me the largest in the building—­like a piece at the play-house!  And the Counsel, how they did talk!  Mighty droll to hear them contradict!  One would have it that