If the jokes were now and then a little legal, what did it matter?  Many of the audience were legal too, and that there is no better audience the reports of the farces played here day after day abundantly prove.  They are out for fun, and therefore in an appreciative and complaisant mood.

To prove a comedian’s genius to the mere reader is a difficult matter, and one can never hope to re-embody him in all his humorous idiosyncracies; but quotation comes to one’s aid, and in the case of such a wit as CHARLES DARLING it is invaluable.  Thus JOHN SIMON, referring to Mrs. SIDDONS’ unwieldiness in her old age, said that in a certain part she had to be helped from her knees by two attendants.  Quick as lightning came the comment, “When she was younger she was able to rise on her own merits.”  Was ever so exquisitely funny and unexpected a turn given to the dull word “merits”?  Another perfect thing from this diverting piece, followed also by Homeric cachinnations, was the mock-serious apophthegm:  “If a cloud is going to support a lady of substantial proportions, you must make it fairly solid.”

I came away with reluctance, filled with wonder at the want of enterprise shown by our revue-managers in not having, long ere now, secured CHARLES DARLING’S services.  If only he continues to take his art seriously he has a great future.  Meanwhile I am applying embrocation to my sore sides.

* * * * *

NATURE NOTES.

    "The Gloaming,"

    North Kensington.

DEAR MR. PUNCH,—­I wonder if any of your intelligent readers have noticed the wonderful adaptability of Nature, of which I send you the following remarkable instance:—­The yellowhammer, which we are always told sings, “A little bit of bread and no che-e-ese,” has (unless my ears grossly deceive me) changed its words this year to “A little bit of cheese and no bre-e-ead!” Need I say more?

    Your obedient servant, OBSERVATOR.

* * * * *

    “Mr. Isaac L.——­ is in Cape Town.  We hope the change will do
    Mrs. L.——­ good.”—­Weekly Paper.

We trust that no domestic differences are indicated.

* * * * *

    “The bread ...had been collected from local hostels and
    barracks for pigs.”—­Daily Mail.

Does the writer delicately hesitate to call a sty a sty, or has the internment of the food-hog really begun?

* * * * *

    “Lord Robert Cecil concluded:  ’There is a well-known French
    proverb, Que; messieurs, les assassins commencement—­let the
    murderers begin.’”—­Daily News.

Our contemporary has begun.

* * * * *

REVENTLOW RUMINATES.

  I have no wounds to show; the cannon’s thunder
    Does not impair my rest.  It’s just as well,
  For, though I dote on blood, and thoughts of plunder
    Act on my jaded spirit like a spell,
  I could not but regard it as a blunder
    If Prussia’s foremost scribe should stop a shell.