Various

“ It is some time since Henry Irving,—than whom no actor takes more thought, whether as to his author's lines, or to his own lines when "making up,"—has achieved so great and so genuine a success, and a success that will last in the memory of playgoers for many years to come, as he has in placing Tennyson's Becket on the stage, and himself playing the part of the great Archbishop. ”

“ The Oxford University Dramatic Society, unlike the Cambridge A. D. C., is compelled by the Authorities to walk only amidst the high peaks and sometimes monotonous solitudes of the legitimate drama. The Two Gentlemen of Verona, which was chosen for this term's performance, is, if the truth must be told, an uninteresting stage-play. The story is of the slightest; there is scarcely a genuinely dramatic incident from beginning to end. The audience wearies of a succession of pretty pictures and sentimental soliloquies or dialogues, mouths begin to gape, and the attention wanders. ”

“ Miss Seaton (whispering) . Now, darling, be careful—you know what I told you—you mustn't tell tales or repeat things!
Gwen. Not even if I'm asked, Miss Seaton?... No?... Would you be displeased? Then I won't. (Returning to her seat and addressing Lord S. confidentially.) Do you know why I've come to sit next to you? Because I want to see how you behave. You aren't just like one of our regular dinner-party guests, are you, you know? ”

“ So Don't-Keir Hardie, moving Amendment to Address, orated in his own clothes, whilst Howard Vincent sat above Gangway near him, and punctuated his speech with persistent cry of "Hear! hear!" A notable figure his friend made. Evidently in the ranks of the Unemployed in the Don't-Keir Hardie household are the comb and brush. Through a mass of black hair, matted on head and chin, Don't-Keir looked on House of Commons. ”

“ Whitaker's Valentine was a very pleasing performance. He spoke his lines admirably, grouped himself (if the Hibernianism be permissible) excellently, and showed himself in every sense a well-graced actor. Mr. Ponsonby's Launce, too, was capital, carefully thought out and consistently rendered. One or two of the actors in tights seemed unduly conscious of their hands and knees, but, on the whole, the acting was of good average excellence. The Ladies here are real Ladies, not stuffed imitations, as at Cambridge. ”

“ Miss Seaton says we should never be unkind to anybody, whatever their position is. And I think you're rather nice. I wish Papa would have you to dine with us often, but perhaps you're expensive?
Lord Strath. (laughing) . I don't know, Miss Gwennie, I've been feeling uncommonly cheap all the evening!
Gwen. (reflectively) . Mamma always says everything's much cheaper at Blankley's.
Mrs. Tid. (to Uncle Gab.) . Growing such a big girl, isn't she? and getting on wonderfully with her lessons. I must get her to recite one of her little pieces for you, Uncle, dear—she does it so prettily!
Uncle Gab. ”

“ Uncle Gab. (nettled) . It's all very well for you to stand up for your order, my Lord; but it's right I should tell you that the Country doesn't mean to tolerate that den of thieves and land-grabbers—I need hardly say I refer to the House of Lords—much longer! We're determined to sweep them from the face of the earth. ”

“ House divides, showing Government in possession of majority of 80. Renewed tumult when they come back from the Lobby. Jesse Collings rising, with intent to implore House to remember its dignity, is met with such swift, sudden, rampant roar of "Rat! Rat!" that after ineffectual contest, he subsides. Another Division; Government majority gone up one. Fresh Motion made for Adjournment; Members tightening their belts for all-night sitting, when Squire of Malwood unexpectedly gives in. "Go on! go on!" excited Liberals cry. ”

“ This freedom of action on the part of Rosamond shows what it is to be a postulant in a convent of a Poetically Licensed Order.
The Scene of the Martyrdom, "Becket's crown," is thrillingly impressive. The faithful Monks are well played by Messrs. Haviland and Bishop—a real Bishop on the Stage, among all these representatives of various sees—while Mr. Frank Cooper is a rough-and-ready Fitzurse leader of the four "King's-men," who, of course, are all Fellows of King's, Cambridge, and probably, therefore, under the ancient statutes, Old Etonians. ”

“ It turned out this afternoon he did not mourn as one who has no hope, Finlay gone, but Jesse Collings remains. Has in degree, the same physical and mental effect on Mr. G. that Finlay had. This afternoon Mr. G. sitting on Treasury Bench, apparently waiting for Division. Debate on Jesse Collings's Amendment to Address flickering out. Henry Fowler, in vigorous speech, had replied for Government. Edward Stanhope said a few words; nothing to be done but to take Division. ”

“ Here boy and baby—and Rags too—find New England friends, whom it is a privilege for nous autres to know. Samanthy Ann is a real live person, and so is Jabe Slocum—a long, loose, knock-kneed, slack-twisted person, of whom Aunt Hitty Tarbox (whom George Eliot might have sketched) remarked he would have been "longer yit if he hedn't hed so much turned up fur feet." Timothy's Quest is the best thing of the kind that has reached us from America since Little Lord Fauntleroy crossed the Atlantic.
(Signed) "Nihil obstat," Baron de B.-W.
Synonym for a Chemise de Nuit.—"A Nap-sack." ”

“ Irish Members massed below Gangway howled with delight. Their turn come now. Long they groaned under Prince Arthur's iron heel. Now they've got him down, and dance round him with shouts of exultation and Homeric bursts of laughter. Hardly can his voice be heard above the din; but he pegs along, finally turning his back on jubilant mob below Gangway; addresses himself to Speaker, edging in a sentence amid comparative pauses in uproar. Prince Arthur protests he will not yield to force ”

“ No. 43. "Portrait of an Actor." By Zoffany, R.A. Who is the Actor? The Painter we know; but the Actor—? "Ars longa, vita brevis"—and "then is heard no more."
No. 48. Another Portrait of another Actor. By Zoffany. Name! Name! Did they both appear for "one night only"—come "like shadows, so depart"?
No. 75. "Portrait of a Lady"—an old lady, but such an old lady! By Rembrandt. What a cap! What a frill! What a pocket-handkerchief! ”

“ Must all our fiction travel from the cultured Continent?
Or dares we snap our fingers at this haughty ipse dixit,
And read our inartistic books in very great content?
Mr. Perks, M.P., has undertaken to bring in a Bill for "the Abolition of Registrars at Nonconformist Marriages." If successful, the Ministers will lose their "Perks." ”

“ Jesse Collings.
[pg 84]
Friday, 2 a.m.—Long time since I saw Liberals in such fighting trim as at this moment. Been at it all night discussing Redmond's motion for release of Dynamitards. Asquith made speech that has confirmed and improved his Parliamentary position. At quarter to one this morning Division taken, giving thumping majority, 316, to Government. When figures announced, Ulster Member moved Adjournment of Debate. Wants to talk about release of Gweedore prisoners.
"Right you are," said Squire of Malwood; "Twelve o'Clock Rule suspended; we can sit all night. Fire away!" ”

“ While the grass grows the horse may starve. Poor ass!
Party would bring you to a similar pass!
[pg 75]
"A certain Mister Jesse Collings" poses
As your particular friend and patron. Quite so!
Joseph and he cock their pugnacious noses
At their old Chief, venting their zeal (and spite) so. ”

“ As a pound a month won't do it. Ho! it's like their blessed cheek,
Missis John Strange Winter's Ammyzons as Lady June remarks—
To swear Crinerline is "ojus," dear, and 'idjous. 'Twill be larks
To see them a wearin 'ooped-skirts, as in course they're bound to do,
When they fair become the fashion. Yus, for all their bubbaroo.
The seving thousand Leaguers, and their Leader will cave in,
And wear wot now they swear is jest a shame, dear, and a sin.
I do not care a snap wot the opinion of the men is,
Nor yet for the hesthetecks, nor the toffs as play at Tennis ”