The curtain fell on the fourth act. As to the fifth, I do not intend to usurp your place as critic, but will conclude by saying that in this act the dogs had become tigers—a natural metamorphosis of which good authors avail themselves. The tiger, with equal consistency, killed his wife by mistake, and consoled himself by slaughtering his friends. It seems, when fairly married, Zemire became a tigress. This, I have heard, is one of those unaccountable changes which not unfrequently occur in real life. Be that as it may, the curtain at last fell on scenes of crime, murder, and confusion. [Illustration] After the close of the drama, attendants handed round refreshments. As for me, I followed your example. As it was the first night of representation, I left the box at once with the air of one burdened with thought; and making my way to the green-room, joined a group of theatrical critics walking about with a supercilious pedantic air. One had the {97} sting of the wasp, another the beak of the vulture, a third the cunning of the fox. Beasts of prey were there, hungering for helpless victims. Lions proudly showing their teeth. Of mischievous animals of all sorts, it was a goodly company. I ought to inform you, as soon as it became known that you belonged to me I was permitted to go behind the scenes, and to cultivate the acquaintance of the actors. But I must now conclude this rambling review, a friendly greyhound is waiting to join me at supper. [Illustration] {98} THE PHILOSOPHIC RAT. PERSONAGES. GNAWER, _Rat with grey beard_. TROTTER, _A young rat, pupil of Gnawer_. BABOLIN, _Dispenser of holy water_. TOINON, _Daughter of Babolin_. A VOICE. SCENE I. A DINING-ROOM MODESTLY FURNISHED. GNAWER _alone, coming and going, seemingly much preoccupied_. [Illustration] My pupil Trotter is coming to share my dinner. I hope he may find no cause to regret his old master’s invitation [_smelling an old piece of cheese he found under the table_]. There now is a bit of cheddar whose delicious perfume would make a dead rat come to life! We shall hear what my pupil thinks of it. The rats of the rising generation are so strange they seem to care for nothing. Nothing pleases them, or dispels the frown they constantly wear. In my young days we were less fastidious, we took things as they came. One day we dined off corn, another off wood—wood or corn, it was all the same to us. Now, alas! all is changed. There is no contentment. If my pupils have bacon and nuts, they lament the absence of cheese. What is the world coming to? Trotter is late, I wonder if anything has happened to him. {99} SCENE II. THE OLD RAT AND HIS YOUNG PUPIL. _Trotter._ [_Looking in at the window._] Master, may I come in? _Gnawer._ What! by the window? can’t you find the door? But I forgot, you rats of the modern school never do as others do. Come, let us dine, the things have been waiting long enough.