I am in the fortunate position of having yet to read Mr. ARNOLD BENNETT'S novel, from which Mr. PRYCE'S comedy has been adapted, and am therefore free to treat the play itself on what I take to be its merits. It may be that the adapter assumed in us a little previous knowledge of the history of _Helen's_ love affair, or that at least there was an obscurity about her past that wanted clearing up by retrospective illumination; but that is my only possible criticism; and I heartily congratulate the Vaudeville management on having at last discovered a play that promises to reward their enterprise. Not suspecting that there would be a change of hours after the second night, I arrived on the third night punctually at 8, to find that the performance was announced to begin at 8.30. Punctually at that hour I returned, to find that it did not commence till 9; that in the meantime I was to assist at a song-and-talk recital of which no threat had been published. My quarrel is not with Mr. FREDERIC NORTON who did it, though his clever entertainment began with some songs about fishes and things that might have warmed a Penny Readings' audience but left me bitterly cold. My complaint is of a wasted hour and a bolted dinner. I mention it only to prove that, whatever the provocation he has suffered, a Dramatic Critic is incapable of prejudice. O. S. * * * * * Another Impending Apology. "ALBANIA'S NEW RULER HOW PRINCE WILLIAM WILL ENTER HIS KINGDOM. +FOUR+" _Westminster Gazette._ Looping the loop on all fours? * * * * * "Shooting on the river Doe, in Kirkcudbrightshire, Colonel Kennaway, Greenlaw, shot a fine specimen of the male gadwall, a comparatively rare visitor."--_Glasgow Herald._ Col. KENNAWAY (_to deceased male gadwall_). "That'll teach you to be so beastly rare." * * * * * "The Wigan County Licensing Sessions were held yesterday. Superintendent Kelly stated that fifty-four persons had been proceeded against for drunkenness, an increase of 124 over last year."--_Liverpool Daily Post._ Superintendent KELLY should join the Government. * * * * * "A recital was given yesterday afternoon by Dr. Walter Alcock, who bears the title of organist and composer to His Majesty's Chapels Royal, and assistant organist of Westminster Abbey, and happens to be also an organist of exceptional attainments." _Yorkshire Post._ The luck of Royalty is proverbial. * * * * * "WELSH PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. Milward, after compiling a break of 73, failed at a very easy shot, otherwise the contribution might have been higher." _Sportsman._ It would seem certain, but--you never can tell with these wily Welshmen. * * * * *