_Mr. Barlow._ You may, indeed, evince your gratitude to these worthy people, since they have done all in their power to entertain and instruct us. And, indeed, where all is done so vastly well, I know not what to commend most, whether the sonorous voice and dignified scoundrelism of that twice-crushed Priest of Isis, the iniquitous and unprincipled _Arbaces_, played by the remarkably upright and conscientious actor, MR. RYDER; or whether the gentle pleadings of the blind _Nydia_--MISS HODSON is the young lady's name, my dear TOMMY, and I have no doubt she saw and appreciated your boyish enthusiasm--or the bearing of MR. RIGNOLD throughout a remarkably difficult and most trying part. But, HARRY, what is your opinion? _Harry._ Why, Sir, I am very little judge of these matters, but I protest that I feel mightily indebted to those clever gentlemen, MASTERS GORDON and HARFORD (I had well-nigh slipt into the error of saying MASTERS MERTON and SANDFORD) for the scenery which has so admirably served to illustrate this play. I am sorry that _Appy Cides_ was killed, as, having become a Christian, there would, I am sure, have been every opportunity open to him as an estimable young curate of evangelical proclivities. _Tommy_ (_during the cleverly arranged Amphitheatre Scene, Act IV._) I am glad to see, Sir, that in this scene where we have so much to admire, the tumblers---- _Mr. Barlow._ These, my dear TOMMY, represent the gladiators. And you must remember that on the stage, where every combat has to be carefully arranged both as to the number and fashion of the blows given and received, and as to who shall be, and who shall not be the conqueror, the contest of two determined champions, or rather of two champions whose course has been previously determined, cannot fail to be of a most thrilling and exciting character. _Tommy._ O, Sir! they have given orders to let the Lion loose. O, Sir! the Lion is coming! _Harry._ I do not believe that all these fine gentlemen and ladies would remain so still if there were, indeed, a Lion approaching. _Mr. Barlow._ The Lion, my dear TOMMY, is a native of both India and Africa. When they are hungry, they kill every animal they meet, and will even devour little boys---- Here poor TOMMY'S trepidation was increased to such an extent that he would have quitted his seat and the theatre, but for the sudden entry of the traitor _Calenus_, whose charge of murder brought against his master, the wily _Arbaces_, instantly distracted everyone's thoughts from the coming of the expected monster. Both MR. BARLOW and HARRY were loud in their praises of the dramatist who had contrived to arouse in the breasts of the spectators such emotions of fear, by the absence of the Lion, as could scarcely have been equalled by his formidable presence.