subject when he comes to tackle the characteristic speech given to _Cranmer_ in the last scene of _Henry the Eighth_. Mr. MARSHALL dealing with _Joan of Arc_, in _Henry the Sixth_, notices how SHAKSPEARE halts between two opinions, but decides as a courtier and a man of business would have done. The courtier remembers that _Joan_ was not the only heroic virgin who had cheered her troops on to victory, but that the masculine Queen BESS had also mounted a cock-horse, like the lady of Banbury Cross, and had encouraged her soldiers with brave words at Tilbury Fort. Where the full-flavoured British Queen had succeeded, evidently the humble Gallic peasant maid must fail, at least, on the stage. If _Gloriana_ was to be the pride of Old England, _La Pucelle_ must be held up to _Gloriana's_ subjects as a vile impostor, and a witch. SHAKSPEARE would not allow sentiment to interfere with business. Most of Mr. GORDON BROWNE'S illustrations are charmingly designed and executed, and the prefaces, introductions to SHAKSPEARE'S family (managed by F.A.M., Master of the Ceremonies), and critical remarks, ought to satisfy the most exacting of Shakspearian students. [Illustration: "Hist, Romeo, hist!" _R. & J._, Act II., Sc. 2.] [Illustration: "He bears him like a portly gentleman." _R. & J._, Act I., Sc. 4.] _Prince Lucifer_ (MACMILLAN & CO.) by ALFRED AUSTIN. I do not wish to make an ostentatious--or rather, in this instance, Austin-tatious-- display of my unpoetic nature, but I cannot understand why ALFRED the Less chose this name of _Lucifer_ for his hero. The title, for advertising purposes, certainly arrests the eye. Of course, as ALFRED the Less would say, in his light Lucifer manner-- "Lucifer," I own to liking; | Names are nothing, if not striking. And Lucifer is nothing to speak of, if not intended to serve a striking purpose. A second title might perhaps have assisted the public to an explanation, _Lucifer; or, The Love Match_. _Prince Lucifer_ suggests something naughty, and worse--or naughty in werse--for there is nothing to assure us beforehand that Mr. AUSTIN'S "Prince of Darkness is a gentleman" who wouldn't shock our religious or moral sentiments on any account, not even on his own. But though the book could not, perhaps, be recommended by Mr. PODSNAP to the "Young Person," yet I should carefully consider the intelligent capacity of the Young Person before presenting her with such a specimen of "light and misleading" literature as _Prince Lucifer_, to judge it only from its title, might Austinsibly be. It contains some of Mr. AUSTIN'S best work, and when, in this foggy weather, I call for "Light! More light!" I shall be perfectly satisfied if they bring me Mr. AUSTIN'S new patent _Lucifer_. YOUR OWN BARON DE BOOK WORMS. [Illustration:] * * * * * Albert Hall Concert, Wed., Nov. 16.