ROMAIN (as "_Georges_--her friend") a little too heavy in more senses than one as the superfluous lover, and M. DUQUESNE a very excellent lawyer. There is nothing particularly brilliant in the writing, and only one line raises a laugh. When the vagabond friend of the heir extends his hand, _M. Vivien_, without a movement, merely asks, "_Combien?_" But on its repetition this admirable joke did not "go" quite so well. Still there is a freshness in the central idea of the play which is welcome. As a rule every one on the French stage weeps over somebody's mother, but in this case the tears were reserved for somebody's brother. It is said that the Author of the piece, M. PAUL DELAIR, is a novice at stage-craft. This seems to me very likely, as had he had more experience, I fancy he would have allowed (especially if he had known that the character was going to be played by M. ROMAIN) _M. Georges_ to have been shot dead in the First Act. This would have been really a great improvement, especially had _Yveline_ (the adopted daughter) been allowed to expire from grief early in the Second. Joking apart, _L'Aîné_ is not half a bad piece, although I cannot conscientiously go so far as to say that it is half a good one. Before the engagement of M. COQUELIN is over, the talented actor has promised to play _Gringoire_. No doubt this will be produced for the benefit of Mr. BEERBOHM TREE, who richly deserves the compliment. [Illustration] The Paris Hippodrome has once more taken possession of Olympia, where it seems likely to remain until well into next year. The entertainment is of the customary quality, which is saying a great deal in its praise. There are excellent _troupes_ of acrobats and performing dogs (with a wonderful black poodle that is the best clown that has appeared in a Circus for many a long year), chariot-races, and horsemanship in all its branches. This season the Ladies have it all their own way. The last time M. HOUCKE visited us, Gentlemen drove the team of thirty-two, and jumped over the hurdles with the tandem of three; now their places are supplied by members of the fairer sex. The horses who take part in these feats are so admirably trained that the element of danger is entirely eliminated, and, consequently, the change is an improvement. Then an accomplished cob and an elegant elephant take a turn together in more senses than one, for they dance _vis-à-vis_ a waltz and a polka. The novelty of the Show, however, is kept for the second part, and is apparently a page from the Algerian experiences of General BOULANGER. The attention of a tribe of Arabs (seemingly on their road to church) having been attracted to a military train containing a bugle-band of Turcos and some half-dozen soldiers of the French line, devotions are temporarily abandoned for a pitched battle. The Arabs fire upon the Europeans, who, however, after a lively skirmish, succeed in "taking up a position" with the bugle-band, and then retire.