_Menu_-betting is in any case an agreeable pastime for both sexes. It promotes digestion; and any woman of moderate ability may make money by it. * * * * * "MORE LIGHT!"--The British Museum is, it appears, presently to be opened at night, its (Elgin) marble halls and others being illuminated with the electric light. Concurrently with this happy event Mr. LOUIS FAGAN, of the Departments of Prints and Drawings, announces a course of three popular lectures on the Treasures of the Museum, to be delivered next month at the Steinway Hall. No one knows more about the Museum than Mr. FAGAN, and, with the assistance of 170 photographic reproductions, exhibited by oxyhydrogen light, he will teach the public a thing or two about its foundation, progress, and present contents. * * * * * [Illustration: PHENOMENAL. NEAR-SIGHTED MAN IN CHURCH, INSPECTING SHAM INSECT ON LADY'S BONNET. HE IS SO EXCITED BY THE DISCOVERY, THAT HE HURRIES OUT OF CHURCH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SERVICE, IN ORDER TO WRITE TO THE PAPERS TO ANNOUNCE THE SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF A MAGNIFICENT SPECIMEN OF THE LARGE TORTOISE-SHELL BUTTERFLY ON OUR SHORES IN MID-JANUARY, AS A PROOF OF THE MILDNESS OF THE CLIMATE.] * * * * * AMONG THE AMATEURS. No. IV.--RETROSPECT. SCENE--_A large Room, in which Guests are assembling previous to a Supper in honour of a Great Actor, who is about to leave for a tour to the United States. There has been a magnificent farewell performance, in which the Great Actor has surpassed himself. The public has shown unparalleled enthusiasm; the G. A. has appeared before the Curtain, and in a voice choked with emotion has assured his audience that the one thing that sustains him at this trying moment is the prospect of seeing them all again when he returns._ TIME--11.45 P.M. _The Room is full of histrionic, literary, and artistic Celebrities, with a few stray Barristers and Doctors, who like to show publicly that in spite of the arduous labours of their professions, they can enjoy a mild dissipation as well as any man. Most of the leading lights of the "Thespian Perambulators,"_ BOLDERO, TIFFINGTON SPINKS, GUSHBY, ANDREW JARP, _and_ HALL, _have come to prove by their presence the sympathy of the Amateur Stage. On the last night but one they had concluded their series of performances at Blankbury. The Chairman of the Banquet is a middle-aged Peer, who is a regular attendant at first nights, and occupies a subordinate office in the Ministry. The Guest of the Evening has not yet arrived. A buzz of conversation fills the air. The Secretary of the Banquet, an actor, is anxiously hurrying about with a list, on which he ticks off names._