I must not forget the army of children appearing from time to time as courtiers, cooks, fairies, soldiers, who will be the source of the greatest pleasure to children of all ages, from "little Trots" upwards. Nothing in this genuinely Christmas Piece is there which can do aught but delight and amuse the young people for whom primarily it was written. Let "all concerned in this" excellent piece of Christmas merriment accept the congratulations and best wishes for crowded houses--which they are sure to be for all the _Matinées_--from theirs truly, MR. P.'S FIRST COMMISSIONER. * * * * * GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT.--Sir FRANCIS SANDFORD has created a profound feeling of disappointment among all classes of society by not having added, "and Merton," to his title. "Lord SANDFORD OF SANDFORD" is weak; but "Lord SANDFORD-AND-MERTON" would have been truly noble. * * * * * SIR JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE's reply to President BLAINE: "The point o' this here observation lies in the Behring of it." (_Captain Cuttle adapted_.) * * * * * OUR BOOKING-OFFICE. I tried _Criss-Cross Lovers_ the other day, a Novel, in two or three vols., I don't remember which; but those may ascertain who are not choked off in the first hundred pages, as was the unfortunate Baron de B.-W. He had the presence of mind to put it down in time, and, after a few moments of refreshing repose, was, like _Richard_, "himself again," and able to tackle quite another novel. [Illustration] In the _English Illustrated Magazine_, for this month, I have just read a most interesting account of a visit paid by the Very Rev. Dean of Gloucester to the Trappist Monastery of La Grande Chartreuse, which, thanks to the marvellous spirit of the Order known as Chartreuse Verte or Chartreuse Jaune, is one of the Religious Confraternities not suppressed by the Anti-monkical majority in the French Government. The Baron--the umble individual who now addresses you--has himself entered within these Monastic walls, inspected the buildings, seen all the monastic practical jokes, known as "regular cells," and has come away the better for the visit, with much food for reflection and refection _en route_ in the _voiture_, and with spirituous comfort in green and yellow bottles. This paper, in the _New Illustrated_, is well worth reading.