SOMETHING NEW IN SOAP.--The Soap Trade is still booming. Almost every week appears a fresh candidate for public favour, its claim based upon some alluring speciality. We hear of a newcomer likely to take the cake (of soap). On all the walls, and in most of the advertisement columns, will presently blaze forth its proud legend:--"The Satisfactory Soap--Won't Wash Anything." * * * * * [Illustration: LEGAL IMPROVEMENTS. IN ORDER TO HUSBAND OUR JUDICIAL STAFF, IN FUTURE A JUDGE WILL BE EXPECTED TO HEAR TWO CASES AT THE SAME TIME. PORTRAIT OF A JUDGE TRYING A THEATRICAL "CAUSE CÉLÈBRE," AND A NICE QUESTION AS TO A "REMAINDER-MAN" AND A "TENANT IN TAIL MALE."] * * * * * HIGH (BEERBOHM) TREESON! DEAR MR. PUNCH,--I see that Mr. BEERBOHM TREE in his recent production of _Hamlet_ has introduced a novelty into the tragedy by inventing fresh business. Unauthorised by the text, he has included _Ophelia_ amongst the Court "attendants," and, finding her on the stage, has indulged in a dignified flirtation (in dumb show), worthy of the hero of _L'Enfant Prodigue_ himself. Now I think this a great improvement, and were the masterpiece to be "written up" throughout on the same lines, I am sure the representation would be received with enthusiasm. It might be that the performance would be a little longer, but think of the enormous gain in interest. To show you what I mean, I take the first five lines of the opening Act:-- SHAKSPEARE'S VERSION. SCENE I.--_Elsinore. A Platform before the Castle. FRANCISCO on his post. Enter to him BERNARDO._ _Bernardo._ Who's there? _Francisco._ Nay answer me: stand and unfold yourself! This passage, furnished with proper business, might be rendered the means of showing the sort of life led by _Laertes_, justifying the advice subsequently given to him by _Polonius_ more appropriate to the conditions of the case as now (for the first time) fully divulged, Thus--I give my view of the matter:-- AMENDED VERSION.