carpenter promptly borrows money from the good old Doctor, and when that estimable gentleman is about to enter the Empire Theatre of Varieties (accompanied by his school), a little later he has the "satisfaction of seeing his _protege Mortimer_ (the ex-ruffian), returning contentedly from his work." This is the simple but pathetic story that Mr. GEO. EDWARDES touchingly tells with the assistance of a full _corps de ballet_, five _tableaux_, and last, but certainly not least, the hints of Madame KATTI LANNER. [Illustration: Jolly Tar A.B. "Hip, Hip, Hooray!"] [Illustration: Dramatic Situation on the Embankment, as seen from Empire Stalls.] There are many remarkable persons in _Round the Town_. Notably an effeminate but substantial stock-broker, who looks like a stock-jobber's maiden-aunt in disguise. Another important personage is a representative of the Navy, whose figure suggests as an appropriate greeting, "Hip, hip, hip, hooray!" Both these characters are well-played, and although subordinate parts, make their mark, or rather, we should say, score heavily. Altogether; the ballet is excellent both in dances and plot. The first is a testimony of the good head of Madame KATTI LANNER, and the last of the equally good heart of Mr. GEORGE EDWARDES. There is no doubt that _Round the Town_ will draw all London to see (in its realistic scenes) all London drawn! * * * * * WRITTEN A HUNDRED YEARS HENCE. (_FROM A COLLECTION OF COMMUNICATIONS SUPPLIED BY OUR PROPHETIC COMPILER._) DEAR MR. PUNCH,--Forgive me for addressing you, but the urgency of the occasion warrants the intrusion. A hundred years since, the old Fighting _Foudroyant_ was sold by the Admiralty to be broken up. The moment the Public of the Period learned the cruel fact through the customary sources of information, they flew to the rescue. Headed by the then LORD MAYOR, they raised a fund to bring back the discarded vessel, and yet in those distant days there were they who denied that the _Foudroyant_ had ever done anything in particular. And now we propose doing the same thing. On the Thames there is an ancient steamboat called _Citizen Z_, that once belonged to the Company that started penny river lifts. It is certainly rather out of date, but is full of historical memories. It is said that the Cabinet travelled to Greenwich on its venerable boards, where they feasted on the half-forgotten Whitebait, and the entirely, superseded Champagne. It has carried, at one time or another, all the nobility to Rosherville, there to spend (as the old saying went) "a happy day," and yet it is proposed to break it up! Out upon the thought! Have we no veneration for our relics of the past? Cannot we appreciate a boat that should have had an honoured place in the Museum at Woolwich? Do not let this act of Vandalism be done. Save the steamer for the sake of its past. Yours truly, A REAR-ADMIRAL. _H.M.S. Electric-Balloon, Skye._