Capital is Miss FANNY COLEMAN as the housekeeper and maid-of-all-work; and, in the small part of _Todman's_ shop-boy, Master RICHARD SAKER shows that, as _Mr. Wardle_ said of _Mr. Tupman_, when he brought down the birds with his eyes shut, he is "an older hand at this than we thought for." If he works at his profession, he will show himself "a wise-SAKER." Mr. HOLLES and Miss AILSA CRAIG, in two very small but strongly-marked character-parts, add to the general efficiency of an exceptionally complete cast. Miss MAUDE MILLETT makes the indiscreet _Amy Chilworth_ a very sweet person, but it is Miss MARION TERRY who has in her hands the one strong dramatic situation at the end of the Third Act. It is a situation which, no matter what might have been the author's conception of it, depends for its effect solely and only on the actress; and Miss MARION TERRY, as she sits, rises to the occasion. It is long since Mr. RIGHTON has had such a part as that of _Todman_, the quaint little old-fashioned bookshop-keeper, and to this quite Dickensian character, the actor does thorough justice; as also does Mr. H. VINCENT to the somewhat highly coloured blusterous part of _Briginshaw_. Mr. ALEXANDER commences the new year well. "_Prosit!_" chirps THE CRITIC OFF THE HEARTH. *** Illustration: "Put a penny in the hat, and the figure will work." * * * * * A MOAN OF MERRY CHRISTMAS. (_By Our Own Dismal Dyspeptic._) Oh, Christmas is a season when this melancholy earth Has to put on the appearance of ungovernable mirth-- When you substitute a chuckle for your ordinary sigh, And you give each other presents that you can't afford to buy-- When the little boys with snowballs are so shockingly unkind, And improve on the occasion to attack you from behind-- When the mistletoe its terrors at the bashful person hurls, And you have to kiss a number of unpleasant-looking girls! Oh, Christmas is a season when the children make a row, And you have to bear it patiently--although you don't know how-- When they will not let you slumber in your comfortable chair, But crawl and tumble over you and ruffle up your hair-- When TOM and DICK are home from school with all their nasty tricks, And have terrific combats with a pair of single-sticks-- When Auntie comes to stay with us, and always takes their parts. And you smile a sickly smile, and murmur, "_Bless_ their little hearts!" Oh, Christmas is a season when the beef is very fat, (And it turns me topsy-turvey at the simple thought of that!)-- When it seems as if your relatives could never eat enough, And you have to look contented as you sit and watch them stuff-- When they give you Christmas pudding, and consider it a treat, Though they know that you are feeling far too bilious to eat-- When the very house reverberates with tradesmen's constant knocks, As they call in quick succession to demand a Christmas-box!