On Thursday night, Mr. WILSON BARRETT, brought out a new piece at the Globe, and in Leicester Square, the Empire Variety Show was inaugurated. The good-natured "Visible Prince," who is always ready to encourage Art in any form, and willing to "open" anything from a Cathedral to an Oyster, was present at this _première_ of the New Music Hall. Poor W. B! "How long! How long!" By the way, it may be necessary to explain to some simple persons, that _The Empire_ has nothing whatever to do with The Imperial Institute. * * * * * A Christmas Tip. "Tally ho! Yoicks, over there!" Which being translated, means go and see the Sporting "Illustrations" at GERMAN REED'S--not "German" at all, for you must always take this title _cum corney grano_, but "So English, you know." And CORNEY GRAIN'S song afterwards, that marvellous duet between Corney and Piano,--excellent! * * * * * There is now an Examination for everything. A man can't even become a Bankrupt without passing an examination. Very hard this. * * * * * SOMETHING TO SWALLOW.--TOM TOPER says, "SHAKSPEARE'S plays were written partly by SHAKSPEARE and partly by BACON. It was a 'split B. & S.'" * * * * * THE RECENT PRIZE-FIGHT.--What the French thought of it: an In-Seine proceeding. * * * * * OUR BOOKING-OFFICE. [Illustration] I have just come across something on Modern Wiggism in the shape of an amusing advertising book on the Wigs supplied to leading actors by the theatrical perruquier FOX. "Nothing like leather," said the tanner; and judging from the collection of illustrations and notices, it is, in Mr. FOX'S opinion, more what is outside the head than what is in it, that insures success on the Stage. The perruquier makes the wig, and the wig makes the actor. There are portraits of various theatrical celebrities, including one or two of Mr. TOOLE, in various wigs, whose presentments in these pages may entitle the work to be called FOX'S _Book of Martyrs_--willing martyrs, of course, and many of them after they've strutted and fretted for several hours on the stage, quite ready to go cheerfully to "The Steak." Mr. FREDERICK BARNARD'S CHARACTER SKETCHES FROM DICKENS have been republished. They are the work of a true artist; but he should have left _Mr. Pickwick_ alone. Who cares for an artistic _Mr. Pickwick?_ No; let him ever remain the burlesque eccentricity invented by Mr. SEYMOUR, and founded on DICKENS'S creation. But Mr. BARNARD'S _Mrs. Gamp_ and _Bill Sikes_ are both quite truly Dickensonian. BARON DE BOOK WORMS. * * * * * NUGGETS IN NORTH WALES.