them gently round for five minutes, and then ask him his candid opinion. We will wager our next week's receipts--no small wager, by the way--that he will be puzzled to say-- [Illustration: WHICH LOOKS THE MOST RIDICULOUS?] * * * * * "ENOUGH'S AS GOOD AS A FEAST." At the _déjeûner_ given the other day to MR. G. V. BROOKE, it was stated by the manager of Drury Lane that after the morning performance, which took place last week, the public-houses in the neighbourhood of the theatre were crowded with people, who, after seeing _Othello_, were refreshing themselves for the purpose of seeing _The Stranger_ in the evening. We admit that two tragedies in one day must be rather warm work for the audience, as well as for the actors, and we do not wonder at "refreshment" being found necessary to enable the public to go through with the day's labours. Some plays are drier than others, and it would be a curious fact to ascertain how much more washing down _The Stranger_ would require than _Othello_. If we were to attempt a calculation, we should say, that if SHAKSPEARE took a bottle of sparkling Moselle, nothing short of a hogshead of heavy would be needed to make KOTZEBUE go down at all glibly. * * * * * ANOTHER GHOST! Of course we continue to receive reports of the appearance of other ghosts. In the playhouse world, last week, it was reported that the night watchman on duty at the Princess's was startled by the ghost of _Macbeth_. Now, as the theatre does not open until the 10th the news must be premature. * * * * * MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. [Illustration: U] Under the rules issued by the Treasury Commissioners with respect to the appointment of Custom House officials, it is declared that persons nominated to be searchers must be fully acquainted with vulgar fractions. There is no objection to this kind of vulgarity as one of their qualifications, but we hope no necessity exists that they should be guilty of any other, and continue to be rude and insolent. Another rule provides that no person will be admitted to the service who shall have committed an offence against the revenue laws. What then has become of the maxim "Set a thief to catch a thief?" * * * * * "THE PLAGUE WITHIN OUR GATES." "The Plague is at our doors!" the watchers cried amain:-- At the shrill call England raised up her head: "Arm! arm against the Plague!" the watchers cried again: England turned round upon her lazy bed, Folding her arms in dreamy drowsihead-- "Arm! arm!" the watchers cried--the watchers cried in vain! England not stirring slept; or if perchance one stirred, 'Twas but to vent a muttered curse on those Whose warning trumpet-call through folds of slumber heard, Broke in upon the pleasure of repose, With ugly thoughts of death and dying throes-- So Echo's voice gave back the watchers' idle word.