In commenting on a work, however trifling, which has survived the lapse of twenty years, an author may almost claim the privileged garrulity of age; yet even in a professedly gossiping Preface, we begin to fear that we are exceeding our commission, and abusing the patience of the reader. If we are doing so, we might urge extenuating circumstances, which will explain, though they may not excuse, our diffuseness. To one of us the totally unexpected success of this little work proved an important event, since it mainly decided him, some years afterwards, to embark in the literary career which the continued favour of that novel-reading world has rendered both pleasant and profitable to him. This is the first, as it will probably be the last, occasion upon which we shall ever intrude ourselves personally on the public notice; and we trust that our now doing so will stand excused by the reasons we have adduced. LONDON, _March_, 1833 CONTENTS. Page Written by I. LOYAL EFFUSION. By W. T. F. 1 _Horace_. II. THE BABY’S DEBUT. By W. W. 5 _James_. III. AN ADDRESS WITHOUT A PHŒNIX. 10 _Horace_. By S. T. P. IV. CUI BONO? By Lord B. 12 _James and Horace_. V. HAMPSHIRE FARMER’S ADDRESS. 20 _James_. By W. C. VI. THE LIVING LUSTRES. By T. M. 25 _Horace_. VII. THE REBUILDING. By R. S. 28 _James_. VIII. DRURY’S DIRGE. By Laura 38 _Horace_. Matilda. IX. A TALE OF DRURY LANE. By W. 42 _Horace_. S. X. JOHNSON’S GHOST 51 _Horace_. XI. THE BEAUTIFUL INCENDIARY. By 56 _Horace_. the Hon. W. S. XII. FIRE AND ALE. By M. G. L. 61 _Horace_. XIII. PLAYHOUSE MUSINGS. By S. T. 65 _James_. C. XIV. DRURY LANE HUSTINGS. By a 69 _James_. Pic-Nic Poet XV. ARCHITECTURAL ATOMS. By Dr. 72 _Horace_. B. XVI. THEATRICAL ALARM-BELL. By 81 _James_. the Editor of the M. P. XVII. THE THEATRE. By the Rev. G. 85 _James_. C. XVIII. MACBETH TRAVESTIE. By Momus 94 _James_. Medlar XIX. STRANGER TRAVESTIE. By Momus 96 _James_. Medlar XX. GEORGE BARNWELL TRAVESTIE. 98 _James_. By Ditto XXI. PUNCH’S APOTHEOSIS. By T. H. 102 _Horace_. REJECTED ADDRESSES. {1} I. LOYAL EFFUSION. BY W. T. F. [WILLIAM THOMAS FITZGERALD.] [Mr. Fitzgerald died 9th July, 1829, aged 70.] “Quicquid dicunt, lando: id rursum si negant, Lando id quoque.” TERENCE.