[24] Arthur Matthison, a quaint, clever American, who had written some successful dramas, was chosen to play “the double” of the leading actor: that is, after passing behind the “practicable” tree, he was to emerge, taking care to keep his back to the audience. Unluckily for stage effect, no known art will help “to dodge Nature” in such points. She has no _replicas_ in her store: makes everything distinct. And it is significant of the strong individuality which belongs to the whole body as well as to the face, that the eye will at once note the difference of expression in the outline of the figure, arms, etc. I believe no two people could be found so alike in their general appearance as to be indistinguishable—thus illustrating the late Mr. Carlyle’s quaint phrase when speaking of someone whose character he had interpreted unfavourably, “_I knew it by the twist of the hip of him_.” [25] A curious little controversy arose as to the authorship of the _Ghost Melody_. It was claimed for Mr. Stöpel, who was acting as _chef d’orchestre_ at the Théâtre Historique when the play was originally produced. Another claim was made for Varney, author of the stirring hymn, _Mourir pour la patrie_. Oddly enough, Stöpel, who was then at the Adelphi, could not be got “to say yes or no.” “He was amused,” he said, “at the importance attached to such a trifle, and could, if he chose, set the matter at rest in a few words.” But he did not. Still, there used to be a pianoforte piece by one Rosellen—a _Reverie_—which certainly began and went on for many bars in the same fashion. However, a copy of the music of the _Ghost Melody_, arranged for the pianoforte, and published in 1852, was unearthed, which bore on its title the words: “Composed by M. Varney, of the Théâtre Historique: arranged by R. Stöpel, director of the music at the Princess’s Theatre.” This settled the point, and it explained the ambiguous declaration of the arranger. We must assuredly give the whole credit of this air to Varney. [26] One agreeable night which was spent behind the scenes enabled me to study the admirable arrangements by which this complicated operation was carried out with smoothness and success.