fact without their assistance we could not have produced plays with female characters. Not to make this too long, I will wind up by giving what I can remember of a piece called "The Merchant of Venice Preserved," by a local poet. It was full of local hits, which only those who were acquainted with politics and the questions of the day at that time will understand: "This shall Inform Bassanio that I'm done Brown, My chance is up, my ship, alas! gone down. The vessel on her homeward way, sir, Laden with the rich products of the Fraser (river)-- The famed sal-lals for making jams, Monster sturgeon, cranberries and clams-- Bumped on the sands and so a wreck became; Captain, as usual, 'not at all to blame.' The people here say just as they like, And lay the blame on 'Titcombe' or on 'Pike.' For me, no sympathy I get; to them 'tis fun; Alas for me, I'm 'Capitally' done; Then those brick stores, which I fondly thought For bonded warehouses would soon be sought; Bring 'Nary red,' no revenue they raise; No ships arriving, no one duty pays; From Sorrow's page I've learned all man can know, For 'Cochrane's' just sold off my grand pi-an-o; So if with means to aid me you're invested, Haste, for the Jews won't rest till I'm arrested. "Your loving friend, "_Antonio._" The evening of my first appearance in female character, I was dressed at home, and escorted down town with a lady on each side of me, and I can remember how hard it was for them to keep their countenance, for several times I thought I was discovered ere we reached the theatre. We all walked to and from the theatre in those days--there were not half a dozen hacks in Victoria. [Illustration: Government St. with Theatre Royal.]