The letters of Artemus Ward in "Punch" from the tomb of Shakspeare and the London Tower, had made him famous in England, and in his audience were the nobility of the realm.  His first lecture in London was delivered at Egyptian Hall, on Tuesday, November 13th, 1866.  The room used was that which had been occupied by Mr. Arthur Sketchley, adjoining the one in which Mr. Arthur Smith formerly made his appearances.  The stage, with the curtain down, had this appearance while Artemus was delivering his prologue: Punctually at eight o'clock he would step hesitatingly before the audience, and rubbing his hands bashfully, commence the lecture. _______________ THE EGYPTIAN HALL LECTURE. You are entirely welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to my little picture-shop. I couldn't give you a very clear idea of the Mormons--and Utah--and the Plains--and the Rocky Mountains--without opening a picture-shop--and therefore I open one. I don't expect to do great things here--but I have thought that if I could make money enough to by me a passage to New Zealand I should feel that I had not lived in vain. I don't want to live in vain.--I'd rather live in Margate-- or here.  But I wish when the Egyptians built this hall they had given it a little more ventilation. If you should be dissatisfied with anything here to-night--I will admit you all free in New Zealand--if you will come to me there for the orders.  Any respectable cannibal will tell you where I live.  This shows that I have a forgiving spirit. I really don't care for money.  I only travel round to see the world and to exhibit my clothes.  These clothes I have on were a great success in America. How often do large fortunes ruin young men!  I should like to be ruined, but I can get on very well as I am. I am not an Artist.  I don't paint myself--though perhaps if I were a middle-aged single lady I should--yet I have a passion for pictures--I have had a great many pictures--photographs taken of myself.  Some of them are very pretty--rather sweet to look at for a short time--and as I said before, I like them.  I've always loved pictures. I could draw on wood at a very tender age.  When a mere child I once drew a small cart-load of raw turnips over a wooden bridge.--The people of the village noticed me.  I drew their attention.  They said I had a future before me.  Up to that time I had an idea it was behind me. Time passed on.  It always does, by the way.  You may possibly have noticed that Time passes on.--It is a kind of way Time has. I became a man.  I haven't distinguished myself at all as an artist--but I have always been more or less mixed up with Art.  I have an uncle who takes photographs--and I have a servant who--takes anything he can get his hands on.