Another traveller(16) gives us some amusing notes on the private theatricals performed on board the famous old steamship _Great Britain_. He was stage manager, and says:—“I had a great deal to do, as I was responsible for dresses, and had to see that everybody was ready. I had among other things to procure a chignon. I was in a dilemma, as I did not like to ask a lady for the loan of one, even where no doubt existed as to her wearing false hair; so at last I procured some oakum from the carpenter, and made three large sausages, and it was pronounced a success. The stage is erected in the saloon, and we had footlights, with a gorgeous screen of flags, &c.” Special prologues were written for these entertainments, one of which, on the occasion of performing the “Taming of a Tiger” and the “Area Belle,” ran as follows:— “Far from Australia or from British home, Across wide ocean’s trackless breast we roam; And though our ship both swift and steady speeds, Yet dreary week to dreary week succeeds. Our joys restricted, and our pleasures few, We all must own the prospect’s rather blue. At such a time to fill the vacant place, A chosen few have taken heart of grace, And tho’ unused the actor’s part to fill, Will show, if not the deed, at least the will.” Then came mention of some of the amateurs who had already played before the passengers:— “Yet not all novices—the veteran Flood You’ve seen before, and you’ve pronounced him good; The modest Griffiths, and the blushing Lance, Joy of the fair and hero of the dance;” and so forth. The performance took place while the vessel was constantly rolling. Mr. Laird says that he had to think almost as much of his equilibrium as of anything else; but as he had always to appear trembling before the presence of his master in the piece, it did pretty well, except in one lurch, when he went flying in an undignified manner across the stage into the arms of the prompter. On another occasion an entertainment, entitled “Mrs. Jarley’s Waxworks,” was presented. Five children were dressed up to represent different characters, and pretence was made of winding them up to make them go. The best was a cannibal, converted to be a missionary; another personated Fair Rosamond; and a third the Marquis of Lorne. The missionary handed tracts about, and Queen Eleanor alternately presented a dagger and a cup of cold poison to Fair Rosamond. A regularly‐organised concert followed, while a farce and spoken epilogue concluded this, the last performance on board the _Great Britain_. After speaking of the voyage and the fun on board, it continued:—