There is one peculiarity about Piccini's puppets which deserves notice: they were much better carved, the features having a more marked and comic expression than those of his rivals. He brought most of them over with him from Italy, and he complained that in England he had not been able to find any workman capable of adequately supplying the loss if by chance one of his figures had been broken or stolen. Why his Punch was made to squint, or, at least, to have what is known by the epithet of a swivel-eye, unless for the sake of humor or distinction, does not appear. Besides Piccini's representation, we have compared the following pages with, and corrected them and made additions according to, the text of our professional performances and the exhibitions of other perambulatory _artistes_ (as our neighbors term them) now flourishing. The reader's attention should be specially directed to the acting drama of the Persecuted Dutchman, in Mrs. Barrisnobes Hotel, and to Punch's famous $25,000 Box Trick. [Illustration] THE TRAGICAL ACTS, OR COMICAL TRAGEDIES OF PUNCH AND JUDY. ACT I. SCENE.--_The Forest._ SHOWMAN (_outside, calling out_). Now, Mr. Punch, I want you to show yourself. PUNCH (_within_). All right; let me put my boot on. SHOWMAN. Your boot on--hurry up. _Enter PUNCH. After a few preliminary squeaks, he bows three times to the spectators--once in the centre and once at each side of the stage, and then vigorously beats the stage with his club._ _Enter SCARAMOUCH._ SCARA. Hollo, Mr. Punch, what is all this noise about? PUNCH. Who are you? SCARA. I want to know what you've done with my dog Toby. PUNCH. Your dog? SCARA. Yes. PUNCH. I know nothing about him. SCARA. That won't do, Mr. Punch. You were seen going round Gretna Square with him last night, and I want that dog. PUNCH. You are a cure. (_beats his stick on the stage._) SCARA. You call me a cure; that won't do, Mr. Punch. PUNCH (_dancing around_). Yes, you are, you are. SCARA. Now, Mr. Punch, that is too bad for you to call me a cure, when here I am thought handsome, and am engaged to be married to Miss Jennie L---- early next week. PUNCH. I don't believe it. SCARA. Yes, yes, it is true, and Bella's to be at the wedding, too; but what, Mr. Punch, have you done with my dog? PUNCH. I told you that I knew nothing about him. (_he knocks SCARAMOUCH down-stairs with a blow of his club._) [Illustration] _Enter DOG TOBY._ TOBY. Bow, wow, wow! PUNCH. How do, my good friend, your master, Mr. Toby? How do, Mr. Scaramouch? TOBY. Bow, wow, wow! PUNCH. I'm glad to hear it. Poor Toby! What a nice, good-tempered dog it is! No wonder his master is so fond of him. TOBY (_snarls_). Arr! Arr! PUNCH. What! Toby! you cross this morning? You got out of bed the wrong way upwards? TOBY (_snarls again_). Arr! Arr!