In your columns of "Trilbyana" I have seen no mention of the fact that George W. Cable, in his "Dr. Sevier"--a thousand times better novel and better work, in every way, than "Trilby,"--has introduced the old song "Ben Bolt" with wonderful effect. It is strange that the old melody should have appealed to the two men, so widely apart, and it is but fair that the American's first, and most skilful, use of it should have due recognition. PHILADELPHIA. JOHN PATTERSON. * * * * * TO THE EDITORS OF THE CRITIC:-- Du Maurier says that there is but one verse of the little French song, which Trilby sings with so much effect--"Au clair de la lune." He mistakes; there is another, running thus:-- "Je n'ouvrirai pas la porte, J'ouvre bien la porte, À un vieux savetier, À un pâtissier, * * * * * Qui m'apporte des brioches * * * * Dans un tablier." The two missing lines have escaped the memory of the writer. AUBURN, N. Y. S. M. COX. * * * * * Your correspondent, S. M. Cox, offers some more verses of "Mon Ami Pierrot." They do not quite agree with those taught me, shortly after the Revolution of 1848, by an old French gentleman. You will notice that the French of the last verse is quite "eighteenth-century" in style and diction. II III Je n'ouvre pas ma porte Mais j'ouvre bien ma porte À des savetiers, À des officiers, Ils ont des alènes, Ils ont des pistoles, C'est pour me piquer. C'est pour me les baîller. PARIS, 1 Jan., 1895. B. F. * * * * * Mr. du Maurier was correct in saying that there is only one verse of "Au Clair de la Lune"; yet there are possibly, and probably, a thousand made in imitation of it, which go to the same air. We quote from the San Francisco _Argonaut_:-- "It is to be observed that these _amateurs de Trilby_ do not go the length of singing 'Au Clair de la Lune,' even repeating the first stanza twice, as Trilby did. But perhaps they are as ignorant concerning the song as is Mr. du Maurier, who declares there is but one verse. There are four. The first is given in 'Trilby' thus:-- 'Au clair de la lune, Ma chandelle est morte.... Mon ami Pierrot! Je n'ai plus de feu! Prête-moi ta plume Ouvre-moi ta porte Pour écrire un mot. Pour l'amour de Dieu!' The second runs:-- 'Au clair de la lune Va chez la voisine-- Pierrot répondit: Je crois qu'elle y est, Je n'ai pas de plume, Car, dans sa cuisine, Je suis dans mon lit. On bat le briquet.' The third stanza contains the point of the song:--