... . ASH WEDNESDAY as an institution is about the most unwel come event in the actor's year. His theatre is on this evening closed, his most succulent morsels of talent are laid aside, the voice of praiseful patronage is mute, and he is fully conscious of the fact that one night's salary is, upon this festive occasion, absent. Therefore, being a creature that requires to be enter taining or ...

... nUR CAPTIOUS CRITIC. [communicated ARRAH, Mr. Boucicault, darlin,' what the divil do you mane by trying to humbug the English in your old ago with your gingerbread sintiments about the Ould Counthry? Sure they see through ye as clean as if you was Parnell or a pane of glass. At your time av life you ought to know bether. Sure, you've made pliaty av money wid the dramas you've already written ...

... . THE approach of Easter is a time when, many managers find it not altogether easy to fill the benches of their respective houses with audiences. The result is that a theatrical whip is performed by sagacious acting managers, and the dead heads of the metropolis are called upon to come and dress the house. There is a large portion of the population which is constantly going from theatre ...

... OUR CAPTIOUS CRITIC. MODERN WIVES AT THE ROYALTY. THERE is, amongst what may be styled stock stories, a pretty well known one relating to Murphy, the almanac maker. It sets out that once, when sojourning in the country, he set out one fine morning on an excursion. After proceeding a short distance he came across a farm labourer, with whom he entered into conversation. This man, on learning ...

... CHESS. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. mini --We are much obliged for your letter and problem. t'p (Tiiwewich). Your prer.ty game is very welcome. J. are glad to hear from you once more, and thank you for three No. 302, by D. L. A. HarroMgate) is correct. S°lution of Problem No. 303 (Mr. II. Jackson's) by E ,L. and Julia fihort is B^U-We have posted a letter to you. Solution op Pkohi.km No. 302. ...

... OUR CAPTIOUS CRITIC. THE PICKPOCKET. WITH the tricks and the man ners of the feloniously-inclined I can claim an acquaintanceship which I flatter myself is beyond the average. One of the boxes from which I have witnessed many curious and interesting per formances on the stage of life is located in the Bow-street Police Court. Erom it I have perforce studied for hours the peculiar ...

... TTJRFIANA. VASTLY little light was let in upon the probable results of the great races of the year by doings at Newmarket last week, and though the Two Thousand Guineas will receive more minute attention elsewhere in this article, we are entitled to take a general view of the race, as regards the leading features which distinguish it. These at present seem mainly to reflect a profound ...

... CHESS. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. R. S.-- You can get fifty diagrams clearly printed on good paper, and in a pretty wrapper for sixpence, from Mr. G. C. Heywood, the well-known problem composer, High-road, Lee, S.E. ,T. f (E,on College).-- The problem as amended is correct. {solution of Problem No. 269 by J. M. and Julia Short is correct. Solution of Problem No. 269 (Mr. Kidson's). White. ...

... . A FRIEND of mine, while staying at Malta some time ago, was-- as were the rest of the diners at the table d'hóte --much annoyed by the air of superior knowledge assumed by a man who was staying in the hotel, acting as bear leader to a couple of lads. This man knew all about everybody and everything, arrogantly laid down the law on every subject that came up, and contradicted people in the ...