at this festive season. And they being gone and cleared off, enter a
gentleman bearing the unusual and remarkable name of SMITH--familiarly
welcomed as "TOM" of that ilk--and then pop go the crackers! "But
we must keep the secret," whisper the Baron's Assistants, and they
strongly advise everyone not to peep into this _boîte à surprise_
until Christmas Day itself. So, for SPARAGNAPANE's "charming
confections, which," as the Baron's young lady clerks, BLYTHE and GAY,
observe, "are in the very highest style of 'High Art'; and the same
Mr. SPARE-NA-PAIN's _Darkest Evening, and How to Get Out of It_, will
be tidings of comfort and joy to many a holiday-making household."

BARON DE BOOK-WORMS & CO.

* * * * *

A TRULY ROORAL OPERA.

[Illustration]

Sorry, indeed, are all London lovers of music at the sudden departure
from our midst and mist of _Cavalleria Rusticana_, the Rustic
Cavalier. It is no comfort to us to be told that the Rustic Cavalier
will go into the provinces and appeal to the country. His province at
present should have been to remain in London, where, with nothing to
speak of in the way of _mise-en-scène_, he--that is, his composer,
PIETRO MASCAGNI--has made a decided hit. Wise was our Signor LAGO "_al
factotum_" in producing this, and knowing, too, must he be in his
use of Windsor soap to have so speedily "taken the cake." Nay more,
did not HER GRACIOUS MAJESTY absolutely retain a Royal Box at the
Shaftesbury up to the last night of the run of this one-Act Opera?