fondness for playing with fire. The following condensed version of this
play is offered to the readers of PUNCHINELLO, with the assurance that,
though it may be a little more coherent than the unabridged edition, it is
a faithful picture of the sort of thing that Mr. BOUCICAULT, aided and
abetted by Mr. WALLACK, thinks proper to offer to the public.

* * * * *

LOST AT SEA.


ACT I. _Scene_ 1. _Enter Virtuous Banker_. "I have embezzled
WALTER CORAM'S money, and he is coming from India to claim it. I am a
ruined man."

_Enter Unprincipled Clerk_. "Not so. WALTER CORAM is lost at sea, and
we will keep the money."

_Virtuous Banker_. "Thank heaven! I am not found out, and can remain
an honest man as usual."

_Scene_ 2. _Enter Comic Villain_. "I am just released from prison
and must soon meet my wife." (_Swears and smashes in his hat_.)

_Enter Unprincipled Clerk_. "Not so. WALTER, CORAM is lost at sea.
Personate him, draw his money, and share it with me."

_Comic Villain_. "I will." (_Swears and smashes in his hat_.)

_Scene_ 3. _Enter Miss Effie Germon_. (Aside.) "I am supposed to