first Session, the question of who is to be Speaker comes to the front. Mr. Punch is pleased to observe the growing conviction in both political camps that there really is no question on the subject. Had Mr. Gully performed the duties of Speaker with merely average capacity, the House of Commons, mindful of its highest traditions, would have been slow to celebrate a party victory at the polls by dispossessing him in favour of a nominee of the new majority. His marked success happily makes such action more than ever improbable.

His position was made exceptionally difficult by the circumstances of the day. Elected by a narrow majority, he succeeded the greatest Speaker of modern times. The fierce light that beats on the Speaker's chair was intensified by the inevitable contrast between the new occupant and the stately figure long familiar to the House. From the first Mr. Gully wisely refrained from even approach to imitation of the manner of Mr. Peel. That was a thing apart, like the bow of Ulysses. The new Speaker was simply himself; and the House of Commons, the keenest, swiftest, fairest judge of character in the world, was delighted to find in him perfect equanimity of temper, a judicial mind, unfailing readiness in emergency, and a quite surprising knowledge of the intricacies of procedure.

During his brief tenure of office Mr. Gully was more than once suddenly faced by a knotty point that might reasonably have been expected to baffle a 'prentice hand. Never on these occasions has he failed. Such rare aptitude displayed at the outset of a career promises the fullness of perfection when, strengthened and sustained by the unanimous vote of a new Parliament, the Speaker resumes his work.

New Work.—Messrs. Macmillan have just published The Theory and Practice of Counter-Irritation, by H. C. Gillies. One example of this could easily be given by anyone in a hurry, who couldn't get attended to at the Stores, or vice versâ by a counter-jumper at a linendraper's, whose temper was more than ordinarily tried by some extra-shilly-shallying customer.

OUR THESPIANS.

Sir Henry Irving's Saturday night at home previous to his departure for America was brilliant. House so crowded in every part, that the like of it has rarely been seen even at the Lyceum. Our Ellen, as charming Nance Oldfield, was cheered to the Echo, or would have been had there been any place left for an Echo in the house. Sir Henry admirable as the old soldier in A Story of Waterloo, and both he and Miss Terry at their best in the one scene from grand old Willy Shakspeare's Much Ado about Nothing. The "Much Adoo," as Mr. Weller senior would have pronounced and spelt it, came after the curtain had fallen, and on both sides the "Adoo" was changed into a hearty "Au revoir!"

To mention "Henry" is to remember "Johnnie," the Johnnie yclept J. L. Toole, who, Mr. Punch was delighted to see, looking "fit as a fiddle," having Toole'd up to town from Margate evidently on the high road to perfect recovery.

CONCERNING A PUBLIC NUISANCE.

By One who lives Next Door.

[The Salvationists of Warwickshire have lately been restrained by the new county by-law, which provides that no person shall play any musical instrument within fifty yards of a dwelling-house.]

AU REVOIR TO OPERA.

End of operatic season, and a fine season too. The Patti nights exceptionally brilliant. De Reszke frères, the accomplished Bicycling Brothers, did not appear, but Sir Druriolanus sang the old song "We're going to do without them" and did so, uncommonly well. Maurel, Ancona, Plançon, were bright particular stars; while Melba suddenly shone forth as Comet with magnificent tail, i.e. a great following. Calvé held her own against all comers: and, as Santuzza, it was a case of "honours divided" with Mdme. Bellincioni, who, it must not be forgotten, was the original of the part. The Beneficent Bauermeister, of talent unlimited, has shown that "woman," like man, "in her time can play many parts." Mlle. Bauermeister has played them; and all equally well.

So farewell Operatics till next year, when Druriolanus need fear no storms, if still provided with his lightning Conductors Bevignani, Mancinelli & Co. Nor need the Liberal-Conservative Druriolanus Operaticus think of having to reckon with any formidable rivalry, should the utterly improbable happen and a new Opposition Opera be started. Why two Opera Houses cannot succeed in London may be a problem, but hitherto it is one which dissolution of the weaker was the only solution. The strong company went to Covent Garden, and the weak went—to the wall.

Report From a Minor Canon.—Archdeacon Farrar, hitherto performing "Archi-diaconal functions" at Westminster, has just been "installed" Dean of Canterbury. There are, clearly, only two notable installations, one of the Electric Light, and the other of a Dean. Canterbury has now the chance of being thoroughly enlightened and electrified.