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yesterday? Surely you are bent upon teazing to-day ?"

The undisguised surprise with which Kate opened her dark eyes mystified Dalton still

more.

"I am at a loss to understand you," she said; "if you are joking, the jest seems to me a very poor one!"

"Good Heavens, Miss Morrison! What can be the meaning of your sudden change to me? Did you not only yesterday listen to my earnest suit, and agree that I should to-day ask your Uncle's consent to our union ?"

Kate Morrison's fair cheek crimsoned with displeasure at what she considered Percy's unwarrantable impertinence; rising haughtily, she said, "You presume, sir, upon the influence you imagine you have exercised over me; I have been weak enough to show my folly, but I am strong enough to tell you that I find I have mistaken you for an honourable man and gentleman, and that from this time we must be strangers!"

She moved towards the door. Percy had sprung to his feet to hazard an explanation, when a merry peal of laughter was heard from the adjoining room, the folding doors were thrown open, and Mary Morrison entered, accompanied by a gentleman who shaded his face with his hand, as though the light affected him. Percy Dalton stood like one thunderstruck, for side by side the sisters were so exactly alike, that but for the angry flush which still flitted across Kate's fair cheek he could not have distinguished them.

In a moment the truth flashed upon him; he had made his declaration to the wrong sister. "Miss Mary, for Heaven's sake explain this contre-temps," said poor Percy.

"I will," replied Mary, laughing, and rather confused; we have been playing a second "Comedy of Errors,' and the denouement might have ended in a tragedy. This comes, my dear Kate, of not trusting each other with our secrets; we both concealed our little romance, and now it has grown into a perfect maze of confusion. Allow me, in the first place, to introduce Mr. Edward Oakley to you, Mr. Dalton; though, bythe-bye, I have not yet been introduced to Mr. Dalton himself."

The stranger approached, and Percy, who had started on hearing his name, exclaimed, 66 What, Oakley! My other-self,' as you were called at school! now the whole mystery is clear!"

Explanations followed, and Kate, who for a time pretended to be greatly offended at her lover's want of perception, at length consented to ratify the agreement into which her sister had entered for her, while Oakley prevailed upon Mary to make a new one in his favour.

The Major on his arrival insisted upon both gentlemen staying to dinner, and when the ladies. had retired, the old gentleman was brought to the very brink of apoplexy by the recital of the lovers' mistakes.

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Egad!" he exclaimed, when_returning breath suffered him to speak. Egad, you fellows are wonderfully alike; if it wasn't for Dalton's moustache I'm not sure I could tell which was which now. And if you really run off with my nieces, as I suppose you must, one of you must go abroad, or there'll be no end of bother and confusion !"

Dalton acted on this very sound advice, and as Oakley and Mary chose to remain in England, Percy and Kate sailed for India, where they will doubtless have many a laugh at the story of their "Double Love?"

THE THEATRES, &c.

THE TURN OF THE TIDE"-THE GAIETY, | indeed the first cause, is the realism of such NEW BURLESQUE-STRAND.

The NEW QUEEN's theatre has met with a success, as extraordinary with its drama of "The Turn of the Tide" as the Drury Lane triumph with "Formosa." A critic is divested of his authority when the public pronounce miriad-voiced their gratification with and approval of the amusements provided for them. But we may be allowed still to speculate on the causes of the success of the prevalent and newest form of melo-drama. One of the causes,

pieces as "Formosa" and "The Turn of the Tide." It has been discovered by experienced playwrights, that a built-up scene on the stage of a railway station, a steamboat station, a rookery with the parish pump of a low neighbourhood distinctly visible, will have attractions for an audience. If Mr. Burnand's drama of "The Turn of the Tide" had been produced at the old Coburg theatre thirty years ago, it would have had the usual run of the fortyshilling dramas of the period. But now the obscurities of melo-drama must be heightened

into lurid effect by the aid of gas-reflectors and the lime-light, in order that the public may witness the particular sensational scene. Mr. Burnand's new drama is founded on one of the popular novels of the day, entitled "May Fair;" and we know that it is a pretty close adaptation of the scenes of that very pretentious novel of fashionable life. But the tale of Miss Edward's offered but little in its mawkish dialogue that could be used by the stage-adapter. Only in the plot and a few faintly-drawn characters could "May Fair" have proved of any value to "The Turn of the Tide." But whatever the merits or demerints of the novel, it was necessary to place it on the stage with the adjunct of some startling scenes; and these, we presume, Mr. Burnand, Mr. Gordon, the scene-painter, and the carpenter of the theatre, put their heads together to supply. Like most plays of the day, Mr. Burnand's latest production at the Queen's is not remarkable for much brilliance of dialogue or skill in developing character. In fact, the earlier portions of the piece would be quite as effective without the dialogue. Even the boudoir scene, between Earnscliffe and his wife, would lose little, if anything, by being acted in dumb show. It is only in the later scenes, especially when the Danby family appear on the stage, that the development of character is at all dependent on the language of the speakers; and even then, much of the result is due to the effective bye-play of such finished artists as Mr. and Mrs. Frank Matthews. Still the piece may be called a real success. It contains some very effective scenes and stirring situations, to the full expression of which the scene-painter has contributed a material share. Mr. Gordon will not easily outdo the magic beauty of his handiwork in the Cave of Morgane, or the rural picturesqueness of the Village of Trachsel. The rescue of the lovers from the tide-flooded cave, forms an excellent theme for the tableau that ends the first act.

Nothing quite so exciting follows, unless it be the final appearance of the dying lady, Clara Earnscliffe; a very convenient solution of the knot which has hitherto marred the course of Marguerite's true love. From first to last "The Turn of the Tide" is never allowed to flag; everything goes off trippingly; there are no violent surprises, and the characters, though numerous, are generally well-defined. The acting was only moderately good. Mr. H. Vezin makes a respectable part of Earnscliffe and don't rant. Mr. Nelson, as Neville, is easy and natural. Mr. Rider has evidently studied the part of the worthy, awkward-moving, quiet-spoken Doctor. Miss Young would do more justice, we think, to a more interesting or a more consistent type of character, than the perverse-minded Lady Clara. Miss Hodson, as Marguerite, was fresh and charming, with youth and grace to support her in the performance of the heroine. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Matthews, in their humorous rendering of Mr. and Mrs. Danby, gave a new life and buoyancy to the later acts of the piece;

they, as usual, were an excellent foil for each other: he, all stolidity above a flow of quiet humour; she, a finished caricature, if it were a caricature, of a rampant, domineering, manyworded, middle-class matron.

دو

The GAIETY theatre continues to flourish with its well-selected performances. Besides reviving Mr. Robertson's fine comedy of "Dreams," Mr. Hollingshead has produced a new burlesqueextravaganza, or opera buffa, on the subject of the opera Linda da Chamouni. But the satirical part of the travestie is directed against the Drury Lane "Formosa" and its author, Mr. Boucicault. It might have been as well had Mr. A. Thompson stuck to his song-writing and left his prejudices behind him, when he brought forward his new burlesque at the Gaiety. Setting aside impertinences, the piece contains enough and to spare of those necessary elements of theatrical air and life, song and The new dance, to secure complete success. "Formosa" splendidly mounted and charmingly acted by a strong burlesque company, with the enchanting and versatile Miss E. Farren at their head.

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The GLOBE theatre has been re-opened with a new drama, the title of which is "Progress," which we propose to notice in our next feuilleton.

The STRAND theatre is crowded nightiy, illventilated, and redolent of "an ancient and a fish-like smell;" consequently, the audiences are drawn to the little "band-box," stimulated by the hope of participating in the laughing gas, which Mrs. Swanborough takes care to turn on upon her public with unstinting hand.

To those of our readers who prefer the day amusements to the regular theatres, we recommend a visit to MADAME TUSSAUD'S, where their eyes will be regaled with the on view, in magnificent court dresses now addition to all the other amusements.

The POLYTECHNIC, in Regent-street, also possesses many attractions, that are usually enhanced in novelty after the autum season.

The ALHAMBRA, in Leicester-square, is well worth visiting, on account of the abundance of singing and dancing supplied by a well-managed establishment, that is altogether superior to the E. H. MALCOLM. genus music-hall.

TEMPER.-What one values above every other consideration in a companion, man or woman, is amiableness, that is to say, evenness of temper, and the willingness to please, and be pleased without egotism, and without exaction. There is nothing capable of supplying its place.-Leigh Hunt.

THE LADIES' PAGE.

SHELLS FOR A KNITTED COUNTERPANE.

MATERIALS.-Fine knitting cotton of Messrs. Walter Evans & Co., Derby, and steel needles.

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MATERIALS.-Half a pound each of crimson, maize, green, and violet 12-thread fleecy, six ounces of black 4-thread fleecy, and a pair of Pricesse's pins, No. 2 are required.

Cast on seven stitches,, slip 1, knit 6, repeat this for 11 rows, then cast off 6 stitches, turn the needle with one stitch on it, and cast on 6 stitches; repeat from *, till you have done a yard and a half, sew the stripes together, and work a row of single crochet in black 4-thread fleecy over the seams, add a tassel at each end

of the stripes. The colours to be joined in the following order: crimson, maize, violet, green.

This is also very pretty for a quilt in cotton, for which three pounds of 6 4-thread knitting cotton, of Messrs. Walter Evans & Co., Derby, must be procured.

LADY'S PETTICOAT.

MATERIALS.-Three-quarters of a pound of coloured and one pound white 4-ply fleecy; a pair of knitting pins, No. 2 for the edge.

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row is repeated knit 2 stitches together at the beginning and end of the row, so as to decrease it two stitches each pattern; cast off the remaining stitches. Work 7 stripes more the same. The broad stripes with the coloured wool. Cast on 130 stitches, and work the 8 rows of pattern until 5 stripes are made, counting both sides of the work; then cast off, make six stripes the same, and sew them between the narrow stripes.

For the edge. With the coloured wool and crochet needle work along the 1st row of the stripes, a row of one chain and one plain; then two rows more the same, working the plain stitch in the chain stitch of the previous row. Finish the top with an elastic band.

THE TOILE T.

(Specially from Paris.)

FIRST FIGURE.-Violet Foulard skirt, round and rather full, trimmed with three rows of Russian plaiting as flounces; the last deeper than the other two. Large panier, very much crumpled and standing out well, trimmed with Russian plaiting to match. This panier is a continuation of the body, which is high, tightfitting, opening heart-shape in front, and is decorated round the neck with a narrow Russian plaiting. Sleeves tight with a deep cuff marked by a Russian plaiting. Embroidered muslin chemisette, opening heart-shape like the corsage. Cuffs to match. Maize-coloured kid gloves without buttons.

SECOND FIGURE.-Gray tarlatan skirt, very full, and tending to a train; corsage close-fitting, trimmed round the shoulders and neck with a narrow flat band festooned in blue silk. Blue silk waistband with a large flat bow arranged in the form of a double cockade; it has very wide but short ends, trimmed with a blue silk crossstrip. Sleeve plain. Standing collar, embroidered. Cuffs to match.

THIRD FIGURE.-Skirt of aqua-marina green Chambery gauze, with a very prominent panier behind. Corsage low and square in front, and high behind. Embroidered standing collar, with an embroidered muslin bow in front, and a chemisette to match. Frilled cuffs of embroidered muslin. Light-grey kid gloves, without buttons.

velvet with a small medallion. Light green tulle fan, spangled with steel.

The mode is very difficult to describe at this season, which is specially one of transition; for one day we have warm sunshine which brings out short costumes gay and light, and the next we have cold wind and rain, which suggest waterproofs and winter dresses. Before, then, determining positively what will be the autumn modes, it is as well to occupy ourselves a little with those small light vestments that come in aid of the changes of temperature. The pelirine à capuchon is continued, but is much more ornamented than when first introduced. The flounce, or rounded dents, are always bound with satin or galon, but now the dents are deeper; or, to speak more properly, the rounded tongues are très profonde. The rotondes are of the same genre as the capuchins, and are lined with silk, and flounced à la vieille, and finished with a small lined collar, without capuchin, indented with very small tongues. The most elegant of these pèlerines are made of white velvet-cloth, lined with white silk and bound with white satin. As a fantasy some have them lined with coloured silk and bound with satin of the same tint. The pèlerine changes its appearance, and becomes very négligée if made in colour. It is very pretty in black, trimmed with satin bouton d'or. It is in better taste if the strings are of gold. In general we should avoid gold in day-costumes; but here its introduction is altogether exceptional, and is patronized by women of the highest fashion. Embroidery in chenille, especially on black, is very much in favour for vestes. We have seen it on velvet, faille, and cachemere. The deepest colours are those which are most worn, and myrtle green is above all très

FOURTH FIGURE.-Round skirt of sultana foulard, trimmed with a flounce headed with a double chicory. The corsage is plain and low, and the sleeves are short. Tunic of lilac algérienne with a black stripe. Corsage closefitting, high, and opening heart-shape in front down to the waist. Camargo sleeves, barely reaching below the elbow. Black silk waistband, fastened behind by a large bow. Che-distingué. We have only to observe that the misette cut very low, and trimmed with embroidered muslin. Very light grey kid-gloves, quarter long, without buttons. Bracelet on the left arm composed of three gold torsades connected by round balls. Round the neck a black

Empress prefers it, to ensure it complete success. It is also remarked that this august lady has not ceased to wear the large waistband of grosgrain, and that with her Majesty's green toilets she wears the waistband lighter than the robe.

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CORRESEPONDENTS.

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POETRY received and accepted, with thanks: “An
Old Man's Musings;" "The Fatal Spell;'
Orphan's Recollections ;" "Left Behind;"
German Song" "Adieu."
"Love and Pride" in our next.
PROSE received, with thanks, but not yet read: "A
Waiting Maid's Story;" The Cotton Jenny;"
'Company."

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Declined, with thanks: "The Pink Domino;" "One Year ago." "" We have an idea that we have seen these lines in print, and the evident ignorance

of the copyist confirms our suspicion. The last should be no bar to their appearance were we disabused of our doubts. There is poetic feeling in them, though we do not like the impression they leave.

Contributors not written to by post, will please to direct their communications for the Editor, marked Private, to the care of Mr. Alger, 265, Strand. Music, books for review, &c., must be sent in by the 10th of each month, to receive notice in the next number.

PRINTED BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 265, STRAND.

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