The Royal Tour, like the Queen's death, has been very fully discussed in papers all over the world. Its ultimate good it is still impossible to estimate, hut that it will extend far beyond the present generation is certain. The federation of the Australias may be counted as one of the most important events of the past year. From personal observation gained during twelve years' residence in New South Wales, Iam of opinion that the time had hardly come for so great a step.
always seemed to me, and I know the same opinion is held by many life resid n the Colonies, that a period of inter-
Here Miss Ellaline Terviss and her versa-til- husband, Mr. Seymour Hicks, delight national free trade, with independent both old and young folks twice daily with fiscal policy against the outer world, shoul a most charming little dream-play in two have come first to be followed, say in ten acts; the first being real life, the second a years' time, by federation. By this means dream.
How they both work! Miss a few of the roughest edges would have rarely off the stage and either gradually been rubbed off and the into: ing or singing all the time. In Act I Colonial hearthuraing would have appre-she isa poor flower girl, subjected to all dably diminished. "As things are now, kinds of rebufis on the London Streets. there seem to be troubles ahead, nut the Her husband is a crossing sweeper, but least of which is Queensland's grievance her devoted slave. In Act LI, which with regard to the employment of coloured takes place in Fairyland everyth.ng labour for the cultivation of sugar, which goes well of course, One of the prettiest is its primary source of income. All who ideas is that her Fairy Prince provides her know anything about sugar-growing unite with a banjo on which she sings many of in saying that it is no work for a whit the songs we all loved to hear her sing at man. To try to cultivate it without Kanaka the Gaiety years ayo, "A Little Bit of or other coloured aid simply means failure.
String," "The Boy Guessod Right," etc. For reasons which to them seem all suffi Needless to say, each fresh ditty was reent, the Commonwealth Government have ceived with uproarious applause, It is very put a veto on its employment. Northern certain that there is no more popular Queensland will not sit still and be ruined actress on the comic opera stage than Miss without a strong protest, so the situation Terris, even though she has lately elected. seems to be one of " breakers' ahead," to try her luck in comedy instead, and those of no small dimensions.
"Frocks and Friils,"
At the Theatres. which was produced at the Haymarket last night, adaptation by sydney Christmas is always a busy time, giving employment, as it does, t" some hundreds Grundy of a well-known French comedy called "Les Doigts de Fee." It is of poor children, who otherwise would be essentially a dr 5 piece and gives running about inthe streets. grand chances to Paquin, Lucile, Mrs. At Drury Lane Nettleship, and Fay; all do their best and the old and familiar story of Blue Beard as the expenditure of money has evidently been a minor consideration, all succeed serves san excuse for a mumber of gorgeous scenes and marvellous spectacular effects, magnificently. Miss Ellis Jeffreys perhaps wears her clothes h the most though, as Mr. Richard Carle would say, wi there is nothing new, or at any rate not distinction, her superb figure lending her much. Mx. Dan Leno is the life and soul aid. Tu each new dress I thought she of the piece as Sister Anne, and plays even more charming than in the previous one. The pictorial papers will be up well to his friend Herbert Campbell, led for weeks to come with details, so T who makes a most up-to-date villain of hero. His Blue Beard is far more of wns worn by both Seifeys and not attempt them though many' of the a dandy than a ruffian, and, curious to remark, wears no beard.' The transform.
Miss Grace Long might be copied to-day with success, though the date of them ix tion scenes which formed the finales to supposed to Lo fifty years ayo, each of the three acts were most gorgeous they were called the Land of Ferns, the Triumph of the Magic Fan and the Magic Staircase. Of the three I preferred the Triumph of the Magic Fan, though all were (mom oR owy connesroxpESr.) perfect marvels of colour effect.
10th January, The Hippodrome Germany and England. now runs Old Drury very close in its A big sensation has been caused by the sumptuous display. Aladdin is the chosen theme, but the old lamp has disap-speech of Count von Billow at the opening of the Reichstag on Wednesday. Hitherto peared. The much bejewelled toy, though shameful slanders of our soldiers which requires no rubbing to make it have been continuous in the German Press, do its marvellous work, did not appeal the German Government have been strictly to me nearly so much as the friend of my "correct" in their attitude, and, publicly youth, even though it was stated in the at all events, have given no encouragement Papers that all the stones were to be to German Anglophobia. But when on "real." Iam not at all sure that Sir Wednesday Count Stolberg-Wernigerode Augustus Harris conferred a real boon on made a fierce attack on Mr. Chamberlain the rising generation in going in for such on the score of the famous reference in his gorgeous displays. I think the simpler Edinburgh speech to the Franco-German entertainment was really far more amusing war Count von Biilow not only defen led and less bewildering. It reminds me of a the German Press, but more than insinuate tale Tread a few days ago of "Joseph," ed that he had received something like an the celebrated French chef, who died in apologetic explanation from the Govern-Paris last week. Some y ago he was ment on the subject of Mr. Chamberlain's engaged by an American noire, and speech. The result has been an outburst went with him to New York, where of indignation in this country for which for a time he gave entire satisfaction, but "one day. the possessor of many Count von Biilow must have been quite unprepared. Moreover the Daily Gra-dollars sent for the artiste and inti-hie" this morning makes what is evident-mated to him that although he apprely an inspired announcement to the effect ciated his culinary skill, he should much that no explanation have been given by enjoy a plain dinner consisting of boiled the British Government in the sence sug beef and cabbage. Imagine Joseph's gested by Count von Billow. "Tt is feelings! "Sir," he replied, "I think it must quite true," the 'Daily Graphic' adds, have been a gardener you required, not a "that Mr. Chamberlain's speech has been referred to in diplowatie discussions, both and returned to his beloved Paris. cook," and he. forthwith packed in Lenten and B rin, but these dis-think we can all sympathise with the cussions have not taken the form implied wealthy American. There are times when by Count vor Billow. On the contrary we prefer simple fare, be it in a theatre ints have been made have or at our dinner table. s side. Quite recently Sir Far prettier and more graceful than Frank Luscelles calle? the attention of the either of these huge entertainments is a German Foreign Office to the malicious little piece at the Vaudeville called perversions of Mr. Chamberlain's speech
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.