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MRS. JOSEPH PORTER, ' OVER THE WAY. 1 



MOST extensive were the preparations at Rose Villa, Clapham 

 Rise, in the occupation of Mr. Gattleton (a stock-broker in especially 

 comfortable circumstances), and great was the anxiety of Mr. Gattle- 

 ton's interesting family, as the day fixed for the representation of the 

 Private Play, which had been " many months in preparation," ap- 

 proached. The whole family was infected with the mania for Pri- 

 vate Theatricals ; the house, usually so clean and tidy, was, to use 

 Mr. Gattleton's expressive description " regularly turned out o' win- 

 dows ;" the large dining-room, dismantled of it's furniture and orna- 

 ments, presented a strange jumble of flats, flies, wings, lamps, 

 bridges, clouds, thunder and lightning, festoons and flowers, daggers 

 and foil, and all the other messes which in theatrical slang are in- 

 cluded under the comprehensive name of " properties." The bed- 

 rooms were crowded with scenery, the kitchen was occupied by 

 carpenters. Rehearsals took place every other night in the drawing- 

 room, and every sofa in the house was more or less damaged by the 

 perseverance and spirit with which Mr. Sempronius Gattleton, and 

 Miss Lucina, rehearsed the smothering scene in " Othello" it having 

 been determined that that tragedy should form the first portion of 

 the evening's entertainments. 



" When we're a leetle more perfect, I think it will go off admira- 

 bly," said Mr. Sempronius, addressing his corps dramatique, at the 

 conclusion of the hundred and fiftieth rehearsal. In considera- 

 tion of his sustaining the trifling inconvenience of bearing all the 

 expenses of the play, Mr. Sempronius had been in the most hand- 

 some manner unanimously elected stage-manager. " Evans," con- 

 tinued Mr. Gattleton, jun., addressing a tall, thin, pale young gen- 

 tleman, with extensive whiskers " Evans, upon my word you play 

 Rodcrigo beautifully." 



ft Beautifully !" echoed the three Miss Gattletons; for Mr. Evans 

 was pronounced by all his lady-friends to be " quite a dear." He 

 looked so interesting and had such lovely whiskers, to say nothing 

 of his talent in albums and playing the flute ! The interesting Rode- 

 rigo simpered and bowed. 



" But I think," added the manager, tc you are hardly perfect in 

 the fall in the fencing-scene, where you are you understand?" 



" It's very difficult," said Mr. Evans, thoughtfully ; " I've fallen 

 about a good deal in our counting-house lately for practice ; only it 

 hurts one so. Being obliged to fall backwards, you see, it bruises 

 one's head a good deal." 



" But you must take care you don't knock a wing down," said 

 Mr. Gattleton, sen., who had been appointed prompter, and who 

 took as much interest in the play as the youngest of the company. 

 " The stage is very narrow, you know." 



" Oh ! don't be afraid," said Mr. Evans, with a very self-satisfied 

 air; " I shall fall with my head < off/ and then I can't do any harm." 



" But, egad !" said the manager, rubbing his hands, tf we shall 



