Of old, a half-crown at the door, and the price of such comestibles as
were devoured, were grumbled at as tax enough; but now the account
stands in a fairer form, because you are charged distinctly for every
item, so that you know what you are paying for, and may choose or
reject, as you think fit. Thus Mr. Bull, from Aldgate, with Mrs. Bull,
and only four of the younger Bulls and Cows, numbering six in all, make
good their entry at the cost of 1l. 4s.--Books to tell them what they
are to see and hear, the when and the how are 3s. Seats for the
vaudeville (average of modest places) 9s. Ditto for the ballet 6s. Ditto
for the battle 6s. Ditto for the fire-works 6s.--Total 2l. 14s.--But
then they are not charged for seeing the lamps; there is no charge for
walking round the walks; there is no charge for looking at the
cosmoramic pictures; there is no charge for casting a glance at the
orchestra; there is no charge for staring at the other people; there is
no charge for bowing or talking to an acquaintance, if you meet one--all
these are gratis; and if you neither eat nor drink, there is no charge
for witnessing those who do mangle the long-murdered honours of the
coop, and gulp down the most renovating of liquors, be they hale or
stout, vite vine, red port, or rack punch.--_Lit. Gaz_.
Bruges, (celebrated as the birthplace of John Van Eyck, said to have
invented the art of oil-painting), is now in a very dilapidated
condition. It was formerly a place of great commerce, and the merchants
of Bruges were the wealthiest in Europe. The population is reduced from
100,000 to 25,000.--_Brussels Companion_.