In spite of the scowl of stern moralists, the Eunuchus — the
most inde- corous of all Terence's plays—is the most popular with the students of Westminster. Indeed, this year it has even been played out of its turn, in consequence, we understand, of an express desire on the part of the Queen's scholars. With respect to the acting, the points of excellence fall just where they have fallen for the last twenty years ; that is to say, those characters whose humour is most strongly marked are the best played, and those that merely depend on a mastery over stage-routine are but inadequately represented. The parasite Gnatho is this year above the usual level of spirit and animation ; Parmeno is amusingly dogged, and Pythias is spiteful. On the other hand, the young lovers give unmistakeable signs that the passion which inspires them is purely artificial.
The old habitues of the Westminster Play are somewhat chagrined at the effect which the solemn events of the year has produced upon the epilogue. It is scarcely necessary to state that from time immemorial the Westminster epilogue has been a short Latin scene, satirizing some pecu- liarity of the day, and causing infinite amusement from the contrast between antique language and modern allusion. This year, however, laughter has been voted unpatriotic, and therefore the epilogue dwindles down into a mere speech, spoken like the prologue by the Captain of the school, in his black academicals, and expatiating in mournful tones on the calamities of war, until it gains somewhat of a sunny hue from the prospect of glory.
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