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 {{missing image{{ opening of the act, arches of the background. through the three Norman lis is of course shut off when the hall is prepared for the feast, and lighted with the Highland candles which so deeply impressed Captain Dalgetty at the Castle of Darnlinvarach — a crowd of stalwart henchmen, to wit, each holding aloft a flaring torch. The general effect is very fine — the Queen en- throned in front, with her diamond tiara and gorgeous iridescent robe; the Usurper wearing a heavy golden crown over his red velvet hood, and draped in a magnificent scar- let mantle embroi- dered with gold ; the guests ranged at transverse tables, richly decked with golden vessels ; and the background crowded with torchbearers and other I'etainers. So far, all is well; but when it comes to the appearance of Banquo's Ghost, Mr. Irving's pictorial and scenic instinct seems to aban- don him. The passage is a difficult one, no doubt ; but I question whether the difficulty has ever been so feebly grappled with. The Ghost is made to rise through a trap before the ^ery noses of the assembled company; and to account for their not seeing it, the stage is plunged in total darkness, save where the inevitable ray of limelight searches out Mr. Irving's fea- tures in the foreoround. The