leman, I believe, has made many other
pieces (more or less) his own, with (more or less) success. He seems
to have a knack of turning old plays into new ones. I live in hope
that when I next visit this great Metropolis I shall find that he has
re-written the _School for Scandal_, and brought _Hamlet_ up to date.

Yours always, A CRITIC FROM THE COUNTRY.

* * * * *

[Illustration: "TOO MANY COOKS--!"

THE PAGE-BOY (W.H. SM-TH). "AT ANY RATE, I'VE SAVED THE _CHEESE_!!"]

* * * * *

THE OPERA-GOER'S DIARY.

[Illustration: The Hanging Committee.]

_Monday to Saturday_.--Nothing particular this week. Second July
Meeting at Newmarket took a lot of people away, and the thunder,
hail and rain frightened a lot more away on Thursday, so may as well
discuss _Esmeralda_, which I hadn't time to do last week. Rather
a mixed affair to start with when you have a French _libretto_,
set by an English Composer, and played at the Royal Italian Opera,
Covent Garden. No matter. A big success for everyone concerned,
from DRURIOLANUS downwards. No one could have wished for a better
_Esmeralda_ than Madame MELBA, though she did not make the most of
that first charming song, "_L'Hirondelle_." One Swallow, however,
doesn't make an Opera, and Madame MELBA soon pulled herself together,
and threw herself into the work when she saw Mons. JEAN DE RESZKE, as
_Phoebus_, winning fresh laurels.

The _Quasimodo_ of M. DUFRICHE, of the Vibrato school, was
dramatically good, but not great; but _Claude Frollo_ was both
great and good. These two have been defrauded of their rights by the
undramatic Librettist, who has done about as little as possible with
the excellent materials at his command. What a scene might have been
the final one between _Quasimodo_ and _Claude_, when _Claude Frollo_
is pitched over the battlements. I forget what becomes of _Quasi_; but
if he stabs himself, or is stabbed, that would be quite sufficient
for dramatic justice and effect. Then, of course, the absurd ceremony
used by _Clopin_, and the real unwillingness of _Esmeralda_ to become
_Gringoire's_ wife, would dispose of the marriage, unless _Gringoire_
were previously got rid of (for I don't remember how the novel ends)
and _Esmeralda_ would be united to _Phoebus_, while _Fleur-de-Lys_
could marry _De Chevreuse_, or anybody else.

[Illustration: HOW IT OUGHT TO HAVE ENDED.

Mr. Justice Butt pronounces a de