agon!

* * * * *

A "DARK CONTINENT" HINT.--Mr. STANLEY, it is said, now wishes he had
gone on his exploration journey quite alone, without any travelling
TROUP. It is a curious fact, but worth mentioning here, that, up to
now, the only mention of difficulties with a "Travelling Troupe" is
to be found in a little shilling book recently published by Messrs.
TRISCHLER & CO., at present nearing its fifty thousandth copy,
entitled, _A New Light thrown across the Darkest Africa_. Whether H.M.
STANLEY will appeal to this as evidence remains to be seen. We must
have the whole truth out about STANLEY'S Rear Column before we rear a
column to STANLEY.

* * * * *

The "NORFOLK BROADS," according to the _Standard_, are in future to be
the English cradle of the German "Bass." Not beer, but fish. There are
to be "no takers" at present, so the cradle will not be a Bass-in-net.

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE "LAIDLY WORM" OF LONDON--AND YOUNG COUNTY COUNCIL.]

* * * * *

[Illustration: HUNTING PREDICAMENTS. No. 1.

_Miss Nelly (to her Slave, in the middle of the best thing of the
Season_). "OH, MR. ROWEL, DO YOU MIND GOING BACK? I DROPPED MY WHIP AT
THE LAST FENCE!"]

* * * * *

OPERATIC NOTES.

_Wednesday_.--Welcome once more to our old friend, _Norma, the
Deceived Druidess_, who was called _Norma_ for short, she being an
orphan, and having "nor par, nor ma." The Ancient Order of Druids,
with Arch-Druid _Oroveso_ in the chair, might have had a better brass
band. _Norma_ nowadays is not particularly attractive, and the
house, when it is given, cannot be expected to be more than normal or
ordinary.

_Thursday.--Orfeo._ First appearance of Miles. GIULIA and SOFIA
RAVOGLI in GLUeCK'S beautiful Opera, which has not been seen here for
many years, but--judging from its reception by a full and delighted
house--will be seen many times before Signor LAGO'S season comes to
an end. Enthusiastic reception of GIULIA RAVOGLI as _Orpheus_; double
recall after three of the four Acts; house insisting on having "_Che
faro_" all over again. Orchestra, under Signor BEVIGNANI, admirable.
Recreations of Demons and Furies, when let out of Gates of Erebus for
a half-holiday, peculiar, not to say eccentric. Demons lie on rocks,
with silver serpents round their necks as comforters, claw the a