llers were permissible. It was "Chestnut Sunday." We
didn't like to mention it before.

* * * * *

The Royal General Theatrical Fund Dinner, held last Thursday, will be
remembered in the annals of the Stage as "ALEXANDER's Feast."

* * * * *

HORACE IN LONDON. TO A COQUETTE. (AD PYRRHAM.)

[Illustration]

What stripling, flowered and scent-bedewed,
Now courts thee in what solitude?
For whom dost thou in order set
Thy tresses' aureole, Coquette.

"Neat, but not gaudy"?--Soon Despond
(Too soon!) at flouted faith and fond,
Soon tempests halcyon tides above
Shall wreck this raw recruit of Love;

Who counts for gold each tinsel whim,
And hopes thee always all for him,
And trusts thee, smiling, spite of doom
And traitorous breezes! Hapless, whom

Thy glamour holds untried. For me,
I've dared enough that fitful sea;
Its "breach of promise" grim hath curst
Both purse and person with its worst.

My "dripping weeds" are doffed; and I
Sit "landed," like my wine, and "dry;"
What "weeds" survive I smoke, and rub
My hands in harbour at my Club!

* * * * *

OPERATIC NOTES.

_Monday._--_L'Amico Fritz_ at last! Better late than never. A Dramatic
Operatic Idyl. "Nothing in it," as _Sir Charles Coldstream_ observes,
except the music, the singing, and the acting of Signor DE LUCIA as
_Fritz_ Our Friend, of M. DUFRICHE as the _Rabbi_ of Mlle. GIULIA
RAVOGLI as _Boy Beppe_, of Mlle. BAUERMEISTER as _Caterina_, and of
Madame CALVE as _Suzel_. Not an indifferent performer or singer among
them, and not an individual in the audience indifferent to their
performance. Cherry-Tree Duet, between _Suzel_ and _Fritz_, great hit.
Admirably sung and acted, and vociferously encored. Nay, they would
have had it three times if they could, but though Sir DRURIOLANUS sets
his face against encores, allowing not too much encore but just encore
enough, he, as an astute Manager, cannot see why persons who have
paid to hear a thing only once should hear it three times for the same
money. No; if they like it so much that they want it again, and must
have it, and won't be happy till they get it, then let them encore
their own performance of paying for their seats, and come and hear
their favourite _morceaux_ over and over again as often as they like
to pay. He will grant one encore no more. Sir DRURIOLANUS is r