s on Act I.

Interval of Fifteen Minutes, spent by some of the lady spectators in
speculation whether the dark and light patches on the blue curtains
are due to design or the action of damp. After which the Fortress
of Chioggia is disclosed, with a bivouac of the Genoese garrison.
A bevy of well-meaning maidens enter with fruit and vegetables for
the military, but, on the discovery that their wares are properties,
and too firmly glued to the baskets to be detached, they retire in
confusion. A small sail is seen behind the battlements; the soldiers
poke at it with halberds until it retreats, whereupon, soldier-like,
they dance. The sail returns with a still smaller one; red fire is
burnt under the walls, which so demoralises the Genoese soldiery that
they all tumble down with precaution, and the Venetians burst in and
stand over them in attitudes as the scene changes to an Island near
Venice and a Grand Aquatic Procession. (_Here intelligent Spectators
in the Stalls identify the first four pairs of gondolas,--which
are draped respectively in icicles, pale green, rose-colour, and
saffron,--as typifying the Seasons; another pair come in draped in
violet, which they find some difficulty in satisfactorily accounting
for. When two more appear hung with white and gold with a harp and
palette at the prows, they grow doubtful, and the entrance of the two
last couples, which carry shrines and images, reduces them to hopeless
mystification. The Small Boy wishes to know whether anybody will be
upset in the water, and being told that this is not a fixture in the
entertainment, conceives a poor opinion of the capacity of Mediaeval
Venice for lighthearted revelry._)

Terrace near Portia's Palace, _Portia_, _Bassanio_ and the _Doge_
discovered enjoying a pasteboard banquet.

(_A Lady in the Stalls "wonders whether it is correct to represent_
Portia _as knowing a Doge so intimately as all that," and doubts
whether it is in Shakspeare._)

The supper-table is removed, and the proceedings terminate by a Grand
Al Fresco Carnival. Ladies of the ballet dance bewitchingly, while
soldiers play at Bo-Peep behind enormous red hoops. Finally the
entire strength of the ballet link arms in one immense line, and
simultaneously execute a wonderful chromatic kick, upon which the
blue draperies descend amidst prolonged and thoroughly well-deserved
applause from a delighted audience.

* * * * *

[Illustration: GRACE