e, "_Called Back_." Great night,
too, for Harpist and Flutist. Both gentlemen highly applauded, and
would have been recalled, but for the fact of their not having quitted
the orchestra. Harper plays solo from _Harper's Miscellany_, arranged
by DONIZETTI. RAVELLI the Reliable recalled also.

_Saturday._--Brilliant house. Royal Highnesses early to come and last
to go. Magnificent performance of _Die Meistersinger_. M. ISNARDON
very comic as _Beckmesser_, LASSALLE a noble Hans Sachs ("the
shoemaker who sings a sole-o," says Mr. WAGSTAFF), JEAN DE RESZKE a
grand young _Walther_, MONTARIOL (as before) a capital silly idiot
_David_, Mlle. BAUERMEISTERSINGER very lively as _Magdalena_, and
Madame TAVARY a skittish young chit in the somewhat trying and rather
thankless part of _Eva_. The tenor's song to her ought to be, "EVA, of
thee I'm fondly dreaming," if WAGNER had only thought of it. Opera too
long; but Wagnerites don't complain, and certainly to-night they get
their money's worth and something over, from 7.30 till past midnight.

* * * * *

A SWEET THING IN CRITICISM.

CARDINAL MANNING, apparently having been invited by its author to
express an opinion upon Mr. WM. O'BRIEN'S "_When we were Boys_,"
writes:--"When I got to the end, I forgot the book, and would only
think of Ireland--its manifest sufferings, and its inextricable
sorrows." His Eminence then continues:--"I hope to see the day break,
and I hope you will see the noontide, when the people of Ireland will
be readmitted, so far as is possible, to the possession of their own
soil, and shall be admitted, so far as is possible, to the making and
administration of their own local laws, while they shall still share
in the legislation which governs and consolidates the Empire. Then
_Ken_ and _Mabel_ shall be no more parted."

No doubt this excellent critique will be followed by the publication
of letters somewhat similar to the following:--

DEAR MR. APPLES,--I promised to write to you after I had used
your Soap. When I had finished washing my hands, I forgot
everything but gallant little Wales. I hope to see the
morning, and trust you will see the evening, of that time when
the bold sun of freedom will shine over a land true to itself,
as far as possible, and rejoicing in the name of the country
without stain. Then will we all say, "Good afternoon,"
followed by the customary inquiry. Believe me,