Friday.—­Lucia di Lammermoor, with Mlle. STROMFELD in the title role, singing well, and recalled several times by a fairly filled house.  Signor SUANE, the Edgardo, looking better than he sang.  But what a fine old crusted piece of Italianised conventionality the Opera is, with about as much to do with Scotland as it has with SCOTT!  From the general demeanour and appearance of the Chorus of “Ladies and Knights,” and “Friends of Lord ASHTON,” the ASHTONS evidently in a very second-rate set at Lammermoor.  However, it must be admitted that their attitude, as spectators of Lucia’s delirium, left nothing to desire on the score of repose—­the VERE DE VERES themselves could not have been calmer, or less concerned.  Blue chins, and sympathy expressed by semaphore action, in the good old time-honoured fashion.  The “Warriors of Ravenswood” in Lincoln green hunting costume, and the tombs of Edgardo’s fathers under a marble colonnade—­to give the necessary local colour.

Good house on Saturday for Robert the Devil,—­not our “ROBERT” the Waiter.  But Signor LAGO must not be satisfied with things as they are.

* * * * *

PROGRESS—­FIN DE SIECLE!

1891.  Vessels laid up by the Shipping Federation.

1892.  The Railway Union decide to stop all traffic until labour is cheaper.

1893.  The United Cooperative Stores secure monopoly of Trade, and then close until better times.

1894.  Army and Navy disbanded, join the Burglar Association, of which the Police are now members.

1895.  Publication of newspapers throughout the civilised world, suspended.

1896.  Universal redistribution of land, and personal property.

1897.  Conversion of every public building on the Four Quarters of the Globe into a refuge for the indigent.

1898.  Strike of the Butchers, the Bakers and the Candlestick-makers.

1899.  Strike of the Doctors, and the Undertakers—­Fin de Siecle!

1900.  Strike of the Lawyers—­Fin du Monde!

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[Illustration:  THE SPREAD OF CULTURE DOWNWARDS.

Jones (to Mrs. J.).  “ESKIR VOO NE PONXAY PAH KER LA NOOVELLE FUM-DE-SHOMB AYT EXTRARDINAIRMONG JOLEE?”

Mrs. J. (who is over-considerate of her Servants).  “WEE—­MAIS IL NE FO PAH PARLY FRONXAY DEVONG LEY DOMESTEEK; CE N’AY PAH POLEE, VOO SAVVY!”

The New Scotch Housemaid. “OH, MONSIEUR, QUANT A CA, CE N’EST PAS LA PEINE DE VOUS GENER DEVANT MOI.  JE COMPRENDS ASSEZ BIEN LE FRANCAIS!”]

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TIPPERARY JUNCTION.

JOHN MORLEY SINGS:—­

AIR—­“TIPPERARY.”