“As humble naval officer,” he roared, as through a speaking-trumpet, “I protest against addressing our immortal naval hero in the words of the Poet, saying unto him, ‘Friend, go down lower.’”

General FRASER, V.C., sitting next to Admiral on Front Bench below the Gangway; bosom swelled with generous emulation; Navy attacked; duty of Army to come to its assistance.  General doesn’t often speak; appearances as public orator chiefly confined to responding to patriotic toast at dinners.  This led him a little astray.  Drawing himself up to full height, setting hands on hips, he began, in deep bass voice, “In rising to respond to this toast—­” Then, remembering where he was, he executed strategic retreat, and addressed himself to SPEAKER.

Spectacle of the two veterans defending memory of NELSON deeply touched House.  Nevertheless, Bill carried. Business done.—­Counted Out at Half-past Seven.

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IN MONTAGU WILLIAMS’ Later Leaves there is a small error, but of importance to the historian of the English Stage, which can be corrected in the next edition:—­Mr. KEELEY never played Bob Mettles, and there is no such character in TOM TAYLOR’s Our Clerks.  Bob Nettles is one of the principal characters in To Parents and Guardians, and it was played by Mrs. KEELEY, her husband playing Waddilove.  Middle-aged play-goers will remember both pieces; and in the latter, no one will forget ALFRED WIGAN as the French Tutor.

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CIVIL SERVICE NOTE.—­The Directors of the Covent Garden Opera Company present their compliments to the C.S.  Examiners, and trust that they will reconsider their determination to exclude the Italian language from their list of subjects.  The Directors will be happy to give every facility to students during the forthcoming Opera season.  Box Office now open.  Reduction on taking a quantity.

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NOTICE.—­Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS., Printed Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, will in no case be returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed Envelope, Cover, or Wrapper.  To this rule there will be no exception.