But the above is an entr’acte, shorter than those at Covent Garden, by the way.  M. MAUREL first-rate as the Don, both in acting and singing, even better in former than latter; but the dear old serenade, which never can be vulgarised, in spite of its popularity, was encored, and the encore was gracefully accepted, Signor BEVIGNANI being in the chair, and willing to tap the desk and announce, “Gentlemen!  Monsieur MAUREL will oblige again!” Applause.

If all the village maidens could dress in a costume such as Miss ZELIE-ZERLINA wears, then, to take the best and nicest view of it, that village must be uncommonly prosperous.  Probably tourists’ visits are not few and far between:  but anyhow, even the most unsuspicious bumpkin of a lover, would be inclined to ask a few questions about this finery.  However, her performance was as fine as the dress, and she looked quite the ZELIE-ZERLINA, so fascinating to the Lord and the Lout.

Saturday.—­Romeo et Juliette, that is, M. JEAN DE RESZKE and Mlle. EAMES.  A nearly perfect performance.  JEAN a trifle too stout for an ideal Romeo, but of course he couldn’t go into training for the part at short notice.  The spirit with which he played the part far outweighed the error of the flesh.  Miss EAMES a charming Juliet in every way, though her singing of the waltz was not of dazzling firework brilliancy.  Brother NED was the Frere Laurent.  Excellent.  The name Anglo-Frenchified, suggests a reverend gentleman who would meddle with legal marriages and perform private ceremonies without leave or licence from his Ordinary, and might be known as Brother Law-wrong, an Extra-Ordinary Friar.  The House crammed full with an audience as brilliant as the performance.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  THE ETERNAL FITNESS OF THINGS.

Son of the House.  “YOU’RE NOT DANCING, MR. LAMBERT!  DON’T YOU WISH TO?”

Mr. Lambert (who is not so slim as he used to be).  “CERTAINLY—­IF YOU CAN FIND ME A CONCAVE PARTNER!”]

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THE LAST SONG.

    [Mr. SIMS REEVES was announced to sing “Total Eclipse” at
    his Farewell Concert on Monday.]

  Farewell!  A most unwelcome word to all
  Whom fifty years of charm have held in thrall: 
  Total eclipse—­of pleasure on their part
  Who love pure melody and polished Art. 
  Memory will echo long the silvery chime
  Of such a voice as even ruthless Time
  Might stay his stride to listen to, and spare
  From the corroding touch.  Some scarce will care
  To hear “Tom Bowling” sung by other lips,
  And when in tenor strains “Total Eclipse”
  Sounds next upon our ears, SIMS REEVES will seem
  To sing again to us as in a pleasant dream.

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