[Illustration:  Rehearsing for an amateur performance of the Christy Minstrels, under the direction of Count Four-in-a-bar.  “Now then, Gentlemen, all together!”]

Wednesday.—­Speaking as an opera-goer of some thirty years’ sitting, I am inclined to assert that the performance last Wednesday of Les Huguenots beats the record, as will be allowed by all whose memory runneth not to the contrary, “nevertheless” and “notwithstanding” being included.  Except MARIO, as Raoul, and some add, except DORUS GRAS as the Queen, never was seen and heard so fine a performance as is this to-night; and this deponent witnesseth that no such ensemble has ever been seen for this really grand Opera.  Strange to hear sweet little Manon one night, and the next these overpowering Huguenots.  It is well worth the while, in Mr. Punch’s pages, to record this exceptionally brilliant cast.  First, Madame ALBANI for the heroine Valentina, superb alike in singing and in acting; GIULIA RAVOGLI as Urbano, the page, a memorable page in operatic history; Conte di San Bris, by M. LASSALLE, not to be bettered, as may be also said of Signor MIRANDA (by kind permission of SHAKSPEARE’s Tempest, probably a descendant) as De Retz, afterwards converted, and appearing as Il Padre Basso, Superior of a Theatrical Order, one of the exceptional Orders admitted after seven.  Then M. MAUREL, with his highly Maurel tone, cannot be beaten as the high-minded Conte de Nevers; and EDOUARD DE RESZKE, taken altogether—­and there’s a lot of him—­is quite the best Marcello that has been heard and seen for some considerable time.  Herr FORMES and MABINI were the rugged Huguenot soldier to the life, but they weren’t the Harmonious Blacksmith that NED DE RESZKE is.  JEAN DE RESZKE methinks lacketh impassioned tenderness in the great duet scene, where ALBANI is inimitable; otherwise JEAN is a gallant Raoul. Ensemble as already said, which term includes chorus, mise-en-scene, and orchestra under the energetic rule of Signor BEVIGNANI, simply perfect.  Those who this season miss seeing Les Huguenots with this unexampled cast, will be justly upbraided by their children and grandchildren.  Mr. COVENT-GARDENIA HALL with the Gladstone flower in his button-hole, almost weeps to think that his much-loved leader is unable to come from Dollis Hill and bestow his liberal praise upon Les Huguenots.  DRURIOLANUS may well beam upon the crammed house, viewing a portion of it with his nose over the ledge of the stall gangway portal; well may he smile, hum the melodies to himself (what better audience can he have for the performance!) expand in full bloom and speak joyously out of the very fulness of his heart and pocket; nay, for the moment he may even look upon the sheriffship and all its glory as a mere vanity of vanities, in comparison with the proud position of being DRURIOLANUS