most intemperate draught.  It is now duly announced, that Castaldo is, “with naked sword, approaching.”  That gentleman appears, and makes a speech long enough for any man who has had such plain warning of what is to happen—­even a cardinal encumbered with a spangled dressing-gown—­to get a mile out of his way.  The speech quite ended, he goes to work, and with “this from King Ferdinand,” thrusts at Martinuzzi. Czerina, however, throws herself, with great skill, on the point of the sword, and dies.  Another long harangue from Castaldo—­which, as he is evidently broken-winded from exertion, is pronounced in tiny snatches—­and he dies with a “ha!” for want—­like many greater men—­of breath.

Meanwhile, the poison makes Martinuzzi exceedingly uncomfortable in the stomachic regions.  He is quite sure

  “That hath been done to me which sends me star-ward!”

but in his progress thither he evidently loses his way; for he ends the play by inquiring—­

  “WHERE IS THE WORLD?”

The sublimity of which query is manifestly insisted on by the author, by his having it printed in capitals.

When the curtain fell, there arose an uproarious shout for the author; but instead of “the mantle of the Elizabethan poets,” which, it has been said, he commonly wears, the most attractive garment that met the view was an expansive white waistcoat.  This latter exhibition concluded the entertainments, strictly so called; for though a farce followed, it turned out a terrible bore.

* * * * *

CONCERTS D’ETE.

If the advance of musical science is to be effected by indecent tableaux vivans—­by rattling peas against sieves, and putting out the lights (appropriately enough) when Beethoven is being murdered—­by the most contemptible class of compositions that ever was put upon score-paper, and noised forth from an ill-disciplined band—­if these be the means towards improving musical taste, Monsieur Jullien is undoubtedly the harmonic regenerator of this country.  He is a great man—­great in his own estimation—­great to the ends of his moustachios and the tips of his gloves—­a great composer, and a great charlatan—­ex. gr.:—­

The overture to the promenade concerts usually consists of a pantomime entirely new to an English audience.  Monsieur Jullien having made his appearance in the orchestra, seats himself in a conspicuous situation, to indulge the ladies with the most favourable view of his elegant person, and the splendid gold-chainery which is spread all over his magnificent waistcoat.  A servant in livery then appears, and presents him with a pair of white kid gloves.  The illustrious conductor, having taken some time to thrust them upon a very large and red hand, leisurely takes up his baton, rises, grins upon the expectant musicians, lifts his arm, and—­the first chord is struck!