He heareth Tristan | He heareth Cavalleria | He seeth and heareth
und Isolde_ wrapt   | Rusticana_ rapt in     | Aida, “More power
in slumber.         | ecstasy.               | to your Melba!’”]

Wednesday.—­Glass up again. Orfeo with the two RAVOGLI and the marvellous BAUERMEISTER as Cupid.  Wonderful little lady BAUERMEISTER-singer!  I’ve said it before, and I repeat it emphatically, BAUERMEISTER is “a little treasure” to an Operatic Manager.  MASCAGNI’s Cavalleria Rusticana was the second course to-night, in which this adaptable lady, the Cupid of the first piece, appeared as old heart-broken grey-haired Lucia, the mother of the gay Turiddu.  Were Sir AUGUSTUS inclined to introduce a little light English jocosity into this serious Opera, he might give a line to the implacable Alfio, saying, “I’ve come to rid you of Turiddu!” If MASCAGNI had heard this, he would have composed an additional Intermezzo expressing the whole force of the idea.

Thursday.—­Carmen expected, but tenor off colour, so change of air (or should say airs) recommended, and adopted.  Audience sent to the country, or, rather, Rusticana brought to them.

Friday.—­House crammed.  Great excitement to hear MELBA as Aida, the darky girl.  Everybody delighted, except perhaps MELBA herself, who, on seeing the bouquets, must have murmured, “Trop de fleurs!” Everybody good.  Quite the best night of the Season.  To-night BAUERMEISTER appears as Sacerdotessa.  So this week she has been Cupid, an old Peasant woman, Frascita, a Brigand’s Young Woman; and then, being repentant, she finishes as a Priestess!  It’s a whole life-time in a few days.

* * * * *

LADY GAY’S DETECTION.

Berkeley Square, W.

MR. PUNCH, Sir,

I am surprised to find a Journal of your standing lowering itself to follow the example of the so-called “Society Journals” by inserting contributions from women!—­I have discovered, no matter how, that My Wife, who always declares she hates letter-writing, has for months past contributed a long weekly letter to Punch, dealing with racing from a humorous (save the mark!) point of view!  Now I never make jokes myself—­at least intentionally—­nor do I think it becomes a man of position to do so—­and I quite agree with SWIFT or SHERIDAN (I know it was one of these infernal clever literary chaps) who said, “A humorous woman is a delusion and a snare!”—­so you may imagine my disgust at finding My Wife writing for a Journal!—­why couldn’t she have asked Me to help her?—­and signing her articles anonymously too!—­for I need hardly tell you she is no more “GAY” than I am!—­at all events when in my society!