"GRENADIERS TO THE FRONT!"
I must confess, my dear Editor, I was greatly gratified at your gracefully recognising my twenty years' service, spent in the defence of my Queen and my country (in the Militia), by asking me to be present at the initial performance of the Guards Burlesque Company of Fra Diavolo in the Theatre Royal, Recreation Room, Chelsea Barracks, S.W.
The place was not entirely new to me. Last year it had been my good fortune to see Ivanhoe, with Mr. Nugent in the principal character—a gallant and talented gentleman, who was, alas! conspicuous by his absence on the present occasion. I was given to understand that this year the Grenadiers were ordered "to the front," and that the command had been obeyed, the list of the Dramatis Personæ amply proved.
The 19th Sent'ry Guards Burlesque.
The music was admirably selected by Mr. Edward Solomon, the "Baker Roll" from Pickwick going capitally. The scenery, by the Hon. Arnold Keppel (late Scots Guards), was good, and "the writing up to date," by Mr. Yardley (never to be forgotten on the field of cricket), was better.
For the rest, I may say that the Guards' Burlesque Company, from a theatrical professional stand-point, were hardly "Gaiety form," but, as amateurs, they were simply magnificent. There was no supper—but this is a detail. Yours sincerely,
A Very Old Soldier.
The Plains of Waterloo, in rear of the Army and Navy Stores, S. W.
"Lent Lectures."—A Correspondent signing himself "Missing Link," says, that he frequently sees Lectures advertised as above, and wants to know if they come into the same category with "Borrowed Sermons."
[Don't know. Consult Mr. F. Jeune, Q.C., or the Archbishop of Canterbury.—Ed.]
"That ought to be an interesting and amusing article in Lippincott's Magazine for March," observed Mrs. Ram—"I mean the one called, 'Who are the Christy Minstrels'?" We referred to the number. No such article in it; but one entitled, "Who are Christian Ministers?" Probably this was it. Near enough for Mrs. R.