THE GENERAL OF THE FUTURE.
SCENE—Tent in rear of a Battle-field. Political Officer in attendance upon Army, waiting for Military assistance.
Political Officer (impatiently). Now then, Orderly, have you not been able to secure a General for me?
Orderly (saluting). Beg pardon, Sir, but it's so difficult, since they have passed that new Royal Warrant, to know which is which.
Pol. Off. (more impatiently). Nonsense!—any General Officer will do. Ord. Very good, Sir.
[Exit. Political Officer stamps his foot irritably, when enter First General Officer, hurriedly.
First Gen. Off. Well, Sir, how can I assist you?
Pol. Off. (cordially). Glad to see you, General. Fact is, supposing we arrange a treaty, do you think it would be wise to surrender the fortress on the right side of the river, if we retain the redoubt near the wood as a basis of operations? You see—
First Gen. Off. (interrupting). Very sorry, but don't know anything about it.
Pol. Off. (annoyed). But aren't you a General?
First Gen. Off. Certainly. General-Surgeon. Ta, ta! [Exit.
Pol. Off. Well of all the—(Enter Second Gen. Off.) Well, Sir, what is it? Who are you?
Second Gen. Off. I am a General Officer, and I was told you required my poor services.
Pol. Off. So I do. The fact is, General, supposing we arrange a treaty, do you think it wise for us to surrender the fortress—
Second Gen. Off. (interrupting). Alas! my dear friend, I fear I can be of no help to you—it is entirely out of my line.
Pol. Off. (annoyed). But aren't you a General?
Second Gen. Off. Certainly. A General-Chaplain. Farewell, dear friend. [Exit.
Pol. Off. Well of all the—(Enter Third General Officer.) Well, Sir, who and what are you?
Third Gen. Off. (briskly). A General. Now then, look sharp! No time to lose. Hear you require me. How can I help you?
Pol. Off. (aside). Ah, this is the sort of man I want! (Aloud.) Well then, General, we are arranging a treaty, and I want your advice about retaining a fortress on the right of the river—
Third Gen. Off. (interrupting). Sorry. Can't help! Not my province. Good bye! [Exit.
Pol. Off. (shouting after him). But aren't you a General?
Third Gen. Off. (voice heard in the distance.) Yes. General-Postman!
[Scene closes in upon political official language unfit for publication.
MUSICAL NOTES.—Saturday Afternoon.—Albert Hall jubilant. M. PLANCON or PLANÇON—the production of the "c" depending on the state of his voice—was encored and "obliged again." So did Madame ALBANI, who was in superb voice. But her accompanist, M. CARRODUS, who had given us one violin obbligato, did not obbligato again, and so Madame sang, admirably of course, the ever-welcome "Home, Sweet Home." GIULIA RAVOGLI gave her great Orphéo song, and DRURIOLANUS, practising courtly attitudes, as one preparing to receive a German Emperor, smole beamingly on the gratified audience. At The Garden, Mireille, revived on Wednesday last, hasn't much life in her, but Miss EAMES charming.
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