First Urch. Not o' anyfink?
Second Urch. Na-ow! They aint got nuffink to fink about, sheep ain't.
First Urch. I lay they do fink, orf an' on.
Second Urch. Well, I lay you never see 'em doin' of it!
[And so on. The first Shepherd disrobes his sheep, and dismisses it with a disrespectful spank. After which he proceeds to refresh himself from a brown jar, and hands it to his comrades. The spectators look on with deeper interest, and discuss the chances of the liquid being beer, cider, or cold tea, as the scene closes.
Patti commence la Patti-série.
OPERATIC NOTES.
Tuesday.—Grand night. Memorable for rentrée of Adelina Patti. She has been absent from C. G. Opera many years. Welcome little stranger! Absence makes hearts fonder, and so Big Heart of Big House, crowded right up to tipmost topmost, goes out to Adelina Patti reappearing as radiant Violetta, the Consumptive Cocotte and heroine of La Traviata. Quite in best Tra-la-la-viata form is our Patti to-night. The knowing ones observe high keys politely transposed to suit Adelina. But what manager could refuse to put down the notes when Adelina agrees to sing? All come in early. Upper parts of House at Lowest prices either breakfasted or lunched on doorstep, waiting for Warbler to commence. Warbler begins 8.30 sharp. "8.30 sharp" maybe, but Warbler neither sharp nor flat; in perfect tune. De Lucia first rate as poor, spoony little Alfredo; and Ancona admirable as Old Original G. G., i.e., Georgy Germont. "Pura siccome," and "Parigi o cara," old friends all, come out as fresh as ever, or fresher. Get story rather mixed up with that of Manon, which in some respects it resembles: Violetta evidently Manon's niece, or first cousin. Touchingly sympathetic acting on part of Mlle. Bauermeister as the nurse (draught, &c., every hour, prescriptions carefully made up) attending on the suffering soprano. Annina deeply touched by sad meeting between Alfred, "such a Daisy,"—or, such a "Lack-a-Daisy,"—and his sweet Violet.