Everyone glad to hail Jackson "Right Honourable." A proud title, as yet not spoiled by indiscriminate distribution. Suffices for Gladstone, as it did for Peel; suits Jackson exactly.
Business done.—Winding up for Whitsuntide. Adjourn for holidays till Monday, June 2nd.
THE OPERA-GOER'S DIARY.
From the Note-book of Mr. Pips Senior.—Monday, May 19.—To the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. First night of the Season. The house infinite full, and the Prince of Wales and the Princess, and the Princesses their daughters, there in a box, pretty to see. Druriolanus Operaticus et Counticouncillarius mightily pleased at what I hear is the biggest subscription to this class of entertainment ever known. Many fine faces here to-day. The sight of the ladies exceeding noble.
"Harmony in Black and White."
A new wench, Mlle. Nuovina, to sing for the first time, taking the part of Marguérite in the Opera of Faust, which she did prettily and quietly. Curious to see a Marguérite with jet-black hair and a white face; yet comely and with much grace.
Everyone extraordinarily content with Mons. Jean de Reszké, the best Faust that did ever sing and play this part. But vexed to see one M. Orme Darrall act Mephistopheles in the room of Edouard de Reszké, who, poor man, is sick. The scenes and the chorus all very fine indeed. All of us pretty merry at the droll mimicry of Mlle. Bauermeister as Martha, who makes this part go most rarely.
Pleased to see Madame Scalchi dressed as a boy for the part of Siebel. The house mightily content, and wishing her to sing one song twice over, which she would not. In which matter she did wisely, as also the others.