[HER MAJESTY in the evening witnessed the performance of The Gondoliers, a Comic Opera, composed by Sir ARTHUR SULLIVAN, in the Waterloo Chamber, by the Savoy Theatre Company, under the management of MR. R. D'OYLY CARTE.—From the Times Court Circular, Monday, March 9.]
"A comic Opera, composed by Sir ARTHUR SULLIVAN." Quite so. But where does W.S. GILBERT come in? Let us see. After giving the programme, and after giving all the characters and the supers, the words "Dramatis Personæ" occur as an after-thought, and underneath are the names of the Musical Director, Stage Manager, Wig Provider, &c., &c. Well, "W.S.G." doesn't come in here. After the highly successful performance, R. D'OYLY CARTE, says the Times C.C., "had the honour of being presented to HER MAJESTY, who expressed her warm appreciation of the manner in which the performance was conducted." Did R. D'OYLY think of mentioning that "the words" were by W.S.G.? And then it is told how D'OYLY refused to take any payment for the performance. Noble, generous-hearted, large-minded, and liberal D'OYLY! Sir ARTHUR COURTLY SULLIVAN's name was to the Bill, and so his consent to this extra act of generosity may be taken for granted. But what said Sir BRIAN DE BOIS GILBERT? By the merry-maskins, but an he be not pleased, dub me knight Samingo! Will D'OYLY be dubbed Knight? And what sort of a Knight? Well, remembering a certain amusing little episode in the more recent history of the Savoy Theatre, why not a "Carpet Knight"?
A MERE SUGGESTION FOR NEXT TIME.—Last Tuesday, under the heading of "To-day," the Times announced that "at the Society of Arts Mr. J. STARKIE GARDNER, as Cantor Lecturer, would discourse on 'Enamelling and Damascening,' Professor H. HERKOMER being in the Chair." Our excellent Bushian Professor was the right man in the right place, being so interested in theatrical matters; but, at the same time, wouldn't the lecture on "Damascening," or "How to Dam-a-scene," have been more suitably given at the Playwreckers' Club, with Mr. JERUMKY JERUM in the Chair?
SONG OF THE BELLS OF RICHMOND.—"Turn again, WHITTAKER, First Mayor of Richmond."
A NEW SECT.
"AND IS THE NEW CURATE MARRIED, MRS. JENKINS?"