_Q._ I trust you have had a delightful time recently?
_A._ Indeed I have, with the assistance of Private Views, Special
Performances, and Second-rate First Nights.
_Q._ Did you assist at the _premiere_ of _Gretna Green_, the new
"Comedy Opera" at the Opera Comique?
_A._ An Act of it. It had already been played on a previous occasion,
when I fancy one of the principal performers, finding that his part
was dragging, introduced imitations of popular modern actors. As the
period of _Gretna Green_ is the eighteenth century, this innovation
must have been at once pleasing and appropriate.
_Q._ I think you have also been present at the first performance of
the "Wild East," at the Earl's Court Exhibition?
_A._ I have had that advantage, and am now thoroughly conversant with
the manners and customs of our lively neighbours in some parts of
Africa.
_Q._ Are those manners and customs what may be termed--quaint?
_A._ They are very quaint. Still I am not sure that I have not seen
something very like them before. As for the Exhibition itself, there
is as little doubt about its being French, as there was about last
year's display being Spanish.
_Q._ Have you been to the Flower Show at the Aquarium?
_A._ I have; but did not find that home of scientific research quite
so full as it was when the Directors were testing the powers of
endurance of the Fasting Man.
_Q._ Do you consider the Westminster Aquarium of material assistance
in developing the latent civilisation of the nineteenth century?
_A._ Indeed, I do; especially now that "the Royal Bears" are a feature
in the daily programme.
_Q._ Did you pass the Bank Holiday pleasantly?
_A._ When I tell you that I seized the opportunity to go to Calais and
back third-class excursion with a number of anti-temperance-movement
fellow passengers, you will see at once that the festival must have
been to me a source of unmixed enjoyment!
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE ARGUMENT BY ANALOGY.
_Mariar Ann._ "WHAT A BEAUTIFUL 'OUSE, MISS! WHAT A LOT O' RENT YOU
MUST 'AVE TO PAY! I SUPPOSE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN _DO_ PAY RENT?"
_Daughter of the House._ "OF COURSE THEY DO."
_Mariar Ann._ "WHAT A DEAL O' TROUBLE YOUR FATHER MUST 'AVE, TO GET IT
TOGETHER EVERY WEEK!"]
* * * * *
"COUNTRY AND DUTY."