[Illustration: Note from "Mr. G." to Madame Albani.]
"MR. G."--the upper G.--went to hear _Puritani_ on Thursday night. Of
course he called on Madame ALBANI, and sang a few of the songs just to
give "Signor G." a hint. When the First Act was over, and the Closure
was moved by the Act-drop descending, Mr. G. went into the Lobby, and
voted with the Government of Covent Garden. Mr. G. was seen to be
several times in animated conversation with Mr. HALL, who was decorated
with a Covent Garden Order, and was wearing a _Shirtcollerado
Gladstonensis_ in his button-hole. It is, we believe, quite untrue that
Mr. HALL has refused to take office--box office--in the next Liberal
Cabinet; but whether he will be made an Extra Knight or not is still
uncertain. Mr. GYE is very Earnest about it, and at present we can say
no more except that the performance of _I Puritani_ was first-rate, as
naturally it would be, with ALBANI, enthusiastically received, GAYARRE,
and D'ANDRADE. There were numerous _encores_, and the applause was
bestowed with a warmth which increased the temperature considerably.
_At Drury Lane._--A prettier and sweeter voiced _Zerlina_ than Miss
ARNOLDSON, has not been seen or heard for some time. We must not venture
on comparisons, but in two respects Miss ARNOLDSON has the advantage
over Madame PATTI (who was singing in _Traviata_ on Friday night at the
Colonel's Opera House) but one of these is not voice. M. MAUREL played
and sang the im-Maurel _Don Giovanni_ admirably, and CIAMPI as
_Mazetto_, looked and acted like LIONEL BROUGH. A good performance.
[Illustration: "Approbation from Mr. P. is praise indeed!"]
* * * * *
"LONG EXPECTED COME AT LAST!"
THE Imperial Institute has commenced. The first stone has been laid by
Her Gracious MAJESTY, and the Prince of WALES is sanguine as to the
result. The Institute is to be a House and Home, with gardens attached,
for special use of our Indian and Colonial cousins visiting England, and
it is also intended to keep perpetually before the eyes of the British
Public specimens of Indian and Colonial industry. To so useful a scheme
_Mr. Punch_ wishes every success.
Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum,
Tendimus in--Kensington.
The subjoined list of the Procession as it ought to have been, was
probably altered at the last moment; but there is no doubt it would have
been effective as it stood, or rather as it moved on:--
Australian Lambs. Organising Committee Mr. BOEHM, R.A., and
The Master of the with various Mr. GOSCHEN with
Mint. Organs. new coinage tossing heads.
Sir FREDERICK LEIGHTON, P.R.A., drawing himself.
Groom of the Bedchamber "Lord's" in Waiting
(on towel-horse). (Oxford and Cambridge Eleven).
The Rajah of SHAMPOOAH, with Order of the Turkish Bath.