_Saturday._--_La Traviata._ ELLA RUSSELL at her best. Tenor MONTARIOL not quite at his best as that despicable character _Alfredo_. M. PALERMINI (why not "Old Pal"?) very good as _Giorgio Germont_. The magnificently-attired chorus enjoy themselves amazingly at supper in Act I., for _Violetta_, when she does do the thing, does it well, and there are certainly not less than four bottles of champagne among a hundred guests.
_Questions for Examination Paper._--At whose house does this supper-party take place? Why do all the guests leave at once? Why is everyone in a Charles the Second costume except _Violetta_, who is in fashionable evening dress of 1890? Who is the young lady whom _Violetta_ so affectionately kisses? and what, if anything, has she to do with the plot?
_In Act III._--Is it a _bal masqué_? If not, what is it, and where? What is the simple game of cards which _Alfredo_ plays with such enthusiasm? Who wins? and how much?
_Married Sister._ "AND OF COURSE, LAURA, YOU WILL GO TO ROME OR FLORENCE FOR YOUR HONEYMOON?"
_Laura._ "OH DEAR, NO! I COULDN'T THINK OF GOING FURTHER THAN THE ISLE OF WIGHT WITH A MAN I KNOW LITTLE OR NOTHING OF!"]
OUR Stable's a bit out of form (Says more than one usual backer), The pace will be made pretty warm, And the finish will be a rare cracker. By Jove! we must put our best goods in the front, Or possibly we may be out of the hunt.
Come, Sir, don't go talking like that! Cantankerous critics will chatter. Our 'osses can go a rare "bat," Theirs funk it, Sir! _That's_ what's the matter! Eh, RITCHIE, my boy? Oh, the crack that you ride Will _go_, when he once settles into his stride.
My opinion's of little account, But I don't mind admitting, yer honour, I am _not_ dead nuts on my mount. Some say he's as good as a goner. Though the Witlers are on him, of course, to a man, His own brother warn't placed the one time as he ran.
The _Brother Bung_ stock, _entre nous_, All show soft, when it comes to close racing. This horse looks a bit of a "screw,"-- There, GOSCHEN, no need for grimacing. I mean no offence; he's well trained, and _might_ win; But--well, backers seem cautious in planking their tin.
Humph! Pencillers _have_ been at work; They'll muck the nag's chance, if they're able. Fatty CAINE--the fanatical shirk!-- Seems inclined to abandon the Stable. But still _Compensation's_ a horse to my mind. He will finish with fewer before than behind.