He is the very best _Marcello_, With a voice like the deepest violoncello.
Monsieur DUFRICHE as _San Bris_, "quite the _brie_," or cheese. Madame TETRAZZINI a dramatic _Valentina_. DAN DRADY a first-rate _Conte di Nevers-too-late-to-mend_. Curfew-Watchman in perfect tune. Soldiers' rataplanatory chorus very nearly perfection at finish, though starting shakily. Little PALLADINO danced so delightfully as even to bewitch the Hug-me-not soldiers. I've seen this Opera any number of times, and I have been at considerable trouble and expense to master the plot. An idea strikes me. I shall publish _Examination Papers on Popular Operas_. What the prize will be for the one who answers correctly from memory, without reference to any _libretto_, is a matter for further consideration. Here is a specimen of examination paper on the _Huguenots_:--
What is _Miss Valentine_ doing in somebody else's house?
Why does _Raoul's_ servant come in and sing a hymn?
Why is he apparently pleased when _Raoul_ is blindfolded and taken away?
ACT. II.--Account for the dresses of the bathing-women who come in and dance before the Queen. Where are the machines?
What is the Page's song, "_No, no, no, no!_" about?
[Illustration: _Raoul di Nangis Ybos._ "'Tu m'ami!' How dare you! '_Tu_ m'ami!' I can't tell you how angry I am with you. I'll _vibrato_ you!"
[_Shakes himself, and her at the same time._]]
Is _Raoul_ in love with the Queen, or the Queen with _Raoul_? In either case account reasonably for the subsequent conduct of each of them.
What is the Queen singing about at commencement of Act?
ACT III.--What is _Valentine_ doing out in the streets, in a wedding-dress, late at night?
Why do the women turn their backs on the church when they kneel in the streets to say their prayers? Is there no more kneeling-room inside the church? If so, why are people still being admitted while the women are kneeling outside? What service should you say was going on?
Where do the Maritanas with tambourines all come from? And why? Are they the bathing-women in another costume? If so, show their connection with the plot.
After the curfew has sounded, and a man with a lantern has sent everyone to bed, why do all the people suddenly come out of bed again, every one of them all dressed and ready for anything?