I am rather lazy this morning and feel as if I had suddenly nothing to do. The comedie went off very well yesterday and was a pretty sight. Until the last moment I was doubtful, as we had so many peripeties. At the dress rehearsal on Thursday, Bianca Deym (Marie Antoinette) was so hoarse she could hardly speak. The girl looked very handsome and distinguished in powder (tres bien coiffee) and one of her mother's handsome Court dresses, but Thenard wouldn't let her speak--said all her part herself, and told Bianca to pay great attention to her voice and gestures. Toupet (Francis), the cruel bailiff, had such a stiff neck and sore throat that he could hardly move--so he was rubbed hard with Elliman's Embrocation and sent to bed as soon as the repetition was over. His costume was very good--coat and long waistcoat of prune cloth--lace jabot--tricorne and gold-headed cane lent by one of his English cousins--a wig of course--which quite changed him. The girls looked charming--I don't know which was the most becoming--the powder and Court dress or the short skirts and high caps of the paysannes. The gavotte went very well. The small children in front and the bigger ones behind. I never could have believed that anyone could evolve anything like a gavotte from the whirling chaos of arms and legs that was my first impression. M. Lecomte (Secretary of the Embassy), who is a very good musician, was at the piano, and marked the time very exactly, which was absolutely necessary for such young performers. Various friends and Mammas came to look on and criticise--which was what we wanted--and all were pleased. Thenard and St. Genys were quite delighted--and as they have seen it from the first and noted the improvement, that was reassuring. Henry Edwardes came, much amused and slightly astonished at his children's performance (the boy was so good). He told me he considered it quite remarkable. He offered to take charge of the green-room the day of the performance, and I accepted with pleasure, as I am sure the children will be rather excited and probably unruly.