Sir George Armitage, by the way, was a somewhat remarkable individual, a typical, well-bred Englishman of about sixty, with artistic tastes. He was a perfect example of the dilettante of the leisure class, with plenty of time and money to gratify any vagrant whim. His particular hobby was the opera; and he divided his attentions equally between Covent Garden with Adelina and Lucca, and Her Majesty's with Nilsson, Titjiens, and Kellogg. When operas that he liked were being given at both opera houses, he would make a schedule of the different numbers and scenes with the hours at which they were to be sung:--9.20 (Covent Garden), _Aria_ by Madame Patti. 10 o'clock (Her Majesty's), Duet in second act between Miss Nilsson and Miss Kellogg. 10.30, Sextette at Covent Garden, etc., etc. He kept his brougham and horses ready and would drive back and forth the whole evening, reaching each opera house just in time to hear the music he particularly cared for. He had seats in each house and nothing else in the world to do, so it was quite a simple matter with him, only,--who but an Englishman of the hereditary class of idleness would think of such a way of spending the evening? He was a dear old fellow and we all liked him. He really did not know much about music, but he had a sincere fondness for it and dearly loved to come behind the scenes and offer suggestions to the artists. We always listened to him patiently, for it gave him great pleasure, and we never had to do any of the things he suggested because he forgot all about them before the next time. My mother's diary reads: _June 13._ Last night _Nozze di Figaro_. Mr. and Mrs. McHenry sent five bouquets. Splendid performance. _15._ Dined at Duchess of Somerset's. _16._ Dined with Mr. and Mrs. McHenry. Stebbins--Vanderbilts. _18._ _Don Giovanni._ Checks from Mr. Cowen. Banker came to see us. Duke of Newcastle--Sir George Armitage. _20._ Benedict's Morning Concert, St. James' Hall. _Encore_ "Beware"--_Don Giovanni_ in the evening. _21. Sunday._ Dined with Duke and Duchess of Newcastle. Major Stackpoole, Lady Susan Vane-Tempest and others. Rehearsed _La Figula_. _Monday._ Rehearsal of _La Figula_. In the evening went to hear Patti. Didn't like Patti. Received letter from Colonel Stebbins from Queenstown. _Tuesday._ Rehearsed _La Figula_. Called at Langham on Godwin--all came out in the evening. _Wednesday 24._ Morning performance of _Le Nozze_--got home at 6. P.M. Charity concert for Mr. Cowen at 8.30 at Dudley House. _Thursday._ Rehearsal of _La Figula_. Concert in the evening at Lady Fitzgerald's.