_Wednesday._--CALVÉ as _Carmen_ simply perfect. That is all I have to say; like the Raven (not _Barnaby Rudge's_, but EDGAR A. POE'S), I announce "Only this, and Nothing More." And ALVAREZ as _José_, "Gentleman JOE," who does not drive, but is driven to madness, first-rate; in last scene, struggle and assassination most thrilling, dramatically: even stall-by-the-season'd opera-goers holding breath, and clutching at backs of seats. Audience, ordinarily indifferent to fate of heroine in last act, wait till bitter end. They only quit when quite sure _Carmen_ cannot possibly sing any more. Madame MELBA, who, "_by request of the Management_"--how modestly is this put, O DRURIOLANUS OPERATICUS!--"_has kindly consented to play Michaela_," exceeded the terms of her amiable contract, as she not only "played" _Michaela_, but sang the music superbly, her singing being faultless, which her "playing" was not. Mossoo ALBERS rather out of it as _Escamillo_, and _Toréador_ was not an Encoreador, whereat _Toréador non contento_. All the principals sang in French, "knowing the language," but clever Chorus stuck to Italian. _Benissimo!_ BEVIGNANI beaming, and beating time. House crowded; elections and political parties disturb not the harmony of Covent Garden. Yet "last week but one" announced, and end in view. WAGSTAFF, seeing CALVÉ in first act with scarf or belt round waist, suggests riddle, "Why is CALVÉ a perfect _Carmen?_" Before you can break away from him, without damage to your button-hole, he answers, "Because she plays the part with _a-band-on_." _Exit_ WAGSTAFF. _Friday._--_Pagliacci._--A new _Nedda_ in Mlle. ZÉLIE DE LUSSAN. _Nedda_ is rather a Loose'un, and Mlle. ZÉLIE is as good a _Nedda_ as you can get "when t'other dear charmer's away." Then to follow, CALVÉ in _Calvé-'lleria Rusticana_ admirably dramatic. Can't believe this Magdalenish saint-like woman can possibly be that deuce of a young woman, _Carmen_, of t'other night. But "_F[oe]mina varium et mutabile_ (also _cantabile_) _semper_." All the others good as ever, specially GIULIA RAVOGLI, as the gay _Lo-la-li-ety_. * * * * * SCRAPS FROM CHAPS. The hedgehog is sometimes accused of helping himself to a drink from a recumbent cow, but his larger relative, the domestic pig, is to be even still more commended for his enterprise. According to the _Western Daily Mercury_, in a farmyard in the parish of Uffculme a pig was observed to rear on his hind legs and suck milk from a cow. This sight must have enormously impressed the spectator. But it ought to have been a dog. * * * * *