The place was not entirely new to me. Last year it had been my good fortune to see _Ivanhoe_, with Mr. NUGENT in the principal character--a gallant and talented gentleman, who was, alas! conspicuous by his absence on the present occasion. I was given to understand that this year the Grenadiers were ordered "to the front," and that the command had been obeyed, the list of the _Dramatis Personæ_ amply proved. The music was admirably selected by Mr. EDWARD SOLOMON, the "_Baker Roll_" from _Pickwick_ going capitally. The scenery, by the Hon. ARNOLD KEPPEL (late Scots Guards), was good, and "the writing up to date," by Mr. YARDLEY (never to be forgotten on the field of cricket), was better. For the rest, I may say that the Guards' Burlesque Company, from a theatrical professional stand-point, were hardly "Gaiety form," but, as amateurs, they were simply magnificent. There was no supper--but this is a detail. Yours sincerely, A VERY OLD SOLDIER. _The Plains of Waterloo, in rear of the Army and Navy Stores, S. W._ [Illustration: The 19th Sent'ry Guards Burlesque.] * * * * * "LENT LECTURES."--A Correspondent signing himself "MISSING LINK," says, that he frequently sees Lectures advertised as above, and wants to know if they come into the same category with "Borrowed Sermons." [Don't know. Consult Mr. F. JEUNE, Q.C., or the Archbishop of CANTERBURY.--ED.] * * * * * "THAT ought to be an interesting and amusing article in _Lippincott's Magazine_ for March," observed Mrs. RAM--"I mean the one called, 'Who are the Christy Minstrels'?" We referred to the number. No such article in it; but one entitled, "Who are Christian Ministers?" Probably this was it. Near enough for Mrs. R. * * * * * SONG SENTIMENTIANA. (_A Delightful "All-The-Year-Round" Resort for the Fashionable Composer._) EX. I.--RESPECTING THE LOVER'S INDIFFERENCE FOR THE ADVANTAGES OF CIVILISATION. I am waiting in darkness to greet her-- Why in darkness I cannot explain, For there's plenty of gas in the meter, And enough, I suppose, in the main! But 'tis darkness so unpenetrating, And 'tis darkness so dismally deep! And I'm waiting, and waiting, and waiting, Like the chap in "A Garden of Sleep." I've been patiently waiting to meet her, Till I'm thoroughly sick of this gloom; It is ten by my Benson repeater-- It was six when I entered the room! But I must not begin to grow weary, And to stamp, and to fret, and to curse! The surroundings are certainly dreary, But they might be decidedly worse! I am waiting, still waiting, to greet her!-- Here all night I'm determined to stand, For a prettier girl, or a sweeter, There is not to be seen in the land! If I go, I am sure to regret it, So I'll make up my mind here to stay. What though time _is_ departing? Well, let it! _I_ shall wait here for ever and aye!