_Wednesday._--Speaking as an opera-goer of some thirty years' sitting, I am inclined to assert that the performance last Wednesday of _Les Huguenots_ beats the record, as will be allowed by all whose memory runneth not to the contrary, "nevertheless" and "notwithstanding" being included. Except MARIO, as _Raoul_, and some add, except DORUS GRAS as the Queen, never was seen and heard so fine a performance as is this to-night; and this deponent witnesseth that no such _ensemble_ has ever been seen for this really grand Opera. Strange to hear sweet little _Manon_ one night, and the next these overpowering _Huguenots_. It is well worth the while, in _Mr. Punch's_ pages, to record this exceptionally brilliant cast. First, Madame ALBANI for the heroine _Valentina_, superb alike in singing and in acting; GIULIA RAVOGLI as _Urbano_, the page, a memorable page in operatic history; _Conte di San Bris_, by M. LASSALLE, not to be bettered, as may be also said of Signor MIRANDA (by kind permission of SHAKSPEARE's _Tempest_, probably a descendant) as _De Retz_, afterwards converted, and appearing as _Il Padre Basso_, Superior of a Theatrical Order, one of the exceptional Orders admitted after seven. Then M. MAUREL, with his highly _Maurel_ tone, cannot be beaten as the high-minded _Conte de Nevers_; and EDOUARD DE RESZKÉ, taken altogether--and there's a lot of him--is quite the best _Marcello_ that has been heard and seen for some considerable time. Herr FORMES and MABINI were the rugged Huguenot soldier to the life, but they weren't the Harmonious Blacksmith that NED DE RESZKÉ is. JEAN DE RESZKÉ methinks lacketh impassioned tenderness in the great duet scene, where ALBANI is inimitable; otherwise JEAN is a gallant _Raoul_. _Ensemble_ as already said, which term includes chorus, _mise-en-scène_, and orchestra under the energetic rule of Signor BEVIGNANI, simply perfect. Those who this season miss seeing _Les Huguenots_ with this unexampled cast, will be justly upbraided by their children and grandchildren. Mr. COVENT-GARDENIA HALL with the Gladstone flower in his button-hole, almost weeps to think that his much-loved leader is unable to come from Dollis Hill and bestow his liberal praise upon _Les Huguenots_. DRURIOLANUS may well beam upon the crammed house, viewing a portion of it with his nose over the ledge of the stall gangway portal; well may he smile, hum the melodies to himself (what better audience can he have for the performance!) expand in full bloom and speak joyously out of the very fulness of his heart and pocket; nay, for the moment he may even look upon the sheriffship and all its glory as a mere vanity of vanities, in comparison with the proud position of being DRURIOLANUS OPERATICUS MAGNIFICISSIMUS, who has given opera-goers this new and rare edition of _Les Huguenots_. The gloved hand and the lorgnette of H.R.H. are visible in the omnibus-box, where our music-loving Prince is happily congratulating himself on another