Never DON FERNANDO's charger, _Bavieca_, gave such spring, In the sawdust-sprinkled circus of AL-WIDDICOMB, the King! Never did DON GOMERSALEZ fill the Moslem with more fear, When he smote him o'er the mazzard with his streak-o'-lightning spear! And the scattered gold flew widely, urged by that prodigious kick, Smote the Frank behind the throne, although he dodged amazing quick; Spattered that insulting Sultan, like a splash of London mud, Blackening his dexter eye, and from his "boko" drawing blood. Then Sir CARLOS EUAN-SMITHEZ gave that Moorish Sultan beans, Holding it foul scorn--as did the pluckiest of Christian Queens-- a Christian Knight should take an insult from a turban'd Moor, Without landing him a hot 'un, without giving him what-for! Speed thee, speed thee, noble charger! Speed thee faster than the wind! Stout Sir CARLOS EUAN-SMITHEZ leaves that Moorish Fez behind; Shakes its sand from off his shoes, and, having wiped the Sultan's eye, Turns his back, and takes his hook, without e'en wishing him "Good-bye!" * * * * * [Illustration: PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE. _Wife of the Late Member for Tooting._ "ARCHIBALD, WHY WERE YOU SO GRUMPY AT THE BIGGE BOOTHBYS' TO-NIGHT?" _L.M. for T._ "SUCH PEOPLE, SUCH A DINNER, FOR A MAN WHO HAS JUST LOST HIS SEAT!" _Wife._ "I'M SURE PARLIAMENT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR YOU!" _L.M. for T._ "AT LEAST IT SPARED ME THIS SORT OF THING HAPPENING SIX TIMES A WEEK!"] * * * * * OPERATIC NOTES. _Last Nights of the Season._--_Monday._--"By General Desire," the Second and Third Acts of DE LARA-Boom-de-ay's Opera, called _La Luce dell' Asia_, followed by _Cavalleria Rusticana_. Was "by general desire" applied to the entire programme, or only to its first part? Well, we may take for granted that everyone wanted to hear and see again--but especially to hear--the _Cavalleria_. So the "special desire" must apply to _La Luce_ solely and only. If so, then from this wording we gather that the general and uncontrollable desire to hear the Second and Third Acts of DE LA-RA-Boom's Opera did not extend to its Prologue, First Act, Fourth Act (if any), and Epilogue. But is it complimentary to a Composer to express a general wish to hear only certain portions of his work, implying thereby that the generally un-expressed desire is rather against than for re-hearing the other portions? All the same Sir COVENT GARDENIUS exercises a _sound_ discretion in thus dealing with this particular Opera. _Tuesday._--BEMBERG's New Opera, _Elaine_. _Chorus._--Why was _Elaine_ Given again? O DRURIOLAN- US, please explain!