_Miss Nelly (to her Slave, in the middle of the best thing of the Season_). "OH, MR. ROWEL, DO YOU MIND GOING BACK? I DROPPED MY WHIP AT THE LAST FENCE!"] * * * * * OPERATIC NOTES. _Wednesday_.--Welcome once more to our old friend, _Norma, the Deceived Druidess_, who was called _Norma_ for short, she being an orphan, and having "nor par, nor ma." The Ancient Order of Druids, with Arch-Druid _Oroveso_ in the chair, might have had a better brass band. _Norma_ nowadays is not particularly attractive, and the house, when it is given, cannot be expected to be more than normal or ordinary. _Thursday.--Orféo._ First appearance of Miles. GIULIA and SOFIA RAVOGLI in GLÜCK'S beautiful Opera, which has not been seen here for many years, but--judging from its reception by a full and delighted house--will be seen many times before Signor LAGO'S season comes to an end. Enthusiastic reception of GIULIA RAVOGLI as _Orpheus_; double recall after three of the four Acts; house insisting on having "_Che farò_" all over again. Orchestra, under Signor BEVIGNANI, admirable. Recreations of Demons and Furies, when let out of Gates of Erebus for a half-holiday, peculiar, not to say eccentric. Demons lie on rocks, with silver serpents round their necks as comforters, claw the air, and trot round in circles, after which they exhibit Dutch-metalled walking-sticks to one another with sombre pride. Furies trip measures and strike attitudes in pink tights and draperies of unæsthetic hues, when not engaged in witnessing, with qualified interest, incidental dances by two _premières danseuses._ Hades evidently less dull than generally supposed. * * * * * SUGGESTION.--Curious that no enterprising shaving-soap proprietor has as yet, as far as we know, advertised his invention as "_Tabula Rasa."_ This is worth thousands, and takes the cake--of soap. * * * * * QUIS NOMINABIT? (_Being a few Remarks à Apropos of a "British Academy of Letters_.") MR. PUNCH, SIR,