there is no English Opera for my House, then I get a French Opera, or
a Dutch one, just as at an oyster-shop--but perhaps this is not quite
the illustration I should like, as, at an oyster-shop, they _do_ ask
you which you will have, "Natives," or "Seconds," or "Anglo-Dutch";
and, when you can't afford Natives, you put up with an inferior
quality at a lesser price. But if that oyster-seller called his shop
"The Native-Oyster Shop," should I have any ground of action against
him for selling any other oysters except Natives? No. But then he
would ask me "If I wanted Natives or not?" And if I said "Yes," he
would give me Natives. Now I admit I do not ask the Public at the
doors Which will you have? because I may not be able to have an
English Opera always on tap, so to speak. Metaphors a bit confused,
but you know what I mean. If I had a few English Operas on tap I might
turn 'em on, say, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: English Opera by
English Composers on those days, and on the other days, any Operas
by any Composers. But if the Public _won't_ come on the English Opera
nights, and _will_ come on the other nights? What then? Why obviously
I must keep my Natives (if I have any) in a barrel, and deal only
with the foreign supply. "Blame not the Bard"--I mean blame not the
patriotic man of business, but let our cry be "Art for Art's sake,"
and the English Opera for ever! that is, as long as Art and English
Opera pay.

Yours,

A MANAGER FIRST AND ANYTHING YOU LIKE AFTERWARDS.

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