rival of the CHARLES MATHEWS series now in the possession of the
Garrick Club. To-night she is the busy, bustling _Caterina_, _Friend
Fritz's_ housekeeper, who, as she has to provide all the food for
their breakfast, and set it on the table, might be distinguished as
_Catering Caterina_. No one now cares to see an Opera without Mlle.
BAUERMEISTER in it, whether she appear as a dashing lady of the Court,
probably in a riding-habit, or as a middle-class German housekeeper,
or as Cupid God of Love, or as _Juliet's_ ancient nurse, or as an
impudent waiting-maid, or as an unhappy mother, or as,--well,--any
number of characters that I cannot now recall, but all done
excellently well. Never have I heard of her being either "sick or
sorry." Some few seasons ago I drew public attention to this most
useful and ornamental _artiste_, and now I am glad to see that here
and there a critic has awoke to the fact of her existence, and has
done her tardy justice. Long may the Bauermeistersinger be able to
give her valuable assistance, without which no Covent Garden Opera
Company could possibly be perfect.

[Illustration: Bob-Cherry Duet.]

As to _L'Amico Fritz_, I should suggest that it be played in one
Scene and two Acts. That this one Scene should be the Exterior of
Cherry-Tree Farm (which should be _Fritz's_, not the _Rabbi's_)
and that instead of lowering the Curtain, the _intermezzo_--not I
venture to opine equal to the marvellous _intermezzo_ in _Cavalleria
Rusticana_--should be played. _L'Amico_ is certain of an encore, and
this will give the singers a rest. It could then commence at nine--a
more convenient hour to those who would like to hear every note of it,
than 8:15, and it would be over by eleven sharp. A nod is as good as a
wink to Sir DRURIOLANUS, but all the same, Heaven forefend I should