WORK TABLE. SECTION OF A SLEEVE, IN SWISS LACE. MATERIALS.-Fine Nausook muslin, and Brussels net, and the Royal Embroidery Cotton, No. 30, of Messrs. Walter Evans & Co., of Derby. The section given in the Engraving is of the full size, and the whole sleeve may therefore be readily drawn from it. The net should be laid under the muslin, and is only visible in the medallions, on which the flower appears on a net ground. Every part of the work is done in button-hole stitch, except the round holes, which are traced, pierced, and sewed over. In this, as in all guipure work, the bars ought to be worked first, in button-hole stitch. The edges should be considerably raised before being overcast. It may be obtained, ready drawn, and with a collar to correspond, if desired. THE ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.-Speculation as regards the future of the Royal Italian Opera is at rest. Covent Garden Theatre is to be rebuilt. The Duke of Bedford has signed the lease with Mr. Gye; the period is ninety years. Not only the ground upon which the old theatre stood, but also the Piazza Hotel and sundry houses adjoining, which extend from Covent Garden proper to Hart Street, are assigned to the lessee. The area of the theatre will be much larger than before. It will cover nearly an acre of ground, being 240 feet long by 100 broad. The theatre will not comprise the whole space. What remains is intended to be converted into a flower-market; constituting an immense bazaar, 250 feet in length and 80 feet in diameter, for the exhibition and sale of flowers, plants, &c.-Musical World. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.-Mr. Lumley is earlier in the field this year than he was last by a full moon. The season is announced to open on the 14th. Looking back at past times, however, this is by no means early in the abstract. Time was when the opera enjoyed a long and important ante-Easter season; when artists like Pasta, Donzelli, Malibran, and other great singers appeared weeks before Lent, and won the greatest laurels of the year before the sun had entered Aries. Now, however, the operatic season appears to go backward yearly, and has settled down into an after-Easter fashion. Is there any ostensible cause for this? Why, in 1828, should Her Majesty's Theatre commence operations in February, and in 1857 not open the campaign until April? Is it that Parliament commences sitting later, and that families do not come to town till after the Easter holidays? We cannot answer this with any certainty, having no recollection at what period of the year 1828 the Lords and Commons assembled. If Parliament met sooner, no doubt the season would commence earlier. Is it that ladies of fashion-upon whose tender sustenance the existence of the opera may be said to depend, are beginning to think that in the regulations of the seasons Nature is at variance with Fashion, and that London existence in May, June, and July is dearly purchased at the expense of the sweet grass, new-mown hay, the song of birds, the odour of flowers, shooting hedgerows, the caw of rooks, murmuring streamlets, morning walks, rustic prattle, and Dunstable bonnets? We cannot think it. If the London season were to modulate into winter, what would become of the Chiswick fêtes, the parties to Greenwich, the rides in Rotton Row, the visits to the Botanical Gardens, the pic-nic meetings, ices at Gunter's, and Maids of Honour at Richmond? Besides, in the dog-days only can the Lords of the Creation in England be said to have leisure to throw away on the Fine Arts. In autumn shooting, in winter hunting, occupies all their time; but in the rere-spring-when Her Majesty's hounds hold their final meeting in Epping Forest-and in summer they are free to mingle in the festivities and amusements which constitute the season. No doubt the London operatic season is in some degree fettered by and dependent on Paris and St. Petersburg. But into further speculation we cannot at present enter.-Musical World. |