ITALIAN OPEP.A.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR.
Sue—I have read your remarks, and those of your correspondent "Z. A.", on the subject of the Pit at the Opera. I quite agree with "Z. A.", that the only way to secure decency of demeanour is to number the seats, and issue no more tickets than the place can accommodate: but John Ball is so unreasonable ! There was a rumour of an intention to do this at the beginning of the season, (under another name, viz, converting the whole pit into stalls); but it raised a perfect storm of appeals from "Constant Readers" to the Times and Morning Post, and we heard no more of the project, which perhaps was never really entertained at all. They talked about there being no room for "the general public": what that means I don't exactly know, but it seemed to pass for an irresistible argument. People talk as if the Italian Opera were a necessary of life, which it is the inalienable right of every Briton to enjoy, and Mr. Lumley merely a sort of secre- tary of state for musical affairs bound to issue to the nation a certain number of notes weekly. Surely, Sir, this is all very absurd. Men have been known to pass contented and even happy lives, and to go down to their graves in peace, without ever entering Her Majesty's Theatre; and it is not being ill-bred and ex- clusive, but only consistent and reasonable, to say, that in a matter, such as this is, of mere luxury, (though of a refined kind,) it is more important to keep up the tone of good breeding which is necessary to its proper enjoyment, than to secure to "the general public' an opportunity of kicking the general shin, and Waling the general coat. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, P.S. I cannot forbear saying, that I have no sympathy for Z. L's "two ladies." What business had they there? They knew very well what they had to expect
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