tes."

Naturally enough, the star was interviewed by the journalists. "At the
Victoria Theatre," says one of them, "I was privileged to have a talk
with Madame Lola after the performance had concluded. I found
her--much to my surprise--to be a very simple-mannered, well-behaved,
cigar-loving young lady."

An odd picture of Sydney audiences is given by the author of _Southern
Lights and Shadows_. "The young ladies of Australia," he says, "are in
many respects remarkable. At thirteen they have more ribbons, jewels,
and lovers than any other young ladies of the same age. They prattle
insipidly from morning to night. The first time I visited a theatre I
sat next one of them who had at least half a dozen rings worn over her
gloves.... The affectation of _ton_ among them is astonishing. They
are special patrons of the drama, and, on the appearance of a star,
they flock to the dress circle in hundreds. The pit is generally well
filled with a display of shirt-sleeves, pewter pots, and babies. The
upper boxes are usually given up to that division of the community
partial to pink bonnets and cheeks to match; and flirtations are
carried on in the most flagrant and unblushing manner."

The author of this sketch also has something to say about Sydney as a
town:

"One part of George Street is as much like Bond Street in London as it
is possible for one place to resemble another. Like Bond Street, too,
it is hourly paraded by the Bucks and Brummels of the Colony. The Cafe
Francois is much frequented by the young swells and sprigs of the
city. Files of _Punch_, _The Times_, sherry coblers, an entertaining
hostess, and a big-bloused lubberly host are the special points left
in my recollection. They serve 800 meals a day at this establishment,
the rent of which is L2,400 a year."

II

During this Sydney engagement, Lola, ever interested in the cause of
charity, organised a "Grand Sebastopol Matinee Performance," the
proceeds being "for the benefit of our wounded heroes in the Crimea."
As the cause had a popular appeal, the house was a bumper one.
Possibly, it was the success of this _matinee_ that led to an
imaginative chronicler adding: "Our distinguished visitor, Madame Lola
Montez, Countess of Landsfeld, is, with her full company of Thespians,
on the point of leaving us for Balaclava. There, at the special
request of Lord Raglan and Miss Florence Nightingale, she will
inaugurate a theatre for the enjoyment of our gallant war