ished honour of attending in full
regalia.

It was on February 16, 1856, that Lola Montez opened at Ballarat. A
generous programme was offered, for it consisted of "the elegant and
sparkling comedy, _A Morning Call_; the laughable farce, _The
Spittalsfields Weaver_; the domestic drama, _Raffaelo, the Reprobate_;
and the Shakespearean tragedy, _Antony and Cleopatra_; all with new
and sumptuous scenery, dresses, and appointments."

In accordance with the fashion of the period, the star had to recite a
prologue. An extract from it was as follows:

'Tis only right some hurried words to say
As to the name this theatre bears to-day,
For I would have you fully understand
I seek for patrons men of every land.
'Tis not alone through prejudice has been
Attached the name of Britain's virtuous Queen.
And may your gen'rous presence and applause
Mutual content and happy evenings cause!

But this was merely an introduction. There was more to follow, for the
"personal" touch had yet to be delivered.

As for _myself_, you'll find in Lola Montez
The study how to please my constant wont is!
Yet I am vain that I'm the first star here
To shine upon this Thespian hemisphere.
And only hope that when I say "Adieu!"
You'll grant the same I wish to you--
May rich success reward your daily toil,
Nor men nor measures present peace despoil,
And may I nightly see your pleasant faces
With these fair ladies, your attendant Graces!

IV

But, despite this auspicious start, all was not set fair at Ballarat.
As had happened in other places, Lola was to fall foul of a critic who
had disparaged her. Furiously indignant, and horse-whip in hand, she
rushed into the editor's office and executed summary vengeance upon
him.

"A full account of this remarkable business," announced the
opposition journal, "will be given by us to-morrow. Our
readers may anticipate a perfect treat." They got it, too,
if one can trust the report of a "few choice observations"
delivered by Lola to her audience on the second night of her
engagement:

"Ladies and Gentlemen: I am very sure that all of you in
this house are my very good friends; and I much regret that
I now have a most unpleasant duty to perform. I had imagined
that, after all the kindness I have experienced from the
miners in California, I should never have had anything