o the best advantage; the facade has a handsome
appearance, with the statues of Apollo and the nine Muses, supported by
doric and ionic columns. The prices of the places are from ten francs to
two francs, which last is the amphitheatre; the intermediate charges are
seven francs ten sous, six francs, five, four and three francs ten sous
the pit, and it is capable of containing 2,000 persons. The performance
begins at eight.

The French Opera, or Academie Royale de Musique, in the Rue Pelletier,
near the Boulevard des Italiens, has nothing very striking in its
external appearance, but the arrangements and decorations of the
interior are certainly extremely handsome, and everything is conducted
on a most superior scale; the scenery and costumes are here in
perfection, the arrangements and accommodations for seats are excellent.
The great strength of the vocal performance consists in Duprez and
Madame Dorus Gras, to whom I have before alluded, and whose reputation
is too well established to need any comment. They are ably seconded by
Levasseur, Madame Stolz who is well known in London, and the fine deep
voice of Baroilhet, Boucher, Massol, and Mademoiselle Nau, possess a
moderate share of talent, there are also others whose abilities are of
minor force but sufficient to support the subordinate _roles_. The
orchestra and chorusses are extremely good and numerously composed, and
on the whole it may be considered that they get up an opera in a very
superior manner. The ballet at this theatre was formerly the greatest
treat that could be imagined, derivable from performances of that
nature, but at the present period the strength they possess in that
department is by no means efficient. Carlotta Grisi stands alone as
having with youth any degree of talent above mediocrity; the same can
hardly be said of Mademoiselle Fitzjames, and Madame Dupont; Noblet is
past that age which is indispensable in exciting interest as a dancer,
notwithstanding she has still considerable ability, and there are not
any others who are worth mentioning amongst the females. Of the men,
when Petitpa is cited as having a grade more of ability than the rest,
nothing more in the shape of praise can be added with respect to their
present _corps de ballet_. This theatre is also capable of containing
2,000 persons, and the prices are from 2 francs 10 sous to 9 francs, the
pit is 3 francs 12 sous, and there are as many as 20 different parts of
the house cited w