no doubt, were the pieces as a rule better worth their consideration. There are three large, well-built theatres, the National, Principal, and Arbeu, and minor ones for the working-class.
The entertainments esteemed of chief importance are those of the French opera companies which come over from Havana, on their rounds. A native Spanish operabouffe and ballet, called zarzuela, is much given at other times. For the rest, the theatrical pieces presented are the works, in prose and verse, of the Spanish dramatists current at home, or occasionally of some native dramatist, announced with an extra flourish which his production does not usually justify. They are all announced with a sufficient flourish, so far as that is concerned. There is always going on some especially Gran Funcion as, for example :
"The grand Drama of Customs, Entirely New, in three acts and verse, by the distinguished poet, D. Leopoldo Cano, author of the precious comedy, 'La Mariposa,' entitled 'LA OPINION PUBLICA.'
"This sublime work of the distinguished poet, D. Leopoldo Cano," the bill goes on to say, "was received at Madrid with an astounding acclaim. The Spanish Press has lavished upon it a thousand eulogies. * * * In choosing it for the second subscription night, we feel that the public will know how to value it as it truly merits, and to value at the same time the skill of the Company in their most finished studies and essays."
I do not recollect any of this as very novel, or likely to be of interest if translated, apart from some portions depending upon such a difference of manners and customs as to be hardly intelligible to an American audience. My
acquaintance with the theatre began with a piece at the Nacional, called "The First Patient." There was a young
