MESSRS. GILBERT AND SULLIVAN actually wrote to the French Figaro explaining, in very excellent French – (the composition of the letter must have given them considerable trouble, but whatever they undertake they do thoroughly – wit hthe best grammars and conversation books on the table, Mr. GILBERT pacing up and down dictating, D'OYLY CARTE looking out the words in a dictionary, and SIR ARTHUR writing out the rough copy in his neatest hand), – that the song of their "Marin pour rire" (some relation to a "rear-admiral") was not intended as an insult to the French flag, and that, therefore, "La Marine d'une nation aussi brave que chevaleresque" – (Bravo, SIR ARTHUR! If this wasn't a touch of your special polish, and if D'OYLY CARTE didn't chuckle over it mightily, then we are mistaken in our men) – needn't take umbrage at what was merely a kind of joke, about on a par, i.e., "ayant précisement autant de sens que 'Rosbif' et 'Goddam' employés pour ridiculer les Anglais dane une comédie-burlesque française."
    And so, in spite of the irate "T. JOHNSON," the distinguished correspondent of the Figaro – more distinguished than ever now by his apparent inabillity tp understand Mr. GILBERT'S peculiar humour – the funds will recover, the war scare will not be intensified, and the peace of Europe will be undisturbed. Evidently the two Savoyards consider the "Comédie-burlesque" anglaise at the Savoy as the Piece of Europe. This has not been undisturbed, as we hear that most of the first-night jokes have been taken out of the Second Act, which now ought to go capitally. But what a lesson is here! – that after the most careful rehearsal, after days and nights of work and elaboration, and after a dress rehearsal in the presence of critics, it is only after the public performance, and this in the presence of a most friendly and enthusiastic audience, that the mistakes are found out which ought to have been discovered and rectified at rehearsal.