[Letter XIII, Vol. 1]

I went last night to the opera, and witnessed three things which were new to me. The first was the fact of the prima donna being the wife of a Bergamasque Marquis, and being suffered by him to continue on the stage under her maiden name. This sort of marriage is not uncommon in Italy; the second part of the story I should imagine is considered almost as scandalous here as it would be with us.

Another woman performed the part of soprano, with a voice that could scarcely be distinguished from those of that description.

Wonder the third was the sight of several poodles, seated in the pit. These were allowed.