The French Opera is the most splendid theatre in Paris; but protect me from French singing!—especially if it be serious singing. Arthur Young, in speaking of French singing, describes it as "the distortions of embodied dissonance," and Rousseau inveighs against the "lamentable chant Français" as bearing more resemblance "aux cris de la colique qu'aux transports des passions;" and in their choruses there is a grand roar-royal, as if they all had the colic together. The light airs of their comic operas are however very pleasing; and there is at least this merit in their singing, that you can hear what they say. The airs of Gretry are delightful.