[Illustration: PUNCH VOL CV] LONDON: PUBLISHED AT THE OFFICE, 85, FLEET STREET, AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. 1893. * * * * * [Illustration: PREFACE] "_Vox, et præterea nihil!_" murmured Somebody in the background. "Who made that stale and inappropriate quotation?" exclaimed Mr. Oracle PUNCH, looking severely around the illustrious group gathered in his _sanctum_ about the brazen tripod which bore his brand-new Phonograph. Nobody answered. "Glad to see you are ashamed of yourself, whoever you are," snapped the Seer. "Rather think the--a--Spook spoke," muttered a self-important-looking personage, obliquely eyeing a shadowy visitor from Borderland. "Humph! JULIA may use _your_ hand, but you will not trump _mine_," retorted the Oracle. "If _revenants_ knew what nonsense is put into their spectral mouths by noodles and charlatans, they would never return to be made spectral pilgarlics of." "A ghost is a good thing--in a Christmas story!" laughed the jolly old gentleman in a holly-crown. "Elsewhere it is generally a fraud and a nuisance." "Right, Father Christmas!" cried Mr. PUNCH. "But the _Voces_ from my Oracular Funograph are not ghostly nothings, neither are they ambiguous, like the oracles of the Sibyl of Cumæ,--to which, my eloquent Premier, some have had the audacity to compare certain of _your_ vocal deliverances." The Old Oracular Hand smiled sweetly. "_Nescit vox missa reverti_," he murmured. "Would that EDISON could invent a Party Leader's Phonograph whose utterances should satisfy at the time without danger of being quoted against one fifty years later by CLEON the Tanner, or AGORACRITUS the Sausage-Seller, to whom even the Sibylline Books would scarce have been sacred. But you and your Funograph--as you neatly call it--have never been Paphlagonian, have never had to give up to Party what was meant for Mankind." "_And_ Womankind, surely, Mr. GLADSTONE?" subjoined the Strong-minded Woman, glaring reproachfully through her spectacles at the Anti-Woman's-Rights Premier. "I wish I could say as much of _you_, Sir!" "Labour and the Ladies seem to have small share in his thoughts," began the Striker, hotly, when Lord ROSEBERY touched him gently on his fustian-clad shoulder, and he subsided. "Am _I_ not a lady?" queried HIBERNIA, with an affectionate glance at her aged champion. "Golly, and me too?" added a damsel of dusky Libyan charms, clinging close to the stalwart arm of Napoleonic CECIL RHODES. "Yes--with a difference!" said the Oracle, drily. "'_Place aux dames_' is a motto of partial and rather capricious application, is it not, my evergreen Premier?" "A principle of politeness rather than of politics or Parliament--at present," murmured the G. O. M. "Pooh!" sniffed the Strong-minded Woman. "It will _spread_. Read Mr. H. FOWLER'S Bill, and Dr. ALFRED RUSSEL WALLACE'S _Woman and Natural Selection_; put this and that together, and perpend!" "The Penny Phonograph," pursued Mr. Oracle PUNCH, "is now prodigiously patronised. For the popular penny you can hear an American band, a Chevalier coster ballad, the 'Charge of the Light Brigade,' a comic song by 'Little TICH,' or a speech by the Old Man eloquent. No; for the latter I believe they charge twopence. That _is_ fame, my Pantagruelian Premier. But in _my_ Funograph--charge the unchangeable Threepence--you can hear the very voice of Wisdom and Wit, of Humanity and Humour, of Eloquence and Essential Truth, of Music and of Mirth!" "Hear! hear! hear!" chorussed everybody. "You _shall_ hear!" said the Oracle. "Stand round, all of you, and adjust your ear-tubes! DIONYSIUS'S EAR was not an aural 'circumstance' (as your countryman would say, CLEVELAND) compared with this. _Vox, et præterea nihil_, indeed!" "_Nihil_--or Nihilism," growled the Trafalgar Square Anarchist, "is the burden of the _vox populi_ of to-day----" "_Vox diaboli_, you mean," interrupted the great Funographer, sternly. "And there is no opening for that _vox_ here. Shut up! You are here, misguided mischief-maker, not to spout murderously dogmatic negation, but to listen and--I hope--learn!" "I trust you have guidance for me," murmured gentle but anxious-faced Charity. "It would, like my ministrations, be most seasonable--as Father Christmas could tell you--for between my innumerable claims, and my contradictory 'multitude of counsellors,' my friends and enemies, my gushingly indiscriminate enthusiasts, and my arid, hide-bound 'organisers,' I was never, my dear Mr. PUNCH, so completely puzzled in my life." "Sweet lady," responded the Oracle, with gentle gravity, "there is guidance here for _all_ who will listen; heavenly Charity and diabolic Anarchy, eloquent Statesmanship and adventurous Enterprise, scared Capital and clamorous Labour, fogged Finance and self-assertive Femininity; for the motley and many-voiced Utopia-hunters who fancy they see imminent salvation in Imperial Pomp or Parochial Pump, in Constitutional Clubs or County Councils, in Home Rule, Primrose Leagues, or the Living Wage, in Democracy or in Dynamite, in High Art or Mahatmas, in Science or in Spooks. Take your places, Ladies and Gentlemen! Charity first, if you please, with Father Christmas to her right, leaving room for the little New Year on her left. Listen all, and learn by the various voices of that many-cylindered, marvellous Funographic Machine, my ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH VOLUME!" [Illustration] * * * * * PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI VOLUME 105, JULY 8th 1893 _edited by Sir Francis Burnand_ * * * * * [Illustration] * * * * * THE HEALTH SEEKER'S VADE MECUM. (_Revised up to Date._) _Question._ Is it good for the health to keep awake? _Answer._ Certainly not; as sleep is most necessary to the body's repose. _Q._ Then should one go to sleep? _A._ No; for it must in the end be injurious to the mind. _Q._ Is walking a good thing? _A._ Certainly not; as it may lead to cramp. _Q._ Is resting to be recommended? _A._ Oh no; for exercise is absolutely a necessity. _Q._ Is riding permissible? _A._ Not when the wood pavement produces the new sore throat. _Q._ Should we eat? _A._ No; for everything is adulterated. _Q._ Should we drink? _A._ No; liquor is injurious. _Q._ Should we starve? _A._ No; meals are really needful. _Q._ Is it safe to stay at home? _A._ No; because change of air is most beneficial to everyone. _Q._ Is it advisable to go abroad? _A._ Not at all; many epidemics are reported to be rife everywhere on the other side of the channel. _Q._ Is it good to live? _A._ Scarcely; because illness is worse than death. _Q._ Is it good to die? _A._ Probably; everything else is a failure, so no doubt this, too, is a grand mistake. * * * * * [Illustration: TO CRICKETERS. "OUT! FIRST BALL! A CATCH!!"] * * * * * UNDER THE ROOSE. RONDEL BY A RESTORED ONE. (_Some way after a Swinburnian Model._) Under the ROOSE! Decay seemed slow but sure, The golden chord Mors, lingering, aimed to loose; But kindness, care, and skill work wondrous cure, Under the ROOSE! The patient probably had played the goose, Liverish, listless, yielding to the lure Of overstrain, caught in neglect's sly noose. But symptoms pass if patience but endure, And ROBSON'S regimen brooks no excuse. Nerves get re-strung, the brisk blood pulses pure, Under the ROOSE! * * * * * OLD PROVERB VERIFIED.--"Miss VERNE, whose renown as a pianist is rapidly increasing, has hitherto been known to concert-goers as Miss MATHILDE WURM." So at last "the WURM has turned," and become Miss VERNE! * * * * * WHAT OUR EVENING PAPERS ARE COMING TO (_suggested by the newest thing in Pink and Green_).--Penny plain, and halfpenny coloured! * * * * * [Illustration: 1893; OR, THE GOVERNMENT GUILLOTINE.] * * * * * ["Here comes a light to light us to bed, And a chopper to cut off the last--last--last Amendment's head!" _Old Nursery Rhyme "amended."_] There once was a Government good-- (All Governments are, so they tell us!)-- Who found themselves deep "in the wood," And a little bit blown in the "bellows." Their foes, who were many and mean, Persistently hunted and harried 'em. Their time they to spend meant On bogus "Amendment;" They moved such by hundreds--and _all_ to befriend meant-- Jawed round 'em, and--now and then--carried 'em! Singing fol-de-rol-lol-de-rol-lol! That Government upped and it said-- "We seem to be getting no forrader. It's time to go 'full steam ahead!' _Bella horrida_ couldn't be horrider, So let's declare 'war to the knife!' Dr. GUILLOTIN'S knife, sharp and summary, We _must_ put a stopper On Unionist 'whopper,' Or else the best Government must come a cropper Along of their falsehood and flummery!" Singing fol-de-rol-lol-de-rol-lol! "Doctor GUILLOTIN claimed that his blade Was 'a punishment sure, quick, and uniform,' So when sham 'Amendment' has laid On the table its paltry and puny form, We'll just give it time to turn round, And if it's prolix or cantankerous, To the block be it led And then--off with its head!"-- Well, for summary shrift there _is_ much to be said, When the criminal's rowdy and rancorous. Singing fol-de-rol-lol-de-rol-lol! * * * * * SUB JUDICE. (_An entirely Imaginary Report of an utterly Impossible Case._) THE MUSTARD MYSTERY. 120TH DAY. To-day the prisoner in this matter was once again brought before the magistrates on the charge already stated. The same counsel were present for the prosecution and the defence that had put in an appearance yesterday. The court was densely crowded. BENJAMIN BROWN deposed that he had often slammed a door. He knew the sound of the slamming of a door, and thought he could distinguish it from the noise of an earthquake. On cross examination he admitted that he had not slammed a door, and had never been present at an earthquake. On re-examination he said that although he had not been present at an earthquake he was conversant with its characteristics. JOHN JONES deposed that he had once seen a man who might have been the prisoner. It was sixteen years ago. The man to whom he referred was talking to a female. On cross-examination he admitted that, so far as he knew to the contrary, the man may have been addressing his grandmother. On re-examination he did not know that the female was a grandmother--she might have been a grand aunt. RICHARD ROBERTSON deposed that he had seen a pair of slippers. They might have been the slippers of the prisoner. He saw one of those slippers thrown with considerable force at a water-butt. He had examined the water-butt, and there was a mark on it. On cross-examination he admitted that he did not know how the mark on the water-butt had been made. It might have been by a boot, and not a slipper. He did not know to whom the slippers belonged. They might have been the property of the prisoner. He was not sure that he had seen the slippers in the presence of the prisoner. In fact, he was not sure he had ever seen the prisoner before. He was also doubtful about the identity of the slippers. However, on re-examination, he was sure he had seen some slippers, and also a water-butt. After some further evidence, the inquiry was adjourned until to-morrow. * * * * * [Illustration: FASHION. "OH, MUMMY, HAVE YOU BEEN VACCINATED ON _BOTH_ ARMS?"] * * * * * THE THREE GEORGES. The following two letters have reached _Mr. Punch_, curiously enough, by the same post. Here they are, just as they were received:-- DEAR MR. PUNCH,--Will you allow me, through your columns, to thank the public for the brilliant way in which they are recognising my claims to distinction? As I walk through the streets I see evidence on all hands that on Thursday night London will be ablaze with "G. M."! Permit me, Sir, thus publicly to thank a discriminating public.--Yours Egoist-ically, G-ORGE M-R-D-TH. DEAR MR. PUNCH,--The Alderman in Art is beaten, and even the City is one continuous tribute to "G. M." Critics, envious of my _Speaker_ reputation, may carp, and say the tribute's all gas--a half-truth, concealing truth; but the public evidently know where to look for the true critical insight. I am obliged to them, and I thank you for this opportunity of saying so. Yours (naturally) as fresh as paint, G-ORGE M-RE. * * * * * SOMETHING THAT HAD BEEN BETTER LEFT UNSAID. (_By an ex-Old Bachelor, discontented with his condition in general, and his Mother-in-law in particular_).--"I will!" * * * * * A WEDDING FAVOUR.--A reserved first-class compartment on the London, Chatham and Dover. * * * * * AD FRATREM. BY A REMONSTRATIVE SISTER. (_See "Ad Examinatorem," Punch, July 1, 1893._) Dear Tom, you astonished me quite With your vigorous verses last week, It will be an unceasing delight In future, sweet brother, to speak Of the family poet--yourself! Yet I feel I must bid you beware. It may not be nice, but the word of advice Is your favourite, "Don't lose your hair!" Yes, I own it was rather a blow When they brought out the merciless list, For you primed up the Pater, I know, With such rubbish, and just _would_ insist The Exam. was as hard as could be. Ah! you painted it all at the worst, It was hard lines on you, THOMAS, not to get through, While the "crock" of a MAUD got a first. Still, why did you rush into print With your torrent of bitter complaint? To do so without the least hint, Well, brotherly, dear, it quite _ain't_. 'Twere wiser and better by far To have laid all the blame on a tooth, For whatever's the use of a lovely excuse If not in concealing the truth? So bottle your anger, dear boy, Forget how to shuffle and shirk, Find intelligent purpose and joy In a season of honest hard work. You'll pass when you go in again, And eclipse in the passing poor me; For a girl, though she can beat the whole tribe of Man, Isn't fit, TOM, to have a degree! * * * * * THE SONG OF THE SESSION. AIR--"_What shall he have that kill'd the Deer?_" What must he have who'd kill the Bill? A leathern skin, and a stubborn will. Brummagem's his home. Take then no shame to name his name! Bill-slaughtering is his little game. He'd be its death--he swore it, As limb from limb he tore it-- The Bill, the Bill, the lusty Bill! Is it a thing Brum JOE _can_ kill? * * * * * A TESTIMONIAL MANQUÉ. (A SKETCH FROM THE SUBURBS.) THE ARGUMENT--Mr. HOTSPUR PORPENTINE, _a distinguished resident in the rising suburb of Jerrymere, has recently been awarded fourteen days' imprisonment, without the option of a fine, for assaulting a ticket-collector, who had offered him the indignity of requiring him to show his season-ticket at the barrier. The scene is a Second-Class Compartment, in which four of_ Mr. PORPENTINE'S _neighbours are discussing the affair during their return from the City_. _Mr. Cockcroft (warmly)._ I say, Sir--and I'm sure all here will bear me out--that such a sentence was a scandalous abuse of justice. As a near neighbour, and an intimate friend of PORPENTINE'S, I don't 'esitate to assert that he has done nothing whatever to forfeit our esteem. He's a quick-tempered man, as we're all aware, and to be asked by some meddlesome official to show his season, after travelling on the line constantly for years, and leaving it at home that morning--why--I don't blame him if he _did_ use his umbrella! _Mr. Balch. (sympathetically)._ Nor I. PORPENTINE'S a man I've always had a very 'igh respect for ever since I came into this neighbourhood. I've always found him a good feller, and a good neighbour. _Mr. Filkins (deferentially)._ I can't claim to be as intimate with him as some here; but, if it isn't putting myself too far forward to say so, I very cordially beg to say ditto to those sentiments. _Mr. Sibbering_ (_who has never "taken to"_ PORPENTINE). Well, he's had a sharp lesson,--there's no denying that. _Mr. Cocker._ Precisely, and it occurs to me that when he--ah--returns to public life, it would be a kind thing, and a graceful thing, and a thing he would--ah--appreciate in the spirit it was intended, if we were to present him with some little token of our sympathy and unabated esteem--what do you fellers think? _Mr. Filk._ A most excellent suggestion, if my friend here will allow me to say so. I, for one, shall be proud to contribute to so worthy an object. _Mr. Balch._ I don't see why we shouldn't present him with an address--'ave it illuminated, and framed and glazed; sort of thing he could 'ang up and 'and down to his children after him as an _heirloom_, y' know. _Mr. Sibb._ I don't like to throw cold water on any proposition, but if you want _my_ opinion, I must say I see no necessity for making a public thing of it in that way. _Mr. Cocker._ I'm with SIBBERING there. The less fuss there is about it, the better PORPENTINE'll be pleased. My idea is to give him something of daily use--a _useful_ thing, y' know. _Mr. Balch._ Useful _or_ ornamental. Why not his own portrait? There's many an artist who would do him in oils, and guarantee a likeness, frame included, for a five-pound note. _Mr. Sibb._ If it's to be like PORPENTINE, it certainly won't be _ornamental_, whatever else it is. _Mr. Filk._ It can't be denied that he is remarkably plain in the face. We'd better, as our friend Mr. COCKCROFT here proposes, make it something of daily use--a good serviceable silk umberella now--that's _always_ appropriate. _Mr. Sibb._ To make up for the one he broke over the collector's head, eh? that's _appropriate_ enough! _Mr. Cocker._ No, no; you mean well, FILKINS, but you must see yourself, on reflection, that there would be a certain want of--ah--good taste in giving him a thing like that under the circumstances. I should suggest something like a hatstand--a handsome one, of course. I happen to know that he has nothing in the passage at present but a row of pegs. _Mr. Sibb._ I should have thought he'd been taken down enough pegs already. [Illustration: "Well, he's had a sharp lesson,--there's no denying that."] _Mr. Filk. (who resents the imputation upon his taste)._ I can't say what the width of Mr. PORPENTINE'S passage may be, never having been privileged with an invitation to pass the threshold, but unless it's wider than ours is, he couldn't get a hatstand in if he tried, and if my friend COCKCROFT will excuse the remark, I see no sense--to say nothing of good taste, about which perhaps I mayn't be qualified to pass an opinion--in giving him an article he's got no room for. _Mr. Cocker. (with warmth)._ There's room enough in PORPENTINE'S passage for a whole host of hatstands, if that's all, and I know what I'm speaking about. I've been in and out there often enough. I'm--ah--a regular tame cat in that house. But if you're against the 'atstand, I say no more--we'll waive it. How would it do if we gave him a nice comfortable easy-chair--something he could sit in of an evening, y' know? _Mr. Sibb._ A touchy chap like PORPENTINE would be sure to fancy we thought he wanted something soft after a hard bench and a plank bed--you can't go and give him _furniture_! _Mr. Cocker. (with dignity)._ There's a way of doing all things. I wasn't proposing to go and chuck the chair _at_ him--he's a sensitive feller in many respects, and he'd feel _that_, I grant you. He can't object to a little present of that sort just from four friends like ourselves. _Mr. Balch. (with a falling countenance)._ Oh! I thought it was to be a general affair, limited to a small sum, so that all who liked could join in. I'd no notion you meant to keep it such a private matter as all that. _Mr. Filk._ Nor I. And, knowing Mr. PORPENTINE so slightly as I do, he might consider it presumption in me, making myself so prominent in the matter--or else I'm sure---- _Mr. Cocker._ There's no occasion for anyone to be prominent, except myself. You leave it entirely in my 'ands. I'll have the chair taken up some evening to PORPENTINE'S house on a 'andcart, and drop in, and just lead up to it carelessly, if you understand me, then go out and wheel the chair in, make him try it--and there you _are_. _Mr. Balch._ There _you_ are, right enough; but I don't see where _we_ come in, exactly. _Mr. Filk._ If it's to be confined to just us four, I certingly think we ought _all_ to be present at the presentation. _Mr. Cocker._ That would be just the very thing to put a man like PORPENTINE out--a crowd dropping in on him like that! I know his ways, and, seeing I'm providing the chair---- _Mr. Balch. (relieved)._ You are? That's different, of course; but I thought you said that we four---- _Mr. Cocker._ I'm coming to that. As the prime mover, and a particular friend of PORPENTINE'S, it's only right and fair I should bear the chief burden. There's an easy-chair I have at home that only wants re-covering to be as good as new, and all you fellers need do is to pay for 'aving it nicely done up in velvet, or what not, and we'll call it quits. _Mr. Balch._ I daresay; but I like to know what I'm letting myself in for; and there's upholsterers who'll charge as much for doing up a chair as would furnish a room. _Mr. Filk._ I--I shouldn't feel justified, with my family, and, as, comparatively speaking, a recent resident, in going beyond a certain limit, and unless the estimate could be kep' down to a moderate sum, I really---- _Mr. Sibb. (unmasking)._ After all, you know, I don't see why we should go to any expense over a stuck-up, cross-grained chap like PORPENTINE. It's well-known he hasn't a good word to say for us Jerrymere folks, and considers himself above the lot of us! _Mr. Balch and Mr. Filk._ I'm bound to say there's a good deal in what SIBBERING says. PORPENTINE'S never shown himself what _I_ should call sociable. _Mr. Cocker._ I've never found him anything but pleasant myself, whatever he may be to others. I'm not denying he's an _exclusive_ man, and a _fastidious_ man, but he's been 'arshly treated, and _I_ should have thought this was an occasion--if ever there was one--for putting any private feelings aside, and rallying round him to show our respect and sympathy. But of course if you're going to let petty jealousies of this sort get the better of you, and leave me to do the 'ole thing myself, _I've_ no objection. I daresay he'll value it all the more coming from me. _Mr. Sibb._ Well, he _ought_ to, after the shameful way he's spoken of you to a friend of mine in the City, who shall be nameless. You mayn't know, and if not, it's only right I should mention it, that he complained bitterly of having to change his regular train on your account, and said (I'm only repeating his words, mind you) that Jerrymere was entirely populated by bores, but you were the worst of the lot, and your jabber twice a day was more than he _could_ stand. He mayn't have _meant_ anything by it, but it was decidedly uncalled for. _Mr. Cockcr. (reddening)._ I 'ope I'm above being affected by the opinion any man may express of my conversation--especially a cantankerous feller, who can't keep his temper under decent control. A feller who goes and breaks his umbrella over an unoffending official's 'ead like that, and gets, very properly, locked up for it! Jerrymere society isn't good enough for him, it seems. He won't be troubled with much of it in future--_I_ can assure him! Upon my word, now I come to think of it, I'm not sure he shouldn't be called upon for an explanation of how he came to be travelling without a ticket; it looks very much to me as if he'd been systematically defrauding the Company! _Mr. Filk._ Well, I didn't like to say so before; but that's been _my_ view all along! _Mr. Balch._ And mine. _Mr. Sibb._ Now perhaps you understand why we'd rather leave it to you to give him the arm-chair. _Mr. Cockcr._ _I_ give a man an arm-chair for bringing disgrace on the 'ole of Jerrymere! I'd sooner break it up for firewood! Whoever it was that first started all this tomfoolery about a testimonial, I'm not going to 'ave _my_ name associated with it, and if you'll take _my_ advice, you'll drop it once and for all, for it's only making yourselves ridiculous! [_His companions, observing that he is in a somewhat excited condition, consider it advisable to change the subject._ * * * * * OPERATIC NOTES. _Tuesday, June 27._--_Faust_, in French. JEAN DE RESZKE was to have been _Faust_, but the "vaulting ambition" of the eminent Polish tenor led him to attempt a high jump with another Pole--the leaping-pole--and whether he had not his compatriot well in hand, or whether, "with love's light wings," _Roméo_ did _not_ manage to "o'ertop" the highest note above the line, deponent sayeth not, but this much is known, that he fell at the high jump, and, feeling the pain first in the under part of his foot, and then in the leg, he exclaimed, with _Hamlet_, "O my prophetic sole, my ankle!" the result being that he appeareth not to-night as _Faust_. If Frère JEAN DE RESZKE is going on by "leaps and bounds" in this manner, he will be known as "Brother JOHN the Risky." Madame NORDICA happy as _Marguerite_--at least she looked it, for even in the most tragic scenes there is always a sweet smile on her dimpled cheeks. Mlle. BAUERMEISTER makes a _Marta_ of herself as the merry old dame; Mlle. GUERCIA, as _Siebel_, is a Siebeline mystery; LASSALLE, as _Valentine_, pleases _la salle_; but Brother EDWARD "_prends le gâteau_" as _Mephistopheles_. [Illustration: "O my prophetic sole, my ankle!"] _Wednesday._--_Tristan und Isolde_, which may be rendered _Triste 'un und I solde-not-so-many-tickets-as-usual_, or _Triste 'un und I'm Sold_. "The fourth of the WAGNER Cycle." If there are eight of them then this is the Bi-Cycle, but there's more woe than weal in it, and though extracts may be relished by the learned amateur, yet, as a whole, WAGNER'S _Tristan_ does not attract our opera-going public. * * * * * MEM.--No Nursery of Music can possibly be complete without "Leading-Strings." * * * * * [Illustration: ON TICK. _Seedy Swell._ "I SAY, OLD CHAP, TELL US THE TIME. I'M SURE YOUR WATCH GOES WELL." _Second S. S._ "IT GOES BEAUTIFULLY. IT WENT SIX MONTHS AGO TO MY UNCLE'S!"] * * * * * TO THE FRENCH OARSMEN. (_From Mr. Punch, at Henley._) Here's a hand, my fine fellows; in friendship you come, And _Punch_, who likes courage, would scorn to be dumb. He greets you with cheers; may your shades ne'er diminish, Though you row forty-four from the start to the finish. You will bear yourselves bravely, and merit your fame, For brave man and Frenchman mean mostly the same. We shall do what we can--it's our duty--to beat you, But we know it will take a tough crew to defeat you. And whatever the upshot, howe'er the race ends, You and we, having struggled, shall always be friends. So accept, while we cheer you again and again, This welcome from Thames to his sister, the Seine. * * * * * SKINNERS AND SKINNED.--One portion of the ancient award of Sir ROBERT BILLESDON, Lord Mayor of London, in settling a dispute between the Skinners and Merchant Taylors, was, that these two Companies should dine together once a year. Mr. Justice BRUCE, alluding to this at the banquet on Skinners Day, when, as was natural, many lawyers were present, suggested that it would be a good thing if power were given to judges to "condemn litigants to dine together, and to order that the costs of the dinner should come out of the Consolidated Fund"--a very good notion. The idea might be extended to entertaining Wards in Chancery, of whom two unhappy infants the other day were had up at the Police Court for picking and stealing, in order to feed themselves and keep themselves alive until they should reach the age when they would come into their Chancery-bound property of something like £20,000. The magistrate ordered an inquiry, but of "subsequent proceedings" we have not as yet seen any record. * * * * * [Illustration: THE RISING GENERATION. _Host._ "WHAT A SMART SET OF PEOPLE WE'VE GOT TO-NIGHT, DEARY!" _Hostess._ "YES. HOW I WISH ONE OF OUR DEAR GIRLS WOULD COME AND SIT BY US, AND TELL US WHO EVERYBODY IS!"] * * * * * "HYMEN HYMENÆE!!!" JULY 6, 1893. ["Bid her awake; for Hymen is awake!" _Spenser's Epithalamion._ "A contract of true love to celebrate; And some donation freely to estate On the bless'd lovers."--_The Tempest._] Hymen, the rose-crowned, is in sooth awake, And all the world with him! Shall drowsy opiate dim The eyes of Love to-day? No, let all slake A loyal thirst in bumpers, for Love's sake, Full beaded to the brim! Like the Venusian's "mountain stream that roars From bank to bank along, When autumn rains are strong,"[A] A deep-mouthed People lifts its voice, and pours Its welcome forth, that like a Pæan soars In strains more sweet than song. More sweet than song, in that it straightway comes, Unfeignéd, from frank hearts; From loyal lips it starts, Unprompted, undragooned. The highway hums With the full sound of it. Fifes, trumpets, drums Bravely may play their parts. In the Imperial pageant, but the swell Of the free English shout Strikes sweeter--who dares doubt?-- On Royal ears. Music of marriage bell Clang on, and let the gold-mouth'd organ tell Of love and praise devout! But the crowd's vigorous clamour has a voice Finer and fuller still; A passion of goodwill Rings, to our ears, through all the exuberant noise, Which the recipient's heart should more rejoice Than all Cecilia's skill. So rivals for Apollo's laurel wreath May loudly strike the lyre, "To love, and young desire;"[B] But "bold and lawless numbers grow beneath"[B] The people's praise, and give the crowd's free breath A "mastering touch of fire."[B] "Hymen, O Hymen!" beauteous ladies cry, "Hymen, O Hymen!" loud Shout forth the echoing crowd The city through; patricians perched on high, And the plebeian patient plodding by, Raise incense like a cloud. And Hymen's here, kind eye on all to keep, Hymen, with roses crowned, Leads on the Lion, bound In floral bonds and blossom-bridled, deep In scattered flowers. Your lyres ye laureates sweep, And marriage measures sound! Not Una's guardian more gladly bare Burden more pleasant--pure! With footing gently sure Leo on-paces. Hymen's torch in air Flames fragrantly. Was ever Happy Pair So served, or so secure? Take the rose-reins, young bridegroom; bridled so Leo's not hard to ride. Sweet MAY, the new-made bride, Will find her lion palfrey-paced. And lo! The genial god's unfailing torch aglow Burns bravely at her side! Epithalamia seem out of date; Hymen cares not to-day To trill a fulsome lay, Or hymn High Bridals with Spenserian state. Goodwill to goodness simply dedicate,-- Such homage _Punch_ would pay. "Hymen, O Hymen!" Like this torch's flame, Bright be your wedded days! May a proud people's praise, Well earned, be your award of honest fame; And on each gracious head, Light may it lie, the crown you yet may claim, As rest these roses red! [Footnote A: HORACE, "Ad Iulum Antonium," Ode 2, Book IV.] [Footnote B: HORACE--_ut supra._] [Illustration: "HYMEN HYMENÆE!"] * * * * * A TALE OF THE ALHAMBRA. Mons. JACOBI is a wonderful man. The undefeated hero of a hundred ballets--there or thereabouts--still beats time and the record with his bâton at the Alhambra; and his music, specially composed for _Fidelia_, is to be reckoned among his ordinary triumphs. _Fidelia_ is "a new Grand Romantic Ballet," in four tableaux, and its performance justifies its promise. It is "new," it is decidedly "grand," it is absorbingly "romantic," and there's no denying that it is a _Ballet d'action_. But, as in the oft-quoted reply when little _Peterkin_ asked "what it was all about," so will the ballet-case-hardened spectator say, "'Why that I cannot tell,' quoth he, 'But 'twas a splendid victory!'" Somebody, possibly one _Tartini_, played by Signorina CORMANI, is in love with _Fidelia_, Signorina POLLINI, as naturally anyone would be; when a comic servant, Mr. GEORGE LUPINO, is frightened by a Demon Fiddler with his fiddle (both being played by PAGANINI REDIVIVUS) who either assists the lovers or does his best to prevent their coming together, I am not quite clear which. Up to the last it seemed doubtful whether the Demon Doctor was a good or bad spirit, or a little mixed. His appearance is decidedly against him, as he looks the very deuce. But I am inclined to think that he was a "_bon diable_," and was doing everything, as everybody else on the stage and in the orchestra does, for the best. After all, and before all, the show is the thing, and this will rank, as it does now, among the best of the greatest attractions hitherto provided by the Alhambra Company for an appreciative public and for YOUR REPRESENTATIVE. * * * * * [Illustration: Scene from New Ballet. Conductor Jacobi Demonio charming the public to the Alhambra.] * * * * * OUR BOOKING-OFFICE. Madam DARMESTETER'S _Retrospect and other Poems_ is turned out by FISHER UNWIN in that dainty dress with which he has made attractive his Cameo Series. We used to know Madam DARMESTETER as Miss MARY F. ROBINSON, a writer of charming verse. That in her new estate she has not lost the old touch is witnessed by several pieces in this volume, notably the first, which supplies the title. The penultimate verse of this little lyric is most musical. There are several others nearly as good. But occasionally Madam writes sad stuff. Of such is _The Death of the Count of Armaniac_, of which this verse is a fair sample: "ARMANIAC, O ARMANIAC, Why rode ye forth at noon? Was there no hour at even, No morning cool and boon?" My Baronite, though not yet entered for the Poet Laureateship, thinks that kind of thing might be reeled off by the mile. Why not My Maniac, O my Maniac, Why rode ye forth at eve? Was there no hour at morning tide, No water in the sieve? [Illustration: A Clerk in Our Booking-Office.] Three years ago an American firm issued a princely edition of _The Memoir of Horace Walpole_, written by AUSTIN DOBSON. It was too expensive for mere Britishers, and only a small number of copies found their way to this country. But the literary work was so excellent, that it was pronounced a pity it should be entombed in this costly sarcophagus. Messrs. OSGOOD, MCILVAINE, & CO. have now brought out an edition, in a single handsome volume, at a reasonable price. HORACE WALPOLE has often been written about since he laid down the pen, but never by a more sympathetic hand than Mr. DOBSON'S, nor by one bringing to the task fuller knowledge of WALPOLE'S time and contemporaries. The charm of style extends even to the notes, usually in books of this class a tantalising adjunct. Mr. DOBSON'S are so full of information, and so crisply told, that they might with advantage have been incorporated in the text. The volume contains facsimiles of HORACE WALPOLE'S handwriting, an etching of LAWRENCE'S portrait, and a reproduction of the sketch of Strawberry Hill which illustrated the catalogue of 1774. Altogether a delightful book that will, my Baronite says, take its place on a favourite shelf of the library that has grown up round the memory of one of the most interesting figures of the Eighteenth Century. THE BARON DE BOOK-WORMS. * * * * * WEAR AND TEAR IN AFRICA. [In the report on the proposed Mombasa Railway, it is suggested that the station-buildings should be enclosed with a strong live-thorn palisade, impenetrable to arrows.] SCENE--_A Station on the Mombasa Railway._ _New Station-Master_ (_to_ Telegraph Clerk). Did you send my message this morning, asking for a consignment of revolvers and arrow-proof shields? _Telegraph Clerk._ Yes, Sir. I can't make out why we haven't had an answer. Something may have gone wrong with the wires. I sent one of the porters to examine them. Ah, here he comes. _A Porter arrives._ _Porter._ Just as I thought, Sir. Them blessed niggers have run short of cash, and they've bin and took a mile of our best wire. _Station-Master._ Taken a mile of wire? What the deuce do you mean? _Porter._ Ah, Sir, you're new to this 'ere job. Fact is, they can all buy theirselves a wife a-piece for two yards of our wire; and as there was a raid last week, and all their wives was made off with, they've just bin and took our telegraph wire to buy theirselves a new lot. _Station-Master._ Dear me, how very provoking. I must make a report of this occurrence immediately! But what does this crowd in the distance mean? _Porter._ Why bless my heart, it's a Wednesday, and I'd quite forgotten all about it. They always attacks us of a Wednesday, but they're a good half hour earlier than last week. _Station-Master._ This is very strange, very strange indeed. I doubt if the directors will approve of this. (_An arrow pierces him in the calf of the leg._) Oh, I say, you know, this will never do. Close the points--I mean shut the doors and barricade the windows. Let us at least die as railway men should. _Porter._ Lor' bless you, Sir, we shan't die. We've only got to pick off two or three dozen of 'em, and the rest will skip in no time. [_They retire within the palisade, and during the next half hour fight for their lives._ _Telegraph Clerk_ (_plucking three arrows out of his left leg_). Things are getting a bit hot. Hurrah! here's the 5.30 down express with revolvers and ammunition. Now we shall settle 'em. [_Arrival of the express. Retreat of the natives._ _Station-Master._ I don't think I quite like this life. I'm going to off it. [_Offs it accordingly._ * * * * * AN OLD MAN'S MUSINGS. (_After an Afternoon Pipe, at Nazareth House, Hammersmith._) ["Here again, clustered close round the fire Are a number of grizzle-lock'd men, every one is a true 'hoary sire.' Bowed, time-beaten, grey, yet alert and responsive to kindness of speech; And see how old eyes can light up if you promise a pipe-charge to each. For the comforting weed KINGSLEY eulogised is not taboo in this place, Where the whiff aromatic brings not cold reproval to Charity's face." "_An Autumn Afternoon at Nazareth House._" _Punch, Nov. 5, 1892._] [Illustration] I don't just know who KINGSLEY was, but he was a good sort, I reckon! When nerves are slack and spirits low, the glowing pipe-bowl seems to beckon Like a good ghost or spirit kind to the fireside where age reposes. Yes! bacca makes an old man's chair as easeful as a bed of roses. Bad habit! So the strict ones say; expensive, wasteful, and un-Christian! I cannot argue of it out; I'm only a poor old Philistian. But oh the comfort of a pipe, the company it lends the lonely! It seems the poor soul's faithful friend, and oftentimes the last and only. Thanks be, they're not the hard sort _here_, in Nazareth House. The gentle sisters Take on a many helpful task; some of 'em, I misdoubt, are twisters. I don't suppose our "shag"-fumes seem as sweet to them as to us others; But--well, they do not treat us here as badged machines, but human brothers. Stranded, alone, at seventy-five, after a life of luckless labour, One feels what 'tis to be esteemed not as a nuisance, but a neighbour; A neighbour in the Good Book's sense; a poor one, and a helpless, truly, But--_not_ a plague, who'll live too long, if he is cossetted unduly. Lawks me, the difference! Don't you know the chilly scorn, the silent snubbing Which makes a man, as _is_ a man, feel he'd far rather take a drubbing? Old age and workhouse-duds may hide a deal of nature--from outsiders; But do you think old "crocks" can't _feel_, when they're shrunk from, like snails or spiders? After my dinner, with my "clay," stringed round the stem, that gums, now toothless, May grip it firmer, here I sit and muse; and memory's sometimes ruthless In bringing up a blundering past. We own up frank, me and my fellows, Where we've gone wrong, and, in regrets employ our wheezy, worn old bellows. What might have been, if--if--ah, _if_! That little word, of just two letters, Stops me worse than a five-barred gate. I wonder if it does my betters? We never tire round Winter's fire, or settle-ranged in Summer weather, Of telling of the wandering ways by which we gathered _here_ together. If some who prate of paupers' ways, their tantrums, or their love of snuffing, Their fretting at cold, hard-fast rules, their fancy for sly bacca-puffing, Could only scan the paupers' past a little closer than their mode is, They'd learn that still some sparks of soul burn in those broken-down old bodies. And soul does kick at iron rules, and icy ways. Old blood runs chilly, And craves the heat, of love, fire, pipe, to warm it up like. Very silly, No doubt, from BUMBLE'S point of view! _Here_ we're held human, though so humble; And, Heaven be blessed!--at Nazareth House we've never known the rule of BUMBLE. The very old and very young are much alike in many a matter; Comfort and cheeriness we want, play or a pipe, romps or a chatter. The Nazareth Sisterhood know this, and what is more, they work according. 'Tis love and comfort make a Home, without 'em 'tis bare roof and boarding! Bitter-sweet memories come sometimes; but a gay burst of baby-laughter,-- For we all _laugh_ at Nazareth House!--will banish gathering blues. And after? Well, there's the free-permitted whiff, the "old-boy" gossip, low but cheery; Rest and a Sister's sunny smile soon drive off whim and whig-maleery. And so laid up, like some old hulk that can no more hope for commission, I sit, and muse, and puff; and wait that last great change in man's condition That shifts us to that Great High House to which the Sisters point us daily; Awaiting which in homely ease, Old Age dwells calmly if not gaily. * * * * * INTELLIGENCE À L'AMERICAINE. _Telegram No. 1._--Nothing could have been more terrible than the scene following upon the earthquake. The houses sank through the ground, and immediately a number of lions, tigers, and poisonous serpents, attracted by the unusual occurrence, sprang upon the poor inhabitants, and by their fierce attacks increased their misfortune. But this was not all. Men and women, using swords, battle-axes, and revolvers, fought amongst themselves, until the commotion created by the landslip assumed the appearance of a pandemonium. At this moment, to make confusion worse confounded, a heavy storm broke over the fast-disappearing village, and thunderbolts fell like peas expelled through a peashooter. As if this were not enough, several prairie fires crept up, and the flames augmented the general discomfort. Take it all and all, the sight was enough to make the cheek grow pale with terror and apprehension. _Telegram No. 2._--Please omit lions, tigers, poisonous serpents, swords, battle-axes, revolvers, thunderbolts, prairie fires and cheek. They were forwarded in Telegram No. 1 owing to a clerical error. * * * * * MRS. R. STARTLED.--"Most extraordinary things are reported in the papers!" observed Mrs. R. "Only the other day I either heard or read that there was a dangerous glazier somewhere about in the Caucasus, that he was using horrible language, and threatening to d---- you'll excuse my using such a word--the Terek (whoever he may be), and that then he was going to amuse--no, the word was 'divert'--somebody. Clearly a lunatic. But who can be diverted by such antics? And why don't they lock up the glazier?" [_On referring to the report, her nephew read that "A glacier was causing great alarm." &c., &c., that it was expected temporarily to "dam the Terek, and divert a vast body of water_," &c.] * * * * * [Illustration: PISCATORIAL POLITENESS. (_From a Yorkshire stream._) _Privileged Old Keeper_ (_to Member of Fishing Club, of profuse and ruddy locks, who is just about to try for the Big Trout, a very wary fish_). "KEEP YER HEAD DOON, SIR, KEEP YER HEAD DOON!" (_Becoming exasperated._) "'ORD BOU IT, MAN, KEEP YER HEAD DOON! YER M'T AS WEEL COME WI' A TORCH-LEET PROCESSION TO TAK' A FISH!"] * * * * * ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT. EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P. _House of Commons, Monday, June 26._--Hardly knew House to-night. Benches mostly empty; few present seemed to have no fight in them. Little round at outset on Betterment principle. Members roughly and not inaccurately illustrated it by staying outside. "In principle," said PHILIPPE EGALITÉ, "the Terrace is Better meant for this weather than the House." Mr. G. in his place, listening eagerly to speeches by KIMBER, FERGUSSON, and other oratorical charmers. Generally believed that he had gone off to Hatchlands for holiday; nothing for him to do here; Home-Rule debate postponed till Wednesday; Supply, in meantime, might well be left to Minister in charge. "The fact is, TOBY," said Mr. G., when I remarked upon the pleasurable surprise of finding him in his place, "I really did think of making a little holiday, staying away till Wednesday. But when I got up this morning, looked round at green fields and lofty trees, they irresistibly reminded me of benches in House of Commons, and the pillars that support the gallery. Then the sunlit sky is very nice in its way; but do you know anything softer, more translucent or attractive than the light that floods the House of Commons from the glass roof? The more I thought of these things the more restless I grew amid tame attractions of rural life. This morning it might have been said of me, in the words of the poet, Although my body's down at Hatchlands My soul has gone aloft---- to Westminster. The country is there all through the year and every day: Parliamentary Session lasts only seven, or at best eight months. This year, if we've luck, we may run it into ten. But then House doesn't meet every day. One is expected to go off to seaside, or somewhere else, from Saturday to Monday. Thinking of these things, couldn't resist temptation. So suddenly packed up, drove off, and here I am. Needn't stop all night, you know, if you fellows grudge me a little enjoyment; but shall at least begin evening pleasantly. Shall vote in division on Betterment question, and make statement on arrangements for Indian Currency." _Business done._--Some votes in Navy Estimates. _Tuesday._--CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN and W. WOODALL, V.C., the Casabiancas of the evening. They sit on Treasury Bench, whence all but they have fled; listen with polite attention to talk round Army Estimates; and when there's anything like a lull get up and say few words. Whole proceeding a farce of drearily colossal proportions. Major-General HANBURY prances to front, reviews British forces under present Administration, finds many buttons loose, and numerous gaiters askew. Opportunity useful for showing that this Eminent Legislator has not given up entirely to Home Rule what was meant for mankind. Omniscience HANBURY'S forte; Army Reform his foible. Honourable distinction for him that he has never drawn the sword on any tented field. Debates on Army Estimates invariably call to the front an amazing reserve force of unsuspected men of war. There are Colonels, Majors, and Captains enough to officer the army at Monaco. There's WEBSTER of East St. Pancras for example. The few Members present gasped for breath when, just now, he offered few observations on War Office management. What did he do in this galley? Well known that in interval of revising his popular Dictionary he trifles with the law. Might, in course of time, come to be Lord Chancellor; but never Field Marshal. That only shows how limited is current information, how true the observation that the world knows nothing of its greatest men. Why, for sixteen years WEBSTER served with distinction in the Third Battalion South Lancashire Regiment! Under his civilian waistcoat to this day he coyly hides the bronze medal for Blameless Conduct. That he should take part in debate on Army Estimates not only natural, but, in national interests, imperatively desirable. HANBURY'S case quite otherwise. He never set a squadron a field, nor the division of a battle knows more than ALPHEUS CLEOPHAS. Yet ALPHEUS CLEOPHAS is not more glib, authoritative, or, on the whole, more entertaining when Army Estimates are to the fore. _Business done._--Army Estimates in Committee. FRIDAY, 4 A.M.--Came upon NUSSEY an hour ago putting himself to bed on a chair in the Library. This his first experience of Parliamentary life; introduced at four o'clock yesterday afternoon, and took his seat for Pontefract. "Lawka mussey! and is this NUSSEY?" cried WILFRED LAWSON, whose aptitude for dropping into poetry beats _Silas Wegg_ hollow. It certainly was NUSSEY yesterday afternoon, and this is what is left of him in the sunshine of a summer morning. "Didn't think," he said, with a feeble smile, "that on occasion of my proud entrance upon Parliamentary life I should forthwith be made into an all-night NUSSEY. All very well to grow gradually into that state of life. Begin, say, with suspending twelve-o'clock rule, and getting off at one or two in the morning. But to plunge straight in like this is, if I may say so, a little hard on newcomer fresh from country. I suppose, from look of it, that it is only beginning of things. An all-night NUSSEY to-day; a weekly NUSSEY before parched July has wet its lips; and so on, till I become a monthly NUSSEY. Very kind of you to come and see me, but if you don't mind, I'll just drop off to sleep. Put the Amendments to the Home Rule Bill on the chimbley, and I'll take a look at them when I feel dispoged." A nice night we've all had; moreover than which, at a quarter to three, lemon squashes gave out, and as one of waiters in hoarse voice assured me, there wasn't "a hounce of hice" left on premises. Yesterday afternoon Mr. G. moved his time-table Closure scheme in speech cogency of which testifies to miraculous advantage of limitation of delivery within space of half-hour. PRINCE ARTHUR followed in best debating speech he has delivered since he became Leader. Most adroit in argument, excellent in manner, felicitous in phrasing. He, too, brief, and therefore necessarily to the point. After this flood-tide of talk opened, and flowed, shallow but persistent, for next four hours. NAPOLEON BOLTONPARTY, getting on board the Raft of Tilsit-cum-North-St.-Pancras, drifted up and down on washy flood. Erect, arms folded, and imperial hat cocked defiantly at Mr. G. Liberals howled at him; shouts of "Moscow! Moscow!" mingled with cries of "Waterloo!" and "St. Helena!" N. B. shook his golden lilies in their teeth, and punted his Raft into the Tory harbour. JOEY C. turned up after early dinner, and the waters were speedily lashed into foam. Following the illustrious example of NAPOLEON BOLTONPARTY, JOSEPH threw off all mask of deference to former leader. Hitherto, even in moments of hottest conflict, JOEY C. has been sly, dev'lish sly, in his hearing towards his "right hon. friend." To-night he went for him, just as in days not so very far off good Conservatives like GRANDOLPH, amid thunderous Tory cheers, used to gird at the hero of the Aston Park Riots. "I admire the artful----" Here he paused, and looked down with bitter smile on the apparently sleeping figure of Mr. G. on the Treasury Bench. Five hundred lips in the listening throng involuntarily formed the syllables in familiar conjunction with the adjective. No, not yet. At present pace of progression "dodger" may come. To-night JOSEPH content, having gained the desired effect, to conclude the sentence with the words "----minister who drew up this resolution." At two o'clock this morning note was taken of fact that Mr. G., having been in his place almost incessantly since four yesterday afternoon, had carried his more than four score years off to bed. SQUIRE OF MALWOOD thought all sections of House would be anxious to spare the PRIME MINISTER further vigil. JOSEPH up like catapult. "Perfectly absurd," he snapped, "to attempt to make a fetish of name and age of PRIME MINISTER." "There's one good thing we may hope to see come out of this night," said Member for Sark. "It should make an end of the treacly farce which bandies between hopelessly parted colleagues the title 'right hon. friend.'" _Business done._--Sat for thirteen hours, and negatived first Amendment to Closure Resolution. _Friday._--Having got away late last night, made up for it by coming back early this afternoon. Morning sitting, but no more fight left. Quite content with heroic struggle through long summer night; everything over by seven o'clock. Hear touching story, which shows how deeply rooted in human mind is habit of censoriousness. Not two more respectable-looking men in House than BARTLEY and TOMLINSON. To be in their company is to receive a liberal education in deportment. Walking home this morning, after all-night sitting, in sad converse on possibilities of fresh development of iniquity on part of Mr. G., they passed couple of British workmen going forth to day's labour. Said first British Workman, nudging his companion, and pointing with thumb over his shoulder at wearied legislators: "Tell you what, BILL, _them_ coves ain't been up to much good." _Business done._--Closure Resolutions agreed to. Home-Rule Bill packed up in compartments, to be opened as directed. * * * * * [Illustration: GOOD NEWS! _'Arry._ "'TAINT NO GOOD MIKING A FUSS ABOUT IT, YER KNOW, GUV'NOR! ME AND MY PALS MUST 'AVE OUR 'D'Y OUT'!" _Foreign Fellow-Traveller._ "AHA! DIE OUT! YOU GO TO DIE OUT? MON DIEU! I AM VAIRY GLAD TO 'EAR IT. IT IS TIME!"] * * * * * COMING EVENTS AT THE LYCEUM.--With the exception of _Becket_, the part of _Shylock_ is HENRY IRVING'S most powerfully striking impersonation, and certainly ELLEN TERRY is at her best as _Portia_. It is played once again this month before our HENRY'S departure for America, and should not be missed by any genuine lover of SHAKSPEARE and of true dramatic art. _À propos_ of this, a certain excellent lady, whose name, beginning with R, is not absolutely unknown to _Mr. Punch_, asked this question:--"Isn't there some character in one of SHAKSPEARE'S plays called '_Skylark_'?" Then, as she proceeded to give a hazy idea of the plot, it gradually dawned upon the listeners that the _Merchant of Venice_ was the person of whom she was thinking. * * * * * "Memoria Tecknica." July 1. "O mighty Mars! If in thy homage bred, Each point of discipline I've still observed; Of service, _to the rank of Major-General Have risen_; assist thy votary now!" _The Critic, Act ii., Sc. 2._ * * * * * A FEW BARS REST.--According to the _Globe_ the Cavalier ROBERT STAGNO, a well-known tenor, was arrested on a charge of forgery. What was it? Did he sign himself guaranteed as a tenner, worth two fivers, and 'twas afterwards found he wasn't? The report requires confirmation, as it is most unlikely that a tenor should go so low and do anything so base. * * * * * MRS. R. ON MUSIC.--Her nephew, who is an excellent amateur musician, read out an advertisement of a concert at St. James's Hall--"SARASATE _will play Suite No. 2_." His excellent relative, who is not well up in such matters, interrupted him with--"Ah! I _should_ like to hear Miss SARAH SARTY play 'Sweet No. 2'! I daresay it has something to do with 'Sweet seventeen.'" No explanation was necessary. * * * * * Transcriber's Note: Sundry damaged or missing punctuation has been reepaired. ['Vox et præterea (praeterea) nihil: A voice and nothing else; sound without sense.] This issue contains some dialect, which has been retained. Page 9: 'spendid' corrected to 'splendid'. "'But 'twas a splendid victory!'" Page 13: 'A' corrected to 'At'. "At last, however, we managed to calm the indignant ladies,..." --- Provided by LoyalBooks.com ---