Punch (10.1846)

220

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

MORE NOVELTY IN THE SHIRT WAY.

THE

URURY-LANE PUND DINNER.

Before we proceed, let us apologise
to our readers. We have been mis-
informed. The Fund Dinner has taken
place, and Mr. Harlet has made
his speech ! Had a " Daniel come to
judgment," it could not have been
better. The plate did go round ; but
Mr. Harlet did not, as we were
informed he would, name the amount
of balance on the books, the number
of actors and actresses engaged at

joining the Fund must amount to little
more than nil, leaving a thumping
balance for the present fortunate sub-
scribers. Mr. Harley said nothing

of these things ; nevertheless, his a private opinion.

way worthy of it. This generous confidence
has rendered the gift doubly acceptable. Are
grateful blessings less efficacious because we do
not ostentatiously proclaim, by ichom they are
individually breathed ? "

No, no, Harley ; the names were
not required ; it was merely the num-
ber, and—the balance-sheet. But next
year, no doubt, both will be forthcom-
ing. Otherwise, eloquent Harley,
subscribers may button their pockets,
seeing that they are called upon to
pay in the dark. "Whilst Drury Lane
employed a company of comedians,
it was very right indeed in " rank and

Drury Lane, and what they had acted ^^^BfeW^Bll^^g^ ' N I,,teU,Senceu.' *° subscnbe< ,bu' wh? St

•during the past and present seasons to Wi^fflllSi ' y™ yourself, Harley, stand alone the

vindicate the dignity and utility of 1 \WBBm& tMSBKKB^^^^l • cunlic Plllar of the fMce'

the drama. Neither did he state that, I^^Ml iW^ffl^^^^^ H I and whJst/°F tbe m°8t Part for£T

in consequence of the condition of [ \MfM!\ UPwS^H^^^^^^U' ' 8infrs an,d.dancers C^o cannot by

Drury Lane, the number of actors I 'SKf^HKI^P^' I US ° la'm Up0n, ' ' S^™"1"

pose the company, the public will, we
fear, in a season or two, look very
black at the Drury Lane plate. The
Jolly Beggars, though a tolerably amu-
sing piece, may tire on too frequent

Speech wasTery beluin^d fuh „ Y"'™'' rePetition at tbe freemasons' Tavern.

well, i think this is the neatest thing i have seen for

to overflowing with truth—playhouse & long time " _

truth. For instance, he observed with !_______

wonderful gravity :

" This brilliant assembly is one of many triumphant proofs of the high estimation in THEATETCAL INTELLIGENCE,

which the drama is held by the bank and intelligence of England.1'

This is quite as true as it is eloquent. The rank of England—at

We are happy to hear that Richardson's Theatre will remain open
at the next Greenwich Fair for an additional day, if the proprietor can

least a Duke and a Lord or two—dine at the Freemasons' Tavern, and ■ succeed in obtaining conges for the unlimited corps de ballet and indefi-
prove, by their knives and forks, their devotion to the stage. They : nite string of figwmtes engaged at his establishment, The Ghost will,
•eat and drink, and therefore patronise ! Besides, does not the Mom- it js feared, be compelled to fulfil a provincial engagement as Scarecrow
ing Post annually publish the list of noble subscribers to the Haymarket during the months preceding the harvest, when the corn requires pro-
•and Sadler's Wells ? And was not Covent Garden " so esteemed" by j tection ; and, unless a further conge can be obtained, the Ghost cannot
' rank " that it was shut up, lest it break down under the weight of continue the attractive series of solemn warnings which were so popular

at Easter last, and will be eagerly looked for during Whitsuntide.

The premiere danseuse must also give up her present engagement
at Richardson's, unless her conge can be bought from the gentleman
with the Pandean pipes and drum, to whom she is under an engagement
to give a series of Highland Hings on stilts, through a four weeks' tour
in the suburbs.

Great exertions are however being made to obtain a further conge;
and it is a remarkable fact that Mr. Bolton, the author-manager, and
lessee of the Olympic, is in the same predicament with some of his
danseuses, who are under engagements from which nothing but a conge
can relieve them. We, of course, wait with much anxiety the result of
the negotiations in both cases.

mobility thronging it ? And Harley knew this, and looked gravely
as a Bishop at the Duke of Beaufort, while he spoke it.

There is, however, touching beauty in this burst about England :
at makes us feel very proud of our country :—

" England ! pre-eminent in arts, invinciblein arms, the triple jewels of whose imperial
•crown are justice, mercy, and charity ; and it well deserves the proud distinction. Our
sublimest poet has enriched it with "his immortal scenes, and a bright host of kindred
-spirits, in succeeding times, have wound up the intellectual charm."

We are sure this is very fine, or Harley would not have uttered it.
Not he. And then, taking breath, Mr. Harley asked,
" In what relation to the drama stands the actor ? "

Whereupon, a cynic at the lower end of the table observed, in a
iow voice,—" Why, at Drury Lane, in the relation of a very poor
relation ; seeing that at that theatre the two never come together."
Harley, however, made a mistake. The Times—publishing letters
touching these funds — called for a balance-sheet, and the number
(not the names) of the annuitants. Whereupon, the orator continued—
" You hare hitherto taken our word that the recipients of your bounty are in every

THE CURIOSITIES OF ADVERTISING.

An advertisement the other day announced a reward of one guinea
for "a large Spanish blue gentleman's cloak, lost in the neighbourhood of
the Haymarket." We can fancy any gentleman looking rather blue at
the loss of his cloak, but there is something odd in his advertising the
fact of his blueness in connection with the loss of his garment-