Punch (12.1847)

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

THE SERENADING MANIA.

We have had the age of brass, the age of bronze, the'age of gold, the
age of silver, the age of copper, and the age of lead ; but the present is
the age of bones and banjos. The metropolis is at the present moment
literally darkened by groups of these black serenaders with that ear
for music which. Siiakspeare alluded to when he talked of " the rich
jewel in an Ethiop's ear." We are, however, getting tired of serenaders
who are nothing if not Ethiopian. Why must the locality be so
remote, when there are places much nearer home, which might furnish
a name, if not a local habitation, to these bone and baDjo minstrels ? The
Kensington Catawaulers would be a capital name for a party of these

a sort of domestic interest, which could very easily be accomplished
if a set of serenaders would localise their entertainment, or make it of
a purely national character.

Let us take, for instance, the Haberdasher Serenaders. What music
could rival the Swans (and Edgars) of some fashionable haberdashery
establishment, the I: young men" belongiog to which night take
advantage of the " early closing" to give a series of serenades after the
fashion of the Ethiopians. We have heard that a quartette is already in
the course of formation by four of S. & E.'s principal artistes. We have
much pleasure in presenting our readers with the portraits of these fasci-

rnusieians. We would suggest that much might be done by exciting nating fellows, as they will appear when arrangements are completed.

I*

Mr. Pinket on the scissors, is expected to create a sensation of the
most extraordinary character. The facility with which he takes the
most difficult sharp upon this piercing instrument is truly marvellous.
The pieces said to be in rehearsal are remarkable for taste, polish, and
purity. The celebrated invitation to the young ladies of Waterloo
House, under the spirited title of " Waterloo Gals, come out to-night."
is expected to be a tremendous favourite. " Get out of the way, old
Dan Sewell," addressed to the respected head of the house of Sewell
and Cross, on the prospect of his honourable retirement, is also calcu-
lated to become exceedingljr popular.

We are greatly surprised that the sweeps, who seem formed by
nature and art for Ethiopian Serenaders, have not come forward in
that interesting and appropriate character. Suited and sooted by
their ordinary occupation to look like real Ethiopians, they possess an
advantage over other classes of serenaders ; while their musical treat-
ment of the shovel and scraper qualifies them for the artistical portion
of their performance.

We expect very shortly to be able to announce a series of serenading
dustmen, who will produce some very new effects on their bells, and

piay the most wonderful Fantasia on thefantail, which is emblematical
of their profession. Their vast experience in the handling of bones
when " strewing repentant ashes " over the top of their carts, may
also be calculated upon for the production of various effects of startling
novelty.

There is now in the neighbourhood of Knightsbridge a " most musical

most melancholy" vendor of muffins, who goes alternately by the
names of the Muffin Mozart and the Crumpet Cimarosa. We have
had vocal vendors of eatables for some years, but the instrumentalists
are a new class of itinerant artists. The vicinity of Sloane Street has
long been frequented by a fishmonger, known from his musical voice as
the Mackerel Mario; and a veteran, called familiarly the Lollipop
Lablache, is a well-known vendor of brandy-balls at Brighton. The
bringing of some of these professors together into quartette parties as
serenaders is a step in the right oirection.

Since the abolition of the general postman's bell, we fear that the
instrument will fall into neglect, unless the muffin-boys still preserve

that boldness of iouch and delicacy of fingering, for which their style
has always been conspicuous. We had almost forgotten to mention
the butchers, who are coming out in considerable force with the
marrow-bone, which may be said to have given the idea of one of their
principal instruments to the Ethiopians. A splendid version of " Lucy
NeaL" on the subject of " Luscious Veal," will, it is anticipated, be an
universal favourite.

Important to Europe.—After mature deliberation, _ Punch is of
opinion that the best site for the Wellington Statue will be—out oj
sight. _

Printed by William Bradbury, of No. 6, Tort Place, Stoke Newington, and Frederick Mollett E«n»
of No. 7, Church Row, Stoke Ne»in«on, both in the County of Middlesex, Printers, at tneu
Office, in Lombard Street, in the Precinct of Whitefriars. in the City of London, and puDUsMa
by them, at No. 85. Fleet Street, in the Pariah of St-BridVa, in the City of London.-oatuidai

FsBauART 27, 1847.