Punch (71.1876)

234

PUNCH, OB, THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

[November 25, 1876.

THE ENGLISH BBIGANDAGE COMPANY (LIMITED),

" " » b. William. Sikes, of, London and Portland >.

{Chairman). j <j

TnE Master of Podges, Scotland. (

Count Robert Macabre," Paris and > *

Cayenne. ( S"

Jeremy Diddler, Esq., Bohemia ) 3

{Managing Director). '

Secretary.
Mr. Fagin, Little Britain, E.C.
Temporary Offices.
The C.C.C. near the Ludgate Circus, Fleet Street, E.C.

abridged prospectus.

The success which has attended Brigandage in Sicily has induced
the Directors of this Company to offer to the British public extra-
ordinary advantages by the formation of this their Association. In
a wealthy country like England, robbery in all its branches is enor-
mously remunerative. Until the formation of the English Brigandage
Company the trade has been carried, on in a fragmentary and
incomplete manner. A vast loss of cash and energy has been the
necessary consequence. The Directors propose to call the productive
principle of co-operation to their aid, and to combine a number of
fairly paying but now independent branches of industry in one
highly lucrative whole.

To secure this very desirable result, the Directors are in treaty
with the proprietors of many eligible swindling concerns. They
hope soon to acquire possession of some two hundred first-class
hotels in London, Scotland, and the fashionable watering-places.
In some of these establishments it may be necessary to put the
locks of the bedrooms in a thorough state of unrepair ; but the
tariffs in the Coffee-Booms will in no single instance require any
alteration.

In future the attendants at the Theatres will be the servants of
the Company. The Directors are pleased to say that the business
of this branch of the Association is at present so perfect in its
working that it is hardly capable of improvement.

The Directors of the English Brigandage Company have also
acquired most of the metropolitan cabs. It will, in a large majority
of cases, be unnecessary to change the present drivers.

Arrangements are also being made to purchase the good-will of
several old-established West-End shops. As the retiring managers
have volunteered to continue their services to the Company, the
happiest results are confidently expected.

The Directors may add, too, that many foreign Governments,
several Insurance Associations, and City Companies innumerable
are in treaty with the officers of the Company. The Managing
Director (Jeremy Diddler, Esq.) is busy inquiring into these
ventures, with a view to discovering whether they are likely to
prove lucrative investments.

In conclusion, it wiU be seen that it has been thought unnecessary
to _ appoint any Solicitors to the English Brigandage Company
(Limited). The Directors beg to say that the operations in which

they hope to indulge will be conducted in strict accordance with the
laws of the land. Finally, the officials of the Company propose to
act up to the spirit of the mottoes they have proudly assumed—
" No money returned ! " and " Honour among Thieves ! "

CRITICISM.

How to Write it. How to Read it.

We have read this book. Finding that the volumes were

not cut, we glanced at the index,
and at the first and last chapters.

Some of the outspoken thoughts The vulgarity of every page is

may possibly offend a few readers, certain to disgust everybody.

The unexciting character of It is too dull to be read,
the story may, in these days of
high sensation, stand in the way
of the book becoming an imme-
diate favourite.

It will be the book of the It will possibly be asked for at

season. the Libraries for ten days, and

will then certainly be forgotten.

A captious critic might con- The incidents are too ridiculous
sider the incidents somewhat to interest a sentimental school-
improbable, but we all know that girl,
truth is stranger than fiction.

May we not in all deference The work is very long and very

ask of the author whether, for so dreary,
long a story, the narrative is not
pitched in too sad a key ?

A play is never seen to advan- We sat in a draught,
tage on a first night.

It may be that the author has The piece is a vulgar adapta-

taken some slight advantage of tion from the French, but the

a French work, but originality of Author is an acquaintance of the

treatment is stamped on every Critic's,
line.

We have seen Mr. Blank in Mr. Blank never played worse

characters more suited to his in his life,
style of acting.

The Irish brogue of Mr. Dash Mr. Dash's accent was de-
was well sustained, though cidedly Whitechapel.
scarcely that of a native of
Tipperary.

A few more rehearsals would The actors did not know their

certainly have improved the parts,
performance.

We have no doubt that, after By totally omitting two Acts,

the judicious use of the pruning- and shortening the other three, a

knife, this piece will prove a play would be obtained which

lasting success. might run a few nights.

Tumultuous applause greeted If the house had not been

the end of the drama, although packed, the piece would have

there were to be heard here and been hissed off the stage,
there some slight tokens of dis-
approbation.

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