Punch (77.1879)

November 15, 1879.]

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

227

first Acts, but, to my thinking, monotonous in the terror
of the last scene. It is quite possible^ that real fright
might transform a lusty country squire into the limp and
deplorable creature presented by Mr. Beough, but the
comedian's first duty is to reconcile truth with humorous
presentment of his part. Mr. Evebabd's Sir Lucius was
quiet, gentlemanlike, and unexaggerated—in short, "less
Irish and more nice" than he usually is on the stage.
Altogether, The Rivals at the Aquarium deserves to be
seen by those who seek good time-sanctioned "classical"
eDjoyment at the theatre. It is not to be had too often.'

Within a week, Mr. Toole appears at the Folly, with
A Fool and his Money, and the rather worn-out Ici on
parle. Mr. H. J. Byeon, who will have his ringer in the
Folly pie is preparing The Upper Crust for J. L. T.

In Robbing Roy ; or, Scotched and Kilt, at the Gaiety,
Miss Nellie Faeben plays that amiable tenor, Francis
Osbaldistone, whose initials, "F. 0.," stand for "Foreign
Office," or, more properly here, Farren Office"—it
being quite her office to represent the hero of burlesque.

The Adelphi gives us a notable example of what_ can
be done, and also what can't be done, with a bad piece,
by an exceptionally good cast. Mr. Neville as John
Broivdie is the very spit of what Mr. Tenniel's John
Bell of the Punch Cartoons must have been when about
twenty-five. Mr. Yezin is excellent as Newman Noggs,
in a marvellous make-up, the actor's individuality being
completely destroyed. And this is equally true of Mr.
R. Pateman, whose Brooher, the depressed villain, is as
good a performance as can be seen in a character so con-
ventionally melodramatic. Mrs. Mellon" looks a deal too
kind for Mrs. Squeers, but it is always a pleasure to see
her at the Adelphi, and to forgive her for remaining as
nature made her. The Coach Scene is most effective,
though some might object to the coach as stagey. ^

~5T • li •

the municipal e0eecast.

Libeeal Reaction, indeed! Bosh! Where will you
find signs of it ? In the Mayors' nests !

Sie Evelyn Wood, in Beiee.—{With Mr. Punch's
congratulations after the Bar Dinner of Saturday,
Nov. 1.)—A Q.ueen's own Fighter, and a Devil's own
Talker._____

Dedication' of a New Saint's Day.—The Fifth of
November: To St. Beaeonsfield, as the patron of fireworks.

School Board Expenditure.—On building princi-
pally, and too much by a precious site.

A Health to Fast Levees.— Our Absinthe Friends.

TANTALUS.

Irish Waiter (to Commercial Gent, vlio had done a good stroke of business
already). " Briefast ? Yessir. What'll ye have, ver Honoue—Tay oe
Coffee ? "

Commercial Gent (hungry and jubilant). " Coffee, and Fried Sole and
Mutton Cutlet to follow ! "

Waiter (satirically). " Annything ilse, Surr?"

Commercial Gent. "Yes, Stewed Kidneys. Ah ! and a savoury Omelette ! "

Waiter. " Yessie. Annything--"

Commercial Gent. " No, that will do-"

Waiter (with calm contempt). " And do ye expict to foind the likes o'
them Things heee ? Sure, ye'll get what yez always got—Bacon an'
Iggs !"

THE PROPRIETOR OF PHOTOGRAPHS.
Me. Punch,

Youe principal contemporary has lately given insertion to
divers letters, from sundry correspondents, on the question of pho-
tographic copyright; communications in which contradictory claims
to property in negatives are affirmed by positive persons. None of
these, however, even though some themselves photographers, have
thrown any light on the subject. That has been reserved for me to
do, as the party, above all others, capable of doing it. Is it not
strange that amongst all the controvertists respecting copyright in
Sun pictures, nobody has hitherto come forward to point out the
incontestably prior and prescriptive claims of the original and uni-
versal Photographer, yours everlastingly,

Phcebus Apollo.

P.S.—I need not tell you how ashamed I am of the base and vulgar
uses to which my beams are put by unscrupulous cads and snobs
whom I cannot, unfortunately, prevent from availing themselves of
the rays I cannot help shedding, and perverting their chemical pro-
perties, with mercenary designs, to the annoyance, defamation, and
prejudice of decent people.

Quoth the Sultan.

My long-suffering bondholders, prick up your ears,
I'm resolved to reform, so no more doubts and fears ;
I give you my word for't,—then do not despond ;
My word, you shall see, is as good as my bond !

A RISE IN GREECE.

On Thursday sennight, at Montrose, Mr. Baxtee, M.P., in an
instructive address on " New Greece," gave a glowing ac-
count of that little, but rising kingdom. Greece is looking up.
British speculators would do well to invest in Greece, and thus
effectually counteract the intriguers operating in the European
market for the use of Russian taUow. There is every reason to
expect that Greeks will pay; which it is now quite evident that
Turks never can. The growth of the olive has wonderfully in-
creased in Greece of late years, to a proportionate extension of trade
in the Grecian Isles. But the existing Isles of Greece require to be
augmented by Samos, Crete, and others, which were Greek of old,
and which it is desirable for British as distinct from Muscovite
interests, that Greece should get again. However, in order to raise
the wind for that purpose on the political 'Change, it is manifest
that we shall have to change our Brokers.

Ode to the Three Chafers (Parnell & Co.).

By Sir S. N.

Youe Yulgar Fractions cause distractions,

Your Divisions make me sad ;
Your Rule-of-Three distresses me,

And your Practice drives me mad.

Who holds the Key of the Position ?—General Election.