Punch or The London charivari: Punch or The London charivari (5.1843)

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

James's Park,—this sporting privilege is seldom taken advantage of.
The peers may also be attended by the judges, but they are themselves
far too good judges to subject themselves to such learned bores. A
peer may vote by proxy, and enter a protest, the latter being a luxury,
which a coughed-down peer is glad to take advantage of. All bills affect-
ing the peers are to begin in the upper House, but what will be their eud4
or what end they have in view, is often a mystery.

The chief privilege of the Commons, is to tax the people, which is declared
to be nothing more than the people taxing themselves—a piece of logical
/tocu.; /wens which Sir Matthew Hale vainly endeavours to invest with
that plainness which is said to be peculiar to the pike-staff. One of the
great advantages connected with Parliament is, that it may be adjourned,
but a greater advantage still is, that it may be dissolved, and sent about
its business altogether. When Parliament is dissolved by the sovereign
in person, semble that gravel is laid down all the way from the Palace to
the House—but this is not laid down by Coke, or indeed, by any body but
Messrs. Darke the dustmen. A Parliament may be extinguished by the
royal will like a candle, or it may go out, by length of time, like a rush-
light. A prorogation is a process something in the nature of snuffing —
causing it to brighten up for an ensuing session.

A PICTORIAL SHERIFF.

The rage for getting up everything with illustrations has broken out
into a perfect mania at York ; the Town Council of which place has
determined on bringing out an " Illuminated Sheriff." Some Sheriffs
require illumination, there can be no doubt ; but the proposition to " get
up" the Sheriff with "dresses and decorations" at York is giving a
farcical turn to the dignity of the office. The Sheriff of London would
be nothing without his footmen's liveries ; and the present Sheriff Moon,
feeling sensible of the sort of interest that attached to the office, caused
the breeches of the shrieval lacqueys to be exhibited at Threadneedle-
street, while the waistcoats were laid out in the tailor's window at
Fleet-street. At York, however, they seem to be confounding the
Sheriff with the footmen, and a motion has actually been carried for a
committee to confer as to what sort of finery it will be advisable to bedizen
the Sheriff in.

We understand that the Town Council of York intend advertising for
designs, with a view to accepting the gaudiest as a costume for the Sheriff.
Punch begs leave to propose the following : —

A jacket of yellow damask, covered with strips of paper of various

colours, and bound round the edges with gold door leather.
Pantaloons of pink calico, with bows of yellow ribbon all the way
down, and a scarlet bell-rope round the waist, to indicate that the
Sheriff, strictly speaking, is bound to hang any one that is in want
of such assistance. A cocked hat, trimmed with peacock feathers,
would be the head-dress we should propose to complete the shrieval
costume.

horticultural £boctetp.

NOV. 2.—VERY VERDANT, Esa. IN THE CHAIR.

Mr. Solomon Levi exhibited some specimens of Cuba inodori/era,
which had been grafted on the stem of the common lettuce ; they had an
exceedingly good effect, and the exhibitor mentioned that they had been
kept under glaus all summer ; he also stated that he had investigated
the nature of the connexion between the plants, and found that it was
through the medium of a cell.

The Victoria medal, in copper, was awarded to Mrs. Tickall, who sent
some fine bunches of grapes. Too much heat had been given them
latterly, as they had been brought from the grocer's in the donor's pocket ;
the flavour was pronounced to be very superior, though with a slight
tendency to that of saw-dust.

Mr. Figgins, of Covent Garden Market, exhibited some Rhizanthaceous
plants, which had been developed by a peculiar process of pruning, from
the roots of turnips ; they did not resemble any known species, but it
was said that their production was constant under skilful treatment. The
petals were tinged with bright red, blue, &c., and altogether they had a
very beautiful appearance.

Punch's Guide to the Station-house.

Imbibe a succession of goes in a tavern till your locomotion is rendered
zig-zag. Then sally forth at twelve o'clock at night into the streets, and,
yielding to your inclination for repose, deposit yourself at full length in
the gutter. Or stand against a wall, and give a general challenge to a
pugilistic duel.

Wrench off a knocker in open day, and full in the face of A. B. C. D.
E. or F., 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, as the case may be.

Wantonly assault and overthrow the said A. B. C. D. E. or F, or any
one or more of their brother officers.

Demolish a shop window with your walking-stick ; and refuse to pay for
the damage.

These are ready means of speedily finding your way to the nearest
station-house.

CONCERT EXTRAORDINARY!

ecently it was our good fortune to be present at a novel
species of entertainment. This was a Grand Legal
Concert, which was given in the Temple Hall. The object
of the Benchers, with whom the notion of the thins:
originated, was, we understand, to illustrate, by the aid of
sweet sounds, the language of the nation's law. With
this view the more poetical portions of legal phraseology
were judiciously culled from Blackstone, and adapted
to appropriate airs, selected from the most eminent
composers. The principal singers of the day were en-
gaged ; and the Opera band was in attendance. Subjoined
is the programme of the performances :—

Grand Legal Symphony .... Sir H. R. Bishop.

Air. " Fieri Facias," and

Chorus. " Goods and Chattels" . . . Handel.

Solo. " JVe exeat regno " . . . Haydn.

Duet. " Capias" . . . . . Glucjk.

Air. " Et non inventus est" . . . Mozart.

Chorus. " Mandamus" . . . . Meyerbeer.

Solo. " Habeas Corfus .... Mozart.

Chorus. "In forma pauperis" . . . Beethoven.

Trio. " And your petitioners " . . Mozart.

Chorus. " In Banco Regime" . . Weber.

Solo. " Quo warranto ?" . . . Handel.

Barcarole. " Caveat" . . . . . Auber.

Polacca. "Nisi Prius" .... Bellini.

Chorus. " Sua. per coll." . . Purcei.l

Grand Finale. Rogues' March . . Anon.

The most striking feature of the evening's entertainment was, beyond
question, the Legal Symphony, which is the last composition of Sir H. R.
Bishop.

It commences by a maestoso movement, expressive of the dignified
nature of the subject about to be treated—Law. This is followed by an
allegro passage, descriptive of receiving a retainer. The technical pre-
liminaries to a law-suit are then shadowed forth in the tremulo notes,
which are popularly recognised as the prelude to anything diabolical.
This and the succeeding movement, suggestive of the hurly-burly of the
contending barristers, reminded us rather too strongly of the overture to
Der Freischutz. The succeeding andante, expressive of the law's delay,
was very effective. The agitated feelings of the clients were admirably
portrayed in the ensuing storm of instrumentation, which reached its
climax in an awful crash, significant of heavy damages. The piece con-
cluded, with a colossal Fugue, of a triumphant and joyous character,
denoting; the exultation of the attorneys and barristers on receiving

O V o

their fees.

The vocal portion of the concert was admirably sustained. Space does
not allow us to particularise its several gems ; we must therefore b«
content to notice those which, in our opinion, were the brightest. The
solo, " Ne exeat Regno," an adaptation of Haydn's "With verdure
clad,'' was very chastely executed by Miss Rainforth. The simple
purity of the air was in beautiful accordance with what might be supposed
to be the feelings of the solicitor on making the application. " Et non
inventus est" was a plaintive melody of Mozart's, most feelingly sung by
Miss Dolby, who appeared thoroughly to put herself in the place of the
attorney in an action for debt, who finds that the defendant has absconded.
The "Mandamus" was a highly successful and characteristic version of
the celebrated Demons' Chorus in Robert the. Devil. " In forma
Pauperis," (the Prisoners' Chorus from Fidrlio), was no less deservedly-
applauded. The trio, " And your petitioners," was the well-known
*' Prayer," in Don Giovanni, in an English dress, and was pathetically
sung by Mrs. Alfred Shaw, Miss Poole, and Mr. Harrison. Weber's
Chorus (the Huntsmen's), " In Banco Reginse," was universally encored.
The singers were supposed to be attorneys, creditors, and sheriffs' officers,
rejoicing over the debtor in prison. The pretty polacca from / Purilani,
in the shape of the " Nisi prius," was very gracefully given by Miss Betts.
Mr. H. Phillips shone in the solo " Quo warranto," known to the
musical public as " Why doth the heathen !" and Mr. Paul Bedford
was very great in the chorus " Sus. per coll." otherwise '' We should
rejoice," from Macbeth. He took the leading part in it, and happily
infused into his singing the peculiarities of his famous " Blueskin." The
" Rogues' March" was hailed with much enthusiasm, and set the majority
of the audience beating time to it.

We rejoice at the marriage which has thus been effected between Music
and Law; though, since the former has been already wedded to "In-
mortal Verse," a question might arise respecting its validity. Of this,
however, the lawyers themselves are the best judges, and will allege, no
doubt, that a divorce between the pair took place long ago; which is
certainly true. We hope to hear more of these concerts.

M. Jullien, we understand, struck with the sensation that has been
produced by the Legal Concerts, is engaged in the composition of a
Cognovit waltz, and an Alias quadrille, to bo performed at the English
Opera House.