Punch (53.1867)

December 7; 1867.]

PUNCH. OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

227

CAUTION TO SISTERS.

Harriet. “ I say, Charley, I’ve been Stealing some of your Scent ; but it isn’t very
Nice—something Odd about it—Smell ! ”

Charley. “Not Wiped your Lips with it, I hope? It’s the new Stuff for my Mous-
taches—BRINGS ’EM OUT AN INCH EVERY NlGHT ! ”

FROM OUR FOREIGN OFFICE.

Eurofe has discerned the possibility
of a provisional arrangement which
will terminate in a solution of the
Roman question.

The Holy Father declares that he
must absolutely maintain his non pos-
sumus as far as regards the territorial
demands of Italy.

It is added, on authority, that his
Holiness is bound by his oath, but he
considers it by no means impossible
that his successor should enter into
negotiations with the Italian Kingdom.

On this point the sentiments of the
Holy Father are in accord with those
of M. Punch. The eventuality con-
templated by his Holiness is not im-
possible. Nevertheless the endeavour
of the approaching Conference must
be to take the requisite precautions
that it shall not occur.

Those precautions will centre in the
careful provision that the successor of
the Sovereign Pontiff shall succeed
him only in his Pontificate.

The temporalities of the Holy See,
on the demise of the Tiara, will be
guaranteed to the Kingdom of Italy.

Thus the circumstances under which
nonpossumus could be the rejection of
an overture will have ceased to exist.
The Powers will not reproduce the
situation.

Italy, confident and tranquil, will
afford to wait for a reversion secured
on a legal basis.

M. Punch will be decorated with
the Grand Cordon of the Legion of
Honour, and no end of Orders. He
will also be liberally remunerated by
the Powers for the hint which, wiih
a sagacious generosity, he has supplied
for their direction.

CRYSTAL CONCERTS.

Mr. Punch, who stood as godfather to the Crystal Palace, and first
gave it the name which, like his own, will never die, is pleased now to
invent a title for the Concerts, for which the Crystal Palace has for
many winters been renowned, and which posterity will thank him for
now naming Crystal Concerts. That glass is musical has long been
known, for who has not heard long ago of “ Sharspeare and the
musical glasses ” ? Still, that glass could be the means of giving such
good music as may now De heard at Sydenham any Saturday in winter,
we must thank the Crystal Palace for happily discovering.

Mr. Manns, although a Protestant, is a Catholic conductor ; and
although no doubt he inwardly protests against bad music being piayed
by his good band, he yet, is catholic enough to acknowledge that all
tastes should be discriminately catered for. So, after serving in
grand style the “ roast beef of old Handel,” or the turtle of Beet-
hoven, he throws in a French plat or two by Auber or by Gounod,
nor does he disdain to dish up now and then a music-shoppy entree for
those who have no relish for turtle or roast beef. Moreover, Mr.
Manns, as becomes a skilful chef, is ever on the look-out to serve up
something fresh. A new symphony by Mendelssohn, and some new
Songs without Words, were among the tit-bits chosen in his menu for
last Saturday, and all epicures in music who were able to be present
must have thanked him for the treat.

To hear Arabella Goddard perform a piece by Mendelssohn is
worth going not to Sydenham merely, but to Salisbury or Siam. How
sweetly her piano sings these pleasant wordless songs ! and how little
are words wanted, when, thanks to her interpreting, the notes express
the meaning which Mendelssohn intended ! How delightful must it
be to have Beethoven, Bach and Mendelssohn ever at one’s fingers
ends, and be able to discourse most eloquent music with them !

Besides new compositions, Mr. Manns is to be praised lor bringing
forward at his Concerts new singers and performers. Many a good
artist, and now a public favourite, has to thank him for a first intro-
duction to the public. To the piano, which so sweetly sang the songs
of Mendelssohn, many nervous debutantes have tremblingly been led,
in terror lest the public should condemn their “execution.” Few
perhaps have been more frightened than Miss Amy Coyne, whose

nervousness, however, did not prevent her hearers from relishing her
otherwise most promising performance. Mr. Punch has reasons of his
own, not unconnected with his works, for feeling a paternal interest in
Miss Coyne, and commends her for her judgment in choosing for her
entrance some bits of real music by Bach, Mendelssohn and Chopin,
and not some trashy tawdry “air with variations,” or such music-
shoppy stuff. The more men hear of music such as Beethoven’s or
Mendelssohn’s, the less taste they will have for noises signifying
nothing, such as vacuous vulgar street-songs and blatant brazen bray-
ings, which haply may seem musical to long ears at a music-hall, but
at our charming Crystal Concerts are not suffered to be heard.

MARTYRS AND MARTYRED.

Sing He profundis for your martyrs, sing.
Peace to the souls of traitors may it bring,

Help them to full release from murder’s guilt,
Though a true Briton’s was the blood they spilt,
Peace to the souls of Fenians, being fled ;

Now justice has been done; and rest the dead!

But while you chant the penitential strain
For them, the slayers, recollect the slain.

Which, say your priests, is like to need it most,
Flitting, forewarned or unforewarned, a ghost,
Sped with a blow, or sent at leisure due ?

The Fenians, or the victim whom they slew ?

Sing for your martyrs’ souls ; but don’t forget
That other martyr, poor Policeman Brett ;

Sing for the murderers all the psalms you can :
But sing as many for the murdered man.

Light and Dark.

A novel has just been published, called Fair Women. Are the
blondes to have undisputed sway ? Is there no author who, in the
cause of the brunettes, will gallantly write a story—it cannot fail to
please, if of a gloomy complexion—and entitle it Hark IFomen ?