Punch: Punch (60.1871)

February 25, 1871.]

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARI VARI.

75

The Militia to be improved and enlarged.

The Purchase of Commissions in the Army is abolished.

Compensation thus occasioned will cost Eight Millions.
Commissions will he obtained by competitive examination.
No more Cornets ; no more Ensigns.
Promotion is to be by Selection.

There is to be no Compulsory Ballot, at present, but in case of

an Emergency the Qlteejt can summon Parliament, and thus

such a Ballot may be ordered.
We are told that the United Army of the country, that is, the

Regulars, Militia, Yeomanry, Two Reserves, and Volunteers

will amount to 470,717 men.
That is what Mars proposes to do, in compliance with Neptune's
suggestion made the other day, via Cartoon. Is it enough? Shall ice
he ready at an Emergency f That is the question to be asked.
There is no question as to the details of Mr. Cardwell's measure,
all of which are good and some of which are admirable.

The Commons had high debate on the War. Mr. Auberon
Herbert moved that we ought to interfere to obtain moderate
terms for France. Other speakers, especially Sir Robert Peel,
said that this country was humiliated, and he was severe upon the
frequent use of the word " Ventured" (to suggest, &c), in our
despatches. Sir Henry Bulwer and others considered tbe motion
:ll-timed. Mr. Gladstone said that deferential language was use-
ful in public as in private transactions, defended the Government,
and thought that an extorted peace would be unfortunate, and that
the more magnanimity shown by the Germans after their splendid
victories, the better for France, Europe, and indeed Germany her-
self. Neither side desired interference. The motion was withdrawn.

HOW THEY DID NOT ADVERTISE WHEN
THERE WERE ACTORS.

PUNCH'S FOLK-LORE.

SHROVE TUESDAY.

N one of the principal
observances connected
with this respectable
festival, the curious
may detect the influ-
once exercised by the
Heathen Mythology
ever the customs and
usages of modern
housekeeping, traced
back through the Re-
formation,the Revival
of Learning, the Dark
Ages, the Invention of
Gunpowder, the Cru-
sades, and the Retreat
of the Ten Thousand,
to the outbreak of the
Trojan War, and the
first publication (on
large paper) of the
compositions -of the
greatest blind poet
the world has ever
seen—the gifted and
talented Homer.

Few of those who sit down in the lap of luxury and the bosom of
their family to their annual indulgence in that composition of eggs,
flour, and milk, fried in the melted fat of swine, which at this par-
ticular season of the calendar is consumed in enormous quantities
wherever cookery has planted its standard, and the art of working
in metal is firmly rooted, give a moment's thought, as they court
the stimulus of the genial orange or seek the zest of its more acid
connection, the pulpy lemon, to the sobering reflection that in their
tempting Pan-cake, they may recognise, if they possess sufficient
classical acumen and acquaintance with the productions of the
Benedictine Friars, the very same delicacy that the Greeks and
Romans introduced into their festivals held in honour of the least
prepossessing of all the heathen divinities, the god Pan.

It remains to be added that a still higher antiquity than the
Lycsea of the Greeks and the Lupercalia of the E,omans has been
claimed for this popular article of consumption and commerce ;
many of the greatest scholars, both of ancient and modern times,
headed by the Corporation of London in their official robes, being of
opinion that the savoury cooked food mentioned in one of the long-lost
books _ of Aulus Jellius, as having sharedwith ambrosia, and nectar,
and pickled walnuts, the distinction of always forming a part of the
entertainments given by the gods on Mount Helicon, was no other
th an the unctuous and indigestible Pan-cake of modern cookery-books.

THEATRE EOYAL, COVENT GARDEN. 1803.

OTHELLO.—The Play of Plays ! Mammoth Success. Book your
places five months in advance.

OTHELLO. —'-"Black Jack" (the Great John Kemble) was never so
splendid as in the -Black General. Aride public Press.

OTHELLO.—Come and hear George F. Cooke in the screaming comic
song of uKing Stephen was a worthy Peer." Triple encore nightly.

OTHELLO.—" Drunk all over is Charles Kemble as Cassio. His very
legs seem to stutter."

OTHELLO.—Parley's Roderigo is sublime. His expression when he
declares that he should like to hang Othello is intensified fatuity.
" The house does not laugh, it roars like a volcano."

OTHELLO.—The Management emphatically denies the statement that
Mr. Kemble does not black himself all over for the part of the Sfoor.
He does, and a certificate (signed by the eminent "Warren) of the supply oi
blacking may be seen, gratis, at the liox-office from 10 to 4.

OTHELLO.—The Management respectfully apprises the twenty-seven
ladies of title who fainted with excitement at the murder-scene on Tues-
day, and had to be removed, that their money shall be returned, or otht r
seats given them, on application at the Box-office.

THELLO. — "The majestic John, the powerful George, the graceful
Charles, seen on the Stage at the same time, constitute a trio of talent
which has never been equalled since the days of Thespis. When it becomes
a quartette by the addition of the gifted Sarah, language fails to describe the
effect. "Witness it."

OTHELLO. — " Not a jot." These seven letters are a whole Alphabet
of Agony ; and when enunciated by glorious John, in the Great Scene in
the Third Act, it may be doubtful whether the superb Artist is justified in
this supreme onslaught upon our emotions. It is fearful.

OTHELLO.—7-10. Bow at Brabantio's. 7T5. Fight. 7 30. Grand
harangue. 8'5. " Drown cats." 8-25. Iago chaffs Desdemona. 8/40.
Tipsy chant. 8-45. Tipsy fight. 9o. Green-eyed Monster. 9-25. " Where's
my handkerchief r " 10. Row with Desdemona. 10'20. " Willow, willow."
10'45. Stabbing, smothering, suicide, and Shakspearian triumph.

OTHELLO.—"The Poor Soul sat sighing." Any one would be re-
warded for " walking barefoot from Palestine " by hearing Mrs. Siddons
warble this exquisite diUy. The audience would applaud, but are drowned
in tears. The Song may be had at the Box-Office, price Two Shillings plain,
Three Shillings coloured, with the signature " Sarah Siddons."

OTHELLO.—Covent Garden Theatre can be reached without the
slightest difficulty. Plenty of hackney-coaches to be had at all hours,
and a table of your Jarvey's fares is hung up in the entrance hall.

OTHELLO.—" What shall we say of Mrs. Lichfield as Emilia ?
Simply that so perfect a personation of a very difficult character has
never been set before a British Public. Power, force, strength, might, zeal,
contrasted with archness, softness, kindness, gentleness, tenderness, and yet
all artistically blended into an alternation of exalted heroism and womanly
devotion. How G. F. Cooke brings himself even to seem to wound her, passes
our imagination."

QTHELLO.

DO

OTHELLO.

QTHELLO.

NOT

OTHELLO.

QTHELLO.

OMIT

OTHELLO.

QTHELLO.

SEEING

OTHELLO.

QTHELLO.

THE

OTHELLO.

MIRACLE

OF THE MODERN

STAGE!! !