Punch (68.1875)

180

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

[April 24, 1875.

MUSICAL REVIVALISM.

Good Mr. Punch,

I hear that one of Mr. Sanrey’s hymns is now
being whistled in the streets, which I take it is the
height of musical popularity. Perhaps it may be through
his influence that a street-organ while I write is actually
performing the “Hallelujah Chorus/” Fact, Sir, on
my honour ! Within my hearing at this minute (which
is, to speak minutely, the twenty-second past the hour
of four on Friday afternoon), the grandest work of
Handel is being played, in a small way, by the turning
of a handle! Am I to give my thanks to Messrs.
M. & S. for this amazing treat ? As instruments in
their good cause, are the Revivalists beginning to con-
vert the barrel-organs ? Is Christy, about to be super-
seded by Christian, Minstrelsy ?

I remain, Sir, Yours, as Mrs. Gamp would say,

A Fox’s Martyr.

P.S. {Half-past Four.) — The barrel-organist has
finished the “ Hallelujah Chorus,” and, by way of a
neat sequel, has struck up “La Mandolinata.”

Orton ism and Orthography.

It was announced the other day that Mr. Whalley,
in the House of Commons, would “call attention to
the petition signed by Anthony Biddulph and others,
praying for a free pardon to Castro alias Tichborne.”
Is there not one Biddhlph whose name Orton alias
Castro was reported to have written Biddup— thus
seeming to confound, with a slight mistake in spelling,
an aristocrat with an auctioneer F Apparently Mr.
Biddulph is a gentleman of education, and bears no
malice.

Inevitable.

If Forsyth opes to spinsters
The House of the Nation,
What else can we have
But Mis-representation ?

THE FAMILY BUDGET.

A Meeting was held in the library of the mansion belonging to
John Smith, Esq., on Tuesday last, to consider the annual financial
statement of Mrs. Smith. Mr. Smith occupied his usual chair,
and Mrs. Smith was accommodated with a seat on the sofa.
Amongst those present were the Misses Smith (4), John Smith,
Esq., Jun., and Masters Tommy and Harry Smith. Charles
Dashleigh, Esq. (nephew of Mrs. Smith), was also in attendance.

Mrs. Smith opened the proceedings by explaining that the
holding of the Meeting had been strongly opposed by the Chairman
(Mr. J. Smith). She regretted to say that she had been compelled
to resort to force to gain admittance. (“ Shame ! ”) But skill had
overcome power. (“ Hear, hear ! ”) The library fire had been pur-
posely allowed to expire; and when the Chairman rang for fresh
fuel, an entrance had been secured under cover of the coal-scuttle.
{ Cheers.) However, there they were; and they were well satis-
fied to let matters rest. She would explain as briefly as pos-
sible the position of affairs. This year the grant for Millinery
would have to be materially increased, as trains were growing
longer and longer day by day. Moreover, full evening dress was
beginning to be worn again at the Opera. Meat was never dearer,
and, in spite of the “Stores,” grocery of all kinds was excessively
expensive. The Meeting would remember that twelve months since
an additional grant had to be made to pay for the brougham ; but
this sum would not be saved this year, as it had already been expended
in purchasing a box at Covent Garden. (“0/ 0!” from the
I Chairman.) There was also a great increase in the item. “ &e.”
Last year “ &c.” amounted to £874 5s. 6d. : this year “ &c.” had
increased to £1,202 4s. 1\cl.

The Chairman said he would like to have a list of the items in-
cluded in the term “ &c.”

Mrs. Smith had no doubt but what he would. {Laughter.) She
could, only say that “ &c.” meant lots of things. (“ Hear, hear .' ”)
1 or instance, the children’s schooling, bouquets, subscriptions to the
Circulating Library, and, in fact, a lot of other things she could not
remember at the moment. It saved a great deal of time and trouble
to put the things down in a round sum. (“ Hear, hear /”) To
meet this expenditure, she looked, as usual, to the cheque-book and

banking account of Mr. Smith—the gentleman now occupying the
Chair. {Cheers.)

Miss Smith complained of the small grant allowed for pin-money.
False curls had greatly increased in value during the past year, and
really the sum she received scarcely sufficed to pay the bill of the
hair-dresser. She must have some more money, to avoid appearing
in the character of “ a perfect fright.” (“ Hear, hear !”)

The Misses Angelina and Laura Smith corroborated the state-
ment of their elder sister.

Mr. Smith Junior said he must have an additional fifty pounds a
year allowed to him, as flowers in the button-hole were coming into
fashion again.

Mr. Charles Dashleigh said he had looked in on the chance ox
his uncle being able, or, rather willing, to do something for him.

The Chairman was understood to say that he was neither able nor
willing to do anything for his nephew—an announcement that was
received with much cheering.

Mr. Charles Dashleigh observed that, after that statement, he
need not stay any longer. (“Hear, hear! ”) He would merely add
that he had always managed to live at the rate of £2000 a year, on
an income something under £200. How he managed to do this was
as great a mystery to himself as it was to the rest of the civilised
world. The speaker then withdrew. .

Mrs. Smith said, that the business of the Meeting being over, she
merely had to ask the Chairman for a cheque. {Cheers.)

The Chairman, after observing “ What must be must, (a remark
which caused some merriment,) retired from the Library, avowedly to
get his cheque-book, which he said had been left in the Dining-room.

After waiting patiently for half an hour for the return ot the
Chairman, the Meeting ascertained that that gentleman had
treacherously left his home for his Club. _ »

Upon this discovery being made, the Meeting passed a vote oi
want of confidence in the absent Chairman, and separated angrily.

When our parcel was made up, Mr. John Smith was still dining.

HORATIAN MOTTO FOR CAPTAIN BOYTON.

“ Illi rubber et aes triplex
Circa pectus erat.”