Punch: Punch (82.1882)

not be granted. Bnt if statisties on the snbject could be obtained, it
would be seen that a very large proportion, indeed, of the Operas pro-
dnced between 1813 and (about) 1853 were brought to a conclusion by a
highly florid air for the heroine, whose heart was “ bounding ” with
“ joy astonnding,” or “ dancing ” with “love entrancing,” or “leap-
,ing” with “no more weeping.” When, at the close of her adven-
tnres and perils, Madame Valleria. comes forward and sings an
air in triple time, expressive of her delight at everything having
come right at last, people smile at the familiar vocal tag. But they
' also applaud, for the piece is very effective ; and Madame Valleria
| sings it brilliantly.

Opinions differ as to the treatment that the Duke of Alva has
J received in the new Opera; for while one ciitic declares that he has
been made worse than ever—the librettist representing him as a
wonld-be lady-killer as well as a slayer of men—another maintains
that the pleasant, genial strains which Balfe has witten for the
part have had the effect of rehabilitating him. Mr. Crotxy’s singing
is in every case mnch better than the Duke of Alva's conduct.

This Opera contains one or two very dramatic scenes; and tbe
meeting of the Council of Blood wonld be terrifying—the viHanous-
looking eeelesiastics with balloons on their heads are enough to
frighten the boldest person—but for the light and agreeahle music
by which the proceedings are enlivened. A pretty divertissement
was not the less welcome because the dancers wore Spanish costumes
and danced in the Spanish style. History is mute on the subject;
but it is quite possible that the stern and savage Duke of Alva
may have taken with him to Antwerp a troop of Spanish dancers.

The work was received with great demonstrations of delight; and

while devoting himself with commendable exertion to the task of
popularising Wagner, Mr. Carl Rosa deserves great credit for not
neglecting the already popular Balfe.

Mr. Boosey’s “Night wi’ Burns” was very Scotch ; Scotch by lts
ballads, and Scotch also by the mist which iilled the hall. The
congenial fog had no effect, however, but that of. stimulating the
audience to applause, renewed again and again. Miss IIope Glenr,
of the Italian voice, made on this occasion her first appearance as a
Caledonian. vocalist. Fortunately the Scotch accent, so difficult to
aequire, can, by
singers not to the
manner born, be
easily unlearned.

“ Colonel ” Cogli-
lan was one year
old last Thursday.

Mr. Byron’s Boys
were two or three
years old before
theyretired. AsMr.

Bancroft’s pro-
per ty in the Ptobert-
sonian Series is f ast
expiring, the pre-
sent piece might be

called The Last . .

Ours of the Haymarket. Though expmngit is doing remai'ivably
well by all accounts, specially those of the Haymarket lreasury.

Colonel Cogblan, one year old, February 2.

February 11, 1882.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARL 71

PLEA OF PADDINGTON.

(With apologies to the Shades of
Canning and Frere.)

The Board of Works, a thrifty
crew,

Oppose in cold, heart-sadding
tone,

The Park! Ah ! Bumble may
pooh-pooh,

But “ Let us have it! ” is the U-
-niversal prayer of Paddington.

Non possumus ? Nay, that won’t
do!

Pray drop oflicial fadding tone !

Builderdom’s selfish bosh eschew,

And listen kindly to the U-
-niversal cry of Paddington.

Asphyxia on our Town, too true,
Weighs yet in many a madding
ton;

Give us another “ lung,” pray do,

Is now the hearty, ardent U-
-niversal plea of Paddington.

Are Cockney souls as dull of hue
As Babylon’s pervading tone ?

“Let’s look upon the heavenly
blue

From one more vantage,” is
theU-

-niversal wish oj’ Paddington.

Posterity, on its turf pursue-
-ing pleasant sports, in gladding
tone

Will bless the foresight, wise and
true,

Which timely listened to the U-
-niversal prayer of Paddington.

i Union Generale.—In France
| the name of a bank (probablv
j 9and-bank); in England the name
16f a workhouse, where nobody
; works. The definitions are widely
| different, but fche things are
I much alike.

Health of the United States.
—The Cabinetof Washington has
nearly recovered from the effects
of an irritating Chili-Blaine.

“ WHERE IGNORANCE IS
BLISS”—IN A SURYEYOR.

What terribly ignorant people
some of the principal Surveyors
of London must be! I some-
times find three of the most re-
spectable members of that highly
respectable profession swearing
solemnly that in their judgment
a particular property is worth say
about £16,000. Then three
equally respectable members of
the same highly respectable pro-
fession swear that in their judg-
ment it is not worth a farthing
more than £9,000; and the Jury,
apparently not paying the least
respect to the opinions or judg-
ment of any of them, say it is
worth about £13,000!

Of course it is only a scan-
dalous suggestion to say that the
puzzled. Jury add the highest
valuation to the lowest, and divide
the amount, and find a verdict
aecordingly, though the figures
stated would seem to bear out
the possibility of such a state-
ment containing a considerable
amount of truth.

It almost tempts one to suggest
that the Jury should settle the
value, without the expensive
assistance of six eminent Sur-
veyors, as they don’t apparently
attach the slightest weight to
their opinions, although I am
informed they cost about seventy
guineas each.

JOSEPH GREENHORN.

Apt Quotation.

Lines from George Coleman's ‘ 1 Broad
Grins,” addressed, with Mr.
Funch's Compliments, to a cer-
tain Correspondent of tlie New
York Trihune and other papers.

“ Then, Sir, shake hands, and
part! No breach,

No difference ’twixt us, I beseech!
Although our business varies :

Thine is detraction, mine is jest—

Which occupation, pray, is best,
Thy spite, or my ‘ Vagaries ? ’ ”


“ THE DASHING WHITE SERGEANT.”

“ And I will be your—Ballantine.” (Feh. 14.)

PUNCH'S FANCY PORTRAITS.-No. 70.