Punch: Punch (82.1882)

BARTER.

Visitor (who could hardly get into the Studio for Paclcing-ccises). “ Hetllo ! What the deuce 's the meaning of all this ?. Moving ? ”

Artist (with some embarrassment). “ No ; fact is I—I—YOH know the Academy turned out my-(Friend answersby a glance

of indignant sympathy.) “ Well—an Agricdltural Party wanted it, and I took his oefer—Five-and-Twenty Pounds and
this Two Tons op Cattle Spice ! But”—(noticing his Friend's look of dismay)—“ I ’ve got rid of it, Old Pellow. Expect the
WaGGON EVERY MINUTE. BuSINESS MaN—FrIEND o’ MINE—AGREED TO TAKE IT OFF MY HANDS FOR A TEN-POUND NoTE AND THE
rest in Bacon ! More useful, y’know ! ! ” - , [ fhey light up.

-comhination of colour, whether bright or sombre, or of that iudescri-
bable tint, which is so hard to be described, yet which is so easily to
he recognised by those true disciples whose artistic perception is not
dulled by constant contact with the gaudy atrocities of the Great
Uncultured.”--

“ This will do,” said the Editor, abruptly folding up the manu-
script. “ Just what I want. Do you understand music ? ” he asked
Chiffonier, who had brought his own effusion, and was now beam-
ing like a f nll moon.

“ I can play the tiute a little,” he answered.

“ That ’s enough,” cried Grubley. “ Try your hand at this Comic
Opera, which comes out to-morrow. It’s from the French. Been a
great go in Paris. • Now be off.”

This is what Chiffonikr did with the Opera :—

“Last night, at the Ambiguous Comic, was produced one of those
sparkling operatic gems which the Management of this popular little
theatre has from time to time caused to be repolished for the EDglish
stage. La PKtite Cocodette, as originally produced in Paris, would
doubtless have been too strong for our insular palates, and accord-
ingly M. Barney, the adapter, we might almost say Author, has
retitted it with the pointed dialogue and exquisitely turned lyrics
for which he is so renowned. Some of the jokes, notably the oft-
reeurring one allotted to King Saccharino, ‘ Do you see the point of
my boot ? ’ caused the spectators to shriek with laughter, while the
tenor ballad, ‘ Let Cleopatrf s Needle Dwindle,' the comic song,
‘ liing ! Bang ! Bong ! am I Going Wrong ?' ‘ The Knight's Shirty
Chorus,’ and the exquisite chansonnette, ‘ When Pussy Mews upon
the Tiles' are morceaux which will soon be the property alike of the
drawing-room and the barrel-organ.”--

Mr. Grubley did not read any more. He was satisfied. As Critic
of the Griffin, Mr. Chiffonier Priggs has become a shining light
in literary and artistic circles. He has condescended to “ arrange "
several plays of foreign origin for friendly Managers, he is con-
sistently opposed to, and readily nips the feeble dramatic growth of

his native land, and Grubley has cheerfully.paid the damages and
costs incurred more than once by his Critic’s exuberance of pen.
Chiffonier can now afford to look down upon his uncle and his
office. As his parents, and doubtless the stars, foretold, he is a Great
Man. Has he not fulfilled his highest ambition ?

ARMA VIROSQUE.

New Knights—The Ogg in Armour and Hanson’s Patent.

Mrs. Bamsbotham writes to ask us where she can obtain a
Tabular Razor. She is anxious to make a present to her Nephew,
who is just beginning to shave.