Punch: Punch (91.1886)

December 18, 1886.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

299

INTERIORS AND EXTERIORS. No. 43.

AT LLOYD'S.—WHERE "AN ILL WIND BLOWS NOBODY GOOD.

physique and style, as it seemed to me, are rather too heavy for the
rakish touch-and-go Tom Jones, and the artificiality of his assump-
tion was brought out no less by the stolid realism of Partridge,
than by the freshness and the unconventional earnestness of Sophia's
acting.

Mr, N. Yes, Sir, and yet there is something pleasant in his imper-
sonation of the hero.

Mr. P. There is always a heartiness in Mr. Wafer's manner
which takes the fancy of an Jinglish audience. He would do well
not to rely on this too much. As for the other characters—well-

Mr. V. Wasn't Squire Western too loutish ?

Mr. P. Very difficult to pronounce on such a character as repre-
sented. Fielding's Squire Western s a coarse violent pig-headed
old hrute and bully, and to represent him as a Mr. Hardcastle, or
" a fine old English gentleman, one ot the oldon time," would have
been a great mistake on the part ot either author or actor. The fault
in Mr. Fred Thorne's impersonation seemed to me, that he
represented the Squire as in a chrome state of stupid intoxication.
I congratulate him on his art, wishing for him some worthier
character on which to exercise it.

Mr. JST. Mr. Allworthy is a melancholy person as played by Mr.
Gilbert Fabquhab. , „r

, Mr. P. Somewhat; but remember Mr. Allworthy is a quiet, benevo-
lent gentleman intended to be contrasted with the Squire and if
Mr. Thobne is right in his impersonation m being so drunk then Mr.
Fabquhar is equally correct m being so preternaturally sober. When
the Squire roars with laughter, Mr. Allworthy turns up his eyes to the
sky-horders, and seems to breathe a prayer; when the Squire
flourishes a whip, Mr. Allworthy depreeatmgly raises his hands and
remains in the somewhat angular attitude of a saintly personage in a

painted window. Throughout the piece Mr. Allworthy, as a rule,
is either being shocked and pained or cruelly deceived; he never
knows whom to believe, and glides dolefully about the stage mutely
appealing to the audience for the sympathy which is rarely refused
by a generous public to anyone so deeply suffering—and for over one
hundred and fifty nights too—as this poor dear Mr. Allworthy, who
is indeed a sight pleasing to the gods and pit—a good man struggling
with adversity.

Mr. N. You have forgotten Miss Lottie Venue as Mistress
Honour !

Mr. P. "All gone, save Honour! " Indeed I had, but'only for a
moment. Mr. Niebs, she is the sparkle of the piece, diminutive,
quaint, pretty, irresistibly comical Lottie Venne! clever little
actress for fun or pathos! and as for mischief, there's not another
soubrette on the stage within measurable distance of her.

Mr. .V. I'm always glad when there's a part a-lottie'd to her.
She is the chief Miss Mis-chief.

Mr. P. Thank you, Mr. Nlbbs. I must take care of my pockets.
Good day. _

The Whole Duty of Tenants.

" The Conservative Party is fighting the battle of Society."—lord Salisbury.
If Property's rights you'd support with propriety,

This is your duty, with which be content:
Pay the rent to the Land for the good of Society,

Or Land and Society soon will he rent.

Real "Aria" Belles.—Mesdames Path and Albani.