Punch (92.1887)

228

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

[May 7, 1887.

WAITING VEEIFICATION.

The following letters, for the authenticity of which their unmis-
takable signatures may be regarded as an undisputed guarantee,
having come, no matter how, into Mr. Punch's possession, he pub-
lishes them forthwith without further comment:—

My deab Mabquis,

Thank you for the pretty present of Primroses, which
arrived quite safely, and with which I proceeded straightway to
decorate my balcony most effectively. I join the League, believe me,
with the greatest pleasure, and shall certainly, as you propose, instal
a Habitation in East Mayo at the first possible opportunity. For the
rest, take no account of my conduct in the House. I am obliged,
for obvious reasons, to make some outward show on the other side.
But that, you know, is only a ruse. "When the Division comes, you
will find, my dear Marquis, that you have not counted in vain on the
unflinching support of Tours devotedly,

My Deab Sib,

Tor evidently, in common with the rest of the British Public,
have fallen into the trap artfully laid for you by the coloured posters,
and are associating my advent in this country with the forthcoming
performances of the Wild West Show about to be held at the
American Exhibition shortly to be opened at Earl's Court. Please
dispel the idea from your mind, for my mission over here, which is a
double one, is of a very different sort. In the first place I am the
accredited agent of the Government of the United States to settle the
Fisheries Dispute with the British Cabinet. In the second, I am the
first living representative of the part of Mephistopheles in my
country, and I have come over here to show your Heney Ibving how
he ought to do it. My reputed connection with' the Indians and
Cowboys at Earl's Court, you may, therefore, regard as the wildest
canard.—Tours faithfully,

My Deae General,

Though I have not, for reasons'of policy, hitherto openly
referred to the excellent movement you have originated and organised,
I cannot longer refrain from assuring you, that it has my heartiest
approval. Indeed, if you will send the drum and uniform down to
Lambeth Palace, I will at once join your ranks, if only in the capacity
of a humble Corporal. Only let me know when you have your next
" drill" on down this way, and you shall soon find that you may^on
your parade, count on no more boisterous demonstrative and in-
defatigable recruit than yours, sincerely, and enthusiastically,

Deae Habcourt,

After mature and weighty consideration, I have determined
to throw up the whole Irish game. The last arguments used by
Salisbury about the Crimes Bill strike me as conclusive. He
makes out a strong, and, as I take it, an excellent case. Tou may,
therefore, let Chambeblain and Habtington know that I unflinch-
ingly abandon in the future all former points of difference. Tell
them I henceforth relegate " Home Rule " to the four winds. The
news will not surprise them, as they know how little I am in the
habit of being tenaciously wedded to my own views, and how ever
open I am to the influence of the fair and valid arguments of those
who happen to be politically opposed to me. Ever yours, with much
conviction,

they can tell him hoio they got there. Having called in a Committee
of Experts, he has of course satisfied himself that he knows what he
is about, though he candidly admits, judging from a recent rather
notorious experience, that this is not the same thing as satisfying
everybody else.

THE LANE AND THE GARDEN.

Drury Lane—-The Rose Garden is open. The Temple of Augustus
Drubiolanus is occupied by Carl Rosa (Limited), and Mme. Marie
Roze inaugurated the season—a short, but, we hope, a merry one—
with Carmen. It is put on the Stage in a style worthy of the

Dear Cockalorum,

Ie I had only known that you would have published my
tripping little note in the shape of an advertisement, how much
better I could have made it. As it was, I read it in print with
infinite satisfaction and delight. The whole thing struck me as
in such excellent taste. But mind, dear boy, the next time ypu
want something of the kind you give me notice, and I promise
you you shall have something veritably hors de ligne. Hoping you
did enjoy the dinner. I am, yours eternally,

N.B.—As Mr. Punch thinks it very probable that the foregoing
writers will deny their own signatures, he only has to ask them if I Percy," Count Beust is dead and " food for Wobms."

dm

Cull Eose, Sir ? Marie rose to the occasion as Carmen.

Augustan age, and the Tear of Jubilee. For Wednesday (to-day)
the new Opera, Nordisa, by Mr. Corder, is announced. Sursum
Corder! Carl Rosa, Limited! We anticipate success for this
novelty. " Corder thou art, and shalt be more hereafter ! "—which,
we believe, is in Macbeth, but if in doubt, refer to Augustus

DeURIOLANUS.

Covent Garden.'—That Leila and Carmen are by the same com-
poser is difficult to realise; the latter being so full of catching melody
that after a first hearing, anyone with half an ear comes away
humming boldly, but incorrectly, the Toreador contento, and with a
burning anxiety to recall something of the cigarette song,—while
of the former not even a man with three correct ears for music could
hum, or would think of humming, a bar of its music.

Mile. Alma Fohsteom was a charming Leila, a sort of Veiled
Prophetess the greatest interest in the piece being occasioned by the
curiosity in the house to seize any moment when accident or design
should lift the veil and show her face. It was like watching for the
cuckoo to come out of its little door in the clock when the hour
strikes. Mile. Alma sings and acts charmingly. M. Lherie was a
picturesque Zurga,—whatever Zurga may be, apparently King of
the Fishermen.

The opening is bright, but this promise is not fulfilled. There is a
fine duet for Nadir (plenty of evident jokes on his name, which,
however, do not occur in the Opera), a very solemn and effective
prayer to Brahma, and a lively and telling finale to the First Act.
Leila appears to be very ill-used by the people who, after receiving
her as a divinity " to watch over and protect them," immediately
change their tone, and threaten her that if she falls in love she
shall " never again see sunrise." She has, therefore, to get up early,
and the others get up earlier, and everyone more or less falls in
love with her, including three Fakirs—who do not sing the old
Jack Sheppard chorus of "Ik my dolly, pals, Faker way"—
with all their clean linen from the wash tied round their heads, and
who are evidently suffering from violent chill in consequence, as they
pass a considerable portion of their time with their hands over a
sacred fire. If they were dressed as three Quakers, after the style
of Mr. Babbington and. Miss Jessie Bond in Muddygore, the flame
whereat they warm their hands might be the " Sacred Lamp "—not
the Red one—" of Burlesque." In fact, in these Fakirs, with their
linen and drapery—the Three Linen-Drapers—the interest may be
said to be centred. They never tell their love for Leila, but they
show it by deeds; for they take a pot-shot at Nadir, her lover, miss
him, because the Linen-Drapers are not sportsmen, but bring him
in prisoner, and help to drag Leila away from his embrace.

There is a fine finale to the Second Act, and an effective finish, but
we should doubt whether popularity is in store for Leila and the
Linen-Drapers, and whether any operatic Manager will rub his
hands with pleasure, and say to himself, "Leila.' Good Bizet-
ness!"__

Memoirs of Count Beust by Baron de Woems.—Like "Brave

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