Punch (93.1887)

August 6, 1887.]

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

49

all in play.

Deae Me. Punch, . . .

Now that your own particular theatrical adviser and fol-
lower, Mr. Nibbs, has left London for a trip abroad, I venture to
address you on matters dramatic. I am the more desirous of bo
doing because, although the Season is nearly over, two very import-
ant additions have been made to the London playhouse programme-
two additions that have hitherto escaped your eagle glance. I refer,
Sir, to The Doctor at the Globe, and The Colonel at the Comedy—
both from the pen of a gentleman who (while I am writing this in
London) is partaking of the waters at Royat. Mr. Burnand is to be
congratulated upon the success that has attended both productions.
I had heard rumours that The Doctor had found some difficulty in

" How happy could he be with either."

establishing himself (or rather herself, because 1 am talking of a lady)
satisfactorily in Newcastle Street, Strand. It was said that she
required practice, but when I attended her consulting-room the
other evening, I found the theatre full of patients, who were under-
going a treatment that may be described (without any particular
reference to marriages or "the United States") as "a merry cure." I
was accompanied by a young gentleman fresh from school, and at
first felt some alarm on his account, as his appreciation of the witty
dialogue with which the piece abounds was so intense that he threat-
ened more than once to die of laughing.

I have never Been a play " go " better—rarely so well. The heroine
—the " Doctoresse "—was played with much effect and discretion by
Miss Enson, a lady for whom I prophesy a bright future. Mr. Penley
was excellent in a part that fitted him to perfection. Both Miss
Victob, as a " strong woman," and Mr. Hill, as—well, himself,—
kept the pit in roars. The piece is more than a farce. The first two
Acts are certainly farcical, but there is
a touch of pathos in the last scene
which reminds one that there is a close
relationship between smiles and tears.
And here let me note that the company
in the private boxes, even when most
heartily laughing, were still in tiers.
As a rule the Doctor is not a popular
person, but at the Globe she is sure to
be always welcome. Any one suffering
from that very distressing and preva-
lent malady, "the Doleful Dumps,"
cannot do better than go to Newcastle
Street for a speedy cure.

The Colonel at the Comedy is equally
at home, and, on the occasion of his
revival, was received with enthusiasm.
Mr. Bbucb has succeeded Mr. Coghian
in the title role, and plays just as well
as his predecessor. Mr. Hebbeet is
the original Forester, and the rest of
the dramatis personce are worthy of
the applause bestowed, upon them. To
judge from the laughter that followed
every attack upon the aesthetic fad, the
"Greenery Yallery Gallery" is as
The Colonel. much to the front as ever—a fact, by

„ . , „• ' „ , , the way, that was amply demonstrated
wV» J?, ee °,f tne E°yal Academy, where "passionate Brompton"
was numerously represented.

tb/\eA^el^ 0fSazlemere seem to be ringing in large audiences at
me Adelphi, although the piece is not violently novel in its plot or

characters. Mrs. Bebnabd-Beeee ceases to die "every evening"at the
end of this week at the Opera Comique until November. I peeped in,
a few days since, just before the last scene of As in a Looking- Glass,
and found the talented lady on the point of committing her nightly
suicide. Somehow I missed the commencement of the self-murder,
and thus could not satisfactorily account for her dying until I noticed
that a double-bass was moaning piteously. Possibly this double-bass
made Mrs. Beenabd-Bebee wish to die—it certainly created the
same desire on my part. Believe me, yours sincerely,

One who has Gone to Puces.

OUR EXCHANGE AND MART.

Holiday Inquiries.

ELIGIBLE CONTINENTAL TRAVELLING COMPANION.—
A D.C.L., B.M.. and R.S.VP. of an Irish University, is
desirous of meeting with one or two Young English Dukes who con-
templating, as a preliminary to their taking their seats in the House
of Lords, passing a season at Monaco, would consider the advertiser's
society and personal charge, together with his acquaintance with a
system of his own calculated to realise a substantial financial profit
from any lengthened stay in the locality, an equivalent for the pay-
ment of his hotel, travelling, and other incidental expenses.
Highest references given and expected. Apply to "Masteb op
Arts." Rlindhnokv. County Cork._

INVALID OUTING. EXCEPTIONAL ADVANTAGES. — A
confirmed Invalid, formerly an active member of the Alpine
Club, who has temporarily lost the use of his legs, and has in conse-
quence hired a Steam-traction engine attached to which, in a bath-
chair, he proposes making a prolonged excursion through the most
mountainous districts of Wales, is anxious to meet with five other
paralytics who will join him in his contemplated undertaking, and
bear a portion of the expense. As he will take in tow two furniture
vans containing respectively a Cottage-Hospital and a Turkish-bath,
and be accompanied by three doctors, and a German Band, it is
scarcely necessary for him to point out that the details of the trip
will be carried out with a due regard to the necessities of health and
recreation. While the fact that a highly respectable firm of
Solicitors will join him en route, will be a guarantee that any
vexatious litigation instituted against him by local boroughs for the
crushing and otherwise damaging their gas and water-mains, or
running into their lamp-posts will, if it occur, be jealously watched
and effectually dealt with. In the not unforeseen, though by no
means expected event of the Traction Engine becoming by some
accident permanently wedged in and unable to move from some in-
accessible pass, it is understood that the party shall separate, and
that each member shall be at liberty to return home by any route
he may select for himself as most convenient and available for the
purpose. Eor all further particulars apply to X. X. X., Struggle-on-
the-Limp, Lame End, Beds.

LIFE IN THE COUNTRY. RARE OPPORTUNITY. — An
impecunious Nobleman, whose income has been seriously re-
duced owing to the prevailing agricultural depression, would be
willing to let his Family Mansion to a considerate tenant at a com-
paratively low rental. As half the furniture has been seized under
a distress-warrant, and as a man in possession is permanently
installed, under a bill of sale, in charge of the rest, a recluse of
aesthetic tastes, to whom a series of rooms entirely devoid of furni-
niture would present a distinct attraction, and who would find a little
friendly social intercourse not an altogether disagreeable experience,
might discover in the above an eligible opportunity. Some excellent
fishing can be had on the sly in the small hours of the morning by
dodging the local Middle-man to whom it has been let. Capital rat-
shooting over nearly an eighth of an acre of wild farm-yard buildings

Address, " Mabquis," Spillover. Herts.___

HHHE BEST PART OF HALF A PACK OF IT^dOoR
X SALE.—A Midland County Squire, who, through having come
into a Suburban Omnibus business, is about to relinquish his position
as a county gentleman, is anxious to find a purchaser for what is
left of a Pack of Hounds, of which he has for several years been the
acknowledged Master. The "remnant" consists of a Dachshund a
Setter, slightly blind of one eye, two Drawing-room Pugs, a Lurcher
and a French Poodle, who can tell fortunes with a pick of cards'
jump through three papered hoops at a time, walk round the room
on his fore legs, and. take fave o'clock tea with any assembled
company. Any enthusiastic huntsman wishing " to ride to hounds "
in the middle of August, could, with a little pre Wry trZlng,
scarcely fail to find m the above all the elements that wouldLwovife
him with a capital run even at this comparatively early season of
the sporting year With a red herring tied™ to the^She^ could

t7Cl%\ t0,^ the scent ; and, failing their performances

in the field might be safely rehed on as striki f" t ^

provincial Circus. The advertiser would be glad to hear from a
Pac^S, KenSli!1'16 ^ —^ofy.-Apply, Masxbb,

vol, xcni.