Punch . thecomposer. Well, if one is totake ones hat off inreverence to Chopin,one ought to go uponones knees, at least,when hearing Han-del. So, open Sesame,young Cerberus, andlet me squeeze insomewhere to performmy genuflexion, if youcant find me a seat. Thus spoke theGreat Punch at theLittle Handel Fes-tival, which was heldthe other day in theCrystal Palace Con-cert-room ; and hismagnificent humilityso moved the stern po-liceman that an extrachair was placed, on this occasion only, in the gorgeous private box. My eye, what a crowd! was Mr. Punchs classic thought, as he placidly surveyedthe
Punch . thecomposer. Well, if one is totake ones hat off inreverence to Chopin,one ought to go uponones knees, at least,when hearing Han-del. So, open Sesame,young Cerberus, andlet me squeeze insomewhere to performmy genuflexion, if youcant find me a seat. Thus spoke theGreat Punch at theLittle Handel Fes-tival, which was heldthe other day in theCrystal Palace Con-cert-room ; and hismagnificent humilityso moved the stern po-liceman that an extrachair was placed, on this occasion only, in the gorgeous private box. My eye, what a crowd! was Mr. Punchs classic thought, as he placidly surveyedthe worshippers of Handel, who had made a special pilgrimage, all the way toSydenham, to listen to his songs. Three thousand chairs at least were all as full ascoat-tails and crinolinescould make them, and there were hundreds of legs standingat the sides and in the doorways, that the ears which they belonged to might hearAcis once again. Once again! ah, yes, alas! oimi! eheu fugaces ! I remember, I remember,. years ago at Drury Lane, Once I heard delightful Acis—now I hear it once again. Priscilla Horton then wasAcis, and how sprightly she was looking, and how splen-didly she sang! Aid how all the town was talking of theClarkson Stanfield scenery, and especially the movingwaves that, with innumerable murmurs, broke upon thestage ! By Jove, too, I remember that dear glorious oldStannt did it all for love, and wouldnt take a penny fromMacready for his work. I should like to see such artistsnow-a-days, by Jove! To show my admiration, Id letem draw for Punch upon precisely the same terms! Thus prattling to himself, Mr. Punch, had no greattrouble in employing the few minutes ere the overture com-menced. Then for an hour and three-quarters, exceptingto cry Bravo.! once or twice to Polyphemus, he neverspoke one word. Intenius aures tenebat, and he sucked inthe sweet sounds as greedily as aldermen might swallowthose of !codfish. With a fair quartette of singers, and anot too noisy band,
Size: 1554px × 1608px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, booksubjectenglishwitandhumor
