SCENE--_Interior of a Fashionable Church. The Incumbent has
read the Banns of Marriage between JOHN PLANTAGENET DE SMITH
and MARY STUART DE BROWN, and asks the usual question._
_Counsel_ (_rising in pew_). I beg to object.
_Incumbent_ (_surprised, but self-possessed_). You will be good enough
to communicate with us in the Vestry, at the end of the service,
_Counsel_. But I prefer to raise my objections at once. I may say,
Reverend Sir, that I am here on behalf of Mr. JOHN PLANTAGENET DE
SMITH, who is my client. I am instructed by the Messrs. CAPIAS of
Bedford Row, and I contend that since the Members of the London County
Council have instructed counsel to appear on their behalf at meetings
in which they themselves act judicially, the right extends to Places
of Public Worship.
_Incumbent_. Perhaps we might hear you later. If you were kind enough
to raise your objections in the Vestry, it would be--
_Counsel_ (_interrupting_). Pardon me, that would scarcely be
satisfactory. We do not wish any hole-and-corner agitation. I
am instructed by my client to say, that he courts the fullest
investigation. Now, the facts are these:--
[_Gives the facts, and ends an eloquent speech with a
magnificent peroration._
_Incumbent_. In consequence of the rather long argument of our dear
and learned brother, the customary quarter of an hour's sermon will
not be given on this occasion. [_Curtain._
* * * * *
AL FRESCO OPERA.--_Cavalleria Rusticana_ at the Royal Shaftesbury,
and _Le Rêve_ in the Winter (Covent) Garden kept by Ex-Sheriff
DRURIOLANUS. "About the latter," says Sir DRURIOLANUS, "some
enthusiasts quite _rave_. See?" (_Exit Ex-Sheriff, to note this down
for the forthcoming Pantomime._)
* * * * *
NOTICE.--Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS.,
Printed Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, will in no
case be returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed
Envelope, Cover, or Wrapper. To this rule there will be no exception.