Humph! Show is very passable, no doubt;
And as you pull the strings, my clever Showman,
'Tis clear that _you_ know what you are about,
Sense's sworn friend, and babbling folly's foeman.
The slides, as worked by you, seem mighty fine,
A trifle vague, perhaps, in composition,
Sloppy in colouring, and weak in line,
As is the civic peep-show's old tradition;
Still there is graphic vigour here and there,
Perspective, and a general sense of "movement."
On the old "Shirker" Show, 'tis only fair
To own, it evidences some improvement.
Plenty of slides! there is no doubt of _that_;
In fact one questions if there are too many.
Yes, I shall find when you pass round the hat,
The price is more than the old-fashioned Penny.
I pay my money and I take my--choice?
Well no, it won't quite fit, that fine old patter.
Still, if your Show proves good, I shall rejoice;
A trifling rise in fee won't greatly matter,
If 'tis not too "progressive" (as you say).
To stump up for sound work I'm always willing;
But though, of course, a Penny may not pay,
One wants a first-class Peep-Show for a Shilling!
Some of your novel slides are rather nice,
Some of them, on the other hand, look funny.
I felt grave doubts about 'em once or twice.
I don't want muddlers to absorb my money.
However, as I said, 'tis very clear
As puller of the strings you yield to no man.
The Show seems promising, if rather dear,
But anyhow it has a first-rate Showman!
* * * * *
"So Engelish you know!" exclaims the BARON DE B. W., on seeing the
advertisement of Dr. LOUIS ENGEL's new book from _Handel to Halle_. "It
will be interesting," says the Baron, "to note how much of HANDEL's
popularity was due to that particular inspiration of genius which caused
him to use the name of the future composer and pianist in one of his
greatest works, namely, the celebrated '_Hallelujah Chorus_.' For this
magnificent effort would have been only half the chorus it is without
'HALLE' to commence it."
* * * * *