A DAY OUT. (By Jacques Junior.)
A fishing, paddling pic-nic! What, to stand
On the lush margent of the gusty stream,
With feet benumbed, and watch the bobbing quill,
And then to dine al fresco—not for Jacques!
Where, for the smooth mahogany of Ind,
The unplaned earth is board; for cushion'd chair
The damp earth, ant-infested, or rough root
Chafing the unaccustomed cuticle;
Where mint sauce th' insecure platter doth o'errun,
With hose and doublet playing Lucifer;
Where glasses must be emptied as they're filled,
To the great prejudice of temperance,
Or, if set down, drops me a spider in,
To spoil the fortune he cannot enjoy,
Like Sir No-Company, who makes a third.
While e'en a grumble, relishabler far
Than that keen sauce of Sparta, is denied.
For one there'll be who'll not let ill alone,
But, "I prithee try this compound; I learnt the knack
In Venice," or, "Thus in England wines are mix'd!
Pray you pronounce upon't." Another, worst,
Will keep all waiting while he spoils good food,
Concocting some vile preparation,
Calling't a Sallet. "Taste in charity,
For Fate's against me; some ingredient
Of utmost import hath been left at home."
And so the wholesome green is all besprent
With bile-disturbing mixture. Out upon't!
I'd rather find a kitten in a stew
Than one of these same preaching salad-bunglers.
What are the uses of al fresco meals?
Who likes a toad, ugly and venomous,—
Where's such a precious fool—upon the bread?
And they who, in contempt, the Dryad's haunts
Profane with empty bottles and loose papers,
Find tongues in tarts, ants running on their boots,
Wasps in the wine, and salt in everything!
At the Lyceum.—Saturday was the last night of Mr. Irving's Season,—a season remarkable for the inexhaustible popularity of Faust, produced in 1885, and for the revival of most of the Lyceum successes, by way of airing them for American exportation. On this occasion The Merchant of Venice was given. Miss Ellen Terry's Portia is one of the best examples of true comedy acting in the present day. Mr. Irving's Shylock is a marvellously subtle impersonation, full of humour, pathos, and tragic power. After the play he made a short speech bidding a temporary farewell to his friends. Mr. Punch replies, "Good luck go with you, Au revoir!"