C. S. K.
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The Melbourne Punch for July 1, 1880, contained a long, and very dreary parody, entitled Paradise and the Berri. It dealt with local politics, and was chiefly devoted to insulting a politician named Berry, it had no literary merit whatever. The Melbourne Punch is published at double the price of its London namesake, of which it is but a very poor imitation.
Paradise and the Peeler is the title of another long parody contained in Lyrics and Lays, by Pips. Published in 1867, by Wyman, Bros., Calcutta. This relates how the Eden gardens in Calcutta were closed to the general public, by order of the Commissioner of the Police, until a general outcry forced him to withdraw the obnoxious edict.
During Oxford Commemoration in 1866, the S. S. Amateurs performed in the Masonic Hall an “Oriental Extravaganza,” entitled Lalla Rookh. This was written by Mr. Vincent Amcotts, of Balliol College, (founded upon Moore’s poem), and the numerous songs it contained were set to music selected from Offenbach’s “Barbe Bleu.” This amusing travestie was published by T. Shrimpton and Son, Broad Street, Oxford.
Another Extravaganza, with the same title, was produced at the unfortunate Novelty Theatre, London, in May, 1884. The libretto was written by Mr. Horace Lennard, the musical arrangements were by Mr. P. Bucalossi, and the caste included Miss Kate Vaughan, as Lalla Rookh, Mr. Harry Nicholls, and Mr. Fred Story; the piece, however, had but a brief career.
Several other dramatic arrangements of Lalla Rookh have been produced, there was a burletta by Horn; a cantata by Messrs. W. G. Wills and Frederick Clay; and forty years ago the famous Cerito delighted the opera-goers in a ballet founded on Moore’s poem.
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One more Irish Melody.
I