Near-sighted Man in Church, inspecting Sham Insect on Lady's Bonnet. He is so excited by the discovery, that he hurries out of Church in the middle of the Service, in order to write to the Papers to announce the sudden appearance of a magnificent specimen of the large Tortoise-Shell Butterfly on our Shores in mid-January, as a proof of the Mildness of the Climate.
AMONG THE AMATEURS.
No. IV.—RETROSPECT.
Scene—A large Room, in which Guests are assembling previous to a Supper in honour of a Great Actor, who is about to leave for a tour to the United States. There has been a magnificent farewell performance, in which the Great Actor has surpassed himself. The public has shown unparalleled enthusiasm; the G. A. has appeared before the Curtain, and in a voice choked with emotion has assured his audience that the one thing that sustains him at this trying moment is the prospect of seeing them all again when he returns.
Time—11.45 P.M. The Room is full of histrionic, literary, and artistic Celebrities, with a few stray Barristers and Doctors, who like to show publicly that in spite of the arduous labours of their professions, they can enjoy a mild dissipation as well as any man. Most of the leading lights of the "Thespian Perambulators," Boldero, Tiffington Spinks, Gushby, Andrew Jarp, and Hall, have come to prove by their presence the sympathy of the Amateur Stage. On the last night but one they had concluded their series of performances at Blankbury. The Chairman of the Banquet is a middle-aged Peer, who is a regular attendant at first nights, and occupies a subordinate office in the Ministry. The Guest of the Evening has not yet arrived. A buzz of conversation fills the air. The Secretary of the Banquet, an actor, is anxiously hurrying about with a list, on which he ticks off names.
The Secretary (to Boldero). So glad all you fellows have been able to come. I've put you pretty well together, as you wished. I wonder where—oh! here he is at last.
Enter Great Actor. The Secretary rushes to him. Hand-shakings and congratulations all round. The G. A. moves up the room to where the Amateurs are standing.
G. A. (shaking hands.) Ah! this is really friendly, Tiffington, really friendly. Were you in front to-night?
Tiffington. Of course we were. We wouldn't have missed it for a thousand pounds. It went first class. I thought your idea of stabbing Alphonso from behind instead of in front, was a genuine inspiration.
G. A. Approbation from Sir Hubert. (Bows and leaves quotation unfinished). But I've always played it like that, I think.
[Supper is announced. The Guests troop in to the supper-room.