SOMETHING LIKE A DINNER.
Vol au Vent.
Now that the Parliamentary Session has opened, and the Season threatens to set in with its usual severity, the dinner question comes prominently to the front. Even in the best-regulated households there is a sameness about dinner which, towards the end of the week, palls upon the appetite. Some ambitious young men have attempted to deal with the matter and surprise their guests by introducing cheese immediately after the soup (soufflé au parmesan), and after a cut of beef comes the fish (turbot à la Russe). That is well meant, but it is crude. Mr. Punch has given his great mind to the subject, and presents to the consideration of the dining world the following hints for a meal:—
Half-om-half.
Blauwe Landtongsche Oesters.
Hoog-Sauterneswijn.
Soepen.
Dikke Rivierkreeften Soep. Volmaakte Soep in Van Dijk Stijl.
Amontillado.
Zuschotelles.
Selderij. Olijven. Radijs. Haringen. Poukenvorm gebakken in Berg-op-Zoomsche Stijl.
Liebfraumilch.
Gekruide Gerechten.
Volmaakte Soep in Van Dijk Stijl. Lambasteien met Zeeuwsche Saus.
Chateau Danzac.
Voorgerechten.
Hoenden Vleugels, met Haagsche Saus.
Heetkoudegemakten Ganzenlevers in Zwolsche Stijl.
Ruinart, wrang wijn, Bijzonder Perrier Jouet, Louis Roederer, wrang,
Giesler & Co., G. H. Mumm, buitengewoondroog.
Groenten.
Aardappelen in Sneeksche Stijl.
Doperwten, Fransche Stijl.
Gebakkene Kropsalade.
Sorbet, Anneke Jans.
Gebraad.
Kanefasrug Eendvogels. Gekruide Seiderij-sla.
Richebourg.
Nagerecht.
Curacaogelei. Italiaansche Ijs. Edamsche Kaas. Vruchten.
Gemonteerde Stukken.
Koffie.
Likeuren. Sigaren.
Pupen en Tabak.
It may be objected that half-and-half, even when badly spelt, is a cold preparation for dinner; and others may take exception to Poukenvorm, as likely to have an earthy taste. But did they ever try it gebakken in Berg-op-Zoomsche Stijl? It is no use mincing matters. Let anyone in search of a good dinner enter any well-appointed restaurant, and order this menu right through down to Pupen en Tabak (which is not a preparation of dog's meat), and if they are not satisfied, Mr. Punch is a Dutchman.
"RICHARDSON'S SHOW" AND A "BILL OF THE PLAY."
The Vaudeville, when it was opened, was devoted to all that was light and cheerful. Comedy and Burlesque went hand-in-hand, and the audience, if ever asked to weep, were begged to cry with laughter. But Mr. Robert Buchanan (with the assistance of the late Mr. Richardson) "has changed all that." Clarissa, the present attraction at the little theatre on the North-side of the Strand, is a piece of the most doleful character. The First Act is devoted to a very heartless abduction, and the last to a lingering death and a fatal duello. When it is announced that the successful fencer who "kills his man" is no less a person than that excellent Comedian, Mr. Thomas Thorne, it will be readily understood that "the New Drama" is the reverse of lively. Clarissa has scarcely a laugh in it from beginning to end. Certainly, in the last Scene but one, there is a revel, in which "pseudo-Ladies of Fashion" take part, but the merriment with which it is spiced is decidedly ghastly. Miss Winifred Emery is exceedingly clever, but her death-scene is painfully protracted. Mr. Thalberg, as Lovelace, is a sad dog in every sense—a very sad dog, indeed. The only incident in the piece ever likely to provoke a smile, is the appearance of some comic bearers of grotesque sedan-chairs. When Clarissa is carried out à la Guy Faux at the end of the Second Act, there is certainly a moment's hesitation whether the audience should cry or laugh. But the sighs have it, and pocket-handkerchiefs remain to the front. On the occasion of the initial performance, some slight amusement was caused by the introduction of Mr. Buchanan in unconventional nineteenth century morning dress amongst the old-fashioned costumes of the company; but, of course, the slight amusement was for once and away, and could not advantageously be frequently repeated. Thus, take one thing with another, the life of the Vaudeville audiences at this moment cannot be truthfully described as a merry one.