MR. TOOLE IN LONDON.

Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 138, 13 June 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

MR. TOOLE IN LONDON.

Mr. Toole, who arrived at Brindisi oa March 21st. spont a fow days in I'uly with his old friend Mr. Edmund Euiitletlge, thon went to Monte Carlo, and afterwards to Faris for a week, lie arrived iv London last week, and iutends to open on the 2Gth at his old theatre in King William-street. Tho Daily Telegraph Paris correspondent captured him iv the gay city, and induced him to expound his views of Australia. Melbourne, he thinks, perfectly remarkable. It conveyed to him, "in s far greater degree than Sydney, an impression of an American character. Tlie trams are most extraordinary, the peoplo of an hospitablo and kindly nature, and during the nine weeks I spent there I enjoyed a series of fetes, picnics, aud a really triumphaut reception. The same privileges and the same experience 1 enjoyed in all the other pkcos I visited. At Sydney, that most popular of Governors, Lord Carrington, extended to me the greatest kindness, and my friends declared that it was difficult to decide who got the warmest reception, tho Governor in front of the - footlights or the other governor be- „ hind the footlights." Mr. Toole says of New Zealand: — "At Duucdin I ■vvas received by Lord Onslow, who has already established himself in the hearts of tho people, and wh<, eutertaiued me at Wellington at a banquet, at wero all tho chief citizens. At a town called Wanganui I fraternised with the Maori chiefs, to whom I was taken by tho German Consul (Mr. Kriill) and a large party. As a liarmleES practical joke, somebody had spread about the report that tho Governor was on the point of arriving, and with the utmost humility, I may mention in a stage whisper, that I was honoured musically with tho usual royal reception, and that it was only when I sang tho most pointed verse of 'An 'orrible talo " that my true professional acquirements as a loading tenor and my real personality wero discovered. Tho customary war dance was executed in my hontiur, and I have gome idea of reproducing its principal features in a popular form liter on. I went on various expeditions in search of game and curiosities, and acquired various trophies of a startling character, which will shortly be exhibited in my box office, in King William-street, to those who book for the stalls, dress circle, and private boxes. The hours will be, as usual, from 10 to 5. This allusion is, I need not say, historical and geoi graphical, and must not be considered in the light of an advertisement. Mr. Toole's opinions about the Governors will command respect at Dowling street. Here they are :—: — "As far as I can tell — and Lord Knutsford may be glad to have a thoroughly uuprejudiced opinion — I think they are all doing extremely well, and the Government may be pleased to know that wherever I detected any little failings of policy oi adminibtration I smoothed it over with a tact and delicacy that left ' nothing to be desired, and that will be, I am sure, of the happiest omen for the future good conduct of our beloved Mojesty's empire in Greater Britain. In return for this, if it should be thought advisable to confer iipon mo any trifling distinction or order—though I have a natural aversion to orders — though I do not seek such acknowledgment, etill there it is — I moan whore is it ?—? — and I should n.tt raise any unwavering objection. -* " But to return to the governors, " my sinooiest. gratitude is due to them one and all, to Lord Carrington, Lord Hopetoun, Sir Henry Norman, . Lord Onslow, and Lord Kintore. I \ received from aft their Excellencies ! pleasing mementos of my visit, it which 1 really cherish heartily, and P which will not b j exhibited with the te big game trophies in King William street. Tho amount of eating and drinking I went through on the eve j of my departure from London supi plied a vast amount of comic copy f to jthe popular periodicals of the 1 metropolis, and I had naturally trained up to the discharge of similar ■ duties in Australia. As for the speeches, well, I have been making or trying to, all my life,

'or' tfireo 'weekl'^ti'mejat^tt certain . heatfe, which my*'native modesty , preventß my mentioning, I will say . no more on this Bubject. At all the , theatres I found the performances most excellently done, and all the ; artists entertained and received me , in the most cordial manner. I was repeatedly asked ' When is Irving coming?,' I sometimes thought , I was his agent in advance ; but I have , not yet come to an understanding as to the foe for the performance of this duty. But certainly the desire to see him and others of our principal actors is very strong, and I am sure thoy would receive the same hearty welcome as I did."