THE CRITIC

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 8, 6 November 1880, Page 63

THE CRITIC

ever it may happen to be. If there is nothing of this sort to be attended to H.R.H. receives deputations or private callers, and rides in the Park. Lunch is a pleasant meal, his children and Princess being present. 1 During the afternoon, the Prince and Prin6ess drive out together, either paying calls or attending garden and afternoon parties Another hour of the day is devoted to correspondence, and there are usually half-a-dozen or xhore engagements, one or two of which at least imply speeches, to be fulfilled during the evening. . . Though in reality quite a model husband and devoted to the Princess, H.R.H. is a confirmed *' philanderer. " He is never so happy as when ya. the society of pretty women, and there are generally two or three " professional beauties) " in his train. The Princess views this amiable weakness with tolerant good nature. She is far too sensible to be jealous of a Mrs. Wheeler or Mrs. Langtry, and these ladies are amongst the closest of her personal friends. In common with most folks you have probably heard many dbomina'Dle stories about the royal couple Certain middle-class people, who really knW no more of the Prince than they can gather from the newspapers, frequently overflow with nasty scandals which they assure us are "perfectly true." All such tales are nevertheless false and merely show that the purveyors know nothing of the lives of the people they libel. _ The Prince is a great stickler for etiquette. No one who brealcs an understood rule or outrages the "convenances" when in his society, need expect to be forgiven. I remember one case, however, where lie passed over a breach of decorum, and as the story is somewhat amusing, will tell it. Our future monarch is an inveterate smoker, and-notwith-standing his early rising stays up very late. One night, or rather morning, towards half-past ]

credited with a share in Lord Aylesford's stud, notably when Claremont ran second for the Derby, and this year he was one of Bend Or's warmest supporters for the Derby. The heir apparent is a model landlord, and takes the greatest interest in the well doing of his tenants at Sandringham. He knows all their names, ; and when at home enters into even the minutiae ■of the management of the estate.

"Belle Lurette " is the title of poor Offenbach s last comic opera.

Mr. Creswick was to make his re-appearance in London as Virginius at the Surrey Theatre.

According to the <' Mirror," Camilla Urso is undecided whether to remain in the United States this season or go to Brazil.

Offenbach's ' ' Madame Favart" ran 502 nights at the Strand Theatre, London. A new work of the some kind entitled, "Olivette " has succeeded it.

Mr. H. H. Leake, an American actor of great reputation, arrives by the next San Francisco mail under contract to Al. Haynian and Co.

Edwin Browne and a small dramatic company did a bad business at Maitland, N.S.W.. for three niriits Then they went on to Newcastle.

Mr. Boucicaxilt's " Bridal Tour " has been a melancholy failure at the Haynmrket, though the author still believes it is equal to anything Sheridan ever wrote.

If you want to learn the kind of entertainment that is to be provided at Cole's Circus, read through the advertisement in to-day's issue. It rives a regular catalogue of wonders.

An American Company, specially collected to play a drama called "The Galley Slave," will sail from 'Frisco for Australia and New Zealand, by the December mail steamer.

Miss Jennie Boyer, the celebrated ballad smger, who only arrired from America per " Australia" last trip," cleared out" in the same steamer she came by. She was dissatisfied with her business arrangements.

Mr. Arthur Suli van's new cantata, "The Martyr of Antiocli," is completed, and was to be performed at the Leeds Festival, with. Mine. Albani in the principal solo part.

Near the InvaMes, Paris, is a cheap show where may be seen an educated pig, a collection of stuffed snakes and birds and a fat woman weighing something over 400 pounds. This olephantic female is the wife of the proprietor of these attractions. It was about her that her husband talked to a friend rather confidentially the other day: "I know that she is false to me," he said, "but what can I do ? If I bother about it she'll grow thin." • •

Mr. Sim onsen starts for New Zealand with his new English and Italian Opera Company in about two months, after playing in Melbourne. The company will be half Italian and half English, so as to appear oa alternate nights. The two best tenors in Australia Palodini for Italian, and Bronchi for English— have been engaged as principals. All the leading people will be good, and the chorus small, but first-class. The company start from the Bluff, and work their way northwards

In Leadville, U.S., while Cole's Circus was exhibiting, two men rushed up with horses, attached them to the ticket wagon, and dashed off with the cor containing the money and the affrighted ticket-seller. Fortunately out there the people have their wits about them, and hot chase was given. The enterprising robbers were caught a few blocks off. The ticket van was brought back, and chained to stakes in the ground. Two men were after that posted beside the ticket-seller with, loaded revolvers.

J. K. Enimett signalised his return to NewYork by going on the spree again, this time worse than ever. He was absent three days, knocked down over 2,000 dollars, and was eventually found by the police dead drunk in the gutter and arrested. The Judge, in fining the comedian, said that he was not sure he was pursuing the best course for Mr. Emmett. A residence of a couple of weeks in gaol would prove a lesson he might not soon forget, besides probably curing him of an a2>petite which was likely to come on again now at any moment.

A story is told of one of the head servants in the Baroness Burdett-Coutts' employ, tlie butler, who numbers among his duties the task of having a dinner prepared at three o'clock daily, for Mr. Henry Irving, whether the distinguished actor comes to eat it or not. This functionary is represented as going to his mistress and saying, "My lady, we do not object to going to church twice on the Sabbath, nor to prayers (the Baroness is very religious), nor even to the three o'clock dinner we are required to make ready, my lady ; but, my lady, we must positively refuse to go to the Lyceum and cc Mr. Irving act more than twice a week !"