People Talked About

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9, 4 March 1905, Page 2

People Talked About

W. S. Gilbert: A Famous Humorist and His Work. When one considers the extraordinary interest which the British public has taken in the personality of Mr Rudyard Kipling. it is surprising that Mr \V. S. Gilbert has somehow contrived to escape the embarrassing adulation of the populace, for in a far greater measure than Mr Kipling’s has his work found favour with his countrymen. Indeed, if one were asked to name the greatest humorist of our time, there would be small reason to hesitate in nominating the author of the “Bah Ballads.’’ and that long series of brilliant comic operas which brought fame and fortune to Mr Gilbert and to his musical collabora-

teur. the late Sir Arthur Sullivan. Mr Kipling. <>f course, is not conspicuously a humorist one remembers his “Brugglesmith” with misgivings- but even so if is not easy to account for the disparity in the public interest taken in the two men: where Mr Kipling has enthralled his thousands. Mr Gilbert has entertained his tens of thousands. It may be that the personality of a playwright does not come so (dose t< liis audience as that of an author: and. furthermore, while Mr Gilbert has introduced this generation to the most delightful of intellectual playgrounds, he has remained himself and I do not think he will resent the suggestion an admirable type nf the solid, unpretentious British Philistine. A Justice of the Peace, a country gentleman gravely concerned with the agricultural affairs of his hundred acres, does not strike one as the kind of person to

devote himself to the writing of comic verse and fairy comedies. A dramatist who refuses to go to the theatre to witness the production of his own work after it has passed the rehearsal stage, seems to be an unromantic figure—and such is Mr \V. S. Gilbert. It is the distinguishing feature of his humour to turn things topsy-turvy—-is not every situation of that kind now described as “Gilbertion”? —but although in his own person he has illustrated something of this topsy-turviness. W. S. Gilbert, the man. has never occupied so eminent a place in public interest as many of his far lesser contemporaries. Perhaps this is as he would have it. for he is a sworn foe to interviewers, and on one occasion, when approached by a lady L journalist to grant her an interview, he replied that his charge for doing so would be £ 50. Mr Gilbert for all his attachment to

country life, is a thorough son of London. having been born in Southamptonstrevt. Strand, on Xovember 18th. 1836. His father. William Gilbert, who died in 1889. was a litterateur of considerable reputation, who had been a mid shipman in his youth and then a surgeon. before ho settled down to a literary career. He wrote some thirty works in all. novels and biographies. hi« best remembered being a delightful sea story. “King George’s Middy.” William Schwenek Gilbert’s early schooling was obtained at Boulogne and at Great Ealing. and as a scholar ho had already won some boyish distinction for his efforts in English. Greek, and Latin verso. before entering King’s College, intending to complete his education at Oxford. At nineteen he suddenly came to a decision to enter the Army, commissions in the Royal Artillery having then been thrown open to competitive

examination owing to the need of officers for the Crimean War. Thus he graduated al London University and gave up thoughts of Oxford, but after all he did not enter the Army, as the war was finished before he had qualified for examination. Some ten or twelve years later, however, he became a captain of the Royal Aberdeenshire Highlanders (Militia). Perhaps the most popular of his “Bab Ballads” was “The Yarn of the Nancy Bell.” in which, with absurdly comic detail. an old salt is made to relate the appalling story of how a castaway crew bad been reduced to one man (himself) by the drawing of lots to determine who should be sacrificed for the common pot: “And I never larf. and I never smile. And I never lark nor play. But sit and croak, and a single joke I have —which is to say:

“ ‘Oh. I am a cook and a captain bold. And the mate of the Nancy brig. And a bo’sun tight, and a midshipmite. And the crew of the captain’s gig.’ But Mr Gilbert was soon to find that while literary journalism was more profitable to him than his work at the Bar. the theatre was much more lucrative than either, and a burlesque ho had written very hurriedly being produced with success at the St. James’ during 1 be Christmas season of 1866. bo was piesently devoting all his energies to writing for the stage. Burlesques, “fairy comedies.” dramas, from bis pen followed each other in merry succession. and generally with success, for although wo are apt to remember him chiefly from the beginning of bis famous partnership with Sir Arthur Sullivan, ho was a dramatist of high reputation, with such admirable plays as “The Princess.” “The Palace of Truth,” “Pyg-

malion and Galatea.*' to his credit before, in 1875, “Thespis,’’ which ran for eighty nights at the old Gaiety, and was followed soon by “Trial by Jury,” indicated the possibilities of the GilbertSullivan collaboration. “The Sorcerer.” produced at the Opera Comique in November, 1877. was perhaps the real foundation of the unexampled series of triumphs scored by Mr Gilbert as a comic opera librettist. •fc + + A Ducal Water-Drinker. There are an ever-increasing number of well-known men who drink nothing but water. Lord Charles Beresford, for instance, the Baron de Meyer, and Sir John Gorst. Ono duke there is who rejoices Sir Wilfred Lawson’s heart by his staunch teetotalism. This is the Puke of Fife, who has. T believe, been a total abs Fainer for many years.

The Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovitch. Jt would be interesting to know what were tin* real feelings of the Grand Duke Michael with regard to the birth of the little Czarevitch who deprived him of his position as Heir Presumptive to the throne of Russia. To he absolute ru’er of that vast country, with al] the risks attendant 1 hereon is a dignity from which many people would shrink yet there are attractions about a throne which arc very fascinating, and which compensate for a great deal. Peter the Great used to say in merry moments, according to a contemporary chronicler, that it was a happier life to be a British Admiral than a Czar, and perhaps Nicholas TT. thinks so too. Tt is understood that the more enlightened classes in Russia viewed w’ith anything but favour the prospect of the Grand Duke Michael coming to the

throne. He is under the close and allpowerful tutelage of the Empress Mot her. and a coterie of retrogressive counsellors, whereas now that a direct heir to the throne has been born it is hoped that wiser and more liberal counsels will pre-

vail which will make happier the position of an oppre>xed fieople. ’Die young Grand Duke Miehae'. brother of the Czar, whose portrait we now give, must not Im* con fused with the Grand Duke Michael, first cousin of the Czar.

Her Grand Ducal Highness Princess Maximilian of Baden. Duchess of Brunswick and Duneberg with her daughter.

The Duchess of Cumberland. Duchess of Brunswick and Luneberg.

The Grand Duchess of Mecklenberg Schwerin (nee T’rineess Alexandra of Cumberland). who was recently married.

Princess Oigo. Duchess of Brunswick and Lundberg.

Governor of Madagascar (anxious to speed the lingering guest) : “Must you stop? Can’t you go?” (This cartoon from “Punch” was topical when the ’Frisco mail left London a month since. The fleet is still at Madagascar.)

The Grand Duke Michael Alexandroviteh. only surviving brother of the Czar.

BACK ROW. C. Kuehn, I*.A., Devon port; A. Breiniier. P.D.P., Waiklno; .1. Georgeson. P.S.. Gisborne; E. R. Morgan, P.D. P.. Wanganui: 11. O. Searle, P.D.P. Paeroa: ’l’. Eltringham. P.S., Waihi: J. S. Dickson, P.A., Newmarket; W. Hunter. P.S., Auckland: 11. J. Wynyard, P.S., Poneka; 11. Mills, P.A.. Dannevlrke; T. A. Mitchell. Palmerston North; A. Bold, P.S., Wellington; T. Varcoe, D.P.. Nelson; W. W. Mansfield, P.A., Carterton; T. B. Mitchell, P. D.P., .Masterton; W. Morrison. P. A.. Pahiatna: E. .1. Gridley, P.A., Blenheim; E. Alien. D.P., Johnsonville. MIDDLE ROW.—J. Purnell. P.D.G.P., Wanganui; J. Grant, D.G.T.. Wellington: W. Blomfleld. D.G.V.P., Auckland: R. Fletcher. D.G.P.. Wellington; J. Mackay. D.G.S.. Wellington; B. R. Gardiner, J.P.G.D.P., Levin; J. Gilbert, D.G.G., New Plymouth: H. E. West. PR.. Greymouth. FRONT ROW. F. Bower. I*.A., Eltham; A. Christensen. P.D.P.. Patea: 11. Buxton, D.P.. Inglewood: G. Stafford. PA.. Marton; A. A. Plesse, P.S.. Ponsonby; G. E. A. Hood, P.A., Newton: G. 11. Hathaway, D. P., Hawora; W. Feek. D.P., Auckland; W. D. Vickers, P.A.. Shannon; F. Jennings, P.D.P.. Wellington: D. Stone. P.S.. Otakl; P. T. Kean, A.D., Eketahuna; W. Ness, P. S., Manukau; J. E. Hughes, A.D., Upper Hutt. H inna photo