The Press. — London, England, 1855-02-03 00:00:00

THE PRESS. FEBRUARY 3, 1855. FINALE TO THE ROMANTIC OPERA OF "COALITION." As performed at the Theatre Royal St. Stephen's, amid enthusiastic disapprobation. (Published by the kind permission of Messrs. Hansard.) LEnter all the characters, R., L., and c. CHORUS OF MINISTERS (low tone). 'Tis the Hour and the Man. 'Tis the Hour and the Man. Let every one make the best tale that he can ; For the die it is cast, and the Rubicon past, And the next day of office perchance is our last. • LEnter Rozuucxmws,fiercely, and drawing his sword. ROE. (shrilly.) How now, ye accomplices, plotting again ? Come forth into light, and your doings explain. CHORUS. [Exit hastily. THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS. The spirit of our forefathers has spoken out at last— Away with clerkly oligarchs, your sickly rule is past ; We must have men to govern us, brave hearts and able hands, Nor longer let old England's name go forth to foreign lands As a byword for a braggart, as a symbol of disgrace : Away with them who brought this shame upon our once proud race. Away with all incapables !—it is the Commons' will— Manhood and honesty avail us more than clerkly skill; Away and hide your heads with shame, and thank your happy fate Ye meet no sterner vengeance from a nation's scorn and hate. And ye who fill their places, look that ye play your parts With able heads, and willing hands, and honest English hearts ! Ye have a task before you set might make the stoutest quail. To change to songs of triumphing a mournful people's wail ; To the dead bones of old routine t' infuse the blood of life, And turn the groans of dying men to shoutings for the strife ; Appease the nation's weeping, restore the nation's fame, And bid our cheeks flush red with pride that now arc white with _ shame. This is the work ye have to do—see that ye do it right, Or tremble lest ye rouse to wrath an angry nation's might. By dark Tschernaya's waters a gallant wreck is seen ; With stern resolve unshaken, and pale but dauntless mien, They quail not at the pestilence, the foeman they defy. Alma and Balaklava saw how they can do and die. Oh ! if they're doomed to perish let them perish sword in hand, Striking another blow to save the honour of our land ; Let them in noble blood wash out the cruel marks of shame With which our rulers' folly blots our old ancestral name Lift from the dust those gallant hearts that mourn our fallen pride, Nor let the spirits of the dead feel they have vainly died. O'er many an English cottage, o'er many an English ball, A veil of gloom and sorrow hangs like a sepulchral pall ; From many an English hearth is heard wild wailings for the dead, From many an English household joy for evermore bath fled. Ye cannot to that young wife's heart restore her vsnish'd joy, To yon pale mother ye can ne'er bring back her gallant boy ; But ye must bring a priceless balm to soothe their heavy pain, By proving that their loved and lost have perished not in vain; Ye must send aid to our thinned ranks on that wild Tartar shore, And bid the nations own our day of dire disgrace is o'er. CHARITABLE APPEAL. A late disastrous event having suddenly thrown several estimable individuals, recently known as " feel's Clerks," entirely out of employment, with the loss of all their tools (including Osborne and Lowe ), the following advertisements are inserted, gratis, by Tea l'ness and other journals, in the hope that the unfortunate persons in question may he enabled to obtain some kind of occupation suited to their respec tive capabilities. PLACES WANTED. (All Letters to be Post paid.) AS HALL PORTER, an elderly man, of Scottish birth. Can be re commended for his ability to give the sourest and most snap pish answers to all applicants. Is sure to be found in his place, from which he has the utmost reluctance to stir. Can have a two years' character from his last situation, in which be was never known to give a single civil reply. Would be invaluable to a genteel family plagued with poor relations. Address, " Gordon, Keeper's Lodge, Greenwich park. AS SHOPWALKER, an elegantly-mannered man, of good con nections, and much suavity of demeanour. Having an extensive acquaintance with needlewomen, he would be extremely useful in a drapery establishment, and having recently acquired some insight into outfits, would he happy to place his information at the service of his employer. Being possessed of private means, salary not so much an object as agreeable employment. Address, " Sidney, Newcastle's Head, Westminster." AS BOOK-KEEPER, a middle aged man, of religious principles, and well acquainted with arithmetic. Has received a good education, and was for some years confidentially employed by the late Sir Robert Peel. His temper not being implicitly under his own command, he would have to stipulate for a separate apartment, and no interference. At extra hours would have no objection to instruct the junior branches of the family in Latin, as far as Entropius, and in ciphering up to compound subtraction. As regards meals, has been in the habit of always finding three courses before him. References from several distinguished Roman Catholic families. Address, "W. E. G., the Budget Hotel, Oxford." AS USHER, an indefatigable man, whose habit of " lying awake through many sleepless nights" peculiarly fit him for the office of curator in a youth's dormitory, if that accomplishment be of no other practical utility. Of amiable temperament, and can undertake that the minutest details connected with his duty shall receive as anxious attention as the most important. Address, " Lincoln, care of the porter at the War office." Who are you? ROE. Who am I? Russ Emus. Who is he—don't you know ? There is mischief a brewing. My cue is—to go. CHORUS (furiously). Yah ! Yoh! The small coward! You see that we knew bim. He bolts from" the thunder-bolt !" RoE. Small blame unto him. CONCERTED PIECE. ROE. Your cup is full, your war's a mull, "rwere best that you resigned. CHO. Such good advice, in phrase so nice, Is really very kind. ROE. Well, will you go? Say, will you go ? Cuo. With all respect, we answer, No. ROE. Clio. We They }will They not go. we will not go. CHO. At least without one parting blow. Once more we'll try our shield of shams. As well be hung for sheep as lambs. RoE. 'Tis well ! Defend you as you may. Muster your forces for the fray ! [Trumpets. Enter, marching, a., the Coalition forces bearing the banner, on which are blazoned a Bundle ,'f Slicks and the motto," Union is Strength." They form on the R. Trumpets again. Enter, marching, L., the Opposition army, bearing the banner, on which are blazoned the " Star of Brunswick," and the motto," liege, Lege, Grege." They form on the L. Trumpets again. The Pope's Brass Band takes up the air, and enter, marching c., the Irish Brigade, bearing the banner, on which are blazoned the Keys, and the motto," To be Let or Sold." They halt, as uncertain which side to take. A HERALD (reads). " Roebuckides, heretofore a Knight of Bath, (loth impeach Sidney Her bert, James Graham, and others, their accomplices here present, in that they are faitours, scroyles, and nidering, friends of Russia, and enemies of the realm. And hereupon he offers battle, and Heaven defend the right!' (Trumpets.) Rots What say ye, ha! Speak out, men. Do ye yield ? Retire, and leave me master of the field. [Answering Tnnospei. SIDNEY HERBERT. Now, all stand back. By Pembroke's old renown, I, singly, I, will hunt this roebuck down. CONCERTED Pm'. RoE. (scornfully). A very nice young party-man, My Sidney, thou appear'st to be, But rather framed upon the plan That charms a party—met for tea. S. H. (haughtily.) Thy voice is high, thy taunt is low, Thy paltry charge has nothing in't— Come, strike, and thou shalt learn to know Tho value of my stores of lint. RoE. To the fight, to the fight, let your mettle be tried ; S. H. (ensemble.) Cease prattle, in battle the question decide ! [Trumpets. [They fight. ROEBUCKIDES comes up faint, but nevertheless strikes down his antago nist. General miler. The hostile armies rush upon each uther---combal—what suddenly a new banner is seen, inscribed " Che Sara Sara," and ItussEmus crosses the stage, followed by ninety-nine of the Coalitionists, and attacks his former friends, who give way on every side. RAI.PHO, wildly gesticulating, is about to spike himself on his own joke, but finds it has no point. GIADSTONIO sits down in despair, writes his own epitaph, and then flings it in Russzuun's face. The banner of Coalition goes down, and its supporters fly. GENERAL CHORUS. Mark the rout, raise the shout, that on any condition We're quit of the incubus called Coalition ; And with this consolation, the knowing it's certain, Any change must be gain—let us now drop the curtain. Curtain fa Ile. le