New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-11
pLAyCHE AND THE FUy or HIS TIME.
From The Queen.

Socially Mr.. Panch6 was the most popular Of
men, and may be considered to have led life OF
exceptional happiness among the w.,est abo , pre-.
by their generaioD-lt might be fairly said by sew
eral generations for Mr. blanche lived through
several artistic periods. Part OF bis popularity was
undoubtedly due to his kindly and honorable
ture essentially k,open.and generously ready TO
give much honor wherever a very little was
honestly due But ii is almost certain that such good
gifts as these do not always meet with the ample
recognition they deserve, unless indeed they happen
to be al led with more snowy quallties. now, MI.
blanche preserved, even under the barassiDg all
ment which preceded his death, quality which
daily becomes more rare. lle.was always the last
depository Of a tradition. He had gaiety OF dis
position, a lightness Of heart. which neither pam
nor age could quel. Like Charles Mathews the
your 'er, he conveyed to the mind Of the present
clear IDEA of the mental condition of past genera
tiOn-that of Moore Hook, Alyanley, and the rest.
The admirable comedian just referred 20 told tho
writer-whO took leave TO doubt whether Laughter
and witt ever went Z" flashing around the Mahogany
Tree" as suggested in Thackeray's famous song
that the characteristic of the Hook period was es-
sentally gaiety and flowing spirits Mnen ques'
tossed that the things SAID, when remembered at all.
did not seem good when taken cod"-that they
TCud not bear Tng aST9
The general average OF the conversation was by no
means high intellectually. 1t was. as Mathews in
sisted, not the matter but the Manner quite an
People certainly, at the time spoken of. drank
great deal Of wine. and this practice may have
neither oethe last survivors OF the period. Mathews
and blanche, wine-blbber. But they insisted
that people were gbyer and pleasanter of old than
now, when mild cheerfuness Is the nearest APP
proach TO gaiety peImis sbe. Perhaps what this
age has gained in decorum it has LOST IN lightness OF
heart. Mathews said as much Mr. Planche rather
implied 1t than said outright, and perhaps felt
the change less than his contemporary by reason OF
his own greater natural stock of good hum0r.
Cur0usy, however, this cheeriest OF veterans,
whose extravaganzas full OF quip and crank and
pleasant banter, no sayer of good things-no
iOrmenter of words like Mr. Burnand. inverter Of
thought like Ny. Gilbert. His estimate OF fun was
from his very good nature and willingness to be
pleased by no means trustworthy. As the writer
was gossiping with him over the marriage OF the
Duke of Connaught, the talk turned in the direction
of court pageantry generally. Mr.. Plancbe held-as
By his position as Somerset Herald. he was perhaps
bound to do-tbat royalty must have It's trapDlngs.
YOu recOect,' he said, the good joke, don't youf
Majesty without its surroundings becomes Jest'
And he laughed heartily with that sense OF keen
endowment which is so gratifying to the hearer
That person, however. could hardly do more than
force sympathetic litter at the poor little jokelet
surely the most rlckety offspring of witngs brain
that ever made q man Of undoubted talent hold bis
sides. This readiness to be amused endeared MI.
Pianche TO all who knew him. Living as he did
among persons endowed with the artistic tempera-
ment, together with all its childish vanitles and
weaknesses. lie always had smile and a pleasant
word for everybody the patience bred of perfect
courtesy we'll the cheeriness of kiDd-hearted
gentleman" all of the olden time"