Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-01
AMERICAN COMFORTS
Widely Advertised in London, but
Yankees Can't Recognize EN-.
A cARICATURE OF A COCKTAIL.
BARRIERS That Lure Unsuspecti1g Travellers
in to Bleed Them.
THE MUSIC HALLS AxD THEATERS
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE D1spArcB.1

LONDON, FeD. 2.-Nh hen the dapper
young man at the American bar in the Cri-
terion cafe said, "Wot'l you ave SIR" my
hopes of getting good whisky cocktail
were instantly shattered. A Londoner would
not see the anomaly furnished by the spec
taeie of bartender who could not control
his aspirates attempting to compose the po-
etic draught that rejoices in basis of good
old Kentucky rye and is crowned by the
aromatic oil of lemon. This is because the
Londoner has no respect for the cocktail.
He could not be expected to, having become
acquainted with it in his own city.
There is something quite sad in the fatu-
Gus belief held by certain large publicans of
London that they are selling real American
drinks to the public. One can only
pity the childlike state of mind that Ameri-
can travellers are accustomed to-such spec
taeular concoetions as Hcorpse revivers,"
''chest caressers'' and "brandy fipfaps,"
all of which weird affairs are to be observed
at the so-callej American bars of the town.
The Bartender's Argument.
Most weird of all, however, is the cocktail
of whisky. The composition of it is a
mystery, and the favor unlike anything
ever experienced before. 1 have suspicion
that paregoric is used in the place of Bit
tiers, and ! know the whisky is Canadian.
If you mention to the bartender that there
is anything peculiar about tine drink he
will observe with some asperity that he
'learned the hart, sir, from barman 200
was 'ead of 'otel in 'Anpshire," or offer
some other defense equally as convincing.
- . tI<a haor L.
and it is necessary TO have pint of wine to
dispeI the lurking flavor. Therefore. for
the sake of ones health and fortune, it is
best for an American to waive his national
preference in London and seek inspiration
in the smoky depths of Scotch whisky,
which, with warm soda, as it is served here,
tastes somewhat as q burning rubber boot
smells.
Another delusisn and snare in London is
the American barber. The native barber,
with his rake and file, has proved so painful
that foreigners have instituted boycott
against MIN, and will 90 unkempt and un-
comfortable for days rather than resign
themselves to his torture. Taking advantage
OF this sentiment certain BARRIERS have ha'
signs made announcing themselves 4
capable OF performing their work on thu
| American plan.
Jack the Ripper BARRIERS.
The announcement is sufficient to lure the
| passing stranger within DOORS and though
| he suspects he has been deceived when his
eve lights upon the little cane-bottom chair
| that the attendant motions him to, he is not
| sure of the fraud until the razor touches his
| face. Then be Is too proud to confess he has
been made fooI of, aAd sits with his hands
clutched and teeth set while the barber
bleeds him. After the ordeal is over, and
ne is allowed to rub the soap from his own
face, he is asked the inevitable question,
"Will you ave your at ironed. sir?"
This climax of cockneyism, coming as il
does on the head of a partial homicide, is
almost sufficient to turn a usually placid
American into raging avenger, ready to
slaughter the man who could be guilty Of
such base deception as to call himself an
American barber when everything goes to
prove him the original Jack the Ripper.
observe that the American dentist is
also very plentiful in London. If he is as
good an imitation of his prototype as the
bartender and barber are. of theirs, he doubt
less extracts teeth with ice tongs and fills
them by means Of a steam drill.
Evolution of the Music Han.
cannot help noticing how the London
music hall of old has evolved itself into
regular variety theater, as the term is un-
derstood in America. The hoarse-voiee6
chairman with his fathomless aecemmoda-
ton for liquor has been crowded out of the
business, and in place of the drinking tables
there are now luxurious theater chairs, with
a small rack in front of each for glasses.
1t is mlsnomer certainly, TO call such spacious
aud pretentious theaters as the Empire and
Alhambra music halls;' and there is an effort
the part of the managers to have them
termed "Theaters of Varieties" which is surely
more appropriate, considering the splendid en-
tertainments presented in them.
Ballet is the principal form Of entertainments
in these two houses, and such exquisite ballet
as has never been seen in an American theater.
At the Pavilion, Trocadero and Tivoli the old
style Of comic singing constitutes the main
feature OF the programme, programme so
long that it continues without cessation from
8 O'Clock till L
Facts That Make Them Profitable.
The fact that each performer appears as
various halls every night, thus making his hire
by one manager comparatively inexpensive,
that also, prices exist equal to those charged
in the firstclass theaters of New York, and
that the liquor receipts are very large combine
to make a music hall in London profitable to
Its proprietor, whereas an establishment OF
similar dimensions run on the American plan
would mean immediate bankruptcy. 1t is an
interesting feature of the business here too,
that it is impossible to buy seat to one of the
popular houses after s o'clock In the evening.
1t gives a notion Of the very infantile spirit IN
tainment when it is known that his favorite
song at present is one called "Hi-tiddley- ni-ti-
hi-t-hi." in which very inebriated young man
tells long story of how he made night of 1t,
aud was arrested for breaking windows and
otherwise misconducting himself. The Zulu
refrain merely represents the uncomfortable
hilarlty of the young man. when words will not
express his tumultuous joy. and he feels i'm
PEELED to burst forth in wild self-congratula-
ton of drunkenness, ey-hi-ti.hi-ti-hip
am told this song is so effective that it causes
m m DuSl1a6a
time 1t Is sung.
Full Dress at the Theaters.
could not help thinking while looking about
the house between the acts at Mr.. Irving's per-
formance the other night, how deeply shocked
those eminent morslists who have so vigorously
denounced the ladies of New York for wearing
low cut dresses to the opera would be If they
could glance over that billowy sea of decollete
costumes and realize that every theater In
London presented the same picture AZ the
same moment. We still are Puritans, certain
ly in our sentiments concerning this fashion,
sharpest contrast observable between the peo-
pie Of the two countries. Even when she has
removed her hat, as she is compelled to do. an
American lady feels conspicuous IN London
theater il she is dressed in tie fashion prevail
ing in New York. She utterly lacks the splendor
of the women about her, no matter how elabor-
ate her own attire may be- They, with their
ornamental coffures, and with their handsome
cloaks spread on the chairs behind them, are
according to the American notion, dressed for
a fashi ionable and formal fete, not for q casual
evening at the play.
There is, however nothing strange, even to
the humblest resident OF London. in the sight
of women in full evening dress. for the reason
that, among the very same class OF people seen
modest street garments, It is an unbreaksble
rule that evening dress must be put on for din
ner and a lady is guilty Of nothing less than
exceedingly bad taste if she appears In high
IT, f1,a d. -hoar a