10
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1938.
at
THE NAUGHTY NINETIES THE TOY
THE "naughty nineties"f
Much
hins been written about the
during Moss's management of the Galety. True to the polley adopted
nineteenth century, and the foibles Old-Time Edinburgh and at the beginning of his career, my
and frailties of many of the citizens
of that time.
The capital of Scotland, like other
cities, had its black spots, but, when
a comparison is mado, Edinburgh
Its Amusements
has no need to be nahamed of the By Councillor WILSON M'LaREN
part she played during the Victorian
cru.
old friend nover wavered, with the result that anything of a "risky" nature in the songs and patter was strictly forbidden.
For fifteen years, from 1877 11 the opening of the Empire Theatre of Variclica in Nicolson Street, on great
Those who bave made a study of Also realising that bumper houses November 70, 1802, this
be brought about by music-hall ploneer carried on at the the "characteristics" of Auld Reekie could only aro alive to the fact that the anjority strengthening his programme, Moss Chumbers Street house, to be re
a "star" with engaged weekly
awarded by a knighthood by King
Bedately.
This
is not to be
of tho people took their pleasures Fondon reputation. In a short time Edward in 1905, in recognition of Night clubs and dance halls were respectable people forgot their actu- the part he played in the elevation few, and many of the noted howffs pies and flocked to the "Varlelles" of the music-hall entertainment. in the centre of the elty were dis- Then the young man from Greenock
Newspaper "scoops"
regarding appenting, or being well kept within began to lay the foundation of the nightclub life in London, or the
fortune that ultimately bullt Empire matrimontat the bounds of the vigilant eyes of the Theatres throughout the Kingdom.
adventures ot Lie police.
glamorous Gniety Girls, did not set wondered at the heather on fire in the coplial of Placca of entertainment, such as when such artists as Tom McScotland. To her credit, she had the Theatre-Royal and the Princess; and Frederick Macenbe, of Nicolson Street, with their powerful Dult Care," renown, were booked to one crazy during the "Naughty
'Nineties." supporting compuntes in tragedy appear. Others who followed were and melodrain, were playing to George Leybourne, the Lion Comi-
Attempts that were made to create "cupneity."
que, of "Champagne Charlie" fame,
continental The cireun, with its ever-alluring the Great Macdermott, who brought proved abortive, and the young men
atmosphere zawdust ring, was always a welcome down the house with his patriotic about town, out for a splash visitor; whic, at the foot of Black- song, "We Don't Want to Fight, but, colour, quickly realised that their friara Wynd, Hickey's and Fergu- by Jingo, it We Do: Jenny Hill, the "high Jinks" were far from a popu son's "penny KSggies,"
." will: their Vital Spark; and Lottle Collins, whe lar and paying proposition. versatile "ummers," never failed to sans into world-wide popularity, draw the denizens of the Royal Mile, "Th-ra-ra-boom-de-ay." There patrons could get three shows
a night, from Shakespeare to the Edinburgh's "Steadiness"
blood-curdling drama of "The Dumb Man of Manchester."
Free-and-Easies
C3-
44
500n
ol
Since those heelle times when frivolity-loving devotees burned the candle at both ends, socially Auld Reckle has remained a steady baro-
"The "Naughty Nineties" were in meter, and much improved on "the full swing throughout the country guid kuld days”
Mysteries of Ancient Angkor
Many "free-and-castes" had tablished themselves in Edinburgh before the advent of the "naughty 'nineties." What undoubtedly gove of life was the them a new lease popular songs and catchy choruses then being sung in the London sup-
to be the most proportions. The entrance cause- per rooms and variety music-halla. 41 amazing discovery in the world, way, broken part-way by the Royal
The fame of the artists had to the provinces, and this form of us even greater than the marvel Portico, Isan a total length of over entertainment became very popular. of its inception is the mystery of its two thousand feet, its famous gallery is six hundred and fty-four feet Almost every tavern that possessed decline. This city of
Equart and the central tower is two
sprend
the most notable being
NGKOR 1 sud
million
л
WIFE
GERTRUDE GELBINE
RESUME
Gilberto and Louise Brigard, soho have grown up at school in France, come home to live at their father's plantation in pro Civil War Louisiana, Oliberte, called Froufrou by the family, is delightfully naive, wanting only a handsome husband who will dance, duel and bug har jawela, Andre Valloire, young man-about-town and Now Or Icans dandy, settles downs at his mother's plantation which Bor dors that of the Brigard's zo he of Froufrou. George Bartoria, young lawyer frteni of the girls' father is stoy- ing with the family sahila recup, ariting from a knife-wound inflicted by a criminc he pro- ecuted. Louise and Busanne, her servant, nursa Georges back to hoalth. Louiso has loved Georges vinow chikihood; but Georges be comes fascinated by Froufrou.
va
more
Copyright 13 by Lory's, The
Chapter Four
GAME OF HEARTS Andre Valloire whistind gaily na
"Youll not be tonight!" laughed Louise. "At last he'll be able to say a few words to me alone, bo fore he goes tomorrow."
With happy sigh, Louiso loft the room. Sho hurried down the ataire, and reached the Bret land- ing as Goorgos Sarioris came out of her father's study. Sho stopped short, had hand flying to her heart. "Mademoiselle!" called Georges. "Wait. I've something to any to you before anyone comes." *Now?"
Iouiso lifted her radiant face. "YOU. I've just spoken to your falker and he's told me I may speak to you"
"You've spoken to him-" breath- ed Louise.
"Yes--I've spoken to him about Froufrou."
"Froufrou?" Louing stepped back as it struck.
"You didn't know ?" he asked In surprise,
"No, I didn't know it," she said tonelessly. She collected her pride. "But why speak to me? Why not | to herrin
"Because your father hesitates to Rivo his consent without your ap- proval, He seems to think Frou- frou and I are not multed to one another."
He turned from the Brigard plan-drlly. "Gliberto so frivolous-and "I understand that," she answared tation where he bad spent the after- noon riding with routrou, fe you so serious" bounded down the path, reached the great white house in which he
ved, and hurried inside.
He entered his mother's study to And her bonding over accounts at her dark.
"Hallo,
mamma," he called, "Buay
"I'm always busy," who answered severely. "Ife who wastes moments, wastes money."
He kissed the top of her hond and put his chook to hers. Sonia. thing in his manner made her give him her full attention.
"Manna," he announced solemn-i
a suitable backroom and a tiniding people, deserted by its creators, en hundred and thirteen feet in height. piano nightly drew crowds of young gulfed by tropical jungle and lost As Mouhol says: "At sight of this men anxious to try out" the lates!
was re- temple, the mind feels crushed, the London dities of itarry Clifton or for four hundred years,
discovered purely by chance. Such imagination slagtered; one can but the Great Vance.
respectful This was followed by the "naughty is the astounding history of these ze odmiringly and in
slience, for where indeed are words to be found to praise nineties," and increased the attrac- (magnificent ruins.
marvel of Lion of the public-buuse "sing-
architecture that
that has perhaps never Toward the early part of the f heen equalled in the whole world?" Bryce's, it 01 Princes Street, with teenth century, the fame of Angkor
Yet, even after seeing it all, the Norman Thompson as chairman, and its treasures had spread for and imagination eannot conjure up
What a galaxy of "stars" at that wide, to Sion and Java and Annam, vision of what this capital must have kings were being been in the sumptuous days of its appearing in the old and the Khmer period were
It London music-halls! I have heard hard
that they believed An whelming quiet remains, and a sense
on every side.
glory, Only an intense, an over- most of them, and they have never | contecture been surpassed.
ker
to be
tog vulnerable and evacu, of complete severance froin modern
matter of civilisation. Occasionally we hear on the radio nted it completely. It is
the the same old words and the same old history that, by the middle of tunes, but the vocal efforts of the fifteenth century, they had removed
Only on the lost night of our stay "moderns" compared with the old- the capital of their kingdom to did we experience something which
mers-well, the less said the bet- Phnom Penh. But why none of the
brought buck for us in some degree terl
attacking races ever found
Angkor
the life of that ancient kingdom. all
This was Saturday evening concerts
and plundered ; and, above
performance of the held in St. Mary Street Hall, the why the culture of the Khmers never
er "Cambodian Bollet," given on the Good Templar Buildings, High again expressed itself elsewhere. Is causeway of Angkor Wat itself. This Street: the Goldaniths' Hall, South an unsolved mystery. Angkor was ballet consists of dancing girls, train- Beldge, and Trinity Hall, Kirkgate, overwhelmed by the swiftly
1y, "I'm going to reform." (Cambodia is a Protectorate Leith, the usual charge for admission croaching jungle, and the art which by a princess of the royal house
"Ia time," she answered delly under being threepence.
hind created its wonders was ap-
"T-I want to get married." parently exhausted; for the Khmers le French, with its own nominat after the form and manner of
She looked at him for a moment. The Boy Lauder
sank back to the level of a primi- the dancers of ancient Angkor. Their
"Guberia?" she asked. He nodded. "Of coures," she sighed, "you'd have It was at St. Mary Street Hall that live people and their culture was contumes are designed from the to choose the fighty one. I wish it Sir Harry Lauder made his first obliterated..
original carvings, and Inade from wore the sensible one, I could have public
Edinburgh, appearance in
lovely coloured
found no fault with her." brocades, overlaid After seeing Angkor oneself, one with stiffened panels and shoulder
"Find поде with when a lad of about eighteen. The
Froufrou, encrusted.
mamma," he bogged. with sparkling "numbers" he sang on that occasion can vividly picture, and in part even pleces
She took his face in her hands Dook Swimming share, the feelings of the French embroideries and sequins, and the
and kissed him. were the Bicacher Lausics' Ball,"
man-Mouhot-who in 1801 stum amazing gilded head-dresses are
"T and none, "Which of the Two is the Oldest bled by chance on these ruins. Only the form of cupoins and minarets. the Father or the Wean?"
and
"The Soor
were
A
en- cd
were
0
the
like
Something in Froufran's smilemade Georgesknow bir anıwer. He lifted bar bands to his lips.
That's my fear. But he says you're "Too serious," he interrupted.
to decide this. So my fate is in your hands, dear Louise," · Ho leaned toward her pleadingly. "Do say that you approve!"
"I approve. I approve." She felt her voice break and struggled to master herself, "Yes-yes, of course, Why shouldn't I approve, the very person to cure Gilberte of her frivolity."
You're
"Oh, no," he cried. "I wouldn't want to cure her. I like what
you call her frivolity. It suits her."
"Shall I send her to you?" Louiro
I asked.
He beckoned, "Louise~will you tell her? I'm-well, I'm frightened. How is a man to propose to a rain- bow? She may laugh at the iden."
"Laugh?" Louise, with terring of- fort, kept horself in hand. "How could sho?" Bhe thought hard. "Vory well, I'll ask her for you," she said anally and with a short nod, she started up the stairs.
In her room, Froufrou was ad- miring herself at her mirror. Ebo
If she makes you happy, my son waved to her sister. "Louiss!" she He embraced hor. ask her called, "which do you like boat with father if I may spark to her at this dreas, the rosebuds, or the the party tonight," he said, and gardenias.”
murmured
Louisa.
zoom to change.
In his room at the Brigard plan- Proufrou faced hor anxiously. tation, Georges, his arm in a sling. "You look serious, What's hap- was being buttoned into his eve pened?" ning cloak by a negro servant. The doar opened suddenly and Froufrou put in her head.
"Let Monatsur Georges tell you," Louise answered. "He's waiting for you he loves you. He wishes to marry you. Ha's apokon to papa"
"Alone, Monsieur Georges?" she naked, and seeing him alone, en "Marry me?" cried Froufrou, tered gaily. "Do you, or do you "Monsieur Georgest O, Sainte Cath- not like this dress?" she cried and erine has done this. I prayed for pirouetted about for his inspection. a husband and now she sends ma
"Of course I ke it," he replied Monaleur Georges!" with an amused smile, "Isn't it porfect?"
"Gliderte!" Loulan cried out.In angulah.
"Do you think so, really?" shaf "I's no funny," giggiod Troufrou. naked breathlessly. "Do you think "Monsieur Georgon who hasn't a I have muccess in it-Tve a pink fault to his name, wants to marry one that might to botter
me-me-Froufrou! It would bo "Keep that on," he answered with different, if it wero Monalour Andro utmost seriouRRODS.
I could understand that?"
"But between the two, surely you "Perhaps," Louise said curtly. can't hesitate Even if you don't lava Monalsur Georges now, you will learn to when he f your lusband." Froufrou stared at her with naive seriousness. "Yes, I admit that ought to be easy" she paused. Louise-aren't you in love with him, yourself?"
"I will!" abo beamed, "What a comfort it is to have a gentleman deelde important matters for one, Thank you, Monelour." She turned to go-Oh-there was something else alio frowned in thought- "oh yes-this bracelet; I can't fasten it and Plek couldn't Cita you?"
She holl up her arm,
three days before, he had written. The dancing Itself is chiefly beautiful The opening of the Gaiety Music in his diary; "a superstitious dread movements of arms, hands, and feet; Eel,
with a goodbye kles, made för hls}" "Does it matter?" in Chambers Street, on 6th of the jungle has kept the region in but, combined with this, there is the July, 1875, was of more than pass-which we are now travelling free enacting of traditional legends relat- ing interest to the citizens of Edin-from natives, and so, under the pro- ing to the Khmer kingdom. burgh. This was not the first home tection of a taba, the wild life pro-
Arriving at Angkor Wat after darkc of vaudeville in the capital, for there bably has flourished as nowhere else stood at that time a wooden erection,
ion in the world.
The story of for this ballet, a fantasile scene met
astonished eyes. known as the Alhambra, and owned hidden cities in this part of the our
The great by Harry West, on the fair gre and world becomes more and more ab- causeway was swarming with excited at the head of Leith Wynd (now surd as one penetrates the jungle. Cambodian children, rushing wildly Jeffrey Street.)
is manifest that there has never about with Daring torches made Other shows that drew the crowd been any civilisation in this region. from chips of Ironwood soaked in to this vacant plece of ground at the
there are cities in this wilderness sweet oft. With these they guided Netherbow were Swallow's Circus, they must date back to the time us over the causeway to a circle of Royal Pepper's Ghost, the Fat Lady, the before Adam." Eloquent of the ef- seals placed just below the
Its floodlit towers und Living Skeleton, sword-swallowing feet which his staggering discovery Portico. Zulus, boxing booths, cheap Jacks, had upon him is the entry made after cloisters loomed up out of the dark-
it.
a stranxe gray-green "Picture to yourself the finest hers. and merry-go-rounds.
Harry West's Alhambra had a productions, perhaps, of the archi- stormy seas; and on the central steps grouped the dancers, their short existence, but it did not deter lecture of all ages dumped down in the Hall Company, Ltd., from make depths of these forests, in one brilliantly coloured costumes in vivid ing a bold attempt to establish of the
of the contrast to the pale stone and the remotest countries
coppery brown n wild, unknown, deserted deep
of the half- place of variety at a spot noted as world,
naked children clumbering up the having been where the house once |tract,"
pillars behind them. stood, at the head of College Wynd, where Sir Walter Scott was born.
Although all the approaches to Music from strange native Instru The comfortable little theatre had Angkor have now been cleared and ments began its throbbing, insistent an auspicious opening, but laxity in
one cat get there easily by car or beat, and one by one the troupe its management forced the Magis remains around it for the present- fore us with swaying, graceful move- bus, more than enough of the jungle came down the steps and circled be- trates to close its doors, after it had carried on for almost
day visitor to understand Mouhot's men's. Torchen flamed from the two years. Undeterred by the
amazement. Standing on the only stone balustrades at the side, throw- closing order of the Magistrates,
small ill that there is in Angkoring into high rellet a magnificent young man Phnom from Greenock secured the lessee-e
Dakienf— cluti one Naga head below the steps, and giv allp of the Old Galety. The hall evening, beside its tiny, roufless tem- ing out ล dellelous heavy fragrance. was reopened
ple, we looked across a vast expanse Gradually the incredible scene took 24th December on 1877. With that indomitable pluck of unbroken jungle, Faint on the on the semblance of fact. One for- and business capacity that never.
western sky was the line
of hills got the incongruousness of floodlights falled him through life, he resolved from which the ancient Khmers in the smoky flare of the primitive
stairs yet?" he asked suddenly. quarried their stone, brought it down torches, which lighted up the longt that the Moss varieties would be run the Siemenp river on rafts to Ang- dim corridors of time and re-created on clean lines.
kor. In all directions save this the for us the vivid life of an ancient "Purijed" Stage
horizon rimined a huge plain as face. This, for a time, did not appeal flat and as green as the sea, whose to many of the old patrons, and the forests still kept their mysterious performers
to half-empty the great towers of Angkor Wat and benchies. Nevertheless, Mosa determined that a purified atmos amongst them.
Was the Bayon can scarcely be discerned phere should prevail in the Cham- bers Street house, in spite of his Exploring the various ruins at struggles and financlat dimculties.
close quarters, one is amazed at the The task that the lessee and his damage wrought by the air trees manager, Mr. Leonard B. Bramwell, (fromages, the French call them) had set themselves, proved no easy whose giant roots prize open roofs one. In spite of notices prominently and walls and arches, splitting them displayed in dresing-rooms, asunder and then locking them fast some of the artists took the risk of at all angles in a grotesque
pulling across
sung
the
secret safe from the world.
Even
the footlights sug-hold. To these relentless wreego!
gestive songs of a type quite com- more than to Ume mon in London. This resulted
or
climate,
most
in of the monuments owe their extreme
the slager's engagement being can- decay. Yet Angkor Wat, the most celled on the spot.
Impressive of all, is scarcely dam- At the snack-bar of the University nged; for its wide surrounding moat Hotel, which was above the en-preserved it from the jungle, and all trance to the Moss Varieties, I have the eight centuries that have passed the fired "pros" bitterly com- since its erection have left it com- plained
in lurid langunge, of the paratively untouched and with an policy adopted in their ageless grandeur that is in startling getting the sack Thor predicted contrast to the conquering marks of an early "wash out" for the little time elsewhere. It huge size theatre, which didn't come off! balanced by perfectly harmonious
More
Ruth Barton
M.P. G.
A GREAT hunt is now on for better "miles per gallon." Manufacturers have improved induction and carburation sys tems, and the oil people have helped enormously by the intro- duction of lighter olls.
But despite all this, many car owners are wasting petrol-let-
in it drip away,
Here is a tip from a practical engineer owner-driver. Pirst en- sure that the carburettor is pro- perly sot, that the right grade of oil is being used, and the ignition timing is correct,
Then put half a pint of engine all in the patrol, run the car for 30 miles. "Now go over all the petrol unions tutunity about ILAJE dosan) from petrol tank to carburettor. Where there is
an oil smoar indicates
: weep
lag union, Tighten it up.
"I can try ho amiled and, de- spite his lame arm, managed to fasten the lock. He raised bis face to hers so close to him; for a mo inent the impulso to kiss her all but mastered him. "There," he Balt controlling himeet, and ́ami-) ed off-handedly.
"Do you think a woman in lova with a man would ask another to marry him?"
I wouldn't," Froufrou answered, "but you raight."
""It happens, however, that he loves you-and I love somo ona cias
The Count de in Richelle whom we met in Paris"
I'm aura I shall have miccome In this dress tonight!" she laughed, and with a rustle of silk, she was
Yas, smiled Froufrou, "that gone.
might be, Yes-be would bo just Georges turned to his servant your sort" She put her hand to "Has Monalour Brigard come down her head, "Oh!" she laughed, "my head's in a whirl. I don't know "Yes, m'sieur." Tho servant what to say. I should like to ba grinned knowingly. "It you-all want married and live in Now Orisans, to talk to him about somethin' he's certainly, Monsieur Goorges lives In his study."
In New Orleans-but so doan Mon- Thank you," George smiled and sleur Andre walked out with the purposeful step
**Troutrou!" Implored Loules, of a man who has arrived at a "sonslour Georges is walling for decision.
Up in her room, Loulse was put go to him- and with a quick you now-outside-near the balcony ting the finishing touches to her kiss, she turned and fied. tolletto. Abe hummed gally, smil- Ing happily at Suzanne, who was the balcony where Georges awalt- Froufrou ran down the staire to busy fastening her gown.
millo
sanne."
ad her. Demething in her "All yo' dresses has got too big and manner made him know her from rutnin' yo' lags off for dat answer. He lifted her hand to his Monsieur Georges," grumbled Bu-lips, thon, with a quick move- ment, he drew her lato his arms Louise hugged her out of sheer) and kissed her mouth, happiness.
• As she lifted ber arms to answer "Wah gracious" protested Bu-his embrace the door opened and sanne, Ah hadn't hyard obey instant he stared at the tableau Andre Vallafre entered. For an word dat's passed between you two before him; then, turning swiftly, Ah'd think he'd already popped de he ran out of the house and throw question."
ing himself upon his horses gal
"Perhaps he would have," Loule repronobed, "If you'd not been ail care and eyes ovary moment.”
Buranne lasked at her adoringly. "Wall, Ab'm goin' to keep on bala' all ears and eyes filii you fwo jumpa de broomstick, Chile."
1oped out into the night,
Froufrou has given her word to Georgeo; what sollt become of Louise) Wui Andra try to plead his conure! Beaure to rend famorrow's chapter.
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