156 



MIDSUMMER MADNESS. 

 Consternation is in Chowringhee ! The catastrophe has come with 

 a hideous sutldenness which has struck us dumb I The 7no?isoon has 

 durst / I didn't see it, I have missed it annually. I have it, however, 

 from a reliable eye-witness. He hails from the Sunderbuns, and he 

 says he was on the lookout, because his new barometer was so fear- 

 fully agitated, that he knew something must burst ! Visions of the train 

 of woes which the visitation may bring with it have temporarily 

 paralyzed the community. We picture the speedy conversion of tennis 

 lawns, racquet courts, and polo fields, into spots for the splashing of 

 frogs and fishes. Where before, our emotion was all elation, now all is 

 despondency. Rachel dying to disport herself, refuseth to be comforted. 

 Conversaziones, glee parties, concerts, being no vent for pent up 

 physical energy, but increase Chowringhee's crossness. For conversa- 

 tion, it careth not. Songs soothe it not, nay rather they serve the ends of 

 sarcasm. The voice of the snarler we heard him complain in the drawing 

 room (after a melody well executed by an accomplished amateur). 



Swans sing before they die ; 'twere no bad thing 



If some would kindly die before they sing — 



And again in the Institute (after the finest fiddling of 



the greatest of all Invernizzis) : 



When Orpheus played he moved old Nick, 



But he moves nothing but his fiddle stick. 



Even the Garden of Eden is in disfavour. Female petulance has 

 ascribed to that hallowed spot, attributes far from paradisical, and 

 whilst roaming in its classic shades, actually wished itself away to 

 the other side of Jordan, or anywhere I I have merely jotted down these 

 few signs of the times, by way of preface to some agreeable informa- 

 tion I have to impart. I have received a highly ornamented card (and 

 am much obliged for this delicate attention) announcing that there 

 is to be a paperchase on Wednesday next. The meet will be -at 6 A.M., 

 sharp, at the " Old Kennels " on the Gurriah Hat Road, whence spec- 

 tators, and roadsters who prefer the ' ammer ' ammer ' ammer business, 

 can see a good deal of fun The hard riders who I know will be many, 

 are sure to have their morning's work cut out, for the foxes are staunch 

 and strong — Mr. Latham and Mr. Borrock. The falling will be so soft 

 that a well-executed crumpler will be a positive pleasure, which may 

 be balm to the craners. In anticipation of a sharp burst, we saw the 

 Gadha getting a pipe-opener round the racecourse the other 

 morning. He looked as gay and frisky as his sporting owner, and was 

 going like a iwo-year-old with his tail curled over his back as stiff as little 

 Anarchy's. If a good field turns out, and the ladies can patronise 

 them no doubt, the cups of bliss of the great promoters will be full. 



