THE ACTOR AMD THE PUBLISHER.

Dunstan Times, Issue 510, 26 January 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE ACTOR AMD THE PUBLISHER.

Liston had taken his formal fare well of the public after the close of the Olympic in 1837 by a benefit at the Lyceum Theatre The extreme depression under which that great comic actor occasionally labored has often been recorded • and there was also, no doubt a strong romantic and oeutiinehtal side to his character; but his love of fun was great, and his humour, on and off the stage, irresistible. Like Young and others, his contemporaries; he delighted in a peculiar sort t)f practical joking in the public streets. Walking one day through Leicester-squire, with Mr. Miller, the theatrical bookseller, of Bow-street, Liston happened to mention casually that he was going to have tripe for dinner, a dish of which he was particularly fond. Miller, who hated it, said, “ Tripe 1 Beast ly stuff! How can you eat it!” That was enough for Liston. He stopped suddenly in the crowded thoroughfare in front of Leicester House, and holding Miller by the arm, exclaimed in a loud voice, “ What, Sir 1 Bo you mean to assert that you don’t liketripe 1 Huth! muttered Miller, “ Don’t talk so loud, people are staring at us,” I ask you, Bir,” continued Liston, in still louder tones, “Do you not like tripe 1” For heaven’s sake, hold your tongue!” cried Miller; you’ll have a crowd round ns.” And naturally people began to stop and wonder what was the matter This was exactly what Liston wanted, and again he shouted, Do you mean to say you don’t like tripe” Miller, making a desperate effort, broke from him, and burned in consternation through Cranbourne Alley, followed by Liston, bawling after him. “ There he goes! That’s the man who doesn’t like tripe !” to the immense amusement of the numerous passengers, many of whom recognised the popular comedian, till the horrified bookseller took to his heels and ran as if for his life up Long Acre into Bow-street, pursued to his very door step by a pack of young ragamuffins, who took up the cry, " There he goes ! The man that don't like tripe!”