POOR YORICK’S SKULL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 698, 3 September 1875, Page 4

POOR YORICK’S SKULL.

—o — The Tasmanian Tribune says : Among the lovers of the legitimate drama in this city is a young man who desires to see the works of the great hard represented to the very letter, and as he is the “ property man” of an association established for the very laudable purpose of improving the intellect by giving select readings from the works of the great dramatists, he is sometimes greatly puzzled as to how he shall be able to provide the “ property,” in order that the representation shall, as far as possible, partake of a living reality. A few evenings ago it was resolved to rehearse the fifth scene from “ Hamlet.” The characters were accordingly cast, and the “ property man,” at the last moment, was sorely exercised as to where he should obtain a skull. The Museum was closed, and even if Mr Robin wore knocked up, he would be too careful a custodian to lend such a rarity. The “ property man” had almost given up in despai'- when—happy thought—in the absence of a real skull, would not a sheep’s head do 1 He appealed to the “ first grave-digger.” and that functionary agreed with his coadjutor that, the suggestion was one that did credit to the inventive genius of the “ property man.” Away bounded the latter, and before many minutes had elapsed returned with the sheep’s head neatly tied up from the gaze of vulgar eyes. This was handed over to the “ grave-digger,” and the representation proceeded, and the dialogue between the youthful Hamlet and the grave digger had passed off successfully, but a*, that part where the Prince takes up the skull (sheep’s head) there was a slight sensation among the small audience. The players, however, were firm, and Hamlet, addressing the skull, proceeded: “Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him. Horatio ; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on liis back a thousand times; and now how abhorred in my imagination it is ! Here hung those lips that f have kissed I know not how oft.” At the recital of this last sentence the first grave digger could no longer contain himself, and roared in laughter in the Prince’s face. The latter, indignant, and iu the very whirlwind of his passion, dashed the skull down at the termer’s feet. At this moment, a large Newfoundland dog, which may often he seen in the vicinity of the Commercial Bank, and who had been a silent spectator of the execution of the tragedy, rushed in and seized the skull, then exit dog, poorYorick’s skull, and the property man in close pursuit.