UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF HIS EXCELLENCY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 149, 12 November 1853, Page 8

UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF HIS EXCELLENCY.

Whilst the Lieutenant-Governor was at Mack's Hotel, on his recent visit to Geelong, he was waited upon by a smart young man, who, being introduced, made a profound salutation, and trusted that his Excellency would excuse him. " What is your pleasure," demanded his Excellency, scrutinising his guest, " may I ask your business?"

" I ought to explain," replied the young man, " I am the Geelong Figaro." " Indeed,'" replied his Excellency, " and I hope a worthy descendant of II Barbiere di Seviglia." " Si, si, Signore," said the young man, trying to unlock a case- " Strange," thought his Excellency, across whose imagination flashed a suspicion of Colt's revolvers, which was not much relieved by the production of two glittertug Damascus razors.

" Would your Excellenza condescend to allow me to"—and here the young man commenced stropping the Damascus razor with a rapidity impossible to any but a practitioner who had served seven years to the occupation.

"Condescend to do what, young man?" asked his Excellency. "To permit me to shave your Excellenza," and the young man prepared a constitutional lather, fragrant as hawthorn, and as large as a cauliflower, or barrister's wig.

" I generally shave myself," said his Excellency, rubbing his chin.

" But your Excellency," said the young man, imploringly, " if you would permit me to lather you, you would confer a great benefit on a new chum."

" In what manner ?''■ asked his Excellency, who never saw the merits of soap-suds before, so strongly brought forward.

" I would ask," urged the young man, " if I performed tbe feat of shaving a Governor, that your Excellenza would permit me to emblazon the fact on my house front, and proclaim in golden characters, that I am " the Geelong shaver, under the patronage of his Excellency."

" Now, I perceive," said his Excellency, "but would it not be more to your interest to shave mv successor?"

" Under your Excellency's patronage, I hope to have the honour, after I have done the melancholy office T now seek to perform ; it may he your Excellency's last visit to Geelong.'' The young man's voice faltered.

The appeal was too affecting to be withstood, and his Excellency assented. Figaro gently removed his Excellency's military stock, folded down the shirt collars of her Majesty's representative, worked up a snowy lather, and gently laying it on his Excellency's chin, flourished his razor, and with a preliminary imaginative sweep, commenced the task. In one minute it was completed, and his Excellency's chin was as bare of hirsute appendage as the loveliest babe in Victoria. Figaro drew forth a napkin, pure as the driven snow, and so white that the mind is filled'with wonderment how " the thing" can be done at seven shillings a dozen, and be remunerative to the washerwoman—with this napkin he wiped his Excellency's nose and chin, folded it up, and keeps it as a relio. Figaro bowed—bis Excellency, according to his usual beneficence, proffered a large pay-

ment, but the young man's head sunk upon his breast, and he said, " The reward I sought with humble deference, was your Excellency's patronage ; if I have accomplished skilfully t the task I undertook, grant me the meed I^'sought, but to shave the representative of my L blessed' Queen for lucre—l cannot—l [m]\ jnot.;. All that I ask is, your Excellency's signature to sanction my sign-board." •' Take the will for the deed," said the Governor.

"Many thanks, your Excellency." Figaro packed up his Damascus razors, popped his dressing case under his arm, bowed profoundly to his Excellency, over whose countenance beamed a smile of gratification, ran down stairs two steps at a time, tumbled over two waiters, and pursued by a policeman, who tried to upset him by throwing his truncheon between his legs, took refuge in a carpenter's shop, to the owner of which he has given orders for a bran new wooden Lion and Unicorn, and a sign board eleven feet by five, painted .true blue, with gilt letters, proclaiming the " Real Geelong Shaver's Establishment, under the patronage of his Excellency."— Geelong Advertiser.