Autograph Hunting.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 300, 27 December 1902, Page 1

Autograph Hunting.

1. Mr Harry Fuinis?, giv'ng the i “Standard” his of a I complaint always prevent id the j United States, and laMy epidemic in England, asks, '“is there any inocufah’oa possible to 'avert autograph fever ?■«•’ and suggests “Tattooj ing the patient’s own autograph on , ihe graphology. Mr Furnissadmits, | however, that it is flattering to be j constantly hunted by the autograph | fiend. “And in return Ido not hesitate to send an autograph when the hunter accompanies the dart by a stamped and directed envelope.” The American hunter, it appears, now goes so seriously to work as to, approach his prey with a neatlyprinted form of application, which only needs addressing to the various

celebrities. From America, too, was imported the practice of signing the menus at public dinners. “To have to sign dozens of cards after one has got through a long dinner and dreary speeches is anything but a pleasant occupation to wind up with,” says this ungrateful sharer in rich men’s feasts. Miss Ellen Terry very cleverly and charitably devised a scheme by which the autograph hunter is made practically useful. In her case an application must be accomplished by a shilling or half-crown for her charity fund, and the demand for this delightful actress’s autograph goes ’ far towards supplying many much mote material needs. Actresses, so Mr Furniss remarks, by the way, nearlyalways write a bold hand. “Talk of filling the stage,’ I cannot recall any of our charming actresses—particularly those hailing from America —that would not fill a paper equal in size to the largest stage with their autograph alone !” Authoresses run next, in regard to eccanfcricities in writing; The critical mind is content with the modest and--'" 1 •

..lUiYiuy A -~v one-eighth of an inch long—demanded a signature then a-nd there, ‘‘with just *• of., the face or«.» Man." “I lost the match,” luckless humourist. One letter kepv ? o a curiosity after fumigation—came fiom a school sick room, where “ a squad of us( are down with German, measles,” and a sketch from Mr Furniss wasdeaicea “to cheer us up a bit.” Another schoolboy letter betrays the unkindly ways of jokers. After the usual petition for “ a funny little sketch;” he adds, “ You must not he.as funny as Mr Dan Leno, for in reply to my request he sent his autograph, as he always does, by telegraph !”