Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 107, September 8, 1894

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Title: Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 107, September 8, 1894
Author: Various
Language: English
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VOL. 107, SEPTEMBER 8, 1894***

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

VOL. 152.

SEPTEMBER 8, 1894.

IS THE BAR A PROFITABLE PROFESSION?

(_A Query to be answered during the Long Vacation._)

I am always reluctant to obtrude my personality upon the British
Public. All the world know my address in the Temple, and so long as
my learned friends who act as intermediaries between myself and the
litigation-loving public bear me in mind, I require no further
advertisement. However, I cannot close my eyes to Duty, and Duty
points to the pages of a paper that may be aptly called the organ of
the Bench, the Jury, and the Bar. I feel compelled to publish the
following short story in the columns of that organ as a proof of the
degeneracy of the profession to which I have the honour to belong. I
shall be only too pleased if my Spartan-like conduct proves of benefit
to my fellow-counsel. I write in their service, and without an eye--yes,
I venture to say half an eye--to the main chance. My narrative will
prove that ignorance, and, if I may be permitted to say so, unpardonable
ignorance exists at the Law Courts. I have kept silent until the Long
Vacation has commenced. My reason for this reticence is not difficult to
discover. Had I taken the public into my confidence at an earlier date,
it would be obvious that I might have suffered in professional status.
Now that the Long Vacation has been reached, there is ample time for the
process known as "living it down." But I will not anticipate.

[Illustration]

I must confess that I was not a little pleased the other day to learn
from my excellent clerk, PORTINGTON, that a representative of the firm
of CLOGS, JUDAS, AND FRIARS, were anxious to see me on a matter of
business.

"Have I had them as clients before?" I asked my worthy assistant.

"Oh, no, Sir," returned PORTINGTON. "You see, for the last five years
you have only had----"

"Yes, yes," I interrupted, for my excellent clerk is sometimes inclined
to become a trifle prosy. "I will see him at once. Is he in my room?"

"Well, no, Sir; as you said that Mr. INKERTON might use it for the
soda-water cases, I thought it would be better to show him into Mr.
BLOCK'S room. You see, Sir, it is tidier than your room; for since we
have had the lawn-tennis nets----"

But here I again interrupted my worthy assistant, who, I am forced to
admit, is sometimes a trifle discursive. I interrupted him, and,
entering BLOCK'S room, made the acquaintance of my new client.

"I think, Sir," said my visitor, "that you are of opinion that there is
no custom concerning the dismissal of office messengers?"

I never like to commit myself without referring to my books, so I was
silent for a moment.

"At least," continued my client, "you have not heard of any?"

"Well, no," I returned; "so far as my experience goes, I have not come
across the custom."

"That's quite enough for us, Sir. If you will swear that, we shall want
nothing further."

Rather to my disgust my visitor suddenly placed a _subpoena_ in my hand,
and told me that the case would most likely be in the list on the
following day. Annoyed at his brusqueness I told him I had been ready to
accept him gratuitously as a client. I added that as I now found I was
only in request as a witness I should require a guinea.

"Oh, of course," said my visitor, producing the cash. "We looked you
out, and your name is in the _Law List_; and I see, too, you have
painted it on the door of Mr. BLOCK'S chambers."

Disdaining to smile at what I considered to be rather a clumsy attempt
at _plaisanterie_, I bowed, and rang the bell.

"Perhaps we had better have your private address, Sir," continued my
visitor. "It would be safer, for then we could wire to you when it came
on, and you would be sure to get our telegram."

"I am always here while the Courts are sitting." I returned, in a tone
of _hauteur_; "so you must please wire to me here."

"Just as you like, Sir."

And a few minutes later my clerk saw my visitor safely off the premises.
I admit that I was slightly annoyed at the term "wire." It is true that
his firm's name had not appeared--at any rate, recently--in my fee-book,
but that was no reason why he should suggest that I was constantly
absent from my chambers. I really pitied Messrs. CLOGS, JUDAS AND FRIARS
for having a clerk with so little tact, and such a small stock of
experience.

On the following morning, when I was standing at the door of the Carey
Street Robing Room, considering whether I should assume my forensic
costume, or enter the Court as a layman, I was accosted by the same
individual, who told me "that we were third on the list."

"So you will be wanted almost at once, Sir," said he.

"Well, I shall be able to come," I replied, "as, strange to say, I have
no business before their Lordships to-day."

"Chiefly chamber practice, I suppose, Sir?"

"Quite so," I returned, looking him steadily in the face. "I mean
to-day."

I will not tell a wearisome story of how I had to hang about the Court
until the interval for luncheon, and longer. I will hurry to the point
when I entered the witness-box. To my surprise and secret satisfaction
there was quite a stir when my name was called out. The Silks in the
front row smiled, and my colleagues the juniors tittered. Even his
Lordship looked up with an expression of pleasant anticipation. I was
duly sworn, and gave my name.

"Now, Sir," said the Counsel for our side, "tell me. How long have you
known anything about office messengers?"

I considered for a moment. As a Member of the Bar (although I had not
been asked for my profession--no doubt that was sufficiently well known)
I desired to set an example. I wished to show what a witness should be.
I desired to appear as a model worthy of close and universal imitation.

"I have seen office messengers in offices for many years--as long as I
can remember."

I spoke with absolute gravity. To my astonishment there was a titter
which grew into a roar of laughter; even his Lordship found it difficult
to control his cachinnation.

"Yes," said the counsel, when he had partially recovered his gravity.
"But, tell me, do you know any custom in connection with their
dismissal?"

Again I considered the matter for a few seconds, and made a second
reply.

"No; I am unaware of any special custom in connection with their
dismissal."

This time there was no titter. My answer was received at once with the
wildest merriment. The Judge laughed as much as anyone, and the Usher
had to wipe his head with his handkerchief, so greatly moved was he by
his sense of the ridiculous.

My Counsel sat down convulsed, and had to conceal his face behind his
brief.

"I really don't think," gasped out the judge, "that this witness need be
cross-examined."

And I was not. As I returned to my seat amidst the smiles of everyone in
Court, a reporter asked me for my Christian name. Before I could reply,
one of my colleagues in wig and gown gave him what he supposed was the
necessary information.

"But you are wrong," I whispered, and (with a view of crushing him)
handed him my card.

"You don't say so," returned my learned friend; "why, we thought you
were PANTO,--the chap you know, who writes as 'YORICK' for the
_Serio-Comic Jester_."

And it had come to this! I had been taken, or rather mistaken, for a
humorous contributor! And this after about a quarter of a century's
service at the Bar! And yet there are those who say that the profession
is _not_ going to the dogs!

However, I must express my surprise at the conduct of the judge. It is
not ten years since that I had the pleasure of holding a consent brief
before him. And yet he had forgotten me! When the Bench is so forgetful,
how can Silk and Stuff be expected to have better memories!

_Pump-Handle Court_, (Signed) A. BRIEFLESS, JUNIOR.
_September 1, 1894._

* * * * *

"RHYMES."

Whatever the subject that people discuss,
Theology, law, architectural playthings--
St. Albans, for instance--there's ready for us
A lover of knock-me-down language to say things.
Lord GRIMTHORPE will instantly write to the _Times_.
His last learned homilies treated of rhymes.

_Ne sutor_--Lord GRIMTHORPE could tell you the rest,
Lord GRIMTHORPE could write you a letter about it,
Lord GRIMTHORPE, decidedly wisest and best
Of wise and good teachers, no person could doubt it;
Since, be what it may, he will write to the _Times_,
Church, chancery, chapels, chants, chamfers or chimes.

_Ne sutor_--the limit should never be past
But where is the limit? He tackles each squabbler.
We see each new letter, but never the last;
All things need repair, and Lord G. is the cobbler.
Cathedrals or canticles--still to the _Times_
He writes, some might say, neither reasons nor rhymes.

* * * * *

MILITARY WORD OF COMMAND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE "FALLEN IN LOVE."--Fall out!

* * * * *

[Illustration: SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

_Bill._ "WHAT _ARE_ THESE CHAPS, JIM?"

_Jim._ "WHY, THEY'RE ALL HEARLS AND MARKESSES, THEY TELL ME, AS IS DOWN
ON THEIR LUCK!"

_Bill._ "WELL, THEN, WOT'S THE GOOD OF THEIR MAKIN' NEW PEERS, WHEN ALL
THESE POOR NOBLEMEN ARE OUT OF A JOB?"]

* * * * *

SILLY SEASONING.

[Illustration]

The era of newspaper controversy has once more begun, and the wail of
the letter-writer is again heard in the land. The guileless reader may
possibly imagine that the letters he reads so readily are so many brands
plucked from the burning--in other words, so many contributions snatched
out of the Waste-Paper Basket. But _Mr. Punch_ knows better; the letters
are written where the controversy begins and ends--in the Newspaper
Office. Why should 85, Fleet Street lag behind its neighbours in
journalistic controversy? If the largest circulations have their
leader-writers, has not _Mr. Punch_ his "young men"? The following
letters, therefore, it is frankly admitted, were written in Fleet
Street. Please notice the careless grace with which "Peckham Rye" and
the "Borough Road" are thrown in to give an air of "verisimilitude to a
bald and unconvincing narrative" as POOH BAH said. The subject of the
correspondence gave some small amount of trouble. "Is Sleeping healthy?"
was one suggestion; "Ought Husbands to kiss their Wives?" another.
Eventually "The Ethics of the Honeymoon" won by a narrow majority, after
a close division. Of course it need hardly be said that the subject
ought to be matrimonial. It's expected of you. The public look for it.
They shall get it. Here are some of the letters:--

THE ETHICS OF THE HONEYMOON.

DEAR SIR,--I desire in your valuable paper to draw attention to
a question which I have been carefully considering for a great
number of years: Are Honeymoons right? Man and boy I have been a
bachelor these forty years, and as such have had peculiar and
extensive opportunities for seeing that "most of the game" which
is reserved for outsiders. As the result of my observation, I
confidently assert that honeymoons are useless, dangerous, and
ought to be abolished. They are useless in that the only people
they profit are the hotel-keepers. They are dangerous to the
happy pairs, who see enough of one another in a fortnight to
imperil their happiness for a lifetime. Abolition is clearly the
only remedy, and a Hyde Park Demonstration should settle the
matter.
Yours faithfully,
TOM E. ROT.
_Peckham Rye._

DEAR MR. PUNCH,--However can anyone ask such a foolish question
as "Are Honeymoons right?" I shall never forget mine. It was one
long dream. We spent the time in Switzerland and £300 in cash.
We're still paying interest on the money EDWIN borrowed to pay
for it. But what of that? The time we spent was a poem, the
recollection of it is a rapture. Though I should never be
fortunate enough to spend another, I shall always rejoice in my
first honeymoon.

Yours matrimonially,
ANGELINA MANDOLINE.
_The Cosy Corner, Swiss Cottage._

SIR,--I object to honeymoons because those who take part in them
are so unsociable. What greater disfigurement to a landscape
than a lot of couples honeymooning about? The whole thing is
such a farce, too--each would rather speak to some one else,
both are afraid of offending one another. To prevent anyone
thinking I say this because I've been bitten myself, I may add
that my first honeymoon was such a success that next week I'm
going to get married again, and take another.

Yours,
A WIDOWER.

_1097, Borough Road, S.E._

* * * * *

On a Heroine of our Day.

Her very naughtiness is droll,
There's fun in her worst folly,
In fact she's no Society Doll,
But a Society "Dolly."
On her the straightest-laced spectator
Bestows his benediction,
And owns her keen and skilled creator
A Hope of English fiction.

* * * * *

THE LAW OF THE (SOCIAL) JUNGLE.

MR. RUDYARD KIPLING has given us in his own inimitable way a sample of
Jungle Law, which, as he says, is of "immense complexity." Now Society
is also a Jungle, the Human Jungle. In it the _Bête-Humaine_
congregates, for a variety of purposes. Its laws also are complex, and
_wonderfully like those of the Wolves_ as _Baloo_ gave them in
sing-song. For example:--

(_For "Wolf" read "Worldling," for "Jungle" the "Social World."_)

Now this is the Law of the Jungle--so ancient that no one asks "Why?"
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall
break it must fly,
As the cobweb that meshes the corners, the Law nets Society's track--
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf
is the Pack.

"Tub" daily from head-crown to toe-tip; drink freely but seldom _too_
deep:
And remember the night is for larks, and forget not the day is for
sleep.

II.

The Jackal may sponge on the Lion; but, Cub, when thy whiskers are
grown,
Remember the Wolf is a hunter--go forth and track prey of thine own.

III.

Keep peace with the Lords of the Jungle, the Hebrew, the Bobby, the
Beak;
And fool not with Elephant Law, which is given to squelching the weak.

IV.

When Pack crosses Pack in the jungle, and neither will budge from the
trail,
Lie down till the Lawyers have spoken, for tongue against tooth _may_
prevail!

When ye fight with a Wolf of the Pack, do not fight him alone or afar,
Let others look on at the scrimmage, the Pack is amused by such war.

VI.

The House of the Wolf is his refuge, and where he has made him his
home,
If he is a Wolf of fair cunning, not e'en County Councils may come.

VII.

The House of the Wolf is his refuge, but let him shun odorous drain,
Or the Council will send him a "Notice," and he'll have to "repair"
it again.

VIII.

If ye hunt after midnight be careful, and block not the public
highway.
Lest ye draw the police from their gossips, and have Forty Shillings
to pay.

IX.

Ye may kill female souls for your pleasure, may snare them the best
way ye can,
But mind you don't poach on preserves that belong to a wealthier man!

If ye plunder his Kill from a weaker, don't put on _too_ much
"blooming side."
Some deeds it is lawful to do, which, as being "bad form," you should
hide.

XI.

The "form" of the Pack is the law of the Pack. It will pardon white
lies,
And a wriggle or two, but that Wolf's a gone coon who the Pack "form"
defies.

XII.

The Kill of the Wolf is the meat of the Wolf. He may do what he will
With his prey when he's hunted it down; but he shouldn't let pals
_see_ him kill.

XIII.

Cub-Right is the right of the Minor. For deeds of crass folly or shame
He may put in the plea, "I'm an Infant!" and Law will acknowledge the
same.

XIV.

Sale-Right is the right of the Mother. For all her she-cubs she may
claim
The right of free-market (or marriage), and none may deny her the
same.

XV.

Law-Right is the right of the Male. He has made Jungle-law all his
own,
He is free of all voice of the Female; and judged by the he-wolves
alone.

XVI.

Because of his age and his cunning, his grip and his power of jaw,
In all that the Law leaveth open the word of King Mammon is Law.

_Now these are the Laws of the Jungle, to sway human Wolves where they
swarm;
But the head and the front of the Law, the beginning and end
is--CONFORM!_

Wonderful, is it not, how little the Law of the Wolf requires modifying
to make it the Law of the Worldling! The reason, perhaps, is that the
average Worldling is so very much _like_ a Wolf, especially in
gregariousness and greed for prey!

* * * * *

[Illustration: A "NEW WOMAN."

_The Vicar's Wife._ "AND HAVE YOU HAD GOOD SPORT, MISS GOLDENBERG?"

_Miss G._ "OH, RIPPIN'! I ONLY SHOT ONE RABBIT, BUT I MANAGED TO INJURE
QUITE A DOZEN MORE!"]

* * * * *

LYRE AND LANCET.

(_A Story in Scenes._)

PART X.--BORROWED PLUMES.

SCENE XVII.--UNDERSHELL'S _Bedroom in the East Wing at Wyvern_.
TIME--_About 9_ P.M.

_The Steward's Room Boy (knocking and entering)._ Brought you up some
'ot water, Sir, case you'd like to clean up afore supper.

_Undershell._ I presume evening dress is not indispensable in the
Housekeeper's Room; but I can hardly make even the simplest toilet until
you are good enough to bring up my portmanteau. Where is it?

_Boy._ I never 'eard nothink of no porkmanteau, Sir!

_Und._ You will hear a good deal about it, unless it is forthcoming at
once. Just find out what's become of it--a new portmanteau, with a white
star painted on it.

[_The_ BOY _retires, impressed; an interval._

_Boy (re-appearing)._ I managed to get a few words with THOMAS, our
second footman, just as he was coming out o' the 'All, and _he_ sez the
only porkmanteau with a white star was took up to the Verney Chamber,
which THOMAS unpacked it hisself.

_Und._ Then tell THOMAS, with my compliments, that he will trouble
himself to pack it again immediately.

_Boy._ But THOMAS has to wait at table, and besides, he says as he laid
out the dress things, and the gen'lman as is in the Verney Chamber is a
wearin' of 'em now, Sir.

_Und. (indignant)._ But they're _mine_! Confound his impudence! Here,
I'll write him a line at once. (_He scribbles a note._) Here, see that
the gentleman of the Verney Chamber gets this at once, and bring me his
answer.

_Boy._ What! _me_ go into the Dinin' 'All, with all the swells at table?
I dursn't. I should get the sack from old TREDDY.

_Und._ I don't care who takes it so long as it is taken. Tell THOMAS
it's _his_ mistake, and he must do what he can to put it right. Say I
shall certainly complain if I don't get back my clothes and portmanteau.
Get that note delivered, and I'll give you half-a-crown. (_To himself,
as the Boy departs much against his will._) So, not content with denying
me a place at her table, this Lady CULVERIN allows her minions to clothe
a more favoured guest at my expense! I'm hanged if I stand it.

SCENE XVIII.--_The Dining Hall. The table is oval_; SPURRELL _is placed
between_ Lady RHODA COKAYNE _and_ Mrs. BROOKE-CHATTERIS.

_Mrs. Chatteris (encouragingly, after they are seated)._ Now, I shall
expect you to be very brilliant and entertaining. _I_'ll do all the
listening for once in a way--though, generally, I can talk about all
manner of silly things with _anybody_!

_Spurrell (extremely ill at ease)._ Oh--er--I should say you were equal
to _that_. But I really can't think of anything to talk _about_.

_Mrs. Chatt._ That's a bad beginning. I always find the _menu_ cards
such a good subject when there's anything at all out of the common about
them. If they're ornamented, you _can_ talk about them--though not for
_very_ long at a time, don't you think?

_Spurr. (miserably)._ I can't say how long I could go on about
_ornamented_ ones--but these are plain. (_To himself._) I can hear this
waistcoat going already; and we're only at the soup!

_Mrs. Chatt._ It _is_ a pity. Never mind; tell me about literary and
artistic people. Do you know I'm rather glad I'm not literary or
artistic myself--it seems to make people so _queer-looking_, somehow.
Oh, of course I didn't mean _you_ looked queer--but _generally_, you
know. You've made quite a success with your _Andromeda_, haven't you? I
only go by what I'm told--I don't read much myself. We women have so
many really serious matters to attend to--arranging about dinners, and
visits, and trying on frocks, and then rushing about from party to
party. I so seldom get a quiet moment. Ah, I knew I wanted to ask you
something. Did you ever know anyone called Lady GRISOLINE?

_Spurr._ Lady--er--GRISOLINE? No; can't say I do. I know Lady MAISIE,
that's all.

_Mrs. Chatt._ Oh, and _she_ was the original? Now, that _is_ exciting!
But I should hardly have recognised her--"lanky," you know, and
"slanting green eyes." But I suppose you see everybody differently from
other people? It's having so much imagination. I daresay _I_ look green
or something to you now--though really I'm _not_.

_Spurr. (to himself)._ I don't understand more than about half she's
saying. (_Aloud._) Oh, I don't see anything particularly green about
_you_.

_Mrs. Chatt. (only partially pleased)._ I wonder if you meant that to be
complimentary--no, you needn't explain. Now tell me, is there any news
about the Laureateship? Who's going to get it? Will it be SWINBURNE or
LEWIS MORRIS?

_Spurr. (to himself)._ Never heard of the stakes or the horses either.
(_Aloud._) Well, to tell you the truth, I haven't been following their
form--too many of these small events nowadays.

_Mrs. Chatt. (to herself)._ It's quite amusing how jealous these poets
are of one another! (_Aloud._) Is it true they get a butt of sherry
given them for it?

_Spurr._ I've heard of winners getting a bottle or two of champagne in a
bucket--not sherry. But a little stimulant won't hurt a crack when he
comes in, provided it's not given him too soon; wait till he's got his
wind and done blowing, you know.

_Mrs. Chatt._ I'm taking that in. I know it's very witty and satirical,
and I daresay I shall understand it in time.

_Spurr._ Oh, it doesn't matter much if you don't. (_To himself._)
Pleasant kind of woman--but a perfect fool to talk to!

_Mrs. Chatt. (to herself)._ I've always _heard_ that clever writers are
rather stupid when you meet them--it's quite true.

_Captain Thicknesse (to himself)._ I should like her to see that I've
got some imagination in me, though she _does_ think me such an ass.
(_Aloud, to_ Lady MAISIE.) Jolly old hall this is, with the banners, and
the gallery, and that--makes you fancy some of those old mediæval
Johnnies in armour--knights, you know--comin' clankin' in and turnin' us
all out.

_Lady Maisie (to herself)._ I do trust Mr. SPURRELL isn't saying
something too dreadful. I'm sure I heard my name just now. (_Aloud,
absently, to_ Capt. THICKNESSE.) No, did you _really_? How amusing it
must have been!

_Capt. Thick. (aggrieved)._ If you'd done me the honour of payin' any
attention to what I was sayin', you'd have found out it _wasn't_
amusin'.

_Lady M. (starting)._ Oh, _wasn't_ it? I'm so sorry I missed it. I--I'm
afraid I was thinking of something else. Do tell me again!

_Capt. Thick. (still hurt)._ No, I won't inflict it on you--not worth
repeatin'. And I should only be takin' off your attention from a fellow
that _does_ know how to talk.

_Lady M. (with a guiltiness which she tries to carry off under
dignity)._ I don't think I understand what you mean.

_Capt. Thick._ Well, I couldn't help hearin' what you said to your
poet-friend before we went in about having to put up with partners; and
it isn't what you may call flattering to a fellow's feelin's, being put
up with.

_Lady M. (hotly)._ It--it was not intended for you. You entirely
misunderstood!

[Illustration: "It does seem to me such--well, such footle!"]

_Capt. Thick._ Daresay I'm very dense; but, even to _my_ comprehension,
it's plain enough that the reason why you weren't listenin' to me just
now was that the Poet had the luck to say somethin' that you found more
interesting.

_Lady M._ You are _quite_ wrong--it's too absurd; I never even met Mr.
SPURRELL in my life till this afternoon. If you really _must_ know, I
heard him mention my name, and--and I wondered, naturally, what he could
possibly be saying.

_Capt. Thick._ Somethin' very charmin' and poetical, I'm sure, and I'm
makin' you lose it all. Apologise--shan't happen again.

_Lady M._ Please be sensible, and let us talk of something else. Are you
staying here long?

_Capt. Thick._ You will be gratified to hear I leave for Aldershot
to-morrow. Meant to have gone to-day. Sorry I _didn't_ now.

_Lady M._ I think it was a thousand pities you didn't, as you seem to
have stayed on purpose to be as stupid and unkind as you possibly can.

[_She turns to her other neighbour_, Lord LULLINGTON.

_Mrs. Chatt._ (_to_ Capt. THICKNESSE, _who is on her other side_). Oh,
Captain THICKNESSE, what _do_ you think Mr. SPURRELL has just told me?
You remember those lines to Lady GRISOLINE that Mr. PILLINER made such
fun of this morning? Well, they were meant for Lady MAISIE! They're
quite old friends, it seems. _So_ romantic! Wouldn't you like to know
how they came to meet?

_Capt. Thick._ Can't say I'm particularly curious--no affair of mine,
don't you know. (_To himself._) And she told me they'd never met before!
Sooner I get back the better. Only in the way here.

_Lady M. (turning to him)._ Well, are you as determined to be
disagreeable as ever? Oh, yes, I see you are!

_Capt. Thick._ I'm hurt, that's what it is, and I'm not clever at hiding
my feelin's. Fact is, I've just been told somethin' that--well, it's no
business of _mine_, only you _might_ have been a little more frank with
an old friend, instead of leavin' it to come through somebody else.
These things always come out, you know.

_Lady M. (to herself)._ That wretch _has_ been talking! I knew he would!
(_Aloud._) I--I know I've been very foolish. If I was to tell you some
time----

_Capt. Thick. (hastily)._ Oh, no reason why you should tell me anything.
Assure you, I--I'm not curious.

_Lady M._ In that case I shall certainly not trouble you. (_To
herself._) He may think just what he pleases, _I_ don't care. But, oh,
if Mr. SPURRELL dares to speak to me after this, I shall astonish him!

_Lady Rhoda_ (_to_ SPURRELL). I say--I _am_ in a funk. Only just heard
who I'm next to. I always do feel such a perfect fool when I've got to
talk to a famous person--and you're _frightfully_ famous, aren't you?

_Spurr. (modestly)._ Oh, I don't know--I suppose I _am_, in a sort of
way, through _Andromeda_. Seem to think so _here_, anyhow.

_Lady Rh._ Well, I'd better tell you at once, I'm no good at
Poetry--can't make head or tail of it, some'ow. It does seem to me
such--well, such footle. Awf'ly rude of me sayin' things like that!

_Spurr._ Is it? I'm just the same--wouldn't give a penny a yard for
Poetry, myself!

_Lady Rh._ You wouldn't? I _am_ glad. _Such_ a let-off for me! I was
afraid you'd want to talk of nothin' else, and the only things I can
really talk about are horses and dogs, and that kind of thing.

_Spurr._ That's all right, then. All I don't know about dogs and horses
you could put in a homoeopathic globule--and _then_ it would rattle!

_Lady Rh._ Then you're just the man. Look here, I've an Airedale at
home, and he's losin' all his coat and----

[_They converse with animation._

_Spurr. (later--to himself)._ I am getting on. I always knew I was made
for Society. If only this coat was easier under the arms!

_Thomas (behind him--in a discreet whisper)._ Beg your pardon, Sir, but
I was requested to 'and you this note, and wait for an answer.

_Spurr. (opening it, and reading)._ "Mr. GALFRID UNDERSHELL thinks that
the gentleman who is occupying the Verney Chamber has, doubtless by
inadvertence, put on Mr. UNDERSHELL'S evening clothes. As he requires
them immediately, he will be obliged by an early appointment being made,
with a view to their return." (_To himself._) Oh, Lor! Then it _wasn't_
Sir RUPERT, after all! Just when I was beginning to enjoy my evening,
too. What on earth am I to say to this chap? I _can't_ take 'em all off
here!

[_He sits staring at the paper in blank dismay._

* * * * *

The Wail of the Word-Spinner.

There is nothing new under the sun at all
To your journalist penny-a-lining and shoppy.
And how can a man be "original"
When his days (and his nights) are devoted to "copy"?
No, no, his tired head will ne'er "knock at the stars,"
Who is tied to the spinning of "leaders" and "pars."

* * * * *

THE VOYAGE OF ALFRED.

[See Mr. ALFRED AUSTIN'S article, entitled "That Damnable
Country," in _Blackwood's Magazine_.]

[Illustration]

"Land, land!" cried ALFRED AUSTIN. "By my halidom, I spy land!
Many weary leagues we've wandered since we left our native shores,
Seeking still through calm and tempest a remote and barren island,
While we smote the sounding furrows of the ocean with our oars.

"Never wind availed to beat us; by the waters overweighted,
Or becalmed, with idle canvas hanging loosely from the mast,
Yet we steered her or we rowed her with our courage unabated,
And, our labours past and over, we have come to land at last.

"Though the land be bleak and barren, though barbarians its dwellers,
Let us add this last achievement to the record of our deeds;
When the savage tribes come shouting as attackers and repellers,
We can win the men with clothing and the women-folk with beads.

"There be savages in India as in Tierra del Fuego;
There be savages in Zululand with shield and assegai;
We have tamed them, whether cannibals or fed on rice and sago--
Shall a Briton ever flinch from such? No, by the Lord, not I!"

On the land he had discovered thus the Poet AUSTIN landed;
MARCO POLO or COLUMBUS might have envied him the scene;
And in prose he has described it, in a language understanded
Of the people, and has printed it in _Blackwood's Magazine_.

The scenery was beautiful, so lovely that it dazed him;
He thought their manners charming, and he rather liked their rain.
He did not find them savages, which seems to have amazed him;
And he tells us all to visit them again and yet again.

We thank you for the hints you give describing what you've seen there,
It really is amazing; but----(a whisper in your ear)
You're not the first discoverer, for some of us have been there,
And shaken hands with Irish folk before the present year.

But in your precious article your wonder you exhaust in
Describing how an Irishman can really be polite:
"Behold," you say, "the Irishman as patronised by AUSTIN;
He is not black, though painted so--in fact he's rather white."

Don't patronise so much, dear A. I do not say you write ill;
But oh that awful title, with its most offensive D----!
Devoutly do I hope, dear A., you'll find a better title,
And write a wiser article when next you cross the sea.

* * * * *

STUDIES FROM THE NEW-DE.--The rage for "New"-ness, which commenced with
the New Humour, is extending to the theatres. _The New Boy_ now has for
a competitor _The New Woman_. What matters, so long as neither is a
Nui-S'ance?

* * *

"Finest English!"

"By their fruits ye shall know them," these vendors of peaches,
Tomatoes, and cob-nuts, and currants and cherries;
But what we yet lack is the wisdom that teaches
Detection of fraudulent fruits, nuts, and berries,
Which come from abroad, to the Britisher's table,
All marked "Finest English!" that lying old label!
A Trade Mark _is_ wanted--to badge these false brutes,
That BULL may not only know them but their fruits.

* * *

THE SEVEN AGES OF MAN.--_Cot_-age (Infancy), _Trot_-age (Nursery
Toddler), _Hot_-age (Youth), _Shot_-age (Sport), _Knot_-age
(Matrimonial), "_Pot_"-age (Celebrity), and _Dot_-age (Senility).

* * *

THE REAL FALL OF MAN.--Falling in love!

* * * * *

[Illustration: HOLIDAY CHARACTER STUDIES.

_Mrs. Stanley Bounderson_ (née _Martha Fullalove, the Liverpool
heiress_). "WHAT WOULD _DOADY_ DO, IF HIS LOVING LITTLE WIFEY DIDN'T
CARRY HIS GREAT HEAVY WATERPROOF FOR HIM WHEN IT LEAVES OFF RAINING, AND
HE WANTS TO SMOKE?"

_Mr. Stanley Bounderson (alias Doady)._ "HE'D CARRY IT HIMSELF, I
SUPPOSE!"

_Jones, Q.C. (aside to Mrs. Jones)._ "YES; AND BE TWICE AS FOND OF HIS
LITTLE WIFEY INTO THE BARGAIN, YOU BET!"

[_Which is best, to love much, like Mrs. S. B, or be much loved, like
Mrs. J.?_]
* * * * *

[Illustration:

DON'T "COME UNTO THESE YELLOW SANDS"!

MR. P. (_sleepily_). "GO AWAY--GO AWAY!--I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU!"]

* * * * *

DON'T "COME UNTO THESE YELLOW SANDS"!

OR, THE SLEEPY SAGE AND THE BLAMEFUL ETHIOPIANS.

_A Sea-side Sketch in September._

SCENE--_A Sea-shore in holiday time._ PRESENT--A Sleepy Sage
_in holiday attire_.

_Sleepy Sage (soliloquises)._ "Here cease more questions," as my
prototype _Prospero_ says. Why, cert'nly! Here cease--for the time
being--_all_ questions, especially political ones, "burning" ones, as
the perorating parrots of Party controversy--confound 'em!--call them.
Question me no questions! Ask me no questions, and I'll give you no
snubs.

"Thou art inclined to sleep,"

continues _Prospero_. I am.

"'Tis a good dulness
And give it way."

I shall. Dulness of course "in a Shakspearian sense." Like _Bottom_, "I
have an exposition of sleep come upon me," but the "captain of my
dreams" is not that of the egregious weaver. Pheugh! 'tis torrid! _Nunc
est bibendum!_ Where's that wine-cup lying couched in--sand? Good!
_Guggle--guggle--guggle!_ The very glug-glug of lapsing liquor is
soporific as the sound of

"Silver rivers, to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals."

Sweet "Swan," thy music runneth in my head to-day. Better than the
buzzings of the political Bumble-B's, the bray of BART----but no matter!
'Tis a season when, in sugary summer mood, one wishes soft slumbers even
to the blaring _Bottoms_ of the hour. "Blessed be the man who invented
sleep!" Right, good _Sancho_!

"Oh sleep! it is a blessed thing,
Beloved from pole to pole!"

True, oh Ancient Mariner! Come, lord of stretched ease and night-capped
noddles. (_Drowses._)

_Enter certain ebony_ Minstrels, _of sham Ethiopian sort, on raucous
row--miscalled popular music--eagerly intent_.

_First Minstrel (softly)._ Hist! _He_'s here!

_Second M. (pianissimo)._ See _He_ slumbers!!

_Third M. (sotto voce)._ Now have we _Him_ at vantage!!!

_Toby (fortissimo)._ Yap! Yap! Yap!

_Sleepy Sage (drowsily)._ Down, Dog of dogs, down, Sir!

[TOBIAS, _albeit reluctantly, "downs" accordingly_.

_First M._ Say, what shall we tip him? "The Chucker-Out"?

_Second M._ Or "Linger longer Lulu!"? Or "Get your Harcourt!"? Or "The
Grand Old Man who shied"?

_First M._ Or "My Poll and my 'Preponderant Partner' John"? Or "My
Pretty Primrosers"?

_Second M._ Or "The Hum of B's"? Or "The Tin Gee (Jay) Gee"?

_Third M._ By Jabers, no, let's give him something Hibernian--for a
change!

_First M. (aside)._ Oh Lords deliver us!

_Second M. (aside)._ For a _change_?

_Third M. (sings fortissimo)_--

My name is PATRICK LEARY,
From the town New Tipperary.
The heart of BILL O'BRIEN I'm a thorn in.
But for my long-promised pay,
I must wait another day,
For the Peers have chucked me cruel and wid scornin'!

_Chorus:_--

To my woes could they be coulder?
Since they've give me the could shoulder!
To the poor plan-of-campaigners I'm a warnin'.
Faix! I've lately tuk the notion
I must cross the broiny ocean.
And seek funds in Philadelphy some foine mornin'.

_Toby (exploding)._ Yap! yap!! yap!!!

_Sleepy Sage (stirring, and muttering)._ When my cue comes, call me, and
I will answer. My next is "February Fill-dyke." Hey! ho! B-RTL-Y-QUINCE
B-WL-S the bellows-blower! AS-M-AD the State-tinker! WE-R the
interrogative! Gad's my life! stolen away and left me asleep! I have had
a most rare vision! I have had a dream,--past the wit of man (as
_Bottom_ and the G. O. M. both put it) to say what dream it was: man is
but an ass if he go about to expound this (Irish) dream. Methought I
was--there is no man can tell what. Methought I was, and methought I
had,--but man is but a patched fool, if he offer to say what I had.
Meseemed I was a sort of Hibernian _Titania_ enamoured of----But the eye
of man hath not heard, the ear of man hath not seen, man's hand is not
able to taste, his tongue to conceive, nor his heart to report what I
was enamoured of. I will get one of my young men to write a ballad of
this Hibernian Midsummer-Madness Dream; it may well be called _Bottom's_
Dream, because it hath no bottom. It seemed to be suggested by, and to
be set to, music of a music-hally sort, tripping but thunderous and
thrasonic, and----(_rubs his eyes_). Hillo!!! (_To the three minstrels
tuning up for another try._) Who in the name of Nox are _you_? I twig, I
twig! Cacophony incarnate, Shindy in soot, triple-headed Cerberus of
Row, I know you! Get out!!! Have I not had enough of you in town ever
since February, but that you must impudently intrude upon my holiday
quiet, my rural rest, my sea-side seclusion?

_DON'T come unto these yellow sands,
Corked mugs and hands!
Hook it! You will not be missed.
Off! off! well-hissed!
Foot it featly anywhere,
So I've not your burden here.
Hark! hark!_
(Burden.) _Bow-wow!!!_ (_Dispersedly._)
_'Tis Toby's bark!_
(Burden.) _Bow-wow!!!_ (_Dispersedly._)
_Hark! Listen! Hear!
Clear out, each cork-smudged Chanticleer!
Get out, and leave me--DO!_

[_Exeunt Blameful Ethiopians ignominiously._ Sage _again composes
himself to sleep._

* * * * *

SAPPHICS ON TRAFFIC.

(_A Lover of London to a Weary Would-be Wayfarer._)

_Lover of London._

Would-be wayfarer! little think the proud ones
Who in their coaches roll along the turnpike--
Road, what hard work 'tis trying all day for Pimlico,
Or Piccadilly.

[Illustration]

Tell me, wayfarer, how these Omnibuses,
Growlers, and Hansoms, carts and vans of PICKFORD,
Slithering slowly over the slippery asphalte,
Manage a journey!

Lingering loitering is not Locomotion!
Trickling slow trailing through attenuate thoroughfares,
Paroxysms of crawl and block alternate,
Call you these Traffic!

_Civic Would-be Wayfarer._

Traffic? Why bless you! We have none worth calling so;
'Tisn't a thing expected in London City.
This sluggish crawling varied with stoppage is all that
We may attain to.

What with the narrow labyrinths miscalled thoroughfares,
What with the sewers and gas, the water and telegraphs,
Traffic is simply a species of lingering agony,
In the Metropolis!

Something is always "up," Sir, pipe-layers, paviors,
Stirrers of most malodorous witch-broth cauldrons,
Makers of shindy and stench, with poor old Babylon,
Play up old Gooseberry!

Courts and Councils, Committees and Correspondents,
Always reporting, writing, and railing concerning it;
Nothing comes of it all save chaos more complicate,
And higher ratings.

Cheapside, Fleet Street, Strand, all semi-impassable,
Scarcely a "right-away" road in all the Capital;
As for the "affluents" of our so-called arteries,
_They_ are chock-blockical!

SALOMAN wisely says the traffic of London
Isn't mere local matter--ought to be national.
Hope we may get some good from wisdom of SALOMAN!--
Hardly expect it, though.

Far too long a prey to the power of Bumbledom!
Hope too long deferred has made me a Pessimist.
Traffic? Merits the name as much as these stanzas do
That of true Sapphics, Sir!

_Lover of London._

_You_ back such bunglers? I would see them blowed first--
Duffers no civic spirit can rouse to competence,
Paltry, preposterous, pettifogging, pottering,
Paunchy Panjandrums!

* * * * *

A SONG FOR THE SLOGGER.

(_By One who has seen him Smite._)

[During the Scarborough Cricket Week, Mr. C. I. THORNTON, the
champion slogger of England and enthusiastic supporter of the
sport, was presented with a silver trophy, representing himself
at the wicket, as a memento of the great part he has taken in
the Scarborough Festival since its institution in 1869. Playing
in the second innings of M. C. C. against Yorkshire, Mr.
THORNTON batted as energetically as ever, and twice drove the
ball out of the ground.]

[Illustration]

Great THORNTON the slogger, it comes as a jogger
To memory this tale of your trophy well merited.
Great Scott! how time's flitting. Your gift of tall-hitting,
Which no one--save BONNOR--has fully inherited,
You showed e'en at Eton. It has not been beaten.
You'd whip even JEHU at "furious _driving_."
Not dashing O'BRIEN could lick the old Lion
Of Cambridge, whose fire is still plainly surviving.
The pet of the Million, you've cleared the pavilion,
And spanked the ball many times "over the paling,"
Here's health to you "Buns!" may you score lots of runs,
And oft stir the crowd with your spirit unfailing.
How often I'd watch when they "bowled for a catch,"
And you gave 'em one, truly, but in the next parish!
You'd run up your hundred, while "all the world wondered,"
In less than an hour, Sir, a pace wear-and-tearish.
Though pedants demur, mighty smiting _will_ stir,
So "more power to your elbow," great Slogger of Sixes!
Ah! if you should play in the Shades some fine day,
The Elysium Fields, in the old Oval way,
They must "spread," and you'll _then_ clear the bounds, though
they're Styx's!!!

* * * * *

QUEER QUERIES.

CHEAPNESS AND LIGHT.--Will some reader kindly inform me what is the best
way of recovering the expenses I have recently been put to in a _most
unpleasant_ Norwegian tour? Norway is said to be a cheap country, so I
think I was not unreasonable in expecting to be able to see Christiania,
Bergen, Trondhjem, and the North Cape, with all the principal fiords and
glaciers, for a five-pound note. But I was bitterly disappointed. As for
the Midnight Sun, it is a complete fraud, and I should have considered
myself lucky if I had seen a mid-day sun more than once or twice in my
tour. Ought not the companies who advertise for tourists to explain that
the Norse mountains are only _half as high as those in Switzerland_?
Then I was assured the hotel charges would be only half as high too; but
I found that it was impossible to get supper, bed, and breakfast for
less than half-a-crown anywhere! Comment is needless. I have just
returned home, and find that I have actually spent, during only three
weeks travel, exactly £8 10_s._ 7½_d._ I had a _miserable_ crossing to
Hull. Whom ought I to sue? PERISH SCANDINAVIA.

* * * * *

NOT by "a Popular Baronet."

On streams whose course one must not block
A weir is found hard by a lock;
At Westminster it would appear
They'd like a lock upon their Weir.

* * * * *

[Illustration: MISUNDERSTOOD.

_Stage-Manager (to Nervous Amateur)._ "WELL, OLD CHAP, HOW ARE YOU
FEELING NOW? GOT RID OF THE STAGE FRIGHT?"

_Nervous Amateur._ "YES; SHE'S JUST GONE UP TO HER DRESSING-ROOM!"]

* * * * *

DOGS' MEET.

The annual Canine Congress opened yesterday in the Isle of Dogs. Should
the weather prove favourable it is expected that the reunion will be
most successful. The Presidential Address was delivered by A.
NEWFOUNDLAND, Esq., winner of the first prize in a recent Crystal Palace
Show.

The President, who was received with general tail-wagging and yelping,
observed that a statement had recently appeared in the public Press to
the effect that there were two million dogs in the United Kingdom.
(_Sensation._) Yes, he was so informed by his employer's scullery maid,
in whom he had implicit confidence, as she always acted very liberally
towards him in the matter of bones. (_Applause._) What he wanted to know
was, did all these dogs pay their licences, as they ought to do?
(_General barking._) All dogs who did not pay should be
"collared"--either by their employers or the police. (_Barks and some
dissent._) If there were really two millions of their race, it could
hardly be denied that the United Kingdom deserved the title of the true
"Dogs' Home." (_Laughter._) But they had several crying--he meant
howling--grievances. In the first place there were too many mongrels
about. (_Growls._) Yes, in their case multiplication was vexation. (_A
laugh._) He would put it to the common sense of the meeting. Obviously
there was only a certain quantity of bones in the country. Well, the
fewer dogs the more bones would there be for the remainder. (_Barks of
assent._) Then, as to the excellent legal doctrine, the Palladium of
their liberties, that "Every dog may have one bite." He was sorry to see
that some magistrates had been inclined to throw doubt on the justice of
this maxim, and he hoped the LORD CHANCELLOR would fly at those
magistrates--he meant remove them. (_Barks._) Another point to which he
must refer was that there was a tendency to put them off with imported
bones.

Now, _he_ was a Conservative (_barks_), and he believed in the good
roast beef of Old England. (_Barks and whining._) He regretted, too,
that many employers used an inferior kind of dog biscuit. (_Howls._) If
there were one form of food more repulsive than another it was the _fin
de siécle_ dog biscuit. (_Laughter._) Had it any meat in it at all?
("_No._") Was it composed chiefly of bad animal fat and bran? ("_Yes._")
There was yet one more grievance he had to mention. On washing days
(_howls_) it was sad to think that their dignity should be lowered by
having to submit to a coat of lather. In this matter some otherwise
excellent employers seemed afflicted with rabies. (_Barks._) He would
leave it to the consideration of the Congress whether a universal strike
against the grievances he had enumerated should be organised.

[_Loud and general barking._

At the close of the President's address the Congress adjourned for the
day.

Papers have been promised on "Cats, and How to Tackle them," on "The
Temptation presented by Cyclists' Calves," and on "Hygienic Kennels." A
very attractive programme of excursions to places of interest in the
vicinity has also been arranged. Members of the Congress will be enabled
to swim over to the south side of the Thames, and inspect the Dogs' Home
at Battersea, if the Manager will admit them. A happy day among the deer
in Greenwich Park is contemplated, and Barking will of course receive a
visit. Altogether, if the police do not interfere, a thoroughly
enjoyable outing is anticipated.

* * * * *

THE CURSE.

A FRAGMENT À LA INGOLDSBY.

The Spectre arose with a menacing look,
He called not for candle, for bell, or for book,
But in terrible tones, growing gruffer and gruffer,
He solemnly cursed that deluded Old Buffer!
He cursed him at board, he cursed him in bed,
From his buniony feet to his shiny bald head;
He cursed him in sleeping, that every night
He should dream about burglars and wake in a fright;
He cursed him in eating, he cursed him in drinking,
With troubles dyspeptic and feelings of "sinking";
He cursed him in walking, in running, in flying,
In puffing and panting, in freezing and frying,
With horror of living and longing for dying.
He banished him harshly from home, couch, and cook,
His favourite chair, and his best-beloved book;
From afternoon snooze, and from snug evening smoke,
From old-fashioned "rubber," and elderly joke;
From pottering round in his trim-bedded garden,
From down-at-heel slippers, old coat, and churchwarden;
Condemned him to dress in swell togs void of ease,
To hurry and scurry, to crowd and to squeeze;
To horrible burdens and journeys of length,
Exceedingly trying to temper and strength;
To puff like a porpoise, to pant and perspire,
To doing--_whatever he didn't desire_!

Never was heard such a horrible curse!
But what may give rise
To some little surprise,
This curse, at which courage may shiver and shake,
It only condemned the Old Buffer to take
His Annual Holiday!! _What can be worse?_

* * * * *

THE VACUOUS TIME.

["Sea-serpents are now in season, and running very large."--_The
Unlicensed Victualler._]

Let Cowes delight in barques that bite
Their furrows o'er the fallow main,
Careering round the Isle of Wight,
And ultimately home again.

Some men may go to Westward Ho!
And potter gravely through the greens,
Or lease a little moor, and blow
The harmless grouse to smithereens;

Or flit across to fjord and _fos_,
And captivate the toothsome trout
Or hack initials on a _schloss_,
And chuck their orange-peel about.

Let some repair to regions where,
Beneath the usual Southern moon,
The nigger in his native lair
Raises the Alabama coon.

A few may fly to far Shanghai,
Or Argentine, if they prefer,
And earn a paltry pittance by
Reporting facts that don't occur.

While others hail the Dover mail,
Humming the airs of quaint Yvette,
And prove upon a private scale
What life is like _à la Villette_;

Or haply land upon a strand
Where trim grisettes are clustered thick,
Watch the promiscuous bathers, and
Observe that things are passing _chic_.

I know of lots of pretty spots
Where people go to get the view;
It is indeed, as Dr. WATTS
Sublimely said, their nature too.

But there are some for whom the hum
Of toil habitually throbs;
Adhesive as a patent gum
They stick to their respective jobs.

When heather blows, and houses close,
And London is described as bare,
(Though some odd millions, I suppose,
Remain invariably there);

Pounding away serenely, they
With pious humour smile at fate;--
I make allusion, need one say,
To members of the Fourth Estate.

In deadly dearth of copy worth
Inserting they resort to Mars,
Or Marriage-failure here on earth,
As matter for expansive "pars."

For them the prize sea-worms arise
Fresh from eleven months of sleep,
Flatter a Correspondent's eyes,
And fairly hurtle through the deep.

And still they choose from subtle clues
To weave their exegetic wit,
Telling the nation all the news,
And even what to think of it.

Meanwhile afloat, or far remote,
The public who attains to miss
The paper for the day can dote
On ignorance akin to bliss.

* * * * *

Illogic in Liquor.

_Mem. by a Muser._

How paradoxical the ways of Town!
To "liquor up" means pouring liquor down.
And "standing treat" means, with the bibulous band,
"Treating" each other till they _cannot_ stand!

* * * * *

[Illustration: "'E DUNNO OÙ IL EST!"

_Passenger from London (as the Train runs into the Gare du Nord,
Paris)._
"OH--ER--I SAY--ER--GARSONG! KEL AY LE NOMME DU SET PLASS?"]

* * * * *

"OUT WE GO."

Just as we begin to know
What the grouping "mummers" mean--
Curtain! and "_God save the Queen!_"
Out we go.

Just as we begin to know,
Bat in hand, the bowler's style--
"How's that?" With a sickly smile,
Out we go.

Just as we begin to know
_This_ time we must "break the bank"--
Bah! We have ourselves to thank.
Out we go.

Just as we begin to know
That the whisky is sublime--
"Gentlemen, it's closing time!"
Out we go.

Just as we begin to know
_We_ can drive the frisky mare--
Bump! Crash! "Mind your eye!" "Take care!"
Out we go!

Just as we begin to know
We are bound to head the poll--
"Whew! Too bad, upon my soul!"
Out we go.

Just as we begin to know
In our boy's heart we've a place--
Ah! here comes Miss PRETTYFACE!
Out we go.

Just as we begin to know
How to fight this world of sin--
Ugh! the doctor bustles in.
Out we go.

* * * * *

TO HER MOTHER.

Oh, you meddlesome old lady!
"Tête and Braidy"
Is a pun--
Not my own but how I've said that
Of your head that
Spoilt the fun!

And you had a splendid chance to
At that dance too.
How I shun
Plaited hair like yours, that popping
In, and stopping,
Spoilt the fun!

I, not being like you wealthy
Know the stealthy,
Sneaking dun;
Since my fortune is not grand, you
Snubbed me, and you
Spoilt the fun!

When your daughter fancied flirting--
Was that hurting
Anyone?--
And I helped her, she was not you.
No, Great Scott! you
Spoilt the fun!

[Illustration]

Undisturbed upon the staircase,
Quite a rare case
Finding none
Others there, we sat so happy,
But you, snappy,
Spoilt the fun!

When I thought I had a greater
Chance to, later,
Be your son.
And she blushed and smiled so sweetly,
You completely
Spoilt the fun!

Lastly I, in some secluded
Spot, concluded
I had won,
Called her by her Christian name--and
Still you came and
Spoilt the fun!

* * * * *

THE LATEST PIECE OF NEWS _(at the Comedy)_.--_The New Woman_ and "The
Old Woman" are very much alike; especially _The New Woman_.

* * * * *

ROBERT ON AMERRYCANS.

What grand fellers them Amerrycans is! I have allers admired em since I
fust made aquaintence with the real Gent as I used to wait upon at the
Grand Otel at Cherring Cross, and he was a reel Gent if ever there was
one!

[Illustration]

Well, I was atending upon jest such another gent at quite a grand Party
the other night; and, when it was all over, the principle Gennelman came
up to me and interduced me to him as an Amerrycan Gent as wanted to
speak to me, and he then acshally told me as how as my little Book was
about one of the most populerest in all the United States! And he then
arsked me how many copies we had sold? And when I thort as I shoud
estonish him by telling him as I beleeved as it was sumthing about
seventeen thowsend, he said as how as that was nothink to what he should
have xpected, for a hunderd thowsend would not have surprised him! for
he had bin told as how as one of their werry leadingest men, I rayther
think as he said it was the Pressident, or a great friend of his
whenever he was a good deal bothered about State matters, allers called
for a copy of "Robert," for it was quite sure to put him all to rites
again, and send him to bed with a jolly larf!

Well, I thort as this was all pritty well, but he acshally finished up
by arsking me whether I coudent write another wollum jest like the
other! for he was sure as any of their grate Publishers coud sell any
quantity of em! speshally if they thort it woud take the shine out of
the Englisher by saying it was by WASHINGHAM! He then introjuced me to
another Amerrycan, and asked him what he thort of his plan? To which he
replied that he didn't know much about publishing, but he was quite sure
there was nothink in that or in any other matter in which an Amerrycan
coud not lick all creation! And then they both went away larfing!

Tho what there was to larf at in such a werry serious matter as they had
bin a torking about I'm sure I cant make out, the more so as I ain't
heard a single word from em since, and even thinks it werry possible as
I never shall.

Strange to say I had a most wunderful dream that night! I dremt as I was
reelly in Amerrykey, and having a long conwersation with a reel live
Publisher all about an Amerrycan "Robert"! and jest as we was aranging
all about the price, and the number of Wolumes, and the way he was to
send me all the money, I suddenly woke, and found myself a lying by the
side of Mrs. ROBERT! and about as much estonished as ewer I found myself
in all my long life! ROBERT.

* * * * *

Grumpy.

Smelfungus at new customs carps,
He says "New Women" are "Old Cats";
Society soon will be be all "sharps,"
Living in "flats."

* * *

MOTTO FOR MR. HALL-CAINE.--"The proper study of mankind is (the Isle of)
Man!"

* * * * *

THE PIOUS LYNCHER'S CREED.

(_Adapted from the Biglow Papers for the benefit of parsonic
defenders of the pleasant practice of Lynching._)

I du believe in righteous Law--
Save when it Hate embarrasses--
But I _du_ hate the holy jaw
Of them plump British Pharisees!
No White Man ought untried to swing,
Be grilled, or sliced to jiggers;
But Lynch Law is a kind o' thing
That quite agrees with niggers!

I du believe "beans" I may give
To _Pompey_ or to _Cæsar_.
The dog has nary right to _live_
Save as I chance to please, Sir;
It aint no use to cant to me--
If you'd a cowhide whip shun--
Of conscience or humanity,
Or rot of that description.

I du believe the wust o' trash
Is talk o' Christian kindness;
The "coons" we'll hang, or roast, or thrash,
In wrath's red fits o' blindness.
We'll rule, if not with rope and ball,
Why then with stake and scorcher.
Lynch Law, to make it stick at all,
Must be backed up by--_Torture_!

* * * * *

DANGEROUS DOCTRINE.

[Illustration]

That animals feel little pain
Science suggests--with scanty proof.
Shall the humane then lift in vain
Their voice in animals' behoof?
It is a pleasant thing to think
The horse we flog, the fish we hook,
Feel little pain--although they shrink;
But _does_ cool science know its book?
The poor crimped cod, the walloped moke,
_Can't tell us_ that they rather like it;
The dog smiles not as at a joke
When harsh BILL SIKES will kick or strike it.
Man is an animal, after all,
And if his faith is absolute
That pain hurts not the "animal,"
He'll very soon become--a brute!

* * * * *

LINES BY A LAZY BODY.

[M. ST. HILAIRE, the French politician, who is ninety years of
age, and still active, says:--"If you want to live to be old, be
always at work, and diligently. Do not listen to those who
aspire to save enough money to rest. They are lazy bodies."]

'Tis the voice of the Lazy, I heard him complain,
"All this nonagenarian nonsense
Won't do! This mere love of longevity's vain,
Although natural, doubtless, in _one_ sense.
The secret of Age, ST. HILAIRE may have told;
The secret of Youth can he give?
We'd learn, _not_ to live to be awfully old,
But how to keep young while we live!
No, no, chatty nonagenarians! Loan us
The gift of Aurora, not that of Tithonus."

* * * * *

"RATIONAL DRESS FOR THE IRRATIONAL."--A penitential sheet, and a
foolscap trimmed Phrygian fashion.

* * * * *

Transcriber's note:

Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).

Small capitals were replaced with ALL CAPITALS.

Throughout the document, the oe ligature was replaced with "oe".

Throughout the dialogues, there were words used to mimic accents of
the speakers. Those words were retained as-is.

Errors in punctuations and inconsistent hyphenation were not corrected
except for the following:

On page 112, a period was added after "if I stand it".

On page 113, "No. no," was replaced with "No, no,".

*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 107, September 8, 1894" ***

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