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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 99.,
+November 29, 1890, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 99., November 29, 1890
+
+Author: Various
+
+Release Date: June 25, 2004 [EBook #12738]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PUNCH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Malcolm Farmer, William Flis, and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+PUNCH,
+
+OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
+
+VOL. 99.
+
+
+
+November 29, 1890.
+
+
+
+
+MR. PUNCH'S PRIZE NOVELS.
+
+NO. VIII--JONNIE.
+
+ (_Par_ DICK DODY, _Auteur de "Le Nabab Boffin-Newcome,"
+ "Madame de Marneffe Jeune et Rawdon Crawley Commercant,"
+ "Trente Ans a prendre mon bien partout," "La Lie de mon
+ Encrier," "Raclure des Petits Journaux," &c, &c._)
+
+I.--LE HIGLIFE SCOLASTIQUE.
+
+Le recteur regardait avec un air egrillard le museau chiffonne de la
+jolie Madame COPPERFIELD, qui desirait lui confier son petit garcon
+comme eleve dans l'institution la plus distinguee de tout Paris, une
+maison ou chaque enfant devait apporter dans sa petite malle trois
+couverts en vermeille, et un trousseau de six douzaines de chemises
+en batiste fine; une maison ou les extras, les vin d'oporto, les
+beef-tea, les sandwich, souvent depassaient la pension.
+
+"Voyons, ma belle dame," dit le recteur, "comment s'appelle-t'il--ce
+petit mome--pardon--ce cher enfant?"
+
+"DOMBEY, Monsieur, JONNIE DOMBEY. JONNIE sans l'H."
+
+"Il est noble?"
+
+"Mais, non, Monsieur. Son pere etait banquier, financier, que sais-je!
+Il faisait des affaires enormes--gigantesques! Il regardait les
+ROTHSCHILD comme de nouveaux venus--il--" et la gentille petite
+COPPERFIELD se perdait dans un labyrinthe de phrases, et se refugiait
+dans une enorme houppe a poudre-Sarah, qu'elle portait toujours dans
+son manchon.
+
+[Illustration: JACK CUIVRECHAMP SE FAIT RECONNAITRE PAR MLLE.
+ELISABETH TROTTEBOIS.]
+
+"Mais il n'etait pas noble," dit le recteur, avec durete; "je
+regrette fort, Madame, de ne pouvoir accepter votre petit gosse--votre
+fils--comme eleve; mais cette institution scolastique est des plus
+_fashionables_ de Paris. Si vous aviez une petite couronne de Marquise
+sur votre carte de visite, si vous etiez descendue d'une voiture
+blasonnee aux chevaux fringants, avec cocher en perruque spun-glass,
+mes bras de pere spirituel se seraient ouverts avec effusion pour
+accueillir cet enfant. Mais vous portez sur votre oarte un nom
+suspect, et vous etes arrivee en voiture de place. Ainsi avec la
+plus haute consideration je dois vous prier de prendre la peine
+de debarrasser le plancher. Adieu, mon petit bonhomme. Tu as l'air
+scrofuleux mais charmant."
+
+Madame COPPERFIELD, qui etait entree comme Zephire partit comme Boree.
+Sa robe de soie faisait un frou-frou prodigieux dans le vestibule.
+Elle monta dans la voiture au cheval etique, aux coussins moisis,
+tirant le petit JONNIE avec une violence hysterique.
+
+"Parceque tu n'est pas fils de Marquis on m'outrage," elle dit,
+fondant en larmes. "Et pourquoi n'est-tu pas fils de Marquis, petite
+brute? Moi, je ne sais pas."
+
+Le petit DOMBEY sautait sur les genoux de sa mere; il la consolait,
+et quelques instants plus tard mere et fils sucaient emsemble un grand
+morceau de butter-scotch, pendant que la petite ecervelee considerait
+le costume qu'elle devait porter le soir au Bal Bullier.
+
+II.--UN GYMNASE A TOUTES LES COULEURS.
+
+MADAME COPPERFIELD ne se tenait pas pour vaincue sur cette question
+d'une pension pour le petit. Sa cuisiniere lui soufflait le nom d'un
+Monsieur SQUEERS qui habitait dans les environs de Clichy, et cette
+fois c'etait la cuisiniere qui conduisait le petit JONNNIE chez son
+alumnus; et la cuisiniere ne faisait pas de facons; c'etait a prendre
+ou a laisser.
+
+Le bon SQUEERS, qui avait habite auparavant le Yorkshire, avait
+developpe une goutte de sang negre, et s'etait etabli avec la seconde
+Madame SQUEERS (soeur cadette de la respectable Madame MICAWBER) dans
+les environs de Clichy. Malheureusement il n'avait pas oublie son
+systeme anglais, et quoiqu'il faisait bien des raffinements sur les
+rudes et franches pratiques de Dotheboys, le systeme etait au fond le
+meme. Il lui fallait toujours sa victime--son SMIKE. A Dotheboys le
+SMIKE etait blanc, et s'attachait a NICHOLAS, le pion; a Clichy le
+SMIKE etait noir, mais c'etait toujours bien SMIKE, qui entrait dans
+la pension bien vetu, ses frais payes ponctuellement, et qui tombait
+bien bas, jusqu'a balayer le plancher, et a servir a table. Et plus
+tard le SMIKE noir devait mourir accable de cruautes, d'une mort
+encore plus larmoyante et plus terrible que la douce phthisie du
+SMIKE blanc. Il est mort dans la seconde maniere de DICKENS, plus
+travaillee, plus tendue que le style jeune et fort de NICKLEBY.
+
+III.--CE QU'ON APPELLE UN BEAU-PERE.
+
+Il n'y a pas loin du premier chapitre dans la vie de JONNIE jusqu'a
+l'entree de MURDSTONE--le MURDSTONE francais, dur, mais poete, ainsi
+plus frivole que le MURDSTONE anglais. Mais, puisque pour le petit
+ARRIE tout ce qu'il y a de penible dans l'histoire de son petit cousin
+anglais doit s'augmenter, le MURDSTONE francais a des traits des
+NERON et des CALIGULA. Naturellement le jeune DOMBEY, se souvenant
+des escapades du cousin, fait son petit voyage d'enfant--une fuite
+de la pension jusqu'a la maison maternelle ou la petite dame s'est
+installee en secondes noces avec MURDSTONE D'ARGENTON, le poete. Alors
+commencent l'education de l'enfant par le beau-pere, les larmes de la
+mere, le martyre du petit. Que de gifles; que de dictionnaires lances
+a la tete du chetif bambin!
+
+"Faut qu'il aille quelque part gagner sa vie," dit MURDSTONE, qui
+s'enrageait de plus en plus, a cause de deux incommodites dans leur
+vie de famille, la premiere que lui, MURDSTONE, n'avait pas le genie
+d'ALFRED DE MUSSET, la seconde que l'enfant avait un rhume de cerveau
+incurable. "Envoyez-le laver les bouteilles chez un marchand de vins,"
+proposait un ami de la maison.
+
+"Mais, non, cela ne serait pas assez dur," repondit le poete. "Je suis
+fache qu'il n'y ait plus a Londres ce bon systeme de ramoneurs-garcons
+qu'on faisait bruler vifs quelquefois dans les cheminees. Faute de
+cela je le mettrai sur la voie ferree, a graisser les roues avec son
+petit pot de pommade jaune--et si par hasard il se faisait ecraser par
+un train--tant pis pour lui."
+
+Il etait grand garcon maintenant, ce joli petit JONNIE du premier
+chapitre, et avant de partir pour se perdre entre les Parias du pot a
+graisse sur la ligne d'Est, il s'enhardit jusqu'a questionner sa mere
+sur un sujet qu'elle avait approche de temps en temps gentillement du
+bout des levres, en lui soufflant des idees romanesques, des visions
+de ducs espagnols et de millionnaires anglais.
+
+"Dis done, p'tite Maman, comment s'appelait-il, mon pere?"
+
+"Mais, mon cheri, naturellement, il s'appelait COPPERFIELD."
+
+"Mais, Maman, tu me disais autrefois qu'il etait DOMBEY, un grand
+financier, riche a millions. Se peut-il que de DOMBEY je sois devenu
+COPPERFIELD?"
+
+La pauvre inconsequente sanglotait avec vehemence--"Mon JONNIE, je
+te trompais. DOMBEY, le financier raide et hautain, n'a jamais existe
+dans la vie reelle. C'etait un mannequin en bois. Ton pere etait
+DICKENS, le grand romancier anglais. Il est mort avant ta naissance.
+Sans lui tu ne serais pas."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+TO A CORRESPONDENT.--We do not think you are wise to have asked a
+large circle of distinguished French sporting friends to bring their
+rods over with a view to salmon-fishing in the Serpentine. Trout,
+there may be; no doubt, there are, but we have some doubts about
+salmon. Your suggestion that if you can't get a rise you might perhaps
+"bang away" at the waterfowl, certainly has a more promising sound,
+but we would advise you to commence your sport early, for fear of
+hitting the bathers. You will require the permission of the Duke of
+CAMBRIDGE. This you will get through any Park-keeper.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+MR. MANTALINI ON THE LINCOLN CASE.--"And both were right, and neither
+wrong, upon my life and soul, O demmit!"--_Nicholas Nickleby_.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: THE FINAL TEST.
+
+_Bellona_ (_to the "Times" and Mr. Stanhope_). "I SUPPOSE,
+GENTLEMEN, YOU DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR _ME_ TO SETTLE THE
+QUESTION!"
+
+TOMMY ATKINS, _loquitur_:--
+
+ Oh, where and _wot_ am I? A spindle-shank'd stripling,
+ As blue-gilled old Tory ex-Colonels protest?
+ Or a 'ero, as pictured by young RUDYARD KIPLING,
+ Six foot in my socks, forty-inch round the chest?
+ I'm blowed if _I_ know arter all the discussion.
+ But if I'm the cove as they're going to trust,
+ To give good account of yer Frenchy or Russian,
+ At least they'd best give me a gun as won't _bust_.
+ They've bin fighting this battle of barrels and breeches,--
+ Ah yus, from the days of our poor old Brown Bess,
+ And wot's the result as their 'speriments teaches?
+ They'd better jest settle it sharp-like, I guess.
+ If once of a rattlin' good rifle I'm owner,
+ A thing as won't jack-up or jam, I don't care.
+ But if they stand squabblin' till Missis BELLONER
+ Puts in _'er_ appearance, there'll be a big scare.
+ Ah, she's the true "Expert"; wuth fifty Committees!
+ But then '_er_ decision means money--and blood.
+ Wot price TOMMY ATKINS, _then_? Everyone pities
+ His fate, when he's snuffed it, and pity's no good.
+ Whether STANHOPE is right, or the _Times_, I ain't sayin';
+ But here Marm BELLONER gives both a big hint,
+ As it's rayther a touch-and-go game they are playin',
+ And TOMMY, he thinks she is right,--plain as print!]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"SIC ITUR AD ASTRA!"
+
+Look out for _Mr. Punch Among the Planets_! He is a Star of the
+first magnitude, and the above is the title of his Christmas Number.
+It will issue from, to use astrological language, the House of
+BRADBURY-AGNEW-&-CO., although the sidereal and celestial subjects
+of the forthcoming Christmas Number are suggestive of the old days
+of "BRADBURY and Heavens."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+THREE TASTES.
+
+I.
+
+ My pipe, he tastes of turpentine--
+ He is a penny pipe--
+ A taste that every pipe of mine
+ Has when he is not ripe.
+ I bought him at a little shop
+ Where they sell fruit and cheese,
+ Tobacco, toys, and ginger-pop,
+ And said, "A _cheap_ pipe, please."
+
+ It was a maiden sold him me,
+ And she was proud and cold;
+ She'd briar pipes at two-and-three
+ For them that squandered gold;
+ She'd one that had a leather case.
+ Item, a curly stem;
+ And cheap pipes make her shrug her face,
+ She had such scorn of them.
+
+II.
+
+ My pipe he tastes of cherry now;
+ Gone, like the foam of wine,
+ Gone, like the mist from mountain-brow,
+ Gone is that turpentine.
+ With the pure herb I feel it blend--
+ That charm of cherry-wood,
+ And smoke him six times straight on end,
+ Because he is so good.
+
+ And yet my aunt gets up, and sniffs,
+ And therewith wags her head;
+ And warns me in between the whiffs
+ That I shall soon be dead;
+ And says excessive smoking must
+ Debase and bring me low,
+ She makes herself offensive, just
+ Because she loves me so.
+
+III.
+
+ My pipe, he tastes of chocolate,
+ And he has grown so dear so dear,
+ That I get up at half-past eight
+ And smoke till night is here.
+ My aunt informs me that the smell
+ Is ranker than before--
+ I could not love her half so well
+ Loved I not baccy more.
+
+ The female mind! The female mind!
+ How beautiful it is!
+ And yet it has to sit behind
+ When it's compared with this--
+ This taste that falls upon my pipe,
+ That calms when woman clacks,
+ In the sweet season when he's ripe,
+ And just before he cracks.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+THE MAGIC HORSE.
+
+(_A PARALLEL NOT TO BE PUSHED TOO FAR._)
+
+[Illustration]
+
+ ["You are likewise to understand that MALAMBRUNO told me that,
+ whenever fortune should direct me to the knight who was to be
+ our deliverer, he would send him a steed--not like the vicious
+ jades let out for hire, for it should be that very wooden
+ horse upon which PETER of Provence carried off the fair
+ MAGALONA.... MALAMBRUNO, by his art, has now got possession
+ of him, and by this means posts about to every port of the
+ world."
+
+ "Hoodwink thyself, _Sancho_," said _Don Quixote_, "and get
+ up.... And supposing the success of the adventure should not
+ be equal to our hopes, yet of the glory of so brave an attempt
+ no malice can deprive us.... The whole company raised their
+ voices at once, calling out, 'Speed you well, valorous
+ Knight! heaven guide thee, undaunted Squire! Now you fly
+ aloft!'"--_Adventures of Don Quixote_.]
+
+ Yes, "Speed you well, most valorous Knight!
+ Heaven guide you!"--and sound sense inspire you!
+ Small marvel that our land's black blight
+ Of want and misery should fire you,
+ Or any man whose heart will mourn
+ More for wrecked lives than broken crockery.
+ This picture is not shaped in scorn,
+ Nor meant in mockery.
+
+ La Mancha's Knight, though brave, was blind,
+ Squire _Sancho_ just a trifle credulous,
+ But our dear Don was nobly kind,
+ And in the cause of suffering sedulous.
+ If, mounting MALAMBRUNO's steed,
+ He showed more sanguine than sagacious,
+ He was not moved by huckster greed,
+ Or pride edacious.
+
+ But "with what bridle is he led?
+ And with what halter is he guided?"
+ Asked _Sancho_, rubbing his clown's head.
+ So they who have the least derided
+ Your plan for floating "the submerged,"
+ Colossal, costly, wide extending,
+ Feel some few questions may be urged,
+ Without offending.
+
+ Benevolence the crupper mounts,
+ His arms, like _Sancho's_, from behind fold;
+ But it would seem, from all accounts,
+ He, like _Don Quixote's_ Squire, rides blindfold;
+ It may be to most glorious ends,
+ It may be to disastrous spillings.
+ Sense fain would know before it spends
+ Its hard-earned shillings.
+
+ If all were genuine that is Big,
+ If all were sound that's well intended,
+ _Quixote's_ wild jaunt and _Sancho's_ jig
+ Would very differently have ended.
+ Zeal boldly mounts the Magic Horse,
+ Charity on behind holds tightly,
+ Who will not wish them skill and force
+ To guide it rightly?
+
+ But Human Life's a complex maze,
+ And Nature's laws are most despotic.
+ Vice is not killed by kindly craze.
+ Nor suffering quelled by zeal Quixotic.
+ Big questions the Big Scheme beset.
+ Bid Pity _think_, and do not ask it
+ Too blindly all its eggs to get
+ In one huge basket.
+
+ Philanthropy, which facts will school,
+ Is not a theme for mocking merriment.
+ As MORLEY says, he is the fool
+ Who never ventures bold experiment.
+ Against the ills our State that shake,
+ The spectre Vice, Want the pale ogress,
+ _Punch_ hopes the Magic Horse may make
+ Practical progress.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: "I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, MARK, BUT I CAN'T HIT A BIRD
+TO-DAY!"
+
+"LET'S SEE YOUR GUN, SIR. AH!--WELL, I'D TRY WHAT YOU COULD DO _WITH
+SOME CARTRIDGES IN IT_, IF I WAS YOU, SIR!"]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+RIGHT-DOING ON THE RIALTO;
+
+OR, THE MODERN SHYLOCK.
+
+(_A SHORT SHAKESPEARIAN SEQUEL._)
+
+ _Enter the_ MODERN SHYLOCK _and_ BARINGO BROTHERS.
+
+_Shylock_. Five Millions sterling for three months? And this
+ You say, they will advance, if you can show
+ Sufficient guarantee?
+
+_Baringo_. Indeed 'tis so.
+
+_Shy._ Well, well! But how comes it about that you
+ Whose honoured name has so long held the sway
+ Of all safe dealing, that men only asked,
+ "If a BARINGO backed it," to take up
+ Unquestioning the newest stock,--should thus
+ With sudden flash flare up and set in blaze
+ The whole commercial world?
+
+_Bar._ Oh! press me not,
+ Nor question me too closely! "_Argentines_!"
+ That fatal word sums up the evil spell
+ That in these latter luckless days has fallen
+ Upon our swaying House.
+
+_Shy._ I see your case!
+ A cry for gold finds you all unprepared,
+ Your capital locked up beyond the seas.
+ You cannot realise.
+
+_Bar._ Alas! too true!
+ That is the situation!
+
+_Shy._ Badly done!
+ Ah! it has been a sorry piece of work,
+ Your "management."
+
+_Bar._ I bow my head to that!
+ But you will lend your aid? You'll pull us through?
+
+_Shy._ Listen, BARINGO. Many a time and oft
+ In this English land men have rated me
+ About my moneys and my usuries.
+ But that is long ago; the times have changed,
+ And feeling in more righteous channel set,
+ Now turns itself in flood to sweep away
+ The wrongs of vanished years. Nay, more than this.
+ But yesterday one of my ancient race,
+ Filled, with his Christian colleagues' heartiest will,
+ The civic throne; and at this very hour
+ A protest from all classes in the land
+ From low and high, from peasant and from peer,
+ Goes forth to plead with the despotic power
+ That 'neath brute persecution's iron heel
+ Would trample out my brethren's life. So, there,
+ Which way I look I meet a greeting hand.
+ So, not repeating here the vengeful plot
+ Of the old _Shylock_ of the play; without
+ My pound of flesh or pound of anything,--
+ But solely for the bond of brotherhood
+ That should link loyal workers in one field,
+ Count on my help in this your stress--for I
+ Will be your guarantee!
+
+_Bar._ You will! Oh, thanks
+ For such blest help!
+
+_Shy._ Such help is only right,--
+ So say no more!
+
+_Bar._ (_aside_.) Thank Heaven! _That
+ Ends our plight!_
+
+ [_Dances wild fandango of delight as Curtain descends._
+
+ * * * * *
+
+OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.
+
+Here are some regular sea-breezy Nautical stories for our youthful
+Islanders. _From Middy to Admiral of the Fleet_, by Dr. MACAULAY,
+which is a good long step; but this is the life of Commodore ANSON.
+_Up North in a Whaler_, by EDWARD A. RAND; a pleasant little trip
+for the Summer holidays--not inviting now--but try it later. Messrs.
+HUTCHINSON & Co. also publish "_The Low-Back'd Car_," by SAMUEL
+LOVER--an old Song in a fresh setting of charming Illustrations, by W.
+MAGRATH. "We don't kill a pig every day!" But just for once and away
+get _My Prague Pig_, by S. BARING GOULD. W. CLARK RUSSELL's _Master
+Rockafellar's Voyage_, recommended.
+
+To the ambitious young entertainer, _Magic at Home_, translated by
+Professor HOFFMAN, will be a source of delight, and if some of the
+experiments should lead to slight temporary inconvenience, it will
+only help to pass a more cheerful evening than usual.
+
+[Illustration: The Mirror of Justice.]
+
+For drawing-room plays apply to GEORGE ROUTLEDGE, who publishes a set,
+one of which, _Acting Charades and Proverbs_, by ANNE BOWMAN, will be
+found very useful. A Bowman hits the mark.
+
+Those who know their London _au bout des angles_, can tell you of
+many quaint spots of beauty, which may be seen when it is not quite
+enveloped in a cheerful fog, though several of the more ancient
+landmarks are fast vanishing; yet in _Picturesque London_, by PERCY
+FITZGERALD, M.A., F.S.A., will be found a happy collection of all the
+most taking parts, both in odd corners, and interesting structures.
+Charming illustrations by HUME, NISBET, and HERBERT RAILTON.
+
+Christmas special numbers are not exactly up to date; they are turned
+out so early that by the time they ought to be seasonable, they are
+almost ancient history. _The Ladies' Pictorial_ is filled with short
+stories by popular authors, which are well illustrated.
+
+The earlier part of _My Life_, by SIDNEY COOPER, R.A., is very
+interesting, as must almost always be the story of the early career
+of such an ancient mariner as is this well-known animal-painter. There
+must be a halo of romance about recollections which no one living can
+or cares to contradict. When these biographical reminiscences come
+within the memory of middle-aged men, then this said memory doth run
+somewhat to the contrary of that of the veteran painter who put the
+cart before the horse, so to speak, in his artistic career, seeing
+that he commenced with carriages and ended with cows. As far as _Mr.
+Punch_ is concerned, the Baron has already denied that DOUGLAS JERROLD
+was ever the Editor of _Mr. P.'s_ paper; and Mr. COOPER's account of
+the _Punch_ dinners must be taken with the contents of a well-filled
+salt-cellar, as Mr. SIDNEY COOPER was never present at any one of
+them. Inaccurately he attributes a repartee of THACKERAY's to DOUGLAS
+JERROLD; and the well-known retort of JERROLD to ALBERT SMITH he gives
+so incorrectly, that in this instance the Attic salt has lost its
+savour. There is too much soft-soapiness in his reminiscences of
+personal interviews with Royalty to please robust readers. Judging
+from the latter portion of the second volume, wherein, as I should
+take it, there is considerable "padding," it would seem that "the aged
+P." has already secured an excellent position among "the immortals."
+Hitherto it was generally supposed that of the arts Music alone would
+survive _in saecula saeculorum_; but perhaps, after all, Painting has a
+chance, and especially animal painting, even though the animals may be
+allegorical. With its pardonable defects of memory, and its occasional
+touch of Royal Windsor Livery complaint, the reminiscences of SIDNEY
+COOPER, R.A., are pleasant and, of the first volume especially be it
+said, interesting reading.
+
+_The Auld Scotch Songs_, arranged by SINCLAIR DUNN. Well, DUNN, sing
+clair!
+
+BARON DE BOOK-WORMS & CO.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+HOW IT'S DONE.
+
+(_A HANDBOOK TO HONESTY._)
+
+NO. VI.--"AN ALARMING SACRIFICE"--SOMEWHERE!
+
+ SCENE I.--_A Suburban Drawing-room, old-fashionedly furnished;
+ brightly-bound books scattered about a solid, sombre-covered
+ table; oil portraits of elderly, stiffly attitudinising
+ couple on the walls; a general atmosphere of simple, pietistic
+ propriety. Present,_ EDWIN _and_ ANGELINA, _a modest, but
+ deeply-enamoured pair, shortly about to be married._
+
+_Edwin_ (_after the regulation ceremonial_). My dearest ANGELINA, I
+have something here which I think will greatly simplify the business
+of house-furnishing, that has so deeply occupied us lately.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+ANGELINA (_flushing tenderly_). Oh, EDWIN, _have_ you? How nice, dear!
+And what is it?
+
+_Edwin_ (_eagerly_). Quite providential, I call it. You know, dearest,
+I've saved three hundred pounds for the express purpose; and here
+is an advertisement, according to which, for about that sum, we can
+secure a complete fit-out for our little villa, which, I think, will
+exactly suit us. Quite an exceptional chance, as the advertiser
+says. A gentleman, lately arrived in this country from India, is
+unexpectedly compelled to return immediately. Consequently he
+is obliged to dispose _at once_ of his lately-purchased house of
+furniture, _at a great sacrifice_. It is as good as new, in fact, has
+hardly been used at all; is elegant and substantial, and can be seen
+any day at Vamp Villa, Barnsbury, upon presentation of visiting-card.
+Suppose, dearest ANGY, we run over to-morrow afternoon, and have a
+look at it? Such a chance--in the very nick of time, too--may never
+occur again!
+
+_Angelina_. Oh, EDWIN, _how_ fortunate! Should it suit us, what a lot
+of trouble it will save!
+
+_Edwin_. And money, too, darling, for the prices seem to be _very_
+low. I'm so glad you agree, dear.
+
+_Angelina_ (_with effusion_). Of _course_ I do, EDWIN. And (_with
+tender glance at one of the oil pictures_) how delighted dear Mamma
+will be! [_Osculation, appointment, and exit_.
+
+ SCENE II.--_Mysterious-looking Villa at Barnsbury, permeated
+ by strong smell of French-polish and fusty straw. Large "House
+ to Let" boards and posters prominently disposed. Present._
+ EDWIN _and_ ANGELINA, _and a blandly loquacious person, in
+ black broadcloth, with a big foolscap-paper Inventory, and a
+ blunt-pointed pencil._
+
+_Loquacious Person_ (_fluently_). Why you see, Madam, Mr. PAWNEE
+LIVERLESS 'ad to leave for Bombay early yesterday mornin', and was
+therefore obliged to leave the sale of his furniture in our hands.
+But he is an old client of ours, Mr. LIVERLESS is, and he has given us
+_carte blanche_ as regards the disposition of his effects. Only they
+_must_ be sold at once. A retired Colonel at Notting Hill, who seemed
+_very_ sweet on the bargain, promised me a decided answer by twelve
+o'clock to-day. It has not come, and I am free to negotiate with
+the next comer for the furniture as it stands, provided an immediate
+settlement can be arrived at. _Wait_ I cannot, but in any other
+pertikler I shall be only _too_ 'appy to meet your views.
+
+_Edwin_. I see the furniture is quite new?
+
+_L.P._ (_with cheery candour_). Well, no Sir, not quite. Oh, I'll not
+deceive you! It has been in use a few months, and, as you see, is none
+the worse for _that_. Better, if anything, being fully tested as to
+seasoning. I need 'ardly tell _you_, Sir, that new furniture nowadays
+is a ticklish thing to invest in. _Such_ tricks, my dear Sir, _such_
+nefarious dodges and artful fakements! (_Sighs._) But--(_taking up a
+chair and banging it vigorously but adroitly on the floor_)--_this_
+is stuff you can depend on, and 'll be better three years hence than
+it is to-day. This saddle-bag _sweet_, Madam, is simply luxurious,
+good enough for any doocal dinin'-room; the carpets throughout
+are as elegantly hesthetick in design, as they are substantial in
+fabric, whilst the--ahem! sleeping apartments, are perfect pickters
+of combined solidity and chaste elegance. _I_ always say, that as
+a real gentleman is known by his linen, so the 'ome of a party
+of true taste may be tested by the bed-rooms. You'll excuse me,
+Madam--(_smirks_)--but such are _my_ sentiments, _not_ as a salesman,
+but as a family man.
+
+ [L.P. _takes_ EDWIN _and_ ANGELINA _the round of the
+ house, expatiating glowingly but discreetly as he goes, and
+ ultimately effects sale of the "furniture as it stands" for
+ a liberally proffered "ten-pun note off the advertised sum
+ tottle."_
+
+ SCENE III.--_Interior of Greengage Villa_. ANGELINA (_now_
+ Mrs. CANOODLE) _discovered in tears over the wreck of a
+ "Saddlebag" Sofa, very shaky as to legs, and shabby as to
+ "pile."_
+
+_Angelina_ (_sobbing_). And to think that _dear_ EDWIN should have
+spent his long savings on such wretched stuff as _this_! Oh, that
+talkative but treacherous tout at Vamp Villa! Why, 'tis only six
+months since we were married--(_bohoo!_)--and there's scarcely a thing
+in the house that's not either shaky, or shabby, or both!
+
+ [_Breaks down._
+
+_Edwin_ (_entering with a flushed face, and clenched fists_). ANGY,
+my darling, _don't_ waste your tears over that vile combination of
+unseasoned timber and devil's-dust. Rather pluck up a spirit and
+pitch into _me_, who was fool enough to be tricked by a plausible
+advertisement, a scheming vendor of shoddy furniture, a hired villa,
+a verbose villain, and the thrice-told tale of a mythical "Indian
+gentleman," an imaginary "emergency," and a purely supposititious
+"sacrifice." [_Left lamenting._
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"A DANIEL!"
+
+[Illustration: G.O.M. DANIEL in the Irish Lions' Den.]
+
+Years ago, when BRITON RIVIERE painted his picture of "_Daniel in the
+Lions' Den_," which foppishly-speaking men would speak of as "_Deniel
+in the Lions' Dan_," public curiosity was aroused by the fact that
+DANIEL was facing the lions with his back to the spectators. Of
+course, in this instance, the public mind is not exercised by the
+problem which was put to the Showman by an inquiring small boy, in the
+memorable formula of inquiry, "Please, Sir, which is DANIEL, and which
+is the Lions?" as never, for one moment, could there have existed, in
+the densest brain, the smallest doubt as to the identity of the Hebrew
+Seer. Should the question now be put by an intending purchaser, Mr.
+WILLIAM AGNEW has only to give an adaptation of the historic reply,
+and say, "Whichever you like, my little dear; _if_ you pay your money,
+you may take your choice."
+
+Now in this grand picture there is no sort of doubt, "no possible
+doubt whatever," as to which is DANIEL and which are the Lions; but
+there must arise in the spectator's mind the question, _Who was the
+painter's model for this figure of_ DANIEL? To this there can be but
+one answer, "the G.O.M." This is the painter's model for DANIEL. Here
+he stands looking up towards the opening and seeing daylight. His
+hands are tied by the bonds of a majority against him. As for the
+Lions they may be Irish Lions, who may be thinking of another grand
+old DAN, The Liberator, but who, once upon a time, in the good old
+Kilmainham Gaol days, would have fallen upon this G.O.M. and torn him
+in pieces; not so now. It is a grand picture.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"WHO'S YOUR HATTER?" OR, SIDE-LIGHTS ON ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.--Years
+ago, the great Ritual Case was that of Mr. BENNETT, of St. Barnabas,
+Pimlico. Now the most recent is the Archbishop's decision in the
+Lincoln Case. The two may be quoted henceforth as "'The Lincoln and
+Bennett Cases,' which cover a variety of heads."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"HERE WE GO UP, UP, UP!"--_Mr. Punch_ with Time visits the Heavenly
+Bodies. Special Stars engaged for Christmas Entertainment. Look
+out for _Mr. Punch's_ Christmas Number, entitled _Punch Among the
+Planets._ For once _Toby_ will be Sirius.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+SHORTLY TO APPEAR.--Companion Volume to _Oceana_. New Work, by C.S.
+P-RN-LL, entitled, _O'Sheana_.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: BANK HOLIDAY WIT.
+
+_Mamma_. "COME ALONG, DARLINGS!"
+
+_'Arry_. "ALL RIGHT, MISS! JUST WAIT TILL WE'VE 'AD A DRINK!"]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+THE PARLIAMENTARY "ANCIENT MARINER."
+
+(_FRAGMENTS FROM THE LATEST RENDERING OF THE OLD RIME._)
+
+[Sidenote: An Ancient Mariner meeteth Three Guests bidden to St.
+Stephen's and detaineth one.]
+
+ It is an ancient Mariner,
+ And he stoppeth one of three.
+ "By thy scant gray looks and glittering eye,
+ Now wherefore stopp'st thou me?"
+
+ "St. Stephen's doors are open wide,
+ My duty lies within;
+ M.P.'s are met, the programme's set,
+ May'st hear the Irish din."
+
+ He holds him with his sinewy hand,
+ "There was a ship," quoth he.
+ "Hold off! unhand me, Ancient One!"
+ Eftsoons his hand dropt he.
+
+[Sidenote: St. Stephen's Guest is spell-bound by the eye of the Grand
+Old Seafaring Man, and constrained to hear his tale.]
+
+ He holds him with his glittering eye--
+ St. Stephen's Guest stands still,
+ And listens, like Midlothian's mob.
+ The Mariner hath his will.
+
+ St. Stephen's Guest stands like a stone.
+ He cannot chuse but hear;
+ And thus outspeaks that ancient man,
+ The bright-eyed Mariner.
+
+ Our ship was cheered, the harbour cleared
+ Merrily did we drop
+ Below the Kirk, Tory ill-will
+ Our vessel might not stop.
+
+[Sidenote: The Mariner tells how his new-launched Craft, after some
+adverse gales, sailed northward, with a good wind, and fair weather.]
+
+ The sun arose, that erst had left
+ Our Home-Rule argosy,
+ And he shone bright, our course was right,
+ The "flowing tide" ran free.
+
+ Higher and higher every day
+ Our sun shone bright and clear--
+ St. Stephen's Guest here beat his breast,
+ For he heard the loud "Hear! Hear!"
+
+[Sidenote: St. Stephen's Guest heareth that business is toward within;
+but the monologuising Mariner continueth his tale.]
+
+ The Speaker hath paced into the House,
+ Toward his lofty place;
+ Gleaming like gold before him goes
+ The merry, massive Mace.
+
+ St. Stephen's Guest he beat his breast,
+ Yet he could not chuse but hear;
+ And thus spake on that ancient man,
+ The garrulous Mariner.
+
+ [But behold the tale that was told unto St. Stephen's Guest by
+ the Ancient Mariner is now known unto all men, from repeated
+ and prolix narrations; the tale to wit of the Mariner's
+ startling adventure in unsailed seas on board his suddenly
+ launched _Home Rule_ Argo; how that the Ancient Mariner shot
+ the Oof Bird (that made the (financial) mare to go, and the
+ (party) breeze to blow); how that his shipmates cried out
+ against the Ancient Mariner for killing the bird of good luck,
+ which lay the golden eggs, but how, when the fog cleared off,
+ they justified the same, and thus made themselves accomplices
+ in the act; how "the spell began to break;" how "the Mariner
+ hath been cast into a trance, and the angelic power" (of
+ speech) "causeth the vessel to drive northward faster than"
+ (ordinary) human "life could endure"; how in the Mariner's
+ opinion the _Home Rule_ Argo yet "stoppeth the way," and until
+ it hath free course must impede the fair navigation of the
+ (political) ocean; and how, finally, he, the Ancient Mariner,
+ is constrained to "pop up" and repeat this tale of change and
+ chance unto the appointed persons.]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+ Forthwith this tongue of mine was stirred
+ To quenchless fluency,
+ Which forced me to begin my tale,
+ As now I tell it thee.
+
+ Since then, at an uncertain hour,
+ This ecstasy returns;
+ And till my thrice-told tale is through
+ The heart within me burns.
+
+ I pass, like _Puck_, from land to land,
+ I have strange power of speech;
+ That moment that his face I see
+ I know the man that must hear me,
+ To him my tale I teach.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+ What loud uproar bursts from that door!
+ They're at it hotly there:
+ Will they be silenced by the tale
+ Told by the Mariner?
+ Bim! Boom! There goes Big Ben's deep bell!
+ The Speaker's in the Chair!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: THE PARLIAMENTARY "ANCIENT MARINER."
+
+ "IT IS AN ANCIENT MARINER,
+ AND HE STOPPETH ONE OF THREE.
+ 'BY THY SCANT GREY LOCKS AND GLITTERING EYE,
+ NOW WHEREFORE STOPP'ST THOU ME?'"
+]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: A CHECK.
+
+_Huntsman_. "SEEN THE FOX, MY BOY?"
+
+_Boy_. "NO, I AIN'T!"
+
+_Huntsman_. "THEN, WHAT ARE YOU HOLLARIN' FOR?"
+
+_Boy_ (_who has been scaring Rooks_). "'COS I'M PAID FOR IT!"]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+THE DEATH PENALTY; OR, WHO'S TO BLAME?
+
+ACT I.
+
+ SCENE--_House of Commons, rather sparsely attended, it being
+ the occasion of a statement on the needs of the Army to be
+ made by the_ Secretary for War.
+
+_Secretary for War_ (_continuing his speech_). And so, Mr. SPEAKER,
+I trust that I have justified the demand I have made for so many
+millions for building Barracks, and conclusively proved that the
+Authorities responsible for our military efficiency are thoroughly
+alive to the necessity not only of safeguarding the lives, but of
+increasing the comfort, of our gallant defenders. (_Cheers_.)
+
+ACT II.
+
+ SCENE--_Celebrated London Barracks. Fire just broken out in
+ top storey of Married Soldiers' Quarters, crowded with women
+ and children. Soldiers rushing for ladders. Some children
+ handed up through a trap-door, which is supposed to lead to
+ roof. No exit on to roof available, and children being slowly
+ smothered. Screams. Great excitement._
+
+_Non-Commissioned Officer_. Ha! Fire in the "Rookery!" And it'll burn
+like paper, being old and rotten! Now, where's the fellow who ought to
+have the key of the hydrant? (_Exit in search of him._)
+
+_Labourer employed at Barracks_ (_entering hastily_). Hullo! A fire!
+Where's that key of mine for the hydrants? Can't attend to _that_,
+however, as there's my wife and family to be saved! (_Rushes out, and
+hydrants cannot be unlocked for ten minutes. When they are, they are
+found to be without water!_)
+
+_Colonel Commanding the Battalion_ (_just arrived on scene_). No
+water! Well, of course there isn't! Hasn't the War Office ordered it
+to be turned off at night, spite of my protests? Tell the Fire-Brigade
+men to get water wherever they can!
+
+ [_Water eventually got in roads several hundred yards from
+ burning building._
+
+_Non-Com. Officer_ (_directing two soldiers, who have gallantly
+rescued a couple of children that have been burning and suffocating
+under roof_). Yes, take 'em off to the hospital! Poor little
+creatures--not much hope for _them_, I'm afraid! (_To Colonel._) A bad
+business, Sir!
+
+_Colonel_. Would have been worse if the men hadn't behaved so well,
+and turned themselves into amateur firemen. No thanks to the War
+Office that there aren't twenty-two deaths, instead of two. Why,
+only six months ago, I warned 'em that the place was "unfit for human
+habitation," and a regular death-trap in case of fire, with only one
+narrow wooden staircase to the whole block. I wrote that, "if a fire
+occurred at night, there must be many deaths." Yet nothing has been
+done.
+
+_Non-Com. Officer_. Shocking! There's a talk that the place had been
+condemned by the War Office.
+
+_Colonel_. Condemned, but not pulled down! I wonder who'll be
+condemned at the Inquest. Shouldn't be surprised if it were the
+War-Office Authorities themselves!
+
+ [_And so they have been--and quite right too_.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: GENERAL PUNCH'S IMPROVED MAGAZINE RIFLE.
+
+1. A Hatchet (_to pull out and fix inside_); 2. A Spear (_ditto_);
+3,4,5. Compartments with handles, to be used as Portmanteau; 6. Shirt
+Collars and Evening Tie; 7. A Pipe; 8. Tobacco; 9. Cigarette Case;
+10. Sandwich Case, Potted Meats, Biscuits, &c.; 11. A Self Air-Loading
+Bullet Mechanism; 12. Gladstone Bag; 13. Portable Bath and Hammock;
+14. Cooking Stove; 15. Cooking Utensils; 16. A Telescope; 17. A
+Walking Stick; 18. An Umbrella; 19. A Billiard Cue; 20. A Scent
+Bottle.]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: THE PARLIAMENTARY MEET IN A NOVEMBER FOG.]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: THE COUNTRY HOUSE.
+
+(_WHAT OUR ARCHITECT HAS TO PUT UP WITH._)
+
+_Fair Client_. "I WANT IT TO BE NICE AND BARONIAL, QUEEN ANNE
+AND ELIZABETHAN, AND ALL THAT; KIND OF QUAINT AND NUREMBERGY, YOU
+KNOW--REGULAR OLD ENGLISH, WITH FRENCH WINDOWS OPENING TO THE LAWN,
+AND VENETIAN BLINDS, AND SORT OF SWISS BALCONIES, AND A LOGGIA. BUT
+I'M SURE _YOU_ KNOW WHAT I MEAN!"]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+THE MODERN HERO;
+
+_OR, HOW TO DISCOURAGE CRIME._
+
+HENRY LARRIKIN, who was recently convicted and sentenced to death
+for the murder of a nursemaid and infant on Shooter's Hill, is now
+confined in ---- Gaol, and is reported to be in excellent spirits.
+He passes his time in illuminating texts, which he presents to the
+Governor and Warders, and some of which have been disposed of for
+enormous sums. A petition has been circulated, and extensively signed,
+praying for a remission of his sentence, on the ground of provocation,
+it having since transpired that the infant put out its tongue in
+passing. Several Jurymen have said, that had this fact been brought
+before them at the trial, they would have returned a very different
+verdict. Much sympathy is expressed with LARRIKIN, who is quite a
+young man. He expresses himself as sanguine of a reprieve.
+
+CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.--LATER INTELLIGENCE.
+
+_Monday_.--LARRIKIN was informed this afternoon, by the Governor of
+the Gaol, that the HOME SECRETARY saw no grounds for interfering with
+the course of the Law, and that the sentence would consequently be
+carried out on Friday next. Two of the Warders, with whom LARRIKIN is
+a great favourite, on account of the affability and singular modesty
+of his demeanour, were deeply affected, but the prisoner himself bore
+the news with extraordinary fortitude and composure. His sole comment
+upon the intelligence was, that it was "just his blooming luck." By
+special favour of the Authorities he is allowed to see the comments
+of the Press upon his case, in which he takes the keenest interest.
+A statement that he had on one occasion been introduced to the
+nursemaid, through whom his career has been so tragically cut short,
+has caused him the deepest irritation. He wishes it to be distinctly
+understood that both she and her infant charge were absolute strangers
+to him.
+
+LATER TELEGRAM.
+
+_Wednesday Morning_.--LARRIKIN continues wonderfully calm. He is
+writing his Memoirs, which he has already disposed of to a Newspaper
+Syndicate for a handsome consideration. Those who have been privileged
+to see the manuscript report that it reveals traces of unsuspected
+literary talent, and is marked in places by a genial and genuine
+humour. LARRIKIN's great regret is that he will be unable to have
+an opportunity of perusing the press-notices and reviews of this his
+first essay in authorship, for which he expects a wide popularity.
+
+FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.
+
+_Thursday_.--To-day LARRIKIN received a visit from an old friend, who
+was visibly moved during the interview, in spite of the prisoner's
+efforts to console him. "There's nothing to snivel about, old man,"
+he said repeatedly, with a tranquil smile. He then inquired if it was
+true that there were portraits of him in several of the papers, and
+was anxious to know if they were like him. He has executed his will,
+leaving the copyright of his manuscript, his sole assets, to his
+father, who has been in a comparatively humble position of life, but
+who will now be raised to a condition of affluence. The father has
+been interviewed, and stated to a reporter that he has been much
+gratified by the expressions of sympathy which have been showered upon
+his son from all sides. This morning a local florist sent LARRIKIN a
+beautiful wreath, in which the prisoner's initials and those of his
+victims were tastefully intertwined in violets. LARRIKIN was much
+touched, and his eyes filled with tears, which, however, he succeeded
+in repressing by a strong effort. His self-control and courage are the
+admiration of the officials, by whom he will be greatly missed. All
+day he has been busy packing up the furniture with which, by special
+permission, his little cell has been provided by his many admirers,
+and the interior has already lost much of its late dainty and cosy
+appearance. LARRIKIN has been whistling a good deal,--though, as the
+day wore on, the tunes he executed became of a less lively character.
+Towards evening, however, he recovered his ordinary high spirits, and
+even danced a "cellar-flap" for the entertainment of his Warders. A
+telegram has just been handed to him from an anonymous sender, who is
+understood to be a person of some eminence in bird-stuffing circles,
+which contained these words--"You are to be hung on my Aunt's
+silver-wedding day. Keep your pecker up." On reading this message.
+LARRIKIN came more near to breaking down than he has done hitherto.
+He has selected the clothes he is to wear on his last semi-public
+appearance; they consist of a plain black Angora three-button lounge
+coat, a purple velvet waistcoat, soft doeskin trousers, a lay-down
+striped collar and dickey, and a light-blue necktie with a glass pin.
+He has presented his only other jewellery--an oroide ring, set with
+Bristol diamonds--to the Warder who has been most attentive and
+devoted to him during his stay in gaol. He is said to have stated
+that he freely forgave the infant whose insulting conduct provoked
+his outburst, as he did the nursemaid for not restraining her charge's
+vivacity. This intimation, at his express desire, will be conveyed
+to the parents of the deceased, and will doubtless afford them the
+highest consolation.
+
+_Thursday Night, Later_.--LARRIKIN is sleeping peacefully. His
+features--refined by the mental anxiety, and the almost monastic
+seclusion to which he has been lately subjected--are extremely
+pleasing, and even handsome, set-off as they are by the clean collar
+which he has put on in anticipation of his approaching doom. Before
+sinking into childlike slumber, he listened with evident pleasure to a
+banjo which was being played outside a public-house in the vicinity of
+the gaol. The banjoist is now being interviewed, and believes that the
+air he must have been performing at the time was "_The Lost Chord_."
+The scaffold on which the unfortunate LARRIKIN is to expiate his
+imprudent act is now being erected, but the workmen's hammers
+have been considerately covered with felt to avoid disturbing the
+slumberer.
+
+_Friday Morning_, 9 A.M.--All is now over. The prisoner rose early
+and made a hearty breakfast, and plainly enjoyed the cigar which he
+smoked afterwards with his friend the Governor, who seemed to regard
+the entrance of the executioner as an untimely interruption to the
+conversation. "You'll have to wait a bit for the rest of that story,
+Governor," was LARRIKIN's light-hearted comment. The unhappy man
+then--(_Details follow which we prefer to leave to the reader's
+imagination--he will find them all in the very next special
+description of such a scene_). LARRIKIN was most anxious that it
+should be widely known that, in his own words, "he was true to himself
+and the public, and game to the last."
+
+Several reporters were present in the prison-yard, and also a number
+of persons of distinction, who were only admitted as a great favour.
+It is said that the prison Authorities were compelled to disappoint
+thousands who had applied for permission to view the last sad scene.
+
+LARRIKIN's melancholy end will doubtless operate as a warning and an
+example to many romantic youths, who are only too easily led away by
+the morbid desire for notoriety, which is so prevalent nowadays, and
+which is so difficult either to account for, or discourage.--(_Special
+Descriptive Report_.)
+
+ * * * * *
+
+IN OUR GARDEN.
+
+_Monday, November_ 24.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Charmed to have a visit from OLD MORALITY to-day. Most kind of him to
+find time to run down, seeing all he has on hand. But he's a really
+good fellow, of the kind who in all circumstances find time to do a
+friendly thing. Always from the first taken a friendly interest in our
+little experiment. He is, indeed, indirectly personally responsible
+for its undertaking. If I hadn't come across him playing leapfrog
+before dinner with AKERS--DOUGLAS and JACKSON, as mentioned some weeks
+ago, SARK and I would never have tried this way of passing a Recess.
+
+Hadn't heard OLD MORALITY was going to look in. Expect he wasn't sure
+he could get away from Cabinet Council, and so didn't write. When I
+came upon him he was standing absorbed in contemplation of ARPACHSHAD.
+ARPACHSHAD, himself, so engrossed in problem occupying his mind, that
+he did not notice our visitor. Had started yesterday cutting grass on
+lawn with machine. Getting on pretty well with it till, this morning,
+wind rose, blowing half a gale from Westward. ARPACHSHAD discovered
+that, starting with machine from the Westward, he, with wind blowing
+astern, got on capitally; but coming back, with wind ahead, there was
+decided addition to labour of propelling machine. When OLD MORALITY
+arrived, ARPACHSHAD had halted midway across the lawn, and was looking
+Westward with air of profound and troubled cogitation.
+
+"I know what he's thinking of," said OLD MORALITY, whose Parliamentary
+experience has made him an adept at thought-reading; "he's wondering
+if it's possible to mow the lawn all from the Westward, so that he
+would have the wind behind him throughout the operation."
+
+No doubt OLD MORALITY had fathomed depth of ARPACHSHAD's meditations.
+Pretty to see his manoeuvring: Went down full-sail with assistance of
+favouring gale; tried to tack back, bearing away to the North; when
+he'd got a little way, slewed round to the West, going off before the
+wind to edge of lawn. Finally borne in upon him that the position was
+inexorable. He couldn't go with the wind all the time; must retrace
+his steps; by tacking was really covering more ground than need be;
+was, in fact, doing more work than he had intended. Shocked at this
+discovery proceeded to follow ordinary course. Presently catching
+sight of solitary leaf careering down walk, fetched broom, and
+tenderly tickled the gravel in pursuit of the leaf.
+
+"There is," SARK sharply observed, "nothing ARPACHSHAD enjoys more
+than dusting the walk with a broom. It is a process that combines the
+maximum of appearance of hard work with the minimum of exertion."
+
+OLD MORALITY pretty lively in anticipation of Session, which opens
+to-morrow. Always inclined to take sanguine view of situation. Doesn't
+vary now. "Oh, you leave it to us, TOBY, dear boy." he said, when I
+expressed hope that he would not risk his precious life and health
+by overdoing it. "We've got a splendid programme, and mean to pull
+through every Bill. Didn't do much last year, it is true: but don't
+you see the advantage of that? If we'd passed all our Bills last
+Session, must have arranged a new programme this year, involving
+considerable labour. As it is we turn a handle, and there are all the
+old things once more; homely and friendly; as the poet says, 'All,
+all, are come, the old familiar faces.' There's the Irish Local
+Government Bill, the Tithes Bill, Employers' Liability, and a troop of
+others. All been brought in before; everybody knows about them; if we
+don't pass them this Session they must come up again next."
+
+"Ha!" said SARK; "so there is to be a next Session."
+
+"Certainly," said OLD MORALITY--"and we would have another, if we
+could. In fact, I'm not quite sure whether it may not be managed. We
+are always suspending Standing Orders, of one kind or another. It is a
+Standing Order of the Constitution that no Parliament shall sit longer
+than seven years. Very good--in an ordinary way, excellent; though,
+perhaps, a little too liberal in its arrangements when Mr. G. is
+in power. But as you, TOBY, may, in earlier years, diligently
+striving after improvement in caligraphy, have had occasion to note,
+Circumstances alter Cases. Here we are, a contented Government, with
+a Parliamentary majority always to be relied upon. Why disturb an
+ordered state of affairs, and plunge the country into the turmoil
+and expense of a General Election? Why not bring in a short Bill
+to suspend the Septennial Act, and let the present Parliament go on
+sitting indefinitely? Why should the Long Parliament remain a monopoly
+of the Seventeenth Century? I do not mind telling you (this, of
+course, in confidence) that we have talked the matter over in the
+Cabinet. It was the MARKISS who first started it; and, though one or
+two objections have been raised, the idea is rather growing upon us,
+and I should not wonder if it came to something. You will find no
+mention of it in the Queen's Speech--but that is neither there nor
+here."
+
+"I have noticed," said SARK, "that of late it has happened that Bills
+mentioned in the Queen's Speech come to nothing, whilst the Session is
+largely taken up with discussion of Bills which find no place in that
+catalogue. Last year, for example, JOKIM's Compensation Bill wasn't
+mentioned in the Queen's Speech; and yet it filled a large part in the
+programme of the Session."
+
+"Ah," said OLD MORALITY, changing the subject, "I see ARPACHSHAD has
+nearly come up with that leaf. He'll be going to his dinner now,
+I suppose, and I think I must be off. Shall see you at the House
+to-morrow. Sorry for you to break up the associations of your rural
+life; but that only temporary."
+
+Saw OLD MORALITY off at the station. Came back to pack up our spade
+and hoe, and leave some general instructions with ARPACHSHAD. He seems
+much touched at the approaching separation. Quite unable to continue
+the lawn-mowing. Followed us about with his jack-knife open, clipping
+here and there a dead stem, so as to keep up an appearance of
+incessant labour.
+
+"Ours is only a change of occupation, ARPACHSHAD," said SARK. "We
+cease to labour here, but we carry on our work in another field. We
+go to town, leaving, as the Poet GRAY might have said, the garden to
+solitude and you."
+
+"Excuse _me_, Gents," said ARPACHSHAD. a look of anxiety crossing his
+mobile face, "but you can't leave it to me altogether. I could manage
+well enough when you were here, helpin' and workin'. But, when you're
+gone, I'll have to have at least one extry man." SARK pleased at
+this testimony to value of our assistance; but it really means that
+ARPACHSHAD intends to do less than ever, running us into the expense
+of a second gardener.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+PARS ABOUT PICTURES.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Arrive at Fine Art Society's Place, and there look at HOKUSAI's
+drawings and engravings. Who was HOKUSAI? Why, don't you know? He was
+our own LIKA-JOKO's great-grandfather. "Great-grandfather was a most
+wonderful man, There's none of 'em does what great-grandfather can,"
+except LIKA JOKO, of course. Obliged to say this, because I know LIKA
+JOKO goes about with a Daimio's two-handed sword, and he would think
+nothing of giving me the cut direct. But to return to HOKUSAI--sounds
+like sneezing in a Dutch dialect, doesn't it?--his drawings are full
+of originality and humour; he was possessed of wondrous versatility
+and great industry. He began to draw at six, and continued till he
+was well-nigh ninety. Were he flourishing now, he might illustrate the
+lucubrations of
+
+Yours par-tially, OLD PAR.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"UP ABOVE THE WORLD SO HIGH!"--See _Mr. Punch Among the Planets_--his
+Christmas Number. In spite of its title, it is not "over the heads of
+the People." Look out below!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+NOTICE.--Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS.,
+Printed Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, will in no
+case be returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed
+Envelope, Cover, or Wrapper. To this rule there will be no exception.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol.
+99., November 29, 1890, by Various
+
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