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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, Or The London Charivari, Volume 102,
+March 5, 1892, 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, Volume 102, March 5, 1892
+
+Author: Various
+
+Release Date: December 27, 2004 [EBook #14483]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PUNCH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Malcolm Farmer, Keith Edkins and the PG Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+
+
+
+PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
+
+VOL. 102.
+
+
+
+March 5th, 1892.
+
+
+
+
+POPULAR SONGS RE-SUNG.
+
+ Great is the might of the Meaningless! Especially in a rattling refrain
+ or a rousing chorus. Big drum effects are always popular. What wonder
+ clever Miss LOTTIE COLLINS'S "_Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay_!" is all the rage?
+ "Her greatest creation" (_vide_ advertisements), "sung and danced with
+ the utmost _verve_," has taken the town. Will it "mar its use" to
+ attach a meaning to it? Let us try:--
+
+No. VI.--THAT'S HOW WE BOOM TO-DAY!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+ I.
+
+ A SMART "mug-lumberer" one must be
+ To-day, to "fetch" Sassiety;
+ Not too strict, of swagger free,
+ And as "fly" as "fly" can be.
+ Ever pushing, ever bold,
+ (Else one's left "out in the cold")
+ Thus Success you grasp, and hold.
+ And may sing, though Pecksniffs scold,--
+
+ _Chorus._
+
+ Tra-la! We "boom" to-day!
+ That's how we "boom" to-day!
+ Bra-va! We "boom" to-day!
+ Hoo-rah! We "boom" to-day!
+ [_And so on, six times or more._
+
+ II.
+
+ All want to "Boom." But don't be shy,
+ For modesty is all my eye.
+ Shun all reserve, if you would try
+ For "paying" notoriety.
+ If you would "make your pile" in haste,
+ You must not bother about "taste."
+ _Every_ chance must be embraced,
+ If you would sing when fairly "placed,"
+ _Chorus_--Tra-la! We "boom" to-day!
+ [_Over and over again._
+
+ III.
+
+ Art's a good game. 'Tis easier far
+ Than 'twas of old to be a Star.
+ Hit on some trick crepuscular,
+ Like smudge or smoke, and there you are!
+ They'll mouth, and call you "Master." So
+ You're sure--in time--to be a go.
+ You will catch on, and sell, although
+ Your meaning not a soul may know,--
+ _Chorus_--Tra-la-la! "Boom" to-day!
+ [_Ad libitum._
+
+ IV.
+
+ If Humour is your little line,
+ Coherent sense you must resign,
+ Cry, "Paradox alone's divine!
+ LAMB had _his_ manner, _this_ is Mine!"
+ Try strain and twist; gnaw the dry bone
+ Of mirth till all the marrow's gone;
+ And crowds, who first stared like a stone,
+ Your "subtle genius" soon will own.
+ _Chorus_--Tra-la! We "boom" to-day!
+ [_Ad nauseam._
+
+ V.
+
+ Is the Dramatic "biz" preferred?
+ There you may "boom" it like a bird.
+ Turn on the Absolute-Absurd;
+ By that strange tap the mob is stirred.
+ Be dismal, deathly, dirty, dim;
+ Grovelling, ghastly, gruesome, grim,
+ Anything meaning morbid whim;
+ Quidnuncs will cry, "What treuth! what _vim_!"
+ _Chorus_--Tra-la-la! "Boom" to-day!
+ [_As long as you like_!
+
+ VI.
+
+ Or would you even higher fly,
+ And found a "Cult"? You've but to try.
+ That blend fools follow in full cry,
+ Meaninglessness _plus_ Mystery!
+ A witch astride upon a broom,
+ A bogie in a darkened room,
+ Nonsense and nubibustic gloom,--
+ Mix them like witch-broth; they will "boom"!
+ _Chorus_--Tra-la! We "boom" to-day!
+ [_Till you are tired of it._
+
+ VII.
+
+ Boom! Boom! 'Twill bring in cent. per cent.,
+ With that Big Drum, Advertisement.
+ Nonsense, with _nous_ discreetly blent,
+ Finds the world cheated--and content.
+ But "make your game" while yet there's room,
+ For novel shapes of quackery. Doom
+ Awaits us in the outer gloom:
+ A day _may_ come when Bosh _won't_ "Boom"!
+
+ _Chorus._
+ That's how we "boom" to-day!
+ Tra-la! We "boom" to-day!
+ Ha-ha! We "boom" to-day!
+ Tra-la! We "boom" to-day!
+ [_And so on till further orders._
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: "ASSISTED EDUCATION."]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.--Quoth one of the Baron's Assistants to his Chief,
+"Sir, those who love the personality, and venerate the memory of CHARLES
+DICKENS, will thank Miss HOGARTH who has selected, Mr. LAWRENCE HUTTON who
+has edited, and OSGOOD, MCILVAINE & CO. who publish, a series of letters
+addressed by BOZ to WILKIE COLLINS. They bear date between the years 1851
+and 1870, were found among COLLINS'S papers after his death, and prove not
+the least precious of his possessions. _Foster's Life of Dickens_ will
+undoubtedly remain the medium through which the outer world shall know the
+great novelist." "True," interposes the Baron, "that certainly is one way
+in which admiration for the works of the great novelist will be foster'd
+among us. You agree? Of course you do. Proceed, sweet warbler, your
+observations interest me much." Whereupon the warbler thus addressed
+continued. "But, Sir, we are all conscious of a certain unpleasant taste
+those volumes leave in the mouth. Some of the incidents recorded, and many
+of the letters, present DICKENS with undue prominence in a possible phase
+of his character, as a ruthless tradesman in literature and lecturing, with
+some tendency to be overbearing in his social relations. In this little
+volume of letters to his old familiar friend we find him at his best,
+whether as a worker in literature or as a critic of other people's work."
+
+BARON DE BOOKWORMS & CO.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: "JOINT OCCUPATION."
+
+(_Suggested by Cook's Tourist in Egypt._)]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: THE MODERN ALEXANDER'S FEAST; OR, THE POWER OF SOUND. "WITH
+RAVISHED EARS, THE MONARCH HEARS, ASSUMES THE GOD, AFFECTS TO NOD, AND
+SEEMS TO SHAKE THE SPHERES!"]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: QUITE UP TO DATE.
+
+_Cousin Madge._ "WELL, GOOD-BYE, CHARLIE. SO MANY THANKS FOR TAKING CARE OF
+US!" _Charlie._ "_NOT AT ALL_!"]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+THE MODERN ALEXANDER'S FEAST
+
+OR, THE POWER OF SOUND.
+
+(_An Ode for the Brandenburg Diet Day; a long way after Dryden._)
+
+ ["At the banquet of the Diet of Brandenburg, the GERMAN EMPEROR said:--
+ 'The assured knowledge that your sympathy loyally attends me in my
+ work, inspires me with fresh strength to persevere in my task, and to
+ advance along the path marked out for me by Heaven. To this are added
+ the sense of responsibility to our Supreme Lord above, and my
+ unshakable conviction that He, our former ally at Rossbach and
+ Dennewitz, will not leave me in the lurch. He has taken such infinite
+ pains with our ancient Brandenburg and our House, that we cannot
+ suppose he has done this for no purpose.... My course is the right one,
+ and it will be persevered in."--_Daily Paper._]
+
+ 'Twas in the royal feast Brandenburg set
+ For Providence's pet:
+ Aloft in Teuton state
+ The god-like hero sate
+ On his Imperial throne:
+ His Brandenburgers listened round,
+ Appreciative of the Power of Sound;
+ All admire shouting--when the Shouter's crowned!
+ The Jovian Eagle at his side
+ Perched, and like Rheims's Jackdaw, eyed
+ The Olympian hero in his pride.
+
+ Happy, happy, happy Chief!
+ None but the loud,
+ None but the loud,
+ From the crass crowd may win belief!
+ His looks he shook, his long moustache he twirled,
+ And saw a vision of himself as Sovereign of the World!
+ The listening crowd admire the lofty sound.
+ "A present deity!" they shout around.
+ "A present deity!" the vaulted roofs rebound.
+ With ravished ears,
+ The monarch hears,
+ Assumes the god,
+ Affects to nod,
+ And seems to shake the spheres!
+
+ In praise of Brandenburg the Shouting Emperor spoke,
+ In language like a huge thrasonic joke.
+ The newest god in triumph comes;
+ Blare the trumpets, thump the drums:
+ Flushed with a purple grace,
+ He lifts his Jovian face!
+ Now give the blowers breath. He comes, he comes!
+ New ALEXANDER fair and young,
+ Drinking, in Teuton nectar, once again
+ To Brandenburg, that treasure
+ Of earth, and heaven's chief pleasure,
+ Rich the treasure,
+ Sweet the pleasure,
+ Which to the gods has given such pain!
+
+ Soothed with the sound, the Emperor grows vain,
+ Fights all his battles o'er again;
+ 'Twas Heaven that routed all _his_ foes, Olympus slew _his_ slain.
+ _He_ has the greatest of allies!
+ Doubters are dastards in _his_ eyes,
+ And grumblers at their deified
+ Young Emperor in his proper pride.
+ Should shake from their false shoes
+ Germania's dust. The Muse
+ Must sing Jove-WILHELM great and good,
+ By a benignant fate
+ Lifted, gifted, gifted, lifted,
+ Lifted to a god's estate,
+ Olympian in his mood:
+
+ * * * * *
+
+ The mighty Master smiled to see,
+ Infant-in-Arms, young Germany,
+ Jove's nursling, quit his cot and pap,
+ And, quite a promising young chap,
+ Grown out of baby-shoes and bottle,
+ And "draughts" which teased his infant throttle,
+ Get rid of ailments, tum-tum troubles,
+ Tooth-cutting pangs, and "windy" bubbles,
+ A tremendous time beginning;
+ Fighting still, all foes destroying:--
+ "A world-empire's worth the winning!
+ Its fair foretaste I'm enjoying.
+ The new god now sits beside ye,
+ Take the gifts he will provide ye!
+ He's your young Orbilian schooler,
+ Your Hereditary Ruler!"
+ (The Brandenburgers bellow loud applause.)
+ "_My_ course is right, and glorious is _my_ Cause!!!"
+ The Prince, the god unable to restrain,
+ Rose from his chair,
+ With Jovian air,
+ And, hanging up his thunderbolts with care,
+ What time his eagle gave a gruesome glare,
+ The nectar gulped again and yet again:
+ Then stooping his horned helmet firm to jam on,
+ Voted himself the New God--Jupiter-(G)Ammon!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+ "Let ALEXANDER yield the prize
+ To WILHELM of the Iron Crown;
+ _He_ raised himself unto the skies,
+ _I_ bring Olympus _down_!!!"
+
+ * * * * *
+
+LETTERS TO ABSTRACTIONS.
+
+No. XI.--TO PLAUSIBILITY.
+
+MY DEAR PLAU,
+
+I SHOULD be the most ungrateful dog if I failed to acknowledge the pleasure
+I have received during my life from the society of your friends and
+_proteges_. I don't speak of mere material, meat-and-money advantages.
+Probably, if a strict account could be stated, it might be found that in
+these paltry matters a balance, large or small, was still due to me. Who
+knows? Strict accounts are hateful; and even if I did lose here and there I
+did it, I fancy, with my eyes open, and was not sorry to indulge these
+gentlemen with the idea that their fascinations had conquered me. No. What
+I speak of is rather the genuine pleasure I have derived from some of the
+finest acting (in ordinary life, not on the boards) that the world ever
+saw, acting in which I protest that the tears, the sighs, the misery, the
+gallantry, the courage, the loyal sentiments and the honourable promises
+all rang with so sincere a sound that the very actor himself was subdued
+like the dyer's hand to the colours he worked in, until he believed himself
+to be the most unjustly persecuted of mankind, the most upright of
+gentlemen, or whatever the special emotion he simulated required that he
+should seem to be for the moment. That he might possibly be what, as a
+matter of fact, he often was, a rogue and a knave, mattered little to me at
+the time. He was evidently himself ignorant of his potentialities, and in
+any case they could not spoil my aesthetic enjoyment of a notable
+performance. And after all who is to undertake to draw the line between the
+good man and the bad? I have known men with regard to whom I was convinced
+that they were admirably equipped by nature for a career of roguery;
+somewhere in the backs of their heads I know they carried a complete set of
+intellectual implements for the task, but no temptation, as it happened,
+ever came to open the door of that secret chamber, and the unconscious
+owners of it passed through life honoured by their fellow-citizens, and
+their actions still smell sweet and blossom in their dust. Others, of
+course, were not so fortunate. Their crisis pursued and captured them,
+revealed them to themselves and others, and in many cases only left them,
+alas, after cropping both their hair and their reputations. But I leave
+these divagations, which can have but little interest for you. What I
+rather wish to do is to recall to your memory the curious personality and
+the chequered adventures of our common friend, WILFRID COBBYN.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+I met him some six years ago when I was on a visit to my father's old
+friend, General TEMPEST, at Dansington. Most people, I take it, have heard
+of Dansington, that home of educational establishments, amusement, and
+retired Indian Generals. Old General TEMPEST--LEONIDAS MARLBOROUGH TEMPEST
+he had been christened by a warlike father, whose military aspirations had
+been crushed by the necessity for a commercial career, and who had taken it
+out of fate by devoting his son to heroism at the baptismal font, and by
+subsequently buying him a commission in a crack regiment--General TEMPEST
+was, in the days of which I speak, a hospitable veteran whose amiability
+and good-nature had survived many severe campaigns in which he had taken
+and given hard knocks wherever hard knocks were to be found. His
+benevolence and hospitality were proverbial far beyond the limits of
+Dansington, and his daughter CLARA was one of the prettiest girls in the
+United Kingdom.
+
+On the occasion of this visit I found a fellow guest, the identical WILFRID
+COBBYN whom I have already mentioned. He had been there for a fortnight, I
+learnt from ALEXANDER, the eldest hope of the TEMPESTS, and had made
+himself a favourite with every member of the family. How they got to know
+him I never quite discovered--indeed, I doubt if any of them could have
+told me--and as to his previous history all they seemed to know was that
+his father had property "somewhere in the West of England," that he himself
+had travelled a great deal, and was now close upon thirty years old. I am
+free to admit that after my first dinner in his company I had very little
+inclination to worry myself about the details of his past, so cheerful and
+fascinating did I find his gay companionship. I cannot quite explain the
+charm of the man. He had a roving blue eye, a ruddy and glowing complexion,
+and a laugh that seemed to kick all gloomy fancies into flinders, and to
+carry those who heard it in a helter-skelter gallop of mirth. And then what
+stories the fellow could tell! He had the General and me in perpetual
+convulsions, and even ALEXANDER, a somewhat awkward and taciturn youth,
+much weighed down by the responsibilities of his freshmanhood at Oxford,
+was pleased to unbend and smile approvingly at the amazing sallies of the
+wizard COBBYN.
+
+One story I remember in particular, though I dare not attempt to repeat it
+as COBBYN told it. It was about the wretched adventures of a certain
+travelling companion of his on a shooting expedition in Albania. It was a
+story that never seemed to cease,--a bad recommendation for most stories, I
+admit; but in this case so artfully and with such surprising humour and
+force was it told, so vividly did it depict a long series of ludicrous
+sufferings culminating in the total loss of the sufferer's clothes and his
+involuntary appearance in the full uniform of a Turkish Zaptieh, with other
+surprising and endless episodes, that at the last we had in the midst of
+our gasps of helpless laughter to implore the narrator to stop for the sake
+of our sides and the resounding rafters of the General's house.
+
+At other times the irresistible WILFRID would pose reminiscently as the
+gallant protector of outraged virtue, or as the hero of some deathless
+story of courage and coolness by which empires had been saved from
+disaster. And he was so persuasive, so convincing, that our imaginations,
+which would have refused to follow a smaller man on lower flights, soared
+obediently after him through an empyrean of impossible romance. Nor did he
+stop at this. General TEMPEST was the pattern of old-world punctilio, but
+before a week was out he had introduced COBBYN, of whom he knew nothing
+except what COBBYN told him, to all the best people in Dansington; nor
+shall I ever forget the air with which this glorious rascal took the portly
+old Countess of CARDAMUMS down to her second supper at the County Ball. He
+rode ALEXANDER'S chestnut, and ALEXANDER never murmured. The General's
+ancient retainer went on his many errands, and neither the General nor his
+man saw anything out of the way in the proceeding. Even CLARA looked, I
+thought, with some favour--but as CLARA always breaks into indignant
+denials whenever this is hinted, I will proceed no further. As for the
+members of the Dansington Club they were enthusiastic in COBBYN'S praises.
+The young sparks imitated his fashions in ties and collars, the old bucks
+repeated to one another his stories, and one and all vowed he was "an
+uncommon good fellow, by Gad."
+
+To me COBBYN was always profusely polite, with that flattering politeness
+which induces the flattered to think himself just a shade cleverer and
+sharper and better than his fellow-creatures, and on the day before my
+departure he honoured me by borrowing a ten-pound note of me and writing my
+London address with much ceremony on the back of an envelope, which I
+afterwards found lying about in a passage of the General's house.
+
+Three months afterwards there was a tempest in Dansington. COBBYN had gone
+away for two days and had stayed away for good. His intimates and the
+Dansington tradesmen became uneasy, rumours began to spread, and the result
+was a crash which made some very knowing fellows look extremely foolish,
+and filled the Club with honest British imprecations. Little TOM SPINDLE,
+who commanded a troop of the Fallowshire Yeomanry (the Duke of
+DASHBOROUGH'S Hussars) and had the reputation of spending a royal income
+with beggarly meanness, had backed one of COBBYN'S bills for L1,000. Sir
+PAUL PACKTHREAD, one of the greatest of the local magnates, had lent him
+L500 without a scrap of security, and Colonel CHUTNEY had put L300 into the
+Ephemeral Soapsuds Company, Limited, of which COBBYN was to have been the
+managing director. I cannot go through the whole long list. He had fleeced
+all that was fleeceable in Dansington, and had vanished into the clouds.
+How he managed to do it, by what artful proposals he conquered the avarice
+of SPINDLE, prevailed over the mercantile sagacity of PACKTHREAD, and
+subdued the fiery temper of CHUTNEY, will never be known. Partly, no doubt,
+he succeeded by being here and there perfectly truthful and candid. He
+_was_ the son of a well-to-do country Squire, but the father had long since
+ejected his offspring from the paternal mansion; he had really travelled
+and had often displayed pluck. But his chief gifts were his good-humour,
+his ardent imagination, and a persuasive tongue that gained for him the
+trusting confidence of his victims almost before he himself knew that he
+meant to victimise them.
+
+They tell me he is now established somewhere in the West of America.
+Wherever he goes he is sure to be popular--for a time.
+
+Goodbye, dear old PLAU!
+ I hope I haven't bored you.
+ Yours trustfully,
+ DIOGENES ROBINSON.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+A WILDE "TAG" TO A TAME PLAY.
+
+ SCENE--_A Theatre with Audience and Company complete. The former
+ "smart" and languidly enthusiastic, the last wearily looking forward to
+ the final "Curtain." The last Act is all but over._
+
+_Servant_ (_to_ Countess). The Duchess of BATTERSEA is in the Hall. May she
+come up?
+
+_Countess._ Certainly. Why did you not show her up at once?
+
+_Servant_ (_arranging his powdered hair in a glass_). Because in cases of
+exposure her Grace is quite equal to showing up herself!
+
+_Countess_ (_smiling_). You are cynical, JOHN. Do you not know that
+cynicism is the birthright of fools, and, when discovered, is more than
+half found out?
+
+_Servant_ (_taking up coal scuttle_). Like the hair of your Lady-ship--out
+of curl! [_Exit._
+
+_Countess._ A quaint conceit; but here is my husband. Let me avoid him. A
+married man is quite out of date--save when he forms the subject of his own
+obituary. [_Exit._
+
+_A pause. Enter the_ Duchess of BATTERSEA.
+
+_Duchess._ Dear me! No one here! So I might have brought the Duke with me,
+after all! And yet he is so fond of the petticoats. He loses his head when
+he begins kissing his hand. And I lose my head when I fail to catch a
+'buss. A kiss with him and a 'buss with me--where's the difference?
+
+_Enter_ Earl PENNYPLAINE.
+
+_Earl_ (_angrily_). You here!
+
+_Duchess_ (_with an appealing gesture_). You are not pleased to see me! You
+regard me as an adventuress! You are ashamed of my past! A past unblessed
+by a clergyman--in fact, a past without a pastor!
+
+_Earl._ Begone! Do not dare to darken my doors again. This is no home for
+old jokes!
+
+_Duchess._ You must hear me. Do you know why I have treated you so badly?
+Do you know why I have taught your wife to regard me as a rival? Why I have
+blackmailed you to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds? Do you know
+why I have done all this and more? I will tell you. Because I am your
+Mother-in-law!
+
+_Earl_ (_in a choking voice_). I suspected as much from the very first!
+
+_Re-enter the_ Countess, _carrying a heap of family portraits._
+
+[Illustration: FANCY PORTRAIT.
+
+QUITE TOO-TOO PUFFICKLY PRECIOUS!!
+
+_Being Lady Windy-mere's Fan-cy Portrait of the new dramatic author,
+Shakspeare Sheridan Oscar Puff, Esq._
+
+["He addressed from the stage a public audience, mostly composed of ladies,
+pressing between his daintily-gloved fingers a still burning and half-
+smoked cigarette."--_Daily Telegraph._]]
+
+_Countess._ Here, Duchess, although you are not to my liking, I have
+brought you a few pictures of my husband and some of his predecessors. Take
+'em, and bless you!
+
+_Duchess_ (_overflowing with emotion_). My dear, this is too much.
+(_Weeps._) You un_woman_--I should say un_lady_--me!
+
+_Enter_ Lord TUPPENCE CULLARD.
+
+_Lord T.C._ Come and marry me.
+
+_Duchess._ With pleasure! Lawks-a-mussy! [_Exeunt._
+
+_Earl._ And now, let us remember that while the sun shines, the moon clings
+like a frightened thing to the face of CLEOPATRA.
+
+_Quick Curtain._
+
+_Applause follows, when enter the Author. He holds between his thumb and
+forefinger a lighted cigarette._
+
+_Author._ Ladies and Gentlemen, it is so much the fashion nowadays to do
+what one pleases, that I venture to offer you some tobacco while I enjoy a
+smoke myself. (_Throws cigars and cigarettes amongst the audience a la_
+HARRY PAYNE.) Will you forgive me if I change my tail-coat for a smoking
+jacket? Thank you! (_Makes the necessary alteration of costume in the
+presence of the audience._) And now I will have a chair. (_Stamps, when up
+comes through a trap a table supporting a lounge_), and a cup of tea.
+(_Another table appears through another trap, bringing up with it a tray
+and a five o'clock set._) And now I think we are comfortable. (_Helps
+himself to tea, smokes, &c._) I must tell you I think my piece excellent.
+And all the puppets that have performed in it have played extremely well. I
+hope you like my piece as well as I do myself. I trust you are not bored
+with this chatter, but I am not good at a speech. However, as I have to
+catch a train in twenty minutes, I will tell you a story occupying a
+quarter of an hour. I repeat, as I have to catch a train--I repeat, as I
+have to catch a train--
+
+_Entire Audience._ And so have we! [_Exeunt._ (_Thus the Play
+ends in smoke._)
+
+ * * * * *
+
+HOW TO SAVE LONDON.
+
+(_Rather more than a Fairy Story._)
+
+JOHN SMITH, of London, sat in front of his fire pondering over the fact
+that, at a great sacrifice to the interests of his native city, the coal
+dues had been abolished, and yet his bill for fuel was no lighter. He
+watched the embers as they died away, when all of a sudden a small creature
+appeared before him. He could not account for her presence, and did not
+notice from whence she came. But she was there, sure enough, and began to
+address him.
+
+"JOHN SMITH, of London," she began, in a small but admirably distinct
+voice, "I am the Fairy Domestic Economy, and I have come to warn you that,
+unless you wake up, you will come to grief."
+
+"Wake up?" queried J.S. "Wake up about what?"
+
+"Why, the election of the London County Council, to be sure!" returned the
+Fairy, impatiently. "Here, the election is close upon you, and the chances
+are twenty to one that you will let it pass without recording your vote."
+"What election?"
+
+"Bless the man!" exclaimed the Fairy. "He does not know that the Members of
+the L.C.C., the Masters of London, are to be chosen on Saturday, the 5th of
+March, and will from that date remain in power for four years!"
+
+And then the Fairy showed him the possible future, explaining that it was
+in his hands to alter it. The vision she conjured up before him seemed
+intensely idiotic. Everything was to be done for nothing. There were to be
+free railways, free tramways, free bakeries, free butchers' shops, free
+ginger-beer manufactories, free clothiers, free hosiers, free boot-makers,
+free gas companies, free waterworks--in fact, everything was to be gratis.
+
+"But somebody must pay for it!" said JOHN SMITH, of London.
+
+"Why, of course," returned the Fairy, "and you are to be the paymaster. You
+will have to pay about five shillings in the pound as a commencement, with
+additional crowns to follow!"
+
+"But how am I to avoid this fate?" cried JOHN SMITH, in a tone of genuine
+alarm.
+
+"By voting for the Moderates, and doing your best to keep out the
+Progressives. And, mind, don't forget my warning."
+
+And then the Fairy disappeared. A few moments later, and poor JOHN SMITH
+found himself sprawling upon the floor.
+
+"Why, I do believe I have been asleep!" he exclaimed.
+
+And then he woke up in good earnest, and hurried off to the polling
+stations, and voted for the Moderate candidates.
+
+At least it is to be hoped he will!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: A TRAGEDY ON THE GREAT NORTHERN.
+
+SCENE--_A Third-Class Carriage._ TIME--_Three Hours before the next
+Station._ DRAMATIS PERSONAE--_Jones and Robinson._
+
+"IT'S THE _LAST_!--AND IT'S A TAeNDSTICKOR. IT'LL ONLY STRIKE ON THE BOX!"
+
+"STRIKE IT ON THE BOX, THEN;--BUT FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, BE CAREFUL!"
+
+"YES; BUT, LIKE A FOOL, I'VE JUST PITCHED THE BOX OUT OF WINDOW!"]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
+
+EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.
+
+_House of Commons, Monday, February 21._--"What a day he _is_ having to be
+sure!" murmured the SQUIRE OF MALWOOD, looking across the table at the
+other eminent country gentleman who is our First Minister of Agriculture.
+
+Truly a great occasion for CHAPLIN, and he rose to its full height. Just
+the same man he was six years ago when he from same place, drew lurid
+picture of the Empire staggering to its doom overweighted with Small
+Holdings. Now he is bringing in a Bill to establish Small Holdings, and
+recommends the expedient to House as crowning edifice of Empire's
+prosperity. At such a crisis some men would have blushed, however entirely
+foreign to their habit the pretty weakness might be. CHAPLIN, on contrary,
+made out in vague, but luminous, manner that he had been right in both
+instances. Indeed, the anxious listener had conveyed to him the conviction,
+still vague but not less irresistible, that this direct contradiction was
+peculiarly creditable to the Right Hon. Gentleman addressing the House,
+displaying a flexibility of genius not common to mankind.
+
+CHAPLIN always looms large on whatever horizon he may appear. To-night,
+standing at Table introducing Small Holdings Bill, he seemed to swell
+wisibly before our eyes. Prince ARTHUR early in progress of the speech
+observed precaution of moving lower down Bench. By similar strategic
+movement, HENRY MATTHEWS drew nearer to Gangway. Thus CHAPLIN was, so to
+speak, planted out in Small Holding exclusively his own.
+
+House anxious to hear particulars of Government measure, CHAPLIN,
+remembering old times when they used to jeer at his sonorous commonplaces
+uttered below Gangway, took a pretty revenge. Out of oration of fifty-five
+minutes duration, he appropriated twenty-five to general observations
+prefacing exposition of clauses of Bill. Just the same kind of pompous
+platitude conveyed in turgid phraseology, at which, in old times, Members
+used to laugh and run away. But CHAPLIN had them now. Like the wedding
+guest whom the Ancient Mariner button-holed--though as PLUNKET reminds me,
+the A.M. was meagre in frame, and CHAPLIN is not--the House could not help
+but hear. Once, when the orator dropped easily into autobiographical
+episode, described himself strolling about the fields of Lincolnshire,
+turning up a turnip here, drawing forth a casual carrot there, meditating
+on the days when
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: YOUNGER THAN EVER!
+
+THE G. O. M. "NOW THEN, HARCOURT!--TUCK IN YOUR TUPPENNY!--OVER!!"]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+every English yeoman went to morning service with a stout yew bow on his
+back, his quiver full of arrows; shot a buck on his way back (by permission
+of the landlord), and sat down to his midday meal flanked by a tankard of
+chill October--at this stage, it is true, there were signs of impatience
+amongst town-bred Radicals, who wanted to know about the Bill.
+
+[Illustration: Mr. G. dreams a Dream.]
+
+But it was very beautiful, and those who, from natural taste, inborn
+prejudice, or lamentable ignorance, did not care for it themselves, could
+not fail to enjoy the supreme delight the occasion brought to the Minister
+of Agriculture.
+
+_Business done._--Small Holdings Bill introduced.
+
+_Tuesday._--Two Right Rev. Bishops, Lord Bishop of ST. ASAPH and he of
+SALISBURY, in Peers' Gallery for two or three hours tonight; attracted by
+debate on Welsh Disestablishment. Bishop of SALISBURY couldn't restrain his
+astonishment at scene.
+
+"One of the profoundest and most important questions of the day," he
+whispered in his right reverend brother's ear. "It is the attack upon the
+outworks. Wales carried by the Liberation Society, we shall have them
+leaping over the palings into our preserves. Should have thought, now, the
+House of Commons would have been seething with excitement; benches crowded;
+all the Princes of Debate to the fore; cheers and counter-cheers filling
+the place. Whereas there are not, I should say, more than eighteen Members
+present whilst the stout Gentleman down there is demonstrating how much
+happier Wales is under the benediction of the Church than she would be
+without. The whole thing reminds me, dear ST. ASAPH, of--er--well, of an
+eight o'clock morning service in inclement weather."
+
+"You're young, brother SARUM," said ST. ASAPH, "young, of course I mean, in
+contradistinction to Old Sarum. When you've been a little longer in
+Parliamentary life, you'll understand things better. These empty benches,
+and the general appearance of being horribly bored presented by the small
+congregation--which I may say finds eloquent expression on the face of our
+friend JOHN G. TALBOT--simply mean that they have heard all these speeches
+before, and have made up their minds on the subject. They are ready to
+vote, but they will not remain to hear the speeches. As you say, in such
+circumstances it would appear more businesslike to take the vote at once,
+and get along with other work. But that is unparliamentary. This will be
+kept going till there is just time left before the adjournment to divide.
+_Then_ you'll see how dear is this question to the hearts of our friends,
+and how virulent is the persistence of the adversary."
+
+Turned out exactly as the Lord Bishop had said. After half-past ten,
+Members trooped down in scores. When Prince ARTHUR rose to continue the
+debate he was hailed with ringing cheer from embattled host. Pretty to see
+how gentlemen to right of SPEAKER, mustered for defence of the Church, were
+careful to contribute to fitness of things by wearing the clerical white
+tie.
+
+"Very nice indeed of them," said Young SARUM, rarely out so late at night,
+but drawn back, after light repast, to watch the division taken. "I could
+wish that, instead of the superabundance of shirt-front displayed, our
+friends had selected more closely-buttoned vests, and that their coat-
+collar fitted a little higher. But we cannot have perfection, and the white
+tie at least indicates nice feeling."
+
+_Business done._--Proposal to disestablish Church in Wales negatived by 267
+Votes against 220.
+
+_Wednesday._--PROVAND moved Second Reading Shop Hours' Bill, and, what's
+more, carried it against Ministers. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN tells me that,
+though Scotch Members voted for Bill, result has cast a gloom over them.
+Expecting PROVAND would lose, they were all prepared to say, in casual way,
+"Ah, well, so the case is non-PROVAND." Some had, indeed, gone so far as
+commence to write letters home enshrining this joke. These are now, of
+course, waste-paper. Pity opportunity lost. Scotch language not rich in
+provision of similar openings for wit.
+
+_Business done._--Second Reading Shop Hours' Bill carried. Rare opportunity
+for Scotch joke hopelessly lost.
+
+_Thursday._--MIDLETON brought London Fog on again in Lords to-night. Asked
+the MARKISS if he would have any objection to appointment of Joint
+Committee to inquire into the matter? The MARKISS a great artist in words;
+suits his conversation to the topic. His reply decidedly misty; wouldn't
+say yes or no; talked about Joint Committees being a mysterious part of the
+Constitution; didn't know how they were to be appointed; hinted at rupture
+with Commons if proposal were made; wound up by saying that if Motion for
+Committee were submitted, he would do his best to induce their Lordships to
+adopt it.
+
+Strangers in Gallery puzzled by this speech. But the Lords know all about
+it. STRATHEDEN winked at CAMPBELL, and both noble Lords wagged their head
+in admiration of MARKISS'S diplomacy; recognise deep design in involved
+speech and well affected hesitation.
+
+MARKISS, I hear, vexed with me letting the cat--I mean the fog, out of the
+bag last week. But it's everybody's secret. The Government have made up
+their mind to go to the country on the London Fog. This Joint Committee
+will be appointed with least possible delay; a measure based on its Report
+will be carried through both Houses; everything will be ready for return of
+unsuspecting Fog Fiend next November.
+
+"Sorry you mentioned it prematurely, TOBY," the MARKISS said, not unkindly.
+"But you only forestalled the announcement by a few days. It's been in my
+mind for months. The cry of Separation is growing a little shrill; Free
+Education hasn't done us any good; Small Holdings only so-so. The Fog's the
+thing! Grappling with that, all London rallies to our standard, and with
+London at our back we can face the country."
+
+[Illustration: Nurse Rendel taking care of her charge at Valescure, St.
+Raphael, the Riviera.]
+
+Curious instance of association of ideas and sympathy. So completely is
+mind of Her Majesty's Ministers occupied with this Fog problem, that
+to-night it got into House of Commons. LORD ADVOCATE brought in Bill
+allocating Scotch Local Taxation grant. Debate went on for six hours; at
+end of that time discovered that whole proceedings irregular. As involving
+money question, introduction of Bill should have been preceded by
+Resolution submitted to Committee of whole House. Debate abruptly
+adjourned; evening wasted; howls of derision from Radicals.
+
+"Never mind," said Prince ARTHUR, cheerily. "Let those laugh who win. This
+is only another argument (perhaps not so accidental and undesigned as
+people think) in support of our new Fog policy."
+
+_Business done._--Night wasted in Commons. In Lords, light looms behind the
+Fog.
+
+_Friday._--News of Mr. G. speeding home over land and sea. All his friends
+on Front Bench been begging him to stay longer in the Sunny South. No need
+whatever for his return; things going on admirably; not missed in the
+least; shocking weather here; better stay where he is.
+
+"Ho, indeed!" said Mr. G., pricking up his ears and a dangerous light
+flashing under his eyebrows. "I'm not wanted, ain't I? SQUIRE OF MALWOOD
+getting along admirably in my shoes; doing well without me; not missed in
+the slightest. Very well, then; _I'll go home._"
+
+MACLURE, who has been in the confidence of great statesmen from DIZZY
+downward, tells me Mr. G.'s homeward flight was hastened by curious dream.
+Dreamt all his sheep were straying from fold; some going one way, others
+another; each bent on his own particular business. In vain Mr. G. leaping
+up and taking crook in hand, put hand to mouth and halloed them back to
+Home-Rule fold. They went their way, some even making for Unionist
+encampment, where Mr. G., moving heavily in his slumber, distinctly saw one
+sheep regarding scene through an eyeglass.
+
+"Only a dream of course," Mr. G. said, when he set off in the morning for a
+twenty-mile walk. "But I think I may as well be getting back. Made up for
+the Session; fit for anything. Nothing could have been kinder or more
+watchful than Nurse RENDEL'S care of me; if I had been his son (which I
+admit is chronologically difficult), couldn't have been better done to.
+Only concerned just now for ARMITSTEAD. That young fellow, proud of his
+chickenhood of sixty-seven years, brought me out to take care of me, and
+freshen me up. Fancy I've worn _him_ out; instead of his taking care of me,
+have to look after him! Shall be glad to get again within sound of Big Ben.
+Spoiling for a fight. HARCOURT done very well; but he'll have to tuck in
+his tuppenny and let me over into the Leader's place."
+
+_Business done._--Miscellaneous.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: "PASSING IT ON."
+
+_Rupert_ (_just back from School, where he has been tremendously fagged_).
+"LOOK HERE, ANGY, IF YOU BEHAVE DECENTLY, AND DON'T SMASH ANYTHING, YOU
+SHALL FINISH THE JAM--_WHEN I'VE QUITE DONE_!"]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+PHILOSOPHIC STUPIDITY.
+
+ ["It is better to do a stupid thing that has been done before, than to
+ do a wise thing that has never been tried."--_Mr. Balfour in the House
+ of Commons._]
+
+ HEAR the great pundit; deem him not absurd,
+ He utters wisdom's latest, greatest word.
+ All coats, we know, are best when frayed with wear;
+ Trousers we love when most they need repair,
+ Boots without heels, completely lacking soles,
+ And hats all crushed and battered into holes.
+ Nay, we'll go farther, and, to prove him true,
+ Do all the vanished ages used to do.
+ We'll crop the ears of those who preach dissent,
+ And at the stake teach wretches to repent.
+ Clad _cap-a-pie_ in mail we'll face our foes,
+ And arm our British soldiery with bows.
+ Dirt and disease shall rule us as of yore,
+ The Plague's grim spectre stalk from shore to shore.
+ Proceed, brave BALFOUR, whom no flouts appal,
+ Collect stupidities and do them all.
+ Uneducate our men, unplough our land,
+ Bid heathen temples rise on every hand;
+ Unmake our progress and revoke our laws,
+ Or stuff them full of all their banished flaws.
+ Let light die out and brooding darkness reign,
+ And in a word call Chaos back again.
+ Then, as we perish, we can shout with glee,
+ "Hail, hail to BALFOUR and Stupidity!"
+
+ * * * * *
+
+SCREWED UP AT MAGDALEN.--Mr. G.B. SHAW had a lively time of it at Oxford.
+Fancy a whole bevy of Socialists all cooped up together under lock and
+screw. What a fancy-picture of beautiful harmony the mere thought conjures
+up. Burning cayenne pepper on one side, dirty water on the other, and loyal
+Undergraduates, screwed and screwing, all round them. Never mind, BERNARD.
+It was a capital puff for the Socialistic wind-bag, and one G.B.S. took
+care it should not be wasted.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+A FUDGE FORMULA.
+
+ "To set class against class is the crime of all crimes."
+ That's the dictum of FUSBOS, a type of our times;
+ Yet FUSBOS himself all his co-scribes surpasses
+ In rancorous railings concerning "the masses."
+ He thinks that all efforts injustice to right
+ Are inspired by mere malice and fondness for fight.
+ He might just as well urge that morality's rules
+ Set slaves against tyrants, or rogues against fools;
+ Or mourn that each new righteous law that man passes
+ Must set honest folk 'gainst the criminal classes!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"THE MEETING OF THE WATERS."--The Engineers of London and Birmingham have
+been requested, says the _Daily Telegraph_, to "lay their heads together,"
+so as to see if an amicable arrangement cannot be effected. This is an
+instance where to have "water on the brain" is absolutely necessary. Odd to
+think that in this "water difficulty" are contained all the elements of a
+burning question; so much so indeed, that the Engineers who may be clever
+enough to solve the problem without getting themselves into hot water, may
+confidently be expected to follow up their achievement by proceeding to
+"set the Thames on fire."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+QUEER QUERIES.--CURRENCY REFORM.--I see that the CHANCELLOR OF THE
+EXCHEQUER intends to "call in" light sovereigns. The sovereigns I have all
+seem to be tolerably heavy, so would there be any objection to my
+lightening them by taking some of the gold off, and keeping it? This would
+form a nice little "metallic reserve" for me, a thing which Mr. GOSCHEN
+seems to approve of. Would not an appropriate motto, to be inscribed on the
+new One Pound Notes, be--"_Quid, pro quo?_"--SLY-METALLIST.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: LONDON IN VENICE.]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration]
+
+HORACE IN LONDON.
+
+TO A SKITTISH GRANDMOTHER. (_AD CHLORIN._)
+
+ FORBEAR this painted show to strut
+ Of girlish toilet, manner skittish:
+ It may be _Fin-de-Siecle_, but
+ It isn't British.
+
+ To dance, to swell the betting rank,
+ To rival 'ARRIET at Marlow;
+ To try to break your husband's bank
+ At Monte Carlo,
+
+ Would ill beseem your daughter "smart;"
+ The vulgar slang of bacchant mummers,
+ If act you must is scarce the part
+ For sixty summers.
+
+ Let Age be decent: keep your hair
+ Confined, if nothing else, to one dye:
+ I'd rather see you, I declare,
+ Like Mrs. GRUNDY!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+THE PRIVATE AND THE PUBLIC.
+
+(_What it may come to._)
+
+ ["If we are obliged to go into the open market for our soldiers, and
+ compete with other employers of labour, we must bid as highly as they
+ do, in pay, hours of work, and general conditions and comfort."--_Daily
+ Paper on the Report of Lord Wantage's Committee._]
+
+SCENE--_A Public Place._
+
+Sergeant KITE _and a_ Possible Recruit _in conversation._
+
+_Sergeant Kite_ (_continuing_). Then you must remember that we are
+exceedingly generous in the matter of rations.
+
+_Possible Recruit_ (_pained_). _Rations_! I suppose you mean _courses_! I
+find that in all the large firms in London the assistants have a dinner of
+six courses served, with cigars and coffee to follow. I couldn't think of
+joining the Army unless I had the same.
+
+_Sergeant K._ (_with suppressed emotion_). If it must be so, then it must.
+Who's to pay the piper, _I_ don't know! The Public, I suppose.
+
+_P. R._ I should think so! Then as to drills. Really the number of these
+useless formalities should be largely decreased, and the hours at which
+they are held should be fixed with greater regard to the convenience of
+private soldiers. By the bye, of course I need hardly mention that I should
+not dream of enlisting unless it was agreed that I should never be called
+before 9.30 A.M. My early cup of tea and shaving-water might be brought to
+me at nine.
+
+_Sergeant K._ (_after an interval_). Called! Early cup of tea! Shaving-
+water! Oh, this is _too_ much!
+
+_P.R._ (_coolly_). Not at all, my dear Sir, not half enough. There are
+other points I wish to mention. For example, do you allow feather-beds?
+
+_Sergeant K._ Feather-beds!
+
+_P.R._ Yes. A _sine qua non_, I assure you. Then as to pay and pensions,
+and length of service. I would only accept an engagement by the month, with
+liberty to terminate it at any time with a week's notice.
+
+_Sergeant K._ (_with sarcasm_). And you would wish to retire at a week's
+notice if war were declared?
+
+_P.R._ (_surprised_). Certainly! Why not? "Peace with Honour" would be my
+motto. As to pay, of course you know what I could get if I went in for
+civil employment?
+
+_Sergeant K._ No, I don't, and I don't see what that has to do with it. You
+surely would not compare the QUEEN'S service with the work of a beggarly
+counter-jumper?
+
+_P.R._ Yes, I would. And as I could earn five shillings a-day easily in a
+shop, why, you will have to give me that, with a pension (as I might do
+better) of ten shillings a-day after six years' service.
+
+_Sergeant K._ Any other point you would like to mention?
+
+_P.R._ Yes, there is one other. Why should a labourer be able to get
+damages from his employer when injured, and a soldier be unable? The
+principle of the Employers' Liability Act must be extended to the Army, so
+that if any Commanding Officer made some stupid blunder in battle, as he
+probably would do, and I were to be hurt in consequence, I might sue him
+when we got back to England. You understand my point?
+
+_Sergeant K._ Oh, quite! But what would there be to prevent every soldier
+present at the battle from suing also?
+
+_P.R._ Nothing at all. Of course they _would_ all sue. So no General must
+be permitted to go into action without first of all depositing in the High
+Court at home security for costs if defeated,--say half a million or so.
+
+_Sergeant K._ (_with forced politeness_). Well, I'm glad to have heard your
+views. I'll mention them to my Colonel. They are sure to please him.
+
+_P.R._ Yes, but don't keep me waiting long for his reply. My offer only
+remains open till to-morrow morning.
+
+_Sergeant K._ Oh--!
+
+[_The remainder of the gallant_ Sergeant's _observations are not necessary
+for publication, neither would they be accepted as a guarantee of his good
+faith. Exit to recruit._
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"THE RING AND THE BOOK."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+FROM very early days, the days, or nights, of _The Battle of Waterloo_ and
+_Scenes in the Circle_, with the once-renowned WIDDICOMB as Master of the
+Ring, _Mr. Punch_ has ever been particularly fond of the old-fashioned
+equestrian entertainment. The Ring to which he has just made allusion is,
+it need hardly be added, The Circus, and The Book is a novel by Miss AMYE
+READE. _Mr. P._ is not sweet upon any gymnastic and acrobatic shows in
+which the chances of danger appear, and probably are, as ten to one against
+the performer; and especially does he object to children of very tender
+years being utilised in order to earn money for their parents or guardians
+by exhibiting their precocious agility. _Mr. P._ approves of the ancient
+use of the birch as practised at Eton a quarter of a century ago, and he is
+quite of the Wise Man's opinion as to the evil consequences of sparing the
+rod; which proverbial teaching, had it been practically and judiciously
+applied to Master SOLOMON himself (the ancient King, not the modern
+Composer) in his earliest years, would probably have prevented his going so
+utterly to the bad in the latter part of his life. So much, as far as
+corporal punishment is concerned, for the education of youth, whether in or
+out of the circus school. But girls, as well as boys, are trained for this
+circus business, gaining their livelihood by acrobatic performances. Does
+_Mr. Punch_, representing the public generally, quite approve of this
+portion of circus and acrobatic training? To this he can return only a
+qualified answer. His approval would depend, first, on the natural but
+extraordinary capability of the female pupil, and, secondly, the method of
+training her. As a rule, he would prefer to keep her out of it altogether:
+and, as to the boys, he certainly would defer their public appearance until
+they were at least sixteen; their previous training having been under the
+supervision of a responsible inspector. Then as to the training of animals
+for the circus business. If the training system means "all done by
+kindness," that is, by unflinching firmness and a just application of a
+considerately devised system of equally balanced rewards and punishments,
+then _Mr. P._ approves; but where cruelty comes in, whether in the training
+of child or beast, _Mr. Punch_ would have such trainer of youth punished as
+_Nicholas Nickleby_ punished _Squeers_, in addition to imprisonment and
+fine; and for cruelty to dumb animals _Mr. P._ would order the garotter's
+punishment and plenty of it. Having professed this faith, _Mr. Punch_,
+after thus "arguing in a Circle," returns to his starting-point, and would
+like to know how much of truth there is in Miss AYME READE'S story
+entitled, _Slaves of the Sawdust_? As literature it is poor stuff, but as
+written with a purpose, and that purpose the exposing of alleged systematic
+cruelty in training children and dumb animals for the circus-equestrian
+acrobatic life, the book should not only attract general notice, but should
+also lead to a Commission of inquiry, or to some united action of all
+responsible circus-managers against the author of this work, which would
+result in either the said managers or the authoress being "brought to
+book." _Mr. Punch_ hath spoken. _Verb. sap._
+
+ * * * * *
+
+-->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, Volume
+102, March 5, 1892, by Various
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PUNCH ***
+
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