summaryrefslogtreecommitdiff
path: root/20333.txt
diff options
context:
space:
mode:
Diffstat (limited to '20333.txt')
-rw-r--r--20333.txt1529
1 files changed, 1529 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/20333.txt b/20333.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d690afe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/20333.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,1529 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 104,
+January 28, 1893, 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 104, January 28, 1893
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: Francis Burnand
+
+Release Date: January 11, 2007 [EBook #20333]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PUNCH, VOL 104, JAN 28, 1893 ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Matt Whittaker, Juliet Sutherland and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+PUNCH,
+
+OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
+
+VOL. 104.
+
+
+
+
+January 28, 1893.
+
+
+
+
+CONVERSATIONAL HINTS FOR YOUNG SHOOTERS.
+
+THE KEEPER. (_Continued._)
+
+Is there no way, then, you may ask, in which the Head Keeper may be lured
+from his customary silence for more than a sentence or two? Yes, there is
+one absolutely certain method, and, so far as I know, only one. The subject
+to which you must lead your conversation is--no, it isn't poachers, for a
+good keeper takes the occasional poacher as part of his programme. He wages
+war against him, of course; and, if his shooting happens to be situated
+near a town of some importance, the war is often a very sanguinary one,
+only ended by the extermination (according to Assize-Court methods) of the
+poachers. But the keeper, as I say, takes all this as a matter of course.
+He recognises that poachers, after all, are men; as a sportsman, he must
+have a sneaking sympathy for one whose science and wood-craft often baffle
+his own; and, therefore, though he fights against him sturdily and
+conscientiously, and, as a rule, triumphs over him, he does not generally,
+being what I have described him, brag of these victories, nor, indeed, does
+he care to talk about them. "There, but for the grace of God, goes
+Velveteens," must be the mental exclamation of many a good keeper when he
+hears his enemy sentenced to a period of compulsory confinement. I do not
+wish to be misunderstood. There are poachers and poachers. And whereas we
+may have a certain sympathy for the instinct of sport that seems to compel
+some men to match their skill against the craft of fur or feather reared at
+the expense and by the labour of others, there can surely be none for the
+methodical rogues who band themselves together on business principles, and
+plunder coverts just as others crack cribs, or pick pockets. Even sentiment
+is wasted on these gentlemen.
+
+But I return from this digression. The one subject, then, on which a keeper
+may be trusted to become eloquent, is, that of
+
+FOXES.
+
+Just try him. Suppose you are shooting a wood, in which you expect to find
+a considerable number of pheasants. The guns are posted, the beaters have
+begun to move at the far end of the wood. Suddenly you are aware of a
+commotion in the middle of the wood. Here and there pheasants rise long
+before the beaters have approached. There is a whirring of wings, and
+dozens of birds sail away, un-shot at, to right, to left, and all over the
+place. And then, while you are still wondering what this may mean, a fine
+dog-fox comes sliding out from the covert. Away he goes at top speed across
+the open. The little stops view him as he passes, and far and near the air
+resounds with shrill "yoick!" and "tally-ho!" In the end four birds are
+brought to bag, where twenty at least had been expected. When the beat is
+over, this is the kind of conversation you will probably hear:--
+
+_First Beater_ (_to a colleague_). I seed 'un, JIM; a great, fine fox 'e
+were, a slinkin' off jest afore we coom up. "Go it," I says to myself; "go
+it, Muster BILLY FOX, you bin spoilin' sport, I'll warrant, time you was
+off"; and out 'e popped as sly as fifty on 'em, ah, that 'e was.
+
+_Second B._ Ah! I lay 'e was that. Where did 'e slip to, TOM?
+
+_First B._ I heerd 'em a hollerin' away by CHUFF'S Farm. Reckon 'e's goin'
+to hev 'is supper there, to-night.
+
+_Second B._ And a pretty meal 'e'll make of it. Pheasant for breakfast,
+pheasant for dinner, pheasant for tea; I'll lay 'e don't get much thinner.
+
+_One of the Guns_ (_to the Keeper_). Nuisance about that fox, SYKES.
+
+_Keeper._ Nuisance, Sir? You may say that. Why, I've seen as many as four
+o' them blamed varmints one after another in this 'ere blessed wood. Did
+you see 'im, Sir? I wish you'd a shot 'im just by mistake. Nobody wouldn't
+a missed 'im. But there, a-course I daren't touch 'em. Mr. CHALMERS
+wouldn't like it, and a-course I couldn't bring myself to do it. But I do
+say, we've got too many on 'em, and we never get the hounds, or if they do
+come, they can't kill. What am I to do? Mr. CHALMERS wants birds, and 'e
+wants foxes too. I tell 'im 'e can't have both. I does my best, but what's
+a man to do with a couple o' thousand foxes nippin' the heads off of his
+birds? Fairly breaks my heart, Sir. Keep 'em alive, indeed! Live and let
+live's my motter, but it ain't the plan o' them blamed foxes.
+
+ [_And so forth ad lib._
+
+There are other animals which your true keeper holds in aversion. And chief
+amongst these is the domestic cat. You might as well try to keep a
+journalist from his writing-paper as country cats from the coverts. They
+are inveterate and determined poachers, and, alas, they meet with scant
+mercy from the keeper if he catches them. Many a fireside tabby or
+tortoise-shell dies a violent death in the course of every year, and is
+buried in a secret grave. This often gives rise to disturbance, for the
+cottager, to whom the deceased was as the apple of her eye, may make
+complaint of the keeper to his master. My friend SYKES, one of the best
+keepers I know, once related to me an incident of this nature. As it may
+help to explain the nature of keepers, and throw light on the
+conversational method to be adopted with them, I here set down the winged
+words in which SYKES addressed me.
+
+[Illustration: "Taking away his Character."]
+
+"Trouble, Sir? I believe you. Them old women gives me a peck o' trouble,
+far more nor the breakin' of a retriever dog. There's old Mrs. PADSTOW,
+Mother PADDS we call 'er, she's a rare old teaser. Went up to Mr. CHALMERS
+last week and told 'im I'd shot 'er pet cat. Mr. CHALMERS, 'e spoke to me
+about it; said I'd better go and make it right with the old gal. So,
+yesterday I goes to call upon 'er. First we passed the time o' day
+together, and then we got to business. You see, Sir, me and the old lady
+had always been friendly, so I took it on the friendly line. 'Look 'ere,' I
+says, 'Mrs. PADSTOW, I've come about a cat.' 'Ah,' she says. 'It's just
+this way,' I says, 'Mr. CHALMERS tells me you said I'd shot your cat. Now,'
+I says, straightenin' myself up and lookin' proud, 'I couldn't scarcely
+believe that, and you and me such good friends, so I've just come to ask
+you if you did say that. She was a bit took aback at this, so I asked 'er
+again. 'Well,' she says, 'I didn't exactly say that.' 'What did you say
+then?' I asked her. 'I told Mr. CHALMERS,' she says, 'that our old cat 'ad
+been shot what never did no 'arm, and I thought it might be as you'd a done
+it, p'raps not meanin' it.' 'Ah,' I says, 'them was your words, was they?'
+'Yes,' she says, 'them was my words.' 'Well, then,' I says, 'you'd better
+be careful what you say next time, or you don't know whose character you'll
+be takin' away next.' And with that I left 'er."
+
+"But did you shoot the cat, SYKES?" I ventured to ask.
+
+"_Did_ I shoot it? Ho, ho, ha, ha! What do _you_ think! Sir?"
+
+And with that enigmatic answer the dialogue closed.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+When referring to a recent Lecture by a certain Noble Marquis
+(distinguished in the "_P.R._-age" of the Realm), the ladies generally say,
+that they should decidedly object to be married "under the Queensberry
+Rules." _Their_ prize ring is quite another affair.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"DOWN AMONG THE COALS."--The most appropriate place wherein to try "the
+scuttle" policy would, of course, be--Newcastle.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+THE DESCENT INTO THE MAELSTROeM.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+(_Fragments from a Narrative somewhat in the style of E. A. Poe._)
+
+Even while one gazed, the current acquired a monstrous velocity.
+
+Each moment added to its speed--to its headlong impetuosity.
+
+The vast bed of the waters, seamed and scarred into a thousand conflicting
+channels, burst suddenly into frenzied convulsion--heaving, boiling,
+hissing,--gryrating in gigantic and innumerable vortices, and all whirling
+and plunging on with a rapidity which water never elsewhere assumes except
+in precipitous descents.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+Precipitous descents! Niagara's abrupt and headlong plunge is but as an
+eddy in a rocky trout-stream compared with what was soon to be seen _here_.
+In brief space there came over the scene another radical alteration. The
+general surface grew somewhat more smooth, and the whirlpools one by one
+disappeared, while prodigious streaks of foam became apparent where none
+had been seen before. These streaks, at length, spreading out to a great
+distance, and entering into combination, took unto themselves the gyratory
+motion of the subsided vortices, and seemed to form the germ of another
+more vast. Suddenly--very suddenly--this assumed a distinct and definite
+existence in a circle of a colossal and seemingly all-embracing diameter.
+The edge of the whirl was represented by a broad belt of gleaming, turbid
+slime--cumbered spray, foul, festering, furiously troubled, slipping, as it
+seemed, particle by particle, viscid gout by gout, into the mouth of the
+terrific funnel, whose interior, as far as the eye could fathom it, was a
+smooth, shining, and jet-black wall of water, inclined to the horizon at an
+angle of some forty-five degrees, speeding dizzily round and round, with a
+swaying and sweltering motion, and sending forth to the winds an appalling
+voice half shriek, half roar, such as not even the mighty cataract of
+Niagara ever lifts up in its agony to Heaven.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+Then, said I, this _can_ be nothing else than the "great, all-whelming
+whirlpool of the Maelstroem!"
+
+ * * * * *
+
+In all violent eddies at sea _there is good fishing_, at proper
+opportunities, if only one has the courage to attempt it. In fact, it is
+made a matter of desperate speculation--risk standing instead of labour,
+and courage, of a reckless, and not too scrupulous sort, answering for
+capital. But there are many who would lightly adventure the pestilential
+perils of a tropic stream, or fever-haunted water-way or canal, who would
+yet shrink from being caught--owing to want of care, and cautious
+calculation as to the exact hours of slack and safety--by the hideous,
+irresistible, all-engulfing, all-wrecking whirl of the terrifying Stroem!
+Once drawn within the down-draught of that hideous vortex, a whole army
+might be destroyed more certainly than even by the manifold death-dealing
+contrivances of modern science, a whole legislature lost in a single hour
+of ghastly and unhonoured catastrophe!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+Oh, the sickening sweep of that descent! With what sensations of awe,
+horror, and strange, distraught admiration, must a doomed victim, once
+within that whirl, gaze about him!--for he has leisure to observe. The
+downward draught of those swift, wide-sweeping, spirally-whirling
+water-walls is comparatively slow. The victim clinging to his boat, or
+bound to his spar or barrel, appears to be hanging, as if by magic, midway
+down, upon the interior surface of a funnel, vast in circumference,
+prodigious in depth, and whose perfectly smooth sides might be mistaken for
+ebony, but for the bewildering rapidity with which they spin around,
+and for the gleaming and ghastly radiance they shoot forth, a foul,
+phosphorescent iridescence, as of accumulated corruption, streaming in a
+flood of loathsome radiance along the black walls, and far away down into
+the inmost mist--veiled recesses of the abyss!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+Looking about upon the wide waste of liquid ebony on which that helpless,
+past-struggling, beautiful, and apparently doomed figure was borne, I
+perceived that she, in the midst of the mighty, all-mastering misery, was
+not the only object in the embrace of the whirl. Both above and below were
+visible fragments of wreckage--significant wreckage--plumed hats,
+sword-sheaths, portfolios, epaulettes, decorations, insignia of honour, as
+if here a national Argosy, laden with Opulence, Rank Intelligence, and
+Honour, had gone, dismally and desperately, down to--_what_? Let those
+Phlegethon walls, that Tophet-like mist, make answer!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+And that bound, helpless, seemingly doomed, but beautiful and piteously
+appealing figure on which my eyes were fixed in terror, and amaze, and
+profound compassion? Alas! Yet are there some objects which enter the whirl
+at a late period of the tide, which for some happy reason descend slowly
+after entering, which do not reach the bottom before the turn of the tide,
+which are _not completely absorbed_ ere the desperate ordeal of danger is
+ended by utter submergence and entire wreck! These, conceivably, may be
+whirled up again to the level of the ocean, without undergoing the fate of
+those which had been drawn in more early, or absorbed more rapidly!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+Here indeed the phantom of Hope seems to gleam forth rainbow-like even
+amidst the foul mists of the Maelstroem! That beautiful agonised figure
+seems yet but as it were at the edge of the whirl. Into its profound and
+pestilential depths, indeed, she _can see_. And she shudders at the sight,
+as must all who are interested in her fate. But the Stroem will not whirl
+for ever, the hour of slack cannot be far off, and when the slope of the
+sides of the vast funnel become momentarily less and less steep, when the
+gyrations of the whirl grow gradually less and less violent, when the froth
+and the fume disappear, and the bottom of the gulf seems slowly to uprise;
+when the sky clears, and the winds go down, and the full moon rises
+radiantly o'er the swaying but no longer tormented floods, shall she, that
+beautiful, bound creature be found floating upon the quieting waves, sorely
+buffeted, may be much scarred, bearing in her beauty ineffaceable traces of
+the hideous ordeal she has undergone, but living, and _Safe_?
+
+ * * * * *
+
+So may it be!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: FASHIONABLE.
+
+"HOW DO YOU LIKE ME IN THIS, VERA? TELL ME THE TRUTH."
+
+"WELL, DEAR, IT LOOKS AS IF YOUR PET POODLE HAD DIED, AND YOU'D HAD HIM
+MADE UP AS A CLOAK!"]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+CHARLEY'S OLD 'AUNT AT THE ROYALTY.
+
+_Charley's Aunt_, by Mr. BRANDON THOMAS, is distinctly related to _The
+Private Secretary_; and Mr. PENLEY, as _Lord Babberley_, is second cousin
+to the _Rev. Mr. Spalding_, who, as the Private Secretary, obtained so
+distinguished a position in the theatrical world not so many years ago. As
+a play, _The Private Secretary_ had a strange history, seeing that it began
+as a failure, had an Act cut out of it, and, surviving this severe
+operation, grew into an enormous success, then went "so strong" as to be
+able to keep on running in London, the Provinces, our Colonies, and
+America, for some years.
+
+_Charley's Aunt_, however, has experienced no such downs and ups, being
+born to the rouge-pot as heiress of the great success which _The Private
+Secretary_ had only gradually, though surely, achieved. Yet 'tis a matter
+for question whether the latter was not the better piece, dramatically, of
+the two, having, besides its own comic situations, two irresistibly
+diverting characters, represented by little PENLEY and mountainous HILL,
+both playing into one another's hands.
+
+There are very few comparatively dull moments in _Charley's Aunt_, and
+these arise from faulty construction necessitating occasional explanations
+which come as dampers in the midst of the uproarious fun whereat the house
+has been shaking its sides and even weeping with laughter. And the
+awkwardness of these pauses in the action is still further emphasised by
+their being filled up with either commonplace narrative, or with a kind of
+cheap sentimentality quite at variance with the general tone of the piece.
+Were this slight blemish removed, the longevity of _Charley's Aunt_ would,
+it is more than probable, equal that of _The Private Secretary_.
+
+[Illustration: LIKE AS TWO P'S!
+
+_The Private Secretary._ "Excuse me, Madam? but, d'you know, I fancy you
+must be a connection of mine--I see such a resemblance to our family. I am
+the Rev. Robert Spalding!"
+
+_Lord Fancourt Babberley._ "Oh yes; and I'm Charley's Aunt, and Robert's
+Cousin."
+
+_The P. S._ "Dear me! Fancy that!"]
+
+All the parts are well played. Mr. BRANDON THOMAS has not given himself
+much of a chance as _Colonel Chesney_, who bears a strong family
+resemblance to the heavy dragoon in the _Pantomime Rehearsal_. The young
+men, Messrs. PERCY LYNDAL and FARMER, have plenty of "go"--it would be
+"little go" were they Cantabs--as the two undergraduates, young enough to
+be still up at College completing their education, yet old enough to
+propose and be accepted as eligible husbands. But in a rattling three-act
+farce as this is intended to be, any exaggeration is sufficiently probable
+as long only as it is thoroughly amusing; and, it be added, in such a
+piece, sentiment is as much out of place as would be plain matter-of-fact
+conduct or dialogue. To see Mr. PENLEY in the elderly Aunt's dress is to
+convulse the house without his uttering a word. To see him enjoying himself
+with the young ladies while threatened by their lovers, who cannot take
+them away without compromising themselves, is delicious. Then, when after
+dinner he is alone with the ladies, and having been informed by the
+scout--capitally impersonated by Mr. CECIL THORNBURY--in a whisper, what
+story it is that the gentlemen find so amusing, he goes into fits of
+laughter, and subsequently, when after one of the ladies has told a story
+which makes the girls laugh, he inquires "Is that all?" and being answered
+that it is, he cannot refrain from expressing, in very strong language, his
+opinion of the stupidity of the anecdote he has just heard, and then is
+seized with a perfect convulsion of laughter,--in all this he is most
+heartily joined by the entire audience, who laugh with him and at him.
+Altogether in this piece Mr. PENLEY is inimitably and irresistibly funny.
+
+The piece has one other merit which is not the least among its attractions,
+that is, that it begins at nine punctually and is over by eleven, thus
+yielding two hours of all-but continuous merriment.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+SIMPLE STORIES.
+
+"Be always kind to animals wherever you may be!"
+
+ELSIE AND THE MACAW.
+
+ELSIE was growing a big girl, and though she was still in short frocks, she
+gave herself airs, and had ideas about dress, and sometimes was tempted to
+argue with her dear Mamma and give her a pert answer. She was, however in
+high glee just now, because she had been invited by her Aunt DABBLECHICK to
+a pic-nic with a lot of other little boys and girls. She made a great fuss
+about her dress, she studied _The Queen_, and _The Gentlewoman_, and other
+papers devoted to this important subject, and worried her poor Mamma with
+all sorts of silly suggestions. The costume, however, was at last arranged,
+and the little goose was cross because her Mamma would not allow her to
+have a blue feather in her hat. ELSIE, like a naughty child, determined
+that she would, by some means or other, have this feather.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+How to obtain one was the difficulty. At last it struck her that the
+splendid Macaw, a gift from her Uncle, Admiral SANGARORUM, brought from
+Brazil, had some lovely feathers of about the right tint.
+
+Taking a few lumps of sugar with her, she paid a visit to the conservatory
+where "Lord Macawley," as he was called, swung all day and shrieked. She
+felt how naughty she was, but her overweening vanity quite stifled her
+conscience. She scratched the bird's poll, treated him to several lumps of
+sugar, and, when he was not looking, suddenly jerked one of the finest
+feathers out of his tail.
+
+"Lord Macawley" screamed furiously, and ELSIE was terribly frightened for
+fear she should be discovered. She, however, ran away with her prize, and
+carefully fixed it in her hat.
+
+The next morning when she was ready to start, and JAMES was waiting with
+the pony-chaise to drive her over to her Aunt's, her Mamma, who was
+gathering flowers in the conservatory, sent for her to see that she looked
+nice before starting. Very pretty the little girl looked in her peacock
+blue dress, her snowy frills, her black-silk stockings, and Oxford shoes.
+
+Her hat was trimmed with ribbon to match her dress, and her feather so
+artfully intertwined, that she hoped her Mamma would not notice it. It
+certainly would have passed without observation, but, just as ELSIE was
+tripping away, "Lord Macawley" saw her.
+
+He set up a fiendish scream, and then said, "G-r-r! Gr-r-r! Who stole my
+feather?" over and over again.
+
+ELSIE turned scarlet. Mamma removed and inspected the hat, and, the little
+girl was promptly packed off to bed, where she was left to shed many tears
+over her folly for the rest of the day.
+
+Mamma keeps the blue feather, which she shows to her little girl whenever
+she is inclined to be disobedient or vain. The exhibition usually has a
+magical effect.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: THE SNOW CURE!!
+
+_Fiendish Little Boy_ (_to Elderly Gentleman, who has come a cropper for
+the fourth time in a hundred yards_). "'ERE I SAY, GUVN'OR, YOU'RE FAIR,
+WALLERIN' IN IT THIS MORNIN'! H'ANYONE 'UD THINK AS YOU'D BIN HORDERED IT
+BY YOUR MEDICAL MAN!!!"]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+THE NEXT EGYPTIAN LESSON.
+
+ SCENE--_Interior of the Sanctum of the_ Young KHEDIVE. _Present,
+ his Highness. To him enter the_ British Representative.
+
+_British Rep._ I think your Highness desired to see me?
+
+_Khedive._ Certainly, my dear Lord. I wish to express once again my great
+regret that I could have done, or said, or thought anything without taking
+your advice. You have quite forgiven me?
+
+_Brit. Rep._ (_in a tone of respectful annoyance_). Thank you very much,
+your Highness; but as I am exceptionally busy this morning, I think, if you
+have nothing more to say to me, I will do myself the honour of taking my
+departure.
+
+_Khe._ Oh no--a thousand times, no! Are you not aware that I am very
+European in tastes, am fond of books, and have a hobby in a small aquarium?
+
+_British Rep._ So I have read, your Highness, in a London evening paper.
+And now, if you will permit me, I will----
+
+_Khe._ Oh no--don't go, I promised you I would consult you in every
+important matter--and I mean to keep my word.
+
+_British Rep._ I am glad to hear your Highness say so; and I can answer for
+Her Majesty's Government being extremely gratified at the report of this
+conversation. I shall make a point of communicating with the Premier
+forthwith. And now, with your Highness's gracious permission, I will take
+my leave.
+
+_Khe._ What a hurry you are in! I have got a lot of important things to
+consult you about, and yet you won't wait a moment! I say, it's not
+treating a fellow fairly!
+
+_Brit. Rep._ (_grieved_). I trust your Highness will not repeat that
+observation after due consideration. But to show you my anxiety to meet
+your Highness's wishes, I will sacrifice the examination of a promising
+scheme to make the Nile nine and a half times as productive as it is now,
+to listen to you.
+
+_Khe._ You are very good. Well, what do you think of my dressing-gown?
+
+_British Rep._ Capital--in every way capital. But surely you didn't want to
+talk about that?
+
+_Khe._ Oh, yes, I did! Would you advise me to have it trimmed with any more
+fur?
+
+_British Rep._ I should imagine it was more a matter of taste than
+politics.
+
+_Khe._ Oh, hang politics! What do you think about my dressing-gown? Would
+your Government recommend fur?
+
+_British Rep._ I think, under the circumstances, I can act on my own
+responsibility without further reference to Her Majesty's Government. Yes,
+by all means, have fur.
+
+_Khe._ I am infinitely obliged to you. Fact is, I told my tailor I thought
+I would have fur, but I did not like to give the order without your advice.
+
+_British Rep._ I trust your Highness accepts my assurance that Her
+Majesty's Government are most anxious to prevent you from appearing in a
+false position.
+
+_Khe._ It's most civil of you to say so. Then I will have fur.
+
+_British Rep._ And now, if your Highness no longer requires my
+presence----.
+
+_Khe._ (_interrupting_). But I do. As I have already said, I've a lot of
+things to ask you. Now, I want to know whether it would be to the benefit
+of the fellaheen if I visited the theatre more frequently?
+
+_British Rep._ Your Highness will use your own discretion. I think I may
+say, without further reference to Downing Street, that Her Majesty's
+Government will have not the slightest objection to your Highness indulging
+in any innocent recreation.
+
+_Khe._ Come--that's very good of them. But don't go. Look here. There will
+be no great harm if I wear brown leather boots?
+
+_British Rep._ I think not, if your Highness, by the exhibition of such a
+preference, does not wound the susceptibilities of other Powers. And now,
+your Highness, with your permission, I think I must withdraw.
+
+_Khe._ Very well. If you won't stay any longer I suppose you won't. If I
+want any more advice I will send over to you.
+
+_British Rep._ I am extremely obliged to your Highness.
+
+ [_Bows, and exit._
+
+_Khe._ Glad he's gone! And now that I have consulted him about everything,
+I think I will have a little recreation on my own account. What shall I do?
+Oh, I know, I will dismiss the entire Ministry!
+
+ [_Does so._
+
+(_Curtain._)
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"GOING STRONG."--At the Court Theatre the _Pantomime Rehearsal_ in which
+Messrs. BROOKFIELD and WEEDON have a capital duet, is just as fresh as
+ever. Quite a new piece with all the old fun in it. "Equestrian Scenes in
+the Circle," might now be added, as they've got a performing PALFREY who
+does a very pretty _scherzo_ or skirt-show dance. "Good entertainment
+for"--everybody.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+VICE VERSA ON THE STAGE.--Re-appearance of Mr. and Mrs. BANCROFT at HARE'S
+Theatre. When Mr. HARE made his first appearance in London it was at Mr.
+and Mrs. BANCROFT'S Theatre. And _Diplomacy_ is to be revived. This move is
+most diplomatic.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"HAPPINESS IN ----."--Professor ST. GEORGE MIVART will be glad to learn
+that a telegram from New York, dated the 19th instant, contained the
+following interesting item of intelligence.--"A vast quantity of ice is now
+at Hell Gate."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+DEPRECIATION OF GOLD!--"Guinea Fowls" were sold in the Market last week at
+from 2_s._ 5_d._ to 3_s._ 6_d._! and a Plover Golden, was to be had for
+ninepence!!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+What with _The Daily Bourse_ and dustmen who refuse to remove the
+Drury-Lane refuse, our Sir AUGUSTUS DURIOLANUS has been, of late,
+considerably Harris'd.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+MOTTO FOR THE LADIES WHO BECOME MEMBERS OF MRS. STANNARD'S "ANTI-CRINOLINE
+LEAGUE."--"All hoops abandon ye who enter here."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+GREAT BRITAIN is a country _per se_--so is every Island, as it is only _per
+sea_ it can be reached.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: MAKING THE BEST OF IT.
+
+"GOOD MORNING, UNCLE CHARLES! DID YOU SLEEP WELL? I'M AFRAID YOUR BED WAS
+RATHER HARD AND UNEVEN; BUT----"
+
+"OH, IT WAS ALL RIGHT, THANKS! I GOT UP NOW AND THEN DURING THE NIGHT, AND
+RESTED A BIT, YOU KNOW!"]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+MISCHIEF!
+
+ ["As regards Home Rule, I did not, of course, say that there were
+ only three Home-Rulers in the world--Mr. GLADSTONE, Mr. MORLEY,
+ and myself. I said that ... there were no stronger Home-Rulers,
+ except myself, than Mr. GLADSTONE and Mr. MORLEY in
+ Parliament."--_Mr. H. Labouchere, in a Letter to the "Times."_
+
+ "Monkeys and parrots show much analogy in character and habits;
+ they both possess extraordinary powers of imitation, which they
+ exercise in copying man and his peculiarities. Monkeys 'take off'
+ his gestures, and parrots his speech."--_Napier's "Book of Nature
+ and Man."_]
+
+ Oh, a merry mime was Jacko!
+ He could wink, and whiff tobacco,
+ Like a man (an artful _homo_) and a brother.
+ And the Parrot--ah! for patter,
+ And capacity for chatter
+ On--no matter much _what_ matter,
+ That gave scope for clitter-clatter,
+ The world could hardly furnish such another.
+ The Parrot was a bird
+ That could talk great bosh with gravity;
+ The Ape could be absurd
+ With an air of solemn suavity;
+ And which to take most seriously, when the mimes were both on show,
+ There were ill-conditioned scoffers who declared they did not know.
+
+ "I am very sure," said Jacko, and he twitched his tail with glee,
+ "That the only serious creatures in the country are 'We Three'--
+ You, Polly, honest Jack (an Irish House-dog), and Myself!"
+ (Here he pulled poor Poll's tail-feathers hard, and capered like an elf.)
+ Poll held on to his perch, he'd much tenacity of claw,
+ But performed, involuntarily a sort of sharp see-saw,
+ And he snorted and looked down
+ With a very beaky frown,
+ And his round orb grew as red as any carrot.
+ "'_We Three_'? your Twelfth-Night tag
+ Is mere thrasonic brag.
+ _Tschutt!_ You'll make my tail a rag!
+ Wish you wouldn't pull and drag
+ At my feathers in that way!" cried the Parrot.
+
+ Chuckled Jacko, "This _is_ prime!
+ What a dickens of a time
+ (Like the Parrot and the Monkey in the story)
+ We shall have! Teach you, no doubt,
+ Not to leave poor Jacko out
+ Next time when you are ladling round the glory.
+ I might share with honest Jack
+ If of yielding I'd the knack,
+ Or would stoop to play the flatterer or the flunkey.
+ Pretty Poll! It is my pride
+ To assist you--from outside!
+ And I hope you're duly grateful," said the Monkey.
+
+ "_I_ perceive," cried Pretty Polly,
+ "It's all right, and awfully jolly!
+ But if you think to pull me from my perch
+ By the tail, you are mistaken.
+ Simian tricks will leave unshaken
+ My hold, though I may seem to sway or lurch.
+ A bird who knows his book
+ Can afford to cock a snook
+ At a chatterer who intrigueth against _his_ chief.
+ _'We Three'?_ You quote the Clown;
+ And _you play him_! Yes, I own
+ Pretty Poll _may_ be pulled down,
+ But I do not think 'twill be by Monkey 'Mischief!'"
+
+ * * * * *
+
+For a Byronic Exam.
+
+_Question._ What proof exists that Lord BYRON shared expenses with the Maid
+of Athens?
+
+_Answer._ The line in which he says, "Maid of Athens, ere we 'part,'"--&c.
+
+_Q._ Is there any allusion to billiards in this poem?
+
+_A._ Certainly. It occurs where the Bard says to the Maid, "Take the rest."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"AGAIN WE COME TO THEE, SAVOY!" (_vide old-fashioned duet_).--It is
+rumoured that the separation, on account of incompatibility of temper,
+between a certain distinguished Composer and an eminent Librettist has come
+to an end. Its end is peace--that is, an Operatic piece. They have met; the
+two have embraced, and will, no doubt, live happily ever afterwards, on the
+same terms as before, with the third party present, whose good offices it
+is pretty generally understood (his "good offices" are "Number Something,
+The Savoy,"--but this is not an advertisement) have brought about this
+veritable "Reunion of Arts."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: MISCHIEF!]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.
+
+_"Eton of Old, or, Eighty Years Since!"_ exclaimed the Baron, and, taking
+up the handsome volume recently published by Messrs. GRIFFITH AND FARRAN,
+he was soon absorbed in its pages.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"Rather disappointing," murmured the Baron, as he closed the book, and
+"read no more that day." "Why, with a good memory, a lively imagination,
+and a pleasant style, this 'Old Colleger' might have given us something far
+more amusing than he has done. Of course Anybody's Anecdotes of our Grand
+Old School will probably be interesting up to a certain point: and they
+might be made 'funny, without being vulgar.' But this worthy Octogenarian,
+be he who he may, has produced only a very matter-of-fact book, containing
+historic information likely to arrest the attention of an old or young
+Etonian, but only now and again does the author give us anything
+sufficiently amusing to evoke a laugh. However, in the course of perusal, I
+have smiled gently, but distinctly. Had the Octogenarian already told many
+of these stories to his intimates, to whom their narration caused as much
+facile entertainment as was given to the friends of _Mr. Peter Magnus_,
+when he signed himself 'AFTERNOON,' in substitution for his initials,
+'P.M.'?" And it is related how _Mr. Pickwick_ rather envied the ease with
+which _Mr. Magnus's_ friends were entertained. If so, then is the Baron to
+the Octogenarian Etonian and his intimates as was _Mr. Pickwick_ to "P. M."
+and his correspondents. There are some good tales about KEAT and HAWTREY,
+and of course the book, as one among an Etonian series, has its own value
+for all who care about Eton of the past.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"_Perdidi diem_," says the Baron, "or at least the better part of it, in
+reading _Zero the Slaver_, by LAWRENCE FLETCHER, who seems to me to be a
+promising pupil in the school of RIDER HAGGARD and LOUIS STEVENSON,
+but chiefly of the former. It was a beastly day, snow falling, and
+North-West-by-North wind howling, bitterly cold, and so," continued the
+Baron, "I was reduced to _Zero_. The construction of the plot is clever, as
+is also the description of a great fight, in the latter portion of the
+story; but, as a whole, the story is irritatingly ill-written, and tawdrily
+coloured, while italics are used to bring into prominence any description
+of some strongly sensational situation."
+
+Few things so annoying to me, personally, as the romancer speaking of his
+chief puppets as "our friends." This LAWRENCE FLETCHER is perpetually
+doing. Now his heroes are not "my friends," for, when I read, I am strictly
+impartial, at all events, through two-thirds of the book, and, if I learn
+to love any one or two (or more) of them, male or female, I should still
+resent the author's presuming to speak of them as "our friends." To do so
+from the first is simply impudent presumption on the part of the author, as
+why, on earth, should he assume that his creations--his children--should be
+as dear to us as they are to him?
+
+No--"Our friends," so used, is a mistake.
+
+The influence of RIDER HAGGARD is over the whole book, but in two instances
+the author has been unable to resist close imitation, nay, almost quotation
+of a well-known Haggardism, and so he writes at p. 130:--
+
+ "Just then a very wonderful and awful thing happened."
+
+And at p. 197:--
+
+ "When suddenly, and without an instant's warning, a most awful
+ thing happened."
+
+Both variations on a Haggardism, and both equally spoilt in the process of
+transferring and adapting.
+
+One sentence, the utterance of a Zulu chief, is well worth quoting, and it
+is this:--
+
+ "But empty hands are evil things wherewith to face a well-armed
+ spook."
+
+"The well-armed spook" is a joy for ever.
+
+_"A great black man fleeted past the rocks."_ "Hum!" quoth the Baron,
+"fleeted" is a new word to me. Not that I object to its invention and use
+on that account; in sound and appearance it expresses no more than "sped,"
+or, if pursuit is to be implied, "fled."
+
+Here is something that this novelist having written may well lay to heart,
+
+ _"The man was as white-skinned as themselves, and judging from the
+ purity of his English, must have been at one time a British
+ subject."_
+
+"Now," quoth the Baron, meditatively, "if purity of English, with or
+without a white skin, is the unmistakable mark of a 'British subject,' then
+it follows that Mr. LAWRENCE FLETCHER is of some nationality other than
+British. At least, such is the logical conclusion arrived at by his humble
+but critical servant,
+
+"THE BARON DE B. W. 'B. B.' (_British Born._)"
+
+ * * * * *
+
+[Illustration: A VOCATION.
+
+_The Vicar._ "OH--_THAT'S_ YOUR BOY, SMITHERS? AND WHAT'S HE GOING TO BE? A
+SHOEMAKER, LIKE YOURSELF?"
+
+_Smithers._ "OH NO, SIR. HE'S UNCOMMON FOND OF ANIMALS, YOU SEE--SO WE'RE
+THINKING OF MAKING HIM A BUTCHER!"]
+
+ * * * * *
+
+A NEW TURN.--He was an eloquent, an earnest lover, but she saw through him.
+When he had sworn to be true, which oath of his she didn't trust for a
+minute, and had implored her to do likewise, she only murmured to herself,
+"_Had I a heart for falsehood framed_----" Whereupon he vowed that such a
+thing was impossible; but, supposing her to possess such a heart, what
+would she do with it, considering it as a frame? Then she replied, softly,
+"I should put your portrait in it."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+"All's Well that Ends Well."
+
+YOUNG ABBAS thought to catch Lord CROMER napping.
+Perhaps he'll not again try weasel-trapping.
+E'en HOMER sometimes nods. 'Tis true--of HOMER;
+But ABBAS thinks 'tis not--as yet--of CROMER!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+MR. LABOUCHERE is, AUTOLYCUS hears, much interested in Mr. YATES'S
+promotion to Magisterial honours. "I shall keep my eye on EDMUND," HENRY
+says. "If only I get a chance of putting him on my weekly Pillory in
+_Truth_, I do not deny it would give me keen satisfaction."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+MRS. R. has read that the Christy Minstrels are turned into a Limited
+Company, but, before subscribing for shares, she wants to know if she would
+have to black her face? But what she objects to most is, that the principal
+performers (as she has been told) rattle their own bones!
+
+ * * * * *
+
+THE MAN FROM BLANKLEY'S.
+
+A STORY IN SCENES.
+
+ SCENE III.--Mrs. TIDMARSH'S _Drawing-room. Wall-paper of big grey
+ peonies sprawling over a shiny pale salmon ground. Over-mantel in
+ black and gold. Large mirrors: cut-glass gaselier, supplemented by
+ two standard lamps with yellow shades. Furniture upholstered in
+ yellow and brown brocade. Crimson damask hangings. Parian
+ statuettes under glass, on walnut "What-nots"; cheap china in
+ rosewood cabinets. Big banner-screen embroidered in beads, with
+ the Tidmarsh armorial bearings, as recently ascertained by the
+ Heralds' College. Time, twenty minutes to eight._ Mrs. TIDMARSH
+ _is seated, flushed and expectant, near the fire, her little
+ daughter_, GWENDOLEN, _aged seven, is apparently absorbed in a
+ picture-book close by._ Miss SEATON _is sitting by a side-table,
+ at some distance from them. Enter_ Mr. TIDMARSH, _who, obeying a
+ sign from his wife, approaches the hearth-rug, and lowers his
+ voice to a cautious under-tone._
+
+_Mr. Tid._ It's all right, SEAKALE got in at BLANKLEY'S just as they were
+closing. They said they would send round and stop the person, if
+possible--but they couldn't say, for certain, whether he mightn't have
+started already.
+
+_Mrs. Tid._ Then he may come, even now! May I ask what you intend to do if
+he does, MONTAGUE?
+
+_Mr. Tid._ Well, that's what I rather wanted to ask _you_, my dear. We
+might tell SEAKALE to send him away.
+
+_Mrs. Tid._ If you do, he'll be certain to send away the wrong
+person--Uncle GABRIEL, as likely as not!
+
+_Mr. Tid._ Um----yes, I never thought of that--no, he must be shown up.
+Couldn't you explain to him, quietly, that we have made up our party and
+shan't require his--hem--services?
+
+_Mrs. Tid._ I? Certainly _not_, MONTAGUE. _You_ hired him, and you must get
+rid of him yourself!
+
+_Mr. Tid._ (_uneasily._) 'Pon my word, MARIA, it's an awkward thing to do.
+I almost think we'd better keep him if he comes--we shall have to _pay_ for
+him anyhow. After all, he'll be quite inoffensive--nobody will notice he's
+been hired for the evening.
+
+_Mrs. Tid._ He may be one of the assistants out of the shop for all we can
+tell. And you're going to let him stay and make us thirteen, the identical
+thing he was hired to avoid! Well, I shall have to let Miss SEATON dine,
+after all--that's what it comes to, and this creature can take her down--it
+will be a little change for her. GWENNIE, my pet, run down and tell SEAKALE
+that if he hears me ring twice after everybody has come, he's to lay two
+extra places before he announces dinner. (GWENNIE _departs reluctantly_;
+Mrs. T. _crosses to_ Miss SEATON.) Oh, Miss SEATON, my husband and I have
+been thinking whether we couldn't manage to find a place for you at dinner
+to-night. Of course, it is _most_ unusual, and you must not expect us to
+make a _precedent_ of it; but--er--you seem rather out of spirits, and
+perhaps a little cheerful society--just for once----I don't know if it can
+be arranged yet, but I will let you know about that later on.
+
+_Miss Seaton_ (_to herself_). I do believe she _means_ to be kind!
+(_Aloud._) Of course, I shall be very pleased to dine, if you wish it.
+
+_Seakale_ (_at door_). Mr. and Mrs. GABRIEL GILWATTLE, and Miss BUGLE!
+
+ [_Enter a portly old Gentleman, with light prominent eyes and a
+ crest of grizzled auburn hair, in the wake of an imposing Matron
+ in ruby velvet: they are followed by an elderly Spinster in black
+ and silver, who rattles with jet._
+
+_Miss Bugle_ (_after the usual greetings_). I hope, dearest MARIA, you will
+excuse me if I am not quite in my usual spirits this evening; but my
+cockatoo, whom I have had for ages, has been in convulsions the whole
+afternoon, and though I left him calmer, done up in warm flannel on the rug
+in front of the fire, and the maid promised faithfully to sit up with him,
+and telegraph if there was the slightest change, I can't help feeling I
+ought never to have come.
+
+_Aunt Joanna_ (_to her host._) Such a drive as it is here, all the way from
+Regent's Park, and in this fog--I told GABRIEL that if he escapes
+bronchitis to-morrow----
+
+_Seakale._ Mr. and Mrs. DITCHWATER! Mr. TOOMER!
+
+[Illustration: "Mr. and Mrs. Ditchwater!"]
+
+_Mr. Ditch._ Yes, dear Mrs. TIDMARSH, our opportunities for these festive
+meetings grow more and more limited with each advancing year. Seven dear
+friends, at whose board we have sat, and they at ours, within the past
+twelve months, carried off--all gone from us!
+
+_Mrs. Ditch._ _Eight_, JEREMIAH, if you count Mr. JAUNDERS--though _he_
+only dined with us once.
+
+_Mr. Ditch._ To be sure, and never left his bed again. Well, well, it
+should teach us, as I was remarking to my dear wife as we drove along, to
+set a higher value than we do on such hospitalities as we are still
+privileged to enjoy.
+
+_Mr. Toomer_ (_to_ Mrs. TID.) My poor wife would, I am sure, have charged
+me with all manner of messages, if she had not been more or less delirious
+all day--but I am in no anxiety about her--she is so often like that, it is
+almost chronic.
+
+_Seakale._ Mr. and Mrs. BODFISH! Miss FLINDERS! Mr. POFFLEY!
+
+_Mr. Bodf._ (_after salutations._) Mrs. BODFISH and myself have just been
+the victims of a most extraordinary mistake! We positively walked straight
+into your next-door neighbour's house, and if we had not been undeceived by
+a mummy on the first landing, I don't know where we should have found
+ourselves next.
+
+_Mrs. Tid._ _A mummy!_ How _very_ disagreeable; such a _peculiar_ thing to
+have about a house? But we really know nothing about the people next door.
+We have never encouraged any intimacy. We thought it best.
+
+_Mrs. Bodf._ I told their man-servant as we came away that I considered he
+had behaved disgracefully in not telling us our mistake at once; no doubt
+he had a motive; people _are_ so unprincipled!
+
+_Little Gwendolen_ (_drawing_ Miss SEATON _into a corner_). Oh, Miss
+SEATON, what _do_ you think? Mother's going to let you dine downstairs with
+them--won't _that_ be nice for you? At least, she's going to, if somebody
+comes, and you're to go down with him. He isn't like a _regular_
+dinner-guest, you know. Papa hired him from BLANKLEY'S this morning, and
+Mother and he both hope he mayn't come, after all; but _I_ hope he _will_,
+because I want to see what he's like. Don't _you_ hope he'll come? _Don't_
+you, Miss SEATON, dear?
+
+[Illustration: WRITING THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.]
+
+_Miss Seaton_ (_to herself_). Then _that_ was why! And I can't even refuse!
+(_Aloud._) My dear GWENNIE, you shouldn't tell me all these things--they're
+secrets, and I'm sure your Mother would be very angry indeed if she heard
+you mention them to _anybody_!
+
+_Gwen._ Oh, it was only to you, Miss SEATON, and you're _nobody_, you know!
+And I _can_ keep a secret, if I choose. I never told how JANE used
+to----[Miss SEATON _endeavours to check these disclosures_.
+
+_Uncle Gab._ (_out of temper, on the hearth-rug_). Seven minutes past the
+hour, MONTY--and, if there's a thing I'm particular about, it's not being
+kept waiting for my dinner. Are you expecting somebody else? or what _is_
+it?
+
+_Mr. Tid._ (_nervously_). Well, I half thought--but we won't wait any
+longer for him--he is not worth it--ha! there he is--I think I heard the
+front door--so perhaps I may as well give him----eh?
+
+_Uncle Gab._ Just as you like--_my_ dinner's spoilt as it is. (_Catching
+sight of the banner-screen._) What have you stuck this precious affair up
+for, eh?
+
+_Mr. Tid._ To--to keep the fire off. MARIA'S idea. Uncle--she thought
+our--hem--crest and motto would look rather well made up like this.
+
+_Uncle Gab._ (_with a snort_). Made up! I should think it was! Though what
+you want to make yourself out one of those good-for-nothing aristocrats for
+is beyond me. You know _my_ sentiments about 'em--I'm a thorough-going
+Radical, and the very sound of a title----
+
+_Seakale_ (_with a fine combination of awe and incredulity_). Lord
+STRATHSPORRAN!
+
+ [_There is a perceptible flutter in the company, as a ruddy-haired
+ and rather plain young man enters with an apologetic and even
+ diffident air, and pauses in evident uncertainty as to his host
+ and hostess._
+
+_Uncle Gab._ (_to himself._) A Lord! Bless my soul! MONTY and MARIA are
+getting up in the world!
+
+_Guests_ (_to themselves._) A Lord! No _wonder_ they kept the dinner back!
+
+_Miss Seaton_ (_after a hurried glance--to herself._) Good Heavens! DOUGLAS
+CLAYMORE!--reduced to this! [_She lowers her head._
+
+_Mr. Tid._ (_to himself._) They might have told me they were going to send
+us a Lord--_I_ never ordered one! I wonder if he's genuine--he don't _look_
+it. If I could only find out, quietly!
+
+_Mrs. Tid._ (_to herself._) Gracious! And I was going to send him in with
+the Governess! (_To her Husb. in a whisper._) MONTAGUE, what are you
+_about_? Go and be civil to him--do!
+
+ [_She rings the bell twice:_ Mr. TIDMARSH _advances, purple with
+ indignation and embarrassment, to welcome the new-comer, who
+ shakes him warmly by the hand_.
+
+(_End of Scene III._)
+
+ * * * * *
+
+HER WAY OF PUTTING IT.--Mrs. R. thinks she has an excellent memory for
+riddles. She was delighted with that somewhat old conundrum about "What is
+more wonderful than JONAH in the whale?" to which the answer is, "Two men
+in a fly," and determined to puzzle her nephew with it the very next time
+she met him. "Such a capital riddle I've got for you, JOHN!" she exclaimed,
+"Let me see. Oh, yes--I remember--yes, that's it;" and then, having settled
+the form of the question, she put it thus--"What is more wonderful than two
+men in an omnibus?" And when she gave the answer, "JONAH in a fly," and
+correcting herself immediately, said, "No--I mean, 'JONAH in a whale,'" her
+nephew affectionately recommended his excellent relative to lie down and
+take a little rest.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+RAILWAY RATES.--What better rate can there be than that of the Flying
+Dutchman to the South, and the Flying Scotchman to the North; the two hours
+and a-half express to Bournemouth, and the Granville two hours to Ramsgate?
+The word "Rates" is objectionable as being associated with taxes--and to
+avoid the taxes the Fishermen are going to employ smacks and boys. Poor
+boys! there are a lot of smacks about. As the Pantomime and Music-hall poet
+sang, "Tooral looral lido, whacky smacky smack!" But though they, the
+Fishermen, hereby avoid the Rails, yet they can't do without their network
+of lines.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+When an actor has to make love to an actress on the stage, it is "purely a
+matter of business." Real "love-making" is never a matter of business; most
+often 'tis very much the contrary. The "matter of business" comes in with
+"making an uncommonly good marriage," but the love-making has little to do
+with this, except as it is, on the stage, "a matter of business."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+THE RAILWAY SERVANT'S VADE-MECUM.
+
+_Question._ What are the duties of a Pointsman?
+
+_Answer._ To remember the effect of moving the switches.
+
+_Q._ When is he likely to cease to remember this important detail?
+
+_A._ After he has been on duty a certain or uncertain number of hours.
+
+_Q._ Do these conditions also appertain to the labours of a man in the
+signal-box?
+
+_A._ Certainly, but in a more marked degree.
+
+_Q._ What would a collision consequent upon the occasion to which you have
+referred be called?
+
+_A._ Generally, "an accident."
+
+_Q._ But would there ever be an exception to this nomenclature?
+
+_A._ Yes; in the case of a Coroner being over-officious, and his Jury
+"turning nasty."
+
+_Q._ What would be the effect of this unpleasant combination of
+circumstances?
+
+_A._ That a verdict of "Manslaughter" would be given against the occupant
+of the signal-box.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_Q._ What would happen to his superiors?
+
+_A._ Nothing. However, they would be required to see the proper evidence
+was forthcoming at the prisoner's trial.
+
+_Q._ What would be the end of the incident?
+
+_A._ Six months hard labour from the Bench, and a day's sympathy from the
+general Public for the ex-occupant of the signal-box.
+
+_Q._ What are the duties of a Station-master?
+
+_A._ To be civil to season-ticket holders, and to refer the general Public
+to officials of smaller importance than himself.
+
+_Q._ What is your impression of an ideal Station-master?
+
+_A._ A gentleman in correct morning dress taking a deep interest savouring
+of sincere satisfaction in all the arrangements of the traffic over which
+he exercises a qualified control.
+
+_Q._ If he is asked why such and such a train is an hour late, what should
+he reply?
+
+_A._ He should observe cheerily that it keeps better time than it used to
+do.
+
+_Q._ Should he ever exhibit surprise?
+
+_A._ Only when a train enters the station punctually to the moment, then he
+may safely presume that there must have been an accident somewhere.
+
+_Q._ And now in conclusion, how can an official secure in all human
+probability a long life?
+
+_A._ By taking care never to travel on his own line?
+
+ * * * * *
+
+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
+104, January 28, 1893, by Various
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PUNCH, VOL 104, JAN 28, 1893 ***
+
+***** This file should be named 20333.txt or 20333.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+ https://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/3/3/20333/
+
+Produced by Matt Whittaker, Juliet Sutherland and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See
+paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works. See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+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
+
+1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+ the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+ you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is
+ owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+ has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+ Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments
+ must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+ prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+ returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+ sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+ address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+ the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+ you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+ does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+ License. You must require such a user to return or
+ destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+ and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+ Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+ money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+ electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+ of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+ distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+ Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+ Chief Executive and Director
+ gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+ https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.