23619 ---- THE ROYAL PICTURE ALPHABET OF HUMOUR AND DROLL MORAL TALES OR WORDS & THEIR MEANINGS ILLUSTRATED [Illustration] LONDON: WARD AND LOCK, 158, FLEET STREET. [Illustration: LAUGH and LEARN] [Illustration: The Royal Picture Alphabet.] POETICAL PREFACE TO THE ROYAL PICTURE ALPHABET. TO PRECEPTORS. With learning may laughter be found, "'Tis good to be merry and wise;" To gaily get over the ground, As higher and higher we rise. Some children their letters may learn, While others will surely do more, As the subjects suggestively turn To matters not thought of before. Descriptions and pictures combined Are here made attractive and clear; So suited that children may find From error the truth to appear. [Illustration] A a. +-----------------------+ | ABLUTION, | |_The Act of Cleansing_.| +-----------------------+ The little sweep has washed his face, But not as we advise: For black as soot he's made the soap, And rubbed it in his eyes. [Illustration] B b. +-------------------+ |BARTER, _Exchange_.| +-------------------+ Here's Master Mack presenting fruit, Of which he makes display; He knows he'll soon have Lucy's rope, And with it skip away. [Illustration] C c. +----------------------------+ |CATASTROPHE, _a Final Event_| | (_generally unhappy_). | +----------------------------+ "Oh here's a sad catastrophe!" Was Mrs. Blossom's cry-- Then--"Water! water! bring to me-- Or all my fish will die." [Illustration] D d. +-------------------+ | DELIGHTFUL, | |_easant, Charming_.| +-------------------+ These boys are bathing in the stream When they should be at school: The master's coming round to see Who disregards his rule. [Illustration] E e. +----------------------------+ | ECCENTRICITY, | |_Irregularity, Strangeness_.| +----------------------------+ We often see things seeming strange; But scarce so strange as this:-- Here everything is mis-applied, Here every change amiss. [Illustration] F f. +---------------------------------+ | FRAUD, | |_Deceit, Trick, Artifice, Cheat_.| +---------------------------------+ Here is Pat Murphy, fast asleep. And there is Neddy Bray: The thief a watchful eye doth keep Until he gets away. [Illustration] G g. +------------------------+ | GENIUS, | |_Mental Power, Faculty_.| +------------------------+ A little boy with little slate May sometimes make more clear The little thoughts that he would state Than can by words appear. [Illustration] H h. +----------------+ | HORROR, | |_Terror, Dread_.| +----------------+ This little harmless speckled frog Seems Lady Townsend's dread: I fear she'll run away and cry, And hide her silly head. [Illustration] I i. J j. +----------------------------+ | ICHABOD AT THE JAM. | | | |ICHABOD, _a Christian Name_.| |JAM, _a Conserve of Fruits_.| +----------------------------+ Enough is good, excess is bad: Yet Ichabod you see, Will with the jam his stomach cram, Until they disagree. [Illustration] K k. +-------------------------+ | KNOWING, | |_Conscious, Intelligent_.| +-------------------------+ Tho' horses know both beans and corn, And snuff them in the wind; They also all know Jemmy Small, And what he holds behind. [Illustration] L l. +-----------------------------+ | LUCKY, | |_Fortunate, Happy by Chance_.| +-----------------------------+ We must admire, in Lovebook's case. The prompt decision made: As he could not have gained the wood If time had been delayed. [Illustration] M m. +-----------------------+ | MIMIC, | |_Imitative, Burlesque_.| +-----------------------+ The Gentleman, who struts so fine, Unconscious seems to be Of Imitation by the boy Who has the street-door key. [Illustration] N n. +-----------------------------+ | NEGLIGENCE, | |_Heedlessness, Carelessness_.| +-----------------------------+ The character Tom Slowboy bears Would much against him tell-- For any work that's wanted done, Or even play done well. [Illustration] O o. +----------------------------+ | OBSTINACY, | |_Stubbornness, Waywardness_.| +----------------------------+ The obstinacy of the pig Is nature--as you see: But boys and girls who have a mind Should never stubborn be. [Illustration] P p. +-------------------------------+ | PETS, | |_Favourites, Spoilt Fondlings_.| +-------------------------------+ Some people say that Aunty Gray To animals is kind; We think, instead, they are over fed, And kept too much confined. [Illustration] Q q. +------------------------+ | QUANDARY, | |_A Doubt, a Difficulty_.| +------------------------+ Dame Partlet's in difficulty And looks around with doubt: Let's hope, as she some way got in, She may some way get out. [Illustration] R r. +-------------------------+ | RIVALRY, | |_Competition, Emulation_.| +-------------------------+ In every competition prize This should be kept in view-- Whoever wins should be the one Who does deserve it, too. [Illustration] S s. +---------------------------+ | SLUGGARD, | |_An Inactive, Lazy Fellow_.| +---------------------------+ To lie so many hours in bed You surely must be ill-- And need some physic, Master Ned, As birch, or draught, or pill! [Illustration] T t. +--------------------------+ | TOPSY-TURVY, | |_Upside Down, Bottom Top_.| +--------------------------+ Here's Topsy-Turvy, upside down, The ceiling seems the base: Reverse the ground and 'twill be found The things are out of place. [Illustration] U u. V v. +----------------------------------+ | UNCOMMON VEGETATION. | | | |UNCOMMON, _Rare, not Frequent_. | |VEGETATION, _the Power of Growth_.| +----------------------------------+ Th' uncommon vegetation, here, With art has much to do: The trees are nature, but the fruit Uncommon and untrue. [Illustration] W w. +---------------------------+ | WONDER, | |_Admiration, Astonishment_.| +---------------------------+ The wise may live and wonder still, However much they know, But simple Giles has wonder found Within the penny show. [Illustration] X x. +----------------------------------------+ |NO ENGLISH WORD BEGINS WITH THIS LETTER.| | XANTIPPE, | | _A Greek Matron, Wife of Socrates_. | +----------------------------------------+ Here's Socrates and Xantippe-- Philosopher and wife-- For gentleness renowned was he; She, better known for strife. [Illustration] Y y. +--------------------+ | YEARN, | |_To Grieve, to Vex_.| +--------------------+ Miss Cross has tried to reach the grapes, She's tried and tried again-- And now she's vexed to think that all Her efforts are in vain. [Illustration] Z z. +----------------------------+ | ZANY, | |_A Buffoon, a Merry Andrew_.| +----------------------------+ Here's Zany reading in a book-- With heels above his head-- And, judging by his laughing look, Finds fun in what he's read. MORAL TALES. ABLUTION.--Poor little fellow, you are certainly making comical faces: I fear the soap has got into your eyes, and that you will make that towel very black indeed. All boys, when they wash themselves, should take care to rinse off the soap and dirt before using the towel. To make the poor little sweep quite clean would take much washing. I should like to see the soap and water a little cleaner. Many of us have nice wash-stands and baths of marble, but this poor little fellow must make the best of what he can get. See how cleverly he has put a brick under the broken leg of the stool to prop it. I like to see boys clever and ingenious. BARTER.--Miss Lucy Hart was a nice girl, but rather thoughtless, little regarding any time but the present--new things in her eyes being the prettiest and the best;--thus, she would cast away old toys for new ones, as if she were not likely to want them again. See, Master George Mc Gregor is bartering for her skipping-rope; offering some fruit in exchange for it. The fruit he has picked off the tree without permission. I know Lucy's mamma will be vexed; for not only will the fruit soon be gone, and the skip-rope wanted again, but it was a present from Papa. The plaything cost far more than a little fruit, which will be quickly eaten, and possibly make Lucy unwell after so much as she has had to-day. CATASTROPHE.--Poor dear lady! has the cat tried to help himself to a gold fish, and overturned the handsome glass vase? Naughty Tom! greedy puss! I am sure kind Mrs. Blossom always feeds you well; and I think you know that you have done wrong, or you would not run so fast over the rails into Admiral Seaworth's garden, where he keeps his large dog Neptune, who may bark and send you back in a fright. Poor fish, see how they gasp!--run and fetch some water, or they will die. Men drown in water, but fish cannot live out of it. It is the nature of cats to catch mice and birds--so that we should keep our little favourites out of their reach. DELIGHTFUL.--These boys, I fear, are bathing without their parents' consent, which is very wrong, indeed. It is very pleasant in the water on a fine day; but little boys should not go there, as it might be deep, and they might become cramped in their limbs, and be drowned when no one was near, as many naughty boys have been before now. It is proper that boys should learn to swim, when with Papa or some kind friend, but not as these boys have. I feel just sure they have played the truant--as I see the village school-master, with his little dog, coming over the rustic bridge to catch them. I think that the letter D might, in this case, stand for Disobedient as well as Delightful. ECCENTRICITY.--What have we here?--a very odd, comical picture, indeed! What a strange fellow, to put his hat upon the fire, and a saucepan on his head. I do declare he has his trowsers and waistcoat on wrong side before. See, he has taken the poker for a walking-stick, put a greasy candle in the book, and the eggs upon the floor. Why a small baby-boy would not do this: the poor fellow must be out of his right mind. You may laugh at this odd picture for it is very ridiculous, and will hurt no one; but good children should never make sport of those who are deformed in mind or body, for it is not a fault but a misfortune to be so. FRAUD.--Patrick Murphy--commonly called, for shortness, Pat--was a very stupid little man; he reared pigs, and had he been sober, would have by this time saved a little property; but, no, Pat liked beer and strong drink: so that upon market-days he was far less sensible than his own jackass--which did know its way home--and for a long time took back foolish tipsy Pat safely; until one day, the roads being very bad, the cart came to a stop, and Neddy could pull no further. A rogue passing, seeing Pat asleep, unloosed the donkey from the cart, leaving Pat to awake, and much wonder what could have become of Neddy Bray, the donkey. It was very wrong of the man to take Pat's donkey, although Pat was a drunken fellow. GENIUS.--Bravo! my little Artist. I dare say if you try again you will improve upon your first attempt. All people should learn to draw, that they may be able to describe a form in a very few lines, making things intelligible at sight which could not be described in any other way. A little knowledge of drawing will lead to a love of pictures and delight in the beautiful works of nature. Giotto, a great painter, who lived many hundred years ago, was but a poor shepherd-boy, who amused himself by drawing portraits of his sheep as he tended them on the hills; from rude attempts he rose to be a great artist, whose works are treasured by kings and princes. I dare say you may some day see some of the works of Giotto, the great Italian painter. HORROR.--This drawing represents little Lady Selina Jemima Townsend as she appeared when afraid. Afraid--of what? Why, a poor tiny reptile, a harmless frog, that had jumped into her hat full of daisies, with a croak, as much as to say--"How do you do? Good morning, Lady Townsend; I am glad to see you down in the country." But what do you think she did? Why, the little lady scampered away as fast as she could to her governess, in whose dress she hid her face, crying,--saying she had seen "a nasty horrid thing." For this her governess reproved her, saying, "God created nothing in vain." Frogs are harmless and beautiful when in the water, through which they can swim and dive with wonderful ease. ICHABOD AT THE JAM.--Ichabod is an odd name, but such is the name of the little boy in the picture. He was much pampered by his parents, and never knew when he had had enough. Ichabod would cry for things to eat, then cry again because he could eat no more, and after all cry, because eating made him feel sick and ill: but that was not all; Ichabod was, I am ashamed to say, a thief. He stole the jam when his mother thought he was asleep in bed. See, Betty the maid has heard a noise, and caught the rogue in the act. To-morrow and for many days Ichabod will be ill in bed, and have to take much nasty physic. I wish he had _mis_-taken the mustard for honey, and burnt his naughty, fibbing tongue. KNOWING.--Ah! ah! Jemmy Small. I fear the steeds are too knowing for you to-day. They appear conscious: they would like the beans and corn you have in the sieve, but do not like the halter you are hiding behind your back. More than one has kicked up his heels, as much as to say--"Catch me if you can!" You seem to think, as you bite the straw in your mouth, that they may give you a pretty run. I know Bob, the pony, will not be soon caught. Horses and other animals like play much better than work, but good boys and girls ought to love both, and not require sweetmeats to induce them to do their duty--for they have intellects of a high order, and may become clever men and women. LUCKY.--Master Lovebook was indeed lucky in his escape from the Bull--and I will tell you how it happened: In going to school, this young gentleman had to go round by the wood and across the meadows, when one day he observed a savage bull making towards him; alarmed, he did not run crying anywhere, but considered one moment, and made back the shortest way to the wood, with all speed for the posts, just as the savage animal was going to toss him high in the air. Master Lovebook was unfortunate in meeting the bull, but fortunate in having the posts between him and the infuriated animal. In danger, brave little boys never cry, but think what is the best to be done. MIMIC.--To be vain of anything is not right, and to be proud of fine clothes very silly indeed. The young gentleman in the picture, I think, is vain. See, he is smoking a cigar, and if we may judge by the expression of his face, we may presume that he does not fully enjoy it. As he struts along the rude boys ridicule him. See the boy behind mimicking his airs and graces--using the handle of the door-key for an eye-glass. I fear that lad's mirth will soon be changed into sorrow--for the jug must be broken against the post, and the beer spilled--so that in turn he will be laughed at. We cannot help smiling at the little coxcomb, although at the same time we pity him. NEGLIGENCE.--Here is Tommy Slowboy, the lowest boy in the day-school, too idle to learn or even play. See how vacantly he stands gaping at the men clearing the snow from the house-tops, with his hand in his pocket because he has lost his glove, having placed the hot shoulder of mutton down in the cold snow. No wonder the first dog passing helps itself to the joint. Tom will not only be chid, but have to go without his dinner. Yet, what cares Tom for scolding or anything else, he who is so neglectful of duty? Mind that you strive to learn early, that you may become wise and happy hereafter. Look at the picture of Tommy Slowboy, and avoid apathy and indolence. OBSTINACY.--Obstinacy is a sad thing. See the naughty Pig in the picture, how he pulls in the opposite direction. Master Pig will be obliged to go into the sty, and very likely get the whip for his pains; like a wayward child that gets chid for disobedience. I hope there are very few disobedient young ladies and gentlemen, like the perverse pig. The pig is a stupid animal: but I have heard of a learned pig that could tell his letters, pointing to them with his snout; but most swine are dirty in their ways, and not at all particular--little caring so long as they can eat, grunt, and sleep. The pig will often lie in the dirtiest corner of his house, and stand in its trough of food. PETS.--Here is a portrait of Aunt Gray feeding her Pets, or rather stuffing the poor monkey. Some people say Miss Gray is kind to animals, but I do not think so, for she keeps her pets prisoners--feeding them too much, and all for her own pleasure, until they become like spoilt children, peevish, and always wanting sweet things. Kind children love animals, and delight to see them free. In the Zoological Gardens animals are not pets; they have there plenty of room, and are nicely kept for our instruction. See, poor Jacko, the monkey, has grown too fat to leap, as in his native woods he used, from bough to bough. The poor gold fish have hardly room to turn in their glass prison: how they would enjoy a swim in the garden pond! QUANDARY.--Poor Dame Partlet having got into the back yard cannot get out again. She is in a Quandary, for she fears the dogs will bite her--though their chains are not long enough. Keeper, the mastiff, is a noble fellow, and would not hurt women or children; neither would Nero, the bull-dog; he would rather face a lion or a wild ox: whilst Snap, the terrier, barks and snarls in the company of his brave companions. Little boys and girls should not touch strange dogs, for they sometimes snap at those who are not familiar to them. To take food from dogs is not prudent, for they growl, bite, and are ill-tempered, like a little fellow would be if deprived of his dinner, after he had tasted the first morsel. RIVALRY.--To compete for good is famous--such as little boys rivalling one another in a race up the Ladder of Learning--that is exercise of the mind. Here we have a picture of country boys exercising their strength--climbing up a pole covered with grease, for a prize of food for the body. The boy that wins the leg of mutton will be the hero of the fair, and be carried round the place on the shoulders of the men. See how they strive and tear to win the prize. I should not wonder if they all slipped down together, notwithstanding the encouraging cheers of the crowd. See how the man on the housetop swings his hat in the air, and the people applaud. A few inches higher, and the prize is won. SLUGGARD.--Heavy-headed, sleepy Ned, awake, arise! You lazy fellow! Look at the clock! Eight hours' rest is enough for any little boy--and here you have taken nearly fourteen. All Sluggards should get their slates, and calculate how much time they waste every year--weeks that can never be regained. If you only lie in bed two hours later than you should every day, you lose more than one day in a week, or sixty-four days in the course of the year: which, at the end of seventy years, would be awful indeed! Twelve whole years lost! Lazy, idle people, never seem to have time for anything: industrious ones, time for anything and everything. I hope when little Ned sees his portrait he will be shocked with his appearance, and reform his ways. TOPSY-TURVY.--Well, of all the funny pictures in this droll book I think this the drollest--a big letter T resting on its top on the ceiling, like in an overturned doll's house, or a view taken by an artist standing upon his head. Turn it over, and see how comical it looks--everything appears to have lost its gravity. _Gravity_ means the power that holds us to the earth (as Papa's loadstone attracts the needle): if it were not for gravity, we could not move about. Some day you shall read in that nice book called the "Evenings at Home," about gravity, and why an apple falls to the ground. A great philosopher, Sir Isaac Newton, discovered why, as he lay under a tree. At a future time you will learn about gravity and many other things. UNCOMMON VEGETATION.--Uncle Periwinkle was very kind; he loved nature and his nephews dearly. He wore green spectacles, a dressing-gown all covered with leaves, and a large straw hat; in fact he was very fond of gardening, and reared all kinds of odd plants--this his nephews knew, and determined to play a joke upon him--not a cruel, heartless joke, that would hurt or destroy anything: no! they were too kind for that. They only carefully tied the carpenter's planes upon the plane-tree, as if it were fruit--and some little boxes of all colours upon the box-tree, like blossom; so that when the old gentleman beheld it, he exclaimed--"Uncommon Vegetation!" upon which John and Walter came laughing out of the greenhouse to receive a bunch of fine grapes for their pleasant joke. WONDER.--So, Master Ploughboy Giles, you are spending your penny and your holiday at the fair. You seem not a little astonished at what you have seen in that peep-show. Surely you cannot imagine that they are real; it is the magnifying power of the glasses that makes the pictures appear so large. The pyramids of Egypt are the largest stone buildings in the world, and the oldest; the Behemoth, a huge animal that existed thousands of years ago (but I do not think it had wings like a butterfly, as in the showman's picture); Daniel Lambert was an enormously fat man, who died a long time back. All these things must be in miniature if they are to be seen in that small box, very little larger than a dog's house. XANTIPPE.--The comical event pictured here occurred more than two thousand years ago: Xantippe, the wife of the great and good philosopher Socrates, continually tormented him with her ill-humour--using him very cruelly--one day emptying a vessel of dirty water over her celebrated husband, whom she ought to have loved: he only remarked, that "after thunder there generally falls rain." Socrates lived in the refined city of Athens; he was one of the most eminent philosophers of Greece; he was very plain in person, as you perceive by the picture: but a man may be great and good, yet ugly, as Socrates was. The philosopher had enemies who sought his destruction; he was killed with poison. After his death his accusers were despised, as you will read in ancient history some day. YEARN.--What have we here? Little Miss Cross vexed, just because she cannot get at the grapes. I am sure I should not like to have my portrait drawn with such a sullen face. She has been trying to take fruit without her aunt's permission, that very likely is unripe and improper for her. The walk in a delightful garden ought not to make her long to eat all the fruit she sets eyes upon, or wish to pick the sweet flowers, that last much longer upon the plants than when plucked. I perceive that the peevish young lady in the picture has been picking the flowers. See, they are strewn upon the seat beside her, under those dirty feet that have trodden down the beds of mould. I am afraid Miss Cross cannot be a joyous, happy child, because disobedient. ZANY.--Finis is the Latin word for finish, and here it is the last droll picture--a Zany laughing at his portrait in this comical book, which he seems vastly to enjoy. What a droll fellow, to read with his head where his heels should be, like the clown in the pantomime. Look at his staff, the cock and bells, with which he dances, making a jingling noise. A Zany is not an idiot, but often a funny clever fellow, paid to make people laugh. We all like a good laugh sometimes. Many years ago kings used to keep jesters to amuse the company; King Henry the Eighth had a clever jester, called Will Somers, whose portrait was painted by a great artist named Holbein, which is now in the palace at Hampton Court, and may be seen by those who love pictures. 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As a handbook for the instruction of youth, it would be difficult to surpass it."--_Derby Mercury._ * * * * * Second Edition, Revised by the Author. THE STEAM ENGINE: ITS HISTORY AND MECHANISM. Being Descriptions and Illustrations of the Stationary, Locomotive, and Marine Engine. By ROBERT SCOTT BURN. Demy 8vo, 200 pp., cloth, 3s. *.* A most perfect compendium of everything appertaining to the Steam Engine. Mr. BURN treats his subjects in a thoroughly practical and popular manner, so that he who runs may read, and also understand. "Mr. BURN's History of the Steam Engine treats an interesting subject in an admirably intelligible manner, and is illustrated by some excellent Diagrams. This is a book for the general reader, and deserves a wide circulation."--_Leader._ * * * * * Third Edition, Revised. THE ILLUSTRATED PRACTICAL GEOMETRY. Edited by ROBERT SCOTT BURN, Editor of the "Illustrated Drawing Book." Demy 8vo, cloth, 2s. "Suited to the youthful mind, and calculated to assist Instructors, filled as it is with really good Diagrams and Drawings elucidatory of the text."--_Globe._ * * * * * LONDON: WARD AND LOCK, 158, FLEET STREET AND ALL BOOKSELLERS. 2646 ---- JOHN LEECH'S PICTURES OF LIFE AND CHARACTER By William Makepeace Thackeray * Reprinted from the Quarterly Review, No. 191, Dec. 1854, by permission of Mr. John Murray. We, who can recall the consulship of Plancus, and quite respectable, old-fogyfied times, remember amongst other amusements which we had as children the pictures at which we were permitted to look. There was Boydell's Shakspeare, black and ghastly gallery of murky Opies, glum Northcotes, straddling Fuselis! there were Lear, Oberon, Hamlet, with starting muscles, rolling eyeballs, and long pointing quivering fingers; there was little Prince Arthur (Northcote) crying, in white satin, and bidding good Hubert not put out his eyes; there was Hubert crying; there was little Rutland being run through the poor little body by bloody Clifford; there was Cardinal Beaufort (Reynolds) gnashing his teeth, and grinning and howling demoniacally on his death-bed (a picture frightful to the present day); there was Lady Hamilton (Romney) waving a torch, and dancing before a black background,--a melancholy museum indeed. Smirke's delightful "Seven Ages" only fitfully relieved its general gloom. We did not like to inspect it unless the elders were present, and plenty of lights and company were in the room. Cheerful relatives used to treat us to Miss Linwood's. Let the children of the present generation thank their stars THAT tragedy is put out of their way. Miss Linwood's was worsted-work. Your grandmother or grandaunts took you there and said the pictures were admirable. You saw "the Woodman" in worsted, with his axe and dog, trampling through the snow; the snow bitter cold to look at, the woodman's pipe wonderful: a gloomy piece, that made you shudder. There were large dingy pictures of woollen martyrs, and scowling warriors with limbs strongly knitted; there was especially, at the end of a black passage, a den of lions, that would frighten any boy not born in Africa, or Exeter 'Change, and accustomed to them. Another exhibition used to be West's Gallery, where the pleasing figures of Lazarus in his grave-clothes, and Death on the pale horse, used to impress us children. The tombs of Westminster Abbey, the vaults at St. Paul's, the men in armor at the Tower, frowning ferociously out of their helmets, and wielding their dreadful swords; that superhuman Queen Elizabeth at the end of the room, a livid sovereign with glass eyes, a ruff, and a dirty satin petticoat, riding a horse covered with steel: who does not remember these sights in London in the consulship of Plancus? and the wax-work in Fleet Street, not like that of Madame Tussaud's, whose chamber of death is gay and brilliant; but a nice old gloomy wax-work, full of murderers; and as a chief attraction, the Dead Baby and the Princess Charlotte lying in state? Our story-books had no pictures in them for the most part. Frank (dear old Frank!) had none; nor the "Parent's Assistant;" nor the "Evenings at Home;" nor our copy of the "Ami des Enfans:" there were a few just at the end of the Spelling-Book; besides the allegory at the beginning, of Education leading up Youth to the temple of Industry, where Dr. Dilworth and Professor Walkinghame stood with crowns of laurel. There were, we say, just a few pictures at the end of the Spelling-Book, little oval gray woodcuts of Bewick's, mostly of the Wolf and the Lamb, the Dog and the Shadow, and Brown, Jones, and Robinson with long ringlets and little tights; but for pictures, so to speak, what had we? The rough old wood-blocks in the old harlequin-backed fairy-books had served hundreds of years; before OUR Plancus, in the time of Priscus Plancus--in Queen Anne's time, who knows? We were flogged at school; we were fifty boys in our boarding-house, and had to wash in a leaden trough, under a cistern, with lumps of fat yellow soap floating about in the ice and water. Are OUR sons ever flogged? Have they not dressing-rooms, hair-oil, hip-baths, and Baden towels? And what picture-books the young villains have! What have these children done that they should be so much happier than we were? We had the "Arabian Nights" and Walter Scott, to be sure. Smirke's illustrations to the former are very fine. We did not know how good they were then; but we doubt whether we did not prefer the little old "Miniature Library Nights" with frontispieces by Uwins; for THESE books the pictures don't count. Every boy of imagination does his own pictures to Scott and the "Arabian Nights" best. Of funny pictures there were none especially intended for us children. There was Rowlandson's "Doctor Syntax": Doctor Syntax in a fuzz-wig, on a horse with legs like sausages, riding races, making love, frolicking with rosy exuberant damsels. Those pictures were very funny, and that aquatinting and the gay-colored plates very pleasant to witness; but if we could not read the poem in those days, could we digest it in this? Nevertheless, apart from the text which we could not master, we remember Doctor Syntax pleasantly, like those cheerful painted hieroglyphics in the Nineveh Court at Sydenham. What matter for the arrow-head, illegible stuff? give us the placid grinning kings, twanging their jolly bows over their rident horses, wounding those good-humored enemies, who tumble gayly off the towers, or drown, smiling, in the dimpling waters, amidst the anerithmon gelasma of the fish. After Doctor Syntax, the apparition of Corinthian Tom, Jerry Hawthorn, and the facetious Bob Logic must be recorded--a wondrous history indeed theirs was! When the future student of our manners comes to look over the pictures and the writing of these queer volumes, what will he think of our society, customs, and language in the consulship of Plancus? "Corinthian," it appears, was the phrase applied to men of fashion and ton in Plancus's time: they were the brilliant predecessors of the "swell" of the present period--brilliant, but somewhat barbarous, it must be confessed. The Corinthians were in the habit of drinking a great deal too much in Tom Cribb's parlor: they used to go and see "life" in the gin-shops; of nights, walking home (as well as they could), they used to knock down "Charleys," poor harmless old watchmen with lanterns, guardians of the streets of Rome, Planco Consule. They perpetrated a vast deal of boxing; they put on the "mufflers" in Jackson's rooms; they "sported their prads" in the Ring in the Park; they attended cock-fights, and were enlightened patrons of dogs and destroyers of rats. Besides these sports, the delassemens of gentlemen mixing with the people, our patricians, of course, occasionally enjoyed the society of their own class. What a wonderful picture that used to be of Corinthian Tom dancing with Corinthian Kate at Almack's! What a prodigious dress Kate wore! With what graceful ABANDON the pair flung their arms about as they swept through the mazy quadrille, with all the noblemen standing round in their stars and uniforms! You may still, doubtless, see the pictures at the British Museum, or find the volumes in the corner of some old country-house library. You are led to suppose that the English aristocracy of 1820 DID dance and caper in that way, and box and drink at Tom Cribb's, and knock down watchmen; and the children of to-day, turning to their elders, may say "Grandmamma, did you wear such a dress as that, when you danced at Almack's? There was very little of it, grandmamma. Did grandpapa kill many watchmen when he was a young man, and frequent thieves' gin-shops, cock-fights, and the ring, before you married him? Did he use to talk the extraordinary slang and jargon which is printed in this book? He is very much changed. He seems a gentlemanly old boy enough now." In the above-named consulate, when WE had grandfathers alive, there would be in the old gentleman's library in the country two or three old mottled portfolios, or great swollen scrap-books of blue paper, full of the comic prints of grandpapa's time, ere Plancus ever had the fasces borne before him. These prints were signed Gilray, Bunbury, Rowlandson, Woodward, and some actually George Cruikshank--for George is a veteran now, and he took the etching needle in hand as a child. He caricatured "Boney," borrowing not a little from Gilray in his first puerile efforts. He drew Louis XVIII. trying on Boney's boots. Before the century was actually in its teens we believe that George Cruikshank was amusing the public. In those great colored prints in our grandfathers' portfolios in the library, and in some other apartments of the house, where the caricatures used to be pasted in those days, we found things quite beyond our comprehension. Boney was represented as a fierce dwarf, with goggle eyes, a huge laced hat and tricolored plume, a crooked sabre, reeking with blood: a little demon revelling in lust, murder, massacre. John Bull was shown kicking him a good deal: indeed he was prodigiously kicked all through that series of pictures; by Sidney Smith and our brave allies the gallant Turks; by the excellent and patriotic Spaniards; by the amiable and indignant Russians,--all nations had boots at the service of poor Master Boney. How Pitt used to defy him! How good old George, King of Brobdingnag, laughed at Gulliver-Boney, sailing about in his tank to make sport for their Majesties! This little fiend, this beggar's brat, cowardly, murderous, and atheistic as he was (we remember, in those old portfolios, pictures representing Boney and his family in rags, gnawing raw bones in a Corsican hut; Boney murdering the sick at Jaffa; Boney with a hookah and a large turban, having adopted the Turkish religion, &c.)--this Corsican monster, nevertheless, had some devoted friends in England, according to the Gilray chronicle,--a set of villains who loved atheism, tyranny, plunder, and wickedness in general, like their French friend. In the pictures these men were all represented as dwarfs, like their ally. The miscreants got into power at one time, and, if we remember right, were called the Broad-backed Administration. One with shaggy eyebrows and a bristly beard, the hirsute ringleader of the rascals, was, it appears, called Charles James Fox; another miscreant, with a blotched countenance, was a certain Sheridan; other imps were hight Erskine, Norfolk (Jockey of), Moira, Henry Petty. As in our childish, innocence we used to look at these demons, now sprawling and tipsy in their cups; now scaling heaven, from which the angelic Pitt hurled them down; now cursing the light (their atrocious ringleader Fox was represented with hairy cloven feet, and a tail and horns); now kissing Boney's boot, but inevitably discomfited by Pitt and the other good angels: we hated these vicious wretches, as good children should; we were on the side of Virtue and Pitt and Grandpapa. But if our sisters wanted to look at the portfolios, the good old grandfather used to hesitate. There were some prints among them very odd indeed; some that girls could not understand; some that boys, indeed, had best not see. We swiftly turn over those prohibited pages. How many of them there were in the wild, coarse, reckless, ribald, generous book of old English humor! How savage the satire was--how fierce the assault--what garbage hurled at opponents--what foul blows were hit--what language of Billingsgate flung! Fancy a party in a country-house now looking over Woodward's facetiae or some of the Gilray comicalities, or the slatternly Saturnalia of Rowlandson! Whilst we live we must laugh, and have folks to make us laugh. We cannot afford to lose Satyr with his pipe and dances and gambols. But we have washed, combed, clothed, and taught the rogue good manners: or rather, let us say, he has learned them himself; for he is of nature soft and kindly, and he has put aside his mad pranks and tipsy habits; and, frolicsome always, has become gentle and harmless, smitten into shame by he pure presence of our women and the sweet confiding smiles of our children. Among the veterans, the old pictorial satirists, we have mentioned the famous name of one humorous designer who is still alive and at work. Did we not see, by his own hand, his own portrait of his own famous face, and whiskers, in the Illustrated London News the other day? There was a print in that paper of an assemblage of Teetotalers in "Sadler's Wells Theatre," and we straightway recognized the old Roman hand--the old Roman's of the time of Plancus--George Cruikshank's. There were the old bonnets and droll faces and shoes, and short trousers, and figures of 1820 sure enough. And there was George (who has taken to the water-doctrine, as all the world knows) handing some teetotal cresses over a plank to the table where the pledge was being administered. How often has George drawn that picture of Cruikshank! Where haven't we seen it? How fine it was, facing the effigy of Mr. Ainsworth in Ainsworth's Magazine when George illustrated that periodical! How grand and severe he stands in that design in G. C.'s "Omnibus," where he represents himself tonged like St. Dunstan, and tweaking a wretch of a publisher by the nose! The collectors of George's etchings--oh the charming etchings!--oh the dear old "German Popular Tales!"--the capital "Points of Humor"--the delightful "Phrenology" and "Scrap-books," of the good time, OUR time--Plancus's in fact!--the collectors of the Georgian etchings, we say, have at least a hundred pictures of the artist. Why, we remember him in his favorite Hessian boots in "Tom and Jerry" itself; and in woodcuts as far back as the Queen's trial. He has rather deserted satire and comedy of late years, having turned his attention to the serious, and warlike, and sublime. Having confessed our age and prejudices, we prefer the comic and fanciful to the historic, romantic, and at present didactic George. May respect, and length of days, and comfortable repose attend the brave, honest, kindly, pure-minded artist, humorist, moralist! It was he first who brought English pictorial humor and children acquainted. Our young people and their fathers and mothers owe him many a pleasant hour and harmless laugh. Is there no way in which the country could acknowledge the long services and brave career of such a friend and benefactor? Since George's time humor has been converted. Comus and his wicked satyrs and leering fauns have disappeared, and fled into the lowest haunts; and Comus's lady (if she had a taste for humor, which may be doubted) might take up our funny picture-books without the slightest precautionary squeamishness. What can be purer than the charming fancies of Richard Doyle? In all Mr. Punch's huge galleries can't we walk as safely as through Miss Pinkerton's schoolrooms? And as we look at Mr. Punch's pictures, at the Illustrated News pictures, at all the pictures in the book-shop windows at this Christmas season, as oldsters, we feel a certain pang of envy against the youngsters--they are too well off. Why hadn't WE picture-books? Why were we flogged so? A plague on the lictors and their rods in the time of Plancus! And now, after this rambling preface, we are arrived at the subject in hand--Mr. John Leech and his "Pictures of Life and Character," in the collection of Mr. Punch. This book is better than plum-cake at Christmas. It is an enduring plum-cake, which you may eat and which you may slice and deliver to your friends; and to which, having cut it, you may come again and welcome, from year's end to year's end. In the frontispiece you see Mr. Punch examining the pictures in his gallery--a portly, well-dressed, middle-aged, respectable gentleman, in a white neck-cloth, and a polite evening costume--smiling in a very bland and agreeable manner upon one of his pleasant drawings, taken out of one of his handsome portfolios. Mr. Punch has very good reason to smile at the work and be satisfied with the artist. Mr. Leech, his chief contributor, and some kindred humorists, with pencil and pen have served Mr. Punch admirably. Time was, if we remember Mr. P.'s history rightly, that he did not wear silk stockings nor well-made clothes (the little dorsal irregularity in his figure is almost an ornament now, so excellent a tailor has he). He was of humble beginnings. It is said he kept a ragged little booth, which he put up at corners of streets; associated with beadles, policemen, his own ugly wife (whom he treated most scandalously), and persons in a low station of life; earning a precarious livelihood by the cracking of wild jokes, the singing of ribald songs, and halfpence extorted from passers-by. He is the Satyric genius we spoke of anon: he cracks his jokes still, for satire must live; but he is combed, washed, neatly clothed, and perfectly presentable. He goes into the very best company; he keeps a stud at Melton; he has a moor in Scotland; he rides in the Park; has his stall at the Opera; is constantly dining out at clubs and in private society; and goes every night in the season to balls and parties, where you see the most beautiful women possible. He is welcomed amongst his new friends the great; though, like the good old English gentleman of the song, he does not forget the small. He pats the heads of street boys and girls; relishes the jokes of Jack the costermonger and Bob the dustman; good-naturedly spies out Molly the cook flirting with policeman X, or Mary the nursemaid as she listens to the fascinating guardsman. He used rather to laugh at guardsmen, "plungers," and other military men; and was until latter days very contemptuous in his behavior towards Frenchmen. He has a natural antipathy to pomp, and swagger, and fierce demeanor. But now that the guardsmen are gone to war, and the dandies of "The Rag"--dandies no more--are battling like heroes at Balaklava and Inkermann* by the side of their heroic allies, Mr. Punch's laughter is changed to hearty respect and enthusiasm. It is not against courage and honor he wars: but this great moralist--must it be owned?--has some popular British prejudices, and these led him in peace time to laugh at soldiers and Frenchmen. If those hulking footmen who accompanied the carriages to the opening of Parliament the other day, would form a plush brigade, wear only gunpowder in their hair, and strike with their great canes on the enemy, Mr. Punch would leave off laughing at Jeames, who meanwhile remains among us, to all outward appearance regardless of satire, and calmly consuming his five meals per diem. Against lawyers, beadles, bishops and clergy, and authorities, Mr. Punch is still rather bitter. At the time of the Papal aggression he was prodigiously angry; and one of the chief misfortunes which happened to him at that period was that, through the violent opinions which he expressed regarding the Roman Catholic hierarchy, he lost the invaluable services, the graceful pencil, the harmless wit, the charming fancy of Mr. Doyle. Another member of Mr. Punch's cabinet, the biographer of Jeames, the author of the "Snob Papers," resigned his functions on account of Mr. Punch's assaults upon the present Emperor of the French nation, whose anger Jeames thought it was unpatriotic to arouse. Mr. Punch parted with these contributors: he filled their places with others as good. The boys at the railroad stations cried Punch just as cheerily, and sold just as many numbers, after these events as before. * This was written in 1854. There is no blinking the fact that in Mr. Punch's cabinet John Leech is the right-hand man. Fancy a number of Punch without Leech's pictures! What would you give for it? The learned gentlemen who write the work must feel that, without him, it were as well left alone. Look at the rivals whom the popularity of Punch has brought into the field; the direct imitators of Mr. Leech's manner--the artists with a manner of their own--how inferior their pencils are to his in humor, in depicting the public manners, in arresting, amusing the nation. The truth, the strength, the free vigor, the kind humor, the John Bull pluck and spirit of that hand are approached by no competitor. With what dexterity he draws a horse, a woman, a child! He feels them all, so to speak, like a man. What plump young beauties those are with which Mr. Punch's chief contributor supplies the old gentleman's pictorial harem! What famous thews and sinews Mr. Punch's horses have, and how Briggs, on the back of them, scampers across country! You see youth, strength, enjoyment, manliness in those drawings, and in none more so, to our thinking, than in the hundred pictures of children which this artist loves to design. Like a brave, hearty, good-natured Briton, he becomes quite soft and tender with the little creatures, pats gently their little golden heads, and watches with unfailing pleasure their ways, their sports, their jokes, laughter, caresses. Enfans terribles come home from Eton; young Miss practising her first flirtation; poor little ragged Polly making dirt-pies in the gutter, or staggering under the weight of Jacky, her nursechild, who is as big as herself--all these little ones, patrician and plebeian, meet with kindness from this kind heart, and are watched with curious nicety by this amiable observer. We remember, in one of those ancient Gilray portfolios, a print which used to cause a sort of terror in us youthful spectators, and in which the Prince of Wales (his Royal Highness was a Foxite then) was represented as sitting alone in a magnificent hall after a voluptuous meal, and using a great steel fork in the guise of a toothpick. Fancy the first young gentleman living employing such a weapon in such a way! The most elegant Prince of Europe engaged with a two-pronged iron fork--the heir of Britannia with a BIDENT! The man of genius who drew that picture saw little of the society which he satirized and amused. Gilray watched public characters as they walked by the shop in St. James's Street, or passed through the lobby of the House of Commons. His studio was a garret, or little better; his place of amusement a tavern-parlor, where his club held its nightly sittings over their pipes and sanded floor. You could not have society represented by men to whom it was not familiar. When Gavarni came to England a few years since--one of the wittiest of men, one of the most brilliant and dexterous of draughtsmen--he published a book of "Les Anglais," and his Anglais were all Frenchmen. The eye, so keen and so long practised to observe Parisian life, could not perceive English character. A social painter must be of the world which he depicts, and native to the manners which he portrays. Now, any one who looks over Mr. Leech's portfolio must see that the social pictures which he gives us are authentic. What comfortable little drawing-rooms and dining-rooms, what snug libraries we enter; what fine young-gentlemanly wags they are, those beautiful little dandies who wake up gouty old grandpapa to ring the bell; who decline aunt's pudding and custards, saying that they will reserve themselves for an anchovy toast with the claret; who talk together in ball-room doors, where Fred whispers Charley--pointing to a dear little partner seven years old--"My dear Charley, she has very much gone off; you should have seen that girl last season!" Look well at everything appertaining to the economy of the famous Mr. Briggs: how snug, quiet, appropriate all the appointments are! What a comfortable, neat, clean, middle-class house Briggs's is (in the Bayswater suburb of London, we should guess from the sketches of the surrounding scenery)! What a good stable he has, with a loose box for those celebrated hunters which he rides! How pleasant, clean, and warm his breakfast-table looks! What a trim little maid brings in the top-boots which horrify Mrs. B! What a snug dressing-room he has, complete in all its appointments, and in which he appears trying on the delightful hunting-cap which Mrs. Briggs flings into the fire! How cosy all the Briggs party seem in their dining-room: Briggs reading a Treatise on Dog-breaking by a lamp; Mamma and Grannie with their respective needleworks; the children clustering round a great book of prints--a great book of prints such as this before us, which, at this season, must make thousands of children happy by as many firesides! The inner life of all these people is represented: Leech draws them as naturally as Teniers depicts Dutch boors, or Morland pigs and stables. It is your house and mine: we are looking at everybody's family circle. Our boys coming from school give themselves such airs, the young scapegraces! our girls, going to parties, are so tricked out by fond mammas--a social history of London in the middle of the nineteenth century. As such, future students--lucky they to have a book so pleasant--will regard these pages: even the mutations of fashion they may follow here if they be so inclined. Mr. Leech has as fine an eye for tailory and millinery as for horse-flesh. How they change those cloaks and bonnets. How we have to pay milliners' bills from year to year! Where are those prodigious chatelaines of 1850 which no lady could be without? Where those charming waistcoats, those "stunning" waistcoats, which our young girls used to wear a few brief seasons back, and which cause 'Gus, in the sweet little sketch of "La Mode," to ask Ellen for her tailor's address. 'Gus is a young warrior by this time, very likely facing the enemy at Inkerman; and pretty Ellen, and that love of a sister of hers, are married and happy, let us hope, superintending one of those delightful nursery scenes which our artist depicts with such tender humor. Fortunate artist, indeed! You see he must have been bred at a good public school; that he has ridden many a good horse in his day; paid, no doubt, out of his own purse for the originals of some of those lovely caps and bonnets; and watched paternally the ways, smiles, frolics, and slumbers of his favorite little people. As you look at the drawings, secrets come out of them,--private jokes, as it were, imparted to you by the author for your special delectation. How remarkably, for instance, has Mr. Leech observed the hair-dressers of the present age! Look at "Mr. Tongs," whom that hideous old bald woman, who ties on her bonnet at the glass, informs that "she has used the whole bottle of Balm of California, but her hair comes off yet." You can see the bear's-grease not only on Tongs's head but on his hands, which he is clapping clammily together. Remark him who is telling his client "there is cholera in the hair;" and that lucky rogue whom the young lady bids to cut off "a long thick piece"--for somebody, doubtless. All these men are different, and delightfully natural and absurd. Why should hair-dressing be an absurd profession? The amateur will remark what an excellent part hands play in Mr. Leech's pieces: his admirable actors use them with perfect naturalness. Look at Betty, putting the urn down; at cook, laying her hands on the kitchen table, whilst her policeman grumbles at the cold meat. They are cook's and housemaid's hands without mistake, and not without a certain beauty too. The bald old lady, who is tying her bonnet at Tongs's, has hands which you see are trembling. Watch the fingers of the two old harridans who are talking scandal: for what long years past they have pointed out holes in their neighbors' dresses and mud on their flounces. "Here's a go! I've lost my diamond ring." As the dustman utters this pathetic cry, and looks at his hand, you burst out laughing. These are among the little points of humor. One could indicate hundreds of such as one turns over the pleasant pages. There is a little snob or gent, whom we all of us know, who wears little tufts on his little chin, outrageous pins and pantaloons, smokes cigars on tobacconists' counters, sucks his cane in the streets, struts about with Mrs. Snob and the baby (Mrs. S. an immense woman, whom Snob nevertheless bullies), who is a favorite abomination of Leech, and pursued by that savage humorist into a thousand of his haunts. There he is, choosing waistcoats at the tailor's--such waistcoats! Yonder he is giving a shilling to the sweeper who calls him "Capting;" now he is offering a paletot to a huge giant who is going out in the rain. They don't know their own pictures, very likely; if they did, they would have a meeting, and thirty or forty of them would be deputed to thrash Mr. Leech. One feels a pity for the poor little bucks. In a minute or two, when we close this discourse and walk the streets, we shall see a dozen such. Ere we shut the desk up, just one word to point out to the unwary specially to note the backgrounds of landscapes in Leech's drawings--homely drawings of moor and wood, and seashore and London street--the scenes of his little dramas. They are as excellently true to nature as the actors themselves; our respect for the genius and humor which invented both increases as we look and look again at the designs. May we have more of them; more pleasant Christmas volumes, over which we and our children can laugh together. Can we have too much of truth, and fun, and beauty, and kindness? 34588 ---- Production Notes: All obvious punctuation errors have been corrected. Pg. 22. A period was removed from the end of the title to conform to the pattern of the other title pages. * * * * * SOME OF ÆSOP'S FABLES WITH MODERN INSTANCES [Illustration] SOME OF ÆSOP'S FABLES WITH MODERN INSTANCES SHEWN IN DESIGNS BY RANDOLPH CALDECOTT FROM NEW TRANSLATIONS BY ALFRED CALDECOTT, M.A. THE ENGRAVINGS BY J.D. COOPER London MACMILLAN AND CO. 1883 _Printed by_ R. & R. CLARK, _Edinburgh_. INDEX. NUMBER PAGE I. THE FOX AND THE CROW 1 II. THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN 5 III. THE FISHERMAN AND THE LITTLE FISH 9 IV. THE JACKDAW AND THE DOVES 13 V. THE COPPERSMITH AND HIS PUPPY 17 VI. THE FROGS DESIRING A KING 21 VII. THE DOG AND THE WOLF 25 VIII. THE STAG LOOKING INTO THE WATER 29 IX. THE FROGS AND THE FIGHTING BULLS 33 X. THE LION AND OTHER BEASTS 37 XI. THE FOX AND THE STORK 41 XII. THE HORSE AND THE STAG 45 XIII. THE COCK AND THE JEWEL 49 XIV. THE ASS, THE LION, AND THE COCK 53 XV. THE WOLF AND THE LAMB 57 XVI. THE MAN AND HIS TWO WIVES 61 XVII. THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL 65 XVIII. THE EAGLE AND THE FOX 69 XIX. THE OX AND THE FROG 73 XX. THE HAWK CHASING THE DOVE 77 NOTE. Sixteen of these Twenty Fables have been handed down to us in a Greek form: for these Halm's text has been used. As to the other four--Number IX. is from Phaedrus, and retains a flavour of artificiality; Numbers XIII. and XX. are from Latin versions; and Number X. is from a French one. The Translations aim at replacing the florid style of our older English versions, and the stilted harshness of more modern ones, by a plainness and terseness more nearly like the character of the originals. In the following cases the Translations have been adapted to the Designs. In Number I. _cheese_ has been put for _meat_; in Number VIII. a _pack of Hounds_ for a _Lion_; in Number XI. a _Stork_ for a _Crane_; in Number XIX. a _Frog_ for a _Toad_; and in Number VII. the Dog should be _tied up_. The reason of this is, that in the collaboration the Designer and Translator have not been on terms of equal authority; the former has stood unshakeably by English tradition, and has had his own way. A.C. [Illustration] [Illustration] THE FOX AND THE CROW [Illustration] THE FOX AND THE CROW. A Crow stole a piece of cheese and alighted with it on a tree. A Fox watched her, and wishing to get hold of the cheese stood underneath and began to make compliments upon her size and beauty; he went so far as to say that she had the best of claims to be made Queen of the Birds, and doubtless it would have been done if she had only had a voice. The Crow, anxious to prove to him that she did possess a voice, began to caw vigorously, of course dropping the cheese. The Fox pounced upon it and carried it off, remarking as he went away, "My good friend Crow, you have every good quality: now try to get some common sense." [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN [Illustration] THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN. An Ass who had dressed himself up in a Lion's skin was mistaken by everybody for a lion, and there was a stampede of both herds and men. But presently the skin was whisked off by a gust of wind, and the Ass stood exposed; and then the men all charged at him, and with sticks and cudgels gave him a sound drubbing. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE FISHERMAN AND THE LITTLE FISH [Illustration] THE FISHERMAN AND THE LITTLE FISH. A Fisherman cast his net and caught a little Fish. The little Fish begged him to let him go for the present, as he was so small, and to catch him again to more purpose later on, when he was bulkier. But the Fisherman said: "Nay, I should be a very simpleton to let go a good thing I have got and run after a doubtful expectation." [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE JACKDAW AND THE DOVES [Illustration] THE JACKDAW AND THE DOVES. A Jackdaw observing how well cared for were the Doves in a certain dovecote, whitewashed himself and went to take a part in the same way of living. The Doves were friendly enough so long as he kept silence, taking him for one of themselves; but when he once forgot himself and gave a croak they immediately perceived his character, and cuffed him out. So the Jackdaw, having failed in getting a share of good things there, returned to his brother Jackdaws. But these latter not recognising him, because of his colour, kept him out of their mess also; so that in his desire for two things he got neither. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE COPPERSMITH AND HIS PUPPY [Illustration] THE COPPERSMITH AND HIS PUPPY. A certain Coppersmith had a Puppy. While the Coppersmith was at work the Puppy lay asleep; but when meal-time came he woke up. So his master, throwing him a bone, said: "You sleepy little wretch of a Puppy, what shall I do with you, you inveterate sluggard? When I am thumping on my anvil you can go to sleep on the mat; but when I come to work my teeth immediately you are wide awake and wagging your tail at me." [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE FROGS DESIRING A KING [Illustration] THE FROGS DESIRING A KING. The Frogs were grieved at their own lawless condition, so they sent a deputation to Zeus begging him to provide them with a King. Zeus, perceiving their simplicity, dropped a Log of wood into the pool. At first the Frogs were terrified by the splash, and dived to the bottom; but after a while, seeing the Log remain motionless, they came up again, and got to despise it so much that they climbed up and sat on it. Dissatisfied with a King like that, they came again to Zeus and entreated him to change their ruler for them, the first being altogether too torpid. Then Zeus was exasperated with them, and sent them a Stork, by whom they were seized and eaten up. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE DOG AND THE WOLF [Illustration] THE DOG AND THE WOLF. A Wolf, seeing a large Dog with a collar on, asked him: "Who put that collar round your neck, and fed you to be so sleek?" "My master," answered the Dog. "Then," said the Wolf, "may no friend of mine be treated like this; a collar is as grievous as starvation." [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE STAG LOOKING INTO THE WATER [Illustration] THE STAG LOOKING INTO THE WATER. A Stag parched with thirst came to a spring of water. As he was drinking he saw his own reflection on the water, and was in raptures with his horns when he observed their splendid size and shape, but was troubled about his legs, they seemed so thin and weak. As he was still musing, some huntsmen with a pack of hounds appeared and disturbed him, whereupon the Stag took to flight, and keeping a good distance ahead so long as the plain was free from trees, he was being saved; but when he came to a woody place he got his horns entangled in the branches, and being unable to move was seized by the hounds. When he was at the point of death he said to himself: "What a fool am I, who was on the way to be saved by the very things which I thought would fail me; while by those in which I so much trusted I am brought to ruin." [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE FROGS AND THE FIGHTING BULLS [Illustration] THE FROGS AND THE FIGHTING BULLS. A Frog in his marsh looking at some Bulls fighting, exclaimed: "O dear! what sad destruction threatens us now!" Another Frog asked him why he said that, seeing that the Bulls were only fighting for the first place in the herd, and that they lived quite remote from the Frogs. "Ah," said the first, "it is true that our positions are wide apart, and we are different kinds of things, but still, the Bull who will be driven from the rule of the pasture will come to lie in hiding in the marsh, and crush us to death under his hard hoofs, so that their raging really does closely concern the lives of you and me." [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE LION AND OTHER BEASTS [Illustration] THE LION AND OTHER BEASTS. The Lion one day went out hunting along with three other Beasts, and they caught a Stag. With the consent of the others the Lion divided it, and he cut it into four equal portions; but when the others were going to take hold of their shares, "Gently, my friends," said the Lion; "the first of these portions is mine, as one of the party; the second also is mine, because of my rank among beasts; the third you will yield me as a tribute to my courage and nobleness of character; while, as to the fourth,--why, if any one wishes to dispute with me for it, let him begin, and we shall soon see whose it will be." [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE FOX AND THE STORK [Illustration] THE FOX AND THE STORK. The Fox poured out some rich soup upon a flat dish, tantalising the Stork, and making him look ridiculous, for the soup, being a liquid, foiled all the efforts of his slender beak. In return for this, when the Stork invited the Fox, he brought the dinner on the table in a jug with a long narrow neck, so that while he himself easily inserted his beak and took his fill, the Fox was unable to do the same, and so was properly paid off. [Illustration: "Frame 1: "With Mr Fox's respects & many happy returns of the day" Frame 2: "With Mrs Stork's kind regards and the compliments of the season"] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE HORSE AND THE STAG [Illustration] THE HORSE AND THE STAG. There was a Horse who had a meadow all to himself until a Stag came and began to injure the pasture. The Horse, eager to punish the Stag, asked a man whether there was any way of combining to do this. "Certainly," said the Man, "if you don't object to a bridle and to my mounting you with javelins in my hand." The Horse agreed, and was mounted by the Man; but, instead of being revenged on the Stag, he himself became a servant to the Man. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE COCK AND THE JEWEL [Illustration] THE COCK AND THE JEWEL. A Barn-door Cock while scratching up his dunghill came upon a Jewel. "Oh, why," said he, "should I find this glistening thing? If some jeweller had found it he would have been beside himself with joy at the thought of its value; but to me it is of no manner of use, nor do I care one jot about it; why, I would rather have one grain of barley than all the jewels in the world." [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE ASS, THE LION, AND THE COCK [Illustration] THE ASS, THE LION, AND THE COCK. An Ass and a Cock were in a shed. A hungry Lion caught sight of the Ass, and was on the point of entering the shed to devour him. But he took fright at the sound of the Cock crowing (for people say that Lions are afraid at the voice of a Cock), and turned away and ran. The Ass, roused to a lofty contempt of him for being afraid of a Cock, went out to pursue him; but when they were some distance away the Lion ate him up. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE WOLF AND THE LAMB [Illustration] THE WOLF AND THE LAMB. A Wolf seeing a Lamb drinking at a brook, took it into his head that he would find some plausible excuse for eating him. So he drew near, and, standing higher up the stream, began to accuse him of disturbing the water and preventing him from drinking. The Lamb replied that he was only touching the water with the tips of his lips; and that, besides, seeing that he was standing down stream, he could not possibly be disturbing the water higher up. So the Wolf, having done no good by that accusation, said: "Well, but last year you insulted my Father." The Lamb replying that at that time he was not born, the Wolf wound up by saying: "However ready you may be with your answers, I shall none the less make a meal of you." [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE MAN AND HIS TWO WIVES [Illustration] THE MAN AND HIS TWO WIVES. A Man whose hair was turning gray had two Wives, one young and the other old. The elderly woman felt ashamed at being married to a man younger than herself, and made it a practice whenever he was with her to pick out all his black hairs; while the younger, anxious to conceal the fact that she had an elderly husband, used, similarly, to pull out the gray ones. So, between them, it ended in the Man being completely plucked, and becoming bald. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL [Illustration] THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL. A Fox had had his tail docked off in a trap, and in his disgrace began to think his life not worth living. It therefore occurred to him that the best thing he could do was to bring the other Foxes into the same condition, and so conceal his own deficiency in the general distress. Having assembled them all together he recommended them to cut off their tails, declaring that a tail was an ungraceful thing; and, further, was a heavy appendage, and quite superfluous. To this one of them rejoined: "My good friend, if this had not been to your own advantage you would never have advised us to do it." [Illustration: "Nonsense, my dears! Husbands are ridiculous things & are quite unnecessary!"] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE EAGLE AND THE FOX [Illustration] THE EAGLE AND THE FOX. An Eagle and a Fox entered into a covenant of mutual affection and resolved to live near one another, looking upon close intercourse as a way of strengthening friendship. Accordingly the former flew to the top of a high tree and built her nest, while the latter went into a bush at the foot and placed her litter there. One day, however, when the Fox was away foraging, the Eagle, being hard pressed for food, swooped down into the bush, snatched up the cubs and helped her own fledglings to devour them. When the Fox came back and saw what had happened she was not so much vexed at the death of her young ones as at the impossibility of requital. For the Eagle having wings and she none, pursuit was impossible. So she stood some distance away and did all that is left for the weak and impotent to do--poured curses on her foe. But the Eagle was not to put off for long the punishment due to her violation of the sacred tie of friendship. It happened that some country-people were sacrificing a goat, and the Eagle flew down and carried away from the altar some of the burning flesh. But when she had got it to her eyrie a strong wind got up and kindled into flame the thin dry twigs of the nest, so that the eaglets, being too young to be able to fly, were roasted, and fell to the ground. Then the Fox ran up and, before the Eagle's eyes, devoured them every one. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE OX AND THE FROG [Illustration] THE OX AND THE FROG. An Ox, as he was drinking at the water's edge, crushed a young Frog underfoot. When the mother Frog came to the spot (for she happened to be away at the time) she asked his brothers where he was. "He is dead, mother," they said; "a few minutes ago a great big four-legged thing came up and crushed him dead with his hoof." Thereupon the Frog began to puff herself out and ask whether the animal was as big as that. "Stop, mother, don't put yourself about," they said; "you will burst in two long before you can make yourself the same size as that beast." [Illustration: "There, my child, have I not as many buttons as Lady Golderoy now?"] [Illustration] [Illustration] THE HAWK CHASING THE DOVE [Illustration] THE HAWK CHASING THE DOVE. A Hawk giving headlong chase to a Dove rushed after it into a farmstead, and was captured by one of the farm men. The Hawk began to coax the man to let him go, saying that he had never done him any harm. "No," rejoined the man; "nor had this Dove harmed you." [Illustration] [Illustration] 29022 ---- images generously made available by Internet Archive (http://www.archive.org) Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 29022-h.htm or 29022-h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/29022/29022-h/29022-h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/29022/29022-h.zip) Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See http://www.archive.org/details/mrpunchawheelhum00londuoft MR. PUNCH AWHEEL. The Humours of Motoring and Cycling. Illustration: MR PUNCH AWHEEL * * * * * PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day. MR. PUNCH AWHEEL * * * * * Illustration: _Owner of violently palpitating motor car._ "There's no need to be alarmed. It will be all right as soon as I've discovered the what-d'ye-call-it!" * * * * * MR. PUNCH AWHEEL. The Humours of Motoring and Cycling. As Pictured by PHIL MAY, L. RAVEN HILL, BERNARD PARTRIDGE, TOM BROWNE, A. S. BOYD, H. M. BROCK, C. E. BROCK, GUNNING KING, CHARLES PEARS, G. D. ARMOUR, G. H. JALLAND, FRED PEGRAM, F. H. TOWNSEND, G. L. STAMPA, LANCE THACKERAY, AND OTHERS. With 120 Illustrations Published by Arrangement with the Proprietors of "Punch" The Educational Book Co. Ltd. * * * * * THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages fully illustrated._ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN * * * * * EDITOR'S NOTE. Among the characteristics which are essentially British, is the tendency to receive almost any innovation, be it a new style of dress or a new method of locomotion, with some degree of distrust which shows itself in satirical criticism; to be followed soon after by the acceptance of the accomplished fact and complete approval. In this trait of our national character, as in all others, MR. PUNCH proves himself a true born Britisher. When the bicycle was first coming into popularity, he seemed rather to resent the innovation, and was more ready to see the less attractive side of cycling than its pleasures and its practical advantages. So, too, with the automobile. Only recently has MR. PUNCH shown some tendency to become himself an enthusiast of the whirling wheel. This diffidence in joining the ranks of the cyclists or the motorists is due entirely to MR. PUNCH'S goodness of heart and his genuine British love of liberty. The cycling scorcher and the motoring road-hog are two abominations which he most naturally holds in the greatest contempt. Against them he is never tired of directing his most scathing satire; but while this is entirely praiseworthy it tends a little to give a false impression of his attitude towards two of the most delightful sports which modern ingenuity has invented. After all, the scorcher and the road-hog are the least representative followers of the sports which their conduct brings into question, and it is very easy to over-estimate their importance. For that reason, in the compiling of the present volume the editor has endeavoured to make a selection which will show MR. PUNCH in his real attitude towards motoring and cycling, in which, of course, it is but natural and all to our delight that he should see chiefly their humours, so largely the result of misadventure. But as he has long since ceased to jibe at the lady who cycles or to regard male cyclists as "cads on castors,"--in the phrase of Edmund Yates,--and ceased also to view the motor car as an ingenious device for public slaughter, his adverse views have not in the present volume been unduly emphasised. * * * * * MR. PUNCH AWHEEL ENTERPRISING PRO-MOTOR. One of our special correspondents started out to try the effect of taking notes from his motor-car whilst proceeding at top-speed. The experiment took place in June; but we have only just received the following account of the result. "Started away and turned on full head of smell--steam, I mean. Over Southwark Bridge, fizz, kick, bang, rattle! Flew along Old Kent Road; knocked down two policemen on patrol duty ('Knocked 'em in the Old Kent Road'); fizzed on through New Cross and Lewisham at awful nerve-destroying, sobbing pace, 'toot toot-ing' horn all the way. No good, apparently, to some people, who would not, or possibly _could_ not, get out of the way. Cannoned milk-cart entering Eltham village, ran into 'bus, but shot off it again, at a tangent, up on to the footpath, frightening old lady into hysterics. Onwards we went, leaping and flying past everything on the road, into open country. Ran over dog and three chickens, and saw tandem horses take fright and bolt; dust flew, people yelled at us and we yelled at people. Came round sharp corner on to donkey standing in road. 'Boosted' him up into the air and saw him fall through roof of outhouse! Whirr-r-up! bang! rattle! fizz-izz--Bust!" "Where am I?--Oh, in hospital--oh, really?--Seems nice clean sort of place.--How long----? Oh, been here about six weeks--have I, really? And what----? Oh, _both_ arms, you say?--and left leg? Ah--by the way, do you know anyone who wants to buy a motor----? What, no motor left?--By Jove! that's funny, isn't it?--Well, I think I'll go to sleep again now." * * * * * _Ethel_ (_with book_). "What's an autocrat, Mabel?" _Mabel._ "Person who drives an auto-car, of course, silly." * * * * * THE BEST LUBRICANT FOR CYCLES.--Castor oil. * * * * * Illustration: "Wouldn't yer like ter 'ave one o' them things, Liza Ann?" "No. I wouldn't be seen on one. I don't think they're nice for lidies!" * * * * * MOTOR QUESTIONS What rushes through the crowded street With whirring noise and throbbing beat, Exhaling odours far from sweet? The motor-car. Whose wheels o'er greasy asphalte skim, Exacting toll of life and limb, (What is a corpse or so to _him_)? The motorist's. Who flies before the oily gust Wafted his way through whirling dust, And hopes the beastly thing will bust? The pedestrian. Who thinks that it is scarcely fair To have to pay for road repair While sudden death lies lurking there? The ratepayer. Who as the car goes whizzing past At such law-breaking stands aghast, (For forty miles an hour _is_ fast)? The policeman. Who hears the case with bland surprise, And over human frailty sighs, The while he reads between the lies? The magistrate. * * * * * Illustration: FICKLE FORTUNE "And only yesterday I was fined five pounds for driving at excessive speed!" * * * * * Illustration: IN DORSETSHIRE _Fair Cyclist._ "Is this the way to Wareham, please?" _Native._ "Yes, miss, yew seem to me to ha' got 'em on all right!" * * * * * SO UNSELFISH!--"Oh yes, I gave my husband a motor-car on his birthday." "But I thought he didn't like motor-cars!" "He doesn't. But I _do_!" * * * * * _Q._ Why is the lady bikist of an amorous disposition? _A._ Because she is a sigh-cling creature. * * * * * Illustration: CROWDED OUT.--_Stage-struck Coster_ (_to his dark-coloured donkey_). "Othello, Othello, _your_ occupation 'll soon be gone!" * * * * * HINTS FOR BIKING BEGINNERS 1. Insure your life and limbs. The former will benefit your relations, the latter yourself. 2. Learn on a hired machine. The best plan is to borrow a machine from a friend. It saves hiring. Should the tyre become punctured, the brake be broken, the bell cracked, the lamp missing, and the gear out of gear, you will return it as soon as possible, advising your friend to provide himself with a stronger one next time. 3. Practise on some soft and smooth ground. For example, on a lawn; the one next door for choice. A muddy road, although sufficiently soft, is not recommended--the drawbacks are obvious. 4. Choose a secluded place for practising. It may at first sight appear somewhat selfish to deprive your neighbours of a gratuitous performance which would be certain to amuse them. Nevertheless, be firm. 5. Get someone to hold you on. Engage a friend in an interesting conversation while you mount your bicycle. Do you remember _Mr. Winkle's_ dialogue with _Sam Weller_ when he attempted skating? You can model your conversation on this idea. Friend will support you while you ride and talk. Keep him at it. It will be excellent exercise for _him_, physically and morally. Also economical for _you_; as, otherwise, you would have to pay a runner. 6. Don't bike; trike. * * * * * A NEW TERROR.--_Johnson._ Hullo, Thompson, you look peekish. What's wrong? _Thompson._ The vibration of motor-carring has got on my liver. _Johnson._ I see, automobilious! * * * * * ON THE BRIGHTON ROAD.--_Cyclist_ (_to owner of dog over which he has nearly ridden_). Take your beast out of my way! What right has he here? _Owner._ Well, he pays seven and sixpence a year for the privilege of perambulation, and _you_ pay nothing! * * * * * THE VERY OLDEST MOTOR-CAR.--The whirligig of time. * * * * * Illustration: "Hi! Whip behind!" "Yah! 'E ain't got none!" * * * * * Illustration: ADDING INSULT TO INJURY.--_Tramp Photographer._ "Now, sir, just as you are for a shillin'!" [_And little Binks, who prides himself upon his motor driving, is trying his best to get his wife to promise not to tell anyone about the smash._] * * * * * A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE Dear Mr. Punch,--Knowing you to be a past master in the art of courtesy, I venture to submit the following hard case to your judgment. The other morning, being a none too experienced cyclist, I ventured into the Park on my "wheel" at an early hour, thinking to have a little practice unobserved. Judge of my horror when, as I was wobbling along, I was suddenly confronted by the Duchess of Xminster and her daughters, all expert riders! Her Grace and the Ladies Wiseacre bowed to me in the most affable way, but, afraid to leave go of the handles of my machine, I could only NOD in return. And I have always been renowned for the elegance with which I remove my _chapeau_! These noble ladies have since cut me dead. I cannot blame them, but I venture to suggest, for your approval, that the raising of the right elbow, such as is practised by coachmen, gentle and simple, should be adopted by all cyclists. I think that I could manage the movement. Yours in social despair, AMELIUS AMBERGRIS _Bayswater._ * * * * * Illustration: _Cow-boy_ (_to young lady who has taken refuge_). "Would you mind openin' the gate, miss? They're a-comin' in there." * * * * * An admirable improvement in motor-cars is about to be introduced by one of our leading firms. Cars are frequently overturned, and the occupants buried underneath. In future, on the bottom of every car made by the firm in question there will be engraved the words, "Here lies----," followed by a blank space, which can be filled up by the purchaser. * * * * * _He._ "Do you belong to the Psychical Society?" _She._ "No; but I sometimes go out on my brother's machine!" * * * * * Illustration: WHEEL AND WOE.--A Brooklyn inventor has patented a cycle-hearse. * * * * * Illustration: UNLICENSED PEDALLERS.--Cyclists. * * * * * TO MARIE, RIDING MY BICYCLE Brake, brake, brake On my brand-new tyre, Marie! And I would that my tongue could utter The thoughts that arise in me. O well for the fishmonger's boy That his tricycle's mean and squalid; O well for the butcher lad That the tyres of his wheel are solid! And the reckless scorchers scorch With hanging purple heads, But O for the tube that is busted up And the tyre that is cut to shreds. Brake, brake, brake-- Thou hast broken indeed, Marie, And the rounded form of my new Dunlop Will never come back to me. * * * * * A SUGGESTION IN NOMENCLATURE.--The old name of "Turnpike Roads" has, long ago, with the almost universal disappearance of the ancient turnpikes, become obsolete. Nowadays, bicycles being "always with us," why not for "Turnpike Roads" substitute "Turn-bike roads"? This ought to suit the "B. B. P.," or "Bicycling British Public." * * * * * Illustration: "Oh, did you see a gentleman on a bicycle as you came up?" "No; but I saw a man sitting at the bottom of the hill mending an old umbrella!" * * * * * THAT BICYCLE LAMP The other Sunday afternoon I rode over on my bicycle to see the Robinsons. They live seven miles away. Tomkins and others were there. People who live in remote country places always seem pleased to see a fellow creature, but Robinson and his wife are unusually hospitable and good-natured. After I had had some tea, and thought of leaving, a hobnail was discovered in the tyre of Tomkin's bicycle. He, being very athletic, was playing croquet, a game which requires vast muscular strength. However, he said that his tyres were something quite new, and that in one minute one man, or even one child, could stick one postage-stamp, or anything of the sort, over that puncture and mend it. So all the rest of us and the butler, principally the butler, who is an expert in bicycles, went at it vigorously, and after we had all worked for nearly an hour the tyre was patched up, and Tomkins, having finished his game, rode coolly away. I was going to do the same, but Robinson wouldn't hear of it--I must stay to dinner. I said I had no lamp for riding home in the dark. He would lend me his. I said I should have to dine in knickerbockers. That didn't matter in the country. So I stayed till 9.30. The next Sunday I rode over again. I started directly after lunch, lest I should seem to have come to dinner, and I gave the butler that lamp directly I arrived. But it was all no good, for I stayed till 10, and had to borrow it again. "Bring it back to-morrow morning," said Robinson, "and help us with our hay-making." Again dined in knickerbockers. On Monday I resolved to be firm. I would leave by daylight. Rode over early. After some indifferent hay-making and some excellent lunch, I tried to start. No good. Robinson carried me off to a neighbour's tennis-party. After we returned from that, he said I must have some dinner. Couldn't ride home all those seven miles starving. Knickerbockers didn't matter. Again dined there and rode home at 10.30. So I still have Robinson's lamp. Now I want to know how I am going to get it back to his house. If I have it taken by anybody else he will think I don't care to come, which would be quite a mistake. Have vowed that I will not dine there again except in proper clothes. If I cross his hospitable threshold, even before breakfast, I shall never get away before bedtime. Can't ride seven miles in evening dress before breakfast even in the country. Besides, whatever clothes I wore, I should never be able to leave by daylight. I should still have his lamp. Can't take a second lamp. Would look like inviting myself to dinner. So would the evening clothes at breakfast. What is to be done? * * * * * Illustration: THE RETORT CURTEOUS.--_Motorist_ (_cheerfully--to fellow-guest in house party_). "What luck? Killed anything?" _Angler_ (_bitterly_). "No. Have you?" * * * * * Illustration: _Vicar's Daughter._ "Oh, Withers, your mistress tells me you are saving up to take a little shop and look after your mother. I think it is such a sweet idea!" _Withers._ "Well, yes, miss, I did think of it; but now I've got the money I've changed my mind, and I'm going to buy myself one of these 'ere bicycles instead!" * * * * * Illustration: A STORY WITHOUT WORDS * * * * * Illustration: THE INFERENCE.--_Giles_ (_who has been rendering "first aid" to wrecked motor-cyclist_). "Naw, marm, I doan't think as 'e be a married man, 'cos 'e says _this_ be the worst thing wot 'as ever 'appened to un!" * * * * * Illustration: SAVING THE SITUATION _Effie_ (_to whom a motor-brougham is quite a novelty_). "Oh, mummy dear, look! There's a footman and a big coachman on the box, and there isn't a horse or even a pony! What _are_ they there for?" _Mummy dear_ (_not well versed in electricity and motor-mechanism_). "Well, you see, Effie dear--the--(_by a happy inspiration_) but, dear, you're not old enough to understand." * * * * * The _Daily Mail_ has discovered that the "Motor-Cough" is "caused by the minute particles of dust raised by motor-cars which lodge themselves in the laryngeal passage." If people _will_ use their gullets as garages, what can they expect? * * * * * Illustration: _Horsey Wag_ (_to Mr. and Mrs. Tourey, who are walking up a hill_). "And do you always take your cycles with you when you go for a walk?" * * * * * IN EAST DORSETSHIRE.--_Cyclist (to Native)._ How many miles am I from Wimborne? _Native._ I dunno. _Cyclist._ Am I near Blandford? _Native._ I dunno. _Cyclist (angrily)._ Then what do you know? _Native._ I dunno. [_Cyclist speeds to No Man's Land in the New Forest._ * * * * * OUR BARTERERS BICYCLE.--Thoroughly heavy, lumbering, out-of-date machine, recently doctored up to look like new, for sale. Cost, second-hand, six years ago, £4. Will take £12 for it. Bargain. Would suit a dyspeptic giant, or a professional strong man in want of violent exercise. SAFETY CYCLE.--Pneumatic tyres. A real beauty. Makers well known in Bankruptcy Court. Owner giving up riding in consequence of the frame being thoroughly unsafe, and the tyres constantly bursting. Would exchange for one of Broadwood's grand pianos or a freehold house in the country. * * * * * Illustration: THE ? OF THE DAY.--Should there be a speed (and dust) limit? * * * * * THE QUEEN'S HIGHWAY.--_Infuriated Cyclist_ (_after a collision with a fast-trotting dog-cart_). I shall summon you to-morrow! I've as much right on the road as you, Jehu! _Irate Driver._ And I shall summon _you_! This thoroughfare's mine as well as yours, let me tell you, Scorcher! _Pedestrian_ (_who has been nearly killed by the collision, and is lying prostrate after being cannoned on to the path, very feebly_). And what about me, gentlemen? Have I any right of way? * * * * * The constant strain of driving motor-cars is said to be responsible for a form of nervous break-down which shows a decided tendency to increase. One certainly comes across a number of cars afflicted in this way. * * * * * "PIKES AND BIKES" (_By a "riding Poet"_) In years gone by our sires would try To abrogate the highway "pikes." No tolls to-day, can bar the way, But freeing of the road brought "bikes"; And there are many Northern Tykes, Who would prefer the "pikes" to "bikes." * * * * * Illustration: _Old Lady_ (_describing a cycling accident_). "'E 'elped me hup, an' brushed the dust orf on me, an' put five shillin' in my 'and, an' so I says, 'Well, sir, I'm sure you're _hactin'_ like a gentleman,' I says, 'though I don't suppose you are one,' I says." * * * * * A motor-car, proceeding along the High Street the other evening, took fright, it is supposed, at a constable on point-to-point duty, and exploded, blowing the occupants in various directions over the adjoining buildings. The policeman is to be congratulated upon averting what might have been a serious accident. * * * * * A well-known motorist has been complaining of the campaign waged against motor-cars by humorous artists, who never seem to tire of depicting accidents. "One common and ludicrous error in many drawings," he said, "is the placing of the driver on the wrong side of the car." But surely, in an accident, that is just where he would find himself. * * * * * _Sympathetic Lady._ "I hope you had a good holiday, Miss Smith." _Overworked Dressmaker._ "Oh yes, my lady. I took my machine with me, you know!" _S. L._ "What a pity; you should give up needle and thread when you're out for a----" _O. D._ "Oh, I don't mean my sewing machine! I refer to my bicycle!" * * * * * Illustration: SCENE--_A remote district in the Wolds._ _Driver of Motor-car_ (_who has just pulled up in response to urgent summons from countrywoman_). "Well, what's the matter? What is it?" _Countrywoman._ "Hi, man, look! You've been an' left yer 'oss on the 'ill!" * * * * * THE CYCLING GOVERNESS I no longer teach my classes Their Shakespeare and the glasses, And the uses of the globes, as was my custom; But all they'll learn from me Is to ride the iron gee-- All other lessons utterly disgust 'em! The girls no more will meddle With the painful piano-pedal, They'll only touch the pedal of their "Humber"; Like their grannies, they begin At an early age to "spin," But the road it is their spinning-wheels encumber. So wheeling now my trade is, And finishing young ladies In the proper kind of bicycling deportment; _I_'m nearly finished, too, And battered black and blue, For of falls I've had a pretty large assortment! * * * * * WOE ON THE WHEEL. There was a "scorching" girl, who came down an awful purl, And scarified her nose, and scarred her forehead. She thought, when first she rode, biking very, _very_ good, But now she considers it horrid! * * * * * Illustration: _Winny_ (_one mile an hour_) _to Annie_ (_two miles an hour_). "Scorcher!" * * * * * THE FAVOURITE OF THE MOTOR-CARS.--_Pet_roleum. * * * * * In England, says a French writer, motoring is not considered a sport because it does not involve killing anything. This is but one more example of Continental aspersion. * * * * * As a result of his trip over the Gordon-Bennett course, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin now recommends the motor-car for pastoral visits. This will be no new thing. For years past some people have looked on the motor-car in the light of a visitation. * * * * * CYCLING CONUNDRUM.--_Q._ What article of the cyclist girl's attire do a couple of careless barbers recall to mind? _A._ A pair of nickers. * * * * * Motorists are still expressing their indignation at a recent disgraceful incident when one of their number, because he could not pay a fine at once, was taken to prison, and forced to don ugly convict garb in the place of his becoming goggles and motor coat. * * * * * Illustration: _Engineer._ "There's certainly a screw loose somewhere." _Simple Simon_ (_with gleeful satisfaction_). "He-he! I knaws where 't be too!" _Car Owner_ (_intensely interested_). "What do you mean, boy?" _Simple Simon._ "He-he! Why I've got 'un! All the folks say as 'ow I've got a screw loose somewheres!" * * * * * WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS _Dialogue between two Young Gentlemen, dressed in Knickerbocker Suits, Gaiters, and Golf caps. They have the indescribable air which proclaims the votary of the "Bike"._ _First Young Gentleman._ Yes; I certainly agree with the French view of it. Cycling shouldn't be indulged in without care. _Second Y. G._ They say in Paris that no one should become an habitual cyclist without "medical authorisation." _First Y. G._ Yes. Quite right. Then, when you are permitted, you ought to travel at a moderate pace. About five miles an hour is quite enough for a beginner. _Second Y. G._ Enough! Why, too much! You can't be too careful! Then, if you break off for a time, you ought to begin all over again. You should "gradually acquire speed"; not rush at it! _First Y. G._ Certainly. I read in the _Lancet_ only the other day that merely increasing the pace of a bike a couple of miles an hour was sufficient to send up the normal pulse to 150! _Second Y. G._ Most alarming! And yet I can see from your costume you are a cyclist. _First Y. G._ Not at all. I am pleased with the costume, and, like yourself, have adopted it. Now do not laugh at me. But, between ourselves, I have never been on a bicycle in my life! _Second Y. G._ No more have I! [_Curtain._ * * * * * Illustration: "ENOUGH IS AS GOOD AS A FEAST."--_Nervous Lady Cyclist._ "I hope it isn't very deep here." _Ferryman._ "Sax hunderd an' fefty-nine feet, Miss." * * * * * The provincial journal which, the other day, published the following paragraph:--"Private letters from Madagascar state that two cyclists have visited the island, causing the loss of 200 lives and immense damage to property," and followed it up with a leader virulently attacking motor-cyclists, now informs us that the word should have been "cyclones." The printer has been warned. * * * * * "Anti-Motor" writes to point out that one advantage of holding motor races like those that have just taken place in Ireland is that after each race there are fewer motors. * * * * * THE TRAIL OF THE MOTOR.--"COLLECTOR. Young man wants collecting."--_Advt. in Provincial Paper._ * * * * * Illustration: _Old Farmer Jones_ (_who has been to a local cattle-show, and seen a horseless carriage for the first time_). "Mosher carsh may be all very well--(_hic!_)--but they can't find 'er way home by 'emshelves!" * * * * * SHOULD MOTORISTS WEAR MASKS? ["Plus de lunettes spéciales pour MM. les chauffeurs. Ils devront conduire comme les cochers ordinaires à yeux nus ou avec les lunettes ordinaires de myopes ou de presbytes. Nos sportsmen déclarent que ces lunettes de motoristes favorisent l'anonymat. Ces lunettes sont de véritables masques. On fait sous ce masque ce qu'on n'oserait pas faire à visage découvert. En France il est défendu de se masquer en dehors du temps de carnaval ... si le masque tombe, la vitesse des motors deviendra fatalement normale."--_M. N. de Noduwez in the "Times."_] MR. PUNCH has collected a few brief opinions upon the subject of the above-quoted letter. MR. KIPLING writes: "Through dirt, sweat, burns, bursts, smells, bumps, breakdowns, and explosions I have attained to the perfect joy of the scorcher. I have suffered much on the southern British highways. My Tibetan devil-mask shall therefore add to their terrors. Besides, I wore gig-lamps at school. What do they know of Sussex who only Burwash know?" MR. BEERBOHM TREE telephones: "The most beautiful of all arts is that of make-up. We cannot all resemble _Caliban_, but why should not the motorist aspire in that direction? Life is but a masque, and all roads lead to 'His Majesty's.'" Miss MARIE CORELLI telegraphs: "I am all for anonymity and everything that tends to the avoidance of advertisement. If people must ride in motors, let them have the decency to disguise themselves as effectually as possible, and shun all contact with their kind." Mr. JEM SMITH, cabdriver, in the course of an interview, said: "Masks? Not 'arf! Let 'em out on the Fifth of November, and throw a match in their oil-tanks--that's what _I_'d do! _I_'d anonymous the lot of 'em!" POLICEMAN XX. (in the _rôle_ of a labourer behind a hedge on the Brighton road): "'Oo are you a-gettin' at? Do you see any mote in my eye? If you want to know the time, I've a stop-watch!" * * * * * Illustration: DIVISION OF LABOUR.--It is not the business of ducal footmen to clean the family bicycles. The ladies Ermyntrude and Adelgitha have to do it themselves. * * * * * _Enthusiastic Motorist_ (_to Perfect Stranger_). _I_ swear by petrol, sir; always use it myself. Now what, may I ask, do _you_ use? _Perfect Stranger._ Oats! * * * * * Illustration: JUGGERNAUTICAL.--_Unfortunate Cyclist_ (_who has been bowled over by motor-car_). "Did you see the number?" _Jarge._ "Yes, there was three on 'em. Two men and a woman." * * * * * Illustration: EXPECTATION.--The Browns welcoming the Robinsons (awfully jolly people, don't you know,) from whom they have had a letter saying that they will arrive early in the day by motor. * * * Illustration: REALISATION.--The Browns, when the arrivals have removed their motor glasses, etc., disclosing not the Robinsons, but those awful bores, the Smiths. * * * * * THERE WAS A NEW WOMAN (_Neo-Nursery Rhyme_) There was a New Woman, as I've heard tell, And she rode a bike with a horrible bell, She rode a bike in a masculine way, And she had a spill on the Queen's highway. While she lay stunned, up came Doctor Stout, And he cast a petticoat her "knickers" about, To hide the striped horrors which bagged at the knees. When the New Woman woke, she felt strange and ill at ease; She began to wonder those skirts for to spy, And cried, "Oh, goodness gracious! I'm sure this isn't I! But if it is I, as I hope it be, I know a little vulgar boy, and he knows me; And if it is I, he will jeer and rail, But if it isn't I, why, to notice me he'll fail." So off scorched the New Woman, all in the dark, But as the little vulgar boy her knickers failed to mark, He was quite polite, and she began to cry, "Oh! Jimmy doesn't cheek me, so I'm sure this _isn't_ I!" * * * * * THE PACE THAT KILLS Have a care how you speed! Take the motorist's case:-- On his tomb you can read, "Requiescat in pace." * * * * * Illustration: LIFE'S LITTLE IRONIES.-- _Motorist._ "Conductor! How can I strike the Harrow road?" _Conductor._ "'Arrer road? Let's see. Second to right, third to--it's a good way, sir. I tell 'ee, sir. Just follow that green bus over there; that'll take you right to it!" * * * * * WONDERS ON WHEELS (_By an Old Beginner_) Wonder if my doctor was right in ordering me to take this sort of exercise. Wonder whether I look very absurd while accepting the assistance of an attendant who walks by my side and keeps me from falling by clutches at my waistbelt. Wonder whether it would have been better to go to Hyde Park instead of Battersea. Wonder whether the policeman, the postman, the nurse with the perambulator, the young lady reading the novel, and the deck passengers on the passing steamboat are laughing at me. Wonder whether I shall keep on now that my attendant has let go. Wonder whether the leading wheel will keep straight on until we have passed that lamp-post. Wonder whether the next spill I have will be less painful than the last. Wonder why mats are not laid down by the County Council in the roads for the comfort of falling cyclists. Wonder why the cycle suddenly doubled up and landed me in the gutter. Wonder whether the pretty girl in the hat, whose face is hidden by a novel, smiled at my misadventure. Wonder whether the person who has just come to grief over yonder is using good language or words of an inferior quality. Wonder whether my attendant is right in urging me to remount and have another try. Wonder whether I look well wobbling. Wonder whether the elderly spinster with the anxious manner and air of determination is really enjoying herself. Wonder whether, when I have completed my first hour, I shall want another. Wonder whether the imp of a boy will run with me. Wonder whether my second fall in five minutes beats the record. Wonder, considering the difficulty of progressing half a dozen paces in as many minutes, how those marvellous feats are performed at Olympia. Wonder if I shall ever advance upon my present rate of speed, _i.e._, three-quarters of a mile an hour. Wonder, finally, if the placards warning cyclists in Battersea Park against the dangers of "furious riding" can possibly be posted for my edification. * * * * * THE SCORCHER He travels along at the top of his speed, You might think that his life was at stake; To beauties of nature he never pays heed, For the record he's trying to break. He stiffens his muscles and arches his back As if he were still on the cinder-path track. He races regardless of life and of limb, Caring naught for the folk in his way; For chickens and children are nothing to him, And his mad career nothing can stay; So wildly he wheels as if urged by a goad; By coachmen he's christened "the curse of the road." He'll pass on the left and he'll ride on the right, For the rules of the road caring naught; His lamp he will not take the trouble to light Till a pretty smart lesson he's taught. But lecture and fine him as much as you will, The trail of the scorcher is over him still. * * * * * RHYME FOR RECORD-MAKERS Rattle-it, rattle-it, "Biking" man; Make us a "record" as fast as you can; Score it, and print it as large as life, And someone will "cut" it ere you can say knife! * * * * * Illustration: Unwilling to give up horses altogether, Captain Pelham effected a compromise. His first appearance in the park created quite a sensation. * * * * * Illustration: FLATTERY--WITH AN OBJECT _Jocasta_ (_with an axe of her own to grind, ingratiatingly_). "Oh yes, papa, it does suit you. I never saw you look so nice in anything before!" * * * * * Illustration: MEMS FOR MOTORISTS.--If your car suddenly appears to drag heavily, you may be sure there is something to account for it. * * * * * Illustration: "Have you ever tried riding without the handles? It's delightfully easy, all but the corners." * * * Illustration: !!! So it seems! * * * * * BROKEN ON THE WHEEL _First Lesson._--Held on by instructor, a tall, muscular young man. Thought it was so easy. Cling for dear life to handle, as beginners in horsemanship cling to the reins. Instructor says I must not. Evidently cannot hold on by my knees. Ask him what I am to hold on by. "Nothing," he says. How awful! Feel suspended in the air. That is what I ought to be. At present am more on ground; anyway one foot down. Even when in movement position of feet uncertain. Go a few yards, supported. Muscular instructor rather hot and tired, but says civilly, "You're getting on nicely, sir." At this get off unexpectedly, and, when I am picked up, reply, "Very likely," only my feet were off the pedals all the time. Then rest, and watch little children riding easily. One pretty girl. Wonder whether she laughed at me. Probably. Shall have another try. _Second Lesson._--Held on by another instructor, who urges me "to put more life into it." Hope it won't be the death of me. Work in a manner which even the treadmill, I imagine, could not necessitate, and get the wheel round a few times. Painful wobbling. Instructor says I must pedal more quickly. Can't. Rest a minute. Panting. Awfully hot. Observe little children going round comfortably. Pretty girl here again, looking as fresh and cool as possible. Suddenly manage to ride three yards unsupported. Then collapse. But am progressing. Shall come again soon. _Third Lesson._--Endeavour to get on alone. Immediately get off on other side. Nearly upset the pretty girl. Polite self-effacement impossible when one is at the mercy of a mere machine. After a time manage better. And at last get started and ride alone for short distances. Always tumble off ignominiously just as I meet the pretty girl. Instructor urges me to break the record. Hope I shan't break my neck. Finally go all round the ground. Triumph! Pretty girl seems less inclined to laugh. Delightful exercise, bicycle riding! Shall come again to-morrow. _Fourth Lesson._--High north-east wind. Hot sun. Regular May weather. Clouds of coal-dust from track. Pretty girl not there at all. Start confidently. Endeavour to knock down a wall. Wall does not suffer much. Start again. Faster this time. The pretty girl has just come. Will show what I can do now. Career over large hole. Bicycle sinks, and then takes a mighty leap. Unprepared for this. Am cast into the air. Picked up. Can't stand. Something broken. Doctor will say what. Anyhow, clothes torn, bruised, disheartened. Dare not catch the eye of pretty girl. Carried home. Shall give up bicycle riding. Awful fag, and no fun. * * * * * In its "Hints for Bicyclists," _Home Chat_ says: "A little fuller's earth dusted inside the stockings, socks and gloves, keeps the feet cool." Nothing, however, is said of the use of rubber soles as a protection against sunstroke. * * * * * OVERHEARD AT A MOTOR MEETING.-- _Inquirer._ "I wonder what they call those large, long cars?" _Well-informed Friend._ "Those? Oh, I believe those are the Flying Kilometres, a French make." * * * * * People who are in favour of increasing the rates--Motorists. * * * * * Illustration: THE PERILS OF CYCLING.--(_A sketch in Battersea Park._) _Angelina._ "Come along, dear!" * * * * * Illustration: MOTORING PHENOMENA--AND HOW TO READ THE SIGNS * * * * * Illustration: _The Squire._ "But I tell you, sir, this road is private, and you shall not pass except over my prostrate body!" _Cyclist._ "All right, guv'nor, I'll go back. I've done enough hill climbing already!" * * * * * THE MORAL BIKE _Truth_ has discovered that temperance is promoted, and character generally reformed, by the agency of the bicycle--in fact, the guilty class has taken to cycling. That is so. Go into any police-court, and you will find culprits in the dock who have not only taken to cycling but have also taken other people's cycles. Ask any burglar among your acquaintance, and he will tell you that the term Safety Bicycle has a deeper and truer meaning for him, when, in pursuit of his vocation, he is anxious not to come in collision with the police. Look, too, at the Scorcher on his Saturday afternoon exodus. Where could you have a more salient and striking example of pushfulness and determination to "get there" over all obstacles? He is, in fact, an example of Nietzsche's "Ueber-mensch," the Over-man who rides over any elderly pedestrian or negligible infant that may cross his path. Then the Lady in Bloomers. She is a great reforming agent. She looks so unsightly, that if all her sisters were dressed like her flirtation would die out of the land and there would be no more cakes and ale. Think also of all the virtues called into active exercise by one simple puncture: Patience, while you spend an hour by the wayside five miles from anywhere; Self-control, when "swears, idle swears, you know not what they mean, swears from the depth of some divine despair rise in the heart and gather to the lips," as Tennyson has so sympathetically put it; Fortitude, when you have to shoulder or push the Moral Agent home; and a lot of other copy-book qualities. Lastly, the adventurer who proceeds without a light within curfew hours, the sportsman who steals a march on the side-walk, and the novice who tries a fall with the first omnibus encountered--are all bright instances of British independence, and witnesses to _Truth_. Truly, the bike is an excellent substitute for the treadmill and the reformatory! * * * * * Illustration: "AS OTHERS SEE US."-- _Obliging Motorist._ "Shall I stop the engine?" _Groom._ "Never mind that, sir. But if you gents wouldn't mind just gettin' out and 'idin' behind the car for a minute,--the 'orses think it's a menagery comin'." * * * * * Illustration: THE MILTONIC CYCLIST * * * * * WAKE UP, ENGLAND! ["British lady motor-drivers," says _Motoring Illustrated_, "must look to their laurels. Miss Rosamund Dixey, of Boston, U.S.A., invariably has her sweet, pet, fat, white pig sitting up beside her in the front of her motor car."] We are losing our great reputation Our women are not up-to-date; For a younger, more go-a-head nation Has beaten us badly of late; Is there nowhere some fair Englishwoman Who'd think it not too _infra dig._ To be seen with (and treat it as human) A sweet--pet--fat--white--pig? There is no need to copy our Cousins, A visit or two to the Zoo Will convince you there must be some dozens Of animal pets that would do, With a "grizzly" perched up in your motor, Just think how the people would stare, Saying, "Is that a man in a coat or A big--grey--tame--he--bear?" Think how _chic_ it would look in the paper (_Society's Doings_, we'll say), "Mrs. So-and-so drove with her tapir, And daughter (the tapir's) to-day. Mrs. Thingummy too and her sister Drove out for an hour and a half, And beside them (the image of Mr.) A dear--wee--pink--pet--calf!" * * * * * Illustration: "Did you get his number?" "No; but I saw exactly what she was wearing and how much she paid for the things!" * * * * * THE MOTORS' DEFENCE UNION A Pedestrians' Protection League is being formed to uphold the rights of foot-passengers on the highways. As no bane is without its antidote, an opposition union is to be organised, having in view the adoption of the following regulations:-- 1. Every pedestrian must carry on his front and back a large and conspicuous number as a means of easy and rapid identification. 2. No foot passenger shall quit the side-walk, except at certain authorised crossings. In country lanes and places where there is no side-walk the ditch shall be considered equivalent to the same. 3. Each foot-passenger about to make use of such authorised crossings shall thrice sound a danger-signal on a hooter, fog-horn or megaphone; and, after due warning has thus been given, shall traverse the road at a speed of not less than twelve miles an hour. The penalty for infringement to be forty shillings or one month. 4. Any pedestrian obstructing a motor by being run over, causing a motor to slow down or stop, or otherwise deranging the traffic, shall be summarily dealt with: the punishment for this offence to be five years' penal servitude, dating from arrest or release from hospital, as the case may be. 5. Should the pedestrian thus trespassing on the highway lose his life in an encounter with a motor-car, he shall not be liable to penal servitude; compensation for shock and loss of time, however, shall be paid from his estate to the driver of the car, such amount being taxed by the coroner. 6. All cattle, sheep, pigs, swine, hares, rabbits, conies, and other ground game, and every goose, duck, fowl, or any animal whatsoever with which the motor shall collide shall, _ipso facto_, be confiscated to the owner of the motor. 7. Any comment, remark, reflection, sneer or innuendo concerning the shape, speed, appearance, noise, smell, or other attribute of a motor-car, or of its occupants, shall be actionable; and every foot-passenger thus offending shall be bound over in the sum of £500 to keep the peace. * * * * * The Scotchman who tumbled off a bicycle says that in future he intends to "let wheel alone." * * * * * Illustration: _Mabel's three bosom Friends_ (_all experts--who have run round to see the Christmas gift_). "Hullo, Mab!. Why, what on earth are you doing?" _Mab_ (_in gasps_). "Oh--you see--it was awfully kind of the Pater to give it to me--but I have to look after it myself--and I knew I should _never have breath enough to blow the tyres out_!" * * * * * Illustration: AN ACCOMMODATING PARTY.--_Lady Driver._ "Can you show us the way to Great Missenden, please?" _Weary Willie._ "Cert'nly, miss, cert'nly. We're agoin' that way. 'Op up, Joe. Anythink to oblige a lady!" * * * * * Among the correspondence in the _Daily Mail_ on the subject of "The Motor Problem," there is a letter from a physician, who exposes very cynically a scheme for improving his practice. "I am," he says, "a country doctor, and during the last five years have had not a single case of accident to pedestrians caused by motor car.... As soon as I can afford it I intend to buy a motor." * * * * * Illustration: HOW NOT _Bikist._ "Now then, Ethel, see me make a spurt round this corner." * * * Illustration: TO DO IT _First Villager._ "What's up, Bill?" _Second Villager._ "Oh, only a gent awashin' the dust off his bike." * * * * * It is a bad workman who complains of his tools, yet even the best of them may be justly annoyed when his spanner goes completely off its nut. * * * * * "Motor cycle for sale, 2-3/4 h.-p., equal to 3-1/4 h.-p." _--Provincial Paper._ Discount of 1/2 h.-p. for cash? * * * * * SONG OF THE SCORCHER. (_After reading the Protests and Plans of the Cyclophobists_) I know I'm a "scorcher," I know I am torcher To buffers and mivvies who're not up to date; But grumpy old geesers, and wobbly old wheezers, Ain't goin' to wipe me and my wheel orf the slate. I mean to go spinning and 'owling and grinning At twelve mile an hour through the thick of the throng. And shout, without stopping, whilst, frightened and flopping, My elderly victims like ninepins are dropping,-- "So long!" The elderly bobby, who's stuffy and cobby, Ain't got arf a chance with a scorcher on wheels; Old buffers may bellow, and young gals turn yellow, But what do I care for their grunts or their squeals? No, when they go squiffy I'm off in a jiffy, The much-abused "scorcher" is still going strong. And when mugs would meddle, I shout as I pedal-- "So long!" Wot are these fine capers perposed by the papers? These 'ints about lassos and butterfly nets? To turn scorcher-catchers the old pewter-snatchers In 'elmets must take fewer stodges and wets! Wot, treat _hus_ like bufflers or beetles! The scufflers In soft, silent shoes, turn Red Injins? You're wrong! It's all bosh and bubble! I'm orf--at the double!-- "So long!" * * * * * Illustration: _Owner_ (_as the car insists upon backing into a dike_). "Don't be alarmed! Keep cool! Try and keep cool!" [_Friend thinks there is every probability of their keeping VERY cool, whether they try to or not!_ * * * * * Illustration: _Village Constable_ (_to villager who has been knocked down by passing motor cyclist_). "You didn't see the number, but could you swear to the man?" _Villager._ "I did; but I don't think 'e 'eard me." * * * * * Illustration: THE JOYS OF MOTORING.--No, this is not a dreadful accident. He is simply tightening a nut or something, and she is hoping he won't be much longer. * * * * * SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL TAXATION _£_ _s._ _d._ For every Motor Car 4 4 0 If with smell 5 5 0 Extra offensive ditto 6 6 0 Motor Car proceeding at over ten miles an hour, for each additional mile 1 1 0 For every Bicycle used for "scorching" 0 10 0 * * * * * THE ORIGINAL CLASSICAL BICYCLIST.--"Ixion; or, the Man on the Wheel." * * * * * MY STEAM MOTOR-CAR (1) Monday.--I buy a beautiful steam motor-car. Am photographed. (2) Tuesday.--I take it out. Pull the wrong lever, and back into a shop window. A bad start. (3) Wednesday morning.--A few things I ran over. (4) Wednesday afternoon.--Took too sharp a turn. Narrowly escaped knocking down policeman at the corner. Ran over both his feet. (5) Thursday morning.--Got stuck in a ditch four miles from home. (6) Thursday evening.--Arrive home. Back the car into the shed. Miss the door and knock the shed down. (7) Friday.--Ran over my neighbour's dog. (8) Saturday.--Silly car breaks down three miles from home. Hire a horse to tow it back. (9) Sunday.--Filling up. Petrol tank caught fire. Wretched thing burnt. Thank goodness! * * * Illustration: MY STEAM MOTOR-CAR * * * * * MODERN ROMANCE OF THE ROAD ["It is said that the perpetrators of a recent burglary got clear away with their booty by the help of an automobile. At this rate we may expect to be attacked, ere long, by automobilist highwaymen."--_Paris Correspondent of Daily Paper._] It was midnight. The wind howled drearily over the lonely heath; the moon shone fitfully through the driving clouds. By its gleam an observer might have noted a solitary automobile painfully jolting along the rough road that lay across the common. Its speed, as carefully noted by an intelligent constable half-an-hour earlier, was 41.275 miles an hour. To the ordinary observer it would appear somewhat less. Two figures might have been descried on the machine; the one the gallant Hubert de Fitztompkyns, the other Lady Clarabella, his young and lovely bride. Clarabella shivered, and drew her sables more closely around her. "I am frightened," she murmured. "It is so dark and cold, Hubert, and this is a well-known place for highwaymen! Suppose we should be attacked?" "Pooh!" replied her husband, deftly manipulating the oil-can. "Who should attack us when 'tis common talk that you pawned your diamonds a month ago? Besides, we have a swivel-mounted Maxim on our machine. Ill would it fare with the rogue who--Heavens! what was that?" From the far distance sounded a weird, unearthly noise, growing clearer and louder even as Hubert and his wife listened. It was the whistle of another automobile! In a moment Hubert had turned on the acetylene search-light, and gazed with straining eyes down the road behind him. Then he turned to his wife. "'Tis Cutthroat giving us chase," he said simply. "Pass the cordite cartridges, please." Lady Clarabella grew deathly pale. "I don't know where they are!" she gasped. "I think--I think I must have left them on my dressing-table." "Then we are lost. Cutthroat is mounted on his bony Black Jet, which covers a mile a minute--and he is the most blood-thirsty ruffian on the road. Shut off steam, Clarabella! We can but yield." "Never!" cried his wife. "Here, give me the lever; we are nearly at the top of this tremendously steep hill--we will foil him yet!" Hubert was too much astonished to speak. By terrific efforts the gallant automobile arrived at the summit, when Clarabella applied the brake. Then she gazed down the narrow road behind her. "Take the starting-lever, Hubert," she said, "and do as I tell you." Ever louder sounded the clatter of their pursuer's machine; at last its head-light showed in the distance, as with greatly diminished speed it began to climb the hill. "Now!" shrieked Clarabella. "Full speed astern, Hubert! Let her go!" The automobile went backwards down the hill like a flash of lightning. Cutthroat had barely time to realise what was happening before it was upon him. Too late he tried to steer Black Jet out of the way. There was a yell, a sound of crashing steel, a cloud of steam. When it cleared away, it revealed Hubert and Clarabella still seated on their machine, which was only slightly damaged, while Cutthroat and Black Jet were knocked into countless atoms! * * * * * Illustration: GREAT SELF-RESTRAINT.--_Lady in pony-cart_ (_who has made several unsuccessful attempts to pass persevering beginner occupying the whole road_). "Unless you soon fall off, I'm afraid I shall miss my train!" * * * * * Illustration: "These trailers are splendid things! You must really get one and take me out, Percy!" * * * * * Illustration: THE RIVAL FORCES. (Scene--_Lonely Yorkshire moor. Miles from anywhere._) _Passing Horse-dealer_ (_who has been asked for a tow by owners of broken-down motor-car_). "Is it easy to pull?" _Motorist._ "Oh yes. Very light indeed!" _Horse-dealer._ "Then supposin' you pull it yourselves!" [_Drives off._ * * * * * Illustration: _The Owner_ (_after five breakdowns and a spill_). "Are y-you k-keen on r-riding home?" _His Friend._ "N-not very." _The Owner._ "L-let's l-leave it a-and _walk_, s-shall we?" * * * * * Illustration: SUNDAY MORNING.-- _Cyclist_ (_to rural policeman_). "Nice crowd out this morning!" _Rural Policeman_ (_who has received a tip_). "Yes, an' yer can't do with 'em! If yer 'ollers at 'em, they honly turns round and says, 'Pip, pip'!" * * * * * Illustration: _Rustic_ (_to beginner, who has charged the hedge_). "It's no good, sir. They things won't jump!" * * * * * THE UNIVERSAL JUGGERNAUT.--"Anyone," says the _Daily Telegraph_, "who has driven an automobile will know that it is quite impossible to run over a child and remain unconscious of the fact." _Any one who has driven an automobile!_ Heavens! what a sweeping charge! Is there none innocent? * * * * * Illustration: "'Tain't no use tellin' me you've broke down! Stands to reason a motor-caw goin' down 'ill's _bound_ to be goin' too fast. So we'll put it down at about thirty mile an hour! Your name and address, sir, _hif_ you please." * * * * * URBS IN RURE ["When every one has a bicycle and flies to the suburban roads, the suburban dwellers will desert their houses and come back to crowded London to find quiet and freedom from dust."--_Daily Paper._] Time was desire for peace would still My footsteps lure to Richmond Hill, Or to the groves of Burnham I, Much craving solitude, would fly; Thence, through the Summer afternoon, 'Mid fragrant meads, knee-deep in June, Lulled by the song of birds and bees, I'd saunter idly at mine ease To that still churchyard where, with Gray, I'd dream a golden hour away, Forgetful all of aught but this-- That peace was mine, and mine was bliss. But now should my all-eager feet Seek out some whilom calm retreat, "Pip, pip!" resounds in every lane, "Pip, pip!" the hedges ring again, "Pip, pip!" the corn, "Pip, pip!" the rye, "Pip, pip!" the woods and meadows cry, As through the thirsty, fever'd day, The red-hot scorchers scorch their way. Peace is no longer, Rest is dead, And sweetest Solitude hath fled; And over all, the cycling lust Hath spread its trail of noise and dust. So, would I woo the joys of Quiet, I see no more the country's riot, But the comparatively still Environment of Ludgate Hill. There, 'mongst the pigeons of St. Paul's, I muse melodious madrigals, Or loiter where the waters sport 'Mid the cool joys of Fountain Court, Where, undisturbed by sharp "Pip, pip!" My nimble numbers lightly trip, And country peace I find again In Chancery and Fetter Lane. * * * * * VEHICULAR PROGRESSION.--_Mr. Ikey Motor_ (_to customer_). Want a machine, sir? Certainly, we've all sorts to suit your build. _Customer._ It isn't for me, but for my mother-in-law. _Mr. Ikey Motor._ For your mother-in-law! How would a steam roller suit her? [Mr. I. M. _is immediately made aware that the lady in question has overheard his ill-timed jest, while the customer vanishes in blue fire._ * * * * * EXPERTO CREDE.--What is worse than raining cats and dogs?--Hailing motor omnibuses. * * * * * Illustration: COMPREHENSIVE.--_Owner_ (_as the car starts backing down the hill_). "Pull everything you can see, and put your foot on everything else!" * * * * * Illustration: _Farmer_ (_in cart_). "Hi, stop! Stop, you fool! Don't you see my horse is running away?" _Driver of Motor-car_ (_hired by the hour_). "Yes, it's all very well for you to say 'stop,' but I've forgotten how the blooming thing works!" * * * * * Illustration: SIMPLE ENOUGH _Yokel_ (_in pursuit of escaped bull, to Timmins, who is "teaching himself"_). "Hi, Mister! If yer catch hold of his leading-stick, he can't hurt yer!" * * * * * ANTI-BICYCLIST MOTTO.--Rather a year of Europe than a cycle of to-day. * * * * * MOTTO FOR THOSE WHO "BIKE."--"And wheels rush in where horses fear to tread." * * * * * Illustration: A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY.-- _Major Mustard_ (_who has been changing several of his servants_). "How dare you call yourself a chauffeur?" _Alfonsoe._ "Mais non! Non, monsieur! Je ne suis pas 'chauffeur.' J'ai dit que je suis le chef. Mais monsieur comprehend not!" * * * * * CYCLES! CYCLES!! CYCLES!!! SOMETHING ABSOLUTELY NEW THE LITTLE HANDLE-BAR SPRING NO MORE ACCIDENTS! NO MORE STOLEN CYCLES! All our bicycles are fitted with the Little Handle-Bar Spring, which, when pressed, causes the machine to fall into 114 pieces. Anyone can press the spring, but it takes an expert three months to rebuild it, thus trebling the life of a bicycle. We are offering this marvellous invention at the absurd price of 50 guineas cash down, or 98 weekly instalments of 1 guinea. [Special reductions to company promoters and men with large families.] We can't afford to do it for less, because when once you have bought one you will never want another. ADVICE TO PURCHASERS Don't lose your head when the machine runs away with you down the hill; simply press the spring. Don't wait for your rich uncle to die; just send him one of our cycles. Don't lock your cycle up at night; merely press the spring. Don't be misled by other firms who say that their machines will also fall to pieces; they are only trying to sell their cycles; we want to sell YOU. NOTE.--We can also fit this marvellous Little Spring to perambulators, bath-chairs, and bathing machines. We append below some two out of our million testimonials. The other 999,998 are expected every post. _July, 1906._ Dear Sirs,--I bought one of your cycles in May, 1895, and it is still as good as when I received it. I attribute this solely to the Little Handle-Bar Spring, which I pressed as soon as I received the machine. P.S.--What do you charge for rebuilding a cycle? _August, 1906._ Gentlemen,--Last month I started to ride to Barnet on one of your cycles. When ascending Muswell Hill, I lost control of the machine, but I simply pressed the spring, and now I feel that I cannot say enough about your bike. I shall never ride any other again. P.S.--I should very much like to meet the inventor of the "Little Handle-Bar Spring." * * * * * Illustration: _Friend._ "Going about thirty, are we? But don't you run some risk of being pulled up for exceeding the legal pace?" _Owner._ "Not in a sober, respectable-looking car like this. Of course, if you go about in a blatant, brass-bound, scarlet-padded, snorting foreign affair, like _that_, you are bound to be dropped on, no matter how slow you go!" * * * * * Illustration: AN AMBUSCADE.--Captain de Smythe insidiously beguiles the fair Laura and her sister to a certain secluded spot where, as he happens to know, his hated rival, Mr. Tomkyns, is in the habit of secretly practising on the bicycle. He (Captain de S.) calculates that a mere glimpse of Mr. T., as he wobbles wildly by on that instrument, will be sufficient to dispel any illusions that the fair Laura may cherish in her bosom respecting that worthy man. * * * * * Illustration: _Our own Undergraduate_ (_fresh from his Euclid_). "Ha! Two riders to one prop." * * * * * Illustration: INSULT ADDED TO INJURY.--_Wretched Boy._ "Hi, guv'nor! D'yer want any help?" * * * * * THE PERFECT AUTOMOBILIST [_With acknowledgments to the Editor of "The Car"_] Who is the happy road-deer? Who is he That every motorist should want to be? The Perfect Automobilist thinks only of others. He is an Auto-altruist. He never wantonly kills anybody. If he injures a fellow-creature (and this will always be the fellow-creature's fault) he voluntarily buys him a princely annuity. In the case of a woman, if she is irreparably disfigured by the accident, he will, supposing he has no other wife at the time, offer her the consolation of marriage with himself. He regards the life of bird and beast as no less sacred than that of human beings. Should he inadvertently break a fowl or pig he will convey it to the nearest veterinary surgeon and have the broken limb set or amputated as the injury may require. In the event of death or permanent damage, he will seek out the owner of the dumb animal, and refund him fourfold. To be on the safe side with respect to the legal limit, the Perfect Automobilist confines himself to a speed of ten miles per hour. He will even dismount at the top of a steep descent, so as to lessen the impetus due to the force of gravity. If he is compelled by the nature of his mission to exceed the legal limit (as when hurrying, for instance, to fetch a doctor in a matter of life or death, or to inform the Government of the landing of a hostile force) he is anxious not to shirk the penalty. He will, therefore, send on a swift messenger to warn the police to be on the lookout for him; and if he fails to run into any trap he will, on returning, report himself at all the police-stations on his route, or communicate by post with the constabularies of the various counties through which he may have passed. At the back of his motor he carries a watering-cart attachment for the laying of dust before it has time to be raised. Lest the noise of his motor should be a cause of distraction he slows down when passing military bands, barrel organs, churches (during the hours of worship), the Houses of Parliament (while sitting), motor-buses, the Stock Exchange, and open-air meetings of the unemployed. If he meets a restive horse he will turn back and go down a side road and wait till it has passed. If all the side roads are occupied by restive horses he will go back home; and if the way home is similarly barred he will turn into a field. He encourages his motor to break down frequently; because this spectacle affords an innocent diversion to many whose existence would otherwise be colourless. It is his greatest joy to give a timely lift to weary pedestrians, such as tramps, postmen, sweeps, and police-trap detectives; even though, the car being already full, he is himself compelled to get out and do the last fifty or sixty miles on foot. He declines to wear goggles because they conceal the natural benevolence of the human eye divine, which he regards as the window of the soul; also (and for the same reason he never wears a fur overcoat) because they accentuate class distinctions. Finally--on this very ground--the Perfect Automobilist will sell all his motor-stud and give the proceeds to found an almshouse for retired socialists. * * * * * Illustration: _Obliging Horseman_ (_of riverside breeding_). "Ave a tow up, miss?" * * * * * Illustration: _Cyclist._ "Why can't you look where you're going?" _Motorist._ "How the dickens could I when I didn't know!" * * * * * Illustration: _Middle-aged Novice._ "I'm just off for a tour in the country--'biking' all the way. It'll be four weeks before I'm back in my flat again." _Candid Friend._ "Ah! Bet it won't be four hours before you're flat on your back again!" * * * * * THE LAST RECORD (_The Wail of a Wiped-out Wheelman_) AIR--"_The Lost Chord_" Reading one day in our "Organ," I was happy and quite at ease. A band was playing the "_Lost Chord_," Outside--in three several keys. But _I_ cared not how they were playing, Those puffing Teutonic men; For I'd "cut the record" at cycling, And was ten-mile champion then! It flooded my cheeks with crimson, The praise of my pluck and calm; Though that band seemed blending "Kafoozleum" With a touch of the Hundredth Psalm. But my joy soon turned into sorrow, My calm into mental strife; For my record was "cut" on the morrow, And it cut _me_, like a knife. A fellow had done the distance In the tenth of a second less! And henceforth my name in silence Was dropt by the Cycling Press. I have sought--but I seek it vainly-- With that record again to shine, Midst crack names in our Cycling Organ, But they never mention mine. It may be some day at the Oval I may cut that record again, But at present the Cups are given To better--_or_ luckier--men! * * * * * Illustration: THE MOTOR-BATH _Nurse._ "Oh, baby, look at the diver!" * * * * * A SONG OF THE ROAD Tinkle, twinkle, motor-car, Just to tell us where you are, While about the streets you fly Like a comet in the sky. When the blazing sun is "off," When the fog breeds wheeze and cough, Round the corners as you scour With your dozen miles an hour-- Then the traveller in the dark, Growling some profane remark, Would not know which way to go While you're rushing to and fro. On our fears, then, as you gloat (Ours who neither "bike" nor "mote"), Just to tell us where you are-- Tinkle, twinkle, motor-car. * * * * * "Motor Body."--"One man can change from a tonneau to a landaulette, shooting brake, or racing car in two minutes, and, when fixed, cannot be told from ANY fixed body."--_Advt. in the_ "_Autocar._" The disguise would certainly deceive one's nearest relations, but as likely as not one's dog would come up and give the whole show away by licking the sparking plug. * * * * * Illustration: _Chauffeur._ "Pardon, monsieur. This way, conducts she straight to Hele?" _Major Chili Pepper_ (_a rabid anti-motorist and slightly deaf_). "Certainly it will, sir if you continue to drive on the wrong side of the road!" * * * * * Illustration: "FACILIS _Bikist_ (_gaily_). "Here we go down! down! down! down!" * * * Illustration: DESCENSUS!" _The same_ (_very much down_). "Never again with _you_, my bikey!" * * * * * Should Motors Carry Maxims?--Under the title "Murderous Magistrate," the _Daily Mail_ printed some observations made by a barrister who reproves Canon Greenwell for remarking from the Durham County Bench that if a few motorists were shot no great harm would be done. The same paper subsequently published an article headed, "Maxims for Motorists." Retaliation in kind is natural, and a maxim is an excellent retort to a canon. But why abuse the canon first? * * * * * So many accidents have occurred lately through the ignition of petrol that a wealthy motorist, we hear, is making arrangements for his car to be followed, wherever it may go, by a fully-equipped fire-engine, and, if this example be followed widely, our roads will become more interesting than ever. * * * * * Are there motor-cars in the celestial regions? Professor Schaer, of Geneva, has discovered what _he_ describes as a new comet plunging due south at a rate of almost 8 degrees a day, and careering across the Milky Way regardless of all other traffic. * * * * * Illustration: OUR ELECTION--POLLING DAY _Energetic Committeeman._ "It's all right. Drive on! He's voted!" * * * * * THE MOTOCRAT I am he: goggled and unashamed. Furred also am I, stop-watched and horse-powerful. Millions admit my sway--on both sides of the road. The Plutocrat has money: I have motors. The Democrat has the rates; so have I--two--one for use and one for County Courts. The Autocrat is dead, but I--I increase and multiply. I have taken his place. I blow my horn and the people scatter. I stand still and everything trembles. I move and kill dogs. I skid and chickens die. I pass swiftly from place to place, and horses bolt in dust storms which cover the land. I make the dust storms. For I am Omnipotent; I make everything. I make dust, I make smell, I make noise. And I go forward, ever forward, and pass through or over almost everything. "Over or Through" is my motto. The roads were made for me; years ago they were made. Wise rulers saw me coming and made roads. Now that I am come, they go on making roads--making them up. For I break things. Roads I break and Rules of the Road. Statutory limits were made for me. I break them. I break the dull silence of the country. Sometimes I break down, and thousands flock round me, so that I dislocate the traffic. But I _am_ the Traffic. I am I and She is She--the rest get out of the way. Truly, the hand which rules the motor rocks the world. * * * * * MOTOR CAR-ACTERISTICS (_By an Old Whip_) Jerking and jolting, Bursting and bolting, Smelling and steaming, Shrieking and screaming, Snorting and shaking, Quivering, quaking, Skidding and slipping, Twisting and tripping, Bumping and bounding, Puffing and pounding, Rolling and rumbling, Thumping and tumbling. Such I've a notion, Motor-car motion. * * * * * Illustration: ADDING INSULT TO INJURY _Cyclist_ (_to Foxhunter, thrown out_), "Oi say, Squoire, 'ave you seen the 'ounds?" * * * * * Illustration: TRUE PHILOSOPHY.--_Ploughman._ "Ah, things be different like wi' them an' us. They've got a trap wi' no 'osses, an' we 'm got 'osses wi' no trap." * * * * * Illustration: THE RECKLESS ONE _Wife of Injured Cyclist_ (_who, having found considerable difficulty in getting on his bicycle, and none whatever in coming off, has never ventured to attempt more than three miles in the hour_). "Well, I do believe he's had a lesson at last! I warned him about 'scorching.' I said to him, what have _you_ got to do with the 'record'?" * * * * * Illustration: AN INOPPORTUNE TIME Jones, while motoring to town to fulfil an important engagement, has the misfortune to get stuck up on the road, and has sent his chauffeur to the village for assistance. In the meantime several village children gather around and sing, "God rest you, merry gentleman, let nothing you dismay," etc. * * * * * The Great Motor Mystery.--At Lancaster two motorists were fined, according to the _Manchester Evening News_, "for driving a motor-car over a trap near Carnforth, at twenty-nine and thirty-four miles per hour respectively." We are of the opinion that the action of the second gentleman in driving at so high a speed over the poor trap when it was already down was not quite in accordance with the best traditions of English sport. * * * * * Illustration: BREAKING IT GENTLY.-- _Passer-by._ "Is that your pork down there on the road, guv'nor?" _Farmer._ "Pork! What d'ye mean? There's a pig o' mine out there." _Passer-by._ "Ah, but there's a motor-car just been by." * * * * * Illustration: EXCLUSIVE.-- _Fair Driver._ "Will you stand by the pony for a few minutes, my good man?" _The Good Man._ "Pony, mum? No, I'm a motor-minder, I am. 'Ere, Bill! 'Orse." * * * * * CRAZY TALES The Duchess of Pomposet was writhing, poor thing, on the horns of a dilemma. Painful position, very. She was the greatest of great ladies, full of fire and fashion, and with a purple blush (she was born that colour) flung bangly arms round the neck of her lord and master. The unfortunate man was a shocking sufferer, having a bad unearned increment, and enduring constant pain on account of his back being broader than his views. "Pomposet," she cried, resolutely. "Duky darling!" (When first married she had ventured to apostrophise him as "ducky," but His Grace thought it _infra dig._, and they compromised by omitting the vulgar "c.") "Duky," she said, raising pale distinguished eyes to a Chippendale mirror, "I have made up my mind." "Don't," expostulated the trembling peer. "You are so rash!" "What is more, I have made up yours." "To make up the mind of an English Duke," he remarked, with dignity, "requires no ordinary intellect; yet I believe with your feminine hydraulics you are capable of anything, Jane." (That this aristocratic rib of his rib should have been named plain Jane was a chronic sorrow.) "Don't keep me in suspense," he continued; "in fact, to descend to a colloquialism, I insist on Your Grace letting the cat out of the bag with the least possible delay." "As you will," she replied. "Your blood be on your own coronet. Prepare for a shock--a revelation. I have fallen! Not once--but many times." "Wretched woman!--I beg pardon!--wretched Grande Dame! call upon Debrett to cover you!" "I am madly in love with----" "By my taffeta and ermine, I swear----" "Peace, peace!" said Jane. "Compose yourself, ducky--that is Plantagenet. Forgive the slip. I am agitated. My mind runs on slips." The Duke groaned. "Horrid, awful slips!" With a countenance of alabaster he tore at his sandy top-knot. "I have deceived you. I admit it. Stooped to folly." A supercilious cry rent the air as the Duke staggered on his patrician limbs. With womanly impulse--flinging caste to the winds--Jane caught the majestic form to her palpitating alpaca, and, watering his beloved features with Duchessy drops, cried in passionate accents, "My King! My Sensitive Plant! Heavens! It's his unlucky back! Be calm, Plantagenet. I have--been--learning--to--_bike_! There! On the sly!" The Duke flapped a reviving toe, and squeezed the august fingers. "I am madly enamoured of--my machine." The peer smoothed a ruffled top-knot with ineffable grace. "Likewise am determined _you_ shall take lessons. Now it is no use, duky. I mean to be tender but firm with you." The Potentate gave a stertorous chortle, and, stretching out his arms, fell in a strawberry-leaf swoon on the parquet floor, his ducal head on the lap of his adored Jane. * * * * * Illustration: THE FREEMASONRY OF THE WHEEL.--"Rippin' wevver fer hus ciciklin' chaps, ain't it?" * * * * * Illustration: BROTHERS IN ADVERSITY _Farmer._ "Pull up, you fool! The mare's bolting!" _Motorist._ "So's the car!" * * * * * Illustration: QUITE RESPECTFUL _Fair Cyclist._ "Is that the incumbent of this parish?" _Parishioner._ "Well, 'e's the _Vicar_. But, wotever some of us thinks, we never calls 'im a _hencumbrance_!" * * * * * Illustration: _Gipsy Fortune-teller_ (_seriously_). "Let me warn you. Somebody's going to cross your path." _Motorist._ "Don't you think you'd better warn the other chap?" * * * * * THE SCORCHER (_After William Watson_) I do not, in the crowded street Of cab and "'bus" and mire, Nor in the country lane so sweet, Hope to escape thy tyre. One boon, oh, scorcher, I implore, With one petition kneel, At least abuse me not before Thou break me on thy wheel. * * * * * Illustration: A motorist wishes to point out the very grave danger this balloon-scorching may become, and suggests a speed limit be made before things go too far. * * * * * THE MUGGLETON MOTOR-CAR; OR, THE WELLERS ON WHEELS _A Pickwickian Fragment Up-to-date_ As light as fairies, if not altogether as brisk as bees, did the four Pickwickian shades assemble on a winter morning in the year of grace, 1896. Christmas was nigh at hand, in all its _fin-de-siècle_ inwardness; it was the season of pictorial too-previousness and artistic anticipation, of plethoric periodicals, all shocker-sensationalism sandwiched with startling advertisements; of cynical new-humour and flamboyantly sentimental chromo-lithography. But we are so taken up by the genial delights of the New Christmas that we are keeping Mr. Pickwick and his phantom friends waiting in the cold on the chilly outside of the Muggleton Motor-car, which they had just mounted, well wrapped up in antiquated great coats, shawls, and comforters. Mr. Weller, Senior, had, all unconsciously, brought his well-loved whip with him, and was greatly embarrassed thereby. "Votever shall I do vith it, Sammy?" he whispered, hoarsely. "Purtend it's a new, patent, jointless fishing-rod, guv'nor," rejoined Sam, in a Stygian aside. "Nobody 'ere'll 'ave the slightest notion vot it really is." "When are they--eh--going to--ahem--put the horses to?" murmured Mr. Pickwick, emerging from his coat collar, and looking about him with great perplexity. "'_Osses?_" cried the coachman, turning round upon Mr. Pickwick, with sharp suspicion in his eye. "'_Osses?_ d'ye say. Oh, who are you a-gettin' at?" Mr. Pickwick withdrew promptly into his coat-collar. The irrepressible Sam came immediately to the aid of his beloved master, whom he would never see snubbed if _he_ knew it. "There's vheels vithin vheels, as the bicyclist said vhen he vos pitched head foremost into the vatchmaker's vinder," remarked Mr. Weller, Junior, with the air of a Solomon in smalls. "But vot sort of a vheel do you call that thing in front of you, and vot's its pertikler objeck? a top of a coach instead o' under it?" "This yer wheel means Revolution," said the driver. "It do, Samivel, it do," interjected his father dolorously. "And in my opinion it's a worse Revolution than that there French one itself. A coach vithout 'osses, vheels instead of vheelers, and a driver vithout a vhip! Oh Sammy, Sammy, to think it should come to _this_!!!" The driver--if it be not desecration to a noble old name so to designate him--gave a turn to his wheel and the autocar started. Mr. Winkle, who sat at the extreme edge, waggled his shadowy legs forlornly in the air; Mr. Snodgrass, who sat next to him, snorted lugubriously; Mr. Tupman turned paler than even a Stygian shade has a right to do. Mr. Pickwick took off his glasses and wiped them furtively. "Sam," he whispered hysterically in the ear of his faithful servitor, "Sam, this is dreadful! A--ahem!--vehicle with no visible means of propulsion pounding along like--eh--Saint Denis without his head, is more uncanny than Charon's boat." "Let's get down, Sammy, let's get down at once," groaned Mr. Weller the elder. "I can't stand it, Samivel, I really can't. Think o' the poor 'osses, Sammy, think o' the poor 'osses as ain't there, and vot they must feel to find theirselves sooperseeded by a hugly vheel and a pennorth o' peteroleum, &c.!" "Hold on, old Nobs!" cried the son, with frank filial sympathy. "Think of the guv'nor, father, and vait for the first stoppage. Never again vith the Muggleton Motor! Vhy, it vorse than a hortomatic vheelbarrow, ain't it, Mr. Pickwick?" "Ah, Sammy," assented Mr. Weller, Senior, hugging his whip, affectionately. "Vorse even than vidders, Sammy, the red-nosed shepherd, or the Mulberry One hisself!" * * * * * A bear in a motor-car attracted much attention in the City last week. It had four legs this time. * * * * * The _Motor Car_ declares, on high medical authority, that motoring is a cure for insanity. We would therefore recommend several motorists we know to persevere. * * * * * Illustration: GENTLE SATIRE--"I say, Bill, look 'ere! 'Ere's a old cove out record-breaking!" * * * * * Illustration: MOTOR MANIA.-- _The Poet_ (_deprecatingly_). "They say she gives more attention to her motor-cars than to her children." _The Butterfly._ "Of course. How absurd you are! Motor-cars require more attention than children." * * * * * Illustration: SOUR GRAPES _First Scorcher._ "Call _that_ exercise?" _Second Scorcher._ "No. _I_ call it sitting in a draught!" * * * * * Illustration: NOT TO BE CAUGHT.-- _Motorist_ (_whose motor has thrown elderly villager into horse-pond_). "Come along, my man, I'll take you home to get dry." _Elderly Villager._ "No, yer don't. I've got yer number, and 'ere I stays till a hindependent witness comes along!" * * * * * Illustration: _Pedestrian._ "I hear Brown has taken to cycling, and is very enthusiastic about it!" _Cyclist._ "Enthusiastic! Not a bit of it. Why, he never rides before breakfast!" * * * * * Illustration: GROTESQUERIES _Words wanted to express feelings_ When your motor refuses to move, twenty miles from the nearest town. * * * * * Illustration: SO INCONSIDERATE "Jove! Might have killed us! I must have a wire screen fixed up." * * * * * BROWNING ON THE ROAD. Round the bend of a sudden came Z 1 3, And I shot into his front wheel's rim; And straight was a fine of gold for him, And the need of a brand-new bike for me. * * * * * Illustration: "IF DOUGHTY DEEDS MY LADY PLEASE" "Mamma! Mr. White says he is longing to give you your first bicycle lesson!" * * * * * A WISH (_By a Wild Wheelman. A long way after Rogers_) Mine be a "scorch" without a spill, A loud "bike" bell to please mine ear; A chance to maim, if not to kill, Pedestrian parties pottering near. My holloa, e'er my prey I catch, Shall raise wild terror in each breast; If luck or skill that prey shall snatch From my wild wheel, the shock will test. On to the bike beside my porch I'll spring, like falcon on its prey, And Lucy, on _her_ wheel shall "scorch," And "coast" with me the livelong day. To make old women's marrow freeze Is the best sport the bike has given. To chase them as they puff and wheeze, On rubber tyre--by Jove, 'tis heaven! * * * * * THE BIKER BIKED Henpeck'd he was. He learnt to bike. "Now I can go just where I like," He chuckled to himself. But she Had learnt to bike as well as he, And, what was more, had bought a new Machine to sweetly carry two. Ever together now they go, He sighing, "This is wheel _and_ woe." * * * * * Illustration: "WHERE IGNORANCE IS BLISS," &c. _He_ (_alarmed by the erratic steering_). "Er--and have you driven much?" _She_ (_quite pleased with herself_). "Oh, no--this is only my second attempt. But then, you see, I have been used to a _bicycle_ for years!" * * * * * Illustration: MISUNDERSTOOD _Donald_ (_who has picked up fair cyclist's handkerchief_). "Hi! Woman! Woman!" _Fair Cyclist_ (_indignantly_). "'Woman'! How _dare_ you----" _Donald_ (_out of breath_). "I beg your pardon, sir! I thought you was a woman. I didna see your _trews_." * * * * * Automobile dust-carts, says the _Matin_, are to be used in Paris henceforth. We had thought every motor-car was this. * * * * * Illustration: ENGLISH DICTIONARY ILLUSTRATED.--"Coincidence." The falling or meeting of two or more lines or bodies at the same point. * * * * * REFLECTIONS OF A MOTOR-RACER Two A.M.! Time to get up, if I'm to be ready for the great Paris-Berlin race at 3.30. Feel very cold and sleepy. Pitch dark morning, of course. Moon been down hours. Must get into clothes, I suppose. Oilskins feel very clammy and heavy at this hour in the morning. Button up tunic and tuck trousers into top boots. Put on peaked cap and fasten veil tightly over face, after covering eyes with iron goggles and protecting mouth with respirator. Wind woollen muffler round neck and case hands in thick dogskin gloves with gauntlets. Look like Nansen going to discover North Pole. Or Tweedledum about to join battle with Tweedledee. Effect on the whole unpleasing. Great crowds to see us off. Nearly ran over several in effort to reach starting post. Very careless. People ought not to get in the way on these occasions. Noise appalling. Cheers, snatches of _Marseillaise_, snorts of motors, curses of competitors, cries of bystanders knocked down by enthusiastic _chauffeurs_, shouts of _gendarmes_ clearing the course. Spectators seem to find glare of acetylene lamps very confusing. Several more or less injured through not getting out of the way sufficiently quickly. At last the flag drops. We are off. Pull lever, and car leaps forward. Wonder if wiser to start full speed or begin gently? Decide on latter. Result, nearly blinded by dust of competitors in front, and suffocated by stench of petroleum. Fellow just ahead particularly objectionable in both respects. Decide to quicken up and pass him. Can't see a foot before me on account of his dust. Suddenly run into the stern of his car. Apologise. Can't I look where I'm going? Of course I can. Not my fault at all. Surly fellow! Proceed to go slower. Fellow behind runs into _me_. Confound him, can't he be more careful? Says he couldn't see me. Idiot! Put on speed again. Car in front just visible through haze of dust. Hear distant crash. Confound the man, he's run into a dray! Just time to swerve to the right, and miss wreck of his car by an inch. Clumsy fellow, blocking my road in that way. At last clear space before me. Go up with a rush. Wind whistles past my ears. Glorious! What's that? Run over an old woman? Very annoying. Almost upset my car. Awkward for next chap. Body right across the road. Spill him to a certainty. Morning growing light, but dust thicker than ever. Scarcely see a yard in front of me. Must trust to luck. Fortunately road pretty straight here. Just missed big tree. Collided with small one. Knocked it over like a ninepin. Lucky I was going so fast. Car uninjured, but tree done for. Man in car just ahead very much in my way. Shout to him to get out of the light. Turns round and grins malevolently. Movement fatal. He forgets to steer and goes crash into ditch. What's that he says? Help? Silly fellow, does he think I can stop at this pace? Curious how ignorant people seem to be of simplest mechanical laws. Magnificent piece of road here. Nothing in sight but a dog. Run over it. Put on full speed. Seventy miles an hour at least. Can no longer see or hear anything. Trees, villages, fields rush by in lightning succession. Fancy a child is knocked down. Am vaguely conscious of upsetting old gentleman in gig. Seem to notice a bump on part of car, indicating that it has passed over prostrate fellow citizen, but not sure. Sensation most exhilarating. Immolate another child. Really most careless of parents leaving children loose like this in the country. Some day there will be an accident. Might have punctured my tyre. Chap in front of me comes in sight. Catching him up fast. He puts on full speed. Still gaining on him. Pace terrific. Sudden flash just ahead, followed by loud explosion. Fellow's benzine reservoir blown up apparently. Pass over smoking ruins of car. Driver nowhere to be seen. Probably lying in neighbouring field. That puts _him_ out of the race. Eh? What's that? Aix in sight? Gallop, says Browning. Better not, perhaps. Road ahead crowded with spectators. Great temptation to charge through them in style. Mightn't be popular, though. Slow down to fifteen miles an hour, and enter town amid frantic cheering. Most interesting. Wonderfully few casualties. Dismount at door of hotel dusty but triumphant. * * * * * Illustration: _First Cyclist_ (_cross-eyed_). "Why the dickens don't you look where you're going?" _Second Cyclist_ (_cross-eyed_). "Why don't you go where you're looking?" * * * * * Illustration: QUITE IMPOSSIBLE.--_Motorist._ "What! Exceeding the legal limit? _Do_ we look as if we would do such a thing?" * * * * * Illustration: THE INTERPRETATION OF SIGNS _Custodian._ "This 'ere's a private road, miss! Didn't yer see the notice-board at the gate, sayin' 'No thoroughfare'?" _Placida._ "Oh yes, of course. Why, that's how I knew there was a way through!" * * * * * Illustration: AFTER THE ACCIDENT "Toujours la politesse." * * * * * Illustration: QUITE A LITTLE HOLIDAY _Cottager._ "What's wrong, Biker? Have you had a spill?" _Biker._ "Oh, no. I'm having a rest!" * * * * * Illustration: WHATS IN A NAME? _Old Gent_ (_lately bitten with the craze_). "And that confounded man sold me the thing for a safety!" * * * * * _Motoring Illustrated_ suggests the institution of a Motor Museum. If we were sure that most of the motor omnibuses at present in our streets would find their way there, we would gladly subscribe. * * * * * PROTECTION AGAINST MOTOR-CARS Sir,--I recently read with interest a letter in the _Times_ from "A Cyclist since 1868." In it he announced his intention of carrying a tail-light in order to avoid being run into from behind. The idea is admirable, and my wife and I, as Pedestrians since 1826 and 1823 respectively, propose to wear two lamps each in future, a white and a red. We are, however, a little exercised to know whether we should carry the white in front and the red behind, or _vice versâ_. For in walking along the right side of a road we shall appear on the wrong side to an approaching motor-car. Would it not therefore be better for us to have the tail-light in front. Your most humble and obedient servant, LUX PRÃ�POSTERA. P.S.--Would such an arrangement make us "carriages" in the eye of the law? At present we appear to be merely a sub-division of the class "unlighted objects." * * * * * CURE FOR MOTOR-SCORCHERS (_suggested as being even more humane than the proposal of_ Sir R. Payne-Gallwey).--Give them Automobile Beans! * * * * * Illustration: SLOW AND SURE _John._ "I've noticed, miss, as when you 'as a motor, you catches a train, not _the_ train!" * * * * * HOW THE MATCH CAME OFF A HARMONY ON WHEELS (_Miss Angelica has challenged Mr. Wotherspoon to a race on the Queen's highway._) _Fytte 1._ _Mr. W._ Fine start! (Faint heart!) _Miss A._ Horrid hill! (Feeling ill!) _Fytte 2._ _Mr. W._ Going strong! Come along! _Fytte 3._ _Miss A._ Road quite even! Perfect heaven! _Fytte 4._ _Mr. W._ Goal in view! Running true! _Miss A._ Make it faster! Spur your caster! _Fytte 5._ _Mr. W._ Fairly done! _Miss A._ Match is won! [_They dismount. Pause._ _Mr. W._ What! Confess! _Miss A._ Well then--yes! * * * * * Illustration: _Motor Fiend._ "Why don't you get out of the way?" _Victim._ "_What!_ Are you coming back?" * * * * * MOTOROBESITY (_A Forecast_) In the spring of 1913 St. John Skinner came back from Africa, after spending nine or ten years somewhere near the Zambesi. He travelled up to Waterloo by the electric train, and the three very stout men who were in the same first-class compartment seemed to look at him with surprise. On arriving at his hotel he pushed his way through a crowd of fat persons in the hall. Then he changed his clothes, and went round to his Club to dine. The dining-room was filled with members of extraordinary obesity, all eating heartily. In the fat features of one of them he thought he recognised a once familiar face. "Round," said he, "how are you?" The stout man stopped eating, and gazed at him anxiously. "Why," he murmured, after a while, in the soft voice that comes from folds of fat, "it must be Skinner. My dear fellow, what is the matter with you? Have you had a fever?" "I'm all right," answered the other; "what makes you think I've been ill?" "Ill, man!" said Round, "why you've wasted away to nothing. You're a perfect skeleton." "If it's a question of bulk," remarked Skinner, "I'm much more surprised. You've grown so stout, every fellow in the Club seems so stout, everyone I've seen is as fat as--as--as you are." "Heavens!" exclaimed Round, "you don't mean to say I've been putting on more flesh? I'm the light weight of the Club. I only weigh sixteen stone. No, no, you're chaffing, or you judge by your own figure." "Not a bit," said the other; "you and I used to weigh about the same. What on earth has happened to you all?" "Well," said Round, "perhaps you're right. It's very much what the doctors say. It's the fashionable complaint, motorobesity. Sit down, and dine with me, and I'll tell you what the idea is. You see, it's like this. For ten years or so everybody who could afford a motor of some sort has had one. We've all had one. Not to have a motor has been simply ridiculous, if not disreputable. So everybody has ridden about all day in the fresh air, never had any exercise, and got an enormous appetite. Besides, in the summer we've always been drinking beer to wash down the dust, and in the winter soup, or spirits, or something to warm us. My dear fellow, you can't think what an appetite motoring gives you. I had an enormous steak for my lunch at Winchester to-day, and a great lump of plum cake with my tea at Aldershot, and my aunt, the General's wife, made me bring a bag of biscuits to eat on the way up, and yet I'm so hungry now that I should feel quite uncomfortable if the thirst those biscuits, and the dust, gave me didn't make me almost forget it. I suppose everyone is really getting fat. One notices it when one does happen to see a thin fellow like you. Why, in all the Clubs they've had to have new arm-chairs, because the old ones were too narrow. However, I've talked enough about motoring. So glad to see you again, old chap. Of course you'll get a motor as soon as possible." "Well," said Skinner, "I rather think I shall buy a horse." "My dear fellow," cried Round, "what an idea! Horse-riding is such awfully bad form. Besides, you can't go any pace. Look at me. I wouldn't get on a horse, and be shaken to pieces." "I should think not," said Skinner, "but I think I should prefer that to motorobesity." * * * * * An advertisement in _The Motor_ quotes the testimony of a gentleman from Moreton-in-the-Marsh, who states that he has run a certain car "nearly 412,500 miles in four months, and is more than pleased with it." As this works out (on a basis of twenty-four hours' running _per diem_) at about 143 miles per hour, we have pleasure in asking what the police are doing in Moreton-in-the-Marsh and its vicinity. * * * * * Noticing an advertisement of a book entitled "The Complete Motorist," an angry opponent of the new method of locomotion writes to suggest that the companion volume, "The Complete Pedestrian," had better be written at once before it becomes impossible to find an entire specimen. * * * * * MAXIM FOR CYCLISTS.--"_Try_-cycle before you _Buy_-cycle." * * * * * Illustration: Motorist (a novice) has been giving chairman of local urban council a practical demonstration of the ease with which a motor-car can be controlled when travelling at a high speed. * * * * * Illustration: LOVE'S ENDURANCE _Miss Dolly_ (_to her fiancé_). "Oh, Jack, this _is_ delightful! If you'll only keep up the pace, I'm sure I shall soon gain confidence!" [_Poor Jack has already run a mile or more, and is very short of condition._ * * * * * Illustration: TU QUOQUE.--_Cyclist_ (_a beginner who has just collided with freshly-painted fence_). "Confound your filthy paint! Now, just look at my coat!" _Painter._ "'Ang yer bloomin' coat! _'Ow about my paint?_" * * * * * Illustration: NOTE TO THE SUPERSTITIOUS It is considered lucky for a black cat to cross your path. * * * * * Illustration: WAITING FOR _A Study of Rural_ "W'y, I remembers the time w'en I'd 'ave stopped _that_ for furious drivin', an' I reckon it's only goin' about a paltry fifteen mile an hour!" * * * Illustration: BIGGER GAME _Police Methods_ "_Ar!_ Now them cyclists is puttin' on a fairish pace! Summat about twenty mile an hour, I s'pose. But 'tain't no business o' mine. _I'm_ 'ere to stop _motor-caws_. Wot ho!" * * * * * LOVE IN A CAR ["I have personal knowledge of marriages resulting from motor-car courtships."--The HON. C. S. ROLLS.--_Daily Express._] When Reginald asked me to drive in his car I knew what it meant for us both, For peril to love-making offers no bar, But fosters the plighting of troth. To the tender occasion I hastened to rise, So bought a new frock on the strength of it, Some china-blue chiffon--to go with my eyes-- And wrapped up my head with a length of it. "Get in," said my lover, "as quick as you can!" He wore a black smear on his face, And held out the hand of a rough artisan To pilot me into my place. Like the engine my frock somehow seemed to mis-fire, For Reginald's manner was querulous, But after some fuss with the near hind-wheel tyre We were off at a pace that was perilous. "There's Brown just behind, on his second-hand brute, He thinks it can move, silly ass!" Said Reggie with venom, "Ha! Ha! let him hoot, I'll give him some trouble to pass." My service thenceforth was by Reggie confined (He showed small compunction in suing it) To turning to see how far Brown was behind, But not to let Brown see me doing it. Brown passed us. We dined off his dust for a league-- It really was very poor fun-- Till, our car showed symptoms of heat and fatigue, Reggie had to admit he was done. To my soft consolation scant heed did he pay, But with taps was continually juggling, And his words, "Will you keep your dress further away?" Put a stop to this incipient smuggling. "He'd never have passed me alone," Reggie sighed, "The car's extra heavy with you." "Why ask me to come?" I remarked. He replied, "I thought she'd go better with two." When I touched other topics, forbearingly meek, From his goggles the lightnings came scattering, "What chance do you give me of placing this squeak," He hissed, "when you keep up that chattering?" At that, I insisted on being set down And returning to London by train, And I vowed fifty times on my way back to town That I never would see him again. Next week he appeared and implored me to wed, With a fondly adoring humility. "The car stands between us," I rigidly said. "I've sold it!" he cried with agility. His temples were sunken, enfeebled his frame, There was white in the curls on his crest; When he spoke of our ride in a whisper of shame I flew to my home on his breast. By running sedately I'm certain that Love To such passion would never have carried us, Which settles the truth of the legend above-- It was really the motor-car married us. * * * * * Illustration: _Miller_ (_looking after cyclist, who has a slight touch of motor mania_). "Well, to be sure! There do be some main ignorant chaps out o' London. 'E comes 'ere askin' me 'ow many 'orse power the old mill ad got." * * * * * Illustration: _Cyclist_ (_whose tyre has become deflated_). "Have you such a thing as a pump?" _Yokel._ "'Ees, miss, there's one i' the yard." _Cyclist._ "I should be much obliged if you would let me use it." _Yokel._ "That depends 'ow much you want. Watter be main scarce wi' us this year! Oi'll ask feyther." * * * * * Illustration: _Smart Girl_ (_to keen motorist_). "My sister has bought a beautiful motor-car." _Keen Motorist._ "Really! What kind?" _Smart Girl._ "Oh, a lovely sage green, to go with her frocks." * * * * * Illustration: _Mrs. Binks_ (_who has lost control of her machine_). "Oh, oh, Harry! Please get into a bank soon. I must have something soft to fall on!" * * * * * Illustration: _Miss Heavytopp._ "I'm afraid I'm giving you a lot of bother, but then, it's only my _first_ lesson!" _Exhausted Instructor_ (_sotto voce_). "I only hope it won't be my _last_!" * * * * * Illustration: SORROWS OF A "CHAUFFEUR" _Ancient Dame._ "What d'ye say? They call he a 'shuvver,' do they? I see. They put he to walk behind and shove 'em up the hills, I reckon." * * * * * A CYCLE OF CATHAY.--_The Yorkshire Evening Post_, in reporting the case of a motor-cyclist charged with travelling at excessive speed on the highway at Selby, represents a police-sergeant as stating that "he timed defendant over a distance of 633 years, which was covered in 64 secs." The contention of the defendant that he had been "very imperfectly timed" has an air of captiousness. * * * * * "Many roads in the district are unfit for motorists," is the report of the Tadcaster surveyor to his council. We understand the inhabitants have resolved to leave well alone. * * * * * At a meeting of the Four Wheeler's Association, a speaker boasted, with some justification, that a charge which is brought every day against drivers of motor-cars has never been brought against members of their Association, namely, that of driving at an excessive speed. * * * * * Rumour is again busy with the promised appearance of a motor-bus which is to be so quiet that you will not know that there is one on the road until you have been run over. * * * * * Illustration: AN UNPARDONABLE MISTAKE.--_Short-sighted Old Lady._ "Porter!" * * * * * Illustration: NOSCE TEIPSUM.--_Lady Cyclist_ (_touring in North Holland_). "What a ridiculous costume!" * * * * * Illustration: _Sporting Constable_ (_with stop-watch--on "police trap" duty, running excitedly out from his ambush, to motorist just nearing the finish of the measured furlong_). "For 'evin's sake, guv'nor, let 'er rip, and ye'll do the 220 in seven and a 'arf!" * * * * * MY MOTOR CAP [Motor-caps, we are informed, have created such a vogue in the Provinces, that ladies, women and factory girls may be seen wearing them on every occasion, though unconnected, in other respects, with modern methods of locomotion.] A motor car I shall never afford With a gay vermilion bonnet, Of course I _might_ happen to marry a lord, But it's no good counting on it. I have never reclined on the seat behind, And hurtled across the map, But my days are blest with a mind at rest, For I wear a motor cap. I am done with Gainsborough, straw and toque, My dresses are bound with leather, I turn up my collar like auto-folk, And stride through the pitiless weather; With a pound of scrag in an old string bag, In a tram with a child on my lap, Wherever I go, to shop or a show, I wear a motor cap. I don't know a silencer from a clutch, A sparking-plug from a bearing, But no one, I think, is in closer touch With the caps the women are wearing; I'm _au fait_ with the trim of the tailor-made brim, The crown and machine-stitched strap; Though I've neither the motor, the sable-lined coat, nor The goggles--I wear the cap. * * * * * Illustration: No, this isn't a collection of tubercular microbes escaping from the congress; but merely the Montgomery-Smiths in their motor-car, enjoying the beauties of the country. * * * * * LINES BY A REJECTED AND DEJECTED CYCLIST You do not at this juncture Feel, as I, the dreadful smart, And you scorn the cruel puncture Of the tyre of my heart! But mayhap, at some Life-turning, When the wheel has run untrue, You will know why I was burning, And was scorched alone, by you! * * * * * Illustration: FINIS BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE 29463 ---- [This plain-text file, containing only the captions to Richard Doyle's drawings, is included for completeness. The HTML version includes all drawings and decorative text. Except for "The Review" and some decorative headers, the entire book was printed in CAPITAL LETTERS. It has been reformatted for readability; capitalization decisions are the transcriber's. Text shown in +marks+ was printed in decorative blackletter type.] The Foreign Tour of Messrs BROWN, JONES, and ROBINSON. Being the History of What They Saw, and Did in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland & Italy. by Richard Doyle. London. Bradbury & Evans. Whitefriars. * * * * * * * * * [LONDON.] The mail train to Dover. Brown, Jones, and Robinson starting on their travels. [OSTEND.] After a rough passage, Brown, Jones, and Robinson are here seen landed at Ostend, surrounded, and a little bewildered, by the natives, who overwhelm them with attentions--seize the luggage, thrust cards into their hands, drag them in several directions at once, all talking together (which prevented their directions being so clear as they otherwise would have been)--and, finally, all expecting money! They are at the Douane, waiting for the officials to search the luggage. Robinson and Jones (alarmed by expression of Brown's countenance). --"What's the matter now?" Brown (in a voice of agony). --"I've left the key of my bag at home!" [OSTEND TO COLOGNE.] A sketch made at Malines. How they saw Belgium. [COLOGNE.] THE ARRIVAL AT COLOGNE. Travellers passing their examination. In the foreground is Jones's portmanteau undergoing the "ordeal by touch." Manner and custom of the people, as seen from the railway by Brown, and made a note of. B. J. and R., who took their places on the roof the better to command the view, are seen at the moment when the idea occurred to the two former that they might possibly not "fit" under the archway. Robinson is so wrapped up in thought, and a cigar, that he is unconscious of all else. This represents the Cologne omnibus on its journey from the station into the city, when stopped by the military, and made to "stand and deliver" the passports. Arrival at the hotel, and first coming in sight of that amiable and obliging race, the German waiter. He is small in stature (scarcely the size of life, as Jones remarked), and remains always a boy. "Speise-Saal" hotel, Cologne-- Enter Brown, Jones, and Robinson, fatigued, and somewhat disordered by travel, and "so hungry." How an agent of Jean Maria Farina addressed them, who was kind enough to put some of the celebrated "Eau" upon their handkerchiefs, and to receive orders for the same. The real Eau de Cologne, and its effect upon the noses of three illustrious individuals. "Kellner" presents the bill. They "do" Cologne cathedral. [COLOGNE TO BONN.] The railway from Cologne to Bonn. --B. J. and R. "Just in time." First glimpse of Rhine scenery. [BONN.] Jones's little all is contained in this small portmanteau. Robinson, on the contrary, finds it quite impossible to move with less than this. This scene represents the Rhine boat about to start from Bonn, and passengers from the railway embarking. In the foreground an accident has occurred, a porter having upset the luggage of an English family, the head of which is saluting him with the national "Damn," while the courier of the party expresses the same idea in German. [THE RHINE.] BROWN'S FIRST IMPRESSION OF THE RHINE. _From an ORIGINAL SKETCH in the possession of his family._ HEADS OF THE NATIVES. _A Leaf from Brown's Sketch Book._ COMPANY ON BOARD THE RHINE BOAT. Amongst them was a travelling tutor, and three young gentlemen, his pupils. He stood in the midst of them smiling blandly, an open volume in his hand, (probably a classic author,) between which, and his pupils, and the scenery, he divided his attention in about equal parts. There was a specimen of the English grumbler, big, burly, and as if in danger of choking from the tightness of his cravat. Every one knows him, his pleasant ways, and his constant flow of good humour and cheerfulness; that is he, sitting to the right. There were besides, numerous young gentlemen from the universities, from the army, from the bar, all with more or less hair on their upper lips; and there was a cavalry officer of the Russian guard, and a professor, on his way to Heidelberg, and loose, dishevelled, hairy, smoky young Germans, with long beards, and longer pipes. And there was a British nobleman, and a British alderman, and a British alderwoman; and there were British ladies whom I can't describe, because they wore those "ugly" things which prevent them being seen; intelligent young Americans on their way all over the world; nuns, with their quiet, happy faces; Red Republicans from Frankfort, and snobs from London. THE GREAT BRITON. As he stood contemplating the Rhine-land, wondering if it would be possible to live in that country; and considering (supposing he had one of those castles, now) how many thousands a-year one could do it with. The scenery would do; and with English institutions it might be made a good thing of. N.B. --He little thinks what Brown is doing. Even the nun was not safe from Brown. He is here seen taking her off, in a rapid act of sketching. B. J. and R. had just begun to enjoy the scenery, when, to their consternation, who should appear on board but the "Bore," who instantly was down upon them. For three mortal hours he entertained them with fashionable intelligence, anecdotes of the aristocracy, the court circular, births, deaths, marriages, &c. This was supposed to be an M.P. travelling in search of "facts." He is giving Brown his views; and also the statistics of everything. A VIEW ON THE RHINE. THE LONDON GENT UP THE RHINE. He is taken at the moment when expressing his opinion that the whole concern is a "do" and a "sell." BRITISH FARMER AND SON IN FOREIGN PARTS. They both wore a perpetual grin and stare of surprise, Jones thought that they had taken leave of England and their senses at once, owing to the withdrawal of protection. THE RHINE BOAT. Brown may be seen seated there upon the paddle-box, rapidly sketching every church, ruined castle, town, or other object of interest on either bank of the river. Those are Jones and Robinson, leaning over the side of the boat below him. Observe, also, the stout party who has called for brandy-and-water, and whose countenance almost lapses into a smile as "Kellner" approaches with the beverage. The tutor, it is pleasant to see, has at last put his "Classic" in his pocket, and gives himself up to the undivided enjoyment of the scene, while his "young charge" is wrapped in contemplation of mechanical science as exemplified in the structure of the wheel. And that must surely be the gent who has such a low opinion of the beauty of the Rhine-land, seated at the stern of the boat with his legs dangling over the river. Let us hope that he is happy now! THE ENGLISH "MILORD" UPON THE RHINE. How happy he looks! He dislikes the hum of men, and sits all day shut up in his carriage reading the literature of his country. How rude of those Germans to be laughing and joking so near his lordship! PERFECT ENJOYMENT. [COBLENTZ.] Indignation of Robinson, at sight of inadequate washing apparatus. He rang the bell with such violence, that all the waiters rushed in, thinking that the hotel was on fire, or that a revolution had broken out. There he stood, pointing to the water, about half a pint in a basin the size of a breakfast cup; and in a voice of suppressed emotion, demanding to know if "Das ist, etc." JONES'S NIGHT THOUGHTS. "Man wants but little here below," _but_ "wants that little long." If you should forget the number of your key and room (_as BROWN did on returning late from the theatre_), what are you to do? +An Incident in the Life of Jones's Dog.+ How this animal seemed to have imbibed communistic principles, and how he stole a sausage, and how the population rose like one man, and hunted him through the town. The dog having outstripped the populace, proceeds to eat the sausage. Having done so, he looks stouter than he did, and is inclined to rest. The inhabitants, eager for vengeance, surround him, but are kept at bay by the expression of his countenance. One burly peasant having the hardihood to approach too near, he is made as example of. _Exeunt omnes._ [THE RHINE.] Brown, with noble perseverance, sits upon the paddle-box, regardless of the storm, and sketches the castles and towns, as the steam-boat passes them. --Till in a moment of grief his hat and several sketches were carried off for ever: and then he thought it time to go below. How a citizen of the United States addressed Brown; and how he put the following questions during the first five minutes of their acquaintance. 1. "Where are you going?" 2. "What place do you hail from?" 3. "Conclude you go toe Frankfort?" 4. "You're Mr. Brown, I reckon?" 5. "What names do your friends go by?" Statements made during the same period. 1. "This here Rhine ain't much by the side of our Mississippi." 2. "Old Europe is 'tarnally chawed up." BROWN'S HAT. Robinson was very merry about this incident, and both he and Jones kept poking fun at Brown during the rest of the day. They parodied the well known song of "My heart's on the Rhine," substituting "My hat's in the Rhine;"--(it was very poor stuff, we have been assured by Brown)--and they made pointed allusions to the name of "Wide-Awake." The above drawing is from a rude sketch by Jones. THE SCENERY BECOMES MYSTERIOUS. They now became enveloped in what seemed a combination of fog (London November) and mist (Scotch). Only think of those two national institutions going up the Rhine with the rest of the fashionable world. At first it obscured the hill tops, with the ruins thereon; then the villages and vineyards below; and finally both banks of the river entirely disappeared. The company on board the steamboat did not, at this period, present the most cheerful aspect. [MAYENCE TO FRANKFORT.] How Robinson's favourite portmanteau, which he had forgotten to lock, was dropped accidentally by a porter while conveying it to the omnibus. Jones hints to Robinson that it is time to get up. [FRANKFORT.] How they visited a "quarter" of the city of Frankfort, and what they saw there! Robinson here wrote his celebrated letter to the "Times," on the subject of the deficiency of soap and water, from which, as we have seen in a former page, he suffered so grievously. It was conceived in terms of indignant eloquence; and drew a terrible picture of the state of social, political, and religious degradation into which a country must have sunk, where such things could be tolerated. As they walked through the town, bent upon seeing the Ariadne, and unconscious of danger, suddenly an object appeared in sight that filled them with terror. It was the "Bore!" stepping jauntily along on the other side of the street. To hesitate was to be lost! So they plunged into the nearest shop for protection, and stood there breathless with expectation and fear. Presently Jones--putting his head very gradually out--reconnoitred, and finding all safe they resumed their way. Robinson thinks it "the thing" to encourage native industry wherever he goes, and so buys a German pipe. [HEIDELBERG.] "Kellner!" While Brown, Jones, and Robinson supped, a party of philosophers carry on an æsthetical discussion, with an accompaniment of pipes and beer. "* * * The night was beautiful, so we determined after supper to have a look at the celebrated castle--Jones and I did, that is to say, for Robinson was so fatigued with travel that he declined moving, muttering something about 'Castle can wait.' We ascended; the moon shone brightly through the ruins, and bathed the landscape in its silvery light, the beautiful Neckar flowing at our feet. Under us lay the town, a thousand lights twinkling in the stillness." *  * "Suddenly, to our horror, there appeared upon the terrace 'The Bore!'" --_Extract from Brown's Journal._ "At last he left us. But not before he had taken from his pocket a letter received that morning from Green ('You know Green, of course,' he said, 'everybody does'), and read it aloud from beginning to end. It told of a 'good thing' said at the club by Smith; and of two marriages, and a duel likely to come off, besides several interesting particulars regarding the winner of the St. Leger." --_Ibid._ When Jones and Brown were left once more alone, they wandered and pondered amongst the ruins, and moralised over the instability of things--they were even becoming sentimental--when, suddenly, a terrific sound was heard--like the barking of a dog--and the next moment the animal himself was seen emerging from the darkness, and making towards them at the top of his speed. They turned and fled! Meeting by moonlight. Robinson, after the departure of Jones and Brown, seated himself before the fire and fell fast asleep. He continued in that state, notwithstanding that the philosophers became very noisy, and even warlike. --And although--after the latter had retired (fortunately without coming to blows)--his chair toppled over, he quietly assumed a horizontal position. Fancy the feelings of Jones and Brown on returning, and finding their friend lying on his back upon the floor, snoring! They lifted him up, and carried him off to bed. Next morning they entertained Robinson with a thrilling account of the dangers of their expedition, in which that dreadful dog filled a very large space. The above will give some faint idea of what they pictured to themselves (and to Robinson). [THE REVIEW.] Brown, Jones, and Robinson have arrived at ----, the capital of ----, a small German state (we won't say which, as it would be giving it an undue distinction, and might offend the others). They have been received with distinguished consideration, the "local" paper having announced their arrival as Count Robinson, Sir Brown, and the Rev. Jones. They have been invited to be present at a grand review, and Robinson--who amongst other necessaries in those portmanteaus of his, carried a uniform as Captain of Yeomanry--thought that this was just the proper occasion to appear in it. Accordingly, he rode on to the ground upon a charger (hired), in the character of a warrior, with a solemnity of countenance befitting the scene and his country, and accompanied by Jones (also mounted), but in the costume of an ordinary individual of the period. Brown preferred going on foot. That is Robinson in the centre. Just at the time when he ought to be riding up the line, inspecting the troops with the Grand Duke and his staff--his horse (a "disgusting brute," as Robinson afterwards described him, "who could not have been in the habit of carrying gentlemen") suddenly stood on his hind legs, in the very middle of the field, so that his rider was forced to cling on to him in an absurd manner, in full view of the army, the people, and the court. R. at that moment earnestly desired that the earth might open and swallow him. KEY TO THE CARTOON. 1. Robinson. 2. The Grand Duke. 3. The Crown Prince. 4. The Rest of the Serene Family. 5. Mr. Jones. 6. The Population. 7. Mr. Jones's Dog. 8. Mr. Brown. 9. The Army. 10. Distant View of the Capital. 11. Foreign Visitors. 12. Monument to late Duke. [BADEN.] A SCENE AT BADEN. THE RIGHT OF SEARCH. +Of the Adventure that befel Jones.+ I. Jones's dog having come upon a sentinel, and struck, perhaps, by his small size compared with the sentinels he is used to, commences to say, "Bow!--wow!--wow!--wew--u--u!" The soldier, offended by these remarks, presents for the animal's consideration, the point of his bayonet. II. Jones expostulates, with that freedom of speech which is the birthright of every Englishman. III. But obtaining no satisfaction, calls on the miserable foreigner to "Come on." IV. First (and last) round. --The soldier did "Come on," frowning. Jones received him, smiling. --The soldier made play with his musket: Jones put in his left. They closed, and a terrific struggle ensued, in the course of which Jones got his adversary's "Nob" into "Chancery." V. The soldier, at this point, unable to use his arms, took to his legs, and administered a series of kicks upon the shins of Jones, who in return seized him, lifted him in the air, and threw him. VI. Then, considering that justice and the honour of his country were alike satisfied, he retired, leaving the body of his antagonist on the field. VII. Shows the "body," on discovering that life was not extinct, attempting to rise. P.S. --He was last seen making frantic efforts to regain his feet, and seemingly prevented from doing so by the weight of his knapsack, and other accoutrements. VIII. Jones was late at breakfast; he found Robinson reading "Galignani," and Brown looking out of window, and after giving them an amusing account of the fun he had had, was just sitting down to the table, when Brown shouted out, "By Jove, there is a regiment of soldiers coming down the street!" IX. At first Jones was incredulous; but presently Brown, his hair standing on end, rushed towards him, and in a voice of agony, cried, "As sure as we are alive they have stopped in front of the house, and the _OFFICER IS COMING IN!_" X. It was too true. The soldiers had come to look after the Englishman who had attacked and beaten their comrade. XI. After a few moments of breathless suspense, the officer enters--Jones stands like a man about to struggle with adversity. XII. Nevertheless he is arrested and marched off. XIII. Robinson, in agony, calls for his coat and hat, "For," as he cried out to Brown, "not a moment is to be lost in endeavouring to see the British Minister." XIV. They gain an audience of His Excellency the British Minister, and ask his interference in behalf of a persecuted countryman. We are happy to add that the interference was quite successful. Jones was liberated immediately, and shortly afterwards the British Minister for Foreign Affairs, in a despatch to the German Minister for the same, expressed his conviction that "The whole civilised world reprobated, with one voice, a system at once tyrannical and cruel, a remnant of the darkest ages of man's history, and utterly unworthy of the present era of progress and enlightenment." Our friends were advised, however, to leave the country as soon and as quietly as possible. They departed accordingly. [BADEN TO BASLE.] Head-dresses of peasantry. A sketch on the road to Basle. How Brown and Jones went in a third class carriage (Robinson would not; it did not seem "respectable"), that they might see the natives, and how B. drew the portrait of one, to her evident dissatisfaction. The omnibus besieged and taken by storm. [BASLE.] "The height of the omnibusses is quite disgusting." --_Extract from unpublished documents in possession of ROBINSON, who himself fell in the mud, while climbing from the roof of one of those vehicles._ Scene from the road, near Basle. Storks' nest, Basle. [SWITZERLAND.] BOAT STATION ON THE LAKE OF LUCERNE; AS SKETCHED BY BROWN FROM THE STEAMER. According to the guide-book, the paintings on the wall represent Furst, Stauffach, and Melchthal, swearing to liberate their country; but Jones said he believed them to be portraits of a medieval Swiss Brown, Jones, and Robinson, in the act of vowing eternal friendship. The safest way of coming down a mountain. "We got out of the diligence (at a time when it was obliged to go very slowly), in order to make an excursion on foot in search of the picturesque, being told that we might meet the carriage at a certain point, about a mile further on. We saw many magnificent views, and did a great deal of what might be called rough walking; but perhaps the thing that struck us most was, that on emerging at the appointed spot for rejoining the diligence, we beheld it a speck in the distance, just departing out of sight." --_Extract from Jones's Journal._ The seven ages of Robinson's beard. What are they to do now? DESCENT OF THE ST. GOTHARD. Having taken their places on the outside of the diligence, Brown, Jones, and Robinson can the better enjoy the grandeur of the scenery. They see Italy in the distance. A meeting on the mountain. Pilgrims coming _down_ the "Hill of Difficulty." [ITALY.] BREAKFAST AT BELLINZONA. It was their first day in Italy, and how they did enjoy it! The repast was served in a stone summer-house attached to the hotel. The sun was so bright, and so hot; the sky was so blue, the vegetation so green, the mountains so purple, the grapes so large, and everything so beautiful, that Brown and Jones both decided that the scene fully realised all their imaginings of Italy. Robinson was enthusiastic, too, at first, and was beginning to say something about "Italia, O Italia," when his eye lit upon a green lizard running up the wall. From that moment he was more subdued. How they got Robinson up the hills. [ITALIAN LAKES.] They land upon Austrian territory en route for Milan. While the "proper officer" takes possession of their passports, the whole available population pounces upon the luggage, and, after apportioning it into "small allotments," carries it off to the custom house. The official here is seen "pointing" on the scent (as he thinks) of contraband goods in one of Robinson's portmanteaus. He did not "find," but in the hunt, tossed R.'s "things" dreadfully. Brown revenged the wrongs of self and friends, by taking a full length, on the spot, of that imposing administrator, who stands over there, with the passports in his hand. "Excelsior!" An Italian view. "Buon giorno." EVENING ON THE LAGO MAGGIORE. "'Knowest thou the land' where the grapes are as plentiful as blackberries in England; and where one has only to stop a minute at the roadside, and pull no end of 'em. O 'tis there! 'tis there! etc." --_Robinson's letters to his kinsfolk._ MARIE. Oh! Marie of the Lago d'Orta, maid of the inn, and most beautiful of waitresses, how well do I remember thee! How graceful were all thy movements; what natural ease, together with what a dignified reserve; --How truly a lady wert thou! You did not know it, but when you waited upon us, I always felt inclined to jump up from my chair, and open the door for you-- to take the dishes from your hands, to ask you respectfully to be seated, to wait upon you in fact. And O! How I did detest that wicked old landlady, your mistress, who used to bully and scold you. And I wonder whether you remember me. --_From a MS., very rare, in possession of Brown._ This picture represents Brown as he appeared, his feelings being "too many for him," on hearing that elderly she-dragon, the landlady, venting her ill-humour upon the gentle Marie. He stole out of the dining-room, looked over into the yard, and there beheld the furious old female shaking her fist, and pouring forth a torrent of abuse. Brown was not naturally of a savage temperament, but at that moment he felt that he could have--but it is best not to say what he could have done--it was too terrible for publication in these pages. A BOAT AT ORTA. A MOUNTAIN WALK. Robinson, with warmth, and some distance behind,-- "What is the use of going on at that rate?" Poor Jones! Who would have thought he could ever be tired! Pleasant. The accident that befell Robinson. --No. 1. The accident that befell Robinson. --No. 2. [ORTA.] ROBINSON RETIRES FOR THE NIGHT. To prevent anxiety, we had better state that he is tired--nothing else. "Now do, Robinson, jump up like a good fellow; we ought to be starting now--and think how pleasant it will be, once you are up!" [VARALLO.] THE INN. How Brown, returning from sketching, was beset by beggars in a lonely place. [MILAN.] They pay a visit to the marionette theatre. A snob they saw writing his name upon roof of Milan cathedral. ENLIGHTENED BEHAVIOUR IN A FOREIGN CHURCH. We are happy to say, that B. J. and R. had no connection with the above party. Robinson's determination to let his beard grow "naturally," had an absurd result, the hair growing in violent and abrupt crops in some places, and not at all in others; so that Jones, who was sensitive about appearances, (and whose own moustache was doing beautifully,) insisted at last upon R.'s being shaved, which event accordingly took place in the city of Milan. It was well that Robinson consented, for the barber eyed him eagerly, and as if he would spring upon him and shave him by force. CAFÉ MILAN.--SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL OF DISTINGUISHED FOREIGNERS. The moment we seated ourselves in a café, an awful group of beggars stood before us--so suddenly that they appeared to have come up through a trap-door--and demanded alms. They would not go without money, and when they got it they took it as a right. It would not do for one of us to "settle" with them for the whole party, for no sooner had I given them a coin than they turned to Jones, and when done with him, coolly set upon Robinson. The instant one tribe departed, a fresh relais arrived, so that there was a constant supply (of beggars) and demand (on our purses). No place seemed safe: in the most magnificent and luxuriously-decorated cafés they had perfect right of way, the contrast between the rich gilding, glass, fountains, etc., of the one, and the rags, dirt, and dramatically got-up horrors of the other being picturesque, but certainly not pleasant; and yet, as Jones remarked, they say this country has not free institutions. [VERONA.] THE AMPHITHEATRE, VERONA. Jones asks Robinson, whether he "Sees before him the gladiator die?" but Robinson maintains a dignified silence. Austrian detective stops Brown to examine his sketching stool. It puzzles him. There is an air of mystery about it. It might possibly be a weapon to be used for political purposes, or an infernal machine! Who knows? On the whole, he thinks he had better detain it. SCENE--DISCOVERS BROWN SKETCHING. Enter the Austrian army. They advance upon him, they think he is taking the fortifications. Robinson, who is much given to quotation, is, at the very moment, languidly reciting the lines:-- "Am I in Italy? Is this the Mincius? And those the distant turrets of Verona? And shall I sup where Juliet at the masque Saw her loved Montague?" --etc., etc. Not being familiar with the German, or the Croatian language, Brown is helpless. He protests his innocence, but the military don't understand him. They see treason in his hat, which is of an illegal shape, and they arrest him. Jones and Robinson appear, to the surprise of the military, and relief of Brown. Brown, quite resigned, walks quietly to meet his fate. Jones plunges violently, but is finally overcome. Robinson resists passively, and is accordingly dragged along. SKETCHES FOUND UPON BROWN. They are brought before the Governor. That is he seated at the table, the soldiers showing him the libellous representations of the Croats found in Brown's portfolio. The latter expects to be ordered for instant execution; but Jones assumes an air of great dignity, and says, "_Civis Romanus sum_." The Governor, Field-Marshal Lieutenant Count Brown, of the Imperial service, discovers in his prisoner a near relation of his own; and our friend is instantly locked in the embrace of that distinguished warrior. Jones remarked "All's well that ends well;" and Robinson, greatly relieved, broke out with:-- "Thus may each" nephew "whom chance directs, Find an" uncle "when he least expects." [VENICE.] EXAMINATION OF PASSPORTS. HOTEL. MODERN VENETIAN TROUBADOURS. An evening scene before the Café Florian, Piazza San Marco. Brown at this period undertook, at the urgent request of Jones and Robinson, to settle the accounts of the party, which had become complicated owing to that perplexing "medium," to those unused to it, the Austrian paper money. This is a faithful picture of the unfortunate man as he sat, in the solitude of his chamber, until a late hour of the night, drawing up the "financial" statement. Robinson (_solo_). --"I stood in Venice," etc.; Jones and Brown, having heard something like it before, have walked on a little way. _Reflection made by BROWN._ --Why do people when repeating poetry always look unhappy? ENJOYMENT! A scene upon the Grand Canal. THE THEATRE MALIBRAN. The entertainment commenced at 5 P.M., and lasted till 7. It consisted of a melodrama, full of awful crimes, and the most pathetic sentiment. The audience, chiefly composed of "the people," was, from beginning to end, in an extraordinary state of excitement, fizzing, like the perpetual going off of soda-water. The theatre was lighted (?) by about four oil lamps; and such was the darkness, that our travellers--who may be seen, perhaps, through the "dim obscure," up in a private box--could scarcely discern anything but the white uniform and glittering bayonet of an Austrian sentinel in the pit. [A NIGHT IN VENICE.] BROWN RETIRED TO REST. MISERY. NOTE.-- If the Musquitos appear rather large in this and the following scenes, let it be remembered that in the "Heroic" it was a principle of many of the great painters to exaggerate the "parts." DESPERATION. MOMENTARY RELIEF. MADNESS! BELL!! BOOTS!! DESPAIR!!!! [VENICE.] THE ACCADEMIA. GONDOLA ON THE LAGOON. Sentiment spoken by Robinson, with marks of adhesion from Brown and Jones. "Oh, if there be an Elysium on earth, it is this, it is this!!" +The Accademia.+ Scene I. Brown (soliloquy). --"This is pleasant! To be quite alone here (dab), surrounded by these magnificent works (dab, dab, dab), and everything so quiet too--nothing to disturb one." (Dab) after a pause. "I wonder what Jones and Robinson are doing (dab, splash)--lying at full length in a gondola, I dare say--smoking (dab), I think I could spend my life in this place" (dab, dab). "It is difficult to say which is the greatest pleasure, (another dab,) copying these splendid pictures, or painting from nature, those beautiful blue skies and crumbling old picturesque palaces, outside." (Sings) --"'How happy could I be with either.'" (Prolonged pause, and great play with brush) --"Oh! That sunset last evening! As we lay out in our gondola upon the perfectly calm waters, by the Armenian convent, and watched the sun slowly going down behind the distant towers and spires of the 'City of the sea'--one mass of gold spreading all over the west!" *  * "Oh! Those clouds! (Another pause) Ah! That was happiness. One such hour is worth--let me see--how many years of one's life? *  * and yet this is--" Scene II. He is set upon and surrounded by an English family, and the following dialogue ensues:-- The Mamma. --"What a delightful occupation, to be sure." Young Lady (in a whisper). --"He is copying the Tintoret." Youthful Son and Heir (with confidence). --"No, he ain't; he's doing that stunning big one with the rainbow, and three river gods." Second Young Lady. --"It's sweetly pretty, isn't it!" Papa (a British merchant, and of a practical turn). --"Very good--v-e-r-y good. Ahem! Now I wonder what one could make a year by that kind of thing." Young Man (with glass in his eye). --"Slow, I should think." At this point Brown's attention was attracted to a scuffle going on behind him amongst the junior members of the party. Two of the little innocents had taken a fancy to the same drawing (a copy of his favourite John Bellino), and after a brief, but fierce struggle for possession, had settled the difficulty by tearing it in two. (Party retires rather precipitately.) [TRIESTE TO VIENNA.] SKETCH MADE BY BROWN AT TRIESTE. NOTE.--If any one doubts the fact, Jones and Robinson are ready to make affidavit of it. ROBINSON SEARCHED AND INDIGNANT. Such things never happen anywhere else. [VIENNA.] Arrived at Vienna, they visit the theatre. A gentleman there, unobtrusively pays them great attention. SCENE--SHOP, VIENNA. Jones to Brown-- "What do you say?" Brown (who sees that Robinson is bent upon making a "magnificent addition" to himself, and that it is useless to expostulate). --"Oh, I think it is splendid; and if you will only appear in it in Pall Mall, when we get home again, you will make a sensation." THEY VISIT THE PICTURE GALLERIES. That man in the doorway seems to take a great interest in their movements. THE PROMENADE. Brown thinks it is the same man! What can he want? THE PUBLIC GARDEN. There he was again! Jones suggested that perhaps it was a government official, who took them for liberty, equality, and fraternity. No sooner did they take their places at the Table d'Hote to dine, than Brown fell back in his chair. There could be no doubt about it--he was better dressed than before--but it was the same man! He must be a spy! Jones at the opera abroad. How unlike Jones at the opera at home. [VIENNA TO PRAGUE.] "Just ten minutes to dress, breakfast, and get to the train." [PRAGUE.] WALLENSTEIN'S HORSE. "The head, neck, legs, and part of the body have been repaired--all the rest is the real horse." --_From speech of the young woman who showed the animal._ A "KNEIPE" AT PRAGUE. Robinson is so confused with rapid travelling, that he addresses a waiter in three languages at once. "Kellner!-- Mittags-essen pour trois-- Presto presto-- and-- waiter!-- Soda water-- col cognac-- geschwind!" TABLE D'HOTE, PRAGUE. [PRAGUE TO COLOGNE.] "Passports!" --"That's the sixth time we have been woke up," groaned Robinson. [RHINELAND AGAIN.] DUSSELDORF. Brown _loq._ --I have left my bag behind! MINDEN. Here is the bag. How Brown was seated between two soldiers, and how they would examine each other's swords, and how those fearful weapons were flashing about, often within an inch of B.'S nose: and how (being of a mild and peaceful disposition), B. was kept thereby in a constant state of uneasiness. [BELGIUM.] Eye of the government; as kept upon the travellers, during their stay in the Austrian dominions. --_Drawn from the haunted imagination of Brown._ THEIR LAST REPAST IN FOREIGN PARTS. Time and train wait for no man. ARTICLES PURCHASED BY ROBINSON. 1. Eau de Cologne. 2. Pipe; (never smoked.) 3. Hat; (never worn, and found decidedly in the way.) 4. Cigars; (stopped at Custom House.) 5. Tauchnitz editions; (also seized.) 6. Cornet à pistons; (bought in Germany with the intention of learning to play upon it some day.) 7. Gloves; (purchased at Venice, a great bargain, and found utterly worthless.) [OLD ENGLAND.] +Sic(k) Transit+ +Gloria Mundi!+ * * * * * * * * * BRADBURY AND EVANS, Printers extraordinary to the queen, Whitefriars. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Errors and Iconsistencies (noted by transcriber): They both wore a perpetual grin and stare of surprise, [comma in original: error for period (full stop)?] 3. "Conclude you go toe Frankfort?" [text unchanged] An evening scene before the Café Florain [error for Florian] If the Musquitos appear rather large [variant spelling unchanged] +Of the Adventure that befel Jones.+ The accident that befell Robinson. [inconsistent spelling unchanged] 33918 ---- [Illustration] WITH THE CHILDREN PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day. MR. PUNCH WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: MUCH ADO.--"Mamma-a-a! Boo-hoo! We's crying! Tum up 'tairs an' see what's de matter wiv us!"] MR. PUNCH WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration] AS PICTURED BY PHIL MAY, GEORGE DU MAURIER, CHARLES KEENE, JOHN LEECH, GORDON BROWNE, L. RAVEN-HILL, CHARLES PEARS, LEWIS BAUMER, DAVID WILSON, TOM BROWNE, J. BERNARD PARTRIDGE, C. E. BROCK, TOM WILKINSON, HILDA COWHAM, AND OTHER HUMORISTS _IN 175 ILLUSTRATIONS_ PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration] * * * * * EDITOR'S NOTE [Illustration] In the order of our Library "Mr. Punch with the Children" comes last, yet, so continual and sincere has been the interest of the breezy little man in the children, we might well have placed this volume first. The _Punch_ pictures, stories and jests that are concerned with the young folk are almost inexhaustible. The present collection, though containing the cream of them, comes very far indeed from reproducing them all, or even fifty per cent. For every notable artist and writer who has been much associated with _Punch_ since 1841 has had something to say or to illustrate of the humours of child life. If genius be the power to be a child again at will, we can understand this abiding interest in the doings of the children. MR. PUNCH himself resembles Peter Pan, for he has never grown up. The years roll by, but the jolly little hunchback remains as young as ever. The variety of individuality in the children, to whom we are here introduced, is noteworthy. In the days of Leech, downright impudence seems to have been a characteristic of the young; to-day it would seem children are better mannered, even if the _enfant terrible_ is still thriving and likely to do so. There are nice children here, and naughty ones; clever and dull children; pretty and ugly children--the mischievous are chiefly memories of last generation! Phil May's children are all clearly of the "gutter snipe" order, in which he delighted, full of character and a somewhat pathetic humour; but how clean and sweet and lovable are Du Maurier's or Mr. Lewis Baumer's! Mr. Raven-Hill seems to be attracted somewhat in the same direction as Phil May; but all are interesting, and their sayings and doings are eminently worthy to be thus permanently gathered into one volume. * * * * * [Illustration: Boy (_looking forward to a party in the evening_). "Oh, mummy, baby _is_ naughty! He has taken two things off the calendar, and made it to-morrow!"] * * * * * MR. PUNCH WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration: A STUDY IN EXPRESSION] A SERIOUS MATTER.--_Grandfather_ (_to Miss Pansy, who is somewhat flushed and excited_). What's the matter, my pet? _Miss Pansy_ (_aged eight_). Oh, grandpa, me and my kitten have been having the most awful row. We've often quarrelled before and made it up again, but this time we're not on speaking terms. * * * * * [Illustration: _Bobbie_ (_dictating letter to his sister, whom he has "squared" into writing for him_). "Dear Miss Brown, please xcuse Bobbie for not bean at school sinse Tewsday has he as add twothake on Tewsday and on Wednesday he broke is harm and he ad to go to a party yesterday afternoon. If he does not come to-morrow it will be because a boy thrue a stoan at is i.--Yours trooly, Bobbie's mother."] * * * * * [Illustration: PRESENCE OF MIND.--_Little Girl_ (_who has been disturbed by a mouse, in a stage-whisper to her sleeping sister_). "Wake up! Oh, wake up and mew, Amy; mew for your life!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: UNIMAGINATIVE _Auntie._ "Do you see the hair in this old brooch, Cyril? It was your great-grandfather's." _Cyril._ "I say, Auntie, he didn't have much!"] * * * * * _Auntie._ Well, Effie, did you enjoy your party last night? _Effie._ Very much, thank you, auntie. _Auntie._ And I suppose mamma was there to look after you? _Effie._ Oh no! Mamma and I _don't belong_ to the same set! * * * * * [Illustration: NICE NEPHEW! _Tommy._ "Talking of riddles, Uncle, do you know the difference between an apple and a elephant?" _Uncle_ (_benignly_). "No, my lad, I don't." _Tommy._ "You'd be a smart chap to send out to buy apples, wouldn't you?"] * * * * * A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE.--"Now go to school, and be a good boy. And mind you don't use any rude words!" "Rude words! _Tell_ me a few, mummy, and then I shall _know_, you know!" * * * * * [Illustration: A "CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR" _Governess._ "Now, just one more subtraction sum----" _Dolly._ "Oh, Miss Crawford, I don't fink mummie would let me do any more of _those_ sums, 'cause in them you borrow _ten_ and pay back only _one_, and that's cheating!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A GREAT AMBITION _Little Girl_ (_watching her mother fixing hatpins through her hat_). "When will _I_ be old enough, mummy, to have holes made in _my_ head to keep my hat on?"] * * * * * [Illustration: REHEARSAL FOR PRIVATE THEATRICALS ON BOXING-DAY.--_Master Brown_ (_leading tragedian, who has been studying a fearful blood-curdling old melodrama, entering suddenly)_. "Here are the letters. Two million pounds is the price of my silence!"] * * * * * WALKING HOME FROM THE PANTOMIME.--_Little Chris_ (_who usually goes to bed very early_). Mamma, have all the angels been to Drury Lane to-night? _Mamma._ No, darling? Why? _Little Chris_ (_pointing to the stars_). 'Cause they've kept the lamps up there lighted so late. * * * * * [Illustration: OUR CHRISTMAS TEA.--_Unregenerate Youth._ "Pass the seedy caike!" _Vicar's Daughter._ "If----? If----?" _Unregenerate Youth._ "If 'e don't I'll shove 'im in the faice!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE PROBLEM. _Samuel._ "Muvver, does a hen lay an egg when it _likes_ or _must_ it?"] * * * * * [Illustration: A GRAND-DAUGHTER OF EVE.--_Mamma_ (_to Molly, who has scratched and bitten her French nurse, and who won't be sorry for her behaviour_). "Oh, Molly, don't you know who it is puts such wicked thoughts into your head?" _Molly._ "Ah, yes, the _scratching_! But to _bite_ Félicie was quite my own idea!"] * * * * * ROGUES FALLING OUT.--_Mamma._ What is baby crying for, Maggie? _Maggie._ I don't know. _Mamma._ And what are _you_ looking so 'ndignant about? _Maggie._ That nasty, greedy dog's been and took and eaten my 'punge-take! _Mamma._ Why, I saw you eating a sponge-cake a minute ago! _Maggie._ O--that was baby's! * * * * * A SCIENTIFIC NURSERY DEFINITION.--_Little Algy Muffin._ What's the meaning of bric-à-brac, that mamma was talking about to Colonel Crumpet? _Little Chris Crumpet._ Those things we mustn't play bricks with, a-fear we'll break them. * * * * * POETRY FOR SCHOOLBOYS.--Little Tommy Tender, who received a flogging the week before his holidays, says his feelings were the contrary of those felt by the poet, when he penned the touching line-- "My grief lies onward, and my joy behind." * * * * * [Illustration: LOGICAL.--_Little Bobby_ (_whose mamma is very particular, and is always telling him to wash his face and hands_). "Mummy dear! I do wish I was a little black boy." _Mamma._ "My dear Bobby, you generally are." _Little Bobby._ "Oh, I mean _really_ black. _Then_ you wouldn't see when I was dirty."] * * * * * [Illustration: EVERYTHING CAN BE EXPLAINED _Cissie_ (_who has never seen an Archdeacon before_). "Dick, that old clergyman has got gaiters on. What does it mean when a clergyman wears gaiters?" _Dick_ (_who knows everything_). "Oh, it means that he belongs to the cyclist corps!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "WHAT MAISIE KNEW" _Kind Aunt._ "You needn't be afraid of my little pug, Maisie. He won't bite you." _Maisie._ "No, auntie. But he might kick!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Bobby._ "Do you know what daddy calls you, Mr. Tovey?" _Mr. Tovey._ "No Bobby. What is it?" _Bobby._ "He calls you Port Arthur, 'cause you take so long to surrender!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Little Girl_ (_to mother, who has just read notice_). "I suppose, mother, it doesn't mention _which_ half of the poor thing we are to look for?"] * * * * * JUVENILE GEOGRAPHY.--_Governess._ The earth moves round the sun ... it takes a whole year to complete the round ... and this accounts for the four seasons. What are the four seasons of the year, Phyllis? _Phyllis_ (_aged_ five). This year, next year, sometime, never. * * * * * "IT'S A WISE CHILD THAT KNOWS ITS OWN FATHER."--_Grace._ Harold, why did pa call that Mr. Blowhard a liar? _Harold._ 'Cos he's smaller than pa! * * * * * A LITTLE LEARNING.--_Teacher._ And who was Joan of Arc? _Scholar._ Please, sir, Noah's wife. * * * * * A LITTLE STEPMOTHER.--_Uncle._ Hullo! Dot, got a new doll? _Little Miss Dot._ Hush, uncle, don't speak too loud. She is not one of my own, but belonged to Millie Simpson, who was cruel to her and 'bandoned her, so I have 'dopted her; but I don't want her to know, because I mean to make no difference between her and my own dollies. * * * * * [Illustration: A POSER _Katie_ (_in consternation_). "Oh, mother, how _will_ Santa Claus do about that poor man's stockings?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE RETURN INVITATION.--"Please, Mrs. Subbubs, mamma says she'll be glad if you'll come to tea on Monday." "With pleasure, Bessie. Tell your mother it's really too kind----" "Oh, no! mamma says she'll be glad when it's over."] * * * * * [Illustration: "Did our hat-rack walk about and have only two pegs, once, auntie?"] * * * * * [Illustration: STABLE TALK.--_The General._ "That's a funny sort of horse you've got there, Cuthbert." _Cuthbert._ "Yes, gran'pa. You see he's been 'eating his head off' all the winter!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Severe Mother._ "You naughty boy! How dare you tell such stories? Aren't you ashamed of yourself for being a little liar?" _Injured Son._ "Well, mother, 't ain't my fault. Father gave me a awful thrashing the other day for having spoken the truth." _Mother._ "What _do_ you mean?" _Son._ "Why, when I told you that father had come home quite drunk the night before!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "IN STRANGE ATTIRE" "Nurse! Nurse! Bobby's out of bed, and running about in his _bananas_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PROOF "You won't go in that dark room alone by yourself, Tommy." "Oh! won't I? You just _come with me_, and see me do it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: INCONTROVERTIBLE "And how _old_ are you, my little man?" "I'm not old at all. I'm nearly _new_!"] * * * * * THE FORCE OF CLASSIC TEACHING.--_Master._ Now, boys, what is Hexham famous for? _Binks Minor._ Making the hexameter, sir. [_Waits afterwards._ * * * * * PROVERBS REVISED.--"_One is better than two._" _Mother._ You are a very naughty little girl! _Little Girl_ (_after some thought_). Aren't you glad I wasn't twins, mummy? * * * * * [Illustration: MISUNDERSTOOD _Mild Old Gentleman rescues a bun which child has dropped in the mud._ _Child_ (_all aglow with righteous indignation_). "That's _my_ bun!"] * * * * * TRUE SENTIMENT.--"I'm writing to Mrs. Montague, Georgie--that pretty lady you used to take to see your pigs. Haven't you some nice message to send her?" "Yes, mummie; give her my love, and say I never look at a little black pig now without thinking of _her_!" * * * * * [Illustration: _Chemist._ "Pills, eh?" (_Emphasising question_) "Anti-bilious?" _Child_ (_readily_). "No, sir; uncle is!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mother._ "Now, dear, why don't you run away and give grandpa a kiss?" _Child_ (_somewhat nonplussed by grandpapa's moustache and beard_). "I don't see any place for it, mamma!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE," &c.--_Ethel._ "Mummy dear, why did you tell Richard you 'weren't at home' just now?" (_Pause._) "Mummy, I mean----" _Mamma._ "When Sir Fusby Dodderidge called? Why, Ethel dear, because he bores me." _Ethel._ "Oh!" (_After thoughtfully considering the matter with regard to her governess_). "Then may I say I'm not at home when Miss Krux calls to-morrow? for _she_ bores _me_ awfully?"] * * * * * [Illustration: AT THE RINK.--_Little Girl._ "Oh, Captain Sprawler, _do_ put on your skates, and show me the funny figures you can make." _Captain S._ "My dear child, I'm only a beginner. I can't make any figures." _Little Girl._ "But Mabel said you were skating yesterday, and cut a _ridiculous_ figure!"] * * * * * A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE.--_Daisy_ (_who has been studying Chrysanthemums_).--Maisy, do you know what's a _Double Begonia_? _Maisy_ (_who has been studying the Classics_).--"Double Big-onia"? Yes! Of course, it's the plural of one big onion. * * * * * MAIDENLY ETIQUETTE.--_Little Chris_ (_ætat eight_). I've a birthday party on Thursday, Evie. I should like you to come. _Little Evie_ (_ætat nine_). I should love to, dear. _Little Chris._ But I couldn't, you know, unless you asked me to tea first. * * * * * IN THE LIBRARY.--_Tommy._ How beautifully those books is binded! _Little Dot._ No, Tommy, that's wrong. You mustn't say "binded"; you should say, "are bounded." * * * * * SUPERLATIVE ASSURANCE.--_Papa_ (To Little Chris). I can't quite understand you. Was it Mr. Jones, or Mr. David Jones, or Mr. Griffith Jones, whom you met? _Little Chris_ (_stoutly_). All I know is, it was the _third eldest_ Mr. Jones. * * * * * [Illustration: _Mabel_ (_stroking kitten, a new present_). "Mother, kitty's so hot! Ought she to sit so near the fire?" (_Kitten purrs._) "Oh, mother, listen! She's beginning to boil!"] * * * * * A VIRTUE OF NECESSITY.--_Aunt Maria._ What a good little boy to leave your little friends to come with a poor old auntie like me. _Master Douglas._ Oh, mother always _makes_ us do nasty things and things we don't like. * * * * * MASTER TOMMY'S RECEIPTS.--(_The Fair Weather Barometer._) This is a pleasing and simple experiment. The mercury is removed, and divided in equal portions between the cat, the parrot next door, and the interior of grandpapa's forty-guinea repeater. This may cause some local disturbance, but the barometer, relieved of undue pressure, and set at "very dry," may be relied on to indicate, without further attention, permanent fair weather. * * * * * AT THE BOARD SCHOOL.--_Inspector._ Now, can any of you children state what is likely to be the future of China? _One Maiden_ (_after a pause_). Please sir, father says that China's like him. _Inspector._ Like him! What do you mean? _The Maiden._ Sure to be broken by the force of circumstances. [_Class dismissed immediately._ * * * * * [Illustration: AN INNOCENT HINT _Auntie._ "What is Nellie's nose for?" _Nellie_ (_doubtfully_). "To smell with." _Auntie._ "And what is Nellie's mouth for?" _Nellie_ (_cautiously_). "To eat with." _Auntie._ "And what are Nellie's ears for?" _Nellie_ (_confidently_). "Ear-rings."] * * * * * A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE!--_Miss Tomboy._ Mamma, I think those French women were beastly rude. _Mother._ You mustn't speak like that of those ladies, it's very wrong. And how often have I told you not to say "beastly"? _Miss Tomboy._ Well, they _were_ rude. They called me a little cabbage (_mon petit chou_). The next time they do that I shall call them old French beans. * * * * * SOLILOQUY.--"I should like that engine. Can't afford it myself. They won't buy it for me at home--too soon after Christmas. Must go in and ask the girl to put it aside for me till next time I have the croup or something; then mother'll buy it me!" * * * * * "TOO CLEVER BY HALF" Tommy and Johnnie were boys at school, Tommy was clever, but Johnnie a fool; Tommy at lessons was sharp and bright, Johnnie could never do anything right. Genius often is known to fail; Tommy turned forger, and went to jail. Johnnie, though slow as he well could be, Plodded away and became M.P. * * * * * [Illustration: "CONSERVATION OF TISSUE."--_Uncle._ "Well, Tommy, you see I'm back; are you ready? What have I to pay for, miss?" _Miss._ "Three buns, four sponge cakes, two sandwiches, one jelly, five tarts, and----" _Uncle._ "Good gracious, boy! Are you not ill?" _Tommy._ "No, uncle; but I'm thirsty."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Benevolent Old Gentleman._ "Now then, little boy. What do you mean by bullying that little girl? Don't you know it's very cruel?" _Rude Little Boy._ "Garn! wot's the trouble? _She's my Sweetheart!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Grandpapa._ "Well little lady, will you give me a lock of that pretty hair of yours?" _Marjory._ "Yes, granpa'; but"--(_hesitating_)--"I don't fink _one_ lock would be enough, would it?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "DADDY'S WAISTCOAT" (_Sketched from Life in Drury Lane._)] * * * * * [Illustration: A STORY WITHOUT WORDS] * * * * * THE CASE FOR THE DEFENCE.--_Mother._ Oh, Dicky, what terrible things you do keep in your pockets! Fancy, a dead crab! _Dicky._ Well, mother, it wasn't dead when I put it there! * * * * * HAPPY THOUGHT.--"Why, my boy, you've spelt window without an _N_! Don't you know the difference between a _window_ and a _widow_?" "Yes, sir. You can see through _one_--and--and--you can't see through the _other_, sir!" * * * * * THE YOUNG IDEA AGAIN.--(SCENE--_Fourth-standard room of an elementary school. Children reading._) _Inspector_ (_to the Teacher_). What are they reading about? _Teacher._ American Indians. _Inspector._ I will ask them a few questions. (_To children._) What is a Red Indian's wife called? (_Many hands up_). Tell me. _Scholar._ A squaw, sir. _Inspector._ What is a Red Indian's baby called? (_Silence. At last a boy volunteers._) Well, my boy? _Boy._ Please, sir, a squaker! * * * * * [Illustration: A CAUTION TO LITTLE BOYS AT THIS FESTIVE SEASON _Mamma._ "Why, my dearest Albert, what are you crying for?--so good, too, as you have been all day!" _Spoiled Little Boy._ "Boo-hoo! I've eaten so--m-much be-eef and t-turkey, that I can't eat any p-p-plum p-p-pudding!" [_Oh, what a very greedy little fellow._] * * * * * A MODERN PARIS.--_Schoolmaster._ Now, boys, supposing that the goddesses Diana, Venus, and Juno were to appear before you, what would you do with this apple? _Brown Minimus._ Please sir, I'd eat it before they asked for it? * * * * * A POINT UNSETTLED IN HISTORY.--_Lucy_ (_to her elder sister who has just been relating a thrilling episode in the life of William Tell_). And was the little boy allowed to _eat_ the apple afterwards? * * * * * MASTER TOMMY'S RECEIPTS.--(_Household ginger beer._)--Empty the kitchen spice-box, two pounds of washing soda, a pint of petroleum, and all the wine left in the dining-room decanters over night, into the cistern, and stir freely in the dark with a mop from the staircase window. When the water comes in in the morning, the whole household will be supplied from every tap for four-and-twenty hours with capital ginger beer. * * * * * IN DISTRESS.--Mummy! Mummy! Come back! I'm frightened. Here's a horrid dog _staring at me with his teeth_. * * * * * [Illustration: _Child_ (_in berth of night steamer_). "Mummy, I'm so sleepy. I want to go to bed." _Mother._ "But you _are_ in bed dear." _Child._ "No, I'm not. I'm in a chest of drawers!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE FORCE OF EXAMPLE.--(_This is the second time that Madge has pricked her finger--the first time it bled so much that mamma felt quite faint, and had to drink a glass of sherry; now it's Jack's turn_). _Mamma._ "Well, what's the matter with _you_, Jack?" _Jack._ "Oh! I feel rather _faint_, that's all. _Is there such a thing as a bun in the house?_"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE FESTIVE SEASON.--_Tommy_ (_criticising the menu of the coming feast_). "Very good! Tray bong! And look here, old man! Mind you put plenty of rum into the _baba_--Dolly and Molly like it, you know--and so do I!" _Monsieur Cordonbleu_ (_retained for the occasion_). "Certainement, mon p'tit ami! But are you and ces demoiselles going to dine viz de compagnie?" _Tommy._ "Oh nong! But just ain't we going to sit on the stairs outside, that's all!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AT THE ZOO.--_Little Girl_ (_after seeing many queer beasts_). "But there aren't _really_ such animals, nurse, are there?"] * * * * * [Illustration: AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY.--_Uncle George._ "Don't over-eat yourself, Jimmy, my boy. I never did when I was your age." _Jimmy_ (_sotto voce_). "When did you begin, then?"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN EARLY PURITAN _Bobby_ (_who sees his mamma in evening dress for the first time, and doesn't like it_). "I'll write and tell papa!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Gertie._ "Oh, Mr. Brown, papa says that Mrs. Brown leads you by the nose. Is that why it's so long?"] * * * * * [Illustration: AT A CHRISTMAS JUVENILE PARTY.--_Aunt Florence._ "I will find you a partner, Ethel, dear. Between ourselves, now, have you any choice?" _Miss Ethel._ "Well, auntie, I should prefer one with a _moustache_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CRY FROM THE HEART.--_Little Dunce_ (_looking up suddenly from her history book_). "Oh, mummy, darling, I _do_ so wish I'd lived under James the Second!" _Mamma._ "Why?" _Little Dunce._ "Because I see here that education was very much neglected in his reign!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A BIG PILL.--"What is it, my pet?" "Oh, mum--mummy--I dreamt I'd sw-swallowed myself. Have I?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Hostess._ "What would you like to eat, Effie?" _Effie._ "Cake." _Mother_ (_reprovingly_). "Effie! Effie! What is the word you've forgotten? Pl----" _Effie._ "Pl--um!"] * * * * * OVERHEARD AT THE ZOO.--(_A fact._)--_Small child_ (_pointing to the hippopotamus_). Oh, mother, look at that big frog going to have a bath! _Better-informed parent._ That isn't a frog, yer silly. It's a crocydile! * * * * * INFANT AGONIES.--_Small boy._ Auntie! Auntie! Has goosegogs got legs? _Auntie._ No! _Small boy._ Boo-hoo-hoo! then I've been and swollered--a beastie! * * * * * INADEQUATE HOSPITALITY.--"Well, Guy, did you enjoy the party?" "Yes, mummy; but I'm _so_ hungry. There was only a _now and then_ tea, you know; with no chairs, and no grace!" * * * * * NATURE'S LOGIC.--_Papa._ How is it, Alice, that _you_ never get a prize at school? _Mamma._ And that your friend, Louisa Sharp, gets so many? _Alice_ (_innocently_). Ah! Louisa Sharp has got such clever parents! * * * * * [Illustration: "FIAT EXPERIMENTUM," &c.--Scene--_A Christmas family gathering at a country house. Old Bachelor Guest_ (_violently awakened out of his morning snooze._) "Who'sh there?" _The Grandchildren_ (_shouting in chorus, and banging at his door_). "Oh, Mr. Bulkley--please--Mr. Bulkley--do get up--and go on the pond--'pa says--'cause--gran'ma says--we may--if it'll bear you--it'll bear us!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SCIENTIFIC ACCURACY _Ada._ "What horrid things _black-beetles_ are, Miss Grimm! The kitchen is full of them!" _The Governess._ "I agree with you, Ada! But as they are not _beetles_, and not _black_, perhaps you will call them _cock-roaches_ for the future!" _Ada._ "Certainly, Miss Grimm; although they are not _roaches_, and not _cocks_!"] * * * * * A CONSCIENTIOUS CHILD.--"Is your cold better this morning, darling?" "I don't know. I forgot to ask nursey!" * * * * * _Tommy._ I can strike a match on _my_ trousers, like Uncle Bob. Can _you_, auntie? * * * * * [Illustration: _Mother._ "You must put your dolls away to-day. It's Sunday." _Little Girl._ "Oh, but, mother, that's all right. We're playing at Sunday school!"] * * * * * CONFUSED ASSOCIATIONS.--"And where did these Druids live, Tommy?" "They lived in groves of oak." "And in what particular ceremony were they engaged once a year?" "Er--let me see--Oh! in kissing under the mistletoe!" * * * * * [Illustration: _Grandmamma._ "And how did it happen, dear?" _Master Tom._ "It didn't happen. Ma did it on purpose!"] * * * * * MASTER TOMMY'S RECEIPTS.--(_To cure a smoky chimney._) Get out on to the roof of the house with a good-sized feather bolster and eighteen-pennyworth of putty. Insert the bolster longways into the chimney, taking care to plaster it all round tightly with the putty. Now sit on it. The chimney will no longer smoke. * * * * * [Illustration: And it was only yesterday that grandpapa was complaining to his little grandsons that he never got real winters like he used to have, with plenty of skating and sliding. (N.B.--Butter-slides are very effective.)] * * * * * THE EVIDENCE OF THE SENSES.--_Mamma._ How _dare_ you slap your sister, George? _George._ She kicked me when my back was turned, and hurted me very much, I can tell you! _Mamma._ Where did she hurt you? _George._ Well, I can't azactly say _where_, because--because my back was turned, and I was looking another way! * * * * * PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE.--_Son and heir_ (_whose inquiring turn of mind is occasionally a nuisance_). Say, 'pa, what's a v'cab'lary? _Father._ A vocabulary, my boy--what d'you want to know that for? _Son._ 'Cause I heard 'ma say she'd no idea what a tremenjous v'cab'lary you'd got, till you missed the train on Saturday! * * * * * AT THE SUNDAY SCHOOL--_Teacher._ Now, Mary Brown, you understand what is meant by baptism? _Mary Brown._ Oh, _I_ know, teacher! It's what Dr. Franklin did on baby's arm last Toosday! * * * * * [Illustration: A LITTLE CHRISTMAS DREAM.--Mr. L. Figuier, in the thesis which precedes his interesting work on the world before the flood, condemns the practice of awakening the youthful mind to admiration by means of fables and fairy tales, and recommends, in lieu thereof, the study of the natural history of the world in which we live. Fired by this advice, we have tried the experiment on our eldest, an imaginative boy of six. We have cut off his "Cinderella" and his "Puss in Boots," and introduced him to some of the more peaceful fauna of the preadamite world, as they appear restored in Mr. Figuier's book. The poor boy has not had a decent night's rest ever since!] * * * * * YOUNG, BUT PRACTICAL.--"What! Harry! not in bed yet, and it's nine o'clock! What will _papa_ say when he comes home?" "Oh, papa! _He'll_ say, 'Supper! supper! What's for supper?'" * * * * * A REALIST IN FICTION.--"I saw a rabbit run through that hedge!" "No, dear. It was imagination!" "Are 'maginations white behind?" * * * * * IMPROVING THE SHINING HOUR.--_The new Governess._ What are the comparative and superlative of _bad_, Berty? _Berty_ (_the Doctor's son_). Bad--worse--dead. * * * * * A CAPITAL CHOICE.--_Cousin Amy._ So you haven't made up your mind yet what _profession_ you're going to be when you grow up, Bobby. _Bobby._ Well, yes! I don't exactly know what it's called, you know, but it's living in the country, and keeping lots of horses and dogs, and all that! [_Bobby's papa is a curate, with £200 a year._ * * * * * [Illustration: EARLY INGENUITY. "Whatever _are_ you children doing?" "Oh, we've found pa's false teeth, and we're trying to fit them on to the baby, 'cos he hasn't got any!"] * * * * * THE SICK CHILD BY THE HONOURABLE WILHELMINA SKEGGS A weakness seizes on my mind--I would more pudding take; But all in vain--I feel--I feel--my little head will ache. Oh! that I might alone be left, to rest where now I am, And finish with a piece of bread that pot of currant-jam. I gaze upon the cake with tears, and wildly I deplore That I must take a powder if I touch a morsel more, Or oil of castor, smoothly bland, will offer'd be to me, In wave pellucid, floating on a cup of milkless tea. It may be so--I cannot tell--I yet may do without; They need not know, when left alone, what I have been about. I long to cut that potted beef--to taste that apple-pie; I long--I long to eat some more, but have not strength to try. I gasp for breath, and now I know I've eaten far too much; Not one more crumb of all the feast before me can I touch! Susan, oh! Susan ring the bell, and call for mother, dear. My brain swims round--I feel it all--mother, your child is queer! * * * * * _Alix_ (_aged five, to parent who has been trying to inspire her with loyal sentiments_). And was the Queen weally named after me? * * * * * [Illustration: A Toothsome Morsel.-- _Distracted Nurse._ "Gracious, children, what _are_ you doing?" _Children._ "Oh, we've put the meat cover on grandpa's head to keep the flies off him!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Drat the boy! What have you got that string tied on that fowl's leg for?" "'Tain't our fowl, muvver!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Snooks_ (_who fancies himself very much_). "What's she crying for?" _Arabella._ "It's all right, sir. She was frightened. When she saw _you_ she thought it was a _man_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BLASÉ _Kitty_ (_reading a fairy tale_). "'Once upon a time there was a frog----'" _Mabel_ (_interrupting_). "I bet it's a princess! Go on!"] * * * * * PHYSICS.--"Now, George, before you go and play, are you quite sure you know the lesson Professor Borax gave you to learn?" "O, yes, mamma!" "Well, now, what causes heat without light?" "Pickles!" * * * * * _Mother._ Well, Dorothy, would you like your egg poached or boiled? _Dorothy_ (_after weighing the question_). Which is the most, mother? * * * * * [Illustration: THE ADVANTAGES OF EDUCATION _Small Boy._ "Look 'ere, Mawrd! I reckon the chap as keeps this shop ain't bin to school lately; 'e spells '_'all_' with a _haitch_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "GETTING ON." "Well, Tommy, how are you getting on at school?" "First-rate. I ain't doing so well as some of the other boys, though I can stand on my head; but I have to put my feet against the wall. I want to do it without the wall at all!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LAYING DOWN THE LAW.-- _Lady_ (_entertaining friend's little girl_). "Do you take sugar, darling?" _The Darling._ "Yes, please." _Lady._ "How many lumps?" _The Darling._ "Oh, about seven; and when I'm out to tea I start with cake."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Tommy._ "I say, Elsie, if you like, I'll come and see you every day while you are ill."] * * * * * "A SOFT ANSWER," &c.--_Mamma_. You are very naughty children, and I am extremely dis-satisfied with you all! _Tommy._ That _is_ a pity, mamma! We're all so thoroughly satisfied with _you_, you know! * * * * * COMPREHENSIVE.--_Preceptor._ Now, can any of you tell me anything remarkable in the life of Moses? _Boy._ Yes, sir. He was the only man who broke all the commandments at once! * * * * * [Illustration: A BARGAIN. "I say, Bobby, just give us a shove with this 'ere parcel on to this 'ere truck, and next time yer runs me in, _I'll go quiet_!"] * * * * * LITTLE MISS LOGIC.--_Little Dot_ (_to Eminent Professor of Chemistry_). Are you a chemist? _Eminent Professor._ Yes, my dear. _L. D._ Have you got a shop with lovely large, coloured bottles in the window? _E. P._ No, my dear; I don't keep a shop. _L. D._ Don't you? Then I suppose you don't sell Jones's Jubilee Cough Jujubes? _E. P._ No, my dear, I certainly do not. _L. D._ (_decidedly_). I don't think I ought to talk to you any more. You can't be a respectable chemist. _E. P._ Why not, my dear? _L. D._ 'Cos it says on the box, "Sold by all _respectable_ chemists." * * * * * AT THE SCHOOL TREAT.--_Lady Helper_ (_to Small Boy_). Will you have some more bread-and-butter? _Small Boy._ No fear, when there's kike about. _Lady Helper_ (_trying to be kind_). Cake, certainly! Will you have plum or seed? _Small Boy._ Plum, in course. D'ye tike me for a canary? * * * * * [Illustration: A QUESTION OF HEREDITY _Hal._ "Is there anything the matter with this egg, Martha?" _Martha._ "Oh no, it's only a little cracked." _Hal._ "Oh! Then would the chicken that came out of it be a little mad?"] * * * * * [Illustration: NATURAL HISTORY.--"Oh, _look_, mummie! Now it's left off raining, he's come out of his kennel!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SENSIBLE CHILD.--"Well, Jacky, and did you hang up your stocking for Santa Claus to fill?" "No. I hanged up muvver's!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Look what I've bought you for a Christmas box!"] * * * * * HAD HIM THERE.--_Uncle Jim._ Here's half a mince pie for you, Tommy. I need hardly remind a person of your classical culture that "_the half is greater than the whole_!" _Tommy._ Quite so, uncle. But, as I'm not very hungry, I'll only take a whole one. * * * * * AN EYE TO THE MAIN CHANCE.--_The Major._ You're a very nice fellow, Tommy! Don't most people tell you so? _Tommy._ Yes, they does. And they often gives me something! * * * * * [Illustration: LOST, OR, LUCID INFORMATION _Kind-hearted Old Gent._ "There, there, don't cry! What's your name and where do you live!" _Chorus._ "Boohoo! We'se Doolie's twins."] * * * * * "SANCTA SIMPLICITAS."--"Auntie, ought Bertie Wilson to have _smiled_ so often at me in church?" "No, dear. Where was he sitting?" "Behind me." * * * * * [Illustration: _Philanthropic Old Lady_ (_to little boy caressing dog_). "That is right, little boy, always be kind to animals." _Little Boy._ "Yes, 'm. I'll have this tin can tied to his tail soon's I've got him quiet."] * * * * * [Illustration: "Poor likkle doggie--hasn't got any fevvers on!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Master Tom._ "Wish I could catch a cold just before Christmas." _Effie._ "Why?" _Master Tom._ "Well, ma's always sayin', 'feed a cold.' Wouldn't I? _Just!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: "_Please_, auntie, _may_ I have the fairy off the Christmas tree--_if I don't ask you for it_?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Shocked Mother._ "Oh, Tommy! What have you been doing?" _Tommy_ (_who has just returned from the first day of a preliminary course at the village school_). "Fighting with Billy Brown." _Mother._ "That horrid boy at the farm? Don't you _ever_ quarrel with him again!" _Tommy._ "I ain't likely to. He can _lick_ me!"] * * * * * [Illustration: RUDIMENTS OF ECONOMY "May I _leave_ this piece of bread, nurse?" "Certainly not, Miss May. It's dreadful wasteful! and the day may come when you'll _want_ a piece of bread!" "Then I'd better _keep_ this piece of bread till I _do_ want it, nurse. Hadn't I?"] * * * * * [Illustration: BLUE FEVER.--_Visitor_ (_after a long discourse on the virtues of temperance_). "I'm glad to see a little boy here wearing the blue ribbon. That's a good little fellow. Persevere in your good----" _Billie Groggins._ "Please, sir, I'm _Hoxford_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Oh! just ain't people proud what have got pairasoles."] * * * * * A DISCUSSION ON DIET.--_Little Chris_ (_to little Kate_.) Does your governess get ill on mince pies? _Little Kate._ I don't know! Why? _Little Chris._ 'Cause mine does. At dinner to-day she said, "If you eat any more of that pastry, I know you'll be ill." So she _must_ have been so herself. [_Conference broken up by arrival of the lady in question._ * * * * * [Illustration: WHAT IS IT? _First Boy_ (_loq._). "I tell yer its 'ed's here!--I seen it move!" _Second Do._ "I say it's at this end, yer stoopid!--I can see 'is ears!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Dolly._ "Auntie, that's what I've done for the cow-drawing competition at school." _Auntie._ "But it is more like a horse than a cow." _Dolly._ "It _is_ a horse. But, please, don't tell teacher!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE GENTLE CRAFT" _Preceptor_ (_after a lecture_). "Now, what are the principal things that are obtained from the earth?" _Pupil_ (_and "disciple of Izaak Walton"_). "Worms, sir!" [_Loses fifty marks!_] * * * * * [Illustration: A CONFESSION.--_Day Governess._ "How is it your French exercises are always done so much better than your Latin ones?" _Tommy_ (_after considering awhile_). "I don't think auntie knows Latin." [_Auntie, who was about to enter, quickly and quietly retires._] * * * * * [Illustration: "What are you doing in that cupboard, Cyril?" "Hush, auntie! I'm pretending to be a thief!"] * * * * * [Illustration: RETALIATION "Tut, tut, my boy! You must not beat that little dog so. Has he bitten you?" "No, 'e ain't. But 'e's bin an' swallered my fardin!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A REMINISCENCE OF LENT "And did you both practise a little self-denial, and agree to give up something you were fond of?--_sugar_, for instance,--as I suggested?" "Well, yes, auntie! Only it wasn't exactly _sugar_, you know! It was _soap_ we agreed to give up!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SUBTLE DISCRIMINATION _Ethel_ (_to Jack, who has been put into the corner by the new governess_). "I'm so sorry for you, Jack!" _Jack._ "Bosh! who cares! This ain't a _real_ corner, you know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CANDID INQUIRER "I say, John, is there anything I haven't tasted?" "No, sir, I think not--except water!" * * * * * [Illustration: _Eva._ "Mother says I am descended from Mary Queen o' Scots." _Tom._ "So am I then, Eva." _Eva._ "Don't be so silly, Tom! You can't be. You're a boy!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Old Gent._ "Is it a _board school_ you go to, my dear?" _Child._ "No, sir. I believe it be a _brick_ one!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Kitty._ "Is your wound sore, Mr. Pup?" _Mr. Pup._ "Wound! What wound?" _Kitty._ "Why, sister said she cut you at the dinner last night!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Little Boy._ "How many steps can you jump, grandma? I can jump _four_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: INDUCTION "Is this the _new_ baby, daddy?"--"Yes, dear." "Why, he's got no teeth!"--"No, dear." "And he's got no hair!"--"No, dear." "Oh, daddy, it _must_ be an _old_ baby!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "It's an ill wind blows nobody good."] * * * * * _Horrified little girl_ (_seeing her mamma in evening dress for the first time_). Oh, mummy, you're _never_ going down like that! You've forgotten to put on your top part! * * * * * [Illustration: "Hi, silly! Come 'ere out of the rine!"] * * * * * ENGLISH HISTORY.--"And who was the king who had so many wives?" "Bluebeard!" * * * * * [Illustration: HER FIRST WASP _Poor Effie (who has been stung)._ "First it walked about all over my hand, and it _was_ so nice! But oh!--_when it sat down_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: VERY NATURAL.--"Vell, and vat to you sink tit happen to me at Matame Tussaud's de oder tay? A laty dook me for vun of de vax vickers, and agdually abbollochised vor her misdake!" "O what fun, Mr. Schmitz! And was it in the Chamber of Horrors?"] * * * * * [Illustration: TRUE DISTINCTION.-- _Mamma (improving the occasion)._ "I like your new suit immensely, Gerald! But you must recollect that it's not the coat that makes the gentleman!" _Gerald._ "No, mamma! I know it's the _hat_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Little Montague._ "I was awake when Santa Claus came, dad!" _Father._ "Were you? And what was he like, eh?" _Little Montague._ "Oh, I couldn't see him--it was dark, you know. But when he bumped himself on the washstand he said----" _Father (hastily)._ "There, that'll do, Monty. Run away and play!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A RARA AVIS.--_Little Girl (finishing her description of the Battle of Cressy)._ "And ever since then the Prince of Wales has been born with feathers!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A HEAD FOR BUSINESS.-- _Mamma._ "I meant to give you a threepenny bit this morning, Bobby, but in my hurry I think I gave you sixpence, so----" _Bobby._ "Yes, mummy, but I haven't spent it all yet. So will you give it me to-morrow?" _Mamma._ "Give you what, dear?" _Bobby._ "The threepenny bit you _meant_ to give me to-day!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE CHILD OF THE PERIOD "Why did that policeman touch his hat to you, aunty? Have you got one as well as nurse?"] * * * * * [Illustration: BEFORE THE HEAD _Fourth Form Boy (with recollections of a recent visit to the dentist)._ "Please, sir, may I--may I--have gas?"] * * * * * ADDING INSULT TO INJURY.--"Mamma, _isn't_ it very wicked to do behind one's back what one wouldn't do before one's face?" "Certainly, Effie!" "Well, baby bit my finger when I was looking another way!" * * * * * [Illustration: "BY AUTHORITY."--_Street Boy (sternly)._ "P'lice-Serge'nt says as you're t' have your door-way swep' immediat'; an' (_more meekly_) me an' my mate's willin' to do it, s'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Old Gentleman (who has received a present of butter from one of his tenants)._ "And how does your mother make all these beautiful patterns on the pats, my dear?" _Messenger._ "_Wiv our comb, sir!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: A FATAL OBJECTION "Mother, are the Wondergilts very rich?" "Yes, Silvia, very." "Mother, I hope we shall never be rich?" "Why, darling?" "It must be so very expensive!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Lady._ "Have you lost yourself, little boy?" _Little Boy._ "No--boo-hoo--I've found a street I don't know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "ENFANT TERRIBLE" "I've brought you a glass of wine, Mr. Professor. _Please_ drink it!" "Vat! Pefore tinner? Ach, vy?" "Because mummy says you drink like a fish, and I want to see you----!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE SPREAD OF EDUCATION "Come and 'ave a look, Marier. They've been and put a chick on a lidy's 'at, and they don't know 'ow to spell it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "WELL OUT OF IT" _Uncle._ "And you love your enemies, Ethel?" _Ethel (promptly)._ "Yeth, uncle." _Uncle._ "And who are your enemies, dear?" _Ethel (in an awful whisper)._ "The dev----" [_The old gentleman doesn't see his way further, and drops the subject._] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR CHILDREN _Nurse._ "You dreadful children! Where _have_ you been?" _Young Hopeful._ "Oh, nursie, we've been trying to drown those dear little ducks, but they _will_ come to the top!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Auntie._ "Do you know you are playing with two very naughty little boys, Johnny?" _Johnny._ "Yes." _Auntie._ "You do! I'm surprised. Why don't you play with good little boys?" _Johnny._ "Because their mothers won't let them!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TAKING TIME BY THE FORELOCK _Gwendoline._ "Uncle George says every woman ought to have a profession, and I think he's quite right!" _Mamma._ "Indeed! And what profession do you mean to choose?" _Gwendoline._ "I mean to be a professional beauty!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EXPERIENTIA DOCET.--_Master George (whispers)._ "I say! Kitty! Has mamma been telling you she'd give you '_a lovely spoonful of delicious currant jelly, O so nice, so VERY nice_'?" _Miss Kitty._ "Ess Cullen' jelly! O so ni', so welly ni'!" _Master George._ "THEN DON'T TAKE IT!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EVIL COMMUNICATIONS &c.--_Elder of Twins._ "It's _very_ vulgar to say 'you be _blowed_' to each other, like those men do. Isn't it, Uncle Fred?" _Uncle Fred._ "I believe it _is_ generally considered so, my dear!" _Elder of Twins._ "Yes, indeed! Ethel and I, you know, _we_ always say, 'you be _blown_!'"] * * * * * [Illustration: MENS CONSCIA.--_Inspector_ (_who notices a backwardness in history_). "Who signed Magna Charta?" (_No answer._) _Inspector_ (_more urgently_). "Who signed Magna Charta?" (_No answer_.) _Inspector_ (_angrily_). "Who signed Magna Charta?" _Scapegrace_ (_thinking matters are beginning to look serious_). "Please, sir, 'twasn't me, sir!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "TROP DE ZELE!"--(_Tommy, a conscientious boy, has been told that he must remain perfectly still, as his mamma wants to take a nap._) (_Tommy in the middle of the nap_). "Mamma! Mamma! what shall I do? _I want to cough!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: TENDER CONSIDERATION "Oh, _don't_ make faces at him, Effie! It might _frighten_ him, you know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "BY PROXY". _Humorous Little Boy._ "Plea' sir, will you ring the bottom bell but one, four times, sir?" _Old Gent_ (_gouty, and a little deaf, but so fond o' children_). "Bottom bell but one, four times, my boy?" (_Effusively._) "Certainly, that I will!" [_In the meantime off go the boys, and, at the third peal, the irritable old lady on the ground floor----Tableau!_] * * * * * [Illustration: NEWS FROM HOME.--_Aunt Mary._ "I've just had a letter from your papa, Geoffrey. He says you've got a little brother, who'll be a nice companion for you some day!" _Geoffrey._ "Oh!----does mummy know?"] * * * * * [Illustration: UTILE CUM DULCI _Arry._ "Ain't yer comin' along with me, Bill?" _Piscator_ (_the Doctor's Boy_). "No, I _ain't_ a comin' along with you, I tell yer! I'm a runnin' on a errand."] * * * * * [Illustration: ZOOLOGY. (_It appears to be coming to that at the Board Schools._)--_Examiner_ (_to small aspirant to the twenty-fourth standard_). "Can you tell me anything peculiar about the cuckoo, in regard to nesting?" _Student._ "Yes, sir. Please, sir, he don't lay his own eggs hisself, sir!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THEIR FIRST VISIT TO THE ZOO _Tommy._ "Them ain't donkeys, Billy?" _Billy._ "Yus, they is! They're donkeys with their football jerseys on!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A SPOILT STORY.--_Brown_ (_in the middle of tall shooting story_). "Hardly had I taken aim at the lion on my right, when I heard a rustle in the jungle grass, and perceived an enormous tiger approaching on my left. I now found myself on the horns of a dilemma!" _Interested Little Boy._ "Oh, and which did you shoot first--the lion, or the tiger, or the d'lemma?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Uncle_ (_about to start for a concert at Marine Pavilion_). "But, my dear Nora, you don't surely propose to go without your shoes and stockings?" _Nora._ "I'm in evening dress, uncle--only it's the other end."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE TERTIUM QUID.--"Do you know, Mabel, I believe if I weren't here, Captain Spooner would kiss you." "Leave the room this instant, you impertinent little boy!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CLINCHER.--"Get up, and see the time, Eva. I don't know how to tell it." "No more do I." "O, you horrid story-teller, I taught you myself!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES "What! _all_ that for grandpa." "No, darling. It's for you." "Oh! what a little bit!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BRUSHING PA'S NEW HAT _Edith._ "Now, Tommy, you keep turning slowly, till we've done it all round."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mother._ "But, Jacky, I don't think a clock-work engine would be a good toy for you to give baby. He's such a little thing, he'd only break it." _Jacky._ "Oh, but, mother, I'd _promise_ you I'd never let him even _touch_ it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE FESTIVE SEASON _Precocious Infant._ "Help yourself, and pass the bottle!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW.--_Maud_ (_with much sympathy in her voice_). "Only fancy, mamma, Uncle Jack took us to a picture gallery in Bond Street, and there we saw a picture of a lot of early christians, poor dears, who'd been thrown to a lot of lions and tigers, who were devouring them!" _Ethel_ (_with still more sympathy_). "Yes, and mamma dear, there was _one_ poor tiger that _hadn't got_ a christian!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mother_ (_to son, who has been growing rather free of speech_). "Tommy, if you promise not to say 'hang it!' again, I'll give you sixpence." _Tommy._ "All right, ma. But I know another word that's worth half-a-crown!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BETWEEN THE ACTS _Governess._ "Well, Marjorie, have you done crying?" _Marjorie._ "No--I haven't. I'm only _resting_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A WISE CHILD.--_Inspector._ "Suppose I lent your father £100 in June, and he promised to pay me back £10 on the first of every month, how much would he owe me at the end of the year? Now think well before you answer." _Pupil._ "£100, sir." _Inspector._ "You're a very ignorant little girl. You don't know the most elementary rules of arithmetic!" _Pupil._ "Ah, sir, but you don't know father!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CONSCIENTIOUSNESS.--_Miss Fitzogre._ "Well, good-bye, Percival, and be a good boy!" _Percival_ (_a very good boy, who has just been specially warned not to make personal remarks about people in their presence_). "Good-bye, I'll not tell nurse what I think of your nose till you're gone!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Porter._ "Why is the little girl crying, missie?" _Little Girl._ "'Cos' she has put her penny in there, and no choc'late nor nuffing's come'd out!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NOT UNLIKELY "Well, well! And was baby frightened of his daddy den!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Dorothy_ (_who has found a broken nest-egg_). "Oh, mummy, what a pity! My black hen will never be able to lay any more eggs. She's broken the pattern!"] * * * * * [Illustration: WASTED SYMPATHY _Kind-hearted Lady._ "Poor child! What a dreadfully swollen cheek you have! Is it a tooth?" _Poor Child_ (_with difficulty_). "No 'm--it's a sweet!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL "I'll tell you something, Miss Bullion. My sister Maud's going to marry your brother Dick. But don't say anything about it, 'cos he doesn't know it himself yet!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Softly._ "Yes, I was b-b-orn with a s-s-s-ilver s-s-poon in my m-m-m-outh." _Kitty._ "Oh, Mr. Softly, is that why you stutter?"] * * * * * [Illustration: WELL UP IN HER MYTHOLOGY.--_Tommy._ "Madge, what's '_necessitas_,' masculine or feminine?" _Madge._ "Why, feminine, of course." _Tommy._ "Why?" _Madge._ "Why, she was the mother of invention."] * * * * * [Illustration: WHAT TOMMY OVERHEARD _Mrs. Jinks._ "That's Signor Scrapeski just passed. He plays the violin like an angel." _Tommy._ "Mummy, dear, do the angels say 'dam' when a string breaks?"] * * * * * [Illustration: QUESTION AND ANSWER _Mamma._ "Who was the first man, 'Lina?" _'Lina._ "I forget." _Mamma._ "Already? Why, Adam, to be sure! And who was the first woman?" _'Lina_ (_after a thoughtful pause_). "Madam!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SHEER IGNORANCE _Benevolent Person._ "Come, my little man, you musn't cry like that!" _Boy._ "Garn! 'Ow am I to cry then?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "I say, Billie, teacher says as if we 'angs our stockings up on C'ris'mas Eve, Santa Claus'll fill 'em with presents!" "It'll take 'im all 'is time to fill _mine_. I 'aven't got no foots in 'em!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ON HIS DIGNITY.--_Sam._ "Mamma bought me a pair of gloves yesterday." _Auntie._ "Really! What are they? Kids?" _Sam._ "No, they're men's."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Sharp_ (_but vulgar_) _little boy_. "Hallo, missus, wot are those?" _Old Woman._ "Twopence." _Boy._ "What a lie! They're apples." [_Exit, whistling popular air_.] * * * * * A DIFFICULT CASE.--_Mamma._ You're a very naughty boy, Tommy, and I shall have to buy a whip, and give you a good whipping. _Now_ will you be good? _Tommy_ (_with hesitation_). Shall I be allowed to keep the whip after, mammy? * * * * * [Illustration: _Old Gent._ "Do you know what a lie is, sir?" _Little Boy._ "Oh, don't I, jest; I tells lots of 'em."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Old Lady._ "No, thanks. I don't want any for the garden today." _Boy._ "Well, then, can we sing yer some Christmas carols instead?"] * * * * * [Illustration: OVERHEARD IN BOND STREET "Which of 'em would yer 'ave for a muvver, Billy?"] * * * * * [Illustration: EXPERIENTIA DOCET "And are _you_ going to give me something for my birthday, aunty Maud?" "Of course, darling." "Then _don't_ let it be _something useful_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mamma._ "You mustn't bowl your hoop in the front on Sunday. You must go into the back garden." _Tommy._ "Isn't it Sunday in the back garden, mamma?"] * * * * * [Illustration: A PROTEST "And pray, am I _never_ to be naughty, Miss Grimm?"] * * * * * [Illustration: A NEW TEST _Aunt_ (_in alarm_). "_Surely_ you've eaten enough, haven't you, Tommy?" _Tommy_ (_in doubt_). "F-f-f-feel me!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Bilious Old Uncle._ "I'm delighted to see this fall; it will give that dreadful boy chilblains, and he'll be laid up out of mischief."] * * * * * SUNDAY SCHOOLING.--_Teacher._ What does one mean by "Heaping coals of fire on someone's head" now, Harry Hawkins? _Harry Hawkins._ Givin' it 'im 'ot, teacher! * * * * * _Auntie._ Do you love the chickens, dear? _Dolly._ Yes, Auntie. But I do wish this big one hadn't such a funny laugh! * * * * * [Illustration: Occupation of "that dreadful boy" at the same period.] * * * * * CHRONOLOGY.--_Old Gentleman_ ("_putting a few questions_"). Now, boys--ah--can any of you tell me what commandment Adam broke when he took the forbidden fruit? _Small Scholar_ ("_like a shot_"). Please, sir, th'worn't no commandments then, sir! [_Questioner sits corrected._] * * * * * AT A CHILDREN'S PARTY DURING TEA Yes, _isn't_ it a pretty sight.... Oh, they're _much_ too busy to talk at present.... Well, if you _would_ take this cup of tea to my little girl, dear Mr. Muffett, it would be so----Yes, in the white frock.... _Pray_ don't apologise--some tea upsets _so_ easily, doesn't it?... Oh! I don't suppose it will show, really, and if it _does_.... Please, will everybody keep quite quiet for a minute or two; I haven't said my grace.... Don't you think it's unfair of nurse? She's handed me bread-and-butter twice running!... I mustn't eat sponge-cake, thank you. Bath buns are better for me than anything.... I was _so_ ill after Christmas. They took my temperament with the barometer, and it was two hundred and six!... Oh! that's nothing. When _I_ was ill, the doctor said mine was perfectly Norman!... Well, you _might_ lower that candleshade a _very_ little, perhaps, Mr. Muffett.... Ah! don't blow it out.... Throw it into the fire, quick!... It doesn't matter in the _least_. No; I wouldn't trouble about the _other_ shades, thanks.... Mother, will you read me the text out of my cracker?... But if you're going to be a soldier, you oughtn't to shut your eyes when you pull a cracker.... Oh! when I'm a soldier, I needn't _go_ to parties. * * * * * [Illustration: WELL BROUGHT UP.--"Now then, my little men, didn't you see that board on that tree?" "Yes." "Well, then, can't you read?" "Yes, but we never look at anything marked 'private.'"] * * * * * DURING A PERFORMANCE OF PUNCH AND JUDY _A Thoughtful Child._ What a dreadful thing it would be to have a papa like Punch! _A Puzzled Child._ Mother, why is the man at the side so _polite_ to Punch? He calls him "Sir"--is Punch _really_ a gentleman? _A Good Little Girl._ I do wish they would leave all the fighting out; it must set such a bad example to children. _An Appreciative Boy._ Oh! I say, _did_ you hear what the clown said then? He said something had frightened all the hair off his head except that little tuft at the top, and it turned _that_ sky-blue! [_He goes into fits of laughter._ _A Matter-of-fact Boy._ Yes, I heard--but I don't believe it _could_. _The Child of the House._ I _am_ so glad Tip is shut up downstairs, because I'm afraid, if he'd been up here and seen Toby act, he'd have wanted to run away and go on the stage himself, and I don't think he's the sort of dog who would ever be a _success_, you know! * * * * * [Illustration: THE JOYS OF ANTICIPATION.--"When are you coming out with me, mummy?" "Not this morning, darling. I've too much to do!" "Oh, but you _must_, mummy. I've already put it in my new diary that you _did_!"] * * * * * DURING THE DANCING _Jack._ I say, Mabel, you've got to dance the "Washington Post" with _me_. _Mabel._ I can't. I've promised Teddy Thistledown. _Jack._ Oh! _that's_ all right. I swapped with him for a Nicaragua stamp. _Mabel_ (_touched_). But aren't they rare? Didn't you want it yourself? _Jack._ Oh! I don't collect, you know. _George_ (_to Ethel_). They've given us the whole of "Ivanhoe" to mug up for a holiday task. Isn't it a beastly shame? _Ethel._ But don't you like Scott? _George._ Oh! I don't mind _Scott_ so much. It's having to grind in the holidays that _I_ bar. _Hester_ (_to Roland_). Shall you go to the pantomime this year? _Roland._ I don't think so. I'm going to lectures at the Royal Institution instead. _Hester._ That isn't as jolly as the pantomime, is it? _Roland_ (_impartially_). Not while it's going on, but a lot jollier after it's over. _Mr. Poffley_ (_a middle-aged bachelor, who "likes to make himself useful at parties," and is good-naturedly waltzing with little Miss Chillington_). Have you--er--been to many parties? _Miss Chillington_ (_a child of the world_). About the usual amount. There's generally a good deal going on just now, isn't there? _Mr. Poffley._ A--I suppose so. I go out so little now that I've almost forgotten _how_ to dance. _Miss Chillington._ Then you _did_ know once! _Mr. Poffley_ (_completely demoralised_). I--er--you would rather stop? _Miss Chillington._ Oh! I don't mind going on, if it amuses you. [_Mr. Poffley feels that "children are not so grateful as they used to be for being noticed," and that it is almost time he gave up going to juvenile parties._ * * * * * [Illustration: RES ANT-IQUÆ.--"Auntie dear, where do these fossil shells come from?" "Oh, my dear child, a great many years ago they were washed up here by the sea." "How long ago, auntie dear?" "Ever so long ago, dear child." "What! Even before _you_ were born, auntie?"] * * * * * [Illustration: EXTREME MEASURES _Mother._ "If I catch you chasing those hens again, I'll wash your face _every day next week_!"] * * * * * AFTER SUPPER _The Hostess_ (_returning to the drawing-room to find the centre of the floor occupied by a struggling heap of small boys, surrounded by admiring but mystified sisters_). Oh! dear me, what _are_ they doing? I'm so afraid my two boys are being too rough, Mrs. Hornblower. _Mrs. Hornblower_ (_one of a row of complacent matrons_). Oh! not at all, dear Mrs. Honeybun, they're having _such_ fun. Your Edwin and Arthur are only trying how many boys they can pile on the top of my Tommy. _Mrs. Honeybun._ Is that Tommy underneath? Are you sure he's not getting hurt? _Mrs. Horn._ Oh! he thoroughly enjoys a romp. He's made himself perfectly hoarse with laughing. Just listen to him! _Mrs. Honey._ What a sturdy little fellow he is! And always in such high spirits! _Mrs. Horn_ (_confidentially_). He hasn't seemed quite the thing for the last day or two, and I was doubting whether it wouldn't be better to keep him at home to-night, but he begged so hard that I really had to give way. _Mrs. Honey._ So glad you did! It doesn't seem to have done him any harm. _Mrs. Horn._ Quite the contrary. And indeed, he couldn't help being the better for it; you understand so thoroughly how to make children happy, dear Mrs. Honeybun. _Mrs. Honey._ It's delightful of you to say so; I try my best, but one can't always----Last year we had a conjurer, and it was only when he'd begun that we found out he was helplessly intoxicated. _Mrs. Horn._ How disagreeable for you! But this time everything has been quite perfect! _Mrs. Honey._ Well, I really think there has been no----Good gracious! I'm _sure_ somebody is being suffocated! _Did_ you hear that? [_From the core of the heap proceeds a sound at which every mother's heart quakes--a smothered cough ending in a long-drawn and ominous "oo-ook."_ _Mrs. Horn._ Depend upon it, that's whooping-cough! Tommy, come here this minute. (_Tommy emerges, crimson and crowing lustily; the mothers collect their offspring in dismay_). Oh! Tommy, Tommy, don't tell me it's _you_! It--it can't be _that_, dear Mrs. Honeybun; he's been nowhere where he could possibly----You naughty boy, you _know_ you are only pretending. Don't let me hear that horrid noise again. _Tommy_ (_injured_). But, mummy, _really_ I wasn't---- [_He justifies himself by producing a series of whoops with an unmistakably genuine ring_. _Mrs. Horn._ I think it's only a rather severe attack of hiccoughs, dear Mrs. Honeybun; but still, perhaps--just to be on the safe side--I'd better---- [_She departs in confusion, the crowd on the stairs dividing like Red Sea waves as Tommy proclaims his approach._ _Mrs. Honey_ (_after the last guest has gone_). I knew _something_ would happen! I must say it was _most_ inconsiderate of Mrs. Hornblower to bring that wretched little Tommy out and break up the party like this--it's not as if we were really _intimate_! Still, it was ridiculous of everybody else to hurry off too, as if whooping-cough was anything to be so mortally afraid of! I wasn't in the _least_ myself, as they might have seen. But perhaps it _is_ just as well that Edwin and Arthur had it last winter. * * * * * READY ANSWER.--_Uncle._ Now, how did the mother of Moses hide him? _Niece._ With a stick, uncle. * * * * * [Illustration: ON THE FACE OF IT _Pretty Teacher._ "Now, Johnny Wells, can you tell me what is meant by a miracle?" _Johnny._ "Yes, teacher. Mother says if you dun't marry new parson, 'twull be a murracle!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE DUET _Fond Mother_ (_to young hopeful, who has been sent upstairs to a room by himself as a punishment_). "You can come down now, Jacky." _Young Hopeful._ "Can't. I'se singing a duet!"] * * * * * [Illustration: UNCLE'S BANK HOLIDAY "Oh, uncle, we're so glad we've met you. We want you to take us on the roundabout, and stay on it till tea-time!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Young Masher_ (_to rival_). "I say, old, chap, I hear you're an excellent runner. Is that true?" _Rival_ (_eagerly_). "Rather!" _Young Masher._ "Well, then, run home!"] * * * * * _Aunt._ Why, Tommy, I've only just taken a splinter out of your hand, and now you've let pussy scratch you. How did that happen? _Tommy_ (_who has been tampering with the cat's whiskers_). Well, I was only trying to get some of the splinters out of her face! * * * * * [Illustration: FINIS] BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE 34676 ---- COUNTRY LIFE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON * * * * * [Illustration] Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day [Illustration] * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S COUNTRY LIFE [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: BROWN'S COUNTRY HOUSE.--_Brown (who takes a friend home to see his new purchase, and strikes a light to show it)._ "Confound it, the beastly thing's stopped!"] * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S COUNTRY LIFE HUMOURS OF OUR RUSTICS AS PICTURED BY PHIL MAY, L. RAVEN-HILL, CHARLES KEENE, GEORGE DU MAURIER, BERNARD PARTRIDGE, GUNNING KING, LINLEY SAMBOURNE, G. D. ARMOUR, C. E. BROCK, TOM BROWNE, LEWIS BAUMER, WILL OWEN, F. H. TOWNSEND, G. H. JALLAND, G. E. STAMPA, AND OTHERS _WITH 180 ILLUSTRATIONS_ PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" * * * * * THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration] ON RUSTIC HUMOUR Than the compilation of such a series of books as that which includes the present volume there could surely be no more engaging occupation for one who delights to look on the humorous side of life. The editor feels that if his readers derive as much enjoyment from the result of his labours as these labours have afforded him he may reasonably congratulate them! He has found himself many times over, as a book has taken shape from his gatherings in the treasure house of Mr. Punch, saying "This is the best of the lot"--and usually he has been right. There is none but is "the best!" There _may_ be one that is not quite so good as the other twenty-four; but wild horses would not drag the name of that one from the editor. He feels, however, that in illustrating the humours of country life Mr. Punch has risen to the very summit of his genius. There is, of course, good reason for this, as it is notorious that the richest humour is to be found in the lowly walks of life, and flourishes chiefly in rustic places where folks are simple and character has been allowed to grow with something of that individuality we find in the untouched products of Nature. Your true humorist has always been in quick sympathy with the humblest of his fellow men. In the village worthy, in poor blundering Hodge, in the rough but kindly country doctor, the picturesque tramp, the droning country parson, the inept curate, the village glee singers, and such like familiar figures of rural England, the humorist has never failed to find that "source of innocent merriment" he might seek for vainly in more exalted ranks of our complex society. But he seeks among the country folk because his heart is there. The very best of Mr. Punch's humorists of the pencil, Charles Keene and Phil May in the past, and Mr. Raven-Hill and Mr. C. E. Brock to-day, have given more consideration to the country ways of life than to any other, and hence the exceeding richness of the present volume. It is thus in no sense a comic picture of Mr. Punch's notions of how the so-called country life is attempted by the townsman--one of the most notable features of our present social conditions--but is, in effect, a refreshing breath of genuine rustic humour, kindly, whole-hearted, and "racy of the soil." [Illustration] * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S COUNTRY LIFE * * * * * THE BEST SHARE IN A FARM.--The plough-share. * * * * * A PROVERB FRESH FROM THE COUNTRY.--No gooseberry without a thorn. * * * * * THE CONNOISSEURS.--_Groom._ "Whew's Beer do you like best--this 'ere hom'brewed o' Fisk's, or that there ale they gives yer at the White Ho's'?" _Keeper_ (_critically_). "Well, o' the tew I prefers this 'ere. That there o' Wum'oods's don't fare to me to taste o' nawthun at all. Now this 'ere dew taste o' the cask!!" * * * * * [Illustration: THE AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK (_From Dumb-Crambo Junior's Point of View._)] * * * * * THE LANGUAGE OF FRUITS Apple Discord. Pear Marriage. Plum Wealth. Pine Languishment. Gooseberry Simplicity. Medlar Interference. Service Assistance. Elder-berry Seniority. Fig Defiance. Sloe Tardiness. Crab Sour Temper. Date Chronology. Hip Applause. Haw Swells. Plaintain Growth. Pomegranate Seediness. Prune Retrenchment. * * * * * THE REAL LAND QUESTION.--How to make land _answer_. * * * * * PERFECT QUIET.--The still room. * * * * * [Illustration: LAND AND WATER.--_Prospective Purchaser_ (_arrived from town to see the locality as advertised some three weeks ago. He has not heard of the recent floods in this part of the country_). "Look here. Are you selling this property by the yard or by the pint?"] * * * * * A COUNTRY SELL.--_Native Joker_ (_dissembling_). It's been very fine here for the last week. _Tourist_ (_who has been kept in by the showers, indignantly_). _What's_ been very fine here? _Native._ The rain. Very fine rain. [_Exit Native Joker, hurriedly._ * * * * * "THE BEST OF IT."--_First Gentleman Farmer._ "Why, there goes that artful rogue, Billy Giles! Is he at his old tricks still?" _Second Ditto._ "He has cheated everybody down about here, sir, except me! He tried it on this winter, but I was too clever for him! Sold me a cow, and--(_triumphantly_)--I made him take it back at _half-price!!_" * * * * * THE REAL "LAND AGITATION."--An earthquake. * * * * * A CRY FROM KENT. Prosperity's fled from our gardens and grounds; How spindly our bines and how scanty our crops! Wealth _may_ be "advancing by leaps and by bounds," It certainly isn't by _hops_! * * * * * ADVICE TO FARMERS.--Feed your poultry well, and you will insure full crops. * * * * * [Illustration: _First Tramp_ (_to second ditto_). "That's a stylish sort of dawg you're a-wearin'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ENCOURAGING _Curate_ (_who wishes to encourage local industry_). "Well, Adams, how are you getting on with my watch?" _Adams._ "Why, it be nigh finished now, zur, an' 'e do zeem to go mortal well, but dang me, if there bain't a wheel as I can't find a place vor summow!"] * * * * * "I'm sorry to hear you've been ailing again, John. I must send you down something from the Rectory. How would you like some soup?" "Thanky kindly, mum--but I bain't so terr'ble wrapped up in soup!" * * * * * WHAT RURAL DEANS SMOKE.--"Church-wardens." * * * * * [Illustration: _Convivial Party._ "I shay, ole f'ller, how long doesh it take to gerout of thish wood?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Doctor._ "Well, you got those leeches I sent for your husband, Mrs. Giles?" _Mrs. Giles._ "Yes, zur; but what on earth be the good o' sending they little things vor a girt big chap like he? I jes' took an' clapped a ferret on 'un!"] * * * * * NOTE BY A CHIROPODIST (_in the country for the first time_).--"Must be very painful--corn in the ear." * * * * * A PASTORAL.--How should a shepherd arrange his dress? In folds. * * * * * THE DUNMOW FLITCH.--All gammon. * * * * * [Illustration: _Hotel-keeper_ (_who has let his "Assembly Room" for a concert_). "Well, sir, I 'ope you found the arrangements in the 'all satisfactory last night?" _Mr. Bawlington._ "Oh, yes; everything was all right. There was only one thing to object to. I found the acoustics of the building not quite----" _Hotel-keeper._ "No, sir; excuse me. _What you smelt was the stables next door!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Giles._ "I be got up here, mister, but I don't zee 'ow ever I be goin' to get down." _Farmer._ "Thee zhut thee eyes an' walk about a bit, an' thee'll zoon get down!"] * * * * * AN OLD OFFENDER.--_Country Gentleman_ (_eyeing his Gardener suspiciously_). "Dear, dear me, Jeffries, this is too bad! After what I said to you yesterday, I didn't think to find you----" _Gardener._ "You can't shay--(_hic_)--I wash drunk yesht'day, sh----!" _Country Gentleman_ (_sternly_). "Are you sober this morning, sir?" _Gardener._ "I'm--shlightly shober, shir!!" * * * * * [Illustration: QUALIFIED ADMIRATION.--_Country Vicar._ "Well, John, what do you think of London?" _Yokel._ "Lor' bless yer, sir, it'll be a fine place _when it's finished!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Squire's Daughter._ "Do you think it is quite healthy to keep your pigs so close to the cottage?" _Hodge._ "I dunno, miss. Noan of they pigs ain't ever been ill!"] * * * * * [Illustration: VERJUICE! _Farmer's Wife_ (_whose beer is of the smallest_). "Why, you hevn't drunk half of it, Mas'r Gearge!" _Peasant_ (_politely_). "Thanky', mu'm--all the same, mu'm. But I bean't so thusty as I thought I wor, mu'm!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR VILLAGE. _Nephew_ (_on a visit to the "Old Country"_). "Ah, uncle, in Canada we don't do our hay-makin' in this 'ere old-fashioned way." _Uncle._ "Why, you bean't never goin' to tell I as you've bin an' turned teetotal?"] * * * * * RECIPROCITY.--_Parson._ "I have missed you from your pew of late, Mr. Stubbings----" _Farmer_ (_apologetically_). "Well, sir, I hev' been to meet'n' lately, but--y' see, sir, the Reverend Mr. Scowles o' the chapel, he bought some pigs o' me, and I thought I ought to gi' 'm a tarn!" * * * * * THE FARMER FOR THE FAIR.--A husbandman. * * * * * [Illustration: _Doctor._ "Well, Mrs. Muggeridge, how are you getting on? Taken the medicine, eh?" _Mrs. M._ "Yes, doctor. I've taken all the tabloids you sent, and now I want a new persecution."] * * * * * ON A FOOTING.--Almost every considerable town has a market for corn; therefore, it is but fit that Bedford Market-place should have its Bunyan. * * * * * PLACE OF RESIDENCE FOR LODGERS.--Border-land. * * * * * SOUNDINGS!--(_The living down at our village falling vacant,_ Lord Pavondale _left it to the parish to choose the new rector._) _Influential Parishioner._ "Then am I to understand, Mr. Maniple, that you object to bury a Dissenter?" _The Rev. Mr. Maniple_ (_one of the competitors_). "Oh, dear me, no, Mr. Jinks; quite the contrary!" * * * * * A HIGH CHURCH PARTY.--A steeple-jack. * * * * * A CLERICAL ERROR.--A long sermon. * * * * * _Visitor._ "My good man, you keep your pigs much too near the house." _Cottager._ "That's just what the doctor said, mum. But I don't see how it's agoin' to hurt 'em!" * * * * * [Illustration: A QUIET VILLAGE] * * * * * A WET DIARY _January._--Buy a house in the Midland Counties. Put a housekeeper in it to look after it. _February._--Housekeeper writes to say that, owing to the floods, the neighbourhood is very damp and unhealthy. _March._--Housekeeper writes to say that the garden is under water. _April._--Housekeeper writes to say that there is two foot of water in the drawing-room, and that the furniture is floating about. _May._--Housekeeper writes to say that eighty feet of the garden wall has been washed away. _June._--Housekeeper writes to say that the two horses, one cow, and four pigs are drowned. _July._--Go and stop in the house myself. _August._--Escape from the bedroom windows in a boat. _September._--In bed with rheumatic fever. _October._--Housekeeper writes to say that the floods are out worse than ever. _November._--Somebody writes to say that the housekeeper has been drowned. _December._--Will try and sell house in the Midland Counties. * * * * * [Illustration: _Our Curate (who is going to describe to us his little holiday in lovely Lucerne)._ "My dear friends--I will not call you 'ladies and gentlemen,' since I know you too well----"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Tramp._ "Says in this 'ere paper as 'ow some of them millionaires works eight and ten hours a day, Bill." _The Philosopher._ "Ah, it's a 'ard world for some poor blokes!"] * * * * * A REAL CONVERT.--_Local Preacher (giving an account to the vicar of the parish of a dispute he has had with the leading lights of his sect)._ "Yes, sir, after treatment the likes o' that, I says to 'em, 'For the future,' says I, 'I chucks up all religion, and I goes to Church!'" * * * * * HABITS OF HEALTHY EXERCISE.--If a young lady is unable to sport a riding habit, she should adopt a walking habit. * * * * * [Illustration: THE HUMOURS OF HOUSE HUNTING.--_Lady._ "Very healthy place, is it? Have you any idea what the death-rate is here?" _Caretaker._ "Well, mum, I can't 'xactly zay; but it's about one apiece all round."] * * * * * [Illustration: OVERHEARD AT A COUNTRY FAIR "'Ere y' are! All the jolly fun! Lidies' tormentors two a penny!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NOT QUITE HER MEANING _The Vicar's Daughter._ "I'm glad to find you've turned over a new leaf, Muggles, and don't waste your money at the public-house." _Muggles._ "Yes, miss, I have it in by the barrel now, and that _do_ come cheaper!"] * * * * * TOWN THOUGHTS FROM THE COUNTRY _(With the usual apologies.)_ Oh, to be in London now that April's there, And whoever walks in London sees, some morning in the square, That the upper thousands have come to town, To the plane-trees droll in their new bark gown, While the sparrows chirp, and the cats miaow In London--now! And after April, when May follows And the black-coats come and go like swallows! Mark, where yon fairy blossom in the Row Leans to the rails, and canters on in clover, Blushing and drooping, with her head bent low! That's the wise child: she makes him ask twice over, Lest he should think she views with too much rapture Her first fine wealthy capture! But,--though her path looks smooth, and though, alack! All will be gay, till Time has painted black The _Marigold_, her mother's chosen flower,-- Far brighter is my _Heartsease_, Love's own dower. * * * * * MRS. RAMSBOTHAM is staying with her niece in the country. She is much delighted with the rich colour of the spring bulbs, and says she at last understands the meaning of "as rich as Crocus." * * * * * [Illustration: HIS BITTER HALF.--_John._ "Drink 'earty, Maria. Drink werry nigh 'arf."] * * * * * [Illustration: HORTICULTURAL CUTTINGS _(Culled by Dumb-Crambo Junior)_ Marshal Niel--Rose. Row-doe-den'd-run. Minion-ate. Pick-o'-tea. Car-nation. Dahli-a. Any-money. Double Pink. Few-shiers. Glad I-o-la!] * * * * * A CONUNDRUM TO FILL UP A GAP IN THE CONVERSATION.--Why is a person older than yourself like food for cattle? Because he's past your age (_pasturage_). * * * * * EVERYTHING COMES TO THE MAN WHO WAITS.--_Country Rector's Wife (engaging man-servant)._ And can you wait at dinner? _Man._ Aw, yes, mum; I'm never that hoongry but I can wait till you've done. * * * * * [Illustration: A QUESTION OF VESTED INTEREST _Vicar._ "Well, gentlemen, what can I do for you?" _Spokesman._ "Please, sir, we be a deputation from farmers down Froglands parish, to ask you to pray for fine weather for t'arvest." _Vicar._ "Why don't you ask your own Vicar?" _Spokesman._ "Well, sir, we reckon 'e be'unt much good for this 'ere. 'E do be that fond of fishin'."] * * * * * A RUSTIC MORALIST.--_Rector_ (_going his rounds_). "An uncommonly fine pig, Mr. Dibbles, I declare!" _Contemplative Villager._ "Ah, yes, sir: if we was only, all of us, as fit to die as him, sir!!" * * * * * QUERY.--Has the want of rain this summer, and consequent failure of the hay crops, affected the market for Grass Widows? * * * * * [Illustration: TRIALS OF A NOVICE _The Boy (to Brown, who has just taken a "little place" in the Country)._ "Plaze, zur, wot be I to start on?" _Brown._ "Oh--er--er--let's see----Oh, confound it!--er--er--_make a bonfire!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: A VILLAGE FIASCO.--_Gifted Amateur (concluding pet card trick)._ "Now, ladies and gentlemen, you have seen the pack of cards burnt before your eyes, and the ashes placed inside the box, which mysteriously transformed itself into a rabbit, which, in turn, disappeared into space. I will now ask this gentleman to name the card he selected, when it will at once appear in my hand. Now, sir, what card did you select from the pack?" _Giles (who has been following the trick most intently)._ "Blessed if I recollect!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AFTER THE FIRE _Rustic_ (_to burnt-out Farmer_). "We r--r--rescued the b--b--beer zur!"] * * * * * LOCAL PECULIARITIES At Bilston they always hit the right nail on the head. At Bolton it is impossible for those who run up ticks to bolt off. At Broadstairs the accommodation for stout visitors is unrivalled. At Colchester they are all "natives." At Coventry, strange to say, they can furnish no statistics of the number of persons who have been sent there. At Kidderminster there is certain to be something fresh on the _tapis_. At Liverpool they are extremely orthodocks. If you write to Newcastle (Staffordshire) take care to under-Lyne the address. At Newmarket they take particular interest in the question of races. At Portsmouth everything is ship-shape. At Rye you will meet none but Rye faces. At Sheffield you will always find a knife and fork laid for you. * * * * * [Illustration: "A GOOD WIT WILL MAKE USE OF ANYTHING" _Shakespeare, Henry the Fourth._ SCENE--_A Pit Village._ TIME--_Saturday Night._ _Barber_ (_to bibulous customer_). "Now, sir, if you don't hold your head back, I can't shave you!" _Pitman._ "A'well, hinney, just cut me hair!"] * * * * * WHAT OUR ARCHITECT HAS TO PUT UP WITH.--_Our Architect_ (_Spotting Sixteenth Century gables_). "That's an old bit of work, my friend!" "Oi, sir, yeu be roight, theer, that you be!" _O. A._ (_keen for local tradition_). "You don't know exactly _how_ old, I suppose?" "Well, noa, sir; but old it be! Whoi, I's knowed it myself these _noine_ years!" * * * * * OUR VILLAGE INDUSTRIAL COMPETITION.--_Husband_ (_just home from the City_). "My angel!--crying!--Whatever's the matter?" _Wife._ "They've--awarded me--prize medal"--(_sobbing_)--"f' my sponge cake!" _Husband_ (_soothingly_). "And I'm quite sure it deserv----" _Wife_ (_hysterically_). "Oh--but--'t said--'twas--for the best specimen--o' concrete!" * * * * * _Our Choir-master_ (_after lamentable failure on part of Pupil_). "Confound it! I thought you said you could 'Read at sight'?" _Pupil._ "So I can. But not _first_ sight." * * * * * A TRULY RURAL DEAN.--The Dean of Ferns. * * * * * [Illustration: OUR FÃ�TE _Village Worthy._ "It ain't so bad for Slowcombe, mum; but, lor' bless 'ee! 'tain't nothing to what they 'ud do in London!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Village Doctor._ "And what do you intend to make of this little man, Mrs. Brisket?" _Proud Mother._ "Butcher, sir. 'E's bound to be a butcher. Why, 'e 's that fond o' animals, we can 'ardly keep 'im out o' the slaughter-'ouse!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HEAVEN HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES.-- _Doctor._ "Well, John, how are you to-day?" _John._ "Verra bad, verra bad. I wish Providence 'ud 'ave mussy on me an' take me!" _Wife._ "'Ow can you expect it to if you won't take the doctor's physic?"] * * * * * [Illustration: CONCLUSIVE _Lodger._ "I detect rather a disagreeable smell in the house, Mrs. Jones. Are you sure the drains----" _Welsh Landlady._ "Oh, it can't be the drains, sir, whatever. There are none, sir!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Yorkshire Farmer_ (_who has laid a wager--to gentleman on weighing machine_). "Will ye tell us how mooch ye weigh, mister?" _Gentleman._ "Well, I'm seventeen stone seven." _Farmer._ "What did a' tell ye, lads? A' couldn't be wrang, for a's t' best joodge o' swine in t' coontry!"] * * * * * THE SWEETS OF COUNTRY LIFE (_Depicted by a Man of Feeling_) 'Tis sweet at Summer eve to rove, When brightly shines each twinkling star, And, strolling through the silent grove, Calmly to smoke a good cigar. 'Tis sweet upon the flowery mead To see the tender lambkins play, With pensive eye to watch them feed, And note how plump to roast are they. 'Tis sweet the fallow deer to view, Couched 'mid the fern in tranquil group; 'Tis sweet to hear the turtle's coo, And meditate on turtle soup. 'Tis sweet, from cares domestic free, While wandering by the streamlet's side, The speckled trout or perch to see, And think how nice they would be, fried. 'Tis sweet to mark the plover's flight, Lone on the moor, its nest despoiled; And with prospective mental sight To contemplate its eggs, hard boiled. 'Tis sweet, beside the murmuring rill, The scented violet to smell; Yet may a perfume sweeter still Attend the welcome dinner-bell! * * * * * [Illustration: THE COUNTRY IN THE FUTURE.--_Retired Citizen_ (_to Metropolitan Friend_). "What I enjoy so much in the country is the quiet! Now here, in my garden, my boy, you don't hear a sound, 'cepting the trains!!"] * * * * * FRIENDS IN COUNCIL.--_Tom Lothbury_ (_to Jack Billiter, who has "come in" to a nice little estate in Surrey, whereunto he intends retiring and rusticating_). "You'll keep cows, I s'pose, and all that sort of thing?" _Jack._ "Oh, no, can't bear milk." _Tom_ (_who has a taste for the rural_). "Cocks and hens, then?" _Jack._ "No, hate eggs and puddings and all that!" _Tom._ "Nor yet sheep?" _Jack._ "Eh, ah! Oh, yes; I'll have a sheep, I'm vewy fond of kidneys for bweakfast!" * * * * * QUERY.--If you give two persons a seat in a cornfield, can this proceeding be called "setting them by the ears"? * * * * * SIMPLE, BUT AGRICULTURAL.--_Q._ What is the best time for sowing tares? _A._ When the landlord goes round and collects his _rents_. * * * * * FOX'S MARTYRS.--Ducks, fowls, turkeys, and geese. * * * * * [Illustration: _Doctor._ "Well, Matthew, did you take those pills I sent you yesterday?" _Patient._ "Yes, doctor; but couldn't 'e do 'em up in something different? They little boxes be terrible hard to swallow!"] * * * * * ON THE WAY TO THE MANSE.--_Deacon MacTavish_ (_to_ Deacon MacBrose, _after visiting several hospitable houses on their way_). Hoot, mon Donald, yonder's the Meenister! Noo, I'll joost tek a few paces afore ye, in that ye may say gin my puir tired legs don't tremble. _Deacon MacBrose._ Gae forrard, Sandy, gae forrard! _Deacon MacTavish_ (_after stumbling ahead for several yards_). Weel, Donald, hoo gae they? _Deacon MacBrose._ Richt bonnily, Sandy, richt bonnily. But wha's the mon that's walking beside ye? * * * * * FROM THE MINING DISTRICTS.--(_Young Curate finds a Miner sitting on a gate smoking._)--_Curate_ (_desirous to ingratiate himself with one of his flock_). A fine morning, my friend. _One of his flock gives the slightest nod, and a grunt, and spits._ _Curate_ (_supposing that he had not been heard_). A fine morning, my good friend. _One of his flock._ Did I say it warn't. Do you want to hargue, you beggar? * * * * * [Illustration: _Lady._ "And you say you have been brought to this by your wife?" _Tramp._ "Yuss, lidy. I got 'er three good jobs, and 'er bloomin' independence lorst 'er the lot of 'em!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE--_The Hall of a Country House. Guests arriving for dinner._ _Perkins_ (_the extra man who is had in to help at most dinners given in the neighbourhood--confidentially but audibly_). "Good evening, Miss Waters. There's some of that nice pudding here to-night, what last time you took twice of!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _The Bishop of Lichbury._ "Really, it's very shocking to read in the papers so many painful cases of wife-beating and assault among the labouring classes!" _The Rev. Mr. Simmiel._ "It is indeed, my lord. Indeed--ahem--with your lordship's permission, one might almost call them _be_labouring classes."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Parson._ "Good morning, Mrs. Stubbins. Is your husband at home?" _Mrs. Stubbins._ "'E's 'ome, sir; but 'e 's a-bed." _Parson._ "How is it he didn't come to church on Sunday? You know we must have our hearts in the right place." _Mrs. Stubbins._ "Lor, sir, 'is 'eart's all right. It's 'is trowziz!"] * * * * * A POACHER'S PARADISE.--_About an hour from town._--Charming bijou residence ... _grounds adjoin a large pheasant preserve; owner going abroad._--_Advt. in "Standard."_ * * * * * "A CROP EXPERT."--A professional hair-dresser. * * * * * [Illustration: IMPARTIAL _New Curate_ (_who wishes to know all about his parishioners_). "Then do I understand you that your aunt is on your father's side, or your mother's?" _Country Lad._ "Zometimes one an' zometimes the other, 'ceptin' when feyther whacks 'em both, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TRUE MODESTY _Mr. Spinks._ "I had such a beautiful dream last night, Miss Briggs! I thought I was in the Garden of Eden----" _Miss Briggs_ (_with simplicity_). "And did Eve appear as she is generally represented, Mr. Spinks?" _Mr. Spinks._ "I--I--I--I--didn't look!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIP.--_Village Organ-blower_ (_to Lady Organist, who has been trying a new voluntary_). "How did it go, marm?" "Oh, all right. Why do you ask?" "Well, marm, to tell you the truth, I was a bit nervous about it. You see, marm, I've never blowed for that piece afore!"] * * * * * FARM NOTES _How to Winnow Corn._ _1st Method._--Get some corn. Get somebody who knows how to winnow it. Let him do it. _2nd Method._--If _you_ know all about it, do it yourself. _3rd Method, for Beginners, given in Agricultural Terms._ Place a steward near the blower, and let him drive the blower while the hopper is filled with a large wecht. (This is called the system of _Hopper_-ation.) Then let a woman with a small wecht slide down on a wheel crushing the blower with her shoes. This should be done in a neat, cleanly way until the scum has been swept with a besom through a wire screen, while another lot go on riddling, when it is the duty of the fanner to answer each riddle as it comes out. The fanner's chief work is, however, to prevent any labourer becoming too hot. When a labourer is very warm, he sits down before the fanner, who soon restores him to coolness. _Treatment of Fowls in Winter._--Roast them. _For the Volunteer-farmer in Winter._--Attend turnip drills. _How to Pickle Pork._--Get the hog into a proper temperature. To bring this about make him swallow a small thermometer. This'll warm him. Rub him with paper dipped in oil, give him a uniform coating of barley, tar, syrup of squills, pitch, and gold tin-foil. Paint his head green with orange stripes, and by that time he'll be in a pretty pickle. _Breakfast._--Always visit your poultry yard before breakfast. If unable to find a fresh egg, go to the cattle sheds. Remember that, where eggs cannot be obtained, a _yoke_ of fine oxen beaten up with a cup of tea is most invigorating. * * * * * [Illustration: POLITICAL GARDEN PARTY IN THE PROVINCES.-- _Great Lady_ (_speeding the parting guest_). "So glad you were able to come!" _Mayoress._ "Oh, we always try to oblige!"] * * * * * AGRICULTURAL.--A South of England farmer writes to us to say, that he has an early harvest in view, as he has already got three ricks in his neck, and is doing very well. * * * * * FURTHER ILLUSTRATION OF THE MINING DISTRICTS.--_First Polite Native._ "Who's 'im, Bill?" _Second ditto._ "A stranger!" _First ditto._ "'Eave 'arf a brick at 'im." * * * * * HOW TO TREAT ROUGH DIAMONDS.--Cut them! * * * * * [Illustration: _District Visitor._ "Well, Mrs. Hodges, going to have a cup of tea?" _Mrs. Hodges._ "Oh no, miss; we're just goin' to 'ave a wash!"] * * * * * [Illustration: WHO'D HAVE THOUGHT IT! "Well, Johnson, been to the doctor, as I told you?" "Yes, m'lord." "And what did he say was the matter with you?" "'E says it's just _general ability_, m'lord, that's all!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SAGACITY.--_Countryman._ "Fi' pounds too much for him? He's a won'erful good sportin' daug, sir! Why, he come to a dead pint in the street, sir, close ag'in a ol' gen'leman, the other day--'fust o' September it was, sir!--an' the gen'leman told me arterwards as his name were 'Partridge'!" _Customer._ "You don't say so!" [_Bargain struck._] * * * * * HORTICULTURE UP TO DATE Stimulated by the recent achievements of a horticulturist, who is about to place on the market the "pomato," a blend of the apple and tomato, and the "plumcot," a mixture of plum and apricot, _Mr. Punch_ hopes soon to be able to announce the successful rearing of the following novelties:-- _The Cumberry._--This may be regarded either as a very long gooseberry or a very short cucumber, according to fancy. When fully ripe the skin is thin and the contents pulpy. Unripe it is like a cobble, and may be used as such. _Mr. Punch_ is disposed to think that the over-ripe cumberry will be very popular at elections, especially when eggs are scarce. The hairy variety looks like a fat caterpillar, and makes very good grub. _The Mistletato_, a happy combination of the romantic and the domestic. This fruit, which has a very piquant flavour, has been grown in a small patch of soil, concealed, like King CHARLES, among the branches of an oak. Hence it is not surprising that the Mistletato should combine the nourishing qualities of the homely tuber with the sentimental associations of that plant which was revered by our Druid ancestors and is beloved by modern maidens. It should be a popular dish at wedding breakfasts. _The Pumpkonion_ promises well and seems likely to combine the amplitude of the pumpkin with the pungency of the onion. _Mr. Punch_ is of opinion that a machine will have to be invented for dealing with this vegetable, as to handle it would be too severe a tax upon the cook's lachrymal glands. _The Turniparrot_ and the _Parsniparagus_ are not yet sufficiently developed to be described with any confidence. Many others are only in an incipient state at present, but _Mr. Punch_ hopes to be able before long to announce that he has brought several to maturity, including the Collage and the Cabbyflower. * * * * * [Illustration: ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.-- _Stepmother_ (_entering village school with whip_). "My boy tells me you broke your cane across his back yesterday?" _Schoolmaster_ (_turning pale_). "Well, I--I may have struck harder than I intended, but----." _Stepmother._ "I thought I'd make you a present of this whip. You'll find it'll last longer and do him more good!"] * * * * * A RIDDLE FROM COLNEY HATCH.--_Q._ Why have we reason to suppose that a bee is a rook? _A._ Because. * * * * * THE ORIGIN OF RURAL DECADENCE.--Through communications corrupt good manners. * * * * * [Illustration: "SECOND THOUGHTS" _Priest._ "Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife?" _Bridegroom Elect._ "Well, aw's warned aw'll hev to hev her. But aw wad rayther hev her sister!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _The Vicar's Daughter._ "Awfully cold, isn't it, Mrs. Muggles?" _Mrs. Muggles._ "Yes, my dear. But, bless ye, I'm _lovely_ and warm!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Miss Townley._ "I think the country is just sweet. I love to see the peasant returning to his humble cot, his sturdy figure outlined against the setting sun, his faithful collie by his side, and his plough upon his shoulder!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _The Bishop of Lichborough_ (_who has been on a visit to a sporting squire_). "Now, I wonder if your man has remembered to put in my pastoral staff?" _William_ (_overhearing_). "Yes, my lord. I've put your lordship's gun-case into the carriage!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Curate, after weeks of serious reading and conversation with Gaffer Stokes without much apparent result, is at last rewarded by a look of rapt exaltation on the Gaffer's face._ _Gaffer Stokes._ "A-men! That's the first wopps I see this year!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A GOOD REASON. _Sympathetic Cousin._ "Poor boy! I'm so sorry you didn't pass your exam. What was the reason, I wonder?" _Poor Boy_ (_also wondering_). "I can't think."] * * * * * [Illustration: HAPPY THOUGHT _Obliging Country Butcher._ "Let me cut it into cutlets for you, ma'am,--leaving just enough bone for you to hold 'em by, while you're eating 'em!"] * * * * * WAGES AND WIVES.--_Philanthropic Farmer._ "Well, Tompkins, after this week, instead of paying you partly in cider, I shall give you two shillings extra wages." _Tompkins._ "No, thanky', master; that won't do for me!" _Farmer._ "Why, man, you'll be the gainer; for the cider you had wasn't worth two shillings!" _Tompkins._ "Ah, but you see I drinks the cider myself; but the ow'd 'ooman 'll 'ev the two shillun'!!" * * * * * A PUZZLE IN HORTICULTURE.--_Little Chris._ Daddy, what makes onions? _Daddy._ Seeds, of course. _Little Chris._ Then what makes seeds? _Daddy._ Onions. _Little Chris_ (_triumphantly_). Then why don't us feed the canary on onions? [_Discomfiture and retreat of Daddy._ * * * * * AGRICULTURAL QUESTION.--Is a landlord who allows his farms to be over-stocked with rabbits entitled to be called a great bunnyfactor? * * * * * [Illustration: "AT ONE FELL SWOOP" _Wife._ "Well, did ye find th' puddin' I left for you in the saucepan?" _Collier_ (_whose favourite dish is boiled puddings_). "Oh, ay; I found it right enough. It were a stunner!" _Wife._ "Did you take the cloth off?" _Collier_ (_after a pause_). "Were there a cloth _on_?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Rector_ (_short-sighted_). "Well, Richard, hard at work, eh? Let me see, you _are_ Richard, aren't you?" _Labourer._ "No, sir, oi be John, sir. You _'ad the pleasure o' buryin'_ Richard last week, you remember, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Tramp._ "Why don't you go in? 'E's all right. Don't you see 'im a-waggin' his tail?" _Second Tramp._ "Yus; an' don't you see 'im a-growlin'? I dunno which end to believe!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PROBABLY _He._ "I hope there are no bulls in here. I can't run as fast as I used to." _She._ "I'm told that's the worst thing to do. I think if you stand and look at them, it's enough to send them away!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "SOMETHING LIKE A MEDICINE" _Doctor._ "Now remember, my man, three or four drops of this mixture three times a day--and _inhale_." _Patient._ "Be I to take it in four or six hale, guv'nor?"] * * * * * [Illustration: AGRICULTOORAL-LOORALS (_By Dumb-Crambo Junior_) Silo (Sigh low). Judging Stock. Best Turn Out of Horse and Cart. Hurry For'ds (Herefords). Threshing Machine. The Cat 'll Show. Live Stock. Jerseys. A Tuber. Pa's-Nips. Cab-age.] * * * * * IN A SOMERSETSHIRE INN.--_Mr. Fitz-Archibald Smith_ (_of London, to the Landlord_).--Is there a hair-dresser in the village? I want to be shampooed and shaved. _Landlord._ Well, zur, I doant know much about the shampoodling, but our ostler's used to clipping horses. Would 'e like to try him? * * * * * FROM THE POULTRY.--When does a hen like beer? When she has a little _brood_. * * * * * SHOCKING BAD HUSBANDRY.--Baby-farming. * * * * * LATEST FROM OUR FARMYARD.--_In the Fowl House._--"Left sitting." * * * * * "A LITTLE LEARNING."--_Lady Tactful_ (_visiting small farmer_). I hope, John, the rain has not damaged the wheat. _John._ Ah, my lady, some of it will never grow; the wet has _busted_ it. _Mrs. John_ (_who is "educated"_). He should have said "_bursted_" my lady. That's what he means. _Lady Tactful._ Never mind. I think I prefer the old-fashioned pronunciation. * * * * * [Illustration: _Amateur Gardener_ (_to goat-fancying neighbour_). "Hi, madam. One of your confounded pets has got into my garden, and is eating my bedding-plants!" _Neighbour._ "Good gracious! _I trust they are not poisonous!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: MORE AMALGAMATION.--_Parish Councillor._ "Wull, I do voate that the two par'shes be marmaladed." _Chairman._ "Our worthy brother councillor means, I understand, that the two parishes should be _jammed together_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Village Gossip._ "Did ye 'ere as owd Sally Sergeant's dead? 'Er what's bin pew-opener up to Wickleham Church nigh on fifty year." _The Village Atheist_ (_solemnly_). "Ah! see what comes o' pew-openin'!"] * * * * * THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECORD OF CHARACTER.--_New Rector of Swaddlington_ (_to Sexton_). I see that the forge is close by the church, Grassmore. I hope that the smith is one of our friends? _Sexton._ Why, bless 'ee, yes, sir, 'e 's the only man in all the parish as settled over the Cesarewitch. * * * * * HINT TO THE MANAGERS OF POULTRY SHOWS.--Exhibit some henpecked husbands. * * * * * A BLACK COUNTRY SYNONYM.--Ruling with a rod of iron.--Beating your wife with a poker. * * * * * A PERFECT CURE.--_Town Man._ "How jolly it must be, living down here in the country!" _Country Gentleman._ "Oh, I don't know. It's rather a torpid sort of life; time passes very slowly." _Town Man._ "Time passes slowly? You should get somebody to draw on you at three months!!" * * * * * THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS.--When the roses sweetly breathe a dew. * * * * * [Illustration: FORBEARANCE.--_Young Lady._ "John, how long shall you be, as I want to practise?" _Gallant Young Gardener._ "Oh, goo yeouw on, Miss Amy--goo yeouw on! I sha'n't mind yar noise!"] * * * * * THE FARMING OF THE FUTURE; _Or, What British Agriculture is coming to._ SCENE.--_A Car on an Electric Light-railway._ TIME--_The Twentieth Century._ _First Farmer_ (_recognising Second Farmer_). Why, 'tis Muster Fretwail, surelie! didn't see it was you afore. And how be things gettin' along with _you_, sir, eh? _Farmer Fretwail_ (_lugubriously_). 'Mong the middlin's, Muster Lackaday; 'mong the middlin's! Nothen doin' just now--nothen 't all! _Third Farmer_ (_enviously_). Well, _you_ hevn't no call fur to cry out, neighbour! I see you've got a likely lot o' noo 'oardins comin' up all along your part o' the line. I wish mine wur arf as furrard, I know thet! _F. Fretwail._ Ah, them "Keep yer 'air on" 's, _you_ mean, Ryemouth. I don't deny as they was lookin' tidy enough a week back. But just as I was makin' ready fur to paint up "Try it on a Billiard Ball," blamed if this yere frost didn't set in, and now theer's everything at a standstill wi' the brushes froze 'ard in the pots! _F. Ryemouth._ 'Tis the same down with me. Theer 's a acre o' "Bunyan's Easy Boots" as must hev a noo coat, and I cann't get nothen done to 'en till th' weather's a bit more hopen like. Don' keer _'ow_ soon we hev a change, myself, I don't! _F. Lackaday._ Nor yet me, so long as we don't 'ave no gales with it. Theer was my height-acre pasture as I planted only las' Candlemas wi' "Roopy's Lung Tonics"--wunnerful fine and tall they was too--and ivery one on 'en blowed down the next week! _F. Fretwail._ Well, I 'ope theer wun't be no rain, neither, come to that. I know I 'ad all the P's of my "Piffler's Persuasive Pillules" fresh gold-leaved at Michaelmas, and it come on wet directly arter I done it, and reg'lar washed the gilt out o' sight an' knowledge, it did. Theer ain't no standin' up agen rain! _F. Ryemouth._ I dunno as I wouldn't as lief hev rain as sun. My "Hanti-Freckle Salves" all blistered up and peeled afoor the summer was 'ardly begun a'most. _F. Lackaday._ 'Tis a turr'ble 'ard climate to make 'ead against, is ourn. I've 'eard tell as some farmers are takin' to they enamelled hiron affairs, same as they used to hev when I wur a lad. I mind theer wur a crop o' "Read Comic Cagmag" as lingered on years arter the paper itself. Not as I hold with enamelling, myself--'tain't what I call 'igh farmin'--takes too much outer the land in _my_ 'pinion. _F. Fretwail._ Aye, aye. "Rotation o' boards." Say, "Spooner's Sulphur Syrup" fur a spring crop, follered with some kind o' soap or candles, and p'raps cough lozengers, or hembrocation, or bakin' powder, if the soil will bear it, arterwards--that's the system _I_ wur reared on, and theer ain't no better, 'pend upon it! _F. Ryemouth._ I tell 'ee what 'tis; it's time we 'ad some protection agen these yere furrin advertisements. I was travellin' along the Great Northern tother day, and I see theer was two or three o' them French boards nigh in ivery field, a downright shame an' disgrace I call it, disfigurin' the look o' the country and makin' it that ontidy--let alone drivin' honest British boards off the land. Government ought to put a stop to it; that's what _I_ say! _F. Lackaday._ They Parliment chaps don't keer _what_ becomes of us poor farmers, they don't. Look at last General Election time. They might ha' given our boards a turn; but not they. Most o' they candidates did all their 'tisin' with rubbishy flags and balloons--made in Japan, sir, every blamed one o' them! And they wonder British agriculture don't prosper more! _F. Ryemouth._ Speakin' o' queer ways o' hadvertisin', hev any on ye set eyes on that farm o' young FULLACRANK'S? Danged if iver _I_ see sech tom-fool notions as he's took up with in all _my_ born days! _F. Fretwail._ Why, what hev he bin up to _now_, eh? _F. Ryemouth._ Well, I thought I shud ha' bust myself larfin' when I see it fust. Theer ain't not a board nor a sky sign; no, nor yet a 'oarding, on the 'ole of his land! _F. Lackaday._ Then how do he expect to get a profit out of it?--that's what _I_ want to year. _F. Ryemouth._ You' ll 'ardly credit it, neighbours but he's been buryin' some o' they furrin grains, hoats and barley, an' I dunno what not, in little 'oles about his fields, so as to make the words, "Use Faddler's Non-farinaceous Food"--and the best on it is the darned young fool expecks as 'ow it'll all sprout come next Aperl--he do indeed, friends! _F. Fretwail._ Flyin' in the face of Providence, I calls it. He must ha' gone clean out of his senses! _F. Lackaday._ Stark starin' mad. I never heerd tell o' such extravagance. Why, as likely as not, 'twill all die off o' the land afore the year's out--and wheer wull he be _then_? _F. Ryemouth._ Azackly what I said to 'en myself. "You tek my word for it," I sez, "'twun't niver come to no good. The nateral crop for these yere British Hisles," I told 'en, "is good honest Henglish hoak an' canvas," I sez, "and 'tain't the action of no sensible man, nor yet no Christian," sez I, "to go a drillin' 'oles and a-droppin' in houtlandish seeds from Canada an' Roosha, which the sile wasn't never intended to bear!" _Farmers Fretwail and Lackaday._ Rightly spoke, neighbour Ryemouth, 'twas a true word! But theer'll be a jegement on sech new-fangled doin's, and, what's moor, you and I will live fur to see it afore we're very much older! [_They all shake their heads solemnly as scene closes in._ * * * * * [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: _The New Curate._ "Superb day, isn't it?" _Giles._ "Ay?" _Curate._ "Superb day." _Giles._ "Ay?" _Curate._ "Er--a--_superb--day!_" _Giles._ "Whoa, Dobbin!" (_Pulls up_). "Ay?" _Curate._ "I only remarked--er--it was a _superb day_." _Giles._ "D----! Gw'on, Dobbin!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Serious Old Party._ "Eh, but this is a wicked world!" _Flippant Individual._ "You are right, Mrs. Mumble. For my part, I shall be quite satisfied if I get out of it alive!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OBLIGING.--_Lady_ (_to village jobber, who for days has been "working" in the house_). "Can you tell me when you are likely to have _finished_ this job?" _Village Jobber._ "If _you_ can tell me, mum, wheer I'm likely to get another."] * * * * * [Illustration: USEFUL INFORMATION.--_Jones_ (_who has forsworn town life for a more healthful existence, to hired compendium of agricultural knowledge at 14s. 6d. a week, with cottage and 'tater patch_). "Do you know anything about bees, Isaac?" _Isaac._ "Yes, they stings!"] * * * * * RURAL FELICITY [This is the second Nature article that has recently arrived at _Mr. Punch's_ offices through inadvertence. It was obviously intended for _The Country-Side_, the new Harmsworth-Robinson organ, which is designed to bring home to townsmen the wonders of country life.] Evening in the country! A Spring evening! Ah, you dweller in the close perfervid city, how I wish I could have transported you to my side yesterday, while I stood and watched the sinking fire of day (a bright impulsive fellow this sun) waving me from his Orient window. A GLAD GOOD-NIGHT! How I wish you could have lain near me on that pile of fresh-cut hay, redolent of clover and the scarlet vetch, lulled to sleep, it may be, by the low moaning of rats in the stack, or the melancholy hoot of the night-jar! Sleep follows swiftly, sleep such as you denizens of the crowded street can never know--sleep beneath the stars. * * * * * Up with the lark! Shelley's skylark! There he is, the blithe unconscious creature, hovering above the plough-share, ready to pounce upon the first unwary field-vole upturned from his NEST IN THE LUXURIANT LOAM. My heart is full to bursting as I pass onward into the harvest-field and watch the gleaners at their busy toil. For one thing I have my "Topical Quotations" to prepare, and am "dividing my swift mind" between the _Georgics_ of Virgil and Wordsworth's "Intimations of Immortality" for a suitable selection. Then there are the straw bonnets and rough smocks of the rustics to be sketched for the fashion-plate, and my column upon the Insanitary Condition of Birds' Nests to be compiled. Yet how difficult to fix one's mind upon mere journalism, when on this side and on that the lithe rabbit is popping up from his "forme," and beneath their white blossoms the red strawberries lurk under every springing hedge-tuft. A glass of creamy butter-milk supplied by the smiling lass at the cottage wicket, together with a light and delicious scone EATEN IN THE STUBBLE under the sighing alders, has served me for my simple yet hygienic meal. And now as I watch the shepherd lead his flock of lowing kine into the pastures, the stately old bell-wether bringing up the rear, I feel that here is life indeed, and here (had the exigencies of a week-end return permitted) I could willingly have spent the remainder of my days, "the world forgetting, by the world forgot," but inexorable Fate with her iron shears forbids. I must BACK TO THE SMOKY STREETS once more and my half-finished essay on "Cotton-spinning in our Great Public Schools." Brief dream, farewell! * * * * * [Illustration: HORTICULTURAL _Vicar's Daughter._ "Well, John, I see you are looking as young as ever." _John._ "Yes, miss, thankyee. An' they tell me I'll soon be an octogeranium."] * * * * * [Illustration: "Oi be eighty-foive, zur." "Dear me! You don't look it. And how old is your wife?" "Oh, she be eighty-foive too. But she've looked it fer the last fowrty year!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "BENEFITS FORGOT!"--_Old Gentleman_ (_he had been chased across the field by the infuriated animal, and only just scrambled over the gate in time--gasping for breath_). "You in--fernal un--gra'ful beast!--an' me--been veg'tarian allm'life!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TEMPORA MU-TATUR!! _First Farmer._ "Aye, 'taters gets complaints now they never got in my young days."] * * * * * [Illustration: "Be it true as your nevvy b'ain 't?] a-goin' to marry that Miss Giles arter all?" "Well, you see I 'vised 'un to gie up matrimony, an' take to a trade."] * * * * * [Illustration: PLEASURING!--_Vicar_ (_to old lady, who is returning from a funeral_). "Well, Martha, I'm afraid you've had a sad afternoon. It has been a long walk, too, for you----" _Martha._ "Sure-ly, 'tis sir; Ah, sir, 'tain't much pleasure now for me to go to funerals; I be too old and full o' rheumatiz. It was very different when we was young--that 'twer!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Sexton_ (_to a divine, who was spending his holidays in the country and who, on the sudden illness of the village parson, volunteered to take the duties_). "A worse preacher would have done for us, sir, _but we couldn't get one_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PREDESTINED!--_Northern Matron_ (_before the School Board_). "I'm not against eddication, ladies and gen'l'men. I al'ays make him take his book o' nights. But reelly I calls it a flyin' in the face o' providence to be keepin' a boy out o' the stables with such a pair o' legs as his'n!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Carrier._ "Try zideways, Mrs. Jones, try zideways!" _Mrs. Jones._ "Lar' bless 'ee, John, I ain't got no zideways."] * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S AGRICULTURAL NOVEL BO AND THE BLACKSHEEP. _A Story of the Sex._ (_By_ THOMAS OF WESSEX, _Author of "Guess how a Murder feels," "The Cornet Minor," "The Horse that Cast a Shoe," "One in a Turret," "The Foot of Ethel hurt her," "The Flight of the Bivalve," "Hard on the Gadding Crowd," "A Lay o' Deceivers," &c._) ["I am going to give you", writes the Author of this book, "one of my powerful and fascinating stories of life in modern Wessex. It is well known, of course, that although I often write agricultural novels, I invariably call a spade a spade, and not an agricultural implement. Thus I am led to speak in plain language of women, their misdoings, and their undoings. Unstrained dialect is a speciality. If you want to know the extent of Wessex, consult histories of the Heptarchy with maps."] CHAPTER I. In our beautiful Blackmoor or Blakemore Vale not far from the point where the Melchester Road turns sharply towards Icenhurst on its way to Wintoncester, having on one side the hamlet of Batton, on the other the larger town of Casterbridge, stands the farmhouse wherewith in this narrative we have to deal. There for generations have dwelt the rustic family of the Peeps, handing down from father to son a well-stocked cow-shed and a tradition of rural virtues which yet excluded not an overgreat affection on the male side for the home-brewed ale and the home-made language in which, as is known, the Wessex peasantry delights. On this winter morning the smoke rose thinly into the still atmosphere, and faded there as though ashamed of bringing a touch of Thermidorean warmth into a degree of temperature not far removed from the zero-mark of the local Fahrenheit. Within, a fire of good Wessex logs crackled cheerily upon the hearth. Old Abraham Peep sat on one side of the fireplace, his figure yet telling a tale of former vigour. On the other sat Polly, his wife, an aimless, neutral, slatternly peasant woman, such as in these parts a man may find with the profusion of Wessex blackberries. An empty chair between them spoke with all an empty chair's eloquence of an absent inmate. A butter-churn stood in a corner next to an ancient clock that had ticked away the mortality of many a past and gone Peep. CHAPTER II. "Where be Bonduca?" said Abraham, shifting his body upon his chair so as to bring his wife's faded tints better into view. "Like enough she's met in with that slack-twisted 'hor's bird of a feller, Tom Tatters. And she'll let the sheep draggle round the hills. My soul, but I'd like to baste 'en for a poor slammick of a chap." Mrs. Peep smiled feebly. She had had her troubles. Like other realities, they took on themselves a metaphysical mantle of infallibility, sinking to minor cerebral phenomena for quiet contemplation. She had no notion how they did this. And, it must be added, that they might, had they felt so disposed, have stood as pressing concretions which chafe body and soul--a most disagreeable state of things, peculiar to the miserably passive existence of a Wessex peasant woman. "Bonduca went early," she said, adding, with a weak irrelevance, "she mid 'a' had her pick to-day. A mampus o' men have bin after her--fourteen o' 'em, all the best lads round about, some of 'em wi' bags and bags of gold to their names, and all wanting Bonduca to be their lawful wedded wife." Abraham shifted again. A cunning smile played about the hard lines of his face. "Polly," he said, bringing his closed fist down upon his knee with a sudden violence, "you pick the richest, and let him carry Bonduca to the pa'son. Good looks wear badly, and good characters be of no account; but the gold's the thing for us. Why," he continued, meditatively, "the old house could be new thatched, and you and me live like Lords and Ladies, away from the mulch o' the barton, all in silks and satins, wi' golden crowns to our heads, and silver buckles to our feet." Polly nodded eagerly. She was a Wessex woman born, and thoroughly understood the pure and unsophisticated nature of the Wessex peasant. CHAPTER III. Meanwhile Bonduca Peep--little Bo Peep was the name by which the country-folk all knew her--sat dreaming upon the hill-side, looking out with a premature woman's eyes upon the rich valley that stretched away to the horizon. The rest of the landscape was made up of agricultural scenes and incidents which the slightest knowledge of Wessex novels can fill in amply. There were rows of swedes, legions of dairymen, maidens to milk the lowing cows that grazed soberly upon the rich pasture, farmers speaking rough words of an uncouth dialect, and gentlefolk careless of a milkmaid's honour. But nowhere, as far as the eye could reach, was there a sign of the sheep that Bo had that morning set forth to tend for her parents. Bo had a flexuous and finely-drawn figure not unreminiscent of many a vanished knight and dame, her remote progenitors, whose dust now mouldered in many churchyards. There was about her an amplitude of curve which, joined to a certain luxuriance of moulding, betrayed her sex even to a careless observer. And when she spoke, it was often with a fetishistic utterance in a monotheistic falsetto which almost had the effect of startling her relations into temporary propriety. CHAPTER IV. Thus she sat for some time in the suspended attitude of an amiable tiger-cat at pause on the edge of a spring. A rustle behind her caused her to turn her head, and she saw a strange procession advancing over the parched fields where--[Two pages of field-scenery omitted.--ED.] One by one they toiled along, a far-stretching line of women sharply defined against the sky. All were young, and most of them haughty and full of feminine waywardness. Here and there a coronet sparkled on some noble brow where predestined suffering had set its stamp. But what most distinguished these remarkable processionists in the clear noon of this winter day was that each one carried in her arms an infant. And each one, as she reached the place where the enthralled Bonduca sat obliviscent of her sheep, stopped for a moment and laid the baby down. First came the Duchess of Hamptonshire followed at an interval by Lady Mottisfont and the Marchioness of Stonehenge. To them succeeded Barbara of the House of Grebe, Lady Icenway and Squire Petrick's lady. Next followed the Countess of Wessex, the Honourable Laura and the Lady Penelope. Anna, Lady Baxby, brought up the rear. Bonduca shuddered at the terrible re-encounter. Was her young life to be surrounded with infants? She was not a baby-farm after all, and the audition of these squalling nurslings vexed her. What could the matter mean? No answer was given to these questionings. A man's figure, vast and terrible, appeared on the hill's brow, with a cruel look of triumph on his wicked face. It was Thomas Tatters. Bonduca cowered; the noble dames fled shrieking down the valley. "Bo," said he, "my own sweet Bo, behold the blood-red ray in the spectrum of your young life." "Say those words quickly," she retorted. "Certainly," said Tatters. "Blood-red ray, Broo-red ray, Broo-re-ray, Brooray! Tush!" he broke off, vexed with Bonduca and his own imperfect tongue-power, "you are fooling me. Beware!" "I know you, I know you!" was all she could gasp, as she bowed herself submissive before him. "I detest you, and shall therefore marry you. Trample upon me!" And he trampled upon her. CHAPTER V. Thus Bo Peep lost her sheep, leaving these fleecy tail-bearers to come home solitary to the accustomed fold. She did but humble herself before the manifestation of a Wessex necessity. And Fate, sitting aloft in the careless expanse of ether, rolled her destined chariots thundering along the pre-ordained highways of heaven, crushing a soul here and a life there with the tragic completeness of a steam-roller, granite-smashing, steam-fed, irresistible. And butter was churned with a twang in it, and rustics danced, and sheep that had fed in clover were "blasted," like poor Bonduca's budding prospects. And, from the calm nonchalance of a Wessex hamlet, another novel was launched into a world of reviews, where the multitude of readers is not as to their external displacements, but as to their subjective experiences. [THE END. * * * * * [Illustration: "HINC ILLÃ� LACRYIMÃ�" _Master Tommy_ (_returning from the funeral_). "Why did Uncle Jonas cry so for, Aunt? He cried more than anybody!" _Aunt_ (_grimly_). "Of course! Most of the property is left to him, my dear!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "What's that there blank space left for, Jim?" "Why, that's for the folks as can't read!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A YORKSHIRE GOSSIP _First Gossip._ "So you was nivver axed tu t'funeral?" _Second Gossip._ "Nivver as much as inside t'house. But nobbut; wait till _we_ hev' a funeral of us own, an' _we_'ll show 'em!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Parson._ "Why, John, what are you doing there?" _John._ "I be too wet to work, zur." _Parson._. "Well, if it's too wet to work, why don't you go home?" _John._ "Wull, my old 'ooman, she do jaw so!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Young Lady._ "Can you tell me the nearest way to get to Pulham from here?" _Sweep._ "Well, miss, I'm going there meself. So, if yer jump in, I'll drive yer!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Village Dame._ "Did I bring you back that basket you lent me last week?" _Second Dame_ (_emphatically_). "No, indeed, you did not." _First Dame._ "That's a pity, for I just came round to borrow it again!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Here in cool grot and mossy cell We rural fays and fairies dwell!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HARD ON THE DOCTOR--_Old Lady._ "My 'usband 'e never did 'old with doctors, and 'e wouldn't let me send for yer till 'e was real bad. What's wrong with him, doctor?" _Doctor._ "Mainly senility, Mrs. Wilkins." _Old Lady._ "Lor' now! An' I dessay 'e wouldn't 'ave 'ad it if 'e'd 'ad yer soon enough!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."--_Hamlet._ (_Heard outside a Country Circus._) _Old Jarge._ "Wen ye sees wot comes from furrin parts, bless yer 'eart, ye just feels like a bit o' dirt!"] * * * * * "THE LAST STRAW."--For further particulars apply to the gleaners. * * * * * THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.--_Note._ Always have your hair cut very short in the hottest weather. * * * * * GARDENING AMUSEMENT FOR COLWELL-HATCHNEY.--Spinning turnip tops. * * * * * ADVICE TO THE FARMER.--Keep your weather eye open. * * * * * [Illustration: "Did ye see the Lord Mayor when you was up to Lunnon?" "Aye, lad, I did." "De' 'e gang aboot wi' a chain?" "No; 'e gangs loose!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Miss Hobbs_ (_who dislikes tobacco_). "I see you are at your idol again!" _Smoker._ "Yes; I'm burning it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A DRY CALLING "Th' ole squire stop an' spoke to me this marnin'; an' Oi ast 'im 'ow Master Philip was gettin' on in Lunnon. 'Oh,' says 'e, ''e 's bin called to the Bar.' Oi dunno wot 'e meant, so Oi didn' say nothin'; but Oi says to meself, 'Ah,' Oi says, 'from what _Oi_ remember of 'im, 'e didn' want no _callin'_!'"] * * * * * [Illustration: ACCOMMODATING.--_Old Lady._ "Now then, what do you want?" _The Tramp._ "I ain't pertickler, lady. What 'av' yer got?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _The Vicar's Daughter._ "Papa was very shocked, Giles, to see you standing outside the 'Green Man' this morning, after church." _The Village Reprobate._ "Oi can 'sure ye, miss, it wus na fault o' moine that I wus standin' ootside!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "I'm surprised to find that you keep a dog, Tomkins! Why, you can barely keep your wife! What on earth do you feed him on?" "Well, I gives 'im cat's-meat. And when I can't afford that, why, 'e 'as to 'ave wot _we_ 'ave."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mrs. A._ "I've just been to see a poor soul who was almost dying of destitution." _Miss B._ "Did you take her anything?" _Mrs. A._ "Yes--a pound of mutton." _Miss B._ "That wasn't much, was it?" _Mrs. A._ (_indignantly_). "Quite enough to make her some _beef tea_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Tell your fortune, pretty gentleman?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Fond of music! Why, when I'm in town, I go to a music-hall every night!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A SURE SIGN OF IMPROVEMENT.--_Village Doctor._ "Well Scroggins, I hope your wife is much better to-day, eh? How is her pulse, eh? And how's her temperature?" _Scroggins_ (_considering_). "Well, doctor, I don't know much about her pulses, but as for her temper"--(_feelingly_)--"she's got a plenty of _that_ to-day!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE PITY O' IT!" "Well, Simpson, how do you like the hot weather?" "Can't stand it, sir! It's hawful! Ain't got no stomach for my victuals, sir!"] * * * * * AT A CATTLE MARKET AN AUTUMN REMINISCENCE SCENE--_A large open space near a cathedral town. Fat old farmers in white hats, and smart young farmers in Newmarket coats and neat riding boots; elderly shepherds in blue, grey, and white smocks. From time to time there is a stampede of bewildered bullocks, whose hind legs are continually getting hitched over each other's horns. Connoisseurs lean over pen-rails and examine pigs reverently, as if they were Old Masters. Others prod them perfunctorily. The pigs bear these inconveniences meekly, as part of the penalty of greatness. Sheep look over one another's shoulders and chew nervously on one side of their mouths._ BY THE PIG-PENS _First Enthusiast._ Did y' iver see sech a sow as that theer? _I_ niver did, and (_aggressively_) naw moor _yo'_ didn't neither, 'Enery, _did_ ye now? _'Enery_ (_unimpressed_). I doan't see naw 'dvantage in heving pigs so big as that theer. _First Enth._ Big! She's like a elephant. _Theer's_ a lop ear now--weighs thutty-four stoan if she weighs a hounce, she do! [_The sow grunts complacently._ _'Enery._ Ah. I 'ad one loike 'er, I 'ad. Eat three bucketsful a day, she did, and (_with a sense of unforgettable injury_) mis'able little pegs she 'ad with it all! _Second Enth._ I go in fur Berkshire myself, but Sussex are very good; they scale so much better 'n they look; _full_ o' flesh they are--weigh a good stun moor nor ye'd take 'em fur, and then they cut _up_ so well! (_With a dreamy tenderness._) Yes, I'm fond o' they Sussexes, I am--_very_ fond of 'em! * * * * * _A Dealer_ (_trying to dispose of a litter of small black pigs_). Seven good ole stiddy little pigs! I don't care '_oo_ buys 'em (_as if he usually required the strictest testimonials to character_). I _must_ sell 'em. Pig-buyin' to-day, sir? You'd _better_ 'ave that little lot, sir. [_Persuasively, to a passer-by, who however appears to think he had much better not._ BY THE SHEEP-PENS _Intending Purchaser_ (_to Seller_). What d'ye carl them yoes now? Southdowns? [_He fixes his eyes on the cathedral spire, and awaits the next move._ _Seller_ (_after watching a rook out of sight, stirs up the sheep meditatively, and decides on candour_). Well--bout aaff an' aaff. _Int. Purch._ Old yoes--well, ye know, 'taint like _young_ yoes, _be_ it now? _Seller_ (_when he has finished shredding tobacco in the palm of his hand_). That's true enough. _Int. Purch._ I dunno as I can do wi' any moor shep just now, if 'twas iver so. _Seller_ (_listlessly_). Cann't ye, now? Theer's bin a genl'man from Leicestershire 'ere, wawntin' me to run 'im off a dozen or so--fur his perrk, d'ye see? _Int. Purch._ (_with unaffected incredulity_). Ah. [_A protracted silence, employed by each in careful inspection of his boots._ _Seller_ (_addressing space_). They're a tidy lot o' yoes. _Int. Purch._ (_as if this was a new view of them, which would require consideration_). Come off o' your own farm? _Seller._ Druv 'em in myself this very marnin'. _Int. Purch._ Ah. (_A pause apparently spent in mental calculation._) What might ye be askin' for 'un now? _Seller._ For them yoes? _Int. Purch._ Ah. _Seller_ (_falls into a brown study, from which he at length emerges to tap the nearest ewe on the forehead and expectorate_). I wawnt five-an'-twenty shellin' a yead for them yoes. _Int. Purch._ Five-an'-twenty? _Seller._ Ah, that's what _I_ wawnt. [_A longer silence than ever._ _Int. Purch._ I s'pose ye aint seen ole Jim 'Arrows 'bout 'ere this marnin', hev ye? [_After some further preliminaries of this kind the moment at length arrives at which a bargain can be struck without any suggestion of unbecoming haste on either side._ * * * * * [Illustration: ANYTHING TO OBLIGE.--_Old Lady._ "I wish you would make him go faster. I shall be late for the market." _Carrier._ "Well, you see, mum, he always falls on his head if he trots down-hill. He _can't_ trot up-hill, for he's broken-winded, and if you hurry him on the level he mostly has a fit of blind staggers. But we'll try if you like, mum. Come up, hoss!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BYE-ELECTION HUMOURS _Free and Independent Voter._ "Wull, if they can't zend zummat better than thic ther cart to fetch I to the poll, I ain't a-goin' to vote. Zo there's an end of it; and you can go back an' tell 'um zo!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE NEW SQUIRE _Farmer._ "Well, Giles, what do you think of him?" _Giles._ "I reckon he's allers in at meal-times, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Curate._ "Oh--er--by the way, Mr. Bloggs, I was wondering whether you would give me a small subscription for a most excellent object: I mean the repairing of the cemetery wall." _Wealthy Parvenu._ "Not me, sir. The cemetery wall don't _need_ any repairing. Them as is inside can't get out, an' them as is outside don't want to get in. Good mornin'!"] * * * * * _First Rustic_ (_just out of the County Hospital_). An' they putt me under that theer chlorryfum--an' I simmed to go right oop into 'Evin--yes, I wur oop in 'Evin fur a toime, sure 'nough. _Second Rustic_ (_with interest_). An' did ye 'ear a pianner? * * * * * _Elderly Farmer_ (_who is being applied to for the character of his late shepherd_). No, I never 'ad no fault to find wi' the fellow--(_conscientiously_) not as I knows on. He unnerstan's shep--I will say _that_ fur 'en--he's a rare 'un at doctorin' of 'em, too. An' a stiddy chap an' that, keps a civil tongue in 'is yead, and don't go away on the booze. No, _I_ aint got nawthen' to say 'gainst th' man. _The Inquirer._ Would ye hev any objection to sayin' why ye're partin' wi' en? _Eld. F._ Well, I dunno as theer was any partickler _reason_ for 't. (_He endeavours to think of one in a puzzle-headed way._) I s'pose I must ha' thowt I'd make a bit of a shift like--and theer ye hev it. * * * * * _First Stock-breeder_ (_to Second_). Well, an' how's Muster Spuddock to-day? _Muster Spuddock._ Oh, 'mong th' middlins--'mong th' middlins. Pretty well fur an old 'un. _First Stockbr._ An' how's trade with _you_, eh? _Muster Sp._ (_beaming_). Oh, nawthen' doin'--nawthen' doin' 't all! _First Stockbr._ (_with equal cheerfulness_). Same _'ere_, sir--same 'ere. On'y thing that's got money has been th' dead meat. _Muster Sp._ (_without appearing to envy the dead meat on this account_). Ah, that's it. Ye cann't reckon on moor nor thrippence,--an' your own expenses, i' coorse. _First Stockbr._ An' _thet_'s borderin' nigh on fowerpence; an' when it comes to two pound a bullock----! [_They shake their heads with an unsuccessful attempt to look lugubrious at these cryptic considerations._ _Muster Sp._ Well, well; sheep food's goin' to be plentiful, too, right up to Christmas. _First Stockbr._ That's the way to look on it. [_They go off to dine at the ordinary, with a sense that matters might be worse._ * * * * * [Illustration: Jones, who can't sleep well in London during the hot weather, goes to have a quiet night in a village! [_Portrait of_ one _of the village Cochins, &c._] * * * * * [Illustration: EDUCATION.--_Squire._ "Hobson, they tell me you've taken your boy away from the National School. What's that for?" _Villager._ "'Cause the master ain't fit to teach un!" _Squire._ "O, I've heard he's a very good master." _Villager._ "Well, all I knows is, he wanted to teach my boy to spell 'taters' with a 'p'!!!]" * * * * * [Illustration: COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON.--_Farmer's Wife_ (_to little rustic, her protégè_). "Well, Sam, your master and I are going up to London for the cattle show." _Cow Boy._ "Oh, I'm sure I hope yeou'll take the fust prize, 'm--that I dew!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "IN THE LONG RUN."--_Town Gent._ "Now do you find keeping poultry answers?" _Country Gent_ (_lately retired_). "O, 'es, s'posed to answer. Y' see there's the original cost of the fowls--'f course the food goes down to me, y' know. Well, then, I purchase the eggs from the children, and they eat them!!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "ONLY TWO FEET AT THE WINDOW" (_Old song adapted_) _Milkman_ (_aghast, anxiously_). "Hullo! Wot's that?" _Old Woman._ "Hish! Our lodger, just come. Open-air cure!"] * * * * * AGRICULTURAL.--The poorest farmer in the land, if unable to feed his calves, can always graze his shins. * * * * * AT THE CATTLE SHOW.--_Young Farmer._ "Are you fond of beasts, Miss Gusherton?" _Miss Gusherton._ "Oh, really, Mr. Pawker, if you mean that as a declaration, you must speak to mamma!" * * * * * [Illustration: _Rector._ "Why, doctor, where are you off to? I thought the meet was down at the cross roads." _Doctor._ "Well, the fact is, I've got a patient up here that I must see, and the hounds are certain to come this way." _Rector._ "I see. Killing two birds with one stone, eh?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Short-sighted Old Gentleman._ "Excuse me, but I think you've dropped one of your parcels!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "OPPOSITION."--_First Town Councillor (who had recently been to Venice)._ "Now that we've a people's park, and a lake in it, I should suggest that half a dozen gondolas might be purchased, as they'd give quite a----" _Second Ditto (untravelled)._ "Oh, I don't see the good of havin' any more o' them foreign birds! We've plenty of ducks an' geese already! 't any rate a pair would be enough to breed from. As to 'alf a dozen, I consider it'd be a waste o' public money, an' I'll oppose it tooth and----" [_They don't part friends._] * * * * * [Illustration: _The Squire._ "I don't seem to know your face, my man. Do you live about here?" _Old Rustic._ "Yes, sir. But, yer see, I ain't often at the public-'ouse!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Doubtful Character._ "This yer's all 'umbug about a thief not bein' able to look a honest man in the heye." _Second Doubtful Character._ "Well, if 'e can't, 'e can _punch_ 'im in the heye!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LITTLE AND GOOD _Gentleman._ "Who do these pigs belong to, boy?" _'Chaw.'_ "Why, this 'ere owd zow." _Gentleman._ "Yes, yes; but I mean who's their master?" _'Chaw.'_ "Why, that there little 'un; he's a varmun to foight!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TRUE POLITENESS (_Another incident at a Tenants' Ball_) _Daughter of the house (dishevelled and torn after one turn round the room with clumsy partner)._ "Do you mind very much, Mr. Quickstep, if we sit out the rest of it?" _Mr. Quickstep._ "Jest as you like, miss. I'm only a-dancin' for your pleasure!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Miss Marjorie._ "And how is your son James getting on, Mr. Giles?" _Giles_ (_whose son has gone to London "in service"_). "Well, to tell ye the truth, Miss Marji, Oi'm very troubled about 'im. Oi 'ad a letter last week, an' 'e says that 'e's livin' in a buildin' with 'undreds of people in it, an' it's three or fowr 'ouses one on top o' t'other. 'E says there's a railway carriage without an ingin' that goes up the middle o' th' buildin', an' the lights is all in bottles, an' you turns 'em on with a tap without usin' a loocifer, an'----" _Miss Marjorie._ "But why are you troubled about James?" _Giles._ "Aye, Oi fear 'e must 'a took to drink, miss!"] * * * * * SYMPATHY.--_Giles_ (_ruefully_). "Villiam, I've been an' gone an' 'listed!" _William._ "Lor'! 'ave yer, though? Got the shillin'?" _Giles._ "Yes." _William._ "Well, then, let's go an' 'ave a glass at the 'Barley-Mow.' Don't let's be down'earted!" * * * * * [Illustration: QUITE A DIFFERENT THING.--_Vicar's Wife._ "Well, Mrs. Bloggs, I'm glad to hear your husband has given up drinking. I hope he's all the better for it?" _Mrs. Bloggs._ "Oh, yes, 'm, that he be. Why, ever since 'e took the pledge, he's been more like a friend than a husband!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE.--_A Country Drawing-Room._ _Visitor_ (_to old lady and daughters, one of whose hobbies is the keeping of a small herd of Jerseys_). "By the way, I didn't see you at our local agricultural show." _Daughter._ "Oh, no! We never go unless we exhibit ourselves."] * * * * * [Illustration: A SLIGHT MISTAKE.--_Farmer._ "Where 'ave ye been all this time? And where's the old mare--didn't ye have her shod as I told ye?" _Jarge._ "Shod! Law, no, marster. I bin a buryin' she! Didn't I think thee said '_shot_'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE SIMPLE LIFE" _Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpudgit's Experiences of a Week-end Country Cottage._ _Mr. Fitzpudgit._ "What's the matter with the eggs, Matilda? I've tried them with a fork two or three times, and they're not soft yet!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE SIMPLE LIFE." _Mr. Fitzpudgit._ "Now don't faint again, my dear. I'll soon have this old rabbit in bits, now!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE SIMPLE LIFE" _Charwoman._ "If yer please, sir, th' landlord says as 'ow 'e can't do nothin', 'cos the thatcher's busy with the ricks."] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE SIMPLE LIFE" _Mrs. Fitzpudgit._ "What is it, dear?" _Mr. F._ "Nothing, my love. Only another puncture."] * * * * * [Illustration: "APPRECIATIONS," LOCAL _Vicar's Wife._ "I see, Mrs. Fieldsend, that Mary is home again." _Mrs. Fieldsend._ "Yes, m'm. You see, she has been a year at Crowe Rectory, and eighteen months at Exholme Vicarage, and now we want her to go into a gentleman's family!"] * * * * * FAMILY JARS.--_Joan._ "The _idear_ of Susan's askin' John to William's funeral, after the way 'e'd beyaved! I shouldn't certainly ever _dream_ of askin' 'im to _yours_!" _Darby._ "_What!_ Then all _I_ can say is, I should be very much offended if you _didn't_!" * * * * * [Illustration: EXCHANGE NO ROBBERY] * * * * * LIVE STOCK.--_Little Miss Townley._ "Was that honey we had at breakfast 'home-made,' Mr. Stubbs?" _Farmer Stubbs._ "Why, surely, missy." _Little Miss T._ "Oh! Then I suppose you _keep a bee_?" * * * * * [Illustration: _Country Barber_ (_affably, to total stranger_). "Very tryin' weather this, sir. Makes you feel as if you'd like your body in a pond, an' your 'ead in a public-'ouse!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _The Rector's Daughter._ "My father feels it very much, Mrs. Barker, that you should leave the church every Sunday just before the sermon. Don't you think you might try and stay, in future?" _Mrs. Barker._ "I dursn't do it, miss. _I do snore that dreadful when I'm asleep!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Lady_ (_calling on new Vicar's young wife_). "Have you seen the library at the Hall? Sir George is quite a bibliophile, you know." _Vicar's Wife_ (_warmly_). "Oh, I'm _so_ glad to hear that! So many of these wealthy men have _no_ religion!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Lady Visitor_ (_to old parishioner_). "Well, Mr. Huggins, and has the nurse been to see you yet?" _Old Parishioner._ "Yes, mum, thank 'ee. She's called once, an done my foot more good than all the imprecations I've ever used!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE SLOCUM POGIS TOILET-CLUB "These 'ere barbers makes a rare lot o' fuss about it, but 'tain't nowt to sheep shearin'."] * * * * * [Illustration: DIET.--_Village Doctor._ "Well, are you better? Have you taken your medicine regularly, and eaten plenty of animal food?" _Patient._ "Yes, sir, I tried it, and so long as it were be-ans and o-ats, I could manage pooty well, sir; but when you come to that there chopped hay, that right-down choked me, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NEEDLESS ALARM _He._ "The fellah actually thweatened to blow my bwains out!" _She._ "Oh, how _could_ he? Of _course_ he wasn't serious."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE FORCE OF HABIT.--_Our County Member_ (_attending church during the Recess_). "I beg to move, sir, that the question be now put!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR CHRISTMAS CONCERT.--_The Rector_ (_who conducts the Rehearsal_). "Suppose we try that movement again? I think, Mr. Footles, you were half a bar behind in taking up your point. Oh dear!--you're not going, Mr. Foo----" _Mr. Footles_ (_our Flauto Secondo, huffed_). "Yessir. 'F you're so pertic'lar's 'alf a bar, I sha'n't jine the s'ciety!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ARTFUL--VERY.--_Mary._ "Don't keep a screougin' o' me, John!" _John._ "Wh'oi bean't a screougin' on yer!" _Mary_ (_ingenuously_). "Well, y' can i' y' like, John!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Stranger._ "I suppose there's not much society about here?" _Barber._ "Society! Why there ain't two soup an' fish families within a radius o' fifteen mile!"] * * * * * HOW MINERS OUGHT TO SWEAR.--"I'll take my Davy." * * * * * THE HARVEST OF CRIME.--The convict reaps the reward of his iniquity in the county crop. * * * * * [Illustration: _Stranger._ "You must find it very lonely on these hills." _Shepherd._ "Lonely? No, I don't. Why, there was a man an a 'oss passed yesterday, an' there's you to-day."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Agricultural Parishioner_ (_wishing to ingratiate himself with the new curate, who had given a lecture on the previous evening_). "Thank ye, sir, for your reading to us last night." _New Curate._ "Glad you liked it, John. I was a little afraid lest the lecture might have been just a _little_ too scientific." _Agricultural Parishioner._ "No, bless you, sir, not a bit of it. Why, we in these parts be just like young ducks. _We do gobble up anything!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: "NONE BUT THE BRAVE DESERVE THE _FARE_."--_The Rector's Wife_ (_at school feast, to one of the boys, who had been doing very "good business"_). "What's the matter, Noggins? Don't you feel well?" _Noggins._ "No, m'm,--but--I'll hev--to be wuss, m'm--afore I give in!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE SUBSTITUTE.--_The Rector's Wife._ "Oh, Mrs. Noggins, I should really try to break your parrot of his habit of swearing in that awful way!" _The Widow Noggins._ "Well 'm, I finds it such a comfort to 'ear 'im. Makes it seem more like as if there was a man about the 'ouse again."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Village Dame_ (_to eminent landscape-painter_). "Law, sir, I do often wonder how you can 'ave the patience to bide here day arter day, drarin' an' drarin'! But, there, one thing, you 'aves plenty o' company!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HORTICULTURAL CUTTINGS (_Culled and Fetched from a Considerable Distance by Dumb Crambo Junior_) Coaly-us. Sinner-area. Pet-you-near. Ah,-but-ill-us! Peeler-go!-nyum! Haughty culture. Gee-rainy-(um!). Ran-uncle-us. Prim-you-la! A-rum lily.] * * * * * BOON COMPANIONS!--_Bargee_ (_to Rustic_). "What! Ge-arge!" (_Rustic grins in response._) _Bargee._ "I'm allus main glad to see thee, Ge-arge." _Rustic._ "Whoy?" _Bargee._ "'Cause I know there must be a public-'ouse close by!" * * * * * [Illustration: "LAUDATOR TEMPORIS ACT I" _Mrs. Ghoul._ "Ah, funerals isn't what they used to be in my time! I recollect when we 'ad 'am sangwishes and sherry wine; but now it's as much as you can git a bit o' cake and a cup o' tea. Ah!"] * * * * * CONTENTMENT.--_Giles._ "A happy New Year to you, marm, and I hope you'll be as lucky this year as I was last." _Lady._ "Oh, thank you very much, Giles; but you surely forget that you lost your wife in the spring and broke your leg in the summer." _Giles._ "Yes, but t'other leg's all right, and as for paw Soosan, it might have been I to be took instead." * * * * * [Illustration: _Vicar_ (_who has introduced "Gregorian" tones into his service_). "Well, Mr. Rogers, how did you like our music? Tradition says, you know, that those psalm tunes are the original ones composed by King David." _Flippant Parishioner._ "Really? Then I no longer wonder why Saul threw his javelin at him!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _The Vicar._ "I'm surprised at _you_, Miggs. Why, look at _me_. I can go into the town without coming back intoxicated." _Miggs._ "Yesh, zur, but _Oi_ be so popular!" (_Hic._)] * * * * * [Illustration: _Vicar's Daughter._ "Oh, Mr. Gufling, I've called this morning to tell you that for the parish charities we open our most interesting show of local antiquities and curiosities, and may I hope that _you_ will kindly give it your countenance?"] * * * * * POETRY OF NATURE.--When mist falls upon the earth, and freezes, it forms rime. * * * * * _Customer._ "You told me that 'oss 'ad won a dozen matches agin some o' th' best 'osses in the county. Why 'e can't trot a mile in ten minutes to save 'is life." _Dealer._ "I didn't say 'e could. You never asked me what sort o' matches. It was in ploughin' matches 'e took the prizes!" * * * * * [Illustration] BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS LONDON AND TONBRIDGE. 33824 ---- PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day MR. PUNCH'S AFTER-DINNER STORIES [Illustration] [Illustration: PROGRESS.--"I maintain that the race has improved in physique since those days. Now _we_ couldn't get into that armour!"] * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S AFTER-DINNER STORIES _WITH 155 ILLUSTRATIONS_ BY JOHN LEECH, CHARLES KEENE, GEORGE DU MAURIER, PHIL MAY, L. RAVEN-HILL, J. BERNARD PARTRIDGE, F. H. TOWNSEND, REGINALD CLEAVER, LEWIS BAUMER, A. S. BOYD, TOM WILKINSON, G. D. ARMOUR, AND OTHERS [Illustration] PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration] * * * * * POST-PRANDIAL WIT [Illustration] There is a sense, of course, in which everything from the pages of MR. PUNCH might be regarded as coming into a collection entitled "After Dinner Stories." All good stories are really for telling after dinner. Somehow or other one seldom associates wit and humour with the breakfast table, although the celebrated breakfast parties of Rogers, the banker, were doubtless in no way deficient in either. Over the walnuts and wine, when men have feasted well and are feeling on the best of terms with themselves and their fellows, the cares of the day put past and the pleasures of the gas-lit hours begun, that is undoubtedly the ideal time for the flow of wit. It must not, therefore, be thought that the present volume is in anywise distinguished from the others of the series to which it belongs in the appropriateness of its contents for the dinner party. No more than any of its companions is it designed to that end; but as it is concerned almost exclusively with the humours of dining, with stories of diners, it will be admitted that its title is not without justification. Private dinner parties, public banquets, the solitary dinner at the restaurant, the giving and accepting of invitations, these and many other phases of dining come within its scope, and if it be noticed that a considerable amount of its humour has something of the fragrance of good old port--to say nothing of the aroma of wines that are bad!--it can only be retorted that MR. PUNCH'S duty has ever been to mirror the manners of the changing time, and in his early days the wine flowed more freely than it does to-day. For our personal taste we could have wished less of this humour of the bottle, but throughout this library an effort has been made to maintain in some degree a historical perspective, so that, in addition to the prime purpose of entertainment, each of these books in MR. PUNCH'S LIBRARY might be a faithful picture of the manners of the Victorian period in which most of his life has been passed. If to-day these manners seem to us just a trifle coarser than we esteem the social habits of our own day, surely that is a comforting reflection and one not lightly to be lost! [Illustration] * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S AFTER-DINNER STORIES [Illustration] _Mrs. Jones._ And pray, Mr. Jones, what is the matter now? _Jones._ I was only wondering, my dear, where you might have bought this fish. _Mrs. Jones._ At the fishmonger's. Where do you suppose I bought it? _Jones._ Well, I thought that, _perhaps_, there might have been a remnant sale at the Royal Aquarium! * * * * * EXCUSE FOR DRINKING BEFORE DINNER.--To whet the appetite. * * * * * [Illustration: _Voice from above._ "What are you doing down there, Parkins?" _Parkins._ "I'm jush--puttin' away the port, shir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Commissionaire._ "Would you like a four-wheeler or a 'ansom sir?" _Convivial Party_ (_indistinctly_). "Ver' mush oblige--but--reely don't think I _could_ take 'ny more!"] * * * * * RICE AND PRUNES Rice and prunes a household journal Called the chief of household boons; Hence my mother cooks diurnal Rice and prunes. Therefore on successive noons, Sombre fruit and snowy kernel Woo reluctant forks and spoons. As the ear, when leaves are vernal, Wearies of the blackbird's tunes, So we weary of eternal Rice and prunes. * * * * * NEVER SPEAK IN A HURRY THE HOSPITABLE JONES. Yes, we're in the same old place, where you dined with us last year. By the bye, old man, I wish you and your wife would come and take pot-luck with us again on the---- _The Impulsive Brown (in the eagerness of his determination never again to take pot-luck with the Joneses)._ My _dear_ fellow! _So_ sorry! But we're engaged on the--a--on the--er--on th-th-that evening! _Poor Jones (pathetically)._ Well, old man, you _might_ have given me time just to _name the day_. * * * * * [Illustration: "WHO PAYS THE PIPER CALLS THE TUNE" _Johnnie (to waiter)._ "Aw--you're the boss--head waiter, eh?" _Waiter._ "Yessir." _Johnnie._ "Ah, well, just--ah--send up to your _orchestra chaps_, and tell 'em I really can't eat my dinner to _that_ tune."] * * * * * [Illustration: A LAST RESOURCE.--A happy and independent bachelor finds himself suddenly disappointed of his Christmas party in the country; he has ordered nothing at home, has given his cook and man-servant leave to invite their friends; his intimate companions are out of town, and, on arriving at his club, he is informed by the hall porter that "there is no dinner to-night, as the servants are having a party." Only one resource, a hotel, or dinner at a restaurant, all alone!] * * * * * [Illustration: THE VERY LATEST DISCOVERY.--_Amateur Astronomical Student (returning home, after attending scientific bachelor dinner, where "the reported discovery of a new Satellite of Saturn" has been warmly discussed)._ "Where am I? Letsh shee--(_considering_)--Earth's got one moon. Mars's got five moo--Jup'tush nine--I shee two moons. Then--where _am_ I?"] * * * * * [Illustration: EFFECT OF GOOD CHEER ON OPPOSITE TEMPERAMENTS Aspect of Jones and Smith at two different stages of the same sumptuous repast.] * * * * * AT THE CELESTIAL RESTAURANT _Customer (indignantly)._ Hi! waiter, what do you call this soup? _Waiter (meekly)._ I not know, sir, but ze padrone tell me to describe 'im cocks-tail! * * * * * "THE COMING MAN."--A waiter. * * * * * [Illustration: SO VERY CONSCIENTIOUS!--_Master of the House._ "Why, Jenkins, what on earth is the matter with you? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" _Butler (with great deliberation)_, "Well, shir--if you pleashe, shir--itsh not quite _my_ fault. You told me to taste every bottle of wine before dinner, in cashe one should be corked. I've only carried out in-shtrucshuns."] * * * * * THE VERB TO DINE PRESENT TENSE I dine. Thou joinest me. He tries to whip us up for a division. We smoke our cigars. Ye drink your port. They are defeated in the lobby. IMPERFECT TENSE I was dining. Thou wast holding a reception. He was attending it. We were feeling puzzled. Ye were reading the _Globe_ and _Pall Mall_. They were not knowing what to make of it. FUTURE TENSE I shall dine. Thou wilt join my party. He will squirm. We shall promote the unity of the party. Ye will applaud. They will call a meeting at the "Reform." PERFECT TENSE I have dined. Thou hast made ambiguous remarks. He has explained them away. We have tried to make it all sweet again. Ye have split a soda. They have split the party. SUBJUNCTIVE PRESENT I may dine. Thou mayest object. He may want to state his views. We may insist on our dinners. Ye may agree with them. They may disagree with you. SUBJUNCTIVE IMPERFECT I might dine. Thou mightest emerge from Berkeley Square. He might resign. We might lead. Ye might follow. They might not. IMPERATIVE Dine thou! Let him speak out! Let us know who is our leader! Read ye the _Times_ and _Globe_! Let them settle the question for us! INFINITIVE Present: To split. Past: To have been a party. * * * * * AFTER-DINNER CONSIDERATION.--"Hippopotamuses" is a better test-word of fitness for joining the ladies than "British Constitution." * * * * * [Illustration: DISCUSSING AN ABSENT FRIEND "Yes, Robinson's a clever feller, and he's a modest feller, and he's a honest feller; but, betwixt you and I and the _post_, Mr. Jones," said Brown, confidentially, picking his wisdom tooth with his little finger nail, "Robinson ain't got neither the looks, nor yet the language, nor yet the manners of a _gentleman_!" "Right you are, sir!" said Jones, shovelling the melted remains of his ice pudding into his mouth with a steel knife (which he afterwards wiped on the tablecloth). "_You've 'it 'im orf to a T!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Convivial._ "'Sh two o'clock! Wha'll er misshus shay?" _Second Convivial._ "Thash allri'! Shay you bin wi' me--(_hic_)!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "IN CONFIDENCE" _Dining-room, Apelles Club_ _Diner._ "Thomson, do the members ask for this wine?" _Head Waiter (sotto voce)._ "Not twice, sir!"] * * * * * SPECIMENS OF MR. PUNCH'S SIGNATURES! (_Fac-similes taken during the course of the evening._) [Illustration: Punch] THIS IS BEFORE DINNER, 7·30. ATTESTED BY SEVERAL WITNESSES. [Illustration: Punch] THIS IS AFTER THE PUNCH À LA ROMAINE, ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE BANQUET. [Illustration: Punch] THIS IS WITH THE DESSERT. [Illustration: Punch] AFTER THE CLARET. [Illustration: Punch] AFTER THE CLARET _AND_ THE PORT. [Illustration: Punch] DURING THE CIGARS, WHISKEY AND WATER. [Illustration: Punch] 12·30. BEFORE LEAVING TABLE. [Illustration: Punch] 1·30. BEFORE GETTING INTO BED. The above have been submitted to an eminent expert, who says he could almost swear they are the same hand-writing, but must come and dine with _Mr. P._, in order absolutely to verify them. * * * * * [Illustration: A BAD ENDING.--"Well, William, what's become of Robert?" "What, 'aven't you 'eard, sir?" "No! Not _defunct_, I hope!" "That's just exactly what he _'as_ done, sir, and walked off with heverything he could lay his 'ands on!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A SALVE FOR THE CONSCIENCE _Vegetarian Professor._ "No, madam, not even fish. I cannot sanction the destruction of life. These little creatures, for instance, were but yesterday swimming happily in the sea." _Mrs. O'Laughlan._ "Oh but, Professor, just think it's the first time the poor little things have ever been really warm in their lives!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FELICITOUS QUOTATION "Oh, Robert, the grouse has been kept too long! I wonder you can eat it!" "My dear, 'we needs must love the highest when we see it.'" (_Guinevere._)] * * * * * [Illustration: _Little Boreham_ (_relating his Alpine adventures_). "There I stood, the terrible abyss yawning at my feet----" _That Brute Brown._ "Was it yawning when you got there, or did it start after you arrived?"] * * * * * [Illustration: At a dinner given by my Lord Broadacres to some of his tenants, curaçoa is handed in a liqueur-glass to old Turnitops, who, swallowing it with much relish, says--"Oi zay, young man! Oi'll tak zum o' that in a moog!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PRICE FOR AGE _Mr. Green._ "You needn't be afraid of that glass of wine, uncle. It's thirty-four port, you know." _Uncle._ "Thirty-four port!--Thirty-four fiddlesticks! It's no more thirty-four port than you are!" _Mr. Green._ "It _is_ I can assure you! Indeed, it's _really thirty-six_; and _thirty-four if you return the bottles_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FLUNKEIANA _Master._ "Thompson, I believe that I have repeatedly expressed an objection to being served with stale bread at dinner. How is it my wishes have not been attended to?" _Thompson._ "Well, sir, I reely don't know what is to be done! It won't do to waste it, and we _can't_ eat it downstairs!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CONCLUSIVE SCENE--_Hibernian Table d'hôte_ _Guest._ "Waiter! I say--this is pork! I want mutton!" _Waiter_ (_rather bustled_). "Yes, sorr, it's mutton ye _want_--but it's pork ye'll _have_!"] * * * * * RAMBLING RONDEAUX _At Table d'hôte_ At _table d'hôte_, I quite decline To sit there and attempt to dine! Of course you never dine, but "feed," And gobble up with fearsome greed A hurried meal you can't define. The room is close, and, I opine, I should not like the food or wine; While all the guests are dull indeed At _table d'hôte_! The clatter and the heat combine One's appetite to undermine. When noisy waiters take no heed, But change the plates at railway speed-- I feel compelled to "draw my line" At _table d'hôte_! * * * * * SUFFICIENT EXCUSE _Jones_ (_to Brown_). I say, old fellow, I saw you last night, after that dinner. Your legs were uncommonly unsteady. _Brown._ No, dear boy; legs were right enough. It was my trousers that were so "tight." * * * * * [Illustration: CRUEL!--_Lucullus Brown_ (_on hospitable purpose intent_). "Are you dining anywhere to-morrow night?" _Jones_ (_not liking to absolutely "give himself away"_). "Let me see"--(_considers_)--"No; I'm not dining anywhere to-morrow." _Lucullus Brown_ (_seeing through the artifice_). "Um! Poor chap! How hungry you will be!" ["_Exeunt,--severally._"] * * * * * [Illustration: CANDID! _Simultaneously_ _Host (smacking his lips)._ "Now, what do you say to that glass of she----" _Guest._ "My dear fellow, where did you get this abominable Marsala?"] * * * * * GUESTS TO BE AVOIDED "Hullo, old man! How is it you're dining at the club? Thought your wife told me she had the Browns and Smiths to dinner this evening?" "No--that was yesterday. This evening she has the odds and ends." * * * * * SECTARIAN "Hullo, John! What a jolly dish! Potatoes, greens, carrots, beans! Who's it for?" "Mr. Binks, sir." "Is Mr. Binks a _vegetarian_?" "Oh no, sir! I believe he's Church of England!" * * * * * [Illustration: "TO PUT IT BROADLY" _Improvised Butler_ (_to distinguished guest_). "Will ye take anny more drink, sor?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Customer._ "Waiter, a fried sole." _Second Customer._ "Bring me a fried sole, too, waiter--and mind it is fresh." _Waiter._ "Two fried soles--one fresh!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AFTER MANY YEARS!--_Country Parson_ (_to distinguished Peer, who has been making_ THE _speech of the evening_). "How d'ye do, my lord? I see you don't quite remember me." _Distinguished Peer._ "Well--er--not altogether." _C. P._ "We were members of the same club at Oxford." _D. P._ (_with awakening interest_). "Oh--ah! Let me see--which club was that?" _C. P._ "The--er--_Toilet Club_, you know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE WOULD RATHER HAVE LEFT UNSAID _She._ "We expected you to dinner last night, Herr Professor. We waited half an hour for you. I hope it was not _illness_ that prevented you from coming?" _He._ "Ach, no! I vas not hongry!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A DILEMMA _Nervous Gentleman_ (_to two sisters_). "I've got to take one of you in to dinner. A--a--let me see--a--which is the elder?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE WOULD RATHER HAVE LEFT UNSAID _Jones_ (_to hostess, famous for her dinners_). "Oh, by the way, Mrs. Hodgkinson, if you should happen to want a really good cook, I know of one who would suit you to a T!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE RULING PASSION STRONG AT DINNER _Laconic Waiter_ (_thoroughly familiar with sporting Major's taste in champagne_). "Seventy-four, sir?" _Sporting Major_ (_down on his luck, after a bad week at Newmarket_). "Seven-to-four, sir! Dash it! wouldn't take ten to one about anything!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CAUSE AND _Host_ (_to coachman, who is turned on as butler on grand occasions_). "I want you to see that all my guests enjoy themselves, Coggledab. Don't let them have to ask for anything. Be particularly attentive to my dear aunt, Mrs. Dumbledock!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EFFECT _Coggledab_ (_in a stage-whisper, during a lull in the conversation, to Mrs. Dumbledock, who has recently joined the Blue Ribbon Army._) "'Ollands, whiskey, or cog-nack, mum? You can't be enjy-in' of yourself. _You're not drinkin'!_" [_Mrs. Dumbledock alters her will the next day_] * * * * * A LITTLE DINNER OF THE FUTURE _A Forecast by Mr. Punch's Own Clairvoyant_ According to the _Daily Chronicle_, "an American professor is looking forward to the time when cooking and dining shall become lost arts, and we shall take our sustenance in the form of tablets of concentrated things." Our esteemed contemporary appears to think that such a system would necessarily do away with all conviviality and social intercourse; but, unless MR. PUNCH'S clairvoyant is liable to error (which is absurd), we need not take quite so gloomy a view of the future. People will still entertain, only the dinner of the next century will be a more economical and less tedious function, and, instead of having to go through a trying interview with her cook, the coming hostess will merely look in at the nearest food chemist's, when some such conversation as the following will settle the whole business. _Hostess._ We've some people coming in to take a few tablets with us this evening; what do you think I'd better have? _The Food Chemist._ You will require _soup_, of course, madam. I could send you one of these patent soup-sprinklers, exceedingly simple to work, and quite the fashion in the highest circles: the butler sprays each guest before showing them upstairs. We supply the machine, charged with the very best soup, at ninepence a night. _Hostess._ No, I don't want anything _fussy_, it's quite an informal little gathering. An ounce of those mock-turtle jujubes at fourpence I had last time will do very well. _The F. C._ Very good, madam. Then, with regard to fish? I can strongly recommend these bi-carbonate of cod and oyster sauce lozenges, or I have some sulphate of salmon and cucumber pastilles, that I think you would like, ninepence the quarter-of-a-pound. _Hostess._ I'm afraid I mustn't be extravagant. I'll take a small bottle of condensed smelt tabloids (the _sixpenny_ size), and what are left will come in nicely for the children's dinner next day. _The F. C._ Precisely so, madam. And as to _entrées_--will you have cockscomb cachous or sweetbread pilules? _Hostess._ It makes such a _long_ dinner. I don't want a lot of things. _The F. C._ In _that_ case, madam, I think I have the very article--a most elegant electro-chemical preparation, combining _entrée_, joint, and bird, with just a trace of vegetable matter, put up in small capsules, at one and elevenpence halfpenny the box of one dozen. _Hostess._ That would be cheaper than having each course in separate tablets, _wouldn't_ it? I think I'll try a box. What wonderful improvements they bring out nowadays, to be sure! _The F. C._ They do indeed, madam. I am told that the Concentrated Food Stores will shortly be able to place on the market a series of graduated wafers, each containing a complete dinner, from a City banquet to a cutlet, at prices to correspond with the number of courses required. _Hostess._ Delightful! And then the most expensive dinners will be all over in a minute, instead of dragging on to ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, as I've known them to do sometimes! I've often thought what a pity it is that we waste so much precious time as we do in merely supplying our bodily wants. _The F. C._ We are improving, madam, slowly improving. And what about sweets, cheese, and savouries? _Hostess._ I might have one of those two-inch blocks of condensed apple-tart, and a box of cheese pills--_no_ savouries. You see, it's only a _family_ party! _The F. C._ Exactly so, madam. And shall you be needing anything in the way of stimulants? _Hostess._ Let me see--you may send me in a couple of ounces of acidulated champagne drops--the _Australian_ quality, _not_ the French, they're twopence an ounce dearer, and so few people notice the difference nowadays, do they? _The F. C._ (_to himself_). Not until the next morning! (_Aloud._) And liqueurs? Any brandy-balls with the coffee creams? We have some very fine essence-of-dessert jellies----. _Hostess_ Nothing more, thank you. (_To herself as she departs._) I'm sure I've spent quite enough as it is on John's stingy old relations, who never ask us to have so much as a lunch-lozenge or a tea-tabloid with them! * * * * * _Lady of uncertain age_ (_discussing dinner party_). No, I cannot say it was very complimentary; they gave me to an archæologist to take down. * * * * * [Illustration: _Old Jones._ "Yes, my boy, _there's_ wine for you, eh? I bought ten pounds worth of it the other day." _Brown._ "What a _lot_ you must have got!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A BIG ORDER _Stout Party_ (_to waitress_), "Put me on a pancake, please!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AT A LITERARY AND ARTISTIC BANQUET.--_Waiter_ (_to colleague_). "Well, they may 'ave the intellec', Fred, but we certainly 'as the good looks!"] * * * * * [Illustration: Why not a phonographic after-dinner speech machine? Celebrities could be represented at any number of banquets. ["An experiment in dinner speeches by telephone is to be tried at Massachusetts Institute."]] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE WOULD RATHER HAVE EXPRESSED OTHERWISE _Would-be Considerate Hostess (to son of the house)._ "How inattentive you are, John! You really must look after Mr. Brown. _He's helping himself to everything!_" [_Discomfiture of Brown, who, if somewhat shy, is conscious of a very healthy appetite._]] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE WOULD(N'T) RATHER HAVE LEFT UNSAID.--(_In Mrs. Talbot de Vere Skynflynte's drawing-room, after one of her grand dinner-parties where nobody gets enough to eat._) _General Guzzleton._ "What's that? Tea? No, thanks. I never take tea unless I've dined!"] * * * * * PROVERBS FOR BALL AND DINNER GIVERS Ices and tea and coffee and small cakes are as good as a feast. You may bring an amateur tenor up to a piano, but you cannot make him sing. A lord in the room is worth two dukes in the bush. In provincial society the lord-lieutenant is king. Flirtation is the mother of invention. All good dances lead to the conservatory. Take care of the rounds, and the squares will look after themselves. It is a wise waltzer who knows her own step. A dinner in time saves nine. When the confectioner comes in by the door the cook flies out by the window. What is port to your wine merchant is death to your guests. Keep your champagne dry. Call a stable-boy by any other name, and he will resemble the rose under similar circumstances. You can't make a head butler out of a local greengrocer. When the soup is cold, the wit flies out. If you have enough cheap and nasty dishes, some of them must be eaten. The _menu_ makes the dinner. Ask _Mr. Punch_ to a really good and well thought-out meal, and you will have an exceptionally lucky man for your guest. * * * * * THE SIGH OF THE SEASON Good-bye dinner, good-bye lunch, Good-bye turtle, good-bye punch, Good-bye jambon soaked in cham., Good-bye venison, cutlets lamb, Good-bye salmon, smelts, and sole, Good-bye Heidsieck's monopole, Good-bye hock, sauterne, and sherry, Good-bye all that makes me merry, Good-bye liqueurs, _petit verre_, Good-bye sauce _au Vin Madère_, Good-bye all these joys of life, Good-bye fork, and good-bye knife, Good-bye all I take when out, Good-bye _then_ this twinge of gout! * * * * * [Illustration: _Our Gallant Colonel._ "Your daughters, my dear Mrs. Tympanum, are looking delightful to-night--simply delightful!" _Mrs. Tympanum (rather hard of hearing, and very intent on a rôti of ducklings)._ "Yes, aren't they! I've had them stuffed with sage and onions!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CRUEL!--_Smith (usually a shy, reserved, and silent man) tells a rather long, but otherwise entertaining, story, about an orange, which meets with great success. Brown (when the laughter and applause have subsided)._ "Bravo, Smith! Capital, old man! But, I say, you told it better one night at Jones's, a few months ago!" _Jones._ "No, no! Where he told it best was that morning we breakfasted with you, Brown, somewhere about the beginning of the year before last!" _Robinson._ "Ah, but don't you recollect the way he told it after that supper I gave you fellows at Evans' in 'fifty-one'? How we _did_ laugh, to be sure!"] * * * * * [Illustration: WHOSE FAULT?--_Wife (reproachfully)._ "O, Charles!" (_She had returned to the dining-room, wondering why he had not come upstairs to tea.) Charles (who had evidently taken a little too much wine)._ "V'y well, my dear! 'Sh not my fault! 'Sh your fault! Cooksh fault! 'Bisque soup was salt! Sh'preme d'la V'laille was smoked! And orange frittersh 'tough as leather! What did Capt'n du Cane shay? Bad cookery cause of all sorts o' crimes. 'Shamed of yourshelf!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "For when our veins are filled With wine and feeding, we have suppler souls Than in our priest-like fasts."--SHAKSPEARE: _Coriolanus_. AFTER-DINNER CRITICISM.--_Guest (who has had a pleasant evening, will just have a look at his host's pictures before he goes)._ "Yesh--(_hic_)--'like tha' pictsh're! Fi' lanshc'pe! 'Like the treesh! 'Branshes wave 'bout s' nash'rally!!!"] * * * * * DINNER PLATITUDES Twice of soup is vulgar, but three times of soup implies that you must be more than double-plated with vulgarity. Such a thing was never known, not even at the Trinity Board, and turtle is not the slightest excuse for your pushing things to such a vulgar length. An alderman would really blush for you. A soft answer turneth away wrath, and an invitation to take a glass of wine will frequently restore warmth between two friends where only coldness existed before. No matter how plain your cook may be, so long as your dinner is well-dressed. A few compliments go a great way. A little savoury _pâté_ is quite enough. Try too many, and you'll find they'll prove heavy. When the ladies retire from the dinner-table, it is not usual for you (supposing you to be a gentleman) to retire with them. In this instance, the same law extends to the mistress as to the servants:--"No Followers Allowed." A gratuity well bestowed frequently has a happy effect. The servant that is fee'd well takes care that his master does the same. In the hands of an inferior _artiste_, whether an omelette turns out good or bad, is quite a matter of toss up. It is the same with a pancake. Keep ill-natured people from your table, as you would sour fruit. They are sure to disagree with every one. Avoid crab-apples, lest the apple of discord should turn up amongst them. * * * * * ODE TO A DINNER-GONG "The tocsin of the soul--the dinner-bell." So said, admiringly, the late Lord Byron, But he had never heard _your_ noisy knell, O blatant bellowing thing of brass or iron, Or surely he had metrically cursed Your nerve-distracting Corybantic clangour. Would his fine indignation could have versed My utter hate, my agonising anger. Alas! is gusto then so great a sin, Is feeding man so terrible a sinner That such a worse than _Duncan_-raising din Must summon him to--dinner? * * * * * [Illustration: DOWN A PEG.--_Mr. Gifted Hopkins (minor poet, essayist, critic, golfer, fin-de-siècle idol, &c.)._ "Oh, Mrs. Smart--a--I've been thinking, for the last twenty minutes, of something to say to you!" _Mrs. Smart (cheerfully)._ "Please go on thinking, Mr. Hopkins,--and I'll go on talking to Professor Brayne in the meantime."] * * * * * [Illustration: PAST AND PRESENT.--_Serious and much-married man._ "My dear friend, I _was_ astonished to hear of _your_ dining at Madame Troisétoiles!--a 'woman with a past' you know!" _The Friend_ (_bachelor "unattached"_). "Well, you see, old man, she got a first-rate _chef_, so it isn't her 'past,' but her 're-past' that _I_ care about."] * * * * * [Illustration: A CONNOISSEUR.--_Sir Pompey Bedell._ "This bottle of Romanée-conti seems rather cloudy, Brown! It _ought_ to be all right. I know it stands me in _twelve guineas a dozen_!" _The New Butler._ "There certainly _his_ some sediment, Sir Pompey; but it's of no consequence whatever! I tried a bottle of it _myself_ the other day, and found it first-rate!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A PIOUS FRAUD! "Hullo, Monty, what have you got in your button-hole? You don't mean to say you've joined the blue ribbon army?" "Yes; for this night only. Going to dine with Jakes. Don't want to hurt poor old Jakes' feelings--don't want to be poisoned by his beastly wine. See?"] * * * * * [Illustration: IN THE DAYS OF THE CRINOLINE--DINING UNDER DIFFICULTIES] * * * * * [Illustration: REPLETION.--_Robert._ "Pudding or cheese, sir?" _Abstracted Editor._ "Owing to pressure of other matter, 'regret we are unable to find room for it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Brown_ (_who has been dining at the club with Jones_). "Just come in a minute, old fellow, and have a night-cap." _Jones._ "I'm afraid it's getting a little late. Let's see how's the enemy." _Brown._ "Oh! that's all right. _She's_ in bed."] * * * * * [Illustration: INNOCENTS IN THE CITY _Mrs. Fitznoodle_ (_evidently not well versed in the delicacies of a Guildhall feast_). "Freddy, dear, can you tell me what _is_ the difference between 'calipash' and 'calipee'?" _Colonel Fitznoodle_ (_hesitating, and looking round for an answer_). "Certainly, my dear. Exactly the difference there is between 'Gog' and 'Magog'!"] * * * * * DINNERS AND DINERS (_With apologies to the P-ll M-ll G-z-tte_) It had been my good fortune to give to Mademoiselle Faustine, a charming little actress, a tip for the Welter Plate last spring. What more natural than that I should ask her to give me a dinner as some slight return? She readily accepted, and asked me to name the day. Glancing at the sixth volume of my engagement book, I found my first vacant date was June 18, '97. This was fortunate, as it is hardly possible--except at Voisin's--to get a decent dinner unless you order it a year in advance. "Where shall we dine?" asked Faustine. "There is only one place where people _do_ dine," I answered, a little reproachfully. "The Bon Marché. I will order the dinner." So the place and the date were fixed. * * * * * As Faustine was a quarter of an hour late--I had not seen her since our arrangement--I waited in the alabaster portico of the Bon Marché, chatting amiably to the courteous commissionaire, an old comrade of mine in the Wimbledon days. Jules, the courteous _chef_, was _au désespoir_. Why had I not given him more notice? Madame was fifteen minutes late. If he had only known! In a year and fifteen minutes it is possible to cook a dinner. In a year--no. I tried to calm the worthy fellow--an old ally of mine in the Crimean war. In vain; he complained the sardines were spoiling. So I went into the dining-room, nodding courteously to eight princes of the blood, neither of whom appeared, for the moment, to recognise me. As I seated myself, the entire staff, headed by a brass band, brought me my _sardines à l'huile_. These are a _specialité_ of the house, and are never--should never be, at least--eaten with the tin. The _potage à la potasse_ was quite excellent. I congratulated the courteous _chef_, pointing out to him the desirability of mixing, sometimes, a little anti-pyrine into the potassium--both drugs far too rarely used in modern cookery. Then came the question of wine. This I solved for the moment by ordering two Jeroboams of Stereoscopic Company et Fils; a _cuvée_ of '80, absolutely _reservée_ for my own use. As I had engaged the entire staff of waiters, a crown prince, who was entertaining one of our leading bicyclists, rose to leave, with his guest. I smiled and nodded to them as they passed, which appeared to hasten their departure. The _moulin à vent_ was delicious, but the _dindon décousu_ I could not pass. No self-respecting _gourmet_ will pass everything at a dinner. Gontran, the kindly _maître d'hôtel_, was almost in tears, but I consoled him by observing that the ostriches were cooked to a turn, and the _bombe glacée à l'anarchiste_ faultless. But my hostess? Where was she? Where was Mademoiselle Faustine? I had quite forgotten her! I beckoned to Hagenbock, the press representative of the restaurant, who informed me she had been dead eight months! I, who read nothing but menus, had omitted to notice this in the papers. I was greatly pained. The shock unnerved me--I could eat no more. Besides, who was now to pay the bill? I reproduce the bill. Couverts, £5. Diners, £36 8_s._ Pain, 2_s._ Champagne, £47. Liqueurs, 15_s._ Addition, 3_s._ In all, £89 8_s._--(This is one of the few restaurants where a charge is made for the addition.) "Make out the bill," said I, "in francs, and send it to the executors of Mademoiselle Faustine." II. Monsieur Victor de Train-de-Luxe is in many respects a delightful person. In other ways he is not. For instance, because he was, accidentally, the cause of my backing a winner at Ascot (simply by means of ordinary stable information), he had the bad taste to suggest that I should stand him a dinner. I said, "Certainly, my dear Comte" (Comte being the courtesy title I invariably give to foreigners from whom I have the hope of borrowing money). "Where shall it be?" "There is only one place where one _can_ dine," I said. "Of course--the Bon Marché," he replied. "No," I answered. "No, _mon ami_. If you wish to eat a really characteristic English dinner, come to the Vegetarian Restaurant in Edgware Road. Come along. Come, _now_!" "But it's only six o'clock. I am not hungry." "All the better," I replied. And I also pointed out to him that the best way to see London is outside an omnibus. So we started. * * * * * Arrived at the restaurant, I was enthusiastically received by the courteous cashier, who presented me with a previous bill, which, I noticed, had not been receipted. I said I thought it rather rude to present a gentleman with a bill which they hadn't taken the trouble to receipt. We sat down. "I'm glad," I said to Victor, "that I didn't know this dinner was coming off to-day. If I had had notice, I might have ordered it beforehand; and a dinner, to be perfection, should be eaten, if possible, on the day it is cooked. At least, that's what I always think. I may be wrong." Monsieur de Train-de-Luxe smiled, said I was a _farceur_, and I ordered our dinner. First, some turnip turtle soup, then, ortolans of spinach and mashed potatoes, followed by a canvas-backed duck made of Indian corn, and last, not least, plum-pudding. As all will agree, this makes a very delicious and seasonable repast. Long dinners have quite gone out of fashion. And this was washed down with a sparkling bottle of orange champagne, '97. My friend Victor, who is rather a _gourmet_, was so struck with the first mouthful of soup, that he said it was quite enough, observing, he had never tasted anything like it. Pleased with this praise, I asked his opinion of the ortolans. He said that their aroma dispensed with the necessity for their consumption. He was evidently surprised. When the bill was presented by the courteous "chucker-out," we found that most unluckily neither of us had any money. I append the bill. Dinners (for two), 1_s._ 9_d._ Champagne, 3_d._ Total, 2_s._ To this I ought really to add:-- Cab (for three) to Marylebone Police Court, 1_s_. 6_d_. (The constable refused to walk without us.) Loss to reputation by report of proceedings, 8_d_. * * * * * THE BUSINESS OF PLEASURE _Professor Guzzleton_ (_to Fair Chatterbox_). Are you aware that our host has a French cook? _Fair Chatterbox._ So I hear! _Professor Guzzleton._ And that that French cook is the best in London? _Fair Chatterbox._ So I believe! _Professor Guzzleton._ Then don't you think we had better defer all further conversation till we meet again in the drawing-room? * * * * * "My uncle, the admiral," said Mrs. Ramsbotham, "is very old fashioned, and always goes to sleep every day after dinner with his banana on his head." * * * * * [Illustration: SYMPATHETIC _Toast-master_ (_to chairman of public dinner_). "Would you like to propose your toast now, my lord, or should we let 'em enjoy themselves a bit longer?"] * * * * * [Illustration: INFELICITOUS MISQUOTATIONS.--_Hostess._ "You've eaten hardly anything, Mr. Simpkins!" _Mr. S._ "My dear lady, I've dined '_wisely, but not too well_!'"] * * * * * [Illustration: TRIUMPHS OF THE FUNNY MAN _Hired Waiter_ (_handing the liqueurs_). "_Please_, sir, _don't_ make me laugh--I shall spill 'em all!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OVERHEARD AT A CITY RESTAURANT "I said Welsh _radish_, not _horse rabbit_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: IRRESISTIBLE _Our Robert_ (_on duty in the provinces, offering dish to neglected spinster_). "Little duck!" [_In such a tone of voice, that, at the risk of the sage and----she accepts!_] * * * * * [Illustration: _Host._ "I say, my boy, shall we join ladies in drawing-room?" _Guest._ "I sh'inksho." _Host._ "Can you say, 'The scenery's truly rural 'bout here?'" _Guest._ "Sc-scenery tooralooral." _Host._ "All right, come along!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HE KNEW THE CUISINE.--_Hungry Diner_ (_scanning the menu_). "Look here, waiter, I'm starving. I think I'll have a little of everything!" _Waiter._ "Yessir. (_Bawls off._) 'Ash one!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * [Illustration: SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * [Illustration: SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * [Illustration: SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * [Illustration: SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * [Illustration: SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * [Illustration: SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * AFTER-DINNER SPEECHES "When the wine is in, the wit is out;" Only to dolts the adage reaches. No wise man could for a moment doubt The value of after-dinner speeches. _Punch_ can remember the time when Peel, Whose wisdom still the country teaches, After steak and port, his nine o'clock meal, Made the best of after-dinner speeches. When the Ministers come to the Mansion House, (The King of London their presence beseeches,) No guest who has any touch of _nous_ Will be weary of after-dinner speeches. When the Royal Academy blooms in May, With its pretty girls and their cheeks like peaches Who won't, on the opening Saturday, Listen to after-dinner speeches? When there's ought that's generous to be done, A greeting to pay that no soul impeaches, A dinner's the best thing under the sun, And its gold coin the after-dinner speeches. And as to the House, which often suffers From talk that to dreariest platitude reaches, It does not often allow its duffers To make long after-dinner speeches. * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE--CHOP-HOUSE _Enter Street Boy, and, with suppressed ecstasy._ "Oh, please, there's your cat and kittens having such a game with the things in the winder!"] * * * * * AT THE CRIC-CRAC RESTAURANT _Customer_ (_looking at bill_). Here, waiter, there's surely some mistake in this total. _Waiter_ (_politely_). Zehn thousand pardons, sir! Mit my usual carelessness I have added in ze date and vorgot to charge you for ze butter. * * * * * AN OVERSIGHT! _Swell._ Waiter! This--ah--chop's vewy dwy! _Waiter._ 'Ndeed, sir? Perhaps if you were to order something to drink with it, sir---- * * * * * [Illustration: A REBUKE _Host._ "Fish is very expensive, just now, I can tell you. This salmon cost me two and sixpence a pound!" _Guest_ (_no business of his_). "Ah, it's very good, I think I'll take another eighteen penn'orth!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CAUTION _The Major._ "Don't you like liqueurs, Mrs. Jinks?" _Mrs. Jinks._ "Yes; but they make one so _unreserved_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A BORN ORATOR (IN THE EAST) _Farmer_ (_proposing landlord's health_). "An' if a' squiears 'ud _dew_ as our squiear _dew_, there wudna be so many on 'em as _dew_ as they _dew dew_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NO EXCUSE FOR NOT BELIEVING.--"Then you don't believe in phrenology?" "No, rather not. I once gave one of those fellows a sovereign to read my head, and, after feeling it a long time, all he said was, that I had no idea of the value of money."] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE WOULD RATHER HAVE PUT DIFFERENTLY.--_Mr. Bumblepup._ "I must apologise for coming in ordinary evening dress." _Hostess._ "Well, you really have the advantage of us. We're all looking more foolish than usual, and you're not."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mr. Boreham_ (_in the thick of a long and pointless story_). "Well, as I was saying, I happened to be in the City the other day, and, as I was walking down Cheapside, whom should I meet but my old friend, Stodgeley, whom I haven't seen for fifteen years. Well, what do you think he did? He stopped dead when he saw me, slapped me on the shoulder, and said, 'Surely this must be my dear old friend, Boreham?'" _She_ (_with difficulty keeping awake_). "Yes?--_and was it_?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Hostess_ (_to friend who has been brought in to take pot-luck_). "I'm afraid, Mr. Simpson, we've only got a very poor dinner to offer you." _Mr. Simpson._ "My dear Mrs. Jones, I beg you not to apologise! I assure you I think it quite desirable to _underfeed_ occasionally!"] * * * * * THE DINNER CHAIRMAN'S VADE MECUM (_Compiled for the use of Orators during the Month of May Mouthings_) _Question._ You are accustomed to take the chair at a public dinner? _Answer._ Yes. Or, to speak by the card, a dinner for the rest of the company. _Q._ Why, do you not partake of the good cheer before you with the rest of your convives? _A._ Certainly not. I have to speak later on--a consideration which entirely destroys my appetite. _Q._ Is there anything new to be said in the loyal toasts? _A._ No; and therefore it is better to return to the simplest form, which is sure to be received with heartfelt enthusiasm. _Q._ What can be said about the united service? _A._ That it is absolutely delightful to expend millions in the furtherance of their interests. _Q._ And can anything interesting be put in about the Houses of Parliament? _A._ Not much. Sneers at the Lords are no longer popular, and the Lower House is too respectable to be anything but a dull subject. _Q._ What about the toast of the evening? _A._ That must be left to the secretary, who will furnish the chairman with the necessary facts, which may be mixed with original remarks, two-thirds humorous to one-third pathetic. _Q._ How are the visitors to be treated? _A._ With fulsome eulogy or comic depreciation inspired by the pages of that excellent manual, _Who's Who_. Particular attention can be paid to the entries under "Recreations" in that admirable work, for appropriate chaff. _Q._ And in what terms does a chairman respond to the toast of his own health? _A._ In a few muttered words addressed to an audience composed of a gentleman fast asleep, the toast-master, and the waiters. * * * * * [Illustration: SOCIAL AGONIES.--"I say, old chap, it's short notice, but _do_ come and dine this next Thursday!" "Can't, dear old man. I'm engaged three deep for the night!" "Oh, sorry! I've got the Duke and Duchess of Runnymede, and Lord Savory!" "Oh,"--(_seeing it in quite a different light_)--"_next_ Thursday, did you say? I thought you said Thursday _week_. Oh, yes, I shall be delighted!" [_Their Graces and Lord S. never turned up, after all!_]] * * * * * [Illustration: REASSURING "Lor' bless yer, sir, that's all right, sir! _That_ ain't a fly, sir!--_that's_ a bit of dirt!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BREAKING THE ICE _Sprightly Lady._ "Mr. Dormers, would you oblige me with----" _Bashful Curate_ (_who had scarcely spoken to his fair neighbour_). "O, certainly. What shall I have the pleasure to offer?----" _Lady._ "----a remark!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE CONNOISSEUR.--_Host_ (_smacking his lips_). "There, my boy, what do you think of that? I thought I'd give you a treat. That's '34 port, sir!" _Guest._ "Ah, and a very nice, sound wine, I should say! I believe it's quite as good as some I gave 37s. for the other day."] * * * * * [Illustration: A GENTLE SNUB.--"Here, waiter--quick! Something to eat--and look sharp!" "Yessir. What'll you 'ave, sir?" "Oh--anything--I don't care. Chop or steak--whatever you like." "You must excuse me, sir; but I don't feel called upon to decide!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE WAY WE LIVE NOW TIME--3 P.M. SCENE--_Club_. _First Gilded Youth._ "Had any breakfast, old chappie?" _Second Gilded Youth._ "Yes. Had an egg beaten up at twelve." _First Gilded Youth_ (_in admiration_). "Doose you did! What a constitution you must have!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE FIRST ASPARAGUS OF THE SEASON _Farmer_ (_at market dinner_). "Wull, gen'elmen, I dunno wot be the c'rect way o' servin' these 'ere, but I gen'elly eats just the ends of 'em myself!" [_Helps himself to the tops!_]] * * * * * [Illustration: THE GENIAL SEASON _Hungry-looking Acquaintance_ (_with eye to invitation_). "So glad to see you enjoying yourself!" _Fat Chap_ (_evidently doing well_). "Wrong again, old man. I'm enjoying my dinner!"] * * * * * A WAITER'S WARNING "ENTOMOLOGY IN PARLIAMENT STREET.--Mr. Frank W. DUFREY, 55, Parliament Street, writes to the _Field_:--'It will interest your entomological readers to hear that a fine specimen of the death's-head hawk moth (_Acherontia atropos_) was taken in Parliament Street on Monday evening. It flew into the dining-room at the Red Lion Tavern, and was captured by one of the waiters, who was alarmed at its size and the peculiar noise it made. Apart from its being rather rubbed, it is a very good specimen of the largest of our lepidoptera, and is now in my possession.'" "William, where's John? What, is he gone?" "Not gone away, sir. Sorry to say, sir; John ill a-bed, sir, Bad in 'is 'ed, sir. 'Ad a great fright, sir. Turned 'is 'air wite, sir. Last Monday night, sir." "Struck down with fear! How? Let me hear." "'Orrible thing, sir, Came on the wing sir; Window in through, sir, Suddently flew, sir, Into this room, sir, A shape from the tomb, sir. 'Twasn't a bat, sir; No, sir, not that, sir: Moth, sir, we thought, sir. But wen it was caught, sir, Huttered a shriek, sir, A scream, sir, a squeak, sir! Hinsect, you know, sir, Couldn't do so, sir. Wot should we find, sir, On its back, sir, be'ind, sir, Printed, exact, sir?-- A skull, sir,--a fact, sir! John gasped for breath, sir; Thought it was Death, sir-- Notice to quit, sir. John was that frit, sir, John 'ad a fit, sir-- Went a'most mad, sir. John very bad, sir; Better, bimeby, sir; 'Opes John won't die, sir. Doctor 'e said, sir, Moth, named death's 'ed, sir, In natteral 'istory, sir; Rare; but no mystery, sir: Honly a prize, sir, A catch in 'is heyes, sir, As a medical gent, sir, No call to repent, sir-- That's 'is belief, sir. A sirloin of beef, sir, Just up--very nice, sir. Bring you a slice, sir? Potatoes and greens, sir-- And any French beans, sir?" * * * * * [Illustration: _Mrs. Godolphin._ "Shall we meet at Dunchester House to-morrow?" _Mrs. Lascelles._ "No. _I_ was there on Monday. I heard there were a few people going to-morrow." _Mrs. Godolphin._ "Oh, yes. She has only asked quite a few people. On Monday, now, I hear there was quite a big rabble there!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF IMPORTANCE.--_Mrs. Brown._ "We are having some friends to dine with us on the twenty-fourth, Mr. Green, and want you to come and help to wait at table, as usual." _The Family Greengrocer._ "On the twenty-fourth, ma'am? I'm sorry to say I'm engaged on the twenty-fourth." _Mrs. Brown._ "Dear me! How unfortunate! We are so accustomed to you, and you know our ways." _Mr. Green._ "Yes, ma'am. Couldn't you write and put off your friends till the week _after_, ma'am?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE WOULD RATHER HAVE LEFT UNSAID "By the way, your friend O'Leary dined with me last night. What a dull dog he is!" "Oh, that depends on what company he's in!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE WOULD RATHER HAVE LEFT UNSAID "You can't go home when it's raining like this. You'd better stay and have dinner with us!" "Oh, it's not quite so bad as _that_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FREAKS OF NATURE _Waiter._ "Now, then, look sharp! Here's that mutton chop a biling with rage at bein' kep' waitin', and a beefsteak gone away in a towering passion!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A NEW DISH _Sympathising Swell_ (_waiting for some chicken_). "You've got no sinecure there, Thomas!" _Perspiring Footman._ "Very sorry, sir--just 'elped the last of it away, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ALARMING SYMPTOMS AFTER EATING BOILED BEEF AND GOOSEBERRY PIE _Little Boy._ "Oh, lor, mar, I feel just exactly as if my jacket was buttoned."] * * * * * [Illustration: BROWN AND JONES OVER THEIR WINE _Jones._ "How would I take Cronstadt? With vigour and decision, nothing more easy. My dear Brown, look here. This table is the Baltic, very well. Now look--(_Jones places certain strawberries for the forts; the city of Cronstadt on this occasion only being represented by a plate of gooseberries at the back._) Here we are. The strawberries the forts: Cronstadt the gooseberries. Now a little vigour and decision! This spoon is the _Duke of Wellington_, three-decker, leading the van. We go in here, firing both broadsides at once, to destroy the forts to larboard and starboard; while at the same time our guns in the bows and stern-sheets smash the other forts before and behind. Very good. We are then in front of Cronstadt--the city of Cronstadt. We shell that, sir; shell it of course! Blow up the powder-magazines; capitulation ensues; the Russian fleet is in a blaze, and, my dear Brown, that is how _I_ would take Cronstadt----" _Brown._ "----After dinner."] * * * * * [Illustration: HEAVY _Stranger_ (_just arrived at the City of Eastminster_). "What can I have for dinner, waiter?" _Waiter._ "Anything you please, sir!" _Stranger._ "What are you celebrated for here?" _Waiter._ "Well, sir, there's the cathedral----!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HORRIBLE SUSPICION _Old Gentleman._ "Oh, waiter, why is it that a dinner off the joint is five shillings, but if you only have made dishes and soup, it's two shillings and sixpence?" _Waiter._ "That, sir, is on account of the very high price of butcher's meat just now, sir."] * * * * * [Illustration: SELF-EXAMINATION _Party_ (_slightly influenced_). "Queshion ish! Am I fit to go intodrawingroom? Letsh shee!--I can shay gloriush conshyshusn!--Have seen Brish inshychusion--all that shortothing--thatledo--here gosh!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DURING THE CATTLE SHOW.--_Old Farmer Wuzzle_ (_reading the bill of fare_). "Dinners har lar cart! What does that mean, Polly?" _Miss Wuzzle_ (_who has been to a fashionable boarding-school to be finished, who has been taught French and how "to spank the grand pianner" and who is never at a loss_). "Aller cart, father? Why, that means a small, simple dinner. If you want something heavy and first-rate, you order what they call a dinner waggon!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "MARCH OF REFINEMENT," 1875.--_Brown_ (_behind the age, but hungry_). "Give me the bill of fare, waiter." _Head Waiter._ "Beg pardon, sir?" _Brown._ "The bill of fare." _Head Waiter._ "The what, sir? O!--ah!--Yes!"--(_to subordinate_)--"Chawles, bring this--this--a--gen'leman--the _menoo_!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "MELTING!" _Stout Chairman_ (_who feels the fire close at his back rather oppressive_). "Waiter, I asked you to bring me a screen." _Waiter._ "Master's very sorry, sir, but we ain't got no screen!" _Stout Chairman._ "Then, for goodness' sake, tell the cook to send up the dripping-pan, and put it under me, quick!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "I say, waiter, this salmon cutlet isn't half so good as the one I had here last week." "Can't see why, sir. It's off the same fish!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "PLEASE TO REMEMBER THE WAITER" "All right, sir! My fault!"] * * * * * DRINKING SCENE OF THE FUTURE (_In consequence of the Growing Demand for Lighter Liquors_) SCENE--_The interior of a Dining-room. The ladies have just left, and the gentlemen are discussing their beverages._ _Smith._ I say, Brown, if it is not an impertinent question, where did you get that toast-and-water? _Brown._ I thought you would be deceived! It was a cup, not the pure article! My butler is a first-rate hand at it. I will give you the recipe if you like. _Smith._ Do. It was excellent. What _is_ the secret? _Brown._ Something, I fancy, to do with watercress. _Jones._ I say, Brown, that was really very nice sherbet. Turkish or Persian? _Brown._ Neither. Came from the Stores. Home-made. _Jones._ Well, it certainly was capital. I could have sworn that it had been manufactured east of the Levant. _Brown._ More likely east of Temple Bar. And now shall we have a whitewash before we join the ladies? _Six Guests._ No, thanks! Really not! _Half-a-dozen more of the Company._ Really not! No, thanks! _Brown._ Nonsense! (_Produces a pint bottle of lemonade._) Nonsense, I repeat! Look here, my boys. (_Locks door._) Not one of you fellows shall leave the room until you have finished _this_! [_Draws cork of pint bottle, and distributes the lemonade amidst the good-natured protestations of the revellers. Scene closes in upon the temperance orgy._ * * * * * [Illustration: A PERSONAL GRIEVANCE "I say, won't they let _you_ go into long trousers?"] * * * * * [Illustration: STUDIES IN ANIMAL LIFE THE GOORMONG. (_Epicuri de Grege Porcus. British Isles_) _Mr. Huggins._ "_What_ a 'eavenly dinner it was!" _Mr. Buggins._ "B'lieve yer! Mykes yer wish yer was born 'oller!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE NEW SCHOOL.--_Uncle_ (_who is rather proud of his cellar_). "Now George, my boy, there's a glass of champagne for you--don't get such stuff at school, eh? eh? eh?" _George._ "H'm--awfully sweet! Very good sort for ladies--but I've arrived at a time of life, when I confess I like my wine _dry_!" (_Sensation._)] * * * * * [Illustration: PLEASANT!--_Lord Reginald Sansdenier_ (_in answer to confidential remark of his host_). "Twenty thousand pounds worth of plate on the table, Sir Gorgius? I wonder you ain't afraid of being robbed!" _Sir Gorgius Midas._ "_Robbed_, my lord! Good 'evens! I'm sure yer lordship's too honnerable heven to _think_ of sich a thing!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Farmer._ "I say, John, what do you call a pineapple--a fruit or a vegetable?" _Waiter._ "A pineapple hain't neither, gentlemen. A pineapple is always a hextra!"] * * * * * DINING AL FRESCO (_Extract from an Earl's Courtier's Notebook_) 6 P.M.--Come down early, to get a table. Can't. All the tables booked a week in advance. Very angry. Manager says he'll see what can be done for me--later on. Fairly satisfied. He had better! 7 P.M.--In state of heat. Have a fair appetite. Ask for table. "What table?" "The one promised me--later on." "Very sorry, but they are all engaged." Awfully angry. Explain that I am a person of some importance. Can do the place a great deal of good if I do have a table, and _vice versâ_. Manager desolated. See everybody else stuffing, drinking, and enjoying themselves. How they can have the heart! And _I_ table-less! But, no matter, a time will come. I'll write to "the leading journal" and denounce everything and everybody. 7.15 P.M.--Explosively wrathful. At last! Ha! ha! Got a table. But at the back somewhere. Strong smell of cooking. Distant echo of a band. Exceedingly annoyed. Have tasted _hors d'oeuvres_. Sardines decent. 7.20 P.M.--_Bonne Femme_ soup good. Have ordered champagne cup. Still annoyed. 7.30 P.M.--Salmon mayonnaise distinctly excellent. Good idea to have cold dinner. Champagne cup well brewed. Don't notice the smell of cooking. Can hear the band. Nice band. 7.40 P.M.--_Pâté de fois gras en aspic._ Capital Cold joint. First-rate. Salad artistically mixed. Second champagne cup as good as first. After all, place of table not so bad. [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: A TRUE ARTIST.--_Mamma_ (_to Tommy, who has been allowed for a few minutes to wait at table_). "Now, Tommy, kiss me, and go to bed." _Tommy_ (_to footman_). "Do _you_ ever kiss the missus, Charles?" _Footman._ "No, sir!" _Tommy._ "Then _I_ won't!"] * * * * * THE MENU A LA MODE Come, Damon, since again we've met We'll feast right royally to-night, The groaning table shall be set With every seasonable delight! The luscious bivalve ... I forgot, The oyster is an arch-deceiver, And makes its eater's certain lot A bad attack of typhoid fever. With soup, then, be it thick or clear, The banquet fitly may commence-- Alas, on second thoughts, I fear With soup as well we must dispense. The doctors urge that, in effect, Soup simply kills the thoughtless glutton. It's full of germs. I recollect They say the same of beef and mutton. Yes, each variety of meat, As you remark, is much the same, And we're forbidden now to eat Fish, oysters, poultry, joint or game. But though a Nemesis each brings, The punishment, the doctors tell, is As nothing to the awful things Awaiting all who toy with jellies. Cheese--that is not condemned with these Yet ample evidence we find To make us, Damon, look on cheese As simply poison to mankind; While those who may desire to pass Immediately o'er Charon's ferry, Have but to take a daily glass Of claret, hock, champagne or sherry. And therefore, Damon, you and I, Who fain would live a year at least, Reluctantly must modify The scope of our projected feast; A charcoal biscuit we will share, Water (distilled, of course,) we'll swallow, Since this appears the only fare On which destruction will not follow! * * * * * [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: SMALL SOCIAL AGONIES _Hostess._ "It's but a poor lunch I can give you! But my cook has got influenza!" _Enfant terrible._ "Oh, mummy, you _always_ say that!"] * * * * * [Illustration: QUITE A NOVELTY.--_Amiable Experimentalist._ "Makes a delicious side dish, doesn't it? But it is not the common mushroom; it's a large fungus, called the agaricus procerus. It grows solitary in hedge rows, is called colubrinus, from the snake-like markings on its stem. The pileus is covered with scales, which are formed by the breaking-up of the mud-coloured epidermis, and----" [_General panic takes place_] * * * * * THE DIRGE OF THE DINER _A Restore-Wrong Rhyme_ "_Attendance is charged in the bill!_" Delighted we sit down to dine; And order our food and our wine. The waiter is passing polite, We eat with a grand appetite Of dishes compounded with skill. The room is so cosy and light; The glass and the silver are bright; Our flag of defiance is furled, We seem all at peace with the world, And rest quite contented until---- Attendance is charged one and nine. We pay its collector a fine; And give to the waiter polite A tip he regards as his right And duty of ours to fulfil! The carver, too, looks for a fee; The man with our coat, so does he! The porter expects something more, Who calls us a cab at the door!---- "_Attendance is charged in the bill!_" * * * * * [Illustration: THE GOLDEN KEY.--_Mr. Montgomerie._ "Ah! my dear boys, you're right. The extent to which our English system of 'tipping' has grown is something monstrous! Why, I can assure you--that--at some of the big country houses I stop at, it costs me a ten-pound note _to get out of 'em_!" _Jones_ (_to his neighbour, sotto voce_). "Wonder how much it costs him to _get into_ 'em?"] * * * * * THE ECONOMICS OF SMOKING BY JOSEPH FUME. The man who smokes half his cigar, and puts the remainder by, knows nothing about smoking. The man who carries no cigar-case has no right to levy contributions on those who do. Never buy a cigar at a chemist's, they are sure to remind you of their origin. I once knew a chemist, who also sold wine and cigars, and I am sure he could only have had one workshop for his three businesses, and that was his laboratory. Mistrust the tobacco that is given in half-payment of a bill. Such dealers may be clever in drawing a bill, but it is rarely that their cigars are distinguished for being good "drawers." The man who smokes with wine is quite capable of taking sugar with oysters. * * * * * [Illustration: ANNALS OF A RETIRED SUBURB.--The Montgomery Joneses celebrated their wedding-day by giving a dinner on an unusually magnificent scale to some of their London friends. Unfortunately, an unexpected change in the weather during the afternoon has made the road up the hill rather heavy, so that the London friends omit to turn up.] * * * * * PROVERBS FOR TABLE Set a thief to catch a thief: Think of this when eating beef. All that glitters is not gold: Think of this when that beef's cold. Harm is done by too much zeal: Think of this when eating veal. Life's a jest, and all things show it: Think of this when drinking Moet. Happiness flies Court for garret: Think of this when drinking claret. Gold may oft be bought too dear: Think of this when drinking beer. Many littles make a mickle: Think of this when eating pickle. Silent fools may pass for wise: Think of this when eating rice. Unto Rome conduct all roads: Think of this when eating toads. Flog first fault: _principiis obsta_, Think of this when eating lobster. While grass grows the horse may starve: Think of this when asked to carve. Shake the tree when fruit is ripe: Think of this when eating tripe. Fools build houses, wise men buy: Think of this when eating pie. Pause, ere leaping in the dark: Think of this when eating lark. Punctual pay gets willing loan: Think of _this_ when drinking Beaune. Wisdom asks fruits, but Folly flowers: Think o' _this_ when eating cauliflowers. Birds of a feather flock together: Think of this when the idiot of a cook has boiled the oysters in the sauce, and made them as tough as leather. [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE WOULD RATHER HAVE LEFT UNSAID _Hostess._ "What fun you seem to be having over there, Captain Smiley! I wish you all sat at this end of the table!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Waiter_ (_who has "seen better days"--absently, as he pours out the champagne_). "Say when!"] * * * * * SPRING-CLEANING. "In Spring when woods are getting green," My wife begins the house to clean, And I am driven from this scene, Of scrub-land. The mops and pails left on the stairs I come across, quite unawares, And break my shins and utter--prayers, For tub-land. In clouds of dust I choke and cough, Such draughts! My hat I dare not doff, I'd go (if I were not a toff) To pub-land. But--mum--I won't kick up a shine Nor of delight give any sign, But, quietly, I'm off to dine In Club-land. * * * * * A SOAKER'S PARADISE.--Dropmore. * * * * * A MONSTER MEETING.--A giant and a dwarf. * * * * * POETICAL LICENCE.--A music-hall's. * * * * * TURF REFORM.--Mowing the lawn. * * * * * [Illustration: _Quiet Man_ (_as a particularly "steep" story of adventure comes to a close_). "Er--will somebody pass the _salt_, please?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Adolphus_ (_grandly; he is giving his future brother-in-law a little dinner down the river_). "Waitar--you can--ah--leave us!" _Old Waiter._ "Hem!--yessir--but--you'll pard'n me, sir--we've so many gents--'don't wish to impute nothink, sir--but master--'fact is, sir--(_evidently feels a delicacy about mentioning it_)--we're--you see, sir--'_sponsible for the plate, sir_!!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: GRAND BURNS' FESTIVAL--BROWN ENTERTAINS HIS FRIEND WI' A HAGGIS!] * * * * * DISCLAIMER BY A DINER-OUT Abolish party? Whose delight were greater Than mine? I hail the chance with rapture hearty. But oh! I _can't_ agree with the _Spectator_, Who'd do away with--gods!--the dinner party! No, let us compromise,--we'll all be winners,-- And firmly banish party from our dinners! * * * * * SYMPATHY (SCENE--_In front of Mrs. R.'s house_) _Mrs. Ramsbotham_ (_paying Cabman_). You look all right to-day. _Cabman._ Ah, mum! my looks don't pity me. I suffer from a tarpaulin liver. _Mrs. R._ (_correcting_). A torpedo liver, you mean. [_Cabman accepts the correction, and an extra shilling_] * * * * * [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: HAPPY THOUGHT.--_Sir Pompey Bedell_ (_poking the fire in his new smoking-room_). "This wretched chimney has got into a most objectionable way of smoking. A--I can't cure it." _Bedell Junior._ "Just give it a couple of your cigars, governor!--it'll never smoke again!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "CRAMMING"] * * * * * "CRAMMING." _Affectionate Uncle._ "Glad to see you, Rupert. Now tell me all about it. What form are you in, old boy?" _Nephew_ (_just returned from Harrow_). "Well, uncle, not so bad, I think. I can generally manage a couple of eggs, two sausages, or kidneys, some Dundee marmalade, and two cups of coffee for breakfast. I always have a little luncheon, any amount of roast beef or mutton for dinner, and I generally look in at the confectioner's in the afternoon, and invariably wind up with a good supper. What do you think of that?" [_Disappointed and misunderstood uncle subsides, and thinks it best to make no comments._ [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: _Old Gentleman_ (_who has not hurried over his dinner, and has just got his bill_). "Waiter, what's this? I'm charged here twopence for stationery. You know I've had none----" _Irish Waiter._ "Faix! yer honour, I don't know. Y'ave been sittin' here a long t-h-ime, anyhow!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "A STRICT REGARD FOR TRUTH."--_Nephew._ "Hold up, uncle, people'll think you're screwed!" _Uncle_ (_the wedding breakfast had been hilarious_). "Shcrew'd! No, no, Sheorgsh! No' sh' bad 'sh that! 'Shame time--don' le'sh be"--(_lurching heavily_)--"osht'n--tas'hly shober! 'Can't bear osht'ntash'n!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SEASONABLE LUXURY _Old Gent_ (_disgusted_). "Here, waiter! Here's a--here's a--a--caterpillar in this chop!" _Waiter_ (_flippantly_). "Yessir. About the time o' year for 'em just now, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE "STATUS QUO ANTE."--_Squire_ (_desiring to improve the taste of his country friends, has introduced at his table, in the place of the usual brandied Spanish and Portuguese wines, the natural vintages of France and Germany_). "Now, Mr. Barleymead, how do you like this 'Chateau Lafitte'? Another glass----" _Farmer B._ "Thanky, sir; it's uncommon nice.--(_He had drunk a bottle or two._)--But we don't seem to get no forruder!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: COMING OUT AS A CONVERSATIONALIST _Young Ganderson_ (_proudly conscious of the general attention_) "Oh yes, it's in _Soho_, you know. I know the place well. They give you a capital dinner for eighteenpence--wine included." _Host_ (_proud of his cellar_). "And is the wine drinkable?" _Young Ganderson._ "Oh yes--very good--better than the wine we're drinking now!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN AFFECTIONATE HUSBAND _Tomkins._ "You are going it, old fellow! Real turtle, eh? and venison to follow, eh?" _Jobkins._ "Why, yes--you see it's my wife's birthday; and as she dines early, I thought I'd celebrate the anniversary in the city."] * * * * * [Illustration: MISTAKEN IDENTITY.--(_As the De Smiths, to whose dinner-party he was invited, lived in the next square, Brown thought he would walk over._) _Head waiter_ (_under a wrong impression_). "This won't do, young man! We've been expectin' o' you this 'our and a 'alf! No napkins laid, no glasses, no----!!!" [_Brown never got over it all the evening._] * * * * * [Illustration: AN AWFUL CRAMMER _Proprietor of boarding-house_ (_taking stout guest aside_). "You'll excuse me, Mr. Sharpset, but your appetite is so large that I shall be compelled to charge you a shilling extra. It can't be done at two shillings!" _Diner._ "No! For heaven's sake don't do that! I can eat two shillings'-worth easy; but if I have to do three--I really--afraid I should--but I'll try!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE BETTING EVIL. _Waiter_ (_down tube_). "Wild duck, one!" _Voice from the kitchen._ "Did he? Just like my luck. Backed another wrong 'un!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NOT VERY LIKELY _Waiter_ (_in response to the Colonel's very vigorous reminder_). "Oh yes, sir, immediately! 'M--let's see--a _glass of milk_, sir, wasn't it?"] * * * * * [Illustration: FIGURATIVE _Head Waiter_ (_the Old Gent had wished for a stronger cheese_). "Hi! James--let loose the Gorgonzola!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BEWILDERING _Mr. Wuzzles_ (_up for the cattle-show_). "Cheese, waiter!" '_Robert._' "Yessir! Rockfor', commonbare, grew'ere, noochattell, gorgumzo----" _Mr. Wuzzles_ (_testily_). "No, no! I said _cheese_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "ON THE FACE OF IT" _Host._ "I don't like this Lafitte half so well as the last, Binns. Have you noticed any difference?" _New Butler._ "Well, sir, for myself I don't drink claret; I find port agrees with me so much better!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AWFUL WARNING!--_Guest_ (_at City Company dinner_). "I'm uncommonly hungry!" _Ancient Liveryman_ (_with feeling_). "Take care, my dear sir, for goodness' sake, take care! D' you know it happened to me at the last Lord Mayor's dinner to burn my tongue with my first spoonful of clear turtle; 'consequence was--(_sighs_)--'couldn't taste at all--anything--for the rest of the evening!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: It is quite possible to have too much of a good thing--as for example, when you get the asparagus shot over your favourite dress-coat with the silk facings.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Testy Old Uncle_ (_unable to control his passion_). "Really, sir, this is quite intolerable! You must intend to insult me. For the last fourteen days, wherever I have dined, I have had nothing but saddle of mutton and boiled turkey--boiled turkey and saddle of mutton. I'll endure it no longer." [_Exit old gent, who alters his will._ Moral.--_How ridiculous a man appears--particularly a man at a grave period of life--who is over-anxious about his eating and drinking!_] * * * * * [Illustration: "ALL THE DIFFERENCE" _Dyspeptic Diner._ "Um"--(_forking it suspiciously_)--"what is it, waiter?" '_Robert._' "It says 'ronyongs sorty' on the menoo, sir. But I can't say what it may be on the dish!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _His Partner._ "I really never heard a better speech in my life! Such a wonderful flow of----" _He._ "Great Scott! That reminds me--I've left the bathroom tap at home full on!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE NICE LITTLE DINNER _Tommy_ (_who is standing a feed to Harry_). "Oh, hang it, you know, fourteen bob for a bottle of champagne! That's coming it rather strong, ain't it?" _Waiter_ (_with perfect composure_). "We have some _cheap_ wine, sir, at half-a-guinea!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TOO LITERAL BY HALF SCENE.--_A "cheap" chop-house not a hundred miles from L--nd--n._ _Waiter._ "Paysir? Yessir--Whataveyeradsir?" _Matter-of-fact old gentleman_ (_who has been reading the "Quarterly" on "Food and its adulterations"_). "Had? why, let me see: I've had some horsetail soup, spiced with red-lead and shop-sweepings: a plate of roast cow, and cabbage boiled with verdigris: a crust of plaster of Paris, baked with alum and bone-dust: half-a-pint of porter brewed from quassia and strychnine: and a cup of charred liver, annatto, and other unknown ingredients." [_Exit waiter for a straight-waistcoat, and a stomach-pump._] * * * * * [Illustration: _Dolly._ "Please, Miss Sharp, mamma says, have you _really_ left your songs at home?" _Miss Sharp._ "Yes, dear. Why?" _Dolly._ "Well, papa says 'it sounds too good to be true'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EUREKA!--_Isaacstein_ (_late of Whitechapel, showing old friend over bathroom in new house_). "What am I goin' to do with it? Vell, you see, I've always rather wanted a place where I could keep goldfish!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Juvenile._ "Uncle!" _Uncle._ "Now then, what is it? This is the fourth time you've woke me up, sir!" _Juvenile._ "Oh! Just put a few coals on the fire, and pass the wine, that's a good old chap."] * * * * * NURSERIANA.--_Little Chris._ "Oh! mamma, mamma, baby's moulted again." _Mamma._ "Moulted! What do you mean?" _Little Chris._ "Why, he's just dropped another tooth!" * * * * * [Illustration: SAFEST WAY OF TAKING A LADY DOWN TO DINNER (Another reminiscence of the days of the crinoline)] * * * * * [Illustration: SAT UPON _Hospitable Host._ "Does any gentleman say pudden?" _Precise Guest._ "No, sir. No _gentleman_ says _pudden_."] * * * * * [Illustration: UNEXPECTED GRATUITY.--_Waiter._ "Beg pardon, sir, but I think you've made a mistake. This is a halfpenny!" _Old Gent_ (_grandly_). "Oh dear no--not at all, not at all! I never give less!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Hickling_ (_to friend, who finds some difficulty in keeping his cigar alight_). "I say, old man, what matches do you smoke?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _He._ "Fond of Bridge?" _She._ "Awfully!" _He._ "Do you know I always think there's something _wanting_ in people who don't play?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Old Party_ (_very naturally excited_). "Why, confound you! You are wiping my plate with your handkerchief!" _Waiter_ (_blandly_). "It's of no consequence, sir--it's only a dirty one!"] * * * * * [Illustration: IN DESPERATE STRAITS _Jones_ (_blue ribbon--to abstemious lady he has taken in to dinner_). "Look here, madam, we don't seem to be getting on a _bit_! Either you must have a glass of champagne, or, by Jove, I must!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE WOULD RATHER HAVE LEFT UNSAID _Guest_ (_who is a bon-vivant, to host, who isn't_). "You must come and dine with _me_, Jones!" _Host._ "With pleasure, my dear friend! When?" _Guest._ "_Now!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: "NOT QUITE THE CHEESE!" _British Farmer._ "What sort o' cheese do you call this? Full o' holes!" _Waiter._ "Grew-yere, sir." _British Farmer_ (_suspiciously_). "Then just bring one that grew somewhere else!"] * * * * * [Illustration] THE END BRADBURY AGNEW & CO LD. PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE. * * * * * 2648 ---- GEORGE CRUIKSHANK By William Makepeace Thackeray * Reprinted from the Westminster Review for June, 1840. (No 66.) Accusations of ingratitude, and just accusations no doubt, are made against every inhabitant of this wicked world, and the fact is, that a man who is ceaselessly engaged in its trouble and turmoil, borne hither and thither upon the fierce waves of the crowd, bustling, shifting, struggling to keep himself somewhat above water--fighting for reputation, or more likely for bread, and ceaselessly occupied to-day with plans for appeasing the eternal appetite of inevitable hunger to-morrow--a man in such straits has hardly time to think of anything but himself, and, as in a sinking ship, must make his own rush for the boats, and fight, struggle, and trample for safety. In the midst of such a combat as this, the "ingenious arts, which prevent the ferocity of the manners, and act upon them as an emollient" (as the philosophic bard remarks in the Latin Grammar) are likely to be jostled to death, and then forgotten. The world will allow no such compromises between it and that which does not belong to it--no two gods must we serve; but (as one has seen in some old portraits) the horrible glazed eyes of Necessity are always fixed upon you; fly away as you will, black Care sits behind you, and with his ceaseless gloomy croaking drowns the voice of all more cheerful companions. Happy he whose fortune has placed him where there is calm and plenty, and who has the wisdom not to give up his quiet in quest of visionary gain. Here is, no doubt, the reason why a man, after the period of his boyhood, or first youth, makes so few friends. Want and ambition (new acquaintances which are introduced to him along with his beard) thrust away all other society from him. Some old friends remain, it is true, but these are become as a habit--a part of your selfishness; and, for new ones, they are selfish as you are. Neither member of the new partnership has the capital of affection and kindly feeling, or can even afford the time that is requisite for the establishment of the new firm. Damp and chill the shades of the prison-house begin to close round us, and that "vision splendid" which has accompanied our steps in our journey daily farther from the east, fades away and dies into the light of common day. And what a common day! what a foggy, dull, shivering apology for light is this kind of muddy twilight through which we are about to tramp and flounder for the rest of our existence, wandering farther and farther from the beauty and freshness and from the kindly gushing springs of clear gladness that made all around us green in our youth! One wanders and gropes in a slough of stock-jobbing, one sinks or rises in a storm of politics, and in either case it is as good to fall as to rise--to mount a bubble on the crest of the wave, as to sink a stone to the bottom. The reader who has seen the name affixed to the head of this article scarcely expected to be entertained with a declamation upon ingratitude, youth, and the vanity of human pursuits, which may seem at first sight to have little to do with the subject in hand. But (although we reserve the privilege of discoursing upon whatever subject shall suit us, and by no means admit the public has any right to ask in our sentences for any meaning, or any connection whatever) it happens that, in this particular instance, there is an undoubted connection. In Susan's case, as recorded by Wordsworth, what connection had the corner of Wood Street with a mountain ascending, a vision of trees, and a nest by the Dove? Why should the song of a thrush cause bright volumes of vapor to glide through Lothbury, and a river to flow on through the vale of Cheapside? As she stood at that corner of Wood Street, a mop and a pail in her hand most likely, she heard the bird singing, and straight-way began pining and yearning for the days of her youth, forgetting the proper business of the pail and mop. Even so we are moved by the sight of some of Mr. Cruikshank's works--the "Busen fuhlt sich jugendlich erschuttert," the "schwankende Gestalten" of youth flit before one again,--Cruikshank's thrush begins to pipe and carol, as in the days of boyhood; hence misty moralities, reflections, and sad and pleasant remembrances arise. He is the friend of the young especially. Have we not read, all the story-books that his wonderful pencil has illustrated? Did we not forego tarts, in order to buy his "Breaking-up," or his "Fashionable Monstrosities" of the year eighteen hundred and something? Have we not before us, at this very moment, a print,--one of the admirable "Illustrations of Phrenology"--which entire work was purchased by a joint-stock company of boys, each drawing lots afterwards for the separate prints, and taking his choice in rotation? The writer of this, too, had the honor of drawing the first lot, and seized immediately upon "Philoprogenitiveness"--a marvellous print (our copy is not at all improved by being colored, which operation we performed on it ourselves)--a marvellous print, indeed,--full of ingenuity and fine jovial humor. A father, possessor of an enormous nose and family, is surrounded by the latter, who are, some of them, embracing the former. The composition writhes and twists about like the Kermes of Rubens. No less than seven little men and women in nightcaps, in frocks, in bibs, in breeches, are clambering about the head, knees, and arms of the man with the nose; their noses, too, are preternaturally developed--the twins in the cradle have noses of the most considerable kind. The second daughter, who is watching them; the youngest but two, who sits squalling in a certain wicker chair; the eldest son, who is yawning; the eldest daughter, who is preparing with the gravy of two mutton-chops a savory dish of Yorkshire pudding for eighteen persons; the youths who are examining her operations (one a literary gentleman, in a remarkably neat nightcap and pinafore, who has just had his finger in the pudding); the genius who is at work on the slate, and the two honest lads who are hugging the good-humored washerwoman, their mother,--all, all, save, this worthy woman, have noses of the largest size. Not handsome certainly are they, and yet everybody must be charmed with the picture. It is full of grotesque beauty. The artist has at the back of his own skull, we are certain, a huge bump of philoprogenitiveness. He loves children in his heart; every one of those he has drawn is perfectly happy, and jovial, and affectionate, and innocent as possible. He makes them with large noses, but he loves them, and you always find something kind in the midst of his humor, and the ugliness redeemed by a sly touch of beauty. The smiling mother reconciles one with all the hideous family: they have all something of the mother in them--something kind, and generous, and tender. Knight's, in Sweeting's Alley; Fairburn's, in a court off Ludgate Hill; Hone's, in Fleet Street--bright, enchanted palaces, which George Cruikshank used to people with grinning, fantastical imps, and merry, harmless sprites,--where are they? Fairburn's shop knows him no more; not only has Knight disappeared from Sweeting's Alley, but, as we are given to understand, Sweetings Alley has disappeared from the face of the globe. Slop, the atrocious Castlereagh, the sainted Caroline (in a tight pelisse, with feathers in her head), the "Dandy of sixty," who used to glance at us from Hone's friendly windows--where are they? Mr. Cruikshank may have drawn a thousand better things since the days when these were; but they are to us a thousand times more pleasing than anything else he has done. How we used to believe in them! to stray miles out of the way on holidays, in order to ponder for an hour before that delightful window in Sweeting's Alley! in walks through Fleet Street, to vanish abruptly down Fairburn's passage, and there make one at his "charming gratis" exhibition. There used to be a crowd round the window in those days, of grinning, good-natured mechanics, who spelt the songs, and spoke them out for the benefit of the company, and who received the points of humor with a general sympathizing roar. Where are these people now? You never hear any laughing at HB.; his pictures are a great deal too genteel for that--polite points of wit, which strike one as exceedingly clever and pretty, and cause one to smile in a quiet, gentleman-like kind of way. There must be no smiling with Cruikshank. A man who does not laugh outright is a dullard, and has no heart; even the old dandy of sixty must have laughed at his own wondrous grotesque image, as they say Louis Philippe did, who saw all the caricatures that were made of himself. And there are some of Cruikshank's designs which have the blessed faculty of creating laughter as often as you see them. As Diggory says in the play, who is bidden by his master not to laugh while waiting at table--"Don't tell the story of Grouse in the Gun-room, master, or I can't help laughing." Repeat that history ever so often, and at the proper moment, honest Diggory is sure to explode. Every man, no doubt, who loves Cruikshank has his "Grouse in the Gun-room." There is a fellow in the "Points of Humor" who is offering to eat up a certain little general, that has made us happy any time these sixteen years: his huge mouth is a perpetual well of laughter--buckets full of fun can be drawn from it. We have formed no such friendships as that boyish one of the man with the mouth. But though, in our eyes, Mr. Cruikshank reached his apogee some eighteen years since, it must not be imagined that such is really the case. Eighteen sets of children have since then learned to love and admire him, and may many more of their successors be brought up in the same delightful faith. It is not the artist who fails, but the men who grow cold--the men, from whom the illusions (why illusions? realities) of youth disappear one by one; who have no leisure to be happy, no blessed holidays, but only fresh cares at Midsummer and Christmas, being the inevitable seasons which bring us bills instead of pleasures. Tom, who comes bounding home from school, has the doctor's account in his trunk, and his father goes to sleep at the pantomime to which he takes him. Pater infelix, you too have laughed at clown, and the magic wand of spangled harlequin; what delightful enchantment did it wave around you, in the golden days "when George the Third was king!" But our clown lies in his grave; and our harlequin, Ellar, prince of how many enchanted islands, was he not at Bow Street the other day,* in his dirty, tattered, faded motley--seized as a law-breaker, for acting at a penny theatre, after having wellnigh starved in the streets, where nobody would listen to his old guitar? No one gave a shilling to bless him: not one of us who owe him so much. * This was written in 1840. We know not if Mr. Cruikshank will be very well pleased at finding his name in such company as that of Clown and Harlequin; but he, like them, is certainly the children's friend. His drawings abound in feeling for these little ones, and hideous as in the course of his duty he is from time to time compelled to design them, he never sketches one without a certain pity for it, and imparting to the figure a certain grotesque grace. In happy schoolboys he revels; plum-pudding and holidays his needle has engraved over and over again; there is a design in one of the comic almanacs of some young gentlemen who are employed in administering to a schoolfellow the correction of the pump, which is as graceful and elegant as a drawing of Stothard. Dull books about children George Cruikshank makes bright with illustrations--there is one published by the ingenious and opulent Mr. Tegg. It is entitled "Mirth and Morality," the mirth being, for the most part, on the side of the designer--the morality, unexceptionable certainly, the author's capital. Here are then, to these moralities, a smiling train of mirths supplied by George Cruikshank. See yonder little fellows butterfly-hunting across a common! Such a light, brisk, airy, gentleman-like drawing was never made upon such a theme. Who, cries the author-- "Who has not chased the butterfly, And crushed its slender legs and wings, And heaved a moralizing sigh: Alas! how frail are human things!" A very unexceptionable morality truly; but it would have puzzled another than George Cruikshank to make mirth out of it as he has done. Away, surely not on the wings of these verses, Cruikshank's imagination begins to soar; and he makes us three darling little men on a green common, backed by old farmhouses, somewhere about May. A great mixture of blue and clouds in the air, a strong fresh breeze stirring, Tom's jacket flapping in the same, in order to bring down the insect queen or king of spring that is fluttering above him,--he renders all this with a few strokes on a little block of wood not two inches square, upon which one may gaze for hours, so merry and lifelike a scene does it present. What a charming creative power is this, what a privilege--to be a god, and create little worlds upon paper, and whole generations of smiling, jovial men, women, and children half inch high, whose portraits are carried abroad, and have the faculty of making us monsters of six feet curious and happy in our turn. Now, who would imagine that an artist could make anything of such a subject as this? The writer begins by stating,-- "I love to go back to the days of my youth, And to reckon my joys to the letter, And to count o'er the friends that I have in the world, Ay, and those who are gone to a better." This brings him to the consideration of his uncle. "Of all the men I have ever known," says he, "my uncle united the greatest degree of cheerfulness with the sobriety of manhood. Though a man when I was a boy, he was yet one of the most agreeable companions I ever possessed. . . . He embarked for America, and nearly twenty years passed by before he came back again; . . . but oh, how altered!--he was in every sense of the word an old man, his body and mind were enfeebled, and second childishness had come upon him. How often have I bent over him, vainly endeavoring to recall to his memory the scenes we had shared together: and how frequently, with an aching heart, have I gazed on his vacant and lustreless eye, while he has amused himself in clapping his hands and singing with a quavering voice a verse of a psalm." Alas! such are the consequences of long residences in America, and of old age even in uncles! Well, the point of this morality is, that the uncle one day in the morning of life vowed that he would catch his two nephews and tie them together, ay, and actually did so, for all the efforts the rogues made to run away from him; but he was so fatigued that he declared he never would make the attempt again, whereupon the nephew remarks,--"Often since then, when engaged in enterprises beyond my strength, have I called to mind the determination of my uncle." Does it not seem impossible to make a picture out of this? And yet George Cruikshank has produced a charming design, in which the uncles and nephews are so prettily portrayed that one is reconciled to their existence, with all their moralities. Many more of the mirths in this little book are excellent, especially a great figure of a parson entering church on horseback,--an enormous parson truly, calm, unconscious, unwieldy. As Zeuxis had a bevy of virgins in order to make his famous picture--his express virgin--a clerical host must have passed under Cruikshank's eyes before he sketched this little, enormous parson of parsons. Being on the subject of children's books, how shall we enough praise the delightful German nursery-tales, and Cruikshank's illustrations of them? We coupled his name with pantomime awhile since, and sure never pantomimes were more charming than these. Of all the artists that ever drew, from Michael Angelo upwards and downwards, Cruikshank was the man to illustrate these tales, and give them just the proper admixture of the grotesque, the wonderful, and the graceful. May all Mother Bunch's collection be similarly indebted to him; may "Jack the Giant Killer," may "Tom Thumb," may "Puss in Boots," be one day revivified by his pencil. Is not Whittington sitting yet on Highgate hill, and poor Cinderella (in that sweetest of all fairy stories) still pining in her lonely chimney-nook? A man who has a true affection for these delightful companions of his youth is bound to be grateful to them if he can, and we pray Mr. Cruikshank to remember them. It is folly to say that this or that kind of humor is too good for the public, that only a chosen few can relish it. The best humor that we know of has been as eagerly received by the public as by the most delicate connoisseur. There is hardly a man in England who can read but will laugh at Falstaff and the humor of Joseph Andrews; and honest Mr. Pickwick's story can be felt and loved by any person above the age of six. Some may have a keener enjoyment of it than others, but all the world can be merry over it, and is always ready to welcome it. The best criterion of good humor is success, and what a share of this has Mr. Cruikshank had! how many millions of mortals has he made happy! We have heard very profound persons talk philosophically of the marvellous and mysterious manner in which he has suited himself to the time--fait vibrer la fibre populaire (as Napoleon boasted of himself), supplied a peculiar want felt at a peculiar period, the simple secret of which is, as we take it, that he, living amongst the public, has with them a general wide-hearted sympathy, that he laughs at what they laugh at, that he has a kindly spirit of enjoyment, with not a morsel of mysticism in his composition; that he pities and loves the poor, and jokes at the follies of the great, and that he addresses all in a perfectly sincere and manly way. To be greatly successful as a professional humorist, as in any other calling, a man must be quite honest, and show that his heart is in his work. A bad preacher will get admiration and a hearing with this point in his favor, where a man of three times his acquirements will only find indifference and coldness. Is any man more remarkable than our artist for telling the truth after his own manner? Hogarth's honesty of purpose was as conspicuous in an earlier time, and we fancy that Gilray would have been far more successful and more powerful but for that unhappy bribe, which turned the whole course of his humor into an unnatural channel. Cruikshank would not for any bribe say what he did not think, or lend his aid to sneer down anything meritorious, or to praise any thing or person that deserved censure. When he levelled his wit against the Regent, and did his very prettiest for the Princess, he most certainly believed, along with the great body of the people whom he represents, that the Princess was the most spotless, pure-mannered darling of a Princess that ever married a heartless debauchee of a Prince Royal. Did not millions believe with him, and noble and learned lords take their oaths to her Royal Highness's innocence? Cruikshank would not stand by and see a woman ill-used, and so struck in for her rescue, he and the people belaboring with all their might the party who were making the attack, and determining, from pure sympathy and indignation, that the woman must be innocent because her husband treated her so foully. To be sure we have never heard so much from Mr. Cruikshank's own lips, but any man who will examine these odd drawings, which first made him famous, will see what an honest hearty hatred the champion of woman has for all who abuse her, and will admire the energy with which he flings his wood-blocks at all who side against her. Canning, Castlereagh, Bexley, Sidmouth, he is at them, one and all; and as for the Prince, up to what a whipping-post of ridicule did he tie that unfortunate old man! And do not let squeamish Tories cry out about disloyalty; if the crown does wrong, the crown must be corrected by the nation, out of respect, of course, for the crown. In those days, and by those people who so bitterly attacked the son, no word was ever breathed against the father, simply because he was a good husband, and a sober, thrifty, pious, orderly man. This attack upon the Prince Regent we believe to have been Mr. Cruikshank's only effort as a party politician. Some early manifestoes against Napoleon we find, it is true, done in the regular John Bull style, with the Gilray model for the little upstart Corsican: but as soon as the Emperor had yielded to stern fortune our artist's heart relented (as Beranger's did on the other side of the water), and many of our readers will doubtless recollect a fine drawing of "Louis XVIII. trying on Napoleon's boots," which did not certainly fit the gouty son of Saint Louis. Such satirical hits as these, however, must not be considered as political, or as anything more than the expression of the artist's national British idea of Frenchmen. It must be confessed that for that great nation Mr. Cruikshank entertains a considerable contempt. Let the reader examine the "Life in Paris," or the five hundred designs in which Frenchmen are introduced, and he will find them almost invariably thin, with ludicrous spindle-shanks, pigtails, outstretched hands, shrugging shoulders, and queer hair and mustachios. He has the British idea of a Frenchman; and if he does not believe that the inhabitants of France are for the most part dancing-masters and barbers, yet takes care to depict such in preference, and would not speak too well of them. It is curious how these traditions endure. In France, at the present moment, the Englishman on the stage is the caricatured Englishman at the time of the war, with a shock red head, a long white coat, and invariable gaiters. Those who wish to study this subject should peruse Monsieur Paul de Kock's histories of "Lord Boulingrog" and "Lady Crockmilove." On the other hand, the old emigre has taken his station amongst us, and we doubt if a good British gallery would understand that such and such a character WAS a Frenchman unless he appeared in the ancient traditional costume. A curious book, called "Life in Paris," published in 1822, contains a number of the artist's plates in the aquatint style; and though we believe he had never been in that capital, the designs have a great deal of life in them, and pass muster very well. A villanous race of shoulder-shrugging mortals are his Frenchmen indeed. And the heroes of the tale, a certain Mr. Dick Wildfire, Squire Jenkins, and Captain O'Shuffleton, are made to show the true British superiority on every occasion when Britons and French are brought together. This book was one among the many that the designer's genius has caused to be popular; the plates are not carefully executed, but, being colored, have a pleasant, lively look. The same style was adopted in the once famous book called "Tom and Jerry, or Life in London," which must have a word of notice here, for, although by no means Mr. Cruikshank's best work, his reputation was extraordinarily raised by it. Tom and Jerry were as popular twenty years since as Mr. Pickwick and Sam Weller now are; and often have we wished, while reading the biographies of the latter celebrated personages, that they had been described as well by Mr. Cruikshank's pencil as by Mr. Dickens's pen. As for Tom and Jerry, to show the mutability of human affairs and the evanescent nature of reputation, we have been to the British Museum and no less than five circulating libraries in quest of the book, and "Life in London," alas, is not to be found at any one of them. We can only, therefore, speak of the work from recollection, but have still a very clear remembrance of the leather gaiters of Jerry Hawthorn, the green spectacles of Logic, and the hooked nose of Corinthian Tom. They were the schoolboy's delight; and in the days when the work appeared we firmly believed the three heroes above named to be types of the most elegant, fashionable young fellows the town afforded, and thought their occupations and amusements were those of all high-bred English gentlemen. Tom knocking down the watchman at Temple Bar; Tom and Jerry dancing at Almack's; or flirting in the saloon at the theatre; at the night-houses, after the play; at Tom Cribb's, examining the silver cup then in the possession of that champion; at the chambers of Bob Logic, who, seated at a cabinet piano, plays a waltz to which Corinthian Tom and Kate are dancing; ambling gallantly in Rotten Row; or examining the poor fellow at Newgate who was having his chains knocked off before hanging: all these scenes remain indelibly engraved upon the mind, and so far we are independent of all the circulating libraries in London. As to the literary contents of the book, they have passed sheer away. It was, most likely, not particularly refined; nay, the chances are that it was absolutely vulgar. But it must have had some merit of its own, that is clear; it must have given striking descriptions of life in some part or other of London, for all London read it, and went to see it in its dramatic shape. The artist, it is said, wished to close the career of the three heroes by bringing them all to ruin, but the writer, or publishers, would not allow any such melancholy subjects to dash the merriment of the public, and we believe Tom, Jerry, and Logic, were married off at the end of the tale, as if they had been the most moral personages in the world. There is some goodness in this pity, which authors and the public are disposed to show towards certain agreeable, disreputable characters of romance. Who would mar the prospects of honest Roderick Random, or Charles Surface, or Tom Jones? only a very stern moralist indeed. And in regard of Jerry Hawthorn and that hero without a surname, Corinthian Tom, Mr. Cruikshank, we make little doubt, was glad in his heart that he was not allowed to have his own way. Soon after the "Tom and Jerry" and the "Life in Paris," Mr. Cruikshank produced a much more elaborate set of prints, in a work which was called "Points of Humor." These "Points" were selected from various comic works, and did not, we believe, extend beyond a couple of numbers, containing about a score of copper-plates. The collector of humorous designs cannot fail to have them in his portfolio, for they contain some of the very best efforts of Mr. Cruikshank's genius, and though not quite so highly labored as some of his later productions, are none the worse, in our opinion, for their comparative want of finish. All the effects are perfectly given, and the expression is as good as it could be in the most delicate engraving upon steel. The artist's style, too, was then completely formed; and, for our parts, we should say that we preferred his manner of 1825 to any other which he has adopted since. The first picture, which is called "The Point of Honor," illustrates the old story of the officer who, on being accused of cowardice for refusing to fight a duel, came among his brother officers and flung a lighted grenade down upon the floor, before which his comrades fled ignominiously. This design is capital, and the outward rush of heroes, walking, trampling, twisting, scuffling at the door, is in the best style of the grotesque. You see but the back of most of these gentlemen; into which, nevertheless, the artist has managed to throw an expression of ludicrous agony that one could scarcely have expected to find in such a part of the human figure. The next plate is not less good. It represents a couple who, having been found one night tipsy, and lying in the same gutter, were, by a charitable though misguided gentleman, supposed to be man and wife, and put comfortably to bed together. The morning came; fancy the surprise of this interesting pair when they awoke and discovered their situation. Fancy the manner, too, in which Cruikshank has depicted them, to which words cannot do justice. It is needless to state that this fortuitous and temporary union was followed by one more lasting and sentimental, and that these two worthy persons were married, and lived happily ever after. We should like to go through every one of these prints. There is the jolly miller, who, returning home at night, calls upon his wife to get him a supper, and falls to upon rashers of bacon and ale. How he gormandizes, that jolly miller! rasher after rasher, how they pass away frizzling and, smoking from the gridiron down that immense grinning gulf of a mouth. Poor wife! how she pines and frets, at that untimely hour of midnight to be obliged to fry, fry, fry perpetually, and minister to the monster's appetite. And yonder in the clock: what agonized face is that we see? By heavens, it is the squire of the parish. What business has he there? Let us not ask. Suffice it to say, that he has, in the hurry of the moment, left up stairs his br----; his--psha! a part of his dress, in short, with a number of bank-notes in the pockets. Look in the next page, and you will see the ferocious, bacon-devouring ruffian of a miller is actually causing this garment to be carried through the village and cried by the town-crier. And we blush to be obliged to say that the demoralized miller never offered to return the banknotes, although he was so mighty scrupulous in endeavoring to find an owner for the corduroy portfolio in which he had found them. Passing from this painful subject, we come, we regret to state, to a series of prints representing personages not a whit more moral. Burns's famous "Jolly Beggars" have all had their portraits drawn by Cruikshank. There is the lovely "hempen widow," quite as interesting and romantic as the famous Mrs. Sheppard, who has at the lamented demise of her husband adopted the very same consolation. "My curse upon them every one, They've hanged my braw John Highlandman; . . . . And now a widow I must mourn Departed joys that ne'er return; No comfort but a hearty can When I think on John Highlandman." Sweet "raucle carlin," she has none of the sentimentality of the English highwayman's lady; but being wooed by a tinker and "A pigmy scraper wi' his fiddle Wha us'd to trystes and fairs to driddle," prefers the practical to the merely musical man. The tinker sings with a noble candor, worthy of a fellow of his strength of body and station in life-- "My bonnie lass, I work in brass, A tinker is my station; I've travell'd round all Christian ground In this my occupation. I've ta'en the gold, I've been enroll'd In many a noble squadron; But vain they search'd when off I march'd To go an' clout the caudron." It was his ruling passion. What was military glory to him, forsooth? He had the greatest contempt for it, and loved freedom and his copper kettle a thousand times better--a kind of hardware Diogenes. Of fiddling he has no better opinion. The picture represents the "sturdy caird" taking "poor gut-scraper" by the beard,--drawing his "roosty rapier," and swearing to "speet him like a pliver" unless he would relinquish the bonnie lassie for ever-- "Wi' ghastly ee, poor tweedle-dee Upon his hunkers bended, An' pray'd for grace wi' ruefu' face, An' so the quarrel ended." Hark how the tinker apostrophizes the violinist, stating to the widow at the same time the advantages which she might expect from an alliance with himself:-- "Despise that shrimp, that withered imp, Wi' a' his noise and caperin'; And take a share with those that bear The budget and the apron! "And by that stowp, my faith an' houpe, An' by that dear Kilbaigie! If e'er ye want, or meet wi' scant, May I ne'er weet my craigie." Cruikshank's caird is a noble creature; his face and figure show him to be fully capable of doing and saying all that is above written of him. In the second part, the old tale of "The Three Hunchbacked Fiddlers" is illustrated with equal felicity. The famous classical dinners and duel in "Peregrine Pickle" are also excellent in their way; and the connoisseur of prints and etchings may see in the latter plate, and in another in this volume, how great the artist's mechanical skill is as an etcher. The distant view of the city in the duel, and of a market-place in "The Quack Doctor," are delightful specimens of the artist's skill in depicting buildings and backgrounds. They are touched with a grace, truth, and dexterity of workmanship that leave nothing to desire. We have before mentioned the man with the mouth, which appears in this number emblematical of gout and indigestion, in which the artist has shown all the fancy of Callot. Little demons, with long saws for noses, are making dreadful incisions into the toes of the unhappy sufferer; some are bringing pans of hot coals to keep the wounded member warm; a huge, solemn nightmare sits on the invalid's chest, staring solemnly into his eyes; a monster, with a pair of drumsticks, is banging a devil's tattoo on his forehead; and a pair of imps are nailing great tenpenny nails into his hands to make his happiness complete. The late Mr. Clark's excellent work, "Three Courses and a Dessert," was published at a time when the rage for comic stories was not so great as it since has been, and Messrs. Clark and Cruikshank only sold their hundreds where Messrs. Dickens and Phiz dispose of their thousands. But if our recommendation can in any way influence the reader, we would enjoin him to have a copy of the "Three Courses," that contains some of the best designs of our artist, and some of the most amusing tales in our language. The invention of the pictures, for which Mr. Clark takes credit to himself, says a great deal for his wit and fancy. Can we, for instance, praise too highly the man who invented that wonderful oyster? Examine him well; his beard, his pearl, his little round stomach, and his sweet smile. Only oysters know how to smile in this way; cool, gentle, waggish, and yet inexpressibly innocent and winning. Dando himself must have allowed such an artless native to go free, and consigned him to the glassy, cool, translucent wave again. In writing upon such subjects as these with which we have been furnished, it can hardly be expected that we should follow any fixed plan and order--we must therefore take such advantage as we may, and seize upon our subject when and wherever we can lay hold of him. For Jews, sailors, Irishmen, Hessian boots, little boys, beadles, policemen, tall life-guardsmen, charity children, pumps, dustmen, very short pantaloons, dandies in spectacles, and ladies with aquiline noses, remarkably taper waists, and wonderfully long ringlets, Mr. Cruikshank has a special predilection. The tribe of Israelites he has studied with amazing gusto; witness the Jew in Mr. Ainsworth's "Jack Sheppard," and the immortal Fagin of "Oliver Twist." Whereabouts lies the comic vis in these persons and things? Why should a beadle be comic, and his opposite a charity boy? Why should a tall life-guardsman have something in him essentially absurd? Why are short breeches more ridiculous than long? What is there particularly jocose about a pump, and wherefore does a long nose always provoke the beholder to laughter? These points may be metaphysically elucidated by those who list. It is probable that Mr. Cruikshank could not give an accurate definition of that which is ridiculous in these objects, but his instinct has told him that fun lurks in them, and cold must be the heart that can pass by the pantaloons of his charity boys, the Hessian boots of his dandies, and the fan-tail hats of his dustmen, without respectful wonder. He has made a complete little gallery of dustmen. There is, in the first place, the professional dustman, who, having in the enthusiastic exercise of his delightful trade, laid hands upon property not strictly his own, is pursued, we presume, by the right owner, from whom he flies as fast as his crooked shanks will carry him. What a curious picture it is--the horrid rickety houses in some dingy suburb of London, the grinning cobbler, the smothered butcher, the very trees which are covered with dust--it is fine to look at the different expressions of the two interesting fugitives. The fiery charioteer who belabors the poor donkey has still a glance for his brother on foot, on whom punishment is about to descend. And not a little curious is it to think of the creative power of the man who has arranged this little tale of low life. How logically it is conducted, how cleverly each one of the accessories is made to contribute to the effect of the whole. What a deal of thought and humor has the artist expended on this little block of wood; a large picture might have been painted out of the very same materials, which Mr. Cruikshank, out of his wondrous fund of merriment and observation, can afford to throw away upon a drawing not two inches long. From the practical dustmen we pass to those purely poetical. There are three of them who rise on clouds of their own raising, the very genii of the sack and shovel. Is there no one to write a sonnet to these?--and yet a whole poem was written about Peter Bell the wagoner, a character by no means so poetic. And lastly, we have the dustman in love: the honest fellow having seen a young beauty stepping out of a gin-shop on a Sunday morning, is pressing eagerly his suit. Gin has furnished many subjects to Mr. Cruikshank, who labors in his own sound and hearty way to teach his countrymen the dangers of that drink. In the "Sketch-Book" is a plate upon the subject, remarkable for fancy and beauty of design; it is called the "Gin Juggernaut," and represents a hideous moving palace, with a reeking still at the roof and vast gin-barrels for wheels, under which unhappy millions are crushed to death. An immense black cloud of desolation covers over the country through which the gin monster has passed, dimly looming through the darkness whereof you see an agreeable prospect of gibbets with men dangling, burnt houses, &c. The vast cloud comes sweeping on in the wake of this horrible body-crusher; and you see, by way of contrast, a distant, smiling, sunshiny tract of old English country, where gin as yet is not known. The allegory is as good, as earnest, and as fanciful as one of John Bunyan's, and we have often fancied there was a similarity between the men. The render will examine the work called "My Sketch-Book" with not a little amusement, and may gather from it, as we fancy, a good deal of information regarding the character of the individual man, George Cruikshank: what points strike his eye as a painter; what move his anger or admiration as a moralist; what classes he seems most especially disposed to observe, and what to ridicule. There are quacks of all kinds, to whom he has a mortal hatred; quack dandies, who assume under his pencil, perhaps in his eye, the most grotesque appearance possible--their hats grow larger, their legs infinitely more crooked and lean; the tassels of their canes swell out to a most preposterous size; the tails of their coats dwindle away, and finish where coat-tails generally begin. Let us lay a wager that Cruikshank, a man of the people if ever there was one, heartily hates and despises these supercilious, swaggering young gentlemen; and his contempt is not a whit the less laudable because there may be tant soit peu of prejudice in it. It is right and wholesome to scorn dandies, as Nelson said it was to hate Frenchmen; in which sentiment (as we have before said) George Cruikshank undoubtedly shares. In the "Sunday in London,"* Monsieur the Chef is instructing a kitchen-maid how to compound some rascally French kickshaw or the other--a pretty scoundrel truly! with what an air he wears that nightcap of his, and shrugs his lank shoulders, and chatters, and ogles, and grins: they are all the same, these mounseers; there are other two fellows--morbleu! one is putting his dirty fingers into the saucepan; there are frogs cooking in it, no doubt; and just over some other dish of abomination, another dirty rascal is taking snuff! Never mind, the sauce won't be hurt by a few ingredients more or less. Three such fellows as these are not worth one Englishman, that's clear. There is one in the very midst of them, the great burly fellow with the beef: he could beat all three in five minutes. We cannot be certain that such was the process going on in Mr. Cruikshank's mind when he made the design; but some feelings of the sort were no doubt entertained by him. * The following lines--ever fresh--by the author of "Headlong Hall," published years ago in the Globe and Traveller, are an excellent comment on several of the cuts from the "Sunday in London:"-- I. "The poor man's sins are glaring; In the face of ghostly warning He is caught in the fact Of an overt act, Buying greens on Sunday morning. II. "The rich man's sins are hidden In the pomp of wealth and station, And escape the sight Of the children of light, Who are wise in their generation. III. "The rich man has a kitchen, And cooks to dress his dinner; The poor who would roast, To the baker's must post, And thus becomes a sinner. IV. "The rich man's painted windows Hide the concerts of the quality; The poor can but share A crack'd fiddle in the air, Which offends all sound morality. V. "The rich man has a cellar, And a ready butler by him; The poor must steer For his pint of beer Where the saint can't choose but spy him. VI. "This rich man is invisible In the crowd of his gay society; But the poor man's delight Is a sore in the sight And a stench in the nose of piety." Against dandy footmen he is particularly severe. He hates idlers, pretenders, boasters, and punishes these fellows as best he may. Who does not recollect the famous picture, "What IS taxes, Thomas?" What is taxes indeed; well may that vast, over-fed, lounging flunky ask the question of his associate Thomas: and yet not well, for all that Thomas says in reply is, "I DON'T KNOW." "O beati PLUSHICOLAE," what a charming state of ignorance is yours! In the "Sketch-Book" many footmen make their appearance: one is a huge fat Hercules of a Portman Square porter, who calmly surveys another poor fellow, a porter likewise, but out of livery, who comes staggering forward with a box that Hercules might lift with his little finger. Will Hercules do so? not he. The giant can carry nothing heavier than a cocked-hat note on a silver tray, and his labors are to walk from his sentry-box to the door, and from the door back to his sentry-box, and to read the Sunday paper, and to poke the hall fire twice or thrice, and to make five meals a day. Such a fellow does Cruikshank hate and scorn worse even than a Frenchman. The man's master, too, comes in for no small share of our artist's wrath. There is a company of them at church, who humbly designate themselves "miserable sinners!" Miserable sinners indeed! Oh, what floods of turtle-soup, what tons of turbot and lobster-sauce must have been sacrificed to make those sinners properly miserable. My lady with the ermine tippet and draggling feather, can we not see that she lives in Portland Place, and is the wife of an East India Director? She has been to the Opera over-night (indeed her husband, on her right, with his fat hand dangling over the pew-door, is at this minute thinking of Mademoiselle Leocadie, whom he saw behind the scenes)--she has been at the Opera over-night, which with a trifle of supper afterwards--a white-and-brown soup, a lobster-salad, some woodcocks, and a little champagne--sent her to bed quite comfortable. At half-past eight her maid brings her chocolate in bed, at ten she has fresh eggs and muffins, with, perhaps, a half-hundred of prawns for breakfast, and so can get over the day and the sermon till lunch-time pretty well. What an odor of musk and bergamot exhales from the pew!--how it is wadded, and stuffed, and spangled over with brass nails! what hassocks are there for those who are not too fat to kneel! what a flustering and flapping of gilt prayer-books; and what a pious whirring of bible leaves one hears all over the church, as the doctor blandly gives out the text! To be miserable at this rate you must, at the very least, have four thousand a year: and many persons are there so enamored of grief and sin, that they would willingly take the risk of the misery to have a life-interest in the consols that accompany it, quite careless about consequences, and sceptical as to the notion that a day is at hand when you must fulfil YOUR SHARE OF THE BARGAIN. Our artist loves to joke at a soldier; in whose livery there appears to him to be something almost as ridiculous as in the uniform of the gentleman of the shoulder-knot. Tall life-guardsmen and fierce grenadiers figure in many of his designs, and almost always in a ridiculous way. Here again we have the honest popular English feeling which jeers at pomp or pretension of all kinds, and is especially jealous of all display of military authority. "Raw Recruit," "ditto dressed," ditto "served up," as we see them in the "Sketch-Book," are so many satires upon the army: Hodge with his ribbons flaunting in his hat, or with red coat and musket, drilled stiff and pompous, or at last, minus leg and arm, tottering about on crutches, does not fill our English artist with the enthusiasm that follows the soldier in every other part of Europe. Jeanjean, the conscript in France, is laughed at to be sure, but then it is because he is a bad soldier: when he comes to have a huge pair of mustachios and the croix-d'honneur to briller on his poitrine cicatrisee, Jeanjean becomes a member of a class that is more respected than any other in the French nation. The veteran soldier inspires our people with no such awe--we hold that democratic weapon the fist in much more honor than the sabre and bayonet, and laugh at a man tricked out in scarlet and pipe-clay. That regiment of heroes is "marching to divine service," to the tune of the "British Grenadiers." There they march in state, and a pretty contempt our artist shows for all their gimcracks and trumpery. He has drawn a perfectly English scene--the little blackguard boys are playing pranks round about the men, and shouting, "Heads up, soldier," "Eyes right, lobster," as little British urchins will do. Did one ever hear the like sentiments expressed in France? Shade of Napoleon, we insult you by asking the question. In England, however, see how different the case is: and designedly or undesignedly, the artist has opened to us a piece of his mind. In the crowd the only person who admires the soldiers is the poor idiot, whose pocket a rogue is picking. There is another picture, in which the sentiment is much the same, only, as in the former drawing we see Englishmen laughing at the troops of the line, here are Irishmen giggling at the militia. We have said that our artist has a great love for the drolleries of the Green Island. Would any one doubt what was the country of the merry fellows depicted in his group of Paddies? "Place me amid O'Rourkes, O'Tooles, The ragged royal race of Tara; Or place me where Dick Martin rules The pathless wilds of Connemara." We know not if Mr. Cruikshank has ever had any such good luck as to see the Irish in Ireland itself, but he certainly has obtained a knowledge of their looks, as if the country had been all his life familiar to him. Could Mr. O'Connell himself desire anything more national than the scene of a drunken row, or could Father Mathew have a better text to preach upon? There is not a broken nose in the room that is not thoroughly Irish. We have then a couple of compositions treated in a graver manner, as characteristic too as the other. We call attention to the comical look of poor Teague, who has been pursued and beaten by the witch's stick, in order to point out also the singular neatness of the workmanship, and the pretty, fanciful little glimpse of landscape that the artist has introduced in the background. Mr. Cruikshank has a fine eye for such homely landscapes, and renders them with great delicacy and taste. Old villages, farm-yards, groups of stacks, queer chimneys, churches, gable-ended cottages, Elizabethan mansion-houses, and other old English scenes, he depicts with evident enthusiasm. Famous books in their day were Cruikshank's "John Gilpin" and "Epping Hunt;" for though our artist does not draw horses very scientifically,--to use a phrase of the atelier,--he FEELS them very keenly; and his queer animals, after one is used to them, answer quite as well as better. Neither is he very happy in trees, and such rustical produce; or, rather, we should say, he is very original, his trees being decidedly of his own make and composition, not imitated from any master. But what then? Can a man be supposed to imitate everything? We know what the noblest study of mankind is, and to this Mr. Cruikshank has confined himself. That postilion with the people in the broken-down chaise roaring after him is as deaf as the post by which he passes. Suppose all the accessories were away, could not one swear that the man was stone-deaf, beyond the reach of trumpet? What is the peculiar character in a deaf man's physiognomy?--can any person define it satisfactorily in words?--not in pages; and Mr. Cruikshank has expressed it on a piece of paper not so big as the tenth part of your thumb-nail. The horses of John Gilpin are much more of the equestrian order; and as here the artist has only his favorite suburban buildings to draw, not a word is to be said against his design. The inn and old buildings are charmingly designed, and nothing can be more prettily or playfully touched. "At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wond'ring much To see how he did ride. "'Stop, stop, John Gilpin! Here's the house!' They all at once did cry; 'The dinner waits, and we are tired--' Said Gilpin--'So am I!' "Six gentlemen upon the road Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With post-boy scamp'ring in the rear, They raised the hue and cry:-- "'Stop thief! stop thief!--a highwayman!' Not one of them was mute; And all and each that passed that way Did join in the pursuit. "And now the turnpike gates again Flew open in short space; The toll-men thinking, as before, That Gilpin rode a race." The rush, and shouting, and clatter are excellently depicted by the artist; and we, who have been scoffing at his manner of designing animals, must here make a special exception in favor of the hens and chickens; each has a different action, and is curiously natural. Happy are children of all ages who have such a ballad and such pictures as this in store for them! It is a comfort to think that woodcuts never wear out, and that the book still may be had for a shilling, for those who can command that sum of money. In the "Epping Hunt," which we owe to the facetious pen of Mr. Hood, our artist has not been so successful. There is here too much horsemanship and not enough incident for him; but the portrait of Roundings the huntsman is an excellent sketch, and a couple of the designs contain great humor. The first represents the Cockney hero, who, "like a bird, was singing out while sitting on a tree." And in the second the natural order is reversed. The stag having taken heart, is hunting the huntsman, and the Cheapside Nimrod is most ignominiously running away. The Easter Hunt, we are told, is no more; and as the Quarterly Review recommends the British public to purchase Mr. Catlin's pictures, as they form the only record of an interesting race now rapidly passing away, in like manner we should exhort all our friends to purchase Mr. Cruikshank's designs of ANOTHER interesting race, that is run already and for the last time. Besides these, we must mention, in the line of our duty, the notable tragedies of "Tom Thumb" and "Bombastes Furioso," both of which have appeared with many illustrations by Mr. Cruikshank. The "brave army" of Bombastes exhibits a terrific display of brutal force, which must shock the sensibilities of an English radical. And we can well understand the caution of the general, who bids this soldatesque effrenee to begone, and not to kick up a row. Such a troop of lawless ruffians let loose upon a populous city would play sad havoc in it; and we fancy the massacres of Birmingham renewed, or at least of Badajoz, which, though not quite so dreadful, if we may believe his Grace the Duke of Wellington, as the former scenes of slaughter, were nevertheless severe enough: but we must not venture upon any ill-timed pleasantries in presence of the disturbed King Arthur and the awful ghost of Gaffer Thumb. We are thus carried at once into the supernatural, and here we find Cruikshank reigning supreme. He has invented in his time a little comic pandemonium, peopled with the most droll, good-natured fiends possible. We have before us Chamisso's "Peter Schlemihl," with Cruikshank's designs translated into German, and gaining nothing by the change. The "Kinder und Hans-Maerchen" of Grimm are likewise ornamented with a frontispiece copied from that one which appeared to the amusing version of the English work. The books on Phrenology and Time have been imitated by the same nation; and even in France, whither reputation travels slower than to any country except China, we have seen copies of the works of George Cruikshank. He in return has complimented the French by illustrating a couple of Lives of Napoleon, and the "Life in Paris" before mentioned. He has also made designs for Victor Hugo's "Hans of Iceland." Strange, wild etchings were those, on a strange, mad subject; not so good in our notion as the designs for the German books, the peculiar humor of which latter seemed to suit the artist exactly. There is a mixture of the awful and the ridiculous in these, which perpetually excites and keeps awake the reader's attention; the German writer and the English artist seem to have an entire faith in their subject. The reader, no doubt, remembers the awful passage in "Peter Schlemihl," where the little gentleman purchases the shadow of that hero--"Have the kindness, noble sir, to examine and try this bag." "He put his hand into his pocket, and drew thence a tolerably large bag of Cordovan leather, to which a couple of thongs were fixed. I took it from him, and immediately counted out ten gold pieces, and ten more, and ten more, and still other ten, whereupon I held out my hand to him. Done, said I, it is a bargain; you shall have my shadow for your bag. The bargain was concluded; he knelt down before me, and I saw him with a wonderful neatness take my shadow from head to foot, lightly lift it up from the grass, roll and fold it up neatly, and at last pocket it. He then rose up, bowed to me once more, and walked away again, disappearing behind the rose bushes. I don't know, but I thought I heard him laughing a little. I, however, kept fast hold of the bag. Everything around me was bright in the sun, and as yet I gave no thought to what I had done." This marvellous event, narrated by Peter with such a faithful, circumstantial detail, is painted by Cruikshank in the most wonderful poetic way, with that happy mixture of the real and supernatural that makes the narrative so curious, and like truth. The sun is shining with the utmost brilliancy in a great quiet park or garden; there is a palace in the background, and a statue basking in the sun quite lonely and melancholy; there is a sun-dial, on which is a deep shadow, and in the front stands Peter Schlemihl, bag in hand: the old gentleman is down on his knees to him, and has just lifted off the ground the SHADOW OF ONE LEG; he is going to fold it back neatly, as one does the tails of a coat, and will stow it, without any creases or crumples, along with the other black garments that lie in that immense pocket of his. Cruikshank has designed all this as if he had a very serious belief in the story; he laughs, to be sure, but one fancies that he is a little frightened in his heart, in spite of all his fun and joking. The German tales we have mentioned before. "The Prince riding on the Fox," "Hans in Luck," "The Fiddler and his Goose," "Heads off," are all drawings which, albeit not before us now, nor seen for ten years, remain indelibly fixed on the memory. "Heisst du etwa Rumpelstilzchen?" There sits the Queen on her throne, surrounded by grinning beef-eaters, and little Rumpelstiltskin stamps his foot through the floor in the excess of his tremendous despair. In one of these German tales, if we remember rightly, there is an account of a little orphan who is carried away by a pitying fairy for a term of seven years, and passing that period of sweet apprenticeship among the imps and sprites of fairy-land. Has our artist been among the same company, and brought back their portraits in his sketch-book? He is the only designer fairy-land has had. Callot's imps, for all their strangeness, are only of the earth earthy. Fuseli's fairies belong to the infernal regions; they are monstrous, lurid, and hideously melancholy. Mr. Cruikshank alone has had a true insight into the character of the "little people." They are something like men and women, and yet not flesh and blood; they are laughing and mischievous, but why we know not. Mr. Cruikshank, however, has had some dream or the other, or else a natural mysterious instinct (as the Seherinn of Prevorst had for beholding ghosts), or else some preternatural fairy revelation, which has made him acquainted with the looks and ways of the fantastical subjects of Oberon and Titania. We have, unfortunately, no fairy portraits; but, on the other hand, can descend lower than fairy-land, and have seen some fine specimens of devils. One has already been raised, and the reader has seen him tempting a fat Dutch burgomaster, in an ancient gloomy market-place, such as George Cruikshank can draw as well as Mr. Prout, Mr. Nash, or any man living. There is our friend once more; our friend the burgomaster, in a highly excited state, and running as hard as his great legs will carry him, with our mutual enemy at his tail. What are the bets; will that long-legged bondholder of a devil come up with the honest Dutchman? It serves him right: why did he put his name to stamped paper? And yet we should not wonder if some lucky chance should turn up in the burgomaster's favor, and his infernal creditor lose his labor; for one so proverbially cunning as yonder tall individual with the saucer eyes, it must be confessed that he has been very often outwitted. There is, for instance, the case of "The Gentleman in Black," which has been illustrated by our artist. A young French gentleman, by name M. Desonge, who, having expended his patrimony in a variety of taverns and gaming-houses, was one day pondering upon the exhausted state of his finances, and utterly at a loss to think how he should provide means for future support, exclaimed, very naturally, "What the devil shall I do?" He had no sooner spoken than a GENTLEMAN IN BLACK made his appearance, whose authentic portrait Mr. Cruikshank has had the honor to paint. This gentleman produced a black-edged book out of a black bag, some black-edged papers tied up with black crape, and sitting down familiarly opposite M. Desonge, began conversing with him on the state of his affairs. It is needless to state what was the result of the interview. M. Desonge was induced by the gentleman to sign his name to one of the black-edged papers, and found himself at the close of the conversation to be possessed of an unlimited command of capital. This arrangement completed, the Gentleman in Black posted (in an extraordinarily rapid manner) from Paris to London, there found a young English merchant in exactly the same situation in which M. Desonge had been, and concluded a bargain with the Briton of exactly the same nature. The book goes on to relate how these young men spent the money so miraculously handed over to them, and how both, when the period drew near that was to witness the performance of THEIR part of the bargain, grew melancholy, wretched, nay, so absolutely dishonorable as to seek for every means of breaking through their agreement. The Englishman living in a country where the lawyers are more astute than any other lawyers in the world, took the advice of a Mr. Bagsby, of Lyon's Inn; whose name, as we cannot find it in the "Law List," we presume to be fictitious. Who could it be that was a match for the devil? Lord ---- very likely; we shall not give his name, but let every reader of this Review fill up the blank according to his own fancy, and on comparing it with the copy purchased by his neighbors, he will find that fifteen out of twenty have written down the same honored name. Well, the Gentleman in Black was anxious for the fulfilment of his bond. The parties met at Mr. Bagsby's chambers to consult, the Black Gentleman foolishly thinking that he could act as his own counsel, and fearing no attorney alive. But mark the superiority of British law, and see how the black pettifogger was defeated. Mr. Bagsby simply stated that he would take the case into Chancery, and his antagonist, utterly humiliated and defeated, refused to move a step farther in the matter. And now the French gentleman, M. Desonge, hearing of his friend's escape, became anxious to be free from his own rash engagements. He employed the same counsel who had been successful in the former instance, but the Gentleman in Black was a great deal wiser by this time, and whether M. Desonge escaped, or whether he is now in that extensive place which is paved with good intentions, we shall not say. Those who are anxious to know had better purchase the book wherein all these interesting matters are duly set down. There is one more diabolical picture in our budget, engraved by Mr. Thompson, the same dexterous artist who has rendered the former diableries so well. We may mention Mr. Thompson's name as among the first of the engravers to whom Cruikshank's designs have been entrusted; and next to him (if we may be allowed to make such arbitrary distinctions) we may place Mr. Williams; and the reader is not possibly aware of the immense difficulties to be overcome in the rendering of these little sketches, which, traced by the designer in a few hours, require weeks' labor from the engraver. Mr. Cruikshank has not been educated in the regular schools of drawing (very luckily for him, as we think), and consequently has had to make a manner for himself, which is quite unlike that of any other draftsman. There is nothing in the least mechanical about it; to produce his particular effects he uses his own particular lines, which are queer, free, fantastical, and must be followed in all their infinite twists and vagaries by the careful tool of the engraver. Those three lovely heads, for instance, imagined out of the rinds of lemons, are worth examining, not so much for the jovial humor and wonderful variety of feature exhibited in these darling countenances as for the engraver's part of the work. See the infinite delicate cross-lines and hatchings which he is obliged to render; let him go, not a hair's breadth, but the hundredth part of a hair's breadth, beyond the given line, and the FEELING of it is ruined. He receives these little dots and specks, and fantastical quirks of the pencil, and cuts away with a little knife round each, not too much nor too little. Antonio's pound of flesh did not puzzle the Jew so much; and so well does the engraver succeed at last, that we never remember to have met with a single artist who did not vow that the wood-cutter had utterly ruined his design. Of Messrs. Thompson and Williams we have spoken as the first engravers in point of rank; however, the regulations of professional precedence are certainly very difficult, and the rest of their brethren we shall not endeavor to class. Why should the artists who executed the cuts of the admirable "Three Courses" yield the pas to any one? There, for instance, is an engraving by Mr. Landells, nearly as good in our opinion as the very best woodcut that ever was made after Cruikshank, and curiously happy in rendering the artist's peculiar manner: this cut does not come from the facetious publications which we have consulted; but is a contribution by Mr. Cruikshank to an elaborate and splendid botanical work upon the Orchidaceae of Mexico, by Mr. Bateman. Mr. Bateman despatched some extremely choice roots of this valuable plant to a friend in England, who, on the arrival of the case, consigned it to his gardener to unpack. A great deal of anxiety with regard to the contents was manifested by all concerned, but on the lid of the box being removed, there issued from it three or four fine specimens of the enormous Blatta beetle that had been preying upon the plants during the voyage; against these the gardeners, the grooms, the porters, and the porters' children, issued forth in arms, and this scene the artist has immortalized. We have spoken of the admirable way in which Mr. Cruikshank has depicted Irish character and Cockney character; English country character is quite as faithfully delineated in the person of the stout porteress and her children, and of the "Chawbacon" with the shovel, on whose face is written "Zummerzetsheer." Chawbacon appears in another plate, or else Chawbacon's brother. He has come up to Lunnan, and is looking about him at raaces. How distinct are these rustics from those whom we have just been examining! They hang about the purlieus of the metropolis: Brook Green, Epsom, Greenwich, Ascot, Goodwood, are their haunts. They visit London professionally once a year, and that is at the time of Bartholomew fair. How one may speculate upon the different degrees of rascality, as exhibited in each face of the thimblerigging trio, and form little histories for these worthies, charming Newgate romances, such as have been of late the fashion! Is any man so blind that he cannot see the exact face that is writhing under the thhnblerigged hero's hat? Like Timanthes of old, our artist expresses great passions without the aid of the human countenance. There is another specimen--a street row of inebriated bottles. Is there any need of having a face after this? "Come on!" says Claret-bottle, a dashing, genteel fellow, with his hat on one ear--"Come on! has any man a mind to tap me?" Claret-bottle is a little screwed (as one may see by his legs), but full of gayety and courage; not so that stout, apoplectic Bottle-of-rum, who has staggered against the wall, and has his hand upon his liver: the fellow hurts himself with smoking, that is clear, and is as sick as sick can be. See, Port is making away from the storm, and Double X is as flat as ditch-water. Against these, awful in their white robes, the sober watchmen come. Our artist then can cover up faces, and yet show them quite clearly, as in the thimblerig group; or he can do without faces altogether; or he can, at a pinch, provide a countenance for a gentleman out of any given object--a beautiful Irish physiognomy being moulded upon a keg of whiskey; and a jolly English countenance frothing out of a pot of ale (the spirit of brave Toby Philpot come back to reanimate his clay); while in a fungus may be recognized the physiognomy of a mushroom peer. Finally, if he is at a loss, he can make a living head, body, and legs out of steel or tortoise-shell, as in the case of the vivacious pair of spectacles that are jockeying the nose of Caddy Cuddle. Of late years Mr. Cruikshank has busied himself very much with steel engraving, and the consequences of that lucky invention have been, that his plates are now sold by thousands, where they could only be produced by hundreds before. He has made many a bookseller's and author's fortune (we trust that in so doing he may not have neglected his own). Twelve admirable plates, furnished yearly to that facetious little publication, the Comic Almanac, have gained for it a sale, as we hear, of nearly twenty thousand copies. The idea of the work was novel; there was, in the first number especially, a great deal of comic power, and Cruikshank's designs were so admirable that the Almanac at once became a vast favorite with the public, and has so remained ever since. Besides the twelve plates, this almanac contains a prophetic woodcut, accompanying an awful Blarneyhum Astrologicum that appears in this and other almanacs. There is one that hints in pretty clear terms that with the Reform of Municipal Corporations the ruin of the great Lord Mayor of London is at hand. His lordship is meekly going to dine at an eightpenny ordinary, his giants in pawn, his men in armor dwindled to "one poor knight," his carriage to be sold, his stalwart aldermen vanished, his sheriffs, alas! and alas! in gaol! Another design shows that Rigdum, if a true, is also a moral and instructive prophet. John Bull is asleep, or rather in a vision; the cunning demon, Speculation, blowing a thousand bright bubbles about him. Meanwhile the rooks are busy at his fob, a knave has cut a cruel hole in his pocket, a rattlesnake has coiled safe round his feet, and will in a trice swallow Bull, chair, money and all; the rats are at his corn-bags (as if, poor devil, he had corn to spare); his faithful dog is bolting his leg-of-mutton--nay, a thief has gotten hold of his very candle, and there, by way of moral, is his ale-pot, which looks and winks in his face, and seems to say, O Bull, all this is froth, and a cruel satirical picture of a certain rustic who had a goose that laid certain golden eggs, which goose the rustic slew in expectation of finding all the eggs at once. This is goose and sage too, to borrow the pun of "learned Doctor Gill;" but we shrewdly suspect that Mr. Cruikshank is becoming a little conservative in his notions. We love these pictures so that it is hard to part us, and we still fondly endeavor to hold on, but this wild word, farewell, must be spoken by the best friends at last, and so good-by, brave woodcuts: we feel quite a sadness in coming to the last of our collection. In the earlier numbers of the Comic Almanac all the manners and customs of Londoners that would afford food for fun were noted down; and if during the last two years the mysterious personage who, under the title of "Rigdum Funnidos," compiles this ephemeris, has been compelled to resort to romantic tales, we must suppose that he did so because the great metropolis was exhausted, and it was necessary to discover new worlds in the cloud-land of fancy. The character of Mr. Stubbs, who made his appearance in the Almanac for 1839, had, we think, great merit, although his adventures were somewhat of too tragical a description to provoke pure laughter. We should be glad to devote a few pages to the "Illustrations of Time," the "Scraps and Sketches," and the "Illustrations of Phrenology," which are among the most famous of our artist's publications; but it is very difficult to find new terms of praise, as find them one must, when reviewing Mr. Cruikshank's publications, and more difficult still (as the reader of this notice will no doubt have perceived for himself long since) to translate his design into words, and go to the printer's box for a description of all that fun and humor which the artist can produce by a few skilful turns of his needle. A famous article upon the "Illustrations of Time" appeared some dozen years since in Blackwood's Magazine, of which the conductors have always been great admirers of our artist, as became men of honor and genius. To these grand qualities do not let it be supposed that we are laying claim, but, thank heaven, Cruikshank's humor is so good and benevolent that any man must love it, and on this score we may speak as well as another. Then there are the "Greenwich Hospital" designs, which must not be passed over. "Greenwich Hospital" is a hearty, good-natured book, in the Tom Dibdin school, treating of the virtues of British tars, in approved nautical language. They maul Frenchmen and Spaniards, they go out in brigs and take frigates, they relieve women in distress, and are yard-arm and yard-arming, athwart-hawsing, marlinspiking, binnacling, and helm's-a-leeing, as honest seamen invariably do, in novels, on the stage, and doubtless on board ship. This we cannot take upon us to say, but the artist, like a true Englishman, as he is, loves dearly these brave guardians of Old England, and chronicles their rare or fanciful exploits with the greatest good-will. Let any one look at the noble head of Nelson in the "Family Library," and they will, we are sure, think with us that the designer must have felt and loved what he drew. There are to this abridgment of Southey's admirable book many more cuts after Cruikshank; and about a dozen pieces by the same hand will be found in a work equally popular, Lockhart's excellent "Life of Napoleon." Among these the retreat from Moscow is very fine; the Mamlouks most vigorous, furious, and barbarous, as they should be. At the end of these three volumes Mr. Cruikshank's contributions to the "Family Library" seem suddenly to have ceased. We are not at all disposed to undervalue the works and genius of Mr. Dickens, and we are sure that he would admit as readily as any man the wonderful assistance that he has derived from the artist who has given us the portraits of his ideal personages, and made them familiar to all the world. Once seen, these figures remain impressed on the memory, which otherwise would have had no hold upon them, and the heroes and heroines of Boz become personal acquaintances with each of us. Oh, that Hogarth could have illustrated Fielding in the same way! and fixed down on paper those grand figures of Parson Adams, and Squire Allworthy, and the great Jonathan Wild. With regard to the modern romance of "Jack Sheppard," in which the latter personage makes a second appearance, it seems to us that Mr. Cruikshank really created the tale, and that Mr. Ainsworth, as it were, only put words to it. Let any reader of the novel think over it for a while, now that it is some months since he has perused and laid it down--let him think, and tell us what he remembers of the tale? George Cruikshank's pictures--always George Cruikshank's pictures. The storm in the Thames, for instance: all the author's labored description of that event has passed clean away--we have only before the mind's eye the fine plates of Cruikshank: the poor wretch cowering under the bridge arch, as the waves come rushing in, and the boats are whirling away in the drift of the great swollen black waters. And let any man look at that second plate of the murder on the Thames, and he must acknowledge how much more brilliant the artist's description is than the writer's, and what a real genius for the terrible as well as for the ridiculous the former has; how awful is the gloom of the old bridge, a few lights glimmering from the houses here and there, but not so as to be reflected on the water at all, which is too turbid and raging: a great heavy rack of clouds goes sweeping over the bridge, and men with flaring torches, the murderers, are borne away with the stream. The author requires many pages to describe the fury of the storm, which Mr. Cruikshank has represented in one. First, he has to prepare you with the something inexpressibly melancholy in sailing on a dark night upon the Thames: "the ripple of the water," "the darkling current," "the indistinctively seen craft," "the solemn shadows" and other phenomena visible on rivers at night are detailed (with not unskilful rhetoric) in order to bring the reader into a proper frame of mind for the deeper gloom and horror which is to ensue. Then follow pages of description. "As Rowland sprang to the helm, and gave the signal for pursuit, a war like a volley of ordnance was heard aloft, and the wind again burst its bondage. A moment before the surface of the stream was as black as ink. It was now whitening, hissing, and seething, like an enormous caldron. The blast once more swept over the agitated river, whirled off the sheets of foam, scattered them far and wide in rain-drops, and left the raging torrent blacker than before. Destruction everywhere marked the course of the gale. Steeples toppled and towers reeled beneath its fury. All was darkness, horror, confusion, ruin. Men fled from their tottering habitations and returned to them, scared by greater danger. The end of the world seemed at hand. . . . The hurricane had now reached its climax. The blast shrieked, as if exulting in its wrathful mission. Stunning and continuous, the din seemed almost to take away the power of hearing. He who had faced the gale WOULD HAVE BEEN INSTANTLY STIFLED," &c. &c. See with what a tremendous war of words (and good loud words too; Mr. Ainsworth's description is a good and spirited one) the author is obliged to pour in upon the reader before he can effect his purpose upon the latter, and inspire him with a proper terror. The painter does it at a glance, and old Wood's dilemma in the midst of that tremendous storm, with the little infant at his bosom, is remembered afterwards, not from the words, but from the visible image of them that the artist has left us. It would not, perhaps, be out of place to glance through the whole of the "Jack Sheppard" plates, which are among the most finished and the most successful of Mr. Cruikshank's performances, and say a word or two concerning them. Let us begin with finding fault with No. 1, "Mr. Wood offers to adopt little Jack Sheppard." A poor print, on a poor subject; the figure of the woman not as carefully designed as it might be, and the expression of the eyes (not an uncommon fault with our artist) much caricatured. The print is cut up, to use the artist's phrase, by the number of accessories which the engraver has thought proper, after the author's elaborate description, elaborately to reproduce. The plate of "Wild discovering Darrell in the loft" is admirable--ghastly, terrible, and the treatment of it extraordinarily skilful, minute, and bold. The intricacies of the tile-work, and the mysterious twinkling of light among the beams, are excellently felt and rendered; and one sees here, as in the two next plates of the storm and murder, what a fine eye the artist has, what a skilful hand, and what a sympathy for the wild and dreadful. As a mere imitation of nature, the clouds and the bridge in the murder picture may be examined by painters who make far higher pretensions than Mr. Cruikshank. In point of workmanship they are equally good, the manner quite unaffected, the effect produced without any violent contrast, the whole scene evidently well and philosophically arranged in the artist's brain, before he began to put it upon copper. The famous drawing of "Jack carving the name on the beam," which has been transferred to half the play-bills in town, is overloaded with accessories, as the first plate; but they are much better arranged than in the last-named engraving, and do not injure the effect of the principal figure. Remark, too, the conscientiousness of the artist, and that shrewd pervading idea of FORM which is one of his principal characteristics. Jack is surrounded by all sorts of implements of his profession; he stands on a regular carpenter's table: away in the shadow under it lie shavings and a couple of carpenter's hampers. The glue-pot, the mallet, the chisel-handle, the planes, the saws, the hone with its cover, and the other paraphernalia are all represented with extraordinary accuracy and forethought. The man's mind has retained the exact DRAWING of all these minute objects (unconsciously perhaps to himself), but we can see with what keen eyes he must go through the world, and what a fund of facts (as such a knowledge of the shape of objects is in his profession) this keen student of nature has stored away in his brain. In the next plate, where Jack is escaping from his mistress, the figure of that lady, one of the deepest of the [Greek text omitted], strikes us as disagreeable and unrefined; that of Winifred is, on the contrary, very pretty and graceful; and Jack's puzzled, slinking look must not be forgotten. All the accessories are good, and the apartment has a snug, cosy air; which is not remarkable, except that it shows how faithfully the designer has performed his work, and how curiously he has entered into all the particulars of the subject. Master Thames Darrell, the handsome young man of the book, is, in Mr. Cruikshank's portraits of him, no favorite of ours. The lad seems to wish to make up for the natural insignificance of his face by frowning on all occasions most portentously. This figure, borrowed from the compositor's desk, will give a notion of what we mean. Wild's face is too violent for the great man of history (if we may call Fielding history), but this is in consonance with the ranting, frowning, braggadocio character that Mr. Ainsworth has given him. The "Interior of Willesden Church" is excellent as a composition, and a piece of artistical workmanship; the groups are well arranged; and the figure of Mrs. Sheppard looking round alarmed, as her son is robbing the dandy Kneebone, is charming, simple, and unaffected. Not so "Mrs. Sheppard ill in bed," whose face is screwed up to an expression vastly too tragic. The little glimpse of the church seen through the open door of the room is very beautiful and poetical: it is in such small hints that an artist especially excels; they are the morals which he loves to append to his stories, and are always appropriate and welcome. The boozing ken is not to our liking; Mrs. Sheppard is there with her horrified eyebrows again. Why this exaggeration--is it necessary for the public? We think not, or if they require such excitement, let our artist, like a true painter as he is, teach them better things.* * A gentleman (whose wit is so celebrated that one should be very cautious in repeating his stories) gave the writer a good illustration of the philosophy of exaggeration. Mr. -- -- was once behind the scenes at the Opera when the scene- shifters were preparing for the ballet. Flora was to sleep under a bush, whereon were growing a number of roses, and amidst which was fluttering a gay covey of butterflies. In size the roses exceeded the most expansive sunflowers, and the butterflies were as large as cocked hats;--the scene -shifter explained to Mr. ----, who asked the reason why everything was so magnified, that the galleries could never see the objects unless they were enormously exaggerated. How many of our writers and designers work for the galleries? The "Escape from Willesden Cage" is excellent; the "Burglary in Wood's house" has not less merit; "Mrs. Sheppard in Bedlam," a ghastly picture indeed, is finely conceived, but not, as we fancy, so carefully executed; it would be better for a little more careful drawing in the female figure. "Jack sitting for his picture" is a very pleasing group, and savors of the manner of Hogarth, who is introduced in the company. The "Murder of Trenchard" must be noticed too as remarkable for the effect and terrible vigor which the artist has given to the scene. The "Willesden Churchyard" has great merit too, but the gems of the book are the little vignettes illustrating the escape from Newgate. Here, too, much anatomical care of drawing is not required; the figures are so small that the outline and attitude need only to be indicated, and the designer has produced a series of figures quite remarkable for reality and poetry too. There are no less than ten of Jack's feats so described by Mr. Cruikshank. (Let us say a word here in praise of the excellent manner in which the author has carried us through the adventure.) Here is Jack clattering up the chimney, now peering into the lonely red room, now opening "the door between the red room and the chapel." What a wild, fierce, scared look he has, the young ruffian, as cautiously he steps in, holding light his bar of iron. You can see by his face how his heart is beating! If any one were there! but no! And this is a very fine characteristic of the prints, the extreme LONELINESS of them all. Not a soul is there to disturb him--woe to him who should--and Jack drives in the chapel gate, and shatters down the passage door, and there you have him on the leads. Up he goes! it is but a spring of a few feet from the blanket, and he is gone--abiit, evasit, erupit! Mr. Wild must catch him again if he can. We must not forget to mention "Oliver Twist," and Mr. Cruikshank's famous designs to that work.* The sausage scene at Fagin's, Nancy seizing the boy; that capital piece of humor, Mr. Bumble's courtship, which is even better in Cruikshank's version than in Boz's exquisite account of the interview; Sykes's farewell to the dog; and the Jew,--the dreadful Jew--that Cruikshank drew! What a fine touching picture of melancholy desolation is that of Sykes and the dog! The poor cur is not too well drawn, the landscape is stiff and formal; but in this case the faults, if faults they be, of execution rather add to than diminish the effect of the picture: it has a strange, wild, dreary, broken -hearted look; we fancy we see the landscape as it must have appeared to Sykes, when ghastly and with bloodshot eyes he looked at it. As for the Jew in the dungeon, let us say nothing of it--what can we say to describe it? What a fine homely poet is the man who can produce this little world of mirth or woe for us! Does he elaborate his effects by slow process of thought, or do they come to him by instinct? Does the painter ever arrange in his brain an image so complete, that he afterwards can copy it exactly on the canvas, or does the hand work in spite of him? * Or his new work, "The Tower of London," which promises even to surpass Mr. Cruikshank's former productions. A great deal of this random work of course every artist has done in his time; many men produce effects of which they never dreamed, and strike off excellences, haphazard, which gain for them reputation; but a fine quality in Mr. Cruikshank, the quality of his success, as we have said before, is the extraordinary earnestness and good faith with which he executes all he attempts--the ludicrous, the polite, the low, the terrible. In the second of these he often, in our fancy, fails, his figures lacking elegance and descending to caricature; but there is something fine in this too: it is good that he SHOULD fail, that he should have these honest naive notions regarding the beau monde, the characteristics of which a namby-pamby tea-party painter could hit off far better than he. He is a great deal too downright and manly to appreciate the flimsy delicacies of small society--you cannot expect a lion to roar you like any sucking dove, or frisk about a drawing-room like a lady's little spaniel. If then, in the course of his life and business, he has been occasionally obliged to imitate the ways of such small animals, he has done so, let us say it at once, clumsily, and like as a lion should. Many artists, we hear, hold his works rather cheap; they prate about bad drawing, want of scientific knowledge:--they would have something vastly more neat, regular, anatomical. Not one of the whole band most likely but can paint an Academy figure better than himself; nay, or a portrait of an alderman's lady and family of children. But look down the list of the painters and tell us who are they? How many among these men are POETS (makers), possessing the faculty to create, the greatest among the gifts with which Providence has endowed the mind of man? Say how many there are, count up what they have done, and see what in the course of some nine-and-twenty years has been done by this indefatigable man. What amazing energetic fecundity do we find in him! As a boy he began to fight for bread, has been hungry (twice a day we trust) ever since, and has been obliged to sell his wit for his bread week by week. And his wit, sterling gold as it is, will find no such purchasers as the fashionable painter's thin pinchbeck, who can live comfortably for six weeks, when paid for and painting a portrait, and fancies his mind prodigiously occupied all the while. There was an artist in Paris, an artist hairdresser, who used to be fatigued and take restoratives after inventing a new coiffure. By no such gentle operation of head-dressing has Cruikshank lived: time was (we are told so in print) when for a picture with thirty heads in it he was paid three guineas--a poor week's pittance truly, and a dire week's labor. We make no doubt that the same labor would at present bring him twenty times the sum; but whether it be ill paid or well, what labor has Mr. Cruikshank's been! Week by week, for thirty years, to produce something new; some smiling offspring of painful labor, quite independent and distinct from its ten thousand jovial brethren; in what hours of sorrow and ill-health to be told by the world, "Make us laugh or you starve--Give us fresh fun; we have eaten up the old and are hungry." And all this has he been obliged to do--to wring laughter day by day, sometimes, perhaps, out of want, often certainly from ill-health or depression--to keep the fire of his brain perpetually alight: for the greedy public will give it no leisure to cool. This he has done and done well. He has told a thousand truths in as many strange and fascinating ways; he has given a thousand new and pleasant thoughts to millions of people; he has never used his wit dishonestly; he has never, in all the exuberance of his frolicsome humor, caused a single painful or guilty blush: how little do we think of the extraordinary power of this man, and how ungrateful we are to him! Here, as we are come round to the charge of ingratitude, the starting-post from which we set out, perhaps we had better conclude. The reader will perhaps wonder at the high-flown tone in which we speak of the services and merits of an individual, whom he considers a humble scraper on steel, that is wonderfully popular already. But none of us remember all the benefits we owe him; they have come one by one, one driving out the memory of the other: it is only when we come to examine them all together, as the writer has done, who has a pile of books on the table before him--a heap of personal kindnesses from George Cruikshank (not presents, if you please, for we bought, borrowed, or stole every one of them)--that we feel what we owe him. Look at one of Mr. Cruikshank's works, and we pronounce him an excellent humorist. Look at all: his reputation is increased by a kind of geometrical progression; as a whole diamond is a hundred times more valuable than the hundred splinters into which it might be broken would be. A fine rough English diamond is this about which we have been writing. 35874 ---- MR. PUNCH IN BOHEMIA PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day. * * * * * MR. PUNCH IN BOHEMIA [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: SHAKSPEARE ILLUSTRATED "Tedious as a twice-told tale, Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man." _King John._ Act III., Sc. 4.] * * * * * MR. PUNCH IN BOHEMIA OR THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LITERARY, ARTISTIC AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE [Illustration] AS PICTURED BY PHIL MAY, CHARLES KEENE, GEORGE DU MAURIER, DUDLEY HARDY, FRED PEGRAM, F. H. TOWNSEND, LEWIS BAUMER, L. RAVEN-HILL, J. BERNARD PARTRIDGE, E. T. REED, H. M. BROCK, C. E. BROCK, TOM BROWNE, GUNNING KING, HARRY FURNISS, A. WALLIS MILLS, G. L. STAMPA, AND OTHERS _156 ILLUSTRATIONS_ PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five Volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration] * * * * * THE WAY TO BOHEMIA [Illustration] Time was when Bohemianism was synonymous with soiled linen and unkempt locks. But those days of the ragged Bohemia have happily passed away, and that land of unconventional life--which had finally grown conventional in its characteristics--has now become "a sphere of influence" of Modern Society! In a word, it is now respectable. There are those who firmly believe it has been wiped off the social map. The dress suit and the proprieties are thought by some to be incompatible with its existence. But it is not so; the new Bohemia is surely no less delightful than the old. The way to it is through the doors of almost any of the well-known literary and art clubs of London. Its inhabitants are our artists, our men of letters, our musicians, and, above all, our actors. In the present volume we are under the guidance of Mr. Punch, himself the very flower of London's Bohemia, into this land of light-hearted laughter and the free-and-easy manner of living. We shall follow him chiefly through the haunts of the knights of the pen and pencil, as we have another engagement to spend some agreeable hours with him in the theatrical and musical world. It should be noted, however, that we shall not be limited to what has been called "Upper Bohemia", but that we shall, thanks to his vast experience, be able to peep both at the old and new. Easily first amongst the artists who have depicted the humours of Bohemia is Phil May. Keene and Du Maurier run him close, but their Bohemia is on the whole more artistic, less breezily, raggedly, hungrily unconventional than his. It is a subject that has inspired him with some of his best jokes, and some of his finest drawings. [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration] MR. PUNCH IN BOHEMIA THE INVALID AUTHOR.--_Wife._ "Why, nurse is reading a book, darling! Who gave it her?" _Husband._ "_I_ did, my dear." _Wife._ "What book is it?" _Husband._ "It's my last." _Wife._ "Darling! When you _knew_ how important it is that _she shouldn't go to sleep_!" * * * * * A BOOKWORM'S OBSERVATION.--When a man has got turned of 70, he is in the appendix of life. * * * * * TABLE OF CONTENTS.--The dinner table. * * * * * [Illustration: THE GRUB AND THE BUTTERFLY I. "All right, sir. I'll just wash 'er face, sir, and then she shall come round to your stoodio, sir." II. "Here's a little girl come for you, sir!"] * * * * * PUNCH'S PROVERBS Most sticks have two ends, and a muff gets hold of the wrong one. The good boy studies his lesson; the bad boy gets it. If sixpence were sunshine, it would never be lost in the giving. The man that is happy in all things will rejoice in potatoes. Three removes are better than a dessert. Dinner deferred maketh the hungry man mad. Bacon without liver is food for the mind. Forty winks or five million is one sleep. You don't go to the Mansion House for skilligolee. Three may keep counsel if they retain a barrister. What is done cannot be underdone. You can't make a pair of shoes out of a pig's tail. Dinner hour is worth every other, except bedtime. No hairdresser puts grease into a wise man's head. An upright judge for a downright rogue. Happiness is the hindmost horse in the Derby. Look before you sit. Bear and forebear is Bruin and tripe. Believe twice as much as you hear of a lady's age. Content is the conjuror that turns mock-turtle into real. There is no one who perseveres in well-doing like a thorough humbug. The loosest fish that drinks is tight. Education won't polish boots. Experience is the mother of gumption. Half-a-crown is better than no bribe. Utopia hath no law. There is no cruelty in whipping cream. Care will kill a cat; carelessness a Christian. He who lights his candle at both ends, spills grease. Keep your jokes to yourself, and repeat other people's. * * * * * THE BEST TEXT-BOOK FOR PUGILISTS.--Knox on anatomy. * * * * * ACROBATS' TIPPLE.--Champagne in tumblers. * * * * * [Illustration: WHAT OUR ARTIST HAS TO PUT UP WITH.--_Fond Mother._ "I _do_ wish you would look over some of my little boy's sketches, and give me your candid opinion on them. They strike me as perfectly marvellous for one so young. The other day he drew a horse and cart, and, I can assure you, you could scarcely tell the difference."] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR SMOKING CONCERT _Irate Member._ "Well, I'll take my oath I came in a hat!"] * * * * * EDITORS ["Editors, behind their officialism, are human just like other folks, for they think and they work, they laugh and they play, they marry--just as others do. The best of them are brimful of human nature, sympathetic and kindly, and full of the zest of life and its merry ways."--_Round About_.] To look at, the ordinary editor is so like a human being that it takes an expert to tell the difference. When quite young they make excellent pets, but for some strange reason people never confess that they have editors in the house. Marriage is not uncommon among editors, and monogamy is the rule rather than the exception. The chief hobby of an editor is the collection of stamped addressed envelopes, which are sent to him in large numbers. No one knows why he should want so many of these, but we believe he is under the impression that by collecting a million of them he will be able to get a child into some hospital. Of course in these enlightened days it is illegal to shoot editors, while to destroy their young is tantamount to murder. * * * * * [Illustration: _Country Cousin_ (_looking at Index of R. A. Catalogue_). "Uncle, what does 1, 3, 6, 8, after a man's name, mean?" _Uncle_ (_who has been dragged there much against his will_). "Eh! What? 1, 3---- Oh, _Telephone number_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: IN THE ARTIST'S ROOM.--_Potztausend._ "My friend, it is kolossal! most remark-worthy! You remind me on Rubinstein; but you are better as he." _Pianist (pleased)._ "Indeed! How?" _Potztausend._ "In de bersbiration. My friend Rubinstein could never bersbire so moch!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BROTHERS IN ART.--_New Arrival._ "What should I charge for teaching ze pianoforte?" _Old Stager._ "Oh, I don't know." _N. A._ "Vell, tell me vot _you_ charge." _O. S._ "_I_ charge five guineas a lesson." _N. A._ "Himmel! how many pupils have you got?" _O. S._ "Oh, I have no pupils!"] * * * * * A DIVISION OF LABOUR ["_Journalism._--Gentleman (barrister) offers furnished bedroom in comfortable, cheerful chambers in Temple in return for equivalent journalistic assistance, &c."--_Times._] The "equivalent" is rather a nice point. _Mr. Punch_ suggests for other gentlemen barristers the following table of equivalence:-- 1 furnished bedroom. = {1 introduction (by letter) to {sub-editor of daily paper. 1 furnished bedroom} = {1 introduction (personal) to with use of bath. } {sub-editor. {1 introduction and interview 1 bed-sitting-room. = { (five minutes guaranteed) {with editor. 2 furnished rooms.} = {1 lunch (cold) with Dr. {Robertson Nicoll. 2 furnished rooms, with} = {1 lunch (hot) with Dr. Nicoll use of bath. } {and Claudius Clear. 1 furnished flat, with } {1 bridge night with Lord all modern conveniences,} = {Northcliffe, Sir George electric light, } {Newnes, and Mr. C. A. trams to the corner, &c.} {Pearson. * * * * * When is an author most likely to be sick of his own writing? When he's regularly _in the swing_. * * * * * [Illustration: DRINK TO ME ONLY WITH THINE EYES SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * [Illustration: _Little Griggs_ (_to caricaturist_). "By Jove, old feller, I wish you'd been with me this morning; you'd have seen such a funny looking chap!"] * * * * * [Illustration: (_Model wishing to say something pleasant._) "You must have painted uncommonly well when you were young!"] * * * * * DINNER AND DRESS.--Full dress is not incompatible with low dress. At dinner it is not generally the roast or the boiled that are not dressed enough. If young men are raw, that does not much signify but it is not nice to see girls underdone. * * * * * A CHEAP BATH.--A farthing dip. * * * * * "LIGHT DUES."--Photographers' charges. * * * * * "LETTERED EASE."--The catalogue of the British Museum. * * * * * A PROFESSIONAL VIEW OF THINGS.--Trecalfe, our bookseller, who has recently got married, says of his wife, that he feels that her life is bound up in his. * * * * * TAVERN WINE MEASURE 2 sips make 1 glass. 2 glasses make 1 pint. 2 pints makes 1 quart bottle. 1 bottle makes one ill. * * * * * THE BOARDING-OUT SYSTEM.--Dining at the club. * * * * * [Illustration: _Mrs. Mashem._ "_Bull-bull_ and I have been sitting for our photographs as 'Beauty and the Beast'!" _Lord Loreus_ (_a bit of a fancier_). "Yes; he certainly _is_ a beauty, isn't he?"] * * * * * SHORT RULES FOR CALCULATION.--_To Find the Value of a Dozen Articles._--Send them to a magazine, and double the sum offered by the proprietor. _Another Way._--Send them to the butterman, who will not only fix their value, but their weight, at per pound. _To Find the Value of a Pound at any price._--Try to borrow one, when you are desperately hard up. * * * * * _Member of the Lyceum Club._ Have you read Tolstoi's "Resurrection"? _Member of the Cavalry Club._ No. Is that the name of Marie Corelli's new book? * * * * * CONVIVIAL TOAST (_For a Temperance Fête_) FILL high: Drink _L'eau_. * * * * * _First Reveller_ (_on the following morning_). "I say, is it true you were the only sober man last night?" _Second Reveller._ "Of course not!" _First Reveller._ "Who was, then?" * * * * * AN UGLY BARGAIN.--A cheap bull-dog. * * * * * [Illustration: THE DUMAS CRAZE _Brown_ (_who, with his friends Jones and Robinson, is in town for a week and is "going it"_). "Now, Mr. Costumier, we are going to this 'ere ball, and we want you to make us hup as the Three Musketeers!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CHEERFUL PROSPECT.--_Jones._ "I say, Miss Golightly, it's awfully good of you to accompany me, you know. If I've tried this song once, I've tried it a dozen times--_and I've always broken down in the third verse!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: BEYOND PRAISE.--_Roscius._ "But you haven't got a word of praise for anyone. I should like to know who you would consider a finished artist?" _Criticus._ "A dead one, my boy--a dead one!"] * * * * * STALE NEWS FRESHLY TOLD.--A physician cannot obtain recovery of his fees, although he may cause the recovery of his patient. Dress may be seized for rent, and a coat without cuffs may be collared by the broker. A married woman can acquire nothing, the proper tie of marriage making all she has the proper-ty of her husband. You may purchase any stamp at the stamp-office, except the stamp of a gentleman. Pawnbrokers take such enormous interest in their little pledges, that if they were really pledges of affection, the interest taken could hardly be exceeded. * * * * * THE AUTHORS OF OUR OWN PLEASURES.--Next to the pleasure of having done a good action, there is nothing so sweet as the pleasure of having written a good article! * * * * * CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.--When the organ nuisance shall have been swept away from our streets, that fearful instrument of ear-piercing torture called the hurdy-gurdy will then (thank Parliament!) be known as the _un-heardy_-gurdy. * * * * * [Illustration: MY MOTHER BIDS ME BIND MY HAIR SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * A FEW GOLDEN RULES TRANSMUTED INTO BRASS THE GOLDEN RULE. 1. Never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day. 2. Never trouble another for a trifle which you can do yourself. 3. Never spend your money before you have it, if you would make the most of your means. 4. Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly. THE BRAZEN RULE. 1. Put off till to-morrow the dun who won't be done to-day. 2. When another would trouble you for a trifle, never trouble yourself. 3. Spend your money before you have it; and when you have it, spend it again, for by so doing you enjoy your means twice, instead of only once. 4. You have only to do a creditor willingly, and he will never be troublesome. * * * * * A LITERARY PURSUIT.--Chasing a newspaper in a high wind. * * * * * [Illustration: THE TRUE TEST.-- _First Screever_ (_stopping before a pastel in a picture dealer's window_). "Ullo 'Erbert, look 'ere! Chalks!" _Second Screever._ "Ah, very tricky, I dessay. But you set that chap on the pivement alongside o' you an' me, to dror 'arf a salmon an' a nempty 'at, an' where 'ud 'e be?" _First Screever._ "Ah!"] [_Exeunt ambo._ * * * * * MUSICAL NEWS (NOOSE).--We perceive from a foreign paper that a criminal who has been imprisoned for a considerable period at Presburg has acquired a complete mastery over the violin. It has been announced that he will shortly make an appearance in public. Doubtless, his performance will be _a solo on one string_. * * * * * _Sporting Prophet_ (_playing billiards_). Marker, here's the tip off this cue as usual. _Marker._ Yes, sir. Better give us one of your "tips," sir, as _they never come off_. * * * * * ART DOGMA.--An artist's wife never admires her husband's work so much as when he is drawing her a cheque. * * * * * THE UNITED EFFORT OF SIX ROYAL ACADEMICIANS.--What colour is it that contains several? An umber (_a number_). * * * * * MEM. AT BURLINGTON HOUSE.--A picture may be "capitally executed" without of necessity being "well hung." And _vice versâ_. * * * * * A SCHISM TO BE APPROVED OF.--A witticism. * * * * * [Illustration: EXCELSIOR!-- _She._ "I didn't know you were a _musician_, Herr Müller." _He._ "A musician? Ach, no--Gott vorpit! I am a _Wagnerian_!"] * * * * * AN AUTHOR'S CRY OF AGONY (_Wrung from him by the repeated calls of the printer's boy_) "Oh! that devils' visits were, like angels', 'few and far between!'" * * * * * RIDDLES BY A WRETCH.--_Q._ What is the difference between a surgeon and a wizard? _A._ The one is a cupper and the other is a sorcerer. _Q._ Why is America like the act of reflection? _A._ Because it is a roomy-nation. _Q._ Why is your pretty cousin like an alabaster vase? _A._ Because she is an _objet de looks_. _Q._ How is it that a man born in Truro can never be an Irishman? _A._ Because he always is a true-Roman. _Q._ Why is my game cock like a bishop? _A._ Because he has his crows here (_crozier_). * * * * * COUPLET BY A CYNIC (_After reading certain Press Comments on the Picture Show_) Philistine art may stand all critic shocks Whilst it gives private views--of pretty frocks! * * * * * [Illustration: RETALIATION.-- _Comic Man_ (_to unappreciated tenor, whose song has just been received in stony silence_). "I say, you're not going to sing an encore, are you?" _Unappreciated Tenor_ (_firmly_). "Yes, I am. _Serve them right!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN INDUCEMENT.-- _Swedish Exercise Instructress._ "Now, ladies, if you will only follow my directions carefully, it is quite possible that you may become even as I am!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MORE SWEDISH INSTRUCTION.-- _Instructress_ (_to exhausted class, who have been hopping round room for some time_). "Come! Come! That won't do at all. You _must_ look cheerful. Keep smiling--smiling all the time!"] * * * * * A BATCH OF PROOFS The proof of a pudding is in the eating: The proof of a woman is in making a pudding; And the proof of a man is in being able to dine without one. * * * * * A REFLECTION ON LITERATURE.--It is a well-authenticated fact, that the name of a book has a great deal to do with its sale and its success. How strange that titles should go for so much in the republic of letters. * * * * * MOTTO FOR THE REJECTED AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY (_suggested by one of the Forty_).--"Hanging's too good for them!" * * * * * SUGGESTION FOR A MUSIC-HALL SONG (_to suit any Lionne Comique_).--"Wink at _me only_ with one eye," &c., &c. * * * * * AMPLE GROUNDS FOR COMPLAINT.--Finding the grounds of your coffee to consist of nothing but chicory. * * * * * A SMILING COUNTENANCE is "The happy mien." * * * * * [Illustration: _Publisher_ (_impatiently_). "Well, sir, what is it?" _Poet_ (_timidly_). "O--er--are you Mr. Jobson?" _Publisher_ (_irritably_). "Yes." _Poet_ (_more timidly_). "Mr. _George_ Jobson?" _Publisher_ (_excitably_). "Yes, sir, that's my name." _Poet_ (_more timidly still_). "Of the firm of Messrs. Jobson and Doodle?" _Publisher_ (_angrily_). "Yes. What do you want?" _Poet_ "Oh--I want to see Mr. Doodle!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.--_The Rector._ "Oh, _piano_, Mr. Brown! _Pi-an-o!_" _Mr. Brown._ "_Piano_ be blowed! I've come here to enjoy myself!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Customer._--"Have you 'How to be happy though married'?" _Bookseller._ "No, sir. We have run out at present of the work you mention; but we are selling this little book by the hundred."] * * * * * A LETTER TO A YOUNG PUBLISHER Since, my dear Jones, you are good enough to ask for my advice, need I say that your success in business will depend chiefly upon judicious advertisement? You are bringing out, I understand, a thrilling story of domestic life, entitled "Maria's Marriage." Already, I am glad to learn, you have caused a paragraph to appear in the literary journals contradicting "the widespread report that Mr. Kipling and the German Emperor have collaborated in the production of this novel, the appearance of which is awaited with such extraordinary interest." And you have induced a number of papers to give prominence to the fact that Mr. Penwiper dines daily off curry and clotted cream. So far, so good. Your next step will be to send out review-copies, together with ready-made laudatory criticisms; in order, as you will explain, to save the hard worked reviewers trouble. But, you will say, supposing this ingenious device to fail? Supposing "Maria's Marriage" to be universally "slated"? Well, even then you need not despair. With a little practice, you will learn the art of manufacturing an attractive advertisement column from the most unpromising material. Let me give you a brief example of the method:-- I.--THE RAW MATERIAL. "Mr. Penwiper's latest production, 'Maria's Marriage,' scarcely calls for serious notice. It seems hard to believe that even the most tolerant reader will contrive to study with attention a work of which every page contains glaring errors of taste. Humour, smartness, and interest are all conspicuously wanting."--_The Thunderer._ "This book is undeniably third-rate--dull, badly-written, incoherent; in fine, a dismal failure."--_The Wigwam._ "If 'Maria's Marriage' has any real merit, it is as an object-lesson to aspiring authors. Here, we would say to them, is a striking example of the way in which romance should not be written. Set yourself to produce a work exactly its opposite in every particular, and the chances are that you will produce, if not a masterpiece, at least, a tale free from the most glaring faults. For the terrible warning thus afforded by his volume to budding writers, Mr. Penwiper deserves to be heartily thanked."--_Daily Telephone._ "'Maria's Marriage' is another book that we have received in the course of the month."--_The Parachute._ II.--THE RESULT. "Maria's Marriage!" "Maria's Marriage!" Gigantic Success--The Talk of London. The 29th edition will be issued this week if the sale of twenty-eight previous ones makes this necessary. Each edition is strictly limited! "Maria's Marriage!" The voice of the Press is simply _unanimous_. Read the following extracts--taken almost at random from the reviews of leading papers. "Mr. Penwiper's latest production ... calls for serious notice ... the reader will ... study with attention a work of which every page contains taste, humour, smartness and interest!"--_The Thunderer._ "Undeniably ... fine!"--_The Wigwam._ "Has ... real merit ... an object lesson ... a striking example of the way in which romance ... should be written. A masterpiece ... free from faults. Mr. Penwiper deserves to be heartily thanked."--_Daily Telephone._ "The book ... of the month!"--_The Parachute_, &c., &c. "Maria's Marriage!" A veritable triumph! Order it from your bookseller to-day! That, my dear Jones, is how the trick is done. I hope to give you some further hints on a future occasion. * * * * * "PRAY, AFTER YOU," as the glass of water said to the pill. * * * * * TRUISM FOR TEETOTALERS.--When a man is _out_ of spirits--he should take wine. * * * * * A NEEDLESS QUESTION.--"Do you want a loan?" * * * * * THE BRITISH "PUBLIC."--The beer-shop. * * * * * MORNING ENVELOPES.--Dressing gowns. * * * * * [Illustration: "_Operator_" (_desperately, after half an hour's fruitless endeavour to make a successful "picture" from unpromising sitter_). "Suppose, madam, we try a pose with just the _least_ suggestion of--er--_sauciness_?"] * * * * * [Illustration: GUSHING HOSPITALITY. (Time 3 p.m.).--_Hospitable Host._ "Have c'gar, old f'lla?" _Languid Visitor._ "No--thanks." _H. H._ "Cigarette then?" _His Visitor._ "No--thanks. Nevar smoke 'mejately after breakfast." _H. H._ "Can't refuse a toothpick, then, old f'lla?"] * * * * * [Illustration: PROPORTIONS.--_Buyer._ "In future, as my collection increases, and my wall-space is limited, and price no object, perhaps you would let me have a little more 'picture,' and a little less 'mount'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: INGENUOUS!--_Jones_ (_to his fair partner, after their opponents have declared "clubs"_). "Shall I play to 'clubs', partner?" _Fair Partner_ (_who has never played bridge before_). "Oh, no, please don't, Mr. Jones. I've only got two little ones."] * * * * * [Illustration: _She._ "And are all these lovely things about which you write imaginary?" _The Poet._ "Oh, no, Miss Ethel. I have only to open my eyes and I see something beautiful before me." _She._ "Oh, how I wish I could say the same!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AT THE R.A.--_First Painter._ "I've just been showing my aunt round. Most amusing. Invariably picks out the wrong pictures to admire and denounces the good ones!" _Second Painter._ "Did she say anything about mine?" _First Painter._ "Oh, she liked yours!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "I say, old man, I've invented a new drink. Big success! Come and try it." "What's it made of?" "Well, it's something like the ordinary whisky and soda, but you put more whisky in it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A PROPHET IN HIS OWN COUNTRY _Sylvia._ "I wonder whether he'll be a soldier or a sailor?" _Mamma._ "Wouldn't you like him to be an artist, like papa?" _Sylvia._ "Oh, one in the family's quite enough!"] * * * * * "THE BITTER END."--The last half inch of a halfpenny cigar. * * * * * THE WORST POSSIBLE NAME FOR AN AUTHOR.--Dr. Dozy. * * * * * Why oughtn't a boot and shoemaker to be trusted? Because he's a slippery customer. * * * * * THE RACE FOR WEALTH.--Jews. * * * * * BASSO PROFONDO.--A deep draught of bitter beer. * * * * * EXERCISE FOR CITY CLERKS.--A run on a Bank. * * * * * PASSING THE TIME.--Going by a clock. * * * * * [Illustration: Coming off with flying colours] * * * * * [Illustration: THY FACE SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * LITERARY NOTES A well-known diner-out has, we learn, collected his reminiscences, and would be glad to hear from some obliging gentleman or gentlemen who would "earnestly request" him to publish them. We should add that no names would be mentioned, the preface merely opening as follows:-- "Although these stray gleanings of past years are of but ephemeral value, and though they were collected with no thought of publication, the writer at the earnest request of a friend" (or "many friends," if more than one) "has reluctantly consented to give his scattered reminiscences to the world." * * * * * The following volumes in "The Biter Bit" series are announced as shortly to appear:-- "The Fighter Fit; or practical hints on pugilistic training." "The Lighter Lit: a treatise on the illumination of Thames barges." "The Slighter Slit: or a new and economical method of cutting out." "The Tighter Tit: studies in the comparative inebriation of birds." [Illustration: Some fine form was exhibited] [Illustration: A two-figure break] [Illustration: A heat of 500 up] [Illustration: Finishing the game with a cannon] [Illustration: Opening with the customary miss] [Illustration: Spot barred] BILLIARD NOTES BY DUMB-CRAMBO * * * * * [Illustration: SENDING-IN-DAY AT THE R. A. "But it is impossible for you to see the President. What do you want to see him for?" "I want to show him exactly where I want my picture hung."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Millionaire._ "Yes; I'm awful partial to picters. Why, bless yer, I've got _cellars_ full of 'em!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE EXHIBITION"] _Infuriated Outsider._ "R-r-r-rejected, sir!----Fwanospace, sir!" (_With withering emphasis._) "'Want--of--space--sir!!" * * * * * [Illustration: "Look here, Schlumpenhagen, you must help us at our smoking concert. You play the flute, don't you?" "Not ven dere ish anypotty apout." "How's that?" "Dey _von't let me_!"] * * * * * ROCHEFOUCAULDIANA There is no sympathy in England so universally felt, so largely expressed, as for a person who is likely to catch cold. * * * * * When a person loses his reputation, the very last place where he goes to look for it is the place where he has lost it. * * * * * No gift so fatal as that of singing. The principal question asked, upon insuring a man's life, should be, "Do you sing a good song?" * * * * * Many of us are led by our vices, but a great many more of us follow them without any leading at all. * * * * * To show how deceptive are appearances, more gentlemen are mistaken for waiters, than waiters for gentlemen. * * * * * To a retired tradesman there can be no greater convenience than that of having a "short sight." In truth, wealth rarely improves the vision. Poverty, on the contrary, strengthens it. A man, when he is poor, is able to discover objects at the greatest distance with the naked eye, which he could not see, though standing close to his elbow, when he was rich. * * * * * If you wish to set a room full of silent people off talking, get some one to sing a song. * * * * * The bore is happy enough in boring others, but is never so miserable as when left alone, when there is no one but himself to bore. * * * * * The contradictions of this life are wonderful. Many a man, who hasn't the courage to say "no," never misses taking a shower-bath every morning of his life. * * * * * If you wish to borrow £5 ask for £10. * * * * * WHAT BROWN SAID SCENE--_Hall of the Elysium Club_ _Enter_ Smith, F.R.S., _meeting_ Brown, Q.C. _Smith._ Raw day, eh? _Brown._ Very _raw_. Glad when it's _done_. [_Exit_ Brown, Q.C. _Exit_ Smith, F.R.S., _into smoking-room, where he tells a good thing that_ Brown _said_. * * * * * [Illustration: AT THE ACADEMY _Miss Jones._ "How came you to think of the subject, Mr. de Brush?" _Eccentric Artist._ "Oh, I have had it in my head for years!" _Miss Jones._ "How wonderful! What did the papers say?" _Eccentric Artist._ "Said it was full of 'atmosphere,' and suggested 'space.'"] * * * * * [Illustration: INTELLIGENT!--_Artist_ (_who thinks he has found a good model for his Touchstone_). "Have you any sense of humour, Mr. Bingles?" _Model._ "Thank y' sir, no, sir, thank y'. I enj'ys pretty good 'ealth, sir, thank y' sir!"] * * * * * THE PERILS OF A CONVERSAZIONE _Miss Fillip_ (_to gentleman whose name she did not catch when introduced_). Have you read _A Modern Heliogabolus_? _He._ Yes, I have. _Miss F._ All through? _He._ Yes, from beginning to end. _Miss F._ Dear me! I wonder you're alive! How did you manage to get through it? _He_ (_diffidently_). Unfortunately, I wrote it. [_Miss F. catches a distant friend's eye._ * * * * * THE SOUND SLEEPER'S PARADISE.--Snoring. * * * * * _PATENT_ NIGHT-LIGHTS.--Stars. * * * * * EPITAPH ON A CHAMPION BILLIARD PLAYER.--"Taking his long rest." * * * * * TONED PAPER.--Sheets of music. * * * * * ITEM ON A MENU OF LITERARY PABULUM.--"Shakspeare and Bacon." * * * * * RACE GLASSES.--Champagne. * * * * * THE MAID OF THE MILL.--A lady boxer. * * * * * [Illustration: SENTIMENT.--(_Artistic-minded Youth in midst of a fierce harangue from his father, who is growing hotter and redder_). "By Jove, that's a fine bit of colour, if you like!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "What an ass old Brown is!" "Oh, I don't know. He's got far more brains than appear on the surface."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Art-Master_ (_who has sent for a cab, pointing to horse_). "What do you call that?" _Cabby._ "An 'orse, sir." _Art-Master._ "A horse! Rub it out, and do it again!"] * * * * * A PARCEL OF PROVERBS, &c. COMPLETED Take time by the forelock--to have his hair cut. Follow your leader--in your daily paper. The proof of the pudding is in the eating--a great deal of it. Never look a gift-horse in the mouth--lest you should find false teeth. The hare with many friends--was eaten at last. A stitch in time saves nine--or more naughty words, when a button comes off while you are dressing in a great hurry for dinner. One man's meat is another man's poison--when badly cooked. Don't count your chickens before they are hatched--by the patent incubator. Love is blind--and unwilling to submit to an operation. First catch your hare--then cook it with rich gravy. Nil Desperandum--PERCY VERE. * * * * * [Illustration: NON-COMMITTAL.-- Scene: _Fashionable Auction Rooms. A Picture Sale._-- _Amateur Collector_ (_after taking advice of Expert No. 1, addresses Expert No. 2_). "What do you think of the picture? I am advised to buy it. Is it not a fine Titian?" _Expert No. 2_ (_wishing to please both parties_). "I don't think you can go far wrong, for anyhow, if it isn't a Titian it's a repe-tition."] * * * * * ANOTHER PARCEL OF PROVERBS If the cap fits, wear it--out. Six of one, and half-a-dozen of the other--make exactly twelve. None so deaf as those who won't hear--hear! hear! Faint heart never won fair lady--nor dark one either. Civility costs nothing--nay, is something to your credit. The best of friends must part--their hair. Any port in a storm--but old port preferred. One good turn deserves another--in waltzing. Youth at the prow and pleasure at the helm--very sea-sick. * * * * * "LEADING STRINGS."--Those of a first violin in an orchestra. * * * * * TOBACCO STOPPERS.--Men who stay to smoke. * * * * * SMOKER'S PROVERB.--It's an ill weed that blows nobody any good. A _TIDY_ DRINK.--_Neat_ brandy. * * * * * [Illustration: _Amateur_ "_Minimus Poet_" (_who has called at the office twice a week for three months_). "Could you use a little poem of mine?" _Editor_ (_ruthlessly determined that this shall be his final visit_). "Oh, I think so. There are two or three broken panes of glass, and a hole in the skylight. How large is it?"] * * * * * MOTTO FOR A SUB-EDITOR.--"Aut _scissors_, aut nullus." * * * * * _To find the value of a Cook._--Divide the services rendered by the wages paid; deduct the kitchen stuff, subtract the cold meat by finding how often three policemen will go into one area, and the quotient will help you to the result. _To find the value of a Friend._--Ask him to put his name to a bill. _To find the value of Time._--Travel by a Bayswater omnibus. _To find the value of Eau de Cologne._--Walk into Smithfield market. _To find the value of Patience._--Consult Bradshaw's _Guide_ to ascertain the time of starting of a railway train. * * * * * NOTE BY A SOCIAL CYNIC.--They may abolish the "push" stroke at billiards, but they'll never do so in society. * * * * * FROM OUR OWN IRREPRESSIBLE ONE (_still dodging custody_).--_Q._ Why is a daily paper like a lamb? _A._ Because it is always folded. * * * * * [Illustration: DUTY BEFORE PLEASURE.--_Hostess_ (_to new Curate_). "We seem to be talking of nothing but horses, Mr. Soothern. Are you much of a sportsman?" _Curate._ "Really, Lady Betty, I don't think I ought to say that I am. I used to collect butterflies; but I have to give up even _that_ now!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SHAKSPEARE ILLUSTRATED "The gods confound thee! Dost thou hold there still?" _Antony and Cleopatra_, Act II., Sc. 5.] * * * * * "STILL WATERS."--Whiskies. * * * * * ART CRITICISM.--In too many pictures the colour is medi-ocre. * * * * * THE ADVERTISER'S PARADISE.--Puffin Island. * * * * * A MUSICAL BURGLAR.--One who breaks into a tune. * * * * * [Illustration: HE KNEW HIS WORK _Proprietor of Travelling Menagerie._ "Are you used to looking after horses and other animals?" _Applicant for Job._ "Yessir. Been used to 'orses all my life." _P. O. T. M._ "What steps would you take if a lion got loose?" _A. F. J._ "Good long 'uns, mister!"] * * * * * MAY BE HEARD EVERYWHERE.--"Songs without words"--a remarkable performance; but perhaps a still more wonderful feat is playing upon words. * * * * * SUBSTITUTES FOR PROFANE SWEARING (_Adapted to various Sorts and Conditions of Men_) _Lawyer._ Tax my bill. _Doctor._ Dash my draughts. _Soldier_. Snap my stock. _Parson._ Starch my surplice. _Bricklayer._ I'll be plastered. _Bricklayer's Labourer._ Chop my hod. _Carpenter._ Saw me. _Plumber and Glazier._ Solder my pipes. Smash my panes. _Painter._ I'm daubed. _Brewer._ I'm mashed. _Engineer._ Burst my boiler. _Stoker._ Souse my coke. _Costermonger._ Rot my taturs. _Dramatic Author._ Steal my French Dictionary. _Actor._ I'll be hissed. _Tailor._ Cut me out. Cook my goose. _Linendraper._ Soil my silks. Sell me off. _Grocer._ Squash my figs. Sand my sugar. Seize my scales. _Baker._ Knead my dough. Scorch my muffins. _Auctioneer._ Knock me down. * * * * * "THE PLAYERS ARE COME!"--_First Player_ (_who has had a run of ill-luck_). I'm regularly haunted by the recollection of my losses at baccarat. _Second Player._ Quite Shakespearian! "Banco's ghost." * * * * * SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR.--(_From the Literary Club Smoking-room._) _Cynicus._ I'm waiting till my friends are dead, in order to write my reminiscences? _Amicus._ Ah, but remember. "_De mortuis nil nisi bonum._" _Cynicus._ Quite so. I shall tell nothing but exceedingly good stories about them. * * * * * A CONTRADICTION.--In picture exhibitions, the observant spectator is struck by the fact that works hung on the line are too often below the mark. * * * * * A "LIGHT" REPAST.--A feast of lanterns. * * * * * [Illustration: R. A. GEMS.--_Fair Amateur_ (_to carpenter_). "My picture is quite hidden with that horrid ticket on it. Can't you fix it on the frame?" _Carpenter._ "Why, you'll spoil the frame, mum!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Jones._ "Do you drink between meals?" _Smith._ "No. I eat between drinks." _Jones._ "Which did you do last?" _Smith._ "Drink." _Jones._ "Then we'd better go and have a sandwich at once!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NOCTURNE IN THE OLD KENT ROAD] * * * * * "LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE WORLD."--The elephant's. * * * * * THE WORST PLACE IN THIRSTY WEATHER.--Taplow. * * * * * INSCRIPTION FOR AN OLD CLOTHES SHOP.--"Nothing new." * * * * * [Illustration: "JUST A SONG AT TWILIGHT"] (_As sung sweetly by a Public-House-Baritone_) * * * * * LITERARY ANNOUNCEMENT.--In the press--yesterday's tablecloth. * * * * * THE HEIGHT OF ECONOMY.--A "screw" of tobacco. * * * * * [Illustration: A BROKEN MELODY SCENE I.--_Street Singer._ "I fear no foe in shining ar----."] [Illustration: A BROKEN MELODY SCENE II.--Enter policeman.] * * * * * THE QUICK GRUB STREET CO. THE QUICK GRUB STREET CO. BEG TO ANNOUNCE THAT THEY HAVE OPENED AN ESTABLISHMENT FOR THE SUPPLY OF LITERATURE IN ALL ITS BRANCHES. _Every Editor should send for our Prices and compare them with those of other houses._ POETRY DEPARTMENT. We employ experienced poets for the supply of garden verses, war songs, &c., and undertake to fill any order within twenty-four hours of its reaching us. Our Mr. Rhymeesi will be glad to wait upon parties requiring verse of any description, and, if the matter is at all urgent, to execute the order on the spot. DRAMA DEPARTMENT. Actor-managers before going elsewhere should give us a call. Our plays draw wherever they are presented, even if it is only bricks. _Testimonial._--A manager writes: "The play you kindly supplied, _The Blue Bloodhound of Bletchley_, is universally admitted to be _unlike anything ever before produced on the stage_." Musical comedies (guaranteed absolutely free from plot) supplied on shortest notice. FICTION DEPARTMENT. For society dialogues we use the very best duchesses; while a first-class earl's daughter is retained for Court and gala opera. For our new line of _vie intime_ we employ none but valets and confidential maids, who have to serve an apprenticeship with P.A.P. THE KAILYARD DEPARTMENT is always up-to-date, and our Mr. Stickit will be pleased to call on any editor on receipt of post-card. N.B.--We guarantee our Scotch Idyll to be absolutely unintelligible to any English reader, and undertake to refund money if it can be proved that such is not the case. Our speciality, however, is our _Six-Shilling Shocker_, as sold for serial purposes. Editors with papers that won't "go" should ask for one of these. When ordering please state general idea required under one of our recognised sections, as foreign office, police, mounted infantry, cowardice, Rome, &c., &c. BIOGRAPHY. Any gentleman wishing to have a biography of himself produced in anticipation of his decease should communicate with us. The work would, of course, be published with a note to the effect that the writing had been a labour of love; that moreover the subject with his usual modesty had been averse from the idea of a biography. _Testimonial._--Sir Sunny Jameson writes: "The Life gives great satisfaction. No reference made, however, to my munificent gift of £50 to the Referees' Hospital. This should be remedied in the next edition. The work, however, has been excellently done. You have made me out to be better than even I ever thought myself." For love letters, For the Elizabethan vogue, For every description of garden meditations, Give the Quick Grub Street Company a trial. * * * * * [Illustration: A SOFT ANSWER.--_Papa_ (_literary, who has given orders he is not to be disturbed_). "Who is it?" _Little Daughter._ "Scarcely anybody, dear papa!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE SECRETS OF LITERARY COMPOSITION _The Fair Authoress of "Passionate Pauline," gazing fondly at her own reflection, writes as follows_:-- "I look into the glass, reader. What do I see? I see a pair of laughing, _espiègle_, forget-me-not blue eyes, saucy and defiant; a _mutine_ little rose-bud of a mouth, with its ever-mocking _moue_; a tiny shell-like ear, trying to play hide-and-seek in a tangled maze of rebellious russet gold; while, from underneath the satin folds of a _rose-thé_ dressing-gown, a dainty foot peeps coyly forth in its exquisitely-pointed gold morocco slipper", &c., &c. (_Vide "Passionate Pauline", by Parbleu._)] * * * * * [Illustration: A DISTINCTION _First Gourmet._ "That was Mr. Dobbs I just nodded to." _Second Gourmet._ "I know." _First G._ "He asked me to dine at his house next Thursday--but I can't. Ever dined at Dobbs's?" _Second G._ "No. Never _dined_. But I've been there to dinner!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Auctioneer._ "Lot 52. A genuine Turner. Painted during the artist's lifetime. What offers, gentlemen?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Millionaire_ (_who has been shown into fashionable artist's studio, and has been kept waiting a few minutes_). "SHOP!"] * * * * * NONSENSE PROVERBS WHAT'S in the pot mustn't be told to the pan. There's a mouth for every muffin. A clear soup and no flavour. As drunk as a daisy. All rind and no cheese. Set a beggar on horseback, and he will cheat the livery-stable keeper. There's a B in every bonnet. Two-and-six of one and half-a-crown of the other. The insurance officer dreads a fire. First catch your heir, then hook him. Every plum has its pudding. Short pipes make long smokes. It's a long lane that has no blackberries. Wind and weather come together. A flower in the button-hole is worth two on the bush. Round robin is a shy bird. There's a shiny lining to every hat. The longest dinner will come to an end. You must take the pips with the orange. It's a wise dentist that knows his own teeth. No rose without a gardener. Better to marry in May than not to marry at all. Save sovereigns, spend guineas. Too many followers spoil the cook. (N.B. This is _not_ nonsense.) * * * * * [Illustration: Profusely decorated with cuts] * * * * * SAID AT THE ACADEMY.--_Punch_ doesn't care _who_ said it. It was extremely rude to call the commission on capital punishments the hanging committee. * * * * * THE GRAMMAR OF ART.--"Art," spell it with a big or little "a," can never come first in any well-educated person's ideas. "I am" must have the place of honour; then "Thou Art!" so apostrophised, comes next. * * * * * [Illustration: _Scrumble._ "Been to see the old masters?" _Stippleton_ (_who has married money_). "No. Fact is"--(_sotto voce_)--"I've got quite enough on my hands with the old missus!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TWO OLD MASTERS OF ARTS] * * * * * ARTIST'S VADE MECUM _Question._ Has the anxious parent been to see his child's portrait? _Answer._ He has seen it. _Q._ Did he approve of it? _A._ He will like it better when I have made some slight alterations. _Q._ What are they? _A._ He would like the attitude of the figure altered, the position of the arms changed, the face turned the other way, the hair and eyes made a different colour, and the expression of the mouth improved. _Q._ Did he make any other suggestions? _A._ Yes; he wishes to have the child's favourite pony and Newfoundland dog put in, with an indication of the ancestral home in the back-ground. _Q._ Is he willing to pay anything extra for these additions? _A._ He does not consider it necessary. _Q._ Are you well on with your Academy picture? _A._ No; but I began the charcoal sketch yesterday. _Q._ Have you secured the handsome model? _A._ No; the handsome model has been permanently engaged by the eminent R.A. _Q._ Under these circumstances, do you still expect to get finished in time? _A._ Yes; I have been at this stage in February for as many years as I can remember, and have generally managed to worry through somehow. * * * * * WHENEVER the "Reduced Prizefighters" take a benefit at a theatre, the play should be _The Miller and his Men_. * * * * * A NICE MAN.--Mr. Swiggins was a sot. He was also a sloven. He never had anything neat about him but gin. * * * * * [Illustration: Under a great master] * * * * * [Illustration: THE WARRIOR BOLD SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * [Illustration: THE GAY TOM TIT SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * "HUNG, DRAWN, AND QUARTERED."--(_Mr. Punch's sentence on three-fourths of the Academicians' work "on the line."_)--Very well "hung"; very ill "drawn"; a great deal better "quartered" than it deserves. * * * * * THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.--Gin. * * * * * [Illustration: "WHEN A MAN DOES NOT LOOK HIS BEST" When he magnanimously consents to go on the platform at a conjuring performance, and unwonted objects are produced from his inside pockets.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Celebrated Minor Poet._ "Ah, hostess, how 'do? Did you get my book I sent you yesterday?" _Hostess._ "Delightful! _I couldn't sleep till I'd read it!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: _The Infant Prodigy has reached the middle of an exceedingly difficult pianoforte solo, and one of those dramatic pauses of which the celebrated composer is so fond has occurred. Kindly but undiscerning old Lady._ "Play something you know, dearie."] * * * * * [Illustration: AT A FENCING "AT HOME."--_Distinguished Foreigner_ (_hero of a hundred duels_). "It is delightful, mademoiselle. You English are a sporting nation." _Fair Member._ "So glad you are enjoying it. By the way, Monsieur le Marquis, have they introduced fencing into France yet?"] * * * * * [Illustration: IN THE CAUSE OF ART.--_Patron._ "When are yer goin' to start my wife's picture and mine? 'Cause, when the 'ouse is up we're a goin'----" _Artist._ "Oh, I'll get the canvases at once, and----" _Patron_ (_millionaire_). "Canvas! 'Ang it!--none o' yer canvas for me! Price is no objec'! I can afford to pay for something better than canvas!!" [_Tableau!_] * * * * * [Illustration: GRATIFYING!--_Amateur Artist_ (_to the carrier_). "Did you see my picture safely delivered at the Royal Academy?" _Carrier._ "Yessir, and mighty pleased they seemed to be with it--leastways, if one may jedge, sir. They didn't say nothin'--but--lor' how they did laugh!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Artist_ (_who has recommended model to a friend_). "Have you been to sit to Mr. Jones yet?" _Model._ "Well, I've been to see him; but directly I got into his studio, 'Why,' he said, 'you've got a head like a Botticelli.' I don't know what a Botticelli is, but I didn't go there to be called names, so I come away!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Art Student_ (_engaging rooms_). "What is that?" _Landlady._ "That is a picture of our church done in wool by my daughter, sir. She's subject to art, too."] * * * * * THE SUB-EDITOR'S AUNT "I always buy your paper my dear Horace," said the old lady, "although there is much in it I cannot approve of. But there is one thing that puzzles me extremely." "Yes, aunt?" said the Sub-Editor meekly, as he sipped his tea. "Why, I notice that the contents bill invariably has one word calculated to stimulate the morbid curiosity of the reader. An adjective." "Circulation depends upon adjectives," said the Sub-Editor. "I don't think I object to them," the old lady replied; "but what I want you to tell me is how you choose them. How do you decide whether an occurrence is 'remarkable' or 'extraordinary,' 'astounding' or 'exciting,' 'thrilling' or 'alarming,' 'sensational' or merely 'strange,' 'startling' or 'unique'? What tells you which word to use?" "Well, aunt, we have a system to indicate the adjective to a nicety; but----" "My dear Horace, I will never breathe a word. You should know that. No one holds the secrets of the press more sacred than I." The Sub-Editor settled himself more comfortably in his chair. "You see, aunt, the great thing in an evening paper is human interest. What we want to get is news to hit the man-in-the-street. Everything that we do is done for the man-in-the-street. And therefore we keep safely locked up in a little room a tame man of this description. He may not be much to look at, but his sympathies are right, unerringly right. He sits there from nine till six, and has things to eat now and then. We call him the Thrillometer." "How wonderful! How proud you should be Horace, to be a part of this mighty mechanism, the press." "I am, aunt. Well, the duties of the Thrillometer are very simple. Directly a piece of news comes in, it is the place of one of the Sub-Editors to hurry to the Thrillometer's room and read it to him. I have to do this." "Poor boy. You are sadly overworked, I fear." "Yes, aunt. And while I read I watch his face." "Long study has told me exactly what degree of interest is excited within him by the announcement. I know instantly whether his expression means 'phenomenal' or only 'remarkable,' whether 'distressing' or only 'sad,' whether----" "Is there so much difference between 'distressing' and 'sad,' Horace?" "Oh, yes, aunt. A suicide in Half Moon Street is 'distressing'; in the City Road it is only 'sad.' Again, a raid on a club in Whitechapel is of no account; but a raid on a West-End club is worth three lines of large type in the bill, above Fry's innings." "Do you mean a club in Soho when you say West-End?" "Yes, aunt, as a rule." "But why do you call that the West-End?" "That was the Thrillometer's doing, aunt. He fell asleep over a club raid, and a very good one too, when I said it was in Soho; but when I told him of the next--also in Soho, chiefly Italian waiters--and said it was in the West-End, his eyes nearly came out of his head. So you see how useful the Thrillometer can be." "Most ingenious, Horace. Was this your idea?" "Yes, aunt." "Clever boy. And have the other papers adopted it?" "Yes, aunt. All of them." "Then you are growing rich, Horace?" "No, no, aunt, not at all. Unfortunately I lack the business instinct. Other people grow rich on my ideas. In fact, so far from being rich, I was going to venture to ask you----" "Tell me more about the Thrillometer," said the old lady briskly. * * * * * [Illustration: AT THE WRESTLING MATCH _Enthusiastic Old Gent._ "Go on, sonny! Stick 'old of 's 'ead."] * * * * * GOING TO THE BAD All the way from the National Gallery Unto the Royal Academy As I walked, I was guilty of raillery, Which I felt was very bad o' me. Thinking of art's disasters, Still sinking to deeper abysses, I said, "From the Old Masters Why go to the new misses?" * * * * * [Illustration: PREHISTORIC PEEPS A visit to an artist's studio.] * * * * * [Illustration: _He._ "Awfully jolly concert, wasn't it? Awfully jolly thing by that fellow--what's his name?--something like Doorknob." _She._ "_Doorknob!_ Whom _do_ you mean? I only know of Beethoven, Mozart, Wagner, Handel----" _He._ "That's it! Handel. I knew it was something you caught hold of!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR ARTIST "If you please, sir, here's the printer's boy called again!" "Oh, bother! Say I'm busy."] * * * * * [Illustration: SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS "'Tis hard to give the hand where the heart can _never_ be!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS. "Only this"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Horse Dealer._ "Did that little mare I sold you do for you, sir?" _Nervous Horseman._ "Nearly!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "OPTICS."--_Lecturer._ "Now let anyone gaze steadfastly on any object--say, for instance, his wife's eye--and he'll see himself looking so exceedingly small, that----" _Strong-minded Lady_ (_in front row_). "Hear! Hear! Hear!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "AFTER THE FAIR." (_Country cousin comes up in August to see the exhibition of pictures at the Royal Academy!_).--_Porter._ "Bless yer 'art, we're closed!" _Country Cousin._ "Closed! What! didn't it pay?!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Jones._ "How is it we see you so seldom at the club now?" _Old Member._ "Ah, well, you see, I'm not so young as I was; and I've had a good deal of worry lately; and so, what with one thing and another, I've grown rather fond of my own society." _Jones._ "Epicure!"] * * * * * THE TRUE INWARDNESS OF ART.--Photographs by the Röntgen rays. * * * * * MAN WHO HAS A TURN FOR MUSIC.--An organ-grinder. * * * * * [Illustration: THE PHONOGRAPH CANNOT LIE.--_German Dealer_ "Now, mein Herr! You've chust heerd your lofely blaying rebroduced to berfection! Won't you buy one?" _Amateur Flautist._ "Are you sure the thing's all right?" _German Dealer._ "Zertainly, mein Herr." _Amateur Flautist._ "Gad, then, if that's what my playing is like, I'm done with the flute for ever."] * * * * * [Illustration: PRIVATE INQUIRY.--_Surveyor of Taxes_ (_to literary gent_). "But surely you can arrive at some estimate of the amount received by you during the past three years for example. Don't you keep books?" _Literary Gent._ (_readily_). "Oh dear no. I write them!" _Surveyor._ "Ahem--I mean you've got some sort of accounts----" _Literary Gent._ "Oh yes, lots"--(_Surveyor brightens up_)--"unpaid!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "There's a boy wants to see you, sir." "Has he got a bill in his hand?" "No, sir." "Then he's got it in his pocket! Send him away!"] * * * * * [Illustration: WHAT OUR ARTIST HAS TO PUT UP WITH.--_He._ "By Jove, it's the best thing I've ever painted!--and I'll tell you what; I've a good mind to give it to Mary Morison for her wedding present!" _His Wifey._ "Oh, but, my love, the Morisons have always been _so_ hospitable to us! You ought to give her a _real_ present, you know--a fan, or a scent-bottle, or something of that sort!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TRIUMPH _Frame Maker_ (_in ecstasies_). "By Jove! Jemima--every one of 'em on the line again!"] * * * * * HOW TO BE AN AUTHOR Mr. Punch, having read the latest book on the way to write for the press, feels that there is at least one important subject not properly explained therein: to wit, the covering letter. He therefore proceeds to supplement this and similar books.... It is, however, when your story is written that the difficulties begin. Having selected a suitable editor, you send him your contribution accompanied by a covering letter. The writing of this letter is the most important part of the whole business. One story, after all, is very much like another (in your case, probably, exactly like another), but you can at least in your covering letter show that you are a person of originality. Your letter must be one of three kinds: pleading, peremptory, or corruptive. I proceed to give examples of each. I.--THE PLEADING LETTER. 199, _Berkeley Square, W._ DEAR MR. EDITOR,--I have a wife and seven starving children; can you possibly help us by accepting this little story of only 18,000 (eighteen thousand) words? Not only would you be doing a work of charity to one who has suffered much, but you would also, I venture to say, be conferring a real benefit upon English literature--as I have already received the thanks of no fewer than thirty-three editors for having allowed them to peruse this manuscript. Yours humbly, THE McHARDY. P.S.--My youngest boy, aged three, pointed to his little sister's Gazeka toy last night and cried "De editor!" These are literally the first words that have passed his lips for three days. Can you stand by and see the children starve? II.--THE PEREMPTORY LETTER. SIR,--Kindly publish at once and oblige. Yours faithfully, EUGENE HACKENKICK. P.S.--I shall be round at your office to-morrow about an advertisement for some 600 lb. bar-bells, and will look you up. III.--THE CORRUPTIVE LETTER. _Middlesex House, Park Lane, IV._ DEAR MR. SMITH,--Can you come and dine with us quite in a _friendly_ way on Thursday at eight? I want to introduce you to the Princess of Holdwig-Schlosstein and Mr. Alfred Austin, who are so eager to meet you. Do you know I am really a little _frightened_ at the thought of meeting such a famous editor? Isn't it _silly_ of me? Yours very sincerely, EMMA MIDDLESEX. P.S.--I wonder if you could find room in your _splendid little paper_ for a silly story I am sending you. It would be such a surprise for the Duke's birthday (on Monday).--E. M. Before concluding the question of the covering letter I must mention the sad case of my friend Halibut. Halibut had a series of lithographed letters of all kinds, one of which he would enclose with every story he sent out. On a certain occasion he wrote a problem story of the most advanced kind; what, in fact, the reviewers call a "strong" story. In sending this to the editor of a famous magazine his secretary carelessly slipped in the wrong letter: "DEAR MR. EDITOR," it ran, "I am trying to rite you a littel story, I do hope you will like my little storey, I want to tell you about my kanary and my pussy cat, it's name is _Peggy_ and it has seven kitens, have you any kitens, I will give you one if you print my story, "Your loving little friend, "FLOSSIE." * * * * * PROVERB FOR THE COUNCIL OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY.--"Hanging goes by favour." * * * * * THE ENRAGED MUSICIAN.--(_A Duologue._) _Composer._ Did you stay late at Lady Tittup's? _Friend._ Yes. Heard Miss Bang play again. I was delighted with her execution. _Composer._ Her execution! _That_ would have pleased _me_; she deserved it for having brutally murdered a piece of mine. [_Exeunt._ * * * * * THE GENTILITY OF SPEECH.--At the music halls visitors now call for "another acrobat," when they want a second tumbler. * * * * * [Illustration: THE WRITING ON THE WINDOW Portrait of a gentleman who proposes to say he was detained in town on important business.] * * * * * [Illustration: AWARDING THE BISCUIT _Dingy Bohemian._ "I want a bath Oliver." _Immaculate Servitor._ "My name is _not_ Oliver!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "SENDING-IN" DAY.--Indigo Brown takes his picture, entitled "Peace and Comfort," to the R.A. himself, as he says, "Those picture carts are certain to scratch it," and, with the assistance of his cabby, adds the finishing touches on his way there!] * * * * * [Illustration: AN UNDOUBTED OLD MASTER (_By Himself_)] * * * * * [Illustration: LAYING IT ON WITH A PALETTE-KNIFE.--_Miss Sere._ "Ah, Mr. Brown, if you could only paint me as I was ten years ago!" _Our Portrait Painter_ (_heroically_). "I am afraid children's portraits are not in my line."] * * * * * [Illustration: AFTER THE SIXTH REJECTION BY THE R.A.--_The Prodigal._ "Well, dad, here I am, ready to go into the office to-morrow. I've given up my studio and put all my sketches in the fire." _Fond Father._ "That's right, 'Arold. Good lad! Your 'art's in the right place, after all!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Brown_ (_as Hamlet_) _to Jones_ (_as Charles the Second_). "'Normous amount of _taste_ displayed here to-night!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN ART PATRON "I'll have it if you shorten the 'orizon, and make it quids instead of guineas!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SHOW SUNDAY.--_Brown_ (_trying to find something to admire in Smudge's painting_). "By Jove, old chap, those flowers are beautifully put in!" _Smudge._ "Yes; my old friend--Thingummy--'R.A.' you know, painted them in for me."] * * * * * [Illustration: ENVY.--Scene--_Miss Semple and Dawber, standing near his picture._ _Miss Semple._ "Why, there's a crowd in front of Madder's picture!" _Dawber._ "Someone fainted, I suppose!"] * * * * * AN ARTISTIC EPISODE ["Incapacity for work has come to be accepted as the hall-mark of genius.... The collector wants only the thing that is rare, and therefore the artist must make his work as rare as he can."--_Daily Chronicle._] Josephine found me stretched full length in a hammock in the garden. "Why aren't you at work?" she asked; "not feeling seedy, I hope?" "Never better," said I. "But I've been making myself too cheap." "We couldn't possibly help going to the Joneses last night, dear." "Tush," said I. "I mean there is too much of me." "I don't quite understand," she said; "but there certainly will be if you spend your mornings lolling in that hammock." The distortive wantonness of this remark left me cold. "I have made up my mind," I continued, quite seriously, "to do no more work for a considerable time." "But, my dear boy, just think----" "I'm going to make myself scarce," I insisted. "Geoffrey!" she exclaimed, "I knew you weren't well!" I released myself. "Josephine," I said solemnly, "those estimable persons who collect my pictures will think nothing of them if they become too common." "How do you know there are such persons?" she queried. "I must decline to answer that question," I replied; "but if there are none it is because my work is not yet sufficiently rare and precious. I propose to work no more--say, for six or seven years. By that time my reputation will be made, and there will be the fiercest competition for the smallest canvas I condescend to sign." She kissed me. "I came out for the housekeeping-money," she remarked simply. I went into the house to fetch the required sum, and, by some means I cannot explain, got to work again upon the latest potboiler. * * * * * MUSIC READILY ACQUIRED.--Stealing a march. * * * * * [Illustration: THE STORM FIEND SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * [Illustration: SUCH IS FAME!--_Duchess_ (_with every wish to encourage conversation, to gentleman just introduced_). "Your name is very familiar to me indeed for the last ten years." _Minor Poet_ (_flattered_). "Indeed, Duchess! And may I ask what it was that first attracted you?" _Duchess._ "Well, I was staying with Lady Waldershaw, and she had a most indifferent cook, and whenever we found fault with any dish she always quoted _you_, and said that _you_ liked it _so much_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DOMESTIC BLISS.--_Wife of your Bussum._ "Oh! I don't want to interrupt you, dear. I only want some money for baby's socks--and to know whether you will have the mutton cold or hashed."] * * * * * IN A MINOR KEY.--_Hearty Friend_ (_meeting Operatic Composer_). Hallo, old man, how are you? Haven't seen you for an age! What's your latest composition? _Impecunious Musician_ (_gloomily_). With my creditors. [_Exeunt severally._ * * * * * TO BE SUNG AT CONCERT PITCH.--"The Tar's Farewell." * * * * * [Illustration: SAFE.--_Guest_ (_after a jolly evening_). "Good night, ol' fellah--I'll leave my boosh oushide 'door----" _Bohemian Host._ "Au' right, m' boy--(_hic_)--noborry'll toussh 'em--goo' light!!" [_Exeunt._] * * * * * CONSOLATIONS FOR THE UNHUNG Now that the painful month of suspense in Studioland is at an end, it behoves us to apply our most soothing embrocation to the wounded feelings of geniuses whose works have boomeranged their way back from Burlington House. Let them remember: That very few people really look at the pictures in the Academy--they only go to meet their friends, or to say they have been there. That those who _do_ examine the works of art are wont to disparage the same by way of showing their superior smartness. That one picture has no chance of recognition with fourteen hundred others shouting at it. That all the best pavement-artists now give "one-man" shows. They can thus select their own "pitch," and are never ruthlessly skied. That photography in colours is coming, and then the R.A. will have to go. That Rembrandt, Holbein, Rubens and Vandyck were never hung at the summer exhibition. That Botticelli, Correggio and Titian managed to rub along without that privilege. That the ten-guinea frame that was bought (or owed for) this spring will do splendidly next year for another masterpiece. That the painter _must_ have specimens of his best work to decorate the somewhat bare walls of his studio. That the best test of a picture is being able to live with it--or live it down--so why send it away from its most lenient critic? That probably the _chef-d'oeuvre_ sent in was shown to the hanging committee up-side down. That, supposing they saw it properly, they were afraid that its success would put the Academy to the expense of having a railing placed in front. And finally, we would remind the rejected one that, after all, his bantling _has_ been exhibited in the R.A.--to the president and his colleagues engaged in the work of selection. Somebody at least looked at it for quite three seconds. * * * * * ART NOTE.--_The early Italian style._--An organ-grinder at five o'clock in the morning. * * * * * [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR FLAT.--_Extract from Lady's Correspondence._ "----In fact, our reception was a _complete_ success. We had some excellent musicians. I daresay you will wonder where we put them, with such a crowd of people; but we managed _capitally_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SHOW SUNDAY.--_Vandyke Browne._ "Peace, my dear lady, peace and refinement, those are the two essentials in an artist's surroundings." [_Enter Master and Miss Browne. Tableau!_] * * * * * [Illustration: VARNISHING DAY AMENITIES.--_Little Smudge._ "Of course, I know perfectly well my style isn't quite developed yet, but I feel I am, if I might so express it, in a _transition_ stage, don't you know," _Brother Brush_ ("_skied_" _this year_). "Ah! I see, _going from bad to worse_!"] * * * * * THE MIGHTY PEN ["With this little instrument that rests so lightly in the hand, whole nations can be moved.... When it is poised between thumb and finger, it becomes a living thing--it moves with the pulsations of the living heart and thinking brain, and writes down, almost unconsciously, the thoughts that live--the words that burn.... It would be difficult to find a single newspaper or magazine to which we could turn for a lesson in pure and elegant English."--_Miss Corelli in_ "_Free Opinions Freely Expressed_."] O magic pen, what wonders lie Within your little length! Though small and paltry to the eye You boast a giant's strength. Between my finger and my thumb A living creature you become, And to the listening world you give "The words that burn--the thoughts that live." Oft, when the sacred fire glows hot, Your wizard power is proved: You write till lunch, and nations not Infrequently are moved; 'Twixt lunch and tea perhaps you damn For good and all, some social sham, And by the time I pause to sup-- Behold Carnegie crumpled up! Through your unconscious eyes I see Strange beauty, little pen! You make life exquisite to me, If not to other men. You fill me with an inward joy No outward trouble can destroy, Not even when I struggle through Some foolish ignorant review; Nor when the press bad grammar scrawls In wild uncultured haste, And which intolerably galls One's literary taste. What are the editors about, Whom one would think would edit out The shocking English and the style Which every page and line defile? There is, alas! no magazine, No paper that one knows To which a man could turn for clean And graceful English prose; Not even, O my pen, though you Yourself may write for one or two, And lend to them a style, a tone, A grammar that is all your own. I see the shadows of decay On all sides darkly loom; Massage and manicure hold sway, Cosmetics fairly boom; Old dowagers and budding maids Alike affect complexion-aids, While middle age with anxious care Dyes to restore its dwindling hair. The time is out of joint, but still I am not hopeless quite So long as you exist, my quill, Once more to set it right. Woman will cease from rouge, I think, Man pour his hair-wash down the sink, If you will yet consent to give "The words that burn--the thoughts that live." * * * * * A HINT FOR THE PUBLISHERS. As the publishing season will soon be in full play--which means that there will be plenty of work--we suggest the following as titles of books, to succeed the publication of "People I have Met," by an American:-- People I have taken into Custody, by a Policeman. People that have Met me Half-way, by an Insolvent. People I have Splashed, by a Scavenger. People I have Done, by a Jew Bill-discounter. People I have Abused, by a 'Bus Conductor. People I have Run Over, by a Butcher's Boy. People I have Run Against, by a Sweep. * * * * * A ROARING TRADE.--Keeping a menagerie. * * * * * [Illustration: COMPLIMENTS ONE MIGHT IMPROVE ON.--_Mrs. Mudge._ "I _do_ admire the women you draw, Mr. Penink. They're _so_ beautiful and _so_ refined! Tell me, _who_ is your model?" [_Mrs. Mudge rises in Mrs. Penink's opinion._] _Penink._ "Oh, my wife always sits for me!" _Mrs. Mudge_ (_with great surprise_). "You don't say so! Well, I think you're one of the _cleverest_ men I know!" [_Mrs. Penink's opinion of Mrs. Mudge falls below zero._] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER."--_George_ (_Itinerant Punch-and-Judy Showman_). "I say, Bill, she _do_ draw!" _Bill_ (_his partner, with drum and box of puppets_). "H'm--it's more than _we_ can!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "SELECTION."--_Brown_ (_as he was leaving our Art Conversazione, after a rattling scramble in the cloak-room_). "Confound it! Got my own hat, after all!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Eccentric Old Gent_ (_whose pet aversion is a dirty child_). "Go away, you dirty girl, and wash your face!" _Indignant Youngster._ "You go 'ome, you dirty old man, and do yer 'air!"] * * * * * MUSICAL FACT.--People are apt to complain of the vile tunes that are played about the streets by grinding organs, and yet they may all be said to be the music of Handle. * * * * * [Illustration: IS THERE ROOM FOR MARY THERE? SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS] * * * * * [Illustration: _Photographer._ "I think this is an excellent portrait of your wife." _Mr. Smallweed._ "I don't know--sort of _repose_ about the _mouth_ that somehow doesn't seem right."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE GREAT PRIZE FIGHT.--_Johnnie_ (_who finds that his box_, £_20_, _has been appropriated by "the Fancy"_). "I beg your pardon, but this is _my_ box!" _Bill Bashford._ "Oh, is it? Well, why don't you tike it?"] * * * * * [Illustration: WITHOUT PREJUDICE.--_Ugly Man_ (_who thinks he's a privileged wag, to artist_). "Now, Mr. _Daub_igny, draw me." _Artist_ (_who doesn't like being called _Daub_igny, and whose real name is Smith_). "Certainly. But you _won't_ be offended if it's _like_ you. Eh?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Scrimble._ "So sorry I've none of my work to show you. Fact is, I've just sent all my pictures to the Academy." _Mrs. Macmillions._ "What a pity! I did so much want to see them. How soon do you expect them back?"] * * * * * THE YOUNG NOVELIST'S GUIDE TO MEDICINE CHLOROFORM. Invaluable to writers of sensational stories. Every high-class fictionary criminal carries a bottle in his pocket. A few drops, spread on a handkerchief and waved within a yard of the hero's nose, will produce a state of complete unconsciousness lasting for several hours, within which time his pockets may be searched at leisure. This property of chloroform, familiar to every expert novelist, seems to have escaped the notice of the medical profession. CONSUMPTION. The regulation illness for use in tales of mawkish pathos. Very popular some years ago, when the heroine made farewell speeches in blank verse, and died to slow music. Fortunately, however, the public has lost its fondness for work of this sort. Consumption at its last stage is easily curable (in novels) by the reappearance of a hero supposed to be dead. Two pages later the heroine will gain strength in a way which her doctors--not unnaturally--will describe as "perfectly marvellous." And in the next chapter the marriage-bells will ring. [Illustration] DOCTOR. Always include a doctor among your characters. He is quite easy to manage, and invariably will belong to one of these three types: (_a_) The eminent specialist. Tall, imperturbable, urbane. Only comes incidentally into the story. (_b_) Young, bustling, energetic. Not much practice, and plenty of time to look after other people's affairs. Hard-headed and practical. Often the hero's college friend. Should be given a pretty girl to marry in the last chapter. (_c_) The old family doctor. Benevolent, genial, wise. Wears gold-rimmed spectacles, which he has to take off and wipe at the pathetic parts of the book. FEVER. A nice, useful term for fictionary illnesses. It is best to avoid mention of specific symptoms, beyond that of "a burning brow," though, if there are any family secrets which need to be revealed, delirium is sure to supervene at a later stage. _Arthur Pendennis_, for instance, had fictional "fever," and baffled doctors have endeavoured ever since to find out what really was the matter with him. "Brain-fever," again, is unknown to the medical faculty, but you may safely afflict your intellectual hero with it. The treatment of fictionary fever is quite simple, consisting solely of frequent doses of grapes and cooling drinks. These will be brought to the sufferer by the heroine, and these simple remedies administered in this way have never been known to fail. [Illustration] FRACTURE. After one of your characters has come a cropper in the hunting-field he will be taken on a hurdle to the nearest house: usually, by a strange coincidence, the heroine's home. And he will be said to have sustained "a compound fracture"--a vague description which will quite satisfy your readers. GOUT. An invaluable disease to the humorist. Remember that heroes and heroines are entirely immune from it, but every rich old uncle is bound to suffer from it. The engagement of his niece to an impecunious young gentleman invariably coincides with a sharp attack of gout. The humour of it all is, perhaps, a little difficult to see, but it never fails to tickle the public. [Illustration] HEART DISEASE. An excellent complaint for killing off a villain. If you wish to pave the way for it artistically, this is the recognised method: On page 100 he will falter in the middle of a sentence, grow pale, and press his hand sharply to his side. In a moment he will have recovered, and will assure his anxious friends that it is nothing. But the reader knows better. He has met the same premonitory symptoms in scores of novels, and he will not be in the least surprised when, on the middle of page 250, the villain suddenly drops dead. [Illustration] * * * * * UNPOPULAR GAME AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY.--"High-sky-high!" * * * * * A ROUGH WINE.--Rude-sheimer. * * * * * NERVOUS.--Mrs. Malaprop was induced to go to a music hall the other evening. She never means to set foot in one again. The extortions some of the performers threw themselves into quite upset her. * * * * * MOTTO FOR A MODEL MUSIC-HALL ENTERTAINMENT.--"Everything in its 'turn' and nothing long." * * * * * [Illustration: BREAKING IT GENTLY.--_His Cousins._ "We sent off the wire to stop your model coming. But you had put one word too many--so we struck it out." _Real Artist._ "Oh, indeed. What word did you strike out?" _His Cousins._ "You had written 'he wasn't to come, as you had only just discovered you couldn't paint to-day.' So we crossed out '_to-day_.'"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE STATE OF THE MARKET.--_Artist_ (_to customer_, _who has come to buy on behalf of a large furnishing firm in Tottenham Court Road_): "How would this suit you? 'Summer'!" _Customer_: "H'm--'Summer.' Well, sir, the fact is we find there's very little demand for _green_ goods just now. If you had a line of _autumn tints_ now--that's the article we find most sale for among our customers!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Our Amateur Romeo_ (_who has taken a cottage in the country, so as to be able to study without interruption_). "Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon----" _Owner of rubicund countenance_ (_popping head over the hedge_), "Beg pardon, zur! Be you a talkin' to Oi, zur?"] * * * * * [Illustration: BITTERS AT THE CLUB _MacStodge_ (_Pictor ignotus_). "Who's that going out?" _O'Duffer_ (_Pictor ignotissimus_). "One Ernest Raphael Sopely, who painted Lady Midas!" _MacStodge._ "Oh, the artist!" _O'Duffer._ "No. _The Royal Academician!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: LA VIE DE BOHÈME.--_First Bohemian_ (_to second ditto_). "I can't for the life of me think why you wasted all that time haggling with that tailor chap, and beating him down, when you know, old chap, you won't be able to pay him at all." _Second Bohemian._ "Ah, that's _it_! _I_ have a conscience. I want the poor chap to lose as little as possible!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Little Guttersnipe_ (_who is getting quite used to posing_). "Will yer want me ter tike my bun down?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Genial Doctor_ (_after laughing heartily at a joke of his patient's_). "Ha! ha! ha! There's not much the matter with _you_! Though I do believe that if you were on your death-bed you'd make a joke!" _Irrepressible Patient._ "Why, of course I should. It would be my last chance!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _She_ (_to Raphael Greene_, _who paints gems for the R.A. that are never accepted_). "I _do_ hope you'll be hung this year. I'm sure you deserve to be!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ART INTELLIGENCE _She_ (_reads_). "There are upwards of fifty English painters and sculptors now in Rome----" _He_ (_British Philistine--served on a late celebrated jury!_). "Ah! no wonder we couldn't get that scullery white-washed!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Devoted little wife_ (_to hubbie, who has been late at the club_). "Now, dear, see, your breakfast is quite ready. A nice kipper, grilled chicken and mushrooms with bacon, poached eggs on toast--tea and coffee. Anything else you'd like, dearie?" _Victim of last night_ (_groans_). "Yes--an appetite!" [_Collapses._] * * * * * [Illustration: AFTER FEEDING-TIME.--_Showman of Travelling Menagerie._ "Now, ladies and gentlemen, we come to the most interesting part of the 'ole exhibition! Seven different species of hanimals, in the same cage, dwellin' in 'armony. You could see them with the naked heye, only you have come too late. They are all now inside the lion!"] * * * * * TO BILLIARD PLAYERS.--If you would obey the _rules_ of billiards, always attend to the _cannons_ of the game. * * * * * THE SUSPENSORY ACT.--Hanging the Academy exhibition. * * * * * IN THE BILLIARD ROOM.--_Major Carambole._ I never give any bribes to the club servants on principle. _Captain Hazard._ Then I suppose the marker looks on the tip of your cue without interest. [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: IN A BAR, NEWMARKET.--_Seedy Individual_ (_to Knowing One_). "D'yer want to buy a diamond pin cheap?" _Knowing One._ "'Ere, get out of this! What d'you take me for? A juggins?" _S. I._ "Give yer my word it's worth sixty quid if it's worth a penny. And you can 'ave it for a tenner." _K. O._ "Let's 'ave a look at it. Where is it?" _S. I._ "In that old gent's tie. _Will yer 'ave it?_"] * * * * * [Illustration: SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS "Yew harxed me woy hoi larved when larve should be A thing hun-der-eamed hof larve twixt yew han me. Yew moight hin-tereat the sun tew cease tew she-oine Has seek tew sty saw deep a larve has moine."] * * * * * [Illustration: SHAKSPEARE ILLUSTRATED "Oh, my prophetic soul! My uncle!" _Hamlet_, Act I., Sc. 5.] * * * * * A BROTHER ARTIST ["We have regularly attended the Academy now for many years, but never do we remember such a poor show of portraits; they cannot prove to be otherwise than the laughing-stock of tailors and their customers."--_Tailor and Cutter._] The tailor leaned upon his goose, And wiped away a tear: "What portraits painting-men produce," He sobbed, "from year to year! These fellows make their sitters smile In suits that do not fit, They're wrongly buttoned, and the style Is not the thing a bit. "Oh, artist, I'm an artist too! I bid you use restraint, And only show your sitters, do, In fitting coats of paint; In vain you crown those errant seams With smiles that look ethereal, For man may be the stuff of dreams-- But dreams are not material." * * * * * MEDICAL.--A sculptor friend, who has strabismus, consoles himself with the thought that he can always keep his profession in view through having a cast in his eye. * * * * * [Illustration: _Frame-maker_ (_to gifted amateur, who is ordering frames for a few prints and sketches_). "Ah, I suppose you want something cheap an' ordinary for _this_?" [_N.B._--_"This" was a cherished little sketch by our amateur himself._] * * * * * NOT QUITE THE SAME.--Scene: _Exhibition of Works of Art._ _Dealer_ (_to friend, indicating stout person closely examining a Vandyke_). Do you know who _that_ is? I so often see him about. _Friend._ I know him. He's a collector. _Dealer_ (_much interested_). Indeed! What does he collect? Pictures? _Friend._ No. Income tax. [_Exeunt severally._ * * * * * ART CLASS.--_Inspector._ What is a "landscape painter"? _Student._ A painter of landscapes. _Inspector._ Good. What is an "animal painter"? _Student._ A painter of animals. _Inspector._ Excellent. What is a "marine painter"? _Student._ A painter of marines. _Inspector._ Admirable! Go and tell it them. Call next class. [_Exeunt students._ * * * * * THE BEST "PUBLISHER'S CIRCULAR."--A round dining-table. * * * * * [Illustration: SOCIAL AGONIES.--_Anxious Musician_ (_in a whisper_, _to Mrs. Lyon Hunter's butler_). "Where's my cello?" _Butler_ (_in stentorian tones_, _to the room_). "Signor Weresmicello!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Brown._ "Pity Jones has lost--his figure!" _Robinson._ "Not _lost_, but gone before!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Enthusiastic Briton_ (_to seedy American_, _who has been running down all our national monuments_). "But even if our Houses of Parliament 'aren't in it,' as you say, with the Masonic Temple of Chicago, surely, sir, you will admit the Thames Embankment, for instance----" _Seedy American._ "Waal, _guess_ I don't think so durned much of your Thames Embankment, neither. It _rained_ all the blarmed time the night I _slep on it_."] * * * * * A PROFESSIONAL VIEW OF THINGS.--Old Paynter never neglects any opportunity for advancing art. Every evening he has the cloth drawn. * * * * * BEVERAGE FOR A MUSICIAN.--Thorough bass. * * * * * POETICAL LICENCE.--A music-hall's. * * * * * TURF REFORM.--Mowing your lawn. * * * * * A MONSTER MEETING..--A giant and a dwarf. * * * * * THE SOAKER'S PARADISE.--Dropmore. * * * * * [Illustration: FINIS] * * * * * BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE. 36177 ---- MR PUNCH ON TOUR. PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR. Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON. Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day. [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: MR. AND MRS. JONES'S WALKING TOUR.--(_At the Shakspeare Hotel_). _Voice from the office_: "Porter, take this lady and gentleman to the Romeo and Juliet room."] * * * * * MR. PUNCH ON TOUR THE HUMOUR OF TRAVEL AT HOME AND ABROAD [Illustration] DEPICTED BY PHIL MAY, CHARLES KEENE, GEORGE DU MAURIER, L. RAVEN-HILL, BERNARD PARTRIDGE, F. H. TOWNSEND, DUDLEY HARDY, REGINALD CLEAVER, GORDON BROWNE, LEWIS BAUMER, G. D. ARMOUR, A. WALLIS MILLS, LANCE THACKERAY, AND OTHERS _WITH 153 ILLUSTRATIONS_ PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" [Illustration] THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo. 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration] * * * * * THE HUMOUR OF TRAVEL [Illustration] There is nothing insular about MR. PUNCH. Judging by his features, familiar though these be and long as they have been typical of English humour, he is not without some trace of foreign origin. Indeed, we fancy that were a very searching enquiry to be made into his ancestry we might find he had a far-off forebear who was, let us say, Italian! Perhaps we have here the explanation of his breadth of mind and wide sympathy which, however deeply rooted in the good soil of old England, are by no means absolutely delimited by our coast line. It is thus that we find him consistently the best of travelling companions, for there is none he is more ready to castigate with the whip of his satire than the insular Englishman abroad. This is as it should be, and in these days of the _entente cordiale_ especially, when the inducements to Continental travel are steadily increasing, all patriotic Englishmen are anxious that their fellow-countrymen should give as good an account of themselves as possible when visiting the fair lands of our friends across the silver streak. [Illustration] MR. PUNCH, while always ready to stand for English ideals of right and fair-dealing, has equally endeavoured throughout his long career to show that all the good manners of Europe are not to be found on the Continent. But above all, wherever he goes, let his travels be within those green isles where he reigns as king of fun or as far afield as the land of the Sphinx, he diffuses that good humour which is the essential characteristic of the Englishman and adds so much to the joy of life. The present collection, illustrative of the humours of travel at home and abroad, certainly does not bear out the ancient criticism as to the English taking their pleasures sadly. Like many another book in this same library it proves rather that they take their misadventures joyously. [Illustration] * * * * * MR. PUNCH ON TOUR [Illustration] MRS. RAMSBOTHAM IN ROME.--When Mrs. R. was in Rome she insisted on the guide taking her and her party to see the Papal Bulls of which she had always heard so much. "I suppose," she said, "they're kept on some farm, and are exhibited for prizes just like the King's or the Prince of Wales'." The worthy lady added that she couldn't help laughing to think what a mistake she made in Holland when she was taken to see "Paul Potter's Bull," which turned out to be only a picture. * * * * * A CURIOUS LANDSCAPE FEATURE OBSERVABLE AT MONTE CARLO IN THE EARLY SPRING.--Blue Rocks. * * * * * HINTS TO TOURISTS If you are put with a friend in a double-bedded room, bear in mind that inside walls are only lath and plaster, and that every word you say will be heard in the next room. Therefore carry on your conversation at the tip-top of your voice, and make as much noise as you can in packing, and in splashing, and in stumping round your room. Always give to beggars who waylay you on the road, and if you know their language, accompany your gift with a little stagey speech to the effect that all we English have more money than we know how to spend, and it is our duty when we travel to succour the distressed. This will mightily encourage the impostors in their trade, and engender a great nuisance for tourists who are poorer or less foolish than yourself. * * * * * SHE MEANT NOTHING WRONG.--_Curate to American Visitor._ How do you like our church, Mrs. Golightly? It is very generally admired. _Mrs. Golightly._ Yes, it's very pretty, but if it only had a clock fitted on the tower, it would be _useful_ as well as ornamental. * * * * * [Illustration: TACTFUL SYMPATHY _Genial Friend._ "Hullo, old man, getting on all right?"] * * * * * [Illustration: Our artist, while staying in the country, thinks it would be a good opportunity for studying _calves_.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Yachting Man._ "Well, I always said you were a plucky fellow, Splinter; but really, now, I did not give you credit----" _Splinter_ (_not displeased_). "How do you mean?" _Yachting Man._ "Why, with your spars, to put out in such a gale o' wind as this."] * * * * * TRAVELLERS' TALES _First Traveller_ (_in the smoking-room_). I think the most marvellous sight I ever saw was when I was crossing the Bight of Benin. You know the Bight? _Second Traveller._ Perfectly. Shot two sea-serpents there last year. _Third Traveller._ I landed hard by when I cycled across Africa. _First Traveller._ Well, it was there we sighted a man who had crossed from Buenos Ayres on a hen-coop, with a cotton umbrella for a sail, and---- _Other Travellers_ (_jealously in chorus_). Oh! Come, I say! _Quiet Man_ (_in corner_). Oh, I'll vouch for the truth of the assertion. _First Traveller_ (_nettled_). How's that? _Quiet Man._ Why, _I_ was the man. [_Company disperses._ * * * * * NEXT BEST THING TO THE PERSIAN LOCOMOTIVE CARPET OF EASTERN FABLE.--The "Travelling Rug" of Western fact. * * * * * [Illustration: Brown, who has had a hard day sight-seeing, in Tunis, goes to a café for a quiet drink and rest. Result!] * * * * * A HAPPY HOLIDAY Now I really do not care a Hang about the Riviera, In the daytime you've a gay time, But the nights are very cold. And for any kind of touring, Which I used to find alluring, I for biking had a liking, But I now have grown too old. Then the constant change of weather To my thinking, altogether Knocked the notion of an ocean Trip completely on the head; I've a horror, too, of "trippers," 'Arrys, 'Arriets, and "nippers," So a jolly quiet holi- Day I spent at home in bed. * * * * * NO DIFFERENCE.--_English Customer_ (_to Manager of restaurant_). I see, Signor Maraschino, that the American gentleman and his wife who have just left drank nothing but water with their dinner. Does that make much difference in their bill? _Signor Maraschino._ Noting, sir. They pay same as yourself and lady, who 'ave champagne. Oderwise 'ow should we live? * * * * * "THE GREAT LOAN LAND."--Russia. * * * * * [Illustration: WHAT DID MR. PUNCH DO IN THE EASTER RECESS?--Volunteer review! Not a bit of it! He just popped over, and had a few days of delightful _dolce far niente_ at Venice.] * * * * * [Illustration: Papa, Maman, et Bébé s'en vont à la pêche aux crevettes.] * * * * * [Illustration: FIN DE LA SAISON.--(_At a Cercle Anglais. "Le Fiv' o'clock," i.e., Afternoon Tea._) _Britisher._ "_Coming to the ball to-night, Count?_" _Monsieur le Comte._ "Moi, mon cher? Ah, non. I am tired. I have the ache everywhere. I have play the football!" _Britisher._ "Good! What?--Forward, half-back?" _Monsieur le Comte._ "Forward! Half-back! Par exemple, I am 'Arbitre'--how you say it?--Referee!"] * * * * * IMPRESSIONS FROM ABROAD (_By Our Susceptible Subscriber_) Impressions on my hat after going down the salt mine at Berchtesgaden. Impressions on my alpenstock after looking at the Alpine Peaks from below with an opera-glass. Impressions on my nose and forehead by the mosquitoes, when I would be poetical and stay all the evening on the Rialto at Venice. Impressions on my ears by the bad language of my guide, when I refused to pay for the echoes awakened on the Rhine by an ancient howitzer. Impressions on my heart by memories of that pretty little Frenchwoman I travelled with from Turin. Impressions on my feet by her sweet little _bottines_. Impression on my mind, after Mrs. P. detected those _bottines_ too near my boots, that it would be better not to be so susceptible another time. * * * * * THOUGHT BY A TOURIST.--Too many Cook's Excursionists spoil the _table d'hôte_. * * * * * [Illustration: THE RULING PASSION _Customs Official._ "Have you anything to declare?" _Absent-minded Traveller_ (_Bridge-player, just catching last word_). "Oh, leave it to you!"] * * * * * [Illustration:: INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS _Henri Dubois_ (_who can speak English_) _to his friend 'Arry Smith_ (_who can't_). "Pardon me, mon ami! You are very pretty boy, you dress in ze most perfect 'chic'; but vy do you speak your own language so ungrammaticallé?" '_Arry._ "Why do I speak my hown langwidge so hungrammatical? 'Ang it, yer down't suppowse as I were hedgerkited at Heton or 'Arrow like a bloomin' swell, do yer?" _Henri._ "Voyez donc ça! Now in France zere is no Eton, no Harrow: all ze public schools are ze same, and ze butcher and baker's little boys go zere, and ze little candlestick-makers, and ze little boys of ze merchants of cheese like you and me!" '_Arry._ "Come, I s'y, Walker, yer know! And where do their customers' little boys go?" _Henri._ "Parbleu! Zey go zere too!!" ['_Arry, suddenly conscious of his deficiencies, feels bitterly towards his country._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: "DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES" _Old Gentleman._ "Are you certain that these life-belts are cork, and not half sawdust?" _Storeman._ "They are the best quality. We have sold hundreds, and never had a complaint!"] * * * * * HAPPY GEOGRAPHICAL THOUGHT (_when crossing the Channel in exceptionally rough weather_).--"Oh dear! What a pity that the sea everywhere can't be the Pacific Ocean!" * * * * * "THE TRAVELLERS' CLUB."--An alpenstock. * * * * * [Illustration: FOREIGN HOTELS.--"WHAT!--NO SOAP!"--"Oh--er--juste regardez ici, mademoiselle! Vous nous avez chargé pour le _savon_--et nous ne l'avons pas _usé_, vous savez, car----" "Oh, mamma! How _can_ you!" [_Poor things! they had brought their own._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: THE LAST THING OUT.--Sensation created every morning at Crevetteville-sur-Mer by Colonel F---- (of the Guards) and the lovely Lady Magnolia D----.] * * * * * [Illustration: THE PERSONAL EQUATION.--_Ducal Butler_ (_showing art treasures of Stilton Castle_). "The three Graces--after Canova!" _Mrs Ramsbotham._ "How interesting! And pray, which is the _present_ Duchess?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Her Husband_ (_going on the Continent_). "Look here, Arabella, from now you and I will speak nothing but French." _Arabella._ "_Oui._" _Her Husband._ "What did you say?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "EASIER SAID THAN DONE" _Stout Traveller_ (_in the Eastern Counties_). "My lad--which is the--quickest way--for me to get to the station?" _Street Arab._ "Wh' run bo'! 'th' else yeow'll sartain'y lewse th' tr'ine! There goo th' bell!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DESPAIR! Brown has locked his portmanteau with one of those letter padlocks and forgotten the word that opens it. [_Only ten minutes to dinner!_ ] * * * * * VIATOR'S VADE MECUM (_Or Compendious Weather-Guide for the British Tourist_) When the wind is in the North, Gingham take if you go forth. If to Eastward veer the wind, Gingham do not leave behind. If to West the wind should tend, Gingham is your surest friend. If it seek the South, of course, Gingham is your sole resource. Intermediate points demand Gingham constantly in hand. If there be no wind at all, Gingham take, for rain will fall. At all other times, no doubt, Gingham you may do without, Yet e'en then an hour may bring 'em,-- Showers I mean,--so take your Gingham! * * * * * _English Tourist_ (_in the far North, miles from anywhere_). "Do you mean to say that you and your family live here all the winter? Why, what do you do when any of you are ill? You can never get a doctor!" _Scotch Shepherd._ "Nae, sir. We've just to dee a natural death!" * * * * * _The_ PLACE IN HOT WEATHER.--Lazistan. * * * * * [Illustration: THE WATER CURE _Young Lady._ "So you've been on the Continent, Professor?" _The Professor._ "Yes, I've been to Marienbad, taking the baths, you know." _Young Lady._ "Really? That _was_ a change for you, wasn't it?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Oh! con-found these country looking-glasses, though!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE HOT WEATHER _Traveller_ (_bedtime, thermometer 100°!_). "Waiter, go' sh'ch a thing as a warmin'-pan?" _Waiter_ (_astounded_). "A warming-pan, sir!" _Traveller._ "And got any ice?" _Waiter._ "Ice, sir? Yessir!" _Traveller._ "Then tell 'chamb'maid to run a pan of ice through my bed, and let me have my candle. I'll turn in!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE--_An Indian Station, on the eve of a Fancy Ball._--_Globe-trotting "Bounder"_ (_newly arrived_). "You're running this ball, ain't you? Is fancy dress _de rigueur_?" _Choleric Colonel_ (_who is Ball Secretary_). "Fancy dress, sir, is not _de rigueur_, but an invitation _is_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: UP COUNTRY JOYS IN INDIA.--_The Mem Sahib_ (_with a view to seasonable festivities_). "I wonder if you have got such a thing as lemon peel or candied peel in your shop?" _"Europe Shop" Keeper._ "Ah, no, Mem Sahib. Onlee got it 'cockle' peel and 'beesham' peel!"] * * * * * THE TRAVELLERS' PROTECTION LEAGUE The T. P. L. commenced operations last week with regard to the unpunctuality of certain railway companies, and should be encouraged to go a little farther. We want protection against:-- 1. Passengers who try to keep us out of carriages by fictitiously placing hats and wraps on more seats or corners than they will themselves occupy. 2. Passengers who endeavour to enter carriages when we have fictitiously placed hats and wraps on more seats or corners than we shall ourselves occupy. 3. People who smoke bad tobacco in compartments where there are ladies. 4. Ladies who ride in compartments where we smoke bad tobacco. 5. Parties who insist upon having the window open when we wish it shut. 6. Parties who insist upon having the window shut when we wish it open. 7. Persons who try to squeeze in when our carriage is full. 8. Persons who try to keep us out when their carriage is full. 9. Objectionable babies. 10. Objectors to babies. And a job lot of grievances, viz.:-- 11. The British landscape, now consisting of pill advertisements. 12. Clapham Junction. 13. Bank Holiday traffic and excursionists, racing and football crowds. 14. The weather. 15. Nasty smelling smoke. 16. Irritatingly uncertain lamps. 17. The increase in the income-tax. 18. The cussedness of things in general. 19. And, lastly, the Billion Dollar Trust. If the T. P. L. will abate or abolish any or all of these nuisances we shall be very greatly obliged. * * * * * [Illustration: A TIGHT FIT _Chorus of Girls_ (_to popular party on bank_). "Oh, do come with us, there's _plenty_ of room!"] * * * * * MRS. RAMSBOTHAM was asked if she liked yachting, and she replied that she preferred _terra-cotta_. She probably meant _terra-firma_. * * * * * [Illustration: "WHEN A MAN DOES NOT LOOK HIS BEST" When, after lunching sumptuously at a strange hotel in a strange part of the country, it suddenly occurs to him that he has left his purse, with all his money in it, in the mail train going North.] * * * * * AT MUNICH.--_Mr. Joddletop_ (_to travelling companion at Bierhalle_). What they call this larger beer for I'm blessed if I know! Why, it's thinner than what I drink at home. * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S COUNTRY RAMBLES (_With acknowledgments to the "Daily Chronicle"_) A memorable afternoon may be spent by taking the train to Muggleton, and walking from there by way of Mudford, Sloppington, Stickborough-in-the-Marsh, Drencham, St. Swithuns, and Swillingspout to Poddleton-on-the-Slosh. The whole district is full of memories of the great Hodge family (before it migrated into the towns). Quite a number of mute, inglorious Miltons are buried in Poddleton churchyard, but a few people may still be seen in the market-place on Saturdays. _Route of Ramble._--Alighting at Muggleton Station (too much reliance should not be placed upon the elocution of the local railway porter) leave the refreshment room resolutely on the left (as you will need to keep your intelligence clear), and proceed in a north-north-east-half-northerly direction along a winding lane, until Mudford Beacon appears in the rear. Then turn back across six meadows and a ploughed field, following alternately the bed of a stream and the right bank of the canal until Sloppington is reached. From there follow the boundary line between the counties of Mudshire and Slopshire as far as Stickborough: from two to seven miles further on (according to the best local computation) lies Drencham, where is a remarkable pump. Leaving this landmark south-west-by-west, veer sharply to the left twice, and pursue a zig-zag course. If, at the twenty-second field, you are not within easy reach of Swillingspout it will be because you are incapable of following this brief chronicle. From the last-named place the nearest way to Poddleton is through the railway tunnel. It is not public, but persons have sometimes succeeded in getting through. Poddleton is nine miles from a station, but an omnibus walks the distance occasionally, when the horse is not required for funerals or other purposes. _Length of Ramble._--Doubtful. Has only been done in sections. * * * * * MISS-GUIDED FOLKS IN PARIS.--Evidently those who are personally conducted by "Lady Guides." * * * * * [Illustration: "BY THE CARD" _Pedestrian._ "How far is it to Sludgecombe, boy?" _Boy._ "Why, 'bout twenty 'underd theausan' mild 'f y' goo 's y'are agooin' now, an' 'bout half a mild 'f you turn right reaound an' goo t'other way!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Traveller._ "Can you direct me to Hollow Meadows?" _Hodge_ (_who stutters frightfully_). "Ye-ye-ye-yes. You t-t-t-t-take the f-f-f-first t-t-t-t-turning on th-the right, and ku-ku-ku-keep straight on ower th' b-b-b-brig. Bu-bub-bub-but you'd bub-bub-bub-better be gu-gu-gu-gangin' on. You'll gu-gu-get there quicker th-th-th-than I can t-t-t-tell you!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MUCH PLEASANTER FOR ALFRED _Constance_ (_adding the last straw_). "There, darling! I hope I've forgotten nothing. And oh, Alfred! how much, _much_ pleasanter to carry our things ourselves, and be alone together, than to have a horrid servant trotting behind us, and listening to every word we say!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SOMETHING FROM THE PROVINCES _Excursionist_ (_politely_). "Can you kindly direct me the nearest way to Slagley?" _Powerful Navvy._ "Ah can poonch th' head o' thee!" _[Excursionist retires hastily._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: ON THE COLONIAL TOUR _Famous Pianist._ "Himmel! how hot it is! I really think I might just have half an inch cut off--just round the nape of my neck you know. Just _thinned_ a little----" _His Agent._ "Out of the question, my boy. Remember clause seven in the agreement--'Your hair not to be cut till the last concert in Australia is over'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EVOLUTION EXTRAORDINARY _British Tourist_ (_who has been served with a pig's foot_). "What's this? I ordered quail!" _Negro Waiter._ "Wall--y'ev got quail!" _British Tourist._ "Quail! Why a quail's a bird!" _Negro Waiter._ "_Not here!_"] * * * * * THE IDEAL HOLIDAY Come, Phyllis, for the season is already on the wane, And the question of our holiday perplexes once again; Now every jaded Londoner fresh stores of vigour seeks, Our problem is how best to pass these few and fleeting weeks. As one by one each watering-place we call to mind in turn As promptly some objection to each one we discern; Thus Scarborough's too chilly, and Ilfracombe too hot, And this too near, and that too dear, that sandy and this not. The Alps are always overrun and crowded as Cheapside, And the garlic-reeking South I own I never could abide; The _Bads_--Aix, Vichy, Taunus, Homburg, Carlsbad, Neuenahr, Are either vulgar, crowded, dull, expensive, or too far. Oh, for some new and lone retreat, nor far away nor near, With lovely sights to charm the eye, soft sounds to soothe the ear; Where vexed and wearied spirits, such as yours and mine, might rest, And find in life new purpose, in its joys unwonted zest; Some Aidenn, some Elysium of rapturous delight, Where peace should reign unbroken from the dawn to fall of night! Yet since for the impossible in vain we yearn, 'tis clear, It will end no doubt as usual, in "Good old Margate," dear. * * * * * [Illustration: "THE _VALET_ OF THE NILE" Much talked about, but very seldom seen!] * * * * * "A railway from Joppa to Jerusalem" sounds like a Scriptural line. In future, "going to Jericho" will not imply social banishment, as the party sent thither will be able to take a return-ticket. * * * * * SO NICE AND SYMPATHETIC.--A gentleman, whose one glass eye had served him for years, had the misfortune to drop it. It smashed to atoms. This happened when he was far away in the country. He inquired of a friend where was the nearest place for him to go and get refitted. "Why don't you call upon the girl you were flirting with all last night?" his friend inquired. "She has a first-class reputation for making eyes." * * * * * BALLOONERY.--"We went spinning through the air!" said an enthusiastic aeronaut, describing his recent trial trip. "Indeed!" observed his companion, meditatively. "Judging by your description it sounds as if you had been in an 'heir-loom' instead of an 'air-ship.'" * * * * * AT BRUSSELS.--_Mrs. Trickleby_ (_pointing to an announcement in grocer's window, and spelling it out_). _Jambon d'Yorck._ What's that mean, Mr. T.? _Mr. T_. (_who is by way of being a linguist_). Why, good Yorkshire preserves, of course. What did you suppose it was--Dundee marmalade? * * * * * [Illustration: "CAUTION! THIS HILL IS DANGEROUS!"] * * * * * TO ABSENT FRIENDS. (_By a Fox without a Tail._) Dear Brown and Jones and Robinson and many thousands more, Now spending dismal holidays on some dank sea-girt shore, You, who affect to pity those compelled in town to stay, Should rather envy us, because we cannot get away. While you are hiring tiny rooms at many pounds a week, And huddle there and watch parades that run with rain, and reek, Contrast my cheerful aspect with your discontented looks, As here I stay at ease among my pictures and my books. Here in the trains the traveller can now find ample space, Enjoying elbow-room without a struggle for a place: The choicest dishes are not "off" at half-past one to lunch, And no one spoils our appetite with--"After you with _Punch_!" The dainty shops of Regent Street teem with their treasures still, The Park with all its beauties we can now enjoy at will; No longer do the jostling crowds provoke an angry frown, But leisurely we relish the amenities of town. Thus basking in the keen delights that empty London owns (Though from my heart I pity you--Brown, Robinson and Jones), So long as you may care to stay, and business is slack, I cannot honestly declare I long to see you back. * * * * * [Illustration: TRIPPERS _Tommy_ (_his first visit_). "Will it be like this all d-d-d-day daddy?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Billiard Enthusiast_ (_having mistaken his room at the hotel, holding on to knobs of bed_). "Which do you prefer, sir? Spot or plain?"] * * * * * When the chairman of a railway company speaks of "the diversion of traffic," may it be understood that "pleasure trips and excursions" are covered by this expression? * * * * * [Illustration: ENGLAND AND GERMANY _British Nimrod_ (_who has shot tigers in India, and lions in South Africa_). "The fact is, Herr Muller, that I don't care much for sport unless it contains the element of danger." _German Nimrod._ "Ach zo? you are vont of _taincher_? Den you should gom ant shood mit _me_! Vy, only de oder tay I shoodet my broder-in-law in de shdômag!"] * * * * * CUTTING A NEW ACQUAINTANCE.--_Major Longi'th'Bow._ I met a Brahmin once with "John Smith, London," carved on his back. You see he was standing motionless in one of those pious trances which nothing is allowed to interrupt. In this state he was found by a cheap-tripper, who took him for a statue and cut his name as usual. * * * * * AT FLORENCE.--_First Tourist._ Hullo! Barkins, what brought you here? _Second Tourist_ (_facetiously_). The railway, of course. And you? _First Tourist_ (_getting mixed, but thinking he has his friend_). My wife's wish to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa! * * * * * SUITABLE SPOTS.--_Gainsborough_--for greedy tradesmen; _Gnosall_--for wiseacres; _Gravesend_--for sextons; _Great Barr_--for constant topers; _Grind-on_--for crammers; _Halt-whistle_--for football umpires; _Hastings_--for wasps; _Hawkshead_--for falconers; _Honi-ton_--for busy bees; _Hoot-on_--for owls. * * * * * CRY OF THE TRAVELLING SMOKER.--_En_ briar root! * * * * * [Illustration: SNUB FOR A SNOB _English Tourist._ "Aw--that buttermilk was very nice, my dear. What payment do you expect for it?" _Cottage Girl._ "We wouldn't be after asking any payment. Sure we _give_ it to the pigs!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MISPLACED SYMPATHY (_The "Boots" at the Shadow of Death Hotel, in the back block of Australia, on seeing a pair of boot-trees for the first time._) "I say, Billy, that poor bloke in the bed-room must 'ave ad a terrible accident. He's got two wooden feet!"] * * * * * _Mrs. Tripper_ (_examining official notice on the walls of Boulogne_). What's that mean, Tripper, "Pas de Calais"? _Tripper_ (_who is proud of his superior acquaintance with a foreign language_). It means--"Nothing to do with Calais," my dear. These rival ports are dreadfully jealous of one another. * * * * * [Illustration: WHERE IGNORANCE IS BLISS, &c. _Jones._ "I say, what's the exact meaning of 'voilà'?" _Brown._ "Well, I should translate it as 'behold,' or 'there you are,' or something like that." _Jones._ "Confound it! I've been using it for the last month and thinking I've been swearing in French!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BASHAN, NEAR BARMOUTH The worst of Wales is, the wild beasts are so numerous and inquisitive.] * * * * * [Illustration: GEOLOGY.--_Scientific Pedestrian._ "Do you find any fossils here?" _Excavator._ "Dunno what you calls 'vossuls.' We finds nowt here but muck and 'ard work!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MUSIC ON THE WATERS.--_Parker._ "Beg pardon, my lady, but the band can't play the selection your ladyship asked for." _Her Ladyship_ (_astonished_). "But it's in their programme!" _Parker._ "Yes, my lady, but they can't play it till we get into still water, and _then they'll try_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE COMFORTER.--"I say, old man, I've just been down in the saloon, and they give you the finest half-crown lunch I've ever struck!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A MOOT POINT.--_Mrs. Brown_ (_on her honeymoon_). "Oh, aren't you glad, darling, we have come this delightful tour, instead of going to one of those stupid foreign places?" [_Darling is not quite sure about it, as the hills are of terrible frequency, and, naturally, he tows his bride up every one._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: BAD HABITS GROW APACE.--_Traveller_ (_whose train is due_). "Look here, I'm going to get out and walk. That brute will make me miss my train!" _Jarvey._ "Kape still, surr. For the love av' Moses, kape still. Sure an' if the ould blayguard bates us, I'll niver get him up to the station no more!"] * * * * * THE TRAVELLERS TRICKED (_An à propos Duologue_) _She_ (_with resolution_). Charlie, I want to ask your pardon. I have made a mistake. _He._ Yes, dear; which of them? _She._ You shall not put me out by sneering. Yes, I have made a mistake; and when I make a mistake, I do not fail to acknowledge it. _He._ Quite right, dear. Nothing like having a congenial occupation. _She._ Charlie, we came back to town prematurely. _He._ Yes, dear; we certainly curtailed our stay in Paris a little to allow of your purchasing that pretty bonnet. _She._ It cost a lot of money, Charlie. _He._ It did, dear; but I did not grudge it, as you and the shop girl said it was of the first mode and the greatest novelty in Paris. _She._ Yes, Charlie; and I believed her. _He._ Well, I am sure that the three or four days we cut off were well worth it, to buy the bonnet. _She._ How good, how noble of you to say so! _He._ Not at all; I was really glad to get back to the club. And you have your bonnet--a real genuine French bonnet! And the most Parisian shape imaginable. _She_ (_with an effort_). The shape is not Parisian. _He._ Not Parisian! Where does it come from? _She._ I see from a ticket in the lining it was made in the Edgware Road. [_Tears and curtain._ * * * * * AT WINDSOR.--_American Traveller_ (_to Waiter at the "Blue Stag"_). Say, is it true that you've got a real live ghost here? _Waiter._ Yessir. Believed to be either Cardinal Garnet Wolseley, 'Erne the 'Untsman, Queen Elizabeth, or the late King of the Belgiums. _American Traveller._ Thanks. Send for the local reporter, if off duty in any one capacity. * * * * * SUITABLE SPOTS.--_Ware-ham_--for abstainers from pork; _Whits-table_--for facetious gourmets; _Wig-more_--for bald men; _Wig-ton_--for perruquiers; _Winfarthing_--for small gamblers; _Wo-burn_--for firemen. * * * * * [Illustration: NOSÉ IN EGITTO; OR, AUTOMOBILITY IN THE LAND OF THE SPHINX. "One touch of _Punch_ makes the whole world kin."] * * * * * [Illustration: A QUESTION OF PROPORTION.--_Colonel Peppercorn_ (_who is touring in France with a hired chauffeur and car, which has broken down_). "Confound it all, you say it's nothing? Then why don't you repair it?" _Alphonse Legros._ "Mais, monsieur, pas possible, he break below! I cannot arrive there! He is only quinze centimètres from ze ground; but me--voilà--I have one mètre round ze chest!"] * * * * * THE SKELETON TOURIST'S VADE MECUM _Question._ What is your object this year? _Answer._ To follow the precedent of former Summers, and get over as much ground as possible. _Q._ How do you manage this? _A._ With the assistance of a ticket guaranteed to make distance a greater consideration than scenery. _Q._ Is it necessary to examine the places _en route_ with much careful consideration? _A._ Certainly not, as the Guide-book of the place visited will supply the compulsory omissions. _Q._ What are compulsory omissions? _A._ Objects of interest left out for want of time to give them an inspection. _Q._ How long would you give St. Peter's at Rome? _A._ A quarter of an hour, and the Colosseum at the same place ten minutes. _Q._ Could you not spare more time than this from your holiday? _A._ No; for luncheon and dinner have to be taken into consideration in the touring table. _Q._ What object of interest would you examine in the Land of the Midnight Sun? _A._ The sun at midnight, if it happened to be shining. _Q._ And if you visited the Rhine by the railway, what object of interest would chiefly attract your attention? _A._ The interior of the compartment in which you happened to be travelling. _Q._ What advantage would you derive from your tour? _A._ The satisfaction of explaining to non-tourists where you had been rather than what you had seen. _Q._ Do you consider that your mind would derive much benefit from your rapid locomotion? _A._ Not much, nor my body either. _Q._ But I presume your outing would justify the title of this Vade Mecum? _A._ Most certainly; because, by the end of your journey, you might accurately describe your condition as one who had been reduced to a skeleton. * * * * * [Illustration: _Nervous Tourist._ "Stop, driver, stop! There's something wrong! I am sure a wheel's coming off!" _Driver._ "Arrah, be aisy then, yer honour. Sure, it's the same one's been comin' off thin these three days back!"] * * * * * [Illustration: (_Sketched on the pier just after the arrival of the boat._) _'Arry_ (_viewing stormy sea in a mutoscope_). "My eye, Maria, come an' 'ave a look 'ere. The motion of the waives is simply grand!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CONTINENTAL TRIP.--_First Man_ (_tasting beer_). "Hullo! I ordered lager. This isn't lager!" _Second Man_ (_tasting_). "No; but it's jolly good, all the same!" _Third Man_ (_tasting_). "C'est magnifique! mais ce n'est pas lager-r-r!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ON THE GRAND TOUR.--Scene--_Staircase of the Palazzo Bianco._--(_Enter the Joneses of London._) _Chorus of Maidens._ "O, ma, dear! O, papa! do look! _Isn't_ this charming? _Isn't_ it delightful? Only fancy--the _Bragginton Smiths_ were here last month!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE FAULT OF THE FOWL SCENE--_Coffee-Room, Hotel, Guernsey._ _Visitor_ (_gazing at a guinea-fowl's egg_). "Waiter! Can you tell me what egg this is?" _Waiter._ "Oh, sir, it's a Guernsey egg. They sometimes lays them like that. It's not done in the boiling!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CORRECTED.--_Lady Tourist_ (_doing the cathedrals of Scotland_). "This is _Gothic_, isn't it, John?" _Juvenile Vendor of "Guides"_ (_severely_). "No, mem, _this is Presbyterian_."] * * * * * At HOMBURG-V.-D.-H.--_Colonel Twister_ (_in the hotel smoking-room_). Yes! I once played a game of pool at Senecarabad, holding the cue in my teeth, and captured all the loot! _Captain Longbow._ Pooh! That's nothing! About a month ago I matched myself at shell-out against Fred Fandango, and clutching the cue between my toes, walked in lying on my back! _Colonel Twister_ (_taken unawares_). But how the deuce did you manage to see the table? _Captain Longbow._ See the table? Why, had the cloth lighted with Röntgen rays, of course! Saw through the slate! [_The Colonel abruptly says "Good Night" to the company, and leaves for Schlangenbad next morning._ * * * * * FORCE OF HABIT.--Recently two bankers met abroad. They at once began to compare notes. * * * * * NEW NAME FOR SEA-SICKNESS.--_Mal de Little Mary._ * * * * * MRS. RAMSBOTHAM wants to know whether the inhabitants of the Fiji Islands are called the Fijits. * * * * * [Illustration: YOUNG AUSTRALIA SCENE--_Highland Gathering in the Antipodes._ "Well, my little man, so you're Scotch, eh?" "Nae, nae, a'am nae Scotch, but ma pairents is."] * * * * * [Illustration: A SENSATIONAL DRAMA IN THREE ACTS AND FIVE TABLEAUX. (_Showing how he got in for it and how he came out of it rather the worse for "wear"._) MR. JOGGLES HAVING CAREFULLY SELECTED A RETIRED SPOT DEPOSITED HIS CLOTHES IN A CAVE SEES A LITTLE WAY BELOW HIM A SPARKLING POOL FED BY A TORRENT FROM ABOVE--A NATURAL SHOWER BATH, INTO WHICH HE WILL JOYFULLY DESCEND. THIS IS WHAT HE EXPECTED BEFORE TAKING A DIP. BUT A PICNIC PARTY HAVING TERMINATED THEIR LUNCHEON, UNWITTINGLY REARRANGE MATTERS. MR. JOGGLES IS COMPELLED TO REMAIN OVER HIS USUAL TIME IN HIS BATH. IN THE MEANTIME THE GOATS HAVE BEEN BUSY WITH HIS CLOTHES.] * * * * * FOR A CHANGE Fagged and jaded, Daphne mine, For our annual change I pine. Once again the problem's here, Whither we shall go this year. Let who will seek lake or moor, "_Bad_" or hydro, spa or "_kur_," Switzerland and Germany Have no charms for you and me. There while restless tourists haste, "Good old Margate" suits our taste. On its old familiar ground We will make the usual round. Meet Smith, Robinson and Brown, Whom we daily see in town; Hear the niggers or the bands On the pier, the fort, the sands; Revel in each well-known joy, Then, when these enchantments cloy, And for change again we yearn, Why, then, Daphne, we'll return. * * * * * THE number of stowaways who secrete themselves in big vessels is becoming a growing evil. A Norwegian barquantine reached Plymouth on Friday with an entire cargo of hides. * * * * * A VERY REVOLTING PLACE.--Brazil. * * * * * [Illustration: French Tourist, on a visit to London for the first time, makes a note in his pocket-book of the name of the street in which his hotel is situated.] * * * * * À BERLIN.--Although Berlin is "on the Spree," its cheerfulness is considerably discounted by "the Oder" in its vicinity. * * * * * [Illustration: "JOINT OCCUPATION" (_Suggested by Cook's Tourist in Egypt._)] * * * * * OVERHEARD AT CHAMONIX.--_Stout British Matron_ (_in a broad British accent, to a slim diligence driver_). Êtes-vous la diligence? _Driver._ Non, madame, mais j'en suis le cocher. _Matron_ (_with conviction_). C'est la même chose; gardez pour moi trois places dans votre intérieur demain. * * * * * [Illustration: PHILLIPOPOLIS _Toper Major_ (_over their third bottle of a Grand Vin_). "I shay, ol' f'ler, neksh year thinksh'll go see ex'bishun at Ph-Phipp at Philup-popple----" _Toper Minor._ "I know, ol' f'ler. You mean Philipoppoppo--poppo----" _Toper Major._ "Thatsh it--shame place. Have 'nother bo'l!" [_They drink._ ] * * * * * NOT SO PRETTY IN ENGLISH (_Three Friends meet at Monte Carlo._) _First Friend._ No, I'm not staying here. Just run over from Canes. _Second F._ And I from Fat. _Third F._ And I'm with my people at Chin. [We presume the travellers referred to Cannes, Grasse, and Menton.--ED.] * * * * * A WHITSUN HOLIDAY. (_A Page from a Modern Diary._) _Monday._--Up with the lark. Breakfast not ready. Spent my spare time in closing the boxes. Got the family into the train with difficulty. Devoted the day to travelling. Reached our destination tired out. Glad to get to bed. _Tuesday._--Up with the lark. Did the sights. Had no time to look at anything, as I had to attend to the tickets. Saw all the museums. My party coming out when I had got the catalogues. So managed our visits that there was no opportunity of discussing meals. Got back in time for _table d'hôte_, but preferred sleep to food. Went to bed. _Wednesday._--Up with the lark. Off again travelling. On the road all day. Having to fit in the corresponding trains, had no leisure for meals. Arrived at our new resting-place late at night. So off as quickly as possible to bed. _Thursday._--Up with the lark. Spent the morning in sight-seeing under the customary conditions. Waited upon the family. Looked after the catalogues and umbrellas. Food again at a discount. Dispensed with dinner. Glad to get to bed. _Friday._--Up with the lark. Time to return. Back again by a train. No food. No rest. Halfway home. Arrived in time to see the lights being put out. Off to bed. _Saturday._--Up with the lark. Continued my journey post-haste. Wrote up my diary. Find that I have got over several hundreds of miles; but for the life of me cannot remember anything that I have seen. Don't recollect any square meal. Back again, tired, and only pleased to be in bed. _Sunday._--Sleeping. _Monday._--Up with the lark. Recovered from my week's "rest," and glad to get back again to work. * * * * * BY A SEA-SICK PASSENGER _MARE! Mare_! Most contrary, Why do you tumble so? While you heave and swell One can't feel well, And--I think I'll go below! * * * * * MOTTO FOR AMERICAN MILLIONAIRESSES.-- "Marry, come up!" * * * * * [Illustration: _Scientific and Nervous Visitor at Country Hotel._ "I suppose there's no 'ptomaine' in this pie?" _Waiter_ (_equal to the occasion_). "No, sir. We never puts that in unless specially ordered!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DARTMOOR WAY.--_Tourist_ (_in background_). "I say! Percy! We'd better be going now--unless you can see anything striking from where you are!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE--_Railway Refreshment Room. Thermometer 90° in the Shade._ _Waiter_ (_to traveller taking tea_). "Beg pardon, sir, I shouldn't recommend that milk, sir; leastways not for _drinking_ purposes."] * * * * * [Illustration: HALCYON PROSPECTS.--_Romantic Bride_ (_ecstatically_). "Such a waste of waters almost appals me!" _Prudent Husband_ (_fondly_). "What a dear little economist it is!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Tourist._ "Wasn't there a great battle fought about here?" _Village Dame._ "Ah, I do mind it when I were a gell, I do. They was----" _Tourist._ "But, my good woman, that was nearly six hundred years ago!" _Village Dame_ (_unabashed_). "Dear, dear! How time do fly!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "And she only charged eight-and-a-half guineas, and"--(_Interruption from Husbands._ "Isn't the view marvellous!" _General chorus in reply._ "Oh--er--_Yes!_")--"and now I simply go there for everything!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FRENCH AND ENGLISH (_as zey are spoke at ze country 'ouse_).--_Hostess._ "Oh--er--j'espair ker voos avvy troovy votre--votre--er--er--votre _collar stud_, barrong?" _M. le Baron._ "Oh, I zank you, yes! I find 'eem on my _chest of trowsers_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PERAMBULATORS NOT ADMITTED A DISAPPOINTMENT. [To _perambulate_; v.n., in German, _spazieren_; in French, _se promener_; in Italian, _passeggiare_.]--_Johann Schmidt._ "Ach! vat a bitty, Mister Chones! Zen ve must not go therein to berampulate?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Chatty Tourist._ "Beautiful specimen of a Roman camp, this, isn't it?" _Grim Stranger._ "_No_, sir, _no_! I decline to admit that there can be _any_ true beauty about anything _Roman_!"] * * * * * TWO LAST WORDS TO SWITZERLAND (_By a British Tourist and Family Man_) On Uri's lake, in Küsnacht's dell, What is the thought can almost quell Thy patriot memory, oh TELL? _Hotel!_ Whether by blue crevasse we reel, Or list the avalanche's peal, What question blends with all we feel?-- _Wie Viel?_ * * * * * [Illustration: LUSUS NATURÆ _Excursion Tourist._ "Most extr'or'nary cre'char!" _Facetious Rustic._ "Ah! that a be, measter, bred on this 'ere wery fa-arm he wor, tew!"] * * * * * MORE ENGLISH AS SHE IS WROTE.--At an hotel at Socrabaja in Java is this notice:-- "From the hours fixed for meals on no account will be deviated. For damage to furniture the proprietor will avenge himself on the person committing the same." * * * * * "TIRED NATURE."--A yawning gulf. * * * * * [Illustration: OUR BORES, NATIVE AND FOREIGN "Ach! I schbeague Enklish not vell, not vell at all! Pot, py a leadle bractice, I imbrove ver kvick! Vait till I haf talk to you for a gopple of hours, and you shall see!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A SCENE AT THE "LUCULLUS" _Mrs. Blunderby._ "Now, my dear Monty, let me order the luncheon ar-la-fraingsy. Gassong! I wish to begin--as we always do in Paris, my dears--with some _chef-d'oeuvres_--you understand--some _chef-d'oeuvres_." [_Emile, the waiter, is in despair. It occurs to him, however, presently that the lady probably meant "Hors d'oeuvres," and acts accordingly._ ] * * * * * TO A WELSH LADY (_Written at Clovelly_) The reason why I leave unsung Your praises in the Cymric tongue You know, sweet Nelly; You recollect your poet's crime-- How, when he tried to sing "the time," He made "the place" and "loved one" rhyme, You and Dolgelly! But now, although a shocking dunce, I've learnt, in part, the Welsh pronunc- iation deathly. I dream of you in this sweet spot, And for your sake I call it what Its own inhabitants do not-- That is "Clovethly"! * * * * * AT WHITBY.--_Visitor_ (_to Ancient Mariner, who has been relating his experiences to crowd of admirers_). Then do you mean to tell us that you actually reached the North Pole? _Ancient Mariner._ No, sir; that would be a perwersion of the truth. But I seed it a-stickin' up among the ice just as plain as you can this spar, which I plants in the sand. It makes me thirsty to think of that marvellous sight, we being as it were parched wi' cold. [_A. M.'s distress promptly relieved by audience._ * * * * * THE WALKING ENGLISHWOMAN ON THE ALPS [Illustration] You who look at home so charming-- Angel, goddess, nothing less-- Do you know you're quite alarming In that dress? Such a garb should be forbidden; Where's the grace an artist loves? Think of dainty fingers hidden In those gloves! Gloves! A housemaid would not wear them, Shapeless, brown and rough as sacks, Thick! And yet you often tear them With that axe! Worst of all, unblacked, unshiny-- Greet them with derisive hoots-- Clumsy, huge! For feet so tiny! Oh, those boots! * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE--_Verandah of Swiss Hotel_ _Brown_ (_finishing very lengthy account of Alpine adventure_). "And then, Miss Jones, then, just as dawn was breaking, I heard the voices of the guides above me, and I knew that I was saved--actually saved! My feelings, as I realised this, may be more easily imagined than described!" _Miss Jones_ (_fervently_). "Thank Heaven!" [_And Brown fondly imagined she was alluding to his escape_. ] * * * * * [Illustration: CAUTIOUS _Visitor_ (_at out-of-the-way Inn in the North_). "Do you know anything about salmon-poaching in the neighbourhood?" _Landlady_ (_whose son is not above suspicion_). "Eh--no, sir. Maybe it's a new style of cooking as we haven't heard of in these parts, as you see, sir, we only do our eggs that way; and"--(_brightening up_)--"if you like 'em, I can get you a dish at once!"] * * * * * THE SEVEN AGES OF LUGGAGE _Baby._ Perambulator, bottle, robe, fingerless gloves and woollen shoes. _Schoolboy._ Bat, ball, and aids to education. _Lover._ Guitar, music-book, writing materials, and fur-lined overcoat. _Justice._ Capon in basket, robes, and treatise upon ancient saws and modern instances. _Soldier._ Sword, uniform case, standard work upon Reputation. _Pantaloon._ Sausages, property red-hot poker, costume of motley, slippers and spectacle case. _Veteran._ Travels without luggage. * * * * * A GREAT TRAVELLER.--Dr. Watts was evidently in the habit of making pedestrian excursions on the Continent, for in one of his noblest lines, he expressly says-- "Whene'er I take my walks abroad." * * * * * INNOCENT ABROAD.--You are misled in your view that the _Cours de Cuisine_, mentioned in the prospectus of a French school, means the run of the kitchen. * * * * * [Illustration: IN THE SWISS HIGHLANDS.--_Brown._ "This is rather a pretty figure. You start on the left foot, cut a drop three--then----" (_Bump_) _Little Girl_ (_unmoved_). "Oh, _that's_ why it's called a drop three, Mr. Brown!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Photographer_ (_on tour, absent-mindedly_). "Now smile, please!"] * * * * * AT THE CELESTIAL RESTAURANT.--_Customer_ (_indignantly_). Hi! waiter, what do you call this soup? _Waiter_ (_meekly_). I not know, sir, but ze padrone tell me to describe 'im Cockstail! * * * * * [Illustration: _Traveller_ (_snap-shotting tropical river, suddenly confronted by hippopotamus_). "Just keep like that one moment, please!" (_Rapturously_) "Such a delightful expression!"] * * * * * NOTE BY OUR TRAVELLER--At a station on the Elham Valley Line, "Kentish Pianos" are advertised. Are these adapted for playing only dance tunes, and therefore specially serviceable in a "Hop" county? * * * * * EASTER HOLIDAYS (_By One who has tried them_) Must really decide where to go for five or six days at Easter. Weather always awful. Usual Springtime. North-east wind, frost, snow and dust. Something like last week. Can't stop in London. One Sunday or Bank Holiday in London mournful enough. But four of them consecutively! Impossible! Innocent persons go to the south coast of England, thinking that fifty miles nearer the equator one is in quite a different climate. Bournemouth? Bosh! All sandy dust and depressing invalids. Torquay? Twaddle! Probably rain all the time, if not snow. England no good. Scotland or Ireland? Worse! Must go, as people say vaguely, "abroad." How about Paris? North-east wind, frost, snow and dust, worse than here. Streets windy, theatres draughty, cafés and restaurants suffocating. Brussels? Nothing but rain. Aix-les-Bains? Probably snow. Nice? That might do. No frost or snow, but very likely a north-east wind and certainly lots of dust. Besides, thirty hours' journey out and thirty hours' journey back, would only leave about sixty hours there. No good. Rome, Seville, Constantinople, Cairo? Still farther. Should have to leave on the return journey before I arrived. Where can I go to at Easter to be warm and comfortable, without so much trouble? I know. To bed! * * * * * REGARDLESS OF THE TEMPERATURE.--_Facetious Australian_ (_off Calshot Castle, to indisposed friend_). What arm of the sea reminds one of a borrowed boot? _The "I. F."_ (_feebly_). Give it--anything--up. _F. A._ Why, the _Sole-lent_, to be sure. [_The "I. F." is promptly carried below._ * * * * * AT BATH.--_Wiffling_ (_sympathetically_). Here on account of the waters? _Piffling._ No, unhappily. Here on account of the whiskies. * * * * * "A QUESTION OF THE HOUR."--Asking a railway porter the time of the next train's departure for your holiday resort. * * * * * [Illustration: Scene--_The Summit of Vesuvius_ _American Tourist_ (_to the world at large_). "Great snakes, it reminds me of hell!" _English Tourist._ "My dear, how these Americans _do_ travel!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Friend_ (_below_). "All you've got to do when I throw you the rope is to make it fast to that projection over your head, and lower yourself down!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE CHURCH-GOING BELL" Sunday morning, coast of Norway. (_By our Yachting Artist._)] * * * * * [Illustration: _Parson._ "Yes, on one occasion I married four couples in a quarter of an hour. Quick work, wasn't it?" _Nautical Young Lady._ "Yes, rather! Sixteen knots an hour!"] * * * * * TO MY AIRSHIP [_The poet is being piloted on his aerial flight by a prosaic mechanician. It is to the latter that the interpolations are due._] Thou elfin Puck, thou child of master mind! (Look out! the ballast's slipping off behind.) Thou swanlike Siren of the blue sublime! (Screw up that nut, and never mind the rhyme.) Thine 'tis to fathom Æther's highest pole! (This wind will fairly get us in a hole.) Thine to explore the azure-vaulted dome! (I wonder how the deuce we're going home.) Up, up, thou speedest, flaunting, flaunting high, Thy glist'ring frame emblazon'd 'gainst the sky; And myriad-minded fancies still pursue Thy gliding--(Blow! the anchor's fouled the screw!) Thou stormy petrel, kissing heaven's height, (Petrol! The rotten stuff declines to light) Onward thou soarest o'er the City's dust Shimmering, triumphant. (Gad! The motor's bust!) * * * * * _Q._ Give the French for "a policeman's beat." _A._ _Un tour de Force._ * * * * * _Q._ What is the difference between a traveller and a popular vegetable? _A._ One has been abroad and the other's a broad bean. [_Exit Querier rapidly._ * * * * * [Illustration: THE AMERICAN RUSH.--_American Tourist._ "Say, how long will it take to see over the ruins?" _Caretaker._ "About an hour, sir." _American Tourist._ "And how long will it take you to tell us about it?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Is this your favourite view, poppa darling?" "Why, certainly. But--ahem!--I prefer it _unframed_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: COLD COMFORT.--_Visitor to the West Indies_ (_who has been warned against bathing in the river because of alligators, but has been told by the boatman that there are none at the river's mouth_). "By jove, this is ripping! But, I say, how do you know there are no alligators here?" _Boatman._ "Well, you see, sah, de alligator am so turr'ble feared ob de shark!"] * * * * * OVER THE SEA. DEAR MR. PUNCH,--I read that two new cures for sea sickness have just been discovered: the one the eating of bananas; the other, found out by Professor Heinz, of Erlangen, who declares that the malady proceeds from the lobe of the brain, and that to avert it one has only to breathe freely. As to the Professor's theory about breathing freely, I can safely assert that I never open my mouth so wide as when crossing the Channel, but the experiment is an unpleasant failure. Your obedient servant, DIONYSIUS DABELRISK. _Peckham Rye._ * * * * * AT THE GRAND HOTEL, PARIS.--_Blithers_ (_of romantic turn of mind, to Smithers, after observing a young couple in close conversation in the court yard_). I'm sure they're engaged. I heard her call him Harry! _Smithers_ (_a matter-of-fact man_). What of that? I call my housemaid Emily! He's most probably her footman. [_Smithers calls for absinthe._ * * * * * [Illustration: WELL MEANT, BUT----. _Motorist_ (_with heated cylinders_). "Where can I get some water?" _Rustic._ "There beant noo watter hereaboots--but ye can have a sup at my tea!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A difficult pass] [Illustration: A kneesy climb] [Illustration: A smiling valley] [Illustration: A magnificent gorge] * * * * * BY THE SILVER SEA.--_Seaside. Tripper--none too clean in appearance--charters bathing machine. Smart-looking schoolboy_ (_about to enter next machine_), _loq._ I say, ma, I wish that dirty fellow wouldn't bathe here. _Mamma._ Why, Tommy? If people of that sort were to bathe, they'd be as clean as you, you know. _Tommy_ (_eyeing Tripper closely_). Not in once, mamma! * * * * * [Illustration: AN APPRECIATION (_Train entering Venice_) _Fair American._ "Waal, I guess this is where the Adriatic slops over!"] * * * * * SUMMER RESORTS DREARDON-CUM-SLOOZE. Spring weather, in pleasing variety of sun and snow-shower, now prevails in this highly fla--favoured locality. Mr. Josiah Jorker, Chairman of the Rural District Council here, has bought four black Berkshire pigs, and to lean over the yard gate and inspect them is now a regular afternoon occupation. Discussion as to their merits runs high amongst our local magnates. Situate as this health-giving village is, it offers to the tired brain-worker complete rest, as there is no railway station within six miles, and only the day-before-yesterday's newspaper is obtainable. CHAWBOODLECUM. A fine bracing N.E. wind has dried the roads, and, amongst the aged and sick, made a clearance, thoroughly in accord with the "survival of the fittest" doctrine. Trade has never been more brisk with the local undertaker and the much-respected sexton. The cricket club opens its season to-day with a match against the neighbouring village of Sludgely. A "Sing-Song," or "Free and Easy," is held every Saturday night at the "Pig and Puppy-Dog," at which well-known hostelry visitors can find every accommodation. SLACKINGTON. In this genial and mild air, where a steady, gentle rain falls on very nearly every day in the year, the Londoner, fleeing from the trying east winds of Spring, may find a welcome refuge. It is quite a pretty sight on Sundays to watch the people with their different coloured waterproofs stream out of church. There is a rumour that the present supply of cabs will shortly be augmented by one, if not two, fresh vehicles. On Monday last a German band played a charming selection of music in the market place, and there was a dog-fight in the High Street. PORKBURY. This charming spot only requires to be known, to insure plenty of patronage from visitors. The new pump is being pushed forward rapidly, and the Vicar intends to hold jumble sales once a week throughout the summer. This, in itself, will, it is expected, prove a great attraction. Police-Constable Slummers, whose urbanity and great consideration for the inhabitants (especially on Saturday nights) have always been so conspicuous, is about to leave, and some of the more prominent townsmen have taken the opportunity of marking their sense of his valuable services by presenting him with a handsome pewter pot, engraved with his name and the date. A piano-organist now regularly attends the weekly market, and his music is greatly appreciated by those engaged in buying and selling. At the Farmer's Eighteenpenny Ordinary, last week, Mr. Chumpjaw stated that his mangolds were "the whackin'est big 'uns" grown in the county. * * * * * AT BOULOGNE.--_Mrs. Sweetly_ (_on her honeymoon_). Isn't it funny, Archibald, to see so many foreigners about? And all talking French! * * * * * PATRON SAINT OF MESSRS. COOK.--St. Martin of "Tours." * * * * * [Illustration: _Englishman_ (_to friend_). "There goes that awful liar, who says he has climbed everything under the sun." _Friend._ "Don't call him a liar. Rather say he has a great talent for exaggerating things that never happened."] * * * * * [Illustration: A PLEASANT UNCERTAINTY.--_Gigantic Guide._ "Ze last party zat was 'ere--no one knew whezzer zey _shumped_ over or was _thrown_ over!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A SLIGHT "MALONGTONGDEW" _Angelina._ "There are to be illuminations and fireworks, and they're to finish up with an 'ombrasmong général.' What can that be?" _Edwin._ "Well, 'ombasser' means to 'kiss'; so I suppose it means a kind of a sort of a general kissing all round." _Angelina._ "Horrid idea! I won't go near the place, and I'm sure you shan't, Edwin!" [Our readers, who know French better than E. and A., are aware that embrasement, with only one "s," has a totally different meaning. ] * * * * * [Illustration: HONEYMOONING IN PARIS.--_Mrs. Jones._ "Am I not an expensive little wifie?" _Jones_ (_who has spent the morning and a small fortune at the Magasin du Louvre_). "Well, you _are_ a little dear!"] * * * * * [Illustration: QUID PRO QUO.--_Madame Gaminot._ "Oh yes, Monsieur Jones, J'_adore_ les Anglais! Zey understand bisnesse! For example, zey pay me sixty pound--fifteen 'undred franc--to sing 'La Blanchisseuse du Tambour-Major' at a evening party! It seem a great deal! But zey laugh, and zey say, 'Oh, sharmong! Oh, ravissong!' and it mek everybody sink zat everybody else know French--it almost mek zem sink zat zey know it zemselfs!!! Ça vaut bien quinze cents francs, j'espère!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Tourist_ (_at small Irish inn, miles from anywhere_). "Look here, what does this mean? I left my boots out last night, and they haven't been touched." _Landlord_ (_with honest pride_). "Thrue for ye, sorr! An' begorr', if ye'd left your _gowld watch an' chain_ out, div'l a sowl wud 'a touched them nayther!"] * * * * * [Illustration: 'ARRY ABROAD.--_Guide._ "Monsieur finds eet a vairy eenteresting old place, ees eet not?" _'Arry_ (_who will speak French_). "Pas demi!"] * * * * * BY THE SILVER SEA DRAINSMOUTH. This popular health resort is now filled to over-flowing. The entertainments on the pier include animated photographs of a procession to the Woking Crematorium, and other cheerful and interesting subjects. The smells of the harbour may still be enjoyed to perfection at low water. SHRIMPLEY. The question of mixed bathing here has at length been set at rest by the Town Council issuing an order that nobody is to bathe at all. A decision so impartial as between the rival factions cannot fail to give satisfaction to all except the captious. Professor De Bach, with his performing dogs, gives an exhibition twice each day at the Pier Pavilion. LODGINGTON-ON-SEA. Warm and sunny weather still continues in this favoured spot. People wait half the morning for a bathing-machine and then look rather disappointed when they get it. The Simperton-Swaggeringtons arrived yesterday, travelling first-class from the junction, two miles off (up to which point they had come third). This has excited some unfavourable comment in the town. SMELLINGTON-SUPER-MARE. Large numbers of tripp--visitors, I mean, continue to pour into the town from Saturdays to Mondays, benefiting greatly by their small change. The lodging-house keepers also derive considerable benefit from their (the visitors') small change, especially when left lying about on the mantelpiece. No one could complain of dulness here now, for as I write, twenty-three barrel-organs, eleven troupes of nigger minstrels and four blind beggars with fiddles are amusing and delighting their listeners on the sands. The place is thoroughly lively, hardly an hour of the day passing without at least two street rows between inebriated excursionists taking place. The police force has been doubled, and the magistrates have given notice that, for the future, they will give no "option," and that all sentences for assaults in the streets will be with hard labour. * * * * * [Illustration: PHILOLOGICAL.--_First English Groom_ (_new to Paris_). "And the French gent as he drives round the corner, he pulls up quick, and calls out 'Woa!'" _Second ditto_ (_who has been in Paris some time_). "He couldn't have said _'Woa!'_ as there ain't no 'W' in French." _First ditto._ "No 'W' in French? Then 'ow d'yer spell 'wee'?"] * * * * * [Illustration: Alarming appearance of a harmless guana just as he has found a nice corner of Sydney Harbour for a sketch.] * * * * * [Illustration: Mr. Townmouse takes lodgings for his family at a farmhouse in a remote district. Delightful spot; but they weren't so well off for butcher's meat as they could wish. _Farmer._ "Now, if your lady 'ud like some nice pork--Oh! she does like pork?--Well, then, we shall kill a pig the week arter next."] * * * * * [Illustration: A NICE PROSPECT.--_Traveller_ (_benighted in the Black Country_). "Not a bed-room disengaged! Tut-t-t-t!" _Landlady_ (_who is evidently in the coal business as well_). "Oh, we'll accommodate you somehow, sir, if me and my 'usband gives you up our own bed, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE WOULD RATHER HAVE LEFT UNSAID.--_Professor Chatterleigh._ "By George! I'm so hungry I can't _talk!_" _Fair Hostess_ (_on hospitable thoughts intent_). "Oh, I'm _so_ glad!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ÆSTHETICS _Indiscreet Sister._ "Why, Harry, your legs are getting more _Chippendale_ than ever!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE JOYS OF TOURING _Traveller._ "I say, your razor's pulling most confoundedly!" _Local Torturer._ "Be it, zur? Wull, 'old on tight to the chair, an' we'll get it off zummow!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CHEERING.--_First Artist_ (_on a pedestrian tour_). "Can you tell which is the best inn in Baconhurst?" _Rustic_ (_bewildered_). "Dunno." _Second Artist_ (_tired_). "But we can get beds there, I suppose? Where do travellers generally go?" _Rustic._ "Go to the union moostly!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MIND AND MATTER-OF-FACT _Cotton-Man_ (_fro' Shoddydale_). "What dun yo' co' that wayter?" _Coachman._ "Ah, ain't it beautiful? That's Grassmere Lake, that is----" _Cotton-Man._ "Yo' co'n 'um all la-akes an' meres i' these pa-arts. We co'n 'um rezzer-voyers where ah com' fro'!!"] * * * * * Would the epigrammatic translation of "_sede vacanti_" as "Not well and gone away for a holiday" be accepted by an examiner? * * * * * WINTER RESORT FOR BRONCHIALLY-AFFECTED PERSONS.--Corfe Castle. * * * * * [Illustration: _Visitor._ "And so you've never been to London! Oh, but you must go. It's quite an easy journey, you know." _Gaffer Stokes._ "Ah, Oi'd main loike to see Lunnon, Oi wud. Reckon Oi must go afore Oi'm done for. _Now which moight be their busy day there,_ mister?"] * * * * * TO INTENDING TOURISTS--"Where shall we go?" All depends on the "coin of 'vantage." Switzerland? Question of money. Motto.--_"Point d'argent point de Suisse."_ * * * * * SCENE--_On the Quay. Ocean liner's syren fog-horn emitting short, sharp grunts._ _Little Girl._ Oh, mamma, that _poor_ ship must have a drefful pain in its cabin! * * * * * WASTED SYMPATHY.--SCENE--_Interior of Railway Carriage. Lady_ (_to gentleman who has just entered and is placing one of his fellow passenger's bags on the floor where there is a hot-water bottle_). Oh! Excuse me, sir, but, _please_ don't put _that_ near the hot-water bottle. I've got a little bird in the bag. _Elderly Gentleman_ (_who is an enthusiastic Anti-Vivisectionist and prominent member of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals_). Good Heavens, madam! a bird in there! Please consider! How cruel! how inhuman! how----(_gasps for words_). _Lady._ Not at all, my dear sir. _It's a roast partridge, cold, for lunch._ [_Collapse of Enthusiast._ * * * * * UNPLEASANTLY SUGGESTIVE NAMES OF "CURE" PLACES ABROAD.--_Bad Gastein._ Which must be worse than the first day's sniff at Bad-Eggs-la-Chapelle. * * * * * ROTATORY KNIFE (AND FORK) MACHINES.--Pullman dining cars. * * * * * THE LINE WHICH IS OFTEN DRAWN.--The Equator. * * * * * [Illustration: THOROUGH BUT NOT PEDANTIC. (_Overheard at the Louvre._)--_American Tourist_ (_suspiciously_). "Say, guide, haven't we seen this room before?" _Guide._ "Oh no, monsieur." _Tourist._ "Well, see here. We want to see everything, but we don't want to see anything twice!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MODERN ACCOMPLISHMENTS.--_Captain Brown_ (_narrating his trip to the Continent_). "Then, of course, we ran down to Granada, and saw the Alhambra----" _Captain Jinks_ (_untravelled athlete_). "No!! What, have they got one there too!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FILIAL ANXIETY. "Going to Paris to-morrow, Tom!" "How's that?" "My poor old governor's taken ill there!" "Going by Dieppe or Boulogne?" "Rather think I shall go _via Monaco_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OVERDOING IT _Sympathiser._ "Sorry you look so seedy after your holiday, old chap!" _Too Energetic Sight-seer._ "Well, I am a bit done up, but the doctor says that with rest and great care I may be well enough to have a run-round as usual next year."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Gushing Young Lady_ (_to Mr. Dunk, who has just returned from Rome_). "They say, Mr. Dunk, that when one sets foot in Rome for the first time, one experiences a profound feeling of awe. The chaos of ruined grandeur, the magnificent associations, seem too much for one to grasp. Tell me, oh tell me, Mr. Dunk, what did _you_ think of it all?" _Mr. Dunk_ (_deliberately, after considering awhile_). "_Very_ nice!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Carry your trunk, sir?"] * * * * * A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE.--_Miss Tomboy._ Mamma, I think those French women were beastly rude. _Mother._ You mustn't speak like that of those ladies, it's very wrong. And how often have I told you not to say "beastly"? _Miss Tomboy._ Well, they _were_ rude. They called me a little cabbage (_mon petit chou_). The next time they do that I shall call them old French beans. * * * * * [Illustration: THE TOURIST SEASON. HOTEL BRIGANDAGE] * * * * * DE GUSTIBUS---- I am an unadventurous man, And always go upon the plan Of shunning danger where I can. And so I fail to understand Why every year a stalwart band Of tourists go to Switzerland, And spend their time for several weeks, With quaking hearts and pallid cheeks, Scaling abrupt and windy peaks. In fact, I'm old enough to find Climbing of almost any kind Is very little to my mind. A mountain summit white with snow Is an attractive sight, I know, But why not see it _from below_? Why leave the hospitable plain And scale Mont Blanc with toil and pain Merely to scramble down again? Some men pretend they think it bliss To clamber up a precipice Or dangle over an abyss, To crawl along a mountain side, Supported by a rope that's tied, --Not too securely--to a guide; But such pretences, it is clear, In the aspiring mountaineer Are usually insincere. And many a climber, I'll be bound, Whom scarped and icy crags surround, Wishes himself on level ground. So I, for one, do not propose, To cool my comfortable toes In regions of perpetual snows, As long as I can take my ease, Fanned by a soothing southern breeze, Under the shade of English trees. And anyone who leaves my share Of English fields and English air May take the Alps for aught I care! * * * * * SPORT MOST APPROPRIATE TO THE LOCALITY.--Shooting pigeons at Monte Carlo. * * * * * PLEASURE À LA RUSSE.--_Q._ When does a Russian give a Polish peasant a holiday? _A._ When he gives him _a kn_outing. * * * * * THE CRY OF THE HOLIDAY-LOVING CLERK.--"Easterward Ho!" * * * * * A DISH THAT DISAGREES WITH MOST PERSONS WHEN TRAVELLING.--The Chops of the Channel. * * * * * THE GREATEST BORE IN CREATION.--The Simplon Tunnel. * * * * * [Illustration: The Brown family resolve to spend their vacation each after his own fashion, instead of _en famille_. Jack took his motor car of course. Maud and Ethel started on a Biking Tour. Pater preferred "Cooks". "My Dear Sir, I tell you there is not a city in the whole of Europe that is a patch upon Florence. Why I found the finest English chemists there that I have come across in all my travels." Mater had "quiet time" in Devonshire. Bob went canoeing. While Mary Ann says 'Give me good ole Margit'.] * * * * * [Illustration: THE ANTIQUARY.--_Tourist_ (_in Cornwall_). "May I be permitted to examine that interesting stone in your field? These ancient Druidical remains are most interesting!" _Farmer._ "Sart'nly, sir. 'May be very int'restin' an' arnshunt, but we do stick 'em oup for the cattle, an' call 'em roubbin' pusts!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Smithson, having read and heard much of the pleasures of a driving tour, determines to indulge in that luxury during his Whitsuntide holidays. He therefore engages a trap, with a horse that can "get over the ground," and securing the services of an experienced driver, he sets forth._ _Smithson._ "A--a--isn't he--a--a--hadn't I better help you to pull at him?" _Driver._ "Pull at 'im? Why yer'd set 'im crazed! Jist you let me keep is 'ead straight. Lor' bless yer, there ain't no cause to be affeared, as long as we don't meet nothing, and the gates ain't shut at Splinterbone crossing, jist round the bend."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Stout Party._ "Is this path safe?" _Flippant Youth._ "Yes, the path is--but I can't answer for _you_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Will you 'urry up paintin' that tree, sir? Cause I'm goin' to cut it down in a quarter of an hour."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Tourist_ (_in search of "the unique," after admiring old cottage_). "Is there anything else to look at in the village?" _Village Dame._ "Lor' bless 'ee, why there's the beautiful new recr'ation ground as we've just 'ad made!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A PASTORAL REBUKE.--_First Pedestrian_ (_they've lost their way_), "Look here. This must be the east, mustn't it? There's the chancel window--that's always east; then the south must be----" _High-Church Priest_ (_"turning up" suddenly out of the vestry_), "I beg your pardon, gentlemen, but I can't allow my church to be used for a secular purpose. You'll find an unconsecrated weathercock on the barn yonder!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Visitor._ "Will you tell me where I shall find a seat?" _Verger._ "Weel, sir, there's a guid wheen veesitors in Inverness the noo: so sit whaur ye can see yer umbrella!"] * * * * * TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS Toddlekins is anxious to take his family to Mars this summer, and inquires where he can hire a speedy balloon for the purpose. He is anxious to know whether he can obtain golf there, and also whether the roads are good for bicycling. He is recommended to apply for information to the Astronomer-Royal. But why should Toddlekins trouble to go so far afield? He would be sure to find congenial society in the neighbourhood of Hanwell, and by selecting this spot as his destination, the expense of a return ticket would be saved. ANXIOUS MOTHER.--So glad that you intend taking your dear ten children to Poppleton-on-Sea for three weeks' change of air. And all that you tell me about Timothy's pet rabbit and Selina's last attack of measles is so deeply interesting. Unfortunately I cannot answer all your questions myself, but I will print them here, so that some of my kind readers may be able to assist you. You want to know, in regard to Poppleton-- (1) Whether the pavements (if any) are stone or asphalte. (2) What is the mean temperature, the annual rain-fall, and the death-rate. (3) What are the Rector's "views," and if there is a comfortable pew in the church, out of draughts, calculated to hold eleven. (4) What time the shops at Poppleton close on Saturdays. DUBIOUS.--As you say, it _is_ difficult to make up one's mind where to spend the holidays, because there are so many places from which to choose. And you were so wise to write and ask me to give you the name of one single place which I could thoroughly recommend, and so save you all further worry. How about Brighton, Hastings, Eastbourne, Bexhill, Seaford, Cowes, Weymouth, Exmouth, Penzance, Lynton, or Tenby? I am delighted to give you this real and valuable help! PICNIC-PARTY.--You have my full sympathy. It is most churlish of riparian owners to refuse to allow strangers to land on their property. Fancy any one objecting to having his lawn covered with broken bottles and paper bags! OWNER.--I feel deeply for you. The way in which trippers on the river invade riverside gardens is outrageous. The bags and pieces of glass they leave about must be a gross disfigurement to your lawn. * * * * * [Illustration: INTRODUCTION MADE EASY.--_Invalid-Chair Attendant._ "If you should have a fancy for any partickler party, I can easily bump 'em."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Miss Binns_ (_breathless, hurrying to catch London train after week-end trip_). "Can you please tell me the _exact_ time?" _Old Salt._ "'Alf ebb."] * * * * * A MOUNTAIN RAMBLER (_By a Returned Traveller_) I've scanned and penned an Ode on Thy snowy glories, Snowdon My honeymoon with Helen, Was spent near "dark" Helvellyn, Afar from all the _beau monde_ I've rambled round Ben Lomond, At noontide on Ben Nevis, I've roved and read _Sir Bevis_, I've stretched each tired thin limb on Thy summit, O Plinlimmon, And once I tore my breeks On Macgillycuddy's Reeks. Those glorious mountain scalps, The tiptops of the Alps, I've seen--their pines and passes, Their glaciers and crevasses-- With fools, philosophers and wits, I've scrambled up the Ortler Spitz, Made sketches on St. Gothard, Like Turner and like Stothard, And with my _cara sposa_ Ascended Monte Rosa: But not content with Europe, I've roamed with staff and new rope As far away as Ararat, Where _savants_ say there's ne'er a rat; The Kuen Lun and Thian Shan I know as well as any man; I've boiled my evening kettle On Popocatapetl, And on the highest Andes I've sodas mixed and brandies; I've slumbered snug and cosey On silvery Potosi; I've stood on Peter Botto, A rather lonely spot; And--crowning feat of all My mountaineerings on this ball-- I've smoked--O weed for ever blest! My pipe upon Mount Everest. And now my ramble's over, Here's Shakspeare's Cliff and Dover! All Alpine risks and chances, All Ultramontane fancies, I've put away and done with; I'll stay my wife and son with, And never more will roam From Primrose Hill and home. * * * * * [Illustration: THE FESTIVE SEASON.--_Visitor to the District_ (_who has missed his way_). "Can you tell me, my good man, if I shall pass the 'Red Lion' inn along this road?" _The Village Toper._ "Oi wouldn't like to be saying wut a gen'leman loike ye wud be doin'; but Oi'm parfect sartin Oi shouldn't!"] * * * * * [Illustration: QUEEN'S HOTEL, AMBLESIDE, 3 O'CLOCK, A.M.--"Tom!" (_No response._) "I say, Tom!" (_No answer._) "Tom!" (_A muffled grunt._) "Tom--Fire!" "Eh? What? What do you say?" "I say Tom, do you think your key will fit my bag?" "_No_--'t won't--Chubb!" [_Objurgations, and midnight disturber retires._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR COMPATRIOTS ABROAD.--"And how did you like Switzerland?" "Oh, immensely! It was our first visit, you know!" "And did you go on into Italy?" "Well, no. We found a hotel at Lausanne where there was a first-rate tennis-lawn, you know--quite as good as ours at home. So we spent the whole of our holiday there, and played lawn-tennis all day long."] * * * * * [Illustration: AGGRAVATING FLIPPANCY _The Professor_ (_who has just come back from the North Pole)._ "---- and the fauna of these inhospitable regions is as poor as the flora! You couldn't name a dozen animals who manage to live there." _Mrs. Malapert._ "Oh--I dare say I could!" _The Professor._ "Really--what _are_ they?" _Mrs. Malapert._ "Well, now--five polar bears, let us say, and--and seven seals!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Traveller._ "Can we have beds here to-night?" _Obliging Hostess._ "Oh, yes, sir." _First Traveller._ "Have you--er--any--er--_insects_ in this house?" _Obliging Hostess._ "No, sir. _But we can get you some!"_] * * * * * [Illustration: _Lady_ (_to her travelling companion, who has just had his finger-nail pinched badly_). "How horrid! I always think anything wrong with one's nails sets one's teeth on edge all down one's back!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NEARING THE ENGLISH COAST _Jones._ (_Returning to England_). "We are quite fifty miles from the Scilly Isles, Miss Brown. They say the odour of the flowers they cultivate there travels that distance over the sea. I can detect it distinctly now--can't you?" _Miss Brown_ (_from America_). "I guess it hasn't _quite_ reached me yet, Mr. Jones!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ON A CERTAIN CONDESCENSION IN FOREIGNERS.--_He._ "Oh, you're from America, are you? People often say to me, 'Don't you dislike Americans?' But I always say 'I believe there are some very nice ones among them.'" _She._ "Ah, I dare say there _may_ be two or three nice people amongst millions!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR COUNTRYMEN ABROAD.--_Mr. Shoddy._ "_I_ always say, Mrs. Sharp, that I never feel really safe from the ubiquitous British snob till I am south of the Danube!" _Mrs. Sharp_ (_innocently_). "And what do the--a--_South Danubians_ say, Mr. Shoddy?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Waiter._ "Did you ring, Sir?" _Traveller_ (_as a gentle hint to previous arrival_). "_Another fire_, waiter!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mr. Smith._ "Oh, I was wondering whether you and your husband would care to accompany our party to Hadrian's Villa to-morrow?" _Young American Bride._ "Why, yes; we'd just love to go. George and I will be furnishing as soon as we get back to Noo York, and maybe we'd be able to pick up a few notions over at this villa."] * * * * * [Illustration: UNANSWERABLE _Pompous Magnate_ (_making speech at public luncheon in provincial town_). "Speaking of travel reminds me how greatly I have admired the scenery round Lake Geneva, and also what pleasant times I have spent in the neighbourhood of Lake Leman." _Cultured Neighbour_ (_in audible whisper_). "Pardon me, but the two places are synonymous." _P. M._ (_patronisingly_). "Ah! So _you_ may think, sir--so _you_ may think! But, from my point of view, I consider Lake Geneva to be far the most synonymous of the two."] * * * * * [Illustration: "IT'S AN ILL WIND," &c.--"Oh, papa! what _do_ you think? Four out of our twelve boxes are missing." "Hurrah! By George! that's the best piece of news I've had for a long time."] * * * * * [Illustration: AN EPICURE.--"Oh, George, I'm ashamed of you--rubbing your lips like that, after that dear little French girl has given you a kiss!" "I'm not rubbing it _out_, mammy--I'm rubbing it _in_!"] * * * * * A COWES WEEK EXPERIENCE _Monday._--Dear old Bluewater--what a good fellow he is!--asks me to join his yacht, the _Sudden Jerk_, for Cowes week. Never been yachting before. _Tuesday._--Arrive Ryde Pier, correctly (I hope) "got up"; blue serge, large brass anchor buttons, and peaked cap. Fancy Bluewater rather surprised to see how _au fait_ I am at nautical dress. "Ah! my dear fellow, delighted to see you. Come along; the gig is lying alongside the steps. One of the hands" (why "hands"?) "shall look to your traps." We scramble into gig and are rowed out to 50-ton yawl. Climb up side. Bluewater says, "Come below. Take care--two steps down, then turn round and---- Oh! by Jove! what a crack you've caught your head. Never mind, old boy, you'll soon get accustomed to it." Devoutly hope I shall _not_ get accustomed to knocking my head. Arrive at foot of "companion" (why "companion"?) stairs. Bluewater pulls aside curtains and says, "_There_ you are!" Reply, "Oh! yes, there I am. Er--is--do you lie on the shelf--oh! berth, is it!--beg pardon--or underneath it?" He explains. "You'll find it very jolly, you know; you can lie in your bunk, and look right up the companion to the sky above." "Oh! awfully jolly," I say. We repair on deck. Get under weigh to run down to Cowes. Dear old Bluewater very active. Pulls at ropes and things, shouting "leggo-your-spinach-and-broom,"[A] and other unintelligible war-cries. Stagger across deck. Breeze very fresh. "Lee oh!" shouts Bluewater; "mind the broom!"--or it might have been boom--and next moment am knocked flat on my back by enormous pole. Arrive Cowes. Crowd of yachts. Drop anchor for night. Go below, damp face in tiny iron basin; yacht lurches and rolls all the water out over new white shoes. Enter saloon, tripping over some one's kit-bag at the door. Try to save myself by clutching at swing-table, which upsets and empties soup tureen all over my trousers. Retire, change, return. Host and I sit down and proceed to chase fried soles backwards and forwards across treacherous swing-table. "_Now_, my dear fellow isn't this jolly? Isn't this worth all your club dinners?" Reply "Oh, yes," enthusiastically. Privately, should prefer club in London. Weather gets worse. Try to smoke. Don't seem to care for smoking, somehow. Feel depressed, and ask dear old Bluewater to describe a sailor's grave. Tries to cheer me up by saying, "Don't waste the precious moments, my friend, on such sad subjects. You are not born to fill a seaman's grave. There's a class of man not born to be drowned, you know." Then he laughs heartily. Try to smile; fail. Pitching and rocking motion increases. Retire early and lie down on shelf. Fall off twice. Manage to reach perch again. Weather gets worse. Shall never sleep with noise of trampling on deck and waves washing yacht's sides. Shall never---- Sudden misgiving. _Am_ I going to be----? Oh! no, must be passing dizziness. It cannot possibly be.... IT IS!!! Am rowed ashore, bag and baggage, next morning. Dear old Bluewater tries to keep me from going, and says, "What, after all, _is_ sea-sickness?" Dear old Bluewater must be an ass. Confound old Bluewater! [Footnote A: Qy. spinnaker boom.--ED.] * * * * * [Illustration: THE EXCURSION. _Head of Family._ "I reckon some of us'll have to stand, or we shan't all get seats!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CAUSE AND EFFECT _Mrs. Brown._ "I had such a lovely bathe last Thursday, dear." _Niece._ "That was the day of the tidal wave, wasn't it, Auntie?"] * * * * * [Illustration: How Stonehenge might be popularised if the Government bought it. Suggestion gratis.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Full-sized Tripper._ "How does one get into the churchyard, please?" _Simple Little Native._ "Through this 'ere 'ole!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Walking Tourist._ "What's the name of this village, my man?" _Yokel._ "Oi dunno, zur. Oi only bin 'ere a month!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE OLD WORLD AND THE NEW _Fair Yankee_ (_in Egypt_). "I say, uncle, can yew tell me, air there ever any new camels? I guess all I've seen must be second-hand!"] * * * * * AN UNCONGENIAL SPOT FOR TEETOTALERS.--Barmouth. * * * * * A MAN WHO BEATS ABOUT THE BUSH.--An Australian. * * * * * [Illustration: "IN PERIL OF PRECIPITATION"--_Coriolanus_, iii. 3. _Stout Party._ "Hi! boy, stop! I'm going to get off." _Donkey Boy._ "Yer carn't, marm. There ain't room!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DETECTED.--_Clerical Tourist_ (_visiting cathedral_). "Always open, eh? And do you find that people come here on week-days for rest and meditation?" _Verger._ "Ay, that they do, odd times. Why, I catched some of 'em at it only last Toosday!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Old Lady._ "Well, if that's David, what a size Goliath must a' been."] * * * * * HOLIDAY FARE IN CORNWALL A Roll on the billow, A Loaf by the shore, A Fig for fashion, And Cream galore! * * * * * THE ROAD TO THE NIAGARA FALLS.--_Via Dollarosa._ * * * * * WHERE THE FELLAH'S SHOE PINCHES.--Where the corn used to be--in Egypt. * * * * * [Illustration: FINIS] * * * * * BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE. * * * * * 37882 ---- MR. PUNCH IN THE HIGHLANDS PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. Hammerton Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch", from its beginning in 1841 to the present day. * * * * * MR. PUNCH IN THE HIGHLANDS [Illustration] [Illustration: THRIFT _Highlander (he had struck his foot against a "stane")._ "Phew-ts!--e-eh what a ding ma puir buit wad a gotten if a'd had it on!!"] * * * * * MR. PUNCH IN THE HIGHLANDS [Illustration] AS PICTURED BY CHARLES KEENE, JOHN LEECH, GEORGE DU MAURIER, W. RALSTON, L. RAVEN-HILL, J. BERNARD PARTRIDGE, E. T. REED, G. D. ARMOUR, CECIL ALDIN, A. S. BOYD, ETC. _WITH 140 ILLUSTRATIONS_ PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * The Punch Library of Humour _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration] * * * * * NORTHWARD HO! SCOTSMEN--Highlanders and Lowlanders--have furnished Mr. Punch with many of his happiest jokes. Despite the curious tradition which the Cockney imbibes with his mother's milk as to the sterility of Scotland in humour, the Scots are not only the cause of humour in others but there are occasions when they prove themselves not entirely bereft of the faculty which, with his charming egoism, the Cockney supposes to be his own exclusive birthright. Indeed, we have it on the authority of Mr. Spielmann, the author of "The History of _Punch_", that "of the accepted jokes from unattached contributors (to Punch), it is a notable fact that at least 75 per cent. comes from north of the Tweed." As a very considerable proportion of these Scottish jokes make fun of the national characteristics of the Scot, it is clear that Donald has the supreme gift of being able to laugh at himself. It should be noted, however, that Mr. Punch's most celebrated Scottish joke ("Bang went saxpence"), which we give on page 153, was no invention, but merely the record of an actual conversation overheard by an Englishman! In the present volume the purpose has been not so much to bring together a representative collection of the Scottish humour that has appeared in _Punch_, but to illustrate the intercourse of the "Sassenach" with the Highlander, chiefly as a visitor bent on sport, and incidentally to illustrate some of the humours of Highland life. Perhaps the distinction between Highlander and Lowlander has not been very rigidly kept, but that need trouble none but the pedants, who are notoriously lacking in the sense of humour, and by that token ought not to be peeping into these pages. Of all Mr. Punch's contributors, we may say, without risk of being invidious, that Charles Keene was by far the happiest in the portrayal of Scottish character. His Highland types are perhaps somewhat closer to the life than his Lowlanders, but all are invariably touched off with the kindliest humour, and never in any way burlesqued. If his work overshadows that of the other humorous artists past and present represented in this volume, it is for the reason stated; yet it will be found that from the days of John Leech to those of Mr. Raven-Hill. MR. PUNCH'S artists have seldom been more happily inspired than when they have sought to depict Highland life and the lighter side of sport and travel north of the Tweed. * * * * * MR. PUNCH IN THE HIGHLANDS SPORTING NOTES [Illustration] The following are the notes we have received from our Sporting Contributor. I wish we could say they were a fair equivalent for the notes he has received from _us_, to say nothing of that new Henry's patent double central-fire breech-loader, with all the latest improvements, and one of Mr. Benjamin's heather-mixture suits. Such as they are we print them, with the unsatisfactory consolation that if the notes are bad they are like the sport and the birds. Of all these it may be said that "bad is the best." _North and South Uist._--The awfully hard weather--the natives call it "soft" here--having rendered the chances of winged game out of the question, the sportsmen who have rented the shootings are glad to try the chances of the game, sitting, and have confined themselves to the whist from which the islands take their name. Being only two, they are reduced to double dummy. As the rental of the Uist Moors is £400, they find the points come rather high--so far. _Harris._--In spite of repeated inquiries, the proprietress of the island was not visible. Her friend, Mrs. Gamp, now here on a visit, declares she saw Mrs. H. very recently, but was quite unable to give me any information as to shootings, except the shootings of her own corns. _Fifeshire._--The renters of the Fife shootings generally have been seriously considering the feasibility of combining with those of the once well-stocked Drum Moor in Aberdeenshire, to get up something like a band--of hope, that a bag may be made some day. Thus far, the only bags made have been those of the proprietors of the shootings, who have bagged heavy rentals. _Rum._--I call the island a gross-misnomer, as there is nothing to drink in it but whiskey, which, with the adjacent "Egg", may be supposed to have given rise to the neighbouring "Mull"--hot drinks being the natural resource of both natives and visitors in such weather as we've had ever since I crossed the Tweed. I have seen one bird--at least so the gilly says--after six tumblers, but to me it had all the appearance of a brace. _Skye._--Birds wild. Sportsmen, ditto. Sky a gloomy grey--your correspondent and the milk at the hotel at Corrieverrieslushin alike sky-blue. _Cantire._--Can't you? Try tramping the moors for eight hours after a pack of preternaturally old birds that know better than let you get within half a mile of their tails. Then see if you can't tire. I beg your pardon, but if you knew what it was to make jokes under my present circumstances, you'd give it up, or do worse. If I should not turn up shortly, and you hear of an inquest on a young man, in one of Benjamin's heather-mixture suits, with a Henry's central-fire breech-loader, and a roll of new notes in his possession, found hanging wet through, in his braces in some remote Highland shieling--break it gently to the family of Your Sporting Contributor. * * * * * A PIBROCH FOR BREAKFAST. Hech, ho, the Highland laddie! Hech, ho, the Finnon haddie! Breeks awa', Heck, the braw, Ho, the bonnie tartan plaidie! Hech, the laddie, Ho, the haddie, Hech, ho, the cummer's caddie, Dinna forget The bannocks het, Gin ye luve your Highland laddie. * * * * * The Member for Sark writes from the remote Highlands of Scotland, where he has been driving past an interminable series of lochs, to inquire where the keys are kept? He had better apply to the local authorities in the Isle of Man. They have a whole House of Keys. Possibly those the hon. Member is concerned about may be found among them. * * * * * [Illustration: ON THE HILLS _Deer Stalker (old hand, and fond of it)._ "Isn't it exciting? Keep cool!" [_Jones isn't used to it, and, not having moved for the last half-hour, his excitement has worn off. He's wet through, and sinking fast in the boggy ground, and speechless with cold. So he doesn't answer._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: 1) MR. BUGGLE'S FIRST STAG. AT THE FIRST SHOT MR BUGGLE'S FIRST STAG LAY PRONE.] [Illustration: 2) ELATED WITH SUCCESS MR B. RUSHED UP AND SEATED HIMSELF ASTRIDE HIS VICTIM] [Illustration: 3) BUT ALAS IT WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY STUNNED, AND PROMPTLY ROSE TO THE OCCASION.] [Illustration: 4) SO DID MR B.] [Illustration: 5) THE LAW OF GRAVITY PROVED TOO STRONG WHEN A LUCKY SHOT FROM THE KEEPER] [Illustration: 6) PLACED MATTERS UPON A SATISFACTORY FOOTING ONCE MORE.] * * * * * [Illustration: MY ONLY SHOT AT A CORMORANT. Here she comes!] [Illustration: There she goes!] * * * * * FULL STOP IN THE DAWDLE FROM THE NORTH. (_Leaves from the Highland Journal of Toby, M.P._) "Here's a go", I said, turning to Sark, after carefully looking round the station to see if we really were back at Oban, having a quarter of an hour ago started (as we supposed) on our journey, already fifteen minutes late. [Illustration] "Well, if you put it in that way", he said, "I should call it an entire absence of go. I thought it was a peculiarly jolting train. Never passed over so many points in the same time in my life." "Looks as if we should miss train at Stirling", I remark, anxiously. "If so, we can't get on from Carlisle to Woodside to-night." "Oh, that'll be all right", said Sark, airy to the last; "we'll make it up as we go along." Again sort of faint bluish light, which I had come to recognise as a smile, feebly flashed over cadaverous countenance of the stranger in corner seat. Certainly no hurry in getting off. More whistling, more waving of green flag. Observed that natives who had come to see friends off had quietly waited on platform. Train evidently expected back. Now it had returned they said good-bye over again to friends. Train deliberately steams out of station thirty-five minutes late. Every eight or ten miles stopped at roadside station. No one got in or got out. After waiting five or six minutes, to see if any one would change his mind, train crawled out again. Performance repeated few miles further on with same result. [Illustration] "Don't put your head out of the window and ask questions", Sark remonstrated, as I banged down the window. "I never did it since I heard a story against himself John Bright used to tell with great glee. Travelling homeward one day in a particularly slow train, it stopped an unconscionably long time at Oldham. Finally, losing all patience, he leaned out of the window, and in his most magisterial manner said, 'Is it intended that this train shall move on to-night?' The porter addressed, not knowing the great man, tartly replied, 'Put in thy big white yedd, and mebbe the train'll start.'" Due at Loch Awe 1.32; half-past one when we strolled into Connel Ferry station, sixteen miles short of that point. Two more stations before we reach Loch Awe. "Always heard it was a far cry to Loch Awe", said Sark, undauntedly determined to regard matters cheerfully. "You haven't come to the hill yet", said a sepulchral voice in the corner. "What hill?" I asked. "Oh, you'll see soon enough. It's where we usually get out and walk. If there are on board the train any chums of the guard or driver, they are expected to lend a shoulder to help the train up." Ice once broken, stranger became communicative. Told us his melancholy story. Had been a W.S. in Edinburgh. Five years ago, still in prime of life, bought a house at Oban; obliged to go to Edinburgh once, sometimes twice, a week. Only thrice in all that time had train made junction with Edinburgh train at Stirling. Appetite failed; flesh fell away; spirits went down to water level. Through looking out of window on approaching Stirling, in hope of seeing South train waiting, eyes put on that gaze of strained anxiety that had puzzled me. Similarly habit contracted of involuntarily jerking up right hand with gesture designed to arrest departing train. "Last week, coming north from Edinburgh", said the hapless passenger, "we were two hours late at Loch Awe. 'A little late to-day, aren't we?' I timidly observed to the guard. 'Ou aye! we're a bit late,' he said. 'Ye see, we had a lot of rams, and we couldna' get baith them and you up the hill; so we left ye at Tyndrum, and ran the rams through first, and then came back for ye.'" Fifty minutes late at Killin Junction. So far from making up time lost at Oban, more lost at every wayside station. "I hope we shan't miss the train at Stirling?" I anxiously inquired of guard. "Weel, no", said he, looking at his watch. "I dinna think ye'll hae managed that yet." This spoken in soothing tones, warm from the kindly Scottish heart. Hadn't yet finally lost chance of missing train at Stirling that should enable us to keep our tryst at Woodside. But no need for despair. A little more dawdling and it would be done. Done it was. When we reached Stirling, porters complacently announced English mail had left quarter of an hour ago. As for stationmaster, he was righteously indignant with inconsiderate travellers who showed disposition to lament their loss. "Good night", said cadaverous fellow-passenger, feebly walking out of darkling station. "Hope you'll get a bed somewhere. Having been going up and down line for five years, I keep a bedroom close by. Cheaper in the end. I shall get on in the morning." * * * * * MERE INVENTION.--Up the Highlands way there is, in wet weather, a handsome cataract, the name whereof is spelt anyhow you like, but is pronounced "Fyres." There is not much water in hot weather, and then art assists nature, and a bucket or so of the fluid is thrown over for the delectation of tourists. One of them, observing this arrangement, said that the proprietor "Began to pail his ineffectual Fyres." [This story is quite false, which would be of no consequence, but that every Scottish tourist knows it to be false. Our contributor should really be more careful.] * * * * * [Illustration: "Where can that confounded fellow have got to with the lunch-basket?"] [Illustration: Here he is, remarking, confidentially, that "that ginger-peer is apout the pest he ever tasted."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Cockney Sportsman._ "Haw--young woman, whose whiskies do you keep here?" _Highland Lassie._ "We only keep McPherson's, sir." _C. S._ "McPherson? Haw--who the deuce is McPherson?" _H. L._ "My brother, sir."] * * * * * [Illustration: During Mr. Spoffin's visit to the Highlands, he found a difficulty in approaching his game--so invented a method of simplifying matters. His "make-up", however, was so realistic, that the jealous old stag nearly finished him!] * * * * * [Illustration: HIS IDEA OF IT _Native._ "Is 't no a daft-like place this tae be takin' a view? There's no naething tae be seen for the trees. Noo, if ye was tae gang tae the tap o' Knockcreggan, that wad set ye fine! Ye can see _five coonties_ frae there!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TOURING IN THE HIGHLANDS "Hullo, Sandy! Why haven't you cleaned my carriage, as I told you last night?" "Hech, sir, what for would it need washing? It will be just the same when you'll be using it again!"] * * * * * [Illustration] * * * * * FROM OUR BILIOUS CONTRIBUTOR. _To_ MR. PUNCH. MY DEAR SIR,[A] Embarking at Bannavie very early in the morning--_diluculo surgere saluberrimum est_, but it is also particularly disagreeable--I was upon the canal of the Caledonians, on my way to the capital of the Highlands. This is the last voyage which, upon this occasion, I shall have the pleasure of describing. The vessel was commanded by Captain Turner, who is a remarkable meteorologist, and has emitted some wonderful weather prophecies. Having had, moreover, much opportunity of observing character, in his capacity of captain of boats chiefly used by tourists, he is well acquainted with the inmost nature of the aristocracy and their imitators. Being myself of an aristocratic turn of mind (as well as shape of body) it was refreshing to me to sit with him on the bridge and speak of our titled friends. [Footnote A: We perfectly understand this advance towards civility as the writer approaches the end of his journey. He is a superior kind of young man, if not the genius he imagines himself.--_Ed._] Fort Augustus, which we passed, is not called so from having been built by the Roman Emperor of that name, quite the reverse. The next object of interest is a thing called the Fall of Foyers, which latter word is sounded like fires, and the announcement to Cockneys that they are going to see the affair, leads them to expect something of a pyrotechnic character. It is nothing of that sort. The steamboat is moored, you rush on shore, and are instantly arrested by several pikemen--I do not mean soldiers of a mediæval date, but fellows at a gate, who demand fourpence apiece from everybody landing in those parts. Being in Scotland, this naturally made me think I had come to Johnny Groat's house, but no such thing, and I have no idea of the reason of this highway robbery, or why a very dirty card should have been forced upon me in proof that I had submitted. We were told to go up an ascending road, and then to climb a dreadfully steep hill, and that then we should see something. For my own part, I felt inclined to see everybody blowed first, but being over-persuaded, I saw everybody blowed afterwards, for that hill is a breather, I can tell you. However, I rushed up like a mounting deer, and when at the top was told to run a little way down again. I did, and saw the sight. You have seen the cataracts of the Nile? It's not like them. You have seen a cataract in a party's eye. It's not like that. Foyers is a very fine waterfall, and worthy of much better verses than some which Mr. Burns addressed to it in his English style, which is vile. Still, the waterfall at the Colosseum, Regent's Park, is a good one, and has this advantage, that you can sit in a chair and look at it as long as you like, whereas you walk a mile to Foyers, goaded by the sailors from the vessel, who are perpetually telling you to make haste, and you are allowed about three minutes and fourteen seconds to gaze upon the scene, when the sailors begin to goad you back again, frightening you with hints that the captain will depart without you. Precious hot you come on board, with a recollection of a mass of foam falling into an abyss. That is not the way to see Foyers, and I hereby advise all tourists who are going to stop at Inverness, to drive over from thence, take their time at the noble sight, and do the pier-beggars out of their fourpences. The stately towers of the capital of the Highlands are seen on our right. A few minutes more, and we are moored. Friendly voices hail us, and also hail a vehicle. We are borne away. There is news for us. We are forthwith--even in that carriage, were it possible--to induct ourselves into the black tr × ws × rs of refined life and the white cravat of graceful sociality, and to accompany our host to the dinner of the Highland railwaymen. _We_ rail. We have not come six hundred miles to dress for dinner. Our host is of a different opinion, and being a host in himself, conquers our single-handed resistance. We attend the dinner, and find ourselves among Highland chieftains plaided and plumed in their "tartan array." (Why doesn't Horatio MacCulloch, noble artist and Highland-man, come to London and be _our_ tartan R.A.?) We hear wonders of the new line, which is to save folks the trouble of visiting the lost tribe at Aberdeen, and is to take them direct from Inverness to Perth, through wonderful scenery. We see a programme of toasts, to the number of thirty-four, which of course involves sixty-eight speeches. There is also much music by the volunteers--not, happily, by bag-pipers. We calculate, on the whole, that the proceedings will be over about four in the morning. Ha! ha! _Dremacky_. There is a _deus ex machiná_ literally, a driver on an engine, and he starts at ten. Numbers of the guests must go with him. _Claymore!_ We slash out the toasts without mercy--without mercy on men set down to speak and who have spoiled their dinner by thinking over their _impromptus_. But there is one toast which shall be honoured, yea, with the Highland honours. _Mr. Punch's_ health is proposed. It is well that this handsome hall is built strongly, or the Highland maidens should dance here no more. The shout goes up for _Mr. Punch_. I believe that I have mentioned to you, once or twice, that I am an admirable speaker, but upon this occasion I surpassed myself--I was in fact, as the Covent Garden play-bills say, "unsurpassingly successful." Your interests were safe in my hands. I believe that no person present heard a syllable of what I said. It was this: [It may have been, but as what our correspondent has been pleased to send as his speech would occupy four columns, we prefer to leave it to immortality in the excellent newspaper of which he sends us a "cutting." We incline to think that he _was_ weak enough to say what he says he said, because he could not have invented and written it out after a Highland dinner, and it was published next morning. It is extremely egotistical, and not in the least entertaining--_Ed._] Among the guests was a gentleman who owns the mare who will certainly win the Cesarewitch. _I know this for a fact_, and I advise you to put your money on _Lioness_. His health was proposed, and he returned thanks with the soul of wit. I hope he recollects the hope expressed by the proposer touching a certain saddling-bell. I thought it rather strong in "Bible-loving Scotland", but to be sure, we were in the Highlands, which are England, or at all events where the best English spoken in Scotland is heard. We reached our house at an early hour, and I was lulled to a gentle slumber by the sound of the river Ness. This comes out of Loch Ness, and in the latest geographical work with which I am acquainted, namely, "Geography Anatomiz'd, by Pat. Gordon, M.A.F.R.S. Printed for Andr. Bell, at the Cross Keys and Bible in Cornhill, and R. Smith, under the Royal Exchange, 1711", I read that "towards the north-west part of _Murray_ is the famous _Lough-Ness_ which never freezeth, but retaineth its natural heat, even in the extremest cold of winter, and in many places this lake hath been sounded with a line of 500 fathom, but no bottom can be found" (just as in the last rehearsal of the artisans' play in the _Midsummer Night's Dream_), but I believe that recent experiments have been more successful, and that though no lead plummet would go so deep, a volume by a very particular friend of mine was fastened to the line, and descended to the bottom in no time. I will mention his name if he is not kind to my next work, but at present I have the highest esteem and respect for him. I only show him that I know this little anecdote. There were what are called Highland games to be solemnised in Inverness. I resolved to attend them, and, if I saw fit, to join in them. But I was informed by a Highland friend of mine, Laidle of Toddie, a laird much respected, that all competitors must appear in the kilt. As my own graceful proportions would look equally well in any costume, this presented no difficulty, and I marched off to Mr. Macdougall, the great Highland costumier, and after walking through a dazzling array of Gaelic glories, I said, mildly, "Can you make me a Highland dress?" "Certainly, in a few hours", said Mr. Macdougall; but somehow I fancied that he did not seem to think that I was displaying any vast amount of sense. "Then, please to make me one, very handsome", said I; "and send it home to-night." And I was going out of the warehouse. "But, sir", said Mr. Macdougall, "do you belong to any clan, or what tartan will you have?" "Mr. Macdougall", said I, "it may be that I do belong to a clan, or am affiliated to one. It may be, that like Edward Waverley, I shall be known hereafter as the friend of the sons (and daughters) of the clan ----. It may be that if war broke out between that clan and another, I would shout our war-cry, and, drawing my claymore, would walk into the hostile clan like one o'clock. But at present that is a secret, and I wear not the garb of any clan in particular. Please to make me up a costume out of the garbs of several clans, but be sure you put the brightest colours, as they suit my complexion." I am bound to say that though Mr. Macdougall firmly declined being party to this arrangement, which he said would be inartistic, he did so with the utmost courtesy. My opinion is, that he thought I was a little cracked. Many persons have thought that, but there is no foundation for the suspicion. "You see, Mr. Macdougall", says I, "I am a Plantagenet by descent, and one of my ancestors was hanged in the time of George the Second. Do those facts suggest anything to you in the way of costume?" "The first does not", he said, "but the second may. A good many persons had the misfortune to be hanged about the time you mention, and for the same reason. I suppose your ancestor died for the Stuarts." "No, sir, he died for a steward. The unfortunate nobleman was most iniquitously destroyed for shooting a plebeian of the name of Johnson, for which reason I hate everybody of that name, from Ben downwards, and will not have a Johnson's _Dictionary_ in my house." "Then, sir", says Mr. Macdougall, "the case is clear. You can mark your sense of the conduct of the sovereign who executed your respected relative. You can assume the costume of his chief enemies. You can wear the Stuart tartan." "Hm", says I. "I should look well in it, no doubt; but then I have no hostility to the present House of Brunswick." "Why", says he, laughing; "Her Majesty dresses her own princes in the Stuart tartan. I ought to know that." "Then that's settled", I replied. Ha! You would indeed have been proud of your contributor, had you seen him splendidly arrayed in that gorgeous garb, and treading the heather of Inverness High Street like a young mountaineer. He did not look then like EPICURUS ROTUNDUS. _Inverness Castle._ * * * * * NOTICE TO THE HIGHLANDERS.--Whereas Mr. Punch, through his "Bilious Contributor", did on the 7th November, 1863, offer a prize of fifty guineas to the best Highland player at Spellikins, in the games for 1873. And whereas Mr. Punch has had the money, with ten years' interest, quite ready, and waiting to be claimed. And whereas no Highland player at Spellikins appeared at the games of 1873. This to give notice that Mr. Punch has irrevocably confiscated the money to his own sole and peculiar use, and intends to use it in bribery at the next general election. He begs to remark to the Highlands, in the words of his ancestor, Robert Bruce, at Bannockburn--"There is a rose fallen from your wreath!"[B] PUNCH. 7th November, 1873. [Footnote B: Of course the King said nothing so sweetly sentimental. What he did say to Earl Randolph was, "Mind your eye, you great stupid ass, or you'll have the English spears in your back directly." Nor did the Earl reply, "My wreath shall bloom, or life shall fade. Follow, my household!" but, with an amazing great curse, "I'll cook 'em. Come on, you dawdling beggars, and fulfil the prophecies!" But so history is written.] * * * * * MORE REVENGE FOR FLODDEN.--_Scene: a Scotch Hotel. Tourist (indignant at his bill)._ "Why, landlord, there must be some mistake there!" _Landlord._ "Mistake? Aye, aye. That stupid fellow, the waiter, has just charged you five shillings--too little." * * * * * FROM THE MOORS.--_Sportsman._ "Much rain Donald?" _Donald._ "A bit soft. Just wet a' day, wi' showers between." * * * * * [Illustration: A PLEASANT PROSPECT! _English Tourist._ "I say, look here. How far is it to this Glenstarvit? They told us it was only----" _Native._ "Aboot four miles." _Tourist_ (_aghast_). "All bog like this?" _Native._ "Eh--h--this is just naethin' till't!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ANOTHER MISUNDERSTANDING _'Arry_ (_on a Northern tour, with Cockney pronunciation_). "Then I'll 'ave a bottle of aile." _Hostess of the Village Inn._ "_Ile_, sir? We've nane in the hoose, but castor ile or paraffin. Wad ony o' them dae, sir?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE WEIRD SISTERS] * * * * * [Illustration: DEER-STALKING MADE EASY The patent silent motor-crawler.] * * * * * [Illustration: ILLUSTRATED QUOTATIONS (_One so seldom finds an Artist who realises the poetic conception._) "Is this the noble Moor ...?"--_Othello_, Act IV., Scene 1.] * * * * * [Illustration: DRACONIAN SCENE.--_Police Court, North Highlands._ _Accused._ "Put, Pailie, it's na provit!" _Bailie._ "Hoot toots, Tonal, and hear me speak! Aw'll only fine ye ha'f-a-croon the day, because et's no varra well provit. But if ever ye come before me again, ye'll no get aff under five shillin's, whether et's provit or no!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF YE ENGLYSHE IN 1849 DEERE STALKYNGE IN YE HYGHLANDES] * * * * * [Illustration: ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF SHOOTING FROM A BUTT _Keeper (on moor rented by the latest South African millionaire, to guest)._ "Never mind the birds, sir. For onny sake, lie down! The maister's gawn tae shoot!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE TWELFTH (_Guilderstein in the Highlands_) _Guild. (His first experience)._ "I've been swindled! That confounded agent said it was all drivin' on this moor, and look at it, all hills and slosh! Not a decent carriage road within ten miles!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE MATERNAL INSTINCT _The Master._ "I'm sayin', wumman, ha'e ye gotten the tickets?" _The Mistress._ "Tuts, haud your tongue aboot tickets. Let me count the weans!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "NEMO ME IMPUNE", &c. _The Irrepressible._ "Hi, Scotty, tip us the 'Ighland fling." TIPPED!] * * * * * [Illustration: Return of the wounded and missing Popplewitz omitted to send in after his day on the moors.] * * * * * [Illustration: RECRIMINATION _Inhabitant of Uist._ "I say, they'll pe speaking fa-ar petter English in Uist than in Styornaway." _Lass of the Lewis._ "Put in Styornaway they'll not pe caa-in' fush 'feesh,' whatefer!"] * * * * * THE HIGHLAND GAMES AT MACJIGGITY Whilst staying at MacFoozle Castle, my excellent host insisted that I should accompany him to see the Highland games. The MacFoozle himself is a typical Hielander, and appeared in a kilt and jelly-bag--philabeg, I mean. Suggested to him that I should go, attired in pair of bathing-drawers, Norfolk jacket, and Glengarry cap, but he, for some inscrutable reason of his own, negatived the idea. Had half a mind to dress in kilt myself, but finally decided against the national costume as being too draughty. Arrived on ground, and found that "tossing the caber" was in full progress. Braw laddies struggled, in turn, with enormous tree trunk. The idea of the contest is, that whoever succeeds in killing the greatest number of spectators by hurling the tree on to them, wins the prize. Fancy these laddies had been hung too long, or else they were particularly braw. Moved up to windward of them promptly. "Who is the truculent-looking villain with red whiskers?" I ask. "Hush!" says my host, in awed tones. "That is the MacGinger himself!" I grovel. Not that I have ever even heard his name before, but I don't want to show my ignorance before the MacFoozle. The competition of pipers was next in order, and I took to my heels and fled. Rejoined MacFoozle half an hour later to witness the dancing. On a large raised platform sat the judges, with the mighty MacGinger himself at their head. Can't quite make out whether the dance is a Reel, a Strathspey, a Haggis, or a Skirl--sure it is one or the other. Just as I ask for information, amid a confusing whirl of arms and legs and "Hoots!" a terrific crack is heard, and the platform, as though protesting at the indignities heaped upon it, suddenly gives way, and in a moment, dancers, pipers, and judges are hurled in a confused and struggling heap to the ground. The MacGinger falls upon some bag-pipes, which emit dismal groanings beneath his massive weight. This ends the dancing prematurely, and a notice is immediately put up all round the grounds that (to take its place) "There will be another competition of bag-pipes." I read it, evaded the MacFoozle, and fled. * * * * * SONG FOR A SCOTCH DUKE. My harts in the Highlands shall have their hills clear, My harts in the Highlands no serf shall come near-- I'll chase out the Gael to make room for the roe, My harts in the Highlands were ever his foe. * * * * * THINGS NO HIGHLANDER CAN UNDERSTAND. Breaches of promise. * * * * * [Illustration: GUILDERSTEIN IN THE HIGHLANDS Guilderstein. "Missed again! And dat fellow, Hoggenheimer, comin'on Monday too! Why did I not wire to Leadenhall for an 'aunch, as Betty told me!"] * * * * * [Illustration: Juvenis. "Jolly day we had last week at McFoggarty's wedding! Capital champagne he gave us, and we did it justice, I can tell you--" Senex (who prefers whiskey). "Eh-h, mun, it's a' verra weel weddings at ye-er time o' life. Gie me a gude funeral!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HEBRIDEAN SPORT _Shooting Tenant (accounting for very large species of grouse which his setter has just flushed)._ "Capercailzie! By George!" _Under-keeper Neil._ "I'm after thinking, sir, you'll have killed Widow McSwan's cochin cock. Ye see the crofters were forced to put him and the hens away out here till the oats is ripe!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LATEST FROM THE MOORS _Intelligent Foreigner._ "Tell me--zee 'Ilanders, do zay always wear zee raw legs?"] * * * * * [Illustration] A GROAN FROM A GILLIE Lasses shouldna' gang to shoot, Na, na! Gillies canna' help but hoot, Ha, ha! Yon douce bodies arena' fittin' Wi' the gudeman's to be pittin', Bide at hame and mind yere knittin'! Hoot, awa'! "Wimmen's Rechts" is vara weel, Ooh, aye! For hizzies wha've nae hearts to feel; Forbye Wimmen's Rechts is aiblins Wrang When nat'ral weak maun ape the strang, An' chaney cups wi' cau'drons gang, Auch, fie! Hennies shouldna' try to craw Sae fast-- Their westlin' thrapples canna' blair Sic a blast. Leave to men-folk bogs and ferns, An' pairtricks, muircocks, braes, and cairns; And lasses! ye may mind the bairns-- That's best! TONALT (X) _his mark._ * * * * * [Illustration: A PRECISIAN _Artist (affably)._ "Fine morning." _Native._ "No' bad ava'." _Artist._ "Pretty scenery." _Native._ "Gey an' good." _Artist (pointing to St. Bannoch's, in the distance)._ "What place is that down at the bottom of the loch?" _Native._ "It's no at the bottom--it's at the fut!" _Artist (to himself)._ "You past-participled Highlander!" [_Drops the subject!_ ] * * * * * THE THING TO DO IN SCOTLAND (_More Leaves from the Highland Journal of Toby, M.P._) _Quiverfield, Haddingtonshire, Monday._--You can't spend twenty-four hours at Quiverfield without having borne in upon you the truth that the only thing to do in Scotland is to play goff. (On other side of Tweed they call it golf. Here we are too much in a hurry to get at the game to spend time on unnecessary consonant.) The waters of what Victor Hugo called "The First of the Fourth" lave the links at Quiverfield. Blue as the Mediterranean they have been in a marvellous autumn, soon to lapse into November. We can see the Bass Rock from the eighth hole, and can almost hear the whirr of the balls skimming with swallow flight over the links at North Berwick. Prince Arthur here to-day, looking fully ten years younger than when I last saw him at Westminster. Plays through live-long day, and drives off fourteen miles for dinner at Whittinghame, thinking no more of it than if he were crossing Palace Yard. Our host, Waverley Pen, is happy in possession of links at his park gates. All his own, for self and friends. You step through the shrubbery, and there are the far-reaching links; beyond them the gleaming waters of the Forth. Stroll out immediately after breakfast to meet the attendant caddies; play goff till half-past one; reluctantly break off for luncheon; go back to complete the fearsome foursome; have tea brought out to save time; leave off in bare time to dress for dinner; talk goff at dinner; arrange matches after dinner; and the new morning finds the caddies waiting as before. [Illustration: Fingen's finger.] Decidedly the only thing to do in Scotland is to play goff. _Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Wednesday._--Fingen, M.P., once told an abashed House of Commons that he "owned a mountain in Scotland." Find, on visiting him in his ancestral home, that he owns a whole range. Go up one or two of them; that comparatively easy; difficulty presents itself when we try to get down. Man and boy, Fingen has lived here fifty years; has not yet acquired knowledge necessary to guide a party home after ascending one of his mountains. Walking up in cool of afternoon, we usually get home sore-footed and hungry about midnight. "Must be going now", says Fingen, M.P., when we have seen view from top of mountain. "Just time to get down before dark. But I know short cut; be there in a jiffy. Come along." We come along. At end of twenty minutes find ourselves in front of impassable gorge. "Ha!" says Fingen, M.P., cheerily. "Must have taken wrong turn; better go back and start again." All very well to say go back; but where were we? Fingen, M.P., knows; wets his finger; holds it up. "Ha!" he says, with increased joyousness of manner; "the wind is blowing that way, is it? Then we turn to the left." Another twenty minutes stumbling through aged heather. Path trends downwards. "That's all right", says Fingen, M.P.; "must lead on to the road." Instead of which we nearly fall into a bubbling burn. Go back again; make bee line up acclivity nearly as steep as side of house; find ourselves again on top of mountain. "How lucky!" shouts Fingen, M.P., beaming with delight. As if we had been trying all this time to get to top of mountain instead of to bottom! Wants to wet his finger again and try how the wind lies. We protest. Let us be saved that at least. Fingen leads off in quite another direction. By rocky pathway which threatens sprains; through bushes and brambles that tear the clothes; by dangerous leaps from rock to rock he brings us to apparently impenetrable hedge. We stare forlorn. [Illustration: The crack of the whip('s pate!)] "Ha!" says Fingen, M.P., more aggressively cheerful than ever. "The road is on other side. Thought we would come upon it somewhere." Somehow or other we crawl through. "Nothing like having an eye to the lay of country", says Fingen, M.P., as we limp along the road. "It's a sort of instinct, you know. If I hadn't been with you, you might have had to camp out all night on the mountain." They don't play goff at Deeside. They bicycle. Down the long avenue with spreading elm trees deftly trained to make triumphal arches, the bicycles come and go. Whipsroom, M.P., thinks opportunity convenient for acquiring the art of cycling. W. is got up with consummate art. Has had his trousers cut short at knee in order to display ribbed stockings of rainbow hue. Loose tweed-jacket, blood-red necktie, white felt hat with rim turned down all round, combine to lend him air of a Drury Lane bandit out of work. Determined to learn to ride the bicycle, but spends most of the day on his hands and knees, or on his back. Looking down avenue at any moment pretty sure to find W. either running into the iron fence, coming off sideways, or bolting head first over the handles of his bike. Get quite new views of him fore-shortened in all possible ways, some that would be impossible to any but a man of his determination. "Never had a man stay in the house", says Fingen, M.P., ruefully, "who so cut up the lawn with his head, or indented the gravel with his elbows and his knees." Evidently I was mistaken about goff. Cycling's the thing in Scotland. _Goasyoucan, Inverness-shire, Saturday._--Wrong again. Not goff nor cycling is the thing to do in Scotland. It's stalking. Soon learn that great truth at Goasyoucan. The hills that encircle the house densely populated with stags. To-day three guns grassed nine, one a royal. This the place to spend a happy day, crouching down among the heather awaiting the fortuitous moment. Weather no object. Rain or snow out you go, submissive to guidance and instruction of keeper; by comparison with whose tyranny life of the ancient galley-slave was perfect freedom. Consummation of human delight this, to lie prone on your face amid the wet heather, with the rain pattering down incessantly, or the snow pitilessly falling, covering you up flake by flake as if it were a robin and you a babe in the wood. Mustn't stir; mustn't speak; if you can conveniently dispense with the operation, better not breathe. Sometimes, after morning and greater part of afternoon thus cheerfully spent, you may get a shot; even a stag. Also you may not; or, having attained the first, may miss the latter. At any rate you have spent a day of exhilarating delight. Stalking is evidently the thing to do in Scotland. It's a far cry to the Highlands. Happily there is Arthur's Seat by Edinburgh town where beginners can practise, and old hands may feign delight of early triumphs. * * * * * [Illustration: THE "IRREPRESSIBLE" AGAIN _Gent in Knickerbockers._ "Rummy speakers them 'Ighlanders, 'Enery. When we wos talking to one of the 'ands, did you notice 'im saying '_nozzing_' for '_nothink_,' and '_she_' for '_e_'?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE LAST STRAW" "Tired out, are you? Try a drop of brandy! Eh!--what!--confound----By jingo, I've forgotten my flask!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NOTHING LIKE MOUNTAIN AIR _Tourist (who has been refreshing himself with the toddy of the country)._ "I shay, ole fler! Highlands seem to 'gree with you wonerfly--annomishtake. Why, you look DOUBLE the man already!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE HEIGHT OF BLISS _Highland Shepherd._ "Fine toon, Glasco', I pelieve, and lots o' coot meat there." _Tourist._ "Oh, yes, lots." _Highland Shepherd._ "An' drink, too?" _Tourist._ "Oh, yes." _Highland Shepherd (doubtingly)._ "Ye'll get porter tae yir parrich?" _Tourist._ "Yes, if we like." _Highland Shepherd._ "Cra-ci-ous!" [_Speechless with admiration._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: TENACITY _First North Briton_ (_on the Oban boat, in a rolling sea and dirty weather_). "Thraw it up, man, and ye'll feel a' the better!" _Second ditto_ (_keeping it down_). "Hech, mon, it's whuskey!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EXCUSABLE WRATH _Drover_ (_exhausted with his struggles_). "Whit are ye wouf, woufan' there, ye stupit ass! It wud be wis-eer like if ye gang awn hame, an' bring a barrow!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A SOFT IMPEACHMENT _Sporting Saxon (mournfully, after three weeks' incessant down-pour)._ "Does it always rain like this up here, Mr. McFuskey?" _His Guide, Philosopher, and Friendly Landlord (calmly)._ "Oo aye, it's a-ye just a wee bit shooery."!!] * * * * * [Illustration: ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCH 2 A.M. _Brown (who has taken a shooting-box in the Highlands, and has been "celebrating" his first appearance in a kilt)._ "Worsht of these ole-fashioned beshteads is, they take such a lot of climbin' into!"] * * * * * [Illustration: GUILDERSTEIN IN THE HIGHLANDS _Mrs. G._ "We must leave this horrible place, dear. The keeper has just told me there is disease on the moor. Good gracious, the boys might take it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A GREAT DRAWBACK _Dougal_ (_with all his native contempt for the Londoner_). "Aye, mon, an' he's no a bad shot?" _Davie._ "'Deed an' he's a verra _guid_ shot." _Dougal._ "Hech! it's an awfu' peetie he's a Londoner!"] * * * * * NOTES FROM THE HIGHLANDS "_Jam satis terris,_" _&c._ _Alt-na-blashy._--The aqueous and igneous agencies seem to be combined in these quarters, for since the rain we hear of a great increase of burns. In default of the moors we fall back on the kitchen and the cellar. I need hardly add that dry wines are almost exclusively used by our party, and moist sugar is generally avoided. Dripping, too, is discontinued, and everything that is likely to whet the appetite is at a discount. _Drizzle-arich._--A Frenchman, soaked out of our bothy by the moisture of the weather, was overheard to exclaim "_Après moi le déluge._" _Inverdreary._--Greatly to the indignation of their chief, several of the "Children of the Mist", in this romantic but rainy region, have assumed the garb of the Mackintoshes. _Loch Drunkie._--We have several partners in misery within hail, or life would be fairly washed out of us. We make up parties alternately at our shooting quarters when the weather allows of wading between them. Inebriation, it is to be feared, must be on the increase, for few of us who go out to dinner return without making a wet night of it. Meantime, the watering-places in our vicinity--in particular the Linns o' Dun-Dreepie--are literally overflowing. It is asserted that even young horses are growing impatient of the reins. Our greatest comfort is the weekly budget of dry humour from _Mr. Punch_. * * * * * A DISAPPOINTING HOST.--_Sandy._ "A 'm tellt ye hev a new nebbur, Donal'." _Donald._ "Aye." _Sandy._ "An' what like is he?" _Donald._ "Weel, he's a curious laddie. A went to hev a bit talk wi' him th' ither evenin', an' he offered me a glass o' whuskey, d'ye see? Weel, he was poorin' it oot, an' A said to him 'Stop!'--_an' he stoppit!_ That's the soort o' mon he is." * * * * * [Illustration: AMBIGUITY SCENE--_A Highland Ferry_ _Tourist._ "But we paid you sixpence each as we came over, and you said the same fare would bring us back." _Skipper._ "Well, well, and I telled ye nothing but the truth, an' it'll be no more than the same fare I'm wantin' the noo for bringin' ye back."] * * * * * [Illustration: AUGUST IN SCOTLAND _Bag Carrier (to Keeper)._ "What does the maister aye ask that body tae shoot wi' him for? He canna hit a thing!" _Keeper._ "Dod, man, I daur say he wishes they was a' like him. The same birds does him a' through the season!"] * * * * * KINREEN O' THE DEE; A PIOBRACH HEARD WAILING DOWN GLENTANNER ON THE EXILE OF THREE GENERATIONS. [Illustration] Och hey, Kinreen o' the Dee! Kinreen o' the Dee! Kinreen o' the Dee! Och hey, Kinreen o' the Dee! I'll blaw up my chanter, I've rounded fu' weel, To mony a ranter, In mony a reel, An' pour'd a' my heart i' the win'bag wi' glee: Och hey, Kinreen o' the Dee! For licht wis the laughter in bonny Kinreen, An' licht wis the footfa' that glanced o'er the green, An' licht ware the hearts a' an' lichtsome the eyne, Och hey, Kinreen o' the Dee! Kinreen o' the Dee! Kinreen o' the Dee! Och hey, Kinreen o' the Dee! The auld hoose is bare noo, A cauld hoose to me, The hearth is nae mair noo, The centre o' glee, Nae mair for the bairnies the bield it has been, Och hey, for bonny Kinreen! The auld folk, the young folk, the wee anes, an' a', A hunder years' hame birds are harried awa', Are harried an' hameless, whatever winds blaw, Och hey, Kinreen o' the Dee! &c. Fareweel my auld pleugh lan', I'll never mair pleugh it: Fareweel my auld cairt an' The auld yaud[C] that drew it. Fareweel my auld kailyard, ilk bush an' ilk tree! Och hey, Kinreen o' the Dee! Fareweel the auld braes, that my hand keepit green, Fareweel the auld ways where we waunder'd unseen Ere the star o' my hearth came to bonny Kinreen, Och hey, Kinreen o' the Dee! &c. The auld kirk looks up o'er The dreesome auld dead, Like a saint speakin' hope o'er Some sorrowfu' bed. Fareweel the auld kirk, an' fareweel the kirk green, They tell o' a far better hame than Kinreen! The place we wad cling to--puir simple auld fules, O' our births an' our bridals, oor blesses an' dools, Whare oor wee bits o' bairnies lie cauld i' the mools.[D] Och hey, Kinreen o' the Dee! &c. I aft times hae wunder'd If deer be as dear, As sweet ties o' kindred, To peasant or peer; As the tie to the hames o' the land born be, Och hey, Kinreen o' the Dee! The heather that blossoms unkent o' the moor, Wad dee in his lordship's best greenhoose, I'm sure, To the wunder o' mony a fairy land flure. Och hey, Kinreen o' the Dee! &c. Though little the thing be, Oor ain we can ca'; That little we cling be, The mair that it's sma'; Though puir wis oor hame, an' thogh wild wis the scene, 'Twas the hame o' oor hearts: it was bonnie Kinreen. An yet we maun leave it, baith grey head an bairn; Leave it to fatten the deer o' Cock-Cairn, O' Pannanich wuds an' o' Morven o' Gairn. Och hey, Kinreen o' the Dee! Kinreen o' the Dee! Kinreen o' the Dee! Sae Fareweel for ever, Kinreen of the Dee! [Footnote C: Mare.] [Footnote D: Earth.] * * * * * [Illustration: CANNY! _Sportsman._ "That's a tough old fellow, Jemmy!" _Keeper._ "Aye, sir, a grand bird to send to your freens!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EXPERTO CREDE _Tourist_ (_on approaching hostelry_). "What will you have, coachman?" _Driver._ "A wee drap whuskey, sir, thank you." _Tourist._ "All right I'll get down and send it out to you." _Driver._ "Na, na, gie me the saxpence. They'll gie you an unco sma' gless!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A LAMENT FROM THE NORTH "And then the weather's been so bad, Donald!" "Ou ay, sir. Only three fine days--and twa of them snappit up by the Sawbath!"] * * * * * TWO ON A TOUR "Can you tell me which is Croft Lochay?" The smith leant on his pitchfork--he had been up at the hay--and eyed Gwendolen and myself with friendly interest. "Ye'll be the gentry from London Mistress McDiarmat is expectin'?" "And which is the way to her house?" "Well", said the smith, shading his eyes as he peered up at the Ben, "ye can't see it rightly from here, as it lies behind yon knowe. It's a whole year whatever since I hev not been up myself; but if you follow the burn----" I glanced at Gwen and saw that she shared my satisfaction. To cross the edge of civilisation had for months past been our hearts' desire; and to have achieved a jumping-off place only approachable by a burn exceeded our wildest ambitions. We thanked the smith, and set off on our expedition up the mountain side. "We twa hae paidlit in the burn", sang Gwendolen as she skipped like a goat from stone to stone. "O Jack, isn't it too primitive and delightful!" "Rather", said I, inhaling great draughts of the mountain air. "Aren't you hungry?" "Rather", I repeated. "Wonder what there'll be to eat." "Oh, I don't care what it is. Anything will be delicious. Is that the house, do you think?" I looked up and saw above us a low white-washed shanty covered with thatch which was kept in its place by a network of laths. A few heavy stones were evidently designed to keep the roof from blowing off in winter storms. "No", said Gwen. "That must be the cowhouse byre, don't you call it?" "I'm not so sure", said I. While we were still uncertain, a figure came to the door and bade us welcome. "Come in, come in. Ye'll be tired with the travelling, and ye'll like to see the rooms." We acquiesced, and Mistress McDiarmat led the way into the cowhouse. "Shoo!" she cried as she opened the door of the bedroom. "Get away, Speckle! The hens _will_ lay their bit egg on the bed, sir." "What fresh eggs we shall get!" cried Gwen, delighted with this fresh proof of rusticity and with the Gaelic gutturals with which Mistress McDiarmat emphasized her remarks to Speckle. The "other end" was furnished with two hard chairs, a table and a bed. "Fancy a bed in the dining-room and hens in your bed!" said Gwen, in the highest of spirits. "And here comes tea! Eggs and bacon--Ah! how lovely they smell, and how much nicer than horrid, stodgy dinners! And oatcakes--and jelly--and the lightest feathery scones! O Jack, isn't it heavenly?" "Rather", I agreed, beginning the meal with tremendous gusto. The eggs and bacon disappeared in the twinkling of an eye, and then we fell to on the light feathery scones. "Wish we hadn't wasted a fortnight's time and money in ruinous Highland hotels. Wonder what Schiehallion thinks of hot baths and late dinners, not to speak of waiters and wine-lists." "I suppose", remarked Gwendolen, "one _could_ get a bath at the Temperance Inn we passed on the road?" "Baths!" cried I. "Why, my dear, one only has to go and sit under the neighbouring waterfall." Gwen did not laugh, and looking up I saw she had stopped in the middle of a scone on which she had embarked with great appetite. "Try an oat-cake", I suggested. "No, thanks", said Gwen. "A little more jelly?" Gwen shook her head. I finished my meal in silence and pulled out my pipe. "Going to smoke in here?" asked Gwen. "It's raining outside, my dear." "Oh, very well. But remember this is my bedroom. I decline to sleep with hens." I put the pipe away and prepared for conversation. "Can't you sit still?" asked Gwen after a long pause. "This chair is very hard, dear." "So is mine." "Don't you think we might sit on the bed?" "Certainly not. I shouldn't sleep a wink if we disarranged the clothes, and only an expert can re-make a chaff bed." "Wish we had something to read", I remarked, after another long pause. "Do you expect a circulating library on the top of Ben-y-Gloe?" I began to realise that Gwen was no longer in a conversational mood, and made no further efforts to break the silence. Half-an-hour later Gwen came across the room and laid her hand on my shoulder. "What are you reading, dear?" she asked. "I find we can get a train from Struan to-morrow afternoon which catches the London connection at Perth when the train's not more than two hours late." "We can't risk that. Isn't there a train in the morning?" "It would mean leaving this at five." "So much the better. O Jack, if I eat another meal like that it will be fatal. To think we shall be back in dear old Chelsea to-morrow!" * * * * * [Illustration: ORIGIN OF THE HIGHLAND SCHOTTISCHE "This is the way they tread the hay, tread the hay, tread the hay; This is the way they tread the hay, tread the hay in Scotland!"] * * * * * [Illustration: GROUSE SHOOTING LATE IN THE SEASON. JOLLY, VERY! "Come along, old fellow! Here's a point!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DEER-STALKING MADE EASY. A HINT TO LUSTY SPORTSMEN] * * * * * [Illustration: SOONER OR LATER _Old Gent._ "When is the steamer due here?" _Highland Pier-Master._ "Various. Sometimes sooner, sometimes earlier, an' even sometimes before that, too."] * * * * * [Illustration: "HARMLESS" _Cockney Sporting Gent._ "But I think it's a 'en!" _Sandy (his keeper)._ "Shoot, man, shoot! She'll be no muckle the waur o' ye!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PLEASANT _Friend (to novice at salmon fishing)._ "I say, old boy, mind how you wade; there are some tremendous holes, fourteen or fifteen feet deep."] * * * * * [Illustration:AN IMPORTANT DETAIL _Our latest Millionaire_ (_to Gillie, who has brought him within close range of the finest stag in the forest_). "I say, Mac, confound it all, _which eye do you use_?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _English Tourist (in the far North, miles from anywhere)._ "Do you mean to say that you and your family live here all the winter? Why, what do you do when any of you are ill? You can never get a doctor!" _Scotch Shepherd._ "Nae, sir. We've just to dee a natural death!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE--A ROADSIDE INN IN A MOORLAND DISTRICT, SCOTLAND (_The Captain and Gamekeeper call in to have some Refreshment_) _Landlady_ (_enters in fear_). "Eh, sir, yer gun's no loaded is't? for a never would bide in a hoose whaur the wur a loaded gun in a' m'life." _Captain_ (_composedly_). "Oh, we'll soon put that all right--have you got a cork?" [_Exit Landlady and brings a cork, which the Captain carefully sticks in the muzzle of the gun, and assures her it is all right now_-- _Landlady_ (_relieved_). "Ou, aye! it's a' right noo, but it wasna safe afore, ye ken."] * * * * * [Illustration: "A MONARCH OF THE GLEN" _Transatlantic Millionaire (surveying one of his deer-forests)._ "Ha! look there! I see _three excursionists_! Send 'em to the----!" _Gigantic Gillie (and chucker-out)._ "If you please, Mr. Dollers, they're _excisemen_!" _T. M._ "I don't care _who_ they are! Send 'em to the----!" _G. G._ "Yes, Mr. Dollers." [_Proceeds to carry out order._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: Sportsman (who declines to be told where to go and what to do by his gillie), after an arduous stalk in the blazing sun, at last manages to crawl within close range of those "brown specks" he discovered miles distant on the hill-side!] * * * * * [Illustration: PROMISING! _Tourist._ "Have you any decent cigars?" _Highland Grocer._ "Decent cigars? Ay, here are decent cigars enough." _Tourist._ "Are they Havanahs, or Manillas?" _Highland Grocer._ "They're just from Kircaldy!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE MISS" _Gillie._ "Eh, mon! But it's fortunate there's beef in Aberdeen!"] * * * * * MR. BRIGGS IN THE HIGHLANDS _By_ JOHN LEECH [Illustration: Mr. Briggs, feeling that his heart is in the Highlands a-chasing the deer, starts for the North.] [Illustration: Before going out, Mr. Briggs and his friends have a quiet chat about deer-stalking generally. He listens with much interest to some pleasing anecdotes about the little incidents frequently met with--such as balls going through caps--toes being shot off!--occasionally being gored by the antlers of infuriate stags, &c., &c., &c.] [Illustration: Mr. Briggs, previous to going through his course of deer-stalking, assists the forester in getting a hart or two for the house. Donald is requesting our friend to hold the animal down by the horns. [N.B. The said animal is as strong as a bull, and uses his legs like a race-horse. ] [Illustration: The deer are driven for Mr. Briggs. He has an excellent place, but what with waiting by himself so long, the murmur of the stream, the beauty of the scene, and the novelty of the situation, he falls asleep, and while he takes his forty winks, the deer pass!] [Illustration: As the wind is favourable, the deer are driven again.] [Illustration: Mr. Briggs is suddenly face to face with the monarch of the glen! He is so astonished that he omits to fire his rifle.] [Illustration: To-day he goes out for a stalk, and Donald shows Mr. Briggs the way!] [Illustration: After a good deal of climbing, our friend gets to the top of Ben-something-or-other, and the forester looks out to see if there are any deer on the hills. Yes! several hinds, and perhaps the finest hart that ever was seen.] [Illustration: To get at him, they are obliged to go a long way round. Before they get down, the shower, peculiar to the country, overtakes them, so they "shelter a-wee."] [Illustration: With extraordinary perseverance they come within shot of "the finest hart." Mr. B. is out of breath, afraid of slipping, and wants to blow his nose (quite out of the question), otherwise he is tolerably comfortable.] [Illustration: After aiming for a quarter of an hour, Mr. B. fires both his barrels--and--misses!!!! _Tableau_--The forester's anguish] [Illustration: The royal hart Mr. Briggs did NOT hit.] [Illustration: Mr. Briggs has another day's stalking, and his rifle having gone off sooner than he expected, he kills a stag. As it is his first, he is made free of the forest by the process customary on the hills!--] [Illustration: And returns home in triumph. He is a little knocked up, but after a nap, will, no doubt, go through the broad-sword dance in the evening as usual.] [Illustration: MR. BRIGGS GROUSE SHOOTING 9 A.M. His arrival on the moor.--Mr. Briggs says that the fine bracing air makes him so vigorous that he shall never be beat. He also facetiously remarks that he is on "his native heath", and that his "name is Macgregor!" [_The result of the day's sport will be communicated by electric telegraph._ ] * * * * * SKETCHES FROM SCOTLAND AT THE DRUMQUHIDDER HIGHLAND GATHERING. SCENE--_A meadow near Drumquhidder, South Perthshire, where the annual Highland Games are being held. The programme being a long one, there are generally three events being contested in various parts of the ground at the same time. On the benches immediately below the Grand Stand are seated two Drumquhidder worthies_, MR. PARRITCH _and_ MR. HAVERS, _with_ MRS. McTAVISH _and her niece, two acquaintances from Glasgow, to whom they are endeavouring--not altogether successfully--to make themselves agreeable_. _Mr. Havers_ (_in allusion to the dozen or so of drags, landaus, and waggonettes on the ground_). There's a number o' machines hier the day, Messis McTarvish, an' a wonderfu' crood; there'll be a bit scarceness ower on yon side, but a gey many a'thegither. I conseeder we're jest awfu' forrtunate in the day an' a'. [_Mrs. McTavish assents, but without enthusiasm._ _Mr. Parritch._ I've jist ben keekin into the Refraishmen' Tent. It's an awfu' peety they're no pairmeetin' ony intoaxicans--naethin' but non-alcohoalic liquors an' sic like, an' the hawm-sawndwiches no verra tender. (_With gallantry._) What do ye say, noo, Messis McTarvish--wull ye no come an' tak' a bite wi' me? _Mrs. McTavish (distantly)._ Ah'm no feelin' able for't jist the noo, Mester Pairritch. _Mr. Parr._ Ye'll hae a boatle o' leemonade at my expense? Ye'll no? Then ye wull, Mess Rawse. (_With relief, as Miss Rose declines also._) Aweel, I jist thocht I'd pit the quaistion. (_To a friend of his, who joins them._) An' hoo's a' wi' ye, Mester McKerrow? Ye're a member o' the Cawmittee, I obsairve, sae I'll hae to keck up a bet row wi' ye. _Mr. McKerrow (unconcernedly)._ Then ye'll jist to hae to keck it doon again. What's wrang the noo? _Mr. Parr._ I'd like to ask ye if ye conseeder it fair or jest to charrge us tippence every time we'd go aff the groon? Man, it's jist an extoartion. _Mr. McKerr._ I'm no responsible for't; but, if I'd ben there, I'd ha' chairged ye twa shellins; sae ye'd better say nae mair aboot the maitter. [_Mr. Parritch does not pursue the subject._ _Mr. Havers (as a detachment of the Black Watch Highlanders conclude an exhibition of musical drill)._ Ye'll be the baiter o' haeing the Block Wetch hier the day. Man, they gie us a colour! It's verra pretty hoo nicely they can pairforrm the drill.... An' noo them sojers is gaun to rin a bet race amang theirsels. This'll be an extry cawmpeteetion, I doot. (_As the race is being run._) It's no a verra suitable dress for rinnin'--the spleughan--or "sporran", is it?--hairrts them tairible. _Mr. McKerr. (contradictiously)._ The sporran does na hairrt them at a'. _Mr. Havers._ Man, it's knockin' against them at every stride they tak'. (_His attention wanders to a Highland Fling, which three small boys are dancing on a platform opposite._) He's an awfu' bonnie dauncer that wee laddie i' the meddle! _Mr. McKerr._ Na sae awfu' bonnie, he luiks tae much at his taes. Yon on the richt is the laddie o' the lote! He disna move his boady at a'.... This'll be the Half Mile Handicap they're stairting for down yonder. It'll gae to Jock Alister--him in the blue breeks. _Mr. Parr._ Yon grup-luikin' tyke? I canna thenk it. _Mr. Havers._ Na, it'll be yon bald-heided man in broon. He's verra enthusiastic. He's ben rinnin' in a' the races, I obsairve. "Smeth" did ye say his neem was? (_To Miss Rose, "pawkily"._) Ye'll hae an affaictionate regaird for that neem, I'm thenking, Mess Rawse? _Miss Rose (with maidenly displeasure)._ 'Deed, an I'm no unnerstanding why ye should thenk ony sic a thing! _Mr. Havers (abashed)._ I beg your pairrdon. I don't know hoo it was I gethered Smeth was your ain neem. (_Miss Rose shakes her head._) No? Then maybe ye'll be acquaint with a Mester Alexawnder Smeth fro' Paisley? (_Miss Rose is not, nor apparently desires to be, and Mr. Havers returns to the foot-race._) The baldheid's leadin' them a', I tellt ye he'd----Na, he's gien up! it'll be the little block fellow, he's peckin' up tairible! _Mr. Parr._ 'Twull no be him. Yon lang chap has an easy jobe o't. Ye'll see he'll jist putt a spairrt on at yon faur poast--he's comin' on noo--he's.... Losh! he's only thirrd after a'; he didna putt the spairrt on sune eneugh; that was the gran' fau't he made! _Mr. Havers._ They'll be begenning the wrustling oot yon in the centre....(_As the competitors grip._) Losh! that's no the way to wrustle; they shouldna left the ither up; they're no allowed to threp! _Mr. McKerr._ That's jist the game, I'm telling ye; ye know naething at a' aboot it! [Illustration: "That's jist the game, I'm telling ye; ye know naething at a' aboot it!"] _Mr. Havers._ I'd sthruggle baiter'n that mysel', it's no great wrustling at a', merely bairrns' play! _Mr. McKerr (as a corpulent elderly gentleman appears, in very pink tights)._ Ye'll see some science noo, for hier's McBannock o' Balwhuskie, the chawmpion. _Mr. Havers (disenchanted)._ Wull yon be him in the penk breeks. Man, but he's awfu' stoot for sic wark! _Mr. McKerr._ The wecht of him's no easy put doon. The rest are boys to him. _Mr. Parr._ I doot the little dairk fellow'll hae him ... it's a gey sthruggle. _Mr. McKerr._ He's not doon yet. Wull ye bait sexpence against McBannock, Mester Pairritch? _Mr. Parr. (promptly)._ Aye, wull I--na, he's got the dairk mon doon. I was jist mindin' the sword-daunce, sae the bait's aff. (_Three men in full Highland costume step upon the platform and stand, proud and impassive, fronting the grand stand, while the judges walk round them, making careful notes of their respective points._) What wull _they_ be aboot? _Mr. McKerr._ It'll be the prize for the mon who's the best dressed Hielander at his ain expense. I'm thenkin' they'll find it no verra easy to come to a deceesion. _Mr. Parr._ Deed, it's no sae deeficult; 'twill be the mon in the centre, sure as deith! _Mr. Havers._ Ye say that because he has a' them gowd maidles hing on his jocket! _Mr. Parr_. (_loftily_). I pay no attention to the maidles at a'. I'm sayin' that Dougal Macrae is the best dressed Hielander o' the three. _Mr. Havers._ It'll no be Macrae at a'. Jock McEwan, that's furthest west, 'll be the mon. _Mr. Parr._ (_dogmatically_). It'll be Macrae, I'm tellin' ye. He has the nicest kelt on him that iver I sa'! _Mr. Havers._ It's no the _kelt_ that diz it, 'tis jist the way they pit it on. An' Macrae'll hae his tae faur doon, a guid twa enches too low, it is. _Mr. Parr._ Ye're a' wrang, the kelt is on richt eneugh! _Mr. Havers._ I know fine hoo a kelt should be pit an, though I'm no Hielander mysel', and I'll ask ye, Mess Rawse, if Dougal Macrae's kelt isn't too lang; it's jist losin his knees a' thegither, like a lassie he looks in it! [_Miss Rose declines, with some stiffness, to express an opinion on so delicate a point._ _Mr. Parr. (recklessly)._ I'll pit a sexpence on Macrae wi' ye, come noo! _Mr. Havers._ Na, na, pit cawmpetent jedges on to deceede, and they'll be o' my opeenion; but I'll no bait wi' ye. _Mr. Parr. (his blood up)._ Then I'll hae a sexpence on 't wi you, Mester McKerrow! _Mr. McKerr._ Nay, I'm for Macrae mysel'.... An' we're baith in the richt o't too, for they've jist gien him the bit red flag--that means he's got firsst prize. _Mr. Parr. (to Mr. Havers, with reproach)._ Man, if ye'd hed the speerit o' your opeenions, I'd ha' won sexpence aff ye by noo! _Mr. Havers (obstinately)._ I canna thenk but that Macrae's kelt was too lang--prize or no prize. I'll be telling him when I see him that he looked like a lassie in it. _Mr. Parr. (with concern)._ I wouldna jist advise ye to say ony sic a thing to him. These Hielanders are awfu' prood; and he micht tak' it gey ill fro' ye! _Mr. Havers._ I see nae hairrm mysel' in jist tellin' him, in a pleesant, daffin-like way, that he looked like a lassie in his kelt. But there's nae tellin' hoo ye may offend some fowk; an' I'm thenking it's no sae verra prawbable that I'll hae the oaportunity o' saying onything aboot the maitter to him. * * * * * AWKWARD FOR HIM.--_Tam._ "I'm sayin', man, my cairt o' hay's fa'en ower. Will ye gie 's a haund up wi' 't?" _Jock._ "'Deed will I. But ye'll be in nae hurry till I get tae the end o' the raw?" _Tam._ "Ou no. I'm in nae hurry, but I doot my faither 'll be wearyin'." _Jock._ "An' whaur's yer faither?" _Tam._ "He's in below the hay!" * * * * * [Illustration: "MISTAKEN IDENTITY" SCENE--_Northern Meeting at Inverness._ PERSONS REPRESENTED--Ian Gorm _and_ Dougald Mohr, _gillies_. Mr. Smith, _of London_. _First Gillie._ "Wull yon be the MacWhannel, Ian Gorm?" _Second ditto._ "No!! Hes nae-um is Muster Smuth! And he ahl-ways wears the kult--and it is foohl that you aar, Tougalt Mohr!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: (LOCH) FYNE GRAMMAR (_A Sad Fact for the School Board_) _Tugal._ "Dud ye'll ever see the _I-oo-na_ any more before?" _Tonal._ "Surely I was." _Tugal._ "Ay, ay! Maybe you was never on poard too, after thus----" _Tonal._ "I dud."] * * * * * [Illustration: NON BEN (LOMOND) TROVATO. _Rory (fresh from the hills)._ "Hech, mon! Ye're loassin' a' yer watter!!" _Aungus._ "Haud yer tongue, ye feul! Ett's latt oot to stoap the laddies frae ridin' ahint!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "NOTHING LIKE LEATHER" _Bookseller_ (_to Lanarkshire country gentleman who had brought his back numbers to be bound_). "Would you like them done in 'Russia' or 'Morocco,' sir?" _Old Gentleman._ "Na, never maind aboot Rooshy or Moroccy. I'll just hae 'em boond in Glasgy here!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE TROUBLES OF STALKING _Irate Gillie_ (_on discovering in the distance, for the third time that morning, a "brute of a man" moving about in his favourite bit of "forest"_). "Oh! deil take the people! Come awa', Muster Brown, sir; _it's just Peekadilly!!!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: A FALLEN ASS _Indignant Gillie_ (_to Jones, of London, who has by mistake killed a hind_). "I thoucht ony fule ken't it was the stags that had the horns!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BONCHIENIE _Young Lady Tourist_ (_caressing the hotel terrier, Bareglourie, N.B._). "Oh, Binkie is his name! He seems inclined to be quite friendly with me." _Waiter._ "Oo, aye, miss, he's no vera parteec'lar wha he taks oop wi!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "CANNY" _First North Briton._ "'T's a fine day, this?" _Second ditto._ "No ill, ava." _First ditto._ "Ye'll be travellin'?" _Second ditto._ "Weel, maybe I'm no." _First ditto._ "Gaun t'Aberdeen, maybe?" _Second ditto._ "Ye're no faur aff't!!" [_Mutually satisfied, each goes his respective way_ ] * * * * * [Illustration: THE PURCHASING LIMIT _Mr. Steinsen_ (_our latest millionaire--after his third fruitless stalk_). "Now, look here, you rascal! if you can't have the brutes tamer, I'm hanged if I don't sack you!"] * * * * * [Illustration: GROWING POPULARITY OF THE HIGHLANDS _Mrs. Smith_ (_of Brixton_). "Lor', Mr. Brown, I 'ardly knoo yer! Only think of our meetin' _'ere_, this year, instead of dear old Margit! An' I suppose that's the costume you go _salmon-stalking_ in?"] * * * * * MORE SKETCHES FROM SCOTLAND ON A CALLANDER CHAR-A-BANC. SCENE--_In front of the Trossachs Hotel. The few passengers bound for Callander have been sitting for several minutes on the coach "Fitz-James" in pelting rain, resignedly wondering when the driver will consider them sufficiently wet to start._ _The Head Boots (to the driver)._ There's another to come yet; he'll no be lang now. (_The cause of the delay comes down the hotel steps, and surveys the vehicle and its occupants with a surly scowl._) Up with ye, sir, plenty of room on the second seats. _The Surly Passenger._ And have all the umbrellas behind dripping on my hat! No, thank you, I'm going in front. (_He mounts, and takes up the apron._) Here, driver, just look at this apron--it's sopping wet! _The Driver (tranquilly)._ Aye, I'm thinking it wull ha' got a bet domp. [Illustration: "Ou aye, ye can get inside the boot if ye've a mind to it."] _The Surly P._ Well, I'm not going to have this over me. Haven't you got a _dry_ one somewhere? _The Driver._ There'll be dry ones at Collander. _The Surly P. (with a snort)._ At Callander! Much good that is! (_With crushing sarcasm._) If I'm to keep dry on this concern, it strikes me I'd better get inside the boot at once! _The Driver (with the air of a man who is making a concession)._ Ou aye, ye can get inside the boot if ye've a mind to it. [_The coach starts, and is presently stopped at a corner to take up a male and a female passenger, who occupy the seats immediately behind the Surly Passenger._ _The Female P. (enthusiastically, to her companion)._ There's dear old Mrs. Macfarlane, come out to see the last of us! Look at her standing out there in the garden, all in the rain. That's what I always say about the Scotch--they _are_ warm-hearted! [_She waves her hand in farewell to some distant object._ _Her Companion. That_ ain't her; that's an old apple-tree in the garden _you_'re waving to. _She's_ keeping indoors--and shows her sense too. _The Female P. (disgusted)._ Well, I _do_ think after our being at the farm a fortnight and all, she _might_----But that's Scotch all _over_, that is; get all they can out of you, and then, for anything _they_ care----! _The Surly P._ I don't know whether you are aware of it, ma'am, but that umbrella of yours is sending a constant trickle down the back of my neck, which is _most_ unpleasant! _The Female P._ I'm sorry to hear it, sir, but it's no worse for you than it is for me. I've got somebody else's umbrella dripping down _my_ back, and _I_ don't complain. _The Surly P._ I _do_, ma'am, for, being in front, I haven't even the poor consolation of feeling that my umbrella is a nuisance to anybody. _A Sardonic P. (in the rear, politely)._ On the contrary, sir, I find it a most pleasing object to contemplate. Far more picturesque, I don't doubt, than any scenery it may happen to conceal. _A Chatty P. (to the driver; not because he cares, but simply for the sake of conversation)._ What fish do you catch in that river there? _The Driver (with an effort)._ There'll be troots, an', maybe, a pairrch or two. _The Chatty P._ Perch? Ah, that's rather like a goldfish in shape, eh? _Driver (cautiously)._ Aye, it would be that. _Chatty P._ Only considerably bigger, of course. _Driver (evasively)._ Pairrch is no a verra beg fesh. _Chatty P._ But bigger than goldfish. _Driver (more confidently)._ Ou aye, they'll be begger than goldfesh. _Chatty P. (persistently)._ You've seen goldfish--know what they're like, eh? _Driver (placidly)._ I canna say I do. [_They pass a shooting party with beaters._ _Chatty P. (as before)._ What are they going to shoot? _Driver._ They'll jist be going up to the hells for a bet grouse drivin'. _A Lady P._ I wonder why they carry those poles with the red and yellow flags. I suppose they're to warn tourists to keep out of range when they begin firing at the butts. I know they _have_ butts up on the moor, because I've seen them. Just look at those birds running after that man throwing grain for them. Would those be _grouse_? _Driver._ Ye'll no find grouse so tame as that, mem; they'll jist be phaysants. _The Lady P._ Poor dear things! why, they're as tame as chickens. It _does_ seem so cruel to kill them! _Her Comp._ Well, but they kill chickens, occasionally. _The Lady P._ Not with a horrid gun; and, besides, that's such a totally different thing. _The Chatty P._ What do you call that mountain, driver, eh? _Driver._ Yon hell? I'm no minding its name. _The Surly P._ You don't seem very ready in pointing out the objects of interests on the route, I must say. _Driver (modestly)._ There'll be them on the corch that know as much aboot it as myself. (_After a pause--to vindicate his character as a cicerone._) Did ye nottice a bit building at the end of the loch over yonder? _The Surly P._ No, I didn't. _Driver._ Ye might ha' seen it, had ye looked. [_He relapses into a contented silence._ _Chatty P._ Anything remarkable about the building? _Driver._ It was no the building that's remairkable. (_After a severe struggle with his own reticence._) It was jist the spoat. 'Twas there _Roderick Dhu_ fought _Fitz-James_ after convoying him that far on his way. [_The Surly Passenger snorts as though he didn't consider this information._ _The Lady P. (who doesn't seem to be up in her "Lady of the Lake"). Fitz-James who?_ _Her Comp._ I fancy he's the man who owns this line of coaches. There's his name on the side of this one. _The Lady P._ And I saw _Roderick Dhu's_ on another coach. I _thought_ it sounded familiar, somehow. He must be the _rival_ proprietor, I suppose. I wonder if they've made it up yet. _The Driver (to the Surly Passenger, with another outburst of communicativeness)._ Yon stoan is called "Sawmson's Putting Stoan." He hurrled it up to the tope of the hell, whaur it's bided ever sence. [_The Surly Passenger receives this information with an incredulous grunt._ _The Lady P._ What a magnificent old ruin that is across the valley, some ancient castle, evidently; they can't build like that nowadays! _The Driver._ That's the Collander Hydropawthec, mem; burrnt doon two or three years back. _The Lady P. (with a sense of the irony of events)._ _Burnt_ down! A Hydropathic! Fancy! _Male P. (as they enter Callander and pass a trim villa)._ There, _that's_ Mr. Figgis's place. _His Comp._ What--_that_? Why, it's quite a _bee-yutiful_ place, with green venetians, and a conservatory, and a croaky lawn, and everything! Fancy all that belonging to _him!_ It's well to be a grocer--in _these_ parts, seemingly! _Male P._ Ah, _we_ ought to come up and start business here; it 'ud be better than being in the Caledonian Road! [_They meditate for the remainder of the journey upon the caprices of Fortune with regard to grocery profits in Caledonia and the Caledonian Road respectively._ * * * * * [Illustration: "MEN WERE DECEIVERS EVER" _Mr. Punch_ is at present in the Highlands "a-chasing the deer." _Mrs. Punch_ is at home, and has promised all her friends haunches of venison as soon as they arrive!] * * * * * [Illustration: "DESIRABLE" _Saxon Passenger (on Highland coach)._ "Of course you're well acquainted with the country round about here. Do you know 'Glen Accron'?" _Driver._ "Aye, weel." _Saxon Passenger (who had just bought the estate)._ "What sort of a place is it?" _Driver._ "Weel, if ye saw the deil tethered on't, ye'd just say 'Puir brute'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ISOLATION!--OFF THE ORKNEYS _Southern Tourist._ "'Get any newspapers here?" _Orcadian Boatman._ "Ou aye, when the steamer comes. If it's fine, she'll come ance a week; but when it's stormy, i' winter, we dinna catch a glint o' her for three months at a time." _S. T._ "Then you'll not know what's goin' on in London!" _O. B._ "Na--but ye see ye're just as ill aff i' London as we are, for ye dinna ken what's gaun on here!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ON THE MOORS _The Laird's Brother-in-law (from London)._ "It's very strange, Lachlan! I'm having no luck!--and yet I seem to see two birds in place of one? That was surely very strong whiskey your master gave me at lunch?" _Keeper._ "Maybe aye and maybe no--the whuskey was goot; but any way ye dinna manage to hit the richt bird o' the twa!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A POOR ADVERTISEMENT _Tourist._ "I suppose you feel proud to have such a distinguished man staying in your house?" _Host of the "Drumdonnachie Arms."_ "'Deed no! A body like that does us mair hairm than guid; his appearance is nae credit tae oor commissariat!"] * * * * * [Illustration: GENEROSITY _Noble Lord (whose rifle has brought to a scarcely untimely end a very consumptive-looking fallow deer)._ "Tut--t, t, t, t, tut! O, I say, Stubbs!"--(_to his keeper_)--"you shouldn't have let me kill such a poor, little, sickly, scraggy thing as this, you know! It positively isn't fit for human food! Ah! look here, now! I'll tell you what. You and McFarlin may have this buck between you!!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TRAVELLER TOO BON FIDE _Dusty Pedestrian._ "I should like a glass of beer, missis, please----" _Landlady._ "Hae ye been trevellin' by rell?" _Pedestrian._ "No, I've been walking--fourteen miles." _Landlady._ "Na, na, nae drink will ony yin get here, wha's been pleesure-seekin' o' the Sawbath day!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MR. PUNCH IN THE HIGHLANDS He goes on board the _Iona_. The only drawback to his perfect enjoyment is the jealousy caused among all the gentlemen by the ladies clustering round him on all occasions.] * * * * * [Illustration: PREHISTORIC PEEPS There were often unforeseen circumstances which gave to the Highland stalking of those days an added zest!] * * * * * THE PLEASURES OF TRAVEL (_By Ane that has kent them_) [Illustration] 'Tis a great thing, the Traivel; I'll thank ye tae find Its equal for openin' the poors o' the mind. It mak's a man polished, an' gies him, ye ken, Sic a graun' cosmypollitan knowledge o' men! I ne'er was a stay-at-hame callant ava, I aye must be rantin' an' roamin' awa', An' far hae I wandered, an' muckle hae seen O' the ways o' the warl' wi' ma vara ain een. I've been tae Kingskettle wi' Wullie an' Jeames, I've veesited Anster an' Elie an' Wemyss, I've walked tae Kirkca'dy an' Cupar an' Crail, An' I aince was awa' tae Dundee wi' the rail. Losh me, sir! The wonnerfu' things that I saw! The kirks wi' their steeples, sae bonny an' braw An' publics whauriver ye turned wi' yer ee-- 'Tis jist a complete eddication, Dundee! Theer's streets--be the hunner! An' shops be the score! Theer's bakers an' grocers an' fleshers galore! An' milliners' winders a' flauntin' awa' Wi' the last o' the fashions frae Lunnon an' a'. An' eh, sic a thrang, sir! I saw in a minnit Mair folk than the toun o' Kinghorn will hae in it I wadna hae thocht that the hail o' creation Could boast at ae time sic a vast population! Ma word, sir! It gars ye clap haun' tae yer broo An' wunner what's Providence after the noo That he lets sic a swarm o' they cratur's be born Wham naebody kens aboot here in Kinghorn. What?--Leeberal minded?--Ye canna but be When ye've had sic a graun' eddication as me. For oh, theer is naethin' like traivel, ye ken, For growin' acquent wi' the natur' o' men. * * * * * "FALLS OF FOYERS."--A correspondent writes:--"I have seen a good many letters in the _Times_, headed 'The Falls of the Foyers.' Here and abroad I have seen many Foyers, and only fell down once. This was at the Théâtre Francais, where the Foyer is kept highly polished, or used to be so. If the Foyers are carpeted or matted, there need be no 'Falls.' Yours, COMMON SENSE." * * * * * [Illustration: "WINGED" _First Gael._ "What's the matter, Tonal?" _Second ditto (who had been out with Old Briggs)._ "Matter! Hur legs is full o' shoots".] * * * * * [Illustration: MR. PUNCH AT THE HIGHLAND GAMES Shows the natives how to "put the stone."] * * * * * [Illustration: AN ARTIST SCAMP IN THE HIGHLANDS _Artist (entering)._ "My good woman, if you'll allow me, I'll just paint that bedstead of yours." _Cottager (with bob-curtsey)._ "Thank ye, sir, I' sure it's very kind of ye--but dinna ye think that little one over yonder wants it more?"] * * * * * EN ÉCOSSE _À Monsieur Punch_ DEAR MISTER,--I come of to make a little voyage in Scotland. Ah, the beautiful country of Sir Scott, Sir Wallace, and Sir Burns! I am gone to render visit to one of my english friends, a charming boy--_un charmant garçon_--and his wife, a lady very instructed and very spiritual, and their childs. I adore them, the dear little english childs, who have the cheeks like some roses, and the hairs like some flax, as one says in your country, all buckled--_bouclés_, how say you? I go by the train of night--in french one says "_le sleeping_"--to Edimbourg, and then to Calendar, where I attend to find a coach--in french one says "_un mail_" or "_un fourinhand_." _Nom d'une pipe_, it is one of those ridicule carriages, called in french "_un breack_" and in english a char-à-banc--that which the english pronounce "_tcherribaingue_"--which attends us at the going out of the station! Eh well, in voyage one must habituate himself to all! But a such carriage discovered--_découverte_--seems to me well unuseful in a country where he falls of rain without cease. Before to start I demand of all the world some _renseignements_ on the scottish climate, and all the world responds me, "All-days of the rain." By consequence I procure myself some impermeable vestments, one mackintosch coat, one mackintosch cape of Inverness, one mackintosch covering of voyage, one south-western hat, some umbrellas, some gaiters, and many pairs of boots very thick--not boots of town, but veritable "shootings." I arrive at Edimbourg by a morning of the most sads; the sky grey, the earth wet, the air humid. Therefore I propose to myself to search at Calender a place at the interior, _et voilà_--and see there--the _breack_ has no interior! There is but that which one calls a "boot", and me, Auguste, can I to lie myself there at the middle of the baggages? Ah no! Thus I am forced to endorse--_endosser_--my impermeable vestments and to protect myself the head by my south-western hat. Then, holding firmly the most strong of my umbrellas, I say to the coacher, "He goes to fall of the rain, is it not?" He makes a sign of head of not to comprehend. Ah, for sure, he is scottish! I indicate the sky and my umbrella, and I say "Rain?" and then he comprehends. "_Eh huile_", he responds to me, "_ah canna sé, mébi huile no hé meukl the dé_." I write this phonetically, for I comprehend not the scottish language. What droll of conversation! Him comprehends not the english; me I comprehend not the scottish. But I essay of new, "How many has he of it from here to the lake?" _C'est inutile_--it is unuseful. I say, "Distance?" He comprehends. "_Mébi oui taque toua hours_", says he; "_beutt yile no fache yoursel, its no sé lang that yile bi ouishinn yoursel aoua_." _Quelle langue_--what language, even to write phonetically! I comprehend one sole word, "hours." Some hours! _Sapristi!_ I say, "Hours?" He says "_Toua_" all together, a monosyllable. _Sans aucune doute ça veut dire_ "twelve"--_douze_. Twelve hours on a _breack_ in a such climate! Ah, no! _C'est trop fort_--it is too strong! "Hold", I cry myself, "attend, I descend, I go not!" It is true that I see not how I can to descend, for I am _entouré_--how say you? of voyagers. We are five on a bench, of the most narrows, and me I am at the middle. And the bench before us is also complete, and we touch him of the knees. And my neighbours carry on the knees all sorts of packets, umbrellas, canes, sacks of voyage, &c. _Il n'y a pas moyen_--he has not there mean. And the coacher says me "_Na, na, monne, yile no ghitt doun, yile djest baïd ouar yer sittinn._" Then he mounts to his place, and we part immediately. _Il va tomber de la pluie! Douze heures! Mon Dieu, quel voyage!_ Agree, &c., AUGUSTE. * * * * * [Illustration: ZEAL _Saxon Tourist._ "Been at the kirk?" _Celt._ "Aye." _Saxon T._ "How far is it?" _Celt._ "Daur say it'll be fourteen mile." _Saxon T._ "Fourteen miles!!" _Celt._ "Aye, aw'm awfu' fond o' the preachin'"] * * * * * [Illustration: THRIFT _Peebles Body (to townsman who was supposed to be in London on a visit)._ "E--eh Mac! ye're sune hame again!" _Mac._ "E--eh, it's just a ruinous place, that! Mun, a had na' been the-erre abune twa hoours when--_bang_--went _saxpence!!!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION "I fear, Duncan, that friend of mine does not seem overly safe with his gun." "No, sir. But I'm thinkin' it'll be all right if you wass to go wan side o' him and Mr. John the ither. He canna shoot baith o' ye!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "VITA FUMUS" _Tonal._ "Whar'll ye hae been till, Tugal?" _Tugal._ "At ta McTavishes' funeral----" _Tonal._ "An' is ta Tavish deed?" _Tugal._ "Deed is he!!" _Tonal._ "Losh, mon! Fowk are aye deein' noo that never used to dee afore!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PRECAUTIONS _Saxon Angler (to his keeper)._ "You seem in a great hurry with your clip! I haven't seen a sign of a fish yet--not a rise!" _Duncan._ "'Deed, sir, I wisna a botherin' mysel' aboot the fush; but seein' you wis new to the business, I had a thocht it widna be lang afore you were needin' a left oot o' the watter yoursel'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HIS POUND OF FLESH _Financier (tenant of our forest, after a week's unsuccessful stalking)._ "Now, look here, my man. I bought and paid for ten stags. If the brutes can't be shot, you'll have to trap them! I've promised the venison, and I mean to have it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SCRUPULOUS _Shepherd._ "O, Jims, mun! Can ye no gie a whustle on tha ram'lin' brute o' mine? I daurna mysel'; it's just fast-day in oor parish!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE LAND OF LORN" _It has drizzled incessantly, for a fortnight, since the Smiths came down to their charming villa at Braebogie, in Argyleshire._ _Keeper (who has come up to say the boat is ready on the loch, if "they're for fushin' the day")._ "Eh! I should na wonder if this weather tur-rns ta rain!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LOCAL SUNDAY MORNING _Tourist (staying at the Glenmulctem Hotel--dubiously)._ "Can I--ah--have a boat?" _Boatman._ "Oo--aye!" _Tourist._ "But I thought you--ah--never broke the--aw--Sabbath in Scotland?" _Boatman._ "Aweel, ye ken the Sawbath disna' come doon to the loch--it just staps at the hottle!"] * * * * * EN ÉCOSSE (ENCORE) _À Monsieur Punch_ DEAR MISTER,--I have spoken you of my departure from Calendar on the _breack_. Eh, well, he rained not of the whole of the whole--_du tout du tout! Il faisait un temps superbe_--he was making a superb time, the route was well agreeable, and the voyage lasted but two hours, and not twelve. What droll of idea! In Scottish _twa_ is two, not twelve. I was so content to arrive so quick, and without to be wetted that I gave the coacher a good to-drink--_un bon pourboire_--though before to start all the voyagers had paid him a "tipp", that which he called a "driver's fee." Again what droll of idea! To give the to-drink before to start, and each one the same--six pennys. My friend encountered me and conducted me to his house, where I have passed fifteen days, a sojourn of the most agreeables. And all the time almost not one sole drop of rain! _J'avais beau_--I had fine--to buy all my impermeable vestments, I carry them never. One sole umbrella suffices me, and I open him but two times. And yet one says that the Scotland is a rainy country. It is perhaps a season _tout à fait_--all to fact--exceptional. But fifteen days almost without rain! One would believe himself at the border of the Mediterranean, absolutely at the South. And I have eaten of the "porridg", me Auguste! _Partout_ I essay the dish of the country. I take at first a spoonful pure and simple. _Oh la, la!_ My friend offers me of the cream. It is well. Also of the salt. _Quelle idée!_ But no, before me I perceive a dish of _confiture_, that which the Scottish call "marmaladde." _A la bonne heure!_ With some marmaladde, some cream, and much of sugar, I find that the "porridg" is enough well, for I taste him no more. One day we make an ascension, and we see many grouses. Only we can not to shoot, for it is not yet the season of the huntings. It is but a hill that we mount. The name appears me to be french, but bad written. "Ben Venue", that is to say, "_Bienvenu_"--_soyez le bienvenu_. She is one of the first of the Scottish hills, and she says "welcome" in french. It is a pretty idea, and a politeness very amiable towards my country. I salute the hospitable Scotland and I thank her. It is a great country, of brave men, of charming women--ah, I recall to myself some eyes so beautiful, some forms so attracting!--of ravishing landscapes, and, at that epoch there, of a climate so delicious. She has one sole and one great defect. The best Scottish hotels cost very dear, and, my faith, the two or three that I visited are not great thing like comfortable--_ne sont pas grand'chose comme comfortable!_ One day we make a little excursion on the Lake of Lomond. The lake is well beautiful, and the steamboat is excellent. But in one certain hotel, in descending from a _breack_, and before to embark, we take the "lunch." We bargain not, we ask not even the price, we eat at the _table d'hôte_ like all the world in Swiss, in France, even in Germany, when there is but one half hour before the departure of the train or of the boat. _Oh la, la!_ I have eaten in the spanish hotels, on the steamboats of the italian lakes, even in the _restaurants--mon Dieu!_--of the english railways, but never, never--_au grand jamais_--have I eaten a _déjeuner_ like that! One dish I shall forget never; some exterior green leaves of lettuce, without oil or vinegar, which they called a "salad." _Parbleu_--by blue! In all the history of the world there has been but one man who would have could to eat her with pleasure--Nabuchodonosor! Agree, &c., AUGUSTE. * * * * * [Illustration: "CANNY" _Sister._ "Why, Charles, you've got raw whiskey here!" _Charles._ "Well, it's hardly worth while to bring water. We can always find that as we go along--when we want it."] * * * * * [Illustration: CAUTIOUS _Visitor (at out-of-the-way inn in the North)._ "Do you know anything about salmon-poaching in this neighbourhood?" _Landlady (whose son is not above suspicion)._--"Eh--no, sir. Maybe it's a new style of cooking as we haven't heard of in these parts, as you see, sir, we only do our eggs that way; and"--(_brightening up_)--"if you like 'em, I can get you a dish at once!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A DECIDED OPINION _Proprietor of shootings ("in the course of conversation")._ "Yes, but you know, Sandy, it's difficult to choose between the Scylla of a shy tenant, and the Charybdis of----" _Sandy (promptly)._ "Aweel! Gie me the siller, an' anybuddy that likes may hae the tither!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Chappie (after missing his fourth stag, explains)._ "Aw--fact is, the--aw--waving grass was in my way." _Old Stalker._ "Hoot, mon, wad he hae me bring out a scythe?"] * * * * * [Illustration: Our artist catches it again this winter in the Highlands.] * * * * * [Illustration: A FINE HEAD (BUT NOT OF THE RIGHT SORT OF CATTLE) Perkins has paid a mint of money for his shooting, and has had bad luck all the season. To-day, however, he gets a shot, only--it turns out to be at a cow!] * * * * * [Illustration: A "SCENE" IN THE HIGHLANDS _Ill-used husband_ (_under the bed_). "Aye! Ye may crack me, and ye may thrash me, but ye canna break my manly sperrit. I'll na come oot!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MR. PUNCH IN THE HIGHLANDS He is at present on a boating excursion, and describes the motion as extremely pleasant, and has no dread of sea-sickness.] * * * * * [Illustration: "GAME" IN THE HIGHLANDS _Captain Jinks._ "Birds plentiful, I hope, Donald?" _Donald._ "Tousans, sir--in tousans." _Captain J._ "Any zebras?" _Donald_ (_anxious to please_). "Is't zebras? They're in tousans, too." _Captain J._ "And gorillas, no doubt?" _Donald._ "Well, noo an' then we see ane or twa--just like yerself."] * * * * * [Illustration: MISS LAVINIA BROUNJONES'S ADVENTURES IN THE HIGHLANDS Lavinia takes a siesta,] [Illustration: And the frightful situation she finds herself in at the end of it.] [Illustration: Lavinia arrives at a waterfall, and asks its name. The shepherd (not understanding English) informs her in Gaelic that it is called (as Lavinia supposes) "Vicharoobashallochoggilnabo." Lavinia thinks it a very pretty name.] [Illustration: A bright idea strikes the shepherd, and before Lavinia can remonstrate, he transports her, in the usual manner, to the other side.] [Illustration: MISS LAVINIA BROUNJONES She comes suddenly on a strange structure--apparently a native fort, and is just going to sketch it, when a savage of gigantic stature, and armed to the teeth, starts from an ambush, and menaces her in Gaelic!] * * * * * TWENTY HOURS AFTER EUSTON, 8 P.M. I'm sick of this sweltering weather. Phew! ninety degrees in the shade! I long for the hills and the heather, I long for the kilt and the plaid; I long to escape from this hot land Where there isn't a mouthful of air, And fly to the breezes of Scotland-- It's never too stuffy up there. For weeks I have sat in pyjamas, And found even these were _de trop_, And envied the folk of Bahamas Who dress in a feather or so; But now there's an end to my grilling, My Inferno's a thing of the past; Hurrah! there's the whistle a-shrilling-- We are off to the Highlands at last! CALLANDER, 4 P.M. The dull leaden skies are all clouded In the gloom of a sad weeping day, The desolate mountains are shrouded In palls of funereal grey; 'Mid the skirl of the wild wintry weather The torrents descend in a sheet As we shiver all huddled together In the reek of the smouldering peat. A plague on the Highlands! to think of The heat that but lately we banned; Oh! what would we give for a blink of The bright sunny side of the Strand! To think there are folk that still revel In Summer, and fling themselves down, In the Park, or St. James? What the d---- Possessed us to hurry from town? * * * * * "OUT OF TUNE AND HARSH."--_First Elder_ (_at the Kirk "Skellin'"_). "Did ye hear Dougal? More snorin' in the sermon?" _Second Elder_, "Parefec'ly disgracefu'! He's waukened 's a'!" * * * * * [Illustration: OVERHEARD IN THE HIGHLANDS _First Chieftain._ "I say, old chap, what a doose of a bore these games are!" _Second Chieftain._ "Ah, but, my dear boy, it is this sort of thing that has made us Scotchmen _what we are!!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: "SERMONS IN STONES" _Tourist_ (_of an inquiring and antiquarian turn_). "Now I suppose, farmer, that large cairn of stones has some history?" _Highland Farmer._ "Ooh, aye, that buig o' stanes has a gran' history whatever!" _Tourist_ (_eagerly_). "Indeed! I should like to----What is the legend----?" _Farmer._ "Just a gran' history!" (_Solemnly._) "It took a' ma cairts full and horses sax months to gather them aff he land and pit them ther-r-re!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: JETSAM AND FLOTSAM Smith being shut out from the Continent this year, takes a cottage ornée on Dee-Side. Scotland. The children are sent up first. The house is described as "conveniently furnished"--they find it so!] * * * * * [Illustration: IN THE WILDS OF THE NORTH. _Hungry Saxon_ (_just arrived, with equally hungry family_). "Well, now--er--what can you give us for dinner, as soon as we've had a wash?" _Scotch Lassie._ "Oh, jist onything!" _H. S._ (_rubbing his hands in anticipation_). "Ah! Now we'll have a nice juicy steak." _Lassie._ "A--weel. We'll be haein' some steak here maybe by the boat i' the morn's morn!" _H. S._ (_a little crestfallen_). "Oh--well--chops then. We'll say mutton chops." _Lassie._ "Oh, ay, but we've no been killin' a sheep the day!" [_Ends up with boiled eggs, and vows to remain at home for the future._ ] * * * * * THE DUKE OF ATHOLL'S SHILLING (1851) The _North British Mail_ assures us that the Duke of Atholl exacts one shilling a head from every person taking a walk in his ground at Dunkeld. This is rather dear; but the impost would be insupportable if his Grace insisted upon also showing himself for the money. A HIGHLAND CORONACH _Or Lament over the Acts and State of the Duke of Atholl._ After Scott. He has shut up the mountain, He has locked up the forest, He has bunged up the fountain, When our need was the sorest; The traveller stirring To the North, may dogs borrow; But the Duke gives no hearing, No pass--but to sorrow. The hand of the tourist Grasps the carpet-bag grimly, But a face of the dourest Frowns through the Glen dimly. The autumn winds, rushing, Stir a kilt of the queerest, Duke and gillies come crushing Where pleasure is nearest! Queer foot on the corrie, Oddly loving to cumber-- Give up this odd foray, Awake from your slumber! Take your ban from the mountain, Take your lock from the river, Take your bolt from the fountain, Now at once, and for ever! * * * * * [Illustration: The sad fate of our only ham.--The pursuit.] * * * * * [Illustration: A RARA MONGRELLIS _Tourist._ "Your dog appears to be deaf, as he pays no attention to me." _Shepherd._ "Na, na, sir. She's a varra wise dog, for all tat. But she only speaks Gaelic."] * * * * * [Illustration: "IN FOR IT" _Innocent Tourist._ "No fish to be caught in Loch Fine now? And how do you support yourself?" _Native._ "Whiles she carries parcels, and whiles she raws people in ta poat, and whiles a shentleman 'ull give her a saxpence or a shillin'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A BLANK DAY _The Keeper_ (_to Brown, who rents the forest_). "Doon wi' ye! Doon wi' ye! Get ahint a stang!" _Brown_ (_out of temper--he had been "stalking" about all the morning, and missed several times_). "Yes, it's all very well to say 'Get behind a stone.' But show me one!--show me one!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: Mr. Punch passes a night at McGillie Cullum Castle.] [Illustration: The Laird, as a delicate compliment, serenades him.] * * * * * [Illustration: A BAD SEASON _Sportsman._ "I can assure you, what with the rent of the moor, and my expenses, and 'what not,' the birds have cost me--ah--a sovereign apiece!!" _Keeper._ "A' weel, sir! 'Deed it's a maircy ye didna kill na mair o' 'em!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CANDID _Sportsman._ "Boy, you've been at this whiskey!" _Boy_ (_who has brought the luncheon-basket_). "Na! The cooark wadna come oot!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "UNCO CANNY" _Noble Sportsman._ "Missed, eh?" _Cautious Keeper._ "Weel, a' wadna gang quite sae faur as to say that; but a' doot ye hay'na _exactly_ hit."] * * * * * THE SONG OF THE SCOTCH TOURIST Those Scotch hotels! Those Scotch hotels Are fit for princes and for swells; But their high charges don't agree With humbler travellers like me. Twelve shillings daily for my board Is more than I can well afford, For this includes nor ale nor wine, Whereof I drink some when I dine. Bad sherry's charged at eight-and-six, A price that in my gizzard sticks: And if I want a pint of port, A crown is what I'm pilfer'd for 't. For service, too, I have to pay, Two shillings, as a rule, per day: Yet always, when I leave the door, The boots and waiter beg for more. So, till a fortune I can spend, Abroad my autumn steps I'll bend; Far cheaper there, experience tells, Is living than at Scotch hotels! * * * * * [Illustration: A VERY DIFFERENT MATTER _Southern Lord_ (_staying at Highland castle_). "Thank you so much. I--ah--weally enjoy your music. I think of having a piper at my own place." _Sandy the piper._ "An' fat kin' o' a piper would your lordship be needin'?" _Southern Lord._ "Oh, certainly a good piper like yourself, Sandy." _Sandy_ (_sniffing_). "Och! Inteet!--Ye might easily fin' a lord like your lordship, but it's nae sae easy to fin' a piper like me whatever!"] * * * * * [Illustration] THE END BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE. 39160 ---- MR. PUNCH IN THE HUNTING FIELD PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day. [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: DISILLUSIONED Awful predicament of young Fitz-Brown, who, having undertaken to see a young lady safely home after a day with the Seaborough Harriers, has lost his way, and has climbed up what he takes to be a sign-post.] * * * * * MR. PUNCH IN THE HUNTING FIELD AS PICTURED BY JOHN LEECH, CHARLES KEENE, PHIL MAY, RANDOLPH CALDECOTT, L. RAVEN-HILL, G. D. ARMOUR, G. H. JALLAND, ARTHUR HOPKINS, REGINALD CLEAVER, CECIL ALDIN, TOM BROWNE, W. L. HODGSON AND OTHERS. [Illustration] _WITH 173 ILLUSTRATIONS_ PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN * * * * * EDITOR'S NOTE [Illustration] From his earliest days MR. PUNCH has been an enthusiast for the Hunting Field. But in this he has only been the faithful recorder of the manners of his countrymen, as there is no sport more redolent of "Merrie England" than that of the Horse and Hound. At no time in MR. PUNCH'S history has he been without an artist who has specialised in the humours of the hunt. First it was the inimitable Leech, some of whose drawings find a place in the present collection, and then the mantle of the sporting artist would seem to have descended to feminine shoulders, as Miss Bowers (Mrs. Bowers-Edwards) wore it for some ten years after 1866. That lady is also represented in the present work, at pages 49 and 111. Later came Mr. G. H. Jalland, many of whose drawings we have chosen for inclusion here. Perhaps the most popular of his hunting jokes was that of the Frenchman exclaiming, "Stop ze chasse! I tomble, I faloff! _Stop ze fox!!!_" (see page 141). To-day, of course, it is Mr. G. D. Armour whose pencil is devoted chiefly to illustrating the humorous side of hunting; but now, as formerly, most of the eminent artists whose work lies usually in other fields, delight at times to find a subject associated with the hunt. Thus we are able to present examples of Mr. Cecil Aldin and Mr. Raven-Hill in sportive mood, while such celebrities of the past as Randolph Caldecott and Phil May are here drawn upon for the enriching of this, the first book of hunting humour compiled from the abundant chronicles of MR. PUNCH. * * * * * [Illustration: 'ARRY OUT WITH THE 'OUNDS] * * * * * MR. PUNCH IN THE HUNTING FIELD THE HUNTING SEASON (_By Jorrocks Junior_) The season for hunting I see has begun, So adieu for a time to my rod and my gun; And ho! for the fox, be he wild or in bag, As I follow the chase on my high-mettled nag. * * * * * [Illustration: "WEATHER PERMITTING,"--MR. PUNCH DRIVES TO THE FIRST MEET.] * * * * * I call him high-mettled, but still I must state, He hasn't a habit I always did hate, He doesn't walk sideways, like some "gees" you meet, Who go slantindicularly down the street. He's steady and well broken in, for, of course, I can't risk my life on an unbroken horse; You might tie a torpedo or two on behind, And though they exploded that horse wouldn't mind. My strong point is costume, and oft I confess I've admired my get-up in a sportsmanlike dress; Though, but for the finish their lustre confers, I would much rather be, I declare, without spurs. They look very well as to cover you ride, But I can't keep the things from the animal's side; And the mildest of "gees," I am telling no fibs, Will resent having liberties ta'en with his ribs. Then hie to the cover, the dogs are all there, And the horn of the hunter is heard on the air; I've a horn of my own, which in secret I stow, For, oddly enough, they don't like me to blow. We'll go round by that gate, my good sir, if you please, I'm one of your sportsmen who rides at his ease; And I don't care to trouble my courser to jump, For whenever he does I fall off in a lump. Then haste to the meet! The Old Berkeley shall find, If I don't go precisely as fast as the wind, If they'll give my Bucephalus time to take breath, We shall both of us, sometimes, be in at the death! * * * * * [Illustration: A LION IN THE PATH? Oh dear no! Merely the "_first open day_" after a long frost, and a tom-tit has been inconsiderate enough to fly suddenly out of the fence on the way to covert!] * * * * * [Illustration: TRIALS OF A NOVICE _Unsympathetic Bystander._ "Taking 'im back to 'is cab, guv'nor?"] * * * * * [Illustration: HOW THE LAST RUN OF THE WOPSHIRE HOUNDS WAS SPOILT.] * * * * * PROVERBS FOR THE TIMID HUNTSMAN _Dressing_ There's no toe without a corn. If the boot pinches--bear it. _Breakfast_ A snack in time, saves nine. Faint hunger never conquered tough beef-steak. _Mounting_ You can't make a hunter out of a hired hack. The nearer the ground the safer the seat. _In the Field_ Take care of the hounds, but the fence may take care of itself. Too many brooks spoil the sport. One pair of spurs may bring a horse to the water, but twenty will not make him jump. It is the howl that shows the funk. Fools break rails for wise men to go over. Snobs and their saddles are soon parted. _At Luncheon_ A flask in the hand is worth a cask in the vault. Cut your sandwiches according to your stomach. _Coming Home_ The nearer the home, the harder the seat. _Bed-time_ It's a heavy sleep that has no turning. * * * * * [Illustration: REALLY PLEASANT! Six miles from home, horse dead lame, awfully tender feet, and horribly tight boots.] * * * * * [Illustration: "Now, if I jump it, I shall certainly fall off; and if I dismount to open it, I shall never get on again."] * * * * * [Illustration: This is Jones, who thought to slip down by the rail early in the morning, and have a gallop with the fox hounds. On looking out of the window, he finds it is a clear frosty morning. He sees a small boy sliding--actually sliding on the pavement opposite!! and--doesn't he hate that boy--and doesn't he say it is a beastly climate!!] * * * * * [Illustration: NEW SPORTING DICTIONARY OF FAMILIAR LATIN PHRASES. (1) Labour omnia vincit. (Labor overcomes everything.)] [Illustration: (2) Ars est celare artem. "Après vous, mademoiselle!"] [Illustration: (3) Exeunt Omnes. (They all go off.)] * * * * * A GENUINE SPORTSWOMAN _Mrs. Shodditon_ (_to Captain Forrard, on a cub-hunting morning_). "I do hope you'll have good sport, and find plenty of foxes." _Captain Forrard._ "Hope so. By the way, how is that beautiful collie of yours that I admired so much?" _Mrs. Shodditon._ "Oh! Fanny! poor dear! Our keeper shot it by mistake for a fox!" * * * * * [Illustration: _Short-sighted Party_ (_thrown earlier, after weary tramp, thinks he sees mount on ploughed upland, and approaches bush coaxingly_). "Whoa, my beauty! Steady, my gal, steady then," &c.] [Illustration: _Same Short-sighted Party arrived at thornbush, discovers error, and reflects_--"Five miles from station, perhaps ten--fifty miles from town, missed express, missed dinner, lost mount, wet through, getting dusk, and, by the way, where am I?" [_Left reflecting_. ] * * * * * [Illustration: _Gorgeous Stranger._ "I say, Huntsman, would you mind blowing your horn two or three times? I want my fellow, who has my flask, to know where we are, don't you know!"] * * * * * DIARY OF THE MODERN HUNT SECRETARY "Capping all non-subscribers is pretty generally resorted to, this season, not only in the shires, but also with provincial packs."--_Daily Press._] _Monday._--Splendid gallop after non-subscriber. Spotted the quarry on good-looking chestnut, whilst we were drawing big covert. Edged my horse over in his direction, but non-subscriber very wary--think he must have known my face as "collector of tolls." Retired again to far side of spinney and disguised myself in pair of false whiskers, which I always keep for these occasions. Craftily sidled up, and finally got within speaking distance, under cover of the whiskers, which effectually masked my battery. "Beg pardon, sir," I began, lifting my hat, "but I don't think I have the pleasure of knowing your name as a subscri----" But he was off like a shot. Went away over a nice line of country, all grass, and a good sound take-off to most of the fences. Non-subscriber had got away with about a three lengths lead of me, and that interval was fairly maintained for the first mile and a half of the race. Then, felt most annoyed to see that my quarry somewhat gained on me as we left the pasture land and went across a holding piece of plough. Over a stiff post and rails, and on again, across some light fallow, towards a big dry ditch. The hunted one put his horse resolutely at it--must say he rode very straight, but what _won't_ men do to avoid "parting?"--horse jumped short and disappeared from view together with his rider. Next moment I had also come a cropper at ditch, and rolled down on top of my prey. "Excuse me," I said, taking out my pocket-book and struggling to my knees in six inches of mud, "but when you rather abruptly started away from covertside, I was just about to remark that I did not think you were a subscriber, and that I should have much pleasure in taking the customary 'cap'--thank you." And he paid up quite meekly. We agreed, as we rode back together, in the direction in which we imagined hounds to be, that even if they had got away with a good fox, the field would not be likely to have had so smart a gallop as he and I had already enjoyed. Lost my day's hunting, of course. _Thursday._--Got away after another non-subscriber, led him over four fields, after which he ran me out of sight. Lost my day's hunting again, but was highly commended by M.F.H. for my zeal. _Saturday._--M.F.H. pointed out five non-subscribers, and I at once started off to "cap" them. Lost another day with hounds--shall send in my resignation. * * * * * [Illustration: _Gent_ (_who has just executed a double somersault and is somewhat dazed_). "Now where the dickens has that horse gone to?"] * * * * * [Illustration: ON EXMOOR _Gent_ (_very excited after his first gallop with staghounds_). "Hi, mister, don't let the dogs maul 'im, and I'll take the 'aunch at a bob a pound!"] * * * * * [Illustration: COOKED ACCOUNTS _Extract from old Fitzbadly's letter to a friend, describing a run in the Midlands:_--"I was well forward at the brook, but lost my hat, and had to dismount."] * * * * * [Illustration: "Hup--yer beast!"] [Illustration: "Hup!!--yer brute!"] [Illustration: "Hup!!!--yer infernal, confounded ---- Hover!!!"] [Illustration: And "Hover" it was!] * * * * * [Illustration: SOMETHING LIKE A NOSE. _Whip_ (_after galloping half a mile to a holloa_). "Where did you see him?" _Yokel._ "Can't zay as 'ow I 'zactly _zeed_ 'un, but I think I _smelled_ 'un!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Second Horseman No. 1._ "Ulloah, Danny, what are you lookin' for?" _Second Horseman No. 2._ "Perkisites. Guv'nor's just been over 'ere. 'E jumps so much 'igher than 'is 'orse, there's always some small change or summat to be picked up!"] * * * * * THE NEW NIMROD [Mr. Pat O'Brien, M.P., was first in at the death on one occasion with the Meath Hounds on his bicycle, and was presented with the brush.] Air--"_The Hunting Day_" "What a fine hunting day"-- 'Tis an old-fashioned lay That I'll change to an up-to-date pome; Old stagers may swear That the pace isn't fair, But they're left far behind us at home! See cyclists and bikes on their way, And scorchers their prowess display; Let us join the glad throng That goes wheeling along, And we'll all go a-hunting to-day! New Nimrods exclaim, "Timber-topping" is tame, And "bull-finches" simply child's play; And they don't care a jot For a gallop or trot, Though they _will_ go a-hunting to-day. There's a fox made of clockwork, they say They'll wind him and get him away; He runs with a rush On rails with his brush, So we must go and chase him to-day. We've abolished the sounds Of the horn and the hounds-- 'Tis the bicycle squeaker that squeals And the pack has been stuffed, Or sent to old Cruft, Now the huntsmen have taken to wheels! Hairy country no more we essay, Five bars, too, no longer dismay, For we stick to the roads In the latest of modes, So we'll bike after Reynard to-day! * * * * * [Illustration: THE LANGUAGE OF SPORT. "Where the----! What the----!! Who the----!!! Why the----!!!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: COMFORTING, VERY! _Sportsman (who has mounted friend on bolting mare) shouts._ "You're all right, old chap! She's never been known to refuse water, and swims like a fish!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Old Stubbles_ (_having pounded the swells_). "Aw--haw----! laugh away, but who be the roight side o' the fence, masters?"] * * * * * [Illustration: CUB HUNTING 1. "Ah, my boys," said Percy Johnson, "give me a good old hurry and scurry--Heigh O! gee whoa!--over the downs and through the brushwood after the cubs. So, early in the morning as you like. What can be more exhilarating?" 2. So, in happy anticipation of the morrow's meet, he retired.] [Illustration: 3. Later, at 4 a.m., the butler came to rouse him. "Sir!" A pause. "Sir, th' 'osses be very nigh ready!" Uncertain voice from within--"Eh? good-night! Remember to call me early in the morning!" 4. Snoring resumed _in infinitum_. Still, Percy looked rather sheepish later on, when the others pretended they had missed him on the road, and inquired whether he had found the morning as exhilarating as he had expected.] * * * * * MY LITTLE BROWN MARE (_A Song for the commencement of the Hunting Season_) She's rather too lean but her head's a large size, And she hasn't the average number of eyes; Her hind legs are not what you'd call a good pair, And she's broken both knees, has my little brown mare. You can find some amusement in counting each rib, And she bites when she's hungry like mad at her crib; When viewed from behind she seems all on the square, She's quite a Freemason--my little brown mare. Her paces are rather too fast, I suppose, For she often comes down on her fine Roman nose, And the way she takes fences makes hunting men stare, For she backs through the gaps does my little brown mare. She has curbs on her hocks and no hair on her knees; She has splints and has spavins wherever you please? Her neck, like a vulture's, is horribly bare, But still she's a beauty, my little brown mare. She owns an aversion to windmills and ricks, When passing a waggon she lies down and kicks; And the clothes of her groom she'll persistently tear-- But still she's no vice has my little brown mare. When turned down to grass she oft strays out of bounds; She always was famous for snapping at hounds; And even the baby has learnt to beware The too playful bite of my little brown mare. She prances like mad and she jumps like a flea, And her waltz to a brass band is something to see: No circus had ever a horse, I declare, That could go through the hoops like my little brown mare. I mount her but seldom--in fact, to be plain, Like the Frenchman, when hunting I "do not remain:" Since I've only one neck it would hardly be fair To risk it in riding my little brown mare! * * * * * [Illustration: TROUBLES OF A WOULD-BE SPORTSMAN _Huntsman_ (_to W.B.S._). "Just 'op across, would ye, sir, and turn those 'ounds to me, please."] * * * * * [Illustration: RESPICE FINEM _Excited Shepherd_ (_to careful Sportsman, inspecting fence with slight drop_). "Come on, sir! All right! Anywhere 'ere!" _Careful Sportsman._ "All very fine! You want to give me a fall, and get half-a-crown for catching my horse!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "WEEDS"] * * * * * [Illustration: "'WARE WIRE!" "Hallo, Jack! What's up?" "Don' know! I'm not!"] * * * * * MISPLACED ENERGY _Huntsman_ (_seeking a beaten fox_). "Now then, have you seen anything of him?" _Cockney Sportsman_ (_immensely pleased with himself_). "Well, rather! Why, I've just driven him into this drain for you!" * * * * * [Illustration: "WHILE YOU WAIT" "Here, my good man, just pull those rails down. Be as quick as you can!" "Take 'em down, miss! It'll be a good four hours' job, for I've been all the mornin' a-puttin' of 'em up!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ECHOES OF THE CHASE. BOXING DAY _Holiday Sportsman_ (_to Whip, who has been hollering_). "Where's the fox?" _Whip._ "Gone away, of course." _H. S._ "Gone away! Wotcher makin' all that noise for, then? I thought you'd caught 'im!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EASILY SATISFIED _Gent_ (_who all but dissolved partnership at the last fence_). "Thank goodness I've got hold of the reins again! If I could but get my foot into that confounded stirrup, I should be all right!"] * * * * * A Nice Prospect _Host_ (_to Perks, an indifferent horseman, who has come down for the hunting_). "Now, look here, Perks, old chap, as you're a light weight, I'll get you to ride this young mare of mine. You see, I want to get her qualified for our Hunt Cup, and she's not up to my weight, or I'd ride her myself. Perhaps I'd better tell you she hasn't been ridden to hounds before, so she's sure to be a bit nervous at first; and mind you steady her at the jumps, as she's apt to rush them; and I wouldn't take her too near other people, as she has a nasty temper, and knows how to use her heels; and, whatever you do, don't let her get you down, or she'll tear you to pieces. The last man that rode her is in hospital now. But keep your eye on her, and remember what I've said, and you'll be all right!" [_Consternation of Perks_ * * * * * 'ARRY ON 'ORSEBACK Our 'Arry goes 'unting and sings with a will, "The 'orn of the 'unter is 'eard on the 'ill:" And oft, when a saddle looks terribly bare, The 'eels of our 'Arry are seen in the air! * * * * * [Illustration: 'W. STANDS FOR WIRE' "Hulloah, Jarge! Been puttin' up some wire to keep the fox-hunter away?" "Noa, I b'ain't put up no wire; but the 'unt they sends me a lot o' them boards with 'W' on um, so I just stuck 'em up all round the land, and they never comes nigh o' me now!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE HUNTING SEASON _Rector._ "Is that the parcels post, James? He's early this morning, isn't he?" (_Noise without, baying of dogs, &c._) "What's all this----" _James_ (_excited_). "Yes, sir. Postman says as how the young 'ounds, a comin' back from cubbin', found 'im near the kennels, and runned 'im all the way 'ere. They was close on 'im when he got in! Thinks it was a packet o' red 'errins in the bag, sir! I see the run from the pantry window"--(_with enthusiasm_)--"a beautiful ten minutes' bu'st, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Duck, you fool! Duck!"] * * * * * HUNTING "DAY BY DAY" "The Mudsquashington Foxhounds had a good day's sport from Wotsisname Coverts (which were laid for a large number). They found in Thingamy Woods, rattled him round the Osier Beds, and then through the Gorse, just above Sumware. Leaving this and turning left-handed, he ran on as far as Sumotherplace, where he finally got to ground. Amongst the numerous field were Lord Foozle and Lady Frump, Messrs. Borkins, Poshbury, and Tomkyn-Smith."[A] [Footnote A: Half a dozen similar paragraphs cut out as being too exciting for the average reader's brain to bear.--ED.] * * * * * AT MELTON _First Sportsman._ "That crock of yours seems to be a bit of a songster." _Second Sportsman._ "Yes, he has always been like that since I lent him to a well-known English tenor." _First Sportsman_ (_drily_). "You should have taken him in exchange." * * * * * [Illustration: A NICE BEGINNING. The above is not a French bull-fight, but merely the unpleasant adventure Mr. Jopling experienced on our opening day, when a skittish Alderney crossed him at the first fence.] * * * * * [Illustration: 'ARRY ON 'ORSEBACK _'Arry_ (_in extremities_). "Well, gi' _me_ a _bike_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CONVENIENCE OF A LIGHT-WEIGHT GROOM _Miss Ethel._ "Now, sit tight this time, Charles. How could you be so stupid as to let him go?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Voice from the ditch._ "Don't jump here!" _Irish Huntsman._ "And what would ye be after down there? Wather-cresses?"] * * * * * RATHER "Is fox-hunting dangerous?" asks one of our daily papers. A fox informs us that it has its risks. * * * * * [Illustration: _Rough Rider_ (_to old Creeper, who will not let his horse jump_). "Now then, gov'nor, if you are quite sure you can't get under it, perhaps you'll let me 'ave a turn!"] * * * * * PROOF POSITIVE _Podson_ (_lately returned from abroad_). "Well, I hear you've been having a capital season, Thruster." _Thruster._ "Oh, rippin'! Why, I've had both collar-bones broken, left wrist sprained, and haven't got a sound horse left in my string!" * * * * * [Illustration: INEXPRESSIBLE _Master Jack_ (_son of M.F.H., much upset by hard weather_). "Go skating with you! Not if I know it. May be all very well for you women and those curate chaps--but we hunting men, by George!!!"] * * * * * BY THE COVERT SIDE _Fred_ (_a notorious funk_). "Bai Jove! Jack, I'm afraid I've lost my nerve this season!" _Jack._ "Have you? Doosid sorry for the poor beggar who finds it!" * * * * * [Illustration: _Elderly Sportsman._ "I wonder they don't have that place stopped. Why, I remember running a fox to ground there twenty years ago! Don't you?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THEORY AND PRACTICE; OR, WHY THE ENGAGEMENT WAS BROKEN OFF _Lady Di_ (_to Jack, whose vows of devotion have been interrupted by a fox being hollered away_). "Oh, Jack, my hair's coming down! Do stop and hold my horse. I won't be five minutes."] * * * * * [Illustration: AWFUL RESULT OF THE WAR! _A Dream of Mr. Punch's Sporting Correspondent_ ["Mr. Arthur Wilson, Master of the Holderness Hunt, has received an intimation from the War Office that, in consequence of the war with the Transvaal, ten of his horses will be required."--_Daily Paper._] ] * * * * * [Illustration: "NO FOLLOWERS ALLOWED"] * * * * * [Illustration: ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE _Lady_ (_who has just jumped on fallen Sportsman_). "I'm awfully sorry! I hope we didn't hurt you?" _Fallen Sportsman._ "Oh, I'm all right, thanks. But--er--do you mind leaving me my hat?"] * * * * * IN THE MIDLANDS _Belated Hunting Man_ (_to Native_). "Can you kindly point out the way to the Fox and Cock Inn?" _Native._ "D'ye mean the Barber's Arms?" _B. H. M._ "No, the Fox and Cock!" _Native._ "Well, that's what we call the Barber's Arms." _B. H. M._ "Why so?" _Native_ (_with a hoarse laugh_). "Well, ain't the Fox and Cock the same as the Brush and Comb?" [_Vanishes into the gloaming, leaving the B. H. M. muttering those words which are not associated with benediction, while he wearily passes on his way._ * * * * * APPROPRIATE TO THE WINTER SEASON For sportsmen, the old song long ago popular, entitled "_There's a Good Time Coming, Boys_," if sung by a M.F.H. with a bad cold, as thus: "_There's a Good Tibe Cubbing, Boys!_" * * * * * [Illustration: Mr. Briggs's hunting cap comes home, but that is really a thing Mrs. Briggs _can_ not, and _will_ not put up with!] * * * * * [Illustration: Mr. Briggs goes out with the Brighton Harriers. He has a capital day. The only drawback is, that he is obliged to lead his horse _up_ hill to ease him--] * * * [Illustration: and _down_ hill because he is afraid of going over his head--so that he doesn't get quite so much horse exercise as he could wish!] * * * * * AT THE HUNT BALL (_The Sad Complaint of a Man in Black_) O MOLLY, dear, my head, I fear, is going round and round, Your cousin isn't in the hunt, when hunting men abound; A waltz for me no more you'll keep, the girls appear to think There's a law been made in favour of the wearing of the pink. Sure I met you in the passage, and I took you by the hand, And says I, "How many dances, Molly, darlint, will ye stand?" But your card was full, you said it with a most owdacious wink, And I'm "hanging" all your partners for the wearing of the pink! You'd a waltz for Charlie Thruster, but you'd divil a one for me, Though he dances like a steam-engine, as all the world may see; 'Tis an illigant divarsion to observe the crowd divide, As he plunges down the ball-room, taking couples in his stride. 'Tis a cropper you'll be coming, but you know your business best, Still, it's bad to see you romping round with Charlie and the rest; Now you're dancing with Lord Arthur--sure, he's had enough to dhrink-- And I'm "hanging" all your partners for the wearing of the pink! Your cruelty ashamed you'll be someday to call to mind, You'll be glad to ask my pardon, then, for being so unkind, The hunting men are first, to-night--well, let them have their whack-- You'll be glad to dance with me, someday--when all the coats are black! But, since pink's the only colour now that fills your pretty head, Bedad, I'll have some supper, and then vanish home to bed. 'Tis the most distressful ball-room I was ever in, I think, And I'm "hanging" all your partners for the wearing of the pink! * * * * * [Illustration: MR. BRIGGS HAS ANOTHER DAY WITH THE HOUNDS Mr. Briggs can't bear flying leaps, so he makes for a gap--which is immediately filled by a frantic Protectionist, who is vowing that he will pitchfork Mr. B. if he comes "galloperravering" over his fences--danged if he doant!] * * * * * [Illustration: A DOUBTFUL INFORMANT _Miss Connie_ (_to Gent in brook_). "Could you tell me if there is a bridge anywhere handy?"] * * * * * [Illustration: NOT TO BE BEATEN _Cissy._ "Why should they call the hare's tail the scut?" _Bobby_ (_with a reputation as an authority to keep up_). "Oh--er--why you see--oh, of course, because the hare scuttles, you know, when she is hunted."] * * * * * WHY HE WAITED "What's the matter with Jack's new horse? He won't start." "Don't know; but they say he's been in an omnibus. Perhaps he's waiting for the bell!" * * * * * [Illustration: THE PLEASURES OF HUNTING To get a toss in a snowdrift, and, while lying half-smothered, to be sworn at for not shouting to warn the man following you.] * * * * * SO CONSOLING _Lady_ (_whose mare has just kicked a member of the Hunt, who was following too closely_). "Oh, I'm so sorry! I do hope it didn't hurt you! She's such a gentle thing, and could only have done it in the merest play, you know." * * * * * [Illustration: POSITIVELY OSTENTATIOUS _Mr. Phunkstick_ (_quite put out_). "Talk about agricultural depression, indeed! Don't believe in it! Never saw fences kept in such disgustingly good order in my life!"] * * * * * IRISH HUNTING TIPPLE _Englishman_ (_having partaken of his friend's flask, feels as if he had swallowed melted lead_). "Terribly strong! Pure whiskey, is it not?" _Irishman._ "Faith! not at all! It's greatly diluted with gin!" * * * * * [Illustration: IN A SHOOTING COUNTRY _Railway Porter_ (_who has been helping lady to mount_). "I hope you'll 'ave a good day, ma'am." _Lady Diana._ "I just hope we'll find a fox." _Porter_ (_innocently_). "Oh, that's all right, ma'am. The fox came down by the last train!"] * * * * * [Illustration: INSULT TO INJURY _Fitz-Noodle's Harriers, after a capital run, have killed--a fox!_ _Incensed local M.F.H._ "Confound it, sir, you have killed one of my foxes!" _F. N._ "It's all right, old chap! You may kill one of my hares!"] * * * * * HUNTING SONG (_To be sung when the Hounds meet at Colney Hatch or Hanwell_) Tantivy! Anchovy! Tantara! The moon is up, the moon is up, The larks begin to fly, And like a scarlet buttercup Aurora gilds the sky. Then let us all a-hunting go, Come, sound the gay French horn, And chase the spiders to and fro, Amid the standing corn. Tantivy! Anchovy! Tantara! * * * * * UNCOMMONLY KEEN "Why, where's the horse, Miss Kitty? By Jove, you're wet through! What has happened?" "Oh, the stupid utterly refused to take that brook, so I left him and swam it. I couldn't miss the end of this beautiful thing!" * * * * * [Illustration: IN A BLIND DITCH _Sportsman_ (_to friend, whom he has mounted on a raw four-year-old for "a quiet morning's outing"_). "Bravo, Jack! Well done! That's just what the clumsy beggar wanted. Teach him to look where he's going!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DRY HUMOUR "Be'n't ye comin' over for 'im, mister?"] * * * * * [Illustration: WIREPROOF Sir Harry Hardman, mounted on "Behemoth," created rather a stir at the meet. He said he didn't care a hang for the barbed or any other kind of wire.] * * * * * [Illustration: A SKETCH FROM THE MIDLANDS "Hulloa, old chap! Not hurt, I hope?" "Oh, no, no! Just got off to have a look at the view."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Whip._ "Here, here! Hold hard! Come back!" _Tommy_ (_home for the holidays_). "No jolly fear! You want to get first start!"] * * * * * "BUSINESS FIRST" _Favourite Son of M.F.H._ (_to old huntsman_). "No, Smith, you won't see much more of me for the rest of the season; if at all." _Smith_ (_with some concern_). "Indeed, sir! 'Ow's that?" _Son of M.F.H._ "Well, you see, I'm reading hard." _Smith_ (_interrogatively_). "Readin' 'ard, sir?" _Son of M.F.H._ "Yes, I'm reading Law." _Smith._ "Well, I likes to read a bit o' them perlice reports myself, sir, now an' then; but I don't allow 'em to hinterfere with a honest day's 'untin'." * * * * * AN OMISSION BEST OMITTED _Brown_ (_on foot_). "Do you know what the total is for the season?" _Simkins_ (_somewhat new to country life_). "Fifteen pairs of foxes, the huntsman says. But he seems to have kept no count of rabbits or 'ares, and I know they've killed and eaten a lot of those!" * * * * * [Illustration: PUTTING IT NICELY _Young Lady_ (_politely, to old Gentleman who is fiddling with gap_). "I don't wish to hurry you, sir, but when you have quite finished your game of spilikins I should like to come!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TERPSICHOREAN _Sportsman_ (_to Dancing Man, who has accepted a mount_). "Hold on tight, sir, and she'll _waltz_ over with you."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Benevolent Stranger._ "Allow me, sir, to offer you a drink!" _Unfortunate Sportsman_ (_just out of brook_). "Thanks; but I've had a drop too much already!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE MAGIC WORD _Huntsman_ (_having run a fox to ground, to yokel_). "Run away down and get some o' your fellows to come up with spades, will ye? Tell 'em we're after hidden treasure!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CAPITAL DODGE Among his native banks Old Poddles takes a lot of beating. He says there's nothing easier when you know how to negotiate 'em.] * * * * * HUNTING EXTRAORDINARY Jobson, who edits a cheerful little weekly, said to me the other day: "You hunt, don't you?" I looked at him knowingly. Jobson interpreted my smile according to his preconceived idea. "I thought so," he continued. "Well, you might do me a bright little article--about half a column, you know--on hunting, will you?" Why should I hesitate? Jobson is safe for cash; and he had not asked me to give my own experiences of the hunting field. I replied warily, "I fancy I know the sort of thing you want." "Good," he said, and before we could arrive at any detailed explanation he had banged the door and dashed downstairs, jumped into his hansom and was off. This was the article:- THOUGHTS ON HUNTING. It is hardly possible to overrate the value of hunting as a National sport. Steeplechasing is a Grand-National sport, but it is the sport of the rich, whereas hunting is not. By judiciously dodging the Hunt Secretary, you can, in fact, hunt for nothing. Of course, people will come at me open-mouthed for this assertion, and say, "How about the keep of your horses?" To which I reply, "If you keep a carriage, hunt the carriage horse; if you don't, borrow a friend's horse for a long ride in the country, and accidentally meet the hounds." To proceed. This has been a season of poor scent. Of course, the horses of the present day have deteriorated as line hunters: they possess not the keen sense of smell which their grandsires had. But despite this the sport goes gaily on. There are plenty of foxes--but we cannot agree with the popular idea of feeding them on poultry. And yet, in every hunt, we see hunters subscribing to poultry funds. This is not as it should be: Spott's meat biscuit would be much better for foxes' food. But these be details: let us hie forrard and listen to the cheery voice of sly Reynard as he is winded from his earth. The huntsman blows his horn, and soon the welkin rings with a chorus of brass instruments; the tufters dash into covert, and anon the cheerful note of _Ponto_ or _Gripper_ gives warning that a warrantable fox is on foot--well, of course, he couldn't be on horseback, but this is merely a venatorial _façon de parler_. Away go the huntsmen, showing marvellous dexterity in cracking their whips and blowing their horns at the same moment. Last of all come the hounds, trailing after their masters--ah, good dogs, you cannot hope to keep up very far with the swifter-footed horses! Nevertheless, they strain at their leashes and struggle for a better place at the horses' heels. "Hike forrard! tally ho! whoo-hoop!" They swoop over the fields like a charge of cavalry. But after several hours' hard running a check is at hand: the fox falters, then struggles on again, its tail waving over its head. As its pursuers approach, it rushes up a tree to sit on the topmost branch and crack nuts. The panting horses arrive--some with their riders still in the saddle, though many, alas! have fallen by the wayside. Next come the hounds, at a long interval--poor _Fido_, poor _Vic_, poor _Snap_! you have done your best to keep up, but the horses have out-distanced you! The whipper-in immediately climbs the tree in which the little red-brown animal still peacefully cracks its nuts, its pretty tail curled well over its head. Its would-be captor carries a revolving wire cage, and, by sleight-of-hand movement, manages to get the quarry securely into it. Then he descends, places the cage in a cart and it is driven home. The "mort" is sounded by four green velvet-coated huntsmen, with horns wound round their bodies; a beautiful brush presented to the lady who was first up at the "take"; and then the field slowly disperse. Tally Ho-Yoicks! all is over for the day. * * * * * [Illustration: MANNERS IN THE FIELD Always be prepared to give the lead to a lady, even at some little personal inconvenience.] * * * * * [Illustration: THE PLEASURES OF HUNTING Having been cannoned and nearly brought down, to be asked if you are trying the American seat.] * * * * * [Illustration: HUNTING SKETCH The Cast Shoe, or Late for the Meat.] * * * * * [Illustration: A KINDLY VIEW OF IT _First Rustic_ (_to Second Ditto_). "Oh, I say! Ain't he fond of his horse!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _M.F.H._ "Hold hard! Hold hard, please!! Where _are_ you going with that brute?" _Diana_ (_plaintively_). "I wish I knew!"] * * * * * THE LAST DAY OF HUNTING (_Stanzas for the First of April_) Right day to bid a long farewell To the field's gladsome glee; To hang the crop upon its peg, The saddle on its tree. All Fools' the day, all Fools' the deed, That hunting's end doth bring-- With all those stinking violets, And humbug of the Spring! Good-bye to pig-skin and to pink, Good-bye to hound and horse! The whimpering music sudden heard From cover-copse and gorse; The feathering stems, the sweeping ears, The heads to scent laid low, The find, the burst, the "Gone-away!" The rattling "Tally-ho!" My horses may eat off their heads, My huntsman eat his heart; My hounds may dream of kills and runs In which they've borne their part, Until the season's bore is done, And Parliament set free, And cub-hunting comes back again To make a man of me! * * * * * [Illustration: "A-HUNTING WE WILL GO!" _Lady._ "You're dropping your fish!" _Irish Fish Hawker_ (_riding hard_). "Och, bad luck to thim! Niver moind. Sure we're kapin' up wid the gentry!"] * * * * * [Illustration: JUMPING POWDER (_Mr. Twentystun having a nip on his way to covert_) _Small Boy._ "Oh my, Billy, 'ere's a heighty-ton gun a chargin' of 'isself afore goin' into haction!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DRAWN BLANK _Huntsman._ "How is it you never have any foxes here now?" _Keeper_ (_who has orders to shoot them_). "Pheasants have eat 'em all!"] * * * * * THE ADVANTAGE OF EDUCATION _M.F.H._ (_who has had occasion to reprimand hard-riding Stranger_). "I'm afraid I used rather strong language to you just now." _Stranger._ "Strong language? A mere _twitter_, sir. You should hear _our_ Master!" * * * * * [Illustration: _Irate Non-sporting Farmer._ "Hi! you there! What the Duce do you mean by riding over my wheat!" _'Arry._ "'Ere, I say! What are yer givin' us? _Wheat!_ Why, it's only bloomin' _mud!_"] * * * * * "FOOT AND MOUTH" TROUBLE A valuable hunter, belonging to Mr. Durlacher, got its hind foot securely fixed in its mouth one day last week, and a veterinary surgeon had to be summoned to its assistance. This recalls the ancient Irish legend of the man who never opened his mouth without putting his foot into it. But that, of course, was a bull. * * * * * DECIDEDLY NOT _Nervous Visitor_ (_pulling up at stiff-looking fence_). "Are you going to take this hedge, sir?" _Sportsman._ "No. It can stop where it is, as far as I'm concerned." * * * * * UNGRATEFUL _The Pride of the Hunt_ (_to Smith, who, for the last ten minutes, has been gallantly struggling with obstinate gate_). "Mr. Smith, if you really _can't_ open that gate, perhaps you will kindly move out of the way, and allow me to _jump_ it!" * * * * * [Illustration: APT _Brown_ (_helping lady out of water_). "'Pon my word, Miss Smith, you remind me exactly of What's-her-name rising from the What-you-call!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CHECK _M.F.H._ (_riding up to old Rustic, with the intention of asking him if he has seen the lost fox_). "How long have you been working here, master?" _Old Rustic_ (_not seeing the point_). "Nigh upon sixty year, mister!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "WHAT'S IN A NAME?" _Whip._ "_Wisdom!_ Get away there!! _Wisdom!! Wisdom!!!_ Ugh!--you always were the biggest fool in the pack!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SOMETHING THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED DIFFERENTLY _Mrs. Brown_ (_being helped out of a brook by the gallant Captain, who has also succeeded in catching her horse_). "Oh, Captain Robinson! thank you _so_ much!" _Gallant, but somewhat flurried, Captain._ "Not at all--don't mention it." (_Wishing to add something excessively polite and appropriate._) "Only hope I may soon have another opportunity of doing the same again for you."] * * * * * REASSURING _Criticising friend_ (_to nervous man on new horse_). "Oh! now I recollect that mare. Smashem bought her of Crashem last season, and she broke a collar-bone for each of them." * * * * * [Illustration: "THE TIP OF THE MORNING TO YOU!" _First Whip thanks him, and hums to himself,_ "When other tips, and t'other parts, Then he remembers _me!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Giles_ (_indicating Sportsman on excitable horse, waiting his turn_). "Bless us all, Tumas, if that un beant a goin' to try it back'ards!"] * * * * * [Illustration: WITH THE HARDUP HARRIERS _Dismounted Huntsman_ (_to his mount_). "Whoa, you old brute! To think I went and spared yer from the biler only last week! You hungrateful old 'idebound 'umbug!"] * * * * * 'INTS ON 'UNTING, BY 'ARRY [Illustration: (1) ON CLOTHES.--"Why not employ local talent? Saves half the money, and no one can tell the difference."] [Illustration: (2) If the thong of your whip gets under your horse's tail, just try to pull it out!] [Illustration: (3) Don't buy a horse because he is described as being "Well known with the ---- Hounds." It might be true.] [Illustration: (4) If at a meet your horse should get a bit out of hand, just run him up against some one.] [Illustration: (5) If opening a gate for the huntsman, don't fall into the middle of the pack!] [Illustration: (6) Sit well back at your fences!] [Illustration: (7) Look before you leap.] [Illustration: (8) If you lose your horse, just tell the huntsman to catch it for you.] * * * * * EXCUSABLE _M.F.H._ (_justly irate, having himself come carefully round edge of seed-field_). "Blank it all, Rogerson, what's the good o' me trying to keep the field off seeds, and a fellow like you coming slap across 'em?" _Hard-Riding Farmer._ "It's all right. They're my own! Ar've just come ower my neighbour's wheat, and ar couldn't for vary sham(e) miss my own seeads!" * * * * * ANXIOUS TO SELL _Dealer_ (_to Hunting Man, whose mount has NOT answered expectations_). "How much do you want for that nag o' yours, sir?" _Hunting Man._ "Well, I'll take a hundred guineas." _Dealer._ "Make it _shillings_." _H. M._ (_delighted_). "He's yours!" * * * * * [Illustration: NOT A LADIES' DAY _Miss Scramble._ "Now, Charles, give me one more long hair-pin, and I shall do."] * * * * * CASUAL _Owner of let-out hunters_ (_to customer just returned from day's sport_). "Are you aware, sir, that ain't my 'orse?" _Sportsman._ "Not yours! Then, by Jove, I _did_ collar the wrong gee during that scrimmage at the brook!" * * * * * AT OUR OPENING MEET _Stranger from over the water._ "I guess you've a mighty smart bunch of dogs there, m'lord!" _Noble but crusty M.F.H._ "Then you guess wrong, sir. _This is a pack of hounds!_" * * * * * MUST BE HUNGRY "Wish you'd feed your horse before he comes out." "Eh--why--hang it!--what do you mean?" "He's always trying to eat my boots. He evidently thinks there's some chance of getting at a little corn!" * * * * * [Illustration: THE RETORT COURTEOUS (_A Reminiscence of the past Harrier Season_) _Major Topknot, M.H._ (_to butcher's boy_). "Hi! Hulloah! Have you seen my hare?" _Butcher's Boy._ "Ga-a-rn! 'Ave you seen my whiskers?"] * * * * * DISINTERESTED KINDNESS _Sportsman_ (_just come to grief, to Kindhearted Stranger who has captured horse_). "I say, I'm awfully obliged to you! I can get on all right, so please don't wait!" _Kindhearted Stranger._ "Oh, I'd rather, thanks! I want you to flatten the next fence for me!" * * * * * ENCOURAGING _Nervous Man_ (_who hires his hunters_). "Know anything about this mare? Ringbone tells me she's as clever as a man!" _Friend._ "Clever as a man? Clever as a woman more like it! Seen her play some fine old games with two or three fellows, I can tell you!" * * * * * [Illustration: NUNC AUT NUNQUAM _Voice from bottom of ditch._ "Hold hard a minute! My money has slipped out of my pockets, and it's all down here somewhere!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A REFORMED CHARACTER _John._ "Goin' to give up 'untin'! Deary! deary! An' 'ow's that, missie?" _Little Miss Di._ "Well, you see, John, I find my cousin Charlie, who is going to be a curate, does not approve of hunting women, so I intend to be a district visitor instead!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MOTTOES; OR, "WHO'S WHO?" Mrs. Prettyphat. Family Motto--"_Medici jussu_."] * * * * * SOMETHING LIKE A CHARACTER _Huntsman_ (_on being introduced to future wife of M.F.H._). "Proud to make your acquaintance, miss! Known the Capting, miss, for nigh on ten seasons, and never saw 'im turn 'is 'ead from hanything as was jumpable! Knows a 'oss and knows a 'ound! Can ride one and 'unt t'other; and if that ain't as much as can be looked for in a 'usband, miss, why, I'll be jiggered!" * * * * * A LIBERAL ALLOWANCE _Huntsman_ (_who has just drawn Mr. Van Wyck's coverts blank_). "Rather short of cubs, I'm afraid, sir!" _Mr. Van Wyck_ (_who has very recently acquired his country seat_). "Most extraordinary! Can't understand it at all! Why, I told my keeper to order a dozen only last week!" * * * * * [Illustration: STORIES WITHOUT WORDS How "the second horseman" went home.] * * * * * [Illustration: Scene--_As above._ Time--_Mid-day._ Sport--_None up to now._ _Stout Party_ (_about to leave_). "Most extr'ordinary thing. Whenever I go home, they always have a rattling good run." _Candid Friend._ "Then, for goodness' sake, _go home at once!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: MOST EXTRAORDINARY _Dismounted Sportsman._ "Now, how the deuce did my hat manage to get up there?"] * * * * * STRAIGHT _Huntsman_ (_to Boy, who is riding his second horse_). "Hi, there! What the doose are yer doin' of with that second 'oss?" _Boy_ (_Irish, and only just come to the Hunt stables from a Racing Establishment_). "Arrah thin, if oi roides oi roides to win! and divil a second is he goin' to be at all, at all!!" * * * * * FORBEARANCE _Member of Hunt_ (_to Farmer_). "I wouldn't ride over those seeds if I were you. They belong to a disagreeable sort of fellow, who might make a fuss about it." _Farmer._ "Well, sir, as him's me, he won't say nothing about it to-day." * * * * * [Illustration: (_Extract from a letter received by Mr. Shootall on the morning when hounds were expected to draw his covers_) _Leadenhall Market, Thursday._ Sir,--Your esteemed order to hand. We regret that we are quite out of foxes at present; but, as you mentioned they were for children's pets, we thought guinea pigs might do instead, so are sending half a dozen to-day. Hoping, &c., &c.] * * * * * TOO MUCH (_Pity the Sorrows of a poor Hunting Man!_) _Sportsman_ (_suffering from intense aberration of mind in consequence of the weather, in reply to wife of his bosom_). "Put out? Why, o' course I'm put out. Been just through the village, and hang me if at least half a dozen fools haven't told me that it's nice seasonable weather!" * * * * * AT THE HUNT BALL _Mr. Hardhit._ "Don't you think, Miss Highflier, that men look much better in pink--less like waiters?" _Miss Highflier._ "Yes, but more like ringmasters--eh?" [_Hardhit isn't a bit offended, but seizes the opportunity._ * * * * * [Illustration: HINTS TO BEGINNERS In mounting your horse, always stand facing his tail.] * * * * * [Illustration: The patent pneumatic tennis-ball hunting costume. Falling a pleasure.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Second Whip._ "G-aw-ne away!" _Middle-aged Diana._ "Go on away, indeed! Impertinence! I'll go just when I'm ready!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CASE OF REAL DISTRESS _Fox-hunter._ "Here's a bore, Jack! The ground is half a foot thick with snow, and it's freezing like mad!"] * * * * * THE HUNTSMAN'S POINT OF VIEW. One of the best runs of the season. Good scent all the way. Sir Heavistone Stogdon unfortunately fell at a stiff bank and broke his collar-bone. At the last moment, I regret to say, the fox got away. * * * * * [Illustration: A FOX HUNT (_After a tapestry_) * * * * * [Illustration: BUGGLES WITH THE DEVON AND SOMERSET He encounters a "coomb," and wonders if it is soft at the bottom.] * * * * * [Illustration: WITH THE DEVON AND SOMERSET _Sportsman_ (_from the bog_). "Confound you, didn't you say there was a sound bottom here?" _Shepherd._ "Zo there be, maister; but thou 'aven't got down to un yet!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BUGGLES WITH THE DEVON AND SOMERSET How he found a "Warrantable Deer."] * * * * * [Illustration: BUGGLES WITH THE DEVON AND SOMERSET _In_ Devonshire.] * * * * * FOOLS AND THEIR MONEY-- _Jones_ (_who has been having a fair bucketing for the last half-hour, as he passes friend, in his mad career_). "I'd give a fiver to get off this brute!" _Friend_ (_brutal_). "Don't chuck your money away, old chap! You'll be off for less than that!" * * * * * WITH THE QUEEN'S _Leading Sportsman._ "Hold ha--rd! Here's some more of that confounded barbed wire! Dashed if I don't think this country is mainly inhabited by retired fishing-tackle makers!" [_Makes for nearest gate, followed by sympathetic field._ * * * * * HIS OPINION _Jenkinson_ (_to M.F.H., who dislikes being bothered_). "What do you think of this horse?" (_No answer._) "Bred him myself, you know!" _M.F.H._ (_looking at horse out of corner of his eye_). "Umph! I thought you couldn't have been such a silly idiot as to have _bought_ him!" * * * * * [Illustration: THE VOICE OF SPRING _Bibulous Binks._ "Gad, it's freezing again!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A BLANK--BLANK--DAY] * * * * * [Illustration: WHOSE FAULT? "He _can_ jump, but he _won't!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: A VIEW HALLOO (_Hounds at fault_) _Whip_ (_bustling up to young Hodge, who has just begun to wave his cap and sing out lustily_). "Now then, where is he?" _Young H._ "Yonder, sir! Acomin' across yonder!" _Whip._ "Get out, why there ain't no fox there stoopid!" _Young H._ "No, sir; but there be our Billy on his jackass!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Miss Nelly_ (_to her Slave, in the middle of the best thing of the Season_). "Oh, Mr. Rowel, do you mind going back? I dropped my whip at the last fence!"] * * * * * SEVERE _M.F.H._ (_to Youth from neighbouring Hunt, who has been making himself very objectionable_). "Now, look here, young man. I go cub-hunting for the purpose of educating _my own_ puppies. As you belong to another pack, I'll thank you to take yourself home!" * * * * * [Illustration: HUNTING MEMORANDUM Appearance of things in general to a gentleman who has just turned a complete somersault! _* &c., &c., represent sparks of divers beautiful colours._] * * * * * [Illustration: "LE SPORTMAN" "Hi!! Hi!! Stop ze chasse! I tomble--I faloff! _Stop ze fox!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: "CUBBING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS" _Half-awakened un-enthusiastic Sportsman_ (_who wished to go out cub-hunting, but has entirely changed his mind, drowsily addressing rather astonished burglar_). "Awright, old boy. Can't come with you this morning. Too sleepy." [_Turns round and resumes deep sleep where he left off._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: A BROKEN PLEDGE _Sportsman on bank_ (_to Friend in brook_). "Hallo, Thompson, is that you? Why, I thought you had joined the 'No Drinks in between Meals' Party!"] * * * * * "IN THE DIM AND DISTANT FUTURE" _First Sportsman_ (_cantering along easily_). "I say, we shall see you at dinner on the nineteenth, shan't we?" _Second Ditto_ (_whose horse is very fresh, and bolting with him_). "If the beast goes on like this--hanged if you'll ever see me again." * * * * * [Illustration: THERE'S LIFE IN THE OLD DOG YET _Ex-M.F.H._ (_eighty-nine and paralytic_). "Fora-a-d! Fora-a-d! Fora-a-a-d!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Huntsman_ (_making a cast for the line of the fox, near a railway_). "Hold hard, please! Don't ride over the line!" _Would-be Thrusters._ "Oh, no, we won't. There's a bridge farther on!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "RANK BLASPHEMY" _Squire Oldboy, M.H._ (_enjoying a long and very slow hunt_). "There she goes! Afraid it's a new hare though." _Bored Sportsman._ "How lucky! The other must be getting doosid old."] * * * * * [Illustration: A CHECK _Huntsman._ "Seen the fox, my boy?" _Boy._ "No, I ain't!" _Huntsman._ "Then, what are you hollarin' for?" _Boy_ (_who has been scaring rooks_). "'Cos I'm paid for it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EASIER SAID THAN DONE _Sixteen-stone Sportsman (who has been nearly put down from a "rotten" landing, to little Bricks, 9st. 2lb.)_: "Do you mind putting me back in the saddle, sir?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE TROUBLES OF AN M.F.H. _M.F.H._ (_to stranger, who is violently gesticulating to hounds_). "When you have done _feeding your chickens_, sir, perhaps you will allow me to hunt my hounds!"] * * * * * [Illustration: Nobody was near hounds in the big wood when they pulled down the cub except Mr. Tinkler and his inamorata. He rashly volunteers to secure the brush for her!] * * * * * [Illustration: "Morning, Tom. What a beastly day!" "It ain't a day, sir. I call it an interval between two bloomin' nights!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A BAD LOOK-OUT _Sportsman_ (_to Friend whom he has mounted_). "For goodness' sake, old chap, don't let her put you down! She's certain to savage you!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ECHOES OF THE CHASE _Huntsman_ (_who has been having a very bad ride_). "Either master wants some new 'orses or a new 'untsman!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HINTS ON HUNTING Always see that your bridle reins are sound. There are times when they have a considerable strain on 'em!] * * * * * [Illustration: SO FAR, NO FARTHER Extraordinary position assumed by Mr. Snoodle on the sudden and unexpected refusal of his horse.] * * * * * [Illustration: HARD LUCK _Small Child_ (_to Mr. Sparkin, who had come out at an unusually early hour in order to meet his inamorata at the guide-post, and pilot her out cub-hunting_). "I was to tell you she has such a bad cold she couldn't come. But I'm going with you instead, if you promise to take care of me. I'm her cousin, you know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A PSEUDO-THRUSTER _Farmer_ (_to Sportsman, returning from the chase_). "Beg pardon, sir, but ain't you the gent that broke down that there gate of mine this morning?" _Mr. Noodel_ (_who never by any chance jumps anything--frightfully pleased_). "Er--did I? Well, how much is the damage?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE WATER TEST _Whip_ (_bringing on tail hounds, in the rear of the field_). "Hulloah! Who've you got there?" _Runner_ (_who has just assisted sportsman out of a muddy ditch_). "Dunno. Can't tell till we've washed 'im down a bit!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MOST UNFORTUNATE Horrible catastrophe which happened to Captain Fussey (our ladies' man) on his arrival at the opening meet. New coat, new boots, new horse, new everything! Hard luck!] * * * * * [Illustration: A SEVERE TEST _Miss Sally_ (_who has just taken off her mackintosh--to ardent admirer_). "Look! they're away! Do just stuff this thing into your pocket. I'm sure I shan't want it again!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A STUDY IN EXPRESSION _Irate M.F.H._ (_who has had half an hour in the big gorse trying to get a faint-hearted fox away, galloping to "holloa" on the far side of covert_). _"Confound you and your pony, sir! Get out of my way!"_ [_Binks, who has been trying to keep out of people's way all day, thinks he can quite understand the feelings of the hunted fox._ ] * * * * * OUR HUNT "POINT TO POINT" Last week our Point to Point steeplechase came off. So did several of the riders: this merely _par parenthèse_. I offered to mark out the course, and, as I intended to escape the dread ordeal of riding by scratching my horse at the last moment, I thought it would be great fun to choose a very stiff, not to say bloodthirsty, line. Awful grumbling on the part of those unhappy ones who were to ride. Just as the bell rang for saddling, Captain Sproozer, ready dressed for the fray, came up to me with very long face, and said, "Beastly line this, you know, Phunker. I call it much too stiff." I smiled in pitying and superior manner. "Think so, my dear Sproozer? My horse can't run, worse luck, but I only wish _I_ were going to have the gallop over it." "So you shall, then!" cried a rasping voice, suddenly, from behind me. Sir Hercules Blizzard was the speaker, an awful man with an awful temper. "So you shall. My idiot of a jockey broke his collar-bone trying to jump one of the fences on this confounded course of yours to-day, so, as I am without a rider, you shall ride my mare Dinah." Swallowed lump in my throat as I thanked him for his offer, but thought I had better decline, as I didn't know the mare, and besides that, I---- "Oh! all right, I know what you are going to say: that you're not much good on a horse"--(nothing of the sort! I was not going to say any such thing, confound the man!) "Of course, I know all that, and that you're not much of a rider; but I can't help myself now. It's too late to get a decent horseman, so I shall have to make shift with you." Deuced condescending of him. I made a feeble effort to escape, and would cheerfully have paid a hundred pounds for the chance of doing so. Phil Poundaway, great friend of mine, came up and said (sympathetically, as I thought at first), "I should think you'd prefer to get off it, wouldn't you, Phunker?" Thought he would volunteer in my place, so was perfectly frank with him. "My dear Phil, I'd give a hundred to get off----" "Ah! you will, I expect, at the first fence, without paying the money!" he grinned, as he turned away. Murder was in my heart at that moment. I got on Dinah, and, feeling like death, rode down to the starting-post. Thoughts of a misspent youth, of home and friends and things, came o'er me. I seemed once more to see the little rose-covered porch, the---- "What on earth are you mooning about?" thundered the Blizzardian voice in my ear. "Take hold of her head tighter than that, or you'll be off!" The next moment the starter yelled "Go!" and away, like a whirlwind, we sped across the first field, towards a huge, thick blackthorn fence, the one I had thought to see such fun with. Fun! I never felt less funny in my life, as we approached it at the rate of two thousand miles an hour! The mare jumped high, but I jumped much higher, and seemed for a brief moment to be soaring through the blue empyrean. Somehow, the mare managed to evade me on the return journey earthwards, and, instead of alighting on the saddle, I found myself "sitting on the floor." A howl--it might have been of sympathy, but it didn't sound quite like that--arose from the crowd, and then I thought that I would go home on foot, instead of returning to explain matters to Sir Hercules. As a matter of fact, I don't much care for associating with old Blizzard, at all events, not just now. * * * * * [Illustration: AMENITIES OF SPORT _Huntsman_ (_to Whip, sent forward for a view_). "Haven't ye seen him, Tom?" _Whip._ "No, sir." _Huntsman._ "If he'd been in a pint pot, ye jolly soon would!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HIS LITTLE DODGE _First Hunting Man_ (_having observed the ticket with "K" on it in his friend's hat_). "I didn't know that old gee of yours was a kicker. He looks quiet enough." _Second Hunting Man._ "Well, he isn't really. I only wear the "K" to make people give me more room!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TRUE COURAGE _Whip._ "Hi, sir! Keep back! The fox may break covert there!" _Foreigner._ "Bah! I fear him not--your fox."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE FORCE OF HABIT _Spanner_ (_a great cyclist, whose horse has been startled by man on covert hack_). "Hi! confound you! Why the deuce don't you sound your bell!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE CART WITHOUT THE HORSE" Scene--_Cub-hunting._ Time--_About one o'clock._ _Lady._ "Well, Count, what have you lost? Your lunch?" _The Count_ (_who breakfasted some time before six o'clock, a.m._). "No, no! Donner und wetter! I have him, but I have lost my teeth!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HORRIBLE PREDICAMENT _Gent_ (_on mettlesome hireling_). "'Elp! 'Elp! Somebody stop 'im! 'E's going to jump, and I can't!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MOST EMBARRASSING _Lady (hiding behind bush, to Mr. Spoodle, who has captured her horse)_. "Oh, thank you so much! But I hope to goodness you have found my skirt as well!" [_Nice position for Mr. Spoodle, who is very bashful, and has seen nothing of the garment_. ] * * * * * [Illustration: "DO NOT SPEAK TO THE MAN AT THE WHEEL" _'Arry_ (_puffing a "twopenny smoke," to huntsman, making unsuccessful cast_). "Very bad scent." _Huntsman._ "Shockin'! Smells like burnin' seaweed!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OBEYING ORDERS "It's all very well for master to say 'Keep close to Miss Vera, Miles'--but I want to know 'oo's going to take Miles to the 'orsepital?"] * * * * * [Illustration: GALLANTRY REWARDED _Lady_ (_having had a fall at a brook, and come out the wrong side,--to stranger who has caught her horse_). "Oh, I'm _so_ much obliged to you! Now, do you mind just bringing him over?"] * * * * * [Illustration: JUST OFF "Ride her on the snaffle, Tom! Don't ride her on the curb!" "Hang your curb and snaffle! I've enough to do to _ride her on the saddle!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: A Suggestion: No more trouble from wire, damage to fences, etc.] * * * * * [Illustration: THE TRIALS OF AN M.F.H. _M.F.H._ (_to misguided enthusiast who has been cheering hounds on a bad scent_). "Now then! Am I going to hunt the hounds or are you?" _Enthusiast_ (_sweetly_). "Just as you please, m'lord, just as you please."] * * * * * [Illustration: OFF HIS GUARD _Farmer_ (_just coming up_). "Young gentleman riding your brown horse, my lord, had nasty accident a field or two back. Barbed wire--very ugly cuts!" _My Lord._ "Tut--tut--tut! Dear--dear--dear! Not the horse, I hope?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "BON VOYAGE!" _Mossu (shot into a nice soft loam), exultingly._ "A--ha--a! I am safe o-vère! Now it is your turn, Meester Timbre Jompre! Come on, sare!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE EXMOOR HUNT--NO KILL THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BRIDGE _Fair Huntress._ "What a pity the hounds let that splendid stag get away, Colonel, wasn't it?" _Colonel._ "Pity! Ha, if they'd only taken my advice we should have been up with him now, instead of being miles away on the wrong track!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Distinguished Foreigner_ (_to good Samaritan who has caught his horse_). "Merci bien, monsieur! You save me much trouble. Before, I lose my horse--I lose him altogether, and I must put him in the newspaper!"] * * * * * [Illustration: VIVE LA CHASSE! _Foreign Visitor_ (_an enthusiastic "sportsman," viewing fox attempting to break_). "A-h-h-h! Halte-la! Halte! _You shall not escape!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: RATHER TOO MUCH _Lady_ (_having just cannoned Stranger into brook_). "Oh, I'm _so_ sorry I bumped you! Would you mind going in again for my hat?"] * * * * * THE END OF THE HUNTING SEASON (_By Our Own Novice_) Good-bye to the season! E'en gluttons Have had quite enough of the game, And if we returned to our muttons, Our horses are laid up and lame. We hunted straight on through the winter, And never were stopped by the frost, As I know right well from each splinter Of bone that my poor limbs have lost. Good-bye to the season! The "croppers" I got where the fences were tall, And Oh the immaculate "toppers" That always were crushed by my fall. Don't think though that I'm so stout-hearted As e'er to jump hedges or dikes, It's simply that after we've started, My "gee" gallivants as it likes. In vain I put on natty breeches, And tops like Meltonian swell, It ends in the blessed old ditches, I know like the Clubs in Pall Mall. And when from a "gee" that's unruly I fall with a terrible jar, I know that old _Jorrocks_ spoke truly, And hunting's "the image of war." And never for me "_Fair Diana_" Shall smile as we know that she can, With looks that are sweeter than manna, On many a fortunate man. It adds to the pangs that I suffer, When thrown at a fence in her track, To hear her "Ridiculous duffer!" When jumping slap over my back. I've fractured my ulnar, I'm aching Where over my ribs my horse rolled; Egad! the "Old Berkeley" is making One man feel uncommonly old. Good-bye to the season! I'm shattered And damaged in figure and face; But thankful to find I'm not scattered In pieces all over the place! * * * * * [Illustration: HINTS TO BEGINNERS Good hands will often make the most confirmed refuser jump.] * * * * * [Illustration: TRULY DELIGHTFUL! Galloping down the side of a field covered with mole-hills, on a weak-necked horse, with a snaffle bridle, one foot out of your stirrup, and a bit of mud in your eye!] * * * * * [Illustration: SELF-PRESERVATION _Tomlin_ (_who has been mounted by friend_). "It's all very well to shout 'Loose your reins,' but what the deuce _am_ I to hang on to?"] * * * * * SEASONABLE DISH FOR A SPORTSMAN.--A plate o' _f_ox-tail soup. * * * * * THE RULE OF THE HUNTING-FIELD.--Lex Tally-ho-nis. * * * * * FASHIONABLE FOOD FOR HORSES.--Hay _à la_ mowed. * * * * * [Illustration: QUOTATIONS GONE WRONG "Life has passed With me but roughly since I heard thee last." _Cowper._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: ALL HER PLAY _Country Gentleman_ (_to nervous man, whom he has mounted_). "By Jove, old chap, never saw the mare so fresh! Take care you ain't off!" _Nervous Man_ (_heartily_). "W--w--wish to goodness I were!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HINTS TO BEGINNERS Always let your horse see that you are his master.] * * * * * [Illustration] THE END BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE. 37166 ---- MR. PUNCH AT THE SEASIDE [Illustration] PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch", from its beginning in 1841 to the present day. * * * * * [Illustration: "BY THE SILVER SEA" This is _not_ Jones's dog.] * * * * * MR. PUNCH AT THE SEASIDE AS PICTURED BY CHARLES KEENE, JOHN LEECH, GEORGE DU MAURIER, PHIL MAY, L. RAVEN-HILL, J. BERNARD PARTRIDGE, GORDON BROWNE, E. T. REED, AND OTHERS.... _WITH 200 ILLUSTRATIONS_ [Illustration] PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo. 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration] * * * * * EDITOR'S NOTE [Illustration] One of the leading characteristics of the nineteenth century was the tremendous change effected in the social life of Great Britain by the development of cheap railway travel. The annual holiday at the seaside speedily became as inevitable a part of the year's progress as the milkman's morning call is of the day's routine. What at first had been a rare and memorable event in a life-time developed into a habit, to which, with our British love for conventions, all of us conform. Whether or not our French critics are justified in saying that we Britishers take our pleasures sadly, these pages from the seaside chronicles of Mr. Punch will bear witness, and while at times they may seem to support the case of our critics, at others the evidence is eloquent against them. This at least is certain, that whatever the temperament of the British as displayed during the holiday season at our popular resorts, the point of view of our national jester, Mr. Punch, is unfailingly humorous, and such sadness as some of our countrymen may bring to their pleasures is but food for the mirth of merry Mr. Punch, who, we are persuaded, stands for the sum total of John Bull's good humour in his outlook on the life of his countrymen. As the real abstract and brief chronicler of our time, Mr. Punch has mirrored in little the social history of the last sixty-five years, and apart from the genuine entertainment which this book presents, it is scarcely less instructive as a pictorial history of British manners during this period. One may here follow in the vivid sketches of the master-draughtsmen of the age the ceaseless and bewildering changes of fashion--the passing of the crinoline, the coming and going of the bustle, the chignon, and similar vanities, and the evolution of the present-day styles of dress both of men and women. It is also curious to notice how little seaside customs, amusements, troubles and delights, have varied in the last half-century. Landladies are at the end what they were at the beginning; the same old type of bathing-machine is still in use; our forefathers and their womenfolk in the days when Mr. Punch was young behaved themselves by "the silver sea" just as their children's children do to-day. Nothing has changed, except that the most select of seaside places is no longer so select as it was in the pre-railway days, and that the wealthier classes, preferring the attractions of Continental resorts, are less in evidence at our own watering-places. The motto of this little work, as of all those in the series to which it belongs, is "Our true intent is all for your delight", but if the book carry with it some measure of instruction, we trust that may not be the less to its credit. MR. PUNCH AT THE SEASIDE _Mrs. Dorset_ (_of "Dorset's Sugar and Butter Stores", Mile End Road_). "Why on earth can't we go to a more _dressy_ place than this, 'Enery? I'm sick of this dreary 'ole, year after year. It's nothing but sand and water, sand and water!" _Mr. Dorset._ "If it wasn't for sand and water, you wouldn't get no 'olerday." * * * * * [Illustration: A FASHIONABLE WATERING PLACE] * * * * * SEASIDE MEM.--The Society recently started to abolish Tied-houses will not include Bathing Machines within the scope of its operations. * * * * * "WHERE'S RAMSGATE?" [Illustration: BIDDY-FORD] [_Mr. Justice Hawkins._ Where is Ramsgate? _Mr. Dickens._ It is in Thanet, your lordship. _Report of Twyman v. Bligh._] "Where's Ramsgate?" Justice Hawkins cried. "Where on our earthly planet?" The learned Dickens straight replied, "'Tis in the Isle of Thanet. "Ramsgate is where the purest air Will make your head or leg well, Will jaded appetite repair, With the shrimp cure of Pegwell. "Where's Ramsgate? It is near the place Where Julius Cæsar waded, And nearer still to where his Grace Augustine come one day did. "All barristers should Ramsgate know: I speak of it with pleasure", Quoth Dickens. "There I often go When wanting a refresher. "Where's Ramsgate? Where I've often seen. Both S-mb-rne and Du M-r-_er_, When I have gone by 3.15 Granville Express, Victori_er_. "With Thanet Harriers, when you are Well mounted on a pony, You'll say, for health who'd go so far As Cannes, Nice, or Mentone? "With Poland, of the Treasury, Recorder eke of Dover, I oft go down for pleasurey. Alack! 'tis too soon over! "O'er Thanet's Isle where'er you trudge, My Lud, you'll find no land which----" "Dickens take Ramsgate!" quote the Judge. "Luncheon! I'm off to Sandwich!" * * * * * [Illustration: A JUDGE BY APPEARANCE _Bathing Guide._ "Bless 'is 'art! I know'd he'd take to it kindly--by the werry looks on 'im!"] * * * * * THE WONDERS OF THE SEA-SHORE _Contributed by_ "GLAUCUS", _who is staying at a quiet watering-place, five miles from anywhere, and three miles from a Railway Station_. [Illustration] _Monday_(?) _after breakfast, lying on the beach._ Wonder if it is Monday, or Tuesday? Wonder what time it is? Wonder if it will be a fine day? Wonder what I shall do if it is? On second thoughts, wonder what I shall do if it isn't? Wonder if there are any letters? Wonder who that is in a white petticoat with her hair down? Wonder if she came yesterday or the day before? Wonder if she's pretty? Wonder what I've been thinking about the last ten minutes? Wonder how the boatmen here make a livelihood by lying all day at full length on the beach? Wonder why every one who sits on the shore throws pebbles into the sea? Wonder what there is for dinner? Wonder what I shall do all the afternoon? * * * * * _Same day, after lunch, lying on the beach._ Wonder who in the house beside myself is partial to my dry sherry? Wonder what there is for dinner? Wonder what's in the paper to-day? Wonder if it's hot in London? Should say it was. Wonder how I ever could live in London? Wonder if there's any news from America? Wonder what tooral looral means in a chorus? Children playing near me, pretty, very? Wonder if that little boy intended to hit me on the nose with a stone? Wonder if he's going to do it again? Hope not. Wonder if I should like to be a shrimp? * * * * * _Same day, after an early dinner, lying on the beach._ Wonder why I can never get any fish? Wonder why my landlady introduces cinders into the gravy? Wonder more than ever who there is at my lodgings so partial to my dry sherry? Wonder if that's the coast of France in the distance? Feel inclined for a quiet conversation with my fellow-man. [Illustration: EXMOUTH] A boatman approaches. I wonder (to the boatman) if it will be a fine day tomorrow? He wonders too? We both wonder together? Wonder (again to the boatman) if the rail will make much difference to the place? He shakes his head and says "Ah! he wonders!" and leaves me. Wonder what age I was last birthday? Wonder if police inspectors are as a rule fond of bathing? Wonder what gave me that idea? Wonder what I shall do all this evening? [Illustration: A HIGH SEA OVER THE BAR] _Same day, after supper, Moonlight, lying on the beach._ Wonder if there ever was such a creature as a mermaid? Wonder several times more than ever who it is that's so fond of my dry sherry? Wonder if the Pope can swim? Wonder what made me think of that? Wonder if I should like to go up in a balloon? Wonder what Speke and Grant had for dinner to-day? Wonder if the Zoological Gardens are open at sunrise? Wonder what I shall do to-morrow? * * * * * FRUIT TO BE AVOIDED BY BATHERS.--Currants. * * * * * [Illustration: SHOPPING _Lady_ (_at Seaside "Emporium"_). "How much are those--ah--improvers?" _Shopman._ "Improv--hem!--They're not, ma'am"--(_confused_)--"not--not the article you require, ma'am. They're fencing-masks, ma'am!" [_Tableau!_ ] * * * * * [Illustration: DEA EX MACHINÂ! (_A Reminiscence_)] * * * * * [Illustration: A LARGE BUMP OF CAUTION _Flora._ "Oh, let us sit here, aunt, the breeze is so delightful." _Aunt._ "Yes--it's very nice, I dare say; but I won't come any nearer to the cliff, for I am always afraid of _slipping through those railings_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A BOAT FOR AN HOUR _Stout Gentleman._ "What! is that the only boat you have in?"] * * * * * A SEASIDE REVERIE [Illustration] I think, as I sit at my ease on the shingle, And list to the musical voice of the Sea, How gaily my Landlady always will mingle From my little caddy her matutine tea. And vainly the bitter remembrance I banish Of mutton just eaten, my heart is full sore, To think after one cut it's certain to vanish, And never be seen on my board any more. Some small store of spirit to moisten my throttle I keep, and indulge in it once in a way; But, bless you, it seems to fly out of the bottle And swiftly decrease, though untouched all the day. My sugar and sardines, my bread and my butter, Are eaten, and vainly I fret and I frown; My Landlady, just like an Æsthete's too utter A fraud, and I vow that I'll go back to Town. * * * * * [Illustration: THE MORNING PAPERS Sketch from our window, 10 A.M., at Sludgeborough Ness.] * * * * * [Illustration] THE NURSEMAID'S FRIEND Science has given us the baby-jumper, by which we are enabled to carry out the common exclamation of "Hang those noisy children" without an act of infanticide, by suspending our youngsters in the air; and perhaps allowing them to have their full swing, without getting into mischief; but the apparatus for the nursery will not be complete until we have something in the shape of coops for our pretty little chickens, when they are "out with nurse", and she happens to have something better--or worse--to do than to look after them. How often, in a most interesting part of a novel, or in the midst of a love passage of real life, in which the nurse is herself the heroine, how often, alas! is she not liable to be disturbed by the howl of a brat, with a cow's horn in his eye, a dog's teeth in his heels, or in some other awkward dilemma, which could not have arisen had the domestic Child-coop been an article of common use in the Metropolitan parks, or on the sands at the seaside? [Illustration: YARMOUTH] There is something very beautiful in the comparison of helpless infancy to a brood of young chickens, with its attendant imagery of "mother's wing", and all that sort of thing, but the allegory would be rendered much more complete by the application of the hencoop to domestic purposes. We intend buying one for our own stud of _piccoli_--which means little pickles--and we hope to see all heads of families taking it into their heads to follow our example. * * * * * MIDSUMMER MADNESS.--Going to the seaside in search of quiet. * * * * * [Illustration: LOCAL INTELLIGENCE "D'year as 'ow old Bob Osborne 'ave give up shrimpin' an took ter winklin'?" "Well, I'm blest!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE INGRATITUDE OF SOME SERVANTS You give them a change by taking them to the seaside--all they have to do is to look after the children--and yet they don't seem to appreciate it.] * * * * * [Illustration: A NATIVE HOISTER] * * * * * [Illustration: GOING DOWN TO A WATERING PLACE] * * * * * ON THE SPOT Shall we like Pierpoint, to which favourite and healthy seaside resort we finally resolved to come, after a period of much indecision and uncertainty, and where we arrived, in heavy rain, in two cabs, with thirteen packages, on Saturday? Shall we be comfortable at 62, Convolution Street, dining-room floor, two guineas and a half a week, and all and perhaps rather more than the usual extras? Shall we like Mrs. Kittlespark? Shall we find Kate all that a Kate ought to be? Shall we lock everything up, or repose a noble confidence in Mrs. Kittlespark and Kate? Shall we get to know the people in the drawing-room? Shall we subscribe to the Pier, or pay each time we go on it? Shall we subscribe to that most accommodating Circulating Library, Pigram's, where we can exchange our books at pleasure, _but not oftener than once a day_? Shall we relax our minds with the newest novels, or give our intellects a bracing course of the best standard works? Shall we dine late or early? Shall we call on the Denbigh Flints, who, according to the _Pierpoint Pioneer_, are staying at 10, Ocean Crescent? Shall we carefully avoid the Wilkiesons, whom the same unerring guide reports at 33, Blue Lion Street? Shall we be satisfied with our first weekly bill? Shall we find in it any unexpected and novel extras, such as knife-cleaning, proportion of the water-rate, loan of latch-key, &c.? Shall we get our meat at Round's, who displays the Prince of Wales's Feathers over his shop door, and plumes himself on being "purveyor" to His Royal Highness; or at Cleaver's, who boasts of the patronage of the Hereditary Grand Duke of Seltersland? Shall we find everything dearer here than it is at home? Shall we be happy in our laundress? Shall we be photographed? Shall we, as Mrs. Kittlespark has a spare bed-room, invite our Cousin Amelia Staythorp, from whom we have expectations, and who is Constance Edith Amelia's Godmother, to come down and stay a week with us? Shall we be praiseworthily economical, and determine not to spend a single unnecessary sixpence; or shall we, as we _have_ come to Pierpoint, enjoy ourselves to the utmost, go in for all the amusements of the place--pier, public gardens, theatre, concerts, Oceanarium, bathing, boating, fishing, driving, riding, and rinking--make excursions, be ostentatiously liberal to the Town Band, and buy everything that is offered to us on the Beach? A month hence, shall we be glad or sorry to leave Pierpoint, and go back to Paddington? * * * * * [Illustration: GOING TO BRIGHTON] * * * * * [Illustration: WHAT WE COULD BEAR A GOOD DEAL OF] * * * * * [Illustration: A VIEW OF COWES] * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE AT SANDBATH The Female Blondin Outdone! Grand Morning Performance on the Narrow Plank by the Darling ----] * * * * * [Illustration: A LITTLE FAMILY BREEZE _Mrs. T._ "What a wretch you must be, T.; why don't you take me off? Don't you see I'm overtook with the tide, and I shall be drownded!" _T._ "Well, then--will you promise not to kick up such a row when I stop out late of a Saturday?"] * * * * * POSTSCRIPT TO A SEASIDE LETTER.--"The sea is as smooth, and clear, as a looking-glass. The oysters might see to shave in it." * * * * * [Illustration: ALL IN THE DAY'S WORK "And look here! I want you to take my friend here and myself just far enough to be up to our chins, you know, and no further!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BANGOR] * * * * * WHAT THE WILD WAVES ARE SAYING That the lodging-house keepers are on the look out for the weary Londoners and their boxes. That the sea breezes will attract all the world from the Metropolis to the coast. That Britons should prefer Ramsgate, Eastbourne, Scarborough, and the like, to Dieppe, Dinard, and Boulogne. That paterfamilias should remember, when paying the bill, that a two months' letting barely compensates for an empty house during the remainder of the year. That the shore is a place of recreation for all but the bathing-machine horse. That the circulating libraries are stocked with superfluous copies of unknown novels waiting to be read. That, finally, during the excursion season, 'Arry will have to be tolerated, if not exactly loved. * * * * * [Illustration: [_The "Lancet" advocates taking holidays in Midwinter instead of Midsummer._] View of the sands of Anywhere-on-Sea if the suggestion is adopted. Time--December or January.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mrs. Fydgetts_ (_screaming_). "My child! My child!" _Mr. Fydgetts._ "What's the use of making that noise? Can't you be quiet?" _Mrs. F._ "You're a brute, sir." _Mr. F._ "I wish I were; for then I should be able to swim." _Mrs. F._ "Mr. Fydgetts! Ain't you a-coming to help me?" _Mr. F._ "No! It serves you right for bringing me down to this stupid place." _Mrs. F._ "_I_, indeed. Why, I wanted to go to Brighton and you would come to Margate--you said it was cheaper." _Mr. F._ "It's false; I said no such thing." _Mrs. F._ "You did, you did!" _Mr. F._ "O, woman! woman! Where do you expect to go to?" _Mrs. F._ "To the bottom; unless you come and help me!" _Mr. F._ "Help yourself. I'm s-i-n-k-i-n-g"-- _Mrs. F._ "My child! My child!" _Mr. F._ (_rising from the water_). "Be quiet, can't you! Woo-o-m--" (_the rest is inaudible, but the watery pair are saved just in time, and renew their dispute in the boat as soon as they are rescued from their perilous position_).] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mabel_ (_soliloquising_). "Dear me, this relaxing climate makes even one's parasol seem too heavy to hold!"] * * * * * HOLIDAY HAUNTS _By Jingle Junior on the Jaunt_ I.--GREAT YARMOUTH [Illustration: PUFFINS] Why Great?--where's Little Yarmouth?--or Mid-Sized Yarmouth?--give it up--don't know--hate people who ask conundrums--feel well cured directly you get here--good trademark for dried-fish sellers, "The Perfect Cure"--if you stay a fortnight, get quite kipperish--stay a month, talk kipperish! Principal attractions--Bloaters and Rows--first eat--second see--song, "_Speak gently of the Herring_"--"long shore" ones splendid--kippers delicious--song, "_What's a' the steer, Kipper?_"--song, "_Nobody's rows like our Rows_"--more they are--varied--picturesque--tumbledown--paradise for painters--very narrow--capital support for native Bloater going home after dinner--odd names--Ramp, Kitty Witches--Gallon Can, Conge! Fancy oneself quite the honest toiler of the sea--ought to go about in dried haddock suit--feel inclined to emulate _Mr. Peggotty_--run into quiet taverns--thump tables violently--say "gormed!" Whole neighbourhood recalls _Ham_ and _Little Em'ly_--_David, Steerforth, Mrs. Gummidge_--recall ham myself--if well broiled--lunch--pleasant promenades on piers--plenty of amusement in watching the bloateric commerce--fresh water fishing in adjacent Broads, if you like--if not, let it alone--broad as it's long! The Denes--not sardines--nor rural deans--good places for exercise--plenty of antiquities--old customs--quaint traditions! Picturesque ancient taverns--capital modern hotels--stopping in one of the latter--polite waiter just appeared--dinner served--soup'll get cold--mustn't wait--never insult good cook by being unpunctual--rather let Editor go short than hurt cook's feelings[1]--so no more at present--from Yours Truly. [Illustration] [Footnote 1:] Don't like this sentiment. Is J. J. a Cook's Tourist?--ED. II.--LITTLEHAMPTON. [Illustration] Emphatically the Sea on the strict Q T--no bustle at railway-station--train glides in noiselessly--passengers ooze away--porters good-tempered and easy-going--like suffragan Bishops in corduroys--bless boxes--read pastorals on portmanteaux--no one in a hurry--locomotive coos softly in an undertone--fly-drivers suggest possibility of your requiring their services in a whisper! Place full--no lodgings to be had--visitors manage to efface themselves--no one about--all having early dinners--or gone to bed--or pretending to be somewhere else--a one-sided game of hide and seek--everybody hiding, nobody seeking! Seems always afternoon--dreamy gleamy sunshine--a dense quietude that you might cut in slices--no braying brass-bands--no raucous niggers--no seaside harpies--Honfleur packet only excitement--no one goes to see it start--visitors don't like to be excited! Chief amusements, Common, Sands, and Pony-chaises--first, good to roll on--second, good to stroll on--first two, gratuitous and breezy--third, inexpensive and easy--might be driven out of your mind for three-and-six--notwithstanding this, everybody presumably sane. Capital place for children--cricket for boys--shrimping for girls--bare legs--picturesque dress--not much caught--salt water good for ankles--excellent bathing--rows of bathing-tents--admirable notion! Interesting excursions--Arundel Castle--Bramber--Bognor--Chichester --Petworth House! Good things to eat--Arundel mullet--Amberley trout --Tarring figs! Delightful air--omnipotent ozone--uninterrupted quiet--just the place to recover your balance, either mental or monetary--I wish to recover both--that's the reason I'm here--send cheque at once to complete cure.[2] [Footnote 2:] We have sent him the price of a third-class fare to town, with orders to return instantly: possibly this is hardly the sort of check that our friend "J. J." expected.--ED. [Illustration: RAMSGATE] III.--SCARBOROUGH. Long way from London--no matter--fast train--soon here--once here don't wish to leave--palatial hotels--every luxury--good _tables d'hôte_--pleasant balls--lively society! Exhilarating air--good as champagne without "morning after"--up early--go to bed late--authorities provide something better than a broken-down pier, a circulating library, and a rickety bathing-machine--authorities disburse large sums for benefit of visitors--visitors spend lots of money in town--mutual satisfaction--place crowded--capital bands--excellent theatricals --varied entertainments--right way to do it! The Spa--first discovered 1620--people been discovering it ever since--some drink it--more walk on it--lounge on it--smoke on it--flirt on it--wonderful costumes in the morning--more wonderful in the afternoon--most wonderful in the evening! North Sands--South Sands--fine old Castle well placed--picturesque old town--well-built modern terraces, squares and streets--pony-chaises--riding-horses--Lift for lazy ones! Capital excursions--Oliver's Mount--Carnelian Bay--Scalby Mill--Hackness--Wykeham--Filey! Delightful gardens--secluded seats --hidden nooks--shady bowers--well-screened corners--Northern Belles--bright eyes--soft nothings--eloquent sighs--squozen hands--before you know where you are--ask papa--all up--dangerous very! Overcome by feelings--can't write any more--friend asks me to drink waters--query North Chalybeate or South Salt Well--wonder which--if in doubt try soda qualified with brandy--good people scarce--better run no risk! [Illustration: A CUTTER MAKING FOR THE PEER HEAD] * * * * * COSTUME IN KEEPING.--"Of all sweet things", said Bertha, "for the seaside, give me a serge." The Ancient Mariner shook his head. He didn't see the joke. * * * * * BOARD AND LODGING!--_Landlady._ "Yes, sir, the board were certingly to be a guinea a week, but I didn't know as you was a-going to bathe in the sea before breakfast and take bottles of tonic during the day!" * * * * * [Illustration: THE DONKEYS' HOLIDAY With compliments to the S.P.C.A.] * * * * * [Illustration: LABELLED!] * * * * * [Illustration: NAUGHTICAL? _Yachting Friend_ (_playfully_). "Have you any experience of squalls, Brown?" _Brown._ "Squalls!" (_Seriously._) "My dear sir, I've brought up ten in family!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SOCIAL BEINGS Wearied by London dissipation, the Marjoribanks Browns go, for the sake of perfect quiet, to that picturesque little watering-place, Shrimpington-super-Mare, where they trust that they will not meet a single soul they know. Oddly enough, the Cholmondeley Joneses go to the same spot with the same purpose. Now, these Joneses and Browns cordially detest each other in London, and are not even on speaking terms; yet such is the depressing effect of "perfect quiet" that, as soon as they meet at Shrimpington-super-Mare, they rush into each other's arms with a wild sense of relief!] * * * * * [Illustration: HEARTS OF OAK _Angelina_ (_who has never seen a revolving light before_). "How patient and persevering those sailors must be, Edwin! The wind has blown that light out six times since they first lit it, and they've lighted it again each time!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SHANKLIN] * * * * * [Illustration: SCILLY] * * * * * [Illustration: HAYLING ISLAND] * * * * * [Illustration: MUMBLES] * * * * * [Illustration: "Now, mind, if any of those nasty people with cameras come near, you're to send them away!"] * * * * * SEASIDE SOLITUDE HIGHBURYBARN-ON-SEA (_From our Special Commissioner_) [Illustration: A CUTTER ROUNDING THE BUOY] Dear Mr. Punch,--This is a spot, which, according to your instructions, I reached last evening. In these same instructions you described it as "a growing place." I fancy it must be of the asparagus order, that vegetable, as you are well aware, taking three years in which to develop itself to perfection. Highburybarn-on-Sea is, I regret to say, in the first stage--judged from an asparagus point of view. I cannot entertain the enthusiastic description of the candid correspondent (I refer to the cutting forwarded by you from an eminent daily paper under the heading, "By the Golden Ocean.") He describes it as "an oasis on the desert coast of Great Britain." Far be it from me to deny the desert--all I object to is the oasis. [Illustration: Limpets] I ask you, sir, if you ever, in the course of the travels in which you have out-rivalled Stanley, Cameron, Livingstone, Harry de Windt, and, may I add, De Rougemont, ever came across an oasis, consisting of two score villas, built with scarcely baked bricks, reposing on an arid waste amid a number of tumbled-down cottages, and surmounted by a mighty workhouse-like hotel looking down on a pre-Adamite beershop? The sky was blue, the air was fresh, the waves had retreated to sea when I arrived in a jolting omnibus at Highburybarn-on-Sea, and deposited myself and luggage at the Metropolitan Hotel. A page-boy was playing airs on a Jew's-harp when I alighted on the sand-driven steps of the hostelry. He seemed surprised at my arrival, but in most respectful fashion placed his organ of minstrelsy in his jacket pocket, the while he conveyed my Gladstone bag to my apartment, secured by an interview with an elderly dame, who gave an intelligent but very wan smile when I suggested dinner. She referred me to the head waiter. This functionary pointed in grandiose fashion to the coffee-room, wherein some artistic wall-papering wag had committed atrocities on which it would be libel to comment. [Illustration: TAKING A DIP AND GETTING A BLOW] There was only one occupant, a short clean-shaven gentleman with white hair and a red nose, who was apparently chasing space. This turned out to be a militant blue-bottle. Meantime, the head-waiter produced his bill of fare, or rather the remains of it. Nearly every dish had apparently been consumed, for the most tempting _plats_ were removed from the _menu_ by a liberal application of red pencil. Finally, I decided on a fried sole and a steak. The white-haired man still pursued the blue-bottle. I went up to my room, and after washing with no soap I returned to the coffee-room. The blue-bottle still had the best of it. The head-waiter, after the lapse of an hour, informed me that the sole would not be long. When it arrived, I found that he spoke the truth. If you have any recollection of the repast which _Porthos_ endured when entertained by _Madame Coquenard_, you will have some notion of my feast. The head-waiter told me that some bare-legged persons who had waded into the water were shrimp-catchers. I only wished that I were one of them, for at least they found food. [Illustration: BIRCHINGTON] Later on I retired to rest. I was visited in the hours of darkness, to which I had consigned myself, by a horde of mosquitoes, imported, so I was informed in the morning, by American travellers, who never tipped the waiters. I fulfilled their obligations, still gazing on the auburn sand-drift, still looking on the sea, still feeling hungry and murmuring to myself, "Highburybarn-on-Sea would be a capital place for children, if I could only see any cows." A melancholy cocoa-nut shy by the station appeared to afford all the milk in the place. Yours despondently, NIBBLETHORPE NOBBS. * * * * * EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES: MARGATE.--_Mother._ "Now, Tommy, which would you rather do--have a donkey ride or watch father bathe?" * * * * * [Illustration: _Bathing Woman._ "Master Franky wouldn't cry! No! Not he!--He'll come to his Martha, and bathe like a man!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE BATHING QUESTION Master Tommy is emphatically of the opinion that the sexes ought not to bathe together.] * * * * * [Illustration: WHITBOROUGH. LOW TIDE. ARRIVAL OF THE SCARBY STEAMER] * * * * * [Illustration: "DENUDATION" _Niece_ (_after a header_). "Oh, aunt, you're not coming in with your spectacles on?" _Aunt Clarissa_ (_who is not used to bathe in the "open"_). "My dear, I positively won't take off anything more, I'm determined!!"] * * * * * TO THE FIRST BATHING-MACHINE (_After Wordsworth_) [Illustration: MOORINGS] O Blank new-comer! I have seen, I see thee with a start: So gentle looking a Machine, Infernal one thou art! When first the sun feels rather hot, Or even rather warm, From some dim, hibernating spot Rolls forth thy clumsy form. Perhaps thou babblest to the sea Of sunshine and of flowers; Thou bringest but a thought to me Of such bad quarter hours. I, grasping tightly, pale with fear, Thy very narrow bench, Thou, bounding on in wild career, All shake, and jolt, and wrench. Till comes an unexpected stop; My forehead hits the door, And I, with cataclysmic flop, Lie on thy sandy floor. Then, dressed in Nature's simplest style, I, blushing, venture out; And find the sea is still a mile Away, or thereabout. Blithe little children on the sand Laugh out with childish glee; Their nurses, sitting near at hand, All giggling, stare at me. Unnerved, unwashed, I rush again Within thy tranquil shade, And wait until the rising main Shall banish child and maid. Thy doors I dare not open now, Thy windows give no view; 'Tis late; I will not bathe, I vow; I dress myself anew. * * * * * [Illustration: "THALATTA! THALATTA!" _General chorus_ (_as the children's excursion nears its destination_). "Oh, I say! There's the sea! 'Ooray!!" _Small boy._ "I'll be in fust!"] * * * * * HOW TO ENJOY A HOLIDAY _A Social Contrast_ [Illustration: ILE OF MAN] I.--THE WRONG WAY _Pater._ Here at last! A nice reward for a long and tedious journey! _Mater._ Well, you were always complaining in town. _Pater._ Broken chairs, rickety table, and a hideous wall-paper! _Mater._ Well, I didn't buy the chairs, make the table, or choose the wall-paper. Discontent is your strong point. _Pater._ And is likely to remain so. Really, that German band is unbearable! _Mater._ My dear, you have no ear for music. Why, you don't even care for my songs! You used to say you liked them once. _Pater._ So I did--thirty years ago! _Mater._ Before our marriage! And I have survived thirty years! _Pater._ Eh? What do you mean by that, madam? _Mater._ Anything you please. But come--dinner's ready. _Pater._ Dinner! The usual thing, I suppose--underdone fish and overdone meat! _Mater._ Well, I see that you are determined to make the best of everything, my dear! _Pater._ I am glad you think so, my darling! [_And so they sit down to dinner._ II.--THE RIGHT WAY. _Pater._ Here at last! What a charming spot! A fitting sequel to a very pleasant journey! _Mater._ And yet you are very fond of town! _Pater._ This room reminds me of my own cozy study. Venerable chairs, a strange old table, and a quaintly-designed wall-paper. _Mater._ Well, I think if I had had to furnish the house, I should have chosen the same things myself. But had they been ever so ugly, I feel sure that you would have liked them. You know, sir, that content is your strong point. _Pater._ I am sure that I shall find no opportunity of getting any merit (after the fashion of _Mark Tapley_) for being contented in this pleasant spot. What a capital German band! _Mater._ I don't believe that you understand anything about music, sir. Why, you even pretend that you like my old songs! _Pater._ And so I do. Every day I live I like them better and better. And yet I heard them for the first time thirty years ago! _Mater._ When we were married! And so I have survived thirty years! _Pater._ Eh? What do you mean by that, madam? _Mater._ That I am a living proof that kindness never kills. How happy we have been! But come--dinner's ready. _Pater._ Dinner! The usual thing, I suppose--a nice piece of fish and a juicy joint. Now, that's just what I like. So much better than our pretentious London dinners! Not that a London dinner is not very good in its proper place. _Mater._ Well, I see that you are determined to make the best of everything, my dear. _Pater._ I am glad you think so, my darling! [_And so they sit down to dinner._ * * * * * [Illustration: A GOAT AND TWO KIDS] * * * * * [Illustration: AWFUL SCENE ON THE CHAIN PIER, BRIGHTON _Nursemaid._ "Lawk! There goes Charley, and he's took his mar's parasol. What _will_ missus say?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Temperance Enthusiast._ "Look at the beautiful lives our first parents led. Do you suppose _they_ ever gave way to strong drink?" _The Reprobate._ "I 'xpect Eve must 'a' done. She saw snakes!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A POWERFUL QUARTET (At all events it looks and sounds like one)] * * * * * [Illustration] SWEETS OF THE SEASIDE. _Shingleton, near Dulborough._ SYMPATHISING MR. PUNCH, With the desire of enjoying a few days of tranquillity and a few dips in the sea, I have arrived and taken lodgings at this "salubrious watering-place" (as the guide-books choose to call it), having heard that it was quiet, and possessed of a steep, cleanly, and bathe-inviting beach. As to the latter point, I find that fame has not belied it; but surely with a view to tempt me into suicide, some demon must have coupled the term "quiet" with this place. Quiet! Gracious Powers of Darkness! if this be your idea of a quiet spot to live in, I wonder what, according to your notion, need be added to its tumult to make a noisy town. Here is a list of aural tortures wherewith we are tormented, which may serve by way of time-table to advertise the musical attractions of the place:-- 1 A.M.--Voices of the night. Revellers returning home. 1.30 A.M.--Duet, "_Io t'amo_", squealed upon the tiles, by the famous feline vocalists Mademoiselle Minette and Signor Catterwaulini. 2 A.M.--Barc-arole and chorus, "_Bow wow wow_" (BACH), by the Bayers of the Moon. 3 A.M.--Song without words, by the early village cock. 3.30 A.M.--Chorus by his neighbours, high and low, mingling the treble of the Bantam with the Brahma's thorough bass. [Illustration: ENJOYING THE HEIGHT OF THE SEAS-ON] 4 A.M.--Twittering of swallows, and chirping of early birds, before they go to catch their worms. 4.45 A.M.--Meeting of two natives, of course _just_ under your window, who converse in a stage-whisper at the tip-top of their voices. 5 A.M.--Stampede of fishermen, returning from their night's work in their heavy boots. 6 A.M.--Start of shrimpers, barefooted, but occasionally bawling. 7 A.M.--Shutters taken down, and small boys sally forth and shout to one another from the two ends of the street. 7.15 A.M.--"So-holes! fine fresh so-holes!" 7.30 A.M.--"Mack'reel! fower a shillun! Ma-a-ack'reel!" 8 A.M.--Piano play begins, and goes on until midnight. 8.25 A.M.--Barrel-organ at the corner. Banjo in the distance. 9 A.M.--German band to right of you. Ophicleide out of time, clarionette out of tune. 9.30 A.M.--"Pa-aper, mornin' pa-aper! _Daily Telegraft!_" 9.45 A.M.--German band to left of you. Clarionette and cornet both out of time and tune. 10.15 A.M.--A key-bugler and a bag-piper a dozen yards apart. 11 A.M.--Performance of Punch and Toby, who barks more than is good for him. 11.30 A.M.--Bellowing black-faced ballad-bawlers, with their banjoes and their bones. Such is our daily programme of music until noon, and such, with sundry variations, it continues until midnight. Small wonder that I have so little relish for my meals, and that, in spite of the sea air, I can hardly sleep a wink. I shall return to Town to-morrow, for surely all the street tormentors must be out of it, judging by the numbers that now plague the sad seaside. MISERRIMUS. * * * * * [Illustration: REDCAR] * * * * * [Illustration: MEETING OF THE OLD AND NEW PEERS AT BRIGHTON] * * * * * [Illustration: WALTON ON THE NAZE] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE MEAT SUPPLY" _Bathing-man._ "Yes, mum, he's a good old 'orse yet. And he's been in the salt water so long, he'll make capital biled beef when we're done with him!!!"] * * * * * _Our Poetess._ "Do not talk to me of dinner, Edwin. I must stay by this beautiful Sea, and _drink it all in_!" _Bill the Boatman._ "Lor! She's a thirsty one too!" * * * * * [Illustration: HOW TO KILL TIME AT THE SEASIDE Hire bath-chairs, put the bath-chairmen inside, and drag them as fast as you can up and down the parade.] * * * * * [Illustration: INOPPORTUNE _Enthusiast of the "No Hat Brigade"_ (_to elderly gentleman, who has just lost his hat_). "Fine idea this, sir, for the hair, eh?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Jones._ "Hullo, Brown, what's the matter with you and Mrs. Brown?" _Brown._ "Matter? Why, do you know what they call us down here? They call us Beauty and the Beast! Now I should like to know what my poor wife has done to get such a name as that!"] * * * * * THE TREACHEROUS TIDE [Illustration] I sat on a slippery rock, In the grey cliff's opal shade, And the wanton waves went curvetting by Like a roystering cavalcade. And they doffed their crested plumes, As they kissed the blushing sand, Till her rosy face dimpled over with smiles At the tricks of the frolicsome band. Then the kittywake laughed, "Ha! ha!" And the sea-mew wailed with pain, As she sailed away on the shivering wind To her home o'er the surging main. And the jelly-fish quivered with rage, While the dog-crabs stood by to gaze, And the star-fish spread all her fingers abroad, And sighed for her grandmothers' days. And the curlew screamed, "Fie! fie!" And the great gull groaned at the sight, And the albatross rose and fled with a shriek To her nest on the perilous height. * * * * * Good gracious! the place where I sat With sea-water was rapidly filling, And a hoarse voice cried, "Sir, you're caught by the tide! And I'll carry ye off for a shilling!" * * * * * [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: A SAIL OVER THE BAY] * * * * * "LOCAL COLOUR."--PLACE: South Parade, Cheapenham-on-Sea.--_Edith._ "Mabel dear, would you get me _Baedeker's Switzerland_ and the last Number of the _World_." _Mabel._ "What do you want _them_ for?" _Edith._ "Oh, I'm writing letters, and we're in the Engadine, you know, and I just want to describe some of our favourite haunts, and mention a few of the people who are staying there--here, I mean." * * * * * [Illustration: SCENT BEES] * * * * * THE LAY OF THE LAST LODGER [Illustration] I. Oh dreary, dreary, dreary me! My jaw is sore with yawning-- I'm weary of the dreary sea, With its roaring beach Where sea-gulls screech, And shrimpers shrimp, And limpets limp, And winkles wink, And trousers shrink; And the groaning, moaning, droning tide Goes splashing and dashing from side to side, With all its might, from morn to night, And from night to morning's dawning. II. The shore's a flood of puddly mud, And the rocks are limy and slimy-- And I've tumbled down with a thud--good lud!-- And I fear I swore, For something tore; And my shoes are full Of the stagnant pool; And hauling, sprawling, crawling crabs Have got in my socks with star-fish and dabs; And my pockets are swarming with polypes and prawns, And noisome beasts with shells and horns, That scrunch and scrape, and goggle and gape, Are up my sleeve, I firmly believe-- And I'm horribly rimy and grimy. III. I'm sick of the strand, and the sand, and the band, And the niggers and jiggers and dodgers; And the cigars of rather doubtful brand; And my landlady's "rights", And the frequent fights On wretched points Of ends of joints, Which disappear, with my brandy and beer, In a way that, to say the least, is queer. And to mingle among the throng I long, And to poke my joke and warble my song-- But there's no one near On sands or pier, For everyone's gone and I'm left alone, The Last of the Seaside Lodgers! * * * * * [Illustration: FILEY] * * * * * NOTE BY OUR MAN OUT OF TOWN--Watering places--resorts where the visitor is pumped dry. * * * * * [Illustration: A STARTLING PROPOSITION _Seedy Individual_ (_suddenly and with startling vigour_)-- "Aoh! Floy with me ercross ther sea, Ercross ther dork lergoon!!" ] * * * * * [Illustration: CROWDED STATE OF LODGING HOUSES _Lodging-House Keeper._ "On'y this room to let, mem. A four-post--a tent--and a very comfortable double-bedded chest of drawers for the young gentlemen."] * * * * * A WET DAY AT THE SEASIDE Why does not some benefactor to his species discover and publish to a grateful world some rational way of spending a wet day at the seaside? Why should it be something so unutterably miserable and depressing that its mere recollection afterwards makes one shudder? This is the first really wet day that we have had for a fortnight, but what a day! From morn to dewy eve, a summer's day, and far into the black night, the pitiless rain has poured and poured and poured. I broke the unendurable monotony of gazing from the weeping windows of my seaside lodging, by rushing out wildly and plunging madly into the rainy sea, and got drenched to the skin both going and returning. After changing everything, as people say but don't mean, and thinking I saw something like a break in the dull leaden clouds, I again rushed out, and called on Jones, who has rooms in an adjacent terrace, and, with some difficulty, persuaded him to accompany me to the only billiard table in the miserable place. We both got gloriously wet on our way to this haven of amusement, and were received with the pleasing intelligence that it was engaged by a private party of two, who had taken it until the rain ceased, and, when that most improbable event happened, two other despairing lodgers had secured the reversion. Another rush home, another drenching, another change of everything, except the weather, brought the welcome sight of dinner, over which we fondly lingered for nearly two mortal hours. But one cannot eat all day long, even at the seaside on a wet day, and accordingly at four o'clock I was again cast upon my own resources. I received, I confess, a certain amount of grim satisfaction at seeing Brown--Bumptious Brown, as we call him in the City, he being a common councilman, or a liveryman, or something of that kind--pass by in a fly, with heaps of luggage and children, all looking so depressingly wet,--and if he had not the meanness to bring with him, in a half-dozen hamper, six bottles of his abominable Gladstone claret! He grinned at me as he passed, like a Chester cat, I think they call that remarkable animal, and I afterwards learnt the reason. He had been speculating for a rise in wheat, and, as he vulgarly said, the rain suited his book, and he only hoped it would last for a week or two! Ah! the selfishness of some men! What cared he about my getting wet through twice in one day, so long as it raised the price of his wretched wheat? My wife coolly recommended me to read the second volume of a new novel she had got from the Library, called, I think, _East Glynne_, or some such name, but how can a man read in a room with four stout healthy boys and a baby, especially when the said baby is evidently very uncomfortable, and the four boys are playing at leap-frog? Women have this wonderful faculty, my wife to a remarkable extent. I have often, with unfeigned astonishment, seen her apparently lost in the sentimental troubles of some imaginary heroine, while the noisy domestic realities around her have gone on unheeded. I again took my place at the window, and gazed upon the melancholy sea, and remembered, with a smile of bitter irony, how I had agreed to pay an extra guinea a week for the privilege of facing the sea!--and such a sea! It was, of course, very low water--it generally is at this charming place; and the sea had retired to its extremest distance, as if utterly ashamed of its dull, damp, melancholy appearance. And there stood that ridiculous apology for a pier, with its long, lanky, bandy legs, on which I have been dragged every evening to hear the band play. Such a band! The poor wheezy cornet was bad enough, but the trombone, with its two notes that it jerked out like the snorts of a starting train, was a caution. Oh! that poor "_Sweetheart_", with which we were favoured every evening! I always pictured her to myself sitting at a window listening, enraptured, to a serenade from that trombone! But there's no band to-night, not a solitary promenader on the bandy-legged pier, I even doubt if the pier master is sitting as usual at the receipt of custom, and I pull down the blind, to shut out the miserable prospect, with such an energetic jerk that I bring down the whole complicated machinery, and nearly frighten baby into a fit, while the four irreverent boys indulge in a loud guffaw. Thank goodness, on Saturday I exchange our miserable, wheezy, asthmatic band for the grand orchestra of the Covent Garden Promenade Concerts, and the awful perfume of rotten seaweed for the bracing atmosphere of glorious London. AN OUTSIDER. * * * * * [Illustration: BOATMAN SECURING A LIVELY-HOOD] * * * * * [Illustration: ON HIS HONEYMOON TOO! _Man with Sand Ponies._ "Now then, Mister, you an' the young lady, a pony apiece? 'Ere y'are!" _Snobley_ (_loftily_). "Aw--I'm not accustomed to that class of animal." _Man_ (_readily_). "Ain't yer, sir? Ne' mind." (_To boy._) "'Ere, Bill, look sharp! Gent'll have a donkey!"] * * * * * SEASIDE SPLITTERS [Illustration: LOW-TIED ROCKS SEE-WEED MUSCLE GATHERERS A KNAW WESTER HIGH TIED] * * * * * [Illustration: LIFE WOULD BE PLEASANT, BUT FOR ITS "PLEASURES."--_Sir Cornewall Lewis_ In consequence of the English watering-places being crowded, people are glad to find sleeping accommodation in the bathing-machines. _Boots_ (_from Jones's Hotel_). "I've brought your shaving water, sir; and you'll please to take care of your boots on the steps, gents: the tide's just a comin' in!"] * * * * * [Illustration: RETURNING HOME FROM THE SEASIDE All the family have colds, except the under-nurse, who has a face-ache. Poor materfamilias, who originated the trip, is in despair at all the money spent for nothing, and gives way to tears. Paterfamilias endeavours to console her with the reflection that "_he_ knew how it would be, but that, after all, St. John's Wood, where they live, is such a healthy place that, with care and doctoring, they _will soon be nearly as well as if they had never left it_!" [_Two gay bachelors may be seen contemplating paterfamilias and his little group. Their interest is totally untinged with envy._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: OVERHEARD AT SCARBOROUGH "Do you know anything good for a cold?" "Yes." "What is it?" "Have you got the price of two Scotch whiskies on you?" "No." "Then it's no use my telling you."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Snobson_ (_to inhabitant of out-of-way seaside resort_). "What sort of people do you get down here in the summer?" _Inhabitant._ "Oh, all sorts, zur. There be fine people an' common people, an' some just half-an'-half, like yourself, zur."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE OYSTERS AT WHITSTABLE FROZEN IN THEIR BEDS! (_See Daily Papers_)] * * * * * [Illustration: A DELICIOUS DIP. _Bathing Attendant._ "Here, Bill! The gent wants to be took out deep--take 'im _into the drain_!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _She._ "How much was old Mr. Baskerville's estate sworn at by his next-of-kin?" _He._ "Oh--a pretty good lot." _She._ "Really? Why, I heard he died worth hardly anything!" _He._ "Yes, so he did--that's just it."] * * * * * [Illustration: EVIDENCE OLFACTORY _Angelina_ (_scientific_). "Do you smell the iodine from the sea, Edwin? Isn't it refreshing?" _Old Salt_ (_overhearing_). "What you smell ain't the sea, miss. It's the town drains as flows out just 'ere!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OBLIGING. _Excursionist_ (_to himself_). "Ullo! 'ere's one o' them artists. 'Dessay 'e'll want a genteel figger for 'is foreground. I'll _stand for 'im_!!!"] * * * * * TRUE DIPSOMANIA.--Overbathing at the seaside. * * * * * AN IDLE HOLIDAY. When the days are bright and hot, In the month of August, When the sunny hours are not Marred by any raw gust, Then I turn from toil with glee, Sing a careless canto, And to somewhere by the sea Carry my portmanteau. Shall I, dreaming on the sand, Pleased with all things finite, Envy Jones who travels and Climbs an Apennine height-- Climbs a rugged peak with pain, Literally speaking, Only to descend again Fagged with pleasure-seeking? Smith, who, worn with labour, went Off for rest and leisure, Races round the Continent In pursuit of pleasure: Having lunched at Bâle, he will At Lucerne his tea take, Riding till he's faint and ill, Tramping till his feet ache. Shall I, dreaming thus at home, Left ashore behind here, Envy restless men who roam Seeking what I find here? Since beside my native sea, Where I sit to woo it, Pleasure always comes to me, Why should I pursue it? * * * * * [Illustration: THE MURMUR OF THE TIED] * * * * * EXTRA SPECIAL.--_Paterfamilias_ (_inspecting bill, to landlady_). I thought you said, Mrs. Buggins, when I took these apartments, that there were no extras, but here I find boots, lights, cruets, fire, table-linen, sheets, blankets and kitchen fire charged. _Mrs. Buggins._ Lor' bless you, sir, they're not extras, but necessaries. _Paterfamilias._ What, then, do you consider extras? _Mrs. Buggins._ Well, sir, that's a difficult question to answer, but I should suggest salad oil, fly-papers, and turtle soup. [_Paterfamilias drops the subject and pays his account._ * * * * * [Illustration: SUSPICION _Stout Visitor_ (_on discovering that, during his usual nap after luncheon, he has been subjected to a grossly personal practical joke_). "It's one o' those dashed artists that are staying at the 'Lord Nelson' 'a' done this, I know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Aunt Jane._ "It's wonderful how this wireless telegraphy is coming into use!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A DREAM OF THE SEA Ethel, who is not to have a seaside trip this year, dreams every night that she and her mamma and aunt and sisters spread their sash-bows and panniers and fly away to the yellow sands.] * * * * * THE MARGATE BATHING-WOMAN'S LAMENT It nearly broke my widowed art, When first I tuk the notion, That parties didn't as they used, Take reglar to the ocean. The hinfants, darling little soles, Still cum quite frequent, bless 'em! But they is only sixpence each, Which hardly pays to dress 'em. The reason struck me all at once, Says I, "It's my opinion, The grown-up folks no longer bathes Because of them vile Sheenions." The last as cum drest in that style, Says, as she tuk it horf her, "I'm sure I shall not know the way To re-arrange my quoffur!" By which she ment the ed of air, Which call it wot they will, sir; Cum doubtless off a convict at Millbank or Pentonville, sir. The Parliament should pass a law, Which there's sufficient reason; That folks as wear the Sheenions should Bathe reg'lar in the season. * * * * * [Illustration: A LANCASHIRE WATERING-PLACE] * * * * * "MERRY MARGIT" (_Another communication from the side of the dear sea waves_) I was told it was greatly improved--that there were alterations in the sea-front suggestive of the best moments of the Thames Embankment--that quite "smart" people daily paraded the pier. So having had enough of "Urn-bye", I moved on. The improvements scarcely made themselves felt at the railway station. Seemingly they had not attracted what Mr. Jeames would call "the upper suckles." There were the customary British middle-class matron from Peckham, looking her sixty summers to the full in a sailor hat; the seaside warrior first cousin to the billiard-marker captain with flashy rings, beefy hands, and a stick of pantomime proportions, and the theatrical lady whose connection with the stage I imagine was confined to capering before the footlights. However, they all were there, as I had seen them any summer these twenty years. But I had been told to go to the Pier, and so to the Pier I went, glancing on my way at the entertainers on the sands, many of whom I found to be old friends. Amongst them was the "h"-less phrenologist, whose insight into character apparently satisfied the parents of any child whose head he selected to examine. Thus, if he said that a particularly stupid-looking little boy would make a good architect, schoolmaster, or traveller for fancy goods, a gentleman in an alpaca-coat and a wide-awake hat would bow gratified acquiescence, a demonstration that would also be evoked from a lady in a dust cloak, when the lecturer insisted that a giggling little girl would make a "first-rate dressmaker and cutter-out." Arrived at the Pier, I found there was twopence to pay for the privilege of using the extension, which included a restaurant, a band, some talented fleas, and a shop with a window partly devoted to the display of glass tumblers, engraved with legends of an amusing character, such as "Good old Mother-in-Law", "Jack's Night Cap", "Aunt Julia's Half Pint", and so on. There were a number of seats and shelters, and below the level of the shops was a landing-stage, at which twice a day two steamers from or to London removed or landed passengers. During the rest of the four-and-twenty hours it seemed to be occupied by a solitary angler, catching chiefly seaweed. The Band, in spite of its uniform, was not nearly so military as that at "Urn Bye." It contained a pianoforte--an instrument upon which I found the young gentleman who sold the programmes practising during a pause between the morning's selection and the afternoon's performances. But still the Band was a very tuneful one, and increased the pleasure that the presence of so many delightful promenaders was bound to produce. Many of the ladies who walked round and round, talking courteously to 'Arry in all his varieties, wore men's _habits_, _pur et simple_ (giving them the semblance of appearing in their shirt-sleeves), while their heads were adorned with fair wigs and sailor hats, apparently fixed on together. These free-and-easy-looking damsels did not seem to find favour in the eyes of certain other ladies of a sedater type, who regarded them (over their novels) with undisguised contempt. These other ladies, I should think, from their conversation and appearance, must have been the very flowers of the flock of Brixton Rise, and the _crème de la crême_ of Peckham Rye society. Of course there were a number of more or less known actors and actresses from London, some of them enjoying a brief holiday, and others engaged in the less lucrative occupation of "resting." However, the dropping of "h's", even to the accompaniment of sweet music, sooner or later becomes monotonous, and so, after awhile, I was glad to leave the Pier for the attractions of the Upper Cliff. On my way I passed a Palace of Pleasure or Varieties, or Something wherein a twopenny wax-work show seemed at the moment to be one of its greatest attractions. This show contained a Chamber of Horrors, a scene full of quiet humour of Napoleon the Third Lying in State, and an old effigy of George the Third. The collection included the waxen head of a Nonconformist minister, who, according to the lecturer, had been "wery good to the poor", preserved in a small deal-box. There was also the "Key-Dyevie" of Egypt, General Gordon, and Mrs. Maybrick. Tearing myself away from these miscellaneous memories of the past, I ascended to the East Cliff, which had still the "apartments-furnished" look that was wont to distinguish it of yore. There was no change there; and as I walked through the town, which once, as a watering-place, was second only in importance to Bath,--which a century ago had for its M.C. a rival of Beau Nash,--I could not help thinking how astonished the ghosts of the fine ladies and gentlemen who visited "Meregate" in 1789 must be, if they are able to see their successors of to-day--"Good Old Chawlie Cadd", and Miss Topsie Stuart Plantagenet, _née_ Tompkins. * * * * * [Illustration: DEAL] * * * * * [Illustration: "NICE FOR THE VISITORS" (Sketch outside a fashionable hotel)] * * * * * [Illustration: _Boy_ (_to Brown, who is exceedingly proud of his sporting appearance_). "Want a donkey, mister?"] * * * * * [Illustration: INCORRIGIBLE _Visitor._ "Well, my man, I expect it must have cost you a lot of money to paint your nose that colour!" _Reprobate._ "Ah, an' if Oi cud affoord it, Oi'd have it _varnished_ now!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "NO ACCOUNTING FOR TASTE" _Materfamilias_ (_just arrived at Shrimpville--the children had been down a month before_). "Well, Jane, have you found it dull?" _Nurse._ "It was at fust, M'm. There was nothink to improve the mind, M'm, till the niggers come down!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BY THE SAD SEA WAVES "But, are you sure?" "Yus, lady. 'E's strong as an 'orse!" "But how am I to get on?" "Oh, _I'll lift yer_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DELICATE ATTENTION _Confiding Spinster._ "I'm afraid the sea is too cold for me this morning, Mr. Swabber." _Bathing Man._ "Cold, miss! Lor' bless yer, I just took and powered a kittle o' bilin' water in to take the chill off when I see you a comin'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HOLIDAY PLEASURES _Injured Individual._ "Heigho! I _did_ think I should find some refuge from the miseries of the seaside in the comforts of a bed! Just look where my feet are, Maria!" _His Wife._ "_Well_, John! it's _only_ for a _month_, you know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BLIGHTED HOPES _Extract of letter from Laura to Lillie_:--"I declare, dear, I never gave the absurd creature the slightest encouragement. I did say, one evening, I thought the little sandy coves about Wobbleswick were charming, especially one. _The idea!_--of his thinking I was alluding to him!"----&c., &c.] * * * * * [Illustration: SENSITIVE "I think I told you, in my letter of the first of October, of his absurd interpretation of an innocent remark of mine about the sandy shores of Wobbleswick. Well, would you believe it, dear! we were strolling on the Esplanade, the other day, when he suddenly left Kate and me, and took himself off in a tremendous huff because we said we liked walking _with an object_!!" [_Extract from a later letter of Laura's to Lillie._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: PREHISTORIC PEEPS "No bathing to-day!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PREHISTORIC PEEPS A Nocturne which would seem to show that "residential flats" were not wholly unknown even in primeval times!] * * * * * [Illustration: _Blinks._ "The sun 'll be over the yard-arm in ten minutes. _Then_ we'll have a drink!" _Jinks._ "I think I'll have one while I'm waiting!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TRIALS OF A CONVALESCENT _Tompkins_ (_in a feeble voice, for the fourth or fifth time, with no result_). "Chairman!!! chairman!!!" _That Awful Boy._ "Lydies and gentlemen----!!"] * * * * * SEASIDE ASIDES (_Paterfamilias in North Cornwall_) [Illustration] Oh! how delightful now at last to come Away from town--its dirt, its degradation, Its never-ending whirl, its ceaseless hum. (A long chalks better, though, than sheer stagnation.) For what could mortal man or maid want more Than breezy downs to stroll on, rocks to climb up, Weird labyrinthine caverns to explore? (There's nothing else to do to fill the time up.) Your honest face here earns an honest brown, You ramble on for miles 'mid gorse and heather, Sheep hold athletic sports upon the down (Which makes the mutton taste as tough as leather). The place is guiltless, too, of horrid piers. And likewise is not Christy-Minstrel tooney; No soul-distressing strains disturb your ears. (A German band has just played "_Annie Rooney_".) The eggs as fresh as paint, the Cornish cream The boys from school all say is "simply ripping." The butter, so the girls declare, "a dream." (The only baccy you can buy quite dripping.) A happiness of resting after strife, Where one forgets all worldly pain and sorrow, And one contentedly could pass one's life. (A telegram will take _me_ home to-morrow.) * * * * * SCENE: MARGATE BEACH ON EASTER MONDAY.--_First Lady._ "Oh, here comes a steamer. How high she is out of the water." _Second Lady._ "Yes, dear, but don't you see? It's because the tide's so low." * * * * * [Illustration: AWKWARD _The aristocratic Jones_ (_rather ashamed of his loud acquaintance, Brown_). "You must excuse me, but if there's one thing in the world I particularly object to, it's to having anybody take my arm!" _Brown._ "All right, old fellow!--_you_ take _mine_!"] * * * * * THE SEASIDE VISITOR'S VADE MECUM. _Question._ Is it your intention to leave London at once to benefit by the ocean breezes on the English coast? _Answer._ Certainly, with the bulk of my neighbours. _Q._ Then the metropolis will become empty? _A._ Practically, for only about three and a half millions out of the four millions will be left behind. _Q._ What do you consider the remaining residuum? _A._ From a West End point of view a negligible quantity. _Q._ Do not some of the Eastenders visit the seaside? _A._ Yes, at an earlier period in the year, when they pay rather more for their accommodation than their neighbours of the West. _Q._ How can this be, if it be assumed that the East is poorer than the West? _A._ The length of the visit is governed by the weight of the purse. Belgravia stays a couple of months at Eastbourne, while three days at Margate is enough for Shoreditch. _Q._ Has a sojourn by the sea waves any disadvantages? _A._ Several. In the first instance, lodgings are frequently expensive and uncomfortable. Then there is always a chance that the last lodgers may have occupied their rooms as convalescents. Lastly, it is not invariably the case that the climate agrees with himself and his family. _Q._ And what becomes of the house in town? _A._ If abandoned to a caretaker, the reception rooms may be used by her own family as best chambers, and if let to strangers, the furniture may be injured irretrievably. _Q._ But surely in the last case there would be the certainty of pecuniary indemnity? _A._ Cherished relics cannot be restored by their commonplace value in money. _Q._ Then, taking one thing with another, the benefit of a visit to the seaside is questionable? _A._ Assuredly; and an expression of heartfelt delight at the termination of the outing and the consequent return home is the customary finish to the, styled by courtesy, holiday. _Q._ But has not the seaside visit a compensating advantage? _A._ The seaside visit has a compensating advantage of overwhelming proportions, which completely swallows up and effaces all suggestions of discomfort--it is the fashion. * * * * * [Illustration: PARIS? "Not if I know it! Give me a quiet month at the seaside, and leave me alone, please!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CONVERSATIONAL PITFALLS _Irene._ "Do you remember Kitty Fowler?" _Her Friend._ "No, I don't." _Irene._ "Oh, you _must_ remember Kitty. She was the plainest girl in Torquay. But I forgot--that was after you left!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Visitor._ "Have you ever seen the sea-serpent?" _Boatman._ "No, sir. I'm a temperance man."] * * * * * [Illustration: SEPARATE INTERESTS _Husband._ "Hi! Maria! Take care of the paint!" _Painter._ "It don't matter, ma'am. It'll all 'ave to be painted again!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CAUTION TO YOUNG LADIES WHO RIDE IN CRINOLINE ON DONKEYS] * * * * * [Illustration: MARGATE _Chatty Visitor._ "I like the place. I always come here. 'Worst of it is, it's a little too dressy!"] * * * * * [Illustration: UNLUCKY COMPLIMENTS _Shy but Susceptible Youth._ "Er--_could_ you tell me who that young lady is--sketching?" _Affable Stranger._ "She has the misfortune to be my wife!" _Shy but Susceptible One_ (_desperately anxious to please, and losing all presence of mind_). "Oh--the misfortune's entirely _yours_, I'm _sure_!"] * * * * * BRILLIANT SUGGESTION (_Overheard at the Seaside_).--_She._ "So much nicer now that all the visitors have gone. Don't you think so?" _He._ "Yes, by Jove! So jolly nice and quiet! Often wonder that _everybody_ doesn't come now when there's nobody here, don't you know!" * * * * * [Illustration: A NUISANCE. _Miss Priscilla._ "Yes; it's a beautiful view. But tourists are in the habit of bathing on the opposite shore, and that's rather a drawback." _Fair Visitor._ "Dear me! but at such a distance as that--surely----" _Miss Priscilla._ "Ah, but with a _telescope_, you know!"] * * * * * THE SEASIDE PHOTOGRAPHER [Illustration] I do not mean the Kodak fiend, Who takes snap-shots of ladies dipping, And gloats o'er sundry views he's gleaned Of amatory couples "tripping." No, not these playful amateurs I sing of, but the serious artist, Who spreads upon the beach his lures, What time the season's at its smartest. His tongue is glib, his terms are cheap, For ninepence while you wait he'll take you; Posterity shall, marv'lling, keep The "tin-type" masterpiece he'll make you. What though his camera be antique, His dark-room just a nose-bag humble, What if his tripod legs are weak, And threaten constantly to tumble. No swain nor maiden can withstand His invitation arch, insidious, To pose _al fresco_ on the strand-- His _clientèle_ are not fastidious. "You are so lovely", says the wretch, "Your picture will be quite entrancing!" And to the lady in the sketch I overheard him thus romancing. * * * * * [Illustration: THE RULING PASSION _Sir Talbot Howard Vere de Vere._ "Ah! Good morning, Mrs. Jones! Dreadful accident just occurred. Poor young lady riding along the King's Road--horse took fright--reared, and fell back upon her--dreadfully injured, I'm sorry to say!" _Mrs. Woodbee Swellington Jones._ "_Quite_ too shocking, dear Sir Talbot! Was she--er--a person of position?" _Sir Talbot Howard Vere de Vere._ "POSITION, by George!! Dooced uncomfortable position, too, I should say!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD _Bertie._ "Gertie, do just go back to the beach and fetch me a baby (you'll find a lot about), and I'll show you all the different ways of saving it from drowning!"] * * * * * ANNALS OF A WATERING-PLACE THAT HAS "SEEN ITS DAY" [Illustration: TYNEMOUTH] The weather which, in Mr. Dunstable's varied experience of five-and-twenty years, he assures me, has never been so bad, having at length afforded some indications of "breaking", I make the acquaintance, through Mrs. Cobbler, of Mr. Wisterwhistle, proprietor of the one bath-chair available for the invalid of Torsington-on-Sea, who, like myself, stands in need of the salubrious air of that health-giving resort, but who is ordered by his medical adviser to secure it with the least possible expenditure of physical strength. Both Mr. Wisterwhistle and his chair are peculiar in their respective ways, and each has a decided history. Mr. Wisterwhistle, growing confidential over his antecedents, says, "You see, sir, I wasn't brought up to the bath-chair business, so to speak, for I began in the Royal Navy, under His Majesty King William the Fourth. Then I took to the coastguard business, and having put by a matter of thirty pound odd, and hearing 'she' was in the market,"--Mr. Wisterwhistle always referred to his bath-chair as 'she,' evidently regarding it from the nautical stand-point as of the feminine gender,--"and knowing, saving your presence, sir, that old Bloxer, of whom I bought her, had such a good crop of cripples the last season or two, that he often touched two-and-forty shillings a week with 'em, I dropped Her Majesty's service, and took to this 'ere. But, Lor, sir, the business ain't wot it wos. Things is changed woeful at Torsington since I took her up. Then from 9 o'clock, as you might say, to 6 P.M., every hour was took up; and, mind you, by real downright 'aristocracy,'--real live noblemen, with gout on 'em, as thought nothink of a two hours' stretch, and didn't 'aggle, savin' your presence, over a extra sixpence for the job either way. But, bless you, wot's it come to now? Why, she might as well lay up in a dry dock arf the week, for wot's come of the downright genuine invalid, savin' your presence, blow'd if I knows. One can see, of course, sir, in arf a jiffy, as you is touched in the legs with the rheumatics, or summat like it; but besides you and a old gent on crutches from Portland Buildings, there ain't no real invalid public 'ere at all, and one can't expect to make a livin' out of you two; for if you mean to do the thing ever so 'ansome, it ain't reasonable to expect you and the old gent I was a referring to, to stand seven hours a day goin' up and down the Esplanade between you, and you see even that at a bob an hour ain't no great shakes when you come to pay for 'ousing her and keepin' her lookin' spic and span, with all her brass knobs a shining and her leather apron fresh polished with patent carriage blackin': and Lor, sir, you'd not b'lieve me if I was to tell you what a deal of show some parties expects for their one bob an hour. Why, it was only the other day that Lady Glumpley (a old party with a front of black curls and yaller bows in her bonnet, as I dare say you've noticed me a haulin' up and down the Parade when the band's a playin'), says to me, says she, 'It ain't so much the easygoin' of your chair, Mr. Wisterwhistle, as makes me patronise it, as its general genteel appearance. For there's many a chair at Brighton that can't hold a candle to it!'" But at this point he was interrupted by the appearance of a dense crowd that half filled the street, and drew up in silent expectation opposite my front door. Dear me, I had quite forgotten I had sent for him. But the boy who cleans the boots and knives has returned, and brought with him _the One Policeman_! [Illustration: INDIAMAN GOING INTO PORT] * * * * * QUERY AT SOME FASHIONABLE SEASIDE RESORT.--Do the unpleasant odours noticeable at certain times arise from the fact of the tide being high? If so, is the tide sometimes higher than usual, as the--ahem!--odours certainly are? * * * * * [Illustration: PERIL! _Gruff Voice_ (_behind her--she thought she heard her own name_). "She's a gettin' old, Bill, and she sartain'y ain't no beauty! But you and I'll smarten her up! Give her a good tarrin' up to the waist, and a streak o' paint, and they 'ont know her again when the folks come down a' Whitsun'. Come along, and let's ketch 'old of her, and shove her into the water fust of all!!" _Miss Isabella._ "Oh! the horrid wretches! No policeman in sight! Nothing for it but flight!" [Is off like a bird! ] * * * * * [Illustration: PREHISTORIC PEEPS There were even then quiet spots by the sea where one could be alone with Nature undisturbed] * * * * * [Illustration: A SENSE OF PROPERTY _Botanical Old Gent_ (_in the Brighton Gardens_). "Can you tell me, my good man, if this plant belongs to the 'Arbutus' family?" _Gardener_ (_curtly_). "No, sir, it doan't. It b'longs to the Corporation!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE MINOR ILLS OF LIFE Portrait of a gentleman attempting to regain his tent after the morning bath] * * * * * [Illustration: MERMAIDS' TOILETS IN '67 _Blanche._ "I say, some of you, call after aunty! She has taken my _chignon_, and left me her horrid black one!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LOW TIDE ON SCARBOROUGH SANDS--BATHING UNDER DIFFICULTIES The captain, who is well up in his classics, translates, for his Fanny's benefit, a celebrated Latin poem (by one Lucretius) to the effect that it is sweet to gaze from the cliff at the bathing machines vainly struggling to take the unfortunate bathers into deep water.] * * * * * [Illustration: SEASIDE PUZZLE To find your bathing-machine if you've forgotten the number] * * * * * [Illustration: VENUS (ANNO DOMINI 1892) RISES FROM THE SEA!!] * * * * * SEASIDE DRAMA.--_Mrs. de Tomkyns_ (_sotto voce, to Mr. de T._). "Ludovic, dear, there's Algernon playing with a strange child! _Do_ prevent it!" _Mr. de T._ (_ditto, to Mrs. de T._). "How on earth am I to prevent it, my love?" _Mrs. de T._ "Tell its parents Algernon is just recovering from scarlet fever, or something!" _Mr. de T._ "But it isn't true!" _Mrs. de T._ "Oh, never mind! Tell them, all the same!" _Mr. de T._ (_aloud_). "Ahem! Sir, you'd better not let your little girl play with my little boy. He's only just recovering from--er--_Scarlet Fever_!" _Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins_ (_together_). "It's all right, sir!--_so's our little gal!_" * * * * * [Illustration: MIXED BATHING _Fussy Landlady_ (_to new Lodger_). "Well, sir, if you'll only tell me when you want a bath, _I'll see you have it_."] * * * * * BY THE SEASIDE (_A Gasp and a Growl from Paterfamilias Fogey_) [Illustration] In for it here, Six weeks or more, Once every year (Yah, what a bore!) Daughters and wife Force me to bide Mad to "see life" By the seaside! Go out of town What if we do? Hither comes down All the world too; Vanity Fair, Fashion and Pride, Seeking fresh air By the seaside. Drest up all hands-- Raiment how dear!-- Down on the sands, Out on the Pier, Pace to and fro, See, as at Ryde, Off how they show By the seaside! Fops and fine girls, Swarm, brisk as bees; Ribbons and curls Float on the breeze; Females and males Eye and are eyed; Ogling prevails By the seaside! Daughters may see Some fun in that. Wife, how can she, Grown old and fat? Scene I survey But to deride, Idle display By the seaside. Views within reach, Picturesque scenes, Rocks on the beach, Bathing machines, Shingle and pools, Left by the tide, Youth, far from schools, By the seaside. Artists may sketch, Draw and design, Pencil, or etch; Not in my line. Money, no end, Whilst I am tied Here, I must spend, By the seaside! * * * * * [Illustration: _Snooks_ (_to new acquaintance_). "Tell yer what, look in one evenin' and 'ave a bit of supper, if you don't mind 'avin it in the kitchen. Yer see, we're plain people, and don't put on no side. Of course, I know as a toff like you 'ud 'ave it in the _drawing-room_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TORQUAY (TALKEY)] * * * * * [Illustration: HASTINGS] * * * * * [Illustration: GENTILITY IN GREENS _Mrs. Brown finds Sandymouth a very different place from what she remembers it years ago._ _Greengrocer._ "Cabbage, mum!? We don't keep no second-class vegetables, mum. You'll get it at the lower end o' the town!"] * * * * * SEASIDE VIEWS [Illustration: KINGSWEAR] _Tom Jones_ (_in love_). The most heavenly place I ever was in. The sun is warmer, the sky bluer, the sea the calmest I ever knew. Joy sparkles on every pebble; Art spreads its welcome arms through every spray of seaweed. True happiness encircles me on every breeze, and Beauty is by my side. _Old Jones._ Beastly slow. All sea and sky, and ugly round stones. You can't bask in the sun because there is none--it's always raining--and because the flints worry your back. Confound the children, scraping up the wet sand and smelling seaweeds! It must be time for them to go to bed or to lessons or something. Wherever you sit there is sure to be a draught, and such heaps of old women you can't put your legs up on the seat. Hang it all, there isn't a young girl in the place, let alone pretty ones. [Illustration: O-SHUN SHELLS!] _Young Brown_ (_waiting for a Commission_). Awfully dull. Quite too excessively detestable. Not a fellow to talk to, you know, who knows anything about the Leger, or draw-poker, or modern education, you know. Can't get introduced to Lady Tom Peeper. Nobody to do it. Wish my moustache would curl. Pull it all day, you know, but it won't come. Lady Tom smiled, on the Parade to-day. Got very red, but I shall smile too to-morrow. A man must do something in this dreadful place. _Major Brown_ (_Heavies_). Not half bad kind of diggings. Quite in clover. Found Lydia here--I mean Lady Tom Peeper. Horribly satirical woman, though. Keeps one up to the mark. I shall have to read up to keep pace with her. I shouldn't like to be chaffed by her. Better friend than enemy. Poor Tom Peeper! he must have a bad time of it! Can't say "Bo" to a gosling. And she knows it. That's why he never comes down here. Coast clear. Fancy she's rather sweet on me. By Jove! we had a forty-mile-an-hour-express flirtation before her marriage! Must take care what I'm about now. Mustn't have a collision with Tom--good old man, after all, if he is a fool. Take this note round, Charles, to the same place. [Illustration: A CUTTER ON THE BEECH] _Mrs. Robinson_ (_Materfamilias_). Scarcely room to swing a cot, for baby. Thank goodness, all the children are on the beach. I hope Mary Ann won't let out to the other nurses that Totty had the scarlet fever. He's quite well now, poor little man, and no one will be any the worse for it. Horrid! of course. No, it is not a Colorado beetle, Robinson. They infest the curtains; we did not bring them with us in our trunks. Do go out and buy some insect-powder, instead of looking stupid behind that nasty cigar. Oh, and get some soap and some tooth-powder, and order baby's tonic, and Jane's iron--mind, sesqui-sulphate of iron (I suppose I must find the prescription), and a box of--what's that stuff for sore throats? And do hire a perambulator with a hood. And we have no dessert for to-morrow--you know, or you ought to know, it's Sunday. Some fruit, and what you like. Oh! and don't forget some biscuits for the dog. What has become of Tiny? Tiny! Tiny! I know he did not go with the children. I dare say he has eaten something horrid, and is dying under a chair. Dear! dear! who would be mother of a family with such a careless, thoughtless, quite too utterly selfish husband as you are. Of course you never remembered to-day was my birthday. I ought never to have been born. A bracelet or a pair of ear-rings--or, by the way, I saw a lovely châtelaine on the Parade. You might find enough to give me one pleasure since our wedding. _Robinson_ (_Paterfamilias_). I like the seaside, I do. When will it be over? * * * * * [Illustration: A SANDY COVE] * * * * * [Illustration: A FRAGMENT Augustus knows a certain snug retreat-- A little rocky cavern by the sea-- Where, sheltered from the rain (and every eye), He fondly hopes to breathe his tale of love Into his artless Arabella's ear!...] * * * * * [Illustration: LONGING FOR A NEW SENSATION _Jack_ (_a naughty boy, who is always in disgrace, and most deservedly_). "I say, Effie, do you know what I should like? I should like to be accused of something I'd never done!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A LAMENT _Dowager._ "It's been the worst season I can remember, Sir James! All the men seem to have got married, and none of the girls!"] * * * * * [Illustration: JOYS OF THE SEASIDE _Brown._ "What beastly weather! And the glass is going steadily down!" _Local Tradesman._ "Oh, that's nothing, sir. The glass has no effect whatever on _our_ part of the coast!"] * * * * * THE BETTER THE DAY, THE BETTER THE TALK! [Illustration: BROAD-STARES] SCENE--_Any fashionable Watering-place where "Church Parade" is a recognised institution._ TIME--_Sunday_, 1 P.M. _Enter_ Brown _and_ Mrs. Brown, _who take chairs_. _Mrs. Brown._ Good gracious! Look another way! Those odious people, the Stiggingses, are coming towards us! _Brown._ Why odious? I think the girls rather nice. _Mrs. B._ (_contemptuously_). Oh, _you_ would, because men are so easily taken in! Nice, indeed! Why, here's Major Buttons. _B._ (_moving his head sharply to the right_). Don't see him! Can't stand the fellow! I always avoid him at the Club! _Mrs. B._ Why? Soldiers are always such pleasant men. _B._ (_contemptuously_). Buttons a soldier! Years ago he was a Lieutenant in a marching regiment, and now holds honorary rank in the Volunteers! Soldier, indeed! Bless me! here's Mrs. Fitz-Flummery--mind you don't cut her. _Mrs. B._ Yes, I shall; the woman is unsupportable. Did you ever see _such_ a dress. And she has changed the colour of her hair--again! _B._ Whether she has or hasn't, she looks particularly pleasing. _Mrs. B._ (_drily_). You were always a little eccentric in your taste! Why, surely there must be Mr. Pennyfather Robson. How smart he looks! Where _can_ he have come from? _B._ The Bankruptcy Court! (_Drily._) You were never particularly famous for discrimination. As I live, the Plantagenet Smiths! [_He bows with effusion._ _Mrs. B._ And the Stuart Joneses. (_She kisses her hand gushingly_). By the way, dear, didn't you say that the Plantagenet Smiths were suspected of murdering their uncle before they inherited his property? _B._ So it is reported, darling. And didn't you tell me, my own, that the parents of Mr. Stuart Jones were convicts before they became millionaires? _Mrs. B._ So I have heard, loved one. (_Starting up._) Come, Charley, we must be off at once! The Goldharts! If they catch us, _she_ is sure to ask me to visit some of her sick poor! _B._ And _he_ to beg me to subscribe to an orphanage or a hospital! Here, take your prayer-book, or people won't know that we have come from church! [_Exeunt hurriedly._ * * * * * [Illustration: ROW ME O!] * * * * * [Illustration: CURLEW] * * * * * AT SCARBOROUGH.--_Miss Araminta Dove._ Why do they call this the Spa? _Mr. Rhino-Ceros._ Oh! I believe the place was once devoted to boxing exhibitions. [_Miss A.D. as wise as ever._ * * * * * [Illustration: "BY THE SAD SEA WAVES" _Landlady_ (_who has just presented her weekly bill_). "I 'ope, ma'am, as you find the bracing hair agree with you, ma'am, and your good gentleman, ma'am!" _Lady._ "Oh, yes, our appetites are wonderfully improved! For instance, at home we only eat two loaves a day, and I find, from your account, that we can manage eight!" [_Landlady feels uncomfortable._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: RATHER DIFFICULT "Oh, I say, here comes that dismal bore, Bulkley! Let's pretend _we don't see him_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PESSIMISM _Artist_ (_irritated by the preliminaries of composition and the too close proximity of an uninteresting native_). "I think you needn't wait any longer. There's really nothing to look at just now." _Native._ "Ay, an' I doot there'll _never_ be muckle to look at there!"] * * * * * THE DONKEY-BOYS OF ENGLAND (_A Song for the Seaside_) [Illustration] The Donkey-Boys of England, how merrily they fly, With pleasant chaff upon the tongue and cunning in the eye. And oh! the donkeys in a mass how patiently they stand, High on the heath of Hampstead, or down on Ramsgate's sand. The Donkey-Boys of England, how sternly they reprove The brute that won't "come over", with an impressive shove; And oh! the eel-like animals, how gracefully they swerve From side to side, but won't advance to spoil true beauty's curve. The Donkey-Boys of England, how manfully they fight, When a probable donkestrian comes suddenly in sight; From nurse's arms the babies are clutch'd with fury wild, And on a donkey carried off the mother sees her child. The Donkey-Boys of England, how sternly they defy The pleadings of a parent's shriek, the infant's piercing cry; As a four-year-old MAZEPPA is hurried from the spot, Exposed to all the tortures of a donkey's fitful trot. The Donkey-Boys of England, how lustily they scream, When they strive to keep together their donkeys in a team; And the riders who are anxious to be class'd among genteels, Have a crowd of ragged Donkey-boys "hallooing" at their heels. The Donkey-Boys of England, how well they comprehend The animal to whom they act as master, guide, and friend; The understanding that exists between them who'll dispute-- Or that the larger share of it falls sometimes to the brute? * * * * * [Illustration: THE JETTY] * * * * * SEASIDE ACQUAINTANCES (SCENE--The Shady Side of Pall Mall).--_Snob._ My Lord, you seem to forget me. Don't you recollect our meeting this summer at Harrogate? _Swell._ My dear fellow, I do not forget it in the least. I recollect vividly we swore eternal friendship at Harrogate, and should it be my fate to meet you at Harrogate next year, I shall only be too happy to swear it again. [_Lifts his chapeau, and leaves Snob in a state of the most speechless amazement._ * * * * * [Illustration: Portrait of a gentleman who sent his wife and family to the seaside, followed by a later train, and left their address behind. [_Sketched after five hours' futile search for them._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: A VOICE FROM THE SEA "O let me kiss him for his mother!"] * * * * * REASONS FOR GOING TO BRIGHTON (_By the Cynic who stays in London_) [Illustration: "HA! RICH!"] Because "everybody" is there, and it is consequently so pleasant to see St. John's Wood, Bayswater, and even Belgravia, so well represented on the Esplanade. Because the shops in the King's Road are _nearly_ as good as those to be found in Regent Street. Because the sea does not _always_ look like the Thames at Greenwich in a fog. Because some of the perambulating bands play very nearly in tune. Because the Drive from the Aquarium to the New Pier is quite a mile in length, and only grows monotonous after the tenth turn. Because watching fish confined in tanks is such rollicking fun. Because the Hebrews are so numerously represented on the Green. Because the Clubs are so inexpensive and select. Because the management of the Grand is so very admirable. Because it is so pleasant to follow the Harriers on a hired hack in company with other hired hacks. Because the half-deserted Skating Rinks are so very amusing. Because it is so nice to hear second-rate scandal about third-rate people. Because the place is not always being visited by the scarlet fever. Because it is so cheerful to see the poor invalids taking their morning airing in their bath-chairs. Because the streets are paraded by so many young gentlemen from the City. Because the Brighton belles look so ladylike in their quiet Ulsters and unpretending hats. Because the suburbs are so very cheerful in the winter, particularly when it snows or rains. Because on every holiday the Railway Company brings down such a very nice assortment of excursionists to fill the streets. Because Brighton in November is so very like Margate in July. Because, if you did not visit Brighton, you might so very easily go farther and fare worse. * * * * * [Illustration: WESTON-SUPER-MARE] * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE--BY THE SAD SEA WAVES _Tomkins, disconsolate on a rock, traces some characters upon the sand._ _To him, Mrs. Tomkins_ (_whose name is Martha_). _Mrs. T._ "Well, Mr. Tomkins, and pray who may Henrietta be?" [_Tomkins utters a yell of despair, and falls prostrate._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: A VIKING ON MODERN FASHION "What does t'lass want wi' yon _boostle_ for? It aren't big enough to _smoggle_ things, and she can't _steer_ herself wi' it!"] * * * * * THE TRIPPER (_By a Resident_) What does he come for? What does he want? Why does he wander thus Careworn and gaunt? Up street and down street with Dull vacant stare, Hither and thither, it Don't matter where? What does he mean by it? Why does he come Hundreds of miles to prowl, Weary and glum, Blinking at Kosmos with Lack-lustre eye? He doesn't enjoy it, he Don't even try! Sunny or soaking, it's All one to him, Wandering painfully-- Curious whim! Gazing at china-shops. Gaping at sea, Guzzling at beer-shops, or Gorging at tea. Why don't he stay at home, Save his train fare, Soak at his native beer, Sunday clothes wear? No one would grudge it him, No one would jeer. Why does he come away? Why is he here? * * * * * [Illustration: BLACKPOOL] * * * * * [Illustration: BRIGHTON] * * * * * [Illustration: MARGATE] * * * * * [Illustration: A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTANDING _Landlady._ "I hope you slept well, sir?" _New Boarder._ "No, I didn't. I've been troubled with insomnia." _Landlady._ "Look here, young man. I'll give you a sovereign for every one you find in that bed!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TOUCHING APPEAL _Testy Old Gent._ (_wearied by the importunities of the Brighton boatmen_). "Confound it, man! Do I _look_ as if I wanted a boat?"] * * * * * ROBERT AT THE SEASIDE I've bin spending my long Wacation of a fortnite at Northgate. Northgate's a nice quiet place, Northgate is, tho' it quite fails in most things that constitoots reel injoyment at the seaside, such as Bands and Niggers and Minstrels and all that. It's a grand place for weather, for it generally blows hard at Northgate, and wen it doesn't blow hard it rains hard, which makes a nice change, and a change is wot we all goes to the seaside for. It seems a werry favrite place for inwaleeds, for the place is full on 'em, Bath cheers is in great demand and all the seats on the Prade is allus occypied by 'em. Dr. Scratchem too sends most of his favrite cases there, and you can't walk on the Peer without facing lots on 'em. Brown says the place makes him as sollem as a Common Cryer, and he hasn't had a good hearty larf since he came here, but then Brown isn't quite sattisfied with his Lodgings, and has acshally recommended his Land Lady to turn her house into the Norfolk Howard Hotel, _Unlimited_, so perhaps she may account for his want of spirits. Northgate's rather a rum place as regards the tide. Wen it's eye it comes all over the place and makes such a jolly mess, and wen it's low it runs right out to sea and you can't see it. Brown tried to persuade me as how as one werry eye tide was a spring tide, but as it was in September I wasn't so green as to beleeve that rubbish. It seems quite a pet place for Artists, I mean Sculpchers, at least I s'pose they must be Sculpchers, and that they brings their Moddels with 'em, for the Bathing Machines is stuck close to the Peer, so dreckly after breakfast the Moddels goes and bathes in the Sea, and the Sculpchers goes on the Peer, and there's nothink to divert their attention from their interesting studdys, and many on 'em passes ours there quietly meditating among the Bathing Machines. Brown says, in his sarcastic way, it's the poor Sculpchers as comes here, who can't afford to pay for their Moddels, so they comes here and gets 'em free gratis for nothink. There's sum werry nice walks in the nayberhood but I never walks 'em, for it seems to me that the grate joke of every Buysicler and Trysicler, and the place swarms with 'em, is to cum quietly behind you and see how close he can go by you without nocking you down. I'm sure the jumps and the starts and the frites as I had the fust day or too kep my Art in my mouth till I thort it would have choked me. How Ladys, reel Ladys too, can expose theirselves on such things I can't make out. I herd a young Swell say that wot with them and what with the Bathing Moddels it was as good as a Burlesk! We've got werry cumferrabel Lodgings, we have, just opposite the Gas Works and near a Brick Field. When the wind is South or West we smells the bricks and when its East we smells the Gas, but when its doo North we don't smell nuffen excep just a trifle from the Dranes, and so long as we keeps quite at the end of the werry long Peer we don't smell nuffen at all excep the sea weed. Our Landlord's a werry respeckabel man and the Stoker on our little Railway, and so werry fond of nussing our little children that they are allus as black as young Sweeps. Their gratest treat is to go with him to the Stashun and stand on the ingin when they are shuntin, so preshus little they gits of the sea breezes. We've had a fust rate Company staying here. I've seen no less than 2 Aldermen, and 1 Warden of a City Compny, but they didn't stay long. I don't think the living was good enuff for 'em. It must be a werry trying change, from every luxery that isn't in season, to meer beef and mutton and shrimps! and those rayther course. I think our Boatmen is about the lazyest set of fellows as ever I seed. So far from begging on you to have a soft Roe with the Tide, or a hard Roe against it, they makes all sorts of egscewses for not taking you, says they're just a going to dinner, or they thinks the wind's a gitting up, or there ain't enough water! Not enuff water in the Sea to flote a Bote! wen any one could see as there was thousands of galluns there. I saw some on 'em this mornin bringin in sum fish, and asked the price of a pair of Souls, but they axshally said they didn't dare sell one, for every man Jack of 'em must be sent to Billingsgate! but werry likely sum on 'em might be sent back again in the arternoon, and then I could get some at the Fishmonger's! What a nice derangemunt! There was the butiful fresh fish reddy for eating, there was me and my family reddy to eat 'em, but no, they must be packed in boxes and carried to the Station and then sent by Rale to London, and then sent by Wan to Billingsgate, and that takes I'm told ever so many hours, and then carried back to the London Stashun, and then sent by Rale to Northgate, and then carried from the Stashun to the Fishmonger's, and then I'm allowed to buy 'em! Well if that isn't a butiful business like arrangement, my Lord Mare, I should like to know what is. However, as I wunce herd a Deputy say, when things cums to their wust, things is sure to mend, and I don't think that things can be much wusser than that. (_Signed_) ROBERT. * * * * * [Illustration: LIGHT PUFFS RAISED A LITTLE SWELL] * * * * * [Illustration: HEAVY SWELL ON THE BAR] * * * * * [Illustration: THE BELL BUOY] * * * * * THE SPIRIT OF THE THING.--_Landlady_ (_to shivering lodger_). No, sir, I don't object to your dining at a restorong, nor to your taking an 'apenny paper, but I must resent your constant 'abit of locking up your whiskey, thereby himplying that me, a clergyman's daughter, is prone to larceny. [_Lodger immediately hands her the key as a guarantee of good faith._ * * * * * [Illustration: THE BORES OF THE BEACH So! as it's a fine day, you'll sit on the beach and read the paper comfortably, will you? Very good! Then we recommend you to get what guinea-pigs, brandy-balls, boats, and children's socks, to say nothing of shell-workboxes, lace collars, and the like you may want, before you settle down.] * * * * * [Illustration: "Excuse me, sir. I seem to have met you before. Are you not a relative of Mr. Dan Briggs?" "No, madam. I _am_ Mr. Dan Briggs himself." "Ah, then that explains the remarkable resemblance!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ACCOMMODATING _Lodger._ "And then, there's that cold pheasant, Mrs. Bilkes"---- _Landlady._ "Yes'm, and if you should have enough without it, lor', Mr. Bilkes wouldn't mind a eatin' of it for his supper, if that's all."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mrs. Brown._ "Might I ask how much you gave that nigger?" _Mr. Brown_ (_first day down_). "Sixpence." _Mrs. B._ "Oh, indeed! Perhaps, sir, you are not aware that your wife and family have listened to those same niggers for the last ten days for a _penny_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PLEASURES OF THE SEASIDE _Mermaiden._ "I am told you keep a circulating library?" _Librarian._ "Yes, miss. _There_ it is! Subscription, two shillings a-week; one volume at a time; change as often as you please! Would you like to see a catalogue?"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN INFORMAL INTRODUCTION _Polite Little Girl_ (_suddenly_). "This is my mamma, sir. Will you please sing her, 'It's the seasoning wot does it!'"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUT OF TOWN (UNFASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE) _Visitor._ "What a roaring trade the hotels will be doing, with all these holiday folk!" _Head waiter at The George._ "Lor bless yer, sir, no! They all bring their nosebags with 'em!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SEASIDE STUDIES _Wandering Minstrel._ "Gurls! I'm a doocid fine cha-appie!" &c., &c.] * * * * * [Illustration: Wiggles and Sprott prefer bathing from the beach to having a stuffy machine. They are much pleased with the delicate little attention indicated above!] * * * * * [Illustration: A QUIET DRIVE BY THE SEA A Brighton bath-chairman's idea of a suitable route for an invalid lady] * * * * * A SEASIDE ROUNDEL On the sands as loitering I stand Where my point of view the scene commands, I survey the prospect fair and grand On the sands. Niggers, half a dozen German bands, Photographic touts, persistent, bland, Chiromancers reading dirty hands, Nursemaids, children, preachers, skiffs that land Trippers with cigars of fearful brands, Donkeys--everything, in short, but sand-- On the sands. * * * * * [Illustration: THE LETTER BUT NOT THE SPIRIT Old Mr. de Cramwell, being bilious and out of sorts, is ordered to go to the sea, and take plenty of exercise in the open air. (He begins at once.)] * * * * * COMMON OBJECTS OF THE SEASHORE. [Illustration: TAKING A ROW] The "disguised minstrel", believed by the public to be a peer of the realm collecting coin for a charity, but who is in reality the sentimental singer from a perambulating troop of nigger banjoists, "working on his own." The preacher whose appreciation of the value of logic and the aspirate is on a par. The intensely military young man whose occupation during eleven months in the year is the keeping of ledgers in a small city office. The artist who guarantees a pleasing group of lovers for sixpence, frame included. The band that consists of a cornet, a trombone, a clarionet, some bass, and a big drum, which is quite as effective (thanks to the trombone) when all the principals have deserted in search of coppers. And last (and commonest of all) the cockney who, after a week's experience of the discomforts of the seaside, is weary of them, and wants to go home. * * * * * A WINDY CORNER AT BRIGHTON (_By an Impressionist_) Old lady first, with hair like winter snows, Makes moan. And struggles. Then, with cheeks too richly rose, A crone, Gold hair, new teeth, white powder on her nose; All bone And skin; an "Ancient Mystery", like those Of Hone. Then comes a girl; sweet face that freshly glows! Well grown. The neat cloth gown her supple figure shows Now thrown In lines of beauty. Last, in graceless pose, Half prone, A luckless lout, caught by the blast, one knows His tone Means oaths; his hat, straight as fly crows, Has flown. I laugh at him, and----Hi! By Jove, there goes My own! * * * * * ON THE SANDS (_A Sketch at Margate_) _Close under the Parade wall a large circle has been formed, consisting chiefly of Women on chairs and camp-stools, with an inner ring of small Children, who are all patiently awaiting the arrival of a troupe of Niggers. At the head of one of the flights of steps leading up to the Parade, a small and shrewish Child-nurse is endeavouring to detect and recapture a pair of prodigal younger Brothers, who have given her the slip._ _Sarah_ (_to herself_). Wherever can them two plegs have got to? (_Aloud; drawing a bow at a venture._) Albert! 'Enery! Come up 'ere this minnit. _I_ see yer! _'Enery_ (_under the steps--to Albert_). I say--d'ye think she _do_?--'cos if---- _Albert._ Not she! Set tight. [_They sit tight._ _Sarah_ (_as before_). 'Enery! Albert! You've bin and 'alf killed little Georgie between yer! _'Enery_ (_moved, to Albert_). Did you 'ear that, Bert? It wasn't _me_ upset him--was it now? _Albert_ (_impenitent_). 'Oo cares? The Niggers'll be back direckly. _Sarah._ Al-bert! 'Enery! Your father's bin down 'ere once after you. You'll _ketch_ it! _Albert_ (_sotto voce_). Not till father ketches _us_, we shan't. Keep still, 'Enery--we're all right under 'ere! _Sarah_ (_more diplomatically_). 'Enery! Albert! Father's bin and left a 'ap'ny apiece for yer. Ain't yer comin' up for it? If yer don't want it, why, stay where you are, that's all! _Albert_ (_to 'Enery_). I _knoo_ we 'adn't done nothin'. An' I'm goin' up to git that 'ap'ny, I am. _'Enery._ So 'm I. [_They emerge, and ascend the steps--to be pounced upon immediately by the ingenious Sarah._ _Sarah._ 'Ap'ny, indeed! You won't git no 'apence _'ere_, I can tell yer--so jest you come along 'ome with me! [_Exeunt Albert and 'Enery, in captivity, as the Niggers enter the circle._ _Bones._ We shall commence this afternoon by 'olding our Grand Annual Weekly Singing Competition, for the Discouragement of Youthful Talent. Now then, which is the little gal to step out first and git a medal? (_The Children giggle, but remain seated._) Not one? Now I arsk _you_--What _is_ the use o' me comin' 'ere throwin' away thousands and thousands of pounds on golden medals, if you won't take the trouble to stand up and sing for them? Oh, you'll make me so wild, I shall begin spittin' 'alf-sovereigns directly--I _know_ I shall! (_A little Girl in a sun-bonnet comes forward._) Ah, 'ere's a young lady who's bustin' with melody, _I_ can see. Your name, my dear? Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the pleasure to announce that Miss Connie Cockle will now appear. Don't curtsey till the Orchestra gives the chord. (_Chord from the harmonium--the Child advances, and curtsies with much aplomb._) Oh, lor! call _that_ a curtsey--that's a _cramp_, that is! Do it all over again! (_The Child obeys, disconcerted._) That's _worse_! I can see the s'rimps blushin' for yer inside their paper bags! Now see Me do it. (_Bones executes a caricature of a curtsey, which the little Girl copies with terrible fidelity._) That's _ladylike_--that's genteel. Now sing _out_! (_The Child sings the first verse of a popular music-hall song, in a squeaky little voice._) Talk about nightingales! Come 'ere, and receive the reward for extinguished incapacity. On your knees! (_The little Girl kneels before him while a tin medal is fastened upon her frock._) Rise, Sir Connie Cockle! Oh, you _lucky_ girl! [_The Child returns, swelling with triumph, to her companions, several of whom come out, and go through the same performance, with more or less squeakiness and self-possession._ _First Admiring Matron_ (_in audience_). I do like to see the children kep' out o' mischief like this, instead o' goin' paddling and messing about the sands! _Second Ad. Mat._ Just what _I_ say, my dear--they're amused and edjucated 'ow to beyave at the same time! _First Politician_ (_with the "Standard"_). No, but look here--when Gladstone was asked in the House whether he proposed to give the Dublin Parliament the control of the police, what was his answer. Why.... _The Niggers_ (_striking up chorus_). "'Rum-tumty diddly-umty doodah-dey! Rum-tumty-diddly-um was all that he could say. And the Members and the Speaker joined together in the lay. Of 'Rum-tumty-diddly-umty doodah-dey!'" _Second Pol._ (_with the "Star"_). Well, and what more would you have _'ad_ him say? Come, now! _Alf_ (_who has had quite enough ale at dinner--to his fiancée_). These Niggers ain't up to much Loo. Can't sing for _nuts_! _Chorley_ (_his friend, perfidiously_). You'd better go in and show 'em how, old man. Me and Miss Serge'll stay and see you take the shine out of 'em! _Alf._ P'raps you think I can't. But, if I was to go upon the 'Alls now, I should make my fortune in no time! Loo's 'eard me when I've been in form, and she'll tell you---- _Miss Serge._ Well, I will say there's many a professional might learn a lesson from Alf--whether Mr. Perkins believes it or not. [_Cuttingly, to "Chorley"._ _Chorley._ Now reelly, Miss Loo, don't come down on a feller like that. I want to see him do you credit, that's all, and he couldn't 'ave a better opportunity to distinguish himself--now _could_ he? _Miss Serge._ _I'm_ not preventing him. But I don't know--these Niggers keep themselves very select, and they might object to it. _Alf._ I'll soon square _them_. You keep your eye on me, and I'll make things a bit livelier! [_He enters the circle._ _Miss Serge_ (_admiringly_). He has got a cheek, I must say! Look at him, dancing there along with those two Niggers--they don't hardly know what to make of him yet! _Chorley._ Do you notice how they keep kicking him beyind on the sly like? I wonder he puts up with it! _Miss S._ He'll be even with them presently--you see if he isn't. [_Alf attempts to twirl a tambourine on his finger, and lets it fall; derision from audience; Bones pats him on the head and takes the tambourine away--at which Alf only smiles feebly._ _Chorley._ It's a pity he gets so 'ot dancing, and he don't seem to keep in step with the others. _Miss S._ (_secretly disappointed_). He isn't used to doing the double-shuffle on sand, that's all. _The Conductor._ Bones, I observe we have a recent addition to our company. Perhaps he'll favour us with a solo. (_Aside to Bones._) 'Oo _is_ he? 'Oo let him in 'ere--_you_? _Bones._ _I_ dunno. I thought _you_ did. Ain't he stood nothing? _Conductor._ Not a brass farden! _Bones_ (_outraged_). All right, you leave him to me. (_To Alf._) Kin it be? That necktie! them familiar coat-buttons! that paper-dicky! You are--you _are_ my long-lost convick son, 'ome from Portland! Come to these legs! (_He embraces Alf, and smothers him with kisses._) Oh, you've been and rubbed off some of your cheek on my complexion--you _dirty_ boy! (_He playfully "bashes" Alf's hat in._) Now show the comp'ny how pretty you can sing. (_Alf attempts a music-hall ditty, in which he, not unnaturally, breaks down._) It ain't my son's fault, Ladies and Gentlemen, it's all this little gal in front here, lookin' at him and makin' him shy! (_To a small Child, severely._) You oughter know _worse_, you ought! (_Clumps of seaweed and paper-balls are thrown at Alf who by this time is looking deplorably warm and foolish._) Oh, what a popilar fav'rite he is, to be sure! _Chorley_ (_to Miss S._). Poor fellow, he ain't no match for those Niggers--not like he is now! Hadn't I better go to the rescue, Miss Loo? _Miss S._ (_pettishly_). I'm sure I don't care _what_ you do. [_"Chorley" succeeds, after some persuasion, in removing the unfortunate Alf._ _Alf_ (_rejoining his fiancée with a grimy face, a smashed hat, and a pathetic attempt at a grin_). Well? I _done_ it, you see! _Miss S._ (_crushingly_). Yes, you _have_ done it! And the best thing you can do now, is to go home and wash your face. _I_ don't care to be seen about with a _laughing-stock_, I can assure you! I've had my dignity lowered quite enough as it is! _Alf._ But look 'ere, my dear girl, I can't leave you here all by yourself you know! _Miss S._ I dare say Mr. Perkins will take care of me. [_Mr. P. assents, with effusion._ _Alf_ (_watching them move away--with bitterness_). I wish all Niggers were put down by Act of Parliament, I do! Downright noosances--that's what _they_ are! * * * * * [Illustration: STOPPING AT A WATERING PLACE] * * * * * [Illustration: EAST-BORN] * * * * * [Illustration: WEST-BORN] * * * * * [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: TAKING IN SAIL] * * * * * DELAYS ARE DANGEROUS.--_Young Housekeeper._ "I'm afraid those soles I bought of you yesterday were not fresh. My husband said they were not nice at all!" _Brighton Fisherman._ "Well, marm, that be your fault--it bean't mine. I've offered 'em yer every day this week, and you might a' 'ad 'em o' Monday if you'd a loiked!" * * * * * AT MARGATE.--_Angelina_ (_very poetical, surveying the rolling ocean_). "Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink." _Edwin_ (_very practical_). No drink! Now, hang it all, Angy, if I've asked you once I've asked you three times within the last five minutes to come and do a split soda and whiskey! And _I_ can do with it! * * * * * [Illustration: THE LAST DAY AT THE SEASIDE--PACKING UP _Maid_ (_to Paterfamilias_). "Please, sir, missus say you're to come in, and sit on the boxes; because we can't get 'em to, and they wants to be corded."] * * * * * [Illustration: _The General._ "And what are you going to be when you grow up, young man?" _Bobbie._ "Well, I can't quite make up my mind. I don't know which would be nicest--a soldier, like you, or a sailor, like Mr. Smithers."] * * * * * [Illustration: "THEM ARTISES!" _Lady Artist._ "Do you belong to that ship over there?" _Sailor._ "Yes, miss." _Lady Artist._ "Then would you mind loosening all those ropes? They are much too tight, and, besides, I can't draw straight lines!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE DISORDER OF THE BATH] How Belinda Brown appeared with "waves all over her hair" before taking a bath in the sea--and How she looked after having some more "waves all over it."] * * * * * [Illustration: CAUTION TO BATHERS Don't let them jolt you up the beach till you are dressed. _Jones_ (_obliged to hold fast_). "Hullo! Hi! Somebody stop my boots!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A FIX _Separated husband._ "Fetch him out, sir!" _Proprietor of moke._ "Why, if I went near her, she'd lie down; she always goes in just before high water; nothing'll fetch her out till the tide turns!"] * * * * * THE HUSBANDS' BOAT, A MARGATE MELODY See! what craft Margate Harbour displays, There are luggers and cutters and yawls, They sail upon sunshiny days, For land-sailors arn't partial to squalls. There's Paterfamilias takes out the lot Of the progeny he may own, But the Saturday Evening boat has got A freight that is hers alone. By far the most precious of craft afloat, Is the Saturday Evening "Husbands' Boat". There are husbands with luggage, and husbands with none, There are husbands with parcels in hand, They bring down to wives whom they lately have won, Who pretty attentions command. There are husbands who know whate'er time it may be Their wives on the jetty will wait For that Hymeneal argosy, With its matrimonial freight. Oh! the most precious of craft afloat Is the Saturday Evening "Husbands' Boat". But the Monday Morning is "Monday black", That when at school we knew, For the husbands to business must all go back, And the wives look monstrous blue; So loud the bell rings, and the steamer starts On her way to Thames Haven again, And amid those who leave are as many sad hearts, As there are amid those who remain. Coming or going of craft afloat, The most prized one is the "Husbands' Boat". * * * * * [Illustration: FINIS! (THE END OF THE SEASON.)] * * * * * [Illustration: FINIS] * * * * * BRADBURY, AGNEW & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE. 38586 ---- MR. PUNCH'S COCKNEY HUMOUR [Illustration] * * * * * PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day. * * * * * [Illustration: ONE OF NATURE'S GALLANTS. _Loafer (to fair occupant on her way to Court)._ "Ullo, Ethel! All alone?"] * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S COCKNEY HUMOUR IN PICTURE AND STORY _WITH 133 ILLUSTRATIONS_ BY PHIL MAY, CHARLES KEENE, L. RAVEN-HILL, TOM BROWNE, C. SHEPPERSON, E. T. REED, BERNARD PARTRIDGE, J. A. SHEPHERD, G. D. ARMOUR, GEORGE DU MAURIER, AND OTHERS [Illustration] PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages, fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN * * * * * [Illustration] EDITOR'S NOTE Cockney humour smacks, of course, of the town and makes up in smartness and shrewdness what it lacks in mellowness. The Cockney is as a rule a conscious humorist; you laugh _with_ him very often, whereas you nearly always laugh _at_ the rustic humorist. George Du Maurier concerned himself a good deal with Cockney character, but he was not in sympathy with the Cockney; generally he had an obvious contempt for him, and most of his jokes turn on the dropped H, the mispronounced word, and educational deficiencies. He portrays some of the Cockney's superficial characteristics; he despises him too much to be able to get at the heart of him and reveal his character. Take Phil May's pictures and jokes, and the difference is at once apparent. He was fully alive to the Cockney's deficiencies of manner and culture; now and then he quite genially and without the least touch of scorn or self-complacency makes fun of them; but he really gives you the Cockney character. Take, for instance, such a picture as his "Politics and Gallantry," his "I say, 'Arry, don't we look frights!" his "Informal Introduction"--(the self-consciousness of the girl's expression, and the blatant pride of the man's)--here, and in almost any of his drawings you turn to, you have the absolutely natural Cockney; his types are full of character and so true and free from condescension that not only are we moved irresistibly to laugh at them, but the Cockney himself would be the first to recognise their truth and to laugh joyously at them too. We may say pretty much the same of Charles Keene, of Mr. Raven-Hill, of Mr. Bernard Partridge, and of others of the "Punch" artists represented here, who illustrate the essential Cockney character, and do not go on the easy assumption that dropped H's and mispronounced words and aggressive vulgarity are the beginning and the end of it. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration] MR. PUNCH'S COCKNEY HUMOUR "All's swell that ends swell," as 'Arry remarked when he purchased a pair of "misfits." * * * * * 'ARRY AND 'ARRIET'S FAVOURITE ITALIAN POET.--'Ariosto. * * * * * MOTHER WIT.--_First Coster._ I say, Bill, wot's the meanin' o' Congress? _Second Coster._ A shee heel. Female of conger. * * * * * A LONDONER'S RURAL REFLECTION.--The Hayfield is better than the Haymarket. * * * * * 'ARRY'S LAMENT "A public meeting was held at Hampstead last night to protest against the tampering with the Heath by tube railway promoters."--_Daily Paper._ Wot! Toobs on 'appy 'Amstid? A stytion at _Jack Strors_? I 'old the sime a bloomin' shim An' clean agin the lors, Leastwyes it oughter be-- If lors wos mide by me No toobs yer wouldn't see On 'appy 'Amstid. Wy, wheer are we ter go, Liz, Ter git a breath of air? Yer'll set yer teeth agin the 'eath When theer's a toob up there. A pinky-yaller stytion By wye o' deckyrytion-- I calls it desecrytion, 'Appy 'Amstid. Oh! sive us 'appy 'Amstid! It's Parrydise, you bet! Theer ain't no smoke ter 'arm a bloke. Nor yet no smuts as yet. An' so I 'opes they'll tell This bloomin' Yanky swell Ter send 'is toobs ter--well, Not 'appy 'Amstid! * * * * * [Illustration: THE WILD WILD EAST _First Coster._ "Say, Bill, 'ow d'yer like my new kickseys? Good fit, eh?" _Second Coster._ "Fit! They ain't no _fit_. They're a _haper-plictick stroke_!"] * * * * * NOTE BY A COCKNEY NATURALIST The common blackbeetles (_Scarabæus niger_) which so abundantly infest the culinary regions of Cockaigne are alleged to be agreeable, although profuse, in flavour, provided they be delicately larded before crimping, and then fricasseed or simply fried. Care should specially be taken not to injure their antennæ, which, when crisp with egg and breadcrumbs, exquisitely tickle the palate of the gourmet, and provoke him to the liveliest of gastronomic feats. There lurks in vulgar minds a savage prejudice against these interesting insects, by reason, very likely, of the popular impression that at times they have been manufactured into Soy. But this may be assumed to be mere idle superstition, and Soyer, the great _chef_, wisely set his face against it, remarking, as he did so, "_Honi Soy qui mal y pense._" Among the warblers which abound in the vicinity of the metropolis, one of the most interesting is the little mudlark (_Alauda Greenwichiensis_) whose plaintive cry may nightly be heard upon the shore of the river, where these little creatures congregate in flocks, and pick up any grub which they may chance to meet with. Doubts have been entertained by sundry Cockney naturalists whether the pyramids of oyster shells, which in the early part of August used to be noticed in the streets, should be regarded as a proof of the migratory habits of the mollusc. That the oyster is a sluggard and objects to leave his bed seems pretty generally admitted; but that he is endowed with the power of locomotion has, fortunately for science, been placed beyond a doubt. Whether oysters shed their shells when they are crossed in love is a point on which the naturalist is still somewhat in the dark. * * * * * SELF-EVIDENT.--It must have been a cockney who said that St. Bees came from St. 'Ives. * * * * * A DEAD LETTER.--Too often H. * * * * * [Illustration: "I say, Bill, 'ere comes two champion doners! Let's kid 'em 'at we're hofficers!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EPSOM UP TO DATE. _'Arry._ "Ain't ye comin' to see the 'orse run for yer money?" _Cholley._ "Not me! No bloomin' fear! I'm goin' to see this cove don't run _with_ my money!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ROYAL ALBERT HALL TO DAY AT 3 PATTI "I 'ear this 'ere Patti ain't _'arf_ bad!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Would you gentlemen like to look at the old church?" "Ho, yus. We're _nuts_ on old churches!"] * * * * * Quoth an eminent literary man, in the hearing of 'Arry, "All George Meredith's poetry might be republished under one title as 'Our Georgics.'" "Oo's 'Icks'?" asked 'Arry. * * * * * "THE TEACHING OF ERSE IN IRELAND."--"Well," says 'Arry, "it sounds uncommon funereal. O' course I knew an erse and plumes and coal black 'osses is what they call a 'moral lesson.' But why make such a fuss about it in Ireland?" * * * * * AN AWKWARD NAME.--'Arry, on a marine excursion, hearing mention made of the two sea-birds the great auk and the little auk, inquired if the little auk was a sparrow-'awk. * * * * * "He is the greatest liar on (H)earth," as the Cockney said of the lap-dog he often saw lying before the fire. * * * * * [Illustration: THE VERNACULAR. "Yer know that young Germin feller as come ter sty in our 'ouse six months agow? Well, w'en fust 'e come, I give yer my word'e didn' know nothink but 'is own lengwidge; but we bin learnin' 'im English, an' now e' can speak it puffick--jes' the sime as wot you an' me can."] * * * * * DINNER FOR THE H-LESS. GOOD EDUCATIONAL COURSE FOR AN UNEDUCATED COCKNEY.--An _aitch_-bone. * * * * * COCKNEYS AT ALDERSHOT.--_First Cockney._ "'Ere, 'Arry, where's the colonel?" _Second Cockney._ "The _colonel_, bless yer, 'e's in _an 'ut_." * * * * * HOUSEHOLD NOTE.--_(By a Cockney). What to do with cold mutton. H_eat it. * * * * * COCKNEY CONUNDRUM.--Wot lake in Hengland's got the glassiest buzzum? Windermere. * * * * * FOR CIVES ROMANI.--The way to 'Ampton races?--The 'Appy 'Un (Appian) of course. * * * * * [Illustration: _'Bus Conductor._ "Emmersmith! Emmersmith! 'Ere ye are Emmersmith!" _Liza Ann._ "Oo er yer callin' Emmer Smith? Sorcy 'ound!"] * * * * * [Illustration: POOR LETTER "A." "Do you sell type?"--"Type, sir? No, sir. This is an ironmonger's. You'll find type at the linendryper's over the w'y!" "I don't mean _tape_, man! _Type_, for _printing_!" "Oh, _toype_ yer mean! I beg yer pardon, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MYOPIA _Little Binks (to unsteady party who had lurched heavily against him)._ "I beg your pardon, I'm sure, but I'm very short-sighted----" _Dissipated Stranger._ "Do' mensh't, shir--I've met goo' many shor' sight peopl'sh morn', bu' you're firsh gen'l'm'sh made 'shli'sht 'pology!"] * * * * * OUR 'ARRY AGAIN! 'Arry _is at a hotel where the boarding system prevails, and sees the following notice posted on the walls--"Breakfast, 9 a.m."_ _'Arry (to Waiter)._ "Breakfast, and some 'am." _Waiter._ "We've no 'am." _'Arry._ "No 'am! _(Pointing to notice.)_ What's that?" * * * * * _Says one 'Arry to another 'Arry._ "I say, old man, the papers say they 'ope 1882 will be the openin' of a new era. What's that?" _Second 'Arry._ "Openin' of a new 'earer? Why, a telephone, of course, you juggins!" * * * * * A SONG FOR COCKNEY SPORTSMEN The hart's in the Highlands, Of that there's no fear, And 'tis there you may buy lands For stalking the deer: But the hills are no trifle, And they're windy and cold, So your wish you'd best stifle, Or buy, and be--sold. * * * * * [Illustration: GOOD NEWS _'Arry._ "T'aint no good miking a fuss about it, yer know, guv'nor! Me and my pals must 'ave our 'd'y out'!" _Foreign Fellow-traveller._ "Aha! Die out! You go to die out? Mon Dieu! I am vairy glad to 'ear it. It is time!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FORCE OF HABIT; OR, CITY SUSPICIONS _'Arry (who is foraging for his camping party)._ "Look here, my good woman, are these cabbages fresh?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Little Dobbs._ "Hullo! what's that? Looks like a mowing machine." _Hairdresser (who does not appreciate "chaff")._ "No, sir, 'tain't a mowin' machine. It's meant to give gentlemen fresh _h_air."] * * * * * [Illustration: BITING SARCASM _Gentleman with the Broom (who has inadvertently splashed the artist's favourite shipwreck)._ "Ow yus! I suppose yer think ye're the president o' the Roy'l Acadermy! A settin' there in the lap er luxury!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FOREIGN COMPETITION _British Habitual Criminal._ "Well, if these 'ere furrin aliens is a-goin' ter take the bread out of a honest man's mouth--blimey if I don't turn copper!"] * * * * * VERY APPROPRIATE.--Says 'Arry, "Regular good place for a medical man to live in is 'Ill Street, Berkeley Square. But why don't he cure it and make it Quite Well Street?" * * * * * COMMENT BY A COCKNEY Bad-Gastein! Sounds more fit than nice, and yet They say most healing waters there are had. Strange, though, that people fancy good to get By going to the Bad! * * * * * 'Arriet read from a daily paper, "Navigation in the Ouse." "I s'pose," said 'Arry, "as the members are goin' to 'ave a 'ouse-boat this season. Which 'ouse? Hupper or lower? Whichever's to steer? The Speaker or Lord 'Igh Chancellor?" * * * * * TWO DISTINCT CLASSES.--The aristocracy and the '_Arry_-stocracy. * * * * * [Illustration: WITHERING. _'Arry._ "I s'y--does one tip the witers 'ere?" _Alphonse._ "Not onless you are reecher zan ze vaiter, sare!"] * * * * * THE BLESSED HERITAGE ["Poverty is a blessed heritage."--_Mr. Carnegie._] 'Ere, Lizer, wheer's yer gratitood? 'E ses, ses Mr. C., As it's a blessed 'eritage, is poverty, ses 'e. Then think 'ow thankful an' 'ow blest we oughter feel, us two, But yet yer that contrairy that I'm blest, Liz, if yer do. Wot? 'Ungry? Wot is 'unger? Don't it vary the monotony An' Wooster sorce yer vittles, that's supposin' as yer've got any? Then think of them pore millionaires wot misses the delight Of 'avin' 'ad no breakfast on a roarin' happytite. Then money! I Think, Elizer, of them cruel stocks and shares Wot makes their lives a torter to them martyred millionaires Oh, ain't we much more appy when the sticks is up the spout An' the kids is wantin' dinner and 'as got ter go without? And don't it make yer 'eart bleed, too, to think of all the care Of mansions in the country and an 'ouse in Grosvenor Square? Ah, what would them pore fellers give if honly they could come An' live with all their fam'ly in our garret hup the slum? Wot, Liz? Yer'd like ter see 'em come? 'Ere, none o' that theer charf! Yer'd sell yer bloomin' birthright for a pot of 'arf-an-'arf? Lor, Liz! Ter think as you should be in sich a thankless mood! Yer've got a "blessed 'eritage," an' 'ere's yer gratitood! * * * * * 'ARRY EXAMINED.--_Q._ "What is meant by 'Higher Education'"? _'Arry._ "Getting a tutor at so much a week. That's the way I should 'ire education--if I wanted it." * * * * * WHY HE IS SUCH A DULL BOY. "'Arry," said an eminent comic singer to his friend, confidentially at the Oxford, "I'm exclusively engaged at the music 'alls; mayn't perform in a theatre." "Then," replied 'Arry, knowingly, "it's all work and no play with you." The conclusion was so evident that, had it not been for a good deal of soothing syrup at 'Arry's expense, there might have been a serious breach of the peace. * * * * * [Illustration: _Toff._ "I say, my boy, would you like to drive me to Piccadilly?" _Boy._ "I shouldn't mind, old sport, only I don't fink the 'arness would fit yer!"] * * * * * [Illustration: IDDEN AND POOR LETTER H _Tout Contractor (who has been paid a shilling per man, and sees his way to a little extra profit)._ "Now look 'ere, you two H's! The public don't want yer--nor _I_ don't, nor nobody don't; so jist drop them boards, and then 'ook it!"] * * * * * OBSERVATIONS BY A COCKNEY NATURALIST A nightingale has been heard singing in Kensington Gardens (_vide Times_, April 19). A salmon has been seen swimming close to London Bridge. A trout has been observed (reposing on a marble slab) near to Charing Cross. Sticklebacks have been captured in the waters of the Serpentine. Plovers eggs have been discovered in the middle of Covent Garden: I myself have found there as many as two dozen in a single walk. There is a rookery in St. Giles's, well known to the police. I have seen a pigeon shot not far from Shepherd's Bush, and I have heard one has been plucked by a member of the hawk tribe at another West-End haunt. Blackbeetles are common in the back kitchens of Belgravia, and bluebottles abound among the butchers of Whitechapel during the warm months. There is another kind of fly, which is said to be indigenous to the stables of the jobmasters, and which also may be seen by observant Cockney naturalists, but less seldom in Whitechapel than near the Regent's Park. Sparrow-clubs have not been established yet in London, but pea-shooters are common in many of its streets. I am told that early risers may hear a male canary singing in the neighbourhood of Islington at four o'clock, A.M., and may also hear a cock crow any morning, except Sunday, between five and six o'clock. The thrush has been observed among sundry of the children, under medical inspection, in the nurseries and infant hospitals of town. Little ducks are plentiful in the _salons_ of Tyburnia, and in Bayswater and Brompton there are numbers of great geese. Welsh rabbits may be seen close to Covent Garden, and wild turkeys have been noticed even in the Strand, hanging by the beak. In the purlieus of St. Stephen's, where are the sacred haunts of the collective wisdom of the kingdom, I have heard the hootings of many an old owl. From information which I have received from members of the metropolitan police, I may assert that larks are common in the Haymarket, and that on the shores of the silver Thames at Wapping there is frequently observable a goodly flock of mudlarks. From similar information, I may add that there are careful observers in the streets who rarely pass a day without their setting their eyes upon a robbin'. Who shall say that in the very midst of the metropolis there is not abundant evidence of a truly rural, and a tooral-looral life? * * * * * NIGHT-BIRDS THAT MAKE WEST-END NIGHT HIDEOUS.--The 'owls of 'Arry after his larks. * * * * * CHARADE FOR COSTERMONGERS.--My first is unfathomable, my second odoriferous, and my whole is a people of Africa.--_Abyss-inians._ * * * * * CONSOLATION FOR COCKNEYS.--It is all very well to talk of the fine boulevards of Paris; but in the French metropolis, where the rent is so high, and the living so dear, there is not one street to be named with Cheapside. * * * * * [Illustration: _'Arry (encountering a shut gate for the first time)._ "Wonder which end the thing opens? Ah, 'ere y'are! 'Ere's the 'ooks an' eyes!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE BEAN HARVEST _Cockney Tourist._ "Tut-t-t! Good gracious! What ever can 'ave made the corn turn so black?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE EASTER VACATION. _Owner._ "Well, the poor old moke ain't been quite 'isself lately, so we thought a day in the country 'ud do im good!"] * * * * * MISTAKES ABOUT SCOTLAND _(Contributed by a Converted Cockney)_ It is a mistake to believe that every Scotchman, when he goes to Edinburgh, immediately walks down Princes Street clad in the ancient costume of the Highlanders. It is a mistake to believe that the _pièce de résistance_ at every Scotch dinner-party is a haggis. It is a mistake to believe that a Scotchman does not enjoy a joke every bit as much as an Englishman. It is a mistake to believe that a Scotch Sabbath in the country is a whit more _triste_ than an English Sunday in the provinces. It is a mistake to believe that a Scotchman sets a greater value upon his "bawbee" than an Englishman upon his shilling or an American upon his dollar. It is a mistake to believe that inns in Scotland are dearer and less comfortable than hotels in England. It is a mistake to believe that we have a city in England that can compare favourably (from an architectural point of view) with the town of Edinburgh. It is a mistake to believe that it always rains in the Isle of Skye. It is a mistake to believe that there are no more "Fair Maids" in the houses of Perth. It is a mistake to believe that Hampstead Heath is as beautiful as Dunkeld. It is a mistake to believe that the Caledonian Canal is at all like the Serpentine. It is a mistake to believe that Aberdeen is less imposing in appearance than Chelsea or Islington. It is a mistake to believe that the countrymen of Scott and Burns do not appreciate the works of Shakspeare, Milton, Byron, Dickens, Thackeray, and Tennyson. And, lastly (this is added to the Cockney's list by the wisest sage of this or any other age), it is the greatest mistake of all to believe that _Mr. Punch_ does not like and respect (in spite of an occasional joke at their expense) the kindly, homely, sound-hearted people who live north of the Tweed. * * * * * [Illustration: AFTER THE RACES. _Little 'Arry (who has had a "bad day"--to driver of public coach)._ "Ever lose any money backin' 'orses, coachie?" _Driver._ "Not 'alf! Lost twenty quid once--backed a pair of 'orses and a homnibus into a shop window in Regent Street!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Old Lady._ "Dear me, what a nice refined-looking little boy. Why, Jane, he has a mouth fit for a cherub; I really must give him sixpence." [_Does so._ _The Cherub (five seconds later)._ "S-s-s-s!! Billee! the old gal's give me a tanner!"] * * * * * BY OUR COCKNEY When is a yew tree not a yew tree? When it's a 'igh tree. Talking of that, _Mr. P._, what a nice line the Great Northern to Hedgware is, to be sure. I am, as you know, werry partickler about my "H"s, but "'ang me," as my friend 'Arry Belleville says, "if t'ain't 'nough to spoil your pronunshiashun for a hage and hall time to 'ave to 'ear such names of stations one atop of tother, as the followin', as called out by the porters an' guards:" 'Olloway. Seven Scissors Road. Crouch Hend. 'Ighgate and 'Ampstead. Heast Hend. Finchley and 'Endon. Mill 'Ill. Hedgware. There's a lot for you! And t'other line goes to 'Arford, 'Atfield, and Saint All-buns. Saint _All Buns_ would be a good feast, eh, sir? Yours, _Hivy 'Ouse, 'Oxton._ ENERY. * * * * * [Illustration: _First Combatant._ "----!----!----! &c." _Bystander._ "Why don't yer answer 'im back?" _Second Combatant._ "'Ow can I? 'E's used all the best words!"] * * * * * A COCKNEY RHAPSODY [A critic in the _Daily News_ accuses artists generally of ignorance in their treatment of rural subjects, and declares that nearly every picture of work in the hay or harvest field is incorrect.] Come revel with me in the country's delights, Its rapturous pleasures, its marvellous sights; No landscape of common or garden I praise, But Nature's strange charms that the painter pourtrays. No summer begins there, and spring never ends, It mingles with autumn, with winter it blends; Its primroses bloom when the barley is ripe, Amid its red apples the nightingales pipe. There often the shadow falls southward at noon, And sunrise is hailed by the pale crescent moon, The sun sets at will in the east or the west, In the grove where the cuckoo is building her nest. There the milkmaid sits down to the left of the cow, In harvest they sow, and in haytime they plough; While mowers, in attitudes gladsome and blythe, Impossible antics perform with the scythe. There huntsmen in June after foxes may roam, And horses unbridled go champing with foam; From torrents by winter fierce swollen and high, The proud salmon leaps in pursuit of the fly. Ah Nature! it's little--I own for my part-- I know of your face save as mirrored in art; Yet, vainly shall critics begrudge me that charm, For a fellow can paint without learning to farm. * * * * * [Illustration: BETHNAL GREEN. _East-Ender._ "'Ary Scheffer!' Hignorant fellers, these foreigners Bill! Spells 'Enery without the haitch!"] * * * * * OVERHEARD AT A MEETING OF THE UP-IN-A-BALLOON SOCIETY. _'Arry._ Wot's the difference between Nelson and that cove in the chair? _Charlie._ Give it up, mate. _'Arry._ Wy, _Nelson_ was a nautical 'ero, and this chap's a _'ero nautical_, to be sure. * * * * * 'ARRY 'AD--FOR ONCE.--SCENE--_Exterior of St. James's Hall on a Schumann and Joachim Night._ _'Arry (meeting High-Art Musical Friend, who has come out during an interval, after assisting at Madame Schumann's magnificent reception)._ 'Ullo! What's up? What are they at now? _High-Art Friend (consulting programme)._ Let me see. They've done "Op. 13." Ah, yes! They've just got to "Op. 44." _'Arry (astounded)._ 'Op forty-four! St. James's 'All got a dancin' licence! Hooray! I'm all there! I'll go in for 'Op forty-five. What is it, a waltz or a polka? [_Rushes to the pay-place._] * * * * * [Illustration: "RUDE AM I IN MY SPEECH" (OTHELLO) THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWER GIRLS] * * * * * THE COMPLAINT OF THE COCKNEY CLERK "I know of no cure but for the Englishman (1) to do his best to compete in the particulars where the German now excels; (2) to try to show that, taken all round, he is worth more than the German."--_Mr. Gladstone on English Clerks and German Competition._ All very fine, O orator illustrious! But I as soon would be a mole or merman, As a short-grubbing, horribly industrious, Linguistic German. A clerk's a clerk, that is a cove who scribbles All day, and then goes in for cue, and "jigger," And not a mere machine who feeds by nibbles, Slaves like a nigger. Learn languages? And for two quid a week? Cut barmaids, billiards, bitter beer and betting? Yah! that may suit a sausage, or a sneak! Whistles need wetting. That is if they are genuine English whistles, And not dry, hoarse, yah-yah Teutonic throttles. _I_'m not a donkey who can thrive on thistles. No, that's "no bottles." I've learned my native tongue,--and that's a teaser-- I've also learned a lot of slang and patter; But German, French, Italian, Portuguese, sir, For "screw" no fatter? Not me, my old exuberant wood-chopper! Level _me_ to the straw-haired Carls and Hermanns? No; there's another trick would do me proper,-- Kick out the Germans! Old Bismarck's "blood and iron's" a receipt meant For sour-krautt gobblers, sandy and sardonic! But for us Britons that Teutonic treatment Is much too tonic. The cheek of 'em just puts me in a rage, Send 'em back home, ah! even pay their passage Or soon, by Jove, we'll have to call our age, The German "sauce"-age! * * * * * [Illustration: AN INFORMAL INTRODUCTION. _'Arry (shouting across the street to his "Pal")._ "Hi! Bill! This is 'er!"] * * * * * "ON A CLIFF BY THE SEA" (_Whit Monday_) A verse for "'Arry"? Well, I'm shot! (Excuse my language plain and terse) For such a nuisance I have not A verse. His praise don't ask me to rehearse, But, if you like--I'll tell you what-- The _rôle_ of Baalam I'll reverse. Only, like Balak, from this spot Desire me 'Arry's tribe to curse, To grant that prayer you'll find me not Averse! * * * * * [Illustration: _'Arriet._ "Wot toime his the next troine fer 'Ammersmith?" _Clerk._ "Due now." _'Arriet._ "'Course Oi dawn't now, stoopid, or I wouldn't be harskin' yer!"] * * * * * 'ARRY IN ROME AND LONDON A kind correspondent calls _Mr. Punch's_ attention to the fact that 'Arry the ubiquitous crops up even in the classics as Arrius, in fact, in _Carmen_ lxxxiv. of Catullus. How proud 'Arry will be to hear of his classical prototype! Our correspondent "dropping into verse," exclaims:-- Yes! Your Cockney is eternal; Arrius speaks in 'Arry still; Vaunts 'is "hincome" by paternal "Hartful" tricks hup 'Olborn 'Ill. How well he is justified may be seen by a glance at the text of Catullus:-- DE ARRIO. "C_h_ommoda" dicebat, si quando commoda vellet Dicere, et "_h_indsidias" Arrius insidias: Et tum mirifice sperabat se esse locutum. Cum, quantum poterat, dixerat "_h_insidias." Credo, sic mater, sic Liber avunculus ejus. Sic maternus avus dixerit, atque avia. Catullus, _Carmen_ lxxxiv. Which--for the benefit of 'Arry himself, who is not perhaps familiar with the "Lingo Romano"--though he may know something of a "Romano" dear to certain young sportsmen, though not dearer to them than other caterers--may thus be _very_ freely adapted:-- 'Arry to _H_oxford gives the aspirate still He cruelly denies to 'Igate 'Ill; Yet deems in diction he can ape the "swell," And "git the 'ang of it" exceeding well. Doubtless his sire, the 'atter, and his mother, The hupper 'ousemaid, so addressed each other; For spite of all that wrangling Board Schools teach, There seems heredity in Cockney speech. * * * * * COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.--According to a trade circular issued by a Cockney company, Florence and Lucca, whence the finer description of oils have been heretofore imported, are threatened with a vigorous competition by the Iles of Greece. * * * * * THE RICHEST DISH IN THE WORLD.--The "weal" of fortune. * * * * * 'ARRY'S MOTTO.--"Youth on the prowl and pleasure at the 'elm." * * * * * [Illustration: _Lady._ "Half-a-crown, indeed! Your fare is eighteen-pence. I looked it up in Bradshaw." _Cabman._ "Well, to be sure! Wot a good wife you _would 'ave_ made for a pore man!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BACK TO THE LAND. _Farmer's Wife (who has told the new lad from London to collect eggs)._ "Well, Jack, have you got many?" _Jack (who has raided a sitting hen)._ "Rauther! One old 'en she's bin and layed thirteen, and I don't think she's finished yet!"] * * * * * LINES BY A COCKNEY _Addressed to A Young Lady, but dropped by some mistake into Mr. Punch's letter-box._ Sweet hangel, whom I met last heve Hat Mrs. Harthur's 'op, I 'ope that you will give me leave A question now to pop. I mind me 'ow when in the 'all Your carriage was hannounced, You hasked me to hadjust your shawl, Hon which with 'aste I pounced. Then heager to your Ma you ran, She anxious to be gone, I 'eard 'er call you Mary-Hann, Or helse 'twas Mari-hon. Now, Mary-Hann's a name I 'ate Has much as Betsy-Jane, I could not bear to link my fate With such a 'orrid name; But Mari-hon I like as well As hany name I know; Then, hangel, I emplore thee tell, Dost spell it with a Ho? * * * * * [Illustration: POLITICS AND GALLANTRY _First 'Arry._ "Hay, wot's this 'ere Rosebery a torkin' abaat? Bless'd if he ain't a goin' to do awy with the Lords!" _Second 'Arry (more of a Don Juan than a Politician)._ "Do awy with the 'ole bloomin' lot o' Lords, if he likes, as long as he don't do away with the lidies!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "AND _SHE_ OUGHT TO KNOW!" "That's supposed to be a portograph of Lady Solsbury. But, bless yer, it ain't like her a bit in private!"] * * * * * [Illustration: 'ARRY'S AUNT UPON THE CLIFF A study in perspective done by 'Arry with a 'and camera.] * * * * * ECHO'S ANSWERS _To a Cockney Inquirer who consults her concerning the inevitable Annual "Outing" and its probable issues._ _Inquirer._ What subject sets me worrying and doubting? _Echo. "Outing._" _Inquirer._ My wife suggests for family health's improving?-- _Echo. Roving._ _Inquirer._ What's the first requisite for taking pleasure? _Echo. Leisure._ _Inquirer._ The second (for a slave to matrimony)? _Echo. Money._ _Inquirer._ You say that woman of all founts of mischief-- _Echo. Is chief._ _Inquirer._ What is this close agreement of _my_ women? _Echo. Omen._ _Inquirer._ I fear for me they'll prove a deal too clever? _Echo. Ever._ _Inquirer._ What is the manner of my buxom Mary? _Echo. Airy._ _Inquirer._ And what's her goal in every hint and notion? _Echo. Ocean._ _Inquirer._ How recommends she Ramsgate, shrimpy, sandy? _Echo. 'Andy._ _Inquirer._ Whereas _I_ hold it at this season torrid?-- _Echo. 'Orrid!_ _Inquirer._ And hint, with a faint view to scare or stop her?-- _Echo. 'Opper!_ _Inquirer._ (Meaning the _Pulex_.) Answers she politely? _Echo. Lightly._ _Inquirer._ How then am I inclined to view the mater? _Echo. 'Ate her._ _Inquirer._ What feel I when she hints at sea-side clothing? _Echo. Loathing._ _Inquirer._ Mention of what makes all my family scoffers? _Echo. Coffers._ _Inquirer._ Then if I storm, what word breaks sequent stillness? _Echo. Illness!_ _Inquirer._ What feels a man when women 'gin to blubber? _Echo. Lubber._ _Inquirer._ What is the show of patience that may follow? _Echo. Hollow!_ _Inquirer._ What would the sex when it assumes that virtue? _Echo. Hurt you._ _Inquirer._ What's the result of halting and misgiving? _Echo. Giving._ _Inquirer._ What is man's share anent this yearly yearning? _Echo. Earning._ _Inquirer._ What's the chief issue of this seaward flowing? _Echo. Owing._ _Inquirer_. How long before I'm free of tradesmen's pages? _Echo. Ages!_ * * * * * THE MOORS. Our Cockney correspondent says that the birds are very wild, and that the heath being extremely slippery, the attempt to run after them is apt to be attended with numerous falls, especially in patent-leather boots. He says the exercise is fatiguing in the extreme, and complains that there are no cabs to be had on the hills though there are plenty of flies. * * * * * DOUBLE COCKNEY CONUNDRUM FOR THE DERBY DAY.--"What eminent composer would in England have probably been 'in the ring'?" "_'Aydn._" "Why?" "Because who ever 'eard of 'Aydn alone? Ain't it always a '_Aydn and abettin_'? Eh? Now then! Come up, can't yer!" * * * * * [Illustration: EUPHEMISM. _Cab Tout (exasperated by the persistent attentions of constable)._ "Look 'ere, ole lightnin'-ketcher, w'ere the missin' word are yer shovin' us to?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Coster (to acquaintance, who has been away for some months)._ "Wot are yer bin doin' all this time?" _(Bill Robbins who has been "doing time")._ "Oh I've bin wheelin' a bit, ole man--wheelin' a bit!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HE THOUGHT HE WAS SAFE. _Irascible Old Gentleman._ "Buy a comb! What the devil should I buy a comb for? You don't see any hair on my head, do you?" _Unlicensed Hawker._ "Lor' bless yer, sir!--yer don't want no 'air on yer 'ead for a tooth-comb!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A QUESTION OF TASTE _Liz (to Emily)._ "Mind yer, it's all roight so fur as it goes. All I sez is, it wants a fevver or two, or a bit o' plush somewhares, to give it what I call _stoyle_!"] * * * * * THE LAND OF THE 'ARRY'UNS.--'Am'stead 'eath. * * * * * When a vulgar husband drops his h's, a good wife drops her eyes. * * * * * [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, guv'nor, you're fair wallerin' in it this mornin'! H'anyone 'ud think as you'd bin hordered it by your medical man!!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OPEN TO DOUBT _Ostler (dubiously, to 'Arry, who is trying to mount on the wrong side)._ "Beg pard'n, sir, I suppose you're quite accustomed to 'osses, sir?"] * * * * * NOTES BY A COCKNEY NATURALIST There are various kinds of larks to be observed by Cockney naturalists, which are more or less, and rather less than more, indigenous to London. There is first of all the cage lark (_Alauda Miserrima_) which is chiefly found on grass-plats measuring about two inches square, and may be heard singing plaintively in many a back slum. Then there is the mud lark (_Alauda Greenwichiensis_), which is principally seen towards nightfall on the shores of the river, when the whitebait is in season. This little lark is a migratory bird, and flits from place to place in quest of anything worth picking up that may happen to be thrown to it. Finally, there is the street lark (_Alauda Nocturna_), which is known to most policemen in the neighbourhood of the Haymarket, and the like nocturnal haunts. As a gratifying proof of our progressing civilisation, there has been of recent years a very marked decrease in the number of white mice, and monkeys dressed as soldiers, exhibited by organ-grinders in the London streets. Trained dogs appear, however, decidedly more numerous, and performing canaries may be met with not infrequently in the squares of the West End. The naturalist should note, moreover, that the learned British pig (_Porcus Sapiens Britannicus_) which, within the memory of men who are still living, used commonly to infest the fairs near the metropolis, has recently well nigh completely disappeared and is believed by sundry naturalists to be utterly extinct. The rum shrub (_Shrubbus Curiosus_) which, although deserving of close investigation has somehow escaped mention in the pages of Linnæus, is found in great profusion in the purlieus of Whitechapel, as well as other parts of London where dram-drinkers do congregate. It may be generally discovered in proximity to the Pot-tree (_Arbor Pewteriferens_), which may be readily recognised by its metallic fruit. The common cat of the metropolis (_Felis Catterwaulans_) is remarkable, especially for the exceeding frequency and shrillness of its cries when it goes upon the tiles, or proceeds to other spots of feline popular resort. Sleep becomes impossible within earshot of its yellings, and the injury they cause to property as well as human temper is immense. It has, indeed, been roughly estimated that thirty thousand water-jugs are annually sacrificed, within a circuit of not more than six miles from St. Paul's, by being hurled from bedroom windows with the aim to stop these squalling feline "Voices of the night." A certain proof that oysters are amphibious may be noted in the fact that they always build their grottoes in the courts and the back streets of the metropolis where, in the month of August, with extravagant profusion, their shells are yearly cast. The scarlet-coated lobster (_Le Homard Militaire_, Cuvier) has been frequently discovered on the shores of the Serpentine, or basking by the margin of the water in St. James's Park. This crustacean, when treated well, will drink like a fish, excepting that, unlike a fish, he does not confine himself to water for his drink. His shell (jacket) is of a bright red colour, which is not produced, as in the lobster species generally, by the agency of the caloric in the act of being boiled. The scarlet-coated lobster leads, while in London, a very peaceful life, notwithstanding his presumed propensities for fighting. If we may credit the statistics which, with no slight labour, have been recently collected, no fewer than five million and eleven blue-bottles are annually slaughtered in the butchers' shops of London, before depositing their ova in the primest joints of meat. The number of the smaller flies which, merely in the City, are every year destroyed for buzzing round the bald heads of irritable bank clerks, amounts, it has been calculated, to one million three hundred thousand and thirteen. * * * * * FROM TAPLOW.--_First 'Arry._ I'll tell you a good name for a riverside inn--_"The Av-a-launch"._ _Second 'Arry._ I'll tell you a better--"The 'Ave-a-lunch." Come along! * * * * * [Illustration: "Did yer order any ile round the corner?" "What do you mean by ile? Do you mean oil?" "Naw. Not ile, but ILE wot yer drinks!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A QUESTION OF THE SENSES. _First County Councillor._ "I'm told the _acoustics_ of this hall leave much to be desired, Mr. Brown!" _Second C. C. (delicately sniffing)._ "Indeed, Sir Pompey? Can't say as I perceive anythink amiss, myself; and my nose is pretty sharp, too!"] * * * * * [Illustration: QUICK WORK. _Guttersnipe._ "Please muvver wants sixpence on this 'ere fryin' pan." _Pawnbroker._ "Hallo! it's _hot_!" _Guttersnipe._ "Yus, muvver's just cooked the sossidges, an' wants the money for the beer!"] * * * * * [Illustration: WE MUSTN'T ALWAYS JUDGE BY APPEARANCES. "I say, Bill, you aren't got such a thing as the price of 'arf a pint about you, are yer? I'm so blooming dry!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Philanthropic Coster' (who has been crying "Perry-wink-wink-wink!" till he's hoarse--and no buyers)._ "I wonder what the p'or unfort'nate creeters in these 'ere low neighb'r'oods do live on!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: RUDE INQUIRY _Street Arabs._ "Hoo curls yer 'air, gov'nour?"] * * * * * [Illustration: BILLINGSGATE UP-TO-DATE. _'Enery._ "'Ullo, Chawley? Wot's up? 'As yer motor broke down?" _Chawley (whose "moke" is a "bit below himself")._ "Yuss, smashed me 'sparking plug.'"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First "Growler"._ "'Ulloah, William, where are yer takin' that little lot?" _Second "Growler"._ "Hararat! Don't yer see I'm navigatin' the Hark?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _'Arriet._ "I will say this for Bill, 'e _do_ look the gentleman!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Urchin._ "Fifth o' November, sir! Only a copper, sir! Jist a penny, sir!" _Second Urchin._ "Let 'im alone. _Cawn't yer see 'e's one of the family!_"] * * * * * SONGS FOR THE NATION "[Greek: Lays are a luxury songs essential.]" _'Arrystophanes._ It is evident that the nation is yearning for singable songs in the 'Arry dialect. The late lamented Artemus Ward would probably have said, "Let her yearn"; but a stern sense of duty impels me to try and meet the need, created by the _Daily Chronicle_. I have a comforting impression that all that is necessary to insure correctness is to "chinge" as many "a"s as possible into "i"s. By this means I secure the "local colouring," which, by the way, has undergone a complete change since Dickens spelt Weller "with a wee, my lord." A catchword, à propos of nothing, is always useful, so I have duly provided it. 'ARRY THE OPTIMIST I. Oh! you should see My gal and me (Mariar is 'er nime), When we go daown To Brighton taown To 'ave a gorjus time. She wears sich feathers in 'er 'at, She's beautiful and guy, But it ain't all beer and skittles--flat And 'ere's the reason why: _Refrine--_ She 'urries me, she worries me, To ketch the bloomin' trine; She 'ustles me, she bustles me, She grumbles 'arf the time: It's "'Arry do," and "'Arry don't," Which "'Arry" will, or "'Arry" won't (It goes against the grine), But-- (_Triumphantly._) We 'as a 'appy 'ollidy, We gets there all the sime. --'Urry up, 'Arry. II. And when we reach The Brighton beach It's sure to pour with rine A pub is not A 'appy spot For us to set and drine Yet there we set and tike our beer And while awy the dy, Though we don't 'ave words, no bloomin' fear Mariar 'as 'er sy. _Refrine--_ 'Er langwidge is for sangwidges, She's sorry that she cime; The weather's wrong, 'er feather's wrong, I 'as to tike the blime. It's "'Arry" 'ere, and "'Arry" there, And "'Arry, you're a bloomin' bear," And "'Arry, it's a shime"-- (_Spoken._)--Which is 'ard on a feller! And then we 'as to ketch the bloomin' trine again, and she _do_ talk, but never mind-- (_Brightly._) We've 'ad a 'appy 'ollidy, We gits 'ome all the sime. --'Urry up, 'Arry! * * * * * COCKNEY SPORT EXTRAORDINARY. Well-known sporting character, residing at Putney, being unable to reach the moors this season, and having lost his gun, has lately amused himself by bringing down several brace of grouse by means of the Brompton omnibus. * * * * * AT THE ZOO. (A FACT).--_'Arriet (looking at the Java sparrows)._ Wot's them? Sparrerkeets? _'Arry._ Sparrerkeets be 'anged--them's live 'umming birds. * * * * * [Illustration: COMMON OBJECTS OF THE SEA SHORE. _First seaside saddle polisher._ "Wot cheer, 'Arry? 'Ow are yer gettin' on?" _'Arry._ "First-rate, old pal. Only this--beggar always--bumps--at the wrong--time!"] * * * * * [Illustration: UNDER CORRECTION. Fare. "Hans Mansions." _Cabby._ "_Queen_ Hanne's Mansions, I suppose you mean, miss?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Penny 'addick." "Finen?" "No; thick 'un!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Frenchman._ "Ah, mon cher ami!" _Second Frenchman._ "Ah, c'est mon cher Alphonse!" _British Workman._ "Bloomin' Germans!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Clerk of Booking-Office._ "There is _no_ first class by this train, sir." _'Arry._ "Then wot are we going ter do, Bill?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Fader's gettin' better. 'E's beginnin' ter swear again!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Vendor of Pirated Songs._ "Er y'are, lidy! ''Oly City', 'Bu'ful Star,' 'Hi cawn't think why Hi lubs yer, but Hi do!'"] * * * * * 'ARRY ON HIS 'OLIDAY _Being an epistle from that notorious and ubiquitous person, luxuriating for the time in rural parts, to his chum Charlie, confined in town._ Wha' cheer, my dear Charlie? 'Ow are yer? I promised I'd drop yer a line. I'm out on the trot for a fortnit; and ain't it golumpshusly fine? Bin dooing the swell pretty proper, I beg to assure yer, old man. Jest go it tip-top while you're at it, and blow the expense, is _my_ plan. Bin took for a nob, and no error this time; which my tailor's A 1. The cut of these bags, sir, beats Poole _out of_ fits. (Are yer fly to the pun?) And this gridiron pattern in treacle and mustard is something uneek, As the girls--but there, Charlie, _you_ know me, and so there's no call for to speak. My merstach is a coming on proper--that fetches 'em, Charlie, my boy; Though one on 'em called me young spiky, which doubtless was meant to annoy. But, bless yer! 'twas only a touch of the green-eyed, 'acos I looked sweet On a tidy young parcel in pink as 'ung out in the very same street. O Charlie, such larks as I'm 'aving. To toddle about on the sands, And watch the blue beauties a-bathing, and spot the sick muffs as they lands, Awful flabby and white in the gills, and with hoptics so sheepishly sad, And twig 'em go green as we chaff 'em; I tell yer it isn't half bad. Then, s'rimps! Wy, I pooty near lives on 'em; got arf a pocketful here, There's a flavour of bird's-eye about 'em; but that's soon took off by the beer. The "bitter" round here is jest lummy, and as for their soda-and-b., It's ekal to "fizz" and no error, and suits this small child to a t. The weeds as I've blown is a caution;--I'm nuts on a tuppenny smoke. Don't care for the baths, but there's sailing, and rollicking rides on a moke. I've sung comic songs on the cliffs after dark, and wot's fun if that ain't? And I've chiselled my name in a church on the cheek of a rummy stone saint. So, Charlie, I think you will see, I've been doing the tourist to rights. Good grub and prime larks in the daytime, and billiards and bitter at nights; That's wot _I_ calls 'oliday-making, my pippin. I wish _you_ was here, Jest wouldn't we go it extensive! But now I am off for the pier. To ogle the girls. 'Ow they likes it! though some of their dragons looks blue. But lor'! if a chap _has_ a way with the sex, what the doose can he do? The toffs may look thunder and tommy on me and my spicey rig out, But they don't stare yours faithfully down, an' it's all nasty envy, no doubt. Ta! ta! There's a boat coming in, and the sea has been roughish all day; All our fellows will be on the watch, and _I_ mustn't be out of the way. Carn't yer manige to run down on Sunday? I tell yer it's larks, and no kid! Yours bloomingly, 'ARRY. P.S.--I have parted with close on four quid! * * * * * POISON IN THE BOWL.--_Hot weather._--Advice by our own Cockney. Don't put ice in your champagne. It's pison. How do I know this? Because it comes from Venom Lake. * * * * * SEASONABLE.--_'Arry's friend._ What's the proper dinner for Ash Wednesday? _'Arry._ Why, 'ash mutton, o' course. * * * * * [Illustration: SELF-RESPECT. _The Missus._ "Oh, Jem, you said you'd give me your photergrarf. Now, let's go in, and get it done." _Jem._ "Oh, I dessay! an' 'ave my 'Carte de Wisete' stuck up in the winder along o' all these 'ere bally-gals an' 'igh-church parsons! No, Sairey!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE TRIALS OF OUR ARTISTIC FRIEND, LEONARDO DA TOMPKINS (_Who lives in an unappreciative Suburb_) _'Arriet (nudging her lidy friend, and in an ostentatious stage-whisper)._ "'Amlet!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Tenor (singing)._ "Oh, 'appy, 'appy, 'appy be thy dreams----" _Professor._ "Stop, stop! Why don't you sound the H?" _Tenor._ "It don't go no 'igher than G!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Newspaper Boy._ "Hullo, Bill! Who's 'e?" _Second Newspaper Boy._ "I suppose 'e's the North Pole as 'as just been discovered!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Gorgeous-looking Individual._ "Most 'strordinary weather, ain't it? First it's 'ot, then it's cold. Blow me, if one knows 'ow to dress!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "I say, Bill, wot 's a Prodigal?" "Why, a Prodigal's a sort o' cove as keeps on coming back!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NOT WHAT SHE EXPECTED SCENE--_Canal side, Sunday morning_ _Lady._ "Do you know where little boys go to who bathe on Sunday?" _First Arab._ "Yus. It's farder up the canal side. But you can't go. Girls ain't allowed!"] * * * * * 'ARRY ON 'APPINESS DEAR CHARLIE, A 'Appy New Year to yer! That's the straight tip for to-day, So I'm bound to be in it, old chip, though things don't _look_ remarkable gay. I inclose you a card--a correct one, I 'ope, though it strikes one as queer That such picters is thought _apprypo_ this perticular time of the year. You'll observe there's a hangel in muslin a twisting 'erself all awry, With some plums, happle-blossoms, and marigolds, backed by a dab o' blue sky. Dekkyrative it's called, so the mivvy informed me who nobbled my tanner; _I_ call it a little bit mixed, like the art on a Odd-Fellow's banner. But, bless you, it's all of a piece, Charlie--life is so muddled with rot That it takes rayther more than a judge or a jury to tell yer wot's wot. Whether knifing a boy 'cos one's peckish means murder if lyings are libels, Seem questions as bothers the big wigs, in spite of their blue books and Bibles. Where are we, old pal? that's the question. Perhaps it would add to one's ease If life wos declared a "mixed wobble," it's motter a "go as you please." But 'tisn't all cinder-path, Charlie, wus luck! if it was, with "all in," You wouldn't go fur wrong, I fancy, in backing "yours truly" to win. "A 'Appy New Year!" That's the cackle all over the shop like to-day. Wot's 'Appiness? Praps Mister Ruskin and little Lord Garmoyle will say. You an' me's got _our_ notions of yum-yum, as isn't fur wide o' the mark, But who'll give us change for 'em, Charlie? Ah! that's where we're left in the dark. The Reform Bill won't do it, my pippin, on that you may lay your last dollar. The fact is this 'Appy New Year fake is 'oller, mate, hutterly 'oller. 'Twon't fly--like the Christmas card hangels, it doesn't fit into the facks; All it does is to spread tommy-rot, and to break all the postmen's poor backs. You'll be thinking I've got the blue-mouldies, old man, and you won't be fur hout. Funds low with yours truly, my bloater, no chances of getting about. Larks, any amount of 'em, going, advertisements gassing like fun, But 'Arry, for once in the way, 's a stone-broker and not in the run. It's cutting, that's wot it is, _cutting_. I'm so used to leading the field, That place as fust-fly at life's fences is one as I _don't_ like to yield, Espechly to one like Bill Blossit--no style, not a bit about Bill! And they talk of a 'Appy New Year, mate, and cackle o' peace and goodwill! Oh yus, I'd goodwill 'em, Bill Blossit and false Fanny Friswell, a lot! They are off to the world's fair to-night, sir, and _that's_ wy I say it's such rot. If form such as mine's to go 'obbling whilst mugginses win out o' sight, I say the world's handicap's wrong, mate, and Christmas cards won't set it right. Lor bless yer, 'e ain't got no patter, not more than a nutmeg, Bill ain't; But the railway has taken his shop, and he's come out as fresh as new paint. And so because _I'm_ out of luck, and that duffer has landed the chink, She 'ooks onto him _like_ a bat to a belfry, sir! What do _you_ think? A 'Appy New Year? Yus, it looks like it! Charlie, old chap, I've heard tell Of parties called pessymists, writers as swear the whole world's a big sell; No doubt they've bin jilted, or jockeyed by some such a juggins as Bill; And without real jam--cash and kisses--this world is a bitterish pill. Still, I wish you a 'Appy New Year, if you care for the kibosh, old chappie, Though 'taint 'igh art cards full o' gush and green paint'll make you and me 'appy. Wot _we_ want is lucre and larks, love and lotion as much as you'll carry! Give me them, and one slap at that Bill,--They're the new year gifts to suit. 'ARRY. * * * * * AT SCARBOROUGH.--_'Arriet (pointing to postillions of pony-chaises)._ Why do all them boys wear them jackets? _'Arry._ There's a stoopid question! Why, they're all jockeys a-training for the Ledger, of course! * * * * * EGGING HIM ON.--_Knowing old Gentleman._ Now, sir, talking of eggs, can you tell me where a ship lays to? _Smart Youth (not in the least disconcerted)._ Don't know, sir, unless it is in the hatchway. * * * * * RETREAT FOR COCKNEY IDLERS.--Earn nil. * * * * * [Illustration: AN EASTER OBJECT LESSON (_At the Natural History Museum_) _Visitor._ "Hullo! I say, I've got 'em agin! Gi' me the blue ribbon!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HIS BEST "SOOT." _Short-tempered Gentleman in Black (after violent collision with a stonemason fresh from work)._ "Now, I'll arsk you jest to look at the narsty beastly mess as you've gone and mide me in! Why, I'm simply smothered in some 'orrid white stuff!! Why don't yer be more careful!!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OVERHEARD DURING ONE OF OUR RECENT STORMY DAYS. "What cheer, matey! Doin' any business?" "Garn! Wot yer gettin' at? I ain't 'ere to do business. I'm takin' the hopen hair treatment!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ALWAYS BE KIND TO DUMB ANIMALS. _Master._ "Jim!" _Page._ "Yessir." _Master._ "Rather a 'igh 'ill we're comin' to, ain't it?" _Page._ "Very 'igh 'ill indeed, sir." _Master._ "Ah! well, jest you jump down, Jim, and walk alongside a bit; it'll make it easier for the poor 'orse, you know."] * * * * * [Illustration: REAL SYMPATHY. _'Arry (reading account of the war in the East)._ "Ow, I s'y, 'Arriet, they've bin an' took old Li 'Ung Chang's three-heyed peacock's feathers all off 'im!" _'Arriet (compassionately)._ "Pore old feller!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "SWEET LAVENDER!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "AUT CÆSAR AUT NULLUS." _Architect._ "What aspect would you like, Mr. Smithers?" _(who is about to build a house)_. _Mr. Smithers._ "Has Muggles"--(_a rival tradesman_)--"got a haspect? 'Cause--mind yer, I should like mine made a good deal bigger than 'is!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE LAST STRAW. _Miss Effie has left her sun-shade on the other side of the rivulet. The chivalrous young De Korme attempts the dangerous pass in order to restore it to her. Obnoxiously Festive 'Arry (to him)._ "Ho, yuss! Delighted, I'm sure! _Drop in any time you're passin'!_"] * * * * * 'ARRY ON THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY DEAR CHARLIE, 'Ow are yer, old Turmuts? Gone mouldy, or moon-struck, or wot? Sticking down in the country, like you do, I tell yer, is all tommy-rot. Its town makes a man of one, Charlie, as me and the nobs 'as found out, And a snide 'un like you should be fly to it. Carn't fancy wot you're about. Old Ruskin, I know, sez quite t'other, but then _he_ is clean off his chump. Where's the _life_ in long lanes, with no gas-lamps? Their smell always give me the 'ump. Come hout on it, mate, it'll spile yer. It's May, and the season's begun, All the toffs is in town--ah! you trust 'em! _they_ know where to dropon the fun. Don't ketch _them_ a-Maying, my pippin, like bloomin' old Jacks-in-the-Green, A-sloppin' about in damp medders, with never a pub to be seen. No fear! We've primroses in tons--thanks to Beakey--for them as can pay. And other larks as _is_ larks, mate, they know meet in London in May. It is all very well, on a Sunday, for just arf a dozen or so To take a chay-cart down to Epsom, and cut down the may as yer go. I've 'ad 'igh old times on that lay, Charlie, gals, don't yer know, and all that, Returning at dusk with the beer on, and may branches all round yer 'at. With plenty of tuppenny smokes and 'am san'wiches, Charlie, old man, And a bit of good goods in pink musling, it ain't arf a bad sort o' plan. Concertina, in course, and tin whistle, to give 'em a rouser all round, And "chorus," all over the shop, till the winders'll shake at the sound. That's "May, merry May," if yer like, mate, and does your's ancetrar a treat. But the rural's a dose as wants mixing, it won't do to swaller it neat; That's wy the Haristos and 'Arry, and all as is fly to wot's wot, Likes passing the season in London, in spite of yer poetry rot. Country's all jolly fine in the autumn, with plenty of killing about-- Day's rabbitin's not a bad barney, and gull-potting's lummy, no doubt; But green fields with nothink to slorter, no pubs, no theaytres, no gas!-- No, no, it won't wash, and the muggins as tells yer it will is a hass. But May in "the village," my biffin, the mighty metrolopus,--ah! That's paradise, sir, and no kid, with a dash of the true lah-di-dah. Covent Garden licks Eden, I reckon, at least it'll do _me_ A 1; Button-'oler and Bond Street, old pal, that's yer fair top-row sarmple for fun! Wy, we git all the best of the country in London, with dollups chucked in. _Rush in herby!_--ascuse the Hitalian!--Ah, mate, ony wish I'd the tin; I'd take 'em a trot, and no flounders! It's 'ard, bloomin' 'ard, my dear boy, When form as is form ain't no fling, as a German ud say, _fo der quoy._ _I_'d make Mister Ruskin sit up, and the rest of the 'owlers see snakes, With their rot about old Mother Nature, as _never_ don't make no mistakes. Yah! Nature's a fraud and a fizzle, that is if yer can't fake her out With the taste of a man about town, ony sort as knows wot he 's about. Well, London's all yum-yum jest now. Hexhibitions all hover the shop, I tell yer it keeps one a-movin'. _I_'m on the perpetual 'op, Like the prince. Aitch har aitch _is_ a stayer, a fair royal Rowell, I say. (I landed a quid on _that_ "Mix," but I carnt git the beggar to pay.) "Inventories" open, you know. Rayther dry, but the _extrys_ O.K. It's the extrys, I 'old, make up life, arf the pleasure and most o' the pay. Yus, princes and painters, philanterpists, premiers and patriots may gush, But wot ud become of their shows if it weren't for the larks and the lush? Lor bless yer, dear boy, picter galleries, balls, sandwich sworries and all,-- It's fun and the fizz makes 'em go, not the picter, the speech or the squall. Keep yer eye on the buffet's my maxim, look out for the "jam" and the laugh, And you'll collar the pick o' the basket, the rest is all sordust and chaff. That's philosophy, Charlie, my pippin; the parsons and prigs may demur, But if you would foller _their_ tip, wy, you'll 'ave to go thundering fur. Ah! "May, merry May!" up in town, fills your snide 'un as full as he'll carry Of laughter and lotion. That's gospel to toffs and yours scrumptiously, 'ARRY. * * * * * [Illustration: A JUDGE OF CHARACTER. _Sympathetic Friend (to sweeper)._ "What's the use o' arstin' _'im_, Bill? _'E_ don't give away nothink less than a Gover'ment appointment, _'e_ don't!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A BI-METALLISTIC DISCUSSION _Jim._ "What's this 'ere 'Bi-metallism,' Bill?" _Bill (of superior intelligence)._ "Well, yer see, Jim, it 's heither a licens'd wittlers' or a teetotal dodge. The wages'll be paid in silver, and no more coppers. So you can't get no arf-pint nor hanythink under a sixpence or a thrip'ny. Then you heither leaves it alone, and takes to water like a duck, or you runs up a score." _Jim._ "Ah! But if there ain't no more coppers, 'ow about the 'buses and the hunderground rileway?" _Bill (profoundly)._ "Ah!" [_Left sitting._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: _Cockney Macbeth (a trifle "fluffy" in his words) bellows out:_ "'Ang out our banners on the houtward walls! The cry is--'Let 'em _all_ come!'"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Hedwin._ "Hangeleener! Won't yer 'ear me? Wot 'ud yer sy if I told yer as I'd 'took the shillin'?" _Hangelina._ "Sy? Why--'halves'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Man Cleaning the Horse._ "Naa then lazy, w'y don't yer do some work?" _New Hand (loafing)._ "I'm agoin' to." _M. C. H._ "Wot are yer goin' ter do?" _N. H._ "'Elp you." _M. C. H._ "Come alorng, then." _N. H._ "All rite. You go orn, I'm agoin' ter do the 'issing."] * * * * * [Illustration: "BACK TO THE LAND." _Old Farmer Worsell (who is experimenting with unemployed from London)._ "Now then, young feller, 'ow long are you goin' to be with that 'ere milk?" _Young Feller._ "I caunt 'elp it, guv'nor. I bin watchin' 'er arf an hour, and she ain't laid any yit."] * * * * * [Illustration: "'Ere, just 'old my broom a minute. I'm just goin' up the street. If any of my regular customers comes, just arst 'em to wait a bit!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ART IN WHITECHAPEL. "Well, that's what I calls a himpossible persition to get yerself into!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Loafer (looking at a hundred pound dressing-bag)._ "I wonder wot sort of a bloke it is as wants a bag of tools like that to doss 'isself up with?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Comin' up to 'Yde Park to 'ave a bave, 'Arry?" "Yers--an' 'ave all me cloves run orf wiv. Not if _I_ know it!"] * * * * * THE COCKNEY'S ADDRESS TO THE SEA.--"With all thy faults I love thee _still_." * * * * * A COSTERMONGER'S CANT Bill Coster said, "See them two fish? Them there's both females, mister; A pilchard she in this here dish: That 'ere's her errin' sister." * * * * * FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS.--(_By a Cockney._) Why should not Dr. Watts' poems be read by youth? Because they contain _Hymn-morality_. * * * * * A LINE FROM BROWNING (_For hairdressers who recommend a wonderful "Restorative," and are careless of the aspirate._) "An everlasting wash of air." * * * * * A COCKNEY CON.--When may a man really be supposed to be hungry? When he goes to Nor-(gnaw)wood for his dinner. * * * * * [Illustration: SO VERY CONSIDERATE. _Stout Coster._ "Where are ye goin' to, Bill?" _Bill._ "Inter the country for a nice drive, bein' Bank 'Olidy." _Stout Coster._ "Same 'ere. I sy! don't yer think we might swop misseses just for a few hours? It would be so much kinder to the hanimile!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _'Arry (whose "Old Dutch" has been shopping, and has kept him waiting a considerable time)._ "Wot d'yer mean, keepin' me standin' abaat 'ere like a bloomin' fool?" _'Arriet._ "_I_ can't 'elp the way yer stand, 'Arry."] * * * * * [Illustration: VERY DRY WEATHER. "'Ooray, Bill! 'Ere's luck! I gorr' 'nother tanner! Leshgobackag'in!"] * * * * * [Illustration: 'EARD ON 'AMPSTEAD 'EATH ----"And talk of our bein' be'ind the French in general edication, why all I can say is as it's the commonest thing in Paree, for instance (over fust-class restorongs, too, mind yer), to see 'dinner' spelt with only one 'N'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DIAGNOSIS. "I can tell you what _you're_ suffering from, my good fellow! You're suffering from _acne_!" "_'Ackney?_ Why, that's just what _t'other_ medical gent he told me! _I only wish I'd never been near the place!_"] * * * * * THE CAD'S CALENDAR JANUARY. January! Tailor's bill comes in. Blow that blooming snip! I'm short o' tin. Werry much enjoyed my Autumn caper, But three quid fifteen do look queer paper. Want another new rig out, wuss luck, Gurl at Boodle's bar seems awful struck, Like to take her to the pantermime; That and oysters after _would_ be prime. Fan's a screamer; this top coat would blue it, Yaller at the seams, black ink won't do it. Wonder if old snip would spring another? Boots, too, rayther seedy; beastly bother! Lots o' larks that empty pockets "queer." Can't do much on fifty quid a year. FEBRUARY. Febrywary! High old time for sprees! Now's yer chance the gals to please or tease, Dowds to guy and pooty ones to wheedle, And to give all rival chaps the needle. Crab your enemies,--I've got a many, You can pot 'em proper for a penny. My! Them walentines do 'it 'em 'ot. Fust-rate fun; I always buy a lot. Prigs complain they're spiteful, Lor' wot stuff! I can't ever get 'em strong enough. Safe too; no one twigs your little spree, If you do it on the strict Q. T. If you're spoons, a flowery one's your plan. Mem: I sent a proper one to Fan. MARCH. March! I'm nuts upon a windy day, Gurls do git in such a awful way. Petticoats yer know, and pooty feet; Hair all flying--tell you it's a treat. Pancake day. Don't like 'em--flabby, tough, Rayther do a pennorth o' plum-duff. Seediness shows up as Spring advances, Ah! the gurls do lead us pretty dances. Days a-lengthening. Think I spotted Fan Casting sheep's eyes at another man. Quarter-day, too, no more chance of tick. Fancy I shall 'ave to cut my stick. Got the doldrums dreadful, that is clear. Two _d._ left--must go and do a beer. APRIL. April! All Fools' Day's a proper time. Cop old gurls and guy old buffers prime. Scissors! don't they goggle and look blue When you land them with a regular "do"? Lor! the world would not be worth a mivvey If there warn't no fools to cheek and chivy. Then comes Easter. Got some coin in 'and, Trot a bonnet out and do the grand. Fan all flounce and flower; fellows mad Heye us henvious; nuts to me, my lad. 'Ampstead! 'Ampton! Which is it to be? Fan--no flat--prefers the Crystal P. Nobby togs, high jinks, and lots o' lotion, That's the style to go it, I've a notion! MAY. May! The month o' flowers. Spooney sell! "Rum 'ot with," is wot _I_ likes to smell. Beats yer roses holler. A chice weed Licks all flowers that ever run to seed. Nobby button'oler very well When one wants to do the 'eavy swell; Otherwise don't care not one brass farden, For the best ever blowed in Covent Garden. Fan, though, likes 'em, cost a pretty pile, Rayther stiff, a tanner for a smile. Blued ten bob last time I took 'er out, Left my silver ticker up the spout. Women are sech sharks! If I don't drop 'er. Guess that I shall come a hawful cropper! JUNE. June! A jolly month; sech stunning weather. Fan and I have lots of outs together: Rorty on the river, sech prime 'unts, Foul the racers, run into the punts. Prime to 'ear the anglers rave and cuss, When in quiet "swims" we raise a muss. Snack on someone's lawn upon the quiet. Won't the owner raise a tidy riot When he twigs our scraps and broken bottles? Cheaper this than rustyrongs or hottles, Whitsuntide 'ud be a lot more gay If it warn't so near to quarter-day. Snip turns sour, pulls "county-courting" faces. Must try and land a little on the races. JULY. 'Ot July! Just nicked a handy fiver (Twenty-five to one on old "Screw-driver"!) New rig-out. This mustard colour mixture Suits me nobby. Fan appears a fixture. Gurls like style, you know, and colour ketches 'em, But good show of ochre,--_that's_ what fetches 'em, Wimbledon! _I'm_ not a Wolunteer. Discipline don't suit this child--no fear! But we 'ave fine capers at the camp, Proper, but for that confounded scamp: Punched my 'ead because I guyed his shooting. Fan I fancied rather 'ighfaluting; Ogled the big beggar as he propped me. Would 'a licked 'im if _she_ 'adn't stopped me. AUGUST. August! Time to think about my outing. No dibs yet, though, so it's no use shouting. Make the best of the Bank 'Oliday. Fan "engaged"! Don't look too bloomin' gay, Drop into the bar to do a beer, Twig her talking to that Volunteer. Sling my 'ook instanter sharp and short, Took Jemimer down to 'Ampton Court. Not 'arf bad, that gurl. Got rather screwed, Little toff complained as I was rude. 'It 'im in the wind, he went like death; Weak, consumptive cove and short o' breath. Licked 'im proper, dropped 'im like a shot,-- Only wish that Fan had seen _that_ lot. SEPTEMBER. 'Ere's September! 'Oliday at last! Off to Margit--mean to go it fast. Mustard-coloured togs still fresh as paint, Like to know who's natty, if _I_ ain't. Got three quid; have cried a go with Fan, Game to spend my money like a man. But sticking tight to one gal ain't no fun-- Here's no end of prime 'uns on the run; Carn't resist me somehow, togs and tile All A 1--make even swell ones smile. Lor! if I'd the ochre, make no doubt I could cut no end of big pots out. Call me cad? When money's in the game, Cad and swell are pooty much the same. OCTOBER. Now October! Back again to collar, Funds run low, reduced to last 'arf-dollar. Snip on rampage, boots a getting thin, 'Ave to try the turf to raise some tin. Evenings getting gloomy; high old games; Music 'alls! Look up the taking names. Proper swells them pros.! If I'd my choice, There's my mark. Just wish I'd got a voice; Cut the old den to-morrow, lots of cham., Cabs and diamonds,--ain't that real jam? Got the straight tip for the Siezerwitch, If I _honly_ land it, I'll be rich. Guess next mornin' wouldn't find me sober-- Allays get the blues about October. NOVEMBER. Dull November! Didn't land that lot. Fear my father's son is going to pot. Fan jest passed me, turned away 'er eyes, Guess she ranked me with the _other_ guys, Nobby larks upon the ninth, my joker; But it queers a chap to want the ochre. Nothing like a crowd for regular sprees, Ain't it fine to do a rush, and squeeze? Twig the women fainting! Oh, it's proper! Bonnet buffers when the blooming copper Can't get near yer nohow. Then the fogs! Rare old time for regular jolly dogs. If a chap's a genuine 'ot member, He _can_ keep the game up in November! DECEMBER. Dun December! Dismal, dingy, dirty. Still short commons--makes a chap feel shirty. Snip rampageous, drops a regular summons. Fan gets married; ah! them gurls is rum 'uns! After all the coin I squandered on 'er! Want it now. A 'eap too bad, 'pon honour, Snow! Ah, that's yer sort, though, and no error. Treat to twig the women scud in terror. Hot 'un in the eye for that old feller; Cold 'un down 'is neck, bust his umbreller. Ha! ha! Then Christmas,--'ave a jolly feast! The boss will drop a tip,--hope so, at least. If I don't land some tin, my look-out's queer. Well, let's drink, boys--"Better luck next year!" * * * * * [Illustration: STUDIES IN ANIMAL LIFE. The chick-a-leary cochin.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Swell (who won't be done)._ "H 'yars my kyard if you'd--ah--like to summon me." _Cabby (who has pulled up and heard the dispute)._ "Don't you take it, Bill. It's his ticket o' leave!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A LABOUR OF LOVE! _Benevolent Lady (who has with infinite trouble organised a country excursion for some over-worked London dressmakers)._ "Then mind you're at the station at nine to-morrow, Eliza. I do hope it won't rain!" "_Rine_, miss! I 'owp not, to be sure! The country's bad enough when it's _foine_, yn't it, miss?"] * * * * * [Illustration: ON EPSOM DOWNS "Get onto 'is neck, like me, Halfred, an' they'll take us for jockeys!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Little Tompkins._ "That fellow Brown tried to stuff me up with some of his travellers' tales the other day. Talked about his trip to Italy, and the waving fields of macaroni, but he didn't catch me, you know. They _don't_ wave!"] * * * * * [Illustration: GUILE. _Old Lady._ "You know the 'Royal Oak'? Well, you turn to the right, past the 'Jolly Gardener,' till you come to the 'Red Lion'----" _Artful Cabby._ "O, don't tell me the 'ouses, mum! Name some o' the churches, and then I shall know where I am!!" [_Asks, and gets, an exorbitant fare without a murmur._ ] * * * * * RUS IN URBE (_A Cockney Rhapsody_) As I stroll through Piccadilly, Scent of blossoms borne from Scilly Greet me. Jonquil, rose, and lily, Violet and daffydowndilly. Oh, the feeling sweet and thrilly That these blossoms flounced and frilly From soft plains and headlands hilly Bring my breast in Piccadilly! It subdues me, willy nilly, Though such sentiment seems silly, And a bunch, dear, buys your Willy, To dispatch, by post, to Milly, Dwelling, far from Piccadilly, In moist lowlands, rushed and rilly, Blossomy as Penzance or Scilly. Sweets to the sweet! "Poor Silly-Billy!" You may say in accents trilly. When the postman in the stilly Eve, from distant Piccadilly, Bears this box of rose and lily, Violet and daffodilly, To the rural maiden, Milly, From her urban lover, Willy. P.S.-- Dry as toke and skilly, Is this arid Piccadilly, Notwithstanding rose and lily, All the beauteous blooms of Scilly, Reft of that flower of flowers--Milly. So, at least, thinks "Silly Billy." * * * * * A COCKNEY'S EXCLAMATION UPON SEEING THE CELEBRATED HEIDELBERG TON.--"Well, it is (s)ton-ning!" * * * * * [Illustration: NATURAL HISTORY NOTES _Country Cousin._ "Lor, Bill, ain't that a horstrich?" _Bill._ "_Horstrich?_ 'Corse not. That 'ere's a _mongoose_!"] * * * * * SHAKESPEARE ON BLACKHEATH I saw young 'Arry with his billycock on, Checked trousers on his thighs, with knob stick armed, Climb from the ground like fat pig up a pole, And flop with such sore toil into his saddle, As though a bran-bag dropped down from the clouds, To turn and wind a slow "Jerusalem," And shock the world with clumsy assmanship. * * * * * 'ARRY'S LATEST CONUNDRUM.--Why is a title-page like charity?--Becos it always begins a tome. (Begins at 'ome, don'tcher see!) * * * * * [Illustration: _Cockney Friend._ "Good 'evins! there's a pheasant!" _Country Friend._ "Well, what of it?" _Cockney._ "Why, it ain't the fust of Hoctober?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Lady Visitor (at work-girls' club, giving some advice on manners)._ "And you know ladies never speak to gentlemen without an introduction." _'Liza._ "We knows yer don't, miss, an' we offen pities yer!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN IDYLL _Hemma._ "Oh, 'Arry, hain't this 'eavenly! You'll promise to give me 'am sandwiches always, when we're married, won't yer?" _'Arry._ "'Corse I will!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Workman._ "Why don't yer buy yer _own_ matches, 'stead of always cadgin' mine?" _Second Workman._ "You're uncommon mean with yer matches. I'll just take a few"--(_helps himself to two-thirds_)--"and be hinderpendent of yer!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ERRAND BOYS _First Boy._ "Where are yer goin' to, Bill?" _Second Boy._ "I've got to go right over 'Ammersmith Bridge to Barnes, then I'se got to go to Putney and back by Fulham Road, then to 'Igh Street, Kensington." _First Boy._ "Why, I've got to go to 'Igh Street. You go on. I'm in a bit of a hurry, but _I'll wait for yer_!"] * * * * * MOST MUSICAL, MOST MELANCHOLY.--A Cockney gentleman who had been hearing a concert of old music, where every piece that was performed was in the programme termed an "op.," observed, as he went out, "Well, after all these 'ops, I vote we have some malt." * * * * * COCKNEYISM IN THE COUNTRY.--_1st Cockney._ I say, what sort of a 'ouse will do for a fowl-'ouse? _2nd Cockney._ Lor' bless yer, _hen_-ny 'ouse. * * * * * CONUNDRUM FOR COCKNEYS.--Which has the greater amount of animal heat, the beaver or the otter? Why, of course, the _otter_ of the two. * * * * * SONG OF THE COCKNEY SPORTSMAN How happy could I be in heather, At the grouse gaily blazing away! But then, somehow, I can't touch a feather, So 'tis better at Brighton to stay. * * * * * PRO BONO.--There is one first-rate joint that comes to table which is the Cockney's prime aversion--the h-bone. * * * * * [Illustration: A MODEL MODEL. (_The artist is rather shy, and has left his model to do the honours of his studio._) "From whom did Mr. M'Gilp paint that head?" "From yours obediently, madam. I sit for the 'eads of all 'is 'oly men." "He must find you a very useful person." "Yes, madam. I order his frames, stretch his canvases, wash his brushes, set his palette, and mix his colours. All _he's_ got to do is just to _shove 'em on!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Tripper._ "'Ere! 'Arf a mo'! Where's the change out o' that bob I gave yer?" _Bystander._ "Don't worry about it, cocky; ain't you got the bloomin' 'oss as security!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Holiday Driver (returning from a pic-nic)._ "Excuse me, sir, but can you see anything wrong with the 'arness of this 'ere 'orse?"] * * * * * SPORTSMEN AT SEA. _(Tom exhibiting a tern which he has shot)._ I say, 'Arry, wot bird 's this 'ere? _'Arry._ A auk, I should say. _Tom._ What yer calls a sparrerawk? _'Arry._ No. Hay, u, k, auk, without the sparrer. * * * * * A COCKNEY'S EPITAPH THINK! "From the cradle to the grave!" my brother, A nurse takes you from one, an 'earse to t'other. * * * * * A VULGAR ERROR.--Misplacing the haspirate. * * * * * A CHEVALIERESQUE CONUNDRUM.--_Coster Bill (to 'Arriet)._ I si! When is your young man like a fish out of water? _'Arriet._ Oh, g'long! Give't up. _Coster Bill._ Why, when 'es a _witin'_ round the corner. [Short encounter, and exeunt severally. * * * * * [Illustration: A CAPITAL ANSWER. _"Self-made" Man (examining school, of which he is a manager)._ "Now, boy, what's the capital of 'Olland?" _Boy._ "An 'H,' sir."] * * * * * DISCOVERED IN DRURY LANE (_Near the new Baker Street Lodging House established by the County Council._) I 'old it true wote'er befall, I feel it when things go most cross, Better do a fi'penny doss, Than never do a doss at all! * * * * * UNIVERSITY SYMPATHY. _First Errand Boy (after the University Boat Race)._ Wot 'ave yer got a light blue ribbon in yer button 'ole for, Tommy? _Second E. B. (promptly)._ 'Cos our 'ouse allus sells Cambridge sausages! * * * * * A MATTER OF TASTE. _Vulgar Parvenu (who is watching the interior decorations of his house)._ "Don't you think that tapestry 'eats the rooms?" _Artistic Decorator._ "Very possibly, sir; you see, it's Goblin (_Gobelin_)." * * * * * [Illustration: THE IRREPRESSIBLE. _Street Boy (to cabby, in a block)._ "Look 'ere, are you a goin' on wi' this four wheeler?--'r else me an' my friend'll get down an' walk!" [_Retires hastily._ ] * * * * * AUDACIOUS 'ARRYISM.--Our friend 'Arry objects to the title of a recently published novel, "Airy Fairy Lilian." He says that he can't imagine a fairy all over 'air, though he might an 'obgoblin. * * * * * THE BAGMAN'S BAG Hark how the cockney sportsman drops His aitches o'er the glades and glens, But, at hen pheasents though he pops, Your 'Arry never drops his n's. * * * * * A PAIR OF "NIPPERS."--A coster's twins. * * * * * COCKNEY CLASSICS. "Jack," said Robins, "which varsity would you rayther go to, Hoxford or 'Idleberg?" "Hoxford, Jemmy, to be sure, you muff," answered Robbins. "'Cos vy, I prefers hindustry to hidleness." * * * * * [Illustration: A BANK HOLIDAY REMINISCENCE. _'Arry._ "Ow much an hour, guv'nor?" _Horsekeeper._ "Eighteenpence." _'Arry._ "All right. I'll have a ride." _Horsekeeper._ "Well, you've got to leave 'arf a crown on the 'orse?"] * * * * * [Illustration: POOR LETTER "H" "Have you got any _whole_ strawberry jam?" "No, miss. All ours is quite new!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SONGS OF THE SUMMER "The weather seems to be improving, Nupkins!" "Yes, miss; the nightingale and the cuckoo is a-'ollerin', every night!"] * * * * * 'ARRY ON 'ORSEBACK Our 'Arry goes 'unting and sings with a will, "The 'orn of the 'unter is 'eard on the 'ill"; And oft, when a saddle looks terribly bare, The 'eels of our 'Arry are seen in the air! * * * * * COCKNEY EPITAPH FOR A COOK.--"Peace to his hashes." * * * * * "A Horse," observed a Scotch vet., "may have a very good appetite, and yet be unable to eat a bit." "Ah," said 'Arry, "there's the difference between a 'oss and a ostridge, which could eat bit, snaffle, curb and all." * * * * * LE SPORT. A Cockney sportsman, wishing to introduce hare-hunting into France, is seriously meditating a work on the subject, to be entitled, _Arrière-pensées_; _or, Thoughts on Keeping 'Ariers_. His _nom de plume_ will be _Le petit Jean du_ Jockey Club. * * * * * [Illustration: _'Arriet (as a bee alights on her hand)._ "My word, 'Arry, wot a pretty fly!" (_Sting._) "Crikey! ain't 'is feet 'ot!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "'Ullo, Jim, look 'ere! 'Ere's a noo stachoo! Lend us yer knife!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Jinks._ "I want to buy a dog. I don't know what they call the breed, but it is something the shape of a greyhound, with a short curly tail and rough hair. Do you keep dogs like that?" _Fancier._ "No. I drowns 'em!"] * * * * * COCKNEY PHILOSOPHY. The Socratic mode of argument is the only true mode of chopping logic, because it proceeds altogether on the principle of axing questions. * * * * * 'ARRY PUTS 'EM RIGHT. The _Daily Chronicle_--recently suggested that the plural of rhinoceros is a disputed point. 'Arry writes: "What O, _Mr. P._, 'disputed'?--not a bit. Any kiddy as 'as 'ad 'arf an eddication knows what the plural of ''oss' is, don't he? No matter as to its bein' spelt ''os' or ''oss.' Plural, anyway ''osses.' 'Bus-'os'--'Bus-'osses.' 'Rhinocer-os'--'Rhinocer-osses.' That's as plain as an 'aystack, ain't it?" "Yours, "'ARRY." * * * * * DEFINITION FOR A DINER-OUT.--An unlicensed wittler, quoth our worthy 'ost.--'ARRY. * * * * * [Illustration: FERVOUR IN THE FOG _Unpromising Individual (suddenly--his voice vibrating with passion)._ "She's moy unney; Oim 'er joy!"] * * * * * "Ah!" exclaimed, enthusiastically, a hairdresser's assistant who had been out for a holiday. "'Ind 'Ead, in Surrey! That's the place for hair!" * * * * * THE REAL LONDON PRIDE.--We know an inveterate Cockney who declares that London milk beats the country milk, and beats it "_by many chalks_." * * * * * GOOD PAPER FOR DEAF COCKNEYS.--_The 'Earer._ * * * * * THE MUSICAL COSTER CRAZE.--_Customer._ Have you a copy of Costa's _Eli_? _Shopman._ No, sir; we have none of Chevalier's songs. * * * * * [Illustration: "I say, 'Arry, don't we look frights!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "I say, Bill, oo was this 'ere Nelson as everybody wos a talkin' about?" "Why, 'e was the chap as turned the French out of Trafalgar Square!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Bill, can you lend me twopence?" "Wot a silly question to arst! Why, if I 'ad twopence, wot 'ud I be doin' standin' outside a public 'ouse?"] * * * * * A SONG OF SPRING _By a Cockney Poet._ All hail, thou jocund time of year, To Cockneys and cock-robins dear! All hail, thou flowery, showery season, When throstles, mating, perch the trees on: When sparrows on the house-tops sit, And court their loves with cheery twit: While opera songsters tune their throats, Exchanging for our gold their notes! Now Nature her new dress receives, And dinner-tables spread their leaves; Asparagus again one sees, And early ducklings, served with peas; Again the crisp whitebait we crunch, And chops of lambkin blithely munch; Salmon again our shops afford, And plovers' eggs adorn the board; While for one day at least our sons May stuff themselves with hot cross buns! See now the swells begin to show Their horsemanship in Rotten Row: See now the Drive is thronged once more, And idlers lounge there as of yore: See now fair April fills Mayfair, And gives new life to Grosvenor Square. See now what crowds flock to the Zoo, Where Master Hippo is on view See daffodils, and daisies pied In bloom, and buttercups beside: See now the thorn, and e'en the rose Signs of returning Spring disclose: See now the lilac large in bud; While costermongers, splashed with mud, The product of the passing showers, Cry, "Here's yer all a blowing flowers!" Or wake the echoes of the groves[A] With "Hornaments for yer fire-stoves!" [Footnote A: Westbourne Grove, Lisson Grove, Camden Grove, &c.] * * * * * [Illustration: _'Appy 'Arry_-- "With my new panama-a-ar And tupp'ny ciga-a-ar."] * * * * * [Illustration: ENCOURAGING, VERY! _Cockney Art-Teacher (newly arrived and nervous--after a long silence)._ "If you _should_ see a chance o' drorin' any thing correctly--DO SO!!" [_Collapse of expectant student._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: STANDING NO NONSENSE. _'Arry._ "Phew!"--(_the weather was warm, and they had walked over from 'Ammersmith_)--"bring us a bottle o'champagne, waiter." _Waiter._ "Yessir--dry, sir?" _'Arry (aughtily, to put a stop to this familiarity at once)._ "Never you mind whether we're dry or whether we ain't!--bring the wine!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SHEREDITY. _Lady._ "You don't mean to tell me that this little girl is fit to wait at table!" _Mother (proudly)._ "Well 'm, she _ought_ to be, seein' as 'ow 'er father 'as been a _plate layer_ for five-and-twenty year!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Lady (referring to programme, to friend)._ "'Schumann, op. 2.' What's the meaning of 'op. 2'?" _'Arry (who thinks he is being addressed, and always ready to oblige with information)._ "Oh, op. 2. Second dance; second 'op, yer know. May I 'ave the pleasure?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE SALE OF INTOXICANTS TO CHILDREN BILL. "It's another hinjustice to hus pore wimmen, it is! They won't let us send the kids for it now, an' if my heldest boy goes for it 'e 'as 'arf of it 'isself, 'an' if my old man goes 'e never comes back! so the hend of it is, I 'ave to go for it myself!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DISCOURAGING. _Nervous Philanthropist (on a slumming excursion)._ "Can you tell me if this is Little Erebus Street, my man?" _Suspicious-looking Party._ "Yus." _Nervous P._ "Er--rather a rough sort of thoroughfare, isn't it?" _Suspicious-looking P._ "Yus; it is a bit thick. The further yer gows daown, the thicker it gits. I lives in the last 'aouse." [_Exit philanthropist hurriedly in the opposite direction._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: THE FESTIVE SEASON. _First Burglar._ "'Ere's a go, mate! This 'ere bit o' turkey, knuckile hend of an 'am, arf a sossidge, and the 'olly off the plum-puddin'! Might as well 'ave looked in on a bloomin' vegetarian!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Temperance Orator._ "Ho, pause, my dear friends, pause!" _A Voice._ "Ye're right, ole man, _they are_!"] * * * * * COCKNEY HOBSERVATION. Cockneys are not the only people who drop or exasperate the "h's." It is done by common people in the provinces, and you may laugh at them for it. The deduction therefore is, that a peasant, with an "h," is fair game. * * * * * NEW COCKNEY SAINT.--Mrs. Malaprop declares that if she lives to be a hundred--and all her family detain a venerated age--she will certainly have a Saint 'Enery. * * * * * RIDDLE BY 'ARRY.--"Look 'ere, if you're speakin' of a young unmarried lady bein' rather 'uffy, what well-known river would you name?--Why, '_Miss is 'ippy_,' o' course." * * * * * [Illustration: EASTER MONDAY _'Arry._ "Do you pass any pubs on the way to Broadstairs, cabby?" _Cabby._ "Yes. Lots." _'Arry._ "Well, _don't!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: "I beg your pardon, ma'am, but I think you dropped this?"] * * * * * THE END BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE. 39707 ---- MR. PUNCH'S LIFE IN LONDON PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch", from its beginning in 1841 to the present day. MR. PUNCH'S LIFE IN LONDON [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: _Fussy Old Lady._ "Now, _don't_ forget, conductor, I _want the Bank of England_." _Conductor._ "_All_ right, mum." (_Aside._) "She _don't_ want _much_, do she, mate?"] * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S LIFE IN LONDON. [Illustration] AS PICTURED BY PHIL MAY, CHARLES KEENE, GEORGE DU MAURIER, L. RAVEN-HILL, J. BERNARD PARTRIDGE, E. T. REED, G. D. ARMOUR, F. H. TOWNSEND, FRED PEGRAM, C. E. BROCK, TOM BROWNE, A. S. BOYD, A. WALLIS MILLS, STARR WOOD, DUDLEY HARDY, AND MANY OTHER HUMORISTS. _IN 180 ILLUSTRATIONS_ [Illustration] PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages, fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN * * * * * [Illustration: SHAKESPEARE ON THE STREETS (_See "King Henry the Fourth," Act III., Sc. 1._) _Glendower_ (_to Hotspur_). Cousin of many men, I do not bear these crossings.] * * * * * [Illustration: A SKETCH IN REGENT STREET.--Puzzle--On which side are the shop windows?] * * * * * ROUND THE TOWN In the sixty-six years of his existence MR. PUNCH has at one time or another touched upon every phase of life in London. He has moved in high society; he has visited the slums; he has been to the churches, the theatres, the concert rooms; he has travelled on the railways, in the 'buses and the cabs; he has amused himself on 'Change; he has gone shopping; he has lounged in the clubs, been a shrewd watcher and listener at the Law Courts, dined in the hotels and restaurants, sat in Parliament, made merry in the servants' hall, loitered along the pavements with a quick eye and ear for the wit and humour of the streets, and dropped in casually, a genial and observant visitor, at the homes and haunts of all sorts and conditions of men and women. Obviously it is impossible that the fruits of all this adventuring could be gathered into a single volume; some of them are garnered already in other volumes of this series, in books that deal particularly with MR. PUNCH'S representations of what he has seen and heard of Society, of the Cockney, of the Lawyers, of our Domestics, of Clubmen and Diners-out, of the Theatres; therefore, in the present volume, we have limited him in the main to his recollections of the actual civic life in London, to his diversions on the Stock Exchange and in the Money Market generally, his pictured and written quips and jests about London's businesses and business men, with glimpses of what he knows of the variously dazzling and more or less strenuous life that everywhere environs these. * * * * * [Illustration: SUBJECT FOR A DECORATIVE PANEL.--Road "up." Time--in the height of the season. Place--everywhere.] * * * * * [Illustration] MR. PUNCH'S LIFE IN LONDON THE CITY "ARTICLE."--Money. * * * * * FROM THE STREETS.--A street conjuror complained the other day that he couldn't throw the knives and balls about, because he did not feel in the vein. "In what vein?" asked a bystander, weakly. "The juggler vein, of course, stupid!" was the answer. [_The bystander retired._ * * * * * A LIGHT EMPLOYMENT.--Cleaning windows. * * * * * "_The Model Ready Reckoner._"--The man with his last shilling. * * * * * MONEY-MARKET AND CITY INTELLIGENCE.--Operators for the rise--aeronauts; likewise anglers. * * * * * JUST OFF--THE BOURSE.--_Stockbroker_ (_to Client who has been pretty well loaded with certain scrip_). Well, it just comes to this. Are you prepared to go the whole hog or none? _Client_ (_timidly_). I think I'd rather go the none. * * * * * WHAT COLOUR SHOULD PARASITES DRESS IN?--Fawn. * * * * * HOUSEHOLD HINTS FOR ECONOMICAL MANAGERS _How to Obtain a good Serviceable Light Porter._--Take a pint of stout, and add a quart of spring water. There you have him. _How to make Hats last._--Make everything else first. _How to Prevent Ale from Spoiling._--Drink it. _How to Avoid being Considered above your Business._--Never live over your shop. _How to make your Servants rise._--Send them up to sleep in the attics. * * * * * [Illustration: _Bus Driver_ (_to charioteer of broken-down motor-car_). "I've been tellin' yer all the week to taike it 'ome, an' now yer wants to, yer cawn't!"] * * * * * THE STREETS OF LONDON The stately streets of London Are always "up" in Spring, To ordinary minds an ex- traordinary thing. Then cabs across strange ridges bound, Or sink in holes, abused With words resembling not, in sound, Those Mrs. Hemans used. The miry streets of London, Dotted with lamps by night; What pitfalls where the dazzled eye Sees doubly ruddy light! For in the season, just in May, When many meetings meet, The jocund vestry starts away, And closes all the street. The shut-up streets of London! How willingly one jumps From where one's cab must stop through pools Of mud, in dancing pumps! When thus one skips on miry ways One's pride is much decreased, Like Mrs. Gilpin's, for one's "chaise" Is "three doors off" at least. The free, fair streets of London Long, long, in vestry hall, May heads of native thickness rise, When April showers fall; And green for ever be the men Who spend the rates in May, By stopping all the traffic then In such a jocose way! * * * * * [Illustration: _Straphanger_ (_in first-class compartment, to first-class passenger_). "I say, guv'nor, 'ang on to this 'ere strap a minute, will yer, while I get a light?"] * * * * * THE GAS-FITTER'S PARADISE.--Berners Street. * * * * * CIVIC WIT.--A City friend of ours, who takes considerable interest in the fattening of his fowls, alleges, as a reason, that he is an advocate for widening the Poultry. * * * * * TO AUCTIONEERS.--The regulations regarding sales are not to be found in any _bye_ laws. * * * * * POETRY AND FINANCE.--Among all the quotations in all the money market and City articles who ever met with a line of verse? * * * * * ANYTHING BUT AN ALDERMAN'S MOTTO.--"Dinner forget." * * * * * A GENTLEMAN who lives by his wits.--_Mr. Punch._ * * * * * DEFINITION.--The Mansion House--A mayor's nest. * * * * * [Illustration: IN A TRAM-CAR _Lady_ (_with smelly basket of fish_). "Dessay you'd rather 'ave a gentleman settin' a-side of you?" _Gilded Youth_ (_who has been edging away_). "Yes, I would." _Lady._ "Same'ere!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Inquisitive Guardian._ "By the way, have you any children?" _Applicant for Relief._ "No." _Guardian._ "But--er--surely I know a son of yours?" _Applicant._ "Well, I don't suppose you'd call a _child_ children!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Please, sir, tuppence worth of butter scrapin's, an' mother says be sure they're all _clean_, 'cause she's expectin' company."] * * * * * [Illustration: UNCONSCIONABLE _Head of the Firm._ "Want a holiday!? Why, you've just been at home ill for a month!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE FORCE OF HABIT _Traveller_ (_suffering from the Heat of Weather, &c._). "Wesh Bromp'n--shingl'--cold 'th bit o' lemon--loo' sharp--'r else shan't kesh my train!"] * * * * * THE EXILED LONDONER I roam beneath a foreign sky, That sky is cloudless, warm and clear; And everything is glad but I;-- But ah! my heart is far from here. They bid me look on forests green, And boundless prairies stretching far; But I rejoice not in their sheen, And longing turn to Temple Bar. They bid me list the torrent's roar, In all its foaming, bounding pride; But I, I only think the more On living torrents in Cheapside! They bid me mark the mighty stream, Which Mississippi rolls to sea; But then I sink in pensive dream, And turn my thoughts, dear Thames, to thee! They bid me note the mountains high, Whose snow-capp'd peaks my prospect end; I only heave a secret sigh-- To Ludgate Hill my wishes tend. They taunt me with our denser air, And fogs so thick you scarce can see; Then, yellow fog, I will declare, Though strange to say, I long for thee. And everything in this bright clime But serves to turn my thoughts to thee! Thou, London, of an earlier time, Oh! when shall I return to thee? * * * * * [Illustration: _Customer._ "That dog I bought last week has turned out very savage. He's already bitten a little girl and a policeman, and----" _Dealer._ "Lor'! how 'e's changed, mum! He wasn't at all particular what he ate 'ere!"] * * * * * PANIC IN THE CITY TIME--3.30 P.M. _Excited Stockbroker._--By Jove! it's serious now. _Other dittos._ Hey? what? _Excited Stockbroker._ Rothschild's "gone"-- _Clients_ (_new to City, thunderstruck_). _Gone!_ Rothschild!!--but-- _Excited Stockbroker._ Yes. _Gone to Paris._ _Exit._ * * * * * WHAT TO EXPECT AT AN HOTEL.--Inn-attention. * * * * * A QUESTION FOR LLOYD'S.--Are sub-editors underwriters? * * * * * INCIDENTS OF TAXATION.--Collectors and summonses. * * * * * WHAT A CITY COMPANY DOES.--It may not be generally known that the duty of the Spectacle-makers is to get up the Lord Mayor's Show. Glasses round, and then they proceed to business. * * * * * IMPOSSIBLE PHRASE.--The happy rich, the happy poor, both quite possible. But, "the happy mean"--oh no--impossible. * * * * * SONG FOR THE TOWN-TIED SPORTSMAN.--"How happy could I be with _heather_!" * * * * * [Illustration: PROGRESS.--(_Overheard in Kensington._ Time, 9 A.M.).--_Fair Club Member_ (_lately married, to friend_). "Bye, bye! Can't stop! Must rush off, or I shall be _scratched for the billiard handicap_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Policeman_ (_to slightly sober individual, who is wobbling about in the road amongst the traffic_). "Come, old man, walk on the pavement." _Slightly Sober Individual._ "_Pavement!_ Who do you take me for? _Blondin?_"] * * * * * [Illustration: SKETCHED IN OXFORD STREET] * * * * * INSCRIPTION TO BE PLACED OVER THE STOCK EXCHANGE.--"_Bear_ and for-_bear_." * * * * * THE PRICE OF BREAD.--Twists have taken a turn; and cottages have come down in some places, owing to the falls of bricks, which continue to give way rapidly. A baker near one of the bridges has not had a roll over, which is to be accounted for by his having come down in regular steps to a level with the lower class of consumers. Plaster of Paris is in some demand, and there have been some mysterious transactions in sawdust by the baker who liberally deals with the workhouse. * * * * * [Illustration: SYMPHONY IN BLACK. The vassal who does soot and service.] * * * * * OFFICIAL ORDER.--All cabmen plying within hail are to be supplied with umbrellas by Government. * * * * * [Illustration: HE DIDN'T MEAN TO LOSE THAT "Miffins, the book-keeper, tells me that you have lost the key of the safe, and he cannot get at the books." "Yes, sir, one of them. You gave me two, you remember." "Yes; I had duplicates made in case of accident. And the other?" "Oh, sir, I took care of that. I was afraid I might lose one of them, you know." "And is the other all right?" "Yes, sir. I put it where there was no danger of it being lost. It is in the safe, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: IN A NOVEMBER FOG _Frenchman_ (_just arrived on his first visit to London_). "Ha, ha! my frien', now I understan' vot you mean ven you say ze sun nevaire set in your dominion, ma foi! _It does not rise!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: "NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND" _Thirsty Soul_ (_after several gyrations round the letter-box_). "I sh'like t'know wha'-sh-'e good 'f gen'lem'n-sh turn'n tea-tot'ller 'f gov'm'nt (_hic_) goes-h an' cut-sh th' shpouts-h o' th' _bumpsh_ off!"] * * * * * THE LONDONER'S DIARY (_For August_) _Monday._--Got up at nine o'clock. Lounged to the park. No one there. Went to bed at twelve. _Tuesday._--Got up at ten o'clock. Walked to the House of Commons. Closed. Went to bed at eleven. _Wednesday._--Got up at eleven o'clock. Looked in at Prince's. Deserted. Went to bed at ten. _Thursday._--Got up at twelve o'clock. Strolled to the club. Shut up for repairs. Went to bed at nine. _Friday._--Got up at one o'clock. Stayed at home. Dull. Went to bed at eight. _Saturday._--Got up at five a.m. Went out of town at six. * * * * * THE REVERSE OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL.--A school in which very few members of society are brought up--a charity school. * * * * * [Illustration: PAST RECLAIMING _Brixton Barber._ "Revival seems to be in the hair, sir." _Customer._ "Not in _mine_!"] * * * * * FOG Thou comest in familiar guise, When in the morning I awake, You irritate my throat and eyes, I vow that life's a sad mistake. You come to hang about my hair, My much-enduring lungs to clog, I feel you with me everywhere, Our own peculiar London fog. You clothe the City in such gloom, We scarce can see across the street, You seem to penetrate each room, And mix with everything I eat. I hardly dare to stir about, But sit supine as any log; You make it torture to go out, Our own peculiar London fog. * * * * * THE END OF TABLE-TURNING.--An inmate of a lunatic asylum, driven mad by spiritualism, wishes to try to turn the multiplication table. * * * * * "THE QUESTION OF THE HOUR."--What o'clock is it? * * * * * PERPETUAL MOTION DISCOVERED.--The _winding_ up of public companies. * * * * * FLIES IN AMBER.--Yellow cabs. * * * * * [Illustration: _'Bus Driver_ (_to Cabby, who is trying to lash his horse into something like a trot_). "Wot's the matter with 'im, Willum? 'E don't seem 'isself this mornin'. I believe you've bin an' changed 'is milk!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A SKETCH FROM LIFE _Chorus_ (_slow music_). "We're a rare old--fair old--rickety, rackety crew!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE--_In a 'Bus._ TIME--_During the Hot Spell._ _First City Man._ "D----d hot, isn't---- I--I beg your pardon, madam, I--I quite forgot there was a lady pres----" _Stout Party._ "Don't apologise. It's much worse than that!"] * * * * * THE CAPITALISTS (_A Story of Yesterday for To-morrow and To-day_) "What, Brown, my boy, is that you?" said Smith, heartily. "The same, and delighted to see you," was the reply. "Have you heard the news, my dear fellow?" asked Smith. "You mean about the position of the Bank of England? Why, certainly; all the City is talking about it." "Ah, it is absolutely grand! Never was the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street in such a strong position. Marvellous! my dear friend; absolutely marvellous!" "Quite so. Never were we--as a people--so rich!" "Yes, prosperity seems to be coming back by leaps and bounds." "You never said anything so true," observed Smith. "Right you are," cried Brown. And then the two friends shook hands once more with increased cordiality, and passed on. They walked in different directions a few steps, and both stopped. They turned round. "Smith," said Brown, "I have to ask you a trifling favour." "Brown, it is granted before I know its purport." "Well, the truth is, I am penniless--lend me half-a-crown." Smith paused for a moment. "You surely do not wish to refuse me?" asked Brown in a tone of pained surprise. "I do not, Smith," replied his friend, with fervour. "Indeed, I do not!" "Then produce the two-and-sixpence." "I would, my dear fellow, if in the wide world I could raise it!" And then the ancient comrades shook hands once again, and parted in sorrow, but not in anger. They felt that after all they were only in the fashion. * * * * * [Illustration: A NEGLECTED INDUSTRY "'Ow are yer gettin' on, Bill?" "Ain't gettin' on at all. I'm beginnin' to think as the publick doesn't know what they wants!"] * * * * * TOO COMMON A THING.--A member of a limited liability company in a bad way, said he should turn itinerant preacher. He was asked why? He said he had had a call. * * * * * [Illustration: _Country Cousin._ "Do you stop at the Cecil?" _'Bus Driver._ "_Do_ I stop at the Cecil!--_on twenty-eight bob a week_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FRIGHTFUL LEVITY.--_Bus-Driver._ "Hullo, gov'nour; got any room?" _Policeman, Driving Van_ (_with great want of self-respect_). "Just room for one; saved a place a purpose for you, sir." _Bus-Driver._ "What's yer fare?" _Policeman._ "Bread and water; same as you had afore!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A MISUNDERSTANDING.--_Old Gent._ (_evidently from the Shires_). "Hi! hoy! stop!" _Conductor._ "'Old 'ard Bill!" (_To Old Gent._) "Where are yer for, sir?" _Old Gent._ (_panting in pursuit_). "Here!--let's have a--box o' them--_safety matches_!" [_Objurgations!_ ] * * * * * ON THE SPECULATIVE BUILDER He's the readiest customer living, While you're lending, or spending or giving; But when you'd make profit, or get back your own, He's the awkwardest customer ever you've known. * * * * * FAVOURITE SONG ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE.--"_Oh! what a difference in the morning!_" * * * * * THE REAL "BITTER" CRY OF LONDON.--The demand for Bass and Allsopp. * * * * * CABBY calls the new auto-cars his motormentors. * * * * * [Illustration: THOROUGH!--_Hairdresser_ (_to perspiring Customer during the late hot weather_). "'Hair cut, sir?" _Stout Party_ (_falling into the chair, exhausted_). "Ye----" _Hairdresser._ "Much off, sir?" _Stout Party._ "(_Phew!_) Cut it to the bone!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DIVERTING THE TRAFFIC!] THE THING TO THROW LIGHT ON SPIRITUALISTIC SÃ�ANCES.--A spirit-lamp. * * * * * THE RULING PASSION.--A great financial reformer is so devoted to figures that when he has nothing else to do he casts up his eyes. * * * * * BUBBLE CONCERNS.--Aërated water companies. * * * * * NEW LONDON STREET DIRECTORY _Adam Street._--Antediluvian anecdotes and traditions still linger here. _Air Street._--Doctors send their patients to this locality for change. _Aldermanbury._--Visited by numbers of bereaved relatives. _Amwell Street._--Always healthy. _Barking Alley._--To be avoided in the dog days. _Boy Court._--Not far from Child's Place. _Camomile Street._--See Wormwood Street. _Coldbath Square._--Very bracing. _Distaff Lane._--Full of spinsters. _Farm Street._--Highly sensitive to the fluctuations of the corn market. _Fashion Street._--Magnificent sight in the height of the season. _First Street._--Of immense antiquity. _Friday Street._--Great jealousy felt by all the other days of the week. _Garlick Hill._--Make a little _détour_. _Glasshouse Street._--Heavily insured against hailstorms. _Godliman Street._--Irreproachable. _Great Smith Street._--Which of the Smiths is this? _Grundy Street._--Named after that famous historic character--Mrs. Grundy. _Hercules Buildings._--Rich in traditions and stories of the "Labours" of the Founder. _Homer Street._--Literally classic ground. The house pointed out in connection with "the blind old bard" has long since disappeared. _Idol Lane._--Where are the Missionaries? _Ivy Lane._--This, and Lillypot Lane, and Woodpecker Lane, and Wheatsheaf Yard, and White Thorn Street, all sweetly rural. It is difficult to make a selection. _Lamb's Conduit Street._--Touching description (by the oldest inhabitant) of the young lambs coming to drink at the conduit. _Liquorpond Street._--See Philpot Lane. _Love Lane._--What sort of love? The "love of the turtle?" _Lupus Street._ } } Both dangerous. _Maddox Street._} _Milk Street._--Notice the number of pumps. _Mincing Lane._--Mincing is now mostly done elsewhere, by machinery. _Orchard Street._--The last apple was gathered here about the time that the last coursing match took place in Hare Court. _Paper Buildings._--Wonderfully substantial! Brief paper extensively used in these buildings. _Paradise Street._ } } Difficult to choose between the two. _Peerless Street._ } _Poultry._ } } Crowded at Christmas. _Pudding Lane._ } _Quality Court._--Most aristocratic. _Riches Court._--Not a house to be had for love or money. _Shepherdess Walk._--Ought to be near Shepherds' Bush. _Trump Street._--Noted for whist. _Type Street._--Leaves a most favourable impression. _World's End Passage._--Finis. * * * * * [Illustration: A QUALIFIED GUIDE.--_Befogged Pedestrian._ "Could you direct me to the river, please?" _Hatless and Dripping Stranger._ "Straight ahead. I've just come from it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FASHIONABLE AND SEASONABLE. Where to sup _al fresco_ in the hottest weather. The "_Whelkome_ Club"] * * * * * "THE ROUND OF THE RESTAURANTS."--Beef. * * * * * [Illustration: SACRIFICE.--_Good Templar._ "Tut--t--t--really, Swizzle, it's disgraceful to see a man in your position in this state, after the expense we've incurred and the exertions we've used to put down the liquor traffic!" _Swizzle._ "Y' may preash as mush as y' like, gen'l'm'n, bur I can tell y' I've made more persh'nal efforsh to (_hic_) purrown liquor than any of ye!"] * * * * * A LONDON FOG A fog in London daytime like the night is, Our fellow-creatures seem like wandering ghosts, The dull mephitic cloud will bring bronchitis; You cannon into cabs or fall o'er posts. The air is full of pestilential vapours, Innumerable "blacks" come with the smoke; The thief and rough cut unmolested capers, In truth a London fog's no sort of joke. You rise by candle-light or gaslight, swearing There never was a climate made like ours; If rashly you go out to take an airing, The soot-flakes come in black plutonian show'rs. Your carriage wildly runs into another, No matter though you go at walking pace; You meet your dearest friend, or else your brother And never know him, although face to face. The hours run on, and night and day commingle, Unutterable filth is in the air; You're much depressed, e'en in the fire-side ingle, The hag dyspepsia seems everywhere. Your wild disgust in vain you try to bridle, Mad as March hare or hydrophobic dog, You feel, in fact, intensely suicidal: Such things befall us in a London fog! * * * * * THE MOST LOYAL OF CUP-BEARERS.--A blind man's dog. * * * * * [Illustration: NOT QUITE WHAT HE MEANT. _Joan_ (_on her annual Spring visit to London_). "There, John, I think that would suit me." _Darby_ (_grumblingly_). "_That_, Maria? Why, a pretty figure it would come to!" _Joan._ "Ah, John dear, you're always so complimentary! I'll go and ask the price."] * * * * * STARTING A SYNDICATE A Serio-Comic Interlude SCENE--_An Office in the City._ TIME--_After Lunch._ PRESENT--_Members of a proposed Syndicate._ _First Member._ And now, gentlemen, to business. I suppose we may put down the capital at fifty thousand? _Second Mem._ Better make it five hundred thousand. Half a million is so much easier to get. _Third Mem._ Of course. Who would look at a paltry fifty? _First Mem._ Perhaps you are right. Five pound shares, eh? _Fourth Mem._ Better make them sovereigns. Simpler to manipulate. _First Mem._ I daresay. Then the same solicitors as our last? _Fifth Mem._ Yes, on the condition that they get a firm to undertake the underwriting. _First Mem._ Necessarily. The firm I propose, gentlemen, are men of business, and quite recognise that nothing purchases nothing. _Second Mem._ And they could get the secretary with a thousand to invest. _First Mem._ Certainly. Our brokers, bankers, and auditors as before. Eh, gentlemen? _Fifth Mem._ On the same conditions. _First Mem._ That is understood. And now the prospectus is getting into shape. Is there anything else anyone can suggest? _Fourth Mem._ Oughtn't we to have some object in view? _First Mem._ Assuredly. Making money. _Fourth Mem._ Don't be frivolous. But what I mean is, should we not know for what purpose we are going to expend the half million? _First Mem._ Oh, you mean the name. Well, that comparatively unimportant detail we might safely leave until our next pleasant gathering. [_Meeting adjourned._ _Curtain._ * * * * * IN EXTREMIS.--That man is indeed hard up who cannot get credit even for good intentions. * * * * * "WALKER!"--How unfair to sneer at the City tradesmen for being above their business, when so few of them live over their shops! * * * * * [Illustration: An early morning snapshot in the suburbs. Mr. Bumpus dresses his window.] * * * * * [Illustration: METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS Proposed elevated roadway for perambulators] * * * * * EXAMINATION FOR A DIRECTORSHIP (_From "The City Man's Vade Mecum"_) _Promoter._ Are you a gentleman of blameless reputation? _Candidate._ Certainly, and I share that reputation with a dozen generations of ancestors. _Promoter._ And no doubt you are the soul of honour? _Candidate._ That is my belief--a belief shared by all my friends and acquaintances. _Promoter._ And I think, before taking up finance, you have devoted a long life to the service of your country? _Candidate._ That is so. My career has been rewarded by all kinds of honours. _Promoter._ And there is no particular reason why you should dabble in Stock Exchange matters? _Candidate._ None that I know of--save, perhaps, to serve a friend. _Promoter._ Now, be very careful. Do you know anything whatever about the business it is proposed you should superintend? _Candidate._ Nothing whatever. I know nothing absolutely about business. _Promoter._ Then I have much pleasure in informing you that you have been unanimously elected a member of the board of management! [_Scene closes in until the public demands further information._ * * * * * [Illustration: "_Perfeck Lidy_" (_who has just been ejected_). "Well, _next_ time I goes into a publickouse, I'll go somewhere where I'll be _respected_!"] * * * * * RIDDLE FOR THE CITY Oh! why, my friend, is a joint stock Concern like, yet unlike, a clock? Because it may be wound up; when, Alas! it doesn't go again. * * * * * THE SEAT OF IMPUDENCE.--A cabman's box. * * * * * SONG OF SUBURBAN HOUSEHOLDERS AWAITING THE ADVENT OF THE DUSTMAN.--"We _always_ use a big, big D!" * * * * * A FLOATING CAPITAL JOKE.--When may a man be said to be literally immersed in business?--When he's giving a swimming lesson. * * * * * A CHEERFUL INVESTMENT.--A laughing-stock. * * * * * [Illustration: _Baker._ "I shall want another ha'penny. Bread's gone up to-day." _Boy._ "Then give us one of yesterday's."] * * * * * WHY I AM IN TOWN Because I have long felt a strong desire to know by personal experiment what London is like at this season of the year. Because the house requires some repairs, and I am anxious to be on the spot to look after the workpeople. Because the progress of my book on Universal Eccentricity renders it necessary that I should pay frequent visits to the library of the British Museum. Because I have been everywhere, and know every place. Because the sanitary condition of the only place I at all care to go to is not altogether satisfactory. Because my Uncle Anthony is expected home every day from Australia, and I am unwilling to be absent from town when he arrives. Because my cousin Selina is going to be married from her stepfather's at Upper Clapton, and insists on my giving her away to the gentleman with whom she is about to penetrate into the interior of Africa. Because I am desirous to avail myself of this opportunity of completing some statistical tables I am compiling, showing the comparative numbers of horses, carriages, and pedestrians passing my dining-room windows on the last Saturday in May and the last Saturday in August respectively. Because my eldest son is reading with a private tutor for his army examination, and I feel I am of some use to him in his studies. Because my Aunt Philippa is detained in town by an attack of gout, and expects me to call and sit with her three times a day. Because I am determined to put into execution my long-cherished design of thoroughly exploring the British Museum, the National Gallery, the South Kensington Museum, St. Paul's, Westminster Abbey, the public monuments, and the City churches. Because it is pecuniarily inconvenient to me to be anywhere else. * * * * * NOTICE.--The gentleman who, the other day, ran away from home, without stopping to take his breath, is requested to fetch it as quickly as possible. * * * * * [Illustration: FOGGED.--_Cabman_ (_who thinks he has been passing a line of linkmen_). "Is this right for Paddington?" _Linkman._ "'Course it is! First to the right and straight on. 'Aven't I told ye that three times already? Why, you've been drivin' round this square for the last 'arf hour!"] * * * * * [Illustration: VIRTUOUS INDIGNATION.--_Betting Man_ (_to his Partner_). "Look 'ere, Joe! I 'ear you've been gamblin' on the Stock Exchange! Now, a man _must_ draw the line _somewhere_; and if that kind of thing goes on, you and me will 'ave to part company!"] * * * * * MISNOMERS You start a company to make it go, It fails, and so you drop it; It didn't go but yet has gone, and so You wind it up to stop it. Stocks in your garden you will surely find By want of rain are slaughtered; Yet many stocks have languished and declined Because they have been watered. Suppose a company for brewing beer Should come to a cessation-- That is--"dry up" 'tis curious to hear It's called "in liquidation." * * * * * PREHISTORIC LONDON.--Some archæologists have discovered an analogy between the druidical worship and a form of semitic idolatry. It has been surmised that the Old Bailey derives its name from having been the site of a temple of Baal. * * * * * THE RULE OF ROME.--An "Inquiring City Clerk," fresh from his Roman history, writes to ask if "S.P.Q.R." stands for "Small profits, quick returns." * * * * * A TEMPERANCE PUBLIC-HOUSE.--A slop-shop. * * * * * [Illustration: MELTING MOMENTS (_Temperature 95° in the Shade._) _Friend._ "How does this weather suit you, old chap?" _Bankrupt Proprietor._ "Oh, down to the ground! You see, I'm in liquidation!"] * * * * * THE ORIGINAL COOK'S TOURIST.--Policeman X on his beat. * * * * * "THE GREAT PLAGUE OF LONDON."--A barrel-organ. * * * * * THE LATEST THING OUT.--The night-light. * * * * * [Illustration: _Johnny_ (_who has to face a bad Monday, to Manager at Messrs. R-thsch-ld's_). "Ah! I--want to--ah!--see you about an overdraft." _Manager._ "How much do you require?" _Johnny._ "Ah!--how much have you got?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _French Lady._ "Picca-di-lee Circus." _Obliging Conductor._ "All right. One pence." _French Lady_ (_who rather prides herself on her English pronunciation_). "I anterstond ze Engleeshe langue." _Obliging Conductor._ "Oh, all right. Keep yer 'air on!"] * * * * * THE MOST UNPLEASANT MEETING.--Having to meet a bill. * * * * * WHAT intimate connection is there between the lungs of London and the lights of the metropolis? * * * * * SAW FOR SLOP TAILORS.--Ill tweeds shrink apace. * * * * * A TISSUE OF LIES.--A forged bank-note. * * * * * A NICE INVESTMENT.--Amongst the advertisements of new undertakings we notice one of "The Universal Disinfector Company." Our broker has instructions to procure us some shares, if they are in good odour. * * * * * A TIGHT FIT.--Intoxication. * * * * * HOW TO SUPPLY ST. PAUL'S WITH BELLS AND CHIMES _Cheap_.--Melt down the canons. * * * * * A THOUGHT FROM OUR TUB.--Respect everybody's feelings. If you wish to have your laundress's address, avoid asking her where she "hangs out." * * * * * HARD LINES.--Overhead wires. * * * * * HOTEL FOR BEE-FANCIERS.--The Hum-mums. * * * * * UNPRECEDENTED TRADE ANNOUNCEMENT.--The pig-market was quiet. * * * * * MONEY MARKET AND SANITARY INTELLIGENCE.--The unsafest of all deposits is the deposit of the banks of the Thames. * * * * * THE PLACE TO SPEND ALL FOOLS' DAY.--_Madame Tous-sots'._ * * * * * [Illustration: _Bus-driver._ "All right, ladies! You're quite safe. They're werry partikler wot they eats!"] * * * * * [Illustration: METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS The next sensational literary advertisement; or, things of beauty in our streets.] * * * * * SOLEMN JEST.--Where should postmen be buried? In a post-crypt. * * * * * A BLUNDER-BUS.--One that takes you to Holborn when you want to go to the Bank. * * * * * EPITAPH FOR A STOCKBROKER.--"Waiting for a rise." * * * * * BOARD WAGES.--Directors' fees. * * * * * [Illustration: STOCK EXCHANGE _Illustrated by Dumb-Crambo, Junior_] [Illustration: Carrying over] [Illustration: Market firm] [Illustration: Arranging for a fall] [Illustration: Market falling] [Illustration: Preparing for a rise] [Illustration: Home securities flat] * * * * * A NEW WAY TO GET A FRESH APPETITE (_A real bit from life at a City company's dinner_) _Young Visitor._ Really, sir, you must excuse me. I am compelled to refuse. _Old Alderman_ (_with profound astonishment_). What, refuse these beautiful grouse? It's impossible! _Young Visitor._ It _is_ impossible, I can assure you, sir. I cannot eat any more. _Old Alderman_ (_tenderly_). Come, come. I tell you what now. Just take my advice, and _try a cold chair_. * * * * * DESIGN FOR A PAPER-WEIGHT.--The portrait of a gentleman waiting for the _Times_. * * * * * THE BEST "FINANCIAL RELATIONS."--Our "uncles." * * * * * AT THE ANGEL COURT KITCHEN.--_Stranger_ (_to Eminent Financier_). Why did you call that man at the bar "the Microbe"? _Eminent Financier._ Because he's "in everything." * * * * * GROUND RENTS.--The effects of an earthquake. * * * * * [Illustration: FOLLOWING THE FASHION.--_Baked-Tater Merchant._ "'Ow's trade! Why fust-rate!! I'm a-goin' to conwert the bis'ness into a limited liability comp'ny--and retire into private life!!!"] * * * * * SONGS OF THE STREETS UPON THE KERB Upon the kerb a maiden neat-- Her watchet eyes are passing sweet-- There stands and waits in dire distress: The muddy road is pitiless, And 'buses thunder down the street! A snowy skirt, all frill and pleat; Two tiny, well-shod, dainty feet Peep out, beneath her kilted dress, Upon the kerb! She'll first advance and then retreat, Half frightened by a hansom fleet. She looks around, I must confess, With marvellous coquettishness!-- Then droops her eyes and looks discreet, Upon the kerb! * * * * * Definition of "THE HAPPY MEAN."--A joyful miser. * * * * * TO PEOPLE DOWN IN THE WORLD.--Try the new hotels: they will give you a lift. * * * * * WHAT is the best thing to do in a hurry? Nothing. * * * * * [Illustration: _Sarah_ (_to Sal_). "Lor! ain't 'e 'andy with 'is feet!"] * * * * * PUNCH'S COUNTRY COUSIN'S GUIDE THE METROPOLIS IN THE _MORTE SAISON_ 8 A.M.--Rise, as in the country, and stroll round the squares before breakfast, to see the turn out of cooks and charwomen. Ask your way back of the first policeman you meet. 9 A.M.--Breakfast. First taste of London milk and butter. Analyse, if not in a hurry. Any policeman will show you the nearest chemist. 10 A.M.--To Battersea Park to see carpets beaten. Curious atmospheric effects observable in the clouds of dust and the language of the beaters. Inquire your road of any policeman. 11 A.M.--Take penny steamer up to Westminster Bridge, in time to arrive at Scotland Yard, and inspect the police as they start on their various beats. For any information, inquire of the inspector. 12 P.M.--Hansom cab races. These can be viewed at any hour by standing still at a hundred yards from any cabstand and holding up a shilling. An amusing sequel may be enjoyed by referring all the drivers to the nearest policeman. 1 P.M.--Observe the beauties of solitude among the flowers in Hyde Park. Lunch at the lodge on curds and whey. Ask the whey of the park keeper. 2 P.M.--Visit the exhibitions of painting on the various scaffoldings in Belgravia. Ask the next policeman if the house painters are Royal Academicians. Note what he says. 3 P.M.--Look at the shops in Bond Street and Regent Street, and purchase the dummy goods disposed of at an awful sacrifice. 4 P.M.--See the stickleback fed at the Westminster Aquarium. If nervous at being alone, ask the policeman in waiting to accompany you over the building. 5 P.M.--Find a friend still in town to give you five o'clock tea in her back drawing-room--the front of the house being shut up. 6 P.M.--Back to the park. Imagine the imposing cavalcades in Rotten Row (now invisible), with the aid of one exercising groom and the two daughters of a riding-master in full procession. 7 P.M.--Wake up the waiters at the Triclinium Restaurant, and persuade them to warm up dinner for your benefit. 8 P.M.--Perambulate the Strand, and visit the closed doors of the various theatres. Ask the nearest policeman for his opinion on London actors. You will find it as good as a play. 9 P.M.--A Turkish bath may be had in Covent Garden Theatre. Towels or programmes are supplied by the policemen at the doors. 10 P.M.--Converse, before turning in, with the policeman on duty or the fireman in charge of the fire-escape. Much interesting information may be obtained in this way. 11 P.M.--Supper at the cabmen's shelter, or the coffee stall corner of Hyde Park. Get a policeman to take you home to bed. * * * * * [Illustration: _Benevolent Old Gentleman._ "_Poor_ little thing! Is it hurt?" [_But it was only the week's washing._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: AMENITIES OF THE ROAD.--_Robert._ "Now then, four-wheeler, why couldn't you pull up sooner? Didn't you see me 'old up my 'and?" _Cabby_ (_suavely_). "Well, constable, I _did_ see a kind of shadder pass acrorst the sky; but my 'orse 'e shied at your feet!"] * * * * * _Q._ WHAT is the best sort of cigar to smoke in a hansom? _A._ A Cab-ana. * * * * * THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE.--It must have belonged originally to an omnibus, for it is continually "taking up" and "putting down" people. * * * * * [Illustration: _Groom_ (_whose master is fully occupied with unmanageable pair which has just run into rear of omnibus_). "Well, anyway, it wasn't the guv'nor's fault." '_Bus Conductor._ "No--it was _your_ fault, for letting 'im drive!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE WAY WE BUILD NOW."--_Indignant Houseowner_ (_he had heard it was so much cheaper, in the end, to buy your house_). "Wh' what's the--what am I!--wha' what do you suppose is the meaning of this, Mr. Scampling!" _Local Builder._ "'T' tut, tut! Well, sir, I 'spects some one's been a-leanin' agin it!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: GETTING HIS ANSWER _Important Old Gent_ (_from the country, who thinks the lofty bearing of these London barmaids ought to be "taken down a bit"_). "Glass of ale, young woman; and look sharp, please!" _Haughty Blonde_ (_blandly_). "Second-class refreshments lower down, sir!!"] * * * * * THE MEAT MARKET Legs were freely walked off, and there was a pressure on ribs owing to the rush of beggars; but knuckles came down, while calves'-heads were looking-up steadily. At Smithfield, there was a rush of bulls, but the transactions were of such a hazardous nature as to appear more like a toss-up than firm business. Any kind of security was resorted to, and the bulls having driven a well-known speculator into a corner, he was glad to get out as he could, though an attempt was made to pin him to his position. Pigs went on much at the old rates; and briskness could not be obtained, though the _coupons_ were freely offered. The weather having been favourable to slaughtering, calves have not been brought to the pen--but there is something doing in beef, for the "_Last of the Barons_" is advertised. * * * * * THE ORIGINAL CAB RADIUS.--A spoke of Phoebus's chariot-wheel. * * * * * MOTTO FOR THE L.G.O.C.--_Bus_ in urbe. * * * * * [Illustration: A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY _Old Gentleman (returning from City festivity)._ "Pleashm'n, where'sh M'sht'r Brown live?" _Constable (recognising him)._ "Why, dear me, sir, you are Mr. Brown!" _Mr. B._ "Aw right! Bu'--where do I live?"!] * * * * * [Illustration: _Cheap Jack._ "I will make a present of this genooine gold watch--none of your carrots--to henny lady or gentleman for fifteen shillings an' sixpence. Why am I doin' this? To hencourage trade, that is why I am givin' it away for fourteen shillings an' sixpence. Look at it for yourselves, for fourteen shillings! If yer don't believe it's gold, _jump on it_?"] * * * * * [Illustration: AT THE DIAMOND JUBILEE.--_First Doubtful Character._ "My eye, mate, this is a squash!" _Second D. C._ "Squash! Why, s'elp me, if I ain't 'ad my 'and in this cove's pocket for the larst twenty minits, an' can't get it out!"] * * * * * BACK TO TOWN Back to town, and it certes is rapture to stand, And to hear once again all the roar of the Strand; I agree with the bard who said, noisy or stilly, By gaslight or daylight, he loved Piccadilly; The wanderer's heart with emotion doth swell, When he sees the broad pavement of pleasant Pall Mall. Some folks like the City; wherever they range, Their hearts are still true to the Royal Exchange; They've beheld alpine summits rise rank upon rank, But the Matterhorn's nothing compared with the Bank; And they feel quite rejoiced in the omnibus ride, As that hearse for the living rolls up through Cheapside. The mind of a man is expanded by travel, But give me my house on the Kensington gravel: The wine of the Frenchman is good, and his grub, But he isn't devoted to soap and the tub; Though it may be my prejudice, yet I'll be shot, If I don't think one Englishman's worth all the lot! With Germans I've no disposition to quarrel, Though most of their women resemble a barrel; And, as for myself, I could never make out The charms of their _schnitzel_ and raw _sauer-kraut_; While everyone owns, since the last mighty war, Your average Teuton's too bumptious by far. I think it's been stated before, that you roam To prove to yourself that there's no place like home, Though lands that are lovely lie eastward and west, Our "tight little island," believe me, 's the best; Through Paris, Berlin, and Vienna you've passed, To find that there's nothing like London at last! * * * * * [Illustration: _New Assistant (after hair-cutting, to Jones, who has been away for a couple of weeks)._ "Your 'air is very thin be'ind, sir. Try singeing!" _Jones (after a pause)._ "Yes, I think I will." _N. A. (after singeing)._ "Shampoo, sir? Good for the 'air, sir." _Jones._ "Thank you. Yes." _N. A._ "Your moustaches curled?" _Jones._ "Please." _N. A._ "May I give you a friction?" _Jones._ "Thank you." _N. A._ "Will you try some of our----" _Manager (who has just sighted his man, in stage whisper)._ "You idiot! _He's_ a subscriber!!"] * * * * * MRS. R. was in an omnibus lately. The streets were so badly paved, she says, that the osculations were most trying to elderly people, though the younger ladies did not seem to object to them. * * * * * MORE COMMERCIAL CANDOUR.--"Suits from 35s. to order. Beware of firms that copy us." * * * * * SIGNS OF A SEVERE WINTER IN LONDON.--Early departure of swallows from Swallow Street. Poet's Corner covered with rime. Wild ducks on the Stock Exchange. Coals raised. * * * * * CYNIC'S MOTTO FOR KELLY'S DIRECTORY (_by the kind permission of the Author of "Dead Men whom I have known."_)--Living men whom I don't want to know. * * * * * MONEY MARKET--Shares, in Ascension Island Company, going up. * * * * * CITY INTELLIGENCE.--Should the proposed asylum for decayed bill brokers, jobbers, and others on 'Change be ultimately built, it will probably be at Stock-holm. * * * * * [Illustration: CONVENIENT.--_Lodger (who has been dining)._ "D' you have any 'bjecks'n t' my 'shcaping up into my rooms shec'nd floor? F'got my la'ch-key!!"] * * * * * ADVICE TO SMOKERS.--Cut Cavendish. * * * * * FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE.--A new club, composed entirely of aristocratic literary ladies, is in course of formation; it is to be called "The Blue Lights." * * * * * NURSERY RHYME FOR THE TIME Bye baby bunting, Daddy's gone a hunting On the Stock Exchange, to catch Some one who is not his match; If he has luck, As well as pluck, A coach he'll very likely win To ride his baby bunting in. * * * * * THE DEAF MAN'S PARADISE.--The Audit Office. * * * * * [Illustration: "CASTING ACCOUNTS"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR FRENCH VISITORS.--(Scene--_Royal Exchange_). _First Frenchman (his first time in London)._ "Tiens, Alphonse! Qui est cet homme-là?" _Second Frenchman (who, having been here once before is supposed to know all about it)._ "Chut! Plus bas, mon ami." (_Whispers in reverential tone._) "Ce monsieur-là--c'est le Lor' Maire!"] * * * * * A VERY MUCH OVER-RATED PLACE.--London, under the County Council. * * * * * A BILL ACCEPTOR.--A dead wall. * * * * * SITE FOR A RAGGED SCHOOL.--Tattersall's. * * * * * LINKS THAT ARE NO SORT OF USE IN ANY FOG.--Shirt-links. * * * * * THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND BEAUTIFYING TREE IN LONDON.--The plane. * * * * * "COIGNS OF 'VANTAGE."--_£_ _s_. _d_. * * * * * [Illustration: BULL AND BEAR] * * * * * THE "BREAD OF IDLENESS."--Loafing. * * * * * POEM ON A PUBLIC-HOUSE Of this establishment how can we speak? Its cheese is mitey and its ale is weak. * * * * * THE ARISTOCRAT'S PARADISE.--Quality Court. * * * * * "THE CONTROLLER OF THE _MINT_."--The greengrocer. * * * * * SEASONABLE.--What sort of a bath would a resident of Cornhill probably prefer? A _Cit's_ bath. * * * * * THE TIPPLER'S PARADISE.--Portsoken Ward. * * * * * MONEY MARKET [Illustration: Tightness observable at the opening] [Illustration: A decline at the close] [Illustration: Railways were dull] [Illustration: Bullyin' movements] * * * * * THE STOCKBROKER'S VADE MECUM.--A book of good quotations. * * * * * EPITAPH ON A LETTER CARRIER.--_Post obit._ * * * * * A MAN IN ADVANCE OF HIS TIME.--One who has been knocked into the middle of next week. * * * * * THE LORD MAYOR'S RESIDENCE.--The munching house. * * * * * [Illustration: A NEW TERROR FOR THE UNPUNCTUAL CLERK [According to the _Scientific American_ they have commenced making in Switzerland phonographic clocks and watches, which pronounce the hour most distinctly.] ] * * * * * THE BEST SCHOOL OF COOKERY.--The office of a City accountant. * * * * * [Illustration: THE OBSTINACY OF THE PARENT _Emily Jane._ "Yes, I'm always a-sayin' to father as 'e oughter retire from the crossin', but keep at it 'e will, though it ain't just no more 'n the broom as 'olds 'im up!"] * * * * * THE MONEY MARKET The scarcity of money is frightful. As much as a hundred per cent., to be paid in advance, has been asked upon bills; but we have not yet heard of any one having given it. There was an immense run for gold, but no one got any, and the whole of the transactions of the day were done in copper. An influential party created some sensation by coming into the market late in the afternoon, just before the close of business, with half-a-crown; but it was found, on inquiry, to be a bad one. It is expected that if the dearth of money continues another week, buttons must be resorted to. A party, whose transactions are known to be large, succeeded in settling his account with the bulls, by means of postage-stamps; an arrangement of which the bears will probably take advantage. A large capitalist in the course of the day attempted to change the direction things had taken, by throwing an immense quantity of paper into the market; but as no one seemed disposed to have anything to do with it, it blew over. The parties to the Dutch loan are much irritated at being asked to take their dividends in butter; but, after the insane attempt to get rid of the Spanish arrears by cigars, which, it is well known, ended in smoke, we do not think the Dutch project will be proceeded with. * * * * * "LETTERS OF CREDIT."--I.O.U. * * * * * CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.--Stopping in London in August. * * * * * RESIDENCE FOR THE CLERK OF THE WEATHER.--"The clearing-house." * * * * * [Illustration: A MAN OF LETTERS] [Illustration: MOST ASSURING.--_Brown (who is nervous about sanitary matters, and detects something)._ "Hum"--(_sniffs_)--"surely--this system of yours--these pipes now--do they communicate with your main drain?" _Hairdresser (with cheery gusto)._ "Direct, sir!" [_Tableau._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: _Gilded Johnny._ "How long will it take your bally cab to get to Victoria?" _Cabby._ "Oh, just about the same time as an ordinary keb, sir."] * * * * * [Illustration: "NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND" _Respectable Man._ "Dear me! I'm sorry to see this, Muggles! I heard you'd left off drinking!" _Disreputable Party._ "Sho I 'ave, shir--(_hic_)--jesh 'ish very minute!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OBVIOUS.--_Stingy Uncle (to impecunious Nephew)._ "Pay as you go, my boy!--Pay as you go!" _Nephew (suggestively)._ "But suppose I haven't any money to pay with, uncle----" _Uncle._ "Eh?--Well, then, don't go, you know--don't go!" [_Exit hastily_. ] * * * * * [Illustration: _Street Serio (singing)._ "Er--yew will think hov me and love me has in dies hov long ago-o-o!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SHEWERFIT & C^o. ARTISTS IN HAIR FACE MASSAGE MANICURE CHIROPODY BLOOM OF CUPID FOR THE COMPLEXION ] * * * * * [Illustration: REAL GRATITUDE _Tramp (to Chappie, who has just given him a shilling)._ "I 'ope as 'ow some day, sir, _you_ may want a shillin', an' that I'll be able to give it to yer!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Vendor of Cheap Music._ "'Ere y' are, lidy! _'I'll be yer Sweet'art.'_ One penny!"] * * * * * CORRESPONDENCE If you please, sir, as a young visitor to the metropolis, and well acquainted with history, I want to ask you-- Who is the Constable of the Tower? What is his number? Is he dressed like other constables? Can he run anyone in, and make them move on if found loitering on his beat? Is his beat all round the Tower? Is he a special? one of the _force de tour_, empowered to use a _tour de force_? (You see I am well up in French.) I saw a very amiable-looking policeman cracking nuts in the vicinity of the Tower. Do you think this was the constable in question? Yours, RUSTY CUSS IN URBE. P.S.--Pantheon means a place where all the gods are. I know Greek. The Pantheon in Regent Street I find is now a wine merchant's. Is England exclusively devoted to Bacchus, and is temperance a heresy? * * * * * [Illustration: ON THE NINTH. _Freddy._ "And do they have a new Lord Mayor every year, mummie?" _Mother._ "Yes, dear." _Freddy._ "Then what do they do with the old Lord Mayors when they've done with 'em?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Clerk._ "Lady been here this morning, sir, complaining about some goods we sent her." _Employer._ "Who was she?" _Clerk._ "I quite forgot to ask her name, sir, but she's a little woman--_with a full-sized tongue_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Little Boldwig_ (_he had been dining with his Company, and had let himself in with his latchkey--to gigantic stranger he finds in his hall_). "Come on. I'll fight you!" (_Furiously._) "Put your shtick down!!" [_But his imaginary foe was only the new umbrella-stand_--_a present from Mrs. B.!_ ] * * * * * [Illustration: MAKING THE MOST OF IT] A SHOCKING THING TO THINK OF!--A galvanic battery. * * * * * "CASH ADVANCES."--Courting a rich widow. * * * * * MOTTO FOR HAIRDRESSERS.--"Cut and comb again." * * * * * CORRECT MOTTO FOR THE EASY SHAVER.--Nothing like lather. * * * * * [Illustration: ADVERTISEMENT INADVERTENCIES _Perpetrated by Dumb-Crambo, Junior_] [Illustration: "Suitable opening for a pupil"] [Illustration: "Pushing man to take orders"] [Illustration: "No reasonable offer refused"] [Illustration: "Mother's help wanted"] [Illustration: "A good plate cleaner"] [Illustration: "Goods carefully removed (in town or country)"] * * * * * THE BEST POSSESSION.--Self-possession. * * * * * TWO SYNONYMOUS TRADES.--A hairdresser; a locksmith. * * * * * THE BEST SUBSTITUTE FOR COAL.--Warm weather. * * * * * [Illustration: PASSING AMENITIES.--_Growler._ "Hi! Hi! Carn't yer look out wher' yer a-comin'?" _Omnibus._ "Garn! Shut up, jack-in-the-box!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "I wonder when that A. B. C. girl is going to serve us? I've called her half-a-dozen times." "Perhaps she's D. E. F."] * * * * * TOWN IMPROVEMENT.--There is, we hear, a winter garden to be opened at Somer's Town. * * * * * THE DUMMY-MONDE.--Madame Tussaud's wax-work. * * * * * [Illustration: SO INVITING!] * * * * * [Illustration: _Passenger_ (_rising politely_). "Excuse me, mum, but do you believe in woman's rights?" _New Woman._ "Most certainly I do." _Passenger_ (_resuming seat_). "Oh well, then stand up for 'em!"] * * * * * DESPERATE RESOLVES OF THE LAST MAN LEFT IN TOWN To visit the National Gallery (for the first time), as an Englishman should really know something about the art treasures of his native country. To spend an hour at the Tower (also for the first time), because there you will be able to brighten up your historical recollections which have become rather rusty since you took your B.A. degree just fifteen years ago. To enter St. Paul's Cathedral with a view to thinking out a really good plan of decoration for the benefit of those who read letters addressed to the editor of the _Times_. To take a ride in an omnibus from Piccadilly to Brompton to see what the interior of the vehicle in question is like, and therein to study the manners and customs of the English middle classes. To walk in Rotten Row between the hours of twelve (noon) and two (p.m.) to see how the place looks without any people in it. To have your photograph taken in your militia uniform, as now there is no one in town to watch you getting out of a cab in full war paint. To stroll into Mudie's Library to get all the new novels, because after reading them you may suddenly find yourself inspired to write a critique that will make your name (when the article has been accepted and published) as a most accomplished reviewer. To read all the newspapers and magazines at the hairdresser's while your head is being shampooed (for the fourth time), as now is the time for improving your mind (occupied with so many other things during the season) with popular current literature. To walk to your club (closed for repairs, &c.) to see how the workmen are progressing with the stone scraping of the exterior, as you feel yourself responsible to hundreds of your fellow-creatures as a member of the house committee. To write a long letter to your friend Brown, of the 121st Foot, now in India with his regiment, to tell him how nothing is going on anywhere, because you have not written to him since he said "Good-bye" to you at Southampton. To go home to bed at nine o'clock, as early hours are good for the health, and because there is really nothing else to do. And last, but not least, to leave London for the country by the very first train to-morrow morning! * * * * * MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING IN THE CITY Sigh no more dealers, sigh no more, Shares were unstable ever, They often have been down before, At high rates constant never. Then sigh not so, Soon up they'll go, And you'll be blithe and funny, Converting all your notes of woe Into hey, money, money. Write no more letters, write no mo On stocks so dull and heavy. At times on 'Change 'tis always so, When bears a tribute levy. Then sigh not so, And don't be low, In sunshine you'll make honey, Converting all your notes of woe, Into hey, money, money. * * * * * "THE DESERTED VILLAGE."--London in September. * * * * * THE CLOCKMAKER'S PARADISE.--Seven Dials. * * * * * [Illustration: STUDIES IN EVOLUTION.--Alderman Brownjones senior explains to his son, Alderman Brownjones junior, that there is a lamentable falling-off since _his_ day, in the breed of aldermen-sheriffs--not only in style and bearing, but even in "happetite"!] * * * * * [Illustration: _Gent_ (_rushing out of club in a terrific hurry_). "I say, cabby, drive as fast as you can to Waterloo--Leatherhead!" _Cabby._ "'Ere, I say, not so much of your _leather'ed_, if you please!" [_Goes off grumbling._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mrs. Snobson_ (_who is doing a little slumming for the first time and wishes to appear affable, but is at a loss to know how to commence conversation_). "Town very empty!"] * * * * * NEW EDITION OF WALKER The baker rolls. The butcher shambles. The banker balances himself well. The cook has a mincing gait. The livery-stable keeper has a "_musing_ gait." The excursionist trips along. The fishmonger flounders on. The poulterer waddles like a duck. The gardener does not allow the grass to grow under his feet. The grocer treads gingerly. The indiarubber manufacturer has an elastic step. The rogue shuffles, and The doctor's pace is killing. * * * * * SHOPKEEPER'S SCIENCE.--Buyology. * * * * * PEOPLE talk about making a clean sweep. Can they make a sweep clean? * * * * * BENEATH ONE'S NOTICE.--Advertisements on the pavement. * * * * * [Illustration: "THE ABSENT-MINDED BEGGAR" (_With apologies to Mr. Kipling_)] * * * * * [Illustration: _Talkative Old Lady_ (_drinking a glass of milk, to enthusiastic teetotaler, who is doing ditto_). "Yes, sir, since they're begun poisoning the beer, we _must_ drink _something_, mustn't we?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Small Boy_ (_who is somewhat cramped for room_). "Are you still there, Billy? I thought you wos lost."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Irate Old Gentleman._ "Here, I say, your beast of a dog has bitten a piece out of my leg!" _Dog's Owner._ "Oh, bother! And I wanted to bring him up a vegetarian!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "'Ad any breakfus' 's mornin'?" "Not a drop!"] * * * * * THE INFANT'S GUIDE TO KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING CASH _Question._ What is cash? _Answer._ Cash may be described as comfort in the concrete. _Q._ Is it not sometimes called "the root of all evil"? _A._ Yes, by those who do not possess it. _Q._ Is it possible to live without cash? _A._ Certainly--upon credit. _Q._ Can you tell me what is credit? _A._ Credit is the motive power which induces persons who have cash, to part with some of it to those who have it not. _Q._ Can you give me an instance of credit? _A._ Certainly. A young man who is able to live at the rate of a thousand a-year, with an income not exceeding nothing a month, is a case of credit. _Q._ Would it be right to describe such a transaction as "much to his credit"? _A._ It would be more precise to say, "much by his credit"; although the former phrase would be accepted by a large class of the community as absolutely accurate. _Q._ What is bimetallism? _A._ Bimetallism is a subject that is frequently discussed by amateur financiers, after a good dinner, on the near approach of the coffee. _Q._ Can you give me your impression of the theory of bimetallism? _A._ My impression of bimetallism is the advisability of obtaining silver, if you cannot get gold. _Q._ What is the best way of securing gold? _A._ The safest way is to borrow it. _Q._ Can money be obtained in any other way? _A._ In the olden time it was gathered on Hounslow Heath and other deserted spots, by mounted horsemen wearing masks and carrying pistols. _Q._ What is the modern way of securing funds, on the same principles, but with smaller risk? _A._ By promoting companies and other expedients known to the members of the Stock Exchange. * * * * * A GOOD FIGURE-HEAD.--An arithmetician's. * * * * * [Illustration: AN EMPTY EMBRACE.--"'Ere y'are! Humberella rings, two a penny!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Conductor_ (_on "Elephant and Castle" route_). "Fares, please!" _Fare._ "Two elephants!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ONE OF "LIFE'S LITTLE IRONIES"] * * * * * [Illustration: OVERHEARD OUTSIDE A FAMOUS RESTAURANT "Hullo, Gus! What are you waiting about here for?" "I'm waiting till the banks close. I want to cash a cheque!"] * * * * * "UNSATISFACTORY COMMERCIAL RELATIONS."--Our "uncles." * * * * * COUNTRY SHAREHOLDERS.--Ploughmen. * * * * * [Illustration: _Working Man, sitting on the steps of a big house in, say, Russell Square, smoking pipe. A mate passes by with plumbing tools, &c._ _Man with tools._ "Hullo, Jim! Wot are yer doin' 'ere? Caretakin'?" _Man on steps._ "No. I'm the howner, 'ere." _Man with tools._ "'Ow's that?" _Man on steps._ "Why, I did a bit o' plumbing in the 'ouse, an' I took the place in part payment for the job."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE GLORIOUS FIFTH _Benevolent Lady_ (_fond of the good old customs_). "Here, my boy, is something for your guy." _Conscientious Youth._ "We ain't got no guy, mum; this 'ere's grandfather!"] * * * * * A "YOUNG SHAVER."--A barber's baby. * * * * * JOINT ACCOUNT.--A butcher's bill. * * * * * [Illustration: AFTER "THE SLUMP" IN THE CITY.--_Weak Speculator in South African market_ (_about to pay the barber who has been shaving him_). "A shilling! eh? Why, your charge used to be only sixpence." _City Barber._ "Yes, sir; _but you've got such a long face_, we're obliged to increase the price!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "I don't arst yer fer money. I don't _want_ money. Wot I wants is bread. _'Ave_ yer got such a thing as a bit o' bread about yer, me lord?"] * * * * * THE PROMOTER'S VADE MECUM (_Subject to Revision after the Vacation_) _Question._ What is meant by the promotion of a company? _Answer._ The process of separating capital from its possessor. _Q._ How is this end accomplished? _A._ By the preparation and publication of a prospectus. _Q._ Of what does a prospectus consist? _A._ A front page and a statement of facts. _Q._ Define a front page. _A._ The bait covering the hook, the lane leading to the pitfall, the lath concealing the quagmire--occasionally. _Q._ Of what is a front page composed? _A._ Titles, and other suggestions of respectability. _Q._ How are these suggestions obtained? _A._ In the customary fashion. _Q._ Can a banking account be put to any particular service in the promotion of a company? _A._ Certainly; it eases the wheels in all directions. _Q._ Can it obtain the good-will of the Press? _A._ Only of questionable and usually short-lived periodicals. _Q._ But the destination of the cash scarcely affects the promoter? _A._ No; for he loses in any case. _Q._ How much of his profits does he sometimes have to disgorge? _A._ According to circumstances, from three-fifths to nineteen-twentieths of his easily-secured takings. _Q._ And what does promotion do for the promoter? _A._ It usually bestows upon him temporary prosperity. _Q._ Why do you say "temporary"? _A._ Because a pleasant present is frequently followed by a disastrous future. _Q._ You mean, then, that this prosperity is like the companies promoted, "limited"? _A._ Yes, by the Court of Bankruptcy. * * * * * [Illustration: "ON 'CHANGE" _Brown._ "Mornin'. Fresh mornin', ain't it?" _Smith._ "'Course it is. Every morning's a fresh morning! By-bye!" [_Brown's temper all day is quite unbearable._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: _Sympathetic Passer-by._ "But if he's badly hurt, why doesn't he go to the hospital?" _British Workman._ "Wot! In 'is dinner-time!!"] * * * * * ADVERTISEMENT PERVERSIONS (_By Dumb-Crambo, Junior_) [Illustration: Washing wanted] [Illustration: Vacancy for one pupil] [Illustration: Improver wanted in the dressmaking] [Illustration: Left-off clothing] [Illustration: Branch establishment] [Illustration: Engagement wanted, as housekeeper. Highly recommended] [Illustration: Board and residence] [Illustration: Unfurnished flat] [Illustration: Smart youth wanted] [Illustration: Mangling done on the shortest notice] * * * * * RIVER STYX.--"The thousand masts of Thames." * * * * * THE MAN WE SHOULD LIKE TO SEND TO A SÃ�ANCE.--The man who knows how to hit the happy medium. * * * * * APPROPRIATE _LOCALE_ FOR THE DAIRY SHOW.--Chalk Farm. * * * * * A TIDY DROP.--A glass of spirits, _neat_. * * * * * [Illustration: LORD MAYOR'S SHOW AS IT OUGHT TO BE _Designed by Mr. Punch's Special Processionist_] * * * * * [Illustration: ANOTHER SUGGESTION FOR THE LORD MAYOR'S SHOW AS IT OUGHT TO BE] * * * * * [Illustration: "'Nuts for the monkeys, sir? Buy a bag o' nuts for the monkeys!" "I'm not going to the Zoo." "Ah, well, sir, have some to take home to the children!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HYDE PARK, MAY 1 _Country Cousin._ "What is the meaning of this, policeman?" _Constable._ "Labour day, miss."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Boy_ (_to Cabby with somewhat shadowy horse_). "Look 'ere, guv'nor, you'd better tie a knot in 'is tail afore 'e gets wet, or 'e might slip through 'is collar!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Indignant Cabby._ "Shockin' bad 'orse, 'ave I? And wot's this hextra tuppence for?--to buy a new 'un with, eh?"] * * * * * QUIDDITIES.--_For the Old Ladies._ A tea-party without scandal is like a knife without a handle. Words without deeds are like the husks without the seeds. Features without grace are like a clock without a face. A land without the laws is like a cat without her claws. Life without cheer is like a cellar without beer. A master without a cane is like a rider without the rein. Marriage without means is like a horse without his beans. A man without a wife is like a fork without a knife. A quarrel without fighting is like thunder without lightning. * * * * * MOTTO FOR A SELF-MADE AND SUCCESSFUL MONEY-LENDER.--"A loan I did it!" * * * * * IMPROPER EXPRESSION.--Let it never be said, that when a man jumps for joy, "his delight knows no _bounds_." * * * * * THE opposite to a tea-fight--A coffee-mill. * * * * * [Illustration: THE TIP-CAT SEASON HAS NOW COMMENCED _Street Urchin._ "Now then, old 'un----Fore!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Crossing-Sweeper_ (_to Brown, whose greatest pride is his new brougham, diminutive driver, &c._). "'Igh! Stop! You've lost somethin'--the coachman!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Irate Bus Driver._ "You wouldn't do that for me, would yer?"] * * * * * [Illustration: AT THE STORES. BUY--OUR TAPESTRY ARTIST] * * * * * CATTLE-SHOW WEEK (_By Dumb-Crambo, Junior_) [Illustration: Scotch polled] [Illustration: Best wether] [Illustration: Class for roots] [Illustration: Steers] [Illustration: Best butter] [Illustration: Cross bred] * * * * * THE LINEN TRADE.--There have been a few transactions in rags at threepence a pound, and an extensive bone-grubber caused considerable excitement by bringing a quantity of waste-paper into the market which turned the scale in his own favour. * * * * * MOTTO FOR A MOURNING WAREHOUSE.--Die and let live. * * * * * OUT OF PLACE.--A vegetarian at the Cattle Show. * * * * * A FINANCIAL AUTHORITY BADLY WANTED.--The man who can say "bogus" to the investing goose. * * * * * THE VEGETABLE MARKET.--Asparagus is looking up, and radishes are taking a downward direction. Peas were almost nothing at the opening; and new potatoes were buoyant in the basket, but turned out rather heavy at the settling. A rush of bulls through the market had a dreadful effect upon apple-stalls and other minor securities; but all the established houses stood their ground, though the run occasioned a panic among some of the proprietors. * * * * * [Illustration: THE QUARTERLY ACCOUNTS.--_Clerk._ "Sorry to say, sir, there's a saddle we can't account for. Can't find out who it was sent to." _Employer._ "Charge it on all the bills."] * * * * * A LOVE SONG OF THE MONEY-MARKET I will not ask thee to be mine, Because I love thee far too well; Ah! what I feel, who thus resign All hope in life, no words can tell. Only the dictate I obey Of deep affection's strong excess, When, dearest, in despair, I say Farewell to thee and happiness. Thy face, so tranquil and serene, To see bedimmed I could not bear, Pinched with hard thrift's expression mean, Disfigured with the lines of care, I could not brook the day to see When thou would'st not, as thou hast now, Have all those things surrounding thee That light the eye and smooth the brow. Thou wilt smile calmly at my fear That want would e'er approach our door; I know it must to thee appear A melancholy dream: no more. Wilt thou not be with riches blest? Is not my fortune ample too? Must I not, therefore, be possessed, To feel that dread, of devils blue? Alas! my wealth, that should maintain, My bride in glory and in joy, Is built on a foundation vain, Which soon a tempest will destroy. Yes, yes, an interest high, I know My capital at present bears; But in a moment it may go: It is invested all in shares. The company is doomed to fall, Spreading around disaster dire, I hear that the directors all Are rogues--the greatest rogue thy sire! Go--seek a happier, wiser mate, Who had the wit to be content With the returns of his estate, And with Consols at three per cent! * * * * * THE FEAST OF ALL FOOLS.--More than is good for them. * * * * * THE "LAP" OF LUXURY.--Genuine milk in London. * * * * * DISH FOR DIDDLED SHAREHOLDERS.--Bubble and squeak. * * * * * SCIENCE GOSSIP.--"A City Clerk and a Naturalist" asks whether there is not a bird called the _ditto ditto_. Is he not thinking of our old acquaintance, the do-do? * * * * * HOW TO MAKE MONEY.--Get a situation in the Mint.--_Economist._ * * * * * STRANGE COIN.--Forty _odd_ pounds! * * * * * [Illustration: THE MOMENTOUS QUESTION.--_Paterfamilias (who is just beginning to feel himself at home in his delightfully new suburban residence) interrupts the wife of his bosom._ "'Seaside!' 'Change of air!!' 'Out of town!!!' What nonsense, Anna Maria! Why, good gracious me! what on earth can you want to be going '_out of town_' for, when you've got such a garden as _this_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SUGGESTIVE _Dissipated Ballad Howler._ "Sweet spirit, 'ear my prayer!"] * * * * * A CORRECTOR OF THE PRESS.--A policeman at a crowded crossing. * * * * * NEVER ON ITS LEGS.--The most constant faller in the metropolis: the Strand, because it is always being picked up. * * * * * THE MARKETS.--There was a good deal of liveliness in hops, and a party of strangers, who seemed to act together, took off the contents of all the _pockets_ they could lay hold of. There was little doing in corn, and what barley came in was converted into barley-water for a large consumer. Peas were distributed freely in small samples through the market, by means of tin tubes; and as usual there was a good deal of roguery in grain, which it was found necessary to guard against. * * * * * THE FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW.--The account day on the Stock Exchange. * * * * * A REGULAR MAKE-SHIFT.--The sewing machine. * * * * * CITY INTELLIGENCE.--We read, in a great aldermanic authority, that "a dinner is on the _tapis_." The _tapis_ alluded to is, of course, Gob'lin? * * * * * [Illustration: THE RESULT OF CARELESS BILL-POSTING] * * * * * [Illustration: A SKETCH NEAR PICCADILLY] * * * * * [Illustration: MADAME CHRYSANTHÃ�ME (_With apologies to "Pierre Loti."_)] * * * * * A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION.--_Mrs. Griddleton._ What are those square things, coachman, you put over the poor horse's eyes? _Driver._ Blinkers, ma'am. _Mrs. G._ Why do you put them on, coachman? _Driver._ To prevent the 'orse from blinking, ma'am. [_Inquiry closed._ * * * * * INSCRIPTION FOR STREET LETTER-BOXES.--"From Pillar to Post." * * * * * HOW THE TRUTH LEAKS OUT! SCENE--_Hyde Park. Time: Five o'clock._ _Friend._ Any news? Anything in the papers? _Government Clerk._ Can't say. Haven't been to the office to-day, my boy. * * * * * WHY should a chimney-sweeper be a good whist player? Because he's always following soot. * * * * * BUSINESS.--_Inquirer_ (_drawing up prospectus_). Shall I write "Company" with a big C? _Honest Broker._ Certainly, if it's a sound one, as it represents "Company" with a capital. * * * * * [Illustration: "Shave, or hair cut, sir?" "_Corns_, you fool!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NOT FOR JOSEPH!] * * * * * [Illustration: PROOF POSITIVE _Old Lady._ "Do they sell good 'sperrits' at this 'ouse, mister?" '_Spectable-looking Man_ (_But_--). "Mos' d'schid'ly, look't (hic) me, mad'm--for shev'n p'nsh a'penny!!"] * * * * * THE SINKING FUND.--The Royal Humane Society's income. * * * * * SHREWD SUGGESTION.--It often happens, when the husband fails to be home to dinner, that it is one of his _fast_ days. * * * * * THE SCHOOL OF ADVERSITY.--A ragged school. * * * * * NEVER WASTE YOUR TIME.--Waste somebody else's. * * * * * MEN OF _THE_ TIME.--Chronometer makers. * * * * * A MAN IN ADVANCE OF HIS TIME.--One who has been knocked into the middle of next week. * * * * * THE DEAF MAN'S PARADISE.--The Audit Office. * * * * * SITE FOR A RAGGED SCHOOL.--Tattersall's. * * * * * STUFF AND NONSENSE.--A City Banquet, and the speeches after it. * * * * * [Illustration: ZOOLOGY "That's a porkypine, Sarah." "No, it ain't, Bill. It's a orstridge!"] * * * * * THE FISH MARKET.--Flounders were of course flat, but to the surprise of everyone they showed an inclination to come round towards the afternoon, and there were one or two transactions in whelks, but they were all of a comparatively insignificant character. Lobsters' claws were lazy at the opening, but closed heavily; and those who had a hand in them would gladly have been released if such a course had been possible. * * * * * "THE BEST POLICY."--That with the largest bonus. * * * * * FALSE QUANTITY.--Short measure. * * * * * [Illustration: AN UNUSUAL FLOW OF SPIRITS] * * * * * CONSOLATION STAKES.--Those you get at a City tavern the day after you have tried to eat the article at home. * * * * * [Illustration: A HORRIBLE BUSINESS.--_Master Butcher._ "Did you take old Major Dumbledore's ribs to No. 12?" _Boy._ "Yes, sir." _Master Butcher._ "Then, cut Miss Wiggles's shoulder and neck, and hang Mr. Foodle's legs until they're quite tender!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Little Girl_ (_to Newsvendor, from whom she has just purchased the latest war special_). "'Ere's your _paper_! Father says, if you don't mind 'e 'd rather 'ave the bill, 'cos there's more news in it."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Old Lady_ (_from the country_). "Well, I never! And to think burglary should have become a regular respectable trade!"] * * * * * A SPECULATOR'S APOLOGY.--You can't make the pot boil without bubbles. * * * * * TABLE-TURNING.--Looking for a train in _Bradshaw_. * * * * * [Illustration: ARMS FOR THE PROPOSED NEW WEST-END STOCK EXCHANGE (_To be placed over the principal entrance._) On a chevron _vert_, a pigeon plucked _proper_, between three rooks peckant, clawed and beaked _gules_. Crest: a head Semitic grimnant, winkant, above two pipes laid saltier-wise, _argent_, environed with a halo of bubbles _or_. Supporters: a bull and bear rampant _sable_, dented, hoofed and clawed _gules_. Motto: "Let us prey."] * * * * * [Illustration: A SENSITIVE PLANT.--"What, back in town already, old chappie?" "Yes, old chappie. Couldn't stand the country any longer. Cuckoo gave me the headache!"] * * * * * COMMERCIAL NEWS Policeman O, No. I, has got such an accumulation of corn in bond, under a tight boot, that it is expected he will be allowed the benefit of nominal or fixed duty. He is one of the most extensive growers of corn in the kingdom, and always has on foot a prodigious quantity, which, when he is in competition with those who try to take advantage of his position, must naturally prevent him from striking the average. Onions were dull at fourpence a rope, and wild ducks were heavy, with sand inside, at three and sixpence a couple. A considerable deal of business was done in flat-irons on New Year's Day, and there was a trifling advance upon them everywhere. The dividends on pawnbrokers' stock were payable last week, but the defaulters were very numerous. A highly respectable party in the City, in order to provide for interest coming due, is understood to have funded the greater part of his summer wardrobe. Long fours, in the candle-market, were dull, but the ten and a half reduced rushlights brightened up towards the close of the day surprisingly. * * * * * PERSONS WHO WOULD BENEFIT BY CREMATION.--Charwomen. * * * * * FORCED POLITENESS.--Bowing to circumstances. * * * * * A NAME OF ILL OMEN.--Persons who are subject to fits of toothache, and do not wish to be reminded of their distressing malady, should avoid going down Long Acre. * * * * * PAWNBROKERS' "DUPLICATES."--Their twins. * * * * * HAGIOLOGY ON 'CHANGE.--_The Brokers' Patron_--St. Simon Stock. * * * * * MOTTO FOR A TAILOR WHO MAKES COATS OF THE BEST ENDURING CLOTH.--_Fuimus, i.e., We Wear._ * * * * * THE LICENSING SYSTEM.--The big brewer is a vulture, and the unpaid magistrate instrumental to his rapacity is that vulture's beak. * * * * * THE BEST NOTE PAPER.--Bank of England. * * * * * [Illustration: CHRISTMAS COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR _Cabby_ (_to Gent who has been dining out_). "'Ere y'are, sir. This is your 'ouse--get out--be careful, sir--'ere's the step?" _Gent._ "Yesh. Thash allri, but wersh my _feet?_"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Employer_ (_who simply_ WON'T _take any excuse for unpunctuality_). "You are very late, Mr. Jones. Go back at once, and come at the proper time!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Hairdresser._ "Hair begins to get very thin, sir." _Customer._ "Yes." _Hairdresser._ "Have you tried our tonic lotion?" _Customer._ "Yes. That didn't do it though."] * * * * * [Illustration: "I 'ear that Tholomon Arons 'as 'ad 'is shop burnt out!" "Well, 'e 'th a very good feller, Aronth ith. 'E detherves it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HOW THE POOR LIVE The Rev. Mr. Smirk has brought an American millionaire friend to see for himself the distressed state of the poor of his parish. [_He'll give them a little notice next time._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Workman._ "Wot's it say, Bill, on that old sun-dial?" _Second Workman_ (_reading deliberately_). "It says, 'Do--to--day's-work--to--day.'" _First W._ "'_Do TWO days' work to-day!_' Wot O! Not me!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SOCIAL EVOLUTION.--_Tramp_ (_to benevolent but inquisitive lady_).--"Well, you see, mum, it were like this. I were a 'addick smoker by profession; then I got ill, and 'ad to go to the 'orspital; then I sold cats meat; but some'ow or other I got into _low water_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Miss Smith._ "We've just come from Tannhauser, doctor." _The Doctor_ (_very deaf_). "Indeed! I hope you had better weather than we've been having!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FAMILIAR PHRASE EXPLAINED. _Robinson._ "Well, old chap, how did you sleep last night?" _Smith_ (_who had dined out_). "'Like a top.' As soon as my head touched the pillow, it went round and round!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Cab Tout._ "I say, Bill, lend me sixpence." _Cabby._ "I can't; but I can lend you fourpence." _Cab Tout._ "All right. Then you'l owe me twopence."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Barber._ "Your 'air's getting very thin on the top, sir. I should recommend our wash." _Customer._ "May I ask if that invigorating liquid is what _you_ have been in the habit of using?" [_Dead silence._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: FOGGY WEATHER.--"Has Mr. Smith been here?" "Yes; he was here about an hour ago." "Was I with him?"] * * * * * HIGHLY PROBABLE.--We understand that in consequence of the high price of meat, the Beef-eaters at the Tower have all turned vegetarians. * * * * * WHAT MILLIONAIRES SMOKE.--Golden returns. * * * * * THE UNIVERSAL WATCHWORD.--Tick! * * * * * [Illustration] BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS LONDON AND TONBRIDGE. 35027 ---- MR. PUNCH'S RAILWAY BOOK [Illustration] PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day. * * * * * [Illustration: "READING BETWEEN THE LINES"] * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S RAILWAY BOOK _WITH 160 ILLUSTRATIONS_ BY PHIL MAY, GEORGE DU MAURIER, CHARLES KEENE, JOHN LEECH, SIR JOHN TENNIEL, E. T. REED, L. RAVENHILL, J. BERNARD PARTRIDGE, REGINALD CLEAVER, AND MANY OTHER HUMOROUS ARTISTS [Illustration] PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN * * * * * A WORD AT STARTING [Illustration] ONLY a few years before MR. PUNCH began his long and brilliant career had passenger trains and a regular system of railway travelling come into existence. In his early days it was still very much of a novelty to undertake a journey of any length by train; a delightful uncertainty prevailed not only as to the arrival at a given destination, but equally as to getting away from a starting-place. Naturally, the pens and pencils of his clever contributors were then frequently in use to illustrate the humours of railway travel, and even down to the present time MR. PUNCH has not failed to find in the railway and its associations "a source of innocent merriment." It must be admitted that some thirty years ago the pages of PUNCH literally teemed with biting satires on the management of our railways, and the fact that his whole-hearted denunciations of the inefficient service, the carelessness which resulted in frequent accidents, the excessive charges, the inadequate accommodation, could have been allowed to pass without numerous actions for libel, is proof of the enormous advantages which the present generation enjoys in this great matter of comfortable, rapid and inexpensive transit. Where MR. PUNCH in his wrath, as voicing the opinion of the public, was wont to ridicule and condemn the railways and all associated therewith, we to-day are as ready, and with equal reason, to raise our voice in praise. But ridicule is ever a stronger impulse to wit than is appreciation, and in these later days when we are all alive to the abounding merits of our railway system MR. PUNCH has had less to say about it. If we were to cull from his pages written in the days of his wrath we might be held guilty of presenting a gross travesty of the conditions now obtaining. Thus it is that in one or two cases only have we retained passages from his earlier chronicles, such as "Rules for the Rail" and "The Third-Class Traveller's Petition," which have some historical value as reminders that the railway comfort of the present day presents a remarkable contrast to the not very distant past. To-day every member of the community may be regarded as a railway traveller, so large a part does the railway play in modern life; and it will be admitted that, with all our improvements, the element of humour has not been eliminated from our comings and goings by train. We trust it never may. Here, then, is a compilation of the "best things," literary and pictorial, that have appeared in MR. PUNCH'S pages on the subject, and with his cheery presence as our guard, let us set forth upon our excursion into the Realm of Fun! * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S RAILWAY BOOK RAILWAY JOKES _As Played Daily on the Principal Lines_ _Turning Business into Pleasure._--Take a traveller pressed for time, and induce him to enter a train supposed to be in correspondence with another train belonging to another line, and by which other train the traveller proposes to proceed to his destination. As the first train arrives at the junction, start off the second train _en route_ for Town. The dismay of the traveller when he finds his journey interrupted will be, to say the least, most mirth-moving. _The Panic-stricken Passengers._--Allow an express train to arrive at the station of a rival company two hours behind its time. The travellers will, of course, be anxious to learn the cause of the delay, and will (again of course) receive no sort of information on the subject from the servants of the rival company. Should there be any nervous ladies in the train, the fun will become fast and furious. _A Lark in the Dark._--Start a train ten minutes late, and gradually lose time until it arrives in the middle of a long tunnel, and then stop the engine. Stay where you are for half an hour, whistling and letting off steam every now and then, to increase the excitement. Should it be known in the train that an express is due on the line of rails already occupied by the carriages, the humour of the situation will be greatly improved. Before playing this joke, it will be as well to lock the carriage-doors, and to carefully sever the cord of communication existing (on some lines) between the passengers and the guard. _A Comical Meal._--On a long journey promise that the train shall stop at a stated station ten minutes for refreshments. Lose time in the customary manner, and allow the train to arrive at the stated station half an hour late. Permit the passengers to descend and to enter the refreshment-rooms. The moment they are served, drive them back hurriedly into the carriages with the threat that if they are not immediately seated in their places they will be left behind. When the passengers are once more in their compartments, the carriage-doors should be securely locked, and the train can then remain waiting beside the platform for three-quarters of an hour. _The Strange Companions._--Invite ladies and gentlemen to travel in a first-class carriage. When the compartment is a third full, over-fill it with "merry" excursionists holding third-class tickets. The contrast between the "merriment" of the excursionists and the disgust of the ladies and gentlemen will be found a source of never-ending amusement. _A Wholesome Joke (added by Mr. Punch and suggested to the Passengers)._--Whenever you find yourselves subjected to the "fun" of the railway officials, write to the newspapers and obtain a summons against the directors of the company which you believe to be in fault. _Verb. sap._ * * * * * [Illustration: "Half third return to Brixton, please." "Half! What's your age?" "I'm thirteen at home; but I'm only nine and a half on railways."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Friend (to minor rail official at provincial station)_ "'Ullo Cocky, where 'ave you been all this time?" _Minor R.O. (with dignity)._ "Oh I had to go up on duty for the Naval Review at Spit'ead, I 'ad." _Friend (impressed)._ "Ah! Fine sight I expect it wur?" _Minor R.O._ "Well, I can't say as I _saw much of it. I war taking the tickets at Vaux'all!"_] * * * * * [Illustration: AN EXCITING TIME Poor Jones is convinced that his worst fears are at last realised, and he is left alone with a _dangerous lunatic!!_ (It was only little Wobbles running anxiously over the points of his coming speech to the electors of Plumpwell-on-Tyme!!)] * * * * * [Illustration: A TRAGEDY ON THE GREAT NORTHERN SCENE--_A third-class carriage._ TIME--_Three hours before the next station._ DRAMATIS PERSONÆ--_Jones and Robinson._ "It's the _last!_--and it's a Tändstickor. 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!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "WHAT'S SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE," &c. _Passenger (in second class)._ "I think I've got into the wrong carriage." _Ticket Inspector (sternly)._ "The difference must be paid!" _Passenger (triumphantly)._ "Oh, just so! Then I'll trouble you for three shillings--I've a first-class ticket!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A REMINDER _Old Lady._ "Now, porter, you're quite sure you've put all my luggage in?--the big portmantle and----" _Porter._ "All right, mum." _Old Lady._ "And you're certain I've not left anything behind----" _Porter._ "No, mum, not even a copper!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NOTES OF TRAVEL _The Cunard "Special" full speed for London_ _John Bull (of the World in general)._ "There is nothing to be alarmed at. Surely your American trains go much faster than this?" _Jonathan (from the West in particular)._ "Why, yaas. But 'tain't that. I'm afeard it'll run off your darned little island!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Impatient Traveller._ "Er--how long will the next train be, portah?" _Porter._ "Heaw long? Weel, sir ah dunno heaw ah con saay to hauf an inch. Happen there'll be fower or five co-aches an' a engine or soa."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE LEVEL CROSSING "Are there no more trains this evening on the up line, porter?" "No, mum." "And no more trains on the down line?" "No, mum." "Is there no _special_ train?" "No, mum." "Nor an _excursion_ train?" "No, mum. The gates are to for the rest of the evening." "You're quite sure?" "Yes, mum." "Then come, Amelia. We can cross the line!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Old Maid._ "Is this a smoking compartment, young man?" _Obliging Passenger._ "No, mum. 'Igher up!"] * * * * * THE MISSING SPINSTER You may boast your great improvements, Your inventions and your "movements," For those who stay at home, and those who travel; But arrangements for the latter Are so complex, that the matter Makes them dotty as a hatter To unravel. There was once an ancient lady Whom we knew as Miss O'Grady, Who was asked to spend the autumn down at Trew. So in fear and trepidation She sought out her destination, And betook her to the station-- Waterloo. She took her little ticket And she did not fail to stick it With half-a-dozen coppers in her glove. Another moment found her With a plenty to astound her-- For she'd notice-boards all round her, And above! So she studied every number On those sign-posts that encumber All the station; and she learned them one by one; But she found the indication Of the platforms of the station Not much use as information When she'd done. In her shocking state of fluster Little courage could she muster, Yet of porters she accosted one or two; But, too shy to claim attention, And too full of apprehension, She could get no one to mention "Which for Trew." So she trudged through every station-- "North," "South," "Main,"--in quick rotation, And then she gave a trial to the "Loop"; Like some hapless new Pandora She sat down a-gasping for a Little hope to live on--or a Plate o' soup. * * * * * 'Mid the bustle and the hissing An old maiden lady's "Missing"-- In some corner of the complicated maze; And round about she's gliding In unwilling, hideous hiding, On the platform, loop, or siding, In a craze. And still they cannot find her, For she leaves no trace behind her At Vauxhall, Clapham Junction, Waterloo; But she passes like a comet With the myst'ry of Mahomet-- Her course unknown--and from it Not a clue! * * * * * [Illustration: MOST OFFENSIVE _Railway Porter._ "If you please, sir, was this your'n?"] * * * * * [Illustration: A RAILWAY COLLUSION--A HINT TO STATION-MASTERS _Porter._ "Now, then, Bill! are you off?" _Cab Ruffian._ "No; what sort of fare is it?" _Porter._ "Single gent, with small bag." _Ruffian._ "Oh, _he_ won't do! Can't yer find us a old lady and two little gals with lots o' boxes? I'm good for a pint!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CHANGELINGS; OR, A STORY WITHOUT (POLITE) WORDS. "Them's the only dogs as come by this train, sir. The guard says as 'ow there was three sportin' dogs, as 'ad ate their label off, wot's gone on by the Scotch Express."] * * * * * RATHER 'CUTE.--_Small but Sharp Passenger._ "Look here! You didn't give me the right change just now!" _Clerk._ "Too late, sir! You should have spoken when you took your ticket!" _Passenger._ "_Should_ I? Well, it's of no consequence to me; but you gave me half-a-sovereign too much! Ta-ta!" _[Exit._ * * * * * [Illustration: SMOKING COMPARTMENT WAIT TILL THE TRAIN STOPS THIRD CLASS. TO SEAT SIX UNDERGROUND STUDIES] * * * * * [Illustration: THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAYS] _Stoker._ "Wery sorry to disturb yer at supper, ladies, but could yer oblige me with a scuttle o' coals for our engine, as we've run short of 'em this journey?" * * * * * REPARTEES FOR THE RAILWAY "No smoking allowed." Of course, but I am going to enjoy my cigar in silence. "Want the window closed." Very sorry, but I can't find a cathedral. "Find my journal a nuisance." Dear me! was under the impression it was a newspaper. "Allow you to pass." Afraid only the Secretary can manage that for you; he alone has power to issue free tickets. "Do I mind the draught?" Not when I am attending to the chessman. "Do I know the station?" Of the people on the platform? Probably lower middle class. "Is this right for Windsor?" Yes, if it's not left for somewhere else. "Are we allowed five minutes for lunch?" Think not; but you can have sandwiches at the counter. "Isn't this first-class?" Quite excellent--first-rate--couldn't be better! "I want to go second." Then you had better follow me. "I am third." Indeed! And who were first and second. "I think this must be London." Very likely, if it is, it mustn't be anywhere else. * * * * * THE WAY OF THE WHIRLED.--The rail-way. * * * * * "VERY HARD LINES."--The railways. * * * * * [Illustration: RAILWAY AMALGAMATION--A PLEASANT STATE OF THINGS] _Passenger._ "What's the matter, guard?" _Guard (with presence of mind)._ "Oh, nothing particular, sir. We've only run into an excursion train!" _Passenger._ "But, good gracious! there's a train just behind us, isn't there?" _Guard._ "Yes, sir! But a boy has gone down the line with a signal; and it's very likely they'll see it!" * * * * * [Illustration: METROPOLITAN RAILWAY TYPES. The party that _never_ says, "Thank | The party that _always_ says, you!" | "Thank you!" When you open the door, shut the window, or give up your seat for her.] * * * * * THE THIRD-CLASS TRAVELLER'S PETITION (1845) Pity the sorrows of a third-class man, Whose trembling limbs with snow are whitened o'er, Who for his fare has paid you all he can: Cover him in, and let him freeze no more! This dripping hat my roofless pen bespeaks, So does the puddle reaching to my knees; Behold my pinch'd red nose--my shrivell'd cheeks: You should not have such carriages as these. In vain I stamp to warm my aching feet, I only paddle in a pool of slush; My stiffen'd hands in vain I blow and beat; Tears from my eyes congealing as they gush. Keen blows the wind; the sleet comes pelting down, And here I'm standing in the open air! Long is my dreary journey up to Town, That is, alive, if ever I get there. Oh! from the weather, when it snows and rains, You might as well, at least, defend the poor; It would not cost you much, with all your gains: Cover us in, and luck attend your store. * * * * * [Illustration: A CAUTION No wonder Miss Lavinia Stitchwort thought the people very rude at the station when she went for her "water-proof" (which she had lost on the railway some time before). She found out when she got home she had not removed the "unclaimed property" label!] * * * * * [Illustration: _Nervous Party._ "The train seems to be travelling at a fearful pace, ma'am." _Elderly Female._ "Yus, ain't it? My Bill's a-drivin' of the ingin, an' 'e _can_ make 'er go when 'e's got a drop o' drink in 'im!"] * * * * * THE ORIGIN OF RAILWAYS.--The first idea of railways is of very ancient date, for we hear of the Great Norman line immediately after the Conquest. * * * * * RAILWAY NEWS.--There is an old lady who says, that she always likes to travel by a trunk line, because then she feels confidence about the safety of her luggage. * * * * * "RAILWAY COUPLING."--When the porter marries the young lady in the refreshment department. * * * * * [Illustration: THE FIRST "BRADSHAW" A reminiscence of Whitsun Holidays in Ancient Egypt. From an old-time tabl(e)ature] * * * * * RAILWAY REFORM.--Compartments to be reserved for ladies over and under a certain age. As there will invariably be compartments for those who smoke, so also for those who snuff. The former will be labelled as usual "for Smokers," the latter "for Snuffers." The last-mentioned will be tried as far as Hampton Wick. The "Sleeping Cars" will be divided into "Snorers" and "Non-Snorers." Tickets will be issued subject to these regulations. It is important to the Shareholders to know that on and after the abolition of the Second Class, the motto of the Company will be "No Returns." * * * * * A PLUTOCRAT.--_Swell._ "'Dyou oblige me--ah--by shutting your window?--ah----" _Second Passenger (politely)._ "Really, sir, if you will not press it, as yours is shut, the air is so warm I would rather keep this open. You seem to take great care of yourself, sir----" _Swell._ "Care of myself! Should wather think so. So would you, my dear fel-lah, if you'd six thousand a ye-ar!!" * * * * * THE SLOW TRAIN On Southern lines the trains which crawl Deliberately to and fro Make life a burden; of them all This is the slowest of the slow. Impatiently condemned to bear What is indeed an awful bore, I've seemed to be imprisoned there Three days, or more. The angry passengers complain; Of new electric cabs they talk. They sit and swear at such a train, And ask, "Shall we get out and walk?" It's true the time seems extra long When spent in such a wretched way, My calculation may be wrong-- Three hours, say. The other day I had to come By this slow train, but facing me Was no old buffer, dull and dumb; I chatted with my vis-à-vis. A pretty smile, a pretty dress, Gay spirits no fatigue could crush; With her it was a quick express, Three minutes' rush. For once I sadly left the train, For once the time too quickly passed. I still could angrily complain, Why travel so absurdly fast? At lightning speed that special went (I'd paid the ordinary fare), Now looking back it seems we spent Three seconds there. * * * * * [Illustration: A BANK HOLIDAY SKETCH _Facetious Individual (from carriage window)._ "Change 'ere, 'ave we? Then kindly oblige me with a sardine-opener!"] * * * * * WEDNESBURY STATION.--_First Collier._ "Trains leave for Birmingham, 10.23 a.m., 6.23 p.m." _Second Collier._ "What's p.m.?" _First Do._ "A penny a mile, to be sure." _Second Do._ "Then, what's a.m.?" _First Do._ "Why, that must be a a'penny a mile." * * * * * [Illustration: RAILWAY LUXURIES _Excursionist._ "I say--'ere! This water's full o'crumbs!" _Aquarius._ "That ain't crumbs! That's only the sawdust off the hice!"] * * * * * RAILWAY AND SOCIAL SYNONYMS _'Traction Engines._--Too many Girls of the Period. _Truck-Trains._--Most marriage processions at St. George's, Hanover Square. _Continuous Brakes._--The results of lodging house attendance. _Changing Lines._--What we often see after the honeymoon. _Shunted on to a Siding._--Paterfamilias when Baby appears. * * * * * [Illustration: A party who is quite in favour of light railways for town and country.] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR COUNTRY COUSINS _The Gushington girls have just arrived by rail, and are inhaling the odours of an average London terminus._ _Miss Milly Gushington._ "Wait a bit, uncle." (_Sniff._) "Oh, isn't it lovely, Hilly? Doesn't it just _smell_ of the season?" _Miss Hilly Gushington._ "Don't speak about it--only sniff!"] * * * * * THE TOURIST'S ALPHABET (_Railway Edition_) A is the affable guard whom you square: B is the _Bradshaw_ which leads you to swear: C is the corner you fight to obtain: D is the draught of which others complain: E are the enemies made for the day: F is the frown that you wear all the way: G is the guilt that you feel going third: H is the humbug by which you're deterred: I is the insult you'll get down the line: J is the junction where you'll try to dine: K is the kettle of tea three weeks old: L are the lemon drops better unsold: M is the maiden who says there's no meat: N is the nothing you thus get to eat: O is the oath that you use--and do right: P is the paper to which you _don't_ write: Q are the qualms to directors unknown: R is the row which you'll find all your own: S is the smash that is "nobody's fault:" T is the truth, that will come to a halt: U is the pointsman--who's up the whole night: V is the verdict that says it's "all right." W stands for wheels flying off curves: X for express that half shatters your nerves: Y for the yoke from your neck that you fling, and Z for your zest as you cut the whole thing! * * * * * [Illustration: STARTLING! _Constable (to nervous passenger, arrived by the Ramsgate train)._ "I've got yer"--(_"Ger-acious Heavens!" thinks little Skeery with a thrill of horror. "Takes me for somebody that's 'wanted'!"_)--"a cab, sir."] * * * * * "THE MORE HASTE THE WORSE SPEED" SCENE--_The Charing Cross Station of the District Railway._ _Country Cousin, bound for Bayswater, to ticket clerk, with scrupulous politeness._ If you please, I want a first-class ticket to Bayswater. _Ticket Clerk (abruptly)._ No first-class here. Go to the next booking-place. [_Country Cousin retires rebuffed, and finds his way to next booking-place._ _Country Cousin._ If you please, I want a first-class ticket to Bayswater. _Ticket Clerk (explosively)._ Single or return? Look sharp! You're not the only person in London! _Country Cousin (humbly)._ Single, please. [_The ticket and change are slapped down unceremoniously, and Country Cousin is shoved on from behind by an impatient City man. Rushes precipitately down brass-bound steps, and presents his ticket to be snipped._ _Snipper (inspecting ticket)._ Queen's Road, Bayswater? Wrong side! Go up the stairs, and turn to the right. Look sharp! There's a train just coming in! [_Country Cousin, with a deepened sense of humiliation and bewilderment, hurries upstairs, turns to the right, and reaches entrance to platform just in time to have gate slammed in his face. The train being gone, gate is re-opened, and the necessary snipping performed on his ticket._ _Country Cousin (to Snipper, politely)._ If you please--will the next train take me to Queen's Road, Bayswater? _Saturnine Official._ Can't tell you till the train comes. [_Country Cousin paces the platform in moody silence, and wishes he had taken a cab. Enter train, rushing madly along._ _Stentorian voice (without stops)._ Earl's Court North End and Hammersmith train first and second-class forward third behind! [_Country Cousin makes his way towards a carriage, but finds it full. Tries another with the same result, and is frantically endeavouring to open the door of a third-class compartment in which there is one vacant seat next a fat woman with a baby, when train moves on._ _Indignant Official._ Stand away there! Stand away, will you! (_Drags back Country Cousin._) That ain't your train! What do you want a-tryin to get in there for? [_Country Cousin, in deeper humiliation, re-arranges dress, disturbed by recent struggle and resumes his agitated march._ _Enter another train more madly than the first._ _Stentorian voice._ High Street Kensington Notting Hill Gate and Bayswater train main line train! _Country Cousin (to Haughty Official, in an agony of entreaty)._ Is this train for Queen's Road, Bayswater? _Haughty Official._ Yes, Queen's Road. Look sharp! She'll be off in a minute. [_Country Cousin scrambles through the crowd to a carriage; drops his umbrella; stoops to pick it up and on rising finds train three parts through the tunnel. Exit Country Cousin in a rage, to get a cab, having lost twenty minutes, the price of his unused ticket, his self-respect, and that of everybody he has come in contact with in the Metropolitan District Railway Station._ * * * * * [Illustration: WHEN IN DOUBT--DON'T! SCENE--_Country Station_ _Gent._ "Are the sandwiches fresh, my boy?" _Country Youth._ "Don't know, I'm sure, sir. I've only been here a fortnight!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A DILEMMA _Station-Master._ "Now then! Look alive with they dougs! Where are you----" _Overdriven Porter._ "Hoots! they've a' eaten their tuck'ts, an' dinna ken fa the're gaen tae!"] * * * * * [Illustration: RISKS _Shrewd Clerk (with an eye to his percentage)._ "Take an accident insurance ticket, sir?" _Passenger (nervously)._ "Wha' for?!" _Clerk._ "Well, sir, nothing has gone wrong 'twixt this and London for the last fourteen months; and, by the haverages, the next smash on the hup line is hoverdue exactly six weeks and three days!!" [_Old Gent forks out with alacrity._] * * * * * TO MY "PUFF PUFF" Puff me away from the noise and the worry; Puff me away from the desolate town; Puff me--but don't be in too great a hurry; Puff me, but don't in a tunnel break down. Puff me away to my loved Isle of Thanet Swiftly--or e'en at the pace called the snail's, Puff me the sea-breeze, and pleasantly fan it Into my nostrils--but don't leave the rails. Puff me away, far from Parliament's houses; For brown moors of Scotland my soul is athirst-- For a smell of the heather, a pop at the grouses; Puff me, but mind that your boiler don't burst. Puff me _en route_ for care-killing Killarney, Tenderly take me, as bridegroom his bride; Bear me towards Erin, blest birthplace of Blarney, Puff, puff, like blazes--but, _please_, don't "collide!" * * * * * [Illustration: DIGNITY AND IMPUDENCE _Customer_ (Time--_Saturday afternoon_). "I don't want all coppers in change for that shilling. Haven't you got any silver?" _Newsboy._ "All right, sir. Want a little Sunday money, I s'pose, sir?"] * * * * * TO A RAILWAY FOOT-WARMER At first I loved thee--thou wast warm,-- The porter called thee "'ot," nay, "bilin'." I tipped him as thy welcome form He carried, with a grateful smile, in. Alas! thou art a faithless friend, Thy warmth was but dissimulation; Thy tepid glow is at an end, And I am nowhere near my station! I shiver, cold in feet and hands, It is a legal form of slaughter, They don't warm (!) trains in other lands With half a pint of tepid water. I spurn thy coldness with a kick, And pile on rugs as my protectors, I'd send--to warm them--to Old Nick, Thy parsimonious directors! * * * * * DIFFERENT WAYS OF TRAVELLING.--Man travels to expand his ideas; but woman--judging from the number of boxes she invariably takes with her--travels only with the object of expanding her dresses. * * * * * "THE BEST OF MOTIVES."--Locomotives. * * * * * [Illustration: "A LIBERAL MEASURE" _Rude Boy (to stout party on weighing-machine, which is out of order, and won't work)._ "Shove in another penny, guv'nor. It's double fare to chaps o' your size!"] * * * * * FOXHUNTER'S DEFINITION OF A MAIL-TRAIN.--A Post and Rails. * * * * * AS A RULE.--"Signal Failures"--Railway accidents. * * * * * THREE RAILWAY GAUGES.--Trains are made for the Broad Gauge, the Narrow Gauge, and the Lug-gage. * * * * * [Illustration: ZOOLOGY _Railway Porter (to old lady travelling with a menagerie of pets)._ "'Station-master say, mum, as cats is 'dogs,' and rabbits is 'dogs,' and so's parrots; but this ere 'tortis' is a insect, so there ain't no charge for it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LOGIC _Stout Party._ "What! no room! Ain't that man just got out? If people can get out, people can get in!"] * * * * * THE QUICKEST OF ALL EXPRESS TRAINS.--The train of thought. * * * * * STARTLING RAILWAY ACCIDENT.--A punctual train. * * * * * KEEP YOUR TEMPER.--Avoid entering into an argument with a deaf man in a railway carriage, as it is sure to lead to high words. * * * * * "DON'T TOUCH ME, OR I'LL SCREAM!" as the engine whistle said to the stoker. * * * * * [Illustration: "A MAN AND A PASSENGER!" _Sweep._ "'Elp us up with my luggage, mate!"] * * * * * VOCES POPULI I SCENE--_Interior of Third-Class Smoking Compartment. First Passenger, apparently a small Suburban Tradesman, of a full and comfortable habit, seated by window. To him enters a seedy but burly Stranger, in a state of muzzy affability, with an under-suggestion of quarrelsomeness._ _The Stranger (leaning forward mysteriously)._ Yer saw that gentleman I was a torkin' to as I got in? Did yer know 'oo he _was_? _First Passenger (without hauteur, but with the air of a person who sets a certain value on his conversation)._ Well, he didn't look much like the Archbishop of Canterbury. _The S._ He's a better man than _'im_! That was Brasher, the middling weight! he giv' me the orfice straight about Killivan and Smifton, _he_ did! _First P. (interested, as a lover of the Noble Art of Self Defence)._ Ah! did he, though? _The S._ He _did_; I went up to him, and I sez, "Excuse me," I sez, like that, I sez, "but are you an American, or a German?" _First P. (with superiority)._ He wouldn't like that--being taken for a German. _The S. (solemnly)._ Those were my very words! And he sez, "No, I'm a Yank," and then I knoo 'oo 'e was, d'ye see? and so (_hazily_) one word brought up another, and we got a torkin'. If I was to tell you I'd _seen_ Killivan, I should be tellin' yer a lie! _First P._ Well, I won't ask you to do that. _The S. (firmly)._ Nor I wouldn't. But you've on'y to look at Smifton to see 'e's never 'ad a smack on the 'ed. Now, there's Sulton--'e's a _good_ man, _'e_ is--'e _is_ a good man! Look 'ow that feller knocks 'isself about! But if I was to pass _my_ opinion, it 'ud be this--Killivan's _in_ it for science, he ain't in it to _take_ anything; you may take that from me! _First P._ (_objecting to be treated as an_ ingénu). It's not the first time I've heard of it, by a long way. _The S._ Ah! and it's the truth, the Bible truth (_putting his hand on First P.'s knee_). Now, you b'leeve what I'm a'goin' to tell yer? _First P. (his dignity a little ruffled)._ I will--if it's anything in reason. _The S._ It's this: My opinion of Killivan and Sulton's this--Sulton _brought_ Killivan _out_. I'm on'y tellin' yer from 'earsay, like; but I _know_ this myself--one lived in 'Oxton, and the other down Bermondsey way. 'E's got a nice little butcher's business there at this present moment; and 'e's a mug if 'e turns it up! _First P. (axiomatically)._ Every man's a mug who turns a good business up. _The S._ Yer right! And (_moralising_) it ain't _all_ 'oney with that sort o' people, neither, I can tell yer! I dessay, now, when all's put to the test, you're not a moneyed man--no more than I am myself? _First P. (not altogether flattered)._ Well--that's as _may_ be. _The S._ But I b'leeve yer to be a man o' the world, although I don't _know_ yer. _First P. (modestly)._ I used to be in it at one time. _The S. (confidentially)._ I'm in it _now_. I don't get my livin' by it, though, mind yer. I'm a mechanic, I am--to a certain extent. I've been in America. _There's_ a country now--they don't over-tax like they do 'ere! _First P. (sympathetically)._ There you _'ave_ touched a point--we're taxed past all common sense. Why, this very tobacco I'm smoking now is charged---- _The S._ Talkin' of terbaccer, I don't mind 'aving a pipe along with yer myself. _First P. (handing his pouch with a happy mixture of cordiality and condescension)._ There you are, then. _The S. (afflicted by sudden compunction as he fills his pipe)._ I 'ope I'm not takin' a libbaty in askin yer? _First P._ Liberty? rubbish! I'm not one to make distinctions where _I_ go. I'd as soon talk to one man as I would another--you're setting your coat alight. _The S._ I set fire to myself once, and I never live in 'opes of doing so agen! It's a funny thing with me, I can smoke a cigar just as well as I could a short pipe. I'm no lover of a cigar, if you understand me; but I can go into company where they _are_, d'ye _see_? _First P. (shortly)._ _I_ see. _The S. (with fresh misgivings)._ You'll excuse me if I've taken a libbaty with yer! _First P. (with a stately air)._ We settled all that just now. _The S. (after a scrutiny)._ I tell yer what my idear of _you_ is--that you're a _Toff!_ _First P. (disclaiming this distinction a little uneasily)._ No, no--there's nothing of the toff about _me!_ _The S. (defiantly)._ Well, you're a _gentleman_, anyway? _First P. (aphoristic, but uncomfortable)._ We can all of us be that, so long as we behave ourselves. _The S. (much pleased by this sentiment)._ Right agen! give us yer 'and--if it's not takin a libbaty. I'm one of them as can't bear to take a libbaty with no matter 'oo. Yer know it's a real pleasure to me to be settin' 'ere torkin' comfortably to you, without no thought of either of us fallin' out. There's some people as wouldn't feel 'appy, not without they was 'aving a row. Now you and me ain't _like_ that! _First P. (shifting about)._ Quite so--quite so, of course! _The S._ Not but what if it was to come to a row between us, I could take _my_ part! _First P. (wishing there was somebody else in the compartment)._ I--I hope we'll keep off that. _The S. (devoutly)._ So do I! _I_ 'ope we'll keep off o' that. But yer never know what may bring it on--and there it is, d'ye see! You and me might fall out without intending it. I've bin a bit of a boxer in my day. Do you doubt my word?--if so, say it to my face! _First P._ I've no wish to offend you, I'm sure. _The S._ I never take a lie straight from any man, and there you 'ave me in a word! If you're _bent_ on a row, you'll find me a glutton, that's all I can tell you! _First P. (giving himself up for lost)._ But I'm _not_ bent on a row--qu--quite otherwise! _The S._ You should ha' said so afore, because, when my back's once put _up_, I'm--'ello! we're stopping, I get out 'ere, don't I? _First P. (eagerly)._ Yes--make haste, they don't stay long anywhere on this line! _The S. (completely mollified)._ Then I'll say good-bye to yer. (_Tenderly._) P'raps we may meet agen, some day. _First P._ We--we'll hope so--good day to you, wish you luck! _The S. (solemnly)._ Lord _love_ yer! (_Pausing at door._) I 'ope you don't think me the man to fall out with nobody. I _never_ fall out---- [_Falls out into the arms of a porter, whom he pummels as the train moves on, and First Passenger settles into a corner with a sigh of relief._ * * * * * [Illustration: NOT QUITE UP TO DATE _Somerset Rustic (on seeing the signal drop)._ "Ar don't know if it'd make any difference, maister, but thic ther' bit o' board of yourn 'ave a fallen down!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NOTES OF TRAVEL _Foreign Husband (whose wife is going to remain longer)._ "Gif me two dickets. Von for me to come back, and von for my vife not to come back!"] * * * * * [Illustration: IN THE UNDERGROUND _Lady (who has just entered carriage, to friend)._ "Fancy finding you in the train! Why couldn't I have met you yesterday, now? I had such a wretched journey! But one never _does_ meet people when one wants to!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LA BELLE DAME SANS "MERCI"] * * * * * [Illustration: "TOUT VIENT À QUI SAIT ATTENDRE" Shouting heard--engine whistles frantically--brakes applied violently--train stops--accident, no doubt--alarm of first-class passengers--stout gent flies at communicator--child shrieks--terrified lady calls out, "Help! guard! What is it? Let us out!" _Guard._ "Oh, no fear, miss. On'y driver he just see a lot o' fine mushyroons, miss, and we----he like 'em for breakfast. All right! Away y' go!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A STATION ON THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE LINE _Traveller._ "Now then, boy, where's the clerk who gives the ticket?" _Boy (after finishing an air he was whistling)._ "I'm the clerk." _Traveller._ "Well, sir! And what time does the train leave for London?" _Boy._ "Oh, I don't know. No time in pertickler. Sometimes one time--and sometimes another."] * * * * * [Illustration: TRYING POSITION OF AN ELDERLY GENTLEMAN He determines to try the automatic photographing machine, the station being empty. To his dismay a crowd has gathered, and watches the operation.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Workman (politely, to old lady, who has accidentally got into a smoking compartment)._ "You don't object to my pipe, I 'ope, mum?" _Old Lady._ "Yes, I _do_ object, very strongly!" _Workman._ "Oh! Then out you get!!"] * * * * * A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY LONG AFTER STERNE'S _(A Romance for a "Ladies Only" Compartment)_ SCENE--_Reserved Carriage on the London and Utopian Railway. Female Traveller in possession. Enter, suddenly, a Male Traveller._ _Male Traveller._ A thousand apologies! I really nearly missed my train, so was obliged to take refuge in this carriage. Trust I don't intrude. _Fem. T. (after a pause)._ As you have no one to present you, I must ask "if you are any lady's husband?" _Male T. (with a sigh)._ Alas, no! I am a wretched bachelor! _Fem. T. (drily)._ That is nothing out of the common. I have been given to understand that all bachelors are miserable. _Male T._ No doubt your husband agrees with the opinion? _Fem. T. (calmly)._ I have no experience. I am a spinster. _Male T. (smiling)._ Indeed! And you selected a ladies' carriage? _Fem. T. (quickly)._ Because there was no room anywhere else. _Male T._ Well, well! At the next station I can get into a smoking compartment. _Fem. T._ Surely there is no need to take so much trouble. _Male T._ Why! don't _you_ object to a cigar? _Fem. T._ Not in the least. The fact is, I smoke myself! [_Red fire and tobacco._ _Male T. (after a pause)._ I have it on my conscience to make a correction. I said just now that I was not somebody's husband. _Fem. T. (annoyed)._ Then you are married! _Male T. (with intention)._ Well, not yet. But if you like you can receive me as somebody's betrothed. _Fem. T. (regardless of grammar)._ Who's somebody? _Male T. (smiling)._ Think of your own name. _Fem. T._ What next? _Male T._ Why, give it to me; and if you like you shall have mine in exchange. (_Train arrives at a station._) _Guard (without)._ All change! [_And later on they do._ * * * * * THE PATRON SAINT OF RAILWAYS.-St. Pan-crash. * * * * * [Illustration: A NON-SEQUITUR _Affable Old Gentleman (who has half a minute to spare)._ "I suppose now, my boy, you take a good sum of money during the day?" _Shoeblack._ "Yessur, 'cause lots o' gintleman, when they wants to ketch a train, gives me sixpence!" [_Old gent finds the sixpence, but in thinking over it afterwards, couldn't see the connection._] * * * * * [Illustration: THE TWOPENNY TUBE "Hi, guv'nor, there ain't no station named on this ticket!" "No; all our tickets are alike." "Then, 'ow do I know where I'm going?"] * * * * * [Illustration: HIGHLY ACCOMMODATING _Stout Party (rather hot)._ "Hope you don't find the breeze too much, sir?" _Fellow Passenger._ "Oh! not at all, sir! I rather like it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SKYLIGHT VIEW--A RAILWAY STATION] * * * * * [Illustration: _Traveller (to Irish porter labelling luggage)._ "Don't you keep a brush for that work, porter?" _Porter._ "No, yer honour. Our tongues is the only insthrumints we're allowed. But--they're aisy kep' wet, yer honour!" [_Hint taken._] * * * * * IN A SLOW TRAIN "Look out for squalls"--on land or sea-- Where duty or where pleasure calls, A golden rule it seems to be, Look out for squalls. Yet in a train that slowly crawls Somehow it most appeals to me. For then sometimes, it so befalls, An infant on its mother's knee In my compartment Fate installs-- Which makes a nervous man, you see, Look out for squalls! * * * * * RAILWAY MAXIMS (_Perfectly at the Service of any Railway Company_) Delays are dangerous. A train in time saves nine. Live and let live. After a railway excursion, the doctor. Do not halloo till you are out of the train. Between two trains we fall to the ground. Fire and water make good servants but bad masters. A director is known by the company he keeps. A railway train is the thief of time. There is no place like home--but the difficulty is to get there. The farther you go, the worse is your fare. It's the railway pace that kills. The great charm about a railway accident is that, no matter how many lives are lost, "no blame is ever attached to any one." A railway is long, but life is short--and generally the longer a railway, the shorter your life. * * * * * A DISTINCTION WITH A DIFFERENCE.--_Disappointed Porter (to Mate)._ I thought you said he was a gentleman. _Mate._ No, that's where you mistook me. _I_ said he was a gent. * * * * * [Illustration: _Sylvanus._ "Foxes are scarce in my country; but we manage it with a drag now and then!" _Urbanus._ "Oh--er--yes. But how do you get it over the fences?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Porter._ "Now, marm, will you please to move, or was you corded to your box?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THERE BE LAND RATS" _Jack Ashore._ "Bill, just keep a heye on my jewel-case 'ere while I go and get the tickets. There's a lot o' sharks always cruisin' about these railway stations, I've heard!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AFTER AN EASTERTIDE FESTIVITY--ON THE INNER CIRCLE _Guard._ "Where are you for?" _Old Gent._ "I'm oright--Edgware Road." _Guard._ "Well, mind you get out this time. You've been round three times!"] * * * * * RAILWAY SCALE OF MANNERS We have often been struck with the difference of manner assumed by railway officials towards different people. Shut your eyes, and you can tell from the tone of their voices whom they are addressing. The following examples will best illustrate our meaning. The railway potentate is calling upon the passengers to get their tickets ready. He calls: To the Third Class.--_Fortissimè._--"Tickets, tickets; come get your tickets ready." To the Second Class.--_Fortè._--"Tickets, gents; get your tickets ready, gents." To the First Class.--_Piano._--"Get your tickets ready, gentlemen, if you please; tickets ready, if you please, gentlemen." * * * * * [Illustration: THE H GRATUITOUS _Lady._ "Can I book through from here to Oban?" _Well-educated Clerk (correcting her)._ "Holborn, you mean. No; but you can book to Broad Street, and then take a 'bus!"] * * * * * EPITAPH ON A LOCOMOTIVE. _By the sole survivor of a deplorable accident (no blame to be attached to any servants of the company)_ Collisions four Or five she bore, The signals wor in vain; Grown old and rusted, Her biler busted, And smash'd the Excursion Train. "Her End Was Pieces." * * * * * EPITAPH FOR A RAILWAY DIRECTOR.--"His life was spent on pleasant lines." * * * * * [Illustration: MUDDLEBY JUNCTION _Overworked Pointsman (puzzled)._ "Let's see!--there's the 'scursion' were due at 4.45, and it ain't in; then, afore that, were the 'mineral,'--no! that must ha' been the 'goods,'--or the 'cattle.' No! that were after,--cattle's shunting now. Let's see!--fast train came through at----Con-found!--and here comes 'the express' afore its time, and blest if I know which line she's on!!"] * * * * * TEA IN TEN MINUTES (A SONG AT A RAILWAY STATION) AIR--"_Thee, Thee, only Thee_" Ten minutes here! The sun is sinking, And longingly we've long been thinking Of Tea, Tea, fragrant Tea! The marble slabs we gather round. They're long in bringing what is wanted, The china cup with draught em-brown'd, Our thirsty souls are wholly haunted By Tea, Tea, fragrant Tea! Now then, you waiter, stir, awaken! Time's up. I'll hardly save my bacon. Tea, Tea, bring that Tea! At last! The infusion's rayther dark. But hurry up! Can't stay for ever! One swig! Br-r-r-r! Hang the cunning shark! Will't never cool? Nay, never, never! Tea, Tea, scalding Tea! More milk; don't be an hour in bringing! Heavens! That horrid bell is ringing! "Take your seats, please!" Can't _touch_ the Tea! Cup to the carriage must not take; Crockery may be lost, or broken; Refreshment sharks are wide awake. But--many a naughty word is spoken O'er Tea, Tea, scalding Tea! [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: BEHIND THE SCENES _Head Barmaid._ "These tarts are quite stale, Miss Hunt--been on the counter for a fortnight! _Would_ you mind taking them into the _second-class_ refreshment-room?"] * * * * * [Illustration: A LUSUS MACHINER--Æ _Chatty Passenger._ "Porter! That's one of those curious tailless Manx cats, is it not?" _Crusty Porter (shortly)._ "No, 'taint. Morn'g 'xpress!" _Passenger (puzzled)._ "E--h--I don't understand----" _Porter._ "Don't yer? Well, you come and put your toe on these 'ere down metals about 9.14 a.m. to-morrow, and----" _Passenger (enlightened)._ "Ah!--I see--jus' so----" [_Retires under cover of newspaper._ * * * * * RAILWAY COMPANIONS (_By a Disagreeable Traveller_) I. I have come to the conclusion that the railway train exercises a sinister influence upon the human race. Persons who are tolerable--or even welcome--in ordinary daily life, become peculiarly obnoxious so soon as they enter the compartment of a train. No fairy prince ever stepped into a railway train--assuming he favoured that means of locomotion--without being transformed straightway into a Beast, and even Beauty herself could not be distinguished from her disagreeable sisters--in a train. Speaking for myself, railway travelling invariably brings to the surface all my worst qualities. My neighbour opposite hazards some remark. I feel immediately a fit of taciturnity coming over me, and an overpowering inclination to retreat behind a fortification of journals and magazines. On the other hand, say that I have exhausted my stock of railway literature--or, no remote possibility, that the literature has exhausted me--then I make a casual remark about the weather. The weather is not usually considered a controversial topic: in railway trains, however, it becomes so. "Rain! not a bit," says a passenger in the far corner, evidently meditating a walking tour, and he views me suspiciously as if I were a rain-producer. "And a good thing too," remarks the man opposite. "It's wanted badly, I tell you, sir--very badly. It's all very well for you holiday folk," &c., &c. And all this bad feeling because of my harmless well-intentioned remark. The window is up. "Phew!... stuffy," says the man opposite. "You don't mind, I hope, the window--eh?" "Not in the least," I say, and conceive a deadly hatred for him. I know from experience that directly that window is down all the winds of heaven will conspire to rush through, bearing upon them a smoky pall. I resign myself, therefore, to possible bronchitis and inflammation of the eye. Schoolboys, I may remark by the way, are the worst window offenders, owing to their diabolical practice of looking out of window in a tunnel--and, of course, _nothing_ ever happens to them. What's the use of expostulating after the compartment is full of yellow, choking vapour. These boys should be leashed together like dogs and conveyed in the luggage-van. The window is down. "W-h-oop," coughs an elderly man. "Do you mind, sir, that window being closed?" Polite mendacity and inward bitterness on my part towards the individual who has converted the compartment into an oven. But there are worse companions even than these, of whom I must speak another time. II. I have known people thoughtlessly speak well of the luncheon-basket. In my opinion, the luncheon-basket arouses the worst passions of human nature, and is a direct incentive to deeds of violence. To say this is to cast an aspersion upon the refreshment contractor, who is evidently a man of touchingly simple faith and high imagination. Simple faith assuredly, for does he not provide on the principle that our insides are hardy and vigorous and unspoilt by the art of cooking? High imagination most certainly, otherwise he would never call that red fluid by the name of claret. No, it is to the social rather than to the gastronomic influence of the luncheon-basket that I wish to advert. Once I procured a luncheon-basket and with it came the demon of discontent and suspicion, converting three neutral people into deadly enemies. One was a pale young man who had been scowling over Browning and making frantic notes on the margin of the book. Personally, I don't think it quite decent for pale young men to improve their minds in a public conveyance--but at any rate he had seemed harmless. Now he raised his eyes and viewed me with undisguised contempt. "Wretched glutton," he said in effect, and when accidentally I burned my mouth with mustard (which a sudden swerve had sent meandering in a yellow stream across the chicken and ham), he gave a sneering, callous smile, which reminded me that a man may smile and smile and be a--railway companion. I verily believe that youth to be capable of any crime, even Extension lecturing. Then there was a young lady reading a sixpenny Braddon, who viewed me as if I were some monster; when I shut my eyes and gulped off some--er--claret, she brought biscuits and lemonade from a small bag and refreshed herself with ostentatious simplicity, as if to say, "Look upon _this_ picture and on the wine-bibbing epicurean in the corner." An old lady with her was more amply provided for (old ladies usually take more care of their insides than anyone else in creation), but although she munched sandwiches and washed them down with sherry (probably sweet, ugh!) luxuriously, she looked with pious horror at my plates and dishes spread out. I _might_ have said, "Madam, I eat frankly and openly; my resources may be viewed by all. Your secret and delusive bags have limitless resources that you are ashamed to show." I didn't say so; but the restraint placed on myself quite spoilt the lunch. No more baskets. * * * * * [Illustration: À FORTIORI _Ticket Collector._ "Now, then, make haste! Where's your ticket?" _Bandsman (refreshed)._ "Au've lost it!" _Ticket Collector._ "Nonsense! Feel in your pockets. Ye cannot hev lost it!" _Bandsman._ "Aw cannot? Why, man, au've lost the _big drum!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: "JUST OUT!"--(AT ALL THE LIBRARIES) _First Young Lady._ "How did you like _Convict Life_, dear?" _Second Young Lady._ "Pretty well. We've just begun _Ten Years' Penal Servitude_. Some of us like it, but----" _Old Lady (mentally)._ "Good gracious! What dreadful creatures! So young, too!" [_Looks for the communicating cord!_] * * * * * [Illustration: RATHER SUSPICIOUS _First Passenger._ "Had pretty good sport?" _Second Passenger._ "No--very poor. Birds wild--rain in torrents--dogs no use. 'Only got fifty brace!" _First Passenger._ "'Make birds dear, won't it?" _Second Passenger ("off his guard")._ "You're right. I assure you I paid three-and-sixpence a brace all round at Norwich this morning!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FROM THE GENERAL TO THE PARTICULAR _Young Lady (who has never travelled by this line before)._ "Do you go to Kew Gardens?" _Booking-Clerk._ "Sometimes on a Sunday, miss, on a summer's afternoon!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A NEW RACE IN AFRICA. Arrival of the Uganda express. (Twenty minutes ahead of time.)] * * * * * [Illustration: A LITTLE FARCE AT A RAILWAY STATION _Lady._ "I want one ticket--first!" _Clerk._ "Single?" _Lady._ "Single! What does it matter to you, sir, whether I'm single or not? Impertinence!" [_Clerk explains that he meant single or return, not t'other thing._] * * * * * [Illustration: TWO VIEWS OF IT _Brown._ "Shockin' thing! You heard of poor Mullins getting his neck broken in that collision!" _Jones._ "Ah!--it's as-tonishing how lucky some fellows are! He told me 'last time I saw him he'd just insured his life for three thous'd poun's!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: INJURED INNOCENCE "Hulloa! _You've_ no call to be in here! _You_ haven't got a fust-class ticket, _I_ know." "No! I hain't!" "Well, come out! This ain't a third-class carriage!" "_Hain't_ it? Lor! Well I thought it _wos, by the look of the passingers!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Guard._ "Some one been smoking, I think?" _Passenger._ "What! Smoking! That's very reprehensible. Perhaps it was the clerical gentleman who has just got out of the next compartment."] * * * * * [Illustration: "NEM. CON.!" _Chatty Passenger (on G. W. Railway)._ "How plainly you can see the lights of Hanwell from the railway!" _Silent Man (in the corner)._ "Not half so plain as the lights of the train look from Hanwell!" [_All change at the next station._] * * * * * [Illustration: RECIPROCAL _Sporting Gentleman._ "Well, sir, I'm very pleased to have made your acquaintance, and had the opportunity of hearing a Churchman's views on the question of tithes. Of course, as a country landowner, I'm interested in Church matters, and----" _The Parson._ "Quite so--delighted, I'm sure. Er--by the bye, could you tell me _what's won to-day_?"] * * * * * [Illustration: RAILWAY LITERATURE _Bookstall Keeper._ "Book, ma'am? Yes, ma'am. Here's a popular work by an eminent surgeon, just published, 'Broken Legs: and How to Mend Them': or, would you like the last number of _The Railway Operator_?"] * * * * * [Illustration: SATISFACTORY _Bumptious Old Gent (in a directorial tone)._ "Ah, guard--what are we--ah--waiting for?" _Guard (with unconcern)._ "Waiting for the train to go on, sir!" [_Old Gent retires._] * * * * * [Illustration: AN UNDERGROUND SELL _First Passenger._ "They say they've put on detectives 'ere, to catch coves as travels without tickets." _Second Passenger._ "'Ave they? Well, all I can say is, _I_ can travel as often as I like from Cannon Street to Victoria, and not pay a 'apenny!" _Detective._ "See here, mate; I'll give you half-a-crown if you tell me how you do it." _Second Passenger (after pocketing the half-crown)._ "Well,--when I wants to git from Cannon Street to Victoria without payin'--_I walks!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: QUITE UP TO DATE _Cousin Madge._ "Well, good-bye, Charlie. So many thanks for taking care of us!" _Charlie._ "_Not at all!_"] * * * * * VOCES POPULI II. ON THE PLATFORM _A Lady of Family._ Oh, yes, I do travel third-class sometimes, my dear. I consider it a duty to try to know something of the lower orders. [_Looks out for an empty third-class compartment._ EN ROUTE _The seats are now all occupied: the Lady of Family is in one corner, next to a Chatty Woman with a basket, and opposite to an Eccentric-looking Man with a flighty manner._ _The Eccentric Man (to the Lady of Family)._ Sorry to disturb you, mum, but you're a-setting on one o' my 'am sandwiches. _The L. of F._???!!! _The E. M. (considerately)._ Don't trouble yourself, mum, it's of no intrinsic value. I on'y put it there to keep my seat. _The Chatty W. (to the L. of F.)._ I think I've seen you about Shinglebeach, 'ave I not? _The L. of F._ It is very possible. I have been staying with some friends in the neighbourhood. _The C. W._ It's a nice cheerful place is Shinglebeach; but (_confidentially_) don't you think it's a very sing'ler thing that in a place like that--a fash'nable place, too--there shouldn't be a single 'am an' beef shop? _The L. of F. (making a desperate effort to throw herself into the question)._ What a very extraordinary thing, to be sure! Dear, _dear_ me! No ham and beef shop! _The C. W._ It's so indeed, mum; and what's more, as I dare say you've noticed for yourself, if you 'appen to want a snack o' fried fish ever so, there isn't a place you could go to--leastways, at a moment's notice. Now, 'ow do you explain such a thing as that? _The L. of F. (faintly)._ I'm afraid I can't suggest any explanation. _A Sententious Man._ Fried fish is very sustaining. [_Relapses into silence for the remainder of journey._ _The Eccentric Man._ Talking of sustaining, I remember, when we was kids, my father ud bring us home two pennorth o' ches'nuts, and we 'ad 'em boiled, and they'd last us days. (_Sentimentally._) He was a kind man, my father (_to the L. of F., who bows constrainedly_), though you wouldn't ha' thought it, to look at him. I don't say, mind yer, that he wasn't fond of his bit o' booze--(_the L. of F. looks out of window_)--like the best of us. I'm goin' up to prove his will now, I am--if you don't believe me, 'ere's the probate. (_Hands that document round for inspection._) That's all reg'lar enough, I 'ope. (_To the L. of F._) Don't give it back before you've done with it--I'm in no 'urry, and there's good reading in it. (_Points out certain favourite passages with a very dirty forefinger._) Begin there--_that's_ my name. [_The L. of F. peruses the will with as great a show of interest as she can bring herself to assume._ _The Eccentric Man._ D'ye see that big 'andsome building over there? That's the County Lunatic Asylum--where my poor wife is shut up. I went to see her last week, I did. (_Relates his visit in detail to the L. of F., who listens unwillingly._) It's wonderful how many of our family have been in that asylum from first to last. I 'ad a aunt who died cracky; and my old mother, she's very peculiar at times. There's days when I feel as if I was a little orf my own 'ed, so if I say anything at all out of the way, you'll know what it is. [_L. of F. changes carriages at the next station. In the second carriage are two Men of seafaring appearance, and a young Man who is parting from his Fiancée as the L. of F. takes her seat._ _The Fiancé._ Excuse me one moment, ma'am. (_Leans across the L. of F. and out of the window._) Well, goodbye, my girl; take care of yourself. _The Fiancée (with a hysterical giggle)._ Oh, I'll take care o' _my_ self. [_Looks at the roof of the carriage._ _He (with meaning)._ No more pickled onions, eh? _She._ What a one you are to remember things! (_After a pause._) Give my love to Joe. _He._ All right. Well, Jenny, just one, for the last (_they embrace loudly, after which the F. resumes his seat with an expression of mingled sentiment and complacency_). Oh, (_to L. of F._) if you don't mind my stepping across you again, mum. Jenny, if you see Dick between this and Friday, just tell him as---- [_Prolonged whispers; sounds of renewed kisses;_ _Final parting as train starts with a jerk which throws the Fiancé upon the L. of F.'s lap. After the train is started a gleam of peculiar significance is observable in the eyes of one of the Seafaring Men, who is reclining in an easy attitude on the seat. His companion responds with a grin of intelligence, and produces a large black bottle from the rack. They drink, and hand the bottle to the Fiancé._ _The F._ Thankee I don't mind if I do. Here's wishing you---- [_Remainder of sentiment drowned in sound of glug-glug-glug; is about to hand back bottle when the first Seafarer intimates that he is to pass it on. The L. of F. recoils in horror._ _Both Seafarers (reassuringly)._ It's _wine_, mum! [_Tableau. The Lady of Family realises that the study of third-class humanity has its drawbacks._ * * * * * [Illustration: _Our Artist (who has strolled into a London terminus)._ "What's the matter with all these people? Is there a panic?" _Porter._ "Panic! No, this ain't no panic. These is excursionists. Their train leaves in two hours, so they want to get a seat!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE BRANCH STATION _Miss Tremmles (who is nervous about railways generally, and especially since the late outrages)._ "Oh, porter, put me into a carriage where there are ladies, or respectable people, or----" _Porter._ "Oh, you're all safe this mornin', miss; you're th' only passenger in the whol' tr'ine, except another old woman."] * * * * * [Illustration: A COOL CARD _Swell (handing "Sporting Life" to Clerical Party)._ "Aw--would you--aw--do me the favour to wead the list of the waces to me while we're wunning down?--I've--aw--forgotten my eyeglass. Don't mind waising your voice--I'm pwecious deaf!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THAT IT SHOULD COME TO THIS! _Boy._ "Second-class, sir?" _Captain._ "I nevah travel second-class!" _Boy._ "This way third, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ART! _Chatty Passenger._ "To show yer what cheats they are, sir, friend o' mine,--lots o' money, and fust-rate taste,--give the horder to one of 'em to decorate his new 'ouse in reg'lar slap-up style!--'spare no expense!--with all the finest 'chromios' that could be 'ad! You know what lovely things they are, sir! Well, sir, would you believe it!--after they was sent, they turned out not to be 'chromios' at all!--but done by 'and!"--(_with withering contempt_)--"done by 'and, sir!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PERMISSIVE SLAUGHTER (_Five Thousand Shunting Accidents in Five Years!_) _First Shunter (with coupling-link, awaiting engine backing)._ "I saw poor Jack's wife and kids last night, after the funeral. Poor things, what will be done for 'em?" _Second Shunter (at points)._ "Oh, the usual thing, I s'ppose--company's blessin', and a charity mangle!----Look out, mate! She's backin'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BEHIND TIME _Ticket Collector._ "This your boy, mum? He's too big for a 'alf ticket!" _Mother (down upon him)._ "Oh, is he? Well, p'rhaps he is now, mister; but he wasn't when we started. This 'xcursion's ever so many hours be'ind time, an' he's a growin' lad! So now!" [_Exit in triumph._] * * * * * [Illustration: "FORCE OF HABIT" _Our Railway Porter (the first time he acted as deputy in the absence of the beadle)._ "T'kets r'dy! All tick-ets ready!"] * * * * * [Illustration: WHY TAKE A CHILL? If your train is not heated by pipes, get plenty of foot-warmers, as Algy and Betty did. Sit on one, put your feet on another, a couple at your back, and one on your lap, and you'll get to your destination as they did--warm as muffins!] * * * * * [Illustration: _Railway Porter._ "Now then, sir! by your leave!"] * * * * * IN THE HOT WEATHER TOO! DRAMATIS PERSONÆ A Choleric Old Gentleman. A Cool Young Party. SCENE.--A Richmond Railway Carriage. TIME.--About 12 noon. _Choleric Old Gentleman (panting, puffing, perspiring)._ Hot, sir, tremendously hot. _Cool Young Party._ It is warm. _C. O. G._ Warm, sir! I call it blazing hot. Why the glass is 98° in the shade! _C. Y. P._ Really! is that much? _C. O. G._ Much, sir! Immense! _C. Y. P._ Well, then, the glass is perfectly right. _C. O. G._ Right, sir! I don't understand you, sir. What do you mean by saying it is right, sir? _C. Y. P._ I mean that the glass is quite right to be as much in the shade as it can in this warm weather. [_Choleric Old Gentleman collapses._ * * * * * [Illustration: QUITE UNIMPORTANT. _Thompson (interrogatively, to beauteous but haughty damsel, whom he has just helped to alight)._ "I beg your pardon?" _Haughty Damsel._ "I did not speak!" _Thompson._ "Oh--I thought you said 'Thanks'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE WOULD RATHER HAVE LEFT UNSAID "I'm afraid we shan't have this compartment to ourselves any longer, Janet." "Oh, it's all right, aunty darling. If you put your head out of window, I dare say nobody will come in!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A SCENE AT A RAILWAY STATION _Groom._ "Beg pardon, sir,--but wos your name Tomkins?" _Tomkins._ "Yes!" _Groom._ "If you please, sir, master says he wos werry sorry as he couldn't send the feeaton--but, as his young 'oss wanted exercise, he thought you wouldn't mind ridin' of 'im!" [_Tomkins bursts into a cold perspiration._] * * * * * SUBURBAN HOSPITALITY. SCENE--_A mile and a half to the railway station, on a bitter winter's night._ _Genial Host (putting his head out of doors)._ Heavens! what a night! Not fit to turn a dog out! (_To the parting guest._) Well, good-night, old chap. I hope you find your way to the station. * * * * * [Illustration: A LUXURIOUS HABIT _Philanthropist (to railway porter)._ "Then what time do you get to bed?" _Porter._ "Well, I seldom what yer may call gets to bed myself, 'cause o' the night trains. But my brother, as used to work the p'ints further down the line, went to bed last Christmas after the accident, and never----" [_Train rushes in, and the parties rush off._] * * * * * HARD LINES ON INDIVIDUALS.--The compulsory purchase of land by a railway company is insult added to injury. The buyers take a site in the seller's face. * * * * * "THE ROLL OF THE AGES."--The penny roll at railway refreshment-rooms. * * * * * [Illustration: "THE OTHER WAY ABOUT" _Irate Passenger (as train is moving off)._ "Why the ---- didn't you put my luggage in as I told you--you old ----" _Porter._ "E--h, man! yer baggage es na sic a fule as yersel. Ye're i' the wrang train!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Railway Porter._ "Dogs not allowed inside the carriages, sir!" _Countryman._ "What not a little tooy tarrier? Wall, thee'd better tak' un oot then, young man!"] * * * * * THE PORTER'S SLAM [A meeting at Manchester raised a protest against the nuisance caused by the needlessly loud "slamming" of railway carriage doors.] The porter has a patent "slam," Which smites one like a blow, And everywhere that porter comes That "slam" is sure to go. It strikes upon the tym-pa-num Like shock of dynamite; By day it nearly makes you dumb-- It deafens you at night. When startled by the patent "slam" The pious "pas-sen-jare," Says something else that ends in "am" (Or he has patience rare). Not only does it cause a shock, But--Manchester remarks-- "Depreciates the rolling stock," Well, that is rather larks! _That's_ not the point. The porter's slam Conduces to insanity, And, though as mild as Mary's lamb, Drives men to loud profanity. If Manchester the "slam" can stay By raising of a stir, All railway-travellers will say, "Bully for Man-ches-ter!" * * * * * [Illustration: MANNERS AND CVSTOMS OF YE ENGLYSHE IN 1849 A raylway statyon. Showynge ye travellers refreshynge themselves.] MR. PIPS HIS DIARY _Tuesday, July 31, 1849._--Prevailed upon by my wife to carry her to Bath, as she said, to go see her aunt Dorothy, but I know she looked more to the pleasure of her trip than any thing else; nevertheless I do think it necessary policy to keep in with her aunt, who is an old maid and hath a pretty fortune; and to see what court and attention I pay her though I do not care 2_d._ about her! But am mightily troubled to know whether she hath sunk her money in an annuity, which makes me somewhat uneasy at the charge of our journey, for what with fare, cab-hire, and vails to Dorothy's servants for their good word, it did cost me altogether _£_6 2_s._ 6_d._ To the Great Western station in a cab, by reason of our luggage; for my wife must needs take so many trunks and bandboxes, as is always the way with women: or else we might have gone there for 2_s._ 6_d._ less in an omnibus. Did take our places in the first class notwithstanding the expense, preferring both the seats and the company; and also because if any necks or limbs are broken I note it is generally in the second and third classes. So we settled, and the carriage-doors slammed to, and the bell rung, the train with a whistle off like a shot, and in the carriage with me and my wife a mighty pretty lady, a Frenchwoman, and I did begin to talk French with her, which my wife do not well understand, and by and by did find the air too much for her where she was sitting, and would come and take her seat between us, I know, on purpose. So fell a reading the _Times_, till one got in at Hanwell, who seemed to be a physician, and mighty pretty discourse with him touching the manner of treating madmen and lunatics, which is now by gentle management, and is a great improvement on the old plan of chains and the whip. Also of the foulness of London for want of fit drainage, and how it do breed cholera and typhus, as sure as rotten cheese do mites, and of the horrid folly of making a great gutter of the river. So to Swindon station, where the train do stop ten minutes for refreshment, and there my wife hungry, and I too with a good appetite, notwithstanding the discourse about London filth. So we out, and to the refreshment-room with a crowd of passengers, all pushing, and jostling, and trampling on each others' toes, striving which should get served first. With much ado got a basin of soup for my wife, and for myself a veal and ham pie, and to see me looking at my watch and taking a mouthful by turns; and how I did gulp a glass of Guinness his stout! Before we had half finished, the guard rang the bell, and my wife with a start, did spill her soup over her dress, and was obliged to leave half of it; and to think how ridiculous I looked, scampering back to the train with my meat-pie in my mouth! To run hurry-skurry at the sound of a bell, do seem only fit for a gang of workmen; and the bustle of railways do destroy all the dignity of travelling; but the world altogether is less grand, and do go faster than formerly. Off again, and to the end of our journey, troubled at the soup on my wife's dress, but thankful I had got my change, and not left it behind me at the Swindon station. * * * * * [Illustration: NARCISSUS _Little Podgers (who considers himself rather a lady-killer)._ "Oh, I'm not going into that empty carriage; put me into one with some pretty gals." Porter. "You jump in, sir, and put yer 'ead out of the winder, you'll soon have a carriage-full." [Podgers sees it immediately, and enters.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Lionel (to his rich uncle's coachman, who has driven him over to the station)._ "And look here, Sawyer, give the governor this accidental insurance ticket with my love. I haven't forgotten him, and if anything happens to me, there's a thousand pounds for him!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON" _Guest._ "It's very kind of you to----" _Hosts._ "Oh, we should not have felt comfortable unless we'd come with you, and--seen the last of you----!!"] * * * * * SMALL POTATOES.--_Q._ Why are regular travellers by the Shepherd's Bush and City Railway like certain vegetables? _A._ Because they're "Tubers." * * * * * [Illustration: INOPPORTUNE _Newsboy (to irritable old gent who has just lost his train)._ "Buy a comic paper, sir?" [_Luckily, the old gentleman was out of breath from his hurry._] * * * * * THE TYMPANUM (_A Remonstrance at a Railway Station_) The tympanum! The tympanum! Oh! who will save the aural drum By softening to some gentler squeak The whistle's shrill _staccato_ shriek? Oh! Engine-driver, did you know How your blast smites one like a blow, An inward shock, a racking strain, A knife-like thrust of poignant pain, Whilst groping through the tunnel murk You would not with that fiendish jerk Let out that _sudden_ blast of steam Whose screaming almost makes _us_ scream Thy whistle weird perchance may be A sad and sore necessity, But cannot Law and sense combine To--well, in short to draw the line?-- Across the open let it shrill From moor to moor, from hill to hill, But in the tunnel's crypt-like gloom, The station's cramped reverberant room, A gentler, _graduated_ blast! _Do_ let it loose, whilst dashing past, So shall it spare us many a pang; That dread explosive bursting "bang" Which nearly splits the aural drum, The poor long-suffering tympanum! * * * * * [Illustration: "THE BLOCK SYSTEM" _Affable Old Lady (to ticket clerk--morning express just due)._ "No, I'm not going up this morning, but one of your penny time-tables, if you please; and can you tell me"--(_Shouts from the crowd_, "Now then, mum!")--"if the 10.45 stops at Dribblethorp Junction, and if Shandry's 'bus meets the trains, which it always does on market days, I know, 'cause my married sister's cousin, as is a farmer, generally goes by it. But if it don't come o' Toosday as well as Wednesday, I shall have to get out at Shuntbury and take a fly, which runs into money, you know, when you're by yourself like. If you'll be good enough to look out the trains--and change for half a sovereign, if you please. Oh no, I'm in no hurry, as I ain't a goin' till next week. Fine morn----" [_Bell rings. Position stormed._] * * * * * WONDERS OF MODERN TRAVEL Wonder whether accidents will be as numerous as usual during this excursion season. Wonder if a train, conveying third-class passengers, was ever known to start without somebody or other exclaiming, "_Now_ we're off!" Wonder why it is that foreigners in general, and fat Germans in particular, always will persist in smoking with the windows shut. Wonder whether anybody was ever known to bellow out the name of any station in such a manner that a stranger could succeed in understanding him. Wonder whether it is cheaper to pay for broken bones, or for such increase of service as, in very many cases, might prevent their being broken. Wonder how a signalman can by any means contrive to keep a cool head on his shoulders, while working as one sees him in a signal-box of glass, and the temperature of the tropics. Wonder if upon an average there are three men in a thousand who have never been puzzled by the hieroglyphics in _Bradshaw_. Wonder whether any railway guard or porter has ever been detected in the very act of virtuously declining to accept a proffered tip, on the ground that money, by the bye-laws, is forbidden to be taken by servants of the company. Wonder how many odd coppers the boys who sell the newspapers pocket in a week by the benevolence of passengers. Wonder what diminution there would be in the frequency of accidents, supposing directors were made purse-onally liable. Wonder whether people take to living at Redhill because it is so redhilly accessible by railway. TO THE STATION. Wonder if my watch is right, or slow, or fast. Wonder if that church clock is right. Wonder if the cabman will take eighteenpence from my house to the station. THE STATION. Wonder if the porter understood what I said to him about the luggage. Wonder if I shall see him again. Wonder if I shall know him when I _do_ see him again. Wonder if I gave my writing-case to the porter or left it in the cab. Wonder where I take my ticket. Wonder in which pocket I put my gold. Wonder where I got that bad half-crown which the clerk won't take. Wonder if that's another that I've just put down. Wonder where the porter is who took my luggage. Wonder where my luggage is. Wonder again whether I gave my writing-case to the porter, or left it in the cab. Wonder which is my train. Wonder if the guard knows anything about that porter with the writing-case. Wonder if it _will_ be "all right" as the guard says it will be. Wonder if my luggage, being now labelled, will be put into the proper van. Wonder if I've got time to get a sandwich and a glass of sherry. Wonder if they've got the _Times_ of the day before yesterday, which I haven't seen. Wonder if _Punch_ of this week is out yet. Wonder why they don't keep nice sandwiches and sherry. Wonder if there's time for a cup of coffee instead. Wonder if that's our bell for starting. Wonder which is the carriage where I left my rug and umbrella, so as to know it again. Wonder where the guard is to whom I gave a shilling to keep a carriage for me. Wonder why he didn't keep it; by "it," I mean the carriage. Wonder where they've put my luggage. THE JOURNEY. Wonder if my change is all right. Wonder for the second time in which pocket I put my gold. Wonder if I gave the cabman a sovereign for a shilling. Wonder if that was the reason why he grumbled less than usual and drove off rapidly. Wonder if any one objects to smoking. Wonder that nobody does. Wonder where I put my lights. Wonder whether I put them in my writing-case. Wonder for the third time whether I gave my writing-case to the porter or left it in the cab. Wonder if anybody in the carriage has got any lights. Wonder that nobody has. Wonder when we can get some. Wonder if there's anything in the paper. Wonder why they don't cut it. Wonder if I put my knife in my writing-case. Wonder for the fourth time whether I gave, &c. Wonder if I can cut the paper with my ticket. Wonder where I put my ticket. Wonder where I _could_ have put my ticket. Wonder where the deuce I put my ticket. Wonder how I came to put my ticket in my right-hand waistcoat pocket. Wonder if I can read by this lamp-light in the tunnel. Wonder (to myself) why they don't light the carriages in a better way. Wonder (to my fellow-passengers) that the company don't provide better lights for their carriages. Fellow-passengers say they wonder at that, too. We all wonder. Wonder what makes the carriages wiggle-waggle about so. Wonder if we're going off the line. Wonder what station we stop at first. Wonder if there will be a refreshment-room there. Wonder (for the fifth time) whether I gave my writing-case to the porter, or left it in the cab. Wonder if I left the key of my writing-case in the lock. Wonder what the deuce I shall do if I've lost it. FIRST STATION. Wonder if this is Tringham or Upper Tringham. Wonder if it's Tringham Junction. Wonder if we change here for Stonnhurst. Wonder if any one understands what the guard says. Wonder if any one understands what the porter says. Wonder where the refreshment-room is. Wonder if I run across eight lines of rail, and over two platforms, to where I see the refreshment-room is, whether I shall ever be able to get back to my own carriage. Wonder (while I am crossing) whether any of the eight trains, on any of the eight lines, will come in suddenly. REFRESHMENT-ROOM. Wonder what's the best thing to take. Wonder whether soup's a good thing. Wonder whether the waiter heard me ask for soup, because I've changed my mind, and will have some tea. Wonder if the young lady at the counter knows that I've asked for tea, twice. Wonder if those buns are stale. Wonder if tea goes well with buns. Wonder what _does_ go with buns. Wonder, having begun on buns, whether it wouldn't have been better to ask for sherry. Wonder if this tea will ever be cool. Wonder if that's our bell for starting. Wonder if the young lady at the counter is deceiving me when she says I've got exactly a minute and a half. Wonder if anybody's looking at me while I put my tea in the saucer. Wonder if that _is_ our bell. Wonder if I shall have time to get back to my carriage. Wonder how much tea and buns come to. Wonder where I put my small change. Wonder, having nothing under half-a-crown, if I could get off without paying. Wonder they don't keep change ready. Wonder as I'm recrossing the lines whether any train will come in suddenly. THE PLATFORM. Wonder which is my carriage. Wonder (to guard familiarly) why they don't provide better lights for the carriages. Guard says, he wonders at that, too. Every one seems to wonder at that. Wonder (to guard again) if I can get a hot-water bottle for my feet anywhere. Guard wonders they don't keep 'em. Wonder (to guard once more) if I've time to go across the line, get my change out of the half-crown for buns and tea, and return to my carriage. Wonder if the guard is right in saying that we shall start directly. Wonder I forgot to ask the guard all about my luggage. THE CARRIAGE. Wonder, being safely in my seat, that there are not more accidents from people crossing the rails in a large station. Wonder why there's not a refreshment-room on either side. Wonder why they always come for your tickets after you've made yourself comfortable. Wonder where the dickens I put my ticket. Wonder, supposing I can't find it, whether the man will believe I ever had one. Wonder, on this matter being settled satisfactorily, which is the best pocket for keeping tickets in. Wonder why they can't shut the carriage-doors without banging them. THE JOURNEY (CONTINUED). Wonder if anybody thought of getting any lights. Wonder if I should have had time to cross over to the refreshment-room and get the change out of my half-crown. Wonder (to my opposite neighbour) what county we're passing through. He wonders, too. We both look out of our own side windows, and go on wondering. Wonder if that protracted shrill steam-whistle means danger. Opposite neighbour wonders if it does. Wonder why we're stopping; 'tisn't a station. Wonder what's the matter. Wonder what it is. Wonder what it _can_ be. Wonder if it's dangerous to put one's head out of window. Wonder if the engine has broken down. Wonder if there's anything on the line. Wonder if the express is behind us. Wonder if that man on the line is making a danger signal. Wonder (as we are moving again) what it was. Wonder passengers can't have some direct means of communicating with a guard. Wonder how long we shall be before we get to Stonnhurst. THE JOURNEY (CONCLUDED). Wonder if that's my portmanteau that that elderly gentleman is taking away with him. Wonder if they'll send to meet me at the station. Wonder (if they don't send) whether there's a fly or an omnibus. Wonder where their house is. Wonder if the station-master knows where their house is. Wonder what a fly will charge. Wonder what I shall do if they don't send, and there isn't a fly or an omnibus. Wonder what time they dine. Wonder if I shall have time to write a letter before dinner. Wonder, for the sixth time, whether I gave my writing-case to the guard, or left it in the cab. Wonder if I _did_ leave it in the cab. Wonder if this is where I get out. SMALL STATION. Wonder if the guard is right in saying that, as I'm going to Redditon, it doesn't matter whether I get out at the next station, Stonnhurst, or Morley Vale, the next but one. Wonder for which place my luggage was labelled. Wonder whether after getting out at Stonnhurst I shall have to go back for my luggage to Morley Vale. Wonder if I do right in deciding upon getting out at Stonnhurst. STONNHURST. Wonder if my luggage has gone on to Morley Vale. Wonder if I left my umbrella in the carriage, or forgot to bring it. Wonder how far it is from Stonnhurst to Morley Vale. Wonder if they've sent a trap to meet me at Morley Vale. Wonder why, when people invite one to come down to some out-of-the-way place, they don't tell one all these difficulties in their letter. Wonder if they'll have sense enough to drive to Stonnhurst from Morley Vale. Wonder if I shall meet them on the road if I walk there. Wonder which _is_ the road. Wonder, in answer to demand at the station-door, where I put my ticket. Wonder if I dropped it in the carriage. Wonder what I can have done with it. Wonder if I put it into the side pocket of my overcoat when I took out my lights. Wonder where the deuce my overcoat is. * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE--_Chancery Lane "Tube" Station._ _First Lift Man._ "A good time comin' for me, mate. What O, for a bit of a chinge!" _Second Lift Man._ "What's up, then?" _First Lift Man (in impressive tones)._ "Got shifted to the _Bank_--beginnin' Monday!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FOND DELUSION _First Tourist (going north)._ "Hullo, Tompk----" _Second Ditto (ditto, ditto)._ "Hsh----sh! Confound it, you'll spoil all. They think in the train I'm a Highland chief!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FOR LADIES ONLY "RESERVED CARRIAGES." (_See "Day by Day" in "Daily News"_) "If you travel in one, you run greater risks than in travelling in the ordinary carriages. I have known railway officials allow men to jump into them at the last moment before the train starts, with a mutual wink at each other and a very objectionable grin."] * * * * * [Illustration: A DISENCHANTMENT _Northern Croesus._ "Oh! I'm so glad to meet you here, Mr. Vandyke Brown. The fact is, I've a _commission_ for you!" _Our Youthful Landscape Painter (dissembling his rapture)._ "All right--most happy--what is it to be?" _Northern Croesus._ "Well--my aged grandmother is going to London by this train--and I want to put her under your protection." [_Our Youthful Landscape Painter dissembles again._] * * * * * [Illustration: PATENT FIRST-CLASS COSTUME FOR THE COLLISION SEASON _Traveller._ "Yes, it's decidedly warm, but there's a feeling of security about it I rather like." (_Yawns._) "Any chance of a smash to-day!?" [_Drops off to sleep!_] * * * * * [Illustration: JUDGING BY APPEARANCES _Undersized Youth._ "Now then, first return, Surbiton, and look sharp! How much?" _Clerk._ "Three shillings. Half-price under twelve!"] * * * * * [Illustration: COLD COMFORT _Traveller (waiting for train already twenty minutes late)._ "Porter, when do you expect that train to come in?" _Porter._ "Can't say, sir. But the longer you waits for it, the more sure 'tis to come in the next minute."] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE NURSERY SALOON ON THE RAILWAY" OUR ARTIST'S NOTION OF WHAT WE MAY EXPECT IF THE SUGGESTION WERE ADOPTED The saloon is Patent swing Rattles can Efficient nurse The saloon fitted with sleeping cradles be obtained guards, to look is fitted refreshment can be secured at most of after the with amusing bar, replete by wire or the large babies, travel toys, to with all baby letter. stations. by all trains. beguile delicacies. the tedium of long journeys.] * * * * * [Illustration: RAILWAY PUZZLE To find the name of the station.] * * * * * [Illustration: VICARIOUS! (_On the Underground Railway_) _Irascible Old Gentleman (who is just a second too late)._ "Confound and D----!" _Fair Stranger (who feels the same, but dare not express it)._ "Oh, thank you, _so_ much!"] * * * * * [Illustration: UNDERGROUND RAILWAY _Old Lady._ "Well, I'm sure no woman with the least sense of decency would think of going down _that_ way to it."] * * * * * [Illustration: REGULAR IRREGULARITY _Passenger (in a hurry)._ "Is this train punctual?" _Porter._ "Yessir, generally a quarter of an hour late to a minute!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Perspiring Countryman (who has just, with the utmost difficulty, succeeded in catching train)._ "Phew! Just saved it by t'skin o' my _teeth_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "'TIS BETTER NOT TO KNOW" _Impudent Boy (generally)._ "Try yer weight--only a penny!" (_To lady of commanding proportions in particular._) "'Tell yer 'xact weight to a hounce, mum!"] * * * * * [Illustration: APPALLING DISCLOSURES OVERHEARD BY AN OLD LADY IN THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN TWO RUFFIANS IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE. _First Artist._ "Children don't seem to me to sell now as they used." _Second Artist (in a hoarse whisper)._ "Well, I was at Stodge's yesterday. He'd just knocked off three little girls' heads--horrid raw things--a dealer came in, sir--bought 'em directly--took 'em away, wet as they were, on the stretchers, and wanted Stodge to let him have some more next week."] * * * * * [Illustration: NECESSITIES OF LIFE "Yes, my lady. James went this morning with the hunters, and I've sent on the heavy luggage with Charles. But I've got your pencil-case, the bicycle, your ladyship's golf clubs and hunting crop and billiard cue, the lawn tennis racket, the bezique cards and markers, your ladyship's betting book and racing glasses and skates and walking-stick--and if I've forgotten anything I can easily wire back for it from the first station we stop at."] * * * * * [Illustration: A STRIKING ATTITUDE Patience on a trunk waiting for a cab] * * * * * [Illustration: THE RAILWAY JUGGERNAUT OF 1845] * * * * * [Illustration: AFTER A DERBY-WINNER-DINNER _Diner._ "Ticket." _Clerk._ "What station?" _Diner._ "Wha-stashun ve-you-got?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM" _Mr. Foozler (who, while waiting for the last train, has wandered to the end of the platform, opened the door of the signal-box, and watched the signalman's manipulations of the levers for some moments with hazy perplexity, suddenly)._ "Arf o' Burt'n 'n birrer f' me, guv'nor!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Third-class single to Ruswarp, please, and a dog ticket. How much?" "Fourpence-halfpenny--threepence for the dog, and three-halfpence for yourself." "Ah! you reckon by _legs_ on this line."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE QUESTION SETTLED _Mrs. M-l-pr-p._ "The fact is, my love, that these terrible collusions would never occur if the trains was only more punctilious!"] * * * * * A NEEDLESS PANIC.--Mrs. Malaprop is puzzled to know what people mean when they talk of the present alarming Junction of affairs. She hopes it has nothing to do with the railways, in which she has some Deference shares. * * * * * THOUGHT BY A RAILWAY DIRECTOR.--Britannia used to rule the waves. She now rules the land--with lines. * * * * * [Illustration: THE OLD HALL] (_A Story of Delusive Aspirations_) 1. Jones was a tuft-hunter. One day, in a train, he encountered an elderly gentleman who aroused great interest in his bosom. "Porter," said that elderly gentleman, "'ave you seen my old hall?" "Got an old hall!" murmured Jones to himself. "Rich man--probably duke! Should like to cultivate him!" 2. The stranger was affable. "Did you ever 'ave an old hall?" he said. "Why--er--n-no," said Jones. "Very convenient thing to 'ave," said the stranger. "I've got all manner o' things in my old hall." "Ah--armour, and ancestors, and tapestry, and secret doors, no doubt," thought Jones to himself. 3. "You must see my old hall," said the stranger. "I'll show you all the ins and outs of it. I can put you up----" "Really very good of you!" exclaimed Jones. "Shall be delighted to accept----" "Put you up to no hend of wrinkles about old halls," continued the stranger. 4. They alighted at the terminus. "There--there's my old hall! Hain't it a beauty?" said the stranger. Jones sank slowly to the earth, without a groan. That ungrammatical stranger's vaunted possession was a hold-all. * * * * * RULES FOR THE RAIL A REMINISCENCE OF THE BAD OLD DAYS The President of the Board of Trade having sent a circular to the railway companies with reference to making provisions for the prevention of accidents and the enforcement of punctuality, especially in connection with the running of excursion trains at this period of the year, the following regulations will probably come under consideration. 1. In future one line will be kept (when feasible) for up trains, whilst the other is reserved for the use of down-trains. This rule will not apply to luggage and mineral trains, and trains inaccurately shunted on to lines on which they (the trains) have no right to travel. 2. Station-masters should never permit a train to start more than forty minutes late, except when very busy with the company's accounts. 3. As complaints have been made that signalmen are overworked, these officers in future will occupy their boxes during the morning only. During the rest of the day the boxes will be closed. That the public may suffer no inconvenience by this arrangement, the trains will continue running by day and by night as heretofore. 4. A pointsman will be expected to notice all signals and to obey them. He will be required, before leaving his post (when on duty), to order one of his children to look after the points during his absence. The child he selects for this office should be at least three years old. 5. The driver and stoker in charge of an engine should never sleep at the same time unless they have taken proper precautions beforehand to prevent an excessive consumption of the company's fuel. 6. When a luggage train is loading or unloading beside the platform of a station, it will be desirable to recollect the time at which an express is due, as unnecessary collisions cause much damage to the rolling stock, and not unfrequently grave inconvenience to first-class passengers. 7. The _débris_ of a train should be removed from the rails before an express is permitted to enter the tunnel in which an accident has taken place. As non-compliance with this rule is likely to cause much delay to the traffic, it should be obeyed when feasible. 8. As guards of excursion trains have been proved to be useless, their places will in future be filled by surgeons. Passengers are particularly requested to give no fees to the surgeons accompanying these trains, as the salaries of these officials will be provided for in the prices charged to the public for excursion tickets. 9. In future, contracts from surgeons and chemists will be accepted on the same terms as those already received from refreshment caterers. 10. The public having frequently experienced inconvenience in having to leave the station when requiring medical attention, in future the waiting-rooms of the third-class passengers will be converted into surgeries for first-class passengers. As these saloons will be fitted with all the latest inventions in surgical instruments, a small extra charge will be made to passengers using them. 11. The directors (in conclusion) fully recognising the responsibility conferred upon them by the shareholders, if not by the public, will expel from their body in future (as a person evidently of unsound mind) any director convicted of travelling by any railway. * * * * * [Illustration: ABOLITION OF SECOND-CLASS CARRIAGES "Are there any second-class carriages on this line, Rogers?" "No, my lord." "Ah! then take two first-class tickets, and two third." "Beg pardon, my lord! But is me and Mrs. Parker expected to go third class?" "Gracious heavens! No, Rogers! not for the world! The third-class tickets are for my lady and me!"] * * * * * [Illustration: The old lady is supposed (after a great effort) to have made up her mind to travel, just for once, by one "of those new fangled railways," and the first thing she beholds on arriving at the station, is the above most alarming placard.] * * * * * [Illustration: "TIME BY THE FORELOCK"! _Dodger._ "Hullo, how are you! Can't stop, though, or I shan't miss my train!" _Codger._ "Catch it, you mean." _Dodger._ "No, I don't. I always used to miss my right train, so now I always miss the one before it, and get home in time for dinner! Ta, ta!"] * * * * * [Illustration: APRIL 1 _Mamma._ "Oh, I am so glad to meet you, professor. You _know everything_. Do tell me what time the train that stops nowhere starts." [_For once the professor is not ready._] * * * * * [Illustration: UNNECESSARY REMARKS "What! Have you missed it?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "OVERCAST" They were out for a day in the country--were late at the station--he left it to her to take the tickets--a horrid crowd--frightfully hot--and she was hustled and flustered considerably when she reached the carriage. _He (cool and comfortable)._ "How charming the yellow gorse----" _She (in a withering tone)._ "You didn't 'xpect to see it blue, I s'ppose!" [_Tacet!_] * * * * * [Illustration: A DELIGHTFUL REMINISCENCE OF THE BOAT-RACE _Sweep (to a carriage full of light blue ribbons)._ "Won't yer make room for a little 'un, ladies and gents? I'm for the Cambridge lot!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PRIVILEGES OF HIGH RANK _Railway Gatesman._ "It's agin the rules, my lady, openin' o' the gate like this; but it ain't for the likes o' me to keep yer _ladyship_ a waitin'." _Noble Countess._ "Why is it against the rules, my good man?" _Railway Gatesman._ "Well, my lady, the 5.17 down express has been doo these ten minutes!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE NEWS" _Season-Ticket Holder (airily)._ "'Morning, station-master. Anything fresh?" _Station-Master ("bit of a wag")._ "N-no, sir, not that I've---- ah!--yes--now I think of it, sir--that's fresh paint you're leaning agai----!" [_Violent pas seul, with language to match._] * * * * * BLACKFRIARS TO SLOANE SQUARE The man who got in at Blackfriars Was smoking the foulest of briars, But it went out all right-- Could I give him a light?-- Hadn't got one--well, all men are liars. I've frequently noticed the Temple Is a place there are not enough rhymes to; And that's why I've made This verse somewhat blank, And rather disregarded the metre. How _do_ you pronounce Charing Cross? It's a point where I'm quite at a loss. Some people, of course, Would rhyme it with "horse," But I always rhyme it with "hoss." A woman at Westminster Bridge Had got just a speck on the ridge Of her Romanesque nose. "It's a black, I suppose," She observed. Then it flew--'twas a midge. One man from the Park of St. James, Had really the loftiest aims; In the hat-rack he sat, Used my hair as a mat, And when I demurred called me names. I bought from the stall at Victoria A horrible sixpenny story, a Book of a kind It pained me to find For sale at our English emporia. I found when I got to Sloane Square That my ticket was gone; my despair Was awful to see, Till at last to my glee I looked in my hat--it was there! * * * * * [Illustration: A REAL GRIEVANCE _Porter at Junction._ "Phew! All this luggage registered in advance and not a bloomin' tip do I get for handling it."] * * * * * [Illustration: SO LIKELY! SCENE--_Bar of a railway refreshment-room._ _Barmaid._ "Tea, sir?" _Mr. Boozy._ "Tea!!! ME!!!!"] * * * * * AS SHYLOCK SAID.--_Railway shareholder, with shares at a discount._ "Give me my principal, and let me go." * * * * * [Illustration: A SPEEDY RETRIBUTION _Small Boy._ "'Arf ticket ter Baker Street." [_Pays, and awaits delivery of ticket_ _Clerk._ "It's a shameful thing, a kid like you smoking!" _Small Boy (indignantly)._ "Who are yer callin' a kid? I'm fourteen!" _Clerk._ "Oh, are you? Then you pay full fare to Baker Street!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A HINT TO RAILWAY TRAVELLERS By breathing on the glass--and holding a speaking doll by way of baby to the window--you may generally keep your compartment select.] * * * * * SOMEBODY'S LUGGAGE If you see half-a-dozen new patent leather covered basket-trunks with a name written upon all of them, in staring white characters, accompanied by a gigantic portmanteau and three hat-boxes, you may know that the Honourable Lionel and Rowena Silverspoon have started on their wedding-tour. If you see a weather-beaten portmanteau, accompanied by a neat little trunk and a pretty little birdcage, you may know that Edwin and Angelina Dovecot are going to Ventnor for the honeymoon. If you see a big carpet-bag, accompanied by a large white umbrella and a tin colour-box, you may know that Daub, A. R. A., is going to Brittany in search of subjects. If you see an overcrowded portmanteau, accompanied by a double-locked despatch-box, you may know that urgent private affairs have induced Captain Bubble (Promoter of Public Companies) to leave the City hurriedly for Spain. If you see a small bundle, accompanied by a pair of handcuffs, you may know that urgent public affairs have induced Sergeant Smart (of the Detective Police) to follow the same _route_ taken by Captain Bubble _en voyage_ for Spain. If you see twenty-four patent reversible extra waterproof holdalls, with all the latest improvements, painted blue, green, yellow, and red, and covered with hotel labels, accompanied by thirty-seven deal packing cases, you may know that Colonel Jerusalem R. X. E. Squash, U.S.A., and family are engaged in "doing" Europe. If you see fifteen trunks, all more or less damaged, accompanied by an old portmanteau and a double perambulator, you may know that Mr. and Mrs. Paterfamilias and children are going to Herne Bay for a month. If you see, in conclusion, a neat knapsack and a spiked walking-stick, you may know that _Mr. Punch_ is off to Switzerland to enjoy himself. * * * * * [Illustration: ADJUSTMENT _Our Station-Master (to old Jinks, whom he had kindly provided with a foot-warmer on a journey down the line to see his sick daughter)._ "Well, did you find the benefit of it, Master Jinks?" _Old Jinks._ "Oh, aye, thankee, Mr. Green! Tha' there box o' hot water tha' wor uncommon' comfor'able, sure-ly! I sat on 'm the whol' o' the way, an' tha' did warm me up to-rights, I can tell 'ee!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Passenger._ "Well, you say you've put all my luggage safe, what are you waiting for?--I thought you were forbidden to take money!" _Porter._ "So we is, sir. We never 'takes' it--it's 'given to us!'"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE LIMITED MALE.] * * * * * SONG FOR ENGINE-DRIVERS BEFORE A COLLISION.--"Whistle--and I'll come to you, my lad." * * * * * "READING between the lines" is a dangerous occupation--when there's a train coming. * * * * * THE HIGH-METALLED RACER.--A locomotive engine. * * * * * [Illustration: A DEFINITION WANTED "Beg pardon, sir, but don't you see the notice?" "Yes, my good fellow, but I never said I was a gentleman!"] * * * * * MY SEASON TICKET Ever against my breast, Safe in my pocket pressed, Ready at my behest, Daintily pretty Gilt-printed piece of leather, Though fair or foul the weather, Daily we go together Up to the City. Yet, as I ride at ease, Papers strewn on my knees, And I hear "Seasons, please!" Shouted in warning: Pockets I search in vain All through and through again; "Pray do not stop the train-- Lost it this morning. No, I have not a card, Nor can I pay you, guard-- Truly my lot is hard, This is the reason, Now I recall to mind Changing my clothes, I find I left them all behind,-- Money, cards, 'season.'" * * * * * MOTTO FOR THE SOUTH-EASTERN COMPANY'S REFRESHMENT ROOMS.--"O Swallow, Swallow, flying, flying south!" * * * * * [Illustration: AN INQUIRING MIND "Is this _our_ train, aunty?" "No, dear." "Whose train is it?"] * * * * * [Illustration: ["An 'Imperial Railway Administration' is now a part of Chinese bureaucracy."--_Daily Paper._] If China is to have railways, of course the dragon must enter into the design of the locomotives, &c., as above.] * * * * * [Illustration: MASHONALAND RAILWAY ["Sir Charles Metcalfe, the engineer, is now busy at Umtali arranging for the station at that place."--_Daily Telegraph._] Umtali station in the near future. The Boo-Boola express just due.] * * * * * [Illustration: THE FLYING SCOTCHMAN] * * * * * AT A RAILWAY STATION Never the time and the train And the station all together! My watch--set "fast" in vain! Slow cab--and foggy weather! I have missed the express again. It was all the porter's fault, not mine, But his mind is narrow, his brain is bleak, His slowness and red tape combine To make him take about a week To label my bag--and he dared to speak, When I bade him hurry, bad words, in fine! O epithet all incarnadine, Leave, leave the lips of the working-man! It is simply past All bounds--aghast My indignation scarce hold I can. My watch may have helped to thus mislead, My cab by the fog have been stayed indeed; But still, however these things may be, Out there on the platform wrangle we-- Oh, hot and strong slang I and he, --I and he! * * * * * [Illustration: SYMPATHY _Passenger (in a whisper, behind his paper, to Wilkins, who had been "catching it" from the elder lady)._ "Mother-'n-law?" _Wilkins (in still fainter whisper)._ "Ye'" _Passenger._ "'Got just such 'nother!" [_They console together at the next buffet._] * * * * * THE ROUGH'S RAILWAY GUIDE [Illustration] The ready rough may always regard a third-class carriage, or indeed, any carriage he can make his way into with or without a ticket, on the Underground Railway as a sort of travelling Alsatia, where brutal blackguardism finds "sanctuary." The one duty of a guard--as of a watch--is to "keep time." He is not expected to keep anything else, except tips. For instance he is not bound to keep his temper, or to keep on the look out for roughs. No one has a legal right to get into a carriage which is full, but then a third-class carriage never is full so long as one more brawny brute can violently force his way into it. When bent upon enjoying the exceptional privileges and immunities reserved for blackguardism by the Underground Gallios, it is only necessary for a few hulking ruffians, big of course, and half drunk by preference, to thrust themselves violently in some compartment containing no less than twice its legal complement. In doing this they will, of course, rudely trample the toes of weak women, and insolently dislodge the hats of inoffensive men; thus paving the way pleasantly for future operations. Having squeezed themselves in somehow, they can then further indulge in the lesser amenities of travel by puffing rank tobacco smoke in the faces of their fellow-passengers, expectorating at large with not too nice a reference to direction, and indulging in howling, chaff, and horse-play of the most offensive character. The addition of blasphemy, especially if there should be women and children present, may probably provoke a mild remonstrance from some one, and then the rough's opportunity has arrived at last. To particularise the rough's rules for dealing with such an objector and his sympathisers--if any--would be as tedious as superfluous; but the combined arts of the low pugilist, the intoxicated wife-beater, and the Lancashire "purler," may be called into play, with much enjoyment and perfect safety, until the object of his wrath is beaten into unconsciousness or kicked into convulsions. On reaching a station, the frightened passengers may perhaps dare to appeal to the guard! That autocratic official will of course, with much angry hustling and holloaing, declare that _he_ can't stop to interfere, _his_ business being, not to stay actual violence or prevent possible homicide, but to "keep time," and the ruffianly scoundrels go off shouting and singing "_Rule Britannia_" and telling their pals "what a bloomin' lark they've had in the Hunderground." * * * * * [Illustration: _Ticket Clerk._ "Where for, ma'am?" _Old Lady._ "There! Lawk a mercy if I haven't forgot. Oh! mister, please run over a few of the willages on this railway, will yer?" [_Bell rings--Old Lady is swept away._] * * * * * [Illustration: YE RAILWAY STATION DURING YE HOLIDAY TIME IN YE ROMAN PERIOD (From a rare old frieze (not) in ye British Museum)] * * * * * [Illustration: "WAR'S ALARMS" _Timorous Old Lady (in a twitter)._ "Are those cannon balls, station-master?" _Station-Master (compassionately)._ "Oh no, mu'm, they're only Dutch cheeses, 'm', come by the Rotterdam boat last night--that's all, mu'm!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE MAIDEN'S PRAYER A sketch at Aldersgate Street Station] * * * * * [Illustration: OBSTRUCTIONISTS IN A SMOKING CARRIAGE] * * * * * [Illustration] TERMINUS TRIOLETS _At Charing Cross._ To Paris by the tidal train. Here, register this luggage, quick! Why, all the world seems going, Jane, To Paris by the tidal train. It's blowing quite a hurricane; I hope, my love, you won't be sick. To Paris by the tidal train. Here, register this luggage, quick! _At Euston._ By Jove, I've run it precious near, Was ever "hansom"-horse so slow! Look sharp, now, porter, for it's clear, By Jove, I've run it precious near. Holloa!--that gun-case--hand it here, The hat-box in the van can go. By Jove, I've run it precious near! Was ever "hansom"-horse so slow! _At Liverpool Street._ Six wholes, three halves, all second class. The baby, mind, you might have killed her. Oh, policeman, please to let us pass! Six wholes, three halves, all second class, To Yarmouth. What a madd'ning mass Of people. Do come on, Matilda. Six wholes, three halves, all second class. The baby, mind, you might have killed her. _At Victoria._ Two first, return, to Brighton, please. Oh, yes--we'll go in Pullman's car. I like to travel at my ease; Two first, return, to Brighton, please. We're running down to breathe the breeze, I can't from business go too far. Two first, return, to Brighton, please. Oh, yes--we'll go in Pullman's car. _At Paddington._ Guard, mark "Engaged" this carriage, pray; Now, why on earth's the fellow grinning? How could he know we're wed to-day? Guard, mark "Engaged" this carriage, pray. My darling, hide that white bouquet; My head with champagne fumes is spinning. Guard, mark "Engaged" this carriage, pray. Now, why on earth's the fellow grinning? _At Waterloo._ Good-bye my boy; just one kiss more; You'll write to mother now and then? A sign from sea is sweet on shore, Good-bye, my boy; just one kiss more. Nay, don't you cry, dear, I implore, Red eyes are never meant for men. Good-bye, my boy; just one kiss more; You'll write to mother now and then? [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: "The last link is broken that bound me to thee"] * * * * * BRADBURY, AGNEW & CO. LD., PRINTERS LONDON AND TONBRIDGE. 39604 ---- [Illustration] [Illustration] BURLESQUES [Illustration MR. GEORGE GRAVES IN "PRINCESS CAPRICE"] BURLESQUES BY H. M. BATEMAN WITH AN INTRODUCTORY NOTE BY A. E. JOHNSON [Illustration] LONDON DUCKWORTH & CO. 3 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN [Illustration _First Published 1916_] PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY WM. BRENDON AND SON, LTD. PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND [Illustration] INTRODUCTORY NOTE Mr. H. M. Bateman possesses in remarkable degree that rare gift, a real power of comic draughtsmanship. He is capable not only of comic vision, but of comic expression. His "line" is an instinctive expression of the comic: it reveals an innate feeling for the essentially humorous. To put it briefly, if somewhat vaguely, he "draws funnily." He is the terse and witty pictorial _raconteur_--a shrewd observer who can sum up a character, or conjure up a scene, with a few strokes of such penetrating insight that they carry instant conviction. Humour of the kind which the drawings in this volume embody is so spontaneous, and the expression of it so direct and incisive, that there is perhaps a tendency to overlook the intensity of the effort which produces the seemingly effortless result. Mr. Bateman's method is sometimes described as caricature, but that is to miss its true significance, though the term may seem, upon the surface, appropriate enough. Caricature is the art of inducing humour, by dint of satirical exaggeration, in a subject not necessarily humorous of itself. Mr. Bateman's more difficult function is to reveal humour, not to impose it. There is no trace of the self-conscious humorist in these drawings. Facetiousness is a quality conspicuously and gratefully absent. The artist's only concern is to pluck the very heart out of his subject, and that his mind has a trend towards the humorous aspect of life is merely accidental. For it is the humour of life, not merely of men, that attracts him, and even when he deals with seemingly quite trivial subjects, there is nothing petty or trite about his comic treatment of them. He generalises. His observations are of types, not of individuals, of situations rather than of scenes. He draws for us people whom we all know but none of us have actually seen, for when he portrays a type his sketch embodies all the salient characteristics that go to make that type. If he draws a plumber, for example, he shows us the Compleat Plumber--more like a plumber than any plumber ever was. And as with character, so with action--whatever Mr. Bateman elects to make his puppets do, they do it with an intensity and vigour beyond all practical possibility, but not (and this is the artist's secret) beyond the bounds of imagination and belief. When a man is seen running in a Bateman drawing he does not merely run--he _runs_; if he slumbers, one can veritably hear him snore! The intensity of the artist's imaginative effort visualises for us that which cannot humanly be, but would be if it could. Pictorial exponents of the comic art are few, for of so-called "humorous drawings" not many are inspired by the true comic spirit. It is a fortunate opportunity, therefore, which the present volume provides of preserving in collected form so much that bears the evident stamp of the real thing. A. E. J. [Illustration] [Illustration] LIST OF DRAWINGS PAGE THEY CALL IT "FAME" 1 MAESTROS: THE IMPRESSIVE 3 MAESTROS: THE UNEMOTIONAL 5 MAESTROS: THE SENTIMENTAL 7 THE WINTER VEST 9 THE MAN WHO WON A MOTOR-CAR 11 THE ACCOMPANIST WHO DID HER BEST 13 THE POTTER-ABOUT-THE-HALL-ALL-DAY PERSON 15 THE GRUMBLE-AT-THE-FOOD-AND-EVERYTHING-ELSE PERSON 17 "I REMEMBER IN 1870----" 19 THE TEMPER 21 GENUINE ANTIQUES 23 SIGHTS UP IN TOWN 25 SIGHTS DOWN IN THE COUNTRY 27 LITTLE TICH 29 THE BLUE 31 PREPARATIONS FOR A GREAT OFFENSIVE 32, 33 GARÇON! 35 MAN AND WIFE 37 SPEECHMAKERS: THE FAITHFUL OLD DOG 39 SPEECHMAKERS: THE WORM 41 TWINS 43 PLATONIC 45 ALL THIS FOR 3D., 6D., AND 1/- 47 THE MISSED PUTT 49 THE MAN WHO ONLY WANTED TWO HALFPENNIES FOR A PENNY 51 PSYCHIC: GLOOM 53 LOST--A PEKINESE DOG 55 DANCERS AND DANCES: SPANISH 57 DANCERS AND DANCES: AMERICAN 59 DANCERS AND DANCES: ORIENTAL 61 THE PUBLIC LIBRARY 63 MERELY A MATTER OF SECONDS 65 A HEART TO HEART TALK 67 HOW I WON THE MARATHON 69 99° IN THE SHADE 71 [Illustration] _The drawings contained in this book originally appeared, with some exceptions, in "The Sketch," "London Opinion," "The Graphic," "The Bystander," "Printer's Pie" and "Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News." The author is indebted to the proprietors of these journals for permission to issue them in this volume._ [Illustration THEY CALL IT "FAME"] [Illustration] [Illustration MAESTROS I. The Impressive: Rachmaninoff's "Prelude"] [Illustration] [Illustration MAESTROS II. The Unemotional: Bach's "Italian Fugue"] [Illustration] [Illustration MAESTROS III. The Sentimental: A Chopin Nocturne] [Illustration] [Illustration STUDIES OF A RESPECTABLE MIDDLE-AGED GENTLEMAN WEARING A NEW WINTER VEST FOR THE FIRST TIME] [Illustration] [Illustration THE MAN WHO WON A MOTOR-CAR] [Illustration] [Illustration THE ACCOMPANIST WHO DID HER BEST] [Illustration] [Illustration HOTEL HOGS The potter-about-the-hall-all-day-and-watch-the-new-arrivals person] [Illustration] [Illustration HOTEL HOGS The grumble-at-the-food-and-everything-else person] [Illustration] [Illustration "I REMEMBER IN 1870----" London clubmen in war-time parading for practice in writing to the papers] [Illustration] [Illustration THE TEMPER] [Illustration THE GOBLETS\] [Illustration GENUINE ANTIQUES] [Illustration] [Illustration SIGHTS UP IN TOWN] [Illustration] [Illustration SIGHTS DOWN IN THE COUNTRY] [Illustration] [Illustration LITTLE TICH] [Illustration] [Illustration THE BLUE] [Illustration PREPARATIONS FOR--] [Illustration --A GREAT OFFENSIVE] [Illustration] [Illustration "GARÇON!"] [Illustration] [Illustration MAN AND WIFE] [Illustration] [Illustration SPEECHES AND THEIR MAKERS The Faithful Old Dog] [Illustration] [Illustration SPEECHES AND THEIR MAKERS The Worm] [Illustration] [Illustration TWINS] [Illustration] [Illustration PLATONIC] [Illustration] [Illustration ALL THIS FOR 3D.\, 6D.\, AND 1/-] [Illustration] [Illustration THE MISSED PUTT] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration THE MAN WHO ONLY WANTED TWO HALFPENNIES FOR A PENNY] [Illustration] [Illustration PSYCHIC] [Illustration] [Illustration LOST--A PEKINESE DOG] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration DANCERS AND DANCES Spanish] [Illustration] [Illustration DANCERS AND DANCES American] [Illustration] [Illustration DANCERS AND DANCES Oriental] [Illustration] [Illustration THE PUBLIC LIBRARY] [Illustration] [Illustration MERELY A MATTER OF SECONDS] [Illustration] [Illustration A HEART-TO-HEART TALK] [Illustration] [Illustration HOW I WON THE MARATHON] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration 99° IN THE SHADE] [Illustration] * * * * * Transcriber's Notes Obvious punctuation and spelling errors repaired. Italic text is denoted by _underscore_ and bold text by =equal signs=. The following numerous errors were left as is: endquote missing punctuation No punctuation at para end 38683 ---- +======================================================================+ | | | Transcriber's notes | | | | Illustrations have been moved to directly below the article | | they refer to and some pages of this work have been moved from the | | original sequence to enable the contents to continue without | | interruption. The page numbering remains unaltered. | | | | Text printed in italics in the original is represented here between | | underscores, as in _text_. | | | | Text printed in small capitals in the original work have been | | changed to ALL CAPITALS. | | | +======================================================================+ [Illustration: GOLF STORIES] * * * * * PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J.A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day. MR. PUNCH'S GOLF STORIES [Illustration: GOLFER] * * * * * [Illustration: THE GOLFER'S DREAM] * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S GOLF STORIES TOLD BY HIS MERRY MEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY PHIL MAY, GEORGE DU MAURIER, L. RAVEN-HILL, F.H. TOWNSEND, HARRY FURNISS, E.T. REED, BERNARD PARTRIDGE, F. PEGRAM, A.S. BOYD, A.T. SMITH, A. WALLIS MILLS, DAVID WILSON, C.E. BROCK, GUNNING KING, C. HARRISON, G.L. STAMPA, TOM BROWNE AND OTHERS [Illustration: GOLFER] _WITH 136 ILLUSTRATIONS_ PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" * * * * * THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration] THE HUMOUR OF GOLF There are few pastimes that supply their followers with more innocent merriment than is afforded by "the royal and ancient." Certainly no outdoor game can make the neophyte feel more utterly worm-like in his ability, for it is the peculiar quality of golf to appear to be absurdly easy to the onlooker and preposterously difficult to the unpractised player. It may be taken that there is no better way of reducing a man's self-conceit than to place him on the teeing ground for the first time, present him with a driver and invite him to strike a little rubber-cored ball to a distance of 200 yards in a given direction. Consequently we have here most excellent material for fun; and you may depend upon it MR. PUNCH has not had his eyes long shut to the humours of the links. Despite the royalty and antiquity of golf, it has been thoroughly democratised in modern times, and its popularity, in the wide proportions to which it has attained, is chiefly a matter of recent years. Despite the shortness of the period that is represented by what we may call the vogue of golf--a vogue that is by no means in danger of passing--MR. PUNCH has evidently found the game so rich in fun that his merry knights of the pen and the pencil have contributed to his pages as many pictures as to illustrate very lavishly this volume and a good deal more literary matter than could be used. In the days when croquet was as popular as golf is to-day--the days of Leech and Keene--doubtless a volume could have been drawn from PUNCH devoted entirely to that sport. But it is worthy of note that an examination of these old croquet pictures and jokes for a comparison of them with the contents of the present volume leaves one with the conviction that the humour of the present day is infinitely superior to the humour of the days of Leech and Keene. Admirable draughtsmen though these artists were, both of them, but Leech particularly, were often content to let their masterly drawings appear with the feeblest jokes attached. The standard of humour has been immensely raised of late years, and MR. PUNCH'S GOLF STORIES is no bad evidence of that. [Illustration] * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S GOLF STORIES "GOLFERS AS I 'AVE KNOWN" (_By a Caddie_) [Illustration: MR. PUNCH] Golfers I divides in me own mind into three clarses; them as 'its the ball, them as skratches it, and them as neither 'its nor skratches the blooming ball but turns rarnd and wants to 'it or skratch anyone as is small and 'andy. The first clars is very rare, the second is dreadfull plentifull, and the third, thank 'evins, can jeneraly be kep clear of by them as knows the ropes. Sich as meself. Any himprovement in golfers, as a clars, is doo to the 'uge morril hinfluence of us caddies, 'oom some pretends to look down on. Much can be done, even wif the most 'ardened (and some of them golfers is dreadfull 'ardened), by firmness and hexample. "Show 'em from the fust as you'll stand no nonsense," is allus my words when the yunger caddies gathers ararn me fer hadvice. Me being older than me years, as the sying is, and much looked up to. If, as I often 'ears say, there's less of langwidge and more of golf upon these 'ere links, it's doo in no small part to 'im 'oo pens these lines. 'Oo's 'onnered nime is 'Enery Wilks. I seldom demmeans meself to speak to the kulprits, for severil reasons which I shall not go into, but I 'ave other meffods. There's sniffing, fer instance. Much can be done by jerdishous sniffing, which can be chinged to soot all cases. Or there's a short, 'ard, dryish larf, but that ain't allus sife. As a blooming rule, I rellies upon me sniff, me smile and me eye. There's few of them as can meet the last when I chuses to turn it on. Not as I objecs very strongly to a little 'onnest cussing; it's hinjustice and false haccusashun as I will not stand. Sich are me meffods to them as needs 'em, but don't think, becos at times I'm cold like and 'ard and stern, that I cannot be jentle wif them as call fer jentleness. No blooming errer! 'Enery Wilks is the lad to 'oom old gents in need of keerfull nussing should be hintrusted by their wives and keepers. I'm not allooding now to old tigers 'oos stiple food is red pepper in 'uge quantitties, 'oo turn upon yer like blooming manniacks if yer blows yer nose quite inercent, and 'oo report yer before yer know if you're standing on yer 'ead or yer 'eels. No, I'm not allooding to old gentlemen like them! 'Enery Wilks 'as very little use fer sich unguvverned creetures. In 'is erpinyun they should not be let abrord without a chine. But I am allooding to them 'oos pashuns age 'as tamed, insted of blooming well hincreesed, to jentle 'armless old fellers, 'oo will almost eat out of yer 'and, as the sying is, an sich a one is Mister Perceval Giggington. Over sixty 'e is, and allus kind and civvil and respeckfull, but 'e 'as no more haptitood fer golf than a jeerarf. Sometimes I thinks, musing kindly like, as 'ow the old cove 'ud be yunger if 'e took the gime less seerius. But 'Enery Wilks 'as little to reproche 'imself about; 'e, at least, 'as done what 'e could to 'elp old Giggs. 'Is wife came down to the Club 'Ouse wif 'im larst Toosday, jest as nice an old lidy as 'e's a gent. She drew me on one side and spoke konfidenshul like, while the old man was fussing and bleeting about 'is clubs. It seems as she'd 'eard of me, and 'eard nuthing but good. Which is only right. "'Enery," she ses, "me 'usband 'as set 'is 'art, as you well know, on going rarnd the course in under an 'undred and thirty strokes. It's beginning to tell on 'is 'ealth, the strine and diserpointment, and I wants it stopped. 'E's going rarnd allone wif you now, as the course is clear, and I wants," she ses, "_I wants you to see as 'e does it!_" she ses. Well, nobody, excep one ignerrant, gellous, preggerdiced skoolmaster, 'as ever dared to call 'Enery Wilks a fool. I took 'er meaning in a moment, and I touched me cap, quiet and konfident like. "Mike yer mind easy, mum," I ses in my korteous way. "It shall be done, this very day, if 'Enery Wilks is spared," I ses. She nods and smiles and slips a bob into me 'and, and then old Giggs finishes wurrying abart 'is clubs and we makes a start. The old 'un 'ands 'is card to me to keep, and I speaks to 'im, kind like but firm. "I'll keep the score, sir," I ses. "Don't yer wurry abart yer strokes at all. What you've got to do is to koncentrite yer mind upon yer gime. For we're a-goin to do it to-day," I ses. 'E 'ears me wif a little sorrerful smile, and I lived up to them remarks. 'E'd arsk me at the end of an 'ole, that 'e'd fairly bitten along, 'ow many 'e'd taken, but I would never tell 'im. I jest kep 'im upon 'is legs wif kindly, jerdishous praise. Even after that 'ole where 'e'd strook me wif 'is ball from the drive, although standing well be'ind 'im, and been in each bunker twice or more, I give 'im a word of 'ope. It was niblick play and 'ope all rarnd the blooming course. And at the end, when I added up 'is card, strike me pink if 'is score weren't an 'undred and twenty-nine! And I sent 'im 'ome to 'is wife, as pleased as any child. There's some, I dessay, as would 'ave made 'is score an 'undred and nineteen or even less, but 'Enery Wilks 'as allus known the virtew of modderation. * * * * * [Illustration: _Caddie (visiting)._ "What kind o' player is he?" _Caddie (engaged)._ "_'Im?_ He just plays as if it was for pleesure!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _McFoozler (after a steady sequence of misses)._ "Ah--er--is there a _limit_ for these links?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Policeman._ "Where did you get that bag?" _Bill Sykes_ (_indignantly_). "There you are! Nice thing, in a free country, that a man can't have a quiet hundred up without the police interfering!"] * * * * * [Illustration: Jones has recently taken up golf. He is already proficient in one department--the art of addressing the ball.] * * * * * II. There's some as takes their golf too seerius fer their strength, like that pore old Mister Giggington, of 'oom I've told yer, and there's some as don't take it seerius enuff. Under this 'eading I places Mister 'Erminius Brellett. 'E's what they call a litterry cove in privit life, and, wifout wishing to be undoolly 'arsh, I must say as I beleeves it of 'im. Strike me pink, if I didn't know as 'e was litterry, I should go away sometimes after 'earing 'im talk, and swear a hinfer-mashun of loonacy agin 'im! But Chawley Martin, one of our caddies, 'oo once spoke quite hintermate and friendly like wif a reporter feller, in connecshun wif a biking accerdent caused by Chawley's unforchernate pashun fer trick riding, ses as 'ow all these pore riters is alike. So you and me should only pitty them. As fer 'is golf, exsentrick ain't the word fer it. 'E stands wif both 'is feet quite klose together, springs 'igh into the air wif a tremenjus swing, and strikes the ball afore 'e comes to earth agin. The erstonishing thing is that 'e does strike it abart once in three, and when 'e does it goes like old Gewillikins. It just shows as there ain't no rules abart some peeple's golf. But the sad part is as 'e's quite proud of 'is stile, insted of laberring to kerrect it under my tewishun. [Illustration: "Keep your head still" is the first rule in golf, and Binks means to do so.] "I'm a mishonnery, a pyoneer of golf, 'Enery," 'e ses to me quite recent. "'Ow I plays it to-day, the rest of the silly 'ide-bound creetures will play it to-morrow," 'e ses. "Let's 'ope not, sir," I ses, quite respeckfull and reely meaning the words; fer, if yer think of it, a course full of Mister 'Erminius Brelletts would be an 'iddeous sight. 'E glared at me fer a moment quite dangerous, and then 'e began to larf. What wif 'is livver, at which 'e's allus cussing, and 'is kurious 'arf-irriterble, 'arf-manniackal temper, I can tell yer 'e takes some 'andling. But 'Enery Wilks knows 'is 'Erminius Brellett by this time. "Your one chawnce of fime, you retched child," 'e ses, and I found 'is stile of speaking jest a little gorling, "will rest on the fact that you karried the clubs of 'Erminius Brellett, pyoneer of golf and unerpreshiated riter of himmortal books," 'e ses. Well, yer can't argue wif a man like that. Yer can only yumour 'im by respeckful silence, and be reddy all the time to dodge if 'is manyer turns 'ommersidal all of a sudden. 'E took on Mister Washer the other day, a member 'oom both 'e and I 'ave little liking fer. At least, I can arnser fer meself. Fer 'e's one of your pompus, strutting sort of fellers, 'oo thinks 'e's good at golf, but ain't. I 'eard 'im chalenge Mister Brellett to play a rarnd fer 'arf-a-crown, and a less skilful stoodent of yuman nachure than 'Enery Wilks could 'ave told as they didn't love each other. I 'ad a privit tuppence on the match meself, wif old Washer's caddy, although not very 'opeful. 'Owever, when 'Enery Wilks' money is down, as the sying is, 'e's 'ard to beat. But things went badly wif us from the start. I could see as 'ow Mister Brellett was wurried abart somethink, and in addition to that 'e was acktaly trying to play a keerful, sientifick gime. Oh, lumme, it was orful, I can tell yer! We was skarcely touching a ball, and old Washer, as pleesed as a turkey-kock but far less hornimental, was playing right above 'isself. Fer a man like meself, 'oo'd staked above 'is means, it was 'art-breaking. We lost five 'oles bang orf, and then Mister Brellett spoke 'arf to me and 'arf to 'isself as we walked to the sixth tee. "It's all that cussed nime!" 'e ses. "If I could only think of that, I'd be orlright. A female nime fer a kerrecter in my new book. 'Enery, what's the nime of your yung woman?" 'e ses, joking like. Well, love ain't much in my line, me ambishuns not letting me 'amper meself wif wimmen, but still a feller 'as to keep 'is 'and in. I won't say as I 'aven't been more run after than most, but some'ow that ain't one of my temptashuns. 'Owever, more to pleese 'er than meself, I lets one of them, jest a school kiddy, walk out wif me at times. She means well, I do believe, but I've allus reckoned as 'ow 'er nime's agin 'er. "Hervangeline's 'er nime, Mister Brellett," I ses, deprerkating like. "But she can't 'elp it," I ses. "By Jewpiter!" 'e 'owls. "Hervangeline's the very nime I've been 'unting for. And now I'll win this match!" 'e ses. "You'll win it orlright, sir," I ses, ernest like. "But, for 'evin's sake, stop playing sientifick! Play the old gime as you're pyoneer on, sir," I ses. "I beleeve as 'ow you're right, 'Enery," 'e ses, thoughtful like; and then we come to the tee and watched old Washer drive 'is yusual straight, shortish ball. Then Mister Brellett grips 'is club, takes 'is yusual wicked, himmoril stance, springs 'igh into the air wif an 'arf-styfled yell, and, by Gewillikins, drives sich a ball as the pro. 'isself might 'ave been proud on! It knocked the kowardly 'art out of old Washer, did that tremenjus drive; and 'e's a man as only plays 'is best when 'e's winning easy. They 'ad a narsty lead, but we stuck to 'em like wax, 'itting a turriffick ball once out of three, or even oftener, and we won at last quite 'andsomely by three and two. I remember as I bought bull's-eyes fer Hervangeline wif that 'ere tuppence, becos in a meshure, as you may say, she'd 'ad an 'and in the winning of it. 'Owever, wif a jenerosity unyusual in wimmen, she hinsisted on sharing 'em wif 'Enery Wilks, 'oos skilful leedership 'ad reely won the match. * * * * * [Illustration: _Short-sighted Old Lady_ (_to little Binks, who is going to the golf-links_). "How much will you charge me to mend this umbrella?"] * * * * * [Illustration: TRIALS OF A NOVICE.--"_Something_ must be wrong. That's the third time running I've used this club!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ! ! ! ! _Lily_ (_from Devonshire, on a visit to her Scotch Cousin Margy in St. Andrews, N.B._). "What a strange thing fashion is, Margy! Fancy a game like golf reaching up as far north as this!"] * * * * * THE HANDY CADDY _Why Jones sold his Big St. Bernard and substituted a Tame Caribou, which a friend brought him home from Canada._ [Illustration: IT WAS SO HANDY WHEN GOING OUT GOLFING. IT MADE SUCH A CAPITAL CADDY. AND JONES COULD INDULGE IN EXPLETIVES WITHOUT BEING A BAD EXAMPLE IF THE WEATHER SUDDENLY TURNED OFF COLD HE HAD ONLY TO HELP HIMSELF TO A TOP COAT; & IF IT RAINED TO AN UMBRELLA AND SOU'WESTER. ALSO IT GAVE QUITE A PARK-LIKE APPEARANCE TO JONES' BACK GARDEN.] * * * * * III. Taking it all in all, 'Enery Wilks 'as very little use for wimmen. Excep, of course, as playthings and rellaxashuns after toil. As sich I regards Hervangerline, of 'oom I've told yer. That is, when 'er mood is dosile. At sich times, when she is not trying to be yumourous or utherwise acting the goat, the child can listen, wif doo respekt, whilst 'im she loves so well unbends 'isself. It is 'er privviledge to see 'Enery Wilks remove 'is stern cold marsk. Yuss, I tollerates Hervangerline, but I 'ave little use fer uther wimmen. Speaking quite frenkly, I can find little to kommend in the hexeckertive of these 'ere links, but there is one of their resent hinnervashuns in pertickler that fills me wif cold rage. This is the rule permitting lidy members to play on the course, excep' on Satterday and Sunday. Lord knows as 'ow the men is bad enuff to deal wif. 'Eadstrong, vain, irriterble and pig-'eaded they mostly is, but oh! strike me pink and purple, if they ain't fair angels, wings and all, kompared to those dredfull, onreasoningable wimmen! Onreasoningable is the one word as I can use to deskribe them. And that don't do 'em justise. Wif a man, to some eggstent, you do know where you are. You do know from eggsperiense 'ow fur you may go wif 'im, before 'e katches you a clump on the side of the 'ead. But wif wimmen no eggsperiense will 'elp yer. Becos there ain't no rules abart them. Lord knows as 'ow I started out wif the idear of pleesing 'em. I ses to Hervangerline, the evening I 'eard abart it, "We're going to 'ave lidies on the course, kid," I ses. "Your 'Enery will 'ave to smarten 'isself up a bit fer their dear sakes," I ses. Womanlike she begun to snif. "You take care, 'Enery Wilks," she ses worningly. "You take care of them desining 'ussies. There's many of 'em as will be after you, I knows it well. Fer some wimmen," she ses, sort of sarkastic, "some wimmen will go after anythink in trarsers," she ses. Well, I wears nickers meself as a general rule, but I knowed what she meant. And, though of course I 'id it from her, pertending to be kontemptewous, I found 'er words quite pleesing. I thort to meself, komplasent like, as 'ow some of these lidy members might show a prefferrence fer that one of our caddies as is pollished and korteous and older than 'is years. But, apparriently, both I and Hervangerline was rong--iddeously rong. Fer it's no good konseeling from meself, at anyrate, as 'ow I 'aven't been a komplete success so fur wif our lidy members. Why sich should be the case I cannot tell, but there it is. There's a preggerdise agin me as is kep' alive by the ontiring, revengfull tungs of Miss Trigsie Kornish and Missis Jossephus 'Askins. And this is 'ow that preggerdise begun. They come along one morning and say as 'ow they're going to play a rarnd, and they'll share a caddy between them. And to my ondying greef they picked on 'Enery Wilks. Not as there was anythink surprising in their doing that. In their place I'd 'ave picked on 'im meself. And I'm bound in justise to say as there was nothing in _their_ appeerance to set me agin them. Missis 'Askins is very yung and plessant-looking, although she _is_ married, and Miss Kornish is darkish and carries 'erself wif a sort of swing. No, their looks was rite enuff; it was only their dredfull 'abit of cheating as made the trubble. They started as frendly as love-birds, but by the second 'ole the fur was beginning to stand up stiff upon their backs. It was their orful onguvernabul keenness as did it. On the third green Missis 'Askins asks Miss Kornish 'ow many she's played, and she tells 'er, nine, quite brisk like. Now both Misses 'Askins and meself _knew_ quite well as 'ow Miss Kornish 'ad played ten; indeed, I could see as ow Misses 'Askins thort it were eleven. They rangles a bit abart it, growing gradewally more 'eated, and then Misses 'Askins erpeals to me, and I gives it in 'er favour, trying very 'ard to rap it up plessant like. Miss Kornish glares at me like a cat 'oom you've mannidged to 'it wif a brick whilst it's taking a stroll quite inercent and leshurely; but she doesn't say much and we goes on. Two 'oles later it all 'appens agin, only this time it's Missis 'Askins 'oo 'as kondescended to redooce 'er score. They rages rarnd upon the green, and then Miss Kornish erpeals to me, and truth kompels me to erward the 'ole to 'er. This time it's Missis 'Askins 'oo glarnces at me as though she'd like to cut orf my yung life. But 'Enery Wilks can stand a lot of that. So we goes on agin, wif the air growing 'eavier like, and three 'oles later they both erpeals to me, fer both is cheating. It was an 'ard posishun fer a yung feller as is only wishfull to pleese. 'Owever, I desided to give pore old Truth another chawnce; although misdoubtfull. So I ses to them quite respeckfull like, as 'ow both their scores is inakkerite and should I keep them both in fuchure? Oh Lumme, I'd like to forgit what 'appened then! All in a moment those two young wimmen grew frendly agin to each other and konsentrited all their rage and spite on 'Enery Wilks. They fell upon me wif their tungs, and I felt as though I was being 'it wif barbed wire and nettels. They called me "impudent little boy," me the chosin 'ero of the yunger caddies, and I could only garsp and trimble. Their crewel thretts brought tears even to my proud eyes, and I almost beleeve as 'ow I grovvellel before them. It 'urts me to remember it. When at last they 'ad tired themselves out, they finished their rarnd as though they 'ad never 'ad an unkind thort towards each other, and I slunk be'ind them, dased and silent, like a puppy 'oos been kicked. And that's--that's what comes of edmitting wimmen to a golf corse! * * * * * [Illustration: "THE BOGEY COMPETITION"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Little Albert_ (_always thirsting for knowledge_). "Uncle, do they pronounce that rico_chay_ing or rico_chet_ting?"] * * * * * [Illustration: 1. "Carry your clubs, guvnor, for sixpence!" "No, thanks, I don't require a caddie." 2. "Carry yer clubs for fourpence, boss!" "Go away, boy, I'll carry 'em myself." 3. "Carry 'em for thrippence, mister" (no response). 4. A smash! 5. (_After the smash_). "I say, captain, I'll carry _your_ clubs for nothin', _jist for the fun of the thing_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MR. PUNCH'S PATENT CADDIE CAR] * * * * * [Illustration: Golf is now being played on the Norman Coast] * * * * * [Illustration: Golf is being played very much in Egypt] * * * * * [Illustration: A NEW DISEASE--THE GOLF TWIST] * * * * * [Illustration: The above caddie (in the course of his third round with Colonel Foozle, who always takes out a collection of two dozen clubs, if only for the look of the thing) begins to doubt if he, the caddie, really belongs to the idle classes, as stated in the papers.] * * * * * [Illustration: "HOW'S THAT, UMPIRE?" _Golf Player._ "Now then, what are you grinning at, boy? Don't you know where the ball is?" _Caddie._ "Yus, sir, I know, sir. Please, sir, that there dun cow 've swallered it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE--_Country Police Court_ _Magistrate._ "My boy, do you fully realise the nature of an oath?" _Boy._ "Well, I oughter, considerin' the times I've caddied for yer!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Miggs and Griggs, who have got away for a week-end holiday, have strayed on to the golf links, and have been watching the colonel, who has been bunkered for the last ten minutes--and the language!!_ _Miggs._ "What's he doing?" _Griggs._ "I dunno. Think he's trying to kill something."] IV. Yumin nachure is a kurius thing. I dunno whether this thort 'as okkurred to other peeple, but I sees the truth of it more clearly every day. You may studdy a man fer weeks and think as 'ow you know 'im inside out, and then, when you try to make some use of 'is pecooliarities, they ain't working that day, or else some little hannoying trifle spiles your well lade skeems. Sich was the sad case of Mister Hoctavius Glenwistle and my friend Chawley Martin. Mister Glenwistle is an oldish jentleman now, but in 'is day 'e 'as been a famus eggsplorer. Jeograffy never being my strong point, I dunno egsackly where 'e went eggsploring, or why 'e did it. Chawley Martin, 'oo's jenerally 'is caddie, is my hinformant, and some days 'e will 'ave it that Mister Glenwistle would once 'ave reached the Pole if 'is boots 'adn't guv out, and at other times 'e hinsists that it was Africer that 'e visited. I dunno, meself; per'aps the old jentleman 'as been to both them regins in 'is time. But any'ow all is agreed that once 'e lived for nearly three weeks upon an oldish poodle dawg--which is an orfull thort. Sich an eggspeerience must leeve its mark upon any man, 'owever strong. It 'as left its mark upon Mister Hoctavius Glenwistle. Every blade of 'air 'as vannished from 'is skalp, and 'is face is a sort of dark brick colour wif light eyebrows. 'E still suffers from sunstroke, and Chawley Martin 'as to carry a large red umbereller round the links to pertect 'is 'ead. I dunno whether it's the sunstroke, or whether it's 'is ondying remorce for that pore faithfull poodle, but Mister Glenwistle suffers terrible from absentmindedness. 'E 'as been known to swing up 'is great, red umbereller upon the tee and try to drive wif that, and Chawley Martin allus 'as to watch 'im keerfull to see what 'e'll be up to next. 'E 'ates to be disturbed when in one of 'is mooning fits, and is apt to swear terrible in some forrin' langwidge, which Chawley thinks is Eskimo; but still 'e's a jentleman all over, is Mister Hoctavius Glenwistle. 'Is tips is 'andsome, and it don't give 'im no pleshure to repport an 'armless lad. One Sunday lately 'e came down wif a frend for an 'ole day's golf. Chawley Martin, as yusual, was 'is caddie, and I ondertook the manidgement of the frend. All went well in the morning, excep' that Mister Glenwistle fell into a sort of dream upon the seventh green and 'ad to be rarsed by Chawley. It may 'ave been Eskimo that 'e spoke to the boy when 'e'd touched 'im jently on the arm, but it sounded wuss--much wuss. 'Owever, we comes back at one to the club-'ouse, red umbereller and all, like _Robbinson Crewso_, and they goes into lunch. Whilst they're still laying into the grub like winking, I and Chawley Martin, 'aving eaten our own frugil meal, sit down near the 'club-'ouse and begin to polish up their clubs. We fell a-talking about the great science of golf, getting quite 'eated in a little while, and at last Chawley, to illerstrate 'is own mistakin theery, gets upon 'is 'ind legs. 'E takes Mister Glenwistle's best driver from 'is bag and shows me what 'e calls "a full swing, wif every ounce of weight and rist and mussel crammed into it." I was afeard 'ow it would be. The length of the club mastered 'im. 'E 'it the onoffending turf a crewel blow, and there was a narsty crack. 'E sits down beside me wif a garsp, and we looks at Mister Glenwistle's pet driver wif the 'ead 'arf off. "What's to be done, 'Enery?" 'e ses, after a sort of sickly pawse. Fer my part I'd been thinking 'ard, me brain being better than most. "There's three courses open to you, Chawley, me lad," I ses quietly. "You can do a guy at once, and not come back--that's one; or you can tell Mister G. as you've been fooling wif 'is clubs--that's another," I ses, and waited fer 'is risponse. "Let's 'ear the third," he ses gloomily. "Deceat is aborrent to my nachure," I ses. "But you're made diferent, Chawley. You could make use of 'is absentmindedness and let 'im think as 'e broke it 'isself. 'Old it out to 'im wif a sort of winning smile, when 'e comes, and say as 'ow you're afrade it will 'ave to be mended after all. It's a fair sportin' chawnce," I ses. "'Enery, you're a fair marvel!" 'e ses, after pondering fer a minute. "I'll try it on," he ses. And so we left it. I didn't see the meeting between Mister Glenwistle and 'is well-meaning caddie, becos my klient sent me to get him a ball, but when I came back I seed as 'ow Chawley was sniffing slightly, and 'is large outstanding ears was reddened. 'Is manner was coldish like to me, but when the two 'ad drivin, I asked 'im what 'ad 'appened. "'E just boxed me ears," Chawley ses, "and told me as 'ow 'e'd repport me if I lied to 'im agen," 'e ses. Fer once I was reely taken aback. "I can't make it out, Chawley," I ses. "Where was 'is yusual absentmindedness? It just shows as 'ow you can't depend on nuthing in this world! Did you do as I told you, winning smile and all?" I asks 'im. "Yuss, I did," 'e ses, snappish like. "But it seems as 'ow 'is interfeering frend 'appened to look out of the club-'ouse when I was showing you that swing, and seed it all. Anuther time you can keep your winning smiles and your fat-'eaded hadvice to yourself, 'Enery Wilks!" 'e ses. I didn't answer 'im, remembering 'ow 'is 'uge progecting ears was tingling, but I ses to meself, "So much, 'Enery Wilks, for yumin gratitood!" * * * * * [Illustration: Mr. Mothdriver, the famous, yet absent-minded, golf-naturalist, invariably carries a butterfly-net in his golf-bag--for he agrees with Mr. Horace Hutchinson that some of the best entomological specimens can be captured in the course of playing the royal and ancient game.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Brer Rabbit._ "I suppose you haven't seen such a thing as a golf-ball about anywhere, have you?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Enthusiast._ "I say, will you play another round with me on Thursday?" _Second Enthusiast._ "Well, I'm booked to be married on that day--_but it can be postponed_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE GOLF STREAM.--Flows along the eastern coast of Scotland during the summer and autumn. (Vide _Report of British Association--Section V._).] * * * * * [Illustration: REAL ENJOYMENT.--_Non-Golfer_ (_middle-aged, rather stout, who would like to play, and has been recommended it as healthy and amusing_). "Well, I cannot see where the excitement comes in in this game!" _Caddie._ "Eh, mon, there's more swearing used over golf than any other game! D'ye no ca' that excitement?"] * * * * * V. A little success at golf, as I've notised, jenerally makes a man wish for more. Like the appertite of a young girl for chocerlates. I dunno if you remember that nice old Mister Giggington, of 'oom I told you. Under my skillfull gidance, and with the ade of a little inercent 'anky-panky, 'e kontrived to wander rarnd these 'ere links in an 'undred and twenty-nine. Well, ever since that serprising triemph, 'e 'as been 'ungering for fresh feelds to konker, as you might say. "I want to meet someone, 'Enery, as I can beat," 'e kep' saying, quite truckewlent like. "I don't pretend as 'ow I'm brillyent, but on my day I do fancy that there's wuss." "You keep on practising steddy, sir," was my invariable words, "and one of these days we shall see you winning cups and medils." As nice and kind an old jentleman as ever smashed a club is Mister Giggington, but I allus 'ave to 'andle 'im like eggs to prevent 'im losing 'art. I didn't think as 'ow even 'Enery Wilks would be able to grattify 'is 'armless ambishun, but the uther day I saw my chawnce. It was a Toosday morning, and the course was quite disserted, excep' for Mister G., 'oo was waiting to start a practice rarnd wiv 'is pashunt teecher. Which is me. And then a new member come along 'oo was wishfull for a game, and dirrectly I set eyes on 'im, somethink, hinstink, I suppose, seemed to tell me that 'ere was the man for 'oom I 'ad been waiting. 'E was French, and I shall not attempt to rite 'is name, the 'ang of which I never reely kawt. 'E was a small, darkish, jornty man, and 'is garmints was a little briter and more cheerfull-looking than you see in England. 'E wore, among uther things, a deer-storker 'at wiv a fevver stuck in it. But 'is manners was reelly bewtifull. It was quite a site to see 'im click 'is 'eels togevver, and bow to my himployer, and in a minute they 'ad fixed their match. I 'ad 'inted to Mister G. that 'e must hinsist on 'aving a stroke an 'ole, and that was 'ow they settled it. I never lerned what the Frenchman's 'andicap was, but if the Champyon 'isself 'ad offered to take strokes from 'im 'e would 'ave closed gladly wiv the offer. And yet there was reelly nuthing erfensive about the little man. I could see as 'ow pore old Mister G. was trimbling wiv a sort of serpressed egsitement, and I wispered to 'im that 'e must play steddy and use the niblick whenever possibul. The niblick, from long practice in the bunkers, is 'is club. Me frend, Chawley Martin, was the Frenchman's caddie, and 'e took ercasion to remmark to me that we seemed in for somethink warmish. I checked the boy wiv one of my glawnces, and then we waited while 'is hemployer took the 'onner. That jentleman danced up to the tee, waving rarnd 'is head the longest and the bendiest driver that I 'ave ever seen, and 'e didn't trubble to address the ball at all. 'E just sprung at it and 'it it wiv all 'is might, and somethink fairly wistled past Chawley's 'ead as 'e stood a little be'ind the tee box. The Frenchman 'ad sliced at rite angels, and for anythink I know 'is ball is still in the air. Certingly, we never saw it agin. That slite misforchune appeered to egsite and dimmoralise Chawley's himployer, 'oo may 'ave been quite a brillyent player on 'is day, and I may say at once that 'e never reelly found 'is game. On the uther 'and it seemed to put new life and vigger into Mister G. Our erponent was appariently trying 'ard to do each 'ole in a brillyent one, but we was quite content to win them in a steddy nine. We 'ad our misforchunes, of course. 'Is deerest frend wouldn't 'ardly say as 'ow Mister G.'s game is a long one, and each bunker seems to 'ave a sort of magnettick attrackshun for 'is ball, but whilst the Frenchman's brassey remained unbroken we knew that there was allus a chawnce for the 'ole. For 'arf the rarnd it stood the crewel strane and then it didn't break. It jest seemed to sort of dissolve into small peaces. But we was two up by then and our tails was 'igh in air. As for the Frenchman, 'is meffods at times was reelly serprising. After that first drive Chawley lade 'isself down flat when 'is hemployer drove, but even in that posishun it didn't seem 'ardly safe. That long, thin, bendy driver sent the ball to all 'ites and all angels, but never once in a strate line. After a wile 'e diskarded it, and guv a fair, 'onnest trial to every club in 'is bag in turn. I should never 'ave been serprised to see 'im drive desperit like wiv 'is putter, but even then Chawley wouldn't 'ave dared say nuthink. 'E was quite a plessant, jentlemanly little man, but it didn't do to argue wiv 'im. 'E begun to scream and stamp at once, and Chawley saw pretty soon that it was best and safest to let 'im play 'is own game. It was on the fiftienth green that the great match was ended. Mister Giggington's pluck and stamminer 'ad been amasing for 'is age, but the strane and the joyfull egsitement was beginning to tell on 'im. The Frenchman tried to bring off a thirty-yard putt to save the 'ole, and failed by some forty yards. But 'e took 'is defeet like a nero. They shook 'ands on the green and 'e said that it warmed 'is 'art to reflect on the glory that 'is frendly foe 'ad won. I beleeve as 'ow there was tears in the old jentleman's eyes. 'E turned to me and I quite thort 'e was going to grasp my 'and, but instead of that 'e put a bob into it which was pretty near as good. 'E 'll never make a golfer, but 'Enery Wilks will allus be pleesed and proud to gide 'im rarnd the course. * * * * * [Illustration: A RULING PASSION.--_Mr. Meenister MacGlucky_ (_of the Free Kirk, after having given way more than usual to an expression "a wee thing strong"--despairingly_). "Oh! Aye! Ah, w-e-el! I'll hae ta gie 't up!" _Mr. Elder MacNab._ "Wha-at, man, gie up gowf?" _Mr. Meenister MacGlucky._ "Nae, nae! Gie up the meenistry!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A POSER.--"Farmers always grumbling? Well, supposin' your pigs were down wi' th' fever, an' your sheep had got th' influenza, if your crops were drownded in eighteen inches o' water, an' your rent were overdue--what would you do?" "I? I'd give it up and start a golf club!"] * * * * * [Illustration: INGRATITUDE _Brown._ "Why doesn't Walker stop to speak? Thought he knew you!" _Smith._ "Used to; but I introduced him to the girl he married. Neither of them recognises me now!"] * * * * * GOLF (_As "Put" by D. Crambo Junior._) [Illustration: "Putting" on the "links" The "tee" and the "caddie" A showy manner of handling the "clubs" A full drive A beautiful "iron" shot The "spoon" The "cleek" "Holed out"] * * * * * [Illustration: A MORNING PERFORMANCE] * * * * * [Illustration: FORE! "Now, sir, be judge yourself, whether I in any just term am affin'd to love the Moor." [_Othello_, Act I., Sc. 1.] ] * * * * * VI. 'Onnesty is the best pollicy, and, 'Evin knows, 'Enery Wilks 'as allus tried 'is levil best to live up to them golden words. But I reckon there is certain excepshuns to the cast-iron 'onnesty of all of us, and every yumin being 'as 'is little weakness. Mine is golf balls. Tips is well enuff in their way, and I 'ave nuthing at all to say agin them, but the present of a good ball is far more pleesing to the 'art of 'Enery Wilks. Praps it's becos of 'is allmost inkonquerabul pride which shrinks at times from taking munney from them 'oom 'e feels to be 'is equils or hinfeeriors; or praps it grattifies 'is artistick nachure to be given the himplements of that great sience which 'e onderstands so well. Any'ow golf balls is my temptashun, and one which once or twice in the course of my 'onnerabul kareer I 'ave allowed meself to yeeld to. Some golfers will ercashunally 'and you tuppence or an 'arf-used ball, wif a jenial word of thanks for your attenshuns which is worth more to a proud nachure than the gift itself. And there's uthers 'oo never think of doing nuthink of the sort. Among _them_ is Mister Schwabstein, 'oo is not French or Scotch, as you might think from 'is name, but German, wiv praps a touch of Jentile. 'E's a man what catches the eye on the links, it being 'is constant and hannoying 'abbit to were a peaked yotting cap, large specks, and a white silk coat which was once a good deal whiter. An egsellent sort of person, I dessay, in the 'ome sircle, but 'ardly what you'd call a brillyent success upon the links. They say as 'ow 'e 'as more munney than 'e ritely knows what to do wiv, but I fancy 'e's made it by never giving any of it away. 'Owever, 'Enery Wilks 'as done 'is best to put that rite. Let me diskribe to you a rarnd which 'e played the uther day wiv Mister 'Erminius Brellett, our litterry member, 'oo allus seems to go out of 'is way to play wiv kurious people. I 'ave taken Mister Schwabstein in charge before, but never 'ave I seen 'is pecooliarities so noticeabul as on that day. 'E took the 'onner, and for about three minutes 'e addressed the ball wiv 'is 'uge, thick, ugly driver, which 'as always rarsed my perfessional hindignashun. 'E swung at last, quite slow like, but wiv all 'is great weight and strength piled into it. I shall never know egsackly what 'e did, becos the tees was dry, and for the moment I was 'arf blinded by the dust. But there was a thud and a krackling snap, and two things was flying through the thick, dusty air. Them two missils was the ball and the 'ead of the driver, and they fell togevver thirty yards from the tee. 'E said somethink which I couldn't catch and didn't want to, and walked rarnd in a slow sircle, smiling to 'isself. 'E's a man 'oo allus smiles. It often seems to me that it is 'is misforchune. Then Mister Brellett took one of 'is yusual springing drives, which 'appened to come off, and 'e won that fust 'ole on 'is head. Mister Schwabstein kontrived to redooce 'is brassey to fragmints at the second 'ole; and after that he took out 'is niblick, and nuthing wouldn't perswade 'im to put it back. 'E drove wiv that niblick, and 'e played 'is many shots through the green wiv it. And the way that thick strong niblick eat into the turf was enuff to brake the 'art of 'Enery Wilks. We moved slowly forward, leaving be'ind us a line of crewel deep kassims, which nuthink wouldn't fill up. And 'is stile of bunker play was equilly distrucktive. 'Is noshun of getting out was to distroy the wall of the bunker wiv reppeated blows, and then to force 'is ball throo the rewings. I wouldn't 'ave belleeved that meer wood and iron could 'ave done the work that that one German niblick did wivout turning an 'air. 'E only smiled 'is slow smile when Mister Brellett or meself venchured a remmonstrance, and 'e would never pick up 'is ball. 'E persevered wiv each 'ole until at last 'e 'ad pushed the ball into the tin, and then 'e would turn and pat my 'ead wiv 'is large 'and. After the fust time I jenerally dodged, and once 'e turned and patted Mister Brellett's 'ead by accerdent. Like most litterry jents, the latter is rather touchy, and there was neerly trouble; but some'ow, thanks to Mister Schwabstein's apparent onconshusness of offense, it was erverted. At the thirteenth 'ole Mister Brellett was five up. Mister Schwabstein put down a new ball, wiv a sort of groan, and pulled it wiv 'is niblick right rarnd into the rough. For a long two minnutes we 'unted 'igh and low, but nowhere could we find that ball. If I'd seen it I would 'ave handed it over at once, sich being my boundin dooty. But I never did see it. There was jest one little place in that rough where some'ow it didn't seem worth while looking. We 'ad to erbandon it at last; and Mister Schwabstein lost the 'ole and the match. Later in the day I wandered down on a sort of ferlorn 'ope to that bit of rough, and kuriously enuff I walked bang on to that ball. There was severil courses open to me. I might 'ave 'anded it over to the orthorities, or I might 'ave kep' it as a memmentoe of Mister Schwabstein's unfaling jenerosity and kortesy. But 'Enery Wilks didn't see 'is way to doing either of them two things. 'E jest disposed of that fine new ball to the very best hadvantage. * * * * * GOLFING NOTES "Denmark is the latest of the Continental nations to receive golf."--_The Tatler._ [Illustration: But golf must have flourished at Denmark in Hamlet's time, judging by the above reproduction of a very ancient mural decoration which has just come to light. See also quotation _Hamlet_, Act II., Scene 2:--" ... drives; in rage, strikes wide!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ENCOURAGEMENT.--_Professional Golfer_ (_in answer to anxious question_). "Weel, no, sir, at your time o' life, ye can never hope to become a _player_; but if ye practise hard for three years, ye may be able to tell good play from bad when ye see it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Bertie_ (_to caddie, searching for lost ball_). "What are you looking there for? Why, I must have driven it fifty yards further!" _Diplomatic Caddie._ "But sometimes they hit a stone, sir, and bounce back a terrible distance!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Old Hand._ "Ah, I heard you'd joined. Been round the links yet?" _New Hand._ "Oh, yes. Went yesterday." _Old Hand._ "Whot did you go round in?" _New Hand._ "Oh, my ordinary clothes!"] * * * * * [Illustration: GOLFING AMENITIES. (_Overheard on a course within 100 miles of Edinburgh_).--_Hopeless Duffer_ (_who continually asks his caddy the same question, with much grumbling at the non-success of his clubs_). "And what shall I take now?" _His Unfortunate Partner_ (_whose match has been lost and game spoilt, at last breaking out_). "What'll ye tak noo! The best thing ye can tak is the fower fifteen for Edinburgh!"] * * * * * THE PEDANTRY OF SPORT.--_First Golf Maniac._ I played a round with Captain Bulger the other day. _Second G.M._ When did you get to know him? _First G.M._ Oh, about the end of the Gutty Ball period. * * * * * [Illustration: _Cheerful Beginner_ (_who has just smashed the Colonel's favourite driver_). "Oh, now I see why you have to carry so many clubs!"] * * * * * [Illustration: Golfer] TEE, TEE, ONLY TEE! (_Song of the Golf Enthusiast. After Thomas Moore_) AIR--"_Thee, thee, only thee._" The dawn of morn, the daylight's sinking, Shall find me on the Links, and thinking, Of Tee, Tee, only Tee! When rivals meet upon the ground, The Putting-green's a realm enchanted, Nay, in Society's giddy round My soul, (like Tooting's thralls) is haunted By Tee, Tee, only Tee! For that at early morn I waken, And swiftly bolt my eggs and bacon, For Tee, Tee, only Tee! I'm game to start all in the dark, To the Links hurrying--resting never. The Caddie yawns, but, like a lark, I halt not, heed not, hastening ever To Tee, Tee, only Tee! Of chilly fog I am no funker, I'll brave the very biggest bunker, For Tee, Tee, only Tee! A spell that nought on earth can break Holds me. Golf's charms can ne'er be _spoken_; But late I'll sleep, and early wake, Of loyalty be this my token, To Tee, Tee, only Tee! * * * * * Golf caddies are now very much in the public eye. The education of some of them is certainly not all that it should be. "Here's an honour for us!" cried one of them excitedly the other day, as he pointed to a paragraph in the paper headed, "King Alfonso visits Cadiz." * * * * * THE SCIENCE OF GOLF [A certain make of field-glasses is advertised just now as "suitable for golf-players, enabling them before striking to select a favourable spot for the descent of their ball." There can be little doubt that this brilliant hint will be further developed, with some such results as those outlined in the following anticipation.] As I told Jones when he met me at the clubhouse, it was a year or more since I had last played, so the chances were that I should be a bit below form. Besides, I was told that the standard of play had been so raised---- "Raised? I should just think it has!" said Jones. "Why, a year ago they played mere skittles--not what you could properly call golf. Got your clubs? Come along then. Queer old-fashioned things they are, too! And you're never going out without your theodolite? "Well," I said with considerable surprise, "the fact is, I haven't got one. What do you use it for?" "Taking levels, of course. And--bless me, you've no inflater, or glasses--not even a wind-gauge! Shall I borrow some for you?--Oh, just as you like, but you won't be able to put up much of a game without them." "Does your caddie take all those things?" I asked, pointing to the curious assortment of machinery which Jones had put together. "My caddies do," he corrected. "No one takes less than three nowadays. Good; there's only one couple on the first tee, so we shall get away in half an hour or so." "I should hope so!" I remarked. "Do you mean that it will be half an hour before those men have played two shots?" "There or thereabouts. Simkins is a fast player--wonderful head for algebra that man has--so it may be a shade less. Come and watch him; then you'll see what golf is!" And indeed I watched him with much interest. First he surveyed the country with great care through a field-glass. Then he squinted along a theodolite at a distant pole. Next he used a strange instrument which was, Jones told me, a wind-gauge, and tapped thoughtfully at a pocket-barometer. After that he produced paper and pencil, and was immersed apparently in difficult sums. Finally, he summoned one of his caddies, who carried a metal cylinder. A golf ball was connected to this by a piece of india-rubber tubing, and a slight hissing noise was heard. "Putting in the hydrogen," explained Jones. "Everything depends upon getting the right amount. New idea? Not very; even a year ago you must have seen pneumatic golf balls--filled with compressed air? Well, this is only an obvious improvement. There, he's going to drive now." And this he did, using a club unlike anything I had seen before. Then he surveyed the putting-green--about half a mile away--through his glasses, and remarked that it was a fairish shot, the ball being within three inches of the hole. His companion, who went through the same lengthy preliminaries, was less fortunate. In a tone of considerable disgust he announced that he had over-driven the hole by four hundred yards. "Too much hydrogen," murmured Jones, "or else he got his formulæ muddled. Well, we can start now. Shall I lead the way?" I begged him to do so. He in turn surveyed the country, consulted instruments, did elaborate sums, inflated his ball. "Now," he said, at length settling into his stance, "now I'll show you." And then he missed the ball clean. ... Of course he ought not to have used such language, and yet it was a sort of relief to find _something_ about the game which was entirely unchanged. * * * * * [Illustration: A LAST RESORT.--_Miss Armstrong_ (_who has foozled the ball six times with various clubs_). "And which of the sticks am I to use now?" _Weary Caddie._ "Gie it a bit knock wi' the bag!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Caddie_ (_in stage whisper to Biffin, who is frightfully nervous_). "Don't you get nervous, sir. It's all right. I've told every one of 'em you can't play!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Fitzfoozle_ (_a beginner, who is "teaching" a lady on the men's links, and loses a club_). "Pardon me, sir. Have you seen a lady's club anywhere?" _Admiral Peppercorn_ (_very irate at being delayed, wishes ladies would play on their own course_). "No, sir, but there's a goose club at the 'Pig and Whistle,' I believe. Try that!"] * * * * * ROYAL AND ANCIENT RECORDS.--The _Glasgow Evening Times_ displayed the following headings on the occasion of His Majesty's visit to North Berwick:-- VISIT TO THE GOLF COURSE. A DRIVE THROUGH THE TOWN. This, of course, constitutes a new record, the old one standing at about 330 yards. * * * * * THE GOLFER'S FRIEND AFTER LONG DRIVES--The Tea-Caddy. * * * * * GOLF MOTTO.--The "Hole" hog or none. * * * * * [Illustration: _Golfer, whose ball has lodged under stone, has had several unsuccessful shots, and finally, with a tremendous stroke, smashed his club._ _Old Man._ "You put me in moind of my old jackass." _Golfer._ "What d'you mean, you idiot?" _Old Man._ "Yer've got more strength than knowledge!"] * * * * * THE MOAN OF THE MAIDEN (_After Tennyson_) Golf! Golf! Golf! By the side of the sounding sea; And I would that my ears had never Heard aught of the "links" and the "tee." Oh, well for the man of my heart, That he bets on the "holes" and the play; Oh, well for the "caddie" that carries The "clubs," and earns his pay. He puts his red coat on, And he roams on the sandy hill; But oh! for the touch of that golfer's hand, That the "niblick" wields with a will. Golf! Golf! Golf! Where the "bunkers" vex by the sea; But the days of Tennis and Croquet Will never come back to me! * * * * * VIRGIL ON GOLF.--"Miscueruntque herbas et non innoxia verba." _Georgics_, 3, 283. * * * * * TO CORRESPONDENTS.--"An Inexperienced Golfer" writes to inquire whether what he has heard about "the Tee Duty" will in any way affect the "caddies." * * * * * [Illustration: WILLING TO COMPENSATE.--_Mrs. Lightfoot._ "Oh, wait a minute, Mr. Sharp--don't drive yet. My husband is still on the green." _Mr. Sharp._ "Never mind. I'll risk it. For if I _do_ bowl him over, why, I'm ready to replace him any time!"] * * * * * CAPABLE CADDIES Rumour has it that a movement is on foot amongst a certain section of the golfing public to ensure that for the future all caddies on English links shall be compelled to furnish satisfactory proof that they are physically and morally qualified for the porterage and cleaning of clubs, and acquainted with the more rudimentary principles of the game. To this end, it is reported, an entrance examination paper is in course of preparation, in which individuals aspiring to official recognition as caddies will be required to obtain a percentage of at least eighty marks. The following questions are said to have been already drafted:-- 1. Write your name, legibly if possible, in the top right-hand corner of the sheet. (Do not trouble to insert your nickname, as it is a matter of indifference to the examiners whether you are locally known as "Tiger," "Ginger," or "Bill Bailey.") 2. State your age. If this is less than six, or more than seventy-five years, you may omit the remaining questions and retire at once from the examination. 3. Are you married or single? Give reasons for your answer. 4. Illustrate the finer points of distinction between (_a_) a niblick and a gutty; (_b_) a bye and a bulger. 5. Are you a Protectionist or a Total Abstainer? 6. Rewrite the following passage, correcting anything that may strike you as an error or an incongruity:--"In an 18-hole match, X., a scratch player with a handicap of 20, stood dormy 12 at the 17th hole, but while half-way through the final green was unfortunate enough to get badly bunkered behind the tee-box. Being required to play 'two more' to his opponent Y., who had laid himself dead in 6, he only played one of them, thus holing out in 5, and securing a victory by the narrow margin of 4 up and 7 to play." 7. Given that the regulation charge for a round is a shilling, would you consider yourself justified in attempting to exact an extra half-crown for club-cleaning from a player in spectacles, with a handicap of 27 and a wistful expression? (Candidates are advised to say "No" to this question.) * * * * * [Illustration: STIMIED.--_Golfer._ "Fore!" _Tinker._ "What?" _Golfer._ "Get out of the way!" _Tinker._ "What for?" _Golfer._ "I might hit you." _Tinker._ "Thee'd best _not_, young man!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Licensed Caddy._ "Carry your clubs, sir?" _Jones_ (_who has chartered a small boy at a cheap rate_). "No, I've got a caddy." _Licensed Caddy._ "Carry your caddy, sir?"] * * * * * "AS SHE IS SPOKE."--(_In the train from Nice._) _Enthusiastic Golfer_ (_to friend, as train stops at Golfe-Juan_): "Oh, here we are! This must be the place. '_Golfe_,' golf. '_Juan_,' _jeu_, play, you know. Yes, this is evidently the station for the links!" * * * * * THE NATURAL CREST OF EVERY GOLF CLUB.--The lynx. * * * * * FIVE-O'CLOCK "TEES."--Suburban golf. [Illustration: Punch] * * * * * [Illustration: THE RULING PASSION.--_Laden and perspiring stranger._ "Could you kindly tell me how far it is to the station?" _Sportsome Native._ "About a full drive, two brassies and a putt."] * * * * * THE GOLF WIDOWS (_After E.B. Browning_) Do you hear the widows weeping, O my brothers, Wedded but a few brief years? They are writing home complaining to their mothers, And their ink's suffused with tears. The young lads are playing in the meadows, The young babes are sleeping in the nest; The young men are flirting in the shadows, The young maids are helping them, with zest. But the young golf widows, O my brothers, Are weeping bitterly, They are weeping in the playtime of the others, While you're swiping from the tee. Do you ask their grazing widows in their sorrow Why their tears are falling so? "Oh--yesterday--to-day again--to-morrow-- To the links you ALWAYS go! Your golf 'shop,'" they say, "is very dreary, You speak of nothing else from week to week; A really patient wife will grow a-weary Of talk about a concentrated cleek." Yes, the young golf widows, O my brothers, Do you ask them why they weep? They are longing to be back beside their mothers, While you're playing in a sweep. And well may the widows weep before you When your nightly round is done; They care nothing for a stymie, or the glory Gained by holing out in one. "How long," they say, "how long in careless fashion Will you stand, to drive the Dyke, upon our hearts, Trample down with nailèd heel our early passion, Turning homeward only when the light departs? You can hear our lamentations many a mile hence, Can you hearken without shame, When our mourning curseth deeper in the silence Than a strong man off his game?" * * * * * [Illustration: "---- HE WOULD HAVE SAID" _A beautiful stroke missed! A favourite club broken! No words to bring relief!_ _American Friend (in the background, after a long pause)._ "Wa'al, Brown, I guess that's the most profane silence I've ever listened to!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "A BEAUTIFUL DRIVE."] * * * * * [Illustration: SUBTLE.--"Aren't you a little off your game this morning, Mr. Smythe?" "Oh, I'm not playing this morning, Miss Bertha. Only just amusing myself."] * * * * * SHOULD MARRIED MEN BE ALLOWED TO PLAY GOLF? (_Extract from a Golfer's Diary_) _July 21._--Played Robinson, who would never win a match if it wasn't for his wife. Think that I shall start a links for bachelors only. (Mem.--Suggest to the committee that no married man is allowed to play golf in the mornings or afternoons.) Hole I. I played perfectly, holing beautiful long putt. Robinson hopeless. One up. Hole II. R. bunkered. Entirely his own fault. Two up. Hole III. Holed my approach, allowing for both wind and slope of green; really a grand shot. Caught sight of Mrs. R. as I walked to the next tee. Three up. Hole IV. Thought that I might have to speak to Mrs. R. at any minute. Missed my drive in consequence. Disgusting! Two up. Hole V. R. seemed to be looking for his wife instead of attending to what I was saying. My drive lay on a buttercup, and who the deuce can be expected to play off buttercups? One up. Hole VI. Stymied R. quite perfectly. He pretended to think that we were not playing stymies. We were. Two up. Hole VII. Saw Mrs. R. looking aimlessly out to sea. These loafing ladies are enough to put any man off his game. Why can't they do something? One up. Hole VIII. R. may say what he likes, but he waved to his wife. I was also annoyed by his stockings, which I should think Mrs. R. knitted. The sort of useless thing she would do. All square. Hole IX. Got well away from Mrs. R., and though my caddy coughed as I was approaching I laid my ball dead. Beautiful shot. One up at the turn. Hole X. Had the hole in my pocket when R. laid his approach dead. Ridiculous luck. All square. Hole XI. Just as I was driving I saw Mrs. R. still looking at the sea. I complained, but R. took no notice. At any rate she cost me the hole. One down. Hole XII. Vardon couldn't have played better than I did, and even R. had to say "Good shot!" twice. All square. Hole XIII. As I was putting I had a feeling in my back that Mrs. R. had arrived at last. Missed my putt and only halved the hole. Hole XIV. Couldn't see Mrs. R. anywhere. Wondered where on earth she had got to, or whether she was drowned. Of course I lost the hole. One down. Hole XV. A little dispute, as R. claimed that his ball--which was under a wheelbarrow--was on ground under repair. Absolutely foolish, and I told him so. All square. Hole XVI. Made a perfect drive, approach and putt. Looked everywhere for Mrs. R. and couldn't see her. One up. Hole XVII. Completely put off by wondering when I should see Mrs. R. Most unfair. Told my caddy I should report him to the committee. All square. Hole XVIII. Saw Mrs. R. on a hill half a mile away. Got on my nerves. R. said, "Halloa, there's my wife! I thought she wasn't coming out this morning." Lost the hole and the match, and told the secretary that R.'s handicap ought to be reduced. * * * * * [Illustration: "SHE WAS NOT A GOLFER" _Husband._ "What on earth has happened to my driver?" _Wife._ "Oh, I couldn't find the hammer, so I used that thing. It wasn't much use, though."] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR VILLAGE The Golf-Club in full swing.] * * * * * [Illustration: _She._ "Why, Mr. Smith, you don't mean to say you have taken up golf?" _Smith (age 78)._ "Yes. I found I was getting a bit too old for lawn tennis!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ERRATIC _Pedestrian (anxious for his safety)._ "Now, which way are you going to hit the ball?" _Worried Beginner._ "Only wish to goodness I knew myself!"] * * * * * [Illustration: Punch] * * * * * [Illustration: SWEET SIMPLICITY _Diffident Man (who does not know to how much of an ingénue he is talking)._ "Have you been out long, Miss Grace?" _Miss Grace (consulting her wrist-strap)._ "Oh, about three-quarters of an hour. You see we were asked to come punctually."] * * * * * LINES ON THE LINKS Hard by the biggest hazard on the course, Beneath the shelter of a clump of gorse, Secure from shots from off the heel or toe, I watch the golfers as they come and go. I see the fat financier, whose "dunch" Suggests too copious draughts of "fizz" at lunch; While the lean usher, primed with ginger beer, Surmounts the yawning bunker and lies clear. I see a member of the House of Peers Within an ace of bursting into tears, When, after six stout niblick shots, his ball Lies worse than if he had not struck at all. But some in silent agony endure Misfortunes no "recovery" can cure, While others, even men who stand at plus, Loudly ejaculate the frequent cuss. An aged Anglo-Indian oft I see Who waggles endlessly upon the tee, Causing impatience of the fiercest kind To speedy couples pressing from behind. Familiar also is the red-haired Pat Who plays in rain or shine without a hat, And who, whenever things are out of joint, "Sockets" his iron shots to cover point. Before ten thirty, also after five, The links with lady players are alive, At other seasons, by the rules in force, Restricted to their own inferior course. One matron, patient in her way as Job, I've seen who nine times running missed the globe; But then her daughter, limber maid, can smite Close on two hundred yards the bounding Kite. * * * Dusk falls upon the bracken, bents and whins; The careful green-keeper removes the pins, To-morrow being Sunday, and the sward Is freed from gutty and from rubber-cored. Homeward unchecked by cries of "Fore!" I stroll, Revolving many problems in my soul, And marvelling at the mania which bids Sexagenarians caracole like kids; Which causes grave and reverend signiors To talk for hours of nothing but their scores, And worse, when baffled by a little ball, On the infernal deities to call; Which brightens overworked officials' lives; Which bores to tears their much-enduring wives; Which fosters the consumption of white port, And many other drinks, both long and short. Who then, in face of functions so diverse, Will call thee, golf, a blessing or a curse? Or choose between the Premier's predilection And Rosebery's deliberate rejection? Not mine to judge: I merely watch and note Thy votaries as they grieve or as they gloat, Uncertain whether envy or amaze Or pity most is prompted by the craze. * * * * * [Illustration: _Foreigner (who has "pulled" badly, and hit his partner in a tender spot),_ "Mille pardons, monsieur! My clob--he deceived me!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Tommy._ "I say, do you know who's winning?" _Ethel._ "I think uncle must be--I heard him offer to carry auntie's clubs."] * * * * * THE HOLE CONCERN SCENE--_Any golf-club where an alteration of the course is in prospect._ TIME--_Any time, from dawn to dusk._ CHARACTERS--_Any number of_ Members, _plus (on this occasion) an_ Inoffensive Stranger. _First Member._ (_catching sight of_ Inoffensive Stranger). Look here, Nobbs, you're an impartial judge, we'll have your opinion. What I say is this. If you take the present 4th hole and make it the 13th, putting the tee back ten yards behind the 12th, and carry the lower green fifteen yards to the right, and play the 2nd, 5th and 16th holes in reverse order, keeping clear of the ditch outside the 4th green, you'll bring---- _Second Member._ Oh, that's rubbish. Anybody with a grain of sense would see that you'd utterly ruin the course that way. My plan is to take the first three, the 11th, and the 14th--you understand, Nobbs?--(_slowly and emphatically_) the first three, the 11th, and the 14th. _Inoffensive Stranger._ Yes? _Second M._ (_quickly_). And leave 'em as they are. Leave 'em just exactly as they are. Then you do away with the next, make the 3rd into the 7th, and---- _I.S._ (_horribly confused_). But---- _Third M._ Yes, I know--you're thinking of the crossing from the 14th. And you're perfectly right. Simply fatal, that would be; too dangerous altogether. What we really want is a 2nd hole, and my plan would make a splendid one--really sporting, and giving these gentlemen who fancy their play a bit to do. _Second M._ Don't know about _that_. Tried that patent 2nd hole of yours this morning out of curiosity. Holed it with my third, and might have done it in two, with a bit of luck. _Third M._ (_whistles expressively_). Oh, _come_! Splendid player you are, and all that--handicap's fifteen, isn't it?--but there aren't _many_ of us who would stand here and say calmly that we'd done a hole of 420 yards in three! _Really_, you know---- _Second M._ 420 yards? 130, you mean. _Third M._ (_defiantly_). 420, if an inch. _Second M._ But look here, you told me yourself only yesterday---- _Third M._ (_slightly taken aback_). Oh, ah, yes. I understand now. I _did_ think, at one time, of making the 2nd a short hole. But this is quite a different idea. Miles better, in fact. It flashed across me quite suddenly at dinner-time last night. Sort of inspiration--kind of thing you can't account for--but there it _is_, you see. _Fourth M._ Well, what you fellows can argue about like this beats me altogether. There's only one _possible_ way of improving the course, and I showed you the plan of it last week. It won't be adopted--not likely. So good, and simple, and inexpensive that the committee won't look at it. Couldn't expect anything else. Anyhow (_with an air of unappreciated heroism_)--I've done _my_ best for the club! (_Sighs heavily, and picks up a newspaper._) _Fifth M._ (_brutally_). Oh, _we_ know all about that blessed plan of yours. Now, I'm open to conviction. Mind you, I don't condemn anybody else's scheme. All that _I_ say is, that if a man doesn't see that my plan is the best, he's a dunder-headed jackass, and that's all about it. What do _you_ think, Mr. Nobbs? _I.S._ (_rather nervously_). Well, really--I hardly know--perhaps---- _First M._ (_compassionately_). Ah, it's those whins below the 17th that are bothering _you_. But if you exchange the 8th and the 10th---- _Second M._ (_abruptly_). Rot! (_The battle continues. The_ Inoffensive Stranger _stealthily withdraws._ (_Curtain._)) [Illustration: Punch] * * * * * [Illustration: A TOWN MOUSE _Jones._ "Well, my little man, what are _you_ thinking about?" _London Boy_ (_who has never been out of Whitechapel before_). "I'm thinkin' it's time yer mother put yer into _trousers_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A MARTYR TO APPEARANCES _Young Lady._ "I say, caddie, what _does_ Mr. McFadjock do with all these clubs?" _Caddie (wofully preparing to follow his tyrant)._ "He makes me carry them!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LINK(S)ED SWEETNESS _The Real Caddie_ (_audibly_). "This club is going to ruin--allowing all these ladies to join!" _Miss Sharp._ "They evidently can't get gentlemen!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Sanguine Golfer._ "Is that on the 'carpet,' caddie?" _Caddie_ (_as the ball swerves into cottage window_). "Yus, sir; front parlour, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE OLD TYPE OF LINK MAN. Supper time.] * * * * * [Illustration: THE NEW TYPE OF LINK MAN. Tee time.] * * * * * "A THREE-CARD LAY" Long ago in Sweet September, Oh! the day I well remember, I was playing on the Links against the winsomest of maids; In a "cup" my ball was lying, And the "divots" round were flying, And with eyes-a-dance she said to me, "Your iron's the King of Spades!" Now a foe, on such occasion, Of the feminine persuasion, Fair and twenty to the game a sort of subtlety imparts; And I felt its potent glamour, And I answered with a stammer Shy and nervous, "It was rash of me to play the Queen of Hearts!" Any further explanation Of my inward admiration Very likely had exposed me to the deadliest of snubs! But a snigger from behind me Just in time came to remind me Of the presence of my caddie--and I blessed the Knave of Clubs! * * * * * [Illustration: GLORIOUS UNCERTAINTY SCENE--_At the Golf Club._ _She._ "Good-bye, Major. What's the programme for to-morrow?" _The Major._ "Oh, either skating or punting, according to the weather."] * * * * * GOLF AND GOOD FORM (_By the Expert Wrinkler_) Is it good form to golf? That is a question I have been so repeatedly asked of late by correspondents that I can no longer postpone my answer. Now to begin with, I fear there is no doubt that golf is a little on the down grade--socially. Golf is no longer the monopoly of the best set, and I am told that artisans' clubs have actually been started in certain districts. The other day, as I was travelling in Lancashire, a man in the same compartment--with the most shockingly ill-cut trousers I ever saw--said to a friend, "I like 'Oylake, it's 'ealthy, and it's 'andy and within 'ail of 'ome." And it turned out that the chief attraction to him at Hoylake was the golf. Such an incident as this speaks volumes. But I always try to see both sides of every question, and there is unquestionably a great deal to be said in favour of golf. It was undoubtedly played by kings in the past, and at the present moment is patronised by grand dukes, dukes, peers and premiers. * * * * * [Illustration: BETWEEN FRIENDS.--_Mr. Spooner, Q.C._ (_a Neophyte_). "This is my ball, I think?" _Colonel Bunting_ (_an adept_). "By Jove, that's a jolly good 'lie'!" _Mr. Spooner._ "Really, Bunting, we're very old friends, of course. But I do think you might find a pleasanter way of pointing out a perfectly unintentional mistake!"] * * * * * GOLF AND DRESS. But the real and abiding attraction of golf is that it mercifully gives more opportunities to the dressy man than any other pastime. Football and cricket reduce everyone to a dead level in dress, but in golf there is any amount of scope for individuality in costume. Take the case of colour alone. The other day at Finsbury Park station I met a friend on his way home from a day's golfing, and I noticed that he was sporting the colours of no fewer than five different clubs. On his cap was the badge of the Camberwell Crusaders; his tie proved his membership of the Bickley Authentics; his blazer was that of the Tulse Hill Nondescripts; his brass waistcoat buttons bore the monogram of the Gipsy Hill Zingari; the roll of his knickerbocker stockings was embroidered with the crest of the Kilburn Incogs. The effect of the whole was, if I may be allowed the word, spicy in the extreme. Of course it is not everyone who can carry off such a combination, or who can afford to belong to so many first-class clubs. But my friend is a very handsome man, and has a handicap of _plus_ two at Tooting Bec. KNICKERBOCKERS OR TROUSERS. The burning question which divides golfers into two hostile camps is the choice between knickerbockers and trousers. Personally I favour the latter, but it is only right to explain that ever since I was gaffed in the leg by my friend Viscount ---- when out cub-sticking with the Cottesmore I have never donned knickers again. To a man with a really well-turned calf and neat ankles I should say, wear knickerbockers whenever you get a chance. The late Lord Septimus Boulger, who had very thick legs, and calves that seemed to begin just above the ankles, used to wear knickerbockers because he said it put his opponent off his play. If I may say so without offence, he was a real funny chap, though a careless dresser, and I am told that his father, old Lord Spalding, has never been the same man since his death. STOCKINGS AND CALVES. Another advantage of knickerbockers is the scope they afford for the display of stylish stockings. A very good effect is produced by having a little red tuft, which should appear under the roll which surmounts the calf. The roll itself, which should always have a smart pattern, is very useful in conveying the impression that the calf is more fully developed than it really is. I noticed the other day at Hanger Hill that Sir Arlington Ball was playing in a pair of very full knickers, almost of the Dutch cut, and that his stockings--of a plain brown colour--had no roll such as I have described. Then of course Sir Arlington has an exceptionally well-modelled calf, and when in addition a man has £30,000 a year he may be allowed a certain latitude in his dress and his conduct generally. BOOTS AND SHOES. The question of footwear at golf is one of considerable difficulty, but there is a general feeling in favour of shoes. My friend the Tooting Bec _plusser_ affects a very showy sort of shoe with a wide welt and a sort of fringe of narrow strips of porpoise hide, which fall over the instep in a miniature cataract. As regards the rival merits of india rubber studs on the soles and of nails, I compromise by a judicious mixture of both. If a waistcoat be worn it should be of the brightest possible colour. I saw Lord Dunching the other day at Wimbledon Park in a charming waistcoat. The groundwork was a rich spinach green with discs of Pompeian red, and the buttons were of brass with his monogram in blue and white enamel in the centre. As it was a cold day he wore a mustard-coloured Harris tweed Norfolk jacket and a sealskin cap. Quite a large crowd followed him, and I heard afterwards that he had raised the record for the links to 193. QUALIFICATIONS FOR A VALET. One thing is certain--and that is we cannot all be first-class players. Personally, owing to the accident I have already referred to, I hardly ever play at all, but I always make it a point, if I am going on a visit to any place in the country where I know there are no golf links, to take a few niblicks with me. A bag for clubs only costs a few shillings, and it looks well amongst your other paraphernalia on a journey. In engaging a valet again, always remember to ascertain whether he knows the rules of the "royal and ancient game." I shall never forget my humiliation when down at Lord Springvale's. As I was taking part in a foursome with the Hon. Agrippa Bramble, Lady Horace Hilton, and the second Mrs. Bunkeray, I got stuck in a furze-bush and my man handed me a putter. I could have cried with vexation. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. CAVENDISH, CHATSWORTH.--As to the treatment of divots, different methods are recommended by different authorities. My plan, and I am not aware of a better, is to put them in my pocket when the caddie is not looking. When thoroughly dried they form an excellent peat for burning, or can be used for bedding out rhododendrons. "NIL DESPERANDUM," BECKENHAM.--The best stimulant during match play is a beaten-up egg in a claret glass of sloe gin. The eggs are best carried in the pocket of your club-bag. A. FLUBB, WOKING.--No, it is not good form to pay your caddie in stamps. ALCIBIADES, WEMBLEY PARK.--If you must play golf on Sunday, I call it nothing short of hypocritical to go down to the links in a tall hat. * * * * * [Illustration: A HERO "FIN DE SIÃ�CLE."--_Podgers_ (_of Sandboys Golf Club_). "My dear Miss Robinson, golf's the only game nowadays for the _men_. Lawn-tennis is all very well for you _girls_, you know."] * * * * * [Illustration: If you should find a stray bull in possession of the links, and who is fascinated by your little red landmarks, don't try and persuade poor Mr. Littleman to drive him away. He is very plucky--but it isn't golf.] * * * * * [Illustration: HIS FIRST ROUND.--_Caddie_ (_pointing to direction flag_). "You'd better play right on the flag, sir." _Curate._ "Thank you very much. But I have very grave doubts as to my ability to hit such a very small mark at this distance!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EAR BLINKERS.--A suggestion for caddies of tender age in attendance on hot-tempered Anglo-Indian military gentlemen learning golf.] * * * * * [Illustration: EVERY MAN TO HIS TRADE.--_Exasperated Amateur_ (_to fore-caddie, who will_ NOT _go on ahead_). "Go along, man. _Do_ get on towards the next green." _Caddie._ "Beg parding, Capting. You won't never get him to go no more than twenty yards ahead. 'E's been used to carrying a flag in front of a steam-roller."] * * * * * LAYS FROM THE LINKS I.--THE HISTORY OF A MATCH. Let A be the Links where I went down to stay, And B the man whom I challenged to play:-- * * * C was the Caddie no golfer's without, D was the Driver I used going "out": E was the Extra loud "Fore!" we both holloa-ed, F was the Foozle which commonly followed: G was the Green which I longed to approach, H was the Hazard which upset the coach: I was B's Iron-shot (he's good for a younker), J was his Joy when I pitched in the bunker. K was the Kodak, that mischief-contriver, L was B's Likeness--on smashing his driver: M was the Moment he found out 'twas taken. N was his Niblick around my head shaken: O was the Oil poured on waters so stormy, P was the Putt which, next hole, made me dormy. Q was the Quality--crowds came to look on: R the Result they were making their book on: S was the Stymie I managed to lay, T was Two more, which it forced him to play; U was the Usual bad work he let fly, V was the Vengeance he took in the bye. * * * W the Whisky that night: I must own X was its quantity--wholly unknown; Y were the Yarns which hot whisky combine with, Z was the Zest which we sang "_Auld Lang Syne_". * * * * * [Illustration: _Short-sighted Lady Golfer._ "Hi! have you seen a golf-ball fall anywhere here, please?" [_Victim regards ball with remaining eye._] ] * * * * * II.--A TOAST. Fill up your glasses! Bumpers round Of Scotland's mountain dew! With triple clink my toast you'll drink, The Links I pledge with you: The Links that bind a million hearts, There's magic in their name, The Links that lie 'neath every sky, And the Royal and Ancient Game! A health to all who "miss the globe," The special "stars" who don't; May thousands thrive to tee and drive As Jehu's self was wont! No tee without a caddie--then The caddies will acclaim! A health, I say, to all who play The Royal and Ancient Game! Long life to all who face the foe, And on the green "lie dead"!-- An envied lot, as all men wot, For gallant "lads in red": Where balls fly fast and iron-shots plough Win medals, trophies, fame; Your watchword "Fore!" One cheer--two more-- For the Royal and Ancient Game! Then "_toe_ and _heel_ it" on the green (You'll make your partner swear), But I'll be bound your dance, a round, With luck will end all square Win, lose, or halve the match--what odds? We love our round the same; Though luck take wing, "the play's the thing," The Royal and Ancient Game! * * * Then, Royal and Ancient Game, accept This tribute lay from me; From me then take, for old sake's sake, This toast--Long life to thee! A long, long life to thee, old friend-- None worthier the name-- With three times three, long life to thee, O Royal and Ancient Game! [Illustration: Punch] * * * * * [Illustration: _Very mild Gentleman_ (_who has failed to hit the ball five times in succession_). "Well ----" _Up-to-date Caddy_ (_producing gramophone charged with appropriate expletives_). "Allow me, sir!" [_Mild Gentleman_ DOES _allow him, and moreover presents him with a shilling for handling the subject in such a masterly manner._] ] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Golfer_ (_to Second Golfer, who is caught in a bunker_). "Well, Jones told me this morning he did this hole yesterday in four." _Second Golfer_ (_who stammers_). "If Jones s-s-said he did it in four, he was a l-l-l-l----" _First Golfer._ "Steady, friend, steady!" _Second Golfer._ "----he was a l-lucky beggar!"] * * * * * GOLF-LAND--HOLE BY HOLE _Match for a suit of oil-skins between Sunny Jack and Dismal Jimmy._ "The rain has beaten all records."--_Daily Papers._ "Play the game."--_Modern motto._ _Hole 1._--Halved in 28. D.J. gets into the current with his 16th (a beauty) and is rescued by life-boat. _Hole 2._--Abandoned. A green-finder with a divining-rod, which is convertible into an umbrella, states that Primitive Baptists are using the green for purposes of total immersion. _Hole 3._--Abandoned. A regatta is found to be taking place in the big bunker. _Hole 4._--Halved in 23. S.J. discovered with life-belt round him which he has stolen from the flag. Reported death of a green-keeper, lost in trying to rescue two caddies from the bunker going to the 11th hole. _Hole 5._--Abandoned out of sympathy with the green-keeper. _Hole 6._--Abandoned. S.J. gets his driver mixed in his life-belt, with the result that his braces burst. D.J. claims hole on the ground that no player may look for a button for more than two minutes. Mr. Vardon, umpiring from balloon, disallows claim. Both players take to canoes. _Hole 7._--D.J.'s canoe upset by body of drowned sheep as he is holing short put. Mr. Vardon decides that corpses are rubs on the green. _Hole 8._--Abandoned, owing to a fight for life-belt. _Hole 9._--Halved in 303, Mr. Vardon keeping the score. _Hole 10._--D.J. saves S.J.'s life. Hole awarded to S.J. by Mr. Vardon out of sympathy. S.J. one up. _Hole 11._--S.J. saves D.J.'s life and receives the Humane Society's monthly medal and the hole from Mr. Vardon as a reward of courage. S.J. two up. _Hole 12._--Abandoned. Collection made for the widows of drowned golfers, which realises ninepence. S.J. subsequently returns from a long, low dive. _Holes 13 and 14._--Won by D.J. in the absence of S.J., who attends funeral water-games in honour of the green-keeper. All square. _Holes 15 and 16._--Abandoned by mutual consent, whisky being given away by the Society of Free-drinkers. Instant reappearance of the green-keeper. _Holes 17 and 18._--Unrecorded. Mr. Vardon declares the match halved. [Illustration: Punch] * * * * * [Illustration: FORE and AFT] * * * * * [Illustration: _Short-sighted Golfer_ (_having been signalled to come on by lady who has lost her ball_). "Thanks _very_ much. And _would_ you mind driving that sheep away?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Extract from the rules of a local golf club:_--"RULE V.--The committee shall have the power at any time to fill any vacancy in their body."] * * * * * A LESSON IN GOLF "You won't dare!" said I. "There is nothing else for it," said Amanda sternly. "You know perfectly well that we must practise every minute of the time, if we expect to have the least chance of winning. If she _will_ come just now--well!" Amanda cocked her pretty chin in the air, and looked defiant. "But--_Aunt Susannah!_" said I. "It's quite time for you to go and meet her," said Amanda, cutting short my remonstrances; and she rose with an air of finality. My wife, within her limitations, is a very clever woman. She is prompt: she is resolute: she has the utmost confidence in her own generalship. Yet, looking at Aunt Susannah, as she sat--gaunt, upright, and formidable--beside me in the dogcart, I did not believe even Amanda capable of the stupendous task which she had undertaken. She would never dare---- I misjudged her. Aunt Susannah had barely sat down--was, in fact, only just embarking on her first scone--when Amanda rushed incontinently in where I, for one, should have feared to tread. "Dear Aunt Susannah," she said, beaming hospitably, "I'm sure you will never guess how we mean to amuse you while you are here!" "Nothing very formidable, I hope?" said Aunt Susannah grimly. "You'll never, never guess!" said Amanda; and her manner was so unnaturally sprightly that I knew she was inwardly quaking. "We want to teach you--what do you think?" "I think that I'm a trifle old to learn anything new, my dear," said Aunt Susannah. I should have been stricken dumb by such a snub. Not so, however, my courageous wife. "Well--golf!" she cried, with overdone cheerfulness. Aunt Susannah started. Recovering herself, she eyed us with a stony glare which froze me where I sat. "There is really nothing else to do in these wilds, you know," Amanda pursued gallantly, though even she was beginning to look frightened. "And it is such a lovely game. You'll like it immensely." "_What_ do you say it is called?" asked Aunt Susannah in awful tones. "Golf," Amanda repeated meekly; and for the first time her voice shook. "Spell it!" commanded Aunt Susannah. Amanda obeyed, with increasing meekness. "Why do you call it 'goff' if there's an 'l' in it?" asked Aunt Susannah. "I--I'm afraid I don't know," said Amanda faintly. Aunt Susannah sniffed disparagingly. She condescended, however, to inquire into the nature of the game, and Amanda gave an elaborate explanation in faltering accents. She glanced imploringly at me; but I would not meet her eye. "Then you just try to get a little ball into a little hole?" inquired my relative. "And in the fewest possible strokes," Amanda reminded her, gasping. "And--is that all?" asked Aunt Susannah. "Y--yes," said Amanda. "Oh!" said Aunt Susannah. A game described in cold blood sounds singularly insignificant. We both fell into sudden silence and depression. "Well, it doesn't sound _difficult_" said Aunt Susannah. "Oh, yes, I'll come and play at ball with you if you like, my dears." "_Dear_ Auntie!" said Amanda affectionately. She did not seem so much overjoyed at her success, however, as might have been expected. As for me, I saw a whole sea of breakers ahead; but then I had seen them all the time. We drove out to the Links next day. We were both very silent. Aunt Susannah, however, was in good spirits, and deeply interested in our clubs. "What in the world do you want so many sticks for, child?" she inquired of Amanda. "Oh, they are for--for different sorts of ground," Amanda explained feebly; and she cast an agonised glance at our driver, who had obviously overheard, and was chuckling in an offensive manner. We both looked hastily and furtively round us when we arrived. We were early, however, and fortune was kind to us; there was no one else there. "Perhaps you would like to watch us a little first, just to see how the game goes?" Amanda suggested sweetly. "Not at all!" was Aunt Susannah's brisk rejoinder. I've come here to play, not to look on. Which stick----?" "_Club_--they are called clubs," said Amanda. "Why?" inquired Aunt Susannah. "I--I don't know," faltered Amanda. "Do you Laurence?" I did not know, and said so. "Then I shall certainly call them sticks," said Aunt Susannah decisively. "They are not in the least like clubs." "Shall I drive off?" I inquired desperately of Amanda. "Drive off? Where to? Why are you going away?" asked Aunt Susannah. "Besides, you can't go--the carriage is out of sight." "The way you begin is called driving off," I explained laboriously. "Like this." I drove nervously, because I felt her eye upon me. The ball went some dozen yards. "That seems easy enough," said Aunt Susannah. "Give me a stick, child." "Not that end--the _other_ end!" cried Amanda, as our relative prepared to make her stroke with the butt-end. "Dear me! Isn't that the handle?" she remarked cheerfully; and she reversed her club, swung it, and chopped a large piece out of the links. "Where is it gone? Where is it gone?" she exclaimed, looking wildly round. "It--it isn't gone," said Amanda nervously, and pointed to the ball still lying at her feet. "What an extraordinary thing!" cried Aunt Susannah; and she made another attempt, with a precisely similar result. "Give me another stick!" she demanded. "Here, let me choose for myself--this one doesn't suit me. I'll have that flat thing." "But that's a putter," Amanda explained agonisedly. "What's a putter? You said just now that they were all clubs," said Aunt Susannah, pausing. "They are all clubs," I explained patiently. "But each has a different name." "You don't mean to say you give them names like a little girl with her dolls?" cried Aunt Susannah. "Why, what a babyish game it is!" She laughed very heartily. "At any rate," she continued, with that determination which some of her friends call by another name, "I am sure that this will be easier to play with!" She grasped the putter, and in some miraculous way drove the ball to a considerable distance. "Oh, splendid!" cried Amanda. Her troubled brow cleared a little, and she followed suit, with mediocre success. Aunt Susannah pointed out that her ball had gone farther than either of ours, and grasped her putter tenaciously. "It's a better game than I expected from your description," she conceded. "Oh, I daresay I shall get to like it. I must come and practise every day." We glanced at each other in a silent horror of despair, and Aunt Susannah after a few quite decent strokes, triumphantly holed out. "What next?" said she. I hastily arranged her ball on the second tee: but the luck of golf is proverbially capricious. She swung her club, and hit nothing. She swung it again, and hit the ground. "_Why_ can't I do it?" she demanded, turning fiercely upon me. "You keep losing your feet," I explained deferentially. "Spare me your detestable slang terms, Laurence, at least!" she cried, turning on me again like a whirlwind. "If you think I have lost my temper--which is absurd!--you might have the courage to say so in plain English!" "Oh, no, Aunt Susannah!" I said. "You don't understand----" "Or want to," she snapped. "Of all silly games----" "I mean you misunderstood me," I pursued, trembling. "Your foot slipped, and that spoilt your stroke. You should have nails in your boots, as we have." "Oh!" said Aunt Susannah, only half pacified. But she succeeded in dislodging her ball at last, and driving it into a bunker. At the same moment, Amanda suddenly clutched me by the arm. "Oh, Laurence!" she said in a bloodcurdling whisper. "_What_ shall we do? Here is Colonel Bartlemy!" The worst had happened. The hottest-tempered man in the club, the oldest member, the best player, the greatest stickler for etiquette, was hard upon our track; and Aunt Susannah, with a red and determined countenance, was urging her ball up the bunker, and watching it roll back again. "Dear Auntie," said Amanda, in her sweetest voice, "you had much better take it out." "Is that allowed?" inquired our relative suspiciously. "Oh, you may always do that and lose a stroke!" I assured her eagerly. "I shan't dream of losing a stroke!" said Aunt Susannah, with decision. "I'll get it out of this ditch by fair means, if I have to spend all day over it!" "Then do you mind waiting one moment?" I said, with the calmness of despair. "There is a player behind us----" "Let him stay behind us! I was here first," said Aunt Susannah; and she returned to her bunker. The Links rose up in a hillock immediately behind us, so that our successor could not see us until he had reached the first hole. I stood with my eye glued to the spot where he might be expected to appear. I saw, as in a nightmare, the scathing remarks that would find their way into the Suggestion Book. I longed for a sudden and easy death. At the moment when Colonel Bartlemy's rubicund face appeared over the horizon, Aunt Susannah, flushed but unconquered, drew herself up for a moment's rest from toil. He had seen her. Amanda shut her eyes. For myself, I would have run away shamelessly, if there had been any place to run to. The Colonel and Aunt Susannah looked hard at each other. Then he began to hurry down the slope, while she started briskly up it. "Miss Cadwalader!" said the Colonel. "Colonel Bartlemy!" cried Aunt Susannah; and they met with effusion. I saw Amanda's eyes open, and grow round with amazed interest. I knew perfectly well that she had scented a bygone love affair, and was already planning the most suitable wedding-garb for Aunt Susannah. A frantic hope came to me that in that case the Colonel's affection might prove stronger than his zeal for golf. They were strolling down to us in a leisurely manner, and the subject of their conversation broke upon my astonished ears. "I'm afraid you don't think much of these Links, after yours," Colonel Bartlemy was saying anxiously. "They are rather new----" "Oh, I've played on many worse," said Aunt Susannah, looking round her with a critical eye. "Let me see--I haven't seen you since your victory at Craigmory. Congratulations!" "Approbation from Sir Hubert Stanley!" purred the Colonel, evidently much gratified. "You will be here for the twenty-seventh, I hope?" "Exactly what I came for," said Aunt Susannah calmly. "Though I don't know what our ladies will say to playing against the Cranford Champion!" chuckled the Colonel; and then they condescended to become aware of our existence. We had never known before how exceedingly small it is possible to feel. "Aunt Susannah, what am I to say? What fools you must think us!" I murmured miserably to her, when the Colonel was out of earshot looking for his ball. "We are such raw players ourselves--and of course we never dreamt----" Aunt Susannah twinkled at me in a friendly manner. "There's an ancient proverb about eggs and grandmothers," she remarked cheerfully. "There should be a modern form for golf-balls and aunts--hey, Laurence?" Amanda did not win the prize brooch; but Aunt Susannah did, in spite of an overwhelming handicap, and gave it to her. She does not often wear it--possibly because rubies are not becoming to her: possibly because its associations are too painful. * * * * * [Illustration: THE RETORT COURTEOUS.--(_The Major-General waiting to drive, to girl carrying baby, who blocks the way_). "Now then, hurry on please with that baby." _Girl._ "Garn! Baby yerself, playing at ball there in your knickerbockers an' all!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A GOLF TOURNAMENT IN YE TIME OF YE ROMANS _From a rare old frieze (not) in ye British Museum._] * * * * * [Illustration: "Anyway, it's better to break one's ---- clubs than to lose one's ---- ---- temper!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING.--_Obstructive Lady (in reply to the golfer's warning call)._ "The whole world wasn't made for golf, sir." _Youngster._ "No; but the links _wis_. 'Fore!"] * * * * * [Illustration: Unenviable position of Mr. Pottles, whose record drive has just landed fairly in the ribs of irascible old Colonel Curry, out for his constitutional canter.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Aunt Jabisca (pointing to earnest golfer endeavouring to play out of quarry)._ "Dear me, Maud, what a respectably dressed man that is breaking stones!"] * * * * * [Illustration: Suggestion for a rainy day. Spillikins on a grand scale.] * * * * * [Illustration: GOLF Ã� LA WATTEAU--AND OTHERWISE] * * * * * [Illustration: _Major Brummel (comparing the length of his and his opponent's "drives")._ "I think I'm shorter than Mr. Simkins?" _Small Caddie (a new hand, greatly flattered at being asked, as he thinks, to judge of their personal appearance)._ "Yes, sir, and fatterer too, sir!" [_Delight of the gallant Major._] ] * * * * * [Illustration: ARRY AT GOLF.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Miss Dora (to Major Putter, who is playing an important match, and has just lost his ball)._ "Oh, Major, do come and take your horrid ball away from my little dog. He won't let me touch it, and I know he must be ruining his teeth!"] * * * * * THE LOST GOLFER [The sharp decline of ping-pong, whose attractions at its zenith seduced many golfers from the nobler sport, has left a marked void in the breasts of these renegades. Some of them from a natural sense of shame hesitate to return to their first love. The conclusion of the following lines should be an encouragement to this class of prodigal.] Just for a celluloid pillule he left us, Just for an imbecile batlet and ball, These were the toys by which Fortune bereft us Of Jennings, our captain, the pride of us all. Shopmen with clubs to sell handed him rackets, Rackets of sand-paper, rubber and felt, Said to secure an unplayable service, Pestilent screws and the death-dealing welt. Oft had we played with him, partnered him, sworn by him, Copied his pitches in height and in cut, Hung on his words as he delved in a bunker, Made him our pattern to drive and to putt. Benedick's with us, the major is of us, Swiper the county bat's still going strong; He alone broke from the links and the clubhouse, He alone sank in the slough of ping-pong. We have "come on"--but not his the example; Sloe-gin has quickened us--not his the cash; Holes done in 6 where a 4 would be ample Vexed him not, busy perfecting a smash. Rased was his name as a decadent angel, One more mind unhinged by a piffulent game, One more parlour-hero, the worshipped of school-girls Who once had a princely "plus 5" to his name. Jennings is gone; yet perhaps he'll come back to us, Healed of his hideous lesion of brain, Back to the links in the daytime; at twilight Back to his cosy club corner again. Back for the medal day, back for our foursomes, Back from the tables' diminishing throng, Back from the infantile, ceaseless half-volley, Back from the lunatic lure of ping-pong. * * * * * [Illustration: _Tennis Player (from London)._ "Don't see the fun o' this game--knockin' a ball into a bush, and then 'untin' about for it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE AMERICAN HUSBAND] * * * * * [Illustration: THE ENGLISH WIFE] * * * * * [Illustration: A TOO-FEEBLE EXPLETIVE _MacSymon._ "I saw you were carrying for the professor yesterday, Sandy. How does he play?" _Sandy._ "Eh, yon man'll never be a gowffer. Div ye ken what he says when he foozles a ba'?" _MacSymon._ "No. What does he say?" _Sandy._ "'_Tut-tut!_'"] * * * * * THE LINKS 'Tis a brilliant autumn day, And the breeze has blown away All the clouds that lowered gray; So methinks, As I've half an hour to spare, I will go and take the air, While the weather still is fair, On the Links. I admire the splendid view, The delicious azure hue Of the ocean and--when, _whew_! With a crack, Lo! there drops a little ball Which elects to break its fall By alighting on the small Of my back. In the distance someone cries Some remark about my eyes, None too pleasant, I surmise, From the tone; So away my steps I turn Till a figure I discern, Who is mouching by the burn All alone. He has lost a new "Eclipse," And a little word that slips From his sulky-looking lips Tells me true That, besides the missing ball, Which is gone beyond recall, He has lost--what's worst of all-- Temper, too. I conclude it will be best If I leave him unaddressed, Such a melancholy quest To pursue; And I pass to where I spy Clouds of sand uprising high Till they all but hide the sky From the view. They proceed, I understand, From a bunker full of sand, Where a golfer, club in hand, Freely swears As he hacks with all his might, Till his countenance is quite As vermilion as the bright Coat he wears. I observe him for a while With a highly-tickled smile, For it is the queerest style Ever seen: He is very short and stout, And he knocks the ball about, But he never gets it out On the green. Still I watch him chop and hack, Till I hear a sudden crack, And the club-head makes a track In the light-- There's a startled cry of "FORE!" As it flies, and all is o'er!-- I remember nothing more Till to-night, When I find myself in bed With a lump upon my head Like a penny loaf of bread; And methinks, For the future I'll take care When I want a little air, That I won't go anywhere Near the Links. [Illustration: Punch] * * * * * [Illustration: THE MISERIES OF A _VERY_ AMATEUR GOLFER He is very shy, and unfortunately has to drive off in front of the lady champion and a large gallery. He makes a tremendous effort. The ball travels at least five yards!] * * * * * [Illustration: _Golfer._ "And what's your name?" _Caddie._ "They ca' me 'breeks, but ma maiden name is Christy."] * * * * * [Illustration: "Mummy, what's that man for?"] * * * * * [Illustration: DISTINCTION WITHOUT DIFFERENCE.--_Sensitive Golfer (who has foozled)._ "Did you laugh at me, boy?" _Caddie._ "No, sir; I wis laughin' at anither man." _Sensitive Golfer._ "And what's funny about him?" _Caddie._ "He plays gowf awfu' like you, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: Jones cannot see his ball anywhere, although he is positive it fell about there somewhere.] * * * * * [Illustration: Caddie] NEVER HAVE A CADDIE WITH A SQUINT! (_A Lay of the Links_) They told me he was skilful, and assiduous, and true, They told me he had "carried" for the bravest and the best. His hair was soldier-scarlet, and his eyes were saucer blue, And one seemed looking eastward, whilst the other fronted west. His strabismus was a startler, and it shook my nerve at once; It affected me with dizziness, like gazing from a height. I straddled like a duffer, and I wavered like a dunce, And my right hand felt a left one, and my left felt far from right. As I watched him place my ball with his visual axes crossed, The very sunshine glimmered, with a queer confusing glint, I felt like a sick lubber on Atlantic surges tossed-- Oh! never have a caddie with a squint! I'm an "irritable duffer"--so my enemies declare,-- That is I'm very sensitive, and play a modest game. A very little puts me off my stroke, and, standing there, With his boot-heels at right angles, and his optics much the same, He maddened me--no less, and I felt that all success Against bumptious young McBungo--was impossible that day. I'd have parted with a fiver to have beaten him. His dress Was so very very swagger, and his scarlet cap so gay. He eyed my cross-eyed caddie with a supercilious smirk, I tried to set my features, and my nerves, like any flint; But my "knicker'd" knees were knocking as I wildly set to work. Oh! _never_ have a caddie with a squint! [Illustration: Golfer] I tried to look away from the spoiler of my play, But for fiendish fascination he was like a squinting snake; All the muffings man can muff I contrived to muff that day; My eyes were all askew and my nerves were all ashake. I seemed to squint myself, and not only with my eyes, My knees, my hands, my elbows, with obliquity were rife. McBungo's sleek sham sympathy and sinister surprise Made almost insupportable the burden of my life. He _was_ so beastly friendly, and he _was_ so blazing fair, So fulsomely effusive with suggestion, tip, and hint! And all the while that caddie stood serenely cock-eyed there. Oh! _never_ have a caddie with a squint! Miss Binks was looking on! On that maiden I was gone, Just as she was gone on golf, in perfervid Scottish style. On my merits with McBungo I should just about have won, But my shots to-day were such as made even Effie smile; Oh, the lumps of turf I lifted! Oh, the easy balls I missed! Oh, the bunkers I got bogged in! And at last a gentle scorn Curled the lips I would have given my pet "Putter" to have kissed. Such a bungler as myself her loved links had never borne; And all the while McBungo--the young crocodile!--bewailed What he called my "beastly luck," though his joy was plain as print, Whilst that squint grew worse and worse at each shot of mine which failed. Oh! never have a caddie with a squint! [Illustration: Lady Golfer] In "playing through the green" with my "brassie" I was seen At most dismal disadvantage on that miserable day; _He_ pointed through the rushes with cock-eyed, sardonic spleen,-- I followed his squint guidance, and I struck a yard away; But, oh! 'twas worst of all, when I tried to hole the ball. Oh, the ogre! _How_ he squinted at that crisis of the game! His hideous strabismus held me helpless, a blind thrall Shattered my nerves completely, put my skill to open shame. That squint would, I am sure, have upset the solar system-- Oho! the impish impudence, the gruesome goggle-glint! The low, malicious chuckle, as he softly muttered, "Missed 'im!" No, _never_ have a caddie with a squint! Yet all the same McBungo did _not_ get that rich Miss Binks, Who was so sweet in every way, especially on golf. He fancied he had cut me out that day upon those links, But although he won the game--at golf, his love-game came not off. He and that demon caddie tried between them very hard To shame me in the eyes of that dear enthusiast, But--well, my clubs she carries, whilst McBungo, evil-starred, Was caught by a Scotch vixen with an obvious optic cast! _That's_ Nemesis, I say! And she will not let him play At the game he so adores. True she's wealthy as the Mint. At golf, with Effie, I have passed many a happy day, But--we never have a caddie with a squint! A caddie who's a duffer, or a caddie who gets drunk; A caddie who regards all other caddies as his foes; A caddie who will snigger when you fumble, fail or funk; A caddie who will whistle, or seems ever on the doze; A caddie who's too tiny, or too big and broad of bulk; A caddie who gets playing with your clubs upon the sly; A caddie who will chatter, or a caddie who will sulk; All these are calculated a golf devotee to try; All these are most vexatious to a golfer of repute; And still more so to a novice. But just take a friendly hint! Take a caddie who's a duffer, or a drunkard, or a brute, _But never try a caddie with a squint!!!_ * * * * * [Illustration: ANOTHER LENTEN SACRIFICE.--_Golf Caddie (to Curate)._ "High tee, sir?" _Curate._ "No; put it on the ground. I give up sand during Lent."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Voice from the Hill._ "Now then, you young coward, don't stand about all day. Why don't you _take it away_ from the dog?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Boy (to young lady, who has been unfortunate enough to upset Colonel Bunker)._ "You'd better ride on before 'e gets 'is breath, miss!" _Young Lady._ "Why?" _Boy._ "_I've 'eard 'im play golf!!!_"] * * * * * A GROWL FROM GOLFLAND Bores there are of various species, of the platform, of the quill, Bores obsessed by Christian Science or the Education Bill, But the most exasperating and intolerable bore Is the man who talks of nothing but the latest "rubber core." Place him in the Great Sahara, plant him on an Arctic floe, Or a desert island, fifteen thousand miles from Westward Ho! Pick him up a twelvemonth later, and I'll wager that you find Rubber filling _versus_ gutty still and solely on his mind. O American invaders, I accept your beef, your boots, Your historical romances, and your Californian fruits; But in tones of humble protest I am tempted to exclaim, "Can't you draw the line at commerce, can't you spare one British game?" I am but a simple duffer; I am quite prepared to state That my lowest round on record was a paltry 88; That my partner in a foursome needs the patience of a Job, That in moments of excitement I am apt to miss the globe. With my brassy and my putter I am very far to seek, Generally slice to cover with my iron and my cleek; But I boast a single virtue: I can honestly maintain I've escaped the fatal fever known as Haskell on the brain. * * * * * [Illustration: A golf case was recently before the Court of Appeal. Why not a Golf Court on the links?] * * * * * GOLF VICTOR! Sir Golf and Sir Tennis are fighting like mad-- Now Sir Tennis is blown, and Sir Golf's right above him, And his face has a look that is weary and sad, As he hastily turns to the ladies who love him, But the racket falls from him, he totters, and swirls, As he hears them cry, "Golf is the game for the girls!" * * * The girls crave for freedom, they cannot endure To be cramped up at tennis in courts that are poky And they are all of them certainly, perfectly sure That they'll never again touch "that horrible croquet," Where it's quite on the cards that they may play with papa, And where all that goes on is surveyed by mamma, To golf on the downs for the whole of the day Is "so awfully jolly," they keep on asserting, With a good-looking fellow to teach you the way, And to fill up the time with some innocent flirting, And it may be the maiden is woo'd and is won, Ere the whole of the round is completed and done. Henceforward, then, golf is the game for the fair-- At home, and abroad, or in pastures colonial, And the shouts of the ladies will quite fill the air For the links that will turn into bonds matrimonial, And for husbands our daughters in future will seek With the powerful aid of the putter and cleek! * * * * * [Illustration: Finis] BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE. 36529 ---- PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day. * * * * * MR. PUNCH AT THE PLAY [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: _Actor (on the stage)._ "Me mind is made up!" _Voice from the Gallery._ "What abeaout yer fice?"] * * * * * MR. PUNCH AT THE PLAY HUMOURS OF MUSIC AND THE DRAMA _WITH 140 ILLUSTRATIONS_ [Illustration] BY CHARLES KEENE, PHIL MAY, GEORGE DU MAURIER, BERNARD PARTRIDGE, L. RAVEN-HILL, E. T. REED, F. H. TOWNSEND, C. E. BROCK, A. S. BOYD, TOM BROWNE, EVERARD HOPKINS AND OTHERS PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" * * * * * THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration] BEFORE THE CURTAIN Most of the PUNCH artists of note have used their pencils on the theatre; with theatricals public and private none has done more than Du Maurier. All have made merry over the extravagances of melodrama and "problem" plays; the vanity and the mistakes of actors, actresses and dramatists; and the blunderings of the average playgoer. MR. PUNCH genially satirises the aristocratic amateurs who, some few years ago, made frantic rushes into the profession, and for a while enjoyed more kudos as actors than they had obtained as titled members of the upper circle, and the exaggerated social status that for the time accrued to the professional actor as a consequence of this invasion. The things he has written about the stage, quite apart from all reviewing of plays, would more than fill a book of itself; and he has slyly and laughingly satirised players, playwrights and public with an equal impartiality. He has got a deal of fun out of the French dramas and the affected pleasure taken in them by audiences that did not understand the language. He has got even more fun out of the dramatists whose "original plays" were largely translated from the French, and to whom Paris was, and to some extent is still, literally and figuratively "a playground." [Illustration] * * * * * MR. PUNCH AT THE PLAY SOMETHING FOR THE MONEY (_From the Playgoers' Conversation Book. Coming Edition._) [Illustration] I have only paid three guineas and a half for this stall, but it is certainly stuffed with the very best hair. The people in the ten-and-sixpenny gallery seem fairly pleased with their dado. I did not know the call-boy was at Eton. The expenses of this house must be enormous, if they always play _Box and Cox_ with a rasher of real Canadian bacon. How nice to know that the musicians, though out of sight under the stage, are in evening dress on velvet cushions! Whoever is the author of this comedy, he has not written up with spirit to that delightful Louis the Fifteenth linen cupboard. I cannot catch a word "Macbeth" is saying, but I can see at a glance that his kilt would be extremely cheap at seventy pounds. I am not surprised to hear that the "Tartar's lips" for the cauldron alone add nightly something like fifty-five-and-sixpence to the expenses. Do not bother me about the situation when I am looking at the quality of the velvet pile. Since the introduction of the _live_ hedgehog into domestic drama obliged the management to raise the second-tier private boxes to forty guineas, the Duchess has gone into the slips with an order. They had, perhaps, better take away the champagne-bottle and the diamond-studded whistle from the prompter. Ha! here comes the chorus of villagers, provided with real silk pocket-handkerchiefs. It is all this sort of thing that elevates the drama, and makes me so contented to part with a ten-pound note for an evening's amusement. * * * * * [Illustration: _Pantomime Child (to admiring friend)._ "Yus, and there's another hadvantage in bein' a hactress. You get yer fortygraphs took for noffink!"] * * * * * THE HEIGHT OF LITERARY NECESSITY.--"Spouting" Shakspeare. * * * * * WHEN are parsons bound in honour not to abuse theatres? When they take orders. * * * * * WHAT VOTE THE MANAGER OF A THEATRE ALWAYS HAS.--The "casting" vote. * * * * * "STAND NOT ON THE ORDER OF YOUR GOING."--An amiable manager says the orders which he issues for the pit and gallery are what in his opinion constitute "the lower orders." * * * * * GREAT THEATRICAL EFFECT.--During a performance of _Macbeth_ at the Haymarket, the thunder was so natural that it turned sour a pint of beer in the prompter's-box. * * * * * [Illustration: THE DRAMA.--"'Ere, I say, 'Liza, we've seen this 'ere play before!" "No, we ain't." [_Wordy argument follows._] "Why, don't you remember, same time as Bill took us to the 'Pig an' Whistle,' an' we 'ad stewed eels for supper?" "Oh lor! Yes, that takes me back to it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TRUE APPRECIATION (_Overheard at the Theatre_) _Mrs. Parvenu._ "I don't know that I'm exackly _gone_ on Shakspeare Plays." [_Mr. P. agrees._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: _Conversationalist._ "Do you play ping-pong?" _Actor._ "No. I play _Hamlet_!"] * * * * * TO ACTORS WHO ARE NOT WORTH A THOUGHT.--We notice that there is a book called "Acting and Thinking." This is to distinguish it, we imagine, from the generality of acting, in which there is mostly no thinking? * * * * * A CRUSHER.--_Country Manager (to Mr. Agrippa Snap, the great London critic, who has come down to see the production of a piece on trial)._ And what do you think, sir, of our theatre and our players? _Agrippa Snap (loftily)._ Well, frankly, Mr. Flatson, your green-room's better than your company. * * * * * [Illustration: The higher walk of the drama] * * * * * [Illustration: "Auntie, can _you_ do that?"] * * * * * Theatrical managers are so often accused of being unable to break with tradition, that it seems only fair to point out that several of them have recently produced plays, in which the character of "Hamlet" does not appear at all. * * * * * ON A DRAMATIC AUTHOR "Yes, he's a plagiarist," from Tom this fell, "As to his social faults, sir, one excuses 'em; 'Cos he's good natured, takes a joke so well." "True," cries an author, "he takes mine and uses 'em." * * * * * THE MANAGER'S COMPLAINT She danced among the unfinished ways That merge into the Strand, A maid whom none could fail to praise, And very few withstand. A sylph, accepted for the run, Not at a weekly wage; Fair as a star when only one Is shining on the stage. She met a lord, and all men know How soon she'd done with me; Now she is in _Debrett_, oh, and, That's where they all would be! * * * * * [Illustration: A FIRST NIGHT.--_Indignant Playwright (to leading actor, behind the scenes)._ "Confound it, man, you've absolutely murdered the piece!" _Leading Actor._ "Pardon me, but I think the foul play is yours!"] * * * * * _Smart._ How do, Smooth? (_to theatrical manager, who frowns upon him_). What's the matter, eh? _Smooth._ Matter? Hang it, Smart, you wrote me down in "The Stinger." _Smart (repressing something Shakspearian about "writing down" which occurs to him, continues pleasantly)._ Wrote you down? No, I said the piece was a bad one, because I thought it was; a very bad one. _Smooth._ Bad! (_Sarcastically._) You were the only man who said so. _Smart (very pleasantly)._ My dear fellow, _I was the only man who saw it._ Good-bye. [_Exeunt severally._ * * * * * MOTTO FOR A BOX-OFFICE KEEPER.--"So much for booking 'em." * * * * * "A considerable demonstration of approval greeted the fall of the curtain." How are we to take this? * * * * * [Illustration: "THE DESIRE OF THE MOTH FOR THE STAR."--_Mistress._ "And you dare to tell me, Belinda, that you have actually answered a _theatrical advertisement_? How _could_ you be such a _wicked_ girl?" _Belinda (whimpering)._ "Well, mum,--_other_ young lidies--gow on the--stige--why shouldn't _I_ gow?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE COUNTER-CHECK QUARRELSOME.--_Mr. Æsopus Delasparre._ "I will ask you to favour me, madam, by refraining from laughing at me on the stage during my third act." _Miss Jones (sweetly)._ "Oh, but I assure you you're mistaken, Mr. Delasparre; I never laugh at you on the stage--I wait till I get home!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SWEEPING ASSERTION.--"The other night, at the Novelty Theatre, Mrs. Vere-Jones was gowned simply in a _clinging_ black velvet, with a cloak of same handsomely trimmed with ermine."--_Extract from Society Journal._] * * * * * DRAMATIC NOTES OF THE FUTURE [A little cheild is the hero of _Everybody's Secret_; the curtain rises upon four little cheildren in _Her Own Way_; there are cheildren of various ages in _Alice-Sit-by-the-fire_.] Mr. Barrie's new play, _The Admirable Crèche_, will be presented to-morrow. We understand that there is a pretty scene in the third act in which several grown-ups are discovered smoking cigars. It may confidently be predicted that all the world will rush to the "Duke of York's" to see this novelty. _The Admirable Crèche_ will be preceded at 8.30 by _Bassinette--A Plea for a Numerous Family_, a one-act play by Theodore Roosevelt and Louis N. Parker. Little Baby Wilkins is making quite a name with her wonderful rendering of "Perdita" in the Haymarket version of _A Winter's Tale_. As soon as actor-manager Wilkins realised the necessity of cutting the last two acts (in which "Perdita" is grown up) the play was bound to succeed. By the way, Mr. E. H. Cooper's new book, "Perditas I have Known," is announced. Frankly, we are disappointed in Mr. Pinero's new play, _Little Arthur_, produced at Wyndham's last week. It treated of the old old theme--the love of the hero for his nurse. To be quite plain, this stale triangle, mother--son--nurse, is beginning to bore us. Are there no other themes in every-day life which Mr. Pinero might take? Could he not, for instance, give us an analysis of the mind of a young genius torn between the necessity for teething and the desire to edit a great daily? Duty calls him both ways: his duty to himself and his duty to the public. Imagine a Wilkins in such a scene! The popular editor of the "Nursery," whose unrivalled knowledge of children causes him to be referred to everywhere as our greatest playwright, is a little at sea in his latest play, _Rattles_. In the first act he rashly introduces (though by this time he should know his own limitations) two grown-ups at lunch--Mr. Jones the father, and Dr. Brown, who discuss Johnny's cough. Now we would point out to Mr. Crouper that men of their age would be unlikely to have milk for lunch; and that they would not say "Yeth, pleath"--unless of Hebraic origin, and Mr. Crouper does not say so anywhere. Mr. Crouper must try and see something of grown-ups before he writes a play of this kind again. We regret to announce that Cecil Tomkins, _doyen_ of actor-managers, is down again with mumps. * * * * * [Illustration: MODERN IMPRESSIONIST ART. A MUSICAL COMEDY] * * * * * [Illustration: AT THE PREMIÈRE _Lady in Front Row (to her neighbour, towards the end of the second act)._ "Who is this man next me, who's just come in,--do you know? He doesn't seem to be paying the smallest attention to the play!" _Her Neighbour._ "Oh, I expect he's a critic. He's probably made up his mind long ago what he's going to say of the piece; but he's just dropped in to _confirm his suspicions_."] * * * * * NO FIRST-NIGHTER.--_First Man in the Street._ See the eclipse last night? _Second Man in the Street._ No. Thought it might be crowded. Put off going till next week. * * * * * [Illustration: THE BILL OF THE PLAY] * * * * * [Illustration: AMENITIES OF THE PROFESSION.--_Rising Young Dramatist._ "Saw your wife in front last night. What did she think of my new comedy?" _Brother Playwright_. "Oh, I think she liked it. She told me she had a good laugh." _R. Y. D._ "Ah--er--when was that?" _B. P._ "During the _entr'acte_. One of the attendants dropped an ice down her neighbour's neck."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE HIGHER EDUCATION OF WOMEN _Dora_ (_consulting a playbill_). "Only fancy! '_As You Like It_' is by Shakspeare!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PRIVATE THEATRICALS. A REHEARSAL.--_The Captain._ "At this stage of the proceedings I've got to kiss you, Lady Grace. Will your husband mind, do you think?" _Lady Grace._ "Oh no! It's for a _charity_, you know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN INFANT ROSCIUS.--_Stage Manager_ (_interviewing children with the idea of engaging them for a new play_). "Has this child been on the stage?" _Proud Mother._ "No; but he's been on an inquest, and he speaks up fine!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A SOLILOQUY.--_Tragedian._ "Cheap. Ha, ha! Why in my time they _threw_ them at us!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Well, papa, how did you enjoy the play to-night?" "Oh, I think I enjoyed it fairly well, my dear. I've got a general sort of idea that I didn't go to sleep over it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Enthusiastic Lady Amateur._ "Oh, what a pity! We've just missed the first act!" _Languid Friend._ "Have we? Ah--rather glad. I always think the chief pleasure of going to a theatre is trying to make out what the first act was about!"] * * * * * THEATRICAL.--When it is announced that an actor will be supported by the _entire_ company, it is not thereby meant that the said professional is sustained in his arduous part solely by draughts of Barclay, Perkins and Co. * * * * * The wretch who refuses to take his wife to the theatre deserves to be made to sit out a play. * * * * * GOOD "PIECE" OF FURNITURE FOR THEATRICAL MANAGERS.--A chest of "drawers." * * * * * REGENERATION OF THE BRITISH DRAMA.--There are at this moment three English managers in Paris "in search of novelty!" More: three distinguished members of the Dramatic Authors' Society started for France last night. * * * * * "AS GOOD AS A PLAY."--Performing a funeral. * * * * * A PLANT IN SEASON.--Now is the time of year when managers of theatres show a botanical taste, for there is not one of them who does not do his best to have a great rush at his doors. * * * * * THE DRAMATIC AUTHOR'S PLAYGROUND.--Paris. * * * * * THEATRICAL NOTE.--_Net_ profits are generally the result of a good "_cast_." * * * * * [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: "Shakspeare and the first Quart O"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Shakspeare and the last Quart O"] * * * * * A DUBIOUS COMPLIMENT.--_Rector's Wife_ (_after harvest festival_). Well, Mrs. Piggleswade, how did you like the Bishop's sermon? _Mrs. Piggleswade._ Oh! ma'am, I ain't been so much upset since my old man took me to the wariety theayter in London last August twelve-month, and 'eard a gen'leman sing about his grandmother's cat. * * * * * There was a poor actor on the Norwich circuit who squinted most dreadfully: he was put up on one occasion for "Lear." "We must succeed," said the manager, "for there never was a _Lear_ with so strong a _cast_." * * * * * A RICHMOND DINNER.--A shouting actor who performs the part. * * * * * BY DEPUTY As Shakspeare could not write his plays (If Mrs. Gallup's not mistaken), I think how wise in many ways He was to have them done by Bacon; They might have mouldered on the shelf, Mere minor dramas (and he knew it!) If he had written them himself Instead of letting Bacon do it. And if it's true, as Brown and Smith In many learned tomes have stated, That Homer was an idle myth, He ought to be congratulated; Since, thus evading birth, he rose For men to worship from a distance: He might have penned inferior prose Had he achieved a real existence. To him and Shakspeare some agree In making very nice allusions, But no one thinks of praising me, For I composed my own effusions: As others wrote their works divine, And they immortal thus to day are, If someone else had written mine I might have been as great as they are! * * * * * [Illustration: _Famous Lion Comique_ (_to his agent, who is not much of a cigar smoker_). "What did you think of that cigar as I give you the other day?" _Agent._ "Well, the first night I liked it well enough. But the second night I didn't like it so well. And the third I didn't like it at all!"] * * * * * Numerous applications were received by the manager of Covent Garden from "professionals" wishing to take part in _The Forty Thieves_. It was not found possible to offer engagements to the following (amongst others):-- _The Thief_--who stole a march. _The Thief_--in the candle. _The Thief_--who was set to catch a thief. _The Thief_--who stole the "purse" and found it "trash." _The Thief_--who stole up-stairs. _The Thief_--of time, _alias_ procrastination, and-- _The Thief_--who stole a kiss (overwhelming number of applicants). * * * * * THE REAL AND THE IDEAL; OR, THE CATASTROPHE OF A VICTORIA MELO-DRAMA _Berthelda._--Sanguino, you have killed your _mother_!!! _Fruitwoman._--Any apples, oranges, biscuits, ginger-beer! (_Curtain falls._) * * * * * [Illustration: The Music-hall.] [Illustration: A Melodrama at the "Surrey".] [Illustration: Screaming Farcical Comedy.] [Illustration: A pathetic "Comedy-Drama."] [Illustration: Another.] [Illustration: A patriotic Drama at the "National Theatre".] [Illustration: The Opera.] [Illustration: And.] [Illustration: Three acts.] [Illustration: of Henrik Ibsen.] [Illustration: The deplorable issue.] * * * * * "Bishops," said the Rev. Mr. Phillips to the Playgoers' Club, "are not really so stiff and starchy as they are made out to be. There is a good heart beneath the gaiters." Calf-love, we presume. * * * * * DIFFERENT VIEWS.--Bishops complain of a dearth of candidates for orders. Managers of theatres think differently. * * * * * LEG-ITIMATE SUCCESSES.--Modern extravaganzas. * * * * * THEATRICAL.--The only people who never suffer in the long run--managers of theatres. * * * * * "STANDING ORDERS."--Free admissions who can't get seats. * * * * * [Illustration: "MOST MUSICAL, MOST MELANCHOLY" _Husband_ (_after the Adagio, to musical wife_). "My dear, are we going to stay to the 'bitter end'?"] * * * * * [Illustration: MUSIC OF THE FUTURE. SENSATION OPERA. _Manager_ (_to his Primo Tenore, triumphantly_). "My dear fellow, I've brought you the score of the new opera. We've arranged _such_ a scena for you in the third act! o' board of the Pirate Screw, after the keelhauling scene, you know! Heavy rolling sea, eh?--Yes, and we can have some real spray pumped on to you from the fire-engine! Volumes of smoke from the funnel, close behind your head--in fact, you'll be enveloped as you rush on to the bridge! And then you'll sing that lovely barcarolle through the speaking-trumpet! And mind you hold tight, as the ship blows up just as you come upon your high D in the last bar!!!"] * * * * * AT A PROBLEM PLAY.--_Mr. Dinkershein_ (_eminent critic_). How did you enjoy the piece, Miss MacGuider? _Miss MacGuider._ Well, to tell the truth, I didn't know what it was all about. _Mr. Dinkershein._ Excellent. The author gives us so much to think of. * * * * * QUESTION AND ANSWER.--"Why don't I write plays?" Why should I? * * * * * NOT EXACTLY A THEATRICAL MANAGER'S GUIDING MOTTO.--"Piece at any price." * * * * * OUR SHAKSPEARIAN SOCIETY.--In the course of a discussion, Mrs. ---- observed, that she was positive that Shakspeare was a butcher by trade, because an old uncle of hers had bought _lambs' tails from Shakspeare_. * * * * * "SOUND DUES."--Fees to opera box-keepers. * * * * * COPYRIGHT AND COPYWRONG.--The dramatist who dramatises his neighbour's novel against his will, is less a playwright than a plagiary. * * * * * [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: "CROSS OLD THING!"--_Wife._ "I'm going into town now, dear. Shall I book places for _Caste_ or _Much ado about Nothing_?" _Husband._ "Oh, please yourself, my dear; but I should say we've enough 'Ado about Nothing' at home!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR THEATRICALS.--_Brown (rehearsing his part as the "Vicomte de Cherisac")._ "Yas, Marie! I've fondly loved ye. (_Sobs dramatically._) 'Tis well--but no mat-tar-r!" _Housemaid (to cook, outside the door)._ "Lauks, 'Liz'beth, ain't master a givin' it to missis!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TECHNICAL.--_First Player_ ("_Juvenile Lead_"). Play Scene--Hamlet. (_Deferentially_). "What do you think of it?" _Second Player_ ("_First Heavy_"). "How precious well them 'supers' are painted, ain't they?"] * * * * * [Illustration: A DOUBLE DISAPPOINTMENT.--_Stern Hostess (who is giving private theatricals)._ "You are very late, Mr. Fitz Smythe. They've begun long ago!" _Languid Person of Importance (who abominates that particular form of entertainment)._ "What! You don't mean to say they're at it still!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MODEST APPEAL.--_Lady (to big drum)._ "Pray, my good man, don't make that horrid noise! I can't hear myself speak!"] * * * * * A MODERN REHEARSAL _Leading Lady (to Stage Manager)._ Who's that man in the ulster coat talking to the call-boy? _Stage Manager._ Don't know, I'm sure. Perhaps a gas-fitter. Now, as I was saying, Miss Frisette, I think that all your alterations in the dialogue are quite up to date, but we must give Splitter a chance for his cackle. Ah! here he is. _Splitter._ Well, old boy, I've worked in that scene to rights, but the boss thinks that some allusions to Turkey served up with German sausage would fetch 'em. So you might chuck it in for me. _Stage Man._ Of course I will. Capital idea. (_Marks prompt-book._) I wonder who that chap is in the wing? _Splitter._ Haven't the faintest idea. Looks like an undertaker. Hallo, Wobbler, brought your new song? _Wobbler._ Yes, it ought to go. And I've a gross or so of capital wheezes. _Splitter._ No poaching, old chap. _Wobbler._ Of course not. I'll not let them off when you're on. Morning, Miss Skid. Perfect, I suppose? _Miss Skid (brightly)._ I'm always "perfect." But--(_seriously_)--I had to cut all the idiotic stuff in my part, and get Peter Quip of "The Kangaroo" to put in something up to date. Here's the boss! [_Enter Mr. Footlyte, the manager, amid a chorus of salutations._ _Stage Man._ Places, ladies and gentlemen. _Mr. Footlyte._ Before we begin the rehearsal, I would point out that I have completely rewritten the second act, and---- _The Stranger in the Ulster._ But, sir, I beg of you to remember---- _Mr. F._ Who is that man? _Everybody._ We don't know! _Mr. F. (advancing)._ Who are you, sir, who dare to trespass on my premises? _The S. in the U._ Don't you remember me, Mr. Footlyte? _Mr. F._ No, sir, I do not. What's your business? _The S. in the U. (nervously)._ I am the author of the piece. _Everybody._ Ha! ha! ha! _Mr. F._ Then you're not wanted here. (_To stage manager._) Jenkins, clear the stage. [_The author is shown out. Rehearsal proceeds. Curtain._ * * * * * MEANT AS A COMPLIMENT.--_Shakspeare Smith (to Miss Lagushe, after production of his new comedy)._ And what did you think of my little piece the other night? _Miss Lagushe._ I didn't pay the least attention to the play. All I thought was, what a cruel ordeal the performance must be for _you_! * * * * * NEO-DRAMATIC NURSERY RHYME Mrs. Grundy, good woman, scarce knew what to think About the relation 'twixt drama and drink. Well, give hall--and theatre--good wholesome diet, And all who attend will be sober and quiet! * * * * * [Illustration: _Younger Son of Ducal House._ "Mother, allow me to introduce to you--my wife." _His Wife (late of the Frivolity Theatre)._ "How do, Duchess? I'm the latest thing in mésalliances!"] * * * * * HINTS TO AMATEUR PLAYWRIGHTS. _Of the Essence of Drama._--It is not strictly necessary that you should know much about this, but as a rough indication it may be stated that whenever two or more persons stand (or sit) upon a platform and talk, and other persons, whether from motives of ennui, or charity, or malice, or for copyright purposes only, go and listen to them, the law says it is a stage-play. It does not follow that anybody else will. _Of the Divers Sorts of Dramatic Writing._--Owing to the competition nowadays of the variety entertainment you will do well to treat these as practically amalgamated. For example, start Act I. with an entirely farcical and impossible marriage, consequent upon a mistake similar to that of "Mr. Pickwick" about the exact locality of his room; drop into poetry and pathos in Act II. (waltz-music "off" throughout will show that it _is_ poetry and pathos); introduce for the first time in Act III. a melodramatic villain, who endeavours to elope with the heroine (already married, as above, and preternaturally conscious of it), and wind-up Act IV. with a skirt dance and a general display of high spirits, with which the audience, seeing that the conclusion is at hand, will probably sympathise. Another mixture, very popular with serious people, may be manufactured by raising the curtain to a hymn tune upon a number of obviously early Christians, and, after thus edifying your audience, cheering them up again with glimpses of attractive young ladies dressed (to a moderate extent) as pagans, and continually in fits of laughter. The performance of this kind of composition is usually accompanied by earthquakes, thunder and lightning; but the stage carpenter will attend to these. _Of Humour._--Much may be accomplished in this line by giving your characters names that are easily punned upon. Do not forget, however, that even higher flights of wit than you can attain by this means will be surpassed by the simple expedient of withdrawing a chair from behind a gentleman about to sit down upon it. And this only requires a stage-direction. _Of Dialogue._--Speeches of more than half a page, though useful for clearing up obscurities, are generally deficient in the qualities of repartee. After exclaiming, "Oh, I am slain!" or words to that effect, no character should be given a soliloquy taking more than five minutes in recitation. _Of the Censorship._--This need not be feared unless you are unduly serious. Lady Godiva, for instance, will be all right for a ball where the dress is left to the fancy, but you must not envelop her in problems. * * * * * MOTTO FOR THE STAGE-WORSHIPPERS.--"Mummer's the word!" [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: QUITE OF HER OPINION _Gushing Young Woman (to famous actor)._ "Oh, do you know, Mr. Starleigh, I'm simply _mad_ to go on the stage!" _Famous Actor._ "Yes, I should think you _would_ be, my dear young lady!"] * * * * * THE DECLINE OF THE DRAMA Mundungus deems the drama is declining, Yet fain would swell the crowded playwright ranks. The secret of his pessimist opining, Is--all _his_ dramas _are_ declined--with thanks! * * * * * CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS NURSERY RHYMES (_For Use of Infant Students in New School of Dramatic Art_) 'Tis the voice of the prompter, I hear him quite plain; He has prompted me twice, Let him prompt me again. * * * * * [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: A suggestion to the refreshment departments of our theatres, much simpler than the old method of struggling by, and would prevent the men going out between the acts.] [Illustration: First night of musical comedy. The authors called before the curtain.] [Illustration: _Jones (arriving in the middle of the overture to "Tristan und Isolde"--quite audibly)._ "Well, thank goodness we're in _plenty of time!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: IN THE STALLS Time past--Crinoline era] * * * * * APPROPRIATE SHAKESPEARIAN MOTTO FOR A FIRM OF ADVERTISING AGENTS.--"Posters of the sea and land." * * * * * QUID PRO QUO.--_Actor-Manager (to Dramatic Author)._ What I want is a one-part piece. _Dramatic Author._ That's very easily arranged. You be number one, and "part" to me. * * * * * [Illustration: IN THE STALLS Time present--Fan development] * * * * * _Araminta._ Why, dearest, do you call those witticisms, which the comedians deliver with such ready humour, "gags"? _Corydon (the playwright)._ Because they always stifle the author. [_Smiles no more during the evening._ * * * * * THE MUMMER'S BÊTE-NOIRE.--"_Benefits_ forgot." * * * * * [Illustration: MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES _Sangazur, Senior._ "Look here, what's all this nonsense I hear about your wanting to marry an actress?" _Sangazur, Junior._ "It's quite true, sir. But--er--you can have no conception how _very poorly_ she acts!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A STUDIED INSULT.--_Box-Office Keeper at the Imperial Music-Hall (to Farmer Murphy, who is in town for the Islington Horse Show)._ "Box or two stalls, sir?" _Murphy._ "What the dev'l d'ye mane? D'ye take me an' the missus for a pair o' proize 'osses? Oi'll have two sates in the dhress circle, and let 'em be as dhressy as possible, moind!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE SLEEPING BEAUTY."--"Nervous? oh dear no! I only acted _once_ in private theatricals, Mr. Jones, and, although it was an important part, I had nothing to say!" "Really? What _was_ the part?" "_Can't you guess?_"] * * * * * [Illustration: COLLABORATEURS.--Jennings and Bellamy, the famous dramatists, planning one of those thrilling plays of plot and passion, in which (as everybody knows) Jennings provides the inimitable broad humour, and Bellamy the love-scenes and the tragic deaths. (Bellamy is the shorter of the two.)] * * * * * WHY I DON'T WRITE PLAYS (_From the Common-place Book of a Novelist_) Because it is so much pleasanter to read one's work than to hear it on the stage. Because publishers are far more amiable to deal with than actor-managers. Because "behind the scenes" is such a disappointing place--except in novels. Because why waste three weeks on writing a play, when it takes only three years to compose a novel? Because critics who send articles to magazines inviting one to contribute to the stage, have no right to dictate to us. Because a fairly successful novel means five hundred pounds, and a fairly successful play yields as many thousands--why be influenced by mercenary motives? Because all novelists hire their pens in advance for years, and have no time left for outside labour. And last, and (perhaps) not least, Why don't I send in a play? Because I _have_ tried to write _one_, and find I can't quite manage it! * * * * * [Illustration: HER FIRST PLAY.--_Mamma (who has taken Miss Effie, as a great treat, to a morning performance)._ "Hush, dear! You mustn't talk!" _Miss Effie (with clear sense of injustice, and pointing to the stage)._ "But, mummy,--_they're_ talking!"] * * * * * _Q._ When are the affairs of a theatre likely to assume a somewhat fishy aspect? _A._ When there's a sole lessee. * * * * * _Evangeline._ Why is this called the dress circle mamma? _Mamma._ Because the stalls are the undressed circle, dear. * * * * * A FORM OF EQUESTRIAN DRAMA.--Horseplay. * * * * * [Illustration: Mellow drammer] * * * * * [Illustration: FIRST NIGHT OF AN UNAPPRECIATED MELODRAMA.--_He._ "Are we alone?" _Voice from the Gallery._ "No, guv'nor; but you will be to-morrow night."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE COMMISSARIAT _Our Bandmaster (to purveyor of refreshments)._ "We must hev beef sangwitches, marm! Them ham ones make the men's lips that greasy, they can't blow!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A NOTE AND QUERY _Wife (given to literature and the drama)._ "George, what is the meaning of the expression, 'Go to!' you meet with so often in Shakspeare and the old dramatists?" _Husband (not a reading man)._ "'Don't know, I'm sure, dear, unless---- Well,--p'raps he was going to say----but thought it wouldn't sound proper!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MR. PUNCH'S OPERA BOX] * * * * * [Illustration: SIC VOS NON VOBIS DRAMATISATIS, WRITERS! _Wife of his Bosom (just home from the play)._ "And then that _darling_ Walter Lisson, looking like a Greek god, drew his stiletto, and delivered, oh! _such_ an exquisite soliloquy over her tomb--all in blank verse--like heavenly music on the organ!" _He._ "Why, he's got a voice like a raven, and can no more deliver blank verse than he can fly." _She._ "Ah, well--it was very beautiful, all the same--all about love and death, you know!" _He._ "Who wrote the piece, then?" _She._ "Who wrote the piece? Oh--er--well--his name's sure to be on the bill somewhere--at least I _suppose_ it is!"] * * * * * FROM OUR GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND.--Why would a good-natured dramatic critic be a valuable specimen in an anatomical museum? Because he takes to pieces easily. * * * * * MEM. BY A MANAGER To say "boo" to a goose requires some doing. In theatres 'tis the goose who does the "booing," And though a man may do the best he can, sir, _Anser_ will hiss, though hissing may not answer! * * * * * REVISED VERSION OF SHAKSPEARE "A POOR player, Who struts and frets his hour on the stage, And then--goes in society." * * * * * [Illustration: A solo on the horn] * * * * * [Illustration: AFTER THE PERFORMANCE.--_Rupert the Reckless (Tompkins, a distinguished amateur from town)._ "Now, I call it a beastly shame, Jenkins; you haven't ordered that brute of yours off my togs, and you know I can't go back to the inn like _this_."] * * * * * [Illustration: SCENES FROM MR. PUNCH'S PANTOMIME. Scene I.--The Tragic Mews] * * * * * [Illustration: SCENES FROM MR. PUNCH'S PANTOMIME. Scene II.--The Comic Mews] * * * * * [Illustration: AMBIGUOUS.--_First Actress._ "Oh, my dear, I'm feeling so chippy! I think I shall send down a doctor's certificate to-night, to say I can't act." _Second Ditto._ "Surely a certificate isn't necessary, dear?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Tenor (at amateur concert)._ "It's my turn next, and I'm so nervous I should like to run away. Would you mind accompanying me, Miss Brown?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mrs. Smith._ "This is a very unpleasant piece, don't you think? There's certainly a great deal to be done yet in the way of elevating the stage." _Mr. Jones (who hasn't been able to get a glimpse of the stage all the afternoon)._ "Well--er--it would come to much the same thing if you ladies were to lower your hats!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR THEATRICALS.--_The Countess._ "Will this cruel war _never_ end? Day after day I watch and wait, straining every nerve to catch the sound of the trumpet that will tell me of my warrior's return. But, hark! what is that I hear?" [_Stage direction.--"Trumpet faintly heard in distance." But we hadn't rehearsed that, and didn't explain the situation quite clearly to the local cornet-player who helped us on the night._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: Master Jackey having seen a "professor" of posturing, has a private performance of his own in the nursery.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mazeppa._ "Again he urges on his wild career!!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DISTINGUISHED AMATEURS. THE ACTOR.--_Billy Wapshot._ "I say, look here, you know! They've cast me for the part of _Sir Guy Earliswoodde_, an awful ass that everyone keeps laughing at! How the dickens am I to act such a beastly part as that?--and how am I to dress for it, I should like to know?" _Brown (stage manager)._ "My dear fellow, dress _just as you are!_--and as for acting, _be as natural as you possibly can!_ It will be an immense success!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DISTINGUISHED AMATEURS. THE JEUNE PREMIER.--"_What_, Eleanor? You know _Sir Lionel Wildrake_, the handsomest, wittiest, most dangerous man in town! He of whom it is said that no woman has ever been known to resist him yet!" "The same, Lilian! But hush! He comes----" [_Enter Colonel Sir Lionel Wildrake_. ] * * * * * There is a blessing on peacemakers--is there one on playwrights? * * * * * THE HOME OF THE BRITISH DRAMA.--A French crib. * * * * * A COURT THEATRE TICKET.--The order of the garter available only at Windsor as an order for the stalls. * * * * * NEW NAME FOR A THEATRE WHERE THE ACTORS ARE MORE OR LESS UNINTELLIGIBLE.--"The Mumbles." * * * * * [Illustration: Music by handle.] * * * * * [Illustration: THE SWING OF THE PENDULUM "And pray, Duke, what possible objection can you have to my being a suitor for the hand of your daughter Gwendolen? I--a--_think_ I may flatter myself that, as a leading gentleman at the Parthenon Theatre, my social position is at least on a par with your Grace's!" "I admit that to be the case just _at present_--but the social position of an actor may suffer a reaction, and a day _may_ come when even the leading gentleman at the Parthenon may sink to the level of a _Bishop_, let us say, and be no longer quite a suitable match for a daughter of the--a--House of Beaumanoir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TURNING A PHRASE.--_Dramatic Author._ "What the deuce do you mean by pitching into my piece in this brutal manner? It's shameful!" _Dramatic Critic._ "Pitching into it? No, no, no, dear old man--you'll see how pleased I was, _if you'll only read between the lines!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE--_A Booth in the Wild West_ _The curtain has just fallen on the first act of the "Pirates of the Pacific."_ _Author._ "What is the audience shouting for?" _Manager._ "They're calling for the author." _Author._ "Then hadn't I better appear?" _Manager._ "I guess not. They've got their revolvers in their hands!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Men Were Deceivers Ever" _First Counter Tenor._ "Scritchy, I think your wife's waiting for you at our entrance." _Second Counter Tenor._ "Oh, then, let's go out at the _bass_ door!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE COMMENTATORS.--_First Quidnunc (in an ecstasy)._ "I've just been writing to the 'New Shakspeare Society.' 'Believe I've made a discovery--that _Horatio_ was _Hamlet's_ father!" _Second Quidnunc (enchanted)._ "You don't say so!" _First Quidnunc._ "My dear sir, doesn't _Hamlet_, when he handles _Yorick's_ skull, address _Horatio_, 'And smelt so, pa'? I think that's conclusive!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A Disenchantment _Very Unsophisticated Old Lady (from the extremely remote country)._ "_Dear_ me! He's a _very_ different-looking person from what I had always imagined!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "JUST HINT A FAULT" _Little Tommy Bodkin takes his cousins to the gallery of the Opera_ _Pretty Jemima (who is always so considerate)._ "Tom, dear, don't you think you had better take off your hat, on account of the poor people behind, you know?"] * * * * * THE MOAN OF A THEATRE-MANAGER Who gets, by hook or crook, from me Admittance free, though well knows he That myriads turned away will be? The Deadhead. Who, while he for his programme pays The smallest silver coin, inveighs Against such fraud with eyes ablaze? The Deadhead. Who to his neighbour spins harangues, On how he views with grievous pangs The dust that on our hangings hangs? The Deadhead. Who, in a voice which rings afar, Declares, while standing at the bar, Our drinks most deleterious are? The Deadhead. Who, aye withholds the claps and cheers That others give? Who jeers and sneers At all he sees and all he hears? The Deadhead. Who loudly, as the drama's plot Unfolds, declares the tale a lot Of balderdash and tommy-rot? The Deadhead. Who dubs the actors boorish hinds? Who fault with all the scenery finds? Who with disgust his molars grinds? The Deadhead. Who spreads dissatisfaction wide 'Mongst those who else with all they spied Had been extremely satisfied? The Deadhead. Who runs us down for many a day, And keeps no end of folks away That else would for admittance pay? The Deadhead. Who keeps his reputation still, For recompensing good with ill With more than pandemonium's skill? The Deadhead. Who makes the bankrupt's doleful doom In all its blackness o'er me loom? Who'll bring my grey head to the tomb? The Deadhead. * * * * * [Illustration: IBSEN IN BRIXTON.--_Mrs. Harris._ "Yes, William, I've thought a deal about it, and I find I'm nothing but your doll and dickey-bird, and so I'm going!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A five bar rest] * * * * * [Illustration: _Seedy Provincial Actor._ "Young man, I hear that you propose to essay the _rôle_ of the melancholy Dane. What induced you to do it?" _Prosperous London ditto._ "Oh, I don't know. They egged me on to it." _Seedy Provincial Actor._ "H'm. They egged _me OFF_!"] * * * * * LESSONS LEARNED AT A PANTOMIME (_By an Intelligent Schoolboy_) That demons are much given to making bad puns, and have on their visiting lists the most beautiful of the fairies. That the attendants upon the demons (presumably their victims) spend much of their time in break-downs. That the chief amusement in Fairyland is to stand upon one toe for a distressingly long time. That the fairies, when they speak, don't seem to have more H.'s to their tongues, than clothes to their backs. That the fairies have particularly fair complexions, considering they dance so much in the sunlight. That the tight and scanty costume of the fairies is most insufficient protection from the showers that must be required to produce the gigantic and highly-coloured fairy _flora_. That the chief fairy (to judge from her allusions to current events) must take in the daily papers. That harlequin is always shaking his bat, but nothing seems to come of it, and that it is hard to say why he comes on or goes off, or, in short, what he's at altogether. That if clown and pantaloon want to catch columbine, it is hard to see why they don't catch her. That pantaloon must have been greatly neglected by his children to be exposed without some filial protection to such ill-usage from clown. That clown leads a reckless and abandoned life, between thefts, butter-slides, hot pokers, nurse-maids, and murdered babies, and on the whole is lucky to escape hanging. That policemen are made to be chaffed, cuffed, chased, and knocked head-over-heels. * * * * * [Illustration: THE NEW PLAY _Low Comedian._ "Have you seen the notice?" _Tragedian._ "No; is it a good one?" _Low Comedian._ "It's a fortnight's."] * * * * * [Illustration: A quick movement with an obligato accompaniment.] * * * * * [Illustration: TERRIFIC SITUATION! Heroine of domestic drama pursued by the unprincipled villain is about to cast herself headlong from a tremendous precipice!] * * * * * APPRECIATIVE! _The eldest Miss Bluestocken (to Mrs. Mugby, of the village laundry)._ I'm delighted that you were able to come to our schoolroom performance of _Scenes from Shakspeare_. _Mrs. Mugby._ Oh, so was I, mum. That there "'Amblet"--and the grand lady, mum---- _Eldest Miss B. (condescendingly)._ You mean "Hamlet" and his mother--the vicar and myself. You enjoyed it? _Mrs. Mugby._ Oh, we did, mum! We ain't 'ad such a rale good laugh for many a long day. [_Exit_ Miss B., _thinking that Shakspeare is perhaps somewhat thrown away on this yokality_.] * * * * * THE BOOK OF THE PLAY (_as managers like it_).--"All places taken for the next fortnight." * * * * * When actors complain that all they require is "parts," they generally tell the exact truth. * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE FROM SHAKSPEARIAN PANTOMIME "Where got'st thou that goose?--look!" (_Macbeth_, Act V., Sc. 3.)] * * * * * [Illustration: A DISENCHANTMENT.--_Grandpapa._ "_What_? Bob in love with Miss Fontalba, the comic actress at the Parthenon?" _Bob (firing up)._ "Yes, grandpa! And if you've got a word to say against that lady, it had better not be said in my presence, that's all!" _Grandpapa._ "_I_ say a word _against_ her! Why, bless your heart, my dear boy! I was head over ears in love with her _myself_--_when I was your age!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE PROBLEM PLAY.--_New Woman (with the hat)._ "No! _My_ principle is simply _this_--if there's a _demand_ for these plays, it must be _supplied_!" _Woman not New (with the bonnet)._ "Precisely! Just as with the bull-fights in Spain!" [_Scores_ ] * * * * * [Illustration: CHURCH THEATRES FOR COUNTRY VILLAGES--THE BLAMELESS BALLET ["_Mr. Chamberlain has expressed himself in sympathy with the scheme of the Rev. Forbes Phillips for running theatres in connection with the churches in country villages._"] There would, our artist imagines, be no difficulty in obtaining willing coryphées among the pew-openers and philanthropic spinsters of the various parishes.] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mr. M'Chrustie (in the washing-room of the Minerva Club)._ "Look here, waiter, what's the meaning of this? These brushes are as beastly grimy as if they'd been blacking boots----!" _Waiter._ "Yes, sir: it's them members from the 'Junior Theshpian,' sir--as are 'ere now, sir. They do dye theirselves to that degree----!" [_Mr. M'C. rushes off and writes furiously to the Committee!_ ] * * * * * _Q._ What were the "palmy" days of the drama? _A._ When they were first-rate hands at acting. * * * * * MOTTO FOR ALL DRAMATIC PERFORMERS.--"Act well your part." * * * * * A BAND-BOX.--An orchestra. * * * * * "What an awful voice that man's got!" said the manager, who was listening to the throaty tenor. "Call that a voice," said his friend; "it's a disease!" * * * * * A PRIVATE BOX.--A sentry box. * * * * * [Illustration: "You can't sit there, mum. These here seats are reserved." "You don't seem to be aware that I'm one of the directors' wives!" "And if you was his _only_ wife, mum, I couldn't let you sit here."] * * * * * During the dull season a certain manager has issued such a number of his autographs in order to ensure the proper filling of his house that he has in playfulness conferred on it the nickname of the ordertorium. * * * * * WHAT MANAGERS, ACTRESSES, AND SPECTATORS ALL WANT.--A good dressing. * * * * * CHRISTMAS MUSIC FOR THEATRES.--The "waits" between the acts. * * * * * What we want for the British drama generally is not so much native talent as imagi-native talent. * * * * * AT THE MUSIC HALLS.--The birds that fly by night--the acro-bats. * * * * * [Illustration: CONFRÈRES.--_Master Jacky (who took part in some school theatricals last term,--suddenly, to eminent tragedian who has come to call)._ "I say, you know--I act!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A PROP OF THE DRAMA "What, back already, Archie! Was it a dull piece, then?" "Don't know. Didn't stop to see. Just looked round stalls and boxes, and didn't see a soul I knew!--so I came away."] * * * * * [Illustration: SHOWING THAT SOMETIMES IT IS GOOD FOR A COBBLER _NOT_ TO STICK TO HIS LAST. _Fair Matron._ "I remember your acting '_Sir Anthony_,' _years_ ago, when I was a girl, Sir Charles! You did it splendidly!" _The Great Mathematician._ "Ah, would you believe it, that bit of acting brought me more compliments than anything I ever did?" _Fair Matron._ "I should _think_ so, indeed!"] * * * * * THE COMPANY THAT FREQUENTLY FILLS A THEATRE BETTER THAN A DRAMATIC ONE.--The Stationers' Company. * * * * * The managers of Drury Lane, Gaiety, Alhambra and Empire Theatres ought _ex-officio_ to be members of the Worshipful Guild of Spectacle-makers. * * * * * [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: "_Walking Lady_" (_late for rehearsal_). "Oh, I'm so sorry to be late! I _do_ hope you haven't all been waiting for me?" _Stage Manager_ (_icily_). "My dear Miss Chalmers, incompetence is the gift of heaven; but attention to business may be cultivated!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN UNKIND CUT.--_Amateur._ "It was very kind of you to come to our performance the other night; but what did you think of my _Hamlet_? Pretty good?" _Professional_ (_feigning ecstasy_). "Oh, my dear fellow, 'pon my word you know,--really I assure you, good's not the word!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Critic._ "Well, have you seen the great tragedian in _Romeo and Juliet_?" _Second ditto._ "I have; and I confess he didn't come up to my ixpictations. To tell ye the truth, I niver thought he would!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CROWDED HOUSE _Angry Voice_ (_from a back seat_). "Ears off in front there, please!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE PROVINCIAL DRAMA _The Marquis_ (_in the play_). "Aven't I give' yer the edgication of a gen'leman?" _Lord Adolphus_ (_spendthrift heir_). "You 'ave!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CONDUCTOR OF HEAT] * * * * * [Illustration: "STARTLING EFFECTS!" _Peep-Showman._ "On the right you observe the 'xpress train a-comin' along, an' the signal lights, the green and the red. The green lights means 'caution,' and the red lights si'nifies 'danger'"---- _Small Boy_ (_with his eye to the aperture_). "But what's the yaller light, sir?" _Peep-Showman_ (_slow and impressive_). "There ain't no yaller light--but the green and the red. The green lights means 'caution,' and the red lights si'nif----" _Small Boy_ (_persistently_). "But wha's the other light, sir?" _Peep-Showman_ (_losing patience_). "Tell yer there ain't no"----(_takes a look--in consternation_)--"Blowed if the darned old show ain't a-fire!!"] * * * * * EX NIHILO NIHIL FIT ["Fashions in drama change as frequently as fashions in hats. It has been reserved for our own day to evolve the comedy of nothing-in-particular. Nowadays nothing happens in a play."--_The Outlook._] SCENE--_Nowhere in particular._ CHARACTERS. HE, _a nonentity_. SHE, _another_. _He._ Dear----! _She_ (_wearily_). Oh please don't. [_Does nothing._ _He._ Why, what's the matter? _She._ Nothing. [_He does nothing._ _She._ Well, you may as well go on. It will be something, anyhow. (_Yawns._) Nothing ever seems to happen in this play. I don't know why. It isn't my fault. Oh, go on. _He._ All right. Don't suppose it amuses me, though. Darling, I love you--will you marry me? _She_ (_very wearily_). Oh, I suppose so. _He._ Thanks very much. (_Kisses her._) There! [_Returns proudly to his seat, and does nothing._ _She_ (_with sudden excitement_). Supposing I had said "No," would you have shot yourself?--would you have gone to the front?--would your life have been a blank hereafter? Would anything interesting have happened? _He_ (_with a great determination in his eyes_). Had you spurned my love---- _She_ (_excitedly_). Yes, yes? _He_ (_with emotion_).--I should have--I should have--done nothing. [_Does it._ _She._ Oh! _He._ Yes. As for shooting or drowning myself if any little thing of that sort had happened it would have been _off_ the stage. I hope I know my place. [_She does nothing._ _He_ (_politely_). I don't know if you're keen about stopping here? If not, we might---- _She._ We must wait till somebody else comes on. _He._ True. (_Reflects deeply._) Er--do you mote much? [_She sleeps. The audience follows suit. Curtain eventually._ * * * * * [Illustration: HOW HE OUGHT _NOT_ TO LOOK _Excited Prompter_ (_to the Ghost of Hamlet's father, who is working himself up to the most funereal aspect he can assume_). "Now then, Walker, _LOOK ALIVE_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PREHISTORIC SHAKSPEARE.--"MACBETH" "Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers."--_Act II. Sc. 2._] * * * * * [Illustration: MUSIC-HALL INANITIES.--I. _Miss Birdie Vandeleur ("Society's Pet"--vide her advertisements passim) bawls the refrain of her latest song_:-- "Ow, I am sow orferly _shy_, boys! I am, and I kennot tell wy, boys! Some dy, wen I'm owlder, Per'aps I'll git bowlder, But naow I am orfer-ly shy!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MUSIC-HALL INANITIES.--II. The Illustrative Method. 'E's not a _tall_ man--Nor a _short_ man--But he's just the man for me.' "Not in the army--Nor the nivy--But the royal artill-er-ee!"] * * * * * ATTENTION AT THE PLAY. (_As performed at many London Theatres_) SCENE--_Interior of a Private Box._ TIME--_Towards the end of the First Act of an established success._ PRESENT--_A party of Four._ _No. 1_ (_gazing through opera glasses_). A good house. Do you know anyone? _No. 2._ Not a soul. Stay--aren't those the Fitzsnooks? _No. 3_ (_also using a magnifier_). You mean the woman in the red feather at the end of the third row of the stalls? _No. 4._ You have spotted them. They have got Bobby Tenterfore with them. You know, the Johnnie in the F. O. _No. 1._ I thought Mr. Tenterfore was at Vienna. _No. 4._ No; he _was_ going, but they sent another chap. Brought him back from somewhere in the tropics. _No. 3._ Then what is Mr. Tenterfore doing in town? _No. 4._ Oh! come home on leave. Lots of that sort of thing at the F. O. _No. 1_ (_having grown weary of looking at the audience_). By the way, _à propos de bottes_, I have some money to invest. Can you suggest anything? _No. 3._ They say that Diddlers Deferred will turn up trumps. _No. 1._ What do you mean by that? I only want to pop in and out between the accounts. _No. 3._ Then the Diddlers ought to suit you. They rose six last week, and ought to touch ten before settling day. _No. 1._ Then I am on. Thanks very much for the information. Ah! the curtain has fallen. So much for the first act! (_Enter visitor._) Ah! how are you? Where are you? _Visitor._ Well, I have got a stall, but I have only just come into the house. What are they playing? _No. 2._ I am sure I don't know; but if you are curious about it, here's the programme. _Visitor._ And what's it all about? _No. 1_ (_on behalf of self and companions_). We haven't the faintest notion. [_Conversation becomes general, and remains so until the end of the evening, regardless of the dialogue on the stage side of the curtain._ * * * * * [Illustration: MELODRAMA IN THE SUBURBS.--_Elder Sister._ "Do give up, Nellie! They're only acting." _Nellie_ (_tearfully_). "You leave me alone. I'm enjoying it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE RULING PASSION.--_Doctor._ "No, my dear sir, we must keep ourselves quiet for the present. No stimulants--nothing more exciting than gruel. Gruel for breakfast, gruel for luncheon, gruel for dinner, gruel for----" _Peter Pundoleful_ (_a noted burlesque writer--though you wouldn't have thought it to look at him--rousing himself suddenly_). "Ah! my dear doctor, why is there not a society for the prevention of gruelty to animals?"] * * * * * HIS FIRST AND LAST PLAY RALPH ESSENDEAN, _aged about fifty, is discovered at a writing-desk. He studies a newspaper, from which he reads aloud, thoughtfully:--"So that a successful play may bring its author anything from five to twenty thousand pounds." He lays down the paper, mutters, "H'm!" and taking up a pencil bites it meditatively. Enter Mrs. Essendean._ _Mrs. Essendean_ (_crossing to Ralph, and placing her hand on his shoulder, asks affectionately_). Well, dear, and how is the play getting on? _Ralph_ (_irritably_). You talk of the play, Matilda, as though it were possible to write a four-act drama in ten minutes. The play is not getting on at all well, for the simple reason that I am only just thinking out the idea. _Mrs. Essendean_ (_seating herself by the table_). How nice, dear! And what _is_ the idea? _Ralph_ (_grimly_). That is just what I am wondering about. Now if you will kindly retire to the kitchen and make an omelette, or discharge the cook, I shall be obliged. [_Leans over his desk._ _Mrs. E._ But, dear, I am sure the cook is a most excellent servant, and---- _Ralph_ (_turning round and speaking with repressed exasperation_). That was simply my attempt at a humorous explanation of my wish to be alone, Matilda. _Mrs. E._ (_smiling indulgently and rising_). Well, dear, of course if it's going to be a _funny_ play, I know you would like to be alone. (_Pausing at the open door._) And will you read it to us after dinner? You know the Willoughby-Smythes will be here, and Mr. and Mrs. Vallance from the Bank are coming in afterwards. I am sure they would like to hear it. _Ralph_ (_irritably_). The play isn't written yet. (_Plaintively._) _Do_ go! _Mrs. E._ (_sweetly_). I'm sure you'd like to be alone. Don't keep dinner waiting. [_Beams on him affectionately and exits. Ralph gives a sigh of relief, rumples his hair, and then writes for a few minutes. Then pauses, leans back, biting his pencil, when the door is flung open, and a very good imitation of a whirlwind bursts into the room. The whirlwind is a robust person of forty, he has a large round red face fringed with sandy whiskers, and is one mass of health and happiness. He wears Norfolk jacket, knickerbockers, gaiters and thick boots, and carries a golfing bag. He slaps Ralph heartily on the back, and laughs boisterously. Ralph collapses._ _Tom_ (_heartily_). How are you? Going strong--what? Asked the wife for you, and she told me you were in here writing a play. Rippin' idea--what? _Ralph_ (_worried, but striving to be pleasant and polite_). What do you want, old chap? _Tom_ (_cheerfully_). Nothin' particular, only just to see how you were gettin' on--what? Do you good to have half an hour out, just a few holes--golf--what? _Ralph_ (_with great self-restraint_). Thanks, old man. Not now. You don't mind my asking you to leave me to myself a bit? _Tom_ (_amiably rising and picking up his bag_). All right, old chap, you know best--what? Thought I'd just look in--hey?--what? Well, I'm off. (_Goes to door, thinks for a moment, and then turns round._) I say, I know Thingummy's acting manager. If I can put in a word about your play--hey?--what? _Ralph_ (_rises hurriedly. Shakes hands with Tom, and skilfully manoeuvres him into the passage, then calls after him_). Good-bye, old man, and many thanks. (_Closes the door and returns to his desk, grinding his teeth._) Confound him! (_Takes up paper and writes a few lines, then reads aloud._) "Puffington puts the letter in his pocket and passes his hand through his hair. He groans 'O, why did I ever write those letters? I know Flossie, and this means fifty pounds at least, and if ever my mother-in-law gets to hear of it! O lor, here she is'" (_Puts down the paper and looks up at the ceiling._) Now, speaking to myself as one man to another, I can't help thinking that this sort of thing has been done before. I seem to have heard it somewhere. I'll--I'll--try a fresh start. (_Writes hurriedly for a few minutes and then reads._) "Scene.--Fashionable watering place, the beach is crowded; on the pier the band is playing a dreamy waltz. Edwin and Maud are discovered in an open boat. _Edwin._ You must be tired of rowing, sweetest; come and steer. _Maud._ Just as you like, darling. (_As they change seats the boat capsizes. After clinging for twenty minutes to the upturned keel, they are rescued by a passing steamer._)" That's all right for a "situation," but there seems a lack of dialogue. They can't very well talk while they are clinging to the boat; and what the deuce could they be talking about before? If I let them drown I shall have to introduce fresh characters. Bother! (_Meditates with frowning brow._) Playwriting appears to present more difficulties than I thought. (_Takes up a newspaper._) "May bring in anything from five to twenty thousand pounds!" Sounds tempting, but I wonder how it's done? [_Takes a cigar from the mantelpiece, lights it, and, seating himself near the fire, smokes thoughtfully. Gradually his head sinks back on to the top of the chair, the cigar drops from his relaxed fingers, and as he sleeps, the shadow of a smile breaks across his face. An hour elapses; he is still sleeping. Enter Mrs. Essendean, who brushes against the writing-table and sweeps the sheets of manuscript to the ground._ _Mrs. Essendean_ (_crossing to Ralph and lightly shaking him_). My dear, my dear, not dressed yet! Do you know the time--just the half-hour. (_Ralph starts up._) Eh? (_Looks at the clock._) Nearly half past, by Jove! I shan't be two seconds. [_Rushes hastily from the room._ _Mrs. Essendean (picks up the extinguished cigar, and drops it daintily into the fire. Looks round the room and sees the littering manuscript._) What an untidy old thing it is! (_Picks up the sheets, crumples them into a ball and throws them into the waste-paper basket._) There, that looks better. [_Gazes into the mirror, pats her hair, and exit._ (_End of the play._) * * * * * [Illustration: PARADOXICAL.--_Ethel._ "It was a most wonderful performance, Aunt Tabitha! First, she was shot out of a cannon's mouth on to a trapeze fifteen yards above the orchestra, and then she swung herself up till she stood on a rope on one leg at least a hundred and twenty feet above our heads!" _Aunt Tabitha._ "Ah! I always think a woman _lowers_ herself when she does that!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FORM _First Masher._ "Let's stop and look at Punch and Judy, old chappie! I've heard it's as good as a play." _Second Masher._ "I dessay it is, my brave boy. But we ain't dressed, you know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PROPERTY HAS ITS RIGHTS SCENE: _Mr. Foote Lyter's back Drawing-room. Private Theatricals. Dress Rehearsal._ _Mr. Foote Lyter._ "I say, Drawle, while the Duke is having his scene with Dora, where am _I_ to stand!" _Captain Drawle_ (_amateur stage manager_). "Well--er--my dear fellow--er--er--it's your own house, you know--_you can stand where you like_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE POINT OF VIEW.--_Exasperated Old Gentleman_ (_to lady in front of him_). "Excuse me, madam, but my seat has cost me ten shillings, and I want to see. Your hat----" _The Lady._ "My hat has cost me ten _guineas_, sir, and I want it to _be seen_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: Tomkins, who has recently made his appearance _en amateur_ as the Melancholy Dane, goes to have his photograph taken "in character." Unfortunately, on reaching the corner of the street, he finds _the road is up_, and he has to walk to the door! Tableau!!] * * * * * [Illustration: _Clever Juvenile_ (_loq._). "Shakspeare? Pooh! For my part I consider Shakspeare a very much over-rated man."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE FORTHCOMING PANTOMIME _Astonished Friend._ "Why!--Why! What on earth are these?" _Manager._ "These? Oh! These are _fairies_!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MR. PUNCH'S PATENT MATINEE HAT. Fitted with binocular glasses for the benefit of those sitting behind its wearer.] * * * * * [Illustration: HEARD AT A PROVINCIAL CIRCUS.--_Wag_ (_to unfortunate small gent, who has vainly endeavoured to persuade lady to remove her hat_). "Don't you see she's got a bird in her hat, sitting? You wouldn't have the lady addle-headed, would you?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE AMATEURS.--_Suburban Roscius._ "Ah, I saw you were at our 'theatricals' the other night. How did you like my assumption of _Hamlet_?" _Candid Friend._ "My dear f'llar--great'st piece of assumption I ever saw i' m' life!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CAUSE AND EFFECT _Eminent Provincial Tragedian._ "Come hithorr, sweet one! Your mothorr tells me that you shed teorrs during my soliloquy in exile, last night!" _Sweet One._ "Yes, sir. Mother kept on pinching me, 'cause I was so sleepy!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "EXCLUSIVE" _Our Philanthropist_ (_who often takes the shilling gallery_--_to his neighbour_). "Only a middling house." _Unwashed Artisan._ "Ay--that sixpence extry, 'rather heavy for the likes o' huz, y'know. But there's one thing--it keeps out the riff-raff!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE DRAMA.--_Æsthetic Critic_ (_at the club, after the theatre_). "Can you imagine anything more utterly solemn than the _dénoûment_ in _Romeo and Juliet_? Two lovers, both dying in the same vault! What fate more weirdly tragic could----" _Cynical Old Bachelor_ (_who has evidently never read the play_). "Um--'s no knowing. The author might 'a' married 'em!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Distinguished Amateur_ (_about to make his first appearance in public at a concert for the people_). "Oh, I _do_ feel so nervous!" _Sympathetic Friend._ "Oh, there's no occasion to be nervous, my dear fellow. They applaud _anything_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE MAIDEN'S POINT OF VIEW.--_Mamma_ (_to Maud, who has been with her brother to the play, and is full of it_). "But was there no _love_ in the piece, then?" _Maud._ "_Love?_ Oh dear no, mamma. The principal characters were _husband and wife_, you know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LA COMEDIE FRANÇAISE _Jones_ (_who understands French so well, although he does not speak it_), _reading over list of pieces to be played at the Gaiety_:--"'Le Gendre de M. Poirier.' Why, what gender _should_ the man be, I should like to know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THOSE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES," ETC.--_The Bishop._ "I hope your grandchildren liked the circus, Lady Godiva. That was a wonderful performance of Mlle. Petitpas on the bare-backed steed, wasn't it?" _Lady Godiva._ "Yes--a--but I dislike those bare-backed performances. They're so risky, you know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A very cold audience. (Suggestion for the stalls in mid-winter)] * * * * * [Illustration: A CASE OF "NO COMPRENNY" "Ha! Mistare Robinson! 'Ow do you do? 'Av you seen ze last new piece at ze 'Olleborne? Supairrb! Splendeed!! Good!!!" "A--no--I don't patronise the English drama. I like finish, delicacy, refinement; and I'm happy to say I've secured tickets for all the French plays!" "Tiens! Mais vous savez le Français, alors?" "A--I beg your pardon?" "Je vous demande si vous savez le Français, parbleu! Cruche, Melon, Baudet, Dinde, Jobard, Crétin, Momie, Colin-Maillard que vous êtes?" "A--quite so! No doubt! A--by the bye, have you seen Jones lately?"] * * * * * BETWEEN THE ACTS; OR, THE DRAMA IN LIQUOR SCENE--_Refreshment Saloon at a London Theatre. A three-play bill forms the evening's entertainment. First Act over. Enter Brown, Jones, and Robinson._ _Brown._ Well, really a very pleasant little piece. Quite amusing. Yes; I think I will have a cup of coffee or a glass of lemonade. Too soon after dinner for anything stronger. _Jones._ Yes, and really, after laughing so much, one gets a thirst for what they call light refreshments. I will have some ginger-beer. _Robinson._ Well, I think I will stick to iced-water. You know the Americans are very fond of that. They always take it at meal-times, and really after that capital _équivoque_ one feels quite satisfied. (_They are served by the bar attendant._) That was really very funny, where he hides behind the door when she is not looking. [_Laughs at the recollection._ _Brown._ And when the uncle sits down upon the band-box and crushes the canary-cage! [_Chuckles._ _Jones._ Most clever. But there goes the bell, and the curtain will be up directly. Rather clever, I am told. The _Rose of Rouen_--it is founded on the life of _Joan of Arc_. I am rather fond of these historical studies. _Brown._ So am I. They are very interesting. _Robinson._ Do you think so? Well, so far as I am concerned, I prefer melodrama. Judging from the title, _The Gory Hand_ should be uncommonly good. [_Exeunt into Theatre. After a pause they return to the Refreshment Room._ _Brown._ Well, it is very clever; but I confess it beats me. (_To bar attendant._) We will all take soda-water. No, thanks, quite neat, and for these gentlemen too. _Jones._ Well, I call it a most excellent psychological study. However, wants a clear head to understand it. (_Sips his soda-water._) I don't see how she can take the flag from the Bishop, and yet want to marry the Englishman. _Robinson._ Ah, but that was before the vision. If you think it over carefully, you will see it was natural enough. Of course, you must allow for the spirit of the period, and other surrounding circumstances. _Brown._ Are you going to stay for _The Gory Hand_? _Jones._ Not I. I am tired of play-acting, and think we have had enough of it. _Robinson._ Well, I think I shall look in. I am rather fond of strong scenes, and it should be good, to judge from the programme. _Jones._ Well, we will "sit out." It's rather gruesome. Quite different from the other plays. _Robinson._ Well, I don't mind horrors--in fact, like them. There goes the bell. So I am off. Wait until I come back. _Brown._ That depends how long you are away. Ta, ta! [_Exit Robinson._ _Jones._ Now, how a fellow can enjoy a piece like that, I cannot understand. It is full of murders, from the rise to the fall of the curtain. _Brown._ Yes--but Robinson likes that sort of thing. You will see by-and-by how the plot will affect him. It is rather jumpy, especially at the end, when the severed head tells the story of the murder to the assistant executioner. I would not see it again on any account. _Jones._ No--it sent my maiden aunt in hysterics. However, it has the merit of being short. (_Applause._) Ah, there it's over! Let's see how Robinson likes it. That _tableau_ at the end, of the starving-coastguardsman expiring under the rack, is perfectly awful! (_Enter Robinson, staggering in._) Why, my boy, what's the matter? _Brown._ You do look scared! Have something to drink? That will set it all to-rights! _Robinson_ (_with his eyes protruding from his head, from horror_). Help, help! help! (_After a long shudder._) Brandy! Brandy!! Brandy!!! [_At all the places at the bar there is a general demand for alcohol._ _Brown._ Yes. Irving was right; soda-water does very well for Shakspeare's histories, but when you come to a piece like _The Bells_, you require supporting. [_Curtain and moral._ * * * * * [Illustration: _Manager of "Freak" Show._ "Have I got a vacancy for a giant? Why, you don't look five feet!" _Candidate._ "Yes, that's just it. I'm the smallest giant on record!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN IRRESISTIBLE APPEAL.--_Mrs. Blokey_ (_who has called with a letter of introduction on Mr. Roscius Lamborn, the famous actor and manager_). "And I've brought you my son, who's breakin' his mother's 'art, Mr. Lamborn! He insists on givin' up the city and goin' on the stage--and his father an alderman and 'im in his father's business, and all the family thought of so 'ighly in Clapham! It's a _great grief_ to us, _I assure_ you, Mr. Lamborn! Oh! if you could only dissuade 'im! But it's too late for that, I'm afraid, so p'raps you wouldn't mind givin' him a leadin' part in your next piece!"] * * * * * [Illustration: WHAT OUR DRAMATIST HAS TO PUT UP WITH.--_His Wife_ (_reading a Sunday paper_). "_A propos of Hamlet_, they say here that you and Shakspeare represent the very opposite poles of the dramatic art!" _He._ "Ah! that's a nasty one for Shakspeare!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OVERHEARD OUTSIDE A THEATRE "Yah! Waitin' ter see der _kids_ play!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Actor_ (_excitedly_). "For _two_ long _years_ have I----" _A Voice from above._ "So you 'ave, guv'nor!"] * * * * * [Illustration: STUDY Of an ancient buck at a modern burlesque] * * * * * [Illustration: COLOURED CLERGY (_A Memory of St. James's Hall_) _Uncle_ (_can't see so well as he did, and a little hard of hearing_). "Who do you say they are, my dear!--Christian ministers? 'Ncom'ly kind of 'em to give a concert, to be sure! For a charitable purpose, I've no doubt, my dear!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SUPEREROGATION _Country Maid_ (_having first seen "missus" and the children into a cab_). "O, coachman, do you know the principal entrance to Drury Lane Theat----?" _Crabbed Old Cabby_ (_with expression of ineffable contempt_). "Do I know! Kim aup----!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Jones_ (_alluding to the song_). "Not bad; but I think the girl might have put a little more _spirit_ into it with advantage." _Lushington._ "Jush 't I was thinkin'. Lesh avanother!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AFTER THE THEATRICALS.--"What on earth made you tell that appalling little cad that he ought to have trod the boards of ancient Greece! You surely didn't really admire his acting?" "Oh no! But, you know, the Greek actors used to wear masks!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Jemmy! What's a stall at the hopera?" "Well, I can't say, not for certain; but I suppose it's where they sells the happles, horanges, ginger-beer, and biskits."] * * * * * [Illustration: "Please, sir! give us your ticket if you aint agoin' in again."] * * * * * [Illustration: A DOMESTIC DRAMA "Admit two to the boxes."] * * * * * [Illustration: PROGRESS _Young Rustic._ "Gran'fa'r, who was Shylock?" _Senior_ (_after a pause_). "Lauk a' mussy, bo', yeou goo to Sunday skewl, and don't know that!"] * * * * * "HAMLET" A LA SAUCE DUMB-CRAMBO [Illustration: "Oh, that this too, too solid flesh would melt!"--Act I., Sc. 2.] [Illustration: "I could a tail unfold!"--_Ibid._] [Illustration: "What a falling off was there!"--_Ibid._] [Illustration: "Methinks I scent the morning hair!"--_Ibid._] [Illustration: "Brief let me be!"--_Ibid._] [Illustration: "Lend thy serious ear-ring to what I shall unfold!"--Act I., Sc. 5.] [Illustration: "Toby, or not Toby? that is the question."--Act II., Sc. 2.] [Illustration: "The King, sir."--"Ay, sir, what of him?"--"Is in his retirement marvellous distempered."--"With drink, sir!"--"No, my lord, rather with collar!"--Act III., Sc. 2.] [Illustration: "Oh, my offence is rank!"--Act III., Sc. 3.] [Illustration: "Put your bonnet to his right use--'tis for the head."--Act V., Sc. 2.] * * * * * [Illustration: "COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE THEM." _Domesticated Wife._ "Oh, George, I wish you'd just----" _Talented Husband_ (_author of various successful comic songs for music halls, writer of pantomimes and variety-show libretti_). "Oh, for goodness sake, Lucy, don't bother me _now_! You might _see_ I'm trying to work out some _quite_ new lines for the fairy in the transformation scene of the pantomime!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A SENSITIVE EAR. _Intelligent Briton._ "But we have no theatre, no actors worthy of the name, mademoiselle! Why, the English delivery of blank verse is simply torture to an ear accustomed to hear it given its full beauty and significance by a Bernhardt or a Coquelin!" _Mademoiselle._ "Indeed? I have never heard Bernhardt or Coquelin recite English blank verse!" _Intelligent Briton._ "Of course not. I mean _French_ blank verse--the blank verse of Corneille, Racine, Molière!" _Mademoiselle._ "Oh, monsieur, there is no such thing!" [_Briton still tries to look intelligent._ ] * * * * * DUMB-CRAMBO'S GUIDE TO THE LONDON THEATRES [Illustration: Drew wry lane] [Illustration: Cove in garden] [Illustration: Cry-teary 'un] [Illustration: Prints of whales] [Illustration: "A--mark it!"] [Illustration: Gay at tea] [Illustration: Princesses and royal tea] [Illustration: Globe] [Illustration: "Scent, James?"] [Illustration: Strand and "save, hoi!"] [Illustration: Only in play!] [Illustration: The actor who has his head turned with applause] * * * * * [Illustration: CURTAIN-RAISERS _ Extract from Ethel's correspondence_:--"At the last moment something went wrong with the curtain, and we had to do without one! It was awful! But the Rector explained matters to the front row, and they came to the rescue _nobly_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Well, how did the new play go off last night?" "Oh, there was a sleep-walking scene in the third act that was rather effective." "_À la Lady Macbeth_, eh?" "Well--not exactly. It was the audience that got up in its sleep and walked out!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MUSIC HALL TYPES I.--The "Lion Comique"] * * * * * [Illustration: MUSIC HALL TYPES II.--The "Serio"] * * * * * [Illustration: MUSIC HALL TYPES III.--The "Refined Comedian"] * * * * * [Illustration: ON TOUR.--_Heavy Tragedian._ "Do you let apartments to--ah--the profession?" _Unsophisticated Landlady._ "Oh, yes, sir. Why, last week we had the performing dogs here!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ART AND NATURE. (_Overheard during the Private Theatricals._)-- _She._ "How well your wife plays _Lady Geraldine_, Mr. Jones. I think the way she puts on that awful affected tone is just splendid. How _does_ she manage it?" _Mr. Jones_ (_with embarrassment_). "Er--she doesn't. That's her natural voice."] * * * * * [Illustration: CONVINCING] * * * * * [Illustration: FINIS] * * * * * BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE. 38146 ---- MR. PUNCH ON THE WARPATH PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: MILITARY EDUCATION. _General._ "Mr. de Bridoon, what is the general use of cavalry in modern warfare?" _Mr. de Bridoon._ "Well, I suppose to give tone to what would otherwise be a mere vulgar brawl!"] * * * * * MR. PUNCH ON THE WARPATH [Illustration] HUMOURS OF THE ARMY, THE NAVY AND THE RESERVE FORCES _WITH 136 ILLUSTRATIONS_ BY REGINALD CLEAVER, R. CATON WOODVILLE, TOM BROWNE, L. RAVEN-HILL, C. L. POTT, CHARLES PEARS, J. BERNARD PARTRIDGE, E. T. REED, G. D. ARMOUR, FRED. PEGRAM, GEORGE DU MAURIER, PHIL MAY, CHARLES KEENE AND OTHERS PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five Volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration] "FORWARD!" Was there ever protean like MR. PUNCH! The little man is a wonder. In so many guises do we encounter him--now as tourist, again as playgoer, as huntsman, as artist, as bohemian, and equally as stay-at-home philistine, on the bench and on the golf-links, ashore and afloat, where not and how not?--that we need be in no wise surprised to find him on the warpath. Is he not the official jester of a warlike people? Of course it may be suggested that in the present book we do not have what is entirely a record of his achievements on many a well-fought field. There are not many echoes here of real red war, but the mimic battle with its humours is well in evidence. The only recent experience of the real thing leaves MR. PUNCH too sore of heart to say much about it. But as we are all believers in the maxim "in time of peace prepare for war," and as most of our time is peaceful, we are always "preparing"--hence, perhaps, the reason why we are never ready. But there is a deal of humour in the process, and it is for fun we look to MR. PUNCH. Nor shall we look vainly here, for in the past Charles Keene found many of his happiest subjects in the humours of military life and volunteering, while to-day Mr. Raven-Hill, himself an enthusiastic volunteer, ably carries on the tradition, and has many brilliant aiders and abettors. MR. PUNCH is, by turns, general, drum major, full private, cavalry man and "kiltie," he is also A. B. when the occasion serves, and would be horse-marine if necessary! At all events he has given the command, and it's "Forward!" [Illustration] * * * * * MR. PUNCH ON THE WARPATH [Illustration] WATERLOO UP-TO-DATE _(a fact)_. _Belgian Guide._ Ze brave Picton 'e fall in ze arms of _victoire_---- _Facetious Britisher._ Where was Lord Roberts? _Guide (not to be done)._ Lord Robert 'e stand on _zis montagne_, and 'e cry, "Hoop, Garde, and at zem!" * * * * * The report that there are 46,719 total abstainers in the British Army is welcome news, but what grieves recruiting officers is the number of total abstainers from the British Army. * * * * * CURIOUS MILITARY FACT.--The seat of war is always the spot where two forces are standing up to one another. * * * * * A SPOT TO BE AVOIDED BY ROYAL ARTILLERYMEN.--Gunnersbury. * * * * * ADVICE FOR MARTINETS.--Military authorities should consider whether it would not be advisable to abate a little of their solicitude for the tidiness of a regiment, and pay somewhat more attention to its mess. * * * * * AMONG WARRIORS. _Interested Patron._ So I see you lost an arm in the battle. _An Atkins ("back from the Front")._ Ay, sir, and my companion here _(indicating Atkins No. 2)_ he lost a leg. _Patron._ And your Colonel--in the same battle, eh? _Atkins No. 2._ Ah! he was worse off than either of us, sir; he lost his head. * * * * * ARMY CHAPLAINS.--Wouldn't they be all doubly serviceable in time of war if they were all canons? * * * * * [Illustration: _Bluejacket (in charge of party of sightseers)._ "Here Nelson fell." _Old Lady._ "An' I don't wonder at it, poor dear. Nasty slippery place! I nearly fell there myself!"] * * * * * "THE BLACK WATCH" The Black Watch will go night and day. The Black Watch can be depended upon in any climate. The Black Watch always keeps time. The Black Watch is never out of gear. The Black Watch wants no "winding up." The Black Watch can be warranted for any period. * * * * * _Historian of the War (to Private of the Dublin Fusiliers)._ Now tell me, my man, what struck you most at the battle of Colenso? _P. of D. F._ Begorra, sorr, fwhat shtruck me mosht was the shower of bullets that missed me. * * * * * A MYSTERY FROM SHOEBURY.--When does the cannon ball? When the Vickers-Maxim. * * * * * "Yes, my dear Lavinia," says Mrs. Ramsbotham, rather annoyed with her niece, "I _do_ know perfectly well what a soldier's 'have-a-snack' is. It is so-called because he carries his lunch in it. No, my dear, I am not so ignorant as you may think." * * * * * [Illustration: _Fond Mother (reading letter from only son at the front)._ "Charlie says our Generals are perfect idiots!"] * * * * * FASHIONS FOR BAZAARS (_From the Note-book of a Male Impressionist_) _How to represent the Army._--Long skirt of gauzy material, parasol tied with tricolour ribands, silk blouse with epauletted sleeves and a Crimean medal pinned on to a bunch of flowers. High-heeled shoes. Regimental levée scarf worn over the left shoulder. Tiny cocked hat attached to the hair by two long pins and a small silk flag. _How to represent the Navy._--Short skirt decorated with brooch anchors. Garibaldi with naval collar. Bag hanging from waist-belt with silver letters H.M.S. _Coquette_. Hair built up _à la_ "Belle of New York" surmounted with a small sailor hat decorated with streamers. * * * * * SOMETHING MILITARY.--The officers of the Blankshire Cavalry possess, individually and collectively, more money than those of any other regiment in His Majesty's service. If this be so--we name no names--these gallant heroes ought to be known as "The Tin Soldiers." * * * * * HOW EFFECTUALLY TO PRODUCE "SILENCE IN THE RANKS."--Use the _Dum Dum_ bullets. * * * * * [Illustration: PAID IN HIS OWN COIN; OR, WHAT WE SHOULD LIKE TO SEE. _Convicted Contractor._ "Look here! I can't walk in these boots, and I can't eat this food!" _Warder Punch_. "Well, you've got to; it's what you supplied to the troops."] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR NON-COMS. _Orderly Sergeant (to officer)._ "Beg your pardon, sorr, but 'm wan ration short. Who will I give it to?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE MILITARY PERIL. _Old Lady (to member of signalling section, who has just commenced to reply to a message)._ "Young man, if you think to alarm _me_ by wagging those flags about, you are very much mistaken!"] * * * * * THE BEAUTY OF BISLEY That it takes you away from town in the dog days for a clear fortnight. That, being farther away from London than Wimbledon, you escape the more easily the attention of those who love tea, flirtation, and strawberries and cream. That there is plenty to do at the ranges with the rifle, and to see in the neighbourhood on a bicycle. That the conversation of your comrades is congenial, if slightly "shoppy." That, after all, it is better to talk all day of scores, than of links or tyres. That if the life becomes too monotonous, a train can carry you back to Waterloo in forty minutes. That life under canvas is recommended by the doctors when it is subject to certain favourable climatic conditions. That, with the power of enjoying your outing to the end, or cutting it short at the beginning, you can yet claim credit for your self-denial and patriotism. * * * * * [Illustration: CORONA FINIT OPUS. _Mary Anne._ "When are they going to start this army reform they talk such a lot about?" _Private Atkins._ "Why bless your 'eart, _it's all done_! Look at our new caps!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE ALDERSHOT CAMPAIGN _Private Sweeny (Highland regiment)._ "Colony bog, is it? Thin bedad! I wish I was back in Tipperary!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BANTING IN THE YEOMANRY _Troop Sergeant-Major._ "It comes to this, captain, 'a mun e'ther hev' a new jacket or knock off one o' my meals!"] * * * * * UNIFORMITY SCENE--_Pall Mall. Enter officer in full uniform hurriedly. He is stopped by messenger._ _Messenger._ Yes, sir? _Officer._ I want to see the Commander-in-Chief at once. _Messenger._ Very sorry, sir, but that gentleman who has just entered the room is likely to be there for the next three hours. He came here two minutes before your arrival. _Officer._ But is a civilian allowed to take precedence of an officer in full uniform? _Messenger._ Beg your pardon, sir, but he is not a civilian; but an officer like yourself. _Officer._ And yet he is admitted in mufti! Why, here have I had to come up from the country in full rig, being chaffed at the railway station, grinned at by the cabman, and cheered by the crowd! _Messenger._ Yes, sir. Very sorry you should have been inconvenienced, sir, especially as it was unnecessary, sir! _Officer._ Unnecessary! Why, doesn't the order come into force to-day that all officers who appear in the War Office for any purpose whatsoever must be attired in the proper uniform of their rank and regiment? _Messenger._ No, sir. To-morrow, sir, the _second_ of April, is the proper date. To-day, sir, is the _first_ of April. _Officer._ And the first of April is surely the most appropriate date! Quite the most appropriate date! _Messenger._ Yes, sir! (_Curtain._) * * * * * The War Office is taking steps to turn its surplus cavalrymen into foot soldiers. We see nothing ridiculous in the idea--as some persons profess to. We already have Mounted Infantry. Now we are to have Dismounted Cavalry. * * * * * AN IMPOSSIBLE MANOEUVRE IN AUTUMN.--To be in the March past. * * * * * THE BEST MILITARY DRAWING.--Drawing your pay. * * * * * [Illustration: THE HANDY MAN.--What he will have to become, if recruiting for the navy continues to fall off, and many more new battleships are constructed.] * * * * * [Illustration: DIGNITY AND IMPUDENCE _Hector._ "Now then, young feller--who are you staring at?" _Hodge._ "Whoy shouldn't I stare at yer? _I pays vor yer!_"] * * * * * NOT FOR PATRICK! ["It has been proposed that the kilt should be the uniform of the new Irish Guards."--_Daily Paper._] What! take away the throusers off our pathriotic knees, As if we were a regiment of disordherly M.P.'s? Och! sorrer take the wicked thought, for histhory it teaches, An Oirishman is happiest when foightin' in the breaches. What! Wear them bits of pitticoats that blow about and twirl Around your blushin' knees? No, faith! Oi'm not a bally girl! No! Oi'm an Oirish souldier, an' me blood Oi've often spilt it, But though Oi'm willin' to be kilt, Oi'll die before Oi'm kilted. * * * * * In order to check extravagance in the Cavalry, the authorities have decided that "fines of money or wine are no longer to be levied on marriage or promotion, _or in respect of any minor irregularities_." In future the officer who commits the major irregularity of being promoted will not need to say, with the _King of Denmark_, "O, my offence is rank!" * * * * * [Illustration: "MANNING THE (BACK-)YARDS" Chelsea, June, 1891. Four Bell(e)s.] * * * * * MILITARY SURGERY DEAR FIELD-MARSHAL PUNCH.--In a telegram from the seat of war this week I find the following obscure passage. "General Blank held the enemy's main body whilst General Dash carried out his movements." Knowing your skill in tactics, may I ask if you can explain this to me either verbally or pictorially. Used in contradistinction to his main body, I presume the enemy's "movements" must be his limbs, and if all four were carried out by this barbarous general, it would be certainly a feat of arms, and the movement might be said to be al-leg-ro. Nothing is said as to whether the enemy survived this fearful operation depriving him of his members, but it may be a case of a truncated despatch. Then, where were the movements carried out to? If the presumption stated above be correct, I infer it must have been to the region of limbo, but the army in Flanders never practised such lopsided manoeuvres. Yours respectfully, CORPORAL TRIM. * * * * * [Illustration: "ALL'S WELL!" _Cockney Volunteer_ (_on sentry go_). "Halt! Who goes there?" _Rustic._ "It's all roight, man. Oi cooms along 'ere ev'ry maarnin'!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SKIRMISHING IN PERSPECTIVE "A good skirmisher, if there is no cover, should hide behind his boots!"] * * * * * _Elder Sister_ (_coming up_). "Kitty! what have you been saying to Captain Coward? He looks dreadfully offended!" _Kitty_ (_engaged to the Captain_). "I only told him that if he had gone to the war and been shot, I should have been so proud of him!" * * * * * WAR NEWS.--"Reports of Conflicts," _i.e._, "Conflicting Reports." * * * * * "AN ARMED NATION" ["The War Office has decided to grant one rifle to every ten men joining the new rifle clubs, throughout the country."--_Daily Press._] EXTRACT FROM THE NEW RULES 1. In face of the enemy the rifle must be fired as quickly as possible, and then passed on to the next man. 2. No squabbling in the ranks, as to whose turn it is to shoot, shall be allowed by the commanding officer, and his decision shall be final. 3. The other nine men, whilst awaiting their turn, must stand at "attention," and scowl fiercely at the enemy. 4. Where the commanding officer, in his discretion, sees opportunity for so doing, he shall employ several men simultaneously, to fire the rifle--_i.e._ one to hold the rifle to his shoulder, a second to close his left eye, and a third to pull the trigger. This plan would leave only seven men out of ten unemployed. 5. The above-named seven would be at liberty to throw things at the enemy whilst awaiting their turn for the rifle. 6. In actual warfare, the commanding officer may request the enemy to wait a reasonable time whilst the solitary rifle is handed round, after being fired off. 7. Whilst an attack is going on, the unemployed men of a company shall not be allowed to leave the ranks to play, but should be encouraged to take an intelligent interest in the shooting prowess of their solitary comrade. * * * * * [Illustration: _North Cork Militia Man._ "Am I to shalute him, or no? Begor. I wondher if he's a sarvan'-man or a giniral."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE IMPERIAL YEOMANRY. _Recruit._ "Look 'ere, mister, it ain't no good. This saddle won't go on this 'ere 'orse. I got it over is 'ead all right, but I can't get 'is legs through nohow!"] * * * * * THE NECESSARY KIT ["A housewife will in future form part of the free kit of necessaries."--_Army Order._] It 'as long been my opinion, as a sodger and a man, That I couldn't get on proper, not without yer, Sairey Ann. Well, now 'ere's the latest horder--just yer take a read of it-- That a housewife shall be a portion of the necessary kit. Oh, them horders! Ain't I cussed 'em! Oh, the shockin' words I've said! But now for once, my Sairey, I'm a-blessin' 'em instead. Yus, they misses pretty horfen, but at last they've made a hit, For yer going to be a portion of my necessary kit. They're to serve out housewifes gratis, an' I only 'opes, my pet, That they'll let us Tommies choose ourselves the gals we wants to get, 'Twould be takin' of the gildin' off the gingerbread a bit If I got yer mar, for instance, in my necessary kit. But we'll 'ope the best, my Sairey, though yer can't for certain tell, And I ain't got much opinion of them parties in Pall Mall, But for once they've put a bullet in the bull's eye, I'll admit, If they makes my Sairey portion of my necessary kit. * * * * * "ADVANCE NOTES" (_Military_).--The bugler's. * * * * * [Illustration: _Boatswain_ (_to newly-joined cadet_). "Come, my little man, you mustn't cry on board of one of His Majesty's ships of war. Did your mother cry when you left?" _Cadet._ "Yes, sir." _Boatswain._ "Silly old woman! And did your sister cry?" _Cadet._ "Yes, sir." _Boatswain._ "Stupid little thing! And did your father cry?" _Cadet._ "No, sir." _Boatswain._ "'Ard-'earted old beggar!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE," &c. _Fair Visitor_ (_with a thirst for military knowledge_). "So all the kitchens are behind those buildings. How very interesting! And how many pounds of meat do your men eat a day?" _Gallant Major._ "Really--er--I've no--er--idea, I'm sure, don't y'know." _Fair Visitor._ "But I thought you were in the provisional battalion!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Officer_ (_to Irish sentry on guard tent_). "Why don't you face your proper front, sentry?" _Sentry._ "Sure, yer honour, the tint's round. Divil a front it's got!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SANDHURST AND ITS MESSES. _General Bouncer_ (_on a round of inspection at Sandhurst_). "Augh! Can you tell me what 'mess' this is?" _Cadet._ "Well, they call it 'mutton,' but I wouldn't vouch for it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A VOLUNTEER REVIEW (1865) The portrait of Private O'Locker on finding his billet is at a teetotal hotel.] * * * * * [Illustration: EXPLAINED.--_Auntie_ (_explaining morning manoeuvres of His Majesty's Life Guards on their way to relieve guard at Whitehall_). "Don't you see? There's two, and then there's one, and then there's the whole lot--and then there's two more!" [Youthful niece sees. ] * * * * * [Illustration: SONGS AND THEIR SINGERS.--_Jack_ (_singing at the top of his voice_)--"There's only _one_ girl in the world for me!"--_Popular Song._] * * * * * [Illustration: [According to the _Daily Telegraph_ zebra mules have been introduced into India by the Remount Department for military purposes. Would not their introduction--as above--into Whitehall lend a new and even more quaintly picturesque touch of grandeur to the scene? ] * * * * * MR. BROWN AT BREAKFAST ON THE ARMY. Astonishing lot of nonsense the _Daily Wire_ prints about military affairs ... no, I do _not_ waste my time reading it. Any intelligent citizen, Mary, is bound to take an interest in things of this sort. And our army is rotten, madam--rotten to the core.... What? That reminds you, shall Tomkins be told to pick the apples? As you please--I'm not talking about apples. Just consider these manoeuvres, and the plain common-sense lessons they teach you. First of all, a force lands in England without opposition. There's a pretty state of things!... No, I didn't say they _had_ interfered with us--but just think of the disgrace! Not one general, madam, not one single general capable of defending this unhappy country. And yet it is to support these expensive frauds that I have to pay taxes!... Well, if he calls again, tell him that I will attend to the matter. There's the rent and rates to be seen to first, and goodness knows, with your housekeeping and Ethel's dress bills--but I was talking about the army. Incompetent profligates, that's what the officers are. What sort of life do they lead? Getting up late, playing polo and hunting, eating luxurious dinners, bullying respectable young men and ducking them in horse-ponds--there's a life for you.... What do you know _about_ it, Miss Ethel?... Captain Ponsonby told you? You can tell _him_ something then. Tell him that Britons of common-sense--like myself--don't mean to stand the present way of going on much longer. Drastic changes.... No, I'm not trying to break the table, Mary ... drastic changes are absolutely necessary. First of all, there must be a clean sweep at the War Office. Men of brains and common-sense are wanted there. Then we must organise a great army, to guard the coast all round England. The man who will not serve his time as a militiaman or volunteer is not worthy of the name of English-man, and the fruit.... I told you once about those apples, I do wish you wouldn't interrupt.... If they are not picked to-day they'll have to wait for three weeks? Why? Tomkins can pick them next time he comes. As I was saying, the militia system must be developed, and--eh? Tomkins won't be here for three weeks? Got to go into camp for his training? Well, I call it perfectly disgraceful! Here I pay a man high wages to attend to my garden once a week, and then this miserable system takes him away, at the most inconvenient time, to play at soldiers!... If I have time to-night, Mary, I shall write a strongish letter to the _Daily Wire_ on the subject. * * * * * SCENE--_Barrack Square, after inspection of arms, at which the Company's Commander has been examining his men's rifle-bores with the aid of the little reflector which is commonly dropped into the breach for this purpose._ _Private Atkins_ (_who has been checked for a dirty rifle_). 'Ere, it's all bally fine! The orficer 'e comes an' looks down the barrel with a bloomin' mikeroscope, and the privit soljer 'e 'as to clean 'is rifle with 'is naked heye! * * * * * MOTTO FOR A BAZAAR IN AID OF MILITARY FUNDS.--"Oh, the wild charge they made!" * * * * * [Illustration: The illustrated papers oft with satisfaction grunt, When they print a pleasing portrait of "our artist at the front." Now here we have a picture of a sort we seem to lack. Which is to say, a portrait of "Our artist at the back".] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR RESERVES.--_A.-D.-C_. "What the deuce are you men doing here right in the line of fire? Clear out at once! They're firing ball cartridge, not blank." _Unmoved Private_ (_who has found an excellent place from which to view the attack practice_). "Ther' now. We was just a-zaying as we thought 'twas bullets by the zound of 'em!"] * * * * * [Illustration: UNRECORDED HISTORY.--A review of the Royal (Sub)marines near the Goodwin Sands. (_You could hardly "tell the Marines" in their new sub-aqueous uniform._)] * * * * * DISTRIBUTION OF NAVAL MEDALS We are happy to announce that the Lords of the Admiralty have issued an order for the distribution of medals to the officers and seamen who served in the naval actions hereunder specified. We understand the medals are of gold, set round with diamonds of the most costly description. Great caution will be used in the distribution, to prevent fraud in personating deceased officers, &c. A.D. 876. King Alfred's engagement with and destruction of the Danish fleet. --1350. Great sea-fight between the English and the combined fleets of France and Spain. --1588. Destruction of the Spanish Armada. --1702. Admiral Benbow's engagement with the French. --1761. Siege and capture of Belleisle. N.B. No officer or seaman will be entitled to a medal in respect of the last-mentioned siege, unless he can satisfy their lordships that he was "there all the while." * * * * * [Illustration: RATHER SEVERE. _Regular_ (_manoeuvring with Yeomanry_). "Got to give up my arms, have I? Umph! This comes of going out with a lot of darned Volunteers."] * * * * * [Illustration: YEOMANRY MANOEUVRES. (FIRST DAY IN CAMP.)--_Officer._ "What's all this? What are you doing with that cask?" _Trooper._ "Tent equipment, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR REVIEW.--The colonel is wondering what manoeuvre he ought to execute in the circumstances.] * * * * * [Illustration: MANOEUVRES.--_Lieutenant Nobs_ (_just arrived_). "How long will you take to drive me to the fort, Cabby?" _Cabby._ "Ten minutes, Capting, by the shortcut through the halleys. But the military allus goes the long way round, through the fashionable part o' the town, yer honour, which takes an hour." [_Cabby gets his hour._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN THE ARMY. _Officer_ (_examining a Mounted Infantry class_). "Well, I think you understand about the hoof and what the frog is. Now, just tell me where you would expect to find corns?" _Mounted Infantry Recruit_ (_suspecting a catch_). "In the manger, sir."] * * * * * [Illustration: MILITARY INTELLIGENCE. _Musketry Instructor_ (_who wishes, by simple practical examples, to bring the fact of the air's resistance and elasticity to the mind of intelligent pupil, No. 450, Private Jones_), _loq._ "For instance, you have seen an air-cushion, and felt that it contained something you could not compress. What was it?" _Private Jones_ (_readily_). "'Orse 'air, sir!" [_Enthusiastic instructor tries again._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: DIVERSIONS OF DRILL (1860). _Captain of Volunteers._ "Dress back, No. 3, do dress back. Comp'ny! Fours! As y' were! No. 3, Mr. Buffles, how often am I to speak to you, sir? Will you dress back, sir; further still, sir. You are not dressed exactly yet, sir, by a----" _Buffles_ (_goaded to madness_). "Bet yer five pounds I am--there!"] * * * * * LATEST WAR INTELLIGENCE [Illustration] In the House of Commons, and elsewhere, the Secretary of State for War is accustomed to have appeals made to him to assist in providing facilities for the engagement and remunerative occupation of soldiers and non-commissioned officers no longer on active service. We are glad to notice, from the subjoined advertisement, which appeared in the _Daily News_, that the public themselves are taking the matter in hand:-- TWO GENERALS WANTED, as Cook and Housemaid for one lady. Light, comfortable situation. Good wages.--Apply, &c. The advertiser, it will be observed, flies at higher rank than that usually considered in this connection. But the situation is "light" and "comfortable," with "good wages" pertaining, and she has some right to look for applicants of superior station. We presume that on festive occasions the gallant officers would be expected to don their uniforms. Few things would be more striking than to see a general, probably wearing his war medals, sweeping the front door-step, whilst through the kitchen window a glimpse was caught of a brother officer, in full tog, larding a pheasant. * * * * * By the courtesy of the Admiralty H.M.S. _Buzzard_ has been anchored as a permanent guardship of honour immediately opposite the approach to _Mr Punch's_ offices in Bouverie Street. The compliment is much appreciated. * * * * * Further changes in our Navy are announced. Chaplains are to be abolished, and the navigating officers are to include in their duties those of sky-pilots. * * * * * A COCKNEY'S QUESTION ON THE NAVY.--Does a Port Admiral mean an Admiral who is laid down for a long series of years, and not decanted for service till he is very old? * * * * * A JOVIAL CREW.--Jack Tars in a jolly-boat. * * * * * [Illustration: IN THE SICK BAY. _Fleet Surgeon._ "There doesn't seem much wrong with you, my man. What's the matter?" _A. B._ "Well, sir, it's like this, sir. I _eats_ well, an' I _drinks_ well, an' I _sleeps_ well; but when I sees a job of work--there, I'm all of a tremble!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FIELD TRAINING NOTES.--(_Aldershot._) _General_ (_to Irish recruit_). "Can you tell me how many species of pack animals there are?" (_No answer._) _General._ "Well, do you know _any_ kind of pack animal?" _Recruit_ (_inspired by recollection of many days' pack-drill_.) "Yes, sorr. A defaulter, sorr!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Colonel_ (_who is taking a turn round to see how his subs are getting along with their road sketching_). "You know, this won't do. You should be able to _ride_ about the country, and make sketches as you go." _Jones_ (_not getting along at all nicely, thank you_). "Well, sir, if I could do that, sir, I should chuck up the army, and join a circus!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "COULDN'T MAKE 'UN SPEAK." _Infuriated C. O. 10th V. B. Mudfordshire Fusiliers_ (_who has ordered bugler to sound the "Cease fire" several times without effect_). "Don't you hear me, fellow? Why the deuce don't you sound the 'Cease fire' when I tell you?" _His Bugler._ "If ye plaze, zur, a've blowed a quid o' bacca down spout t'ould trumputt, awn I can't make un speak!"] * * * * * SOLDIERS OF MISFORTUNE ["Colonel Crofton, commanding the Eastern District, has decided that the 'quiff' is 'unsoldierly,' and 'disfiguring,' and has ukased its abolition. The 'quiff' is the forelock worn by Mr. Thomas Atkins."--_Pall Mall Gazette._] _Letter from a Private in the British Army to a Private in the German Army._ Dere Ole Sauerkraut,--Ow' 're yer going along? Jest a line from the Eastern Distric' to tell yer that we've all got the fair 'ump. An' I'm blest if our colonel ain't an' been pitchin' on our 'air. When we 'is in the fightin' line they yells, "Keep your 'air on, boys!" but when we gets 'ome, sweet 'ome, they says take it orf. There's 'air! I must tell yer we wears a hartful curl on our forrids wot is knowed as a "quiff," and I give yer my word it's a little bit ov orl rite! Susan (with lots o' cash as bein' only daughter of a plumber), wot I walks out with, simply 'angs on to it with both 'ands, so to speak. Well, our colonel says the "quiff" is "unsoldierly" and "disfiguring," and we 'ave got to bloomin' well lop it orf, no hank. This busts my charnst with Susan. Yores melancholy-like, THOMAS ATKINS. * * * * * ["The German uniform is to be changed to a grey-brown. The officers are particularly annoyed at the change, and complain that they might at least have been allowed to keep the bright buttons on their tunics. These are also to be dulled down to the new drab _régime_. Everything that is not strictly utilitarian--tassels, lace, and decorations--is to be banished from the parade-ground."--_Westminster Gazette._] _Letter from a Private in the German Army to a Private in the British Army._ Mein Gut Friend,--We haf the both trouble much got! You haf the beautiful Susan _verloren_. I my Katrine am deprived of. Because why? I was so schmart lookin' in mein regimentalen blue dat Katrine fell in luff with me on first sighten and called me in ways of fun her "leetle blue _teufel_"! But now, ach Himmel! she at me _cochet die snooken!_ "Cuts," as you say. I broken-ar-arted quite am. Because why? The Office die Warren as us ordered to take off der blue regimentalen. We haf in brown-grey to dress ourselves. Ah! dirdy, bad, rotten colour! And no more ze _schon_ buttons to haf that the beating heart of Katrine conquered. Farewell to Katrine! She brown ates.--Zo longen KARL SCHNEIDER. * * * * * QUERY BY THE NAVY LEAGUE.--Does Brittania rule the waves, or does she mean to waive her rule? * * * * * _Commander._ What is your complaint against this boy? _Bluejacket._ Well, sir, as I was a-walkin' arft, this 'ere boy, 'e up an' calls me a bloomin' idjit. Now, 'ow would you like to be called a bloomin' idjit, supposin' you wasn't one? * * * * * [Illustration: THE PERILS OF MIMIC WAR. _Motor Lieutenant, Motor Volunteer Corps_ (_to General in his charge_). "I say, sir, if we"--(_bump!_)--"upset"--(_bang!_)--"shall I get"--(_bump! bang!_)--"a military funeral too?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Perilous position of a gallant officer of Volunteers, on a recent march, who (ever thoughtful for the comfort of his hired charger) chooses the cooling waters of the ford in preference to the bridge._ "Here! Hi! Help, somebody! Hold on! I mean halt! He won't come out, and he wants to lie down, and I believe he's going to rear!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NAVAL REVIEW (_From an Antique_)] * * * * * TRAFALGAR DAY.--(_At the Board School._) _Teacher._ Now can any boy tell me why Nelson's column was erected in Trafalgar Square? _Johnny Grimes_ (_immediately_). Please, sir, to 'elp 'im up to 'eaven, when 'e died in the arms of the Wictory. * * * * * [Illustration: REMOUNTS FOR THE YEOMANRY _Horse-buying "Expert."_ "Yes, it certainly does look more like a 'towel-horse' than anything else; still it'll have to do!"--Passed.] * * * * * [Illustration: "How dreadfully stout the general is getting!" "Yes, isn't it fortunate? Otherwise he wouldn't be able to wear all his medals!"] * * * * * SOOTHSAYINGS FOR SAILORS Augury from fowls of air Back to Tuscan gramarye dates. Birds in February pair: Now then, skippers, choose your mates. * * * * * [Illustration: IMPERTINENT CURIOSITY _Military Man._ "Well! What are yer a starin' at--ain't yer never seed a sodger before?"] * * * * * THE FORTUNE OF WAR (_A fragment of a Military Romance, to be published a few years hence_) ["The long-proposed introduction of motor-cars into the army for transport purposes is on the point of accomplishment."--_The Outlook._] ... "COMRADES!" cried the proud general, addressing his troops (standing around him in the circular square ordered by the latest drill book), "at last we are about to reap the reward of our exertions. Thanks to our trusty motor-cars, we have traversed the desert at an average speed of twenty-five miles an hour. Our casualties have been few and insignificant. A dozen or so of the engines blew up, but not more than fifty men perished by these accidents. We have, indeed, to mourn the loss of some of the 75th Dragoons, whose motor-car went wrong in its steering, and rushed at express speed into the middle of a lake. And not a few of our heroes have been arrested by the native police on the charge of furious driving, with the result that they now languish in dungeons, awaiting bail. But what are these trifles, compared with the glory that will soon be ours? The enemy are now within thirty miles of us--a distance which, with a little extra pressure, we can cover in an hour. So, forward! Mount motor-cars! Tie down the safety-valves! Seize starting levers! Now, when I give the word! Are you read----" At this moment a grey-haired officer interrupted him. "Alas, sir!" he cried, "we cannot advance! It is impossible!" "Impossible?" echoed the general, in amazement. "Why?" "For the very good reason that--_we've run out of oil!_" A loud groan burst from the army on hearing the dreadful news; the voice of the general himself shook as he replied: "Then, for once, we must ride." "You forget, sir," said the other, "that nowadays we have no horses. Shall we--march?" "No!" cried the intrepid leader. "March? Never! Death before dishonour! Men, your general may have to die a rather unpleasant death; but never, in this scientific age, never will he insult you by suggesting that you should walk!" and rapturous cheers from the army greeted this noble utterance. But just when hope was dying in every breast, and the only possible course seemed to be to wait patiently until the enemy attacked and destroyed them, a small motor-car with red-hot bearings whizzed through the crowd and stopped before the general. Need we mention that its driver was none other than Henry de Plantagenet? (He's my hero, of course, and he went out scouting on his own account--as heroes do--in the last chapter.) "Sir," he cried triumphantly, "I have news, great news!" "Well?" said the general. "Yes, it _is_ a well, a well of natural petroleum, in fact, which I have discovered not half-a-mile away!" The general clasped his hand, while the army roared themselves hoarse with delight. And, an hour later, only a faint flicker of dust on the horizon showed where the expedition was scurrying towards the doomed enemy. * * * * * [Illustration: THE PENALTY OF FAME _Small Boy_ (_with shrill voice_). "'Fightin'--with--the Sev'nth--Royal Fu-siliers-- The famous Fu-siliers-- The fightin' Fu-siliers,'" &c., &c. _Irritable War-Office Clerk._ "Con-found the Seventh Royal Fusiliers! I'm sick of 'em! Blest if I don't pack 'em off to the Channel Islands!" [_Does so._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: A CASE OF TU QUOQUE.--_She._ "How do you like my new hat?" _Sutherland Highlander._ "By Jove, what extraordinary headgear you women do wear!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THAT TYRANT MAN. _Thomas the Drummer._ "Well, Emmar, you needn't take on so. I loves you stright enough; but 'angin' round the barrick gates, askin' for me, is the sort of thing I will not 'ave!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MORE REFORMS WANTED. _Guardsman._ "I just told one of those Volunteer officers that he must _not_ come on parade with his pockets unbuttoned, and the fellow had the demmed impudence to say he was sorry he couldn't oblige me, but his corps hadn't buttons!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Riding Master._ "I thought you said you could ride?" _Candidate for the Imperial Yeomanry._ "Ye-yes. But you don't get arf a chance 'ere, the corners are so bloomin' sharp!"] * * * * * THE MILITARY COOKERY-BOOK _How to make a Recruit._--Take a raw lad from the country (the younger the better) and fill his head with military froth. Add a shilling and as much beer as will be covered by the bounty-money. Let him simmer, and serve him up thick before a magistrate the next morning. Let him be sworn in, and he will then be nicely done. _How to make a Soldier._--Take your recruit, and thrust him roughly into a depôt. Mix him up well with recruits from other regiments until he has lost any _esprit de corps_ which may have been floating upon the surface when he enlisted. Now let him lie idle for a few years until his strength is exhausted, and then, at ten minutes' notice, pack him off to India. _Another Method._--Take your recruit, and place him at headquarters. Let him mix freely with all the bad characters that have been carefully kept in the regiment, until his nature has become assimilated to theirs. For three years pay him rather less than a ploughboy's wages, and make him work harder than a costermonger's donkey. Your soldier having now reached perfection, you will turn him out of the service with economical dressing. _How to make a Deserter._--A very simple and popular dish. Take a soldier, see that he is perfectly free from any mark by which he may be identified, and fill his head with grievances. Now add a little opportunity, and you have, or, rather, you have not, your deserter. _Another and Simpler Method._--Take a recruit, without inquiring into his antecedents. Give him his kit and bounty-money and close your eyes. The same recruit may be used for this dish (which will be found to be a fine military hash) any number of times. _How to make an Army._--Take a few scores of infantry regiments and carefully proceed to under-man them. Add some troopers without horses and some batteries without guns. Throw in a number of unattached generals, and serve up the whole with a plentiful supply of control mixture. _Another and easier Method._--Get a little ink, a pen, and a sheet of paper. Now dip your pen in the ink, and with it trace figures upon your sheet of paper. The accompaniment to this dish is usually hot water. _How to make a Panic._--Take one or two influential newspapers in the dead season of the year, and fill them with smartly written letters. Add a few pointed leading articles, and pull your army into pieces. Let the whole simmer until the opening of Parliament. This once popular mess is now found to be rather insipid, unless it is produced nicely garnished with plenty of Continental sauce, mixed with just an idea of invasion relish. With these zests, however, it is always found to be toothsome, although extremely expensive. * * * * * STRIKE OF SEAMEN.--There is one description of strike in which we hope our sailors will never engage--that of their colours. * * * * * A LAND SWELL.--A Lord of the Admiralty. * * * * * THE REVIEW AT SPITHEAD.--It is wonderful that this affair was not a sad mistake; for there is no doubt that the reviewers were all at sea. * * * * * [Illustration: SO SYMPATHETIC! _Young Yeomanry Officer_ (_airing his exploits in the war_). "And among other things, don't you know, I had a horse shot under me." _Fair Ignoramus._ "Poor thing! What was the matter with it?"] * * * * * [Illustration: DISAGREEABLE TRUTH _Soldier._ "Now, then! You must move away from here." _Rude Boy._ "Ah! But _you_ mustn't, old feller!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EUPHEMISTIC. _Colonel._ "I've never met with a smarter drill than yourself, sergeant, or one more thoroughly up to all his duties; but you've one most objectionable habit, and that is your constant use of bad language, and swearing at the men." _Sergeant._ "Sir, perhaps I am a little sarcashtic!"] * * * * * [Illustration: H.M.S. _OBESITY_; OR, WHAT OUR SAILORS ARE COMING TO _First A.B._ "Oh lor, Bill, my big toe!--f-f-f--it's something horful this morning." (_Distant whistle._) "Oh yus, that's right! Pipe away! I see hus a clearin' decks for haction, don't you, Bill?" _Second A.B._ "No fear! Phew-f-f-f. 'Ere, oh I say, mate, pass us the bicarbonick o' potass, for 'evin's sake!" ["The sailor is allowed 60 ounces of moist food per day, and this is of the wrong kind for a fighting man. This he eats at five different meals. He has about three times as much bread as he should have, and about half as much meat. It is a splendid diet to induce obesity, gout, and laziness."--_Dr. Yorke Davies in the "Daily Telegraph."_] ] * * * * * MRS. RAMSBOTHAM tells us her youngest nephew has just become a midshipman in the Royal Navy, and she has given him one of the best aromatic telescopes that could be bought for money. * * * * * THE BEST UPHOLDER OF THE UNION JACK.--The Union Jack Tar. * * * * * NAVAL PROMOTION.--"Chaplain: Rev. M. Longridge, B.A., to _Glory_."--_Daily Mail._ * * * * * FRESH MEAT FOR THE NAVY.--The chops of the Channel. * * * * * [Illustration: "We are unanimously of opinion that the British fleet should be put as soon as possible on a firmer and more stable basis!!!"] * * * * * AT THE SERVICE OF THE SERVICE (_A Forecast of the Future_) SCENE.--_A lecture-chamber at a military college._ Lecturer _discovered behind a table_. Students _taking notes_. _Lecturer._ I have now shown you a colonel and a major. I will disappear for a few seconds, and then appear as a captain. [_Dives under his table._ _First Student._ What's the lecture about? I got in too late for the beginning. _Second Student._ It's on "the Militia." _Lecturer_ (_emerging from his table in fresh regimentals._) Now, my men, you must regard me as your friend as well as your commander. I am responsible for your well-being. (_Applause, amidst which the_ Lecturer _resumes his ordinary clothing._) And now, gentlemen, it is unnecessary to give you a sketch of a subaltern, as that genus of the army officer must be known to all of you. And before I go I would be glad to answer any questions. _First Student._ Thank you, sir. May I ask why you have been giving this interesting entertainment? _Lecturer._ Certainly. To show you, gentlemen, your duty in the Militia. You will be expected to play many parts. _First Student._ But surely not simultaneously? _Lecturer._ Why, certainly. The old constitutional force is so undermanned in the commissioned ranks, that if the youngest subaltern of a battalion cannot do equally well for colonel, major and captain, the chances are that--well, I would be sorry to answer for the consequences. And now, gentlemen, we will consider how a ballot for soldiering can be established without seriously affecting the cherished rights of the civilian. [_Scene closes upon an unsuccessful attempt to solve the problem._ [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: _Captain Smythe_ (_a good soldier, but no society man, to his hostess_). "I have to thank you, Mrs. Brown, for an evening which has been--er--_after two years on the veld_, most enjoyable."] * * * * * [Illustration: "NONE O' YOUR LARKS" (1861) _Gigantic Navvy._ "Let's walk between yer, gents; folks 'll think you've took up a deserter."] * * * * * PREPARING FOR WAR A Memorandum containing a list of rules to be observed during the autumn manoeuvres has just been issued. By some strange mistake, the following regulations (which evidently must have appeared in the original document) have been omitted. They are now published for the first time:-- 1. Recruits of tender years will not be allowed to draw their bayonets. This rule does not apply to fine growing lads of twelve years old. 2. Buglers will not sound their bugles except by special command of Generals of Divisions. The above-mentioned officers are reminded (for their instruction and guidance) that copper is expensive and should be used as little as possible. 3. Boots will not be worn by the infantry on any march exceeding three miles. Commanding officers are cautioned that shoe-leather has recently greatly increased in value. 4. In the event of two members of the umpire staff being unable to come to an agreement about the respective colours of black and white, they will "draw lots;" _id est_, one of them will throw into the air a coin of the realm, and before the coin is able to reach the ground, the other will give the word either "heads" or "tails." The choice of cries will be optional. Gold coins will be used by general officers, silver by field officers, and halfpence by all other ranks. 5. Dismounted cavalry will not be allowed to pursue retiring infantry on horseback, unless so ordered by the Commanding Officers of the 83rd (County of Dublin), 85th (the King's County Down), the Connaught Rangers, and the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 6. Should a regiment of infantry halt within two hundred yards of six hostile batteries of artillery to watch the practice, or for any other purpose of instruction, one-tenth of the battalion will be marched to the rear, and will be considered _hors de combat_ during the remainder of the campaign. 7. A village containing one pioneer, one drummer (or bugler) and a quarter-master-sergeant, will be considered fully garrisoned. It will be seen that rules of war are to be followed in every particular, down to the very smallest details, by all concerned in the campaign. 8. As in the previous series of autumn manoeuvres, _at least_, "five minutes' notice" will be given when the army is required to march five miles, or to perform any other military duty requiring zeal, steadiness, and an intimate acquaintance with "Field Exercises, Edition of 1874, Part I." * * * * * SOLVED AT LAST.--_Jawkins._ Why do they always call sailors "tars"? _Pawkins._--Because they're so accustomed to the pitching of the ship. * * * * * [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: _Bluejacket_ (_who has been hauled twice round the sick bay, yelling inarticulately, by the surgeon with the forceps_). "Why, you 'ad me by the tongue!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A VERBAL DIFFICULTY. _Irritable Captain._ "Your barrel's disgracefully dirty, sir, and it's not the first time; I've a good mind to----" _Private Flannigan._ "Shure, sor, I niver----" _Captain_ (_Irish too_). "Silence, sir, when you spake to an officer!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE ROYAL SALUTE.--_Officer in charge of battery_ (_in a fever lest the time of firing should be a second late_). "Why, what are you about, No. 6? Why don't you serve the sponge?" _Bombardier McGuttle._ "Hoots toots! Can na' a body blaw their nose?"] * * * * * [Illustration: TACTICS. _Instructor._ "Well, gentlemen, I have endeavoured to explain to you the theoretical principles governing the movements of the various portions of a combined force; but I must warn you, that, in practice on an ordinary field-day, you will probably find it result in hopeless confusion; while on active service it will be ten times worse!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CONCLUSIVE! _Volunteer Colonel_ (_swell brewer_). "I'm afraid, Mr. Jenkins, you had been indulging in potations that were too strong for you!" [_Private J. was being "called over the coals" for insubordination at the inspection._] _Private Jenkins_ (_who is still wearing his bayonet on the wrong side_). "Oh, I couldn't have been drunk, sir, for I never had no more than one pint o' your ale all the blessed day!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Register-keeper._ "Major Jones first to count. A miss--nothing." _Major Jones._ "I say, sergeant, that's almost an Irish bull, I fancy!" _Register-keeper._ "No, sorr, just a simple English miss!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR YEOMANRY. _Sergeant Major._ "Number three, where's your sword?" _Recruit_ (_who finds practice very different from theory_). "On the ground. Carn't see 'un?"] * * * * * MILITARY DIALOGUES I ARMY REFORM SCENE.--_The drawing-room of the Colonel's quarters, decorated with trophies from many lands and water-colour sketches. Mrs. Bulkwise, the Colonel's wife, a tall, broad and assertive lady, is giving tea to Mrs. Lyttleton-Cartwright, with the stamp of fashion upon her, and Mrs. Karmadine, who has a soul for art--both ladies of the regiment. Colonel Bulkwise, a small and despondent man whose hair is "part-worn" gazes morosely into the fire_. _Mrs. Bulkwise_ (_waving a tea cup_). As surely as woman is asserting her right to a place in medicine, in law, and in the council, so surely will she take her proper place in the control of the army. _Mrs. Lyttleton-Cartwright._ What a lovely costume one could compose out of the uniform. I've often tried Jack's tunic on. _Mrs. B._ (_severely_). The mere brutal work of fighting, the butchery of the trade, would still have to be left to the men; but such matters as require higher intelligence, keener wit, tact, perseverance, should be, and some day _shall_ be, in our hands. _Mrs. Karmadine._ And the beauty and grace of life, Mrs. Bulkwise. Surely we women, if allowed, could in peace bring culture to the barrack-room, and garland the sword with bay wreaths? _Mrs. B._ Take the War Office. I am told that the ranks of the regiments are depleted of combatant officers in order that they may sit in offices in Pall Mall, and do clerical work indifferently. Now, I hold that our sex could do this work better, more cheaply, and with greater dispatch. _Mrs. L.-C._ "Pall-Mall" would be such an excellent address. _Mrs. B._ The young men, both officers and civilians, who are employed waste, so I understand, the time of the public by going out to lunch at clubs and frequently pause in their work to smoke cigars and discuss the odds. Now a glass of milk, or some claret and lemonade, a slice of seed-cake, or some tartlets, brought by a maid from the nearest A. B. C. shop would satisfy all our mid-day wants. _Mrs. L.-C._ And I never knew a woman who couldn't work and talk bonnets at the same time. _Mrs. C._ Just a few palms--don't you think, Mrs. Bulkwise?--in those dreary, _dreary_ rooms, and some oriental rugs on the floors, and a little bunch of flowers on each desk would make life so much easier to live. [_Colonel Bulkwise murmurs something unintelligible_. _Mrs. B._ What do you say, George? _Colonel B. (with sudden fierceness)._ I said, that there are too many old women, as it is, in the War Office. _Mrs. B._ George! [_The colonel relapses again into morose silence._ _Mrs. B._ The Intelligence Department should, of course, be in our hands. _Mrs. L.-C._ I should just love to run about all the time, finding out other people's secrets. _Mrs. B._ And the Clothing Department calls for a woman's knowledge. The hideous snuff-coloured garments must be retained for warfare, but with the new costume for walking out and ceremonial I think something might be done. _Mrs. L.-C._ The woman who makes my frocks is as clever as she can be, and always has her head full of ideas for those sort of things. _Mrs. C._ Michel Angelo did not disdain to design the uniform of the Swiss Guard. Perhaps Gilbert, or Ford, or Brock might follow in the giant's footsteps. _Col. B._ You ladies always design such sensible clothes for yourselves, do you not? [_He is frozen into silence again._ _Mrs. B._ And the education of young officers. From a cursory glance through my husband's books on law, topography and administration, I should say that there are no military subjects that the average woman could not master in a fortnight. Strategy, of course, comes to us by intuition. The companionship and influence of really good women on youths and young men cannot be over-rated, and the professors both at the Staff College and at the Military Academy should be of our sex. _Mrs. L.-C._ I always love the boys; but I think some of the staff college men are awfully stuck up. _Mrs. B._ Now as to the regiment. The mess, of course, should be in our province. _Mrs. L.-C._ How ripping. The guest-nights would be lovely dinner parties, the ante-room we'd use for tea, and the band should always play from 5 to 6. We'd have afternoon dances every Thursday, and turn the men out once a week and have a dinner all to ourselves to talk scandal. [_The colonel groans._ * * * * * [Illustration: "REGIMENTAL ORDERS"! _Volunteer Captain._ "Ah, Sergeant Jones--didn't I send you an order to be at headquarters on Monday, at nine o'clock, with a corporal and six men for duty?" _Sergeant._ "Yes, sir. But I think if there was a little more 'request', and a little less 'order', it would be (_a-hem_)--better!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "BOBS" An Indian idol--as worshipped by Mr. Thomas Atkins. (_The property of the British nation._)] * * * * * [Illustration: "BOBS" AS A BOBBIE ["CORONATION CLAIMS.--There being no succession to certain offices, the appointment thereto rests with His Majesty, and the following are regarded as probable candidates:--Lord High Constable--The Earl Roberts," &c.--_Vide Daily Mail_, Nov. 19, 1901.] ] * * * * * [Illustration: SORROWS OF A SUBALTERN "Curious way that boy has of salutin'. Don't believe it's correct!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE DOG!--_(A romance of real life.)_ _The Gallant Major._ "I beg a thousand pardons for the apparent liberty I take as an entire stranger, but may I make so bold as to ask you, is not this one of that wonderful breed of black or Chinese pugs?" _The Pretty Lady (most condescendingly)._ "Yes, you are perfectly right, and if I am not mistaken, you are Major McBride, of the Ninety-ninth Hussars." [_From that moment they became fast friends, and within the next three months there appeared in the "Morning Post," 'A marriage has been arranged between Major McBride, of the Ninety-ninth Hussars, and Mrs. Bellairs,' &c., &c._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: "ONE OF OUR CONQUERORS." _Imperial Yeoman._ "Much obliged if you would pick up my sword for me."] * * * * * [Illustration: TOMMY'S SUNDAY AFTERNOON AS IT WILL BE ["It has been decreed in several line battalions that in future no soldier will be allowed to walk arm-in-arm in the street with a female."--_Daily Paper._] ] * * * * * [Illustration: "Oh! I say! 'E 'as got eyes after all!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Doctor._ "Don't feel well, eh? Appetite all right?" _Tommie._ "Eat like a wolf, sir." _Doctor._ "Sleep well?" _Tommie._ "As sound as a dog, sir." _Doctor._ "Oh, you'd better see the vet.!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE JOKE THAT FAILED _Lubber._ "I say, Jack, do you know why they've painted the ships grey in time of _peace_?" _Jack._ "I s'pose 'cos it's a _neutral_ tint!" [_But the other didn't laugh. He intended making that witticism himself._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE ON BOARD H.M.S.---- "I say, why am I like the Queen's chief cook? Do you give it up?" "Yes." "Because I am in a high cool-and-airy (_culinary_) position." [_Astonished cadet nearly falls from the yard_. You young monkey, how dare you joke up in the air like that? However, we look over it this time.--_Punch_] * * * * * [Illustration: An economical mode of putting troops into white trowsers.] * * * * * REGULATIONS FOR YEOMANRY OUTPOSTS (_Aldershot Edition_) 1. Never recognise your enemy when you meet him on the road, in case you might be compelled to take him prisoner and so cause unpleasantness and unseemly disturbance. 2. Advanced guards should walk quietly and without ostentation into the enemy's main body, and be careful never to look behind bushes, trees, or buildings for an unobtrusive cyclist patrol. To do so might cause the enemy annoyance. 3. An advance guard, if surrounded, will surrender without noise or alarm. To make any would disturb the main body, who like to march in a compact and regular formation. 4. Never allow your common-sense to overcome your natural modesty so far as to induce you to report to a superior officer the presence of the enemy in force. You will only acquire a reputation for officiousness by doing so. 5. Always attack an enemy in front. It is unsportsmanlike and unprofessional to attack the flanks. 6. When retiring before an attack maintain as close a formation as the ground will admit of, and retire directly upon the main infantry support. You will thus expose yourselves to the fire of both your own friends and the enemy, and as blank cartridge hurts nobody it will add to the excitement of the operation. 7. It is more important to roll your cloaks and burnish your bits than to worry about unimportant details of minor tactics. 8. Since a solitary horseman never attracts the enemy's attention, be careful to take up a position in compact formation; to do so by files might escape observation. 9. When being charged by the enemy, go fours about and gallop for all you are worth; it is just as agreeable to be prodded in the back as in the chest, and gives the enemy more satisfaction. To extend, or work to the flanks, might deprive your enemy of useful experience. 10. Never cast your eyes to the direction from which the enemy is not expected, as that is the usual direction of his real attack, and it is not polite to spoil the arrangement of your friend the enemy. 11. Lastly, remember that the best motto for Yeomanry Troopers is "Point de Zèle." * * * * * OUR RIFLE VOLUNTEERS _A Peace Song_ (1859) (_Composed and volunteered by Mr. Punch_) Some talk of an invasion As a thing whereat to sneeze, And say we have no occasion To guard our shores and seas: Now, _Punch_ is no alarmist, Nor is moved by idle fears, But he sees no harm that we all should arm As Rifle Volunteers! Let sudden foes assail us, 'Tis well we be prepared; Our Fleet--who knows?--may fail us, Nor serve our shores to guard. For self-defence, then, purely, Good reason there appears, To have, on land, a force at hand Of Rifle Volunteers! To show no wish for fighting, Our forces we'd increase; But 'tis our foes by frighting We best may keep at peace, For who will dare molest us When, to buzz about their ears, All along our coast there swarms a host Of Rifle Volunteers! Abroad ill winds are blowing, Abroad war's vermin swarm; What _may_ hap there's no knowing, We may not 'scape the storm. Athirst for blood, the Eagles May draw our dove's nest near; But we'll scare away all birds of prey With our Rifle Volunteers! No menace we're intending, Offence to none we mean, We arm but for defending Our country and our Queen! To British hearts 'tis loyalty 'Tis love her name endears: Up! then, and form! shield her from harm Ye Rifle Volunteers! * * * * * [Illustration: The above is _not_ a war picture. It merely represents an incident in the too realistic scouting manoeuvres of the Blankshire Yeomanry. Poor Mr. and Mrs. Timmins thought at least the country had been invaded.] * * * * * [Illustration: _De Voeux._ "My grandfather, you know, lived till he was ninety-eight." _Trevor Carthew._ "Well, my grandmother died at the age of ninety-seven." _Brown._ "In _my_ family there are several who are not dead yet!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DIGNITY IN DISTRESS. _Small Boys_ (_to Volunteer Major in temporary command_). "I say, guv'nor--hi! Just wipe the blood off that 'ere sword!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FORE AND---- _Sergeant._ "Back a little, number five!"] [Illustration:----AFT! _Sergeant._ "Up a little, number five!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR RESERVES! _Aide-de-Camp (at the review)._ "What are you doing here, sir? Where's your regiment?" _Party on the Grass._ "Shure I don' know. Bu-r I don't rec'nise your 'thority, gov'nour!" _Aide-de-Camp (furious)._ "What the deuce d'you mean, sir? You're a Volunteer, aren't you?" _Party on the Grass._ "_(Hic!)_ Norabirofit!--Was jus' now--bu-r I've reshigned 'n cons'quence--temp'ry indishposition!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "SUMMING UP." _Captain._ "What's the charge, sergeant?" _Sergeant._ "This time it's drunkenness, sir. But this man is the most troublesome fellow in the regiment, sir. He goes out when he likes, and comes in when he likes, and gets drunk when he likes--in fact, he might be a horficer!!"] * * * * * CHAT À LA MODE. _Brown, Jones, and Robinson, discovered discussing the stats of the Navy in a first-class compartment._ _Brown._ My dear fellows, I can assure you we are in a terrible condition of unpreparedness. If France was to declare war to-morrow we should be nowhere--absolutely nowhere! _Jones._ You mean, of course, with Russia. _Robinson._ Or was it Italy? _Brown._ It doesn't matter which. I fancy that France alone could tackle us. Why, a man was telling me the other day that if Gibraltar was seized--as it might be--we should not get a ship-load of wood for months--yes, for months! _Jones._ But what has Gibraltar to do with it? _Robinson._ Why, of course, it guards our approaches to the Suez Canal. _Brown._ Oh, that's only a matter of detail. But what we want is a hundred millions to be spent at once. Cobden said so, and I agree with Cobden. _Jones._ But upon what? _Robinson._ Oh, in supporting the Sultan, and subsidising the Ameer. _Brown._ I don't think that sort of thing is of much importance. But if we had a hundred millions (as Mr. Cobden suggested), we might increase our coaling stations, and build new ships, and double the navy, and do all sorts of things. _Jones._ But I thought we were fairly well off for coaling stations, had lots of ships on the stocks, and, with the assistance of our merchant marine, an ample supply of good sailors. _Robinson._ That's what all you fellows say! But wait till we have a war, then you will see the fallacy of all your arguments. No, we should buy the entire fleet of the world. There should be no other competitor. Britannia should _really_ rule the waves. _Brown._ Yes, yes. Of course; but after all, that is not the important matter. What we want is a hundred millions available to be spent on anything and everything. And it's no use having further discussion because that was Cobden's view of it, and so it is mine. _Jones._ Where is it to come from--out of the rates? _Brown and Robinson_ (_together_). Certainly not. _Jones._ Or the taxes? _Brown and Robinson_ (_as before_). Don't be absurd. _Jones._ Well, it must come from somewhere! Can you tell me where? _Robinson._ Why should we? _Brown._ Yes, why should we? Even Cobden didn't go so far as that, and----But, here we are at the station. [_Invasion of porters, and end of the conversation._ * * * * * [Illustration: EASTER MANOEUVRES. _Extract from Private Letter.--April 1._ "I'm afraid Milly and I have put our respective feet in it this time. We thought we would test our capacities at hospital work, and attach ourselves to pa's regiment--of course, without telling pa--and were getting along quite nicely with a soldier who wasn't very well, when we met pa and the General and his regiment. They took away the patient, and judging from pa's looks, there's a warm time coming."] * * * * * [Illustration: SUGGESTED HELMET FOR ARMY MOTORISTS The new helmet as ordinarily | The same, as worn on worn. | motor duty. _Directions:_--Simply unhook the lower portion of the helmet; thereby extending the collapsible weather-and dust-proof mask. Admirable also as a disguise.] * * * * * [Illustration: FLAG WAGGING _Sergeant of Signallers._ "What ai's Murphy to-day? He don't seem able to take in a thing!" _Private Mulvaney._ "Shall I signal to 'im, 'Will ye 'ave a drink?'?" * * * * * [Illustration: TU QUOQUE. _Army Candidate._ "And I only muffed one thing in the geography paper. Couldn't for the life of me think where the Straits of Macassar were!" _Fond Father._ "Oh, I say, you ought to have known that. Fancy--the Straits of Macassar!" _Army Candidate._ "Well, I didn't, anyhow. By the way, where are they, dad?" _Fond Father._ "Oh--where are they? Oh--er--they're--well, they're---- but don't you think we'd better go to lunch?"] * * * * * [Illustration: A HORSE-MARINE _Club Wag._ "Well, good-night, Admiral." _Warrior._ "There's a stupid joke. Admiral! Can't you see my spurs?" _Wag._ "Oh, I thought they were your twin screws."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Sentry_ (_on the simultaneous approach of two persons_). "Who goes there?--two ways at once!"] * * * * * MILITARY DIALOGUES II ARMY REFORM SCENE.--_The canteen of the Rutlandshire Regiment, at Downboro', an airy, plastered hall with high windows. A bar at one end is backed by a rampart of beer barrels. A double line of barrack tables and benches runs down the room. The hour is 5 p.m. At one of the tables sits Mr. W. Wilson, late Private in the regiment, in all his glory of a new check suit with an aggressive pattern, a crimson tie, a horseshoe pin, an aluminium watch-chain, a grey "bowler" and a buttonhole of violets. Privates W. and G. Smith, P. Brady, E. Dudd and other men of H. company are at the table, or standing near it._ _Mr. Wilson (passing round a great tin measure containing beer, after taking a preliminary pull himself)._ Of course I do 'ear more, being in the smoke, than you 'ear down in this provincial 'ole; and there's generals and statesmen and such-like comes and stays at our place, and when they gets tied up in a knot over any military question, as often as not they says, "Let's ask Wilson, the under-gardener. 'E's a hex-military man; 'e's a 'ighly intellergent feller"; and I generally gets them out of their difficulty. _Pte. W. Smith._ D'ye know anything about this army reform? _Mr. Wilson (with lofty scorn)._ Do I know anything about it? _Pte. G. Smith._ D'ye think they're going to make a good job of it? _Mr. Wilson._ Naaw. And why? Becos they're goin' the wrong wai to work. They're arskin the opinion of perfeshernal hexperts and other sich ignoramuses, and ain't goin' to the fountain 'ead. Oo's the backbone of the English service? _Pte. P. Brady._ The Oirish private. _Mr. Wilson._ Right you are, my 'Ibernian--always subsitooting British for Hirish--and the British compiny is the finest horganisation in the world. Give the private a free 'and and a rise of pay, and make the compiny the model of the army, and then yer can put all the hexperts and all the Ryle Commissions and their reports to bed. _Pte. Dudd._ As how? _Mr. Wilson._ As 'ow, yer old thick head? It's as plain as a pike-staff. Taike this question of responsibility. When some one comes a bloomer, and the paipers all rise 'ell, the civilian toff, 'oos a sort of a commander-in-chief in a Sunday coat and a chimney-pot 'at, 'e says, "It ain't me. Arsk the real commander-in-chief," and the feeld-marshal 'e says, "Arsk the hadjutant-general," and the hadjutant-general, 'e says, "Arsk the hordnance bloke." Now in the compiny there ain't none of that. If the colonel goin' round at kit inspection finds the beds badly made up, or jags and sight-protectors deficient, or 'oles in the men's socks, 'e goes fierce for the captin' and threatens to stop 'is leave; and the captin' don't say, "Oh, it's the hadjutant, or the quarter-master, or the chaplain what's to blame," no, 'e gives the subalterns and the coloured-sergeant beans, and they slip it in to the sergeants and corprils in charge of squads, and the beds is set up straight, and the men put down for jags and sight-protectors, and the 'oles in the socks is mended. _Pte. W. Smith._ That's so, old pal. What else would you recermend? _Mr. Wilson_ (_reaching out for the measure)._ Thank yer. This 'ere army-reforming's a dry job. Now as to the metherd of attack. When the regiment goes out field-firing the henemy's a line of hearthenware pots, touched up on the sly by the markers with a dash of white; the captains count the telergraph posts up the range and give the exact distance; and the men goes 'opping along in line like crows on a ploughed field, the sergeantes a-naggin' 'em about the 'Ithe position and the coprils calling them back to pick up empty cartridge cases. Is that the wai, that you, George Smith, and you, Bill, and you, Pat, used ter creep up to the rabbit warrens when we used ter go out in the herly morning to assist the farmers to keep down the ground gime--poaching the colonel called it? No, we hexecuted wide turning movements and never showed no more than the tip of a nose. Let drill of attack alone, I say, and develop the sporting hinstinct of the private. _Omnes._ 'Ear, 'ear. _Mr. Wilson._ And this matter of mobility. Why, if you or me or any of us was on furlough at 'Ampstead or Margit, we was never off a 'orse's or a moke's back as long as the dibs lasted. Give us the brass, and we'll find the mobility. _Pte. W. Smith._ Why don't yer write to the Prime Minister, and give him your ideas? _Mr. Wilson._ I shall. A few hintelligent ex-privates in the Cabinet, a rise of pay for privates and two days' rabitting, and a trip to Margit every week would sive the British Army. * * * * * TRAMPS ["In spite of the demand for recruits, the number of tramps remain, undiminished."--_Daily Paper._] Why does not patriotic fire My all too torpid heart inspire With irresistible desire To seek the tented camp, sir, Where Glory, with her bronze V.C., Waits for the brave, perhaps for me? Because I much prefer to be A lazy, idle tramp, sir. I toil not, neither do I spin. For me, the laggard days begin Hours after all my kith and kin Are weary with their labours; The heat and burden of the day They bear, poor fools, as best they may, While I serenely smoke my clay And pity my poor neighbours. When Afric burns the trooper brown, By leafy lanes I loiter down Through Haslemere to Dorking town, Each Surrey nook exploring; Or 'neath a Berkshire hay-rick I At listless length do love to lie, And watch the river stealing by Between the hills of Goring. Why should I change these dear delights For toilsome days and sleepless nights, And red Bellona's bloody rites That bear the devil's stamp, sir? Let others hear the people cry "A hero he!"--I care not, I, So I may only live and die, A lazy, idle tramp, sir. * * * * * [Illustration: AT A COUNTRY HOUSE. "Well, my dear Admiral, and how did you sleep?" "Not at all, General. Confounded butterfly flew in at the window, and was flopping around all night--couldn't get a wink of sleep." "Ah, dashed dangerous things, butterflies!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "PRIVATES, BUT NOT FULL" (1875) _First Driver (after a long day)._ "The 'orse 'rtillery's a-getting quite aristercratic. It don't dine till eight o'clock!!" _Second Driver._ "Stroikes me to-morrow the 'orse 'rtillery'll be too aristercratic to dine at all!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE ENEMY. _Horrid Boy to newly-appointed Volunteer Major, (who finds the military seat very awkward_). "Sit further back, General! You'll make his 'ead ache!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AUTUMN MANOEUVRES. No, this is not heroism; this is simply discretion. Little Plumpleigh has just given "Charge!" and taken one look behind to see if his men are "backing him up, don't you know," and he is now making for safety!] * * * * * [Illustration: _War-office Genius._ "Now _this_ is another of my brilliant ideas, the shelter trench exercise. Of course, I _know_ the trench is the wrong way about, and that, when they have finished it, they have to fire into the wood they are defending, and then turn about and charge away from the wood, but, THEN! _we_ get a capital bank and ditch made round our plantations, with practically _no_ expense!" _Mr. Punch._ "And this is what you call instructing the Volunteers?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Bluejacket._ "Well, matey, wot 'appened?" _Second Bluejacket._ "Lieutenant, '_e_ reports as 'ow I were dirty, an' my 'ammick weren't clean, an' captin, '_e_ ses, 'Wash 'is bloomin' neck, scrub 'is bloomin' face, an' cut 'is bloomin' 'air, every ten minnits!'"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Volunteer Captain (acting Major first time)._ "Now then! What are you boys staring at? Did you never see a war-horse before?" _Boys (who had followed expecting a "spill.")_ "Aye--we've whiles seen a waur horse, but never a waur rider!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AD VALOREM. _(Energetic Sub has been pursuing runaway mule)._ "Well done, old chap! You deserve the D.S.O. at least. What is it? Ammunition?" "Ammunition! D.S.O.!! V.C., you mean!!!! Why, it's bottled beer!!!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MONEY "TIGHT." _British Subaltern._ "By-the-by, Smith, can you lend me that sovereign I gave you this morning for a Christmas-box?!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR RESERVES. _Captain of Rural Corps (calling over the roll)._ "George Hodge!" _(No answer.)_ "George Hodge!--Where on earth's George Hodge?" _Voice from the ranks._ "Please, sir, he's turned dissenter, and says fighting's wicked."] * * * * * THE BUSY BISLEY SCENE--_Within measurable distance of Woking. Enter lounger and marksman R. and L._ _Lounger (heartily)._ Why, I _am_ glad to see you! And how are things going on? _Marksman (cordially, but abruptly)._ Capitally! Good-bye! _Loung._ But I say, what a hurry you are in! Can't you stop a minute for a chat? _Marks._ Another time, but just now moments are precious. _Loung._ But I say, you see I have found myself here--it doesn't take much longer than getting down to Wimbledon. _Marks._ Of course it doesn't--whoever said it did? But there, old chap, I _must_ be off! _Loung._ You are in a hurry! Ah, we used to have pleasant days in the old place? _Marks._ Did we? I daresay we did. _Loung._ Why, of course! Grand old days! Don't you remember what fun it used to be decorating your tent; and then, when the ladies came down--which they did nearly all the day long--what larks it was getting them tea and claret-cup? _Marks._ Very likely. But we don't have many ladies now, and a good job, too--they _are_ a bore. _Loung._ Well, you _are_ a chap! Why, how can there be any fun without your sisters, and your cousins, and your maiden aunts? _Marks._ We don't want fun. But there, good-bye! _Loung._ But I say, I have come all this way to look you up. _Marks. (unbending)._ Very kind of you, my dear fellow, you have chosen rather an unfortunate time. _Loung._ Why, at Wimbledon you had nothing to do! _Marks._ Very likely. But then Bisley isn't Wimbledon. _Loung. (dryly)._ So it seems. Everyone said that when they moved the camp further away from home, they would ruin the meeting. _Marks._ Then everyone was wrong. Why, we are going on swimmingly. _Loung._ It must be beastly dull. _Marks._ Not at all. Lovely country, good range, and, after it rains, two minutes later it is dry as bone. _Loung._ Yes, but it stands to reason that it _can't_ be as popular as Wimbledon. _Marks._ My dear fellow, figures are the best test of that. In all the history of the Association we never had more entries than this year. _Loung._ That may be, but you don't have half the fun you had nearer town. _Marks. (laughing)._ Don't want to! Business, my dear fellow, not pleasure! And now, old man, I really _must_ be off. Ta! ta! See you later. [_Exit._ Loung. Well, whatever he may say, I prefer Wimbledon. And as there doesn't seem much for _me_ to do down here, I shall return to town. [_Does so. Curtain._ * * * * * [Illustration: _Irascible Lieutenant (down engine-room tube)._ "Is there a blithering idiot at the end of this tube?" _Voice from Engine-room._ "Not at this end, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: VOLO EPISCOPARI. _Festive Middy._ "I say, guv'nor! I think you must rather like being Bishop here!" _His Lordship._ "Well, my boy, I hope I do! But why do you ask?" _Festive Middy._ "Oh, I've just been taking a walk through the city,--and I _say_!--there _is_ an uncommonly good-looking lot o' girls about, and _no_ mistake!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A NASTY ONE. _Colonel Smithson (of the Poonah Marines)._ "By the way, my boy at Sandhurst hopes to get into your regiment some day." _Little Simpson (of the Royal Hussars Green)._ "Aw--I--aw hope your son is up to _our form!_" _Colonel Smithson._ "_Your form!_ Dash it, he's over four feet high, anyhow!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CAUTION. _Old Gent (with difficulty)._ "Now really--Oh! this dis--graceful crowding--I'm--I'm positive my gun will go off!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CHEEK. _(The regiment is about to "march out" with twenty rounds of "blank cartridge.")_ _Sub-Lieutenant (of twenty-four hours' service)._ "Whereabouts is this pyrotechnic display of yours coming off, Colonel!!?"] * * * * * [Illustration: OVERHEARD AT PORTSMOUTH. _Jack._ "Well, Polly lass, if it's true as 'ow you're going to get spliced to Bill, all I 'opes is that he'll stick to you through thick and thin!" _Polly._ "Well, 'e _ought_ to, Jack. 'E works in a glue factory."] * * * * * [Illustration: "Awful bore, dear old chap. War offith won't have me, thimply becauth my eyethight ith tho doothed bad!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ARMS OF PRECISION _Volunteer Subaltern (as the enemy's scout continues to advance in spite of expenditure of much "blank" ammunition)._ "If that infernal yeoman comes any nearer, shy stones at him, some of you!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A FORLORN HOPE _Captain O'Dowd (of the firm of O'Dowd and Jones, stock-jobbers)._ "What'll I do now? It's beyond me jumpin' powers, an' if I wade I'll be wet to the waist." _(To Private Halloran, who in civil life is a stockbroker's clerk)._ "Here, Halloran, I want a carry over. You do it for me, an' I'll not forget it to you, me lad." _Private Halloran._ "Sorry I can't, Captain. You know carryin'-over day is not till the sixteenth, an' this is only the seventh!"] * * * * * A LAY OF THE UNION JACK (_By a patriotic Cockney_) Though I feel less at home on the bounding wave Than I do on the firm dry land, I can spin you a yarn of a right good craft That is true-British owned and manned. The winds may blow, and the storms may beat, And the hurricanes rage and roar, But "the ship I love" on her course will hold With the Union Jack at the fore. Fair weather or foul, she ploughs along, Leaving far astern the strand, And many a towering sister bark We pass on the starboard hand, And, Westward ho! as we bear away! I can count stout ships galore, Abeam, in our wake, and ahead, that fly The Union Jack at the fore. And the sight of the flag that has swept the seas, Nor ever has known disgrace, Makes even a landlubber's bosom swell With the pride of his English race. At that gallant sight in my landsman's heart I rejoice--and rejoice still more That I'm only aboard of a road-car 'bus, With the Union Jack at the fore! * * * * * [Illustration: "USED TO IT!"--_Officer at firing-point (who thinks that it's raining)._ "Sergeant Mauchline, hadn't you better wear your greatcoat till it's your turn to fire?" _Sergeant Mauchline (frae the "Land of Lorne")._ "Hoo! Nothe noo! I'll pit it on when it comes wat!"] * * * * * DO'S AND DONT'S FOR VOLUNTEERS 1. DON'T go to camp. But if you do, 2. Don't get up when revally sounds. You'll find adjutant's parade in the early morning, the very early morning, such a beastly bore, and so bad for the liver that it is far wiser to stay in the "palliasse"--(besides, hasn't your doctor often told you that it is madness to suppose you can play such tricks at your time of life?)--they can only give you a few years' imprisonment for repeated mutinous conduct, and you could doubtless petition the Home Secretary for an aggravation of your sentence. 3. Don't submit to harsh or cursory remarks from the adjutant. Do answer him back. You know quite well that in private life you would not put up with his hasty, ill-considered and offensive language, nor permit him to hector you because your collar was not clean, and if you _have_ come on parade without cleaning your belt or rifle, what right has he to say that it makes him furious? Do point out to him how absurd it is to expect such minute attention to discipline on the part of so intelligent a volunteer as yourself. 4. Don't overtax your strength or weaken your heart by "doubling" up impossible hills, merely because the colonel (on a horse) thinks it looks pretty. Of course you would be perfectly ready to do anything that was necessary, but how can the empire's safety depend upon your losing your wind, when the enemy are some of your oldest friends, with a handkerchief tied round their sleeves? 5. Do insist upon having hot water to shave with, and an extra blanket when the nights get chilly. Very probably the captain of your company would turn out of his bed and take your palliasse if you asked him nicely. 6. Don't do any menial or degrading work, such as cleaning cooking utensils or greasing your own boots. The Government ought to know that gentlemen can't be expected to do that kind of work, and should provide an efficient staff of servants. 7. Don't do anything you would rather not. 8. Do set all military discipline at defiance. You probably know much better than your officers. 9. Don't blame me if you find yourself in prison. 10. Do make a stern resolution never to come to camp again. 11. Don't keep it. * * * * * BUTS AT BISLEY _(Compiled by an evil-minded enthusiast)_ The shooting could not be more satisfactory _but_ for the customary "accident." Everyone would make a "bull" _but_ for the haze and the shiftiness of the wind. The catering is in every way excellent, _but_ heavy meals scarcely assist in getting on the target. It is delightful to entertain visitors--especially ladies--at the camp, _but_ champagne-cup and provisions generally run into money. It is healthy to sleep under canvas, _but_ when the thermometer marks ninety in the shade or the rain pours down in torrents a bed in an inn is preferable. Bisley is a beautiful place, _but_ Woking cemetery is a dismal neighbour. Distinctly it is nobly patriotic to spend a fortnight with the N. R. A., in the cause of the fatherland, _but_ is it quite worth the trouble? * * * * * [Illustration: _Swagger Yeomanry Officer._ "Bring out my charger." _Job-master's Foreman._ "Very sorry, sir, but e's just gorn to a funeral!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HE ALWAYS WONDERED HIMSELF. (Scene--_General Inspection of Volunteer Battalion. Lieut. Tompkins--excellent fellow, but poor soldier--called out to show the General and British public what he knows._) _General._ "Now, sir, you now have the battalion in quarter column facing south. How would you get into line, in the quickest possible way, facing north-east?" _Tompkins (after much fruitless consideration)._ "Well, sir, do you know, that's always what I've wondered." [_Report on subaltern officers--bad._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: _First Miserable Sub (left at the depot)._ "I can't think, for the life of me, what excuse for two days' leave I'm to give the C. O. I've already weighed in with every one I can think of." _Second M. S._ "Easy enough, old chap. Kill your grandmother." _First M. S._ "Can't, dear boy. I'm keeping her for the Derby!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE WAY WE HAD IN THE ARMY." (1877). _Colonel (of the pre-examination period--to studious sub)._ "I say, youngster, you'll never make a soldier if you don't mind what you're about!" _Sub (mildly)._ "I should be sorry to think that, sir!" _Colonel._ "I saw you sneaking up the High Street yesterday, looking like a Methodist parson in reduced circumstances!--Hold up your head, sir! Buy a stick, sir! Slap your leg, sir! And stare at the girls at the windows!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "The 'orrid mess master made my kitching in, and hisself too, a-cleaning that there dratted rifle, after he'd been a booviackin' in the park!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A DILEMMA. _Auxiliary Recruit (to himself)._ "Murder! Murder! What'll I do now? 'Drill-sarjint tould me always to salute me officer with the far-off hand, and here's two iv 'em! Faix, I'll make it straight for meself anyhow!" [_Throws up both hands._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: "OFF!" _Sergeant O'Leary._ "Double! Left! Right! What the blazes, Pat Rooney, d'ye mane by not doublin' wid the squad?" _Pat._ "Shure, sergeant, 'twasn't a fair start"!] * * * * * [Illustration: "LUCUS A NON," &c. _(Aiming drill.)_ _Musketry Instructor._ "Now, then! How do you 'xpect to see the hobject haimed at, if you don't keep your heye closed?"] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR MANOEUVRES. _Captain of Skirmishers (rushing in to seize picket sentries of the enemy)._ "Hullo! He-ar! You surrender to this company!" _Opposition Lance-Corporal._ "Beg pardon, sir! It's the other way, sir. We're a brigade, sir!!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MILITARY ARDOUR. _Sentry (with mixed ideas of manual and platoon)._ "Gar'd t'n out!" _Commandant._ "Bless you, sir, what are you about?" _Sentry._ "Shure, I'm waitin' for the worr'd foire!" [Extract from Field Exercise or Red Book, pocket edition, page 356:--_Sentries paying compliments:_ "To field officers he will _present_ arms." ] * * * * * [Illustration: VOLUNTEER TACTICS AT OUR AUTUMN MANOEUVRES. _Captain Wilkinson (excitedly, to Major Walker, of the firm of Wilkinson, Walker, & Co., Auctioneers and Estate Agents)._ "Don't you think we'd better bring our right wing round to attack the enemy's flank, so as to prevent their occupying those empty houses we have to let in Barker's Lane?"] * * * * * [Illustration: A POSER. _Sergeant-Major._ "Now, Private Smith, you know very well none but officers and non-commissioned officers are allowed to walk across this grass!" _Private Smith._ "But, sergeant-major, I've Captain Graham's verbal orders to----" _Sergeant-Major._ "None o' that, sir! Show me the captain's verbal orders! Show'm to me, sir!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "FOLLOW MY LEADER!" Captain Barble (East Suffolkshire R. V.) going to drill, has occasion to pass a certain window for reasons best known to himself. A vague idea possesses him that something is wrong somehow, or what should create such amusement on this occasion!] * * * * * MILITARY DIALOGUES III HOW IT SHOULD NOT BE DONE _Interior of a dreary room in the War Office. A tired-looking young officer, in mufti, sits at a table with great piles of papers, each bundle tied with red tape and ticketed with labels of different colours, on one side of it ready to his hand. Another pile of papers, which he has already dealt with, is on the other side of the table. He is an official and has many letters, the first two being D. A. after his name. The gas has just been lighted. A clerk brings in another fat bundle of papers._ _The Officer (patting the smaller pile on the table)._ These can go on, Smithers. That question of sardine-openers must go back to the commissariat, and the General commanding the Central District must be authorised to deal on his own responsibility with the matter of the fierce bull in the field where the recruits bathe. What have you got there? _The Clerk._ It is the correspondence, sir, relative to that false tooth requisitioned for by the officer commanding the Rutlandshire Regiment for the first cornet of the band. The Medical Department sent it back to us this morning, and there is another letter in from the Colonel, protesting against his regiment being forced to go route marching to an imperfect musical accompaniment. _The Officer (groaning)._ I thought we had got rid of that matter at last by sending it to the doctors. _The Clerk._ No, sir. The Surgeon-General has decided that "one tooth, false, with gold attachment," cannot be considered a medical comfort. _The Officer (taking a précis from the top of the papers)._ I suppose we must go into the matter again. It began with the letter from the Colonel to the General? _The Clerk._ Yes, sir, here it is. The O. C. the Rutland Regiment has the honour to report that the first cornet player in the band has lost a tooth, and as the band has become inefficient in the playing of marching music in consequence, he requests that a false tooth may be supplied at Government expense. _The Officer._ And the General, of course, replied in the usual formula that he had no fund available for such purpose. _The Clerk._ Yes, sir; but suggested that the regimental band fund might be drawn on. _The Officer._ Where is the Colonel's letter in reply. (It is handed to him.) Ah, yes. Band fund is established, he writes, for purchase of musical instruments and music, and not for repair of incomplete bandsmen, and refuses to authorise expense, except under order from the Commander-in-Chief. _The Clerk._ The General sends this on to us with a remark as to the Colonel's temper. _The Officer._ And we pass it to the Quarter-Master-General's people, suggesting that under certain circumstances a false tooth might be considered a "necessary," and a free issue made. _The Clerk._ A very long memo, on the subject, in reply, from the Q.-M.-G., sir. He points out that though, under exceptional circumstances, a pair of spectacles might be held to be a sight-protector, a false tooth could not be held to be either a fork, a spoon, a shaving-brush, a razor, or even an oil bottle. _The Officer._ We wrote back suggesting that it might pass as a "jag"--our little joke. _The Clerk._ _Your_ little joke, sir. The Q.-M.-G.'s people didn't see it. _The Officer._ No? Then the correspondence goes on to the Ordnance Department, with a suggestion that a false tooth might be considered an arm or an accoutrement. _The Clerk._ The Director-General replies, sir, that in the early days of the British Army, when the Army Clothing Department's sole issue was a supply of woad, a tooth, or indeed a nail, might have reasonably been indented for as a weapon, but that, owing to the introduction and perfection of fire-arms, such weapons are now obsolete and cannot be issued. _The Officer._ And now the Medical Service refuse to help us. _The Clerk._ Yes, sir. They cannot bring the fixing of it under the head of surgical operations, and the Surgeon-General points out very justly, if I may be permitted to say so, sir, that a seal-pattern false tooth could hardly be considered a "medical comfort." _The Officer._ What are we to do? The Colonel of the regiment is evidently furious. _The Clerk._ We might send the correspondence to the Inspector of Iron Structures. He may be able to do or suggest something. _The Officer._ Very well; and will you send off this telegram to my wife saying I have a long evening's work before me, and that I shall not be able to get back to dinner to-night? (_Exit the Clerk._) Whenever will they trust a General Commanding a District to spend for the public good on his own responsibility a sum as large as a schoolboy's allowance, and so take some of the unnecessary work off our shoulders? [_He tackles wearily another file of papers._ * * * * * [Illustration: UNDER COVER. "So glad to see you, Mrs. Bamsby! And how is your dear husband? Where _is_ the Colonel? I was only saying the other day, 'I wonder when I shall see Colonel Bamsby!'" _Mrs. Colonel B._ "You'll see him _now_, my dear if I just step aside, or you walk round me."] * * * * * [Illustration: EASTER MANOEUVRES. _Adjutant._ "Your orders are that when you are attacked, Captain Slasher, you are to fall back slowly." _Capt. Slasher._ "In which direction am I to retire, sir?" _Adjutant._ "Well, the proper way, of course, would be over that hill, but--_they intend to have lunch behind that farmhouse in the valley._"] * * * * * [Illustration: "SYNONYMOUS." _Instructor._ "Now, I've explained the different 'sights,' you, Private Dumpy, tell me what a fine 'sight' is. Describe it as well as you can----" _Private Dumpy._ "A fine sight, sir? A fine sight--(_pondering_)--'s a magnificen' spe'tacle, sir!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: VOLUNTEER MANOEUVRES _Sergeant._ "Can I do anything for you, captain?" _Captain._ "Why, thanky, sergeant. If you wouldn't mind giving my other leg a hitch over!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MULTUM IN PARVO _Inspecting Officer._ "How is it your khaki is so much too small?" _Stout Yeoman._ "It do seem a bit skimpy, sur. But tailor says as how I'm bound to grow a 'eap smaller on hactive service, an' 'e's allowin' for shrinkage." * * * * * INSTRUCTIONS TO NAUTICAL MEN IN THE NOBLE ART OF QUADRILLE DANCING LE PANTALON.--Haul upon the starboard tack and let the other craft pass--then bear up and get your head on the other tack--regain your berth on the port tack--back and fill with your partner and boxhaul her--wear round twice against the sun in company with the opposite craft, then your own--afterwards boxhaul her again and bring her up. L'ETE.--Shoot ahead about two fathoms till you nearly come stem on with the other craft under weigh--then make a stern board to your berth and side out for a bend, first to starboard, then to port--make sail and pass the opposite craft--then get your head round on the other tack--another side to starboard and port--then make sail to regain your berth--wear round, back and fill and boxhaul your partner. LA POULE.--Heave ahead and pass your adversary yard-arm to yard-arm--regain your berth on the other tack in the same order--take your station in a line with your partner--back and fill--fall on your heel and bring up with your partner--she then manoeuvres ahead and heaves all aback, fills and shoots ahead again and pays off alongside--you then make sail in company, till nearly stem on with the other line--make a stern board and cast her off to shift for herself--regain your berth in the best means possible, and let go your anchor. LA TRENISE.--Wear round as before against the sun twice, boxhaul the lady, and range up alongside her, and make sail in company--when half-way across to the other shore drop astern with the tide--shoot ahead again and cast off the tow--now back and fix as before and boxhaul her and yourself into your berth, and bring up. LA PASTORALE.--Shoot ahead alongside your partner, then make a stern board--again make all sail over to the other coast--let go the hawser, and pay off into your own berth and take a turn--the three craft opposite range up abreast towards you twice, and back astern again--now manoeuvre any rig you like, only under easy sail, as it is always "light winds" (zephyrs) in this passage--as soon as you see their helms down, haul round in company with them on port tack--then make all sail with your partner into your own berth, and bring up. LA FINALE.--Wear round to starboard, passing under your partner's bows--sight the catheads of craft on your starboard bow--then make sail into your own berth--your partner passing athwart your bows--now proceed according to the second order of sailing--to complete the evolutions shoot ahead and back astern twice, in company with the whole squadron, in the circular order of sailing. * * * * * [Illustration: WHAT THE "BRITISH GRENADIER" IS INEVITABLY COMING TO Some talk of Alexander, and some of Pericles, Of Hector and Lysander, and such old guys as these; But of all the horrid objects, the "wust" I do declare, Is the Prusso-Russo-Belgo-Gallo-British Grenadier. ] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE RESERVE FORCES." _Militia Officer._ "Augh!--a new man. Ah--'ve you been in 'service before?" _Recruit._ "Yes, sir." _Officer._ "Augh--what regiment?" _Recruit._ "Mrs. Wiggins's coachman, sir!!"] * * * * * [Illustration] THE END BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE * * * * * 38111 ---- [Illustration: George Du Maurier] ENGLISH SOCIETY SKETCHED BY GEORGE DU MAURIER [Illustration: Logo] NEW YORK HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS 1897 Copyright, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, and 1896, by HARPER & BROTHERS. _All rights reserved._ GEORGE DU MAURIER I was thinking, with a pang, just before I put my pen to the paper, that the death of George du Maurier must be a fact of stale interest to the reader already, and that it would be staler yet by the time my words reached him. So swiftly does the revolving world carry our sorrow into the sun, our mirth into the shade, that it is as if the speed of the planet had caught something of the impatience of age, and it were hurried round upon its axis with the quickened pulses of senility. But perhaps this is a delusion of ours who dwell in the vicissitude of events, and there are still spots on the earth's whirling surface, lurking-places of quiet, where it seems not to move, and there is time to remember and to regret; where it is no astonishing thing that a king should be a whole month dead, and yet not forgotten. At any rate, it is in the hope, if not quite the faith, of this that I venture some belated lines concerning a man whom we have lost just when he seemed beginning to reveal himself. I. It was my good fortune to have the courage to write to Du Maurier when _Trilby_ was only half printed, and to tell him how much I liked the gay, sad story. In every way it was well that I did not wait for the end, for the last third of it seemed to me so altogether forced in its conclusions that I could not have offered my praises with a whole heart, nor he accepted them with any, if the disgust with its preposterous popularity, which he so frankly, so humorously expressed, had then begun in him. But the liking which its readers felt had not yet become loathsome to the author, and he wrote me back a charming note, promising me the mystery, and enough of it, which I had hoped for, because of my pleasure in the true-dreaming in _Peter Ibbetson_; and speaking briefly, most modestly and fitly, of his commencing novelist at sixty, and his relative misgivings and surprises. It was indeed one of the most extraordinary things in the history of literature, and without a parallel, at least to my ignorance. He might have commenced and failed; that would have been infinitely less amazing than his most amazing success; but it was very amazing that he should have commenced at all. It is useless to say that he had commenced long before, and in the literary property of his work he had always been an author. This theory will not justify itself to any critical judgment; one might as well say, if some great novelist distinguished for his sense of color took to painting, that he had always been an artist. The wonder of Du Maurier's essay, the astounding spectacle of his success, cannot be diminished by any such explanation of it. He commenced novelist in _Peter Ibbetson_, and so far as literature was concerned he succeeded in even greater fulness than he has succeeded since. He had perfect reason to be surprised; he had attempted an experiment, and he had performed a miracle. As for the nature, or the quality, of his miracle, that is another question. I myself think that in all essentials it was fine. The result was not less gold because there was some dross of the transmuted metals hanging about the precious ingot, and the evidences of the process were present, though the secret was as occult as ever. He won the heart, he kindled the fancy, he bewitched the reason; and no one can say just how he did it. His literary attitude was not altogether new; he perfected an attitude recognizable first in Fielding, next in Sterne, then in Heine, afterwards in Thackeray: the attitude which I once called confidential, and shook three realms beyond seas, and their colonial dependencies here, with the word. It is an attitude which I find swaggering in Fielding, insincere in Sterne, mocking in Heine, and inartistic in Thackeray; but Du Maurier made it lovable. His whole story was a confidence; whatever illusion there was resided in that fact; you had to grant it in the beginning, and he made you grant it gladly. A trick? Yes; but none of your vulgar ones; a species of legerdemain, exquisite as that of the Eastern juggler who plants his ladder on the ground, climbs it, and pulls it up after him into the empty air. It wants seriousness, it wants the last respect for the reader's intelligence, it wants critical justification; it wants whatever is the very greatest thing in the very greatest novelists; the thing that convinces in Hawthorne, George Eliot, Tourguénief, Tolstoy. But short of this supreme truth, it has every grace, every beauty, every charm. It touches, it appeals, it consoles; and it flatters, too; if it turns the head, if it intoxicates, well, it is better to own the fact that it leaves one in not quite the condition for judging it. I made my tacit protest against it after following Trilby, poor soul, to her apotheosis at the hands of the world and the church; but I fell a prey to it again in the first chapters of _The Martian_, and I expect to continue in that sweet bondage to the end. II. If I venture to say that sentimentality is the dominant of the Du Maurier music, it is because his art has made sentimentality beautiful; I had almost said real, and I am ready to say different from what it was before. It is a very manly sentimentality; we need not be ashamed of sharing it; one should rather be ashamed of disowning its emotions. It is in its sweetness, as well as its manliness, that I find the chief analogy between Du Maurier's literature and his art. In all the long course of his dealing with the life of English society, I can think of but two or three instances of ungentleness. The humor which shone upon every rank, and every variety of character, never abashed the lowly, never insulted women, never betrayed the trust which reposed in its traditions of decency and generosity. If we think of any other caricaturist's art, how bitter it is apt to be, how brutal, how base! The cruelties that often pass for wit, even in the best of our own society satires, never tempted him to their ignoble exploitation; and as for the filthy drolleries of French wit, forever amusing itself with one commandment, how far they all are from him! His pictures are full of the dearest children, lovely young girls, honest young fellows; snobs who are as compassionable as they are despicable, bores who have their reason for being, hypocrites who are not beyond redemption. It is in his tolerance, his final pity of all life, that Du Maurier takes his place with the great talents; and it is in his sympathy for weakness, for the abased and outcast, that he classes himself with the foremost novelists of the age, not one of whom is recreant to the high office of teaching by parable that we may not profitably despise one another. Not even Svengali was beyond the pale of his mercy, and how well within it some other sorts of sinners were, the grief of very respectable people testified. I will own myself that I like heroes and heroines to be born in wedlock when they conveniently can, and to keep true to it; but if an author wishes to suppose them otherwise I cannot proscribe them except for subsequent misbehavior in his hands. The trouble with Trilby was not that she was what she was imagined, but that finally the world could not imaginably act with regard to her as the author feigned. Such as she are to be forgiven, when they sin no more; not exalted and bowed down to by all manner of elect personages. But I fancy Du Maurier did not mean her to be an example. She had to be done something with, and after all she had suffered, it was not in the heart of poetic justice to deny her a little moriturary triumph. Du Maurier was not a censor of morals, but of manners, which indeed are or ought to be the flower of morals, but not their root, and his deflections from the straight line in the destiny of his creations must not be too seriously regarded. I take it that the very highest fiction is that which treats itself as fact, and never once allows itself to be otherwise. This is the kind that the reader may well hold to the strictest accountability in all respects. But there is another kind capable of expressing an engaging beauty, and bewitchingly portraying many phases of life, which comes smiling to you or (in vulgar keeping) nudging you, and asking you to a game of make-believe. I do not object to that kind either, but I should not judge it on such high grounds as the other. I think it reached its perfect effect in Du Maurier's hands, and that this novelist, who wrote no fiction till nigh sixty, is the greatest master in that sort who ever lived, and I do not forget either Sterne or Thackeray when I say so. III. When I first spoke, long ago, of the confidential attitude of Thackeray, I said that now we would not endure it. But I was wrong, if I meant that more than the very small number who judge novels critically would be impatient of it. No sooner were those fearful words printed than I began to find, to my vast surprise, that the confidential attitude in Thackeray was what most pleased the greatest number of his readers. This gave me an ill opinion of their taste, but I could not deny the fact; and the obstreperous triumph of _Trilby_, which was one long confidence, has since contributed to render my defeat overwhelming. Du Maurier's use of the method, as he perfected it, was so charming that I am not sure but I began to be a little in love with it myself, though ordinarily superior to its blandishments. It was all very well to have Thackeray weep upon your neck over the fortunes of his characters, but if he had just been telling you they were puppets, it was not so gratifying; and as for poor Sterne, his sighs were so frankly insincere you could not believe anything he said. But Du Maurier came with another eye for life, with a faith of his own which you could share, and with a spirit which endeared him from the first. He had prodigious novelties in store: true-dreaming, hypnotism, and now (one does not know quite what yet) intelligence from the neighborly little planet Mars. He had the gift of persuading you that all his wonders were true, and his flattering familiarity of manner heightened the effect of his wonders, like that of the prestidigitator, who passes round in his audience, chatting pleasantly, while he pours twenty different liquors out of one magical bottle. I would not count his beautiful talent at less than its rare worth, and if this figure belittles that, it does him wrong. Not before in our literature has anything more distinct, more individual, made itself felt. I have assumed to trace its descent, from this writer to that; but it was only partly so descended; in what made it surprising and captivating, it was heaven-descended. We shall be the lonelier and the poorer hereafter for the silence which is to be where George du Maurier might have been. W. D. HOWELLS. ENGLISH SOCIETY [Illustration: POST-PRANDIAL STUDIES FAIR HOSTESS (_passing the wine_).--"I hope you admire this decanter, Admiral?" GALLANT ADMIRAL.--"Ah! it's not the vessel I am admiring...." FAIR HOSTESS.--"I suppose it's the _port_?" GALLANT ADMIRAL.--"Oh, no; it's the pilot."] * * * * * [Illustration: HAMPERED WITH A CONSCIENCE TOMMY (_home from an afternoon party_).--"Mamma, darling, I've got a great favor to ask of you.... _Please_ don't ask me _how I behaved_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FELINE AMENITIES OLD LADY (_to fashionable beauty, who has recently married the General_).--"And so that white-haired old darling is your husband! What a good-looking couple you must once have been!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TAKING THE CHANCES THE GENERAL.--"I've brought you a new book, Aunt Emily, by the new French Academician. I'm told it's very good; but I've not read it myself, so I'm not sure it's quite--a--quite correct, you know." AUNT EMILY.--"My dear boy, I'm ninety-six, and I'll _risk_ it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TRIALS OF A PAINTER'S WIFE SIR BINKS (_who always piques himself on saying just the right thing_).--"A--what I like so much about the milkmaid, dontcherknow, is that your husband hasn't fallen into the usual mistake of painting a lady dressed up in milkmaid's clothes! She's so unmistakably a milkmaid and nothing else, dontcherknow!" THE PAINTER'S WIFE.--"I'm _so_ glad you think so.... He painted her from _me_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LADIES OF FASHION AND THEIR DOCTORS (SCENE: The Waiting-Room of a Fashionable Physician.) FAIR PATIENT (_just ushered in_).--"What--_you_ here, Lizzie? Why, ain't you _well_?" SECOND DITTO.--"Perfectly, thanks! But what's the matter with _you_, dear?" FIRST DITTO.--"Oh, nothing whatever! I'm as right as possible, dearest...!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "BONJOUR, SUZON!"] * * * * * [Illustration: RIVAL SMALL AND EARLIES] * * * * * [Illustration: MOTHER'S DARLINGS] * * * * * [Illustration: DAYLIGHT WISDOM ELDER SISTER.--"Oh! he proposed after supper, did he--after dancing with you all night--and you refused him? Quite right! My dear child, never believe in _any_ proposal until the young man calls at eleven in the morning and asks you to be his wife!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN UNAPPRECIATED COMPLIMENT "Good-night, Miss Maud!" "I'm _not_ Miss Maud." "Miss _Ethel_, I mean. Won't you shake hands with me? How ungrateful of you! and just after I've been taking you for your lovely sister, too."] * * * * * [Illustration: LE MONDE OÙ L'ON S'ENNUIE "I see a tent. I wonder what's going on inside? Let's go and see...." "What's the good of our going in there?" "What's the good of our stopping out here?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE TABLES TURNED TIRED DAUGHTERS.--"Don't you think we might _go_ now, mamma? It's three o'clock." FESTIVE MAMMA.--"Oh, that's not so _very_ late, darlings.... Mayn't I have _one_ more dance?"] * * * * * [Illustration: A SLEEPY HOLLOW IN THE OLD COUNTRY (The Common Room at St. Morpheus, Oxbridge.) FIRST TUTOR (_waking up, and languidly helping himself to his modest glass of claret_).--"Ah! I like a little sleep after dinner.... It makes one ready for one's wine!" SECOND TUTOR.--"Well, _I_ like a little sleep _before_ dinner best!" THE MASTER.--"Pooh! Talk to me of the after-breakfast sleep in term-time! That's what _I_ enjoy!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TAKING ONE TOO MUCH AT ONE'S WORD HOSTESS.--"Won't you play us something, Mr. Spinks?" MUSICAL AMATEUR (_who thinks a good deal of himself, in spite of his modesty_).--"Oh, don't ask me--you are all such first-rate performers here--and you play such good music, too." HOSTESS.--"Well, but we like a little _variety_, you know."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE ENGLISH TAKE THEIR PLEASURES SADLY] * * * * * [Illustration: A DAUGHTER OF HETH LIONEL.--"Oh, I _say_, Benjamin! how splendid your wife is looking! _She_ pays for dressing, if you _like_!" BENJAMIN.--"_Does_ she, my boy? I only wish she _did_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A QUESTION OF AGE TEDDY.--"How old are you, Aunt Milly?" AUNT MILLY (_who owns to 35_).--"Oh, Teddy, almost a hundred!" TEDDY.--"Auntie, I can't believe you! I'd believe you if you'd said fifty!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BREAKFAST AT BONNEBOUCHE HALL "A southerly wind and a cloudy sky proclaim a hunting morning."] * * * * * [Illustration: BUSINESS SIR BEDIVERE DE VERE.--"Oh, I say. How you do chaff! You never take me seriously!" AMERICAN BELLE.--"You never asked me!" (_No cards._)] * * * * * [Illustration: DOMESTIC ECONOMY MATER.--"Papa, dear, do you know a halfpenny weekly paper called _Flipbutts_?" PATER.--"Never heard of it in my life!" MATER.--"Well, it offers ninepence a column for answering questions, and they _are_ so difficult, and we _do_ so want to make a little money! Do leave off your novel and help us a little." (_Pater can only write two novels a year, but gets £10,000 for each of them._)] * * * * * [Illustration: WHAT INDUCED HIM TO MARRY HER? HE.--"Look! Here comes young Brummell Washington, with his bride. I wonder what on earth induced him to marry her?" SHE.--"Oh, probably somebody bet him he wouldn't!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CLAIM TO SOCIAL PRECEDENCE HOSTESS.--"You must give your arm to Miss Malecho, William, and put her on your right, and make yourself as agreeable as you possibly can!" HOST.--"Why, she's a person of no consequence whatever!" HOSTESS.--"Oh, yes, she is! She's very ill-natured, and tells the most horrid lies about people if they don't pay her the very greatest attention!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN INTRODUCTION "Auntie, darling, this is my new friend, Georgie Jones. He _is_ nice. And isn't it funny, my birthday is the ninth of January, and his is the tenth, so you see we only just escaped being twins!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BANJONALITIES (The Freemasonry of Art.) HE.--"I beg your pardon--but--er would you be so kind as to give me the 'G'?" SHE.--"Oh, certainly." (_Gives it._) HE.--"Thanks, awfully!" (_Bows and proceeds on his way._)] * * * * * [Illustration: TEUTONIC SATIRE HOSTESS.--"Oh, _pray_ don't leave off, Herr Rosencranz. That was a lovely song you just began!" EMINENT BARYTONE.--"Yes, matame, bot it tit not harmonise viz de cheneral gonferzation. It is in _B vlat_, and you and all your vrents are talking in _G_. I haf a zong in _F_ and a zong in _A sharp_, bot I haf no zong in _G_!" ACCOMPANIST.--"Ach! Berhaps, to opliche matame, I could dransbose de aggombaniments--ja?"] * * * * * [Illustration: REASONING FROM INDUCTION "Look, Geoffrey! That's Lady Emily Tomlinson. Isn't she pretty?" "Yes. And I s'pose that's _Lord_ Emily walking with her!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THOSE INFELICITOUS SPEECHES PROFESSOR BOREHAM.--"What! alone, Mrs. Highflyer? Your husband is not ill, I trust!" MRS. HIGHFLYER (_innocently_).--"Oh no; but he was afraid he might be, if he came here!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SOCIAL PERSEVERANCE MRS. ONSLOW-PUSHINGTON.--"What a very singular woman Lady Masham _is_, Professor! I have called on her every Wednesday this month, and the footman (who knows me perfectly) always said she was out, though Wednesday's her day at home, and there were lots of carriages at the door! She never calls on me--never! And when I bow to her, as I always do, she always looks another way, as she did just now. I must really call again next Wednesday."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE LAST STRAW! "What's the matter, dearest? You look sad...." "Oh, everything's going wrong. The children are ill in bed, and nurse has got the influenza, and my husband declares that ruin is staring us in the face, and I've got an unbecoming frock, and altogether I'm thoroughly depressed...." (_Breaks down._)] * * * * * [Illustration: JUST IN TIME FOR A CUP OF TEA] * * * * * [Illustration: FELINE AMENITIES THE MISSES TIPTYLTE.--"Such fun! We're going to Mrs. Masham's fancy ball as Cinderella's ugly sisters--with false noses, you know!" MISS AQUILA SHARPE.--"What a capital idea! But why false noses?"] * * * * * [Illustration: NEIGHBORLY COMPLIMENTS "Tell me, Mrs. Jones, who's that young Adonis your married daughter is looking up to so eagerly?" "Her _husband_, Mrs. Snarley!" "Dear me, you don't say so! I congratulate you.... Now I understand how you come to have such good-looking grandchildren."] * * * * * [Illustration: GENTLE TERRORISM THE PROFESSOR.--"Will you give me a kiss, my dear?" EFFIE (_an habitually naughty girl_).--"Oh, mammie.... I'll be _good_, I'll be _good_.... I promise!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN UNPLEASANT SOCIAL DUTY HOSTESS.--"Geoffrey, I want you to dance with that little girl!" GEOFFREY.--"Oh, well, if I must, I _must_...!"] * * * * * [Illustration: STREET DIALECTICS BROWN (_who was all but run over_).--"Why didn't you call out _sooner_, you stupid ass?" CABBY.--"I _did_, sir!" BROWN.--"Why didn't you call out _louder_, then?" CABBY.--"I _did_, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EQUAL TO THE OCCASION MRS. GUSHINGTON.--"Oh! oh! what a lovely, _lovely_ picture! So true, so...." OUR ARTIST.--"Wait a bit, Mrs. Gushington--it's wrong side up.... Let me put it right first...!" (_Does so._) MRS. GUSHINGTON (_unabashed_).--"Oh! oh! oh! Why, _that_ way it's even more lovely still!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PRECEDENCE AT BONNEBOUCHE HALL DURING THE HOLIDAYS Grandpapa takes the bride in to dinner, and the rest follow anyhow.] * * * * * [Illustration: HISTRIONIC EGOTISM OUR PET ACTOR (_just arrived_).--"By Jove--these good people all seem to know me very well--nodding and smiling"--(_nods and smiles himself, right and left_)--"uncommonly flattering, I'm sure--considering I've never set foot in the town before!" OUR PET ARTIST (_his chum_).--"I'm afraid it's _me_ they're nodding and smiling at, old man! I come every year, you know--and know every soul in the place!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A STATELY STAIRCASE WINDS AROUND A LARGE HALL] * * * * * [Illustration: HOW REPUTATIONS OF DISTINGUISHED AMATEURS ARE SOMETIMES MADE HERR SILBERMUND (the Great Pianist) TO MRS. TATTLER.--"Ach, Lady Creichton has for _bainting_ der most remârrgaple chênius. Look at _dis_! It is eqval to Felasquez!" M. LANGUEDOR (the Famous Painter) TO MISS GUSHINGTON.--"Ah! For ze music, Miladi Crétonne has a talent kvite exceptionnel. Listen to _zat_! It surpass Madame Schumann!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EOTHEN COOK'S TOURIST (_female_).--"What's that jagged white line on the horizon, I wonder?" COOK'S TOURIST (_male_).--"_Snow_, probably!" COOK'S TOURIST (_female_).--"Ah! that's much more likely! I heard the captain saying it was _Greece_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE DANCING MAN OF THE PERIOD "Been dancin' at all?" "Dancin'? Not I! Catch me dancin' in a house where there ain't a smokin'-room! I'm off, directly!"] * * * * * [Illustration: UNCONSCIOUS CYNICISM SHE.--"It's such years since we met that perhaps you never heard of my marriage?" HE.--"No, indeed! Is it--er--recent enough for congratulations?"] * * * * * [Illustration: UNLUCKY SPEECHES SHE.--"What a disagreeable thing that insomnia must be! Very trying, I think! Do _you_ ever suffer from it, Captain Spinks?" HE.--"Oh, dear, no. I can sleep anywhere, at any time! Could go off _this moment_, I assure you...!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FIN DE SIÈCLE "That's where poor Mrs. Wilkins used to live!" "Why '_poor_' Mrs. Wilkins?" "Well, her husband was killed in that horrid railway accident, don't you remember?" "Oh, but that was _months_ ago!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CUP OF TEA AND A QUIET CIGARETTE AFTER LUNCH] * * * * * [Illustration: PRECEDENCE IN VANITY FAIR The lady guests go in to dinner with the host and young Sir John and young Sir James and the Hon. Dick Swiveller, while the hostess naturally takes the arm of her nephew, Lord Goslin (_just from Eton_), so that, as the party is just two ladies short, Dr. Jones, the great historian, and Professor Brown, the famous philologist (_whose wives have not been asked_), bring up the rear together. THE DOCTOR.--"Well, Professor, we may be of less _consequence_ than the rest, but at all events we're the _oldest_ and the most renowned!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE COULD WISH TO HAVE EXPRESSED OTHERWISE PUZZLED HOSTESS.--"I beg your pardon, Lord Bovril, but _will_ you tell me whether I ought to take _your_ arm, or Prince Sulkytoff's, or the Duke's?" LORD BOVRIL (Lord-Lieutenant of the County).--"Well--a--since you ask me, I must tell you that--a--as her Majesty's representative, _I_ am bound to claim the honor! But I hope you won't for a moment suppose that I'm fool enough--a--to care _personally_ one rap about that sort of thing!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DANCING MEN] * * * * * [Illustration: ILL-CONSIDERED UTTERANCES WELL-PRESERVED ELDERLY COQUETTE.--"Ah! Admiral, _what_ a good time we had there, junketing and dancing and flirting! It all seems like yesterday! Do you remember the Carew girls, and your old flame Lucy Masters, and that poor boy Jack Lushington, who was so desperately in love with _me_?" THE ADMIRAL.--"Indeed I do, dear Lady Maria! And to think of their all dying ... years ago!... _And of old age, too!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN EQUIVOCAL COMPLIMENT LADY PRATTLER (_a confirmed first-nighter, to actor-manager_).--"I congratulate you on your success last night, Mr. McStamp!... How good you were! It was all charmin'--so light, so bright, so well put on the stage!... And oh! _such nice long entr'actes_, you know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PROFESSIONAL BEAUTIES OF THE PAST HOUSEKEEPER (_showing visitors over historic mansion_).--"This is the portrait of Queen Catherine of Medici--sister to the _Venus_ of that name...."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE GONDOLETTE] * * * * * [Illustration: A FESTIVE PROCESSION Meet of the Four-in-Hand Club, Hyde Park, London.] * * * * * [Illustration: THE JOYS OF HOSPITALITY JENKINS.--"Good heavens! Why, there's that brute Tomkins! The skunk! I wonder you can ask such a man to your house! I hope you haven't put him near me at dinner, because I shall cut him dead." HOSTESS.--"Oh, it's all right. He told me all about you before you came in." JENKINS.--"Did he? What did he say about _me_, the ruffian?" HOSTESS.--"Oh, nothing much--merely what you've just been saying about _him_."] * * * * * [Illustration: TOO KIND BY HALF HE.--"Oh, I've long given up dancing for my _own_ sake. I only dance now with those unlucky girls that don't get partners. Who's that young lady behind you?" SHE.--"My daughter." HE.--"Pray, introduce me!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN INFELICITOUS SPEECH "Why, you're looking better already, Sir Ronald!" "Yes, thanks to your delightful hospitality, I've had everything my doctor ordered me: 'Fresh air, good food, agreeable society, and cheerful conversation that involves no strain on the intellect!'"] * * * * * [Illustration: DISAPPOINTMENTS OF LION-HUNTING GUARDSMAN (_gazing at the motley throng_).--"Any great literary or scientific celebrities here to-night, Lady Circe?" LADY CIRCE (_who has taken to hunting Lions_).--"No, Sir Charles. The worst of celebrities in these democratic days is that they won't come unless you ask their wives and families, too! So I ask the wives and families, and the wives and families come in their thousands, if you please, and the celebrities stay at home and go to bed."] * * * * * [Illustration: TWO ON A TOWER JONES (_a rising young British architect_).--"Yes; it's a charming old castle you've bought, Mrs. Prynne, and I heartily congratulate you on being its possessor!" FAIR CALIFORNIA WIDOW (_just settled in the old country_).--"Thanks. And now you must find me a _legend_ for it, Mr. Jones!" JONES.--"I'm afraid I can't manage _that_; but I could add a _story_, if that will do as well!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AT THE ZOO TOMMY.--"Why don't they have little shut-up houses? Why do they have open bars?" DOROTHY (_who knows everything_).--"Oh! that's for them to see the people, of course!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NATURE _VERSUS_ ART Just as Stodge is about to explain the recondite subtleties of his picture to a select circle of deeply interested and delightfully sympathetic women, his wife comes in with the _baby_, confound it!] * * * * * [Illustration: A NEW READING OF A FAMOUS PICTURE "Oh, look, grandpapa! Poor things ... they're burying the baby!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ANTE-POSTHUMOUS JEALOUSY "_Isn't_ Emily Firkinson a darling, Reginald?" "A--ahem--no doubt. I can't say much for her _singing_, you know!" "Ah! but she's so good and true--a perfect angel! I've known her all my life. I want you to _promise_ me something, Reginald." "Certainly, my love!" "If I should die young, and you should ever marry again, promise, oh! promise me that it shall be Emily Firkinson!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DISTINGUISHED PROFESSIONALS HOSTESS (_to host, after dinner_).--"George, dear, how about asking Signor Robsonio and Signora Smithorelli to sing? They'll be mortally _offended_ if we _do_, and they'll be mortally _offended_ if we _don't_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SOCIAL AGONIES MRS. BLOKER.--"Oh, I'm sorry to disturb you at breakfast, but I wanted to make _sure_ of you. Mr. and Mrs. Dedleigh Boreham are stopping with me for a few days, and I want you to come and dine to-morrow, or, if you are engaged, Wednesday; or Thursday will do, or Friday or Saturday; or _any_ day next week!" (_Mrs. Brown feebly tries to invent that they have some thoughts of sailing to Honolulu this afternoon, and that they have just lost a relative, but breaks down ignominiously._)] * * * * * [Illustration: TRUE BLUE "But doesn't hearing those brilliant speeches sometimes make you change your mind?" "My _mind_? Oh, often! But my _vote_, _NEVER_!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NOUS AVONS CHANGÉ TOUT CELA THE OLD MARQUIS OF CARABAS.--"What, madam! There's your lovely but penniless daughter positively dying to marry me; and here I am, willing to settle £20,000 a year on her, and give her one of the oldest titles in England, _and you refuse your consent_!!!! By George, madam, in _my_ young days it wasn't the mothers who objected to men of my sort. It was the _daughters themselves_!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SPEECHES ONE HAS TO LIVE DOWN HOSTESS.--"So sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Green." VISITOR.--"Oh, don't mention it. The anticipation, you know, is always so much brighter than the reality."] * * * * * [Illustration: TOO CONSIDERATE MRS. BROWN.--"Oh, Mrs. Smith, _do_ have that sweet baby of yours brought down to show my husband. He's never seen it." MR. BROWN.--"Oh, pray, don't trouble on _my_ account."] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE WOULD HAVE EXPRESSED DIFFERENTLY GENIAL HOSTESS.--"What, going already, Professor?... And _must_ you take your wife away with you?" THE PROFESSOR (_with grave politeness_).--"Indeed, madam, _I am sorry to say I MUST_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HAPPY THOUGHT] * * * * * [Illustration: FLUNKYANA (A Visit to the Portrait-Gallery of Brabazon Towers.) "Pardon me! But you have passed over that picture in the corner. An old Dutch master, I think." "Oh, _that_! 'The Burgermaster' it's called By Rembrank, I b'lieve. It ain't nothing much. Only a work of hart. _Not one of the family, you know!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: "OH, DON'T YOU REMEMBER SWEET ALICE, BEN BOLT?"] * * * * * [Illustration: A WINDOW STUDY THE MAIDEN.--"Good-morning, Mr. Jones! How do you like my hyacinths?" THE CURATE.--"Well, they prevent me from seeing _you_! I should prefer _Lower_ cinths!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SO _ENGLISH_, YOU KNOW! The Miss Browns (_of "a good" Bayswater family_) playing "Buffalo Gals," with variations, on two American banjoes and an American parlor-grand.] * * * * * [Illustration: SOCIAL TARRADIDDLES MRS. GUSHINGTON (_aside to her husband_).--"What a long, tiresome piece of music that was! Who's it by, I wonder?" MR. GUSHINGTON.--"Beethoven, my love." MRS. GUSHINGTON (_to hostess_).--"My _dear_ Mrs. Brown, what _heavenly_ music! How in every _bar_ one feels the stamp of the greatest genius the world has ever known!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LOVE'S LABOR LOST "Oh, papa, we've all quite made up our minds _never to marry_, now we've got this beautiful house and garden!" (_Papa has taken this beautiful house and garden solely with the view of tempting eligible young men to come and play lawn-tennis, etc., etc._)] * * * * * [Illustration: THE MARCH OF PROGRESS SHE.--"After all, there's nothing better than the wing of a chicken! _Is_ there, General?" HE.--"I never tasted the wing of a chicken. I only know the _legs_! When I was _young_, you know, my _parents_ always ate the wings, and _now_, my _children_ always do!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN INFELICITOUS QUESTION ÆSTHETIC YOUTH.--"I hope by degrees to have this room filled with nothing but the most perfectly beautiful things...." SIMPLE-MINDED GUARDSMAN.--"And what are you going to do with _these_, then?"] * * * * * [Illustration: I MUST HAVE THIS TOOTH OUT! "I must have this tooth out, it hurts so!" "Oh, _please_ don't, or _I_ shall have to wear it, as I do _all_ of your left-off things!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NEMESIS MRS. CONSTANTIA (_to old adorer, who has married for money_).--"And these are your children, Ronald? Oh!... how like their mother!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TOO LATE HE.--"What! You haven't got a dance left?" SHE.--"No. It's past two o'clock! Why didn't you come earlier?" HE.--"Well, a feller must _dine_, you know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FEMININE PERVERSITY SHE-GOSSIP (_alluding to newly-wedded pair_).--"There go 'Beauty and the Beast,' as they are called! She _would_ marry him. Her parents strongly opposed the match, as you may imagine." HE-GOSSIP (_who flatters himself that he understands the sex_).--"By George! The parental opposition must have been strong to make her marry such a ruffian as that!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CONSOLATION DE SNOOKKE.--"There goes Mrs. _Gatherum_! She never asks _me_ to her parties! I suppose I am not _swell_ enough!" SYMPATHETIC LADY-FRIEND.--"Oh, it can't be _that_! One meets the most rowdy people in London there."] * * * * * [Illustration: CAPTAIN LELONGBOW CAPTAIN LELONGBOW (_a fascinating but most inveterate romancer about his own exploits_).--"Who's your favorite hero in _fiction_, Miss Vera?" MISS VERA.--"_You_ are!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ÆSTHETICS MRS. VAN TROMP.--"Oh, Sir Charles! Modern English male attire is _too_ hideous. Just look round ... there are only two decently dressed men in the room!" SIR CHARLES.--"Indeed! And which are _they_, may I ask?" MRS. VAN TROMP.--"Well, I don't know _who_ they are, exactly; but just now one seems to be offering the other a cup of tea."] * * * * * [Illustration: AN ACCOMMODATION VOCALIST (_to fair Stranger_).--"A--I'm going to sing '_Fain would I clasp thee closer, love_!' May I look at you while I am singing?" FAIR STRANGER.-"Oh, certainly! Or at my grandmother."] * * * * * [Illustration: "SVENGALI!... SVENGALI!... SVENGALI!"] * * * * * BOOKS WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY GEORGE DU MAURIER { Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental $1 50 PETER IBBETSON { Three-Quarter Calf 3 25 { Three-Quarter Levant 4 25 { Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental 1 75 TRILBY { Three-Quarter Calf 3 50 { Three-Quarter Levant 4 50 THE MARTIAN (_Mr. Du Maurier's last work, now running as a serial in "Harper's Magazine," began in the number for October, 1896_). TRILBY SOUVENIR. Photogravures in Portfolio 8vo 50 IN BOHEMIA WITH DU MAURIER. By Moscheles 8vo 2 50 Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York _For sale by all booksellers, or will be mailed by the publishers on receipt of price._ Transcriber's Notes: Words surrounded by _ are italicized. Obvious punctuation errors repaired. Pg 2, word "indefinitely" changed to "infinitely" (infinitely less amazing). Caption for illustration A DAUGHTER OF HETH, name "BENJAMIM" changed to "BENJAMIN." 41057 ---- Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=). The oe ligature is shown as [oe]. OUR PEOPLE Sketched by CHARLES KEENE. from the Collection of "Mr. Punch." Boston, James R. Osgood & Co. 1881. "Our People." Sketches from 'Punch' by 'C. K.' Illustration OUR PEOPLE. AT HOME. OUR PEOPLE. STREET-LIFE. OUR PEOPLE. IN THE COUNTRY. OUR PEOPLE. TRAVELLING. OUR PEOPLE. PROFESSIONAL. OUR PEOPLE. OFFICIAL. OUR PEOPLE. IN THE ARMY. OUR PEOPLE. ART AND ARTISTS. OUR PEOPLE. VOLUNTEERS. OUR PEOPLE. AT BUSINESS. OUR PEOPLE. DOMESTICS. OUR PEOPLE. WORKING FOLK. OUR PEOPLE. IN IRELAND. OUR PEOPLE. IN SCOTLAND. &c., &c. Illustration: Toots! theres no a Jok' i' th' 'hale beuk! COMPANION to "OUR PEOPLE," ENGLISH SOCIETY AT HOME, Society Pictures By GEORGE DU MAURIER. JAMES R. OSGOOD & Co., PUBLISHERS. Illustration: Mens Conscia. =Inspector= (_who notices a backwardness in History_). "WHO SIGNED MAGNA CHARTA?" (_No answer._) =Inspector= (_more urgently_). "WHO SIGNED MAGNA CHARTA?" (_No answer._) =Inspector= (_angrily_). "WHO SIGNED MAGNA CHARTA!!?" =Scapegrace= (_Thinking matters are beginning to look serious_). "PLEASE, SIR, 'TWASN'T ME, SIR!!" Illustration: _Dignity._ =Club "Buttons."= "I'M AT THE 'JUNIOR PENINSULAR' NOW." =Friend.= "WHAT! DID YOU 'GET THE SACK' FROM 'THE REYNOLDS'?" =Buttons= (_indignant_). "GO ALONG WITH YER! 'GET THE SACK!' I SENT IN MY RESI'NATION TO THE C'MMITTEE!" Illustration: _Family Pride._ =First Boy.= "MY FATHER'S A ORFICER." =Second Boy.= "WHAT ORFICER?" =First Boy.= "WHY, A CORPORAL!" =Third Boy= (_evidently "comic"_). "SO'S MY FATHER--HE'S A ORFICER, TOO--A GENERAL, HE IS!" =Fourth Boy.= "GO ALONG WITH YER!" =Third Boy.= "SO HE IS--HE'S A _GENERAL DEALER_!!" Illustration: _Bad Customer._ =Landlady.= "WHAT GENTLEMAN'S LUGGAGE IS THIS, SAM?" =Ancient Waiter.= "GE'TLEMAN'S LUGGAGE, 'M! 'OR' BLESHYER, NO, MUM! THAT'S _ARTIS'S TRAPS_, THAT IS. THEY'LL 'AVE TEA HERE TO-NIGHT, TAKE A LITTLE LODGIN' TO-MORROW, AND THERE THEY'LL BE A LOAFIN ABOUT THE PLACE FOR MONTHS, DOIN' NO GOOD TO NOBODY!" Illustration: "_March of Refinement._" =Brown= (_behind the Age, but hungry_). "GIVE ME THE BILL OF FARE, WAITER." =Head Waiter.= "BEG PARDON, SIR?" =Brown.= "THE BILL OF FARE." =Head Waiter.= "THE WHAT, SIR? O!--AH!--YES!"--(_to Subordinate_)--"CHAWLES, BRING THIS--THIS--A--GEN'LEMAN--THE _MENOO_!!" Illustration: _Refrigerated Tourists._ =Provincial Waiter.= "ICE! GENTLEMEN! THERE AIN'T NO ICE IN AUTUMN TIME. BUT IT'S EASY TO SEE YOU ARE GENTS FROM LONDON, AS DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT NATURE, AND I DON'T BLAME YOU FOR IT, IN COURSE. BUT, ICE IN AUGUST!" _Exit, sniggering._ Illustration: Intelligent Pet. "MA, DEAR, WHAT DO THEY PLAY THE ORGAN SO LOUD FOR, WHEN 'CHURCH' IS OVER? IS IT TO WAKE US UP?" Illustration: "Durance." =Little Daughter.= "WON'T THEY LET US OUT WITHOUT PAYING, MA'?" Illustration: _The Mystery Solved._ =Effie= (_our Parson's little daughter: her first experience of "Church." Aloud--with intense surprise_). "PA AND ALL THE DEAR LITTLE BOYS, IN THEIR NIGHTGOWNS, GOING TO BYE-BYE!!" Illustration: _A Pledged M. P._ =M. P.'s Bride= "OH! WILLIAM, DEAR--IF YOU ARE--A LIBERAL--DO BRING IN A BILL--NEXT SESSION--FOR THAT UNDERGROUND TUNNEL!!" Illustration: "_Perils of the Deep._" =Unprotected Female= (_awaking old Gent., who is not very well_). "O, MISTER, WOULD YOU FIND THE CAPTAIN? I'M SURE WE'RE IN DANGER! I'VE BEEN WATCHING THE MAN AT THE WHEEL; HE KEEPS TURNING IT ROUND FIRST ONE WAY AND THEN THE OTHER, AND EVIDENTLY DOESN'T KNOW HIS OWN MIND!!" Illustration: "_The Pink of Fashion._" "OUR FLOWER SHOW WAS A DECIDED SUCCESS THIS YEAR, AND LITTLE FIDKINS IN AN EMBROIDERED FLORAL WAISTCOAT WAS KILLING!" Illustration: _The Bird Show._ =That Charming Gal= _with the blue feather_ (_to Prize Canary_). "SWEETY, DEAR!" =Comic Man= (_"Dolcissimo con Brio," from the other side of the pedestal_). "YES, DUCKY!" _Utterly ruining the hopes, and taking the wind out o' the sails of his tall friend (serious man), who had been spoonying about her all the afternoon, and thought he had made an impression!_ Illustration: "_Trying._" =Happy Swain= (_she has "named the day"_). "AND NOW, DEAREST EDITH, THAT IS ALL SETTLED. WITH REGARD TO JEWELLERY, MY LOVE; WOULD YOU LIKE A SET IN PLAIN GOLD, OR----" =Edith= (_economical and courageous, and who suffers a good deal from toothache_). "OH, AUGUSTUS, NOW YOU ASK ME--DO YOU KNOW--I--REALLY--BUT--MR. CLINCH TOLD ME YESTERDAY THAT HE COULD EXTRACT ALL I HAVE, AND PUT IN A BEAUTIFUL NEW SET FOR ONLY FIFTEEN GUINEAS!!" Illustration: Common Prudence. =Snob.= "OH, LET'S GET OUT O' THIS MOB, 'ARRY! THEY'LL THINK WE'RE A GOIN' TO _CHURCH_!" Illustration: The Triumphs of Temper. =Fare= (_out of patience at the fourth "jib" in a Mile_). "HI, THIS WON'T DO! I SHALL GET OUT!" =Cabby= (_through the trap, in a whisper_). "AH THIN, SOR, NIVER MIND HER! SIT STILL! DON'T GIVE HER THE SATISFACTION AV KNOWIN' SHE'S GOT RID AV YE!!" Illustration: "For Better for Worse." _Our friend Bagnidge (hasn't a rap) has just married the widow (rich) of old Harlesden the stockbroker._ =Mrs. B.= (_Retiring_). "SHALL I SEND MY POPPET HIS SLIPPERS?" =Mr. B.= "N-N-N-N-O--NOT AT PRESENT, THANKS!" (_Sotto voce to his guest when the door was closed._) "NOT SO FOND OF HAVING THE MUZZLES ON MY FEET AT EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE EVENING, YOU KNOW, BARNEY!!" Illustration: A Half Truth. =Guard= (_of the Fatuous Railway Company, that still forbids tobacco_). "STRONG SMELL OF SMOKE, SIR!" =Passenger= (_his cigar covered by his newspaper_). "YA-AS; THE PARTY WHO HAS JUST GOT OUT HAS BEEN SMOKING FURIOUSLY!!" Illustration: Poor Humanity! =Bride.= "I THINK--GEORGE, DEAR--I SHOULD--BE BETTER--IF WE WALKED ABOUT----" =Husband= (_one wouldn't have believed it of him_). "YOU CAN DO AS YOU LIKE, LOVE. I'M VERY WELL(!) AS I AM!!" Illustration: _Family Ties._ (_Respec'fully dedicated to Mr. Punch's excellent friends at the Egyptian Hall--M. and C._) =Aunt.= "GRACIOUS GOODNESS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY CUPBOARD, YOU NAUGHTY BOYS?" =Jacky.= "OH, AUNT, WE'RE PLAYING 'MASCULINE AND COOK'! I TIE HIM TO THE CHAIR, AND WHEN THE DOOR'S OPENED HIS HANDS ARE FREE. THEN HE DOES ME!!" Illustration: "_Prevention Better than Cure._" =Jeames= (_excitedly_). "HERE--HERE--HERE'S THE SHILLIN'! QUICK--QUICK--OFF WITH YOU!" =German Impostor= (_affecting concern_). "DERE IS SOME VUN ILL?" =Jeames.= "WELL, NOT JUST YET! BUT THERE PRECIOUS SOON WILL BE, IF YOU DON'T KNOCK OFF!" Illustration: The Roll-Call. =Sergeant.= "ALISTER MCALISTER!" =Answer.= "HAMISHO!" =Sergeant.= "DONAL' MCBEAN!" =Answer.= "HAMISHO!" =Sergeant.= "PETER MCKAY!" ANSWER. "HAMISHO!" =Sergeant.= "JOHN SMITH!" =Answer.= "HERE, SIR!" =Sergeant= (_with a Sniff_). "UGH! 'ENGLISH POCK-PUDDING'"!! Illustration: _Gentility in Greens._ (_Mrs. Brown finds Sandymouth a very different place from what she remembers it years ago!_) =Greengrocer.= "CABBAGE, MUM!? WE DON'T KEEP NO SECOND-CLASS VEGETABLES, MUM. YOU'LL GET IT AT THE LOWER END O' THE TOWN!" Illustration: _Plain to Demonstration._ =Customer= (_nervously_). "AH! THEY MUST BE VERY IRKSOME AT FIRST." =Dentist= (_exultantly_). "NOT A BIT OF IT, SIR! LOOK HERE, SIR!" (_Dexterously catching his entire set._) "HERE'S MY UPPERS, AND HERE'S MY UNDERS!" Illustration: Unprejudiced! =Swell= (_at the R. A. Exhibition_). "Haw! 've you any Idea--w what Fellaw's Pictu-ars we're to Admi-are this Ye-ar!!!?" Illustration: A Kind Son. =Paterfamilias= (_to his Eldest Son, who is at Bartholomew's_). "GEORGE, THESE ARE UNCOMMONLY GOOD CIGARS! I CAN'T AFFORD TO SMOKE SUCH EXPENSIVE CIGARS AS THESE." =George= (_grandly_). "FILL YOUR CASE--FILL YOUR CASE, GOV'NER!!" Illustration: Crass Ignorance. =First Swell.= "LET'S SEE--TO-MORROW'S----WHAT'S T'DAY, BYTH'BY?" =Second Swell.= "TUESDAY, ISN'T IT?--OR MONDAY?--WAS YEST'DAY SUNDAY? NE' MIND--(_yawns_)--MY MAN'LL BE HERE PWESENTLY--PWECIOUS SHWEWD FELLOW--'TELL US LIKE A SHOT!!" Illustration: A Change in the Weather. =Paterfamilias= (_with a sigh: his family have been to Boulogne for the holidays_). "IT'S ALL UP!" =Bachelor Friend= (_who has enjoyed these little Dinners_). "WHAT'S THE MATTER?" =Paterfamilias.= "TELEGRAM! SHE SAYS THEY'VE ARRIVED SAFE AT FOLKESTONE, AND WILL BE HOME ABOUT 10·30!" Illustration: "Res Angustæ Domi." =Family Man.= "WHERE DO YOU GO THIS YEAR, JINNINGS?" =Bachelor= (_in a sketchy manner_). "OH--BADEN FOR A FEW WEEKS, AND THE WHINE, BELGIUM--P'WAPS GET AS FAR'S VIENNAH! WHERE 'YOU OFF TO?" =Family Man.= "OH, I SUPPOSE I SHALL TAKE THE OLD WOMAN DOWN TO WORTHING--AS USUAL!" _And he says this in anything but a sprightly manner--which was weak and injudicious._ Illustration: _Irish Ingenuity._ =Saxon Tourist.= "WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU LOWERING THE SHAFTS FOR?" (_He has just found out that this manoeuvre is gone through at every ascent._) =Car-Driver.= "SHURE, YER 'ONNER, WE'LL MAKE 'M B'LAVE HE'S GOIN' DOWN HILL!" Illustration: _Scrupulous._ =Shepherd.= "O, JIMS, MUN! CAN YE NO GIE A WHUSTLE ON THA RAM'LIN' BRUTE O' MINE? I DAURNA MYSEL'; IT'S JUST FAST-DAY IN OOR PARISH!!" Illustration: A Game Two can Play at. =Guard= (_to Excited Passenger at the Edinburgh Station, just as the Train is Starting_). "YE'RE TOO LATE, SIR. YE CANNA ENTER." =Stalwart Aberdonian.= "A' MAUN!" =Guard= (_holding him back_). "YE CANNA!" =Aberdonian.= "TELL YE A' MAUN--A' WEEL!" (_Gripping Guard._) "IF A' MAUNNA, YE SANNA!!!" Illustration: Decimals on Deck. =Irish Mate.= "HOW MANNY IV YE DOWN THER-RE?!" =Voice from the Hold.= "THREE, SOR!" =Mate.= "THIN HALF IV YE COME UP HERE IMMADIATELY!!" Illustration: More "Revenge for the Union." =Saxon Tourist= (_at Irish Railway Station_). "WHAT TIME DOES THE HALF-PAST ELEVEN TRAIN START, PADDY?" =Porter.= "AT THRUTTY MINUTES TO TWILVE--SHARRUP, SOR!" _Tourist retires up, discomfited._ Illustration: _The Ulster._ =Schoolboy= (_to Brown, in his new great-coat_). "YAH! COME OUT OF IT! D'YOU THINK I DON'T SEE YER!!" Illustration: "_Silence is Golden._" =Chatty Old Gent.= "HAVE YOU LONG HOURS, HE-AR, PORTAR?" =Railway Porter= (_whose Temper has been spoilt_). "SAME AS ANYWHERES ELSE, I S'POSE--SIXTY MINUTES!"----(_Bell rings, Railway Porter touches up Old Gent's favourite corn, and rushes off!_) =Old Gent.= "PH--O--O--O--O--!" Illustration: _Barometrical._ =Draper.= "LIGHT SUMMER DRESS? YES, M'M. SOLD A GREAT MANY THE LAST FEW DAYS, M'M, THE WEATHER HAVIN' RISEN FROM A FRENCH MERINO TO A GRENADINE!" Illustration: _A Family Man._ =Cabby.= "VY, I'M A FATHER OF A FAM'LY MYSELF, MUM,--NOT SO 'ANDSOME AS YOUR LITTLE DEARS, MUM, I DON'T SAY,--AN' D'YOU THINK I'D GO FOR TO OVERCHARGE FOR 'EM? NOT I, MUM! NOT A SIXPENCE, BLESS THEIR LITTLE 'EARTS!" &c., &c. _Claim allowed._ Illustration: _Unconscionable._ =Head of the Firm.= "WANT A HOLIDAY!? WHY, YOU'VE JUST BEEN AT HOME ILL FOR A MONTH!" Illustration: _A Narcotic._ =Doctor.= "LOOK HERE, MRS. MCCAWDLE. DON'T GIVE HIM ANY MORE PHYSIC. A SOUND SLEEP WILL DO HIM MORE GOOD THAN ANYTHING." =Gudewife.= "E-H, DOCTHOR, IF WE COULD ONLY GET HIM TAE THE KIRK!!" Illustration: The Connoisseur. =Host= (_smacking his lips_). "THERE, MY BOY, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT? I THOUGHT I'D GIVE YOU A TREAT. THAT'S '34 PORT, SIR!" =Guest.= "AH! AND A VERY NICE, SOUND WINE, I SHOULD SAY! I BELIEVE IT'S QUITE AS GOOD AS SOME I GAVE 37S. FOR THE OTHER DAY." Illustration: Awful Warning! =Guest= (_at City Company Dinner._) "I'M UNCOMMONLY HUNGRY!" =Ancient Liveryman= (_with feeling_). "TAKE CARE, MY DEAR SIR, FOR GOODNESS' SAKE, TAKE CARE! D'YOU KNOW IT HAPPENED TO ME AT THE LAST LORD MAYOR'S DINNER TO BURN MY TONGUE WITH MY FIRST SPOONFUL OF CLEAR TURTLE; 'CONSEQUENCE WAS--(_sighs_)--'COULDN'T TASTE AT ALL--ANYTHING--FOR THE REST OF THE EVENING!!" Illustration: _The Sausage Machine._ =Cook= (_in a fluster_). "O 'F Y' PLEASE, 'M, NO WONDER THE FLAVIOUR O' THEM SASSENGERS WASN'T TO-RIGHTS, 'M, WHICH I'VE JEST NOW KETCHED MASTER ALFRED A CUTTIN' HIS 'CAVENDISH' IN THE MACHINE!" Illustration: Just in Time. =Veteran Piscator.= "HECH! BUT YON'S A MUCKLE FESH LOUPIN' AHINT ME!"----(_It was lucky he looked round!--his Friend from London had preferred Sketching on the Banks, had stumbled over a Boulder, and "Gone a Header" into a deep hole. He was gaffed at his last kick!_) Illustration: _Words and Weights._ =Angler.= "DEUCED ODD, DONALD, I CAN'T GET A FISH OVER SEVEN POUNDS, WHEN THEY SAY MAJOR GRANT ABOVE US KILLED HALF A DOZEN LAST WEEK THAT TURNED TWENTY POUNDS APIECE!" =Donald.= "AWEEL, SIR, IT'S NO THAT MUCKLE ODDS I'TH' SAWMON,--BUT THAE FOWK UP THE WATTER IS BIGGER LEEARS THAN WE ARE DOON HERE!" Illustration: "_Mal Apropos._" =Rector's Wife.= "WELL, VENABLES, HOW DO YOU THINK WE SOLD THE JERSEY COW?" =Venables.= (_Factotum and Gardener_) "WELL, M'M, MASTER BYLES HAS GOT THE BETTER O' WE A MANY TIMES, BUT--(_proudly_)--I THINK AS WE A' DONE HE TO-RIGHTS THIS TURN!!" "_So awkward! and before the Archdeacon, too!_" Illustration: "_A Slip o' the Tongue._" =Yachting Biped.= "THEN YOU'LL LOOK US UP AT PRIMROSE 'ILL?" =New Acquaintance= (_gentlemanly man_). "OH, YES--NEAR THE 'ZOO,' ISN'T IT? WE OFTEN DROP IN AND HAVE A LOOK AT THE MONKEYS!" Illustration: _Confession in Confusion._ =Priest.= "NOW, TELL ME, DOOLAN, TRUTHFULLY, HOW OFTEN DO YOU GO TO CHAPEL?" =Pat.= "WILL, NOW, SHURE OI'LL TILL YER RIV'RENCE THE TRUT'. FAIX, I GO AS OFTEN I CAN AVOID!" Illustration: _The New Running Drill._ (_A respectful appeal to His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief._) CAPTAIN BLUARD, AS HE APPEARED IN COMMAND OF HIS COMPANY. Illustration: _Our Military Manoeuvres._ =Irish Drill-Sergeant= (_to Squad of Militiamen_). "PR'S'NT 'RRMS!"--(_Astonishing result._)--"HIV'NS! WHAT A 'PRISINT'! JIST STIP OUT HERE NOW, AN' LOOK AT YERSILVES!!" Illustration: The Race not yet Extinct. =Country Excursionist= (_just landed at G. W. Terminus_). "COULD YOU INFORM ME WHAT THESE 'ERE BUSSES CHARGE FROM PADDINGTON TO THE BANK?" =Dundreary= (_with an effort_). "AU-H, PO' M'SOUL, HAVEN'T AN IDEA-H! NEVER WODE 'N ONE IN M'LIFE! SHOULD SAY A MERE TWIFLE! P'WAPS A SHILLING, OR TWO SHILLINGS. 'DON'T THINK THE WASCALS COULD HAVE THE CONSCIENCE TO CHARGE YOU MORE THAN THWEE SHILLINGS! 'WOULDN'T PAY MORE THAN FOUR! I'D SEE 'EM AT THE D-D-DOO-OOCE!" Illustration: _A Dilemma._ =Party= (_overcome by the heat of the Weather_). "HOY! CAB!" =Driver.= "ALL RIGHT, SIR, IF YOU'LL JUST WALK TO THE GATE." =Party.= "O, BOTHER! WALKING TO 'GATE!" =Driver.= "WELL, SIR, IF YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH, I DON'T SEE HOW I CAN GET OVER!" Illustration: Adjustment. =Bootmaker= (_who has a deal of trouble with this Customer_). "I THINK, SIR, IF YOU WERE TO CUT YOUR CORNS, I COULD MORE EASILY FIND YOU A PAIR----" =Choleric Old Gentleman=. "CUT MY CORNS, SIR!--I ASK YOU TO FIT ME A PAIR O' BOOTS TO MY FEET, SIR!--I'M NOT GOING TO PLANE MY FEET DOWN TO FIT YOUR BOOTS!!!" Illustration: A Mine of Speculation. =Dealer= (_to Wavering Customer_). "WELL, OF COURSE WE ALL KNOW THAT--HE'S GOT 'IS BAD POINTS AN' 'IS GOOD POINTS; BUT WHAT I SAY IS, THERE'S NO DECEPTION ABOUT 'IS BAD POINTS--WE CAN SEE 'EM. BUT WE CAN'T NONE OF US TELL 'OW MANY GOOD POINTS HE MAY 'AVE TILL WE COMES TO KNOW 'IM!!" _The "Party" took time to consider._ Illustration: "Argumentum ad Hominem!" =Dealer.= "I KNOW YOU DON'T LIKE HIS 'EAD, AND I ALLOW HE AIN'T GOT A PURTY 'EAD; BUT LOR'--NOW LOOK AT GLADSTONE, THE CLEVEREST MAN IN ALL ENGLAND!--AND LOOK AT 'IS 'EAD"!!! Illustration: Veneration. =Lodger.= "I SHALL NOT DINE AT HOME TO-DAY, MA'AM, BUT I'VE A FRIEND COMING THIS EVENING. IF YOU COULD GIVE US SOMETHING NICE FOR SUPPER----" =Landlady= (_Low Church_). "WOULD YOU LIKE THE REMAINDER OF THE COLD TURKEY--AH ('_feels a delicacy_')--HEM! _BEELZE-BUBBED_, SIR?" Illustration: A Soft Answer. =Irascible Old Gent.= "WAITER! THIS PLATE IS QUITE COLD!" =Waiter.= "YESSIR, BUT THE CHOP IS 'OT, SIR, WHICH I THINK YOU'LL FIND IT'LL WARM UP THE PLATE NICELY, SIR!" Illustration: Seasonable Luxury. =Old Gent= (_disgusted_). "HECK, WAITER! HERE'S A--HERE'S A--A--CATERPILLAR IN THIS CHOP!" =Waiter= (_flippantly_). "YESSIR. ABOUT THE TIME O' YEAR FOR 'EM JUST NOW, SIR!" Illustration: Education! =Papa= (_improving the occasion at Luncheon_). "NOW, LOOK, HARRY, THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THIS CAKE IS EQUAL TO ABOUT THREE TIMES THE DIAMETER, AND----" =Harry.= "OH, THEN, PA', LET ME HAVE THE C'CUMF'RENCE FOR MY SHARE!!" Illustration: Cricket! =Uncle.= "WELL, TOM, AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE IN CRICKET THIS HALF?" =Tom.= "OH, BLESS YOU, UNCLE, WE'VE BEEN 'NOWHERE,' THIS SEASON; ALL OUR BEST 'MEN,' YOU KNOW, WERE DOWN WITH THE _MEASLES_!" Illustration: Treacherous Confederate. =Uncle George= (_who has been amusing the Young People with some clever Conjuring_). "NOW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU SAW ME BURN THE HANDKERCHIEF.--WOULD YOU BE SURPRISED TO FIND--(_Roars of Laughter_)--I SHALL PRODUCE THE ORANGE OUR YOUNG FRIEND HERE WAS SO OBLIGING AS TO OFFER TO TAKE CARE OF, AND INSIDE WHICH, I'VE NO DOUBT, WE SHALL FIND THE SHILLING?!" Illustration: Breaking the Ice. =Sprightly Lady.= "MR. DORMERS, WOULD YOU OBLIGE ME WITH----" =Bashful Curate= (_who had scarcely spoken to his Fair Neighbour_). "O, CERTAINLY. WHAT SHALL I HAVE THE PLEASURE TO OFFER?----" =Lady.= "----A REMARK!!" Illustration: The First Sermon. =Aunt.= "WELL, DAISY, HOW DID YOU LIKE 'CHURCH' YESTERDAY?" =Daisy.= "O, AUNTY, THEY WERE ALL SO QUIET AND LOOKED SO CROSS, I THOUGHT I MUST 'A' SCREAMED!!" Illustration: "Sweet is Revenge, Especially to Women!" CAPTAIN OGLEBY, WHO ANNOYS THE MISS LANKYSTERS SO MUCH ON THE PROMENADE BY HIS OBTRUSIVE ADMIRATION, IS DISCOVERED EARLY ONE MORNING, BY HIS EXULTANT VICTIMS, IN THE ACT OF HAVING AN "EASY SHAVE" IN THE SOMEWHAT LIMITED PREMISES OF THE VILLAGE FIGARO. Illustration: Desperate Case! =M. A.= (_endeavouring to instil Euclid into the mind of Private Pupil going into the Army_). "NOW, IF THE THREE SIDES OF THIS TRIANGLE ARE ALL EQUAL, WHAT WILL HAPPEN?" =Pupil= (_confidently_). "WELL, SIR, I SHOULD SAY THE FOURTH WOULD BE EQUAL, TOO!!" Illustration: Exchange! =Togswell= (_in the Washing Room at the Office, proceeding to dress for the De Browney's Dinner-Party_). "HULLO! WHAT THE DOOCE"--(_Pulling out, in dismay, from black bag, a pair of blue flannel Tights, a pink striped Jersey, and a spiked canvas Shoe._)--"CONFOUND IT! YES!--I MUST HAVE TAKEN THAT FELLOW'S BAG WHO SAID HE WAS GOING TO THE ATHLETIC SPORTS THIS AFTERNOON, AND HE'S GOT MINE WITH MY DRESS CLOTHES!!" Illustration: _A Degenerate Son._ =The Governor= (_indignantly_). "GEORGE, I'M SURPRISED AT YOU! I SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT YOU KNEW BETTER! IT'S DISGRACEFUL! IS IT FOR THIS I'VE PAID HUNDREDS OF POUNDS TO GIVE YOU AN UNIVERSITY EDUCATION, THAT YOU SHOULD----" =Son and Heir= (_with cigar_). "WHY--WHAT HAVE I DONE, GOVERNOR?" =The Governor.= "DONE? DARED TO SMOKE, SIR, WHILE YOU ARE _DRINKING MY '34 PORT_!!" Illustration: _Lucid!_ =Irish Sergeant= (_to Squad at Judging-Distance Drill_). "NOW, YE'LL PAY THE GREATEST OF ATTINTION TO THE MAN AT EIGHT HUNDRED YAR-RDS: BECASE, IF YE CAN'T SEE 'M, YE'LL BE DECEIVED IN HIS 'APPARANCE!!" Illustration: _The Riding Lesson._ =Riding Master= (_to Sub, who is qualifying himself for the Punjaub Cavalry_). "IF YER 'EAD WAS ONLY TURNED THE OTHER WAY, WHAT A SPLENDID CHEST YOU'D 'AVE, MR. BOWDRIB!" Illustration: _Look before you Leap._ =Middle-Aged Uncle.= "NOT PROPOSED TO HER YET! WHY, WHAT A SHILLY-SHALLYING FELLOW YOU ARE, GEORGE! YOU'LL HAVE THAT LITTLE WIDOW SNAPPED UP FROM UNDER YOUR NOSE, AS SURE AS YOU'RE BORN! PRETTY GAL LIKE THAT--NICE LITTLE PROPERTY--EVIDENTLY LIKES YOU--WITH AN ESTATE IN THE HIGHLANDS, TOO, AND YOU A SPORTING MAN----" =Nephew.= "AH! THAT'S WHERE IT IS, UNCLE! HER FISHING'S GOOD, I KNOW; BUT I'M NOT SO SURE ABOUT HER _GROUSE_!" Illustration: _No Mistake, this Time._ =Lodger.= "DEAR ME, MRS. CRIBBLES, YOUR CAT'S BEEN AT THIS MUTTON AGAIN!" =Landlady.= "OH NO, MUM, IT CAN'T BE THE CAT. MY 'USBAND SAYS HE B'LIEVES IT'S THE COLLERLARDA BEETLE!" Illustration: _State o' Trade._ =Small Girl.= "PLEASE, MRS. GREENSTOUGH, MOTHER SAYS WILL YOU GIVE HER A LETTUCE?" =Mrs. G.= "GIVE?! TELL THEE MOTHER GIV'UM'S DEAD, AND LENDUM'S VERY BAD. NOTHINK FOR NOTHINK 'ERE, AND PRECIOUS LITTLE FOR SIX-PENCE!!" Illustration: "Let Well Alone!" =Swell.= "AH--WHAT'S YOUR FARE TO HAMPSTEAD BY THE--AH--NEW LAW?!" =Cabby.= "OH, I DON'T KNOW NOTHIN' 'BOUT NO NEW LAWS, SIR!--SAME OLD FARE, SIR--'LEAVE IT TO YOU,' SIR!" Illustration: "_Le Jeu ne Vaut pas la Chandelle._" =Old Gent= (_having had to pay twice_). "BUT I'M POSITIVE I HANDED YOU THE MONEY! IT MAY PROBABLY HAVE DROPPED DOWN THE SLIT IN THE DOOR!" =Conductor.= "SLIT IN THE DOOR!--WELL, 'TAIN'T LIKELY I'M GOIN' TO TURN THE BUS UPSIDE-DOWN FOR SIXPENCE!" Illustration: "Tho' Lost to Sight----" =Aunt Jemima= (_from the country--her first experience of a "Hansom"_). "HOY! HOY! STOP THE HORSE! WHERE'S THE COACHMAN!" Illustration: Precise. =Driver= (_impatient_). "NOW, BILL, WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?" =Conductor.= "GE'TLEMAN WANTS TO BE PUT DOWN AT NO. 20 A IN CLARINGDON SQUARE, FUST PORTICO ON THE RIGHT AFTER YOU PASS THE 'RED LION,' PRIVATE ENTRANCE ROUND THE CORNER!" =Driver.= "O, CERTAINLY! ASK THE GE'TLEMAN IF WE SHALL DRIVE UP-STAIRS, AN' SET 'IM DOWN AT 'IS BED-ROOM DOOR IN THE THREE-PAIR BACK?" Illustration: _An Extensive Order._ "O, PLEASE, MISS, WILL YOU GIVE US TWO 'A'PENNIES FOR A PENNY, AND GI' ME A DRINK O' WATER, AN' TELL US THE RIGHT TIME? AN' FATHER WANTS A PIPE; AND LEND MOTHER YESTERDAY'S _'TIZER_."!!! Illustration: "_No such Luck._" =Young Lady.= "IS IT HUNGRY, THEN? COME ALONG, LITTLE DARLING, IT SHALL HAVE ITS DINNER." =Street-Sweeper= (_overhearing, and misapplying_). "HERE Y'ARE, MISS! RIGHT YOU ARE! I JEST AM!" _Ah! but it was Fido she was speaking to!_ Illustration: "_'Tis Better not to Know._" =Impudent Boy= (_generally_). "TRY YER WEIGHT--ONLY A PENNY!" (_To Lady of commanding proportions in particular._) "TELL YER 'XACT WEIGHT TO A HOUNCE, MUM!" Illustration: _Vested Interests._ =Sweeper.= "IF YOU DON'T GET OFF MY CROSSIN', I'LL 'EV YOUR NUMBER!" Illustration: "_Chaff._" =Apple-Stall Keeper= (_to the Boys_). "NOW, THEN, WHAT ARE YOU GAPING AT? WHAT DO YOU WANT?" =Street Boy.= "NOTHIN'." =Apple-Stall Keeper.= "THEN TAKE IT, AND BE OFF!" =Street Boy.= "VERY WELL: WRAP IT UP FOR US IN A PIECE O' PAPER!" _Bolts._ Illustration: "_Is It Possible?!_" =Swell= (_lecturing Juvenile Member of Manufacturing Centre_). "YOU SHOULD ALWAYS--AH--TOUCH YOUR HAT TO A GENTLEMAN----" =Factory Lad.= "PLEASE, SIR, I DIDN'T KNOW AS YER WAS ONE!!" Illustration: A Panic in the Kitchen. =Facetious Page.= "NOW, THEN, HERE'S THE CENSUS, AND MASTER'S ORDERED ME TO FILL IT UP. I'VE PUT DOWN YOUR AGES WITHIN A YEAR OR SO, AND YOU'RE TO 'RETURN' YOUR FOLLERERS, IF ANY, HOW MANY, AND STATE 'P'LICE OR MILITARY,' FEES AND TIPS FROM TRADESMEN AND WISITORS 'PER ANN.,' PRICE O' KITCHEN-STUFF, AVERAGE O' BREAKAGES, &C., &C." Illustration: _Proof Positive._ =Mistress.= "YOUR CHARACTER IS SATISFACTORY, BUT I'M VERY PARTICULAR ABOUT ONE THING: I WISH MY SERVANTS TO HAVE PLENTY, BUT I DON'T ALLOW ANY WASTE." =Page.= "OH, NO, 'M, WHICH I'D EAT AND DRINK TILL I BUSTED, 'M, RATHER THAN WASTE ANYTHINK, 'M!!" Illustration: "_Qualifications._" =Painter= (_who has always been ambitious of "writing himself down an R. A._"). "THINK THEY MIGHT HAVE ELECTED ME, HAVING EXHIBITED AND HAD MY NAME DOWN ALL THESE YEARS! I MIGHT HAVE----" =Friend= (_Man o' the World_). "MY DEAR FELLOW, I'VE ALWAYS TOLD YOU, YOU DON'T GO THE RIGHT WAY TO WORK. YOU SEE THEY COULD ONLY ELECT YOU FOR YOUR PAINTING, FOR----WHY DO YOU WEAR SUCH THICK BOOTS?!!" Illustration: _Temptation._ =Painter.= "YOU DON'T MEAN TO SAY YOU WANT ME TO SIGN IT, WHEN I TELL YOU I DID NOT PAINT IT? AND A BEASTLY COPY IT IS, TOO!" =Picture-Dealer.= "VY NOT, GOOT SIR? VY NOT? TUT! TUT! TUT! I ONLY VISH YOU ARTIS'S VOS MEN OF BIS'NESS!" Illustration: "_Spoiling It._" =Lord Dabbley.= "WA-AL, STREAKY, WHY I'VE HEARD--AH--YOU'RE NOT GOING TO--(_yawns_)--HAVE A PICT-YAR AT THE EXHIBITION!" =Streaky, R. A.= "HAW, VERY PROBABLY NOT, M'LORD. WELL, I THINK IT ONLY--AH--GRACEFUL, M'LORD, WE SHOULD OCCASIONALLY FOREGO OUR PRIVILEGED SPACE FOR THE SAKE OF OUR YOUNGER PAINTERS--AH! BESIDES--I QUESTION IF I SHALL BE ABLE TO FINISH MY PUBLIC PORTRAITS IN TIME THIS YE-AR!" Illustration: "_Particular!_" =Young Mumford= (_airily, having learnt that the Lady comes from his part of the country_). "DESSAY YOU KNOW THE CADGEBYS OF BILCHESTER?--AWFULLY JOLLY PEOPLE! I----" =Haughty Beauty.= "OH NO, WE ONLY VISIT THE COUNTY FAMILIES AND WE _WEED_ THEM!!" _Her partner wishes this "First Set" was "The Lancers."_ Illustration: _Vivifying Treatment of a Partner._ (_A Tragedy of the last Harrogate Season._) =Young Lady= (_to Partner, instantly on their taking their Places_). "NOW----I'VE BEEN TO FOUNTAINS ABBEY, AND TO BOLTON, AND I'VE SEEN THE BRIMHAM ROCKS, AND THE DROPPING WELL, AND THE VIEW FROM THE OBSERVATORY, AND WE HAD A MORNING IN YORK MINSTER, AND WE HAVE BEEN HERE A FORTNIGHT, AND WE ARE GOING TO STAY ANOTHER, AND PAPA TAKES THE CHALYBEATE WATERS, AND I AM VERY GLAD THE CAVALRY ARE COMING. NOW YOU MAY BEGIN CONVERSATION." _Utter Collapse of Partner._ Illustration: _Arbiter Elegantiarum._ =Housemaid.= "OH, PLEASE, 'M, COULD I GO OUT THIS EVENING? 'CAUSE COOK NEX' DOOR'S GOT A 'LANG'AGE O' FLOWERS BEE,' AND SHE_'s_ REQUESTED ME TO BE ONE O' THE JUDGES!" Illustration: "_The Servants._" =Cook.= "THEN, SHALL YOU GO AS 'OUSEMAID?" =Young Person.= "NO, INDEED! IF I GO AT ALL, I GO AS LADY 'ELP!" Illustration: "_Hard Lines._" =Mistress= (_to former Cook_). "WELL, ELIZA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?" =Ex-Cook.= "WELL, MUM, AS YOU WOULDN'T GIVE ME NO CHARACTER, I'VE BEEN OBLIGED TO MARRY A SOLDIER!" Illustration: "_Not to Put too Fine a Point on It._" _Transatlantic Party._ "LOOK 'ERE, WAITER! CHANGE THIS KNIFE FOR A PEA-EATER. STRANGER AND ME AIR ON DIFFERENT PLATFORMS, AND I MIGHT HURT HIM." Illustration: "_Never Say 'Die'_" =Nephew.= "SURE IT ISN'T GOUT, UNCLE?" =Uncle.= "GOUT! SHTUFF AN' NONSHENSH! NOT A BIT OF IT! NO, FACT IS--PHEW--(_winces_) THESE CON-FOUNDED BOOTMAKERS--THEY MAKE YOUR BOOTS SO _TIGHT_!!" Illustration: _"Ingenuas Didicisse" &c._ =Urbane Foreigner.= "THE--AH--CONTEMPLATION OF THESE--AH--RELICS OF ANCIENT ART IN THE GALLERIES OF EUROPE, MUST BE MOST INT'R'STING TO THE--AH--EDUCATED AMERICAN!" =American Tourist.= "WA'AL, DON'T SEEM TO CARE MUCH FOR THESE _STONE GALS_ SOMEHOW, STRANGER!" Illustration: A Plutocrat. =Swell.= "'D YOU OBLIGE ME--AH--BY SHUTTING YOUR WINDOW?--AH----" =Second Passenger= (_politely_). "REALLY, SIR, IF YOU WILL NOT PRESS IT, AS YOURS IS SHUT, THE AIR IS SO WARM I WOULD RATHER KEEP THIS OPEN. YOU SEEM TO TAKE GREAT CARE OF YOURSELF, SIR----" =Swell.= "CARE OF MYSELF! SHOULD WATHER THINK SO. SO WOULD YOU, MY DEAR FEL-LAH, IF YOU'D SIX THOUSAND A YE-AR!!" Illustration: "Matter!" =Portly Old Swell= (_on reading Professor Tyndall's Speech_). "DEAR ME! IS IT POSS'BLE! MOST 'XTR'ORD'NARY!--(_throws down the Review_)--THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY A 'PRIMORDIAL ATOMIC GLOBULE'!!" Illustration: A Final Appeal. "NOW, GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY, I THROW MYSELF UPON YOUR IMPARTIAL JUDGEMENT AS HUSBANDS AND FATHERS, AND I CONFIDENTLY ASK, DOES THE PRISONER LOOK LIKE A MAN WHO WOULD KNOCK DOWN AND TRAMPLE UPON THE WIFE OF HIS BOSOM? GENTLEMEN, I HAVE DONE!" Illustration: _Division of Labor._ =Facetious Volunteer Sub.= "LOOK HERE, CAPTAIN; I'M TIRED OF THIS FUN. DO YOU MIND LOOKING AFTER THE MEN WHILE I GO AND GET TAKEN PRISONER?" Illustration: "_Off._" =Sergeant O'Leary.= "DOUBLE! LEFT! RIGHT! WHAT THE BLAZES, PAT ROONEY, D'YE MANE BY NOT DOUBLIN' WID THE SQUAD!?" =Pat.= "SHURE, SERGEANT, 'TWASN'T A FAIR START!" Illustration: _"Where Ignorance is Bliss" &c._ =Frugal Housewife= (_has a large Family_). "OH, MR. STICKINGS, I SEE BY THE DAILY PAPERS THAT THE PRICE OF MEAT HAS FALLEN TWOPENCE A POUND. I THINK YOU OUGHT TO MAKE SOME REDUCTION IN YOUR CHARGES!" =Country Butcher.= "WERRY SORRY, MUM, BUT WE DON'T TAKE IN NO DAILY PAPERS, MUM!!" Illustration: _Complimentary._ =Collier= (_about the Dog_). "YES, SIR, AW GOT HIM IN MANCHESTER, YONDER, AN' DOCTOR AW'S GOING T' AX YE, HEY Y' ONY OBJECTION TIN US NAMIN' HIM EFTHER YE?!" =Young Medical Man= (_rather pleased_). "OH, DEAR NO, BY ALL MEANS--'DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE COMPLIMENT, THOUGH, HE'S NOT A BEAUTY TO LOOK AT!" =Collier.= "MEBBEES NOT, DOCTOR; BUT--SMASH!--MUN, HE'S A BEGGAR TO KILL!!" Illustration: "(_Not_) _Thankful for Small Mercies_" =Cat's-Meat Man.= "WHAT 'A YER GOT FOR DINNER TO-DAY, JOE?" =Crossing-Sweeper.= "OH, A BIT O' ROAST WEAL, SENT ME UP FROM NO. 6 IN THE CRESCENT 'ERE--AN' YER WOULDN'T B'LLEVE IT!--NOT A MOSSEL O' STUFFIN--AH, AN' NOT SO MUCH AS A SLICE O' LEMON!--AND (_with a sneer_) CALLS THEIRSELVES RESPECT'BLE PEOPLE, I'VE NO DOUBT!!" Illustration: _Delicacy._ =Edwin= (_as the Servant is present_). "AH--J'ETTAY SEE--AH--DISAPPOINTAY DE NE PAS VOO VWORE A LA RINK CE MATTANG--POORQWAW ESKER----?" =Angelina.= "AH WEE, MAIS MOMMONG----" =Parlour-Maid.= "HEM! BEG YOUR PARDON, MISS; BUT I UNDERSTAND THE LANGVIDGE!!" Illustration: "The Servants." =Mistress.= "JANE, TELL COOK I'LL COME DOWN AND SEE WHAT SHE WANTS DONE TO THAT STOVE, AS THE BUILDER'S COMING TO-MORROW." =Jane.= "O, PLEASE, 'UM, I DON'T THINK WE CAN AST YOU INTO THE KITCHING TO DAY, MUM, AS COOK AND ME'S GOT A SMALL AND EARLY 'AT OME' THIS AFTERNOON, MUM!" Illustration: Retributive Justice. =Farmer= (_giving the Culprit a Box o' the Ear_). "HOW DARE YOU BEAT THOSE GOSLINS, YOU YOUNG RASCAL? I SAW YOU!" =Boy.= "BOO, OO, OO, WHAT FURR'D THEY GORS-CHICKS FEYTHER BOITE OI THEN FURR?!" Illustration: "By the Card." =Pedestrian.= "HOW FAR IS IT TO SLUDGECOMBE, BOY?" =Boy.= "WHY 'BOUT TWENTY 'UNDERD THEAUSAN' MILD 'F Y' GOO 'S Y'ARE AGOOIN' NOW, AN' 'BOUT HALF A MILD 'F YOU TURN RIGHT REAOUND AN' GOO T' OTHER WAY!!" Illustration: _In Jeopardy._ THE NEW BOY WAS ENJOINED TO BE VERY CAREFUL HOW HE CARRIED THE FIDDLE-CASE--"BY THE HANDLE, AND TO MIND NOT TO KNOCK IT AGAINST ANYTHING!" IMAGINE THE HORROR OF MR. PITSEY CARTER, HIS MASTER, WHO WAS FOLLOWING, TO COME UPON THE RASCAL, WITH THE INVALUABLE "JOSEPH" ON HIS HEAD, EXECUTING A PAS-SEUL OVER A SKIPPING-ROPE!! Illustration: Heresy. =Mamma.= "YOU KNOW WHO BUILT THE ARK, GEORGE?" =George= (_promptly_). "NOAH, 'MA." =Mamma.= "AND WHAT DID HE BUILD IT FOR?" =George= (_dubiously_). "FOR LITTLE BOYS TO PLAY WITH, 'MA?!" Illustration: "Oh, the Mistletoe Bough!" =Greengrocer, Jun.= (_to whom our Little Friend in Velvet had applied for a piece of Mistletoe for his own private diversion_). "I'VE GOT YER A BIT, MASTER GEORGE. IT AIN'T A VERY BIG PIECE, BUT THERE'S LOTS O' BERRIES ON IT; _AN' IT'S THE BERRIES AS DOES IT_"!!! Illustration: Culture for the Working Classes. =Philanthropic Employer= (_who has paid his Workpeople's expenses to a neighbouring Fine-Art Exhibition_). "WELL, JOHNSON, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF IT? 'PICK UP AN IDEA OR TWO?" =Foreman.= "WELL, YER SEE, SIR, IT WERE A THIS WAY. WHEN US GOT THERE, WE WAS A CONSIDERIN' WHAT WAS BEST TO BE DONE, SO WE APP'INTED A DEPPERTATION O' THREE ON US TO SEE WHAT IT WERE LIKE; AN' WHEN THEY COME OUT AN' SAID IT WERE ONLY PICTURS AN' SUCH, WE THOUGHT IT A PITY TO SPEND OUR SHILLINS ON 'EM. SO WE WENT TO THE TEA-GARDENS, AND WERY PLEASANT IT WERE, TOO. THANK YER KINDLY, SIR!" Illustration: A Casual Acquaintance. =West-End Man= (_addressing, as he supposes, Intelligent Mechanic_). "CAN YOU DIRECT ME TO THE MOORGATE STREET STATION?" =Seedy Party.= "MO'RGATE STREET STATION, SIR? STRAIGHT ON, SIR, FUST TURNIN' T' THE RIGHT, AND IT'S JUST OPPOSYTE. AND NOW, YOU'VE INTERDOOCED THE SUBJECT, SIR, IF YOU COULD ASSIST ME WITH A TRIFLE, SIR, WHICH I'VE 'AD NOTHIN' TO EAT SINCE LAST FRIDAY----" _West-End Man not having an answer ready, forks out, and exit._ Illustration: "Circumlocutory!" =Polite Coster= (_seeing Smoke issuing from Brown's coat-pocket_). "YOU'LL EXCUSE ME ADDRESSIN' O' YOU, SIR,--COMMON MAN IN A MANNER O' SPEAKIN'--GEN'LEMAN LIKE YOU, SIR--BEGGIN' PARDON FOR TAKIN' THE LIBERTY, WHICH I SHOULD NEVER A' THOUGHT O' DOIN' UNDER ORDINARY SUCCUMSTANCES, SIR, ON'Y YOU DIDN'T SEEM TO BE AWARE ON IT, BUT IT STRUCK ME AS I SEE YOU A GOIN' ALONG, AS YOU WERE A-FIRE, SIR!" _By this time Brown's right coat-tail was entirely consumed. His fuzees had ignited by private arrangement among themselves._ Illustration: _Alarming._ =Buttons= (_as he burst into his Master's room on the night of Wednesday, the 7th: he had just seen that wonderful shooting star_). "OH, PLEASE, SIR, THEM METEORS IS A GOIN' OFF AG'IN!!" =Scientific Old Gent= (_startled out of his first sleep, and misunderstanding the intelligence_). "OH!--EH!--WHAT!--TURN IT OFF AT THE _MAIN_!!" Illustration: _Weights and Measures._ =Valetudinarian= (_in the course of Conversation with intelligent Passenger, whom he takes to be a Dignitary of the Church_). "NOW, WHAT SHOULD YOU THINK WAS MY WEIGHT?" =Gentleman in Black.= "WELL, SIR--LET ME SEE--YOU STAND ABOUT FIVE FEET ELEVEN, THIRTY INCHES ACROSS CHEST, AND WE'LL SAY ELEVEN INCHES DEEP--WELL, I SHOULD SAY, SPEAKING AT RANDOM, YOU WOULD 'LIFT' AT ABOUT ELEVEN STUN' AND THREE QUARTERS!" _Horror of Invalid--his fellow-passenger was an UNDERTAKER!_ Illustration: "_Small Mercies._" =First Jolly Angler= (_with empty Creel_). "WELL, WE'VE HAD A VERY PLEASANT DAY! WHAT A DELIGHTFUL PURSUIT IT IS!" =Second Ditto= (_with ditto_). "GLORIOUS! I SHAN'T FORGET THAT NIBBLE WE HAD JUST AFTER LUNCH, AS LONG AS I LIVE!" =Both.= "AH!!" Illustration: Tyranny. =First Rough.= "WE'RE A GOIN' TO BE EDGICATED NOW, C'MPULSORY, OR ELSE GO TO THE TREADMILL!" =Second Rough.= "AH! NO VUNDER SO MANY POOR PEOPLE'S A EMIGRATIN'!" Illustration: A Perfect Cure. =Town Man.= "HOW JOLLY IT MUST BE, LIVING DOWN HERE IN THE COUNTRY!" =Country Gentleman.= "OH, I DON'T KNOW. IT'S RATHER TORPID SORT OF LIFE; TIME PASSES VERY SLOWLY." =Town Man.= "TIME PASSES SLOWLY? YOU SHOULD GET SOMEBODY TO DRAW ON YOU AT THREE MONTHS!!" Illustration: In Consequence of the Tailors' Strike. GEORGE AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE THEIR CLOTHES MADE AT HOME. =George.= "ARE YOU SURE YOU TOOK MY RIGHT MEASURE, CHARLOTTE?" =Charlotte.= "OH, GEORGE, I'M SURE IT FITS BEAUTIFULLY!!" Illustration: "As Well as Can be Expected." =Horsey Parish Doctor= (_late for the Meet_). "WELL, MOTHER, AND HOW'S YOUR DAUGHTER, AND THE BABBY--POORLY, EH? AH, WELL, GIVE HIM A PINCH O' BRIMSTONE IN HIS PAP, AND I'LL LOOK IN TO-MORROW." Illustration: Penny Wise. =National Schoolmaster= (_going round with Government Inspector_). "WILKINS, HOW DO YOU BRING SHILLINGS INTO PENCE?" =Pupil.= "PLEASE, SIR, 'TAKES IT ROUND TO THE PUBLIC-'OUSE, SIR!!" Illustration: Reminiscences. =Governess.= "SHOW MR. SMITHERS YOUR NEW DOLL, ADA." =Old Rustic.= "AH--LOR'--DEARY ME, MUM, IF IT AIN'T THE VERY MODAL OF MY OLD WOMAN WHEN SHE WAS IN HER PRIME!!" Illustration: "Hoist with His Own 'Pomade'!" =Customer= (_worried into it_). "WELL, I DON'T MIND TAKING A SMALL BOTTLE----" =Barber.= "BETTER 'AVE A TWO SHILLIN' ONE, SIR; IT 'OLDS FOUR TIMES AS MUCH AS THE OTHER----" =Customer= (_turning upon him_). "O, THEN IF I TAKE THIS SHILLING BOTTLE, I SHALL BE DONE OUT OF HALF MY MONEY'S WORTH! THEN I WON'T HAVE ANY!" _Escapes in triumph!_ Illustration: Distracting. =Customer.= "WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE BISHOP'S SERMON ON SUNDAY, MR. WIGSBY?" =Hairdresser.= "WELL, REALLY, SIR, THERE WAS A GENT A-SETTIN' IN FRONT O' ME AS 'AD HIS 'AIR PARTED THAT CROOKED I COULDN'T 'EAR A WORD!" Illustration: A Compliment. =Hairdresser.= "ANY OFF THE BEARD, SIR?" =Customer.= "NO, THANK YOU. I'VE LATELY TRIMMED IT MYSELF." =Hairdresser.= "INDEED, SIR! I SHOULD NOT HAVE THOUGHT ANY GENTLEMAN OUT OF THE PROFESSION COULD HAVE DONE IT SO WELL!!" Illustration: XXX Cellent Reasons. =Free and Independent= (_to wavering_) =Elector=. "YOU DON'T ADMIRE HIS POLITICS? POLITICS BE BLOWED! LOOK AT HIS PRINCIPLES! THAT MAN ALLUS BREWS FIVE-AND-TWENTY BUSHELS TO THE HOGSHEAD!" Illustration: Sympathy. =Giles= (_ruefully_). "VILLIAM, I'VE BEEN AN' GONE AN' 'LISTED!" =William.= "LOR'! 'AVE YER, THOUGH? GOT THE SHILLIN'?" =Giles.= "YES." =William.= "WELL, THEN, LET'S GO AN' 'AVE A GLASS AT THE 'BARLEY-MOW.' DON'T LET'S BE DOWN'EARTED!" Illustration: Liberal to a Fault. =the missus= (_affably_). "MY 'USBAN'S OUT JUST NOW, SIR. CAN I GIVE HIM ANY MESSAGE?" =liberal candidate.= "AH--I HAVE CALLED WITH THE HOPE THAT--AH--HE'D PROMISE ME HIS VOTE AT THE APPROACH----" =the missus.= "OH, YES, SIR. YOU'RE CAP'M BILKE, THE 'YALLOW,' I S'POSE, SIR! YES, I'M SURE HE'LL BE MOST 'APPY, SIR!" =the captain= (_delighted_). "YA-AS--I SHALL BE MUCH OBLIGED TO HIM--AND--AH--HE MAY DEPEND UPON MY----" =the missus.= "YES, I'M SURE HE'D PROMISE YOU IF HE WAS AT HOME, SIR; 'CAUSE WHEN THE TWO 'BLUE' GENTS CALLED AND AS'ED HIM THE OTHER DAY, SIR, HE PROMISED 'EM D'REC'LY, SIR!!" Illustration: Civil Service Miseries. =Mamma= (_who has been Shopping at the Co-Operative_). "GOOD GRACIOUS, DEARS, WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH THESE PARCELS?" =Youngest Daughter.= "OH, PA' CAN TAKE THE LARGE ONE, MA', AND HE MIGHT CARRY SOME OF THE SMALL ONES IN HIS POCKETS!!" _Pa', who has been waiting outside, feels he's in for it._ Illustration: "Men were Deceivers Ever." =Swell= (_at the Civil Service Co-Operative Store_). "HAW! I WANT TWO OR THWEE POUNDS--BACON--AND--AW--'BLIGE ME BY DOING IT UP LIKE BOX--GLOVES OR FLOWERS, OR SOMETHING O' THAT SORT!!" Illustration: A Sinister Slip. =Smith.= "HULLO, BROWN! 'BEEN FOR YOUR ANNUAL COLLIS----I MEAN YOUR ANNUAL EXCURSION, YET?" _Brown was highly nervous, and this malign suggestion quite upset him. He spent his holiday at home!_ Illustration: Force of Habit. =City Merchant= (_blissfully dozing in his Country Church_). "SEASON TICKET!!" Illustration: "_Alma Mater._" _Young Puncheonby "cuts" the Army, and goes to Oxford to read for "the Church."_ =Tutor.= "YOU ARE PREPARED IN SUBSCRIBE TO THE THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES----" =Puncheonby= (_with alacrity_). "AH 'TH PLEASH 'AH,--AH--HOW MU-CH--." Illustration: _Embarrassing._ =Nervous Spinster= (_to wary Old Bachelor_). "OH, MR. MARIGOLD, I'M SO FRIGHTENED! MAY I TAKE HOLD OF YOUR HAND WHILE WE'RE GOING THROUGH THIS TUNNEL?" Illustration: A Straightforward View. =High Church Curate.= "AND WHAT DO YOU THINK, MR. SIMPSON, ABOUT A CLERGYMAN'S TURNING TO THE EAST?" =Literal Churchwarden.= "WELL, SIR, MY OPINION IS, THAT IF THE CLERGY MAN IS GOODLOOKIN', HE DON'T WANT TO TURN HIS BACK TO THE CONGREGATION!" Illustration: "The Better the Day." &c. =Rustic= (_to Curate who dabbles in Photography_). "I'D BE TURR'BLE MUCH OBLIGED, ZUR, IF YOU'D MAP OFF MY PICTUR', ZUR!" =Curate.= "WELL, MY MAN, I'LL TAKE YOUR LIKENESS FOR YOU. WHEN WILL YOU COME?" =Rustic.= "WELL, ZUR, IF YOU'VE NO 'BJECTIONS, I BE MOASTLY CLEANED UP AND HAS MOAST TIME O' ZUNDAY MARNINS, ZUR!!" Illustration: A Distinction. =The "Good Parson"= (_to Applicant for Instruction in the Night School_). "HAVE YOU BEEN CONFIRMED, MY BOY?" =Boy= (_hesitating_). "PLEASE, SIR--I--DON'T KNOW----" =Parson.= "YOU UNDERSTAND ME; HAS THE BISHOP LAID HIS HANDS ON YOU?" =Boy.= "OH, NO, SIR; BUT HIS KEEPER HAVE, SIR--VERY OFTEN, SIR!!" Illustration: Considerate. =Churchwarden.= "TELL YE WHAT 'TIS, SIR. THE CONGREGATION DO WISH YOU WOULDN'T PUT THAT 'ERE CURATE UP IN PULPIT--NOBODY CAN'T HEAR UN." =Old Sporting Rector.= "WELL, BLUNT, THE FACT IS, TWEEDLER'S SUCH A GOOD FELLOW FOR PARISH WORK, I'M OBLIGED TO GIVE HIM _A MOUNT_ SOMETIMES." Illustration: Rustic Recollections. =Boy.= "PLEASE, PA-ARSON, MOTHER WANTS SOME SOUP." =The Rector.= "BUT I TOLD YOUR MOTHER SHE MUST SEND SOMETHING TO PUT IT IN." =Boy.= "OH, PLEASE, SHE'VE SENT THIS YEAR PA-AIL VOR 'UN, PA-ARSON!!" Illustration: _Not a "Silver Lining" to a Cloud._ =Adolphus= (_grandly; he is giving his future brother-in-law a little dinner down the river_). "WAITAR, YOU CAN--AH--LEAVE US!" =Old Waiter.= "HEM!--YESSIR--BUT--YOU'LL PARD'N ME, SIR--WE'VE SO MANY GENTS--'DON'T WISH TO IMPUTE NOTHINK, SIR--BUT MASTER--'FACT IS, SIR--(_evidently feels a delicacy about mentioning it_)--WE'RE--YOU SEE, SIR--_'SPONSIBLE FOR THE PLATE, SIR!!!_" Illustration: "_What's in a Name?_" =Waiter= (_to nervous invalid_). "THERE'S THE OLD CHURCH, SIR, CLOSE BY, BUT SOME VISITORS GOES TO ST. WOBBLEOE'S, SIR. THERE THE CLERGYMAN PREACHES _DISTEMPERY_!!" _Clearly not the place for him, the old gentleman thinks, with a shudder._ Illustration: _A New Dish._ =Sympathising Swell= (_waiting for some chicken_). "YOU'VE GOT NO SINECURE THERE, THOMAS!" =Perspiring Footman.= "VERY SORRY, SIR--JUST 'ELPED THE LAST OF IT AWAY, SIR!" Illustration: Our Artist IS NOT IN THE BEST OF TEMPERS. HE HAS BEEN DISTURBED OFTEN BY BARGES, AND BOTHERED BY THE BLUEBOTTLES, AND THEN HE'S ACCOSTED BY WHAT APPEARS TO HIM IN THIS IRRITABLE MOOD TO BE AN =Art-Critic= (_loq._) "THE PICTURE LOOKS BETTER A GOODISH BIT OFF, GOV'NOUR!" =Artist= (_maddened_). "CON--FOUND----SO DO YOU, SIR!" _Party makes off hastily, "not liking the looks of him."_ Illustration: Hunting Idiot, RETURNING FROM THE CHASE, PROPOSES TO "CHAFF THAT ARTIST FELLER." =Huntsman.= "WHAT'LL YER TAKE ME FOR, GOV'NOUR?" =Painter= (_without the slightest hesitation_). A _SNOB_! Illustration: Boxing-Day. (_Mrs. Bustleton's favourite Cabman has called for his usual Christmas-Box in a state of----never mind._) =Mrs. B.= "OH, SAWYER, I'M SURPRISED--I THOUGHT YOU SUCH A STEADY MAN! I'M SORRY TO SEE YOU GIVEN TO DRINK!" =Sawyer.= "BEG Y' PAR'N MUM, NO S'H 'HING MUM (_hic_). DRINK 'ASH GI'N T' ME, MUM, 'SH MORN'N, MUM!!" Illustration: An Old Offender. =Country Gentleman= (_eyeing his Gardener suspiciously_). "DEAR, DEAR MR. JEFFRIES, THIS IS TOO BAD! AFTER WHAT I SAID TO YOU YESTERDAY, I DIDN'T THINK TO FIND YOU----" =Gardener.= "YOU CAN'T SHAY--(_hic_)--I WASH DRUNK YESHT'DAY, SH----!" =Country Gentleman= (_sternly_). "ARE YOU SOBER THIS MORNING, SIR?" =Gardener.= "I'M--SHLIGHTLY SHOBER, SHIR!!" Illustration: Irrevocable. =Customer= (_for the Royal Wedding photograph_). "CAN'T I HAVE THE LADY ONLY? I DON'T SO MUCH WANT THE GENTLEMAN!!" =Young Person= (_with decision_). "NO, SIR; WE CAN'T PART THEM, SIR, _NOW_!" Illustration: Mrs. Jingleton. Learning that Young M Skirlygy (FROM WHOSE FAMILY SHE RECEIVED SUCH POLITENESS WHEN SHE WAS IN THE HIGHLANDS) WAS IN TOWN, AND HAVING HEARD SO MUCH OF HIS PLAYING, ASKS HIM TO ONE OF HER LITTLE PARTIES FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC, AND HOPES HE WILL 'OBLIGE' DURING THE EVENING.--HA! HA! SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HIS INSTRUMENT WAS! Illustration: Arcadian Amenities. =Little Rustic= (_after a "game" struggle, evidently overweighted_). "OH, PLEASE, HELP US ALONG 'ITH THIS LINEN UP TO MOTHER'S----" =Amiable Swell= (_aghast_). "EH! OH, RIDICULOUS--HOW CAN I?--LOOK HERE, I'VE GOT A BAG--HEAVY BAG--TO CARRY MYSELF----" =Little Rustic.= "I'LL CARRY YOUR BAG, SIR." =Swell.= "EH--BUT (_to gain time_) WH--WHAT'S YOUR MOTHER'S ABSURD NAME?" _This did not help him much. There was no escape; and ultimately----but we draw a veil over the humiliating sequel._ Illustration: A Big Fish. =Artful Damsel= (_who has made a successful throw_). "O, LORD FEUBIGGIN, HOWEVER SHALL I MANAGE----." =Lord Feubiggin= (_caught, two_). "PRAY LET ME SHOW YOU! ALL DEPENDS ON HOW YOU PLAY YOUR FISH!" _We betray confidence for once. This Picture comes from a Letter sent by a newly-married Lady (now of title), to a particular Friend of hers, and is called a "Reminiscence of Scotland." Perhaps our Readers can guess at the Story--we cannot._ Illustration: The Pic-Nic. =Playful Widow.= "JUMP ME DOWN, MR. FIGGINS!!" _The gallant little Man did his best, but fell--in her estimation for ever!_ Illustration: Artful--Very! =Mary.= "DON'T KEEP A SCREOUGIN' O' ME, JOHN!" =John.= "WH'OI BEAN'T A SCREOUGIN' ON YER!" =Mary= (_ingenuously_). "WELL, Y' CAN I' Y' LIKE, JOHN!" Illustration: "_The Grey Mare!_" =Mrs. B.= (_taking the reins_). "NO, BROWN, I WILL NOT HAVE THE PONY BACKED! NO! THAT PERSON MUST HAVE SEEN US COME INTO THE LANE FIRST; AND IF THE MAN'S GOT COMMON POLITENESS----" =Mr. B.= "BUT, MY DEAR, WE'VE ONLY JUST TURNED THE----" =Mrs. B.= "I DON'T CARE, BROWN! NO! I WON'T GO BACK, IF I STAY HERE TILL----" =Farmer.= "ALL RIGHT, SIR!--I'LL BACK, SIR. I'VE GOT JUST SUCH ANOTHER _VIXEN_ AT HOME, SIR!" Illustration: _How We Arrange Our Little Dinners._ =Mistress.= "OH, COOK, WE SHALL WANT DINNER FOR FOUR THIS EVENING. WHAT DO YOU THINK, BESIDES THE JOINT, OF OX-TAIL SOUP, LOBSTER PATÉS, AND AN ENTRÉE--SAY, BEEF?" =Cook.= "YES, 'M--FRESH, OR AUSTR----?" =Mistress.= "LET'S SEE! IT'S ONLY THE BROWNS--TINNED WILL DO!" Illustration: _Conclusive._ =Lodger.= "I DETECT RATHER A DISAGREEABLE SMELL IN THE HOUSE, MRS. JONES. ARE YOU SURE THE DRAINS----" =Welsh Landlady.= "OH, IT CAN'T BE THE DRAINS, SIR, WHATEVER. THERE ARE NONE, SIR!!" Illustration: _Our Manoeuvres._ =Captain of Skirmishers= (_rushing in to seize Picket Sentries of the Enemy_). "HULLO! HE-AR! YOU SURRENDER TO THIS COMPANY!" =Opposition Lance-Corporal.= "BEG PARDON, SIR! IT'S THE OTHER WAY, SIR. WE'RE A BRIGADE, SIR!!!" Illustration: "Our Reserves,"--The Battle of Amesbury. =Aide-de-Camp.= "GOOD GRACIOUS, SIR! WHY DON'T YOU ORDER YOUR MEN TO LIE DOWN UNDER THIS HILL? CAN'T YOU SEE THAT BATTERY PLAYING RIGHT ON THEM?" =Colonel of Volunteers.= "SO I DID, SIR. BUT THEY WON'T LIE DOWN. THEY SAY THEY WANT TO SEE THE REVIEW!!" Illustration: A Little Failing. =Nervous Old Lady.= "NOW, CABMAN, YOU'RE SURE YOUR HORSE IS QUIET? WHAT'S HE LAYING BACK HIS EARS LIKE THAT FOR? LOOK!" =Cabby.= "O THAT'S ONLY HER FEMI-NINE CUR'OSITY, MUM. SHE LIKES TO HEAR WHERE SHE'S A GOIN' TO!" Illustration: The Connoisseurs. =Groom.= "WHEW'S BEER DO YOU LIKE BEST--THIS 'ERE HOM'BREWED O' FISK'S, OR THAT THERE ALE THEY GIVES YER AT THE WHITE HO'S?" =Keeper= (_critically_). "WELL, O' THE TEW I PREFERS THIS 'ERE. THAT THERE O' WUM'OOD'S DON'T FARE TO ME TO TASTE O' NAWTHUN AT ALL. NOW THIS 'ERE DEW TASTE O' THE CASK!!" Illustration: "Io Bacche!" =Jeames.= "MORNIN', MR. JARVICE. WHAT'S THE NEWS?" =Mr. J.= (_the old Coachman_). "WELL, I'VE 'EARD THE BEST BIT O' NEWS THIS MORNING AS I'VE 'EARD FOR MANY A DAY, FROM OUR BUTLER. HE TELL ME THE WIN'YARDS IS 'A COMIN' ROUND,' AND THERE'S EVERY PROSPEC' OF OUR GETTIN' SOME MORE GOOD MADEIRY!!" Illustration: A Veteran. =Civil Service Captain.= "WILL--HE--AH--STAND POW-DAR?" =Dealer.= "'POWDER?' WHY HE WAS ALL THROUGH THE BATTLE O' WATERLOO THAT CHARGER WAS!!" Illustration: "What's the Odds?" =Purchaser.= "HE'S RATHER HEAVY ABOUT THE HEAD, ISN'T HE?" =Dealer= (_can't deny it_). "WELL, SIR! (_Happy thought._) BUT Y'SEE, SIR, HE'LL HEV TO CARRY IT HISSELF!" Illustration: _"There's Many a Slip" &c._ WAGGLES SAW A SPLENDID THREE-POUND TROUT FEEDING IN A QUIET PLACE ON THE THAMES ONE EVENING LAST WEEK. DOWN HE COMES THE NEXT NIGHT, MAKING SURE OF HIM! BUT SOME OTHER PEOPLE HAD SEEN HIM TOO!!! Illustration: _Lingua "East Anglia."_ =First Angler= (_to Country Boy_). "I SAY, MY LAD, JUST GO TO MY FRIEND ON THE BRIDGE THERE, AND SAY I SHOULD BE MUCH OBLIGED TO HIM IF HE'D SEND ME SOME BAIT." =Country Boy= (_to Second Angler, in the Eastern Counties language_). "THA' THERE BO' SAHY HE WANT A WURRUM!!" Illustration: _A Luxurious Habit._ =Philanthropist= (_to Railway Porter_). "THEN WHAT TIME DO YOU GET TO BED?" =Porter.= "WELL, I SELDOM WHAT YER MAY CALL GETS TO BED MYSELF, 'CAUSE O' THE NIGHT TRAINS. BUT MY BROTHER, AS USED TO WORK THE P'INTS FURTHER DOWN THE LINE, WENT TO BED LAST CHRISTMAS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AND NEVER----" _Train rushes in, and the Parties rush off._ Illustration: _The Golden Age Restored._ =Young Lady= (_Through Passenger, at West Riding Station_). "WHAT'S GOING ON HERE TO-DAY, PORTER? HAS THERE BEEN A FÊTE?" =Porter= (_astonished_). "BLESS THEE, LASS! THERE'S NEA FEIGHTIN' NOO-A-DAYS; 'T'S AGIN T' LA-AW!--NOBBUT A FLOOER-SHOW!" Illustration: "No Accounting for Taste." =Materfamilias= (_just arrived at Shrimpville--the Children had been down a Month before_). "WELL, JANE, HAVE YOU FOUND IT DULL?" =Nurse.= "IT WAS AT FUST, M'M. THERE WAS NOTHINK TO IMPROVE THE MIND, M'M, TILL THE NIGGERS COME DOWN!!" Illustration: Sold Cheap. =Little Brown= (_to "Nigger Minstrel," who always addresses his listeners as "My Lord"_). "AH, HOW DID YOU KNOW MY----AH--HOW DID YOU KNOW I WAS A LORD?" _Sensation among the bystanders!_ =Minstrel.= "BLESS YER, MY LORD, I NEVER LOSE SIGHT O' MY SCHOOLFELLERS!" _Roars of laughter. Little B. caves in, and bolts!_ Illustration: Selling Him a Pennyworth. =Philanthropist.= "THERE'S A PENNY FOR YOU, MY LAD. WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH IT?" =Sweeper.= "WHAT ALL THIS AT ONCE! I'LL TOSS YER FOR IT, DOUBLE OR QUITS!" Illustration: A Change for the Better. =Greengrocer.= "WANT A PENN'ORTH O' COALS, DO YER? YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO 'AVE A PENN'ORTH MUCH LONGER. THEY'RE A GOING UP. COALS IS COALS NOW, I CAN TELL YER!" =Boy.= "AH, WELL, MOTHER'LL BE GLAD O' THAT, 'CAUSE SHE SAYS THE LAST COALS SHE HAD O' YOU WAS ALL SLATES!!" Illustration: _Colloquial Equivalents._ =Papa.= "NOW, MY DEAR GIRLS, YOUR BROTHER IS RECEIVING A MOST EXPENSIVE EDUCATION, AND I THINK THAT WHILE HE IS AT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS YOU SHOULD TRY TO LEARN SOMETHING FROM HIM." =Emily.= "SO WE DO, 'PA. WE'VE LEARNT THAT A BOY WHO CRIES IS A 'BLUB,' THAT A BOY WHO WORKS HARD IS A 'SWOT'"---- =Flora.= "YES, AND THAT ANYBODY YOU DON'T LIKE IS A 'CAD;' AND WE KNOW THE MEANING OF 'GRUB,' 'PROG,' AND A 'WAX'" Illustration: "The Meat Supply." =Bathing-Man.= "YES, MUM, HE'S A GOOD OLD 'ORSE YET. AND HE'S BEEN IN THE SALT WATER SO LONG, HE'LL MAKE CAPITAL BILED BEEF WHEN WE'RE DONE WITH HIM!!!" Illustration: "_Tracts._" =First Navvy.= "T' NEW MISSION-ARY GAVE ME THIS 'ERE TRACK JUST NOW, BILL." =Second Navvy.= "AIN'T SEEN HIM. WHAT LOIKE IS HE?" =First Navvy.= "LITTLE CHAP--PREACHES ABOUT EIGHT STUN TEN, I SHOULD GUESS!" Illustration: "_A Ticket of Leave_." =Swell= (_who won't be done_). "H'YARS MY KYARD IF YOU'D--AH--LIKE TO SUMMON ME." =Cabby= (_who has pulled up and heard the dispute_). "DON'T YOU TAKE IT, BILL. IT'S HIS TICKET O' LEAVE!" Illustration: A Pleasant Prospect. =Traveller= (_in Ireland_). "HI,--PULL HER UP, MAN! DON'T YOU SEE THE MARE IS RUNNING AWAY?" =Paddy.= "HOULD TIGHT, YER 'ONOR! FOR YER LIFE DON'T TOUCH THE REINS!--SURE THEY'RE AS ROTTEN AS PEARS! I'LL TURN HER INTO THE RIVER AT THE BRIDGE BELOW HERE. SURE THAT'LL STOP HER, THE BLAGYARD!" Illustration: Reassuring. =Traveller in Ireland= (_rheumatic, and very particular_). "NOW, I HOPE THE SHEETS ARE CLEAN!" =Kathleen= (_the Chambermaid_). "CLANE, SOR? SHURE THEY'RE JUST _DAMP_ FROM THE MANGLE, SOR!!" Illustration: _Woman's Rights._ =Scotch Lady= (_who has taken a House in the Highlands, her Servants suddenly giving "warning"_). "WHAT'S THE REASON OF THIS? HAVE YOU NOT ALL YOU WANT?--GOOD ROOMS, AND GOOD FRESH AIR AND FOOD, AND EASY WORK?" =Spokeswoman.= "YES, MEM--BUT--BUT THERE'S NO A DECENT LAAD WITHIN CRY O' US!" Illustration: "_Canny._" =Sportsman.= "THAT'S A TOUGH OLD FELLOW, JEMMY?" =Keeper.= "AY, SIR, A GRAND BIRD TO SEND TO YOUR FREENS!" Illustration: _Stern Pulpit Critics._ =First Scot.= "FAT SORT O' MINISTER HAE YE GOTTEN, GEORDIE?" =Second Ditto.= "OH, WEEL, HE'S NO MUCKLE WORTH. WE SELDOM GET A GLINT O' HIM. SAX DAYS O' TH' WEEK HE'S ENVEES'BLE, AND ON THE SEVENTH HE'S ENCOMPREHENS'BLE!!" Illustration: The Commissariat. =Squire= (_to new Butler_). "I HAVE THREE OR FOUR CLERGYMEN COMING TO DINE WITH ME TO-MORROW, PRODGERS, AND----" =Mr. Prodgers.= "'IGH OR LOW, SIR?" =Squire.= "WELL--I HARDLY----BUT WHY DO YOU ASK, PRODGERS?" =Mr. Prodgers.= "WELL, YOU SEE, SIR, THE 'IGH' DRINKS MOST WINE, AND THE 'LOW' EATS MOST VITTLES, AND I MUST PERWIDE ACCORDIN!!" Illustration: Duty and Pleasure. =Rural Butler= (_deferentially_). "AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF OUR COUNTRY QUALITY DOWN HERE, SIR?" =Town Gentleman= (_"in waiting" to Lord Marybone, who was visiting the Squire_). "WELL, 'F COURSE, YOU SEE, SMITHARS, I DON'T MIND WAITIN' ON 'EM,--BUT--'CAN'T SAY I SHOULD CARE TO SIT DOWN WITH 'EM"!!! Illustration: "Business!" =Bath-Chairman.= "I S'POSE THE DUKE OF EDINBORO' AND HIS MISSIS WILL BE BY DIRECTLY?" =Policeman.= "NO, THEY WON'T. THEY AIN'T IN TOWN." =Bath-Chairman.= "AIN'T THEY?--I SAY, IF THAT OLD LADY IN MY CHAIR ASTS YOU, SAY 'YOU DON'T KNOW,' 'CAUSE SHE'S A WAITIN' TO SEE 'EM, AND I'M ENGAGED BY THE HOUR!" Illustration: _Sacrifice._ =Good Templar.= "TUT--T--T--REALLY, SWIZZLE, IT'S DISGRACEFUL TO SEE A MAN IN YOUR POSITION IN THIS STATE, AFTER THE EXPENSE WE'VE INCURRED AND THE EXERTIONS WE'VE USED TO PUT DOWN THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC!" =Swizzle.= "Y' MAY PREASH AS MUSH AS Y' LIKE, GEN'L'M'N, BUR I CAN TELL Y' I'VE MADE MORE PERSH'NAL EFFORSH TO (_hic_) PURROWN LIQUOR THAN ANY OF YE!" Illustration: _Extenuating Circumstances._ =Employer= (_on his way to business on Monday morning_). "AH, SAUNDERS! I'M SORRY TO SEE YOU IN THIS WAY. I THOUGHT YOU'D TURNED OVER A NEW LEAF!" =Saunders= (_repentant_). "SHO I'AD, SHIR, BUT (_hic_) 'TSH ALL ALONG O' THESH 'ERE WA'ER CO'PANIES--I 'SSHURE YOU, SHIR, 'ERE WASHN'T 'DROP O' WA'ER IN OUR SHISHT'RN ALL YESHT'RDAY!!!" Illustration: _A Definition._ =Shoeblack= (_pointing to Unsteady Party by the lamp-post_). "TEA-TOTALLER ON 'THE STRIKE,' SIR!" Illustration: _Mystification._ _Our young Landscape Painter's Preparations are Regarded with Intense Interest by the Village Juveniles, yet evidently expect a Gymnastic Entertainment_--(_he frames an Imaginary Picture with his Hands_). =Omnes.= "HE'S A GOIN' TO SAY HIS PRAYERS FUST!!" Illustration: _Obliging._ =Excursionist= (_to himself_). "ULLO! 'ERE'S ONE O' THEM ARTISTS. 'DESSAY 'E'LL WANT A GENTEEL FIGGER FOR 'IS FOREGROUND. I'LL _STAND FOR 'IM_!!!" Illustration: Our Theatricals. =Brown= (_rehearsing his part as the "Vicomte de Cherisac"_). "YAS, MARIE! I'VE FONDLY LOVED YE. (_Sobs dramatically._) 'TIS WELL--BUT NO MAT-TAR-R!" =Housemaid= (_to Cook, outside the Door_). "LAUKS, 'LIZ'BETH, AIN'T MASTER A GIVIN' IT TO MISSIS!" Illustration: Flattering. =Housemaid= (_to Cook, behind the laurels_). "HE'S A HAFFABLE YOUNG MAN, THAT CAP'AIN LIMBER, MISSUS'S BROTHER. HOW BECOMIN' HE'D LOOK IN OUR LIVERY, WOULDN'T HE?!!" Illustration: _Comparisons._ =Barber.= "'AIR'S EXTR'ORDINARY DRY, SIR. (_Customer explains he has been in the Country, and out o' doors a good deal._) AH! JUS' SO, SIR. RUINATION TO THE 'AIR, SIR! IF I WAS TO BE KNOCKIN' ABOUT 'UNTING AND FISHIN', LOR', SIR, MY 'AIR WOULDN'T BE IN NO BETTER STATE THAN YOURS, SIR!!" Illustration: _Delicately Put._ =Customer.= "I'M AFRAID I'M GETTING A LITTLE BALD!" =Operator.= "WELL, SIR, I THINK, SIR, WHEN YOU ATTEND PUBLIC WUSHIP, IF I WAS YOU, I'D SIT IN THE GALLERY." Illustration: _A Rash Refusal._ =Customer= (_flying from Importunate Tradesman_). "NO, THANK YOU, NOTHING MORE, REALLY! NOT ANOTHER ARTICLE, THANK YOU! GOOD MORNING!" _Escapes--ha! ha! refusing his own Umbrella!!_ Illustration: _A Guilty Conscience._ =Country Parson= (_to hard-drinking Old Pauper_). "WHY, SURELY, MUGGRIDGE, YOU WERE RELIEVED LAST WEEK FROM THE COMMUNION ALMS!" =Muggridge.= "COMMUNION ARMS, SIR! 'S TRUE'S I STAND HERE, NEVER VAS INSIDE THE 'OUSE IN ALL MY LIFE, SIR; NEVER HEERD OF IT, SIR!" Illustration: _Equal to the Situation._ =The Parson.= "WELL, LIZZIE, YOUR MOTHER'S COME OUT OF PRISON, I HEAR. HOW IS SHE NOW?" =Lizzie.= "O, THANKY', SIR, SHE'S EV' SO MUCH BETTER. SHE'VE HAD CAPITAL TIMES IN THERE. FATHER'S OUT O' WORK, AND RATHER POORLY, SO HE GOT TOOK UP LAST NIGHT!!" Illustration: _The Convalescent._ =New Curate= (_tenderly_). "MY GOOD MAN, WHAT INDUCED YOU TO SEND FOR ME?" =Oldest Inhabitant.= "WHAT DOES HE SAY, BETTY?" =Betty.= "'SAYS WHAT THE DEUCE DID YOU SEND FOR HIM, FOR!!" Illustration: Awkward! =Literal Servant Girl= (_to Brown, who was calling for the first time on the Dibsworths_). "PLEASE SIR, YOUR CABMAN SAY HE DON'T HALF LIKE THE LOOK OF THIS HERE HALF-CROWN YOU'VE GIVE HIM!!" Illustration: "Suit Your Talk to Your Company." =Mrs. Clovermead.= "AND, DAN, YOU'LL BRING THE TRAP--(_recollecting herself--her fashionable Cousin, from London, is on a Visit at the Farm_)--WE SHALL WANT THE CARRIAGE TO DRIVE INTO THE TOWN AFTER LUNCHEON, DANIEL." =Daniel.= "YES, MUM--(_hesitating--he had noticed the correction_)--BE I--(_in a loud whisper_)--BE I TO CHANGE MY TROWSE'S, MUM?"!! Illustration: _Silly Suffolk (?) Pastorals. Reciprocity._ =Parson.= "I HAVE MISSED YOU FROM YOUR PEW OF LATE, MR. STUBBINGS----" =Farmer= (_apologetically_). "WELL, SIR, I HEV' BEEN TO MEET'N' LATELY. BUT--Y' SEE, SIR, THE REVEREND MR. SCOWLES O' THE CHAPEL, HE BOUGHT SOME PIGS O' ME, AND I THOUGHT I OUGHT TO GI' 'M A TARN!!" Illustration: Lapsus Linguæ. =Our Athletic Curate= (_who, with the young men of his parish, had been victorious in a great match the day before; please forgive him this once, only_). "HE-AR ENDETH THE FIRST INNINGS!!" Illustration: The Archery Meeting. =Curate= (_to Fair Stranger_). "I PERCEIVE YOU ARE NOT A TOXOPHILITE!" =Fair Stranger= (_promptly_). "OH DEAR NO! 'CHURCH OF ENGLAND,' I ASSURE YOU!" Illustration: _Grandiloquence_ =Captain of Schooner.= "WHAT 'A' YOU GOT THERE, PAT?" =Pat.= (_who has been laying in some Firewood and Potatoes_). "TIMBER AND FRUIT, YER HONOUR!!" Illustration: _Levelling Up._ =Sub.= (_just arrived by rail_). "HOW MUCH TO THE BARRACKS?" =Car-Driver.= "AH, SHURE THIN, CAPTIN, THE MANEST OV 'EM GIVES ME T'REE AND SIXPENCE!" Illustration: Rural Simplicity. "BEEN TO SCHOOL, LITTLE LASSIE?" "AY, SIR." "GOOD GIRL--THERE'S A PENNY FOR YOU." "THANK YOU, SIR. I'LL HAE TO BE STEPPIN'--BUT AWM GAUN TO SKEULL I' THE MORNIN'--WULL YE BE THIS WAY I' THE EFTERNEUN?!" Illustration: _Catechism under Difficulties._ =Free Kirk Elder= (_preparatory to presenting a Tract_). "MY FRIEND, DO YOU KNOW THE CHIEF END OF MAN?" =Piper= (_innocently_). "NA, I DINNA MIND THE CHUNE! CAN YE NO WHUSTLE IT?"!! Illustration: _In Vino Memoria._ =Major Portsoken= (_a pretty constant Guest_). "I SAY, BUCHANAN, THIS ISN'T--(_another sip_)--THE SAME CHAMPAGNE----!" =Scotch Butler.= "NA, THAT'S A' DUNE! THERE WAS THRUTTY DIZZEN; AND YE'VE HAD YERE SHARE O'T, MAJOR!!" Illustration: Mind and Matter. =Augustus= (_poetical_). "LOOK, EDITH! HOW LOVELY ARE THOSE FLEECY CLOUDLETS DAPPLED OVER THE----" =Edith= (_prosaic_). "YES. 'XACTLY LIKE GRAVY WHEN IT'S GETTING COLD. ISN'T IT?"!! Illustration: Perspective! IN CRITICISING AND CORRECTING HIS PRETTY COUSIN'S PERSPECTIVE, OF COURSE FREDERICK'S FACE MUST BE AS NEARLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE SAME PLACE AS HERS!--TABLEAU!--PA (IN THE BACKGROUND) IS EVIDENTLY MAKING UP HIS MIND TO SEE ABOUT THIS! _Note._ FRED _hasn't a rap!_ Illustration: Those Dreadful Boys! =Algernon.= "AND, DEAREST, IF THE DEVOTION OF A LIFE----" (_At this moment his hat is knocked over his eyes by a common Starfish, or Five-fingers (Asterias rubens), thrown, with considerable force and precision, by one of those_ infern----_high-spirited little fellows her younger brothers_, TOMMY _and_ BERTIE!!!) Illustration: Profanation. =Gent.= "I LEFT A LOCK OF HAIR HERE A FEW DAYS AGO TO BE FITTED IN A LOCKET, IS IT--AH--READY?" =Artiste.= "VERY SORRY, SIR, IT HAS BEEN MISLAID. BUT IT'S OF NO CONSEQUENCE, SIR--WE CAN EASILY GET IT MATCHED, SIR."!! Illustration: "Turn About." =George.= "I SAY, TOM, DO TAKE CARE! YOU NEARLY SHOT MY FATHER THEN!" =Tom.= "'SH! DON'T SAY ANYTHING, THERE'S A GOOD FELLOW! TAKE A SHOT AT MINE!!" Illustration: Making Things Pleasant. =Irishman= (_to English Sportsman_). "IS IT THROUTS? BE JABERS, THE WATTHER'S STIFF WID 'EM!!!" "_Regardless of strict truth, in his love of hyperbole and generous desire to please," as our Friend recorded in his Diary after a blank day._ Illustration: Angling Extraordinary. =Customer= (_in a great hurry_). "A SMALL BOX OF GENTLES, PLEASE. AND LOOK SHARP! I WANT TO CATCH A 'BUS'!!" Illustration: "Happy Thought." =Mistress= (_who had come down to see about the Bass Voice she had heard in the Kitchen--Guardsman discovered!_). "O, YOU DECEITFUL GIRL, TO SAY THERE WAS NOBODY HERE! AND AFTER I'D GIVEN YOU DISTINCTLY TO UNDERSTAND I DIDN'T ALLOW 'FOLLOWERS'; AND HERE, YOU HAVEN'T BEEN HERE A WEEK----" =Cook.= "LAUKS, M'M, IT MUST BE ONE O' THE FOLLERERS AS THE LAST COOK LEFT BE'IND 'ER!!" Illustration: _Romance of the Kitchen._ =Cook= (_from the Area_). "O, 'LIZA, GI' ME MY WINIGRETTE--I'VE 'AD A--OFFER--FROM THE DUSTMAN!!" Illustration: "_Compliments of the Season._" =Comely Housemaid.= "O, MR. JAMES, I'M SO FRIGHTENED IN THE RAILWAY! SUPPOSE THE BILER WAS TO BUST!" =Mr. James.= "THEN, MY DEAR, YOU'D BE A SINGIN' AMONG THE ANGELS IN ABOUT TEN MINUTES!!" Illustration: "Ready!" =Emily.= "WHAT'S CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, MAMMA?" =Master Harry.= "WHY, BEING LOCKED UP IN THE PANTRY! _I_ SHOULD CONSIDER IT SO!" Illustration: Dear, Dear Boy! =George.= "OH! SHOULDN'T I JUST LIKE TO SEE SOMEBODY IN THAT DEN, AUNT!" =Serious Aunt.= "YE-ES. DANIEL, I SUPPOSE, DEAR?" =George.= "OH NO, AUNT; I MEAN 'OLD TWIGSBY,' OUR HEAD-MASTER!!" Illustration: "Brother Brush." =Ship-Painter.= "NICE DRYIN' WEATHER FOR OUR BUSINESS, AIN'T IT, SIR?" =Amateur= (_disconcerted_). "YA-A-S!"---- _Takes a dislike to the place._ Illustration: "The Compliments of the (Sketching) Season." =Papa.= "THERE, HENRY! IF YOU COULD DO LIKE THAT, I'D HAVE YOU _TAUGHT DRAWING_, MY BOY!" Illustration: A Pleasant Prospect. =English Tourist.= "I SAY, LOOK HERE. HOW FAR IS IT TO THIS GLENSTARVIT? THEY TOLD US IT WAS ONLY----" =Native.= "ABOOT FOUR MILES." =Tourist= (_aghast_). "ALL BOG LIKE THIS?" =Native.= "EH--H--THIS IS JUST NAETHIN' TILL'T!!" Illustration: Compliments of the Season. =Squire= (_who interests himself with the Moral and Material Condition of his Peasantry_). "HULLO, WOODRUFF! WHAT AN EYE YOU'VE GOT! HOW DID YOU GET THAT?!" =Labourer.= "O, IT'S NAWTHIN' PARTIC'LAR, SIR. LAST NIGHT--AT THE WHITE 'ART, SIR. BUT--(_in extenuation_)--CHRISHMASH TIME, SIR--ON'Y ONCE A YEAR!" Illustration: Two Sides to a Question. =Squire.= "YOUR NAME SMITH?" =Smith.= "YESSIR." =Squire.= "AH, I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE THE MAN WHO GIVES SO MUCH TROUBLE TO MY KEEPERS!" =Smith.= "AX YER PARDON, SQUIRE, YOUR KEEPERS IS MUCH MORE TROUBLE TO ME!" Illustration: Suspicion! =Stout Visitor= (_on discovering that, during his usual Nap after Luncheon, he has been subjected to a grossly personal Practical Joke_). "IT'S ONE O' THOSE DASHED ARTISTS THAT ARE STAYING AT THE 'LORD NELSON' 'A' DONE THIS, I KNOW!" Illustration: Depression. SCENE--_The Exchange. Industrial Centre._ =First Commercial Man= (_dryly_). "MORNIN'!" =Second ditto= (_coldly_). "MORNIN'!" =First C. M.= (_hopelessly_). "OWT?" =Second ditto= (_mournfully_). "NOWT!" =First C. M.= (_gloomily_). "MORNIN'!" =Second ditto= (_despairingly_). "MORNIN'!" _They part._ Illustration: Reductio ad Absurdum. =Stout Party= (_the first time he went for his Dividends since his Aunt left him that Legacy_). "WHERE DO YOU GO FOR THESE DIVIDEND WARRANTS?" =Bank Beadle.= "WHAT STOCK, SIR?" =Stout Party.= "WELL, THREE PER CENT. SOMETHING "----(_The word stuck in his throat_). =Bank Beadle.= "AH!--(_giving him the Information, and saying the word for him_)--_REDOOCED,_ SIR!!" _Stout Party sighs, and exit._ Illustration: "The More Haste the Less Speed." =Intelligent Peasant= (_who has been overlooking our Artists with much interest_). "YAR MATE'S A STAININ' O' HIS'N A'READY, SIR!" Illustration: The Point of View. =Tomkins= (_he has heard his friend Stodge talk so much about that lovely spot Wobbleswick, whither he was going sketching, that he was induced to accompany him. A day has elapsed, and he is awaking to the horror of his situation!_) "SEEMS TO ME AN INFERN----I CALL IT RATHER A DULL PLACE!" =Stodge.= "DULL, MY DEAR FELLOW! HOW CAN YOU SAY SO? LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL, BREEZY COMMON! AND THE LINES OF THOSE OLD HOUSES ON THE BEACH, BREAKING THE HORIZON, AND THE COLOUR! AND THE JOLLY QUIET OF THE PLACE! NONE O' YOUR BEASTLY BARREL-ORGANS OR GAPING TOURISTS SWARMING ABOUT! I THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE IT!!" Illustration: "Lucus a Non" &c. =Visitor.= "HOW LONG HAS YOUR MASTER BEEN AWAY?" =Irish Footman.= "WELL, SORR, IF HE'D COME HOME YISTHERDAY, HE'D A' BEEN GONE A WAKE TO-MORROW; BUT EV HE DOESN'T RETURN THE DAY AFTHER, SHURE HE'LL A' BEEN AWAY A FORTNIGHT NEXT THORSDAY!!" Illustration: Hyperbole. =Saxon Sportsman.= "ANY SNIPE ABOUT HERE, MY MAN?" =Pat.= "SNIPES, IS IT?! FAIX, THEY'RE GINERALLY JOSTLIN' 'ACH OTHER HEREABOUTS!" Illustration: Real Irish Grievance. =Irish Model= (_requested to put on rather a dilapidated costume_). "THE BLISSED SAINTS DIRICT ME INTO THIS COAT, SOR!" Illustration: Our Inspection. =Lieutenant-Colonel.= "HULLO! CONFOUND IT! THERE'S A MAN BLOWING HIS NOSE--AND WITH A POCKET-HANDKERCHIEF, TOO! TUT-T-T-T-T!" Illustration: Hunting Appointments. =Scientific Colonel.= "ARE YOU GOING TO THE 'KRIEGSPIEL' TO-MORROW?" =Cavalry Sub.= (_Hunting Man_). "AUGH! 'THINK NOT, SIR. AUGH! 'MEET THE-ARE, DO THEY? NEVAR HEARD OF THE PLACE! WHERWE ON EARTH IS I--T?"!! Illustration: Encouraging! =Riding-Master= (_to Sub. belonging to one of the new Mounted Batteries_). "WELL, SIR! YOU'RE ALL 'OF A HEAP' ON THE HORSE'S NECK--YOU'VE LOST YOUR SWORD AND YOUR FORAGE-CAP, AND YOU'VE LOST YOUR STIRRUPS--AND----YOU'LL LOSE YOURSELF NEXT!!" Illustration: "It's an Ill Wind" &c. =Sporting Sub.= "I SHOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY LEAVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, COLONEL, FOR I'VE JUST HEARD MY FATHER'S HAD A BAD FALL OUT HUNTING." =Colonel.= "DEAR ME! I'M SORRY TO HEAR THAT! I HOPE HE'S NOT HURT!" =Sporting Sub.= "OH, IT ISN'T THAT!--ONLY I WANT TO HAVE HIS HORSE!!" Illustration: Particular! =Adjutant of Volunteers= (_to Recruit_). "WELL, SIR, AND WHAT COMPANY DO YOU WISH TO BE IN?" =Recruit.= "AUGH! I'VE BEEN--AH--USED TO THE CO'PANY OF--AH--GE'TLEMEN, SIR!!!!" Illustration: The Last Word. =Cabby= (_to stately Party, who has given him his legal Fare_). "MAKIN' YER FORTUNE, SIR, NO DOUBT!" =Swell= (_not exactly catching the Remark_). "EH?" =Cabby.= "YOU'RE A LAYIN' BY A GOOD BIT O' MONEY, SIR, I'LL BE BOUND!" =Swell= (_indignantly_). "What d'you mean, Sir?" Cabby. "WHY YOU DON'T SPEND MUCH, SEEMIN'LY!" _Drives off in triumph._ Illustration: A Dilemma. =Cabby.= "ERE'S A GO, P'LICEMAN! WHAT AM I TO DO?--I VOS ORDERED TO TAKE THESE 'ERE GENTS AS 'A BEEN A DININ' YOU SEE, TO THEIR 'SPECTABLE 'OMES, VUN VOS FOR 'ANOVER SQUARE, ANOTHER FOR THE HALBANY, AND THE TOTHERS ELSEVERES----VELL, THEY VOS ALL CAREFULLY SORTED VEN I STARTED, AN' NOW THEY'VE BEEN AN' GONE AN' MIXED THE'RSELVES UP, AN' I DON'T KNOW VICH IS VICH!!" Illustration: Too True! =Mamma.= "MY DEAR CHILD, WHERE DID YOU GET THAT DREADFUL SCRATCH ON YOUR ARM?" =Little Ada.= "OH, 'MA, IT WAS 'LISBETH'S BIG BRASS BROOCH WITH THE GREEN GLASS IN IT, THAT THE TALL SOLDIER GAVE HER!" Illustration: "Once for All." =Mistress.= "BY THE WAY--ANNA--HANNAH--I'M NOT SURE. IS YOUR NAME ANNA, OR HANNAH?" =New Cook= (_tartly_). "WHICH MY NAME IS ANNA, MUM--HAICH, HA, HEN, HEN, HA, HAICH,--'ANNA'"---- =Mistress= (_giving it up in despair_). "AH! THANK YOU." Illustration: Up and Down Stairs. =Young Mistress= (_at the Parlour Door_). "ELIZA, WHAT IS THAT BELL RINGING FOR SO VIOLENTLY?" =Cook= (_below_). "IT'S ON'Y ME, M'UM. I WANT YOU DOWN IN THE KITCHING A MINUTE!!" Illustration: Terms--Cash. =Lady Bountiful.= "HERE, MY GOOD MAN, HERE'S A TICKET FOR THE ORGANISING CHARITABLE RELIEF AND REPRESSING MENDI----" =Professional Beggar= (_with a sneer_). "O, THANKY FOR NOTHINK, MUM, _HOURS IS A READY MONEY BUSINESS_!" Illustration: Gratitude. =Fastidious Vagrant.= "AND THEY AIN'T 'ALF BUTTERED! I COULD 'A DONE AS WELL IF I'D GONE UP THE LANE TO THE 'UNION!'" Illustration: Music of the Future. Sensation Opera. =Manager= (_to his Primo Tenore, triumphantly_). "MY DEAR FELLOW, I'VE BROUGHT YOU THE SCORE OF THE NEW OPERA. WE'VE ARRANGED SUCH A SCENE FOR YOU IN THE THIRD ACT! O' BOARD OF THE PIRATE SCREW, AFTER THE KEELHAULING SCENE, YOU KNOW! HEAVY ROLLING SEA, EH?--YES, AND WE CAN HAVE SOME REAL SPRAY PUMPED ON TO YOU FROM THE FIRE-ENGINE! VOLUMES OF SMOKE FROM THE FUNNEL, CLOSE BEHIND YOUR HEAD--IN FACT, YOU'LL BE ENVELOPED AS YOU RUSH ON TO THE BRIDGE! AND THEN YOU'LL SING THAT LOVELY BARCAROLLE THROUGH THE SPEAKING-TRUMPET! AND MIND YOU HOLD TIGHT, AS THE SHIP BLOWS UP JUST AS YOU COME UPON YOUR HIGH D IN THE LAST BAR!!!" Illustration: Club Law. =Waiter.= "DID YOU RING, SIR?" =Member= (_trying to be calm_). "YES. WILL YOU WAKE THIS GENTLEMAN, AND SAY I SHOULD BE OBLIGED IF HE'D LET ME HAVE THE _SPECTATOR_, IF HE'S NOT READING IT." _Old Wacklethorpe has been asleep, with the Paper firmly clutched, for the last two hours._ Illustration: "'High' Life Below Stairs!" =Master= (_sniffing_). "THERE'S A MOST EXTRAORDINARY SMELL, JAMES. I'VE NOTICED IT SEVERAL----" =Hall Porter.= "I DON'T WONDER AT IT, SIR. I'VE SPOKE ABOUT IT DOWN-STAIRS. THE BUTLER, SIR, YOU SEE IS ''IGH CHURCH,' WHICH HE 'AS FIT UP A HORATORY IN THE PANTRY, AND BURNS HINCENSE. WE COULD STAND THAT; BUT THE COOK IS THE 'LOW CHURCH' PERSUASION, AND SHE BURNS BROWN PAPER TO HOBVIATE THE HINCENSE. IT'S PERFECTLY HAWFUL ON SAINTS' DAYS, SIR!!!" Illustration: Wages and Wives. =Philanthropic Farmer.= "WELL, TOMKINS, AFTER THIS WEEK, INSTEAD OF PAYING YOU PARTLY IN CIDER, I SHALL GIVE YOU TWO SHILLINGS EXTRA WAGES." =Tomkins.= "NO, THANKY', MASTER; THAT WON'T DO FOR ME!" =Farmer.= "WHY, MAN, YOU'LL BE THE GAINER; FOR THE CIDER YOU HAD WASN'T WORTH TWO SHILLINGS!" =Tomkins. ="AH, BUT YOU SEE I DRINKS THE CIDER MYSELF; BUT THE OW'D OOMAN 'LL 'EV THE TWO SHILLUN'!!" Illustration: Pursuit o' Knowledge! =First Agricultural= (_quite a Year after our Branch had been Opened_). "WHAT BE THEY POST-ES VUR, MAS'R SAM'L?" =Second Ditto= (_Wag of the Village_). "WHY, TO CARRY THE TELEGRAFT WOIRES, GEARGE!" =First Ditto.= "WHAT BE THE WOIRES VUR, THEN?" =Second Ditto.= "WHAT BE THE WOIRES FUR? WHY, TO HOOLD UP THE POST-ES, SART'N'Y, GEARGE."!!! Illustration: A Nice Prospect! =Traveller= (_benighted in the Black Country_). "NOT A BEDROOM DISENGAGED! TUT-T-T-T!" =Landlady= (_who is evidently in the Coal Business as well_). "OH, WE'LL ACCOMMODATE YOU SOMEHOW, SIR, IF ME AND MY 'USBAND GIVES YOU UP OUR OWN BED, SIR!" Illustration: Boon Companions! =Bargee.= "WHAT! GE-ARGE!" _Rustic grins in response._ =Bargee.= "I'M ALLUS MAIN GLAD TO SEE THEE, GE-ARGE!" =Rustic.= "WHOY?" =Bargee.= "'CAUSE I KNOW THERE MUST BE A PUBLIC-'OUSE CLOSE BY!" Illustration: Bereaved. =First Pitman.= "THOU HESSENT BEEN AT THE TOUN LATELY, GEORDIE. HOO'S THAT, MAN?" =Second Pitman.= "THOU KNAWS THE DOG'S DEED, AND AW KENNET GETTEN ANOTHER; AN' A CHAP LECKS SA FOND WITOUT A DOG!" Illustration: Geology. =Scientific Pedestrian.= "DO YOU FIND ANY FOSSILS HERE?" =Excavator.= "DUNNO WHAT YUH CALLS 'VOSSULS.' WE FINDS NOWT HERE BUT MUCK AND 'ARD WORK!" Illustration: The Morning Concert. =Swell= (_doesn't care for music himself_). "MY DEAR, IS THIS--AH--(_yawns_)--TE-DIUM OVAR?"!! Illustration: A Cool Card. =Swell= (_handing "Sporting Life" to Clerical Party_). "AW--WOULD YOU--AW--DO ME THE FAVOUR TO WEAD THE LIST OF THE WACES TO ME WHILE WE'RE WUNNING DOWN?--I'VE--AW--FORGOTTEN MY EYEGLASS. DON'T MIND WAISING YOUR VOICE--I'M PWECIOUS DEAF!" Illustration: "Relapse." =Squire.= "WHY, PAT, WHAT ARE YOU DOING, STANDING BY THE WALL OF THE PUBLIC-HOUSE? I THOUGHT YOU WERE A TEETOTALLER!" =Pat.= "YES, YER HONNOR. I'M JUST LISTENIN' TO THEM IMPENITENT BOYS DRINKING INSIDE!" Illustration: "_In Confidence._" =Hungry Customer.= "'TAINT BAD." =Chef.= "GLAD YOU LIKE IT; FOR, TO TELL YER THE TRUTH, A'THOUGH I'VE BEEN A MAKIN' O' THIS SOUP FOR FIFTEEN YEAR, I AIN'T NEVER TASTED IT MYSELF!!" Illustration: "_The Struggle for Existence._" =Darwinian Coster= (_to thrifty Housewife_). "WELL, FISH IS DEAR, MUM; YOU SEE IT'S A-GETTIN' WERY SCA'CE IN CONSEKENCE O' THESE 'ERE AQUERIUNS!" Illustration: _A Satisfactory Character._ Mrs. Brisket (_about the Squire's new Bride_). "OH, YES, MUM, SHE COME IN 'ERE YESTERDAY, MUM. BLESS YER! A PUFFECT LADY. MUM! DON'T KNOW ONE J'INT O' MEAT FROM ANOTHER, MUM!!" Illustration: _Hard Up on a Wet Day._ =Richard.= "WHAT ARE YOU RINGING FOR, BOB?" =Robert.= "THE BEEF!" =Richard.= "YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO EAT BEEF AGAIN, BOB, ARE YOU? WHY IT ISN'T HALF-AN-HOUR SINCE BREAKFAST!" =Robert.= "WELL, I'M NOT EXACTLY HUNGRY, BUT ONE MUST DO SOMETHING!" Illustration: _Incombinable Elements._ =First Medical Student.= "WHAT ARE YOU SIGHING FOR, JACK?" Second Ditto. "UGH! I WAS THINKING OF THAT INFERNAL CHEMISTRY CRAM TO-MORROW, AND WHAT A DEUCED PRETTY GIRL I SAW IN GOWER STREET JUST NOW!!" Illustration: A Desperate Case! =First Driver.= "HOW'S POOR BOB?" =Second Driver.= "OH, HE'S A GOOD DEAL BETTER--TAKES HIS _LOTIONS_ MORE REG'LAR----" =First Driver= (_reassured_). "AH!" Illustration: "Bon Voyage!" =Bus-Conductor= (_to Portly Female, who was indignant at having been carried a little beyond her destination_). "WELL, THERE Y'ARE, MUM, FUST TO YER LEFT. Y'AINT GOT SO VERY FAR TO GO, AND THE _WIND'S AT YER BACK_!!" Illustration: _Personal!_ =Driver= (_impatient_). "NOW THEN, BILL!" =Conductor.= "O, LOOK ALIVE, PLEASE, M'M! (_To the Driver._) CAN'T HELP IT! ALL IN THE 'ANTIQUE' LINE THIS MORNIN'! 'ERE'S THREE MORE ON 'EM!" _"'Antique,' indeed! Odious Wretch!" thought one of the parties alluded to._ Illustration: "_The Conscience Clause_" =Rector's Wife.= "AND WHAT'S YOUR FATHER, MY BOY?" =Boy.= "MY FATHER'S A 'HAGITATOR,' AN' HE SAYS HE WON'T HAVE ME LEARNT NO CATECHISM, 'R ELSE YOU'LL ALL OF YER EAR OV IT!" Illustration: _Education._ =Squire.= "HOBSON, THEY TELL ME YOU'VE TAKEN YOUR BOY AWAY FROM THE NATIONAL SCHOOL. WHAT'S THAT FOR?" =Villager.= "'CAUSE THE MASTER AIN'T FIT TO TEACH UN!" =Squire.= "O, I'VE HEARD HE'S A VERY GOOD MASTER." =Villager.= "WELL, ALL I KNOWS IS, HE WANTED TO TEACH MY BOY TO SPELL 'TATERS' WITH A 'P'!!!" Illustration: "Exempli Gratia." =Ancient Mariner= (_to credulous Yachtsman_). "A'MIRAL LORD NELSON! BLESS YER, I KNOWED HIM; SERVED UNDER HIM. MANY'S THE TIME I'VE AS'ED HIM FOR A BIT O' 'BACCO, AS I MIGHT BE A ASTIN' O' YOU; AND SAYS HE, 'WELL, I 'AIN'T GOT NO 'BACCO,' JEST AS YOU MIGHT SAY TO ME; 'BUT HERE'S A SHILLIN' FOR YER,' SAYS HE"!! Illustration: Dignity. =Shipping Clerk.= "ARE YOU THE MATE O' THE '_MAGGIE LAUDER_,' OF STONEHAVEN?" =Mate= (_sternly_). "ASK IF I'M THE FIR-R-R-ST OFFICER, YOUNG MAN, AN' MAYBE I'LL GIE YE AN ANSWER!" Illustration: _A Woman-Hater._ =Spiteful Old Party= (_who is tarring the Stays of the Flagstaff_). "STRIPED GOWNDS SEEM ALL THE 'GO' WITH 'EM, EH? (_Chuckles._) I'LL STRIPE 'EM! PUT A EXTRA STREAK O' ILE IN, O' PURPOSE--WON'T DRY FOR A MONTH! COME LOLLOPIN' ABOUT HERE WITH THEIR CRIN'LYNES AN' TR'INES, THEY MUST TAKE THE CONSEKENSES!!" Illustration: _When You are About it._ =Magister Familias= (_parting with his Butler_). "HERE IS THE LETTER, FLANAGAN. I CAN CONSCIENTIOUSLY SAY YOU ARE HONEST AND ATTENTIVE, BUT I SHOULD HAVE TO STRETCH A POINT IF I WERE TO SAY YOU ARE SOBER." =Mr. Flanagan.= "THANK YOU, SOR. BUT WHEN YOU _ARE_ AFTHER STHRITCHIN' A POINT, SOR, WOULDN'T YOU, PLASE, STHRITCH IT A LITTLE FURTHER, AND SAY I'M _AFTEN_ SOBER!!" Illustration: _Sympathy._ =Epicurus.= "PAH! O, GOOD GRACIOUS, MIVINS, THAT LAST OYSTER WAS--UGH!" =Butler= (_with feeling_). "T-T-T-T--DEAR ME! CORKED, SIR?!!" Illustration: _The Run of the House._ =First Flunkey.= "WON'T YOU COME IN, JOHN, AND TAKE SOMETHING?" =Second Ditto.= "THANKS, NO; I'LL LOOK YOU UP NEXT WEEK. 'BE ON BOARD-WAGES THEN, YOU KNOW!" Illustration: "_What Next?_" =Mistress= (_to New Housemaid_). "JANE, I'M QUITE SURPRISED TO HEAR YOU CAN'T READ OR WRITE! I'M SURE ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS WOULD GLADLY UNDERTAKE TO TEACH YOU----" =Maid.= "O, LOR', MUM, IF THE YOUNG LADIES WOULD BE SO KIND AS TO LEARN ME ANYTHING, I SHOULD SO LIKE TO PLAY THE PIANNER."!! Illustration: "_The Servants._" =Cook.= "YES, SUSAN, I'M A WRITIN' TO MARY HANN MIGGS. SHE'VE APPLIED TO ME FOR THE CHARICTER OF MY LAST MISSUS, WHICH SHE'S THINKIN' OF TAKIN' THE SITIWATION----" =Susan.= "WILL YOU GIVE HER ONE?" =Cook.= "WELL, I'VE SAID THIS. (_Reads._) 'MRS. PERKSITS PRESENTS HER COMPLIMINKS TO MISS MIGGS, AND BEGS TO INFORM HER THAT I CONSIDER MRS. BROWN A RESPEK'ABLE YOUNG PERSON, AND ONE AS KNOWS HER DOOTIES; BUT SHE CAN'T CONSHESALY RECOMMEND HER TEMPER, WHICH I HAD TO PART WITH HER ON THAT ACCOUNT.' IT'S ALLUS BEST TO BE CANDIED, YOU KNOW, SUSAN!" Illustration: _Quite Superfluous._ =Stout Passenger= (_obstreperously_). "HOY! HOY! HOY!!" =Bus-Driver.= "ALL RIGHT, SIR, WE CAN SEE YER, SIR; WE CAN SEE YER VITH THE NAKED EYE, SIR!" Illustration: "_Noblesse Oblige._" =Stodge= (_in answer to the reproachful look of his Cabman_). "WELL, IT'S YOUR RIGHT FARE; YOU KNOW THAT AS WELL AS I DO!" =Cabby.= "OH! WHICH I'M WELL AWARE O' THAT, SIR! BUT----("_more in sorrow than in anger_")--AN' YOU A ARTIS', SIR!!" _Gets another Shilling!_ Illustration: _The Beard Movement._ =Policeman= (_invidiously_). "IT'S PUFFECTLY HOPTIONAL VITH US, YOU KNOW!" (_"The Hairs them P'licemen give theirselves," John remarked afterwards, in the Servants' Hall._) Illustration: _Too Late._ =Departing Guest.= "BUT MY HAT WAS A BRAN-NEW ONE!" =Greengrocer= (_Footman for the nonce_). "OH, SIR! THE SECOND-BEST 'ATS A' BEEN GONE 'ALF-AN-HOUR AGO, SIR!" Illustration: _Music in the Midlands._ =Intelligent Youth of Country Town.= "AH SAY, BILL, ULL THAT BE T' ELIJAH GOIN' OOP I' THAT BIG BOX?!" Illustration: _A Perfect Excuse._ =Rector= (_to his Keeper_). "'MORNING, WOODGATE. DIDN'T I SEE YOU AT CHURCH YESTERDAY?" =Keeper= (_apologetically_). "YES, SIR. BUT--I FELT I WAS A DOIN' WRONG ALL THE TIME, SIR!" Illustration: "_Fahrenheit._" =Rector.= "AH, WE SHALL BE COMFORTABLE THIS MORNING, GRUFFLES, I SEE YOU'VE GOT THE TEMPERATURE UP NICELY. SIXTY, I DECLARE!" =Clerk.= "YES, SIR, I ALLUS HEV A TROUBLE TO GET THAT THING UP. I TOOK AND WARMED IT JEST THIS MINUTE!" Illustration: _Pleasuring!_ =Vicar= (_to Old Lady, who is returning from a Funeral_). "WELL, MARTHA, I'M AFRAID YOU'VE HAD A SAD AFTERNOON. IT HAS BEEN A LONG WALK, TOO, FOR YOU----" =Martha.= "SURE-LY, 'TIS, SIR! AH, SIR, 'TAIN'T MUCH PLEASURE NOW FOR ME TO GO TO FUNERALS; I BE TOO OLD AND FULL O' RHEUMATIZ. IT WAS VERY DIFFERENT WHEN WE WAS YOUNG--THAT 'TWER!!" Illustration: _Awkward!_ FLITHERS SPENDS HIS CHRISTMAS AT A COUNTRY HOUSE, AND THE FIRST DAY, ON THE LADIES LEAVING THE TABLE AFTER DINNER, HE JUMPS UP, AND OPENS THE _WRONG DOOR_!! Illustration: _He Thought He was Safe_ =Irascible Old Gentleman.= "BUY A COMB! WHAT THE DEVIL SHOULD I BUY A COMB FOR! YOU DON'T SEE ANY HAIR ON MY HEAD, DO YOU?" =Unlicensed Hawker.= "LOR' BLESS YER, SIR!--YER DON'T WANT NO 'AIR ON YER 'EAD FOR A TOOTH-COMB!!" Illustration: _Hygiene._ =Hearty Old Gentleman= (_to dyspeptic Friend_). "DOESN'T AGREE WITH YOU?! OH, I NEVER LET ANYTHING OF THAT SORT BOTHER ME! I ALWAYS EAT WHAT I LIKE, AND DRINK WHAT I LIKE, AND FINISH OFF WITH A GOOD STIFF GLASS O' GROG AT BED-TIME, AND GO FAST ASLEEP, _AN' LET 'M FIGHT 'T OUT 'MONG 'MSELVES_!!!" Illustration: _Considerate Criticism._ =Rustic= (_to his friend_). "WA--AT, THA'S BETTER THAN DOIN' O' NAWTH'N'. I S'POOS', GEARGE!!" Illustration: "_The Finishing Touch!_" =Farmer= (_who has been most Obliging, and taken great Interest in the Picture_). "GOOD MORN'N', SIR! BUT--(_aghast_)--I SAY, WHAT ARE YOU A DOIN' OF, MISTER?! A P'INTIN' ALL THEM BEASTLY POPPIES IN MY CORN!--'A BIT O' COLOUR?'--WHAT 'OULD MY LANDLORD SAY, D' YOU THINK?--AND AFTER I'D PUT OFF CUTTIN' CAUSE YOU HADN'T FINISHED, TO OBLIGE YER, I DIDN'T THINK YOU'D A DONE IT! YOU DON'T COME A P'INTIN' ON MY LAND ANY MORE!" _Exit, in great dudgeon._ Illustration: _À Fortiori._ =Ticket Collector.= "NOW, THEN, MAKE HASTE! WHERE'S YOUR TICKET?" =Bandsman= (_refreshed_). "AU'VE LOST IT!" =Ticket Collector.= "NONSENSE! FEEL IN YOUR POCKETS. YE CANNOT HEV LOST IT!" =Bandsman.= "AW CANNOT?! WHY, MAN, AU'VE LOST THE _BIG DRUM_!" Illustration: "_Nae That Fou!_" =Country Gentlemen= (_who thought he'd got such a treasure of a new Gardener_). "TUT, TUT, TUT! BLESS MY SOUL, SAUNDERS! HOW--WHAT'S ALL THIS? DISGRACEFULLY INTOXICATED AT THIS HOUR OF THE MORNING! AIN'T YOU ASHAMED OF YOURSELF?!" =Saunders.= "'SH-HAMED? (_Hic._) NA, NA, 'M NAE SAE DRUNK AS THAT COMES T'! AH KEN VARRA WEEL WHAT A'M ABOOT!!" Illustration: Hibernian Veracity. =Paterfamilias= (_with his Family in Ireland_). "HAVE YOU ANY WEST INDIA PICKLES, WAITER?" =Paddy.= "WE'VE NOT, SOR." =Paterfamilias.= "NO HOT PICKLES OF ANY DESCRIPTION?" =Paddy.= "NO; SHURE THEY'RE ALL COULD, SOR." Illustration: Quite Another Thing. =Paddy= (_the loser_). "ABRAM, G'ALONG! I SAID I'D LAY YOU FOIVE TO WAN, BUT I WASN'T GOIN' TO BET MY HA'F-CROWN AGIN YOUR TATH'RIN LITTLE SIXPENCE!" _Exeunt fighting._ Illustration: A Fair Offer. =Athletic Barman.= "NOW, IF YOU DON'T TAKE YOURSELF OFF, I'LL PRECIOUS SOON TURN YOU OUT!" =Pat= (_with a yell_). "TUR-R-RN ME OUT? IS IT TUR-R-RN ME OUT? THIN, BEDAD! COME OUTSIDE, AN' TUR-R-RN ME OUT!!" Illustration: "The Way We Live Now." =Swell Coachman= (_with his eye on the Brougham's cockade_). "YOUR GUV'NER IN THE ARMY?" =Brougham= (_artlessly_). "NOT 'ZACTLY IN THE HARMY. BUT MISSIS SAY AS THEY SOLD MILINGTARY CUR'OSITIES WHEN THEY KEP' A SHOP IN 'OLBORN!!" Illustration: Re-Assuring. =Nervous Old Lady= (_Band in the Distance_). "OH, THERE ARE THOSE DREADFUL VOLUNTEERS, JOSEPH! I KNOW THE HORSE WILL TAKE FRIGHT! HADN'T YOU BETTER TURN HIM ROUND?!" =Coachman= (_who will have his own way_). "OH, LET 'IM ALONE, 'M; HE'LL TURN 'ISSELF ROUND, AND PRETTY QUICK, TOO, IF HE'S FRIGHTENED!!" Illustration: Well Meant. =Shoeblack= (_to daily Customer_). "SUCH A TREAT WE'VE GOT TO-NIGHT, SIR! TEA AN' BUNS, AN' SPEECHES AT EXETER 'ALL! WOULDN'T YOU LIKE TO GO, SIR?" =City Magnate.= "OH, THEY WOULDN'T LET ME IN, MY BOY." =Shoeblack.= "UM!" (_Ponders._) "WELL--LOOK 'ERE. I THINK I COULD SMUG YER IN AS MY _FATHER_!!" Illustration: Nature and Art. =Pedestrian.= "THAT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY LOOKING DOG, MY BOY. WHAT DO YOU CALL HIM?" =Boy.= "FUST OF ALL HE WER' A GREY'OUND, SIR, AN' 'IS NAME WAS 'FLY,' AS' THEN THEY CUT 'IS EARS AN' TAIL OFF, AN' MADE A MASTI' DOG ON 'IM, AN' NOW 'IS NAME'S 'LION'!" Illustration: Natural Advantages. =Teacher.= "WHAT BIRD DID NOAH SEND OUT OF THE ARK?" =Smallest Boy In the Class= (_after a Pause_). "A DOVE, SIR." =Teacher.= "VERY WELL. BUT I SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT SOME OF YOU BIG BOYS WOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT!" =Tall Pupil.= "PLEASE, SIR, THAT BOY OUGHT TO KNOW, SIR, 'CAUSE HIS FATHER'S A BIRD-KETCHER, SIR!!!" Illustration: The Restraints of Society. =Juvenile Bohemian.= "HATE GOIN' OUT TO TEA! 'HAVE TO BE GOOD SUCH A PRECIOUS LONG TIME!!" Illustration: Simple Addition. =New Governess.= "WHY ARE YOU STARING SO INTENTLY, BLANCHE, DEAR?" =Blanche.= "I WAS TRYING TO COUNT THE FRECKLES ON YOUR FACE, MISS SANDYPOLE, BUT I CAN'T!" Illustration: Secrets. =Intelligent Housemaid.= "OH, PLEASE, MISS, THERE WAS A YOUNG GENTLEMAN CALLED WHEN YOU WAS OUT. HE DIDN'T LEAVE NO CARD, MISS; BUT I CAN SHOW YOU WHO HE IS, 'CAUSE THERE'S THREE OF HIS PHOTYGRAPHS IN YOUR ALBUM." Illustration: "A Parthian Shaft." =Cook.= "NOW, I'M A LEAVIN' OF YER, M'UM, I MAY AS WELL TELL YER AS THE KEY O' THE KITCHING-DOOR FITS YOUR STORE-ROOM!" Illustration: Sweet Simplicity. =Visitor.= "JANE, HAS YOUR MISTRESS GOT A BOOT-JACK?" =Maid-of-all-Work.= "NO, SIR; PLEASE, SIR, I CLEAN ALL THE BOOTS, SIR!" Illustration: Master of the Situation?! SCENE--_Mr. Tethershort's Sanctum._ ENTER _Mrs. T. and her Cook._ =Cook= (_with her usual promptitude--SHE never kept anybody waiting_). "OH, IF YOU PLEASE, SIR, I WISH TO COMPLAIN OF MISSIS! WHICH SHE COME A DICTATERIN' AND A HINTERFERIN' IN YOUR KITCHING IN A WAY AS I'M SURE YOU WOULDN'T APPROVE ON," &C., &C., &C.!! _T. confesses he felt (for the first and last time) a delicious sensation of being apparently master in his own house. She was an admirable Cook, and altogether a most excell---- BUT HOWEVER SHE HAD TO GO_! Illustration: Manners! =Young Mistress.= "JANE, I'M SURPRISED THAT NONE OF YOU STOOD UP WHEN I WENT INTO THE KITCHEN JUST NOW!" =Jane.= "INDEED, MUM! WHICH WE WAS SU'PRISED OURSELVES AT YOUR A COMIN' INTO THE KITCHING WHILE WE WAS A 'AVIN' OUR _LUNCHEONS_!!" Illustration: A Regular Turk! =Adjutant.= "WELL, SERGEANT, HOW'S YOUR PRISONER GETTING ON?" =Sergeant of the Guard.= "BEDAD, SOR, HE'S THE VI'LENTEST BLAGGYARD I IVER HAD TO DO WID! WE'RE ALL IN TIRROR IV OUR LOIVES! SHURE WE'RE OBLIGED TO FEED HIM WID FIXED BAY'NITS!" Illustration: "Incidit in Scyllam," &c. =Ensign Muffles= (_alluding to his Moustache_). "YOU SEE, SOME SAY, 'WEAR IT,' YOU KNOW; AND SOME SAY, 'CUT IT OFF,' YOU KNOW; BUT IF I TOOK EVERYBODY'S ADVICE I SHOULD BE LIKE THE OLD MAN AND HIS DONKEY." =Sergeant O'Rourke.= "YOUR'R HON'RR WOULD--(BUT NOT WISHING TO BE PERSONAL ABOUT HIS OFFICER'S AGE) THAT IS--LASTE-WAYS,--BARRIN THE OULD MAN, YOUR HON-R-R-R!!!" Illustration: What H. M. Civil Servants have to Endure. (BESIDES THE RIDICULOUSLY LOW SALARIES.) =Mr. Registrar.= "WHAT'S THE NUMBER OF YOUR DEED, SIR?" =Attorney's Clerk.= "H-eight, H-ought H-eight, H-ought, Sevin, Sir!" =Mr. Registrar= (_faintly_). "OH DEAR! OH DEAR!--(NOTES DOWN THE NUMBER)--THAT WILL DO." _And is so upset that he takes a month's holiday on the spot._ Illustration: Curious. =English Tourist= (_in Ireland_). "TELL ME, WAITER, AT WHAT HOUR DOES THE FIRST TRAIN LEAVE FOR CLONMEL?" =Waiter.= "IS IT THE FURRST THRAIN, SOR? I'M NOT RIGHTLY SHURE. THE NOINE THRAIN UP USED TO LAVE AT HA'F-PAST NOINE--BUT FAIX IT GOES AT TIN NOW, AND THERE'S NO FURRST THRAIN NOW AT ALL AT ALL. BUT I'LL AX AT THE BAR, SORR!!" Illustration: Anything for a Change. =Artist= (_to Old Fellow-Student_). "AND WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING ALL THESE YEARS,--WHAT ARE YOU PAINTING?" =Swell.= "OH, I GAVE UP PAINTING, MY DEAR FELLOW--THEN I TOOK TO TEACHING! BUT YOU CAN'T FIND PUPILS IN GENIUS, YOU KNOW, SO NOW I GO IN FOR ART CRITICISM! I KNOW I'M STRONG IN THAT! DID YOU SEE MY ARTICLE IN THIS WEEK'S 'NOW A DAYS?'" Illustration: Appearances. =Plushington.= "I SAY, STODGE, SINGULAR THING--YOUR LANDLADY ADDRESSED ME 'MY LORD' WHEN I ASKED IF YOU WERE WITHIN!" =Artist.= "NOT AT ALL, MY DEAR FELLOW. IT'S YOUR HAT AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE! IF YOU DON'T MIND, WE'LL ENCOURAGE THE IDEA. IT WILL GIVE HER CONFIDENCE IN ME, AND----EH?" _Plushington will be delighted._ Illustration: From One Point of View. SCENE--_British Jury Room. All agreed on their Verdict except_---- =Irish Juryman= (_who holds out_). "AH, THIN, ILIV'N MORE OBSTINIT' MEN I NIVIR MET IN ALL ME LOIFE!!" Illustration: Our Art-School Conversazione AT WHICH (IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE INCREASED SPACE ANTICIPATED AT THE R. A. EXHIBITION) THERE IS A GREATER CROWD THAN USUAL. =Model= (_who has charge of the Hats and Coats_). "NO. 97? YESSIR. THERE NOW! IF I DIDN'T SEE THAT 'AT--AH--NOT A QUARTER OF AN HOUR AGO!!" _Not a very satisfactory look-out for Bouncefield, who has barely time to catch his last train!_ Illustration: Between Two Shoeblacks We Fall to, &c. =First Shoeblack.= "I COTCHED 'OLD ON 'IM FUST!" =Second Ditto.= "YOU'RE A ----!" _Old Gentleman is flung heavily._ Illustration: Im-pertinent. =Stout Gent.= (_naturally suspicious of the Street Boy_). "GE' OUT O' MY WAY, YOU YOUNG RASCAL!" =Street Boy.= "VICH VAY ROUND, GOV'NOUR?" Illustration: Register! Register!! =Aunt Sophy.= "NOW SUPPOSE, GEORGE, AS A SINGLE WOMAN I SHOULD HAVE MY NAME PUT ON THE REGISTER, WHAT SHOULD I GET BY IT?" =Pet Nephew.= "OH, A GOOD DEAL. YOU'D BE ALLOWED TO SERVE ON CORONER JURIES, COMMON JURIES, ANNOYANCE JURIES, PAY POWDER TAX AND ARMORIAL BEARINGS, ACT AS PARISH BEADLE AND NIGHT CONSTABLE OF THE CASUAL WARD, AND INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES, REPORT ON FEVER DISTRICTS, AND ALL JOLLY THINGS OF THAT SORT." Illustration: "Not Proven." =Presbyterian Minister.= "DON'T YOU KNOW IT'S WICKED TO CATCH FISH ON THE SAWBATH!?" =Small Boy= (_not having had a rise all the Morning_). "WHA'S CATCHIN' FESH?!" Illustration: An Evening's Fishing (Behind the Distillery at Sligo). =First Factory Lad.= "DOM'NICK, DID YOU GET E'ER A BITE AT ALL?" =Second Ditto.= "SORRA WAN, PAT. ONLY WAN SMALL WAN!" =First Ditto.= "YERRAD! LAVE IT THERE, AN' COME HOME. SHURE YOU'LL GET MORE THAN THAT IN BED!" Illustration: "The Harp in the Air." =Irish Gentleman= (_who has vainly endeavoured to execute a Jig to the fitful Music of the Telegraph Wires_). "SHURE! WHOIVER Y'ARE YE CAN'T PLAY A BIT! HOW CAN A JINTLEMAN DANCE--(_hic!_)--IV YE DON'T KAPE THIME?"!! Illustration: Irish Ideal of Themis. =Biddy= (_to Pat in charge about a difficulty_). "NEVER FEAR, PAT! SHURE Y'AVE GOT AN UPRIGHT JIDGE TO THRY YE!" =Pat.= "AH, BIDDY DARLIN', THE DIVEL AN UPRIGHT JIDGE I WANT! 'TIS WONE THAT'LL _LANE_ A LITTLE!!" Illustration: "Canny." =First North Briton.= "'T'S A FINE DAY, THIS?" =Second Ditto.= "NO ILL, AVA." =First North Briton.= "YE'LL BE TRAVELLIN'?" =Second Ditto.= "WEEL, MAYBE I'M NO." =First North Briton.= "GAUN T'ABERDEEN, MAYBE?" =Second Ditto.= "YE'RE NO FAUR AFF'T!!" _Mutually satisfied, each goes his respective way._ Illustration: _Irish Architecture._ =Angler= (_in Ireland_). "HULLO, PAT, WHAT ARE YOU ABOUT NOW?" =Pat.= "SHURE, I'M RAISIN' ME ROOF A BIT, YER HONOUR-R!!" Illustration: _Thrift_. =Peebles Body= (_to Townsman who was supposed to be in London on a visit_). "E--EH, MAC! YE'RE SUNE HAME AGAIN!" =Mac.= "E--EH, IT'S JUST A RUINOUS PLACE, THAT! MUN, A HAD NA' BEEN THE-ERRE ABUNE TWA HOOURS WHEN--_BANG_--WENT _SAXPENCE_!!!" Illustration: _Scruples._ =English Tourist= (_having arrived at Greenock on Sunday morning_). "MY MAN, WHAT'S YOUR CHARGE FOR ROWING ME ACROSS THE FRITH?" =Boatman.= "WEEL, SIR, I WAS JIST THINKIN' I CANNA BREAK THE SAWBATH-DAY FOR NO LESS THAN F'FTEEN SHULL'N'S!!" Illustration: A Bad Season. =Sportsman.= "I CAN ASSURE YOU, WHAT WITH THE RENT OF THE MOOR, AND MY EXPENSES, AND 'WHAT NOT,' THE BIRDS HAVE COST ME--AH--A SOVEREIGN APIECE!!" =Keeper.= "A' weel, Sir! 'Deed it's a Maircy ye didna Kill na mair o' 'em!!" Illustration: "Familiarity breeds Contempt." =Keeper= (_who wants to drive the Pheasants to the Squire's corner_). "HOOO-O-O-SH! HERE, BILL, COME HERE! THEY 'ON'T GET UP FOR ME! THEY KNOW ME TOO WELL!" Illustration: Intelligent! =Artist= (_who thinks he has found a good Model for his TOUCHSTONE_.) "HAVE YOU ANY SENSE OF HUMOUR, MR. BINGLES?" =Model.= "THANK Y' SIR, NO, SIR, THANK Y'. I ENJ'YS PRETTY GOOD 'EALTH, SIR, THANK Y' SIR!" Illustration: The "Nimble Ninepence." =City Gent= (_after a critical Inspection_). "WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR THAT MOONLIGHT?" =Picture-Dealer.= "I'LL SHELL YER THE TWO A BARGAIN, SHIR! CHEAP ASH DIRT, SHIR! SHEVENTY-FIVE GUINEASH APEICSHE, SHIR! I'LL WARRANT 'EM UNDOUBTED SMETHERS'S. SHEVENTY-FIVE----" =City Gent.= "O, COME, I DON'T MIND GIVING YOU--THIRTY SHILLINGS FOR THE PAIR." =Picture-Dealer= (_closing with alacrity_). "DONE! WITH YOU, SHIR!!" _City Gent is in for 'em!_ Illustration: Menace. =Little Angler= (_to her refractory Bait_). "KEEP STILL, YOU TIRESOME LITTLE THING! IF YOU DON'T LEAVE OFF SKRIGGLING, I'LL THROW YOU AWAY, AND TAKE ANOTHER!" Illustration: "A Thing of Beauty." =Visitor.= "WELL, GEORGE, AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN TO BE, WHEN YOU HAVE GROWN UP?" =George= (_promptly_). "AN ARTIST!" =Visitor.= "WELL, THEN, YOU SHALL PAINT MY PORTRAIT." =George.= "AH! BUT I MEAN TO PAINT PRETTY THINGS!!" Illustration: Mixed Pickles. =Domestic= (_in terrified accents_). "O, MUM, HERE'S MASTER PLANTAG'N'T, 'M, HAS BEEN AND BROKE HIS GRAN'PA'S INK-BOTTLE IN THE LIB'ARY, AND CUT HIS FINGER DREADFUL, 'M!!" =Grandmamma's Darling= (_gleefully alluding to his Nasal Organ_). "AND GOT A MARBLE UP BY DOZE, GRA'DBA'!!" Illustration: The Trials of a District Visitor. =The Honourable Miss Fuzbuz= (_loq._). "IS MRS. HIGGINS WITHIN?" =Mrs. Tomkins.= "I'LL CALL 'ER, M'UM." (_At the top of her Voice._) "MRS. 'IG----GINS! ERE'S THE PERSON WITH THE TRAC'S!" (_To the Honourable Miss._) "THE LADY WILL BE DOWN PRESENTLY, M'UM!!" Illustration: Legitimate Criticism. =Aged Village Matron= (_to Sympathising Visitor_). "IT'S A 'COOKERY BOOK,' AS MRS. PENEWISE, OUR 'DISTRICT LADY,' GIVE ME THIS CHRISTMAS, MISS. I'D A DEAL SOONER A' HAD THE INGRIDDIMENTS, MISS!!" Illustration: "The Servants." =Old Lady.= "THEY'RE ALL ALIKE, MY DEAR. THERE'S OUR SUSAN (IT'S TRUE SHE'S A DISSENTER), BUT I'VE ALLOWED HER TO GO TO CHAPEL THREE TIMES EVERY SUNDAY SINCE SHE HAS LIVED WITH ME, AND I ASSURE YOU SHE DOESN'T COOK A BIT BETTER THAN SHE DID THE FIRST DAY!!" Illustration: Pleasant for Simpkins! =Photographer= (_to Mr. Simpkins_). "KEEP YOUR HEAD STEADY, PLEASE, SIR, AND LOOK IN THE DIRECTION OF THOSE YOUNG LADIES. STEADY NOW, SIR! DON'T WINK, SIR!" =Mrs. S.= (_by a look that Mr. S. quite understood_). "JUST LET ME SEE HIM WINK!!" Illustration: A Misnomer. =Country Valetudinarian.= "AH YES, MU'M, I'VE HAD THE 'LUMBAGER TURR'BLE BAD, MU'M! 'KETCHES ME IN THE _SMALL_ O' THE BACK 'ERE, MU'M!!" Illustration: "Winkles!" =Philanthropic Coster'= (_who has been crying "Perry-wink--wink--wink!" till he's hoarse--and no buyers_). "I WONDER WHAT THE P'OR UNFORT'NATE CREETERS IN THESE 'ERE LOW NEIGHB'R'OODS DO LIVE ON!!" Illustration: "The Last (Co-operative) Feather." '=My Lady.=' "JUST TAKE AND TIE UP A COUPLE OF THOSE SACKS BEHIND THE CARRIAGE, JAMES. THERE'LL BE ROOM, IF ONE OF YOU RIDES ON THE BOX!!" Illustration: Disaffection! =Adjutant.= "What's the Matter, Drum-Major?" =Drum-Major.= "Please, Sir, the Drums is in a state of Mutiny, and these are the Ringleaders!!" Illustration: Zoology. =Railway Porter= (_to Old Lady travelling with a Menagerie of Pets_). "'STATION MASTER SAY, MUM, AS CATS IS 'DOGS,' AND RABBITS IS 'DOGS,' AND SO'S PARROTS; BUT THIS ERE 'TORTIS' IS A INSECT, SO THERE AIN'T NO CHARGE FOR IT!" Illustration: Extortion. =Porter, S. E. R.= "TICKET FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, PLEASE, SIR." =Amateur Violoncellist= (_who never travels without his bass, indignantly_). "WHAT! PAY FOR THIS? I'VE NEVER HAD TO PAY ON ANY OTHER LINE. THIS IS MY 'CELLO!" =Porter= (_calmly_). "NOT PERSONAL LUGGAGE, SIR. ALL THE SAME IF YOU'D A HURDY-GURDY, SIR!!" _Our Amateur's feelings are too much for him._ Illustration: "Any Ornaments for your Fire-Stoves?" =Little Flora= (_in great distress_). "OH, MAMMA, LOOK HERE! JACK SAYS IT'S AUNT FANNY! SHE'S GOT ON HER BEAUTIFUL BALL-DRESS WITH THE ROSES ON IT, AND SHE'S _STUCK IN THE CHIMNEY_!" Illustration: Compliments of the Season. =Fond Parent.= "I HOPE YOU WILL BE VERY CAREFUL, MR. STIMPSON. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO CUT THEIR HAIR MYSELF." =Mr. Stimpson.= "SO I SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT, MADAM!" Illustration: On the Face of It. =Pretty Teacher.= "NOW, JOHNNY WELLS, CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT IS MEANT BY A MIRACLE?" =Johnny.= "YES, TEACHER. MOTHER SAYS IF YOU DUN'T MARRY NEW PARSON, 'TWULL BE A MURRACLE!" Illustration: Obvious Initiative. (_A lively Native of the Deep Sea seizes hold of a Shepherd's Dog by the Tail, who makes off as fast as he can._) =Fishmonger= (_in a rage_). "WHUSTLE ON YER DOG, MUN!" =Highlander= (_coolly_). "WHUSTLE ON M' DOG? NA, NA, FRIEND! WHUSTLE YOU ON YOUR _PARTAN_!!" Illustration: Driving a Bargain. =Economical Drover.= "A TEECK'T TAE FAA'KIRK." =Polite Clerk.= "FIVE-AND-NINEPENCE, PLEASE." =Drover.= "AH'LL GIE YE FIVE SHILLINGS!" =Clerk= (_astonished_). "EH!" =Drover=. "WEEL, AH'LL GIE YE FIVE-AN'-THRIPPENCE, AN' DEIL A BAWBEE MAIR! IS'T A BARGAIN?!" Illustration: Candid. =Tam= (_very dry, at door of Country Inn, Sunday Morning_). "AYE, MAN, YE MICHT GIE ME A BIT GILL OOT IN A BOTTLE!" =Landlord= (_from within_). "WEEL, YE KEN, TAMMAS, I DAURNA SELL ONYTHING THE DAY. AND FORBYE YE GOT A HALF-MUTCHKIN AWA' WI' YE LAST NICHT (AFTER HOORS TAE); IT CANNA BE A' DUNE YET!" =Tam.= "DUNE! LOSH, MAN, D'YE THINK A' COULD SLEEP AN' WHUSKEY I' THE HOOSE?!" Illustration: An Irish Model. =Mrs. Magillicuddy= (_to her Daughter_). "WHY, WHY, ROSEEN! WHAT'S BEEN DELAYIN' YE? WHY! AND ME WAITIN' THIS HOUR PAST TO COME IN WID THE MILK!" =Rose.= "O, SURE, THIN, MOTHER DEAR, ON ME WAY BACK FROM THE MEADA' I MET SUCH A DARLIN' ENGLISH JINTLEMAN--A RALE ARTIST. WHY, AND HE AXED ME TO ALLOW HIM TO TAKE ME LANDSKIP; AND O, MOTHER MAVRONE, IT'S A WONDER HOW LIKE ME HE'S MED IT, GLORY BE TO THE SAINTS!" Illustration: A Benediction! =Irish Beggarwoman= (_to our friend, Dr. O'Gorman, whose Nose is of the shortest_). "WON'T YE GIVE ME A COPPER, DOCTHER DEAR? THEY, NOW, IF YE HAVEN'T WAN PENNY CONVANIENT!--AND MAY THE BLISSED SAINTS INCRASE YE!" =Dr. O'Gorman.= "STAND ASIDE, MY GOOD WOMAN. I'VE NOTHING FOR YOU." =Beggarwoman.= "O, THIN, THE LARD PRESARVE YER EYESIGHT, FOR THE DIVIL A NOSE YE HAVE TO MOUNT THE 'SPECS' UPON!!" Illustration: Mrs. Frummage's Birthday Dinner-Party. =Mrs. F.= ("_coming from behind the Screen, sneakin' just like her_"). "THERE! OH YOU GOODFORNOTHING BOY, NOW I'VE FOUND YOU OUT. HOW DARE YOU TOUCH THE WINE, SIR?" =Robert.= "PLEASE 'M, I WAS--I WAS ONLY JUST A GOIN' TO WISH YOURS AN' MASTER'S WERY GOOD 'EALTH 'M!" Illustration: Confession. =Old Lady= (_who can't stand her Page's destructive carelessness any longer_). "NOW, ROBERT, I WANT YOU CLEARLY TO UNDERSTAND THE REASON I PART WITH YOU. CAN YOU TELL ME?" =Robert= (_affected to tears_). "YES, 'M." =Old Lady.= "WHAT, ROBERT?" =Robert.= "'CAUSE I'M--(_SNIFF_)--'CAUSE I'M--'CAUSE I'M _SO UGLY_!!" Illustration: A Stroke of Business. =Village Hampden= (_"who with dauntless breast" has undertaken, for sixpence, to keep off the other boys_). "IF ANY OF YER WANTS TO SEE WHAT WE'RE A PAINTIN' OF, IT'S A 'ALFPENNY A 'EAD, BUT YOU MARN'T MAKE NO REMARKS." Illustration: Proper Reproof. =Fussy Party.= "WHY DON'T YOU TOUCH YOUR HAT TO ME, BOY?" =Country Boy.= "SO I WUL I' YEAOU'LL HOWD THE CA-ALF!" Illustration: Little and Good. =Gentleman.= "WHO DO THESE PIGS BELONG TO, BOY?" '=Chaw.=' "WHY, THIS 'ERE OWD ZOW." =Gentleman.= "YES, YES; BUT I MEAN WHO'S THEIR MASTER?" '=Chaw.=' "WHY, THAT THERE LITTLE 'UN; HE'S A VARMUN TO FOIGHT!" Illustration: "Mistakes Will Happen." =Mamma= (_alarmed_). "WHAT IS IT, MY DARLING?" =Pet.= "YA--AH, BOO--OOH--AH!" =Mamma.= "WHAT'S THE MATTER, THEN? COME AND TELL ITS OWN----" =Pet.= "BA--H-OO-H--SHE--SHE DID--WASH ME ONCE--AN'--SAYS--SHE DIDN'T--AN'--SHE'S BEEN--AN' GONE AN' WASHED ME OVER AGAIN!!" Illustration: Brushing Pa's New Hat. =Edith.= "NOW, TOMMY, YOU KEEP TURNING SLOWLY, TILL WE'VE DONE IT ALL ROUND." Illustration: More Than One for His Nob. =Irritable Old Gentleman= (_who is rather particular about his appearance_). "I WISH YOU'D BE CAREFUL. THAT'S THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME YOU'VE PRICKED ME WITH YOUR SCISSORS!" =Young Man= (_from "Round the Corner"_). "BEG YER PARDON, SIR, BUT THE FACT IS, SIR, I 'AVEN'T BEEN IN THE 'ABIT O' CUTTIN' 'AIR, SIR. WE'RE RATHER SHORT OF 'ANDS, SO----" _Old Gent explodes._ Illustration: A Passage of Arms. =Hairdresser.= "'AIR'S VERY DRY, SIR!" =Customer= (_who knows what's coming_). "I LIKE IT DRY!" =Hairdresser= (_after awhile, again advancing to the attack_). "'EAD'S VERY SCURFY, SIR!" =Customer= (_still cautiously retiring_). "YA-AS, I PREFER IT SCURFY!" _Assailant gives in defeated_ Illustration: Flunkeianum. =Master.= "THOMPSON, I BELIEVE THAT I HAVE REPEATEDLY EXPRESSED AN OBJECTION TO BEING SERVED WITH STALE BREAD AT DINNER. HOW IS IT MY WISHES HAVE NOT BEEN ATTENDED TO?" =Thompson.= "WELL, SIR, I REELY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS TO BE DONE! IT WON'T DO TO WASTE IT, AND WE _CAN'T_ EAT IT DOWN-STAIRS!!" Illustration: _A Dilemma._ =Auxiliary Recruit= (_to himself_). "MURDER! MURDER! WHAT'LL I DO NOW? 'DRILL-SARJINT TOULD ME ALWAYS TO SALUTE ME OFFICER WID THE FAR-OFF HAND, AND HERE'S TWO IV EM! FAIX, I'LL MAKE IT STRAIGHT FOR MESELF ANYHOW!" _Throws up both Hands._ Illustration: _Lessons in the Vacation._ =Public School-man.= "HE-AR, CABBY, WE'LL GIVE YOU EIGHTEEN-PENCE TO TAKE US TO BRIXTON." =Cabby.= "WELL, I GENERALLY DO CARRY CHILDREN 'ALF PRICE, BUT I'M ENGAGED THIS MORNING, GENTS!" Illustration: Wimbledon. =The Irrepressible 'Arry= (_to Swell--Small-bore Man--who has just fired_). "YA--AH! NEVER 'IT IT!!" Illustration: Wimbledon. =Volunteer Mounted Officer= (_Midnight_). "HULLO HERE! WHY DON'T YOU TURN OUT THE GUARD? I'M THE FIELD-OFFICER OF THE DAY!" =Volunteer Sentry.= "THEN WHAT THE DEUCE ARE YOU DOIN' OUT THIS TIME O' NIGHT?" Illustration: A Hardship. =Mistress.= "I THINK, ELIZABETH, I MUST ASK YOU TO GO TO CHURCH THIS AFTERNOON INSTEAD OF THIS MORNING, BECAUSE----" =Elizabeth= (_indignantly_). "WELL, MUM, WHICH IN MY LAST PLACE I WAS NEVER AS'ED TO GO AN' 'EAR A CURATE PREACH!" Illustration: "Like her Impudence." =Missis and the Young Ladies= (_together_). "GOODNESS GRACIOUS, J'MIMA! WHAT HAVE YOU----_WHERE'S_ YOUR CR'N'LIN?" (_This word snappishly._) =Jemima.= "OH 'M, PLEASE 'M, WHICH I UNDERSTOOD AS THEY WAS A GOIN' OUT, 'M----" _Receives warning on the spot._ Illustration: "Too Bad!" =Comic Man= (_in an audible Whisper, while his Friend is "obliging" with "Adelaide"_). "LOOK OUT! HE'S COMING TO THE PASSIONATE PART NOW. YOU'LL SEE HIM WAG HIS SHOULDERS!" Illustration: "It's the Pace that Kills." =Miss Rattleton= (_who means Waltzing_). "OH, I DID NOT SAY 'STOP,' MR. PLUMPLEY." =Mr. Plumpley= (_utterly blown, in gasps_). "'MSURE YOU--MUSTBETIRED----" _And joins the Card-players._ Illustration: The Gamut. =Jack Bowbell= (_beginning his Song_). "'APPY LAND, 'APPY LAND----" =Tom Belgrave.= "ONE MOMENT--EXCUSE ME, MY DEAR FELLOW--BUT DON'T YOU THINK THE SONG WOULD GO BETTER IF YOU WERE TO SOUND YOUR _H_'S JUST A LITTLE?" =Jack Bowbell.= "EH? SOUND MY _H_'S?" (_Chuckles._) "SHOWS HOW MUCH YOU KNOW ABOUT MUSIC!--NO SUCH NOTE--ONLY GOES UP TO _G_!" (_Continues._) "'APPY LAND, 'APPY LAND----" Illustration: _Garrison Instruction._ =Instructor= (_lecturing_). "GENTLEMEN, A THREE-LEGGED TRESTLE IS A TRESTLE WITH THREE LEGS. YOU HAD BETTER MAKE A NOTE OF THAT, GENTLEMEN." (_Intense scribbling._) =General in Embryo= (_but not at present noted for smartness_), _after a pause of some Minutes_. "I BEG YOUR PARDON, MAJOR, BUT HOW MANY LEGS DID YOU SAY THE TRESTLE HAD?" (_Left sitting._) Illustration: Cavalry Criticism. =Adjutant= (_to Riding-Master_). "AH, THERE'S MR. QUICKSTEP!" (_Who had just Exchanged into the Regiment from the Infantry_.) "HOW DOES HE GET ON?" =Riding-Master=. "WELL, SIR, I THINK HE'S THE HOSSIEST GEN'LEMAN AFUT--AND THE FUTTIEST GEN'LEMAN ON A HOS THAT EVER I'VE MET WITH SINCE I'VE BEEN IN THE REG'MENT!" Illustration: "_The Way we Had in the Army._" =Colonel= (_of the pre-Examination period--to studious Sub_). "I SAY, YOUNGSTER, YOU'LL NEVER MAKE A SOLDIER IF YOU DON'T MIND WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT!" =Sub= (_mildly_). "I SHOULD BE SORRY TO THINK THAT, SIR!" =Colonel.= "I SAW YOU SNEAKING UP THE HIGH STREET YESTERDAY, LOOKING LIKE A METHODIST PARSON IN REDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES!--HOLD UP YOUR HEAD, SIR! BUY A STICK, SIR! SLAP YOUR LEG, SIR! AND STARE AT THE GIRLS AT THE WINDOWS!" Illustration: "An Officer and a Gentleman!" =Volunteer Captain= (_bumptiously_). "OFFICER'S TICKET!" =Considerate Clerk=. "GOVER'MENT TARIFF'S HIGH ON THIS LINE, SIR. YOU'D BETTER GO AS A GENTLEMAN! CHEAPER!" _The Captain is shocked, loses his presence of mind, and takes advantage of the suggestion_. Illustration: "The Service going to, &c.!" ENSIGN BROWN SHARES A TENT AT WIMBLEDON WITH HIS FRIEND JONES, PRIVATE IN THE SAME COMPANY. =Ensign Brown=. "OH, I SAY, JO--MR. JONES, THERE'S ONE OF THOSE PEGS LOOSE. HEM--WILL YOU--I WISH--JUST JUMP OUT, AND MAKE IT FAST!" =Private Jones=. "OH, HANG IT, BR--MR. BROWN! COME, I DON'T MIND TOSSING YOU!!" Illustration: Presence of Mind. =Constables= (_in chorus_). "HOY! HULLO! STOP! TURN BACK THERE! CAN'T COME THROUGH THE PARK!" =Elderly Female= (_in a hurry to catch a train_). "P'LICEMAN, I'M THE _'OME SECRETARY_!!!" =Sergeant of Police= (_taken aback_). "OH, I BEG YOUR PARDON, I'M SURE, MUM! ALL RIGHT--DRIVE ON, CABBY!" _Old Lady saves the train._ Illustration: "Bric à Brac." =Mamma= } { {SAM!" }_together_ {"GOODNESS, GRACIOUS, { =Daughters=} { {PA'!" =Papa= (_who has a passion for Antiques_). "MY DEARS, I THOUGHT IT WOULD DO SO NICELY FOR THE LANDING AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, EH." Illustration: Encouraging. =First Bystander= (_evidently Village Schoolmaster--ignorant set of people generally!_). "DON'T SEEM TO BE MAKING MUCH OF IT, DO 'E?" =Second Bystander= (_you'd have thought him an intelligent Farmer, by the look of him_). "AMMY-TOOR, SEEMIN'LY!!" Illustration: "Fine Art." =Rural Connoisseur.= "HE'S A P'INTIN' TWO PICTUR'S AT ONCE, D' YER SEE? 'BLEST IF I DON'T LIKE THAT THERE LITTLE 'UN AS HE'S GOT HIS THUMB THROUGH, THE BEST!" Illustration: _Our Reserves._ (AUXILIARY FORCES, NORTH OF IRELAND.) =Last Joined Supernumerary.= "NOW, THEN, SENTRY, WHY DON'T YOU SALUTE YOUR OFFICER?" =Militia Sentry= (_old Yankee Irish Veteran, who has been through the "Secesh" War_). "SALUTE, IS IT? DIVEL A SALUTE YOU'LL GET ONTILL YE PAY YER FUTTIN'!!" Illustration: _Badinage._ =Facetious 'Bus-Driver= (_offering to pull up_). "'ERE Y'ARE, SIR. LOOK SHARP, BILL AND 'ELP THE GEN'LEMAN IN WITH HIS LUGGAGE!" =Chimney-Sweep= (_whose self-respect is hurt_) _uses strong language!_ ='Bus-Driver.= "BEG PARD'N, SIR. GEN'LEMAN AIN'T FOR US, BILL. HE'S A LOOKIN' OUT FOR A 'HATLAS. GOIN' TO MADAM TOOSAWD'S, TO 'AVE HIS STATTY DONE IN WAX-WORK!!" Illustration: _Particular to a Hair._ =Irate Major= (_to hairy Sub._). "WHEN NEXT YOU COME ON PARADE, SIR, HAVE THE GOODNESS TO LEAVE THOSE CONFOUNDED WEATHERCOCKS BEHIND YOU!" Illustration: _Chronology._ ='Bus-Driver.= "THEY TELL ME THERE'VE BEEN SOME COINS FOUND IN THESE 'ERE 'EXKYVATIONS THAT 'A BEEN BURIED THERE A MATTER O' FOUR OR FIVE 'UNDRED YEAR!!" =Passenger Friend.= "OH, THAT'S NOTHIN'! WHY, THERE'S SOME IN THE BRI'SH MUSEUM--AH--MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND YEAR OLD!!" ='Bus-Driver= (_after a pause_). "COME, GEORGE, THAT WON'T DO, YER KNOW! 'CAUSE WE'RE ONLY IN EIGHT'N 'UNDRED AN' SIXTY-NINE NOW!!!" Illustration: "_Bus-Measure._" ='Bus-Driver.= "NEVER SEE THE COMET?! WHY, WHEREVER COULD YOU 'A'----" (_Notices Shortness of "Ge'tleman's" hair, &c., and hesitates_). "HOWSOMEVER----" =Passenger= (_relieving his embarrassment_). "WHEREABOUTS WAS IT?" =Driver.= "WELL, I'LL TELL YER. IT WAS ABOUT THE LENGTH O' THIS YERE BUS FROM THE FORRARDEST LEADER IN THE GREAT BEAR!" Illustration: Tricks upon Travellers. =Bonsor= (_down upon little Stannery, who's a great boaster about his "Swell" acquaintance, and his extensive "Travel," and this year especially, down Palestine way_). "DID YOU SEE THE DARDANELLES?" =Stannery.= "EH! THE--EH? OH, YE'--YES! JOLLY FELLARS AS EVER I MET! DINED WITH 'EM AT VIENNAH!" _Little S. has left the Club._ Illustration: Quantity not Quality. =Brown, Senior.= "WELL, FRED, WHAT DID YOU SEE DURING YOUR TRIP ABROAD?" =Brown, Junior.= "AW--'PON M'WORD, 'DON'T KNOW WHAT I SAW 'XACTLY, 'ONLY KNOW I DID MORE BY THREE COUNTRIES, EIGHT TOWNS, AND FOUR MOUNTAINS, THAN SMITH DID IN THE SAME TIME!" Illustration: "A Woman of Business." =Husband= (_who has been on the Continent, and left his Wife some Blank Cheques_). "MY DEAR LOUISA, I FIND YOU HAVE CONSIDERABLY OVERDRAWN AT THE BANK!" =Wife.= "O, NONSENSE, WILLY, HOW CAN THAT BE? WHY, I'VE TWO OF THOSE BLANK CHEQUES LEFT YET!!" Illustration: "Reason in Woman." =Young Wife.= "GEORGE, DEAR, I'VE HAD A TALK WITH THE SERVANTS THIS MORNING, AND I'VE AGREED TO RAISE THEIR WAGES. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS SO DEAR NOW--MEAT WAS SO HIGH, AND COALS HAD RISEN TO SUCH A PRICE, AND EVERYTHING----I THOUGHT THIS WAS REASONABLE, BECAUSE I'VE SO OFTEN HEARD YOU COMPLAIN OF THE SAME THING." Illustration: "Our Failures." =Husband.= "I SAY, LIZZIE, WHAT ON EARTH DID YOU MAKE THIS MINT-SAUCE OF?" =Young Wife= (_who has been "helping" Cook_). "PARSLEY, TO BE SURE!" Illustration: "_Where there's a Will there's a Way!_" =Cook.= "PLEASE, 'M, I WISHES TO GIVE WARNING----" =Mistress= (_surprised_). "WHY, WHAT'S THE MATTER?" =Cook.= "THE FACT IS, MUM, I'M GOING TO GET MARRIED!" =Mistress.= "WHY, COOK, I DID NOT KNOW YOU WERE ENGAGED!" =Cook.= "WHICH I HAM NOT AZACTLY ENGAGED AS YET, MUM; BUT I FEELS MYSELF TO BE OF THAT 'APPY DISPOSITION AS I COULD LOVE HANY MAN, MUM!" Illustration: "_Satisfactory!_" =Mistress.= "WELL, JESSIE, I'M GOING INTO NAIRNE, AND WILL SEE YOUR MOTHER. CAN I GIVE HER ANY MESSAGE FROM YOU?" =Jessie= (_her first "place"_). "OU, MEM, YE CAN JUST SAY I'M UNCO' WEEL PLEASED WI' YE!!" Illustration: "_Ha! Ha! The Wooin' O't!_" =Young Mistress= (_gravely; she had seen an affectionate parting at the garden-gate_). "I SEE YOU'VE GOT A YOUNG MAN, JANE!" =Jane= (_apologetically_). "ONLY WALKED OUT WITH HIM ONCE, M'UM!" =Mistress.= "O, BUT I THOUGHT I SAW--DIDN'T YOU--DIDN'T HE--TAKE A KISS, JANE?" =Jane.= "O, M'M, ONLY AS A FRIEND, M'M!!" Illustration: "_The Way we Build now._" =Indignant Houseowner= (_he had heard it was so much cheaper, in the end, to buy your House_). "WH' WHAT'S THE--WHAT AM I!--WHA'--WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE IS THE MEANING OF THIS, MR. SCAMPLING!?" =Local Builder.= "T' TUT, TUT! WELL, SIR, I 'SPECTS SOME ONE'S BEEN A-LEANIN' AGIN IT!!" Illustration: "In the Long Run." =Town Gent.= "NOW DO YOU FIND KEEPING POULTRY ANSWERS?" =Country Gent= (_lately retired_). "O, 'ES, S'POSED TO ANSWER. Y' SEE THERE'S THE ORIGINAL COST OF THE FOWLS--'F COURSE THE FOOD GOES DOWN TO ME, Y' KNOW. WELL, THEN, I PURCHASE THE EGGS FROM THE CHILDREN, AND THEY EAT THEM!!!" Illustration: Rather too Literal. =Country Gentleman= (_in a rage_). "WHY, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO, YOU IDIOT! YOU'VE LET HIM DOWN, AND----" =New Groom.= "YES, YER HONNER, YE TOULD ME TO BREAK HIM; AN' BRUK HE IS, KNEES AN' ALL, WORSE LUCK!" Illustration: "Bon Voyage!" =Mossu= (_shot into a nice soft loam_) _exultingly_. "A--HA--A! I AM SAFE O-VÈRE! NOW IT IS YOUR TURN, MEESTER TIMBRE JOMPRE! COME ON, SABE!" Illustration: "Fiat Experimentum," &c. =The Rector.= "GOOD MORNING, MRS. SMITHERS. HOW'S THE BABY? ISN'T IT RATHER EARLY TO BRING HIM TO CHURCH? DON'T YOU THINK HE'LL BE RESTLESS?" =Mrs. Smithers.= "O, NO, SIR, HE'LL BE QUIET, SIR, WHICH WE TOOK HIM TO THE METHODIS' CHAPEL LAST SUNDAY O' PURPOSE TO TRY HIM, SIR!" Illustration: Irreverent. =Policeman= (_on the occasion of our "Confirmation"_). "STOP! STOP! GO BACK! YOU MUSTN'T COME IN HERE! WE'RE EXPECTIN' O' THE BISHOP EVERY MINUTE!" =Cabby= (_fortissimo_). "ALL RIGHT! WHY'VE GOT THE OLD BUFFER INSIDE!" Illustration: Wet and Dry. =Careful Wife.= "ARE YOU VERY WET, DEAR?" =Ardent Angler= (_turning up his flask_). "NO; DRY AS A LIME-KILN--HAVEN'T HAD A DROP THESE TWO HOURS!" Illustration: "_Not so Fast!_" =Old Gent.= (_soliloquising, in the Wilds of Glenmuchie_). "AH, WELL, THIS IS VERY JOLLY! WEALTH'S A GREAT BLESSING--NOT THAT I'M A RICH MAN--BUT AFTER THE TURMOIL AND WORRY OF BUSINESS, TO BE ABLE TO RETIRE TO THESE CHARMING SOLITUDES, THE SILENCE ONLY BROKEN BY THE GRATEFUL SOUNDS OF THE RIPPLING STREAM ('BURN,' I MEAN. AH! I NEARLY HAD HIM THEN!), AND THE HUM OF THE BEE! TO BE ABLE TO LEAVE LONDON AND ITS TIRESOME MILLIONS, AND FORGET ALL THE LOW----" =Voice from the Bridge= (_the ubiquitous "'Arry"_). "COULD YER 'BLIGE US WITH A WORM, GOV'NOUR?"!! Illustration: Banting in the Yeomanry. =Troop-Sergeant Major.= "IT COMES TO THIS, CAPTAIN, 'A MUN E'THER HEV' A NEW JACKET OR KNOCK OFF ONE O' MY MEALS!" Illustration: Something from the Provinces. =Excursionist= (_politely_). "CAN YOU KINDLY DIRECT ME THE NEAREST WAY TO SLAGLEY?" =Powerful Navvy.= "AH CAN POONCH TH' HEAD O' THEE!" _Excursionist retires hastily._ Illustration: "Ways and Means." =First Country Gentleman.= "'MEAN HUNTING THIS WINTER, CHARLIE?" =Second Country Gentleman= (_doubtfully_). "'SHALL TRY AND 'WORK' IT." =First Country Gentleman.= "HOW?" =Second Country Gentleman.= "GIVE UP THE UNDER-NURSE, I THINK." Illustration: Blank Firing. =Ancient Sportsman= (_whose Sight is not what it used to be_). "PICK 'EM UP, JAMES, PICK 'EM UP! WHY DON'T YOU PICK 'EM UP?" =Veteran Keeper.= "'CAUSE THERE BEAN'T ANY DOWN, MY LORD!" CONTENTS. PAGE Adjustment 25 A Fortiori 110 Alarming 44 Alma Mater 50 Angling Extraordinary 81 Answer, a Soft 22 Anything for a Change 118 Appeal, a Final 37 Appearances 118 Arbiter Elegantiarum 35 Arcadian Amenities 56 Archery Meeting, the 76 Architecture (Irish) 123 Argumentum ad Hominem 21 Artful--Very! 57 Artist, Our 54 Art-School Conversazione, Our 119 As Well as can be Expected 46 Awkward! 75, 108 Badinage 146 Bagpipes and Classical Music 56 Banting in the Yeomanry 155 Bargain, Driving a 132 Barometrical 14 Beard Movement, the 106 Beauty, a Thing of 126 Benediction! a 133 Bereaved 96 Between two Shoeblacks we fall, &c. 120 Bird Show, the 5 Birthday Dinner-Party, Mrs. Frummage's 134 Blank Firing 155 Bon Voyage! 100, 152 Boon Companions 96 Boxing-Day 55 Boys, those Dreadful 80 Breaking the Ice 24, 156 Bric à Brac 144 Brother Brush 84 Brushing Pa's New Hat 136 Business! 69 " a Stroke of 135 Bus-Measure 147 By the Card 41 Candid 132 Canny 68, 122 Casual Acquaintance, a 43 Catechism under Difficulties 78 Cavalry Criticism 142 Chaff 31 Change for the Better, a , 65 Character, a Satisfactory 98 Chronology 147 Circumlocutory! 43 Civil Servants, H. M., What they have to Endure 117 Civil Service Miseries 49 Club Law 94 Colloquial Equivalents 65 Commissariat, the 69 Comparisons 73 Compliment, a 47 Complimentary 39 Compliments of the Season 82, 85, 131 Compliments of the (Sketching) Season 84 Concert, the Morning 97 Conclusive 58 Confederate, a Treacherous 23 Confession 134 " in Confusion 18 Confidence, in 93 Connoisseur, the 16 Connoisseurs, the 60 Conscience, a Guilty 74 Conscience Clause, the 101 Considerate 52 Convalescent, the 74 Cool Card, a 97 Cricket 23 Criticism, Considerate 109 " Legitimate 127 Culture for the Working Classes 43 Cure, a Perfect 45 Curious 118 Customer, Bad 2 Dear, Dear Boy! 83 Decimals on Deck 13 Definition, a 70 Degenerate Son, a 25 Delicacy 40 Delicately Put 73 Depression 86 Desperate Case! 25, 100 Dignity 1, 102 Dilemma, a 20, 91, 138 Dinners, Little, How we arrange our 58 Disaffection! 125 Dish, a New 53 Distinction, a 51 Distracting 47 District Visitor, Trials of a 127 Durance 3 Duty and Pleasure 69 Education! 23, 101 Embarrassing 50 Encouraging! 90, 145 Equal to the Situation 74 Exchange! 25 Excuse, a Perfect 107 Exempli Gratia 102 Extenuating Circumstances 70 Extortion 130 Fahrenheit 107 Failing, a Little 60 Failures, Our 149 Familiarity breeds Contempt 124 Family Man, a 15 Family Pride 1 Family Ties 8 Feather, the last (Co-operative) 125 Fiat Experimentum 153 Fine Art 145 Finishing Touch, the 109 Fish, a Big 56 Fishing, an Evening's (behind the Distillery at Sligo) 121 Flattering 72 Flunkeianum 137 For Better for Worse 7 Game (a) Two can Play at 13 Gamut, the 141 Garrison Instruction 142 Grandiloquence 77 Gratitude 93 Grey Mare, the 58 Gentility in Greens 9 Geology 96 Golden Age Restored, the 63 Habit, Force of 50 " a Luxurious 63 Ha! Ha! the Wooin' o' it 150 Happy Thought 82 Hard Lines 35 Hardship, a 140 Hard-up on a Wet Day 99 Harp in the Air, the 122 Heresy 42 He thought he was Safe 108 Hibernian Veracity 111 High Life below Stairs! 94 Hoist with his own Pomade 47 Hunting Appointments 89 Hunting Idiot 54 Hygiene 108 Hyperbole 88 Ignorance, Crass 10 Im-pertinent 120 Incidit in Scyllam, &c. 117 Incombinable Elements 99 Ingenuas Didicisse, &c. 36 Ingenuity, Irish 12 In the Long Run 151 Initiative, Obvious 132 Inspection, Our 89 Intelligent! 129 In Vino Memoria 78 Io Bacche! 60 Irish Grievances, Real 88 Irreverent 153 Irrevocable 55 Is it Pos-sible?! 31 It's an Ill Wind, &c. 90 It's the Pace that Kills 141 Jeopardy, in 41 Just in Time 17 Knowledge, Pursuit of 95 Labour, Division of 38 Lapsus Linguæ 76 Last Word, the 91 Le Jeu ne vaut pas la Chandelle 28 Lessons in the Vacation 138 Let Well alone! 28 Levelling Up 77 Liberal to a Fault 48 Like her Impudence 140 Lingua East Anglia 62 Little and Good 135 Look before you Leap 27 Lucid! 26 Lucus a Non, &c. 88 Luxury, Seasonable 22 Making Things Pleasant 81 Mal Apropos 18 Manners! 116 Manoeuvres, Our 19, 59 March of Refinement 2 Master of the Situation?! 116 Matter! 37 Meat Supply, the 66 Menace 126 Men were Deceivers ever 49 Mens Conscia 1 Mercies, Small, (not) Thankful for 39 Military Manoeuvres 19 Mind and Matter 79 Mine of Speculation, a 21 Misnomer, a 128 Mistakes will Happen 136 Mistletoe Bough, Oh the 42 Model, an Irish 133 More than one for his Nob 137 M. P., a Pledged 4 Music in the Midlands 106 Music of the Future--Sensation Opera 94 Mystery solved, the 3 Mystification 71 Nae that Fou! 110 Narcotic, a 15 Natural Advantages 113 Nature and Art 113 Never say 'Die' 36 Nimble Ninepence, the 129 No accounting for Taste 64 Noblesse oblige! 105 No Mistake, this Time 27 No such Luck 30 Not Proven 121 Not so Fast! 154 Not to put too fine a Point on it 36 Obliging 71 Off! 38 Offender, an Old 55 Offer, a Fair 111 Officer (an) and a Gentleman! 143 Once for All 92 On the Face of it 131 Order, an Extensive 30 Ornaments for your Fire-Stoves 131 Panic in the Kitchen, a 32 Parthian Shaft, a 115 Particular! 34, 90 " to a Hair 147 Partner, Vivifying Treatment of a 34 Passage of Arms, a 137 Penny Wise 46 Perils of the Deep 4 Personal! 100 Perspective! 79 Pet, Intelligent 3 Pickles, Mixed 126 Pic-nic, the 57 Pink of Fashion, the 5 Plain to Demonstration 9 Pleasant for Simpkins! 128 Pleasuring! 107 Plutocrat, a 37 Point of View, a 87 Point of View, from one 119 Poor Humanity! 7 Precise 29 Presence of Mind 144 Prevention's better than Cure 8 Profanation 80 Proof Positive 32 Prospect, a Pleasant 67, 85 Prospect, a Nice 95 Provinces, Something from the 155 Prudence, Common 6 Pulpit-Critics, Stern 68 Qualifications 33 Quantity, not Quality 148 Quite another Thing 111 Quite Superfluous 105 Races not yet Extinct 20 Rather too Literal 152 Ready! 83 Reason in Woman 149 Reassuring 67, 112 Reductio ad Absurdum 86 Refrigerated Tourists 2 Refusal, a Rash 73 Register! Register! 120 Relapse 97 Reminiscences 46 Reproof, Proper 135 Res Angustæ Domi 11 Reserves, Our--the Battle of Amesbury 59 " Auxiliary Forces, North of Ireland 146 Restraints of Society 114 Retributive Justice 41 Revenge for the Union, More 13 Riding Lesson, the 26 Roll-Call, the 9 Romance of the Kitchen 82 Run of the House, the 103 Running Drill, the New 19 Rural Simplicity 78 Rustic Recollections 52 Sacrifice 70 Satisfactory! 150 Sausage Machine, the 16 Scruples 123 Scrupulous 12 Season, a Bad 124 Secrets 115 Selling him a Pennyworth 65 Sermon, the First 24 Servants, the 35, 40, 104, 127 Service (the) going to, &c. 143 Shocking! 156 Silence is Golden 14 Silly Suffolk (?) Pastorals--Reciprocity 76 Silver Lining to a Cloud, not a 53 Simple Addition 114 Simplicity, Sweet 115 Sinister Slip, a 49 Slip o' the Tongue, a 18 Small Mercies 44 Sold--Cheap 64 Son, a Kind 10 " a Degenerate 25 Spoiling it 33 Straightforward View, a 51 Struggle for Existence, the 98 Suit your Talk to your Company 75 Suspicion! 86 Sweet is Revenge--especially to Women! 24 Sympathy 48, 103 Tailors' Strike, in consequence of the 45 Temper, the Triumphs of 6 Temptation 33 Terms, Cash 93 Theatricals, Our 72 The Better the Day, &c. 51 The Way we Build now 151 The Way we had in the Army 143 The Way we Live now 112 The more Haste, the less Speed 87 Themis, Irish Ideal of 122 There's many a Slip 62 Tho' lost to Sight-- 29 Thrift 123 Ticket of Leave, a 66 'Tis better not to Know 30 Too Bad! 141 Too Late 106 Too True! 92 Tourists, Refrigerated 2 Tracts! 66 Trade, State of 27 Travellers, Tricks upon 148 Truth, a Half 7 Trying 5 Turk, a Regular 117 Turn about 81 Two Sides to a Question 85 Tyranny 45 Ulster, the 14 Unconscionable 15 Unprejudiced! 10 Up and Down Stairs 92 Veneration 22 Vested Interests 31 Veteran, a 61 Wages and Wives 95 Warning, Awful 16 Ways and Means 155 Weather, a Change in the 11 Weights and Measures 44 Well Meant 113 Wet and Dry 154 What Next? 104 What's in a Name? 35 What's the Odds? 61 When you are about it 103 Where Ignorance is Bliss &c. 39 Where there's a Will there's a Way! 150 Wimbledon 139 Winkles! 128 Woman-hater, a 102 Woman of Business, a 149 Woman's Rights 68 Words and Weights 17 XXX cellent Reasons 48 Zoology 130 * * * * * * Transcriber's note: The index has been moved from the beginning of the book to the end for the reader's convenience. The punctuation and spelling are as printed in the original publication. 44431 ---- FOUR HUNDRED HUMOROUS ILLUSTRATIONS By George Cruikshank With Portrait and Biographical Sketch Second Edition London Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co Glasgow BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH GEORGE CRUIKSHANK was born in London on the 27th of September, 1792. His parents were of Scotch nationality. The father, namely, Isaac Cruikshank, was an artist by profession, having considerable skill in water-colour painting and etching. The mother was a Miss Macnaughten, of Perth, a _protégé_ of the Countess of Perth, and the possessor of a small sum of money. She was a person of energetic temper and strong will, and so thrifty that by saving she added considerably to her original pecuniary possession. She was also careful to bring up her children in a pious manner, being, along with them, a regular attendant at the Scotch Church in Crown Court, Drury Lane. The couple took up house in Duke Street, Bloomsbury, where two sons and one daughter were burn. The elder son was born in 1789, named Isaac Robert, and ultimately became an artist of considerable reputation, but of much less originality in character and design than his younger brother. George was born about three years later. In artistic work he struck out in a new line, and although the difference between his work and that of his father and brother was not in every case strongly marked, still it was always sufficient to enable experts to select the productions of the youngest from those of his two seniors, a distinctly new and original vein appearing in them from the first. While the three children were still quite young, the family removed to No. 117 Dorset Street, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, where the parents let a portion of the house to lodgers. Here the father continued to work on his plates, while his wife coloured them by hand, soon, however, obtaining help in that respect from her sons. The boys went to school at Mortlake, and afterwards to Edgeware, but not for long, so that they owed little to school masters. The elder brother went to sea, and not returning when expected, was supposed to be lost, and mourned for as such. But after three years he suddenly re-appeared, and was welcomed home with joy,--resuming engraving for a livelihood Unfortunately for the family, the father died in 1811 Up to the time of his decease he appears to have had a steady and good business, having produced an immense number of sketches, coloured etchings, engravings, and designs produced in various modes, many of them in connection with the stage. At the time of his father's decease, the oldest son was twenty-two years of age, and George, the second son, nineteen. They were both well-advanced in their profession, and were quite capable of taking up and prosecuting their father's business connection. Previous to all this, there is no doubt that George began to draw when he was a mere child. Some of his productions of 1799 are still extant. "George's first playthings," says Mr. Bates "were the needle and the dabber;" but play insensibly merged into work, as he began to assist his hard-worked father. His earliest inclination, it is said, was to go to sea, but his mother opposed this. The earliest job in the way of etching, for which he was employed and received payment, was a child's lottery ticket. This was in 1804, when he was about twelve years of age. in 1805 he made a sketch of Nelson's funeral car, and whimsical etchings of the fashions of the day. His earliest signed work is dated two years later, and represents the demagogue Cobbett going to St. James's. His father's early death threw the lad on his own resources, and he quickly found that he must fight for a place in the world, as Fuseli told him he would have to do for a seat in the Academy. Anything that offered was acceptable--headings for songs and halfpenny ballads, illustrations for chap books, designs for nursery tales, sheets of prints for children--a dozen on the sheet and a penny the lot--vignettes for lottery tickets, rude cuts for broadsides, political squibs--all trivial records but now of the utmost rarity and value. While still very young, and before his father's decease, young George, with a view to becoming an Academy student, took specimens of his work to Fuseli for his inspection, when that, official told him that he would just have to "fight for his place," and at same time gave him permission to attend the lectures on painting. He attended two of the lectures and then stopped going, as his father held that if he was destined to be an artist he would become one without instruction, so that he never became a real student of that institution, nor had he a regular training in any way, so that his education, both so far as art and ordinary schooling was concerned, was very irregular and deficient. In fact, as a lad and young man he appeared to have been too full of animal spirits and too fond of sight-seeing to settle down to a hard course of study. The goings-on of the two brothers were severely condemned by their pious and strict mother. Occasionally she even went the length of castigating George when he returned home in the small hours from fairs and horse races, or the prize ring, and sometimes not quite sober. He is described at this early age as filled with a reckless love of adventure, emulating the exploits of Tom and Jerry, with wild companions. His field of observation extended from the foot of the gallows to Greenwich fair, through coal-holes, cider-cellars, cribs, and prize-fighters' taverns, Petticoat Lane, and Smithfield. Its centre was Covent Garden Market, where the young bloods drank, and sang, and fought under the piazzas in those days. Such was pretty much the sort of education the young men had, and luckily George had the sense and talent to turn it all to good account later on with his pencil. In course of time the artist was firmly established in business, and had numerous patrons among the publishers, some of whom were thriving to a considerable extent through Cruikshank's labours. After numerous isolated sketches, which brought him no small amount of fame, the first considerable series of designs by him appeared in Dr. Syntax's _Life of Napoleon_, consisting of thirty illustrations. Another long series was twenty-three illustrations to Pierce Egan's _Life_ in London. As also twenty-seven etchings to Grimm's _Popular Stories_. These were followed by numerous other lengthened series, such as _Mornings at Row Street, Three Courses and a Dessert, Punch and Judy, Gil Blas, My Sketch Book, Scott's Novels, Sketches by Boz, The Omnibus_, and very numerous others. In all, he appears to have produced the illustrations for no fewer than three hundred and twenty volumes, not to speak of an immense number of isolated sketches of all sorts. In 1847 and 1848 there came from his pencil his first direct and outspoken contribution to the cause of temperance in "The Bottle" and the "Drunkard's Children," although in some of his earlier designs he had satired the prevalent vice of drunkenness; he capped them all, however, in the eight plates of "The Bottle," in which he depicts the terrible downward march of degradation in the tragedy of an entire family, from the easy temptation of "a little drop" to the final murder of the wife. In "The Drunkard's Children," eight more plates, the remorseless moral is continued, the son becomes a thief, and dies in the hulks; the daughter, taking to the streets, ultimately throws herself over Waterloo Bridge. The two works had a great success. Moreover, they were dramatised in eight theatres at once, and were sold by tens of thousands. Hitherto Cruikshank had not been a strict abstainer, but now he became one with all the energy of his nature. In Cruikshank's later years he made a good many attempts at oil painting, and exhibited quite a number of paintings at the Royal Academy all with more or less success. But the larger and best known of these is the "Worship of Bacchus;" it is a work of inexhaustible detail and invention, and was received by the public with great favour; the size is 7 feet 8 inches high by 13 feet 3 inches long, and it is now in the National Gallery. However, to return to the affairs of the family. In time the brother Isaac Robert having got married, the whole family removed to King Street, Holborn. Soon afterwards the mother, George, and sister took a house in Claremont Square, Pentonville, at that period partially in the country. Later on, becoming married. George removed to Amwell Street, where he remained for thirty years. He afterwards resided in several suburban localities, but finally settled down at 263 Hampstead Road, where he died on the 1st of February, 1878, and in the following November his remains were finally deposited in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral. In person Cruikshank was a broad-chested man, rather below the middle height, with a high forehead, blue-grey eyes, a hook nose, and a pair of strong whiskers. In his younger days he had been an adept at boxing and all manly sports, as also an enthusiastic volunteer, ultimately becoming lieutenant-colonel of the 48th Middlesex Volunteers. He preserved his energy almost to the last day of his life. Even at eighty he was ready to dance a hornpipe, or sing a song, "he was," says one who knew him well, "a light hearted, merry, jolly old gentleman, full physically of humorous action and impulsive gesture, but in every word and deed a God-fearing, queen-honouring, truth-loving, honest man." The old school of caricaturists in which the names of Gilray, Rowlandson, Woodward, and Bunbury are most prominent, was noted chiefly for the broad, and in many cases, vulgar treatment of the subjects which were dealt with. The later school of caricaturists, in their mode of treating similar subjects, differed considerably from their predecessors. The leading member of the new school was George Cruikshank. He lived and worked during two generations, and may be considered as the connecting link between the old school and the new. At first Cruikshank to some extent followed Gilray and Rowlandson, but gradually fell off from their style of art, and in its stead produced work of a more serious and more artistic nature, which was the beginning of a new era in the history of caricature. His illustrations to innumerable works are of the highest order, and have made for him an everlasting reputation. 44432 ---- available by The Internet Archive FOUR HUNDRED HUMOROUS ILLUSTRATIONS By George Cruikshank With Portrait and Biographical Sketch Second Edition London Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co Glasgow BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH GEORGE CRUIKSHANK was born in London on the 27th of September, 1792. His parents were of Scotch nationality. The father, namely, Isaac Cruikshank, was an artist by profession, having considerable skill in water-colour painting and etching. The mother was a Miss Macnaughten, of Perth, a _protégé_ of the Countess of Perth, and the possessor of a small sum of money. She was a person of energetic temper and strong will, and so thrifty that by saving she added considerably to her original pecuniary possession. She was also careful to bring up her children in a pious manner, being, along with them, a regular attendant at the Scotch Church in Crown Court, Drury Lane. The couple took up house in Duke Street, Bloomsbury, where two sons and one daughter were burn. The elder son was born in 1789, named Isaac Robert, and ultimately became an artist of considerable reputation, but of much less originality in character and design than his younger brother. George was born about three years later. In artistic work he struck out in a new line, and although the difference between his work and that of his father and brother was not in every case strongly marked, still it was always sufficient to enable experts to select the productions of the youngest from those of his two seniors, a distinctly new and original vein appearing in them from the first. While the three children were still quite young, the family removed to No. 117 Dorset Street, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, where the parents let a portion of the house to lodgers. Here the father continued to work on his plates, while his wife coloured them by hand, soon, however, obtaining help in that respect from her sons. The boys went to school at Mortlake, and afterwards to Edgeware, but not for long, so that they owed little to school masters. The elder brother went to sea, and not returning when expected, was supposed to be lost, and mourned for as such. But after three years he suddenly re-appeared, and was welcomed home with joy,--resuming engraving for a livelihood Unfortunately for the family, the father died in 1811 Up to the time of his decease he appears to have had a steady and good business, having produced an immense number of sketches, coloured etchings, engravings, and designs produced in various modes, many of them in connection with the stage. At the time of his father's decease, the oldest son was twenty-two years of age, and George, the second son, nineteen. They were both well-advanced in their profession, and were quite capable of taking up and prosecuting their father's business connection. Previous to all this, there is no doubt that George began to draw when he was a mere child. Some of his productions of 1799 are still extant. "George's first playthings," says Mr. Bates "were the needle and the dabber;" but play insensibly merged into work, as he began to assist his hard-worked father. His earliest inclination, it is said, was to go to sea, but his mother opposed this. The earliest job in the way of etching, for which he was employed and received payment, was a child's lottery ticket. This was in 1804, when he was about twelve years of age. in 1805 he made a sketch of Nelson's funeral car, and whimsical etchings of the fashions of the day. His earliest signed work is dated two years later, and represents the demagogue Cobbett going to St. James's. His father's early death threw the lad on his own resources, and he quickly found that he must fight for a place in the world, as Fuseli told him he would have to do for a seat in the Academy. Anything that offered was acceptable--headings for songs and halfpenny ballads, illustrations for chap books, designs for nursery tales, sheets of prints for children--a dozen on the sheet and a penny the lot--vignettes for lottery tickets, rude cuts for broadsides, political squibs--all trivial records but now of the utmost rarity and value. While still very young, and before his father's decease, young George, with a view to becoming an Academy student, took specimens of his work to Fuseli for his inspection, when that, official told him that he would just have to "fight for his place," and at same time gave him permission to attend the lectures on painting. He attended two of the lectures and then stopped going, as his father held that if he was destined to be an artist he would become one without instruction, so that he never became a real student of that institution, nor had he a regular training in any way, so that his education, both so far as art and ordinary schooling was concerned, was very irregular and deficient. In fact, as a lad and young man he appeared to have been too full of animal spirits and too fond of sight-seeing to settle down to a hard course of study. The goings-on of the two brothers were severely condemned by their pious and strict mother. Occasionally she even went the length of castigating George when he returned home in the small hours from fairs and horse races, or the prize ring, and sometimes not quite sober. He is described at this early age as filled with a reckless love of adventure, emulating the exploits of Tom and Jerry, with wild companions. His field of observation extended from the foot of the gallows to Greenwich fair, through coal-holes, cider-cellars, cribs, and prize-fighters' taverns, Petticoat Lane, and Smithfield. Its centre was Covent Garden Market, where the young bloods drank, and sang, and fought under the piazzas in those days. Such was pretty much the sort of education the young men had, and luckily George had the sense and talent to turn it all to good account later on with his pencil. In course of time the artist was firmly established in business, and had numerous patrons among the publishers, some of whom were thriving to a considerable extent through Cruikshank's labours. After numerous isolated sketches, which brought him no small amount of fame, the first considerable series of designs by him appeared in Dr. Syntax's _Life of Napoleon_, consisting of thirty illustrations. Another long series was twenty-three illustrations to Pierce Egan's _Life_ in London. As also twenty-seven etchings to Grimm's _Popular Stories_. These were followed by numerous other lengthened series, such as _Mornings at Row Street, Three Courses and a Dessert, Punch and Judy, Gil Blas, My Sketch Book, Scott's Novels, Sketches by Boz, The Omnibus_, and very numerous others. In all, he appears to have produced the illustrations for no fewer than three hundred and twenty volumes, not to speak of an immense number of isolated sketches of all sorts. In 1847 and 1848 there came from his pencil his first direct and outspoken contribution to the cause of temperance in "The Bottle" and the "Drunkard's Children," although in some of his earlier designs he had satired the prevalent vice of drunkenness; he capped them all, however, in the eight plates of "The Bottle," in which he depicts the terrible downward march of degradation in the tragedy of an entire family, from the easy temptation of "a little drop" to the final murder of the wife. In "The Drunkard's Children," eight more plates, the remorseless moral is continued, the son becomes a thief, and dies in the hulks; the daughter, taking to the streets, ultimately throws herself over Waterloo Bridge. The two works had a great success. Moreover, they were dramatised in eight theatres at once, and were sold by tens of thousands. Hitherto Cruikshank had not been a strict abstainer, but now he became one with all the energy of his nature. In Cruikshank's later years he made a good many attempts at oil painting, and exhibited quite a number of paintings at the Royal Academy all with more or less success. But the larger and best known of these is the "Worship of Bacchus;" it is a work of inexhaustible detail and invention, and was received by the public with great favour; the size is 7 feet 8 inches high by 13 feet 3 inches long, and it is now in the National Gallery. However, to return to the affairs of the family. In time the brother Isaac Robert having got married, the whole family removed to King Street, Holborn. Soon afterwards the mother, George, and sister took a house in Claremont Square, Pentonville, at that period partially in the country. Later on, becoming married. George removed to Amwell Street, where he remained for thirty years. He afterwards resided in several suburban localities, but finally settled down at 263 Hampstead Road, where he died on the 1st of February, 1878, and in the following November his remains were finally deposited in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral. In person Cruikshank was a broad-chested man, rather below the middle height, with a high forehead, blue-grey eyes, a hook nose, and a pair of strong whiskers. In his younger days he had been an adept at boxing and all manly sports, as also an enthusiastic volunteer, ultimately becoming lieutenant-colonel of the 48th Middlesex Volunteers. He preserved his energy almost to the last day of his life. Even at eighty he was ready to dance a hornpipe, or sing a song, "he was," says one who knew him well, "a light hearted, merry, jolly old gentleman, full physically of humorous action and impulsive gesture, but in every word and deed a God-fearing, queen-honouring, truth-loving, honest man." The old school of caricaturists in which the names of Gilray, Rowlandson, Woodward, and Bunbury are most prominent, was noted chiefly for the broad, and in many cases, vulgar treatment of the subjects which were dealt with. The later school of caricaturists, in their mode of treating similar subjects, differed considerably from their predecessors. The leading member of the new school was George Cruikshank. He lived and worked during two generations, and may be considered as the connecting link between the old school and the new. At first Cruikshank to some extent followed Gilray and Rowlandson, but gradually fell off from their style of art, and in its stead produced work of a more serious and more artistic nature, which was the beginning of a new era in the history of caricature. His illustrations to innumerable works are of the highest order, and have made for him an everlasting reputation. 40320 ---- MR. PUNCH AFLOAT PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: "MR. PUNCH AFLOAT"] * * * * * MR PUNCH AFLOAT THE HUMOURS OF BOATING AND SAILING [Illustration] AS PICTURED BY SIR JOHN TENNIEL, GEORGE DU MAURIER, JOHN LEECH, CHARLES KEENE, PHIL MAY, L. RAVEN-HILL, LINLEY SAMBOURNE, G. D. ARMOUR, A. S. BOYD, J. BERNARD PARTRIDGE, AND OTHERS. PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. * * * * * THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo. 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: MR. PUNCH AT THE HELM! (_By way of Introduction_) River and sea, with their teeming summer life as we know them in Great Britain and around our coasts, have yielded a rich supply of subjects for the pens and pencils of MR. PUNCH'S merry men. In Stevenson's famous story of "The Merry Men," it is the cruel side of the sea that is symbolised under that ironic description; but there is no touch of gall, no sinister undertone, in the mirth of MR. PUNCH'S "merry men." It may be protested that in the pages of this little book, where we have brought together for the first time all MR. PUNCH'S "happy thoughts" about boating and sailing, the miseries of travel by sea and the discomforts of holiday life on our inland waters are too much insisted upon. But it is as much the function of the humorist as it is the business of the philosopher to hold the mirror up to nature, and we are persuaded that it is no distorted mirror in which MR. PUNCH shows us to ourselves. After all, although as a nation we are proud to believe that Britannia rules the waves, and to consider ourselves a sea-going people, for the most of us our recollections of Channel passages and trips around our coasts are inevitably associated with memories of _mal-de-mer_, and it says much for our national good humour that we can turn even our miseries into jest. Afloat or ashore, MR. PUNCH is never "at sea," and while his jokes have always their point, that point is never barbed, as these pages illustrative of the humours of boating and sailing--with MR. PUNCH at the helm--may be left safely to bear witness. [Illustration] * * * * * MR. PUNCH AFLOAT 'ARRY ON THE RIVER [Illustration] DEAR CHARLIE, 'Ot weather at last! Wot a bloomin' old slusher it's bin, This season! But now it do look as though Summer was goin' to begin. Up to now it's bin muck and no error, fit only for fishes and frogs, And has not give a chap arf a chance like of sporting 'is 'oliday togs. Sech a sweet thing in mustard and pink, quite _reshershay_ I tell you, old man. Two quid's pooty stiff, but a buster and blow the expense is my plan; With a stror 'at and _puggeree_, Charlie, low shoes and new mulberry gloves. If I didn't jest fetch our two gals, it's a pity;--and wasn't they loves? We'd three chaps in the boat besides me,--jest a nice little party of six, But they didn't get arf a look in 'long o' me; they'd no form, them two sticks. If you'd seen me a settin' and steerin' with one o' the shes on each side, You'd a thought me a Turk in check ditters, and looked on your 'Arry with pride. Wy, we see a swell boat with three ladies, sech rippers, in crewel and buff, (If _I_ pulled arf a 'our in their style it 'ud be a bit more than enough) Well, I tipped 'em a wink as we passed and sez, "Go it, my beauties, well done!" And, oh lor! if you'd twigged 'em blush up you'd a seen 'ow they relished the fun. I'm dead filberts, my boy, on the river, it ain't to be beat for a lark. And the gals as goes boating, my pippin, is jest about "'Arry, his mark." If you want a good stare, you can always run into 'em--accident quite! And they carn't charge yer nothink for looking, nor put you in quod for the fright. 'Ow we chivied the couples a-spoonin', and bunnicked old fishermen's swims, And put in a Tommy Dodd Chorus to Methodys practisin' hymns! Then we pic-nic'd at last on the lawn of a waterside willa. Oh, my! When the swells see our bottles and bits, I've a notion some language'll fly. It was on the Q. T., in a nook snugged away in a lot of old trees, I sat on a bust of Apoller, with one of the gurls on my knees! Cheek, eh? Well, the fam'ly was out, and the servants asleep, I suppose; For they didn't 'ear even our roar, when I chipped orf the himage's nose. We'd soon emptied our three-gallon bottle, and Tommy he pulled a bit wild, And we blundered slap into a skiff, and wos jolly near drownding a child. Of course we bunked off in the scurry, and showed 'em a clean pair o' legs, Pullin' up at a waterside inn where we went in for fried 'am and eggs. We kep that 'ere pub all-alive-oh, I tell yer, with song and with chorus, To the orful disgust of some prigs as wos progging two tables afore us. I do 'ate your hushabye sort-like, as puts on the fie-fie at noise. 'Ow on earth can yer spree without shindy? It's jest wot a feller enjoys. Quaker-meetings be jiggered, I say; if you're 'appy, my boy, give it tongue. I tell yer we roused 'em a few, coming 'ome, with the comics we sung. Hencoring a prime 'un, I somehow forgot to steer straight, and we fouled The last 'eat of a race--such a lark! Oh, good lor', _'ow_ they chi-iked and 'owled! There was honly one slight _country-tong_, Tommy Blogg, who's a bit of a hass, Tried to splash a smart pair of swell "spoons" by some willers we 'appened to pass; And the toff ketched the blade of Tom's scull, dragged 'im close, and jest landed 'im _one_! Arter which Master Tom nussed his eye up, and seemed rayther out of the fun. Sez the toff, "You're the pests of the river, you cads!" Well, I didn't reply, 'Cos yer see before gals, it ain't nice when a feller naps one in the eye; But it's all bloomin' nonsense, my boy! If he'd only jest give _me_ a look, He'd a seen as _my_ form was O.K., as I fancy ain't easy mistook. Besides, I suppose as the river is free to all sorts, 'igh and low. That I'm sweet on true swells you're aweer, but for stuck-ups I don't care a blow. We'd a rare rorty time of it, Charlie, and as for that younger gurl, Carry, I'll eat my old boots if she isn't dead-gone on Yours bloomingly, 'ARRY. * * * * * [Illustration: MAKING THE BEST OF IT] * * * * * [Illustration: HINTS TO BEGINNERS In punting, a good strong pole is to be recommended to the beginner.] * * * * * [Illustration: THE RETURN OF THE WANDERER _Custom House Officer_ (_to sufferer_). "Now, sir, will you kindly pick out your luggage? It's got to be examined before you land."] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR YACHTING EXPERIENCES _Old "Salt" at the helm._ "Rattlin' fine breeze, gen'lemen." _Chorus of Yachtsmen_ (_faintly_). "Y--yes--d'lightful!"] * * * * * TO PYRRHA ON THE THAMES [Illustration] O Pyrrha! say what youth in "blazer" drest, Woos you on pleasant Thames these summer eves; For whom do you put on that dainty vest, That sky-blue ribbon and those _gigot_ sleeves? "_Simplex munditiis_," as Horace wrote, And yet, poor lad, he'll find that he is rash; To-morrow you'll adorn some other boat, And smile as kindly on another "mash." As for myself--I'm old, and look askance At flannels and flirtation; not for me Youth's idiotic rapture at a glance From maiden eyes: although it comes from thee. * * * * * THE EXCURSION SEASON.--_First Passenger_ (_poetical_). "Doesn't the sight o' the cerulean expanse of ocean, bearing on its bosom the white-winged fleets of commerce, fill yer with----" _Second Ditto._ "Fi---- not a bit of it." (_Steamer takes a slight lurch!_) "Quite the contrary!" [_Makes off abruptly!_ * * * * * [Illustration: "LIFE'S LITTLE IRONIES" (Cheerful passage in the life of a Whitsuntide Holiday maker)] * * * * * MY RIVERSIDE ADWENTUR (_A Trew Fact as appened at Great Marlow on Bank Olliday_) [Illustration] I was setting one day in the shade, In the butifull month of August, When I saw a most butifull maid A packing of eggs in sum sawdust. The tears filled her butifull eyes, And run down her butifull nose, And I thort it was not werry wise To let them thus spile her nice close. So I said to her, lowly and gently, "Shall I elp you, O fair lovely gal?" And she ansered, "O dear Mr. Bentley, If you thinks as you can, why you shall." And her butifull eyes shone like dimans, As britely each gleamed thro a tear, And her smile it was jest like a dry man's When he's quenching his thirst with sum beer. Why she called me at wunce Mr. Bentley, I sort quite in wain to dishcover; Or weather 'twas dun accidently, Or if she took me for some other. I then set to work most discreetly, And packed all the eggs with great care; And I did it so nicely and neatly, That I saw that my skill made her stare. So wen all my tarsk was quite ended, She held out her two lilly hands, And shook mine, and thank'd me, and wended Her way from the river's brite sands. And from that day to this tho I've stayed, I've entirely failed to diskever The name of that brite dairy-maid As broke thirteen eggs by the river. ROBERT. * * * * * [Illustration: LOCKS ON THE THAMES _Sculler._ "Just half a turn of the head, love, or we shall be among the rushes!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE STEAMER Old Mr. Squeamish, who has been on deck for his wrapper, finds his comfortable place occupied by a hairy mossoo!] * * * * * OTHERWISE ENGAGED! (_A Sentimental Fragment from Henley_) And so they sat in the boat and looked into one another's eyes, and found much to read in them. They ignored the presence of the houseboats, and scarcely remembered that there were such things as launches propelled by steam or electricity. And they turned deaf ears to the niggers, and did not want their fortunes told by dirty females of a gipsy type. "This is very pleasant," said Edwin. "Isn't it?" replied Angelina; "and it's such a good place for seeing all the events." "Admirable!" and they talked of other things; and the time sped on, and the dark shadows grew, and still they talked, and talked, and talked. At length the lanterns on the river began to glow, and Henley put on its best appearance, and broke out violently into fireworks. It was then Mrs. Grundy spied them out. She had been on the look out for scandal all day long, but could find none. This seemed a pleasant and promising case. "So you are here!" she exclaimed. "Why, we thought you must have gone long ago! And what do you say of the meeting?" "A most perfect success," said he. "And the company?" "Could not be more charming," was her reply. "And what did you think of the racing?" Then they looked at one another and smiled. They spoke together, and observed:-- "Oh, we did not think of the racing!" And Mrs. Grundy was not altogether satisfied. * * * * * [Illustration: OVERHEARD ON AN ATLANTIC LINER _She_ (_on her first trip to Europe_). "I guess you like London?" _He._ "Why, yes. I guess I know most people in London. I was over there last fall!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "VIDE UT SUPRA" "The sad sea waves"] * * * * * LEST MEN FORGET; _Or, A Girl's best Friend is the River_ [This is to be a river season. Father Thames is an excellent matchmaker.--_Lady's Pictorial._] Oh, what is a maid to do When never a swain will woo; When Viennese dresses And eddying tresses And eyes of a heavenly blue, Are treated with high disdain By the cold and the careless swain, When soft showered glances At dinners and dances Are sadly but truly vain? Ah, then, must a maid despair? Ah, no, but betimes repair With her magical tresses And summery dresses To upper Thames reaches, where She turns her wan cheek to the sun (Of lesser swains she will none); Her glorious flame, Well skilled in the game, Flings kisses that burn like fun And cheeks that had lost their charm Grow rosy and soft and warm; Eyes lately so dull Of sun-light are full As masculine hearts with alarm. For jealousy by degrees Steals over the swain who sees The cheek he was slighting Another delighting, And so he is brought to his knees. * * * * * [Illustration: AT THE UNIVERSITY BOAT-RACE _Extract from Miss X's letter to a friend in the country_:--"Mr. Robin Blobbs offered to take us in his boat. Aunt accepted for Jenny, Fanny, Ethel, little Mary, and myself. Oh, such a time! Mr. Blobbs lost his head and his scull, and we were just rescued from upset by the police. 'Never again with you, Robin!'"] * * * * * [Illustration] THE AMATEUR YACHTSMAN (_A Nautical Song of the Period_) I'm bad when at sea, yet it's pleasant to me To charter a yacht and go sailing, But please understand I ne'er lose sight of land, Though hardier sailors are railing. If only the ship, that's the yacht, wouldn't dip, And heel up and down and roll over, And wobble about till I want to get out, I'd think myself fairly in clover. But, bless you! my craft, though the wind is abaft, Will stagger when meeting the ripple, Until a man feels both his head and his heels Reversed as if full of his tipple. In vain my blue serge when from seas we emerge, Though dressed as a nautical dandy; I can't keep my legs, and I call out for "pegs" Of rum, or of soda and brandy. A yacht is a thing, they say, fit for a king, And still it is not to my liking; My short pedigree does not smack of the sea,-- I can't pose a bit like a viking. It's all very well when there isn't a swell, But when that comes on I must toddle And go down below, for a bit of a blow Upsets my un-nautical noddle. Britannia may rule her own waves,--I'm a fool To try the same game, but, believe me, Though catching it hot, yet to give up my "Yot" Would certainly terribly grieve me. You see, it's the rage, like the Amateur Stage, Or Coaching, Lawn-Tennis, or Hunting: So, though I'm so queer, I go yachting each year, And hoist on the Solent my bunting. * * * * * A HENLEY TOAST.--"May rivals meet without any sculls being broken!" * * * * * OF COURSE!--The very place for a fowl--Henley! * * * * * THE JOURNAL WHICH EVIDENTLY KEEPS THE KEY OF THE RIVER.--The _Lock to Lock Times_. * * * * * [Illustration: OF MALICE AFORETHOUGHT _Cheery Official._ "All first class 'ere, please?" _Degenerate Son of the Vikings_ (_in a feeble voice_). "_First class?_ Now do I _look it_?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE" Next to the charming society, the best of the delightful trips on our friend's yacht is, that you get such an admirable view of the coast scenery, and you acquire such an excellent appetite for lunch.] * * * * * ROBERT ON THE RIVER [Illustration] It was ony a week or so ago as I was engaged perfeshnally on board a steam Yot that had been hired for about as jolly a party as I ewer remembers to have had on board a ship, and the Forreners among 'em had ewidently been brort for to see what a reel lovely River the Tems is. I must say I was glad to get away from Town, as I 'ad 'ad a shock from seeing a something dreadful on an old showcard outside of the Upraw which they tells me is now given up to Promenades. So we started from Skindel's, at Madenhed Bridge, and took 'em right up to Gentlemanly Marlow, and on to old Meddenham, and then to Henley, and lots of other butiful places, and then back to Skindel's to dinner. And a jolly nice little dinner they guv us, and sum werry good wine, as our most critical gests--and we had two Corporation gents among 'em--couldn't find not no fault with. But there's sum peeple as it ain't not of no use to try to sattisfy with butiful seenery--at least, not if they bees Amerrycains. They don't seem not to have the werry least hadmiration or respect for anythink as isn't werry big, and prefur size to buty any day of the week. "Well, it's a nice-looking little stream enuff," says an Amerrycain, who was a board a grinnin; "but it's really quite a joke to call it a River. Why, in my country," says he, "if you asked me for to show you a River, I should take you to Mrs. Sippy's, and when we got about harf way across it, I guess you'd see a reel River then, for it's so wide that you carn't see the land on either side of it, so you sees nothink else but the River, and as that's what you wanted for to see, you carn't werry well grumble then." I shood, most suttenly, have liked for to have asked him, what sort of Locks they had in sitch a River as that, and whether Mrs. Sippy cort many wales when she went out for a day's fishing in that little River of hers, but I knows my place, and never asks inconvenient questions. However, he was a smart sort of feller, and had 'em I must say werry nicely indeed a few minutes arterwards. We was a passing a werry butiful bit of the river called a Back Water, and he says, says he, "As it's so preshus hot in the sun, why don't we run in there and enjoy the shade for a time, while we have our lunch?" "Oh," says one of the marsters of the feast, "we are not allowed to go there; that's privet, that is." "Why how can that be?" says he, "when you told me, just now, as you'd lately got a Hact of Parliament passed which said that wherever Tems Water flowed it was open to all the world, as of course it ort to be." "Ah," said the other, looking rayther foolish, "but this is one of the xceptions, for there's another claws in the hact as says that wherever any body has had a hobstruction in the River for 20 years it belongs to him for hever, but he musn't make another nowheres." The Amerrycain grinned as before, and said, "Well, I allers said as you was about the rummiest lot of people on the face of the airth, and this is on'y another proof of it. You are so werry fond of everythink as is old, that if a man can show as he has had a cussed noosance for twenty years, he may keep it coz he's had it so long, while all sensible peeple must think, as that's one more reeson for sweeping the noosance clean away." And I must say, tho he was a Amerrycane, that I coodn't help thinking as he was right. It's estonishing what a remarkabel fine happy-tight a run on the butiful Tems seems to give heverybody, and wot an adwantage we has in that partickler respect over the poor Amerycans who gos for a trip on Mrs. Sippy's big River, with the wind a bloing like great guns, and the waves a dashing mountings hi. But on our butiful little steamer on our luvly little river, altho the gests had most suttenly all brekfasted afore they cum, why we hadn't started much about half-a-nour, afore three or fore on 'em came creeping down into the tite little cabin and asking for jest a cup of tea and a hegg or two, and a few shrimps; and, in less than a nour arterwards, harf a duzzen more on 'em had jest a glass or two of wine and a sandwich, and all a arsking that most important of all questions on bord a Tems Yot, "What time do we lunch?" And by 2 a clock sharp they was all seated at it, and pegging away at the Sammon and the pidgin pie, het settera, as if they was harf-starved, and ewen arter that, the butiful desert and the fine old Port Wine was left upon the table, and I can troothfully state that the cabin was never wunce quite empty till we was again doing full justice to Mr. Skindel's _maynoo_. ROBERT. * * * * * THE UNIVERSAL MOTTO AT HENLEY.--Open houseboat. * * * * * [Illustration: "EXEMPLI GRATIA" _Ancient Mariner_ (_to credulous yachtsman_). "A'miral Lord Nelson! Bless yer, I knowed him; served under him. Many's the time I've as'ed him for a bit o' 'bacco, as I might be a astin' o' you; and says he, 'Well, I ain't got no 'bacco,' jest as you might say to me; 'but here's a shillin' for yer,' says he"!!] * * * * * [Illustration: ABOVE BRIDGE BOAT AGROUND OFF CHISWICK _Gallant Member of the L.R.C._ "Can I put you ashore, mum?"] * * * * * [Illustration: "IT'S AN ILL WIND," &c. _Rescuer._ "Hold on a bit! I may never get a chance like this again!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HAPPY THOUGHT.--DAVID COX REDIVIVUS!] * * * * * BO'SEN JAMES AND THE GREAT SEA-SARPINT [Illustration] Three bold sailormen all went a-sailin' Out into the Northern Sea, And they steered Nor'-West by three quarters West Till they came to Norwegee. They was three bold men as ever you'd see, And these was their Christian names: There was Long-legged Bill and Curly Dick, And the third was Bo'sen James;-- And they went to catch the Great Sea-Sarpint, Which they wished for to stop his games. [Illustration] Long-legged Bill was in the main-top a-watchin' For Sea-Sarpints, starn and grim, When through the lee-scupper bold Curly Dick peeped, And he says, says he, "That's him!" Then quick down the rattlins the long-legged 'un slid-- Which pale as a shrimp was he-- While Dick he rolled forrard into the cuddy, Where Bo'sen James happened to be, For James he was what you'd call the ship's cook, And he was a-makin' the tea. Then says Curly Dick, says he, "Bless my peepers!" (Which his words were not quite those) "Here's the Great Sea-Sarpint a-comin' aboard, With a wart upon his nose! Which his head's as big as the jolly-boat, And his mouth's as wide as the Thames, And his mane's as long as the best bower cable, And his eyes like blazin' flames-- And he's comin' aboard right through the lee-scupper!" "Belay there!" says Bo'sen James. Howsever, bold Bo'sen he went down to leeward, While Curly Dick shook with funk; And Long-legged Bill he hid in the caboose, A-yellin' "We'll all be sunk!" You might a'most heard a marlinspike drop As Bo'sen James he looked out. Then down through the scupper his head it went, And there came a tremenjous shout, "Sea-Sarpint be blowed, ye darned landlubbers! Who's left this here mop hangin' out?" [Illustration] * * * * * A WORD TO THE Y.'S AT HENLEY.--Try again; you will be Yale-fellow, well met! * * * * * HINTS FOR HENLEY (_At the Service of Visitors wishing to be comfortable_) Take care to be invited to the best situated houseboat. If you can, get permission to ask a few friends to join your host's party at luncheon. Be sure to secure the pleasantest seat, the most amusing neighbour, and all the periodicals. If you are conversationally inclined, monopolise the talk, and if you are not, plead a headache for keeping every one silent. Mind that "No. 1" is your particular numerical distinction, and that the happiness of the rest of the world is a negligible quantity. If you are a man, keep smoking cigars and sipping refreshing beverages until it is time to eat and drink seriously; if you are of the other sex, flirt, chatter, or sleep, as the impulse moves you. And when you are quite, _quite_ sure that you have nothing better to do, give a glance to the racing! * * * * * [Illustration: HOPE DEFERRED _Jones_ (_who is not feeling very well_). "How long did you say it would take us to get back?" _Boatman._ "'Bout 'n 'our an' a 'arf agin this tide."] * * * * * HOW TO ENJOY LIFE ON THE RIVER Get a houseboat and be sure that it is water-tight and free from rats and other unpleasant visitors. Take care that your servants have no objection to roughing it, and can turn their hands to anything usually supplied in town by the stores. Accustom yourself to food in tins and bottles, and learn to love insects with or without wings. Acclimatise yourself to mists and fogs and rainy days, and grow accustomed to reading papers four days old and the advertisements of out-of-date railway guides. Try to love the pleasures of a regatta. Do not quarrel with the riparian owners or the possessors of other houseboats. Enjoy the pleasantries of masked musicians, and take an intelligent interest in the racing. Illuminate freely, and do your best to avoid a fire or an explosion. And if you have fireworks, don't sort them out with the light of a blazing squib or some illuminant of a similar character. Be good, and mild and long-suffering. Rest satisfied with indifferently cooked food, damp sheets, and wearisome companions. And make the best of storms of rain and hurricanes of wind. In fact, bear everything, and grin when you can't laugh. _Another and a better way._--Put up at a comfortable riparian hotel, and when the weather is against you, run up to town and give a wide berth to the Thames and its miseries. * * * * * [Illustration: A STORY WITHOUT WORDS Freddy's first day at Henley] * * * * * NAUTICAL MANOEUVRES (_Described by a Landlubber_) _Sailing in the Wind's Eye._--In order to accomplish this difficult manoeuvre, you must first of all discover where the wind's eye is, and then, if it be practicable, you may proceed to sail in it. It is presumed for this purpose that the wind's eye is a "liquid" one. _Hugging the Shore._--When you desire to hug the shore, you first of all must land on it. Then take some sand and shingle in your arms, and give it a good hug. In doing this, however, be careful no one sees you, or the result of the manoeuvre may be a strait-waistcoat. _Wearing a Ship._--This it is by no means an easy thing to do, and it is difficult to suggest what will make it easier. Wearing a chignon is preposterous enough, but when a man is told that he must wear a ship, he would next expect to hear that he must eat the Monument. _Boxing the Compass._--Assume a fighting attitude, and hit the compass a "smart stinger on the dial-plate," as the sporting papers call it. But before you do so, you had best take care to have your boxing-gloves on, or you may hurt your fingers. _Whistling for a Wind._--When you whistle for a wind, you should choose an air appropriate, such as "_Blow, gentle gales_," or "_Winds, gently whisper_." _Reefing the Lee-scuppers._--First get upon a reef, and then put your lee-scuppers on it. The manoeuvre is so simple, that no more need be said of it. _Splicing the Main-brace._--When your main-brace comes in pieces, get a needle and thread and splice it. If it be your custom to wear a pair of braces, you first must ascertain which of them _is_ your main one. * * * * * A DELICATE HINT.--_Brighton Boatman._ "There's a wessel out there, sir, a labourin' a good deal, sir! Ah, sir, sailors works werry 'ard--precious 'ard lines it is for the poor fellers out there!--Precious hard it is for everybody just now. I know _I_ should like the price of a pint o' beer and a bit o' bacca!" * * * * * [Illustration: SCENE--A quiet nook, five miles off anywhere. Jones has gone down to the punt to fetch up the luncheon-basket, and has dropped it overboard. PUZZLE.--What to do--or say?--except----] * * * * * [Illustration: "THE ANCHOR'S WEIGHED" (Sketched on an excursion steamer)] * * * * * WHAT NO ONE SHOULD FORGET, IN CROSSING THE CHANNEL To place his rugs, carpet-bags, and umbrellas on the six best seats on the boat. To worry the captain with remarks about the state of the weather and the performance of the steamer: to observe to the steward that there is a change in the weather, and that there were more passengers the last time he crossed. To speak to the man at the wheel, and ask him whether there was much sea on last trip. To change his last half-crown into French money, and squabble with the steward as to the rate of exchange. To stare at his neighbours, read aloud their names on their luggage, and remark audibly that he'll lay anything the lady with the slight twang is an American. To repeat the ancient joke on "Back her! stop her!" If the passage is rough, to put his feet on his neighbour's head, after appropriating all the cushions in the cabin. To call for crockery in time. N.B.--Most important. To groan furiously for an hour and a half, if a sufferer; or, if utterly callous to waves and their commotions, to eat beef and ham, and drink porter and brandy-and-water, during the entire voyage, with as much clattering of forks and noise of mastication as is compatible with enjoyment. To kiss his hand, on entering the harbour, to the _matelottes_ on the quays, or send his love in bad French to the Prefect of Police. To struggle for a front place, in crowding off the steamer, as if the ship was on fire. And finally-- To answer every one who addresses him in good English in the worst possible French. * * * * * "What with the horse-boats," said Mrs. Ramsbotham, "the steam-lunches, the condolers, the out-ragers, the Canadian caboose, and the banyans, we had the greatest difficulty, at Henley, in getting from one side of the river to the other." * * * * * [Illustration: HOUSEBOAT AT THE ANCIENT HENLEIAN GAMES] * * * * * [Illustration: THE "CENTIPEDE" A new flexible, patent-jointed, vertebral outrigger. (Seen--and drawn--by our artist (the festive one), after an unusually scrumptious lunch on board a houseboat at Henley).] * * * * * [Illustration: THE INFLUENCE OF PLACES _Egeria._ "Surely, Mr. Swinson, it must have been here, and on such a day as this, that you wrote those lines that end-- "'Give me the white-maned steeds to ride, The Arabs of the main'----wasn't it?" _Mr. Swinson_ (_faintly_). "N-no. Reading party--half-way up Matterhorn!"] * * * * * THE SILVER TEMS! The butiful River's a-running to Town, It never runs up, but allers runs down, Weather it rains, or weather it snos; And where it all cums from, noboddy nose. The young swell Boatmen drest in white, To their Mothers' arts must be a delite; At roein or skullin the gals is sutch dabs, For they makes no Fowls and they ketches no Crabs. The payshent hangler sets in a punt, Willee ketch kold? I hopes as he wunt. I wotches him long, witch I states is fax, He dont ketch nothin but Ticklebacks. The prudent Ferryman sets under cover, Waiting to take me from one shore to t'other; I calls out "Hover!" and hover he roes, If he aint sober then hover we goes. When it's poring with rane and a tempest a-blowin, A penny don't seem mutch for this here rowin; And wen the River's as ruff as the Sea, I thinks of the two I'd sooner be me. For when I'm at work at Ampton or Lea, Waitin at dinner, or waitin at tea, I gits as much from a yewthful Pair As he gits in a day for all that there. Then let me bless my lucky Star That made me a Waiter and not a Tar; And the werry nex time I've a glass of old Sherry, I'll drink to the pore chap as roes that 'ere Ferry. ROBERT. * * * * * VERY LOW FORM ON THE PART OF FATHER THAMES. _Boy_ (_standing in mid-stream at Kew, to boating party_). "'Ere ye are! Tow ye up to Richmond Lock! All by water, sir!" * * * * * PUNCH'S NAVAL SONGSTER It is a well-known fact that the songs of Dibdin had a wonderful effect on the courage of the Navy, and there is no doubt that the Ben Blocks, Ben Backstays, Tom Tackles, and Tom Bowlings, were, poetically speaking, the fathers of our Nelsons, our Howes, our St. Vincents, and our Codringtons. It will be the effort of _Punch's Naval Songster_ to do for the Thames what Dibdin did for the Sea, and to inspire with courage those honest-hearted fellows who man the steamers on the river. If we can infuse a little spirit into them--which, by the bye, they greatly want--our aim will be fully answered. [Illustration] NO. I.--IT BLEW GREAT GUNS It blew great guns when Sammy Snooks Mounted the rolling paddles; He met the mate with fearful looks-- They shook each other's daddles. The word was given to let go, The funnel gave a screamer, The stoker whistled from below, And off she goes, blow high, blow low, The _Atalanta_ steamer. His native Hungerford he leaves, His Poll of Pedlar's Acre, Who now ashore in silence grieves Because he did not take her. There's a collision fore and aft; Against the pier they squeeze her. "Up boys, and save the precious craft, We from the station shall be chaff'd-- Ho--back her--stop her--ease her." Aha! the gallant vessel rights, She goes just where they want her; She nears at last the Lambeth lights, The trim-built _Atalantar_. Sam Snooks his messmates calls around; He speaks of Poll and beauty: When suddenly a grating sound Tells them the vessel's run aground While they forgot their duty. NO. II.--BEN BOUNCE. My name's Ben Bounce, d'ye see, A tar from top to toe, sirs. I'm merry, blithe and free, A marling-spike I know, sirs. In friendship or in love, I climb the top-sail's pinnacle, But in a storm I always prove My heart's abaft the binnacle. I fear no foreign foe, But cruise about the river; As up and down I go My timbers never shiver. When off life's end I get, I'll make no useless rumpus; But off my steam I'll let, And box my mortal compass. NO. III.--THE CAPTAIN'S ROUNDELAY. Away, away, we gaily glide Far from the wooden pier; And down into the gushing tide We drop the sailor's tear. On--with the strong and hissing steam, And seize the pliant wheel; Of days gone by I fondly dream, For oh! the tar _must_ feel! Quick, let the sturdy painter go, And put the helm a-port; Lay, lay the lofty funnel low, And keep the rigging taut. 'Tis true, my tongue decision shows, I act the captain's part; But oh! there's none on board that knows The captain's aching heart. Upon the paddle-box all day I've stood, and brav'd the gale, While the light vessel made her way Without a bit of sail. And as upon its onward flight The steamer cut the wave, My crew I've order'd left and right, My stout--my few--my brave! NO. IV.--TO MARY. Afloat, ashore, ahead, astern, With winds propitious or contrary. (I do not spin an idle yarn.) No--no, belay! I love thee, Mary. Amidships--on the Bentinck shrouds, Athwart the hawse, astride the mizen, Watching at night the fleecy clouds, Your Harry wishes you were his'n. Then let us heave the nuptial lead, In Hymen's port our anchors weighing; Thy face shall be the figure-head Our ship shall always be displaying. But when old age shall bid us luff, Our honest tack will never vary, But I'll continue Harry Bluff, And thou my little light-built Mary. * * * * * [Illustration: CUMULATIVE! _Tourist_ (_on Scotch steamer_). "I say, steward, how do you expect anybody to dry their hands on this towel? It's as wet as if it had been dipped in the sea!" _Steward._ "Aweel--depped or no depped, there's a hundred fouk hae used the toowl, and ye're the furrst that's grummelt!"] * * * * * [Illustration: The Margate excursion boat arrives at 2.30 P.M., after a rather boisterous passage. _Ticket Collector_ (_without any feeling_). "Ticket, sir! Thankye, sir! Boat returns at 3!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mothers Pet._ "Oh, there's ma on the beach, looking at us, Alfred; let's make the boat lean over tremendously on one side!"] * * * * * WATER-PARTIES (_By Mr. Punch's Vagrant_) Take four pretty girls And four tidy young men; Add papa and mamma, And your number is ten. Having ten in your party You'll mostly be eight, For you'll find you can count Upon two to be late. In the packing of hampers 'Tis voted a fault To be rashly forgetful Of corkscrew and salt. Take a mayonnaised lobster, A tasty terrine, A salmon, some lamb And a gay galantine. Take fizz for the lads, Claret-cup for the popsies, And some tartlets with jam So attractive to woppses. Let the men do the rowing, And all acquire blisters; While the boats go zigzag, Being steered by their sisters. Then eat and pack up And return as you came. Though your comfort was _nil_, You had fun all the same. * * * * * [Illustration: THOSE BROWNS AND THEIR LUMINOUS PAINT AGAIN] * * * * * "SIC TRANSIT----" Just starting down Southampton Water in jolly old Bigheart's yacht, _The Collarbone_--or _Columbine_? I wonder which it is? Dear old Bigheart, the best fellow in the world, and enthusiastic about yachting. So am I (theoretically, and whilst in smooth water). Try to act as nautically as possible, and ask skipper at frequent intervals "How does she bear?" Don't know what it means; but, after all, what _does_ that matter? Skipper stares at me rather helplessly, and mutters something about "Nothe-nor-east-by-sou-sou-west." Feel that, with this lucid explanation, I ought to be satisfied, so turn away, assume cheery aspect and with a rolling gait seize the topsail-main-gaff-mizen sheet and pull it lustily, with a "Yo, heave ho!" The pull, unfortunately, releases heavy block, which, falling on Bigheart's head, seems to quite annoy him for the minute. We plunge into Solent, and then bear away for West Channel. Skipper remarks that we shall make a long "retch" of it (_absit omen_). He then adds that we could "bring up"--why these unpleasantly suggestive nautical expressions?--off Yarmouth. Not wishing to appear ignorant, I ask Bigheart, "Why not make a course S.S. by E.?" He replies, "Because it would take us ashore into the R. V. Yacht Club garden," and I retire somewhat abashed. Out in West Channel we get into what skipper calls "a bit of a bobble." Don't think I care quite so much for yachting in "bobbles." Bigheart shows me all the varied beauties of the coast, but now they fail to interest me. He says, "I say, we'll keep sailing until quite late this evening, eh? That'll be jolly!" Reply, "Yes, that'll be jolly," but somehow my voice lacks heartiness. An hour later I was lying down--I felt tired--when Bigheart came up, and with a ring of joy in his manly tones exclaimed, "I tell you what, old man; we'll carry right on, now, through the night. We're not in a hurry, so we'll get as much sailing as we can." ... Then, with my last ounce of failing strength, I sat up and denounced him as an assassin. After passing a night indescribable, lying on the shelf--I mean berth--I was put ashore at Portland next morning. Should like to have procured dear old Bigheart a government appointment there for seven years, as a due reward for what he had been making me suffer. * * * * * SUITABLE SONG FOR BOATING MEN.--The last _rows_ of summer. * * * * * [Illustration: SAD RESULTS OF PERSISTENT BRIDGE PLAYING AT SEA _Owner._ "I'll 'eave it to you, partner!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mr. Dibbles_ (_at Balham_). "Ah, the old Channel Tunnel scheme knocked on the head at last! Good job too! Mad-headed project--beastly unpatriotic too!"] [Illustration: _Mr. Dibbles_ (_en route for Paris. Sea choppy_.) "Channel Tunnel not a bad idea. Entire journey to Paris by train. Grand scheme! English people backward in these kind of things. Steward!" [_Goes below._ ] * * * * * MY YOT (_A Confidential Carol, by a Cockney Owner, who inwardly feels that he is not exactly "in it," after all_) What makes me deem I'm of Viking blood (Though a wee bit queer when the pace grows hot), A briny slip of the British brood? My Yot! What makes me rig me in curious guise? Like a kind of a sort of--I don't know what, And talk sea-slang, to the world's surprise? My Yot! What makes me settle my innermost soul On winning a purposeless silver pot, And walk with a (very much) nautical roll? My Yot! What makes me learned in cutters and yawls, And time-allowance--which others must tot--, And awfully nervous in sudden squalls? My Yot! What makes me sprawl on the deck all day, And at night play "Nap" till I lose a lot, And grub in a catch-who-can sort of a way? My Yot! What makes me qualmish, timorous, pale, (Though rather than own it I'd just be shot) When the _Fay_ in the wave-crests dips her sail? My Yot! What makes me "patter" to skipper and crew In a kibosh style that a child might spot, And tug hard ropes till my knuckles go blue? My Yot! What makes me snooze in a narrow, close bunk, Till the cramp my limbs doth twist and knot, And brave discomfort, and face blue-funk? My Yot! What makes me gammon my chummiest friends To "try the fun"--which I know's all rot-- And earn the dead-cut in which all this ends? My Yot! What makes me, in short, an egregious ass, A bore, a butt, who, not caring a jot For the sea, as a sea-king am seeking to pass? My Yot! * * * * * AT WHITBY.--_Visitor_ (_to Ancient Mariner, who has been relating his experiences to crowd of admirers_). "Then do you mean to tell us that you actually reached the North Pole?" _Ancient Mariner._ "No, sir; that would be a perwersion of the truth. But I seed it a-stickin' up among the ice just as plain as you can this spar, which I plants in the sand. It makes me thirsty to think of that marvellous sight, we being as it were parched wi' cold." [_A. M.'s distress promptly relieved by audience._ * * * * * [Illustration: THE DANGERS OF HENLEY _Voice from the bridge above._ "Oh, lor, Sarah, I've bin and dropped the strawberries and cream!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _His Fair Companion_ (_drowsily_). "I think a Canadian is the best river craft, after all, as it's less like _work_ than the others!"] * * * * * THE RULE OF THE RIVER (_As Deduced from a late Collision_) The rule of the river's a mystery quite, Other craft when you're steering among, If you starboard your helm, you ain't sure you are right, If you port, you may prove to be wrong. * * * * * "THE USUAL CHANNEL" To what snug refuge do I fly When glass is low, and billows high, And goodness knows what fate is nigh?-- My Cabin! Who soothes me when in sickness' grip, Brings a consolatory "nip," And earns my blessing, and his tip?-- The Steward! When persons blessed with fancy rich Declare "she" does not roll, or pitch. What say--"The case is hardly sich"?-- My Senses! What makes me long for _real_ Free Trade, When no Douaniers could invade. Nor keys, when wanted, be mislaid?-- My Luggage! What force myself, perhaps another, To think (such thoughts we try to smother) "The donkey-engine is our brother"?-- Our Feelings! And what, besides a wobbling funnel, Screw-throb, oil-smell, unstable gunwale, Converts me to a Channel Tunnel?-- My Crossing! * * * * * [Illustration: 'ARRY CATCHES A CRAB] * * * * * AT GORING Where is the sweetest river reach, With nooks well worth exploring, Wild woods of bramble, thorn and beech Their fragrant breath outpouring? Where does our dear secluded stream Most gaily gleam? At Goring. Where sings the thrush amid the fern? Where trills the lark upsoaring? Where build the timid coot and hern, The foot of man ignoring? Where sits secure the water vole Beside her hole? At Goring. Where do the stars dramatic shine 'Mid satellites adoring? And where does fashion lunch and dine _Al fresco_, bored and boring? Where do we meet confections sweet And toilets neat? At Goring. Where are regattas? Where are trains Their noisy crowds outpouring? And bands discoursing hackneyed strains, And rockets skyward soaring? Where is this _urbs in rure_?--where This Cockney Fair? At Goring. * * * * * [Illustration: NOTES FROM COWES "Call this pleasure? Well, all I say is, give me Staines and a fishing-punt!"] * * * * * [Illustration] NICE NIGHT AT SEA (_Extracts from the Travel Diary of Toby, M.P._) _Gulf of Lyons, Friday._--The casual traveller on Continental railways, especially in France, is familiar with the official attitude towards the hapless wayfarer. The leading idea is to make the journey as difficult and as uncomfortable as possible. The plan is based on treatment of parcels or baggage. The passenger is bundled about, shunted, locked up in waiting-rooms, and finally delivered in a limp state at whatever hour and whatsoever place may suit the convenience of the railway people. Discover the same spirit dominant in management and arrangements of the sea service. Steamer from Marseilles to Tunis advertised to sail to-day at noon. On taking tickets, ordered to be on board at ten o'clock. Why two hours before starting? Gentleman behind counter shrugs his shoulders, hugs his ribs with his elbows, holds out his hands with deprecatory gesture and repeats, "_Ã� dix heures, Monsieur_." Gestures even more eloquent than speech. Plainly mean that unless we are alongside punctually at ten o'clock our blood, or rather our passage, will be on our own heads. Spoils a morning; might have gone about town till eleven o'clock; breakfasted at leisure; sauntered on board a few minutes before noon. However, when in Marseilles chant the "_Marseillaise_." Down punctually at ten; found boat in course of loading; decks full of dirt and noise, the shouting of men, the creaking of the winch, the rattling of the chains. Best thing to do is to find our cabin, stow away our baggage, and walk on the quay, always keeping our eye on the boat lest she should suddenly slip her moorings and get off to sea without us. Look out for steward. Like the Spanish fleet, steward is not yet in sight. Roaming about below, come upon an elderly lady, with a lame leg, an alarming squint, and a waist like a ship's. (Never saw a ship's waist, but fancy no mortal man could get his arm round it.) The elderly lady, who displayed signs of asthma, tells me she is the stewardess. Ask her where is our cabin. "_Voilà_," she says. Following the direction of her glance, I make for a berth close by. Discover I had not made allowance for the squint; she is really looking in another direction. Carefully taking my bearings by this new light, I make for another passage; find it blocked up; stewardess explains that they are loading the ship--apparently through the floor of our cabin. "_Tout à l'heure_," she says, with comprehensive wave of the hand. Nothing to be done but leave our baggage lying about, go on deck, and watch the loading. Better not leave the ship. If the laborious Frenchmen in blouses and perspiration see our trunks, they will certainly pop them into the hold, where all kinds of miscellaneous parcels, cases and bales are being chucked without the slightest attempt at fitting in. A quarter to twelve; only fifteen minutes now; getting hungry; had coffee and bread and butter early so as not to miss the boat. Watch a man below in the hold trying to fit in a bicycle with a four-hundredweight bale, a quarter-ton case, and a barrel of cement. Evidently piqued at resistance offered by the apparently frail, defenceless contrivance. Tries to bend the fore wheel so as to accommodate the cask; that failing, endeavours to wind the hind wheel round the case; failing in both efforts, he just lays the bicycle loose on the top of the miscellaneous baggage and the hatch is battened down. In the dead unhappy night that followed, when the sea was on the deck, I often thought of the bicycle cavorting to and fro over the serrated ridge of the cargo. Ten minutes to twelve; a savoury smell from the cook's galley. Suppose _déjeuner_ will be served as soon as we leave the dock. Heard a good deal of superiority of French cooking aboard ship as compared with British. Some compensation after all for getting up early, swallowing cup of coffee and bread and butter, and rushing off to catch at ten o'clock a ship that sails at noon. Perhaps the cloth is laid now; better go and secure places. Find saloon. Captain and officers at breakfast, their faces illumined with the ecstasy born to a Frenchman when he finds an escargot on his plate. Evidently they are breakfasting in good time so as to take charge of the ship whilst _nous autres_ succeed to the pleasures of the table. What's our hour, I wonder? Find some one who looks like a steward; ask him; says, "_Cinq heures et demie_." A little late that for breakfast, I diffidently suggest. Explains not breakfast but dinner; first meal at 5.30 P.M. Can't we have _déjeuner_ if I pay for it? I ask, ostentatiously shaking handful of coppers in trousers-pocket. No, he says, severely; that's against the _règlement_. Steamer starts in seven minutes; noticed at dock-gates women with baskets of dubious food; dash off to buy some; clutch at a plate of sandwiches, alleged to be compacted of _jambon de York_. Get back just as gangway is drawn up. Sit on deck and munch our sandwiches. "I know that Ham," said Sark, moodily. "It came out of the Ark." Recommitted it to the waves, giving it the bearings for Ararat. Ate the bread and wished half-past five or Blucher would come. * * * * * A lovely day in Marseilles; not a breath of wind stirred the blue water that laved the white cliffs on which Château d'If stands. Shall have a lovely passage. Make ourselves comfortable on deck with cushions and books. Scarcely outside the harbour when a wind sprang up from S.E. dead ahead of us. The sea rose with amazing rapidity; banks of leaden-hued clouds obscured the sun-light; then the rain swished down; saloon deck cleared; passengers congregated under shelter in the saloon; as the cranky little steamer rolled and pitched, the place emptied. When at 5.30 the dinner-bell rang, only six took their places, and all declined soup. With the darkness the storm rose. If the ship could have made up its mind either to roll or to pitch, it could have been endured. It had an agonising habit of leaping up with apparent intent to pitch, and, changing its mind, rolling over, groaning in every plank. Every third minute the nose of the ship being under water, and the stern clear out, the screw leaped full half-length in the air, sending forth blood-curdling sounds. Midway came a fearsome crash of crockery, the sound reverberating above the roar of the wind, and the thud of the water falling by tons on the deck, making the ship quiver like a spurred horse. "I begin to understand now," said Sark, "how the walls of Jericho fell." Much trouble with the Generalissimo. When he came aboard at Marseilles he suffused the ship with pleasing sense of the military supremacy of Great Britain. Has seen more than seventy summers, but still walks with sprightly step and head erect. The long droop of his carefully-curled iron-grey moustache is of itself sufficient to excite terror in the bosom of the foe. The Generalissimo has not the word retreat in his vocabulary. He was one of the six who to-night sat at the dinner-table and deftly caught scraps of meat and vegetable as the plates flew past. But after dinner he collapsed. Thought he had retired to his berth; towards nine o'clock a faint voice from the far end of the cabin led to discovery of him prone on the floor, where he had been flung from one of the benches. We got him up, replaced him tenderly on the bench, making a sort of barricade on the offside with bolsters. A quarter of an hour later the ship gave a terrible lurch to leeward; the screw hoarsely shrieked; another batch of crockery crashed down; above the uproar, a faint voice was heard moaning, "Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" We looked at the bench where we had laid the Generalissimo, his martial cloak around him. Lo! he was not. Guided by former experience, we found him under the table. Evidently no use propping him up. So with the cushions we made a bed on the floor, and the old warrior securely slept, soothed by the swish of the water that crossed and recrossed the cabin floor as the ship rolled to leeward or to starboard. When the Generalissimo came aboard at Marseilles, surveying the fortifications of the harbour as if he intended storming them, his accent suggested that if not of foreign birth, he had lived long in continental courts and camps. Odd to note how, as his physical depression grew, an Irish accent softened his speech, till at length he murmured of misery in the mellifluous brogue of County Cork. Pretty to see the steward when the flood in the saloon got half a foot deep ladle it out with a dustpan. _Tunis, Monday_, 1 A.M.--Just limped in here with deck cargo washed overboard, bulwarks stove in, engine broken down, an awesome list to port, galley so clean swept the cook doesn't know it, the cabins flooded, and scarce a whole bit of crockery in the pantry. Twenty-one hours late; not bad on a thirty-six-hours' voyage. Captain comforts us with assurance that having crossed the Mediterranean man and boy for forty years, he never went through such a storm. Have been at sea a bit myself; only once, coasting in a small steamer off Japan, have I seen--or, since it was in the main pitch dark, felt--anything like it. Generalissimo turned up at dinner last night, his moustache a little draggled, but his port once more martial. His chief lament is, that going down to his berth yesterday morning, having spent Friday night in the security of the saloon floor, he found his boots full of water. This brings out chorus of heartrending experience. Every cabin flooded; boxes and portmanteaus floating about. Sark and I spent a more or less cosy night in the saloon. To us entered occasionally one of the crew ostentatiously girt with a life-belt. Few incidents so soothing on such a night. Fortunately, we did not hear till entering port how in the terror of the night two conscripts, bound for Bizerta, jumped overboard and were seen no more. "If this is the way they usually get to Tunis," says Sark, "I hope the French will keep it all to themselves. In this particular case, there is more in the Markiss's 'graceful concession' than meets the eye." * * * * * RIVER GAMBLING.--"Punting," says the _Daily News_, "has become a very fashionable form of amusement on the Upper Thames." So it is at Monte Carlo. Punting is given up by all who find themselves in hopelessly low water. * * * * * LIVE WHILE YOU MAY.--_Timid Passenger_ (_as the gale freshened_). "Is there any danger?" _Tar_ (_ominously_). "Well, them as likes a good dinner had better hev it to-day!" * * * * * SATISFACTORY.--We are glad to be able to report that the gentleman who one day last week, while walking on the bank of the Thames near Henley, fell in with a friend, is doing well. His companion is also progressing favourably. * * * * * [Illustration: TOO SOLID _Skipper._ "Did ye got the proveesions Angus?" _Angus._ "Ay, ay! A half loaf, an' fouer bottles o' whiskey." _Skipper._ "An' what in the woarld will ye be doin' wi' aal that bread?"] * * * * * [Illustration: RESIGNATION _Sympathetic Old Gentleman._ "I'm sorry to see your husband suffer so, ma'am. He seems very----" _Lady Passenger_ (_faintly_). "Oh dear! He isn't my husband. 'Sure I don't know who the ge'tleman is!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A FLIGHT OF FANCY _Visitor._ "Good morning: tide's very high this morning, eh?" _Ancient Mariner._ "Ar, if the sea was all _beer_, there wouldn' be no bloomin' 'igh tides!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A QUESTION OF HOSPITALITY AT HENLEY "Unbidden guests are often welcomest when they are gone."--_Shakespeare._] * * * * * [Illustration: A DELICIOUS SAIL--OFF DOVER _Old Lady._ "Goodness gracious, Mr. Boatman! What's that?" _Stolid Boatman._ "That, mum! Nuthun, mum. Only the Artillery a prac-_ti_-sin', and that's one o' the cannon balls what's just struck the water!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: POOR HUMANITY! _Bride._ "I think--George, dear--I should--be better--if we walked about----" _Husband_ (_one wouldn't have believed it of him_). "You can do as you like, love. I'm very well (!) as I am!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Intelligent Foreigner._ "I am afraid zey are not much use, zeze grand works of yours at Dovaire. Vot can zey do against our submarines?--our leetle Gustave Zêde? Ah, ze submarine e' is mos terrible, an' ze crews also--ze matelots--zey are 'eroes! Vy, every time zey go on board of him zey say goodbye to zer vives an' families!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A TRYING MOMENT _Doris._ "Oh, Jack, here come those Sellerby girls! Do show them how beautifully you can punt."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE HEIGHT OF IMPROPRIETY _Miss Grundison, Junior._ "There goes Lucy Holroyd, all alone in a boat with young Snipson, as usual! So imprudent of them!" _Her Elder Sister._ "Yes; how shocking if they were upset and drowned--without a chaperon, you know!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LOCAL OPTION _Captain of Clyde steamer_ (_to stoker, as they sighted their port_). "Slack awee, Donal', slack awee"--(_he was interested in the liquors sold_)--"they're drencken haurd yenoo!!"] * * * * * 'ARRY ON A 'OUSE-BOAT [Illustration] Dear Charlie,--It's 'ot, and no error! Summer on us, at last, with a bust; Ninety odd in the shade as I write, I've a 'ed, and a thunderin' thust. Can't go on the trot at this tempryture, though I'm on 'oliday still; So I'll pull out my _eskrytor_, Charlie, and give you a touch of my quill. If you find as my fist runs to size, set it down to that quill, dear old pal; Correspondents is on to me lately, complains as I write like a gal. Sixteen words to the page, and slopscrawly, all dashes and blobs. Well, it's true; But a quill and big sprawl is the fashion, so wot is a feller to do? Didn't spot you at 'Enley, old oyster--I did 'ope you'd shove in your oar. We 'ad a rare barney, I tell you, although a bit spiled by the pour. 'Ad a invite to 'Opkins's 'ouse-boat, prime pitch, and swell party, yer know, Pooty girls, first-class lotion, and music. I tell yer we did let things go. Who sez 'Enley ain't up to old form, that Society gives it the slip? Wish you could 'ave seen us--and heard us--old boy, when aboard of our ship. Peonies and poppies ain't in it for colour with our little lot, And with larfter and banjos permiskus we managed to mix it up 'ot. My blazer was claret and mustard, my "stror" was a rainbow gone wrong! I ain't one who's ashamed of his colours, but likes 'em mixed midd-lingish strong. 'Emmy 'Opkins, the fluffy-'aired daughter, a dab at a punt or canoe, Said I looked like a garden of dahlias, and showed up her neat navy blue. [Illustration] Fair mashed on yours truly, Miss Emmy; but that's only jest by the way, 'Arry ain't one to brag of _bong jour tunes_; but wot I wos wanting to say Is about this here "spiling the River" which snarlers set down to our sort. Bosh! Charlie, extreme Tommy rot! It's these sniffers as want to spile sport. Want things all to theirselves, these old jossers, and all on the strictest Q. T. Their idea of the Thames being "spiled" by the smallest suggestion of spree, Wy, it's right down rediklus, old pal, gives a feller the dithreums it do. I mean going for them a rare bat, and I'm game to wire in till all's blue. Who are they, these stuckuppy snipsters, as jaw about quiet and peace, Who would silence the gay "constant-screamer" and line the Thames banks with perlice; Who sneer about "'Arry at 'Enley," and sniff about "cads on the course," As though it meant "Satan in Eden"? I'll 'owl at sich oafs till I'm 'oarse! Scrap o' sandwich-greased paper 'll shock 'em, a ginger-beer bottle or "Bass," Wot 'appens to drop 'mong the lilies, or gets chucked aside on the grass, Makes 'em gasp like a frog in a frying-pan. Br-r-r-r! Wot old mivvies they are! Got nerves like a cobweb, I reckon, a smart banjo-twang makes 'em jar. I'm toffy, you know, and no flies, Charlie; swim with the swells, and all that, But _I_'m blowed if this bunkum don't make me inclined to turn Radical rat. "Riparian rights," too! Oh scissors! They'd block the backwaters and broads, Because me and my pals likes a lark! Serve 'em right if old Burns busts their 'oards! Rum blokes, these here Sosherlist spouters! There's Dannel the Dosser, old chap, As you've 'eard me elude to afore. Fair stone-broker, not wuth 'arf a rap-- Knows it's all Cooper's ducks with _him_, Charlie; won't run to a pint o' four 'arf, And yet he will slate me like sugar, and give me cold beans with his charf. Sez Dannel--and dash his darned cheek, Charlie!--"Monkeys like you"--meaning _Me_!-- "Give the latter-day Mammon his chance. Your idea of a lark or a spree Is all Noise, Noodle-Nonsense, and Nastiness! Dives, who wants an excuse For exclusiveness, finds it in _you_, you contemptible coarse-cackling goose! "Riparian rights? That's the patter of Ahab to Naboth, of course; But 'tis pickles like you make it plausible, louts such as you give it force. You make sweet Thames reaches Gehennas, the fair Norfolk Broads you befoul; You--_you_, who'd make Beulah a hell with your blatant Bank Holiday howl! "Decent property-owners abhor you; you spread your coarse feasts on their lawns, And 'Arry's a hog when he feeds, and an ugly Yahoo when he yawns; You litter, and ravage, and cock-sky; you romp like a satyr obscene, And the noise of you rises to heaven till earth might blush red through her green. "You are moneyed, sometimes, and well-tailored; but come you from Oxford or Bow, You're a flaring offence when you lounge, and a blundering pest when you row; Your 'monkeyings' mar every pageant, your shindyings spoil every sport, And there isn't an Eden on earth but's destroyed when it's 'Arry's resort. "Then monopolist Mammon may chuckle, Riparian Ahabs rejoice; There's excuse in your Caliban aspect, your hoarse and ear-torturing voice, You pitiful Cockney-born Cloten, you slum-bred Silenus, 'tis you Spoil the silver-streamed Thames for Pan-lovers, and all the nymph-worshipping crew!" I've "reported" as near as no matter! I don't hunderstand more than arf Of his patter; he's preciously given to potry and classical charf. But the cheek on it, Charlie! A Stone-broke! I _should_ like to give him wot for, Only Dannel the Dosser's a dab orf of whom 'tain't so easy to score. But it's time that this bunkum was bunnicked, bin fur too much on it of late-- Us on 'Opkins's 'ouse-boat, I tell yer, cared nix for the ink-spiller's "slate." _I_ mean doin' them Broads later on, for free fishing and shooting, that's flat. If I don't give them dash'd Norfolk Dumplings a doing, I'll eat my old 'at. Rooral quiet, and rest, and refinement? Oh, let 'em go home and eat coke. These fussy old footlers whose 'air stands on hend at a row-de-dow joke, The song of the skylark sounds pooty, but "skylarking" song's better fun, And you carn't do the rooral to-rights on a tract and a tuppenny bun. As to colour, and kick-up, and sing-song, our party was fair to the front; But we wosn't alone; lots of toppers, in 'ouse-boat, or four-oar, or punt, Wos a doin' the rorty and rosy as lively as 'Opkins's lot, Ah! the swells sling it out pooty thick; _they_ ain't stashed by no ink-spiller's rot. Bright blazers, and twingle-twang banjoes, and bottles of Bass, my dear boy, Lots of dashing, and splashing, and "mashing" are things every man must enjoy, And the petticoats ain't fur behind 'em, you bet. While top-ropes I can carry, It ain't soap-board slop about "Quiet" will put the clear kibosh on 'Arry. * * * * * "JAM" NON "SATIS." (_A Lay of Medmenham, by a Broken-hearted Boating Man landing from the Thames, who was informed that, by the rules of the Hotel, visitors were not allowed jam with their tea if served in the garden._) There's a river hotel that is known very well, From the turmoil of London withdrawn, Between Henley and Staines, where this strange rule obtains-- That you must not have jam on the lawn. In the coffee-room still you may eat what you will, Such as chicken, beef, mutton, or brawn, Jam and marmalade too, but, whatever you do, Don't attempt to eat jam on the lawn. Young Jones and his bride sought the cool river side, And she said, as she skipped like a fawn, "As it _is_, it is nice, but 'twould be paradise, Could we only have jam on the lawn!" * * * * * [Illustration: THE THAMES (Development of the houseboat system)] * * * * * [Illustration: "DOWN IN THE DEEP" Fun at Henley Regatta. Bertie attempts to extricate his punt from the crowd.] * * * * * [Illustration: "I say, you girls, we shall be over in a second, and if you can't swim better than you punt, I'm afraid I shan't be able to save both of you!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A PLEDGED M.P. (1869). _M.P.'s Bride._ "Oh! William, dear--if you are--a Liberal--do bring in a Bill--next Session--for that underground tunnel!!"] * * * * * THE YACHTING SEASON (_Examination for a Master's Certificate_) 1. Can you dance a hornpipe? If so, which? (_Vivâ voce._) If dancing unaccompanied by fiddle, whistle the first eight bars of College Hornpipe. Also, dance the three first figures of the hornpipe, announcing the distinctive name of each beforehand. 2. Explain the terms "Ahoy!" "Avast!" "Belay!" Whence derived? Also of "Splice my main-brace." Is "main-brace" a part of rigging, or of sailor's costume? Which? If neither, what? Is "Lubber" a term of opprobrium or of endearment? State varieties of "Lubber." Give derivations of the terms "Bum-boat woman," "Marlin' spike," "Son of a sea-cook," "Dash my lee-scuppers!" "Pipe your eye," "Tip us your grapplin' iron." 3. How many mates may a sea captain legally possess at any one time? 4. Is "sextant" the feminine of "sexton"? 5. How often do "the red magnetic pole" and "the blue pole" require repainting? At whose expense is the operation performed? 6. Are only Royal Academicians eligible as "painters" on board? 7. Is it the duty of the surgeon on board ship to attend the "heeling"? 8. In case the needles of the compass get out of order, will pins do as well? 9. At what time in the day, whether previous or subsequent to dinner, is it necessary to "allow for deviations"? 10. Draw a picture of "Three Belles." Give classic illustration from the story of Paris. 11. What rule is there as to showing lights on nearing Liverpool? 12. When in doubt, would you consult "the visible horizon," "the sensible horizon," or "the rational horizon"? Give reason for your selection. 13. Can sailors ever trust "the artificial horizon"? If so, under what circumstances? 14. Is "Azimuth" an idol, or something to eat? 15. Would "mean time" always refer to lowering wages or diminishing rations? 16. Presuming you know all about the "complement of an arc," explain that of Noah's. 17. Who was "Parallax"? Give a brief sketch of his career. 18. Give example of "meridian altitude of a celestial object," by drawing a picture of the Chinese giant who was over here some time ago. 19. Give history of "the Poles." Who was Kosciusko? Is this spelling of his name correct? 20. "Civil time." Illustrate this term from English history. 21. Can a "first mate's ordinary certificate" be granted by Doctors' Commons or the Archbishop of Canterbury? (_On these questions being satisfactorily answered, the next Examination Paper will be issued._) * * * * * [Illustration: THAMES TRAGEDIES Jones says there is only one _really_ safe way of changing places in a skiff!] * * * * * [Illustration: DE GUSTIBUS, ETC. _Philosophical Sea-faring Party_ (_who manages our friend's yacht_). "Well, ladies and genelmen, I s'pose this is what _you_ calls _pleasure_, and comes all the way from London for?" [_Brown, the funny man, with the eye-glass, thinks it an _Idyachtic_ kind of pleasure, but is actually too far gone to say so._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: "Nice piece o' biled mutton, sir?"] * * * * * [Illustration] I'M AFLOAT (_Mr. Punch in the Ocean on the broad of his back, singeth_) I'm afloat, I'm afloat, what matters it where? So the devils don't know my address, I don't care. Of London I'm sick, I've come down to the sea, And let who will make up next week's number for me! At my lodgings, I know, I'm done frightfully brown, And e'en lobsters and shrimps cost me more than in town; I've B. flats in my bed, and my landlady stern, Says from London I've brought 'em to give her a turn. Yet I'm happier far in my dear seaside home, Than the Queen on Dee side, or Art-traveller in Rome; A Cab-horse at grass would be nothing to me, On the broad of my back floating free, floating free! On the broad of my back floating free, floating free! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! ha! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! ha! With the lodging-house-keepers all day on the bite, And the insects I spoke of as hungry at night, With the organs "_Dog-traying_" and "_Bobbing Around_," And extra-size Crinolines sweeping the ground, You may think _Mr. Punch_ might be apt to complain That the seaside's but Regent Street over again: But from devils and copy and proof-sheets set free, I've a week to do nothing but bathe in the sea. In steamers and yachts I've been rocked on its breast, And didn't much like it, it must be confessed; But a cosy machine and shoal water give me, And there let me float--let me float and be free! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! ha! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! ha! (1858) * * * * * THAMES WEATHER Come, George, give your clubs and your Haskells a rest, man: You can't spend the whole of your lifetime in golf; If it pleases your pride I'll admit you're the best man That ever wore scarlet or teed a ball off; I'll allow they can't match you in swinging or driving, That your shots are as long as they always are true, And I'll grant that what others effect after striving For years on the green comes by nature to you. [Illustration] But the sun's in the sky, and the leaves are a-shiver With a soft bit of breeze that is cool to the brow; And I seem to remember a jolly old river Which is smiling all over--I think you know how. There are whispers of welcome from rushes and sedge there, There's a blaze of laburnum and lilac and may; There are lawns of close grass sloping down to the edge there; You can lie there and lounge there and dream there to-day. There are great spreading chestnuts all ranged in their arches With their pinnacled blossoms so pink and so white; There are rugged old oaks, there are tender young larches, There are willows, cool willows, to chequer the light. Each tree seems to ask you to come and be shaded-- It's a way they all have, these adorable trees-- And the leaves all invite you to float down unaided In your broad-bottomed punt and to rest at your ease. And then, when we're tired of the _dolce far niente_, We'll remember our skill in the grandest of sports, Imagine we're back at the great age of twenty, And change our long clothes for a zephyr and shorts. And so, with a zest that no time can diminish, We will sit in our boat and get forward and dare, As we grip the beginning and hold out the finish, To smite the Thames furrows afloat in a pair. * * * * * [Illustration: AQUATICS--WHEN THE BEES ARE SWARMING] * * * * * [Illustration: PREHISTORIC PEEPS It is quite a mistake to suppose that Henley Regatta was not anticipated in earliest times.] * * * * * [Illustration] ON THE RIVER I sat in a punt at Twickenham, I've sat at Hampton Wick in 'em. I hate sea boats, I'm sick in 'em-- The man, I, Tom, and Dick in 'em. Oh, gentles! I've been pickin 'em. For bait, the man's been stickin 'em (Cruel!) on hooks with kick in 'em The small fish have been lickin 'em. And when the hook was quick in 'em, I with my rod was nickin 'em, Up in the air was flickin 'em. My feet so cold, kept kickin 'em. We'd hampers, with _aspic_ in 'em, Sandwiches made of chicken, 'em We ate, we'd stone jars thick, in 'em Good liquor; we pic-nic-ing 'em Sat: till our necks a rick in 'em We turned again t'wards Twickenham. And paid our punts, for tickin 'em They don't quite see at Twickenham. * * * * * [Illustration: THE ART OF CONVERSATION _British Tourist_ (_to fellow-passenger, in mid-Channel_). "Going across, I suppose?" _Fellow-Passenger._ "Yaas. Are you?"] * * * * * THE CHANNEL BAROMETER _Very fair._--Really delightful. Nothing could be pleasanter. Sunshine. Ozone. Does everyone a world of good. Would not miss such a passage for worlds. _Fair._--Yes; it is decidedly an improvement upon a railway carriage. Room to move about. I don't in the least mind the eighty odd minutes. If cold, you can put on a wrap, and there you are. _Change._--Always thought there was something to be said in favour of the Channel Tunnel. Of course, one likes to be patriotic, but the movement in a choppy sea is the reverse of invigorating. _Wind._--There should be a notice when a bad passage is expected. It's all very well to describe this as "moderate," but that doesn't prevent the beastly waves from running mountains high. _Stormy._--It is simply disgraceful. Would not have come if I had known. Too depressed to say anything. Where is the steward? _Gale._--Why--was--I--ever--born? * * * * * [Illustration: EUPHEMISM _Man in Boat._ "Come along, old chap, and let's pull up to Marlow." _Man on Shore._ "I think I'll get you to excuse me, old man. I don't like sculling--it--er--hurts the back of my head so!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A CRISIS _His Better and Stouter Half._ "Oh, Charley, if we're upset, you mean to say you expect me to get into _this_?" [_Horror-stricken husband has no answer ready._ ] * * * * * LOVE ON THE OCEAN They met, 'twas in a storm, On the deck of a steamer; She spoke in language warm, Like a sentimental dreamer. He spoke--at least he tried; His position he altered; Then turn'd his face aside, And his deep-ton'd voice falter'd. She gazed upon the wave, Sublime she declared it; But no reply he gave-- He could not have dared it. A breeze came from the south, Across the billows sweeping; His heart was in his mouth, And out he thought 'twas leaping. "O, then, Steward," he cried, With the deepest emotion; Then tottered to the side, And leant o'er the ocean. The world may think him cold, But they'll pardon him with quickness, When the fact they shall be told, That he suffer'd from sea-sickness. * * * * * [Illustration: PUNCH'S ILLUSTRATIONS TO SHAKSPEARE "_Richmond_ is on the seas." _Richard III., Act iv., Scene 4._] * * * * * LECTURES ON YACHTING _By_ PROFESSOR AQUARIUS BRICK We were present when the accomplished Professor Brick recently delivered a series of lectures on yachting, which were very well attended. By his kind permission, we have preserved bits of the discourses here and there. We extract, _à discrétion_:-- "I come now," went on the Professor, "to your most important yachters--your genuine swells. Their cutters are in every harbour; you trace their wake by empty champagne bottles on every sea. To such dandy sea-kings I would now say one word. "About your choice of cruising ground you cannot have much difficulty. The Mediterranean is your proper spot. It is true that we will not tolerate its being made a French lake--its proper vocation is that of English pond! "I would advise you all to be very particular in not letting your 'skipper' have too much authority. Remember always, that _you are the owner_--high-spirited gentlemen do. Surely a man may sail his own yacht, if anybody may! It is as much his property as his horse is. To be sure, when the weather is very bad, I would let the fellow take charge then. There is a very odd difference between the Bay of Biscay and the water inside the Isle of Wight, when it blows. And a skipper _too much snubbed_ gets rusty at awkward times. "Your conduct in harbour will be regulated by circumstances--which means, dinners. Generally speaking, the fact of having a yacht will carry you everywhere. As every aëronaut is 'intrepid' by courtesy, so every yachtsman is a 'fashionable arrival.' This great truth is scarcely enough appreciated in England. I have known very worthy men spend in trying to get into great society in London, sums which, judiciously invested _in a yacht_, would have taken them to dozens of great people's houses abroad. You will get asked to dinner; you will be feasted well, generally. Anything in the way of excitement--particularly good, rich, hospitable excitement--is heartily welcome in our colonial settlements and stations. "But I am not now speaking only to those who yacht, because to have a yacht is a fine thing. I recognise also an imperial class of yachtsmen--the swans of the flock of geese. I have seen a coronet on a binnacle, before now. I have seen a large stately schooner sail into a Mediterranean port--as into a drawing-room--splendid and serene. The harbour-master's boat is on the alert these mornings. The men-of-war send their boats to tow; the dandiest lieutenant goes in the barge; the senior captain offers his services. When such a yacht as that goes into the Golden Horn, the Sultan is shown to these yachters--like any curiosity in his capital--like any odd thing in his town! They are presented to him, as it is called, that _he_ may be looked at. "To this magnificent class I have not much to say. They don't snub their skipper--they are far too fine to do that. They are scarcely distinctive as travellers, for they are the same abroad as at home. In them, England is represented. England floats in a lump through the sea, like Delos used to do. As they say and do just the same as they have always said and done at home--see and mix with the same kind of people--I often wonder what they learn by it. When they go to visit Thermopylæ or Marathon, it is with a lot of tents, donkeys, camp-stools, travelling-cases, guides, and servants--such as Xerxes might have had. They encumber the ruins of temples with the multitude of their baggage. The position seems so unnatural, that I can't fancy their getting any moral or intellectual profit from it. They are too well off for that--like a fellow who cannot see for fat. Depend on it, you cannot see much through a painted window, however fine it is." Professor Brick concluded his first sketch amidst much applause. * * * * * [Illustration: HOW VERY THOUGHTFUL _Old Lady._ "Are you not afraid of getting drown'd when you have the boat so full?" _Boatman._ "Oh, dear, no, mum. I always wears a life-belt, so I'm safe enough."] * * * * * [Illustration: STANCH! _Complaisant Uncle_ (_who has remembered his nephew in his will, and is up to his ankles in water_). "I say, John, do you know your boat leaks?" _Nephew_ (_high and dry on the thwarts_). "Like old boots!" _Uncle._ "But I---- What's to be done?" _Nephew._ "Wait till she fills, and then put on a spurt for the shore!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MASTER JOHN BULL IN TROUBLE (1851) _Mr. Punch._ "Why, Johnny, what's the matter?" _Johnny._ "If you please, sir, there's a nasty ugly American been beating me."] * * * * * [Illustration: SERVING HIM OUT _Mrs. T._ (_to T._) "Feel a little more comfortable, dear? Can I get anything else for you? Would you like your cigar case now? (_Aside._) I'll teach him to go out to Greenwich and Richmond without me, and sit up half the night at his club!"] * * * * * TO A COUPLE OF THAMES NAIADS Row, ladies, row! It will do you good: Pleasant the stream under Cliefden Wood: When our skiff with the river drops down again, Glad you will be of some iced champagne. O, a boat on the river is doubly dear When you've nothing to do but adore and steer. Row, darlings, row! Whether stroke or bow Is sweeter to look at, better to row, Is a question that plagues not me, as I laze, And on their graceful movement gaze. 'Tis the happiest hour of the sultry year: The swift oars twinkle; I smoke and steer. Row, beauties, row! 'Tis uncommon hot: I _can_ row stroke, but I'd rather not. As we meet the sunset's afterglow, Two absolute angels seem to row; Wingless they are, so of flight no fear-- Home to dinner I mean to steer. * * * * * [Illustration: _Father Thames_ (_to Henley Naiads_). "Don't be alarmed, my dears. If he comes within our reach, I'll soon settle his business!" ["The G. W. R. Company must have known that their contemplated line from Marlow to Henley would raise a storm of opposition against any interference with the Thames at spots so sacred to all oarsmen."--_Vide "A Correspondent" in "Times."_] ] * * * * * ON THE RIVER (_Page from the Diary of a Sweet Girl Clubbist_) _Monday._--Very pleased I have been chosen for the boat. So glad to have been taken before Amy and Blanche. I am sure I shall look better than either of them. They needn't have been so disagreeable about it. Amy asking for her racquet back, and Blanche refusing to lend me her cloak with the feather trimmings. Fanny should make a first-rate stroke, and Kate a model coach. _Tuesday._--We were to have practice to-day, but postponed it to decide on our colours. Blouses are to be left optional, but we are all to wear the same caps. We had a terrible fight over it. Fanny, Rose and I are blonde, so naturally we want light blue. Henrietta is a brunette, and (selfish thing!) stood out for yellow! However, we settled it amicably at last by choosing--as a compromise--pink. Then I made a capital suggestion, which pleased everybody immensely. Instead of caps we are to wear picture-hats. _Wednesday._--Went out in our boat for the first time. Such a fight for places! I managed to secure bow, which is a long way the best seat, as you lead the procession. Everybody sees you first, and it is most important that the crew should create a good impression. Henrietta wanted the position, and said that her brother had told her that the lightest girl should always be bow. I replied "quite right, and as I had lighter hair than hers, and my eyes were blue and hers brown, of course it should be me." Fanny and Rose agreed with me, and Kate (who was annoyed at not being consulted enough) placed her five. Henrietta was in such a rage! _Thursday._--We are in training! Think it rather nonsense. Why should we give up _meringues_ and sponge-cakes? And as to cigarettes, that isn't really a privation, as none of us really like them. A mile's run isn't bad, but it wears out one's shoes terribly. Kate wanted us all to drink stout, but we refused. We have compromised it by taking _fleur d'orange_ mixed with soda-water instead. The Turkish bath is rather long, but you can read a novel after the douche. Take it altogether, perhaps training is rather fun. Still, I think it, as I have already said, nonsense, especially in regard to sponge-cakes and _meringues_. _Friday._--Spent the whole of the morning in practising starts. Everybody disagreeable--Kate absolutely rude. Fancy wanting me to put down my parasol! And then Henrietta (spiteful creature!) declaring that I didn't keep my eye on the steering (we have lost our coxswain--had to pay a visit to some people in the country) because I _would_ look at the people on the banks! And Kate backing her up! I was very angry indeed. So I didn't come to practice in the afternoon, saying I had a bad headache, and went instead to Flora's five o'clock tea. _Saturday._--The day of the race! Everybody in great spirits, and looking their best. Even Henrietta was nice. Our picture-hats were perfectly beautiful. Fanny came out with additional feathers, which wasn't quite fair. But she said, as she was "stroke" she ought to be different from the rest. And as it was too late to have the hat altered we submitted. We started, and got on beautifully. I saw lots of people I knew on the towing-path, and waved to them. And just because I dropped hold of my oar as we got within ten yards of the winning-post they all said it was _my_ fault we lost! Who ever heard the like? The crew are a spiteful set of ugly frumps, and on my solemn word I won't row any more. Yes, it's no use asking me, as I say I won't, and I will stick to it. There! * * * * * [Illustration: THE HYPNOTIC STEWARD (_Specially engaged for the Cross-Channel Service_) ["Dr. Paul Farez asserts that he has found in hypnotism an absolutely infallible remedy for sea-sickness and similar discomforts."--_Daily Paper._] ] * * * * * [Illustration: YACHTING IN LITTLE Squeamish accepts Stunsel's invitation for a month's cruise in his 10-ton yawl. He suffers much. _Stunsel._ "Come, come, Squeamish, old fellow, cheer up! You'll be all right in a week or so!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SOLAR STUDIES IN THE HONEYMOON _She_ (_reading a scientific work_). "Isn't it wonderful, Charley dear, that the sun is supposed to be millions of miles away!" _Charley Dear_ (_suffering from the heat_). "Millions of miles, darling? Good thing for all of us that it isn't any nearer."] * * * * * [Illustration: "'ERE'S YOUR WERRY GOOD 'ELTH, SIR!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "O WOMAN, IN OUR HOURS OF EASE!" "Poor soul, 'e do look lonely all by 'isself! Ain't you glad you've got us with you, 'Enry?"] * * * * * HERE AND THERE If you were only here, George, I think--in fact, I know, We'd get a girl to steer, George, And take a boat and row; And, striking mighty bubbles From each propulsive blade, Forget that life had troubles At ninety in the shade. We'd swing along together, And cheerily defy This toasting, roasting weather, This sunshine of July. Our feather might be dirty, Our style might not be great; But style for men of thirty (And more) is out of date. You'd note with high elation-- I think I see you now-- The beaded perspiration That gathered on your brow. Oh, by that brow impearled, George, And by that zephyr wet, I vow in all the world, George, There's nothing like a "sweat." To row as if it mattered, Just think of what it means: All cares and worries shattered To silly smithereens. To row on such a day, George, And feel the sluggish brain, Its cobwebs brushed away, George, Clear for its work again! But you at Henley linger, While I am at Bourne-End. You will not stir a finger To come and join your friend. This much at least is clear, George: We cannot row a pair So long as I am here, George, And you remain up there. * * * * * "PERILS OF THE DEEP."--_Unprotected Female_ (_awaking old Gent, who is not very well_). "Oh, mister, would you find the captain? I'm sure we're in danger! I've been watching the man at the wheel; he keeps turning it round first one way and then the other, and evidently doesn't know his own mind!!" * * * * * [Illustration: A HONEYMOON OUTING _Ernest_ (_faintly_). "Vera, darling, I do believe I'm the worst sailor on earth!" _Vera_ (_ditto_). "I wouldn't mind _that_ so much, if _I_ wasn't so bad on the water!"] * * * * * [Illustration: VERY CONSIDERATE _Steward._ "Will either of you, gentlemen, dine on board? There's a capital hot dinner at three o'clock."] * * * * * A QUIET DAY ON THE THAMES (_Dedicated to the Thames Conservancy_) 9 A.M.--Got out my boat, and made immediately for the centre of the stream. 10 A.M.--Spent some three-quarters of an hour in attempting to avoid the swell of the City steamboats. Within an ace of being swamped by one of them. 11 A.M.--Run into by a sailing-barge. Only saved by holding on to a rope, and pushing my boat aground. 12 NOON.--Aground. 1 P.M.--After getting into deep water again, was immediately run into by a coal-barge. Exchange of compliments with the crew thereof. 2 P.M.--Pursued by swans and other savage birds. Pelted with stones thrown from the shore by ragged urchins out of reach of my vengeance. 3 P.M.--Amongst the fishing-punts. Lively communication of opinions by the angry fishermen. Attempted piracy. 4 P.M.--Busily engaged in extricating my boat from the weeds. 5 P.M.--Disaster caused by a rope coming from the towing-path. 6 P.M.--Lock-keeper not to be found. Daring and partially successful attempt to shoot the rapids. 7 P.M.--Run down by a steam-launch travelling at express-rate speed. 8 P.M.--Just recovering from the effects of drowning. 9 P.M.--Going home to bed! * * * * * [Illustration: "DROWSILY! DROWSILY!" _Energetic Male_ (_reclining_). "Now then, girls, work away! Nothing like taking real exercise!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE CHANNEL QUESTION SOLVED (1873) OR, EVERY ONE HIS OWN BESSEMER!] * * * * * AT HENLEY AS IT IS (_By Isaac Walton Minimus_) There used to be buttercups once on these meads, There used to be reeds by the bank, But now these same meadows have not even weeds, And the water's decidedly rank. The pastures are crowded with mannerless shows, And the river with refuse is blocked; There isn't a corner for quiet repose, While the nose is most constantly shocked! The houseboats and tents may with rich colour glow, And the course be more bright than before, But there isn't the thought for the men who will row, As there was in the brave days of yore! How Willan and Warre and stout "Johnny" Moss Must recurrence of past time re-wish, And the sight be to them and to rowing a loss, But _I_ only can think of the fish Who are poisoned by garbage and bloated with food, And oppressed with the bottles o'erthrown! My sentiments, though by the many pooh-poohed, By the few will be met with a moan! * * * * * [Illustration: _The Man in the Boat._ "I'm sorry, sir, but it was your own fault. Why didn't you get out into mid-stream?" _The Victim._ "Why, that's just what I've done!"] * * * * * THE TOURIST'S BAROMETER (_Read on the Channel_) Splendid Weather. I never mind the sea myself. The rougher for me the better. Have a cigar? Very Fine. One certainly does feel that only Englishmen can be sailors. Somehow or other they take naturally to the sea--now, don't they? Fine. Yes. I always come by Folkestone. I never _could_ see the use of the _Castalia_. We are not foreigners, you know. Most of us have our sea-legs. Eh? Moderate. Yes. Perhaps a little brandy-and-water _would_ be a good thing. Sea slight. The _very_ roughest passage I remember. But I am an excellent sailor. Still, would you mind putting out that cigar? Rather Rough. It's simply disgraceful. The _Castalia_ ought to be established by Act of Parliament. Shall write to the _Times_. I shall go down below--to think about it! Rough Oh! Here, somebody! Will it be more--than five minutes? Oh! oh! oh! Very Rough. (_Far too dreadful for description._) * * * * * [Illustration: EASTER RECREATIONS _Enthusiastic Skipper_ (_to friend_). "Ah, my boy! this is what you wanted. In a short time you'll feel yourself a different man!"] * * * * * RIVERSIDE SUNDAY Unnumbered are the trees that fling O'er Pangbourne Reach their shade, Unnumbered there the birds that sing Melodious serenade; But as the leaves upon the boughs Or feathers on the birds, So are the trippers who carouse Along the banks in herds. Punt, centre-board, launch, skiff, canoe, Lunch-laden hither hie, Each bearing her expectant crew To veal and chicken-pie; And from the woods around Hart's Lock Reports ring loud and clear, As trippers draw the festive hock Or democratic beer. From one to three, below, above, Is heard the crisp, clear crunch Of salad, as gay Damons love To linger over lunch. From three to six a kettle sings 'Neath every sheltering tree As afternoon to Phyllis brings The magic hour of tea. Well may the Cockney fly the Strand For this remoter nest, Where buses cease from rumbling and The motors are at rest. But would you shun your fellows--if To quiet you incline-- Oh, rather scull your shilling skiff Upon the Serpentine. * * * * * [Illustration: PRO BONO PUBLICO _Brown (passenger by the Glasgow steamer, 8.30 a.m.)._ "I beg pardon, sir, but I think you've made a mistake. That is my tooth-brush!" _McGrubbie (ditto)._ "Ah beag years, mun, ah'm sure. Ah thoght 't belanged to the sheip!!"] * * * * * NEW SAILING ORDERS (_To be in force on or after the next Ultimo instant_) _The Darkest Night._--Any man not knowing when the darkest night is will be discharged. Inquiries can be made any day at the Admiralty from 10 till 4, excepting from 1 till 2, when all hands are piped to luncheon. _The Rule of the Rowed_ at sea is similar to the rule of the sailed. No ship must come into collision with another. If two steamers are on the starboard tack, they must return to the harbour and begin again. Any steamship likely to meet another steamship must reverse and go somewhere else. Any admiral out after 12 o'clock will be locked up wherever he is. Nobody, however high in command, can be permitted to sit on a buoy out at sea for the purpose of frightening vessels. All complaints to be made to the Admiralty, or to one of the mounted sentries at the Horse Guards. [Illustration] An admiral is on duty all night to receive complaints. Every mounted marine on joining must bring his own fork, spoon and towel horse. If two vessels are meeting end on, take one end off. The other loses and forfeits sixpence. Any infringement or infraction of the above rules and regulations will be reported by the head winds to the deputy toastmaster for the current year at Colwell-Hatchney. N.B.--On hand a second-hand pair of gloves for boxing the compass. Remember the 26th of December is near, when they may be wanted. The equivalent of a chaplain-general to the forces has been appointed. He is to be called chaplain-admiral to the fleet. The cockpits are being turned into pulpits. If not ready by next Sunday he will deliver his first sermon from the main-top gallant jibboom mizen. The Colney-Hatches will be crowded. * * * * * [Illustration: OUT OF IT The eldest Miss Blossom thinks that the part of double gooseberry is rather monotonous.] * * * * * [Illustration: HOW LITTLE OUR DEAR ONES UNDERSTAND US _Madge._ "My dear George, there you've been sitting with your camera since breakfast, and you haven't taken anything." _George (intent on his own feelings)._ "Don't ask me to, darling, I couldn't touch it!"] * * * * * A REGATTA RHYME _On Board the "Athena," Henley-on-Thames_ I like, it is true, in a basswood canoe To lounge, with a weed incandescent: To paddle about, there is not a doubt, I find it uncommonly pleasant! I love the fresh air, the lunch here and there, To see pretty toilettes and faces; But one thing I hate--allow me to state-- The fuss they make over the Races! _I don't care a rap for the Races!_-- _Mid all the Regatta embraces_-- _I'm that sort of chap, I don't care a rap,_ _A rap or a snap for the Races!_ I don't care, you know, a bit how they row, Nor mind about smartness of feather; If steering is bad, I'm not at all sad, Nor care if they all swing together! Oh why do they shout and make such a rout, When one boat another one chases? 'Tis really too hot to bawl, is it not? Or bore oneself over the Races! _I don't care a rap for the Races, &c., &c._ Then the Umpire's boat a nuisance we vote, It interrupts calm contemplation; Its discordant tone, and horrid steam moan, Is death to serene meditation! The roar of the crowd should not be allowed; The gun with its fierce fulmination, Abolish it, pray--'tis fatal, they say, To pleasant and quiet flirtation! _I don't care a rap for the Races, &c., &c._ If athletes must pant--I don't say they shan't-- But give them some decent employment; And let it be clear, they don't interfere With other folks' quiet enjoyment! When luncheon you're o'er, tis really a bore-- And I think it a very hard case is-- To have to look up, from _páté_ or cup, And gaze on those tiresome Races! _I don't care a rap for the Races, &c., &c._ The Races, to me, seem to strike a wrong key, Mid dreamy delightful diversion; There isn't much fun seeing men in the sun, Who suffer from over-exertion! In sweet idle days, when all love to laze, Such violent work a disgrace is! Let's hope we shall see, with me they'll agree, And next year abolish the Races! _I don't care a rap for the Races, &c., &c._ * * * * * [Illustration: KNOW THYSELF! _Miss Featherweight._ "I tell you what, Alfred, if you took me for a row in a thing like that I'd scream all the time. Why, he isn't more than half out of the water!"] * * * * * HENLEY REGATTA _By Jingle Junior on the Jaunt_ All right -- here we are -- quite the waterman -- jolly -- young -- white flannels -- straw hat -- canvas shoes -- umbrella -- mackintosh -- provide against a rainy day! Finest reach for rowing in England -- best regatta in the Eastern Hemisphere -- finest pic-nic in the world! Gorgeous barges -- palatial houseboats -- superb steam-launches -- skiffs -- randans -- punts -- wherries -- sailing-boats -- dinghies -- canoes! Red Lion crammed from cellar to garret -- not a bed to be had in the town -- comfortable trees all booked a fortnight in advance -- well-aired meadows at a premium! Lion Gardens crammed with gay toilettes -- Grand Stand like a flower-show -- band inspiriting -- church-bells distracting -- sober grey old bridge crammed with carriages -- towing-path blocked up with spectators -- meadows alive with pic-nic parties! Flags flying everywhere -- music -- singers -- niggers -- conjurers -- fortune-tellers! Brilliant liveries of rowing clubs -- red -- blue -- yellow -- green -- purple -- black -- white -- all jumbled up together -- rainbow gone mad -- kaleidoscope with _delirium tremens_. Henley hospitality proverbial -- invitation to sixteen luncheons -- accept 'em all -- go to none! Find myself at luncheon where I've not been asked -- good plan -- others in reserve! Wet or fine -- rain or shine -- must be at Henley! If fine, row about all day -- pretty girls -- bright dresses -- gay sunshades. If wet, drop in at hospitable houseboat just for a call -- delightful damsels -- mackintoshes -- umbrellas! Houseboat like Ark -- all in couples -- Joan of Ark in corner with Darby -- Who is she? -- Don't No-ah -- pun effect of cup. Luncheons going on all day -- cups various continually circulating -- fine view -- lots of fun -- delightful, very! People roaring -- rowists howling along bank -- lot of young men with red oars in boat over-exerting themselves -- lot more in boat with blue oars, also over-exerting themselves -- bravo! -- pick her up! -- let her have it! -- well pulled -- everybody gone raving mad! Bang! young men leave off over-exerting themselves -- somebody says somebody has won something. Seems to have been a race about something -- why can't they row quietly? Pass the claret-cup, please -- Why do they want to interrupt our luncheon? -- Eh? * * * * * [Illustration: "WHAT'S IN A NAME?" (A sketch at a regatta. A warning to "the cloth" when up the river)] * * * * * [Illustration: CUPID AT SEA _Angelina (to Edwin, whose only chance is perfect tranquillity)._ "Edwin, dear! If you love me, go down into the cabin, and fetch me my scent bottle and another shawl to put over my feet!" [_Edwin's sensations are more easily imagined than described._ ] * * * * * THE JOLLY YOUNG WATERMAIDS And have you not read of eight jolly young watermaids, Lately at Cookham accustomed to ply And feather their oars with a deal of dexterity, Pleasing the critical masculine eye? They swing so truly and pull so steadily, Multitudes flock to the river-side readily;-- It's not the eighth wonder that all the world's there, But this watermaid eight, ne'er in want of a stare. What sights of white costumes! What ties and what hatbands, "Leander cerise!" We don't wish to offend, But are these first thoughts with the dashing young women Who don't dash too much in a spurt off Bourne End? Mere nonsense, of course! There's no "giggling and leering"-- Complete ruination to rowing and steering;-- "All eyes in the boat" is their coach's first care, And "a spin of twelve miles" is as naught to the fair. * * * * * [Illustration: GOOD RESOLUTIONS _Blenkinsop (on a friend's Yacht) soliloquises._ "I know one thing, if ever I'm rich enough to keep a yacht, I shall spend the money in horses."] * * * * * ECHOES FROM THE THAMES SCENE--_Houseboat in a good position._ TIME--_Evening during "the Regatta week._" PRESENT (_on deck in cozy chairs_)--_He and She._ _She._ Very pretty, the lights, are they not? _He._ Perfectly charming. So nice after the heat. _She._ Yes, and really, everything has been delightful. _He._ Couldn't possibly be better. Wonderful how well it can be done. _She._ Yes. But, of course, it wants management. You know a lot comes down from town. _He._ Will the stores send so far? _She._ Yes, and if they won't others will. And then the local tradespeople are very obliging. _He._ But don't the servants rather kick at it? _She._ No, because they are comfortable enough. Put them up in the neighbourhood. _He._ Ah, to be sure. And your brother looks after the cellar so well. _She._ Yes, he is quite a genius in that line. _He._ And it's awfully nice chatting all day. _She._ Yes, when one doesn't go to sleep. _He._ And, of course, we can fall back upon the circulating libraries and the newspapers. _She._ And so much better than town. It must be absolutely ghastly in Piccadilly. _He._ Yes, so I hear. And then there's the racing! _She._ Ah, to be sure. To tell the truth, I didn't notice that very much. Was there any winning? _He._ Oh, yes, a lot. But I really quite forget what---- _She._ Oh, never mind. We can read all about it in to-morrow's papers, and that will be better than bothering about it now. [_Scene closes in to soft music on the banjo._ * * * * * [Illustration: AT HENLEY--"IPSE DIXIT" ["For a mile and a half the river was covered with elegant craft, in which youth was always at the prow and pleasure always at the helm."--_Daily Paper._] ] * * * * * "THE SAILORMAN'S MENOO" (_To a Shipowner. By a Shell-back_) It's mighty fine, yer talkin', but you never done no trips In the bloomin' leaky foc'sle of yer leaky, rotten ships; And though you gulls the public with a sham Menoo for _us_, It isn't printed lies as makes provisions worth a cuss; And even silly emigrants will tell you straight and true That the test of grub is grubbin', not the advertised Menoo. I'm talkin' now, not beggin' for a chance to starve and work In an undermanned old tanker with a skipper like a Turk; With a cook as larnt 'is cookin' when 'e 'ad to cook or beg, Or go into an 'orspital to nurse a cranky leg; And what I says I means it, and my words is plain and true, Which is more than any sailorman will say for yer Menoo. I'll allow that in the look of it, the print of it I mean, That all you say is sarved to us; but is it good or clean? And wot's wet 'ash, or porridge, or any other stuff, When at the very best of it there's 'ardly 'arf enough? Not even with the cockroaches that's given with the stew, Though I notice they nor maggots wasn't down in yer Menoo. There's the tea and corfee talked of, but folks ashore ain't told That the swine as bought it for you winked 'is eye at them as sold. For sailormen's best Mocha was never further East Than a bloomin' Essex bean-field; and the tea ain't tea--at least It's on'y "finest sweepin's" from the docks, and wot a brew It makes when sarved in buckets to drink to yer Menoo! The pork and beef on paper, or a tin dish, makes a show, But you'd want yer front teeth sharpened if you tackled it, my bo'! For the beef is still the ancient 'orse wot worked on Portland Pier, And the pork is rotten reasty, that was inwoiced twice too dear If they charged you 'arf a thick 'un for the whack you gives the crew, With the pickles and the butter set out fine in yer Menoo. I'd like to take you jossers, as thinks as sailormen Is a grumblin' lot of skulkers, just one trip and 'ome agen; For when yer 'ands was achin' with sea cuts to the bone, And the Baltic talked north-easters, you'd be alterin' of yer tone, And might'nt think wot's wrote in print is necessary true, And perhaps when you was safe agen you'd alter our Menoo. * * * * * [Illustration: A TRIAL OF FAITH _Bertie (at intervals)._ "I used to---- What the---- do a lot of---- Conf---- rowing, one time!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CRITICAL _Boatman (spelling)._ "P-s-y-c-h-e. Well, that's the rummest way I ever see o' spellin' _fish_!"] * * * * * HENLEY REGATTA (_By Mr. Punch's Own Oarsman_) Sir,--This letter is private and is not intended for publication. I particularly beg that you will note this, as on a former occasion some remarks of mine, which were intended only for your private eye, were printed. I of course accepted your assurance that no offence was meant, and that the oversight was due to a person whose services had since the occurrence been dispensed with; but I look to you to take care that it shall not happen again. Otherwise the mutual confidence that should always exist between an editor and his staff cannot possibly be maintained, and I shall have to transfer my invaluable services to some other paper. The notes and prognostications which I have laboriously compiled with regard to the final results of the regatta will arrive by the next post, and will, I flatter myself, be found to be extraordinarily accurate, besides being written in that vivid and picturesque style which has made my contributions famous throughout the civilised world. There are one or two little matters about which I honestly desire to have your opinion. You know perfectly well that I was by no means anxious for the position of aquatic reporter. In vain I pointed out to you that my experience of the river was entirely limited to an occasional trip by steamboat from Charing Cross to Gravesend. You said that was an amply sufficient qualification, and that no aquatic reporter who respected himself and his readers, had ever so far degraded himself as to row in a boat and to place his body in any of the absurd positions which modern oarsmanship demands. Finding you were inexorable, and knowing your ridiculously hasty temper, I consented finally to undertake the arduous duties. These circumstances, however, make it essential that you should give me advice when I require it. For obvious reasons I don't much like to ask any of the rowing men here any questions. They are mostly in what they call hard training, which means, I fancy, a condition of high irritability. Their strokes may be long, but their tempers are, I regret to say, painfully short. Besides, to be candid, I don't wish to show the least trace of ignorance. My position demands that I should be omniscient, and omniscient, to all outward appearance, I shall remain. In the first place, what is a "lightship"? As I travelled down to Henley I read in one of the newspapers that "practice for the Royal Regatta was now in full swing, and that the river was dotted with lightships of every description." I remember some years ago passing a very pleasant half hour on board of a lightship moored in the neighbourhood of Broadstairs. The rum was excellent. I looked forward with a lively pleasure to repeating the experience at Henley. As soon as I arrived, therefore, I put on my yachting cap (white, with a gold anchor embroidered in front), hired a boat and a small boy, and directed him to row me immediately to one of the lightships. I spent at least two hours on the river in company with that boy--a very impudent little fellow,--but owing no doubt to his stupidity, I failed to find a single vessel which could be fairly described as a lightship. Finally the boy said they had all been sunk in yesterday's great storm, and with that inadequate explanation I was forced to content myself. But there is a mystery about this. Please explain it. Secondly, I see placards and advertisements all over the place announcing that "the Stewards Stand." Now this fairly beats me. Why should the stewards stand? They are presumably men of a certain age, some of them must be of a certain corpulence, and it seems to me a refinement of cruelty that these faithful officials, of whom, I believe, the respected Mayor of Henley is one, should be compelled to refrain from seats during the whole of the Regatta. It may be necessary for them to set an example of true British endurance to the crowds who attend the Regatta, but in that case surely they ought to be paid for the performance of their duties. Thirdly, I have heard a good deal of talk about the Visitors' Cup. Being anxious to test its merits, I went to one of the principal hotels here, and ordered the waiter to bring me a quart of Visitors' Cup, and to be careful to ice it well. He seemed puzzled, but went away to execute my orders. After an absence of ten minutes he returned, and informed me, with the manager's compliments, that they could not provide me with what I wanted, but that their champagne-cup was excellent. I gave the fellow a look, and departed. Perhaps this is only another example of the asinine and anserous dunderheadedness of these crass provincials. Kindly reply, _by wire_, about all the three points I have mentioned. I have been here for a week, but have, as yet, not been fortunate enough to see any crews. Indeed, I doubt if there are any here. A good many maniacs disport themselves every day in rickety things which look something like gigantic needles, and other people have been riding along the bank, and, very naturally, abusing them loudly for their foolhardy recklessness. But no amount of abuse causes them to desist. I have puzzled my brains to know what it all means, but I confess I can't make it out. I fancy I know a boat when I see one, and of course these ridiculous affairs can't be boats. Be good enough to send me, by return, at least £100. It's a very difficult and expensive thing to support the dignity of your paper in this town. Whiskey is very dear, and a great deal goes a very short way. Yours sincerely, THE MAN AT THE OAR. _Henley-on-Thames, July 4._ * * * * * [Illustration: AQUATICS--A COMFORTABLE RAN-DAN _Jolly Young Waterman._ "Holloa! Hi! Police! Back water, Jack! We've got into a nest of swans, and they're a pitchin' into me!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE SERPENTINE (Gent thinks he is rowing to the admiration of everybody) _Small Boy._ "'Old 'ard, guv'n'r! And take me and my traps acrosst--will yer?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Fiend in human shape._ "Don't feel well! Try a cigar!"] * * * * * [Illustration: Binks, who is the kindest creature possible, has undertaken to fasten up the boat and bring along the siphons. Unfortunately both sculls have gone, and his friends are out of hearing.] * * * * * [Illustration: MOAN, HEARD ON A RAMSGATE BOAT "Why didn't we go by rail?"] * * * * * MAUNDERINGS AT MARLOW (_By Our Own Ã�sthetic Bard_) The lilies are languid, the aspens quiver, The Sun-God shooteth his shafts of light, The ripples are wroth with the restless river; _And O for the wash of the weir at night_! The soul of the poet within him blenches At thought of plunge in the water bright, To witness the loves of the tender tenches: _And O for the wash of the weir at night_! The throstle is wooing within the thicket, The fair frog fainteth in love's affright; The maiden is waiting to ope the wicket; _And O for the wash of the weir at night_! The bargeman he knoweth where Marlow Bridge is. To pies of puppy he doth invite; The cow chews the cud on the pasture ridges; _And O for the wash of the weir at night_! So far from the roar of the seething city, The poet reposes much too quite, He trills to the Thames in a dainty ditty; _And O for the wash of the weir at night_! * * * * * [Illustration: _Malicious Swell in the stern sheets_ (_to little party on the weather quarter_). "Splendid breeze, isn't it, Gus?" _Gus_ (_who, you see, has let his cigar go out_). "Ye-es; but I say, what's o'clock? Isn't it time to turn back?--What d'ye think?"] * * * * * FLITTINGS (_Per Ocean Bottle-post_) _In the South Atlantic, Three miles off Land (perpendicularly). Six Bells, Feb. 27, 1898._ DEAR MR. PUNCH,--Yeo-ho and ahoy! If this ever reaches you, it is to tell you that the very good ship _Triton_ (this is within a cable's length of her name) has been at sea for just a fortnight, bound for the Cape on her second trip. She bears on board about a thousand souls all told, five horses, a couple of cows, two or three parrots, of third-class behaviour, and a few canaries, which have not as yet taken berths inside the ship's cat. We left Southampton on an even keel, but there were plenty of French rolls for breakfast next morning in the Bay of Biscay, so we were ægrotat (_sic_) for the rest of the day in such seclusion as our cabin granted. The next event of importance was Madeira. Here we had about four hours in which to watch the natives (one of them a one-armed boy) diving for our spare coppers, to breakfast on shore, to do the sights of Funchal, to buy deck-chairs, if not whole drawing-room suites, of wickerwork, to visit Santa Clara and the other suburban resorts, and, most necessary of all, to ascend by the new mountain railway to the church of Nossa Senhora de Monte, and then to descend two thousand feet by _carro_, or toboggan over the cobble-stone pathway. It was a lot to do, but we did it on our heads--especially the last-named athletic performance. Our steersman, Manuel, certainly deserved his pint of Madeira at the "Half-way House" for his agility and dexterity in taking us down a decline of one in two, past corkscrew corners, and hordes of beggars. English money seems to be quite the medium of currency at Funchal, and English is spoken by the enterprising islanders while you wait (or until your last shilling is spent). Even a tea-garden sort of place is dignified by the name of "Earl's Court," to attract and solace the homesick Londoner. Meanwhile, it was market-day on board the ship, and great was the company of merchants with all kinds of wares. These are bundled off neck and crop by 11 A.M., and we settled down to the serious business of the voyage--the election of a Sports and Entertainment Committee, the consumption of six meals a day, the daily sweepstakes and auction on the run, the dissection of everybody's character, and the other inevitable humours and incidents of an ocean trip. We fetched a compass, or whatever the nautical phrase is, round the Canaries in a sea-fog, for fear of running up against Teneriffe, and since then we haven't sighted land, nor seen a ship, or even a whale or waterspout, nothing more exciting than a few coveys of flying-fish, and, I think, half-a-dozen porpoises. At the moment of writing, however, I see a solitary albatross, and lose no time in informing your readers of the fact. We crossed the line without feeling the slightest bump. We have passed through the tropics with only one hot night, and our feet, like our thoughts, are now turning towards Fleet Street and home, as we near the Antipodes. We have had the usual fancy-dress ball with some decidedly impromptu costumes. One of a large theatrical company was quite unrecognisable as Sheffield's Ape, taking the first prize, and has since been busy restoring himself to human form. The captain's clerk appeared in a series of quick-turn changes, such as a comic sailor or a deplorable old lady; while the ship's doctor contributed an awe-inspiring impersonation of Old Moore or somebody in the wizard profession. The sports and other entertainments have passed off without bloodshed. Our captain, a breezy, jovial Irishman, received the ladies with open arms at the finish of their fifty yards race, and the comedians who performed in "Are you there?" and the other humorous items fully rose, or tumbled, to the occasion, as the case might be. Take it all round, we have had a particularly good time of it. Pleasant company and pleasant weather. Out of reach of letters and telegrams, and face to face with the ocean. We are now in the teeth of a strong south-easter, and the writing-room is beginning to dance, I therefore hasten to catch the post. Yours, very much at sea, X. Y. Z. * * * * * [Illustration: ASSURING! _Passenger_ (_faintly_). "C'lect fares--'fore we get across! I thought we----" _Mate._ "'Beg y'r pardon, sir, but our orders is, in bad weather, to be partic'lar careful to collect fares; 'cause in a gale like this 'ere, there's no knowing how soon we may all go to the bottom!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ILLUSTRATED QUOTATIONS (_One so seldom finds an artist who realises the poetic conception_) "We have fed our sea for a thousand years."--_Kipling._] * * * * * [Illustration: A PRIMEVAL YACHT RACE Somehow or other, in those days, a breeze was more often forthcoming when it was wanted, and the race did "occasionally" end in favour of the challenger.] * * * * * ON VIEW AT HENLEY The most characteristic work of that important official, the clerk of the weather. The young lady who has never been before, and wants to know the names of the eights who compete for the Diamond Sculls. The enthusiastic boating man, who, however, prefers luncheon when the hour arrives, to watching the most exciting race imaginable. The itinerant vendors of "coolers" and other delightful comestibles. The troupes of niggers selected and not quite select. The houseboat with decorations in odious taste, and company to match. The "perfect gentleman's rider" (from Paris) who remembers boating at Asnières thirty years ago, when Jules wore when rowing lavender kid-gloves and high top-boots. The calm mathematician (from Berlin), who would prefer to see the races represented by an equation. The cute Yankee (from New York), who is quite sure that some of the losing crews have been "got at" while training. The guaranteed enclosure, with band, lunch and company of the same quality. The "very best view of the river" from a dozen points of the compass. Neglected maidens, bored matrons, and odd men out. Quite the prettiest toilettes in the world. The Thames Conservancy in many branches. Launches: steam, electric, accommodating and the reverse. Men in flannels who don't boat, and men in tweeds who do. A vast multitude residential, and a vaster come per rail from town. Three glorious days of excellent racing, at once national and unique. An aquatic festival, a pattern to the world. And before all and above all, a contest free from all chicanery, and the very embodiment of fairplay. * * * * * The new lock at Teddington must be a patent one, as there is no quay. * * * * * [Illustration: NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY DON'T AGREE TOGETHER _Wife._ "Isn't it jolly to think we have the whole day before us? The boatman says we couldn't go home, even if we wanted to, till the tide turns, and that's not for hours and hours yet. I've got all sorts of lovely things for lunch too!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BIS DAT QUI CITO DAT _Lock-keeper (handing ticket)._ "Threepence, please." _Little Jenkins._ "Not me: I've just paid that fellow back there." _Lock-keeper (drily)._ "'Im! Oh, that's the chap _who collects for the Band_!"] * * * * * HINTS FOR HENLEY Flannels in moderation are pardonable, but they are slightly out of place if you can't row and it rains. The cuisine of a houseboat is not always limitless, so "chance" visitors are sometimes more numerous than welcome. The humours of burnt-cork minstrelsy must be tolerated during an aquatic carnival, but it is as well to give street singers as wide a berth as possible. In the selection of guests for, say, _The Pearl of the North Pole_, or _The Hushaby Baby_, it is as well to learn that none of them are cuts with the others, and all are prepared to accept "roughing it" as the order of the day. Lanterns, music, and fireworks are extremely pretty things, but night air on the river is sometimes an introduction to sciatica, rheumatism, and chills. In the selection of a costume, a lady should remember that it is good to be "smart," but better still to be well. Finally, it is desirable to bear in mind that, pleasant as riparian life may be, Henley is, after all, a regatta, and that consequently some sort of attention should be paid to the racing. * * * * * [Illustration: GASTRONOMERS AFLOAT _Mrs. Fleshpottle._ "Well, I must say, Mrs. Gumblewag, I like something substantial for _my_ dinner. Nothing, I think, can be better than some pea-soup to begin with; then a biled leg of mutton with plenty of fat, with turnips and caper sauce; then some tripe and onions, and one or two nice suet dumplings as a finish!" _Mrs. Gumblewag._ "For my part, mum, I prefer something more tasty and flavoursome-like. Now, a well-cooked bullock's heart, to be followed by some liver and bacon, and a dish of greens. Afterwards a jam bolster, and a black pudding, and some toasted cheese to top up with, is what I call a dinner fit for a----" [_Mr. Doddlewig does not wait to hear any more!_ ] * * * * * MORE HINTS FOR HENLEY (_For the use of Visitors, Male and Female_) Take an umbrella to keep off the rain--unopened. Beware of encouraging burnt-cork minstrels, or incurring their resentment. Remember, it is not every houseboat that is sufficiently hospitable to afford lunch. After all, a travel down from town in the train is better than the discomforts of dawn on the river in a houseboat. Six hours of enforced company is a strong order for the best of friends, sometimes leading to incipient enmity. A canoe for two is a pleasant distraction if the man is equal to keeping from an upset in the water. Flirting is a not unpleasant accompaniment to an _alfresco_ lunch with well-iced liquids. If you really wish to make a favourable impression upon everyone, be cheery, contented, good-natured, and, above all, slightly interested in the racing. * * * * * [Illustration: _Enthusiastic Skipper._ "Aha! my boy! You can't do this sort of thing on shore!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SQUALLY WEATHER--MAKING ALL "TAUT"] * * * * * FURTHER REGULATIONS FOR HENLEY (_Under the Consideration of the Thames Conservancy_) No piano playing shall be permitted on houseboats during the racing, so that the attention of coxswains shall not be thereby distracted. To avoid a crowd collecting on the course, no craft shall be permitted to leave the shores between the hours of 6 A.M. and 9 P.M. To preserve decorum, only lemonade and ginger-beer shall be drunk during the illuminations, and fireworks shall henceforth be restricted to one squib and a couple of crackers to each houseboat. Finally, recreation of every kind shall be discontinued, so that in future the unpopularity of the County Council on land shall find its reflection in the universal detestation in which the Thames Conservancy shall be held by those living on the river. * * * * * [Illustration: TRIALS OF A NOVICE _Extract from Diary._--"WEDNESDAY. Went for a spin or trip, or whatever it's called, on Bowlines' new racing yacht. Felt very nervous when we turned the corners; nearly fell overboard while I was trying to balance the thing; thought we should have been drowned. B. said it was a wonder we weren't--thanks to _me_! Had a few words with B. _Mem._--Never again!" [_N.B.--B. says the same._ ] * * * * * [Illustration] BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE. 42400 ---- MR. PUNCH'S BOOK OF LOVE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR Edited by J. A. HAMMERTON Designed to provide in a series of volumes, each complete in itself, the cream of our national humour, contributed by the masters of comic draughtsmanship and the leading wits of the age to "Punch," from its beginning in 1841 to the present day. [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration:] _Edwin (suddenly, after a long pause)._ "Darling!" _Angelina._ "Yes, darling?" _Edwin._ "Nothing, darling. Only _darling_, darling!" [_Bilious Old Gentleman feels quite sick._ ] * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S BOOK OF LOVE BEING THE HUMOURS OF COURTSHIP AND MATRIMONY [Illustration] _WITH 150 ILLUSTRATIONS_ BY JOHN LEECH, CHARLES KEENE, GEORGE DU MAURIER, SIR JOHN TENNIEL, PHIL MAY, E. T. REED, L. RAVEN-HILL, GORDON BROWNE, TOM BROWNE, J. BERNARD PARTRIDGE, C. E. BROCK, REGINALD CLEAVER, CHARLES PEARS, A. S. BOYD, LEWIS BAUMER, DAVID WILSON, G. L. STAMPA, AND OTHERS. PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PROPRIETORS OF "PUNCH" THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK CO. LTD. THE PUNCH LIBRARY OF HUMOUR _Twenty-five volumes, crown 8vo, 192 pages fully illustrated_ LIFE IN LONDON COUNTRY LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HUMOUR IRISH HUMOUR COCKNEY HUMOUR IN SOCIETY AFTER DINNER STORIES IN BOHEMIA AT THE PLAY MR. PUNCH AT HOME ON THE CONTINONG RAILWAY BOOK AT THE SEASIDE MR. PUNCH AFLOAT IN THE HUNTING FIELD MR. PUNCH ON TOUR WITH ROD AND GUN MR. PUNCH AWHEEL BOOK OF SPORTS GOLF STORIES IN WIG AND GOWN ON THE WARPATH BOOK OF LOVE WITH THE CHILDREN [Illustration: Take Back the Heart That You Gave Me] ABOUT MATRIMONIAL JOKES, AND ONE IN PARTICULAR Of all Mr. Punch's jokes it might be fair to say that none has ever rivalled the popularity of "Advice to persons about to marry,--Don't!" unless it be that of the Scotsman who had been no more than a few hours in London, "when bang went saxpence!" Of the latter, more in its place; here, we are immediately concerned with "Punch's advice." The most preposterous stories are current among the uninformed as to the origin of some of Mr. Punch's favourite jests. Only recently we heard a gentleman telling a group of people in a hotel smoking-room that Mark Twain got a hundred pounds from Punch for writing that famous line, "I used your soap two years ago; since then I have used no other," familiar to every one by Mr. Harry Furniss's drawing of a disreputable tramp who is supposed to be writing the words quoted. As a matter of fact, the idea came to Mr. Furniss from an anonymous correspondent. Stories equally, if not more, absurd have been told as to the origin of "Punch's advice," which, thanks to the researches of Mr. Spielmann, we now know to have been the happy inspiration of Henry Mayhew, one of the founders of _Punch_. It was sixty-one years ago that Mayhew wrote the line, and how many millions of times it must have been quoted since one dare not guess! It may be said to have struck the keynote of Mr. Punch's matrimonial policy, as an examination of his pages reveals him an incorrigible pessimist on the subject of marriage. He is very hard on the mother-in-law, but in all his life he has not made more than one or two jokes about the young wife's pastry, though he has made a good deal of fun about her general ignorance of domestic affairs. Nor has he spared the bachelor or the old maid, and the designing widow has been an especial butt for his shafts. It might be a good thing to pass a law prohibiting young and marriageable men from reading _Punch_, in order to save many of them from being discouraged and frightened out of the thought of marriage, and it would certainly be an incentive thereto--they would be tempted to become Benedicts if only that they might qualify for the removal of the prohibition! * * * * * [Illustration: "DRIVEN TO DESPERATION"] * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S BOOK OF LOVE * * * * * [Illustration] ADVICE TO PERSONS ABOUT TO MARRY.--Don't. * * * * * ADVICE TO PERSONS WHO HAVE "FALLEN IN LOVE."--Fall out. * * * * * ENCOURAGING.--_George (who has just engaged himself to the Girl of his heart) breaks the happy news to his friend Jack (who has been married some time)._--_Jack._ "Ah! well, my dear fellow, marriage is the best thing in the long run, and I can assure you that after a year or two a man gets used to it, and feels just as jolly as if he'd never married at all!" * * * * * A DEFINITION.--Flirtation: a spoon with nothing in it. * * * * * DOMESTIC.--It was a homely but pungent observation, on the part of a man of much experience and observation, that marriage without love was like tripe without onions. * * * * * ADAGE BY A YOUNG LADY.--Man proposes, but mamma disposes. * * * * * BY A BEASTLY OLD BACHELOR.--A married man's fate (in brief).--Hooked, booked, cooked. * * * * * DESCRIBE A HOME-CIRCLE.--The wedding ring. * * * * * HOW TO FIX THE HAPPY DAY.--_Q._ When's the best day for a wedding? _A._ Why, of course, "A _Weddin's day_." * * * * * DOMESTIC ECONOMY. Said Stiggins to his wife one day, "We've nothing left to eat; If things go on in this queer way, We shan't make _both ends meet_." The dame replied, in words discreet, "We're not so badly fed, If we can make but _one_ end _meat_, And make the other _bread_." * * * * * [Illustration: _Clergyman._ "Augustus, wilt thou take this woman----" _Bride (late of Remnant & Co.'s Ribbon Department). "Lady!"_] * * * * * TO PERSONS ABOUT TO MARRY.--Take care to choose a lady help, and not a lady encumbrance. * * * * * ACCOUNTED FOR AT LAST.--Is it not strange that the "best man" at a wedding is not the bridegroom? This must be the reason of so many unhappy marriages. * * * * * THE BEST WARDS OF A LATCHKEY.--Homewards! * * * * * ONE GREAT LOTTERY OFFICE STILL RECOGNISED BY THE LAW.--The Marriage Register. * * * * * [Illustration: "There goes the _second_ Mrs. Muggeray!" "Gracious! What on earth did he marry her for?" "Oh, he said he wanted some one to amuse the children!"] * * * * * [Illustration: WONDERFUL WHAT AN ADJECTIVE WILL DO _Brown (newly married--to Jones, whom he entertained a few evenings previously)._ "Well, what did you think of us, old boy, eh?" _Jones._ "Oh, pretty flat. Er--awfully pretty flat!"] * * * * * SCIENTIFIC ACCURACY.--"But _why_ do you want to marry her?" "Because I _love_ her!" "My dear fellow, that's an _excuse_--not a _reason_!" * * * * * TO PERSONS ABOUT TO MARRY.--What is enough for one, is half enough for two, short commons for three, and starvation for half a dozen. * * * * * LOVE SONG Love me, lady! My hair is gray; When round comes pay-day I cannot pay. My corns are awful, My prospects shady, I want a comforter: Love me, lady! * * * * * NOTES OF ADMIRATION.--Love letters. * * * * * [Illustration: "THERE IS A TIE THAT BINDS US TO OUR HOMES"] * * * * * [Illustration: _He._ "I can't understand Phyllis rejecting me last night." _She._ "Never mind. You'll soon get over it." _He._ "Oh, _I_'ve got over it right enough; but I can't help feeling so doosid sorry for _her_. I shan't ask her again!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "A NIGHT OF IT" _Young Wife_ (2 A.M.). "Dinner at the Albion! the theatre! and supper and a rubber at the club! Well, Henry, I wonder you did not go to all the places of amusement in London, and (_sobbing_) not come home all night!" _Henry._ "My dear, all th' other places shu' rup!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY A FRAGMENT "Yes, Robert! But O! do look at the excellent evening glow on yon distant hills! How solemn!! How sublime!" "O! stunning. Well, _then_ I measured the scullery: six feet by ten... that'll just do, won't it?"] * * * * * [Illustration: PRIMARY ROCK] * * * * * THE EFFECT OF GETTING MARRIED.--"Poor Dick! how sadly he is altered since his marriage!" remarked one friend to another. "Why, yes, of course," replied the other; "directly a man's neck is in the nuptial noose, every one must see that he's a haltered person." * * * * * A BAD PRE-EMINENCE.--What is there beats a good wife? A bad husband. * * * * * QUESTION BY A SEWING MACHINE.--What is woman's true sphere?--The _Hem_isphere. * * * * * A MARRIAGE QUESTION.--If a man addicted to smoking marries a widow, does it follow that he must lay down his pipe, because she gives up her weeds? * * * * * A READY-MADE REJOINDER.--_He._ "You made a fool of me when I married you, ma'am!" _She._ "Lor! You always told me you were a self-made man!" * * * * * MEM. BY AN OLD MAID.--If you "look over your age," you won't find anyone else willing to do the same. * * * * * [Illustration: MAFEKING NIGHT (_Or rather_ 3 A.M. _the following morning_) _Voice_ (_from above_). "Good gracious, William! Why _don't_ you come to bed?" _William_ (_huskily_). "My dear Maria, you know it's been the rule of my life to go to bed shober--and I can't posh'bly come to bed yet!"] * * * * * THE NEOGAMS--A WARNING [Illustration] Newly married, Railway carried; Sighing. At the station Osculation; Crying. Smiling, parting; Hands at starting Gripping. Cozy quarters, Guards and porters Tipping. [Illustration] On the journey Glances yearny, Mooning. Closely sitting, As is fitting, Spooning. Destination; Forced cessation. Pity! Porters poking Fun, and joking, Witty. On arriving, Carriage driving; Kissing. Lovely scenery, Lakes and greenery, Missing. Hotel, _table d'hôte_ a rabble. Shun it! Private cover Sooner over-- Done it. Champagne drinking; Waiter winking. Curious! People smiling; Very riling; Furious. [Illustration] After dining, Arms entwining, Walking Sipping honey-- What's there funny?-- Talking. So time passes; Grinning asses Guess 'em Newly married, Sorely harried-- Bless 'em! * * * * * [Illustration: _Casual Acquaintance._. "Hear you're to be married, Mr. Ribbes. Congratulate you!" _Mr. Ribbes._ "Much obliged, but I dunno so much about congratulations. It's corstin' me a pretty penny, I tell yer. Mrs. Ribbes as is to be, she wants 'er _trousseau_, yer know; an' then there's the furnishin', an' the licence, an' the parson's fees; an' then I 'ave to give 'er an' 'er sister a bit o' jool'ry a-piece; an' wot with one thing an' another--she's a 'eavy woman, yer know, thirteen stun odd--well, I reckon she'll 'a corst me pretty near _two-an'-eleven a pound_ afore I git 'er 'ome!"] * * * * * SONGS OF THE HEARTH-RUG THE NEGLECTED WIFE TO HER RUSHLIGHT My rushlight, when first kindled, Twelve inches long wast thou; And I behold thee dwindled To one, my candle, now! How brief thy span, contrasted With rushlight's average life! A happier dip had lasted A week a happier wife. Where is my husband got to? Oh say, expiring light! A man ought really not to Stay out so every night. I'm sure that Bradshaw's press'd him To join his tippling lot: That Bradshaw! I detest him;-- The good-for-nothing sot! Would that this piece of paper, Which, ere thy flame expire, I light from thee, my taper, Could set that club on fire. * * * * * A BLUNDER-BUSS.--Kissing the wrong girl. * * * * * MOTTO FOR THE MARRIED.--Never dis-pair. * * * * * MEM. BY "ONE WHO MARRIED IN HASTE."--"The real 'Battle of Life' begins with a short engagement." * * * * * [Illustration: Time--3 A.M.] _Voice from above._ "Is that you, John? You're very late, aren't you?" _Brown (returned from celebrating the latest victory)._ "It's only about--er--twelve, my dear, I think----" _The Cuckoo Clock._ "Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!" _Brown (grasping situation instantly)._ "Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!" * * * * * [Illustration: A WET NURSE] * * * * * "LITERA SCRIPTA."--_Wooer._ "Oh, Miss--oh, Lavinia! may I not still hope?--or is your cruel rejection of my suit final and irrevoc----" _Spinster (firmly)._ "Yes, Mr. Brown, I seriously desire you will regard it so." _Wooer._ "Then, dearest, may I ask you"--(_producing the materials from adjacent writing-table_)--"to--ah--put it on papar! I shall feel safer!" * * * * * A "NOISELESS SEWING MACHINE."--A good wife. * * * * * PAUCA VERBA.--_Robinson (after a long Whist bout at the Club)._ "It's awfully late, Brown. What will you say to your wife?" _Brown (in a whisper)._ "Oh, I shan't say much, you know--'Good morning, dear,' or something o' that sort. She'll say the rest!!!" * * * * * [Illustration: NONE BUT THE BRAVE DESERVE THE FARE] * * * * * [Illustration: PLAYING DOWN TO HIM.--_Young couple (who expect the visit of a very miserly relative, from whom they have expectations) are clearing the room of every sign of luxury._ _Wife (earnestly)._ "We must do all we can to make uncle feel at home." _Husband (caustically)._ "Then we had better let the fire out."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Fair Widow._ "Yes, I've made up my mind that when I die I shall be cremated, as my husband was." _Gallant Captain._ "Dear lady, please don't talk about such dreadful things. Consider how much better it would be, in your case, to--er--_cross out the C!_"] * * * * * _Visitor (to Friend lately left a Widower)._--"Hullo, Tom! That looks a stiffish bill you've got there!" _Tom._ "Ah, how those rascals of undertakers do fleece you! They know you can hardly help yourself! Of course, in my poor wife's case I would cheerfully have paid double. But one hates to be done.--Um!" * * * * * A WIFE'S VOCATION.--Husbandry. * * * * * [Illustration: A DECLARATION "Louisa, you've stolen something." "Go on!" "You 'ave." "You're a----! _What_ 'ave I stole?" "_My 'eart!_"] * * * * * MARRIAGE MEMORIES _What the Father says._--Which side must I stand on when I give her away? _What the Mother says._--I am sure the ices will be late for the breakfast. _What the Sister says._--I flatter myself I am the best looking of the eight bridesmaids. _What the Brother says._--Of course, the best man is behind his time--just like him! _What the Pew-opener says._--This way, my dear young lady! _What the Beadle says._--They are sure to be in time, sir. I will motion to you the moment I see 'em a coming. _What the Clergyman says._--Have you got the ring? _What the Crowd says._--Hoorray! That's 'er! Oh, ain't 'e a guy! _What the Old Friend of the Family says._--I have known him too since he was so high. That was nigh upon forty years ago! _What the Funny Man says._--You can see from my face that I am just the man to be associated with the bridesmaids. _What the Best Man says._--Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking. _What the Bride says._--Good-bye, my own darling mamma and papa, and--Emmy dear, please _do_ see the things are all right before we start. _What the Bridegroom says._--Thank goodness, it is all over. * * * * * [Illustration: "DECEIVERS EVER" _Goldsmith._ "Would you like any name or motto engraved on it, sir?" _Customer_ (_who had chosen an engagement ring_). "Ye--yes--um--'Augustus to Irene.' And--ah--loo' here--don't--ah--cut 'Irene' very deep!!"] * * * * * A SCIENTIFIC WOOER "Drink to me only with thine eyes"-- And if you happen to survive a So curious potion, pray advise How it affects the conjunctiva! This problem, which my mind absorbs, A veritable Gordian knot is: How can maids swallow with their orbs? Where's the protecting epiglottis? "I sent thee late a rosy wreath"-- For Science' sake, my Angelina, And hope you noticed underneath Those buds of _rosa damascena._ No high-flown zeal my soul uplifts, And as for ardour, I've not got any;-- I simply send you floral gifts To help you forward with your botany! * * * * * THE FLIRT'S PARADISE.--Coquet Island. * * * * * [Illustration: SO SWEET OF HER! _Lady_ (_recently married, in answer to congratulations of visiting lady friend_). "Thank you, dear. But I still find it very hard to remember my new name." _Friend._ "Ah, dear, but of course you had the old one so long!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Oh, George dear, the landlord has raised the rent!" "Has he? _I_ can't!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EVIDENCE OF AN EYE-WITNESS _Guest._ "Why do you believe in second sight, Major?" _Major Darby_ (_in an impressive whisper_). "Because _I_ fell in love at _first_ sight!"] * * * * * [Illustration: FULL MOON] [Illustration: FIRST QUARTER] [Illustration: THIRD QUARTER] [Illustration: NO MOON] * * * * * THE BRUTE CREATION.--Husbands who beat their wives. * * * * * THE HEIGHT OF MODESTY.--The most bashful girl we ever knew was one who blushed when she was asked if she had not been courting sleep. * * * * * [Illustration: "_Are_ you comin' 'ome?" "I'll do ellythik you _like_ in reasol, M'ria--(_hic_)--bur I _won't_ come 'ome."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Harold._ "And now, darling, tell me what your father said when you told him we were engaged." _Sybil._ "Oh, Harold, don't ask me to repeat his language!"] * * * * * TO ALL THE OTHER GIRLS You know, I like you awfully, Jess, Phyllis, the same applies to you, To Edith and to Mary no less, Also to others, not a few. Yet some of you are rather "mad," You choose to feel, I understand, a Slight sense of injury, since I've had The glorious luck to win Amanda. I wish, sincerely, it were not Impossible for me to fall In love with _some_ of you--a _lot_-- In fact I'd gladly love you _all_! But, when you come to think it out, I'm sure my reasoning will strike you, You'll find it, I can have no doubt, More flattering that I should like you. Fate sends their wives to poor and rich, Fate does not send them thus their friends; Then let my final couplet (which I rather fancy) make amends. This fundamental truth, I trust, My seeming fickleness excuses-- One simply loves because one _must_ Whereas one likes because one _chooses_! * * * * * [Illustration: HIGHLY SATISFACTORY _Mistress._ "I'm sorry for you, John; but if your wife has got such a dreadful temper, why did you marry her?" _Coachman_ (_the Fourth Husband_). "Well, mum, I had three good characters with her?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _A._ "That's Jones's daughter with him. She's just about to be married." _B._ "Who's the lucky man?" _A._ "Jones."] * * * * * [Illustration: A FESTIVE PROSPECT! _Husband._ "Didn't I tell you not to invite your mother back in my----" _Wife._ "Dear, that's the very thing she's come about! She read your letter!" [_Tableau._ ] * * * * * VALENTINE'S DAY--THEN AND NOW [Illustration: DOMESTIC TIE] THEN--THIRTY YEARS AGO. _Family assembled._ _Paterfamilias._ Post nearly two hours late! Really disgraceful! _Materfamilias._ Well, dear, remember it's only once a year, and we used to enjoy it ourselves before we were married! _Eldest Daughter._ I got half-a-dozen last year. I dare say I shall get twice as many this. _Second Daughter._ I dare say! I believe you send them yourself! _Eldest Daughter._ So probable! How can you think of such silly things! And how spiteful of you! _Son and Heir._ Don't quarrel, girls! And here's the post. _Enter servant with heaps of letters, which are eagerly seized and distributed._ _Chorus._ What are they? _Paterfamilias_ (_disgusted at his budget_). Valentines! NOW--TO-DAY. _Family assembled as before._ _Paterfamilias._ The fourteenth of February. Dear me, surely this is a memorable date--somehow. _Materfamilias._ To be sure, father. It's Valentine's Day. _Eldest Daughter._ Is it really true, mother, that people used to receive pictures just as we do Christmas cards? _Second Daughter._ Come, _you_ can surely remember. It's not so very long for you. _Eldest Daughter._ Don't be spiteful! Remember, miss, there's only a couple of years between us! _Second Daughter._ Really! From our appearance there might be a decade! _Son and Heir._ Don't quarrel, girls! And here's the post! _Enter servant with a solitary letter._ _Chorus._ What is it? _Paterfamilias_ (_perusing a bill_). Not a Valentine! * * * * * "THE ACT OF UNION."--Getting married. * * * * * [Illustration: _That dear old Mrs. Wilkinson_ (_who can't always express exactly what she means to say, meeting Jones with the girl of his choice_). "And is this young lady your _fiasco_, Mr. Jones?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Brown._ "I say, old man, who's that very plain elderly lady you were walking with--now sitting here?" _Smith_ (_the impecunious, who has married money_). "Oh, that's my wife." _Brown._ "Your wife! But"--(_lowering his voice_)--"She has only one eye--and so awfully--I beg your pardon--but----" _Smith_ (_pleasantly_). "You needn't whisper, old man. She's _deaf_"] * * * * * LOVE IN LACONICS _He._ Love you! Have me, dear? _She._ Humph! How much a year? _He._ Three hundred! Expectations. _She._ Tales of hope! Relations? _He._ Aunt. Ten thousand pounder. Eighty. Always found her Liberal. Thinks me Crichton, Seedy now at Brighton. Made her will,--a right 'un! _She._ Ah! _Aunt_-icipations,-- Like _x_ in equations-- Unknown quantity? Question! Let me see, Love + "screw" + _x_ (Latter for expecs) Equals Me + You! Hardly think 'twill do! Do not wish to vex, But,--first find out _x_! _He._ If I prove _x_ ample-- _She._ I'll no longer trample On your hopes. _He._ Agreed! _She._ Hope you may succeed! * * * * * THE RESULT OF AN IMPRUDENT MARRIAGE (_by our own Matrimonial Adviser_).--County Court-ship. * * * * * [Illustration: _Ethel._ "Why, what's the matter, Gertrude?" _Gertrude._ "Oh, nothing. Only Jack and I had a quarrel the other day, and I wrote and told him never to dare to speak or write to me again,---- and the wretch hasn't even had the decency to answer my letter!"] * * * * * THE IDEAL HUSBAND My dear Ethel,--You ask me what "sort of a husband" I recommend. My dear, ask me the name of a dressmaker, of a doctor, or of a (ugh!) dentist, and I can tell you precisely. I can name the man. But what sort of a husband! Well, after sifting the matter carefully, and after looking before _you_ leap, and after an experience of some few years of married life, I say, decidedly, choose a man . . . [Illustration: WHO LIKES TO GO SHOPPING.] You will find him very useful if managed judiciously; he will prove an immense saving to you, as if you went alone you would have to tip porters, and squabble with cabmen. Then from a certain view I should advise some of those "about to marry" to select a man who has no club. But this is an exceptional case. Finally, if you wish to be strictly economical, and to live in the suburbs, or in the country, and if your husband has no occupation or profession, then I should say, in order that you may attend assiduously to your domestic duties, which include visiting, five o'clock teas, and so forth, then ascertain that your husband is of a maternal disposition, and one . . . [Illustration: WHO DOES THIS.] If I think of anything else I will let you know. But, above all, please yourself, and by so doing you will delight . . . [Illustration] Yours affectionately, DORA. * * * * * [Illustration: "OUT OF THE FRYING-PAN," &c. _Parson_ (_to Ne'er-do-weel_). "What's this I hear, Giles--that your wife has left you! Ah! this is what I----" _Giles._ "She might do worse than that, sir." _Parson_ (_shocked_). "Worse!" _Giles._ "She might come back again!"] * * * * * TO A RICH YOUNG WIDOW. I will not ask if thou canst touch The tuneful ivory key? Those silent notes of thine are such As quite suffice for me. I'll make no question if thy skill The pencil comprehends, Enough for me, love, if thou still Canst draw thy dividends! * * * * * "SO SELFISH?"--_Husband_ (_with pride_). "My love, I've been effecting--I've insured my life to-day for ten thousand pou----" _Young Wife._ "Just like the men! Always looking out for themselves! I think--you might have insured mine while you were about it!!" * * * * * BY A FASHIONABLE YOUNG MARRIED WOMAN.--The latest thing out--My husband. * * * * * CELIBACY AND WEDLOCK.--If single life is bad, then it stands to reason that double life is twice as bad. * * * * * EMPLOYMENT FOR WOMEN.--Matchmaking. * * * * * [Illustration: VERY NECESSARY _Young Wife._ "I'm so happy! I wonder you never married." _Elderly Spinster._ "My child, I've always said I never _would_ and never _could_ marry until I met a man different from other men and full of courage." _Young Wife._ "Of course you couldn't. How stupid of me."] * * * * * THE "OFF" SEASON Daphne, that day Do you remember (Then it was May, Now it's November) Plighting our troth Nothing should sever; Binding us both Firmly, for ever? Yes, I allow Strephon's more showy;-- As for me, now I prefer Chloe. Yet, if men say "Fickle," remember Then it was May, Now it's November. * * * * * PAPER FOR THE NEWLY-MARRIED.--_The Economist._ * * * * * "À PROPOS!"--_Sententious Old Bachelor_ (_in the course of conversation_). "As the 'old saw' has it, my dear madam, 'Man proposes, but----'" _Widow_ (_promptly_). "Yes; but that's just what he doesn't do!" (_Tableau!_) * * * * * MOTTO FOR THE DIVORCE COURT.--Marry, and come up! * * * * * [Illustration: _She._ "But, George, suppose papa settles my dowry on me in my own right?" _He._ "Well, my dear girl, it's--er--nothing to me if he does!"] * * * * * LOVE LETTERS OF A BUSINESS MAN. [Illustration: ABOUT TO ENTER THE BRIDAL STATE] The course of true love, though beset with almost insurmountable obstacles, often rewards the faithful lovers at the last with supreme happiness. But, alas! sometimes the said true love proves naught but a toboggan-slide leading to a precipice, into which the true lovers' hopes are hurled and dashed into atomic smithereens. We have before us a volume of a "Business Man's Love Letters," a few extracts from which we give below. Reader, if you have a tear, prepare to shed it now! The burning passion which surges in the lover's heart, though embodied in phrases habitually used by a business man, is sure to touch your soul. But presently comes the pathetic ending, when she is no longer anything to him, and he--to use the imperfect but comprehensive vernacular--is to her as "dead as a door nail." Reader, read on! I. _August_ 1, 1899. DEAR MISS SMYTHE,--With reference to my visit last evening at the house of Mr. John Jorkins, our mutual friend, when I had the pleasure of meeting you. Having been much charmed by your conversation and general attractiveness, I beg to inquire whether you will allow me to cultivate the acquaintanceship further. Awaiting the favour of your esteemed reply, Yours faithfully, JOHN GREEN. II. _August_ 3, 1899. MY DEAR MISS SMYTHE,--I beg to acknowledge with many thanks receipt of your letter of even date, contents of which I note with much pleasure. I hope to call this evening at 7.15 p.m., when I trust to find you at home. With kindest regards, I beg to remain, Yours very truly, JOHN GREEN. III. _August_ 21, 1899. MY DEAREST EVELINA,--Referring to our conversation this evening when you consented to become my wife. I beg to confirm the arrangement then made, and would suggest the wedding should take place within the ensuing six months. No doubt you will give the other necessary details your best consideration, and will communicate your views to me in due course. Trusting there is every happiness before us, I remain, Your darling Chickabiddy, JOHN. IV. _August_ 22, 1899. MY OWNEST TOOTSEY-WOOTSEY,--Enclosed please find 22-carat gold engagement ring, set with thirteen diamonds and three rubies, receipt of which kindly acknowledge by return. Trusting same will give every satisfaction, I am, Your only lovey-dovey, JOHNNY. X X X X X X Kindly note kisses. V. _November_ 24, 1899. MY SWEETEST EVELINA,--I am duly in receipt of your letter of 20th inst., which I regret was not answered before owing to pressure of business. In reply thereto I beg to state that I do love you dearly, and only you, and also no one else in all the world. Further I shall have much pleasure in continuing to love you for evermore, and no one else in all the world. Trusting to see you this evening as usual and in good health. I am, Your ownest own, JOHN. VI. _January_ 4, 1900. TO MISS SMYTHE, MADAM,--In accordance with the intention expressed in my letter of yesterday, I duly forwarded addressed to you a parcel containing all letters, etc., received from you, and presume they have been safely delivered. I have received to-day, per carrier, a parcel containing various letters which I have written to you from time to time. No doubt it was your intention to despatch the complete number written by me, but I notice one dated August 21 is not included. Will you kindly forward the letter in question by return, when I will send you a full receipt? Yours faithfully, JOHN GREEN. VII. _January_ 6, 1900. TO MISS SMYTHE, MADAM,--I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of yesterday, and note your object in retaining my letter of August 21 last. As I intend to defend the issue in the case, I shall do as you request, and will leave all further communications to be made through my solicitors. Yours, &c., JOHN GREEN. VIII. 15, _Peace Court, Temple, E.C._ Messrs. BANG, CRASH & Co., _9a, Quarrel Row, E.C._ _Smythe_ v. _Green_. GENTLEMEN,--We are in receipt of your communication of yesterday's date, with which you enclose copy of letter dated August 21. We note that you state the document in question has been duly stamped at Somerset House, and are writing our client this evening with a view to offering your client terms, through you, to stay the proceedings which have been commenced. Yours faithfully, BLITHERS, BLATHERS, BLOTHERS & Co. * * * * * STRANGE BUT TRUE.--When does a husband find his wife out? When he finds her at home and she doesn't expect him. * * * * * [Illustration: DOMESTIC BLISS _Head of the Family._ "For what we are going to receive, make us truly thankful.--Hem! Cold mutton again!" _Wife of the Bussum._ "And a very good dinner too, Alexander. _Somebody_ must be economical. _People_ can't expect to have _Richmond_ and _Greenwich_ dinners out of the little housekeeping money _I_ have."] * * * * * [Illustration: "AN ENGLISH MAN'S HOUSE," Etc. Maid (looking over wall to newly married couple just returned from their honeymoon). "Oh please'm, that dog was sent here yesterday as a wedding present; and none of us can't go near him. You'll have to go round the back way!"] * * * * * [Illustration: CAUTION _Married Sister._ "And of course, Laura, you will go to Rome or Florence for your honeymoon?" _Laura._ "Oh dear, no! I couldn't think of going further than the Isle of Wight with a man I know little or nothing of!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LOVE'S PROMPTINGS _Edwin_ (_recit_). "'There is no one beside thee, and no one above thee. Thou standest alone, as the nightingale sings!'" &c., &c. _Angelina_ (_amorously_). "Oh, Edwin, how _do_ you think of such beautiful things?"] * * * * * [Illustration: DIFFERENT ASPECTS _She._ "Isn't it a pretty view?" _Susceptible Youth._ "Awfully pretty, by Jove!"] * * * * * [Illustration: MARRIED _v._ SINGLE _Bee_ (_single_). "Why do you wear a pink blouse, dear? It makes you look so yellow!" _Bella_ (_married_). "Does it, dear? Of course you can make _your_ complexion suit _any_ blouse, can't you!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _He._ "My people are bothering me to marry Miss Mayford." _She._ "You'd be very lucky if you did. She is very clever and very beautiful----" _He._ "Oh! _I_ don't want to marry brains and beauty. I want to marry _you_."] * * * * * [Illustration: AN AMBIGUOUS COMPLIMENT _Miss Beekley._ "I'm so glad _I'm_ not an heiress, Mr. Soper. I should never know whether my suitors were attracted by myself or my money." _Mr. Soper._ "Oh, Miss Beekley, your mirror should leave you in no doubt on that score!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Bulkley._ "Yes; her parents persuaded her, and it's all over between us." _Sympathetic Friend._ "She can't have realised what a lot she was giving up."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Wife._ "I hope you talked plainly to him." _Husband._ "I did indeed. _I_ told him he was a fool, a perfect fool!" _Wife_ (_approvingly_). "Dear John! How exactly like you!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE OLD, OLD STORY! _The Colonel._ "Yes; _he_ was senior wrangler of his year, and _she_ took a mathematical scholarship at Girton; and now they're engaged!" _Mrs. Jones._ "Dear me, how interesting! and oh, how different their conversation must be from the insipid twaddle of ordinary lovers!" THEIR CONVERSATION _He._ "And what would _dovey_ do, if lovey were to _die_?" _She._ "Oh, dovey would die _too_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: NEEDLESSLY POINTED _Sympathetic Friend._ "Well, my dear, I'm sure your mother will miss you sadly after your _having been with her so long_!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ALTRUISM _Maud_ (_newly married_). "You look very melancholy, George; are you sorry you married me?" _George._ "No, dear--of course not. I was only thinking of all the nice girls I can't marry." _Maud._ "Oh, George, how horrid of you! I thought you cared for nobody but me?" _George._ "No more I do. I wasn't thinking of myself, but of the disappointment for _them_."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Jones_ (_newly married_). "There's my darling playing the guitar."] [Illustration: (_But it wasn't. It was only the garden roller over the gravel!_)] * * * * * [Illustration: THINGS ONE WOULD RATHER HAVE LEFT UNSAID _Jones._ "I will!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mr. Jenks_ (_who likes Miss Constance_). "No, I assure you, Miss Constance, I have _never_ indulged in flirtation." _Miss Constance_ (_who does_ not _care for Mr. Jenks_). "Ah, perhaps you have never had any _encouragement_!"] * * * * * THE LUXURY OF LIBERTY.--_Bosom Friend._ "Well, dear, now that you are a widow, tell me are you any the happier for it?" _Interesting Widow._ "Oh! no. But I have my freedom, and that's a great comfort. Do you know, my dear, I had an onion yesterday for the first time these fourteen years?" * * * * * "THE SILLY SEASON."--The Honeymoon. * * * * * CONSOLATION.--_Mother-in-law._ "I'll be bound that Robert--I've lost all patience with him--never dined with you on Michaelmas-day, my dear?" _Daughter._ "No, mamma, but he sent me home a goose." _Mother-in-law._ "Psha! Done in a fit of absence, my dear." * * * * * THE HUSBAND'S REVENGE _A Warning to Wives who will keep bad Cooks_ Provisions raw Long time he bore: Remonstrance was in vain; To escape the scrub He join'd a club: Nor dined at home again. * * * * * MATRIMONY (_by our Musical Cynic_).--The common c(h)ord of two flats. * * * * * [Illustration: DOMESTIC BLISS _Little Foot Page_ (_unexpectedly_). "Here's some gentlemen, please, sir!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Can I go abroad to finish, ma?" "No. It's time you were married--and men don't care how ill-educated a woman is." "You shouldn't judge everybody by pa, ma!"] * * * * * [Illustration: LEAVING THE PARENTAL NEST _The Bride's Father_ (_to Bridegroom_). "Oh, John, you'll take _care_ of her, _won't_ you!"] * * * * * REFLECTIONS ON A BROKEN ENGAGEMENT We parted--cheerfully! Yet now I've fallen into disrepute With nearly all her friends, who vow That she's an angel, I'm a brute; Black isn't black enough for me My conduct will not bear inspection-- A statement which I hold to be Fair food for critical reflection. We parted. The consummate ease With which "united hearts" can range From their allegiance, if they please, But illustrates the laws of change. The thoughts and tastes of yester year Fall under Father Time's correction-- This is not critical, I fear, But platitudinous reflection! We parted. She had quite a pack Of friends, "nice boys," as she avowed; She called them Bob, and Dick, and Jack, And I was--one amongst the crowd. I did not, people may infer, Possess entire her young affection-- Yet, be it understood, on her I cast no shadow of reflection! We parted. Men cannot persist-- In playing uncongenial parts-- I was a keen philatelist, Her hobby was collecting--hearts A simple case. I did not pine To add my heart to her collection, She had no stamps to add to mine, We parted--wisely, on reflection! * * * * * CURIOUS DISTINCTION.--The English love; the French make love.--_Madame Punch._ * * * * * [Illustration: _Mr. Grumble._ "I see by the paper that Mount Vesuvius is in eruption." _Mrs. G._ "Oh, I'm _so_ glad!" _Mr. G._ "There you are again, Maria. Now why on earth should you be glad?" _Mrs. G._ "Well, you can't blame _me_ for it that's all!"] * * * * * [Illustration: OLD FRIENDS _He._ "Do you remember your old school-friend Sophy Smythe?" _She._ "Yes, indeed, I do. A most absurd-looking thing. So silly too! What became of her?" _He._ "Oh, nothing. Only--I married her."] * * * * * [Illustration: IN THE SAME BOAT "I don't think she's pretty." "Neither do I." (_After a pause._) "Did she refuse you too?"] * * * * * GREAT EXPECTATIONS.--_Ethel_ (_youngest daughter_). "Oh, pa dear, what did Geo---- what did young Mr. Brown want?" _Pa._ "Secret, my love. 'Wished to speak to me privately!" _Ethel._ "Oh, pa, but do tell me--'cause he was so very attentive to me before you came in--and then asked me to leave the room." _Pa._ "Well, my dear"--(_in a whisper_)--"he'd left his purse at the office, and wanted to borrow eighteenpence to pay his train home!" * * * * * "SHARP'S THE WORD!"--_Wife._ "Poor mamma is dreadfully low-spirited this morning, George. Only think--she has just expressed a wish to be cremated!" _Husband_ (_with alacrity_). "'O'b-less my----" (_Throwing down his newspaper._) "Tell her to put her things on, dear! I'll--I'll drive her over at once!!" * * * * * [Illustration: ON THE CARDS _Young Wife._ "Oh, mamma, do you know I believe Alfred's going to reform, and give up gambling!" _Her Mother._ "What makes you think so, dear?" _Young Wife._ "Why all last night he kept talking in his sleep about his miserable, worthless heart!"] * * * * * PROFESSIONAL LOVE-LETTERS [Illustration: LOOKING AFTER THE CHAPS] I _From_ MR. NORMAN DORMER, _Architect and Surveyor, to_ MISS CAROLINE TOWER. MY PRECIOUS, Pity me who must stay and fret in London, while you are enjoying yourself at Broadstairs. How I long to be there, surveying the ocean by your side, and tracing your dear name on the sands! But fate and a father have placed a barrier between us. So I pace up and down before the old house in T---- Square, and look up at a certain dormitory on the second story--in no state of elevation you may be sure--and make plans for the future, and build castles in the air, and try to forget that my designs on your heart appear ridiculous to your papa, whose estimate of me I am aware is not in excess. For can I forget what he said that wet Saturday afternoon in the back drawing-room, when I tendered myself to him as a son-in-law, and the tender was not accepted? After telling him that it was the summit, the pinnacle of my ambition to win you as my wife, did he not answer that he considered I ought not to aspire to your hand until the statement of my pecuniary means (as he worded it) was more satisfactory, and, meanwhile, requested me to discontinue my pointed attentions? Never until _you_ bid me. Only be firm, and the difficulties now in our way will but serve to cement us more closely together; only be true and I will wait patiently for that day which shall put the coping-stone to my happiness. I build upon every word, every look, every smile I can call to mind. You _will_ write and assure me there is no foundation for the report of another and more fortunate competitor, but that I still fill the same niche in your affections I ever did? For, Caroline, were I to hear you were an "engaged" Tower, I could not survive the blow. I should stab myself with my compasses in the back office. But away with such gloomy fears. Let me picture her to myself. How plumb she stands! How arch she looks! What a beam in her eye! What a graceful curve in her neck! What an exquisitely chiselled nose! What a brick of a girl altogether! I must stop in my specification, or you will think there is something wrong in my upper story, and not give credence to a word I say. I have just been calling on your sister, and saw your little pet Poppy, who talked in her pretty _Early English_ about "Tant Tarry." Aunt Sarah was there, staying the day, looking as mediæval as ever, and with her hair dressed in the usual Decorated style. She hinted that you were imperious, and that any man who married you must make up his mind (grim joke) to fetch and Carry at your bidding. And then you were so ambitious! The wiseacre! why, I will leave no stone unturned to get on in my profession if you will only be constant. I will be the architect of my own fortunes--your love the keystone of my prosperity. The columns of every newspaper shall record my success; every capital in Europe shall know my name. She did not unhinge me a bit, and the shafts of her ridicule fell harmless; although, she made an allusion to "dumpy" men, which I knew was levelled at me, and sneered at married life as very pretty for a time, but the stucco soon fell off. Poor Aunt Sarah! I left her sitting up quite perpendicular with that everlasting work which she is always herring-boning. And now, Carry, darling--oh, dear! I am wanted about something in our designs for the new Law Courts, and have only time to sign myself, Your own, till Domesday, NORMAN. II _From_ MR. ALFRED PYE, _Professed Man Cook, to_ MISS MARTHA BROWNING. What a stew I was in all Friday, when no letter came from my Patty! Everything went wrong. I made a hash of one of my _entrées_, and the _chef_, who guessed the cause of my confusion, roasted me so that at last I boiled over, and gave him rather a tart answer, for, as you know, I am at times a little too peppery. Thy sweet note, when it _did_ arrive, made all right. I believe I was quite foolish, and went capering about with delight. And then I cooled down, and composed a new _soufflé_. So you see I do not fritter away _all_ my time, whatever those malicious people who are so ready to carp at me may think. You say you always like to know where I go in an evening. Well, I went to the Trotters last night, and Fanny played the accompaniment, and I sang--how it made me think of you!--"_Good-bye, Sweetbread, good-bye!_" (How absurd! Do you see what I have written instead of _"Sweetheart"_? All the force of habit. It will remind you of that night at Cookham, when we were the top couple in the supper quadrille, and I shouted, "Now, Side-dishes, begin!" and everybody roared except a certain young lady, who looked a trifle vexed. Don't you remember that Spring? You must, because the young potatoes were so small.) Your _protégé_, Peter, goes on famously. He's a broth of a boy, not a pickle, like many lads of his age, and yet he won't stand being sauced, as he calls it. He and I nearly got parted at the station, for the crowd was very great after the races--in fact, a regular jam. It rained hard when we reached Sandwich, and I got dripping wet, for I had forgotten my waterproof, and there was not a cab to be had. But now the weather has changed again, and we are half baked. A broiling sun and not a puff of wind. There was no one in the train I knew. Some small fry stuffing buns all the way, and opposite me a girl who had her hair crimped just like yours, and wore exactly the same sort of scalloped jacket. A raw young man with her, evidently quite spooney; and they larded their talk with rather too many "loves" and "dears" for my taste, for you know _we_ are never tender in public. It grated _so_ on my ear, that at last I made some harmless joke to try and stop it, but mademoiselle, who spoke in that mincing way you detest, turtled up, so I held my tongue all the rest of the way, and amused myself with looking at your _carte_, and concocting one of my own for our great dinner on the 29th, for the _chef_ has gone to Spithead, and left all to me. And now, my duck, not to mince matters, when I have got that off my mind (if the dinner is only as well dressed as you, it will do), you must fix the day. I am quite unsettled. I cannot concentrate my thoughts on my gravies as I ought, and my desserts are anything but meritorious. All your fault, miss. You are as slippery as an eel. I must have it all arranged when I come up to the City next week. I have some business in the Poultry, but shall slip away as soon as I can, and bring your mother the potted grouse and chutney. ("Cunning man," I hear you say, "he wants to curry favour with mamma.") And you will do what I ask? Where shall we go for our wedding trip?--Strasbourg, Turkey, Cayenne, Westphalia, Worcestershire? Perhaps, I think most of coming back to the little house which I know somebody will always keep in apple-pie order, and of covers for two; and I shall admire the pretty filbert-nails while she peels my nuts, and we will both give up our flirtations, mere _entremets_, and sit down soberly to enjoy that substantial _pièce de résistance_ -- Matrimony. Do you like the _menu_? Then, my lamb, say "yes" to Your own ALFRED. P.S.--I know my temper is rather short, but then think of my crust! And it speaks well for me that I would rather be roasted fifty times than buttered once. I _do_ hate flummery, certainly. * * * * * [Illustration: _Partner of his Joys_ (_who has superintended the removal_). "Well, dear, you haven't said how you like the new flat!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _She._ "It's no use bothering me, Jack. I shall marry whom I please." _He._ "That's all I'm asking you to do, my dear. You please me well enough!"] * * * * * [Illustration: AN UNFORESEEN MATRIMONIAL CONTINGENCY _Angelina._ "Did you ever see anything so wonderful as the likeness between old Mr. and Mrs. Bellamy, Edwin? One would think they were brother and sister, instead of husband and wife!" _Edwin._ "Married people always grow like each other in time, darling. It's very touching and beautiful to behold!" _Angelina (not without anxiety)._ "Dear me! And is it _invariably_ the case, my love?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _The Widow's Intended._ "Well, Tommy, has your mother told you of my good fortune." _Tommy._ "No. She only said she was going to marry you!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Young Muddleigh, who has been out buying underwear for his personal use, purchases at the same establishment some flowers for his ladye-love--leaving a note to be enclosed. Imagine Young Muddleigh's horror, on returning to dress, to discover that the underwear had been sent with the note, and the flowers to him! Muddleigh discovered, repeating slowly to himself the contents of the note_:--"Please wear these this evening, for my sake!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "IS IT A FAILURE?" _Mamma_ (_their last unmarried daughter having just accepted an offer_). "Well, George, now the girls are all happily settled, I think we may consider ourselves fortunate, and that marriage isn't----" _Papa_ (_a pessimist_). "Um--'don't know! Four families to keep 'stead of one!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SO FRIVOLOUS! _Wife._ "Solomon, I have a bone to pick with you." _Solomon_ (_flippantly_) "With pleasure, my dear, so long as it's a funny bone!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "HUSBANDS IN WAITING"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Stout Wife._ "I shall never get through here, James. If you were half a man, you would lift me over!" _Husband._ "If you were half a woman, my dear, it would be easier!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Was he very much cast down after he'd spoken to papa?" "Yes. Three flights of stairs!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "SCORED" _Little Wife._ "Now, Fred dear, I'm ready." _Lazy Husband._ "I'm awfully sorry, dear; but I _must_ stay in, as I'm expecting a friend every minute." _Little Wife_ (_sarcastically_). "A friend every minute! Heavens, Fred! What a crowd of friends you'll have by the end of the day!"] * * * * * [Illustration: DECIDEDLY PLEASANT _Genial Youth._ "I say, Gubby, old chap, is this really true about your going to marry my sister Edie?" _Gubbins._ "Yes, Tommy. It's all settled. But why do you ask?" _G. Y._ "Oh! only because I shall have such a jolly slack time now! You know _I've_ pulled off nearly all her engagements so far, only you're the first one who's been a _real stayer_!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _He._ "The joke was, both these girls were hopelessly in love with me, and I made them madly jealous of each other." _She._ "I wonder you had the face to do it, Mr. Sparkins!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "WE FELL OUT, MY WIFE AND I" _He._ "That's absurd! Do you think I'm as big a fool as I look?" _She._ "I think that if you aren't, you have a great deal to be thankful for!"] * * * * * [Illustration: SUCH AN EXAMPLE _Wife_ (_to husband, who has barked his shins violently against the bed, and is muttering something to himself_). "Oh, Jack, how _can_ you! Supposing baby were to hear you!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _She_ (_after they have walked three miles without a word being spoken_). "Aw say, John, tha'art very quoiet. Has nowt fur to say?" _He._ "What mun aw say? Aw dunno know." _She._ "Say that tha loves me." _He._ "It's a'reet _sayin_' aw love thee, but aw dunno loike tellin' loies!"] * * * * * WHAT TO WEAR ON YOUR WEDDING DAY. (By a Confirmed and Cantankerous Celibate) Married in white, You have hooked him all right. Married in grey, He will ne'er get away. Married in black, He will wish himself back. Married in red, He will wish himself dead. Married in green, _His_ true colour is seen. Married in blue, _He_ will look it, not _you_. Married in pearl, He the distaff will twirl. Married in yellow, Poor fellow! Poor fellow! Married in brown, Down, down, derry down. Married in pink, To a slave he will sink. Married in crimson, He'll dangle your whims on. Married in buff, He will soon have enough. Married in scarlet, Poor victimised varlet! Married in violet, purple, or puce, It doesn't much matter, they _all_ mean--the deuce! * * * * * [Illustration: A CASE OF GREAT INTEREST AT SOUTH KENSINGTON MUSEUM STUDY FROM LIFE] * * * * * [Illustration: A ROMANCE OF ROAST DUCKS "My darling, will you take a little of the--a--the stuffing?" "I will, dear, if you do; but if you don't, I won't."] * * * * * THE REAL FALL OF MAN.--Falling in love! * * * * * QUALIFYING A SWEEPING ASSERTION.--_Sophie_ (_after hearing about Frank_). "I declare I shall not believe a word a man says to me. They're _all_ liars!" _Beatrice._ "For shame, Sophie!" _Sophie_ (_regretfully_). "At least all the _nice_ ones are!" * * * * * [Illustration: INGRATITUDE _Brown._ "Why doesn't Walker stop to speak? Thought he knew you!" _Smith._ "Used to; but I introduced him to the girl he married. Neither of them recognises me now!"] * * * * * ADVICE TO YOUNG HOUSEKEEPERS.--Put your washing out if you do not wish your husband to be put out. * * * * * CONGRUOUS COUPLES. If there's a well-matched pair in married life It is a horsey man and nagging wife. * * * * * APT ILLUSTRATION.--Idealism and Realism: Courtship and Marriage. * * * * * FAR FROM IT.--The woman who is bent on marrying a man because he is a lion, should remember that it does not necessarily follow that she will become a lioness. * * * * * OVER-SCRUPULOUS.--"My husband is Vicar of St. Boniface--but I don't attend his church." "Indeed! How is that?" "The fact is, I--I don't approve of married clergymen!" * * * * * "HOME RULE."--Petticoat government. * * * * * CALF-LOVE Calf-love is a passion most people scorn, Who've loved, and outlived, life and love's young morn; But there _is_ a calf-love too common by half, And that's the love of the Golden Calf! * * * * * [Illustration: HE HAD BEEN KICKED OUT ONCE _She._ "Wot time be you a-coming round to-night, Jock?" _Jock._ "What time does y'r old man put 'is slippers on?"] * * * * * MRS. NAGGLETON'S ADVICE TO A WIFE.--Defiance, not defence. * * * * * LONG ODDS.--Tall husband and short wife. * * * * * WORDS TO A WIFE Love, thou'rt like yet unlike mutton, Likewise beef, and veal, and lamb. Do not answer that the glutton I bespeak me that I am. They in price, year after year, are Rising, thou must needs allow; Butcher's meat grows ever dearer: So, and yet not so, dost thou. For although my annual payment To my butcher waxeth still, Less and less each time for raiment, Wanes thy linendraper's bill. Thus by thrift expense thou meetest; Whence thy wisdom doth appear: Also, that I find thee, sweetest, Cheaper still and still more dear. * * * * * ÆSTHETICS OF DRESS.--_Customer_ (_he has been bidden to a wedding, and can't make up his mind in the matter of trouser patterns, but at last says_). "O, there! that'll do, I sh'd think!" _Tailor._ "Pardon me, sir; if you are going to be 'best man,' the shade is hardly tender enough!" * * * * * [Illustration: TURTLE-DOVETAILING ["The latest development of phrenological enterprise is the establishment of a phrenological matrimonial bureau, to secure the introduction of persons desiring to be married to partners with suitable or harmonious phrenological endowments."--_Daily Paper._] _Miss Evergreen_ (_who has been introduced to Mr. Slowboy_). "Well, it may be a lovely head, but ain't he got a big bump of _cautiousness_!"] * * * * * THE DIVORCE SHOP "A nation of shopkeepers!" Well, that old jeer May fall with small sting on an Englishman's ear, For 'tis commerce that keeps the world going. But _this_ kind of shop? By his _bâton_ and hunch, The thought of it sickens the spirit of _Punch_, And sets his cheek angrily glowing. The Philistines, Puritans, Podsnaps, and Prigs Of Britain play up some preposterous rigs, And tax e'en cosmopolite charity. But here is a business that's not to be borne; Its mead is the flail and the vial of scorn, Not chaffing or Christmas hilarity. The skunk _not_ indigenous, sirs, to our Isle? The assertion might well bring a cynical smile To the lips of a critical Yankee. The vermin is here; he has set up a shop, And seems doing a prosperous trade, which to stop Demands more than mere law's hanky-panky. Poor law's tangled up in long coils of red tape, She's the butt for each Jeremy Diddler's coarse jape, Every filthy Paul Pry's ghoulish giggle. John Bull, my fine fellow, wake up, and determine To stamp out the lives of the venomous vermin Who round your home-hearth writhe and wriggle. 'Ware snakes! No, _Punch_ begs the ophidian's pardon! The slimiest slug in the filthiest garden Is not so revolting as these are, These ultra-reptilian rascals, who spy Round our homes, and, for pay, would, with treacherous eye, Find flaws in the wife e'en of Cæsar. Find? Well, if unable to _find_ they will _make_. No, the loathliest asp that e'er lurked in the brake To spring on the passer unwary, Was not such an _anguis in herbâ_ as this is, Mean worm, which of all warning rattles and hisses Is so calculatingly chary. The spy sets up shop! And what has he for sale? False evidence meant to weight justice's scale, Eavesdroppings, astute fabrications, The figments of vile keyhole varlets, the fudge Of venal vindictiveness. Faugh! the foul sludge Reeks rank as the swamp's exhalations. Paul Pry, with a poison-fang, ready to bite In the pay of home-hate or political spite, Is a portent as mean as malignant. The villain is vermin scarce worthy of steel, His head should lie crushed 'neath the merciless heel Of honesty hotly indignant. * * * * * [Illustration: THE DIVORCE SHOP _Private Inquiry Agent._ "Want a divorce, sir? Certainly, sir,--certainly! Any evidence you may require ready at the shortest possible notice!!"] * * * * * THE BEST SCHOOL OF NEEDLEWORK.--A husband's wardrobe. * * * * * A PARTING INJUNCTION.--A decree in the Divorce Court. * * * * * SIMPLE.--_Q._ When is a man tied to time? _A._ When he marries a second. * * * * * "NATURAL SELECTION."--Choosing a wife. * * * * * [Illustration: _Small Voice from under the bed._ "_No_, I will _not_ come out! I tell you, once and for all, Bernesia, I _will_ be master in my own house!"] * * * * * THE BEST EXCUSE FOR A MAN MARRYING HIS DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER.--Because he will only have one mother-in-law. * * * * * A DISTINCTION WITHOUT A DIFFERENCE (_A Drama in two Acts illustrative of the peculiarities of the British Idiom of End-dearment_) ACT I.--_Before the Event._ _Adolphus._ Won't it make its adored happy by naming the day then--a playful little puss! _Seraphina._ Ah! I suppose it must have its own way--a sad young dog. ACT II.--_After the Event._ _Seraphina_ (_with emphasis_). O! when mamma comes you will not treat me so--you insolent puppy! _Adolphus_ (_with decided emphasis_). Ah! don't talk to me, you cat!!! _Curtain falls._ * * * * * THE BEST SETTLEMENT FOR A RICH WIFE WHO ELOPES.--A penal one. * * * * * [Illustration: COLD SYMPATHY _Friend._ "Hullo, old man, what's the matter?" _Gilded Youth._ "Just proposed to a girl--been refused. Think I shall blow my brains out!" _Friend._ "Congratulate you, old chap!" _Gilded Youth._ "What do you mean?" _Friend._ "Didn't know you had any!"] * * * * * [Illustration: QUOD ERAT DEMONSTRANDUM _Gertrude._ "But nobody ever dies of a broken heart." _Evelyn._ "Oh, but they do. Why, I knew a man who was jilted, and he died almost immediately afterwards." _Gertrude._ "Well, if he'd lived he'd have got over it."] * * * * * THE SEVEN WONDERS THE SEVEN WONDERS OF A MARRIED MAN. OF A MARRIED WOMAN. 1. NOT going to sleep after 1. NEVER having "a dinner! gown to put on," when invited out anywhere. 2. Never going anywhere 2. Always being down the in the evening, excepting first to breakfast! always "to the club!" being dressed in time for dinner! and never keeping the carriage (or the cab) waiting at the door a minute! 3. Always being good-tempered 3. Not always having over the loss of a "delicate health," about button, and never wreaking the autumn, and being his vengeance on the coals recommended by her medical if the dinner isn't ready man "change of air" exactly to a minute! immediately! 4. Never finding fault with 4. Keeping up her "playing his "dear little wifey", if and singing" the same she happens to be his partner after marriage as before! at whist. 5. Not "wondering," 5. Giving her husband the regularly every week, "how best cup of tea! the money goes!" 6. Resigning himself 6. Never making the house cheerfully, when asked to uncomfortable by continually accompany his wife on "a "putting it to rights!"--nor little shopping!" filling it choke-full with a number of things it does not want, simply because they are "bargains!" 7. Insisting upon the 7. Never alluding, under servants sitting up, sooner the strongest provocation, than take the latchkey with to "the complete sacrifice him!!! she has made of herself!"--nor regretting the "two or three good offers," which she (in common with every married woman) had before she was foolish enough to accept _him_!!--and never, by any accident, calling her husband "a brute!" * * * * * ALL FOR MONEY.--Jack Damyan and his wife have just started on their wedding tour. The lady's chief attraction is her income. In this case, Jack's friends call the usual period of seclusion the moneymoon. * * * * * [Illustration: THE FOURTEENTH OF FEBRUARY _Comely Housemaid._ "None for you, miss." _Daughter of the House._ "But--why--who are all those for, then?" _Comely Housemaid._ "Me, miss!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE BALANCE RESTORED _Mrs. Henry Peek._ "Bah! I only married you because I pitied you, when nobody else thought anything about you!" _Mr. Henry Peek_ (_wearily_). "Ah, well, my dear, everybody pities me now!"] * * * * * SHE "JESTS AT SCARS," ETC.--_Aunt._ "And how's Louisa, my dear? Where is she?" _Sarcastic Younger Sister_ (_fancy free_). "Oh, pretty well, but she won't be on view these two hours. She's writing to her 'Dear Fred'; at least I fancy I saw her come out of the library with Tupper's Poems and a _Dictionary_!!!" * * * * * AN OLD-MAIDISM.--Love is blind, and Hymen is the oculist that generally manages to open his eyes. * * * * * [Illustration: "AS MAN'S INGRATITUDE" "Nonsense, Frank! Can't pay them! Why, before we were married you told me you were well off." "So I was. But I didn't know it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Mr. Guzzle._ "Ah, Jinks, I hear you are going to be married. Good thing too. You'll have some one to keep that cook of yours up to the mark. She wants it!" _Mr. Jinks._ "Yes. But, you see, it's cook I'm going to marry!"] * * * * * WAITING Enchantress with the nut-brown hair, Bright genius of the A. B. C., Approach, in beauty past compare, And spell Love's alphabet to me! Content no more am I each night, Amid a weird, dyspeptic host, To order, with a keen delight, And watch thee bring, the tea and toast. I covet more transcendent joys; Be mine, and come where Ocean waits Instead of thee, and where annoys No tinkling clash of cups and plates. There grant to me, beneath the stars, Not buttered scones, but smiles of bliss; Not pastry, that digestion mars, But something sweeter still--a kiss. * * * Enchantress with the nut-brown hair, Bright genius of the A. B. C., Ah, heed a lover's anguished prayer, And be not D. E. F. to me! * * * * * ADVICE TO HONEYMOONERS ABOUT TO START ON A CONTINENTAL TRIP.--The most appropriate place for "_les noces_" should be "The Hotel Marry-time, Calais." * * * * * [Illustration: BETWEEN SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS _Lady Binks_ (_a devoted widow, earnestly_). "Oh, Mr. Crichton, be careful how you marry! Sir Peter, who, as you know, rose to the highest positions, used frequently to say that more men owed their success to the beauty and social charm of their wives, than to their own energy and talents." _Mr. Crichton_ (_plunging on the "nil nisi bonum" principle_). "Surely, Lady Binks, none could say that of Sir Peter!"] * * * * * LITERAL.--_Visitor_ (_to Disconsolate One_). "Rejected you, did she? Oh, what o' that? Often do at first. Try her again. You're not pertinacious enough. You should have pressed her----" _Dejected One._ "Yes, but--confound her!--she wouldn't let me come near her!" * * * * * [Illustration: PARRIED _The Major_ (_not so young as he feels_). "Ah, Miss Muriel, in the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of----" _Miss Muriel_ (_who wishes to avoid a proposal_). "What a memory you have, major!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _He._ "Oh, pray, Miss Dalrimple, _don't_ call me Mr. Brookes." _She._ "Oh, but our acquaintance has been so brief. This is so sudden----" (_Sweetly._) "Why shouldn't I call you Mr. Brookes?" _He._ "Oh--only because my name's Somerset!"] * * * * * "UNEQUAL RATING."--A big wife scolding a little husband. * * * * * THE DIVORCE MEASURE.--Half and half. * * * * * FEMININE PERVERSITY.--_Aunt Betsy._ "I wonder, James, at your encouraging young Cadby to be so much with Madeline! He's a bad match, and not a good fellow, I fear!" _Papa._ "Confound him, no! I've given him _carte-blanche_ to come when he likes, and she's getting rather tired of him at last, for I'm always cracking him up!" _Aunt Betsy._ "And that nice fellow, Goodenough? He's never here now?" _Papa._ "No; I've forbidden him the house, and won't even allow his name to be mentioned. She's always thinking of him in consequence. I'm in hopes she'll marry him some day!" * * * * * VIRGINIA STOCK'S VIEW OF IT. Is Marriage a Failure? Why, yes, to be sure. But, oh! abolition won't furnish a cure. Whilst thousands of spinsters in solitude tarry, It's clearly a failure--because men _won't_ marry. * * * * * AN "ELASTIC BAND."--The Marriage Tie (in the Divorce Court). * * * * * [Illustration: A PARTHIAN SHOT _He_ (_after a quarrel, bitterly_). "I _was_ a fool when I married _you_!" _She_ (_quietly, about to leave the room_). "Yes; but I thought you would improve!"] * * * * * [Illustration: HARMONY _Brown_ (_Philistine_). "I heard it was all 'off' between you and Miss Roweshett." _Wobbinson_ (_Æsthete_). "Ya-as. Incompatibility of complexion!--she didn't suit my furnitchar!!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _'Liza._ "Wot's it feel like, bein' in love, Kytie?" _Katie._ "Ow, it's prime, 'Liza. It's like 'avin' 'ot treacle runnin' daown yer back!"] * * * * * SONG OF THE HIGHER SENTIMENTS I live a mild domestic life, Devoted dearly to my wife, So much so, that from her extends My fond affection to her friends; And first of all--no spooney raw-- Oh, don't I love my mother-in-law! My pet's old parent's rather stout; I just might clasp her waist about: Some three yards round, and not much more. I've thoughts of widening my front-door, I shouldn't mind the expense one straw. Oh, don't I love my mother-in-law! At times I may myself forget, Which, if she thinks, she tells my pet; But when I don't do all I should, Her telling tends to make me good; I'm pleased to have her find the flaw. Oh, don't I love my mother-in-law! The servants that upon her wait A pleasure have which must be great. And yet can we get none to stay. I grieve so when she goes away! Tears from my eyes her turned heels draw. Oh, don't I love my mother-in-law! A sweet old soul, how pleased I feel To see her at the social meal Of dinner sit, her mouth a chink Ne'er opened save to meat--and drink! And I'll ne'er grudge (I am so free) Her gin and brandy in her tea. I hold her in such filial awe; Oh, don't I love my mother-in-law! * * * * * [Illustration: "Just look at Mr. Jones over there, flirting with that girl! I always thought he was a woman-hater?" "So he is; but she's not here to-night!"] * * * * * THE STRAIGHT TIP.--"And so now they're engaged! _Well_, Jessie, to think of _you_, with your beauty and accomplishments, and your lovely voice, being cut out by such an ignorant little fright as that Maggie Quickson! You _sang_ to him, I suppose?" "Yes, mamma, by the hour! But _she_ made _him_ sing, you know, and played his accompaniments for him!" "Why, _can_ he sing?" "No, mamma; but she made him _believe_ he could!" * * * * * MOTTO FOR A "KISS."--Go it, my two lips. * * * * * CROSSED IN LOVE.--A wedding-present cheque. * * * * * _Q._ What is the difference between a lover asking the object of his affections to marry him, and a guest who ventures to hint to his host that the Pommery '80 is rather corked? _A._ The one pops the question, the other questions the pop. * * * * * [Illustration: _He._ "How would you like to own a--er--a little puppy?" _She._ "Oh, Mr. Softly, this is so sudden!"] * * * * * HOW TO MAKE LIFE EMINENTLY DISAGREEABLE (_By a strong-minded Married Woman_) Always provide for everything beforehand. As things are sure to turn out differently from what you have arranged, this will familiarise you with disappointment. Always go back upon a mistake or a misfortune, and so take the opportunity of proving how much better things would have been if something had been done that hasn't. Never give way in trifles, as there is no saying how soon you may be called upon to give way in matters of more importance. A mistress may talk _at_ her servants, but should never lower herself so far as to talk _to_ them. Never dress for your husband, which will teach him to value you for your gifts of mind, not your attractions of person. Never give expression to your affections, as there is no saying how soon they may alter, and you may thus be guilty of great inconsistency. Never consult the taste of your husband, or he will in time come to look on his house as a club, where all is comfort and self-indulgence. * * * * * TO AN OLD FLAME--(TWENTY YEARS AFTER) A little girl, a charming tiny tot, I well remember you with many a curl, Although I recollect you said "I'm not A _little_ girl." We parted. Mid the worry and the whirl Of life, again, alas! I saw you not. I kept you in my memory as a pearl Of winsome childhood. So imagine what A shock it was this morning to unfurl My morning paper, there to see you've got A little girl! * * * * * THE POET AND HIS LOVE--(A LAPSUS LINGUÆ.)--_He._ "I see that you wear brown boots, sweetheart--a sign of the falling of the year." _She._ "Yes, it is in concord with the decadence of the leaf." _He._ "Say rather of the cutting of the corn." (_And then the match was broken off through no fault of his._) * * * * * [Illustration: A SAFE MORTGAGE _Angelina._ "Edwin, promise me you'll never describe me as your 'relict.'" _Edwin._ "Dearest, I never will! I'd die sooner!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Brown_ (_who has been dining at the club with Jones_). "Just come in a minute, old fellow, and have a night-cap." _Jones_. "I'm afraid it's getting a little late. Let's see, how's the enemy." _Brown_. "Oh! that's all right. _She's_ in bed."] * * * * * THINGS ONE WOULD RATHER HAVE LEFT UNSAID.--"Well, but if you can't bear her, whatever made you propose?" "Well, we had danced three dances, and I couldn't think of anything else to say!" * * * * * THE FIN DE SIÈCLE SUITOR. I love you in an all-absorbing, fond, unselfish way, I dream of you the long night thro', I think of you each day, Whene'er I hear your voice, my dear, a spell o'er me is cast, The rapture of your presence is (I'm certain) bound to last. On you I'll pour the loving store and treasures of my heart, With riches of an earthly kind I am more loth to part, I'll sing your praise in loving ways, for are you not my queen? You'll find the verses published in our local magazine. So deep is my affection I would joyfully propose, But for one great objection, which now I will disclose, Intense is your suspense, so I'll endeavour to be short, The fact is, that _a husband you're not able to support_. * * * * * NEW DISH FOR A WEDDING BREAKFAST.--Curried favour. * * * * * THE BEST CURE FOR THE HEARTBURN.--Marriage. * * * * * [Illustration: _Young Bride._ "Do you let your husband have a latchkey, Mrs. Jones?" _Mrs. Jones._ "No, my dear; it would be useless. I give it to the milkman!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PROGNOSTICATION When Mrs. Tubbles awoke (she sleeps very soundly), the morning after that farmers' dinner, she found John by her side with his boots on and the umbrella open! His explanation was that, besides being very tired, he perhaps "fansh'd there wash 'shtorm comin' on!" [It came! ] * * * * * A HUSBAND'S LAMENT AIR--"_I once had a sweet little Doll, dears._" (_Kingsley's words, set by A. Cecil._) I once saw a sweet pretty face, boys: Its beauty and grace were divine. And I felt what a swell I should be, boys, Could I boast that such charms were all mine! I wooed. Every man I cut out, boys, At my head deep anathemas hurled:-- But I said as I walked back from church, boys, "I'm the luckiest dog in the world!" As doves in a cot we began, boys, A cosy and orthodox pair: Till I found at my notable wife, boys, The world was beginning to stare. She liked it. At first, so did I, boys, But, at length, when all over the place She was sketched, hunted, photo'd and mobbed, boys, I cried, "Hang her sweet pretty face!" Still, we went here and there,--right and left, boys;-- We were asked dozens deep,--I say "we," Though wherever I went not a soul, boys, Could have pointed out Adam from me. But we had a rare social success, boys, Got mixed with the noble and great, Till one's friends, who say kind and nice things, boys, Talked of me as "the man come to wait!" So, I've no more a sweet pretty wife, boys;-- For the one that I once hoped to own, Belongs, as I've found to my cost, boys, To the great British public alone. So until they've got tired of her face, boys, And a rival, more touzled or curled, Drives her home to her own proper place, boys-- I'm the dullest dull dog in the world! * * * * * A SURE AID TO MATRIMONY.--Propingpongquity. * * * * * FROM "PUNCH'S SYNONYMS."--The Limited Male: a husband. * * * * * A VERY-MUCH MARRIED MAN.--The "hub" of the universe. * * * * * [Illustration: _Miss Giddie._ "It's awfully sweet of you, Mr. Cunius--(_coquettish pause_)--_Impey_, to ask me to marry you. Of course, I know you love me; but I hope that people won't say that you married me for my money!" _Mr. Impey Cunius (in a state of utter collapse after an elaborately forced proposal)._ "My dear, Miss Giddie--er--_Flossie_, I assure you that _I_ shall never mention it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "FOR THE THIRD TIME OF ASKING" _Aunt Mary._ "You heard the vicar publish the banns between Uncle George and Ellen Thompson?" _Ethel (who has never been present at this ceremony before)._ "Yes--it seems rather a shame to tell everybody how often he'd been refused, though!"] * * * * * LOVE AND COURTSHIP (_As they appear from certain Answers to Correspondents_) VANITAS.--You are not bound to tell him. If the bright golden colour of your naturally dark hair is due to the excellent preparation recommended in another column, and he tells you he does not admire dark girls, why not keep on? The bottles are really quite cheap at nineteen and eleven. Of course, if it weighs upon your conscience, you might give him a hint, but he will probably talk about deceit, and behave in the brutally outspoken male manner so many readers complain of. AMELIA.--Have you not been rather indiscreet? You should never let him see you cry before you are married. Afterwards it has its uses. BLANCHE AMORY.--Cheer up. As you very cleverly put it, history does repeat itself. You are now once more in a position to undertake a further instalment of _Mes Larmes_. No. We are overstocked with poetry. The man, of course, is beneath contempt. TWO STRINGS.--Your _fiancé_ must be a perfect _Othello_. It is, as you justly remark, monstrous that he should object to your cousin seven times removed taking you to the theatre once or twice a week. Of course he is a relative. SWEET-AND-TWENTY.--Your remarks about tastes in common are perfectly correct. So long as you both collect postcards you will always be able to give pleasure to each other at a distance. BUSINESS GIRL.--If you have found out that he only gave twenty-five pounds for your engagement ring, it may be, as you shrewdly observe, that he has a contract with the tradesman for a periodical supply of such articles. The fact that his income is under a hundred a year makes it only the more probable that he would adopt such an arrangement for economy's sake. Be very careful. PITTI-SING.--Your only course is to box his ears. Let us know how you get on. BELLONA.--Sorry to disappoint you, but this is not the place to describe the undress uniform of the Grenadier Guards. * * * * * [Illustration: H'M! _Stern Father._ "What an unearthly hour that young fellow stops till every night, Doris. What does your mother say about it?" _Daughter._ "She says men haven't altered a bit, pa."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE BABES IN THE WOOD _Ernest._ "I see you are getting on, foreman." _Foreman._ "Yes, sir; we shall have the walls plastered to-morrow." _Agatha._ "Oh, Ernest, don't let's have plaster! You never see it now; everybody has wall-papers, and you can get lovely ones quite cheap!"] * * * * * MY NEIGHBOUR Next door the summer roses bloom And breathe their hearts out day by day To please a gentle gardener whom 'Twere happiness to thus obey: For her each rose a fragrance gives That roses grudge to common labour, And there, next door, among them lives My neighbour. I watch her in her garden fair, And think what joy my life would bless Could she and I but wander there, A shepherd and a shepherdess, As blithe as those of ancient myth That danced and sang to pipe and tabor: Who would not thus be happy with My neighbour? Blue eyes, and hair of sunny brown, A form of such exceeding grace, And features in whose smile and frown Such tender beauty I can trace That here to sketch her free from flaw Defies the pencil of a Faber, And yet I yearn so much to draw My neighbour! I'm keeping one commandment--an Epitome of all the ten-- So if I, when my life began, Was born in sin like other men, To innocence that shames the dove, I've mellowed since I was a babe, or How could I so devoutly love My neighbour? * * * * * [Illustration: _First Young Wife._ "Do you find it more economical, dear, to do your own cooking?" _Second Young Wife._ "Oh, certainly. My husband doesn't eat half so much as he did!"] * * * * * THE SNUB CONNUBIAL.--_Loving Wife._ "Charles, dear, I wish you would put down that horrid novel and talk to me; I feel so dull; and--oh, Charles! my foot's asleep----" _Charles._ "Hush--sh! my dear, you might wake it!" * * * * * THE OLDEST AND THE SHORTEST DRAMA IN THE WORLD.--_He._ "Will you?" _She._ "Oh! I do not know!" (_Which "know" meant that she said "yes._") * * * * * ADVICE TO GIRL GRADUATES (_After Charles Kingsley--at a respectful distance_) Dress well, sweet maid, and let who will be _clever_. Dance, flirt, and sing! Don't study all day long. Or else you'll find, When other girls get married, You'll sing a different song! * * * * * FAULTS ON BOTH SIDES.--Man and wife are like a pair of scissors, so long as they are together, but they become daggers so soon as they are disunited. * * * * * PARTNERSHIP WITHOUT LIMITED LIABILITY.--Marriage. * * * * * [Illustration: BRUTES! _Jones._ "Did you ever see a volcano in course of eruption?" _Smith._ "No--but once I remember I came home very late from the club, and my wife----" [_They understand one another_ ] * * * * * READING BETWEEN THE MARRIAGE LINES (_By a Recent Victim_) [Illustration: A MAN OF MANY WOES] One of the first troubles to be faced by the young wife is the difficulty of getting servants. It will be found that a cook is almost indispensable. Rather than be without one, take time by the forelock and, during the engagement, try the following advertisement (one is bound to offer additional attractions nowadays):--"Wanted, at once, a good plain cook. If necessary, _advertiser would be willing to make her a bridesmaid_. Must be able to wear blue." * * * Or again:--"Newly married couple require cook and parlour maid. _All china, glass, &c., in house new and unused and never been broken before._" * * * In taking a house, remember that it is absolutely necessary to have an attic--in which to place some of the presents. It is all very well to say that they can be put in the servants' hall, but it must not be forgotten that it is now very difficult to keep servants, even under the most favourable circumstances. * * * You cannot be too careful in giving instructions for your house decoration. "In the dining-room I think I would like a dado," I said one day to the paper-man. The paper-man's face turned almost white at the suggestion. "You cannot, sir," he said in a hushed voice, "_the dado is extinct_." Then he explained that persons of taste have friezes nowadays, both in summer and winter. * * * To avoid a rush at the end, it will be worth the bride's while to write out beforehand a large number of letters of thanks for wedding-presents. The most handy form is, "DEAR ----, We both thank you so very much for your ---- present." When the present arrives you can fill in the missing word as circumstances require. On no account leave the blank. * * * Another happy form is, "DEAR ----, Thank you so much for your charming and useful present. Please, what is it for?" * * * But beware of the following form, as some persons do not take it in the way in which it is meant, "DEAR ----, Many thanks for your present. It is very good of you to have sent anything." * * * Nothing looks so solidly generous in the list of presents as the vague word, Cheque. Many mean people now send as a present a cheque for ten-and-six. * * * A novelty at wedding-receptions, and very _chic_, is to have in the present-room, in place of a detective, a parrot which has been trained to cry out every now and then, "Put that back! Put that back!" * * * Another novelty is to have a stall for the sale of duplicate articles. * * * * * The custom by which the bridegroom, on the night before the wedding, gives a farewell dinner to his bachelor friends is falling into desuetude. As a consequence one sees less frequently the announcement:--"On the ---- instant, by the Rev. Mr. ----, _assisted by_ the Rev. Mr. ----, &c." * * * * * [Illustration: SPORTING EVENT--A RECORD SHE WON THE SWEEP!] * * * * * [Illustration: ILLUMINISM _The Hon. Muriel._ "Oh yes, I suppose I could get married, if I could find a man I simply couldn't live without." _The Hon. Maude._ "My dear girl, the difficulty is to find a man you can live _with!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: IN LEAP YEAR _Hopeless Widower._ "Nothing can mend a broken heart." _Hopeful Widow._ "Except re-pairing."] * * * * * [Illustration: THE LAST CONGRATULATION _Fair Guest (who, having had a desperate flirtation with the bridegroom a short time ago, wouldn't be absent from the ceremony on any account)._ "Well, Algey, it's all over _now_! Aren't you pleased?" [_Uncomfortable position of Algey._ ] * * * * * WAIT FOR AGE. _Seventeen._ "_Is_ marriage a failure? I _should_ like to know!" _Seven-and-Twenty._ "My dear, when as long as myself you have tarried, You will not need much demonstration to show That the only true failure is--not getting married!" * * * * * FEMALE DEFINITION OF LEAP YEAR.--Miss Understood. * * * * * [Illustration: A PLEASANT PROSPECT _Miss Kitty Candour (who has just accepted dear Reggie, and is now taking him fully into her confidence)._ "I must tell you, Reggie dear, that the great fault of my character is that after I have taken any resolution--it doesn't matter what it may be--I always bitterly repent it!"] * * * * * EVOLUTION She sketched a husband strong and brave On whom her heart might lean; None but a hero would she have-- This girl of 17. Her fancy subsequently turned From deeds of derring do; For brainy intercourse she yearned When she was 22. The years sped on, ambition taught A worldly-wise design; A man of wealth was what she sought When she was 29. But Time has modified her plan; Weak, imbecile, or poor-- She's simply looking for a _man_ Now she is 34. * * * * * OUR VILLAGE INDUSTRIAL COMPETITION.--_Husband (just home from the City)._ "My angel!--crying!--whatever's the matter?" _Wife._ "They've--awarded me--prize medal"--_(sobbing)_--"f' my sponge cake!" _Husband (soothingly)._ "And I'm quite sure it deserv----" _Wife (hysterically)._ "Oh--but--'t said--'twas--for the best specimen--o' concrete!" * * * * * [Illustration: "FOR THIS RELIEF----?" "I'm sorry to hear your wife is suffering from her throat. I hope it's nothing serious?" "No, I don't think so. The doctor's forbidden her to talk much. It'll trouble her a good deal, I expect, and she won't be herself for some time."] * * * * * AN ENGAGEMENT (_A Page from a Diary_) _Monday._--Delightful news! My sister Nellie is engaged to be married! It came upon us all as a great surprise. I never had the slightest suspicion that Nellie cared twopence about old Goodbody St. Leger. He is such a staid, solemn old party, a regular fossilised bachelor we all thought. Not at all the sort of man to give way to emotions or to be in love. However, it's a capital match for Nellie as St. Leger's firm are about the largest accountants in the city. My wife thinks it will be a good thing in another way, too, as my other six sisters may now have a chance of going off. It seems that when once this kind of epidemic gets into a family, all the unmarried sisters go popping off like blazes one after another. Called with my wife this afternoon to congratulate Nellie. Rather a trial for the poor girl, as all sorts of female relatives had called full of enthusiasm and congratulations. Goodbody was there (Nellie calls him "Goodie") and seemed rather overwhelmed. He went away early and didn't kiss Nellie. I thought this funny, and chaffed Nellie about it afterwards. She said she'd soon make that all right. _Tuesday._--Goodbody is getting on. We had a family dinner at home to-night. He came rather late and entered the drawing-room with an air of great determination, marched straight up to Nellie and kissed her violently. It was splendidly done and we all felt inclined to cheer. He kissed her again when he went away, and lingered so long in saying good-night to my mother that we all thought he was going to kiss her too. But he didn't. My wife said that the suspense of those moments was dreadful. _Wednesday._--He has kissed my mother--on both cheeks. I must say the old lady took it extraordinarily well, though she was not in the very least prepared for it. It happened at five o'clock tea, in an interval of complete silence, and those two sounding smacks simply reverberated through the room. Mother was quite cheerful afterwards, and spoke to Nellie about the trousseau in her usual calm and collected frame of mind. Still I can see that the incident has made a deep impression upon her. My wife told Maggie it would be her turn next. _Thursday._--It _has_ been Maggie's turn. Goodbody called at home on his way from the City, and set to work as soon as he got into the drawing-room. He first kissed Nellie, then repeated the performance with my poor mother, and, finding that Maggie was close behind him, he kissed her on the forehead. Where will this end? _Friday._--He has regularly broken loose. He dined at home to-day, and, without a word of warning, kissed the whole family--my mother, Nellie, Maggie, Alice, Mabel, Polly, Maud, and little Beta. He quite forgot he had begun with my mother, and, after he had kissed Beta, got confused, and began all over again. At this moment my wife and I came in with Aunt Catherine, whom we had brought in our carriage. Both my wife and Aunt Catherine tried to escape, but it was no good. He kissed them both, and was just advancing towards me, when the butler fortunately announced dinner. Matters are getting quite desperate, and we none of us know what ought to be done. Aunt Catherine had a violent fit of hysterics in the spare bedroom after dinner. _Saturday._--The engagement is broken off. A great relief. It has been a lesson for all of us. * * * * * [Illustration: THE RETORT DISCOURTEOUS _She._ "Ah, it was very different before we were married. Then my word was _law!_" _He._ "And a very vulgar word, too, my dear."] * * * * * [Illustration: SO CONVENIENT! _Young Wife._ "Where are you going, Reggie dear?" _Reggie Dear._ "Only to the club, my darling." _Young Wife._ "Oh, I don't mind that, because there's a telephone there, and I can talk to you through it, can't I?" _Reggie Dear._ "Y-yes--but--er--you know, the confounded wires are always getting out of order!"] * * * * * [Illustration: PAST AND PRESENT _Serious and much-Married Man._ "My dear friend, I _was_ astonished to hear of _your_ dining at Madame Troisétoiles!--a 'woman with a past,' you know!" _The Friend (bachelor "unattached")._ "Well, you see, old man, she's got a first-rate _chef_, so it isn't her 'past,' but her 're-past' that _I_ care about."] * * * * * [Illustration: "Good-bye, Alfred darling. You _have_ cheered me up. If I get lonely and depressed again, I'll just look at your dear photo--that's sure to make me laugh, and laugh, and laugh!"] * * * * * _She._ "I told you that your old aunt had a will of her own." _He (tired of waiting)._ "I know she has. I only wish she'd enable us to probate it!" * * * * * [Illustration: "That's Mrs. Fitz-Jones. You never see her without her husband and her Dachshund." "Well, they make a very good pair."] * * * * * [Illustration: A FAIR AVERAGE _Visitor._ "Lady Evelyn tells me, Dan'l, that you have had four wives." _Dan'l (proudly)._ "Ess, zur, I 'ave--an' what's more, _two of 'em was good 'uns!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Adolphus (penitently)._ "So sorry, dearest, that I was angry with you yesterday evening, and lost my temper." _Olivia._ "Pray don't mention it, Dolly. It wasn't a very good one, and I'm sure you can easily find a better."] * * * * * DROP BY DROP _Nine Stages of a Love Story_ First place, I dropped my eye on her, And she dropped hers, so blushfully! Then I "dropped in,"--her sire sold fur,-- Then "dropped a line," most gushfully. I dropped a deal of ready cash On her and her relations, Then dropped some hints--that course proved rash-- About her "expectations." She dropped on me, daring to ask _Such_ questions. Here I stopped her. Her--bankrupt--sire then dropped the mask, And I--well then, I dropped her! * * * * * DEFINITIONS.--Mater: One who finds _mates_ for her daughters. Check Mate: A husband with money. * * * * * [Illustration: "THE MISSIS" WOULD OBLIGE _Philanthropist._ "I'm sorry to see you in this condition, Parker. I'm afraid you'll miss the lecture to-night." _Parker._ "Oh no, I shan't. I'm goin'--shtraightome."] * * * * * A YOUNG HUSBAND'S LAMENT Oh, I am weary, weary, Of that pretty pinky face, Of the blank of its no meaning, The gush of its grimace. And I am weary, weary, Of her silly, simpering ways, Bugles, buckles, buttons, spangles, Tight tiebacks, tighter stays. And I am weary, weary, Of that hollow little laugh, Of the slang that stands for humour, Of the chatter and the chaff. Sick of the inch-deep feeling Of that hollow little heart, Its "too lovely" latest fashions, Its "too exquisite" high Art. Its Church high, higher, highest, Their curates and their clothes, Their intonings, genuflections, Masqueradings, mops and mows. But I must curb my temper, Grumbling helps not wedlock's ills. Fashion, High Church, or Æsthetics, Let me grin and pay the bills! * * * * * [Illustration: FOREWARNED _Claude Merridew, leaderette-writer, reviewer, &c. (sentimentally)._ "Whenever I think of Althæa, Miss Vansittart I mean, I am irresistibly reminded of those matchless words of Steele's--'To love her was a liberal education.'" _Algy (following the idea with difficulty)._ "That's all right, old man, that's all right, 'course I know a lot of you writin' chaps are like that, but I think I ought to tell you that her father is one of the head johnnies in the Primrose League."] * * * * * THE EDUCATION OF HUSBANDS How suggestive is the new year of bills; and bills of housekeeping. It is fearful to reflect how many persons rush into matrimony, totally unprepared for the awful change that awaits them. A man may take a wife at twenty-one, before he knows the difference between a chip and a Leghorn! We would no more grant a marriage licence to anybody simply because he is of age, than a licence, on that ground only, to practise as an apothecary. Husbands ought to be educated. We should like to have the following questions put to young and inexperienced "Persons about to Marry:"-- Are you aware, sir, of the price of coals and candles? Do you know which is more economical, the aitch-bone, or the round? How far, young man, will a leg of mutton go in a small family? How much dearer, now, is silver than Britannia? Please to give the average price of a four-poster. Declare, if you can, rash youth, the sum, per annum, that chemisettes, pelerines, cardinals, bonnets, veils, caps, ribbons, flowers, gloves, cuffs, and collars, would probably come to in the lump. If unable to answer these inquiries, we would say to him, "Go back to school." He that would be a husband should also undergo a training, physical and moral. He should be further examined thus:-- Can you read or write amid the yells of a nursery? Can you wait any given time for breakfast? Can you maintain your serenity during a washing-day? Can you cut your old friends? Can you stand being contradicted in the face of all reason? Can you keep your temper when you are not listened to? Can you do what you are told without being told why? In a word, young sir, have you the patience of Job? If you can lay your hand upon your heart and answer "Yes," take your licence and marry--not else. * * * * * TO POLICEMEN ABOUT TO MARRY.--When you are about to marry, visit as many cooks as you can, so as to give you the widest possible area for your choice. Avoid housemaids, whose occupation does not admit of the accumulation of much dust to come down with; and remember that there is nothing like kitchen-stuff for greasing the wheel of fortune. When married, a policeman will be justified in living above his station--if he can get a room there for nothing. * * * * * LINES TO MY LADY-LOVE (_By a Commonplace Person_) To thee, were I a humble bee, I'd hourly wing my honeyed flight; To thee, were I a ship at sea, I'd sail, tho' land were in my sight: To thee, were I a pussy cat, I'd spring, as tho' 'twere on a rat! To thee, were I a stickleback I'd swim as fast as fins could move; To thee, were I a hunter's hack, I'd gallop on the hoofs of love: But as I'm but a simple man, I'll come by train, love--if I can! * * * * * [Illustration: _He._ "Are you still living at the same address in town, Mrs. Jones?" _She._ "Yes. But since I've become a widow, I've been looking for another flat!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Miss Short._ "Isn't my name an absurd misfit, Mr. Long?" _Mr. Long (thoughtlessly)._ "Yes, rather. If you could have mine it would be all right, wouldn't it?" _Miss Short._ "Oh, Mr. Long, this is so sudden!"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE ALTERNATIVE _The Doctor._ "Well, Mrs. Barnes, I must offer you my congratulations. I hear you've married again. And have you given up your occupation of washing?" _Mrs. Barnes._ "Oh, no, sir. But, you see, if I 'adn't taken '_e_, I'd 'a' 'ad to 'a' bought a donkey!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "Now, George dear, it's your first birthday in the new century. What good resolutions are you going to make?" "Well, for one thing, I intend to be much more regular in my habits." "Why not _give them all up_, dear?"] * * * * * [Illustration: FAMILY CARES _First Excursionist._ "Int'restin' ruins these, sir." _Second Ditto (the bread-winner)._ "'Mye-es. 'Don't care for ruins m'self though." (_Pointing to his olive branches in the background._) "Them's ruin enough for me?"] * * * * * WHOM NOT TO MARRY: _Or, Diogenes the Younger_ _The Lady with a Mission._--She will fill your house with parsons or professors, lecture you on her pet hobby when she can get no other audience (which will be pretty often), consider all your old friends frivolous, and treat you with supreme contempt if you venture to hint that you like your dinner punctually, and properly cooked. _The Lady of Fashion._--She will regard you as an appendage, a cheque-drawing animal, a useful purveyor of equipages and dresses and diamonds and lace, a person to be ignored as much as possible in Society. _The Millionaire's Daughter._--She will persistently make you aware that it is _her_ house you live in, _her_ carriage you drive, that the servants are _hers_, the dinners _hers_--that, in fact, she has bought you, and given for you much more than you are really worth. _The Pious-Parochial Lady._--She will devote all her time to the distribution of tracts, the inspection of cottages, the collection of gossip, and interviews with the curate. Each curate will be a more "blessed" man than his predecessor, especially if he have the shifty eyes, aggressive teeth, narrow forehead, and shambling knees which modern curatism has developed. _The Female Novelist._ She will sit up all night writing improprieties, and pass all day in town, worrying publishers, who are at present sad victims of the irrepressible petticoat. _The Horsey Woman._ She will laugh at you as a muff if you don't ride across country, buy "screws" from her particular friends that you will have to sell for as many tens as she gave hundreds, and cost you a fortune in doctors' bills by breaking her collar-bone at least once every season. _The Gushing Female._ She will devour you with kisses, to the injury of your shirt-front, or weep on your bosom, with much the same result. To her either is equally delightful. _The Widow._ Diogenes pauses. The theme is too great for him. _Vide Mr. Weller, sen._, in _Pickwick, passim._ * * * * * TRITE BUT TRUE "Music's the food of love" they say, This is a passage every one now quotes; The truth is clear, for in the present day, Young love is fed entirely _on notes._ * * * * * "OUR FAILURES."--_Husband._ "I say, Lizzie, what on earth did you make this mint-sauce of?" _Young Wife (who has been "helping" Cook)._ "Parsley, to be sure!" * * * * * [Illustration: APPEARANCES ARE DECEPTIVE _He._ "Who's that?" _She._ "Jack Anstruther and his bride. He married ever so much beneath him." _He._ "Doesn't look like it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BREAKING THE NEWS _Newly Affianced One._ "May I be your new mamma, Tommy?" _Tommy._ "_I_ should like it, but you must ask papa."] * * * * * [Illustration: ONE GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER _She._ "But if you say you can't bear the girl, why _ever_ did you propose?" _He._ "Well, her people have always been awfully good to me, and it's the only way I could return their hospitality."] * * * * * [Illustration: _Ethel._ "Well, Jimmy didn't blow his brains out after all because you refused him. He proposed to Miss Golightly yesterday." _Maud._ "Did he? Then he must have got rid of them in some other way!"] * * * * * ADVICE TO MATCH-MAKING MAMMAS.--The first and only thing requisite is simply, as Mrs. Glass very wisely says, "First catch your heir." * * * * * A HAPPY HOLIDAY.--_The Bachelor._ "So you're looking after the house while your wife is taking a holiday? I hope she's enjoying the change?" _The Benedict._ "I know _I_ am." * * * * * "CREATURE COMFORTS."--Good wives. * * * * * HOW TO CURE AN IMPRUDENT ATTACHMENT.--_Materfamilias._ "What _is_ to be done, my dear? He positively _dotes_ on her!" _Paterfamilias._ "Well, we must try to find him an _antidote_." * * * * * DIVORCE.--A matrimonial ticket-of-leave. * * * * * THE DESIRE OF PLEASING.--"May I be married, ma?" said a lovely girl of fifteen to her mother the other morning. "Married!" exclaimed the astonished matron, "what put such an idea into your head?" "Little Emily, here, has never seen a wedding; and I'd like to amuse the child," replied the obliging sister, with fascinating _naïveté_. * * * * * A WOMAN'S WILL.--Won't!!! * * * * * [Illustration: "I dunno what 'er misshus 'll shay--but any'ow 'm nor goin' to preten I'm shober"--(_hic_).] * * * * * A CONTRADICTION IN TERMS.--Man and wife. * * * * * AUTOMATIC COUPLINGS.--Scotch marriages. * * * * * THE FAMILY HERALD.--A monthly nurse. * * * * * THE WORST RESULT OF VIVISECTION.--Eve. (_By an incorrigible Old Bachelor, who is hiding himself for fear of consequences._) * * * * * [Illustration: FINIS] * * * * * BRADBURY. AGNEW & CO. LD. PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE 44434 ---- THE BACHELOR'S OWN BOOK Being Twenty-Four Passages In The Life Of Mr. Lambkin, (Gent,) By George Cruikshank. Philadelphia: Carey & Hart, 126 Chesnut Street. 1845. PLATE 1 Mr. Lambkin having come into his property, enters the world upon the very best possible terms with himself, and makes his toilet to admiration. PLATE 2 Mr. Lambkin sallies forth in all the pride of power, with the secret and amiable intention of killing a certain Lady. Some envious rival makes known this deadly purpose, by means of a placard. PLATE 3 Mr. Lambkin with a snug Bachelor's party, enjoying his wine after a most luxurious "whitebait dinner," at Blackwall, and talking about his high connexions. PLATE 4 Mr. Lambkin suddenly feels rather poorly, someting in the "whitebait dinner," having disagreed with him; probably the "water souchy," or that confounded melted butter, (could'nt possibly have been the wine.) His friends endeavor to relieve him with little Drops of Brandy, and large doses of Soda Water. PLATE 5 Mr. Lambkin, having _cut_ those Bachelor Parties, determines to seek the refined pleasures of Ladies' society. He, with the lady of his affections, joins a Pic-nic, endeavors to be exceedingly amusing, and succeeds in making himself "Very ridiculous." PLATE 6 Mr. Lambkin, at an evening party, being full of Life and Spirits (or, rather Wine,) gives great offence to the lady of his affections; by his Philanderings, and completely ruins his fortunes by dancing the Polka with such violence as to upset poor old John, the coffee, and indeed, the whole party. PLATE 7 Mr. Lambkin, overwhelmed with shame and vexation, resorts to Kensington Gardens in the hope of obtaining a meeting with the Lady of his affections--He burns with Rage, Jealousy, and revenge, on seeing her (in company with Miss Dash) holding sprightly converse with the Long Cornet ------------ He feels himself literally _cut_. PLATE 8 After meditating desperate deeds of Duelling, Prussic Acid, Pistols, and Plunges in the River, Mr. Lambkin cools down to a quiet supper, a melancholy reverie, and a warm bath at the Hummums.--The morning sun shines upon him at Epsom, where, with the assistance of his friends and Champagne, he arrives at such a pitch of excitement, that he determines to live and die a Bachelor. PLATE 9 Mr. Lambkin of course visits all the Theatres and all the Saloons; he even makes his way to the Stage and the Green-room, and is so fortunate as to be introduced to some highly talented members of the Corps de Ballet. PLATE 10 Mr. Lambkin goes to a Masquerade as Don Giovanni, which character he supports to perfection. He falls into the company of certain Shepherdesses who shew the native simplicity of their Arcadian manners by drinking porter out of quart pewter mugs. They are delighted with the Don, who adds to the porter a quantity of Champagne, which they drink with the same degree of easy elegance as they do the Beer. PLATE 11 Mr. Lambkin and his friends, after supper at "the rooms," indulge in the usual nocturnal amusements of Gentlemen--the Police officiously interfere with their pastime--Mr. Lambkin after evincing the noble courage of a Lion, the strength of a Bull, the sagacity of a Fox, the stubbornness of a Donkey, and the activity of a Mountain Cat, is at length overcome by Policeman Smith, A. 1. PLATE 12 Mr. Lambkin and his friends cut a pretty figure in the morning before the Magistrate--their conduct is described as violent and outrageous, and their respectability is questioned--Mr. Lambkin and his friends insist upon being Gentlemen, and are of course discharged upon payment of 5s. each for being drunk--and making good the damage at the prices usually charged to Gentlemen. PLATE 13 Mr. Lambkin makes some most delightful acquaintance.--'The Hon. D. Swindelle and his delightful family, his Ma, such a delightful lady!---and his Sisters, such delightful girls!!--Such delightful musical parties,--such delightful soirees, and such delightful card parties,--and what makes it all still more delightful is that they are all so highly delighted with Mr. Lambkin. PLATE 14 Mr. Lambkin in a moment of delightful delirium puts his name to some little bits of paper to oblige his very delightful friend the Hon. D. Swindelle, whom he afterwards discovers to be nothing more than a rascally Blackleg,--He is invited to visit some Chambers in one of the small Inns of Court, where he finds himself completely at the mercy of Messrs. Ogre and Nippers, whose demands make an awful hole in his Cheque-book. PLATE 15 Mr. Lambkin, finding that he has been variously and thoroughly befooled, foolishly dashes into dissipation to drown his distressful thoughts--He joins Jovial society and sings "The right end of Life is to live and be jolly!" PLATE 16 Mr. Lambkins's habits grow worse and worse!--At 3 o'clock a. m. he is placed upright (very jolly) against his own door, by a kind hearted Cabman. PLATE 17 Mr. Lambkin finds that he has been going rather too _fast_ in the Pursuit of Pleasure and Amusement, and like all other Lads of Spirit when he can go no farther comes to a standstill.------ Being really very ill he sends for his Medical Friend who feels his pulse, shakes his head at his tongue, and of course prescribes the proper remedies. PLATE 18 Mr. Lambkin has to be nursed and to go through a regular course of medicine, taking many a bitter pill and requiring all the sweet persuasive powers of Mrs. Slops to take his "regular doses" of "that horrid nasty stuff." PLATE 19 Mr. Lambkin being tired of the old-fashioned regular practice, and being so fortunate as to live in the days when the real properties of Water are discovered, places himself under a Disciple of the immortal Priessnitz. PLATE 20 Mr. Lambkin buys a regular hard-trotter, and combines the health-restoring exercise of Riding with the very great advantages of Wet Swaddling clothes. PLATE 21 Mr. Lambkin's confidence in the curative powers of Hydropathy being very much damped, and being himself quite soaked through, in fact almost washed away, he takes to the good old-fashioned practice of walking early in the morning, and drinking "New Milk from the Cow." PLATE 22 Mr. Lambkin being quite recovered, with the aid of new milk and Sea Breezes, he determines to reform his habits, but feels buried alive in the Grand Mausoleum Club; and, contemplating an old bachelor member who sits pouring over the newspapers all day, he feels horrorstruck at the probability of such va fate becoming his own, and determines to seek a reconciliation with the Lady of his Affections. PLATE 23 Mr. Lambkin writes a letter of humiliation--The Lady answers--He seeks an interview.--It is granted.--He "hopes she'll forgive him this time"--The Lady appears resolute--He earnestly entreats her to "make it up"--At length the Lady softens--She lays aside her "_cruel_" work--ah! She weeps! Silly little thing what does she cry for?--Mr. Lambkin is forgiven! He skips for joy! Pa and Ma give their consent. PLATE 24 And now let Mr. Lambkin speak for himself. "Ladies and Gentlemen, unaccustomed is I am... (Bravo)... return... (Bravo) on the part of Miss... (oh! oh! ha! ha!) I beg pardon, I mean Mrs. Lambkin (Bravo) and myself for the great... hum... ha... hum... and kindness, (Bravo) In return hum... ha... pleasure to drink all your healths (Bravo)--wishing you all the happiness this world can afford (Bravo) I shall conclude in the words of our immortal bard--'may the single be married and the (hear! hear! hear! Bravo) married happy.'" Bravo! Bravo!! Bravo!!! 44661 ---- JOHN LEECH'S PICTURES OF LIFE AND CHARACTER Volume I (of III) FROM THE COLLECTION OF "MR. PUNCH" LONDON: BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO., 1886 [Illustration: cover] [Illustration: front] [Illustration: titlepage] Transcriber's Note: The only text in this file is that drawn in the images. This is not easily read unless viewing the "medium size" and "original size" available by link under each image. INDEX: Advantages of the new Postal arrangements .............1845...272...272 Advice Gratis .........................................1852...062...062 Affair of Importance, An ..............................1852...012...012 After the Pantomime ...................................1853...070...070 Aged Juvenile, An .....................................1846...223...223 Aggravating—Rather ...................................1850