PUNCH,
OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

VOLUME 93.

JULY 23, 1887.

MR. PUNCH'S MANUAL FOR YOUNG RECITERS.

No Amateur Reciter can consider himself fully equipped for the Drawing-room or Platform unless he is furnished with at least one poem in dialect, and Mr. Punch has accordingly commissioned from his Poet a recitation couched in the well-known vernacular of Loompshire. Loompshire, it need hardly be explained, is the county where most of the stage-rustics come from. The author of this little poem ventures to hope that philologists will find much deserving of careful study in some of the local expressions and provincialisms, while he can guarantee their entire authenticity, as they are mostly of his own invention. The phraseology is strictly copyright and must not be infringed, except by a dignitary of archiepiscopal rank for a charitable purpose. As for the piece itself, it is founded on a little anecdote related to the poet, which he believes has not hitherto seen the light in a metrical form. It has a good old-fashioned double title, viz:—

Michaelmas Day; or, How Tammas Pattle very nearly Cooked his Goose.

Begin by explaining the situation, thus:—"This is supposed to be spoken by a Loompshire cottager, who overhears a stranger admiring the goodly proportions of his goose,"—then start with as broad a drawl as you can assume. Remember that to be effective you must be unintelligible.

(This coaxingly, to an imaginary bird—be careful not to seem to make any invidious distinctions among your audience.)

Scarcely Worth While.—For some personal remarks on the Prince of Wales, utterly gratuitous and in the worst possible taste, the P. M. G., as we hear, has been dropped by the Service Clubs, and subsequently by the Turf. As a mark of strong disapprobation this was right enough, but if it was intended as a punishment which would inflict loss, we are inclined to think such boycotting may have had exactly the contrary effect. How happy was Thackeray's title "The Pall Mall Gazette written by gentlemen for gentlemen!" If it is not so now, what have we got in-Stead?

Philosophy at the Popping Crease.

"Good Business."—An advertiser in the Daily Chronicle of the 12th inst., has not a bad idea of a fair profit:—

BABY-CARRIAGE Bassinette, unsoiled; 4 rubber-wheels, carriage-springs, reversible hood, handsome rug, complete, £27; cost £4 10s., last month. Mrs. W.

If "Mrs. W." has not already obtained her price, we sincerely wish she may get it. She deserves it.

"The Bancroft School."—On Saturday last Prince Albert Victor laid the foundation-stone of the new buildings at Woodford. This sounds promising for the Theatrical Profession. Of course Mr. Bancroft will take the male pupils, and Mrs. Bancroft will instruct "the Spindle side."

Sarah B. at the Lyceum, under the management of M. Mayer. May 'er season be successful!

"LE MONDE OÙ L'ON S'AMUSE."

She. "By the bye, I met your Brother at Dinner last Night. Such a delightful Party! Such a Dinner!! Such Flowers!!!"

He. "Indeed! Where was it?"

She. "At the—a—the—a——Upon my Word, I really forget whose House it was I was dining at!"

A DAY OUT. (By Jacques Junior.)

At the Lyceum.—Saturday was the last night of Mr. Irving's Season,—a season remarkable for the inexhaustible popularity of Faust, produced in 1885, and for the revival of most of the Lyceum successes, by way of airing them for American exportation. On this occasion The Merchant of Venice was given. Miss Ellen Terry's Portia is one of the best examples of true comedy acting in the present day. Mr. Irving's Shylock is a marvellously subtle impersonation, full of humour, pathos, and tragic power. After the play he made a short speech bidding a temporary farewell to his friends. Mr. Punch replies, "Good luck go with you, Au revoir!"

THE QUEEN AT HATFIELD.

Very Annoying.—Just when everything was going along so smoothly, just when the Jubilee police arrangements had been so successful as to warrant a tribute from Chief Commissioner Punch, and a recognition from Londoners generally, to have these police difficulties suddenly sprung upon Sir Charles Warren was enough to drive him wild,—enough to make him a rabid Warren. But he has taken the right course, and much good will come out of all this trouble. Cheer up, Sir Charles! Anyhow you are not in for a Cass-tigation.

On Messrs. Richard Bentley and Sons' list of books appears Mr. Hissey's Journeys in England. What an unpleasant visitor, if he is only true to the name of Hissey, and makes the tour of the Theatres in London and the provinces. Managers, beware!

"MY LAWYER."

[Crown 8vo., 6s. 6d., MY LAWYER: A Concise Abridgment of, and Popular Guide to, the Laws of England. By a Barrister-at-Law.]

"WHAT'S THE NEXT FASHION?"

"Varium et mutabile semper Fœmina."

Madame France. "I wonder which will Suit me Best, after all. I'm beginning to be Tired of This."

CRICKET AT LORD'S.

Some fine Free Hitting.

Well Stopped!

THE LESSON OF THE ROYAL REVIEW.

It was with great satisfaction that I received my orders to visit Aldershot on the occasion of the Royal Review, "to deduce from the display the exact position occupied by England amongst the Powers of Europe as a Military Nation." I felt that hardly a better man could have been chosen for the task. My experience in the four divisions of the globe, my knowledge of the wars of the last three quarters of a century, exactly fitted me for the task. I said to myself, "I am intrusted with the performance of a solemn and sacred duty. I am asked to carefully report upon the condition of a large body of men, with a view to sampling the entire British Army. The large body of men shall have my careful consideration." Actuated by these worthy motives, I left Waterloo in the early morn (it was scarcely nine o'clock), and travelled to Aldershot.

On my way down I entered into discussion with four civilians, whose interest in the day's proceedings seemed to be centred in the great question of lunch. It was in vain that I attempted to sound them upon the efficiency or the reverse of the Auxiliary Forces (they were all more or less connected with the Volunteers), because they confined their conversation to where they were likely to find So-and-So's drag on Bourley Wood, and where the—— Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Such-and-Such a Regiment was situated.

"What do you think of canvass as a shelter?" I asked, note-book in hand.

"Oh, a mess-tent is as good a place as anywhere else if the cookery and wines are all right," was the only reply I received that had the slightest bearing on the military situation. Then my companions refused to talk of anything further save the racing fixtures for the following fortnight.

At Aldershot I found a number of omnibuses drawn up, labelled "House of Commons," which were soon occupied by elderly ladies, who appeared to be excellent representatives of our Legislators. Seeing that the flymen had arranged a tariff that measured distances with sovereigns, and hours with bank-notes, I determined to walk to the Long Valley, and my example was largely followed. Smartly-gowned ladies, and men whose attire suggested the shady side of Pall-Mall, dispensed with all conveyances, and sturdily trudged to the review ground, to the intense disgust of the cabmen, whose harvest could not have been particularly lucrative. The only vehicles that we saw on the road were waggons filled with country-folk, and harnessed to heavy lumbering cart-horses, that moved very deliberately and slowly, and now and again a London coach. A specimen of the last came up to me just as I was getting out of the town—it was occupied by a company of ladies and gentlemen with an up-all-night look about them. As a matter of fact, I believe it had started shortly after midnight, or thereabouts. I recognised one of the occupants, who, until he caught my eye, had seemed rather depressed, but who, upon exchanging greetings with me, assumed a most jovial air, and seemed quite to wake up. He subsequently told me that he had never enjoyed himself so much. "Up over-night, you see, then a long drive in the dawn and early morning, getting to Aldershot before the Queen. Review, lunch, and home again." The last item, I fancy, must have been rather an anti-climax, although my friend would not admit it. However, I have a kind of instinct that should there be another big Review, he will choose the rail in preference to the road.

As I passed the barracks I could not help admiring the waggery of the Military Authorities in setting up placards requesting "the Public not to walk on the grass." The light-hearted Authorities (it is scarcely necessary to say to those who know the latent humour in the breasts of the Head-quarters' Staff) had selected a site for these posters where no grass would grow. From the hurry-skurry observable on all sides, I gathered that the Procession was on its way—a supposition that was turned into certainty by the boom of a Royal Salute. And yet I was miles from my seat! There was only one thing to do—to force my way down a road that had been closed since nine o'clock. The entrance to this pathway was guarded by a mounted sentry. I approached him, and showed him my pass, which made me free of all "camps and bivouacs." He complained that he was not a "camp," but had nothing to urge in denial when I insisted that "then he must be a bivouac." As some dozens of others were attempting to force the passage, he allowed me to pass, and from that moment practically the British Army was at my mercy. No provision had been made to deal with spectators when once the gallant Scots Grey had been passed. Thus I was able to lead the Royal Procession, and was greatly pleased to find every one on the alert. Battalion after battalion seemed to me well set up, and the Duke of Cambridge with his drawn sabre left nothing to be desired. I inspected them all, and can certainly say that I had not to stop to re-arrange a belt or even a general-officer's scabbard. This being the case, my movements were rapid, but not faster than those of the Derby Dog. In the fearful heat I found my seat (a very comfortable one) close to the saluting point, and then was prepared to see the march-past. The bands struck up. "George Ranger" waved his sword and there was a shout. Then came the tramp of armed men, and it occurred to me that after a very long run, I could scarcely do better than close my eyes. I found by doing this that I could think the matter out. What had perplexed me on the road down was how I should find the mess of the particular regiment that had honoured me with a card of invitation for luncheon.

I soon made up my mind that I had better ask my way. This I did, and found the country Constabulary most intelligent. As I had come to Aldershot to see the soldiers, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of the table, it would perhaps be out of place to mention here how good lobster salad is when you are really hungry, and how very grateful to the palate claret cup appears when one has had nothing to drink for many hours. Enough to say, I enjoyed myself thoroughly, and catching a train to Waterloo, was once more at home.

On reading my notes I find that I have left unanswered the question with which I commenced this article. I was sent to Aldershot to "deduce from the display, the exact position occupied by England amongst the Powers of Europe as a Military Nation." Quite so. Well—but perhaps on second thoughts I had better get the Editor to send me to another review before I attempt to solve the problem.

[Certainly: try it.—Ed.]

OF THE MASKE-ALINE GENDER.

The great success of the Gray's Inn Maske, has raised in the mind of some of the critics the consideration whether a revival of this form of entertainment could not be established. Ever ready to assist in carrying out a valuable suggestion, Mr. Punch begs to provide a Scenario for a modern Maske:—

Scene I.—The Exterior of the Castles of Torius and Gladstonius with a view of the Palace of Westminster, seen through the gateway. Enter Sessionius, who looks about him and ponders.

Sessionius. This should not be! Such a time as this puts down a thousand pleasant schemes of summer! When a Bill, an Opposition, and a Closure are met within the Hall of great St. Stephen's! Let the Ex-M.P. bless the summer day, but Whigs, Rads, and Tories, needs must nod to the Sessions Reign.

Enter Vacatia.

Vacatia. Well, o'ertaken Session!

Sessionius. What's that I see? How dare you approach. D'ye mean to give the lie to the prophets, who say I shall not be done until October? Away, thou tempting fancy! Begone! Stay not a moment!

Vacatia. Nay, be not angry! In days gone by thou used to welcome me! Why is it?

Sessionius. Do you not see I cannot move? With Irish Members and Coercion Bills, I may stay here for ever!

Vacatia weeps, and is appeased by Trippius, who explains that they can go unto the seaside by the Sunday trains. Then all go out. Then enter the Excursionists, who sing strange songs in praise of wine and tobacco. After a while the fun grows fast and furious, and the Scene changes to,—

First song, wherein the Speaker works a charm by which certain Irish Members dance a measure with sticks, and striking the floor, then one another's coat-tails, and, lastly, one another's heads. When this is done, Harcourtius appears in the pavan, or "peacock's strut," and marches about. He disappears, and there is a Dance of Woodmen with hatchets by the Gladstonian Family. All this ends merrily with a view of Vacatia working a change as Trippius introduces a View of a possible Autumn Session.

"What I want some fellow to tell me," said Mr. Duffer, looking up from an advertisement of a forthcoming sale at Aldridge's, "is—what the dickens is the use of a broken sporting dog?"

"À LA PORTE!"

Wolff. "Must really be going now! Had a Delightful Time of it. Spent a lot of Money, and enjoyed myself amazingly. Ta! Ta!"

Sultan. "So sorry you're going. By the way, I'll attend to that Little Matter you came about, at the earliest Moment possible. Ta! Ta!"

CLEAR AS CRYSTAL; OR, ALL ABOUT IT.

First Well-Informed Politician (summing up the situation with confidence). Well, that's how it stands. Drummond Wolff has telegraphed to say that the thing's no go, and that he can't get 'em to sign. So he has put the Convention into his pocket, and is coming home as fast as his legs can carry him.

Second Well-Informed Politician (tentatively). Pardon me, but I don't think it has quite come to that, has it? He was to have left, but the Sultan, you know, asked him to wait for an audience, or something of that sort. I saw something about it just now in the paper.

[Hunts up and down the columns of the "Times" vaguely.

Third Well-Informed Politician. O yes, I know what you mean. Here; it's here. (Produces "Standard.") Ha! this is it. (Reads.) "Sir H. D. Wolff was to have left yesterday, but having asked an audience to take leave, and the Sultan not having named a day for it, his departure has been postponed."

Second Well-Informed Politician. Yes, that's it. (Addressing First Well-Informed Politician with more assurance.) You see there's evidently a chance of further negotiation. I shouldn't be surprised to hear that the thing was settled yet.

First Well-Informed Politician (with warmth). Stuff, Sir—there'll be no settlement—and a precious good job too! Who wants any Convention? Not England. No, we're well out of it, and, what's more, Salisbury knows it.

Third Well-Informed Politician. You quite surprise me. Surely Lord Salisbury had set his heart on the signing of the Convention.

Second Well-Informed Politician. Oh yes, I'm sure of that. Why, I've just been reading it—in the Vienna Correspondence, I think it was. Where was it?

[Again commences a vague hunt up and down the columns of the "Times."

First Well-Informed Politician. Nonsense—I don't care what the "Vienna Correspondence" says. Tells a pack of lies, I'll be bound. I tell you Salisbury's no fool, and he knows when he has got a free hand.

Third Well-Informed Politician (slightly bewildered). But I thought the Convention, don't you know, did give him a free hand—at least, a sort of a free hand—that's to say, that's the way I took it.

Second Well-Informed Politician (brightly). Of course. Why that's the reason France and Russia put the screw on the Sultan.

First Well-Informed Politician. France and Russia put the screw on! Stuff, Sir! Who cares for France and Russia? Salisbury knows a trick or two worth any game they can play.

Fourth Well-Informed Politician (who has been waiting his chance, putting down the "Daily News"). I don't suppose this country will play any game, at all events, till the Grand Old Man's in again.

First Well-Informed Politician (hotly). What! The Grand Old——! Why, Sir, what do you mean? Why it's he who's responsible for every blessed muddle and mess, including this Egyptian business, that has overtaken the country for the last twenty years. Bless my soul, Sir, I can't understand your having the face to put forward such an opinion.

Fourth Well-Informed Politician (doggedly). Oh, you may bluster, but you won't change my view of things, I can tell you. Gladstone's the man for Egypt, and for everything else.

First Well-Informed Politician (boiling over). Confound it, Sir. Do you wish to insult me. I'll tell you what it is, Sir, I'll—— I'll——

[Left throwing more light on the situation as scene closes in.

BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE.

[Lord Randolph Churchill said that the loss of the North Paddington Election might prove a "blessing in disguise" to the Unionist Party.]

We were glad to hear that the charges brought against the London Scottish rested upon the slightest possible foundation. There let them rest. They will not now change their title to the London Skittish.

DUMB CRAMBO AT WIMBLEDON.

Bar'll cool her

An excellent Range-Finder.

A DAY IN THE COUNTRY.

Little Tommy (who has never been out of Whitechapel before). "Oh! Oh! Oh!"

Kind Lady. "What's the Matter, Tommy?"

Little Tommy. "Why, what a big Sky they've got 'ere, Miss!"

AT THE NAVAL REVIEW.

SPITHEAD, JULY 23rd, 1887.

Father Neptune (cheerily). "WHAT—VULCAN, MY HEARTY! WELL, WE'RE SHIPMATES NOW, SO HERE'S 'THE QUEEN!'—GOD BLESS HER!!"

LANE AND GARDEN.

"Oh, Todgers's could do it when it chose! mind that." Augustus Druriolanus can "do it," too, when he chooses, mind that, and his production of Les Huguenots on Monday the 11th was a convincing proof of this assertion. The mise-en-scène was as perfect as if the Opera had been a brand new one. The costumes were gorgeous, the scenes brilliant, and the jeu de scène original and artistic.

Monsieur Maurel was an ideal Count de Nevers, a chevalier sans peur et sans reproche. Miss Engle won all hearts as Marguerite de Valois. "Non 'Engle' sed 'Angel,'" as the Pope didn't say.

The Page was rather weak, but made up in action and archness—the archness was not confined to the eyes, but was also strikingly exhibited in another feature—for whatever might have been lacking vocally; and then of course there were the two brothers, Jean and Edouard de Reszke, always ready to come to the resky. We stopped till the end, and congratulated ourselves on having heard the very last of the Huguenots for the first time in our chequered career. We saw Signor Foli, as Marcel, perform a marriage ceremony between Valentine and Raoul, from which fact we gathered that the Count de Nevers must have been shot, otherwise Valentine would be a bigamist; and, in fact, the moral position of the three parties would be an extremely unpleasant one, in view of their hurried departure from this wicked world, which the muskets of the soldiers, executing the victims and the dramatist's design at the same time, compel them to make. The band and choruses were excellent.

At the Garden, on Tuesday the 12th, the new Opera, La Vita per lo Czar, was produced and placed on the stage by Signor Lago, as if it had been brought out at the beginning of the season instead of the finish. An eccentric Opera. The first Act fresh as the newly-painted scenery: full of life, colour, and melody. It started well with a chorus which was unanimously and enthusiastically encored. Mme. Albani was never in better voice. Gayarré and Devoyod were excellent. The First Act was an undeniable success, and everybody was happy.

Then came the Second Act, all chorus, hops, and Poles. No Albani, no Gayarré, no Devoyod. Music pretty, but as Toby in the Essence of Parliament puts it, "Business done. None." Curtain down: people a bit scared. Not accustomed to an Act without Principals. Evidently such an Unprincipal'd Act must be wrong. Act Third revived all hopes. Albani the bride, Gayarré the bridegroom, Scalchi the best boy, Devoyod the best boy's father, a venerable grey-headed peasant, the very reverse of the mild old gent in Leech's picture who was represented by the 'Bus cad as "a cussin' and a swearin' like hanythink," inasmuch as he is always either blessing somebody, uttering patriotic sentiments about the Czar, or down on his hands and knees with his nose in the dust saying, or rather singing, his prayers.

Third Act pleases everybody, raises our hopes, and then in the Fourth Act we discover, to our amazement, that we are only to see Scalchi once again, that we have bidden farewell for ever to Albani and Gayarré, and that the remainder of the Opera is to be carried on right up to the end by the heavy father, a chorus of Poles,—all acting well, and not a stick amongst them,—and a transparency representing the Coronation of the Czar. And though the absence of Albani, Scalchi, and Gayarré made everyone's heart grow fonder, though we all missed them, yet we "pitied the sorrows of the poor old man," admired his acting and singing in a most difficult situation, and agreed with everybody that this strange Opera was a decided success. The Second scene of the last Act might be curtailed with advantage. This is speaking only dramatically; perhaps on a second hearing we should change our opinion.

However, so ends the Covent Garden Opera Season; it has finished first,—a good first.

The New Silver Coinage will be re-named, until it is re-called, "The Silber-Goschen."

VERB. SAP.

"I am willing to throw in my lot with that of my friend Huxley, and 'to fight to the death' against this wicked and cowardly surrender. A desperate gamester miscalled a Statesman, has chosen to invoke ignorant foreign opinion against the instructed opinion of his own countrymen."—Professor Tyndall's last Letter to the Times.

ROBERT AT THE GILDHALL BALL.

Afore the Jooblee Seesun is quite gone, I wish to rikkord my sediments with regard to the show at Gildhall. I never, even in my wildest dreams of rapshur, xpected to see sitch a site as I seed there. I have, in my long perfeshnal career, seen lots of Kings, and Queens, and Princes, and setterer, but in them cases, I mite say, in the grand words of the old song, "Their Royaltys came by twos and twos, hurrah, hurrah!" But on that okashun, they acshally cum by shoals; and when they was all assembled they mustard no less than sixty-wun true-born Royalties. Wat a site for a treu-blew Conservatif! The mere common compny, such as Common Counselmen, and setterer, was railed off at a respecful distance, but they stood by the hour a gazin at 'em with rapshur, altho' none of 'em hadn't no chairs to sit on. How they all seemed to enwy the mortal happyness of the Committee-men, who, with their long wands, was alloud to stand inside the sacred inklosure. I didn't see the Royal Quadreel, tho' I was told as it wasn't anything werry pertickler as to the dancing, not at all equal to the dancing at the Hopera. The gineral compny seemed to suffer terribly from the want of cheers. As I passed under the Gallery I seed one most charming Lady, drest jest like a Princess, acshally a sitting on the floor from fatigue, and her husband a watching over her like a garden angel, tho' he was a Feild Marshall!

The world may be surprised to learn that Royalty wants its supper jest like meer common peeple, so there was sum difficulty about waiting on 'em, as of course they had to sup alone, with only the Lord and Lady Maress with 'em. But one of the most xperienced gentlemen in all London offered to do it for nothink if he mite slect his staff.

"I must 'ave Robert to wait on me pussunally," says a certain Illusterious Personidge. "I'm there, your Royal Eyeness," I says, as I persented the rosewater on my bendid nees.

I had the almost crushing honner of anding ewery dellycassy of the season and amost ewery kind of the grandest of Shampains to such a supper party as praps Urope has never before witnessed. I have nothing to reweal of the many strange things as I herd on that memroble occashun, becoz we was all sworn to secrecy, as usual, on a Carving Nife. I breaks through no law when I says that Royalty werry much enjoyed its supper.

I wundered to myself what the feelinx of Royalty must be when they knows and sees that all they has to do to give thowsands of most respectable peeple a feeling of rapshur amost imposserbel to realise, is for 'em to stand still and let 'em gaze at 'em by the hour! One wood think it might paul upon 'em after a time, but one would be rong.

With the dipparcher of Royalty the great charm of the nite was gone, the sun had set and the moon had not risen, to speak pohetically, but the recklecshun of the Blaze of Royalty that they had been alloud to gaze on, will last them for long ears and be told to children yet unborn as the crowning glory of their blessed lives.

Robert.

HOPE FOR ALL.

"Coach" (to Volatile Pupil). "Are you at Theorem B or C, Mr. Titterby?"

Mr. T. "T' tell y' th' truth, Sir, I'm 'at Sea'—at Sea, Sir,—completely." [Chuckles. (He turned out an utter failure, was plucked at College, and had to take to Art-Criticism!)]

"MARGARINE."

"For the protection of the public, all consignments of the spurious compound that has hitherto, under the title of 'Butterine,' passed current in the market for genuine butter, will in future be distinctly labelled and known as 'Margarine.'"—Trade Intelligence.

INÆSTHETIC ÆDILES.

Bad luck to the Board of Works in their project of demolishing the steps, and disfiguring the platform of St. Martin's Church, on the mere pretence of widening the entrance of the proposed Charing Cross Road. All my eye and Betty—namesake, but no relation to the Saint. Convenience is a mere cloak for their unnecessary Vandalism, a cloak which St. Martin would never have divided with tasteless beggars.

LARKS FOR LEGISLATORS.

"There would be no departure from the most highly respectable precedents in holding open-air sittings of the House of Commons, while its advantages in the hot weather, as regards not only physical comfort, but mental and moral fitness for the work of the senator, are too obvious to need enumeration."

Daily Paper.

Scene—The Grounds of the Crystal Palace. The House of Commons assembled in the Rosary; Reporters (armed with speaking trumpets) in the Band Stand and on branches of Trees.

The Speaker (in his shirt-sleeves). Order, order! I must request Members to abstain from touching the Fireworks till the evening.

Dr. Tanner. I rise to a point of order, Sir. What are we to do if it rains? I see no preparation for rigging up an awning over us, and I must protest against this cowardly attempt on the part of the Government to stifle, or perhaps I ought to say drown, discussion, and——

The Speaker (interposing). If the Hon. Member talks of rain before it comes, I shall have to suspend him—ahem!—from the nearest tree. (Laughter.) The first Order of the Day is the Adjourned Discussion on the London Local Government Bill.

Sir W. Harcourt. Before the discussion begins I should like to ask your opinion, Sir, whether it is in order for the First Lord of the Treasury to go off to the tobogganing slide instead of stopping to answer questions? ("Hear! hear!")

The Speaker. The question is one of some difficulty. I have carefully examined the precedents, but there is no mention of tobogganing in the records of this House. I must therefore leave the matter to the good sense and powers of self-restraint of Hon. and Right Hon. Members. (Cheers.)

The Attorney-General (resuming the Debate on the London Government Bill). A very much better idea of the different municipal districts into which the Metropolis will be mapped out can be obtained by ascending the great Water-Towers, and I therefore propose an adjournment of half an hour for that purpose.

[The Motion is agreed to without a Division. On the expiration of the time an Hon. Member, who is indistinctly heard by the Reporters, is understood to propose that the selling of lemonade at sixpence a glass, without ice, to Members of Parliament constitutes a breach of the Privileges of the House, but is ruled out of order.

The Speaker. I call on the Attorney-General to resume his speech.

[Ineffectual search, made all about the Rosary for the Attorney-General.

An Irish Member. Try the Switch-Back Railway.

[Laughter, and cries of "There isn't one!"

Another Member thought that very probably the learned Gentleman had looked in behind the scenes at the Open-air Ballet.

[More Laughter.

The Member for the Tower Hamlets (resuming the discussion) proceeded to dilate on the necessity of more communications being established between the North and South banks of the River, in any scheme for Municipal Reform, and alluding to the Tower Bridge erected in the grounds, remarked that of course Members knew that in half-an-hour the time would have arrived for it to be illuminated, and for the "Fire-Portraits of Mr. Parnell and all his followers" to be lighted (general cheering), and he therefore moved, as a matter of urgent public importance, that the House do now adjourn, especially as he had felt a few drops of rain, and had forgotten to bring his umbrella.

The Speaker. Those who are in favour of adjournment say "Aye." (No response.) Those who are against it——why, bless me, there's nobody left! Even the Sergeant-at-Arms has gone off to see the ballet! How Unparliamentary! Surely those figures coming down the toboggan-slide can't be Mr. Gladstone and Sir William Harcourt, racing Mr. Smith and the Home Secretary? Why, I believe it is so. How exciting it looks! Well, this adjourning at nine o'clock is much nicer, after all, than the old late hours. Al fresco sittings rather a success. Feel rather all-frisky myself. Think I'll go off and try a toboggan.

[Left sliding.

MR. PUNCH'S PARLIAMENTARY NAVAL REVIEW.

(Fac-simile of Sketch made by Our Special Artist on the spot.)

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

EXTRACTED FROM

THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.

House of Commons, Monday, July 11.—Another Child of Victory up to-day in person of Ballantine, who won Coventry for the Liberals. "We shall have quite a family soon," said Gladstone, who sat on Front Bench, arrayed in wonderful summer suit. "Blessings in disguise," Grandolph calls the new recruits to Opposition forces. But it comes to same thing.

Old Morality created sensation by openly avowing himself a Separatist. Is firm with respect to Union with Wales and Ireland, but weak on Scotland. Confession made in connection with promised Boundary Bill. Puleston asked whether Wales was to be included in measure.

"I have not been able," said Ritchie, with fine sarcasm, "to separate Wales from England in my own mind."

"Is Scotland in the Bill?" asked Anderson.

"No," said Old Morality.

"Then," said Tim Healy, "you separate Scotland in your own mind?" This was awkward; but the truth must be told, and Old Morality told it.

"I separate Scotland in my own mind," he said, in a voice low but firm.

Profound sensation on Ministerial Benches. Things looking bad for Ministry lately, what with Spalding, North Paddington, Coventry, and Miss Cass. But now, Leader of House having avowed himself a Separatist, outlook black indeed.

Elated with having brought out this damaging fact, Tim Healy went on rampage for rest of sitting. Arthur Balfour moved Second Reading of Irish Land Bill. Chamberlain, breaking long silence, delivered speech in support of measure. Tim kept up running commentary, growling, laughing spasmodically, and interjecting remarks. Chamberlain an ugly customer to tackle when at bay. Gave Tim as much as he brought. Wrangling getting a little high, when Speaker interposed, threatened to name Tim.

"Name away!" Tim sang out, cheerily; but knowing from experience that Speaker not to be trifled with, presently subsided.

On the whole a small House, and only whilst Chamberlain speaking any evidence of interest in proceedings. Next to the unexpected disclosure of Old Morality's falling away, most startling event of the evening was announcement by Ferguson that Wolff's pic-nic had already cost the country £27,000.

"£27,000!" exclaimed Coddington, making his maiden speech, and that sotto voce. "I'll undertake to say that if it had been proposed to him at first, Wolff would have taken the odd seven thousand and closed the bargain, leaving the tax-payer a clear gain of £20,000." And the Member for Blackburn softly whistled, and feebly rattled the loose change in his pocket.

Business done.—Irish Land Bill introduced.

Tuesday.—Wolff at door of both Houses. In fact he's there every night now. Peers and Commons are Unionists in desire to know when the pic-nic will be over, or, as Bryce put it to-night amid cheers, "When will finally and positively terminate the unparalleled and undignified position in which the country is placed?" In Lords the Markiss disowned a capital retort the reporters invented for him. On Monday, Rosebery understood to ask whether Wolff was[Pg 36] supposed to be in a state of suspended animation what time the Sultan made up his mind. The Markiss reported to have replied that Wolff was "rather in a state of animated expectancy." Capital capping of a joke, only it appears Markiss isn't personally responsible for it.

"£27,000!"

"It would," he said, with a wink at Granville, "be disrespectful to use language like that with respect to Her Majesty's Ambassador."

Herschel says, Markiss is only mad because he didn't think of it at the time, and is jealous of the more nimble fancy of the reporters. In the Commons, Bryce announces that he will continue nightly to inquire about Wolff till he gets satisfactory answers.

A hot dull night and the Irish Land Bill again. John Dillon had the best of it, delivering a lively speech to full audience. After this, Members began to go to dinner, and forgot to return. A full muster on both Front Benches. Gladstone again in summer costume, with a rose in his coat and a gleam in his eye. Has grown ten years younger in the last fortnight. Spalding wiped off five years, North Paddington two, and Coventry the rest.

"A few more triumphs at the poll," says John Morley, "and he'll be younger than any of us."

After dinner, Gorst made a speech on behalf of Bill. Shrewd, pointed, and weighty with argument. "Another proof of fatuity of Government," said Parnell, who has come back in a brown billycock hat, "that they don't make more use of Gorst. Worth a bushelful of Georgy Hamiltons, Gibsons, Matthewses, or even Smiths."

When spirits of House properly attuned, H. C. E. Childers appeared on the scene, and delivered prodigious speech, through which the few Members present gently dozed.

H(ere) C(omes) E(verybody) Ch-ld-rs.

Business done.—Irish Land Bill.

Thursday.—Cheerful presence of Ashbourne diffused over Ministerial Bench in Lords to-night. Not often here. Has given up to Dublin what was meant for mankind. Always unfeignedly delighted to get back to Westminster. Business to-night to move the Second Reading of Coercion Bill. Considerable gathering of Peers, expecting debate, and possible division. Amazed to find Front Opposition Bench almost empty. Granville rises to explain that it is useless to fight measure, and therefore don't intend to raise debate. Argyll furious. Had meant to smash Opposition, and they had run away! Selborne sleekly sarcastic. Admitted he, too, had speech ready, but would wait for audience on Front Bench opposite. General feeling of disappointment. Several Peers who had come down, expecting lively entertainment, wanted their money returned at the doors. Markiss referred them to Granville, but Granville had already smiled his way out. Bill read Second Time, and sitting comically collapsed.

Commons crowded. Grandolph's name underlined on the bills. Understood he meant to "go for" the Government. Expectation fully realised. Took the Land Bill out of Balfour's hands, publicly danced on it, kicked it up and down floor of House, and finally tore it to shreds.

"I trust," he said, when, at end of hour's exercise of this kind, nothing was left of the Bill but its title, "that I have not by these observations added to the difficulties of the situation."

"Not at all, not at all," said Old Morality, polite to the last.

After Grandolph's finished performance, Harcourt a little heavy. Humour rose to highest level when he alluded to Jesse Collings as "the Member for Three Acres and a Cow." Henry James deeply offended at levity of Harcourt's tone. This last hit too much for him. Rose and quitted House amid hilarious cheers from Parnellites.

"That's the worst of these fellows."

"That's the worst of these fellows," said Mr. Leahy, looking on reflectively from the Bar. "Now they've begun to associate with gentlemen, our company's not good enough for them."

More speeches, including one from Parnell and another from Gladstone. But Grandolph's speech worth more than a division; so Second Reading of Land Bill passed without challenging one. Business done.—Lords read Coercion Bill Second Time, Commons the Land Bill.

House of Lords, Friday.—Glad it's all over, and nobody shot. At one time homicide seemed imminent. Granville, taking note of complaint of absence of Opposition on previous night, skilfully touched a chord of human nature. Explained that he had been present till eight o'clock, an hour which suggested dinner. More than one mouth watered, and a sob of sympathy was heard from Bench where new Peer, formerly known as Sclater-Booth, sat. Northbrook, however, obdurate. Introduced statement, which drew from Granville quiet remark, "That is not true." Northbrook hotly resumed his seat, as he said, to give Granville opportunity for explanation. Here was a pretty go! Lord Chancellor, with great presence of mind, adroitly, and apparently accidentally, covered Sword of State under heap of papers. Who could say what might happen if a bloodthirsty eye rested on this fortuitous means of attack? Granville, cool and self-possessed, repeated his abrupter ejaculations in more delicate, round-about fashion.

"I certainly," he observed, defiantly eyeing Northbrook, "said, as far as my knowledge goes, the statement is inaccurate."

A moment's breathless silence. The offence was repeated, with the added insult of mocking phrase. Would Northbrook ask Granville to "come outside," or would he swallow the affront? Northbrook looked a moment at the veteran Leader, noted his resolute look, his straightened figure, and the forefinger of his right hand dallying with a corner of a paper containing the Orders of the day, as if he were playing with pistol-trigger. On the whole, he thought he'd change the subject; which he did, to the relief of the excited ring of spectators. Business done.—Lords passed two stages of Coercion Bill right off. Commons in Supply.

SIR WILLIAM'S SKETCH OF THE GIPSIES ON THE TREASURY BENCH, July 14.

"Gipsies, said the play, disfigured the children they stole in order that they might pass them for their own. (Laughter.) The gipsies on the Treasury Bench (renewed laughter) stole the Bankruptcy Clauses of the Right Hon. Member for West Birmingham, and disfigured them in order that they might pass them for their own. (Cheers and laughter.)"

New Novel, dedicated to Dr. Jackson of New York: The Coming Man; or, The Lost Hair of the Ages. By Balder Dash.

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