PUNCH,
OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

Vol. 101.

December 5, 1891.

QUITE FABULOUS!

(A Story of the Times, dedicated to Professor Munro.)

KING COLE, although described as a "merry old soul," was in reality a tyrant. He had a number of subjects who used to work underground, and their labour was to bring to the surface the black diamonds of the earth. It was not altogether a pleasant occupation, but still, the task had to be accomplished. His Majesty was fond of ferocious practical jokes, and perchance this may have been the origin of the jocular description attached to his name. One day, some of his subjects complained that their hours of labour were too many.

"How long do you work?" asked the King.

"May it please you, Sire, sixteen," was the reply.

"Try what you can do with twelve," and they were about to depart rejoicing, when the Monarch called them back and added, "But mind you, I shall expect just as many black diamonds to be unearthed as before."

So the King's subjects worked only twelve hours, and strange to say, quite as many black diamonds were produced as in the olden days. Then the workmen began to grumble once more, and the King again interviewed them.

"Do you still work twelve hours?" he asked the deputation.

"Certainly, Your Majesty; but we think half would be quite enough," returned the spokesman.

"By all means—why not make it three hours?" and again his subjects were departing, rejoicing, when once more he added, "But I shall expect just the same output as before."

And he got it, for the men worked harder than ever. And then they came yet again to him. Once more they considered the hours of labour excessive. They thought sixty minutes plenty.

"So do I," replied the Monarch, "not only plenty, but too many. But as it is scarcely worth while employing you only half an hour a day, I shall make other arrangements."

And from that time forth he brought up his black diamonds from the centre of the earth by machinery!

NOT "HALF A CHAP."—A well-known Clergyman, who "does nothing by halves." i.e., Dean HOLE.

"WHEN A MAN DOES NOT LOOK HIS BEST."—No. 4.

OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

In the Christmas Numbers of the numerous picture-papers it is at first rather difficult to discover which is the genuine article illustrated, and which the advertisement, likewise illustrated. In the outside picture of the Christmas Number of The Penny Illustrated Paper, which represents a couple dancing together, I am not yet quite sure that the handsome Hebraic gentleman, dancing with a fair Anglo-Saxon girl, is not assuring his frightened-looking partner that "Epps's Cocoa is Grateful—Comforting," as stated in the paragraph immediately beneath the aforesaid picture. On the next page is a sad illustration entitled, "The Curse of Revenge. Lost to Human Aid." which turns out to be not a Christmas story at all, but an advertisement for Fruit Salt. Then opposite this commences a story by GEORGE R. SIMS; and at the foot of this page some one replies, "Mr. DOOLAN! There's no one of that name here now, Sir." Whereupon, being interested, the reader turns over page 1 to find at the head of page 2, not the continuation of the above interesting story in the shape of some remark on the part of the inquirer, nor any account of what happened after this reply had been given, but simply "Benson's Watches" followed by "Fry's Chocolate," then a picture (not an advertisement) facing that, and then on page 4 the remainder of the dialogue. It doesn't much matter perhaps, as the excitement aroused by the story is not violent, and the mistake of giving somebody else's card for your own does not occur here for the first time as the motive of a plot. CUTHBERT BEDE's name is to a "Christmas Carol," and Mr. JOHN LATEY's to a dramatically told tale called "Mark Temple's Trial," in which the imaginary heroine pays a visit to a very real person of the name of Madame KATTI LANNER, whose pupils are represented as all assembled, with bouquets and posies, to do honour to the birthday of their "well-loved mistress," who is at the same time, "the acknowledged mistress of the choreographic art." In this story, the author is to be complimented on his invention of the name, "Lord Morgagemore" as an ancient looking and highly aristocratic Irish title.

"Up to any game at Christmas, if it's not too high," says the Baron of Hampershire, who detests all game that is lofty, but is glad to welcome a Shakspearian Revival by MYERS & Co. in the shape of a Nine Men's Morris, a title the Baron recommends to the notice of Mr. WILLIAM MORRIS, yclept "BILLY," when he is making another bouquet of poesies. By the way, BIM BROS.' Almanac Cards, one of the Baron's Lady Helps describes as "decidedly dainty." Christmas is specially a card-playing season, a time of Pax to everybody.

From the Gordon Stables of HUTCHINSON & Co. issues the nightmare tale of The Cruise in the Crystal Boat; when finished, try their Family Difficulty, by SARAH DOUDNEY. Send to the Deanery of DEAN AND SON, ask for Baby's Biography and The Little One's Own Beehive. The Spindleside department of the Baron's Booking-Office recommends both the above for the Tiny Trots; while the Spearside tells the boys to go in for MANVILLE FENN's Burr Junior and Mrs. R. LEE's Adventures in Australia. Then for all-comers, procure BEATRICE HARRADEN's New Book of Fairies, for, our "Co." thus puts it, "This is all concerning those poor little Fairies, about whom no one takes any trouble, and who are left out in the cold at Christmas time." Thus for this week conclude the duties of Mesdames BLYTHE and GAY, the Baron's Lady Assistant Perusers. "I trust my gentle Public will benefit by their advice," quoth,

Theirs truly,
THE BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.

"NOW YOU'RE QUITE THE GENTLEMAN!"

(A Ballad of Birmingham.)

["You will not find an alliance in which the weaker side has been so loyal, so straight, so single-hearted, so patriotic as the Liberal Unionists have been during the last five years.... Birmingham is the centre, the consecration of this alliance."—Lord Salisbury at Birmingham.

"Now I neither look for nor desire reunion" (with the Gladstonian Liberals.)—Mr. Chamberlain at Birmingham.]

AIR—"Ye Gentlemen of England."[¹]

Ye Gentlemen of England,

Who follow SALIS-BU-RY,

How little did you count upon

Assistance from J.C.!

Give ear unto his speeches old,

And they will plainly show

Once he'd scorn to be borne

Where the Tory breezes blow,

Where the Lilies and Primroses bloom,

And the Tory zephyrs blow.

If once he did oppose you,

To-day he is at war

With GLADSTONE and his Items.

Faith, JOE has travelled far!

The Primrose Dames shall teach him

True patriot "form" to know.

He is leal, and will kneel

To the "Lilies" in fair row;

To the pretty, winsome Primrose girls,

Who buttonhole Brum JOE.

Ye Gentlemen of England,

Whom once he did deride,

How safe ye are, and how serene,

With JOSEPH on your side.

He talks no more of "Ransom"

('Tis P-e-n-s-i-o-n rather now),

Brum JOE will not go

Where the Hawarden winds do blow;

Where HARCOURT thunders loud and long,

And Gladstonians blare and blow.

The Orchid from his button

JOE's willing to displace,

To take the Primrose posy

That's proffered by Her Grace.

O gentle dame and dainty,

What man could answer "No!"

As you prest to his breast

The most blessed flowers that blow,

The blossoms loved by BEACONSFIELD

The bravest blooms that blow?

O (Brummagem) Tory Beauty,

'Tis yours to consecrate

The holiest Alliance

Our land hath seen of late.

Shall he reject its symbol,

Or answer "Not for JOE!"?

Nay, sweet girl, such a churl

Were no "Gentleman" you know;

And JOE is "quite the Gentleman,"

Brum BRUMMEL in full blow!

Then courage, all brave Unionists,

And never be afraid

Whilst Brummagem Republican

Is witched by Primrose Maid.

There is soft fascination

In radiant rank, we know;

And a posy, though primrosy,

From soft hands makes soft hearts glow,

Lilies—though they toil not nor spin

Are beauteous—in full blow!

Footnote 1: [(return)]

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN was once reported to have congratulated himself upon his co-operation with "English Gentlemen."

Chappie (after missing his fourth Stag, explains). "AW—FACT IS, THE—AW—WAVING GRASS WAS IN MY WAY."

Old Stalker. "HOOT, MON, WAD YE HAE ME BEING OUT A SCYTHE?"

Lord Lytton.

BORN NOV. 8, 1831. DIED NOV. 24, 1891.

Were clever wise, were grandiose great,

How many a servant of the State

Had left a more enduring name.

But all is not for all; 'tis far

From flaming meteor to fixed star,

From notoriety to fame.

Picturesque son of brilliant sire,

It wanted but the touch of fire

Prometheus only knows to bring

The flame divine in him to wake

Who moved our plaudits when he spake,

But stirred no passion when he'd sing.

The Orient pageantry he loved,

The histrio not the hero moved,

The dilettante not the sage.

Hence in our England's East his hand

Turned, in a story sternly grand,

A motley mock-heroic page.

He by the Seine found fitter place

For courtly wit and modish grace,

Than by the Indus. There right well

His facile talent served his Chief;

And England hears with genuine grief

That sudden-sounding passing bell.

New Name.

Who prizes Literature? All sorts and sizes

Of literary wares now hang on "prizes."

'Tis not prose fictionists or poem-spinners

The public rush for; no, 'tis "all the winners!"

Letters in lotteries find support most sure—

Let us be frank, and call them Lotteryture!

SUITOR RESARTUS.

A Sentimental Dilemma.

How can I woo you in this ancient suit?

You do not notice it, of course; I know it.

My soul is burdened with a shapeless boot,

Your heart is singing welcome to your poet.

Here in the shadowy settle I can sit

And sparkle with you, brightly confidential,

But when into the lamp-bright zone you flit,

I shrink into some corner penitential.

A well-dressed crowd, their tailors all unpaid,

Throng round you there, and cuffs and collars glisten;

Of pity's blindness, as of scorn, afraid,

I shun the merry fray, and darkling listen,

For who could urge the timidest of suits,

Conscious of such indifferent clothes and boots?

You think me quite as good as other men;

Nay, more, I think you think me vastly better;

Your candid glances seem to ask me when

I'll seek to bind you in a willing fetter.

Is this presumption? Not from friend to friend,

Whose souls unite like clasping hands of lovers;

Yet can I breathe no word of love, to end

The delicate doubt that o'er the unspoken hovers.

If I were hopeless that you loved me not,

My hopeless love, confess'd, myself would flatter,

But should the blissful dream be true, I wot

That love confess'd the joy of love would shatter.

My Queen, indeed as king I'd love to lord it;

I cannot tell you that I can't afford it.

POSSIBLE EXPLANATION:—"For many months nothing has been heard of Lieutenant IVANITCH," was the remark of our leading journal à propos of Russian disappearances. Is it not probable that IVANITCH, unable to find a post to suit him, has gone on tour with a "scratch company"?

THE TRAVELLING COMPANIONS.

No XVII.

SCENE—Under the Colonnade of the Hôtel Grande Bretagne, Bellagio. CULCHARD is sitting by one of the pillars, engaged in constructing a sonnet. On a neighbouring seat a group of smart people are talking over their acquaintances, and near them is another visitor, a Mr. CRAWLEY STRUTT, who is watching his opportunity to strike into the conversation.

Mrs. Hurlingham. Well, she'll be Lady CHESEPARE some day, when anything happens to the old Earl. He was looking quite ghastly when we were down at SKYMPINGS last. But they're frightfully badly off now, poor dears! Lady DRIBLETT lets them have her house in Park Lane for parties and that—but it's wonderful how they live at all!

Colonel Sandown. He looked pretty fit at the Rag the other day. Come across the SENLACS anywhere? Thought Lady SENLAC was going abroad this year.

Mr. Crawley Strutt. Hem—I saw it mentioned in the Penny Patrician that her Ladyship had—

Mrs. Hurl. (without taking the slightest notice of him). She's just been marryin' her daughter, you know—rather a good match, too. Not what I call pretty,—smart-lookin', that's all. But then her sister wasn't pretty till she married.

Col. Sand. Nice family she married into! Met her father-in-law, old Lord BLETHERHAM, the other morning, at a chemist's in Piccadilly—he'd dropped in there for a pick-me-up; and there he was, tellin' chemist all the troubles he'd had with his other sons marryin' the way they did, and that. Rum man to go and confide in his chemist, but he's like that—fond of the vine!

Mr. C.S. Er—er—it's becoming a very serious thing, Sir, the way our aristocracy is deteriorating, is it not?

Col. S. Is it? What have they been up to now, eh? Haven't seen a paper for days.

Mr. C.S. I mean these mixed marriages, and, well, their general goings on, I don't know if you're acquainted with a paper called the Penny Patrician? I take it in regularly, and I assure you—loyal supporter of our old hereditary institutions as I am—some of the revelations I read about in high life make me blush—yes, downright blush for them! [Mrs. HURLINGHAM retires.

Col. S. Do they, though? If I were you I should let 'em do their own blushin', and save my pennies.

Mr. C.S. (deferentially). No doubt you're right, Sir, but I like the Patrician myself—it's very smartly written. Talking of that, do you happen to know the ins and outs of that marriage of young Lord GOSLINGTON's? Something very mysterious about the party he's going to marry—who are her people now?

Col. S. Can't say, I'm sure—no business of mine, you know.

Mr. C.S. There I venture to think you're wrong, Sir. It's the business of everybody—the duty, I may say—to see that the best blood of the nation is not—(Col. S. turns into the hotel; Mr. C.S. sits down near CULCH.)—Remarkably superior set of visitors staying here, Sir! My chief objection to travel always is, that it brings you in contact with parties you wouldn't think of associating with at home. I was making that same remark to a very pleasant little fellow I met on the steamer—er—Lord UPPERSOLE, I think it was—and he entirely concurred. Your friend made us acquainted.—(PODBURY comes out of the hotel.)—Ah, here is your friend.—(To PODB.)—Seen his Lordship about lately, Sir?—Lord UPPERSOLE, I mean, of course!

Podb. UPPERSOLE? No—he's over at Cadenabbia, I believe.

Mr. C.S. A highly agreeable spot to stay at. Indeed, I've some idea myself of—Exceedingly pleasant person his Lordship—so affable, so completely the gentleman!

Podb. Oh, he's affable enough—for a boot-maker. I always give him a title when I see him, for the joke of the thing—he likes it.

Mr. C.S. He may, Sir. I consider a title is not a thing to be treated in that light manner. It—it was an unpardonable liberty to force me into the society of that class of person—unpardonable, Sir!

[He goes.

Podb. Didn't take much forcing, after he once heard me call him "Lord UPPERSOLE"! Where are all the others, eh? Thought we were going up to the Villa Serbelloni this afternoon.

Culch. I—er—have not been consulted. Are they—er—all going?

[With a shade of anxiety.

Podb. I believe so. You needn't be afraid, you know. HYPATIA won't have the chance of ragging you now—she and Miss TROTTER have had a bit of a breeze.

Culch. I rather gathered as much. I think I could guess the—

Podb. Yes, HYPATIA's rather uneasy about poor old BOB; thinks Miss TROTTER is—well, carrying on, you know. She is no end of a little flirt—you know that well enough!—(C. disclaims impatiently.) Here you all are, eh?—(To Miss P., Miss T., and BOB.)—Well, who knows the way up to the villa?

Miss T. It's through the town, and up some steps by the church—you cann't miss it. But Mr. PRENDERGAST is going to show me a short cut up behind the hotel—aren't you, Mr. PRENDERGAST?

Miss P. (icily). I really think, dear, it would be better if we all kept together—for so many reasons!

Culch. (with alacrity). I agree with Miss PRENDERGAST. A short cut is invariably the most indirect route.

Miss P. (with intention). You hear what Mr. CULCHARD says, my dear MAUD? He advocates direct ways, as best in the long run.

Miss T. It's only going to be a short run, my love. But I'm vurry glad to observe that you and Mr. CULCHARD are so perfectly harmonious, as I'm leaving him on your hands for a spell. Aren't you ever coming, Mr. PRENDERGAST?

[She leads him off, a not unwilling captive.

A Path in the Grounds of the Villa Serbelloni.

Podb. (considerately, to CULCHARD, who is following Miss PRENDERGAST and him, in acute misery). Look here, old fellow, Miss PRENDERGAST would like to sit down, I know; so don't you bother about keeping with us if you'd rather not, you know!

[CULCHARD murmurs an inarticulate protest.

Miss P. Surely, Mr. PODBURY, you are aware by this time that Mr. CULCHARD has a perfect mania for self-sacrifice!

[CULCHARD drops behind, crushed.

Among the Ruins at the top of the Hill.

Culch. (who has managed to overtake Miss T. and her companion). Now do oblige me by looking through that gap in the pines towards Lecco. I particularly wish you to observe the effect of light on those cliffs—it's well worth your while.

Miss T. Why, certainly, it's a view that does you infinite credit. Oh, you didn't take any hand in the arrangement? But ain't you afraid if you go around patting the scenery on the head this way, you'll have the lake overflow?

Bob. P. Ha-ha-ha! One in the eye for you, CULCHARD!

Culch. (with dignity). Surely one may express a natural enthusiasm without laying oneself open—?

Miss T. Gracious, yes! I should hope you wouldn't want to show your enthusiasm that way—like a Japanese nobleman!

Culch. (to himself). Now that's coarse—really coarse!—(Aloud.)—I seem to be unable to open my mouth now without some ridiculous distortion—

Miss T. My!—but that's a serious symptom—isn't it? You don't feel like you were going to have lock-jaw, do you, Mr. CULCHARD?

[CULCHARD falls back to the rear once more. Later—Mr. VAN BOODELER has joined the party; HYPATIA has contrived to detach her brother, CULCHARD has sought refuge with PODBURY.

Miss T. (to VAN B.). So that's what kept you? "Well, it sounds just too enchanting. But I cann't answer for what Miss PRENDERGAST will say to it. It mayn't suit her notions of propriety.

Mr. Van B. I expect she'll be superior to Britannic prejudices of that kind. I consider your friend a highly cultivated and charming lady, MAUD. She produces that impression upon me.

Miss T. I presume, from that, she has shown an intelligent interest in the great American novel?

Mr. Van B. Why, yes; it enlists her literary sympathies—she sees all its possibilities.

Miss T. And they're pretty numerous, too. But here she comes. You'd better tell her your plan right now.

Miss P. (in an earnest undertone to BOB, as they approach, followed by CULCH. and BOB). You must try and be sensible about it, BOB; if you are too blind to see that she is only—

BOB (sulkily). All right! Haven't I said I'd go? What's the good of jawing about it?

Mr. V.B. (to Miss P.) I've been telling my cousin I've been organising a little water-party for this evening—moonlight, mandolins, Menaggio. If you find that alliteration has any attractions, I hope you and your brother will do me the pleasure of—

Miss P. I'm afraid not, thanks. We have all our packing to do. We find we shall have to leave early to-morrow.

[Van B.'s face falls; BOB listens gloomily to Miss T.'s rather perfunctory expressions of regret; PODBURY looks anxious and undecided; CULCHARD does his best to control an unseemly joy.

THE GOOD NEW "TIMES."

Nobody, after visiting Terry's Theatre, can apply to Mr. PINERO's piece the hackneyed phrase,—used apologetically by an unconscionable reader after detaining the leading journal for three-quarters of an hour,—"Oh, there's nothing in The Times," for, in Mr. PINERO's piece there is plenty of amusement, if not of absorbing interest.

The story is that of a parvenu, whose sole object in life, to be recognised by "Society," is thwarted by the marriage of his good-for-nothing son with the daughter of an Irish lodging-house keeper. The struggles of Mr. and Mrs. Bompas to conceal this mésalliance, and the assistance given them in their difficulties by the Hon. Montague Trimble, constitute the motive of the play. But the question that must occur to the critical mind is, "Did the author mean this piece for high comedy, or farcical comedy?" If the former, then Mr. TERRY is wrong in his conception of the part; if the latter, everybody else is wrong in their conception of their parts.

It seems to me as if, in the course of rehearsal, the peculiarities distinguishing the character of Percy Egerton Bompas, M.P., had gradually become assimilated with the individualities of the actor, Mr. EDWARD TERRY. If Mr. PINERO so meant it, if he so wrote it for Mr. TERRY and for Mr. TERRY only, then there is nothing more to be said; Mr. PINERO's ideal is realised. But if the author did not intend Mr. TERRY's impersonation, then he must be content to sacrifice the ideal to the real, shrug his shoulders, and pocket his profits. Yet, as if making an appeal to the public to judge between the auctorial abstract and the representational concrete, Mr. PINERO not only publishes his playbook, but sells it in the theatre. Visitors to TERRY's, who buy the book, will judge the play by its stage interpretation that has had the advantage of the author's personal supervision and direction. The representation, therefore, is either more or less in accordance with his teaching, or flatly contradicts it.

The publication of the book of a comedy in a theatre may be thankfully received as a present help to the audience, and an aid to memory afterwards, or it may be considered as a protest on the part of the author who says, "Here's what I have written. See how they act it: whether it be farce or comedy, judge for yourselves. You pay your money, and you take your choice." Suffice it, then, to record that, on the night of this deponent's visit, the piece played from eight till past eleven, and that the audience from first to last was generally amused, but, I should be inclined to say, particularly disappointed at the collapse of Mr. TERRY's part in the last Act (the principal portion of which he passes curled up on a sofa, with the top of his forehead powdered white! Why?), and mystified by the sudden and apparently unnecessary revelation, made by Miss Cazalet, to the effect that Lucy Tuck (a mentally and physically short-sighted girl) is her illegitimate daughter; and these two last-named personages, though essential to the plot, fail unfortunately in rousing any sentiment of pity or of sympathy.

Mr. ELLIOT is excellent as the Hon. Montague Trimble; nothing better, apart from Mr. HARE's eccentric characters, has been seen on the stage for some considerable time. I hope the author is of the same opinion. Mr. FRED THORNE is capital as the Irish Member; and as Mrs. Hooley, an obtrusively Irish eccentricity of Thackerayan extraction, Miss ALEXES LEIGHTON is very good, for the character, as drawn by the author, is obtrusive, and is so meant to be. The Mrs. Egerton Bompas of Miss FANNY BROUGH is the woman to the life, and, in my humble judgment, Miss BROUGH's impersonation is well-nigh faultless. Whether, if the part of Egerton Bompas were played as high comedy, this would still improve Miss BROUGH's impersonation of Mrs. Bompas or not, it is difficult to decide; but I am inclined to think this would be the result. What does the author think? Most likely he will continue to "think"; it is the wiser course. Mr. HENRY V. ESMOND makes the lad, Howard Bompas, unnecessarily repulsive; but if, in doing so, he is only exactly carrying out the author's idea, i.e., "Master's orders," then he is no longer responsible for the overcharged colouring. The probable fate of this unhappy pair, an impulsive uneducated kind of Irish orange-girl married to a contemptible young sot, is not a pleasant termination to the story, nor is the anticipatory sadness felt for the future of this ill-assorted couple in any way dissipated by the stereotyped and perfunctory offer of marriage made by the young London Journal Nobleman to the daughter of the utterly crushed snob just before the Curtain descends.

Why the piece is called The Times, remains a mystery. To-day would have been better; that is, if by The Times is only meant "The Present Day." And if it doesn't mean this, what meaning has it? For alliterative advertisement it may be useful; e.g., "Times at TERRY's." The dialogue generally is easy, natural and telling.

Yours,
PRIVATE BOX.

FOLLOW THE BARON!

["Such characters as he should retire into fiction, they are too exaggerated for real life."—"Times" on Mr. R.L. Stevenson's Sad Maron of Samou.]

Oh, most excellent true! How I thank thee, great Times,

For teaching that phrase! 'Tis delicious!

Fiction! The haunt of mad follies, crass crimes,

Fads futile, and tastes meretricious.

Oh, joy, to transport to that Limbo of Fools,

Upon trial and honest conviction,

The plagues of our Parties, our Churches, our Schools,

Who ought to "retire into Fiction."

When WINDYWHAME, M.P., goes spouting about,

His flatulent madness and malice;

When SLUDGE, after years of dogmatical doubt,

Finds Faith's Wonderland worthy of Alice;

When POPINJAY airs his effeminate Art,

And DOBBS sputters dirt in choice diction,

Ye gods, there'd be joy in Church, Forum, and Mart,

If the fools would "retire into Fiction."

Pragmatical pietists, sceptics obtuse

Who Progress impede with crude cackle,

Predestinate duffers of prattle profuse,

Who the biggest world-problems would tackle;

State-quacks, shouting Emperors, queer School-Board cranks,

We'll give you our best benediction,

And speed you at parting with heartiest thanks,

If you'll only—"retire into Fiction!"

EMANCIPATION.

ARMING THE AMAZONS.

(Modern Brummagem Version.)

[At the meeting (at Birmingham) of the National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations, a resolution in favour of "considering the claims of women to be admitted to the franchise when entitled by ownership or occupation," was carried "by an overwhelming majority, amid loud cheers." Mrs. FAWCETT afterwards said, "What new forces were they (the Conservative Party) prepared to bring against the anarchy, socialism and revolution which were arrayed against them? The granting of women's suffrage would be against the disintegrating power of the other side, as women were everywhere anti-revolutionary forces.... This would add about 800,000 to the electorate. They would be, she believed, middle-aged women of property, than whom she thought they could not assemble more anti-revolutionary forces.">[

Trojan Leader loquitur:—

To arm the Amazons against the Greeks,

OVIDIUS hints, proud manhood galls and piques.

No doubt; yet NASO did it in his day,

And we, in ours, who, sorely-pressed, would stay

The rising tide of Revolution, check

Disintegration, of the claws who'd peck

At our political sleeves and platform hearts

Must not be frightened.

"Rummiest of starts,"

The ribald Cockney cries; to see at length,

"The Tory seeking to recruit his strength

Prom those he dubbed, in earlier, scornfuller mood

The crowing hens, the shrieking sisterhood!"

Shade of sardonic SMOLLETT, haunt no more

St. Stephen's precincts; list not to the roar

Of the mad Midland cheers, when FEILDING's plan

Of levelling (moneyed) Woman up to Man

Wins "Constitutional" support and votes

From a "majority" of Tory throats!

Mrs. LYNN LINTON, how this vote must vex,