Punch (9.1845)

62

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

Coronation at Drury Lane was, as every one knows, a great deal more
splendid than George IV.'s opposition at Westminster Abbey, and
Bradwell's Stalactite Cavern at the Colosseum surpasses in stalacticity
and splendour the German original.

In conclusion, we have to recommend every one heartily, if he has four
shillings to spare, to pay a visit to the Colosseum. If he has not four
shillings to spare, let him come to us, and if he can give us good security,
and a hundred per cent, interest in advance, with a small bonus in addi-
tion when the principal is repaid, we will lend him the money.

BROAD HINTS.

1. To an Illustrious Lady__Persons desirous of becoming acquainted

■with Mr. William Shakspeare may frequently have the pleasure of
seeing that gentleman at Sadler's Wells.

2. To a Patron of the Fine Arts.—A Dr. Alison has written a work
on Taste.

3. To Lord Brougham.—In that celebrated monument of antiquity,
the tomb of all the Capulets, preserved in the British Museum, may be
found a poem by one Hayley, entitled " The Triumph of Temper."

4. To the Marquis of Londonderry,—An abridgment of Murray's
English Grammar may be had at various book stalls for 9d., and Punch's

Complete Letter Writer sells at 2s. 6d. \ | than he played the King with a

5. To the Duke of Wellington.—Certain unrequited veterans will be I %| swagger ; put an extra gag on the press ;
happv to lend his Grace a little book. It is called, " Recollections of the : \%| and became hunter of the Poles for his

THE AUTOCRAT OF PRUSSIA.

he English are gullible people : there is no doubt
of it. Let Nero himself rise from the dust,
and fiddle at Her Majesty's Theatre
(how the royal box would be crammed to
hear such a foreigner !) and we should
forget the tyrant in the condescension of
the emperor. The King of Prussia, on
his late visit to England, swindled us right
and left of our good opinion. He went
down upon his knees in Newgate with
good Mrs. Fry, and the feminine turnkeys
lapsed into hysterics at his humility. The
hearts of the female felons were melted
like butter at the royal goodness. His
Majesty worked sueh wonders in New-
gate, that pity, indeed, was it for frail and
sinful humanity, that his stay was so very
brief within the prison walls. He left our
shores, as we thought, a meek-hearted
Christian ; and he no sooner got home

new

Peninsula.

great exemplar Nicholas. The last news
from Munich communicates a new in-
stance of the magnanimity of the royal
Diddler. On the 5th inst. a composer of
Berlin, " publicly, in the open court, made
an humble apology before the King's pic-
ture" We are told that the musician
u had been condemned to this punishment,
and a year's cor>finemen(,for having spoken
disrespectfully of His Majesty !" After
all, it might have been a latent sence of humility in the King that made
the offender apologise to the royal portrait : that could uot blush for the
petty tyranny of the very small original.

REWARD OF MERIT.

A FEW SUPPOSITIONS.

It is a pity that the two Houses of Parliament are continually going to
loggerheads about the question of privilege, instead of laying their wise
heads together and settling it. It would really be satisfactory to know
when one is committing a breach of privilege, and when not. At present
a breach of privilege would seem to be anything that gives offence to
either House. This consideration suggests a few suppositions to us. Sup-
pose the minority in one House should offend the majority, would the
majority have the power of committing the minority ? Suppose the Com-
mons should offend the Lords, would the Lords be empowered to commit
the Commons ? Suppose, as would naturally be the case, the Lords were
also to offend the Commons, would the Commons, at the same time, be
entitled to commit the Lords ? What power in the Executive would
effect the committal ? Would the prisoners be confined to their respective
Houses, or would one body be sent to the Compter, and the other to
Newgate 1

Suppose either House should claim the power of fine as well as impri-
sonment. Suppose it went a little further, and asserted that of life and
death. Suppose it declared its members irresponsible for their deeds, as
well as for their debts. Suppose, in short, it assumed the right to do
whatever it chose. Suppose it declared the other House unnecessary,
and abolished it. What would then become of our " Glorious Consti-
tution V And would not the two Houses of Parliament resemble the two

THE AMENDE HONORABLE.

The Holbein is restored to its nail, and Punch has not spoken ia
vain.

The seller would not accept the 200/. bonus. Perhaps this may have
something to do with the return of the picture.

He has written to the Times a more bitterly satirical letter than suits
his position in life. After stating that the unfortunate picture is hung
again where it was before quartered, a position it owes very naturally to
its execution, he goes on—

" It will be readily perceived that insidious intriguing had alone shaken for a moment
the opinion of the guardians of public taste, which board of noblemen has resumed its
proud position, and set at nought all intrigue."

Hip, hip. Huzza ! Huzza, Huzza, Huzza ! Three cheers for the dis-
interested dealer, and nine times nine for the " guardians of the public

taste ! ! ! " with Mr. -, the eminent dealer, whispering " black " into

the right ear, and Mr. -, the other eminent dealer, insinuating

" white " into the left, and the " board of noblemen " in their " proud
position," which can only be compared to that of a certain animal
between the two bundles of hay.

Again we say, happy is England, which has noblemen for the trustees
of her National Gallery, with artists to advise the noblemen, and dealers
to guide the artist; a sort of " King, Lords, and Commons " of artistic
questions, producing a balance like that of our famous constitution, where
every man can shift the blame on to somebody else's shoulders, and defy
the nimblest eye of newspaper editor to say under which thimble of
incapacity rests the pea of error.

Marriage In High life.

We hear that a matrimonial alliance is on the tapis between Daniel
O'Connell Esq., M.P., and Mrs. Molly Maguire, of Maguire's Grove.
The estates of the interesting couple are contiguous ; and we hear there
are to be bonfires over the whole country in celebration of the event.

Ballywhack Blunderbuss.

Printed by William Bradbury, of No. «, York Place, Stoke NewInKton, and Prederlok Muilett Evann,
of No. 7, Church Row, Stoke Newington, both In the County of Middlesex, Printers, at their
Office In Lombard Street, in the Precinct of Whltefriars, In the City of London ; and published b?

cats who quarrelled and ate each other up ? | t^.VX' ^ * °' SU Brlde'"' *" ^ °f L°nd°n