Punch (12.1847)

4

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

NEW OXFORD STREET AS IT WILL BE.

It appears that the expensive interference caused by the new Build-
ing Act has been the cause of weakening instead of strengthening all
the houses constructed in conformity with its provisions. When no
District Surveyors, Official Eeferees, and others, were allowed to have
a voice in the matter—a voice, by the bye, which is accompanied by
charges to a pretty tune—people built their premises substantially
enough for their own security. Now that the new Act brings District
Surveyors about your ears, your house is likely to tumble about your
ears also. We have a representation of what new Oxford Street

may shortly become, in consequence of the regulations of the New
Metropolitan Buildings Act having been strictly attended to. Though
you must not touch a brick or interfere with a chimney unless the
officials get their fees, you get from them no advantage in the way of
safety or solidity. Everything is required to be so substantial, that the
foundations cannot bear the weight of the superstructure. It may be
said of the new Act, that it—

Levels all ranks, drawing-room to kitchen bears,
And makes the highest attics fall down stairs.

THE IRISH JOSEPH ADY.

n Monday last an old man, named Daniel
O'Connell, was brought up on the charge of
having pracused a trick very similar to that of
the celebrated Joseph Ady, of " something to
your advantage" notoriety. It appeared from
the evidence that the prisoner had been in the
habit of sending round for some years and soli-
citing subscriptions on the promise of being able
to,put the subscribers in the way of obtaining
something for their advantage. By this delusive
proceeding he had contrived to practise on the
credulity of persons of all classes, and it was
shown that he must have received, from first to last, an amount of
money that we do not name, lest it should seem incredible. On being
asked what he had to say in his defence, he replied, that what he
promised was really likely to prove advantageous to the persons who
subscribed thtir money.

The magistrate said, that even if it were, which he very much
doubted, there was no proof that the prisoner had any power to give
what he undertook to give, for though he had been taking money for
doing so during a number of years, he was n'ot now in the slightest
degree nearer than he was at first to the fulfilment of his promise.

The defendant declared he was, but a person, named Smith O'Brien,
who professed that he had bten one of the Irish Ajdy's dupes, came
forward to contradict him with much earnestness.

It seemed on further investigation that the defendant had been in-
strumental in proving the right of a large number of persons to Catholic

the lowest labourer, but the fraud and misrepresentation deprive him
of all claim for removal or sympathy. He was afraid the case now
before him was not unlike the one he had alluded to. The prisoner,
O'Connell, no doubt, found it troublesome enough to continue his de-
lusions, but this was the natural consequence of having neglected a
career of hontst industry. In consideration, however, of his age, and
some former good conduct, the prisoner might be discharged with a
caution.

The Irish Ady immediately retired from the dock, exclaiming,
" Hereditary bondsmen, know ye not," &c, &c, and had scarcely got
outside the door of the Court before he was at his old tricks, promising
every Irishman he met " something to his advantage."

©pttapf) on a $tt$e $ig.

here lies
all that was eatable
of a prize pig.
he was born
on february; 1, 1845 :

he was fed
on sulk, potatoes, and
barley meal :
he was slaughtered
on december 24, 1846,
weighing 208t, 9lb.
stop, traveller !
asd reflect how small a portion
emancipation, and on the strength of his reputation for having done OF THig VAST PIG

this, he had been ever since coming forward continually with "some-
thing to the advantage" of those who were willing to pay him.

The Magistrate said it was a very bad case, and indeed it was
melancholy to see a man, who might have become a most useful
member of society, reduced to his present degraded condition. It
appeared that no &um was too small, no poctet too scantily supplied
for him—the prisoner—to dip into. On looking into the nature of the
promised advantage, it was found to consist of Repeal, to which, in the
first place, the right of O'Connell's victims was very questionable ; in
the next place the good it might do thtm w as more doubtful still; and
in the last place, there was no doubt that O'Connell had neither the
intention, nor the power to give it therr.

The prisoner said he was an old man, and must do something for
a livelihood. He had left a profitable busintss because he thought be
could let the Irish people hear of something to their advantage ; and
it was very hard, after the trouble he had taken, to have his right to
be paid for his trouble disputed in this manner.

The magistrate said ihat whatever trouble might be taken, no man

had a right to be paid for merely promising what he could not accom-
plish, nor indeed for any misrepresentation of any kind. Doubtless, the
begging impostor, who stands shivering in the streets on a frosty day.
and b»res his l'rnbs to excite sympathy, has a harder task than even

was pokk, suitable
for human food !

The Best Destination for the Statue.

As there setmsto be a variety of opinions as to the material of wfveh
the rewards for the Peninsular veterans should be made, the best way
to end the dispute will be to break up the monster statue at Hyde
Park Corner, and have him melted down into medals. There is pltnty
of metal in the charter for this purpose, and the loDg-8gitated question
about the real breed of ihe horse would be settled at last by his turning
out to be a cross. Sir Frederick Trench should have the superin-
tendence of this job, as he can point to his numerous reverses in
matters of Art as having stamped himself the most finished meddler.

■

NEVER SAY DIE.
Such appears to be the motto of the old bridge of Westminster.
Though his existence has been maiked by various closings, we find him
once more giving symptoms of vitality. He began receiving company
last wetk, and though he seemed to be a good deal shaken, he exhibited
on the whole far more firmness than might have been exr ected.