Punch: Punch (19.1850)

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

TRIUMPHANT SUCCESS OF MR. BRIGGS.

Somehow or other (assisted by his Little Boy Walter), he catches a Jack, which, to use Mr. B.'s own words,

Flies at him, and Barks like a Dog!

BRIEFLESS ON PUSEYITE BELL RINGING.

A case for the opinion of Mr. Briefless was left the other day
with that gentleman's laundress, who laid it before Counsel—with
her own little bill—in the usual form, on the following morning. The
case ran thus, " Your opinion is required whether the early bell-ringing
at St. Barnabas, Pimlico, by which the inhabitants are disturbed at
uncouth hours, and rendered contemporaries with the sweeps and
sther matutinal nuisances, can be prevented or legally punished."

Mr. Briefless has forwarded to his Belgravian clients the fol-
lowing opinion :—

" Temple, November l&h, 1850.
" I am clearly of opinion that the bell-ringing is a nuisance, and I
am less clearly—that is to say, rather dimly—of opinion that it will be
difficult to deal with it. If the bell were an external door-bell, and
not a bell rung by an internal rope, we should have a handle to take
hold of, under the police act, which makes it an offence punishable with
a fine of forty shillings to ring a bell to the annoyance of the inhabi-
tants. On the other hand, I am afraid the law cannot grasp the rope
of the Puseyites; and, perhaps, this may be a wise provision — or
omission—for, if they are left plenty of rope, they will eventually
hang themselves. If proceedings were taken, and there should be a
conviction against the bell, a-peal would lie, as it did in Clapper's
ease, though the bell might be hung; but still, if it were shown to be
for the waking up of the priests, there might be a plea of benefit of
clergy. On the whole case, therefore, I am of opinion that it may be
worth while to take out a summons against the bell-ringer, calling on
him to show cause why he should not be fined forty shillings for ringing
a bell in a thoroughfare, to the annoyance of the inhabitants.

" J. Briefless."

Mr. Briefless having, in the kindest and most considerate manner,
retained his friend Mr. Dunup in the professional capacity of "Devil,"

and Mr. Dunup having reciprocated the obligation, by placing Mr.
Briefless in the same diabolic relation to himself—see Impey—these
learned gentlemen invariably obtain each other's assistance in all their
cases. This will account for there being appended to the above
document, the words,

" I am of the same opinion,

" S. Dunup."

"Just like His Impudence."

For weeks and weeks—for feverish days and sleepless nights—have
we been puzzled to understand what could have been the object of the
Pope in so daringly nominating Cardinal Wiseman, Archbishop of
Westminster. At last we have arrived at something like a satisfactory
conclusion ; for our belief is, that the Pope's object in the nomination
was none other than to " take the incensus of England and, from the
very loud indignation that has been expressed against it in every part
of the kingdom, we think that His Knowing Holiness has every chance
of succeeding in his object.

a punch on the head.

In his new book on the defenceless state of England, Sir Francis
Head says that Prance might invade London with the greatest ease in
the world. Sir Prancis Head ought to be ashamed to put such things
into Prance's head.

extra-mural interment.

Since, by the new law; all cemeteries are to be carried out o)
town, we hope that some steps will speedily be taken for the removal
of Leicester Square; as, for the last three years, it has been nothing
better than a public cemetery for all the dogs, cats, and kittens ol
the neighbouring parishes, to be buried there.