Punch: Punch (21.1851)

82

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

PUNCH'S ANNIVERSARIES.-No. 3. HENRY, EARL OF RICHMOND, LANDED AT MILFORD HAVEN,

ON HIS ENTERPRISE AGAINST RICHARD THE THIRD, AUGUST 7th, 1485.

THE LORD MAYOR'S ARRIVAL ON THE
SHORES OE TRANCE.

The moment it was known that the Civic Mayoralty had selected
Boulogne as the spot which the civic pumps should first press on their
visit to the shores of France, that impulsive watering-place was all alive
—from the tip of the feather of the hat of the tall Swiss to the lowest
welt on the highlow of the smallest drummer. By an early hour, the
flags of all nations—among which we recognised some decided
Bandannas—were floating round a square space on the port, presenting
the gay appearance of an extensive pocket-handkerchief drying-ground,
on the morrow of an enormous washing-day.

During the forenoon, an immense sensation was created by the
bringing out of the steam-boat ladder, dressed out in party-coloured
calico, and giving it the aspect of the car of a balloon—an incident
which gave rise to a rumour of some intended aeronautic exploits on the
part of the civic authorities. Curiosity continued to heighten with the
tide ; and when the paquebot was signalled in the distance, enthusiasm
was with difficulty kept within bounds by a square of ropes enclosing
the space reserved for the authorities. It was gratifying to observe
the immense number of officials who turned out upon this occasion;
almost every one of whom seemed to have entitled himself, not only to
a cocked hat, a, feather, and a sword, but to a medal, or series of medals,
for some services rendered to his country.

The head Custom-House officer was in the fullest possible regimentals,
and his bosom groaned under a perfect galaxy of stars, in token, no
doubt, of his having been present at the taking of all the luggage—and
at other similar exploits. The gallant corps of Douaniers, or Custom-
House officers, whose swords have no doubt pierced many a question-
able parcel, and whose guns have battered many a set of contraband
crockery-ware on the spot, attended by their powerful band of five
trumpeters and fourteen drummers; while a detachment of the line
stood in a state of zig-zag, which seemed to be the result of eagerness
to catch an early view of le fameux Lord Maire de Londres. At length
the one cannon on the port announced, avec explosion, that the boat had
entered the harbour; and on the signal being heard, a trumpeter,
rushing to the front-door of the Custom House, blew a blast, which, by

running rapidly to the back-door of the building, he ingeniously
contrived to echo.

At length the vessel came alongside, and the authorities, all scrambling
for front places, for a time blocked up the gangway. The first glimpse
of the distinguished party presented something like the chequered aspect
of a chess-board; an effect produced by the alternation of black hats
and white basins, which were the most conspicuous objects on the deck
of the steamer. A way being at last cleared, a little gentleman with a
white head was conducted off the vessel; and on its being known that
this was the fameux Lord Maire, a feeling of disappointment seemed to
pervade the French; and the old saying,

" Parturiunt Montes, nascitur ridiculus Mus [grove],"

was almost literally realised. Notwithstanding the disappointment. of
their expectations—for the French were evidently prepared to receive
a live Gog at the least—the Lobd Mayor was welcomed with several
warm shakes of the hand, and a speech in French; the purport of which
was explained to him, to signify that there was something to eat at the
Railway terminus. Upon this, his Lordship at once made for a fly that
had been in waiting for him, and six having got inside, with three on
the box, the vehicle proceeded at a severe pace—severe, considering
the load—towards Capecure.

It was a subject of much surprise among the French that the English
did not receive their Lord Mayor with more enthusiasm; but, although
his Lordship did what he could to distinguish himself, by taking off his
hat and bowing, it was found impossible to get up a hearty cheer for
one of a party of nine in a hackney carriage.

Hey-Sing was in attendance, as usual, to represent the Temple Bar
Junk; but we saw no prospectuses of that interesting exhibition delivered,
and it is possible, that the Mandarin, like some of the other illustrious
visitors, got separated from his luggage.

Diamond cut Diamond.—It is a curious fact, in connexion with
the Great Koh-i-noor, that, in spite of the penalty incurred by the
jeweller charged with the cutting of the precious stone, everybody,
almost, on seeing it at the Exhibition, has been disposed to cut it also.