Punch: Punch (33.1857)

SENSIBLE RIDING COSTUME FOR WARM WEATHER.

ME. PUNCH AND THE VICTOEIA CEOSS.

Perhaps ; no, we scorn a qualified expression, and begin again with—
Decidedly the most imposing ceremonial which lias ever taken place in
a free or any other country, was exhibited to the eyes of the million,
on Friday, the 26th of June, 1857, in Hyde Park, when and where Her
Most Gracious Majesty was pleased to confer upon Mr. Punch
the Victoria Cross, or Order of Merit, in acknowledgment of many
years of gallant, daring, and faithful service to the Throne, the Altar,
and the Nation.

The day was fixed for Friday, because it fell within the week during
which Mr. Punch is engaged in preparing the first number of a new
volume, and the Queen, with her usual kindly forethought, considered
that a Cartoon representing the event would be an appropriate opening
engraving. "Unless," added Her Majesty, with a mingled expression
of archness and kindness, when settling the affair with Mr. Punch,
at the Palace, "unless yon object to receiving an honour in the
same week with the Prince, whom I am just ordering to be prayed for
as Prince Consort." It is needless to record Mr. Punch's affectionately
loyal yet epigrammatically subtle response.

The ceremony was witnessed by exulting myriads, and therefore it
is not necessary to describe that which those myriads in a state of
frantic exultation at their good luck in witnessing such a scene, have
been ceaselessly narrating to everybody ever since. But the following
list, which comprises only a very few of the signal military and civil
services of Mr. Punch, should be treasured as a record in connection
with the glorious celebration of Friday. That immortal man was
decorated, (inter alia,)

For having in the most gallant manner, and single-handed, stormed the fortress
of Protection, and opened the gates to Commander R. Coedkn and the League.

For having protected the country when it was threatened by the Chartists, and
for having completely put down Chartism.

For having attacked the Post Office when in the hands of the Brigand Graham,
and for having delivered the correspondence of the nation from that plunderer.

Fot having a second time attacked the Post Office, and handed it over to Rowland
Hill, whereby the tremendous letter-tax was put down ill favour of the present
system.

For having completely put down Repeal, and driven all Repealers out of Ireland.
For having destroyed the Welsh Toll Gates, and for being ready, and what is
more determined, to do the same by those of England.

For having charged into Caj>el Court, and routed out its nest of pirates, and for
having afterwards shot down all the wild stags that were so dangerous to ssciety.
For having utterly defeatel the Papal Aggressionists.

For having made War upon Russia, and for having finally humiliated her, aud
compelled her to sign a Treaty.
For having smashed the Albert hat.

For having repulsed intended invasions by France and America.
For having overthrown the timid Ministry of Lord John Russell.
For having overthrown the foolish Ministry of Lord Derbv.
For having overthrown the un-English Ministry of Lord Aberdeen.
For having made Lord Palmerston, Minister of England, and pledged him to-
Retorm.

For having put down the Sabbatarians, and for having secured rational liberty to
the millions in respect to Sunday observance.

For having created the Great Exhibition of 1851.

For having built and christened the Crystal Palace.

For having compelled the Government to reduce the Income-Tax.

For having suggested every reform and improvement which have been effected in
the world since July 1841, and for intending to pursue the same course as long as
the world requires any amendment whatever.

[The list to be continued through many numbers.

THE CANTERBURY CASINO.

A Notice exhibited on Norwood Common, near the Crystal Palace,
informs the public that the "eligible" circumjacent "land" is "to
let on lease for building purposes: Title from the Archbishop of
Canterbury." This is supposed to be a device of the present occu-
pant of the land—the keeper of two temporary wood and canvas
structures thereon standing; the one a refreshment booth, and the
other a sixpenny dancing ditto. His object is presumed to be to pro-
cure for those establishments a respectability which, we are informed,
does not exactly obtrude itself upon the perception of their visitor.
That a cheap Casino can really be held under the Archbishop is
incredible; for what are Sunday bands, shocking as he deems them,
compared to a sixpenny hop on any day of the week ?

Wiscount Williams's ^Vindication — "Nobility! Psha! we have
no Nobility—we have only got a Haristocracy! "