Punch (35.1858)

126

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [September 25, 1858.

AN EQUESTRIAN DIFFICULTY.

Mr. Sprat. "Don't you think, my Love, that the Groom, who understands these things, had better put you uf?"
Mrs. Sprat {with indignation). " The Groom, Mr. S. ! The Groom put me up ! No, Sir! Put me up yourself, a pretty
Husband you are ! Groom, indeed !"

I 'M AFLOAT.

A WOMAN'S QUESTION.

{Mr. Punch m the Ocean on the broad of his back, singeth.) L A Little book has just been issued by the " Committee of the

Ladies National Association for the Diffusion or Hygienic Know-
ledge," under the interrogative title, Why do not Women Swims' A
wretch has answered, "Why indetd? Women of all creatures ought
to be able to swim. Most of them are light enough, and many are
empty enough."

Quoting only to condemn this horrid observation, let us express the
delight with which we learn that there exists an association for the
diffusion of hygienic knowledge among ladies. We hope to witness
the success of this society's labours in the disuse of tight lacing, the
increasing practice of walking exercise, the growing fearlessness of
sunshine, and fearfulness of gaslight, attested by radiant eyes and rosy
cheeks, not destined to fade almost as fast as the leaves do. Having
made these remarks, we will propose the health of the Ladies—and
may they learn to take care of it.

I'm afloat, I'm afloat, what matters it where ?
So the devils don't know my address, I don't care.
Of London I'm sick, I've come down to the sea,
And let who will make up next week's number for me !
At my lodgings, I know, I'm done frightfully brown,
And e'en lobsters and shrimps cost me more than in town ;
I've B. flats in my bed, and my landlady stern,
Says from London I've brought 'em to give her a turn.
Yet I'm happier far in my dear sea-side home,
Than the Queen on Dee side, or Art-traveller in Rome;
A Cab-horse at grass would be nothing to me,
On the broad of my back floating free, floating free !
On the broad of my back floating free, floating free !
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! ha!
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! ha!

„ , . Health of the Electric Telegraph.

VV ith the lodging-house-keepers all day on the bite, ,

And the insects I spoke of as hungry at night, j It is wrong to imagine that the spark of liie is extinct. The most

eminent physicians in electricity declare it is only a case of
suspended animation that for the moment has taken away the faculty
of speech. The last accounts report favourably that the patient is fast
mending. In a day or two, strong hopes are entertained at Valentia,
that he will be satisfactorily brought to, and enabled better than
ever to keep his word to the last word in the solemn compact of
civilisation that he has entered into between the Old World and the
New.

With the organs " Dog-traying" and "Bobbing Around"
And extra-size Crinolines sweeping the ground,
You mny think Mr. Punch might be apt to complain
That the sea-side's but Regent Street over again:
But from devils and copy and proof-sheets set free,
I ve a week to do nothing but bathe in the sea.
In steamers and yachts I've been rocked on its breast,
And didn't much like it, it must be confessed;
But a cosy machine and shoal water give me,
And there let me float—let me float and be free!

The First Fruits of Turkish Economy—An Irish Gentleman
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! ha1 of the Press describes the Sultan's startling Seraglio Reform, as

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! ha! <" bringing the Sultanas to raison."