Punch: Punch (56.1869)

238

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARFVA.RI.

[June 5, 1869.

COMPARISONS.

Barber. li ’Air 's fxtr’ordinary Dry, Sir. (Customer explains he has been in the Country, and out o’ doors a good deal.) Ah ! jus
so, Sir. Ruination to the ’Air, Sir ! If I was to be knockin’ about ’Unting and Fishin’, Lor’, Sir, my LYir wouldn’t be
in no better State than yours, Sir ! ! ”

AN EXAMPLE TO THE ROYAL ACADEMY.

Oh, Mr. Punch! Read this. It is the conclusion of the Post’s
usual letter from Paris, and refers t.o the Exhibition of the Works of
living artists now open in that awful city :—

“ The galleries are visited by thousands of persons daily (1 fr. entrance),
and on Sundays the public are admitted gratis. When are you going to do
likewise ? ”

When ? Too soon, Sir, I am afraid. Is there anything in the Royal
Academy’s Charter to prevent them from throwing open Burlington
House on Sundays gratis ? Unless there is, we have every reason to
fear that they will follow the shocking example set them by the autho-
rities who preside over the Parisian Exhibition. It is not only the
exaggerated ideas which, as artists, they entertain of the moral influence
of painting, but also the notorious liberality of their general views and
practice, from which the danger of their conferring on the working
classes the boon of access to a view a£ their pictures on Sundays may
be apprehended. This would, of course, soon be followed by the con-
cession of admittance to the National Gallery, British Museum, South
Kensington ditto, and all similar places of mental recreation for the
people on the day of leisure. Now, Sir, only consider how the higher
orders have been depraved and demoralised by the entrance to the
Zoological Gardens, of which they practically possess the privilege on
that blessed day. Let our Sabbatarian friends lose no time in peti-
tioning the Legislature to prohibit the Royal Academicians from
taking, if they have now power to take, the first step towards seducing
the minds of the masses from true religion, and genuine qLI) rp0M

Irish Steeplechasing.

The present horsey season suggests an idea which may reconcile
Irish Protestants to disestablishment and disendowment. Hitherto
their Church, as against Popery, has been heavily handicapped. When
it carries less weight, it will have more.

THE ROSE SHOW IN ST. PAUL’S.

Some people may be shocked when Mr. Punch informs them that, if
they want to see the very prettiest of flower-shows, they will find that
it is really to be found in a cathedral. Still the fact will be admitted
by any one who pays a visit to St. Paul’s on the first Thursday in June,
when the school children assemble there. Such a display of roses is
rarely ever seen as that upon the cheeks of these fresh, healthy little
creatures. They look so bright and blooming, these pretty little buds,
that it is clear the blight of poverty as yet has brought small harm to
them. All who see this rose show must own it is the prettiest of any
they have witnessed, and will regret to hear a rumour of its coming
discontinuance. But a whisper has been echoed lately in the whispering
gallery that one of the Great Guns—or, if not, the Minor Canons—has
been thundering at the show, “ because it interferes with the ordinary
service.” If this great gun would open fire at certain choral slovenli-
nesses, and singing-boy irreverences, which disfigure very frequently
the “ ordinary service,” he really would be doing a good service to his
church, and a better one than at St. Paul’s on week-days now is ordi-
nary. But the rose show at St. Paul’s is a pleasant yearly sight, and
puts many a good thought of kindly Christian charity into the forgetful
head of many a good Christian. Many a man who goes there yearly
comes away the better, for the sight is one that can in no place else be
seen; and Canon Punch devoutly hopes that some greater gun may
silence the Canon afore-mentioned, and that the roses and the show
alike may be perennial.

Teetotalised Shakspeare.

Druncan is in his grave ;

After life’s fitful headache he sleeps well;

Liquor has done its worst: nor giu, nor whiskey,

Nor foreign spirits, nor domestic heavy.

Can touch him further.

The Sheet Anchor of our Liberties.—The Press.