Punch (58.1870)

62

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [February 12, 1870.

PANTOMIME

TRAIN

OUR PANTOMIME TRAIN, 1870.

FAL-LALS FOR FEBRUARY.

Le Follet this month, discoursing of ladies' dresses, more than once
mentions "the body." It also refers to a " Marie Antoinette." Does
that mean a body without a head ?

In detailing the " Fashions for February" Le Follet also, with
respect to part of a ball-dress, states that:—

" A pouff of white tulle, very bouffant at the waist, is held up by a wreath
of flowers matching those on the front."

Pouff! Bouffant! Pouff, pouff, pouff! What, have our fair friends
taken to wearing windbags ? Eh, Thomas de Chelsea P Why, the
fashions are airier than ever!

Finally, Le Follet announces that:—

" Black velvet has been much worn."

Do not, however, shabbily sympathising with husbands and fathers,
rejoice in the idea that it has been worn threadbare. Read on, and you
will learn that black velvet has not by any means been worn so much
as to have been worn out:—

" But it is giving way to lace or bright-coloured velvets and satins."

To the immense emolument of mercers, drapers, and milliners, at the
proportionate expense of Paterfamilias and Monsieur Le Mari.
Let them not grin, but smile and bear it.

The Best Possible Instructor.

Mr. E. Dicey is to be the new Editor of the Daily News. A good
man, with a good name. Punch offers him a motto—" Dice, Doce,
B-dice "—or, Englished,

" Speak, and speak out;
And sow wisdom about."

totj 're another !

Cabmen henceforth will avoid the above witty repartee, and will
reply, classically, " Ft tu Brucey ! "

THE PERILS OF PENMANSHIP.

What a Paradise must Swansea be for little boys—at least, if all the
schools there are so careful of their infant prodigies as this!—

" Scholastic.—At the old Swansea Academy * * * Juniors, two to seven
or eight years of age, will be taught writing with soft quill pens ; thus avoid-
ing wearisome muscular pressure, and galvanic, paralysing effects on the infant
nerve."

The infant nerve must be in a singular condition if quill pens are
essential to prevent its being paralysed. We shall be careful not to
let this notion creep into our nursery, or Master Jacky will pretend
he is galvanically shocked whenever a steel penholder is put into his
hand; and Master Freddt will be feigning to be stricken by paralysis
when his writing lesson comes on, and his pen first makes a stroke.

SHAKSPEARIAN SONG.

Arranged by a Gentleman from Boulogne on a temporary visit to his

Native Land.
Axa—" Under the Greenwood Tree."

Under the Bankrupt Act,
The latest new Bankrupt Act,

We 're merry,

Oh very,
Under the Bankrupt Act.

We 're merry
Under the Bankrupt Act! [Exeunt omnet.

The Political Hercules.

Viewing the heavy labours which he has to front, Mr. Gladstone
may be fitly called the modern Hercules. One thing in his favour is
that, for the good work of reforming which he has to do, there is a
Reform Club at his hand to help him.

Fascinating Ladies.—Arch-Duchesses.