Punch (62.1872)

194

PUNCH, OK THE LONDON CHAiilVARl.

[May 11, 1872.

GENTLE OVERTURES TOWARDS FRIENDSHIP.

First Stranger. " I declare, Sir, that Women are getting more outrageously Decoltat every Day. Just look over

there, at thai' prodigious old porpoise with the eyeglass ! "

Second Stranger. "Hum! Ha! Yes! i can't help thinking she's a more Festive-Looking Object than that Funereal
old Frump with the Fan ! "

First Stranger. "The 'Funereal old Frump "s my Wife, Sir!"

Second Stranger. "The ' Prodigious Old Porpoise' is mine I Let's go and have some Tea!"

THE FLAG OF DUNDEE.

Air—" Bonny Dundee."

"On Friday night a meeting of Domestic Servants resident in Dundee and
neighbourhood was held. Two girls addressed the meeting at some length,
contending that Domestic Servants were entitled to a half holiday weekly and
a free Sabbath every fortnight, or a full holiday once a fortnight. Hours
should be from six to ten, and no labour on Sunday except what was abso-
lutely necessary. A long and animated discussion afterwards took place as to
the restrictions which were placed upon the wearing apparel of the Servants.
If they were compelled to wear what was generally known as a 4 flag,' it
should be at the expense of the Mistress. The opinion was, however, that it
ought not to be worn at all. Mistresses had no right to interfere with Ser-
vants' apparel in any way so long as it was paid for. "What right had Mis-
tresses to pry into the character of their Servants ? It was high time that
the Domestic Servants should form themselves into an organisation, whereby
they would be enabled to secure information as to the characters, temper, and
conduct of those who might become their employers. It was agreed to form
an Association."—Dundee Advertiser, April 20.

"Servants' Grievances.—A crowded meeting of Gentlemen's Servants
was held last night at the Temperance Hall, Leamington, to discuss their
grievances. Mr. Sollis, butler at Leamington College, presided, but the
great mass of the meeting consisted apparently of coachmen, gardeners, and
stablemen. The Chairman asserted that the condition of many Gentlemen's
Servants was worse than that of slaves, complained of the long hours butlers,
gardeners, and others had to work for the wages they received, and advocated
shorter hours and increased pay. A Resolution was unanimously adopted for
the formation of a Union of butlers, gardeners, grooms, footmen, and porters.
Cheers were given for the ' Maids of Durdee,' and at the conclusion of the

meeting a number of members were enrolled."—Leamington Courier, April25. '< T , ,r : , -, ■ , , £ 3 v ,i___, +„__v,|..»

° * ' * *' Let Masters complain we re led better than taught;

To the Leamington flunkeys'twas Sollis that spoke :
" The Warwickshire labourers' strike is a joke
To what when we strike the sensation will be—
Come follow the housemaids of Bonny Dundee !

" Come, from buttons to butler, from tiger to groom ;
Come, gard'ner from greenhouse, and coachman from brougham;
Come open your grievances, open them free,
And follow the ' flag ' of the Maids of Dundee."

Stop Sollis who can, now he's once on his feet,
Though Leamington's dowagers plaintive may bleat,
Though her bilious old Indians more bilious may be,
"When Leamington follows the lead of Dundee.

" Come, from buttons to butler," &e.

As Sollis the wrongs of the liveried made known,
Some thought of the trumpets at Jericho blown,
And those lights hid in pitchers seemed butlers to be,
Ere they followed the housemaids of Bonny Dundee !

" Come, from buttons to butler," &c.

What, though with three meat-meals a-day we are crammed,
Till in laced coats and plush fellers' figures feel jammed ;
Though with beer, and e'en wines, Servants' 'Alls may flow free,
Why should men not strike here, if maids strike in Dundee ?
" Come, from buttons to butler," &e.

Even hedgers and ditchers can strike, so one hears,
And if they 're Labour's Commoners, we are her Peers;
Who should know on which side our bread's buttered but we ?—
Though for grievances Leamington mayn't be Dundee!

" Come, from buttons to butler," &c.

»„ mplain we 're ' fed better than taught,
There's an answer to that, which it is ' So we ought!
Why if Servants' 'AH fare, like its schoolin' should be,
'Twouldn't breed pluck to follow the Maids of Dundee !

" Come, from buttons to butler," &e.