Punch (64.1873)

February 15, 1873.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

65

ARCADES AMBO.

Oliver (who has come in the same Cab with Roland). " You're all eight, old
Man, for i heard you Rehearsing the idiotic Story you're going to tell
at Supper 1"

Roland. "And you're all Right! for I heard you Rehearsing the
idiotic Song you 're going to Sing after ! "

COMPROMISE WITHOUT CONCESSION.

The orthodox defenders of the Athanasian Creed,
how zealous soever, may yet be said, in holding their
late meeting at St. James's Hall and the Hanover Sqnare
Rooms in two parts simultaneously, to have been doing
things by halves. That, however, is a remark to which,
as it may seem to savour of buffoonery, they will perhaps
not be disposed to pay any very serious attention. They
were, in reality, most enthusiastic, their numbers were
very great, their respectability was the highest, and,
as the Post, in commenting on their assembly, truly
says:—

" The intelligence of the vast audience is to be taken into
account."

Yes; and it must have been considerably above the
average if they were capable of understanding the Creed
of St. Athanasius. Of course they are capable of under-
standing it who really believe it. Equally, of course,
those who really disbelieve it can understand it too.
May there not, though, be very many people who believe
that they believe it, and also, perhaps, as many who
believe that they disbelieve it, and are all of them on
both sides alike mistaken ? Do not they, together, con-
stitute the vast majority? Do the English words of the
Athanasian Creed, translated, convey to their minds any
ideas that would not in truth be as effectually con-
veyed, even to those the least learned, by the original
Quicunque vult f Now this question seems to suggest a
way out of a controversy which may be thought to afford
a great deal too much amusement to Papists and Dis-
senters. Could not Convocation ask Parliament to allow
the creed of St. Athanasius, exceptionally, to be recited
in Latin ? By this expedient very much would be done
to prevent the possibility of any contention as to its
meaning. Those who hold by the Athanasian Creed
would be assured that they heard its genuine version,
and, as for the rest, it would offend the ears of very few,
whilst then also it would really and truly be read no
more at all than it is now in " a tongue notunderstanded
of the people."

Good Old Stuff.

On Candlesmas day it was dark, and snew.
A spell of mild weather has thence been due
By your doggerel rhymes antique we 're told.
But the weather has since been bitterly cold.

him to account, and elicited the declaration that Mr. White had
not meant to assail that gentleman.

Mr. Gladstone, after compliments to the new speakers, and a
becoming and respectful reference to Mr. Disraeli's bereavement,
instinctively applied himself to the Irish Education question (" Heard
ye the din f " etc.) as that on which battle must come. He declared
that the advancement of learning in Ireland was not irreconcileable
with the sanctity of rights of conscience. The task would be diffi-
cult, but he relied on the support of Parliament, and favourable
construction. He thought we ought to regard Russia's expedition
to Khiva as we should have insisted on our own into Abyssinia being
regarded. Dae care would be taken of our commercial interests in
dealing with France. He then replied to Mr. Disraeli on the
American question, and contended that though we had, of course, I

gained no certainty of perpetual peace, we had brought a very large REGISTRAR-GENERALISATION,
number of irritating matters to a peaceful issue, and he believed 4 „ ^T , , , ~ , , ,

t},ai nntKfiw},f,lp +.v»« tin Hon tnnt rha rio.i,t ™™ «f tfco A. _ green Yule " has ceased to make a fat churchyard.

which are your pride and joy and chief delight—apples of gold in
pictures of silver—fire-flies tangled in a silver braid. There will be
some fun this Session, Madam, and perhaps wigs on the green.

Friday.—" They have been at a great feast of languages, and have
stolen the scraps," says one of Shakspeare's characters. To-night
members seem to have come in, like good little children, to eat up
the dessert. Numbers of small speeches, on the topics of last night,
were made. Nothing worth note was said, except that Mr. Glad-
stone, being questioned as to the course of legislature, wisely said
that he had learned by experience "to do one thing at a time."
So, to adapt Shakspeare again, "Goto, now for your one thing
which you will do."

that, on the whole, this nation took the right view of the business,
unpleasant as it might be to hand over money.

Mr. Hardy and Mr. Vernon Harcourt spoke; and the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer denied that he had meant to be rude to
Sir Alexander Cockburn. But he (Mr. Lowe) had a sincere

horror and detestation of war, which arbitration prevented, but men and philosophers ? Suppose that m a given district, undramed,
iudement should be sriven without reasons. the death-rate during a certain space of time, had, comparatively

Weather which is " muggy " and "unseasonable " no longer favours
the diffusion of zymotic diseases. These conclusions are drawn by
the Deputy-Registrar from figures afforded by the experience of this
one past year. Is that exactly the way to reason, medical gentle-

to that of adjoining drained districts, declined. Would you jump to
the conclusion that cesspools are salubrious ? Are we quite sure that
we have not just passed through a season exceptional from unascer-
tained causes, which, in its extraordinary effects on the Public
Health, have constituted it the exception which proves the rule ?

judgment should be given without reasons.

Lord Bury thought Canada had been hardly treated, and had at
least deserved kindly mention in the Speech. Sir S. Northcote
said that Canada had not been ill-treated, at all. He knows.

The Address was agreed to, and we went away about half-past
eleven.

There, Madam, for whom Mr. Punch, with pride and humility
(mixed) usually distils this Ess. Pari. Bouquet! He has felt it his

duty, in recording the opening night, to be slightly instructive, hard times.

because he wishes you to understand the position of Men and Q,ues- j Mr. Punch once gave a memorable word of advice " To Persons
tions. Bat he promises you that in the future, you shall have less ] about to Marry." He feels it to be his duty now to repeat it with a
of the Parliament talk and more of his own delightful epigrams, , seasonable addition—" Don't"—until coals are cheaper,

Vol. 6*.