Punch: Punch (69.1875)

130 PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [October 2, 1875.

POLO ON THE SEA.

as it is to be played next year at all the french watering-places.

BKITANNIA OBJECTS—

To the Admiralty Circular, of July 2>lst, to Captains of H.M, Ships,
on the subject of fugitive Slaves,

" Eh ! what! " cries Britannia, rubbing her eyes,
With a look of exceedingly startled surprise,

" ' Supplementary Slave-Trade Instructions' ?
I thought I had settled that little affair.
A pretty postscriptum, my Lords, I declare !
But I don't see my countersign set anywhere,
To this newest of naval productions.

" My will, I conceived, was made clear to the world,
That, wherever my Union Jack was unfurled,

The Slave should find freedom thereunder.
That's a fair and square rule which all quibbles should quell,
But, as for this roundabout 1 Circular,'—well,
It would tax a Sea-lawyer its bearings to tell:

One thing, though, is plain,—it's a blunder!

'1 No need for tall talk about ruling the waves,
But, at least, my ' broad rule ' does not recognise Slaves,

Whether stretched o'er green land or blue ocean.
A legalised Serf on a free British ship
Is a novel conception not easy to grip.
Re-rivet the chains he has managed to slip ?

I rather rebel at the notion!

With Slave-owning powers my Sea-dogs and I
Will find it stiff work to keep terms,—if we try.
We hold them in scorn, and they hate us.

0 ! I fancy I see a Committee of Jacks

On a fugitive wretch coolly turning their backs,
Or holding palaver, like snore-going quacks,
With a view to ' determine his status5!

My ships may not court the poor runaway thrall,
But, if once he's on board, upon Britons to call
Their prey to the sharks to surrender,

1 fancy is coming it rather too strong.

I demur to the 1 claims' of the shackle and thong,
And to ' rights' which are based on the blackest of wrong
One may be just a trifle too tender.

Let them look to their ' chattels'! my craft were not made
To play any part in the Slave-snatching trade.

I have spent blood and bullion to burk it.
My stand has been taken, and if it should lead
To some trifle of trouble,—as well may succeed
When Honest Intent counters Yillanous Greed,—

It is not my intention to shirk it.

No, my Lords; your solicitude's thoughtful and kind,
I regret the result is not more to my mind.

When you give my old rule a new reading,
I might be consulted. At present, I hold
That your course in the case is a little too bold;
You had better hark back, for your counsels are cold,

And your glosses obscure and misleading.

What philanthropists fought for, and legists confirm,
Shall not be evaded by wriggle and squirm,

Nice quibble, or politic paltering.
My Law is writ large for all Nations to see,—
Ashore or afloat, 'neath my Flag all are Free !
That's a very plain rule, and you '11 reckon with me

If you think it requires any altering 1

Riotous Religion.

The papers have lately been enlivened with some edifying reports
of " Roman Catholic Riots at Montreal." It is a wonder that the
denomination thus applied to Riots has not brought out Sir George
Bowyer with a protest against it. The idea that a riot can have a
religion, Catholic or Protestant, appears very absurd, but the fact,
nevertheless, is undeniably so; at least, wheresoever .there is a
Latin Race or an Irishry.

Instantaneous Communication between Guard and Passengers
by Railway.—A Tip !