Punch (74.1878)

February 16, 1878.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. 69

Nor to shore shattered ramparts, is the task,

That Europe's best strength and best skill will ask;

But to shape solid barriers of peace

And freedom. Let the war of party cease

Before this work ; and if quite other war

Than this, more perilous, yet nobler far—

The war for Right—arise, let but the call

Come clear from Honour's lips, and Britons all

Will answer, as one man, to the appeal

Of Duty, Christian faith, and patriot zeal.

But Bully's bluster is not John Bull's voice,

And Hate's blind clamour is not England's choice.

The protests, zealous for our land's fair fame,

"Which slanderers brand with faction's odious name,

Through the well-guided realm will sink and cease,

E'en though War meet us on the way to Peace !

HUNTING AND BAITING.

IT appears that
there is one
law in Eng-
land for

"Badger Bait-
ing.—Atthe Birken-
head Police Court on
Monday, Peter
Flynn, beerseller,
Egerton Street, was
summoned for having
baited and cruelly
ill-treated a badger,
and for having used
a room for the pur-
pose of baiting a bad-
ger. The evidence
showed that in a
room in defendant's
house there was an
iron-barred rat-pit,
and in a corner of the
same room was a
cage consisting of two
parts, a wooden box
and an iron enclo-
sure — which per-
mitted a view of the
badger there con-
fined. There was a
lid at the top, pre-
sumably for the admission of a dog. It was shown that in this room there
was both rat-killing and badger-baiting. With respect to the latter sport,
one witness said the badger and dog were tossing over together, as if wrest-
ling. A fine of £5 was imposed."

The law calls badger-baiting cruelty to animals, and punishes it
accordingly. There would seem to be another law for stag-baiting.
On the day after that whereon the foregoing paragraph appeared,
the following announcement, nevertheless, was also made in the
Times:—

"Her Majesty's Staghounds.—The Earl of Hardwicke requests us
to state that on Friday the South-Western Railway will run a special train to
Bracknell at 10-45, for the accommodation of noblemen and gentlemen hunt-
ing with the Royal Buckhounds."

But how, then, can badger-baiting be illegal ? Not only does
stag-baiting go unpunished, nor does anybody attempt to prosecute
the parties concerned in it, but it is actually superintended and ex-
pressly sanctioned, and has its practice facilitated and furthered by
a high State Officer under the Crown. If Lord Hardwicke, as
Master of the Royal Buckhounds, may lawfully preside over and
promote stag-baiting, ought not Mr. Flynn's conviction for badger-
baiting to be quashed, and his fine remitted ? And do not the poor
pastimes of the plebs want countenance; and would it not be a
graceful Act of Parliament that legalised the appointment of a
Master of the Bull Terriers ?

By a i(Dissipated Undergraduate."

For hooting and howling at Gladstone, in vain,
A knot of Toung Oxfords by Rogers were rated:

But Gladstone himself, with Lord B. on the brain,
If not" dissi," may fairly be called " Dizzy "-pated!

The Higher Education oe Women.—Learning how to walk in
French boots with six-inch heels.

SPORT AND SLAUGHTER.

Wbai the Farmers say.—In course, Gentlemen will have their
shooting. Still, it do seem a waste to use acres and acres of good
grass for pheasant hatching. But that's the Squire's business.
Farmers wouldn't mind that, if he didn't destroy all the owls and
hawks, stoats and weasels. .Now that the rats and mice have it all
their own way, the whole country's overrun with 'em. Then there's
the mischief the ground-game plays with the green crops.

What the Boys say—I believe you, it is hard work a-watching the
preserves all day long, with no wittles to speak on, and ne'er a
roof to keep the rain off! And they do say we ought to go to
school. But I likes beatin' better. That is jolly.

What the Gamekeepers say.—It certainly don't seem quite the
thing to shoot down birds by the ton. It's rather rough upon us, too,
as have fed the poor things till they 're as tame as our own cocks and
'ens. Sport ain't what it used to be. If they go on at this rate
with their bat-toos, the next thing will be to knock over the birds
in cages ! Then think o' the poachers it makes, and the 'ssize work
they breeds.

What the Beaters say.—Three shillings a day ain't a penny too
much for working through the covers all day, tearin' a chap's clothes,
and wearin' out shoe-leather—no, not even when you gets your bread-
and-cheese and beer,into the bargain. And as for the helps as get
nothing at all, why, how^can the Bench of Magistrates blame them
for prigging ?

What a Parson,*," with an Eye for Nature," writes to the
Times.—"What makes me write is a very strong feeling which
I cannot help having on the score of the inconceivable amount
of cruelty which it involves, through the countless thousands of
iron traps set all over the country every night in the year for
the mere preservation of the pheasants for the slaughter. No
words can describe what I have myself seen. Numbers of traps
are set on the tops of poles to catch our useful owls and harmless
kestrels, there to be left hanging head downwards, by their broken
legs, for hours or days."

What the Squire says.—I must admit, between ourselves, that it
isn't exactly the sort of sport that suits me. It wasn't my father's
form, and my grandfather would have been shocked at it. It costs
a great deal, and none of my people like it. I always blush when I
senli my subscription to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals. But how can I help it ? It's the fashion, my guests expect
it, one must do as other people do.

What the Squire's Guest says.—It certainly saves trouble, yeu
know; but, after a while, it grows a trifle monotonous. By-and-
by, I suppose, we shall do our shooting by deputy. As it is, the
Keepers do most of the work, except pulling the triggers. Much
better leave it all to them, I should say. Never could enjoy an easy-
chair in the open air.

What the English Gentleman all of the Modem Time says.—
Is it my fault, 3lr. Bunch f

And what Mr. Punch sternly replies.—Yes it is, Sir ! You can
put a stop to it if you like—why don't you't

A Shakspearian Commentary.

When Cross grows fierce, and Hardy fiercer far,

Denying Dizzy leanings towards war,

Punch might say—though of doubt he hints no touch—

" Methinks the gentlemen protest too much."

There's a French proverb which describes a ruse

Common in politics, " Qui s]'excuse s'accuse."

What will they Do with themP

Thirty-two new field-officers are to be appointed Majors of
Marines, with an allowance of Is. lOd. per day for forage I Forage ?
Oh, of course. These Majors must belong to the Horse Marines. As
passenger ships are sometimes credited with billiard-tables, we may
one day see Her Majesty's Navy provided with " fields " on board, for
these mounted officers' duties. Or is the forage allowance to be for
sea-horses, whose field will be the Ocean ?

Ireland's Difficulty.

(The Reverse of the Medal.)

When Ireland starved in forty-siven 'twas plain
The Saxon might insult her wid impunity;

So in Pat's face he flung his millions mane.
Bedad, the blagyard knew his opportunity!

Russian Securities.—Turkish Bonds.

T