Punch (82.1882)

TAP FOR TAP : IN LONDON WATER-COLOURS.

LEYIATHANS AT PLAY.

(See the “ smart ” controversy concerning the London Water Supply,
hatween Sir Edmund Beckett, Mr. Firth, M.P., and others, in the
“ Tivies.”)

First Leviathan (flopping magnificently). Now, this is nice ! I ’ve
made this Water Question all my own ! (Sings.)

I ’m monareh of all I survey,

Quite a fluvial Cock of the Walk ;

Sixteen millions of gallons a day
From the clean circumamhient ehalk,

For a trifling Six Millions or so—

That ’s the tap for Johjt Bull-

Hillo ! What ’s that heastly noise ?

Second Leviathan (splashing superbly). You are making an awiul
exhibition of yourself, floundering round in that nngainly fashion.
Now, my style is worthy of Triton himself — clean and swift;
graceful as a Nereid’s, tremendons as_a torpedo’s. Look ont! Ah.
nearly had yonr weather-fin otf that time. _

First Leviathan (righting himself clumsily). lah! What do you j
know abont water ?

Second Leviathan (whishing). Tvnew all about it before you were ;
born. Precious proud of yonr spouting, you are. But-