Punch: Punch (87.1884)

134 PUNCH, OK THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [September 20, 1884.

THE MODEL “ MAID-OF-ALL-WORK.”

[Lord Duffebjn, when holding the office of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in Mr. Gladstone’s first Administration, spoke of himself as
the “ Maid-of-All-Work” to the Government.]

Mr. Punch. “You’re taking a brand-new Broom with you, Duffy, Mavourneen ; and with the excellent Character
you’ve got from your previous Situations, I do hope you’ll find your new Place suit you.”

Duffy [the “ Maid-of-All- Work”). “Sure, I thank ye, Sir; and won’t I do my best to give Satisfaction?”

Punch loquitur:—

Maid-of-All-Work ! Why, yes, for what work comes amiss
To your tact and your tidiness, Duffy, my dear ?

Such a natty Colleen very seldom is seen,

And if ever case called for your skill, it is here.

A broom you can twirl with the handiest girl
That ever old Ireland sent over the blue.

Things want putting straight, they’ve been muddled of late,

And if anyone’s good for the task, sure it’s you !

You have had “ situations ” in various stations,

At home and abroad, in the East and the West,

The South and the North ; and you ’re next going forth
To a “ place ” that will put e’en your skill to the test.

For your briskest new broom you will find lots of room ;

To handle it well and without any risk

To so much bric-a-brac, will demand alL your knack
In avoiding the chance of a dangerous whisk.

Some Indian ware will require as much care
As those quaint Poonah figures so fragile and brittle.
But not in the manner of rash Mary Anner

You ’ll work, and of doubt we have no jot or tittle.

A Maid-of-All-Work who has served with the Turk
Without one spill or smash, might be trusted to deal
With the Mighty Mogul without muddle or mull,

By too frisky an action of elbow or heel.

Your credentials, in fine, are so good, Duffy mine,

That now you are going “ to better yourself,”

’Tis yourself we can trust just as deftly to dust
’Midst choice Indian bowls as midst commonest delf.

So, when you make start, where for your finished art»

0 Duffy Mavourneen, there’s plenty of room,

Punch hastens to wish you fair play and fair issue,

“More power to your elbow, best luck to your broom! ”