Punch (99.1890)

Sot

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [November 29, 1890.

THE FINAL TEST.

Bellona {to the " Times" and Mr, Stanhope). "I suppose, Gentlemen, you don't want to wait foe Me to Settle the Question ?'

Tommy Atkins, loquitur.—

Oh, where and toot am I ? A spindle-shank'd stripling,

As blue-gilled old Tory ex-Colonels protest ?
Oca 'ero, aa pictured by young Rudyabd Kipling,

Sii foot in my socks, forty-inch round the chest ?
I'm blowed if I know arter all the discussion.

Bat if I'm the cove as they 're going to trust,
To give good account of yer Frenehy or Russian,

At least they'd best giTe me a gun as won't bust.

They've bin righting this battle of barrels and breeches, —

Ah yus, from the days of our poor old Brown Bess,
And wot's the result as their 'speriments teaches ?

They'd better jest settle it sharp-like, I gusss.;
If once of a rattlin' good rifle I'm owner,

A thing as won't jack-up or jam, I don't care.
But if they stand squabblin' till Missis Bblloner] J
Pats in 'er appearance, there '11 be a big scare.,