Punch: Punch (6.1844)

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

259

THE EMPEROR'S CUP.

under a charge of cavalry. A fourth, the deportation of a Jewish-
community, some in a state of semi-nudity, others characteristi-
cally attired in old clothes. The whole to typify the social and
political phenomena of Muscovite life.

The handles of the cup to consist of female forms in Polish
attire, weeping into the bowl ; females, Polish or otherwise, being
very apt to weep when they are bereaved or turned out of doors ;
and especially if they are whipped into the bargain.

Hurrah for Nicholas ! He is an Emperor worth more than
five hundred sovereigns—a year to us. He has given a very
splendid cup to John Bull, who, of course, will " bury all unkind-
ness" in it.

A LITTLE BILL.

{For the accinnmo&utibn of ui\ti-Gambling Legislators.)

" tHS^tTCHla, an Act for the Prevention and Suppression of
Gambling hath been already for some time in operation, and hath
lately been successfully acted on, to the downfall of thimbleriggers
and the discomfiture of Art Unions, by means whereof a great
many fools, who would otherwise have parted with their money,
have been caused to retain the same in their pockets, or perad-
venture to spend it in something like a sensible way :

Qnt} tofjcrras it is expedient that all manner of gambling,
of what name and description soever, be utterly and entirely
suppressed, prevented, and abolished :

^tltf fttrtfyfr, fr>I)Crr<l3 divers and sundry subjects of Her most
gracious Majesty Victoria, being seised and possessed of wealth cr
of title, or of,both, do notoriously waste the one and disgrace the
other by various acts and proceedings which are plainly and con-
fessedly neither more nor less than downright gambling at the very
best, and do in many cases involve extensive cheating and seoun-
drelism into the bargain :

33r tt fiPllcUtctl, for the self-preservation of fools of distinction,
the protection of their wives and families, the better security of
their estates from mortgage, and of their goods and chattels from
Jews and Sheriffs' officers ; also for the encouragement of the
breed of horses, and the extinction of that of black-legs and other
swindlers, That from and after the passing of this Act, it shall be
lawful for no manner of person or persons, under any pretence
whatsoever, to play any game of chance or hazard ; whether with
cards, dice, dominoes, couuters, pieces, or any sort or descrip-
tion of implements, for money or goods : And be it enacted, That
no person or persons shall stake or venture any sum of money, or
any amount of goods or property, on any stand, race-course, in
any betting-room, or other place, on any horse, mare, colt, pony,
mule, ass, or any other beast or animal : And whereas certain
persons, subjects of Her said Majesty, do sometimes unlawfully
meet together, and contend with their fists, till one, by reason
of his wounds and bruises, shall confess himself beaten, or do-
struggle for the mastery in running, leaping, wrestling, or other
feats of strength and agility, or in the shooting of certain fowl
denominated pigeons and sparrows: 38f: tt (ffltartcrj, That it shall
be unlawful for any person or persons to lay, with respect to
the issue of such contention, struggle, or competition, any sort or
c . | kind of wager : And further, whereas other certain persons, also

So the Emperor or all the Russias has subscribed 500 guineas yearly for the subiects of Her aforesaid Majesty, do, at the Stock Exchange and
purchase of a piece of plate, to be run for at Ascot races. Well: this is hand-
some, certainly. England will be the richer by plate to the value of 500 guineas
per annum at the expense of Nicholas. The Autocrat lias come down gallantly.
It was politically done. Henceforward let not a whisper be breathed against
him. Surely a donation of 500 guineas annually is an all-redeeming act of
virtue. We would canonise a Nero ou the strength of it.

Of course, the plate will have to be designed ; and, as necessarily, the design
will be a matter of competition. Under these circumstances, Punch, who would
have no objection to receive a couple of hundreds or so for an idea, has set to
work and devised a cup, which he proposes as the prize to be provided by the
Emperor.

Though a 500 guinea cup should, one might think, be composed entirely of
pure gold, yet Punch would have this slightly alloyed with silver, as well to
render it the more durable, as in regard, for an obvious reason, to the mines of
Siberia.

The utensil is to be supported on a skull ; and its stem to be decorated with
carvings or small models of the knout; the same being emblematical of the foun-
dations of despotic government.

The sides of the cup to be garnished with festoons of fetters ; ornaments
which may be regarded as the insignia of Autocracy.

On its sides various devices are to be engraven in bas-relief; one com-
partment to contain a group of exiles, driven by the bayonets of soldiers to
Siberia ; the gold of the back ground being frosted, for the better indication of
the locality. On another are to be delineated young dress-makers and servants,

The French papers are continually complaining that England
never makes any advances to France. Now we contend that the
very fact of the Dover pier being carried out further into the
sea every year, is a proof to the contrary, and shows most forcibly
that England is willing to meet France at least half-way. Let
France on its side only do the same from Calais, and the Strait*
( that at present divide the two countries will be most practically
undergoing corporal punishment. A third is to exhibit a tableau of houses i removed, and the union between them cemented in a most literal,
dilapidated or burning, with peasantry, women, and children, running away ■; and, if the sea will allow it, a most permanent manner.

subjects of Her aforesaid Majesty, do, at the Stock Exchange and
elsewhere, venture and hazard enormous sums in divers and
sundry speculations, by means whereof they, with their wives,
families, and dependents, are oftentimes reduced to beggary in one
moment: 23c tt (£naitclJ, That no person or persons shall be suf-
fered so to hazard and venture any sum of money, except by way
of lawful investment; for which provision shall be made hereafter :
And lastly, Mt it (SllRtteXi, That any person or persons offending,
against any of the provisions of the above Act, shall incur and be
liable to the pains and penalties of gambling."

Punch is sorry to deprive any nobleman or gentleman of in-
nocent recreation ; but the legislature, which would restrain the
immorality of the poor, should be equally considerate with regard
to the rich.

Joining Issue.