PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

duty on the part of those to whom the pensions are
payable. The first purpose to which the revenue is
devoted is the interest of the national debt, which
commenced in 1693, just five years after the glorious
revolution of 1688, and was probably one of the
glorious results of it. The national debt has increased
several millions, in spite of the efforts of certain com-
missioners for reducing it. These gentlemen now
and then announce the fact of their having rubbed
off a few pounds at one end, while, somehow or other,
a few thousands have been rubbed on at the other.
If, till the debt is paid off, the commission is to be
continued, it may be fairly pronounced immortal.
The only method of getting rid of it would be for the
sovereign to file a petition at the Insolvent Court in
the name of the nation, and solemnly take the benefit
of the act, in the presence of all the fundholders.

The whole of the revenues already described were
given up by George III. to the public, in lieu of an
allowance which was called the civil list—from the
extreme civility on the side both of the king and the
people. Some complaints have been occasionally made §|
of the large amount of this civil list; but when all
things are considered—the state-coach, the drawing-
rooms, the levees, the palace dinners, and last, but
not least, the royal progresses, we do not see how
her Majesty can " do it" for less money than is paid
to her.

It will have been seen, from our view of the
royal prerogative and revenue, that the sovereignty
is tolerably well hedged in with restrictions, and has,
after all, very few opportunities of rendering itself
•obnoxious.

The arm)- is at its beck and call, but the Commons
must vote the money for supporting it ; and an army
without pay would be little better than a steam-
engine without steam, or the keeper of Burlington
Arcade without his brass-bound bludgeon. It is
true the sovereign has the run of the treasury, but
there is seldom any money in hand, for it is always
spent first and raised afterwards. It is not now as it
was in the days of the Johns and Richards, who,
directly they usurped the throne, used to jump into
a cab and rush to the Horse-Guards, "to secure,"
■as Hume tells us, " the crown and treasure." These
days of royal roguery are gone, and we may now
venerate the crown and respect the sovereign, with-
out feeling called upon to address to Englishmen
those emphatic words, "Take care of your pockets."

mm

SONGS OF THE SEEDY.

When blighted hearts and seedy coats

Are both together found,
The wretched union denotes

That all is dark around.

They say that sorrow must ;
But when "they do, I'm sure they joke,
For nobodv will trust !

I've tempted Doudney with a bill,

But he has worn a frown,
And, pointing coolly to his till.

Has whisper'd—" Cash—sir—down."

Alas ! 'tis ever thus with those

Who live upon their wits ;
They sometimes get a suit of clothes

By starts—but not by fits.

GIBBS' MONOPOLYLOGUE.

We understand that Mr. W. J. Hammond, ever anxious to provide
variety for the frequenters of the Strand Theatre, has it in contemplation
to offer terms to Alderman Gibbs, for a Monopolylogue, in which the

worthy Alderman will sustain six different_some say indifferent—

characters. The following is a copy of the intended announcement :—

SLY BOOTS, (a Churchwarden, which is the

only account of him that can be given) . Alderman Gibbs !

My heart, alas ! is sear'd indeed,

And all exposed to view,
Because my wrapper, from the Tweed,

Is wearing almost through. j TRUST'EM, ( a Trustee of the Margate In-

firmary, with the Song of " I've no money") Alderman Gibbs ! !

They tell me I should wear a cloak, VISION,' (Treasurer of the National School,

in which he will actually make up an ac-
count—positively for the first time) . . Alderman Gibbs!!

The seedy coat, and blighted heart,

The cold ones do not heed ;
But you and I shall never part.

My wrapper—oh ! my Tweed ! I Clock!

PAUL PRY, (a Commissioner of the Income

Tax) . . . . . . . Alderman Gibbs! ! ! !

O'GRUEL, (Chairman of the London Union) Alderman Gibbs ! ! !! !

ALDERMAN GIBBS, in proprid persona,
with the song of " On that cold flinty Rock,"
and a pas seid to the admired air of " That's

the way the money goes." .... Alderman Gibbs !!!!! ]

Viva.ni Regina et Princeps :
N.B. (Particularly).—ArO MONEY RETURNED !

Who savs " Time waits for no man V—Onlv look at the St. Clement's