Punch (9.1845)

188

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

ANTI-RAILWAY MEETING OF FOX-HUNTERS.

r^N Sunday last—this being the day usually selected for sporting conver-
^ taziones—a meeting of country gentlemen took place at a certain box
in a well-known hunting district. The box not containing a compartment
large enough to hold them, the assembly adjourned to the extensive
stables attached to it.

Martin Gale, Esquire, a gentleman of great name and influence in
the county, was unanimously called to the corn-bin, which answered every
purpose of a chair.

The respected Chairman commenced by stating the object for which
the meeting had been convened ; namely, to take into consideration the
prospects of fox-hunting, as likely to be affected by the lines of railway
about to intersect the kingdom. He would call their serious attention to
a most gloomy picture. This was the frontispiece of the last number of
the " Railway Guide." It was a map of England and Wales, showing
both the existing and projected lines. Could they conceive a more
melancholy prospect than this 1 He would now exhibit to them a similar
map in a recent number of Punch. He had no objection to harmless
mirth ; but he thought that Punch might better employ his pen or pencil,
or whatever it was, than in joking on so serious a subject. With the
country thus furrowed and channelled all over, he would ask where they
were to run ! Echo answered " Where 1 " But Echo would never more
respond to " Tally-ho ! " The hills and vales of Old England would cease
to resound with " Yoicks ! " " Tantivy ! " would be a forgotten word ;
and the only view-hollow, for the future, would be that of some con-
founded tunnel. He would ask the meeting what they were to do ? He
did not know, for his part ; and, having confirmed this assertion with an
oath, he sat down amid much applause.

Sir Nimrod Snaffles had never thought to speak against rails. They
all knew his bay mare, and were aware that few would stop her. But
these rails would bring all hunting to a stand-still ; Parliament should
have thought of that. Suppose the fox took the rail, as it would from
natural instinct, how could they follow the scent with the train following
them ! The animal would run to tunnel, of course ;—there would be a
pretty smash ! The fox would be in at their death, instead of their being
in at his. Other interests were protected ; why not those of the fox-
hunter ! Talk of the laborious classes ! He belonged to a body of
men who worked as hard as any in the kingdom. His vested rights,
therefore, ought to be respected ; and for this purpose he would move
that a petition be presented to Parliament praying for the stoppage of
further railway extension.

The Honourable Mr. Whyte Corduroys would second that motion.
Never might he see that ugly invention, the steam-engine, supersede that
noble animal, the horse ! But this would be the •ease if railway exten-
sion went on. It would be impossible, however, to hunt by steam. The
chase would therefore be abolished ; the southerly wind and the cloudy

sky would no longer proclaim a hunting morning ; the hunt, in fact,
would be up for ever. Let them, therefore, take time by the forelock,
and make the most of it whilst they could. He was addressing fox-
hunters ; but he knew that they could enjoy stag-hunting on occasion ;
and he would conclude by advising them to commence instantly hunting
the railway Stag, and use their best endeavours,to run him down.

The petition was then agreed upon ; and after three several volleys of
groans for engineers, stokers, steam, and Her Majesty's Ministers, the
meeting went to inspect the kennel.

CLERGYMEN ON RAILWAYS.

When w$ saw the names of various clergymen in the list of Directors
of proposed railways, we felt that the reverend gentlemen could not be
better placed. As railways are for the most part conducted, we think
every Company should have at least ten clergymen in its direction, one
holy gentleman being compelled to travel with every train, that he might
be on the spot to administer consolation in the case of mortal casualty.
Indeed, every train should have its parson, as every line-of-battle ship
has its chaplain. Henry of Exeter, however, has written a sort of
pastoral note to a director clergyman, calling his attention to the 1st and
2nd Vic, which do not permit members of the Church to " deal for gain
or profit." Taking the hint from the Bishop, may we also be allowed to
point out these statutes to certain Deans and Chapers who show their
churches for gain and profit, and, turning the penny by the exhibition of
statues, &c, do certainly compete with Madame Tussaud, and such like
traders 1

Royal Melodies.

The King of Denmark is selling one of his colonies, a newspaper para-
graph says, " for a mere song." We have made inquiries in the City, and
have ascertained that the song alluded to is " I've no money."

COMING EVENTS, &C.

As many as seventeen thousand newspapers have been found in the
General Post Office with their covers burst. The reason of the news-
papers bursting is accounted for, by the fact that they contain so many
railway bubbles.___________

Printed by William Bradbury, of No. S, York Place, Stoke Newtngton, and Frederick Mulleu Evana,
of No. 7, Church Row, Stoke Newlngton, both In the County of Middlesex, Printer*, at
their Office in Lombard Street, In the Precinct of Whltefriar», In the City of London, and
publiihed by them, at No. 92. Fleet Street, In the Parish of 8t. Brlde'i, In the Clrr of Loadon.

—SiTtntDit, Oct. S5, 1S4o.