Punch (22.1852)

iv

PREFACE.

Street: its tail, in which were joints from India and all the Colonies, was curling round Charing-Cross)—and
pressed in the urgent manner, usual with Deputations, for an interview.

" There's no help for it," thought Punch ; and so, calling into his face that sympathetic, benevolent,
protective look that he once saw illumine the features of Derby when, as the Farmer's Friend, he assured
the men of Chawbeans-cum-Bacon, that they should have justice, and that wheat should be anything they
liked a quarter—with this hopeful and paternal smile upon his features, Mr. Punch received the Head of
the Deputation.

" Gentlemen/' said Punch, resolved to be short, "of course I shall continue to represent you. Go
home, be happy, and make yourselves easy on that point. I shall not speak of my principles. The
One-and-Twentv Volumes of mv life---"

(" Two-and-Twenty," said our boy, in correction.)

"That is, the Two-and-Tvventy—for on this day appears the Twenty-Second" (the Head of the
Deputation seemed duly impressed with the fact)—" lie open before you. The Works of my Life ! Turn
over the leaves, gentlemen : lay your finger if you can upon any violation of any principle. There,
gentlemen, in black and white, are the eleven important years of my existence; years dedicated to your
service—and, through you, to the service, and solace, and satisfaction of the world.

" Gentlemen, I am the Paid Member for all England. The only Paid Member. Every man lias
his price. The price of Punch is Threepence—Fourpence stamped.

" I do not know, gentlemen, that I can add anything to this agreeable fact. Of course, I wish
every year to be worthier of your confidence—your admiration : but I do not see how it is to be done.
The possibility of the thing, as Mr. Disraeli says of Protection, seems to loom in the future; but further
than the possibility, anything more than seeming—with Mr. Disraeli—I cannot even venture to predict.

" You will, therefore, gentlemen, receive the assurance of my distinguished consideration; and
with it, the conviction that during the next Parliament—and all Parliaments to be continued--MR. Punch
will be at his post."

Next morning, I read in the Times that " the Deputation took their leave of the Hon. Gentleman,
highly satisfied with his condescension, and with the very flattering result of their interview."