Punch (29.1855)

iv

PREFACE.

Among other scandals, it was wickedly preached to your discredit, Jonathan—rather let me say to your
indignation—that the American eagle was to keep company awhile with the eagle of Muscovy, swooping
alike at the same quarry, ravening alike on the same victims. We should as soon think of seeing the
small pig-tail of Benjamin Franklin—(a relic, of course in the possession of the respected Mr. Barnum)
— enlarged and elongated into the knout of the Czar. We should as soon believe that the key of
Franklin that sublimed his soul with the conviction that he had drawn down the electric fire from the
clouds, could be fitted to the lock of a dungeon for the liberty of the human race. No; no, Jonathan !
As it is sometimes said of cocks, so Punch says of the likelihood of the conjoined American and Russian
eagles,—those eagles won't fight !

Let us, then, for all future time take good heed that we be mutually moderate; mutually
forbearing. As for that matter of Cuba, I confess, I can hardly see why, if you paid for it, you should
not have it. I don't think it would prove the bargain, even at a gift—(and Spain is quite as likely to give
as she is to pay)—that you in your present exaltation believe it. Cuba is called a jewel: nevertheless, is
there not a little too much black blood in the ruby to make it very valuable to yourself, all Southern
circumstances considered ?

Any way, Jonathan, let us, at this season, making long arms, shake hands across the Atlantic,
Let our amity remain as green as holly leaves, our hearts unspotted by black as the holly berries. And
so to the end let all " asperities " be worn away.

" That the smooth temper of our age may be
Like the high leaves upon the holly tree."

You may acknowledge this Christmas tribute in any cordial manner—after your own cordial nature
-—you may please. A few bouquets the more, an extra cheer or so, to our literary plenipotentiary,
William Makepeace Thackeray now in the States, will be blithely taken in full quittance, by

Dear Jonathan,

Your Affectionate Friend

(For the People of England),