Punch (32.1857)

PUNCTUAL (like American fashions) to French time, which is rather faster, especially on the Tnileries'
clock, than that of England, His Serene Highness, the Comet, duly arrived on the appointed date.
As other foreign illnstriousnesses are sometimes attended by a scent of consumed cigars, H. S. H. was
accompanied by an odour as of burned-out planets. His head in a wide-awake, and his tail enveloped
in asbestos continuations, H. S. H. hastened to report himself under St. Bride's.

" What's brought you?" said Mr. Punch—whose maxim, debeUare svperbos, is ever before him.
. " Why, I was prophesied/' replied the Comet, humbly, " and I did not like to disgrace Science,
who has been so fortunate in all her predictions of late years."

" True," replied Mr. Punch, more graciously. " Very true. George Stephenson was never to
drive a railway car more than eight miles an hour—Steam across the Atlantic was impossible—the
Crystal Palace must crunch up by vibration, or be blown to sea by the winds—and now the Telegraph
to America will not carry a message, and the Great Eastern is an ark to which no dove will bring a
dividend. You are right, Science has been happy in her auguries, and she foretold you. \ ou are
welcome. Sit down, if your arrangements permit that attitude."

The Comet, severing asunder his glittering tail as easily as one of Peter Wilkins s Plying
Indians adjusted her graundee, took a chair.

" May I ask what news is stirring ?" said H. S. H.

"In our Earth?" asked Mr. Punch. "Well, none. The four Continents are at peace—"
" Eh ? " said the Comet. " I took China, America, and Algeria in my way, and gun-boats were
throwing shells, Filibusters were engaging regulars, and Zouaves were driving dark fellows into caves—"

" If your Serene Highness had been kind enough to hear me out," said Mr. Punch, " I was going
to add—the four Continents, with the exception of Asia, Africa, and America. In Europe we are keeping
the peace with great solemnity. Louis Napoleon, setting example, insists on such extreme peace, that even
at his elections, His Majesty objects to opposition candidates. Alexander sends the gentle Constant) ke