Punch (36.1859)

AT ALDERSHOT-A RATHER DIFFICULT MANOEUVRE.

Clara and Harriet, and the two nice Girls who are staying with them, led by Mamma, get into Cousin Herbert's

Hut, and have Lunch.

"THE FOUNTAIN OF (DIS)-HONOUR."

In reference to the cou-se pursued by tliem at the elections, it lias
been said by a contemporary, that " Government have made their
money flow like water." Now, albeit this is a popular expression, we
cannot quite agree that it iu this case is a fitting one. That a golden
current flowed from the Carlton we don't doubt, but there was little of
the aqueous in this metallic currency. Water is not suitable to be
compared to money ; for water is a purifier, and money, when it flows
at election-time, is not. One may wash one's hands, and cleanse
oneself in water; but the Pactolus stream which flowed from the
coffers of the Carlton must have dirtied all the hands which were
allowed to dip in it. To coin a spurious quotation, Nihil tetigit quod
non dishonoravit. The fountain of dishonour lias disbonoured all who
touched it. The remark that such a current "flowed like water" is
untrue, and we therefore think it proper to prevent its further cur-
rency. It would be more correct to say, that Government have lately
let their money flow like beer, for it was more in that shape it has
generally been swallowed. As for likening to water—to purifying
water—the money which is used for a corrupting influence, the only
water which such filthy lucre can be likened to is the water of the
Thames—and even that is hardly black enough.

" Home without Boots, and in Foul Weather too! "

The Austrian soldiers have suffered so much in shoe-leather, owing
to the muddy state of their Piedrnontese field of operations, that it is
no wonder their inroad should have proved perfectly bootless. But if
the troops have lost the greater part of their boots, they have carried
off no end of booty to make up for it.

A Ministerial Question.—If " there is a skeleton in every House,"
we should like to know how many there are in every Cabinet ?

THESE THINGS ARE AN ALLEGORY.

We read the following in a North country paper :—

" Curious Story of a Cat.—In the village of Tottington, near Bury, at the
house of Mil. Adam Brooks, sexton, may be witnessed a curious instance of feline
attachment A cat, which has a kitten three weeks old, about a week ago caught a
mouse, but instead of devouring the little crea'ure. according to the old-established
custom, she brought it to the.kitten, and they are all living together on the most
affectionate terms. Puss evinces an extraordinary affection fqr.it, and appears dis-
consolate should the mouse be out of her sight. It is delightful to witness the
fearlessness with which the mouse trusts itself in the hands of its natural enemy,
nestling itself for hours in its breast, running up and down its body, and evincing
the most unbounded confidence in its new friend; whilst tlie cat. if possible,
lavishes greater attention on it than on its own offspring. Hundreds go d*ily to
witness this curious exhibition, and go away surprised and delighted."

Surely the Editor in palming off an allegory upon us under the guise
of an anecdote. What can be plainer ?

The Cat is Louis Napoleon. The Kitten is Victor Emmanuel.
The Mouse is Italy.

Nothing can exceed the attachment of Cat and Kitten to Mousey—
so far—

But wait till Puss is hungry.

Rather Fishy!

Lord Punch has his own authority for stating, there is no truth in
the rumour which has recently been current, that in the next batch of
peers created by Lord Derby will be found no less a personage than
the Talking Eish; who (it has been whispered) will be soon raised to
the Peerage, under the fit title of Lord Say and Seal !

contraband of war.

Among- the supplies laid in for his Italian Campaign by Louis
Napoleon may be enumerated Naples soap, Roman Punch (on the
head) and Sardines iu pickle—ail in great quantities.