Punch: Punch (38.1860)

THE Grand Review was over. The Armed Ereemen, who had been paraded, in their thousands, before the Queen
of the Isles, had dispersed, and had sought the homes they had shown themselves worthy to guard. The great
day, the memorable Saturday, Twenty-third of June, mdccclx, was done.

The Sovereign, who had surely felt that day that one Throne stood upon foundations of adamant, had retired to
her rest. And the Queen dreamed a dream.

“ I know it, Phipps,” replied Me. Punch to Sik Chaeles, as that courteous Courtier announced the fact in
Me. Punch’s breakfast chamber the following morning.

“ Astounding man! ” said Sie Chaeles Phipps.

“ I breakfasted, and am dressed thus early, Phipps, knowing that my Queen’s Onieocbiticus and Conjectoe >
would be wanted.”

“ Preternatural man ! ” said Sie Chaeles Phipps. “ Accompany me to the Palace.”

“ Attend me to the Palace, Phipps,” said Me. Punch, but with a pleasant smile, that spoke forgiveness of the
Courtier’s lapse. But Sie Chaeles could not forgive himself, and the journey was performed in solemn silence.

The State Coach with the Cream Steed* stopped, and in three minutes Me. Punch had made The Unapproach-
able Bow, which he performs in one Presence only.

“ I have had a Dream, dear Me. Punch,” said the Royal Lips, with that smile upon them which is reserved far
the Chief Counsellor and Eavourite of the Lady of Kingdoms.

“ To save Your Majesty the faintest care and slightest trouble is the object and glory of my life,” said Me. Punch.

“ Might I venture to recai that Dream ? ”

“ I think you know everything,” replied the Majesty of England.

“ I believe that I do, Madam,” responded Me. Punch, modestly. “ And I know what has come to my Sovereign
through the Gate of Ebony.”

“ Ah! it is a true Dream, then? ” asked the Queen.

“ Your Majesty’s self shall judge,” replied the Onieoceiticus and Conjectoe. “ It is not for me to question
my Monarch; but, unless contradicted, I wdll believe that Her Dream was in this wise.”

“ Tell me,” said his Royal Mistress.

Vol. 38

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