DOI issue:
August 18, 1860
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.16866#0070
[August 18, 1SG0.
52 PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
was right, to which several allegations Mr. Disraeli demurred, and
argued that the treaty did not bind us to the reduction, and that we
ought not to be precipitate in a measure that would injure important
interests. Lord Palmerston cleverly said, that he was not surprised
that the lawyers could not understand the treaty, but that he was,
surprised that honest and straightforward men, “ who looked at
matters in a common sense light,” could doubt about its meaning.
He said that the Prench Government had acted in a liberal and hand-
some manner, and had offered us time to make the reduction, but that
he thought that we ought at once to fulfil our engagements. We were
too far advanced in the paths of free-trade to retrace our steps.
Then did the Committee divide, and the Government had 266 votes,
and the Opposition 233, total 499, majority for Ministers 33. Puller
wanted to fight on a second resolution, but was ordered by Mr. Dis-
raeli to accept the situation, and so ended the great Battle of Papyrus.
Mr. Punch must not omit to mention, that Mr. Alderman Sidney
has been elected for Stafford. Mr. Punch congratulates the respected
Tea-party, and opes eel not find the orrible ours of the ouse ostile to
is elth.
Tuesday. Lords at machine-work. Commons passed the Indian
Army Pusion Bill. The Ministers have invented a capital way of
evading the questions which Members want to ask. They stay away
until it is past the hour at which questions may be put, and then come
in with a dear-me-have-I-been-wanted-you-don’t-say-so smirk on their
faces, and smile blandly at the sold inquirer. We don’t believe, how-
ever, that this sort of thing is prescribed in Magna Charta. Sir Pitz-
roy Kelly, the signer of ridiculous addresses to Gough, the tee-
totalling spouter, whom the Morning Star brackets with Byron and
Haydon, but gives Gough superior praise—you don’t believe it ?
Here is the passage from a leader of the 10th instant:—
“ Such, change of treatment has often before driven strong men to despair. It
drove Byron to debauchery, and Haydon to self-destruction ; but, through the
power of living faith, Gough has risen on the wave intended to overwhelm him,
brighter in spirit and stronger in his intellectual manhood.”
Now then. No, come, while we are about it, here is another—■
“ Those who most appreciate the graphic power of Dante and the music of
Shelly (sic) increasingly admire the growing power of Mr. Gough.”
Are you satisfied?—Well, Sir Fitzroy Kelly, who signs ridiculous
addresses to this compeer of Byron, Haydon, Dante, and Shelley,
consistently made a fight for the maltsters to-night, but was defeated
by 89 to 49. Seven valuable criminal Bills, which had passed the
Lords, were withdrawn by the Solicitor-General, on account of the
lateness of the Session. So much for cackle.
Wednesday. A Church Bill coming on in Committee in the Commons,
of course there was some good fun. It was the Bill for enabling the
Bishop and other authorities to deal with the City Churches which
have no congregations. There is to be power to remove these. Bur,
Mr. Cavendish Bentinck (not the other one) insisted upon making
four of the most beautiful City Churches quite safe, by scheduling
them as tabooed. He was a good deal attacked, but he was quite
right. “ Who would pull down such Churches ? ” was asked. It
might have been answered, “ Why, miserable Yandals like those who
were going to pull down the Ladye Chapel, a very few years ago, if
London had not sent up a menacing yell of indignation.” Moreover,
none of the Church spires and towers ought to be touched—they are
the ornaments of the City. Mr. Punch would like to see anybody lay
a hand on his neighbour, St. Bride. In half a minute from his getting
down his rifle, the respected Sexton of the parish would have a job.
Mr. Punch applauds Mr. Bentinck, amd does not applaud Mr. B.
Osborne for pirating a Latin joke out of Hood’s Whims and Oddities,
and for making another joke of his own out of one of the most
touching parables in the Christian’s portion of The Book. Nor is he
greatly delighted with Mr. Hubbard, for arguing that if a Church
ceased to belong to the Church, it mattered not whether it were made
a Dissenting chapel or a gin-shop.
Thursday. The Lords managed to get up a little steam over the Dean
of York question. This affair looked like a job,—a large increase of
salary suddenly given to a rich man,—but it is explained by the Bishop
of London to be the right arrangement, and intended to prevent the
appointment from becoming an appanage of aristocratic families. If
Bishop Tait says the thing is right. Bishop Punch will not ask
another question.
Captain Powke, Loyal Engineer, and of the South Kensington
Museum, has devised a very clever and economical plan for improving
the National Gallery. There are three reasons in that sentence why,
of course, the authorities set themselves against it. Two are in the
adjectives; the third is in the fact that the Captain is a practical
soldier, and not a petted architect, who would make a bad job of the
affair, and spend twice the amount of the contract. If Captain
Powke’s plan receives fair play, its adoption will be called for by the
public. . To-night, Mr. Cswper expressed his dissatisfaction with it.
The New Kensington Ride question came up, and was discussed with
much fire. Lord John Manners and Mr. Malins abused the ride;
Mr. Cowfer defended it, and actually scoffed at The Vestries—and,
we believe, still lives. A fight was taken, and 71 supported the Ride
to 48 against it.
Lord John Russell explained to the House that Spain wanted to
be considered one of the Great Powers. She is so proud of having
paid one of her debts, and of having been only baffled, not beaten, in
Africa, that she is ready to burst with glory. Lord John Russell
intimated that he had no notion of yielding to such folly, and that at
all events he should keep Spain in her place until next Session. Well
said, author of “Don Carlos.” Mr. Edwin James then opposed the
Fortifications Bill, and after a debate, and a smart speech from Pam,
who laughed at everybody for declaring his own profession to be the
one that was to save the country, the Bill was carried, on Second
reading, by 143 to 32, majority 111. Something about the Galway
Packet contract naturally sent Mr. Punch to sleep, but he was waked
by hearing Mr. Roebuck, evidently in a dreadful rage, declaring that
he laughed everybody to scorn. j
Friday in the Lords was noteworthy, because Lord Clyde came
out in the character of a Maiden Speaker. The heroic maiden was not
so fluent as Joan of Arc, but spoke much to the purpose, and heartily I
approved. the Indian Army Fusion Bill. Lord Ellenborough '
opposed it, and incidentally rebuked the Anglo-Indian press for the
mischievous ribaldry it is always launching at the natives and their
religion and customs. Lord Derby had fears about the proposed
change, but as the Duke of Cambridge and a large majority in the
Commons approved it, he should not oppose it. So the Bill was read
a Second time. Speaking on the elongation of the Session, Lord
Redesdale strongly objected to being kept in town, and said that the
Queen had set everybody a good example by taking her holiday, and
going off to Scotland. There was some sense in this speech.
in the Commons there was a very miscellaneous discussion. The
metropolitan Members abused Cowfer for sneering at the Westries^
Mr. Coningham abused Sir Charles Eastlake for being done, as
was alleged, in a recent picture purchase; Mr. Bright abused every-
body on the Paper Question, and was himself blown up by Lord
Palmerston for reviving old grievances and making puling lamenta-
tions ; the Irish Members abused the Government for letting coercion
Bills be passed for Ireland, and Mr. Numb-Skully declared they were
more needed in England; and everybody abused Mr. Punch’s patience,,
and sent him out of the House in a rage, muttering; Quousque tandem,
Dog-and-Cat-alina, abutere, fyc.
ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES.
Our young friend the Prince of Wales is likely to see some
strange things, both in the country he enters as Viceroy and in that he
approaches as Visitor. We hope that H.R.H. will keep a diary, as it
promises to be a collection of curiosities. For instance, here is a little
anecdote which Mr. Punch extracts from an American paper :—
“A Clergyman Fighting.—On Sunday last, the monotony of church-going was
unpleasantly disturbed by a street-fight between a Wesleyan Methodist preacher
named Bolton, and a pious man named Williams. The brethren had a fine fight
of it for a while, and would probably have ended with a visit to the hospital, had
not Mr. Williams thrown up the sponge at the request of the police, just as the
Rev .rend Mr. Bolton was putting in some of his most scientific fibbers. This
desperate affair took place in Toronto, Canada, and was witnessed by a large crowd
of delighted citizens.”
But this was a mere display rf odium theologicum, and its termi-
nation was milksoppy in the extreme, a complaint which cannot be
made in reference to the following little scene, also described in an
American journal:—
“ Indictment op a Critic for Killing an Actor.—We notice by late exchanges
that Mr. George W. Overall, the theatrical critic of the New Orleans Delta (we
believe) has been indicted by the Grand Jury of that city for manslaughter, h&
having shot an actor named Harry Copeland. If we remember the particulars of
the encounter rightly, Copeland assailed Mr. Overall in the street, in consequence-
of some close criticism of his acting by the latter, when the critic shot him in self-
defence. We are no advocates of the pistol business so common in the South ; but
it seems to us that the assailant, in this case, only got his just deserts. When a
journalist cannot express an honest opinion without incurring the rowdyish attacks
of the criticised, it is high time that some one should be taught a severe and useful
lesson.”
The Republicans far surpass the Colonists in thoroughly doing what
they set about. If any national and characteristic scenes of these
kinds should be got up for the instruction and delight of the Prince,
Mr. Punch will feel that a delicate compliment has been paid to the
Royal Family of England.
Natural and Supernatural.
A “Thirsty Soul” of our acquaintance avows liis entire belief in
Mr. Home’s being lifted into the air by spiritual influences, as
described in the Cornhiil Magazine for this mouth. He declares he
has more than once been elevated by spirits himself.
A Good Joke for Italy.—Garibaldi is getting on like a man
with a wheelbarrow, carrying everything before him.
52 PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
was right, to which several allegations Mr. Disraeli demurred, and
argued that the treaty did not bind us to the reduction, and that we
ought not to be precipitate in a measure that would injure important
interests. Lord Palmerston cleverly said, that he was not surprised
that the lawyers could not understand the treaty, but that he was,
surprised that honest and straightforward men, “ who looked at
matters in a common sense light,” could doubt about its meaning.
He said that the Prench Government had acted in a liberal and hand-
some manner, and had offered us time to make the reduction, but that
he thought that we ought at once to fulfil our engagements. We were
too far advanced in the paths of free-trade to retrace our steps.
Then did the Committee divide, and the Government had 266 votes,
and the Opposition 233, total 499, majority for Ministers 33. Puller
wanted to fight on a second resolution, but was ordered by Mr. Dis-
raeli to accept the situation, and so ended the great Battle of Papyrus.
Mr. Punch must not omit to mention, that Mr. Alderman Sidney
has been elected for Stafford. Mr. Punch congratulates the respected
Tea-party, and opes eel not find the orrible ours of the ouse ostile to
is elth.
Tuesday. Lords at machine-work. Commons passed the Indian
Army Pusion Bill. The Ministers have invented a capital way of
evading the questions which Members want to ask. They stay away
until it is past the hour at which questions may be put, and then come
in with a dear-me-have-I-been-wanted-you-don’t-say-so smirk on their
faces, and smile blandly at the sold inquirer. We don’t believe, how-
ever, that this sort of thing is prescribed in Magna Charta. Sir Pitz-
roy Kelly, the signer of ridiculous addresses to Gough, the tee-
totalling spouter, whom the Morning Star brackets with Byron and
Haydon, but gives Gough superior praise—you don’t believe it ?
Here is the passage from a leader of the 10th instant:—
“ Such, change of treatment has often before driven strong men to despair. It
drove Byron to debauchery, and Haydon to self-destruction ; but, through the
power of living faith, Gough has risen on the wave intended to overwhelm him,
brighter in spirit and stronger in his intellectual manhood.”
Now then. No, come, while we are about it, here is another—■
“ Those who most appreciate the graphic power of Dante and the music of
Shelly (sic) increasingly admire the growing power of Mr. Gough.”
Are you satisfied?—Well, Sir Fitzroy Kelly, who signs ridiculous
addresses to this compeer of Byron, Haydon, Dante, and Shelley,
consistently made a fight for the maltsters to-night, but was defeated
by 89 to 49. Seven valuable criminal Bills, which had passed the
Lords, were withdrawn by the Solicitor-General, on account of the
lateness of the Session. So much for cackle.
Wednesday. A Church Bill coming on in Committee in the Commons,
of course there was some good fun. It was the Bill for enabling the
Bishop and other authorities to deal with the City Churches which
have no congregations. There is to be power to remove these. Bur,
Mr. Cavendish Bentinck (not the other one) insisted upon making
four of the most beautiful City Churches quite safe, by scheduling
them as tabooed. He was a good deal attacked, but he was quite
right. “ Who would pull down such Churches ? ” was asked. It
might have been answered, “ Why, miserable Yandals like those who
were going to pull down the Ladye Chapel, a very few years ago, if
London had not sent up a menacing yell of indignation.” Moreover,
none of the Church spires and towers ought to be touched—they are
the ornaments of the City. Mr. Punch would like to see anybody lay
a hand on his neighbour, St. Bride. In half a minute from his getting
down his rifle, the respected Sexton of the parish would have a job.
Mr. Punch applauds Mr. Bentinck, amd does not applaud Mr. B.
Osborne for pirating a Latin joke out of Hood’s Whims and Oddities,
and for making another joke of his own out of one of the most
touching parables in the Christian’s portion of The Book. Nor is he
greatly delighted with Mr. Hubbard, for arguing that if a Church
ceased to belong to the Church, it mattered not whether it were made
a Dissenting chapel or a gin-shop.
Thursday. The Lords managed to get up a little steam over the Dean
of York question. This affair looked like a job,—a large increase of
salary suddenly given to a rich man,—but it is explained by the Bishop
of London to be the right arrangement, and intended to prevent the
appointment from becoming an appanage of aristocratic families. If
Bishop Tait says the thing is right. Bishop Punch will not ask
another question.
Captain Powke, Loyal Engineer, and of the South Kensington
Museum, has devised a very clever and economical plan for improving
the National Gallery. There are three reasons in that sentence why,
of course, the authorities set themselves against it. Two are in the
adjectives; the third is in the fact that the Captain is a practical
soldier, and not a petted architect, who would make a bad job of the
affair, and spend twice the amount of the contract. If Captain
Powke’s plan receives fair play, its adoption will be called for by the
public. . To-night, Mr. Cswper expressed his dissatisfaction with it.
The New Kensington Ride question came up, and was discussed with
much fire. Lord John Manners and Mr. Malins abused the ride;
Mr. Cowfer defended it, and actually scoffed at The Vestries—and,
we believe, still lives. A fight was taken, and 71 supported the Ride
to 48 against it.
Lord John Russell explained to the House that Spain wanted to
be considered one of the Great Powers. She is so proud of having
paid one of her debts, and of having been only baffled, not beaten, in
Africa, that she is ready to burst with glory. Lord John Russell
intimated that he had no notion of yielding to such folly, and that at
all events he should keep Spain in her place until next Session. Well
said, author of “Don Carlos.” Mr. Edwin James then opposed the
Fortifications Bill, and after a debate, and a smart speech from Pam,
who laughed at everybody for declaring his own profession to be the
one that was to save the country, the Bill was carried, on Second
reading, by 143 to 32, majority 111. Something about the Galway
Packet contract naturally sent Mr. Punch to sleep, but he was waked
by hearing Mr. Roebuck, evidently in a dreadful rage, declaring that
he laughed everybody to scorn. j
Friday in the Lords was noteworthy, because Lord Clyde came
out in the character of a Maiden Speaker. The heroic maiden was not
so fluent as Joan of Arc, but spoke much to the purpose, and heartily I
approved. the Indian Army Fusion Bill. Lord Ellenborough '
opposed it, and incidentally rebuked the Anglo-Indian press for the
mischievous ribaldry it is always launching at the natives and their
religion and customs. Lord Derby had fears about the proposed
change, but as the Duke of Cambridge and a large majority in the
Commons approved it, he should not oppose it. So the Bill was read
a Second time. Speaking on the elongation of the Session, Lord
Redesdale strongly objected to being kept in town, and said that the
Queen had set everybody a good example by taking her holiday, and
going off to Scotland. There was some sense in this speech.
in the Commons there was a very miscellaneous discussion. The
metropolitan Members abused Cowfer for sneering at the Westries^
Mr. Coningham abused Sir Charles Eastlake for being done, as
was alleged, in a recent picture purchase; Mr. Bright abused every-
body on the Paper Question, and was himself blown up by Lord
Palmerston for reviving old grievances and making puling lamenta-
tions ; the Irish Members abused the Government for letting coercion
Bills be passed for Ireland, and Mr. Numb-Skully declared they were
more needed in England; and everybody abused Mr. Punch’s patience,,
and sent him out of the House in a rage, muttering; Quousque tandem,
Dog-and-Cat-alina, abutere, fyc.
ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES.
Our young friend the Prince of Wales is likely to see some
strange things, both in the country he enters as Viceroy and in that he
approaches as Visitor. We hope that H.R.H. will keep a diary, as it
promises to be a collection of curiosities. For instance, here is a little
anecdote which Mr. Punch extracts from an American paper :—
“A Clergyman Fighting.—On Sunday last, the monotony of church-going was
unpleasantly disturbed by a street-fight between a Wesleyan Methodist preacher
named Bolton, and a pious man named Williams. The brethren had a fine fight
of it for a while, and would probably have ended with a visit to the hospital, had
not Mr. Williams thrown up the sponge at the request of the police, just as the
Rev .rend Mr. Bolton was putting in some of his most scientific fibbers. This
desperate affair took place in Toronto, Canada, and was witnessed by a large crowd
of delighted citizens.”
But this was a mere display rf odium theologicum, and its termi-
nation was milksoppy in the extreme, a complaint which cannot be
made in reference to the following little scene, also described in an
American journal:—
“ Indictment op a Critic for Killing an Actor.—We notice by late exchanges
that Mr. George W. Overall, the theatrical critic of the New Orleans Delta (we
believe) has been indicted by the Grand Jury of that city for manslaughter, h&
having shot an actor named Harry Copeland. If we remember the particulars of
the encounter rightly, Copeland assailed Mr. Overall in the street, in consequence-
of some close criticism of his acting by the latter, when the critic shot him in self-
defence. We are no advocates of the pistol business so common in the South ; but
it seems to us that the assailant, in this case, only got his just deserts. When a
journalist cannot express an honest opinion without incurring the rowdyish attacks
of the criticised, it is high time that some one should be taught a severe and useful
lesson.”
The Republicans far surpass the Colonists in thoroughly doing what
they set about. If any national and characteristic scenes of these
kinds should be got up for the instruction and delight of the Prince,
Mr. Punch will feel that a delicate compliment has been paid to the
Royal Family of England.
Natural and Supernatural.
A “Thirsty Soul” of our acquaintance avows liis entire belief in
Mr. Home’s being lifted into the air by spiritual influences, as
described in the Cornhiil Magazine for this mouth. He declares he
has more than once been elevated by spirits himself.
A Good Joke for Italy.—Garibaldi is getting on like a man
with a wheelbarrow, carrying everything before him.