DOI issue:
March 2, 1861
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.16867#0093
March 2, 1861.]
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI,
85
Old Lady's delight at seeing a full-grown lively Female Wasp on the 1 Ith oj February (vide
the “Field"). She jancies it portends a Warm and Early Summer.—Every appearance of it
•at present.
[SUPPORT IN SICKNESS.
The attention of the provident is due to a
notification, announcing a
MEW FEATURE IN ASSURANCE.—10s. per
week allowed in cases of sickness for every £100
assured in the Prudential Assurance Association,
London, or sickness allowance granted without assurance!
The Prudential Assurance Association is most
advantageously situated. In the very heart of
the City, and within an easy walk of Guildhall
and the Mansion House, it lies quite in the way
of the Corporation. How very convenient for
gentlemen who have such good reason, and so
much occasion, as the Aldermen and Common
Councilmen have, for insuring themselves against
sickness ! Considering how freely they indulge
in the pleasures of the civic table, they must
see what a fine thing it is for them to be able to
step into an Office, and for a trifle, secure an
allowance of ICR. a-week whenever they are sick.
Mistaken Identity,
We are authorised to state, that the Cabinet
of Curiosities which is just now being advertised,
has no connection with the Cabinet over which
Lord Palmerston has the honour to preside.
We may add, the curiosities in this, his Lord-
ship’s, Cabinet are most of them exhibited in
their proper places, on what are in St. Stephens
known as “Government nights.”
What the Oracle of the
JUST ANNOUNCED TO THE
Romanos vincere posse.
TuiLERIES HAS
Pope —Aio te
WHAT OUR FRENCH FRIENDS THINK OF US.
The assertion has been hasarded by rash and daring writers, that
Frenchmen as a rule know little about England: that, in spite of the
increasing means of cheap and rapid intercourse, they do not take the
trouble to inform themselves about us ; that they still believe we live
on raw beef steaks and “ portare-bier,” never trust ourselves abroad
without a bulldog at our heels, and take our wives to Smithfield with
halters round their necks, to dispose of them as slaves to the men who
will bid highest for them. A guide to London, which was published
for the use of the Orpheonistes, and which was honoured by Mr. Punch
with a notice in his columns, helped somewhat to support the bold
assertion we have mentioned, and further confirmation has been recently
afforded by a treatise on Les Anglais, Londres, et TAngleterre, written
by a Frenchman of whom we never heard, but who gets another
Frenchman, whose name as a press-writer is thoroughly well known to
us, to verify the truth of the statements in the book. As a reason for
so doing, and as a recommendation of the work he thus endorses, M.
Emile de Girardin in introducing it observes—
“The English language not being very familiar in France, my countrymen may
amuse, and at the same time instruct, themselves by studying England and the
English in these pages, to which I give my cordial approval.”
Amusement certainly there may be in the statements which are
furnished; but as to their instruct,iveness, the less said perhaps the
better. Eor instance, the Erench teacher who is patted on the back
by Monsieur de Girardin, informs his countrymen, that more than
half the British population is compelled to live by begging of the other
half, an assertion which the columns of relief that have been advertised
will be held no doubt to prove. And not less truthful is the statement,
that the English as a rule know nothing of Fine Art; because their
diet and their climate prohibit all such knowledge. As the author
naively tells us :—
“ The English are by nature averse to contemplation ; they only care for roast
beef, porter, and spirits; whereas it is essential to have thatje ne sais quoi which we
Dali grace, feeling, of which an Englishman has not the remotest conception : his
climate, his coarse food, and black drink are utterly opposed to any mental refine-
ment. In fact, to possess taste, it is necessary to possess soul, and a large soul;
and the English possess nothing but appetite.”
Without inquiring whether Frenchmen have in general large souls,
it cannot be denied that they have most of them large stomachs; and
if possession of these properties be incompatible with due appreciation
of the Arts, it may be doubted if our neighbours be much better off
than we are in this last respect. With regard to the coarse food
wherewith we satiate our appetite, perhaps it may be this which so
degrades our taste. The raw beef steaks on which our gluttons gorge
and gloat have a brutalising influence upon their dispositions, and
incline them to a relish for the most disgusting sights. Ballbaiting
and cockfighting are more than ever now our national amusements, and
in the opinion of the author whom we cite, the time is not far distant
when the Dying Gladiator will be added to the Astleyan attraction of
wild beasts:—
“ An Englishman requires to see his felldw creatures in danger in order to expe-
rience any emotion. The young girl who was devoured in presence of a full house
at Astley’s Theatre obtained a great success. During a whole fortnight she was the
sole object of conversation in social circles and at the clubs. Those who had been
so fortunate as to witness this extraordinary scene were heartily envied by their less
fortunate brethren. To hear the bones of a poor girl crunched by a tiger ! what a
delicious excitement! I am certain that the day is not far distant when this aris-
tocracy, worn out with ennui, will need such representations»as men combating
with wild beasts.”
This return to Roman customs will doubtless find much favour in
the eyes of our fair sex—if, at least this be a truthful picture of their
habits:—
“ At a dinner-party the ladies retire into another room, after having partaken
very moderately of wine ; and while the gentlemen are left to empty bottles of
Port, Madeira, Claret, and Champagne (!), it is a constant habit among the ladies to
empty bottles of brandy.”
Indeed, now! Is it really! We thank you, good Monsieur, for
teaching us that fact. Often and often have we wondered what on
earth the ladies do when they retire from the dessert table, and, but
that we hate eavesdropping, and have no wish to get our ears boxed,
we should long ere this have followed them, and stooped down to the
keyhole of the sanctum where they sit. Well, we several times have
wondered what made their tongues so glib, and their general conver-
sation so spirituel when we rejoined them. We more than once,
poor fools ! have imagined that their spirits were raised on our account,
and have fancied them intoxicated by the pleasure of our presence.
Alas! such vain delusions are no more to be indulged in. We.now
know on good authority that when the ladies leave the room it is to
hold a spirit-se'ance ; and that if their bright eyes sparkle at the sight
of our approach, the cause is not a love for us, but an affection for the
brandy-bottle.___
Lord John's Finality.
As applied to the Reform Bill, it is very like the finality of tnose
interminable magazine stories, for you never arrive at any other end
than—[“ To be continued in our next.”}
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI,
85
Old Lady's delight at seeing a full-grown lively Female Wasp on the 1 Ith oj February (vide
the “Field"). She jancies it portends a Warm and Early Summer.—Every appearance of it
•at present.
[SUPPORT IN SICKNESS.
The attention of the provident is due to a
notification, announcing a
MEW FEATURE IN ASSURANCE.—10s. per
week allowed in cases of sickness for every £100
assured in the Prudential Assurance Association,
London, or sickness allowance granted without assurance!
The Prudential Assurance Association is most
advantageously situated. In the very heart of
the City, and within an easy walk of Guildhall
and the Mansion House, it lies quite in the way
of the Corporation. How very convenient for
gentlemen who have such good reason, and so
much occasion, as the Aldermen and Common
Councilmen have, for insuring themselves against
sickness ! Considering how freely they indulge
in the pleasures of the civic table, they must
see what a fine thing it is for them to be able to
step into an Office, and for a trifle, secure an
allowance of ICR. a-week whenever they are sick.
Mistaken Identity,
We are authorised to state, that the Cabinet
of Curiosities which is just now being advertised,
has no connection with the Cabinet over which
Lord Palmerston has the honour to preside.
We may add, the curiosities in this, his Lord-
ship’s, Cabinet are most of them exhibited in
their proper places, on what are in St. Stephens
known as “Government nights.”
What the Oracle of the
JUST ANNOUNCED TO THE
Romanos vincere posse.
TuiLERIES HAS
Pope —Aio te
WHAT OUR FRENCH FRIENDS THINK OF US.
The assertion has been hasarded by rash and daring writers, that
Frenchmen as a rule know little about England: that, in spite of the
increasing means of cheap and rapid intercourse, they do not take the
trouble to inform themselves about us ; that they still believe we live
on raw beef steaks and “ portare-bier,” never trust ourselves abroad
without a bulldog at our heels, and take our wives to Smithfield with
halters round their necks, to dispose of them as slaves to the men who
will bid highest for them. A guide to London, which was published
for the use of the Orpheonistes, and which was honoured by Mr. Punch
with a notice in his columns, helped somewhat to support the bold
assertion we have mentioned, and further confirmation has been recently
afforded by a treatise on Les Anglais, Londres, et TAngleterre, written
by a Frenchman of whom we never heard, but who gets another
Frenchman, whose name as a press-writer is thoroughly well known to
us, to verify the truth of the statements in the book. As a reason for
so doing, and as a recommendation of the work he thus endorses, M.
Emile de Girardin in introducing it observes—
“The English language not being very familiar in France, my countrymen may
amuse, and at the same time instruct, themselves by studying England and the
English in these pages, to which I give my cordial approval.”
Amusement certainly there may be in the statements which are
furnished; but as to their instruct,iveness, the less said perhaps the
better. Eor instance, the Erench teacher who is patted on the back
by Monsieur de Girardin, informs his countrymen, that more than
half the British population is compelled to live by begging of the other
half, an assertion which the columns of relief that have been advertised
will be held no doubt to prove. And not less truthful is the statement,
that the English as a rule know nothing of Fine Art; because their
diet and their climate prohibit all such knowledge. As the author
naively tells us :—
“ The English are by nature averse to contemplation ; they only care for roast
beef, porter, and spirits; whereas it is essential to have thatje ne sais quoi which we
Dali grace, feeling, of which an Englishman has not the remotest conception : his
climate, his coarse food, and black drink are utterly opposed to any mental refine-
ment. In fact, to possess taste, it is necessary to possess soul, and a large soul;
and the English possess nothing but appetite.”
Without inquiring whether Frenchmen have in general large souls,
it cannot be denied that they have most of them large stomachs; and
if possession of these properties be incompatible with due appreciation
of the Arts, it may be doubted if our neighbours be much better off
than we are in this last respect. With regard to the coarse food
wherewith we satiate our appetite, perhaps it may be this which so
degrades our taste. The raw beef steaks on which our gluttons gorge
and gloat have a brutalising influence upon their dispositions, and
incline them to a relish for the most disgusting sights. Ballbaiting
and cockfighting are more than ever now our national amusements, and
in the opinion of the author whom we cite, the time is not far distant
when the Dying Gladiator will be added to the Astleyan attraction of
wild beasts:—
“ An Englishman requires to see his felldw creatures in danger in order to expe-
rience any emotion. The young girl who was devoured in presence of a full house
at Astley’s Theatre obtained a great success. During a whole fortnight she was the
sole object of conversation in social circles and at the clubs. Those who had been
so fortunate as to witness this extraordinary scene were heartily envied by their less
fortunate brethren. To hear the bones of a poor girl crunched by a tiger ! what a
delicious excitement! I am certain that the day is not far distant when this aris-
tocracy, worn out with ennui, will need such representations»as men combating
with wild beasts.”
This return to Roman customs will doubtless find much favour in
the eyes of our fair sex—if, at least this be a truthful picture of their
habits:—
“ At a dinner-party the ladies retire into another room, after having partaken
very moderately of wine ; and while the gentlemen are left to empty bottles of
Port, Madeira, Claret, and Champagne (!), it is a constant habit among the ladies to
empty bottles of brandy.”
Indeed, now! Is it really! We thank you, good Monsieur, for
teaching us that fact. Often and often have we wondered what on
earth the ladies do when they retire from the dessert table, and, but
that we hate eavesdropping, and have no wish to get our ears boxed,
we should long ere this have followed them, and stooped down to the
keyhole of the sanctum where they sit. Well, we several times have
wondered what made their tongues so glib, and their general conver-
sation so spirituel when we rejoined them. We more than once,
poor fools ! have imagined that their spirits were raised on our account,
and have fancied them intoxicated by the pleasure of our presence.
Alas! such vain delusions are no more to be indulged in. We.now
know on good authority that when the ladies leave the room it is to
hold a spirit-se'ance ; and that if their bright eyes sparkle at the sight
of our approach, the cause is not a love for us, but an affection for the
brandy-bottle.___
Lord John's Finality.
As applied to the Reform Bill, it is very like the finality of tnose
interminable magazine stories, for you never arrive at any other end
than—[“ To be continued in our next.”}