DOI issue:
August 17, 1861
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.16868#0084
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [August 17, 1861.
RECOLLECTION OF A JOLLY OLD PATERFAMILIAS WE SAW THE OTHER DAY, WITH SOME AIR-BALLOONS
FOR THE CHICKS.
STEAM WANTED AT THE ADMIRALTY.
The French have eleven iron-cased frigates afloat or in commission,
and no less than seventeen building; and yet the only iron vessel
belonging to this country will not be at sea before October. The
Admiralty is not only slow in giving its orders, but equally slow in
executing them. They have just asked from certain firms for tenders
for three more iron ships; and jet (says the Times), “ the Admiralty
has not now any information with reference to iron ships which they
had not at the least as fully this time last year.” In the same day’s
paper from which the above extract is taken, there is a report of Mr.
St. Amant, the well-known Chess-player, who has succeeded in fixing
a maximum of time for the moves in Chess. A gigantic sand-glass,
which is made to measure the space of two hours, is placed by the side
of each antagonist. While the sand is running through, the player is
bound to make twenty-four moves. We are informed that the trial of
this limit has been most satisfactory.
Why should not the experiment that has proved, so successful with
the Chess-boardlbe tried also with the Board of Admiralty ? We should
like the maximum of time to be fixed for all their moves. At present
they are so dilatory, that the patience of the lookers-on is well nigh
exhausted. Their rival, who no sooner concerts a new move than he
boldly executes it, is quietly winning the game right under their
nautical noses. Where be has got seventeen pieces on his sea-board,
we have scarcely got one. Some limit ought to be fixed. Let it be
two, three, four years, if you like, only let it be strictly adhered to ; or,
upon the first violation of the rule, let the present slow unequal players
withdraw from the board. It is deplorable to see the French beating
us with their scientific play, and outstripping us in every new invention
by the speed and dexterity of all their movements.
A Past Race.
The Yankees have long been extremely fond of boasting that they
are by far the most go-a-head of nations ; and after hearing how they
went a-head in running from Bull’s Bun, we cannot well dispute there
being some ground for their boast.
SLEEPERS THAT ABE SURE TO PUT THEIR BOOTS
OUTSIDE.
In a trial that was heard at Wells, it came out on evidence that
there “ were 500 out of 1000 farmers in Somersetshire who went to
sleep on horseback.” We have heard of sleep-walkers, but sleep-
riding is quite a new habit. We should have thought, too, that this
strange custom of sleeping would have been more prevalent in Beds
than in Somersetshire. We should be sorry to practise it ourselves,
lest we should eventually fall (and the fall might not be a very agree-
able one) the victim to a nightmare. We always thought that there
was not less difficulty experienced in catching a Somersetshire farmer
asleep than there proverbially is with a weasel. Perhaps it is on
account of his being so uncommonly wide awake during the day that
he cannot afford to wait until bedtime before he closes his sleepy eyes.
Let us hope, for their own safety, that whilst they are in the saddle
they contrive to sleep fast. Since these Somersetshire farmers are so
fond of sleeping on horseback, we wonder they do not engage four
posters at once.
The Run upon Washington.
The defeat of the Federalist forces at Bull’s Run will, it is said, lead
to a change of the name of the rivulet so heretofore denominated.
Those who are apt to boast that they whipped Bull have now been
whipped themselves. Bull’s Run that was, therefore, we understand,
is henceforth to be called Jonathan’s Run.
Protection for Passengers
The Duke of York’s Column and the Monument on Fish Street Hill
are disfigured by cages surrounding their summits, and put there to
prevent anybody from jumping off them. It is a pity that want of
space hinders the object in view from being as effectually secured by
the erection of railings around the bases of the monuments, sufficiently
extensive to keep people from being tumbled upon by any fool who
happened to throw himself over.
RECOLLECTION OF A JOLLY OLD PATERFAMILIAS WE SAW THE OTHER DAY, WITH SOME AIR-BALLOONS
FOR THE CHICKS.
STEAM WANTED AT THE ADMIRALTY.
The French have eleven iron-cased frigates afloat or in commission,
and no less than seventeen building; and yet the only iron vessel
belonging to this country will not be at sea before October. The
Admiralty is not only slow in giving its orders, but equally slow in
executing them. They have just asked from certain firms for tenders
for three more iron ships; and jet (says the Times), “ the Admiralty
has not now any information with reference to iron ships which they
had not at the least as fully this time last year.” In the same day’s
paper from which the above extract is taken, there is a report of Mr.
St. Amant, the well-known Chess-player, who has succeeded in fixing
a maximum of time for the moves in Chess. A gigantic sand-glass,
which is made to measure the space of two hours, is placed by the side
of each antagonist. While the sand is running through, the player is
bound to make twenty-four moves. We are informed that the trial of
this limit has been most satisfactory.
Why should not the experiment that has proved, so successful with
the Chess-boardlbe tried also with the Board of Admiralty ? We should
like the maximum of time to be fixed for all their moves. At present
they are so dilatory, that the patience of the lookers-on is well nigh
exhausted. Their rival, who no sooner concerts a new move than he
boldly executes it, is quietly winning the game right under their
nautical noses. Where be has got seventeen pieces on his sea-board,
we have scarcely got one. Some limit ought to be fixed. Let it be
two, three, four years, if you like, only let it be strictly adhered to ; or,
upon the first violation of the rule, let the present slow unequal players
withdraw from the board. It is deplorable to see the French beating
us with their scientific play, and outstripping us in every new invention
by the speed and dexterity of all their movements.
A Past Race.
The Yankees have long been extremely fond of boasting that they
are by far the most go-a-head of nations ; and after hearing how they
went a-head in running from Bull’s Bun, we cannot well dispute there
being some ground for their boast.
SLEEPERS THAT ABE SURE TO PUT THEIR BOOTS
OUTSIDE.
In a trial that was heard at Wells, it came out on evidence that
there “ were 500 out of 1000 farmers in Somersetshire who went to
sleep on horseback.” We have heard of sleep-walkers, but sleep-
riding is quite a new habit. We should have thought, too, that this
strange custom of sleeping would have been more prevalent in Beds
than in Somersetshire. We should be sorry to practise it ourselves,
lest we should eventually fall (and the fall might not be a very agree-
able one) the victim to a nightmare. We always thought that there
was not less difficulty experienced in catching a Somersetshire farmer
asleep than there proverbially is with a weasel. Perhaps it is on
account of his being so uncommonly wide awake during the day that
he cannot afford to wait until bedtime before he closes his sleepy eyes.
Let us hope, for their own safety, that whilst they are in the saddle
they contrive to sleep fast. Since these Somersetshire farmers are so
fond of sleeping on horseback, we wonder they do not engage four
posters at once.
The Run upon Washington.
The defeat of the Federalist forces at Bull’s Run will, it is said, lead
to a change of the name of the rivulet so heretofore denominated.
Those who are apt to boast that they whipped Bull have now been
whipped themselves. Bull’s Run that was, therefore, we understand,
is henceforth to be called Jonathan’s Run.
Protection for Passengers
The Duke of York’s Column and the Monument on Fish Street Hill
are disfigured by cages surrounding their summits, and put there to
prevent anybody from jumping off them. It is a pity that want of
space hinders the object in view from being as effectually secured by
the erection of railings around the bases of the monuments, sufficiently
extensive to keep people from being tumbled upon by any fool who
happened to throw himself over.