DOI issue:
June 14, 1862
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.16869#0241
233
June 14, 1862.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
FANCY PORTRAIT OF THE GENTLEMAN WHO KILLED THE
GREATEST NUMBER OF SMALL BIRDS.
[To be hv/ruj up in all Sparrow Clubs.
PUNCH’S ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
June 2. Monday. In reply to a question by Lobd Ravensworth
about Breakwaters, the gentle Duke of Somerset replied in his usual
mild and affable manner, that the Breakwater Committee seemed hardly
to have known their own minds when they came to a conclusion, that
the Admiralty had got enough upon their hands, and if they had not, it
would be ridiculous to try experiments on so small a scale as the Com-
mittee had recommended. Private people might try experiments, if
they liked. It seems to Mr. Punch that the Duke himself would not
make bad material for a breakwater, in which all that is wanted is
rough, obstinate angularity.
Mr. Punch mentioned last week that the Conservative Member for
Tiverton, better known as Lord Palmerston, had met the tactics of
his antagonists by giving notice of an amendment to Mr. Stansfeld’s
economy resolution, which was to come on next day. The Tories then
sought to trump Pam’s card by another amendment. They wanted to
damage and discredit the Government, but by no means to force Pam
to extremities. So they, pro hoc vice (no, dear Cox, not because he was
thought a hack, or had any vice) deposed Mr. Disraeli from the
leadership of Opposition, and wanted Mr. Henley to take the command,
i But he was unable to do so, and therefore they selected Mr, Walpole,
who is what the Catholics mean when they put It. I. P. after the
announcement of a demise, that is, Respected in the Parish. There
1 was a gathering of some hundred and eighty-six Derbyites in St. James’s
Square, and they agreed to support Mr. Walpole. To-day he gave
his notice of amendment, which was to the effect that the House hoped
that Government would endeavour to reduce the expenditure, in a way
which would not only equalise revenue and outlay, but would afford the
means of reducing the Income-Tax. He did not name the odious tax,
but alluded to impositions of a temporary and exceptional character,
and we all know what that meant. This was the ingenious plan which
was to make the Government as uncomfortable as possible without
bringing on a crisis. Lord Palmerston is very fond of whistling as
he goes, though not “ for want of thought,” and the policemen on duty
in Piccadilly inform us that he whistled a new and choice selection of
airs on his way home that night.
The Pour Conveyancing Reform Bills were read a Second Time. But
Hylax in limine latrat. Sir Hugh Cairns gave notice of battle, and
hinted that if Mr. Brand, the whip, had not been very active that
evening, the Government Bills should have been demolished there and
then. The struggle will be to send the Bills to a Select Committee,
or, failing that, to make mince-meat of them—in Parliamentary words,
to give the most careful discussion to every clause—in Committee of
the whole House.
Tuesday, Eve of the Derby. The whips of Messrs. H. Grimsuaw and
Ashmxll had a good deal to do with getting Members to London;
but neither were those of Colonel Tailor and Mr. Brand idle, and
the House was crowded. While Lord Palmerston was on the
preceding night whistling “ Come, if you Dare,” a bright thought came
into his head To-day as soon as the decks were cleared for action,
the Premier rose, ana with a mischievous glance at the Opposition
ranks, calmly intimated that inasmuch as Mr. Walpole’s amendment,
if carried, would be equivalent to a vote of Want of Confidence in
Government, the best tiling would be to throw over other questions,
and fight out the battle on the real point between parties. Then Lord
Palmerston sat down.
“ When this was said, no Congreve rocket
Discharged into the Gallic trenches,
E’er equalled the tremendous shock it
Produced upon the Tory benches. ”
With a few adroit words, the Premier had run, like the Merrimac>
into his enemy—and the illustration holds water (as the Cumberland
did), for he made a great rupture in the enemy’s side. Mr. Disraeli
; sat still, but if it be not profane to seek to dive into the recesses of his
statesmanly heart, it may be supposed that his feelings were complex,
that he was not unamused at the discomfiture manifested in the ingenu-
ous face of Mr. Walpole, or displeased at the blow delivered upon the
Eerson whom the Conservatives had chosen for temporary commander,
ut that he rose superior to such considerations, ana hoped that Mr.
Walpole would pick up the glove, and go in for a faction fight. His
valiant hopes were blighted. Mr. Walpole had no orders to fight on
Pam’s terms, and therefore instead of opening fire, he complained ear-
nestly of the Premier’s conduct in trying to force a vote of Want of
Confidence, which Mr. Walpole would certainly not endeavour to get.
Mr. Bright did liis best for the Conservatives, and strongly urged
that this was not a party question, but a national one. Then Mr.
Stansfeld made his speech, which was moderate enough. He depre-
cated our heavy outlay for war purposes in time of peace, but had no idea
of changing the Government and handing over Italy to the “ tender
mercy ” of Mr. Disraeli. Lord Palmerston answered with much
decorum, suggested that his own amendment should be carried, and
gave the invaluable promise, that if it were adopted. Government would
feel themselves bound to look very narrowly into the Estimates for next
year. This promise deals something rudely with the popular super-
stition that Governments were always bound to such vigilance and
always exercised it, but we live and learn. Then he renewed his de-
fiance, and begged the other side to be manly.
Mr. Disraeli was obliged to rise, and he made a speech in which it
was evident that he had every desire to be manly, but that he knew his
men would not follow him, so he ridiculed the “ queerness ” of Lord
Palmerston’s language, and declared that his friend Mr. Walpole
resembled a Derby favourite who should bolt. Mr. Horsman bestowed
some impartial abuse all round, and Mr. Cobden, complimenting him
on deserving his title of the Mirror of Discontent, supported Mr.
Stansfeld. But Pam had made it all safe, and men of all sorts rushed
together into the lobby with the Premier, eager to prevent a cata-
strophe which would send them to the country. The division gave 367
for No Dissolution, and 65 for Mr. Stansfeld and retrenchment.
Some angry words followed. Mr. Walpole withdrew his amendment,
declaring that Lord Derby had not the least desire to oust Lord
Palmerston, Mr. Whiteside scolding and showing that he for one
would have gone in jovially for battle, Mr. Osborne describing the i
whole business as “ a solemn sham,” and saying that the favourite had
not bolted, but had been “ got at our friend B. 0. is not always fasti-
dious in his language—Mr. Disraeli said that Mr, Walpole ought to J
have known enough of Parliament to be sure that his amendment would
be met as it had been (a well-delivered slap at the 186 who had thought
themselves so clever) and Sir W. Heathcote, Conservative, rebuking
Mr. Disraeli for such censure. Lord Pam’s amendment was agreed
to, the Government thereby carrying a vote of Confidence in itself and
the House rose at 1'15 in the morning of the Derby Day. Lord
Palmerston whistled considerably as he went home, chiefly emitting
variations on “ Wait a little Longer.”
Wednesday, Fourth of June. A Chapter of the Order of the Horse
Garter was held at Epsom, when Caractacus was invested with the
Blue Bibbon of the Turf. The Bishop of Oxford was expected to
attend as Chaplain to the Order, but his lordship had, in his own words,
“ tailed off.” The customary oaths were therefore left to such of the
public as were interested in . The Marquis, 2
Buckstone, 3
Neptunus, 4
“ or any other horse or man ” in the lot of 33. The usual banquet
Vol. 42.
8-
June 14, 1862.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
FANCY PORTRAIT OF THE GENTLEMAN WHO KILLED THE
GREATEST NUMBER OF SMALL BIRDS.
[To be hv/ruj up in all Sparrow Clubs.
PUNCH’S ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
June 2. Monday. In reply to a question by Lobd Ravensworth
about Breakwaters, the gentle Duke of Somerset replied in his usual
mild and affable manner, that the Breakwater Committee seemed hardly
to have known their own minds when they came to a conclusion, that
the Admiralty had got enough upon their hands, and if they had not, it
would be ridiculous to try experiments on so small a scale as the Com-
mittee had recommended. Private people might try experiments, if
they liked. It seems to Mr. Punch that the Duke himself would not
make bad material for a breakwater, in which all that is wanted is
rough, obstinate angularity.
Mr. Punch mentioned last week that the Conservative Member for
Tiverton, better known as Lord Palmerston, had met the tactics of
his antagonists by giving notice of an amendment to Mr. Stansfeld’s
economy resolution, which was to come on next day. The Tories then
sought to trump Pam’s card by another amendment. They wanted to
damage and discredit the Government, but by no means to force Pam
to extremities. So they, pro hoc vice (no, dear Cox, not because he was
thought a hack, or had any vice) deposed Mr. Disraeli from the
leadership of Opposition, and wanted Mr. Henley to take the command,
i But he was unable to do so, and therefore they selected Mr, Walpole,
who is what the Catholics mean when they put It. I. P. after the
announcement of a demise, that is, Respected in the Parish. There
1 was a gathering of some hundred and eighty-six Derbyites in St. James’s
Square, and they agreed to support Mr. Walpole. To-day he gave
his notice of amendment, which was to the effect that the House hoped
that Government would endeavour to reduce the expenditure, in a way
which would not only equalise revenue and outlay, but would afford the
means of reducing the Income-Tax. He did not name the odious tax,
but alluded to impositions of a temporary and exceptional character,
and we all know what that meant. This was the ingenious plan which
was to make the Government as uncomfortable as possible without
bringing on a crisis. Lord Palmerston is very fond of whistling as
he goes, though not “ for want of thought,” and the policemen on duty
in Piccadilly inform us that he whistled a new and choice selection of
airs on his way home that night.
The Pour Conveyancing Reform Bills were read a Second Time. But
Hylax in limine latrat. Sir Hugh Cairns gave notice of battle, and
hinted that if Mr. Brand, the whip, had not been very active that
evening, the Government Bills should have been demolished there and
then. The struggle will be to send the Bills to a Select Committee,
or, failing that, to make mince-meat of them—in Parliamentary words,
to give the most careful discussion to every clause—in Committee of
the whole House.
Tuesday, Eve of the Derby. The whips of Messrs. H. Grimsuaw and
Ashmxll had a good deal to do with getting Members to London;
but neither were those of Colonel Tailor and Mr. Brand idle, and
the House was crowded. While Lord Palmerston was on the
preceding night whistling “ Come, if you Dare,” a bright thought came
into his head To-day as soon as the decks were cleared for action,
the Premier rose, ana with a mischievous glance at the Opposition
ranks, calmly intimated that inasmuch as Mr. Walpole’s amendment,
if carried, would be equivalent to a vote of Want of Confidence in
Government, the best tiling would be to throw over other questions,
and fight out the battle on the real point between parties. Then Lord
Palmerston sat down.
“ When this was said, no Congreve rocket
Discharged into the Gallic trenches,
E’er equalled the tremendous shock it
Produced upon the Tory benches. ”
With a few adroit words, the Premier had run, like the Merrimac>
into his enemy—and the illustration holds water (as the Cumberland
did), for he made a great rupture in the enemy’s side. Mr. Disraeli
; sat still, but if it be not profane to seek to dive into the recesses of his
statesmanly heart, it may be supposed that his feelings were complex,
that he was not unamused at the discomfiture manifested in the ingenu-
ous face of Mr. Walpole, or displeased at the blow delivered upon the
Eerson whom the Conservatives had chosen for temporary commander,
ut that he rose superior to such considerations, ana hoped that Mr.
Walpole would pick up the glove, and go in for a faction fight. His
valiant hopes were blighted. Mr. Walpole had no orders to fight on
Pam’s terms, and therefore instead of opening fire, he complained ear-
nestly of the Premier’s conduct in trying to force a vote of Want of
Confidence, which Mr. Walpole would certainly not endeavour to get.
Mr. Bright did liis best for the Conservatives, and strongly urged
that this was not a party question, but a national one. Then Mr.
Stansfeld made his speech, which was moderate enough. He depre-
cated our heavy outlay for war purposes in time of peace, but had no idea
of changing the Government and handing over Italy to the “ tender
mercy ” of Mr. Disraeli. Lord Palmerston answered with much
decorum, suggested that his own amendment should be carried, and
gave the invaluable promise, that if it were adopted. Government would
feel themselves bound to look very narrowly into the Estimates for next
year. This promise deals something rudely with the popular super-
stition that Governments were always bound to such vigilance and
always exercised it, but we live and learn. Then he renewed his de-
fiance, and begged the other side to be manly.
Mr. Disraeli was obliged to rise, and he made a speech in which it
was evident that he had every desire to be manly, but that he knew his
men would not follow him, so he ridiculed the “ queerness ” of Lord
Palmerston’s language, and declared that his friend Mr. Walpole
resembled a Derby favourite who should bolt. Mr. Horsman bestowed
some impartial abuse all round, and Mr. Cobden, complimenting him
on deserving his title of the Mirror of Discontent, supported Mr.
Stansfeld. But Pam had made it all safe, and men of all sorts rushed
together into the lobby with the Premier, eager to prevent a cata-
strophe which would send them to the country. The division gave 367
for No Dissolution, and 65 for Mr. Stansfeld and retrenchment.
Some angry words followed. Mr. Walpole withdrew his amendment,
declaring that Lord Derby had not the least desire to oust Lord
Palmerston, Mr. Whiteside scolding and showing that he for one
would have gone in jovially for battle, Mr. Osborne describing the i
whole business as “ a solemn sham,” and saying that the favourite had
not bolted, but had been “ got at our friend B. 0. is not always fasti-
dious in his language—Mr. Disraeli said that Mr, Walpole ought to J
have known enough of Parliament to be sure that his amendment would
be met as it had been (a well-delivered slap at the 186 who had thought
themselves so clever) and Sir W. Heathcote, Conservative, rebuking
Mr. Disraeli for such censure. Lord Pam’s amendment was agreed
to, the Government thereby carrying a vote of Confidence in itself and
the House rose at 1'15 in the morning of the Derby Day. Lord
Palmerston whistled considerably as he went home, chiefly emitting
variations on “ Wait a little Longer.”
Wednesday, Fourth of June. A Chapter of the Order of the Horse
Garter was held at Epsom, when Caractacus was invested with the
Blue Bibbon of the Turf. The Bishop of Oxford was expected to
attend as Chaplain to the Order, but his lordship had, in his own words,
“ tailed off.” The customary oaths were therefore left to such of the
public as were interested in . The Marquis, 2
Buckstone, 3
Neptunus, 4
“ or any other horse or man ” in the lot of 33. The usual banquet
Vol. 42.
8-