Punch (48.1865)

Joty 1, 1865.1 PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. iii

THE GENEBAL ELECTION.

rjIHE Election of the Member for the British Empire has taken place, in anticipation of all other
returns. There was no opposition. The moment Mr. Punch had signified his readiness to be again
elected, the proceedings became matter of form.

Mr. Punch, attended by Toby, ascended the hustings, and Mrs. Punch and her lovely daughters
occupied places at an opposite window. The density of the crowd baffled all description. Mr. Punch
smilingly addressed a few words to his intended proposer and seconder, inculcating upon them the desirability
of brevity, considering the state of the atmosphere.

Mr. John Bull, on the part of the Men of the Empire, proposed Mr. Punch as a fit and proper,
person for Imperial Member. “ I have known him,” said Mr. Bull, “ for twenty-four years, and it is saying
little to declare, that during that time I have never known him guilty of an unworthy word or deed. I
say that during that time he has been frantically zealous in his efforts for the general good, and
that it is to him we owe all the Beforms, Treaties, Triumphs, Exhibitions, Fine Weather, and Extra-
ordinary Gooseberries which have tended to raise England in the scale of nations, and promote those
principles which placed the House of Brunswick on the throne.” (Tremendous Cheers.)

Mrs. Britannia said that woman’s rights having been recognised by Mr. Mill, she had great pleasure
in coming forward on the part of the Women of the Empire (children included) and seconding the nomination.