Punch (51.1866)

December 29, 1866.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

rjlHE GRAND REFORM PROCESSION was on. its move, and the gates of Temple Bar, closed only in honour of
the chief ones of the earth, slowly yielded way. Scarcely was passage made, when the GREAT REFORMER
rode proudly through.

“ I shall go where I please,” said Mr. Punch. “ The Parks belong to the Queen (bless her) and to Myself.
Perhaps I shall visit them all. It depends upon whether I find my saddle comfortable. Follow, my faithful.”

His Young Men formed their ranks, waved their banners, and attended their glorious Chief.

The People were out “ in their thousands,” and loud were the manly cheers, soft the womanly looks, that greeted
the Reformers on their March. Nor was it London alone that had come forth. Punch is the Guardian of the World.
From the Three Kingdoms, from all the Fifty Colonies, from the domains on which the sun never sets, from those in
which he never gets up, from the Arctic and Antarctic circles, from the Equinoxious Line, delegates had come to
signify the homage of distant regions. As Miss Isa Craig sang,—

“ He is a King for all.”

Along the Strand —that journey which is itself an education—’proceeded Punch and his knights. Flowers rained

upon them, though flowers are awfully dear at this season. And as the unmatched Leader rode at the head of his

army, he shot benignant glances and uttered kindly words.

“ If1..,the idiot authorities do not soon sweep away that detestable street,” he said, with a look on his right hand,
“ I will brick up one end and set fire to the other. Rebuilding Bell's Life, eh ? Glad of my friend’s prosperity,
IIow are you, Fechter, happy to see you act again. How do, Mr. Globe—revolved towards Conservatism, have you—well,
well, all parties should be heard. Gentlemen of Exeter Hall, the more Handel and the less humbug the better, and see
to your means of exit. Benjamin Webster, the Evergreen, a merry Christmas—give my best love to Miss Kate Terry.
Bless me, how the Strand is altered since I first went up it. Terminus at Charing Cross a boon to the civilised

world. Fine day, Sir Edwin, rejoi^d to hear that the Lions are so splendid—up with them. Mr. Boxall, very glad

to see you—a worthy purchase that Rembrandt. Academicians all, you know how I love you. My hat goes off to you.