DOI issue:
August 4, 1866
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.16878#0056
48
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
[August 4, 1866.
PUNCH’S ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
oxday, July 23. It did
not seem to suit the
Fates that our friends
the Conservatives
should slide into the
recess quite so quietly
as had been antici-
pated. Sir George
Grey, the late Home
Secretary, had or-
dained that the pro-
posed Reform De-
monstration should
not be allowed to
take place in Hyde
Park, but his Minis-
try went out in time
to save him _ any
further trouble in the
matter. Mr. Wal-
pole had to vindicate
the law, and his
gentle soul has been
a good deal perturbed
by events. One
Beales insisted on
holding the meeting,
and Sir Richard
Mayne locked the
Park Gates. The re-
sult was inevitable.
The artisan class attended in large numbers, and of course behaved perfectly well; but,
equally of course, the processions were supplemented by a vast mass of Roughs, who behaved
perfectly ill. Mr. Punch is unable to compliment the Reform League, inasmuch as its acts
tended to violate order, and its “ experiment of right ” could have been tried with a hundred
men instead of with thousands. Nor can we compliment the authorities who endeavoured
to defend an untenable post, inasmuch as law could have been asserted by the arrest of a few
individuals. He does not make a great noise about the breaking down some railings, and the
destruction, by some roughs, of trees and. shrubs, nor would he put London in a state of
siege because a good many windows have been broken, but all this sort of thing is really the
fault of one Beales, who knew that a mob would follow the working-man. Rough and
Bludgeon came largely into contact, to the discomfort of the former, and the Beaks looked
to the rest, Mr. Knox having especially distinguished himself by firmness and moderation,
coming down sternly on ruffians and being lenient to mere fools.
But Mr. Walpole had to defend himself in the House, and also had to see a Reform
deputation, before whom he wept, and some of whom managed to misunderstand him, or
pretended to do so—whereby there was another meeting summoned, as if with Government
sanction, but after explanations, in and out of the House, the idea was given up. So ended
the campaign, and Mr. Punch is almost ashamed of the fuss which has been made over an
affair of'broken heads, while two great nations are mourning over slaughtered myriads.
A Club has been founded in honour of the memory of Richard Cobden, and, at the
inauguration, speeches were made by Mr. Gladstone and others which were generally
worthy of the occasion. But Lord Russell’s amiable nature caused him to introduce a scoff
at Lord Stanley for having been ready to join in approving the armistice which stopped the
frightful slaughter of the war. He professed regret that we had seemed to sanction an insult
to Italy. For this he was called to account by Lord Clanricarde, and explained, more mo,
half inaudibly and the rest on new grounds, which were not unsatisfactory, but were entirely
apart from the original accusation.
Mr. Disraeli made his first appearance, this season, in the character of the Finance
Minister. It may be remembered that Mr. Gladstone, in a noble speech, insisted on our
duty to reduce the Debt. He also, by way of recognition of that duty, proposed a scheme by
which a small reduction might be made. Mr. Disraeli, taking office, finds that more money
is wanted, and as taxes and loans would not be liked, he is obliged to seize upon Mr.
Gladstone’s little fund. The latter spoke very fairly, and even in a complimentary way, to
his successor, and by po means objected to the proposed course.
Then we had a National Gallery debate, in which everything was said that has been said
about eleven hundred times before, and Mr. Punch will only.record that the Academy has
finally refused Burlington House, that Mr. Hope wished the National Gallery removed
thither, and that the Government was supported by the House, which voted, by 94 to 17,
that the present site should be retained.
Tuesday. Deducting the talk on the Park rows, there was not much to keep anybody awake.
The Extradition of French and English Rascals Bill passed the Lords. In the Commons there
were sharp passages touching the Reform meeting, Sir George Grey, like a gentleman,
voluntarily declared that he took his full share of responsibility in regard to the prohibi-
tion of the assembly, Mr. Layard regretted that the people were not allowed to meet, as
they would have heard some foolish speeches, and gone quietly home, Mr. Mill, usually so
calm, appeared to have discovered that the crisis was very awful, and Mr. Disraeli described
Mr Mill’s speech as intended for the Park. The Chancellor of the Exchequer was
emphatic in his declaration of belief that the real working-man was no rioter, and that the
Scum of the Metropolis had taken advantage of the demonstration.
We had also a discussion, raised by the O’Conor Don, about certain restrictions on
Roman Catholic gaol-cliaplains. Mr. Whalley, who was more ridiculous than usual this
week, alleged that the gaols were full of
Cathodes, because their religion actually taught
them to commit crimes. The House roared,
but Whalley insisted that even murder was
defensible from certain Cathode points of view.
His own existence is a refutation of the idiotic
charge, for no stalwart Papist has as yet re-
warded his cackle by tossing him into the
Thames.
Wednesday. Five innocent Bills were slaugh-
tered. They were chiefly Irish. But as amends,
Lord Naas brought in a Bill in favour of Irish
Oysters.
Thursday. The Lords had a turn at the Park
row, and Lord Shaftesbury was _ sarcastic
upon the long and grandiose proclamation of one
Beales. Lord Derby spoke, did not cry, and
said that the Parks must be protected, but the
Government had every desire to test the right
claimed by the Reform League.
The nation wid be happy to know, on the
authority of Lord John Manners, that out of
the four Lions which are to guard the Nelson
Column, two are quite ready, a third is nearly
finished, and the fourth wid be complete in time
for the group to be erected in October. Mr.
Punch is secresy itself, yet may mention that he
has had a look at the gigantic bronzes, and that
Sir Edwin Landseer’s Lion is not like an
heraldic or monumental Hon, but like the great
carnivorous beast whom heralds and sculptors
have hitherto agreed to cut and not carve.
More bronze was asked for the Memorial to
the Prince Consort. The promise of this
metal was an old one, and was of course fulfilled,
but Mr. Disraeli assured the Commons that
no further grant of money, beyond the £50,000
already voted, would be proposed by his Govern-
ment.
We had an interesting Museum discussion, a
vote being moved by Mr. Lowe, who eloquently
re-stated the public grievance. Priceless trea-
sures of art lurk in damp cedars, while dirty
old stuffed giraffes straddle in splendid chambers.
When shad we eject the black-beetles, toads,
and lobster-sheds, and find room for the statue
of King Mausolus, and the glorious series of
sculptures now spoiling in vaults and sheds ?
M.R. Whalley again displayed his talents for
the ludicrous, of course in reference to Popery,
refused to listen to the Chair, and was delibe-
rately told, by Mr. Newdegate, that he,
Whalley, made the profession of Protestant-
ism ridiculous. Punch's compassion for the
idiots who made the majority at the last Peter-
borough election begins to approach contempt.
Friday. Lord Shaftesbury thinks that some
place ought to be set apart in which the people
can hola out-of-door podtical meetings. The
suggestion was approved, and Lord Derby
promised to consider it. What is the objection
to Hamp-tead Heath—does Mr. Beales object
to certain quadrupedal rivalship ?
Apropos whereof, Mr. Whalley got on his
hind legs again in the Commons. He accused
the entire London press of having suppressed
ad report of some case in which, as he adeged,
a chdd had been traitorously baptised into the
Cathode Church. Except that it would not be
fair that the Commons should have ad the fun
to themselves, it might not be amiss should the
press suppress Mr. Whalley. Mais, il faictrire.
Government have not decided who shad pay
for the damage done by the rabble in Hyde
Park. Mr. Bright (it is fair to say that he has
been kept out of town by an interesting domes-
tic matter, a marriage) wid probably send a
cheque for the amount, as a P.S. to his inflam-
matory letter, hoping that the right of meeting
in the Park would be gained.
A Parliamentary week never ended with a
more gratifying incident. A Minister, Mr.
Hunt, stated that the Atlantic Telegraph had
been laid to America, an ex-Miraster, Mr.
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
[August 4, 1866.
PUNCH’S ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
oxday, July 23. It did
not seem to suit the
Fates that our friends
the Conservatives
should slide into the
recess quite so quietly
as had been antici-
pated. Sir George
Grey, the late Home
Secretary, had or-
dained that the pro-
posed Reform De-
monstration should
not be allowed to
take place in Hyde
Park, but his Minis-
try went out in time
to save him _ any
further trouble in the
matter. Mr. Wal-
pole had to vindicate
the law, and his
gentle soul has been
a good deal perturbed
by events. One
Beales insisted on
holding the meeting,
and Sir Richard
Mayne locked the
Park Gates. The re-
sult was inevitable.
The artisan class attended in large numbers, and of course behaved perfectly well; but,
equally of course, the processions were supplemented by a vast mass of Roughs, who behaved
perfectly ill. Mr. Punch is unable to compliment the Reform League, inasmuch as its acts
tended to violate order, and its “ experiment of right ” could have been tried with a hundred
men instead of with thousands. Nor can we compliment the authorities who endeavoured
to defend an untenable post, inasmuch as law could have been asserted by the arrest of a few
individuals. He does not make a great noise about the breaking down some railings, and the
destruction, by some roughs, of trees and. shrubs, nor would he put London in a state of
siege because a good many windows have been broken, but all this sort of thing is really the
fault of one Beales, who knew that a mob would follow the working-man. Rough and
Bludgeon came largely into contact, to the discomfort of the former, and the Beaks looked
to the rest, Mr. Knox having especially distinguished himself by firmness and moderation,
coming down sternly on ruffians and being lenient to mere fools.
But Mr. Walpole had to defend himself in the House, and also had to see a Reform
deputation, before whom he wept, and some of whom managed to misunderstand him, or
pretended to do so—whereby there was another meeting summoned, as if with Government
sanction, but after explanations, in and out of the House, the idea was given up. So ended
the campaign, and Mr. Punch is almost ashamed of the fuss which has been made over an
affair of'broken heads, while two great nations are mourning over slaughtered myriads.
A Club has been founded in honour of the memory of Richard Cobden, and, at the
inauguration, speeches were made by Mr. Gladstone and others which were generally
worthy of the occasion. But Lord Russell’s amiable nature caused him to introduce a scoff
at Lord Stanley for having been ready to join in approving the armistice which stopped the
frightful slaughter of the war. He professed regret that we had seemed to sanction an insult
to Italy. For this he was called to account by Lord Clanricarde, and explained, more mo,
half inaudibly and the rest on new grounds, which were not unsatisfactory, but were entirely
apart from the original accusation.
Mr. Disraeli made his first appearance, this season, in the character of the Finance
Minister. It may be remembered that Mr. Gladstone, in a noble speech, insisted on our
duty to reduce the Debt. He also, by way of recognition of that duty, proposed a scheme by
which a small reduction might be made. Mr. Disraeli, taking office, finds that more money
is wanted, and as taxes and loans would not be liked, he is obliged to seize upon Mr.
Gladstone’s little fund. The latter spoke very fairly, and even in a complimentary way, to
his successor, and by po means objected to the proposed course.
Then we had a National Gallery debate, in which everything was said that has been said
about eleven hundred times before, and Mr. Punch will only.record that the Academy has
finally refused Burlington House, that Mr. Hope wished the National Gallery removed
thither, and that the Government was supported by the House, which voted, by 94 to 17,
that the present site should be retained.
Tuesday. Deducting the talk on the Park rows, there was not much to keep anybody awake.
The Extradition of French and English Rascals Bill passed the Lords. In the Commons there
were sharp passages touching the Reform meeting, Sir George Grey, like a gentleman,
voluntarily declared that he took his full share of responsibility in regard to the prohibi-
tion of the assembly, Mr. Layard regretted that the people were not allowed to meet, as
they would have heard some foolish speeches, and gone quietly home, Mr. Mill, usually so
calm, appeared to have discovered that the crisis was very awful, and Mr. Disraeli described
Mr Mill’s speech as intended for the Park. The Chancellor of the Exchequer was
emphatic in his declaration of belief that the real working-man was no rioter, and that the
Scum of the Metropolis had taken advantage of the demonstration.
We had also a discussion, raised by the O’Conor Don, about certain restrictions on
Roman Catholic gaol-cliaplains. Mr. Whalley, who was more ridiculous than usual this
week, alleged that the gaols were full of
Cathodes, because their religion actually taught
them to commit crimes. The House roared,
but Whalley insisted that even murder was
defensible from certain Cathode points of view.
His own existence is a refutation of the idiotic
charge, for no stalwart Papist has as yet re-
warded his cackle by tossing him into the
Thames.
Wednesday. Five innocent Bills were slaugh-
tered. They were chiefly Irish. But as amends,
Lord Naas brought in a Bill in favour of Irish
Oysters.
Thursday. The Lords had a turn at the Park
row, and Lord Shaftesbury was _ sarcastic
upon the long and grandiose proclamation of one
Beales. Lord Derby spoke, did not cry, and
said that the Parks must be protected, but the
Government had every desire to test the right
claimed by the Reform League.
The nation wid be happy to know, on the
authority of Lord John Manners, that out of
the four Lions which are to guard the Nelson
Column, two are quite ready, a third is nearly
finished, and the fourth wid be complete in time
for the group to be erected in October. Mr.
Punch is secresy itself, yet may mention that he
has had a look at the gigantic bronzes, and that
Sir Edwin Landseer’s Lion is not like an
heraldic or monumental Hon, but like the great
carnivorous beast whom heralds and sculptors
have hitherto agreed to cut and not carve.
More bronze was asked for the Memorial to
the Prince Consort. The promise of this
metal was an old one, and was of course fulfilled,
but Mr. Disraeli assured the Commons that
no further grant of money, beyond the £50,000
already voted, would be proposed by his Govern-
ment.
We had an interesting Museum discussion, a
vote being moved by Mr. Lowe, who eloquently
re-stated the public grievance. Priceless trea-
sures of art lurk in damp cedars, while dirty
old stuffed giraffes straddle in splendid chambers.
When shad we eject the black-beetles, toads,
and lobster-sheds, and find room for the statue
of King Mausolus, and the glorious series of
sculptures now spoiling in vaults and sheds ?
M.R. Whalley again displayed his talents for
the ludicrous, of course in reference to Popery,
refused to listen to the Chair, and was delibe-
rately told, by Mr. Newdegate, that he,
Whalley, made the profession of Protestant-
ism ridiculous. Punch's compassion for the
idiots who made the majority at the last Peter-
borough election begins to approach contempt.
Friday. Lord Shaftesbury thinks that some
place ought to be set apart in which the people
can hola out-of-door podtical meetings. The
suggestion was approved, and Lord Derby
promised to consider it. What is the objection
to Hamp-tead Heath—does Mr. Beales object
to certain quadrupedal rivalship ?
Apropos whereof, Mr. Whalley got on his
hind legs again in the Commons. He accused
the entire London press of having suppressed
ad report of some case in which, as he adeged,
a chdd had been traitorously baptised into the
Cathode Church. Except that it would not be
fair that the Commons should have ad the fun
to themselves, it might not be amiss should the
press suppress Mr. Whalley. Mais, il faictrire.
Government have not decided who shad pay
for the damage done by the rabble in Hyde
Park. Mr. Bright (it is fair to say that he has
been kept out of town by an interesting domes-
tic matter, a marriage) wid probably send a
cheque for the amount, as a P.S. to his inflam-
matory letter, hoping that the right of meeting
in the Park would be gained.
A Parliamentary week never ended with a
more gratifying incident. A Minister, Mr.
Hunt, stated that the Atlantic Telegraph had
been laid to America, an ex-Miraster, Mr.