Punch (58.1870)

I June 25, 1870.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

" T SHALL not write a Preface," said Mr. Punch, without raising his noble head from the green turf on which he
_I_ was lying, ventre a terre.

"01 please do !" said the World.

" World," said Mr. Punch, " you have many merits, and I have never, in all these years that I have been
keeping you in order, taken a dark view of your character. I like you very much, when you behave yourself."

" You have taught me to do that," said the World, humbly. " How few great complaints have you to make of
me now, compared to the number you used to have."

" That may be," said Mr. Punch, sternly, " and yet there are plenty of faults in you which I intend to correct.
Don't add vanity to them, you globular peacock. Now, go away. With the thermometer at 80 in the shade (' which
is a great age,' as my friend Thomas Hood wrote) 1 am not disposed to work."

" Yet you reprimand me for want of self-denial and for negligence of duty," urged the World.

" You! who are you ? If I may make a law, I may break a law, I suppose. Go away, I say. ' Spare my
slumbers, gently tread the Cave,' (as my friend Mr. Pope wrote). Your requirements frequently become bothersome."

" But you have always done "a Preface, Mr. Punch."

" The thermometer was not always at 80 in the shade, World."

" You won't find it so hot, if you apply yourself to thought."

" Shall 1 not ?—

1 Who can hold a fire in his hand
By thinking of the frosty Caucasus P'

fas my friend Mr. Shakspeare wrote)."

" Your pen is a pen of fire, no doubt; but----"

" Very properly said. Now, go away."

" It will be an adversity for the Millions," said the World.