Punch (62.1872)

March 23, 1872.]

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

119

EARLY BRITISH FRENCH FROM THE NURSERY.

Ethel. " Je suis fashay de vous donner tant de trouble, plantagenet !"

Plantagenet. " o ! ne le mentionnez pas ! ! "

REASONS FOR GOING TO THE BOAT-RACE.

Because it is right to encourage all athletic exercises
which tend to produce manly vigour and calm self-
control.

Because it is right to take part in a scene in which all
classes of society can meet and mingle on common ground.

Because we wish to make ourselves better acquainted
with the beauties of our glorious River Thames.

Because we are anxious to see whether the manners
and habits of the lower orders are undergoing any
improvement.

Because we are desirous to form some estimate, from
personal observation, of the number of people present.

Because the village of Putney is dear to us, as having
been the birthplace of the author of The Decline and
Fall of the Roman Empire,

Because we wish to compare the present style of row-
ing with what it was when we were at No Souls.

Because we take pleasure in watching the gradual
progress of spring vegetation in the country.

Because we have a relation from the country staying
with us who has never seen the Boat-Race.

Because it gives us the opportunity of meeting so many
old college friends.

Because the girls want to go.

Because we want a holiday.

national security.

What of Army Reorganisation ?
Nothing certain there is but taxation.

ATHANASIUS AND WILLIAMS.

A daily paper announces that the Archbishop of
Canterbury has directed the convocation of his province
to meet on the 23rd of April, in order that the Lower
House may discuss the subject of the Athanasian Creed.
The 23rd is late. Would not the 1st of April have been
much more eligible ? Neyno saltat sobrius. Neither
does any rational creature, except upon All Fools' Day,
attempt seriously to discuss the Athanasian Creed until
a very late stage of conversation alter dinner. One
thinks that the excellent Archbishop of Canterbury
could have found his Clergy something better to do than
discussing the divinity of St. Athanasius on the birth-
day of the divine Williams.

MARK LEMON.

Last Year, a Memorial, stating the circumstances in which the
family of the late Mr. Mark Lemon had been left by his unexpected
death, and presenting the claims which it was thought that his
Widow had upon the consideration of Her Majesty's Government,
was laid before the Premier.

The signatures to that document it would afford us justifiable
pride to reproduce here, but, in the absence of express authority
for so doing, we merely mention that they comprise the names of a
group of Noblemen and Gentlemen of the highest distinction in
politics, art, poetry, and literature. With these names were asso-
ciated those of fellow-workers with Mark Lemon.

The document was promptly and courteously acknowledged on the
part of Mr. Gladstone, who made some special inquiries on the
subject. These were duly answered.

Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to approve the grant of
an annual pension of £100 to Mks. Mark Lemon, who was last week,
by Mr. Gladstone's direction, apprised of the fact.

It appears proper that the kind act should be recorded in the
columns of the journal which was conducted for so many years by
Mr. Mark Lemon, and which was the chief occupation and pride of
his life. On the part of those among the Memorialists who are
connected with that journal, and of all others who are engaged in
its production, most humble and respectful thanks are tendered to
Heb Majesty for her gracious approval of the grant, and their
warmest acknowledgments are made to Mb. Gladstone for his
compliance with the solicitation in favour of the family of their

lamented friend. To the other signataries, whose influential
names were most readily and cordially given, we would express
our deep sense of the value of their assistance, and our certainty
that the announcement of the grant must have given them the
utmost satisfaction.

THE JURY-BOX OF THE FUTURE.

A terrible trial, according to a Note in the Fall Mall Gazette,
awaits " twelve gentlemen of the county of Gloucester, whose names
are, happily for the peace of mind of those concerned, at present
unknown." It is a trial which will try the triers :—

"Much sympathy has been expressed for the Tichborne jury, but their
labours were as nothing when compared with the prospective duties of a jury
that will be required to grasp the details involved in a statement and counter-
statement of a grandfather, a father, a son, and a widow, with the particulars
of a bankruptcy, of three or four Chancery suits, an appeal to the Lords Jus-
tices, and an appeal to the House of Lords to follow."

Who is sufficient for these things but a compound of a practised
accountant and profound lawyer Y How could any other jury than
one composed of such compounds be empanelled, or, anyhow, sworn ?
Can any man be compeUed to swear that he will " well and truly
try " to do that which he knows himself incapable of even attempting ?
If juries are to discharge duties such as those above instanced, a new
qualification will be necessary to render gentlemen eligible for jurors.
They will have to be required to pass an examination, and then,
unless by passing it they secure large salaries, what shall we do ?
The candidates for liability to serve on juries will be involuntary,
and all plucked.

Our "Civil List" (and may it soon be Abolished!)—Persons
on whom we must call.