Punch (69.1875)

July 10, 1875.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. 1

had just taken the Bank of England ? {Cheers.)

The Chancellor of the Exchequer was understood to admit
that a rumour to that effect had certainly reached the Treasury.
The Right Honourable Gentleman begged to add, however, that the
report required official confirmation.

Major Smith continued his speech. He said it was most desirable
that this great country (the most powerful in the world) should be
prepared to meet any emergency.

At this point, a General of the enemy (who had just entered the
House) called the attention of the Speaker to the fact that there
were not forty Members present.

House Counted Oat at twenty minutes past four o'clock.

THE COMMON COMPLAINT.

"Westminster's Duke and Stratford's Flower,*
Gagged steed who cannot speak his pains,

Baroda's Guicowar, hurled from power,
One protest urge—'gainst " Bearing-Reins."

Nay, more, when Northbrook's self finds harl
To brook the chafe of Salisbury's chains,

He too, " hoised with his own petard,"
Like those four, kicks at " Bearing-Reins."f

* See this gentleman's unanswerable pamphlet, Bits and Bearing-Reins,
now in a Third Edition- Its Author has a quadruple title to Mr. Punch's
respect, as the brewer of some of the best beer, and one of the best judges, best
riders, and best masters of a horse in England.

f Some would spell the word "Baring."

Last Month's Music.

Mr. Mechi, in the Times, tells the Farmers good tidings, which
may also be pleasant to Sir Michael Costa and Signor Vianesi.
It has, he says, proved that—

" A dripping June brings all things in tune."

Except, Mr. Mechi—of course, except the organ-grinders."

COME TO !

(Dedicated, tvith Mr. Punch's compliments, to the " United
Artillerists.'")

HOUSE OF COMMONS. June —th, 187— ?

The Speaker took the Chair at four o'clock.

Major Smith then rose to propose his Motion (of which he had
given notice during the previous sitting), that "this Honourable
House do immediately form itself into a Committee to consider the
present condition of the Woolwich guns." _ The Honourable and
Gallant Member said that it was most advisable that the House
should examine the rival plans submitted by those who were in
favour of breech-loading, on the one hand, and-■

An Honourable Member apologised for interrupting his honour-
able and gallant friend, but he wished to ask a question of the
Secretary op State eor War. ("Hear, hear!") Was it true
that the enemy had landed on the previous evening at Dover, as
reported in the morning papers ? (Cheers.)

The Secretary op State for War was understood to request
the Honourable Member to give notice of his question in the cus-
tomary manner.

Major Smith continued his speech. He said that it was most
important that every one should understand the principle of breech-
loading artillery.

Another Honourable Member apologised for interrupting the
Honourable and Gallant Member, but he wished to ask the Home
Secretary a question of some importance. ("Hear, hear ! ") Was
it true that the enemy had that morning occupied Dorking, as
reported in the second edition of the Times f (Cheers.)

The Home Secretary was understood to say that he considered
that no attention should be paid to reports published in the press.

Major Smith continued his speech. He said that muzzle-loading
had been generally adopted in the Service until attention had been
called to the many defects of that system. The matter had often
been ventilated in that House. (" Hear, hear AH) Hon. Members
would remember that the matter had consequently been allowed to
remain in statu quo for some time.

A third Honourable Member apologised for interrupting the
Honourable and Gallant Member, but he wished to put a question to

VOL. LXIX.

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