Punch (70.1876)

252

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

[June 17, 1876.

A PERSONAGE IN ST. PANCRIDGE.

ery considerable alarm has no
doubt been created amon^ the
more economical portion of the
Ratepayers of St. Pancras by
the following' verdict of a
Coroner's Jury:—

" That the deceased died from
suffocation consequent upon want
of fresh air; and that it having
been elicited that the lying-in
ward had been left in charge of a
thoroughly incompetent person,
and was constantly so left, the
Jury recommend that the Guar-
dians should take immediate steps
to provide Miss Flatt with pro-
perly qualified assistants."

According- to the report
above quoted, the deceased
was an infant a few days old.
Miss Platt is the Midwife at
the St. Pancras Workhouse.
Slie deposed that she left the
ward in charge of one of the
pauper helpers, "as the Guar-
dians allowed no qualified
assistant." When she came
back she was told the baby was dead, but found it not to be,
although dying. According to the pauper-helper's evidence, at
a quarter past nine, "the mother said the child was cold and
going black." Witness "took it to the fire for ten minutes, and
then thought that it was dead, and put it on a bed and covered
it up with a sheet. She did not call the Doctor as she thought the
child was dead." The Doctor stated the cause of the child's death—
"asphyxia, from overlying." He said "it was the duty of the
pauper-helper left in charge of the ward to send to him when she
found the deceased dead or dying, and added that:—

"lie felt convinced that Miss Platt was considerably overworked, and
Miss Follett, the Lady Guardian, had tried to induce the other Guardians
to provide a qualified assistant, but without effect."

The St. Pancras Ratepayers will probably not elect another Lady
Guardian. They cannot, however, be sure that clamour, consequent
on a Coroner's Jury's recommendation, will not possibly drive the
colleagues of Miss Follett to go to the expense which that Lady
could not prevail upon them to incur, and "provide a qualihed
assistant." One point remains to be stated ; the remarkable coinci-
dence of the unqualilied assistant's name and nature. It sounds
like a hoax ; but there the name is in the Daily Newb of Monday
last week, and no mistake, recorded in unquestionable Print. The
name of this truly typical specimen of a "Pauper-Helper" is
actually Sarah Gamp. This is one of the St. Pancras " Pauper-
Helpers "—so called perhaps because they help paupers "over the
stile." No doubt there is at least another of them who, if not
named, might worthily be named Elizabeth Prig.

"BENEFITS FORGOT."

Mr. Punch has received a number of communications on the
subject of '" Benefits," but can only find space for the following:—

Dear Mr, Punch,

I hope you will excuse my troubling you with this letter.
The fact is, that I am in great trouble. I am an old Banker's Clerk,
and have been literally before the public for nearly fifty years. My
income has been small, and my family large. I have the highest
testimonials as to ability and integrity. Sickness and other mis-
fortunes have, however, pulled me down, and it occurred to me
whether I could not somehow or other take a " benefit." Do you
think it could be managed ? I don't understand these things. Can
you give me any advice or help ?

Yours respectfully,

Jacob Faithful.

Bleak Cottage, Wantage, June 7, 1876.

To Mr. Punch.

Sir,

I am a Professional Man, and have struggled through the
best part of my life with many incumbrances, but have managed to
keep myself and family independent, Now, however, in consequence
of the dulness of business and the overcrowding of my profession,
we are likely to be sold up unless I can get some teitfpbrary help.
My wife suggests my taking a "benefit';" but how, when, and

where ? Of course, it would be distasteful to my feelings, but it

would take a mighty load off my mind if I could realise two or

three hundred. Do you think Her Majesty would lend me her

Theatre? ^r , ■,

l ours, despondmgiy,

Compo Lodge,.Loam Lane, N. Pater Familias.

Dear Punch,

I suppose you don't know me ? Very few people do. I
have, however, made my living for many a long year by wielding
the brush, and selling "pot-boilers." I have kept out of debt,
and preserved my position as a Gentleman. Old age, and a glut
of the market have, however, brought me to a stand-still. I do
wish.'some one would get me up a " benefit."

Yours, faithfully,

Artist.

P.S. I thought of asking some of my friends to open an Exhibi-
tion of their paintings on my behalf; but they all paint so
wretchedly, I fear it would be " no go."

Dear Old Fellow,

You remember my coming into my money five years ago,
don't you ? Well, I've run through it, and spent most of it on
West-End Tradesmen. Oughtn't they to get me up a " benefit" ? I
haven't a rap. Dropped my last " Fifty " on the Oaks,

Yours ever,

ttdlf-moon Street, June 8, 1876. Gerald Golightly.

My Dear Sir,

I have held a living of £150 a-year for forty years, and
reared a large family. My health is bad, and I must employ a
Curate, and I know not where to turn for a little help. Do you not
think 1 might take a sort of ecclesiastical " benefit " at some well-
known church, and get a Bishop or two to perform forme ?

Yours sincerely,

Parebones Vicarage, June 9, 1876. Church Mouse.

HOSPITAL SUNDAY—June 18.

(Anniversary of Waterloo.)

They whisper that some touch of shame
Should rise at mention of the name
That once could set all hearts aflame—

That England, on her lonely shore,

Hears in the nations' sullen roar,

" You fought once, but can fight no more :

" Your strength is gold—and gold is weak ;

Wisdom in policy you seek,

And safety in your ' silver streak'! "

To-morrow we '11 that charge debate ;
To-day the Ottoman may wait,
Our own " Sick Man " is at the gate.

For this one day we '11 rise and show
We 're not unlearned to strike a blow
Against an older, stronger foe.

Our brother's woe, disease and pain,
King Death and all his ghastly train,
These cry—and may not cry in vain.

" Money lies idle." Let it rest
No longer idle ; in the best
Of all securities invest.

Give freely, London, of thy store,

And know " High heaven rejects the lore

Of nicely-reckoned less or more."

Thus Punch the Jester—like Bieon
For gibing moments to atone—
Muses beside sick beds, alone.

a case of water on the brain.

When Mrs. Materfamilias insists upon taking the Children to
the sea-side.____

Bad Beginning [for the New Turkish Regime).—Sending round
the Imperial Hatt!

Natural Ejaculation of Jusber's Foes. — Pesth take the
Mineral Colt!