Punch (73.1877)

230

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [Novbmbbk 24, 1877

BLOWING UP FOR BATTLE.

A COMING COMPEOMISE.

{Being a glimpse, of considerably brighter Days, caught at a recent Public

Meeting.)

Scene—The Interior of a freshly-disestablished ' Bishop's Palace,
during the height of a popular anti-monopolist agitation. A
strong Birmingham Ministry have been in office for three
months. Enter a Bishop, his Charming: Daughter, a Noble
Earl, a General of Division, a Licensed Victualler, and an
Aged Junior Counsel.

Bishop {-finishing perusal of last night's Debate). My child, it is
as I feared. See ! they have not only robbed your poor, worn-out,
over-worked old father of his lump sum for compensation, but have
obliged him, at his decease, to provide his own cemetery! Such is
the ingratitude of man !

Charming Daughter. True, dear Papa! But as you are now
hopelessly ruined, and have no patronage to bestow on the Curate of
my choice, let me at least contract a brilliant marriage, and stay our

falling fortunes. This noble Earl, perhaps, would gladly call me
his!

Nolle Earl. With an alacrity and devotion worthy of the illus-
trious name I bear. But, by the rapid operation of the new Land
laws, my ancestral possessions have been reduced to about half an
acre. It is not much, for at a rental of three pounds our income
would be limited. Still, with hope as our guiding star, and a care-
ful cultivation of vegetable marrows as our sheet anchor, there
mig-ht be many happy, if not luxurious, years before us.

Bishop. There might. But it would never do for me,_ Think
of my antecedents. Kb, no! my child. "When vested interests
crash about our heads, the disestablished Bishop's daughter must
not pick and choose. No, no ! I had once looked higher ; but in

these days of levelling- {Hands her over to Licensed Victualler).

There—take her ! She is yours. _ -

Licensed Victualler. Mine ? What joy! But, surely, there is
some mistake ? Recent legislation has not left me unscathed.
The five Members I once returned to Parliament I now return no
more. Statistics of crime from drink are vanishing. I've tried
to struggle on with syrups, sherbets, and decoction of pure Cocculus