Punch (77.1879)

150 PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [October. 4, 1879.

PRECEPT AND EXAMPLE.

Great Grandpapa. "Oh, indeed! you can lick tour Sisters at Lawn-Tennis, can you? Well done, my Boy! But be-
ware of Self-conceit, and never brag. AYhy, I could lick everybody at Lawn-Tennis, when I was your age—or could

have done if there 'd been any lawn-tennis to play ! i was the best cricketer, the best fencer, the best boxer,

Runner, Jumper, Swimmer, and Diver i ever came across, either at School, or College, or after ; and in Classics and
Mathematics i beat 'em all clean out of the Field ! As for Riding, no one ever touched me ; or Dancing either ; let

alone that i was the handsomest man in the county, and the best-dressed, for that matter ; besides being the wit-
tiest and the most popular. Ay, and such a song as i could sing, too ! and yet a more modest and unassuming

Demeanour than mine it's never been my good fortune to set eyes on, Man or Boy, these Fourscore Years and Ten—

for i 'm all that, my boy, and more, though you 'd never believe it, to look at me !-beware of self-conceit, my

Boy, and never, never brag!/"

THE GAME OE THE DAY.

Bismarck {to Andrassy). Fine game! Hurrah, for racket, ball,
and net!

Shall we play partners in the coming set ?

Andrassy. With pleasure, if so very poor a player-

Bismarck. Pooh, pooh ! I know your form—a regular stayer.

Andrassy. Considering how you thrashed me-

Bismarck. Long ago!

And you have much improved since then, you know.
Andrassy. You flatter me.

Bismarck. _ Not I; 'tis not my way.

I am incarnate frankness.
Andrassy. So you say.

Bismarck. Never use language to conceal my thought.
Andrassy. Ingenuous innocent!
Bismarck. _ Finesse is fraught

With charms for gome ; but a sham Machiavelli

Deserves—say, wreathing by a Turnerelli.
Andrassy. Ha ! Dear Britannia seems a little out of it;

And Bruin, too, looks bothered.
Bismarck. Not a doubt of it.

Andrassy. He's such a bear.

Bismarck._ Unbearable; and lately

His manners really have annoyed me greatly.
Tis hard to play with one who's always growling,
And without reason.

Andrassy. just s0. See him prowling

_ With ear a-cock to listen to our talk!

Bismarck. He's looking for a partner.

Andrassy. What a walk!

A lovely figure for a game like this!
Bismarck. All have not Austrian grace.
Andrassy. That's not amiss

From a blunt Teuton. You yourself, no doubt,

Are—may I hint it ?—getting rather stout.

But then your force and fleetness, for your age,

Are wonderful.
Bismarck. How vanity would rage

At that left-handed compliment!
Andrassy. Oh well,

When Polyphemus rivals Ariel-

Bismarck. That's better. But I '11 back that man to win

Who has stout heart, steel nerves, and—a thick skin.

[ Whisper together aside.
Bruin {suspiciously). What are they talking of ? Wish I could hear.

up to some game that won't suit me, I fear.

Partners P Oh, hang it! That may spoil my play.

Bizzy and I have paired this many a day:

It's deuced hard to turn me thus adrift

To seek another. Well, I must make shift,

Though eye and wrist like his 'twere vain to seek.

Miss France, now,—there she sits demure and meek ;

Yet she can serve and strike, or could of old.

{To France.) Pardon, Ma'm'selle, but tnay I make so bold r

As-?

Miss France. Merci, maisje nejoue pas—at least not yet.

I rather think I will sit out this set.
Mrs. Britannia. No one asks me, my dear.
Miss France. Oh well, you see,

You have refused so often—even me !