Punch (77.1879)

October 18, 1879.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. 179

LYCEUM THEATRE.—{See Irving.)

MANSION HOUSE.—Worthy of being
mansioyi'd here, as the home of the Lord
Mayor, who dines every night with'.Gog and
Magog, when they are not otherwise engaged
at Guildhall. On entering under the portico,
the ear of the visitor will be struck—and
forcibly struck, too—by the sweet sounds
issuing, as he will at once perceive/from
the fluted columns. The air generally
played is, "I'm a-flate ! I'm a flute!"
Entering the dining-room, the visitor will
be again struck (his eye this time) by the
buffet. If he takes it, he is bound to return
it at once. Many of the banquets are held
in the Egyptian Hall—twin brother of the
other in Piccadilly. The Egyptian Hall in
the Mansion House is celebrated rather for
the works of Cook than of Maskelyne ;
though, when the Lord Mayor gives a fancy
ball in the place, he patronises t\ie_Masky
line as well.

MAPS. {See Mappin.)

MAIIBLE ARCH. —Wonderful! Mar-
ble-ous ! This inspired the composer Balfe
with the idea of I dreamt that I dwelt in
Marble Halls "—to which the Arch would
of course be the entrance.

MAYFAIR—One of the old thorough
fairs of London. It is still kept up with
much spirit. As you walk along the pave-
ment notice the flags.

MERCERS' COMPANY.—Yery ancient.
Preserved to the present time by a mercer-
ful dispensation. Motto in old English,
"Lawks a Mercer ! " The ceremony of
initiation is by a sort of christening, when
the official who performs the rite is called

til6 l7Yl-*Ylt€YC6V

MERCHANT TAYLORS.—A confrater-
nity of ninety-nine tailors (spelt originally
Taylors), with power to add to their number
by nine, or any multiple of nine. They only
work for merchants who are not self-made
men, and require the assistance of nine
tailors. The only work they are permitted
by their ancient constitution to do for them-
selves, is to line their own pockets. Their
device is a coat of arms without any other
clothes. This was in allusion to their
charitable practice of giving the poor coats
without any alms, or alms without any
coats. They used to meet at Button's
Coffee House, but now they have a house
of their own which they hold on condition
of investing in a new coat of paint once in
three years.

MILK. {See Cow—and seek 'ow you can
get it. Also see CanCan, Pump and Pail
Ale.)

MINES. — Consult a Solicitor in re so-
and-so " a minor." Also ask a musician.
If from these you can't get any satisfactory
information as to the mine-utia; of Mines,
then come to us and try Ours.

A Question of Colour.

An obelisk erected to the memory of
Thomas Clarkson, the great Abolitionist,
near Ware, " on the spot where," according
to an inscription upon it, that strenuous
philanthropist "resolved to devote his life to
bringing about the abolition of the Slave
Trade," was unveiled the other day. It
is of Portland stone on a base of Yorkshire
ditto. The base may be allowed to be ap-
propriate, as indicative of strength, solidity,
and endurance. But should not the obelisk
itself have been of black marble ?

We see the Baptists are going to have a
Harvest Thanksgiving. This is strictly in
accordance with their belief in Total
Immersion.

TAKING IT EASY.

Lieutenant Smart {who has taken over temporary charge oj Lieutenant Easy's detachment, who
is "on leave"). " But these are ' Ration Return Forms,' to be filled in every Morning,

showing amount of rations issued, &c, and then signed by officer who certifies to
their correctness. what do you mean by bringing twelve blank forms for me to
sign ? "

Corporal. " Big your Pardon, Sorr, but we git thim Blank fkom the Orderly
Room—they're a Pinny a Dozzen, Sorr, an' Misther Aisy, Sore, he ginebally signs
a Pinnorth ! ! !"

En Rapport.

A Reporter of the Cape Times, in an account of Cetewayo on board ship,"says of him
that:—

"He hag rather a wild way of taking to European food, and as a preliminary to a substantial feed
of beef the other day, he devoured a pot and a half of jam."

Jam before beef—or with it! Another point of sympathy in tastes between the ex-King of
Zululand and the Chancellor of the German Empire.

Aquarium Bill of Fare.—Mostly Farin(i)aceous Fool.