Punch: Punch (83.1882)

jr_PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI._[December 30, 1882.

And now the lineaments and features of a striking and familiar face began to be visible, as the vivid body prepared to
enter upon the internal contact of Egress. A thrill of strange delight swept over the multitude.

“It is not Venus—it is more beautiful!” shouted several thousand enthusiastic voices in chorus.

“ Quite so; and it seems to be taking on a remarkably pleasing appearance; undergoing a species of natural develop-
ment! ” cried a Noble Earl, sympathetically. ‘“Sans changer ’ is a fine motto, but give me the surprise of practical
progress.”

“ Kismet! let me have a look, then ! ” whined a slippered Buffoon in a fez, at the same moment trying in vain to fix
the moving wonder of the heavens with half an inverted and cracked opera-glass. “ But I can see nothing,” he added, in
disgust. “I never can.”

“ None so blind as those who won’t see,” threw in an Egyptian Philosopher, quietly working out his passage to Ceylon
in a cushioned arm-chair, and surveying the transit tranquilly through the smoke of his cigarette. “ But, dear me,” he con-
tinued, with placid interest, “ in the name of the Pharaohs, what is the humorous celestial body about ? ”

As he spoke the now living ball of the Planet, in apparent obedience to some wondrous law of its existence, seemed
slowly to uncoil itself, and be feeling for something in its coat-pocket. In another moment it had flung a glittering parcel
into the air.

There was a cry of frantic excitement from the bewildered Astronomers.

“Who is he? What is he about? What has he cast to us?” they shouted.

“ Don’t you know ? ” replied a stout, good-natured-looking old Gentleman, shutting up his telescope. “ Why, that’s
my trusted old friend, Mr. Punch, making his half-yearly transit across the world; and-”

At this moment a magnificent book shot from the heavens into the midst of the now capering throng.

“ I thought so ! ” continued the Speaker, indicating the splendid present with satisfaction. “ And that is his-

“ (5ig{)ti)-£|trb IMtme! ”