Punch (86.1884)

March 8, 1884.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. ill

MISPLACED CONFIDENCE.”

Nervous Lady Visitor. “ Who is that nice civil Man to whom I’ve been speaking, and whom I’ve lately met here and

TALKED WITH SO OFTEN?”

Pauper Gateman (jealous of lvis monopoly of “ Tips'1’). “ ’E, M’um ? Why ’e’s the ’nfirmary Man, M’tjm !—as ’tend to the
Patients with the Small P-”

Lady Visitor {with a shriek). “Oh, good gracious ! Let me out ! Let me out !” [ Tableau.

I really can’t see that there’s any just law
By which a poor Bear should be muzzled and hobbled.

“ Come, eat me ! Come, eat me! ” Now, who could resist
Such a touching- appeal ? It looks awfully succulent,
Old Leo ’s engaged, I’ve a terrible twist,

I ’ll fall to—and a fig for my foes fierce and truculent!

THE GREAT PANJANDRUM HIMSELE.

If there is one offence which Persons in Authority object to more
than another, it is that of Writing to the Papers—at least, when that
insidious device is adopted by persons under Authority. The Great
Panjandrums of Officialdom, of Monopoly, and of Trade would, if
they had their will, no doubt make it a capital offence, without bene-
fit of Clergy. As it is, they always resent it vehemently in public,
and generally avenge themselves on the detected culprit in private.

Certain persons, malignant minions, no doubt, in the employ of the
Civil Service Supply Association have lately been perpetrating this
unpardonable sin. At the Annual General Meeting held at the City
Terminus Hotel on Wednesday last, the Chairman, Mr. Geo. Pear-
son, referred to their guilty deeds in the usual tone of solemn scorn
(for the Press) and lofty indignation (against its anonymous and
interested correspondents). When Titan Commerce “ gives itself
airs,” the effect is very^ imposing. “The Shareholders,” said the
Chairman, with large finality, “are well aware that there is no
ground for any charge against the Association of want of considera-
tion in the • treatment of its servants.” One of the Shareholders,
however, protested that he was not “ aware ” of this, which, indeed,
was the very point at issue. This, thoueh less imperial than the
style of Mr. Panjandrum—we mean Mr. Pearson—sounds at least
somewhat pertinent.

Mr. Hardinge moved—“That a Committee of ten Shareholders,

not Members of the Committee of Management, be appointed to
inquire into the alleged grievances of the employes, and report to
the next General Meeting thereupon.” This again does not seem
wildly unreasonable. But the Chairman thought it was “ really too
bad to renew an agitation after it had ceased.” He did not say why
ceased, whether from absence of solid foundation or impossibility of
obtaining redress. The Meeting agreed with the Chairman, and
Mr. Hardinge’s motion was lost.

And yet there was considerable show of reason about Mr.
Hardinge. He wanted the matter to be fairly inquired into, and
the Association to be fully cleared from an unpleasant stigma.
“Never,” said he, “let it be said that the Shareholders of that
Association were soulless and devoid of sympathy for their assistants,
and cared for nothing but their dividends.” Well, this has been
said of the Shareholders of such Associations, and said with con-
siderable emphasis. If it can be refuted, well and good. But it is
not that easiest of Big Wow-wow devices, a lofty PwnblechoohMke
repudiation of peccability, which will satisfy the Public that such
Associations are little paternally conducted Paradises for their
multitudinous employes.

Mr. Punch makes this little friendly suggestion to whom it may
concern, without—for the present—committing himself to an opinion
as to the particular points here in dispute.

A Serious Business.

The Lady who contributed the following advertisement to the
Daily News does not seem to be aware of the value of time m London,

A N AUTHORESS, who lives in France, WANTS a London Editor tc
A Translate and Publish three serious Writings.—Address, &c.

If we know anything of the work and worries of London Editors,
we should say this want is not likely to be speedily supplied.