Punch (93.1887)

July 30, 1887.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

MR. PUNCH'S HISTORICAL PARALLELS. No. 1.

LORD CHURCHILL, KNOWN AS GRANDOLPH, AT THE BATTLE OF THE ESTIMATES.

SEEING HIS WAT.

The Times Correspondent at Berlin lately alleged that the cautious
and diplomatic attitude of Prince Fekdinakd of Coburg had some-
what damped the enthusiasm of the deputation that waited on him
to offer him the Bulgarian Throne. The following are a few of the
'"posers" that His Serene Highness is said to have put to the
delegates on the occasion in question.

What sort of a plaee is Sofia ? Does the climate resemble that of
Hampstead, will it support two Italian Operas in the Season, can it
boast an Underground Railway, and does it contain any respectable
agent for the sale of Turkish cigarettes f

Does the Palace want repapering ? Does it contain a throne,
regalia, and other royal appurtenances, left by the late tenant; and,
if not, could the deputation recommend any local emporium where
these and other suitable and necessary things could be temporarily
secured at advantageous terms on the three years' hire system ?

Will the Royal Salary touch £300 a year, and will it be paid
regularly in cash, and not in promissory notes at uncertain intervals ?
Will the great Sobranje vote an additional sum to the civil list for

boot-cleaning and the expenses of a weekly charwoman for the
Royal household ? Will the Prince's cab-hire, on the occasion of his
attending Official banquets, be forthcoming from the same source ?

Will the National party raise any objection to the Prince counting
five Russian Generals among the members of his Cabinet, as a slight
means of securing the amiable consideration of the Czak ?

In the event of a sudden night emeute threatening the stability of
the throne, would it be the business of the Prime Minister to arouse
the Prince, bring him his boots and shaving-water, and, providing
him with a trick-wig and comic disguise, point out to him briefly in
a local Bradshaw the best available trains starting before dawn for
the frontier ?

Finally, if the Prince consented to accept the throne, and hired
his crown and coronation-robes from a well- known costumier's for
the occasion, would the great Sobranje defray the cost, or, if with a
view to the situation being a permanency, he could secure them at
the price of second-hand goods, would they be prepared to come to
some arrangement for their purchase ?

A Growisg Inttostky.—Market-Gardening.