Punch (98.1890)

210

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

[Mat 3, 1890.

WINDOW STUDIES.

The Struggle for Life. (Three Cab-runners after One Small Portmanteau.)

STANLEY AFRICA.NUS!

Mr. Punch loquitur :—

"Ma. Stanley, I presume! " "Well, the crowd will fags and fume,

From the mob you '11 get, no doubt, a noisy greeting ;
Bat I'm pleased to take your hand on the threshold of th? laid;

This is truly a most gratifying meeting!
Nay, no need for you to blush, for I am not going to gush

There are plenty who '11 indulge in fuss and flammery.
Heroes like to be admired, but you '11 probably be tired

Of tall-talk ere this spring greenery shows summery.
" An illustrious pioneer," says the Belgian King. 'Tis clear

That at any rate you've earned that appellation.
True words tell, though tattlers twist 'em, and a " mighty fl ivial
system "

You have opened up no doubt to civilisation.
Spreading tracts of territory 'tis your undisputed glory

To have footed for the first time (save by savages),
The result will be that Trade will there supersede the raid

Of the slaver, and the ruthless chieftain's ravages.
That is useful work well done, and it hasn't been all fun,

As you found in that huge awful tract of forest,
And you must have felt some doubt of your chance of winning
out

Of all perils when your need was at the sorest.
Mortal sickness now and then, and the pranks of lesser men,

Must have tried your iron health and steely temper.
But, like Sctpio of old, you 're as patient a3 you 're bold,

And you turn up tough and timely, idem semper.'

Stanley Apbicanus ! Yes, that's a fitting name, I guess,

For as stout a soul as Publius Cornelius ;
And now, probably, there's no man will not dub you "noblest
Roman,"

Though you once had many a f oeman contumelious.
Have them still? Oh yes, no doubt; but just now they'll scarce
speak out

In a tone to mar the laudatory chorus:

Though when once they've had a look, Henry mine, in your
Big Book,

They with snips, and snaps, and snarls, are sure to bore us.
"Well, that will not matter much if you only keep in touch

With all that is humane, and wise, and manly.
Your time has been well spent in that huge Dark Continent,
England's word to-day is, " "Welcome, Stanley I"

And all En

OUR BOOKING-OEEICE.

In his By Order of the Czar Mr. Joseph Hatton exposes the
cruelties of Muscovite rule in the most trenchant yet entertaining
fashion. The headings to the chapters (to say nothing of their con-
tents) are exciting to a degree, and consequently it is not altogether
surprising that the Russian officials, possibly hearing that the three
handsome volumes might cause a revolution, should have refused
them admission to the Emperor's dominions. Be this as it may, in
each of the aforesaid handsome volumes appears a slip of yellow
paper, announcing that " it is prohibited by the Government of the
Czar from circulation in Russia." How fortunate—not, of course,
for the Russians, poor things, to he deprived of this treat—but how
fortunate that it is not prohibited here ! "With Mr. Joseph Hatton
continuously in his thoughts, the Baron has sung ever since—not
only " In the Gloaming," be it understood, but during the following
day, and well into the succeeding night— Best for him (J. H), and
best for me (B. de B. "W.)." The novel should have a large general
circulation, in spite of the boycotting to which it has been locally
subjected in St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Siberia.

Miss Jeanie Middlemass has made a step in the right direction
by publishing Two False Moves, Like all her work, the new novel
is deeply interesting. As it is full of " go," it is sure to be con-
tinually on the march in the circulating libraries.

In Miss Mephistopheles, Mr. Feargus Hums gives us a story
much in advance of The Mystery of a Hansom Cab. It is better
in construction, its character sketches are more life-like, and its
literary style is superior—therefore there is every chance of its not
being so successful with the general public.

Baron de Book-"Worms & Co.