Punch: Punch (100.1891)

WANTED-A LOCAL HABITATION.

{Commended by Mr, Punch to the Patrons of British Art.)

English Art (to Sir James L-nt-n, Messrs. T-te and Agn-w). "Now, Gentlemen, the Government has given the Site for my

House,—it only remains for you to build it."
[The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the Government had assigned a site for the new Gallery of Modern Art, as he thought it would

be unwise to risk the failure of the gifc of £80,000 which had been offered to erect a building.]

SOMEBODY'S LUGGAGE.

In view of the intense public excitement aroused by tbe statement
that Lord Randolph Churchill, in his expedition to Mashonaland,
is only going to take two books with him—Shakspeare and Moliere
—an Inquiring Correspondent has recently written to several
eminent persons on this subject, and has received—so be says—tbe
following replies:—

Sir,—You ask me what books I should take if I were contemplat-
ing a visit to tbe Dark Continent, like Lord Randolph Churchill.
The question, in tbe abstract, and without reference to my own per-
sonality, is an interesting one, and no doubt human fallibility would,
in the case you suppose, induce me to take several volumes of my
own Gleanings with me,—not so much for their intrinsic merits, as
because perhaps they might form a new kind of literature for native
African potentates. Homer, too, of course. At my time of life,
however, I must be excused from grappling with any new Conti-
nents, dark or otherwise. I find that Ireland is quite dark enough
for me just now. Excuse a card. Tours, "W. E. Gl-dst-ne.

Sir,—As I am not " contemplating an expedition to the Dark
Continent,'' and have no sympathy with Hottentots, there seems to
be no sufficient reason for my answering your questions, or for your
asking them. S-l-sb-ry.

Sir,—Your question is ridiculous. Tbe only books worth taking
to Africa, or anywhere else, would be a bound copy of last year's
Review of Reviews, General Booth's epoch-making volume, and—
this is indispensable-Sir C. D-lke's invaluable Problems of Greater
Britain. When I went to Rome, I naturally took with me the '' hun-
dred best books in tbe world." Tbey were a little heavy, but I thought
the Pope would like to see them. However, circumstances prevented
my presenting them to His Holiness. .., Yours, W. T. Sx-d.

Sir,—I don't know much about books. I've just written rather a
good one on Cricket, and I think if I were going to Africa I should
take a supply. From all I've beard of Tippoo Tib, I should think he
would enjoy the game; at any rate Tippoo ought to be able to master
tip and run without much difficulty. "W. G. Gr-ce.

Sir,—Having consulted my relatives—also Captain M-l-8W-rth
—as to whether there would be any impropriety in giving a reply to
your questions, I am happy to say that they seem to think there
would be none, but that on the contrary it might even assist the
takings at the Aquarium. I may therefore mention that if I were
proceeding to Central Africa there is only one book I should dream of
taking with me. That would be a copy of the Proceedings of the
London County Council, since tbe joyful date of its advent on this
planet. Yours obediently, Z - o.

Sir,—Tbe one book I should take with me to Africa would be Dr.
Peters' recent valuable work—More Light on Dark Africa. I
should give it to tbe Dwarfs. It would make capital poisoned
arrows. H. M. St-nl-y.

Sir,—The only book worth thinking about for such an expedition
as you mention would be Stanley's In Darkest Africa. Its Maps
would be invaluable,—as presents for a rival explorer, whom one
might desire to mislead as to his route. Carl P-t-rs.

Mr. Herkomer and Mr. Pennell.

Professor Herkomer defends the use of Photography for tbe en-
graver's purposes, and clearly thinks that what Tennyson ought to
have written, in Locksley Hall, was—

" And the thoughts of men are widened by a Process of the Sun's."
He also comforts himself with the reflection that being called over the
coals in tbe National Observer, is one of the pennell-ties of success.