Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, May 24, 1890

Various

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• Publié par: vorud
• Publié le: 08 décembre 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 40
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

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The Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, May 24, 1890, by Various This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org

Title: Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, May 24, 1890 Author: Various Editor: Francis Cowley Burnand Release Date: January 21, 2010 [EBook #31039] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PUNCH ***

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PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

VOLUME 98.

M AY 24, 1890,

MR. PUNCH'S MORAL MUSIC-HALL DRAMAS.

No. XI.—THE RIVAL DOLLS.

"Miss J ENNY and P OLLY Had each a new dolly."—Vide Poem.

Miss Jenny Miss Polly

CHARACTERS.

} By the Sisters L EAMAR .

T T h h e e     S S o o l ld d i i e e r r     D D o o l l l l } By the Two A RMSTRONGS .

S CENE —A Nursery. EnterMiss J ENNY and Miss P OLLY ,who perform a blameless step-dance with an improving chorus. Oh, isn't it jolly! we've each a new dolly, And one is a Soldier, the other's a Tar! We're fully contented with what's been presented, Such good little children we both of us are! [They dance up to a cupboard, from which they bring out two large Dolls, which they place on chairs. Miss J.   Don'tthey look nice! Come, P OLLY , let us strive To make ourselves believe that they're alive! Miss P. (addressingI dote on all that's nautical.Sailor D.). I'm glad you're mine. The Sailor D. (opening his eyes suddenly).Excuse me, Miss, your sister's more mysort o' gal! [Kisses his handto Miss J.,who shrinks back, shocked and alarmed. Miss J.Oh, P OLLY , did you hear? I feel so shy! The Soldier D. (with mild self-assertion).   I can say "Pa" and "Ma"—and wink my eye.

[Does so atMiss P.,who runs in terror toMiss J.'sside.

Miss J.Why, both are showing signs of animation! Miss P.Who'd think we had such strong imagination! The Soldier Doll (aside to theSailor D.). I say, old fellow, we have caught their fancy— In each of us they now a real man see! Let's keep it up! The Sailor D. (dubiously).D'ye think as we candoit? The Soldier D.I will see you through it.You stick by me, and Sit up, and turn your toes out,—don't you loll; Put on the Man, and drop the bloomin' Doll! [TheSailor Dollpulls himself together, and rises from chair importantly. The Sailor D. (in the manner of a Music-hall Chairman)—Ladies, with your kind leave, this gallant gent Will now his military sketch present. [Miss J.andP. applaud;theSoldier D.,after feebly expostulating, is induced to sing.

Song, by the Soldier Doll. When I used to be displayed In the Burlington Arcade, With artillery arrayed Underneath. Shoulder Hump! I imagine that I made All the Lady Dolls afraid, I should draw my battle-blade From its sheath, Shoulder Hump! For I'm Mars's gallant son, And my back I've shown to none, Nor was ever seen to run From the strife! &c. Oh, the battles I'd have won, And the dashing deeds have done, If I'd ever fired a gun In my life! &c. Refrain (to be sung marching round Stage). By your right flank, wheel! Let the front rank kneel! With the bristle of the steel To the foe. Till their regiments reel, At our rattling peal, And the militar zeal

We show! [Repeat, with the whole company marching round after him. The Soldier Doll. My friend will next oblige—this jolly Jack Tar Will give his song and chorus in charàck-tar!

[Same business withSailor D. Song, by the Sailor Doll. In costume I'm So maritime, You'd never suppose the fact is, That with the Fleet In Regent Street, I'd precious little naval practice! There was saucy craft, Rigged fore an' aft, Inside o' Mr. C RE - MER ' S . From Noah's Arks to Clipper-built barques, Like-wise mechanical stea-mers. But to navigate the Serpentine, Yeo ho, my lads, ahoy! With clockwork, sails, or spirits of wine, Yeo-ho, my lads, ahoy! I did respeckfully decline, So I was left in port to pine, Which wasn't azactually the line Of a rollicking Sailor Boy, Yeo-ho! Of a rollicking Sailor Bo-oy! Yes, there was lots Of boats and yachts, Of timber and of tin, too; But one and all Was far too small For a doll o' my size to get into! I was too big On any brig To ship without disas-ter, And it wouldn't never do When the cap'n and the crew Were a set o' little swabs all plas-ter! Chorus—So to navigate the Serpentine, &c. An Ark is p'raps The berth for chaps As is fond o' Natural Hist'ry. But I sez to S HEM And the rest o' them, "How you get along at all's a myst'ry! With a Wild Beast Show Let loose below,

And four fe-males on deck too! I never could agree With your happy fami-lee, And your lubberly ways I objeck to " . [Chorus. Hornpipe by the company, after which theSoldier Doll advances condescendingly toMiss J ENNY . The Sold. D.Invincible I'm reckoned by the Ladies. But yield to you—though conquering my trade is! Miss J. (repulsing him).Oh, go away, you great conceited thing, you! [The Sold. D.persists in offering her attentions. Miss P. (watching them bitterly).To be deserted by one's doll does sting you! [TheSailor D.approaches. The Sailor D. (toMiss P.) Let me console you, Miss, a Sailor Doll As swears his 'art was ever true to P OLL ! (N.B.—Good opportunity for Song here.) Miss P. (indignantly toMiss J.) Your Sailor's teasing me to be his idol! Do make him stop—spitefully—When you'vequitedone with my doll! Miss J. (scornfully). If you supposeI your wretched warrior, I'm sorry wantfor you! Miss P.I for you am sorrier. Miss J. (weeping, R.). P OLLY preferred to me—what ignominy! Miss P. (weeping,L.). My horrid Sailor jilting me for J ENNY ! [The two Dolls face one another, C . Sailor D. (toSoldier D.). You've made her sluice her skylights now, you swab! Soldier D. (toSailor D.). As you have broke her heart, I'll break your nob! [Hits him. Sailor D. (in a pale fury).This insult must be blotted out in bran! Soldier D. (fiercely).I'll shed your sawdust—if I can!Come on, [Miss J.andP.throw themselves between the combatants. Miss J.For any mess you make we shall be scolded, So wait until a drugget we've unfolded! [They lay down drugget on Stage.

The Soldier D. (politely).No hurry, Miss,wedon't object to waiting. The Sailor D. (aside).His valour—like my own—'s evaporating! (Defiantly toguard! You'll see how soon I'll run you through!Soldier D.). On (Confidentially). (If you will not prodme, I won't pinkyou.) The Soldier D.Through your false kid my deadly blade I'll pass! (Confidentially). (Look here, old fellow, don't you be ahass!) [They exchange passes at a considerable distance. The Sailor D. (aside).Don't lose your temper now! Sold. D.Don't get excited. Do keep a little farther off! Sail. D.Delighted!

[WoundsSoldier D.by misadventure. Sold. D. (annoyed).There now, you've gone and made upon my wax a dent! Sail. D.Excuse me, it was really quite an accident. Sold. D. (savagely).Such clumsiness would irritate a saint! [StabsSailor Doll. Miss J. and P. (imploringly).Oh, stop! the sight of sawdust turns us faint! [They drop into chairs, swooning.

The Sailor D.I'll pay you out for that!

Sold. D.Right through you've poked me! Sailor D.So you haveme! Sold. D.You shouldn't have provoked me!

[StabsSoldier D.

[They fall transfixed. Sailor D. (faintly).Alas, we have been led away by vanity. Dolls shouldn't try to imitate humanity!

[Dies.

Soldier D.For, if they do, they'll end like us, unpitied, Each on the other's sword absurdly spitted! [Dies.Miss J.andP.revive, and bend sadly over the corpses.

[Pg 242]

Miss Jenny.From their untimely end we draw this moral, How wrong it is, even for dolls, to quarrel! Miss Polly.Yes, J ENNY , in the fate of these poor fellows see What sad results may spring from female jealousy! [They embrace penitently as Curtain falls.

THE ROSE-WATER CURE.

[The Report of the Sweating Committee says that "the inefficiency of many of the lower class of workers, early marriages, and the tendency of the residuum of the population in large towns to form a helpless community, together with a low standard of life and the excessive supply of unskilled labour are the chief factors in producing sweating." The Committee's chief "recommendations" in respect of the evils of Sweating seem to be, the lime-washing of work-places and the multiplication of sanitary inspectors.] S EVENTY - ONE Sittings, a many months' run, Witnesses Two Hundred, Ninety and One: Clergymen, guardians, factors, physicians, Middlemen, labourers, smart statisticians, Journalists, managers, Gentiles and Jews, And this is the issue! A thing to amuse A cynic, the chat of this precious Committee, But moving kind hearts to despair blent with pity. C ANTUAR ., D ERBY , and mild A BERDEEN , Such anti-climax sure never was seen! O NSLOW and R OTHSCHILD and M ONKSWELL and T HRING , Are ou content with the itiful thin ?

[Pg 243]

D UNRAVEN out of it; lucky, my lad! (Though your retirement seemed caused by a fad) Was the Inquiry in earnest or sport? What is the pith of this precious Report?

Sweating—which all the world joined to abuse— Is not the fault of poor Russians or Jews; 'Tisn't the middleman more than the factor, 'Tisn't, no 'tisn't, the sub-contractor; 'Tisn't machinery. No! In fact, What Sweatingis, in a manner exact, After much thinking we cannot define. Whoisto blame for it? Well, we incline To think that the Sweated (improvident elves!) Are, at the bottom,to blame themselves! They're poor of spirit, and weak of will, They marry early, have little skill; They herd together, all sexes and ages, And take too tamely starvation wages; And if theywilldo so, much to their shame, How can the Capitalist be to blame? Remedies? Humph! We really regret We don't see our way to them. Peoplemustsweat, Muststitch and starve till they almost drop; Butit be done in a lime-washed shoplet ! To drudge in these dens is their destined fate, But keep the dens in a decent state. More inspectors, fewer bad smells, These be our cures for the Sweaters' Hells!

Revolutions with rose-water cannot be made! So it was said. But the horrors of Trade, Competition's accursed fruit, The woman a drudge, and the man a brute, These, our Committee of Lordlings are sure, Can only be met by the Rose-water Cure! The Sweating Demon to exorcise Exceeds the skill of the wealthy wise. Still he must "grind the face of the poor." (Though some of us have a faint hope, to be sure, That the highly respectable Capitalist To the Lords' mild lispings will kindly list.) No; the Demon must work his will On his ill-paid suffering victims still; But—he'd better look with a littlelessdirt, So sprinkle the brute with our Rose-water Squirt!!!

HARDLY LIKELY. (An Incident in a "Point to Point" Race.) Fallen Competitor (to his Bosom Friend, who now has the Race in hand). "H I , G EORGE , OLD M AN ! J UST   CATCH   MY H ORSE , THERE ' S   A   GOOD C HAP ! "

A N E NTERTAINMENT   OF   A G OOD S TAMP  Postage Jubilee Exhibition at. —The Penny the Guildhall.

SONG SENTIMENTIANA.

(A delightful "All-the-Year-Round" Resort for the Fashionable Composer.) E XAMPLE IV.—Treating of a passion which, in the well-meant process of making the best of it, unconsciously saddles its object with the somewhat harassing responsibility of competing with the Universal Provider.

T HOU  art all the world to me, love, Thou art everything in one, From my early cup of tea, love, To my kidney underdone; From my canter in the Row, love, To my invitation lunch— From my quiet country blow, love, To my festive LondonPunch. Thou art all in all to me, love,— Thou art bread and meat and drink; Thou art air and land and sea, love,— Thou art paper, pens, and ink.

Thou art all of which I'm fond, love: Thou art Whitstables from R ULE ' S , — "Little drops" with S PIERS   AND P OND , love,— Measures sweet at Mr. P OOLE ' S . Thou art everything I lack, love, From a month at Brighton gay (Bar the journey there and back, love) To the joys of Derby Day— From the start from my abode, love, With a team of frisky browns, To the driving "on the road," love, And the dryvinon the Downs! Thou art all the world to me, love,— Thou art all the thing contains; Thou art honey from the bee, love,— Thou art sugar from the canes. Thou art—— stay! I've made a miss, love; I'm forgetting, on my life! Thou art all—exceptingthis, love,— Your devoted servant's wife!

CHARLES THE FIRST.

S IR ,—Did C HARLES   THE F IRST walkandtalk half an hour after his head was cut off, or not?

Yours, A V ERIFIER   OF F ACTS . S IR ,—C HARLES   THE F IRST walked and talkedone quarter of an hour, not half, as is erroneously supposed, after his decollation. We know this by two Dutch pictures which I had in my possession until only the other day, when I couldn't find them anywhere.

Yours, H ISTORIAN . S IR ,—King C HARLES   THE F IRST head long before he came to the scaffold. Ilost his have the block now by me. From it the well-known wood-cut was taken. C ONSULE P LAUCO . S IR all the trouble was taken out of,—It is a very curious thing, but  C HARLES ' S head and put into mine years ago by one of the greatest C HARLESES  ever that lived, whose name was D ICKENS ; and mine, without the "ENS," is Yours truly,

[Pg 244]

P.S.—"'Mr. D ICK sets us all right,' said My Aunt, quietly."

"Mr. D ICK . "

A CHAPTER OF DICKENS UP TO DATE.

(Harris, assisted by a Carpet, is the cause of a division betweenIn which Mrs. Friends.) M RS . G AMP ' S apartment wore, metaphorically speaking, a Bab-Balladish aspect, being considerably topsy-turvey, as rooms have a habit of being after any unusual ebullition of temper on the part of their occupants. It was certainly not swept and garnished, although its owner was preparing for the reception of a visitor. That visitor was B ETSEY P RIG . Mrs. G AMP ' S  was ornamented with three photographs: one of chimney-piece herself, looking somewhat severe; one of her friend and bosom companion, Mrs. P RIG , of far more amiable aspect; and one of a mysterious personage supposed to be Mrs. H ARRIS . "There! Now, drat you, B ETSEY  G, don't be long!" said Mrs. AMP , apostrophising her absent friend. "For I'm in no mood for waiting, I do assure you. I'm easy pleased, but I must have my own way (as is always the best and wisest), and have it directly minit, when the fancy strikes me, else we shall part, and that not friendly, as I could wish, but bearin' malice in our 'arts."

"B ETSEY  G," said Mrs. AMP , "I will now propoge a toast. My frequent pardner, B ETSEY P RIG !" "Which, altering the name to S AIRAH G AMP , I drink," said Mrs. P RIG , "with love and tenderness!" "Now, S AIRAH ," said Mrs. P RIG , "jining business with pleasure, as so often we've done afore, wot is this bothersome affair about which you wants to consult me? Areyou a-goin' to call me over the Carpet once more, S AIREY ?"