Produced by Malcolm Farmer, Lesley Halamek, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net * * * * * Punch, or the London Charivari Volume 105, September 16th 1893 _edited by Sir Francis Burnand_ * * * * * [Illustration: A CROWDED HOUSE. _Angry Voice (from a backseat)._ "EARS OFF IN FRONT THERE, PLEASE!"] * * * * * THE STRIKER'S VADE MECUM. _Question._ You think it is a good thing to strike? _Answer._ Yes, when there is no other remedy. _Q._ Is there ever any other remedy? _A._ Never. At least, so say the secretaries. _Q._ Then you stand by the opinions of the officials? _A._ Why, of course; because they are paid to give them. _Q._ But have not the employers any interests? _A._ Lots, but they are not worthy the working-man's consideration. _Q._ But are not their interests yours? _A._ Yes, and that is the way we guard over them. _Q._ But surely it is the case of cutting off the nose to spite the mouth? _A._ And why not, if the mouth is too well fed. _Q._ But are not arguments better than bludgeons? _A._ No, and bludgeons are less effective than revolvers. _Q._ But may not the use of revolvers produce the military? _A._ Yes, but they can do nothing without a magistrate reading the Riot Act. _Q._ But, the Riot Act read, does not the work become serious? _A._ Probably. But at any rate the work is lawful, because unremunerative. _Q._ But how are the wives and children of strikers to live if their husbands and fathers earn no wages? _A._ On strike money. _Q._ But does all the strike money go to the maintenance of the hearth and the home? _A._ Of course not, for a good share of it is wanted for the baccy-shop and the public-house. _Q._ But if strikes continue will not trade suffer? _A._ Very likely, but trade represents the masters. _Q._ And if trade is driven away from the country will it come back? _A._ Most likely not, but that is a matter for the future. _Q._ But is not the future of equal importance to the present? _A._ Not at all, for a day's thought is quite enough for a day's work. _Q._ Then a strike represents either nothing or idleness? _A._ Yes, bludgeons or beer. _Q._ And what is the value of reason? _A._ Why, something less than smoke. * * * * * A NOVEL SHOW. ["A popular place of entertainment is arranging a Burglars' Exhibition."--_Daily Telegraph._] Oh, gladly will the public pay Its shillings for admission, To study in a careful way This most original display, The Burglars' Exhibition. Professor SIKES will here explain, With practical instruction, How best to break a window-pane, Through which his classic form may gain Judicious introduction.