Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 105, September 2nd, 1893Various
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 105, September 2nd, 1893
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
_Wednesday._--"Mr. SPEAKER, Sir. One or two ideas occur to me." It
was the voice of MACGREGOR uplifted from back bench, where a retiring
disposition (he retired from medical practice some years ago) leads
him to take his seat. Moment critical; debate long proceeding on
Amendment moved by NAPOLEON BOLTONPARTY, which had called down on
Imperial head a fearsome whack from hand of Mr. G.; House growing
impatient for Division; SPEAKER risen to put question, when THE
MACGREGOR interposed. Evidently in for long clinical lecture. Hand
partly extended, palm downwards; eyes half closed; head thrown back,
and the voice impressively intoned.
"Mr. SPEAKER, Sir, a few ideas have occurred to me."
THE MACGREGOR got no further; a shout of hilarious laughter broke
in upon his reverie. Opened his eyes, and looked hastily round. He,
DONALD MACGREGOR, First Prizeman in Chemistry and Surgery; Second
Prizeman in Physiology and Midwifery; Licentiate of both the Royal
Colleges of Physicians and of Surgeons, Edinburgh; practised at
Penrith, Cumberland, and in London; formerly Medical Officer and
Public Vaccinator for Penrith and district; Resident Physician at the
Peebles Hydropathic Institute; Medical Superintendent of the Barnhill
Hospital and Asylum, Glasgow--yes, all this, and House of Commons was
laughing at him!
"What--what," he gasped, making motion as if he would feel the
SPEAKER'S pulse. "I don't understand. I very rarely speak; have said
nothing before on this Bill. Now, when something occurs to me hon.
members laugh."
House touched by this appeal; generously cheered. Doctor, resuming his
oratorical attitude, proceeded.
"I think," he remarked, with hand again outstretched, eyes half
closed, and head thrown back as before, "it was SYDNEY SMITH who said,
When doctors differ who shall decide."
The Doctor was awakened out of his oratorical trance by another shout
of laughter. What on earth was the matter now? Perhaps if he kept
his eyes open he would see better where the joke came in. Took the
precaution, but had not proceeded more than two minutes before SPEAKER
down on him; after which he thought it best to resume his seat.
"I give it up, TOBY," he said; "as ASQUITH yesterday gave up that
conundrum I put to him as to why, if repeated breaches of the
vaccination law justify the remission of penalties, the same practice
should not apply in case of breaches of the land laws. The House of
Commons for pleasure, I suppose; but for "ordinary" sanity give me
Peebles and its Hydropathic Institute."
_Business done._--Report Stage of Home-Rule Bill.
[Illustration: "All's well that ends well."]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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