Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 109, September 28, 1895Various
General
Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 109, September 28, 1895
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
Never ask a policeman without scanning narrowly his features, nor, if
sitting behind a 'bus-driver, omit to secure his profile. Interview
every crossing-sweeper you pass. Organ-grinders, also, are fairly
inexpensive material to work upon. All these common objects are readily
accessible, and frequently prove perfect mines of character, if you
only dig deep enough below the surface. But the earnest explorer
will find the countenances of cabmen to be the most remunerative
phreno-physiognomical studies. Never mind their remarks if you can
enrich your note-book with some hitherto undiscovered trait of human
nature, with the inner meaning of some mysterious wrinkle, or with
the true poetry of a wayward wart. Return home happy if the day's
achievements include the decipherment of a mole on a flower-girl's
cheek, or the translation of some rare tint of colour-music on the nose
of some loafer near a pub.
Do not be content with the stores of face-reading lore that have
been already acquired. Each day fresh secrets should be revealed.
For instance, it has only recently been ascertained that one freckle
on the tip of the nose means a disposition to borrow money without
returning it; that three pimples in a row across the forehead indicate
unpunctuality and insubordination; or that a droop of the left eyelid
signifies habitual impecuniosity. It is still a moot point whether a
nose can be both Quixotic and witty, and how to read a promiscuous
eyebrow when combined with a constant upper lip. These, and many other
mysteries, are waiting to be laid bare by the amateur but ardent face
delineator.
* * * * *
THE WHY AND THE WHEREFORE.
_Porter (to passenger)._ Where for? _Passenger._ Wye.
And Porter does not reply, "'Cos I want to know," but puts a label on
passenger's portmanteau accordingly.
* * * * *
[Illustration: PROTESTING TOO MUCH.]
"AND I HOPE YOU'RE A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND?"
_Applicant for Situation as Pace boy._ "OH YES, MA'AM--_VERY_ HIGH!"]
* * * * *
TOM THE GOLFER.
[A Stanza on behalf of the testimonial now set on foot, and promoted
by Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, to TOM MORRIS, the Grand Old Man of Golf.]
AIR--"_Tom the Tinker_."
Tom the Golfer's a wonderful man,
For though seventy-five, up to now, is his span,
At hitting a ball or at laying a plan,
He's a clipper is TOM the Golfer!
He can play the game, when not laying new links.
The Golf-world of a brave testimonial thinks,
And _Punch_ inquires, with his choicest of winks,
"Now, Golfing-world, what offer?"
* * * * *
"Cheer, Boys, Cheer!"
(_Ad Druriolanum, equitem gratias agens ad magistrum antiquum Henricum
Russellum_.)
"Cheer, boys, cheer! No more of idle sorrow. Courage, brave hearts,
will bear us on our way!" Tickets I've got for Drury Lane to-morrow.
Cheer, boys, cheer! I am going to see that play!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account