Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, CompleteVarious
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, Complete
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
10 oclock.Heard that a vagabond was singing Jim Crow on Tower-
hillproceeded with a large body of the civic authorities to arrest him,
but after an arduous chase of half-an-hour we unfortunately lost him in
Houndsditch. Suppressed two illegal apple-stalls in the Minories, and
took up a couple of young black-legs, whom I detected playing at chuck-
farthing on Saffron-hill. Issued a proclamation against mad dogs,
cautioning all well-disposed persons to avoid their society.
12 oclock.Waited upon by the secretary of the New River Company with a
sample of the water they supply to the Cityfound that it was much
improved by compounding it with an equal portion of cognacgave a
certificate accordingly. Lunched, and took a short nap in my cocked hat.
1 oclock.Police-court. Disposed of several cases summarilyeverybody
in court amazed at the extraordinary acuteness I displayed, and the
rapidity with which I gave my decisionsthey did not know that I always
privately tossed upheads, complainant wins, and tails, defendantthis
is the fairest way after allno being humbugged by hard swearing or
innocent looksno sifting of witnessesno weighing of evidenceno
deliberatingno hesitatingthe thing is done in an instantand, if the
guilty should escape, why the fault lies with fortune, and not with
justice.
3 oclock.Visited the Thames Tunnelfound Brunel a devilish deep
fellowhe explained to me the means by which he worked, and said he had
got nearly over all his difficultiesI suppose he meant to say he had
nearly got under themat all events the tunnel, when completed, will be
a vast convenience to the metropolis, particularly to the lower classes.
From the Tunnel went to Billingsgate-marketconfiscated a basket of
suspicious shrimps, and ordered them to be conveyed to the Mansion-
house. Mem. Have them for breakfast to-morrow. Return to dress for
dinner, having promised to take the chair at the Grand Annual
Metropolitan Anti-Hydro-without-gin-drinking Association.
Here a hiatus occurs in the MS.; but from cotemporary authorities we are
enabled to state that his lordship was conveyed home at two oclock on
the following morning, by some jolly companions.
Slowly and sadly they smoothed his bed, And they told his wife and
daughter To give him, next day, a couple of red- Herrings and soda-
water.
THE LOVES OF THE PLANTS. The gay Daffodilly, an amorous blade,
Stole out of his bed in the dark,
And calling his brother, Jon-Quil, forth he strayd
To breathe his love vows to a Violet maid
Who dwelt in a neighbouring park.
A spiteful old Nettle-aunt frownd on their love;
But Daffy, who laughd at her power,
A Shepherds-purse slippd in the nurses Fox-glove,
Then up Jacobs-ladder he crept to his love,
And stole to the young Virgins-bower.
The Maidens-blush Roseand she seemd all dismayd,
Arrayd in her white Ladys-smock,
She calld Mignonettebut the sly little jade,
That instant was hearing a sweet serenade
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account