Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 105, September 30th 1893 — John Shaqi
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 105, September 30th 1893Various
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 105, September 30th 1893
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
_Tuesday._--Went to see SMITH. "Hullo, old fellow," he says, "afraid
of moths in your clothes, eh?" Ask what he means. He mentions strong
smell of camphor. I explain my preventive measures. "Oh, that's all
very well!" he returns; "but the very best thing is to soak your shirt
in turpentine. I'm sure of it." Sure he is right, because he is a
student at Guy's. Thank him warmly for this life-saving hint. Rush
home; follow his advice. Beastly smell at first, but soon cease to
notice it. Continue wearing camphorated cummerbund also, as an extra
precaution. Call on Mrs. MONTGOMERY-MUMBY. Sweet girl her niece!
Somehow she seems to avoid me, a thing she never did before. So they
all do, and I have no one to talk to but a crippled uncle of
theirs, who apparently has a bad cold in his head, for he holds his
handkerchief to his nose all the time. JONES called. Says he has seen
SMITH. "By Jove!" he exclaims, "you've been going in for oil painting,
or chemistry, or something. There's a tremendous smell of turpentine."
I explain. "Oh, there's no harm in that," he says; "but a far better
thing is to wet your waistcoat with carbolic acid. Antiseptic, you
know." Now he is a student at Bart's, and probably knows as much as
SMITH. Thank him, and resolve to try his preventive in addition to
the other. Down to Eastbourne. Everyone clears out of railway carriage
soon after I get in, except one old man, who says he is a medical man,
and that a plentiful use of disinfectants is no doubt advisable.
_Wednesday._--Meet ROBINSON on the Parade. Says he saw SMITH on
Tuesday. Asks me what I think of the epidemic scare. Explain my
precautions. "Thought I noticed an awful smell," he says. "Hope
it's all right. As for me, I believe there's nothing like pouring
sulphuretted hydrogen all over the inside of your coat. Had it from
my uncle, who was Medical Officer of Health at Benares." An invaluable
suggestion; buy a bottle, and follow his directions when dressing
for dinner. Horrible stench, like rotten eggs! However, soon get
accustomed to it. To a dance at the CHOLMONDELEY-CHICKS'S. Never more
annoyed in my life. Every girl says she has no dance left. What
can have offended them all? The only partner I have is
CHOLMONDELEY-CHICK'S maiden aunt, and she faints in my arms after
going once round the room. However, I have a good supper, for the
dining-room is quite empty all the time I am in it, so I can get as
much as I like.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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