Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, October 4, 1890 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 39 pages of information about Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, October 4, 1890.

Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, October 4, 1890 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 39 pages of information about Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, October 4, 1890.

The Slavey managed—­

    [No, thank you.  No more.—­Ed.]

* * * * *

[Illustration:  His Reverence.  “Dinner, 7:30.  I’ll give you A quarter of an hour’s grace!”

His Irreverence.  “Then commence at 7:30, And I’ll be there at 7:45!”]

* * * * *

Favourite tool of railway companies.—­A Screw-Driver!

* * * * *

[Illustration:  “C’EST MAGNIFIQUE!  Mais—­”

Mr. Bull (Paymaster).  “WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT?”

Mr. Punch (Umpire-in Chief).  “FINE RIDER—­FINE HORSE!  BUT—­AS A CAVALRY SOLDIER—­HAS TO LEARN HIS BUSINESS!”]

["How then about the British Cavalry of September, 1890?  A spectator who has taken part in modern regular war, and has watched the manoeuvres, said one day to me when I accosted him, in an apologetic tone, ’I have hitherto done your Army injustice, I will not do so again; I had no idea how well your officers and your troopers ride,—­they are very fine horsemen.’  There he stopped; I waited for more, but he had ended; his silence was a crushing criticism, unintentionally too severe, but very true....  I assert, therefore, that at this moment, our Cavalry is inefficient, and not prepared for war.”—­The Times Military Correspondent.]

AIR—­“TALLY-HO!” (FROM THE BALLIOL SONG-BOOK.)

  “Of all the recreations with which mortal man is blest”
  (Says BALLIOL’s Song) “fox-hunting still is pleasantest and best.” 
  A Briton in the saddle is a picture, and our pride,
  In scarlet or in uniform at least our lads can ride
    Away, away they go,
    With a tally, tally-ho! 
  With a tally, tally, tally, tally, tally, tally-ho!

  But riding, for our Cavalry, is, after all, not all. 
  To lead the field, to leap a fence, to bravely face a fall,
  Are well enough.  And first-rate stuff from the hunting-field may come,
  But something more is wanted when Bellona beats her drum,
    And calls our lads to go,
    With a rally, rally-ho! &c.

  Good men and rattling horses are not all that England needs;
  She wants sound knowledge in the men, and training in the steeds. 
  Scouting and reconnaissance are not needed for the fox,
  Nor “leading in big masses” for the furious final shocks,
    When away the troopers go,
    With a rally, rally, ho! &c.

  But when a squadron charges on the real field of war,
  Courage and a good seat alone will not go very far;
  Our lads must “know their business,” and their officers must “lead,”
  Not with cross-country dash alone, but skill and prudent heed,
    When away the troopers go,
    With a rally, rally, ho! &c.

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Project Gutenberg
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, October 4, 1890 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.