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.