PEEL.—­I have an answer ready for all comers—­“Wait awhile!” ’Tis a famous soother for all impatient grumblers.  It kept the Whigs in office for ten years, and I see no reason why it should not serve our turn as long.  Depend upon it, “Wait awhile” is the great secret of Government.

STATUE.—­Ah!  I believe you are right.  I now see that I was only a novice in the trade of politics.  By the bye, Bob, I don’t at all like my situation here; ’tis really very uncomfortable to be exposed to all weathers—­scorched in summer, and frost-nipped in winter.  Though I am only a statue, I feel that I ought to be protected.

PEEL.—­Undoubtedly, my dear sir.  What can I do for you?

STATUE.—­Why, I want to get into the Abbey, St. Paul’s, or Drury Lane. 
Anywhere out of the open air.

PEEL.—­Say no more—­it shall be done.  I am only too happy to have it in my power to serve the statue of a man to whom his country is so deeply indebted.

STATUE.—­But when shall it be done, Bob?  To-morrow?

PEEL.—­Not precisely to-morrow; but—­

STATUE.—­Next week, then?

PEEL.—­I can’t say; but don’t be impatient—­rely on my promise, and wait awhile, wait awhile, my dear friend.  Good night.

STATUE.—­Oh! confound your wait awhile.  I see I have nothing to expect.

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THE BEAUTY OF BRASS.

Tom Duncombe declares he never passes McPhail’s imitative-gold mart without thinking of Ben D’Israeli’s speeches, as both of them are so confoundedly full of fantastic

[Illustration:  MOSAIC ORNAMENTS.]

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PUNCH AT THE ART-UNION EXHIBITION AGAIN

Limited space in our last number prevented our noticing any other than the Sleeping Beauty; and, as there are many other humorous productions possessing equal claims to our attention in the landscape and other departments of art, we shall herein endeavour to point out their characteristics—­more for the advantage of future purchasers than for the better and further edification of those whose meagre notions and tastes have already been shown.  And as the Royal Academicians, par courtesy, demand our first notice, we shall, having wiped off D. M’Clise, R.A., now proceed, baton in hand, to make a few pokes at W.F.  Witherington, R.A., upon his work entitled “Winchester Tower, Windsor Castle, from Romney Lock.”

This is a subject which has been handled many times within our recollection, by artists of less name, less fame, and less pretensions to notice, if we except the undeniable fact of their displaying infinitely more ability in their representations of the subject, than can by any possibility be discovered in the one by W. F. Witherington, R.A.  If our remarks were made with an affectionate eye to the young ladies of