NoVEMBER 30, 1861.]


FUNr.


Old Gentleman from the Manufacturing Districts (with anxicty) :-" ANYTHING ABOUT A.lERICA, SI; "
Sporting Gent.:-"No, SIR, NO. NOT EVEN MENTIONED IN THE BETTING "


 MINISTERIAL INTELLIGENCE.
 [A room at Cambridge House. The Ministers are assembled in
council. On the table lie papers, apparently covered with hiero-
glyphics, but in reality specimens of Foreign Office caligraphy.]
 LoDn PALaERSTON:-Here we are again, all alive, like the shrimps
at Margate. Well, boys, how do you feel after your holidays? I guess
we've been imitating the whales and people in difficulties, and doing
a deal of spouting since our last meeting.
 EARL RUSSELL :-Yes, the popular mind has to be enlightened on
the peculiar glories of the British constitution in general, and Ministers
in particular. I'vedone my little utmost.
 Lo D PALERSTON:-The length of your speeches, JOHNNY, has
been in an inverse ratio to the size of your body. But now to business,
and as "sensation" is the order of the day, if we don't look out we
shall enjoy the now one of being kicked out of office.
 Mn.'GLADSTONE:-I don't care if we are. I should then have time
to finish my translation of MARLTIN TUPI'ER into Greek iambics.
 DUKE OF SOMERSET :-By-the-bye, what an artful move that was of
the Conservatives trying to smother our votes in the Registration
Courts.
 LORD PALMERSTON :-Now, small one, why don't you say something
about throwing COATES over them ? It's in your line.
 EARL RSSELL :-No, it isn't. But fancy signing sixteen thousand
objections! The man must be a species of autographical DUMAS; and
then to have had all his trouble for nothing.
 SIR G. C. LEwis:-Ah trouble is one of the few things that can
very often be got for nothing.
 MR. GLADSTONE :-True, but not new.


 LoRl) WESTURY :-So my Bankruptcy Bill has como into operation,
and promises to work well. All can now be whitewashed out of tho
same pail.
 DUKE or NaEWCASTLE :-A real boon to the upper ten. itd, what's
the reason that whenever a legal bill comes into operation, so many
books of general orders and explanations instantly spring up tfrom
all quarters ? Is it to simplify our beautiful parliamentary literature ?
 LonD PA1,LMIERSTON :-On the lucts anon, ltcclndo principle,--making
a foggy subject foggier. Besides, it employs tho briefless barristers,
keeps them out of mischief, and puts money in the pockets of tio
publishing fellows.
 Mil. MLILNER GIsoN:--They'd much better be writing slashing
leaders for the government in tho cheap papers. Law never does
good to any one.
 Loln) PALMiasToN :-Who said it did ? But how about reform next
session?
 OINES:-Oh! (and prolonged groans).
 Loni PALMERSTON :-Yes, you n.ay "Oh!" but unless we pay smine
attention to our free and enlightened constituents, it will be a ease of
tnrn out without tea for us and our supporters when wo como to face
them, as I expect we shall do next year. We shall find them like tim
grouse, uncommonly shy birds. Besides, BH.iHT anld his lot aro
beginning to kick up another row about it at Leeds and in the north.
 EAr, RulssEI, :-IHang BRIGHT(ui Who cares for Bllllm ? Thlo
country don't want reform. Look at the way my effort was received.
In fact, my opinion is--
 OMNES :-Finality!
 EARL R. SSELL (furiously) :-It isn't-it wasn't- it, never was -
it-- (lHere the nuble speaker, in his excitement;c, lost his blwHacet', inl,


yea. ~. 31


10 ;


YOL. I.


31