The Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 101.
October 24, 1891, by Various

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Title: Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 101. October 24, 1891

Author: Various

Release Date: November 15, 2004 [EBook #14057]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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PUNCH,

OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

VOL. 101.

October 24, 1891.

LAISSEZ FAIRE.

(_INSCRIPTION FOR A FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY._)

[Illustration]

Here is an Institution doomed to scare
The furious devotees of _Laissez Faire_.
What mental shock, indeed, could prove immenser
To Mumbo Jumbo--or to HERBERT SPENCER?
Free Books? Reading provided from the Rates?
Oh, that means Freedom's ruin, and the State's!
Self-help's all right,--e'en if you rob a brother--
But human creatures must _not_ help each other!
The "Self-made Man," whom SAMUEL SMILES so praises,
Who on his fellows' necks his footing raises,
The systematic "Sweater," who sucks wealth
From toiling crowds by cunning and by stealth,--
_He_ is all right, _he_ has no maudlin twist,
_He_ does not shock the Individualist!
But rate yourselves to give the poor free reading?
The Pelican to warm her nestlings bleeding,
Was no such monument of feeble folly.
_Let folks alone_, and all will then be jolly.
Let the poor perish, let the ignorant sink,
The tempted tumble, and the drunkard drink!
Let--no, _don't_ let the low-born robber rob,
Because,--well, that would rather spoil the job.
If footpad-freedom brooked no interference,
Of Capital there might be a great clearance;
But, Wealth well-guarded, let all else alone.
'Tis thus our race hath to true manhood grown:
To make the general good the common care,
Breaks through the sacred law of _Laissez Faire_!

* * * * *

A REMONSTRANCE.

_TO LUKE'S LITTLE SUMMER._

[Illustration]

Ah, Summer! now thy wayward race is run,
With soft, appeasing smiles thou com'st, like one
Who keeps a pageant waiting all the da