The Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch - Volume 25 (Jul-Dec 1853), by Various

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Title: Punch - Volume 25 (Jul-Dec 1853)

Author: Various

Release Date: May 12, 2010 [EBook #32352]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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[Illustration]

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

VOLUME XXV

LONDON

PUBLISHED AT THE OFFICE, 85, FLEET STREET.

* * * * *

[Illustration]

On Christmas Eve, MR. PUNCH, on the strength--or, rather, length--of a
Message from PRESIDENT PIERCE, visited her Majesty QUEEN MAB. He was
received by a most courteous Dream-in-Waiting, who introduced him
through the Gate of Horn, whence, as COLONEL SIBTHORP beautifully
remarks,

"Veris facilis datur exitus Umbris."

Dream-World was merrily keeping its Yule-tide, with shadowy Sports and
dissolving Pastimes. As MR. PUNCH entered, the Game was

FORFEITS.

The LADY BRITANNIA was enthroned, Mistress of the Revel, and her golden
apron was heaped with Pledges. The owners, a miscellaneous group,
awaited the sentence of penalties.

Down, at a smile-signal from the Lady in the Chair, down went the broad
brow of MR. PUNCH, to repose on her knee, while Kings, and Ministers,
and Hierarchs, and Demagogues came rustling round to listen.

The magic formula was silverly uttered. "HERE IS A THING, AND A VERY
PRETTY THING, AND WHAT SHALL BE DONE BY THE OWNER OF THIS VERY PRETTY
THING?"

"Answer, dear MR. PUNCH," said the Lady in the Chair. "You always say
exactly what I wish said."

"The Owner," said MR. PUNCH, "will retire." And the EARL OF ABERDEEN,
who had forfeited Public Confidence, withdrew, and BRITANNIA murmured
her intense satisfaction with the proceeding.

The next forfeit was called. "The Owner," said the oracle, "will go down
upon his knees, will, in all abjectness of humiliation, beg pardon of
all the world, and will humbly deposit his purse at the foot of the
Ottoman nearest to him." A heavy tread, and the EMPEROR OF ALL THE
RUSSIAS sullenl