Punch, or the London Charivari
Volume 105, December 9, 1893.
_edited by Sir Francis Burnand_
JUVENILE PESSIMISM.
First Youthful Reprobate. "'Say, Billy, 'ave yer gotsecha thing as a bit o' 'Bacca about yer?"
Second Y. R. "Ain't 'ad so much as a W'iff sincelarst Toosday fortnite!"
First Y. R. "Ah! wot a World! eh?"
OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.
A perusal of Captain Lugard's Rise of our East African Empirefills onewith a thrill of pride at being also an Englishman. Captain Lugard is aSoldier of Fortune, of the type of Quentin Durward, only, instead oflending his sword to a foreign king, he helps to carve out empire for England in thevery heart of Africa. This is, however, merely an accident. He reachedMassowah bent upon joining the Italian forces then fighting against theAbyssinians. This journey was undertaken for what, to my Baronite's peace-lovingdisposition, is the oddest reason in the world. Finding himself with hisregiment at Gibraltar in December 1888, his health shattered in the Burmahcampaign, Captain Lugard came to the conclusion that nothing would dohim good except a little fighting. So, with £50 in his belt, and no outfit excepthis rifle, he got on board the first passing ship, and sailed whithersoever itchanced to be going. This turned out to be Naples, a fortunate stroke, sinceItaly was the only nation that chanced at the moment to be at war. CaptainLugard's efforts to obtain permission to join the expeditionary force,made first at Rome, and afterwards at Dogali, were unsuccessful. He drifted intoEast Africa, and finally reached Uganda, with which territory, particularlyinteresting just now, much of the book is concerned. It is impossible even tohint at the marvellous adventures through which he made his way. Theywere accomplished with marvellous endurance and superb courage, the picturesquenarrative being written with charming modesty. No more stirringstory has been told in recent years than Messrs. Blackwood publish inthese two handsome volumes, profusely illustrated and enriched with maps.
A few hints to those about to marry in Courtship and Marriage, byAnnieSwan. Miss Annie Swan is a Duck!
The latest "Outs" published by "Innes" are The Dainty Books, acharming series, containing some very pretty stories; that of a little girl, alwaysaiming at dramatic effects, in A Hit and a Miss, by the Hon. EvaKnatchbull-Hugessen, is most amusingly told, and The Lily and the Water Lily is adelicate flowery romance by Mrs. A. Comyns Carr, in which flowers andfairies talk and act for the benefit of some little children.
Those who have bad memories should get the Dictionary of Quotations,compiled by Rev. James Wood. It is not a Stock Exchange memorandum,but a compilation of more than the usual stock quoted from various writers.
Distinguished for his art gems, Raphael Tuck and Son are as Artful asever with their variety show of cards and booklets.
In consequence