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"The Printing House of the United States." GEO. F. NESBITT &CO., General JOB PRINTERS, BLANK BOOK Manufacturers, STATIONERS, Wholesale and Retail, LITHOGRAPHIC Engravers and Printers, COPPER-PLATE Engravers and Printers, CARD Manufacturers, ENVELOPE Manufacturers, FINE CUT and COLOR Printers. 163,165,167, and 169 PEARL ST., 73, 75, 77, and 79 PINE ST., New-York. ADVANTAGES All on the same premises, and under the immediate supervision of the proprietors. TO NEWS-DEALERS. PUNCHINELLO'S MONTHLY. THE FIVE NUMBERS FOR APRIL, Bound in a Handsome Cover, Will be ready May 2d. Price, Fifty Cents. THE TRADE SUPPLIED BY THE AMERICAN NEWS COMPANY, Who are now prepared to receive Orders. HARRISON BRADFORD & CO.'S STEEL PENS. These pens are of a finer quality, more durable, and cheaper than any other Pen in the market. Special attention is called to the following grades, as being better suited for business purposes than any Pen manufactured. The "505," "22," and the "Anti-Corrosive," We recommend for bank and office use. D. APPLETON &. CO., Sole Agents for United States
PUNCHINELLO
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1870.
PUBLISHED BY THE
PUNCHINELLO PUBLISHING COMPANY,
83 NASSAU STREET, NEW-YORK.
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CONANT'S PATENT BINDERS for "Punchinello," to preserve the paper for binding, will be sent, post-paid, on receipt of One Dollar, by "Punchinello Publishing Company," 83 Nassau Street, New-York City. PRANG'S CHROMOS are celebrated for their close resemblance to Oil Paintings. Sold in All Stores throughout the World. PRANG'S WEEKLY BULLETIN OF CHROMOS. "Easter Morning" "Family Scene in Pompeii" "Whittier's Birthplace," Illustrated Catalogue sent, on receipt of stamp, by L. PRANG & CO., Boston. APPLICATIONS FOR ADVERTISING IN "PUNCHINELLO" SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO J. NICKINSON, Room No. 4, 83 NASSAU STREET. The Greatest Horse Book ever Published. HIRAM WOODRUFF ON THE TROTTING HORSE OF AMERICA! How to Train, and Drive Him. With Reminiscences of the Trotting Turf. A handsome 12mo, with a splendid steel-plate portrait of Hiram Woodruff. Price, extra cloth, $2.25. The New-York Tribune says: "This is a Masterly Treatise by the Master of his Profession the ripened product of forty years' experience in Handling, Training, Riding, and Driving the Trotting Horse. There is no book like It in any language on the subject of which it treats." BONNER says in the Ledger, "It is a book for which every man who owns a horse ought to subscribe. The information which it contains is worth ten times its cost." For sale by all booksellers, or single copies sent post-paid on receipt of price. Agents wanted. J. B. FORD & CO., Printing-House Square, New-York, Thomas J. Rayner & Co;, 29 LIBERTY STREET, New-York, MANUFACTURERS OF THE Finest Cigars made in the United States. All sizes and styles. Prices very moderate. Samples sent to any responsible house. Also importers of the "FUSBOS" BRAND, Equal in quality to the best of the Havana market, and from ten to twenty per cent cheaper. Restaurant, Bar, Hotel, and Saloon trade will save money by calling at 29 LIBERTY STREET. Notice to Ladies. DIBBLEE, Of 854 Broadway, Has just received a large assortment of all the latest styles of Chignons, Chatelaines, etc., FROM PARIS, Comprising the following beautiful varieties: La Coquette, La Plenitude, Le Bouquet, La Sirene, L'Imperatrice, etc., At prices varying from $2 upward. WEVILL & HAMMAR, Wood Engravers, No. 208 BROADWAY, NEW-YORK. PUNCHINELLO. With a large and varied experience in the management and publication of a paper of the class herewith submitted, and with the still more positive advantage of an Ample Capital to justify the undertaking, the PUNCHINELLO PUBLISHING CO. Presents to the public for approval, the NEW ILLUSTRATED HUMOROUS AND SATIRICAL WEEKLY PAPER, PUNCHINELLO, The first number of which will be Issued under date of April 2, 1870, and thereafter weekly. PUNCHINELLO will be National, and not local; and will endeavor to become a household word in all parts of the country; and to that end has secured a VALUABLE CORPS OF CONTRIBUTORS in various sections of the Union, while its columns will always be open to appropriate first-class literary and artistic talent. PUNCHINELLO will be entirely original; humorous and witty, without vulgarity, and satirical without malice. It will be printed on a superior tinted paper of sixteen pages, size 13 by 9, and will be for sale by all respectable newsdealers who have the judgment to know a good thing when they see it, or by subscription from this office. The Artistic department will be in charge of Henry L. Stephens, whose celebrated cartoons in VANITY FAIR placed him in the front rank of humorous artists, assisted by leading artists in their respective specialties. The management of the paper will be in the hands of WILLIAM A. STEPHENS, with whom is associated CHARLES DAWSON SHANLY, both of whom were identified with VANITY FAIR. ORIGINAL ARTICLES, Suitable for the paper, and Original Designs, or suggestive ideas sketches for illustrations, upon the topics of the day, are always acceptable, and will be paid for liberally. Rejected communications can not be returned, unless postage-stamps are inclosed. Terms: One copy, per year, in advance $4.00 Single copies, ten cents. A specimen copy will be mailed free upon the receipt of ten cents. One copy, with the Riverside Magazine, or any other magazine or paper, price, $2.50, for 5.50 One copy, with any magazine or paper, price, $4, for 7.00 All communications, remittances, etc., to be addressed to PUNCHINELLO PUBLISHING CO, No. 83 Nassau Street, NEW-YORK. P. O. Box, 2783. (For terms to Clubs, see 16th page.) Mercantile Library, Clinton Hall, Astor Place, NEW-YORK. This is now the largest circulating Library In America, the number of volumes on its shelves being 114,000. About 1000 volumes are added each month; and very large purchases are made of all new and popular works. Books are delivered at members' residences for five cents each delivery. TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP: TO CLERKS, $1 Initiation, $3 Annual Dues. TO OTHERS, $5 a year. SUBSCRIPTIONS TAKEN FOR SIX MONTHS. BRANCH OFFICES AT NO. 76 CEDAR STREET, NEW-YORK, AND AT Yonkers, Norwalk, Stamford, and Elizabeth. AMERICAN BUTTONHOLE, OVERSEAMING, AND SEWING-MACHINE CO., 572 and 574 Broadway, New-York. This great combination machine is the last and greatest improvement on all former machines, making, in addition to all the work done on best, Lock-Stitch machines, beautiful BUTTON AND EYELET HOLES: in all fabrics. Machine, with finely finished OILED WALNUT TABLE AND COVER complete, $75. Same machine, without the buttonhole parts, $60, This last is beyond all question the simplest, easiest to manage and to keep in order, of any machine in the market. Machines warranted, and full instruction given to purchasers. HENRY SPEAR STATIONER, PRINTER, AND BLANK BOOK MANUFACTURER. ACCOUNT BOOKS MADE TO ORDER. PRINTING OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. 82 Wall Street, NEW-YORK.
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PATRIOTIC ADORATION.
A TALE OF PHILADELPHIA.
People of the Quaker City, How the world must stand aghast At your wondrous veneration For those relics of the past, Kept in such precise condition, Fostered with such tender care— Don't, oh! don't the Philadelphians Love old Independence Square?
Splendid are its walks and grass-plots Where the bootblacks base-ball play, And its seats resembling toad-stools, On which loafers lounge all day, Waiting for their luck, or gazing At the office of the Mayor— Don't, oh! don't the Philadelphians Love old Independence Square?
Then, behold the fine old State-house Cleanly kept inside and out, Where the faithful office-holders Squirt tobacco-juice about: Placards highly ornamental Decorate its outward wall— Don't, oh! don't the Philadelphians Love old Independence Hall?
O! ye gods and little fishes! Could bill-sticker be so vile As to paste up nasty posters On the sacred classic pile? Greece and Rome yet have their relics, But what are they? very small. Never half so venerated As old Independence Hall.
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PERIODICAL LITERATURE.
PUNCHINELLO has hitherto refrained from criticising the periodicals of the day, from the mistaken idea that superlative excellence was not expected in every number of every daily or weekly journal in the land. He did not know that, if every such journal was not edited so as to suit the comprehension of all classes of cursory critics, it should be unqualifiedly condemned. Supposing that a painter should not condemn a paper for publishing a musical article beyond his comprehension, and that an architect ought not to get in a rage because he finds in his favorite journal a paper on beavers which makes him feel insignificant, PUNCHINELLO has generally looked around upon his fellow-journalists, and thought them very good fellows, who generally published very good papers. He did not find superlative excellence in any of their issues, but then he did not look for it. He might as well pretend to look for that in the journalists themselves, or in society at large. But he has lately learned, from the critics of the period, that he ought to look for it, and that it is the proper thing nowadays to pitch into every journal which does not, in every part, please every body, whether they be smart or dull; those quick of appreciation, or those slow gentlemen who always come in with their congratulations upon the birth of a joke at the time its funeral is taking place. And so, PUNCHINELLO will do as others do, and will occasionally view, from the loop-hole in his curtain, the successes and failures of his neighbors, and will give his patrons the benefit of his observations.
The first thing he notices to-day is, that the Evening Snail of last night is not so good as it was a fortnight ago; or, let us think a bit—it may have been a good number at the beginning of last month that he was thinking of; at all events, this last issue is inferior. The matter on the first page is not printed in nearly as good type as the original periodicals had it, and while the letters in the heading are quite fair, it is very noticeable that the I's are very defective, and there is no C in it. The "Gleanings" are excellent, and it would be advisable to have more of them—if indeed such a thing were possible in this case. The spider-work inside shows no acquaintance with the writings of BACH or GLIDDON, and there is nothing about the Spectrum Analysis in any part of the paper. Besides, the paper is too stiff and rattles too much, and PUNCHINELLO could never abide the color of the editor's pantaloons. Why will not people dress and write so that every body can admire and understand them. Especially in regard to witty things and breastpins They ought to be loud, overpowering, and so glaring that people could not help seeing them. And they ought to be a little cheap, too, or average people won't comprehend them. In both cases paste (and scissors) pays better than diamonds. The reports of private parties in the Snail are, however, very good, and if it would confine its original matter to such subjects, it could not fail to succeed.
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A Query for Physicians.
Are people's tastes apt to become Vichy-ated by the excessive use of certain mineral waters?
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"Behold, how Pleasant a Thing 't is," etc.
Boston has a couple of clergymen who have fallen out upon matters not precisely theological. In the summer, the Rev. Mr. MURRAY leaves his sheep, to shoot deer by torchlight in the Adirondacks. This the Rev. Mr. ALGER, in addressing the Suppression of Cruelty to Animals Society, denounces as extremely wicked. From all which Mr. PUNCHINELLO, taking up his discourse, infers,
First. That it is a great deal more wicked to shoot deer by torchlight than by daylight.
Secondly. That the Rev. MURRAY and the Rev. ALGER are of different religious persuasions.
Thirdly and lastly. That the Rev. Mr. ALGER doesn't love venison.
P. S. Persons desiring to present Mr. PUNCHINELLO with a fine haunch, (in the season,) may shoot it by daylight, moonlight, torchlight, or by a Drummond light, as most convenient.
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We are indebted to Mr. SARONY for a number of brilliant photographs of celebrities of the day. Lovely woman is well represented the batch, with all the characters of which PUNCHINELLO hopes to present his readers, from time to time.
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Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by the PUNCHINELLO PUBLISHING COMPANY, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New-York.
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PUNCHINELLO understands that a performance is soon to take place at the Academy of Music, for the benefit of GEORGE HOLLAND, the well-known and ever-green "veteran" of "the stage." It pleases PUNCHINELLO to know that a combination of talent and beauty is to be brought together for so worthy a purpose. Seventy-four years ago, when GEORGE HOLLAND was a small child, PUNCHINELLO used to dandle him upon his knee. Hardly four years have passed since PUNCHINELLO was convulsed by the Tony Lumpkin of HOLLAND. He distinctly remembers, too, administering hot whiskey punch to little boy HOLLAND with a tea-spoon, which may in some measure account for the Spirit subsequently infused by the capital comedian into the numerous bits of character presented by him. Considering these facts, it is manifestly an incumbent duty on the part of PUNCHINELLO to request the earnest attention of his readers to the subject of GEORGE HOLLAND'S benefit, all particulars concerning which will be given due time through the public press. It used to be said, long ago, that "the Dutch have taken Holland," Well, let our own modern Knickerbockers improve upon that notion, by taking HOLLAND'S tickets. Remember how, in the early settlement of the country, it was Holland that made New-York, and see that New-York now returns the compliment, and makes HOLLAND. Convivial songsters frequently remind us that—
—"a Hollander's draught should potent be, And deep as the rolling Zuyder Zee."
Mind this, all ye Hollanders who would give your support to our HOLLAND. Let your drafts be potent, your cheeks heavy, your attendance punctual. Make the affair complete; so that when, here-after, a comparison is sought for something that has been a sued people will say of it—"As big as that Bumper of HOLLAND'S."
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ASTRONOMICAL CONVERSATIONS.
(BY A FATHER AND DAUGHTER RESIDING ON THE PLANET VENUS.)
No. I.
FATHER (to DAUGHTER, who is looking through a telescope.) Yes HELENE, that is the Planet Tellus, or Earth. The darker streaks are land; the bright spots, water. We begin with a low power, which shows only the masses; presently you will have the pleasure of discriminating not only rivers and chains of mountains, but cities—single houses—even Human Beings! Yes, you shall this very night read page of PUNCHINELLO, a paper so bright that every word appears surrounded by a halo!
DAUGHTER. O father! do that now. How delightful, to actually read the works of these singular creature's, and become familiar with their extraordinary ideas! Were the scintillations you spoke of the other night, that were seen all over the Western Continent, the result of the flashing of these radiant pages?
F. Undoubtedly, my child; they began with the first issue of the paper, and have since regularly increased in brightness, just as It has.
D. It really seems as though Earth would answer for a Moon, by and by, at this rate!
F. You are quite right, HELENE; it will. Or say, rather, a Sun. For you will observe that it is a warm light; not cool, as reflected light always is. It is Original.
D. Well, this shows that PUNCHINELLO must have some Heart, as well as Head. Come, put on your highest power now, and let us seem to pay good old Tellus a visit!
[The indulgent Father complies, and, is at some pains to adjust the focus.]
F. Now, dear! take a good look.
D. (Looking intently.) Oh! how splendid—how splendid! Do see the beautiful things in those Shop Windows! It must be the Spring Season there! Do see those lovely lumps on the backs of those creatures' heads! What place is it, Father?
F. That? It's New-York; and the street is the famous Broadway.
D. O dear! how I would like to go shopping there, this minute!—for I see it is afternoon in that quarter. Is there no way of getting there?(!!!)
F. (Laughing heartily.) Well, well, HELENE! That's pretty good, for the daughter of an astronomer! Do you know that at this precise moment you are Forty-five Million, Six Hundred and Fifty-four Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety-one Miles and a half from those Muslins! I'll tell you, Sis, what could be done: Drop a line to the Editor of PUNCHINELLO, and tell him what you want. He'll get it, some way.
D. That I will, instantly! [Turns to her portfolio, while her father turns to the telescope.]
"DEAR MR. EDITOR: Pardon the seeming boldness of a stranger: you are no stranger to me! Long, long have I deceived that good man, my father, by pretending to know nothing of the Earth, or of his instrument! Many and many a night, unknown to him, have I gone to the Telescope, to satisfy the restless craving I feel to know more of your Planet, and of a person of your sex whom I have often beheld, and watched with eagerness as he came and went. How thrilling the thought, that he cannot even know of my existence, and that we are forever separated! This, good and dear Editor, is my one Thought, my one great Agony.
"It has occurred to me that, in this dreadful situation—my Passion being sufficiently Hopeless, as any one may see—you might at least afford me some slight alleviation, by undertaking to let Him know of the interest he excites in this far-off star! Let me describe my charmer, so that you will be able to identify him. He is of fair size, with a rolling gait and a smiling countenance, has light hair and complexion, wears often a White Hat, (on the back of his head—where Thoughtful men always place the hat, I've been told by observers,) and now and then carelessly leaves one leg of his trowsers at the top of his boot. I have often seen him, with a bundle of papers in his pocket, entering a large building with the words "Tribune Office" over the door—and I adore him! O excellent Editor! tell him this, I implore you! Be kind to your distant and love-lorn friend,
HELENE."
F. What did you say, Helene?
D. I was saying that I wished to look a little longer at the fashions in Broadway.
F. Well, well—I believe the Fashions are all that these women think of! There—look away! I presume they have changed considerably since you looked before! When do you wish to begin your lessons in Astronomy?
D. Next week. Father; let me see: we will say, next week—Thursday.
F. Very well; I shall remind you.
D. (who is determined to have the last word, any way.) Very well.
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Beach's Soliloquy on entering his Pneumatic Chamber.
"TU-BE or not tu-be."
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Reflection by a Tallow-chandler.
Though a man be the Mould of fashion, yet he cannot light himself to bed by the Dip in his back.
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PLAYS AND SHOWS.
MEN AND ACRES, the new comedy at WALLACK'S, is one of the best of TAYLOR'S pieces, and a decided improvement upon the carpenter work of BOUCICAULT. It has been rechristened by Mr. WALLACK, and its former name—Old Men and New Acres, or New Aches and Old Manors, or something else of that sort—has been conveniently shortened. If it does not convince us that the author has improved since he first began to write plays, it certainly reminds us that there is such a thing as Progress. In the latter play, Mr. J.W. WALLACK was a civil engineer. In the present drama, he is an uncivil tradesman. Both appeal to the levelling tendencies of the age; and in each, the author has done his "level best"—as Mr. GRANT WHITE would say—to flatter the Family Circle at the expense of the Boxes.
The cast includes a Vague Baronet and his Managing Wife, their Slangy Daughter, their Unpleasant Neighbor and his wife and daughter, an Unintelligible Dutchman, an Innocuous Youth, a Disagreeable Lawyer, and the Merchant Prince. This is the sort of way in which they conduct themselves,
Act 1. Disagreeable Lawyer to Vague Baronet: "You are ruined, and your estate is mortgaged to a Merchant Prince. What do you intend to do?"
Vague Baronet. "I will ask my wife what I think about it."
Enter Managing Wife. "Ruined, are we? Allow me to remark, Fiddlesticks! Get the Merchant to take our third-story hall-bedroom for a week, and I'll soon clear off the mortgage."
Enter Slangy Daughter. "O ma! there was such a precious guy at the ball last night, and I had no end of a lark with him. Good gracious! here comes the duffer himself."
Enter Merchant Prince. (Aside.) "So here's the Vague Baronet and his wife. And there's the slangy girl I fell in love with. Nice lot they are!" (To Managing Wife.) "Madam, there is nothing, so grand as the majesty of trade. Your rank and blood are all gammon. We Merchant Princes are the only people fit to live. However, I'll condescend to speak to you."
Managing Wife. (Aside.) "How noble! What a gentlemanly person he really is!" (To Merchant Prince.) "Sir, I bid you welcome. Here is my daughter, who was just praising your beauty and accomplishments. I leave you to entertain her." (Exeunt Baronet, Wife, and Lawyer.)
Merchant Prince (placing his chair next to Slangy Daughter's, and leaning his elbow on her.) "There is nothing like trade. We tradesmen alone are great. We despise the whole lot of clean and idle aristocrats. I keep a Gin Palace in Liverpool. Does your bloated aristocracy do half as much for suffering humanity?"
Slangy Daughter. "Speak on, speak ever thus, O Noble Being! It's awfully jolly!"
Curtain falls, and Baker wakes up to lead his orchestra through the mazes of "Shoo Fly."
Appreciative Lady. "Isn't it nice? Miss HENRIQUES'S dress is perfectly beautiful, and it sounds so cunning to hear her talk slang."
Second Appreciative Lady. "How handsome ROCKWELL looks! Just like a real baronet, my dear!"
Other Appreciative Ladies. "The dresses at WALLACK'S are always perfectly exquisite. I mean to have my next dress made with a green silk fichu, a moire antique bertha, and little point lace peplums and gussets, just like Miss MESTAYER'S. Won't it be sweet?"
All the Counter-Jumpers in the Theatre. "JIM WALLACK'S the boy! Don't he talk up to those aristocratic snobs, though?"
Act 2. Enter Unpleasant Neighbor and Unintelligible German. The former says, "You're sure there's an iron mine on the Baronet's land?"
Unintelligible German. "Ya! Das ist um-um-um."
Enter Merchant Prince and Slangy Daughter. Exeunt the other fellows.
Merchant Prince. "There is nothing like the grandeur of trade; and yet we tradesmen are not proud. See! I offer to marry you."
Slangy daughter. "I love you wildly! (Aside.) I do hope he won't rumple my hair."
Merchant Prince. "Come to my arrums! The majesty of trade is so infinitely above any thing else"—and so forth.
Enter Managing Wife. "Take her, noble Merchant, and be happy (Aside.) This settles the affair of the mortgage." (To Daughter) "Come, darling, we'll go and tell your father." (They go.)
Enter Unpleasant Neighbor. "Here's a telegram for you. No bad news, I hope?"
Merchant Prince. "I am ruined unless you lend me L40,000. Do it, and I will assign to you the mortgage on the baronet's property. The majesty of trade is something which"—
Unpleasant Neighbor. "Here it is." (Aside.) "Now I'll get possession of the estate and the iron-mine."
Enter Managing Wife. "Ruined, are you? Of course you can't have my daughter now."
Merchant Prince. "I resign her. We tradesmen are infinitely greater than you aristocrats."
Curtain falls, Baker wakes up. "Shoo Fly" by the Orchestra, and remarks on dress by the ladies as before. Counter-jumpers go out to drink to the majesty of trade, having grown perceptibly taller since the play began.
Act 3. Unprincipled Neighbor to Unintelligible Dutchman. "Have you got the analysis of the iron ore?"
Unintelligible Dutchman. "Ya! Das its um-um-um."
Unprincipled Neighbor. "All right! Now I'll foreclose the mortgage, and will be richer than ever."
Enter Vague Baronet, and Wife and Daughter, and Lawyer. To them collectively remarks the Unprincipled Neighbor, "The mortgage is due. As you can't pay, you've got to move out."
Disagreeable Lawyer. "Not much! Here's an analysis of iron ore found on our land. We raised money on the mine, and are ready to pay off the mortgage."
Enter Merchant Prince. "Here's an analysis of the iron ore. I told them all about it. We tradesmen are great, but we will sometimes help even a wretched aristocrat."
Slangy Daughter. "Here's an analysis of the iron ore. Now I will marry my noble Merchant, and make him rich again; for there's dead loads of iron on the Governor's land, you bet!"
They all produce analyses of the ore, and the play itself being o'er, the curtain falls.
Exasperated critic, who has sent for twelve seats, and has been politely refused. "I'd like to abuse it, if there was a chance; but there isn't. The play is really good, and I can't find much fault with the acting. However, I'll pitch into STODDARD for swearing, which his 'Unprincipled Neighbor' does to an unnecessary extent, and I'll say that JIM WALLACK is too old and gouty to play the 'Merchant Prince,' and doesn't quite forget that he used to play in the Bowery."
Every body else. "Did you ever see a play better acted? And did you ever see actresses better dressed?"
And PUNCHINELLO is constrained to answer the latter question with an emphatic No! As to the acting, it might be improved were Mr. STODDARD to play the character for which he is cast, instead of insisting upon playing nothing but STODDARD. But to all the rest of the actors, not forgetting Mr. RINGGOLD, who plays the insignificant part of the "Innocuous Youth," PUNCHINELLO is pleased to accord his gracious approval.
MATADOR.
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A Balmy Idea.
According to Miss ANTHONY, the crying evil with women is that they will blubber; but it must be remembered that out of this blubber they make oil to pour into our conjugal wounds.
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A Suit for Damages.
Any clothes in a storm.
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HINTS UPON HIGH ART.
Observant visitors to the National Academy of Design will allow that a tendency to greatness is beginning to develop itself in certain directions among our artists. In landscape some of them are almost immense. The works of PORPHYRO warm the walls with rays of splendor, or cool the lampooned sight-line with pearly gradations, as the case may be. MANDRAKE renders feelingly the summer uplands and groves, and SILVERBARK the melancholy autumnal woods. BYTHESEA infuses with sentiment even the blue wreaths of smoke that curl up from the distant ridge against which loom the concentrated lovers that he selects for his idyllic romances. Gushingly he does his work, but thoroughly; and there are other flowers than lackadaisies to be discerned in his herbage. GUSTIBUS blows gently the foliage aside, and gives us glimpses through it of rural contentment in connection with a mill, or some other interesting object beyond. The pencil of SAGEGREEN imbues canvases, both large and small, with infinite variety and force; and it is to SKETCHMORE that the great lakes owe their remarkable reputation as pieces of water with poems growing out of their broad lily-pads. Very tender are the pastoral banks and brooksides of LEAFHOPPER. ELFINLOCKS takes up his pencil, and lo! a hazy, mazy, lazy, dreamy vista where it has touched. But hold! Our critical Incubus has taken the bit between her teeth, and is beginning to run away with us. Stop that; and let our readers enumerate the other first American landscape painters for themselves.
Not so strong are our artists in domestic incidents and compositions of life and character. We have STUNNINGTON, to be sure, whose traits of American expression, whether white or colored, are most true to the life; and there's BARLEYMOW, who will twist you an eclogue from the tail of his foreground pig. Others there be; but space has its limits, and we forbear.
As for our portrait limners, their name is Legion, and that comprehensive name must go for all. Like BENVENUTO CELLINI they shall be known for their jugs; and their transmission to posterity on the heads of families is a thing to be reckoned on as sure.
For the higher flights of art the American painter is by no manner of means endowed with the wings of his native eagle—wings that agitate the cerulean vault, spattering it with splashes of creamy cloud-spray, and churning into butter the stretches of the Milky Way. History has indeed been illustrated by American art, but has it been enriched? The WASHINGTONS and the WEBSTERS, the CLAYS and the LINCOLNS, have had their memories dreadfully lampooned on canvas. Allegory does not inspire the great American pencil. Tall art there is, and enough of it "at that;" but of high art we have none to speak of, except the canvases that are placed over doorways in the galleries of the Academy, and, in the sense of elevation, may consequently be spoken of as high. All this is wrong. Alas! that we should write it. Would that we could right it! And to think of the musty subjects that our historical and allegorical men select. Ho! young men—away with your CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS; relegate your METAMORA to his proper limbo; let WASHINGTON alone; and LINCOLN; and OSCEOLA the Savage; and POCAHONTAS, and all the rest. Leave them alone; and, taking fresh subjects, dip your brushes in brains, as old OPIE or somebody else said, and go to work with a will. No fresh subjects to be had, you say? Bosh! absurd interlocutor that you are. Here's a bundle of 'em ready cut to hand. We charge you no money for them, and you may take your choice.
SUBJECTS FOR WORKS OF HIGH ART.
PROVIDENCE tempering the wind to the shorn lamb.
ABSENCE OF MIND marking a box of paper shirt-collars with indelible ink.
MILTON "going it blind."
The late Mr. WILLIAM COBBETT teaching his sons to shave with cold water.
ST. PATRICK emptying the snakes out of his boots.
TRUE LOVE never running smooth.
NO MAN acting Hero to his valet de chambre.
ROBERT BONNER taking DEXTER by the forelock with one hand, and TIME with the other.
Subjects like these might be worked out to advantage. The field in which they are to be found is almost unlimited; and they possess abundantly the two grand essentials to success in art at the present time, as well as in literature—novelty and sensation.
* * * * *
H.G. and Terpsichore.
AMONG the strange revelations about Tribune people elicited during the MCFARLAND trial, was the bit of gossip about Mr. GREELEY going to Saratoga to "trip the light fantastic toe." That Mr. GREELEY'S toe is "fantastic," every body who has ever inspected his "Congress gaiters" must know, but as to its lightness we have our doubts. "What I know about dancing" would be a capital subject for H.G. to handle, and we hope that he will take Steps for doing it.
* * * * *
Sweeny's New Charter.
How doth the busy Peter B., Improve each shining hour! From nettled young Democracy, He plucks the safety-flower.
* * * * *
From Rome.
The POPE is said to be "out of Spirits." Why doesn't he come to New-York, where he can get plenty of the article, either in the sense of the Tap or in that of the Rap?
* * * * *
"He who was Born to be Hanged," etc.
On one of the mornings of the MCFARLAND trial, a very importunate person attempted to force his way into the court-room, which, as he was told, was already crowded "to suffocation." To this he retorted that he "wasn't born to be suffocated." That's in substance what the late JACK REYNOLDS said, and he was mistaken.
* * * * *
The Difference.
Rice riots are reported as raging in all the ports of Japan. Rye was the principal mover in the famous conscription riots of New-York.
* * * * *
A Celestial Idea.
No wonder the Chinese theatre in San Francisco is a success, considering how skilful the actors must be in catching the Cue.
* * * * *
JUMBLES.
Did you ever hear of my friend BOOTSBY? "No." That's rather queer. I see—you've been out of town. BOOTSBY is a man of standing—of decided standing, I may say. He stands, in fact, a great deal. The heavy standing round he does is enormous when the limited capacity of a single mortal is taken in view. BOOTSBY stands round among every class of people, and especially of politicians and potationers. He stands round to talk, to hear, and especially to drink. The power of the man in this last matter is wonderful, and the puzzle is, that his standing (and perpendicularity) is not perceptibly affected. Of course there are times when BOOTSBY'S standing is not so good. In so slippery a place as Wall Street, it is found to be less certain; while in a crowd on Broadway, waiting for a bus, it cannot be said to maintain a very remarkable firmness. But as a whole, and as the world goes, BOOTSBY is a man of standing. In the altitude of six feet ten, he may be called a man of high standing. He feels proud of the fact. "Is it not better to be a mountain than a mole?" he often asks in a proudly sneering manner of his neighbor PUGGS, who is about as far up in the world as the top of a yard-stick. It is very true that size is not quality, and a seven-footer may be no better than a three-footer; but it is observed that a Short Man is rarely any thing else. His stature is his measure throughout. My own impression of myself is, that I don't care to be short; but if the alternative were forced upon me, I should choose that of person rather than of purse. BOOTSBY does not care much about money, and he carries very little. Some people are like BOOTSBY, but most people are not. The ladies, it is true, never, or rarely, want money. Like newspapers and club-houses, they are self-supporting. In fact they surround themselves with supporters which stay tightly. Mrs. TODD is peculiar in her wants pecuniary. She, good soul, never wants (or keeps) money long, but she doesn't want it little. She prefers it like onions, in a large bunch, and strong. The reason why most women do not want money is because they have no use for it. They never dress; they never wear jewelry; silks and satins have no charms in their eyes; laces, ribbons, shawls never tempt. To exist and walk upright in simpleness and quiet is the sum of their desires. Dear creatures! how is it that they never want?
My neighbor, Mr. DROWSE, desires to know where you get all your funny things for PUNCHINELLO? He knows they are there, does Mr. DROWSE; for he gets my copy of the penny postman, and he keeps it, too. It is the only good taste my neighbor has displayed of late years. I tell Mr. DROWSE that you make your fun. He further asks, Where? I tell him in the attic—up there where they keep the salt. He desires to know the size of attic. Of course he has never seen your noble, capacious, alabaster forehead, else he would perceive the source of those scintillations of light and warmth which radiate throughout the universe every Saturday for only ten cents. He is curious also to know about the salt, and doesn't comprehend how or where you use it. He used to use it when a boy in catching birds by putting the briny compound on the tails of the same, and that he used to call "fun alive;" but he don't see it—the salt—about PUNCHINELLO. I suspect Mr. DROWSE doesn't see the sellers, (certainly he avoids them when PUNCHINELLO is offered, much to my mortification, and one dime to my cost,) and so is not likely to discern the source of the fun. I merely informed Mr. DROWSE that the editor was very tall, very handsome, with very black skin and rosy hair, (at which he opened his eyes with astonishment, and asked if I meant so; at which I said, "Yes, I guess so,") and that he laughed out of his nose, eyes, head, and hands, as well as his mouth. DROWSE wants to see the editor very much. He has seen men with black skins and hearts, (for he used to know lots of politicians;) but wants to put his vision on some "rosy hair"—and when he does, no doubt his gaze will be fixed. It is healthy sometimes to have the gaze fixed; and often, like sauce-pans and sermons, it has to be fixed. When Mr. DROWSE calls at 83, please show him in Parlor 6 with the Brussels, fresco-work, and lace curtains.
April is a model month. So serene, steady, clear, and balmy. Nothing but blue sky, gentle zephyrs, kissing breezes, genial suns by day and sparkling stars by night. PUNCHINELLO no doubt likes sparkling stars—stars of magnitude—stars that show what they are. PUNCHINELLO perhaps goes to NIBLO'S, and not only sees plenty stars, but plenty of them. But of April. It is called "fickle;" but that's a slander. "Every thing by turns and nothing long"—that is a libel on which a suit could be hung. The same vile falsehood is cruelly uttered of some women, when every body knows, or should know, that these same women are nothing of the sort. Who ever knew a fickle woman?
Where in history is there record of such an Impossibility? Fickle—that implies a change of mind. What woman ever changed her mind any more than her hands? Nonsense, avaunt!—banished be slander! April is not fickle—woman is not fickle. As one is evenly beautiful, divinely serene, bewitchingly winning, so is the other sunny, cerulean, balmy, paradisiacal. April for ever—after that the rest of the calendar.
Does PUNCHINELLO believe in the Woman Movement? TODD does. He believes woman should move as much as man; and he regards her movement in such numbers to the great West as full of hope (and husbands) for the sex. Mrs. TODD has not as yet been irresistibly seized by the movement; but if TIMOTHY knows himself, he longs for the day when the seizer may come. Although TODD—who is the writer of this epistle—says it, who perhaps shouldn't, lest the shaft of egotism be hurled mercilessly at him, he does unhesitatingly say that to aid this movement he would make the greatest of sacrifices. He is willing to sacrifice his wife and other female relations upon the sacred altar of the movement, and contribute liberally to the expense thereof. He is quite willing they should vote—early and often, if need be; but he wishes to see the movement go westward like the Star of Empire—westward via cheerful Chicago. TODD trusts PUNCHINELLO will espouse this movement; for if it does, it—the movement, no less than PUNCHINELLO—will go straight onward and upward; but not by the route known as the Spout.
Mucilage is a good thing. It is now extensively used in Church, State, and Society. We use it largely at the Veneerfront Avenue Church, of which Rev. Dr. ALEXANDER PLASTERWELL is pastor. Of course, Mr. PUNCHINELLO, you know that distinguished church, and have no doubt often listened to the distinguished Dr. PLASTERWELL. He is a kind man, has a high forehead, a Roman (Burgundy) nose, and a sweet, soft head—I should say heart. He has—great and good man—the largest faith in mucilage. He often makes it a text, and he sticks to it, he does—does Dr. PLASTERWELL. Nothing like mucilage, PUNCHINELLO. It is the hope of the human race, and the salvation of woman. It is the Philosopher's Stone in solution; the essence and link which connects and cements all that is great, good, and lovely, in the past, present, and future. At least, such is the humble opinion of
TIMOTHY TODD.
* * * * *
HINTS TO CAR CONDUCTORS.
When standing in Printing House Square, your destination being Grand Street Perry or Bleecker Street, if a stranger asks whether you are going to Harlem, nod, as it is considered improper to answer in the negative. If he finds out the mistake, you can plead deafness.
When called upon to stop, never attempt to comply. There are several reasons why you should not. In the first place, if you did stop, it would show that you have no will of your own, and since the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment, all men are equal in this country.
You may stop about two blocks from the place named, just to please yourself and prove your independence; but take particular care to start the car when the passenger is half off the steps. If there is a young surgeon in the neighborhood, you can enter into an arrangement to break arms and legs in this way with impunity, have the maimed "carried into the surgery," and share the fees with the operator. Occasional cases of manslaughter may take place; but don't mind that, as coroners' juries in New-York will return verdicts of "death from natural causes." Besides this, remember that you have a vote, and that both coroners and judges are dependent upon the people. When a lame old gentleman hails you, beckon him furiously to come on, but be sure, at the same time, to urge the driver to greater speed.
It is no part of your business to have change, so never give any, but drive on: people should provide for and look after their own business and that is none of yours.
Always drive through the centre of a target company or funeral procession, never minding whether you kill one or more, and then abuse the captain or the undertaker for his stupidity.
By the adoption of these essential rules, and by adding a good deal of incivility, you will soon reach the top of the wheel of your profession and in due time have a testimonial presented to you by an admiring and grateful public.
* * * * *
Out in the Cold.
Commissioner Tweed proposes a new outside Bureau of the Department of Public Works, for late-Commissioner MCLEAN. He is to be Superintendent of Refrigerators.
* * * * *
* * * * *
TO CAPTAIN HALL.
(IN ANTICIPATION OF HIS TRIP TO THE POLE.)
HALL! HALL! D'ye hear our call? Or, do you fancy it to be A weather sign—merely the pre- Monition of a squall At sea! HALL!
You pay no heed at all. Nevertheless, O hardy mariner! (A Snow-Bird brings this with our kindest love,) We're sorry you prefer Those frigid walks (ever so far above The 80th parallel, we guess!) To stocks, and tariffs, and domestic bliss; Yes, yes, Captain, we're sorry it has come to this!
Why do you madly thirst For grog that's chopped up with a hatchet? say! And tell us of the first Strange thought which spurred you to go up that way! Was it the hope that on some icy coast (Frozen, yourself, almost!) You'd have the luck to meet poor FRANKLIN'S ghost?
And has it seemed, sometimes, That drowning might be pleasanter up there Among the icebergs, native to those climes, Than where The surf breaks gently on some coral-reef, And sirens sweetly soothe one's slow despair? Say, was that your belief?
And who is BENT?[*] Why was he sent, With his Warm Currents wheeling round the Pole? A long, long race must his disciples run: No sun, No fun, No chance to toss a word to any one; And what a goal?
As hopefully you munch The flinty biscuit, watching whale or seal, Or listening, undaunted, to the crunch Of ice-floes at the keel, Say, Sir Intrepid! shall you really think You pioneer the navies of the world? Not while the chink Of well-housed dollars sounds so pleasantly, And safer tracks map out the treacherous sea! If that's your dream, oh! let your sails be furled.
But, no! It is not this! Your spirit, high and bold, Scorning all tamer joys, will have it so! No cold Can chill its ardor! Such a soul would sate Its deathless craving in some lofty flight, Some deed sublime, and read its shining fate By the Aurora's light! For fruitful fellowship, it seeks the wild, The frozen waste, Where the world's venturous heroes—reconciled To sunless, shuddering gloom— To joyless solitude—with ardor taste Their dread delights! and so at last find room, 'Mid nodding icebergs, for their watery tomb!
For this, we spare you, O dauntless HALL! Once having breathed that air So pure, so fresh, so rare! And caught the wildness of the Esquimaux, We declare you Unfit to live where beans and lettuce grow! Leave delving to the little pitiful mole, Great soul! And now, then, for the Pole!
[Footnote *: Captain BENT, of Cincinnati, originator of the new theory of Polar Currents.]
* * * * *
* * * * *
CONDENSED CONGRESS.
SENATE.
MR. SUMNER said he was the friend of the oppressed. That, as was well known, was his regular business. Unfortunately, the Fifteenth Amendment had rendered the colored man incapable of being hereafter regarded as an oppressed creature. He was sorry, but it could not be helped. He was therefore forced to go down the chromatic scale of creation and find another class of clients. He found them in cattle. HOMER had sung about the ox-eyed Juno, and WALTER WHITMAN about bob veal. COWPER had remarked that he would not number in his list of friends the man who needlessly set foot upon a cow. He mentioned these things merely to show that railway companies had no right to starve cattle. He proposed an amendment to the Constitution, to provide that a dinner of at least three courses should be given to cows daily. Mr. DRAKE was heartily in favor of the proposition. He had got his feet in a web, so to speak, by paddling in the political waters of Missouri, and some people had gone so far as to call him "quack." He demanded redress.
Mr. WILSON didn't see the use of all this legislation to protect animals. Animals had no votes, although he admitted a partial exception, in that every bull, it had its ballot. But he had something practical. Here was a jolly job, the Pacific Railway grant. There was a good deal more in it than they had made out of any other GRANT. Mr. THURMAN'S suggestion, that this land ought to be occupied by actual settlers, he scorned. "Actual settlers" were of a great deal more use to him in Massachusetts, where they could vote for him, than in the territories, where that boon would not be extended to them. It was much better that they should be occupied by imaginary settlers, who could pay and not vote. Actual "settlings" were the dregs of humanity.
The Georgia bill came up, as it does every day with much more regularity than luncheon. The Senate has succeeded in muddling it to that degree of unintelligibility that nobody has the slightest notion what it provides. It is, therefore, in a condition to give rise to infinite debate. After several senators had said enough for a foundation for thirty columns each in the Globe, they let it go for the present. The present was the one promised by Senator WILSON in return for the Pacific Railway grab grant.
HOUSE.
The House is given over to the tariff. A very indelicate discussion has been had upon corsets. Mr. BROOKS was of opinion that the corset would tariff it were subjected to any more strain in the way of duties. Mr. MARSHALL remarked that the corset avoided a great deal of Waist. It was whalebone of his bone, or something of that sort. It was one of the main Stays of our social system.
Mr. SCHENCK made another speech. He ripped up the foreign corset in a truculent manner. He said that American corsets were far superior, only American women had not the sense to see it. The effect of taking off the duty on corsets would be to take off the corsets.
Mr. BROOKS called the hooks and ayes on the corsets. Mr. SCHENCK opposed the call. He had found a simple tape much preferable. He wished a coffer-dam might be put upon the roaring BROOKS.
Somebody at this point brought up a contested election case; but Mr. LOGAN objected to its being considered. What, he asked, was the use of wasting time? There was money in the tariff. There was no money at all in voting a Democrat out, and a Republican in. They could do that any day in five minutes. His friend Mr. BUTLER had recently remarked, one Democrat more or less made no difference. But Mr. BUTLER forgot that the larger the majority, the larger the divisor for spoils, and therefore the smaller the quotient and the "dividend." He did not know much about arithmetic. He had never been at West Point; but he believed that a million dollars, for instance, would go further and fare worse among two hundred men than among three. If the House were not careful, there would be a glut of Republicans in it, and the shares would be pitifully meagre. As for him, he had a great mind, (derisive cheers)—he repeated, that he had a great mind to vote for a Democrat next time.
In spite of Mr. LOGAN'S warning, the House voted in a couple or so of Republicans, and then resumed the duty on wool.
Mr. Cox thought this wool had been pulled over the eyes of the house often enough. It reminded him of an expedition, of which Mr. LOGAN had never heard, in search of a "Golden Fleece."
Mr. JENCKES, and Mr. SCHENCK, and Mr. KELLEY called him to order in behalf of their constituents, who were in the wool business, and said that "wool" in one form or another had always been the staple of their political career.
Mr. BUTLER said he had a little game worth two of that. He wanted to buy San Domingo. In this there were plenty of commissions, and hundreds of thousands of colored votes.
* * * * *
FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
ALDERMANIC RECEPTION UP-TOWN.
CAESAR, walk in! Ah POMPEY! how d'e do? This way, CLEM! Gentlemen, please walk right through! GEORGE, how's your mother? Fine day, PETE—fine day! Well, how are things down there at Oyster Bay?
Ah AUNTIE! how's your rheumatiz, this spring? Well, Mr. JOHNSON, did you try that sling? Why, this is Uncle STEVE! How-do-you-do. Uncle? Sit down. What can I do for you?
Well, Mr. PRINCE! You must be busy, now. Whitewashing is the best thing done, I vow! Why, hel-lo! REGIS! From the Cape so soon? When do you open, this year—first of June?
Come, gentlemen—some wine? Now, don't refuse! What! temperate? teetotal? Well, that's news! And good news, too! Well, coffee, then. You see, My friends, the sentiment's the thing with me.
The real Mocha, AUNTIE! Simon pure! Raised by free Arabs. For I can't endure A single thing that's flavored with a Wrong! Yes, AUNTIE, you are right, I've "come out strong!"
So have the Colored People, I may say! (One fact explains the other, up this way!) They've proved their strength! It's settled, sure as a gun, That every Colored Voter now counts One!
Now, gentlemen, you'll be surprised to find So many people with your turn of mind! But, sure as tricks! remember what I say— You'll learn some things before Election Day!
POMPEY—'twon't take much time, (and you can spare it!) Try this old fiddle, picked up in the garret! Good? It's your fiddle! AUNTIE, here's a pound Of that same genuine Mocha, ready ground!
Say, Uncle STEVE, I've got a fish for you, Down at the market. Call again, PETE; do! I'll have a job for you and CAESAR soon: It's only waiting for a change of moon.
CLEM, how'd you like a chance to wait on table? Or, would you rather drive, and run my stable? GEORGE, in the kitchen there's a pan of souse! Going? All gone? Now, BRIDGET, air the house!
* * * * *
Historic Parallel.
THE JACK CADE movement came near destroying London. The Ar-Cade movement threatens to destroy Broadway.
* * * * *
* * * * *
BUSINESS.
A CHICAGO LAY.
I saw her sweet lip quiver, As he started for the store. Because he hadn't kissed her "Several" times or more.
She cried "This horrid business!" And then flew to her glass; "Oh! why his cold remissness? Have I grown plain, alas?"
But no, that truthful article Revealed her charms intact, She hadn't lost one particle, But had improved, in fact.
At nine the case was opened, At ten the case was o'er; The jury brought their virdict— She was his wife no more.
That night the husband started, And—"you bet"—he swore, To find his wife departed, And "To Let" on the door.
Next day he moved and married. And, that his bride might stay, He kissed her every morning Before he went away.
* * * * *
Pot-umania.
A correspondent writes that a new mania has sprung up among the ladies of Edinburgh—a fancy for learning to cook. There is a much older mania in some parts of that country—a fancy for something to cook.
* * * * *
About a Foot.
A BOOT when it's on.
* * * * *
IMPORTANT TO PUBLISHERS.
One of our corps of Philosophers (a trifle visionary, perhaps) has been speculating as to certain possible (or, perhaps, impossible) results flowing from the practice among publishers of ante-dating their monthly issues. Thus, supposing that the world should be destroyed by fire (and why not? it is bad enough) on the 15th of May, 1870, and a cover of, say, Putnam's for June, carried up by an air-current, should, after floating about ever so long in space, finally descend on some friendly planet—we will say, Venus. Here it would naturally get picked up by an archaeologist, (who would be on the spot looking out for it,) and the interesting relic would be promptly and reverently deposited among the other Vestiges of Creation, in the Royal Cabinet. In the course of years, some historian would probably have occasion to turn over these curiosities, and would presently light on the scorched but still legible waif. "Why," says he, in astonishment, "I thought the earth was burnt on the 15th of May! To be sure, it was in the night, and nobody saw it go, [think of that, conceited Worldling!] but it was missed by somebody the day after. But here we have a document from the late unfortunate planet dated the first of June!"
Of course, upon this the History of the Universe would have to be rewritten, or that odd fortnight would play the mischief somewhere!
* * * * *
A Boston Boy.
HUB-BUB.
* * * * *
"Curses Come Home to Roost."
They are putting the Fifth Avenue pavement in front of the City Hall.
* * * * *
To Politicians.
Will the working of the Fifteenth Amendment oblige a candidate to show his Color before election?
* * * * *
So We Go!
We notice, with much agitation and a reasonable amount of grief, that somebody in Philadelphia (possibly Miss ANNA DICKINSON) has invented a machine for the laundry called The King Washer! A few years ago it would have been The Queen Washer; but in these days the name seems to indicate that to Man, unhappy Man, will speedily be committed the destinies of the weekly washing. Oh! the rubbing, the rinsing, the wringing. But Mr. PUNCHINELLO has already communicated to Mrs. PUNCHINELLO his sentiments upon this subject. Under no circumstances will he get at the family linen. He must make a stand somewhere, and he makes it here.
* * * * *
Let them Bark.
Miss BARKALOW has been admitted to practice at the bar in St. Louis. We have frequently before seen young ladies at a bar, where others practiced more than they did; but we do not see why, if Miss BARKALOW wishes to bark aloud, she should not be allowed to bark, aloud or otherwise. Barking may be particularly good in a cross-examination; but we presume that a lady attorney's bark will be always worse than her bite.
* * * * *
"She Stoops to Conquer."
The girl with the Grecian Bend.
* * * * *
Query.
Is it allowable for a Temperance man to be Cordial to his friends?
* * * * *
Weak as Water.
Our cynical friend A. QUARIUS writes us from Philadelphia, that considering the manner in which the Sunday liquor law is enforced in that city, he thinks his native place is still entitled—perhaps more than ever entitled to be called the city of Rye-tangles. This is ungrateful.
* * * * *
SPIRITUAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF CATS.
DEAR PUNCHINELLO: Our Society has been very learnedly debating as to whether Cats are susceptible of spiritual impressions; and, although the burden of opinion inclines to the negative of the question, I am firmly persuaded there is much to justify a contrary judgment.
As I slept the other night, neither dreaming nor holding psychological intercourse of any description with outsiders, I was awakened suddenly about the first hour of the morning by a noise. I am quite certain it was a noise, and have therefore no hesitation in so recording it. The new moon hung athwart the western sky, and a few fleecy clouds were chasing each other like snow-drifts across the blue vault of the night. I may likewise note the fact that the stars were doing what they usually do, notwithstanding the difference of opinion that sometimes exists as to what that is. It was the evening after "wash-day," and family linen, in graceful curves and undulating outlines, everywhere met the eye as it turned from contemplating the stars to contemplating the clothes-lines in the gardens. But I wander. The noise? Ah! yes. Well, it was not like the collision of two hard substances, but rather of the heavy "thud" order of sound, like the descent of a solid into a soft substance; say, for instance, of a flat-iron into a jar of unrisen buck-wheat batter. I glanced along the ghostly battalions of family linen; along the fences traversed by feline sentries; along the latticed arbors; but nothing to indicate the origin of the alarm could be discovered, and as at that moment a breeze stirred in the apartment, producing a chilling sensation, I thought it prudent to jump back into bed.
Next morning, upon making my usual visit to note the progress of the early bulbs in the flower-beds, I encountered at the further end of the garden the remains of a cat—a portly and ancient grimalkin of the sterner sex. Close at hand was a bottle lying face downward, and corked. I raised it—first in my hands, and then to my lips. The cork fell out, accidentally as it were, and, as a consequence, death. "Poor thing!" I murmured; "poor—" and a portion of the contents glided carelessly down my throat. I perceived that the liquid was "Old Rye." As I stooped down, tears would have come to my eyes; but it was useless, seeing that the breath had left the unfortunate's body. Nevertheless, I rested my hand a moment upon his head, and then glided it in a semi-professional manner along the line of dorsal elevation, until I came to a deep depression in his backbone, which corresponded exactly with the convexity of the bottle. Then I saw at once how it was; this missile, (in the heat of passion, being mistaken for an empty one, probably,) had been hurled by some treacherous hand upon the unsuspecting Tom, striking him midway between the root of the tail and the base of the brain, causing instant suspension of his vertebral communications, "Poor thing! You were the victim of a Catastrophe. You were also the victim of the bottle. The 'Rye' was too heavy for you, and should have been drawn milder." This said, I turned sadly away to find a burial spade, and it then occurred to me that this little incident was kindly meant to confirm my view that cats are susceptible, even to a fatal extent, of spiritual impressions—especially when conveyed by spirits of "Old Rye."
GOBBO.
* * * * *
From the Tombs.
When a drunken man has been locked up for beating his wife, it is reasonable to suppose that he must feel rather the worse for lick her.
* * * * *
* * * * *
A BIT OF NATURAL HISTORY.
Naturalists tell us that the Aye-aye is a small animal of Madagascar, with sharp teeth, long claws, and a tail; which eats whatever it can grab, and says nothing day or night but aye-aye. Now, we find that, AGASSIZ to the contrary notwithstanding, this strange and not very useful animal is indigenous to the State of Pennsylvania. It especially frequents Harrisburg; and may be seen and heard any day there, in the Senate or House. Being an active member of that House, your correspondent has been present during the passage of three hundred bills within a week or two, in about one hundred and ten of which he had some personal interest.
Lifting his eyes one day from his newspaper, when the Speaker took the vote on an "Act to amend the Incorporation of the City of Philadelphia," which your correspondent happened to know included the presentation of a three-story brownstone front to each of a committee of six members of the House, he found there was not one member in his seat; but, in the place of a few, there was a company of these remarkable Aye-ayes, responding duly to the call for a vote; but never a no among them. No, no!
Now, your correspondent holds the deliberate opinion that, in several respects, these aforesaid small animals of Madagascar might be an improvement upon the average Pennsylvania legislators. And, if your correspondent had to do with getting up the other one hundred and ninety bills, as he did the one hundred and ten, all right: Otherwise, not. How does PUNCHINELLO regard it?
Yours, LEGISLATOR.
* * * * *
An Augean Job.
PUNCHINELLO has telegraphed to Governor GEARY his approval of the "Sewage Utilization" bill at Harrisburg, on one condition: that the first piece of work be finished up by the members of the Pennsylvania Legislature with their own hands; that work to be, to make up into decent manure, deodorized and disinfected, all bills passed at the late session of their House and Senate. Since, however, complete deodorization is probably impossible, PUNCHINELLO advises also that the said members be required to cart all their stuff out to the Bad Lands of Nebraska, and remain there to make the best use of it; or else make a contract with Captain HALL to ship it and them to the Arctic regions at once.
* * * * *
On the Finances.
Says Crispin, "Did not somebody say it was BOUTWELL in the Treasury now? A great mistake. About well, to be sure! When the newspaper men have 111-1/2 of gold, and I haven't a round dollar! Where did they get it? And then the legal tender question. I never asked but one tender question in all my life, and that was to SUSAN and she said, Yes. And then we were legally married. Nobody ought to ask such questions out loud; it's not decent. And fine answering an't much better. Financiering, is it? Ah! well. Specious assumption, too; but that requires brass, and I want gold. Meantime, who's got a twenty-five cent note?"
* * * * *
Massachusetts Flats.
Massachusetts must abound in Flats. Its Legislature is annually agitated from the sands of Cape Cod to the hills of Berkshire over the question. It is said to be wisdom to set a rogue to catch a rogue. Is it equally so to set a flat to catch one?
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NATIONAL TAXIDERMY.
PUNCHINELLO has for some time past carefully considered the subject of our national tariff of imposts, (that is to say, he happened to see, in a Tribune, the other day, that lucifer matches were now to be stamped separately, and not by the box, as heretofore) and he has come to the conclusion, after duly weighing in his mind all the arguments for and against the present system of taxation, (that is to say, he made up his mind the minute he read the article,) that what the present tariff needs, is a more thorough application and a better classification; or, what the technologists call Taxonomy, which term is suggested to him by a work on the subject which he has been recently studying. (That is to say, he looked in the dictionary to find out what Taxidermy meant, and seeing Taxonomy there, snapped it up for a sort of collateral pun.) As an illustration of what our impost legislators (or imposters) ought to be, let us take the Taxidermist. He is one who takes from an animal every thing but his skin and bones, and stuffs him up afterward with all sorts of nonsense. Now, our National Taxidermists ought to take a lesson from their original. Many of the good people of the United States have much more left them than their skin and bones. Why is not all that taken? The condition of the ordinary stuffed animal of the shops is strikingly significant of what should be expected of loyal communities. (That is to say, communities which vote a certain ticket which need not be named here.) It is often said that there are things which flesh and blood will not bear. Now, a thorough system of Taxidermy remedies all this. A stuffed 'possum, for instance, having no flesh or blood, will bear any thing. When the people of this country are thoroughly cleaned out, they will be just as docile. Among the things which PUNCHINELLO would recommend as fit subjects of taxation, is a man's expenses. They have not been taxed yet. If he pays for his income, why not for his outgoes? The immense sums that are annually expended in this country for this, that, and the other thing ought certainly to yield a revenue to the government. (That is to say, there ought to be a new army of collectors and assessors appointed. P. knows lots of good men out of office.) And then there's a man's time. Why not tax that? Nearly every man spends a lot of time, and he ought to pay for it. As it would be our tax, it could not be a very minute tax, although it is only the second tax which we have suggested. (That is to say—- something pun-ny.) And besides these things, there's energy. We often hear of a man's energies being taxed; but, so far as the matter is apparent to the naked eye, it is difficult to see whose energies are taxed for the good of the government at the present day. This subject should certainly be investigated. (That is to say, a committee of Congressmen should be appointed, with power to send for persons, papers, and extra compensation.) Politics, too. Every man has his politics, (that is to say, every man except Bennett,) and they ought to be taxed, if for no other reason than the great impetus the measure would give to the erection of fences throughout the land. And letters, too. If every one sent by the mail should yield one cent to the Treasury, how the currency would be inflated in that locality! (That is to say, in the locality to which the collectors would abscond.) But it is impossible, with the limited time at his disposal, for PUNCHINELLO to enter into a full examination and elucidation of this subject. (That is to say, he can't think of any more illustrations just now, and the printer wouldn't stand any more, if he could.) But it must be admitted that the great task of opening up the country, of which we hear so much, will never be complete until the Washington skinners and stuffers get us all into the prepared specimen condition. (That is to say, when the people are all willing to "dry up.")
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JOHN CHINAMAN'S BILLING AND COOING.—Pigeon English.
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CABLE NEWS.
(EXCLUSIVELY FOR PUNCHINELLO.)
QUEEN ISABELLA has sent her compliments to Senor CASTELAR, as well as to General PRIM, informing them that, on the whole, she thinks she will not return to the throne of Spain. It does not agree with her quiet and refined tastes and habits to live so much in public. All she wants now is a little chateau en Espagne. She proposes to send her son, Prince of ASTURIAS, to Professor CASTELAR, to study modern history. Is it not odd, by the way, that a country so long Mad-rid-den as Spain, should have now a governor with such a name as PRIM? But, what's in a name? BOURBON, by any other name, would smell as sweet. Some, however, prefer Old Rye. I prefer water to both; especially to BOURBON.
It's an old story that two positives make a negative. Paris news tells us that a late will case has exemplified this. COMTE, you know, was a positive philosopher. He had a positive wife. She had a will of her own. He wrote a will of his own. Consequently, it got into court. Mme. COMTE it seems, who did not agree with the philosophy while the philosopher lived, wanted his MSS. after his death. Positively, the court did not see it in that light; and so the negative came out. It was a case of no go, or non-ego, as HEGEL might have called it. Did you ever read HEGEL? I didn't; and I advise you not to begin. It won't pay. I am told that he divided all things into Egos, She goes, and Non-egos, or No-goes. The latter particularly; So do I.
But to return to Spain; or rather to Paris. Don FRANCOIS D'ASSISSI has, it appears, suddenly discovered that his wife is not Queen of Spain so much as she was. Much less so. So, he has found her company rather expensive than agreeable; and proposes to abdicate it. Not so very much of an ass, is he? Bravo for Don FRANCOIS!
In London, to-morrow will be made famous in literature by the great dinner in honor of the advent of PUNCHINELLO. Mr. PUNCH is talked of to preside. An unprecedented rush for tickets has begun. More about it in my next.
PRIME.
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Cutting.
We see extensively advertised the "Saxon Razor;" but have not yet summoned up sufficient courage to try this article, which "no gentleman's dressing-case should be without." We cannot dispossess our minds of the apprehension of cutting ourselves, remembering that line descriptive of the combat between FITZ-JAMES and RODERICK DHU, in which it is said, that,
"——thrice the Saxon blade drank blood."
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Musical.
The vocal abilities of hens are admitted; but they rarely attempt the Chro-matic scale.
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De Jure.
No man can now be a juror who knows any thing about the case which he is to try. Thus a juryman was challenged in the MCFARLAND case merely because he belonged to Dr. BELLOWS's church. It was held that he might possibly have got Wind of the matter while listening to the Doctor's discourse.
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BOOK NOTICES.
AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL. By LOUISA M. ALCOTT. Boston: ROBERTS BROTHERS. New-York: D. APPLETON & Co.
The author of "Little Women" seeks, and not without success, to draw from her "Old-Fashioned Girl" a contrast and a moral. She presents to our view two young ladies of opposite "styles." One is fresh and rural: the other isn't. The difference between country and city bringing-up is the point aimed at; and the difference is about as great as that between the warbling of woodside birds and the jingle of one of OFFENBACH'S tunes on a corner barrel-organ. The book is neatly set forth, with illustrations by Messrs. ROBERTS, BROTHERS, of Boston.
RED AS A ROSE IS SHE. By the author of "Cometh up as a Flower," etc. New-York: D. APPLETON & Co.
A readable book, notwithstanding that there are several naughty characters in it, or perhaps because there are. Probably it depicts with truth the kind of society presented. If so, all the worse for society. Shall we never again have healthful, virtuous novels of the old school, such as "Tom Jones?" The book is published in tasteful form by Messrs. D. APPLETON & Co.
A. T. STEWART & CO. ARE OFFERING Extraordinary Inducements, IN PRICE, STYLE, AND QUALITY, TO HOUSEKEEPERS IN Linens, Sheetings, DAMASKS, NAPKINS, TOWELLINGS, DRESS LINENS, PRINTED LINENS, FLANNELS, BLANKETS, QUILTS, COUNTERPANES, SHEETINGS, Bleached and Brown Cottons, Standard American Prints, etc., etc. BROADWAY, 4th Ave., 9th and 10th Sts. A. T. Stewart & Co. HAVE OPENED A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF LADIES' PARIS MADE DRESSES AND WALKING SUITS, In Silk, Poplin, and Linen, ENTIRE NEW DESIGNS. FRENCH SILK CLOAKS, AND SHORT STREET SACQUES. Children's Cloaks, Ladies' Breakfast Jackets, Ladies' Pique, Swiss, and Cambric Morning Robes and Walking Suits, LADIES' UNDERGARMENTS Of every description. French, German, and Domestic Corsets, Woven and hand-made. JUST RECEIVED. AT EXTREMELY ATTRACTIVE PRICES, BROADWAY, Fourth Ave., Ninth and Tenth Sts. The two great objects of a learner's ambition ought to be to speak a foreign language idiomatically, and to pronounce it correctly; and these are the objects which are most carefully provided for in the MASTERY SYSTEM. The Mastery of Languages; OR, THE ART OF SPEAKING LANGUAGES IDIOMATICALLY. BY THOMAS PRENDERGAST. I. Hand-Book of the Mastery Series. II. The Mastery Series. French. III. The Mastery Series. German. IV. The Mastery Series. Spanish. PRICE 50 CENTS EACH. From Professor E. M. Gallaudet, of the National Deaf Mute College. "The results which crowned the labor of the first week were so astonishing that he fears to detail them fully, lest doubts should be raised as to his credibility. But this much he does not hesitate to claim, that, after a study of less than two weeks, he was able to sustain conversation in the newly-acquired language on a great variety of subjects." FROM THE ENGLISH PRESS. "The principle may be explained in a line it is first learning the language, and then studying the grammar, and then learning (or trying to learn) the language." Morning Star. "We know that there are some who have given Mr. Prendergast's plan a trial, and discovered that in a few weeks its results had surpassed all their expectations." Record. "A week's patient trial of the French Manual has convinced me that the method is sound." Papers for the Schoolmaster. "The simplicity and naturalness of the system are obvious." Herald (Birmingham.) "We know of no other plan which will infallibly lead to the result in a reasonable time." Norfolk News. FROM THE AMERICAN PRESS. "The system is as near as can be to the one in which a child to talk." Troy Whig. "We would advise all who are about to begin the study of languages to give it a trial." Rochester Democrat. "For European travellers this volume is invaluable." Worcester Spy. Either of the above volumes sent by mail free to any part of the United States on receipt of price. D. APPLETON & CO., Publishers, 90, 92, and 94 Grand Street, New York. RED AS A ROSE IS SHE. Third Edition. D. APPLETON & CO., 90, 92, and 94 Grand Street, Have now ready the Third Edition of RED AS A ROSE IS SHE. By the Author of "Cometh up as a Flower." 1 vol. 8vo. Paper Covers, 60 cents. From the New York Evening Express. "This is truly a charming novel; for half its contents breathe the very odor of the flower it takes as its title." From the Philadelphia Inquirer. "The author can and does write well; the descriptions of scenery are particularly effective, always graphic, and never overstrained." D. A. & Co. have just published: A SEARCH FOR WINTER SUNBEAMS IN THE RIVIERA, CORSICA, ALGIERS, AND SPAIN. By Hon. S. S. Cox. Illustrated. Price, $3. REPTILES AND BIRDS: A POPULAR ACCOUNT OF THE VARIOUS ORDERS, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE HABITS AND ECONOMY OF THE MOST INTERESTING. By Louis Figuler. Illustrated with 307 wood-cuts. 8vo, $6. HEREDITARY GENIUS: AN INQUIRY INTO ITS LAWS AND CONSEQUENCES. By Francis Galton. 1 vol. 8vo. $3.50. HAND-BOOK OF THE MASTERY SERIES OF LEARNING LANGUAGES. I. THE HAND-ROOK OF THE MASTERY SERIES. II. THE MASTERY SERIES, FRENCH. III. THE MASTERY SERIES, GERMAN. IV. THE MASTERY SERIES, SPANISH. Price, 50 cents each. Either of the above sent free by mail to any address on receipt of the price. BURCH'S Merchant's Restaurant AND DINING-ROOM, 310 BROADWAY, BETWEEN PEARL AND DUANE STREETS. Breakfast from 7 to 10 A.M. Lunch and Dinner from 12 to 3 P.M. Supper from 4 to 7 P.M. M. C. BURCH, of New-York. A. STOW, of Alabama. H. A. CARTER, of Massachusetts. HENRY L. STEPHENS ARTIST, No. 160 Fulton Street, NEW YORK. Important to Newsdealers! ALL ORDERS FOR PUNCHINELLO Will be supplied by OUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE AGENTS, American News Co. NEW YORK. J. NICKINSON BEGS TO ANNOUNCE TO THE FRIENDS OF "PUNCHINELLO" RESIDING IN THE COUNTRY, THAT, FOR THEIR CONVENIENCE HE HAS MADE ARRANGEMENTS BY WHICH, ON RECEIPT OF THE PRICE OF ANY STANDARD BOOK PUBLISHED, THE SAME WILL BE FORWARDED, POSTAGE PAID. Parties desiring Catalogues of any of our Publishing Houses, can have the same forwarded by inclosing two stamps. OFFICE OF PUNCHINELLO PUBLISHING CO., 83 Nassau Street. [P. O. Box 2783.]
WALTHAM WATCHES. 3-4 PLATE. 16 and 20 Sizes. To the manufacture of these fine Watches the Company have devoted all the science and skill in the art at their command, and confidently claim that, for fineness and beauty, no less than for the greater excellence of mechanical and scientific correctness of design and execution, these watches are unsurpassed anywhere. In this country the manufacture of this fine grade of Watches is not even attempted except at Waltham. FOR SALE BY ALL LEADING JEWELLERS. Bowling Green Savings-Bank, 33 BROADWAY, NEW-YORK. Open Every Day from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. Deposits of any sum, from Ten Cents to Ten Thousand Dollars, will be received. Six Per Cent Interest, Free of Government Tax. INTEREST ON NEW DEPOSITS Commences on the first of every month. HENRY SMITH, President. REEVES E. SELMES, Secretary. WALTER ROCHE, EDWARD HOGAN, Vice-Presidents.
PUNCHINELLO:
TERMS TO CLUBS.
WE OFFER AS PREMIUMS FOR CLUBS
FIRST:
DANA BICKFORD'S PATENT FAMILY SPINNER,
The most complete and desirable machine ever yet introduced for spinning purposes.
SECOND:
BICKFORD'S CROCHET AND FANCY WORK MACHINES.
These beautiful little machines are very fascinating, as well as useful; and every lady should have one, as they can make every conceivable kind of crochet or fancy work upon them.
THIRD:
BICKFORD'S AUTOMATIC FAMILY KNITTER.
This is the most perfect and complete machine in the world. It knits every thing.
FOURTH:
AMERICAN BUTTONHOLE, OVERSEAMING, AND SEWING-MACHINE.
This great combination machine is the last and greatest improvement on all former machines. No. 1, with finely finished Oiled Walnut Table and Cover, complete, price, $75. No. 2, same machine without the buttonhole parts, etc., price, $60.
WE WILL SEND THE
Family Spinner, price, $8, for 4 subscribers and $16. No.1 Crochet, " 8, " 4 " " 16. " 2 " " 15, " 6 " " 24. " 1 Automatic Knitter, 72 needles, 30, " 12 " " 48. " 2 " " 84 needles, 33, " 13 " " 52. No.3 Automatic Knitter, 100 needles, 37, for 15 subscribers and $60. " 4 " " 2 cylinders, 33, " 13 " " 52. 1 72 needles 40. " 16 " " 64. 1 100 needles
No. 1 American Buttonhole and Overseaming Machine, price, $75, for 30 subscribers and $120.
No. 2 American Buttonhole and Overseaming Machine, without buttonhole parts, etc., price, $60, for 25 subscribers and $100.
Descriptive Circulars
Of all these machines will be sent upon application to this office, and full instructions for working them will be sent to purchasers.
Parties getting up Clubs preferring cash to premiums, may deduct seventy-five cents upon each full subscription sent for four subscribers and upward, and after the first remittance for four subscribers may send single names as they obtain them, deducting the commission.
Remittances should be made in Post-Office Orders, Bank Checks, or Drafts on New-York City; or if these can not be obtained, then by Registered Letters, which any post-master will furnish.
Charges on money sent by express must be prepaid, or the net amount only will be credited.
Directions for shipping machines must be full and explicit, to prevent error. In sending subscriptions give address, with Town, County, and State.
The postage on this paper will be twenty cents per year, payable quarterly in advance, at the place where it is received. Subscribers in the British Provinces will remit twenty cants in addition to subscription.
All communications, remittances, etc., to be addressed to P.O. Box 2783.
PUNCHINELLO PUBLISHING COMPANY
No. 83 Nassau Street,
NEW-YORK
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S.W. GREEN, PRINTER, CORNER JACOB AND FRANKFORT STREETS.
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