["We must regard it (Guy's Hospital) as an institution aiming at the
most Christian ends, of elementary necessity, never too rich for the
work it had to do, and now, through no fault of its own, cut down to
one half of its means."--_Mr. Gladstone's Letter on Guy's Hospital._]
"'Twere good you do so much for charity."
_"Merchant of Venice," Act IV., Sc. 1._
Knight of St. John or Malta? Nay!
But needs of a less knightly day
The new Knight Hospitaller pleads.
Once foremost in the press of fight.
We find to-day the good grey knight
Militant still--for human needs.
No more with levelled lance in rest,
But, the Cross still upon his breast,
A knightly almoner is he.
Not as of old with flashing steel,
But flashing words, he makes appeal
In the great Cause of--Charity.
_Punch_ seconds it with warm goodwill.
It sends a most unwelcome chill
Through every generous heart to think
That the great gift of THOMAS GUY
Should suffer stint, or seem to die,
Because lands fail and rentals sink.
One hundred empty beds! Whilst wealth
Swells in the west, and shaken health
And sudden anguish scourge the east?
It must not be, or how may we
Who hold full stock and store in fee
Enjoy the coming Christmas feast?
Think! Fifteen hundred poor kept out,
And left in lonely pain and doubt,
Because the funds of Guy's so fail;
The sufferer's peace, the surgeon's skill
Checked, because Charity feels a chill!
_Punch_ on his Public would prevail
To step into the breach, and brim
Guy's store again, as urged by him
Who now no party plea prefers,
But a far wider, higher plea,
In the great cause of Charity,
Newest of Knight Hospitallers![A]
[Footnote A: "Those who respond to Mr. GLADSTONE'S appeal
will not merely be ministering to the needs of a charity,
and supplying the wants of the poor, but they will be
strengthening the hands of the medical profession in its
life-long battle with disease, and will be assisting to secure
the blessings of health to all who are in danger of being
deprived of them."--_The Times._]
* * * * *
[Illustration: A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO MAY BE EXPECTED TO ATTEND
THE LECTURE ON CRIMINAL LAW.
[The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE suggests the opening of the Lectures
on Legal Subjects to the general public.]
]
* * * * *
MR. K-R H-RD-E.--No one has ever looked upon him other than as a
perfectly harmless low-comedian with a highly developed mania for caps
and knickerbockers. And this, probably, is the reason why we are
told, in the _Liverpool Courier's_ "Labour Notes," that he is "an
influential gentleman in England and _very much run after_ for
lecturing purposes." But alas! it appears--from the same source of
information--that, in the United States, "the running after" is all
on the erewhile West Ham representative's side; though, being
"rationally" garbed, this ought not to cause him much inconvenience.
It is almost pathetic to learn that the poor gentleman was in the
position of a Mahomet before a mountain of Fall River miners, from
whom he was compelled to ask permission before a lecture could be
arranged. Ichabod! or--more appropriately--_Knicker_-bod!
* * * * *
THAMES TALK.--A Forecast for 1896.
How greatly improved are the steamboats. They seem to be as good as
any at home and abroad.
Quite so. They are simply floating palaces. You could find nothing to
equal them in America.
So convenient to have a better class for those who can afford a few
extra pence. Without this, we should have never seen that duchess
chatting away with the countess in her own right.
Yes; and so pleasant to be able to get five o'clock tea nicely served
by trim waitresses in a saloon upholstered with satins and ormolu.
And the duke and the viscount seem quite comfortable in the
luxuriously furnished smoke-room.
Well, the sight is not surprising considering that the designer went
to the Junior United Service Club for his model.
And yet the artisans are contented with their part of the vessel. It
certainly was a happy thought to supply their cabins with bagatelle
boards, dominoes, and a five guinea compendium of games.
In spite of the size of the vessels the boats travel at a rapid rate.
No doubt this is attributable to the magnificent engines.
Of course. And really it is very pleasant to travel from Chelsea to
Kew to the sounds of a first-rate Hungarian Band.
The commissariat, too, has not been neglected. The luncheon on board
is worthy of the best traditions of the _buffet_ at Calais. And as
cheap. Only fancy, half-a-crown for three courses and dessert!
Yes; and that meal seems equally popular with the sixpenny tea (with
cakes and crumpets) prepared for the patrons of the fore-part.
The fares are also very low. Even in these hard times it would be
unreasonable to complain of overcharge when the ticket between the
Temple and Hampton Court is only fourpence.
It is marvellous that no one tried the plan before of starting boats
from half the piers for all the rest at five minutes interval.
And yet they are crowded with travellers. Really the Thames seems to
be a very popular highway.
Naturally, when the passengers are sheltered from the weather--too
much sun or a plethora of rain--at all times.
And I suppose London may thank the County Council for establishing
comfort with economy, and luxury with rapidity?
Oh dear, no! If the metropolis had trusted to that dilatory body, it
would have had to wait indeed!
Then to whom are the five million inhabitants of the chief city of the
universe indebted for these sweet boons?
To an ordinary man of business who knows how to cater for the
multitude, and has the courage to rely upon increased income as a
means of meeting additional outlay.--He merits a statue.--He deserves
more--hearty praise by the Press when he discards his _incognito_.
* * * * *