THE UNIVERSAL VENT.

(_For Vacuity, Vanity, Verbosity, Virulence, and Venom._)

IF you've been burning the midnight taper,

And of new policies deem yourself shaper;

If at the world you're a green-gosling gaper,

Or of old "JUNIUS," juvenile aper;

Bumptious Scotch Duke, or irate Irish Draper,

Crammed with conceit, which must publicly caper;

Angry old woman, or frivolous japer;

Thraso or termagant, Tadpole or Taper,

To blow off your steam, or your gas, or your vapour,

There's one fool-loved fashion--'tis _write to the paper!_

* * * * *

"I AM in a state of suspense," said a Clergyman. "I am sorry to hear

it," replied his friend. "Why are you suspended?"

[Illustration: PROPER PRIDE.

_He._ "WASN'T THAT THE COUNTESS OF MOHAIR THAT JUST WENT BY? I THOUGHT

YOU TOLD ME SHE WAS A FRIEND OF YOURS!"

_She._ "OH, WE MEET OCCASIONALLY, AND ALL THAT,--BUT I'VE REALLY BEEN

OBLIGED TO _DROP_ LADY MOHAIR, I'M SORRY TO SAY!"

_He._ "DEAR ME,--REALLY! WHAT FOR?"

_She._ "OH, WELL,--SHE ALWAYS DELIBERATELY TURNS HER BACK ON ME WHEN I

TRY TO SPEAK TO HER, AND LOOKS ANOTHER WAY WHEN I BOW, OR ELSE COOLLY

STARES ME IN THE FACE AND TAKES NO NOTICE WHATEVER,--SO NOW I MAKE A

POINT OF _CUTTING HER DEAD_!"]

* * * * *

Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 104, April 15, 1893 · 第 15 / 27 题