THE least ancient and least interesting part of Warwick Castle has been
burned. Subscriptions are tendered in aid of a restoration. Question is
raised whether LORD WARWICK should accept these, lest the public should
consider that by subscribing it acquires a certain right in the Castle,
and that the Earl's legend will have a second meaning, when affixed over
the new buildings: _Vix ea nostra voco_. The suggestion is unworthy and
sordid. _Mr. Punch_ would like to see a vote of the Commons in aid of
the subscription for conserving about the noblest relic left to us. He
would be glad to say to the Earl, in LORD WARWICK'S own words in the
Temple Garden, after a certain rose-plucking,
"This blot that they object against your House
Shall be wiped off in the next Parliament."
The cool idea that giving a nobleman help to rebuild entitles one to
walk into his property, is concentrated cheekiness; and if castles are
capable of astonishment, _Mr. Punch_ would again quote W. S. to the
Earl, and say, "Your Castle _is_ surprised."
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=Dirt! Dirt! Dirt!=
WE have all been taught to tread the path of duty, but some of us seem
to have forgotten the lesson. May we entreat Commissioners, Boards,
Corporations, Vestries, Parochial Authorities, indeed, any responsible
and rate-levying body which has got into bad ways, to do their duty to
our paths; and if not this winter, perhaps the next--or, not to be too
exorbitant, the next after that--to keep the pavements and the roadways
passably clean? It would be a satisfaction to those of us who have
reached middle age to think that we may yet live to see the streets of
London, and other wealthy towns and cities, rather less lutulent than
country lanes and rural roads. When will the scavenger be abroad?
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