PUNCH,
OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
Vol. 109.
September 7, 1895.
THAT POOR PENNY DREADFUL!
["Is the 'Penny Dreadful' andits influence so very dreadful, Iwonder?"—James Payn.]
Alas! for the poor "Penny Dreadful"!
They say if a boy gets his head-full
Of terrors and crimes,
He turns pirate—sometimes;
Or of horrors, at least, goes to bed full.
They say if a boy gets his head-full
Of terrors and crimes,
He turns pirate—sometimes;
Or of horrors, at least, goes to bed full.
Now is this according to Cocker?
Of Beaks one would not be a mocker,
But do many lads
Turn thieves or foot-pads,
Through reading the cheap weekly Shocker?
Of Beaks one would not be a mocker,
But do many lads
Turn thieves or foot-pads,
Through reading the cheap weekly Shocker?
Such literature is not healthy;
But does it make urchins turn stealthy
Depleters of tills,
Destroyers of wills,
Or robbers of relatives wealthy?
But does it make urchins turn stealthy
Depleters of tills,
Destroyers of wills,
Or robbers of relatives wealthy?
I have gloated o'er many a duel,
I've heard of Don Pedro the Cruel:
Heart pulsing at high rate,
I've read how my Pirate
Gave innocent parties their gruel.
I've heard of Don Pedro the Cruel:
Heart pulsing at high rate,
I've read how my Pirate
Gave innocent parties their gruel.
Yet I have ne'er felt a yearning
For stabbing, or robbing, or burning.
No highwayman clever
And handsome, has ever
Induced me to take the wrong turning!
For stabbing, or robbing, or burning.
No highwayman clever
And handsome, has ever
Induced me to take the wrong turning!
A lad who's a natural "villing,"
When reading of robbing and killing
May feel wish to do so;
But Sheppard—like Crusoe—
To your average boy's only "thrilling."
When reading of robbing and killing
May feel wish to do so;
But Sheppard—like Crusoe—
To your average boy's only "thrilling."
Ah! thousands on Shockers have fed full,
And yet not of crimes got a head-full.
Let us put down the vile,
Yet endeavour the while,
To be just to the poor "Penny Dreadful"!
And yet not of crimes got a head-full.
Let us put down the vile,
Yet endeavour the while,
To be just to the poor "Penny Dreadful"!
EVIDENT.
George. "Eh—he's a big 'un; ain't he, Jack?"
Minister (overhearing). "Yes, my Lad; but it's not with Eating andDrinking!"
Jack. "I'll lay it's not all wi' Fastin' an' Prayin'!"
FOR WHEEL OR WOE.
The Rural District Councilat Chester resolved recently tostation men on the main roadsleading into the city to countthe number of cyclists, with aview to estimating what revenuewould accrue from acycle tax. Extremely high andpublic-spi
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