MRS. BLOOMER.
["The news of the death of Mrs. Bloomer, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, revives many memories of a distant past."—Daily Graphic.]
So Mrs. Bloomer's gone! but let her name
Once more appear in Mr. Punch's pages.
'Twas long ago, almost the Middle Ages,
That Leech's pencil advertised her fame!
Her costume was unlovely—let it fade
For ever from the ken of human vision!
Though nowadays 'twould scarce provoke derision,
If worn by pretty girls and tailor-made.
For by the lady-cyclist, as she plies
Her pedal, neatly clad in knickerbockers.
See Mrs. Bloomer, first of Grundy-shockers.
Now vindicated in Dame Fashion's eyes!
But, not in dress alone a pioneer,
She edited the temp'rance Water Bucket,
And many a blow 'gainst drink with pluck hit;
Then let us o'er her passing shed a tear!
At the Empire.—The celebrated chanteuse Mlle. Mealy is engaged. We've not yet heard her, but of course this lady's songs should be of a very delicate nature, as she herself must be "Mealy-mouthed."
Transcriber's Note:
Page 25: 'change' corrected to 'charge'.
"it was that last charge of yours at the head of your magnificent Thundershakers that has converted defeat into victory,..."
Page 27: 'The Dandy Afghan Khan': 'Dost Mohammed' in the first Chorus, becomes 'Dost Mahommed' in the last. Wikipedia gives 'Dost Mohammed.'
Page 28: 'Applebossom' corrected to 'Appleblossom'.
""Bless me, you have a treasure!" continued Appleblossom, Q.C.,..."
Page 29: 'seven-eights' corrected to 'seven-eighths.'
""An Old Boots!" cried my better seven-eighths,..."