AN UNCHRISTIAN CAVEAT.
[Agnes Lambert was charged at Marylebone Police Court with stealing a purse at a Confirmation service at Christ Church, Regent's Park. Mr. E. Beard, barrister, submitted that there was not sufficient evidence for the case to go to a jury, Mr. Beard remarking, that the place was a church. Mr. Marsham retorted, "Yes; and what right had a woman like her to be there?">[
What right? A largish question, learned Sir,
Larger, perchance, than struck your legal mind.
Smitten with sudden anger against her
Whose face in such a scene 'twas strange to find;
Close the Church-doors to creatures of her kind?
Stay, Rhadamanthus! Pharisaic taste
Is no safe guide to Charity's true rule.
Beware, lest like King David, in his haste,
You trust the zeal experience should school
To thought more kindly and to care more cool.
What right? Suppose her sinner, even then
The sacred precinct hath far wider scope
Than any dwelling set apart of men.
This temple is the Lord's, from base to cope.
Here faltering Faith and half-extinguished Hope
Find entrance unrebuked of Charity.
What right? E'en so Simon the Pharisee
Might have demanded of the Magdalen,
And with a fairer reason. But restrain
The weariest waif from entrance to the fane
Where pure young girls come for a special grace,
Whither the smug-faced citizen may pace,
The modish lady trail her silken skirt?
Nay, Sir, it is too arbitrary-rash,
This caveat, and with Charity must clash,
Here sinful souls and spirits sorely hurt
Find their last refuge and sole hope. Wherefore
Against no soul that suffers close that door!
Let Magdalen look on, if so she please,
At these pure maidens. Can it injure these?
Whilst the scene's influence on her spirit dark
Not Rhadamanthus in his seat may mark.
Another "Count Out."—Herbert Bismarck.
Right Hon. E. St-nh-pe. "WELL, COLONEL,—YOU VOLUNTEERS HAVE DISTINGUISHED YOURSELVES,—AS USUAL!"
Colonel Punch. "AND I SUPPOSE, SIR, WE SHALL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF OUR OWN POCKETS,—AS USUAL!!"