SWEETNESS AND LIGHT
Amid the throng that crowds the shore
I casually met them,
And, though I never see them more,
I never shall forget them!
Dear Sons of Gaul! The one so sleek
And plump, with sea-foam dripping:
The other! Ah! so limp and weak,
Scarce equal to a dipping.
But, as they stand together there,
Half conscious none can match them,
A sight for the admiring fair!—
I seek a phrase to catch them.
And, as one lights his cigarette,
Ho! presto! In completeness
I feel at last that I have met
With living "Light and Sweetness"!
"Just so," observed Mr. Punch. "But I must be off."
"Going to Paris by the train de luxe! Ah, how different it used to be when our fathers were boys together. Do you remember the old-fashioned diligence? Some day we may travel by train across the sea."
"Well, I have a still easier mode of travelling. I can beat diligence and locomotive with a wish. I want to be in Paris!" In a moment, the Sage found himself seated under the Tour Eiffel amidst the ruins of the Exhibition. The confusion was indescribable.
"Dear me, I think I've had about enough of this!" said Mr. Punch. "I fancy I should like to be in Switzerland."
Hey presto! and the Sage was in the home of the picturesque—in the land of table d'hôtes of the first order, and of hotel prices of nearly the same altitude as the mountains.
"This is very perfect," observed the Sage to his faithful attendant. Toby growled. "There is nothing needed to complete my happiness."
"Except me—'scuse me—except me."
"You! And who may you be?"
"Not know me, Mr. Punch? Why, that is a good one!"
Then the First Gentleman in the World, who has appropriately been called the "pink," not to say the rose (of courtesy), recognised a well-known contributor to his pages. He gave this admirable type of a race that has its exponents in every country under the sun some excellent advice, and suggested that they might part company with mutual advantage.
"My good friend," said Mr. Punch, "I am quite aware that you are in the habit of corresponding with an intimate known as 'Charlie.' Oblige me with a duplicate of your next letter, and it shall be immortalised." It will be seen that Mr. Punch has kept his word.
