DESSERT.
Plans Varies. Elections Assorties.
The waiting was done by Candidates, and during the evening the band played a selection, containing such well-known pieces as "Souvenir de Mitchelstown," the opening chorus of "Mosé in Egitto," "Où sont nos Ducs," "Partant pour le Sud," and "Irland, Irland über alles."
MR. BAYLY'S COAST-SPECTRE.
"It is scarcely credible that, at this moment, the elaborate telegraphic system of this country has little or no connection with our Lighthouses and Coastguard Stations." So said, quite recently, the Illustrated London News in an excellent article, appropriately entitled, "A Flagrant Scandal." It is scarcely credible, and creditable not at all. "Shiver my timbers!" cries Mr. Punch (in a nautical rage), "if there is a purpose for which JOHN BULL should eagerly utilise his 'telegraphic system,' it is for the saving of his sailors' lives." Mr. ROBERT BAYLY, of Plymouth, wrote a letter to the Times, "giving some instances in which lamentable loss of life was solely due to the inability of the Lighthouse-keeper or Coastguard to communicate in time with the nearest life-boat station." Think of that, ye British Gentlemen, who sit at home at ease.
Aren't you ashamed of yourselves at the very thought of it! Well may "T. LAWRENCE-HAMILTON, M.R.C.S., late Honorary President of the Fishermen's Federation," say, in an indignant letter to Mr. Punch:—"Perhaps ridicule may wake up some of our salary-sucking statesmen, and permanent, higher, over-paid Government officials, who are legally and morally responsible for the present state of chaotic confusion in which these national matters have been chronically messed and muddled." Perhaps so, my valiant M.R.C.S. And, if so, that "ridicule" shall not be wanting—on Mr. Punch's part, at least. Here goes, for once:—
IMPORTUNATE MR. BAYLY.
A SONG OF A SHAMEFUL SEA-COAST SCANDAL.
AIR—"Unfortunate Miss Bailey."