DEAR ENTERTAINMENT FOR DEAR CREATURES.
"My dear Punch,
"There is no doubt that the prodigious expenses of hotels are—as I overheard certain gentlemen say—in a great measure owing to us confounded women. We cause so many rooms to have to be kept up on our account. Why can't we—as they further asked, with a stronger expression—be content with a decent coffee-room, instead of requiring a separate sitting apartment? Why? I asked myself the same question, and being unable to answer it, I thought the next time I was out with Charles I would go into the coffee-room and not be confounded. So the other day when he took me to one of those inns which a letter I read in the Times calls a "Hotel of recreation", I insisted on our dining in the public room. There were some gentlemen sitting there that we have since met in society, when they behaved in such a way that I couldn't think what they meant, until at last I found that we were looked upon as improper people because I had been seen at dinner in the coffee-room of a tavern! When I discovered this I felt confounded indeed. It seems that I have committed an offence against society, everybody is so cool to me, and really, if it were not for the contempt I feel for such slaves of custom and prejudice, and the support I derive from the knowledge that I have pleased my husband, and saved us both money, I should be dreadfully grieved. But his approbation, and that of my own conscience, are quite enough for me; however, as that is not quite the case, I am afraid, with all women, the consequence is that they won't brave the world, and go in the coffee-room. I must confess, Mr. Punch, that before we take all the credit for what is called in novels the 'Self Sacrifice of Woman' which is given us, we might as well immolate a little of our conventionality on the altar of domestic happiness. I am sure that Judy is of the same mind as your equally constant admirer,
"Belgravia, Sept., 1853."
"Fides."
Strikes to be Lauded.
We are glad to see that the needlewomen have at last struck, and we wish another class of the overworked and underpaid would follow their example, the working clergy. Such a course would not be uncanonical. A bishop, to be sure, is required to be "no striker," nor has he occasion to be one with his thousands a year; but the case is very different with the curate who has only twenty pounds.