CRUEL TREATMENT OF THE POOR AND LOWLY.
Although we are aware that the contemplated evil will be perpetrated too late for the interference of Punch: nevertheless, for the sake of future coachmen and footmen of future Lord Mayors, we must indignantly protest against the cruelty exercised by Lord Mayor Sidney on his hapless vassals! Will it be believed that—with the City corporation in articulo mortis—the Lord Mayor's coachman and footmen are for the first time to be "in rich Genoa velvet!" The colour a beautiful gunpowder green, "with a scarlet bordering of the same material!" There are moreover to be "hundreds of yards of gold lace," the pattern continuous sprigs of the tea-plant! "Gorgeous aiguillettes of unusual length" (according to the ears of the corporation) "terminating with rich bullion balls;" an improvement that might have been reserved for any future Lord Pawnbroker. "In addition to the rich bullion wings on the shoulders"—the left arm will bear the family crest. Only think of Jeames with wings! How beautifully does the notion illustrate Milton!—
"So dear to Heav'n is humble May'ralty,
That when a Sidney's found sincerely so
A thousand liveried angels lacquey him!"
Besides the wings, the gorgeous creatures will carry Sidney's arms and crest, "a porcupine with six mullions!" The porcupine has quills of real gold—no other quills being used in the Sidney ledger. In addition to this, the hats of coachman and footmen will be constructed in the form of magnificent tea-pots; made of solid silver, thickly gilt.
All this is very splendid; but what is to become of the poor men, their year of glory out? Two of the footmen—after only trying on their wings—gave signs of incipient insanity; declaring they "felt themselves all over cherubims and no mistake." If, in November, 1854, three of these winged flunkies be found perfectly sane, Lord Sidney may be thankful. In the meanwhile, can he ever pass Bedlam, without a tender feeling for the future destiny of his footmen and coachman?
Certain civic enthusiasts glorify Lord Sidney for the grandeur that seems to be intended as a fine defiance—like a gilt lion—of the Corporation Commission. The cause for which Sidney bleeds in his tailor's bill is, no doubt, a cause very dear to aldermen and councilmen; and it is expected that, emulating his Lordship, they will on the present ninth—as it may be the last show—die gloriously; dying like dolphins in surpassing colours.
Meanwhile, we trust that a watchful eye will be kept upon the angelic footmen and archangelic coachman. What have they done, poor fellows!