The Captain. I am.
Mr. Punch. You are also the member for Chatham?
The Captain. I am.
Mr. Punch. You intend to take your seat in the next Parliament, and do your duty by your constituents and the nation?
The Captain. Such is my desire.
Mr. Punch. And the aspiration does you credit. Some very important questions will come before the Legislature during the approaching Session.
The Captain. Ah! They always say that—always.
Mr. Punch. And rightly, Sir. But in the next Session we are promised measures whose importance is indisputable. In the first place, Captain, there is the Reform Bill. To vote rightly—I will not say speak sensibly—upon its clauses, some information is necessary to a member of Parliament. Favour me with a sketch of the history of popular representation, of the principles on which you consider it should be based, and of the arguments for and against extension of the suffrage.
The Captain. Really—a—a—
Mr. Punch. Ah! You have not studied the subject. Well. We are to have a measure for the better distribution of the revenues of the Church of England. Pray what is the amount of those revenues, and upon what tenure are they held?