* * * *

The Plea of the Party Man.

(_On either side._)

"THERE'S _no_ Obstruction!"--Why, then, all this ruction?
"When _we_ obstruct, who dares to call't Obstruction?"
To dam a deluge, stop a bolting horse,--
That is obstruction, of a sort, of course;
_Our_ sort, in fact! But theirs on t'other side?
That's quite another matter. They can't hide
The cloven foot of malice, the false faitours!
Not obstruct _them_? As well say not hang traitors!

[Illustration: Obstruction.]

* * * * *

FAR TOO PREVIOUS.

In the Agony-Column of the _Times_ we now see daily the following
Advertisement:--

TO IRISH LOYALISTS AND PROTESTANTS.--DEATH BEFORE SLAVERY!

Surely a most blameless sentiment. But the bearings of it lie in the
application. And what is that? It seems as applicable to any existing
situation as, say, "Lunch before Dinner," or "Business before
Pleasure," or "Age before Honesty," or "Fingers before forks." _Mr.
Punch_ ventures to suggest a modification, less striking, perhaps,
in an "Agony-Column," but more in accord with patriotism and
common-sense:--

To Irish Loyalists and Protestants!
_Be_ Loyal, and Protest--_Constitutionally_!

The flamboyant, melodramatic, "Death before Slavery!" _may_
be applicable--when "Slavery" becomes a conceivable, proximate
probability, or "Death" a possible alternative. Then let us have
"Death before Slavery," by all means. At present, _Punch_ would say,
"Common-sense before either!"

* * * * *

Poor Political Economy!

(_By an elated Parliamentary Want-to-Knower._)

Oh! to waste half the time asking Questions is grand!
"Supply" is not in it, just now, with "Demand"!

* * * * *

[Illustration: INSTINCTIVE CRITICAL ACUMEN.

"THAT LOOKS LIKE AN OLD PICTURE, JOHN! WHAT IS IT?"

"IT'S 'MOSES STRIKING THE ROCK'!"

"AH! I TOLD YOU IT WAS OLD--_DIDN'T_ I, NOW!"]

* * * * *

"ALL A-BLOWING!"

AIR--_The celebrated Duet in "The Mikado."_

_Much-sold Pater and Mater sing:--_

_Pater._ The flowers that bloom in the Spring,
Tra la,
To purchase henceforth I decline.
The hawkers those blossoms who bring--
Ah! bah!--
Will "swop 'em for most anything,"
Ha! ha!
But as soon as you've bought 'em they pine.

_Both._ And that's what th