although her name has been Judy, as the lawyers say, "from time whereof the memory of man runneth not to the contrary,") which gives some offence to "the dancer of wires," who fancied, as he might do very reasonably, that "people rose from his little drama as much improved as they could do from the great."
Of later years, we have witnessed several singular interpolations. After the battle of the Nile, Lord Nelson figured on one of the street-stages, and held a dialogue with Punch, in which he endeavoured to persuade him, as a brave fellow, to go on board his ship, and assist in fighting the French: "Come, Punch, my boy, (said the naval hero,) I'll make you a captain or a commodore, if you like it."—"But I don't like it, (replied the puppet-show hero;) I shall be drowned."—"Never fear that, (answered Nelson;) he that is born to be hanged, you know, is sure not to be drowned." During one of the Elections for Westminster, Sir F. Burdett received equal honour, and was represented kissing Judy and the child, and soliciting Mr. Punch for his vote. "How are you, Mr. Punch? (enquired the Baronet,) I hope you will give me your support."—"I don't know, (answered Punch,) ask my wife. I leave all those things to Mrs. P."—"That is very right, (continued Sir Francis,) what do you say, Mrs. Judy? Bless me! what a sweet little child you have got, I wish mine were like it."—"And so they may be, Sir Francis, (observed Judy,) for you are very like my husband; you have got such a beautiful long nose."—"True, Mrs. Judy; but Lady B. is not like you, (added Sir Francis, kissing her.) A sweet little infant, indeed! I hope it has good health. How are its little bowels?"—"Charmingly, thank you," was the answer; and Judy could not refuse the solicitations of so gallant and kind-hearted a candidate.
At a country fair, we once saw a donkey-race represented by puppets with a great deal of spirit, and we need hardly add, that Mr. Punch[1] (though not always the most expert horseman) rode the winner, but was cheated out of- ↑ See Act 2, Scene 2, of the "Tragical Comedy of Punch and Judy," where the hero is thrown by his horse, Hector.
