JOTTINGS BY 'CRINGLE.'

Globe, Volume II, Issue 107, 3 October 1874, Page 2

JOTTINGS BY 'CRINGLE.'

[Written for the Globe.]

I believe there is a penal clause in the Factory Act, in force in England, which protects children of tender years from physical degeneracy. While sitting in a place of amusement (?) the other evening, and listening to the words of a song bristling with immoral inuendos, and sung by a child, I could not help expressing a regret that an Act of some sort was not in force here, by which those parents could be punished, who for paltry pelf permitted such palpable moral degeneracy as I saw before me. It was not actually the words themselves which, shorn’ of such expressions as “ cheese,” and “ nam-yam-yam ” (significant enough to those who hare lived in the colonies for any time) might pass as harmless, but it was the disgusting gestures and positions with which the child had been taught to accompany his song, leaving no doubt of the meaning intended to be conveyed. And this poor little clever child—who could not have dreamt of the import of the words when accompanied by a certain manner and gesture—acted his part so well, that not only would any man or woman have been little less than an idiot, who would “ not have evil thought,” but it would have entitled him to an encore in the vilest Tom and Jerry exhibition, that ever disgraced the purlieus of London. What the class of people must be who have the direction of this work may be judged from the fact of their attempting to justify such an exhibition. I would ask if there i» one man, or woman, connected with that, show, who would dare to come before the public and sing that song, with the accompaniments, as I saw it? and if not, so much the greater shame for those who compel a child to do this. Purveyors of legitimate amusement have seldom cause to complain of want of support from the people

Christchurch ; but mongers of filth must expect to be treated in the manner that in the cause of morality, I am glad to Bee these people are now being. While on this subject I feel it my duty to speak of the character of some of the women accompanied by their “ poodles,” who hare lately made a habit of frequenting the, hitherto considered, most respectable portion of this building—l allude to those of the demi monde class, drawn thither no doubt by the piquante portion of the entertainment. The law is powerless in this matter, but public opinion will do a great deal, and before taking his wife, it would be first as well for any husband to enquire for himself. Looking again at the matter in a commercial light, were I the director of a good class of entertainment, I should be dubious of receiving general support, if I were to exhibit in this building, for fixed impressions take some wearing out; or were I the proprietor of the building, it might be cause for reflection with me whether I was not endangering the value of my property for better purposes, by permitting productions of this kind. Public subscriptions have often been started for less worthy purposes, than paying these gentry so much per head to embark for fresh fields, where thej maybe better appreciated. It must have been very amusing to watch the relays filing in, rounded up by erstwhile alphabetical Splodge, and all to' astonish the Browns! And the worst of it was that it didn’t astonish the Browns 1 ’Tis said that at one time it was thought the representatives of the Fourth Estate would have formed the majority of the audience. If this had been so, how funny it would have been to have noticed whether the various questions put to the speaker would have been pertinent to the “ Abolition of Provinces ?;’ Oh I dear no—but to the matter that was already in type. “ What shall I say then 7” said a journalistic youth the other day, on the look out for items, to a well-known disciple of the rostrum. “ Oh !” was the reply, “ say that there was an excellent attendance at the luncheon, at which a considerable quantity of eatables, and drinkables, changed hands, but that there was a ‘ sensible ’ diminution when the business of the day commenced.” I can just fancy the look of “going,” “gone,” when he saw the “specials” stringing out, after the luncheon, whistling that appropriate air, “We could’nt stay away.” Thank you, your worship, I’ll certainly come ; and I wish I had known it sooner, as I have heard that a splendid exemplification of the frog in the fable, is now to be seen there of an evening. I was told that an orator in embryo (very much ’o) rose, big with importance, and descanted from firstly, to thirdly, and up to fifteenthly, on the absolute necessity of stopping the laborer’s wages already earned, and certified to, until a mere matter of form had been gone through ; swelling at each stage in his oratory until he looked immense; and stopped he wouldn’t be, until he had blown himself out; for he had been sent there to blow, and blow he would, and blow he did, recklessly scattering lumps of erudition at each gush. Humanity couldn’t stand such inflation long, and eventually he was “burst”; sitting down, however, with that self-satisfied look, pregnant with meaning which plainly said “ municipalities tremble, for Pomahaka has spoken I” And here the fable was still further exemplified, for on separating the wind from the common sense, the 'poor creature was found to be only a frog after all. Yes, your Worship, I’ll certainly make one of the invited. Is it true that a small, and very noisy section of the association, are going to take it upon themselves, withqut the authority of their fellow members to wait upon the Board to dictate how the “documents” shall be marked on days pluvial 7 And is it also true that such expression as “ we’ll make them do it,” and “ they must do it,” have been indulged in by these noisy ones ? If it is, Cringle quotes Punch's advice to those about to marry. “ Don’t,” for if you go, you will be dealing with gentlemen who are not in the habit of being “musted;” and you’re representations may be found to be misrepresentations, should the trouble of an individual canvass of opinion be taken. I have had a long think about that gate lifting business, and have come to the conclusion, that, though the officer was certainly guilty of a very great act of indiscretion, it would perhaps have been as well if the matter had been allowed to rest where it was ; for no one whose opinion is worth having, could have believed that the “suspects” (a novel coinage by the way) would have been guilty of so much foolishness. 1 must, however, dissent altogether from the “supposition ” of a writer in a morning contemporary, as occasional visits to the court, extending now over a long period, with a pretty good opportunity for observation, have impressed me with the certain belief that Tom, Dick, or Harry, having a complaint, would equally receive a hearing with the hon Fitz-Clarence, from our just, and deservedly respected magistrate. It was whispered to A., who told 8., who mentioned it to 0. (that’s me, Cringle), that the Inspector received a letter some few days ago signed “ An Admirer of the Half-holiday Movement,” in which a lady refers that official to the Globe; asks him whether “ Cringle” on the employment of females on Saturdays is correct, and begs that he will reply through the columns of this paper. By the same process already detailed, it has reached me that the Inspector observed that what was stated in the Globe was quite in accordance with the Act; but that his official position would prevent him from replying as desired. Now myverydear girls(don’t be angry, it’s only poor old Cringle’s fatherly way), as I have before said, the Inspector is powerless to aid you under the provisions of the Act; but I think the remedy lies in your own bands. As you know, the workrooms are gome distance away from the shops, and were the inspector to go into the shop after two o’clock on Saturday it would be impossible for him to known whether you were working or not, as his power to enter the workroom has then ceased ; but cannot you call in the aid of some philanthropic mater-familias, who might desire to invest in a little “ love of a bonnet ” on some Saturday afternoon 7 To purchase this she would of course have to go into the showroom ; would see the girl* at work in the next room ; observe the particular kind of work they were at; insinuatingly enquire their names ; make a mental note of all this, and the exact time, and retail all the facts to the Inspector around the corner. Well, in due course, a summons would be handed to artful cock-milliner. The lady, determined to complete her worthy task, would tell our good B.M. all she had seen ; and the girls would not require to be called by the inspector, as it would be for aforesaid indi-

vidual, to bring rebutting evidence, and produce them himself ; and this would be exactly what the Inspector would desire, though it had been his wish to avoid compromising them. Now, as certain as the law is being contravened, so sure would a conviction follow ; and it would be a.c-m.’s particular duty to himself to look out that he didn’t offend again, when distinctly told that he was doing wrong. Tableau—The first Saturday afternoon holiday has been spent in making a wreath of marigolds, and which, as will be seen, just nineteen summers has placed around Cringle’s frosty pole. I learn that Mr Smythe was to start on Thursday with the moas. When he arrives in town, may I be there to see.