The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 289: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

224 THE STEAM PACKET, of Luminaries until the return to England ‘shall —- of a general congress to frame a new constitution. (Signed) ““RomtutcH, Chairman. is | 6 TIPTILE. | ‘* CRUMPLINGS. ** GLASSNOSE. “ 'TURNCHURCH. ““ KRUBY. “ NIBKINS.’ ” Nothing could exceed the indignation of Mr. Pifpaf when this rebel- lious document met his ears. The mists of punch disappeared from his brain in a moment; and his capacious imagination embraced at a glance, as it were, the whole perils of his position. The leading mem- bers of the club had made their pronunciamento ; and he was resolved to resist. Rushing towards the hearth, he seized the poker, brandished it round his venerable head, and declared that he would defend the constitution of the Luminaries until his last gasp ;—while Mr. Smale, - who caught a spark of the enthusiasm of his leader and friend, armed _ himself with the tongs, and declared with an oath, that if he had the traitor Rumtutch there he would drag him round the room by his nose. Nor were Captain Pentonville and Mr. Buckram wanting in enthusiasm upon this memorable occasion. The former declared that he would forthwith go and punch the heads of all the members of the junta; and the latter vowed that he would never rest until he once more beheld his friend Pifpaf presiding over the Club which had so long owned. his mild and benignant sway. As soon as this fervour was allowed time to sand down a little, the ladies were prevailed upon, with some difficulty, to retire; and the gentlemen proceeded to hold a council of war. Mr. Pifpaf said but little, as he preferred listening to the plans which his three faithful friends propounded for his restoration to power. Mr. Smale thought it. would be best to seize upon the Steam Packet, sail—or rather paddle— * of to London with all who were well affected, and thus possess themselves — of the seat of government, archives, museum, &c. Captain Penton-— ville thought that this plan was not efficient, inasmuch as the seat of government might be equally easily established by the rebels at the Musical Wasp, while they (the loyalists) were sitting at the Muszcal Bee. He moreover observed, that Mr. Rumtutch had doubtless taken the archives with him; and as for the museum, it was not worth while to proceed to London for the mere sake of obtaining possession GComicbooks.co