The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 301: what you’re looking at

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

228 THE STEAM PACKET, present who were not Luminaries wondered what the devil’ it could. mean; and those who were, immediately set up a loud and prolonged shout of “ Pifpaf for ever!’’ Those members of the Executive Com- mittee who remained faithful to their allegiance then assembled, and presented a congratulatory address to Mr. Pifpaf for the strenuous and decisive measures he had adopted to nip the insurrection in the bud. Thanks were also voted to ‘‘ Lord Noodleton and Captain Pentonville for their great services in the cause of constitutional freedom, and their zeal in crushing the democratic spirit which would have under- mined the whole principles of the Honourable and Independent Order.” A piece of plate was, moreover, unanimously voted to the venerable and respected chairman; and a sub-committee was appointed to pre- sent it to him in the course of the day. We may, therefore, as well here observe that a very handsome silver tooth-pick was that afternoon offered to Mr. Pifpaf as a mark of esteem for his character, and appro- bation of his conduct during his long administration of the affairs of the Luminaries. But these were not all the measures resolved upon and executed on that memorable day by the Executive Committee. All the conspi- rators who had signed_the proclamation—or who, in the fashionable language of the day, when describing Spanish affairs, had pronounced —were ordered to be reprimanded. Mr. Rumtutch was removed from the office of secretary, Mr. Tiptile from that of treasurer, Messrs. or oe Crumplings, Kruby, and Glassnose from their situations of auditors, - and Mr. Nibkins from his post (a sinecure, and therefore the more honourable) of curator of the museum. New appointments were im- mediately made, Captain Pentonville suffering himself to be persuaded —but not without much remonstrance—to accept the post of trea- surer, in virtue of which change Mr. Tiptile was compelled immedi- ately to hand over to him the whole sum subscribed for the travelling expenses of the club. All these proceedings were duly confirmed by Mr. Pifpaf; and thus terminated one of.the most memorable attempts at revolution ever recorded in history. If we consider the magnitude of the design contemplated —the boldness with which the first step was taken—and the rank of the conspirators, we cannot but feel astonished. that the seeds of the revolt were so easily crushed the moment they were sown. Moreover, while we admire the firmness and resolution displayed by the adherents of the established dynasty, and the weak- ness exhibited by the usurper in the moment of danger, we must con- gratulate the world upon the triumph achieved by the mere deserving and competent party. And if we require any additional proof of the thoroughly unprincipled motives which swayed the ambitious Rum- — (E(0) GComichbooks