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PUNCH,
OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
Volume 93
November 26, 1887.
PAPERS FROM PUMP-HANDLE COURT.
A Recollection of the Long Vacation.
During the Long Vacation (now happily over) I have been present at mychambers a great deal more frequently than some of the men with whom Ishare my rooms. In fact, I may say that I have been constantly the soleoccupant of the entire set. Chuckbob, the well-known authorityon International Law, has spent September and October in the Highlands,and my other friends have been on the Continent. EvenPortington, my excellent and admirable clerk, has taken afortnight's rest at Eastend-on-Mud (a pleasant watering-place not manymiles from Town), where I fancy he spent his well-earned holiday intrying to get up a libel action against the Sanitary Board. It is justto say that my presence at Pump-Handle Court has not been entirelynecessitated by my forensic labours. The fact is, that Jowler,a very dear friend of mine, who has some mysterious supervisorship(sanctioned by an eccentric will) over an Institution connected with theVegetarian Movement, was recently called away, by his duties as atrustee, to Australia, to look after a number of sheep somehow affectedand inconvenienced by the increase of rabbits in that favourite colony.Being thus for a season expatriated, he asked me to look after theInstitution connected with the Vegetarian Movement, in his place duringhis absence.
"You will really find the work simple enough," he said on biddingme farewell. "You hold my power of attorney, and all you have todo is not to quarrel with the Committee of Inspection, who, as youknow, can play the very dickens with us."
"But what have the Committee of Inspection to do with the place?" Iasked rather anxiously, as I never like to accept responsibility, so tospeak, with my eyes blindfolded.
"Oh, you will soon find out," replied Jowler. "You will pick itup as you go along. I shall soon be back—perhaps in six months."
The Institution connected with the Vegetarian Movement was within easydistance of my chambers, so I came to the conclusion that I couldcombine the vague superintendence it apparently required with myordinary legal engagements. I found, on a visit to the Institution abouta fortnight after Jowler had left, that all seemed to be right,and the head employé assured me that if my services were needed,he would send round to me.
"Fortunately since Mr. Jowler's departure, Sir," said the heademployé, "we have seen nothing of the Committee of Inspection."
He lowered his voice to a tone of the deepest awe as he spoke ofthe mysterious body.
"I am very glad to have seen you, Sir," he continued; "the factis, there may be a number of things I should like to consult youabout, and I was loth to worry you."
"Oh, not in the least," I replied, airily; "consult me at any time;only too glad to give you every assistance in my power."
Upon this, I took my leave, saying as I did, to show that I reallyknew what I was about, that whoever had broken the hall-lamp,which I noticed was dam