The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-10-26 00:00:00

THE PRESS GANG.

, A Printer's Devil, present at the meeting of the
Press Guard yesterday; was so tickled by what occurred
there, and it so strongly reminded him of a scene in
Shakespere's "Richard which it was a perfect
burlesque—that he could not resist the tertiptation to
put it on paper. Having written it, of course he does
not desire to put. the trifle, however light, under a
bushel, and well knowing .that the local 'heavy joker,
"Piggy-wiggy," rejects all contributions that are smart,
witty, or telling, the said Printer's Devil has the.
vanity to think it might form a capital head to one of
your columns. Here it is—
SCENE I.—LOBBY OF THE HALLS OF THE DAILY TOST.
[Enter M'CORK-IN-ALE, Duke of Double Gloster (not
the Cheese), and GINSLING, Duke of Castle-street or
Buckingham,
.preceded by a CouRIEH].
GLosTux—How hOtt! heti !low! What say the prin-
ters' devils ?
Bum—Now, by the holy poker and the tOngi, the
printers all are dumb--say not a word.
GLosrud—Touched you the subject that I am a justice ?
BUCK.—I did.
GtosTux—Though I have oft-times put rogues into a
'Acker!
I fear the frOins of this smile 15th Tucker.
Bucx.—l bade the printeks' devils cry cfll ale
To the brave captain—gallant Cork-ill-dig.
GLosrEd—And did they so ?
Bucx.—So help me, Bob, they spoke no single word,
But, like dumb statues, or mute breathless stones,
Stared on each other, and looked deadly pale,
Which, when I saw, I reprehended them.
Sust at this pole; some printers of mine own,
Hurled up their caps, and sOrrio four voices cried,
"Up with the Captain, Cork-in-ale. Htirrah !"
GLOSTER—Confusion on them ! Would they not speak
more ?

Is not the Chairman, Drackell, come ?
Bucx..—The Chairman is at hand. Please you, walk in,
SCENE IL—GRAND BANQUETTINO HALLS OF THE

REPORTERS.
Present—CATESßY' Mr. M. J. PITTY, HARDBOARD,
iShop SMIFF, and PHILLIPS.
[Enter CORK-IN-ALE iietweei LtINSLING and Bishop
MILLELARD.I

CA.TESBY—See where the captain stands, between tiVO
worthy props !
Bucx.—Two buoys of virtue, sir—our would-be captain--
to float up to the top of vanity.
[Taking Cork-in-Ale aside.
You have ridt.got that prayer-book in your hand.
If they should ask yod td lie dutr captain, good, my
lord,
For to that end I'll come out precious strong;

'Play the maid's part: still answer nay, yet fake it.
Lord Mayor, ToMAs A DRAcKELL—We ask you, noble
M'C., to grant our prayers ;
Never say die, don't funk ; our captain be ;
Grow a moustache like Hardboard.
MinitiAnD7-And me.
M. J. Piriv—
Aye, then he'll look a captain, tonld and brave ;
Dining with nobles, he's no time to shave.
DRACKELL—BIow these digre§sions ! luncheon time
draws near.

(Aside)
In Newton'S Halls there'll be both beef and beer.
(Three cheers for Cork-in-ale.)
01KNES—Hurrah harrah 1 hurrah !
Giosimi---Yonire very kind, gdad sirs; but I should
state,
I'm not allowed td stay cint after eight.
Fray do not hid, but,going home first-elan,
By Midnight traixis I'M not allowed'to pass.
I'll drill you if you like I teach yoU to picket
And feed you well when done. Is that the ticket?
Casa Ibe captain ? Why, your drill's probationary,'[Pauses.]
SEVERAL VOICES—MOVe

GLOSTER—I can't, my friends, my line is stationary,
Cousin of Buckingham—and you sage, grave men,
Since you will put the saddle on this hoss,
To bear the b'urthen, whe'r I will or. no
SEVERAL Voi pickles!. Bosh t He wants it !
Here's a go !.
iji,dsrirt—l must have patience to endure the lead ;
But tar I ant froni the desire of this.
M. J. Plrry—Don't ax hurt oink more
He has refused; he says the drill's'a bore.
[Mac atienipis to bolt.
What! will you lave us? Why this precious hurry?
Is tierhy's dinner waiting ? Why this scurry ?
GLosmn—,:(bitishing!)--.4n faith, I must be gone. Ah,
but—perhaps—
, PITTY—Faix, then, die *ltole thing's likely to
collaptie.
MiLtuAmi—,Ami left out? Is there no place for rte ?
Then Wok out fol my nett number you shall sec
what you s, 11 sets:'
My back is up; my quills, tholigh pointless, scratch.
I'm off to see what mischief I can hatch.
[The gas is turned out. General uproar. inkb'otties
upset. The !egg of two reporters seen struggling throiigh
d broken yiindow. M. J. PITTY retreats into a private
office. The police arrive. Characters are dispersed.
CORK-IN-ALE buys d peitiay bun at Oakes's, and is last
seen going up the Tunnel., IFILA`CIi!EI.L.fiIMpS on West
Derby 'bus, and is duly received dith joy in the bosom
of his family.
HARthibAup (seated in a' neighbouring tavern, imbibing
"the cratur;" find looking over au old number of the
" Washington Pickale.".)
We won't brigade with the 15th—that's- flat
But Number One's a figure; I'ii tahe ()ate of that.
(Curtain falls).