The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-06
From the London Punch
THE CURTAIN LECTURES.
LECTURE II.
Mr.. Caudle joins ci,.b-"The Skylrks.

Mr.. Caudie joins ci,,b--"The Skylarks''
"I'm sure poor woman had better be in her
grave than married. That is, if she can't be married
to decent mani No, Idon't care if you tired, l
shant let you go TO sleep. No, and won't say
what have to say in the morning; I'll say it noc.
It's all very well for you to come home at what time
you like--its now half past twelve-and expect Pm
TO hold my tongue, and let you 60 TO sleep.
What next, wonder' woman had better be sold
for slave at once. .
Sand so you've gone and Joined a club! The
Skylarks, indeed A pretty skylark you'll make of
yourself! But / won't stay and be ruled by You.
No; I'm determined on that. iii go and take the
dear children, and you may get who you like to
keep your house. That is, as long as you have a
house to keep--and that won't be long, know
"How any decent man can 60 and spend his
nights in tavern! Oh, yes Mr.. Caudle; dare saw
know how many of you would care for what you
call rational conversation if you had it without your
filthy brandy and water-yes, and your more
filthy tobacco smoke I'm sure the last time you
came home had the headache for week But |
know who it is who's taking you to destruction.
poor wife's heart, and now he wants to-but don't
you think it, Mr. Caudle; III not have my reace of
mind destroyed by the best man that ever trod. Oh
yes! know you don't care, so long as you can APP
pear well TO all the worldbut the world little thinks
how you behave to me. It shall know it, though
that I'm determined
"How any man can leave his own happy fire.
side, to go and sit, and smoke, and drink, and talk
with people who wouldn't one Of them lift finger
TO save him from hanging--how any man can leave
his wife, too, though say it-for a parcel of pot
companions-oh, it's disgraceful, Mr.. Caudle; it's
unfeeling. No man who has the least love for his
wife could do it.
day. But know what III do. know--it's no use,
Mr.. Caude, your calling good creature. I'm not
such fool as TO be coaxed in that way. No; il
you want to go to sleep, you should come in chris
tian time, and not at half past twelve. There was
time when you were as regular at your freside as
a kettle. That was when you were decent man,
and didn't go with heaven knows who, drinking
and smoking, and making what you think your
jokes. No respectable tradesman does. But
know what I'll do; III scare away your Skyarks.
The house sells liquor after twelve of Saturday
night; and i'll don't write to the magistrates, and
have the license taken away, I'm not lying in this
bed this night. Yes, you may call me foolish wo-
man; but no, Mr.. Caudle, no; you're-a wicked
one. IL you were to die to-morrow--aDd the peo-
pie who go to public houses do all they can to short
en- their lives-I should like to know who would
write upon your tombstone, "A tender husband and
an affectionqe father Id have no such false
hood told of you, can assure you.
"Going and spending your money, and--non-
sense don't tell memo, if you were to ten times
swear it, wouldn't believe that you only spent
eighteen pence on Saturday. You can't be all
those hours, and only spend eighteen pence.
know better I'm no, quite fool, Mr.. Caudle. A
great deal you could have for eighteen pence And
all the club married men and fathers of families.
The more shame for 'em Skylarks, indeed ! They
should call themselves Vultures for they can only
do as they always do, by robbng their innocent
wives and children. Eighteen pence week And
II II was only that-do you know what ffty-two
eighteen pences come to in year. Do you ever
think ofthat, and see the gowns wear' I'm sure
can't, out Of the house money, buy myselfa PIN
cushion, though I've wanted one these six months.
No, not so much ball of cotton. But what do
you care, so you can get your brandy-and-water'
There's the girls, too-the things they want
They're never dressed like other peoples children.
But it's all the same to their father Oh, yes So
he can go with his Skylarks, they may wear sack-
cloth for pinafores, and packthread for rarters.
! "Youd better not let that Mr.. Prettyman come