LITTLE TOMMY'S FIRST BOOK OF MODERN HISTORY.

North Otago Times, Volume 1881, Issue XXVI, 7 May 1878, Page 2

LITTLE TOMMY'S FIRST BOOK OF MODERN HISTORY.

(A Prophetic Edition for tho Year 1898. By Punch's own Alarmist.) Q. How is Russia bounded? — A. On tho North by the Arctic Ocean, on tho South by tho Mediterranean Soa, on tho West by a part of Ireland, and on the East by China. Q. Who is tho present Proniior of Russia?— A. The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone. Q. What are his principal duties I—A. To write pamphlets in defence of his Master, the Czar, and to superintend the transfer of the few still surviving English patriots from Westminster to Siberia. Q. What do you know about Bismarck ? — A. That he created United Germany, and, shortly before its annexation by Russia to which he so materially contributed, became Emperor of his native land. Q. Who was Lord Beaconsfield I—A. The last British Premier, who perished in his almost single-handed opposition to tho absorption of England by Russia. Q. What was the last portion of England to bo absorbed I—A, The Islo of Wight. Q. Whero wero British interests ultimately contred 1 — A. In tho Scilly Islands. Q. How did tho Russian army striko tho decisive blow which annihilated British resistance- in India?-— A. By marching a thousand miles in a thousand hours without halting, under the conduct of FieM -Marshal Lieutenants O'Leary and General Payson Weston. Q. Why did the natives receive tho invaders with open nrrns, nnd hail them as their deliverers ?— A. Became the Go-vernor-General for the time being (Robert, Lord Lytton) had published n poition of poems in Hindustani, and had threatened to publish the remainder. Q. IFow did the Russians finally establish their authority in Great Britain ? — A. By suppressing the " Pall Mall Gazette " and '• Daily Telegraph," and making special arrangements with the British Army, the British Fleet, nnd all the English Railway Companion. Q. What became of the British Colonies in 1898 ?— A. By advice of the Colonial Office they annexed one another. Q. What was the position of France, Austria, and Germany at this conjuncture? — A. They had boon successively absorbed by Russia. Q. What was at this time the position of Italy I—A. She had sunk to tho rank of a Russian dependency, after first establishing tho Czar as Russian Popo at tho Vatican. Q. You havo described in outline tho marvellous advancement of Russia. Of course this cost money. How was this money raised;?— A. By Foreign Loans. Q. How did Russia pay off these Loans?— A. By composition with hor croditors. Q. At what rate I—A. Something less than a farthing in tho pound. Q. How did those wonderful feats come to be practicable?—/!. Becauso John Bull, Britannia, tho British Lion, all tho Corps Diplomatique*, tho World generally and tho nations of Europe in particular, the whole of the Weasel Family, including tho over- wakof ill Mr J'ltndi, happened, unluckily, all to bo caught f.ist asleep at the same time.