Genre:

Address, Spoof

Subjects:

Politics, Government, Animal Husbandry, Disease, Health, Medical Practitioners, Homeopathy, Commerce, Adulteration, Crime, Metrology, Measurement, Accidents, Mining, Industry, Manufactories

    Addressed to members of the Houses of Parliament, the speaker rejoices in the 'disappearance of the Cattle Plague', discusses fears of the outbreak of a further 'Fenian plague', and notes the 'difficulties' that her 'Constitutional advisers—my State Doctors'—have regarding reform. She also lists a number of subjects on which she hopes parliament will pass legislation. These include 'the prevention of lawless disregard of life through the neglect of easy precautions against disease', the 'improvement of the condition of my poorer subjects, especially the old and the sick in parish and union workhouses', 'the adoption of stringent measures against delusive, extravagant, and fraudulent public companies', 'the summary punishment of dishonest tradesmen who cheat the poor with false weights and measures, and poison them with adulterated food', 'the prevention of fatal accidents' in 'neglected' streets and in mines and other 'scenes of dangerous labour', and the 'diminution of drunkenness and destruction of infant life'.