PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARIVOLUME 105, August 5th 1893
edited by Sir Francis Burnand
THE DIRECTOR'S VADE MECUM.
Question. What is your duty as a Director?
Answer. To give my name to a prospectus.
Q. Is there any necessary formality before making this donation?
A. Yes; I am to accept a certain number of qualifying shares in the company obtaining the advantage of my directorial services.
Q. Need you pay for these shares?
A. With proper manipulation, certainly not.
Q. What other advantages would you secure by becoming a Director?
A. A guinea an attendance.
Q. Anything else?
A. A glass of sherry and a sandwich.
Q. What are your duties at a Board Meeting?
A. To shake hands with the Secretary, and to sign an attendance book.
Q. What are your nominal duties?
A. Have not the faintest idea.
Q. Would it be right to include in your nominal duties the protection of the interests of the shareholders?
A. As likely as not.
Q. Would it be overstating the case to say that thousands and thousands of needy persons are absolutely ruined by the selfish inattention of a company's direction?
A. Not at all possibly understating it.
Q. I suppose you never read a prospectus to which you put your name?
A. Never.
