he did not acquit the American Press of sycophancy, but was obviously pleased when the _New York Herald_ said that his "genial and unpretending" disposition had "gained him the affection of many true and worthy hearts." Perhaps the greatest compliment was paid him by an Irishman who accosted him in his railway car and said: "Come back four years from now and we'll run you for President." [Illustration: THE ROYAL ROAD TO LEARNING] But to us the most interesting comment on the visit is _Punch's_ twice-repeated suggestion that the Prince might do a great deal worse than bring back an American bride. He made it on the Prince's departure in July in an Ode, with the apology, "If the Laureate won't do his work, _Punch_ must," in which he says: Transcendent charms drive even monarchs frantic, A German Princess must he marry? And who can say he may not carry One of Columbia's fascinating daughters O'er the Atlantic? And he returns more seriously to the charge three months later:-- COUSINS FOR KINGS AND QUEENS A Law which Nature contravenes, A rule of Rank and State, Forbids our Princes, Kings and Queens, With British spouse to mate. The safety of the Realm commands Them Protestants to wed; And therefore is their choice of hands Extremely limited. Their Cousins are our Royal race Confined, almost, to woo, Who, by the nature of the case Are German Cousins too. Now German Cousins far removed All very well may be, But Cousins German oft have proved Too near the parent tree. Near cousins o'er the German tide, What need remains to seek, Now steamers cross the Atlantic wide, Almost within a week? Of Yankee Land the Beauty pales All Continental Fair; Might not a bride be found for Wales, A distant Cousin, there? [Sidenote: _Royal Speeches Criticized_] From this onward for a great many years _Punch_ was not content with supplementing the inactivities of the Laureate, but seldom allowed any event in the Royal annals--births, deaths, engagements or weddings--to pass unchronicled in serious rhyme. The art of eulogy is difficult, and the most that can be said of these efforts is that they were generally graceful and appropriate, and that their loyalty seldom degenerated into fulsomeness. On the subject of royal speeches _Punch_ showed good sense as well as great frankness, in connexion with the public utterances of the Prince of Wales on the occasion of his visit to Ireland in 1861:-- WANTED, A COURT PENMAN