Service of Kings not always in earth's story Has been a badge of honour: gilded glory Of silken favourite dulls down to dust; Devotion self-respecting, sober, just, Lifts lowliest tendance to ennobling state. A good Queen's faithful follower! His the fate To wear the honours of the antique school, Right Service, nobler than unrighteous rule. _Punch's_ alternations of loyalty and exceedingly frank criticism of Royalty during this period are, it must be admitted, abrupt and even bewildering. In the following extracts from _The Speaker; a Handbook to ready-made Oratory_, we find him in his most unbridled and unmuzzled mood:-- PART I.--LOYAL TOASTS. _Duke of Edinburgh._--Sailor. Plays the fiddle like an angel. Married to rich Russian Princess. Friend of Sir Arthur Sullivan. _Duke of Connaught._--First-class Soldier, covered with Egyptian Medals.... His Royal Highness may be called "the heroic and beloved son of our revered Sovereign"--by a provincial Mayor. Name may be introduced in connexion with Ireland, the Franco-German War, Foreign Stocks--"Prefs." and "Unified"--the late Duke of Wellington, and "the Patrol Camp Equipage Hold-all." _Duke of Albany._--Scientific. Called after the King of the Belgians. Was at Oxford. Connected more or less with South Kensington, Upton Park Road, Bedford Park, the Kyrle Society, and Cremona violins. Is walking in the steps of the late greatly lamented Prince Consort. _Prince Teck._--Served with distinction as a letter-carrier on the field of Tel-el-Kebir, sold furniture of Kensington Palace by auction, and retired abroad. Name of no great value to anyone.