French parentage he owns, but here He’s godfathered, the pretty dear, By C. H. Ross and A. T. Freer―― Sweet “Baby!” And to the theatre ev’ry night These sponsors all the world invite To pay their money for a sight Of “Baby!” _Fun_, January 1, 1879. ――――:o:―――― A SONG OF THE SEASON. By Viscount Sandon, M.P. What was it made the season fail, Our commerce languish, tradesmen rail, And landlords tell a dismal tale? The weather. What made the farmers grumble so, And struck alike at high and low, Till dukes and dustmen felt the blow? The weather. What caused the Customs and Excise To droop before our very eyes, Yet made quinine and borax rise? The weather. What made the Ascot week so dull, Of glorious Goodwood made a mull, And help’d the ring to backers gull? The weather. What made half London madly rush French plays to see, and so to crush, That they might hear “the Bernhardt” gush? The weather. What made the people stay away From Mr. Boucicault’s new play? ’Twas very bad, though; so they say? The weather. What made the last new valse the rage, And caused gay youth and hoary age In Polo, that fresh dance, t’engage?―― The weather. What made the hackney’d recitation At dull “At-homes” a new sensation, Much to Society’s vexation? The weather. What made all outdoor sports a snare, What spoil’d lawn tennis everywhere, And fill’d the archer with despair?―― The weather. What “Princes’” turn’d and “Lords’” to mire, What wholly damp’d the batsmen’s fire, Till even Grace had to retire?―― The weather. What made the late Lord Mayor abuse His colleagues, and his temper lose, And drove to acts we can’t excuse? The weather. What made him take so strange a view Of what to decency was due, And landed him in such a stew?―― The weather. What made the _Times_ such blunders make, And praise each Government mistake, Till honest readers’ hearts did ache?―― The weather. What made the Great Sea Serpent late? What “Cato” gave a chance to prate, And gave us Mechi’s “Parson’s Grate”?―― The weather. What was it rank obstruction bred, And made Sir Stafford lose his head? What kept the House from going to bed? The weather.