In shirt and stockings fast arrayed, The Lord Mayor gasped out, sore afraid, And with the Aldermen essayed To join the flying Cavalry. To cut and run they’d stoutly striven, But back to battle they were driven, And then the foremost rank was given The Bunhill Row Artillery. But bolder yet that troop must grow, Or, London conquered by the foe, The Gallic cock will proudly crow On Temple Bar right merrily. ’Tis morn――but Specials in a swoon, Won’t reach the Mansion House by noon, Where frantic Gibbs and “pale-faced Moon”[18] Groan in the butler’s pan-t-ry. The combat deepens――on ye brave, Who rush to Guildhall, or the grave; Save, Magog! oh, the city save, And charge with all the Livery. Few French shall tread where freemen meet Turtle on Lord Mayor’s Day to eat; But hung on high, with dangling feet, Swing opposite St. Sepulchre’s! _The Puppet Show_, September 30, 1848. ―――― THE BATTLE OF THE BOULEVARD. On Paris, when the sun was low, The gay “Comique” made goodly show, _Habitués_ crowding every row To hear Limnandier’s opera. But Paris showed another sight, When, mustering in the dead of night, Her masters stood, at morning light, The crack _chasseurs_ of Africa. By servants in my pay betrayed, Cavaignac, then, my prisoner made, Wrote that a circumstance delayed His marriage rite and revelry. Then shook small Thiers with terror riven; Then stormed Bedeau, while gaol-ward driven; And, swearing (not alone by Heaven), Was seized, bold Lamoricière. But louder rose the voice of woe, When soldiers sacked each cit’s depôt, And tearing down a helpless foe, Flashed Magnan’s red artillery. More, more arrests! Changarnier brave Is dragged to prison like a knave, No time allowed the swell to shave, Or use the least perfumery. ’Tis morn, and now Hortense’s son, (Perchance her spouse’s too) has won The imperial crown. The French are done, Chawed up most incontestably. Few, few shall write, and none shall meet; Suppressed shall be each journal-sheet! And every serf beneath my feet Shall hail the soldier’s Emperor. These lines on the Coup d’Etat of Napoleon III. were written by the late Professor W. E. Aytoun, a most determined and persistent opponent of the Napoleon régime. The doubt as to the Emperor Napoleon’s paternity has been frequently expressed, it did not originate with Aytoun. ―――― HOHEN-LONDON. _The result of an awful Engagement on the part of her Majesty to honour the City Ball with her presence._