This disgraceful incident created great indignation, and there was a loud outcry as to the want of proper discipline amongst the Guards stationed in London. Yet they still enjoy the undeserved, and exceptional, privileges they then possessed, and are better fed, clothed, and paid than their comrades in the Line regiments. ―――― THE GALLANT SPECIALS. (During the Chartist agitation in 1848, about 150,000 men were sworn in as special constables.) They may talk if they like of their Horse Guards Red, They may talk of their Horse Guards Blue; They may boast if they please, of such troops as these, And of all the exploits they’d do. But London town acknowledges, That in spite of their fine fal-de-rals, They’re not up to the mark, in the street or the park, Of the gallant Spe-ci-als. The Peelers, no doubt, are a stout brigade, And partial to kitchen stuff; The Detectives, too, are by no means a do, But perfectly up to snuff, For what are they, I should like to know, When the voice of duty calls, To the jolly old bricks, who flourish the sticks Of the Cockney Spe-ci-als? Oh! ’tis they are the boys for the Chartist mob, Who thought insurrection to hatch; And who spoke out so bold, in their John Street hold, But funk’d when it came to the scratch. Who swore that they did not care one whit, For grapeshot, or rockets, or balls; But who cut right away, with the devil to pay, At the sight of the Spe-ci-als. _The Man in the Moon_, Vol. III. ―――― THE THIEVISH PRIVATEER. Oh! some talk about Jack Sheppard; Bill Sikes a hero call; And some speak of a worthy, Whose name it is Sam Hall; But there’s a thief in our belief Whose crimes e’en worse appear, Who in war’s dark hour doth the ocean scour―― ’Tis the thievish Privateer. While nations are contending―― While principles at stake, Upon the strife depending, The world’s foundation shake. No thought has he of liberty, No hopes of glory cheer; But alone for the pelf, To enrich himself, Fights the thievish Privateer. * * * * * Then shall we suffer longer, That letters called “of Marque,” Shall save from England’s vengeance, Each cut-throat pirate bark? Oh, no! let’s hope henceforth a rope Shall be knotted ’neath the ear, As pirates to hang Every man of the gang Of each thievish Privateer. _Diogenes_, Vol. III., p. 122. March, 1854. ―――― THE ORDER OF VALOUR (The V. C.)