And when their Soirée’s given, to George Street they repair, And all the men most noted you’re sure to meet with there; The most distinguished people adorning modern years, Are on the very best of terms with the Civil Engineers! Then let us fill a bumper, and drink a health to these, Bright ornaments of science and progress, if you please, For enterprise and genius we’ll gladly raise three cheers, With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, row, for the Civil Engineers! _Fun._ June 9, 1866. ―――― HAXELL’S VOLUNTEERS (Dedicated to the particularly active hotel service corps). Come all ye dilettanti bold Who fear not Gladstone’s frown, Announce yourselves as Cids enrolled (The fee is half a crown.) The uniform is cheap and bright, And ought to last for years, For it’s likely they’ll not have to fight In the Haxell’s Volunteers. To stem the Russian’s reeking tide We’ve pilots stout of limb; We’ve Forsyth, Wheelhouse on our side, And Captain Bedford Pim! The Bard of Peterborough-court With odes our efforts cheers, And music-hall _trouvères_ support The Haxell’s Volunteers. Think of old England’s righteous claims, Her noble-minded _fils_; Make haste and put down all your names―― They’re just concluding peace! For craven Muscovite and Sclav Are quaking with their fears; Ah, what a muster we shall have Of the Haxell’s Volunteers! So seize a gun, the times are ripe For Englishmen to act; You’re bound to keep your names in type, And eke your skins intact. Perhaps there _may_ be some brigade Worth ours in distant spheres, At least we’re mighty in _parade_, We Haxell’s Volunteers. _Funny Folks._ May, 1878. Written during the War Fever, when some of the newspapers were clamouring for war with Russia. It was then proposed to form a Corps of Active Service Volunteers, but the Government discouraged the idea. ―――― STANZA BY A SERGEANT-MAJOR. In Egypt there’s an old stream A long time known to fame; But now beside the Coldstream, The Nile must yield his name. For of all the finest fellahs There’s none for to compare (With a right-fol-de-riddle-iddle-lol) To the British Grenadier! _Punch._ September 16, 1882. ―――― THE BRITISH HOUSE OF PEERS. Some swear by Wilfred Lawson, And some by Labouchere, And some applaud Joe Chamberlain, While some by Bradlaugh swear. Down, down with cant and caucas, Let’s greet the right with cheers, And praise their pluck, and wish them luck, The British House of Peers.