Now months have rolled since we were told this fine old ’bus must die, That another and a cleanlier its place was to supply: Yet for that “good ’bus coming, boys,” all vainly still we sigh, And when we take our walks abroad that nuisance we espy―― The fine old English Omnibus: blot on the present time. _Punch._ November 22, 1856. ―――― THE FINE OLD BRITISH SUBALTERN. I’ll sing you a right good song, made by an honest pate, Of a fine old British Subaltern, whose pay was his estate, And who grumbled at the service at a beautiful rate, Because for his promotion he was made so long to wait, This fine old British Subaltern, born in the olden time. His room, so small, was hung around with many a map and plan, Of sieges, storms, and battles, he had fought both boy and man, And every regulation sword worn since the world began, And dresses of the nations of Bengal and Astracan. This fine old, &c. His room was open to a few each night when mess was o’er. To those who’d laugh at his old jokes he’d never close his door, And none of his _old_ favourites e’er voted him a bore, But kindly laughed at tales they’d heard a thousand times before, From this fine old, &c. And every year to town he went to state his wretched case, And to Lord Fitzroy’s lévee never failed to show his face; And though he gets some promises, and time wears on apace, Still, still his name’s reposing in it’s old accustomed place, This fine old, &c. Then let us hope this fine old sub will be promoted yet, Though in these days a company’s no easy thing to get; Yet we will hope that by ill-luck he’ll cease to be beset, And look for his promotion in the very next _Gazette_, This fine old, &c. From _Wiseheart’s New Comic Songster_. Dublin. No date. ―――― THE FINE YOUNG ENGLISH OFFICER, (_As he is to be_,) I sing of one whom now that we’ve begun to educate, The House of Commons lately made the subject of debate: Whose qualities each Member vied with each to numerate, And what their fancy painted him I’ll now proceed to state; ’Tis the fine young English Officer, as he is to be――in time. His head so old on shoulders young with knowledge overflows, Acquaintance with all sciences and arts its stores disclose, All books and in all languages by heart almost he knows, And he’s able to write legibly, and what is more, compose: Like a wise young English Officer, the reason of my rhyme.