On Railway Bills our conduct calls For no detailed narration; No line could pass our lands without Outrageous compensation. Like gorging vultures at the feast, Our greed surpassed all bounds, sir, Our blackmail figured, at the least, One hundred million pounds, sir. Of pa_y_-triotism we’ll never tire, For it we’ll live and die, sir, And, if the reason you inquire. We spell it with a _y_, sir. In reason’s name or righteousness, You vainly may reprove us, For scorn, contempt, and threats possess The only power to move us. To mutilate, reject, delay, Obstruct whene’er we dare it, We’ll persevere in our old way So long as you will bear it. Of this be sure, until that day Such things shall ne’er be mended, Till million voices join to say, “The House of Lords is ended!” C. F. _The Weekly Dispatch._ December 7, 1884. There was another short parody of the same song in _The Weekly Dispatch_ of August 24, 1884. It also was directed against the House of Lords, and concluded:―― “So bend and mend, proud peers, or end In signal dissolution.” ―――― THE NEW VICAR OF BRAY. (Mr. Gladstone _Loquitur_.) In good King William’s peaceful reign, when loyalty no harm meant, A zealous Tory then was I, and showed no small discernment; To teach the crowd I never failed, that Tories were appointed To save the King and Church and State from rebels unannointed. And this is law I will maintain unto my dying day, sir, That whatsoever parties reign still I’ll in office stay, sir. When Peel at length assumed the reins, and Free Trade came in fashion, Protective laws I hooted down, as hurtful to the nation. The Treasury Bench I found would fit full well my Constitution; And there I first began to air my matchless elocution. And this is law, &c. When Palmerston look things in hand to ease a Nation’s grievance, With this new wind I steered about, and swore to him allegiance; Old principles I did revoke, set conscience at a distance, Sent Derby to the right about, and laughed at all resistance. And this is law, &c. When Disraeli began to shine, and seemed to dim my glory, A downright Liberal I became, and grew to hate a Tory. The Whigs began to look askance; I scouted moderation, And held my own in spite of all by much prevarication. And this is law, &c.