As I dealt generously with the rat, even so will I deal with the cat. There is every reason for supposing that he was a friend of publicans and sinners. Hear him speak for himself: “If this rat eats all the malt, the publicans must either raise the price of beer, or they must supply their customers with an inferior article. This shall not be.” Having spoken these words, he pounced on the robber, and, intoxicated with success, imprudently shook the fruits of his victory in the face of one of whom it is written: “This is the dog that worried the cat.” * * * * * ――――:o:―――― SING A SONG OF SIXPENCE. Sing a song of Sixpence, A pocket full of rye; Four-and-twenty blackbirds Baked in a pie. When the pie was opened, The birds began to sing; Was not that a dainty dish To set before the King! The King was in the parlour Counting out his money; The Queen was in the kitchen Eating bread and honey; The Maid was in the garden Hanging out the clothes, Down came a blackbird And perched upon her nose.[13] ―――― CARMEN DENARIUM. Incipe cui titulo ‘Denarius,’ incipe cantum! Huic tumido loculo massa secalis inest; Sex quater in patina merularum corpora, crustum Queis super impositum pista farina fuit, Procubuere simul; sed quando adaperta farina est, Concordes merulis insonuere modi: Mirum opus harmoniæ! nonne inter fercula posset Haec vel regificae laux placuisse gulæ? Rex erat in camera, numerans sibi pondera nimmi, Pondera plebeio non numerando viro; Mel maudit panemque morans Regina culina; Dulcia plebeia non comedenda nuru. Ad solem vestes siccans Ancilla per hortum Ibat; et expansas aere funis habet; Quum merula, affini descendens arbore, nasum Ancillæ insilluit seque ibi constituit. From _Arundines Cami_. Cambridge, 1841. ―――― When _Bentley’s Miscellany_ was started in 1837 it was supported by the most brilliant writers of the day, George Cruikshank designed a cover for it, and Dr. Maginn wrote the following poem which pretty accurately describes Cruikshank’s design:―― THE SONG OF THE COVER. “Sing a song of half-a-crown―― Lay it out this minute; Buy the book, for half the town Want to know what’s in it. Had you all the cares of Job, You’d then forget your troubles,” Cried Cupid, seated on the Globe Busy blowing bubbles. Rosy summer, pretty spring, See them scattering flowers―― “Catch who can!” the song they sing; Heart’s-ease fall in showers. Autumn, tipsy with the grape, Plays a pipe and tabor; Winter imitates the ape, Mocking at his neighbour.