Sing a song of gladness―― “Dissolution” nigh―― All the Tory party Eating humble pie. When the pie was opened What a mess beneath!―― “Peace with honour” stewed with Turnerelli’s wreath. Dizzy, down at Hughenden, Scowling at his fate―― “Imperium et Libertas” Just a little late; Staffy at the ’Chequer Looking very blue―― Budget day’s approaching―― Don’t know what to do! Hatfield’s lord, and Stanley, Cranbrook, too, and Cross, “Bag and Baggage,” clear out―― What a dreadful loss! Ducal Richmond, also, Country’s cup’s _too_ full. With Ireland and Afghan, Zulu and Cabul. Ere another Christmas Brings its frost and snows, In comes “People’s William!” Heals the nation’s woes! L. PROBERT. _The Weekly Dispatch._ December 21, 1879. ―――― Sing a Song of Sixpence―― Cabmen warm and dry―― Four-and-twenty Cabmen, drinking on the sly; When they left the “Shelter” For fares they couldn’t shirk, The rain had come a pelter On beasts half dead with work: Sing a Song of Sixpence―― Philanthropy’s awry, Which leaves these wretched cattle To shiver till they die. _Punch._ November 26, 1881. ―――― THE SONG OF SCIENCE. Trilobite, Graptobite Nautilus pie, Seas were calcareous, Oceans were dry, Eocene, miocene, Pilocene, tuff, Lias and trias, And that is enough. O, sing a song of phosphates, Fibrine in a line, Four-and-twenty follicles In the van of time. When the phosphorescence Evoluted brain, Superstition ended, Men began to reign. REV. JOSEPH COOK _Free Press Flashes._ 1881. ―――― THE ENGLISH ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE. Sing a song of sixpence! A pocket full of gain! Edited by Comyns Carr! Wrapper drawn by Crane! When the pie was opened Swinburne ’gan to sing. Allen on a Dormouse, What a pretty thing: Maitland’s down in Westminster Dreaming ’mid the cloisters, Huxley’s in his oyster bed, Counting out his oysters! Miss Yonge among the “Armourers” No ’prentice talent shows; Let’s hope the little Black-bird Won’t peck off her nose! _The St. James’s Gazette._ October 4, 1883. The first part of _The English Illustrated Magazine_ was published by Messrs. Macmillan & Co. in October, 1883. It contained “Les Casquettes,” a poem by Swinburne, “The Dormouse at Home,” by Grant Allen, an article on the Law Courts, by F. W. Maitland, and one on Oysters, by Professor Huxley. ―――― THE HEALTHERIES. Fifty thousand nimble shillings, Plus a hundred and thirteen, That’s the latest of the takings, Checked by Maskelyne’s Machine. So Sing a Song of Turnstiles, As they twist away; Fifty thousand shillings Taken in a day!