"There is some comfort in this skull. Hope there'll be _more_ about! Death has its Duties, may have more, As rich folk will find out; For many wealthy men," said he, "Were 'hit,' in our Great Victory!" VI. "Now tell us what 'twas all about," Young JOHNNYKIN he cries; And little WITLERINE looks up With wonder-waiting eyes; "Now tell us of that Budget war, And what they whopped each other for." VII. "It was the Rads," old KASPAR cried, "That put the Nobs to rout. But what we whopped each other for Some people can't make out. But 'twas a long, hard fight," quoth he, "And we'd a well-earned Victory! VIII. "Eaton Hall, Chatsworth, Blenheim, then Raised quite a Bitter Cry; Dukes said their dwellings they'd shut up, (Though that was all my eye!) They'd be hard put to it (they said) To keep a roof above their head. IX. "With protests loud the country round Was ringing far and wide; Our 'Predatory Policy' (As usual) was decried. But such things will attend," said he, "A Democratic Victory! X. "They said it was a shocking sight After the fight was won To see rich Landlords quake with fear-- And to their lawyers run! But things like that, you know, _must_ be After a Liberal Victory. XI. "Great terror seized on Brother BUNG; The brewers all turned green." "That was a very cruel thing!" Said little WITLERINE. "Nay, nay, you naughty girl!" quoth he; "It was a--People's Victory! XII. "And everybody praised the Knight Who such a fight did win!" "But what good comes of it--to _us_?" Quoth little JOHNNYKIN. "Ah! _if you live, you'll learn!_" said he; "But 'twas a Glorious Victory! XIII. "I don't quite like this Budget-Beer, It savours of the pump. But--there's a meaning in that skull Will make the Landlords jump,-- Both Peers _and_ Bungs; and _that_," quoth he, "Makes it a fruitful Victory!" * * * * * A great many young ladies have a literary taste just now, and during this warm weather are _rushing into print_. * * * * * LYRE AND LANCET. (_A Story in Scenes._) PART I.--SHADOWS CAST BEFORE. SCENE I.--SIR RUPERT CULVERIN'S _Study at Wyvern Court. It is a rainy Saturday morning in February._ Sir RUPERT _is at his writing-table, as_ Lady CULVERIN _enters with a deprecatory air._ _Lady Culverin._ So _here_ you are, RUPERT! Not _very_ busy, are you? I won't keep you a moment. (_She goes to a window._) Such a nuisance it's turning out so wet with all these people in the house, isn't it? _Sir Rupert._ Well, I was thinking that, as there's nothing doing out of doors, I might get a chance to knock off some of these confounded accounts, but--(_resignedly_)--if you think I ought to go and look after----