YOU have passed through the troubles of national youth, (To have safely survived them's a boon,) You have out your eye-teeth, you look pretty, in truth, But much the reverse of a "spoon." We gaze on you fondly, admiringly, dear; Few traces of age on _your_ brow. A hundred this year? Then it's perfectly clear You are getting a great girl now. _Chorus._ You are getting a great girl now, And you know it, COLUMBIA, I trow. Philadelphia's "boom" Leaves for doubt little room That you're getting a great girl now. I feel like Papa, who though elderly's fresh, And with younkers can sympathise still; You are bone of my bone, you are flesh of my flesh, And I bear you the warmest good-will. _My_ centennial dates which have rapidly run, I have given up counting, somehow; Like me, you'll be learning life is not _all_ fun, For you're getting a great girl now. _Chorus._ You are getting a great girl now. With health and that radiant brow, One hardly would say You're a hundred to-day, Though you're getting a great girl now. You've gone in for Parties.--my plague, dear, at home; If anyone's sick of 'em _I_ am,-- Your land is so large you need hardly to roam, Yet you're known from St. James's to Siam. We greet you as Cousin, our family throng Is wide, but you're welcome, I vow. Come often, stay long, you can hardly do wrong, Though you're getting a great girl now. _Chorus._ You are getting a great girl now, The rawness of youth you outgrow. I am proud of your looks, Like your art, and your books; You _are_ getting a great girl now. To your big birthday party 'twas kind to invite My WILLIAM; I'm sure he'd have come And danced at your ball with the greatest delight, But for years, and some business at home. He's really a marvel, you know, for his age; At your great Philadelphia pow-wow He'd have reeled you off columns of talk, I'll engage, Though he's getting an Old Boy now. _Chorus._ He's getting an Old Boy now, Yet but for our big Irish row, He'd have come like a shot, And orated a lot, Though he's getting an Old Boy now. Your health, my COLUMBIA! A hundred? Seems queer! What a sweet Centenarian you make! I suppose it's your fine "Constitution," my dear; Which nothing, I hope, will e'er shake. You have proved you have not only swiftness, but stay; Well, long may you flourish and grow! Many happy--and hearty--returns of the Day! You are getting a great girl now! _Chorus._ You are getting a great girl now; May you prosper, and keep out of row; Shun bunkum and bawl, All that's shoddy and small, For you're getting a _great_ girl now! * * * * * THE FATHER OF THE MAN.