Yet now the Light Brigade Stands staring much dismayed For they can plainly see Someone has blundered. For here are they, grown old, With their grand story told, Left to the bitter cold,-- Starving Six Hundred! Workhouse to right of them, Workhouse to left of them, Workhouse in front of them! Has no one wondered That British blood should cry, "Shame!" and exact reply, Asking the country why Thus it sees droop and die Those brave Six Hundred! As they drop off the stage, Want, and the weight of age-- Is this their only wage?-- Home rent and sundered! And is their deed sublime, Flooding all after-time, Now but a theme for rhyme, Whispered--and thundered Where, from the pit and stalls, Theatres and Music-halls, Greet their "Six Hundred!" Can thus emotion feed On the heroic deed, Yet leave the doer in need,-- Of his rights plundered? "No!" the whole land declares Henceforth their load it shares, Spite those who blundered. They shall note wants decrease, Of comfort take a lease Till all their troubles cease And to their end in peace Ride the Six Hundred! * * * * * MR. PUNCH'S DICTIONARY OF PHRASES. SOCIAL. "_How sweetly that simple costume becomes your style of beauty, dear!_" _i.e._, "Cheap dress suits a silly dowdy." "_Ah! Here we are again! Thought I should come across you presently;_" _i.e._, "How he must tout for it! And what a relief it would be to go somewhere where he does _not_ turn up!" "_Yes, capital story I know,--but pardon me just a minute, old chap. I think I see Mrs. Mountcashel beckoning me;_" _i.e._, "_What_ an escape! Doesn't buttonhole me again to-night if _I_ know it." MILITARY. "_The Mess rather prides itself upon its cellar;_" _i.e._, The host is a little doubtful about what the Wine Committee have in hand for the benefit of the guest he has asked to dinner. "_The Regiment at the Inspection, although a trifle rusty, never did better;_" _i.e._, The Senior Major clubbed the Battalion, and the Commanding Officer was told by the General, with an unnecessary strong expression, to "Take 'em home, Sir!" LEGAL. "_The Will of the late Mr. Dash is so complicated that it is not unlikely to give employment to Gentlemen of the long robe;_" _i.e._, Administration suit, with six sets of solicitors, ten years of chamber practice, three further considerations, and the complete exhaustion of the estate in costs. "_Mr. Nemo, as a Solicitor in his office, is a very able man;_" _i.e._, That although Mr. NEMO, away from his profession, would shrink from doing anything calculated to get himself turned out of the West-End Club to which he belongs; in his _sanctum_ he would cheerfully sell the bones of his grandmother by auction, and prosecute his own father and mother for petty larceny, arson, or murder, always supposing he saw his way to his costs. EPISTOLATORY.