And JONATHAN, well, _he_ went fishing for seals, And he wanted the fishing grounds all to himself. When the Russ had done ditto, the Yank had raised squeals (How consistency's floored in the struggle for pelf!) And JONATHAN took a most high-handed course; For greediness mostly falls back on brute force, When parties go "bouncing" and "boning." And JOHNNY the Briton, a sturdy old salt, Had been a sea-grabber himself in his time; Some held that monopoly still was his fault, Others swore that his modesty verged upon crime, Nor is it quite easy to say which was true, For so much depends on a man's point of view, When parties go "bouncing" and "boning." But when JOHNNY the Briton caught sight of the Frank Making tracks with a lobster--the whoppingest one-- And when he perceived the impertinent Yank With the seal--such a spanker!--skedaddling like fun, He stood and he shouted, "Stop thief! Hi! Hold hard!" For language does not always "go by the card," When parties go "bouncing" and "boning." "Now then, you sea-grabbers," he bellowed, "Belay! I suppose you imagine I'm out of it quite. But you're not going to have it just all your own way. Fair dues! my dear boys. After all, right is right! Big Behring is no _mare clausum_, young Yank, And cold Newfoundland is not _yours_, my fine Frank, In spite of your 'bouncing' and 'boning.'" Well, he of the Lobster and he of the Seal Have rights of their own, which old JOHN won't deny. But _he_ has some too, and _Punch_ hopes they will feel That they should not grab his, and had better not try. Some _modus vivendi_ no doubt can be found, To make the Three Fishers quite friendly all round, And good-bye to all "bouncing" and "boning!" * * * * * ELCHO ANSWERS. _Q._ What loves "The Country" more than Tithes Bills tracing? _A._ Racing! _Q._ And what than "Compensation's" doubtful courses? _A._ 'Orses! _Q._ Than Bills of Irish Tenants poor to favour rights? _A._ Favourites! _Q._ What does it find as profitless as St. Stephens? _A._ "Evens!" _Q._ What more exciting than "The Pouncer's" nods? _A._ "Odds!" _Q._ What does it love far more than LABBY'S jokes? _A._ "Oaks!" _Q._ And what beyond all ELCHO'S quirks and quips? _A._ "Tips!" _Q._ What would it call him who of "Sport" turns squelcher? _A._ "Welsher!!!" _Q._ Who finds the "Derby" closing satisfactory? _A._ Hack Tory! _Q._ What's the protesting Puritan Gladstonian? _A._ "Stony 'un!"