_Chorus_--It's high time, &c. It isn't "Agitators" now, but Parties and M.P.'s, Who swear we ought to have our way, and do as we darn please. Upon my word it's proper fun! A man should love his neighbour; Yet Whigs hate Tories, Tories Whigs; but oh! they _all_ love _Labour_! _Chorus_--It's high time, &c. There's artful JOEY CHAMBERLAIN, he _looks_ as hard as nails, But when he wants to butter _us_, the Dorset never fails; He lays it on so soft and slab, not to say thick and messy. He _couldn't_ flummerify us more were each of us a JESSE! _Chorus_--It's high time, &c. Then roystering RANDOM takes his turn; _his_ treacle's pretty thick; _He_ gives the Tories the straight tip,--and don't they take it--quick? And now, by Jove, it's comical!--where _will_ the fashion end?-- There's PARNELL ups and poses as the genuine Labourer's Friend! _Chorus_--It's high time, &c. Comrades, it makes me chortle. The Election's drawing nigh, And Eight Hours' Bills, or anything, they'll _promise_ for to try. They'll spout and start Commissions; but, O mighty Labouring Host, Mind your eye, and keep it on them, or they'll have you all on toast! _Chorus._ _It's high time that the Working Men should have it their own way._ _They'll strain their throats,--you mind your votes, and you may find it pay!_ * * * * * WILDE FLOWERS. Some other fellow, in the _P.M.G._, has been beforehand with us in spotting "A Preface to _Dorian Gray_," by our OSCAR WILDE-r than ever, in this month's _Fortnightly. Dorian Gray_ was published some considerable time ago, so it belongs to ancient history, and now, after this lapse of time, out comes the preface. And this "preface" occupies the better part, I use this expression in all courtesy, of two pages; which two pages represent a literary flowerbed, where rows of bright asterisks are planted between lines of brilliant aphorisms. The rule of the arrangement seems to be.--"when in doubt, plant asterisks." _Sic itur ad astra._ The garden is open to all, let us cull; here one and there one. "_To reveal Art and conceal the Artist, is Art's aim._" Is there not in this the scent of "_Ars est celare artem_"? "Art" includes "the Artist," of course. Then "_Puris omnia pura_" is to be found in two other full-blown aphorisms, if I mistake not. St. PAUL's advice to TIMOTHY is engrafted on to the stalk of another aphorism. "Why lug in TIMOTHY?" Well, to "adapt" Scripture to one's purpose is not to quote it. _Vade retro!_ Do we not recognise something familiar in "_When Critics disagree the Artist is in accord with himself?_"