He'd "mastered the new Spirit," which (how kind!) "he'd not oppose." Social reform or Education _he_'d not treat as foes, But keep step with the "Tendencies" which else might trip his toes, And thus he'd "head the movement," and would lead it (by the nose?), This fine young German Emperor, &c. Now surely this is better far than all the old parade Of tyranny in mufti, and of greed in masquerade; And of this young German Emperor, whatever may be said, Or of his new vagaries, you'll allow _he knows his trade_, Does this fine young German Emperor, &c. There were some who did not like it,--there are always such, one knows, Who Ancient Order patronise, and Modern Style oppose. Particularly one Old Man, who plainly did not see Laying down his long-held power, and submitting tranquilly To this fine young German Emperor, &c. _He_ was no CINCINNATUS, and he did not love the plough, So he talked, inspired the Papers, and, in fact, roused lots of row. For this man of Blood and Iron, when thus laid upon the shelf, Found that long control of others did _not_ mean control of self, _Or_ this fine young German Emperor, &c. Then this fine young German Emperor, who aims to lead the dance, Has a very trying _vis-à-vis_, that fractious dame, _La France_, To keep step with that lady, without treading on her train, Would tax Terpsichore herself; _he_ finds the effort vain; Does this fine young German Emperor, &c. So this fine young German Emperor has got a stiffish task, That all his strength will occupy, and all his tact will task. Let us wish him patriot wisdom, _and_ respect for Elder Fame, And then he'll give his country peace, and leave a noble name, This fine young German Emperor, all of the modern time! * * * * * A ROUGH CROSSING. That military-looking gentleman, with his arm in a sling, and his head covered with bandages, has, I suppose, just returned from fighting the Dacoits in Upper Burmah? I certainly _am_ surprised when you inform me that he has only tried to cross a London street in a fog. Do you really mean to say that the vehicle that just thundered past at twenty miles an hour, in the mist, was _not_ a fire-engine, but only a covered Van? Yes, I believe it _is_ a fact that special beds in all the Hospitals are now reserved for Van-victims. Of course it is difficult for a man in the Van to look to the Rear; still he need not swoop down on pedestrians quite so much like a highwayman, saying, "Your collar-bone or your life!" If things go on as they are now doing, every covered Van will have to carry its own Surgeon and ambulance about with it. What is that crowd for, and why is somebody shouting angrily? Oh, I suppose the old gentleman, who has been run over by the Coal-waggon and is lying bleeding on the asphalte, is remonstrating with the driver?