Nothing really worthy of his astonishing life-work, of even that part of it exhibited here, _could_ be written within brief compass, even by the most appreciative, admiring, and art-loving of his sorrowing friends or colleagues. Let the British Public go to New Bond Street, and see for itself, in the very hand-work of this great artist, what he made manifest during so many years in the pages of _Punch_, namely, the supreme triumph of "Black-and-White" in the achievements of its greatest master. * * * * * [Illustration: KING STORK AND KING LOG. AN OLD FABLE REVERSED.] The Frogs, who lived a free and easy life (As in the ancient fable) Though not quite clear from internecine strife, Fancied they were well able To do _without_ a King. Batrachian wisdom Disdains the rule of fogeydom and quizdom, And Frogs as soon would take to bibs and corals, As ask a "King who might inspect their morals" From Jupiter. Then 'twas _Juventus Mundi_; The true King-maker now is--Mrs. GRUNDY, And _she_ insisted that our modern Frogs Should have a King--the woodenest of King Logs. At first this terrified our Frogs exceedingly, And, sometimes passionately, sometimes pleadingly, They grumbled and protested; But finding soon how placidly Log rested Prone in the pool with mighty little motion, Of danger they abandoned the wild notion, Finding it easy for a Frog to jog On with a kind King Log. But in the fulness of the time, there came A would-be monarch--Legion his fit name; A Plebs-appointed Autocrat, Stork-throated, Goggle-eyed, Paul-Pry-coated; A poking, peering, pompous, petty creature, A Bumble-King, with beak for its chief feature. This new King Stork, With a fierce, fussy appetite for work; Not satisfied with fixing like a vice Authority on Town and Country Mice, Tried to extend his sway to pools and bogs, And rule the Frogs! But modern Frogdom, which had champions able, Had read old-Æsop's fable, And of King Stork's appearance far from amorous, Croaked forth a chorus clamorous Of resonant rebellion. These, upreared On angry legs, waved arms that nothing feared; King Log defending. Great CRAUGASIDES, Among batrachian heroes first with ease, With ventriloquial vehemence defied The long-beaked base usurper. At his side His fond companion, PHYSIGNATHUS swelled Cheeks humorously defiant; The ruddy giant CRAMBOPHAGUS, as tall as is a Tree, Flouted King Stork with gestures fierce and free, Sleek CALAMINTHIUS, aper deft of eld, Against the foe a pungent dart impelled; HYDROCHARIS too, (Most Terryble to view), Fared to the front, whilst smaller, yet as brave Tiny batrachian brethren, dusk of hue, PRASSOPHAGUS, PRASSOEUS, staunch and true, Webbed hands did wildly wave With the frog-host against the beaky bird-- "_He_ be our King?" they loudly cried.