Then shout, Britons, shout, while the neighbouring crews Hob-nob, as the symbol of neighbouring nations; Whilst NEPTUNE at Home welcomes brave Brother Blues, And serves out the stingo to each in fair rations. Your spirits, ye sturdy old seadogs, might smile On a friendship which to your true hearts is no treason. The Sea-God makes free of his favourite Isle The French lads he once would have shied, and with reason. Now to greet brave GERVAIS and his tars he's delighted. Midst general applause Let us drink to the Cause. Hooray for NEP's Visitors, Neighbours United! * * * * * [Illustration: NEPTUNE'S "AT HOME;" OR, NEIGHBOURS UNITED. JOHN BULL (_loq._). "ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MY MESSMATE, MR. NEPTUNE." NEPTUNE. "ALWAYS GLAD TO WELCOME ANY FRIEND OF YOURS, JOHN!"] * * * * * TO THE SHELVED SEX. (_BY ONE WHO KEEPS HIS EARS OPEN._) ["Believing firmly in the absolute justice of woman's claim to the 'Parliamentary' franchise, I shall at all times support that claim."--_Mr. Logan, the new M.P. for the Harborough Division._] [Illustration] O woman, in our hours of ease. The mockery of false M.P.'s! When an Election comes in sight, E'en Ministers admit thy "right." Believe them not; they do _not_ dote On the Political Petticoat. 'Tis all a politic pretence. Some of them are upon the fence; Some of them have "political" wives, And shirking stings in their home-hives, Take up "the Cause" with a sham zeal, Which not five in five thousand feel. But hear them over a Club-dinner Chuckling about the "pretty sinner" Who hankers for that finer Club, The House o' Commons! There's the rub! They do not want you there, my dears; The prospect of your "franchise" queers Wire-pullers' plans, and party reckoning-- Hope, in male guise, stands blandly beckoning. He--_Codlin_--is the friend, _not Short_, But, in his heart he's making sport. Of course 'tis wickedest of shames, But--recollect Sir HENRY JAMES, Your open enemy avowed, Did not the House o' Commons crowd Of frauds and shams play up to him, And shelve "the Female Franchise" whim Only the other day? Sheer diddle! Have you not _nous_ to read the riddle? How wondrous prompt was W.G. To back up SMITH! With what sly glee The "Woman's-Rightists" did subside. And--_sub silentio_--let _you_ slide! Your Grand Old Man, dears,--well, _he's_ human. He doesn't want some Grand Old Woman As colleague or as rival. WOODALL? Well, he is gentle, genial, good all; But there's a twinkle in his eye Persuades me that _he_ would not die Did you consent to drop your "claim." And now there comes another name To raise for Shes the party slogan. Well, trust, dears--if you like--to LOGAN; He "will support you _at all times_!" Keep your eye on him! SHAKSPEARE's rhymes Tell you "Men were deceivers ever."