[Illustration: MIGHT BE BETTER! JOHN BULL. "HUMPH! SEEMS TO ME, MR. SALISBURY, YOUR _FOREIGN_ BIRDS ARE THE FINEST THIS SEASON!"] * * * * * TO CANADA. "We beseech your MAJESTY to accept our assurances of the contentment of your MAJESTY's Canadian subjects with the political connection between Canada and the rest of the British Empire, and of their fixed resolve to aid in maintaining the same."--_Loyal Address to the Queen from Canada_. Accept them? _Punch_ believes you, boys, And store them 'midst our choicest treasures! In these fierce days of factious noise The Sage experiences few pleasures So genuine as this outburst frank Of "true Canadian opinion." He hastens heartily to thank The loyal hearts of the Dominion! Mother and daughter should be tied By trustful faith and free affection. If ours be mutual love and pride, Who's going to "sever the connection"? Let plotters scheme, and pedants prate, They will not pick our true love's true lock Whilst truth and justice arm the State With friends like AMYOT and MULOCH! Mother and daughter! Love-linked like Persephone and fond Demeter. Fleet to advance, and strong to strike, And yearly growing stronger, fleeter, Miss CANADA need not depend On Dame BRITANNIA altogether, But she may trust her as a friend, Faithful in fair or threatening weather. Tour hand, Miss, with your heart in it, You to the Mother Country proffer. Beshrew the cynic would-be wit. Who coldly chuckles at the offer! BRITANNIA takes it, with a grip That on the sword, at need, can clench too, too! She will not that warm grasp let slip, Health, boys of British blood,--and French * * * * * A NATIONAL APPEAL.