If I have made a fool, in sportive fit, A lapstone meet, whereon to shape my wit, So gently have I used him, that, with care, He'll serve my purpose for another year: As old Majendie skinned the Italian hound, And time too short for demonstration found, Then told his pupils, if they managed right, They'd keep the dog alive another night. Of embryo asses I've a pretty store, Who crave a flaying in a twelvemonth more; Subjects of every colour and complexion, Contending for the honour of dissection; While some there are, who, blest in their condition, Would waive the honours of my exhibition. As bashful Bishops, at an ordination, Cry "_Nolo_," to the gentle invitation: And some, the only merit of whose life Will be, their forming victims for my knife. Now, John,—not Sir John Ross—I mean John Bull Thou silly, soft, good-natured, guileless gull! Why wilt thou let each knave enrich his nest With treasures pilfered from thy downy breast? Pill-bolting glutton of all sorts of trash! In jest or earnest needing still the lash, Thy cure (no sinecure) will keep, I fear, My rod in pickle for another year. [Illustration] THE COMIC ALMANACK FOR 1837. ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┬────────────┐ │ JANUARY. │ [1837.│ ├──┬─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┴────────────┤ │ │ Now folks trudge on with muffled faces, │ │ │To meet Dan Winter's cold embraces; │ │ │But he has not the freezing air, │ │ │That upstart, purse-proud worldlings wear. │ │ │ Now mischief-making urchins plan, │ │ │With glassy slide, the fall of man; │ │ │But Summer friends, with Wint'ry looks, │ │ │Are slipp'rier far than icy brooks. │ ├──┼─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┬────────────┤ │D.│ =Great Events and Odd Matters.= │_Prognosti- │ │ │ │fications._ │ ├──┼─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┼────────────┤ │ 1│Curaçoa taken (rather too freely). │ │ │ │ │ │ │ 2│The _Sandwich_ Islands discovered by a _Cook_. │ Touching │ │ │ │ │ │ 3│ Let shame and foul disgrace betide the enervated │ the Stars, │