But "Shiver my topsail lee-scuppers, what cheer? Thereat the Prime-Minister gravely arose, "And first, let me state, for your full information, When our great-great-great grandsires were brats, That from sunrise to sundown the whole of the nation Was sorely infested with rats. But at last of mus rattus a riddance we gat us- "One Whittington, he was the man who brought To our rat-eaten country a kitten. When it cleared off our pest, how little we thought "And lo! thenceforth every merchantman here "But alas! the precaution was only a mockery! They shatter our windows and throw down the crockery, And carry our victuals away, They kill our canaries, and clear out our dairiesThey keep us awake with their nightly vagaries And the cold loins of lamb they purloin from our 'aireys' In fact there's the devil to pay !" Jack winked his eye with a cheery smile, And "Old fellow," he chuckled, “if that's This bandy-legged terrier will soon make you merrier, So his bandy-legged, stumpy-tailed terrier-cur, There was spitting and scratching and flying of fur, But the end of the fray was-the dog had the day, Then Jack he was loaded with silver and gold, But he breathed in no ear how he'd won them for fear MORAL. He returned, it is said, to the City and there But, by latest advices, retails penny ices, CHRISTMAS OUT OF TOWN. JAMES SMITH. For many a winter in Billiter-lane, My wife, Mrs. Brown, was not heard to complain : On beef and plum-pudding, and turkey and chine. Our bark has now taken a contrary heel, For nobody now spends his Christmas in Town. Our register-stoves, and our crimson baized doors, We carved a twelfth-cake, and we drew King and Queen. These pastimes gave oil to Time's round-about wheel, 'Twas all very well for a cockney or clown, In gallop the winds, at the full of the moon, little Flanigan, with a wife and four children: a guinea or two would be more to him than twice as much to another. Now, as I can't show him any humanity myself, I must beg leave you'll do it for me. Honeywood. I assure you, Mr. Twitch, yours is a most powerful recommendation. [Giving money to the Follower. Bailiff. Sir, you're a gentleman. I see you know what to do with your money. But to business: we are to be here as your friends, I suppose. But set in case company comes.. Little Flanigan here, to be sure, has a good face; a very good face: but then, he is a little seedy, as we say among us that practise the law. Not well in clothes. Smoke the pocket-holes. Honeywood. Well, that shall be remedied without delay. Enter Servant. Detain her a moment. Servant. Sir, Miss Richland is below. Honeywood. How unlucky! We must improve my good friend little Mr. Flanigan's appearance first. Here, let Mr. Flanigan have a suit of my clothes-quick-the brown and silver. Do you hear? Servant. That your honour gave away to the begging gentleman that makes verses, because it was as good as new. Honeywood. The white and gold then. Servant. That, your honour, I made bold to sell, because it was good for nothing. Honeywood. Well, the first that comes to hand, then: the blue and gold. I believe Mr. Flanigan will look best in blue. [Exit Flanigan. Bailiff. Rabbit me, but little Flanigan will look well in anything. Ah, if your honour knew that bit of flesh as well as I do, you'd be perfectly in love with him. There's not a prettier scout in the four counties after a shy-cock than he. Scents like a hound; sticks like a weasel. He was master of the ceremonies to the black Queen of Morocco, when I took him to follow me. [Re-enter Flanigan.] Heh, I think he looks so well, that I don't care if I have a suit from the same place for myself. Honeywood. Well, well, I hear the lady coming. Dear Mr. Twitch, I beg you'll give your friend directions not to speak. As for yourself, I know you will say nothing without being directed. Bailiff. Never you fear me; I'll show the lady that I have something to say for myself as well as another. One man has one way of talking, and another man has another; that's all the difference between them. Enter Miss Richland and her Maid. Miss Rich. You'll be surprised, sir, with this visit. But you know I'm yet to thank you for choosing my little library. Honeywood. Thanks, madam, are unnecessary, as it was I that was obliged by your commands. Chairs here. Two of my very good friends, Mr. Twitch and Mr. Flanigan. Pray, gentlemen, sit without ceremony. Miss Rich. Who can these odd-looking men be? fear it is as I was informed. It must be so. [Aside. Bailiff [after a pause]. Pretty weather, very pretty weather, for the time of year, madam. I Follower. Very good circuit weather in the country. Honeywood. You officers are generally favourites among the ladies. My friends, madam, have been upon very disagreeable duty, I assure you. The fair should, in some measure, recompense the toils of the brave. Miss Rich. Our officers do indeed deserve every favour. The gentlemen are in the marine service, I presume, sir? Honeywood. Why, madam, they do occasionally serve in the Fleet, madam: a dangerous service. Miss Rich. I'm told so. And I own it has often surprised me that, while we have had so many instances of bravery there, we have had so few of wit at home to praise it. Honeywood. I grant, madam, that our poets have not |