■=<*£?=
 
 u
 
 POT-POURRI; 
 
 OE, 
 
 MERRY AND WISE
 
 SPECIAL NOTiCE.— The New and Revised Edition con- 
 tains Prefatory Remarks by the Right Hon. W. E. 
 GLADSTONE, M.P., who has read and approved 
 
 the volume. 
 
 THE STANDARD WORK ON AUTHORSHIP. 
 
 Crown Svo, Cloth Gilt, Price 5s. ; Postage, 4Jd. 
 (Fifth Edition. New and Revised ) 
 
 THE AUTHOR'S MANUAL, 
 
 Being a Complete, Practical Guide to all Branches of 
 Journalism, Literary Work generally, and Book-pro- 
 ducing, with special advice in reference to Imaginative 
 
 Literature. 
 
 By PERCY EUSSELL. 
 
 Brief Extracts from some of the Reviews : — 
 
 The Spectator says : — " The aspirant to Literature may certainly 
 read Mr Russell's book with profit." 
 
 The Graphic says : — " Mr Russell has got up his subject with 
 much care, and supplies a great deal of useful information. His 
 ail vice and suggestions are sound and to the point." 
 
 St Stephen's Review says : — " ' The Author's Manual ' is clever 
 t > a fault. It displays much practical knowledge ... it shows 
 a general knowledge of English literature which not one literary 
 man in a hundred can boast." 
 
 The Newcastle Chronicle says : — " The work must prove of great 
 service, and will well repay careful perusal." 
 
 The Birmingham Gazette says : — " It is certainly a complete and 
 comprehensive volume. Every detail connected either with newspaper 
 or book literature is explained, and explained, too, with the lucidity 
 of an expert writer and the thoroughness of a practical worker." 
 
 The Manchester Courier says : — " A handbook that will prove 
 very useful to all who aspire to write for the press in any of the 
 various branches of literary work." 
 
 The Literary World says :— " Cordially recommending Mr Russell's 
 vacle mecum." 
 
 Notes and Queries says : — "The literary aspirant will find in this 
 volume many useful hints and much valuable information What 
 in regard to authorship can be taught, is pleasantly conveyed by 
 Mr Russell, and some of his chapters are instructive." 
 
 Miss M. E. Braddox writes : — " Your counsel, both to the 
 journalist and the imaginative writer, is full of wisdom." 
 
 LONDON: DIG-BY, LONG & CO., PUBLISHERS, 
 18 BOUVERIE STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C. 
 
 A Complete Catalogue of Novels, Travels, Biographies, rcems, etc., 
 free by post on application.
 
 LJi It Jtjl^ pdl/J V^-~ .^ 
 
 Pot-Pourri ; or, 
 
 Merry and TVise 
 
 A BOOK OF VERSE 
 
 BY 
 (jr. b. M. 
 
 XonDo n 
 
 DIGBY, LONG & CO., PUBLISHERS 
 18 BOUVERIE STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C. 
 
 1892
 
 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Contrast, .... 
 
 Victoria — 1887, .... 
 
 The King o' Lostock, . 
 
 The Memorial Card of the King o' LosTOCi 
 
 The Vale of Nanteos, 
 
 Fair Rosamond, 
 
 The Seven Sisters ; or, The Aberystwith Knitter 
 
 The Nuptial Song of Catullus, 
 
 The Dedication of Catullus' Galley. 
 
 Woman's Faith, 
 
 To Lesisia's Sparrow, . 
 
 The Sparrow's Death, 
 
 De Arrio, .... 
 
 Cleveland, .... 
 
 King Cophetua the Elder, 
 
 The Heavy-Hearted Lighterman, 
 
 The Two Singers, 
 
 Camilla, 
 
 PAGE 
 
 1 
 2 
 4 
 9 
 
 10 
 13 
 17 
 23 
 29 
 31 
 32 
 34 
 35 
 37 
 40 
 42 
 54 
 57 
 
 705521
 
 VI CONTENTS. 
 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Sing a Song of Sixpence, ..... 60 
 
 Mr River, 
 
 
 
 62 
 
 "Dux Femina Facta," . 
 
 
 
 64 
 
 Ode to Aphrodite, 
 
 
 
 70 
 
 To the Beloved, 
 
 
 
 73 
 
 The Same in English Sapphics, 
 
 
 75 
 
 The Rattle-Trap ; or, the Adventures of 
 
 a Phaeton, 
 
 76 
 
 To the Peninsular Sirhio, 
 
 
 81 
 
 The Farmer's Harvest Song, 
 
 
 82 
 
 A Sunday Evening at Tenby, 
 
 
 85 
 
 The Skylark, .... 
 
 
 89 
 
 Snow, .... 
 
 
 
 93 
 
 The Gladsome Little Boy, 
 
 
 
 95 
 
 Abandoned, 
 
 
 
 97 
 
 A Sunset in the Soudan, 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 Soup or Fishes, 
 
 
 
 101 
 
 From Martial, . 
 
 
 
 102 
 
 Cook r. Gaze, . 
 
 
 
 103 
 
 Risus et Lacrym.e, 
 
 
 
 104 
 
 St Chad, 
 
 
 
 105 
 
 Epigram, 
 
 
 
 108 
 
 The Sunflower, 
 
 
 
 109 
 
 The Christmas Tree, . 
 
 
 
 112 
 
 The Edelweisse, 
 
 
 
 116 
 
 A Parody from Dryden, 
 
 
 
 117
 
 S>et>icateC> 
 
 TO 
 MY BELOVED DAUGHTER 
 
 AGNES, 
 
 ON HER RETURN FROM AUSTRALIA. 
 
 " I have sung many songs, 
 But never a one so gay.'' 
 
 Lord Tennysox
 
 POT-PO U R R I; 
 
 OR, 
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 
 
 CONTRAST. 
 
 A BURST of sunshine and an islet blue 
 
 To cheer at intervals these cloudy years ; 
 
 Some merriment to balance sighs and fears ; 
 
 A wish to doff the normal sombre yew 
 
 And masquerade awhile in roseate hue; 
 
 A little flame of laughter quench' d in tears; 
 
 A changeful mood ; the woodland fleck' d by spears 
 
 Of ivory moonlight : — This offendeth you ? 
 
 Then turn where yonder Rainbow spans her arc 
 Across the frowning forehead of the sky, 
 With " purfled vest," and sevenfold grace divine 
 Compelling every eye. I pray you mark 
 'Tis born of Contrast: on th' obscurity 
 Of inky cloud Sun's fiery arrows sh ine.
 
 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 VICTORIA— 1887. 
 
 The weight of Europe's fairest, heaviest crown, 
 Pressed on a maiden brow of eighteen years, 
 Forced from her eyes a rain of April tears, 
 
 Presaging summer suns of bright renown. 
 
 Full fifty years since then ! Ah, many a blow 
 Of heart bereavement, many a gracious thrill 
 Of sympathy with all her people's ill, 
 
 Hath brimm'd that tearful fount to overflow. 
 
 Good Queen, the isolation of a throne 
 Cannot unteach thee woman's tenderness, 
 Or stay thy pitying hand stretch'd out to bless 
 
 Wherever Sorrow's rankling shaft has flown. 
 
 Posterity will laud thy blameless reign, 
 
 And own the boon thy healing sceptre brought 
 Afar and near: men sobered, children taught, 
 
 The brute creation saved from wanton pain,
 
 MERRY AXD WISE. { 
 
 Extended comforts and diminish'd crime, 
 A people's rights by patient striving won, 
 Progressive Freedom 'bravely marching on 
 
 Tow'rds consummation in the golden Prime. 
 
 Thy subjects hail thee Monarch, Mother, Friend, 
 Dear for thy sorrows, for thy virtues dear ; 
 Calm be thy future : distant far the year 
 
 When thy benignant Sovereignty must end.
 
 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 THE KING 0' LOSTOCK. 
 
 Weep, for the golden years are fled, 
 
 The King o' Lostock's gone ; 
 Of all the folk in Lostock bred 
 
 This was " the gradeliest mon." 
 
 Go climb the slope of Rivington, 
 
 Ascend its lofty " Pike," 
 In Houghton, Horwich, Adlington 
 
 You will not find his like. 
 
 In Blackrod, Rumworth, Wingates, Dean, 
 Spread out beneath your feet, 
 
 There was no worthy to be seen 
 Who could with Ralph compete. 
 
 His eye was shrewd, his head was hard, 
 
 He owned a wrinkled smile, 
 Where Lostock folk could see a yard 
 
 King Ralph could see a mile.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 
 
 A King — and yet he wore no crown 
 
 Except upon his hat, 
 And when he rode to wake or town 
 
 He wasn't sure of that ! 
 
 A King — yet was he not too proud 
 To drink with Squire or Peasant, 
 
 Or pledge the smutty collier crowd 
 Within "The Dog and Pheasant." 
 
 'Twas there he took the barley-brew, 
 
 All foaming o'er the brim, 
 And swallowed it without ado, 
 
 Until Death swallowed him. 
 
 There politics he did expound, 
 
 And eaa;er listeners said 
 (When he had treated "brandies" round) 
 
 He had a " knowin' yed." 
 
 There he condemned, in high debate 
 
 And long and loud oration, 
 Proposed reforms in Church or State 
 
 As " ruin for the nation."
 
 6 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 And then of old his wrath did swell 
 
 Against "the Poor Law New," 
 Quoth he, "I'll lay a rate mysel' 
 
 An' keep the pauper crew ! " 
 
 The rate was paid, he kept the poor, 
 
 His rations did not fail, 
 For when he had no bread in store 
 
 He made it up with ale. 
 
 No wonder, then, for many a year, 
 
 His friends to represent, 
 Churchwarden eke and Overseer 
 
 This doughty monarch went. 
 
 No wonder when the Prince was dead, 
 
 As Lostock gossips say, 
 They thought King Ralph would " haply " wed 
 
 With Queen Victoria. 
 
 But rumour here the truth outstept, 
 
 For still we saw him jog 
 To " little Hamlet," where he kept 
 
 High revels at "The Dog."
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 
 
 Old times are changed ! Old friends have died 
 
 Who longed to " sup " a drop 
 Oft as they spied his donkey tied 
 
 Before that " Jerry shop." 
 
 Where "Hamlet, royal Dane," with Ralph 
 
 Caroused in parlour sandy, 
 And mixed more spirit with their laugh 
 
 Than water with their brandy. 
 
 Gay was the tale, but it is told ! 
 
 Their laughter, but 'tis o'er ! 
 Another master owns " the Fold/ 
 
 " Ralph-fold " is Ralph's no more. 
 
 A bigger landlord rules " The Dog," 
 
 Still famed for " din and stir," 
 And mixes milder " goes of grog " 
 
 For meaner customer. 
 
 And churlish fingers grip the glass 
 
 That he was wont to swill, 
 And churlish legs bestride his ass, 
 
 If she be going still.
 
 S POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 For lo ! a king of mightier power 
 Has brought our monarch down, 
 
 But no successor to this hour 
 Presumes to claim his crown. 
 
 Where does the old man sleep ? Look round, 
 Beneath yon grass-grown " braid " 
 
 Within Westhoughton Chapel-ground 
 His royal dust is laid. 
 
 And Houghton folk are fain to tell 
 
 What thousands came to bring 
 The tribute of a last farewell 
 
 To Lostock's worthy king; 
 
 Quoth they, " Now he is dead and gone, 
 
 And all his foibles o'er, 
 Owd Ralph he was the gradeliest mon 
 
 That Lostock ever bore."
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 9 
 
 THE MEMORIAL CARD OF THE KING 
 O' LOSTOCK. 
 
 Both high and low 
 
 Alike must go 
 When Death appeareth at the door ; 
 
 And thou, old friend, 
 
 Hast met thine end, 
 The King o' Lostock breathes no more. 
 
 But far and wide 
 
 The country side 
 Laments to hear that tolling bell ; 
 
 And hastes to see 
 
 The last of thee, 
 So widely known and loved so well. 
 
 When kings go down, 
 
 Their vacant crown 
 Some heir-expectant soon inherits, 
 
 But none shall dare 
 
 Thy crown to wear, 
 For none can emulate thy merits.
 
 10 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 THE YALE OF NANTEOS. 1 
 
 Might one atone for patriot harp-strings broken 
 
 At Edward's stern command 
 By tuneful praise, in Saxon accents spoken 
 
 Of this fair Cambrian land, 
 
 Then foremost on its roll of song and glory 
 
 Nanteos should be writ, 
 Not for the sake of legendary story, 
 
 But for mere love of it. 
 
 Impervious shades ! What wild luxuriant tresses 
 
 Of fern and ivy twine 
 Their wanton coils about your wildernesses, 
 
 And round this heart of mine. 
 
 Vale of the Nightingale ! Though now no longer 
 
 She flutes the amorous tune 
 That in these leafy coverts waxes stronger 
 
 When May is marrying June. 
 
 1 So called from the nightingale.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 11 
 
 Tis Autumn, yet we scarcely miss thy voicing, 
 
 O truant Philomel, 
 So eloquent a brooklet flows rejoicing 
 
 Adown the listening dell ; 
 
 An artful stream that hides her beauty, plashing 
 
 Through depths of laurel shade, 
 Till, like a fleck of light, behold her flashing 
 
 In yonder white cascade. 
 
 Thus onward to the gleaming lake she floweth, 
 
 Where neck of feathery snow 
 Floats stately, and a sister shadow showeth 
 
 Inverted down below. 
 
 Dark foliage overhangs, and upland meadow, 
 
 With hillocks round and high, 
 That interchange alternate light and shadow 
 
 As fleecy clouds flit by. 
 
 Ho ! neighbour of a week, was thy home pillow 
 
 Molested by a ghost ? 
 Did dread or anguish drive thee to the billow 
 
 On this secluded coast ?
 
 12 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 No Lethe murmurs where the hoarse Atlantic 
 
 Repeats one sullen chime, 
 No Lotus blooms on yonder Keep, romantic 
 
 Memorial of crime. 
 
 Seek southward o'er the Bridge of Aberystwith 
 
 This Dryad-haunted glen, 
 Where sweet Content, Egeria-like, keeps tryst with 
 
 Her lovers among men. 
 
 So haunting cares that hitherward pursue thee 
 
 Shall fling away their rod, 
 And Nature's calm maternal pleadings woo thee 
 
 To rest thy soul in God.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 13 
 
 FAIR ROSAMOND. 
 
 Rosa nnmdi non Eosa niunda. 
 
 'The Dagger or the Poison bowl! 
 The grace of choice is thine no more-" 
 Such deadly malice moved the soul 
 
 Of injured Eleanore ! 
 Show mercy, Queen, for thou art strong, 
 Bid yonder trembling suppliant live, 
 'Tis human to avenge thy wrono-, 
 
 'Twere Christ-like to foro-ive. 
 Child of poetic line, and fed 
 On honeydew of old romaunts, 
 Whose maiden meditation sped 
 
 Thro' Pity's tenderest haunts, 
 Recall those happy childish years 
 When gay Trouvere, with melting strain, 
 Unsealed thy fount of virgin tears 
 
 In sunny Aquitaine.
 
 14 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 Fair Queen of Love at Masque and Tilt 
 At Louis' Court, on Eastern shore, 
 Hast thou no conscious load of guilt ? 
 
 Bethink thee, Eleanore. 
 Ah, cruel flames of jealousy 
 Have scorched all melting memories up; 
 She proffers with relentless eye 
 The poignard or the cup ! 
 O Rose of late so gay and bright, 
 O sweetest " Rose in all the world," 
 Frail Rose, with what corroding blight 
 
 Thy tender leaves are curled. 
 Within thy native garden-plot 
 Where lovebirds wooed thee all day long, 
 Thy virgin buds without one spot 
 
 Unfolded to their song ; 
 Till one who answered sigh for sigh, 
 Caressing with a purple wing, 
 Inveigled thee to climb too high 
 And twine around a King. 
 Poor faded Rose, sweet thrall of Love, 
 Who bloomed amiss, then paled and died;
 
 MERRY AND AVISE. 15 
 
 Perchance she found the grace above 
 Her rival here denied. 
 
 " Mere nursery myth," the Critic sneers, 
 " Your murdered Rose a refuse won 
 " At Godstowe, flourished twenty years, 
 
 Then died a portly Nun ! " 
 Thou pitiless iconoclast, 
 Must all our childhood's heroines fail, 
 All dear delusions of the Past 
 
 Lie scorched to ashes pale 
 In that fierce focus critics flino; 
 Concentred on each ancient Lay, 
 Till dim mysterious shadowing 
 
 And soft lights melt away ? 
 Thus have I seen with keen regret, 
 From Alpine upland, peaks that glow, 
 As if descending Ano-els set 
 
 Rose chaplets on their snow, 
 Of sunset glamour disarrayed 
 Exchange their roseate hue for grey,
 
 1G POT-POURRI; OR, 
 
 And all the mountain pageant fade 
 
 By slow degrees away. 
 Till carmine blush and orange streak 
 And oieamino- snows had vanished all, 
 Nor westering ray survived to break 
 
 The circumambient pall. 
 Adieu, beliefs of happy youth ! 
 Things distant are not what they seem, 
 This ruthless crucible of truth 
 
 Resolves them to a Dream. 
 x\nd yet that nursery ballad beat 
 Such tragic music on the brain, 
 That oft in Fancy's grove I meet 
 
 Those rival Queens again. 
 ( )ne kneeling pleads with sobbing breath 
 And streaming eyes and clasped hands, 
 The other stern and cold as Death 
 
 With bowl and dagger stands.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 17 
 
 THE SEVEN SISTERS; OR, THE 
 ABERYSTWITH KNITTERS. 
 
 Pray tell me, Maidens, what you be, 
 Who look like English "misses," 
 
 Yet rival Greek Penelope 
 The spouse of great Ulysses. 
 
 I watched you by the Cambrian shore 
 (Suppress your indignation) 
 
 No " suitor " I, although I bore 
 You hiffh in admiration. 
 
 o 
 
 No opening grace of form or face 
 
 My interest was enlisting ; 
 But — rarer sight — your needles bright 
 
 Long webs of worsted twisting ! 
 
 I saw you stand, I heard you talk, 
 I often passed you sitting, 
 
 By twos and threes observed you walk- 
 But you were always knitting. 
 B
 
 18 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 And though I might not see you sit 
 
 At tea or dinner table, 
 I felt convinced that you would knit 
 
 As long as you were able ; 
 
 And when at night you calmly slept, 
 Fatigued by breeze and billows, 
 
 That eight-and-twenty needles kept 
 Their places 'neath j^our pillows. 
 
 Then dreams (suppose you freely sup) 
 Displayed no ghosts or witches, 
 
 But "letting down" and "taking up" 
 Interminable stitches. 
 
 On "Constitution-hill" so steep 
 You made a neat appearance, 
 
 And sometimes at "the Castle-keep" 
 With changeful perseverance, 
 
 Till one too ready to accuse 
 
 For trifling deviation, 
 Might blame you for your change of views 
 
 But not of occupation.
 
 MERRY VXD WISE. 
 
 Upon "the Drag," all snugly packed 
 Behind four horses prancing, 
 
 And then below the " Cataract " 
 I saw your needles glancing. 
 
 Until at length, against my will, 
 The sea and sea-maids quitting, 
 
 One parting look beheld you still 
 All bathing and all knitting. 
 
 O sisters seven surcharged with leaven 
 
 Of patience unremitting ! 
 O growing piles, O length'ning miles 
 
 Of weary, weary knitting ! 
 
 An awful thought occurs unsought, 
 Kind Heav'n be your preserver, 
 
 Should you excite the deadly spite 
 And envy of Minerva! 
 
 For if the classic tale be true, 
 
 Arachne, who defied her 
 In needlework, like one of you, 
 
 She turned into a spider.
 
 20 POT-POURRI; OR, 
 
 Such keen anxiety I feel : 
 
 But now, if not high treason, 
 
 I ask the cause of so much zeal — 
 Stop ! let me guess the reason. 
 
 Methinks you haste, ere Winter blows, 
 To clothe " evicted " Paddies, 
 
 Or deal out more becoming hose 
 To bare-legg'd Highland laddies; 
 
 And after shielding British pegs, 
 
 Hibernian, Caledonian, 
 The rest you destine for the legs 
 
 Of giant Patagonian. 
 
 No ? Then I'll try, dear Dorcasses, 
 To find some other fair use. 
 
 Perhaps you're knitting muffetees 
 For hundred-hand Briareus ? 
 
 But if our Lempriere we trust, 
 
 That very useful carver, 
 With all his hundred hands, is dust 
 
 Or molten into lava !
 
 MERRY AND WIRE. 21 
 
 And if beneath Mount Etna laid, 
 
 As by the poets written, 
 His temperature requires no aid 
 
 Of muffetee or mitten. 
 
 But one more guess ! Your own trousseaux 
 
 Inspire this occupation ; 
 Young women to great lengths will go 
 
 In bridal preparation ! 
 
 But though 'tis true, as minstrels sing, 
 
 Life partners should be fitted 
 For nuptial bliss by carrying 
 
 Twin hearts together knitted. 
 
 No frugal husband could endure 
 
 The burden of a marriage 
 Which cost him on his wedding tour 
 
 Such sums for extra carriage 
 
 Besides, douaniers would make 
 
 A ludicrous exposure, 
 And sneering fellow-tourists take 
 
 The bridegroom for a hosier.
 
 22 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 May no such contretemps ensue, 
 No matter what his trade is : 
 
 And now in bowing my adieux, 
 Most diligent young ladies, 
 
 I praise you for your well-spent time. 
 
 Whereof my waste is shocking 
 In using on a saucy rhyme 
 
 Enough to knit a stocking.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. S-) 
 
 THE NUPTIAL SONG OF CATULLUS. 
 
 Youths. 
 
 'Tis the signal long waited for : Comrades, arise ! 
 For Evening is lighting the lamps of the skies, 
 Arise from the banquet : we tarry too long ; 
 The Bride is at hand and the bridal song : 
 Hymen, O Hymensee ! 
 Sing Hymen, O Hymensee ! 
 
 Maidens. 
 
 See the youths ! And we maidens must rise with 
 
 them, 
 For Hesper is showing his sparkling gem 
 O'er the eastern hill : it is so indeed ; 
 So the youths have leapt to their feet with speed, 
 They have leapt to their feet with a purpose in 
 
 view, 
 They will carol a song, and a brave song too. 
 Hymen, O Hymensee ! 
 Sing Hymen, O Hymenase !
 
 24 pot-pourri ; or, 
 
 Youths. 
 
 'Twill be no easy matter this prize to gain : 
 See, the maidens are practising : not in vain 
 Such care to their musical task they bring, 
 They have doubtless a notable song to sing. 
 No wonder! For when they prepared their part 
 They worked at the business with all their heart. 
 But for us, if we ever rehearsed our lays, 
 Our minds and our voices went different ways. 
 We shall therefore be vanquished for all our sins 
 And justly, for Diligence always wins. 
 But at least let us now clip Fancy's wing 
 And apply our minds to the songs we sing. 
 Our rivals begin the alternate lay, 
 'Tis for us to answer as best we may. 
 Hymen, O Hymenaje ! 
 Sing Hymen, O Hymensee ! 
 
 Maidens. 
 
 O Hesper, who drivest yon fiery car, 
 
 Does the firmament harbour a crueller star?
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 25 
 
 O, how canst thou tear from her mother's arms 
 A virgin daughter with modest charms, 
 Though she clings to that mother with wild alarms; 
 And deliver the maid, with averted face, 
 To a passionate bridegroom's strange embrace ? 
 Could outrage more barbarous ever be done 
 By an insolent foe if the town were won ? 
 Hymen, O Hymen see, 
 Sing Hymen, O Hymensec ! 
 
 * 
 
 Youths. 
 
 O Hesper, who guidest yon glittering car, 
 Does the firmament foster a siveeter star ? 
 Whose office it is to complete in truth 
 The plighted betrothal of maid and youth. 
 For suitors and parents may pledge their till, 
 No nuptial knot can be woven till 
 Thy torch has illumined the bridal bower — 
 What blessing can equal that happy hour ? 
 Hymen, O Hymensee, 
 Sing Hymen, O Hymensee !
 
 26 pot pourri ; or, 
 
 Maidens. 
 This Hesper, O sisters, with lawless hand 
 Has carried off one from our virgin band ! 
 Tis well that the watch doth his rising mark, 
 For thieves ever lurk under cover of dark. 
 You may alter the name, but are bound to confess 
 That your "lovers" are robbers, nevertheless. 
 Hymen, O Hymenaee, 
 Sing Hymen, O Hymensee ! 
 
 Youths. 
 O list to these maids, and their scolding plaint, 
 But what if this chiding be all a feint ? 
 If in secret soul, though their words breathe ire r 
 This star they malign be their heart's desire ? 
 Hymen, O Hymensee, 
 Sing Hymen, O Hymensee. 
 
 Maidens. 
 See the rose-bush in secret garden grown, 
 Unbruised by the plough, to the cattle unknown, 
 Which broadens in sunshine and burgeons in shower,' 
 And is fed by the breezes from hour to hour,
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 27 
 
 Till the youths all long for its odorous bloom, 
 And the maidens inhale its sweet perfume; 
 But mark when a finger has nipt its flow'r, 
 Neither youth nor maid will revisit the bower : 
 So the girl who cleaves to her virgin state 
 Is beloved like the rose-bush inviolate, 
 But as soon as the virgin becomes a bride 
 The youths and the maidens forsake her side. 
 Hymen, O Hymenaee, 
 Sing Hymen, O Hymensee. 
 
 Youths. 
 
 See the mateless vine in an open field, 
 Which can climb nowhither, no sweet grape yield, 
 But is bent to the ground, till her topmost shoot 
 Lies drooping and tangled about her root ; 
 And the heifer avoids the shadeless spot, 
 And the heart of the farmer regards her not : 
 But suppose some hand, ere it prove too late, 
 Were to marry this vine to the elm her mate, 
 Then the cattle would rest in her grateful shade, 
 And the farmer rejoice in the fruit she made :
 
 28 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 So the Virgin, whose heart is to Hymen cold, 
 Lives lonely and waxes untimely old ; 
 But if in her prime she becomes a wife, 
 A husband's affection endears her life, 
 And her father himself will at times confess, 
 He dislikes his married daughter less ! ' 
 Then struggle no longer thy hand to tear, 
 Young bride, from the clasp of a youth so fair. 
 When a father and mother have given consent, 
 A dutiful daughter must needs relent. 
 For your virgin self is not yours alone, 
 One third is the fraction you justly own ; 
 For a third was consigned to your mother's care, 
 And a third is your father's rightful share ; 
 To majorities render submission due, 
 Your one must give place to your parents' two ; 
 And they have transferred, with the bridal dower, 
 Their several rights to the Bridegroom's power. 
 Hymen, Hymensee, 
 Sing Hymen, Hymensee. 
 
 1 Sic! " Minus est invisa parenti." — Cat.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 29 
 
 THE DEDICATION OF CATULLUS' GALLEY. 
 
 Dedicatio Phaseli. 
 
 That Galley, guests, which ye behold, 
 
 Boasts to have skimmed the wave of old 
 
 The swiftest of all craft afloat, 
 
 And misurpass'd by any boat 
 
 Impelled by canvas or by oar ; 
 
 Citing the Adriatic shore, 
 
 The islands that iEgean grace, 
 
 Historic Rhodes, or barbarous Thrace, 
 
 Propontis, or the rough recess 
 
 Of Euxine, as her witnesses. 
 
 There yonder Galley, once a wood, 
 
 Arrayed in rustling foliage stood, 
 
 And whispered many a silvan story 
 
 On that Cytorian promontory. 
 
 These things (quoth she) were fully known 
 
 To thee, Amastris, Pontic town, 
 
 And breezes chant the story still, 
 
 Cytorus, on thy box-clad hill;
 
 JO POT-POURRI; OR, 
 
 For here from tenderest saplinghood 
 
 On thy bold mountain peak she stood; 
 
 She first baptised her flashing row 
 
 Of oar blades in thy bay below, 
 
 And bore her trusting owner hence 
 
 Through leagues of "fretting impotence," 
 
 And nought cared she, tho' wind might turn 
 
 From west to east or blow astern. 
 
 But never vow in peril made 
 
 To seacoast deity she paid, 
 
 Till, bidding 1 her last sea adieu, 
 
 She reached my lake of limpid blue. 
 
 So now, her youthful ventures o'er, 
 
 In peace, on this sequester'd shore, 
 
 She seeks the tutelage to win 
 
 Of Castor and his Brother-twin.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 31 
 
 WOMAN'S FAITH. 
 
 De inconstantia femineiAiiioris 
 
 My Lesbia vows she'd marry me, 
 Her fond and constant lover, 
 
 Tho' free to choose from all this world, 
 And all the worlds above her. 
 
 I never contradict my dear, 
 She vows whate'er she pleases, 
 
 But woman's faith is writ on waves 
 And "ever-shifting breezes.
 
 POT-POURRI; OR, 
 
 TO LESBIA'S SPARROW. 
 
 Sparrow, my darling's darli: _ 
 With whom 'tis her dear way 
 To toy and play : 
 Whom in her tender bosom 
 She cageth with delight : 
 T i whom she yields her finger^ 
 si snder^fair to lute. 
 Tempting thy pointed bill 
 To peck its fill. 
 
 My sweetest- heart perceivii 
 
 On such disport intent 
 ver meant — 
 T 1 soothe some secret _ 
 
 Or calm her passionate heart) 
 
 I long - share the part, 
 And, dallying thus with th 
 
 To dull the misery 
 1 >f li ve's increasii _ smart!
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 33 
 
 Ah ! this to me were swe 
 As to that maiden fte 
 
 Too long unlov 
 The golden apple proved. 
 
 r
 
 34 POT-POURRI ; OK, 
 
 THE SPARROW'S DEATH. 
 
 CATULLUS. 
 
 O VENUSSES and Cupids, 
 
 And each good-looking wight, 
 
 Bemoan 1113' darling's sparrow, 
 My darling's dead delight ; 
 
 Her own dark eyes, so true and clear, 
 
 My Lesbia scarcely held so dear. 
 
 Sweet bird, as she her mother, 
 He knew his mistress fair, 
 
 And nestling in her bosom, 
 Or hopping here and there ; 
 
 For her alone he trilled his soni>', 
 
 And never left her all day long. 
 
 At last he flew to Orcus 
 
 On unreturning wings : 
 Now foul befall thee, Orcus, 
 
 For swallowing all fair things : 
 Alas, poor bird, since thou art dead, 
 My darling's eyes are swoll'n and red !
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 35 
 
 DE ARRIO. 
 
 CATULLUS. 
 
 I. 
 
 He played exasperating tricks, 
 
 Thus to th' initial letter 
 Of " income " he would h prefix, 
 
 And " ambush " fared no better. 
 
 II. 
 
 How wonderful he thought that speech, 
 How deep th' impression made ! 
 
 When at his voice's utmost reach 
 He roar'cl of " /^ambuscade." 
 
 in. 
 
 So spake his mother, I infer, 
 
 His aunts and cousins so, 
 His grandsire and his grandmother, 
 
 And all the Harry Co.
 
 30 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 IV. 
 
 All ! when they sent to Syrian shore 
 
 This mispronouncing pest, 
 Such accents harsh were heard no more, 
 
 And shuddering ears found rest. 
 
 But soon the startling news prevail'd, 
 And spread from man to man, 
 
 Th' Ionian Sea o'er which he sail'd 
 Is now H -Ionian!
 
 MERRY AND WISE. o7 
 
 CLEVELAND. 
 
 SEPT. 26, 1881. 
 
 -"> 
 
 Brave Garfield, England mourns thine end, 
 Not moved alone by kindred ties, 
 For in thy growing worth our eyes 
 
 Had learnt to greet a trusty friend. 
 
 greatly good, and simply great, 
 In whom all manly virtues met, 
 Whose sternest frown was ever set 
 
 Against corruption in the State. 
 
 Who, scorning knaves and factious spite, 
 Wrought onward with a single mind 
 To dignify — not please mankind, 
 
 To crush the Wrong and crown the Right. 
 
 Who, when released from civic toil, 
 
 Wouldst gladly seek thy Cleveland farm, 
 Nor shame to bare a sinewy arm 
 
 To reap the corn and till the soil.
 
 38 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 Or, changed to meditative mood, 
 With all a scholar's fond regard 
 Hold converse with the lyric bard 
 
 Who loved his Sabine farm and wood. 
 
 Among the purple clad of earth 
 
 Who posture on this crowded stage, 
 Statesman or Hero, Prince or Sage, 
 
 Could hardly dwarf thy signal worth ! 
 
 On either shore not hard to find 
 The lofty aim, the Godlike speech, 
 The dauntless heart ; but who can reach 
 
 Thy grand simplicity of mind ? 
 
 Turn we to those severer times 
 
 When Roman souls with happy choice 
 Attuned their lives to Nature's voice 
 
 And echoed all her simple chimes. 
 
 Bid we Fabricius' shade arise — 
 
 The hand that grasped the wooden bowl, 
 The lofty brow, the unswerving soul 
 
 That scorn'd all lures with steadfast eyes.
 
 MERRY ANT) WISE. 39 
 
 Or Cincirmatus in his home 
 
 Content to don the rustic weed, 
 Yet ready at his country's need 
 
 To guide the destinies of Rome. 
 
 &' 
 
 O promise fair ! Is all laid low, 
 All shattered at a dastard's will, 
 This active mind for ever still ? 
 
 Faith dares aver, "It is not so!" 
 
 A soul so candid, brave, and fair 
 Was never framed of mortal clay, 
 'Tis but the shell that knows decay, 
 
 Thy genius seeks an "ampler air"; 
 
 Though ruin mar the fleshly mask, 
 Refin'd by pain and patient toil 
 It disentwines its " mortal coil," 
 
 And soars to some diviner task. 
 
 We fail to mark its upward flight, 
 Constrained to join the long array 
 That winds up yonder shrouded way 
 
 To Cleveland and the last sad rite.
 
 40 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 KING COPHETUA THE ELDER, 
 
 A CLASSICAL BALLAD. 
 
 Beneath a palm she found a seat. 
 
 The river gave her smile for smile. 
 And bathed her little ivory feet 
 
 And slender ankles in the Nile. 
 
 I' faith a winsome sight was this ! 
 
 Of all the pretty maids that be 
 The circling 1 sun might never kiss 
 
 A prettier maid than Rhodope. 
 
 By chance an eagle fierce and proud 
 Came flying over land and sea, 
 
 And stooping from a golden cloud 
 Looked down on lovely Rhodope. 
 
 Then, uttering a scream of joy, 
 
 He seized her little slipper bright — 
 
 A dainty silken, pearly toy, 
 
 And bore it swiftly out of sight.
 
 MERRY AND WlbE. 
 
 -il 
 
 The King he sat in rube and crown, 
 Around him stood a glittering band, 
 
 When lo ! an eagle swooping down 
 Had placed a slipper in his hand. 
 
 He kissed it once, he kissed it twice, 
 
 "Sweet slipper, sweeter foot!" quoth he, 
 
 " Go, find it, slaves ! " And in a trice 
 They brought bewitching Rhodope. 
 
 One little foot was sandalled fair 
 
 In pearly slipper as was fit, 
 The other little foot was bare, 
 
 No pearl on earth could equal it ! 
 
 The courtiers sing, "Long live the King, 
 "But not without a Queen," quoth he, 
 
 Then gave his crown and everything 
 To pretty little Rhodope.
 
 42 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 THE HEAVY-HEARTED LIGHTERMAN. 
 
 i. 
 
 A gentleman from Westminster 
 
 Cries, " Boatman, launch thy wherry, 
 
 And I'll give thee a shilling fee 
 To row me o'er to Surrey." 
 
 II. 
 
 He was a stal worth Lighterman, 
 
 But while he sculled along, 
 Twas plain to trace upon his face 
 
 The signs of something wrong: 
 His light grey eye was overcast, 
 
 His brow with frowns encrusted, 
 Like Lighterman with heavier heart 
 
 Excessively disgusted. 
 
 in. 
 
 " Unfold to me, my honest man, 
 The trouble on your mind,
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 43 
 
 Here's one will help you all lie can 
 
 A remedy to find : 
 At any rate your case to state 
 
 Will leave you more resigned." 
 
 IV. 
 
 He sighed and said, " Such wrongs are mine 
 
 Unknown to 'bus or cab, 
 My hist'ry, though the day is fine, 
 
 May make me ' catch a crab,' 
 Which if I do I hope that you 
 
 Will mind what you're about, 
 For if you go to tumble in 
 
 The deuce may pull you out." 
 
 " Good Lighterman, you're not polite, 
 
 But I will be particular, 
 While you explain your sorry plight, 
 
 To keep my perpendicular. 
 I think you won't turn out to be 
 
 The man to drown your fare ;
 
 44 
 
 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 But should you practise tricks on me 
 You'll go before the Mayor." 
 
 VI. 
 
 Says he, "I never yet was lagged 
 
 For insult or for battery, 
 They mostly call me ' Civil Jim,' 
 
 My proper name is Slattery : 
 I've paddled here this twenty year, 
 
 And in the parts surrounding, 
 And never drownded anyone, 
 
 But saved 'a sight' 1 from 'drownding.' 
 
 VII. 
 
 " I saved the owner of a yacht ; 
 
 That was a thankless job, 
 For all my risk I only got 
 
 ( )ne solitary ' bob.' 2 
 
 VIII. 
 
 " Then near Queenhithe I chanc'd to see 
 A boatman's drowning wife, 
 
 1 Vulgo for " multitude." - Vulgo for " shilling."
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 45 
 
 By desperate dive I rescued she, 
 
 And saved another life. 
 Her sons look'd on and help'd me not, 
 
 Her grinning spouse likewise, 
 And when 'I ax'd for summat hot,' 1 
 
 They ' imprecates my eyes ! ' - 
 Ses they, 'A glass o' grog? Not we! 
 
 We'd stand "a go" all round 
 To let the blooming hao-gage be, 
 
 And leave her there to drownd.' 
 
 IX. 
 
 "And next I saved a fireman's boy 
 
 (The little rascal ought-ter 3 
 Feel more desire to die by fire 
 
 Than suffocate in water) : 
 But when I grasped his curly wool, 
 
 The mud it was so stout, 
 That two more boats were forc'd to pull 
 
 Before we tow'd him out. 
 
 1 Vulgo for "I asked for something hot." 
 Vulgissinie et EupheruismeiSE; 
 Colloquial termination = ought to. 
 
 2 V 
 
 3 r<
 
 46 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 x. 
 "And then I saved a landlady, 
 
 The party's name was Brown, 
 Full fourteen precious 'stun' weighed she 
 
 If she would weigh a poun'. 
 And then an Upper Thames Street lout 
 
 Fell in the other day, 
 I had the luck to haul him out : 
 
 For these I got no pay. 
 
 XI. 
 
 " I rescued several printer lads 
 
 At divers times and seasons, 
 Who all felt bound theirselves to drownd 
 
 For sundry private reasons. 
 Can you suppose me saving those 
 
 And positively getting 
 Nor mite nor jot for all the lot 
 
 Except a mighty wetting ? 
 
 XII. 
 
 •' Them printer lads ! It seems to me 
 A mystery confounding
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 47 
 
 Why they should take at such a rate 
 
 To suicide by drownding ; 
 Maybe the stink of printer's ink, 
 
 Or foreman's words uncivil, 
 Make all these numerous inkers sink, 
 
 Or is't the printer's divil ? 
 
 XIII. 
 
 " I've heard of him — it may be true ! 
 
 ' That's neither here nor there ; ' 
 But what compels them all to do 
 
 The business at my stair ? 
 For be the river smooth or rouo-h 
 
 I 'follers them' in-course, 
 Which needs a constitution tough 
 
 As any cabby's horse. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 il My latest ' go ' was Charles Ducrow : 
 
 I dragged him from the river, 
 And down he sank upon the bank 
 
 To whimper and to shiver.
 
 48 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 Says I, 'Old man, if you have got 
 
 Sich suicidal manners, 
 Why must you choose the special spot 
 
 Where I looks out for ' : tanners \ " 
 I set him straight at any rate, 
 
 So me and old Ducrow 
 Were took before the magistrate, 
 
 Sir Sydney Waterlow. 
 
 xv. 
 " In language pithy and concise 
 
 I told him all my woes, 
 And once or twice he wiped his eyes 
 
 And blew his jolly nose. 
 Then hand he pops into his box, 
 
 And taking shillings five, 
 Hands them to me whose gallantry 
 
 Had saved Ducrow alive. 
 
 xvr. 
 " Then he advised me to apply 
 To the R'yle Humane Society, 
 1 Tanners = sixpence?. Derivation uncertain.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 49 
 
 For more reward. Says he, "Cause why 
 
 You are a notoriety, 
 And without flam or flattery 
 
 The Public is your debtor, 
 So go you, gallant Slattery, 
 
 And carry this here letter.' 
 
 XVII. 
 
 " I put the letter in my hat 
 
 And made a civil bow, 
 Though Fortune's been against me flat, 
 
 Says I, she's for me now ; 
 Then steers to the Society 
 
 They call the R'yle Humane, 
 I reckon 'twill be long- enough 
 
 Ere I 'apply' again. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 For there I saw a ' writer chap,' 
 
 He was a 'stifEsh swell,' 
 
 Quoth he, ' Good Mr What's-your-name 
 
 You did your duty well, 
 
 D
 
 50 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 If fourteen days and nights within 
 
 You made this application 
 There might have been "a sight of tin" 
 
 For your remuneration. 
 No further time can I afford, 
 
 You should have come before, 
 But "Virtue is its own reward," 
 
 Now go — and shut the door.' 
 
 XIX. 
 
 "Tf I had only been a dog 
 
 The public press would saint me. 
 And 'gemmen give me lots o' prog,'' 
 
 And Edwin Landseer paint me. 
 But no man cares a rusty nail 
 
 About a Lighterman ; 
 I wishes I could grow a tail — 
 
 And be a Newfoundland 
 
 xx. 
 
 "Yes, Virtue is its own reward, 
 To think so I am willing,
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 51 
 
 Since hauling fourteen souls aboard 
 Has earned me eighteen shillinu' ! 
 
 XXI. 
 
 ' The British Public (I should hope) 
 
 That every whiner sucks 
 Will raise enough to buy me soap 
 
 And wash these muddy ' ducks.' 
 If not, on river or ashore, 
 
 While boats with oars are row'd, 
 I'll never save a creature more, 
 
 If I do—" 1 
 
 Extract from "The Standard," about 186S. 
 
 The Eoyal Humane Society. — An old man, named Charles 
 Ducrow, was brought before Sir Sydney H. Waterlow, after 
 several remands, charged with attempting to commit suicide by 
 walking into the river, near the City Flour Mills. 
 
 1 Righteous indignation probably marr'd the last verse. The 
 Editor supposes he meant to conclude with some such words as 
 "My name is not Slattery," but fails to see how they can tit 
 into the rhyme or metre, and so is obliged to leave the line 
 unfinished.
 
 52 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 It appeared that the prisoner's mind had evidently been 
 deranged when he attempted to destroy himself, but by kind 
 treatment he had become much more calm and sensible of the 
 crime he had committed. Letters had been written to the 
 country where he thought some members of his family lived, 
 but they could not be found. Sir Sydney "Waterlow now 
 thought the prisoner was sufficiently recovered to be sent to 
 the union, which would, if expedient, pass him to his parish. 
 
 At one of the examinations a lighterman named Slattery, 
 who had rescued the prisoner in an insensible condition at the 
 hazard of his own life, applied to Sir Sydney H. Waterlow for 
 some remuneration for his loss of time. 
 
 Mr Martin, the chief clerk, said the applicant was a most 
 deserving man, and had been instrumental in saving several 
 lives, some of the cases having come to this court. 
 
 Sir Sydney H. Waterlow said he regretted there was no fund 
 in the court out of which he could remunerate him as he de- 
 served for his gallant and courageous conduct. All that he 
 could do was to give him 5s. from the poor-box as some com- 
 pensation for his loss of time. He advised Slattery to make 
 application to the Eoyal Humane Society, which was supported 
 by the public purposely for rewarding those who saved the 
 lives of others from drowning. He asked the man whether he 
 had ever received any reward for what he had done 1 
 
 Slattery said— Oh yes, he had. He saved the life of the 
 owner of a yacht at Blackwall, for which he received one 
 shilling. He saved the life of the wife of a lighterman at 
 Queenhithe, while her husband and two sons looked on and 
 said, " Let her drown." For that he received no reward. He 
 saved a fireman's boy at Waterloo Bridge, and after getting 
 him out of the water he stuck so tight in the mud that two
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 53 
 
 boats had to come and get him out. For that he got no re- 
 ward. He saved another boy at Southwark Bridge, for which 
 he got no reward. He rescued a lodging-house keeper, of 
 Field Lane, named Brown, and a woman about fourteen stone 
 weight who attempted to commit suicide at Paul's "Wharf, and 
 for his loss of time the sitting alderman at Guildhall gave him 
 10s. He rescued a boy living in Upper Thames Street, for 
 which he got no reward. Besides these cases he had saved 
 about six or seven printers' boys at Paul's Wharf, who, during 
 their dinner hour, amused themselves by jumping from barge 
 to barge, and frequently fell between them. The last life he 
 had saved was that of the prisoner, Charles Ducrow. 
 
 Sir Sydney H. "Waterlow thought this was just such a case 
 as the Royal Humane Society would give a reward to, and he 
 w T ould give him a letter to the secretary, drawing his attention 
 to it. 
 
 Slattery took the letter, and now stated that he had seen the 
 secretary, laid the above list before him, and was told by him 
 that the society could do nothing because he had not made his 
 application within fourteen days. 
 
 Sir Sydney H. Waterlow said he was sorry to hear it, but 
 he could do nothing more in the matter. He thought when 
 a magistrate drew his attention to such a case the secretary 
 would have paid attention to it. However, he was grieved to 
 see such gallant conduct ignored by a society receiving sub- 
 scriptions from the public for the express purpose of rewarding 
 such noble deeds.
 
 54 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 THE TWO SINGERS. 
 
 When the grass falls before the scythe the nightingale sings 
 no more. — Common Saying. 
 
 I. 
 
 Nightingale, sing night and day ! 
 Keep thy gurgling flute in tune, 
 All too brief that plaintive lay, 
 Born in May, 
 It dies with dying June. 
 
 ir. 
 For observant rustics tell, 
 While the lark still carols blithe, 
 Thou wilt utter, Philomel, 
 
 Sad farewell, 
 Struck dumb before the scythe. 
 
 II L 
 
 Dearest treasures earliest pass, 
 So with us, and so with thee,
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 55 
 
 Lover of the springing grass, 
 Soon, alas ! 
 'Twill fall, and thou will flee. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Ah, the heart that cleaves to earth 
 Soon the whetted scythe must hear, 
 Shaking even at its birth 
 
 Tuneful mirth 
 With agony of fear. 
 
 v. 
 Falls and fades the meadow bloom, 
 Then the heart's sweet music lies 
 Buried in some voiceless tomb, 
 And in gloom 
 Her wasted summer dies. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Happier soul that upward springs, 
 Like the lark with joy elate, 
 Sunshine glistening on her wings, 
 While she sings 
 Brave songs "at Heaven's gate."
 
 56 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 VII. 
 
 Though beneath her on the plain 
 Blade nor bloom the mower spare, 
 No sad minor tones of pain 
 
 Cloud her strain, 
 Yet she had treasure there.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 57 
 
 CAMILLA. 
 
 Fatigued by modern Belles in town, 
 In country, and suburban villa, 
 
 I take my old school Virgil down 
 And read the story of Camilla. 
 
 An exile king, to mountain lair 
 
 Retreating, bears his infant daughter 
 Her nurture — all a father's care, 
 
 Her lore — the forest craft he taught her 
 With tiny hand she bends the bow, 
 
 Around her tender waist a quiver, 
 And on her cheeks the purple glow 
 
 That happiness and freedom give her. 
 
 She wears no bodice silken-laced, 
 No clouds of Tyrian dye enfold her, 
 
 But tigress skin in savage taste 
 
 Depending from an ivory shoulder ;
 
 58 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 No gold confines her raven hair, 
 
 The dear delight of mountain breezes, 
 
 It floats untrammelled on the air 
 Or hangs as happy Nature pleases. 
 
 Twin buskins guard her fairy feet 
 
 From cruel flint and frosty weather, 
 Their tread so delicately fleet 
 
 As scarce to bend the blooming heather ; 
 And roaming thus a huntress-child, 
 
 Like Dian's younger, fairer sister, 
 No game however strong or wild 
 
 In all the woodland could resist her. 
 
 At sweet sixteen Camilla won 
 
 Such peerless fame of budding beauty 
 That many a mother urged her son 
 
 To lure the child from filial duty ; 
 But when some youth of courtly grace 
 
 Accosted her with lover's greeting, 
 She shook her arrows in his face, 
 
 And clapt her hands at his retreating.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 59 
 
 So clear to her those forest glades 
 
 With virgin liberty to range them, 
 Her mountains with their wild cascades — 
 
 She could not for a palace change them. 
 And so she kept (example rare ! 
 
 In pulchro corpore mens sana) 
 For aged father all her care, 
 
 And all her kisses for Diana.
 
 60 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 SING A SONG OF SIXPENCE. 
 
 A NURSERY RHYME RATIONALISED FOR THE LITTLE 
 MEN AND WOMEN OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. 
 
 He sang his song from door to door, 
 He smiled and touched his hat; 
 
 Some threw a shilling on the floor, 
 And many half of that. 
 
 When hunger seized him as he sped 
 
 His tuneful trade to ply, 
 From pocket full he munched his bread 
 
 Of oats or rather rye. 
 
 But when he came to palace grand 
 
 And warbled at the door, 
 The King and Queen of all the land 
 
 Cried, " Minstrel, roam no more." 
 
 It came to pass, as gossips tell, 
 But not the reason why,
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 61 
 
 (Perhaps because he piped so well) 
 They gave him blackbird pie. 
 
 The King he carved with merry words 
 
 Befitting such a king, 
 " Lo, here are five-and-twenty birds, 
 
 But only one can sing." 
 
 The Queen produced her honey pot, 
 
 (This was her secret joy), 
 And with the sweetest she had got 
 
 Regaled that lucky boy. 
 
 The King sat counting out his gold 
 
 (This was his little fad) ; 
 He grasped as much as hand could hold 
 
 And gave it to the lad. 
 
 b u 
 
 The maid was in the garden-plot 
 A hanging out the clothes; 
 
 It was her heart she lost, and not 
 Her pretty little nose.
 
 62 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 MY RIVER. 
 
 A SONG DESCRIPTIVE OF A PICTURE. 
 
 Radiant River, 
 In whose current sway and quiver 
 Snow-white blossom, purple mountain, 
 
 Yellow primrose, reed, and bent, 
 And the deeply mirror'd azure 
 Of the sunny firmament ; 
 Sweetest of all joys, and sweeter 
 On thy flow'ry marge to meet her, 
 Meet her here, 
 My love, my dear, 
 Like a glowing Naiad wearing 
 River lilies round her head, 
 Sceptrewise a bulrush bearing 
 
 From her river-bed. 
 Hence ! avaunt ! O working bee, 
 Croak, thou frog, no prophecy, 
 
 Treacherous spider, flee ! 
 Toil and trouble, 
 Dealing double,
 
 MERRY AXD WISE. G3 
 
 Away ! Away ! 
 Come not near my love and me ! 
 Fairy stream, 
 Sunset gleam, 
 Stay, O stay, stay !
 
 64 pot-pourri; OR, 
 
 "DUX FEMINA FACTA." 
 
 AN EMANCIPATION ODE, TO BE SUNG BY TREBLES ONLY. 
 
 A.D. 1893. 
 
 O mark the day that lifts our ban 
 
 With raiment white and braided tresses, 
 Too long we groaned the slaves of man, 
 
 Henceforth we are electoresses ; 
 But only vote, however pressed, 
 
 On principles of " pure selection," 
 And the " survival of the best '' 
 
 In face and figure and complexion. 
 
 In vain the ugly Tory prates, 
 
 The Radical ungainly proses, 
 We scorn to favour candidates 
 
 With lanthorn jaws or crooked noses ; 
 But when Apollo Belvideres 
 
 Our " vote and interest solicit,"
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 65 
 
 By canvass, eloquence, and cheers 
 
 We'll bring them in, we cannot miss it. 
 
 The female vote by slow degrees 
 
 Will weed the benches of St Stephen, 
 Till every member (if you please) 
 
 Shows Grecian nose and dentals even. 
 What follows ? O ye golden years ! 
 
 O free and glorious British nation ! 
 Lo ! womankind M.P. appears 
 
 Sole mistress of the situation. 
 
 Behold a novel introduction : 
 
 Our charming selves will grace the centre, 
 And idiot howling and " obstruction " 
 
 Subside and vanish as we enter. 
 They " bate " our husbands " by the powers," 
 
 So strong their brass, their voices stronger, 
 But when they match their tongues with ours 
 
 They'll soon discover which is longer. 
 
 We'll tighten many a screw that's loose, 
 
 Curb ministerial wits that wander, 
 
 E
 
 66 pot-pourri; or 
 
 And teach mankind that " sauce for goose " 
 Is likewise proper " sauce for gander " ; 
 
 We'll minimise the income tax, 
 
 Cheer the bucolic heart with plenty, 
 
 And pile all burdens on the backs 
 Of bachelors turned eierht-and-twenty. 
 
 x fc> 
 
 Deceased-wives'-sister bills ! How great 
 
 The nuisance of those annual bothers ! 
 But we will then retaliate, 
 
 And pre-engage our husbands' brothers ! 
 The widow's pension i Immature 
 
 We deem that Georgian 1 invention, 
 We can improve it, and secure 
 
 A second husband plus the pension. 
 
 The coinage shall be decimal, 
 
 To soften arithmetic rigours, 
 For though our shapes are perfect all, 
 
 We are not over-good at figures. 
 
 1 " The widow's pension " was suggested by Mr Henry George, 
 author of Progress and Poverty.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 67 
 
 Loner may Victoria's image be 
 
 Displayed our British coin and flag on, 
 
 But Hercules and Omphale 
 
 Shall supersede the George and Dragon. 
 
 'Tis six years since the Jubilee — 
 
 To us a grateful jubilation — 
 What won our earliest victory ? 
 
 A maiden Queen's determination ; 
 Her tiny royal foot went down, 
 
 And forced Sir Robert to surrender ; 
 That is a diamond in her crown ! 
 
 Long live Victoria ! Heav'n defend her ! 
 
 " To love, to cherish, and obey" 
 
 That vow was framed by men : no matter ! 
 When rearranged in woman's way 
 
 The bridegroom shall repeat the latter ; 
 And when an olive branch appears, 
 
 Papa shall sit at home and rock it, 
 While w r e enjoy ourselves, my dears, 
 
 A little latch-key in our pocket !
 
 68 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 We won't forget the usual snub, 
 
 Returning later than expected, 
 But talk about the ladies' club, 
 
 Where " ladies only " are elected ; 
 We hold the rod, we will not spare, 
 
 Revenge shall take the place of mercy, 
 Man's turn will come to grin and bear 
 
 In those brave days of vice versa. 
 
 Dame Partlet — see her rule the roost, 
 
 And in the chickyard peck and jump it, 
 And luckless chanticleer reduced 
 
 To crow as small as penny trumpet ; 
 Sharp beaks have we when men refuse 
 
 To mend their tempers and their manners. 
 Bring friends to lunch with muddy shoes, 
 
 And take to "brandies" and havannas. 
 
 The stronger now must to the wall, 
 
 The muscular obey the feeble, 
 In life's duet the bass sing small, 
 
 And octaves higher shrill the treble ;
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 69 
 
 Enough of tears and abject life, 
 Enough of husbands' jealous fury ; 
 
 Point out the brute who beats a wife, 
 We'll hang him sine judge or jury !
 
 TO pot-pourri; or, 
 
 ODE TO APHRODITE. 
 
 SAPPHO. 
 
 Goddess of th' enamelled throne, 
 
 Zeus' fair and guileful child, 
 Queen immortal, see thine own 
 Vext, insulted, and reviled : 
 But if thou scorn 
 My love forlorn 
 Ah ! thou wilt slay me, mother mild ! 
 
 Hasten hither : my request 
 
 Often won thine ear of old ; 
 When I sought thee, heart-distrest, 
 Scarce my blushing tale I told, 
 Ere thou wouldst speed 
 With loving heed 
 To quit thy father's halls of gold. 
 
 Gladly thou wouldst yoke thy car, 
 Drawn by sparrows swift and fair ;
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 71 
 
 Gladly I beheld afar 
 
 Dark wings whirling thro' the air"; 
 
 Till to my side 
 
 I saw them glide, 
 And leave their lovely mistress there. 
 
 Lips immortal smiled on me, 
 
 Lips and eyes and forehead smiled; 
 And a voice caressingly 
 
 Questioning, "What anguish wild, 
 What passion throes " 
 (Saidst thou) "are those 
 That drew me hither, my child ? 
 
 " Whence conceived that throbbing heart 
 
 Love's mad fever- dream so strono- ? 
 Lo, I steep the suasive dart ; 
 
 This shall hit the mark ere lono- ; 
 Love's artful net 
 Is ready-set ; 
 Say, Sappho, who hath done thee wrong?
 
 72 POT-POURRI; OR, 
 
 " Flies he with aversion swift ? 
 He shall shortly follow thee : 
 Dares he scorn thy graceful gift ? 
 He shall proffer on his knee. 
 Thy love shall all 
 His soul enthral, 
 And coldness change to ecstasy 
 
 Prithee, Goddess, hear me still, 
 
 Come as thou wert wont of yore ; 
 All my heart desires fulfil, 
 
 Loose its bondage, heal its sore : 
 Appear, appear, 
 O mistress dear, 
 To help thy votary j^et once more.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 73 
 
 TO THE BELOVED. 
 
 SAPPHO. 
 
 Godlike I deem that lover's pleasure 
 Who lies enamoured at thy feet, 
 
 Whose ear imbibes in thrilling measure 
 Thy whispered tones and laughter sweet. 
 
 II. 
 
 Ah me ! my heart begins to flutter 
 At sight of thee, beyond control, 
 
 Then neither throat nor tongue can utter 
 The passion that consumes my soul. 
 
 in. 
 
 Forthwith the fire of love careering 
 Insidious thro' and thro' me strays ; 
 
 My eyes are sightless, and my hearing 
 Like buzzino- bees in summer days
 
 74 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 IV. 
 
 Cold dews adown my limbs are streaming, 
 I tremble all from feet to head, 
 
 My lips are blanched; to outward seeming, 
 Breath fails me — I am almost dead.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 75 
 
 THE SAME IN ENGLISH SAPPHICS. 
 
 Blest as some God is he who sits beside thee, 
 Bending an ear to catch thy honey'd whisper, 
 Charmed by those peals of love-inspiring laughter. 
 
 Sweet Telesilla. 
 
 Ah, how my heart tumultuously tender 
 Fluttered within or ever I beheld thee, 
 Utterance failed, and powerless my tongue lay 
 
 Tied with emotion. 
 
 Swiftly love's soft fire circulated through me, 
 Objects surrounding faded from my vision, 
 Murmuring sounds were buzzing in my ears like 
 
 Swarms of Hymettus. 
 
 Chilly damps trickled down me in abundance, 
 Feeble limbs failed me tremulous, my cheek was 
 Paler than ashes, breathless I was plainly 
 
 Close upon dying.
 
 76 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 THE RATTLE-TRAP: OR, THE ADVENTURES 
 OF A PHAETON. 
 
 BY BLACK AND BLUE. 
 
 For thirty sovs I bought a trap, 
 
 Twas plain enough to please a quaker, 
 
 But ought to have been called a Brake, 
 Or I might even say a Breaker. 
 
 Ah, had I known what strokes of fate 
 
 Would fall on me through that tormentor 
 
 I would have placed (ere yet too late) 
 A blazing torch beneath her centre. 
 
 But when she trundled out as gay 
 
 As varnish and blue paint could make her, 
 
 We dreamt not of the evil day, 
 And frequent bills of Mr Baker. 
 
 How shall I tell the tale of woe ? 
 
 Alas, no cries of " Wo ! " could stop her,
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 77 
 
 Her evil genius urged her so 
 
 " To run a muck " and " Come a cropper ! " * 
 
 A wheel rolled off; she broke her box'; 
 
 Then lost her lamps (may Darkness take her); 
 Her dash-board turned smash-boar<l with knocks 
 
 (I hold the bills of Mr Baker!) 
 
 And yet was not the trap alone 
 
 Responsible for all this jobbin', 
 The guiltiest " party " was a roan 
 
 Named "Pet" forsooth; we called him " Dobbin." 
 
 He broke the trap, he broke his leg; 
 
 Then gave himself a final cobbin' 
 By kicking on the driving peg, 
 
 Which put a stop to Signor " Dobbin ! " 
 
 But ere he kicked that treacherous fork, 
 And doomed himself for life to rue it, 
 
 Upon the trap he did his work 
 
 As neatly as two heels could do it — 
 
 1 See slang of the period.
 
 78 
 
 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 He smashed her axle, snapped her shaft, 
 Her under parts received a stover, 
 
 She split in front, she splintered aft, 
 Then turned deliberately over. 
 
 Succeeded him a briskish nag, 
 
 In spite of years his legs were limber, 
 
 His name was " Thomas " — but the wao- 
 
 Played scurvy tricks with trams and timber. 
 
 Of course his shying broke the trap, 
 
 And shortly we were forced to send her, 
 
 Disabled by a fresh mishap, 
 
 To any maker who would mend her. 
 
 For hitherto in dismal plight 
 
 She dragged herself to Mr Baker, 
 But now he loathed her very sight, 
 
 And vow'd he would not undertake her. 
 
 So vice " Thomas," in due course, 
 
 Came number Three, whose legs were thicker 
 Ah, trust him not, the heavier horse 
 
 Is like to prove the heavier kicker.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 79 
 
 Says I, '"Now listen, poor old chap, 
 
 They tell me that your name is 'Charley,' 
 
 If you go gently in my trap 
 
 I'll feed you well on oats and barley." 
 
 So " Charley " took me at my word, 
 And shuffled on with gentle action, 
 
 I whipped: to whip him was absurd, 
 The creature did not care a fraction. 
 
 He never broke my trap — not he, 
 
 But broke my 'patience and my temper ; 
 
 His pace had no variety, 
 
 Two miles per hour, et idem semper. 
 
 He owned a swollen hock, a cough, 
 
 A broken hoof (no smith could mend him), 
 
 So in disgust I sent him off, 
 
 And feared the kennel soon must end him. 
 
 Since that I bought a little mare, 
 
 Well bred and gentle, fast and pretty ; 
 
 Her age is neither here nor there, 
 
 But if you ask her name, 'tis " Kitty,"
 
 80 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 And she will neither shy nor bolt, 
 
 But ah, when " Kitty's " pace increases, 
 
 I apprehend at every jolt 
 
 My "pony-chay" will shake to pieces. 
 
 It makes such music as it goes, 
 
 Groanings and squeaks and creaks it mingles, 
 It roars and wheezes, puffs and blows, 
 
 It rings and rattles, snaps and jingles. 
 
 I start at each alarming snap, 
 
 And think some vital part is parting; 
 
 So when I drive this "rattle-trap" 
 I don't arrive— I'm always starting.
 
 MERRY AXD WISE. 81 
 
 TO THE PENINSULAR SIRMIO. 1 
 
 FROM CATULLUS. 
 
 Sirmio, gem of peninsulars and islands, 
 All that are anywhere girt by either Neptune,'- 2 
 Limn'd in the liquid transparency of lakelet, 
 Washed by the circling infinity of ocean ; 
 Ah, with what joy and contentment come I hither, 
 Scarcely believing myself to have abandon'd 
 Thynia and plains of Bithynia for ever, 
 Scarcely believing in safety I behold thee ! 
 What can be sweeter than this emancipation, 
 When the soul care-stricken lays aside its burden, 
 When from a far land the traveller returning, 
 Weary of wandering, sitteth by his own hearth, 
 Resteth his limbs on the bed so often longed for ? 
 Here is the one worthy meed of all my labours. 
 Bless thee, fair Sirmio : bid thy master welcome : 
 Welcome me, Lydian lake with smiling ripples 
 Welcome me, laugh, all things capable of laughter. 
 
 1 Sirmio, now Gesenzano, at the foot of L. di Garda. 
 
 2 Neptunus uterque = salt water or fresh. 
 
 F
 
 82 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 THE FARMER'S HARVEST SONG. 
 
 Nil desperaudum. 
 
 Come out, my men, with mirthful cheer, 
 
 And leave all sluggards sleeping; 
 Hark, 'tis the call of chanticleer, 
 
 And the harvest is worth the reaping. 
 The sun is afield, let us up and away ; 
 
 For, comrades all, my advice is 
 To work with a will, and hope some day 
 
 Kind Heav'n may better the prices. 
 
 Come out, come out, my mowers true, 
 
 And whet your scythes with a rattle, 
 These oats are not for "the like of you," 
 
 But Christians care for their cattle ; 
 Right pleasant it is to stand behind 
 
 One's palfrey willing and able, 
 And hear him crunch with a satisfied grind 
 
 His gallon of oats in the stable.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 83 
 
 Come out, come out, my harvesters true, 
 
 And warm to your reaping early, 
 Not " a peck o' maut " can " Willie brew " 
 
 Till we shave the bearded barley : . 
 "The barley brew" will make folk glad 
 
 When winter snow looks dreary, 
 And a tankard of nut-brown ale may be had 
 
 To comfort the souls of the weary. 
 
 Come out, come out, my merry men all, 
 
 With bag and bottle and ration, 
 These golden clusters of wheat must fall 
 
 To feed a famishing nation : 
 For wheatcn bread is the staff of life, 
 
 We are bound together about it, 
 Nor peer nor peasant nor man nor wife 
 
 Can thrive and be happy without it. 
 
 But let your blades with their rustling sweep 
 Through the falling ears remind you 
 
 Of the harvester Time, who comes to reap 
 With his silent scythe behind you.
 
 84 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 In Heav'n's broad field grow strong and straight, 
 
 Increase in faith and reason, 
 That you may be borne to the Golden Gate, 
 
 " Like shocks of Corn in their Season."
 
 MEERY AND WISE. 85 
 
 A SUNDAY EVENING AT TENBY. 
 
 i. 
 
 We clomb the Crag of Castlehill, 
 
 Whence the Good Prince looks down 
 In marble likeness calm and still 
 
 On little Tenby Town; 
 And strolling round the grassy height 
 
 We hoped, between our talk, 
 Some curious or some lovely sight 
 
 Might mark our Evening; walk. 
 
 II. 
 
 The Bay was lit by sunset sheen, 
 
 And crossed by shadows fine 
 In shifting belts of emerald green 
 
 And deepest iodine : 
 It rained, but could we heed the shower 
 
 When o'er the clouded Heaven 
 We saw a bannered Rainbow tower 
 
 And flaunt its colours seven ?
 
 86 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 hi. 
 
 And lo ! beneath a new delight — 
 
 Reflecting ray for ray, 
 A fairy causeway halcyon bright 
 
 Lay bridged across the Bay ; 
 Then pictured forth in fainter dye 
 
 (As copies wont to be) 
 The Bow was doubled on the sky 
 
 The Bowstring on the sea. 
 
 IV. 
 
 They fade— they fall ; but ere the Bay 
 
 Quite lost its brilliant hue, 
 Behold the Porpoises at play — 
 
 A rolling, plunging crew; 
 With flashing fin they lithely pass 
 
 And lash their tails behind, 
 Or gambol in a wallowing mass 
 
 Of monsters intertwined. 
 
 V. 
 
 " Say, Fishers, why ye man the boat 
 Safe moored beside the Pier :
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 87 
 
 Whence so much haste to get afloat 
 
 With heaps of netted gear ? 
 And wherefore this long eager watch 
 
 Beside the shallows set ? 
 Methinks ye scarcely care to catch 
 
 A Porpoise in your net. 
 
 VI. 
 
 " Nay, Master, let the creatures roll 
 
 And tumble while they may, 
 They tell their tale ! There is a shoal 
 
 Of Mackerel in the Bay ! " 
 So fishing on the tide-swept sand 
 
 They plied their craft right well, 
 And counted, when they rowed to land, 
 
 One thousand Mackerel ! ! 
 
 VII. 
 
 'Twas thus we chanced that Sunday night, 
 
 Dear daughter mine, to gain 
 Three spectacles that charmed our sight 
 
 Upon the watery plain ;
 
 88 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 And, Agnes, you could scarcely tell 
 Which most of all did please, 
 
 The Rainbows or the Mackerel 
 Or the sportive Porpoises. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The Strange — the Beautiful we sought 
 So richly crowned our search ! 
 
 And yet perhaps — un-" happy thought 
 We'd better been at Church.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 89 
 
 THE SKYLARK. 
 
 A FABLE. 
 
 A LARK who had suffered from spoliation, 
 
 And rejoiced in an airy situation, 
 
 Impatient at length at a home so low, 
 
 Endangered by ev'ry marauding foe, 
 
 Flew up and away with a carol loud 
 
 And built a snug nest in the cleft of a cloud. 
 
 Ah, then how happy " that child of air " 
 
 In the pleasant prospect she found up there ! 
 
 One bright little eye looked thankfully down, 
 
 As she brooded her five little eggs so brown, 
 
 On the fields and the forests that lay below 
 
 And harboured the robbers she feared not now ! 
 
 That cruel cat with the stealthy tread 
 
 Could not rifle the sweets of her nursery bed ; 
 
 No blundering cow with a careless hoof 
 
 To crush in the sedge of her sacred roof ; 
 
 No boisterous puppy with instincts game 
 
 Would harass her home and her fledglings maim ;
 
 90 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 No bristling; hedgehog abroad on his luck 
 Could seize all her dear little eggs to suck ; 
 And, worse than puppy, cow, hedgehog and cat, 
 (It still made her nervous to think of that), 
 No urchin was here in full holiday swing- 
 To fasten her little ones' legs to a string. 
 O fortunate lark ! " What a lark," sang she, 
 And she warbled as happy as happy could be. 
 But the other bright eye glanced eagerly through 
 To examine the realms of etherial blue ; 
 Ah, there it encountered a gruesome sight. 
 And her poor little heart beat aloud with fright ! 
 From the North crept up an enormous Bear 
 With seven great eyes to goggle and stare ; 
 A Scorpion appeared with a sting in his tail ; 
 And Aquarius overhead carried a pail, 
 So carelessly swung it might well upset 
 And deluge her darlings with heavy wet ; 
 And the Man-in-the-Moon, from a nearer view, 
 Presented a visage of ghastly hue, 
 While his nondescript dog and his buudle of sticks 
 Reminded her strangely of lunatics.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 91 
 
 Then Cassiopsea arose from her chair, 
 
 And the sudden movement gave her a scare ; 
 
 And on either side, with a fiendish grin, 
 
 Expressive of eggs, stood a terrible Twin ; 
 
 And Cancer came waddling all on one side, 
 
 First snapping his claws, and then stretching them 
 
 wide ; 
 And a horrible Lion began to roar 
 And ramp, which frightened her more and more. 
 But what she dreaded far worse than the Lion, 
 Or the flashing and clashing blade of Orion, 
 Was the silver braid of a subtle net 
 Which the Pleiads " of malice prepense " had set. 
 And last of all Sagittarius came 
 And bent his bow with deliberate aim 
 To demolish all larks and their nests with a 
 
 stroke. 
 So she fluttered and screamed, and in screamiDg 
 
 awoke, 
 And plumed her pinions with joy when she found 
 She had dreamed a safe dream in her nest on the 
 
 ground.
 
 92 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 MORAL. 
 
 So, all you little people discontented with your 
 
 station, 
 Take warning by this Lark and her imagined 
 
 elevation, 
 Be patient in your low estate, and bravely bear 
 
 its trouble ; 
 If you change it for a higher — that may chance 
 
 to bring you double.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 93 
 
 S N O W. 
 
 MARCH 22, 1885. 
 
 ■•j 
 
 Father Sol looks down 
 
 With a tearful frown 
 
 On a white shroud spread below : 
 For Winter has made 
 A nocturnal raid, 
 
 And his nurslings are buried in snow. 
 
 Old Greybeard march'd back, 
 And his dusty sack 
 
 Stifles all the sweet voices of Spring- 
 We may listen in vain 
 For the nightingale's strain 
 
 In the pines where she useth to sine-. 
 
 Symbolical this 
 
 Of our transient bliss 
 
 And of hopes that just blossom and fade ;
 
 94 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 Ah, how verdant and bright, 
 But they pass in a night 
 
 As if 'whelm'd by a snowy cascade. 
 
 Yet the vigour of Hope 
 Is as able to cope 
 
 With Misfortune, as sunshine with snow 
 It may fall in chill showers, 
 It may cover Spring flowers, 
 
 But it won't last for ever, we know 
 
 i
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 95 
 
 THE GLADSOME LITTLE ROY. 
 
 {not by dr avatts.) 
 
 Whene'er I take my walks abroad 
 
 Hoav many poor I see ! 
 Whene'er I view my own abode 
 
 How snug it seems to be : 
 I am so glad such pleasant lines 
 
 Have fallen unto me ! 
 
 Nurse tells me many common boys 
 
 Are fed on pork and beans, 
 And as for turtle and champagne 
 
 They know not what it means: 
 I'm glad to say that every day 
 
 We feast like kings and queens. 
 
 Papa and I drove out hard by, 
 
 We passed a ragged child ; 
 But I was dressed in winter best, 
 
 With furs and velvet piled : 
 He had no dad ! I felt so glad, 
 
 And looked at mine and smiled.
 
 96 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 That night my sire, before the fire, 
 
 Informed me on his knee 
 That few were rich, and many poor, 
 
 And poor must always be : 
 'Papa," said I, '"I'm glad you're rich;" 
 
 "And so am I," said he.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 97 
 
 ABANDONED. 
 
 "Send me!" undaunted Gordon cried, when England 
 
 sought a man 
 To bear a heavy burden in the deserts of 
 
 Soudan : — 
 His was a brow that would not blench before the 
 
 Arab spear, 
 A soul that feared his God above, and knew no 
 
 other fear, 
 A heart that answered, throb for throb, to every 
 
 human need, 
 And scorned all passions that do wrong, of hate or 
 
 lust or greed, 
 A life that would be freely giv'n his brother men 
 
 to save, 
 A body well content to rest in Egypt's dreariest 
 
 grave : 
 He heard his country's urgent need, it tired his 
 
 noble breast, 
 
 G
 
 98 POT-POUERI; OR, 
 
 Our hero, so we named him then, obeyed her high 
 
 behest, 
 And riding on his desert track, designed with 
 
 hopeful smile 
 To plant the Tree of Liberty upon the banks of 
 
 Nile. 
 His mission failed : he brought no peace no freedom 
 
 to Soudan, 
 It failed, for jarring feuds at home marred all his 
 
 prudent plan. 
 At last intrench'd in palace lone, dark foemen 
 
 gathering fast, 
 Provisions wasting, every day more hopeless than 
 
 the last, 
 No news from home, and (as they said) cut off 
 
 from human aid 
 By fiery sun and scorching sand and hostile 
 
 ambuscade, 
 He stood at bay, like antlered stag which treach'rous 
 
 hounds assail, 
 But treachery could not cloud his faith or make 
 
 his spirit quail,
 
 MERRY AND AVISE. 99 
 
 He fell : and then three days too late the laggar< I 
 
 aid drew nigh, 
 The Gordon had been true to death, and England 
 
 bade him die !
 
 100 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 A SUNSET IN THE SOUDAN. 
 
 Grandly beneath his robe of fiery cloud 
 
 Now sleeps the sunken sun ; 
 So rests our warrior in his crimson shroud, 
 
 His latest battle won. 
 
 The sun " new spangled " at the call of morn 
 
 Will brighter beams display, 
 So he from unknown grave will rise newborn 
 
 When shadows flee away. 
 
 Sublime the welcome that awaits the brave, 
 
 The martyr's guerdon then, 
 Who life and "all save honour" freely gave 
 
 To save his fellow-men.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 101 
 
 SOUP OR FISHES. 
 
 A famishing Johnian mischancing to hit 
 On a poor country inn for refreshment unlit, 
 Was informed that the hostess no dinner had got, 
 Save carp from the pond and pea soup from the 
 
 pot: 
 At least, he exclaimed, these unsavoury dishes 
 Will help me to illustrate " Plane superficies." l 
 
 1 Plain soup or fishes.
 
 102 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 FROM MARTIAL. 
 
 Vitam quce faciunt beatiorem, etc. 
 
 Dear Martial, here are things which if possest 
 
 Would render human life more richly blest : 
 
 Wealth without labour, heritage by birth, 
 
 A thankful farm, the old ancestral hearth ; 
 
 No law suits, few of clothes ; a mind at ease ; 
 
 Good constitution ; freedom from disease ; 
 
 Simplicity and Prudence; equal friends 
 
 Whose easy conversation makes amends 
 
 For artless dishes ; nights without excess, 
 
 Yet bright with never-failing cheerfulness; 
 
 A happy marriage, and yet chaste withal : 
 
 Sound sleep which makes the hours of darkness 
 
 small ; 
 No greedy craving, no repining sigh, 
 No dread of death, yet no desire to die.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 103 
 
 COOK V. GAZE. 
 
 " Say, shall I go to Cook," he asked, 
 " Or shall I go to Gaze ? " 
 
 That must depend, my tourist friend, 
 Upon your whims and ways, 
 
 And if your pleasures continental 
 
 Be sensuous or sentimental. 
 
 When I indulged my foreign craze, 
 Coupons from Loth I took, 
 
 Trusted when travelling to Gaze, 
 When dining turned to Cook.
 
 104 POT-POURRI; OR, 
 
 RISUS ET LACRYMiE. 
 
 Parvulus et nudus, connixa matre, jacebas ; 
 
 Csetera tunc risit, le lacrymante, domus ; 
 Sic vive, ut moriens aliis sis causa doloris 
 
 Omnibus, at risus ludat in ore tuo.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 105 
 
 ST CHAD. 
 
 From his high niche in Stafford town, 
 On tory, liberal, or " rad," 
 With changeless aspect looketh down 
 The image of St Chad. 
 
 His better hand a crosier bears 
 The good to bless, to ban the bad, 
 But neither smile nor ano-er wears 
 The visage of St Chad. 
 
 a 
 
 Indifferent to artistic praise, 
 Disdainful of each gibing cad, 
 In stormy as in sunny days 
 
 Stands weatherproof St Chad. 
 
 What ! on the mediseval list, 
 By fast and vigil worn and sad, 
 Suspected for a "ritualist" — 
 
 Nay, self-condemned, St Chad
 
 106 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 In lawless vestment habited, 
 
 In lawless alb, stole, cassock clad, 
 
 A lawless mitre on thy head, 
 
 Yet undismayed, St Chad ! 
 
 If some Aggrieved Parishioner, backed 
 By kindred spirits popery-mad, 
 Enforced the Public Worship Act, 
 
 Short shrift for thee, St Chad ! 
 
 With hangman's rope around their throat, 
 If Austin, Jerome, Gregory had, 1 
 Meet usao-e for Iscariot— 
 
 What hope for thee, St Chad ? 
 
 O stern, unthrobbing heart of stone, 
 Secured by triple rocky pad, 
 Would I might make thy calm my own, 
 And learn to gaze, St Chad, 
 
 1 An allusion to the profane iconoclasm at Bristol.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 107 
 
 Adown life's long and busy street, 
 Above each novel craze or " fad," 
 Each blatant cry, each patent cheat, 
 Intent like thee, St Chad. 
 
 By work and worship, ere the chimes 
 Ring out life's little day, to add 
 One warder more in evil times 
 
 At th' Old Church Porch, St Chad.
 
 108 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 EPIGRAM. 
 
 THE EXASPERATED BARD TO THE "IRRESPONSIBLE 
 
 REVIEWER." 
 
 Come, Critic, turn and turn about ! 
 
 Pen just one little sonnet : 
 And when you bring your bantling out, 
 
 Oh! won't we "sit upon it."
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 109 
 
 THE SUNFLOWER. 
 
 A FABLE TO ILLUSTRATE THE POWER OF KINDNESS. 
 
 "to $\4ypas TreSiov cud o'c deoi tous yrjyeuecs Kadvwep7}K.ovTC<xa.v." 
 
 Aristophanes. 
 
 O'er Phlegra's plain 
 Mid-air Apollo stood 
 And slew with flaming 1 shafts 
 The climbing Titan brood 
 
 Grown bolder ; 
 And as he fought amain 
 His bow unerring twang'd, 
 And the golden quiver clang'd 
 
 On his shoulder. 
 
 The sons of Earth 
 Fell ponderous, and their fall 
 Crash'd like a tempest's mirth, 
 When cloud to cloud doth call 
 
 In bellowing thunder;
 
 110 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 Then from their swollen veins 
 Rich torrents of hot blood 
 In crimson lakelets stood, 
 Or foam'd asunder. 
 
 Forthwith a Gem, 
 Born from Earth's vengeful breast, 
 Erect on spearlike stem, 
 Flaunting a brazen crest 
 
 O'er hill and hollow, 
 Flamed multitudinous, 
 And hasted to uphold 
 A visage round and bold 
 
 To affront Apollo ! 
 
 So everywhere 
 Fierce faces glared at him, 
 Arrayed in golden hair 
 Circled with fiery rim, 
 
 All — sun-pretenders ! 
 From root to apex bloom 
 The Titan sap was strong
 
 MERRY AND WISE. Ill 
 
 To mock him all day long, 
 And ape his splendours. 
 
 Calm and serene 
 Each morn the god arose ; 
 Nor dart nor arrow keen 
 Launched he against his foes 
 
 For their subjection ; 
 But sunn'd them in his beams, 
 And render'd smile for frown, 
 Taming their hatred down 
 
 To fond affection. 
 
 Now a bright band, 
 Like bodyguard akin 
 To godlike chief, they stand 
 Yearning a glance to win 
 
 From him they follow; 
 And as his car rolls on 
 With fixed adoring eyes 
 They all apotheosise 
 
 Victorious Apollo.
 
 112 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 THE CHRISTMAS TREE. 
 
 A COMPARISON. 
 
 Mediocribus esse poetis 
 Non homines non Di non concessere columnar 
 
 Horace. 
 
 A Poetaster is my song 
 Who deems himself a gifted Poet, 
 And marvels in his heart how lonjj 
 'Twill be before the world will know it. 
 
 I here produce a " Christmas tree " 
 
 Fell'd in the copse by woodman's hatchet; 
 
 Take Fancy's spectacles, and see 
 
 How nicely It is " productions " match it. 
 
 'Tis fair to look at, neat and trim, 
 With head above us common people, 
 Leaf answers leaf, limb faces limb, 
 It moralises like a steeple.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 113 
 
 Self-satisfied around his Tree 
 Behold our Poetaster stalking, 
 Its tame, unmeaning symmetry 
 He lauds in high artistic talking. 
 
 I grant those lines in level row 
 He duly counted on his fingers, 
 And yet throughout, from top to toe, 
 No gleam of grace or beauty lingers. 
 
 No drop of clear Castalian dew 
 The life poetic here infuses, 
 The stock on which his sapling grew 
 Was never nurtur'd by the Muses. 
 
 He hints " The work is scarce besom, 
 Our craving shall ere long be sated, 
 Wait till his masterpiece be done 
 Bedizen'd and illuminated." 
 
 So first he wires an orange in, 
 
 And next a bunch of tawdry spangles 
 
 Above gay flags and glittering tin, 
 
 Beneath bright crystal balls and bangles. 
 
 H
 
 114 POT-POURRI ; OR, 
 
 And lacquer'd pictures here and there 
 With golden eggs Deception hatches, 
 And jewels neither "rich" nor "rare," 
 And brilliant stains of " purple patches." 
 
 Then ranged amidst this pot pourri 
 From toyshop, grocer's, huckster's, draper's, 
 He lights to glorify his Tree 
 A crowd of variegated tapers. 
 
 And when at length the Thing appears 
 In pomp of borrow'd decoration, 
 By fools and girls of tender years 
 'Tis hailed with joyful acclamation. 
 
 Alas, those tapers must burn down, 
 Those shams be scorn for every seorner, 
 From foot to crown the Tree turn'd brown 
 Must rot unheeded in a corner. 
 
 'Tis but a rootless, sapless splint, 
 
 In which nor gods nor men find pleasure, 
 
 And ev'ry pretty gewgaw in't 
 
 "Was pilfer'd from some neighbour's treasure.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 115 
 
 Neglected Bard ! Meet spite with spite, 
 Denounce the carping crew for vandals, 
 Then in one holocaust ignite 
 The stem for torch, the boughs for candles !
 
 116 pot-pourri; or, 
 
 THE EDELWEISSE. 
 
 IN MEMORY OF JEAN ANTOINE CARREL. 
 
 His last climb o'er, his duty done, he died 
 Of cold and hunger at the mountain's base, 
 Yielding to younger limbs the perilous place 
 So long his own of foremost Alpine guide. 
 Of all who chanced in Carrel to confide 
 Was never one who car'd not at the end 
 To clasp his honest hand, to call him friend, 
 And hope once more to clamber at his side. 
 
 Ah, would that all who loudly claim to be 
 Guides for their brethren to sublimer thought, 
 And ampler air than Alpine summits know, 
 Were faithful, wise, and diligent as he — 
 As worthy of those blossoms pure and white 
 Of Edelweisse which deck his grave below.
 
 MERRY AND WISE. 117 
 
 A PARODY FROM DRYDEN. 
 
 Two Beings in two distant periods born, 
 
 The courts of Heav'n, the groves of Earth adorn 
 
 The first excelled in majesty and grace, 
 
 The next in feeling heart and noble face. 
 
 Commanded then a third fair type to show, 
 
 The force of Nature could no farther go, 
 
 So mingling the angelic and the human 
 
 In just proportion, lo ! it fashion'd woman : 
 
 But since she rudely struggles to the fore, 
 
 The man remains, the angel is no more. 
 
 London : Digby, Long & Co., Publishers, 
 18 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, E.G.
 
 LIST OF BOOKS.
 
 18 Bouverie Street, 
 Fleet Street, 
 
 London, E.C. 
 
 THE NEWCASTLE DAILY CHRONICLE (the great 
 Newspaper of the North), in speaking of good and 
 wholesome fiction, refers to the " high reputation 
 that Messrs DIG BY, LONG & CO. enjoy Jor the 
 publication of first-class novels." 
 
 % ^election from the list of gooto 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 Messrs DlGBY, LONG & CO.
 
 Published by Digby, Long & Co. 
 
 LIST OF BOOKS. 
 
 A Modern Milkmaid. By the Author of " Commonplace Sin- 
 ners." In 3 vols., crown 8vo, cloth extra, 31s. 6d. Cheap 
 Edition in Railway Picture Boards, 2s. 
 
 "... the book is remark»ble and powerful, and it certainly ought to be 
 read, and read attentively."— National Observer. 
 
 " A book which gives evidence of much literary power. . . . The novel is 
 one which commands attention. The author 'has the literary faculty suf- 
 ficiently developed to enable him or her to join the front rank of writers of 
 fiction. ' — Pictorial World. 
 
 Wildwnter Terrace. By Reginald E. Salwet. In 2 vols., 
 crown 8vo, cloth extra, 21s. 
 
 " We strongly advise novel-readers to make the acquaintance of ' Wildwater 
 Terrace.' An eminentlj readable and interesting book."— Cow t Circular. 
 
 "A powerful story, with some peculiarly dramatic situations and a good 
 deal of descriptive skill." — Literary World. 
 
 '_' Mr Salwey weaves a terrible piece of mystery, and the reader who follows 
 it in the making will certainly get a great deal of entertainment out of it." 
 — Atheiixum. 
 
 John Bolt, Indian Civil Servant ; A Tale of Old 
 Hailevtrary and India, By R. W. Lodwick, late Bom- 
 bay Civil Service. In 2 vols., crown 8vo, cloth extra, 21s. 
 "Mr Lodwiek's simple and graphic manner. . . . The author's lively 
 sketches of what may now be called the old Overland Route, and the dramatic 
 incidents <f the Mutiny are all excellent in their way, but the book has greater 
 merit of posseting a deep human interest that never loses its hold on the 
 reader's imagination " — Morning Post 
 
 The Heiress of Beechfield. By M. E. Baldwin. In 2 vols. 
 Cloth extra, price 21s. [Just Published. 
 
 Hamtnra. A Tale of an unknown Land. Second Edition. By 
 
 H. S. Lockhart-Ross. In handsome binding, gilt lettered 
 
 and bevelled boards, price 6s. Postage, 4|d 
 
 " A work of considerable promise. . . . His descriptions of the island and 
 
 people of Hamtura are excellent, . . . The idea, of the Raven is excellent, 
 
 almost epic ; and the scenes in the temple of Hamtura, are very impressively 
 
 done. The book is distinctly promising."— Saturday Review. 
 
 Beneath Yonr Very Boots. Second Edition. By C. J. 
 Htne, Author of " A Matrimonial Mixture." Crown 8vo, 
 cloth extra, price 6s. Postage, \.\d. 
 
 " By no means miss reading ' Beneath Your Very Boots.' The story is abso- 
 lutely new, and cleverly worked out." — Athenaziim, 
 
 18 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, E.C.
 
 Published by Digby, Long & Co. 
 
 The Belvidere. By William Dwarris. Crown 8vo, cloth 
 extra, price 6s. Postage, Ahl. 
 "A well written and really powerful story."— Newcastle Daily Chronicle. 
 
 Paul Creighton. By Gertrude Carr Davison. Crown 8vo, 
 cloth extra, price 6s. Postage, 4 \d. 
 
 " A flrsl-class novel, for besides affording the reader much pleasurable excite- 
 ment, it gives Mm something to think of 'hat is elevating. The scenes are life- 
 like, and the sweet character of the heroine leaves nothing to be desired. The 
 author has succeeded in placing before the public a very good work, and one 
 that should be read, therefore." — Hereford Times. 
 
 Leslie. By the Author of "A Modern Milkmaid," etc., etc. In 
 handsome pictorial binding, gilt lettered. Crown Svo, price 6s. 
 Postage, 4.J,cZ. 
 
 Leading Women of the Restoration. Lady Russell, Lady 
 Warwick, Lady Maynard, Mrs Hutchinson, Mrs Godolphin. 
 With portraits. Dedicated to Lord Arthur Russell. By Mrs 
 Grace Johnstone. Demy Svo, cloth extra, price 6s. 
 Postage, 6d. [Just Published. 
 
 A Ride Across Iceland in the Summer of 1891. By the 
 Rev. W. T. McCormick, F.R.G.S., F.S.A., etc. With frontis- 
 piece. Crown Svo, cloth extra, price 2s. 6d. Postage, 3d. 
 
 [Just Published. 
 
 The Jollv Roger. A Tale of Sea Heroes and Pirates. By 
 Hume Nisbet, Author of " Bail Up," " A Colonial Tramp," 
 "The Land of the Hibiscus Blossom," "The Savage Queen," 
 "Eight Bells," etc., etc. In handsome pictorial binding, with 
 frontispiece and vignette title page by the Author. Crown 
 8vo, price 3s. 6d. Postage, 4W. [Just Published. 
 
 Won by Honour. A Novel. By Vanda. Crown Svo, cloth 
 extra, price 6s. Postage 4\d. 
 
 " A novel of considerable promise . . . the writing is forcible and to the 
 point." — People. 
 
 " A pleasing story. The volume may be read with pleasure." — Scotsman. 
 
 Phil : A Story of School Life. By Alfred Harper. 
 Crown Svo, cloth extra, price 3s. 6d. Postage, 3d. 
 
 "A bright and interesting sketch . . . it mav be read with much pleasure 
 for its evident honesty of purpose and truth to nature." — Daily Chronicle. 
 
 "Not only boys, but also grownup people will enjoy this fresh, wholesome 
 story of school life . . . the book deserves to reach a second edition." — 
 Vanity Fair. 
 
 18 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, E.C.
 
 Published by Digby, Long & Co. 
 
 Chronolo?y and Analysis of International Law. By 
 William Percy Pain, LL.B. (University of London), of the 
 Inner Temple, Barrister-at-Law. (First Class Studentship 
 of the Inns of Court for Jurisprudence and International 
 Law, Hilary Term (1880). Crown Svo, cloth extra, price 
 3s. 6d. Postage, 3c/. 
 
 " Should be of considerable use to the student of international law." — Laic 
 Times. 
 
 " A valuable handbook for the student of international law. The arrange- 
 ment of the book is admirable. Students will find i r in all respects a most 
 admirable help to the study of the great subjects to which it relates." — Scots- 
 man. 
 
 Ruy Bias. Translated from the French of Victor Hugo. By 
 W. D. S. Alexanokr, Author of "The Lonely Guiding 
 Star." Crown Svo, cloth extra, bevelled boards, price 3s. 6c?. 
 Postage, 3d. 
 
 "A really fine English version. Mr Alexander's is, we think, the best transla- 
 tion that has yet been done " — Pictorial World 
 
 " The task of rendering this fine play into English verse has been very effici- 
 ently performed." — Graphic. 
 
 Within an Ace. A Story of Russia and Nihilism. By Mark 
 Eastwood. Crown Svo, picture boards, jjrice 2s. ; cloth extra, 
 3s. 6c/. Postage, 4^d. 
 
 " Is an exciting and well- written story by one who evidently knows Russia and 
 Russian ways. . . . Most interesting, iind we recommend the hook as one 
 of the best of its class we have recent y come across. The author can tell a 
 story, and he knows his ground so well that his characters and scenes are true 
 to life and nature "—Pictorial World. 
 
 In Other Lands. By Caroline Gearey, Authoress of "French 
 Heroines," and "Laughters of Italy." Crown Svo, cloth 
 extra, price 3s. 6d. Postage, 3c/. 
 
 •' Is a charming book of travels " — Morning Post. 
 
 " A pleasantly written book of reminiscences of foreign travel." — England. 
 
 Two Daughters of One Race. By C. H. Douglas. Crown 
 Svo, cloth extra, price 3s. 6d. Postage, 3c/. 
 
 " The author of this book has produced an interesting story. The quiet, 
 natural style of ihe writer is a refreshing change from some of the feverish 
 literature of the day." — Publishers' Circular. 
 
 Saved by a Looking Glass. By Edgar H. Wells. Crown 
 Svo, cloth extra, price 3s. 6c/. Postage, 3c/. 
 
 " Mr Wells tells a startling story in a straightforward mnnner, that is a strong 
 point in its favour The crime on which it turns is committed at sea, and sur- 
 rounded wiih a Bingu] ir as w- II as novel mystery. Suspiciou until the last is 
 cWerly diverted from the really guilty man. who is unmasked by a coup de 
 theatre that is certainly dramatical." — Morning Post. 
 
 18 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, E.C.
 
 Published by Digby, Long & Co. 
 
 Rural Amenities of a Village Community. By William 
 
 J. LoilAX, B.A., St John's College, Camb., and Middle Temple, 
 London. Prof usely illustrated with original drawings. Crown 
 8vo, cloth extra, picture cover. Price 3s. 6d. 
 
 "Very amusing. The book is illustrated by a profusion of woodcuts, the 
 designs for which 'how much vigour and a keen appreciation of the ridiculous. 
 A volumo to be taken up at odd times, and enjoyed over a pipe or a cigar." — 
 Western Daily Mercury. 
 
 My Childhood in Australia. A Story for my Children. 
 By Mrs F. Hughes. Beautifully illustrated throughout with 
 original drawings by the Author. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 
 price 2s. 6d. Postage, 3d. [Just Published. 
 
 Pen and Ink Sketches from Naples to the North Cape. 
 By Emily A. Richings, Authoress of " Rambling Rhymes," 
 and "Under the Shadow of Etna." Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 
 price 2s. 6d. Postage, 2>d. 
 
 " I congratulate Miss Emily A. Kichings on her little book. . . . The sketch 
 of the blue gro.to of Capri is particularly well written, but the chapters on 
 'Milan.' Pisa.' 'St Peter's at Rome.' 'An Alpine Ascent,' and ' A Picnic in 
 Sweden,' will serve to call up pleasant memories to mam, and to others an 
 ambition towards greater enterprise in their holiday jaunts." — Star. 
 
 "Waiting for the Dawn. By C. M. Katherine Phipps. 
 Author of " The Sword of de Bardwell," " Who is the Victor ? " 
 and "Douglas Archdale." Crown 8vo, cloth extra, pr:ce 2s. 6d. 
 Postage, 3d. 
 
 " A pretty, graceful little story have we here, full of humane feeling, and 
 impregnated with genuine piety. Theie are touches in it which reveal a con- 
 siderable receive of literary force in the authoress." — People. 
 
 Scenes in the Life of a Sailor. By Lawrence Cave. 
 Crown 8vo, cloth extra, price 2s. 6d. Postage, 3c/. 
 
 " The story of his engagement and the account of the wedding are prettily 
 told.'' — Saturday Review. 
 
 Only a Fisher Maiden. By A. Macknight. Crown Svo, 
 cloth extra, price 2s. 6rf. Postage, 3d. 
 
 " The author tells the story with commendable delicacy, and there are pas- 
 sages of genuine pathos." — Manchester Ou irdian. 
 
 " A pretty, pathetic story, written in simple language, and most readable." — 
 Dundee Courier. 
 
 A Child's Solar System, Planets, Comets, Meteors and 
 Falling' Stars. With numerous Explanatory Diagrams. By 
 A. B. Oakden. Cloth extra, price Is. Postage, \hd. 
 
 "... In matter it is simple and plain, and there is no reason why it 
 should not be a permanent possebsion."— National Ub.-.ei ver. 
 
 18 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, E.C.
 
 Published by Digby, Long & Co. 
 
 Eric Rotherham. By Mrs William D. Hall, Author of 
 "Marie." Crown 8vo, cloth extra, price 6s. Postage, 4 id. 
 
 " It is a story which can he rea«i and enjoyed. It is graced with some pretty 
 groupings, many pleasing incidents, and not a few well-drawn word pictures 
 and character-sketches."— Liverpool Post. 
 
 Bairnie. By L. Lobexhoffer, Author of "Fritz of the Tower," 
 "Theodor Winthrop," etc. Crown Svo, cloth extra, price 6s. 
 Postage, ihd. 
 
 " Is in point of style and workmanship above the average of many more pre- 
 tentious worKs. The characters very well drawn. ... So distinct and 
 true to life."— Standard 
 
 Mrs Danby Kaufman of Bayswater. By Mrs Mark Her- 
 bert. Crown Svo, cloth extra, price 6s. Postage, ihd. 
 
 ' We found ourselves reading it from beginning to end without any failure 
 of interest." — Spectator. 
 
 " Is cleverly written." — Vanity Fair. 
 
 " Exhibits considerable originality of conception."— Academy. 
 
 Three Friends. By Yrla. Crown Svo, cloth extra, price 6s. 
 Postage, 4hd. 
 
 " The author may be congratulated on his success in producing a very read- 
 able story."— The Times. 
 
 " The friends of the title are three Prussian officers during the time of the 
 wars with Napoleon early in the century, aud tbey go through a number of 
 surprising adventures, which are certainly told with spirit."— Queen. 
 
 The Sandnliff Mystery. By Scott Graham, Author of "The 
 Golden Milestone," " A Bolt from the Blues," etc. Crown Svo, 
 cloth extra, price 6s. Postage, Ahd. 
 
 "The tale has some decidedly good things in it in the way of strong situa- 
 tions and epigrammatic comments." — Athe"Xum. 
 
 " There is plnnty of literary ability distributed over ' The Sanlcliff Mystery.' 
 . . It^ author, indeed, commands an easy style as -The (iol len M.lestone'' 
 proved clearly enough, and has rather a turn for sarcasm."— Academy. 
 
 The Kisses of an Enemy. By Mary Smith. Crown 8vo, 
 cloth extra, price 6s. Postage, ihd. 
 
 " The characters are realistic, and the book, which gathers in interest with 
 every page, should be read with pleasure by all novel lovers." — Here/urd 
 Times. 
 
 Mrs Lincoln's Niece. By Ann Button, Author of " Whispers 
 from the Hearth." Crown Svo, cloth extra, price 6s. Post- 
 age, i^d. 
 
 "... This moving story." — Academy. 
 
 " This is a story full of thrilling situ itions. Miss Lutton may ba congratu- 
 lated on the ingenuity she it-pl irs in trie weiving of her plot. There is some 
 good character-sketching.'' — Western Daiy Mercury. 
 
 18 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, E.C.
 
 Published by Digby, Long & Co. 
 
 Otho; or, Clasped by a Topaz and a Pearl. By Mrs 
 
 Janatta Letitia Brown. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, price 6a. 
 Postage, i\d. 
 
 " Well conceived and very well told. . . . Told in a crii-p and spirited 
 style." — Scotsman. 
 
 " Mrs Brown's work is creditably done." — Pictorial World. 
 
 For the Good of the Family. By Kate Eyre, Author of 
 "A Step in the Dark," "A Fool's Harvest," "To be Given 
 Up," etc. Crown Svo, paper cover, price Is. 
 
 " It is a prettily written love story." — Scotsman. 
 
 "Far above the average. It is a lively, pleasant, clever story, and worthy of 
 the author of 'A Fool's Harvest." — Newcastle Chronicle. 
 
 "A place among entertaining novelette may be freely accorded to Miss 
 Eyre's ■ For the Good of the Family.' " — Academy. 
 
 In Vain. By Edith Henderson, Author of "A Human Spider." 
 Crown Svo, paper cover, price Is. Postage, 2d. 
 
 "The main incidents are ingenious, and we do not remember to have met 
 with iheir like before. The story will wile away a passing hour very pleas- 
 antly." — Academy. 
 
 A Family Tradition, and other Stories. By Lady Mabel 
 Eserton. Foolscap Svo, paper cover, price Is. ; cloth extra, 
 Is. 6d. Postage, 2d. 
 
 •' This volume of tales is from first to last pleasing. Many of them are 
 marked by genuine feeling and pathos." — Morning Post. 
 
 Up Stream and About Town. A Book for the Summer 
 Holidays. By A Boating Man. Picture cover, price Is. 
 Postage, 2c?. 
 
 "An amusing little book. The author has the requisite sense of humour, 
 and his record is brightly written." — Daily Graphic. 
 
 "A series of brighily written and amusing papers. This is just the sort of 
 book for an idle afternoon up the river." — Lock to Lock Times. 
 
 My Vicars (Second Edition). By A Churchwarden. Picture 
 cover, price Is. Postage, 2d. 
 
 " A book in which much that is amusing is mingled with much that is pro- 
 fitable. Written in a most appreciative spirit of loyalty to his mother Church, 
 and he will be found to be very interesting and well worth pondering." — 
 Church Review. 
 
 Honoured by the World. By Emily Foster, Author of "Vic- 
 tims to Custom," "The Fnlks of Fernleigh," etc., etc. Crown 
 8vo, paper cover, Is. Postage, 2d. [Just Published. 
 
 18 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, E.C.
 
 DIG6Y, LONG & GO'S 
 
 ALBION LIBRARY. 
 
 A Popular Series of Shilling Books of Fiction, 
 issued at short intervals. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 A Mexican Mystery. By W. Grove. Crown 8vo, picture 
 cover, price Is.; cloth extra, Is. 6d. Postage, 2d. (Tenth Edition.) 
 
 " The Saturday Review says : — "' \ Mexican Mystery' demands atteotion as 
 a rarity . . romance remarkably clever and iugeni"US . . scenes, 
 thrilling without being exaggerated :V BhillingV worth which nobody will read 
 and yet pretend that he has not had the value of his money." 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 The "Wreck of a World. By W. Grove. Crown Svo, picture 
 cover, price Is.; cloth extra, Is. 6d. Postage, 2d. (Sixth 
 Edition.) 
 
 '• Well told. Al'ogether an interesting book." — Vanity Fair. 
 
 " Quite as clever as the author's first attempt." — Xttrcttzt'e Chronicle. 
 
 VOL. III. 
 
 Within an Ace. A Story of Russia and Nihilism. By Mark 
 
 Eastwood. Crown Svo, picture cover, price Is. ; cloth extra, 
 
 Is. 6d. Postage, 2d. (Fifth Edition.) 
 
 "Is one of the best n 'Vels we have r^ad for a long time. It describes with 
 
 extraordinary power the execution ol a Nihilist ;it st Petersburg, the imperiect 
 
 carrying out of the d atta sentence th- unfortunate or fortunate man's revival 
 
 in thf doctor's dissert tig- room his escape to hi- c mrades. his recovery, flight 
 
 across the Continent t.> ietmany. and, finally, his happy marriage. This book 
 
 is a perfect oasis in the desert of fiction." — Star. 
 
 VOL. IV. 
 
 t 
 
 A Humnn Spider. A Novel. By Edith Hexderson, Author 
 of " In Vain." Picture cover, price Is. ; cloth extra, Is. 6d. 
 (Third Kdition.) 
 
 •• Edith Henderson is one of the few lady-writers possessing the gift of 
 originality." — Whitehall Revitw. 
 
 A complete Catalogue of Novels, Travels, Biographies, 
 Poems, etc., with a critical or descriptive notice of each, 
 free by post on application. 
 
 DIGBY, LONG t CO., Publishers, 
 18 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, E.C.
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 
 Los Angeles 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 J 
 
 MQ'D LEUttL 
 to - 
 URL MAY 2 1973 
 
 
 J 
 
 
 MAY i v,' \\i 
 
 
 | 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 Form L9-50m-ll,'50 (2554)444 
 
 
 BfiL 
 
 
 .* 
 
 THK UttKAlT 
 
 OF CALIFC 
 LOS ANGELE8