At Spalding or Coventry weather may vary;-- And yet, when the "area of change" gets too wide, Men fancy it's more than a passing vagary;-- Ay, even _our_ side.
Tap! Tap! Yes there _is_ a perceptible tumble. One can't "square" the weather or "get at" the glass. A storm? Oh! 'twas merely the least little rumble,-- 'Twill probably pass.
Yes. Up in the North there 'tis always unsettled; I fancy we shan't be so shifty down South. No, really there's not the least call to be nettled, Or down in the mouth.
I'll take my umbrella,--a useful possession, Yes, even in summer with wind in the east. But this--oh! it's merely a "local depression";-- I _hope_ so, at least!
Supposing that when our soldiers and sailors were armed with worthless bayonets and useless cutlasses, a war had broken out.
And supposing that our Army had been defeated on account of those worthless bayonets.
And supposing our sailors had been slaughtered by hundreds on account of those useless cutlasses.
And supposing the country had been successfully invaded because the nation had improper arms of defence.
And supposing, wild with ruin, revenge, and misery, the remains of the Army and Navy had met Sir JOHN ADYE.
PRIZE PARLIAMENTARY PUZZLE.--"The End of the Session."
"HM!--GOING BACK! AH!--ONLY A _LOCAL DEPRESSION_!!"]
[Illustration: Taking a Pull on the Watery Main.]
Far from placid pleasure Fashion's nomads roam; Wisdom finds the treasure In its fullest measure Peacefully at home.
Free from by-the-way bores Of hotel and train, Rest we from our labours, With our fair young neighbours Round us once again.
Bees in drowsy fettle Lazy lilies rob; Slumbrously they settle, Thrumming like a kettle On the Summer's hob.
Flies their mystic mazes Intricately thread, Where the sunshine blazes Through the cedarn hazes, Just above my head.
Pussy, with her fur feet Curled beneath her breast, Drowzes where the turf-heat Soothes her with a surfeit Of delicious rest.
Now a laughing quarrel Stirs the stilly air, Where, beyond the laurel, With their white apparel Glistening in the glare,
Boys and girls together Make a gallant crew, Boys in highest feather, Girls like summer weather, Bright and sweet and true.
NOVEL YACHTING EXPEDITION. UNIQUE CHANCE.--A Gentleman of marked nautical proclivities, who has lately, through the demise of a great-uncle, come into the possession of a Penny Steamer in a very fair condition of repair, is anxious to meet with one or two persons of similar tastes who would be disposed to start with him on a Summer Tour, for the purpose of leisurely navigating the vessel, in a tentative fashion, round the British Isles. As he would not take a Pilot with him, but proposes when in doubt either to ask his way from the nearest Coastguard by signal, or run in shore and get out and walk, he thinks the voyage would not be without excitement and variety, and would be likely to afford some novel seafaring experience to the naval amateur in search of pleasing adventure. The course, as at present mapped out, would be from Putney Bridge to Margate, Plymouth, Holyhead, Skye, Aberdeen, by the German Ocean past Hull, Yarmouth, Clacton-on-Sea, Southend, back again, finishing the journey at Battersea Reach, but it would probably be varied by wind and weather, the exigences of which would naturally have to be taken into account. The crew will consist of three experienced Channel stewards, a bargee, a retired pirate, and a cabin-boy, and will be under the command of the advertiser, who, though fresh to the work, has little doubt but that, with a friendly hint or two from his fellow-yachtsmen, he will be able to manage it. N.B.--Each Passenger provided with a Royal Humane Society's drag. For all further particulars apply to "PORT-ADMIRAL," 117, Rope Walk, Chelsea, S.W.