he Salvationist's shout, heard a mile hence,
I wish, _how_ I wish,--ah! yes, that what we want is!--
Some Cockney Narcissus could charm you to silence.
Ah, me! no such luck; in the clear autumn twilight
Your shriek on my tympanum stridently jars.
"_Echo_" murders repose, mars the daffodil sky light;
And if one thing sounds worse 'tis "the Voice of the _Stars_"!

* * * * *

[Illustration: JUST CAUGHT THE POST!]

_Sir J-m-s F-rg-ss-n loquitur_:--

Just in time to catch the Post!
Pheugh! But the Pats would have "had me on toast"
(As 'ARRY would say in his odious slang),
If I had been but a little bit later.
Out o' breath as it is. Ah, hang
This hurrying business! My mouth's like a crater,
Dreadfully dry, and doosedly hot.
Rather a downer, this is, for SCOTT's lot!
Feared Mrs. Manchester _might_ just say
(In the popular patter of my young day)
"_It is all very well_ (with a wink and a jeer),
_But you_, Master FERGUSSON, _don't lodge here!_"
All right now, though! Saved my bacon.
My defeat might the Cause have shaken.
Just in time. There! Popped it in!
Awfully glad it conveys a Win;
Although One Fifty ain't _much_ to boast,--
'Twixt you and me and the (General) Post!

* * * * *

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH.

BORN, JUNE 24, 1825. DIED, OCTOBER 6, 1891.

O'er-busy Death, your scythe of late seems reaping
Swiftly our heads of State;
The wise who hold our England's weal in keeping,
The gentle and the great.

GRANVILLE is gone; and now another Warden
Falls with the fading leaf,
Leaving at Hatfield sorrow, and at Hawarden
Scarcely less earnest grief.

All mourn the Man whose simple steadfast spirit
Made hearty friends of all.
Whilst manhood like to his her sons inherit
England need fear no fall.

No high-perched, privileged and proud possessor
Of lineal vantage he;
Of perorating witchery no professor,
Or casuist subtlety.

A capable, clear-headed, modest toiler,
Touched with no egoist taint,
To Duty sworn, the face of the Despoiler
Made him not fear or faint.

O'erworn, o'erworked, with smiling face, though weary,
The tedious task he plied.
Sagacious, courteous, ever calm and cheery
Unsoured by spleen or pride.

As unprovocative as unpretentious,
Skilful though seeming-slow;
Unmoved by impulse of concei