s from lighthouse or
lightship? 'Tis flat
That we, lad, have not done _our_ duty, until we have altered all
that.

Well, you have done yours, and successfully, _this_ time at least,
and at night.
All rescued. How gladly the last must have looked on that brave
"Comet Light,"
As you put from the wave-battered wreck. Cold, surf-buffeted,
weary, and drenched,
Your pluck, like the glare from that beacon, flamed on through the
dark hours unquenched.

Nor then was your labour at end. There was treasure to save and to
land.
Well done, life-boat heroes, once more! _Punch_ is proud to take
grip of your hand!
Your QUEEN, ever quick to praise manhood, has spoken in words you
will hail,
And 'twere shame to the People of England, if they in their part
were to fail.

* * * * *

THE LAST OF THE GUARDS.

_A SONG OF SENTIMENT, TO THE TUNE OF "FAIR LADY ELIZABETH MUGG."_
(_"REJECTED ADDRESSES."_)

["The last of the old Mail-guards is about to disappear from
the service of the Post Office. Fifty-six years have elapsed
since Mr. MOSES NOBBS--for such is the venerable official's
name--was selected to undertake the duties of Guard to one of
the Royal Mails."--_Daily Telegraph_.]

Historical Muse! are you sober?
_Is_ he, the old Mail-guard, alive,
Who probably swigged sound October
From flagons, in One, Eight, Three, Five?
When PILCH went a-slogging, and CLARKE
Was a-studying slow underhand lobs?
Hooray for that evergreen spark,
The veteran Guard, MOSES NOBBS![1]

Why, MOSES, thus bring to a close
Your fifty-six years on the road?
Do you yearn, after all, for repose,
Who with zeal half-a-century glowed?
The Muse makes her moan at your loss,
And Sentiment silently sobs.
Ah! Time, friend, will play pitch-and-toss
With all of us, even a NOBBS!

One sees your Mail-Coach all a-blaze,
A masterly hand on the rein,
In those rollicking, railway-less days,
Which never shall greet us again.
That tootling tin-horn one can hear;
The old buffers, with breeches and fobs,
One can picture; they doubtless were dear
To the bosom of brave MOSES NOBBS.

That blunderbuss, too! Good old Guard!
At what Knight of the Road has it shot?
And do you remember the bard
Who gave us "_The Tantivy Tr