ines of Medoc, nor the vintage of Bordeaux,
Or the Burgundy that rivals e'en the ruby in its flow;
Though the growers of Epernay and the merry men of Rheims,
Pour champagne that holds the sunlight in exhilarating streams;
There's a finer nobler tipple, that the Briton's heart doth cheer,
And he clings with fond affection to his draught or bottled beer.

Amber Rudesheimer charms us wandering by the haunted Rhine,
Sparkling Hock near Ehrenbreitstein is a mighty pleasant wine;
In agreement with the German we have vowed we loved full well,
To behold the bubbles flashing on a goblet of Moselle;
But the Briton hugs his tankard, and would count the man an ass
Who held not in highest honour nectar from the vats of BASS.

Port is worthy of acceptance, once men made the bottle spin;
Sherry hath a welcome flavour when the filberts have come in:
Scotsmen have been seen imbibing in the mountains of the north,
What is known as whiskey-toddy in the lands beside the Forth:
But the Englishmen will tell you that for really sterling worth--
BASS'S beer can beat all liquids that were ever made on earth.

* * * * *

THE BITTER CRY OF THE LONDON RIDER HAGGARD AND JADED.

[Illustration]

_To the Chief Commissioners of Works, The Ditto of Police, and to
"George" Ranger._

WHY not open up rides in Kensington Gardens? Say one good one under
the trees from South-West to North-West, and connect Kensington with
Bayswater? Will any benefactor to unfortunate Metropolitan Equestrians
force this North-West passage?

There is a meagre ride at the side of the road in the Inner
Circle, Regent's Park. Why not a good ride right across Park? From
considerable observation and experience of Kensington Gardens and
Regent's Park, it may be confidently asserted, that such rides as are
here proposed, would not interfere with the comfort of a single (or
married) nurse or governess with children in her charge. Both places
are comparatively unfrequented, and the proposed rides would not
infringe upon the recreation of the London boys.

We strongly recommend the Chief Commissioner to visit Paris, and,
mounted upon a comfortable horse, let him make the acquaintance of the
delightful _sentiers_ laid out as rides in the Bois de Boulogne. This
will be a first-rate French exercise for him, and he will learn a
great deal from it. The DUKE, who is fond of equitation, especially
in Battersea Park, mu