ecompose with them.
Why should it cost a considerable sum to put a small piece of organic
framework into earth? Whilst that operation continues to be expensive,
we shall be sure to be pestered by candidates for its performance,
invading the very chamber of sickness with tenders of cheap coffins,
reduced shrouds, moderate palls, ridiculously low hearses, economical
mourning coaches, and highly reasonable feathers.

* * * * *

THE GREAT CAB REFORM.

AFTER several years of grumbling on the part of the public, we have at
last got a Government that has been "strong enough" to venture on what,
in the highly intelligent circles of Downing Street, has hitherto been
considered the "hazardous question" of Cab Reform. It is a positive fact
that until MR. FITZROY took the matter in hand, every administration has
been "afraid" of the introduction of a Cab Bill, lest it should have
opened the door to opposition, or, in other words, the public were to be
crammed into wretched cabs, lest the Cab-in-et should be turned out.

Everybody with half a grain of common sense was perfectly well aware
that Cab Reform would be one of the most popular things a Government
could undertake; but it has required several years to make this plain
fact intelligible in high quarters; and even now, there has been a
timidity in dealing with some portions of the subject of Cab Reform,
which, though the new Act is very good, as far as it goes, will soon
cause the public to complain. We, however, desire to give all praise
where it is due; and especially to MR. FITZROY, who will go down to
posterity with his aggravated Assaults' Act in one hand, and his Cab Law
in the other, to say nothing of the County Courts' Measure sticking out
of his pocket. The sympathy shown by the present Government towards
riders in cabs affords a proof that we have in the Administration--(now,
reader, prepare to be knocked over by an unexpected blow)--a few really
Cabbin'-it Ministers. We will conclude with a lyric tribute to MR.
FITZROY, adapted to the itinerant air of--

CHEER! BOYS, CHEER!

Cheer! boys, cheer! no more of imposition,
Cabs at true fares shall bear us on our way;
MAYNE'S smart police shall show the proper tariff,
Telling us exactly what we have to pay.
So farewell, fraud--much as we've endured thee,
We'll let alone what may have gone before,
Why should we growl at having paid back carriage,
We shall not ha