ply to the gallant officer will be found
highly satisfactory, as conveying to the Spanish Government the
assurance of that distinguished contempt for it, which is due to a set
of imbecile and miserable bigots--utensils of their priesthood.

One would really think that the clergy of Spain and almost all other
Roman Catholic countries were doing their very utmost to earn the crown
of martyrdom--not, however, for themselves, but for their ecclesiastical
brethren, together with all the lay partisans of Popery in Protestant
countries. They appear to be trying as hard as they can to prove that
the predominance of their religion is inconsistent with civil freedom.
The struggles, then, so perseveringly made, both in and out of
Parliament, to extend and establish an influence which, wherever it
prevails, is seen to issue in tyranny the most hateful; what can they be
considered but endeavours to spin cobwebs about our liberties? And have
we not every temptation to sweep away the spiders? Resist it, however:
resist it, MR. BULL: don't crush the poor creatures, but destroy their
webs.

* * * * *

THE CONCEIT OF THE WORLD.--"There isn't a mite" (says LAVATER), "but
what fancies itself the cheese."

* * * * *

"WE NEVER SELL OUR APPOINTMENTS."

(_Dedicated, without permission, to the Honourable Directors of the East
India Company._)

JOHN BRIGHT is a pestilent fellow,
Always ready for making a fight,
But of all his low bluster and bellow,
We East India Directors make light.
Some appointments (we do not mind telling him)
We do give away now and then,
But to go and accuse us of selling 'em!--
When we're all of us "hon'rable men!"

SIR JAMES HOGG from his place in the House
Repelled MR. BRIGHT'S imputation;
And showed all his usual _nous_
In insisting on investigation.
Such inquiry we've made as we can, Sir,
And we're ready to make it again,
To ask freely--when parties won't answer--
Proves clearly we're "hon'rable men."

In the first place our statutes declare
The sale of appointments illegal,
So of course to such sales none would dare
Directors to try and inveigle,
'T was done once--but though that was by _charity_--
The law on the case threw its ken,
And the row that was made proved the rarity
Of such practice 'mong "hon'rable men."

City men--we've our City connections--
(I