"Fiscal Reform"? A pretty phrase

To mark the old exploded craze;

But, Gothamites, you're surely blind!

Think you to reach "Protection's" goal

By squatting in that leaky bowl,

And whistling for a (Fair Trade) Wind?

"King Diddle," by H. Davidson, deals with the wondrous sight,

Seen by two little children in a lumber-room one night.

And "Rider's Leap," by Langbridge,—no, not by Rider Haggard,

Shows how a brave and noble youth, can never be a blaggard.

(Air—"Zurich's Fair Waters.")

The Christmas Number of London Society—Society!

With Strange Winter, Griffith, and Fenn,

Gives us all a most pleasing variety—Variety!

There's a tale from the Cameron pen.

If sly Francis Bacon was Shakspeare incog.

His publisher nowadays ought to be Hogg,

Whose books for the Season, the "Stories and Yarns,"

Must prove to us all that "one lives and one larns."

But "Cocky and Clucky and Cackle," I fear,

Which is from the German, is not very clear.

Griffiths and Farren, farren-aceous food

For children's taste provide—all very good.

In his story of the "Willoughby" two "Captains," T. B. Reed

Shows how a public school-boy's life both pride and courage need.

In your "Walks in the Ardennes," which some may prefer to Surrey—

Percy Lindley's is a Guide-book—to be re-named "Lindley-Murray."

Here's "Bo-Peep" and also "Little Folks," with prose and verse combined,

Wherein the smallest readers may find something to their mind.

The charming "Rosebud Annual,", with pictures, we confess

Is a book all little gardeners should certainly possess.

The Sporting Cards of Harding, funny.

Hazelberg's "Diadem" worth the money.

(Air—"The Flowers that bloom.")

For toys that pop up with a spring,

Tra la!

Or toys not at all in that line,

To Cremer's you'll go, and you'll sing

Tra la!

I want to lay out a shil-ling,

Tra la!

For which you will get something fine

That cheapness and taste will combine.

For "Modes et robes pour les dames et les enfants,"

And toy model series amusing and strong,

To Cremer, tra la!

To Cremer, tra la!

Junior Cremer, go!

Paintings on leather, satin, whence this show?

We reply, "Walker"—meaning John & Co.

(Chorus to "En revenant de la Revue.")

You're searching out for something very new

These diaries, all shapes and sizes, view, Sir.

Instead of "En revenant de la Revue,"

With "date cards" reviendrez De la Rue, Sir.

Wirths Brothers' cards we like, and for this reason—

They are in keeping with the Christmas season.

Of Christmas Cards you ask well where on earth's

Their point? Quite so: but here's your money's wirths.

(Air—"John Peel.")

Do you ken Tom Smith

As you ought to do,

He is coming with

Some Crackers new,

Crackers and costumes not a few,

To make merry a Christmas ev'ning.

(Air—"The Jolly Young Waterman.")

Oh, did you ne'er hear of the name Arthur Ackermann,

Who imports Christmas Cards called after Prang,

They are American, 'tis safe to back a man,

Who holds for landscape cards premier rang.

The Marion Album intended for photos,

Three-quarter pictures with scant legs and no toes.

Cards neat and droll, not too elaborated,

Come from card-houses, which are Castell-ated.

"Take a Card," says Bennett, "do,"

And a satin card-case too.

The Sockl Court Card much delighted the Bard.

And Faulkner's are charming. I "speak by the Card."

The exhausted Poet addresses Mr. Punch.

Joy! Joy! my task I've done! and I, sweet Sire,

Vainly, Macbeth-like, strike the slavish lyre.^[1]

I'll sing no more. Books! cards! go on the shelf.

Sooner than strike my harp, I'll "strike" myself!

My holiday's begun. Accept my benison!

Signed Morris-Browning-Austin-Swinburne-Tennyson.