"What? 'The Public want the Messengers'? We'll teach the Public sense,
Which consists in looking pleasant while we pocket all their pence.
Though the papers rave, we care not for their chatter and their fuss.
They must keep at home their messages, or send them all through Us.
And we'll crush these boy-intruders as a mongoose crushes snakes.
They have sown, but we shall reap it--'tis the will of Mr. RAIKES."

* * * * *

But _Punch_ was there, and listened, and his angry face grew red,
Like the tape that RAIKES delights in, and he shook his ancient head,
"RAIKES," he cried, "I doubt your wisdom, and I much incline to scorn
Those who trespass on their neighbour's land, and cart away his corn.
Let the man who makes the oven and laboriously bakes
Take the profit on the loaves he sells, nor yield it all to RAIKES.

"You say you'll do the thing yourself: Monopoly decrees
That, if boys go making honey, they must lose it, like the bees.
But, oh, be warned, my Postmaster, it's not a pleasant thing
To incur a bee's resentment and to suffer from its sting:
And (to change my humble parallel) I like not him who takes
A nest prepared by others, like the Cuckoo-Postman RAIKES!"

* * * * *

SOUND AND SAFE.--We hear that Mr. W.H. GRIFFITHS is to be the new
Lessee of the Shaftesbury. Years ago, to the popular inquiry, "Who's
GRIFFITHS?" there was but one answer, "The Safe Man." Good omen for
the Shaftesbury.