said to his Publisher.

* * * * *

THE JOLLY YOUNG WATERMAN.

(_LATEST VERSION; SUGGESTED BY A CASE AT THE LONDON SESSIONS._)

And did you not hear of a jolly young Waterman,
Who on the river his wherry did ply?
When rowing along with great skill and dexterity,
A Cask of Madeira it caught his pleased eye.
It looked so nice, he rowed up steadily,
Transferred that cask to his boat right readily;
And he eyed the dear drink with so eager an air,
For the name on the cask not a jot did he care.

When smart EDDARD SAILL got that cask in his wherry,
He cleaned it out--partly--with swiggings not small,
And with his companions--what wonder?--made merry;
Madeira's a wine that's not tippled by all.
One fancies one hears 'em a laughing and cheering,
Says EDDARD, "My boys, this is better than beering!
A Waterman's life would be free from all care
If he often dropped on treasure trove like that there."

And yet but to think now how strangely things happen!
They copped him for "larceny by finding,"--that's all!
But SAILL couldn't read, and the jury was kindly,
So EDDARD got off, though his chance appeared small.