O'er town, o'er country far away,
Where'er hearts ache, or eyes grow dim,
His annual round makes Christmas Day,
Sweet Charity attending him.

[Illustration: THE AWAKENING OF FATHER CHRISTMAS

OR, A CALL TO ALMS.]

MORAL.--So, British Public, take my lay,
And _if_ you find no moral there,
Then _Mr. Punch_ must sadly say
His ministry is fruitless care.
Nay! To good uses you will put
The Legend _Punch_ doth thus transpose.
Your pockets sure you will not shut,
Your hearts to his appealings close!

For e'en the man who runs may read
The lesson with this lay entwined.
(If Topsey-turvey thus succeed,
The noble Laureate will not mind!)
And liberal applications lie
In this quaint Legend, good my friend.
So, put the song and picture by,
And hook it--to some useful end!

* * * * *

CARMEN CULINARIUM.