* * * * *


THE REJECTED ADDRESS OF THE MELANCHOLY WHIGS.

Alas! that poor old Whiggery should have been so silly as to go a-wooing.
Infirm and tottering as he is, it was the height of insanity. Down he
dropped on his bended knees before the object of his love; out he poured
his touching addresses, lisped in the blandest, most persuasive tones; and
what was his answer? Scoffs, laughs, kicks, rejection! Even Johnny
Russell's muse availed not, though it deserved a better fate. It gained him
a wife, but could not win the electors. Our readers will discover the
genius of the witty author of "Don Carlos" in the address, which, though
rejected, we in pity immortalise in PUNCH.

Loved friends--kind electors, once more we are here
To beg your sweet voices--to tell you our deeds.
Though our Budget is empty, we've got--never fear--
A long full privy purse, to stand bribing and feeds.
For, oh! we are out-and-out Whigs--thorough Whigs!
Then, shout till your throttles, good people, ye crack;
Hurrah! for the troop of sublime "Thimble-rigs!"
Hurrah! for the jolly old Downing-street pack.

What we've done, and will do for you, haply you'll ask:
All, all, gentle folks, you shall presently see.
Off your sugar we'll take just _one penny a cask!_
Only adding a shilling a pound on your tea.
That's the style for your Whigs--your _reforming_ old Whigs!