Punch (66.1874)

June 6, 1874.]

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

233

IN THE NAME OF PUNCH'S PROPHET.

eem we Reverberation no great shakes;

Atlantic’s mane bis sport the jester makes ;

George Frederick hath no Handel to his name ; .
And Fen d’Amour is straw-fire, short-lived flame;
Young Leoline the lion’s share may get;

Ecossais in “ Scott’s lot ” we should have met;
Glenalmond smacks, too, of the Land of Cakes;
Who Aquilo calls roarer much mistakes ;

Couronne de Fer will press upon the brain ;

’Twere strange if Boulet should the bull’s-eye gain?
Tipster, perhaps, for the straight tip consoles ;

The King of Tyne may be called o’er the coals ;
Blantyre may turn out worthy of that ilk;

Daniel should be a prophet that won’t bilk ;

Sir Arthur yet his spurs to win has got ;

Mirth ought to come of Me. Merky’s lot;

Rostrevor finds himself, perhaps, at home ;

And Trent’s the horse for Burton and for Rome.
Were the Oaks royal ’twere but fair they fell
To the auspicious name of Boscobel;

And though ’twould somewhat too much to aver be,
The name may be as lucky for the Derby.

So take your choice of winner, little dears,

And don’t confound your Punch with vulgar seers!

REASONS WHY I GO TO THE DERBY.

Because the Prince of Wales invariably goes, and as a loyal
subject I, of course, feel bound to foUow him.

Because my wife has never gone yet, and really, for her sake, I
am compelled to sacrifice myself, and make up a snug little party
for her escort.

Because all the men I know are certain to be there, and I should
hate to be in town with not a soul to speak to.

Because I have been sadly overworked of late, and I fancy that a
day’s fresh air is just the very thing to set me on my legs again.

Because I was prevented from going there last year, and I
promised myself then that this year nothing should prevent me.

Because I rather think I am a good judge of a horse, and can make
a pot of money when I see them in the paddock.

Because I intend some day to write a fashionable novel, and Epsom
is precisely the place to study character.

Because I hope to meet the betting man, of whom I was so lucky
as to win ten pounds last year, and who then vanished without
paying me.

Because a friend of mine has told me that a cousin of his has me!
a man who said his sister had been asked to christen one of the
“ cracks,” and, having drawn it in a sweep, I feel naturally interested
in viewing its performance.

Because for the last ten years I have regularly gone to both the
Derby and the Oaks, and regularity of conduct is a strong point in
my character.

Because I rather fancy that Clara will be there, and I may chance
perhaps to meet her.

Because my Lord Tomnoddy has very kindly offered me a seal
upon his dray, and his champagne is so capital that really I have nol
the courage to refuse him.

Chaff out of Session.

Says Billy to Ben—“ Competition for place
We see from the Derby’s a different race.

The horse with most backers does not always.win.”
“ But here,” Ben replies, “ is the Favourite in.”