Punch (90.1886)

G

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

[January 2, 1886.

A BOND OF SYMPATHY.

Mariana. "You seem very much attracted by that Mr. Somerville, Bella. You went in to Supper with him twice
to-night ! He's not Mich, he's not Young, he's neither Clever, nor Good-looking ! What is his particular Charm 1"
Bella (pensively, after a pause). "He hates Mayonnaise. So do I!"

OFF!

Off ! Onthe crest of one more swift declivity!

Far lies before us the soft snowy slope!
Prospect, delightful to youth and activity,

Dowered with daring, and glowing with hope.

Sport, nothing more, so it looks to the eyes of him,
Light-hearted younker ; but dangers down there

Yet may crop up, to the shock and surprise of him,
Poised for nis flight with so jaunty an air.

Fair seems the start, and the fates smile auspiciously,

Ever when youth is agog for the race.
Docs not the crisp winter-breeze blow deliciously,

Bringing health's flush into boyhood's brave face ?

Out on the sun-season's languorous lassitude !

Summer delights may be grateful, perchance,
When crabbed age comes with dullness and crassitude;

"Winter's brisk flouts set youth's pulses a-danee.

Softly, my lad! The keen joys of tobogganing
Sometimes are varied by cahots, or bumps.

Youth, in despite of its valorous sloganing,
Thumping of pig-skin and blaring of trumps,

Spite of its proudly precipitate perkiness,
funds its fair course, and its flashing career,

Broken by jolting, and hindered by jerkiness.
Just ask your starter, the fading Old Year.

He, too, is " off," fn a different sense, you know,

He of the sport you are eager upon,
Hath an experience late and immense, you know,

Stoop to a "tip " ere the Old One is gone!

He will inform you he started as pleasantly,
Fully as sanguine, and equally smart;

Tell you that troubles and tumbles came presently,
Erejie had got many yards from the start.

He will'assure you,'that rapidly rocketing

Down the Toboggan-hill isn't quite all.
Buffets and bumps you will have to be pocketing.

Happy if dodging a spill and a sprawl.

He will acquaint you that steering is ticklish,
Down such a slide when the motion 's so swift •

Tell you that Toboggan Fortune—she's fickleish !—
Lands lots of wooers, waist deep, in a drift.

Well, well, my boy, Punch would not greet you croakingly
Let's make the start with gay humour and pluck;

Dangers, delights, facing jocundly, jokingly,
Never despondent or down on our luck.

Keep your eyes peeled, sit square down in. your sled, my lad,
Risks do not funk, at good counsel don't scoff.

Punch can but wish you sound heart and cool head, my lad.
Here's to your health, my Young Year! And now—Off !j

Not for Joe !

[Mr. Chamberlain regrets his inability to be present at the dinner at
Chester, on December 29, in honour of Mr. Gladstone's birthday.]

Oh yes, I '11 remember that day in December;

But this seems a season of plot;
And so I've a reason—I trust it's no treason—

To say that attend I cannot!

A Tbuce to Politics.—Yes, there is at this festive season- but
at the same time what a remarkable prevalence of Evening Party
spirit.