Punch: Punch (100.1891)

308 PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI, [June 27, 1891,

THE EGOISM OF GENIUS.

Fond Mother. "Don't you want to see the Evening Papers, Mortimer?"

Minimus Poet. "Why, is there anvthing about Me is them?" Fond Mother. 'Not that I know of, Darling."
Minimus Poet {pettishly), "Good Heavens, Mother, then what on earth should I want to see them for ?"

POLITICAL ASIDES;

Or, Tiura in Parenthesfs,

(Very freely adapted from Thomas Hood.)

Fond Mother. I really take it vastly kind,
This visit, my dear creature!
A family likeness here you '11 find.
(Like hers f Not in one feature!)

F/ iendly Visitor. Only too happy, I am sure,
To see the little darling,
Oar family friendships are so pure 1
(They find effect in snarling.)

Fond Mother. "Well, dear, with your ex-
perience,
Your aid must he of value.
You 've not ytt given its help immense.
(Nor, if I know it, shall you !)

Friendly_ Visitor. Ah 1 Good Nurse G-sch-n,
is she out,
That you the babe are dandling ?
Sweet - tempered child and strong, no
doubt!

(The brat wants oareful handling.)

Fond Mother. G-sch-n and D-xe are both at
hand,

But I 'm so proud to show it.
The weakness you will understand
(Envious, and knows I know it!)

Friendly Viiitor. Mothers must be as vigi-
lant

As—say 'Bus-strikers' pickets.
It cries, dear ! What does baby want ?
(Half-starved, and has the rickets!)

Fond Mother. Which, think you, the best
Infant's Food?
You see there are so many ;
I know your judgment is so good I
(Not worth a tingle penny !)

Friendly Visitor. Well, dear, don't swaddle
it too tight,
That ruins the digestion, [right.
And—Forster's Food I've found work
(She '11 relish that suggestion!)

Fond Mother. Humph! Rather out of date,
I fear!

You've slight experience—lately—
Next time you nurse you'll know, my
dear!

(She '11 like that home-thrust greatly !)

Friendly Visitor. Your nursing, dear, of
course, is based
Upon my Nursery Manual.
The child looks rayther peaky-faced.
(Not quite a hardy annual I)

Fond Mother. Think so? Look up, and
laugh, my sweet,
Show Nana she's mistaken—
It quite begins to " feel its feet."
(With spite her soul is shaken!)
Friendly Visitor. I understand your family
Call it " The Changeling." Why so ?
The family likeness all must see.
(It eqaints with the left eye so !)
Fond Mother. Oh 1 there are always some
cross things
In every Family Party.
Your mother's heart has felt such stings !
(She '11 think of Joe and Harty I)

Friendly Visitor. Well, well, with my advice,
And lots of Liberal Tonic, [my dear,
Your child we possibly may rear.
(That's one for Old Sardonic !)

Fond Mother. Oh! really you are quite too
kind!

Your own "Home-Rule Elixir"
Unfailing for your babes you fiad ?
(Fancy that dart will fix her

Friendly Visitor. You see we breed, and
nurse, our own ;
We do not steal or borrow.
However, dear, I must be gone.
(To call again to-morrow !)

Fond Mo'her. What! must you go? Ntxt,
time no doubt.
You'll give more Liberal measure.
Nurse G. shall see you safely out,
(With most particular pleasure !)

Friendly Visitor. Don't trouble, dear! The
bell I '11 pull,
And, bid them oall my cabby !
Good bye! The Babe's be-you-ti-ful!
{A Flabby, Dabby, Babby ! ! :)

About the Last of It.

Dear Mr. Punch,— Would you kindly
suggest to Mr. Calderon, in the interest of
Historical and religious Art, that he should
give us for next year's Academy, as com-
panion-picture to his " St. Elizabeth,'" "Car-
dinal Wolsev. in his old age, left naked to his
enemies."—Yours, artfully, A Shakspeaeian
Reader, but no Latin Scholar.