A VIRTUOSO. E seated, pray. "A grave appeal "? BE The sufferers by the war, of course; "And worse," you say; "the wide distress!" Alas, 'tis true distress exists, Though, let me add, our worthy Press. Have no mean skill as colourists; Speaking of colour, next your seat There hangs a sketch from Vernet's hand; Some Moscow fancy, incomplete, Yet not indifferently planned; Note specially the gray old Guard, VOL. I.-9 But, as regards the present war, Goes may I say it?—somewhat far For objects of benevolence? You hesitate. For my part, I Though ranking Paris next to Rome, Esthetically still reply That"Charity begins at Home." The words remind me. Did you catch My so-named "Hunt"? The girl's a gem ; And look how those lean rascals snatch The pile of scraps she brings to them! "But your appeal 's for home," For home, and English poor! Indeed! I thought Philanthropy to-day Was blind to mere domestic need However sore - Yet though one grants That home should have the foremost claims, At least these Continental wants Assume intelligible names; While here with us Ah! who could hope To verify the varied pleas, Or from his private means to cope With all our shrill necessities! Impossible! One might as well With these half-dozen Indian beads. Moreover, add that every one Your case, I feel, is sad as A.'s, The same applies to B.'s and C.'s; By my selection I should raise And life is short, I see you look At yonder dish, a priceless bit; You'll find it etched in Jacquemart's book, They say that Raphael painted it ; And life is short, you understand; So, if I only hold you out An open though an empty hand, Why, you'll forgive me, I've no doubt. Nay, do not rise. You seem amused; Believe me, on these very grounds. That cost me quite three hundred pounds, - LAISSEZ FAIRE. Prophete rechts, Prophete links, GOETHE'S Diné zu Coblenz. To left, here's B., half-Communist, то Who talks a chastened treason, And C., a something-else in "ist," Harangues, to right, on Reason. B., from his "tribune," fulminates Nay- with the walnuts - advocates While C.'s peculiar coterie And yet - Why not? If zealots burn, Their zeal has not affected My taste for salmon and Sauterne, Or I might have objected: |