Surely "Little Miss Peggy" will work you the spell
Mrs. MOLESWORTH'S charmed pen weaves so deftly and well,
For this quaint little lady, with ways sweet and bright,
Her small nursery readers can't fail to delight.
In "An Unknown Country" pen and pencil beguile
Him who tempts it to visit his own Sister Isle.
The text he'll find art a true handmaid to wait on
In the exquisite work of F. NOEL PATON.
* * * * *
Christmas Cards.
Of Christmas Cards a splendid show
This year! Wherever you may go
You see them. When you're told, you know
They're Christmas Cards.
In such a game of Cards the thing
Before the eyes of all to bring
Is Christmas, but they're Summer, Spring,
Most Christmas Cards.
* * * * *
Taking high rank among the Christmas Cards,
The artistic reproductions, MARCUS WARD'S,
Of two of RAPHAEL'S best-known Madonnas
Must, at this season, carry off the honours.
Both from one Pitti Palace--need we name them?--
'Twould be a thousand pities not to frame them.
(AIR--"_King of the Cannibal Islands._")
Here's an "Opal Souvenir,"
Lovely _mem_ of present year,
And it comes from, as we hear,
HILDESHEIMER AND FAULKNER.
Among the Cards the best designs
Are those by WEEDON, WILSON, HINES,
BOTHAMS, DEALY also shines,
KILBURNE, DRUMMOND, on like lines,
WILLIAMSON, MAGUIRE too,
SIGIMUND, artistic crew,
All at work their best to do
For HILDESHEIMER AND FAULKNER.
(AIR--"_Rare Ben._")
RAPHAEL TUCK!
Here's luck!
Rejoice! no dumps!
Why, all your Cards are trumps!
And all applied
To merry Christmas-tide!
In these un-Christmas days,
_Punch_ says 'tis greatly to thy praise.
So, RAPHAEL TUCK,
My buck,
Here's luck!
_To Mr. Punch._
"Such books, cards, and crackers," cries Poet, perplexed,
"As remain on the list, I will give 'in our next.'"
* * * * *