"In deepest reverence and sincere love, the Reichstag is
mindful of His Imperial and Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
May God protect the dear life of our beloved Crown Prince, and
preserve it for the welfare of the Fatherland."--_Telegram from
the Reichstag to the Crown Prince_.
"So mote it be!" That deep and reverent prayer
In all true hearts finds echo everywhere;
Not least in those that flush with British blood.
Prince, a loved daughter from our Royal brood,
In trouble as in joy, is at your side,
Sharing your sorrow as she shared your pride.
For her dear sake, and for your own not less,
We wish you, gallant soldier-chief, success
In a dread struggle keener, sterner far
Than those you faced in the fierce lists of war.
We know--have you not proved it?--that 'twill be
Met with the same cool steadfast gallantry
As marked your bearing in more martial strife.
Punch joins in that warm prayer for "the dear life,"
And echoes, from a far yet kindred strand,
The pleading voices of the Fatherland!
* * * * *
As among the best books for a young man who had to be the architect of
his own fortunes, some one in Mrs. +Ram's+ hearing mentioned +Thomas a
Kempis+. "Oh yes," exclaimed the worthy lady, "I know. He built a great
part of Brighton which was named after him."
* * *
+A Real "Orleans" Plum.+--The forged letters.
* * * * *
[Illustration: MR. PUNCH'S PARALLELS. No. 4.