(_BY AN UNIONIST._)
_I_ "prefer PARNELL"? Oh dear, no!
There is no man I've hated so.
But, since he turned a fierce derider
Of him he calls the "Grand Old Spider;"
Since he has "blown" the Home-Rule "gaff,"
And whelmed the Gladstone gang with chaff;
Since he has almost wiped out PIGOTT,
Half justified the Orange bigot;
Proved part of the _Times_' charge at least,
And won the "Hill-men," lost the Priest;--
Since then--why, hang it, 'tis such fun,
I half forgive him all he's done;
I'll back him, bet on him, and grin;
Give him my vote, and hope he'll win.
But I _prefer_ him? Goodness gracious!
Why _can't_ Gladstonians be veracious?
* * * * *
SIR HENRY LOCH'S "STRAIGHT TIP" TO THE INTRUSIVE BOERS IN
MASHONALAND.--"Play us none of your 'treks'!"
* * * * *
[Illustration: HYMEN, FIN DE SIÈCLE. "MAIDENS MOCKED, WITH LAUGHTER
DYING, THOSE FOOL-KNOTS OF HYMEN'S TYING."]
* * * * *
[Illustration: MOLTKE in German-style script]