(_By a Cynic._)
["In all the doubtful constituencies the result may be regarded as
depending largely upon the persuasion and argument brought to bear upon
individual electors."--_The Yorkshire Post._]
Persuasion? Argument? Very nice names
For Radical Caucusites, Primrose Dames,
And other retailers of party riddles,
_Ex parte_ statements, and taradiddles!
Gregarious voters, of old bribes did you all;
Now argument deals with the "individual."
With the man--or his wife--you must seek occasion,
Canvasser clever, to try "persuasion."
To "argue" that BLOGGS is the likeliest chap
To pour prosperity into your lap;
To "persuade" the Missus that that MCQUIRK
Will deprive her "man" of his beer _and_ work!
Oh, sweet are the virtues, upon occasion,
Of moral (or even _im_moral) 'suasion!
When blankets run out and when money's all spent,
Then, then comes the value of "argument."
And if the "argument" takes the form
Of orders and jobs in a perfect storm;
And when "persuasion" the future gauges
A promise of liquor and higher wages;
Why, then the result is the same almost,
'Twixt you and me, and the (_Yorkshire_) _Post!_
* * * * *
A DALY SACRIFICE TO SHAKSPEARE.--Again, thanks to the
enterprise of Mr. AUGUSTIN DALY, one of SHAKSPEARE'S
comedies is rendered resplendent with appropriate accessories. _A
Midsummer Night's Dream_, furnished with new illustrations, and
sparingly curtailed by necessary "cuts," becomes more poetical than
ever. Miss ADA REHAN is a "dream" in herself, and Mr.
LEWIS, as an American playing in England, becomes "translated"
every evening to the complete satisfaction of an appreciating and
crowded audience. The play should run from Midsummer into Michaelmas.
* * * * *