The property in a lodger's possession may be seized for rent due from a
tenant, but it does not appear that the lodger's self-possession can
legally be taken away from him.
A flaw in a lease will not always let in the heir, but the air is
frequently let in by a flaw in the building.
When a conveyance has already sufficient parties, it has been held that
the remainder man may be shut out. This was decided in the cases of
Podger _versus_ the driver and conductor of the Atlas Omnibus.
If a party offers to pledge himself, _semble_, that a pawnbroker cannot
be compelled to take him in, though it is done frequently.
It is not yet decided whether the new Act for the Protection of the
Queen's Person, which inflicts a penalty for presenting fire-arms at the
Queen's person, does or does not extend to the sentinels on duty, who
present arms at Her Majesty whenever she leaves the Palace.
The New Poor Law Act, prohibiting all out-door relief, does not apply to
trees, which may be re-leaved out of doors at the usual period.
It is a question whether, by the recent law, which says that all
children under five are to be carried gratuitously in any
stage-carriage, a mother may insist on claiming free passage for four
children by any public conveyance.
It has been decided that the Act giving the net proceeds of a slave ship
to the captors, does not mean that they are only entitled to the fish
caught in nets on board the vessel.
The Court of Queen's Bench has declared, that a minor under the age of
ten years cannot legally be a miner since the passing of the Mines and
Collieries' Regulation Act.
TEN THOUSAND A YEAR.
THE TAX ON PROPERTY.
There's something agreeable in the idea
Of having for income "Ten Thousand a Year:"
But property, while it possesses its beauties,
Is burdened not only with rights but with duties.
It well may be said that the strongest of backs
Is bent with the weight of the Property Tax.
"Ten Thousand a Year" is expected to sport
A carriage of every conceivable sort;
A britschka, a Clarence, landau, and pilentum,
He must purchase as fast as the makers invent 'em.
Each vehicle fashion compels him to take,
Till "Ten Thousand a Year" is reduced to a break.
Of lazy domestics, in liv'ry and out,
A tribe must be kept to be lounging about,
On wages exorbitant, though, it is true,
They've nothing on earth—but their master—to do.
The larder, as well as the pockets, they clear:
'Tis part of the tax on "Ten Thousand a Year."
The blessings of wealth would be given in vain
To one who'd not swim all his friends in champagne:
His dinners must needs be the talk of the season,
As feasts of whate'er can be thought of—but reason.
As a liveried lacquey, perchance, there may wait
Some usurer, having a lien on the plate;
Who will not allow it to pass from his sight,
Although to its owner 'tis lent for the night:
The usurer gracefully keeps in the rear,
Not to mar the effect of "Ten Thousand a Year."
Then balls must be given the _salons_ to fill,
And ruin be met in a graceful quadrille:
'Tis sweet e'en on bankruptcy's margin to stand,
While lulled with the music of Collinet's band.
Such luxuries can't be accounted as dear
By one who's possessed of "Ten Thousand a Year."
Without a town mansion, a park, and a seat,
The rich man's establishment is not complete;
But still on an annual tour he must roam;
His house must on no account serve for his home:
For servants, its comforts may do very well;
He must wander abroad to some foreign hotel:
When the season is over, in town to appear
Would be _très mauvais goût_ of "Ten Thousand a Year."
Extravagant family, daughters and sons,
With distant connections who pester like duns,
On the strength of the fact that their wealthy relation
Can't suffer their wants to reflect on his station—
The family's dignity, honour, and pride;
And many a heavy encumbrance beside,
Of which but a few on the surface appear—
All make up the tax on "Ten Thousand a Year."