"Belle of Norwood! dark-eyed gipsy, come, and let me cross thy hand,
Give me knowledge of the future, if it be at thy command:
Full one thousand shares in railways, I have been let in to take;
Tell me, swarthy star of Beulah, when will they my fortune make?"
"List, my pretty gentleman, with piece of silver cross my hand,
I will tell you when your shares will bring you money, beeves, and
land—
When the figures for the base of Nelson's column shall be made,
And the throng of population chokes the Exeter Arcade.
When the leading streets of London are not closed, and altogether;
And the lamps of Vauxhall Gardens are not put out by wet weather.
When the _Byron_ of Thorwaldsen in the Abbey takes its place;
And the Turf shall be surprised by something like an honest race..bn
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When the Income Tax is talked of, as a legend of the past;
And St. Paul's is seen for nothing, gratis, unto all, at last.
When the hostess at a party says, 'You must not go away,'
All the time hopes entertaining that you will no longer stay.
When all these things come to pass, in honour bright, and no mistake,
Then, my pretty gentleman, the railways will your fortune make."
[Illustration]
DIVERS INTERESTING QUESTIONS FOR MY READERS
TO CONSIDER.