630 A Waicr-Panif. LDec. 



The doctor offered to be funny — 



That is, to sing- a comic song- ; 

 But what it was, for love or money, 



I cannot tell — it was so long. 

 He gave us, too, a " recitation" — 



To me a most enormous bore ; 

 My brother muttered " botheration !" 



My father wished him at the Nore. 



We all had clubbed to take provision, 



And meant to dine in some one's field ; 

 Old Pike opposed this said decision — 



His wife, however, made him yield. 

 But when, at last, we'd fairly landed. 



And spread our cloth upon the gro\md, 

 (If you won't laugh, 1 will be candid). 



We found our dinner almost drowned ! 



Champagne and claret — every bottle 



Had cracked, and deluged fowls and ham ; 

 But yet it had not spoiled the " tottle" — 



There still was pigeon-pie and lamb. 

 With cider, porter, port and sherry. 



We managed vastly well to dme : 

 In spite of all, we were so merry — 



But still the weather was not fine. 



In fact, before we finished dinner. 



There was a kind of Scottish mist ; 

 And had our dresses been much thinner. 



It might have made us somewhat triste. 

 But good stout silk is now the fashion — 



My green one, though, was sadly spoiled ; 

 Mamma flew into such a passion ! 



I could not help its being soiled. 



We owe, however, to the shower 



An imexpected source of mirth ; 

 For, when the sky began to lour. 



The men proposed a snugger berth : 

 , Instead of getting wet by rowing. 



They voted to retiu-n by land ; 

 We all agreed, without well knowing 



How we should ever reach the Strand. 



Just while we wisely were debating. 



An Omnibus appeared in sight. 

 Which quickly settled all our prating. 



And very much to my delight : 

 Yet this machine could scarcely carry 



The whole of foui"-and-twenty friends ; 

 But, as it would not do to tarry. 



We popped in all the odds and ends. 



Such an odd, facetious journey ! 



We went so fast — 'twas like a dream ! 

 The coachman, quit^another Gurney, 



Only without that worthy's steam. 

 In short, the whole was most delightful — 



We wanted nothing, dear, but you ; 

 And now, my paper being quite full, 



I'll only add — Adieu ! — adieu ! F. 



