Old Songs Reset,
No. VII.

AIR-"The Bridge."

I STOOD On the bridge at twilight
When a man was lighting the lamps,
And remembered I'd posted letters,
And forgot to put on the stamps.
And I thought that if Messrs. Tomkins
Found out what I'd done that day,
I should get a confounded wigging,
And be probably turned away.
And the stars came out in the heavens,
And the trains went by on the rails,
And the lights by the flowing river

Were twinkling 'twixt passing sails.
But with care was my evening shaded,
And I trembled with fear and dread,
And I thought of a sad to-morrow,
And I wished that I was in bed.
And my brain was hot and aching,
And my eyes had a stony stare,

For I'd taken more Bass's bitter

Than my head had been made to bear!

But the care had all fallen from me
In the dawn of another day,
And only the fear of Tomkins
Prevented my being gay.

But he never found out my error-
And I got in no jolly row-
And merrily snap my fingers,

Nor care if he knows it now!

Yet whenever I cross the river

On the bridge where I stood that night,

I remember the unstamped letters-
And the beer-and my aching fright.
And for ever and for ever,

As long as the river flows,

Whenever I'm drinking "bitter,"

Or taking unnumbered "goes," That night and its sad reflection

And its sorrows and griefs appear To be stamped-as were not the lettersWith the trade-mark of Bass's beer.

The Royal Academy.

THE Royal Academy has this year opened its Winter Exhibition of Pictures by the Old Masters, &c., with two peculiar features. Over and above its rich and varied collection by many of the most admired and honoured of the ancients, it has the works of two distinctly different geniuses among the moderns, whose aspirations may have been inherently akin, but whose inspirations seem to have sprung from opposite sources, whose methods lay wide apart, and whose results display a great disparity.

The collection of the works of the late Dante Rossetti shows great power of imagination, tenderness of thought, feeling, and delicacy of workmanship; but, while there is abundance to admire, it is doubtful if there is much to follow, or if the artist's repute as an artist will be enhanced by his works being brought together, though the public are enabled to see what an artist he was. On the other hand, the collection of Linnel's, for keen insight into nature, powerful execution, and wonderful accomplishment, forms a brilliant display-a delight to all beholders, and to the student of Nature and Art an education and bright example. The Royal Academy should long ere now have enriched their list of members by enrolling the name of this gifted and honoured artist. Is it too late?

AN entomologist would do well to go on the stage now and again. He is sure to find there flies" and "wings."

VOL, XXXVII. - NO. 922.

A (W)RAP FOR HIM.

Heavy Swell.-"I DON'T SEE ANYTHING IN WINTER TO BE AFWAID OF, MISS MONTAGUE, IF ONE WAPS UP WELL. Young Lady (who owes him one).-"SOME PERSONS DON'T WAIT TILL THE WINTER FOR THAT, MR. SWELLTON. THEY ARE WRAPPED UP ALL THE YEAR ROUND-IN THEMSELVES!" [And he did not seem to go into (w)raptures over it.

A Cruel Savage.

MR. GEORGE PUDNEY having removed the skin of a sheep while the unfortunate animal was still alive, subsequently had a short interview with the Maldon Bench, the said interview resulting in the removal of George from the society of his family for a period of twelve months; his family probably will be thankful for this arrangement on the part of the Bench. We much regret that the law does not allow of a portion of Pudney's skin being removed (while he is still alive) by the aid of the cat. The perpetrator of such fiendish brutality will no doubt feel bound to perform some act of barbarism during his sojourn in prison (just to keep his hand in) which may procure him a sound flogging, in which case we trust any warder who should operate on George will not forget the sheep villany.