Sell not the skin ere thou catchest the bear, and give not out thy
wedding cards before thou hast popped the question.
For all these things did HOLLINS--verily he hath his reward.
* * * * *
CHRISTOPHER NORTH, in _Blackwood_, and many others since him, have
popularized this style of chronicle-English of the sixteenth century,
and our contributor has sound precedent for his imitations. 'Should time
permit, nor the occasion fail,' we trust to have him with us in the
following number. Our thanks are due to some scores of cotemporaries who
have republished the last Chronicle, and for the praise which they
lavished on it.
* * * * *
To HENRY P. LELAND we are indebted for a
SONNET TO JOHN JONES.
Thou who dost walk round town, not quite unknown,
I have a word to speak within thy ear.
Hast thou no dread to hear in trumpet tone
'John Jones has got a contract!'--dost not fear
Thy children, yet unborn, may then disown
The parent, with whose name they thus may hear
Transactions worse than usury's heaviest loan
Of twenty odd per cent. and more a year?
Oh, John! I pray thee that within thy heart
The lesson that 'Police Court' teaches thee,
That other Jones' rob hen-roosts, and take part
In many a rousing fight and drunken spree,
May have its influence; and that thou wilt start
And have thy name changed, quickly as may be.
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