ction was recently brought in the Court of Queen's Bench against Mr.
Walter, to recover a sum of money expended by a person named Clark, in
wine, spirits, malt liquors, and other refreshments, during a contest for
the representation of the borough of Southwark. One of the witnesses, who
it appears was chairman of Mr. Walter's committee, swore that _every
thing the committee had to eat or drink went through him._ By a
remarkable coincidence, the counsel for the plaintiff in this tippling
case was _Mr. Lush._

* * * * *

AN ODE.

PICKED UP IN KILLPACK'S DIVAN.

Cum notis variorum.

"Excise Court.--An information was laid against Mr. Killpack, for selling
spirituous liquor. Mr. James (the counsel for the defendant) stated that
there was a club held there, of which Mr. Keeley, the actor, was
treasurer, and many others of the theatrical profession were members, and
that they had a store of brandy, whiskey, and other spirits. Fined L5 in
each case."--_Observer_

[ILLUSTRATION: Best British Brandy not Permitted]

INVOCATION.

Assist, ye jocal nine[1], inspire my soul!
(Waiter! a go of Brett's best alcohol,
A light, and one of Killpack's mild Havannahs).
Fire me! again I say, while loud hosannas
I sing of what we were--of what we _now_ are.
Wildly let me rave,
To imprecate the knave
Whose curious _information_ turned our porter sour,
Bottled our stout, doing it (ruthless cub!)
Brown,
Down
Knocking our snug, unlicensed club;
Changing, despite our _belle esprit_, at one fell _swop_,
Into a legal coffee-crib, our contraband cook-shop!

ODE.

Then little Bob arose,
And doff'd his clothes,
Exclaiming, "Momus! Stuff!
I've played him long enough,"
And, as the public seems inclined to sack us,
Behold me ready _dressed_ to play young Bacchus.
He said[2] his legs the barrel span,
And thus the Covent Garden god began;--
"GENTLEMEN,--I am--ahem--!--I beg your pardon,
But, ahem! as first low com. of Common Garden--
No, I don't mean that, I mean to say,
That if we were--ahem!--to pay
So much per quarter for our quarterns, [Cries of 'Hear!']
Import our own champagne and ginger-beer;
In short, _small_ duty pay on all we sup--
Ahem!--you understand--I give it up."
The speech was ended,
And Bob descended.
The club was formed. A spicy club it was--
Especially on