got nearly over all his difficulties--I suppose he meant to say he had
nearly got _under_ them--at all events the tunnel, when completed, will be
a vast convenience to the metropolis, particularly to the _lower_ classes.
From the Tunnel went to Billingsgate-market--confiscated a basket of
suspicious shrimps, and ordered them to be conveyed to the Mansion-house.
_Mem._ Have them for breakfast to-morrow. Return to dress for dinner,
having promised to take the chair at the Grand Annual Metropolitan
Anti-Hydro-without-gin-drinking Association.

* * * * *

Here a hiatus occurs in the MS.; but from cotemporary authorities we are
enabled to state that his lordship was conveyed home at two o'clock on the
following morning, by some jolly companions.

"Slowly and sadly they smoothed his bed,
And they told his wife and daughter
To give him, next day, a couple of red-
Herrings and soda-water."

* * * * *

THE LOVES OF THE PLANTS.

The gay _Daffodilly_, an amorous blade,
Stole out of his bed in the dark,
And calling his brother, _Jon-Quil_, forth he stray'd
To breathe his love vows to a _Violet_ maid
Who dwelt in a neighbouring park.

A spiteful old _Nettle-aunt_ frown'd on their love;
But _Daffy_, who laugh'd at her power,
A _Shepherd's-purse_ slipp'd in the nurse's _Fox-glove_,
Then up _Jacob's-ladder_ he crept to his love,
And stole to the young _Virgin's-bower_.

The _Maiden's-blush Rose_--and she seem'd all dismay'd,
Array'd in her white _Lady's-smock_,
She call'd _Mignonette_--but the sly little jade,
That instant was hearing a sweet serenade
From the lips of a tall _Hollyhock_.

The _Pheasant's eye_, always a mischievous wight,
For prying out something not good,
Avow'd that he peep'd through the keyhole that night;
And clearly discern'd, by a glow-worm's pale light,
Their _Two-faces-under-a-hood_.

Old Dowager _Peony_, deaf as a door,
Who wish'd to know more of the facts,
Invited Dame _Mustard_ and Miss _Hellebore_,
With Miss _Periwinkle_, and many friends more,
One evening to tea and to tracts.

The _Butter-cups_ ranged, defamation ran high,
While every tongue join'd the debate;
Miss _Sensitive_ said, 'twixt a groan and a sigh,
Though she felt much concern'd--yet she thought her dear _Vi_--
Had grown rather bulbous of late.

Thus the tale spre