gives you a fair place and fair play. To any one of
those men of whom we have spoken was it in the main ungrateful? A king
might refuse Goldsmith a pension, as a publisher might keep his
masterpiece and the delight of all the world in his desk for two years;
but it was mistake, and not ill will. Noble and illustrious names of
Swift, and Pope, and Addison! dear and honoured memories of Goldsmith and
Fielding! kind friends, teachers, benefactors! who shall say that our
country, which continues to bring you such an unceasing tribute of
applause, admiration, love, sympathy, does not do honour to the literary
calling in the honour which it bestows upon _you!_

THE GEORGES

The Poems

[_Punch_, October 11, 1845]

As the statues of these beloved Monarchs are to be put up in the
Parliament palace--we have been favoured by a young lady (connected with
the Court) with copies of the inscriptions which are to be engraven under
the images of those Stars of Brunswick.

GEORGE I--STAR OF BRUNSWICK

He preferred Hanover to England,
He preferred two hideous Mistresses
To a beautiful and innocent Wife.
He hated Arts and despised Literature;
But He liked train-oil in his salads,
And gave an enlightened patronage to bad oysters.
And he had Walpole as a Minister:
Consistent in his Preference for every kind of Corruption.

GEORGE II

In most things I did as my father had done,
I was false to my wife and I hated my son:

My spending was small and my avarice much,
My kingdom was English, my heart was High Dutch:

At Dettingen fight I was known not to blench
I butchered the Scotch, and I bearded the French:

I neither had morals, nor manners, nor wit;
I wasn't much missed when I died in a fit.

Here set up my statue, and make it complete--With
Pitt on his knees at my dirty old feet.

GEORGE III

Give me a royal niche--it is my due,
The virtuousest king the realm e'er knew.

I, through a decent reputable life,
Was constant to plain food and a plain wife.

Ireland I risked, and lost America;
But dined on legs of mutton every day.

My brain, perhaps, might be a feeble part;
But yet I think I had an English heart.

When all the kings were prostrate, I alone
Stood face to face against Napoleon;

Nor ever could the