, interfering, by their nasty trumpery tiffs and tantrums,
with progress and civilisation, and arts and sciences, and the Crystal
Palace at Sydenham, and the comfort and happiness of everybody, to say
nothing of a poor old lady like me.

"Your affectionate,

"MOTHER GOOSE."

"_The Common, October, 1853._"

* * * * *

GREAT THEATRICAL STRIKE.

It is reported that MR. CHARLES KEAN the actor has struck for an advance
of salary from MR. CHARLES KEAN the manager. MR. CHARLES KEAN refuses to
advance another shilling to MR. CHARLES KEAN, actor, desiring him to act
his worst. It is believed that the actor has taken the manager at his
word. We deplore all strikes; especially one like the above, in which
the public are the greater sufferers. When bad's the best, what must the
worst be?

* * * * *

THE FASHIONABLE STRIKE AMONGST THE LOWEST CLASSES.

A BRUTE of a Husband is one who fancies, when he marries, that he is at
perfect liberty to treat his wife as if she were no better than a
street-door, on which there was nailed the polite request: "Please to
Ring and Knock."

* * * * *

BEWARE THE BEAR.--Let ABD-UL-MEDJID and NICHOLAS make it up, if
possible--but not embrace. The SULTAN must not trust himself to the hug.

* * * * *

THE FINE OLD ENGLISH INNKEEPER.

AIR--_Sufficiently Obvious._

I'll sing you a new song on a theme much stirred of late,
Of a fine old English Innkeeper, grown rather out of date,
Who keeps up his establishment in almost princely state,
And don't forget to charge you there at quite a princely rate,
Like a fine old English Innkeeper, one of the olden time.

His house, you're told, is fitted up "regardless of expense,"
Although one half is obsolete, and t'other make-pretence;
Exploded old four-posters, built in GEORGE THE SECOND'S reign,
Mock plate to serve mock-turtle in, sham ice-pails for champagne:
At this fine old English Innkeeper's, one of the olden time.

The swipes he draws is sour enough to turn a navvy pale,
Tho' by a bitter raillery he calls it bitter ale;
And tho' perhaps you don't see half a waiter all the day,
For "attendance" quite as much as for a lawyer's you must pay
To this fine old English Innkeeper, one of the olden time.

Then if to wine your tastes incline some home-made Cape you'll get,