ND OVERSEERS.

Set my arm-chair to the table; hand a light and bring a tumbler,
O be joyful while you're able; silence each unthankful grumbler.
Parish Clerk and Undertaker is my calling and vocation;
Let no peace-and-quiet-breaker throw me into consternation.

What's to be will surely happen, by no pains or care prevented;
All in vain is sewers trapping; we had better be contented.
Wherefore vex your souls, your spirits why should you, my friend,
disquiet?
He that fidgets, frets, and worrits, gets no satisfaction by it.

Since we all are born to trouble, plagues, of course, must be expected.
Being only grass and stubble, what of cleanliness neglected?
Live an let live, that's my motto; catgut-makers are our neighbours;
Knackers we no right have got to stop from following their labours.

From the premises of JONES the nose of SMITH if somewhat reaches,
Caused by boiling flesh or bones, or greaves to feed the canine species,
SMITH should, like a Christian, wink; put up with such a little trifle:
Hold his nostrils, if he think it needful the perfume to stifle.

Churchyards also, that employ afford so many people unto,
Why not let us still enjoy, thus doing as you would be done to?
Hundreds prosper and grow wealthy with 'em underneath their noses,
Living hearty, fat, and healthy, nearly to the age of MOSES.

Things of that sort to the senses now and then will grow unpleasant,
Whensoever that commences, take and do like me at the present,
Smoke a pipe, whereby you'll smother all the nuisance and objection;
Better that than any other measure to prevent infection.

Don't go poking, don't go raking, into what I need not utter,
All the means from parties taking out of which their bread they butter,
Best to leave alone stagnation; stir it, and we know the sequel,
That of all this agitation will the strongest posy equal.

'Tis presumption to depend on such precautions and defences;
Who can calculate their end on any further than expenses?
From the lot that Man awaits we none of us can lift the curtain;
And an increase of the rates is all we can consider certain.

Water will be rather queer sometimes; the pump a churchyard handy
Well, but then there's little fear, suppose you mingle it with brandy.
So, here's the present state of things--and let us have no revolutions--
Upsetting Emperors, Queens, and Kings; and our Parochial Institutions.