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The Humourous Poetry of the English Language

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468<br />

So that my burden may-digest!<br />

SAPPHICS OF THE CABSTAND<br />

[Footnote: See <strong>The</strong> Friend <strong>of</strong> Humanity and <strong>the</strong> Knife-Grinder]<br />

PUNCH.<br />

FRIEND OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.<br />

Seedy Cab-driver, whi<strong>the</strong>r art thou going?<br />

Sad is thy fate--reduced to law and order,<br />

Local self-government yielding to <strong>the</strong> gripe <strong>of</strong><br />

Centralization.<br />

Victim <strong>of</strong> FITZROY! little think <strong>the</strong> M.P.s,<br />

Lording it o'er cab, 'bus, lodging-house, and grave-yard,<br />

Of <strong>the</strong> good times when every Anglo Saxon's<br />

House was his castle.<br />

Say, hapless sufferer, was it Mr. CHADWICK--<br />

Underground foe to <strong>the</strong> British Constitution--<br />

Or my LORD SHAFTESBURY, put up MR. FITZROY<br />

Thus to assail you?<br />

Was it <strong>the</strong> growth <strong>of</strong> Continental notions,<br />

Or was it <strong>the</strong> Metropolitan police-force<br />

Prompted this blow at Laissez-faire, that free and<br />

Easiest <strong>of</strong> doctrines?<br />

Have you not read Mr. TOULMIN SMITH'S great work on<br />

Centralization? If you haven't, buy it;<br />

Meanwhile I should be glad at once to hear your<br />

View on <strong>the</strong> subject.<br />

CAB-DRIVER.<br />

View on <strong>the</strong> subject? jiggered if I've got one;<br />

Only I wants no centrylisin', I don't--<br />

Which I suppose it's a crusher standin' sentry

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