The Westminster Alice

BY HECTOR H. MUNRO (“SAKI”)
With apologies to Sir John Tenniel and to everybody else concerned, including Messrs. Macmillan and Co., Limited, to whose courtesy we are indebted for permission to publish these political applications of the immortal adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice.

“Alice,” Child with dreaming eyes, Noting things that come to pass Turvey-wise in Wonderland Backwards through a Looking-Glass.
Figures flit across thy dream, Muddle through and flicker out Some in cocksure blessedness, Some in Philosophic Doubt.
Some in brackets, some in sulks, Some with latchkeys on the ramp, Living (in a sort of peace) In a Concentration Camp.
Party moves on either side, Checks and feints that don’t deceive, Knights and Bishops, Pawns and all, In a game of Make-Believe.
Things that fall contrariwise, Difficult to understand, Darkly through a Looking-Glass Turvey-wise in Wonderland.
“Have you ever seen an Ineptitude?” asked the Cheshire Cat suddenly; the Cat was nothing if not abrupt.
“CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE?” ALICE INQUIRED POLITELY.
“Not in real life,” said Alice. “Have you any about here? ”
“A few,” answered the Cat comprehensively. “Over there, for instance,” it added, contracting its pupils to the requisite focus, “is the most perfect specimen we have.”