A YEAR’S WOOING.

’Twas autumn when first they stood on the bridge;

Ripe pears on the pear-tree, ripe corn on the ridge;

The swallows flew swiftly far up in the blue,

And speeding still southward, were lost to the view.

Said he: ‘Can you love me, as I can love you?’

She said, quite demurely: ‘Already I do!’

’Twas winter when next they met on the bridge;

The pear-trees were brown, and white was the ridge;

The swallows were feathering their nests in Algiers.

She looked in his face, and she burst into tears!

His nose it was pinched, and his lips they were blue.

Said she: ‘I can’t love you!’ Said he: ‘Nor I you!’

’Twas spring-time when next they stood on the bridge,

And white was the pear-tree, and green was the ridge;

The swallows had thoughts of a speedy return;

And the midges were dancing a-down the brown burn.

He said: ‘Pretty maiden, let by-gones go by—

Can you love me again?’ She said: ‘I can try.’

’Twas summer when next they stood on the bridge;

There were pears on the pear-tree, tall corn on the ridge;

The swallows wheeled round them, far up in the blue,

Then swooped down and snapped up a midgelet or two.

Said he: ‘Lest some trifle should come in the way,

And part us again, will you mention the day?’

She stood, looking down on the fast-flowing rill,

Then answered, demurely: ‘As soon as you will!’

H. L. R.

Printed and Published by W. & R. Chambers, 47 Paternoster Row, London, and 339 High Street, Edinburgh.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] It may be observed with regard to the Irish peerage, that the Crown can create a new peer of Ireland only as often as three peerages existing in 1801 become extinct. But in order to keep the peerage of Ireland up to the number of one hundred, if one of that number becomes extinct, the Crown may then create another. Of course we refer to the Irish peerage pure and simple, and do not include peers who are peers of Ireland as well as of the United Kingdom. As a peerage merely of Ireland or of Scotland confers an empty title and nothing more, such a dignity has ceased to be created.

[2] Peers as noblemen have likewise been styled by the Latin and French appellations of Magnates, Les Grandes, Proceres, Domini, Seigneurs, and Pares Regni.

[3] The distinction between felony and misdemeanour at common law was, that a conviction for the former caused a forfeiture of the offender’s goods, &c., to the Crown. The latter did not have this effect. The Act 33 and 34 Vict. c. 23 abolishes forfeiture for treason and felony; but the distinction in other respects between felonies and misdemeanours still exists.

[4] A jury of peers would be technically described as ‘the lords-triers.’

[5] One peer, Lord Kingsale, of the Irish peerage, is entitled to be covered even in the sovereign’s presence. This singular privilege is of very ancient date. The peerage itself was created in 1181, and the present holder of it is the thirty-first baron.

[6] We say ‘many,’ because all dukes, &c., do not hold the successive titles. Thus, the eldest son of the Duke of Richmond and Gordon bears the courtesy title of Earl of March, and by such style sits in the House of Commons as member of parliament for West Sussex.