WON'T WASH!
Or, The British Laundress's Lament.
[There is talk of a company for taking our laundry-work over to Holland, washing it there, and returning it to the owners at a less cost than it can be done for at home.]
In matters of laundry the fault of them Dutch,
Is charging too little, and grabbing too much!
They'd collar our collars, cut off with our shirts!
The heart of a true washerwoman it hurts
To think of Frows taking our time-honoured tub.
What, travel to Holland to get rub and scrub,
While soap and strong arms may in Britain be found?
It's worse than them Stores! Furrineers may be found
To do dirty work on the cheap, I've no doubt;
But can old John Bull know just what he's about
In sending our work from his shores in this way?
I'm sure it won't wash, and I 'ope it won't pay!
Shall we to Mynheer and his frowsy Frow truckle,
While one English woman has arm, wrist, and knuckle?
Forbid it, my sisters! My patriot 'eart
Is up in my mouth at this ojus new start.
There is an old proverb, and what do it say?
It is the true laundress's motter, I say.
But what in the world to John Bull can 'ave come
If he can't wash his own dirty linen at 'ome?