TO MRS. KEELEY.
["Some time ago Her Majesty inquired after Mrs. Keeley, and was informed that she was well and in her ninetieth year. The Queen expressed a wish to see her, and Colonel Collins arranged for Mrs. Keeley to have the honour of being received at Buckingham Palace yesterday afternoon, when she was presented to Her Majesty. The welcome given to the gifted lady, who so wonderfully preserves her health, intelligence, and vivacity, was most graceful and cordial; and the Queen was pleased to recall to mind several interesting incidents of the past."—Daily Telegraph, Thursday, March 7.]
Oh, when I was a little Eton boy,
With a heigho! I need not explain,
"The Keeleys" were a wondrous joy,
For they were so droll in every play.
But now I am at mid estate,
With a heigho! I need not explain,
Here's Mrs. Keeley tête-à-tête
With our Gracious Queen Vic-to-ri-a.
No Betsy Baker ere like you!
With a smile, smirk, I need not explain!
That rascal, gay Jack Sheppard, too,
With a "Nix, my dolly! fake away!"
I've seen you dance and heard you sing
With a sly eye, I need not explain,
How well you acted everything
In whatever part you chose to play!
That you're about and well we know,
With a Hooray! a cheer once again!
And may you long continue so,
Till the curtain falls and ends the play.
"Heard in Court."
Counsel. Now tell me, while you were standing as you say just in front of the defendant, did anything remarkable strike you?
Pat. It did, Sorr.
Counsel. And what was that?
Pat. His fist.