Christmas Cards.

Of Christmas Cards a splendid show

This year! Wherever you may go

You see them. When you're told, you know

They're Christmas Cards.

In such a game of Cards the thing

Before the eyes of all to bring

Is Christmas, but they're Summer, Spring,

Most Christmas Cards.

Taking high rank among the Christmas Cards,

The artistic reproductions, Marcus Ward's,

Of two of Raphael's best-known Madonnas

Must, at this season, carry off the honours.

Both from one Pitti Palace—need we name them?—

'Twould be a thousand pities not to frame them.

Here's an "Opal Souvenir,"

Lovely mem of present year,

And it comes from, as we hear,

Hildesheimer and Faulkner.

Among the Cards the best designs

Are those by Weedon, Wilson, Hines,

Bothams, Dealy also shines,

Kilburne, Drummond, on like lines,

Williamson, Maguire too,

Sigimund, artistic crew,

All at work their best to do

For Hildesheimer and Faulkner.

Raphael Tuck!

Here's luck!

Rejoice! no dumps!

Why, all your Cards are trumps!

And all applied

To merry Christmas-tide!

In these un-Christmas days,

Punch says 'tis greatly to thy praise.

So, Raphael Tuck,

My buck,

Here's luck!

"Such books, cards, and crackers," cries Poet, perplexed,

"As remain on the list, I will give 'in our next.'"