A DISCLAIMER.

I "prefer PARNELL"? Oh dear, no!

There is no man I've hated so.

But, since he turned a fierce derider

Of him he calls the "Grand Old Spider;"

Since he has "blown" the Home-Rule "gaff,"

And whelmed the Gladstone gang with chaff;

Since he has almost wiped out PIGOTT,

Half justified the Orange bigot;

Proved part of the Times' charge at least,

And won the "Hill-men," lost the Priest;—

Since then—why, hang it, 'tis such fun,

I half forgive him all he's done;

I'll back him, bet on him, and grin;

Give him my vote, and hope he'll win.

But I prefer him? Goodness gracious!

Why can't Gladstonians be veracious?

SIR HENRY LOCH'S "STRAIGHT TIP" TO THE INTRUSIVE BOERS IN MASHONALAND.—"Play us none of your 'treks'!"