FINE, OR REFINE?
[An Educational Journal recently suggested the formation of a "Guild of Courtesy," with especial view to refining the manners and language of the youth of the working classes.]
Hail, noble Guild! By all means drive
Expletives from our highways;
They are the ruin of our roads,
The byword of our byways!
And rowdies too—to teach them grace
A philanthropic art is;
These subjects for the Guild may well
Be called the "Guildy parties"!
The lumbering horse-play of the streets,
Can we its spirits soothe?
Will blarneying do? Or can "the Rough"
Be "taken with the smooth"?
And there's the working girl: can we
From yells and rompings wean her?
For the demeanour of a Miss
Is oft a mis-demeanour.
O worthy Guildsmen! Take in hand
All ages and all classes!
Show how to hearts Good Manners' arts
Supply the freest passes.
Do not such terms as these of hope
Your undertaking rob—
The "common people"—"lower class,"
"The vulgar," and "the mob"?
And there's our worship of the purse;
'Gainst it pray have a tilt
Oh, gild our manners! But take care
They are not silver-gilt!
ALL AT SEA.—The KAISER is reported to be so delighted with his visit to the Isle of Wight, that he proposes to repeat the journey next year. Fond of military display, if he goes to Hyde he will be appropriately accompanied by an escort of German Mounted Marines.
