THE NEW BROOM, AND THE BLACK PEERAGE.
(Rhyme by a Rad.)
[Lord SALISBURY, in his article in the National Review for November, makes fun of Mr. FREDERIC HARRISON's assertion that the Government could, at a pinch, secure a majority in the Upper Chamber by elevating five hundred Sweeps (which Lord S. calls the "Black Peerage") to the House of Lords, with the assent of the Crown.]
Five hundred? Good gracious! there's no need of that.
"Black Peerage," indeed! Though as black as my hat,
They could hardly be blacker than SALISBURY's lot;
But to talk of such sooty recruits is sheer rot.
That bad Upper House to reform—or degrade—
We don't want the charge of this queer Dark Brigade.
Five hundred? FRED HARRISON, you are a green one!
I'd settle the business with one sweep—a clean one!