PUNCH'S POTATO PROPHECY.
The reader, who minds his Punch, of course remembers what Punch prophesied in 1847 on the Irish potato rot. From that very decay, Punch predicted regeneration.
"The butcher, the baker,
The candle-stick maker,
All jumped out of a rotten potato."
So runs the childish doggrel; but Punch heard in that shambling verse a musical promise; and hearing, foretold the coming time when, from the very blight that smote the people of Ireland through Ireland's potatos, there should be peace and plenty for Ireland regenerate. And is it not so? Answer with one of your wildest roars, oh, Lion of Judah! Is it not so—reply and tenderly, cooingly, oh Dove of Galway!