The Queen often arranged concerts, and I have come across an announcement of a concert which she might have organised, full of satirico-political allusions. The parenthetical additions have been inserted by way of elucidatory notes:—
“The Vicar of Bray.” By Lord Palmerston. (An allusion to his love of office.)
“Pray, Goody, please to Moderate.” By Lord Holland. (Lady Holland was noted as an untiring talker.)
“The Beautiful Boy.” By Lord Morpeth.
“I that once was a Plough-Boy.” By Baron Stockmar. (In allusion to his supposed low origin.)
“An old Man would be Wooing.” By Lord Melbourne.
“Buy a Broom!” By Baroness Lehzen. (Another allusion to low origin.)
“We are all nodding.” By Lord Glenelg.
“Oh, what a row!” By Lord Durham. (He was noted for his hot temper, and he was then scarcely out of the Canadian turmoil.)
“The Laird o’ Cockpen.” By Sir J. Campbell. (A Scotsman who was then English Attorney-General.)