Anonymous.
The Unfinished Houses of Parliament.
When Lord Brougham said there was no more dependence to be placed on Barry’s promises than on a broken reed, he was not perhaps aware that it was really Reid, and not Barry, that acted as a barrier to the completion of the Houses of Parliament. Since it has been discovered that Reid is the culprit, the following melody has been expressly written for Lord Brougham, who has sung it twice at the Beef Steak Club, with considerable gusto.
“’Mid Westminster’s palace, while Reid still shall roam
The Lords will ne’er taste of the blessings of home;
If Barry e’er tries the new house to prepare,
His efforts by Reid are all blown into air.
Reid, Reid, Doctor Reid!
Of all great mistakes, there is not one like Reid.