[5] These three verses are often omitted.
[6] This song was written before “The Fleet” prison was abolished.
[7] Boxing-gloves.
[8] Note:—Willy-force, i.e. Wilberforce.
[9] Alluding to Mr. Gladstone’s trip on board the Pembroke Castle, in September, 1883, when the Poet Laureate was also a guest of Sir Donald Currie.
[10] Formerly the “Star” Hotel, now the “Clarendon.”
[11] The late Viscount Ranelagh, Colonel of the South Middlesex Rifles, was one of the earliest and most enthusiastic supporters of the Volunteer movement. He originated the Easter manœuvres, and was exceedingly popular with the Metropolitan Volunteers.
[12] Charles James Fox.
[13] Alluding to the title of Baronet then newly instituted by James I, who created the first Baronet, Sir Nicholas Bacon, May 22, 1611. King James, being in need of money to suppress a revolt in Ulster, sold this new title somewhat indiscriminately, and so raised a large sum.
[14] These ancient political prophecies are amusing reading, but require some little explanation. In July, 1849, Baron Lionel de Rothschild was elected M.P. for the City of London, with 6,619 votes, whilst his opponent, Lord John Manners, only polled 3,104. But Baron Rothschild was not then allowed to take his seat, nor was it until he had been thrice again elected M.P. that he was permitted to enter the House of Commons in July, 1858. Shortly afterwards a special act was passed permitting Jewish M.P.’s to omit from the oath the words, “on the faith of a Christian;” since then many eminent Jews have been elected to the House of Commons, where they have generally supported the party which formerly opposed, to the very utmost, the extension to them of civil rights and political equality.