Mr. James Payn says that "some boys are really missed at home." Well, Mr. Punch has observed that some fond and foolish parents tog and tittivate their boys till they look behind like girls. But to "miss" them, as though they were maidens or barmaids is too bad. To adapt Ko-Ko's celebrated song, he would say:—
A boy may wear his hair in curls, or bear a pudding face,
Some mothers, as you wist, that folly can't resist!
Of true boy in dress and manners they may leave him scarce a trace,
But he never should be "missed"—he never should be "missed."
Maternal idiots molly-coddle little lads they own,
Till they're girlish in demeanour, and effeminate in tone,
But the mater who her "Tommy" spoils, and dresses like a guy,
Till he doesn't think he crickets, and has no desire to try;
Is a silly, weak anomaly who ought to be well hissed;