DECEMBER.

1835.]DECEMBER.
At length, I've come to the end of my tether;
I've told you all about the weather,
And a great deal more, take it altogether,
So now my twelvemonth's work is done,
I'm your obedient,—Rigdum Fun.
MSeason'sOdd Matters.WEATHER.
DSigns.
1head
Take note,
2backBOXING DAY.
☌ ♉ ⚹ ♀ ♊
3bellyOf all the joys the seasons bring,
  (And most, alas! have flown away,)frost
4kneesI dearly do delight to sing
  The pleasures of a Boxing Day.and snow
5teeth
For then a host of smiling folks♓ ♐
6toes  Are anxious their respects to pay,
And tell me (would it were a hoax!)may be
7nose  That, 'if I please,' it's Boxing Day.
expected
8achingThose doleful Waits, who've lain in wait,
  To scare my balmy sleep away,this month,
9quakingLike bravoes, who've despatch'd their job,
  Now claim reward on Boxing Day.
10chattering ⚹ ♄ ♓ ☉ ♄
The Milkmaid, who deals out sky-blue,
11clattering  (Her tally's double-scor'd, they say,)but
With smiling face, of rosy hue,
12freezing  A curtsey drops on Boxing Day.be not sure
13sneezingThe Baker's man, who brings me breadof their
  As heavy as a lump of clay,
14O rareAnd bricks as hard as any stone,coming,
  I can't refuse on Boxing Day.
15Christmas ♀ ♐ ♄ ♑ ♊
As I was walking in the street,
16fare  I met the Butcher with his tray;then shall
He thrust the corner in my eye,—
17a fig  I'll think of him on Boxing Day.you
18for careThe Scavenger, who plaster'd me,not be
  When dress'd in wedding-suit so gay,
19kissNow hopes I 'von't forget, d'ye see,disappointed
  As how that this here's Boxing Day.'
20below
My house on fire—no turncock found;♐ ☽ ♀ ♉
21the  My house burnt down—he came to say,
He hop'd that I'd reward his zeal,and
22misteltoe  And think of him on Boxing Day.
if it be
23laughThe Bellman, Dustman, Chimney-sweep,
  Bring up the rear in smart array,
24quaffAnd all get drunk, and strip to fight,♃ ☌ ♈ ⊕ ♐
  To prove it is a Boxing Day.
25never fine summer
26fear weather,
27with then
28merry I say again
29glee ♐ ♀ ☉
30conclude bethink you
31the year of the Comet

VALEDICTION.

Farewell, my merry gentlemen,—let nothing you dismay;

But take good heart, for tho' we part, we'll meet another day;

I hope, next year, when, never fear, I'll have enough to say,

And bring tidings of comfort and joy.

To start fair game has been my aim, and make imposture smart;

To raise a laugh at many a calf the object of my heart,

And "shoot at Folly as she flies," and fix her with my dart;