Coronation Nonsense Rhymes.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 72

Coronation Nonsense Rhymes.

The clover author of "Clara in Blunderland," emboldened by the praise which his audacity has called forth, has taken occasion by the hand. The crowning of King Edward has afforded him the opportunity to write "The Coronation Nonsense Book," in. the style- of the old "Book of Nonsense" by tho late Edward Lear. His plan is to tak© a suppostitious text from the daily paper, to write- a nonsense verse about it, «nd to draw a nonsenee picture by way of illustration. The allusions are distinctly topical and invariably amusing. At the outset wo have the following reference to th© impending resignation of tho Premier :

Uncle Samm said, " Office i% heavy! I'm aweary of Council and Levee, But don't trouble, Dear Land! You are safe, for I'll hand The- whole bag-o'-tneks to— my nevvy!"

ljt>id Ko;oberv. of course, comes under the harrow. "Coronation orators will do well to tako from Lord Rosebery lessons in the graceful art of generalising," says the "daily paper." Th» satirist improves upon this recommendation thus : Thsre once^ was a Spouter Prolific,

Whose methods were partly terrific; lie observed, " In n speech, I endeavour to preach The Catchy— but not the Specific."

The master of post-prandial platitudes may 1 well exclaim, "An enemy hath done this!" Ex-President Oom Paul is depicted in & violent rage at the prospect of the Coronation of a monaich whose possessions include ibo Transvaal and Orange River Colonies. Truly a bitter pill : "Coronation 1 " cned picu* Oom Paul ; "Why, I didn't exfect one at all!

He looked up, and looked down — " Where the dooce is my crown ' They remarked — " There's .i hat in the hall."

Mr Winston Churchi'l, of Oklham, could scaicely expect to escape; nor does he: There was a Pet Peacock of Oldham, Who -aid, " I must certainly scold 'em;

They've arranged the whole Show

Without letting ME know, Who the deuce is the Upstaxt who told 'em? "

"There- is no foundation for tho rumoui* that Sir Thomas Lipton will be induced to part with Shamrock II. 11 * — Daily Poper. How, indeed, could it be so under the circumstances? Says tho poet : There was a Dry-Salt-Tar called Lipton, Who 9aul as lip breezily shipped on A second-place Yacht, •' Davy Jones' I'll be shot

If I se'.l what his Majesty slipped on! " There are 20 Buch satirical verses in thd book, all of them equally clever.