University of Virginia Library

To R. H. D. Barham.

St. Paul's, July 5, 1830.
I find, Mister Dick,
That you've played me a trick,
For which you deserve a reproof—
Not to say a reproach;
You got out of the coach,
And settled yourself on the roof.

279

You knew you'd a cough,
And when you set off,
I cautioned you as to your ride,
And bade you take care
Of the damp and cold air,
And above all to keep withinside.
This they tell me that you
Did not choose to do,
But exchanged with some person, they said;
And so Easton mistook
Your name in his book,
And charged you what he should have paid.
I found them quite willing
To refund every shilling,
And render to Cæsar his due;
They gave me back three,
Which I take to be
The overplus forked out by you.
Now don't do this again;
Indeed, to be plain,
If you mount, when you come back to town,
Your namesake the ‘Dicky,’
I shall certainly lick ye,
And perhaps half demolish your crown.

280

Mamma means to enclose
Two white ‘wipes’ for your nose;
As your purse may be run rather hard,
I shall also attack her
To augment your exchequer
With a sovereign stuck in a card.
But my note I must end it,
Or 'twill be too late to send it
To-day, which I much wish to do;
So remember us, mind, enough
To our friends who are kind enough
To be bored with such a nuisance as you.
Write as soon as you can,
That's a good little man,
And direct your epistle to me;
Meanwhile, I remain,
Till I see you again,
Your affectionate sire,—R. H. B.