Stray Leaves from the Portfolios of Alisander the Seer, Andrew Whaup, and Humphrey Henkeckle Edited by Alexander Rodger |
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ADVERTISEMENT EXTRAORDINARY. |
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 | Stray Leaves from the Portfolios of Alisander the Seer, Andrew Whaup, and Humphrey Henkeckle |  |
ADVERTISEMENT EXTRAORDINARY.
To our beloved brethren down the Clyde,
Where stately ships at anchor safely ride;
Grace, mercy, peace, contentment, joy of mind,
And every comfort—we, the undersigned,
Send greeting; and would fain know, if ye wot,
What has become of honest Father Scott.
Not Father Scott, the celebrated Bishop,
Who spiritual food for Cath'lic souls doth dish up;
But Father James Scott, intellectual cook,
Who used to dish up in the shape of book,
Broad sheet, or pamphlet, food of various kinds,
To suit the different tastes of different minds.
Who, whilom was at Montreal the Herald,
Proclaiming tidings through the western world;
And who, but lately, on the banks of Clyde,
Instructed and amused by his ‘Fireside,’
But who, 'tis now supposed, has settled down
In some snug corner, about Greenock town.
Where stately ships at anchor safely ride;
Grace, mercy, peace, contentment, joy of mind,
And every comfort—we, the undersigned,
Send greeting; and would fain know, if ye wot,
What has become of honest Father Scott.
Not Father Scott, the celebrated Bishop,
Who spiritual food for Cath'lic souls doth dish up;
But Father James Scott, intellectual cook,
Who used to dish up in the shape of book,
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To suit the different tastes of different minds.
Who, whilom was at Montreal the Herald,
Proclaiming tidings through the western world;
And who, but lately, on the banks of Clyde,
Instructed and amused by his ‘Fireside,’
But who, 'tis now supposed, has settled down
In some snug corner, about Greenock town.
Then, wot ye where the said James Scott can be?
Is he in ‘durance vile,’ or is he free?
Is he 'mong reams on reams of paper hid,
Like Egypt's dead kings, in a Pyramid?
Or does he daily walk the streets, disguised
So deeply that he can't be recognised?
Is he engaged in manufacturing news?
Or writing criticisms and reviews?
Or does he haunt some solitary dell,
To woo the muse, and take at rhyme a spell?
Is he—but no; it cannot be,—that's flat,—
He's married now, so there's an end to that.
Is he in ‘durance vile,’ or is he free?
Is he 'mong reams on reams of paper hid,
Like Egypt's dead kings, in a Pyramid?
Or does he daily walk the streets, disguised
So deeply that he can't be recognised?
Is he engaged in manufacturing news?
Or writing criticisms and reviews?
Or does he haunt some solitary dell,
To woo the muse, and take at rhyme a spell?
Is he—but no; it cannot be,—that's flat,—
He's married now, so there's an end to that.
The said James Scott in age is thirty-two,
His face not pale, nor yet of florid hue;
High-cheek'd, hawk-beak'd, hawk-eyed, and raven-haired,
Fine-lipp'd, white-teeth'd, out-chinn'd, with little beard;
Full-brow'd, and pleasant-featured on the whole,
Where may be seen, at times, his inmost soul,
Sweet voiced, and having a most witching tongue,
As ever in a human head was hung;
In height he may be about five feet eight,
Stout made, and has a slight stoop in his gait;
Had on, 'tis thought, the last time he was seen,
A high-crowned hat, a coat of olive green,
A black silk neckloth, linen shirt, well dressed,
A figured double-breasted brown silk vest,
A pair of boots, most elegantly made,
And trousers of the Ayrshire shepherd's plaid.
His face not pale, nor yet of florid hue;
High-cheek'd, hawk-beak'd, hawk-eyed, and raven-haired,
Fine-lipp'd, white-teeth'd, out-chinn'd, with little beard;
Full-brow'd, and pleasant-featured on the whole,
Where may be seen, at times, his inmost soul,
Sweet voiced, and having a most witching tongue,
As ever in a human head was hung;
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Stout made, and has a slight stoop in his gait;
Had on, 'tis thought, the last time he was seen,
A high-crowned hat, a coat of olive green,
A black silk neckloth, linen shirt, well dressed,
A figured double-breasted brown silk vest,
A pair of boots, most elegantly made,
And trousers of the Ayrshire shepherd's plaid.
Whoever, then, the said James Scott can find,
In any street or lane, or close, or wynd,
Shall be entitled to a Great Reward,
Provided he do send a timely card.
Either by Post, or Carrier King, the Great,
With proper signature, address, and date,
Informing any of the undersigned,
Where they the said James Scott will also find.
In any street or lane, or close, or wynd,
Shall be entitled to a Great Reward,
Provided he do send a timely card.
Either by Post, or Carrier King, the Great,
With proper signature, address, and date,
Informing any of the undersigned,
Where they the said James Scott will also find.
| Stray Leaves from the Portfolios of Alisander the Seer, Andrew Whaup, and Humphrey Henkeckle | |