The Press.
London, England, 1854-12-02 00:00:00

TOO LATE.

"The result shows that what has been done in November ought to have been done ir. Sep-
tember. Will anybody, Minister or not Minister, have the courage to tell us that the war
was not mimed iu the critical aitenturr months ? . . . A great deal has now been done, but it
has been done at least two months too lute."—Tinter (leading article), Nov. 29, 1854.
So the Peclites, like Falstaff, " dwindle and bate,"
And it's clearly perceived they're not up to weight;
And what the 7 can do they do too late,
(As the Times discovers)—too late !
And the Czar received notice that, if he'd wait,
We purposed to pay him a visit of State,
But he bolted the door, and, said he, " you're too late,
My friends,—a little too late !"

Thus an army was kept in magnificent state
For the plague and the fever to decimate,
And was led into battle too late, too lute,
As we learn,—a little too late !

Then succour is sent at a pitiful rate,
And a handful of heroes anxiously wait
For reinforcements which come too late—
Which come a little too late !

Sentimental Herberts gracefully prate,
While many brave fellows arc left to their fate ;
For lint and medicine come too late—
As we sadly deplore,—too late !

Then Gladdy discerns that he's in for the plate,
And wants to do bills at an easier rate,
But the brokers say, " Gladdy, you're too late—
We fear you're a little too late !"

And the Parliament then is called in to debate
On what appears a most critical state;
But perhaps it may think it was called too late—
Some two or three months too late!

So the confident " Clerks " are not so great
As w•e once supposed in matters of State;
They're found out at last—but too late, too late—
As wo fear—a little too late !

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X.

SCENE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS.
THEODORE HOOK'S STORY MODERNISED.
FERSONAGES.—OId Lady from the Country. Young Gentleman about Town.
OLD LADY : Perhaps, sir, you would kindly inform me who is that
old gentleman who speaks with a Scotch accent, and is always talking
about calumny ?
INFORMANT : Gentleman, ma'am !—that is an old lady—Lady A—,
Nurse Extraordinary to her Majesty.
OLD LADY : Really, sir!—very extraordinary. And that very little
gentleman, with the large hat, sitting down by that great chair?
INFORMANT : That, madam, is General Tom Thumb, with a depu-
tation from the United States. The persons around him form the
deputation.
OLD LADY : Really, sir !—General Tom Thumb ! And that slight
young person with red hair?
INFORMANT : That, nuulam, is William Rufus.
OLD LADY: No, sir; we know a little better than that. William
Rufus has been dead many a long year.
INFORMANT : Indeed. madam, 1 assure you, you must lee-ntistaken.
Perhaps the Times may have told you so. But you know, ma:lam, no
one believes the Times.
(Exit Oid Lady, in indignation.

ADVERTISEMENT.
Wanted, a member for Marylebonc borough,
Who must be a Lord and a Radical—thorough !
With no inclination, secret or sinister,
To hold a place as Conservative Minister—
A lean man like Cassius, too, hungry and humble,
To play the part of a Marylebone "Bumble "
Not wearing spectacles—also too proud
To fawn on the few or to flatter the crowd—
In his person, pretensions,capacities—all—
Tlie very reverse 41f Sir Benjamin Hall,

SG