25 DECEMBER 1852, Page 10

OXFORD REFLECTIONS

ON THE B.ESIGNAITON OF THE EARL OF DERBY.

Written after reading his speech, December 20.

When late, her hero to succeed, A ruler Oxford chose, Beneath whose shade, Commission-freed, Her elders might repose, In Shaftesbury's sectarian zeal No comfort could she find, And scorn'd the Duke who learnt with Peel

To toil for all his kind ;

And Ellesmere's literary name

In vain its charms displayed ;

Nor durst the keen Tractanan claim His Redesdale's sporting aid: To Derby flock'd both High and Low, That mild and thoughtful Peer, Type of the course, serene and slow,

That Oxford loves to steer—

A man of calm, well-temper'd force, Unswayed by heat or whim : They reck'd not of his place, of course; They only loned for him.

He comes, (attune your classic strings !) His draggled robes without ; But, else unchanged, to Oxford brings Pride, prejudice, and pout !