CARMINA EPHEMERA.
Carmine Ephemera; or, Trivial Numbers. By E. E. Kellett. (Macmillan and Co. 3s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Kellett has a very pretty gift of writing humorous verse; he has a special art of making the unaccustomed rhyme, such, for instance, as " offspring—cough spring." Here is a specimen of his work :— " Then here's to the great unpre-eminent throng,
The Seconds, the Thirds, and the Ploughed l The physical frames neither feeble nor strong, And the minds with one talent endowed!
The commonplace bard sings a commonplace song In praise of the commonplace crowd.
In singing, though scarce of De Beszkian class, We manage to stick to the tune; In the Tripos we float with the medium mass, 'Twist Senior Wrangler and Spoon ; Our aquatics a casual scrutiny pass, Though we never shall win the Colquboun.
Our ways are precisely the usual ways,
Our ability common ability ; We play just the pastime that every one plays, With average grace and facility; The world we most certainly never amaze By showing a great versatility.
'Tie the aim of our life, so to guide our affairs As to catch no inquisitive gaze, Toss in a crowd uninsulted by stares,
Norpa befouled by the Press and its praise ; And shun in despite of the craftiest snares
The Interview Han and his ways."
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