Songs of the Oar, with "De Omnibus Rhymes." By F.
J. Cox. (F. Griffiths. 3s. 6d. net.)—The " Car" is the motor-car, not finding its way into verse now for the first time, but never before, as far as we are aware, at adequately treated. Mr. Cox is a skilful writer of humorous verse, one of a considerable company, as all who know the Saturday Westminster and Punch—to mention two publications out of many—will admit. Not the least of his many -gifts is the ingenuity of his rhymes. One specimen of his work shall be taken from the" De Omnibus" portion of his book. Some of our readers may not be disposed just now to welcome funny things about motor-cars. Here are some stanzas, in a well-known style, which enlarge on the aphorism, due, we believe, to Mr. Andrew Lang, that cricket matches are the things which "Englishmen really care about," distinguished from affairs of State, foreign and domestic, literature, science, &c. :— "Oh the men who indite the Placards I I see them playing their part— Their bands on the pulse of the nation, they measure the beats of its heart ; And under their sure direction all things into order fall ;
Well they know in the hearts of the people that Sport is the King of all.
Well they wot that DEATH OF A BISHOP' or SWINBURNE'S LATEST TRILL,' As useful, but minor, headlines look well at the foot of the bill;
But they know that such headlines never have taken the world by storm, As does the momentous message of JESSOP IN SPLENDID FORM."
The next stanza is good in another way, the second line being particularly admirable :—
" That we are an Island People the Placards understand,
- Bound as with chains to the Obvious, slaves to the Near-at-Hand ;
Of the' STRANGE ELOPEMENT AT BRIXTON 'the latest news we crave, But a fig for 10,000 CARIBS SWAMPED BY A TIDAL WAVE I• "
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