POETRY.

[" What the working-man wants is thrift."—Monsas Thmaramrosisr.] THE WORKING-MAN'S REPLY.

-WHAT'S the use o' savin', when there's nowt for a man to buy? Cow, and cottage, and garden, that's not for the like o' I. Land ! that's for they big 'uns as live up there on the hill ; Not for low-born fellers like you and me and Bill.

Then drink boys, drink boys, never stop to think boys ; Wr wages high let money fly ; To-morrow they may sink, boys.

What's the use o' savin', when they help per if ye're ill,

Four bob every week, Jemmy, and pay your Doctor's bill ? There's some as abuse them Guardin. s, and say they're hard as a atone;

But folk come to like 'em better, Jemmy, better the more they're known.

Then drink, &c.

What's the use o' savin', wi' Parson close at the door, And allays soup in his kitchen, and he so good to the poor? And a reglar lady up yonder, wi' a sight o' money and land, And cold meat had for the asking, and the purse never out of her hand.

Then drink, &c.

What's the use o' savin', when there's allays grub to be had, Skilly at night and morning, and the stuff is none so bad ?

And so if yer like a tramp, Jemmy, yer can pass from ward to ward, Only a little oakum to pick, and that's not hard.

Then drink, &c., What's the use o' savin', o' putting away your cash, And just when yer want your money, your club is sure to smash ? Fuddle, and fuddle, and fuddle, up there at the Royal Oak, That's how your managers manage, and so the club gets broke.

Then drink, &c.

What's the use o' savin', when yer've allays the House at last,

4‘ Poor man's Home," they call it, when strength and health are passed ?

They say, yer lose your good name, if once them walls yer see ; But, lor ! good name's for rich folk, Jemmy, it's not for the like o' we.

Then drink, &c.

Then what's the use o' savin', and they bury yer, too, when dead ; Coffin o' elm, that's all ; but who wants a coffin o' lead?

So yer cannot be better for savin', and yer cannot be worse if

yer spend, And it's jolly o' nights to sit here, Jemmy, and drain a glass wi' a friend.