By Rev. Jonathan Lees, Let those who vote Lake Come slow,"" Or grumble on the banks of Po, And wonder where they next can go, Try the great plain of Chibli.
But it were best to leave behind All hopes of an wsthetic kind Eye, ear, or nose, small joy will find Upon the plain of Chihli.
Look not for lake or rippling rill, Or giant tree, or wood-crowned hill, Or sweet wild flower—or aught to thrill Your artist sense in Chihli.
And_as to equipage—aiack!
No Pullman car on even track, Or easy chaise with cushioned back, Has yet been seen in Ghibli.
A two-wheeled cage four feet by three, Holds traveller and traps, for he Site on them a la Turk, you see, This is the mode-in Chihli.
The carriage lacks both door and springs, Upon its shaft Wong sits and sings To cheer his mules—tall bony things Reared on the plain of Chihli, The leader swings his tail with grace. Now kicks, now breaks his hempen trace, Four miles an hour his constant pace, Upon the plain of Chibli, Aroused from sleep ere break of day, You crawl along the rutty way, Resolved ta see what'er you may, While wandering through Chihli.
Enthroned within the cart you try To look o'er Wong's broad back and spy Perhaps theee feet of clear blue sky, Which, after all's not Chibli.
Creeping outside to mend your view, You find earth wears her earthiest hue, And that erelong you're varthy too Like all beside in Chibli, Fields, cattle, houses in the town, The city scholar, village clown, All are a dismal, dirty brown On winter days in Chihli.
Anon the sun gets up, and then, You jolt along till half past ten. When hunger oozes mules and men Upon the plain of Chili.
An inn is reached—a yard with pens Choke full of carts, mules, pigs, and hens; To cleanliness there no pretence In village inns in Chihli.
"Landlord," you shout. "come dust this seat, And bring me something fit to eat"; Ai-yah, roast mutton is a treat Not to be had in Chibli.
If measly pork should suit your taste, Or alddled eggs, or bean-curd paste, They'll serve you up a meal in haste, At any inn in Chili.
Neg you may chance, if such year wish, Of lough ox-hide procure a dish, Swimming in all; or bony fish Caught in come pit in Chihli
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.