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Mrs. Merdle Discourseth Of Wishes And Her Sufferings.

'If wishes were horses'--I've heard when a girl--

'If wishes were horses, the beggars would ride'--

If wishes were pheasants, I'd wish with a skirl

Till cooked ones came flying and sat by my side.

A fig, then, for doctors, their tinctures and drugs;

Good eating would cure me, with plenty of game;

And as for pill boxes, and bottles, and jugs,

I wouldn't know one, when I saw it, by name.

Oh, dear! such a load now my stomach oppresses,

While eating these trifles, attempting to dine--

I'm sure 'taint the turkey--it must be my dresses--

And if so 't will ease them to sip sherry wine.

'Tis sad, though, to be such a sad invalid--

Dear me, Colonel Dinewell, you've done eating meat--

Your doctor, like mine, I hope hasn't forbid,

That you shouldn't have, as I do, so little to eat.

Ah! well then, I see, though I've hardly begun,

The meats and the solids must go right away;

So bring in the pudding, if Susan's got one,

Which will for a while one's appetite stay.