DASHWOOD v. JERMYN

Captain Dashwood, who had been

In the service of the Queen,

Sick of “Eyes front” and “Attention,”

Came to London on his pension.

At the “Portland” as he stayed,

Firm the friendship that he made

With one William Richards, who

Put up at the “Portland” too.

Passed six years, then he was wrapped in

Love's embraces, vanquished captain!

“Yes,” he cried, “I will; no bar shall

Stop my wedding Edith Marshall.”

But there was a bar,‘ twas that

He was poorer than a rat;

Indian pensions do not run

More than just enough for one.

Edith, too, had not a cent,

Who would pay the rates and rent?

Two more years, and Richards moved

( He perchance had sometime loved ),

Promised them an income clear,

‘ Twas five hundred pounds a year

For his life; when he was dead,

Then ten thousand pounds instead.

This to Dashwood in a letter

Wrote he, deeming it was better

They should marry soon while he

Lived their happiness to see.

‘ Twas a modest sum, but marriage

May be blest without a carriage,

Forty pounds a month and more

Keep the wolf from near the door.

So they wed for worse or better,

On the faith of Richards’ letter.

Scarcely was a quarter's payment

Due when mourning was their raiment.

Richards died. Alas! no cash would

Find its way to Captain Dashwood.

Dashwood's head began to swim —

Not a shilling left to him!

“Ha, I'll have it still,” cried he;

“Justice dwells in Chancery.”

So the case was straightway taken

To the court of V. - C. Bacon.

Vainly Dashwood cash expended

The executors defended,

Claiming that what Richards wrote

Was not worth a five-pound note;

First because the dead testator

Well, not wisely, loved the “cratur,”

More than that, had often been

In delirium tremens seen;

Secondly, because he signed

When he did not know his mind;

Third, because pollicitation

Is not good consideration.

Law, of justice independent,

Gave its judgment for defendant.

Poorer than he was at first,

That unhappy plaintiff cursed,

With a special satisfaction

Cursed the day he brought his action.

Would that he'd in India tarried!

Would that he had never married!

He, alas, is tied for life

Pauper to a pauper wife,

Scarce consoled that on his name

Equity reports shower fame,

Bearing down to endless ages

Dashwood's story on their pages.