TRAITS OF AMERICAN HUMOUR. I. THE EDITOR'S CREED. He takes up the crook, not that the sheep may be fed, but that he may never want a warm woollen suit and a joint of mutton. For which reason I would derive the name editor not so much from edo, to publish, as from edo, to eat, that being the peculiar profession to which he esteems himself called. He blows up the flames of political discord for no other occasion than that he may thereby handily boil his own pot. I believe VOL. II. B there are two thousand of these mutton-loving shepherds in the United States, and of these, how many have even the dimmest perception of their immense power, and the duties consequent thereon? Here and there, haply, one. Nine hundred and ninety-nine labour to impress upon the people the great principles of Tweedledum, and other nine hundred and ninety-nine preach with equal earnestness the doctrines according to Tweedledee. I du believe in Freedom's cause, I love to see her stick her claws In them infarnal Pharisees; It's wal enough agin a king To dror resolves an' triggers,— But libbaty's a kind o' thing That don't agree with niggers. I du believe the people want Fer I hev loved my country sence My eye-teeth filled their sockets, An' Uncle Sam I reverence, Partic❜larly his pockets. I du believe in any plan I go free-trade thru thick an' thin, Because it kind o' rouses The folks to vote,-an' keeps us in Our quiet custom-houses. I du believe it's wise an' good Thet is, on sartin understood An' orthydox conditions;— I mean nine thousan' dolls. per ann., Nine thousan' more fer outfit, An' me to recommend a man The place 'ould jest about fit. |