Falmouth in flames! By Jove, that sounds a stunner!

Fremantle's given Hewett a fair "oner,"

Somehow I feel I'd rather by a hantle,

Hewett had given toko to Fremantle.

I dare say it's all right; yet there's no telling,

What might be the result of real shelling.

Like the far-famed young lady of Devizes,

Fremantle's forte appears to be surprises,

Splendid no doubt, but, after all expenses,

I feel more interested in defences.

Of course for Fremantle to dumfog Hewett,

(And show a world of watchers how to do it)

Is first-rate practice; an eye-opener verily;

Only I fancy I should laugh more merrily,

If my eyes were the only optics gazing,

Upon a feat that's no doubt most amazing;

The Thames' mouth occupied by a fine fleet!

The sight—as the fleet's mine—of course is sweet,

But there's one thought that rather makes me blench:—

Supposing that Fremantle had been French?