Note 163 — HOGARTH ILLUSTRATED. (continued 3)
Reading edition
The following whimsical notice, written by a believer in transmigration, was a few years ago sent to several country gentlemen, accompanied with a request that the contents might, if possible, be communicated to all the fish and fowl, birds and beasts, in their respective manors:—
"A WARNING TO BIRDS, BEASTS, AND FISHES.
"Bustards, pheasants, woodcocks, widgeons, Wild-ducks, plovers, snipes, and pigeons; Every fowl of every sort, To your native haunts resort. Turbot, salmon, herring, soles, Plunge into your native holes. Bucks, and does, and hares, and fawns, Speed ye to your native lawns. Each to your closest covers haste! Beware! beware the man of taste! All that can escape, away! You're surely slaughter'd, if you stay, For Monday next is Lord Mayor's day."