Volume 98 — THE OLD, OLD STORY.
Reading edition
"It is reported from Gibraltar, that the 110-ton guns of the Benbow, have developed defects similar to those recently developed in the Victoria."—Naval Intelligence.
There was a hoodwinked Man Who, in buying his big guns, Very often by the nose was deftly led, led, led. For when he fired them first They did everything but burst, Though guaranteed by Whitehall's Naval head, head, head! So when by foes defied At length in action tried 'Tis found that they won't fire a single shot, shot, shot. Let us hope, at any rate, Though the Nemesis come late, That some party who's to blame will get it hot, hot, hot!
