Volume 25 — "A STATUE TO ALBERT"

"A statue to Albert," said Challis enchanted, "I'll start in the City; the thought is divine." The thought was conceived, and he now only wanted The ear of the public to it to incline. He wrote a few letters to people to bore them, And ask them to second his fawning intent; But so coldly the public appeared to ignore them, That he saw they too plainly perceived what he meant. "Oh how," cried Sam Wilberforce, "think of enshrining The Prince by himself?—the proposal is dim; But with it the Great Exhibition entwining, We'll get in adroitly a statue of him." The bargain was struck, and the project to dish up They flew to a meeting, the plan to propound; "Adieu," whispered Challis, "you're not the first bishop Who's kept his position by shifting his ground."