Mrs. Merdle At Home.

She Discourseth of Nothing to Eat and the Cost thereof.

Why Merdle — why did you bring Dinewell to-day? So very, though welcome, so quite unexpected!

For dinner, if any, I'm sure I can n't say, Our servants with washing are all so infected.

If any's provided,‘ t is nothing but scraps Of pot-luck or pick up of some common fare; Or something left over from last week perhaps, Which you've brought a friend, and an old one, to share.

I never, I'm sure now, so much was ashamed, To think he'll discover — what's true to the letter — We've nothing, or next to't that's fit to be named, For one who is used every day to what's better.

But what can you expect if you come on a Monday? Our French cook's away too, I vow and declare — But if you would see us with something to spare, Let's know when you're coming, or come on a Sunday; For that of all others, for churchmen or sinners, A day is for gorging with extra good dinners.

If Merdle had told me a friend would be here, A dinner I'd get up in spite of the bills — I often tell butcher he's wonderful dear — He says every calf that a butcher now kills, Will cost near as much as the price of a steer, Before all the banks in their discount expanded And flooded the country with‘ lamp-black and rags,’ Which poor men has ruined and shipwrecked and stranded On Poverty's billows and quick-sands and crags.

And that is just what, as our butcher explains, The dickens has played with our beef and our mutton; But something is gained, for, with all of his pains, The poor man wo n't make of himself such a glutton.

I'm sure if they knew what a sin‘ t is to eat, When things are all selling at extravagant prices, That poor folks more saving would be of their meat, And learn by example how little suffices.

I wish they could see for themselves what a table — What examples we set to the laboring poor, In prudence, and saving, in those who are able To live like a king and his court on a tour.

I feel, I acknowledge, sometimes quite dejected To think, as it happens with you here today, To drop in so sudden and quite unexpected, How poor we are living some people will say.