The cairn

Chapter 213: Epigram—The Hon. H. Erskine.

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About This Book

A compact miscellany of short essays, anecdotes, prayers, poems, and biographical sketches that collects reflections on grief, maternal love, benevolence, virtue, taste, and historical episodes. The pieces alternate personal memories, moral aphorisms, humorous and touching anecdotes, and brief portraits of public figures, often framed as letters, epitaphs, or short narratives. Recurring themes include the effects of sorrow and joy, domestic affection, charity, the vicissitudes of fortune, and the consolations of faith and art. The tone moves between intimate recollection and light moralizing, presenting varied, self-contained vignettes meant to instruct, console, and amuse.

Epigram—The Hon. H. Erskine.

Good Chancellor Van,

(Who’s a very wise man),

Would persuade poor John Bull,

(Who’s a bit of a fool,)

That paper, though rags,

(This is one of his brags)

Is as good as pure gold.

And yet we are told

He’d entail degradation

On our brave sister nation,

For merely believing Transubstantiation.

You’d have reason’d much better,

Dear Van, had you said,

That your wig block, though wood,

Was as good as your head.