Published: Pioneer, 28 November 1888; Pioneer Mail, 28 November 1888.

Attribution: In Scrapbook 4 (28/4, p. 95).

Text: Pioneer.

Notes: The Coming K, by Samuel Orchert Beeton (the Mr Beeton to the celebrated Mrs Beeton), published in 1873, is a satiric poem attacking the then Prince of Wales, afterwards Edward VII, for his self-indulgent and near scandalous behaviour.

In tracing the transformations of the ‘Lansdahn Chamber of Commerce and Mercantile Union’, the speaker works his way through the succession of governor-generals and viceroys from 1869 to 1888: Lords Mayo, Northbrook, Lytton, Ripon, Dufferin, and Lansdowne.

Reprinted in the Martindell–Ballard pamphlets and in Harbord, iv, 2128–31.

President (of the Dufferin Medical Fund Assistance Society, Bebusteeghat) loq:– Gentlemen of this so honoured institution, and alumni of First Arts, under all circumstances the question before our considerations to-night is of singularly preposterous and variegated character fundamentally complicated because of spelling. How you spell Lansdahn?

Secretary.– This question demands explicacity and is not at all before the meeting. Financial difficulties pave the way as registered in minute-book of last proceedings. Dufferin Medical Fund Assistance Society, pre-eminent factor in national progress but no subscriptions paid.

President.– Gorah ko lât, admi ko bât! Are you all mud heads? Dufferin Medical Fund Essistance Society dead as Queen Anne's hair-ring on account of funds. How does this matter? Not a swear – not a two-annas swear! Gentlemen, I have honour to be connected with this and kindredly similar enterstutions ever since my connection with service of gorgeous and beneficent Sirkar, and continued honour in public service and this, in my o-pee-nion, is fitting time for the back-slide. Ease her! Stop her! As my friend Captain Pereira on the Hughli steamer pertinently says in crossing over to our offices. I am distinguished member of local administration and all known down both banks of the river for twenty years.