Parting Compliments

John Gordon Thomson (1841-1911)

Fun 57-58 (8 March 1893): 99

Old Coinage to New Coinage: — “Aren’t we fine — with our chignon and our duster! You think you look like a sovereign, but you're only half a crown”

See below for the verses that appeared on p. 104

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Queen Victoria

Portraits of Queen Victoria, including medals and coins

Coins and medals

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the Hathi Digital Library Trust and the University of Minnesota library and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one. — George P. Landow]

Old Style thinks New Style
Old Style and New Style, as anyone may see,
Often are unable to happily agree;
      Each seems contradictory,
      Each aspires to victory,
Both at least our rivals — what ever else they be.

Old Style thinks New Style
Old Style thinks New Style is too much up to date,
      New Style thinks Old Style is lingering too late;
      One is all propriety,
T'other seeks variety,
Either views with preference its individual state.

Old Style thinks New Style
Old coins and new coins, of course, antagonise,
      These wear a fashlon that those Will quite desplse;
      Both encourage criticisms
And artistic witticisms,
Neither will gain favour in everybody's eyes.

Old Style thinks New Style
Old things and new things, be it understood,
      Almost always offer us points both bad and good;
      Errors numismatical
May render one fanatical,
Still we must have change, and can't avoid it if we would.

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Last modified 29 February 2016