Punch,  63 (1872), 232.

The Right Name for Him

Anon

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Engineering, Steamships, Transport, Comparative Philology


    Hails Henry Bessemer, whose invention for keeping a ship level in the water scorns 'Neptune's bile-disturbing state' and, 'more than Britannia's self aspires to do', rules the waves. Believes those who cross the English Channel pray that Bessemer will 'thrive' in his 'match 'gainst Neptune'. Like the Greeks, who 'read fates in names', the poet changes the letters of Bessmer's name to read 'Baissez-mer' or 'Sea, lie low!'.



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