[From Mona Miscellany second series Manx Soc vol 21]

INVITATION TO THE DOUGLAS BAZAAR.

In aid of the Funds for the House of Industry, August 1843. By Paul Bridson, Esq.

PRAY, stop my good friend, for a moment attend,
Assist us in helping the poor;
Ah! I see by your smile you will tarry a while,
And cheerfully join us, I’m sure.
Very useful the task which we venture to ask,
And easier than many by far,
Then list to my verse, wide open your purse,
And buy at our Douglas Bazaar.

Bless me! what a sight! ‘tis quite a delight,
Such a store of nice things to behold;
Let us visit each stall, and look at them all,
And a few of them turn into gold.
With happy beguiling the ladies are smiling,
Each one like a beautiful star;
We must yield to their sway, and please them to-day,
For they rule at our Douglas Bazaar.

Now what will you buy ?—to please you I’ll try,
Bags and baskets, we have them by dozens;
All shapes and all prices—very clever devices—
They’ll do for your sisters and cousins.
I’m sure you may find something quite to your mind,
Grave or gay, or whatever you are;
For the ladies intend to suit every friend,
Who may visit our Douglas Bazaar,

Pincushions abound, flat, oblong, and round,
And in truth there’s no lack of good purses;
Even caps, I declare, for the babies are there,
So carry them home to your nurses.
Racks, screens, cigar cases, and sweet little faces
On dolls that have come from afar;
‘Tis really quite funny to see how the money
May be spent at the Douglas Bazaar.

There! look at that stall, it is just what I call
A display of real beauty and taste;
And here you may find some food for the mind,
These volumes are temptingly placed.
The drawings I mention, as worth your attention,
Sure a trifle wifi never debar—
Or check your desire from being the buyer
Of these—at our Douglas Bazaar.

We have some things for using, and others amusing,
As you’ll easily see by these lines;
Clever puzzles to wit, and slippers to fit,
And cases and bands for divines.
Gay aprons and shawls may be bought at the stalls,
Turkish cushions and urn rugs there are;
And worsted work rare, nicely wrought by the fair,
For the good of our Douglas Bazaar.

And should you but wish to partake of a dish
Of choice fruits or other refection,
Just look you around, and a stall may be found
Replete with the nicest confection.
Of ices a store, and many things more,
Too numerous to mention by far;
So sit down if you please, and be quite at your ease,
In the midst of our Douglas Bazaar.

And again, after all, view that beautiful stall,
Replete with the choicest of flowers
For here you may buy a charming bouquet,
For the ball when the evening lours,
There’s the post-office, too, with letters for you,
From your friends and admirers afar;
And if you’ll but pay the high postage this day,
You’ll assist much our Douglas Bazaar.

Then, ladies, come view, and gentlemen too,
Our wares of all sorts and all sizes;
And when Christmas shall come, you’ll find out that some
Will suit well for presents and prizes.
Now look at them well, I am sure they must sell,
And won’t let them stay where they are;
So open your heart, and refuse not to part
With your cash at our Douglas Bazaar.

That my rhyme is spun out, you cannot now doubt,
And my verse ‘gins to falter and jar,
My brain’s in a mist, so kind patrons list
To the laureate of Douglas Bazaar.