Classic Poem

My dear George — I'm convinced I am thoroughly cracked; —
I've waited a week e're your parcel I packed
In order to send it down free of post, yester=
=day, — by the hands of my Argyllshire sister, —
To save you an eightpence, — & all this is one of my
Violent fits of unusual economy: —
Mr Curtis's note you must know after all
Was the primary cause of my sending at all. —
So what was my horror in reaching today
In my bookcase — to find an aperient pill —
Which there has been thrust for these three weeks away —
To find the said note lying staring there still!
I declare I'd as soon have mounted a dragon! I
Felt quite dismayed with an impromptu agony. —
So now, — after thinking and reasoning and posing
I've made up my mind to the act of enclosing —
The entomological gentleman's letter, —
With a hope that my memory may shortly grow better.

Please the pigs! — Well, to call a new topic; — today,
I've seen Miss and Miss Marg aret Wat kins; they stay
Number 9 — Woburn Place — but that's nothing to you —
Though it fills very nicely a distich or two: —
Miss Margaret Watkins was dressed in pea-green —
As fine a young lady as never was seen; —
And I never remember — (except a great Dutchman
Who at Rotterdam sat at [the] end of a barge —
You might travel through Europe, yet scarcely see such man,)
— To have seen any creature one quarter so large. —

James Winkworth — Esq. — of the Royal Berks Corps —
Rides often by here — on a long-tailed grey horse —
And for fun — I should make such another bad rhyme, —
I'll conclude — and I dare say you'll think it's high time. —
Remember me pray to all yours — and the dear
Little dotties, — write soon — ever yours,