The (almost really) Complete Works of Lewis Carroll

Specific Gravities of Metals, &c.

Source: cyclostyled 1877

[Water is taken as the unit. Translate into numbers the last four consonants of the couplet, and place a decimal point in the middle, e. g. Gold =19⋅36]

GoldWould you have enough Gold for your rents?
Invest in the seven per cents.
SilverWith Silver the young soldier tip,
And with a new sabre equip.
CopperI bet you a copper that nook
Is the place where the salmon broke hook.
TinIt is merely a question of Tin,
Where the wealthier suitor may win.
LeadLeaden shot had been busy that day,
Where many a dead rabbit lay.
IronYes, Iron’s the metal, old stoker,
To make a superior poker!
BrassBrass trumpet and brazen bassoon
Will speedily mark you a tune.
MercuryQuicksilver is quicker by far
Than the liveliest live rabbits are.
PlatinumOf Platinum’s little to spare:
It is a commodity rare.
LithiumFrom Lithium dread no fatigue,
Though a lump you should carry a league.
GlassSpun Glass will delight girl or boy:
Nothing else makes so pretty a toy.
DealYes, Deal is the timber, old mate,
To make you a door or a gate.
CorkThis Cork to my shoulders I tie,
And all marine terror defy.
AlcoholFor Alcohol cherish a dread;
In excess it will injure your head.
Sea-waterSea-water is held in repute.
An invalid’s health to recruit.