Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

thou didst a boroughmonger hate!

66

[ocr errors]

66

66

[ocr errors]

pretty work! Do, pray, my friends | learn that the Duke will not follow the LISTEN! "List! Oh, list!" if ever example of "his obstinate and weakminded predecessors;" right glad to "The radical reformers, as they style hear that the DUKE and PEEL are "themselves, in contradistinction to the " REALLY and ESSENTIALLY RE"advocates of real and reasonable re- FORMERS;" but there is this drawform, will not be able to turn the back to my joy, that the slave says that "events of France to their own profit; these two worthy reformers are “daily nor will they, on the other hand, in- at work in making improvements;" for "duce Ministers to relax in that gradual all the improvements that they have "and temperate amelioration of the old hitherto made are, the disfranchising of system, which the circumstances of the 40s. freeholders of Ireland, the "the times, the improvement of mind establishment of a gendarmerie in Engamong the lower classes, and their land, and the new law to hold the press "own convictions of right and propriety, in bonds; which last was their very last "have produced, and are daily produc- act passed, and the present King's first "ing. The able statesman who is now act assented to! Aye, aye, but they "at the head of affairs has too much are become really and essentially "firmness to be driven into concessions reformers" since the 23d of July, when "which are improper, or to be hurried that act was passed! Very likely, very "into improvements which he may have likely; and I am right glad of it. And, "to propose, but for the successful de- as "we may fairly expect from them ❝velopment of which time is necessary. "all that REASON and RIGHT "On the other hand, he will not, like "FEELING dictate," I am sure that "some of his obstinate and less strong- I shall want nothing more. Reason "minded predecessors, be deterred from and right feeling say that every man แ doing what is right, merely because who pays taxes should vote in choosing some persons, who desire to over- those who impose the taxes; reason and "throw the Constitution, mix up in the right feeling say that the Septennial "recommendation a little good with a Bill (which was passed under the pre"great deal of evil. From the Duke tence of keeping out a popish faction) "of WELLINGTON and Sir ROBERT PEEL, should be repealed; reason and right "who are really and essentially reform- feeling say, with voice of thunder, that "ers in the way which the true friend bribery and corruption and perjury "to human enjoyment and good go- should be put an end to by the ballot. "vernment desires, we may fairly Now this is all we want; and as the " expect all that reason and right feel- PRINCE and PEEL are ready to give us ing dictate, more than which would it, we are contented, or shall be when we "be as prejudicial to happiness and get it; BUT NEVER TILL THEN, good government, as was the contrary So that they will do well to make up course adopted by the French ex-Sove- their minds either to give us all this at "reign." once; or, to carry on the strife to its Well done, slave! "By heavens, if natural and INEVITABLE termination. I had three ears, I'd hear thee!" Brougham, Hume, and the rest of that We do not want, God forbid we should, tribe, lugging such things as Burdett to "hurry" the Duke of Wellington and his man along in their train, are, into the adoption of the "improvements they say, " organizing a party" against which he may have to propose." We the Duke, whom Brougham, in his do not want to hurry him. The Par- Yorkshire rants, is becalling in a most liament is summoned to meet in Sep-beastly Inannet. There is a great talk tember; but if we have the "REAL about this party; and it would seem, and REASONABLE reform by that there is to be a dead set made at the Christmas it may do. I do not think Duke. But, of all God's creatures the that it will do well if it come much most shallow is the bawling Brougham. later; that is to say, I do not think The Duke is a cool man; and has as that it will come so harmoniously if it much common sense in his little finger come much later. Right glad am I to as Brougham has in his whole body.

66

[ocr errors]

68

[ocr errors]

Brougham will be the leader of "the" every thing that is respectable in soparty;" HUME the totter-up; Burdett "ciety. As far as Mr. COBBETT and his and the like of him will be occasional "immediate partisans are concerned, ranters. These men, who are, in fact," the character of the parties is a guaboroughmonger tools, will worry the "rantee against any ground for alarm, Duke out, unless he make the radical" but we regret to add that there are reform himself; and then he blows them others holding a different rank who into the air, and ensures his power and" do not blush to avow doctrines of a popularity for life. And this he must "similar character, and against these do, or down he comes, and the whole" persons we would really caution the system along with him; for Brougham" well-meaning but credulous portion and his crew could not carry it on for a" of society."

[ocr errors]

month. If the Duke come, and I really It is curious, that this slave has taken think he will, with a Speech or Message up the old Whig-cant about “retrenchfrom the King, recommending reform, ment and reform”; and the further cant, Brougham and the "Great Liar of the that there are some who want revoluNorth" and Hume and Burdett and his lion." Why I want revolution; for reman will all drop down dead as if shot volution means a great change; and I through the heart, for a real reform want a great change. Have I not told extinguishes the whole of them for ever, the slave that I pay the Government and that they know well. Even this 44d. out of every 6d. that I sell a Rearticle in the COURIER has, I am certain, gister for; and that I want to pay none frightened them half to death. But, if of this? Have I not told the slave that the Duke boggle; if he hang back from I help to pay a pension to Burke thirty reform, they will bawl for it like furies, years after that slave has been dead, and will throw all the odium upon him, and that I want to cease thus to pay? while he will be doing the very thing This is what the wretch means by rethat they will want him to do. Brougham volution; and this is what I, and what and his set have with them a great body all tax-payers in the country want; and of the meanest and most hypocritical of it is what we will have too. We will the boroughmongers and loanmongers, cease to pay Burke's pension: in spite who hope that the BAWLERS will be of all the tricks of the shams, who are able to SAVE THEM by cheating the now racking their imagination for the people with a SHAM reform. They means of preventing reform and for. cannot cheat the people; the people saving the base and false and cowardly see through them all, as the Duke may boroughmongers and loan-mongers, who learn from the pelting of Burdett and are creeping under the gaberdines and Hobhouse at Westminster; but, if the Duke oppose reform, the shams will clamour for it, and the people will cheer the shams so far; and then down comes the Duke, and, as I said before, the whole system along with him: the ship is at once upon the rocks, and to pieces she goes. By making the reform himself, the Duke preserves his own fame and power and the country also. But it must be a radical reform; the measure must not, like the Catholic one, take away more liberty than it gives.

kelts (not belts, as the printer put it before) of Brougham and Hume and their "party," and whom I do hope that the Duke, with the people at his back, will blow to the devil.

I am, my friends,

Your faithful servant,
WM. COBBETT.

DINNER OF THE SHOYHOYS.

"We would, therefore, advise all who FOR about nine days, "A GRAND "look for retrenchment and reform, and DINNER," in honour of the French, had "who do not want revolution, to expect been advertised to be held at the FREE"with confidence more from those to MASONS' TAVERN, Burdett, the Grand "whom they owe so much already, and Master of the Shoyhoys, in the chair. "to treat with contempt the ravings of Advertisements, placards, all sorts of แ men who desire the destruction of means were made use of, to get a com

pany together. It was notified that | Burdett and his man; but he must Lords Milton, John Russell, Nugent, know, that, only EIGHTEEN DAYS and that Brougham would be there. ago, they were pelted by those whom they All these people sent apologies; and the call their constituents, and were comcortége of the shoyhoy consisted of his pelled to flee into a church, to save their MAN, who is the son of the Commissioner bones; and, if he chose to degrade himof Nabob of Arcott Debts; FYSHE PAL- self by being the manager, upon this MER, whose wife is a pensioner, and occasion, he ought not to have suffered whose pension might have remained two French gentlemen to be exposed to unnoticed if her husband had kept from the sneers of the English people, which Burdett; WARBURTON, who brought in must be the necessary consequence of the Dead-body Bill; Colonel JONES, their appearing to be associates of these who as back (not hack, as the printer two pelted things. It is said that, upon before put it) of the two Westminster seeing a dish of cabbage before him, shams, got so severely pelted by the Burdett "started, and discovered manipeople at Covent Garden; and a Mr. fest uneasiness;" and that Colonel BUCKINGHAM, who has been lecturing Jones, "upon observing Mr. Hobhouse's on the East India Charter, and who has " eyes vindictively rivetted on a dish of now a scheme for going round the world." whole turnips, restored that gentleThis was the cortége of known persons" man's good humour, by significantly that surrounded the Grand Shoyhoy; beckoning to the waiter to take THAT and when Mr. Buckingham comes back" dish away." This is all very well from going round the world, I should amongst ourselves; but those two like to see him to ask him, whether he French gentlemen ought not to have have seen, on any spot of this globe, an been brought into such company. It exhibition more despicable than that appears to have been a sad affair altowhich he saw that day at the Free-gether; no address, no embassy, no masons' Tavern! one good sentiment uttered; our own

66

[ocr errors]

It was advertised that there would be, king (who deserves it from us on all and it appears there were, a band of other occasions) toasted the first; music and hired singers and a gallery and a speech from the grand Shoyfor ladies. Never was there such a hoy containing not one word to show display of promise. The reporthers (all WHY we ought to rejoice on this feed and fed) say, that there were occasion. Even Sir BOBBY and HUME ABOUT three hundred persons present. kept away! Aye, and Burdett and Ah! about two or three or so! And yet, Man showed that they wished themI'll engage, that a half or more of the selves a thousand miles off. How diftickets were given; for it would have ferent from all this was the Dinner of been hard indeed, if Glory and the the Reformers at the London Tavern! Nabob Commissioner would not bleed The truth is, that Sir BOBBY and HUME upon this occasion. In my next I shall smell powder in this famous revolution; notice the whole of this affair, not ex- and so do BURDETT and MAN. They cepting the letters sent to the meeting, were all cock-a-hoop at first; and, particularly that of Lord Milton, who according to the custom with fools, has quietly slipped in for Peterborough. suffered their tongues to run before their But I cannot conclude, even now, reflections. Upon second thoughts; without expressing my anger against upon seeing that I was filled with joy, Mr. BUCKINGHAM, for suffering two they began to fear that the thing was French gentlemen, the Count de MOR- bad for them. And bad for them it is; NEY, and an officer of the name of VIN- for it will produce a real reform; and CENT, to be brought to this place. I do I most sincerely hope, through the not confound Mr. BUCKINGHAM With the means of the Duke of Wellington, to rest: he is said to be a man of great whom I shall next week address a talent, of spirit, and a sincere hater of letter, the object of which will be to tyranny; and he certainly has been a convince him that his own fame, that sufferer from its hellish fangs. He does the peace and happiness and greatness not know, perhaps, the sham politics of of the country, that his duty to his

Sovereign, call upon him to make this

reform. He is no boroughmonger, and TABLEAU DE L'ANGLETERRE,

never has been one, nor has, I believe, any one of his family. He must feel the difficulty of getting on at all with this system as it is, especially with this change in the temper, the interests, and the views of France; and, if I can show him that a radical reform would get him out of all his difficulties, will he suffer the Broughams and Humes to bark him into his grave as an enemy of the people? I do not mind the revilings of the base COURIER. I will do my duty faithfully by the Duke, whom I know to be able, if he be willing, to save the country from all the mighty dangers that now surround it.

SUBSCRIPTION.

FOR THE BRAVE PARISIANS.

Ar the dinner at the LONDON TAVERN, Sir THOMAS BEEVOR, Bart. accepted the office of Treasurer, subscribed 50l. himself, and received in the room subscriptions to the amount of 130l., or thereabouts. It was, at the same time, settled, that a book should be opened at the Office of the Register, No. 183, Fleet Street, for receiving subscriptions; and at that Office, sums, by letter, or otherwise, will be received; the name or initials entered in the book, and receipts given in the name of Sir THOMAS BEEVOR, by the gentleman whom he has authorised to receive the money. Those friends who have collected money for the SEAT may now RETURN IT TO THE CONTRIBUTORS. They will accept of my best thanks; their conduct has made my country more dear to me, if possible, than it was before, and no man ever loved it better; but NOW their efforts in that way can be of no use: we shall have reform, and I shall, if I have health, have a seat without being soiled by the dirty trafficking of boroughmongers. I request such friends as can make it convenient to collect money, however small the amount, and to send it to Sir THOMAS BEEVOR as above. They may be assured that they CANNOT SERVE OUR OWN CAUSE in a more effectual manner!

No. III.

en 1830.

TO THE PEOPLE OF FRANCE.

FRIENDS,

London, 15th August, 1830.

It was my intention to speak to you, in this Number, of the effect which the discovery of STEAM NAVigation would have in any future war between our government and you, and also of the change which has been made in our position by the creation of the FINE NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; but I will put off these topics till my next; because I perceive that you want very much to be enlightened ON THE STATE OF OUR PRESS, which you appear to regard as being FREE, and which, as I am going to prove to you, is the most enslaved and the vilest thing

that has ever been heard of in the world under the name of press. I say, that I am going to PROVE this; and proof consists of undeniable facts, and not of vague assertions. Take, then, the following facts:

1. All paper is taxed, and this tax, together with the expense attending it and paying of the tax in advance, and with the monopoly that arises out of these, makes the paper cost the double of what it would cost, if there were no tax.

2. No man dare use a printing-press, or types for printing, without a license from the authorities of the county in which he resides. All the presses are recorded in the archives of the counties, and the keepers of those archives are compelled to communicate the records to the Minister of the interior, who has, thus, a complete surveillance over all the presses in every part of the country.

3. Suppose you are going to begin the publication of a journal. FIRST, you must send, in writing, the title of the journal, and the names of the proprietor, the printer and the editor (or publisher), to the commissaires du bureau des Timbres (commissioners of the board of Stamps). SECOND, the proprietor, printer, and editor, must go in person before these Commissaires, and declare, on oath, that they are the proprietor,

[ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

pounds!

However, this advertising is the great source of revenue with our journals, except in very few cases, such as mine, for instance, who have no advertisements. Hence, these journals are an affair of trade and not of literature; the proprietors think of the money that is to be got by them; they hire men to write in them; and these men are ordered to write in a way to please the classes who can give most advertisements. The Government itself pays large sums in advertisements, many hundreds a year, to some journals. The aristocracy, the clergy, the magistrates (who are generally clergy too) in the several counties; the merchants, the manufacturers, the great shopkeepers; all these command the press, because without their advertisements it cannot be carried on with profit. If a man scorn to carry on this vile trade, and write and publish for the information of the people, then the Government takes from him, as it does from me, fourpence farthing out of every sixpence.

printer and editor of said journal; and tax as the lord who advertises the sale each of them must make declaration on of an estate worth a hundred thousand oath of the town, street, and house, in which each of them lives; and they must all declare on oath the house in which the journal is to be published. THIRD, having advanced thus far, you leave these Commissaires for a little, and you, the proprietor, are obliged to go before A JUDGE, taking two bondsmen with you; and this Judge makes you all three enter into bonds to the amount, each of you, of four hundred pounds sterling, to pay the amount of four hundred pounds, if a fine to that amount should, at any time, be inflicted on the proprietor on account of libel in the said journal. FOURTH, having had the good luck to find two friends, rich enough to be able to declare on oath, that they possess four hundred pounds each, over and above all their debts, and courageous enough to run so great a risk, and having purchased some paper to print the journal on, you are not yet permitted to print; but must go back to the Commissaires du bureau des Timbres, and have your paper timbré, or stamped. FIFTH, your journal sells Now let us see what sort of liberty for sevenpence by retail, and you, the you have to express your thoughts upon proprietor, sell it for sixpence to the re- this paper, thus loaded with imposts. tailers, and these Commissaires make The Attorney-General sees in your jouryou pay (before you print) fourpence nal something that he does not like. for every sheet of paper; that is to say, That is enough: he, of his own autho. for every single journal; and, as the tax rity, and without consulting any body, on the paper is a quarter of a penny, or puts on record in the Court of King's more, you have (before you can print) Bench (cour royale) an accusation fourpence and the quarter of another against you, and, without letting you penny to pay to the Government, out of know what it is, has you seized and put your sixpence, having one penny and into jail until the time for trial, which three quarters left to pay the paper-may be, if he please, for six or nine maker, the printer and the editor (or publisher), and to compensate you for your time and your talents!

"Eh bien! but you will have advertisements, and you will get a great deal by those." FIRST, it is not certain that you will have any; and if you have, the Commissaires des Timbres must have a word with you about them too; for you must pay them THREE SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE TAX for every advertisement, though it be but one single line; and here you see how impartial this Government is, for it makes the poor servant man or woman, who advertises for a place, pay just as much

months. You are permitted to be at large until the time of trial, if you can find two bondsmen to give bail for your appearance to take your trial. You are not furnished with any copy of the accusation against you; without it you cannot defend yourself; and if you have it you must pay for it; so that from the moment he puts his hand on you your ruin has already begun. When you come to trial, it is not before a jury taken at hazard and by ballot, but a special jury; that is to say, a jury of rich men, who are appointed by an officer of the Government, in the following manner : from the list of these rich men of the

« ZurückWeiter »