Scottish Political Poetry, Song and the Franchise, 1832 ...

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ScottishPoliticalPoetry,SongandtheFranchise,1832–1918

Anthology

Poemsselectedandannotatedby:

ProfessorKirstieBlair,UniversityofStrathclyde

ProfessorGerardCarruthers,UniversityofGlasgow

ErinFarley,UniversityofStrathclyde

DrCatrionaM.M.Macdonald,UniversityofGlasgow

DrHonorRieley,UniversityofGlasgow

DrMichaelShaw,UniversityofKent

PartOne:PoemsrelatingtotheRepresentationofthePeopleActs,1832

1. DarkBonnymuir.Thereformcampaignsofthelate1820sandearly1830swereprecededbytheRadicalWarof1820,alsoknownastheScottishInsurrection.AweekofstrikesandagitationwasorganisedbetweenMarch and April 1820 in order to demand parliamentary and industrial reform.Famously, several of these reformersmarched on the Carron ironworks in Falkirk to armthemselves,buttheywerestoppedatBonnymuir,nearFalkirk,wheretheywerearrested.Theleaders,JohnBairdandAndrewHardie,werethenexecutedinStirling.Reformersofthe1830sfrequentlywroteofBairdandHardieasheroicmartyrsofthereformcause,whichisreflectedinthispoem,‘DarkBonnymuir’.Thepoemwaspublishedasabroadsideandisnotdated, but it is most likely from the early 1830s. In the first stanza, Caledonia – apersonificationoftheScottishnation–grievesforher 'poorbleedingcountry',demandingthat it 'hail reformation'.Baird,Hardieand JamesWilson (another figureexecuted forhisinvolvement in theRadicalWar) arementionedas thepoemcalls for thememoryof theRadical War agitators to be honoured and their spirit carried forward into the presentstruggle.

In1912thispoemwaspublishedinForward,aGlaswegiansocialistpapereditedbyTomJohnston,wholaterbecameaLabourMPin1922andSecretaryofStateforScotlandduringthesecondworldwar.ThepoemispublishedwithanintroductoryparagraphwhichtellsusthatKeirHardie,thefounderoftheIndependentLabourParty,recalledhearingthis'oldballadsungabout thedaysofBairdandHardie' inhis childhood.Uponhearing this,MrLowdenMacartneyofthePoet'sBoxat203Overgate,Dundee,senttheballadtoForward.

MichaelShaw

Aseveningdashedonthewesternocean,Caledoniastoodperch'donthewavesoftheClyde,

Herarmswideextendedsheraisedwithdevotion—"Mypoorbleedingcountry!"shevehementlycried;

"Ariseupmycountryandhailreformation,"Ariseanddemandnowtherightsofournation,

Beholdyouroppressorsshallmeetthedesolation,"ThatmarkedthebravevictimsondarkBonnymuir.

Onthe5thdayofAprileighteenhundredandtwenty,ThegreatBairdandHardiedidmarchfromtheirhome,

Toguardtheirfreedom,home,rights,peaceandplenty,Buttyrannyconqueredandgavethematomb.

Liketraitorstheydiedonthe8thofSeptember,Inthecoldsilentgravetheywereconsignedtoslumber,

Butheavenwillavengethemlettyrantsremember,AndriseupnewheroesondarkBonnymuir.

Thoughfreedomhasbledonthefieldsorelywounded,Shalllibertyperishanddieinitsbloom?

Shalltyrannytriumph?thoughfreedomhasgroundedThearmsoftheheroesthatlieinthetomb.

Butfreedomshallrisetothegreatestperfection,Avengingherwrongswithhardwordsofcorrection,

Whenonmycountrywithfilialaffection,IsighforthemartyrsofdarkBonnymuir.

Howlongshalltyrantsusurpoverfreedom,Howlongshallwegroaninthosevileservilechains?

AriseupmychildrenandsinkthemlikeSodom!E'ersaddesolationreignsovertheplains.

Oh,museonthedaywhengreatWallacewasrearingThebroadswordofScotland,whentyrantswerefearing,

Atthesoundofthetrumpetwerethousandsappearing,TodieortoconquerondarkBonnymuir.

Thosedearsonsoffreedom,prosperityshallneverForgetBairdandHardie,whowouldthemdisown?

Inthebreastoftheircountrytheirmemoryshallever,Beamonumentmorelastingthansculpturedstone.

Remembranceshalldwellontheirtragicalstory,Andpointoutthoseheroeswhodiedpaleandgory,

Yetheavenshallrewardthemwithbrightshiningglory,InregionsfardistantfromdarkBonnymuir.

ButwhyshouldIpassthisgreatpatriotWilson?Whodiedbyoppressiveandarbitrarylaws;

HelefthisdearStravenwithabandofbraveheroes,Resolvedtohavejusticeordieforthecause.

Butalas!hewastaken,whilefateseemedtowaver,Allbloodyhisheadtheydidcruellysever,

Buttheheartofthecountryshallreverenceforever,ThefateofgreatWilson,anddarkBonnymuir.

Nolongertheenemiesofjusticeandfreedom,ShallmakethesonsofScotiainpovertytomourn,

OurnoblepatrioticReformersshallfreethem;Oh,howshallwemakethemagratefulreturn?

Mechanicsshallprosper,andcommerceshallflourish,Thehornofplentyourcountryshallnourish,

Whenthetyrantandalldespotsshallperish,Withpersecutedfreedom,ondarkBonnymuir.

Forward,6January1912.

2. OurBraveSailorKing.Processionsandprotestswerewidespreadandlarge-scaleeventsduringthereformagitationofthe1830s;itwasestimatedthatupto60,000peopleattendedonepro-reformprocessionin Glasgow. This song, published on 7May 1831,wasmost likely inspired by the reformprocessioninGlasgowon2May1831,whichwasorganisedbythecity’strades.Typicallyofreformprocessions in theearly 1830s,William IVwas laudedas a great championof thecause.WilliamIVwaswidelybelievedtobequietlysupportiveofreformatthistime,andhehelpedfacilitatethepassageoftheReformBill intheHouseofLordsin1832bygivinghissupporttothecreationofpeeragesthatcouldbegiventoreformers.IntunewiththiswiderappreciationofWilliamIV,thispoembeginsbycelebrating‘OurbraveSailorKing’.ThepoemthenturnsitsattentiontoScotlandandurgesthe'SonsofReform'fromthenorth,south,eastandwesttorallyforreform.Italsodepictsthefestival,processionalatmosphereoftheevent;Glasgowisdescribedasfeelinganexaltationithasneverknownbefore.Thechorusincludesareference to the trades, which isfitting as the Herald to the Trades’ Advocate, thenewspaperinwhichthispoemwaspublished,wasestablishedbythecommitteeoftradesinGlasgow.ThesongissettotheJacobiteair‘Wha’llbeKingbutCharlie’.

MichaelShawAIR.—"Wha'llbeKingbutCharlie."

CHORUS.Comemuster,men,mustertoGlasgowParade,Comemusterandhasteyetoglory!—

Comemusteryourranks,menofeverytrade,Andyournamesshallbefamousinstory.

OurbraveSailorKing,shoutyeallinaring,Comeloyallyforthandsurroundhim;

Andwhawouldnaeloudlythefameofhimsing,WhyletplaguesliketoPharoah'sconfoundhim.

He'sgallantandfreeandasbraveascanbe,Hisgallantandbravetodefendus;

WhenBritainretainssuchamonarchasheThenshalleveryblessingattendus.

Chorus.—Comemuster,&c.Inthenorthwherethedauntlessinactionreside,Withtheirkilts,andclaymores,andtheirplaidies,

OntheeastandthewestofthefamousstreamClyde,Comehasteyetowheretheparadeis.

Comeoutofthesouth,allyeSonsofReform,Bringforwardyourthousandsinorder;

Fornevertillnow,whetherincalmorinstormWasthelikeseenonthissidetheborder!

Comemuster,&c.

Herearebandsinfullchorus,anddrumafterdrum,Therearebannersinhundredsroundwaving;

Heretheyoungandtheold,andthefairgladlycome,Whothecountryfromruinaresaving.

Hurl'ddownfromtheirheightofambition,theknavesWhohaddrenchedourheart's-bloodtoupholdthem;

Butthebanneroflibertygloriouslywaves,Anddowninthemirehavewerolledthem.

Comemuster,&c.AndwhahasarighttorejoiceasweWhohavesat'midstoppressioncontented;

Andnowwhenachangesoimportantwesee,Weshallallgetourselvesrepresented.

We'llallhaveavoteforamantoourmindWhohavetenpoundsinhousesbeside'em;

Andthoughweshouldgropeinthedarklikemolesblind,Weshallrankupandjointheparading.

Comemuster,&c.DideverourGlasgow—theprideofthewest,—Erebeforetrulyfeelexaltation?—

Whenthefateofthebillwasinfactonlyguessed,Thentheyraisedupanillumination.

Butthefateofthebillandthemeasure'snowheard,LetourthankstoKingWilliamberendered.

Andjointheparade,everyman,everytrade,Andajoyousprocessionbetendered.

Chorus.—Comemuster,then,musterandjointheparading,

Comemusterandhasteyeglory;Comemusteryourranksmenofeverytrade,Andyournamesshallbefamousinstory.

ByC.Taylor.HeraldtotheTrades'Advocate,andCo-operativeJournal,7May1831.

3. MilesianMelody.—No.XII."TheyMayRailattheBill."—ByDanielO'Connell.

ThispoemappearedintheconservativeGlasgowCourierin1831,anditservedtowarnitsreadersaboutsomeoftheconsequencesofparliamentaryreform.Thespeakerofthepoemisaparodyof thereformerDanielO’Connell,an Irishpolitical leaderwhocampaignedforCatholic emancipation and the repeal of the Acts of Union of 1800. O’Connell is vilifiedthroughoutthepoem,andhissupportforreformisusedtoattacktheReformBill–hestatesthat he supports the Bill because he believesit will help repeal the Union. O’Connell isportrayedashopingtohaveEngland'undone'andto'pulldowntheChurch'.Heisalsostyledas'Daniel,DictatorofIreland',beforewhomnoSaxon'shalldaretoappear'.ThispoemstokesfearsbycastingO'ConnellasathreattotheBritishstateandProtestantism,anditencouragesthereadertorejecttheReformBill,which(thepoemimplies)willhelpfurtherhiscause.

MichaelShaw

Air—"Theymayrailatthislife."TheymayrailatTHEBILL—fromthehourIfirstreadit,Ifounditabillfullofmischiefandguile;

Intheprideofmyheart,tomySenateIsaidit,Oh,thisisthethingfortheEmeraldIsle?

Assureasitpasses,ouldEngland'sundone.And"Erin,mycountry,""great,glorious,andfree!"

ChurchandStateitwillruin,assureasagun;Oh,thisBillistheBill,boys,foryouandforme.

IntheParliamentHouse,eachnewMembermaybringthemFreshblarneyandprate;—but'tisallinmyeye;

We'lltheUnionrepeal!—totheDevilwe'llflingthem;ForwhoshouldgivelawstogreenErin,butI?

FirsttheChurchwe'llpulldown,andalltitheswe'llabolish;Nevermoreuponhereticmitresyou'llsee,

WhenI'vegiventheStateit'slastradicalpolish:—Oh,thisBillistheBill,boys,foryouandforme.

BythatstaroftheWest,inwhoseluminoussplendourIhailmyyounggloriesjustburstingtoview,

TheSaxon,hisironruleforcedtosurrender,Intears—tearsofblood—thisReformBillshallrue;

AndBritainbewail,fromherdiademtorn,"Thefirstflow'roftheearth,andfirstgemofthesea;"

WhilstErin,mycountry,shalllaughhertoscorn:—Oh,thisBillistheBill,boys,foryouandforme.

AsforthesesillydoltsattheheadoftheNation,HowneatlyIworriedthemoutoftheirwits!

Theirbigdayofjudgmentwasallbotheration—Myfrownsfairlyfrightenedthefoolsintofits.

Onlythinkwhataworldweshallhaveofithere,WhenDANIEL,DictatorofIrelandyousee;

On"thesod"notaSaxonshalldaretoappear:—Oh,thisBillistheBill,boys,foryouandforme.

GlasgowCourier,19May1831.

4. TheNewChevyChase.This long poem was one of the most popular pro-reform poems of 1831, featuring onbroadsidesaswellasintheGlasgowChronicle,theLoyalReformers’GazetteandtheGlasgowEveningPost.Itisareworkingofthetraditional'BalladofChevyChase',thestoryofahuntingparty in theAnglo-ScottishborderlandswhichsparksaconflictbetweenPercy, theEarlofNorthumberland,andtheEarlofDouglas.Thepoettakesadvantageofthefactthatmanyofthenamesandplacesmentionedintheoriginalhadmoderncounterpartsassociatedwiththereform movement: for example, the Whig Prime Minister Earl Grey had been MP forNorthumberland from 1786 to 1807 before being succeeded by Hugh Percy, Earl ofNorthumberland.Thepoemalsoweaves inScottishhistorical references, as theCivilWargeneralJamesGraham,MarquisofMontrose(1612–1650)iscontrastedwithJamesGraham,3rdDukeofMontrose(1755–1836),theJusticeGeneral,andhashiscontemporaryparallelinthereformerJamesGraham,BaronetofNetherby.Themainactionofthepoemtakesplacenot in theBorders, however, but in Lanarkshire, amid the reformagitation that occurredduringthe1831GeneralElection.ThesittingMP,theHon.CharlesDouglas(1775–1848),whoretainedhisseatatthiselectionbeforelosingitinthefirstpost-reformelectionthefollowingyear, is portrayed as a 'recreant' for voting against reform, thereby abandoning the roleplayedbyDouglasintheoriginalballadandfailingtodefend'Scotland'srights'.

HonorRieley I.GodsavetheKingandblesstheland,Inplenty,joy,andpeace,

Andgranthenceforththatfouldebate'Twixtnoblemenmaycease.

II.TheRichDukeofNorthumberlandAvowtoGoddidmake,

Hispleasureofourgoodsandland,Forsevenmoreyearstotake.

III.Todrivehisslaveswiththreatandbribe,DukePercytookhisway,1

Tobuyourrightshedidsubscribe,AndvanquishNobleGrey.2

WiththreetimesfiftyBoroughLords,Allplunderersofthepeople,

Tobuyourlibertiesforgold,Andsellthemoutfortriple.

1HughPercy,3rdDukeofNorthumberland(1785-1847).2CharlesGrey,2ndEarlGrey(1764-1845).

Thesehoundsranswiftlythroughtheland,Thetimidtoalarm,

Andtotheircrytheliveri'dknavesResponsivecalled—toarm.

WhentidingstoKingWilliamcame,Withintheshortestspace,

ThatPercyofNorthumberlandHadrisenatChevyChase.

NowGodbewithus,saidourKing,Sith'twillnobetterbe;

ItrustIhavewithinmyrealmFivehundredasgoodashe.

YetshallnotBoroughmongerssay,ButIwillvengeancetake,

Andberevengeduponthemall,Formybravepeople'ssake.

ThisvowfullwelltheKingperformed,WithintheHouseofLords,

Whenwithself-crownedMajesty,Hequell'dtheirwarofwords.

Henceyemis-representativesOfmytrue-heartedPeople,

NothalfofyoutheyshouldsendbackTooldSt.Stephen'schapel.

ThisnewswasbroughttoEdinburgh,WhereMelvilleoncedidreign,

ThatWilliam,withhisownrighthand,HadGascoigne'sfactionslain.3

Oh,heavynews,Montrosedidsay;

3IsaacGascoyne(1763–1841),BritishArmyofficerandTorypolitician.

TheJusticeGeneralhe—NowmuchIdreadinScotlandIShallgeneraljusticesee.

OfoldMontrose,fortyrantsrose,Forliberty,Argyll;

Argyll'ssubmissiontoMontrose,'Gainstlibertywerevile.

WhenScotland'slonglostrightstoclaim,AllScotland'svoicedidsound,

AndPercy,asofyore,ourfoe—Ah!wherewasDouglasfound.

AlastheancientbloodextinctArecreant—Percyjoins—

Whoneversure,ifdeedshowproof,WassprungfromDouglas'loins.4

WherearethemenofCliddesdale,Whody'dthesilverTweed,

WithPercy'sbloodforScotland'srights—TrueDouglasattheirhead.

OhChrist!myveryheartdothbreakForDouglas'wofulplight—

Forne'ertillnow,theheartandspearDesertedScotland'sright.

XVIII.

LiketidingstofairGlasgowcame,Butnotinsuchshortspace,

Tho'PatriotzealoutstripttheMail,Andfairlywontherace.

AndhereIwouldnothaveittold,ToRichmond'sDukeforshame,5

ThatEdinbro'sMailshouldreachatOne—

4TheMPforLanarkshire,CharlesDouglas,whovotedagainsttheReformBill.5CharlesGordon-Lennox,5thDukeofRichmond(1791–1860).

AndGlasgow'snotthesame.

XX.ForGlasgowhailsherGraciousKing,Withuniversalpraise—

Herfreemenshouting—countlesscrowd—HerStreetsthatjoyfulblaze.

TheRottenborough—Melvillerid—Discordantwiththenation,

Wouldneitherorder—orforbid—PublicIllumination.

AfewGlass-grinderssalliedforth,MacAdamstoredtheirpouch,

ThewholePolicewentstraighttobed—Asbrokenwindowsvouch.

XXIII.

TheJudge'swindowsoncewerebroke,AllfortheDouglas'cause,—

ButHamiltonisnowthenameThatheadsthepeople'scause.

Sincewealththusgained,hasbeenbestowed,Thepeople'srightstobuy,—

IndignantClydesdale—forReform—Hasraisedadreadfulcry.

Seefifty-thousandfightingmen,OnLanarkmarchingall;

TheirpeacefulvoicelikemurmuringClyde,TheirshoutlikeCorra'sFall.

Freemenoftenandfiftypounds,BestridetheirClydesdaleBays;

Suchmenandhorseofboneandblood.AllScotland'sprideshallraise.

XXVII.

AndwhoaretheythatdareusurpTherightsofmenlikethese;

Somefeebleforeignmercenaries,Somesordidslavesforfees.

XXVIII.

SeethepaletroopsfromEdinburgh,OfParchmentCuirassiers;

Eachforaswordinhisrighthand,Abrandish'dgoosequillwears.

TheirDouglasraisedfromtheirownranks,MounteduponanAss,

RodeforemostoftheCompany,Hisarmourshonelikeglass.

Withthattherecameanarrowkeen,OutofanEnglishbow

WhichstrucktheirleadertotheheartAdeepanddeadlyblow.6

ThegallantGrahamofNetherby,ATridenthedidwield,

AtsightofwhichtheParchmentHorseAllshy'dandfledthefield.

XXXII.

Theycrowdedfastandgallopedoff,SoonattheirDeskswereset,

TheirgreygoosequillssoonturnedtopensIntheirInk-standswerewet.

XXXIII.

Nextdaydidmanyvoters'wivesTheirhusbandssorebewail;

Theywash'dtheirgriefswithToddydown,Becausethey'dturn'dtail.

XXXIV.

Desertersdinedontheirdesserts,Insteadofsoliddishes;

Forbythiswofulchangeofparts,Theylosttheloavesandfishes.

6OnelectiondayinLanark,ariotbrokeoutandCharlesDouglaswaspeltedwithstonesandcut'behindtheear'withbrokenglass(GlasgowHerald,16May1831).

ThensteptaDoglatinPoetforth,SirWalterwashisname,

Whosaid,IwouldnothaveittoldToWilliamourKingforshame.

XXXVI.

ForiftoScotlandheshouldcome,Ourselveswemustpresent;

Andwhenwekneelwe'resuretofeel,OurTreasonhe'llresent.

XXXVII.

GodprosperlongournobleKing,Ourlivesandsafetiesall;

Andgrantthatvilecorruption'sruleQuitebloodlesslymayfall.

GlasgowChronicle,2May1831.Note:someotherversions,liketheonepublishedintheLoyalReformer'sGazetteon25June,donotincludestanzas35and36about'SirWalter'.

5. CheSara,Sara.AnexcellentNewSong.

ItwasacommontrendinthisperiodtoappropriateRobertBurns’sverse,bothforreformandanti-reformpoetry.Althoughthesettuneforthispoemisnotexplicitlystated,thepoemisveryclearlyaplayon'IsthereforHonestyPoverty'(alsoknownas'Aman'samanfora'that'). The sentiment of equality espoused in Burns’s song would have appealed to thereformersandtheytrytoinjectthisspiritintothepoem.Thepoemaimsitsfireatthecorruptelite of society; for instance, the boroughmongers (MPs of constituencies with tinyelectoratesornoneatall)arestyledasthe'faes'(foes).TheLordsarealsosubjecttoattackin this poem, as they were in many 1830s reform poems, because the House of LordsrepeatedlypreventedthepassingoftheReformBill.Like‘OurBraveSailorKing’(poem2),KingWilliamisstyledas‘OurpatriotKing’whowillsavethepeoplefromtheanti-reformers,aswillseveralWhigpoliticians.

MichaelShawIsthereforboroughmongeringmight,Whahangshishead,an'a'that?

Thecowardslave!—hisqualmsweslight,An'darebeblythefora'that.

Fora'that,an'a'that,Rightreverenddrones,an'a'that,

OurpatriotKingwilltouscling,An'bangourfaesfora'that.

WhatthoughthedoughtyMarquisfight,ToquellReform,an'a'that,

An'poorSirCharlesandCo.uniteTheirwitsan'wiles,an'a'that,

Fora'that,an'a'that,Theirfishwifeslang,an'a'that,

Wi'GreyandBrougham,an'guidLordJohn,7We'llbaulkthemyetfora'that.

Yeseeyonbirkieca'daLord,Whastormsan'stamps,an'a'that,

Thoughcountry'swealisayehisword,He'sbutaknavefora'that.

Fora'that,an'a'that,Hisvestedrights,an'a'that,

We'llteachhimsunetochangehistune,An'getourainfora'that.

7CharlesGrey,2ndEarlGrey(1764-1845);HenryBrougham(1778-1868)andJohnRussell,1stEarlRussell(1792-1878).

Letlordlingsrave,andbishopsrant,An'bantheBill,an'a'that,

There'sanewhasunecanpatentsgrantTonoblermenthana'that.

Fora'that,an'a'that,Theirfrothan'fume,an'a'that,

Willne'ermakesicakingforsakeHispeople'sguid,an'a'that.

EdinburghWeeklyChronicle,30July1831.

6. Thirty-Two.It isandwasnotunusualforanewspapertoprintadigestofthechiefeventsoftheyeareither at the end of December or at the beginning of a new year in January. Here, thattraditionaljournalisticpracticetakesapoeticforminthePaisleyAdvertiser,withreflectionson1831andanticipationsfor1832.Oneofthechiefmatters1831hadleft‘undone’was,ofcourse,theReformBill.Likemanypoets,theagitationforthefranchiseinBritainissetfirmlywithinaninternationalcontextasthepoetreflectson:

- France:LouisPhilippehadstyledhimselfkingoftheFrenchin1830followingthe‘JulyRevolution’–the‘gloriousthreedays’referredtointhethirdstanza.

- Belgium:Leopold IwasaGermanprinceoftheduchyofSaxe-Coburg-SaalfeldwhobecametheBelgiankingafterthecountryacquireditsindependencein1830.Hewascrowned‘KingoftheBelgians’ inJuly1831.LeopoldmarriedGeorge IV’sdaughter,PrincessCharlotte,in1816,andthePalladianmansionofClaremont(Surrey)wastheirfamily home, retained by Leopold following Charlotte’s death in 1817 until hisdepartureforBelgiumin1831.

- Brazil:Pedro IofBrazil abdicated inApril1831 inorder to re-establishhisholdonPortugal.TheassociationbetweentheHouseofBarganzaandthethroneofPortugalgoesbacktotheseventeenthcentury.

- Poland:TheNovemberUprising(1830-1831)againsttheRussianEmpirewascrushedinthewinterof1831.ItwasthefocusofanumberofpoemsinthePaisleypressatthistime.

- China:escalatingtensionswiththeChineseQingdynastywouldeventuallyleadtotheFirstOpiumWarin1839-1842.

- USA:freetradewasthefocusofdebateanddiscussioninthisperiod(particularlyinrelationtotextiles),spawningpublicationssuchastheFreeTradeAdvocate/BanneroftheConstitution.SeeCondyRaguet,ThePrinciplesofFreeTrade[1835],EssayNo78(12January1831),fordetailsrelatingtothecharacter‘Jonathan’appearinghere.

- Ireland:DanielO’Connell,havingledthesuccessfulfightforCatholicemancipationin1829,turnedhisattentiontotherepealoftheActofUnion(1801).Thereferencetoalcohol here touches upon O’Connell’s connections with the drinks trade: his sonacquiredthePhoenixBreweryinDublinin1831.

CatrionaM.M.MacdonaldThyjourneyisbroughttoacloseThirtyone,Tothytombthounowmustgo:

Ifasked,wouldItraveltheeoveragain,Iwouldpromptlyanswer,No,

Thoughofjoysthoughhastgivenmeamplestore,YetIwillinglysayadieu,

Andtransferallmyjoysandmysorrowso'erTothyrivalThirty-two.

Withbustlingactivitythouhastgoneby,Manyjobsthouhastbegun,

Butmanyofthese,thoucanstneverdeny,Thouartleavingquiteundone.

Onthisday,whichclosesthybusycareer,Wewilltakeatransientview,

Andexaminethelightinwhichthingsappear,EreweenteronThirty-two.

OurneighboursinFrancewiththeirphysicalforce,Expectedtheirtrialso'er,

Buttheir"Gloriousthreedays,"haveleftthemworseByfar,thantheywerebefore.

Allthosewholovechanges,anddisregardlaw,Willbegintheirtaskanew,

Andabaslanoblesse,lespretres,etleRoi,-downwiththenobility,thepriestsandthekingWillbesunginThirty-two.

Ofthevariouscrownssenta-beggingaround,OnethebrowsofLeopoldadorns,

HeshouldnothavechangedhisgoodEnglishcrowns,Forapooronebegirtwiththorns.

Fromwhathehasseen,sincetoreignhebegan,Wethinkhewillgrantittrue,

ThathisClaremontwasbetterinThirtyoneThanBrusselsinThirty-two.

OftherichandresplendentBraziliancrown,DonPedrohaslosthishold,

Butunwillingfromgreatnesstotoppledown,Hecomestoreclaimtheold

Betwixtthepossessor,andthisrivalDon,Astrugglewillsoonensue,

AndwhoistositonBraganza'sthrone,MustbetoldbyThirty-two.

OfPoland'sbravesons,whotheirarmourassumed,Theirlibertytoregain,

Toapatriot'sgrave,somethousandsaredoomed,Andsometoagallingchain.

Ifcourageandbravery,honourandright,Hadmetwithwhatistheirdue,

TheflagofFreedomwouldhavegladdenedthesightAtWarsaw,inThirty-two.

OurcomercewithChinahasgotasadblow—TheEmperorTchingfoTchee,

Unlesswesubmissivelykisshisgreattoe,WontgiveusachestofTea.

Wehope,thoughhisvowsmaybesomewhatrash,Hewillkeeptohisthreateningstrue,

Infarbettertimeswedispens'dwithsuchtrash,Andwhynot,inThirty-two?

Hasthathumbug"FreeTrade"extendedwest?No,Jonathan'snosuchfool,

AstosufferhisweaverstostarveinrestWhilehestrutsinBritishwool.

Allarebusyandhappy,wellfedandcontent,Andareaskingwhatthey'lldo,

TogettheproceedsoftheirlighttaxesspentIntheyearofThirtytwo.

O'ConnellinIrelandwithlogicprofound,Keepsthecry'Repeal'alive,

Agitationhasgainedfifteenshillingsapound,Buthewantstheotherfive.

AParliamentassembledinCollegegreen—Notythestotheparsonsdue—

ScotchwhiskyabandonedforIrishpotheen,ArethehopesofThirty-two.

TheattentionofEnglandisallengrossed,ByCholera,andtheBill—

Thoughtheoneshouldbecaught,andtheotherbelost,Theworldwillmoveonstill.

Mayreformfirstofallathomebegin,Andwithheartswarm,lealandtrue,

Letthemotto,"FearGodandhonourtheKing,"BeouroneinThirtytwo

PaisleyAdvertiser,31December1831.

7. TheSpiritofToryism,AsDisplayedattheLateLiteraryDinnertotheEttrickShepherd.

Thispoem,publishedinthestridentlypro-reformScotsTimesnewspaper,attemptstoclaimRobertBurnsasaproto-reformer,andmocksthoseanti-reformerswhocelebrateBurnsbutarenofriendsofliberty.Thespeakerstatesthateveryyearhedrainsabowlof'whisky-punch'inmemoryofBurns,andheisfullofjoytohearthatsomeToriesaredoingsotoo.However,whenheattendsadinnerforJamesHogg(theEttrickShepherd),whichispresumablyalsoaBurnsSupper,hefindsitdisconcertingtoseeHogg,theDukeofBuccleuch,andtherestofthe'Torythrong'notactuallycommemoratingBurnsbutjustmarkingtheir'hateofaPatriotKing'.This patriot king is King William IV, who was broadly supportive of parliamentaryreform.Insteadofcelebratingtheking,thegroupcelebratetheDukeofWellingtonandJohnWilsonCroker–keyfiguresintheanti-reformmovement.Indeed,the'Torythrong'arealsodescribed as 'borough-born patriots', implying that they are fromrotten burghs(constituencieswithtinyelectorates),whichthereformerswerehopingtoeradicate.Attheendofthepoem,thespeaker,'wishingtoheavenIhadneverbeenthere',strollsawayfromtheTorygathering.ThispoemearlierappearedinTheGlasgowChronicle(6February),whereitwasattributedtoTheGlobe,aLondonnewspaper–anindicationthattheassociationofBurnswithradicalpoliticswasoccurringonanational,aswellasalocal,levelinthelead-uptothepassageoftheReformBill.

MichaelShawEveryyearofmylifedoIdrainabowlOfgoodwhiskypunch,asthedayreturns

WhichfirstgavebirthtotheglorioussoulOfLiberty'schosenminstrel,Burns!

Andthisyear'twasjoytomyhearttothinkThatevenaTorycouldhelptotwine

AwreathforthebrowoftheBard,anddrinkThememoryproudofthatsouldivine.

YetIhadmymisgivingsatfirst,'tistrue,—For,seeingtheShepherdofEttrickthere,

IthoughtoftheliberalDukeofBuccleugh,AndthepatronswhomaddenedthePoetofAyr!

'Well,well!theyarehere,"saidI,"andsure"TheycomebuttohonourtheGod-bornart,

"Andhonourtothemforthatwishmostpure!"HowlittleIknewofaTory'sheart!

Notthegeniusandwoesoftheillustriousdead,Northebeautyandgloryoffadelesssong,

Northewishtoshedlightroundalivinghead,Hadmuster'dthecold-bloodedTorythrong.

Butwith"swelteringvenom"andvileregard,Theirpaltrypœanstheycametosing,

OnthenataldayofaPatriotBard,TomarktheirhateofaPatriotKing.

And—worthyofheartsandmindsliketheirs—TheyofferedtheQueenanaffectionateshout,

AsthoughitformedpartofherRoyalcaresThatCrokerwascross,andtheBaronet"out."

AndWellington,too—anamethattellsOfvalourandtriumphtoEnglishears,

Washauledbythethrongwithinfuriateyells,Theminglingtonesoftheirhopesandfears.

ThentheSpouting-clubpupilswho,onebyone,Havelordedandleadedtheslumberinghouse,

Gaveterribleproofthat'tisponderousfunWhenproserswillpratethoughunblestwithnous.

SoImutteredmycurses—notloud,butdeep,Andd——dthisjumbleoflordandslave;

Butasusual,myrageIcontrivedtosteepInadesperatepullattheLetheanwave!

Tilltheborough-bornpatriotshadbawledtheirshare,AndthePorchesterpoetshadsaidtheirsay—

When,wishingtoheavenIhadneverbeenthere,Ifinishedmybottleandstrolledaway!ScotsTimes,11February1832.

8. TaskforAnti-Reformers.TheAyrAdvertiserwasthemostprominentpro-reformnewspaperinAyrinthe1830s,anditprinted several pro-reformpoems including 'Task forAnti-Reformers'. The speakerof thisparodicpoemisananti-reformerwhohopesto'stoptheprogressoftheBill.'Thepoem'sfirsttwostanzasaskanunnamedindividualtoprovetheirstrengthinvariousways(forexample,theyareinstructedto'quenchEtnawithacupoftea')todemonstratethattheycanovercomethepro-reformmovement. Indoing this, thepoempresents the reformmovement as anunstoppable,almostnatural,force.Inthefinalstanza,thespeakerinstructsthisindividualtomanipulatesomekeyreformerstochangetheirpositionandopposethebill;onesuchtaskistomaketheRadicalMPJosephHume'forgethiscountry'sweal'.Thespeakeralsoaskshishearer to 'stillwoman's tongue', suggesting thatwomenmayhavebeen influential in thereformmovement.Thepoemlaterappeared,underthetitle'TasksfortheAnti-Reformers',intheEdinburghWeeklyChronicle.

MichaelShaw"Goforgemefettersthatwillbind"Therageofthetempestuouswind;Soundwithaneedlefulofthread,Thedepthofocean'sstormybed;Snaplikeatwig,thetoughoaktree,QuenchEtnawithacupoftea:Insuchmanœuvresshowyourskill,ThenstoptheprogressoftheBill!WithLady'sveil,atCorralinn,GostemtheClydeandhushitsdin;ProudArthur'sseat,fromLothian'splainWithonefellkicksendtothemain.ThewatersoftheForthdivide,Pilewaveonwaveoneitherside,Thatoysterwivestheircreelsmayfill,ThenstoptheprogressoftheBill!MakeHumeforgethiscountry'sweal,ReformermakeSirRobertPeel,MakeBroughamandGreytheirtrustabuse,8MakeBoroughmongersbribesrefuse;Makepriestswithouttheirstipendpreach,Orgratisact—thelawyerLeach,Stillwoman'stongue,andcurbherwill,ThenstoptheprogressoftheBill! W.A.AyrAdvertiser,orWestCountryJournal,24May1832.

8HenryBrougham(1778-1868)andCharlesGrey,2ndEarlGrey(1764-1845).

9. [UpJohnBullandclearyourbrows]InMay1832,aparliamentaryandsocialcrisisbrokeout,nowknownasthe‘DaysofMay’.After theToriessuccessfullyblocked theThirdReformBill in theHouseofLords, thepro-reformWhiggovernmentfell,whichbredanxietyamongreformersacrossthecountry,andled to social unrest and rioting. However, the Duke of Wellington failed to form a TorygovernmentandEarlGrey’sWhigswerereinstatedon15May1832.Thissong,settothetuneofWalterScott’s‘DonaldCaird’,reflectstheresurgentconfidenceofthereformmovement.It appeared in a Scotsman report on 'Reform Meetings' that were held throughoutScotland.Wearetoldthat,followingaKirkcaldymeeting,apartywasheldtocelebratethereturnoftheWhiggovernment,andthissongwassungthere.Thesongaddresses'JohnBull','Irish Pat' and 'Caledonians', and advises them to drink to celebrate the return of Grey'sgovernment.Wearetoldthatthe'boroughmongerloonandBishop'havebeenovercome:suchdenunciationsofbishopswerecommoninreformpoetryaroundthistimeastheChurchofEnglandbishopsintheHouseofLordshadvotedagainstthesecondreadingoftheReformBill.TheScotsmanreportnotesthatthesongcamefromtheLondonGazetteExtraordinary,althoughthesongiswritteninScots.

MichaelShaw(Tune—"DonaldCaird.")UpJohnBullandclearyourbrows,'Tisnotbloodbutwinethatflows:IrishPat,mytrustyfellow,Golaybyeyourbigshillelah:Caledonians!—bauldandfierce,Naethingnowbutbarrelspierce,Anddrinkandshoutthroughbrughandglen,EarlGrey'scomebackagain.Farowreguidtobealord—Grey's"aman"—hekeepshisword;Preachesayefraethesametext,Tho'Kingandkimmerbaithbevext. kimmer–wifeorfemalefriendBoroughmongerloonandBishop,Godbepraised!he'llfairlydishup;Thebutchertykeo'WaterlooMaybidgudee'entoglorynow.Greycomeback!quickpasstheliquor,Drinkthoughfathomdeepilkbicker;A'whalikeyourcountryweel,Drink—yourmanistrueassteel—Trueiseverysoulthat'snearhim,Brougham'sthere—naedoubtyou'llhearhim:Russell,Althorp,a'yourmen

O'honesty,arebackagain!9Scotsman,26May1832.

9LordJohnRussell(1792-1878)andJohnSpencer,ViscountAlthorp(1782-1845).

10. TheFloggedSoldier.Supportingthereformcausecouldprovecontroversialinsomeprofessions.ThispoemreferstoAlexanderSommervilleoftheRoyalScotsGreys,whowasalsoaradicaljournalist.Afterpublishing a letter that revealed the reformist sympathies of fellow soldiers and theirdiscontentoverhowreformershadbeentreated,Sommervillereceivedonehundredlashes.ThisfactbecameapublicscandalandTheReformers’Gazette,aGlasgowperiodical,publishedmanyarticlessupportingSommerville; italsoranapublicsubscriptionforhim.Thispoemreflects The Reformers’ Gazette’s support for Sommerville, referring to those whoadministeredhispunishmentas'savagesouls'whodefile'thegloryofournativeisle'.Thepoemalsoreferencesthewidespreadpublicoutcryagainsthisflogging,anditstatesthattheScotswillholdhimdearandstandbehindhim.AnotherpoemonSommerville,‘AddresstoA.Sommerville, ScotsGreys’, also published inThe Reformers’ Gazette, describes him as an‘injur’dpatriot’.

MichaelShawShallsilencewiththeMusesreign,Orotherthemestheirpowersconstrain,Andrenderthusthecallinvain,

TowakeforinjuredSommerville?MethinksIseethesonofsong,Oftenderheartandfeelingstrong,Thatglowedforright,thatspurnedatwrong,

Endurethelashofcruelty!Thebloodyscourgehemutelybears,Thetenderfleshitrudelytears,Thebloodstreamsforth—hisvisagewears

Theveilofsadpallidity.Hebleeds,alas!unknowntothoseWhoseloveforhimmostdearlyglows,Andthousandsnowthato'erhiswoes

Deepmeltintendersympathy.Theymelt,andburnwithbitterire,Whiledutycallsforanger'sfireToglareagainstthedarkdesire,

Thatstoletosuchatrocity.YesavagesoulswhothusdefileThegloryofournativeisle,Ourworthydaughtersne'ershallsmile

Onsonsofsuchbarbarity.Ojustice,markthehatedcrew,

Andwhilethedeeddemandsthedue,Witheagereyetheirstepspursue,

Andstrikethemwithseverity.And,Sommerville,ariseandsing,Highsoaringonthemuse'swing;AndletthynotesthroughScotlandring,

Thelandofthynativity.Ourgallantsonsthysongshallhear,Ourdaughtersfairshalllendanear,Andallinheartshallholdtheedear:

Thybloodshallbringtheevictory.J.FALCONER.

Kilsyth,July,1832.Reformers'Gazette,14July1832.

11. ReformSong.AftertheWhiggovernmentwasreinstatedfollowingthe‘DaysofMay’,theReformBillwasgivenroyalassenton7June1832.Followingthisnews,aproliferationofpoemsandsongswerewrittentocommemoratetheevent,ofwhichthisbroadsidesongisanexample.Thespeakerasks'sonsofScotia'to'raiseyourvoice/Withshoutsofexaltation',tocelebratethepassingoftheReformBill.ThepoemapplaudstheworkoftheWhigs,whoareportrayedasreleasingthepeoplefromslavery;JohnMaxwellandthePaisley'folk'whoelectedhimarealsopraised(SirJohnMaxwellofPollokwaselectedastheMPforPaisleyin1832;hissonbecameMemberforLanarkshireinthesameelection).ReformisthendescribedasasteppingstonetowardsrepealingtheCornLaws.Therearenopublicationdetailsgivenonthispoem,sowecannotbecertainofwhereorwhenitwaspublished,butthereisahandwrittennoteononecopyofthebroadsideintheNationalLibraryofScotland,'10Aug't1832',whichmayrefertothepublicationdate.

MichaelShawSonsofScotiaraiseyourvoiceWithshoutsofexaltation,

TheBillispast,wehaveatlastFreetradethroughoutthenation.

Russel&Brougham,Althorp&Hume,Labouredbothlateandearly!

TheChampionGreyhaswontheday,Nowhehasbeatthemfairly.

Thelastdebatethatdidtakeplace,ThetwelfthdayofJuly,man,

Nolongerknaveswillkeepusslaves,Thecontestitisby,man,

Yontenpoundvoters,nowIhope,Youwillhavenoobjection,

Tochooseafewcandidatesitistrue,FortheincomingElection.

ThePaisleyfolkhavegainedapplause,Fromfriendandeachrelative,

ForchoosingMaxwelloftheShaw,FortheirRepresentative.

TheCornBill,comeoftitwill,Andeverycursedtaxation,

Reformerstheymayblesstheday,Theygainedthereformation.

TheReformersbrave,theirflagsdidwave,

Theirdrumsdidbeatan'a',man,Thebellswillringandfolkswillsing,BraveGreyhaswaur'dthema',man.

Fillupyourglass,roundletitpass,Sincewethedayhaveseen,man,

Thatwe'llbefreefromtyranny,SinceGreyhaswaur'dthema',man.

12. ACanvassingEpisode.Fewpoemsconcerningthe1832ReformBillagitationcommentontheroleofwomenandthis poem is especially rare in foregrounding female participation in the anti-reformcampaigns.Anexplanatorynoteisincludedalongsidethepoemtogivecontext:'Forsomeweeks past several genteelly-dressed young women have made a practice of annoyingrespectableshopkeepers,byhauntingtheirshopsandthreateningthemwithlossofcustom,should they vote for a Reform Candidate'.This poem focuses on one such woman, whoinstructs a shopkeeper to vote for 'Mr Blair' – Forbes Blair, the Tory candidate for theEdinburghseatsatthe1832GeneralElection.Whenshefindsoutthatthisshopkeeperhaspledged his vote to theWhigs (Francis Jeffrey and James Abercromby) she threatens towithdrawhercustom.ThepoemmocksthisTorytacticofintimidatinglocalbusinessmen.

MichaelShaw

Theladyliftsherparasol,andekeherreticule,Andforthshetripsashoppinginthemorningbrightandcool;Themercerlosespatienceasheturnshisribbonso'er,Andbutforhopesofmoneyhewouldshowhertothedoor.Alas,hishopesarebootless,forhelistenswithastareTothelispingofhersilvervoice—"you'llvoteforMrBlair."Themercerhelooksupatfirst,andthenagainlooksdown,Andthelady'sbrowofpolish'dwhiteisgath'ringtoafrown:Themercerblushesfieryred,andthenagainturnspale,Andsilentonthecounterspreadsofsilkalustrousbale;Buthishopesthustoevadeherareascastlesintheair,Forwithtinysilverysternnesssherepeats—"you'llvoteforBlair."Thenintospeechreluctantlybreaksforththewilfuldumby,"He'ssorry,buthe'spledgedhisvotetoJeff.andAbercromby."Cheek,brow,andneck,arecrimson'do'er,andadarkeyeflashesfire,Anditsthusoutspeakstheladyinthefervourofherire:"GosellyoursilkstoRadicals,yourflowerstolowborndrabs,"Reformers'goodsshallne'erpollutepatricianmarbleslabs;"There'sLady—,andMrs—,mycousinJane,andI,"Willallgonaked,ereourdressfromnaughtymenwebuy."Themercerquakes,andlooksaghast,asforththeladybounces,Andthestreetre-echoestotheshakeofherindignantflounces,BeforeherangryrushingeachsturdyCeltgivesway,Andopenmouthedlooksafterher,inhorroranddismay. R.P.Scotsman,4August1832.

13. FablesfromAncientAuthors,orOldSawswithModernInstances.ByPeterPilpay,Gent.

No.IV.—TheBlackamoor.Theeditoroftheshort-livedjournalinwhichthispoemappears,TheTenPounder,wasPeterBrown,whoidentifiedhimselfasa‘tenpounder’:‘oneofthosewhohavebeencalledintopoliticalexistence,asitwere,bythegreatmeasurewhichhaslatelygivenanewcharactertopublicaffairs’.TheReformBillensuredthatthosemenwhopaidanannualrentof£10hadtherighttovoteinparliamentaryelections.Despitenowbeingenfranchised,Brownwasacritic of reform and was resoundingly opposed to theWhigs and those calling for morereform,whichisevidentthroughoutTheTenPounderandinthispoem.ThepoembeginswithadescriptionofanEthiopianslave,whoisportrayedasanefficientworkerincomparisontohiswhite'brethren'.Themasterthendecidestoapplyalotiontomaketheslave,describedasan 'AdmirableCrichton' in referenceto thesixteenth-centuryScottishpolymathof thatname, white. Other slaves are then brought to scrub the slave and he dies. The poemconcludeswithastanza,titled'Moral':themoralofthepoemisthatreformislikethesoapandwater used to scrub the slave (who symbolises the constitution).In otherwords, therobust constitutionwill bedestroyedby toomanyattempts to changeand reform it.It isnoteworthythatthispoemwaswrittentheyearbeforetheSlaveryAbolitionActof1833.

MichaelShaw

"Stavabene,mapustarmeglio,stoque."Iwaswell,but,wishingtobebetter,hereIlie.Ithappen'donceaworthycit,Whosewealthwasgreaterthanhiswit,Butwho,likethosethatcausewayhell,Whate'erhedid,intendedwell,AswingingsumofmoneygaveInbarterforanEthiopslave.Thissootyinfidelwasstout—Abustlingfellow,inandout;Hisribssohoop'd,hischestsoround,Hislimbssostark,hiswindsosound,AmanwithhalfaneyemightseeTheBlackcoulddotheworkofthree.Andsoitproved;asmarterstrapperDidnevercurrysteedinstable;

AndneverflunkyhalfsodapperFlittedaroundadinnertable.

Hecouldhewwoodandtrimachin—Sow,reap,andbringtheharvestin;Couldkillapig,andbakeandbrew—Makeoldclotheslookaswellasnew—Couldmanufacturejamandjelly—

Mendbrokenglassandbreakafilly—Growcucumbersandmanagefruit—Playonthefiddleandtheflute—Inshort,itwouldtakelongtotellHowmuchhecoulddo,andhowwell.Buthiswisemastertookanotion,That,sincehisBlackwasblackasnight,

ThereoughttobesomewashorlotionTomakehim,likehisneighbours,white.

TheBlackoutviedinwork,'twastrue,Hisbrethrenofafairerhue;Whiletheywax'dlazyandperspir'd,TheBlackwasactiveanduntir'd;Theyblunder'drightandleft,whileheFromscrapeandscathkepteverfree:Uprightinheart,inlabourfervent—Quiteaninvaluableservant.ButstillthisAdmirableCrichtonOfhouseholdflags,wasnotawhiteone;Andofasnowyskin,hisownerResolv'dtoprovehimselfthedonor.'TweredifficulttoguessthereasonOfloveofchangesooutofseason:PerhapssomeenviousfellowslaveFirsttohislordthecounselgave;Or,itmaybe,thewhimwasbredInhisownsoftandsimplehead:Nomatterwhich—itwashiswillTowhitewashTauro'scuticle.Theslavesassembled—tubswerebrought—Soap,acids,andenoughofwater—

Lukewarmandtepid,coldandhot—Toscareasealorswampanotter:

Norlack'dthereaughtthatpurifies—Brushesofeverysortandsize—Fleshscrapers,sponges,pumice-stone—Bristlesofsteelinbedsofbone.GodhelppoorTauroinhistub!Frommorntonight'twasscrub—scrub—scrub—Theysplash'danddash'dthewatero'erhim,Andwiththeircursedenginestorehim,Till,whatbetweenthecoldandwet,Andmaliceofthathellishset—Whatwiththelossofthatsameskin

Hismasterdeem'dablotandsin—Yieldingatoncebothhealthandhide,PoorTaurosicken'd,sunk,anddied!

MORAL.Reader!amorallessonwemaygather,Norhaplyuseless,fromtheseidlerhymes—

Nottojoininnovatingfools,butratherContentuswiththecolourofthetimes.

OftheproudCONSTITUTIONofourlandTheworthyslavemayforanemblemstand:LetBRITONS,representedbyhismaster,Looksharply,lesttheyshareinhisdisaster;Andfind,toolate,REFORMismuchakinTosoapandwaterontheEthiop'sskin.TheTen-Pounder,22September1832.

14. [Thereweretimes,myLordJeffrey,betweenyouandme]This song features in an instalment of Blackwood’s Magazine’s long-running series, the'Noctes Ambrosianae’. The magazine's fictional editor-figure Christopher North and hissecretaryMullionarevisitedbyFrancisJeffrey(1773–1850),whohadintroducedtheScottishReform Bill in Parliament and was standing for election in Edinburgh alongside JamesAbercromby:'Here'sTheAdvocatecomeinfullfigtocanvassyouforyoursecondvoteinAuldReekie'. The ToryBlackwood's had a long and acrimonious historywith Jeffrey,who hadeditedtherival,WhiggishEdinburghReviewuntil1829.Asaresult,thefictiveJeffreygetsapricklyreception:NorthcastsdoubtonhisandAbercromby'slong-standingcommitmenttoreform, then sings a song that questions the value of political upheaval as a means foreffectingtrue,lastingsocialchange(ifsuchchangeistobeconsidereddesirableinthefirstplace). Thisproved tobeapopularanti-reformpoem thatwasdetached from its specificBlackwoodian context and republished (with some slight amendments) in severalconservative newspapers across Scotland, including theGlasgow Herald and AberdeenObserver.Thepoemwasalsoincluded,underthetitle'ANewSong',inPeterBrown'sReformSongsandSquibs,ananthologyoflargelyanti-Whigpoemsfromtheearly1830s.

HonorRieley

AIR"Comebothertheirbuttons,quothTomo'theGoose."Thereweretimes,myLordJeffrey,betweenyouandme,Ratherblitherthanthosewearelikelytosee;Whenplainfolkwenttochurch,lovedandhonour'dtheirking,Andourhard-workingfarmersheardnothingofSWING.NogroansthenweregivenforTithes,Taxes,orRent,Therichmanlook'dkindness,thepoormancontent,Andthoughwarragedwithoutweweredeaftoitsdin,Midsttheheart-cheeringhumofourtreddleswithin.Therewasworkontheshore,therewaswealthonthesea,Abroadtherewasglory,athometherewasglee;Menstucktothecounter,theshop,andtheloom;AndlaughedattheravingsofCobbettandHume.10ButourSolonsinplacehavefoundout,itwouldseem,Allthiswealthwasaburden,thiscomfortadream;Ourhomesmustbeleftforthehustings—Godwot!AndHappinessturnsonfranchiseornot.LookafteryourTillwastheruletilloflate,Butnow'tis,lookaftertheTilloftheState;

10WilliamCobbett(1763–1835)andJosephHume(1777–1855).

Evenourschoolmaster'sta'ensuchafancytoroam,YouwillneverbychancefindhimfloggingATHOME!TimewaswhenwedranktothehealthofourKing,Butnowwe'vediscoveredthatisn'tthething—Thatourrulershenceforthshouldhavenothingtodo—Andthemobshouldbemonarchandministrytoo!TimewaswhentheMaceortheSwordoftheLawKeptthegoodmaninsafety,thescoundrelinawe;Nowlawmusttobrickbatsandbludgeonsgiveplace,Andburningatownthrowsnewlightonthecase.Arewericher,orbetter,orhappiernow?Sitslifewithitstroublesmorelightonourbrow?Doesplentyflowinwiththe"Minister'sPlan?"—DoesManlookmorekindormorelovingonMan?Isthehumofourenginesmoreloud?DoweseeMoreshipsintheharbour,moreploughsonthelea?Willflagsandprocessionspayweaverstheirhire,Oravotelayalogonthelabourer'sfire?Oh!not—tillthespiritofchangeshallbelaid,Tillthelimbsreacknowledgetheruleofthehead;TilleachhonestReformershallstooptotheartOfreforminghisownrottenborough—THEHEART;—Tillbanish'dReligionandFaithshallreturn,AndbrightinourbosomsoldLoyaltyburn,TillLabourandConfidencewalksidebyside,AndReverencesitintheplaceofWhigPride;—Willthecloudsofdistressthato'ershadowoursky,Likemistsofthemorning,breakupandblowby;Ourtumults,ourterrors,oursufferingscease,AndPlentycomesmiling,sweetdaughterofPeace!Blackwood'sMagazine,October1832.

15. TheWhigs'SupplicationtoApollo.Satirewasapopularrhetoricalweaponforpoliticalpoetsintheearly1830s,andthispoemfrom the conservative Aberdeen Observer highlights the fact that newspapers werecompetingtopublishthestrongestsatiricalverse.Thepoemappearsinthefirstofaseriesof'DramaticScenes'intheAberdeenObserver;thisinstalmentistitled'Joint-stockEditorinhisStudy'.Inthepreambletothispoem,thedevilenterstheeditor’sstudyandcomposes'TheWhigs'SupplicationtoApollo'.Thepoem,writteninHabbiestanza,orBurnsstanza,parodiesthevoiceofareformer,reflectingonthehopelessnessofthereformers’poetry.Thespeakerstatesthatwhilereformerscannotwriteeffectivepoetry,theTories 'neverfail /Towritebaithproseandversesaewell'.Thespeakerthenimplores:'O,gieusSatire'sscorpionlash’so that they can attack the anti-reformers aswell as the anti-reformers attack them.TheAberdeenObserver’spro-reformrival,theAberdeenHerald,isinvokedinthispoem,withtheimplicationbeingthatitspoetryispitiful.Thefactthatthedevilhaswrittenthispoem,andmaybeitsspeaker,reflectsabroadtrendinanti-reformpoetryinthisperiodofassociatingthedevilwiththereformers.

MichaelShawDEVIL.—(Solusandseatinghimself.)HereIamintheEditor'schair.Iwonderifthere'sonyinspirationin't.Here'spenandinkandpaper,andwhatforshouldnaItrytocomposean"article?"Shoulditbeproseorpoetry?Poetrysticksbesttofolk'smemory,andsoheregoesO,brightApollo—Jove'sgreatson!WhathaethepoorReformersdone,Thatnaneo'themhase'erbegun

(Thatwe'veheardtello')Inverseorprosetosoun'theirdrone

But'smadeafeelo'.WhyshouldtheToriesneverfailTowritebaithproseandversesaewell,Whanwe,whaoughttobearthebell

Aboonsicwretches,Shou'dayebetumbleddownthehill

(HiatusinM.S.)ShallwefraeweektoweekaddressThepublicfraetheHeraldPressAn'provetheToriesadisgrace

Tomeno'honour,An'yetbemade,bythatcurstrace,

Awarld'swon'er.Ifwepoeticlicensetak'An'striveaweebitlietomak',DowncomesaTorywi'awhack

Outo'erourhurdies,An'garsusinstantlyretract,

An'eatourwordies.Shou'dEbEbEgwriteinourfavour,SomeToryproveshisworkahaver,Shou'dmaster"T."histhreatsdeliver

FraeBannerMill,Theretributiontellsforever

Uponhimsel'.NaesoonerJohnbestridesPegasus,An'writestopleasetheworkin'classes,ButsomeconfoundedToryasses

Areinhiswitters,An'tearshisPamphleta'topieces—

"Toragsan'tatters."LookdownbrightSol!wi'pityinge'e,Thesonso'freedom'ssufferingssee;An'iftoservetheGoodCause,we

Musttruthabandon,Gi'esharnsatleasttomak'alie

Wi'feettostandon.Gi'eEbEbEgmairinformation,Gi'eBrither"T."aweediscretion,PitWriterJohnnyinapassion,

ThathemaystormAn'shack'hismanewi'indignation,

An'roarReform!O,gi'eusSatire'sscorpionlashOurscoundrelToryfoestothrash,Wi'strengthan'wittheirpowerstocrush;

O,gloriousfun!Togarthemsufferintheflesh

Asweha'edone.Gi'estruepoeticinspiration;O!brightenourimagination,Till,bytheclearillumination,

WegartheHeraldBereadwi'rapturousadmiration

Thro'a'theworld.An'whanwe'vemade,bythygreatpower,

Ourcallingandelectionsure,There'sfourteenhun'erWhigsan'more,

Wi'openjaws,ShallGlorytothyGodshiproar!

Inloudhuzzas.Andsothepoem'sfinished,andthelum'sburntout,andI'llbeofftobreakfast.(ExitDevilsinging,"Satansittin'intheneuk,Bonnyladdie,Highlandladdie,

Rivin'stickstoroasttheDuke,&c.&c.)11AberdeenObserver,5October1832.

11ArthurWellesley,DukeofWellington(1769-1852).

16. TotheBanffshireVoters.ANewSong.

FollowingthepassageoftheReformBill,ageneralelectionwascalledforDecember1832.Theissueofreformstilldominatedthiselection,withmanyreformersarguingthattheTorieshadbetrayedthepeople,andtheToriesattemptingtorallytheanti-reformers.Thispoemisfrom the Aberdeenshire campaign,whichWilliamGordon, the Tory candidate, ultimatelywon.Thespeakerofthispoem,publishedintheLiberalAberdeenHerald,sarcasticallyliststhe Tory’s supposed strengths, highlighting the fact that he does not have the people’sinterestsatheart.ThepoemmocksGordon'ssupposed'reformist'credentialsandtheideathathefoughtfora'fairReform'.ItcautionsvotersandremindsthemthattheToriescanonly'thwartreform'.

MichaelShaw

Tune,"Whistleo'erthelaveo't."YeBanffshireVoters,anean'a',Feuarsandfarmers—greatan'sma',Arouse!unite!yourspiritshaw!

Andvotefor—ColonelGordon.Yourmattersa'hewelldoesken;Hisinterests,too,arejustyourain;Andhe'llyouservewi'mightan'main—

Thegallant—ColonelGordon.Heisconvenerofyourshire;Tonamehisclaimsitwadyoutire;Torightyourwrangsnanecanaspire

Saefitas—ColonelGordon.Lookatthepast,andthereyou'llfindStrongproofsofhisclear,vigorousmind;Thegoodo'Banffhisheartentwined—

Convener—ColonelGordon.Thatyeyourprivilegehavegot,Spiteo'Pitfour—andrighttovoteIspartlyowing—isitnot?

Toactive—ColonelGordon.ForfairReformyoufoughtwi'might,Ye'vegotitnow;—'tisworthyourfight;Itsmovementsa'willsuregangright,

Watch'do'erby—ColonelGordon.Forshame!TothinkaTorycan

Haveaughtinview,butmaryourplan,AndthwartReform;—na,na,yourman

Isclearly—ColonelGordon.Letsillysumphstopollbeled,Likesheepinraipsforslaughterfed;Siclaughing-stocksye'llnaebemade,

Whavotefor—ColonelGordon.Consistencyandself-respect,Andzealyourintereststoprotect;Allmotivesurgeyoutoelect

Reformer—ColonelGordon.October. COMMONSENSE.P.S.—ABanffbitJustice,dullan'dour,'Boutgrammarcarps—spitsspitelikestour;Popsaffhispluffo'pithlesspower,

Yesee,at—ColonelGordon.

AberdeenHerald,27October1832.

17. ANewWhigGarland.Poetryinthe1830swascommonlyprintedonbroadsides–singlesheetsofpaperthatwereoftensoldverycheaply.Duetotheirephemeralnature,theyarehardtotraceandhavenotbeen preserved as well as periodicals or poetry volumes. But, thankfully, numerousbroadsidesconnectedtothe1832GeneralElectioninEdinburghremainandarehousedintheNationalLibraryofScotland.Althoughthisbroadsidesongdoesnotdirectly referencereform,itisindirectlyconnectedtotheagitationasmostreformagitatorscontinuedtobackthe Whigs or the Radicals in elections after the Reform Bill was passed, and remainedsuspiciousoftheTories.Inthispoem,thespeakerencouragesthereadertovoteforbothoftheWhigcandidatesforthetwoEdinburghseats:JamesAbercrombyandFrancisJeffrey,whowere both prominent reformers in Edinburgh.Jeffrey in particularly is praised for helpingdefendEdinburghresidentsfrom‘Londoners’.Thespeakeralsoinstructsreadersto'bewareoflies'andtostrikedown'everyTory'.Nopublicationdetailsareprintedonthisbroadside,butthereisahandwrittennoteatthebottomoftheNationalLibraryofScotlandcopy,'13July1832',whichmayindicateapublicationdate.

MichaelShawTUNE—Abeggingwewillgo.Iamafreeman,tightandsound,

OfEdinbro'sgoodtown,Fortradeandladsofhonestheart,

Aplaceofhighrenown.

Andavotingwewillgo,willgo,Andavotingwewillgo.

TwoMembersfortheParliament

Wesuddenlymustchoose;Goodmenandtruetakecaretheybe,

Whowon'ttheirtrustabuse.Ourvotestheoldonesaskagain,

InParliamentwelltry'd,Buttheablestmerchantsofthetown

Won'tvoteupontheirside.Theirindependenttradesmentoo

Areheartyintheircause;Gladtosupportthemenwhoguard

Theirlibertiesandlaws.They'veserveduswellintimesofpeace.

Andserveduswellinwar;TheyloveaSailorintheirhearts,

Norhatethesmelloftar.

Butthere'sJamieAbercrombie,lads,

Atown's-bredbird,Iswear,Whotoyourcauseandintereststrue,

Nopaindideverspare.Andnextthere'sFrancisJeffrey,

WasbredaLawyerhere,Andfightsforyou'gainstLondoners

Withoutdismayorfear.Theyknowwhatcargoesare,andhow

Ourbarksmayfindemploy,Andwhenwethrivethemostintrade,

Theyfeelthehighestjoy.IftheseourMembersbe,mylads,

Ourcannonsloudshallroar,Andopentradebecarriedon

O'eralltheIndianshore.Thenhonestlads,bewareoflies,

Believenoidlestory,Butstrikeatonceforfreedom'cause

AnddownwitheveryTory.Andavoting,&c. C.M'K.

18. TheDevil'sWalk.TheDevilisaprominentfigureinseveralreformandanti-reformpoemsofthe1830s.Unlike‘TheWhigs’SupplicationtoApollo’,thispoempresentsSatanasanallyoftheTories.‘TheDevil’sWalk’appearsinTheAetherialRecord,whichwasasatiricalAyrshiremagazineeditedby‘Prospero’,anelusivefigurewhohasbeenidentifiedastheradicalsurgeonandChartistDrJohnTaylor,althoughthisattributionhasnotbeencorroborated.TaylorstoodfortheAyrshireBurghsseatin1832andfamouslychallengedhisopponentThomasKennedytoaduel.Thispoem invokes Taylor: the speaker compares the appearance of a well-dressed Satan to'doctor John', amark of just how tongue-in-cheek this poem is.We are told that Satan'sclosestfriendsaretheTories,aswellas'thegeneralelection'asawhole.Inthepoem,Satanjourneysto'Cloud'(Ayr)whereheexpresseshisconcernthattheToriesarebeingconvertedbyan 'angryband/Of sageReformer's [sic]'.Nick thengoesaroundvarious local figures,includingWilliamBlair,aformerMP,andgivesthemgoodwishesandsaysthattheyshouldnot'fearReformersnow'.Satanthensaystheymustallvoteforhimand'therottenside'–the rotten burghswhichwere a primary target of reformers. The Paisley-born poet JohnMitchelltakesupthisassociationoftheDevilwiththeanti-reformcauseinhispoemNick'sTour(1846),inwhichtheDevilcomestoScotlandandsideswiththeanti-Chartists.

MichaelShaw

TheDevillosthisappetite,Heknewnotwhattodo,

Hisgoodwarmhomeseemeddesolate—Eachlittleimplookedblue.

ButHope,kindgoddess,seeinghim,Tookpityonhisplight,

Anddeignedtoshedamidtheshades,Apassingrayoflight.

OldNickhewhiskedhisdroopingtail—Thefirehestirredanew,

"AndGad!"criedhe,"I'lluptoearthAndmygoodsubjectsview."

Hedonnedhiscoatofblackestdye,Hisshovelhatputon,

Andbushywhiskersbrushingup,LookedjustlikedoctorJohn.

CommandingthenalittleimpTofetchhiswalkingstick—

Helookedamongthemapsofearth,Apleasantroadtopick.

OhCloud,saidhe,'sthetownforme—Fortherewithoutaboast,

Ieverhave,andthinkIshallForeverruletheroast.

AndnowIseemyToryfriends,

Thestaunchestandthebest,Areyielding,byanangrybandOfsageReformer'spressed.

Hehiedhimupthesteepascent,Andcomingtothelight—

Beheld(intruthitmadehimstare)Awondrousprettysight,

Hisbeardhestroked,andwinking,said,I'vemadeawiseselection;

I'mjustintimetoseemyfriend,Thegeneralelection.

Hebowedtoallthemotleygroup—AnarmtookoftheMajor;

Andsaid,DearN—l,pointoutthefolks,Forhereyou'reanoldstager.

ButscarcelyIyouraidrequire,SomanyfriendsIsee;

Oh,Clapper,fondaseverladOfmakingpoetry?

YouknowthesongyouwroteuponThekitteninthewell;

Endingsopathetic'ly,Inding,dong,bell.

AnddoesthemuseasfondlysmileAsinyouryoungerdays;

OrhasshefickleceasedtodeckYourtempleswiththebays?

Isawyoursubstitutegoby—Aworthyfriendofmine;

Ordainedbynaturecertainly,OnJudge'sbenchtoshine.

Beforehimshouldyouseekredress,Justtakeafriend'sadvice—

PresenthimsomethingthatisquiteScarce,eatableandnice.

Butifthemanopposingyou,Hisfailingtooshouldtwig,

Andwhenyousendaplumbpudding,Presentasuckingpig,

He'llbeatyoutoacertainty,Thoughjustareyourpretensions;

HisjusticekeepscompanionshipWiththeeatable'sdimensions.

He'slookingpaleandhungrytoo;'Tisaneofhisauldfreaks,

Expectingatuckinto-day—He'seatennoughtforweeks.

Butgoodbye,Clapper,IshouldbeIntruthaverybrute,

DidIneglectmyfemalefriends,WhomImustnowsalute.

HepattedMrsLofty'sback,Andthusaddressedthedame:—

Continuelifeasyoubegan,Andspoilyourneighbour'sfame;

IfanyMisstooprettyis,Surmisethatyouhaveseen

Herfrolicwithahandsomelad,Wheresheshouldnothavebeen.

HekissedthebuxomMrsB—,Thewidowladyspunky;

AdvisingthefatdevoteeTokeepahandsomeflunky.

Damenaturestillwillhaveherway,Despisingallcontroul;

*'Tisbutthefleshthatgoesastray,Thebody,notthesoul.

HegaveSirHurterBearasmile,AndgrinnedatGibbytoo;

ButheshookOldBillybythehand,Hisstaunchestfriendandtrue;

GoonnorfearReformersnow,Theirshockyoumustabide—

Andvoteasyouhaveeverdone,Formeandtherottenside.

Andyoushallhaveabirthbelow,AshotasHellcanmakeit;

Bethirstyasyou'veeverbeen,Withdamnthedroptoslakeit.

I'mgladtohearourfriendsaretrue—Iseetheymusterstrong;

ButIfearReforminHelljustnow,SoI'llcallforthemerelong.

TheDevilthusproceededon,Discantingashewent—

Almostasgarrulous,infact,AsparsonsareinLent.

Butsuddenly,withhairerectAnddroopingtail,hehied

Asquicklyoffashecouldrun,Iknownotwhathespied.

Icertainlycouldnoughtbehold,Butalittlewomancome,

With(if'twasallherproperty)

Amostenormousbum.OldBullyBlustersaysheraisedHissticktomakehimfly;

This,Iandotherpeoplethink,Uponmysoul—alie.

Goodpeopleall,ofeverysort,Unlessyouthinkthere'sharmin

Myfirst,whennextOldNickcomesback,You'llhaveasecondCarmen.

*WepresumethisisadoctrineoftheDevil's.TheAetherialRecord,1832.

19. Reformers'ElectionSong,—ByWilliamJohnston.This poem appears on one of the few election broadsides that have been preserved inGlasgow. It appears to have been part of a larger broadside, but only this cuttingremains.Althoughthebroadsideisnotdated,thepoemcanbereasonablyattributedto1837asitconcernsthe1837election.In1837,JamesOswald–avocalcampaignerforthe1832ReformActs–stooddownandtherewasanelection.ThepoemcommendsOswald'sworkandadvisesvoters to selectanMPwhocancontinue the reformers' cause.Thepreferredrepresentative, according to the poem, isJohn Dennistoun,the Liberalcandidate, overRobertMonteiththeTory.Asinseveralotherreformpoems,thespiritofWilliamWallaceisinvokedheretoalignScottishnationalidentityanddefencewiththecauseofreform.

MichaelShaw

MrOswaldnowwefind,thathisseathehasresign'dReformerstheirlosstheymaydeplore;

Ourcausehedidmaintain,butinParliamentagainOurPatriothe'llneversitmore.

ForGlasgowcityhenowhasleftavacancy,Soreformersfindoneinhisplace;

Thatwillyourrightsmaintain,ifyoudon'tI'llyouplain,ThatyourgreatMetropolisyouwilldisgrace.

Tothepoll,tothepoll,nowreformerseverysoul,Allthathaegotavoteinthetown;

MrDenniston'sthemanelecthimnowifyoucan,ButyoungMenteiththetorykeepdown.

Pollaway,pollaway,keepthattoryoutIsay,Who'splanistokeepyouinthrall;

OneofthatnameIsay,thebraveWallacedidbetray,KeephimoutandyourfameI'llextoll.

Toyourpost,toyourpost,fortheToriestheydoboast,Oftheirwealthandgreatstrengthinthistown;

Nowisthedaynowthehouryouhaveitinyourpower,Tounitenowandkeepthemalldown.

Keepthemdown,keepthemdown,letthemseeinGlasgowtown,Thatyourrightsyouwillmanfullymaintain,

Givetonomanaseatbutaliberalcandidate,Thenapplauseforyoursel'syouwillgain.

MrDennistounwilldoallhe'spromisedforyou;NowReformerswhatdoyouwantmore?

InParliamenthewillallhispledgestherefulfil,

AsyourChampionbraveOswalddidbefore.Tothepoll,tothepoll,GlasgowvoterseverysoulYouhavenownotimetodelay;

Turnoutnowtoaman,musterallthevotesyoucan,LetthemsaythatDennistonhaswontheday.

J.MUIR,Printer.

Scottish Political Poetry, Song and the Franchise, 1832 ...

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