ScottishPoliticalPoetry,SongandtheFranchise,1832–1918
Anthology
Poemsselectedandannotatedby:
ProfessorKirstieBlair,UniversityofStrathclyde
ProfessorGerardCarruthers,UniversityofGlasgow
ErinFarley,UniversityofStrathclyde
DrCatrionaM.M.Macdonald,UniversityofGlasgow
DrHonorRieley,UniversityofGlasgow
DrMichaelShaw,UniversityofKent
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PartOne:PoemsrelatingtotheRepresentationofthePeopleActs,1832
5
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Theirbigdayofjudgmentwasallbotheration—Myfrownsfairlyfrightenedthefoolsintofits.
Onlythinkwhataworldweshallhaveofithere,WhenDANIEL,DictatorofIrelandyousee;
On"thesod"notaSaxonshalldaretoappear:—Oh,thisBillistheBill,boys,foryouandforme.
GlasgowCourier,19May1831.
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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
IV.
WiththreetimesfiftyBoroughLords,Allplunderersofthepeople,
Tobuyourlibertiesforgold,Andsellthemoutfortriple.
1HughPercy,3rdDukeofNorthumberland(1785-1847).2CharlesGrey,2ndEarlGrey(1764-1845).
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V.
Thesehoundsranswiftlythroughtheland,Thetimidtoalarm,
Andtotheircrytheliveri'dknavesResponsivecalled—toarm.
VI.
WhentidingstoKingWilliamcame,Withintheshortestspace,
ThatPercyofNorthumberlandHadrisenatChevyChase.
VII.
NowGodbewithus,saidourKing,Sith'twillnobetterbe;
ItrustIhavewithinmyrealmFivehundredasgoodashe.
VIII.
YetshallnotBoroughmongerssay,ButIwillvengeancetake,
Andberevengeduponthemall,Formybravepeople'ssake.
IX.
ThisvowfullwelltheKingperformed,WithintheHouseofLords,
Whenwithself-crownedMajesty,Hequell'dtheirwarofwords.
X.
Henceyemis-representativesOfmytrue-heartedPeople,
NothalfofyoutheyshouldsendbackTooldSt.Stephen'schapel.
XI.
ThisnewswasbroughttoEdinburgh,WhereMelvilleoncedidreign,
ThatWilliam,withhisownrighthand,HadGascoigne'sfactionslain.3
XII.
Oh,heavynews,Montrosedidsay;
3IsaacGascoyne(1763–1841),BritishArmyofficerandTorypolitician.
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TheJusticeGeneralhe—NowmuchIdreadinScotlandIShallgeneraljusticesee.
XIII.
OfoldMontrose,fortyrantsrose,Forliberty,Argyll;
Argyll'ssubmissiontoMontrose,'Gainstlibertywerevile.
XIV.
WhenScotland'slonglostrightstoclaim,AllScotland'svoicedidsound,
AndPercy,asofyore,ourfoe—Ah!wherewasDouglasfound.
XV.
AlastheancientbloodextinctArecreant—Percyjoins—
Whoneversure,ifdeedshowproof,WassprungfromDouglas'loins.4
XVI.
WherearethemenofCliddesdale,Whody'dthesilverTweed,
WithPercy'sbloodforScotland'srights—TrueDouglasattheirhead.
XVII.
OhChrist!myveryheartdothbreakForDouglas'wofulplight—
Forne'ertillnow,theheartandspearDesertedScotland'sright.
XVIII.
LiketidingstofairGlasgowcame,Butnotinsuchshortspace,
Tho'PatriotzealoutstripttheMail,Andfairlywontherace.
XIX.
AndhereIwouldnothaveittold,ToRichmond'sDukeforshame,5
ThatEdinbro'sMailshouldreachatOne—
4TheMPforLanarkshire,CharlesDouglas,whovotedagainsttheReformBill.5CharlesGordon-Lennox,5thDukeofRichmond(1791–1860).
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AndGlasgow'snotthesame.
XX.ForGlasgowhailsherGraciousKing,Withuniversalpraise—
Herfreemenshouting—countlesscrowd—HerStreetsthatjoyfulblaze.
XXI.
TheRottenborough—Melvillerid—Discordantwiththenation,
Wouldneitherorder—orforbid—PublicIllumination.
XXII.
AfewGlass-grinderssalliedforth,MacAdamstoredtheirpouch,
ThewholePolicewentstraighttobed—Asbrokenwindowsvouch.
XXIII.
TheJudge'swindowsoncewerebroke,AllfortheDouglas'cause,—
ButHamiltonisnowthenameThatheadsthepeople'scause.
XXIV.
Sincewealththusgained,hasbeenbestowed,Thepeople'srightstobuy,—
IndignantClydesdale—forReform—Hasraisedadreadfulcry.
XXV.
Seefifty-thousandfightingmen,OnLanarkmarchingall;
TheirpeacefulvoicelikemurmuringClyde,TheirshoutlikeCorra'sFall.
XXVI.
Freemenoftenandfiftypounds,BestridetheirClydesdaleBays;
Suchmenandhorseofboneandblood.AllScotland'sprideshallraise.
XXVII.
AndwhoaretheythatdareusurpTherightsofmenlikethese;
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Somefeebleforeignmercenaries,Somesordidslavesforfees.
XXVIII.
SeethepaletroopsfromEdinburgh,OfParchmentCuirassiers;
Eachforaswordinhisrighthand,Abrandish'dgoosequillwears.
XXIX.
TheirDouglasraisedfromtheirownranks,MounteduponanAss,
RodeforemostoftheCompany,Hisarmourshonelikeglass.
XXX.
Withthattherecameanarrowkeen,OutofanEnglishbow
WhichstrucktheirleadertotheheartAdeepanddeadlyblow.6
XXXI.
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).
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XXXV.
ThensteptaDoglatinPoetforth,SirWalterwashisname,
Whosaid,IwouldnothaveittoldToWilliamourKingforshame.
XXXVI.
ForiftoScotlandheshouldcome,Ourselveswemustpresent;
Andwhenwekneelwe'resuretofeel,OurTreasonhe'llresent.
XXXVII.
GodprosperlongournobleKing,Ourlivesandsafetiesall;
Andgrantthatvilecorruption'sruleQuitebloodlesslymayfall.
GlasgowChronicle,2May1831.Note:someotherversions,liketheonepublishedintheLoyalReformer'sGazetteon25June,donotincludestanzas35and36about'SirWalter'.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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.
24
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).
25
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
26
O'honesty,arebackagain!9Scotsman,26May1832.
9LordJohnRussell(1792-1878)andJohnSpencer,ViscountAlthorp(1782-1845).
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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,
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Andwhilethedeeddemandsthedue,Witheagereyetheirstepspursue,
Andstrikethemwithseverity.And,Sommerville,ariseandsing,Highsoaringonthemuse'swing;AndletthynotesthroughScotlandring,
Thelandofthynativity.Ourgallantsonsthysongshallhear,Ourdaughtersfairshalllendanear,Andallinheartshallholdtheedear:
Thybloodshallbringtheevictory.J.FALCONER.
Kilsyth,July,1832.Reformers'Gazette,14July1832.
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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,
30
Theirdrumsdidbeatan'a',man,Thebellswillringandfolkswillsing,BraveGreyhaswaur'dthema',man.
Fillupyourglass,roundletitpass,Sincewethedayhaveseen,man,
Thatwe'llbefreefromtyranny,SinceGreyhaswaur'dthema',man.
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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.
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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—
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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
34
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.
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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).
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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.
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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
38
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,
39
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).
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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
41
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.
42
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.
43
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.
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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,
45
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.
46
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)
47
Amostenormousbum.OldBullyBlustersaysheraisedHissticktomakehimfly;
This,Iandotherpeoplethink,Uponmysoul—alie.
Goodpeopleall,ofeverysort,Unlessyouthinkthere'sharmin
Myfirst,whennextOldNickcomesback,You'llhaveasecondCarmen.
*WepresumethisisadoctrineoftheDevil's.TheAetherialRecord,1832.
48
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,
49
AsyourChampionbraveOswalddidbefore.Tothepoll,tothepoll,GlasgowvoterseverysoulYouhavenownotimetodelay;
Turnoutnowtoaman,musterallthevotesyoucan,LetthemsaythatDennistonhaswontheday.
J.MUIR,Printer.
