POPULAR PREJUDICES.

[Price lad

the operatives have (at least some of them low up the public money for doing nothing, whilst It is surprising what an influence prejudice have) many hardships to endure, yet it wouldn't I am obliged to pay taxes. Now, if I had taken the thousand pounds for my services to the nation, has upon people's views of any given subject be nearly so bad with them if it were not for it might have been of much more advantage to whatsoever. An object viewed through a. de- the mistakes they fall into about their superiors, me, and there would be nothing to reproach my ceitful medium is altogether changed as to its looking at 'em through the green spectacles of grandchild with. I can't be sure, though I make colour and aspect. Look at any object through envy, and therefore one very great object which no doubt but this is the case, with many who receive blue spectacles, and you'll declare 'tis blue; old Job Nott had in view was to enlighten pensions now." look at the same object through green specta- people's minds upon those subjects which cause Now one cles, and you'll protest 'tis green; that is, if most discontent and dissatisfaction. you suffer yourself to be misled by first impres- subject about which a great many people are sions and outward appearances, and don't greatly mistaken, and which sticks in their gizexercise your judgment so as to understand zard exceedingly, is the pensions which some that the thing may be neither blue nor green men have got from the state without doing any in reality, but only looks so as seen through a thing for them. People are apt to think this false medium. Now Job Nott's great object is very wrong, and call them that have got the to get his customers to look at things neither pensions "Tax-eaters"-and other hard names. through blue spectacles nor green, but to view them with the clear unprejudiced eye of common sense and right reason.

This is no new matter of complaint. It has
been the cause of discontent and heart-burnings
for a long, long time. 'Twas so in my honoured
father's day, and before his time, for I find it
amongst the subjects spoken of by old Job's
master.

The following are the observations which
that honest sensible old gentleman made upon
the matter, and which my father wrote down,
and afterwards printed in his book:-

The old gentleman needn't have been so cautious in his way of speaking, for 'tis most certain that many pensions and emoluments enjoyed by persons in the present day, were granted as a reward for services performed by their forefathers; and 'tis most needful that such rewards should be given for eminent services, or else we shan't have eminent services and noble deeds performed. But though this is a matter that needs to be cleared up, and put on its proper footing, yet 'tis a great mistake, after all, to think that it's a subject that Perhaps some of Job's worthy friends mayn't much concerns our own pockets, as if we were exactly understand why one who professes to much burthened by these pensions-why, make write for labouring men and to be their friend, the most you can of 'em, they are only like should talk so much about lords and great men, cheese parings, compared with the whole exBut, you'll naturally ask, and the money they receive, and take so much pense of the nation. pains to expose the lies of the Black List. what is it then that causes the burdens of the land? Why, I'll tell you-'tis matter of history, and Some people will be ready to say, that the ought to be generally known and fully explained. "Labouring Man's Friend" should look out "I agree with you that some worthless people Well then, let me tell you, the heavy taxes are some more suitable subjects to write about. may enjoy pensions; but we should consider that, not owing to the lords and their "pickings," But if any body talks or thinks thus, 'tis for perhaps, they might be granted to their ancestors want of understanding the real state of the for real and good services to their country. Sup-as that lying" Black List" tries to make it out, case. I'm apt to think that my honoured pose, for instance, I was to do something for the but they are in consequence of what is called father, though a plain man, could see as far the nation's gratitude; and suppose, for the sake of nation, why then I should have some claim upon through a millstone as most people; and knew arguing, the king was to say to me, I have consulted Upon this subject my honoured father writes what subjects labouring men wanted to be in- my ministers ahout rewarding your services, and thus in his bookstructed about, in order to make 'em more we have agreed to give you a thousand pounds, uncontented and happy. He knew very well equal. Well, now, suppose I was to say, please less you prefer any thing else that will be nearly that people make themselves miserable through your majesty I thank you; but if it is agreeable to envy of the condition of others, fancying that your Majesty, I should prefer fifty pounds a year the wealth of others is the cause of their own to me and my heirs for ever. Why, it's very likely poverty, and grudging that their fellow creatures all my services were forgotten, that some make in fifty years' time, when I was dead and gone, and should be better off than themselves. I say believe philosopher would blackguard my great that my honoured father knew well that though grandson, and say it's such fellows as you that swal

PENSIONERS.

THE NATIONAL DEBT.

"We have a heavy national debt, brought on us by dividuals, mostly of our own nation, amongst whom the French and Americans. This debt is due to inare numberless widows and orphans. How are these people to be paid the interest of their money without taxes?this heavy debt, I say, that rebefore, brought on chiefly by the French and Ameriquires the taxes to pay the interest was, as I said cans, who were stirred up to oppose us by those restless beings who are now finding fault with the taxes."

Now, this is a very plain and sensible account lend any more money to John Bull, if once he Saxon and good old English, were supposed of the matter given in my honoured father's short was to act so dishonestly as not to pay the to have been improved. The sheep were for pithy style; but, perhaps, it may be beneficial money owing, nor the interest? Would'nt peo- the most part healthy and well-favoured, and to enlarge upon it a little. And, I beg to say, ple say, we'll never lend any more money, no, had such abundance of excellent wool, that that I shall not speak of the subject as a matter not if the enemy were at our doors? And then, there was enough to make fine coats for the of politics, but shall speak of it first as a matter consider, what ruin would follow, if the interest farmer and his sons, the overseers and shepof history, and second, as a question of morals. were stopped. As my father observes, a great herds, and nice cloth pelisses for the young laFirst, then, 'tis a matter of history, to enquire deal of the money belongs to widows and or- dies the farmer's daughters, and good warm how the national debt began. My worthy pa-phans, whose husbands and fathers lent the jackets and trowsers for all the servants and rent has told us that 'twas brought upon us by money to the nation years ago, and then died, labourers. There was enough and to spare, the French and the Americans; by which, he and left them nothing else to live upon, but the so that the farmer was able to send large quanmeans, that in consequence of the long and ex-interest that the nation engage to pay. And tities of wool and clothing to the neighbouring pensive wars carried on with those people dur- shall the bread be taken out of the mouths of farins, and to bring back in exchange plenty of ing the last century, this great debt was con- the widow and the orphan God forbid. Well, corn, and materials for building houses and tracted. The government in those days, found then, if the nation is to be influenced by common making fences. He was also able to employ a it quite impossible to raise money enough by honesty, or even by a regard for future safety, great number of labourers, and to maintain a means of taxes, to carry on the war, and so (for who will ever lend money again if the pay- respectable body of shepherds, and to keep a they got the people to lend them money upon ment can't be depended on ?) if, I say, common good pack of dogs to protect his flock. Such interest. One man would lend them £1000.; honesty, or even self-preservation, is to be re- was the state of the farm about the time I am another would lend them £100.; another £50. garded-the interest must be paid to those writing of. To relate the history of the and so on-by which means, the government that lent the money to the nation in its distress various changes it had undergone, as it passed gathered huge sums of money to fight the and there's no other way of paying this in- from the hands of one farmer to another, until French with, and by these means at length they terest, but by having taxes to the amount. I it reached that pitch of prosperity, would rebeat 'em. But now that the war has been over dare say those of you, my honoured customers, quire the clear ai d elegant pen of such histoabout these sixteen years, people wonder that who have placed money in the Savings' Bank, rians as Hume or Robertson.* Mine is a much the taxes ar'nt taken off. And some of them expect to have it out, and to be paid your in-humbler attempt. I can only venture to give have been taken off; but 'tis plain that great terest till you take it out, and you would think a fragment of its history; and not being much taxes must still be raised, not only to pay the it very unjust, if either your money or your in- accustomed to write histories, my indulgent expenses of the nation now, but also to pay the terest were taken from you. Well, then, 'tis and intelligent readers, I hope, will pardon a interest to the people that lent their money in just exactly the same thing. You have lent certain obscurity in the style, which a modetimes back, to carry on the wars. This is your money to the nation-for the money put rate degree of attention in the perusal, will enough of the history, to give people a notion into Savings' Banks, is sent up to the govern-enable them to penetrate. of what is meant by the national debt.* And ment, and your interest is paid out of the taxes. The farmers all held the farm of the Lord of now for the moral part of the question. Don't Your money is become part of the national debt the soil, whom they were bound to love, honour you think that common honesty requires that and you've no need to fear but 'twill be and obey as their supreme Lord and Master. people should pay their debts? and if they've honestly paid and the interest too;-but mind, They were, in fact, only tenants at will; but borrowed money upon interest, don't common so long as you receive interest from the Savings' they were generally allowed to retain posseshonesty require 'em to pay the interest re- Bank, you are tax-eaters-for the government sion during the period of their natural lives. gularly? And ought not a nation to be honest couldn't pay you the interest, if they didn't raise The commands of the Lord of the soil, conand faithful to its engagements, as well as in- taxes to pay it with. Well, then, whilst you cerning the government of his boundless dodividuals? If you had lent a man a sum of justly expect to have your interest for money main, were plainly set forth in a book of laws money when he was in great distress, and the lent through the Savings' Bank, during peace- written ages ago, which had been carefully premoney had been the means of getting him out of able times, and when the nation didn't so much served, and copies of it delivered to all the his distress, and then afterward he should turn want it, but only took it for your accommoda- tenants and their dependants. round and say, I won't pay you either your tion-be so reasonable, as to own, that surely rally held in great reverence; but by all it was money or your interest; would'nt you call him those ought not to be robbed of their interest, too much neglected. However, the book was an ungrateful, knavish rascal, and say that who lent their money to save the nation in time more read and reverenced in this particular farın you'ld see him rot in a jail before you ever ad- of its distress. Thus you see that one advan- than in any other; and that was the main vanced another penny for him? Well, and tage of Savings' Banks is, that they give the cause of its prosperity. In the book of the isn't it just the same with the nation? The labouring classes a joint interest with the fund- law, the tenants, and all under them, were nation was in distress, and in danger of falling holder. clearly taught the duty they owed to their a prey to the enemy, for want of the means of I could say a great deal more upon this sub- supreme Lord and Master, and under Him to defence; that is for want of money, to pay sol- ject, but am afraid of tiring you, so I'll leave each other. They were instructed, that except diers and sailors, and to provide ammunition, &c. the rest till another opportunity. Besides, I they continued in fidelity to Him, and obedience well, these people lent their money; some of 'em want to leave room for Cousin Nehemiah, who to his commands, they could hope for no seculent all that they had to save the nation, with is "at home again," and promises to make up rity nor happiness, not even for a single hour; a promise, that so much interest should be paid for past deficiencies. and certain it is, that if the Lord of the soil to them or their children, or to whomsoever had not been of infinite compassion, they would they might appoint to receive it: and the golong, long ago, have been punished with utter vernment of that day gave bond that they would destruction for their forgetfulness, disobedipay the interest regularly, and now, if the A certain farm had long been singularly ence, and ingratitude. Strange and unacinterest should be stopped, wouldn't it be the famous for its rich pastures, its fine breed of countable as it may seem, it was chiefly at most knavish, and ungrateful thing that ever was sheep, and its admirable system of manage- those times when He was loading them with done? And d'ye think any one would even ment. In the course of time, it had passed

I have spoken of the funds, under the popular idea of a debt-rather than the more correct one of an annuity, as the distinction would not be so readily understood by some of my customers.

THE DISEASED SHEEP.

An Allegorical Historical Fragment.

It was gene

through many generations of farmers. Some Not Joseph Huure, Esq., M. P., but David cross breeds of foreign sheep were early intro-Hume, who wrote the History of England, and who, unhappily for himself and his readers, like others ducel into it, by which the original stock, and of his name, treated all serious views of religion as the quality of the wool, which was chiefly "humbug, cant, and hypocrisy."

benefits, that they were most unmindful, un-moved: where wilful transgression would ity with the book of the law, that the rights grateful, and disobedient. Although He was meet with its due punishment, and faithful and duties of the farmers, the shepherds and never seen at any time, He was intimately obedience with its appointed reward. In this the overseers, were never so well settled before, acquainted with all their ways; and his plaus transitory state of being, the great Lord and nor were the sheep ever placed in so safe and were arranged with such perfect wisdom, that Shepherd of his flock, did not suffer them to happy a condition. From that period the farm every act of disobedience was attended, sooner want: he made them to lie down in green pas-prospered more than ever. Not long after or later, with misery to the transgressor; while tures; he led them beside the still waters; but William's death, it came into the possession of fidelity and obedience, even when most difficult, as they were ever prone to go astray, they were Farmer George, and remained with farmers of were accompanied with a sweet satisfaction afflicted with thorns and briers, with cold and the same name and family for several generaand contentment, which rendered them truly heat, with hunger and weariness, with sorrow, tions, all of whom adhered in the main to the delightful. While it was an important part of diseases, and death. The book of the law admirable regulations established in the days of his system of providence, to check transgres- promised to every faithful member of the flock Farmer William. The third of the Georges sion by connecting misery with it, as its never- a state of future unmingled blessedness, where had a long and prosperous life, and was much failing consequence; at times, to mark his dis- they should behold the Lord and master whom beloved and respected. He was very kind to pleasure in a more signal and striking manner, they had served; and He that sitteth on the the flock, encouraged the shepherds to instruct He would send diseases, and other painful throne should dwell among them; where they them, and would never allow the day of rest to and mortal evils, either as a wholesome chas- should huuger no more, neither thirst any more; be broken in upon by work, nor its appropriate tisement, or in punishment of the stubborn and neither should the sun light on them, nor any duties to be neglected. The farm throve rebellious, who remained utterly regardless of heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the amazingly; and it was always observed that the his ordinary and gentle discipline' that as these throne should feed them, and should lead them more faithfully the lord of the soil was revejudgments had no manifest connection with unto fountains of living waters, and their Lord renced and obeyed in all his commands, and the the ordinary course of events, they might be should wipe away all tears from their eyes. more strictly Farmer William's (the Dutchperceived to proceed directly from Himself. The book of the law contained the great man's) regulations were adhered to, the greater Now all these his methods of dealing with those first principles and rules of duty, by which the was the general welfare and happiness. But whom the supreme Lord of the soil had ap- conduct of all that dwelt on the farms should this very prosperity caused Farmer George and pointed to occupy a station in any part of his be regulated. But the farmers and overseers, his farm to be the envy of his neighbours, dominions, were revealed in the book of the and shepherds, were commanded to make regu- many of whom were evil-disposed; and being law. Numerous copies of the book were dis- lations for carrying on all its affairs, accord- covetous and jealous of his growing prosperity, tributed among them, and appointed to be ing to the true spirit and meaning of the tried to annoy him at all points, and to turn read at all times; and the shepherds to whom book, and to the best of their judgment and him out if possible. The farm was well shut the care of the flock was committed, were ability, as honest, right-hearted and faithful out from his neighbours by a pond, and so they specially appointed to teach and exhort from men. In the farm, a fragment of whose his- could not get at him without crossing it in the book. And that there might be abundant tory I am relating, an admirable set of regula- boats. Farmer George, therefore, began to build time for it, the first day of every week was tions for the management of its affairs had boats at a great expense, and filled them with particularly set apart for this sacred purpose. been established; as I shall state somewhat his men-servants, and increased his pack of It was a standing law from generation to more at large. And there was a body of shep-dogs; and whenever his enemies tried to cross generation, that no work should be done upon herds, the appointed interpreters of the book the pond, he trounced them well, burnt and any farm on that day; that the farmer and his of the law, and guardians of the flock, many sunk their craft, and chased them over hill family, and his overseers, and his men-ser- of whom were true and faithful men,' who and dale, back to their own homes again, till vants, and his maid-servants, and all his flocks brought out clearly and fully in these interpre- they were afraid to shew themselves. All this, should rest from their labours on the first day tations, the great leading truths which it con- however, cost him a great deal of expense, and of the week. That they should all assemble tained, only a few of which I have alluded to. he was obliged to shear his sheep several times in companies within the folds, and that the But there were false shepherds who had crept a year, and sell all his stores of corn and wool, shepherds should teach them their duty out of in amongst them, and pretended to teach that and borrow on mortgage as he best could. In the book of the law, and encourage them in of which they were ignorant, and thus led the this way he contracted a great debt, which it the faithful and diligent performance of it. flock sadly astray, with their pernicious doc- would take many years to pay off; for he was Nor did the book contain a mere dry detail of trines, and false and slovenly interpretations. obliged not only to pay the current expences of rules and regulations, like the tedious contents I shall here just take a retrospective glance at the farm out of the produce, but also the inof a statute-book full of hard words, unintelli- the state of matters so far back as the time of terest of the debt every year, and to lay by a gible to the unlearned. It was clear and beau- one Farmer James, who sadly misbehaved him- fund for reducing the principal sum besides. tiful, simple and majestic. The poor ignorant self, and craftily conspired with some faithless The sheep did not much like being shorn so sheep might understand and derive wisdom shepherds in violation of the book of the law, close. The better sort of them indeed bore it from it, as well as the wisest and most learned and his own allegiance to his Lord and master. patiently, seeing how necessary it was to the of the community; and as an honest humble Their wicked plot to bind the sheep neck and common safety; but many of them grumbled heart, and simple and sincere desire to know heels, and hand them over to other shepherds sadly at being left so bare on the cold winter its contents were the first qualifications for into another fold, was happily frustrated by a nights; and others went so far as to say that understanding the book; so the most ignorant timely discovery on the part of the true guar- Farmer George ought to make greater reducin other things were often the wisest in this dians of the flock, who did, as it appeared, they tions in the shepherd's allowances. But kind of knowledge. It contained threatenings were authorized to do, on such an emergency. George always respected the shepherds. Those of punishment, to deter from sin and disobe- They civilly told Farmer James to go about his that were faithful he loved, and he always dience; and held out the brightest hopes and business, and invited William, a Dutchman, honoured the office; for, said he, as the appointmost animating promises to encourage faith- who had married one of Farmer James's daugh- ed interpreters of the sacred volume, they are fulness and sincere obedience. It described ters, to come over with his wife and take pos- the ambassadors of my Lord and Master; the condition in which all were now placed, session of the farm, in place of his father-in- without them the whole farm would soon get as one of nixed good and evil, imperfect law. This William was a fine worthy fellow, into disorder, and go to ruin, and besides the and soon to pass away; but it pointed to and soon helped them to set matters to rights labourer is worthy of his hire. a future state, where all present perplex-again. They consulted together, and made ities and evils would be cleared up and re- such wise and prudent regulations, in conform

(End of Chapter First.)

Poet's Corner.

THE LOYAL SONG,

which POET FREE wrote for old Job Nott,
revised by POET WOODBY.

When party feuds and crafty wiles
Distrust and mad delusion,
Disturb the happiest of Isles,

And all is wild confusion:

When each pursues his stubborn will,
And minds are much divided,

It then requires the utmost skill,
Until the storm's subsided.

Oh let us ne'er our efforts cease
Lost friendship to recover,
Till unanimity and peace

Spread all the kingdom over.
Fair commerce then will more expand,
Nor shall our hopes be blighted;
No foreign foe can harm our land
If Britons be united.

'Twill gladden every gen'rous soul
To see this bond cemented;
That peace may reign without controul,
And discords be prevented.
Hush'd be the raging, direful storm
That agitates our nation;
Let each of us his life reform,

And thus adorn his station.
Long by our WILLIAM may we see
Britannia's prow directed,
And freedom, life and property
By wholesome laws protected.
CHORUS

Then let us join with spirits bold,
And stedfast resolution,
Determined firmly to uphold

Our GLORIOUS CONSTITUTION.

To Mrs. Jane Cavil,

angry

know tis true; and I want to reason with you

Then I'll tell you another way, how you

a bit about it. Heark-ye, Jenny, doestn't may save a penny, (and a penny saved you
think that there Jem of your's would make a know is a penny got) and that is, if could
you
soberer husband if you were to take a little but come down so low-don't be angry, but
bit more pains to bring him about? Now I indeed I think it would be a good thing, if you
know what you'll say to this-you'll say "pains? could coudescend to wash your own and the
why I takes all possible pains, I'm sure I gives children's things yourself, instead of putting
him the best advice; he never comes home 'em out,—just a bit of a bucking, Jenny; I
but I falls foul on him, and puts it into him don't mean that such a lady as you should run
well; and 'twas but last Saturday night that I the risk of chapping your hands, or doing any
followed him to the Old Fox in New Street, thing unbecoming, but if you'ld just pin up
and went into the tap-room and seized hold on them there long sleeves, I don't think they'd
him; and, says I, you drunken swill bowl of a hang down in the washing-tub, and get spoiled
fellow come home, will ye! And with that I as you said they would. I say again, if you
drags him into the street, and drives him would but pin 'em up I think 'twould do :—but
before me like a butcher would a calf :-and Jenny, (might I be so bold) I know the long
what could I do more?" No more for certain sleeves are fashionable, and fashion is a hard
Jenny, but perhaps 'twere as well if you did a mistress, and I scarcely know how to propose
little less-less scolding, less fighting, fewer such a thing; but if you could be persuaded to
hard words. Now do Jenny take my advice-give up the sleeves ;-why you know very well
surprise Jem one evening when he comes home. that they'd make a frock a-piece for the two
Disguise yourself in clean clothes, put on a eldest children. Now Jenny do turn it in your
clean skin, and a cheerful countenance; get mind.
the room put tidy, and the tea-kettle on the
fire, and the chidren all in order, and have the
"Job Nott" ready for him to read;-and
instead of saying "you drunken rascal you, I'll

I'm sure 'twould answer, for only think what an advantage 'twould be-why 'twould put it out of Jem's power to say that he might as well spend the money in ale, as bring it to you to spend in trumpery.

be bound you'll be after your old rigs," say Oh tis a great thing toward curing a

Meanwhile, I remain,
Your true friend,
JOB NOTT.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Living in Wade Street, St. Philips. "Oh Jem, is it you? well I'm glad you're naughty husband, when the wife is so correct Isay Jenny, I hope you don't think me unkind; come, I've got a comfortable dish o' tea, and I and so kind in all her words and ways, that he but to tell you the truth, I've been so busy do hope you'll stop at home to night, and has got nothing to say against her :-why it with the lords, that I well nigh forgot the read Job Nott to me." But you'll say, how heaps coals of fire on his head! Try it Jenny, ladies. But you'll say, that was very unman- am I to get things comfortable, when I've got and I'll warrant you'll never repent it; but merly in you Mr. Nott.—Well Jenny, don't be no money? I'll tell you how you may raise a will thank me for my advice another day. angry. Here I am come to pay my respects to shilling or two just to try the experiment; sell you, and have a little chat about them there them there fine ear-rings that I saw going matters what we talked of when I called in dingle dangle on each side your face. Now that day, and found you- (now don't be don't be angry at this advice; I do assure you Jenny, but you know I found you)-in a state Jenny, they arn't becoming: besides, tis danas fit for the black list as any lord in the land; gerous in these times. I'm told that amongst your face all smut and dirt, and there you the Indian savages they wear rings not only in their ears but in their noses also; and some. were hanging over the fire, scraping the taters; the tea-things not put away, nor the bed made, times those naughty people steal the jewels but all of a heap, and as black as my hat; and from them; and how d'ye think they do't? then such lots of litters all strewed about the why they don't take the trouble to take the ground; a fragment of a cap in one place, and rings and nose-jewels out, but they cut off the a pair of old shoes in another, and the children noses and the ears for the sake of the gold squalling and quarrelling and snatching at this rings! Oh, how sad 'twould be, if some of the and that, and fighting and tearing as if they naughty men about should catch hold of you would pull the house down.-Now be quiet Jenny, and cut off your ears merely to get the Jenny, and don't be up in the boughs, for you

"bobs" out of 'em!

The friendly and facetious correspondent who quotes Horace, will accept a hint from his favourite author ;

"Omne tulit punctum qui miscnit utile dulci, Lectorem delectando, pariterque monendo.'

Perhaps the "utile" is reserved for the sequel of the story, which he is respectfully requested to communicate, and then the whole shall be brought under favourable consideration.

Bristol : Printed and Published by J. & W. RICHARD

SON, No. 6, Clare-Street, to whose care all communications may be addressed, post paid; also sold by J. NORTON, Corn-Street, and J. CHILCOTT, Wine-Street; Mrs. BINNS, Bath; and Mr. WHITE, Cheltenham.

THE

Bristol Job Nott;

No. XIII.]

PARTY SPIRIT

OR,

LABOURING MAN'S FRIEND.

[Price d

was a bit of a joke, indeed, by the witty au- all down, with the help of some heavy wet just thor of the book, just to show up the folly of to swill their throats. And yet, with all this carrying party spirit to extremes; but there speechifying, and hallooing, and uproar, it may have been real cases quite as ridiculous; as for be truly said that, as in the case of the Epheinstance, very hot and fiery disputes arose in sian operatives, the more part know not wherethis country formerly, and continued for many fore they came together. Why, you know 'tis

years, as to which was the true orthodox way to so.

You know that there are thousands of

Is a very bad thing, I assure you, when 'tis genuine. "That (you will say) is very strange, why we always thought that every thing was best when genuine." Ah! then you thought very wrong-there are many things that are harmless, or even useful when mixed with shave a priest! The Romanists would have poor soft-headed fellows who won't take the other ingredients, which are very hurtful when it that the top of his head ought to be shaved trouble to think for themselves, but are willing genuine party spirit is one of them. A few in a round patch, whilst the ancient Scots and to be led by the nose, by any upstart demadrops of it dropped into an honest cause, just Britons furiously maintained that to shave the gogue that can make 'em a speech, though to give a little heat to it does no harm. I front of the head from ear to ear was the true they don't half of 'em know what he means; mean when men have got some good end in orthodox way. Tut! Tut! Surely, men must and in fact he means nothing but just to get view, that will do themselves and their neigh-be sadly at a loss for something to quarrel them to lend him their backs and shoulders to bours real good; why then to band together about, before they would fall out and go to make a ladder, for him to climb up to consefor good and to stir up one another to pursue loggerheads about such nonsense! Now, this quence, and make himself somebody. after some real benefit, with a sober, under- I call pure party spirit, that which contends You have heard of the monkey borrowing standing mind, and under the rules of right for mere contention's sake, and I am sadly the cat's paw, to pull the chestnuts out of the reason and true religion, this I see no afraid that there is a great deal of this sort of fire; well, that's just the representation of the objection to-but for men to band together merely for the sake of making a party and spirit abroad in our land at this time. Peo- conduct of a demagogue. His aim is to get ple join themselves to a party and cry up a the poor silly people to lend him a helping setting one against another, calling one ano-name, without knowing what they are after, hand in gaining his own selfish ends; and if ther names, kindling heart-burnings, and ex- so that if one asks 'em what's the matter or he can only do that, he doesn't care how much citing discontent, and squabbles, and all this what 'tis they are aiming at, they can't give the poor fools burn their own fingers in his oftentimes for just nothing at all but the name of the thing; why I say again, 'tis the any reasonable account of their conduct. You service. foolishest and unchristianest thing in the world. made to the operatives in the town of Ephesus.* recollect the speech that orator Demetrius You may know genuine party spirit by this And what a hubbub the craftsmen made, and A Dialogue between Jack Anvil the Blacksmith, and sign, that 'tis as hot about the merest trifle as how they cheered the speaker and cried out about the weightiest matters. I remember once to have read of two violent factions that the Ephesians"-and yet 'tis said, that on that look so dismal? for two hours together, "Great is Diana of broke out. I think 'twas in the state of Lilliput, occasion," the more part knew not wherefore about which was the right end to break an they were come together." And 'tis just the egg. One party would have it that the big end was the right, and the opposite party get together round some Jackanapes, who same in the present day. Crowds of people would have it that the little end was the right, makes em a fine speech, and tells 'em they'll and both parties had sundry learned reasons certainly be ruined if they don't hearken to him; to allege in support of their respective opi- and, then, he makes 'em fair promises, of what nions, and politics ran high, I assure you, and he'll do for them if they'll only be ruled by all Lilliput was in a blaze, and on the brink of a revolution, through the conflicts between him, and the poor foolish fellows swallow it

the Big-endians and the Little-endians. This

See Acts xix,

VILLAGE CHAT.

Tom Hod the Mason.

Jack. What's the matter, Tom? Why dost

Tom. Dismal indeed! Well enough I may. Jack. What's the old mare dead? or work scarce?

Tom. No, no, work's plenty enough, if a man had but the heart to go to it.

Jack. What book art reading? Why dost look so like a hang dog?

This dialogue is communicated by a friend. It was written in 1793, and therefore cannot possibly refer to any recent events.