Admitting then the distress, it will be asked, "to" I've heard people say, again and again, whom are the sufferers to look for relief?" to their "That 'tis reading great actions which makes your more wealthy neighbours most assuredly. I dislike great men ; And who is, his own self, the great pattern he the terms "rich and poor," as they are frequently" So I study Squire Cobbett, who gives such rare "Nay I hope that in time, without any affront, Hunt." sion!" "And where is Will Thompson? the foremost of all "To stand up for his country whenever I call;" One answered-" Poor Will, once so fond of a riot, "From his Church and his Bible had learnt to be quiet." "They're a pack of tame knaves then," the Orator "But I'll do without them, with you at my side ; "Now away for the workshops, now death to the "Not a loom shall be left, and if any oppose, "I'll arm you, good fellows, with right trusty blades, One gravely replied, "I will tell thee their use, They pity our case, and assemble each neighbour, "To help our distress, and provide us with labour;" "The heights we will level, the rough places "For the rents of the great, all come short to a man. ye," Mr. Orator spokesman-employment you'll find, In a rage, quoth the Patriot-"You're scoundrels Half muddled with politics, dizzy with drink, He form'd his new plan, tho' scarce able to think. Next morning he sallied forth into the street, And each man he met condescended to greet; I am unaccustomed to commit my reflections to He had sent out his scouts to assemble his neighbours, paper, but I could not refrain from putting these And promis'd a recompence due their to labours. hurried remarks together, perceiving so great an ininclination amongst a certain class of would-be poli- Great numbers were met, and he saw with delight tical œconomists to endeavour to prove to labourers The market-place fill'd-what a ravishing sight! and artificers how much they would gain by pulling With the old pompous words he began his oration, down the rich, as they stile those of the higher class," Friends, countrymen, lose not this glorious occato their own level. If there were not a considerable portion of our population who possessed wealth far beyond what would supply the common necessaries of Then rung all the changes, so much now the fashion,"Till a fine gravel walk the highways shall appear, "If they can't give full wages, they'll give what life, to whom could the distressed have applied on Of sinecure, pension-list, representation; they can, any former occasion, or in their present sufferings? You'd have thought that these causes (to hear him complain,) Whence could have flowed the enormous subscriptions | we daily see in the newspapers, in the different parishes Had ruined the harvest, and rotted the grain. of the metropolis, and other populous places, for reI must also allude to "Come follow the leader who now stands before lieving cholera cases alone? the subscriptions for blankets, soup, coal, dispensaries," I'll bring you to plenty, I'll lead you to glory; orphan schools, hospitals, infirmaries, in short, for " You want but a head, then straight follow me, affording comfort and assistance in every possible way" I'll make you all rich, all happy, all free." to our poorer or distressed brethren throughout England; whence, I repeat, could this power of doing To plenty they show'd no objection 'tis true, good proceed, but from what some are pleased to call But with glory they thought they had little to do; superfluous wealth?" It is not my intention to en- So they stirr'd not a foot-disappointed they stood, "Why I fancied you'd all been true men and good."" ter upon the causes that may have produced the present awful state of the British dominions, (for fright-« We only want work," they replied, "'tis that fails;"" So you won't pull the jails down?"— they answerfully awful it most assuredly is,) but I would earnestly I'll give you all work, we'll go pull down the jails; intreat "a most thinking people," (as Cobbett used I'll exchange your vile bondage for freedom and "We'll leave them to hold such vile fellows as you!" to call them) not to listen to the every-day cry of joy, "down with the aristocracy," whether of the Church" or Laity; nor to think that their downfal would benefit the poorer classes of society. Those who have no- « But my good old companions-why are they not thing to lose, might in a scramble get a trifle; but for evidence of the result of such scrambles, I have only to refer to what has so recently occurred in Bristol. All classes of society have enough to answer for, even the very best; and however I may be inclined to He is gone for his dinner at yonder great house sonable. J. N. agrees with the writer, that continue the subject at any future period, I shall only now add, that our wisest plan is not to turn "State- "Two days in the week he is fed by the Squire, every day should be so far a fast day, as to Tinkers," but let " every one try to mend one," "Whose kindness appears as if it never would tire;" "Fear God," and "Honour the King." "Where's Jerry and Dick?" They are not far be a day of repentance and prayer, a day of A REAL FRIEND TO THE LOWER ORDERS. The parson distributes potatoes to-day : self-denial and humility; and then every day will be a feast day, for we shall eat our meat, "He cannot afford entirely to give, (our daily bread—whatever our heavenly father "But he sells at half price, so thou see'st we may live;" provides for us) with gladness and singleness of "Where's Lovell?" "he's nursing the babies at heart, praising God for his undeserved mercies, and trusting him for the time to come. THE MARKET-HOUSE ORATOR; Or, the LOYAL WEAVERS. Each frame we'll demolish, each loom we'll destroy. here? Not one should be wanting when e'er I appear; mouse, away, home, a : "That his wife to the flannel subscription may come." Do you know, you vile drudges, you'll live and die slaves? Bristol: Printed and Published by J. & W. RICHARDSON, 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. sons THE Bristol Job Nott; No. XXI.] OF AGE TO-DAY. OR, LABOURING MAN'S FRIEND. THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1832. him up to man." [Price 14d the exercise of their law-privileges,-at which little opposition from the numerous enemies of they embark on the wide ocean of human af- both-and that, at the twenty-first number, he "Of age" is in our language taken gene- fairs; the attainment of that full age by a person is able to announce to his friends that his pubrally to mean, twenty one years old; but this of consequence, is celebrated by his friends lication prospers, that its circulation is graduis a purely arbitrary definition, arising out of and relatives, with many demonstrations of ally extending to parts more and more remote, that legal appointment, by which young per- joy. There are festivities at the great house; and that the increase of respectable corresponare kept under guardianship, and not the brown stout, that was brewed at the birth dents indicates a growing interest on its behalf permitted to act for themselves in civil affairs, of the heir-at-law, is broached on the attain-amongst influential persons;-these are surely till they attain the age of twenty one. It is ment of his majority, and all is mirth and hi- subjects for congratulation and thankfulness. Whilst however, Job Nott rejoices in that obvious that some age must be fixed, for the larity; happy if it be mingled, especially on commencement of our legal privileges; and the part of the principal, with sensations of measure of success which has attended his that which our laws assign, appears to be very gratitude to the giver of all good, who has efforts for the promotion of sound principles; reasonable. At twenty one the full stature of watched over his tender infant days, and "led he cannot but feel anxious, that these principles should be more widely and actively dissemibody is attained, and all the organism of the frame is complete. Moreover, the man has But, without further preface, (for which nated: and he therefore calls upon all the served his three apprenticeships, (his three indeed there is little room) I proceed to an- friends of religion and civil order, to support times seven years) one in the nursery, the nounce that a very important personage has the work. Oh! if they could but see the second in the school, and the third in the fac- just attained his majority. JOB NOTT is of abominable trash, with which the literary aptory; or in the pursuit of those employments age to-day: he has attained to the mature age petite of the labouring classes is continually which fit him for his subsequent station in life. of twenty-one. True it is that his age has not supplied ;-the loathsome mass of infidelity, But though very reasonable, it is still, as has been reckoned by years, but by the brief chro- blasphemy, sedition, and treason, which is been said, an arbitrary appointment, as is nology of weeks: nevertheless, in the epheme- weekly vomited forth by a licentious press, in plain from the fact, that in different nations ral life of a three-halfpenny periodical, Num- the shape of penny and three-halfpenny perithe term which constitutes a person" of age" ber XXI. is no contemptible attainment; espe- odicals, full of tirades against governments in is differently fixed. It is said that in Naples, cially when we consider how many of such general, and especially against our own instipersons are of full age at eighteen; in France, productions are strangled in the birth, and how tutions, social, civil, and ecclesiastical ;-holdwith respect to contracts of marriage, not till still greater a number only drag on a precari- ing up the most venerable functionaries in thirty; in Holland, at twenty-five. Amongst ous existence, for a few weeks, and then ex- church and state to the loathing and contempt, the ancient Greeks and Romans, unmarried pire.* That the Bristol Job Nott has been the detestation and fury of the populace; ridiwomen were never of age, a limitation which, carried through the perils of editorial infancy, culing all religion; and caricaturing the most I take it, our fair country-women would not when the very breath of popular disapprobation sacred ordinances of our holy faith :-if, I say, much approve, in the shape of a legal enact- might have been fatal to his existence-that the eyes of the friends of religion and order. ment; though it is understood that they prac- he has been so much encouraged by the friends could be opened to a full perception of the diatically approach the term of majority, with of religion and order, and has encountered so • A recent number of one of these precious penny great caution, and stick a long while at about seventeen and a fortnight." But to return to our subject; twenty-one being the age at which young persons attain One three-halfpenny took for its motto, "Bre-periodicals, contains complete instructions for orvis esse laboro," I labour to be short; and accord-ganizing the populace, arming them with pikes, acingly it terminated its labours in the short space of companied with directions how to assail cavalry and infantry, and illustrated by suitable plates. one week. into civilized societies. If we still lived in a state of bolical system that is being carried on ;-how that is, the rights which every man is born with, and drubbing in the pugilistic style; thus meeting the floods of iniquity are rising, swelling, which are the same to one man as to another. They the upstart aggressor upon his own ground, and dwell very strongly upon this point, that every man spreading, deepening, and threatening to carry was born free and on a perfect equality with his fel- with his own weapons, and manifesting his conruin and devastation before them; they would low-man. And they will go on in this strain for a scious superiority by relinquishing, of his own surely bestir themselves a little more than they long time, gradually leading your mind into perplex- accord, the advantageous position in which his do; they would gird themselves, to the defence ities and doubts; and purposely keeping from your military equipments placed him over an unarmnotice that, which they well know would soon blow ed adversary. of truth and godliness; they would use every up their false doctrines. They seldom speak to you Now, this may be very well legitimate method of resisting the inroads of about another kind of right, which is a counterba- and very noble, in that sort of warfare, which sedition and blasphemy, and of turning the lance to the rights of Nature, and which by way of dis-is" carnal," but I question whether, in the current of popular feeling into a legitimate tinction, is called Civil Right; or if they do ever men- conflict which the children of light have to wage tion this, it is only, by mis-applying the term, to lead channel; and preventing the further contagion you yet farther astray, and to rivet the chains they against the children of darkness, the former are of such abominable principles, as are being have put about your understanding. And here I will quite warranted in giving up the vantage ground, daily inculcated. Amongst these means, cheap explain to you the meaning of the term Civil Right. or laying aside the weapons with which divine periodicals of a counter tendency, if conducted As Natural Right is the rights we have by nature, so revelation furnishes them, under the idea of upon proper principles, and uniting attractive- Civil Right is the rights we acquire by being formed reaping a more signal victory by meeting an ness of manner with soundness of matter, will nature, that is, like savages or brutes, we might then opponent on his own ground. This observabe found to be peculiarly effective. perhaps assert our right to kill our neighbour or to tion is elicited by the above paper of my reUpon this ground JoB claims the increased despoil him of his possessions, if we were able to do spected correspondent J. B. In his conflict patronage of all who espouse the cause, in so; but then our neighbour would of course have with the specious advocates of natural rights, the same right to murder or despoil us, if he were he comes down from the vantage ground of which he is enlisted the cause, not of one po- able; and thus this species of right would plainly relitical party or another, but of truth and order. solve itself into the principle that " might is right," religion, and argues the question upon princiPerhaps the work is not well enough done to and this indeed may, or rather must suffice for ples which even an Infidel may be supposed to please some; let them then do better, and Job savages; but when men become civilized and live admit. Now, I am far from saying that such a together like rational beings, other rights are created line of argument is useless-but I would subwill rejoice to be superseded by abler advocates which I have called above "Civil Rights," and they in the same cause. Till however he be thus depend upon this principle, that we do nothing which mit, that we should be very cautious in having superseded, let him be zealously supported. can at all injure the interests of the community, to recourse to it; and that when the Word of God Let the talented friends of order take up their which we belong. On this principle are founded all furnishes us with armour of proof, we must be the laws of our land. For it is very plain, that if careful lest, by an act of temerity in laying pens, and contribute to enrich his columns. every person had a right to do any thing to the injury aside that armour, we expose our cause to Let some sacrifice be made in the cause of of his neighbour, or of the community at large, sotruth. Job and his associates make large ciety could not be held together; for, as it is said danger. After all that can be said about the abstract sacrifices of time and labour-let his friends in scripture: "A house divided against itself make some sacrifices of their time, labour, and cannot stand." This much then we have established, principle of civil right, founded on social commoney, by purchasing his numbers for circula- ever, that is opposed to the interests of society. To pacts, &c. &c,; after all (I repeat) that has tion, and taking pains to distribute them. Let illustrate this point, a person may reason thus with been said or sung upon such topics, the true the well-wishers of the cause arise to a due himself: "I have a right to walk abroad in whatever ground of civil rights, as of rights in general, is sense of the importance of the work, as opening made for me as much as for any other creature; and manner my inclination prompts me. The world was what that eminent christian philosopher Paley, that a man has no possible right to do anything what a most efficient channel for the diffusion of why then should any man, who is by nature no more states it to be, viz. “ consistency with the will sound principles; and with the blessing of than my equal, dictate to me what dress I should of God." I will beg leave to quote a passage Him who effects important ends by small and in-wear, or whether I should wear any dress at all?" from Book II. Chap. X. of his Mora. and significant means, we shall see a great work Now, all this at first, seems very fair and reasonable; Political Philosophy. but what should we say, if we were to see a man "Adventitious rights, (by which he means what our country. It has been suggested, that with a view to facilitate the circulation of this paper in remote parts of the country, it might be expedient to omit the word "Bristol" in the title. If any of Job's Bristol friends have any objection to this alteration, they are requested to convey their sentiments to the publishers. J. B. stiles civil rights) are the right of a King over his subjects, of a General over his soldiers, of a Judge over the life and liberty of a prisoner; a right to elect or appoint Magistrates, to impose taxes, decide disputes, direct the descent or disposition of property: a right, in a word, in any one man, or particular body of men to make laws and regulations for the rest." going on and prospering; the friends of the same walking naked in the streets? should we allow that he cause in different parts of the country may be has a right to do it? Yet all men were born equal; induced to adopt similar plans, and a healthful why should one man then prevent another from excirculation of sound invigorating principles ercising his own will and gratifying his own choice? may be infused into the moral constitution of Purely for this reason, that no man has a right to offend against the rules of society, else there would be an end of all decency, morality, and religion; which three things are the most necessary to preserve "And here it will be asked how adventitious rights peace and prosperity to a people. By the same are created; or, which is the same thing, how any argument, no man has a right to rebel against his new rights might accrue from the establishment of legal rulers, or to resist the operation of just and Civil Society: as rights of all kinds, we remember, wise laws; as such a course is certain to bring a long depend upon the will of God, and Civil Society is but train of miseries upon the community of which he the ordinance and institution of man? For the soluforms a part. Now, how exceedingly happy and tion of this difficulty, we must return to our first prinprosperous would a people be that made this the con- ples. God wills the happiness of mankind, and the stant rule of all their actions, considering themselves existence of Civil Society as conducive to that happias having a right to do nothing but what might con- ness. Consequently many things which are useful tribute to the interests of their country. Such would for the support of Civil Society in general, or for the never be led by headstrong passion or sullen dis- conduct and conservation of particular Societies alIt is a very common thing to say, I have a right to content, to break out into rebellion against the wise ready established, are for that reason" consistent with do this or that thing, when there is no absolute law and prudent institutions of society; and, my friend, the will of God," or "right," which without that to prevent us; but that this is false reasoning, and if we were to apply this to ourselves in practice as reason, i. e. without the establishment of Civil Society arises from ignorance of the real meaning of the term well as principle, England would be a greater nation, would not have been so. From whence also it appears that adventitious rights, though immediately "Right," I trust that I shall be able to shew very and Englishmen a happier people than they are at plainly, and in few words. And here I would just present. derived from human appointment, are not, for that [You may sometime have seen an armed sol- reason, less sacred than natural rights, nor the oblihint that this ignorance of the term "Right," is often taken advantage of by crafty and ill-designing men, dier insulted and provoked by an unarmed gation to respect them less cogent. They both ultiwho would work your ruin to make their own for- ruffian putting his fist in his face and daring mately rely upon the same authority-the will of God. tunes; and who often impose upon your simplicity, him to the combat; and you may have seen the Such a man claims a right to a particular estate. He can shew, it is true, nothing for his right, but a rule talking very loudly and largely about Right, whilst their ends and intentions are plainly Wrong. These noble-spirited warrior voluntarily lay aside his of the civil community to which he belongs; and this men will lecture a great deal upon Natural Right, weapons, and give the rash assailant a good rule may be arbitrary, capricious, and absurd. NATURAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS. J. B. heaven."* JOB'S TIME up. Notwithstanding all this, there would be the same and met with more adventures in the course of across the road, and instantly the hounds and sin in dispossessing the man of his estate by craft or a few days after the expiration of his appren- would go! however, though I should not say it, huntsmen. This put me in a sweat, for my horse violence, as if it had been assigned to him like the Perhaps I sat him as well as the best of 'em. I did not partition of the country amongst the twelve tribes, ticeship, than in all his life before. by the immediate designation and appointment of some readers will smile at the simplicity which understand hunting language, and therefore I the young buckle-maker displayed in some of determined to say nothing until I heard what his exploits; but I must say, that in my view, others said. Very soon we began to go faster and that very simplicity and ignorance of the ways the gentlemen begun to cry "smoak the Brum," faster all among the gorse and ruts; and almost all of the world is a pleasing trait, and is itself a "smoak the Brum;" and as I thought it would be proof that the youth had been spending his right, I hollowed as loud as I could, "smoak the time as he ought to. But of this we shall find Brum," "smoak the Brum," upon which they still more conclusive testimony as we proceed laugh'd monstrously and look'd at me, and I began to think they must be laughing at my horse. Howwith the narrative. ever, an unfortunate circumstance put an end to their laughing, for my horse would jump over a Well, the day arrived when Job come out of his hedge, and throw'd me plump over his head in a Job, says he, to day you're out of your time, here's kill'd ont-right, but happily that was not the case. time. My master call'd me into the counting-house, heap of mud, and I believe they thought I was your indenture, and here's a guinea for thee, you One good gentleman staid with me till he saw all have served me well, and you wont be a journeyman was well, and then said, he hop'd there was no long I assure you; I thank'd him, and told him I was harm done, and gallop'd off after the hounds. To as much obliged to him and mistress for their good be sure this was ten times worse than the chaise services. Well, I went home and reported all to lost the horse, he having galloped off as soon as he counsel and care, as they could be to me for my job; for I had half spoil'd my new cloathes and my poor mother, who now, poor soul, is dead! or had thrown me. However, I walk'd home deterhow glad she would be to see me a master man, min'd to make the best of a bad bargain; and upon and so happy with a good natur'd wife! I told her going to the stable I found my horse had found bis all that my master had said, and shew'd her the way before me; so I paid the man, and all was right guinea, of which I had now nine, all new ones, that so far. But I can't say I am mightily pleased with I had saved by over work. Says I, mother, I am these hunting country gentlemen for ruuning their now determined to open the money box, and I'll rig upon us Birmingham folks. Though we mayn't have a fortnight's holiday, and spend one of my all be quite so polite as they are, I was as well or over work guineas, or perhaps half one more. I'll better dress'd than any one of 'em, and, for ought I go some-where to see a little of the world-where saw, till I was thrown, rode as fast; though to be shall I go? Go lad ? says she, if I may advise thee, sure I did not sometimes sit quite so tight on the go where thou mayest pick up something; go to saddle. I had on all fire new clothes from head Walsall, or Wolverhampton, and there you may see to foot, a very handsome fashionable long-skirted somewhat of thy own trade, and the difference of great coat, a new cock'd hat, black everlasting THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF JOB work; and then thy journey wont be without some breeches, and a very good pair of blue worsted NOTT, OF BIRMINGHAM. boot stockings, so that there was no great deal to [Continued.] laugh at methinks. I am quite sure that J. B. will subscribe to all this-and that his sole motive in taking the lower ground, was to meet the Infidel on his own principles, and answer the fool according to his folly." But in the question "right" and wrong, the ultimate appeal must ever be made to the Will of God, as the Eternal and only Infallible rule of Right. And even the savage barbarians are not utterly destitute of this rule; it is engraven on their conscience, and produces an intuitive perception of right and wrong"these having not the law, are a law unto themselves, which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another-Rom. ii. 14, 15. that is, the very heathens have the inward testimony of conscience; which, though a very inadequate rule, (as being itself vitiated by the corruption of our nature, whereby even the mind and conscience is defiled,") is sufficient to convict them, when they commit gross and flagrant violations of the eternal rule of right. J. N. • Paley takes the same ground in Book VI. Chap. III. "On the duty of submission to Civil Government." profit. Right mother, says I, and as you are drove on. THE ONE HORSE CHAISE, a WALSALL : I was now taken up full two days in cleaning my clothes, and in talking to mother about this sad hunting business, and was now determined to ride no more, but thought I'd e'en walk it to So off I set. I went to a great many of the manufactories to see how they came on: and I didn't go to no purpose, for I was soon up to their stroke, and put down what I observed in short hand. It was dark before I had satisfied my curiosity; so I staid all night and spent the evening among a good many hearty souls. I was always told that the Walsallites was hobgoblin sort of folk; but for what I see, they are up to as much as we are. The conversation turned upon THE RIOTS. Perhaps some of my readers' mouths watered and you shall go too. So off I went and hired the chaise, and it was settled to go the next morning when I first announced my intention to give but one, as my new cloaths was to come home on them a history of my honoured father's early the morrow. Well, the morning came, and the life-and if so, mayhap they have been a little chaise came to the door soon after seven. The disappointed in not meeting, as yet, with neighbours stared like stuck pigs. It put me in a bit of a flurry; but however we got in, and off we much that could be called " Adventures"-in went merrily towards Walsall, and a mighty fine short, the narrative has hitherto been little morning, and very pleasant it was, until we came more than the history of Job's opinions, and those to the hill leading up to Mr. Egginton's, the great of his old master, taken down in short hand. window painter; there we met a stage coach coming But let me ask my readers what ought to be down the hill full gallop, which put us both in frightful stew; and somehow mother pulling one the life of a young man apprenticed to a Bir-rein and I the t'other, we got a bit too near; and mingham buckle-maker (or any other honest so it dash'd one of our wheels off, and over we trade) but a life of constant attention to his went, but happily neither of us much the worse for It was generally understood, just as I understand master's business during six days of the week, the fall. The coachman did but laugh at us, and it, that the imprudence and the impudence of those and of serious regard to the worship and service at, I was so sadly asham'd of going home again-French Revolution, in this happy flourishing country, To be sure I hardly knew what to be men as would, in spite of fate, commemorate the of God on the Sabbath? Tisn't at all to the for you must know there was quite a wake to see and drink toasts, and use expressions, signifying disparagement of honoured father that there us set out; however, I led the horse a round-about that they wished to see a similar one here, raised are not many adventures of his recorded during way, and mother walk'd home and got in at the the indignation of a few who had assembled before back door. The man we hired the chaise from, was the hotel door just to see who dined, and mayhap his apprenticeship. 'Prentice lads meet with sad and angry; he black guarded me, and called me too many adventures in general, in the shape a lubber-headed awkward ass, and vow'd he'd take to hiss them a bit. But being disappointed by these of drunken frolicks, broken heads, gambling, jack-ass and fetch the chaise home, and come and through the back door) in their rage began to do revolution gentlefolk (who carried themselves off Sabbath-breaking, and many other things stand an hour at my mother's door. I was sneaking what they never had proposed to do, and what in which don't look well at all in history, and off out of the stable, when he shouted after me, their cool moments they'd have shudder'd at. don't tend to promote their welfare here or says he. Seven shillings, says I, for riding to Hockley thieves which I mention'd in my paper of advice, where's the money? what is it? says I,seven shillings, And when the game was begun, the hundred hereafter. 'Tis greatly to Job Nott's honour Brook? ah, says he, seven shillings, and if you and who are always ready to begin or second any that the seven years of his apprenticeship don't pay, the court's your portion: then, says I, mischief, I say these thieves kept up the ball for the yielded no adventures; and he reaped the if I'm to pay seven shillings I'll have the horse all sake of plunder. If it had been a plan gentlemen, day; and so we agreed that I should have a ride benefit of that diligent, honest, respectful, into the bargain. And as I had never been to Sutton, says 1, 1 fancy they'd not have been sent to many sober, and in all respects, exemplary course I thought as there was no turnpike, I'd ride that are destroyed. For who but madmen and thieves of the peaceable and worthy men's houses which which he pursured during his apprenticeship, way. would destroy property which every one is obliged as you will immediately learn. It will appear to contribute towards restoring again. Depend Just as I come upon Sutton Cofield, a hare run upon it the jacobin men keep up this idea, and are in the sequel that Job saw more of the world, my a THE HUNTING BUSINESS. continually buzzing it into the ears of the old fashioned moderate dissenters, in order to keep the breach from healing. As a Birmingham man, I was asked for my opinion, and I gave it just as above stated, and which I believe from the bottom of my heart, to be the true state of the case. A gentleman in the corner who came ont of Cornwall said, it was a proverb among the miners in his country, "as peaceable as a Birmingham man ;" and that it was the last place he should have expected to have heard of riots at. Why, says 1, Sir, you and your miners are right; for I believe there never was a place of its size so remarkable for a quiet and peaceable behaviour. A many years ago when we chose to show the country gentlemen the odds on't, and brought Sir Charles Holt in, because we would bring him in, there was almost 20,000 people assembled; and yet not a shin broke or a toe trod upon, as you may say. A great number assembled, when a fellow was stuck in the pillory for false swearing; and again when the two bloody murderers were hung, and yet all was quiet, and not the least mischief done; and so we should have And he added, "I hope I don't presume, So the beldame took him to be her groom; remained if these few violent, impudent would-be- A great deal might be said in a way of com- WILL O'THE WISP, PART I.-Will's Birth, Parentage, and Education. There isn't I trow, a nursery dame, Nor a child that can only lisp, 2. For his parent if you inquiry make, 'Tis the Author of all confusion: To 9. midnight oft through mists and damp, as they skimmed o'er moor and swamp, Full many a hapless wight fell a prey To Will O'the Wisp and the Witch; Till he sunk in the miry ditch. 11. But Will O'the Wisp had a sudden call That induced him to quit his station 12. ; Who the tempter was isn't certainly known But he said, "you've an uncle in London town So Will O'the Wisp he came to town; And his fame I would not fob it, For he out did O'C. with the silken gown, [To be continued.] NOTES UPON WILL O'THE WISP. opinion is, that this light is owing to the decomposition of animal or vegetable matters, or to the evolution of gases which spontaneously inflame in the atmosphere."-Encyclopædia Britannica. Another writer describes it as "like a bundle of twigs set on fire. It sometimes gives a bright light, at other times more obscure and of a purple colour. At hand it shines less than at a distance. They are more frequent in places unctuous, marshy, and abounding with reeds. They haunt burying places, places of execution, and dunghills. They follow those that run, and fly from those that follow. The matter seems to be phosphorus raised from putrified plants or carcases by the heat of the sun, which is condensed by the cold of the evening and then shines." -Muschenbroek. Verse 2.-" His proper name is Delusion." The Ignis-Fatuus is a most suitable emblem of "Delusion," as it beguiles the wandering traveller with the hope of directing him to a place of safety, and then plunges him into a ditch. The Poet justly traces the origin of Delusion to Satan, who is a Liar and the Father of it. The Stygian Lake, is a place in the infernal regions, according to the heathens. Verse 3.-Naphtha. The Poet represents Satan as shedding tears of Naphtha, a sort of pitch, that burns so fiercely that it cannot be extinguished by water. Verse 5.-"Wisp of the Juniper-Twig." The Wisp of burning twigs, is what Will is supposed to carry, according to vulgar superstition. A commentator on Psalm cxx. 4. supposes that Juniper wood was remarkable for retaining heat. Verse 6-9.-Witches, &c. It is not at all improbable but that the appearance of the Ignis-fatuus may have given rise to many stories about Witches, and especially the vulgar superstition about their riding upon a broom. The fact, also, that these Meteors frequent burying places, and places of execution, may serve to account for many strange sights that have been seen in such places, particu larly for the Fetch-Candles or Corp-Candles, of which so many tales are told in some parts of South Wales. Whilst speaking of popular superstitions, I can't help alluding to the "Death-Watch." This supposed preternatural Monitor has given alarm to hundreds of superstitious minds-but it is now well known to be nothing more or less than a peculiar kind of insect of the spider tribe, which has a curious faculty of hammering upon the wall, which it prac tises in the stillness of the night, behind the bed of some sick person, to the no small alarm of the pa tient or the nurse. "Spiders their busy death-watch ticked, A certain sign that fate would frown; The clumsy kitchen clock too clicked, A certain sign it was not down.” This is a severe sarcasm upon superstition; but it is a subject that should not be treated lightly, for it is a serious evil. The propensity which exists in many minds to believe in good and ill omeus, lucky and unlucky days, to trust in charms and amulets for the prevention or cure of diseases, and to betake themselves to fortune-tellers, and to give them intimations of their future destiny, is a lamentable indication; how prone human nature is to seek and can hardly think it necessary to add anything in the trust in the father of lies, rather than the living God. way of explanation to so graphic a picture; how-To alledge that it is all a mere delusion, is not an ever, in compliance with the request, he adds a few answer to this charge; those who have recourse to remarks. such impostors, as in our days affect to cultivate the black art, do thereby declare that they are willing to hold communication with Satan if they can find the way. Job Nott has been requested to write a few notes For he sprung from the spawn of the crooked old upon this interesting little piece of biography. He snake, In the marshy ground of the stygian lake; 3. When the younker came to his twentieth year And said, as he dropped a naphtha tear, 4. But still of your welfare, you may depend, Who, I think, is in want of a servant. Verse I.-"Will O'the Wisp." This is what the learned call the "Ignis-Fatuus," It is a kind of light supposed to be of an electric nature, appearing frequently in mines, marshy places, and near stagnant waters. It was formerly thought, and is still by the superstitious believed, to have something ominous in its nature, and to forebode death or other calamities. There have been instances of people being decoyed by these lights into marshy places, where they have perished. Whence the names of Ignisfatuus, Will-with the wisp, or Jack-with-the-lanthorn as if the appearance were an evil spirit, which took delight in doing mischief of that kind. The general' Verse 11-13.-Job does not pretend to understand these verses better than his readers. Bristol: Printed and Published by J. & W. RICHARDSON, 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; Mr. WHITE, Cheltenham; and Mr. BEMROSE, Derby. |