Characters.
TOM NAILER, _a_ FEELING _Candidate_.
ISAAC, _one of the Old School_.
SPIRITS, _a would-be Senator_.
MAYOR, _a willing instrument_.
CHARTIST SAM, _an unpopular popular man_.
BILL, _an American adventurer, lately returned from his travels_.
GEORGE WESLEY, _an eminent Brewer_.
MOLLEY, _a newly-appointed Justice_.
LORD PRIORY, _a Deputy-Landlord_ (_arriving late_.)
WAITER, _listening through the hey-hole_.
_Enter_ ISAAC (_musing_) _with the Standard paper in his hand_.
_Isaac._ Gentlemen, I come no more to make you laugh, things
that bear a weighty and serious brow, full of state and woe,
such scenes as draw the eyes to tears, we now present. This
paper tells me that the Queen hath now dismissed her faithless
Parliament, once more to meet the public eye, and _he_ whom
we so lovingly raised to the honour, and safe keeping of our
state and consciences, comes here again to seek our love, which
he hath thus _so shamefully abused_. We must be up and doing,
else the unmitigated errors of our former deeds will cloud the
bright honour of our party. What say you friends to _another
Candidate_ for our purpose? (_Yes! yes!! yes!!!_)
_Mayor_ (_reading his speech._) Most willingly my friends I
would obey the councils of our party, and having heard our
friends speak highly of _our worthy Tom_, as one in whom the
inmost secrets of our hearts and wishes may be safely hid; one
that will our interests truly represent, despite the reasonings
of the vulgar herd; one that will faithfully uphold our holy
church against the _Papal Powers_ and _low dissent_; one that
has claim upon our love for long tried services and renown, and
whose ambition is but laudably upright; this is the man _in
whom we can confide_. I therefore do most thankfully propose
him as our future Senator. (_Immense cheering, clapping of
hands, and stamping of feet._)
_Isaac._ This is the happiest moment of my life, the head and
front of our noble house is thus most justly to attain his high
rank in the bold field of senatorial fame. Oh! how toil of
former years will thus recline upon laurels so nobly won; and
our famed house, _whose ancestors we can from yore bring down_,
will now be upward raised to honour, fame and senatorial power.
I do my friends most cordially approve your choice.
_Chartist._ Most reverend, grave and noble gentlemen, I would
intrude upon your presence, and a round unvarnished tale
unfold, concerning him on whose behalf I am constrained to
speak. Unkindly given to that _Bending-Bow_, whose bearing to
my admonitions have been sadly coarse, and whose independence
ill-becomes his place; his confidence I do now abjure, and
leave him to his merited deserts. But, whilst my honoured
friend Tom, _whose mighty hand I have so often felt_, stands
high with us for _Magistraterial worth_, yet sadly he doth
_lack_ those _senatorial powers_ which constitute the wisdom of
our state. He whom I do now propose, so gentle he in _Spirits_,
mild in speech, so clear in judgment, correct in our cause,
so free from fetters, and unbiassed in mind; he can our cause
uphold, and justly raise our state and interests to our wishes.
I do therefore propose my friend _Spirits_ as our future
representative. (_Immense murmuring._)
_Molley._ Why murmur thus my friends, for this ambitious wish
by him whom we so oft have cause to praise for his discretion,
probity, and talents. It ill-becometh one, like me, who hath
derived so much unmerited power and distinction from our noble
Tom, to try to stem the flood of his most honoured course; but
know ye not that divers sayings we do hear abroad of the little
relish the gentle burgesses have for his name? The trumpet
that was sounded for the object of our choice falls dull
upon the public ear; and rumour, with her slanderous tongue,
talks loud of bye-gone bigotry,--party purposes, uncourteous
bearing,--revengeful feelings,--which were wont to emanate from
his noble house; besides, the foul slur that he doth lack the
talent, knowledge, and the like, which ought to fit him for
St. Stephen's Hall. These things behove us to be on our guard
against the common enemy, and remember our cause, the church,
our privileges, our private interests, above all the public
weal, demands that cheated once out of our former loves, we
should send one to Parliament in whom we can confide. Perchance
our Tom might lose the day, but if by trickery, electioneering
evils, false faces, and designing deeds, we can them all outwit
and send our man, the game is then our own. These potent
reasons do constrain me to support another candidate; besides,
in starting two into the field, we shall mislead the enemy;
perchance in losing Tom, the other we may securely gain; and
by our Chartist friend our cause upholding, it augurs well for
the relish that doth show itself in the ungodly camp of the
rabble herd; for their support may thus be safely brought unto
our aid. I would beseech you to adopt this course, and give our
_Spirituous_ friend the benefit of your close alliance.
_Tom_ (_rising with great emotion._) Rude am I in speech,
and little blessed with the set phrase of courtliness, but I
do requite you for your love to me. I did not go into this
matter, but by the learned approbation of my friends; and if
I am traduced by tongues, which neither know my faculties nor
person, yet will be the chroniclers of my doings, let me say
it is but the fate of place, and the rough brake that virtue
must go through. We must not stint our necessary actions in the
fear to cope malicious usurers, which ever as ravenous fishes
do a vessel follow, longing for the leaden corpse thrown over.
My ambitious spirit, aided by your weighty counsels, led me
to suppose that my success was certain. They do me wrong that
complain unto the people that I am stern and love them not,
that fill their ears with dissentious rumours; because I cannot
flatter and speak fair, smile in men's faces with an apish
courtesy, thus I must be held a rancorous enemy. Cannot a plain
man live and think no harm, but thus his simple truth must be
abused by silken, sly, insinuating snobs. I will forego this
proffered seat, and leave my younger friend to win the day.
_George Wesley_ (_beseechingly._) Know, then, that it is your
fault that you resign this seat; your state of fortune, and
your birth's due demand your acquiescence. Pray, I beseech you,
to revise your thoughts and think this noble Isle doth want
her proper limbs. This _Bending-Bow_ whom our manners call
_the member_--more bitterly could I expostulate, save that
for reverence sake to some alive I give a sparing limit to my
tongue. Come, then, dear Tom, take to yourself this unfettered
seat of honour, this proffered benefit of dignity, if not to
bless us and the land withal, yet to draw forth your noble
ancestry from the corruption of abusing time, into a lineal
true derived course.
_Tom_ (_angrily._) I cannot tell if to depart in silence or
bitterly to speak in your reproof best fitteth my degree,
for tongue-tied ambition, not replying, yieldeth to bear the
golden yoke of membership which fondly you would thrust upon
me. Definitely thus I tell you. Your love deserves my thanks,
but my deserts unmeritable shun your high request; but if all
obstacles were cut away, and my path were even to the seat, I
the sceptre would lay hold, and rid you of your fears. Alas!
I am, they say, unfit for state and dignity. I do beseech you
take it not amiss, I cannot, nor I will not, yield to your
entreaties. (_Lamentations._)
_Bill._ You are, my sire, too ceremonious for the times; weigh
it but with the grossness of the age; you break no faith in
serving on this seat; besides, the benefit is always granted
to those who have the wit to claim the place. This Bending-Bow
hath neither claimed it nor deserved it; then taking it from
him you serve the public most, and thereby elevate our noble
house.
_Chartist_ (_with much impatience._) I do beseech you hear the
sentiments of our spirituous friend.
_Spirits_ (_rising with great gravity._) My election sure, my
honour elevated, and your dear wishes realized, I will requite
your honoured favours. "A life devoted to your service and
the cause of liberty, an advocate for the people's rights,
and a recourse to physical force in agitating times, are the
principles upon which I solicit your support. (Cheers from
Chartist.) Faithfully attached to the unlimited favour of the
people, an enemy to that hydra of all religious toleration
(the Church by law established), considering the connexion
betwixt Church and State, a libel upon the freedom, and a
disgrace to this country. I deem the advocacy of politics by
men who have devoted their lives to the service of God (as is
witnessed in the House of Lords), as a shameful surveillance
to the integrity of that section of the executive, for its
interference is tinctured with the bigotry of the schools,
and its existence overawes the weak and imbecile opinions of
the expectant recipients of Church patronage. Considering the
present franchise a mockery upon the political rights of the
people, as exclusive in its operations, and venal in its
results, I shall endeavour to extend the franchise to both
sexes after they have left school. (Immense cheering, with
marked disapprobation from Tom and Isaac.) Freedom of election
being the bulwark of independence, I look upon the system of
representation as practised in this borough, and the herd-like
manner in which white slaves are driven about like cattle,
according to the motives of the noble proprietor, or the
interests of a small section of the electors; as a violation
of the sacred rights of man, and a farcical performance
calculated to revolutionize the organisation of society at
large. Gentlemen, nay, my constituency! let us leave man, the
noblest attribute of the Divine origin in the freedom of his
birth, the unfettered exercise of his mind, and the full powers
of his physical and gastronomical faculties. (Mingled shouts
of applause, and prayerful groanings from George Wesley.)
Gentlemen, don't pledge your consciences for party and base
purposes. (Cheers.) Beware of peerage interference with your
noble rights. (Cheers.) Rally round the standard of liberty;
give me your unqualified support and alliance, and I will
retrieve our lost influence." (Prolonged cheering, during which
time Spirits calls for some gin and water.)
_Lord Priory_ (_entering late, and much excited._) What
work is this, my countrymen, in hand. Where go ye,--what do
ye,--speak, I pray you. I tell you, friends, most charitable
care hath the Member for you; you might as well strike at the
heavens with staves as try to unseat him. You do us wrong to
thus traduce our deeds before you hear our reasons; either
you must confess yourselves wondrous malicious, or be accused
of folly. Beware, friend Tom, of false ambition, unmerited
deserts, and silly men. Our member's course has been to win ye
all, and thus retain your loves; but sadly ye do now requite
him for his care. Past services, present local advantages, and
expectant hopes, you bury in the deep malice of your bridled
minds. Beware the ire of our noble house,--beware the malice of
our blasted hopes, upon your puny heads. What would ye have,
ye curs? that like not war nor peace; the one affrights you,
the other makes you proud. He that trusts you where he should
find you lions, finds you hares; where foxes, silly geese. He
who deserves greatness gets your hate, and your affections are
like a sick man's appetite, who desires most of that which
would increase his evil. He that depends upon your favours,
swims with fins of lead, and hews down oaks with rushes. Trust
ye, ah! with every minute you do change your mind, and call
him noble that was once your hate; him vile that was once your
friend. What is the reason that in these several places of the
city you cry against our noble senators. Shame you not for this
unnatural alliance; remember whom you take withal into your
puny councils, and reconsider your uncourteous ways.
_Chartist_ (_greatly excited._) A thing devised by the enemy,
thus this babbler wishes to over-awe us. Go, gentlemen,
every man unto his charge; let not such babblers affright our
souls; conscience is but a word that cowards use, devised
at first to keep the strong in awe. Our strong arms be our
conscience, swords our law; march on, join bravely; let us to
the pell-mell, not to lose, but hand in hand to win. (_Immense
shouting._)
_Enter Messenger_ (_breathless._) Gentlemen, gentlemen, Mr.
Benbow has just entered the town!!!
_Molley._ Friends, where shall we meet to-morrow?
_Isaac._ Oh, at my house, at ten.
_All._ We will be there in time. Till then, adieu.
"A LOOKER ON IN DUDLEY."
_July 22nd, 1847._
Such was the literary talent evoked, which helped to keep alive a
little electioneering excitement, under an almost foregone conclusion,
for Mr. Badger had declined to be put in nomination--although it was
almost certain he would have been elected--so Mr. Benbow had only one
opponent to face on the hustings, his Chartist antagonist, Mr. Joseph
Linney. The nomination day came, surrounded with all the tactics
celebrated in the house of Himley; the two candidates _had their say_,
the mob and electors had their _fun and bonnetting_. Mr. Joseph Linney
was elected by the show of hands, _by a large majority_; the usual
poll was demanded, and the day and time fixed upon, but, alas! for
human greatness, poor Mr. Linney could not find the necessary guarantee
(funds) for his election expenses, and his friends and admirers were
in the same plight, so before the polling commenced, it oozed out that
Mr. Linney had retired from the contest, leaving the old member master
of the field. Thus, Mr. Benbow was again returned the member for the
Castle interest in another Parliament.
Much dissatisfaction was felt at this election, by both Tories and
Reformers, at the apparent intention to stamp out that small spark of
political freedom, whenever it was wafted by a little political breeze,
and, as _might became right_, there was no _redemption then_ from a
thraldom which was afterwards so signally revenged by both political
parties on the house of Himley in 1857.
The Irish famine and distress, in the winter of 1846-47, in the
southern and western counties of Ireland, had awakened profound
sympathy and benevolence throughout the nation; and Old Dudley was
not backward in her material pecuniary assistance on this memorable
occasion. A public meeting was convened by the mayor (James Fisher,
Esq.), and a numerous committee was at once formed to canvass the town
for liberal subscriptions to the "Irish Relief Fund." At the close of
the canvass, March, 1847, it was announced that the handsome sum of
£655 2s. had been collected for this very deserving object.
Died, September 10th, 1847, at 11 a.m., having dropped down dead in the
street, old Mr. Stevenson, tailor, of Queen Street. Aged 77 years.
Died, September 24th, 1847, a well-known feature in the Market Place,
old Mr. Morris, of the "Jolly Colliers" Inn. Aged 87 years.
Died, September 26th, 1847, Mr. Cole, the keeper, and visitors' guide
to the Castle Grounds; this old familiar townsman had been for many
years the butler at Himley Park. Aged 86 years. It was through the
strenuous and oft-repeated wish of John Maughan, Esq., the estates land
agent, and Mr. Cole, that Mr. C. F. G. Clark, chemist, in the Market
Place, was induced in 1846 to write and compile the "Dudley Castle
Guide Book;" a condensed history of the Castle, which was much needed
by visitors to our fine old feudal ruins, and delightful sylvan walks
and drives along the Castle Grounds. This popular Guide Book has now
attained its Fifteenth edition, and retains its long-won favours and
popularity.
1847. October 19th. A public testimonial of very valuable books,
handsomely bound, was presented to Charles Twamley, Esq., Solicitor of
this town, to mark the sense of kindly and generous feeling exhibited
towards him by all classes of the inhabitants. Mr. Chas. Twamley's
removal to the lucrative appointment of Registrar of the Lambeth County
Court was a source of much regret to his political friends (Radicals),
for Mr. Twamley had always been a prominent leader and Reformer in the
borough. Mr. Twamley was a scientific Geologist, and often lectured on
that exhaustive subject; he also was a very prominent founder, along
with others, of the Dudley Geological Society in New Street, which
is now transferred to the New Mechanics' Institute. Mr. Twamley's
charming and painstaking research in his History of Dudley Castle and
the Priory, in 1867, will always stamp his history as superior to
any others, having cleared away a host of illfounded surmises by the
late Dr. Booker in his florid history. His lectures on the Silurian
Formation and the Coal Measures are most learned and instructive, and
invaluable to the Geological Student.
Died, November 15th, 1847, Mr. O. Gilbert Shaw, of the "Barrel Inn,"
High Street, much respected by all parties. Aged 69 years.
Died, November 22nd, 1847, Miss Louisa Elkins, sister of Mrs. Dr.
Johnson, Castle Street. This unhappy young lady procured in the night,
from Dr. Johnson's Surgery, a quantity of prussic acid, which she took
up into her bed room and swallowed, death ensuing at once. Aged 22
years.
On Wednesday, November 24th, 1847, the recently built Gothic Trinity
Presbyterian Church, situated in Wolverhampton Street, was publicly
opened for divine worship with considerable ceremony. The Rev. Wm.
Chalmers and the Rev. John Weir, both from London, were the preachers,
and the Rev. George Lewis, Minister of the Church, assisted. This new
Gothic edifice was considered quite a feature of prominence in the
street. Mr. Lewis continued for a number of years to be a most zealous
and acceptable preacher in this church to his fellow countrymen.
November 29th, 1847. A Public Meeting was held by requisition to the
Mayor, Elliott Hollier, Esq., "to take into consideration the propriety
of endeavouring to make such alterations in the days the Fairs in the
town are held, and also of having an additional Fair in the year."
1847, December 4th. The Vicar (Dr. Browne) publically announced that
the "Parochial National Schools," recently erected in Upper King
Street, would be opened for the education of children of the poorer
classes after Christmas. 1st class children charged 2d. per week;
2nd, 4d.; 3rd, 6d. Adult schools for male and females were opened
shortly afterwards. This National School has been a source of immense
educational good in this parish.
1847, December 1st. There was a general reduction of 20 per cent. in
wages, both in the Coal and Iron trade. The slackness of trade and
the great distress and want amongst the working classes, was most
perplexing and distressing, and the local failures in the Iron trade
became alarming.