tornies to maintain their cause, and uphold them against this oppression. Should a man be prosecuted or imprisoned for the mere venial errors of blasphemy or sedition, this very circumstance may chance to make his fortune. If there is one word in our language of more general use than another, it is "Subscribe." From one end of the kingdom to the other it is heard ; it is the first salutation of friends at meeting, and the last exhortation at parting. And yet, when was benevolence ever exercised with less ostentation? for both right and left hands are not only ignorant of each other's, but even of their own donations; for, by a new and happy invention, the most magnificent donations are conveyed through the medium of Messrs A. B. and C. who have established a banking concern upon the most liberal principles, upon which those may readily draw for any sums, however large, who can draw upon no other for any sum, however small *.

denomination, who, leaving courts
and palaces, seek to draw virtue out
of holes and corners. The philan-
thropy of the present day is truly
wonderful, the most alluring offers
are daily held out to the suffering
part of mankind. There is not a
disease can shew its face, but some
champion starts up to knock it on
the head, and silence the agonies of
the disease and patient for ever.
There is no ignorance or supersti-
tion but has some new patent light
to expose it. Have we not new
lights for our eyes organic and
mental, new lights in morals, new
lights in religion, new lights in po-
litics? We are becoming a truly
enlightened people--and if our fore-
fathers went groping along with the
glimmer of the farthing rushlight of
common sense, we have all the
mazes, the labyrinths, the mysteries
and difficulties of all arts and all
sciences laid open to us, by the
searching power and gas-like blaze
of modern philososphy; she has
touched the bones of Paine, and is re-
stored to new life. Charity is walking
our streets, to find out the oppress-
ed and afflicted, fulfilling that di-
vine rule, to do good to those
who despitefully use us;" for, in
truth, those who do most despite.
fully use us, are certain of finding
benevolent hands to relieve and up-
hold them. Are any master manu-
facturers so unreasonable as not to
comply with the demands of the la-
bourers in their employ, who are quite
sufficiently rational and honourable
themselves to determine what is due
to them, there are clubs established
to bring these master manufacturers
to reason, and charitably to main-
tain the labourers whenever they
choose to strike work. Nay, should
they even be legally proceeded
against for conspiracies, and the
trivial outrages they may have com-
mitted, such as the burning of ma.
nufactories, the breaking of frames,
or simply cutting off their masters
ears, there are ample benevolent
funds, and disinterested liberal at-

Now, when we see so many promoting thus the benefit of mankind, it

should not excite our surprize if persons so gifted, and so largely and industriously disseminating gifts themselves, encounter some evil spirits to malign them; for, as we may have observed, the very excellence of virtue is shown by its being secretly coveted, envied, and, consequently, abused by those who, from the baseness of their minds, are incapable of receiving it. It is not to be wondered at, if these champions on behalf of all the rights of men are exposed to the venomons satire of wits. When we hear them, with respect to their political grievances, compared, to those foolish people who would drive away flies from their faces with daggers, to the great detriment of their own noses, we

* A crooked figure may

Attest in little place a million;

And let us cyphers to this great accompt
On your imaginary forces work.
Shakspeare.

་

THE DIAPER KNIGHT,

Shewing the marvellous Enterprize of a Sheriff of London, how he went out and came back again like a true Knight Errant.

"Well said, good Woman's Taylor! well said courageous Feeble! thou wilt be as valiant as the wrathful Dove, or most magnanimous Mouse "-SHAKSPEARE.

Jack Cade." And the bodies shall be dragg'd at my horse' heels, till I do come to London, where we will have the Mayor's, sword borne before us."-HENRY VI.—Act iv.— Scene 3.

KING Arthur he had a round table,

And many a worthy Knight

At every exploit, was very adroit,
For Lady's love to fight.

But good King Arthur's dead and gone,
Nor has left us a Knight to brag on;
And He of the Lake will never awake,

Nor he that slew the Dragon.

But your puny Knights of modern days
Small need have they of spurs,
Their gold they scrape by threads and tape,
And then they get dubb'd them, SIRS!

St. George was a good old English Knight,
And had an enchanted lance;

But a Mercer's Yard is now preferred,
And a steed that is taught to dance.

In England there's still a Round Table,
Well stor❜d with good beef and mutton,
Where every Knight at meals, not fight,
Is a most notorious glutton.

The Lord Mayor gave a wondrous feast
Feasting his Aldermen ;

Where swelling they sat, and gobbled their fat,
Each one enough for ten.

The news was brought, that a hideous beast
At Knightsbridge was bravading,

And swinging his tail like any flail,

In the style of Dragonading.

Oh! had you but seen, when they heard the news,
How they all sat a-quaking,

Or had you but smelt the terror they felt,
You'd have pitied their sad taking.

But who should fight with this bold dragon?

They could not well unravel,

For fear with a switch, had tickled their breech,
And made them unfit for travel.

To lots at length they had recourse,
And the heavens began to growl, as
The lot outcame with a Draper s name,
And he look'd like "filthy Dowlas."

But a difficulty now arose,

Which did the thing postpone ;

For the Draper he swore, till black as a moor,
That he would not go alone.

With that they sent to scour the streets,
And the sheriffs' men did trudge well,
The most rascally set they could, to get,
And each one had a cudgel.

And to dignify the motley crew

(May such ne'er come aboard us) To cover its shame, they gave it the name Of the Posse Comitatus.

Now the Draper he mounted Calender,

And had you seen him dancing,

You'd have been on thorns, for he had corns,

But the Draper, he call'd it prancing.

He'd been in the field of Manchester,
But 'twas in the way of trade,

And with patterns of gowns thro' all the towns
He journies oft had made.

Such another steed rode Whittington,

When he was elected Mayor,

But the Draper sat more like the Cat

That did behind him stare.

Then off he went with his desperate mob
To seek this Dragon's door,

But ere he came there, with prudent care
He let them go before.

But when he saw the gates were barr'd
And safely he might confab,

He bullied awhile, for he knew the style,
Being gifted with the gab.

And when the Dragon but shew'd his face,
Altho' the bars were thick;

He flourish'd his mace, but to hide his face,
For he fear'd to hit him a lick.

And fallen had he, but some friendly hand
His body up did prop,-

Oh! then, oh! then, how he wish'd again
To be safe within his shop:

For when he saw that friendly hand
(He grinn'd like an Incubus,)

His fear so wrought, that he verily thought
It held a blunderbuss.

The Dragon he scorn'd the cowardly pack,
And for the stones they threw,

I wish he'd bequeath to me his teeth,
For he crack'd them right in two.

Away went Diaper and his mob;
And so did fear prevail,

That he look'd behind, afraid of the wind
That was blowing in his tail.

But when he came to Temple Bar

He slacken'd awhile his pace,

His wits to try to invent a lie
To cover his foul disgrace.

Behold him now in gown of fur

Swear to what feats he'd done,

That made the Mayor and Aldermen stare

Only to think upon.

Well knew he by talking of blood and wounds

He should their senses scare,

Like an old Fox, he talked of his knocks,

And found them too-but where ?

The City's thanks were small reward,
For they honour'd so King Log,
But one and all for his statue call
To rival the mighty Gog.

Hence all ye great Commanders learn,
Since a lie will so grace a story,
In spite of defeat, like this notable cheat,
To cover yourselves with Glory!

IRISH CONCILIATION.

"MY DEAR SIR,-I cannot forbear congratulating you upon the complete accomplishment of his Majesty's gracious intention to confer upon you the dignity of a Baronet of the United Kingdom. It was a most fortunate circumstance, that at the period of his Majesty's visit to Ireland, the high office of Lord Mayor of Dublin, was held by a person of known prudence and discretion, who, by a happy union of moderation and firmness, was enabled, without the surrender or compromise of any principle, to conciliate the confidence and esteem of all parties. Allow me further to express the great pleasure which I have felt in noticing your active and, at the late dinner of the sheriffs, successful endeavour to promote that liberal forbearance, and that true benevolence, which you so constantly observed and practised while in office. It is of the greatest importance to Ireland, and to the whole empire, that such an example should be implicitly followed. Accept my best wishes for your health and happiness, and believe me to be, with sincere esteem, my dear Sir, your faithful and obedient servant,