ARTICLES OF THE WHIP CLUB. If so, commit thy tub to chance, No surly senatorial-man Dares there oppose thy fav'rite plan, And surely he will be the friend His measures with such zeal- Go brew in France, then, since thy barm Perhaps in subjugated Spain, But should the Tyrant's projects fail, Then, Samuel! seek some distant shore, Ballytore. 95 TIMOTHY TRUEMAN. THE WHIP CLUB. [From the Public Ledger, May 30.] WHEREAS sundry gibes, jeers, squibs, paragraphs, and epigrams, have been levelled at us, in various newspapers, it was agreed at our last meeting to draw up the following plain and candid account of our principles, that we may not be confounded with, or mistaken for aristocrats, on one hand, or for democrats, on the other. Article I. We do solemnly declare, that the present state of the war, the probability of its long dura tion, and the far distant prospect of peace, are matters which give us no manner of concern, while we are enabled to drive four in hand. II. That the questions, whether we ought to subsidize the Emperor of Germany, or think the worse of the Emperor of Russia for joining the French in their attack on the Austrian monarchy, are matters of perfect indifference, while we can drive four in hand. III. That this Club will employ none of its sittings in discussing the confusion that has arisen, or is likely to arise, from the correspondence between Mr. Erskine and the American government, provided that such correspondence has no improper effect on gentlemen who drive four in hand. IV. That we are determined to look with equal indifference on the corruptions alleged to exist in certain official departments, and on the cures and remedies which are proposed, so long as we are conscious to ourselves, and to all the inhabitants in the neighbourhood of Portman Square, that we can drive four in hand. V. That the progress of our army in Portugal, and the amended prospect of affairs in Spain-the expulsion of the French from those quarters, or the success of the reported insurrection in Germany, are all fudge, to men who have no higher ambition than to drive four in hand. VI. That we shall make no inquiries into any expeditions, secret or avowed, which are preparing, or may be prepared, at Portsmouth, Plymouth, or any other sea-ports, provided that in such expeditions, so prepared or preparing, there is no intention to disturb the tranquillity of those who drive four in hand. VII. That whereas sundry persons, calling themselves divines and philosophers, make nice distinctions betwixt what they are pleased to call soul and body, and this world and another, which they talk about, THE EDINBURGH PITT CLUB. 91 we think it necessary to avow, that we are bigots to no sect, being firmly convinced that we were born to drive four in hand. (Signed, on behalf of the Club,) May 26, 1809. WIGSBY, Secretary, THE EDINBURGH PITT CLUB. [From the Morning Chronicle, June 15.] WE some days ago felt called upon to offer a few observations on the proceedings of the London Pitt Club, or rather on the conduct of His Majesty's Ministers at one of those political tavern meetings, which have been of late the subject of so much animadversion in the House of Commons. It having been expressly stated by the organs of the Treasury, that the assemblage of "rank, property, and character," in Bishopsgate Street, was intended to counteract the effects of some rival dinner-parties, we very readily recognise the principle of the meeting. It must be admitted that an harangue from the London Tavern is as deserving of attention as a speech from the Crown and Anchor; and we really see no good reason why that respectable personage, the Lord Chancellor, should not have his eloquence as much improved by a second bottle of claret as either Mr. Wardle or Sir Francis Burdett.-Now, however, that the gravest servants of the Crown have thought it expedient to meet the Reformers on their own ground, to oppose bumper to bumper, and toast to toast, it is to be hoped that their over-zealous friends will not again be so indisereet, as to turn up their eyes and thank God that they are not as these publicans. The party have already suffered severely by the recoil of their own weapons; it is, therefore, as friends that we hint the propriety of in future discontinuing their sneers against table orators and tavern mobs. VOL. XIII. P We We were sorry to find that our remarks un the Lotdon Pitt Club were unfortunate enough to attract a portion of disapprobation, a direct attack on them having been made by one or two of the ministerial writers. We have certainly some ambition to please these gentlemen; but motives of duty impel us to risk reviving their indignation, by now noticing the Edinburgh Pitt Club, the members of which assembled on the same day, and for a similar purpose, with their English brethren. A long and laboured account of this meeting has been published; from which we learn that Lord Melville took a distinguished part in its business; and that on his health being given by the Marquis of Huntley, he addressed the Club in a speech, in which he reverted to the energy displayed by Mr. Pitt in some critical moments for the constitution, and indulged in other observations, evidently to be applied to the present state of our domestic politics. It was observed by one of our opponents, that, when bad men conspire, good men should combine; and on this principle we suppose it is that Lord Melville thought proper to come forward to add his convincing testimony to Mr. Perceval's late declaration about the superior purity of the present race of statesmen. When such desperate and determined characters as Mr. Whitbread and Mr. Wardle are boldly asserting and, what's worse, proving too, that scandalous public abuses do exist; that there is a hollow beneath the surface of official plausibility which #quires to be probed-it is truly delightful to contemplate Lord Melville, with the Provost of Edinburgh, and Mr. Baillie Simpson, the resident magistrate of Easter Portsburgh, at his back, standing in the breach to defend "the great landmarks of the constitution," to protect them against men with mischievous views and restless minds, who seek only their own objects." The whole public life of Lord Melville affords a pleas ing THE EDINBURGH PITT CLUB. 99 ing contrast to the pursuits of men "who seek only their own objects;" it is marked throughout by the most patriotic disinterestedness, and by that superior purity to which Mr. Perceval so triumphantly appeals. Who, then, could be selected so well qualified as his Lordship to put down that alarming spirit of innova tion, which has already done so much mischief, and to convince the people of these kingdoms, that whatever is is right! We must, however, profess our astonishment and regret that no mention is made of Mr. Trotter's name in the account of the Edinburgh Pitt Club. Surely he could never be absent from a meeting so constituted, and for such a purpose. To Mr. Trotter "the great landmarks of the constitution”. must be as dear as to his noble friend and companion. We did certainly expect to have found him adding weight and respectability to that phalanx of rank, property, and character, which is formed to frustrate the views of the Reformers, by proving to conviction, that in the administration of our affairs there are neither abuses to correct nor rogues to get rid of. That recent exposures have occasioned much discontent throughout the country, and given rise to many complaints, is but too evident. Ministers, however, have avowed their determination to make a stand, equally against prayer and remonstrance. Things are to be carried with a high hand, and reasonable solicitations are to be refused, lest they should lead to unjust demands. The better to carry into effect this very laudable and prudent resolution, the Reformers are to be combated with their own weapons, the taverns are put in requisition, and the prime speakers of the party are let off amongst the crowd after a double charge. We have already said, that no reasonable objection can be made against the principle of this plan, but we have our fears as to its success. No doubt, their Graces the Dukes of Buccleugh and F 2 Athol |