if he were at times, forgetting for a moment the just claims of his country upon him, to repent of having meddled with the matter; but, having meddled with it, he must go on; to advance he may deen dangerous; but to stop, he must know, would be death to his reputation.

whole course of my communication with them, that he wished for anything beyond; that he wished for any change other than, that which would leave him the enjoyment of the fair fruit of his earnings. There never was a working people in the whole world, so reasonable, so just, and so easily satisfied. These are the materials with which Lord GREY has to work. By making timely and sufficient concessions, he may do everything with these materials; and, if he, at once, show a disposition to do that which is required to be done, none but a perverse man, actuated by some petty selfish motive, will endeavour to

Yet he cannot remain without proceeding at once to make great changes. I do not say proceed to make them in a hurry; but, to show, at once, an intention to make them. He is sure that he will have the people at his back. He can do what he likes for the people, who now know the extent of their power. For many, many years they thwart him by urging him to go faster have not known it. They have been than reason could prescribe. The old kept in sickness and in slavery, by that saying, that "Rome was not built in a system, the intrinsic feebleness of which day," will apply here; but, then, in they now see. They are patient, they order to encourage men to hope that the are not unreasonable; they are full of building will be finished, it must be knowledge; they yield not to their fore- begun, and I do hope, that it will be fathers, of any age, in point of real pa- begun in the King's speech to the first triotism; they desire to overthrow no-reformed Parliament; and that Lord thing that ought to remain; to assert GREY will then tell the country from of them, or any portion of them, worth the mouth of the King, the state in speaking of, that they seek anarchy and which he finds the kingdom, and give a scramble, is the most atrocious slander us a solemn pledge that he is determined that ever was uttered by mortal man: to alter that state. This is what he but, they do desire justice; they do de- ought to have done before; but, hamsire to have their burdens lightened; pered with colleagues, who have been they do desire impartial laws, imparti-instrumental in bringing the kingdom to ally executed; they do desire that they its present state, he said nothing about may keep their earnings to themselves, it he must say something about it now, and, as their forefathers did, they desire and he is the only man in the kingdom, to live like men, and not like hogs and known at all to public authority, who dogs. In addressing the Lords, some can say it with propriety and consisttime ago, I endeavoured to convince ency. Let us hope, then, that he will them, that in the whole body of the in-do it; let us hope, that he sees the nedustrious and working people of Eng- cessity of great changes to be made; land, there was scarcely a single man to let us hope, that he will set about those be found, that had ever entertained the changes in earnest; and, then, shame slightest thought of envying his richer upon the man who shall endeavour to neighbour, of wishing to share in his thwart him, or to drive him on faster property, of wishing to see all men pulled than reason and justice demand. down to a level. In the whole king- Whether schedules A and B, be to dom there is not a man who knows the meet any more, self-condemned as they sentiments of persons of this description are, to make laws to govern us and vote so well as I do. The sentiments of how away our money, seems yet to be a many thousands upon thousands of them matter of doubt. It appears to be imhave I heard; and I should not be afraid possible to have an election according to take my oath; nay, I would freely to the bill, without something being take my oath, that I never could gather done in this way; and yet there is from one single working man during the something monstrous in the thought of

schedules A and B meeting again. If impolitic and unjust, and ought not they do meet, I trust it will be for the therefore to exist. express and sole purpose of making such alterations in the bill as will make the elections take place agreeably to the intention of that bill.

WM. COBBETT.

BATH ELECTION.
(From the Morning Chronicle.)

THE following is the communication from Bath to our contemporary (the Times), to which reference was made by that paper.

To the Editor of the Times.

Bath, Sept. 20, 1832. SIR-We, the undersigned electors of Bath, think it necessary to transmit to you the following facts connected with the elections for this city, for the purpose of correcting the impression which may be created by an article in your paper.

Mr. Hobhouse is not, and never was, a resident in this city. Your statement that he is a resident is not therefore true.

We are, moreover, desirous that municipal corporations should be remodelled-that a good system of national education should be established-and that many measures connected with the finances, the trade, and commerce of the country, should be brought forward in the next Parliament. We therefore inquired respecting the abilities and tathat he is not capable of devising such lents of Mr. Hobhouse, and are satisfied measures, or of supporting them. We, therefore, sought for another candidate, who could do justice to our opinions, and advance, not simply our interests, but those also which we are bound at all times to regard-the interests of every person subject to the Government of this country.

If those who act with us had been a small and insignificant party-if Mr. Hobhouse had been supported by the leading reformers of this city, we might not have been justified in bringing forward another candidate. Mr. Hob. house was not so supported, nor do our friends form an insignificant body.

Mr. Hobhouse has no title to be regarded as a reformer, and they who are reformers cannot consistently support him.

Mr. Hobhouse was a stranger when he presented himself before us, and the first inquiries we made related to his opinions and abilities. His opinions he did not at once openly state; on the Mr. Roebuck has not been thoughtcontrary, he first expressed himself un-lessly brought forward or supported. favourable to some measures, and after- We have ascertained that he is possessed wards favourable to them. of great talents and abilities-that his He was at first unfavourable to the studies have peculiarly qualified him immediate repeal of the Septennial Act. for the performance of the duties of a Fourteen days afterwards he declared representative-that his knowledge is himself favourable to its repeal at the extensive-and that he is singularly earliest possible opportunity. able to give effect to the principles we profess.

He was not favourable to a repeal of the assessed taxes when he came amongst us; he is now favourable to their repeal.

He implored us not to be always anxious for reform. We think reform necessary as long as abuses exist.

The personal testimony of Mr. Hume to his merits were desired by us in order to correct the reports which were unfavourable to Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Hume distinctly stated, that he could not interfere in the election for this city at the request of only a few electors, and it was not until a requisition, numerously signed, was presented to him that he consented to attend the public meeting He is not willing that the corn-laws at which Mr. Roebuck was introduced should be repealed. We think them to the electors of Bath.

He is not desirous of the BALLOT. We, seeing voters intimidated, are desirous to protect them in the conscientious discharge of their duty.

(Signed)

euough to vote for him, the thing will

William Hunt, Chairman of Mr. Roe-appear miraculous to the whole city. So much for this Tory candidate.

buck's Committee.

A. P. Falconer, Hon. Sec. to Mr. Roebuck's Committee.

The great mistake in this business, however, is to suppose Mr. Hobhouse a

Henry Smith, Chairman of the Bath liberal candidate. He is in truth the

Political Union.

J. Golledge

Francis Pole

Samuel Orchard

James Senior

John Rutter
William Young
John S. Moline
E. M. Harris
George Cox
Thomas Endicot
William Haddock
John Stainyfield
John Spreat
Thomas Townsend
G. A. Jones
John Allen
William Brown
H. Baines

John Young
Charles Lewis

Tory candidate, though he be called a reformer. Putting the other silly gentleman, Mr. Foster, wholly out of the question, we ask what ill can arise from the present contest as respects reform interests? A contest takes place between two persons, both said to be reformers-one or other must succeedboth cannot be defeated. Of these candidates one is supported by the Tory portion of the corporation-by the very men who hitherto have elected a man of declared Tory principles; and, although he be known to the rest of the world as the brother of Sir J C. Hobhouse, to the inhabitants and electors of Bath he appears in the character of the favoured candidate of a close Tory corporation. Fearing, from the manner of his introduction, and the mode in which he was supported, lest he might be of the same character as their present Tory representative, the electors of

Robert Uphill, Coroner for the County. Bath questioned Mr. Hobhouse; and so

displeasing was the result of this inquiry DR. BLACK'S REMARKS. to the electors, that a large number of There appears to be great misunder- them wrote to Mr. Hume, requesting standing as to the nature of the contest that he would name to them some now going on at Bath, and also as to person who held opinions similar to the conduct of Mr. Hume in the matter. those held by Mr. Hume himself; one, It has been said that the reform interest also, who possessed the same industriis endangered by Mr. Hume's interfer-ous habits as that gentleman. Were ence, and that by the division of votes the electors of Bath unwise in thus actlikely to take place in consequence, the ing; or was Mr. Hume officious in doTory candidate will come in; that Tory ing as they desired? By no means. candidate being supposed to be Mr. Fos-The electors very wisely resolved not to ter. The truth, however, is, that Mr. be duped by names. Mr. Hobhouse Foster's appearance in the field is not called himself a reformer, but he was from any hope entertained by that gen- not a reformer of the stamp they detleman of being successful, but merely sired. What little they knew of him in consequence of an idle love of noto-was to his disadvantage. He went a riety. His share of the contest is the stranger amongst them-they tried him, burlesque part of the scene that is being and they found him in their opinion enacted. The real struggle is between wanting. They very properly deterMr. Roebuck and Mr. Hobhouse. The mined to seek for some one else. And contest between them is not influenced by, nor is it likely in any way to influence, Mr. Foster. Should this gentleman find twelve people in Bath silly

whom could they apply to more deserving of confidence than the upright, courageous member for Middlesex?

Mr. Hume very well knows, that in

29

6TH OCTOBER, 1832.

the coming Parliament we want men not more likely that the Tory, fierce
unconnected with the parties who have Tory partners in Mr. Hobhouse's bank
hitherto struggled for ascendancy in knew more of Mr. Hobhouse's real sen-
the country. The great fight of reform timents than a mere casual acquaint-
The people are quick in these
is not yet fought. Abuses are not re-ance?
We have cases, and we are more content to trust
medied by the Reform Bill.
simply in some measure the means of their judgment in this matter, than any
remedying them put into our hands. If which our contemporaries may form
the electors select men sincerely inter-respecting it.
To us it appears also, that as a matter
ested in reform-men of talent, probity,
and industry-reform may be accom- of principle, the conduct of Mr. Hume
plished. But if they send mere Minis- in this case has not been properly ap-
terial followers into St. Stephen's, re-preciated. One, who, like Mr. Hume,
form will be as distant as before the lives in the world of politics, is much
passing of the Reform Bill.

more likely to be acquainted with men It is idle to say that Mr. Hobhouse, of political knowledge, than could be because the brother of Sir J. C. Hob- the inhabitans of a quiet, retired proThese inhabitants, by house, must be a reformer. Why judge vincial town. a man by his relationship in preference their mere application, prove that they to judging him by his words and his know no man among themselves posactual supporters? Publicly questioned sessed of the qualities they desire. Of on the matter, Mr. Hobhouse declared their own neighbours they are the best himself favourable to the Septennial judges-among these they find none But when once compelled Act. Can any man pretend to the name fitting. of a reformer, and wish this long lease of to go beyond their own immediate exirresponsible power. Since this ques-perience, their wisest course would be to tioning, it appears that Mr. Hobhouse take as a guide some well-known and has changed his professions. He now trusty public man; and this man they desires the repeal of the Septennial Act. have found in Mr. Hume. There is no This sudden changing conveys no very cause for vituperation in this casefavourable impression as to the since-none for disparaging insinuations rity of his declarations. His opinions yet such have been employed. respecting taxation, it seems, have un-facts we now shall state, and leave the dergone a similar alteration. He pro- public to draw their own conclusions on fessed one thing yesterday, another to- the matter. day. In truth, the electors of Bath would do the great cause of reform little benefit, should they select a person thus ready to suit his professions to present emergencies.

and

The

The reformers of Bath, not satisfied with Mr. Hobhouse, made two separate applications to Mr. Hume-the appli cations were to this effect, that he would mention to them the name of some The appliperson in whose talent and integrity he (Mr. Hume) could confide. cations were, as we have said, separate. One class of reformers, belonging to the Political Union, first applied to him

But it is said that the friendship of Sir Francis Burdett is sufficient guarantee for the true liberal feeling of Mr. Hobhouse. Now, we are not desirous of questioning the worth of the hon. Member for Westminster-that is a topic and then, unconnected with these, a not now to be discussed; but we ask, body of moderate reformers did the if his friendship be a guarantee for libe- same thing. Such an application may ral opinions, is not the friendship and be displeasing to the party now in strenuous support of the Tory corpora-power, but it does honour to the sagation also a guarantee for illiberal opi- city of the people, and shows that an nions? Is it not much more likely that honest politician is duly appreciated. the good nature of Sir F. Burdett has To these applications Mr. Hume rebeen deceived, than that the Tory cor- turned for answer, that he would menporation have been imposed on? Is it tion no name, unless the electors under

.

PAPER-MONEY.

MEETING OF THE UNEMPLOYED
WORKMEN OF BIRMINGHAM.

took to bear the expense of the election. This being promised on the part of the electors, he mentioned the name of Mr. Roebuck. When the electors applying ON Monday last, a meeting of unemto Mr. Hume had made inquiries re-ployed workmen was held on Newhallspecting Mr. Roebuck, and became hill. On the Friday preceding, it was satisfied as to his talent and principles, announced by handbills that the meetthey sent to him a requisition, in which ing would take place in St. Philip's they invited him to come forward as a Church-yard, but in consequence of candidate, and also pledged themselves some objections made in a friendly to bear the expenses of the election. manner by one of the churchwardens Mr. Roebuck accepted the invitation. on the Sunday, it was resolved to meet It was then that an invitation was sent on Newhall-hill. to Mr. Hume to accompany Mr. Roe- The CHAIRMAN opened the proceed buck to Bath. He, however, declined to ings by reading the placard calling the take this step, unless a numerously-meeting. In Aris's Gazette of the 10th signed requisition to that effect were instant, a writer, under the signature of sent to him. Such a requisition was "Dubitans," had insinuated that there sent, and he introduced his friend, Mr. ROEBUCK, to the electors.

was no particular distress in Birmingham. It was to refute this wicked and One word now as respects Mr. Roe- atrocious insinuation that the present buck. To us Mr. Roebuck is personally meeting was called. (Hear, hear.) He known. We know, moreover, that his (the Chairman) exhorted them to bemost intimate friends are among the have, as he was sure they would do, in most honoured men of the community; a peaceable and orderly manner, but at that among these men he is held in high the same time to be fixed and deteresteem-and that his name and writings mined in their resolves to have their must have been familiar to the very present wretched condition speedily persons who declared that they knew changed. (Loud cheers.)

nothing about him. The friends of WILLIAM BAKER moved the first Mr. Roebuck are well known, as form-resolution. His appearance was very ing a body of the most remarkable wretched, but we have seldom heard a political writers of any age or country. speaker of any rank of life deliver himThey certainly, more than any others, self with more fluency or becoming have produced the great revolutions propriety; and he seemed to have a that have taken place within the last perfect knowledge of his subject. He fifteen years in the public mind of Eng-addressed

them as fellow-sufferers. land; and by those even who most fear The middle and higher classes had long and hate them, they are invariably been trying to persuade them, the allowed to be men of a peculiarly bold working classes, that their bellies were and original character of mind-search- full, when they were alarmingly and ing, and closely logical reasoners--- feelingly convinced that they were patient in investigation, possessed of empty. (Laughter and cheers.) Or, commanding knowledge, and of intel- if they allowed that distress did exist, lects, in the most extensive sense of the they were always very ready to attriphrase, philosophic and masterly. He bute it to idleness and profligacy. who is honoured by such men deserves (Hear, hear.) It had long been the respect from others and of the fact custom of those who were fattening that Mr. Roebuck is thus estimated, we ourselves have personal cognizance.

on the products of their labour, and absolutely wallowing in wealth, not a particle of which they had created, to turn round upon the workman who was in want, and tell him it was because he was drunken, vicious, and immoral; forgetting their own vice