The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-10-19 00:00:00

NORTH AND SOUTH TOXTETH `YARDS,

A meeting of the Conservative electors of both these
wards was held in the Toxteth Hall, Mill-street, on Friday
evening, for the purpose of nominating fit and proper candi-
dates to represent each of them respectively in the Town-
council at the approaching municipal election. The build-
ing, which is very capacious, was crowded to excess by a nu-
merous and respectable body of the constituency, and the
greatest enthusiasm prevailed throughout. The chair was
occupied by THOMAS CHILTON, Esq., who briefly opened
the proceedings, by stating that it would be solely owing to
the apathy of the electors if Conservative members should
happen not to be returned for both wards.
Mr. Councillor HARBORD proposed the first resolution to
the effect that Alexander Smith, jun., Esq., was a fit and
proper person to represent North Toxteth Ward. In doing
so, he highly eulogised Mr. Smith's public and private con-
duct. He said that he was a kind-hearted man, a friend to
the poor, possessed of extensive commercial knowledge, un-
compromising iu his principles as a Cons,ervative, consistent
in his course of life, and of an unspotted character. He
concluded by observing that Mr. Sniith had been a cham-
pion for the borough members at the recent parliamentary
election, that he had fought on behalf of others at the muni-
cipal elections, that he foeeht nobly'at the former'election fOr
North Toxteth Ward; and that there cOtsld be little doubt
but he would ever do his duty in the council as a tine 'Pro-
testant Englishman. (Cheers.)
Mr. JAMES ROBERTSON seconded the nomination of Mr.
Smith.

Mr. J. SHEPPARD proposed the second resolution to the
effect, that Simon Lee Trotman, Esc., was a fit and proper
candidate to represent South Toxteth Ward. In doing so,
he said he felt a pride and satisfaction at having been de-
puted to propose such a resolution 'as the present. He was
sure the electors would come forward boldly and manfully to
support the gentleman WhoM the committee of South Toxteth
Ward had deemed worthy of their choice, and he assured
them as their former candidate—as a man who had stood by
them and fought their battles often before, and as one who
would do all in his power to fight the !Mules of Wotestant
England over and over again—(cheers)—:that hethought Mr.
Trotman a very fit and proper person ton represent them in
the Town-council. (Hear.) He had been informed that
Mr. Trotman was a wort respectable merchant, that his prir

vate character was estimable, that he was an extensive ship-
owner, and that he was constantly about in their -neighbour.
hood. He therefore trusted that they would support him
strenuously. (Cheers.) The present were times when they

. .
who would neither turn to the right hand nor to the left, men
who would support those principles its which they gloried, and
which they were quite right in maintaining—namely, the
Protestant principles of the empire as carried out by Sir R.
.Peel, the Lords, and the Commons. (Hear, and cheers.)
In sending representatives to the council now, it behoved
them to think that questions of vital importance would have
to be considered there during the next year, 'involving the
system of national education for the rising gener4tion, of this
great and-mighty country. On this question there had been
a diversity of opinion, because it had been boldly alleged by
their opponents that the Bible had not been excluded from
the corporation schools. It was, however, for the electors
•to send men hi the council who would ask boldly and inde-
pendently for a committee to he appointed to inquire into the
truth or falsehood of such an assertion, and for that com-
mittee to state to the conservatives of the town whether or
not the Bible was honestly and fairly laid before the Pro-
testant children of this great community. And if it should
appear that the Bible was honestly and fairly laid before the
Protestant children of the town, then the conservatives
would have nothing to say hut " content" ; but if it should
appear that there had been any subterfuge, or any under-
hand work used to prevent the Protestant children from
reading it, and hearing it read, and possessing it in every
way that a Bible ought to be put into the hands of a Pro-
testant child, then the constituency would have a right to
demand from the members they returned a fair, open,
honest, and manly account of the circumstances, so that
they might judge for themselves. (Hear, hear, and cheers.)
It struck him that the Roman Catholic part of the com-
munity had aright to be educated in the schools, provided
the committee should report that the original grants con-
ferred upon them that right, but if they reported that
protestants, who were now no more, bad left money with a
solemn pledge that it should be devoted to the particular
purpose of educating protestant children alone, then be
would say that the protestant children had a right to derive
the benefit of the grant. (Hear, hear.) If, upon the other
hand, the money had been left for the purpose of educating
dissenters, he would say, in the name of every Englishman,
" give it to them ;" but then another question arose—viz.,
whether in case it should appear that the grant had been left
for the education of all classes, the protestant public would
be satisfied to have their children educated under the same
roof with the Roman catholic children, or with only a curtain
between the two denominations. Although he was not a
bigotted person, he certainly conceived that he had a right
to all he could to assist the protestant children in their
education; and if he thought, as he did, that many of the
doctrines of the Roalish church were erroneous, then another
building ought to be set apart for the protestant children,
and -that they ought to be educated therein. (Hear, end
cheers.) Mr. Sheppard next proceeded to express his
gratification, at the auspicious change which had recently
taken place' in the administration of the country and his
confidence that the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert
Peel would act honourably and honestly, protecting the
rights of the protestants, and affording fair and equal justice
to the Roman catholics. After referring to the impudent
assertions of the demagogues, who asserted that her majesty's
life would not be safe, and that there would be a rebellion
in Ireland if the conservatives came into power, he con-
cluded by expressing his belief that if they returned Mr.
Trotman, they would find him an able, zealous, and excellent
representative. Mr. Sheppard resamed his seat amid loud
cheers.

Mr. BUSHBY seconded the nomination of Mr. Trotman.
The candidates were here introduced to the meeting, and
their appearance was hailed with thunders of applause.

Mr. SMITH addressed the assembly in the first instance.
He said, that having been returned on a late occasion as their
representative; he felt extremely proud and grateful to them,
and that he felt equal pride and gratification in having again
been selected by them to become their candidate to stand
forth as the champion of conservative principles at the en-
suing municipal election. It was unnecessary for him to
state to them that he professed conservative principles, be-
cause he believed the fact was well known to the chairman
and to every individual in the ward ; and it might be equally
unnecessary for him to state that those principles he was
determined to support with the best sacrifices of his mind,
and, if necessary, his body. They had had a very severe
struggle in North Toxteth Ward on the last occasion. He
knew not whether they were to have an equally severe one
on the present; but, as far as he was able to hear anything
of what was going on, there appeared to be some little diffi-
culty in meeting a regular candidate to oppose the party he
had the honour of representing. (Hear.) However, be that
as it might, he hoped and trusted that every elector in the
ward, who professed the same sentiments and opinions which
he did, would do him.the favour to support him with all his
might and energy. They knew that they had very slippery
folks to deal with, and that what they might be intending or
purposing to do was at present unknown to them; therefore
the conservatives should not lie on their oars, for they had a
very large constituency in the ward, and knew not what men
or what measures their opponents might bring forward to
secure their election. On the last occasion it was well known
that every possible effort had been used by the opposite party ;
but the result proved that radical principles would not go
down in the ward any longer. (Hear and cheers.) Since be
last had the honour of addressing them as a candidate for
their suffrages, they had had another election of much greater
importance than the present one in the town, and many things
had then occurred which must have given great pleasure to
every conservative, not only in Liverpool, but throughout
the country. By their efforts and those of the conservatives
at large they were enabled to return two conservative
members to the Commons House of Parliament, who, in
conjunction with others that were returned, had been ena-
bled to supplant the radical administration then in power,
and, in lieu of them, to place Sir Robert Peel and his party
as the ministers of her majesty. This was a very great vic-
tory which had been achieved, and he hoped it would be fol-
lowed up by wresting from the radicals in the borough their
domination in the town council. The conservative party in
Liverpool had been steadily going forward in the same way
as the conservative party in the state had been going forward,
gaining year by year, and, as a seat had become vacant, re-
turning a conservative in place of a radical, and now came
the great battle for the borough, similar, in some respects,
to the one for returning members to the House of Commons.
So far as appearances went, there appeared every prospect of
a majority of conservatives being returned, but each ward
should do its duty, otherwise it would be impossible that the
victory could be achieved. (Hear, hear.) They had, as yet,
had very little of the addresses or speeches of the opposite
party reported in the newspapers. He had, however, seen
two or three in the Mercury of that day, in which they
preached a good deal about liberty and free trade, and ex-
pressed the moral antipathy they had to the distribution of
the revenues of the town being placed in conservative hands.
(Hear, hear.) Now he (Mr. Smith) wished to ask the elec-
tors whether it was in the power of the conservatives, even if
they became the dominant party, to do worse than those men
had done who had been in power for the last few years ? He
should like to know what they had done for the town ?
Nothing" from a hundred voices.) Really nothing. He
believed there were more people out of employment at pre-
sent than was the case for the last century ; and to what was
this owing ? Why, every improvement had been put a stop
to; not a single thing was doing; and, until lately, when
they commenced to build the new courts of law, there had
been no expenditure of money. There would, indeed, be an
expenditure of £lOO,OOO for the building of the courts, and
£30,000 more for another erection ; but those sums had
been wrung from the radicals as if the conservatives had
been squeezing from them their hearts' blood. (Hear,
hear, and cheers.) The truth was that the dominant party
in the council had set their faces against everything like
improvement, or the promotion of public works, unless
the hobby of the aldermen, that of erecting docks with
warehouses around them, were to be considered as such. But
this circumstance of the docks and warehouses had been the
means of preventing a very large sale of land near the docks;
and the consequence was that the treasury of the corporation
had been drained to the last dregs, so that nothing could be
done in the shape of improvements, the widening of streets,
or a thousand other things, which, in so large a town as
Liverpool, were constantly required. But he trusted the day
was near at hand when, in the place of professions, they
would have acts of liberality, and that something would be
done to improve the streets and neighbourhood, and offer
better ventilation to the dwellings of the poor. Mr. Smith
next referred to the necessity that existed for having the
streets of the ward better lighted, and for other improvements
to be made ; and, after promising to render his best assis-
tance to his constituents and the town at large, sat down
amidst loud applause.
Mr. TROTMAN next briefly addressed the electors. He
promised, if elected for South Toxteth Ward, to discharge
faithfully his duties in every respect. He appeared before
them as a conservative in the strict sense of the term, and he
should ever endeavour to promote their interests, to support
the established religion of the land, and to inculcate the ne-
cessity of having sound scriptural education imparted in the
corporation schools. He thought it was essential that the
masters and mistresses of those schools should be members
of the Church of England. In conclusion, he trusted the
electors would recollect that the ward for which he was a
candidate had never yet been won, and it was their duty,
therefore, to use their best exertions to carry it on the lit of
November by a triumphant majority. (Loud cheers.)
A GENTLEMAN—I trust Mr. Harbord's sentiments in the
council on the subject of education will be universally adopted
by the conservative members. (Cheers.) Our excellent mem-
ber did himself immortal honour upon that occasion. (Re-
newed cheers.) Mr. Smith said his principles upon the sub-
ject of education were in accordance with those of Mr. Har-
bord. He believed a plan for the management of the schools
was to be proposed early in the ensuing year by the rectors
and clergy of the town, and he had no doubt but that plan
would be universally adopted by the conservative members
of the council.
Mr. HARBORD, after alluding to bis speech in the council
on Wednesday last, assured the meeting that he was for no
other teaching than that of true protestantism and no sur-
render. (Mr. rapturous applause.)
The meeting was subsequently addressed by Dr. Harbord,
and in a very effective speech by a protestant operative named
M'Cleane, and the meeting separated shortly before ten
o'clock, after having first given three cheers for the respective
candidates and the conservative cause.

GREAT GEORGE'S WARD MEETING.
Last evening the conservatives of Great George's Ward held
a public meeting at the house of Mr: Nathan Parr, St.
James'-street, for the purpose of proposing a fit and proper
i
person to represent the ward n the town council. The
meeting was very numerously and respectably attended.
Among those present we noticed Mr. Cooper, Mr. Robinson,
Mr. G. H. Lawrence, Mr. T. Bold, Mr. Kilshaw, and many
other excellent conservatives. Mr. Ism AN , chairman of the
ward association, took the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, having briefly opened the proceedings,
said he was quite sure that when he mentioned the name of
.
the gentleman they were met to put nomination, it would
be received with all the applause which his past conduct de-
served. (Cheers.) This ward had ever been a conservative
ward, the eyes of every other ward in the town were upon it,
and he trusted it would never be picked out from among the
others as a " refuge for the destitute." The rejected of
Pitt-street and of North Toxteth had had the presumption
to come into this truly conservative ward, and the conserva-
tives would show him, at four o'clock on Monday week, that
his conduct in doing .so had been presumptuous, for they
woulsi send him back to the place whence he came, namely
Greenbank, where they wished him every happiness. (Hear,
hear.) He hoped and trusted that this ward would not be
disgraced at the forthcoming election, for it certainly would
be a disgrace if the rejected of two other wards took away
the plume of victory when the conservatives had it in their
power to return a man of such talent and respectability as
the gentleman about to be proposed. (Rear, hear, hear.)
He (the Chairman) could not account for Mr. Rathbone
having the temerity to come forward ?gain, except it was
upon Rory O'Mara's principle, "there s luck in odd num-
bersattempt he had selected this
;" and so for the third
ward. (Hear, hear.) After a few further remarks, the
Chairman concluded by calling upon the mover of the first
resolution.
Mr. GEORGE HALI. LAwrzENciz then came forward
amidst loud cheers. Before he asked the concurrence of
the meeting in the resolution entrusted to his care, he hoped
he might congratulate thew upon the large and important
muster of conservatives whom he saw present. Such an at-
tendance was, to his mind,, a favourable omen of the success
which would attend them in the ensuing struggle.. It was
now only a few months since not only the conservatives of
Great George's Ward, but of Liverpool, gained one of the
greatest political victories which It over fall to the lot of a
Party to, achieve. A few months ago we had the satisfaction
of returning Lord &Aldan and Mr. Cresswell as the repre-
sentatives of this borough in parliament--(hear, hear)—
and it would indeed be a sad thing if, after having diatin-

guished ourselves as we then did, we should stultify and
neutralise all our efforts by allowing ourselves to be con-
quered upon this occasion. (Hear, and cheers.) He knew
it had been asserted, and that it was the consolation of our
opponents to say, that we had upon that occasion the assist-
ance of the old burgesses or we never should have
triumphed. He was not quite sure whether that assertion
was borne out by the fact, but, whether it were so or not,
he confessed he was not one of those who envied them a con-
solation of that nature. (Hear, hear.) He was not one of
those who thought that the parliamentary constituency was
not a proper one : he thought it a happy admixture of rich
and poor, of the rate-payer, and of the loWest burgess who
had obtained the suffrage by the sweat of his brow ; and he
considered that the parliamentry franchise, or any other
franchise, could not well be intrusted into better hands. Be
this as it might, he was satisfied with the verdict they pro-
nounced upon that occasion, and though our opponents ob-
jected to it, and were willing to try the issue by the result of
the appoaching contest, still satisfied as he was, he was not
.unwilling to give them the opportunity. (Cheers.) He was
willing they should take advantage of the approaching fight—
he was willing to meet them ; whether upon local grounds or
general political principles, still he was ready to fight the
good fight, and he was not arraid for the result of the Ist of
November. (Cheers.) It was, at times, a matter of regret
to him that our local struggles on the Ist of November
should be so completely political. (Hear, and cheers.) He
had often felt that it was not always essential for a good re-
presentative in the town council that his principles should
be either conservative or radical ; but we had no alternative.
(Hear, hear.) The practices of those who had ruled us for
the last six years had left us no alternative, for they had pur-
sued a system of undeviating hostility towards conservative
principles, and upon every possible occasion had they
thwarted and opposed us. At a time when the phrensy of the
people gave then uncontrolled power six years ago—though
he believed the people repented of it now—when they had no
less than forty-four members in the town council ready to
support them in any measures they proposed, when they had
sixteen aldermen's places to fill up, not one single conserva-
tive alderman did they venture to propose. (Hear, hear.) At
that time, when the old magistracy by the act of parliament
were no longer in existence, and when it was left to them
by the favour of Lord John Russell to supply their places,
not one single conservative magistrate did they propose.
No, they had no respect for the conservatives. (Hear.) They
thought they had got the power into their own hands ; they
thought they could trample conservative principles under
foot ; they thought we should be extinguished for ever ; they
thought the representation of the borough was in their own
hands, together with the command of the town-council and
the docks ; with the influence they might have as magistrates
acting together as one man, there was no longer any chance
for conservative principles. (Hear.) But conservative prin-
ciples were based upon higher and better grounds ; they
were not to be strangled in that way ; they had now rallied
and grown stronger and stronger each succeeding year, till at
last the ball was at their feet, and they had now almost
nothing to do but walking triumphantly into the council.
(Hear.) They had exerted themselves for this, and they
would still persevere ; it would not do to rely merely upon
idle words ; to suppose they had nothing to gain yet or nothing
more to do. They had still a hard day before them, but hap-
pily they were in good hands ; happily those in Great George's
Ward had a candidate proposed to them upon this occasion,
who was ready and fully equal, to take upon himself the ar-
duous duties of representing them for the future. (Hear.)
The past conduct of that gentleman was a full assurance of
that. He, of all other men, had been honoured by the ward,
and he was ably qualified to represent it. On the first occa-
sion when he offered himself all parties were willing to do
him justice; there was not a whig or a tory who did not ac-
knowledge Mr. James Lawrence—for he was the gentleman
he was about to propose—(cheers)—to he the fittest man for
the office. (Renewed cheers.) On the second opportunity
on which it was his turn again to appear as a candidate for
their suffrages three years ago, the ward again decided he was
the fittest man to represent them ; and he (Mr. G. H. Law-
rence) asked if Mr. James Lawrence had done any thing to
forfeit their esteem and confidence? (Loud cries of " No.")
Whence this hostile array that they heard of ? Whence this
opposition to Mr. James Lawrence's return now? He
considered if there. was a man deserving well of his
townsmen that man was Mr. James Lawrence. (Hear, hear.)
He (Mr. G. H. Lawrence) had had opportunities of sitting
. with him almost daily in the Watch Committee. He had
seen the unpretending yet able way in which he conducted
the business there assigned to him, and he should say the
council and the town would sustain a great loss if by any cir-
cumstances he should forfeit the good opinion and the repre-
sentation of this ward. But he had no such fear. Notwith-
standing that the Protector Society had loaded the register
with Irish lumpers, notwithstanding the burgess roll showed
names which had no more equitable or moral right to give
their votes in this election than they had to choose the Em-
peror of Russia—(hear, hear)—notwitstanding that we were
to be assailed by their attacks, be had no fear for the future.
He had no apprehensions for the safety of the conservative
cause, and for the result of the contest in this ward upon the
Ist of November. (Hear.) Nay, notwithstanding they
bad at last got an opponent worthy of them, for they
had now no obscure person from the other end of the
town, but a respectable individual, he had no fears for
the result. They had got a person whom all had
heard of hefore ; for they had got Mr. William Rathbone,
the rejected of Pitt-street and Toxteth-park, to try his pre-
tensions in this ward ! He (Mr. Lawrence) could not pro-
phesy or promise that gentleman a very favourable reception;
but it was satisfactory to them to have somebody worthy of
defeating. It was satisfactory to feel that in Mr. Rathbone all
pinciples which are obnoxious to conservatism were embo-
died: against him, therefore, they would tight might and main.
Honest and sincere he believed Mr. Rathbone was, but, at
the same time, he was most misguided and impracticable
—(hear, hear),—and it would truly be a real misfortune
if, in the present state of things, that man should be
permitted to usurp the place of a candid and a moderate
(and he laid great stress upon the term moderate) repre-
sentative, whom they would have in Mr. James Lawrence.
Mr. Rathbone was a kind and a well-meaning man, he knew,
but he was not at all suited to represent this ward ; and when
he considered the important subjects which would soon be
brought before them—he alluded more especially to the edu-
dation of the poor in the corporation schools—it would indeed
be a reflection upon them if Mr. Rathbone were returned.
(Hear, hear.) When he alluded to the corporation schools
and_ to Mr. Rathbone, the/ must not suppose that he was
supporting one who was anxious to employ the corporation
funds for the maintenance of the Church of England children
alone. They did not wish to do this, at least his friend Mr.
James Lawrence did not ; but he did think they were more
likely to conciliate the clergy and Protestants and Church of
England people to the schools of the corporation by re-
electing Mr. James Lawrence, than by choosing such a man
as Mr. Rathbone. By past experience they knew they had
nothing to hope from Mr. Rathbone. (Cheers.) Having
said this mach he (Mr. G. H. Lawrence) would leave his
cause in the hands of the meeting. (Cheers.)
Dr. DICKENSON briefly seconded the motion. He strongly
impressed upon the meeting the necessity of a sound religous
and protestant education being given to the children in the
corporation schools; and he said that if soundness of judg-
ment, activity of habit, integrity of purpose, accompanied
with a willingness and ability to carry into effect the dictates
of an enlightened judgment, were necessary qualities in a
town councillor, they would all be found in Mr. James
Lawrence.
The resolution was then carried unanimously.

Mr. W. R. COLBORNE and Mr. THOMAS BOLD, in moving
the second resolution, (which was unanimously carried,)
strongly urged the burgesses to united and persevering
exertions.

The CHAIRMAN, after alluding to the unavoidable absence
of Mr. James Lawrence, said the meeting had the honour of
the presence of the other two representatives of the ward,
Mr. Cooper and Mr. Robinson, who would now address the
meeting.
A motion was then proposed and carried, thanking those
gentlemen for their services to the ward. . .

- Mr. COOPER thanked the meeting fur the honour just
conferred upon him ; and he could only say it afforded him
great satisfaction to see the prospect there was of returning
Mr. Lawrence again to the council. jlear, hear.) They
had fought together in many a battle against their ra-
dical opponents, and since the year 1835 to the present
time they had not had a single defeat—they had not missed
to return a conservative representative to the town council.
In the year 1835, when the change took place under the mu-
nicipal bill, they were completely defeated, for everybody was
then desirous of change for the sake of change. In the year
1836 the burgesses discovered that radicalism was not for
their benefit, and they returned Mr. Charles Lawrence by a
majority of 37 ; in the year 1837 he (Mr. Cooper) was re-
turned by a majority of 40 ; in 1838 Mr. James Lawrence
was returned without opposition. In 1839 a new era sprung
up ; an attempt was made to swamp the constituency by
placing upon the register sixty of Mr. Daniel O'Connell's
body guard; they thought they had success in their own
hands, but Mr. Robinson came forward, and he was re-
turned by a majority of twenty-two, besides having a great
number of duplicates available for other wards. In 1840, he
(Mr. Cooper), was then brought forward, and he was re-
turned by a majority of nine, notwithstanding all the diffi-
culties they had to encounter. He had great pleasure in
finding, on looking at the register, that, with exertion, Mr.
James Lawrence might be returned with as large a majority
as any conservative had yet been returned by. (Cheers.)
Mr. Cooper then proceeded to point out the mode in which a
change of parties in the corporation would work benefit to
all classes, and he concluded by again congratulating the
meeting upon their prospects of success.
Mr. ROBINSON then addressed the meeting, and contended
that Mr. Lawrence had been one of the most efficient mem-
bers of the council. He held in his hand a statement of the
constitution of each committee, which would show that the
conservatives had been unfairly treated in the appointments.
He was afraid we should not be able to secure the appoint-
ment of a oonservative mayor, but it would be in our power
to appoint the aldermen, and also to controul the constitu-
tion of the committees. He would read the numbers in
the principal committees at the commencement of the year.
Committees. Rad. Con. Total.
Finance
Improvement . . 7 .... 3 .... 10
Markets
Town Hall
Education
Dock
Watch l4 .... 11 .... 25

((tear, hear.) Mr. Robinson proceeded to comment with
much force upon this state of things, and upon the want of
connection with the ward by Mr. Rathbone.
Mr. GLEAVE, an operative, then addressed the meeting,
after which thanks having been voted to the chairman, and
the assembly separated.

RATHBONE'S DREAM.
I dreamt a dream, a sad and fearful dream
Methought I stood outside the council chamber,
A disappointed and disgrac'd old man,
Musing upon what efforts I should make
To gain once more a seat within its walls ;
When suddenly Ambition stood before me,
And, with " winning look," thus spoke the tempting power :
" Rathbone! be bold and stedfast ; treat with scorn
" All English aid ; trust thou to alien voices,
" And thy heart's first wish shall be accomplish'd."
Thus spoke he ansi, withdrew. I ponder'd long
Upon the mystic words, sorely perplex'd
To trace their hidden meaning, when at once
The sense rush'd to my mind. Three hundred votes,
Three hundred alien votes, I knew were plac'd
Upon Great George's Ward. My heart rejoic'd :
For now from Irish help I hop'd to gain
That which, my fellow-townsmen had denied.
With hat in hand I sought the greasy rogues ;
I bent before th' unwash'd, th' unshirted crew,
And heard their vile mouths shout, " Hurrah for Rathbone !
" Hurrah for Rathbone ! for O'Connell's friend !"
I was delighted.—But an awful form
Then rose before my sight. I knew it well :
'Twas Pitt-street's guardian genius. How I quail'd
Beneath its withering frown, whilst thus it spoke:
" Rathbone, beware ! Bethink thee of November
" And of Toulmin.. Defeat again awaits thee."
And /did think, and in my inmost heart
I curs'd the ward and all that it contained.
The genius vanished—but another came:
A giant form, it tower'd aloft, sublime,
The mighty guardian of North Toxteth Ward ;
And thus it also spoke :—" Poor, wretched mail!
" Heed not Ambition's voice: he leads thee on
" Only to sink thee deeper in disgrace.
" Think of November last, and think of Smith ! "
Toulmin and Smith ! loath'd names," I madly cried,
" Ye fell destroyers of old Rathbone's peace,
"My curse light on ye both ! " Then I awoke,
And found 'twas but a sad and fearful dream.
Everton,lBth October, 1841,