The Statesman.
London, England, 1810-07-06 00:00:00

Tu h, )1.790' Rof igE Si*JEWMAIN..

Sta—lliving, waited several days, with some
impatience, for an answer to the aspersions of
CA Rcos, on the Sheffield Counter declaration, and
none yet appearing,. I am induced to offer you a
few remarks in its defence, to which, I have no
doubt, your candour will give a place in THE
4TATEsmAx. Your Correspondent commences
with ridiculing the 4.4 parade of fine, names," in
the introduction of the Address ; " the Master,
Wardens, Searchers, and Assistants of the Corpo-
ration of Cutlers," &c. &c. and then pro.,
coeds, without ceremony, to expose and de-
grade these respectable bodies, in the eyes of
the public. He states the Cutlers' Company
to consist of " $3 makers of knives, &c." who
meet together to bind apprentices. Now, Sir, it
is well known that this is not the only object of
their.meeting'. Every year they, regale the town
with a sumptuous feast, at which even Lords and
Dckes do not disdain to be present. On, this,
occasion, Sir, if you were to hear the ringing of
the bells, and the shouts of delight—if you were to
gee the profound reverence with which these 4,4 33
makers of knives" are treated by the people, and
the awe with which every boy and girl in the town
is struck at their appearance;.—if you were to
witness the number of carriages that crowd the
door of their Hall; dazzling the spectators with
the splendour of their liveries ; —in short, if you
were once to be a partaker of all the pleasure;
of this festival, you would, without the smallest
hesitation, decide the attack of CAnLos no their'
respectability tote un just and abusive. Your Cor-
respondent affirms, that the Master Cutler called
a meeting of the Company, on the subject of a
Counter-declaration, in Whittunoreelt, because
he knew repay were then absent, 100 *mild op.
pose the measure! I can lel my hand upon
-my heart, odd decrere, with perfect sincerity, that
I believe a eery
,glifferent motive actuated that Gen-
demise. yOu aiust knoW, Sir; that Whitsuntide is,
kept ara holklay by many of the inhabitants of
:Sheffield, • add the' Master Cutler, no doubt, sup.
_posed, that it would be more agreeable to the
• metobtrs of 'the society, to meet together w hen
'rtaily dressed in their holiday snits, than be taken

frOnilhalr work:boards, mid be tinder the neces-
sity of pulling off their ilpre.na, and changing
their. apparel. The action which seems to offend
Cstmos the most, is that of tho gentleman who
some time ago 'claimed an ueraption from being
elected a Member of the Company of Cutlers, and
„ afterwards took the oath, that he might vote in
farm of the Counter-Address. • But let hiss
remember,. that an action takes its character
from the motives !hie!) influenced the performer ;
and no doubt those of the ahove-mentioned Gen-
tleman were the most noble and disinterestal.-,-
Like Ctsmtwilatlps, Avho exchanged the plough for
the ensigns of power, to, serve his fellow-citizens,
be quitted' liii retirement and, stept once more into
public life, fb erioce his irresistible attachment to
the best interests of his enOnty.y.. Your Gouts.
poildent speaks rather too contemptuously of the..l
manner in which, signiiores wero'obtained► Lain
tell. hint that, 'if the " hitt, And wortsheps .were
scoured for waiter!? ostlers, and apprentices,"
the very act of signiog.p.rostd they were persons
advanced one step at least in the, path 'of iutellec..
tual improvements while several that attended
the Meeting in Paradise.square, were, to my know.
ledge, incapable or this, the hoinbiest act of Myra--
WC. , .
I shill Conclude with remarkinF, that every
traosaction'marbe viewed 19 two different lights.
. Cs.its.ol has exhibited tho:,pruceedings. of the
`Counter-deelarers in one, and I. io the other.. 1
do not impeach the yericify of his %fitments,. but
, thick that if_ he. had a.s tittle moreof 4'llo charily.
corerethintettitucle or sins,'?-some tif the.
aCtioni which he so issuch...cotidempi,.. would halve.
•
appeared to him initial. liberal point of slew in
Which I hare plaied tthem. Alit thhig
'peens yellow to the jaulislieed sect.
Ahrthelit, ilsoc 29, 18}o r • •
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