BROTHER TOWNSMEN.

GENTLEMEN,

I once had the pleasure of being an Inhabitant amongst you when your Town was in peace, one and all unanimity, and trade flourishing: then a Tradesman had an opportunity of providing for his family, without the least bickering with each other, or one man suspected of doing better than his neighbour; but I am obliged to hear that the times have since very materially altered. I am not the only one who has deserted the Town, owing to the frequent broils that have arisen through individuals who have forced themselves upon you as Inhabitants,—men who might have done as others before them—sought a livelihood in the Town with credit to themselves; their true characters were not known, when they first introduced themselves, but they have since thrown off the mask, and you now see them in their perfection.

The first high-minded character, who is your enemy, is John W—n, a very honest, upright man in his own mind; but so, poor Harding, the Butcher, will not say. He is a Creditor of W—n's for £40 and upwards, for meat furnished his table; and when teased for payment (after a leniency of six years), was threatened by this worthy professional, if pressed with an Action, that he would plead the Statute of Limitations: this plea is, I understand, the plea of a Rogue, and I have no doubt the promise would have been performed, had proceedings taken place. This high-minded professional must have meant Roguery, or he would have provided for this demand when he encumbered his property with Mortgages, unless at the time he had eaten more than the calf in the cow's belly, which I think must have been the case. The departure of this professional to America, is, I understand, very soon to be expected; and the sooner this takes place the better, for I am sure that neither the Town or its Neighbourhood will enrich his purse, stay so long as he may. I hear that the politeness of his Lady, too, is much more refined than that of any other Lady in the Town. I find she has given to the Corporation, and your Representatives in Parliament, a specimen of her taste for decency, having spit upon them from the balcony as they passed W—n's House in procession at the time of the Election—a pretty specimen of lady-like manners.

The second of your high-minded is Nehemiah John, the Clipper, who was transported for 14 years, for offences committed against the laws of prudence. I have often been surprised that he has not had a second judgment of a like nature passed upon him; perhaps his 14 years have not yet expired, if so, why not petition for a mitigation of punishment, and let him take his departure for Bath, where he will find plenty of associates of his own character, and where he will be allowed to indulge in his Radical career without much opposition. I find that some persons benefit by his indulgencies, viz.: Lawyers, Bankers, and gunpowder Manufacturers have been selected by him, as the only persons who are to benefit by his madness. It would really be an act of charity to take out a Commission of Lunacy against him, and place his affairs in the hands of Guardians for the benefit of his Family, otherwise he will most assuredly squander all away, and leave them Paupers on the Parish. I hear that his madness to be Mayor under the new Corporation, exceeds all other acts of insanity, and if not restrained before the result of the Election is known, he will most assuredly destroy himself.

The third of your high-minded is the notorious Kitty, who was brought up in W—n's School for Scandal. He is as useful a Member of Society, as either of those I have before named, except that his regard for the morality of his servants is unequalled, he also very much regards the advice of his Father, in his travels through life, and if I am not very much mistaken he will regret the path he has trodden, but it will be at a time when too late, to retract.

The fourth of your high-minded is Mr. Gander, who was once respected as a Banker, but since he has mixed himself up with the disturbers of peace, he has lost his feed at the barn door, and lately obliged to go and feed in the Marsh. The hypocrisy of this man is too well known to require any remarks from me.

The fifth of your high-minded is W—d, who if he had confined himself to his original circle of acquaintance, would have retained the friendship of honourable men; but his propensity to Radicalism, coupled with his immorality, he has become one of the mischievous; but as shame has induced him to leave his native place, I will not trouble you with any further comments about him.

The sixth of your high-minded is Jimmy, the Common Informer, who, but from the connexion formed with the before-mentioned individuals, might have turned out a better Member of Society; his propensity to black actions were by no means confined to a small circle. I hope that the air of Guernsey will cause a long detention, as his absence, I am sure, will be more acceptable than his presence amongst you.

The seventh of your high-minded is D—d M—e, the would-be respectable Medical Man, a man who can take 19 Grooms into his service, within 5 months; he must be an even-tempered fellow, to keep his Servants so long.

The eighth is brother of the last, who, although a visitor only, comes into the Town to assist the rabble with his foul pen—such a man ought to be kicked out of the place, and some of his productions laid before the Bishop.

I have given you what I hear to be the character of eight of the most dangerous leading Men in the cause of Radicalism; and if it were possible for you to get at the character of the Radicals in any of the other Towns in England, you would find them made of similar composition as these Worthies. I call upon you, as Townsmen, to set your faces against such vagabonds, and notice them not; if you give ear to them, you are ruined, for their object is destruction, and not friendship. I have had several Bills placed in my hands which have been issued by these Radicals: they partake of the feelings and sentiments of the party, with no regard for decency or morality. I will ask, if such productions are issued by the Tories, or whether it is their nature to lend themselves to such black-guard productions? I need not say treat them with contempt, for that I am sure you will do. There is only one class of men you ought to look up to, if you wish to move in respectable society, or to be respected by those whose respect will be of service to you—that is, the Nobility and Gentry—I mean Lord Ailesbury, his Family, and the Members of the Corporation, all of whom are Tories. I have been brought up under them—so were my friends. What can these despicable characters do for you? I will tell you—ruin you: that is their aim, it is not friendship they mean, although they profess it. They are levellers; they want Marlborough Forest—but can they get it?—What silly beings—they may just as well come here, and try to take down St. Paul's or the Monument.

I am, Gentlemen,

Your Well-wisher,

PAUL PRY.