Chapter XVI: Part 16

With my best wishes and respects to your Committee and Friends,
believe me,

Yours, very faithfully,
JOHN BENTON.

To H. B. Sheridan, Esq., M.P.

* * * * *

DEAR SIR,

In consequence of a Letter from a Mr. BENTON containing
erroneous statements having been read by Mr. SHERIDAN, M.P.
at a Public Meeting held last night in Dudley, I beg to send
a copy of the Letters I have this day addressed to those
gentlemen on the subject.

I remain, dear Sir, yours faithfully,
RICHARD SMITH.

_The Priory, April 9th, 1859._

* * * * *

Copy of a Letter addressed by RICHARD SMITH, Esq., to H. B.
SHERIDAN Esq., M.P.:--

The Priory, Dudley, April 9th, 1859.

SIR,--I have seen a copy of the letter addressed to you by Mr.
Benton, which you read at a meeting of the Electors of Dudley,
held last night at the Lancasterian School-room, and cannot
but regret you should have allowed yourself to give such a
letter to the world, with your comments thereon, without first
ascertaining, by communication with me, whether the statements
made therein upon hearsay were true.

The statements which Mr. Benton has made are entirely without
foundation, and I unhesitatingly give them an unqualified
denial.

I send you a copy of a letter I have written to that gentleman,
and I rely on your giving it an equal degree of publicity with
Mr. Benton's communication. Whatever differences of opinion
may exist between us politically, I confidently appeal to your
sense of what is due from one gentleman to another to comply
with this request without delay.

I remain, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
RICHARD SMITH.

H. B. Sheridan, Esq., M.P.

* * * * *

Copy of a letter addressed by RICHARD SMITH, Esq., to Mr.
BENTON, referred to in the letter to Mr. SHERIDAN, M.P.:--

The Priory, Dudley, April 9th, 1859.

SIR,--I have learnt with surprise that a letter addressed by
you to Mr. Sheridan, having reference to certain statements
said to have been made by me to Mr. Locock, was read and
commented on by Mr. Sheridan, at a meeting of the Electors of
Dudley, held at the Lancasterian Schoolrooms last night. I beg
most emphatically to deny that I ever used to Mr. Locock (or
any other person) the words, or any such words, you have been
pleased to put forth.

I never said to that gentleman, "that Lord Ward paid five
thousand pounds away in Dudley and its neighbourhood per
week, and that unless the Electors of Dudley voted which way
he pleased that he would shut up his pits for two years, and
therefore stop those wages;" "or that many of the tradespeople
were under obligations to the Bank, and their circumstances
should be exposed, and that they should have no further
accommodation;" or any words to that effect.

I cannot but regret you should have permitted yourself to
make such unfounded statements which are not only unjust and
injurious to me, but are a libel on the Tradesmen and Bankers
of the town.

I add for your information that I am in no way connected with
either of the Banks here, that I have no knowledge whatever, or
the means of acquiring knowledge, as to the obligations of the
Tradesmen of Dudley to their Bankers, nor any power to regulate
or affect the amount of accommodation that their Bankers may
afford them.

As your letter has been read at a meeting, I think it right to
publish this also.

I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
RICHARD SMITH.

John Benton, Esq., London.

* * * * *

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.

BROTHER ELECTORS,

Mr. Smith (Lord Ward's Agent) has appeared before the Public
on his own account, not only by letter, but by various
illegitimate means. Let us, as Electors, enquire who this Mr.
Smith is? or what reliance can be placed on his veracity? and,
as every man ought to speak from his own personal knowledge,
allow me, as an Elector, to state some facts which have more
specially come under my notice, that is--

That he has been seen driving out with Mr. Benton on several
occasions.

That he is known to have dined with him.

That he has written a letter denying what that gentleman made
public.

That he has been up to London, and seen Sir C. Locock and his
son.

That he dares not publish the conversation which took place at
that interview.

That he has on many occasions tried to coerce the Inhabitants
of Dudley--I. Naylor, Esq., to wit.

That he has deprived Tradesmen of his Lordship's support,
because they had consciences and dared to use them.

That he has not been a very good friend to the Widows and
Orphans one family who once resided in Sedgley can prove.

That he never was over particular about the rights or feelings
of any one, when his own interests were in the scale.

* * * * *

The above individual may give an unqualified denial to the
exact wording of Mr. Benton's letter, but I defy him to prove
the sum and substance is not there.

In reference to this _Pit Bank_ case, there is an old adage
very applicable, viz.--"That we should believe every man honest
until we find him a rogue!"

"An Elector" in the Daily Post (_proper name "Post"_) talks
of a _Firebrand_ being in the town. I admit it, we have had
one in the town many years; it has tried to burn down our
_Independence_. Our common honesty, our very _liberty_ have
been brought to the stake; but I beg to inform Mr. Smith and
his _esteemed_ friends, that we shall come out _scatheless_,
and that his "quack" supporters may save their _Goose Oil_ for
their own scorched backs!

I am, Gentlemen,
Yours respectfully,
AN ELECTOR.

* * * * *

DUDLEY ELECTION.

TO THE CONSERVATIVE ELECTORS OF DUDLEY.

At a meeting of Conservative Electors of the Borough, held at
the Hotel, Dudley, on Wednesday the 20th day of April, 1859, it
was resolved:--

"That under existing circumstances, it is deemed expedient that
the Conservative Electors should support the sitting Member, H.
B. Sheridan, Esq., and this meeting therefore pledges itself to
use all proper means and exertions to secure his re-election.

Ordered, that the above resolution be printed and circulated.

Signed,
THOS. BADGER, Chairman.

_The Hotel, Dudley, April 20th, 1859._

It was always considered that the decision of the Conservative party at this meeting secured the re-election of Mr. Sheridan; although he was well known to be in bad odour with many of the leading Conservatives in the Borough. The recent opposition in the county election, where many of the Conservatives supported Mr. Calthorpe against young Mr. Pakington; had so soured the rigid old Tory party in the Borough, that they became reckless about the future consequences of their shameful political delinquencies; the result was, that these very resolute disclaimers of the Priory influence, spited their own cause by again returning a candidate they did not appreciate, and unwillingly helped to ring the death knell, not only of the Priory veto, but also of future Tory dictation; and placed this Borough in the advance guard of full blown Liberalism, with Mr. Sheridan as its Member still.

DUDLEY ELECTION.

TO THE CONSERVATIVE VOTERS.

FELLOW TOWNSMEN,

An appeal is now made to you to record your Votes for Mr.
Sheridan. Let us see _what claim_ Mr. Sheridan has upon our
support on the present occasion, _before_ we assist _again_
to return a man to Parliament who has so shamefully violated
his profession and principles. Was not Mr. Sheridan returned
for Dudley, at the last Election, _as a Liberal Conservative_,
of the most _independent kind_, supposed to be _above_ the
influence of any section of the Electors; and has he not,
at the dictation of a few Radicals, _invariably_ voted in
Parliament for all Radical Measures, and opposed Lord Derby's
Government to the utmost of his power? Did he not pledge
himself _to vote against the Ballot_, and has he not _voted in
favour of the Ballot_? Did he not promise to vote against the
Repeal of Church Rates (unless an equivalent was given), and
did he not vote for their total unconditional Repeal? This,
then, is the man, _on whose promises_, you are again called
upon to rely; to send to Parliament again, as an _advocate of
anything_ which his _varied_ supporters may suggest.

If, brother Conservatives, the sacred cause of Conservatism
is worth upholding in its national integrity, _reflect_,
_consider_, _and forbear_ to commit yourselves to such a
humiliating course, as to vote for a man whose _practices and
principles_ you have so often _condemned_ since he has been
in Parliament. At some future period our cause will be on the
ascent, and you will then regret _having assisted_ to hand over
the Borough of Dudley to Radicalism and Faction. Mr. Sheridan,
you are told, has _again promised_ your rash and indiscreet
leaders, that _he will this time_ support Lord Derby's
Government. How will _that new arrangement_ meet the views of
his Liberal supporters, for they _will not_ be found "_to blow
hot and cold_;" and pray ask him, what kind of Government he
will support when Lord Derby's rule is over? Why the natural
inference is (taking the past as evidence) that Mr. Sheridan
will support _any Government_ which will please _his next
best_ supporters in Dudley! He has proved himself _unstable_,
_unsettled_, and _wavering_ in his political convictions, the
"_Shuttlecock_" of any party that will promise him support; and
as such, totally unfit to represent the intelligence and wealth
of the Conservative interests; and a miserable guide for the
Radical faction.

Are you determined to belie your Conservative principles and
vote for a "_Shilley Shalley Radical_," the man who has branded
your honoured townsmen (the Bank Directors) with a breach of
that trust which many of us (as Shareholders) have placed in
their hands, in betraying to the public the state of your
private affairs? Is such an _unscrupulous Weathercock_ entitled
to the support of the Constitutional Conservatives in Dudley,
who have ever been ready to uphold and maintain, the honour of
their townsmen, and the sacred principles of Constitutional
Monarchy? _Reflect_, brother Conservatives, before you place
your sacred trusts in the hands of such _an uncertain leader_;
for _the past has proved_ his political infidelity to our cause
and interests, and your recorded votes in his favour will
assuredly prove your political inconsistency. If you cannot
conscientiously support Lord Monck, the Conservative Liberal
Candidate, then stand aloof from this _attempted unnatural_
compact; and calmly watch Mr. Sheridan's "_New Dodge_," with
a few of the young and heated Conservatives; become again,
_another evidence_ of his own falseness, and a lasting monument
of his supporters' political blindness and folly.

Ask yourselves what _political sympathy_ this man can expect at
your hands, after the broken pledges that he has committed.

Reflecting Conservatives, let not _the shade_ of our departed
Conservative chiefs _darken the path_ of the present crisis;
and God forbid that the sons of our venerated townsmen should
become the leaders and promoters of Radicalism, Inconsistency,
and Confusion; for the Voter for a Conservative Pakington, six
weeks ago, surely will not be found voting for a _nondescript_
Sheridan at this coming Election.

AN OLD CONSERVATIVE.

_Dudley, April 21st, 1859._

* * * * *

TO THE ELECTORS OF DUDLEY.

GENTLEMEN,

During the time I have been absent in London, _i.e._, since
Thursday, I find that my political opponents have been
indulging in the same tricks, with the view of prejudicing me
in your eyes, which characterised the anonymous communications
to the _Birmingham Daily Post_.

I allude to a paper which has been sent to the Electors of
the Borough, purporting to be a history of the "Times" Fire
Insurance Company, by which they seek to have it inferred that
I have done some act in connection with that Company which
would damage me in your estimation.

Instead of replying in detail to the _abominable falsehoods_
which are therein contained, I shall content myself by saying--

That I never was Secretary to the "Times" Insurance Company.

That I am still a Director of that Company, which has
amalgamated with the "State" Office.

That I am the largest Shareholder in the Company.

That I am paying calls at the rate of six or seven hundred
pounds every few months.

That I have lent to the Company, at various times, about eight
thousand pounds, most of which is still owing to me.

That for the last two years, we, the Directors, have not
received fees for our weekly attendance, or any other
remuneration for our services.

I may add, that the losses by fire, have, for some years past
been very disastrous to this and all other similar Companies,
and the greatest sufferers by these losses are the Directors,
of whom I am one.

The whole affair is an Electioneering artifice, as appears on
the face of it; and one which I treat with the contempt it
merits.

The fact of neither the writer nor the printer of this
absurd tissue of slanders having dared to give their names,
is sufficient evidence of the utter worthlessness of this
so-called _Cambridge_ effusion.

I am, Gentlemen, Yours faithfully,
H. B. SHERIDAN.

_April 21st, 1859._

* * * * *

THE COMMITTEE'S SUPPLICATION.

_Air_--"_Oh! Susannah, don't you cry for me._"

You've come down here from Rochdale, our Member for to be,
'Tis hard that we should stand the shot, and you get off scot free;
No doubt you are a mighty man, with potent powers of speech,
But still we didn't ask you here to bleed us like a leech.
Oh! John Bright, wont you find some tin,
We fear 'twill be expensive work for us to get you in.

Your name is printed in large type, while ours are printed small,
The printers and the bill stickers are paid to daub the wall;
And 'tis a shame, and does somewhat of shabbiness betray,
That you should have the dance, John Bright, and we the piper pay.
Oh! John Bright, &c.

The honour's great to us, John Bright, to serve so great a man;
We cringe, and worship your great name as humbly as we can--
But let us not in vain, great man, your ample pocket sue,
For we all think it very hard, John Bright, to pay for you.
Oh! John Bright, &c.

We puff you off as liberal, and hope you may be so,
And by some deeds, as well as words, that you are liberal shew;
And let it not be said you wouldn't find a five-pound note
To pay for cabs and cars to take the people up to vote.
Oh! John Bright, &c.

* * * * *

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.

GENTLEMEN,

Having completed my Canvass of the Borough, and endeavoured
personally to pay my respects to every Elector, I am desirous
to express to you my sense of the kindness and courtesy with
which I have been received by the whole Constituency, and my
sincere thanks for the very large amount of support with which
I have been honored.

If I should have omitted through accident or inadvertence to
call upon any Elector, I trust such omission will be attributed
to its true cause, and not to any intentional disrespect on my
part.

The result of my Canvass inspires me with a full assurance that
I shall be returned as your Representative, and I have only to
beg that those who have favored me with the promise of their
support will kindly attend early at the Poll, at which I pledge
myself they shall have an opportunity of recording their Votes
in my favor.

I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
MONCK.

_Committee Rooms, Bush Inn, April 21st, 1859_.

* * * * *

DUDLEY ELECTION.

Mr. Sheridan's Committee having heard that the Canvassers of
Lord Monck have, with the view of prejudicing Mr. Sheridan's
position with the Liberal party, FABRICATED STATEMENTS to
the effect that he has recanted his Political opinions and
compromised that party by pledging himself to a course hostile
to their views, in a letter written to THOS. BADGER, ESQ., beg
to assure the Electors that SUCH STATEMENTS ARE ENTIRELY UNTRUE.

Mr. SHERIDAN will read the letter at the Meeting at the
Lancasterian School Room, on Tuesday Evening next, and refute
the unwarrantable reports which have been circulated respecting
it.

BY ORDER.

_Committee Room, Swan Hotel, Dudley, 23rd April, 1859._

* * * * *

DUDLEY ELECTION, 1859.

POLLING DAY, FRIDAY, APRIL 29th.

Hours of Polling from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lord Monck's Committee Room,
April 27th, 1859.

DEAR SIR,

It is exceedingly desirable that every Canvasser should
strictly attend to the following instructions:--

The Canvass Books should be made up correctly, showing the
Returns up to this day; and any Canvass Book not so made up
should be immediately taken to the Committee Room for the
purpose.

Each Canvasser to-day or to-morrow at the latest, will please
give notice at the Committee Room, stating what Cab or Car
accommodation he may require, so that proper arrangements may
be made for supplying it.

On the morning of the Poll each Canvasser is earnestly
requested to proceed to his district with all speed, securing
the doubtful Voters first, and continuing his labours until
every Voter who has promised, or is inclined _favorably_, has
voted.

It is very desirable that each Canvasser should attend
frequently at the Committee Room, to ascertain what Voters
have not polled, and for this purpose he may enquire for
any particular Voter by name or number, or as to any number
of unpolled Voters in any particular street or place,
and arrangements will be made for this information being
immediately supplied.

Information must be immediately given at the Committee Room as
to any wavering Voter, so that any aid may be rendered that may
be necessary.

Any additional Cab or Car accommodation must be applied for as
required.

LORD MONCK earnestly requests that every Canvasser will
zealously continue his labours until every Voter that can
possibly be secured has voted, and afterwards attend at the
Committee Room to aid in any other way that may be requested.

W. C. WOOD, Chairman.

* * * * *

DUDLEY ELECTION.

TO THE ELECTORS OF DUDLEY.

I beg to thank you for the overwhelming expression of your
confidence at the NOMINATION this morning.

I beseech you not to relax your exertions on behalf of myself
and your Political Independence.

Be early with your Friends at the Poll, and our Success is
certain.

I am, Gentlemen,
Your faithful Servant,
H. B. SHERIDAN.

_Committee Room, Swan Hotel, Dudley, April 28th, 1859. One
o'clock p.m._

* * * * *

April 29th, 1859. Close of the Poll:--

Mr. H. B. Sheridan, Independent 432
Viscount Monck, Liberal-Conservative 361
----
Majority for Mr. Sheridan 71

* * * * *

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.

GENTLEMEN,

The state of the Poll at its close shows a result unfavourable
to my desire to represent you in Parliament, and my opponent
has been returned as your Member.

It therefore only remains for me, in the same spirit of good
feeling and good humour in which I have endeavoured to carry on
the contest, to return my sincere and heartfelt thanks to those
amongst you who have honoured me with their support at the Poll.

I deem it, however, only an act of justice to myself and my
Committee to state that, had the promises of support which were
made to me in the course of my Canvass been fulfilled, I should
now be your Member.

Into the causes which have led to the failure of these
engagements, I do not mean now to enter; but I consider it
an unwarrantable act wantonly to involve a Constituency in
the turmoil of a Contest, and I therefore desire to leave
upon record the fact that my Committee had good grounds for
expecting a different result of the Poll.

I now take leave of you, I cannot say without some feelings of
disappointment, but with none of irritation or annoyance.

To the gentlemen of my Committee who have laboured so
assiduously in my cause, I beg to tender my most grateful
acknowledgments, and to the whole Constituency my thanks for
the courtesy and kindness with which I have been treated since
I came amongst you.

I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
MONCK.

_Committee Rooms, Bush Inn, April 29th, 1859._

October 28th, 1859, Mr. Theophilus Tinsley was elected Mayor, and Mr. C. F. G. Clark, High Bailiff, of the Borough of Dudley for the ensuing year.

DUDLEY RIFLE CORPS.

November 23rd, 1859, a requisition, signed by upwards of 120 of the leading inhabitants of the town, was presented to the Mayor, T. Tinsley, Esq., requesting him to convene a public meeting, to take into consideration the expediency of forming a Volunteer Rifle Corps in this Borough. Mr. Henry Money Wainwright, Solicitor, was elected the first captain, which honourable appointment he held with great dignity and efficiency for a number of years. A public subscription was originated to raise funds for a suitable equipment of the corps, when upwards of £150 was received for that object.

Died, November 29th, 1859, Edward Dixon, Esq., Jun., only son of the late esteemed Mr. Dixon, Banker of this town.

DUDLEY GARRICK CLUB.

Some of my readers may be pleased to see a re-print of one of the earlier Play Bills of this enterprising Volunteer company of our younger townsmen, who founded one of the most enjoyable entertainments ever held in the town. Too much praise cannot be accorded to these young gentlemen for the assiduity and care they always manifested in placing upon the boards some of the most exciting as well as highly finished dramatic pieces of the day. These theatrical performances were liberally patronized by all parties, and gave universal satisfaction to all concerned, and their proceeds were liberally given to our local charities.

DUDLEY GARRICK CLUB.

POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT,

Assisted by Miss ISABEL ADAMS, Miss BELLAIR, Miss HINTON, and
Miss HOLMES.

The Entertainment will commence with

THE READING OF AN ADDRESS.

After which will be produced the latest Metropolitan successful
Comedy-Drama, in three acts, entitled

MIRIAM'S CRIME!

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

Bernard Reynolds Mr. W. ATKINS.
Scumley (a reprobate) Mr. S. WARING.
Huffin (a lawyer) Mr. A. SHEDDEN.
Daniel Mr. C. PAIN.
Biles (a clerk) Mr. H. WOODALL.
Miriam West Miss ISABEL ADAMS.
Mrs. Raby Miss HINTON.

SONG Miss BELLAIR.

To conclude with the evergreen popular Haymarket Comedy, in
three acts, of

PAUL PRY!

Colonel Hardy Mr. A. SHEDDEN.
Frank Hardy Mr. RICHARDS.
Witherton (an old bachelor) Mr. S. WARING.
Harry Stanley Miss BELLAIR.
Grasp (a steward) Mr. C. PAIN.
Doubledot (an innkeeper) Mr. W. GORTON.
Simon Mr. GEO. PITT.
Mr. Stanley Mr. C. RUSSELL.
Paul Pry Mr. H. WOODALL.

(Servants, &c., by Members of the D.G.C.)

Mrs. Subtle Miss HINTON.
Phœbe (with a song) Miss ISABEL ADAMS.
Eliza Miss W. HOLMES.

A FULL THEATRICAL BAND IS ENGAGED.

Hon. Sec. Mr. JAMES WOOD.
Stage Manager Mr. H. WOODALL.
Prompter Mr. T. NEATH.
Perruquier Mr. JAMES FOSTER.

Doors open at half-past Six--Curtain to rise at Seven o'clock.
Reserved. Seats, 3s.; Unreserved Seats, 2s.; Back Seats, 1s.

Children in arms not admitted.

Tickets may be obtained from Mr. LAXTON, Bookseller, High
Street (where a Plan of Reserved Seats may be seen on and after
Wednesday, January 27th); Messrs. WARING, Wolverhampton Street;
Mr. EVAN ROBERTS, Stone Street; or from any Member of the
Committee.

Carriages may be ordered for half-past Ten, and will set down
with horses' heads facing Snowhill, and take up, horses' heads
facing the Town.

THE EARLDOM OF DUDLEY.

February 13th, 1860. The Right Honourable Lord Ward was created "Earl of Dudley and Viscount Ednam." This important event was received with great satisfaction, both in the town of Dudley and the surrounding villages and hamlets, and the ancient town of Dudley was especially aware of marked consideration, in having the new elevation in the Peerage of the House of Himley called after our loyal and trusty old Borough. Deputations of congratulations to the noble Earl poured in upon him from all quarters, and the most notable must be claimed, the "Great Deputation," which in much pomp and state emanated from the then Mayor, Theophilus Tinsley, Esq., and the principal inhabitants of Dudley, who were most graciously received by the new Earl of Dudley, at Himley Hall, on February 18th, 1860. The following is a report of these congratulatory deputations.

PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS TO THE EARL OF DUDLEY.

Thursday was the day named by the Earl of Dudley as the day
when he should be happy to receive the deputation who had
expressed a wish to wait upon his lordship, to present to him,
on behalf of the town of Dudley, an address, upon his recent
elevation to the title of Earl of Dudley. Himley was named as
the place where his lordship would receive the deputation,
and, accordingly, between one and two yesterday afternoon,
the following gentlemen assembled at Himley Hall:--The Mayor
(T. Tinsley, Esq.), the High Bailiff (Mr. C. F. G. Clark),
Rev. Dr. Davison, Rev. G. Lewis, Captain Bennitt, Messrs. A.
B. Cochrane, J. E. Swindell, W. Haden, S. D. Fereday, J. G.
Walker, J. S. Bourne, Williscroft, Renaud, Grainger, Rudge,
Hollier, Jordan, S. Price, Aston, Sanders, H. M. Wainwright, W.
S. Wood, and Danks.

His Lordship received the deputation in his accustomed urbane
manner, and after the ceremony of recognition had been gone
through, the Mayor read the following address: "To the Right
Honourable the Earl of Dudley,--We, the Mayor, Magistrates,
clergy, gentry, and inhabitants of the parish and borough of
Dudley, beg to offer to your Lordship our sincere and hearty
congratulations on the occasion of your Lordship's elevation to
the Earldom of Dudley; and humbly pray that your Lordship may
be long spared to enjoy that dignity, and that it may by God's
blessing be handed down in direct succession to the remotest
posterity. Dudley, February 16th, 1860."

The address, engrossed on vellum in a highly decorative
style, bore the inscription, "To the Right Honourable the
Earl of Dudley," and was superbly illuminated in gold and
colours, his lordship's motto, "Comme je fus," preceding the
address. To it were added nearly 700 signatures, including the
leading inhabitants of Dudley, Netherton, and the outlying
districts comprehended within the borough of 40,000 inhabitants
from which his lordship derives the title. The address and
signatures thereto occupied twelve sheets of vellum, and the
whole was enclosed in a handsome Russian cover, on which, in
letters of gold, appeared the following dedication--"To the
Right Honourable the Earl of Dudley, of Dudley Castle, in the
county of Stafford, Viscount Ednam, of Ednam, in the county of
Roxburgh."

After the Mayor had read the address, and presented it to the
Earl, the High Bailiff made a few remarks in support of the
sentiments conveyed in that document. He said that although the
occasion of his lordship's elevation to an earldom was no doubt
of great importance to himself privately, still it was also of
great importance to the borough of Dudley, and his lordship had
paid a very high compliment to the borough in taking his title
from it. Therefore they had considered it their duty to present
to his lordship that address, signed, as it was, by all classes
and all denominations of the inhabitants of the borough, and by
those who were sincerely attached to both his lordship's person
and house.

The Rev. G. Lewis, in the absence of the Rev. Dr. Browne,
(Vicar of Dudley) begged, in the name of the clergy and
ministers of Dudley, to be allowed to avail himself of that
opportunity of expressing his congratulations upon his
Lordship's elevation to his new title. The title bore the
impress of a new bond of connection between his Lordship
and Dudley, and he (Mr. Lewis) trusted it would extend the
connection, and still more closely cement the bond.

His Lordship then replied to the address of the deputation
in a few observations, which were especially remarkable for
their felicity and the cordial feeling they displayed. The
noble Earl stated that he need not tell them that that was
one of the moments of his life which gave him the greatest
pleasure, and which he should remember the longest, and, as
they might suppose, he could not divest himself of the personal
pleasure attendant upon the reception of such a deputation
on such an occasion. But far beyond any gratification this
station of rank could give him, was the fact that the town
and borough of Dudley shared in that gratification, and spoke
out on the subject so distinctly as it did that day. But the
personal gratification was not all because he felt that it
was, really and truly, a congratulation upon a matter which
very much affected himself and his house. In these days, when
men not only demand their right to private opinions, but also
the right to express those opinions, it was more than ever
difficult to obtain an unanimous opinion as to who was worthy
of congratulation. Still it was always a great pleasure to
congratulate another; but when a man happened to be the object
of such congratulations, to be the object of which such a
meeting was called as that he saw before him, and the object of
the expressions which had been given utterance to, the pleasure
was naturally four-fold greater. With regard to what had been
said about the selection of the title of Earl of Dudley, his
Lordship remarked that he could not for one moment have dreamt
of taking any other title. He had desired that the link between
his family and the town might be drawn together closer, and be
stronger than ever, and to show them that such were his desires
he had taken the title of Earl of Dudley. When he was told that
he must take the title from some town, he took that title from
Dudley, and in adding Dudley Castle to it he had only stepped
in the steps of his forefathers, and taken their precedent
for his guidance. One happened to be in Worcestershire and
the other in Staffordshire, although few people perhaps knew
where the division of the counties was, and his only reason for
acceding to what was proposed to him was that he was told he
must name a place from which to take the title, and therefore
he followed the precedent laid down for him. It was not only,
however, that the occasion personally affected the town and
himself, but it was that in so large a body as that deputation,
there was a guarantee that there was a feeling abroad of the
mutual benefit to be derived from the town having so much
confidence in the nearest peer who happened to reside in the
neighbourhood, and the fact that the peer would find he could
not do without the support of his nearest neighbours. Perhaps
in former times there was not so much real understanding of one
another, and intimacy with one another, as had happily existed
between himself and the town; he had fallen upon other times,
when men were more closely drawn together by various ties but
at any rate, he did not know any time when any deputation,
representing so large a body, had come to Himley to offer
congratulations upon any event connected with the family. After
paying a very marked and highly eulogistic compliment to those
who represented his house in the dignified manner he was proud
to say they did, the noble Earl concluded by stating that the
address presented that day would be placed amongst the papers
of his family, and in his mind would be the most valuable of
them, because it was a guarantee that the bonds of connection
between the town of Dudley and himself would be drawn together
more closely than ever.

The Dowager Lady Ward was present during the proceedings; and
evinced a lively interest in them. Her ladyship, together
with the noble Earl, the gentlemen composing the deputation,
R. Smith, Esq., and G. Taylor., Esq., subsequently sat down
to a sumptuous luncheon, and at its conclusion the deputation
thanked his Lordship for the princely reception they had met
with, and retired.

His Lordship has courteously accepted an invitation to a
banquet at Dudley, on Tuesday, the 28th inst., and on the same
day his Lordship will supply the indigent poor of the borough
with beef. Upon the same day the children in the various
schools in the town will receive a treat, the expense of which
will be met by public subscriptions.--_Birmingham Journal._

* * * * *

THE EARLDOM OF DUDLEY.

Yesterday a deputation from Brierley Hill waited upon the Right
Hon. the Earl of Dudley, at Himley Hall, to present to his
lordship, on behalf of the inhabitants of Brierley Hill and
the district, their congratulations on his lordship's recent
elevation in the peerage. The deputation started from the Star
Hotel (Mr. English's), about one o'clock, in four carriages,
and consisted of the following gentlemen:--Rev. S. Franklin
(incumbent of Brierley Hill), Rev.--Gray (curate), Rev. J.
Roebuck (Independent minister), Rev. J. Williams (Wesleyan
minister), Dr. Walker, Messrs. Ford, P. Harris, R. Plant, W.
H. Westwood, G. Pearson, Chapman, Wheeler, Williams, Horton,
Homer, and Cook. Upon arriving at the Hall, the deputation
were received by the noble Earl in a very cordial manner, and
Mr. R. Plant, after making a few eulogistic remarks, proceeded
to read the following address:--"We, the undersigned, clergy,
ministers of the gospel, and others, inhabitants of the town of
Brierley Hill and district, beg to present our congratulations
to your Lordship on your accession to your family dignities
and honours, bestowed upon you by the act of our most gracious
Sovereign; and that you may be spared to live long in the
enjoyment of your revived family title, and that it may be
handed down through succeeding generations, is our fervent
wish, who fully appreciate your Lordship's interest towards us,
as exhibited in your untiring efforts to promote the welfare
and prosperity of this locality." To this address were attached
about 1,200 signatures. In order that beauty and harmony should
be better preserved the signatures were transcribed, and with
the dedication and address the _souvenir_ took the form of a
thin royal octavo volume, beautifully bound in gilt russia. On
the outer cover appeared the following words:--"Address from
the town and district of Brierley Hill to the Right Honourable
the Earl of Dudley, 1860." On the frontispiece the Earl's crest
and motto were tastefully lithographed in gold and colours,
immediately succeeding which was the following dedication:--"To
the Right Honourable the Earl of Dudley, of Dudley, in the
county of Worcester, and of Dudley Castle in the county of
Stafford, Viscount Ednam of Ednam, in the county of Roxburgh,
1860." The dedication and address were printed in colours,
and each of the pages containing the signatures was surrounded
with an illuminated border. After the reception of the address,
the noble Earl made a few appropriate remarks in reply. He
said that an address of such a character, signed as it was by
about 1,200 persons, was a source of great gratification to
him, and would have been equally so if it had consisted of
simple sheets of paper, instead of assuming the elegant form
it had. Considering the short time occupied in obtaining the
signatures (one day) it was extremely gratifying to find such a
feeling exhibited towards himself and his house as was evinced
by the 1,200 who had come forward and signed the document on
behalf of themselves and those surrounding them. It proved
that Brierley Hill was fast rising in all the importance due
to a town, and he hoped it would still continue to rise, and
be supplied with such public buildings as it required, towards
which object he should always be happy to render a helping
hand. With regard to supplying the requisite churches and
chapels for the district, his Lordship took occasion to remark
that it was almost impossible to "overtake" the work--to use a
Scotch expression. It was also difficult to obtain ministers
who would enter into the work with a proper spirit, and
properly perform it, and generally it was very difficult to
find sufficient accommodation for the wants of the place. After
alluding to the importance of mechanics' institutions, and
kindred sources of improvement, and remarking that they were
also necessary in a growing locality like Brierley Hill, his
Lordship concluded by remarking that the address presented that
day would be treasured along with the most honoured archives of
the house and family; and as he might not stand again before
the same body of gentlemen, who represented 1200 inhabitants,
and doubtless many more, he begged them to convey his thanks to
each person who had signed the document, and participated in
the congratulations conveyed.

Deputations from Netherton, Sedgley, and Quarry Bank (near
Brierley Hill) were also present. The latter address was as
follows:--"To the Right Hon. Earl of Dudley, &c., &c., &c.
May it please your Lordship, we, the undersigned clergy,
churchwardens, and tenants under your Lordship in the new
district parish of Quarry Bank, Diocese of Lichfield, and in
the county of Stafford, take the liberty of congratulating
your Lordship on your elevation by our most gracious Queen to
the Earldom of Dudley, a dignity heretofore enjoyed by some
of your Lordship's ancestors. We humbly conceive that this
evidence of Royal favour has been most judiciously conferred
upon a nobleman, the management of whose property throughout
this entire district justly entitles him to be ranked amongst
the kindest, most liberal, and best of England's landlords, in
whom an industrious and well-conducted tenantry always find a
protector, friend, and patron; at the same time your Lordship
proves by great liberality your anxiety for the religious and
moral welfare of the people of this district, granting, in
this mining country where land is so valuable, ground for the
erection of a church for the people, for a churchyard, for
parsonage and gardens, liquidating the balance of mortgage
due on parsonage to Queen Anne's bounty, defraying the
entire cost of introducing gas into the church, subscribing
annually towards the support and the education of the young
in the district, and contributing towards the aid of clerical
ministrations throughout the parish. Fervently do we pray that
your Lordship may long be spared to enjoy every blessing, and
that the dignity conferred upon you by our gracious Queen may
descend (with even increased honours) to your Lordship's latest
posterity." The gentlemen comprising the various deputations
were subsequently entertained by the noble Earl at an elegant
and sumptuous luncheon, after which they thanked his lordship
for his cordial reception, and retired.

The Dowager Lady Ward, with two or three lady friends, and G.
Taylor, Esq. (his lordship's estate agent), were present during
the interesting proceedings.--_Birmingham Journal._

After the several deputations had been gone through, it was deemed the correct thing to invite the noble Earl to a grand banquet, to be given by the Mayor, and principal inhabitants of the town and district. This ever-to-be-remembered dinner became the source of much merriment to those present, as well as annoyance and chagrin to two reporters to the press, who would not accommodate themselves to the pressure that had to be put upon the small space afforded in the Hotel Ball Room to seat 128 guests at this dinner; the consequence was, that the eloquent speeches were not reported at all, and the whole affair resolved itself into a semi-private dinner party.

It was an unfortunate incident that the then Mayor was neither a moderate speaker, or well acquainted with the Queen's English, and the mistakes and blunders that were made, under the eyes and ears of so many distinguished visitors, were a source of much annoyance to the better sort of people in the town, who had some sincere regard for the fame and honour of Dudley. However, this celebrated banquet was destined to have one Chronicler, who in the following lines records the proceedings.

DUDLEY CASTLE AND THE GREAT BANQUET.

BY SOLOMON SQUIB.

I sing in praise of our old Castle Walls,
Its tilts and tournaments, fêtes and balls;
Of the great Dodo, and his humble bride,
Daughter of the far-famed Edmund Ironside,
Whose son Athelstan its Towers erected,
Whose successors its buildings for centuries protected;
Of the martial achievements of great Simon Ward,
Of his noble descendant becoming its Lord;
Of its loyal defence in the great revolution,
Its destruction by fire, and its sad dissolution.

I sing of the days of chivalry,
Of the noble spirit of rivalry.
When every knight detested a sinner,
And swore to be true to his fair Dulcinea.
When each one received the accolade,
And was dubb'd and in costly mail array'd,
With a strippling squire to carry his shield,
Determin'd to conquer and never to yield
To any power but the power above,
For the sake of his bright-eyed lady-love.
I sing of the tournaments of old,
When every knight with a spirit bold,
Dash'd his gauntlet into the ring,
Defying all comers from peasant to king.

Strange times were these, when the Lord of the Castle,
With bondsmen and freemen excited with wassail,
Rush'd on their neighbours by day and by night,
Shouting vociferously, "Might shall be right!"
E'en in the days of our good Queen Bess,
Ashwood and Priestwood were forced to confess
The power of seven score madden'd with wine,
Who stole their best oxen, their sheep and their kyne.

These customs were past when our Earl's noble ancestor
Fair Frances won, and the Lord of all blest her
With children whose numerous descendants were famed
For talents, for actions, for virtues oft named,--
Talents acknowledged by Peel, Byron, Moore,
Kings, Lords and Commons, by the rich and the poor--
By Oxford and Cambridge, by linguists, by all,
By the foes of old England, far and near, great and small.
Actions engraved on the hearts of the people,
And telling their story from steeple to steeple.
Virtues in Heaven's blest mansions recorded,
Where the vile never go, and the pure are rewarded.
I care not for critics, 'cased in temples of marble,
Sending forth bombshells and missiles of garble,
'Gainst the wide reputation of Dudley's great Earl,--
Let them come forth, and their banners unfurl,
With their mischievous motto, "Wealth's all my eye;"
Go back, silly mortals, and mind the small fry,
And we'll give a shout of exuberant joy,
For our great benefactor, that broth of a boy,
Who never deserts us in time of great need,--
Noble patron, we heartily wish thee God speed!
Thy bounty has blest many a worthy civilian,
And given enjoyment and fun to the million.
Our Whitsuntide fêtes on the Castle to wit:
But stay, this long metre this subject won't fit.

Reader, with your permission,
I'll make a short digression;
For brevity is best, no doubt,
When wit, fun, frolic, are about.
The Castle Fêtes, alas! alas!
Let them to oblivion pass,
With the ugly Balance Sheet,
Afraid the public eye to meet;
We no doubt can do without it,
Therefore say no more about it.
Why rave, and rant, and grumble? Zounds!
The gains exceed a thousand pounds!
In spite of the great defalcation,
And the costly presentation,
Sufficient to clothe and equip a score
Of the "Dudley Volunteer Rifle Corps."

I now sing of the blind man's happy home,
The Asylum for those who care not to roam,
The magnificent gift of our patron and friend,--
May his praises resound to the wide world's end.
'Twas a gladdening sight, it did one's heart good,
When he laid the foundation stone, humbly he stood,
'Midst the ragged, and wretched, and the poor cast-away,
The well-to-do folk, and the great and the gay,--
Proclaiming "My worldly possessions I owe
To the Ruler of all things above and below,
And through life my earnest endeavour shall be
To distribute those blessings given to me."
Well spoken, my Lord, may your stewardship meet
The approval of Him who knows no deceit;
Then when titles and grandeur shall crumble to dust,
Your soul will be found 'mongst the righteous and just.

And now let us sing of the great Deputation,
With address clothed in gold, a sweet gratulation.
To Himley they journey'd without ostentation,
Made their bows and delivered a first-rate oration.
So flattering, so powerful, it caused quite a sensation,--
And ended at last with the Earl's observation,
"My friends, your respect has my warm approbation;
"I pray you partake of a cold collation."
Each one took his seat without hesitation,
Eat and drank and talk'd o'er the affairs of the nation,
And the Captain delivered a long peroration,
So fulsome, it met with the Earl's condemnation.
The business being o'er, and the Mayor's invitation
Accepted, each went to his own habitation.
And the Mayor, uplifted with such exultation,
Sends forth the following proclamation:

"O yes! O yes! be it known to all men,
(We never shall see the like again),
On the 28th instant we hold our Banquet!
And after the 19th no seats will be let--
A guinea a piece--'Hark! forward, boys, hark!'
Signed, P. G. M., L. M. N. O. P., C. F. G. (Clerk)."
'Twas a splendid affair, all the tickets were taken,
And they sat down to fish, flesh, fowl, and bacon.
The Mayor took the chair, and the Bailiff was Vice,--
_Vice versa_, some thought would have been the best choice.
The great guest was welcom'd with loud acclamation,
And the nobles were greeted with kind adulation:
Talented Lyttelton, "honourable" Ward,
(Promoters of progress, stem foes to discord,)
The great Dean of Worcester, the immaculate Paul,
The Sheriff whom no power on earth can appal:
These were the guests that graced the Mayor's table,
Men full of good works, free, willing, and able
To assist us in all things pertaining to good,
To bodily comforts and spiritual food.
And besides, there were present the renown'd Dr. Browne,
The unknown Doctor D., and the _élite_ of the town,
All the Clergy of the Established Church were there,
Only one Chapel preacher thought fit to appear.
Ten magistrates (bless 'em), a glorious batch,
Like jolly good fellows, came up to the scratch;
Exclusive of them there appear'd twenty-two,
In the Coal and Iron trade some few good and true.
Eight respectable lawyers, five doctors, four quacks,
Seven victuallers, four sellers of leather and wax,
Eight drapers and tailors, the glass-master Renaud,
One hatter, one painter, one printer, one Howard;
Tom and John the surveyors, fond of all things good;
The important ex-Mayor, and the little Ned Wood,
Tom Smart the butcher, and the millionaire Guest,
Fourteen agents (two ticketless) make up the rest:
Numbering one hundred and twenty and nine,
And all pleased with their excellent dinner and wine.

The cloth was drawn, and the plate went round,
And in lieu of two tickets two guineas were found:
The shorthands were call'd from the taproom below,
By the Clerk and Committee, yet none would go;
Inducements were offered, but all was in vain,
The help of reporters they could not obtain,--
They'd insulted most grossly the "fourth estate,"
And all they could say would not compensate;
Its reporters they forced from their usual places,
(A thing never known e'en at prize-fights and races),
And sent them down stairs till the stuffing was o'er,
And then "This way, gentlemen, to the next floor."
Why the dirtiest hole throughout all the nation
Could not have display'd less civilization.

Amidst great confusion, and cries of "Chair, chair!"
The business proceeded by our eloquent Mayor,
Proposing so brilliantly each loyal toast,
I'm afraid he disturbed old Demosthenes' ghost.
He came to the Bishops and Clergy at last,
And on the great Doctor his north twinkler cast
Up jumps the bold Doctor and spouted away,
'Bout Dudley's great Earl, whom none can gainsay
"Look at his acts and his kind liberality,
"Especially confined to this favour'd locality.
Then he spoke of St. Thomas's tottering steeple,
And the need of a church for the Cemetery people:
"Much money is wanted, but little is found;
"Will you suffer God's Temple to fall to the ground?
"Let the Town Hall and such useless fabrics be floor'd,
"But let not my Church and your vestry be lower'd;
"I claim your support and your very best wishes,
"For the sake of the long lost loaves and fishes."

And now comes the toast, the toast of the day,
"The great Earl of Dudley"--huzza! and huzza!!!
'Twas given by Blackwell in a splendid oration,
Boldly deliver'd without ostentation,
Free from all twaddle and mean adulation.
He gained great applause from beginning to end,
And the Earl was pleased to call him "his friend."
(This Blackbird, so flighty, sagacious, and clever,
In crossing a Brooke, once display'd a white feather.)
But what said the Earl in reply to the toast?
Magnanimous sentiments! could the town boast
Of another like him, we'd have nothing to fear,
All would be prosperous year after year.
He spoke like a man of the warmest sincerity,
Express'd his desire for Dudley's prosperity,
Declar'd he was willing to do all he could
Towards all things pertaining to public good.
Improvements were wanted all over the town--
The dirty old Town Hall he'd have taken down;
And hop'd he should see, in a very short time,
More refinement in all things, less ignorance and crime.

Ye pooh-poohing puppies, ye foul-mouthed jokers,
Contemptible cynics, and broken-down croakers,
Your rancorous shafts can't harm or offend
Our high-minded leader, our patriot and friend.
Go to bed, rantipoles, your day's on the wane;
Lie still, for you'll never be wanted again.

The Earl in due time gave "Long life to the Mayor,"
And the chairman responded in terms rich and rare;
He talk'd of his "_Earlship's_ well-known _festivalities_,"
Our local inducements, our strange nationalities.
Of his "READING at Himley the great Deputation,"
And his "_Earlship's_" high and magnificent station.
The guests were astounded at language so able,
And the Earl, overcome, dropp'd his head on the table.
Lord Lyttelton fancied it could not last long,
So balanced a spoon on the tip of his tongue!!
It ended at last with a hem and a haw,
And the Mayor sat down with immense _eclât_.
The High Bailiff came out with his "verbalized finery",
Inexplicable terms and unmeaning irony.
The town and the Trade, and Squire Knight's quackery
He prefers the year round to Dickens or Thackeray;
He loves the black country--may nothing upset it,--
For though he may leave it, he'll never forget it.

Mr. Haden replied to the "Coal and Iron Trade,"
In language concise, unadorned, unarrayed.
Our Captain, as bold, as the heroes of Rome,
Proposed "Lady Ward" and the old house at home.
Our Lord Lieutenant, whom all men adore,
Drank success to our Volunteer Rifle Corps.
Th' intelligent Fred, whom the world scarcely knows,
In an eloquent speech, thought fit to propose
The health of the Sheriff, whom none can gainsay,
His namesake and friend, and the County's mainstay.
To the "Sports of the Field," Will Grazebrook replied
In a humorous speech which none can deride:
Yet, sad to relate, when this sportsman departed,
Full of good cheer, light-headed, light-hearted,
On his travels towards home he upset a trap,
Which eventually proved a serious mishap.
The coachman pull'd up, but all advice scorning,
"Drive on," cried his master, "I'll call in the morning."
Shame! shame! Billy Grazebrook; if a fox had been there
You'd have been at the death, and not in the rear;
But alas! a fond husband has now to bewail
The loss of his lov'd one: so here ends my tale.

* * * * *

DUDLEY.

EARLDOM OF DUDLEY.

_To the Editor of the_ DAILY POST.

Sir,--In your impression of this day's _Daily Post_ it is
observed that your Mr. Simpson, the recognised Dudley reporter
of the _Daily Post_, has thought fit to advert to what he
conceives to be "an indignity" offered to the reporters of the
press, at the dinner given to the Earl of Dudley last evening.

As one of the Committee of Management in that matter, I would
wish, by your permission, to rectify some of the erroneous
impressions which your remarks are calculated to convey to the
public.

I beg to inform your readers that the "Press" was one of the
"first considerations" of the committee at its meetings;
as a proof of which your Mr. Simpson obtained, through the
influence of the committee, the exclusive privilege to report
the proceedings of the Himley deputation, and received that
distinguished recognition rarely accorded to the "Fourth
Estate."

The unprecedented rush for tickets to do honour to the Earl of
Dudley, and the very confined nature of the space for dining at
the disposal of the committee, necessarily compelled that body
to adopt "extraordinary means" for the purpose of giving as
many of the public as possible an opportunity of "doing honour
to whom honour is due."