Chapter IV: Part 4

Sir JOHN CAMPBELL said he purposely and advisedly put the
question to the Returning Officer, as he was unwilling to
mention the name of any gentleman, as connected with certain
transactions, unless the party accused had an opportunity
of defending himself. He should certainly, under such
circumstances, not mention the names of those who had been
guilty of the most disgraceful intimidation; but if the ballot
should be introduced, he could with safety predict that it
would mainly be owing to the exertions of the Tories. (Cheers.)
Supposing it should be introduced at the next election, they
would doubtless then congratulate the people of Dudley upon the
ballot as they now did upon the elective franchise. The learned
gentleman said he knew of many acts of intimidation, but he
was happy to say that in several instances they had proved
unavailing. He then went on to state, that since the last time
he had presented himself before the electors of Dudley he
had accepted office under the Crown. Enjoying the confidence
of His Majesty's Ministers, and the favour of his Sovereign,
he had been appointed his Majesty's Solicitor-General. He
thanked God, however, that he believed he lived in times when
no collision was likely to occur between the duties of the
King's Solicitor-General and the electors of Dudley. (Cheers.)
The British constitution, when in healthy operation, worked
harmoniously together, the privileges of the Crown and the
rights of the people being equally for the protection of both.
Could any charge be brought against him for accepting office
under Lord Grey? Did the people of Yorkshire censure Lord
Brougham, after his election for that county, for accepting
the Lord Chancellorship? No; when in office he laboured only
still more efficiently to carry into effect the measures he
had advocated and promoted when out. He (Sir John) assured
the electors of Dudley that he would not hold office one
moment longer when he found by so doing he was compromising
the liberties, interests, and happiness of the people.
(Cheers.) The moment he found he could not hold it consistent
with his principles he would resign. (Cheers.) The learned
gentleman next proceeded to reply to Sir Horace St. Paul on
the Russian-Dutch Loan, and to defend, in eloquent terms,
the Government on that question, of which he gave a succinct
history. The fact was, when Lord Grey with his ministry came
into power, they found a treaty in existence, made by their
predecessors the Tories, and which they found they could not
fail to fulfil without a complete breach of national faith.
Almost the whole of the Tories admitted that according to the
spirit they were bound to pay the guarantee to Russia, and it
was only by a quibble such as had been brought against his
friend Mr. Braidley, that they attempted, for the purpose of
embarrassing the ministry, to set it aside. As to the Greek
Loan, that, too, was a job of the Tories; but he confessed,
unlike most Tory jobs, he approved of it, for it was nothing
more than a guarantee, if necessary, to enable the Greeks
to withstand the Tories of Turkey and the Conservatives of
Constantinople. Every nation of Europe that possessed one spark
of liberty was anxious that the Greeks should be emancipated
from the slavery of Turkish tyranny. Sir John next entered
into the Belgian question, and defended the policy of the
British Government at great length. He described the present
state of affairs in Holland and Belgium as the result of
Conservative influence in this country. With regard to the
colours which the hon. baronet remarked were so conspicuous
in the distant vista before him, he (Sir John Campbell)
was not surprised at his consternation. The banners of the
Solicitor-General were to be seen at almost every house in the
long street opposite the Market-hall. He had no doubt, though
he was the last man to inflict pain, that the hon. baronet
was literally appalled at the fearful exhibition which then
presented itself before his astonished eyes. (Cheers.) If they
could walk through the streets of Dudley, they would find
200 similar flags; flags all bearing the emblem of British
loyalty--the crown; all denoting respect and admiration to King
William IV. (Three cheers for the King.) The learned gentleman,
after a long and eloquent speech, called upon the electors of
Dudley to come speedily to the poll. He assured his opponent
he should not make any vexatious opposition, nor demand the
administration of any unnecessary oaths. Sir John Campbell
concluded a speech of about an hour and half in length amidst
the most vehement cheering.

After a few observations from MR. HAWKES, a late opponent of
Sir J. Campbell for Stafford, the Returning Officer put the
question as to the nomination of the two candidates, when it
was decided by a large majority for Sir John Campbell. The
friends of Sir Horace St. Paul immediately demanded a poll,
which was fixed to commence at 8 o'clock on Tuesday morning.

The meeting then broke up, and the supporters of the
Solicitor-General walked in procession through the town.

(_From the Times, December 12th, 1832._)

1832. At the time the late Mr. Thomas Hawkes won his first political spurs, as M.P. for old Dudley; he was the head of the glass trade in this town, and we could then boast of having _five large glass houses_ in full operation in our midst, employing at the time upwards of 1,000 hands. Since that time the glass trade has nearly departed from Dudley, and we have now only one glass works amongst us--viz., that highly respectable firm of Messrs. John Renaud and Son, at the foot of Tower Street, once the celebrated firm of Messrs. Guest, Wood, and Guest. The glass trade seems to have migrated to Wordsley and Brettell Lane, for that is now a large centre of glass manufactory.

The establishment of a Mechanics' Institute in Dudley during the last fifty years has undergone many phases of decline and prosperity, for at this early period a feeble effort for securing and maintaining a Mechanics' Institute was made by holding a Reading and Lecture Room, with a touch of political debate, in New Street; and the late Rev. John Palmer, A.B., Unitarian Minister, took great interest in its promotion, and his subjoined lecture, delivered to the Institute on Monday, October 14th, 1833, testified his energetic efforts in its promotion.

LECTURE ON THE ADVANTAGES OF UNITING SCIENTIFIC WITH PRACTICAL
KNOWLEDGE, IN ARTS AND MANUFACTURES.

The circumstances under which the mechanic is usually brought
forward in life, are in a national point of view, as well
as regards the individual, deeply to be deplored.--England
has obtained celebrity all over the world for the skill and
ingenuity of her workmen; but her reward has not ended in a
mere name: she has experienced the more gratifying testimonials
of seeing the wealth of the world in her ports, to pay her for
her superiority in Arts and Manufactures. Indeed, if we trace
England's greatness to its source, we shall find it issuing
from the labour and ingenuity of her operative classes. Her
agriculture is adequate to the support of a small portion of
her population only, and it is to her manufactures she must
look for the maintenance of the remainder. It is from the same
inexhaustible source that her armies have been sent to every
shore, and her fleets to every sea; it is from the same source
that her power and energies are everywhere seen rising in such
gigantic forms, and executing such incredible operations; it
is from this, too, that her philosophers are wise, her poets
eminent, her statesmen eloquent: this is her universal spur
to industry; remove it, destroy the manufactures of England,
and her greatness is annihilated by the act; a universal palsy
seizes on her powers, her resources, her genius, her name. Is
it not then of the first importance that she should look on
her mechanics, those who hold the germ of her eminence, with
a favourable eye? Is it not the duty of her statesmen to view
their country's greatness in its cradle, and to anticipate the
means best calculated to bring it forward to the best and most
vigorous maturity? Yes, it may be replied, and this is already
done; have we not _schools_ in abundance for the children
of all classes, have we not schools _national_, schools
_congregational_, _army_ schools, _navy_ schools, _public_
schools, _private_ schools, was ever country so be-schooled
as this is?--Alas! the education of our youth is miserably
defective. I do not desire to put down the schools that now
exist, but I should wish to see others of a much different
kind established. The education now universally afforded is
merely _mechanical_. The intellect is but little taxed, and,
less still, amused by it. What is the amount of instruction
penuriously dealt out to the children of our mechanics?--why,
to know how to read, to mind their _stops_ and _emphasis_ in
proper places, to write and make up pecuniary calculations,
and this being done, their education is _finished_; they are
then sent to learn their _trades_; the system of _mechanical_
instruction goes on; the hands and feet and fingers must
practise such and such motions by which such and such results
are produced; and after all it is often found that a better
workman may be constructed out of materials of wood and iron.

It is melancholy to reflect how large a field of literature
has been thus left uncultivated. I lately wanted information
respecting the iron trade; I desired to know what internal
or chemical change takes place in the metal in its progress
through various states: and I have not been able to discover
that more than one simple and popular treatise on the subject
has ever issued from the British press. The French have been
more inquisitive on these important subjects, and some English
chemists have noticed them in a desultory manner. But a full,
familiar, and popular treatise on this great source of our
country's wealth is a _desideratum_ reflecting the greatest
disgrace on the system of education pursued throughout the
country. It is impossible that the philosopher who sits down in
his study to propound theories on subjects connected with arts
and manufactures should be able to bring as much information to
the task as is known to the practical man; and it is equally
useless to hope that the latter can turn his experience to
the same account as if he were acquainted with the peculiar
knowledge of the theorist. At the first meeting of this
society, I mentioned an anecdote of two individuals employed in
the humble but useful calling of _stone breakers_; one struck
each stone as it happened to lie before him; the other observed
that stones broke easiest in _certain directions_; he applied
this observation to his employment, and was thereby enabled to
earn considerably more than his companion. Now this fact was
known to the theorist long before, and under a proper system of
education, should have been more especially known to him whose
bread so materially depended on it.

I constantly observe in the streets and highways, as strong
an instance as need be adduced to point out the necessity of
a better national instruction. Waggons are drawn by teams of
horses to the number of four or even five, placed _one after
the other_. Now a knowledge of mechanical forces would shew,
that the nearer the exerting force is placed to the draught,
the greater the power; to speak in _technical_ language, the
_power is inversely as the square root of the distance_--thus,
if one horse be nine feet distant and another sixteen (the
two horses applying equal strength) the horse nearer the
draught will draw four pounds for every three drawn by the
more distant; for these numbers 4 and 3 are the square roots
of the numbers expressing the distances 16 and 9 feet: or
in other words, three horses at 9 feet distance will do as
much as four 16 feet, or as 5 at 25 feet. Horses then in
draught should always be put _in pairs_; there is an obvious
inconvenience in increasing the breadth of the team; and
besides those stationed _too far_ on the side, may be _as far_
from the centre of gravity of the draught, as if they were
placed in front of the others. The want of scientific knowledge
occasioned our ancestors incalculable trouble and expense. I
will explain this by their aqueducts: should we require to
convey water from the top of a hill or mountain to another of
equal elevation, the object may be easily and at little cost
effected by placing united pipes through the intermediate
space, and allowing the water to enter at one end. It is
obvious that it will find its level, it will run through the
pipe where it has entered, and having filled the lower portion,
will rise on the opposite side until it has attained the
elevation at which it entered the pipe on the first hill; but
before this simple principle was known, it was deemed necessary
to _find a level_ for the water; immensely high and broad walls
were raised from mountain to mountain, while to save some
labour and to afford some convenience, arches of proportionate
magnitude were built, spanning the valley below, and on the
top of this structure a canal was formed, over which a stream
of water, dearer in many instances than _Setin_ or _Falernian
wine_ was conveyed. The Architects in those days could not have
been more uselessly and absurdly employed, if their genius were
exercised in inventing diving bells, to secure the _sea horse_
from _drowning_, or in constructing steam paddles to assist
the whale; their employment was more preposterous than that of
"painting the lily, or flinging fresh perfume o'er the violet."
Scientific knowledge can be a burden to none, and there are few
indeed that it may not benefit. Even the frugal house-wife,
who with her family partakes of the evening cup of tea, may
practise a little useful economy by knowing a simple chemical
principle. Some alkalis have a superior power of extracting the
colouring matter from vegetables. In the tea plant, the essence
which we extract by infusion is identified with this colouring
matter; hence, if I put into the tea pot, during the process of
infusion, a small quantity of the _carbonate of soda_, I shall
draw forth a larger quantity of the _essential tea-principle_,
and, of course, I shall have my _tea stronger_; or if I have a
_respect for my nerves_, a less quantity of tea with a little
carbonate of soda will answer my purpose.

In performing operations in certain manufacturing processes,
all the assurance of success in the mind of the operator
proceeds from the knowledge that, by the same means, _such
results have been produced before_. How exceedingly slow then
must be the progress of discovery and improvement. It is almost
impossible in some trades, that some fortunate combination of
circumstances should not occasionally take place, and that
a discovery of importance should not thereby follow. It was
thus that the telescope was invented. Some glasses happened
to be placed by the hands of children, in such a disposition
as to magnifying or reflecting powers, as that the peculiar
telescopic qualities were observed. The hint was acted on, and
after repeated trials and disappointments, some clumsy and
inefficient telescopes were formed. But had the science of
optics been known, the secret must have instantly followed;
or had the construction of the human eye been previously
considered (for the eye is a perfect and beautiful telescope)
the hint for making an external and _auxiliary eye_ would
have been suggested by the study. But let it not be supposed
that all important discoveries are already made, and that
there is no opportunity for new Watts and Arkwrights to take
their illustrious positions in society. Genius still has many
harvests to reap, and men of common sense and common ingenuity
have many opportunities of rising to wealth and respectability.
Even a simple discovery in _candle-making_ is at this moment
realizing a fortune for the inventor. Many of you know the
argand lamp; the burner, whether for oil or gas, is circular,
and through it is a passage for a current of air; while this is
freely open the volume of flame is large, and the colour of the
light white, but when obstructed the flame is smaller and of a
_bluish_ colour. Most of the gas burners in the shops are on
the argand principle, where the fact now stated may be brought
to trial. The inventor of the patent candles had nothing to do
but to transfer this well known principle to materials used in
candle making; the wick is tubular, and the passage secured
from obstruction by the melted wax or tallow. This was almost
the whole improvement. Candles thus made, burn with a purer
and larger flame, and the protection afforded to inventors by
the patent laws, will I doubt not, be the cause of an abundant
reward to the _observer_. Thousands of these discoveries will
yet be made, and thousands will derive fortunes from the
discoveries.

In the very same useful article, I knew an attempt made to
produce improvement, which was unsuccessful, because the
individual was poor, and his fellow tradesmen ignorant. Had he
the means of continuing experiments, or could he have found
any individual in the candle trade wealthy enough to assist
him, and possessing sagacity enough to appreciate the intended
improvement, I am confident the effort alluded to would have
issued in merited success. The case was this. It may not
be known to you, that generally, no flame can be produced
without a quantity of a certain gas which is always in the
atmosphere, called oxygen; if a portion of air be deprived of
this gas, you can get nothing to burn in it; if you increase
the quantity of oxygen, you thereby augment the flame of any
substance burning in it; if you fill a vessel with pure oxygen,
almost any thing will burn in it; even _iron_ first touched
with lighted tinder, will burn in it, with a light intense and
beautiful. An individual in the candle trade conceived the idea
of infusing this oxygen gas into tallow; his ingenuity enabled
him to overcome some obstacles; the tallow was saturated with
this supporter of flame, and candles were formed from it;
but when the candle was lighted, it was discovered that the
tallow all round was possessed with the quality of _wick_; it
was beautifully inflammable, but the candle burned away very
rapidly. From circumstances noticed above the inventor could
not follow up his experiments to the point he had so nearly
attained _success_. The art of dyeing is very imperfectly
understood by those who profess it. A dyer possesses merely an
_imperfect art_ when he ought to command a _perfect science_.
I know few, if any, trades so completely scientific, and so
abounding with pleasing investigation. But there is not only
the absence of this pleasure but absolute loss of money to the
dyer in the composition of various dyes. This may be shewn in
several ways; I shall now notice one. The science of chemistry
has unfolded a singular fact, which is that bodies will not
always unite in _any proportions_ we might desire; we may take
salt and water, and mix them in any proportions up to the
period when the water becomes _saturated_, but it then finds a
limit. Thus we can make water more or less salt.

Now common vitriol is a compound formed of sulphur and oxygen;
two parts of the former being mixed with one of the latter;
but if one unacquainted with this principle should attempt to
make vitriol, and should put three parts of the sulphur to
one of the oxygen, or two of sulphur to two of oxygen, there
would either be a positive waste of a considerable portion
of ingredients, or a new article would be formed essentially
different from the desired acid. A want of knowing this
valuable truth costs many an humble dyer a fortune. How evident
is it then, that "Ignorance is a heavy tax."

In the operation of tanning it might be shewn, and I trust
will be shewn by gentlemen connected with this institution,
both by lectures and experiments, that the exhausted tan, as
it is called, contains much more of the tanning principle
than has been extracted from it. Our British-oak bark is
approaching a final exhaustion, and when we are driven to use
the foreign only, the secret will I doubt not be discovered.
When I look around me, and consider the several trades, arts
and manufactures, in which many in this district are engaged,
I cannot help expressing my astonishment that an Institution
of this nature was not established before. Instances of the
beneficial purposes it would serve, multiply on me so fast,
that I might expend the time of many lectures on the subject
of this evening. I do not wish to _encourage fraud_, but a
fact now strikes me, in reference to the gold, silver, and
jewellery trade, too curious to omit. I shall prepare my way
by explaining a few principles respecting _weight_. I dare say
you are aware that the air we breathe possesses weight. If you
weigh a bottle under ordinary circumstances, containing air,
and _nothing else_, and afterwards pump the air from it and
weigh it again, you will find that its weight is reduced; it
weighs _less_ than when filled with air. Now if I weigh two
bodies of different sizes, but of equal weights, in the open
air, and then dip _balance and all_ into water, I shall find
that they are no longer equiponderant. Each article in weighing
_loses as much weight as is equivalent to its own bulk of the
medium in which it is weighed_. For instance, if I weigh a
piece of timber shaped like a _quart bottle_ and of the size
of one, and in the other scale have copper weights, the timber
will lose as much weight as the size of the bottle of air would
weigh, and the copper loses as much weight as _its_ own size
of air would weigh. Now if I weigh them both in water, the
timber will lose as much weight as a bottle of _water_ would
weigh, and the copper weight will lose as much as its bulk of
water would weigh. It is evident then that the disproportion in
the latter case must be much greater than in the former. This
is the reason why boys lift stones in the water they could not
raise on land. And this is the reason that we often find, that
a commodity balances a certain weight at one time, which it
will not balance at another.

The cases of air and water, as media for weighing, I have
adduced as extreme cases, to explain the effects of the
different states of the atmosphere; some times it is _light_
and _thin_, at others _dense_ and _heavy_. When air is _light_,
bodies weighed lose _little_, but when it is _heavy_, they
lose proportionably. It is then of importance in purchasing
precious articles by weight, to know the state of the weather
as indicated by the barometer, and to observe the same index
when we sell again; the difference in silver would not be much,
that of gold would be of more importance, but in the purchase
of _diamonds_ the difference in value may be very considerable.
But you must observe, that as each body loses according to
its _bulk_, so the greater disproportion in _this respect_,
the better; a fraudulent jeweller should then have weights of
_wood_, and he should buy when the _atmosphere is light_, and
sell when it is heavy; the rule also will be of service with
common weights to the dealers in feathers, &c. _So much for
honesty!_

In connexion with the silversmith's business, I shall now
illustrate my subject by a reference to the art of gilding.
Many of our shopkeepers are proud of having their names and
callings over their shops, glittering in golden letters; and
Dudley has many artists well qualified to gratify the taste.
We also gild our frames for pictures and mirrors; but the
gilding soon wears off, particularly that exposed to the air.
The artist cannot prevent this, he has no control over the air,
but the man of science has. I think I shall best illustrate
my subject, by noticing the discovery of the truly beautiful
principle it is now my object to unfold.

The atmosphere acts with various corroding effects on different
metals, and it will, under certain known circumstances, often
pass by one to seize upon another. Some years since the lords
of the admiralty, struck with the amazing expense of coppering
ships' bottoms every year, (for one year, or rather one long
voyage, effectually corroded and destroyed one sheathing)
applied to Sir H. DAVY, to know if any plan could be devised
for remedying this serious evil. It would be useless for me
now to enter into minute details; suffice it to say, that
Sir H. DAVY was fully aware of the principle noticed above,
and he applied it; he connected here and there very small
portions of metals, more liable under certain influences to
be _rusted_, than the copper of the vessels; the metals he
used were iron and zinc; the latter placed inside the ship,
the former connecting it to the copper outside. The process
was most simple,--the cost very trifling,--the success truly
gratifying. It was then found that the corrosive qualities of
both air and sea water were neutralized; and, fortified with
this simple protection, vessels afterwards completed the whole
extent of the India voyage, without the copper sheathing being
tarnished. True, other difficulties made their appearance.
Rust of copper is pernicious to water-worms and small marine
animals, that do great injury to the bottoms of ships; and when
the copper was kept free from rust, by means of Sir H. DAVY'S
galvanic contrivance, those little reptiles came in vastly
increased numbers and strength, and achieved as much mischief
as was prevented. But while ship's bottoms are thus exposed,
the principle on which it was attempted to secure them, may be
applied to other purposes; amongst those is gilding. By drawing
a very simple galvanic circle, made of small morsels of zinc
and iron from the gilded letters or ornaments outside a shop
window, the gilding may be made to retain its brilliancy for
many years. Indeed simply driving a _nail_ in the wood-work
under every letter, will keep the metallic lustre outside
distinct and beautiful for a much longer time, than if this
were not done.

Whenever a new principle unfolds a law of nature, its
applications are almost innumerable; and things buried in
mystery before, become simple and obvious. I some time since
visited the Cradley Salt Wells, and on entering the bath room,
saw a man busily and laboriously employed in removing the rust
from the inside of the boiler; he told me he had to repeat
this job very often; for that the dust formed very fast, and
quickly became exceedingly hard. This was obvious to me from
the difficulty of removing it with a large and heavy knife.
I instantly saw a method by which the man's labour might be
altogether saved; or the task much more easily accomplished.
This was by the application of chemical re-agents. I do not
profess to know these, because my acquaintance with that
beautiful science is too limited; but such as it is, I doubt
not, that after a few experiments, I could discover it. But
I _do_ know a principle, that if applied, would not only
have made the task an easy one, but would, absolutely, _have
rendered it unnecessary_; and that is, the principle noticed
above in reference to ship's bottoms, and gilding. Were a
portion of zinc placed, according to the galvanic principles,
in connection with the inside of the boiler, the rust would
not accumulate, at least _on the boiler_; the same agency that
in the former case kept the coppers clean, and the gilding
bright, would in this case also, prevent the _incrustation from
adhering_ to the boilers of the _Salt Wells at Cradley_.

It must be acknowledged, that there is in the human mind a very
great repugnance to that which is _new_. The march of knowledge
is always considerably in advance of the march of improvement;
a philosophical principle of the greatest value, is sometimes
ascertained a long time before it is profitably employed.
It was suggested long since that the principle here noticed
ought to be used in the construction of steam boilers of all
descriptions, all being subject to rust; but particularly those
of ships, in which the water is generally from the sea. This
has not been done; and I am confident that if it had, many
explosions would have been prevented, and many lives saved.
But the time is fast approaching, when no useful discovery
will be rejected, merely from the fact of its being _new_.
Many a fortune to future mechanics and artists in the form of
philosophical theories are already stored up in the studies of
men of science. They want the knowledge of _how_ they should
be applied, and men who could employ them _knew nothing about
them_.

One of the latest triumphs of Science is of a nature too
interesting, and too appropriate for my present purpose, to
be omitted. I refer to the cure of _dry rot_ in timber. This
malady, the scourge of houses and builders, long engaged the
attention of the literary world; and recently was nearly
abandoned in despair. Success and perseverance are however
closely allied. The eye of the chemist was brought to bear
somewhat more closely on the subject. It was observed that
in the pores of some timbers a little globule of fluid was
contained, which further examination proved to be a substance
called _albumen_, precisely the same as the white of the
egg. This substance, belonging more to the _animal_ than to
the _vegetable_ world, was more liable to putrefaction or
rottenness; and when in this state, it naturally imparted the
principle of decay to the surrounding woody fibre. This was
the true nature and cause of _dry rot_. The _knowledge of the
disease_ is, proverbially, considered _half_ the _cure_. Here
it was the whole cure. It was known that _corrosive sublimate_
united to _albumen_ formed a substance not liable to _this_
species of corruption. The timber then was deposited in tanks
containing a solution of _corrosive sublimate_, and it was
discovered that _albumen_ was immediately destroyed; and, of
course, the dry rot effectually prevented. The discovery is
truly beautiful, and not less so than valuable and important.

A question is sometimes asked by persons in this neighbourhood,
whose querulous propensities cause them to anticipate evils,
centuries removed,--what will become of the iron trade when all
the coal pits are worked out? The question brings to mind the
old lady who, on being told that a certain comet would in the
year 3,000 and odd burn the world, absolutely lost her senses
through fear.

The man who from past improvements relies on human ingenuity
sees no cause for apprehension in the question. For what is the
fact,--the same question was just as seriously asked a couple
of centuries back in reference to timber, what shall be done
for iron manufacturing when all the timber in the neighbouring
woods shall be exhausted? It appears that the woods about
Dudley were very extensive at the time. Of these but little
remains at present; but the manufacture of iron has experienced
no obstruction.

The idea of applying _coal_ to the purpose would have appeared
_preposterous_. This valuable combustible was known to exist
abundantly, but it was believed to be impracticable to apply it
to the manufacture of iron, till a Mr. DUD DUDLEY, in the year
1619, tried the experiment and tried it successfully.

Had I time I should gladly read the life of this singular man.
It may be found in SHAW'S History of Staffordshire; but I have
not time even to condense it. The obstacles he had to encounter
for forty years, from a want of scientific knowledge--from
those who detested _innovations_--from those who saw that his
success would be prejudicial to their interests--from natural
causes (such as floods, &c.)--and his final and complete
triumph over all, evince a mind gifted with no ordinary
endowments. I think it would interest many were this life read
in the society some evening of meeting.

But the question may be asked, do _you_ see any probable
substitute for coke, when the coal is exhausted? I answer,
yes I do; and you will smile when I tell you that it is by
_burning water_; for the fact is undeniable, that water is, in
its elements, a most combustible body. This discovery has been
long within sight; the only obstacle was, that the expense of
other materials, necessary for preparing _water for fuel_, was
too great to make the discovery practically useful; this it is
said has been overcome by a gentleman at Leamington[1] and we
may shortly expect to see coal and timber superseded by this
more abundant article. Cooks will then light up their fires
by heaping upon it _masses_ of ice, and the rivers will be in
constant danger from the impudence of _cigar smoking boatmen_.

But, seriously, while we laugh, a proper question is, why
should such anticipations excite laughter? An article appeared
last year in Tait's Magazine, on reading which, we may have
cause to suspect, that in the abundance of our laughter, there
may be much folly. As the article is short, amusing, and to my
purpose, I shall read it. "About this time five hundred years
ago, _Anno Domini_ 1340, gunpowder and guns were invented." Now
the following (setting aside the mode of language, which is
not essential to our purpose) is the way in which one of these
gentlemen, a few months previous to that event, would have
expressed himself in reference to some other impossibility.
Somebody would be speaking of alterations in the mode of
warfare, upon which our contemptuous antivicissitudinarian
would thus break out:--

"A change like _that_! Why you might as well say that people
by-and-by will fight with fire and smoke, and that there will
be arrows as round as plum-puddings, and made of lead, as thick
as your skull!"--(A laugh among the Hon. Gentlemen of that
time.)

In nine months after this speech, gunpowder is invented, and
the art comes up by which round leaden arrows are shot out of
cannon, darting fire as they come, and filling the air with
smoke.

_Anno Domini_ 1440--The great grandson, or other representative
of the above gentleman, exclaims, on some fresh subject of
innovation amidst the honours of the laugh.--"A change like
_that_! Why, you might as well say that by-and-by there will
be books without being copied out, and that we shall have a
hundred of those impossible books in the course of a day."

Next year the art of printing is invented, which was thought
at first a thing magical and devilish, and by which we can now
have a thousand copies of a book in a day.

_Anno Domini_ 1534.--The great-great-great-great-grandson or
_now_ representative as aforesaid, is treating some other
novelty with the usual happy contempt of his race:--"A change
like _that_! Why, you might as well say, that the people will
all be permitted to read the Bible, and that nunneries, and
even Abbots will be put down!!"--(Shouts of laughter, in which
the Reverend Abbots present were observed to join.)

The same year the Bible is printed and read openly, and upwards
of six hundred religious houses suppressed.

_Anno Domini_ 1666.--"A change like that!" quoth the
representatives, "Why you might as well say that Englishmen
will leave off taking a steak and a cold tankard for their
breakfast--(A laugh)--or that they will go to the other end of
the world to pluck it off a gooseberry bush."--(Great laughter.)

The same year tea is brought into England, not indeed off a
gooseberry bush, but off a bush of no greater importance, and
(in common parlance) at the other end of the world.

But what ridicule would the man have excited who would have
presumed to prophesy the use of the _compass_, the application
of the _giant steam_, and the rising of gas light over the
manufacturing and the civilized world! What more interesting
task than to sit down with our fathers and hear them tell how
things were done formerly; with what time, trouble, expense,
and uncertainty operations were then performed, that now cost
but little delay or uneasiness. There is not a single mechanic
amongst us who, in the course of his study, will not see
hints towards an improvement that future times will develope,
doubtless far greater than what has already taken place.

And let me urge it on you, the pursuits that will lead to these
ends belong peculiarly and immediately to you. The philosopher
goes out of his way to pursue them. When we find Dr. Lardner
furnishing the world with practical treatises on manufactures,
we are surprised to think where he got the information. You,
the mechanics, ought to be the discoverers of all improvements
in your several trades, and ought to enjoy the reward of
such discoveries. Talk not of want of time, anticipate not
difficulties. When you feel disposed to make such apologies,
call to mind Sir R. Arkwright, when a barber's boy, kicked and
cuffed by his master for chalking the wig blocks over with
figures, that were to him fully as intelligible though not so
pretty as the hieroglyphics of Egypt. Poor Arkwright had the
most difficult obstacles to surmount; and yet he lived to be
honoured, and died full of years and possessions.

And call to mind the profound Bonnycastle, who commenced his
literary career in the situation of shoe-boy, an _inferior
kind_ _of John Boots_ in the Military College of Woolwich;
where he afterwards became deservedly the principal. And
look to honest Jamie Ferguson, making a heaven and an earth
for himself while he tended the flocks and herds of his
agricultural employer. Many a cold night did this poor boy lie
on his back to watch the motions of the stars, and to imitate
them by his ingenious contrivances; and who that then saw him
could have supposed that he was destined to become the light
and pride of science, the friend and favourite of kings and
philosophers. And is there nothing inciting in the story of
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, the printer, entering Philadelphia unknowing
and unknown in his 17th year, eating his plain morsel under
the portico of that proud mansion that afterwards gave him a
wife?--And is there no magic to rouse to exertion in the names
_Marmontel_, _Kelper_, _Johnson_, _Linnæus_ and _Simpson_,
men whose genius no poverty could blight, and "being dead yet
speak?" But where do I run?--Is not the delight of pursuing
science an ample recompense? if not, is there not a _golden
reward_ in reversion. Truly has it been said of wisdom, that
"she has in her right hand riches and honour."

* * * * *

THIRD EDITION OF THE SPEECH OF THE RIGHT HON. AND REV. LORD
WARD.

DELIVERED IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS ON MONDAY EVENING, April 6th,
1835.

THE MINISTRY.

Lord WARD rose and said: For the first time, and perhaps for
the last, I now address your Lordships. I beg to know from his
Majesty's Ministers whether they have advised an Honourable
Friend of mine, the member for Dudley (Mr. T. Hawkes), to
present an Address from that place to his Majesty, in favour of
his Majesty's present Ministry.

[The Duke of WELLINGTON, and the other Members of the
Government who were on the Treasury Bench, appeared for some
seconds in consultation; but no answer was given.]

Lord WARD: Am I to infer from the silence of the noble Lords
opposite, that such is the case, that the Honourable Member
for Dudley has presented such an address to his Majesty?
because, if he has, I feel myself called on to say that it
was not founded on fact--that that address was got up at a
hole-and-corner meeting--that it did not express the opinions
of the people of the town of Dudley--that his Majesty has been
deceived and cajoled by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the
first Lord of the Treasury; and I think it high time that his
Majesty's confidence should be disabused, and that he should
be informed that such are not the sentiments of my Honourable
Friend's constituents.

The Duke of WELLINGTON: I understand that the Noble Lord has
inquired if any Members of his Majesty's Government in this
House have advised the presentation to his Majesty of an
address from the town of Dudley in favour of his Majesty's
present Ministers. In reply, I beg to assure the Noble Lord,
that I have no knowledge whatsoever of the presentation of any
such address.

_Morning Chronicle, April 7._

* * * * *

From the COURIER, April 7.

Among the things which occurred worthy of notice, last night,
in the House of Lords, the short speech of Lord Ward must not
be overlooked. He asked the Ministers whether they had advised
his Hon. Friend the Member for Dudley to present an address
from that town in favour of his Majesty's Ministers. No doubt
they willingly accepted that or any other little help to eke
out their popularity and make a show to the King; and no doubt,
as Lord WARD stated, his Majesty was cajoled to believe that
his Ministers were very popular in the country. Sir ROBERT
PEEL seems to have the same opinion, for he appealed the other
night from the majority in the House to the majority out of
doors; but he and his friends have so little confidence in
his popularity, that they carefully exclude, as yesterday at
Westerminster, all but their invited supporters from the little
clubs which they call public meetings. Lord WARD stated a plain
fact in a bold and manly manner.

* * * * *

AN ADDRESS OF THE NON-ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH AND NEIGHBOURHOOD
OF DUDLEY

TO THE RIGHT HON. AND REV. LORD WARD.

MY LORD,

The Non-Electors of the Borough and Neighbourhood of Dudley
have felt much gratified at your Lordship's spirited conduct
in the House of Lords on the 6th instant, and at your generous
and unsolicited vindication of the Borough of Dudley from the
suspicion of entertaining sentiments like those imputed to
them in the hole and corner Address emanating from the Tory
faction of Dudley, so calculated to mislead the Sovereign
and induce him to retain a Ministry whose design was to lead
the Country into Slavery and Ruin. This, my Lord, is the way
in which Kings have been so often deceived, always to the
Country's prejudice, and sometimes, as History proves, to the
destruction of the Throne.

Thank you, my Lord, for standing up for the plain Truth, so
necessary at this time both to King and Country and that
you have not suffered a faction whose personal objects are
of a most base and selfish character, and whose political
objects are the destruction of all popular influence and the
establishment of an aristocratic tyranny.

We, my Lord, are anxious to maintain the constitutional rights
of King, Lords, and Commons, these can be supported only by
doing Justice to the long outraged Millions, who by delusions
like those attempted in the Address so justly condemned by your
Lordship, have long been the victims of unprincipled Courtiers
and corrupt Statesmen, supported heretofore by an abandoned
Majority of the House of Commons.

Considering your Lordship at once as a Peer and a Clergyman,
and what is still more honourable, a friend of Truth and an
enemy of Deception and Cajolery--we feel ourselves bound thus
to express our sentiments of respect and admiration, and our
hope that your Lordship's sagacity and patriotism will detect
any attempts which may hereafter be made to deceive the King
and misrepresent the People.

We have the honour to be

Your Lordship's most obedient Servants,

THE NON-ELECTORS OF DUDLEY AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD.

To the Right Hon. and Rev. Lord Ward, Himley.

_Dudley, Monday, April 20, 1835._

* * * * *

DUDLEY, August 1833.

We, the undersigned, Inhabitants of the Town and Parish of
Dudley, and its Vicinity, having heard with surprise and
Indignation of the GROSS and UNMANLY attack made by Sir
John Campbell, on the acting Magistrates of this Town and
Neighbourhood, in the House of Commons, in the following Words,

"_That in this Town, Justice is not administered to the
satisfaction of the Public, and that the most serious
discontent prevails, and that the Magistrates are such, as in
their absence he should not like to describe_"--

Take the earliest opportunity of bearing our voluntary
Testimony to the upright, independent, and praiseworthy conduct
of the Magistrates acting for this Town and Neighbourhood;
and of asserting that they have uniformly conducted
themselves to the perfect satisfaction of the Inhabitants
and public in general, and we deny that "serious discontent
prevails."--To Gentlemen of high respectability and character
who have sacrificed so much valuable time (each of them being
extensively engaged in business) we consider ourselves deeply
indebted; and we beg to tender to them our most sincere
and grateful thanks for their unwearied exertions in the
administration of Justice and the preservation of the public
Peace.

Luke Booker, Vicar of Dudley
Proctor Robinson, M.A.
Edward Harper Wainwright, B.A.
John Booth, B.A.
Joseph Bennitt, } Churchwardens
John Williams, }
William Taylor, } Overseers
P. V. Swanwick, } of the
Henry Harper, } Poor
Tho. Shorthouse, }
J. G. Bourne, Mayor
Edward Dixon, Banker
Cornelius Cartwright, Surgeon
Thomas Wainwright, Surgeon
W. Bennitt, Capt. of the D.Y.C.
William Bennitt
Joseph Guest, Glass Manufacturer
James Bourne, Solicitor
Francis Downing, Gent.
H. D. Bourne, Coal Master
James Bourne, jun. Solicitor
W. E. Davies, Glass Manufacturer
William Masefield, Draper
Joseph Smith, Innkeeper
Edward Terry, Grocer
John Bagott, Tailor
Stephen Bullas, Ironmonger
J. M. Capewell, Dentist
John Harper, Grocer
John Standish, Hairdresser
John Orme Brettell, Land Agent
Thomas Brettell, Coal Master
O. G. Shaw, Maltster
James Johnson, Grocer
Richard Bourne, Organist
Eber Patten, Hatter
John Tompson, Mine Agent
W. H. Tompson, Stone Master
Samuel Johnson, Agent
George Payton, Coal Master
Thomas Griffiths, Shoedealer
Richard Wilcox, Innkeeper
Henry C. Brettell, Solicitor
Joseph C. Brettell, Engineer
Joseph Payton, Auctioneer
Richard Lakin, Hatter
William Fellows, jun. Solicitor
John Roberts, Surgeon
John Rann, Gent.
Charles Homer, Wine Merchant
Hartil Dudley, Nail Ironmonger
Benjamin Dudley, Silk Mercer
Cornelius C. Brettell, Surveyor
Geo. Sep. Tompson, Shoemaker
Samuel Pemberton, Coal Master
John Leake, Chemist and Drysalter
J. S. Jeavons, Iron Merchant
J. S. Turner, Chemist
John Pritchard, Grocer
Samuel Dunn, Flour Dealer
Henry Darby, Book-keeper
James Bloomer, Fendermaker
James Grigg, Wheelwright
Benj. Woolley, Nail Ironmonger
Samuel Lewis, Nail Ironmonger
James Yates, Agent
William Fellowes, sen. Solicitor
John Vaughan, Accountant
W. R. Baker, Draper
John Owen, Confectioner
Richard Timmings, Ironmonger
William Mills, Grocer
Benjamin Prince, Town Clerk
Josegh Whitehouse, Fishmonger
James Ashton, Innkeeper
John Henly, Glass Cutter
Joseph Gardener, Tailor
John Raybould, Paviour
John Timmins, Broker
John Leech, Grocer
John Oakey, Gent.
Joseph Bate, Ironmonger
J. Newbold, Chemist and Druggist
Thomas Cox, Nail Ironmonger
William Haden, Ironmaster
Joseph Haden, Ironmaster
William Shedden, Gent.
James Bullas, Gent.
Thomas Fereday, Surgeon
William Smith, Accountant
Joseph Lear, Innkeeper
Samuel Whyley, Blacksmith
Charles Cox, Innkeeper
William Whyley, Butcher
Edward Kimberley, Fishmonger
Thomas Pearsall, Attorney's Clerk
Benjamin Shaw, ditto
Thomas Allen, Parish Clerk
John Eld, Baker
William Brown, Victualler
Samuel Payne, Innkeeper
Thomas Gray, Draper
Benjamin Jordan, Innkeeper
William Jordan, Shoemaker
Joseph Dudley, Shoemaker
George Fellowes, Carpenter
William Adams, Victualler
John Nock, Draper
John Smart, Fishmonger
B. Woolley, jun. Chain Manufacturer
Thomas Fehr, Spirit Merchant
Edward Blakeway, Grocer
Francis Baker, Grocer
Joseph Salt, Stonemason
William Self, Butcher
W. J. Cruchley, School-master
Edward Bill, Builder
Richard Thomas, Sheriffs' Officer
Thomas Steedman, Maltster
Richard Whitehouse, Dealer
William Robinson, Solicitor
James Darby, Book-keeper
Thomas Thomas, Nail Factor
William Howells, Clerk
Edward Foley, Maltster
Edward Marsh, Surveyor
James Fullwood, Wheelwright
Jos. Hartill, Fender Manufacturer
Daniel Shaw, Surgeon
Joseph Whitehouse, Glazier
Joseph Cooke, Saddler
William Whatmore, Innkeeper
Barnabas Willcox, Currier
John Powell, Painter
William Deeley, Iron Founder
John Share, Upholsterer
William Round, Timber Merchant
John Rann, Printer
John Sherman, Draper
Thomas Lewis, Agent
Charles Bunn, Butcher
Joseph Cox, Nail Ironmonger
John Holland, Builder
Daniel Parker, Builder
Jeremy Parker, Timber Merchant
William Herbert, Engraver
Samuel Herbert, ditto
James Bill, Builder
Matthew Houghton, Coal Master
Edward Creswell, Iron Master
Thomas Rhodes, Banker's Clerk
George Bennett, ditto
William Smitheman, Innkeeper
Robert Martin, Iron Founder
Thomas Eves, Coach Proprietor
Edward Guest, Glass Manufacturer
Zechariah Round, Builder
William Power, Farrier
Edward Challingsworth, Saddler
Thomas Stokes, Builder
John Stokes, ditto
Joseph Anslow, Plumber
John Cheshire
Luke Price, Shoemaker
William Hollies, ditto
Edward Robinson, Gent.
Robert Garratt, Innkeeper
Sheld. Gray, Wine and Spirit Dealer
Thomas Whitehouse, Book-keeper
J. W. Pain, Teacher of Gymnastics
Thomas Irwin, Glass Cutter
Joseph Lear, Glassman
George Lear, Clothier
A. Power Steedman, Maltster
William Richardson, Engineer
Joshua Harvey, Iron Founder
John Sturmey, Grocer
George Fryer, Seedsman
Thomas Woodall, Blacksmith
John G. Derecourt, Carpenter
Joseph Pearson, Builder
Mark Boden, Excise Officer
John Perry, Locksmith
Thomas Bradley, Grocer
James Brewin, Accountant
Mark Bond, Gent.
John Allen, Cordwainer
John Hobson, Victualler
John Fullard, Hairdresser
Elijah Hillman, Butcher
Joseph Haxeltine, ditto
Thomas Worrad, Innkeeper
Thomas Hines, Staymaker
Charles Lucas, Butcher
Richard Dudley, Surveyor
Samuel James, Victualler
Samuel Hudson, Corkcutter
John Hughes, Clerk
George Evans, Clerk
Joseph Bradley, Clerk
William Morrall, Upholsterer
Humphrey Hartle, Victualler
Samuel Fisher, Victualler
George Lloyd, Glasscutter
Samuel Chavasse, Accountant
Thomas Davidson, Accountant

And others, making upwards of 300 persons who signed
this Address.

* * * * *

SIR JOHN CAMPBELL.

(From the _John Bull_ Newspaper, of August 18th, 1833.)

"SIR JOHN CAMPBELL, the Solicitor-General, has 'put his foot
into it,' as the old wives have it.

"It seems that Sir JOHN--a most unpopular man at best--has
been for some time getting out of the good graces of his
supporters at Dudley, by having, upon every occasion, voted
with Ministers, which, as Solicitor-General, appears to us
to be nothing more than might be expected; not so, however,
because he had publicly and repeatedly pledged himself to his
constituents _to do no such thing_.

"Although Sir JOHN--we speak advisedly--has not the remotest
chance of being again returned for Dudley, he felt that he
ought to do something to brush up his radical friends there,
and accordingly decided upon attacking the characters of the
Magistrates acting for the town and neighbourhood. As it turns
out, nothing could have been more unjust, and as it will turn
out, nothing so foolish.

"The population of the circle of four miles, of which Dudley
is the central point, exceeds one hundred thousand; and if
the purest integrity, patience of investigation, strict
impartiality, and Christian lenity, are requisite for the
Bench, these qualifications the Dudley Magistrates in an
eminent degree possess.

"In making an enquiry of Lord ALTHORP whether Government
intended to grant charters to the new boroughs, Sir JOHN
CAMPBELL stated that no place more needed one than Dudley;
'for,' said he, '_the people have no voice in the election
of their Magistrates. Justice is not administered to the
satisfaction of the public; serious discontent prevails there,
and the Magistrates are such as in their absence I should not
like to describe._'

"It is by no means difficult to point out the party to whom the
administration of justice in Dudley is not satisfactory. Some
time since, a considerable number of the friends and supporters
of Sir JOHN CAMPBELL, who voted for him at the last election,
were brought before the Magistrates, and convicted of using
_short weights_ and _false measures_, and accordingly fined for
their rascality; others of Sir JOHN'S supporters have been in
'durance vile;' and to these, and such as these, '_justice is
not satisfactorily administered_;' and amongst these '_the most
serious discontents prevail_,' but among none else.

"Sir JOHN, not content, however, with denouncing the existing
Magistracy of the town he represents, proceeds to observe, that
there are several enlightened persons in Dudley who could,
under a new charter, administer justice _in a manner creditable
to themselves and satisfactory to the public_.

"Now let us look at some of Sir JOHN CAMPBELL'S objections to
the present Magistrates. He objects to them because they are
in trade--one being a banker, and the other two first-rate
manufacturers in independent circumstances, and employing
hundreds of hands. Sir JOHN'S friends, with two or three
exceptions, are _retail_ tradesmen who, by their education
and habits, are not qualified for the Bench, and who, through
fear of offending their customers, would not be likely to give
unprejudiced judgments.

"The next charge brought by Sir JOHN CAMPBELL against the
Magistrates is somewhat comical; he not only charges them with
being active partisans, but with being all on one side.