Chapter VI: Part 6

We have another "honoured worthy" Iron Master to record in our history, that _modern Dud Dudley_ of our district, the lately lamented Noah Hingley, Esq., J.P. The man who introduces a new industry into a district is a real benefactor to his fellow man; and the splendid Anchor, Chain and Cable Works, now in full operation at Primrose Hill, Netherton, proclaim the wisdom and ability which the late Mr. Hingley put in practical force, under many almost overwhelming difficulties, when he introduced that particular kind of iron manufacture into our midst. Assisted by his equally energetic sons, this renowned firm (Messrs. Noah Hingley and Sons), possess also the newly constructed blast furnaces at Old Hill, besides other works of importance, constructing much of the minor materials for their large works. The death of this good old gentleman, in 1877, drew the tears of sincere regret from thousands of the working classes of this neighbourhood; and the public funeral, which was accorded to his remains, witnessed one of the largest gatherings of respectably dressed, sorrowful men, women, and children, that ever assembled on any occasion to pay their last mark of regard to real departed worth. The Mayor and Corporation of Dudley attended these obsequies in public procession; Mr. Hingley being an Alderman of the Borough, and in 1870-1 its esteemed mayor.

INDEPENDENT CHAPEL.

1840. This new and commodious Congregational Chapel was built and opened for Divine Worship in 1841, under the pastorship of that excellent minister the Rev. James Dawson, who held that increasingly arduous appointment for a period of forty years. The yearly increasing numbers of the members of this Christian Church, after Mr. Dawson had been thoroughly engrafted into his truly earnest and evangelical work, made it necessary that three enlargements of the old chapel were required; for, as the minister's popularity increased, his chapel became so inconveniently filled that the heads of the connexion took sweet council together, and determined upon erecting a much larger chapel, more suited to their requirements. The present chapel contains about 1,200 sittings, and there is an excellent Sunday school connected with this respectable body of worshippers, instructing in spiritual grace upwards of 400 children. Mr. Dawson only lived three years after the opening of the new chapel to enjoy the spiritual fruits of a long life of affectionate zeal and energy on behalf of those immortal souls committed to his charge. This handsome brick structure cost £3,500, raised by the congregation, and happily is quite free from incumbrance. It is in the recollection of some of the oldest inhabitants that the establishment of this sanctuary arose in consequence of a split or religious disagreement occurring amongst the Unitarian congregation in Wolverhampton Street at that period, which ended in the secession of many of its communion. The Rev. G. M. Fox, B.A., is the present most indefatigable minister.

ST. JOHN'S AND ST. JAMES' NEW CHURCHES.

1840, July 27th. These two unpretending and unmeaning looking district Churches were consecrated this day by the Rev. Robert James, Lord Bishop of Worcester. Architect, Mr. William Bourne, Dudley. The first Incumbent of St. John's was the Rev. Mr. Short, M.A. The first Incumbent of St. James' was the Rev. Chas. Cameron, M.A. The Builders were Mr. Thos. Pitt Stokes and Mr. John Holland, Dudley. The site and burial ground, in both cases, were given by that very liberal Church Patron, Lord Ward. Both these Churches have within the last few years undergone considerable alterations and attempts at restoration to what a Church ought to represent when finished, and much of their former barn-like features have thereby been obliterated, much to the comfort and satisfaction of the worshippers attending thereat. These extensive restorations were defrayed by public subscriptions.

The year 1841 brought us another trial of political strength in this borough, and Mr. Hawkes was pitted against a Mr. J. A. Smith, a Reformer of very moderate pretensions, but with the like results; Mr. Hawkes held the good opinions, as a useful local man, of the majority of the electors, and he was the _third time_ elected member for Dudley.

1. Mr. Thomas Hawkes, Tory 436
2. Mr. J. A. Smith, Reformer 189
----
Majority for Mr. Hawkes 247

DUDLEY BREAD AND SOUP KITCHEN.

1842. This very valuable and highly acceptable institution, to the distressed poor especially, was established by a number of benevolent ladies and gentlemen in the town, during one of those cycles of _hard times_ and _bad trade_ to which this town and district is periodically subject. Messrs. Thomas and Isaac Badger, Mr. Wm. Barrows, Mr. Cornelius Cartwright, Messrs. Bourne and Wainwright, the Rev. W. H. Cartwright, M.A., Vicar, &c., Miss Banks, Mrs. H. M. Wainwright, Mrs. Wm. Barrows, Mrs. Dr. Roberts, and other ladies and townsmen, lent a most willing hand to this work of charity. From that period, until now, this deserving institution yearly distributes its weekly bounty to thousands of distressed families, in our bleak and dreary winter months. Its income is about £300 a year.

THE METHODIST WESLEYAN CHAPEL.

1842. This fine brick edifice, forming a centre with two projecting wings, situated in King Street, was erected in 1790, and had considerable additions and alterations made in 1810 and 1825. It contains about 850 sittings, of which 190 are free. The Wesleyan Members in this town and neighbourhood are a highly respectable and liberal communion of Evangelical people, having during the last hundred years exercised a most Christian and beneficial effect upon this town and locality. In the earlier days of Methodist troubles and internal contentions, this good old Chapel had its share of them; for there are some alive amongst us who can recollect the painful disruptions some 50 years ago, when pulling recusant and unpopular parsons out of the pulpit by main force, portrayed too painfully the dissensions which then reigned in the midst of the Methodist community. The Ministers in this chapel are appointed at the Annual Wesleyan Conference. There is an excellent Sunday-school at the rear of the Chapel, where 300 children receive a careful scriptural training. A few years ago a very handsome New Wesleyan Chapel was erected at Dixon's Green, which is a great boon to the numerous Wesleyans residing in that increasing locality.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, ST. MARY AND ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY.

1842. This modern Gothic Church was opened on March 7th, 1842, by his eminence Cardinal Wiseman. Previous to the erection of this sacred edifice the Roman Catholics in Dudley worshipped in a small Chapel in King Street, or were necessitated to travel to Sedgley. The Catholic Church was founded and built at the sole cost of the Honourable Rev. George Spencer, better known afterwards as "Father Ignatius." The land was given by Mr. William Fletcher, nail master, of Dudley. In 1875, this Church was altered and restored at a cost of upwards of £1,000. The Rev. J. I. Bond, M.R., being the resident priest.

1843. April 12th, died Mr. Wm. Maurice, Bookseller and Printer, Market Place, an energetic adherent to the Unitarian cause in this town, and much respected by a large circle of friends. Aged 70 years.

Died, December 23rd, 1843, the Rev. James Dawson, Pastor of the Independent Chapel, King Street. In penning a few remarks upon the lamented death of this venerable and pious Christian Minister, who for the long period of 40 years conducted his valuable ministerial duties in the Congregational Chapel in King Street, I have to acknowledge the kindness and courtesy of his son, Mr. John Dawson, Chemist of the Town, who has furnished me with a perusal of the inner life (a diary) of his lamented father's serious inspirations often offered up to the Throne of Mercy on behalf of his attached flock. "In 1801, Mr. Dawson came as a Minister _on Probation_ to King Street Chapel, and on June 1st, 1803, he was ordained to the Pastoral Office over the Church of Christ at Dudley." The following is a copy of his certificate of office and authority.

"This is to certify that our Brother the Revd. James Dawson
was regularly set apart to the Pastoral Office in the Church
of Christ, meeting in King Street, Dudley, in the County of
Worcester, on the first of June, 1803.

Signed, J. Brewer, Birmingham,
J. Moody, Warwick,
Obh. Bennett,
Wm. Williams, Birmingham,
Jno. Hudson, West Bromwich,
Thos. Chipperfield, Stretton,
S. Hanwell,
B. Eaton."

Such then was the form of Ordination of a Minister in the Independent Society of Christian worshippers in those remote days, whether such is the authority now in use I am unable to assert.

Some jarring and hasty remarks have lately been floated in our local Press, hurling serious charges against the religious belief and good manners of the people of Dudley _in our own days_. Past experience, and actual facts, loudly rebut such insane assertions, for we have only to take a survey of this important Borough _now_ to witness the religious and scholastic zeal exhibited in the erection of Churches, Chapels, and Sunday Schools to the Glory of God and the spiritual good of the people; which its inhabitants have long placed in broad day-light, shewing their Christian benevolence and charity. Comparisons sometimes become odious; and a perusal of the following extract from the memoranda of the late Revd. James Dawson, may assuage some disappointed feelings, and remove recent and unpleasant impressions. "When the revival of religion took place in England, through the instrumentality of Whitfield and Westley, Dudley with the rest of the Kingdom partook of the advantages. Previous to this revival, the town, with the surrounding neighbourhood, _was in an awful state of moral darkness_. The congregation assembling in the Wolverhampton Street Chapel had forsaken the truth, and God had forsaken them. All was gloom and desolation in the Church; for the Gospel had not been preached in it since the time of Richard Baxter, who officiated in St. Thomas's Church nine months, and taught the Grammar School. The Countess of Huntingdon's Students and Ministers brought the Gospel to Dudley, and laboured for a considerable time in a dwelling house in King Street, and to their labours must be traced the erection of a new Calvinistic Chapel in this town. It was erected in the year 1788, in what is called her Ladyship's Connexion. Owing to a variety of causes, but chiefly to the inefficiency of the supplies, and a heavy debt upon the Chapel, _the cause_ did not prosper. Difficulties pressed upon the few people who attended, and it was feared the place must be sold to liquidate the debt, and at length it was deemed necessary to turn the Chapel over to the hands of Trustees, and transform it into a Congregational Church. This change was effected in the year 1792. After this period it was supplied chiefly by occasional Ministers from Birmingham and other neighbouring places. In the year 1800, application was made to Thomas Wilson, Esq., of London, Treasurer to the Dissenting College at Hoxton, for a Student to come amongst them with a view to a settlement. Their prayers were heard, and Mr. James Dawson was appointed to visit them, who, ultimately, took upon him the charge of the Church, and was ordained to the Pastoral Office on June 1st, 1803. In the year 1809, the front gallery was erected at a cost of £100, raised entirely by the Congregation. It was found necessary in 1815 to erect side galleries, the seats of which were soon occupied. More seats were soon required, and by a removal of the Sunday Scholars from under the front gallery into different parts of the Chapel, and by a further addition of seats in 1819, the increasing congregation was accommodated. In the year 1824, it was thought necessary to enlarge the Chapel still further. A meeting of a few friends was held to consult upon the best method of accomplishing the object, when subscriptions were entered into, and the enlargement was commenced and finished the same year. The seats were soon occupied, and the place became again too small to accommodate all who were desirous of attending, and after much deliberation it was determined to erect a New Chapel upon a scale sufficiently large for all who were willing to hear the Gospel, and especially to afford room for the poor. The Foundation Stone was laid the 21st day of May, 1839. May the blessing of God rest upon it, and render it a blessing to thousands of the fallen sons of Adam. Gloria sit Deo. JAMES DAWSON, Scripsit, 1839."

The Rev. James Dawson, during the forty years he laboured as the beloved and respected minister of this Church of Christ, secured the goodwill and esteem of all denominations. His great energy in the pulpit and his unwearied efforts amongst his flock, supported as it was by his strong evangelical views, caused his name to be revered far and wide, and the life-long result of his ministry was a cheering evidence of what spiritual blessings a good man can confer upon his fellows. Mr. Dawson was a very retiring and humble-minded gentleman, very fearful of being the cause of offence, for in 1805 we find him writing, "It appears highly improper to speak evil of any one, but much more for one Christian to speak evil of another. How hateful, then, must it appear for one minister to speak evil of another; it is exceedingly bad and most horrible." We find his aspirations and thankfulness for his yearly increase of spiritual work to be quite child-like and steadfast; for he writes, "This evening I was very comfortable at the prayer meeting; found great liberty in addressing a few who were present; our members increase both at the prayer meetings and public assemblies, for which I am thankful, and pray they may more rapidly increase in knowledge and true holiness." Increasing years and duties, however, pressed hard upon this zealous servant of Christ, for in the latter part of his earthly sojourn he writes thus, "Although, through the kindness and mercy of my God, I enjoy a good measure of health and vigour of constitution, yet I feel myself incompetent to the full discharge of ministerial duties; visiting becomes irksome; occasional preaching in the neighbourhood, and meeting Bible classes impracticable at my time of life. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." A monument in the chapel records his death and excellency; he died December 23rd, 1843, aged 65 years.

In August, 1844, the town was suddenly made acquainted with the unwelcome news that Mr. Hawkes was about to resign his seat in Parliament, and that a fit and proper person would have to be elected in his place. Rumour, with her thousand tongues, ran hard and fast in conjecture and doubts as to the coming candidate; for it had long been observed that the Priory influence was yearly gaining strength and dictation, and the future Reform influence in the borough was being reduced to very narrow dimensions. The minds of the electors were soon put to rest by the announcement that Mr. John Benbow, of London (of the firm of Messrs Benbow and Tucker, solicitors, London), was the favoured Tory candidate, to do battle for Church and State in Dudley. The Anti-Corn Law League (emanating from Manchester), had already done a heavy uphill work throughout the kingdom, in advocating the total repeal of the Corn Laws; and some of its most talented public advocates had already obtained seats in Parliament as the reward of their fidelity to that great public question.

The Reformers of Dudley considering that the promotion of trade and commerce was more intimately connected with them than the interests of the British Farmer, for everyone had got hold of the hackneyed saying, "that we must buy in the cheapest, and sell in the dearest market," decided to run a Free-Trade candidate at this by-election in the person of Mr. William Rawson, the chairman of the Anti-Corn Law League. Mr. Rawson's claims upon the electors of Dudley mainly consisted in his advocacy of Free Trade, not only in corn, but everything else, whilst "the little loaf, and the big loaf" were held up to the gazing crowd, as the sign-posts of cheap bread, good wages, and increased commercial progress, and prosperity. Mr. Benbow had the advantage of a very different introduction to the electors; to many of whom he was well-known as the legal adviser to the trustees of _the then_ young Lord Ward, whose immense wealth and popularity was the pass-word to any man's success. Mr. Benbow was not a fluent speaker, neither was Mr. Rawson, so that we had not much speechifying from these gentlemen; it was said, _that Mr. Rawson was a great thinker_; however, these deficiencies were made up by the incessant fluency of Mr. Samuel Cooke, a respectable linen draper, of Dudley, Mr. William Insull, and Thomas Hill, who had become pronounced Chartists, and whose advocacy for many years of the Nine Points of the Charter entitled them to the regard and esteem of the whole force of the working classes in this town and district. Mr. Cooke was a well-read gentleman, with a zeal and honesty of purpose which few men can aspire to; there was a purity and singleness of aim in his public deliverances which secured him the respect of all good thinking people; and when he was committed to Worcester prison for a time, for what was then construed into seditious speaking, he was received back again to the scene of his well-meant labours with public triumph and cordial congratulations.

This election, however, came off under some popular excitement, for Free Trade was then the great war cry, and it had upset one Ministry and was wrecking the stability of another; but the Castle influence was proved to be too overwhelming for the popular cause; and the day of nomination, with its hordes of men driven up to the hustings like sheep, to hold up their hands for whom they were bidden, was, in truth and in deed, a sad exhibition of what was misnamed freedom of election. Mr. Benbow was elected by a good majority, and entered the House of Commons as a decided Tory representative.

1. Mr. John Benbow, Tory 388
2. Mr. William Rawson, Free Trader 175
----
Majority for Mr. Benbow 213

Benefit Societies, established by the most intelligent of the working classes, had begun now to have a very beneficial effect in teaching the great principles of self help. The Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows had taken the lead throughout the country in this respect, and in the parish of Dudley we had upwards of 1,500 members enrolled.

1845. July 14th. A monster and grand procession of Odd Fellows walked the town this day, and went to a service at the Parish Church, when a collection was made for the Widows and Orphans' Fund, amounting to £10 12s. 3d.

1845. July 30th. The Rev. Doctor Browne, Vicar of Dudley, was installed an Odd Fellow in the "Rose and Thistle" Lodge, and the worthy Doctor's zeal on behalf of the Widows and Orphans' was most manifest in the parish.

THE FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE.

1845. This small place of worship is approached through a passage leading out of High Street. It was originally built in 1670, was enlarged in 1793, and has since had additional alterations. The Friends are a small and select body of worshippers in this town, and appear to have suffered severe and uncharitable persecution at times, for it is recorded that on the 2nd May, 1665, four Friends of Dudley were seized by one Major Wilde, and a troop of horsemen, and taken to Worcester Gaol, kept there thirteen days till the Assizes and Sessions were over, and then committed to the _common jail_ for three months without any trial, or even being brought into open court. At the expiration of their time of imprisonment, these Friends were brought into open court and fined 12d. each, and then dismissed. The heinous crime with which they had been charged was, "that they would not take an oath." Surely we live in happier days of freedom and enlightenment, which is not always duly appreciated by the censorious and narrow-minded citizens of the present age, both social and religious pressure being often exercised in the sacred name of civil and religious liberty.

THE DUDLEY DISPENSARY.

1845. May 14. The foundation of this most valuable and humane institution bears date from this period. A public meeting of the inhabitants was held at the Town Hall, on May 14th, 1845, under the presidency of Edward Terry, Esq., the Mayor, "For the purpose of adopting such means as might be deemed best calculated to afford efficient medical relief gratuitously to indigent persons residing in the district, and especially of considering whether the establishment of a hospital at Dennis Park, to be called the Dudley and Stourbridge Hospital, be desirable or otherwise." The subject was discussed with much animation and consideration for the wants of the indigent poor in the Dudley district. It was, moreover, considered that the wealth and kindly feeling of the inhabitants of Dudley and its immediate neighbourhood was a sufficient guarantee that a dispensary should and could be handsomely supported and maintained in the town of Dudley, irrespective of any pecuniary assistance from the Stourbridge district. After much discussion, the following resolutions were unanimously carried:--1st, "That in consequence of the distance of the intended hospital from this town and parish, such an institution would not be attended with so much advantage to Dudley and its immediate locality as a Dispensary." 2nd, "That this meeting is fully of opinion that the establishment of a Dispensary to provide gratuitous medical assistance to those who are unable to procure professional relief for themselves, is the most desirable plan that can be adopted for this immediate district, and that a subscription be now opened to carry this object into effect." The handsome sum of £178 was speedily collected in donations, and premises were taken in the Upper High Street at a rental of £40 per annum, and converted into a Public Dispensary. Mr. Richard Meredith was appointed the first resident Medical Officer, and the Institution was opened with an annual subscription list of £289. In 1860 it was deemed necessary to enlarge the usefulness of this charitable institution by erecting a more commodious building better adapted to its yearly increasing requirements. The noble Earl of Dudley, under the circumstances, presented the committee with a very eligible building site in the Priory Road; and that ever-to-be-remembered humble and unostentatious townsman, Joseph Guest, Esq., and friend to every good cause in Dudley, at once volunteered to erect the new dispensary at his sole cost. This noble and truly Christian offer was at once accepted, and the present Dudley Dispensary stands amongst us as a living testimony of the benevolent consideration of a worthy Dudley gentleman, the late Joseph Guest, Esq. It was said that the dispensary cost upwards of £1,600 in its erection. There is one feature in the management of this valuable institution which requires immediate rectification, viz., that a large number of patients _who now_ derive benefit from this valuable institution _are not_ the kind of people (the indigent poor) for whom it was originally established, and the rules of the institution are constantly broken by subscribers giving tickets to such applicants for medical relief.

Railway speculations, and numberless new railway projects cropped up all over the kingdom, and at Dudley we had the honour of entertaining what was called "_The Battle of the Gauges_," a most scientific difference of opinion, "whether the Narrow Gauge, or the Broad Gauge," was likely to be the most conducive to the public good. We had _numerous private_, and _two public, meetings_ held to discuss this important question, inasmuch as two Railway lines were projected from Wolverhampton (via Dudley), to London and Bristol, &c. The one named the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway (Broad Gauge), the other was called the Tring Railway (Narrow Gauge), branching off to Birmingham in its route to London. After much ignorant conception and argument about the merits of each project (for we were entirely in the hands of the Speculators, Lawyers, and Engineers), it was _unfortunately_ for the _future advantage_ of Dudley decided to support the "Broad Gauge" (the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton line), which Bill passed the House of Lords on July 31st, 1845, and was commenced shortly afterwards.

1846. Mr. C. F. G. Clark, Chemist of this town, who had taken a very prominent part in supporting sound Odd Fellowship in this town and district, delivered a very luminous and entertaining lecture in the Lancaster School-room, Dudley (Dr. Browne, Vicar in the chair), "On the Origin, History and Principles of the Society of Odd Fellows." This lecture (on a novel subject) attracted upwards of 500 of the public, and the clear, and lucid manner in which the lecturer stripped Odd Fellowship of many of its believed absurdities, and shewed "the advantages of a society, which not only affords a vast amount of assistance to its own members, but also relieves the Poor Rates, and other burdens upon parishes to an unparalleled extent, by teaching its members to be provident, sober, loyal, and industrious." The profits of the sale of this lecture were given to the Widows and Orphans' Fund, when upwards of £50 was added to that excellent Fund. Mr. Clark continued to lecture in this laudable cause for some years in this district.

"ODD FELLOWSHIP, M.U.--On Friday evening week, March 27th,
1846, a lecture was delivered in the Lancasterian School
Room, Stafford Street, Dudley, by Mr. C. F. G. Clark, "On the
Origin, History, and Principles of the Manchester Unity of
Odd Fellows." The audience was very numerous, and the room,
which is large, was well filled. The chair was taken by Dr.
Browne, Vicar of Dudley, who briefly claimed for the lecturer
a patient hearing. Mr. Clark opened his lecture with an
introduction on the character of benefit societies in general,
showing the superiority of Odd Fellowship over most other
similar institutions. No society, he observed, that had ever
been established in this country had afforded the amount of
real benefit to its members which had been conferred by the
Loyal and Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the Manchester
Unity. He briefly noticed the origin of these institutions,
expressing his opinion that they were to be traced from the
Ancient Guilds, established by the church, in the time of the
Saxons. He explained several of the laws of the societies of
Guilds, and showed that they were established for a similar
object to that of the societies of Odd Fellows. The Manchester
Unity, he observed, was established in 1812 by twenty-seven
working men, in Manchester, and remained in obscurity for
some years, until in 1820 it was introduced into many of the
large towns in the kingdom by the migrations of the Manchester
brethren, and from that time its progress was rapid and signal.
In 1838, it was introduced into Scotland, where it has been
fostered with a spirit highly creditable to that far-seeing
and intelligent people. In the Isle of Man, the doctrines of
the Order had been so propagated that scarcely a man of any
degree of station or character remained unconnected with it.
There were upwards of 4,000 lodges in the Unity, and they
were dispersed throughout Great Britain and Ireland, Malta,
India, Australia, the Canadas, the United States of America,
and other possessions of the British empire. In the year 1844
the society received into its funds £326,207, out of which was
expended in purposes of relief £170,182, and for carrying on
the extensive working of the system £71,420. Mr. Clark next
noticed the system of government adopted by the institution,
and most minutely explained the advantages arising from its
completeness and comprehensiveness. He then called attention
to several individual cases of benefit, and showed that Noah
Clarke, of the Cumberland Lodge, received up to his death in
1843, upwards of £300 from the funds of the Cumberland Lodge,
in the Manchester District. He noticed the objections which
had been raised by many men to the Order, which he replied to
with much ability. In closing his remarks, the lecturer noticed
the benefit which the institution had afforded in Dudley. In
the year 1842 and 1843, when trade was so bad, £432 3s. 3d.
was paid on account of sickness and distress by the Wellington
Lodge alone. During fifteen years and a half, David Pearson,
of the Good Intent Lodge, held in High Street, had received
upwards of £145; and Thomas Tomlinson, of the Wellington Lodge,
in Stone Street, during fourteen years and a half, upwards of
£120. He concluded by reading an eloquent tribute to the Order
written by Dr. Wright, of Birmingham, and sat down amidst loud
applause. Thanks were afterwards voted to the chairman for his
kindness in presiding, and to Mr. Clark for his eloquent and
instructive lecture."--From the _Birmingham Journal_.

Died June 22nd, 1846, Mr. Jeffrey Finch, of Portersfield, Fender Manufacturer; a true specimen of a kind, genial, "Dudley man of ancient descent." Aged 59 years.

Died June 24th, 1846, Mr. Rice, Castle Street. Aged 56 years.

1846. June 30th. The jury at Worcester Sessions awarded the sum of £3,440 to Mr. Ralph Musselwhite, Draper, for his shop and house being pulled down, standing on the Market flat, he demanding from the Dudley Town Commissioners £4,800!!!

1846. November 10th. A piece of very handsome silver plate was this day presented to Captain Wm. Bennett, of this town, as the result of a public subscription, "to mark the sense of his public services and worth." The testimonial was presented by Lord Ward in a very complimentary speech.

Died February 1st, 1847, Mr. James Morris, Chemist and Druggist, of Dudley, a famous freemason. Aged 48 years.

Died March 22nd, 1847, old Mr. Wm. Fellowes, Senior, Castle Street. This old gentleman was a well known person in this town, and an acute lawyer in his day, with some eccentricity of character and thought. Aged 86 years.

In the month of June this year, it was quite evident in the political horizon that a dissolution of Parliament was at hand, and that our member, Mr. Jno. Benbow, M.P., would seek re-election; accordingly, on the 6th of July, the following address was freely circulated in the borough:--

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.

GENTLEMEN,

A dissolution of Parliament being soon expected to take place,
I hasten to solicit a renewal of that important trust which,
in 1844, you kindly confided to me. During the period of my
service in Parliament, I have ever been most anxious to prove
my grateful sense of your generous confidence, by a diligent
and faithful discharge of the duties which it imposed. On
questions of national policy, which have been of more than
ordinary magnitude, I have honestly supported those measures
which the exigencies of the times, and the conflicting
claims of the various interests of our free but complicated
state seemed to me to demand; while in all that concerns
your local interests it has been my constant endeavours to
extend the trade and manufactures of your important town and
neighbourhood, and to advance the general improvement of
your borough. If by your suffrages I am again placed in the
distinguished situation as your representative, it shall be my
zealous aim to enhance your prosperity, and promote the welfare
of our common country.

I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
Your faithful and obliged servant,
JOHN BENBOW.

_July 6th, 1847._

Mr. Benbow, it was thought, was not going to have such an easy _walk over_, as his admirers had anticipated, for a Mr. Joseph Linney, _an out and out Chartist_, from Bilston, was trotted before admiring reformers by our old friend Mr. Samuel Cook, with the evident intent of embracing the opportunity of airing the Six Points of the Charter. On July 24th, this Bilston Firebrand issued a long-winded address to the Electors, embracing--

1. Universal Suffrage,
2. Vote by Ballot,
3. Annual Parliaments,
4. No Property Qualification,
5. Payment of Members,
6. Equal Electoral Districts.

In summing up his discourse, he says: "I have but to add in conclusion, that, if returned, I shall lend my support to those measures facilitating by Railroad and Cheap Postage the means of easy and rapid transmission and intercourse; thus I shall oppose all Foreign Wars not rendered necessary for self-defence or the purposes of humanity, and that I shall feel it my duty annually to present myself before the inhabitants of your Borough in public meeting assembled, and there to resign my trust into their hands, should such be the will of the majority."

Now it so happened that Mr. Linney was a voluminous talker, and his free presence on the hustings with his friend, Samuel Cook, Mr. Wm. Insull, and kindred spirits, was looked forward to with dismay by one party, and hilarity by the other, for _a turn of local fun_ was sure to arise in the public discussions. Another element of discord, also, arose amongst some of Mr. Benbow's previous supporters, arising from the galling political dictation now assumed by the Priory influence. It was determined that if we were to be ridden by lordly influence that we would elect a local man whom we could trust to represent us, and it was at once determined to invite our own townsman, Mr. Thomas Badger, a very large employer of labour both in Dudley and the neighbourhood, to offer himself for the suffrages of the electors. Mr. Benbow and his friends became now thoroughly alarmed, and aroused to immediate action; for the old gentleman trudged down to Dudley to survey the situation, and at once issued the following laconic address:--

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.

GENTLEMEN,

The dissolution having ensued, I now wait upon you to ask your
suffrages, and should I be kindly favoured with a renewal of
your confidence, so as to be again enabled to discharge the
important duties which will devolve upon your representative in
Parliament, you may rest assured that I will endeavour to repay
the obligation by all the means in my power.

I am,
Your most obedient servant,
JOHN BENBOW.

_Dudley, July 24th, 1847_

The political freedom of Dudley was now in the throes of life, or death; and whilst our highly respected townsman, Mr. Badger, was counting the cost, and rehearsing in his mind the past experience of his friend Mr. Hawkes, late M.P. for Dudley, in Parliamentary matters, the following "Curiosities of Dudley" appeared before the disturbed Electors.

DUDLEY ELECTION.

TO THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.

Gentlemen,

A dissolution of Parliament is at hand, and I hear of no other
candidate for our suffrages besides our present Member. Is it
not, however, worthy of enquiry, if this gentleman, a London
Lawyer, a nominee, and personally unknown to the great majority
of you, is the man of your choice, and a proper representative
of your wants and interests in Parliament, and has he fair
claims to be re-elected by you?

To justify these claims, what have been his doings since he
held his seat for this borough? What has he done for the
country at large, or for the constituency he represents?
When the most momentous question that could be raised in a
Protestant country was agitated--the revival of Popery in the
endowment of the Papist College of Maynooth, was he at his post
to defend the strongest bulwark of our national prosperity and
glory--our reformed Christianity--or did he not skulk behind
the scenes at each division on this vital question--and, by an
ignoble silence, allow that measure which opens a broad inroad
to the triumph of Popery, to pass without his vote? Is such a
man worthy of the confidence of a Protestant constituency?--And
in what other measure of national importance, and for the
welfare of the people, has he taken any part? As to matters of
local interest, his conduct in the case of the Bill for the
Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway will not soon be
forgotten. To this measure, which promised the greatest benefit
to the town and district, and which was hailed and supported
by a vast majority of his constituents, he presented the most
determined, unwearied and implacable opposition, and ever
since it has passed has continued to throw every obstacle which
malice or litigation could invent in the way of its progress. I
say nothing to a number of other matters of local concernment,
which, in proportion to their importance, redound as little to
his credit.

And what has been his bearing towards those of his constituents
who have held any official intercourse with him? Strong, or
fancying himself so, in the interest of his patron, he has
looked down upon them, if not with positive contempt, with the
most supercilious indifference--riding rough-shod over them,
their opinions, and their wishes, in the pure style of an
"IRRESPONSIBLE." Too haughty to listen to their petitions, and
acknowledging no one's judgment or will but his own, his career
has been as that of a tyrant among a nation of serfs. And yet
he has the hardihood to offer himself again to the suffrages
of these insulted constituents, and, strange to say, they seem
prepared to sit down in this state of degradation.

But I shall be told that the honourable member has done great
things for our borough, and that he has made full atonement for
all his sins, in procuring from his patron--(one would think
they were his own gift, if the selfishness of his nature were
not too well known)--sites for a prison, schools, &c. And does
he, or will you, my fellow electors, rob the noble head of the
house of Dudley of these acts of justice and benevolence, or
will you ascribe to the agent the act of the principal? Had MR.
BENBOW never heard of that honourable name, I hesitate not to
aver, that the borough of Dudley had been no loser at all in
the matter.

Is he, then, I repeat, the man who ought to represent us in
Parliament? And have we no one among ourselves equally, or
better, qualified to support our interests, and to whom some
debt, _not of reproach_, but of public gratitude is due? I
think we have, and I would name THOMAS BADGER, ESQ., as one. No
man is better acquainted with the interests and wants of our
borough than he is, and no man has exerted himself so much and
successfully to promote them, or would labour more faithfully
and zealously in support of those wants and interests.
Living all his life among us, his character is well known to
be unimpeached and unimpeachable.--Strong and clear in his
judgment, firm and decided in his principles and proceedings,
and well experienced, by years and business, in the knowledge
of our commerce, and of men and things, _and with a property
sufficient to place him above temptation_, he is well-fitted to
serve the interests of his neighbours and his country. I do not
know that he would accept the trust, but I think he ought to be
invited to do so, and I throw out this hint in the hope that it
may be taken up and succeed.

AN INDEPENDENT ELECTOR OF DUDLEY.

_Dudley, July 20, 1847._

* * * * *

DUDLEY ELECTION.

A WORD IN THE EAR OF AN INDEPENDENT ELECTOR OF DUDLEY.

My Dear "Independent,"

What a funny fellow you are! Asking at this time of the day, if
Mr. Benbow is the man of the choice of the Dudley Independent
Electors? And whether he is not "a nominee?" What fun! To ask
if these things are not "worthy of enquiry?" You droll dog!
Ask whether the sun shines? "What has he done for the country
at large, or for the constituency he represents?" I fearlessly
answer he has done his duty. "Nominees" attend to the interests
of those who nominate them. And has he not perseveringly upheld
the interests of his patron in all the railway struggle? What
had the "vast majority of his constituents" to do with the
matter? True it is, he opposed the Oxford, Worcester, and
Wolverhampton Railway Bill, which was hailed and supported by
a vast majority of his constituents, and that he continues
"the most determined, unwearied, and implacable opposition" to
it; but yet he will be re-elected without opposition; clearly
showing it is no business of theirs. The line of Railway Mr.
Benbow supported was the most beneficial for Lord Ward's
estates, and that is one and the same thing as the Borough
of Dudley. Could the constituency expect more? His conduct
respecting the endowment of the "Papist College of Maynooth,"
may have been, from what is known, more independent! We know
not what Lord Ward's opinions on this subject are:--and Mr
Benbow, may, in this instance, have equally disregarded the
opinions of the "Independent Electors of Dudley," and of
his Patron. Whether they were alarmed at "the revival of
Popery," or simply objected to the grant of the public money
for an exclusively sectarian religious education, he may, in
this instance, have voted to please himself! 'Tis clear the
"Independent Electors" had nothing to do with it.

You forgot the Corn-law affair! The "Independent electors,"
at the last election, returned Mr. Benbow in opposition to
Mr. Rawson, the enthusiastic Treasurer of the Anti-Corn Law
League, expressly to uphold those laws, and "protect native
industry;" and he voted for their total abolition! 'Tis true
in so doing he showed a similarity of opinion between himself
and Lord Ward;--and a decided diversity between himself and
his "Independent" supporters! In return for his independent
conduct, his "Independent" supporters, will again vote for, and
elect him Member for Dudley. Never before was such a band of
disinterested Patriots known! Among them stands pre-eminent,
Thomas Badger, Esq., selected by you as a proper person to
oppose Mr. Benbow! In homely language, you have selected him to
"bell the cat?" There are rumours afloat of the deliberations
of the council when this measure was proposed! And if there be
truth in these rumours, these deliberations came to a similar
result with those of the mouse council! viz., that the advice
was very bold, but its execution, by any member of the council,
hopeless. I thought you too severe here. To look for any
electors of the Borough of Dudley, who approve of Mr. Badger's
political principles, of sufficient courage and independence
to oppose the Himley Influence was too bad. Mr. Badger would
repudiate any such admirer.

Mr. Benbow is the man for Dudley. 'Tis true he voted for the
extended Grant to Maynooth, in opposition to many of his
supporters: no matter;--they will generously support him as
before! 'Tis true he broke all his pledges to uphold the Corn
Laws to the disgust and indignation of his "independent"
supporters: no matter;--they will rally round him at the
hustings! 'Tis true he opposed himself to the interests and
wishes of the great majority of the electors and inhabitants
of the Borough in the Railway affair: no matter;--_they dare
not vote against him at the poll!_ 'Tis true _he has neglected
the interests of his nominal constituents whilst living_: no
matter;--he has procured from his patron the grant of burial
grounds, without charge, for their benefit, when dead he
provided them with graves; 'Tis true; the independence of the
Borough is utterly destroyed: no matter;--Mr. Benbow, like a
generous enemy, has provided a decent burial!

When you next write, be guarded in what you say; Mr. Benbow may
find you out; although you do not sign your name, and although
you cut off the Printer's name and address: he is so sharp. And
woe betide any one he catches tripping.

Your sincere friend,
A BROTHER "INDEPENDENT."

Dudley, July 22, 1847.

* * * * *

"Dudley Castle in Modern Times."

_A NEW FARCE IN ONE ACT_,

AFTER SHAKESPEARE.

SCENE.--_A Room in Smith's Hotel._

Characters.

TOM NAILER, _a_ FEELING _Candidate_.
ISAAC, _one of the Old School_.
SPIRITS, _a would-be Senator_.
MAYOR, _a willing instrument_.
CHARTIST SAM, _an unpopular popular man_.
BILL, _an American adventurer, lately returned from his travels_.
GEORGE WESLEY, _an eminent Brewer_.
MOLLEY, _a newly-appointed Justice_.
LORD PRIORY, _a Deputy-Landlord_ (_arriving late_.)
WAITER, _listening through the hey-hole_.

_Enter_ ISAAC (_musing_) _with the Standard paper in his hand_.

_Isaac._ Gentlemen, I come no more to make you laugh, things
that bear a weighty and serious brow, full of state and woe,
such scenes as draw the eyes to tears, we now present. This
paper tells me that the Queen hath now dismissed her faithless
Parliament, once more to meet the public eye, and _he_ whom
we so lovingly raised to the honour, and safe keeping of our
state and consciences, comes here again to seek our love, which
he hath thus _so shamefully abused_. We must be up and doing,
else the unmitigated errors of our former deeds will cloud the
bright honour of our party. What say you friends to _another
Candidate_ for our purpose? (_Yes! yes!! yes!!!_)

_Mayor_ (_reading his speech._) Most willingly my friends I
would obey the councils of our party, and having heard our
friends speak highly of _our worthy Tom_, as one in whom the
inmost secrets of our hearts and wishes may be safely hid; one
that will our interests truly represent, despite the reasonings
of the vulgar herd; one that will faithfully uphold our holy
church against the _Papal Powers_ and _low dissent_; one that
has claim upon our love for long tried services and renown, and
whose ambition is but laudably upright; this is the man _in
whom we can confide_. I therefore do most thankfully propose
him as our future Senator. (_Immense cheering, clapping of
hands, and stamping of feet._)

_Isaac._ This is the happiest moment of my life, the head and
front of our noble house is thus most justly to attain his high
rank in the bold field of senatorial fame. Oh! how toil of
former years will thus recline upon laurels so nobly won; and
our famed house, _whose ancestors we can from yore bring down_,
will now be upward raised to honour, fame and senatorial power.
I do my friends most cordially approve your choice.

_Chartist._ Most reverend, grave and noble gentlemen, I would
intrude upon your presence, and a round unvarnished tale
unfold, concerning him on whose behalf I am constrained to
speak. Unkindly given to that _Bending-Bow_, whose bearing to
my admonitions have been sadly coarse, and whose independence
ill-becomes his place; his confidence I do now abjure, and
leave him to his merited deserts. But, whilst my honoured
friend Tom, _whose mighty hand I have so often felt_, stands
high with us for _Magistraterial worth_, yet sadly he doth
_lack_ those _senatorial powers_ which constitute the wisdom of
our state. He whom I do now propose, so gentle he in _Spirits_,
mild in speech, so clear in judgment, correct in our cause,
so free from fetters, and unbiassed in mind; he can our cause
uphold, and justly raise our state and interests to our wishes.
I do therefore propose my friend _Spirits_ as our future
representative. (_Immense murmuring._)

_Molley._ Why murmur thus my friends, for this ambitious wish
by him whom we so oft have cause to praise for his discretion,
probity, and talents. It ill-becometh one, like me, who hath
derived so much unmerited power and distinction from our noble
Tom, to try to stem the flood of his most honoured course; but
know ye not that divers sayings we do hear abroad of the little
relish the gentle burgesses have for his name? The trumpet
that was sounded for the object of our choice falls dull
upon the public ear; and rumour, with her slanderous tongue,
talks loud of bye-gone bigotry,--party purposes, uncourteous
bearing,--revengeful feelings,--which were wont to emanate from
his noble house; besides, the foul slur that he doth lack the
talent, knowledge, and the like, which ought to fit him for
St. Stephen's Hall. These things behove us to be on our guard
against the common enemy, and remember our cause, the church,
our privileges, our private interests, above all the public
weal, demands that cheated once out of our former loves, we
should send one to Parliament in whom we can confide. Perchance
our Tom might lose the day, but if by trickery, electioneering
evils, false faces, and designing deeds, we can them all outwit
and send our man, the game is then our own. These potent
reasons do constrain me to support another candidate; besides,
in starting two into the field, we shall mislead the enemy;
perchance in losing Tom, the other we may securely gain; and
by our Chartist friend our cause upholding, it augurs well for
the relish that doth show itself in the ungodly camp of the
rabble herd; for their support may thus be safely brought unto
our aid. I would beseech you to adopt this course, and give our
_Spirituous_ friend the benefit of your close alliance.

_Tom_ (_rising with great emotion._) Rude am I in speech,
and little blessed with the set phrase of courtliness, but I
do requite you for your love to me. I did not go into this
matter, but by the learned approbation of my friends; and if
I am traduced by tongues, which neither know my faculties nor
person, yet will be the chroniclers of my doings, let me say
it is but the fate of place, and the rough brake that virtue
must go through. We must not stint our necessary actions in the
fear to cope malicious usurers, which ever as ravenous fishes
do a vessel follow, longing for the leaden corpse thrown over.
My ambitious spirit, aided by your weighty counsels, led me
to suppose that my success was certain. They do me wrong that
complain unto the people that I am stern and love them not,
that fill their ears with dissentious rumours; because I cannot
flatter and speak fair, smile in men's faces with an apish
courtesy, thus I must be held a rancorous enemy. Cannot a plain
man live and think no harm, but thus his simple truth must be
abused by silken, sly, insinuating snobs. I will forego this
proffered seat, and leave my younger friend to win the day.

_George Wesley_ (_beseechingly._) Know, then, that it is your
fault that you resign this seat; your state of fortune, and
your birth's due demand your acquiescence. Pray, I beseech you,
to revise your thoughts and think this noble Isle doth want
her proper limbs. This _Bending-Bow_ whom our manners call
_the member_--more bitterly could I expostulate, save that
for reverence sake to some alive I give a sparing limit to my
tongue. Come, then, dear Tom, take to yourself this unfettered
seat of honour, this proffered benefit of dignity, if not to
bless us and the land withal, yet to draw forth your noble
ancestry from the corruption of abusing time, into a lineal
true derived course.

_Tom_ (_angrily._) I cannot tell if to depart in silence or
bitterly to speak in your reproof best fitteth my degree,
for tongue-tied ambition, not replying, yieldeth to bear the
golden yoke of membership which fondly you would thrust upon
me. Definitely thus I tell you. Your love deserves my thanks,
but my deserts unmeritable shun your high request; but if all
obstacles were cut away, and my path were even to the seat, I
the sceptre would lay hold, and rid you of your fears. Alas!
I am, they say, unfit for state and dignity. I do beseech you
take it not amiss, I cannot, nor I will not, yield to your
entreaties. (_Lamentations._)

_Bill._ You are, my sire, too ceremonious for the times; weigh
it but with the grossness of the age; you break no faith in
serving on this seat; besides, the benefit is always granted
to those who have the wit to claim the place. This Bending-Bow
hath neither claimed it nor deserved it; then taking it from
him you serve the public most, and thereby elevate our noble
house.

_Chartist_ (_with much impatience._) I do beseech you hear the
sentiments of our spirituous friend.