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truss; and I was not visited with another till late in September; and I wanted this fair trial before I spoke of the matter. I have now had the trial; and it would be a very shameful neglect of my duty towards my neighbour," for me not to tell the public that I find the remedy perfect; and that I can now scarcely perceive, whether with a cough or without a cough, the smallest signs of my ever having had such a complaint. But am I not here, in doing bare justice to Mr. Coles, doing him an

lic in general, and to my readers in particular. I add this piece of advice to people in the country: not to write to London for a truss any sooner than for a coat or a pair of breeches; not to plague a surgeon to order oue; but to go to the mechanic in person; and let him fit the force and the form to the necessity of the case.

SIR,

ΤΟ

WM. COBBETT.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

Kensington, 17th November, 1831.

injury, by driving from his shop the SIR THOMAS DENMAN, KNIGHT, tax and tithe-eaters, who will have a "prejudice" (that is, a villany) against him for the good he has done to me? No; hang it; they like their worthless lives too well for that. However, my MORE fires, notwithstanding the spesensible readers, pay you (if you should cial commissions, and notwithstanding need it) attention to what I have said; I remain an unlecturing individual in and let the tithe and tax-eaters creep this hellish wen instead of being engagalong through life with all the twitch-ed in talking to "a good many peppel at ings and achings of this harassing com- Batel;" but before I go further, suffer plaint, and under all the pains and pe- me to congratulate you, not only on the nulties inflicted on them by the awkward, magnitude, but on the extension of your heavy, cumbrous and still inefficient fame, which, by means of your and my things which bungling mechanics put trial, has by this time reached every round their bodies. One thing bear in part of the United States of America, mind; and that is, that this is a matter the report of the trial having been rewith which surgeons and physicians published at New York, in the month have nothing to do, any more than they of September, and copies of it having have with the providing us with suitable been received in London in the month shoes or coats. As Mr. CHEVALIER told of October. I would send you a copy, me, the complaint is truly mechanical; only the preface may be libellous; for and the application of the remedy must though written and published in New depend on the mechanic solely, just as York, it would be a crime to publish it much as the fitting of a coat must de- here; and, you know, to send a book, pend on the tailor. Here, however, or show a book, to a man is to publish more cleverness is required; the me-it. The editor of the edition does not, chanic must be able to judge well as to indeed, speak of you in very flattering the degree of force required; and he terms; and nothing short of positive must have great ability in causing the pressure to bear in a proper manner. The moment I heard Mr. Coles speak upon the subject, I was sure he was the man his observations showed a knowledge of his business; and the result has most amply verified my opinion.. never saw Mr. Coles before, and I have never seen him since, except to call and thank him. What I have said of him here is but justice, which I do with very great pleasure, while, as to the rest, I am only discharging a duty to the pub

praise is free from the charge of libel, if it name any man who has the power to prosecute, and who chooses to exercise that power. If I belaboured the Whigs, the American writers belabour them still more, there being no one epithet descriptive of insincerity and injustice which they do not apply to that faction; and there, where men speak their minds freely, there seems to be no doubt with any man, that of the two factions, the Tories are the least bad,

Having despatched this matter, let me

now come to the fires that are blazing had extended itself to the adjoining wheat all over the country. There have been stack, but the water from the engine being directed to that part, the fire was extinguished within this month, not less than seven-there. The old hay-stack had a very remarkteen in Wiltshire, though the London papers are as silent upon the subject as if they were listening to a sermon. At last the Morning Chronicle seems to have been ashamed to hold its peace any longer; and in an article contained in that paper of this day, there is a list of the blazes. When I have inserted this list, I have an observation or two to add, with regard to the cause and the remedy.

able appearance; the fire, no doubt, communicated to it at an early period, and the whole of the interior was gradually consumed, while prevented the fire from being seen, except in a mere shell of hay, being wet on the outside, some few spots where the glowing embers shone through. As there appeared at one time symptoms of the wind rising, it was deemed expedient to send for another engine from Boston, which arrived between eleven and twelve. Many of the labourers looked on with the utmost apathy, and never offered to lend their aid, while others exerted themselves to the utmost. An immoderate quantity of ale, distributed on the spot, did infinite mischief, Between eight and nine o'clock, on Wed- and we have heard that some quarrels and nesday evening last, many persons were fighting ensued about four o'clock in the alarmed in Boston by the cry of "Fire!" morning. The engines kept the fire under, which was shouted by a man who was on the flames gradually died away, and at two horseback, and who galloped towards the o'clock the fire presented a scene of red ashes, church for the fire-engines. Upon inquiry, which cooled during the morning, and on we learned that the fire was upon Mr. Samuel Thursday the fire was totally extinguished. Everard's farm, at Hubbert's Bridge, in the We understand that Mr. Everard had reduced parish of Brothertoft, and nearly five miles the wages of his labourers, which had excited from Boston. The flames were distinctly considerable dissatisfaction. He now resides visible at Boston, and illuminated the horizon. at Gosberton, but was at Stamford on WedGreat numbers of persons left this town for uesday; he arrived at the fire between eleven the set; upon arriving there at half-past ten and twelve o'clock, in a state of natural agio'clock, we found an immense mass of fire-tation. He was insured. The damage has the substance then consuming having origi- heen estimated at from 300l. to 4007. No pally formed a wheat-stack, most of which doubt it was the work of an incendiary. had fallen upon the bank of the drain adjoining the farm-yard, and was there smoking and smouldering to ashes. Fortunately the evening was quite serene; for, had there been any wind, a number of other stacks in the yard must have fallen a prey to the devouring fames. Besides the Bostonians, a number of persons had assembled from the surrounding cottages, and most of the respectable farmers of Swineshead and the vicinity were present. C. K. Tunnard, Esq., a magistrate of the division, attended, and exerted himself in the due On Wednesday evening, the 2d instant, direction of the proper means for subduing about six o'clock, a fire broke out in the stackthe fames. At one time more than one thou-yard belonging to Mrs. Mitchinson, a poor sand persons were on the spot, including, we regret to say, many whose motives appeared to be any thing but honest. Some were drawn thither by idle curiosity, and who contented themselves with being silent spectators of the scene; while others, actuated by a more worthy motive, exerted themselves in sup. pressing the fire. We learned that the fire was first discovered between seven and eight o'clock; it comnienced in a wheat-stack, which formed the first of a line of corn-stacks, and adjoining which, on one side, was a stack of fine old hay. Besides this property, On Saturday night, about eleven o'clock, a large barn and a farm-house were put in fire, no doubt the act of an incendiary, was jeopardy. The early discovery of the fire, and observed on the land of Mr. Abraham Culy, the prompt attendance of an engine from Guyhim, in the parish of Wisbech St. Mary, Boston, prevented the flames spreading far which consumed a straw-stack, and the princi beyond the place where the stacks were ripal part of a threshing-machine belonging to ginally ignited; at one time, indeed, the fire an industrious man named Burrows. The

On Wednesday evening a fire broke out, about seven o'clock, in a large barn, close to the Mausfield turnpike-road, and beyond Day. brook; the flames raged furiously, and by half past eight o'clock the roof fell in, above one hundred quarters of corn, the property of Mrs. Frignall, being burnt. The building was formerly a part of the premises of Messrs. Davison and Hawksley of Arnold Mill. There is every reason to suspect that the fire was not accidental.

widow-woman, at Haceby, near Falkingham, which consumed a straw-stack, and a large stack of oats, containing about sixty quarters. Much praise is due to the tradesmen and labourers of Osbournby, who were indefatigable in their exertions, and who did not quit the scene until about two o'clock on Thursday morning, by which time they had succeeded in totally extinguishing the fire. It is not doubted that the conflagration was occasioned by an incendiary. Unhappily, the property was not insured.

corn was fortunately removed; and the machine | "let them be convinced, by every mark of filled with straw, and covered with some com- "dutiful attention, that their distresses are not bustible material, which was discovered after" disregarded by their wealthier ne ghbours, the fire. "but that they are really desirous to see On Monday evening, soon after five o'clock," them happy and comfortable. This would the atmosphere west of Bingham was most "induce the lower orders-I mean those who brilliantly illuminated until balf-past seven; "are not the slaves of wickedness and viceincendiarism was suspected to be the cause, "to look up, with proper respect, to the and it was soon found to be too just a sus "higher orders, as their natural friends and picion. Five stacks of barley (the produce of protectors; and would raise a bulwark of 20 acres, and estimated to contain 100 qrs. of "strength against the disorders and divisions grain), and two of beans (grown on eight" which now threaten our distracted country acres, calculated at 40 qrs.), together with an " with ruin and confusion." adjoining hovel, all the property of Mr. Richard Butler, a respectable farmer of Radcliffe, about four miles from Bingham, but which stood in that part of the field which is a little more than two miles from the latter town, were totally consumed. It is not doubted that the calamity was caused wilfully. Happily no lives were lost; but it was to be regretted that Mr. Sheppard, in the corn trade, from Hull (formerty of Boston), was passing near in his gig, and took up a stout farming man to render all assistance possible, and, owing to the darkness of the night, in crossing the fields to get to the fire, Mr. Sheppard was thrown out of his gig, aud much hurt. He was taken up senseless, and conveyed to the village in a hopeless state.

On Monday night, between ten and eleven o'clock, a large stubble stack, belonging to Mr. Samuel Barrow, of Kegworth, was set on fire by some incendiary, and entirely consumed.

PAST SIX O'CLOCK.-An express has just arrived from Eastry, for the military, who have left the garrison on coaches and other vehicles in the utmost haste. Another fire, they say, is now raging, and a mob is collecting near it. Other reports say a number have been taken into custody, and a rescue is apprehended, or further mischief.

One cannot read the account of soldiers travelling post in Kent without calling to mind the words of Mr. HODGES when he presented some petitions in favour of reform early in the month of March last or late in February. His words were these :-" In presenting "these petitions I took the opportunity "of expressing the sincere pleasure I On Friday night, the 4th instant, a barn "felt in being enabled to state that the belonging to Mr. Gilbert, farmer, of Barshy," disturbances, which had first comnear Melton Mowbray, was wilfully set on fire "menced in the county of Kent, had and destroyed. On the following Sunday" wholly subsided, and I trusted that afternoon, between four and five o'clock, a barn and a stack of oats were discovered to be nothing would occur to re-excite them. on fire on the premises of Mr. Black, of Ashby "In saying this, however, I begged Folville, near Melton; they also were com- 66 to state my entire conviction that the pletely destroyed. And on Monday night" continuance of the tranquillity, not of at Seagrave, in the same neighbourhood. "that county only, but of the whole DOVER, Nov. 15.-Only one day has passed kingdom, mainly depended on the since the incendiary fire at the Elms Farm" successful issue of the great question and this neighbourhood has again witnessed" of reform." the midnight torch of devastation. About

several stacks of corn were fired and consumed

four o'clock this morning a fire was seen This prediction, if it had extended to from these hills to be raging at some distance, all England, would have been verified. towards the north, and continued till some time after daylight. We are informed that the Parsonage-house, at Eastry, near Sandwich, was the scene of the devastation, and that several stacks of corn were consumed. It is also reported that the neighbourhood of Eastry is in a very unquiet state. "We hope "the higher orders will consider, before it is "too late, that the lower classes are indeed "their brethren; and that haughtiness "and contempt, which have too long been "falsely considered as marks of superior im"portauce, will give place to the nobler feel"ings of kindness and compassion. Let the poor be treated, at least, with that civility "that is due from one mau to another; and

The fact is this, the farmers rose the wages to a point still short of what the men ought to have had; but to a point which they could not without ruin maintain, without a great reduction of tithes and of taxes. From a parliamentary reform they expected this reduction to come. Believing, as I do, that there will be no efficient reform at all, by peaceable means, they are now endea vouring to reduce the wages; and as the men do not like to be condemned to death and transported for life for rioting,

and for "highway robbery,” in taking Two-penny Trash, No. 8, of Volume I. four copper pennies from a farmer by And the chief thing pointed out to you means of threats, or bullying; as they was a free pardon to all the labourers do not like to be hanged for giving a who were still at home, and to bring blow, unattended by bodily harm, to an back those who had been already sent employer who comes and takes them by away, and give theut a free pardon also. the collar; as they do not like these, You were upon your high horse when they resort to the silent and undetectable that advice was offered you: your horse use of that element which is proverbi-is not quite so high now; but you will ally the best of servants and the worst not adopt that measure; and yet, unless of masters, and which presents itself to you do adopt it, you will never, as I them in the knife that they carry in their told you to your faces, see the rural popockets and in the flint which they pulation in a state of content again. trample under their feet. I warned you What a grand figure you made with of the inefficacy of any other measures WILDE at your elbow, when you were than those of conciliation with regard to prosecuting Cooper and Cook, and poor this race of men, against whose revenge farmer Boyes. Can you now look at there is no defence any more than there Nottingham without thinking on Hampis efficacy in the measures of" Charley" shire? If you can, you are thoughtless Pearson to preserve us against the cho- indeed. You came back boasting that lera morbus. It is curious that you had your Special Commissions had tranhalf a mind to prosecute me for the very quillized the country. Have they tranTwopenny-Trash which contained this quillized it? Look at the state of the warning. But, at any rate, there are the counties whence comes the intelligence fires; and though I must not say that of the blazes above-described, and then they have done good, you will hardly review your boastings in the House of disagree with me when I say that they Commons. have brought forth, subjoined to the ar- To conclude, let me once more tell ticle of intelligence from Dover, some you and your colleagues that you will observations which never would have never tranquillize the country except by been made had it not been for these fires. the measures recommended by me. The observations are very just: they are The "vigorous Ministry" to which you such as I have been in the constant habit belong have shown vigour but in two of making during the whole course of things, namely, in the Special Commismy life; but never would they have sions, and their prosecutions of the been made, had it not been for the press. The bull-frog farmers who terror excited by the fires. I have chuckled at the success of the Special counted, in the country papers, a hun- Commissions, who delighted in the dred and forty-three fires since about transportings and the hangings, begin the middle of October; and there have to feel that all did not end there; and not been forty of them mentioned in the the low and reverential bows that they London newspapers. Every farmer made to you and to WILDE, would now, leads a life of terror; and yet not a if you were to see them again, be turned single incendiary is detected. Deceived, into something which I do not choose Indeed, are you and your Whig col- to describe. leagues, if you think that the labourers are ignorant with regard to what is going on in London, and with regard to the manner in which it affects their interests. It is you that are the ignorant men, and not they. They know very well what are the causes of their suffering. The only mode of conciliation which would have been effectual was that mode which I pointed out to you in

WM. COBBETT.

BRISTOL.

I INSERT here an official account, given by the Mayor of Bristol, of the late transactions in that city. He writes a letter to the Editor of the BRISTOL

MERCURY, and sends to him for publication his own official account, made to the Secretary of State, together with all the documents to which that account alludes. My readers will find the whole of it very interesting, especially that part which relates to the conduct of the

soldiers.

immediately went to make arrangements for getting their billets. When the officer called at the Council house, he was directed to the commanding officer's station, in the Collegegreen, to report himself. Shortly afterwards, an officer called at the Council-house, from Colonel Brereton, to ask for a magistrate, Council-house in five minutes; within that

and was told the Colonel should hear from the

time, a call was made at the Colonel's office, in College-green. He was not at home, and Council-house, Bristol, Nov. 14. no directions could be obtained where to find Mr. Editor,-A fortnight has now passed him. In about half an hour from this time, since the distressing scenes took place in the letter in the Appendix, No. 5, and also the city of Bristol, which will long markbillets for the troop, were left at the Colonel's Sunday, the 30th of October, in the memory office: the troop had, in the mean time, gone of those who witnessed them. During the in-from College-green to the livery stables, in terval which has elapsed, the magistrates and College-street, where the 14th Light Dragoons their officers have been occupied almost with- had been stationed, and where, in the preout intermission in satisfying the numerous sence of Colonel Brereton, the same accomclaims upon their attention, which the appre-modation was offered to this troop which the hension of persons charged with offences, the 14th Light Dragoons had received there; recovery and reservation of abstracted pro- but, whilst the lights were being placed in perty, and other matters of continual and the stables, they went away and left the city. pressing occurrence, présented. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

CHARLES PINNEY, Mayor.

Council-house, Bristol, Nov. 4.

It is hoped that the candour of by far the greatest part of their fellow-citizens has, in the mean time, spared them from the censure and reproach which others, in ignorance of the facts, and without materials for judgment, My Lord, The jail-delivery having been have thrown upon them; their complete vin- fixed for Saturday, the 29th of October, it soon dication must be left to that full and fair in- became evident to the magistrates, as well quiry by which, whether it be called down from reports circulated in the city, and plaupon them by adverse application, or may cards upon the walls, as also from paragraphs take place under any other circumstances, in the newspapers, expressing the disapprothey feel that justice will eventually be done bation of the friends of reform with respect tu all, and by the result of which they are con- to Sir Charles Wetherell's conduct in Parliatented to abide. In the meantime the en-ment, that a strong public feeling would be closed copies of two letters sent by the magis- excited against him, and that this might be trates on the 4th November, one of them with expected to manifest itself on his arrival and the Appendix, to his Majesty's Secretary of during his stay in the city. The magistrates, State for the Home Department, and the other therefore, took into their consideration the to the Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's propriety of making a communication to Sir Forces, (a copy of which last letter was also Charles on the subject, and of submitting to sent to Colonel Brereton,) will serve to convey him whether, under the circumstances, it an outline of the principal circumstances as would be advisable to postpone the jail-delithey occurred, and which, it being ten days very. A deputation accordingly waited upon since the documents were transmitted to the bim in London, to make this representation respective offices, the magistrates think they and ascertain his decision; and in case it may now, without impropriety, lay before the should be determined to hold the jail-delivery, public; reserving the full detail of particulars to make a communication to the Secretary of for the proper time and occasion, and wishing State, and request that a military force might to refrain altogether from comment. The be sent to assist and support the civil authorimagistrates, nevertheless, consider it necessary ties in protecting the city, and preserving the to notice a letter from Captain Codrington to public peace. It having been decided upon the Secretary of State, which has been very that the jail-delivery ought to be held' as generally published in the newspapers. The usual, the proposed application was at once facts appear to be these :-Captain Cod- made to your Lordship, and your Lordship rington's troop arrived soon after the firing of having assented to the views of the magis the Bishop's Palace, where some of the magistrates, but wishing to see the deputation again trates had gone from the Council-house, as stated in their letter to the Secretary of State, and bad in the result been separated by the rush of the mob.

The approach of the troops, on entering the city, was communicated by the messenger who had been dispatched for them to one of the magistrates of the Council-house, who

on the subject, you were accordingly waited upon by them and Sir Charles Wetherell on the following day. Your Lordship having then sanctioned the opinion of the magistrates as to the propriety of holding the jail-delivery in the usual form, and having directed that troops should be sent to the vicinity of the city, and placed under the orders of the ma