which they raised against him at Nottingham, but I find it originates from Mr. COKE being one of those worthy gentlemen in the House of Commons, who, during the Scarcity, voted for Fish to be brought in large quantities into the Inland counties-and was this not paying attention to the poor? and, if adopted, would it not very soon reduce the price of meat? Now Tom, don't you see this Herring business is a party fetch, and a very lame one too? I know the Nottingham Jacks say, if it had not been for the war, we should not have had a Scarcity. I am of the same opinion; but the dearness of provisions was the natural consequence of a long and expensive war; and Mr. COKE was one of those gentleman who thought War might have been avoided: but when he saw a little further into the plans and designs of the French Governors, and that those men could not insure their situation for a week, he thought War was inevitable, and the only means of saving the Country from becoming a prey to the common enemy of mankind, and then he gave his vote that it should be prosecuted with vigour; and this your party upbraid him with; but, Tom, I see more honesty than criminality in it.

Now, do you know, Tom, what your party is aiming at-I will just give you my opinion: First, They consist of two sorts, the respectable part are Dissenters who are allowed every indulgence they

could wish, the law protects every denomination of Christians alike, both in their worship and property; and how they can reconcile their consciences in taking every opportunity to act against Government, I am at a loss to account for; 'but the fact is they want the reigns of Government in their own hands, and whether we should be better or safer driven if they were on the coach-box, Oliver Cromwell's days will shew; and this they call contending for Religious Liberty.

I was told a bit of a story which happened on B's Canvass, they called at a person's house, and asked him for his vote, which he declined giving, saying he should vote for his old friend COKE, what! exclaimed one of the party on the canvass, you are a religious character, and it is Religious Liberty we are struggling for. Why, Sir, replies the man very calmly, I belong to the people called Methodists, and we can go to Halifax Chapel, and make as much noise as we please, and the law will protect us: there was an answer--an honest fellow, I'll be bound for him. The other part of your party consists of men of neither religion or principle, and will join any that takes against Government

these want plunder, to eat and drink without paying for it-this they call Civil Liberty; they. gave you a bit of sample last Election; as the law was dormant or out of the Town.

Now for your Pamphlets-First comes Mr. CT.I think he is a twin brother to Tom Paine, and I should not be much surprised if Government was to send him after Tom-out of the Country; but it is rather laughable to hear him tell you that you are all in a miserable starving condition, but if you will choose him to represent you in Parliamant, you will immediately be as happy as the day is long.-Next comes Mr. D——N, full gallop, astride a Lawyer and a Doctor,-he appears to ride them rather roughly, but he does not forget to give himself an excellent character, as if he was afraid the world would not notice him; but you know Tom, what I reminded you of before-beware of fine speeches-every man has a diving character, and so has this proud boaster Mr. DN.-To complete the whole comes the "Chapter of Accidents," published between a methodist parson, and a printer, who ascend the pulpit and preach from the bible, and the next day prostitute the language of Scripture to the vilest of purposes-that of propagating Scandal and Falsehood, which must lie between them and their own consciences, if they have any.

Now, BROTHER THOMAS, I have given you my opinion plainly, and I trust you will think seriously of it.

I am now and ever shall remain a well-wisher

to my King and Country, whilst the Laws of Old England protect

Your loving Brother,

JOHN BULL.

P. S. Now do, Tom, leave that ragged party, and vote for COKE, and if you loose your frame, come to Derby, and at the Fox and Owl, will get you one-our Mr. -**** they are good people to work for, and you may soon wear a better coat.

LETTER

FROM

THOMAS BULL, of NOTTINGHAM,
in Reply to that received from his Brother

JOHN BULL, of DERBY.

DEAR BROTHER JOHN,

I duly received yours,

and am sorely afraid you have catched the distemper at present so prevalent in and about our town, and neighbourhood. They say it is the itch; and I verily believe I have got a touch of it myself; being desirous however to know what our great

Doctors might call it, I described my case with 1 its symptoms, to a neighbour of mine, who is a bit of a Scholar, and who immediately pronounced it to be the "Cacoethes Scribendi." He tells me further, that the disease is more or less virulent, according to the disposition of the patient who happens to be afflicted with it. That in some it only appears in a strong itch, or desire to get at pen, ink, and paper, for the purpose of communicating their sentiments to the public in a plain direct way; which perhaps may be my case as well as yours; that in others, this itch is accompanied by a strong propensity to deceive and mislead the honest and industrious part of the community but that its virulence is greatest, and the disease at its height, whenever the poor patient happens to be under the dominior of Republican principles. And as an instance of the violence with which it then rages, he produced a Pamphlet written by a discarded Major of Militia, together with some Letters by Little Solomon, wherein it is observable how much the unruly passions of envy, hatred, and malice prevailed. The patient also appears to be strongly addicted to lying, as well as to making the most bold and impudent assertions, in direct contradiction to the plainest evidence and well known facts. In short, when the distemper has made such progress, and thus runs in the blood it becomes very difficult to eradicate it.

No. 2.

H