1829.] Condition of the West' Indian Slave Population. 287 



prompters, it cannot be prevented. For ourselves, we protest we blush 

 at having to reply to such a person ; and as Swift said, upon a somewhat 

 similar occasion, " Nothing can be more mortifying than to reflect that 

 we are of the same species with a creature capable of uttering so much 

 scurrility, dulness, falsehood, and impertinence, to the scandal and dis- 

 grace of human nature." 



It is upon the broad basis of public justice, of humanity, and of good 

 policy, that the colonists rest their case. And it is because we believe 

 that it is a question of deep and momentous interest to England, that 

 we have thought it right that it should be, for once, truly stated. They 

 have proved to the Government of this country, and to the whole 

 world, that they have no other interest, no other desire than to settle the 

 question between them on the very terms proposed by the existing 

 administi'ation — that they have exerted themselves strenuously (it is the 

 shame of others that those exertions have been rendered fruitless) in 

 promoting " the gradual elevation of the moral character of the slave 

 population ;" and that aU they ask for, is " the due protection of all the 

 rights of projierty, which existing laws have vested in the owners of 

 slaves." 



THE FRIENDLESS ACTEESS ! 



" The bewitching Miss Foote has certainly been as much admired in her present pro- 

 vincial tour, as she has been ill-treated by managers. She has no town engagement, and 

 she has declared herself * without a friend !' " — Country Paper. 



Hang all politicians ! I'm sick of their tidings. 



Of cabinet trickings, and patriot backslidings ; 



How this rogue has ratted, and that rogue has jobbed ; 



How many good pounds t'other rascal has fobbed; 



How sycophant Banks has sneaked back to his place. 



Yet still walks the streets, and looks men in the face : 



I value them all, at their worth, a rope's end ; 



But my heart' s-blood's all up, to hear Foote wants a friend ! 



What care I if Peel by all mankind is cut ; 



If Tindal's a booby, or Lethbridge a butt ; 



If Melville hangs booing at Wellington's heels ; 



If Lyndhurst takes physic, and throws up the seals; 



If Pahnerston bellows, or Huskisson snivels ; 



If Grant plays the pious, or Castlereagh drivels ? — 



But two thhigs there are that I can't comprehend — 



How Fitzgerald can find, or sweet Foote want, a friend ! 



Oh ! where are the ensigns and captains so brave ; 

 And where are the judges and lawyers so grave ; 

 And where are the sheriffs and knights of the shires ; 

 And where are the doctors, and where are the 'squires ; 

 And where are the ploughmen, and where are the players; 

 Nay, are even the Methodists turning l)etrayers ? — 

 But the sky's coming down, and the world's at an end, 

 When beauty like your's, pretty Foote, wants a friend ! 



