waste so much time and money in the hope of tormenting me; while these people were engaged in the contriving and preparing and playing off their placard trick amidst the bustle and uproar of the jubilry," as NoODLE or DOODLE calls it, in Tom Thumb; while they were so engaged, I was walking over a very beautiful farm and pleasure grounds, the hospitable occupiers of which are just as great despisers of hypocrisy as you yourself are; and, it is quite curious, that, at the very moment when, as it appears from the news-papers, the placard was hoisted, and the disguised and hired ruftian, with hoarse throat and straining eye-bails, was endeavouring to raise a mob against me, in London, I was in a farm yard in Berk shire, taking and noting down the dimensions of a sheep-crib.

upon the horse's mouth or neck, though every letter was, at least, three inches high, and though thousands and tens of thousands flocked to see it, and were continually flocking thither, till those who ordered it to be put up, thought proper to order it to be taken down, in the night. These hireling Editors, though no conju rors, could perceive, that this placard gave the lie direct to all their assertions about my being a person of no consequence; a person whose opinions and exhortations had no weight in the country; it would, with them, have been an act of political suicide to state, that, upon the day of the Jubilee, one of the acts of piety, performed by those who call themselves the friends of the king, was to pray to God to disperse my Votaries, clearly implying, that the number of them was so great as to be not a little formidable. No: the hireling Editors could not bring themselves to give the history of the Charing-Cross placard: they were not such shocking fools as he who sent a man, in a sailor's jacket, to put it up; and to fasten it, too, to the horse bearing the statue of a king, whom Englishmen beheaded as a traitor, upon a charge of having been guilty of a violation of their rights.The effect of this placard is worthy of being recorded. Some persons, amongst the many thousands, who composed the continually shifting crowd of gazers at the placard, asked a very worthy friend of ours, who lives near the spot, what the thing meant, and who "COBBETT' was; to which he answered, that Mr. Cobbett was a gentleman, who wished to see sinecure places and unmerited pensions abolished, who wanted all peculators and public-robbers - to be punished, and by such means to lessen the taxes and give the people encouragement to fight for their country. This ran, of course, from one to another; and, it is no wonder, that, on the fourth night after it was put up, the stupid wretch (he is the most vain and stupid in Chris-churches, the old battered song of " Godtendom) who had ordered it to be hoisted, save-the-king" was sung, and, particular found somebody to beat into his addled public mention is made of this having been brains the prudent measure of taking it done in the church at Brighthelmstone; down. The best of it is, that, hile which puts one in mind of a saying of these senseless creatures are plotting and John Wesley, who, when he set one of his conspiring against me, and are scratching hymns to the tune of a jovial song, observ their empty skulls for inventions whereby ed, that he did not see why the Devil to injure, or, at least, annoy me, I am should have all the pretty tunes to himleading a life the most pleasant and undis- self;----That the illumination in London, turbed that can be conceived; and, it though a drenched rabbled paraded most really is not unworthy of remark, that of the large streets, was not a quarter part while the corrupt and venal herd, who so general, or so bright, as upon any com

Suffer me, now, by way of conclusion, to notice, in as brief a manner as possible, a few more facts, relating to this subject of the Jubilee, which I look upon as being of very great political importance, it haying, unquestionably, been intended (by those who set it on foot) to answer the double purpose of diverting the minds of the public from the terrible calamities and disgrace in Holland and Spain, and, as I before observed, to revive, or excite, a set of popular feelings, calculated to counteract the popular feelings, which have been excited by recent exposures, and by the big and increasing WHISPERS, to which those exposures have led. The thing was not badly imagined. The inventor is entitled to some praise for his cunning; for that low cunning, which it was quite happy to select for the occasion. But, for all this. the thing has failed as to both its objects; nor, is it necessary for me to say, that it is now too late for any such scheine. Of the facts, which it is right, that the world should know, and that we should remember, the following are a few only; namely ;- That, in several of the

new, or an enlarged ground, upon which the philosopher may reason; it affords him more extensive inferences to combine and compare; it encreases his analogies, and is one step gained, in the progress after truth. I am to submit, Mr. Cobbett, that political science does not differ, in this respect, from the other sciences; and that he who can aid the prevention, or promote the dissipation, of popular delusion, by the communication of a simple fact, is equally meritorious. Were this principle universally acted upon, I do not know that you would stand so pre-eminent as you do; not that your merit would be less; but the utility of your labours would probably not be so great.At the moment I am writing, it is afflicting to consider the system of influence which is operating around us on every side, to produce the meanest political deception. It would be scarcely credible to many well disposed persons in this kingdom, who judge of the freedom of twelve millions of people, by a row at a theatre, or a brawl at an election, to form a just estimate of the silent system of coercion, that exists in this country, and which on occasions like the present is enforced and executed, through all classes of the peo ple.

who is perhaps cringing for a title, and who is kindling animosity among his majesty's subjects, that he may probably enjoy a portion of their taxes.Impressed with these ideas, I beg to submit to your notice, a fact, which I select, because I am prepared to authenticate it. The late Chelmsford meeting regarding Colonel Wardle, must be fresh in your recollection; and you cannot fail to bear in mind, that John Conyers of Copthall near Epping in the county of Essex, esq. (for I think with you all these gentlemen should have their full addition) was extremely active in favour of his majesty's government, on that occasion. In fact, Sir, he displayed so much loyalty, at Chelmsford, that it was the opinion of most men, that his majesty's ministers had not as usual done their duty, in not recom mending his majesty, to include the name of Mr. Conyers in the last most respect. able batch of baronets. Not, Sir, that I imagine such a reward would at all operate on Mr. Conyers's mind; the motives which actuate him are no doubt founded in, and originate out of, pure unalloyed and unadulterated loyalty.In the exuberance of this loyalty, Mr. Cobbett, Mr. Conyers, (and every good Englishman must thank him), addressed a Lecter some days ago, to the leading solicitors, in the town of Epping, on the subject of the ensuing Jubilee, in which is the following passage. I inspected the Letter in ques tion, and after reading the following sen tence several times, I immediately reduced it into writing, therefore though I may not be literally correct I can vouch for its being substantially so :

" I much wish that on the 25th instant "all the inhabitants of Epping, both men "and women, who are friends to the

These secret workings of political power are dangerous in proportion as they are secret. The misfortune is, that the mischief can only be known, when it is too late to repair the ruin which it has produced. It is idle to boast of the liberty of that people, who are constrained by oppressive influence to express sentiments they do not possess, or if they do possess them, to compel them to wear insignia of such sentiments, against the dictates of their own judgment, in violation of the liberty of opinion, and in degradation of their mental independence. If I understand what liberty is, I should think with Montesquieu, that it consisted in the free exercise of individual opinion, so far as it was not constrained by the laws; Jaws I mean framed upon the sacrifice of that portion only of the freedom of each, which is absolutely necessary for the good of the whole. But where is the liberty of that class of the subjects of this realm, who are obliged under the heaviest penal-this proceeding; I have given you the text, ties, the penalty of the imputation of disaffection, the penalty of the loss of do- the commentary (if any is required) is best mestic peace, and of being deprived of in your hands.. in your hands.. I remain, the common enjoyments of good neighbourhood, to wear a Royal Blue Ribbon in their hats, at the dictation of a man,

king and government, should appear "in Royal Blue Cockades. This measure, "if I am not mistaken, will tend to pro"duce some curious discoveries.

"Yours, &c. JOHN CONYERS." "N. B. Let the Milliner be prepared "with plenty of Blue Ribbons."

I shall make no further observations on

Yours, &c. DR-WL—D.

Gray's Inn Place, Oct. 24th, 1809.

"OH! 'TIS A DAY OF JUBILEE."

TOM THUMB.

the pleasing hope that my children, grand-children, or rising generation, would ultimately enjoy the benefit. But, is it so? No, Sir, you know it is not. It is to answer the craving demands of the sons and daughters of luxury, avarice, and dissipation; the thoughts of which will turn every board of my deal couch into a holly-bush. TRUTH IN OBSCURITY. Black Friars, Oct. 28, 1809.

JACOBIN GUINEAS.

is not to be equalled, conscious that the immediate distress of so many thousands SIR; Accident placed in my hands your would ill accord with so rare a festival, observations upon the Jubilee, and though have delayed putting the stern decree in an humble situation myself, I greatly into execution until after the Jubilee. admire the principles upon which you Permit me now to observe, from what I withheld your subscription. The Parish have advanced, that if the total loss of in which I live made a noble collection my little property was for the real good to feed and to feast the poor on that me- of my country, that consoling reflection morable day the 25th instant. The pa- would soften every plank of my floor rish officers, whose province it was to (upon which I shortly must extend my make the distribution, being men of afflu-weary limbs) into a downy piliow, from ence and discretion, and well knowing the imperfections of human nature, and the great danger that is to be apprehended from hungry half-starved families eating to excess, took the wise preventive measure of restraint in the midst of plenty, and, to prevent discord, gave to each poor family (who chose to accept it) small and great, two shillings and a quartern loaf; leaving the surpins of the collection to be accounted for at a future day. I must here remark that, setting aside the feasting on that joyful occasion, you do not appear to me to be aware of the great utility which the Jubilee afforded to me, and to thousands more who had no heart to feast, but much more disposed to fast. I am one of those oppressed beings called a householder, though, by-the-bye, my necessity hath constrained me to act with that prudence and civility to seclude both myself and family from every part of the house except the ground floor. Some weeks back I received from the collector a printed notice, that unless my half year's assessed tax, 57., due the 20th of September, was paid by the 10th of October, my goods would on that day be sold to make good the sum. As I knew I might as well attempt to raise the D-1 as the money against the time, I looked on my small portion of this world's good in a state of requisition, or rather similar to a man under sentence of death, and who only awaits the signing the warrant to receive execution. My household property hath withstood the gripe of the king's and parish officers near forty years, but being, like myself, worse for wear, and carrying with them also strong marks of antiquity, I am led to imagine that my whole property will but barely pay the tax and the expence of seizure. But however, Sir, a respite is granted for a few days; a few nights more to indulge myself with a bed; thanks to the Jubilee, a seizure is not yet made. The commissioners and other great men, whose goodness and humanity

SIR;-Whatever symptoms of intemper. ance may have introduced themselves into the discussion of the several articles that have appeared in your Register under the title of " Jacobin Guineas," I cannot suppose that on the present, any more than on any other occasion, you can have any wish that your arguments should pass for more, than when tried by the test of reason, they were found to be worth. Entertaining this persuasion I am encouraged to offer, for insertion in your Register, the following observations on the articles in question, thinking with you, that it is in itself a subject of very considerable importance, and moreover that its importance has been materially increased by the misdirection, as it appears to me, the great mass of public mind that is influenced by your work, has been receiving.-The subject is in itself of a perfectly grave description; it involves neither party nor personal considerations, the fair discussion of it can therefore in no degree be aided by appeals to the passions and prejudices of the public. It is always suspicious when a man lugs in, by way of helping out his arguments, abusive unmeaning epithets: it is peculiarly suspicious when this is found to be the case on a subject not of a nature to stir up the angry passions. It convinces the reader that the writer is angry, not that his arguments are well founded. What can be meant by saying "I sce "nothing horrible in the annihilation of a "nasty, dirty, debased, currency, printed like

shop-bills, at every corner of every town.” this alone, without searching for other and [Register xvi. 532.] The mere quoting remoter causes, appears very satisfactorily a passage of this description, is of itself suf- to account for a greater sum than their ficient to shew how totally incapable such nominal value in Bank notes being paid, a mode of reasoning, if so it may be called, in many instances, for the procurement of is of affording any real instruction: at guineas. Upon no occasion has it been least if there be those that are convinced so much as attempted to be shown, that for by it, they can scarcely be worth undeceiv- any other purpose than that of exporta ing. If the object be to lead into the same tion, a premium has been paid for guineas. way of thinking as yourself any other than Did you yourself, Sir, for your own use, the mere rabble; by any such helps as and to be employed in this country, ever these, I cannot but think your views, in actually buy, or ever think of buying, this respect, will be defeated, not promoted. at a premium, guineas with Bank notes? -What is complained of is simply this- Or did you ever hear of any body else that The Bank of England, having been has so done? The truth is, that this docexempted by the legislature from the obli- trine, as to a permanent and steady depregation of exchanging their notes for specie, ciation having been suflered in the case of have possessed, and exercised, the power Bank notes, greater than has been suffered of issuing these notes in an excessive in the case of guineas, having been found quantity. Two evil consequences have, as untenable, seems now to be abandoned.is alledged, thus been produced. 1. A rise What, however, is certain is, by whatever in the prices of commodities in general: causes it may have been produced, that 2. The expulsion of gold as a part of the within these last hundred years, a concirculating medium. The remedy pro- siderable and gradual, though lately ac posed is the repeal of the Bank-Restriction celerating, advance in the price of comact, by which it is avowedly hoped that a modities in general has taken place. That great mass of gold will immediately flow this is ascribable, in a great measure, to the into the country, and displace the paper circumstance of paper having become a that is now in circulation, and disguisedly part of the circulating medium of this hoped that the government will thus be country, is equally incontestable. This, effectually and permanently disabled from however, is far from being the only cause. paying the dividends due to its creditors, From the searching nature of money, so and that thus the national debt will at long as any intercourse is carried on beonce become extinguished.-Admitting tween the several European nations, an inthat guineas now bear a premium, that is, crease in the quantity of currency, in whatthat twenty guineas canuot now be pro- ever shape it may exhibit itself, whether cured but for a greater sum than one and it be composed of the precious metals or twenty pounds in Bank of England notes, of paper, in one country, will produce a this is not of itself sufficient to prove that corresponding increase in the circulating guineas, compared with Bank notes, are medium, thence an increase of prices, in now in a state of depreciation. There are every other nation with which it may other and temporary causes, perfectly ade- directly, or through the medium of any quate to account for the effect that has other country, have communication. Taus thus been produced. Among these causes Spain, by the quantity of bullion that it the principal one is, the expedition that has imported from South America, has been has lately been sent to the neighbouring the means of increasing the prices of com coast. Guineas being the only medium modities in all other European countries, that could there be employed in the way to say nothing of non-European countries. of exchange for other commodities, it be--An increase made to the quantity of came an object with every individual engaged in that expedition, to take with him, in this shape, whatever money he might conceive himself likely to have occasion for. Considering the great number of persons employed on this expedition, thence the large sums for which, in this shape, a demand would thus come to be created, combined with the comparatively small quantity of coin of this species that was at the time in question in circulation,

hard money in one country, from its intrinsic value serving as a medium of exchange equally in all European states, would produce more uniformly in all other countries the effect of equalizing prices, than would an increase, to the same amount, made in the shape of paper money. No European country, possessing any cir culating medium in the shape of paper currency, however great might be the increment made to the hard cash circu