Database of Poems
Address to the Reformers of Scotland
1832: Representation of the People Acts
Author: Anon [J. S.]
Publication: Glasgow Chronicle
Published: 5 October 1831
Place of publication: Glasgow, Scotland
Publication type: Newspaper/Periodical
Featured individuals:
King William IV (1765-1837)
Robert Peel (1788-1850)
A full copy of this poem is available.
Archive/Library: Mitchell Library, Glasgow
Classmark(s): Hard copy: BX 42a
Pages(s): 2
The speaker of the poem compels Scots to 'arouse' and end the 'British blood and gold' that is being used to crush reform. The speaker states that Britian has fallen low, it has been 'peeled' - a pun on anti-reformer Robert Peel's name, and it needs to be renovated. 600,000 Scottish 'fighting men', we are told, are taxed by the 'boroughmonger crew', and these Scots are compared to the 600,000 Israelites who were once in Egypt's 'iron thrall'. There is hope that freedom is dawning though and the speaker asks Scots to get behind 'King William and Reform'. A note is included with this poem: 'Glasgow, 4th Oct 1831', presumably where and when the poem was written.