Author: Anon

Publication: Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine

Publisher: William Blackwood

Published: August 1831

Place of publication: Edinburgh, Scotland

Publication type: Newspaper/Periodical

Featured individuals:
King William IV (1765-1837)
Henry Brougham (1778-1868)
William Murray, 4th Earl of Mansfield (1806-1898)
John Scott, Earl of Eldon (1751-1838)
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1769-1852)

No full copy of this poem is available.

Archive/Library: National Library of Scotland
Classmark(s): The Blackwell's Magazine: reel no. 28.
Pages(s): 348-349

This poem extends on the advice that Lord Brougham, appparently, gave to the Lords - encouraging them to be 'rationally' fearful.  Many instances of these 'threatening' times for the Lords are mentioned, including the 'threaten'd Reform'.  The poem states that even the likes of Wellington and Eldon, despite their experience, are ill-prepared to cope with Reform, and should 'fly to the refuge of - Rational Fear!'.  Although it does poke some fun at the Lords, the poem is primarily an attack on the pro-reform Chancellor Lord Brougham, who himself 'knows the virtues of - Rational Fear' and it portrays him as a 'schoolmaster' throughout.  Several other figures are mentioned: Wortley, Winchilsea, Clifford, Howard, and De Vere.