Database of Poems
A Pathetic Ditty Addressed to an Old Friend
1832: Representation of the People Acts
Author: Anon
Publication: Aberdeen Herald, and General Advertiser for the Counties of Aberdeen, Banff, & Kincardine
Published: 20 October 1832
Place of publication: Aberdeen, Scotland
Publication type: Newspaper/Periodical
Featured individuals:
Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764-1845)
Joseph Hume (1777-1855)
No full copy of this poem is available.
This poem has a set tune, and its title is:
O Nanny, wilt thou gang wi' me?.
Archive/Library: Aberdeen Central Library
Classmark(s): Microfilm
Pages(s): 3
This is a satirical poem which mocks the speaker, who is clearly a Tory. The speaker addresses one called Jamie, who appears to want to run for a parliamentary seat. The speaker asks why he would want to go to parliament when the Whigs are in power and the charms of 'pompous state' are no longer. The speaker imagines a world without the 'rotten borough' system and mourns that 'self-election' would end and that 'the game of number One' would be over. The poem styles the Tories as those who are out for themselves and support corruption.