Author: Anon [Peter Pilpay]

Publication: The Ten Pounder

Publisher: Peter Brown

Published: 1 September 1832

Place of publication: Lady Stair's Close, Edinburgh, Scotland

Publication type: Newspaper/Periodical

Featured individuals:
James Abercromby (1776-1858)
George Canning (1770-1827)
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1769-1852)

A full copy of this poem is available.

Further information:
https://books.google.co.uk/books/reader?id=gAwZAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&pg=GBS.PA36

Archive/Library: Glasgow University Library
Classmark(s): Sp Coll Mu56-e.12
Pages(s): 36-37

The editor of this journal, Peter Brown, was a ‘ten pounder’: ‘one of those who have been called into political existence, as it were, by the great measure which has lately given a new character to public affairs’.  Despite this, he was against those calling for more reform.  This poem is dedicated to James Abercromby and it satirises him: he is portrayed as a bat (and a rat) who tries to please weasels.  It is also stated that he is inconsistent: he backs the Tories when it pleases him but attacked them during the Reform Bill campaigns.