Database of Poems
A Leith Epigram
1832: Representation of the People Acts
Author: Anon
Publication: The Ten Pounder
Publisher: Peter Brown
Published: 1 September 1832
Place of publication: Lady Stair's Close, Edinburgh, Scotland
Publication type: Newspaper/Periodical
A full copy of this poem is available.
Further information:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=gAwZAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+ten+pounder&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiNr5ymoaHTAhVLB8AKHRFzAqwQ6AEIJTAA#v=onepage&q=leith%20epigram&f=false
Archive/Library: Glasgow University Library
Classmark(s): Sp Coll Mu56-e.12
Pages(s): 40
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, and frequently attacks the Whigs, in anticipation of the 1832 General Election. In this four-line poem, two figures, Tam and Ned, debate who they want to represent the Leith Burghs and conclude that they do not want any more lawyers (a reference to the Whigs MPs of Edinburgh, who were all lawyers).