Author: Anon [Peter Pilpay]

Publication: The Ten Pounder

Publisher: Peter Brown

Published: 15 September 1832

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

Publication type: Newspaper/Periodical

Featured individuals:
Francis Jeffrey (1773-1850)

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.PA55

Archive/Library: Glasgow University Library
Classmark(s): Sp Coll Mu56-e.12
Pages(s): 55

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.  We are told that this poem is dedicated to the 'Right Honourabe The Lord Advocate' - the Whig, Francis Jeffrey.  The poem depicts the 'heathen king of gods and men' who comes down to earth and encounters a house that 'might have been rated at ten pound' - a reference to the Reform Bill as the owner of the house was now enfranchised.  The god gets along well with the ten pounder but they get into a dispute and the god eventually casts thunder.  This is an allegory for the Whigs who are portrayed as trying to style themeselves as the people's friend but, in reality, they will not tolerate differences of opinion or listen to people's concerns.