LEARNED WHIGS, MARK! ADVICE TO THE KING.' "Re-assemble Parliament without delay." So say Five and twenty learned Whigs, all in a Row, EMINENT COUNSEL. "It has been held, that after a prorogation, except un"der the circumstances and in the manner described in that 66 statute,* * the King cannot summon a Parliament before "the day to which it was prorogued." Professor Christian's Notes on Blackstone. Learned, most learned Whigs!! Viz. When the King calls out the militia, in case of actual or imminent invasion, or rebellion and insurrection. Qu. Do the learned Whigs mean to rebel, to make the re-assembling lawful? LIBRARY .!.. TO "THE INHABITANTS," WHEREVER THEY MAY BE FOUND. 3 AT last, after more than the usual machinery of party has been at work-after two weeks schooling in the Scotsman-after active intrigues and manoeuvring, and personal solicitations of learned counsel-after agents, both learned and unlearned, have been busily employed-the mask of the whigs (if they ever wore one) is dropped. You hear no more of burgh reform or county reform change of MEN, not of THINGS, is the true object of the game, and for this-Solomon's balm of Gilead-all differences of opinion (see Scotsman, Dec. 9), however radical, are to be laid aside: A sort of requisition is issued by certain individuals, calling you to meet, to advise and pray the King to dismiss his ministers: Calling you to meet for to all, young and old, 2 paupers and nobles, householders and dependents, learned and unlearned, is the gracious and disinterested call addressed. Come, then," ye gentles and commons," from George Street and King Street, from Queen Street and Luckenbooths, from South Bridge and North Bridge, from West Bow and Nether Bow, come, Come in your fighting gear, Chief, vassal, page, and groom, Being all equally qualified to debate and discuss matters of state-all equally concerned not only in the good of the land, but in the change of ministers, it is only just that you should all meet, without regard to personal distinctions-flimsy notions of rank, or character, or profession-without regard to difference of manners or occupations-sitting side by side lawyers and undertakers, bookmakers and booksellers-builders of systems, builders of houses-cabinet-makers and chair-makers— landlords and land-agents-printers' devils and reviewers-in all the beauty of true equality. How condescending this on the part of the learned and the rich-how flattering this to the ignorant and the humble! But this sort of meeting among us is somewhat new. Elsewhere, you know, it has long been found that neither business nor trade, nor freedom, could flourish without a few joyous illuminations, in which some windows might be broken for the good of the country a few rows to promote good order-a few meetings to interrupt the peace, but exalt the character of the town a few orators to get applause by a few speakers on a few topics a few assemblies, where haberdashers might practise spouting, and druggists state-quackery. You are all much indebted to those who have set this agoing among us. We have all long been tired of the slavery and stupidity, and submissive temper of Edinburgh for the last century-the misrule of the town has been equal to the misrule of the country-our town is in ruins, and our country in chains, and who will not shout for the opening of a new order of things among us? Then Long life to the lawyers, who are to set us free. But still this sort of meeting is a little new among us; even your good friend the Scotsman seems surprised at the bold attempt. Whom then are we to thank? whom to revere for so manly and disinterested and spirited a step? WHO ARE ITS PLAN NERS, AND WHAT ARE THEIR MOTIVES AND VIEWS? You must all feel anxious on this point,-that they may not go without their reward. Something as to the authors of the plan may be learned from sundry symptoms during the last six or eight years. You must all have seen wondrous praises of a few eminent counsel, in sundry newspapers and pamphlets, said by some slanderers all to be written by themselves! None so learned-none so eloquent |