Representative 1826 – Tuesday 31 January 1826
TOM PAINE.
A dinner was given yesterday, at the City of London Tavern, to commemorate the birth-day of the notorious Tom Paine. The admission fee was 10s. 6d., being 3s. 6d. less than on former occasions, when the party were in the habit of meeting at an obscure public-house in Brewer-street.
The company consisted of Richard Carlile, his fellow-sufferers, and a person of the name of Robert Taylor (miscalled the Reverend) who has recently obtained some notoriety, as the founder of a society, termed “The Christian Evidence Society,” and about sixty or seventy “unwashed artisans,” with prodigious appetites, and strong determination to talk blasphemy, and “clip the King’s English.” The more prudent among them, aware of the habits of their associates, were careful to keep their hats on during the dinner, so as at once to secure their property, and that portion of the human frame, in which their Diett-reason is said to hold his throne.
The chair was taken by Mr. Richard Carlile.
As soon as the cloth was removed, a gentleman in a decent coat (we must be allowed to distinguish these parties by only means in our power), proposed a toast, “Thomas Paine—we meet to respect his memory, and to extend his principles.”
His observations were concluded by the remark, that the distinguished and highly gifted being, the anniversary of whose birth they had assembled to commemorate, had been a more honourable and useful member of society, and had done more good than any individual who had ever existed on the face of the globe.
The toast was drank standing, and with great applause.
A young gentleman with a quizzing glass then proposed the health of Mr. Richard Carlile, and observed he was sure that every man in the room would respond to it.
Drank with three times three.
Mr. Carlile, in returning thanks, said he was not of practice in public speaking, and he could only therefore say, “My fellow sufferers, all the gentlemen present, and all those who are confined in prison for the publication of the works of Thomas Paine.”
A gentleman with a green patch over his right eye, who introduced himself as one of the said fellow sufferers, returned thanks for himself and his brethren.
A person who posed as a brace—”The successful society called the Christian Evidence Society. Its extension, and thanks to the founder, the Rev. Robert Taylor.”
Mr. Taylor, who was decorated by splendid gold chain, said he stepped to the rostrum, not to receive thanks, but to answer the public by declaring that his Society had done more than any other institution for the propagation of free discussion.
Mr. Taylor then rose, and said he had the honour to present a toast. Mr. Carlile’s fellow sufferers, “Drink in solemn silence, that any of them remain in prison.”
Drank in solemn silence.
A gentleman with a green patch over his right eye, who described himself as one of the said fellow sufferers, returned thanks for himself and his brethren.
A person then proposed as a toast—”The successful society called the Christian Evidence Society. Its extension, and thanks to the founder, the Rev. Robert Taylor.”
Mr. Taylor, who was decorated by a splendid gold chain, said he stepped to the rostrum, not to receive thanks, but to answer the public by declaring that his Society had done more than any other institution for the propagation of free discussion.
Mr. Taylor then rose, and said he had the honour to present a toast. Mr. Carlile’s fellow sufferers, “Drink in solemn silence, that any of them remain in prison.”
Drank in solemn silence.
Mr. Taylor next gave “The Rights of Man.”
The Chairman then said that had been the wish of every meeting that the dates should have been present to ascertain if the sense would have for the public. He then stated that the toast should now be, “The female republicans of every country.”
This toast was hailed with great applause; and, after some observations respecting the female republicans, the Chairman gave, “The Liberty of the Press.”
Mr. Taylor then introduced a sentiment to which he said he trembled in his seat; on being called upon for it, he observed that frowned upon him.
“The United States of America. May their Republicans extinguish their usurpation.” And, also, the 9th toast: “The Republicans (Republicans we heard one gentleman express it) of Hayti.”
Mr. Carlile then rose, and proposed the tenth toast, “The Representative Newspaper. If an organ of any portion of the Ministry we shall their approach to the principles of Thomas Paine.” The respected gentleman (Mr. Carlile) then said, “It is very generally known, that within the last week, a new paper has been published in the metropolis. Rumour has asserted it to be the organ of a portion of the Ministry; not of the elder portion, but of the younger. We of the Education party have watched the progress of this paper, but of the liberal party. It is called ‘The Representative,’ and as far as I have read, its sentiments correspond with its title, for it prefers the representative to the monarchical system. For this reason we have entered at once into a list of toasts.”
Mr. Carlile then rose, and proposed the tenth toast, “The Representative Newspaper. If an organ of any portion of the Ministry.”
He remarked that the principles of Thomas Paine were now beginning to obtain a hearing in quarters where they had long been excluded. A new journal had lately appeared in the metropolis, called The Representative, and, although it might be connected with a portion of the Administration, it nevertheless contained sentiments which, in his opinion, approached much nearer to the principles of representative government than were usually admitted by the public press.
He observed that if any newspaper would advocate the extension of civil and religious liberty, the abolition of abuses, and the rights of the people, it deserved encouragement, whatever might be the quarter from which it sprang. He therefore gave “Success to The Representative Newspaper.”
The toast was received with applause.
The following toasts were then given:
12. “The memory of Rousseau and Voltaire, of Diderot and d’Holbach .”
13. “The memory of Benjamin Franklin, and Elihu Palmer.”
14. “The memory of Tindal, Toland, and Amnet; of the Archbishop Tillotson, and Dr. Laurence Housman; of Joseph Hume and of all Englishmen who have written in the cause of freedom.”
15. “The memory of all those who have laboured for the improvement of mankind.”
16. Universal Benevolence
A gentleman observed that “Company” calling for gin and water and half-and-half liquors better suited to their palate than ministering to beer and sherry; but he was too sober that night to call for them.
Which was received with laughter.
While England’s fate
Is a cliff genuine trembles in the scale.