Autograph Manuscript Poem, unsigned. Thirty lines across five numbered stanzas, commencing 'For Newark's seat three orators contend. / Saddler makes senseless speeches without end. / A different fate does Willoughby befal; / He either can't, or does not, speak at all. / Ye men of Newark, make no more ado; / Chuse Wilde, whose tact combines the other two.'

(LAMB, Charles)

Published by n.p. [1829], 1829

About this Item

30 lines written across both sides of single 4to leaf; lightly folded for posting, with short marginal split in two places. An unattributed satirical poem, almost certainly by Charles Lamb, unsigned but written out by him in his idiosyncratic hand. The poem dates from the Newark by-election of March 1829, for which it has long been suggested Lamb wrote some electioneering 'squibs'. E.V. Lucas, in the Works (1903), mentions 'election squibs which Lamb is said to have written for Serjeant Wilde, afterwards Lord Truro, for use at the Newark election of 1829', but continues 'whether or no Lamb really had a hand in this election I am not able to say with certainty'. Lucas owns to having seen a 'complete collection' of squibs to both the 1829 and 1830 elections, and from among these selects two he considers as likely by Lamb; neither are the poem here present. That Lamb should have been asked to write some lines in support of Wilde, who was a neighbour of his in Enfield, seems distinctly plausible. Thomas Wilde, 1782-1855, was a barrister who was retained for the defence at the trial of Queen Caroline in 1820. He was persuaded to stand as a reforming candidate in the Newark by-election of 1829, where one of his assistants was Martin Burney, nephew of Fanny. Lamb had taken a keen interest in Martin's career, and Lucas suggests it was at his request that Lamb participated 'in so alien a fray'. The poem here offered is very much in the service of Wilde, and disparaging of his unworthy opponents: 'Wilde on oppression, like his fierce name, rushes, / When Saddler bridles up his tongue, and hushes; / And Willoughby, most silent of the three, / Against corruption shall a willow be.' It continues in a similar vein, cleverly manipulating names and exaggerating emphasis with underlinings, for comic and stylistic effect. We can find no references to this poem, nor any evidence that it was ever printed or distributed, and conclude there is a strong likelihood that it is Lamb's own work. Although Lamb was known to copy out the poems of others when the mood caught him, this was mostly reserved for the most charming lines of respected friends and colleagues, and there would appear scant reason for his doing so on this occasion. Indeed, if the poem was in fact the work of another poet, Lamb would surely have noted the author himself, and it would very likely be traceable. Furthermore, the poem has been written out here with a couple of crossed through lines, which have then been corrected, and even re-corrected; indicative of authorial alterations, rather than someone merely transcribing an existing work. Overall we feel there is a strong likelihood of the poem being by Lamb; one of the election squibs that was rumoured to exist, but which have remained elusive. Regardless of the poem's origins, it is intrinsically connected with Lamb, in whose hand the only known version exists. It was sold at auction in 2009, without particular acknowledgement of the poem's significance, or any suggestion of this being the only known example. PLEASE NOTE: For customers within the UK this item is subject to VAT at 20%.

Seller Inventory # 103644

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Autograph Manuscript Poem, unsigned. Thirty lines across five numbered stanzas, commencing 'For Newark's seat three orators contend. / Saddler makes senseless speeches without end. / A different fate does Willoughby befal; / He either can't, or does not, speak at all. / Ye men of Newark, make no more ado; / Chuse Wilde, whose tact combines the other two.'
• Publisher: n.p. [1829]
• Publication Date: 1829
• Seller catalogs:
  • LAMB