The Proclamation against Seditious Writings, however, was supported by some influential Whigs. “Pitt had previously sent copies of it to several members of the Opposition in both Houses, requesting their advice,” says Lord Malmesbury. Whether Pitt desired it or not, no measure could have been more effectual for dividing the Whig party.—Ed.]
[21]. My worthy friend the bellman had promised to supply an additional stanza; but the business of assisting the lamplighter, chimney-sweeper, &c., with complimentary verses for their worthy masters and mistresses, pressing on him at this season, he was obliged to decline it. [A quiz at the third stanza, which was contributed by Coleridge.—Ed.]
[22]. [Thomas Dyche was a clergyman, and kept a school at Stratford-le-Bow. He was the author of an English dictionary, a spelling-book, a Latin vocabulary, &c. He died about 1750. Thomas Dilworth, whose educational works were long popular, was for some time his assistant, and then set up a school for himself at Wapping. He died in 1781.—Ed.]
[23]. [and should have been omitted.—Ed.]
[24]. [The Latin Verses, much admired at the time, were written by the Marquis Wellesley at Walmer Castle, in 1797, at the desire of Pitt, and were published after the author’s departure for India, in the Anti-Jacobin. The beautiful translation of them was by Lord Morpeth, afterwards sixth Earl of Carlisle, whose mother was the daughter of Granville Leveson Gower, first Marquis of Stafford. He died in 1848.]
[25]. The original poem as translated, or rather paraphrased, by Prof. J. D. Carlyle, is here subjoined:—
THE CHOICE.
Sabla! thou saw’st th’ exulting foe
In fancied triumphs crown’d: