Head of wisdom-soul of candour-
Happy Britain's guardian gander,
To rescue from th' invading Gaul
Her commerce, credit, capital,'

While Rome's great goose could save alone
One capitol of senseless stone."

No. IX.

August 1, 1816.

VERSATILITY of talent is perhaps one of those attributes, which, from being rare, even in men of the most distinguished genius, strikes us with the greatest wonder and admiration. This in a great measure arises from that insatiable thirst after novelty implanted in us by nature. Hence that delight we feel in contemplating a modern Proteus (who happily for his country still lives), and who stands unrivalled as an orator, a buffoon, or a diplomatist: at one moment charming an admiring Senate with his eloquence, the next writing a German play, or with equal indifference firing a squib or a pistol at his best friend.

As ardent admirers of this wonderful character, we have already laid before our readers se

veral extracts from his works; and as we find they have given general satisfaction to our numerous readers, we shall from time to time renew this pleasing task. We have perused his poetical works with much delight, and the more we have perused them, the

"More our wonder grew,

That one small head could carry all he knew."

The following lines are a fine specimen of his dramatic powers; and though in some parts our author may seem to have borrowed his ideas from a speech of Young Norval, in the first scene of the second act of the tragedy of Douglas, still we are convinced it is original, and that no one can suppose such a genius would deign to copy a poet so inferior to him as the author of Douglas.

The Doctor, who is the theme which our author always chooses as the subject of his poems, whether grave or merry, is the hero of the piece, and speaks as follows:

My name's the Doctor: on the Berkshire hills My father purg'd his patients; a wise man, Whose constant care was to increase his store, And keep his only son-myself-at home.

But I had heard of politics, and long'd
To sit within the Commons' House, and get
A place; and luck gave what my sire denied.-
Some thirteen years ago, or ere my fingers
Had learn❜d to mix a potion, or to bleed,

I flatter'd Pitt; I cring'd, and sneak'd, and fawn'd,
And thus became the Speaker. I alone,

With pompous gait, and peruke full of wisdom,
Th' unruly Members could control, or call
The House to order.

"Tir'd of the Chair, I sought a bolder flight,
And grasping at his power, I struck my friend,
Who held that place, which now I've made my own.
"Proud of my triumph, I disdain'd to court
The patron hand which fed me, or to seem
Grateful to him who rais'd me into notice.
And when the King had call'd his Parliament
To meet him here conven'd in Westminster,
With all my Family crowding at my heels,
My brothers, cousins, followers, and my son,
I show'd myself Prime Doctor to the country;
My ends attain'd, my only aim has been

To keep my place and gild my humble name."

K

RIOTS AT LIVERPOOL.

BRUTAL ATTACK UPON THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF CONTROL.

June 10, 1816.

MR. Gladstone, of Liverpool, arrived in town late last night express, bearing despatches from the President Cauning, which announce to His Royal Highness's Government the existence of the most alarming spirit of insubordination in that devoted town. The Public have been for some time apprized of the departure from Plymouth of the above-mentioned itinerant orator for the purposes of re-election. On the receipt of that intelligence at Liverpool, various symptoms were observed, indicative of the riotous disposition of the Electors. In many places were conspicuously chalked up the following inflammatory sentences No itinerant orators! Casey for ever!-Down with all tablecloth speakers! Walcheren and Castlereagh for ever!- May the next shot take place in front! &c. &c. In a short time these discontents broke out into open disturbance. The first person against whom

the insurgent Electors directed their attack was Mr. Gladstone. They surrounded his house about eleven at night, when he had just retired to bed, much fatigued by his exertions during the day at Mr. Canning's Committee. The infuriate mob dragged him from his bed, and forming a circle in the street, placed him in the centre on his knees, and brutally forced him to swallow a copy of the departed Income-tax Act. It is impossible to say to what lengths the insurgents would have carried their amusements, had not, fortunately for Mr. G. a regiment of cavalry arrived to their assistance, and during the scuffle they escaped. The troops succeeded in dispersing the insurgents that night; but we regret to say, that the arrival of the itinerant Candidate produced another serious riot.

Early in the morning the President Canning was seen at Low Hill, near the town, forming his procession previous to his grand entry taking place. Much debate arose, in which, of course, the President greatly distinguished himself; but at length it was thus arranged :

A coach and four, containing Mr. Huskisson, Gen, Thornton, Earl Morley, and Lord Granville,