Page:Monthly scrap book, for March.pdf/2

 THE NEWSPAPER.

Thermometer of politics! strange folio of news! Which young and old, which rich and poor, which grave and gay, peruse: A faithful portraiture of all the manners of the age; A pieture of the actors proud who crowd the public stage; A medley of most rare events; a "map of busy life," With all its shifting lights and shades, its pleasure and its strife; Containing acts of statesmen wise, accounts of bloody wars, Rebellions, murders, robberies, infernal feuds and jars; How greedy churchmen meanly fawn, and to a patron bow; What small regard for people's rights the most of princes show; How wily lawyers love to hear of squabbles and contentions; How titled fools, tho' wanting sense, are often blessed with pensions; How some are hunting after fame, how some are seeking health, And others with avidity are toiling after wealth: The varying phrases of the times there we distinctly mark, And see the nation's healthful signs, or plague-spots deep and dark. It is a Courier bringing news from shores and climes afar; A Herald the flag of peace, or symbol red of war; A Mercury hastening on its way, the messenger of fate; A Sun that lights us with its ray; a Standard of the state; A Record of the Times; a Globe that daily shews its light: A " Northern Whig" that forward comes, and pleads the people's rights; 'Tis a Spectator looking on with sharp discerning eyes; A calm Observer of the world; Examiner that prys Into the schemes and secrets deep that statesmen sly devise: An Atlas large of politics; a Morning Post that flies With fashionable gossip round; a Chronicle of news: A Journal of intelligence; a Scotsman true, that views With joy the efforts making now in freedom's noble cause: A Free Press urging on Reform, with just and equal laws; An Advertiser spreading wide accounts of soups and sales, With prices of estates and books, of ships and merchants' bales. It is a thing that's sorely taxed to fill the public purse, Which selfish politicians fear, and despots loudly curse; And though it seems a feeble thing, of trail materials made, It can alarm oppressors fierce, and helpless sufferers aid: For, guided by the voice of truth, it has a power unknown, A lever that can overturn the greatest tyrant's throne.

November, 1831. Robin Strap.