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XX.
I. -
LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S VISIT TO WEDNESBURY
I. LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S VISIT TO WEDNESBURY IT is now nearly forty years since a bright autumnal evening saw the through coach, "The Wonder," dash up to the Red Lion posting house, in Bridge Street. Now there was nothing remarkable in this occurrence, as the coaches changed horses there every day, but what gave the event an unusual turn was the appearance of a distinguished looking stranger, who, upon alighting from the coach, enquired of a small crowd of loiterers the whereabouts of the best hotel in the place. Just at this moment Mr. Thomas Bills, the auctioneer, happening to pass, and overhearing the query, volunteered the information that if the gentleman wished for accommodation strictly quiet and highly respectable he could walk with him up to the George Hotel, which was kept by his particular friend, Mr. Simeon Constable. As the stranger desired nothing better, they walked up together, and from certain political allusions, and some pointed queries as to the social condition of the locality, made by him, together with his somewhat peculiar personal appearance, Mr. Bills, who was an ardent politician, began to have his interest in the talkative visitor awakened. By the time they had arrived at the George, Mr. Bills was rather bewildered, but when the new comer had engaged his rooms, and had been particular in the course of his negotiations to impress the fact that a private sitting room was a sine qua non, he thought it time to communicate his suspicions to the host.
When the gentleman was safely ensconced in the room, which is now the smoke room, and the door safely shut upon him, a hurried conversation and a close comparison of notes resulted in the mutual conviction that the stranger was none other than the famous leader of the Opposition, Lord John Russell. How the subject was broached to him or how so delicate a question as "Who are you, now ?" was put to a statesman and nobleman of his position, and who, moreover, was evidently desirous of remaining incog, and how that question was answered, all this, history deponeth not ; but suffice it to say Mr. Bills and Mr. Constable congratulated themselves heartily upon their quick powers of discernment, and their nice discriminaton in gauging political and social rank, when they were permitted by the gracious stranger to announce his identity to a select few of the elite of the politicians of Wednesbury. Forthwith a useful "man of all work" about the house, was hastily pushed into a rusty suit of black, looking as much like a "gentleman's gentleman" as the resources of the establishment would permit at so short a notice ; he was carefully and ceremoniously installed as a kind of "gentleman-in-waiting" at his lordship's door, with strict injunctions to allow no one to pass into the room without express permission. As no wine in Wednesbury was considered good enough for his lordship, a special messenger was hurriedly despatched to obtain a supply from the George Hotel, at Walsall. Then with bated breath it was mysteriously and solemnly bruited about among notables in the town that the famous Member for the City of London, and the great antagonist of Sir Robert Peel was actually staying in Wednesbury, his business evidently being to take cognisance of the social, moral, and political condition of this coal-producing and iron-manufacturing district, with a view to developing some of those startling reforms for which this scion of a ducal house was so beloved of the plebeian portion of the community.
Such condescension, and such practical methods of ascertaining those facts he wished to become acquainted with, quickly won the sympathy of Wednesbury Whigs ; and if political discussions did not exactly take place, yet political ideas were insinuatingly and respectfully advanced for his lordship's consideration, and were graciously acknowledged by him with many expressions of gratitude, and what was more to the point, and what secretly exalted the hearts of his hearers with anticipations of coming greatness, were the veiled hints of future preferments, and the half-promises of fat sinecures, and offices of lucrative emoluments, for gentlemen whose proposals and aspirations were so philanthropic and so deserving of the substantial recognition of a grateful government.
Lord John's remittances not having arrived, the purses and fortunes of our worthy townsmen were patriotically and unhesitatingly placed at his disposal. Now Lord John was not niggardly in his hospitality, if unostentatious in his manner. A box of cigars and a bottle of wine - or several bottles, and the best the house could afford - were always upon the table, offering a welcome both practical and unstinted to the privileged few admitted to this coterie of embryo statesmen. Among these Wednesbury celebrities of a bygone age were Messrs. Simeon Constable, Daniel Taylor, Mark Wood, Henry Richards, David Lees, Joseph Amphlett, and John Yardley. Mr. Bills was so infatuated with his new friend, and so anxious to do honour to him and to uphold the credit of the town, that a magnificent champagne breakfast was given at his expense, and to which were invited the usual set. There was one individual, however, who did not attend, and who, after his first interview with the noble lord, held himself aloof, to the surprise and lofty indignation of his colleagues - this was Mr. John Yardley, the High Constable of the Manor. Neither the "feast of reason" nor "the flow of the soul" had any power to attract him again to these pleasant meetings at the George. He assigned no definite reason for his withdrawal from society so attractive, although his innuendoes, which were repelled with lofty scorn, were somewhat pointed. Perhaps Mr. Yardley despaired of the converting Lord John to the principles of free trade and the total abolition of the corn laws, a pitch of Radicalism to which his Lordship had not yet attained ; or may be he had read the author of the "New Timon" and could not quite reconcile the appearance and manners of his new acquaintance with one
Evidently the others thought this mere satire, and slanderously untruthful into the bargain. There was certainly nothing freezing in the cordial and hearty good-fellowship of their ideal statesman, and haughty pride could surely not be accused of lessening the number of his supporters in Wednesbury. However, matters went on very smoothly for about a week, at the end of which it had been arranged with some display of importance, that Lord John and party should inspect Marshall's ironworks. They accordingly set out from the George Hotel, and as the distance was short, walked down, calling at the Dartmouth Hotel on the way. The landlord of this establishment, Mr. Parton, was somewhat jealous, in the secret recesses of his heart, of the honour attaching to the rival hotel from this visit, and although he had joined the clique, would have preferred the patronage at his own house. Still it was some consolation to his wounded feelings to now be called aside by his lordship for a few moments' private conversation, and on his return to the room his beaming face betrayed the gratification he felt at so important a mark of distinction. Joined by a Mr. Parton, the whole body proceeded to the works, and after a prolonged and minute inspection of the machinery and provesses, his lordship complained of fatigue, and begging to be excused a moment, disappeared round the corner of the works leaving his honoured friends comfortably chatting and discussing the political aspect of this visit. As Lord John did not return to them, a messenger was dispatched to seek him ; but a general uneasiness was experienced when he was not forthcoming. A prolonged and careful search was fruitless, and with considerable forebodings the gentlemen retraced their steps to the George Hotel. As their honourable guest did not re-appear after a reasonable lapse of time, and as Mr. Parton faltering mentioned that his lordship had called him aside to borrow £10 to "tip" the workmen - which thoughtful act of kindness he had not been observed to perform - a conviction began to steal over them that they had been "done," and on Mr. Constable bringing down from the bed-chamber the visitor's luggage, consisting solely of a small black travelling bag, which was found to contain only a few volumes of a book-canvasser, their discomfiture was complete. It is needless to say "his lordship" has never been seen in Wednesbury from that day to this. Some were furious at the swindle, and some enjoyed the hoax ; but it was certainly Mr. Yardley who had the laugh.
SOMETHING over a century ago, when Squire Slaney lived at Bescot Hall, the following scene was frequently enacted, with but slight variations at each repetition of it. At the usual time for the transaction of each day's magisterial business, the Wednesbury constables would duly arrive at the Hall with their prisoners. At that time the parish constables were one Rock, who kept the Green Dragon Inn, and a man named Sanders. These officers would always approach the front entrance at first, where they would be met by the Squire. He would carefully wipe his glasses as ge stood on the top step, and after scanning the culprits from head to foot in the severest manner, he would turn to the constable, and in peremptory tones issue the never failing command, "Walk 'em round the Croft. And, you know Rock, the three chances." To which Rock would dutifully and promptly reply, "Yes, Sir. I know, Sir." Presently the prisoners - say there were three of them - and their custodians would return to the house, and entering this time by the back door, would find the worthy Justice solemnly seated upon his official bench. Then, as may be gathered from the following, summary jurisdiction was the order of the day : -
MAGISTRATE
: Told 'em, Rock ?
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