The company was subsequently addressed by the Rev. Mr. Berry, of Leicester, Dr. Bowring, M.P., Mr. Evans, M.P., Sir John Easthope, M.P., and Sir George Larpent, M.P. I find in my paper, close to the report of the proceedings of this midland gathering, the following verses by Dr. Bowring, embodying in poetic form the feelings of millions at the close of this year of wretchedness—to be followed by one of still more deplorable misery:—
"DIED OF STARVATION"—CORONERS' INQUESTS.
"I met Famine on my way,
Prowling for human prey,
Clogg'd with filth, and clad in rags,
Ugliest of all ugly hags.
Lo!a sceptre wreathed with snakes
In her wither'd hand she shakes;
And I heard the hag proclaim—
'Bread Tax,is my sceptre's name!'
On remorseless mission sent,
Maiming, murdering as she went,
Spreading death from street to street,
I heard the hag repeat,
(Shuddering while I heard and saw,)
Mine is RIGHT and MIGHT and LAW;'
Then to solitude I flew
'Gracious Heaven can this be true?'
On my trembling knees I fell
'God thou God of mercy tell,
Can the very fiends of hell