Wise Saws and Modern Instances, Volume 1 (of 2)

Chapter 4: TO DOUGLAS JERROLD.

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About This Book

This collection gathers short sketches that portray provincial working life through a series of plainspoken vignettes centered on local tradespeople, sailors, and marginal figures. The pieces mix humour and sympathy to examine poverty, social change, political radicalism, and the everyday consequences of inequality, often drawing on the author's memories and prison writing. Most sketches present realistic incidents and character portraits rather than elaborate plots, while a few concluding fragments lean toward autobiographical or unfinished fictional material. The overall tone alternates between satire and compassion, aiming to record vanished customs and to critique contemporary social conditions.

TO
DOUGLAS JERROLD.

My friend, heart-homage, in this simple strain,

I yield thee for thy toil to aid the Right!

Too long hath genius, with a guilty slight,

Passed by the thousands who life's load sustain

Of scorn and indigence,—to court the vain

And foppish crowd,—or laud, in phrases dight

With fulsome flattery, some pampered wight

Who counts himself for polished porcelain,—

The poor for vulgar clay! A nobler path,—

Disdaining hireling censure, hireling praise,—

Thou, for thyself, hast chosen. Still, in faith

That thy true toil shall hasten the boon days

Of brotherhood renewed, brother, toil on!—

All upright hearts give thee blythe benison!