“In _politics_, surely, such changes will be, The people and magistrates _mutual_ agree; No bribery, no menace, no little whit self, No pride overbearing, or _impudent_ wealth; But each _voter_ prove honest to OLD ENGLAND’S laws, Still prudently guarding fair liberty’s cause! And so, brother freemen, God bless ye, _adieu!_ We fly to sage FRANKLIN, and WASHINGTON now.” A RARE CURIOSITY: OR, _CROW’S NEST IN GATESHEAD_. A NEW SONG. As Neddy and Betty were walking along, Each cheerfully joining in dialogue song; I met them, delighted on Gateshead green hill, While Betty’s sweet voice charm’d all lads round each mill. Derry down, &c. _BETTY._ Indeed, honest Neddy! the news is quite true, Th’ Sandhill, no longer crow nests we can view; The downfalling Steeple, and coming down Change, Oblig’d feather’d builders at distance to range. Derry down, &c. _NEDDY._ Does not my fair Betty know perfectly well, No birds in prognostics black crows can excell? No sooner their nests on the Sandhill were shewn, Than public improvements came rapidly on. Derry down, &c. _BETTY._ O yes I remember, from _Close_ when they flew, What crowds of spectators their nests came to view; When pitched so nicely on top of the vane, As signals, where Justice and Commerce did reign. Derry down, &c. _NEDDY._ It is very true, my dear charmer, indeed, Spectators beheld vast improvements succeed; A beautiful Square, named Charlotte the Queen, New streets, and Assembly Rooms elegant seen. Derry down, &c. _BETTY._ O yes, and a Theatre, royal and fine, Erected, no doubt, for some noble design; To shew thoughtless mortals of ev’ry degree, How defaulting they are, how good they should be. Derry down, &c. _NEDDY._ From thence, if reflection keeps soberly on, We’ve the _Free Mason Lodge_, in the style of St John;[16] Where true wit and humour with charity meet, And souls are united in union complete. Derry down, &c. _BETTY._ I’m calling to mind, what a gipsy once told, Who came in the crowd the _crow’s nest_ to behold; “These crows are wise creatures--Trade here will improve, As sure as the winds can that weather-cock move!” Derry down, &c. _NEDDY._ Then Gateshead is lucky, I vow and declare, Behold, my dear Betty! where now the crows are; Near Battle Bank foot, their snug nests you may find, Upon those new chimnies, set free to the wind. Derry down, &c. _BETTY._ O wonderful! Neddy, I see them so plain, Quite opposite now to their former gilt vane; The _Stamp Office_ chosen, they mean to proceed, The good folk of Gateshead are lucky indeed. Derry down, &c.