376 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
The irritation of the populace against Sir James gradually subsided ; and
latterly vented itself entirely in pasquinadoes and lampoons, in which the
humble origin of the Baronet was not spared. Kay contributed his quota to
the general fund of amusement by producing the following caricature, which he
entitled a “Patent for Knighthood ! ”
No. CL.
HENRY DUNDAS,
AND
SIR JAMES STIRLING, BART.
THE satirical allusion of this Print will be best understood by reference to the
debate in the House of Commons in the month of May prior to the disturbances.
The subject of discussion was the King’s proclamation (already alluded to),
which the Whigs opposed as tyrannical and unnecessary. After several
speakers had delivered their sentiments, MT. Cowtenay said-“ The proclamation
was a severe censure on ministers for not having discharged their dutyin
not having prosecuted the libels, which they said had existence for several
months. He declared his misbelief of the proclamation having been intended
for insidious purposes by one of his‘ Majesty’s cabinet ministers, the Home
Secretary (Mr. Dundas), whose good nature and civility had always induced him
to accommodate himself to every minister; which good nature and civility
called to his mind the old man in Edinburgh, who used to go about with a pail
and great-coat, calling out-‘ Wha wants me P ’ The honourable Secretary,
upon every change of administration, had imitated the old man, by calling out
-‘ Wha wants me 3 ’ This readiness to oblige, therefore, did away with all
suspicion of malice.”
To this sally of humour, Dundas of course made no reply. He was impene-
1 A ballad, founded on this speech, entitled Wha wants n e 1 was sung for months in the streets
of Edinburgh. Lord Melville was not unfrequently serenaded with it while there ; but he apparently
felt so little annoyance, appeared so much amused, and laughed ao heartily, that the singing was soon
stopped. It was sung to the
tune of My Daddy is a CanJeer’d Carle, and commenced-
The song waa printed and sold at the small charge of “one penny.”
“ John Bull, he is a canker’d carle ; he’ll nae twin wi’ his gear ;
And Sawney now is ten times waur, gin a’ be true I hear ;
Bat let them say, or let them do, it’s 8’ ane to me ;
I’ll never lay aside my cloak-my wha wunts me f
0, wha wants me, sin ? Wha wants me ?
I’ll take my stand near Downing Street, with aye-Wha wants me 1”