12 OCTOBER 1956, Page 24

Mkt Oprrtator

OCTOBER 15, 1831

DAME PARTINGTON.—"The attempt of the House of Lords to stop the progress of reform, reminds me very forcibly of the great storm at Sidmouth, and the conduct of the excellent Mrs. Partington on that occasion. In the winter of 1824, there set in a great flood upon that town; the tide rose to an incredible height; the waves rushed in upon the houses, and every- thing was threatened with destruction. In the midst of this sublime and terrible storm, Dame Partington, who lived ‘upon the beach, was seen at the door of her house, with mop and pattens, trundling her mop, sweeping out the sea water, and vigorously pushing away the Atlantic. The Atlantic was roused, and so was Mrs. Partington—but the contest was unequal. The Atlantic beat Mrs. Partington. She was excellent at a slop or a puddle, but she could do nothing with a tempest."—Speech of the Rev. Sidney Smith at the Taunton Meeting.