OLD SARUM
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR.
Bathwick, 16th September 1833.
MR. EDITOR—In your last Spectator, you notice, with appropriate remarks, the uprooting by the late storms of the Election-tree, as it was called, at Old Sarum.
Some twenty-five years ago, walking with a friend at a little distance from this said tree, we observed two persons busied in affixing a paper upon its stem. As soon as they retired, curiosity led us to examine the paper ; which upon in- spection we found to be a very formal written notice that an Election of the Representatives of the Borough of Old Sarum would tale place, upon that spot (that is, under the tree), in fourteen days from the date of the notice. Now it so happened, that this farcical document was placed immediately below an im- mense fungus growing on the tree. This fact (for, I assure you, it was literally a fact), gave occasion to the following doggerel lines ; which have never been
Published. Your most humble servant, J. H. G.
THE FUNGUS.
IMPROMPTU, ON SEEING THE NOTICE FOR AN ELECTION FOR OLD SARUM, NAILED ON A TREE DIRECTLY UNDER A LARGE TOAD-STOOL.
Of British Realms, so fair and free,
Behold a symbol in this spreading Tree ;
So just an emblem we shall rarely find,
E'en to the festering Toad-stool on its rind. Corroded, cankered, poisoned by degrees, The strong plank sickens by the rank disease.
Just so we view, and with indignant hate, Old Sarum's Borough festering in our state; A noisome Fungus, most supremely curst, Of all such foul excrescences the worst.
Happy the hour (should e'er that hour arrive)
When labouring patriots emulously strive, Not places, pensions, sinecures to share,
But these vile Fungi from our Tree to tear.
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