Chapter XI

THE WILLEY WHIPPER-IN. The Willey Whipper-in—Tom’s Start in Life—His Pluck and 124 Perseverance—Up hill and down dale—Adventures with the Buff-coloured Chaise—His own Wild Favourite—His Drinking Horn—Who-who-hoop—Good Temper—Never Married—Hangster’s Gate—Old Coaches—Tom gone to Earth—Three View Halloos at the Grave—Old Boots CHAPTER XII. SUCCESS OF THE SONG. Dibdin’s Song—Dibdin and the Squire good fellows well 140 met—Moody a character after Dibdin’s own heart—The Squire’s Gift—Incledon—The Shropshire Fox-hunters on the Stage at Drury Lane CHAPTER XIII. THE WILLEY SQUIRE MEMBER FOR WENLOCK. The Willey Squire recognises the duty of his position, and 147 becomes Member for Wenlock—Addison’s View of Whig Jockeys and Tory Fox-hunters—State of Parties—Pitt in Power—“Fiddle-Faddle”—Local Improvements—The Squire Mayor of Wenlock—The Mace now carried before the Chief Magistrate CHAPTER XV. THE SQUIRE AND HIS VOLUNTEERS. The Squire and his Volunteers—Community of Feeling—Threats 154 of Invasion—“We’ll follow the Squire to Hell, if necessary”—The Squire’s Speech—His Birthday—His Letter to the _Shrewsbury Chronicle_—Second Corps—Boney and Beacons—The Squire in a Rage—The Duke of York and Prince of Orange come down