rature and the fine arts; but in reality, the end they laboured most earnestly to accomplish was, the promotion of loyalty, and allegiance to the protestant succession of the house of Hanover. They indeed carried their zeal in the cause they took up to such extraordinary lengths, that the most beneficial effects resulted from their exertions. Those who have had good information on political subjects, speak of them as the patriots that "saved Britain." That the object of this Club has been equally laudable, cannot be denied if attachment to the constitution be deserving of esteem, the True Blue Club may lay claim to it. True to their principles, and true to their name, they have endeavoured on a late occasion of innovation in the state, to counteract the baleful influence of statesmen, and to support the excellent form of government, that originated with the revolution in 1688. Lamentable is it to reflect, that some, whose forefathers introduced and supported the glorious cause, have deserted their principles and sullied their family name. If the True Blue Club have not had that success their cause merited, in their endeavours to keep the state on the old foundation, it is the kingdom's loss as well as theirs, and will be deeply felt by all wellwishers to the constitution. They will have this consolation left them-that they have done their duty.

THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.

THE immediate cause of this publication, by the Derbyshire Loyal True Blue Club, is to be found in the intemperance of its enemies. It is true, that even if no cause such as this had existed-even if the adversaries of the Club had been temperate and forbearing,--still it might have been satisfactory to the members, to have an authentic record of the Club, preserved in some form less perishable than the columns of a newspaper. But, when the motives of this Club have been misconstrued-when its proceedings have been misrepresented-when its members, individually and collectively, have been calumniated, and stigmatized as a body of intolerant bigots-and meddling politicians,-nay, when even its exertions in defence of our protestant constitution have been represented in parliament as characterized by a zeal, which scarcely recognized the principles of honour or truth,surely it becomes a duty not to the Club only, but also to those principles which it was established to cherish, and which, it yet lives to maintain, to show from its records, how far it has merited calumny,-how little are its persecutors, how great its cause,-how pure its motives,—how honourable its proceedings;-to show, that loyalty and charity presided at its birth,—and that these two great and good principles have continued to enter into all its proceedings, and have been indeed the moving spring of the very exertions which have opened the mouths of its enemies.

It will be observed by the attentive reader of the following pages, that the exertions of the True Blue Club, have been always regulated by the circumstances which called for them it was the perilous situation of this county, that first brought it into existence-and at all times when the constitution has been in jeopardy,-whenever disaster has threatened the public good, in consequence of a departure from those principles which the Club professes, then have its exertions been renewed. This truth-this most important fact in the history of the Club, was never more triumphantly exhibited, than upon the late occasion, when a resolution was taken by his majesty's ministers to alter the fundamental constitution of the land; we use the word triumphantly-because although these exertions to save the country were ineffectual, they were nevertheless, a triumphant exhibition of sound feeling,-and a triumphant demonstration of the power of the adherents of constitutional principles in this county. Long-very long may the True Blue Club be the rallying point of the loyalty, and patriotism, and protestantism, of the county of Derby.

The editor would now only add, that he has endeavoured to render these pages, not merely a compilation of records, but a volume, from which something may be gathered now, and in after times, of the progress of political opinion in this county,—and if, in addition to the satisfaction of having presented to the members, an authentic record of the proceedings of that Club to which they are proud to belong, his exertions should also be the means of enlarging the sphere and influence of sound political opinion, he shall have reason to rejoice in his connexion with this county.

HISTORY AND PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

DERBYSHIRE LOYAL TRUE BLUE CLUB.

It is impossible for the historian of the Derbyshire Loyal True Blue Club to commence his task more appropriately, than in the words employed upon a recent occasion, by one of its most distinguished members, and firmest supporters, who thus expressed himself, "It was at a time when loyalty was considered a crime,-when the assassin of Perceval was a favourite toast with some of the jacobins, and when the honest and well-disposed tradesman dared not propose the health of his sovereign, or success to his arms, without being subjected to insult and opprobrium, that the Derbyshire Loyal True Blue Club originated." From this description of the times, we might, almost without other data, have fixed the period at which the Club began its existence,—but we are enabled, from authentic documents, to refer its commencement to the month of August, in the year 1812. It was then, that twelve loyal and respectable artizans of Derby instituted a society, called in their first minute, a Penny Pot Club," whose weekly meetings were held at the house of Mr. Thomas Moss, the Old Mitre Inn, situated in Amen-alley.

From beginnings so humble, has sprung an association, which has numbered among its members, a large propor

tion of the rank, wealth, and influence of this county,and which, in perilous times, has always formed a rallying point for the friends of constitutional principles, and has opposed no ineffectual check to the growth of revolutionary opinions. But let us again return to the twelve loyal artizans who met at the Mitre.

Upon referring to the original minute of the institution of the Club, we find only one standing law; but that one, was the foundation, upon which the strength and prosperity of the society was laid—it was this,-NO JACOBIN TO BE ADMITTED INTO THIS SOCIETY. Many other excellent rules were afterwards added to this: to some of these we shall shortly have occasion to refer-but this first rule was explanatory of the principle upon which the society was founded, and was prophetic of that purpose which, in its greater maturity, it has ever kept steadily in viewnamely, to maintain and disseminate loyal and constitutional opinions.

The names of the twelve men who formed this Club, are surely worthy of being recorded. These were John Archer, William Harrison, John Wallis, George Wallis, Thomas Green, Thomas Gillam, Robert Johnson, Thomas Moss, William Brightwell, John Smith, Edward Bennet, and John Lord. Of these, John Archer was the first president. The animosity that in later years has pursued the True Blue Club, showed itself almost at its commencement: it was not to be expected in those days any more than now, that an institution formed expressly to encourage loyalty, and to check the dangerous and demoralizing influence of jacobinism, should be overlooked by those whose principles or objects were opposed to it. Even when limited to the narrow sphere within which the Club was at first confined, it found enemies,-and many attempts were made both openly and insidiously, to break up a society whose avowed principle was opposition to the prevailing current of public opinion. But these attempts