HISTORY, AND PROCEEDINGS, OF THE DERBYSHIRE LOYAL TRUE BLUE CLUB; FROM ITS ORIGIN IN 1812, TO ITS SEVENTEENTH ANNIVERSARY IN MAY, 1829. BY THE EDITOR OF THE 'DERBYSHIRE COURIER.' LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR THE DERBYSHIRE LOYAL TRUE BLUE CLUB; AND SOLD BY HURST, CHANCE, AND CO., 65, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD ; AND AT THE DERBYSHIRE COURIER OFFICES, DERBY AND CHESTERFIELD. PREFACE, BY DR. SLEATH, THE CHAPLAIN OF THE CLUB. VARIOUS have been the causes that have given birth to clubs and associations in this kingdom; but to no society can be assigned a better and more laudable origin than to that of the Derbyshire Loyal True Blue Club, a list of whose members, from its first formation, is here exhibited. At a time when revolutionary and jacobinical opinions were prevalent, and the schemes of those who followed the republican example of France, threatened to subvert the constitution, a few humble individuals, of loyal principles, associated together in aid of the civil magistrate, and for the preservation of peace and good order in the town of Derby. An example so laudable, and principles so excellent, drew on by degrees, others of the same sentiments to join them; and from this small stock originated the present Club. If it is allowable to compare small things with great, it is to small combinations that some of the greatest benefits to the state have taken their rise: the meeting of three patriotic gentlemen on Whittington Moor in 1688, gave the first blow to the arbitrary measures of James II., and by degrees produced the glorious revolution. The celebrated association, called "The Kit-Cat Club," was instituted soon after the revolution, and consisted of a few of the principal noblemen and gentlemen who had opposed the same arbitrary designs, and had conduced to bring about the great change in the state. Their ostensible object might seem to have been the encouragement of lite |