Toad Eat Toad

In his Year Book, Hone plucks out an ornery diary entry from the collected manuscripts of Reverend William Cole.

Cole's notebooks, withheld from public view until 30 years after his death (by his order), contained a hodge-podge of historical research and personal notes.   

One item, dated July 23, 1772, complains about his live-in maid's lack of devotion.  She refused to work for him for a stretch of nine weeks, so he turned her out of the house.  But he couldn't find a replacement:    

...very inconvenient to me as I don't know where to provide myself of one in her room: but 'Wilkes and Liberty' have brought things to that pass that ere long we shall get no one to serve us.

"Wilkes and Liberty" was the battle-cry of those who resented the custom of holding the privileged and ruling classes above reproach.

John Wilkes became the champion of many in 1763, when he was prosecuted for criticizing King George III.  Vague warrants and arbitrary arrests by law enforcement were scrutinized during his trials (he prevailed).

Rev. Cole, also put out in his own way, wasn't completely cold-hearted.  He gave his maid enough money to pay for a room elsewhere.

Hone ends his own July 23 entry by describing Cole's papers as "amusing," and the man himself as a toady to a true member of the upper crust, Horace Walpole, historian, politician and son of a Prime Minister.

Villagers inspect and display "An Ode to Wilkes & Liberty."
"The City Chanters,' a scene from the 'Wilkes and Liberty' riots, 1768.
After an engraving, 1775, by S. Okey of a picture by John Collett.