but few companions, and occupied his leisure hours in mental improvement. The cheap pocket editions of the 'British Poets' had more attraction for him than the out-door sports and pastimes common to youth, and versification became a habit before he had acquired sufficient mastery of language to efficiently clothe 'The thoughts that burst their channel into song.' I was his printer, and, unknown to my employer, worked many an hour overtime to put his evanescent thoughts into print. One of his early poetical effusions deserved to be placed among the 'Fragmentary Thoughts' of later days. The opening lines were:—
'What of earth that had wings would not wander on high
'Now the stars in their stillness have peopled the sky,
'And the ocean is fondly embracing with smiles
'Of deep fervour and gladness her favourite isles.'
Another poem of some worth was an expression of sympathy with the Poles in their final struggle for national liberty. I mention these as showing the bias of his mind. He was a most ardent and enthusiastic reformer, a member of that great and powerful association the Birmingham Political Union, which carried the Reform Bill of 1832. While that important measure was in jeopardy by the opposition of the House of
