A Sequel to Don Juan — page 44: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

DON JUAN. 3D LXX XVII. Humbug has placed Victoria on the throne, And keeps her there ;*—humbug the Church sustains, Though so intolerant and luxurious grown ;— Humbug has given Sir Robert Peel the reins Of power, and taught him to deride the moan Of those who suffer cold and hunger’s pains :— Humbug has raised up authors, actors, artists, And most especially befriends the Chartists. + LXXX VIII. Oh! glorious humbug, thou art universal ! Our ancestors adored thee long ago ; And their oft-quoted “‘ wisdom’’ bids us nurse all The institutions which they vaunted so ;— And should some wicked sceptic dare to curse all The follies thou dost consecrate, I know Th’ attorney-gen’ral will bring him to reason By means of an indictment for high treason. * No personal disrespect is here intended towards Victoria: the author is merely alluding to the office, and not to the individual ; and he is also anxious to express his unmitigated disgust at the laws which allow a female to reign over the country. + The Chartists are the worst enemies in existence to the true cause of freedom. They would claim universal suffrage immediately, when the people are not pre- disposed by education to exercise the privélege with judgment. As it is, votes are 7 unblushingly sold for money and beer: how much greater would be the amount of bribery, if the franchise were extended. Educate the people first — education is their . . right—their privdlege ; and then give them universal suffrage, which will, in that case, oe become their right and privelege also. The Chartists, by their clamorous, intem- i. perate, and absurd conduct, have done much to render the cause of freedom un- popular with men of even the most liberal minds. God protect this country when such insane men as the Chartists shall become actively interested in its legislation. A true republican spirit revolts from a mere factious display of prejudice, conceit, and wrong-headedness. Universal suffrage in the hands of the people, before they are educated, would be as dangerous as a razor in the possession of an infant. Comichbooksncom