d part of our
talk. Mr Bradlaugh expressed great interest in the Italian patriot, and
said he intended to join the foreign legion which was being formed in
London to assist Garibaldi's army and help him in his struggles. He
strongly pressed me to take a trip to sunny Italy for the same object,
and recited some verses which he had composed on Garibaldi. Mr Bradlaugh
dwelt very little indeed upon religious matters, only saying that if he
were "religious" he should be a Roman Catholic. Thus the time on our
journey from Silsden to Keighley sped very pleasantly. It was almost
midnight when we got into the town. While at Keighley, Mr Bradlaugh
stayed with Mr John Rhodes, who conducted a small temperance hotel in the
corner of the Market-place.

THE HEROIC WATCHMAN OF CALVERSYKE HILL

A good deal was made in the town out of an incident in which the watchman
at Calversyke Mills played a "heroic" part. It was this way. William
Binns, who lived at Calversyke Hill, just below the Reservoir Tavern,
occupied one of the top storey rooms in his house as a work-room for
wooden models, &c. One night he was cleaning up, and he burned the
shavings and rubbish in the fire place. There happened to be a strong
wind, and the sparks were wafted out of the chimney and over towards the
mills. The watchman noticed the sparks flying about, and "in the
execution of his duty," informed the authorities of the matter, and Binns
was hauled before the magistrates, and fined 5s and costs. I may say that
in those days few persons summoned before the magistrates escaped a fine
or its equivalent. In this case the action of the watchman was generally
regarded as ridiculous. Now, Binns was an old friend of mine, we having
been on the stage together, and at his earnest solicitation I wrote a
satire with the title, "The 'Heroic' Watchman of Calversyke Hill," from
which I take the following verses:--

He swore by his maker the flames rose so high,
That within a few yards, sir, it reached to the sky;
And so greatly it lighted up mountains and dales,
He could see into Ireland, Scotland and Wales!
And so easily the commons did swallow his pill,
That they fined the poor artist at Calversyke Hill.
Now, there are some foolish people who are led to suppose
It was by some shavings this fire first arose.
"But yet," says the 'hero,' "I greatly suspect
This fire was caused by the grossest neglect.
But I'm glad it's put out, let i