From the Bodleian broadside collection:

POOR WINDHAM.

Oh! What a silly row there's been,
And things were very sad then.
They wanted for to make, you know,
A simple lad a madman
Because that he could say "mowhow," [?]
And when the engine started,
He would cut away like one o'clock,
From London to Newmarket.

CHORUS: It is a shame, and what's their game?
To a madhouse try to send him?
Money, money, that's the thing,
But they won't get over Windham.

Because he led a jovial life,
And squandered lots of money;
Because he married a buxom wife,
And made things seem quite funny;
Because he ready was to ride,
Whenever the engine started;
Because he used to bowl at night,
Up and down and round the Haymarket.

Now Windham has an uncle got;
They say no man is bolder.
Right good pensions he has got,
A poor discharged old soldier.
He has sons and daughters, too,
At Felbrigg Hall a-grumbling,
And people say their hurts are just
As hard as Norfolk dumplings.

But never mind; the orphan boy
Will very soon defeat them,
And noble Cairns will do his best
Before he's done, to beat them.
He'll gain the day, mark what I say.
To no madhouse shall they send him.
His enemies will all be licked.
They shall not conquer Windham.


William Frederick Windham, (1840-1866)
Charles Ash Windham, his uncle (1810-1870)
Felbrigg Hall
Sir Hugh Cairns, Q.C.
The Great Lunacy Case of Mr. W. F. Windham (London: H. Vickers, [1862])
Summary