Lyr Add: A Glance At Polly Technic

Subject: Lyr Add: A Glance At Polly Technic
From: *#1 PEASANT*
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 10:30 AM

A Glance At Polly Technic

"A collection of the most splendid productions of nature and art evber exhibited in Newcastle," this, the first Polytechnic Exhibition, was opened April 6th, 1840. It had a threefold object--to raise funds for the North of England Fine Arts Society, The Newcastle Mechanics' institute, and the Gateshead Mechanics' Institute. The Polytechnic closed with upwards of L.1,500 as a clear surplus to divide amongst the three institutions. It was here that John Watson, the borther of the author of "Thumpin' Luck." exhibited specimens of his beautiful engravings on glass. (See Life of William Watson. page 205)

Aw've traveled East as weel as West,
At Carlisle and the sea aw've been,
And I' maw time aw think the myest
Of a' the marvels here aw've seen.

At Grainger's warks aw've wonder'd sair,
Aw've stared at a' the feats o' steam,
But at the 'Sociation mair-
Till now of a' that's grand the cream.

But this is all a bagay tyel,
For now the seet just torns maw brain,
Sin' Polly Technic cam hersel
Wiv a' her wonders in her train.

She's gyen an' ransack'd iv'ry pairt,
For rarities of iv'ry kind,
As weel of Natur as of Airt,
The pith o' mony a maister-mind.

Aw glower'd aboot the Pictur Place,
Aw ax'd for Judy o' the Hutch,
But Judy's fyece aw cudn't trace-
The want o' Judy vex'd me much.

There'sw Belted Will the Border chief,
Fi he wad speak, could thrw some leet
On where se rankly prowled the thief
That honest men war bad te meet.

And here's maw horny-letteer'd frien',
the corner-styen of a' wor lare,
It is the finest thing aw've seen-
O dear! aw's glad te see it there.

Some feuls may giggle at the nyem
O' byheth the Hornbuick and Tom Thumb;
But where is it if not frae them
That a' yor Polly Technics come?

The "branks", a kind o' brake, is here,
Wor faithers, when a' else was vain,
Compell'd the noisy jades te weer
Whene'er their clapers ran amain.

Eh! "nick-sticks! nick-sticks!" what are they?
O! now aw hae'd:-they're used at hyem,
And when kept decently in play
The branks was but an empty nyem.

And here's wor hatless Minstrel tee,
That roam'd aboot wor canny city,
And charm'd the guzzleers o' the Quay
wi' mony a simple hyem-spun ditty.

Aw think aw hear him fiddlin' still,
And on Sur Maffa sweet strummin,
Which help'd away wi' mony a gill
'Mang fuddlin' men and queerish women.

But aw mun end maw simple tyel-
It's now ower lang, aw sadly fear;
Te Polly praise there's nyen can fyel-
Wor bairns will praise her mony a year.

Minstrel= Blind Willie
'Sociation = The British Association's visit to Newcastle, 1838. The "wise week" was crowded with meetings lectures, exhibitions, etc.

-T. Wilson, 1843