Citation - Royal American Gazette: 1780.12.26

RAG.780.205
26 Dec 1780:21 (334)
From the Town and Country Magazine.
ON THE PASSION FOR POLITICS IN THE COMMON PEOPLE OF ENGLAND.
  I saw a smith stand with a hammer thus,
  The whilst his iron did on the anvil cool,
  With open mouth, swallowing taylor's news,
  Who, with his shears and measure in his hand,
  Standing on slippers, which his nimble haste
  Had falsely thrust upon contrary feet,
  Told of a many thousand warlike French.