Birmingham became a term of reproach for him, his assumed title, and his faction in general. There are numerous allusions to this in the libels of the age. Thus in 'Old Jemmy, an Excellent new Ballad,'
"Old Jemmy is the top
And chief among the princes;
No mobile gay fop
With Birmingham pretences.
"In another ballad bearing the same title, the same phrase occurs :—
"Let Whig and Bermingham repine,
They shew their teeth in vain;
The glory of the British line,
Old Jemmy's come again.
"These are in Mr. Luttrell's collection; where there is another Tory song, entitled 'A proper new Birmingham Ballad, to the tune of Hey, Boys, Up Go We.'
"In another Grubstreet performance, entitled 'A Medley on the Plot, by Mathew Taubman:'
"Confound the hypocrites, Birminghams royal,
Who think allegiance a transgression;
Since to oppose the King is counted loyal,
And to rail high at the succession.
********
Let them boast of loyal Birminghams, and true,
And with these make up their kirk of separation;
We have honest Tory Tom, Dick and Hugh,
Will drink on, and do more service to the nation.
North, however, gives rather a different derivation."
In the Gentleman's Magazine, July, 1757, the following illustrative poem appeared:—
UPON A BIRMINGHAM HALFPENNY.
Hence! false, designing cheat, from garret vile
Or murky cellar sprung! thy spurious birth
And mix'd embrace thy pallid hue proclaims.
Thrust thou 'mongst those of pure and generous stamp,
To pass unknown, and by dissembling face
