Wanted
in response to an Advertisement in the Derby Mercury, 1781

This is my Personal Application
to you, Mister Arkwright.
I am a Young Man now, no more a Boy,
and shall make known my Particulars.
I am as resolute as that rushing River,
and write a Good Hand on my Slate.
I shall write a Good Hand in your ledgers, Mister Arkwright,
keep note of Hours and Days, and those who may be Late.

This is my Personal Application
to be Clerk at the Cotton Mill.
I shall bring money home each and every week
to a stone Cottage in a Tidy Row.
Through my Good Hand, I shall maintain a Family,
Supplying you with Children of All Ages
to fill your Mill with Souls and Industry,
and keep good time, matching that clear River’s Rush.

This is my Personal Application
To you, Mary. I am a Young Clerk now.
I am no Weaver, Filer or Framework Knitter,
and do not need Trades Taught Me.
My Particulars are known to you already.
I promise you Constancy, and Children of all Ages
to fill our home with Busyness and Joy.
Here is my Good Hand, Mary. Will you take it? Please?

(An advertisement of September 1781 invited Young Men to Apply and Have Trades Taught Them, to be Framework Knitters, Weavers, Filing Smiths, Joiners - or Clerks.)

From Matlock to Mamelodi has beautiful poetry about Derbyshire.
Ann's anthology (annthology?!) can be borrowed from all Derbyshire libraries.