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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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PEBBLES IN THE SEA . BY 3 . BAKKEB . "Who stall judge a man from manner , who shall know him by his dress ? Paupers may be fit for princes , princes fit for something less . Crumpled shirt and dirtiei jacket may beclothe the golden ore Of the deepest thoughts and feelings—satin vest could do no more : There are springs of crystal nectar ever wellin" out of stone ; There are purple bads and golden , hidden , crnsu'd and overgrown . ' GoJ , who counts by souls , not dresses , loves and prospers you and tne , "While lie values thrones the hi ghest but as pebbles in the sea . *" ™™™™ -
Man uprais'd above his fellows oft forgets his fellow * then— - " Masters—rnlors—lorda—reraembtr , that your We . icest hinds are men \ Men by labour , men by feelinV , men by thought , and men by frame , ~ Claiming equal ri ght to sunshine in a man ' s ennobled name . There are foam-embroiderM oseans , there are little weed-clad rills , There are feeble , inch-high saplings , there are cedars on the bills . But God , who counts by sou ! 3 , not stations , lores and prospers you and me . For to him all vain distinctions are as pebbles in the sea . Toiling hands alone are builders of a nation ' s wealth and fame , Titled laziness is pensioned , fed , and fatten'd on the
same ; By the sweat of others * foreheads , living only to Tejoice , - "While tbe poor man ' s outraged freedom vainly lifteth up its voice . But truth ant justice are eternal , born with loveliness an-i light , And sunless wrong shall never prosper , while there is a sunny ri « ht ; And God , whose world-heard voice is singing boundless love to you and me , Will sink oppression with its titles as the pebble 3 in the sea .
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The History of the Last Trial by Jury for Atheism in England . By G . J . Holyoake . London : Watson . Mr . Holyoake lias done well in publishing this " fragment of auto-biography , " which is ¦ worthy the attentive " perusal , " not only of her ^ Majesty ' s Attorney-General and the British Clergy— " to whom it is especially submitted "—but of all classes of her Majesty ' s subjects . During the eight years that have elapsed since the trial took place , considerable progress has been made in the appreciation of the true principles which ought to guide
national action , with reference to matters of opinion , on subjects purely speculative and dogmatic . It is probable that the alteration in the law , which takes the initiative of instituting prosecutions lor Blasphemy out of the hands of common informers , and vests it in the Law Officers of the Crown , will make this not only the " last trial for Atheism in England , " hut prevent the recurrence of any similar trial hi future . The only way to arrive at the truth on any subject is , to permit all to be said that can he said upon it . Error is the result of partial or imperfect knowledge ; aud
it can only he removed by having a question presented in all its possible bearings ; or , in other words , submitting it to unlimited discussion . To deny this open and unrestrained examination is , in effect , to declare at the outset that we are determined not to take into consideration all the possible arguments that may be presented , but wilfully to shut our eyesnpon all but our preconceived notions . This is the way to perpetuate error , where it exists , and it is by no means the best way of protecting or strengthening truth . Granting the sincerity of those who believe that legal prosecutions for obnoxious opinions , are necessary for the benefit of tbe community , it remains for them to show not only that tbe
truth has been attained , but that it stands in need of tbe aid of secular power , in its contest with error . Some , we are aware , who concur in these prosecutions , do so on the . far lower ground of expediency . Theunpopularopinious may be true , but they think their open promulgation—in existing circumstances—prejudicial to society . 5 fow without for a moment admitting that the prevalence of truth can ever be productive of pernicious results , it is only needful to remark , that if this expediency had succeeded , in the case of our predecessors , in stifling investigation , the world would not have made the progress it has done—the sum total of human knowledge would have been lamentably small , compared with what it
now is . But the assumption that any kind ef external power is required to protect truth , in its contest vrith error , is a pure fallacy . It is equally fallacious to suppose that any amount of protection from the State can guarantee permanence aud supremacy to error . The interference of anthority in questions of mathematical and physical science , would be scouted as ridiculous . We are learning , we trust , that a similar interference in speculative , moral , or
political inquiries is equally unjustifiable , irrational , and impotent , as far as the settlement of any point at issucis concerned . Argument must be met by argument—demonstration by demonstration j or if—as in the case of Mr . Holyoake—the question does not edmit of demonstration on either side , each party ought to be content to make the best of their respective cases , and to respect each other as sincere inquirers into a matter , which , in the present knowledge of the world is a mystery .
Apart from its compendium of arguments on the Atheistic side of the question contained in ^ Ir . Holroake ' s defence of himseif—the work is exceedingly valuable , as throwing much incidental light upon a movement , the history of which yet remains to be written—we mean that instituted by the Socialists of this country , uuder Mr . R . Owen , in 1836-7 , and which spread with such rapidity among all classes of society . Tbat movement appeared to die with the break up of the experiment made by the Socialists in Hampshire , but it was in appearance only . The seed sown by its lecturers
and writers did not fall upon stony ground ; it has brought forth a goodly harvest , tbe benefit of which thousands are now enjoying , without knowing the source from whence they sprang . Among the advocates of Socialism , Mr . Holyoake , then a young man full of zeal and ardour , took a prominent part ; and his experience of the life of a " Social Missionary , " related in the first chapter , "Before the imprisonmeut , " are fraught with matter for rellectiou for all who take part in popular agitations , whether those who aspire to lead , or those whose ** following" gives the front-rauk
wen confidence and support . The people , too , often expect impossibilities from those who cerve them , and the result is , in many instances , mutual dissatisfaction and separation . The talent , knowledge , and energy , which mi ght have been devoted to the elevation of the masses , is turned aside from its natural channel into some of the safer and more lucrative spheres of action . What the people lose the ruling classes gain . To a very large ext ut , we believe , this is owing to the waut of a dear understanding on the part of the people « f relative rights and duties . They are nearly
^ exacting as the advertisers , who want governesses with an amount of learning and accomp lishments sufficient to set up half a dozen bishops , two first-rate opera singers , and tarec premier danseiises , for the sum " of twen ty pounds a year ; " , like them , they can never get what they want It so happens that talent or ability of any peculiar kind has its market value like other commodities , j " ' ! those who will not , or cannot , pay for the " est article , must , generally , be content to put tt with inferior . But this ' is a digreseion—let 113 return to the trial .
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In the course of Mr . Holyoake ' s labours as a social Missionary , he delivered a lecture in Cheltenham , on "Home Colonisatiori as a means of superseding Poor Laws and Emigration . At its conclusion , one of the audience « complained that though he had told them their duty to man , he had not told them of their duty , to God . " Now , seeing that a , y ° ake did n ° t profess to . be in " holy orders , " and as a social missionary was only required to deal with mundane , things and tangible questions connected with- the amelioration and improvement of society , we tbiuk he would have done wisely to have confined himself to such questions . We thought so at the time , especially as the patriarch of Social-« sm , Robert Owen , —the central board—the -In theiconrse of Mr ., HolYoake ' laWs . ™ a socialMissionarv . he dfiinwiwi » w ., ™ i-
executive of the body , and the annual congress , its deliberative and legislative assembl y , had formally prohibited the mixing up of theological question with the new and scientific system of society , which , as a body , they desired to recommend for public adoption . Mr . Holyoake complains in this work that " the Editor of the iVoo Moral World , upon whose protection he had some claim ] had written no word in his favour . " The reason of that was obvious enough . To have done so would have implicated the official organ of the body ; and , as an individual , the
Editor was placed in the same position as Mr . Owen , of whom Mr . Holyoake himself gays , " he is not an Atheist . " One thing the Editor of the New Moral World invariably did—he maintained , without flinching , the absolute right of each individual to the free and unrestrained publication of opinions on all questions whatever , subject of course to the obrjous limitation , tbat where the individual holding these opinions was connected with a public body that public body should not be mixed up with , or held responsible for , his personal views .
Mr . flolyoakcdid not confine himself within these limits , or those within which the title of his lecture fairly warranted him in keeping himself and his audience . Imputations had been thrown upon the courage and honesty of the body , and Mr . Holyoake chivalrously threw himself into the breach . He answered the irrelevant question in a way which gave some of the clergy of Cheltenham the opportunity of indicting him for blasphemy . The treatment he received from these pious personages , before and after his trial , were certainly not calculated to convince him that he was wrong , or to render him more in love with either the doctrines , or the system that produced such fruits .
The volume contains a full and an admirable report of the trial , which , of itself , makes this work exceedingly valuable , and deserving of preservation , as an important contribution to the history of our own times . The sketches of gaol officers , gaol discipline , and prisoners , during the six months of his imprisonment , are quietly , but effectively drawn . The demeanour of the author , indeed , throughout , is one of calm , unaffected , self-possession and earnest reliance upon principle , which must leave a strong and enduring impression of admiration on the mind of the reader , no matter how much he may differ from Mr . Holyoake in opinion . As a specimen of the spirit in which the work is written , and at the same time an affecting incident , which bears out this eulogium , we take the
following : — When I came to leave home , to go to my trial , all was calm and cheerful a 3 usual , though there was much around to suggest uneven thoughts . On that day no one came to accompany me , or to spend an hour of solace with those from whom I parted . Had there been a single friend present to have made up the appearance of society after I was gone , the loneliness would have been less bitter . As I left
tbe house I heard tbat cry break forth , which had been suppressed tbat it might not sadden my departure . Before I had proceeded far up Windsorstreet , Ashted , I was arrested by Madeline ' s silvery voice calling " good bye , dada , " and turning round I saw her large , bright , black eyes ( which every body praised ) peering like two stars round the lintel of the door . I am glad I did not then know that I should never hear that voice again , nor see those bright eyes any more .
To turn the attention of mankind in an atheistical direction may do harm to some . The propagation of all new views coes harm , moie or less . As in commercial speculations much capital is sunk before any returns come in , so in the improvement of the people , yeu sacrifice some old feeliug which is pood , before the new opinion , which is better , can b * created . But all the new opinions I have at any time imbibed have never produced so much harm iu me as the prudential doctrines of Political Economy . The doctrine that it is disreputable in the poor to have children is salutary , no doubt , but it requires to bo enforced under limitation . To regard the existence of your little ones as an expense ,
and the gentle love of children as a luxury in which you cannot indulge without reproach , is to sonr life , dry up affection , and blight those whose tender years should be passed in a perpetual smile of joy . To look , into the face of your child and feel that the hand of death , which shall bush that gentle voice , pale those rosy cheeks , and quench those animated eyes , is a political blessing , is hovriblc . I look back with mute terror on the days when I was under the influence of those feelings I cannot dwell upon it . I would burn all the books of Political Economy I ever read ( and I think it the science of many blessings , } if I could feel once more on my knee tbe gentle band of my child from whom I parted that day , too stoical to shed a tear .
After a few weeks of my imprisonroenthad passed away , words came of Madeline ' s failing health . Out of some money sent by my private friends , John Fowler and Paul Rodgers . of Sheffield , to buy better food than the gaol afforded , I saved a guinea , and sent it to Birmingham to purchase Madeline a winter cloak—it was spent in buying her a coffin . Though of perfect health and agility , she was one of those children who require entire preservation from exposure , want , or fatigue . On ten shillings per week , which was all that the Anti-Persecution Union could provide , this , could not be done , ass Eyeline , then in arms , left her mother no opportunity of increasing that small income . Cold succeeded cold , when want of more means caused them all to go to live in a house ill ventilated , and where several were ill of fever , which soon attacked Madeline .
Mr . Chilton sent me several intimations to prepare for the worst , should it happen . But I could not believe in the worst happening , and indeed I had yet to realise wha Hhe worst implied . At length one morning the heavy corridor door crated on its harsh hinges , and the morose turnkey—fit messenger of misery—put a letter into my hand . As it had been , as usual , broken open—for there is no feeling , not even that of affection and death , respected in a gaol—Ogdon knew its contents , and in ju 3 tice to him , I roust say , he endeavoured , as well as one whose ability lay in his moroseness could , to
speak a word of apolojry and sympathy . The strangeness and awkwardness of the attempt drew my attention to the fatal black bonier , which gave me sensations such as I never received before , and never shall again , for the first death of one dear to you , like that of the first lo ^ e , brings with it a feeling which is never repeated . I remember that some prisoner came and covered me with a coat , for I had walked into the yard without one . Capt . Mason and two friends came round , but I could not speak to them . lie addressed a few wovds to me , but I turned awav .
Then Madeline had died the death 01 the poor * , sLe Lad ' perished among the people who know neither hope nor comfort , a pledge that I shall never forsake those with whose sad destiny one so dt-nr to me is linked . Though in the death of poverty there is nothing remarkable , though hundreds of children are daily killed off in the same way , yet parents unused to this form of calamity findinit , the first time , a bitterness which can never be told . The ten shillings per week income of the family was made , up by small subscriptions by some who knew me , and by a few ou tside who happened to think useful t ! : e course I had taken . One or two friends whose professions had beforetimes been profuse , Eleanor met . They were cold , or to her they seemed so . She thought they feared a continued
acquaintance might lay them under some tax to contribute to her support . This she could never bear . Offering her hand to ope who did not take it , she went home , and nothing induced her to suhject herself to such suspicion any more . A quick and enduring sense of independence , which no privation could disturb , was an attribute in her character ] had alwavs admired , and this dreadful form of its operation I have never been able to censure . The Uoman mother put on the armour of her son ng he went out , and saw him brought home dead from the fight without weakness ; but in that case , the strife of arms , the glory of victory , the sublimity of duty , and the applause of the senate , were so many supports to the mother ' s heroism ; but harder far i < it for a mother 10 bend over her child day by day and ui « ht after night , and see relentless death eat like
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a cancer into the bud of the 'damaW cheek of beauty , and he too poor to snatch it fronUho torch u ? aH \ s ' P ° . lruraPet note , no clang of arms ^ J "^^? scream , no incense-of glory-to raise the sinking heart ; no applause of a generous people to reward the sacrifice-without one soul near who could penetrate to the depth of that desolation , and utter those words of symp . thy which is all which humanity can do to soothe in the face of death . There were indeed those near who might have done so , but some could not comprehend this grief , and others , for reasons of Political Economy , did not see the good of regret" at a child dying , and they will learn from these pages for the first time that these wounds existed which , after eight years , are still fresh . a CMmr ^ | he i ^ P y ^ .:., y beautv . anH h » ?„„ J ™^™? ™» ~ sl ?* ° /
' There are homesteads that have witnessed deeds That battle-fields with all their bannered pomp , . Have little to compare with . Life ' s great play May , so it have an actor great enough , Be well performed upon a humble stage . " ; " My dada ' s coming to see me , " Madeline exclaimed on the night of her death , with that full , pure , and thrilling tone which marked her when in health " lam sure ho is coming to-nigl ,, mamma , " and then remembering that that could not be , she said , / 1 writ ? to him , mamma , he will come to see me ; " and these were the last words she utteredand all that remains now is the memory of that cheerless , fireless room , and the midnight reverberation of that voice which I would give a new world to hear again . .
For her father , he was debating in incoherence the vain proposition , as to whetln r he could prevail on the governor to let him go home for one nii , 'ht to smooth and watch over that dying |> illow , and he would cheerfully and gratefully have expiated the privilege by six or twelve months' additional imprisonment .
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Tht Girlhood of Shakespeare ' s Heroines . Desdemona ; the Zlagnifico ' s Child . Tale IV . By Mary Cowden Clarke . W . H . Smith and Son , 136 , Strand . In this tale we havo the same genial and discriminating spirit which has characterised the previous numbers of this charming series—we were going to say of fictions—but the word would be really inappropriate . They deal with realities throughout , and those , too , of the gravest and most important character , both to individuals and to society . Mrs . Clarke never , for instance , loses sight of a principle which , when rightly understood and duly appreciated , will be found to contain the germ of one of the grandest , most radical , and most comprehensive resolutions recorded in the annals of mankind . For good or for evil , every look , word , and tone—every influence , animate and inanimate , with which childhood comes into contact —stamp their impress upon it , and contribute to build up the matured human being with
powers ot reacting again upon society , either beneficially or prejudicially . Philosophers have taught this great truth from the days of Plato downwards . In the midst of the Babel that surrounds us , we hear occasionall y an Educationahst trying to call attention to its paramount importance , as the foundation upon which alone a new superior Social superstructure can be securely laid , aud gradually perfected . As yet , however , we have made but small progress in the practical application of this great and salutary principle . Perhaps the dramatic form—the perfect truthfulness of Mrs . Clarke ' s delineations , and their striking developments and practical results , will tend more powerfully to arrest public attention than graver and more laboured expositions .
The influences amid which " the gentle lad y wedded to the moor" grew up to womanhood , are exquisitely adapted to the formation of the character , as presented in the noblest and finest of all Shakespeare's plays . Brabantio , the Magnifico , son of a harsh and tyrannical father , but with an inherent wilfulness equal to his sire , marries in secret Erminia , the daughter of a decayed nobleman—who , after having served Venice bravel y on the sea , lias fallen into the double affliction of blindness and almost beggary . While the father lives Brabantio keeps his marriage concealed , and
visits his wife in secrecy . At his death he takes his way to the obscure quarter , where she resides , in order to bring her forth the coroneted wife of a Venetian Magnifico . Arrived at the dwelling , he determined , as he had often done before , to steal quietly-to it , and indulge himself with seeing his wife before she was aware of his approach . No sooner had he raised his eyes than he beheld her whom ho believed to be as spotless as the unsunned snow , clasped in the arms of a stranger , and returning his caresses . At tliat sight all the imperious passion of his nature burst forth—he darted into the chamber , overwhelmed his wife with
reproaches , aud left her as abruptly , without pausing for explanation . The stranger was Erminia'sbrother , Gratiano , whohad been supposed to be lost in shipwreck , but miraculousl y preserved to come home and see his sister give birth to an infant under circumstances of painful excitement . Believing that the . , child is the issue of shame , the blind old man dies broken-hearted ; and Gratiano having , not without difficulty , gained access to Brabantio , sees him carry off his wife and child to his palace , whither no persuasion can induce him to follow them . He disappears immediatel y afterwards again from Venice , and does not
re-appear again till after a long captivity to the Moors , and when Desdemona has grown up to womanhood , with her character decidedly moulded by such influences as surrounded her girlhood . Brabantio becomes insensibly proud , arrogant , passionate—one before whose caprices every other will must bend . Loving his wife and child fondly , they are , at the same time , in his eyes only part of the material by which he can show his greatness , his riches , and his state , to the Venetian people . The gentle , modest , and unambitious Erminia , would have been contented with far less glitter and ostentation , ^ but she insensibly shrunk
from any open remonstrance against the desires of her husband , and compensated herself by following her own quiet and charitable instincts in private , and at times when it did not interfere with the stately and gorgeous etiquette prescribed by the Magnifico . In this manner , Desdemona grew up the companion of her mother's visits to the poorer quarters of the city , in search of objects of compassion and grew , at the same time , accustomed to following the bent of her own mind , without reference to the ostensible will and theToutine
prescribed by the master of the palace . Her nurse , Mariamia—the wife of a poor fisherman—and her two children , Barbara and Lancetto , aro assigned their due influence in the development of character . At length Ermiua dies , when her daughter is on the verge of womanhood , to the deep regret of her husband , who , with all his imperiousness , fondly loved her . Desdemona strove to derive consolation from a more correct performance of her duties . At home , she was the presiding genius : abroad , she imitated the benevolent ,
unostentatious charities of her mother . Like her , too , she shrunk from thwarting her father , and pursued her own peculiar path , separate and independent . Thus trained , Gratiano aud Othello appear upon the scene . Her uncle is installed at the palace , whither , also , often comes the valiant Moor , whose narratives of danger and peril moved so strongly her pity or love , and who at length induced her to relinquish her father ' s home for one to whom she had given , clandestinely , her whole soul . "We quote Mrs . Clarke ' s description of the first meeting of Othello and Desdemona—a meeting from which such fatal consequences were to flow !—
And now took place the event to which all Venice had been eacerly looking forward . The Moorish captain . Othello , general of the army of the Venetian state , made his entry into the ' eity . He was received from on board his galley , by the duke himself , and all the members' of the sennto , Thwe was a public entertainment given in the open air , in St . Mark ' s phce , « u which tlio magwfieos , the chief families , the most distinguished members of illustrious houses , and all the highest nobility of Venice were present , to welcome with due honour , the return of the victorious warrior .
In virtue of his naval rank , Gratiano was one of the guests . In all that fair assemblage , as may be supposed , the individual who most attracted his attention , was the valiant moor , Othello , llo was
: £ vt a ^ - ° fwhW he halite ird so 5 . ' Ho Rd hf *« & ^ PPened , he had never Cyprus ana otheiniif | " "W * PP ° ' the service nf M-P ces * » . his vicissitudes in everyw £ h 0 V , f ° > J ? hild - taken him '• a " with one acCord ^ ^ i 11 " 11 * h « S «»» l "poken of soldier a sknf » rn 3 truly nob ! c < an accomplished high in virtue "If ° Wmander ' honourable nun , of the man's wf r 0 DOWn - All that he now saw tor whSKanSh JS - ° nt to coufirm tlic cl ™™' iwXtZVP ™^ ? ' 1 Ie secracd noble guUhfd honouvSi SU ; 8 hel nmon « tho distin " dignity am 2 , S ,- - « J the hon ° «™ : full of hiliirSlL L ^ ^ P wonl > y of the there . By tSoilnf "" l ' " ghest P ^ nages scuatorial g £ l ^ S TA T } Jf niB , »<* . » d ie * tie ,-lieroip in * i ? ckcd - P rlncel y and mu-Next t « th » « Oul > as ln aohievoment . « vSnieS ^? ™ w !» !« ' ° « 'w I *™* who Brabant 0-w . i G ? tlano- Thls wwtho senator , , t _ . ' V en ouOA did he once - . mow * Innlr iinAi > > ,- » v ~ ===== = S— == s ... cun "s to behold & '«»„"'» »^» ,. „ ,. ; :, * .. ¦ ., „
«»» fomly hiitoi ^ fc ° 5 > n 8 pic - nou 8 a P ™ « Pity did hVSou " , I ' ^ hat mmffled sadness some , so fierv , « " ° " *? 0 faceo" « o so handh 6 artofhi 8 5 JtePVr " - atfll 1 * which hlld ffon thc ful , with at ! i 2 fT " ' - V ' andthou * - tho hair onWu . > . and a c <» t » eteu Tip ; grcjifhM rfr" ^ " ^^ . thinned , and of e , ierVy of wm ( J i ° ? SOereot ' » ' «* .- *> full and enielci v " , otlon « I 10 W "mowhat bent , the hStr n m 0 ! U' 3 had lef 0 their tr : «* s upon mUutlZTl ^ v * - - ^ lhou S llf . tlla ^ Sfe'i i ?? . P Mo' Erminia . which hmi lolnnH ?«
hwhYotoeVWi th ° P BPeon of h « h «»^ J , ^^^ l ^^ i hro " nS \ S ! , inhisown house , and for o ! i W \ 4 onnV t , ° had - ?«™ eriy » hunn « l the house who h-f . CV ^ ? Oultl K » ^ ds . with that . hi vkl f n " ni V- 1 faitllfllll - ' iind would mourn iho
w > mi another motive too , that drew Grat . an 0 s heart towards him . Beside the Snifico sat a young lady of exquisite beauty who h ! felt could bo no other than ErminiVs clfild -fhats- me t ! 'VfTi birt \ ° Imd witn « Sed , " whose tim and 1 giS ^ dmV " ' id B 0 *«* •««•* How strange it seemed , that the little infant he remember ,. and that beauteous maid boftSIn were ono and the same being ; and yet how in effably precjoub was the sight" of Imp , thus grown Kl ? S 18 un ™ atcSn «» and loveliness . What joy it would lo to know her and to love her , for her mother ' s sake , and for her own "Aud tlint supremel y beautiful creature is my n rK ! ^ the fcllOu S l't «»« t- con . upon he ? WU Pnde and J ^ as h 0 lookcd
t ^ Slr ? . ^ Slgnior - ^ beautv of the . lady Desdemona , signior Brabantio * dau « hter ; said an ilderly gentleman , who happened to be close beside Gratiano , and observed cue direction m which his gaze Was fixed . "She certainly looks tnuiseendantly lovely to-day in that satin robe of virginal white , and with those orient pearls hanging uuon throat and arras not less pure in hue than themselves . I don ' t wonder at your admiration ; it is shared by us all , young or old , it is just the same ; we can none of us resist the charm KJW- " I ?*? * felIows ' « our 8 e , are aUmadforher ~ , tisthe privilege of their aae to bo as insane as they piease on the charter of women ' s beauty . . And as for us old icllows-bufc I be » SStS ! S ^ t ^ **»* »* yoS
Anu yet tne grizzled hue of mine , bespeaks mo far on my way towards a claim to the honour ; " resffi , 25 or witli * imiie '" dton ^ " Well then , signior , since you allow youraelf to be a candidate for those dubious delights the respects and dignities of age-ah , ono hour of disregarded youth is , 1 fear , in truth , worth the whole of their glory !—but , since you allow yourself to be be no longer young , we may cry consulship in regret , and condole with each other on bein / bevond the hope of swelling the train of tlic lady DGsdemona s admirers . " *
" J . ay , admirers even adorers , we may be , though at humble and nge-stricken distance ; " answered Gratiiwio , humouring the old gentleman ' s playfulness ; but as to wooers or suitors , many reasons would prevent our aspiring to swell her train of those , I fa-cy . Iler father ' s pride of birth , for instanee , would be one serious obstacle , doubtless , to a poor sailor like myself , who has nothing but his officer s pay , and his good sword to entitle him even to approach the masnifico and his daughter " "Her father ' s pride ? 0 , ay , sigr . or Brabantio has pride , assuredly ; he lies alread y refused many worthy gentlemen his daughter ' s hand , on the score of lacking blood worthy to mingie with his . " " And does sho herself appear to favour any among this large train of which you speak ? Is it
» ma mao sne nas yet shown a preference for anv suitor above the rest V' asked Gratiano . ' "On the contrary , she seems averse from marnage , and has encouraged no one of the numerous gentlemen who have hitherto paid their addresses . Her father does not urge her to select a husband and no wonder he is not in a hurry to part with his only child-and such a child !" * * * . * "But see , there is a stir among the group yonder ; said the old gentleman , interrupting himself , to note what was passing . " The duke it presenting the general - to some of his particular friends among the magnates of the state . Now he approaches si gnor Brabantio , and introduces the valiant Moor to himand to his fair daughter
, . With , what ii modest sweetness she curtsies ' No wonder the general looks uj ; on her with such eyes of admiration . I told you so ; we all do ; -youn « or old—soldier or civilian—native ov foreigner—fair or dark-it , a all ono ; and the Moor , for all his swarthy check , and his warliko visage , —that has seen many a stormy year of siege and bloodshed , I take it—hath yet a fire in his gaze that shows neither years nor wars have blinded him to the beauties of a fair Venetian lady , when she stands before him in her full perfection , as she now dues in the person of the divine Desdemona . Seosir I beseech you , " went on the old gentleman " with what a winning grace she stands bher father ' i
y Bide , the unconscious mark of every eye-shot the * H ° ? i . f , ewry ton « » the obse"ed and admired of all beholders ; yet how serene , how self-pos .-ossed , in her gentle innocence and unconsciousness she remains ; the general seems addressing some words of courtesy to her ; and . mark how lady-like her ease . how maidenly her attitude , as she listens . She is the magnifico ' s child in her gracious air of beauty and dignity , while she might be a cotter's daughter for thc meek propriety , the adorable gentleness , which , above all else , distinguishes her You will , smile at my raptures , signior ; but , in truth , the lady Desdemona is worthy of all enthusiasm .
" I doubt it not , believe me signior ; " replied Gratiano ; " it needs but to look upon her to read the simple justice of your words , however hiah their extolment . The lad y is indeed a rare creature . And once more he repeated within himself—" she la my niece—Ennhia ' g child-, my o wn niece !' ^ i
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Tait ' s Magazine . March . London : Simpkin and Marshall . This is by far thc best number of this popular periodical we have recentl y seen . Its contents are-agreeably varied , light , and instructiveand written with more than ordinary vivacity and force . The first article , on "Tenant Right and Farming Leases , " discloses a state of things in this country which , even on the high aud unimpeachable authority adduced will excite some incredulity in quarters where the subject has not been specially investigated . If the question of Land Tenure and Tenant Kignt i , not assumed the same prominence m tins co untry as in Ireland , it is not because or any superiority of the law on this side Of the bnannei , but , aimply , because somehow or other we can contrive to make very bad or inefficient instruments , turn o ut much better work than might be expected from them .
The n ecessity for leases , with compensation clauses for all unexhausted improvements , is generall y admitted to be the basis of all improved agriculture ; and has become an imperative necessity , if the soil of England is to be cultivated in accordance with the growing wants of , ts population , and the discoveries or modern science in this deparment of industry But it appears that there exisls a formidable obstacle to the gran tine of such leases , in the nature of thV > TV Which the immediate owners nnnnf rf ^ ' P""' ° tlle llind »* thi > country . It iS estimated t . hnfc im ™ ti .,, n
, two-thirds of it are held under settlements . and less than one-third in fee simple . Of these two-thirdg , tho holder in possession for th . Z ^ ? , no P ^ er to give the farmer secuuty tor the enjoyment of any fixtures himay put u p any building he may erect-any drainage , fencing , or grubbing he may do-or ^ T """ I . " » c may leave unexhausted in the k >" . ino tenant , in fact , has no legal right toanyjoga l compensation for improvements ,
except "there bo a custom in the county for i the tenant , at the , expiration of his term to ' hold on auy part , or to take away any mVt and the proof ofthe custom lieson the tenant ' ' ' The law and customs , aud its practical results are thus described : — . ' . Mr Wingrove Cooke statos tho custom in existence in the different counties . In about sevra customs , are either formed or forming for givim ' compensation to an outgoing tenant for unexhausted manures ; in all the others , some custom exists for ; mng the outgoer a portion of the corn crop which is , upon ov m tho ground when he quits ; but in no one county throughout England is there anv established law-rccosrnised custom for comprasatinlr a tenant for fixtures , buildings , machinerv , or ewn as it . shouM seem , for fencing and draining , liven Wirae these customs exist tlicv do not—ovnoni-t l , o '
fwu Wfling qrop eustmtt-attach to the land ; that is , they only bind th © immediate inrtic * ami r o * tint « m f i h 0 toniHlt , 'lft 6 r his Iwwlord ' o intciest w the land has ceased , Such is the position of the English farmer , llo IZtuT- h ° llOpeS t 0 m P ; lle Sobers and he e eSi f - f ? r ° ' r ^ h ° P t 0 en i ° y tho in-• ii thn I frult . " ! ne 3 S of his liinJ I but his trust is » . „ ml , 5 ' c , tranblit 'g Iwpo of equity in his '" oes le ^ W m l ntereit c ° » t ' ' n «^ all , periia , * ' , ff ^ Wyrass- iLK hb ? ™ , r , faiithin ? lie h ™ o ^ de '„ '; et w ™ h fi " " naked u ' th 0 ««!««• Ai ,. l jet we wonder that men whom the law n \< inm ;„ lllV Class of
of nXf ° - " ^ » Pto'I « tV- « , JiJfe Bcientifto artisans , enlightened tei . y-S"M llle * , now how , and how best , to manufacture bread and beof , and mutton , from f .. o o ! e" 2 , x T ^ , hl 8 t 0 ry <> f n » n hns !>« " » written » ,, do ( TJ fe , " ^ h purposeif - d 0 not ' at thU til »" ot daj , know that uncertainty and depoiideneo can only produce an ignorant unenterprising rae <> shrewd to elude the will they cannot m&iSs as little as may be upon tho favour of the superi-r , and careful to invite no special notice by deviation from the beaten tra ck . The position of a tenantirmcr who proporos to himself to work capital into the land has been well illustrated by many of tne witnesses before the Agricultural ' Customs Ummutoe . We will cite one instance h , 10 G . ) - it is given by Mr . Bennett , of Bedforshire . in answer to a question from Mr . Ilenley .
"I believed there would bo more capital nm-> loyed in farming if there were more security ; that the capita would go into the cultivation of tho i , iml . Now people are afraid of it ; because , under this precarious tenure , they do not know whether they are going to be permitted to stay to take thc bem-fit ot their own outlay . I can give a striking illustration ol that . I met with a gentleman who was not brought up to farming , but his health was rather bnd , and he had got a niceish property , and was induced by Ins friends to hire a farm , which ho did It was a poor farm ; that is , it was noted rather for its poor crops-I should say , on a grateful soil , that would p' » y well for good management , lie went to work upon it in a cood smritml manimr
. 'Hid ho soon made it the admiration ofthe n « 'i « hbourhood as regarded the crops . It was talkeif of upon the market , what capital crops were grown there , lie went on very well for seven , or ewhf . or nine years j but , though ho knew nothing oft he sort , the estate was so circumstanced , that it was required when one of thc members of the familv died , that it should be sold , and it was put up to auction with four or five other farms in the neighbourhood , and it was sold . The new proprietor came to the occupier after he had bought it , and said , ' Well , sir , you are a very good farmer , I should wish to retaiu you , bnt I have given a hi » h price for this land , and I must have an incrensud
rent ; I must tell you , honestly . However , you and I will not squabble about it ; I will have a person to look over the farm and see -what it is fairly worth . ' Tho farmer knew he was in a pretty fix , and he found that all those improvements ho had made fforo in fact put into the pockets of the landlords who had sold the estate , and that if lie held it afterwards , he must pay a rent for bis own improvements , lie took the farm for a year or two and got out of it as much as he could , and thoii gave up the farming , observing to me , Whenever I go to farming again I will have a belter understanding as to who is to have tho benefit of my improvements . ' "
The remedy ofthe writer is thus stated ;—We think we can point out in ten lines how a tenant-right may be given , and our old nobility yet preserved . It is this ; abolish at once all your commissions for agricultural objects . Inelosurea , tithes , copyholds , drainage , woods and forestswhat need of separate boards , commissioners , assistant-commissioners , secretaries , under-secretaries , clerks , officers , messengers , and porters , for objects so essentially identical ? Have one single commission to do all the work , and it will be better done ; give , this commission jurisdiction to stand between a tenant for life and a remainder-man . In three months all tliis part of their work will be matter of form . They will inquire into the n hole bearings ofthe matter , settle certain general forms of agreements which will , meet ninety-nine cases out of a hundred , and will deal specially with the hundredth . Add a power of arbitration between
a landlord and his out-going tenant , where there has been no agreement , with full authority to award compensation for real uneoropcn 3 ate ( i * improvements , and agriculture will be free and settlements unscathed . Moreover , you will save a great many thousands a-year in salaries and offices , and will not have to pay £ 10 , 000 a-year to an attorney for giving his advice upon every small point of landlord and tenant law to a board , which eeems to have been curiously constituted with a view to the production of an unspotted incapacity . Alas , we fear tbis is too much like common sense ever to find favour in official quarters . There would be a long bill to draw , nwny difficulties in the Commons , more in the Lords ; much work for the Minister , more for his clerks . But wo take heart when we sec the gaunt fi gure of free trade , with his flail of low prices , threshing out the rents . He presses h < ard upon you , gentlemen landlords , and m one direction or tho other you must move on
" Craigallan Castle" progresses leisurely , but interestingly . " The Pearl Divers ' is a capital story of Mexican life , which , but for want of space , we should have liked to transfer to our columns . A series of papers by a working man , under the head of " The Working Man ' s Way in the World , " is commenced in this number , which wo shall follow with interest , and when further advanced venture a more decided opinion than we now venture upon . The writer has in the present paper
just completed his apprenticeship as a compositor in Bristol , and sets out on Ins way to the Great Metropolis in search of work . A wider and more stirring arena , will therefore be opened iu his next " section . " In the meantime , we may say that tho author possesses considerable insight into character , and the knack of hitting offits more prominent features easily and graphically . The manly address of tbe father to his family when , after a reverse of fortune they find themselves in Bristol , is quite after our own heart :
We have left behind us in Devonshire the station which we once held , hut we have also left bchiiui us an unspotted character ; and if we have lost all , we havn at least the consolation remaining that nobody has lost anything by us . If we bad stayed much longer whore we were you would have heard , in a much less pleasant manner than I now tell i ; . you , thiit your father is a « ruined man . ' Such is ihe phrase the world uses in reference to cases like mine ; hut remember , it is only a phrase , a piece ol cant—the cant of thc prosperous : a man is no more mined becnuse he is stripped ofhis means of spending than a tree is ruined because it , is stripped of its foliage . The simple fact is just this , that we must work Harder and live plainer thnn we have done ; and we must all work , every one of us that can , to procure food nnd shelter for ourselves and for those that cannot . "
Here is a sketch of a " Working Class Philosopher : — When I had just completed my sixteenth year , ono of our apprentices , having finished his term , left us , and his place was filled by a London hand , who was a confirmed and hacknied freethinker ¦ mil leveller , and who laboured hard to indoctrinate us with thc then new notions , lie was thoroughly master of all the deistical dogmas ofthe day , anil would talk eloquently and well by the hour together upon the monstrous juggles of priestcraft ., and the inconceivable folly of those vfho afforded them urcdi'iice . lie ma >! e selections from the Old and New Testament history , which he read aloud , and
tiuon which ho diluted with a force and eloquence that would have done honour to a barrister . With ihe most plausible reasoning he united the most cutting sarcasm , and with ji show of the most generous candour he would invite our replies to his propositions , or challenge us to produce the arguments for our faith : woo to the unfortunate who had the temerity to accept his challen ge . He was still better versed in disputation Mian in reasotun " , and owrihrew every objector by the force of metaphysical argument , and the power of his lungs . Thou h I had been too early and painstakingl y instructed in the doctrines of the Ohristaiii faith not to he able to render a reason for adherin * to it I was vet too young to pretend to be its champion , ' especially against such an antagonist . I therefore held iny
p e , b t unhappily did not continue lo hold-. my T i , ' ° T ™ renec il 8 l lliul h'therto done H would have been better for me if I had Unk not aware at tho time that the tirades of MmK ,,-nd - aS tIlen 'T Of 0 Ur doistical ncelaimer ) were pioduum gany ettect upon my own mind . Thero hut ™ , ll !"' y 1 ) 0 . V '" lli ! i on » wcter which I could evoV t " \ " W ! lsby flir ttl (! ^ st workman we re-i Iv * , : . opcn aild generou . s and ever ™ » ' « Allows in an ? possible wav . lie oSs Vl "" 11 ° '" Nation npbn all popalar 2 XhW " " of the l 101 scm : >! «» ' «»« ° . 1 oveJV , K "" ! rf th 0 da > -- Ho b » J " ™»« l Sr ^ i rvgrrssrss : s ; ! Kf"V s « = s * -, ; "S ?* £ ^ ss ? x * -jr * £ . over , exwpi Christianity , ho reasoned LJtlv und modest ! v , ., d w , i « the ¦ mn , os an ,, mC (! iu » f- £ | i easant and useful information to his compan i ons He was u jjreat admirer of Franklin , whom be wa 3 cont ' . iiuiill y qnotiiijf , and whom he confessedly made iiis model .
Tho writer goes into the " simp" for a limited p .-riod . Mis " experiences " behind the conntor aro worth extracting : As tie trade we did , though not contemptWe in amount , was not stiflk-ient to requiro my contiiual attention , I found time to rend a pood many o ' lhc books with which tlm shelves were stored . The "Ago of llaas . - iti" was among tho first ; an-1 , in 'inlar that both sides of the question miet t lie ¦ . itvly invsent-d to mv mind , was immctliatclv followed b y ifcghop W . rson - s "Apology fortheBH . le . " I > -i' »» ld have n-nil neither . What mi .-chiff tho nfl-lel writer cBvotcl the Bishop failed to repair . II 'i ° \ r ° ' thc foriuop remained indented "l nnthotalilot ofmy memory , while thc eodU-
ro-J ~ ot . me , latter soon vanbl ^ l liko a « mmw "lontl . Happily , tlu < poisonous seed took no immclmte root , ; my > piviu were light ami jrny . and the tl . outtU .-ss vivacity of youth , so often the source of evil , was , fur a time at least , my protection from it . Wlwt > ufncod , however , to give more force t <> the . vector n ^ inst Christianity than even bus own mntchlca rifcontery , was tho hVi « ht which my new poMtini . cave me into tho . habits and practices of my employer , who himself enjoved a hiirh reputation as a ro'i giousaiii ! conck'ntiouVman Uyliis singular maiiavcsnont . tho same avtinli . wne
constantly snM to different parties for different prices . Like lloiiin Hood , he gave the poor in some ( leiive . the heiu'fit of tlic contributions ha levied upon ihr rich . Paper from the same ream w .-ro sold in quires at a pHce twenty per cent less to the tradesmen than to his mor ' o wealthy customers . He piously earned his gallantry to tho ladies to a still greater extent , condescending to accept at their hands nearl y double the value of their purchases . I eonfe . ^ that , on tho firat . ilise-w . v of these peccadillos , to which I was oxpectcl , an . f ind .-wl comn « Ue . i . to nffonl my complicity , I could not think of knei-lmjr at i > i . « family altar without a feelmif ot disgust ami contempt . But , so true is it thnt ha ( . it reconclos t ! w mind to everything this feelinti soon wore oft . I began to consider such thm « s allowable in business , and to look upon tho inexperience and want , of judgment ofthe buyer as the lawful prey of thc shopkeeper .
• Wo give the close of tho career of tho water-drinking free thinker—it is painted in very diflV-rent colours to the pictures distributed by the "gracious " Society for Diffusing Christian Knowledge " : — . At tho end of i \ year I returned to my frame in tho office , accordins to my stipulation . Jl .-. rtin . was ill , often absent from weakness , and not able to do much work when present . Ho had caught a chill through incautiously bathing while hot ? and tho doetor in-d wanted him that the consequences might bo serious , if not fatal , unless ho used "rent caution . As ho used uotio the admonition become a veracious propheey ; the cold settled upon his lungs , and he soon fell into a rapid decline . lie
would walk into tho office in the fine summer days , . and , seating himself among his old companions , would discourse , as ho had ' been used tr do , upon tho folly of tm . iticism- his term for religion —and the monstrousnosa of priestcraft . It is usual to describe the latter days aid death of men of his character , as scenes of horror , dismay , and despair . I know that , in the case of Martin , ' thero was nothing of the sort . The reason may have !> eon ¦ , hat he had no doubts . It . was not . in his naluro lonjj to doubt u ' . ion any question ; if it was one in whu-li ho was concerned , he would have settled it speedily one way or another ; and if not , he would have dismissed it from his mind altogether . He suft ' . red but little violent pain until the Jlny before he liicd ; Up to that period he had s'Hight amusement in cheerful aud onlertain ' mj ; books . A child of his
landlady read to him as h « lay upon a sola , while be endeavoured to fancy himself , as he said , a gentleman of fashion raying the penalty of a debauch . He sent for my master when his last , hour was at hand , who hurried off to seo him , in company with the parish parson ; but Martin would hear no prayers . " I Iimvu no time to spare , " < aid ho , " for , frivolities . " Then , after a pau-e , "I liavo served you faithfully , Mr . Cousins . You will attend to my last request—will you not ? " Tho old man gave his promise . " Post that letter .- . fter I fim gone , and bury me at S— . It is a pretty place ; and if my ghost walks , there will l > t > j . iensant places to walk in . " The letter was i . ddiessed to a poor girl to whom he was betrothed , and reached her the next day . She came down t .. . his funeral , and saw that his last desire was aratiliad
"A Little ' Difficulty' in French Literature , " is an amusing account of proceedings connected with the late duel of M . C . Hugo , son of tbe eminent author—and M . Virimot ^ tho younger , as proxy for his father , tho offender—but who , being sixty-seven yeuivs of ago , could not be asked to face the young tiroeatcr sword in hand , for having called him a gad-fly on tho tail of M . Carlier . A storv like this more effectually exhibits the difference of the people , and the public opinion of the two
nations on opposite sjdes of the English Channel , than tho most elaborate essay . ' The writer is , however , good-humourcdly sivere on M . Victor Hugo , the great apostle ot' tho Peace Congress at Paris , in 1849 , for giving his explicit authorisation to his son . Kwilly people ought to pay somo attention to • appearances , " and if consistency is a difficult or an impossible tnek , men like M . Victor lingo , should assume a virtue if they have it uot . Mr . Cobdeu ' 8 answer to Captain A ;; ron
Smith ' s challenge , showed truer courage and chivalry than M . Hugo's deference to th' socalled " laws of honour , " and had , besides , the merit of consistency . Miss Francos \> n- \ vn contributes a tale of the " Burning of Belfast Castle , " which keeps tho attention nl the reader alive ; and tho atrccious system of poisoning by arsenic , which has latel y . Usgraced many parts of the island , is effectively shown up in tlto " Philosophy of Murd > -. r . " Tho writer sa \ s : —
In death by poison there is no uuvkod onVinling against the natural laws of death to nlim-I ? tho iriHtincts of the murderer ; he does Heaven ' . * own work on Heaven ' s own plan : a consideration frouyht with influence . No vecne of bloody sti ! ' « , of ; i life burctiiur out , strongaml fierce , from that -igly wound Ac made comes back in after times to I '; ii » hfc the murderer in loi . oly places ; on the ether hand , ho . sees it to be a gentle oozing away of lifea kind of diarrhea . I !« sees his victim , " ma ; , up , hastily and quietly conclude his worldly anvnscnicnts , jrivo directions for his funeral * c ; ill his family about him—die unconscious » nd utiii -using ; and ho may sleep ( wo may imagine ) nice thousand years , and only then discover , at tin- last
day , that it was not God who dismissed him IVom his unfinished work—but his father or his wife thoro ! Poi 9 Wting is munlerof a quiet , unobtrusive delicate kind , oU ' ending neither eye nor ear ; murder that a lady might do with clean handsthat even Mncbetli ' iniHlit have found some comfort in . "Out ! out , damned spot ! " That rcit s pot diffused and multiplied , eternally . Once rolta : tcd in the murderer ' s eyes , with all the obstinacy of blood it fixed itself thero ; and wherever he loi ' ked there was still tliat " crimson cloud before his eyes " —unless , mayhap , he looked to Heavon . But h ' ld Macbeth been only a poisoner , he would have mounted a li . it-Wniil and tho throne with very much less compunction , though , morally , w ' nh very r much more guilt . J The other articles , including that on " Budgets and Bunglors , " make up a very ' . bupenor number ol' Tail .
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PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED . Tll ' £ al ( ! " . ( Indnunj . By W . J . 1 $ . Saioteks . Lmnghiim WiU-on . Tht Wanderer ami hh Jfow . By A . I > E Umautisf ., ( Tali our I / brary . ) Simmsaiid . MMm . yre . Cltanccvy Reform Tniel * . Kffingham Wiisoi ! . The Xutianrxl Instructor . Part II . Xcw Series . Pavey , llolywell-strmst .
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Visits to tiik Housu of Loiins . —Durin bt » ineim | i | j ^^ ' $ the Lord Chamberlain's office , A biirsilo /^^^ iV ^ ' ^ v any Wednesday , between eleven anil (^ Q . m ^ 0 ^ -f V ^ t ^ f ^ < ^ V&ijf ^ %
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 15, 1851, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1617/page/3/
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