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Sbpt. 6, 1851.] Wkt 3Lt&%tX. 841 __ 111 ...
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Birmingham, September 2, 1851. Sir,—The ...
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"We find the following in the Times of F...
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MORN GOLD DISCOVERIES. "Tremendous excit...
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ASSOCIATION IN SPAIN. The revolution of....
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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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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
The " Baroness Von Beck." The Name Of Th...
nailed the head commissioner . The entire management of Pesth was in their hands , and they were constantly together each day from early in the morning until late in the evening . Csanyi had interviews with several persons during that time , but never with any person calling herself the Baroness von Beck . He was personally acquainted with Kossuth , the Governor of Hungary , many years . His ( witness ' s ) official duties brought him constantly into communication with Kossuth . Three or four times a day , and often at night , Kossuth sent for him The Government returned to Pesth in June , 1849 ,
having been absent from December , 1848 , he having been , in April , reappointed to his office over the police . One part of his duty was to grant passports . He had the exelusive power to grant them . He remembered a woman at Festh known by , and calling herself Racidula He saw her in Kossuth ' s antechamber . He saw the same person last night in Mr . Tyndall ' s house . He never saw her in Kossuth ' s private room , nor was she ever an intimate friend of Kossuth ; if she had been , he must have known it by his public position . She was a paid spy , and when he saw her in Kossuth ' s antechamber there was
another woman with her , who was a principal spy . Racidula was to his knowledge a paid and subordinate spy . Kossuth on one occasion called him ( witness ) and said to him , Please give these people passes ; they will go with you . ' He never heard of the Baroness von Beck . There was a noble family named Beck in Hungary ; but she never belonged to it , nor did she ever lose any estates in Hungary . He knew several Hungarian Generals now in Paris and England . Several gentlemen whose names are mentioned in the baroness ' s book had told him that the parts relating to them were quite false , not a word of truth in them . —The witness here turned round to the prisoner , and asked him if he knew him ?—The prisoner acknowledged that he did ; that he was Mr . Hajnik , of Pesth . —The witness then spoke feelingly of the prisoner ' s family . He said he regretted very much seeing him in such a position , as he knew him to be the
son of a distinguished and honourable man . He very much pitied the prisoner ' s father , who had been obliged to disown him . —In answer to questions by the Mayor , the witness said he was quite positive that there was no such person in Hungary as the Baroness von Beck . There was a family of that name , consisting of three ladies , but neither of them was , or had a right to be called a baroness . Most certainly Itacidula , who had assumed that name in England , was not of that family . If any of the ladies of the Beck family in Hungary had taken the name of baroness , it would have been an improper assumption of title . The ladies of the Beck family were all accomplished ladies , and could , no doubt , like other Hungarian ladies , speak French and most other languages of Europe . The pretended baroness could not write three lines , and to his knowledge she was a paid spy . "
We now come to the most interesting document and most startling piece of information disclosed by this remarkable examination . The report of Mr . Smith ' s statement proceeds : —¦ " But if any doubt existed in the minds of the magistrates respecting the real character of the woman , he would read a letter which would show that , in place of being a friend of Kossuth in the cause of Hungary , she was actually , whilst receiving money from the friends of Hungary , in the pay oi the Foreign Branch of the English Police Force . Mr . Smith read the following letter : — " 13 , Sussex-street , University-street , August 2 G . 1851 .
"In reply to the inquiry contained in your kind note , I beg to inform you th » t the person styling herself' Baroness de Beck' is the same who , accompanied by Dr . Heinemann offered personally her services as a spy and informer to the recently-established foreign branch of the linylish Police Force . This I know from good authority , and 1 know likewise that for a fortnight or three weeks she lias obtained for such services the sum of £ 5 IGs . 8 d . per week . It is also no secret to me : that the soi-disunt baroness introduced herself to the Commissioners of the Police by forwarding a letter written by ]) r . llciuciiiann , and containing an inclosure , which consisted of some
articles and regulations adojded by an Association of the German Communists in London . With regard to Mihuloczy , lie himself has admitted to me that the baroness instigated him to the attack on your husband , and that she has defrayed all the expenses of the subsequent proceedings . Should it be requisite , I will with much pleasure substantiate the above statement by the production of unexceptionable evidence . Trusting you will use your best endeavourn in placing the illiterate she-impostor before the public in her true character , and in tearing the mask from her unblushing countenance , 1 beg to subBcrioe myself
" YourB very respectfully , Cuaki . i : s i > n Sodkn . " This mass of evidence clearly proves that Baroness von Beck wiih an impostor and a spy ; it . proven nothing to the prejudiceof 1 ) erra , who in his defence urged that he had met the woman last April , that he had believed she wiih the Baroness von Beck , friend of Kos-HUth , and h ( rM'll ' u Hungarian refugee ; and that he re-HXetted extremel y hnving ever met with her . The Mayor discharged Derra , as then ; was not Huflicient ; evidence to convict him ; but he considered that the charge against the defunct impoHtor was fully proved . Mr . DawBon said , an the unfortunate woman had died in Buch an awful manner , be thought it wiih but right to Bay that there was no ground whatever for believing that Hiich an event would have taken place . *' Thumlay evening last she wuh waltzing with spirit ; but even if » he fatal termination could have |> een foreseen , it , would Htill have been their duty to Imve proceeded an they bad done . And this examination of surpriscM wound up with one moro atartling announcement . Mr . Smith mado
an application to the Bench to have some papers which were found in the woman ' s possession impounded . They were very important , appertaining , as they did , to a conspiracy said to be carrying on amongst the Hungarians . The Magistrates consulted with their Clerk , Mr . Gem , and said the papers might be retained . An inquest was held the same day on the body of Hacidula , and a verdict returned of " Died by the visitation of God . "
Sbpt. 6, 1851.] Wkt 3lt&%Tx. 841 __ 111 ...
Sbpt . 6 , 1851 . ] Wkt 3 Lt & % tX . 841 __ 111 I .--. i l II mi -i .-i il II ¦ ———1 1 . 1 H— - —i—¦¦——I—I ________________ . . .
Birmingham, September 2, 1851. Sir,—The ...
Birmingham , September 2 , 1851 . Sir , —The facts of the " Von Beck , " case will of course appear in your columns on Saturday , allow me to make a few remarks . When Bacidula and Mr . Derra called on me , they showed me an agreement ¦ with Mr . Bentley , an agreement with . Mr . Gilpin , and subscription lists from Liverpool , & c , containing signatures , the genuineness of which I have recognized , and have since proved . When news came from London that she was an impostor , a gentleman
went from here ; he made many inquiries , the result of ¦ which is an impression on the minds of many here that several persons who had good reasons to know the pretensions of the soi-disant baroness to be false , did little or nothing to expose her , or to guard others from deception . This is so wrong that I hope explanations maybe given which will show why exposure ¦ was delayed . To assist such explanations I will ask some questions : —How Mr . Bentley discovered that the book he published , contains many lies , and that it does not contain the adventures of a Baroness
Friend of Kossuth , & c . ? If so , why has he given no hint to that effect , which might have prevented a brother publisher and the public from being further taken in ? Did Mr . Gilpin know of this imposture before the exposure of Birmingham ? and had he in consequence forbidden the use of his name in the prospectus of the new book ? Had Lord Dudley Stuart found the baroness only before the exposure , and where did he commence his discovery ? Why did no Hungarian ( M . Pulszky for instance ) point out the falsity of the book , though the concocter might not be known ?
Answers to these questions may show why the Exposure , which altogether came from London , did not come earlier . I am , sir , yours , & c . Geokge Dawson .
"We Find The Following In The Times Of F...
"We find the following in the Times of Friday addressed to the editor : — " Sir , —Your correspondent " Veritas" asks how it is that not one of the chiefs of the Hungarian emigration came forward to unmask Hacidula , alias Baroness von Beck , and quotes a letter of mine to prove that Bentley accepted her book in consequence of what I said . " Being since March , 1849 , a resident in England , I could not and cannot know everybody in the Hungarian emigration ; and though I had strong suspicions against the person in question—which I always openly expressed as often as I was asked as to her character—it is but since a very short time that I got some proofs of her guilt . I never recommended a person who was a common spy in our army .
" As to the recommendation of her manuscript , your correspondent is w-holly mistaken . Three sheets of it were sent to me ; not more . 1 read them , and gave the opinion that it , promised to be amusing , and ' would probably sell well . ' The result has shown that my estimate has been correct . Publishers do not want an opinion on other questions , and ' Veritas ' will find upon inquiry that most of tho . se who published books sympathizing with Hungary , published at the same time others in favour of Austria . Believe me , your obedient , servant , " Fkancis Pui . szky . " 31 , St . Peterburg-place , Bayswatcr , September 4 . "
Morn Gold Discoveries. "Tremendous Excit...
MORN GOLD DISCOVERIES . " Tremendous excitement" is reported as existing in Bitthurst , a town about 1 / 50 miles from Sydney , in Australia , owing to the discovery by a Mr . Hargravew that from the Mountain Ran gen to an indefinite extent in the interior in " one immense gold field . " A rush for these new " diggings" was made ( according to the Bathurst Free Press of May 17 ) forthwith , and people of all trades , callings , ami pursuits were quickly transformed into miners : —
" Many a hand which had been trained to kid gloves , or nocuHtonied to wield nothing her . vier than the grey gooM'quill , became nervous to clutch the pick and crowhur , or ' rock the cradle' at our infant milieu . The blackhiniths of the town could not turn off the picks fast enough , and the niiuiufacturc : of cradles was the second hrixkcHt business of the place . A few left town on Monday , equipped for the diggings ; but on Tuesday , Wedncuday , and Thursday the roads to Summer hill Creek bcciinie literally alive with new-made miners from every quarter , some armed with picks , others shouldering crowlmrn shovelsand not it lew
or , strung round with washhand bimiiiH , tin pots and colanders ; garden and agricultural implements of every variety either hung from the Huddle-bow or dangled about tin ; persons of the pilgrims to Ophir . Now and then a respectable tradesman , who liutl juat left bin bench or counter , would heave in sight , with a huge Bonn-thing in front of his horse which ho called a cradle , and with which he was about to rock himself into fortune . Scores have ruahed from their hornet ,, provided with a blanket , ' a damper , ' and a pick , or Krubbmg-hoe , full of hope that a day or two ' a labour would 1111 their poekcta with the precious metal : and we
have heard of a great number who have started without any provision but a blanket and some rude implement to dig with . Such is the intensity of the excitement that people appear almost regardless of their present comfort , and think of nothing but gold . " Business was all but suspended , and provisions at once rose above 50 per cent , in price : — " What assisted very materially to fan the excitement into a flame , " continues our authority , " -was the arrival of a son of Mr . Neale , the brewer , with a piece of pure metal weighing eleven ounces , which was purchased by Mr . Austin for £ 30 , who started to Sydney by the
following day ' s mail with the gold and the news . Since that an old man arrived in town with several pieces in mass , weighing in all from two to three pounds , He also started for Sydney with his prize . Mr . Kennedy , the manager of the Bathurst branch of the Union Bank of Australia , visited the diggings on Saturday last in company with Messrs . Hawkins and Green , and each of these gentlemen picked up a small piece of the pure metal ; and a few handfuls of the loose earth from the bed of the creek , which were brought home by Mr . Kennedy from motives of curiosity , have been since assayed by Mr . Korff , from Sydney , and a piece of gold extracted therefrom of the size of a small pea . Besides these we have not heard of any particular instances of success .
" On Wednesday morning last , Mr . Hargraves , accompanied by Mr . Stutchbury , the Government geologist , went to the diggings , and with his own hands washed a pan of earth in his presence , from which twenty-one grains of fine gold were produced . He afterwards washed several baskets of earth , and produced gold therefrom . Mr . Stutchbury hereupon expressed his satisfaction , and immediately furnished him with credentials , which have since been forwarded to Government . The fact of the existence of gold is , therefore , clearly established ; and whatever credit or emolument may arise therefrom , Mr . Hargraves is certainly the individual to -whom it properly belongs . "
In the leading columns of the Times we find a minute description of the gold region . If we are not mistaken in the hand , the paper is by a distinguished colonist who well understands both the material and political condition of the colony : — " The district of Australia in which we are informed a golden harvest is to be reaped , has received from the hand of Nature favours far more substantial th & n the questionable advantages resulting from the possession of the precious metals . The eastern coast of the continent , from its extremity in the 3 Sth degree of south latitude to the Tropic of Capricorn , is defended by the Blue Mountains , which rise somewhat abruptly from the plains to a
height of some three or four thousand feet . I he summit of this range forms a table land , which falls by almost imperceptible degrees towards the vast interior . It is on the commencement of this gradual slope , in pretty nearly the same latitude as the city of Sydney , that the region is situated of the newly found treasures of which we have received such fluttering accounts . Nothing can be imagined more delightful than the climate of this elevated plateau . The air is peculiarly clear and salubrious , and the summer possesses all the brightness without the sultriness of the Australian climate . The country is thinly dotted over with trees like a park , and the soil is rich and well adapted both
for pasture and agriculture . These allurements have already concentrated in the neighbourhood a larger population than is to be found , elsewhere in Australia at so great distance from the coast ; and the town of Bathurst , which is the metropolis of the district , contains already between three and four thousand inhabitants and many substantial and commodious buildings . From this place to Sydney a road has been carried over the Blue Mountains by the skill of Sir Thomas Mitchell and . the labour of convicts in irons , by which difficulties of no ordinary magnitude have been surmounted , and the pass o !
Mount Victoria , in which a formidable chasm has been filled up by an enormous mass of raaBonry , may rival the feutK of Swiss engineering . It was the discovery of this district , and the opening of a practical communication with it , which gave the first great impulse to the pastoral industry of Australia , by relieving the colonists from these narrow limits " within which they had be < n previously confined . Il must be admitted that if uatuie lias selected this spot as the receptacle of her treasure : ; , the colony bus not been wanting in opening with great labour and at much expense the path by which those treasures may be obtained . "
Association In Spain. The Revolution Of....
ASSOCIATION IN SPAIN . The revolution of . ' 1 H , nay the greybeards of political intrigue , and the flippant world of ministerial antechambers , echoes the complaint ., was a disastrous surprise , a fatal accident , a catastrophe . Short-sighted and superficial diplomacy — intent upon little causes of great events—ascribes the overthrow of the monarchy of icS . 'M ) , and the cataclysm which for a moment threatened to engulf all the Kuropean dynasties , to the accidental discharge of a musket on
the night of the ' 21 th of February . To them the tUate of Europe is an affair of courts , armies , cabin * ( h , embassies , regulated by boudoir influences mnl _ the busy whisperings of cabinet ** . The quotations oi the Stock Exchange are their barometer of ht . orm mul calm , of confidence and puniu . Ami while Hies . ; royal and oiUcial puppets , pulled by invisible win-h arts dangling and grimacing on thin » UW' <> ' " »• ' x" * ' - teenth century , too large / or their puny antit .-H , the Peoples -unrecKiii / ftl , ignored , h « v «» »» instruments of labour and of luxury , to ho governed by l , il ,.,, d bridle , or appeased by lewt * nnd shows—silently and iwticiitly are lining up to workout their nocrol , moral ,
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 6, 1851, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_06091851/page/5/
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