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June 8, 1850.] ®&£ &*&&*?+ 247 s
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A STORY OF SHIPWRECK. The following rema...
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THE EXHIBITION OF 1851. The Committee ap...
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THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. Professor Owen has jus...
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w^ A TRADESMAN OUTWITTED. In the Vice-Ch...
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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Transcript
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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.
Pauperism And The Labour Market. Our Rep...
summoned for allowing the guardians of the Wormmgford Union to maintain three children of his wife by a former husband . In defence the man said that his earnings were only 7 s . a-week , and he found it impossible to maintain eight people on that sum . He had been nearly starved in the attempt , and at last took three of the children to the union , and left them there . The workhouse had been offered to himself and family , but he declined to go into it . The Reverend J . R . Smythies said
that the parishioners of Wormingford ought to pay better wages than those of any other parish , because the land in it was so superior . The fact of the man having a dislike to go into the union was a proof to him ( Mr . Smythies ) that he was an honest and industrious man ; as to his supporting eight people on 7 s . a-week , it could not be done , and he would never sign the man ' s conviction except upon mandamus . The case was then dismissed . — Essex Herald .
The Lincolnshire Herald contains a report of a Promotion meeting , at Wrangle , at which a labourer is said to have described the condition of the class to which he belongs as exceedingly wretched . ' Some in the parish have lived for days on Swede turnips and cabbages . " The Lincolnshire Times , however , affirms that whatever distress there may be among the labourers , they themselves say they are better off with cheap food than they were when it was dear . There is no improvement in the condition of trade in Paisley , so far as the working population are concerned . Large numbers are still out of employment , and have been so for many weeks past . At Glasgow Hiring Market , on Wednesday , there was an extra supply of men servants , but the demand for them was so slack that the fees of those engaged were
very much reduced . Women dairy servants were scarce , and readily obtained from £ 4 to £ 5 the half year . An aged farmer , whom we observed present , attributed the scarcity of women servants to the changed habits of the farmers' wives who instead of , as in his younger years , rising early and themselves doing the labour of the dairy , prefer laying long in beds , and drinking tea . —Glasgow Chronicle . At last Jedburgh hiring market the demand for women was good , and wages were pretty fair ; but men were in small request . House servants and bondagers , or hinds ' servantsare engaged at this market . The latter
occu-, pation is one involving as much bodily toil and exposure as almost any negro could be called on to undergo . She has to be up by break of day in summer and milk the hind ' s cow , and be ready at six to proceed to work in the fields , and continue toiling on in the hardest work till evening—an amount of toil far exceeding what is endured even under the most unlimited factory hours . If the slaving system under which females toil in rural districts continue , it will be something like even-handed justice for our legislators to consider their case . —Scotch I ' apcr . ___ . . « ,,... struck work last
The Renfrewshire colliers on Tuesday upon the same principles as the Lanarkshire colliers , that is , for 4 s . per day , and the redress of other grievances . The only difference between them and the Lanarkshire colliers is , that they have had weekly pay and no truck system ; indeed they never had the latter , but they have had to bear a great deal of oppression . The whole of the colliers in the Ayrshire district of Cunningham are now out on strike for 4 s . per day . A public meeting , called by requisition to the Lord Provost , has been held in the City-hall , Glasgow , to take into consideration the present distressed condition of a vast number of journeymen tailors , caused by the sweating system , and also to adopt measures to stop the progress of a system which engenders poverty , disease , and crime . The meeting was numerously attended , and resolutions were passed in accordance with the object of
the meeting . There are considered to be from 1600 to 2000 house joiners and carpenters in Liverpool and its vicinity , but we have no means of ascertaining exactly . The numbers fluctuate so much that sometimes there may be half as many more . This is owing to the means of communication from Ireland , Scotland , the Isle of Man , Wales , and other parts of England , being greater to this port than to any other in the United Kingdom . Hence one of the chief evils of our trade-here . Liverpool being the point of attraction to all the above places , men come to this town who have been in the habit , perhaps , of receiving 14 s ., 16 s ., 18 s ., or 20 s . per wef k . They go to an employer and crave work ; he asks what wages they have been , in the habit of receiving , and many of them tell the two
truth . He then offers them one or shillings more ; and the men , tkinkingthey are improving their condition by taking it , accept of the work . This naturally leads to a reduction in the wages of those already employed . A lew weeks since , a master-joiner in this town , who contracts for work from an extensive company of capitalists , went into Scotland , and engaged ten or twelve men . He agreed there , with each two of them , to do a certain piece of work in Liverpool , to complete which would take two experienced men a month . The men came , here and worked lor about a week , when , finding they could not cam money sufficient to support themselves , they left the employ , and were thus thrown into competition with others . Shortly afterwards , about twenty more men wire omrilovfd at the same work , having every
appearance of bfing brought , in like manner , from wales and Ireland , as some of them had not left off wearing their grey frirzo coats . Such a system must , of necessity , reduce the wages of the workman . —A Joiner , in the Liverpool Journal .
June 8, 1850.] ®&£ &*&&*?+ 247 S
June 8 , 1850 . ] ®& £ &*&&*? + 247 s
A Story Of Shipwreck. The Following Rema...
A STORY OF SHIPWRECK . The following remarkable account of shipwreck and escape is taken from the St . Vincent Neio Era and Journal , of the 8 th of May . " The sloop Star , bound for Barbadoes , left St . Vincent
on the 3 rd of May with twelve persons on board . When about twelve miles from Battawya , one of the seamen went below and found the vessel filling , owing to a plank having started . The pumps were set at work , but the leakage could not be kept down . After running five or six miles the sloop filled rapidly : she made one or two desperate plunges , when a seaman jumped overboard , and called out to others to do so immediately , or they would all be drowned . Some of the crew and passengers followed him , the captain , Mr . Bynoe , Miss Webb , Mrs . Gibbs , and her nephew , remaining on board . " No persuasion could induce Miss Webb to quit , although it was not from fear , for , on being asked if she was alarmed , she replied very calmly she was not . She then bad a tight grasp of the captain ' s hand , but , as the danger increased , she relaxed her hold , and when the captain jumped overboard a moment before the vessel foundered , the unfortunate lady drew back and perished . She had every chance of safety , as the dog house was alongside , being the first thing the captain laid hold of when in the sea . The boat had been cleared , but nothing was seen of it . ' * Before the vessel foundered , and while others were jumping overboard , Mrs . Gibbs drew her nephew towards her and said that , as he was the cause of her being on board , if she was drowned he must go with her . She clasped him tightly , and made not the slightest effort either to save herself or the little boy . Three or four persons held on upon the companion , two or three on the vessel's hatch , and others took oars . The greatest danger was from the logs of wood ( the Star was laden with fire-wood ) floating about , and which inflicted as it did some heavy blows on the crew and passengers in the water . The following account of the escape of Mr . Bynoe , the young gentleman who remained on board till the last , was furnished by that young gentleman himself to the editor of the St . Vincent Neto Era . He says' As soon as I quitted the vessel , which I did at the same time as the captain , and some two or three minutes after the others , I struck out for the doghouse . The sloop instantly sunk , Miss Webb , Mrs . Gibbs , and her nephew going down with her . There was a little moonlight . A female passenger and her husband had hold of the doghouse . I observed a little boy floating , and I swam and took him to the doghouse . The current was strong and we made little progress , and I was obliged to go behind the doghouse to push it on . As this exhausted me and many held on I let go , which gave the others more room . I then laid hold of an oar and used it for a short time , but I thought 1 heard something blow beside me like a whale or porpoise , and I became alarmed and threw away the oar , determined to swim . Before leaving my companions in misery , I told them I would swim to Bequia and send them a boat ; that if it came it would be a sign I was alive ; if not , that I was drowned . They implored me not to leave them because I cheered them up . I now undressed myself in the water , not keeping on a vestige of clothing , and struck out with the greatest confidence in my power of endurance and swimming . Battawya was at this time just discernible . We were about five miles from it , and fifteen or sixteen miles from Bequia . It was four o ' clock in the morning . The captain called to me , and I replied . I have since heard that he called me an hour afterwards , and as I did not reply , all gave me up for lost , as a very heavy sea was running at the time . I remained in the water until three or four in the afternoon , swimming all the time , at which time I rrached Bequia . I was alongside the rock an hour before I could ascend it . The surf and heavy swells sometimes dashed me against the rock and at others drew me away from it . I twice despaired and placed my hands on my head , but I could not sink . I was completely exhausted , and suffered much in trying to land . I remained fifty hours on the Bequia Rock without food , water , rest , or clothes . I tried to eat a small shell-fish , but it made me sick . I was very thirsty , but I found relief in sea-bathing . Altogether I was sixty-two hours deprived of every necessary of life . While on the rock I hailed some vessels and boats , but was not heard . At length , the Caledonia , sloop , passed by . I hailed her , and she sent a boat for me . I had determined to attempt the next day to that on that on which I was relieved to swim to Bequia-harbour rather than die slowly . The bruises and cuts you see I got in attempting to land on the rock . I feel no inward ill effects from my sufferings . I was like a skeleton when I landed . The crew and passengers of the Star who were saved were brought to St . Vincent by the Emily Strath . "
The Exhibition Of 1851. The Committee Ap...
THE EXHIBITION OF 1851 . The Committee appointed to consider all matters relating to the building for the Exhibition of 1851 have sent in their report to the Commissioners . The Committee state that they have " examined the numerous plans so liberally contributed by native and foreign
architects in accordance with the public , exhausting in their numerous projects Jind suggestion—( 245 plans being sent in ) almost every conceivable variety of building . They have , however , arrived at the unanimous conclusion , that able and admirable as many of these designs appeared to be , there was yot no single one so accordant with the peculiar object in view , either in the principle or detail of its arrangement , as to warrant them in recommending it for adoption . The Commiitee , therefore , lay a plan of their own before the
Commissioners—the principal features of which arc the' * reducing tho whole construction , with the exception of the dome , to cast-iron columns , supporting the lightest form of iron roof in long unbroken linos , and by the whole of the work being done in the simplest manner , and adapted in all respects to serve hereafter for other purposes ; " and the production of " an effect at once striking and admirable , " by " a dome of light sheet iron , 200 feet in diameter , in order that the building in which England invitAB thn wV . nin wnrlrl tn disnlav their richest
productions may afford , at least in one point , a grandeur not incommensurate with the occasion . " The Times states that " the building will be about 2300 feet long , rather more than 400 feet across , and the roofed area will probably extend to about 900 , 000 square feet , or upwards of 20 acres . In the centre of the south front , opposite Prince ' s-gate , will be placed the principal entrance and offices . There will be three other great entrances in the centre of the other side of the building . Gangways 48 feet wide , clear and uninterrupted , excepting by seats , will connect the entrances , and at the intersection of these main lines it is proposed to form a grand circular hall for sculpture , 200 feet in diameter . Considerable spaces surrounding the old trees ( which must be carefully preserved ) will be fitted up with refreshment-rooms , surrounding ornamental gardens , with fountains , & c . "
The Hippopotamus. Professor Owen Has Jus...
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS . Professor Owen has just published a report on this valuable acquisition to the Zoological Society , from which it appears that the hippopotamus , now safely housed in its comfortable quarters in the Regent ' Park , was captured in August , 1849 , about 1350 miles above Cairo . The hunters having previously wounded its mother , had their attention attracted to the thick bushes on the river ' s bank , in which the young animal was concealed . When discovered , the calf made a rush to the river , and nearly escaped , owing to the slipperiness of its skin , and was only secured by one of the men striking the boat-hook into its flank . The hippopotamus is
nowonly ten months old , and measures seven feet long and six and a half in girth at the middle of the barrel-shaped trunk , which is supported clear of the ground on very short and thick legs . The naked hide covering the broad back and sides is of a daik Tndiarubber colour , impressed by numerous fine wrinkles crossing each other , but disposed almost transversely . When Professor Owen first saw the beast , it had just left its bath , and he observed minute drops of a glistening secretion exuding from the pores , which are dispersed over the whole integument , and which the animal is provided with for the purpose of lubricating its thick hide , and thus preventing it from breaking . After lying quietly
about an hour , the hippopotamus rose and walked slowly about its room , and then uttered a loud and short harsh snort four or five times in quick succession , reminding one of the snort of a horse , and ending with an explosive sound like a bark . The keeper stated that the sounds were indicative of its desire to return to the bath . The Arab opened the door and walked to the new wing containing the bath , the hippopotamus following like a dog , close to his heels . On arriving at the bath-room , the animal descended with some deliberation the flight of low steps leading into the water , stooped and drank a little , dipped his head under , and then plunged forwards-It was no sooner in its favourite element than its whole
aspect changed , and it seemed inspired with new life and activity , sinking down to the bottom , and , moving about submerged for awhile , it would suddenly rise with a bound , almost bodily out of the water , and splashing back , commenced swimming and plunging about with ^ a porpoise-like motion , rolling from . side to side , taking in mouthfuls of water and spurting them out again , raising every now and then its grotesque head , and biting the woodwork at the margin of the bath . The broad-rounded back of the animal being now chiefly in view , it looks a much larger animal than when out of the water . After half an hour spent in this amusement , it quitted the and followed him back to
water at the call of its keeper , the sleeping room , which is well bedded with straw , and where a stuffed sack is provided for its pillow , of which the animal , having a very short neck , thicker than the head , duly avails itself when it sleeps . When awake , it is very impatient of any absence of its favourite attendant , rises on its hind legs , and threatens to break down the wooden fence by butting and pushing against it in a way strongly significative of its great muscular force . Its food is now a kind of porridge of milk and maize meal . Its appetite has been in no respect diminished by the confinement and inconvenience of the sea voyage , or by change of climate . w ^
W^ A Tradesman Outwitted. In The Vice-Ch...
A TRADESMAN OUTWITTED . In the Vice-Chancellor ' s Court , on Tuesday , Sir Launcelot Shad well gave judgment in the case of Robson versus Lord Brougham . The plaintiff , a coachmaker , brought his action to recover of his lordship , as one of the executors of the late Lord Melbourne , for the hire of three carriages for seven years for the use of Lord Melbourne . The agreement for this hiring took place some few months before Lord Melbourne ' s death . The agreement was disputed by the executors , partly because of the improbablity of such an agreement in the then state of health of his lordship ; and partly because the word " seven " in the bill was in the handwriting of the plaintiff , and also because Lord Brougham had reason to doubt the the firmLord
accuracy of the transactions of . Brougham , had himself paid a sum of £ 250 to Robson , without taking a receipt . He afterwards had an interview with Robson on the subject of the claim at his house in Berkeley-square , in the presence of his brother , William Brougham , Esq ., when he adverted to the circumstance of no credit being given for the £ 250 , and Robson positively denied such payment , and when reminded of the place and circumstances , still denied it . While such discussion was going on , Mr . William Brougham went to the place of business of the firm and looked at the books , and saw an entry of the payment of the £ 250 , in June , 1835 , made a copy of it , and returned to the house , on production of which he plaintiff could no longer deny such payment , but expressed himself willing to give credit for it , and did so then and there . That , under these circumstances , entertaining an impression unfavourable to the correctness of tho mode of transacting
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), June 8, 1850, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_08061850/page/7/
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