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AimirsT 13, 1853.] THE LEADER. 777
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HONOUR TO GEORGE DAWSON. Geoege Dawson i...
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CONVOCATION. Tiie House of Convocation w...
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HEROINE-WORSHIP. Cakoi-tne CinaiiOTiM is...
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MARRIAGES, YOUNG AND OLD. Statistics of ...
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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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The Wondrous Tale Of "Smith." A Man Name...
at 161 Oxford-street , and asked him to engrave the word << Gookin " upon a seal ? " Sir Frederick Thesiger asked the question , reading it from the despatch , and then , amid the breathless expectation of the crowded court , the plaintiff answered in the affirmative . The sensation which followed this admission may well be imagined . The counsel for the plaintiff threw up the case , and the sham baronet was put into gaol on a charge of perjury . It would thus seem that the whole story is a monstrous fiction , that the respectable witnesses were deceived as to the signatures , and that the suspicious witnesses werein all likelihood parties to the conspiracy . The forgeries committed have since been proved before a magistrate . The fraudulent procurement of the seals for stamping the deeds and letters lias also been established .
Aimirst 13, 1853.] The Leader. 777
AimirsT 13 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . 777
Honour To George Dawson. Geoege Dawson I...
HONOUR TO GEORGE DAWSON . Geoege Dawson is the preacher in the Church of the Saviour , Birmingham—a church built for him by the congregation . A festival is held each year to commemorate the founding of the church , and on last ^ Monday the annual occasion was taken as a fitting time to show George Dawson the sympathy of his friends relative to the adverse verdict in the Von Beck case . In the morning , a fine portrait of Mr . Dawson was presented to his wife . It is by Mr . Knight , R . A ., and is literally a speaking likeness , as ifc represents him , with good effect , in the act of speaking . In the evening , two thousand persons , including friends who travelled from town for the purpose , took tea in the church . In the subsequent speaking , the character of the institution was alluded to ; "it is a church founded , not on creed , but on spirit—on character , and not on dogma . " The spread of similar churches throughout the district was gladly stated .
The circumstances of the late verdict were then pithily and properly exposed by Mr . George Downing . He characterized the charge of the judge and the decision of the jury as unjust . He believed it was their veryphilanthropywhich induced the defendants to ' aqfe as they did towards a suffering woman . They thole her in through kindness , but when they discovered she was unworthy of it , were they to shuffle out of it ? Suppose they had turned her out , and she had died , depend upon it the first question asked would have been , "Why did you not take her before a magistrate ?" That very course they had adopted , and they were
abused for it . The facts , indeed , showed that they took every precaution in the matter . At much expense and inconvenience they went to London to ascertain not only that the pretended Baroness was an impostor , but that the Racidula who had taken that title was the identical person resident in Birmingham . Supposing this unfortunate woman had not been Racidula , could anything bo more delicate than the course they took ? They opened the curtains , and she was seen . If she had not been the person , she would never have
known that she had ever been suspected . And yet even this delicacy and care were made the occasion for the lowest personal abuse . The charge of the judge was grossly partial . It was the man , the principle , and the position he held , that raised the wrath , and it was to cast obloquy upon them that the thing was got uj ) , and great was the rejoicing in the camp of the clerical body at the result . Mr . Downing proceeded to animadvert upon the want of fairness evident throughout to the defendants and their counsel : on the
conduct of the judge , who , instead of endeavouring to culm excitement and prejudice , became the advocato of tho plaintiff , which no sober-mimled judge would have done ; remarked on tho absurd dicta that hearing groans in a coll and a gaoler asking a man whether lie would have breakfast , were serious aggravations of tho offence against Dcrra ; and declaring that , in his opinion , tho jury gave damages , not to tho living Derru , but to tho memory of tho ( lend woman . If tho defendant hud not been Georgo Dawson , thero would not havo been all
this outrageous outcry . Let them take 11 case . Princo Albert , a fow months ago , received n bogging letter from Homo miserable wretch of u begging impostor . What did ho do ? Ho sent tho letter' to tho polico , tho man wus arrested , and what occurred ? Tho man died in prison . Where in that cuho wan tho noblo indignation , tho cries ' of inhumanity , tho outpourings of abufio of tho Times ? Who thought of charging tho Princo with monstrous inhumanity , ojt" gross , cruelty , and injustice ?
Georgo Dawson himself spoke , and explained his position . Some timo ago ho promised tlmt if tho verdict went against him ho would resign , that ho might test tho continued confidence of his congregation . Thoroforo ho had resigned . Having now asked them was their conildonco withdrawn , and finding that it was not ho withdrew his resignation . Alluding to tho attacks that bud boon mndo on him , and to , their possible result , ho said that if it were truo that whorovcr
he happened to be he was to be haunted and taunted , never to have any welcome any where , there was a good old song very comfortable under the circumstances , which many of them thought he was not in the habit of singing enough , " There is no place like home . " If he went to London , and owing to the invective of powerful writers , he found he was not Wanted , why he could stay where he was . If ever man could bid the outer world adieu he could . Surrounded by so many friends there was joy in singing , " Home , sweet home . " If he went to Bristol ^ and if the Bristol people , hot in indignation—by most miraculous and marvellous chance having heard of what certain worthies had written—and instead of coming in crowds to
hear him , should sit and scowl at home , he could understand it , and trouble them not . But leaving all the silly prognostications and sentimental nonsense of these folks , in all sober seriousness he said that the opinion of those before him was worth more to him than the united opinion of all the newspapers in . England . The good people who knew his manner of life for nine years—for he couldn ' t keep barred doors against prying eyes even if he would—if they declared that , notwithstanding what the judge judged and the jury said , their confidence in him was unabated , that resolution weighed more with him than all the abuse he had received . Better the opinion of one who looked close than of ten had he been
who saw from afar off . Now George Jones , of no particular ilk , of whom iiobody knew anything , and for whomnobody cared anything , there would not have been the bitterness shown ;; there would have been no bets taken over the result , triumphant flourishes over the end . He did not pretend to the affectation of saying that he thought no personal enmity to himself had entered into the case . One worthy man told him he hoped it would drive him out of the ' town . He told this worthy he did not think it would . But the whole proceedings showed ill-will , a bitter animus , an evil spirit ; and he left ; them to judge whether he had earned it . He had striven for what his fathers had taught him to consider the good old cause of rierht against might , of free thought and free
speech unhindered by kingcraft and priestcraft . ( Lneers . ) This had been the head and front of his offending . If any man could show other grounds but _ this , let him speak . If any man could charge him with any other crime than that of advocating opinions not popular in high places , of denouncing spiritual wickedness in high places , of standing up for the right of every man to free speech and unfettered action , of speaking for the poor man , and helping him to fight his battle of life , let that man speak and he should answer . A signal fact was mentioned at the close of the proceedings . George Dawson ' s share of the damages and costs will be 500 Z . , to pay this 4 G 5 Z . has been already collected , and the rest , it is expected , will be made up in a few days .
Convocation. Tiie House Of Convocation W...
CONVOCATION . Tiie House of Convocation will re-assemble next Thursday . Mr . George Denison , Archdeacon of Taunton , has publicly announced that ho will move the following resolutions in the Lower House : — " 1 . That it appears to this houso that tho education and training of candidates for holy orders is very generally defective and inadequate , especially in . respect of a course of theological reading and practical preparation for some time previous to their presenting themselves to tho bishop to bo examined and inquired of , with a view to ordination .
" 2 . That this house do make n humble representation to his grace tho Archbishop , and tho lords , tho bishops , tho Upper House , respectfully calling thoir attention to the urgency of tho case , and praying their concurrence in appointing committees of both houses to consider conjointly of tho best moans of remedying this dofecfc , and supplying this want in our Church system . " 3 . That a committee of this houso bo now nnmed , with instructions to prepare a draft of such representation , and to submit it to this house for approval at their next session . " Whether tho Lower Houso will bo allowed any timo to discuss these resolutions is a matter of doubt .
Heroine-Worship. Cakoi-Tne Cinaiiotim Is...
HEROINE-WORSHIP . Cakoi-tne CinaiiOTiM is fortunate . She has dono good , is still living to do more , and yot receivo * duo honour in her own country . A mooting at tho London Tiwern , on Tuesday , showed men of worth and weight connected with tho colonies taking counsel together what murk of esteem thoy should show to this woman whom they delight to honour . Thero was Sidney Herbert and his wife , aristocrats in deed , Robert Lowe , who knows Australia by heart , Vcrnon Smith , a Whig statesman ; while Thompfion Il ' iinkoy , Sir James Duke , Sir Inane Goldsinid , and many others of that stamp , represented " the city . " Mrs . Chinholm is about to depart for Australia , imd the object in to present her with u testimonial , a parting- gift from her many respectful friends .
Tho facts of her life wore alluded to by tho principal speakers . Slio wus born and bred in tho town of Northampton . She ban devoted herself to tho amelioration of tho condition of the emigrants mid convicts , and by her untiring efforts she has acquired very gi-c-M , influence oven over tho minds of tho most depravod . Sh « hus exlabitod tho most indomitable courage ,, and
not only ventured into the bush , but she was so beloved that men who had been punished for crimes came and asked for a night ' s lodging at her house . And such was the respect in which she was held that , instead of abstracting anything , as might be supposed , these men left all clean and comfortable in the morning , and did all the work they could . Mrs . Chisholm , ' in fact , had obtained complete dominion over these untutored men in tho colonies , and when she came to England she endeavoured to promote their interests and to gain the sympathy of this country for them . She did not apply to the Government for assistance , but she betook herself
to various sources , relying less upon the Government than upon individuals . " There is no possible motive for her exertions , " said Mr . Vernon Smith , "but humanity and benevolence . She is a Roman Catholic , and some opposition has been excited against her in this respect , from the idea that her object is conversion . The best answer to this objection is , the Earl of Shaftesbury belongs to the society , and nobody can
accuse him , ' of taking any steps to favour the Roman Catholic religion . The object in view is in conformity with the precept of the Christian religion—to do good . The view of her society is to improve the condition of emigrant ships , by establishing a guardianship over those on board . Thus , the father of a family is answerable as he would be for a wife and daughters . It is a system of God ' s own police to make the father of a family answerable for all under his care . "
" In the olden time , " said Mr . Sidney Herbert " such a woman would have been crowned in the capitol . No one knows the trials and difficulties which she has had to encounter . Her self-denial is above all praise . From her exertions there are thousands of happy wives and mothers who , but for her , would be now in a position of want and misery . " Sir Isaac Goldsmid stated that the Jews had such confidence in her that they intend to send out a number of Jewish
women under her care to Australia . Mr . Lowe said he had known Mrs . Chisholm for ten years , and had seen her under various trials and difficulties , and he would say that she was one of those rare and . admirable women whom Providence raised up from , time to time to effect good works . He then referred to the exertions used by Mrs . Chisholm to reform the system of emigration , and said that she possessed the most extraordinary influence in subjecting the minds of others to her views . She seldom failed in any plan which she projected .
As a substantial token of the sincerity of these praises nine hundred pounds were at once subscribed towards a testimonial . Many references were made to the reforms introduced by the Family Colonization plan , which , like the Tyrian emigration of old , may take dux foemina facti as its singular and honourable motto .
Marriages, Young And Old. Statistics Of ...
MARRIAGES , YOUNG AND OLD . Statistics of " the ring , the cradle , and the grave , " arc supplied by the Registrar-General , for the whole year 1851 . ( Last week we exp lained the statistics of the June quarter of this year . ) The marriages celebrated were 154 , 2 OG : five-sixths being of persons belonging to tho Established Church , 6570 of Romancatholics , and over 15 , 000 being of dissenters , or of persons married at registrars' offices . The conditions of the persons marrying arc also told . Bachelors and spinsters rushed into 120 , 018 unions . 146 , 313 spinsters were induced to marry as many widowers , but , notwithstanding tho popular opinion respecting the fascinating powers of widows , but GG 25 bachelors were led to tho altar by that class . They succeeded , however , in carrying off 7250 widowers . On tho whole , we find that , while 21 , 503 men , bereft of their wives , consoled themselves by taking another , but 13 , 875 widows adopted a similar consolation . When wo remember that tho
deaths of males and females all over the kingdom , arc nearly equal , and that the deaths of husbands and wives may be presumed to be equal , these statistics strikingly show that women are more pe rsevering in , grief for a lost partner , or more incapable of getting another , than men . Respecting the statistics it shows how no man thoug ht of marriage at fifteen , how one " man" married at sixteen , 22 at seventeen , 223 at eig hteen , ( a great jump , ) 1231 at nineteen , and ho on , until we find that tho male ago most liable to matrimony is between twenty and twenty-five , when over 14 , 000 men hurried the ardour of
to the altar . From that time out youth decays : 7 i ) 9 being tho nmuber who married between forty-fivo and fifty . 11 irion over Kovonty , 5 men over seventy-five , and one man above 00 , became husbands . With respect to the ages of brides , wo find eighteen girls under tho ago of fifteen , 115 and 550 under seventeen . But from nineteen to twenty is the most frequent age for brides : 27 , 909 of that ago were married , while but 4113 women , younger by a year , obtained husbands . Brides between twenty and twonty-ilve number but 11 , 418 , and brides between twenty-live and thirty aro but 4739 —» i melancholy decadence . " tfino
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 13, 1853, page 9, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_13081853/page/9/
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