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    Sept, 20, 1851J JEfte %Lea*$V. 903

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    THE PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATION. B...

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    AFFAIRS OF THE LATE HARMONY HALL ESTATE....

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    HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK. (From ...

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    Cnmiiitrriul Mttirii.

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    MONEY MARKET AND CITY INTELLIGENCE. Frid...

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    HUAltKH. LaHt Official Quotation lor Wee...

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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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    Catholic And Protestant Miracles. Septem...

    Churches—in short , On the authority of infallible tradition . If the Church of Rome decides that these modern miracles are true , good Papists will believe them , for the same reason that good Protestants believe in the speaking of Balaam ' s ass . When the miracle of the winking Madonna is as old as that of Balaam ' s ass ( supposing , which God forbid ! the world should grow no wiser ) , it will be equally respectable . In endeavouring to wriggle himself out of this painful dilemma , the contortions of the Protestant advocate are absolutely ludicrous . At one moment he talks as liberally as a French

    savant , and the next buries himself in a cloud of the vaguest mysticism . He is alternately a saint and a philosopher—a Methodist and an " infidel , " and bashes together the rationalism of Strauss and the maundering of John Bunyan . If Popery be a " lie , ' ' surely this sort of Protestantism is a sham ; " and the time cannot be far distant when men will discover that their belief must repose either on their internal convictions or on external authority , and that it matters little whether their Pope is enthroned at Lambeth or in Rome . Ever faithfully yours , Feed . J . Foxton .

    Sept, 20, 1851j Jefte %Lea*$V. 903

    Sept , 20 , 1851 J JEfte % Lea * $ V . 903

    The Principles Of Social Organization. B...

    THE PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATION . Bolton , August 11 , 1831 . Sib , —No one can be more anxious than I am to begin at once to take active measures for the removal of social grievances ; but at the same time I am far from being satisfied with the principles and modes of action already proposed or adopted . There is much in some of the schemes , no doubt , that is good and true ; but in none of them have I yet been able to trace the operation of one grand overruling principle throughout , and none of them , therefore , appears to me to be free from inconsistencies . With respect to your own principle of concert , I most cordially agree with you , so far as to wish that the whole business of the world were so conducted ; but desiring this , I think , is no more than desiring harmony in music . You aim to produce concert in the one case , as you would endeavour to produce harmony in the other ; but , according to my notions , these are not , properly speaking , principles . These are principles which , if followed , will occasion concerted action , just as there are principles which will

    lead to harmony in music . A principle , therefore , ought to be something that will guide us in practice , requiring only to be properly applied to give the right solution in all cases to which they belong , just like the mariner ' s compass , which to the skilful sailor ever indicates the path that he wishes to travel ; but when you merely say that there ought to be concert in the division of" employments , you give us no clue as to the mode of proceeding , and consequently different parties adopting it pursue each a different method .

    Now , I wish to submit to the judgment of your readers and of yourself a principle , which to my mind appears perfectly satisfactory and conclusive , capable of the strictest proof and admitting of the widest application ; and if it abide the test , as I expect it will , I hope that it mny soon be made the subject of experiment ; not indeed at first on a national scale , for that would bo impracticable and not to be thought of , but on one sufficiently large to demonstrate its merits and carry conviction to the most reluctant . In this letter , however , I must do no more than merely state the principle in the briefest possible manner , leaving it to be move fully developed in future letters , if you will now and then favour me with space for their insertion . It is a most obvious and well-known fact that no

    one can make for himself the things that he requires for use and comfort , or supply himself with nny kind of good by his own isolated efforts ; in fuct , that whut a man can do immediately for himself is but the smallest fraction of what ho has need of . Supposing the natural constitution of our own race had been otherwise , and each man had boeri created an independent self-sufficient being , able to satisfy his every want by his own unaided labour niul skill , the identical produce of his labour would have come direct to himself for hit * own use . whether much or

    little ; but where then would have been the divine institution of society ? As human nature ia constituted , however , there in but one way in which : i man can obtain the full value of his labour , and that is by first parting with nearly the whole produce of it to the community , and by throwing it , if I may ubc the term here , into hotchpot . B y the division of labour what each man does is only a part of one great whole , and by itself tuken separately is altogether useless , or rather it has or can have no indeunited labours of ull

    pendent existence ; but by the , a fund of useful articles , comforts , necessaries , and conveniences of every kind in created , adapted to tho circumstances of each . In this way labour naturally mixes itself together , and the produce of each person ' s labour becomes amalgamated and ho thoroughly mixed up in one mass that it can neither bo separated nor distinguished from the rent . Now here , by a naturul necessity , wo have a fund of wealth created by tho whole community jointly , and therefore belonging to all jointl y * How thoa ought it to be

    distributed ? Justice surely dictates that since each person cannot have the very produce of his own labour , he should receive its value out of the joint fund . With regard to the mode of distribution , we must of course adopt that in each case which is most conducive to the enjoyment of the things to be disposed of ; thus some things are best enjoyed in common , while others require exclusive possession . With respect to the profits of land and natural produce , they too are inseparably mixed up with the produce of labour , and in their distribution must follow the latter , which indeed is the only method agreeable to justice and sound reason .

    Following out this argument , I might prove that things in the course of production , or that are only fit for , or are set apart for purposes of that nature , are public property , and should be managed by public officers ; but when things are fit , or have been rendered fit for personal use and enjoyment , they ought then to be distributed for that purpose . I might also demonstrate that the doctrine of exchanges , which is , that the commerce of the world is to be carried on by exchanges between one man and another , as held by some political economists , is a pure fallacy ; but want of spaee compels me to omit the consideration of these questions for the present . We have seen that the wealth of a commur . ity is , or should be made up of the joint contributions of all its members ; and that each is entitled to the value of his contribution in return , which he should be allowed

    to take in that form and manner that best pleases him . Now , since all are bound to contribute in one way or another , and since it must be for the good of society that each person should contribute in that particular branch of labour and in that station which is most suited to his natural taste and capabilities , it is of the highest importance that no hindrances or obstructions should be allowed to exist in the way of any man ' s attaining his proper place and po ition in the social body , and so serving tie community to the utmost of his power . But if we examine existing systems we shall find that they abound in obstacles of this sort , which seem to

    be mainly the result of one great error , namely that the community does not take upon itself the disposal and management of its wealth , as I have already shown that ior other reasons it ought to do . It can therefore neither place the best and most suitable men in offices of trust or authority , nor in most cases adequately reward the services of its members . By this means it often becomes immensely difficult , if not impossible , for a man to exert his talents in the best way for the benefit of the community , while at the same time the recompense that should stimulate his

    exertions , is diminished and rendered uncertain . By our wretched contrivances we are interfering with and impeding the operation of a great law of Heaven ' s creation ; for we have abundant proof that , but for these obstructions , talent of every kind -would find its true position , and rise to its proper level as readily and as surely as water rises to the level of its source . In the struggles of genius , in the desire of all men to exercise their peculiar powers , in the general recognition of talent by the world , and its frequent success in spite of obstacles , it is easy to perceive a force which in the absence of obstructive causes would in

    all cases prevail . The benefits of government and legislation are no less parts of a nation ' s wealth than the more substantial articles of commerce , and this same principle of contribution is therefore equally applicable ; and I trace the failure of some promising schemes to the neglect of this principle in this department of industry . To manage well the whole wealth of a nation , or community collectively , requires every spark of wisdom and knowledge which the community can command ; and every one who can aid in this matter should be invited and encouraged to do ho , as well as remunerated for hia pains , if he succeed in doing

    anything worthy of it . It is necessary , not only to have officers of different ranks to superintend the different branches of the public business , but the . se officcra , including the highest or king , mu > t be governed by public opinion , or rather by the public wisdom , and this must be created by the joint contributions of such as are able , publicly sifted and fairly canvassed . This at once does away with what iH called the principle of representation , which assigns to a select few the duties that properly belong to , and can only be duly exercised by , the public at large . How the latter is to discharge those duties I hope to bhovv in a future letter .

    Whatever be the form of government , public wisdom and knowledge , or public folly and ignorance , must necessarily bo supreme ; we have onl y to chooue which it shall bo ; the one is freedom , itselt to the individual , guiding him always into the path that he wishes to find ; the other is harsh and tyrannical , forcing him into a path that is not his own . To obtain the one , every one must bo allowed and encouraged to contribute according to his ability : to bo cursed with the other you muut suppress talent , and bring iorward dulnoss into action , or allow ohanco to sottlo tho matter at its own discretion . Inuagatoh .

    Affairs Of The Late Harmony Hall Estate....

    AFFAIRS OF THE LATE HARMONY HALL ESTATE . "Rational Society-office , 23 , John-street , Fitzroy-square , August 19 , 1851 . Sir , —In answer to the letters of Mr . Pare and Mr . Finch , appearing in your paper of Saturday last , I beg to say it was understood and stated at the Rose-hill meeting-, that Mr . Pare was Mr . Finch ' s agent . It has never been before denied . The " persons" who sent the petition are as stated " the Central Board , " who agreed to the petition unanimously , and the officers signed it . Mr . Pare knows who they are . The *• unworthy" attempt of the Board is simply to state facts , which neither Mr . Pare nor Mr . Finch attempt substantially to controvert . The " extraordinary course" pursued by the " authors of the petition "the society—has been to be quiet several years and give the trustees the fullest chance . They are now going to take another extraordinary course—to endeavour to bring the society ' s affairs to a close . The Board had discussed the idea of the petition , and prepared the draft , before Mr . Finch ' s difficulties were known or dreamed of . As Mr . Finch thinks the investigation had better be made by the House of Commons , it is to be hoped he will assist in getting the inquiry—that will be the time to have all explained . If the ' lessees had allowed the sale to go on , or tho bond fide offer which I made at a general meeting of members , viz ., £ 10 , 000 ( my friend understanding that Mr . Finch would give £ 10 , 000 for the property ) had been accepted , I think all would have been right . Requesting that you will have the kindness to insert this letter at your earliest convenience , I remain , dear sir , yours faithfully , Tiros . Whitaker , Hon . Finan . Sec .

    Health Of London During The Week. (From ...

    HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK . ( From the Registrar-General ' s Report . ) London is as healthy as is usual at this season of the year . 1026 deaths were registered in the week . The average number of deaths in the corresponding week of the ten years 1841-50 was 1104 ; or 1000 if we correct for increase of population and exclude 2865 deaths in the second week of September , 1849 , when the cholera was epidemic . In the last week there was a death every ten minutes in London ; but the population is now about 2 . 381 , 000 , and the mortality is therefore at the rate of 1 in 2381 weekly . The births were 1429 , and exceeded the deaths by 403 the population is increasing partly by immigration at the rate of 42 , 000 a year or 800 weekly . 535 males and 491 females died . The at » es of four persons were not reported ; 198 only were at the age of 60 and upwards , 359 were in the prime of life , and 465 were children who had not attained the age of 15 . Of the 1026 deaths , 722 occurred on the north , 304 on the south side of the Thames . 72 persons died in hospitals , 9 in lunatic asylums , 93 in workhouses , 5 in prisons ; 7 in military and naval hospitals , and 8 in military and naval asylums . No persons died in the hospitals for foreigners . Diarrhoea , summer cholera , and fever are the prevailing diseases ; fever is increasing ; cholera is slowly , diarrhoea rapidly declining . The deaths in the last three weeks were 23 , 17 , 17 from cholera , and 174 , 192 , 101 from diarrhoea ; 24 men and women died of that painful diseasecancer , and 119 of consumption , and 31 of heart disease ; 6 women died in childbirth : 59 violent deaths are reported .

    Cnmiiitrriul Mttirii.

    Cnmiiitrriul Mttirii .

    Money Market And City Intelligence. Frid...

    MONEY MARKET AND CITY INTELLIGENCE . Friday . Foreign intelligence is alleged to have produced the variations in the English funds this week . Consols receded on Monday from the clotting price on Saturday , which was 9 /) J 90 , to \)' )\ -J ; on Tuesday they advanced again to 0 ii . \ 90 ; but on Thursday tliey receded to 95 j ^ . The opening price this morning was — Consols , 95 1 9 ( 5 . The fluctuations of the wetk have been : —Console , from 95 <| to 9 (> ; Uank Stock , from ' 212 to 213 , ex div . ; and Exchequer Hills , from 44 s . to 47 s . premium .

    rorcign becuritieH show a tendency to decline , and net much business has been done . In the official list yesterday the bargains comprised : —Mexican , for money , 2 ( ijJ , | , and 2 /> d ; and for the account , 25 , J ; Portuguese Four per Cents ., 32 . J ; lLuH . sian Five per Cents ., Ill ; the Fotu * - und a-llalf per Cents ., HHJ , || , and \ ; Sardinian Five per CeatH ., 80 ^ ; the Scrip , 3 > discount ; Spanish Passive , 5 and 4 jj ; Spanish Three per Cents ., 37 ; and Dutch Two-and-a-IIalf per Cents ., MB .

    Hualtkh. Laht Official Quotation Lor Wee...

    HUAltKH . LaHt Official Quotation lor Week ( Milling I'Yiday Kvcninj , ' . KAILW . V . VH . ' Hanks . Aberdeen .. .. — A u'iti ; ilu » iuu .. .. — liritttol and Kxeter .. 77 Hritisli North Anii'ricuii 45 Caledonian .. .. U ) $ Colonial Knatrrn CoiinticH .. — Commercial of London .. — Edinburgh and ( Jlawgowr — London and WeHtiniimter ~ " » ( Jreat Northern .. .. lli fl London Joint Ntock .. 1 « < J ^ reatB . 8 c W . ( Ireland ) — National of I reland ( Jruut Western .. .. 7 d }| National Provincial .. — Lancashire and Yorkshire ftl . } Provincial of Ireland .. — Lancautor and Carliule — Union of Aimtridiu , .. ' •' '

    Load ., Bri g hton , & H . Co at ) I — Union of London .. Hi London and Itlackwall .. « 4 Miniih . London unit JN .-Wcutorn IKS Holanim — Midland \\ llriuilimi Iinporlil .. — North IlritiHh .. .. — Ditto . St . John d « l Key I'J Boutli-rCawturu and Dover — Cobio Copper .. .. — rtoUlll-WcMtcrll .. .. N <> / IMlHl ) KI . I-ANUOtIH . York , N owc . au ., & Berwick I 7 j Australian Agricultural — York uuri Worth Midland 17 | Oanuda — Dookn General Hteain .. .. —¦ Kaataiul W «» t India .. — Pcnhni . & Oriental Stoiuu « 8 London " K <» y «> M » i Btcam .. 79 * at . KftUuriiMi .. — Boutli Australia !* „ —

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 20, 1851, page 19, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_20091851/page/19/