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the Crystal Palace have struck work pn account of various alleged grievances , one of -which is that the wages are below the standard . According to a statement in the Morning Chronicle , the men are paid from 4 s . to 5 s . per day . ^ Those who are paid upon the lower scale are required , with the assistance of a boy , to put in 58 panes of glass per day , and receive additional pay for all work done by them over and above that amount , in proportion to their wages . In cases -where the men are paid the larger sum an additional quantity of work is required to be performed , proportionate to the additional wages they receive .
" To these terms some few of the workmen have objected , and have joined in a protest , which they have presented to the contractors , in which they state that it is impossible for any workman to put in 58 squares of glass in one day , even if he had no obstruction , and that in the present case one-half of his time is occupied in flying the sash-bars . If the statement be correct , that one-half of the men ' s time is thus occupied in fixing the sash-bars , it would appear that the work required by the contractors is more than double what may be considered a fair day ' s work . It appears , however , from the paybooks of the contractors , that one workman can put in from 60 to 70 panes , that some have put in upwards of
70 , and several others have actually reached up to 80 panes in the day . That these are expert and able hands oannot be doubted ; and one of the great advantages attending the system adopted by the contractors towards the men employed is , that it affords to the able and industrious a certain means of proving their superiority over the inferior workmen , and of receiving the reward of their ability and industry . It is difficult to conceive how it would be possible , without the adoption of some such test as this to ascertain the merits and capabilities of some 2000 men employed on the ground , most of whom are unknown to the contractors , or to carry on with anything like certainty an undertaking of such novelty and magnitude . "
We perceive that William Sinclair , journeyman glazier , was brought up at Marlborough-street policeoffice , on Monday , on a charge of having sent a threatening letter to Mr . Fox , of the firm of Fox and Henderson , with the view , as-was alleged , of inducing Mr . Fox to consent to a higher scale of wages than has hitherto been paid . The letter was to this effect : — The writer informed Mr . Fox , as the principal person engaged as contractor for the works in Hyde-park , if he did not . consult him as to the proposal of the manager . Mr . Cochrane , to the glaziers , and come to fair and honourable terms with those in his employ , so that the
-workmen should not only be able to earn a fair day s -wages for a fair day ' s work , but also to put such work in as would bear inspection and satisfy all ; that unless Mr . Fox would come to such terms , an advertisement should appear in the morning papers , setting forth that the building was in danger of being botched by the system of sub-contracting , that the works were unsafe , and that the nation would be disgraced unless the matter was immediately looked into ; that this letter was not meant as vulgar threatening to intimidate him , but was to be regarded as the candid advice of the writer as a g lazier , who was a workman and a gentleman . The writer begged Mr . Fox to communicate with him on a grievance in which the public at large were concerned . The
communication was stated to be strictly private between Mr . Fox and the writer , until such time as Mr . Fox ' s determination was known . The writer wished , he stated , to mediate successfully between Mr . Fox and the workmen ; he should be happy if he were successful ; but , if not , Mr . Fox must sustain the consequences , as the public would be informed of what had occurred through the papers . Mr . Fox stated that about fifty journeymen glaziers , amongst whom was the defendant , had . given notice last Friday , of their intention to leave his employment . He mentioned also that on the same day he had been accosted by Sinclair , who claimed an audience , and who , when he received a refusal , clenched his fist and said " he would make him
repent it . " On the part of the defendant it was contended that no charge had been made out which brought him within the operation of the act referred to . The workmen employed by the contractors had terms submitted to them which called on them to perform impossibilities . Even if the terms could be accepted , the effect would be to lower wages to such an extent as to compel a workman to receive one day ' s pay and to give two days' work . Now rather than submit to
these terms , and do the work so badly as to cause danger , the workmen resisted the order , as they had a right to do . Several witnesses were called for the defendant whose evidence went to show that Sinclair had not threatened Mr . Fox . The words used by the former were merely •? You may repent it , " and in saying that he did not clench his fist as had been alleged . Mr . Humphreys , who appeared on behalf of Mr . Fox , 3-iid it was clear that a considerable body of workmen had combined together with the view of molesting and intimidating the prosecutor .
Mr . Bingham said the question "was one of very great importance , and though he could not say he had not an opinion to give on it , yet to avoid the appearance of being at all precipitate , he would take time to consider all the evidence , and would give his judgment on Thursday . Bail was taken for the defendant ' s appearance on Thursday . Sinclair , on leaving the office , was received with loud cheers by a large body of workmen .
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OLD JERRY WOMB WELL . Mr . Jeremiah Wombwell , or , as he was more commonly termed , " Old Jerry Wombwell , " well known to all sight seers of the last forty years , expired on Saturday week , at Richmond , in Yorkshire , in his seventy-third year , leaving behind him a pretty large sum . of money , in addition to his three monstre travelling menageries , all of which are under the management of members of his family or relations . The following biographical sketch of Old Jerry" is from the Observer : —•
" Mr . Wombwell , when a boy , devoted much of his time to the breeding and rearing of birds , pigeons , rabbits , dogs , and other domestic animals , and beyond this had no idea of becoming the proprietor of a menagerie . In fact , he became one by force of accident rather than of circumstances . At the London Docks he saw some of the first boa constrictors imported into England . Most of the ' show folks' were afraid of , and ignorant of managing them , and from this cause prices gave way a little , and Mr . Wombwell at length ventured to offer £ 75 for a pair . They were sold to him , and in the course of three weeks he realized considerably more than that sum by their exhibition , a circumstance which ,
and elephants it is impossible to fix any price . Two cubs is the usual litter of the lioness , but Mr . Wombwell formerly had an old one which repeatedly dropped four . Is these cases she nursed two and neglected the others . But Mr . Wombwell had a beautiful pointer bitch which , hi her lifetime , suckled four lions . The cost of Mr . "WombweU ' s three establishments was enormous—on an average , at least £ 35 a-day each . His caravans amounted to upwards of forty , and his stud—the finest breed oi draught horses—varied from about 110 to 120 . The expenses of his bands were estimated at £ 40 per week , while the amount he paid for turnpike tolls in the course of a year formed a prominent item in his expenditure . Even the ale for one of his elephants came to something throughout the twelve months , to say , nothing of loaves ( the best bread ) , grass , hay , and the capacious rnaw that consumed the latter article at the rate of 1681 b . per diem . "
he always confessed , made him partial to the serpent species , as it was his first introduction to the ' profession . ' From this time he became a regular * showman , ' visiting ' Bartlemy , ' Camberwell , Croydon , and the ^ other suburban fairs ; likewise the great fairs at Nottingham and Birmingham , which were considered next to the defunct ' Bartlemy , ' the best in England . He also travelled in Scotland to Glasgow and Paisley , and in Ireland to the famed Donnybrook , which lasts eight days . At about this period Mr . Wombwell , who was by trade a cordwainer , kept a bird and shoemaker ' s shop in Compton-street , Soho , and subsequently exhibited with great success his boa constrictors in Piccadillynear to St . James ' s Church . Mr . Wombwell
, of late years has been very successful in breeding , and possessed at the time of his death more than twenty lions and five elephants , in addition to an unrivalled collection of other wild animals . Some time since , and it is the only instance on record , one of his lionesses had a litter of two white cubs . The proprietors of menageries experience a great loss from disease , mortality , and accident , and Mr . Wombwell calculated that he had lost , from first to last , a fortune of at least from £ 12 , 000 to £ 15 , 000 by mortality among his wild beasts , birds , and animals . Not many years since a fine ostrich , worth £ 200 , which could have p icked crumbs from a ceiling twelve feet high , thrust his bill between the bars of his to
cage , gave it an unlucky twist , and , in attempting withdraw it , literally broke his neck . Monkeys become exceedingly delicate when imported into England . Ihey are soon affected by cold , and , when they beg in to cough , very generally fall into consumption , and exhibit all the symptoms of human beings labouring under the same complaint . The value of wild animals , like everything else , varies according to supply and demand . Tigers have been sold as high as £ 300 , but at other times they can be had for £ 100 . A good panther is worth £ 100 ; hyenas , from £ 30 to £ 40 ; zebras , from £ 150 to £ 200 . The rarer kinds of monkeys are very valuable , and llamas and gnu always exceedingly high . Upon lions , lionesses ,
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THE STORM . —GREAT LOSS OF LIFE . The storm , which appears to have been raging from the night of the 19 th instant up to the beginning of this week , has caused an appalling loss of life and property along the coasts of the united Kingdom . One of the most melancholy shipwrecks which have taken place during its violence was that of theEdmond , an emigrant vessel , which sailed from Limerick , on Friday , the 15 th instant , with 216 persons on board . On account of the roughness of the weather , the vessel did not put out to sea till Monday , but she could not have proceeded far when the fearful gale from the south-west , which spread such desolation , drove her back , and the captain being unable to master the violence of the storm , the Edmond was driven , into the dangerous bay of Kilkee . The tide the
was unusually high , and she was driven towards outward ledge of rocks called the Dungana rocks , in safety ; but the captain here threw out the anchor , and the vessel soon afterwards heeling round , was driven with great impetuosity against the rocks , and soon became a total wreck . The appearance of the the catastrophe from the shore was agonizing . The shrieks of the passengers could be heard over the terrific roar of the sea , and of the winds , which continued to blow with resistless fury . Wave after wave washed the ill-fated ship , till it completely swamped her ; but every effort that could be made was carried into effect to rescue the passengers from their heartrending position . The following letter from Mr . Russell , a gentleman who deserves great praise for his heroic exertions to save human life , gives a more particular acconnt of the catastrophe : —
" It was about half-past eleven o ' clock that I got out of bed . After being absent half an hour fastening the windows of our bedroom , shaken by the pitiless storm , on looking out , as is my usual custom , what was my horror to see before me , within a few hundred yards , a laxge vessel aground some distance from the rocks . It was low water . I cannot describe my feelings ; I knew and felt that all in her were doomed to destruction , and , as I then believed , not a soul could be saved . At first there was no appearance of any living person on board , but as soon as we made our appearance there was one burst of horrid agony for assistance . I sent at once to call the Coast Guards and all the persons in the
neighbourhood . Where the vessel first lay there was no chance of saving a soul , but as the tide rose , with terrific fury , she drifted in until she got close to the Black Rock , opposite our house , where the men usually bathe in summer . When bhe got there the sea made terrible breaches over her . The captain—who is a noble fellowordered the weather-rigging of the foremast , the only one then standing , to be cut . By this nice move the passengers and crew were afforded some assistance to and on the rock . To picture the state of the sea while coming on the rock , and thence to the land , would be succession of
impossible . It was a regular seas breaking over the rocks , so as to make it all but miraculous how even those that were saved got to land . There is no doubt but that for the noble intrepidity and self-devotion of two of the Coast Guard , and an extra assistant , not one half of those that were saved could ever have got access to the rock , washed as it was by such sweeping seas . I and my servant ( Henry Likely ) were the only two who went down on the rock to assist these noble fellows . While we were there the seas repeatedly dashed us down , and at times it was with difficulty we saved ourselves .
" The men who acted this noble part , and whose names deserve to be recorded , were James M'Carthy , commissioned boatmen , Timothy Hannington , boatman , and Patrick Shannon , extra assistant . By the hands of these noble fellows over 100 souls were rescued from a watery grave . 11 when about 100 souls were safe ashore , the tide rose so high that it was impossible to land any more of the passengers on the rock ; they had only to wait till either the tide receded or tho storm subsided . But as the tide rose the sea encreased , and in a very short time the vessel broke up . Several tried then to get on the rock , but were washed off at once ; the remainder held could not
on to the afterpart of the wreck , in which there be less than 60 souls ; this part , containing poop deck and stern post , and some of the afterpart of the vessel was lashed by the fury of the sea away from the forepart , and drifted into the strand . It was at this moment the gallant captian and his mate , who so ably stood by their aassengers , and could not be prevailed onto desert them , were washed off the poop , and , wonderful to say , got safe to shore on the strand . Though the disaster was so great , the tide ( a spring one ) being so high on tho strand , they fortunately laid hold of some pieces of the wreck , and reached the shore in a most exhausted state . Three other passengers were also equally fortunate—ono
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THE RENTERS OF DRTTRY-LANE THEATRE . A meeting of the renters of Drury-lane Theatre took place on Saturday , at the auction-rooms of Mr . George Robins , Covent-garden—Captain Carpenter in the chair . It appeared from the accounts that the payments for salaries amounted to £ 500 per annum . The theatre had been let for four years from the 26 th of December , 1849 . Mr . Anderson was the lessee for the first six months of each year , and Messrs . Jullien and Gye for the last six months in each year . Mr . Anderson's rent was £ 2500 for the first season , and £ 2857 for each succeeding season ; and Messrs .
Jullien and Gye paid £ 1000 for the first season , and £ 1142 17 s . for the remaining three seasons . Mr . Anderson was restricted to the legitimate drama , and Messrs . Jullien and Gye were restricted from it . The report concluded by recommending the necessity of the renters possessing some controlling power of their own . The chairman entered at some length into the accounts of this body , and stated it to be his opinion that the charges made by the proprietors , especially the salaries , which were of so large an amount , were illegal against the renters . He considered the most valuable part of their property was
the free admissions , and he recommended that no offer should be received if it for a moment involved the loss of those free admissions . He next alluded to the amount of arrears which existed ( namely , £ 14 , 000 ) , and stated that the trustees were urging the renters' right for its payment . Some discussion ensued as to the right of free admission which the renters possessed . The chairman said that each renter had a right of free admission on every occasion when the theatre was opened to any part of the house , excepting a few certain boxes . The number
of those boxes was formerly fifteen , but lately three more had been added , making in all eighteen . A great number of seats had been partitioned off , amounting in all to between four and five hundred ; but he could assure the renters that they could occupy any seat they pleased that had not previously been taken , in any part of the house , with the exception of the above-named eighteen boxes . The report was unanimously adopted . A long and desultory conversation ensued , bearing principally on the subject of the renters' grievances .
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Nov . 30 , 1850 . ] ffiHe ILCllitCt . 945
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 30, 1850, page 845, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1861/page/5/
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