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Leader (1850-1860), 15th March 1851, Edition Town of 2, Page 256

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      Untitled Article

      Ydtt httfe ldgiciilly admitted that it is not possible to prove the existence of a God—then wherefore the loVe of that which can neither be proved nor denned . You are thankful for its consciousness ; conscious of what ? Your own existence and that of the universe ; beyond this all is dark , an unfathomable mystery . You have much mistaken the character of those who entertain these views , when you suppose that it is " hurtful to their happiness , expunging the highest motives of doing good " ; on the contrary , it is great relief , and grateful to their moral and mental feelings , inspiring them with moral courage , and the highest principles of doing good . To dogmatize is to maintain an exclusive and positive opinion in opposition to established truth . To assert broad and unanswerable truths have

      always called forth remarks—similar to those of yout correspondent W . D . S . It is always more easy to repudiate than to refute . I maintain that the prevailing idea of God is not only low and debasing , but derogatory to the supreme power of omnipotence . The negation I have applied will be understood only to refer to the gods propounded by the different religions existing in the world . The hypothesis of a pervading spirit , coeternal with the universe , remains unshaken . With much respect and admiration , I am , Sir , yours truly , H . B .

      Untitled Article

      HARRIET MARTINEAU AND H . G . ATKINSON . London , March 10 , 1851 . Sir , —In treating of the recent work by Miss Martineau and Mr . Atkinson you have omitted to advert to a circumstance ^ of no small social importance . By the law of England no person ( except Quakers , and the members of one or two other sects named in a statute of exceptions ) can be admitted to bear evidence in a court ot law or equity , except on taking an oath acknowledging the existence of a God and of a future state of reward and punishment . By publishing their disbelief in a God and in a future state , these two individuals have incapacitated

      themselves from giving evidence . A set of burglars may , therefore , with perfect safety , rob Miss Martineau's cottnge before her eyes , and she may know them all by name and surname , and be able to identify them ; but her testimony cannot convict them . Unless other evidence could be procured , they would be perfectly safe . Or a highway robbery may be committed in broad daylight on any of her Majesty ' s subjects , in presence of Miss Martineau and Mr . Atkinson , and , if there were no other evidence , the robber could not be convicted .

      In repeated sessions a bill has been introduced into Parliament . o repeal this barbarous and dangerous law , and to accept of an affirmation from every person who declined , on grounds of conscience , to take an oath ; the reason for declining to be declared and registered in a County-court six months before the benefit of the exemption could be claimed ; but the bill has constantly been defeated by the spirit of bigotry which pervades certain members of both Houses of Parliament . —I am , &c , No Disciple of Miss Mautineau .

      Untitled Article

      MACltEADY'S FAREWELL . March 6 , 1851 . Slit , —We may speak well of the dead , now that the player has fretted his hour on the stage , and his brief cundle is out . I do not think justice has been rendered to Macready , nor did lie do himself justice in his last dying speech and confession . The peculiar merit of Macready has been that , in his own person , he brought out more new plays that have lived than any other contemporary tragedian . Virgi / iius , &c . &c . ; and the triumphs of Sheridan Knowlcs owed their origin , their subsequent success and stability on the stage to Mr . Macready . The literature of Walter Scott , which stamped an era in novel reading , was

      wanting to the stage , till Macready made an enduring character in Rob Roy . The next great novelist of our ace , Bulwer , to give proper duo to the actor , owes his success as a dramatist to Mac-ready in the Lady of Lyons . Hut , above all , the poet who coveted the upplause of the theatre , und did not live to rereive the incense of its admiration , in liin death found ft representative on the stage- in Mucrendy . The Werner of Uyron is admitted to be the greatest creation of Macready . The dramatic critic and the lawyer descended on the stage when Macready was there to impersonate his poetry , a » a great orator and future statesman had done before him , when the youthful Macready had his share in giving a passing vitality to Sheil ' s tragedies .

      I was surprised that whilst one of the above sat before him in the stalls , and Jiving and present wiis the representative of those dead or absent , Mucremly did not pay tribute to authorship , arid in so doing claim his own merit . His personation of Sliokspeure ' s ihuructcis were ulways op « ti to comparisons between himself and others in the surne line . It is the time of forgiveness of injuries when stretched on one ' s own deathbed and bidding fare-Well ( o the world , lie might liave gracefully avoided

      notice of rival managers and players , who had committed sins against the drama , the stage , and the theatre , which he had omitted ; whilst he might have acquitted himself of an obligation in the mention of those who had seconded and followed him in the promotion of the same objects . It is too much to claim a reputation , on the ground of purifying the audience , for illustrating Shakspeare , when it is an open question whether the poet does not lose by scenic embellishments , and thereby yield the palm to melodramatic exhibitions . But , in as far as he

      thought he was assisted in his intention by painting to the eye instead of subjecting action to the sight , and the utterance of poetry to the imagination and the feelings , the credit should have been in part assigned to Stansfield , at the head of artists who shared the stage with him , and the authors of plays . The point of adherence to the text of Shakspeare may be contested as not carried out by Macready , and it was a bold prophecy to make , that henceforward correct editions of his plays would be the rule on the stage . It may be said that Shakspeare is not more immutable than other poets ; and two centuries must

      produce changes in manners and in understanding the language of the past . Shakspeare has his imperfections to balance his extraordinary perfections . It is with him , indeed , as with other men , else he would be a god ; and as he himself says , somewhere , a man might be proud of his virtues , if he were not made humble by his faults . We should wisli to have observed a parting reminiscence to his fellow-labourers , the players . He addressed the audience before him , and spoke of himself relatively to them ; but he left unnoticed behind him his brother actors and sister actresses , who worked with him and showed to the last regard for him .

      Bulwer ' s speech at the dinner , as coming from an author , gave to the authors what we think would have better come in the first instance from Macready . Macready recollected one actor and manager , whom he did not mention by name , but whom we suppose to be Phelps . I am , Sir , yours respectfully , W . J . B .

      Untitled Article

      THE WOOD PAVEMENT . March 3 , 1851 . Sin , —An advertisement appeared in your paper , headed The Shittah Wood Pavement , emanating from Messrs . Cole and Scott , solicitors , 12 , Furnival's-inn , in which allusion is inside to a " very telling letter " in reference to the evils of the wood pavement , " by Mr . Gallaway , of No . 7 , John-street , New-road , und published in the Morning Advertiser , of the 21 st December , 1850 , and which ought to be reprinted in every newspaper hearty in the cause . " Now as I feel fully persuaded that the subject is one of considerable importance , and that independent of the facts therein recorded , my recommendations and suggestions are perfectly practicable , for the sake of humanity , and with the view of endeavouring to mitigate the sufferings and toil of the noble horse—man's indispensable and faithful helpmate , I will , with your kind permission , transcribe it again into your valuable pages : — " accidents on the wood pavkmunt . " Yesterday opening with a sharpish frost , Oxfordstreet presented a sad appearance , the result of this dangerous kind of roadway , from eight in the morning till eleven , the space between Wells street and iiegent ' scircus was literally stopped with omnibuses- ' , cubs , and carls , the horses drawing which had slipped down . In respect of one or two omnibuses in particular , taking Home time to get the poor animals up , all the passengers took themselves away , of course to the manifest lr , ss of their fares to the proprietors . The same thing was observed with some of the cabs . At Blenheim-stops there were three caitn down at one time , one laden with mould , one wiih timber , and one a brewer's < lray ; in the

      two latter instances the shafts were broken , besides doing other dumage to the \ chicles and harness . Now in the case of the omnibuses and cabs losing their fares , together with the injury occasioned generally to the vehicles , more or less , who is to bear the loss , the innocent or the guilty parties ? What is to prevent all parties combining to bring an action against , the authorities of the parish or parishes wherein these accidentu occurred , for laying down a dungcrous pavement in a public highway ? It was truly painful to witness the jioor horses plunging and repeatedly falling , whilst endeavouring to regain their footing . And hero again is another Iobs Unit might rensonably be charged to the account , of the notable vestries , who , in the plenitude of their wisdom , have thought , proper to inflict , the metropolis with ho huge a nuisance . The horse , for instance which

      left its master ' s ntahlc in the morning in health and in value ( say £ /)()) brought home at . night lame and deteriorated to the tune of £ 10 , if not . forthwith speedily destined for the knacker ' s yard . The poor creatures , ever doomed to perpetual toil , have needless cruelty heaped upon them . What is the Society for the Suppression of (' ruelty to Animals about ? Could that , body not make out a case against thene , petty Parliaments ? It ; is true , thi ! vc « tried muy say , they acted to the bcHt of their judgment , and plead that they have contracted with the wood companies , and cannot , consequently , help themselvoH for at least , some years to come . Now , . suppose nn aclion were sustained against , a given parish for loss occasioned through these wood pavements , would not such vestries have a good cause , against the company ? If they have contracted , from a laudable motive , for an

      improved system of paving , but which , upon trial , is proved to be detrimental to the interest and life of the public , can it be possible that the law would compel them to abide by the terms of such contract ? If , in fact , the mselves convicted by a court of law for having occasioned loss and injury to the public , can they be held , through a previous engagement , to continue the nuisance ? " The space in which these accidents occurred , which were more than twenty in number , was not much above 400 yards . The weather changed about eleven o ' clock

      Now , what may have taken place in the miles of wood pavement which stretch through the town may never be ascertained , and to what an extent they might have been increased , had the weather maintained its severity throughout the day , it is impossible to calculate . It was , however , distressing to witness the ' fearand trembling ' with which the noble bpasts touched the dreaded roadway , whilst it was gratifying in the extreme to witness the discretion , as well as humanity , of some carmen , who drove their teams into the by stone-paved streets to avoid the fearful death entailing , hateful wooden roadway . "

      Now , not only does the advertisement above alluded to , as well as some others that appeared in the various newspapers during the week , fully bear out the purport of my letter , but there was a still more remarkable coincidence of opinion displayed in the proceedings of the Saint Marylebone Vestry , last Saturday , as recorded in the Observer , and Morning Advertiser of Monday ; for there , not only does Mr . Hume , M . P ., state that " he has been denied the pleasure of horse riding in his own parish" since

      the wood pavement came up ( would that it were all up !) ; and Mr . Field , the eminent veterinary surgeon , declared that , although at first he approved of it , he has long since changed his opinion ; " that he had , since it has been in use , had no less than sixty valuable horses brought to his establishment in consequence ; " —but Sir Peter Laurie and Mr . Greaves , Q . C ., both express it to be their opinion that the vestry are liable to make good the losses sustained thereby .

      As so much honourable notice has been taken of my humble letter , Avhich was the spontaneous act of a pure feeling of humanity , regardless of any interest it mi » ht affect , I will venture to suggest that , as the accidents that occurred on the said 20 th of December last , to every description of vehicle , to many ladies and gentlemen , as well as servants , cannot but be remembered , that they would be pleased to forward me an account of the same , with the view of ascertaining whether or not recompense cannot be obtainedat all events the list , for it would assuredly be a long and sad one , would go a great way towards effecting the abolition of the wood pavement nuisance . Who knows , if these wholesale experiments upon the life , limbs , and property of the public are not checked in this crystal age , but we may next hear of crystal blocks for London ' s streets . I am , Sir , your obedient servant , William Gallaway .

      Untitled Article

      HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK . ( From the Registrar-General ' s Report . ) The return for the week ending last Saturday exhibits an unfavourable state of health amongst the population of the metropolitan districts . It was formerly shown that the mortality rosn in the third week of February to 1213 deaths , and slightly declined in the subsequent week , when the number was 1148 ; but it . is found that the deaths registered last week amount to 12-17 . Taking the ten corresponding weeks of 1841- / 50 for comparison , no example occurs in the series of co great . a mortality ; the highest return ( in tin : tenth week of 18-15 ) having been 114-1 , whilst the average did not 1001 deaths . This average , with a correction for the assumed r ; ite of increase of population , is 10 i ) 2 ; on which the 1247 deaths returned for last week show an excess of ~ l < > , Smallpox

      and measles arc ; now more fatal than usual . With reference to' 2 ( 5 cases , in which smallpox prov < d fatal , it is recorded only in three—those of females aged respectively 7 months , 12 years , and 24 years—that vaccination had been performed at some previous time . On the 2 nd of March , at 2 , Ilemingford terrace , Islington , a gentleman died of bronchitis and natural decay , who is stilted to have arrived at the extraordinary age of 1 ()(> years , and to have enjoyed possession of his [ acuities till the last . The births of 1 /> HO children ( of whom 79 . 5 were boys and 786 girls ) were registered in the week . The average of six corresponding weeks in 184 /} FA ) was 1412 . Ten Week : * Week of lrtil-f ) 0 . of IM . > 1 - Zymotic Dim-anew .. .. .. .. 1 K 07 .... «> t Dropsy , Cancer , mill other diHeaHen of uncim tain or variable m-at . .. .. .. fifut .... . 'O Tulici-mlar DisciiHi-H .. .. .. .. 1811 UOM DiMt'HHcH of tin ; drain . Spinal 1 V 1 arrow , NcivcB . iinilHi'iiBCH .. . .. .. i' . >( , 2 r « . > DiHrasrs of Mir 11 rail , and HI (> c >( I-v < v » h < - | h .. ' M )' ~ .... ~" Dim-nufH of Mm Luh ^ k mid ol Mm other () tfjaiiH ot Ki-H | iirut ion .. __ l' . ) 24 .... •'"' DinciiHcH uf Mm Hloiinx'li _ Liver , and other OiifiniH of Di' ^ iHtiou .. , _ __ jyyj ; ,. .. " t ' J DinouMch of Mir Kidney h , Jfcc . .. .. mm 112 .... ^ Cliil ( ll ) irt . li , dlnciiH « 'K of l . lu ; ( It . eriiH , Hie . 112 .... It I it'll unit i hiii , ( linesman ol t lm lion cm Joints & ¦ >¦ ' . ; v , h .... « Dim-iiHOf of tlio . Skin , Cellular TitiHiir , Hit ; . Kt .... ' Malforinat . ioiiH .. .. . _ __ ;[() .... *> l ' rriiiatui' 4 ? llirthaiui Debilit y . _ "" yyo .... " M \ Atrophy .. .. ., __ __ "" j , j ;{ .. .. li (> A «« ' . " . ' " ( y > li " ... 45 Hlltlllttll .. .. . . . _ _ "" |; j ( j .... II Violence , J'rivatlon , Cold , and Iiiteiiiperuuce « 7- { H Total ( including uimpecilled cauuisu ) .. 1 ( 1010 HM 7

      Untitled Article

      me « f > * Header . [ SAtuftDAY ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), March 15, 1851, page 256, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1874/page/20/