On this page
-
Text (5)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Untitled Article
MR . ROEBUCK ON EDUCATION . Our readers will be glad to see the following , which Mr . Roebuck has Recently addressed to the Mayor of Sheffield , in reply to an invitation to attend a soiree of the Mechanics' Library : — . Milton , October 31 , 1853 . " My dear Sny ^ -I am . sorry to say no to any request of yours , but as nay great object is now to take my place in the House of Commons next year , I rigidly observe every rule of conduct prescribed to me , by which I am told I shall be able to obtain my wish . Among- other things , all excitement is forbidden ; and I was blamed for making my appearance at the cutlers' feast . All speaking and public meetings are especially proscribed ; and I am ordered to be as quiet and calm as my nature will permit . To be absent from your gathering will be to me a subject of great regret . I say this sincerely , and without
affectation . " Education has , ever been with me a subject of the greatest interest . My first efforts as a public man were to promote it , and my last wishes will be in its favour . All other subjects in comparison with it appear to me insignificant , and could I see the people of this country once impressed with a due sense of its importance , I should then have no fear as to our future . But at present I see sectarian , differences , and the private interests that thrive upon division in the way of all improvement ; and it would seem that to some minds ignorance of everything appears better than a creed differing from their own . Those people seem to forget that morality among the various sects of
England is the same , and that a man may be honest and a good citizen , no matter to what sect he belongs . But the fact is that it is not religious belief that stands in our way so much as human pride . What is feared is the top of power , not error in "belief . But whatever maybe the cause of opposition , the opposition itself , to all attempts of legislative aid in . support of education , is at the present tune so formidable as really to be a complete obstruction . In this state of things I look upon mechanics' institutions as neutral ground , and one of our chief means of educating the people . By this means the people will , I hope , be able to do for themselves what the State ought to do for them , and they , therefore , have my warmest support .
" Again I say , would that I could be with you ; but my first duty is to be again , if possible , in Parliament—to that I make everything yield ; and I therefore most reluctantly deny myself the pleasure of being at your soiree . I hope this my excuse will appear to you sufficient , and that you will not think me lukewarm in the good cause . "
We heartily hope that the next session will see Mr . Roebuck strong enough to take part in the discussion not only of education and Parliamentary reform , but of the foreign policy of the Aberdeen Ministry .
Untitled Article
ANOTHER IRISH ROW . MlSS Cantwell ' s trial is no sooner over , than Dublin is all agog about another trifle . Not long since John Smith presented a handbill , containing a gratuitous refutation of Romanism , to a Mr . Brennan , a Romancatholic schoolmaster . Indignant at the insult , Brennan crumpled up the paper , and gave the offending Smith into custody . Mr . Brennan alleged before the magistrate , Mr . O'Callaghan , that the handbill had been "thrust violently" into his hand , such conduct being calculated to make Brennan break the peace . Then the dramatic action in the couit continued thus : The magistrate , Mr . O'Callaghan , said , in 'giving his judgment—It strikos ' , to say the least of it , to be exceedingly indiscreet ' and improper for any man , whatever may be his reli g ious opinions , to thrust them upon another man , who , as in this instance , ia of a different way of thinking . If a paper put into a person ' s hand contain anything that is likely to make him angry , or to disturb liis feelings , it is , in my judgment , calculated to provoke a broach of t ho peace , and it is the province ! of the man-is , trato ( who is termed a justice of the peace ) to take cn . ro that it in efficiently preserved . I cannot entertain a doubt that conduct ouch as tho prisoner lias been guilty of is greatly calculated to lead to a breach of tho peace ; but , as no actual broach haw occurred in this instance , I will only require the prisoner to enter into his own recognisance to be of good behaviour for the future .
Prisoner : 1 have no witness to Hpenk for me ; hut , an nure an I stand beforo your worship , 1 did not " thrust " tho bill into Mr . O'Bronnan ' fl hand . 1 dimply offered it , and he took it without the least pressure on iny part . Mr . O'C'allaghan : I ! am a justice of tho peace , and lam determined lo prenervo it no far us . 1 run in nil these oases . You must enter into bail , or be committed for fourteen days . Tho prisoner accordingly entered into the required bail , < md was discharged from custody . This decision outraged all proselytizing Dublin , and they held : i mooting in tho Rotunda , to devise inea-Hures for redressing the wrongs of Smith . They agreed to si memorial , which was presented by Mr . Martin and a deputation to the Lord- Lieutenant , on Monday . After reciting tho iactu of tho case , the memorial broke forth as follows :- '—
" Your memorialists submit to your lOxcelleney that the Judgment thus attributed to the magistrate would appear to ho natural and suitable if pronounced'in Spain by an algna / . il , cor regie lor , or inquisitor , or in Turkey by a bashu or vizier , hut . thai it wan utterly micoiistitutiotml , tyrannical , and intolerable , from the mouth of a magistrate in I he administration of llnglish law . That it compromises the liberty of tl ») press , the liberty of publication , liberty of conscience , and tho liberty of the British subject . That Protestants would not complain of any papers thus circulutod , however much opposed to their religion , and such ato , in point- of fact , frequently circulated , without , eomtotaint of any sense of inmilt on iheir part 'whatever ; for
that if the papers thus circulated are untrue , they ( the Protestants ) feel required to explode them ; whereas , they be true , they may learn wisdom from them . That we submit to your Excellency that the magistrate was bound to tell the complainant in this case that , as a guar dian of public liberty ^ of the rights of conscience , and of the cherished rights Of . British , subjects , he could not make his unreasonable and contemptible sensitiveness the ground for trampling upon the rights of freemen ; that if the handbill told falsehoods , he should laugh at it or answer it , and if it told truth , he should learn from it j but thathe should not presume to think that the tribunals of British majesty could be made the allies of silliness and intolerance . That , however , instead of this , Mr . O'Callaghan audaciously , daringly , unconstitutionally , bigotedly , lent himself to sustain the intolerance of a bisrot . and to crush the
rights of British subjects , which rights were bought with the blood of their fathers , and shall never be surrendered , but with their own . That we , therefore , hi the exercise of constitutional prerogative , come thus before your Excellency with our complaint , and do most humbly pray that your Excellency may be pleased to cause official inquiry to be made into the premises , and if you find them to be true , and that this Mr . O'Callaghan has yielded to the suggestions of his Romanist principles , and severely dealt with an humble citizen for praiseworthy zeal , instead of , in the spirit of noble and free England , rebuking a narrowminded and intolerant bigot , your Excellency may forthwith dismiss him from an office which he is disqualified to fill , and thus teach society in genera ! that the British Government will not , directly or indirectly , become the supporter of tyrannous , enslaving , and unconstitutional
intolerance . To this outburst the Lord-Lieutenant coolly replied : — " Gentlemen , —I have listened with much pain to this memorial . It is a matter of deep regret that the meeting on whose behalf you present it should have sanctioned the use of language which appears to mo to be inconsistent with Christian charity , and to be calculated to prejudice in public opinion the right of free discussion . " The memorialists impute to the magistrate gross misconduct in liis office . They say that he ' audaciousl y , daringly , insolently , and bigotedly lent himself to sustain the intolerance of a bigot , and to crush the rights of British subjects . ' They describe the iudgment pronounced
by him as being ' utterly unconstitutional , tyrannical , and intolerable ; ' and they suggest that ha pronouncing it he was actuated by improper motives . Having thus stated the case , they pray me to institute an inquiry into the facts of it . _ - " I will not advert further to the language of this memorial , but will proceed at once to remind the memorialists that if the charges which they prefer against Mr . O'Callaghan be well founded , his office can afford him no protection , that he is amenable to the law , and that the Court of Queen ' s Bench , which is open to all aggrieved persons , can inquire not only whether the judgment was erroneous , but also whether the motives by which the magistrate was actuated were improper . That tribunal can correct an error , and it can punish an offender .
"lor these reasons I must decline to comply with the prayer of the petition . " Mr . Martin said he had been advised that the Queen ' s Bench was not a competent tribunal . A conversation ensued , in the course of which the Lord-Lieutenant said : — "I think the case can only be satisfactorily dealt with in tho Queen ' s Bench . I don ' t think any gentleman I might appoint could take upon himself to lay down law for such cases . He could only advise me as to Mr . O'Callaghan ' s xnotives , which are apparent . I could not remove Mr . O'Callaghan from his office unless it was proved that he had acted from corrupt or improper . motives ; and oven if ho committed an error in law , that would not ho a sufficient ground upon which to removo him . " This opinion being sustained by the Attorney-General , the deputation retired .
Untitled Article
THAMES IMPROVEMENT . TilK following prospectus , of n design for the improvement of the Thames , has been put in circulation . The present unsightly and offensive condition of the Itivor Thames , especially that portion which extends from London bridge to Lainbeih , has for many years boon tho subject of complaint , and Iwus at different ; ' times attracted ho much attention , that several plans have been brought forward and carefully examined and inquired into by select committees of the JIouso of Commons ; but up to the present moment none of these projects have been carried out , owing either to imperfections in design , or to 11 le difficulty ol dealing with the existing interests along the river . iSiiflioo it to miy that no one design ban yet boon suggested sufficiently comprehensive , or embracing all the requisite provision lor sanitary improvements and the requirementh of the public . For some , timo Mr . Lionel flinliorne , C . R ., hrm carefully studied the subject , in all its pbiwos , and after a great deal of consideration brought forward a plan . Hclorc explaining the nature of the improvements contemplated , ituhould be stated that ; the principle on which they are based in nt . rictly twl (' -supporting , nwl thai it , is not intended to apply for pecuniary aid either from tho Government or Corporation . The proposed deoign in as follows : viz ., to confine the writer-wa y of the river to a width of not less thn . n seven hundred feet ( the width already sanctioned by Parliament lor the new bridge at Westminister ) by mount ) of quay walls , to be built on both shores , each ' laid out with reioronco to the best direction for tho uninterrupted flow of tho water , tit tho same time boinff Buitod to ikooo bridffoa
at present spanning the river , and which are likel y to remain there for years to come . The present wharfs are to Tbe accommodated with floating basins , the minimum width of which is to be one hun " dred feet , and will be provided with entrances at suitable ^ distances , that can remain opfen at least three hours each tide , to admit of the ingress and egress of barges . On the ground to be acquired by filling in , to a height of four feet above high water mark , between the river wall and floating basins , the following works are to be executed "
MIDDLESEX SttOilE . The quay Wall on thiB side of the river is to extend frota Westminster bridge to London bridge , and is to be twenty * one feet over Trinity high water , thus avoidin g the necessity of draw-bridges over the entrances to the tidal basin . At that level and as far aa St . Paul ' s wharf , where a new bridge is in contemplation by the Corporation , Mj % Gisborne proposes to have a covered esplanade for Foot passengers , next the river , twenty feet in width , alongside of which tlie ground , for fifty feet back , will be let for building , except at those points where buildings would be objectionable , as opposite Whitehall Gardens , the Temple &c . Parallel " with the esplanade , and extending from West- ' minster bridge to London bridge , a railway will be con ^ structed at a very trifling additional expense .
JN ext the railway IS to be a street , forty feet wide , ex * tending from Westminster to the proposed bridge at St , Paul's , and passing under each of the bridges , with ap « proaches leading to the Strand at intervals , wherever found most convenient . The remaining portion of the embankment , having an average width of about sixty-five feet , will be let for building ground , suitable for large stores , one side of which will face the new street , and the opposite side th e floating basins . In addition to the foregoing , large cellars tisee to be constructed under the esplanade , railway and road , which will connect the river with the stores next the floating basin , and by that means greatly facilitate the unloading of barges at any time of the tide . : ¦ . '' .:::
Opposite Whitehall , the Temple gardens , &c ., as well as from St . Paul ' s bridge to London bridge , the quay wall is only to be built four feet above Trinity high water ; and the esplanade , railway , & $ ., are to be carried on columns , about twenty-five feet apart , so as not to shut out the present view of the river , or to interfere with the existing wharfs between the proposed bridge near St . Paul ' s and London bridge . Tor this distance , an additional width of about forty ieet will be added to the present wharfs .
SUBEEY SIDE . The quay wall on this side of the river is to extend from Iiambeth Palace to London bridge , and for nearly the greater part of this distance it will be about twenty-one feet in height above Trinity high water . The existing wharfs are to be accommodated in a similar manner to those on the Middlesex side—and the ground acquired by the improvements is to be laid out as follows : —next the river , a road sevent y feet wide is to be made , alongside of which the ground is to be let for building purposes , where large stores and shops can be built according to approved designs .
At each of the bridges it is contemplated to divide the road in two , half-forming an approach to the bridge , the other half accommodating tho through traffic , and therefore passing underneath .
Untitled Article
Cellars similar to those beforo described , and for similar purposes , are to be constructed under the road . Immediately behind the quay walls on each side of tho river ft large outfall sewer is to bo constructed , which will he availabl for any future system of drainage . The many public and private advantages to bo gained by these proposed improvements are obvious . Bearing in mind that the City is now fast becoming one large store and emporium for trade and commerce ) , and that its resident population is yearly decreasing , owing to tlie many facilities offered by railway communication , &c ., to the merchants and other business men to live at a distance from their offices , and at the same time to be able to-fcitteim daily to their respective duties , it ; becomes a matter ofigrtrait inrnortanee to nerfieet as much an fnossiblfe a rat ) id awl si " <)
mode of transit between the cant and west end of London . It is therefore with this object in view that a railway has been combined with the proposed improvements , which can be made at ; a ( rifling additional coat . By the proposed plan , a street forty foot wide is provided , winch , lying between two rows of buildings , will answer all tho purposes of trade , and no the means ol clearing the Strand and other overcrowded thorougntttres . Should tho much-required bridge near Sfc . Paul ' s bo o ""*' it will then become necessary to mflke a wide approach to it from tho went-end of Now Cannon-stroot , which will M the same time servo as a connecting link betwem tn » Btreot and the one proposed by this plan for tho 1 names Improvement , and thereby complete a perfectly now « " < wide thoroughfare from Westminster ' bridge into the hear of the Citv . The eni > bmii < le . covered as proposed with ft well Ofl
Puxton roof of glass , will form n most delightful ns healthful promenade for thousands , who live at too grw a distance to enable thorn frequently to enjoy thoroerea <<> afforded by tho porks ; ntid now that , by a recent . *"" ' " the legislature , all Ntctamern p lying nbove bridge W " lfit » !;;_ August next , be riuolfcless , the very great and only ol ! l ^ tion to such n witllr has hy that moans boon , removed , im the shops facing I lie river may with the greatest Haieiy j ^ pone any goods lor sale , without fear of injury < rtmi Bll ( ^ enuNo . In fact , there exists no doubt that when wai ^ eomoH into force , the atinonphoro on the river wm vi pure as in the best streets of the we . it end . n At present from tho state of tho river lianb , liw (? ! , only approach the existing wharfs when the tide w " «¦ / a «; its full height , nnd very noon become wtrftndwl , an > main ho until tho next tide rises tfuflieionWy to floar . w » hwayj tho eonsoquenco in , that wtoinydf *^* " * . " rJ * Ua to bo unloaded at a diatanco from ih « * rh « ut > f , atthe ^ V *^"
Untitled Article
1084 THE LEADER . [ SAyuRBA ir , mmIHM ^ MnHMMIM | ^ ^^^^ ¦ | _ .- _ . ' i . ¦ ,. . -i ¦ --. ¦ ¦ . ¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦ ^^^^^^^ 0 ! l **?***—» mm&
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 12, 1853, page 1084, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2012/page/4/
-