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Northern Star (1837-1852), 4th January 1840, Edition 1 of 1, Page 3, Untitled Article

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    • STATE TRIALS.
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      # Or*T'Sn Arttr Somatic 3snunt's^«« __

      # or * t ' sn arttr Somatic 3 Snunt ' s ^«« __

      Untitled Article

      An extraordinary sensation prevailed in the diplomatic circles of Constantinople , consequence of a revelation made by M . ATedick , the American interpreter of the Capitan Pacha , who , navmg escaped from Alexandria , arrived a few dayspre-Tionslv at Pera . M . Avediek informed the Divan and the Ambassadors that the Capstan Pacha in fcetravin * the Turkish fleet to Mehemel All , acted t-v the advice " -n ^ -vi'h the entire concurrence of the French Adoir ^ i Lalatde ; axd that , in fact , it wa = th * French Admiral who nrst suggested the measure an ^ who had actn-illy planned n wnn tho Rear-Adnural Cimaa I ^ -.-ha before cominmuciting with the Caoitaa Pach * . ... , , . „ 02 ihe

      Xo progress appeared to have been made at C- j E ^ ntino ^ -3 relative to the final settlement of 1 Oriental * question . The Echo de le Orient states that j the adjustment of the differences between tne i Ticerov and the Porte , would be effected through ! tie mediation of Austria only—a very unlikely ; Z * r \ V Xm ' " fie Constantinople correspondenc ? of the Oth , in j the Marseilles Semaphore of the 34 th inst ., states j ti&tSIarasch liavin- been completely occupied b y \ the E ^ vptiaa army , the Porte has nouhed this , E ^ ve m-nt to the diplomatic corps , pointing out the ; disagreeable circumstances which might -esclt trom ; Me ^ emej Ali taking :. o notice of the lnstractions vi ¦

      Untitled Article

      tli 3 mediatiiig-Povr ^ rs . T-i 3 privcre correspondence from Alexandria ; dw ? T " s uv- 'U the diS .-uities of the Fire Pov ,-er ~ : £ '_; -e ^ i . 2 ii oa t ha Eastern question ; upon the la ' . iure , oF : li 9 Coaut de Pouidis at Gousianiiaople : o inau .-e , the " Porte to listen to the terms proposed by the . French Cabinet to Tsielie-aet AIL , and aecep . ed ny ; l him ; and upon the iacre ^ s .-d exert :.. n 3 of ^ theM Ottoman Coc- 'U-Ii * , at the instigation o : Lora i 0 . 1- : 1 sjnby , to resume ' a wnr-io-jiui ^ . Xnc ~ S : v .-eroy wis iu vi ; e ; le ~* health ar : J spirits . . , Letters from Athens , daisd the 2 / tn of > ot ., r , ; ; ; : t . j i

      the Echo de VOrieni , announce the definitive ts ' . ab- , iishment of the latk of Messrs . Wright and Ey-j nsxd . The bases of the establishment had been \ a' reed to in a Cabinet Council , a ; which the King presided , and operations were to commence iu January . This correspondence is , however , completely " at issue with tha Mercure of Syra , of the j 3 'jth of November , vrhieh anwnmces thta at the | moment of goiu ^ to press is had received auvlee > ; from Athens that thene ^ ociations were cancelled , ami j that Mr . Wright's agents , ilil . Amon and Lloyd , had ; left the capital . j The following extracts are from the French -Journals : — ' i j j ; ; j ; j { s '

      Twelve days has the Court of A *? ize at Rentes i been occupied with tlie trial of thirty prisoners for the corn riots at Dol . On the 24 th fourteen were -acquitted , and sixteen found guilty . The seuteuces ' were—one to imprisonment for five years , one fur j four years , threo to .- two months , six for six months j and a fine of 5 of ., three for two months and a iine i of 16 f ., and two a fine of l ( X ) f . without imprisonment , j One of the prisoners , a woman , attempted suicide be- \ tween the verdict and the sentence , by dashing a large s : one jug against her head , but was not much i hurt , and was let off leniently by the penalty of Io 6 f . i fine . I The Tariare steam-boat , which left Algiers on the 21 starrived a ; Toulon on the 24 thwith des-¦ hu j ri i , ' , ; j I j j r 1 3 i

      , , ; ^ i : ^_ ^ a , » j # m n 1 a . ^ t w ^ u m - ^ ** * a w ^* vu w **^ 1 * » ^ yA *^^^^ 4 Hatches . The reports which have been circulated at Toulon , and according to wliieh the Arabs had ! suffered great losses , are not confirmed . L ' p to the 21 st no action of importance had taken place . I

      HOME . I Colonel " Wtldb , the British Commissioner in Spain , haa arrived in Paris from the head ^ ua rttrs oi Espariero . —Gallgnani . ; The QrEEX has appointed H . V . Kuntley , Esq , ! Commander in tha Jioval Navy , to be lieutenant- ' Governor of Her Majesty ' s settlements on the I Gambia . I The Tithe Cohmissionebs for England and j Tfs _ £ 3 have appointed Henry Pilkingxou , ilsq ., of Ba-nard ' s-inn , Borri ? ter-at-Law , to be an Assisiant Tithe Cominiiaioncr for especial purposes . We hkab . that it is now Siially arranged that Lord Isormarby is to sacceed Lord Aukland as Governor-General of India . The general belief in to- » u is that Pirliainent will be uiisoived very soon after its first meeting . — Western Lunanary .

      A pair op Eagles have been frequently seen upon the Cleveland Hills during this autumn , " The writer ¦ of this notice had the satisfaction of observing one of these noble birds in its flight over Long-Hull , near . Guisboro' , and at an elevation of no ; more than thirty or forty yards from the ground . —Gates-Jicad Observer . 31 a . Doxthoksb , architect , has been obliged to snspend the building of the Peterborough gaol , in consequence of the quantity of water preventing a foundation being sunk . — Lincolnshire Chronicle . S 13 W . Biubazox , M . P . for Mayo , is to be enleriained at < iiaifer by- his constituents , on the 6 th of -Jansary , after which the worthy baronet departs for London , to attend his Parliamentary duties . —Mayo Telegraph .

      it is said that the late Mr . Philip Hope has left to each of has three nephews j £ 30 , IX > 9 a-year . His valuable collection of bW&s ^ vas bequeathed to Mr . Hope , and the remainder of his personal property to the other two nephews . The following are the official returns of the export of the precious metals for the week ending the 19 th instant : —Silver coin—To Canton , 295 , 805 ounces ; Grenada , 2 , 480 ounces ; Jamaica , 1 , 108 ounces ; the Mauritius , 8 , 000 ounces . Silver bars—To Calcutta , 58 , 464 ounces . The last accounts from Cuba mention that considerable ferment prevailed among the blacks of that island , and that the government had discovered the existence of an extensive conspiracy among the negro population . —British Emancipator .

      The Archbishop of Paris has suffered a relapse , and was considered in imminent danger . In eonsemence , the Bishop of Versailles officiated at an oraination of priests and deacons on Saturday . Among the latter was a negro . " A letter , ' says the Sentinelle of Bayonne , " has been written by M . Tamariz , in the name of Don Carlos , to the widow of Moro ^ o , condoling with her on the death of that General , and at the same time promising her a grant of 60 , O 00 f ., an annuity of S'Jj' jJOf ., and the punishment of her hnsband ' s assassiiis , on the Prince ' s coming to the Spanish throne . "

      Portraits of her ilajesty and Prince Albert in the lids of gold snuff boxes will , we understand , be presented to ail the Foreign Ambassadors on iho occasion of the Royal nuptaals , and tie jewellers have already received oraars to prepare them . The most valuable of the Crown jewel * have been placed in the hands of the Royal jewellers to be re-set . — Utaiid-srd . Lobd SfiAio ^ A > "D the Wesletaxs . —lieutenant-General Lord Seaton was recently waited upon by a deputation of Wesleyans , consisting of ministers and lay-members , who manked his Lurdship for the valuable assistance which he furnished to the society ' s missionaries in Canada , and congratulated him on his elevation to th « peerage .

      At a pbjelimisast meeting held at Shrewsbury , it was unanimously resolved to appoint a committee to superintend the erection of a monument in the chancel of St . Mary ' s Church , in that town , to the memory 01 the lave Dr . Butler , Bishop of LachSeld . — -Aris ' t Hirrrtingham Gazette . Desbt . —An Arboretum i 3 being laid out under the direction of Joseph Strutt , Esq . When finished that gentleman most liberally aiid b ^ ueTolent ly intends presenting it to the town . — Derbyshire Chronicle . ^ Ye havb heard that it is the intention of her Majesty to avaii herself of the suggestions thrown out in sir Harris 2 < ichoLii ' s admiruDle " History of the Orders of the British Knighthood , " for the revival of that branch of the Order of the Garter , -which was established in the reign of Richard II ., and included the Ladies of me Knights . — United Service Gazette .

      We havs it npon authority , which we are ro longer at liberty to question , how incredible soever theiact asserted , that Ministers are at this moment soliciting the Irish Chiei' Baron Woulfe , to make room on ihe judicial bench ior Mr . Daniel CrConnelllkSlandard . _ Cibcclabs from the Duke of Wellington , summoning the Conservative peers for a meeting at Apsley xioiisi-, on the day prcceaing that appointed for the meeting of Parliament , * ere delivered on Friday and iaturuay last . —Herald .

      SncrDE op a > " English tottsg Ladt at Mouxt Vesuvius— The Mdniteur Farisien of Saturday n : ght , states that the daughter of an English banker , a rich heiress , named Mis 3 Anna Wilkins , had thrown herself in the crater of Mount Vesuvius , on the 12 th inst ., in consequence of being crossed in love . The object of her attachment was a handsome Lazzarone , nineteen years of age . Viscouxt Sasdon , MJ ? ., Lord Francis Egerton , M . P ., W . E . Gladstone , Esq ., M . P ., and C ? Cresweii , Esq ., Mi " ., have respectively subscribed the sum of £ 1 O 0 , and John Gladstone , Esq ., £ 200 , towards the formation of a collegiate institution at Liverpool for the education of the commercial , tradi ^ gj and working classes .

      Copexhages , Dec . 14 . —Some people affirm that the coronation of Christian VIII . will take place together with the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his marriage ( called in German the silver weddkig ) . His Majesty was married to the Present Queen , Caroline Amelia , May 22 , 1815 . ^ HE ? ftESENiA r iiox of Clare . —It is reported that is tha event of a dissolution of Parliament , Major Macnaniara will retire from the representation of his native country ; and there is also a rumour that Mr . Bridgman , M . P . for Ennis , will withdraw from tae Legislature .

      Untitled Article

      The quantity of wheat exported from Limerick since the 1 st of September last , has been the one thirteenth part of the quantity of oats sent to the same destination . . E > -D 0 W 3 iExr . —William Waits , Esq ., of Hanslope , has built and endowed at his sole expense a school in that parish for the education of the poor children in the doctrines of the Church of England . The school is made to contain 200 boys and girls . —Aylesbury Xeics . Dr . Schlegel traces the disposition to commit , su cide among the Entriish , Germans , and Russians , ! ' . to intempi : r ^ ui ; c , in France , to love aud gambling ] : a = d i-i Si-aiM to biirotry . A curious fact is mention- ' ; ei by an a-. uhovity in tae Xr . r ; h American F . evieic ¦ that- i : i the week v .-tieh folio > vea the drawing of the ' : last lottery iu England o ' O suicides were committed . ! thirteenth part of the quantity of oats sent to the

      1 o . 0 : » n P t e ( SEIZURE OF FlOUK AT THE CrSTOM-IIouSE . I Yesterday a seizure was made at the CuStom-House , j of two hundred sacks of Hour , imported from London ' , i on suspicion that it was ftrei ^ n . It appears that , under the existing law , funJga four imported into Ireland , under _ auy circumstances , is liable to confiscation , and the importers are subject to ahea ^ y penalty . Some effort has , we find , been made in Belfast to procure a suspension of ihis absurd and most mischievous law . —Dublin Evening Post . Primkosis in full blow were gathered at Cat Castle Hocks , in Deepdale , near Barnard Castle , on Chiistmas-da . v . —Durham Chronicle .

      : LEEDS MEETING FOR THE REPEAL OF THE CORN LAWS . For the last three week * the leading WLigs 01 this borough L ^ ve beea "{ C . i-. ii :: up : he ^ tecKi , ' " iii ordJr toastuiusn lae touuirv v .- ith a Mrcat , lorioi : s and riumphant aeniuust : 2 : 10 : 1 -jn t : n ; su ! ject of : hs Corn Lawi . The day of mucuiiis wa » a : ier . gthappoii-tod ior Tuesday last , in the Coloured Cluth-hali yard , wi . ichthe Repeale-s strair . ed every nerve to fill " u >>« u the hnportaut occasion , vtith those workmen over whom the system of class legislation gives thorn but too much power . But never were expectations more miserably disappointed . Notwithstanding the preparatory meetings held in the different wards

      | | the lectures of their paid advocate iu the out-townships , and the plausibility of the plea that it is dear bread alone that hsxs caused thousands of our most intelligent and hidust : ious townsmen to be dependant upon the alms of those who have wrung torture ; from- their labour , the apathy of the men of Leed : upon the subject could not be removed ; aud whei the Whig Mayor and his Whig supporters enter * . the Coih-haii yard at the h-jur appointed , ther . were O'ly a few iiuauiois i . rcje . u . . V . any arrivei after thvm however ; but we U-lkve tlie number o those present , including th e Radicals , the Tories and the curious , as -well as the Whigs aud thei supporters , did not at any part of the day amount t more than 3000 . Among those present we observe * Mr . Roebuck , iate M . P . for Bath .

      Wlieu the Mayor had taken up a position in the cenire of the steps which served for a hustings , Mr . Buttomlei' ( Chanman of the Cummittee of Unemployed Workme ^ m-jvcd that Mr . J ^ nes'do take ; the chair . He said he proposed this out of charity to the Mayor , who he thought was , on account of ags and imbecility , incapacitated from acting as i Chairman . This motion , which was seconded by Mr . David j Bkv : k ( member of the Working Men's Association ) , ' created some confusion iu the meeting , but it was ' not pressed , and consequently fell to the ground . ' The : e 'f

      Mayor then raid he had to announce that he had called that meeting in consequence of a requi- ! sitio-i which he then read . In assuming the chair > as-he did on this occasion he acted iu his magisterial capacity ; and be had taken no pau whatever in ' gettingup the requisition . The subject of the re- peal of the Corn Laws was one which wa 3 now discussed in Parliament , by the pre ^ s , aud amongst ' all classes of society . Th « different speakers would no doubt have some information upon this subject to give them which had been obtained since the last meeting , and then ; hey would have to propose certain resolutions for their adoption ; and ne hoped that meeting would gjve them iim aticuiive hearing . It was a subject iu which bu : h manui ' av-turers and

      workmen were deeply concerned . He hoped tliat ihose vTho addressed tiie meeting would confine their i remarks to the subject , and that no politics would ' . bd introduced . ( Oh , oh . ) If any person introduced i any matter foreign to the subject he should feel it his duty to stop and check him . I Mr . Hame 2 Stansflld ( a Magistrate ) came for- ¦ w ard to propose the first resolution . He said that if i any subject was an important one it was the subject ' of the Corn La \ v 3 . These laws were worse in their operation than the arrow that flyeth by night , or the pestilence that walketh at noon-day . They were ; overt act 3 of aggression against the people of this country , and a violation alike of the laws of God and the rights of man . Was it not the height of 1

      impiety , when thousanos of ministers of the Gospel , who taught the people to pray , " Give us this day oar daily bread ! " virtually refused tho repeal of those laws which hindered the people from obtaining thair daily bread by their labour ? } lany . of these Ministers were tioubtle 3 s good msn ^ i and unaware of the iniquitous operation of these ' laws ; but they had had a good education ; and why did they not give themselves the trouble to inquire into the truth of the matter ? They were unworthy shepherds who cried " Comfort ye , comfort ye , my people ' " when there waa no comfort for the people . Their great master comforted the people by providing for their immediate wants as well as instructed them . He would call upon the ministers of peace

      throughout the land , to come , forward and do likewise . He would call upon every man claiming to be consistent to speak out upon this question . It was no party question ; for the lives of millions of all persons depended upon it . Mr . Stansfeld then alluded to the case of the Shetland Islanders , who grow no corn , and who gain their livelihood by fishing . These poor people are obliged to give as much fish to the British farmer for one quarter of wheat , as to the foreigner for two . He then proceeded to contrast the condition of the people of the United States with that of the people of this country ; attributing the happy condition of the former to cheap bread . A great contest was at hand , and the first step of the people must be to take up a safe position . He would admit the policy whicn had beeu before acted upon , of making the ruling

      few uneasy . The people must learn first to know iheir rights and their wrongs ; and then boldly tell their oppressors they would have their righto , and would no longer endure their wrongs . ( Hear , hear . ) Let them look at the two parties upon this question . On one side was the agricultural labourers , the operatives , the manufacturers , merchants , bankers , aud all those who lived by their industry , and added to the common stock . On the other hand were the drones of the hive , men who did nothing , and who interpreted literally the text , v > _ To him who hath not shall be given , and from him who hath plenty shall be taken even that which he hath . " Mr . Stansfeld then , after a few other observations , moved the first resolution , which , as well as the following ones , will be found in our advertising columns .

      Mr . Wajddi . ngham cordially seconded the resolution . It did not appeal to any particular class of persons , but to the consumers generally . By diminishing the quantity aud raising the price of grain , the Corn Laws did in fact diminish every man ' s income , and thus stuod in the way of every improvement in his condition . The inequality of their pressure was one of the characteristics of these to which he begged to draw their attention . They were precisely in inverse ratio to each man's income —the smaller the income the greater the proportion of it absorbed by the price of food . It was on that account that the operative and labourer had a greater interest in the repeal than the merchant and manufacturer . Another fea-urc iu this law was . that the

      greater price , or tax , did not go into her Majestr s Exchequer , but into the pockets of the landowners , of whom he would not say anything disrespectful , because if the people were unanimous in uemanding the repeal , he felt convinced that they would no longer refuse it . One fallacy connected with this subject was , that the operative would not be benentted , because the rate { of wages would be reduced with the cheapening the price of corn . Why there was not a working man at that meeting who was not a proof of the falsity of this assertion ; and who did not know that the wages of labour were regulated by the demand for it , and not by the price of provisions . It had also been stated that low prices would prove prejudicial to the farmer .

      but as this objection had been answered satisfactorily to the agriculturists themselves , he would not take the trouble to refute it there . Another fallacy was that repeal would injure the home trade . How could it injure the home trade when itwould giveto all increased powers of purchasing ! and itwas obvious that the Corn Laws prevented an increase of the foreign as well as of the home trade . How could repeal improve the foreign trade ? By giving to customers an increased means of purchasing and exchanging . The advantages of the repeal would not be confined to the inhabitants of one country , but they would be exteuded to all , and he trusted that they should all shortly experience those advantages .

      Mr . David Black then came forward and was received with applause , mingled with groans from the Whig partisans . He made one or two attempts to speak , but was as often interrupted . The Matok—I beg that the gentleman may be heard now . Mr . Black said he stood before them all as an humble working man , with working men on one side of him ,-aud on the other those who lived on profit obtained from their labour . He had attended themeetisg because it was called together by those very ' men who had deceived them in 1832—of which follies he need not remind them—to petition the House of Commons . Now he perfectly well agreed with-Mr . Wakley , that it would be just as well for the people to petition the rock of Gibraltar as that House . With respect to the Cora Laws he would say that their reptal under existing circumstances \

      Untitled Article

      would not do good to the working men , but only benefit those genilemen he saw near him * . ( Interruption . ) He would fearlessly contend tha * , tinder the present iniguitons system of Goverment , if the Corn Laws were repealed to-morrow , it would only bo the means of reducing the price of meat , so that the workman ' s labour might be more easily reduced in price . The masters would turn the repeal to their own individnal interest ; the result of which would ' isj there would be plenty of work at these reduced . wages for a short time , till they had overstocked' the markets and filled tho warehouses , aud then t \ iey would again become as they were now , trembling suppliants at the doors of their employers . ( Chetrs . ) It was said that if th " j Cjru Laws were ruDtion . - ) He would fearlesslv contra that , nnriar

      not , repealeu we should be reduced to the level of forrpi ^ ne rs . Why the foreigners were better off than th'iEuglish workman already . A master manufacturer of Leeds had said thru as a manufacturer , it w , \ s his interest that the Corn Laws should be repealed , but , as a working man , lie should conceive I H to be his interest to oppose a repeal of thrse laws . I Did yon ever know a money-monger seek for laws ; that were not for his own individual interest 1 No ; ! and till they could obtain a law to introduce corn U ^ to their own stomachs , he hoped they would j oppose al \ those schemes of the money-mongers j Was not this a nation remarkable for industry , and i vet there were thousands now destitute of even the ) necessaries of life . The principle of Universal Sufj frage—( cheers , groans , and laughter )—was embo-I died in the amendment he had to propose , and

      with-: out Universal Suffrage a ' . l their eiforts for a benefii cial change would be iu vain . ( Cheers ) All their i energies , then .-fore , must bo devoted to it . ( Hear , : hear . ) When tha working man was plunderer ! , ; what did it matter whether the tax-eater cr tho ; fribbkr Lehirul the counter devoured h \' . \ 7 . Mr . Black eo ; : a :: ded by ' ^ ruposing the following a : nend-; : ~ i . ea :: — ! " That tiii ? meeting is of opinion that tho present ; infamous and diabolical Corn Law . s will never be ' , repealed by the present corrupt House of Common ?; and this meeting is also of opinion that the repeal oi ' the C- > rn Laws , with the present amount of taxation 1 and expenditure of the country , wouid be a serious ; evil , and that they never cau be repealed with benefit to all till Universal Suffrage become the law of the ! land . "

      Mr . Bottomlet came forward to second . the - amendment , and was received with mingled applause » and groans , though he was not permitted to speak ' till the Mayor interfered , as in the caso of David * BJack , in his behalf . Indeed this was tho ease with 1 : aii the Radical speakers , and it was quite evident to 1 , the most unpractised observer , that there wa 3 a i thor . v .-. uh understating between his worship and 1 . the Wing clique below . Mr . Bottomky said ho 1 wished to call their attention to the position cf tho i' aristocracy of this cmntry with respect to this subr ject . The House of Lords was composed of a set of o aristocrats who had a di ect interest in upholding ¦ i ! the Corn Laws . The Hou « e of Commons was also composed of men who represented tho landed intere ? t . They had no power , then , over the House 01 " Commons , who would never sacrifice their own interest for the sake of a few merchants and

      niauufacturers . Again : it had been said that the repeal would benefit the working classes ; although that repeal was advocated on the grouud that it was on account of dear bread that we could not compete with foreign markets . But , unless wages were reduced in proportion to the price of provisions , how would the homo manufacturer be able to compete with the foreigner ? He held in his hand a statement of wages paid to operatives abroad , made by Mr . Greg , M . r . for Manchester . It appeared , from that statement , that in France workmen got 4 s . ( id . a week ; in Austria 4 s ., and iu Saxony 33 . per week . ( Great interruption . ) If the men of Leeds wished to benefit themselves , they would vote for the amendment ; but if they wished to be humbugged by a set of contemptible hypocrites , they would support a repeal of the Corn Laws . ( Great cheering and groaning . )

      Mr . George White , of the Working Men ' s Association , came forward amidst grea * . uproar , and exclaimed , " Is this free discussion ! " ( Groans . ) If you can bring forward arguments in favour of your dogma ; , do so . ( Uproar cominusd . ) I will keep you waking all day , if you don ' t hear me . ( Great laughter ai ; d uproar , when the Mayor interfered , and order was restored . ) Mr . VVhito continued—Those who were called Chartists were the only men who were sincere . Thoy were the men the most hated and the most vilified by the ruling factions of the nation , and yet they only were sincere in wishing for repeal which would benefit all . ( Hear , near . ) If men wore sincere in desiring it they would go tho right way about getting

      r . ; but that they would not do . Ho would psk them as consistent and rational men , whero ^ erotheir means for carrying repeal \ They had no mftans unless they advocated a revolution . ( Groafcing £ nd cheers . ) He thought they had other' bad Jaws Jo repeal as well as the Corn Laws . ( Yes . ye 8 . ) v-33 ien if they were to have a revolution let them hare itait once . ( Great uproar , with shouts of " Question 1 " in the midst of which the Mayor called the speaker to order . > JI # was spcaJuag to the question . { No , K > , X JSe ? s » w » iiijaaw 4 geak .. to the question-of the Oorri Eawsf * n * -fc 6 -wwH 3 say 'fl »* l- * h * 5 &&C * io * power to repeal them at tho present time . Itlfai been stated by a previous speaker ( Mr . Bottomley ) that they had no power to carry the repeal , as the House of Lords had a direct interest in refusingit . It was all very well for a man to say he would ride

      to Bradford , but he must n > 3 t get ahorse before he could ride there . He was a Radical Reformer , and he knew that the samo power which was required to repeal the Corn Laws would get them universal Sutfrage ; and with that they would be able to repeal the Corn Laws , and every bad law , and , get themselves out of the distressed condition in which they were then plunged . He was as much opposed to the Corn Laws ai any man could be . They were a robbery on the nation . But if the Corn Laws were bad , that was no reason why they should give power to a faction which had already deceived them . ( Cheers . ) He had often heard it said that the Radicals wou'd neverassist the Whigs agam ; but now those

      silky gentry who had already deceived them were nearly coming to , would they allow them to deceive them again 1 Tho Whigs had never supported any measure likely to prove beneficial to the whole people , and they never would . The same outcry had been got up for the repeal of the Cora Laws as for the Reform Bill , and by the same people . Let them not then be deceived again . They wanted justice—full and complete justice—and justice they would have . He hoped all the working men present would hold up their ' hands for the amendment . Mr . White , having again read the amendment , expressed a wish that when put to the vote the parties would divide , so that it might be clearly seen on which side was the majority .

      Mr . Edward Baines , ^ un ., and Mr . Rider , ( late member of the Convention , ) presented themselves simultaneously to the meeting . The Mayor decided in favour of Mr . Baines , who , however , gave way to Mr . Rider , who stated he would not detain them two minutes . Long speeches , he knew , would not fill empty stomachs . He agreed that the Corn Laws were as impious and unjust as they had been stated to be ; inasmuch as they took away the means of life from the poor man ' s table . They were repugnant to every principle of justice ; for if it was unjust to muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn , so it was equally unjost to deprive of bread him that soweth the seed and . him who Teapeth the harvest field .

      ( Cheers . ) But why should they talk . of justice to the present race of rulers ] They were all too corrupt to be moved . by the ory-. of justice and of right . If tnere were any real Christianity in this country there would be no Com Laws ; but the whole system was corrupt . The churches were filled with thieves and hypocrites . ( Great confusion aud laughter . ) Well he would bring his remarks to a cUse . The Corn Laws were only a branch of the deadJjrupastree which overshadowed them , and it was their duty to eradicate it , root and branchy . T ^ oy must be prepared to fight for it ! ( Great ^ roar and cheering , in the midst of which the speaker withdrew . ) Mr . Baines , junr ., now again presented himself

      but the hooting and groaning which followed hindered him from being heard for some time . He said that on one point they all seemed perfectly agreed , for not only the amendment , but also the original motion , as well as the speeches made both on his right and on his left , had agreed in condemning the Corn Laws , but the amendment had even stigmatised them . as infamous and diabolical . On that point , therefore , they were all agreed . When he looked at the amendment , ho was entirely astounded at the flat contradiction which appeared upon the face of it ,. It at first , stated that the Corn Laws were both " diabolical and infamous , " and then immediately afterwards went on to say that their repeal would be a positive evil . ( Groans and laughter . ) Mr . White—Under existing circumstances . Mr . Baines continued—Could a greater contradiction than this be imagined " by any one 3 ( The

      uproar here increased , Mr . Baines crying out that the interruption proceeded from the fighting men , which was met by cries of " Three groans for the Qaeen ! "' ) Let them look at the relative position of the parties before the meeting . Firet of all , the proposers of the resolution came before them , who declared that the Corn Laws were a great and crying evil , and proposed measures to remove them ; and then came those who called themselves the only sincere friends of tho repeal , and yet denounced that repeal as a positive evil . ( Groans and laughter . ) It had been said that those who came forward now to advocate the repeal had not done so before ; but he could tell them that twelve years ago he spoko in favour of a repeal at a public meeting in the Court House . So that they were not only the " sincere" friends , but the consistent and tried friends , of repeal . The amendment had nothing to do with the business before the meeting , as it introduced the question of Universal Suffrage . ( Groans . ) Mr . White—As a means of obtaining the repeal .

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      Mr . Baines continued : Universal Suffrage had nothing to do with it . He Would put a case . Supposeat a meeting called together to forward Universal butt rage , an individual were to come forward and say that he admitted that Universal Suffrage was just and right , and ought to be carried ; but that ho waa of opiniim that it would not bring them happiness till they were sober and industrious men , and propose that no steps , should be taken in its tavour till they had all become members of the temperance society . ( Laughter . ) Would not that individual be met by th * true and sincere friends of ™« n JVn , « £ : I : "l Jlj f ! ® . T , oql ( f P , uk aca ^ P P"

      Universal Suffrage with aaassertion that he was not honest iu his comiuc t , a- d t bat ho came there to defeat thsxr object ? Well there was no more conection between Universal Suffrage aud the Corn Laws , tban thare was oetween tho temperance pledge and-Universal Suffrage Ho would wish t 6-answerevery thing m tho shape of an argument- which hadbecn been brought forward by the others ride . It had beea contended that the repeal : wnild only benefit tho musters . If , allowing the ^ toice of bread was lowered , the masters bencfitfed ¦ ' by it , why not the men %

      Mr . White—The mastei-3 will have the power of lowering wages . _ Mr . Baines continued—If there were any question upon which working men were universally agreed , it was a question respecting ; the chief necessary of life—it was a measure which would produce them a larger supply at a lower price of tho chief necessary of life . Those who would maintain an absurdity , would vote for tho amendment ; but those who were fur the exercise of freo n , ml unfettered inilustvy wove tho " sincere" friends of tho repeal ot the Corn Laws , and would vote for tho resolution . Another argument wms that it : ¦ -vouM reduce- th ° ,

      money rate ot wages here t <> tho lovul of those in cheap bread co-ntriea abroiul . But if so , v / 33 not that an excellent reason for making food as cheap at honi'i ? An individual had latterly been sent to Sv ,-itzcrland to compare tho condition of tho working classes there with that of those in En eland . Llo stated that wa . ^ on wei-o considerably lower t-hcro than here ; but that in consequence of his having cheaper provisions the Swiss Workman was much better off than the workman at home . But if an increase took place in our trade by the importation of corn there would bo a greater demand for labour , and this greater demand for labour would not cause wage 3 to fall , but to rise . Mr . Baines then alluded to the German league as another proof of the

      impolicy of these laws ; and stated that Dr . Bowrin ^ had bean told on his late visit to Berlin , that the league were yet willing to volax the duties on English manufactures provided the Corn Laws were repealed . He next alluded to the prcsont coiidhion of tho connection of tliia country with tha Ur . ited State ? , as another pr ^ of of the impolicy of the Corn Laws . He contended that the States wero in our debt , and had do rneana of paying us but in good flour , which was the very tiling wo wanted ; but that the Corn Lawa prevented a comtnunicatioT-, so desirable for both parties . He then proceeded to state that such was the quantity of rain that had lately fallen , that seed-time had massed

      without a possibility of sowing the grain on some lands—some said one-third of the land throughout the country . This vho contended ) would cause bread to be dear next harvest , unles 3 immediate steps were taken to repeal the Corn Laws ; for in some foreign countries the seed was sown in spring ; and if they tiad any hopes of a market hero it was not too late for them to give the necessary supply . This was a special reason why they should approach Parliament now , and call for that relief they were entitled to demand . He then expressed a hope that the meeting would vote for tiie original resolution and reject the amendment , and concluded by denouncing tho language of some of the speakers , iu the words of their own amendment , as " infamous and diabolical . ' Mr . Bainos then retired amidst groans and cheers .

      Mr . Connor ( of th « Working Meu'a Association ) next presented himself , but was some time before lie could obtain a hoaxing . Ho remarked that England had been said to bo tho envy of surrounding nations , and the pride and glory of the world . ( Great hooting and uproar . ( Ho had heard Mr . Baines , and thoy outfit to bn ashamed of themselves for not hearing him . ( U proar renewed . ) If they wUhcd for frcQ discussicii why would they not hear him ? Was there any one there who did not recollect tho

      meeting at Peterloo in lol . O , when Heniy Hunt was present ? ( Cries of " Question , " " Corn Laws , " and great confusion . ) Why , it had everything to do with the question . It might not be generally known , but that very meeting , where the Yeomanry Cavalry butchered tho people in cold blood , was cahed to petition for a repeal of the Corn Laws—( cheers)—and the present Lord Melbourne , who was then the / Hon . Mr . Lamb , was the very man who , in tjie House of Commons , proposed a vote of thank ? to the cavalry , for their conduct on the

      occasion ; The 3 / tAYOR—Question , qMestion . , Mr . jC 0 NNOR continued—Tho Mayor called " Question . "/ Well , ho would come to tho question . Labour was the source from which ail property was derived ; and yet how many thousands of working noea were thcro who , instead of being able to purchase new cloth to clotho themselves , were obliged te .. ao , to . a . jB 8 COTul-uatnd shop , to buy the cast-off alothe 3 ofMrr Baiues and others . ( Groat laughter . ) And yet theao man produced all tho cloth in the country . Now , wat that a fact or not % But if their labour was properly protected that would not be the caso . In 1013 , when the Corn Laws were enacted , the Whigs were siiunt , and never raised their voices against them ; but the people

      surounded tho Houses of Parliament , and petitioned , begged , prayed , and entreated that the laws might not pass . But the Parliament was deaf to their entreaties . If tho people had lad Universal Suffrage would thoy have allowed the measure to pass ? But they had no check whatever on those who made tho laws . They were out of tho pale of the constitution ; and until they were admitted within it there was no hope that their condition would be improved . If the Corn Laws wero repealed to-morrow , and labour was not protected , largo manufacturers , like Marshall and Gott , would introduce more machinery , and soon drive labour out of tho market . ( Shouts of "Corn Laws , " "Question , " &c . Mr . Baines , M . P ., particularly distinhimself

      guisned upon the occasion . ) The Scriptures said man Bhould not live by bread alone ; and if a repeal of the Corn Laws would give them cheap sread , Universal Suffrage would give them cheap beef . ( Roars of laughter . ) It was of no use whatever to tuke off one tax when they wero well assured that Government would put on another in its place . ( Here the uproar was renewed , and we lost a few of Mr . Connor ' s remarks . ) Ho had made them ashamed of their position . There was in this country not less than fifteen millions of land left entirely uncultivated ; aud if the population was emploved to cultivate them they would be well employed , ftlr . Connor then finding it impossible to proceed on account of the uproar , called upon them to vote for the amendment , and retired .

      The Chairman then proceeded to put the amendment , and then declared it useless to divide upon the occasion , as there was a considerable majority against it , and it was therefore lost . He then put the original motion , against which the friends of Universal Suffrago did not vote , so that but few hands were raised against it . The greater portion of the Radicals then withdrew , and the remaining business of the meeting was transacted more quietly , but with a greater want of enthusiasm than we ever recollect to have witnessed at a public meeting . Mr . James Marsuall proposed the second resolution iu a dull and heavy speech , in which nothing of the slightest novelty found a place . ° Mr . George Wise ( in the absence of Mr . Plint )

      seconded the resolution in a neat and effective speech . The Chairman then put it from the chair , when it wa 3 carried unanimously . Mr . Baines , jun ., then proposed the third resolution , and read the petition to the House of Commons to be presented in comformity with it . Mr . Gkeig ( Secretary to the Anti-Corn LawAssociation ) seconded the resolution , which was then put and tarried . The fourth resolution was proposed , and seconded by Mr . Wilkinson , and also carried . Mr . Pawson moved the fifth resolution , which intrusts the presentation of the petition to the House of Commons to Mr . Baines .

      Mr . Wordsworth seconded the resolution , which was carried . Mr . Baines , M . P ., then came forward , and was well received by tho few hundreds who remained . He assured the meeting that ho should have great gratification in performing the duty they had now confided to him . The Mayor having left the chair , a vote of thanks was given him for his conduct in it , and the meeting was dissolved . Before those who remained separated , Mr . Greig proposed three cheers for repeal ; Mr . Baines iun . and

      himself acting as fuglemen , but a more sniritless affair it was impossible to conceive . " Hope deferred maketh the heart sick ; " and the industrious classes of Leeds have been so often humbugged by the parties who took the lead at this meeting , that all their attempts to regain their confidence has hitherto signally ^ failed ; and unless demonstrations of a widely different cha acter from that which we here record can be got up generally elsewhere , that iniquitous impost—the Corn Laws—is likely to endure till domesday .

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      JNo . 6 . Witchckaft , conjuration , enchantment , or sorcery is a crime of so extraordinary and dubious a nature , that few , at this day , will feel inclination to credit its , existence ; and yet , among the ignorant and unreflecting , there are confused notions on this subject still subsisting . Many a village can yet boast of its old woman , whose appearance is alwaysTegarded with suspicion , and whose name is pronounced with

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      fearful and significant glances . Norarethese doubts confined to the unlearned alone ; many , who have devoted their lives to study—especially to that of metaphysics , have not hesitated to declare their firm conviction in the truth of enchantment . It is well tuown how generally these opinions pervade the Germans . The mind of Sir Walter Scott was strongly imbued with a similar tendency , " of which almost all his works bear impress . Our forefathers gave credence to almost every wonderful story . Tho doeirineof v ithehoraft and o : dea'ing with the devil and his imps vra ? v ^ r . rd . iJ : is ono of gospel verity ; and what they coriooived to be fit and necessary io ^ -al provision against , tho fearful civil involved therein was accordingly mac ! o . They enacted by statute 33 Hen . VIII . c . 8 confined to the unlearnt « tinnA . ¦ ¦ « ,, „* „* .. »» .

      "that all persons invoking any eiII spirit , or consulting , covenanting with , or feeding any e ? il spirit ; or taking up dead bodies from their graves to be used i : i any withevaft or charm ; or killing or hurting any person by such infernal arts , should suffer death . And any person attempting by sorcery to discover any hidden treasure , or to restore any stolen goods , or to provoke unlawful love , or to hurt any man or beast , though tho same were not effected , he or sho ehonl . l suffer imprisonment and pillory for iho first offence , and death for tha second . "

      We have seen that the Countess of Essrx , and others , in James ' s reign , applied to a supposed magician in Lambeth ; and at that period a , belief in ^ itchcraft was encouraged by tho ? nnction of the King and the nobility . Every nation in Europe from Lapland and Norway to tho warmer climes of Italy—every country , in fuct , throughout the world , has at ono time or another assumed the reality of sorcery and conjuration . We feel convinced that we cannot do better than offer the following remarks from Blackstone's Commentaries , vol . iv ., p . 60 : — "To deny the possibility , nay , actual

      existence of witchcraft and sorcery , is at once flatlyto contradict the revealed Word of God , in various passages both of the Old and New Testament ; and tho thing itself is a truth to which every nation in the world hath in its turn borne testimony . The civil law punishes with death , not only the sorcerers themselves , but also those who consult them , imitating in tho former the express law of God' Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live ; and our own laws , both before and since the Conquest , have been equally penal , ranking this crime in the same closs with heresy , and condemning both to the flames . Montesquieu ranks them also both together , but with a very different view ; laying it down as an important maxim , that we ought to be very

      circumspect m the prosecution of magic and heresy , because the most unexceptionable conduct—the purest morals , and the constant practice of every duty in life , are not a sufficient security against the suspicion of crimes like these . And , indeed , the ridiculous stories that are generally told , and the many impostures and delusions that have been discovered in all ages , are enough to demolish all faith in such a dubious crime , if the contrary evidence wero not also extremely etrong . Wherefore , it seems to be tho most eligible way to conclude with an ingenious writer of our own , Addisom , that in general there has been smh a , thiiifc as witchcraft , though one cavtiot give credit to any partieulai racJern instance of it . "

      And yet , so much has opinion on this theme been weakened by ridicule , that wo can hardly bring our minds to mako this admission ; and when we recollect that many poor women hare been murdered os friends of the devil , merely because a birch broom gracod their hearth , and a black cat adorned their fireside , and , perhaps , because they themselves have given their tongues too much license , we feel inclined to repudiate the idea of witchcraft , and rather to assign as its origin the metaphor , easily formed , which supposes that those who devote their thoughts and actions to vice , and who shun virtue , hold intercourse with the spirits of evil" For seldom have aucli spirits power XpJUuan , -eawin tho evil-hour , - When guilt we meditate within , Cr harbour unrepeated sin . " M arm ion . However , whatever may be our : persuasion with regard to the reality of those crimes , of one thing all may and should be assured—that they belong to that class of offences which is far above hnman scrutiny , and which should never be exposed to human punishment . Our ancestors thought otherwise , and , consequently , we meet with the trial of one Mary Smith , who was indicted for witchcraft in the reign of James I .

      The charges are quite a curiosity in their way , and , of course , were no more capable of satisfactory proof than fhey were of convincing disproof This elderly and unfortunate dame , it appears from the statement , had so depraved a taste , that she actually took pleasure in the society of a gentleman , generally represented with hoofs , horns , and a long tail , and she even preferred his conversation to that of her worthy husband . This extraordinary woman was of a hot temper , as might be expected from her company , and fond of oaths ^ an accomplishment in which ladies then excelled . A sailor

      once thrashed her child , whereupon , like a kind mother , she cursed the offender , and wished that his fingers might rot off . Lo ! in three quarters of a year they parted company with his hand ! Whether he visited a cold country , where men ara in the habit of leaving their frost-bitten noses behind them , wo are unable to learn . A widow , that she cursed , happened to have a fainting fit ! Certainly a most wonderful coincidence ! The similarity between a curse and a faint is too strong to escape observation A large black cat ( and what would a witch be without one ?) that was part of her property , was

      unmercifully kicked about , and even run through the body by her neighbours , and yet it would not die . They probably were not aware of the truth that a cat has nine lives , and is of all animals the most difficult to kill , next to an alligator and a rich relation , who is going to leave you his money . Perhaps the most astoanding charge of all was that a very fat servant , whom she had abused , suddenly grew thin ! We are left in the dark as to the cause , but wo should say , though no wizards ourselves , that

      there are as many chances of fat people growing thin , as there are of thin people growing fat . One Edmcmd Newton declared that she hovered round his bed , that she sent toads and crabs to him , and that when he was unwell , a peculiar doctor came to him , and the said Edmund being very acute , perceived that a pair of hoofs usurped the place of the feet belonging to the medical attendant . She was found guilty , and , we are told , confessed the truth of all these accusations at the place of execution '

      Now assuming thiB to be a fact , we can only account for it on the supposition that at length the unfortunate female was herself persuaded that she dealt with demons , or being in her second childhood , or mad with fear , answered all questions in a manner that convinced her persecutors of the justice they were doing . " When an old woman begins to doat , and grow chargeabl e to a parish , " observes Adbison , " she is generally turned into a witch , and fills the whole country with extravagant fancies , imaginary distempers , and terrifying dreaniB . In the meantime the poor wretch , who is tho innocent occasion of so many evils * begins to be frighted at herself , and sometimes confesses secret commerces and familiarities , that her imagination forms in a delirious old age . "

      From this fact we should gather that confessions even against one ' s interest are not infallible , and that implicit reliance , as is so often the case , should not be paid to the testimony of a man , merely because , while accusing another , he inculpates himself . There is but little doubt that her confession was false , as if any intercourse with evil beings were permittedi we may reasonably presume that it would be effected by very different means , and-for very different objeots to those appearing in this case .

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      The Great Seal was at this time in the hands of the celebrated Bacon , a man mnversally reverenced for tho greatness of his genius , and bdoyed for Alt T ? v and humani * y of- hia behaviour . tin * / J equired t 0 render hha th 0 ornament of . human nature ifelf was * W ^ eng th of mind which mi ^ Lo icckS h | 3 ^ temperate desire of F , cfcmontj aa 4 Ime rec-tramed his profn 3 o inclination to expei > se iau : t 3 wmcli involved him in neco ^ ties , and ^ a wo a *« OMO 03 t £ 1 x ,.. , r ^ T : ** 1 was a * this time in the hands oT

      , . . By 0 title of S reseats iivffl -we suitors in Cfcau ^ y . Corruption and bnosrv wero said to bo viiia tcmporU-fhe vices cf tho time , and even this philosopher could not escape their influence . Complaints at length readied the House of Commons , who sent up an impsarlment against the Lord Chancellor to tho Peers . Among other items was a dozen of buttons , value £ 30 , given in a cause . Item—A cabinet £ oi ) 0 ; diamond ring £ & 0 . lu a cause between the grocers and apothecaries , he received of tha grocers £ 200 , and cf tho apothecaries ( besides a rich present of ambergrease ) doO—thus bribed by both parties . " Ota French merchant to constrain

      tiie vintners ef London to take 1 , 500 tuns oi wine , when he even imprisoned ihe vintners of London , he took £ 1 , 000 , Bacox deprecated tha vengeance of sis judges by a general a-vwwr . 1 , and ' uiv . 6 endeavoured to es ~ . auj Etricier ' fciic-uiry . ^ Ihc . LorJ . ; insured , however , on a mcro particular bourdon , wheu ho acknowled ged twcijty-e : « lit artic : icF , a :: d was sentenced to pay a fine of i ' -iU . DOt ) , to bo imorisoaed in tho Tower duiker tho Kind's pjoasuvci to bo for

      ever incapable of any bfrice , and never p gain to sit in Parliament , or come within tho verge of tbV Court . This dreadful sentence , dreadful to a mam of nice sensibility and unbounded aTabition , ho sur- ^ vived five years , and being , released in a-little tii ^ e * from the . Tower , ho retired to hi ? , cliambers in . Gray ' s Inn , where he devoted his attention to literary pursuits , for tho cultivation of which his mindwaS well adapted . His philosophical doctrines , however aoble-in theory , would hardlv stand tho test of

      praclice , at least when subjected r / rv . -reta by Bacos huiiself "; ha liberally piued away m poverty and disgrace . » ' The Bishop of Llandaff was concerned in this Baconian system of fraud , but escaped v / ith & severe admonition . The Commons , who were now fii-st rising into influence , and exerting the inherent powers of their body , proceeded to the examination , of other grievances . They found . that patents had bjen granted to Sir Giles Mompssson and gir Fkancis Michel , for licensing inns and ale-houses

      that great sums of money had been exacted under pretext of these licenses , and that such innkeepers a 3 presumed to continue their business , without satisfying the rapacity of the patentee 3 / had been severely punisliod by fine , imprisonment , and vexatious prosecutions . Tho same persons liad also procured a patent , which they shared with Sir Edwab » Villiehs , brother to Buckingham , for the sole making of gold and silver thread and lace , and had obtained very extraordinary powers for preventing any rivalship in these mauufaeture 3 . Ivlany had grievously suffered by this exorbitant jurisdiction ; and tha lace which had been

      manufactured by the monopolists was \ nuvmally f ' . uiud to be adulterated and to be composed more of copf . ar than of the precious meteia . Tho offenders were banished for life , and their lands forfeited . to the Crown . Sir Henry Yelverton , the Aitoraoy-Geiioral , was accii 3 cd by the Commons for drawing the patents for these monopolies , and for supporting them . He apologised for himself , that ho was forced to it by Buckingham , and supposed it to bo th « King ' s pleasure . The Lords were so offended at theso articles of defence , that they fined him £ 10 , 000 to the King , and £ 5 , 000 to the Duke . Theso fines , however , were afterwards remitted .

      Edward Floyd , a prisoner , in the Fleet , a Catholic , had dropped gome expressions in private conversation , a 3 if he were pleased with the niisfortttcea of the Palatine and his wife , who hadbeett ' . riven from their Protestant Palatinate by thft ¦ CstotfBo *; -: xnw v ^ qons y j a a flame , ani pttttending to bo a Court of Judicature and of Record , proceeded to condemn him to a severe punishment The House of Lords checked this encroachment , and what

      was extraordinary , considering the then humour of the Lower House , the latter aequiesced in the sentiments of the Peers . The unhappy offender however did not escape in this conflict , but was sentenced to discontinue the use of arms as a gentleman , to ride with his facetowards the horse's tail , to stand in the piliory and have his ears nailed , to be whipped at a cart ' s tail , to pay a fine of £ 5 , 060 , and to be perpetually " imprisoned in Newgate . And yet the crime was a word , spoken in jest !

      In ancient times the Clergy were generally warriors , and buckled on their armour with as much pleasure as they donned their surplices ; thoy fought not only the good fight of faith , but any other fight which called for their martial interference . During the pwiod ,, however , of which we are writing , the Clergy were a sporting class of gentry , and enjoyed the chase with as much zeal as any Cavalier of the day . Abbot , the Archbishop of Canterbury , took aim with his bow and arrow at a deer , but the arrow glanced from a tree and killed the keeper , a * of old , KingRuFus met his death . An inquiry was instituted , and some noise made , but no trial took place .

      The Earl of Middlesex , Lord Treasurer , was impeached for bribery and corruption . He waa said to be the victim of Buckingham and Prince Charles , who had resolved upon his ruin because he would not minister to their extravagancies . He was fined £ 50 , 000 and sentenced to imprisonment during the king ' s pleasure ; which seldom amounted to less than imprisonment for life . The Bishop of Noewich was also feiod for corruption , ' but ho judgment was given . So great wa 3 the respect- paid to the cloth !

      These trials conclude the reign of James I . The succeeding period , which owns the sway of CHAnLES * I . and Charles II ., ia the most interesting and the most instructive in the whole range of history . We shall leave the commencement of these reigns for our next article . Since this subject has appeared inonr columnB , the various incidents , which wa have endeavoured impartially to relate , have displayed the fury of persecution and the cruelty of oppression in . their most hideous forms . We have seen patriotism , youth , beauty , genius , virtue , and generosity perish , on the scaffold or at the stake , for no offence , for n » fault . The blood curdles as we read , and the natural exclamation is , "May such scenes never bore-acted . "

      Yet what can we expect when in our owa age we behold every evil spirit and every brutal passion raised and inflamed against one man ? What can we look for when we know that not only the law has been stretched , but that the Church andth * press have been formed into instruments of attack upon a fellow being against whom nothing was proved V Laws have been falsely interpreted and shamefull y abused to tha detriment of an unhappy prisoner ; the clergy have hurled the thunders of the church against him , and mangled passages of the Scriptures , so as to ehange their true and simple meaning into corrupt and absurd folly ; the journals , of the day , with but few exceptions , have singled him out as their prey ; have

      demanded the bload , and called for the punishment of one , whose innocence had sot been disproved . It is a rule of the law that all men shall be presumed to be innocent , until the contrary ia plainly demonstrated ? Yet this unfortunate man has been held up to public obloquy as a traitor , before even his trial has commenced . Let us not be shocked a $ / pur ancestors after this ; let us not holdup our hands and display surprise , but rather let us blush fox tha age in which we ourselves live . ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦ :- : J -

      State Trials.

      STATE TRIALS .

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      THE NORTHERN STAR . —— - ——

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 4, 1840, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/king-y1kbzq92ze2665/page/3/