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THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1840.
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LEEDS AND WEST-RIDING NEW$.
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TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.
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HTJDDERSFIELD BOARD ROOM..HTJDDERSFIELD BOARD ROOM. ^
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Friday , if ay ltf . * J ? e GQftrd j anB »«* as osnal * t tea o ' clock * hev mastered Btrong this morning . - WC 1 WK ' « i ^ ! S ? i 5 i . wari ? , <* "Ka 3 sion took place on the subject of the collectors' salaries , when it w-clearly shown that the Whig tooi % h ? m the ^ f ^ K ^ P gmthe ^ Peof Balariei double , and S ££ SL ' ^ wh&t «* Peetable resident _ * Wp « e willing to collect the rates for , * nd had offered their services with the best seca-MJJ . « Jjns shown that the new system is to gorge MW siianed paupers , and starve the Tir tnous but tuuortixnate poor from the face of the earth . None of the Guardians know where tha Assistant
Commissioner is ; he has his £ 5 per day , or his £ 40 per week ; ho has that which ought to give comfort to hundreds , and for ought that is -knorcn of him he ! ttay be luxuriating in France , or Italy , or tossing it j up at hazard at one of the hells in London , or he nay be eoneoeiin « a scheme to reduce Nedr * Baines'sred herring ttew to something less than " // Worth for a dinner for six able-bodied labourer - * £ *• joemorial signed by the rector and a large . *^ of ratepayers of Kirkbunon , paying tha * f JL ™ ^ " lector might be removed , aad & resident ' ? . co *' wzs , like the Slaiihwaite and other ? -a ^ tttntad , aeide as dross , and Mr . Joseph Litt' - ra ^? thrown u That no officer be dismissed for - < Te 3 d movedsalary . " The Holmfinh folks fia r *> g ^ pomnch « v 0 u Mr . Pitkethly move * ' - « si t »; rery full of
- Ibat at the esaixaiiou of v •« * ^ -n _ m ea ;—in the Union should be v «* r « ' ^ ' paid offices Mlion : " the cry was , t > _/ ^_ 2 ?^ f - , ^ # ? ? " why not hare a be' •* ¥ <~>*?* aU - <^^ y , ¦ eoxdd . He argued ' ^ « SH _ at less money if we « vRtem ouirht to V - " *** tfcose "fev « raule to the new SfSSin < ° *** tender hw they voted away SSSTSd ** « f : s-tbat the eyea-of therate-—that the- r * . wcut ? y w « e -open to their acts ¦ w as tor * lukd"Dg be 5 a-le ^ ous—that this plan other ^ * apertKitheone ha&d and starve-on the * TV . " They kad belter pease ere they passed so fir y ^ K 8 * lQtion- Ko aatter , they had a mar vfty » and « was done at ouc £ __ Tbe Cbakman said jrfMw had too little . Mr , P . replied , hisplan was = the bast to regulate the whole : to advance those
"woo are too low and -redsce those who axe too high . Joseph . Bailey next'brought forward his motion on we Ctempion and Northern Slar newspapers , regarding the case of craelty by Dean , of Almondbury workhouse , to a female named Hannah Sykes ; he dcawi all the impor * ans points charged against him fa * paragraph in 4 fce Champion of April the 12 th , * R ach was read by the clerk , and which stated that * female pauper k&d fallen down in a fit and broke her leg , that she had lain three weeks wiih it in - - tfeateoDdition , and when he was spoken to on the ffibject by the mother of the pauper , ( which pauper » of weak inteBect , ) who had heard of the acciden t after sokng a lapse of time , he told her if he ** d got a Doctor he would have to pay for "it out cf his own $ > ocket . Neither pauper nor mother
tras produced to be examined by the board ; the paid officer ' s word was sufficient to condemn the whole inmai&s of & ¦ w-srkhouse . The case of-Win . Sykes , and Deacon Batley was next Froaght forward * s given in the same newspaper . Batley , with admir-* ole disinterestedness , said be did not bring forward-tie case to eover any aspersions of his own private character ; his whole object was to support toe honour of the board ( kind creature !) Mr . Wh ; t worth said that a certain guardian had talked « f setting ali calumnies at defiance , and had congratulated the members of the late board for having taken no notice of them , and hoped the present ooard would do the same , and was now the first to set -aside his own advice . Air . W . said he thotgLt
it was high time to relieve the poor applicants who vatt jed outside . Batley said that tie remarks applied * o him , bat he cared not , he would proceed with the case . Wood , the relieving officer , was called in -as the Deacon ' s witness . Fioyd read part of the report from the Ctompion , which was very -strong aod pointed . Wood taid that Sjkes had rot been refesed a hearing ; he was ordered to prodnce a state-* aeni , iniihe did not ; th&t his ground of application was tiat he ng unwell , and had two children that could OKAet walk nor stand . Wood visited " his home , fwnd three looms , ( one his brother ' s ) two with ^» wi , and one empty . Said he visited his master , « io m astonished he should apply . Did the master BBdersiand it was William , and not-his brother
• JohalHere Wood handed in the amount of work done , ¦ aadagaed J . Redfearn . * Had he received any relief ,, ** tfeey-iboaght his wages sufficiectfor his wife -and fiuaily t He also appeared in better health"than f £ , * B had been understood , he had been ill . How did fce know he looked better if he understood he had -keen iil . ) Batley was Chairman at the table when he ( Syices ) was examined . Ua each occasion Wood ~ -saM ne produced a cerimcate of his ttate of health , * i the time , from Dr . Crowther , which stated Sykei fcad been ill , but had improved a little . AL-o denied -that he had told him to sell his loom before -he ceuld have relief , and tliat he came in a very insulia&way , and told the Guardians it was h ' is right , * nd he " would have relief ; that he was told he ought ia
fe ^ gpea more humble way . Mr . Pitkethiy asked ifSe st& | Koiest was true respecting the application -for ib »**) ffin . He said it was true he had two chil-4 ren who had died , and that he applied fur a coffin when the second dieo , and that he was in a slate of intoxication at the time—that he fell near his < Woe < i i : ) bouse ; thought he could prove he was tipsy by persons where he ( Sykes ) had been ; he did not allow a coffin , but denied that he told him to get one on credit , and work it out . Mr . P . then asked if no other witnesses were to be examined . It was answered , no . Then he said it was a lame way of . going abont business—that the mother and others ought to have been produced in the case of Dean , and that S > kes should have been called to speak for
himttlf * Batley said their case was given in the paper that was before them . Mr . P . said there was no proof that those were really their cases , and were like many other of their ac ; s ; but was quite a new saode of proceeding . Much had fcien said by Batley * nd others the previous week , that to show that the Northern Slar asd the Champion were euwortby of credit , and Suw iLcy wis-jitc io believe ai * d show they were infallible . Mr . P . thta stated he had in liis hand a newspaper , their owa oraele , the proprietor of which was well known by the cognomen of the Great liar of the North , lad be could prove it was full of lies—that it contained libela-on the present Guardians for liuddersii-ld , and cast reflections on the Rev . Chairm-An . Those papers might be
supposed to do a little in that way teo . Mr . Bradshaw had said at the la * t meeting of the Board , that he would not exclude the reporter « f she Mercury , although he had just moved the expulsion of the -Star reporter , tbus showing that tke liberal Whig Bastilers are capable of doing what they have so unfairly condemned in the Tories , namely , of holding ** hole and corner meetings , " but they were then out of power . However well they mi ^ Lt think of any paper , it was not sufficient that u ^ xm any article inserted therein , that any one should be condemned ; that would be still wor ^ e tliaa hoivi : ng " hole and corner meetings . " It had bow get to about twelve o ' clock , and crowds of applicants waiting for relief . Their examination lasted till past fire o ' clock , and
on the case of Susan Armiiago bt-iag called , Dean ¦ was again called up to thew cause wh j he had sent ker away u > seek her settlement , without giving her any relief , when fhe went 10 meet the relieving oS--eer ! He excused himself by s-touug Usat he had not forced her awaj , but merely told her to go and see a -brother in aau : her township , and enquire abouj her « e ; tlunen ; , au ^ i m . ei him a ^ ain at a publiciiouse in Hudder ^ field . Ho was reprimanded , aud told he . ought to have relieved her , or allowed her to see the . relievingofficer , and was informed also that the . legal way wa « u > relieve applicants found to be -dertitute , - * n-i kfterwir ^ is muke the proper enquiry . Mr . Prtketniy ^ -said he had a -Mmiiar _ ch * r £ « agaiiigi . Xkj&n , for tha turning away of an old man gevcn ; y-
thiee years old , woile in -a starviua ; state ; that > Gevrge Desnsfield had attended the Board on the second mt ? tln ^ , and w&stold to attend at AlMond-¦ fanry , to mctl the relieving-ofiicer . Oa the ^ londay ^ bliowitig , he attended accordingly , and met Dean , who , in an arrogant tose , informed him he could sot have anything unless he worked for it , and that the rdieving-onicer acquiesced , and he was sent _» way without a farthing ; and that he had come to hia , Mr . P ., the same evening , starving , and nearly looken-he&xted , stating he had tasted nothing from -the time he was at the Board Room , on Fria&y , to Mondy night , except & few nettles ; and his very Appearance proved he was in a starving condition . ILj g * ve him a trine , and since then he had ouly re--ceived . 2 i He had nothing to do , and when he
bad work , he only earned about 1 b . -per week , in winding bobbins . Dean said his sou had work , and iiiat whatever the old man had , he was behind with Jus rent—t&at there was work for bin if he would work—andiaithe was an able-bodied pauper , and - « &gat to work for what he had . Mr . Pitkethly said he waa ceresiy-three years of age , and a very frail ? Id man , and had a disorder upon him which incapacitated him from working out of doors . He had - lid % wife confined to bed for many jean , which brought him U poverty ; his old age and frailty had left £ lm unable to rise above it , and , till now , be had never applied for relief , and wasted case , if he - ^ eold , even now , get work . He had been * at the Board Room ih $ i morning , but the pressure was so £ reat , and the plaee bo hot , that he could bear it no
Ji » £ er , a&d had gone away . Dean insisted that he wag an able-bodied pauper , and that he ought to Uboar . This is to be proved next Friday , if ike poor man is able to go to the Board ; and ake prove whether Dean it worthy of any credit Dean , in bis fury , th « n charged the Almondbury Guardian with writing violent letters in the news papers , with calling meetings at beerehops , and addressing all who required relief to apply , and actually seeking np objects of distress , to bring here . Mr . Pitkethly said , he had in his hand a Leeds Mercury , containing a paragraph which gave the greatest praise to the last Board of Guardians , f « sending iheir officers to search for the destitute 4 f their homes ; and now that he went to do the business personally , he was to be charged by a paiil officer for douzg so ; bis humanity seemed to
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^ smmm aa ^ S Hwm » Uk ., « * i . t » «* sw &om tnere was W % ?^ & 5 ! j' ' ' £ t& , '& firs Z ? U' i nfJ 5 -uittdley , and Briggs of Golcar , SZlit * ?« ? ;•* " ** ttl people of IIudderefield ' B SS / ' thr * ri * K «»« P ^ Per 8 int <> the street , nE ?«* ' ' law-ioout being factious-and with i Ae | L j _ j , — - <^
r pumsniBg . _ „„_ , r _ ° u . r > :. u ., i . iM „ .. theDeo ^ paupers , &c . + Mr . Pitkethly said , fn i £ ? - «« f Huddersfield had always ftIt pleasure w : A dig for and keeping their poor well , aud they j , ~ -ed to coptinne so to do—that they kept the ^ ose to save them from such treatment as was given ?• » poor pauper , who , oa hearing that his wife ( was dying at Lincoln , went there to see her in her j iast mocientB , &nd who , on bis way back , was taken | into custody , and carried before the magistrates , for i the heinous crime of walking away to visit j his beloved wife on her death-bed , with j the bastile dress upon kis body , which they called ; rtealing . The magistrates sympathised with the i poor fellow , and said they would not punish him for
doing what was his duty , and by no means criminal , but on the contrary , honourable ; but the master of the bastile said his masters , the Guardians , were of a different opinion , and had instructed him to dematiQ the enforcement ofthe fullestpenalty that the law wou !< Hnflict . The Justices were compelled to send the poor ucfortuaate man to the treadmill for three months . It was to save our unfortunate , but poor brothers and sisters from the power of such fiends in the shape of men that they had kept their workhouse , and all who would attempt to enforce the new system were base ruffians ; he wondered that men should come forward with cant , and covered with the cloak of religion , and who were a disgrace to their
species . Here a tumult arose which beggars descriptiun ; the blacklegs ofthe Lond ^ a hails iould not surpass it ; a perfect Bedlam let 1 oob « , Batlojfoseand moved , asid Sykes seconded , that -on ftiday next , the legally appointed matter and matron should go and take possession of the Huddersfieldvreikhouse—( will the me payere suffer themselves to be robbed out of their property by strangers!)—a John Taylor , a young dan , a rag * and bone tnerchant at bbeffield , and his aunt , the well known Jexebel Ainsworth , from Golcar ; the motion of course was carried . Mr . P . then read a letter frem Mr . Scoles , on bebalf
of his sister , to the Board , "complaining of delay on the part of Mr . Floyd , the clerk , in completing the arrangements , fixing the security for the payment of a specified sum , to be paid weekly for abastardtjhild . A pledge was given that ail would be completed by Friday nest . Mr . P . then gave notice that on Friday next fee would move that the whole of the papers and correspondence between tke Commissioners and the Guardians , or their Qerk , should be produced to the Board , and that they be placed in a oenvenient situation for Teferenoe by the Guardians , St all convenient times . Tha meeting was then adjourned till that day week .
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MR . O'CONNOR . Oce readers will perceive , from the report of the proceedings in the Court of Queen ' s Bench on Saturday last , given elsewhere , that in consequence of the continued Bickuesa of Mr . O'Connor , the Judgment of tho Court was again postponed for another week ; so that he will not be brought up till Monday . We have Bince learnt that Mr . O'Cosnon is mnch better , and that there is every reason to believe he will be enabled to meet the Attorkbt-Gskkbjll on that day .
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MR . DANIEL O'CONNELL . We have received letters from several correspondents expressing indignation at , and contempt for , the letter of Mr . Dxmkl O'Co . nbell , which appeared in our last week's paper . We cannot find room for them all ; which we regret the less in consequence of the masterly leUer , in reply , from the pen of Mr . O'Coxnor , which will be found in our first pace .
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SEMINARIES OF " SOUND LEARNING " AND " RELIGIOUS EDUCATION . " Aboct nine days ago , the imbeciles and incurables who blast the kope 3 and ( Jettroy tie energies ef this mighty empire , resumed their occupation of extravagance and misc"hief , according to the rules laws , -and regulations in such case made and provided .
One of the first jobB taken in band by the cobblers of the State workshop was the Report of the Cam . bridge Election Committee , and a pretty Report it is 1 A glorious picture of the excellencies of our elective system ! A beautiful illustration of the workings of the Refoim Bill—the Fystem which little Johk Fikaliiy has nailed , as a tattered flag , to the mast-head of his crsay ship . The Report furnishes most amuFirg details of the scJirietp , tke independence , and the high-minded principle evinced by the ekctors of this ancient seat of learning , and manufactory of national
soul-savers-The " sound learning" and the religious education . " of the Cantabe is exhibited in fine style , though they certainly bear so striking a resemblance to what , in " the dark ages , " would have been called bribery and corruption , that to plain minds like our own the difference is imperceptible . And , indeed , it seems that we are not alone in the opinion ; for the Committee of the Honourable House" have so far evidenced their agreement with us at to declare Mr . Majtxeks Scrron guilty of bribery and treatiug ; and the honourable Whigs are ,. of course , horrified at the atrocity .
Now , we have no doubt , whatever , about 1 the bribery and treating having been pracj tised by Mashers Sb-rrow , but we cannot ! join in the exclusive denunciations of the opposing j party ; because we caBnot find , in this business of Mr . Scttok ' s , any departure frcm the regular and | established order of things ; nor can we perceive in I it anything more than a natural consequence of the system of class voting , which all who were not wilfully blind must have seen and anticipated . Its
only distinguishing characteristic is that it has beeu conducted more openly , and with leas cunningly devised covering ? , than is usual with the "liberals " who cry out against it ; and if there can be a redeeming feature in t&stwareb . is jtex&edy hideous and disgusting , we confess that this very circumstance would rather , in our estimation , operate as such than otherwise . We have no affection for villany in any shape ; but we must acknowledge that , in a choice of evils , we prefer
" A fine , g * y , bold-faced villain . " to a sneaking cur who warns as against thieves while ran sacking our pockets . We apprehend that noam « willmsp * etns of and ** - taking to defend the practice of bribery and treating at elections . We think it net possible for any person to entertain a more rooted horror and determined hatred of political corruption than w « do , but we limit not our indignation to any one development of this corruption . We denounce it equally in all its forms ; and sot lea in the caase than the effect . We have not patience , therefore , to stay hacking at toe branches and stray sprouts which may offend the eye by their immediate prominence ; but we lay oar axe with all the energy of
which we are capable to the roo * of the fool tree , that the whole may be at eaoe destroyed . We are not at all surprised to find seventy dens of iniquity , in the form of public hoosas , opened in the " seat of sound learning and religions « daeation , " for the purchase aad sale of national interests—we look with so surprise upon tht bribery , because we know that these things are but the legitimate and proper fruits of the accursed system under which we groan With a limited constituency and open voting , such things will always be ; aad it is because the factions know the value of these things ; because they know that they can always , by some means or other , buy a limited constituency , that they contend so furiously for a restricted franchise .
With Universal Suffrage and the Ballot , such scenes as those recently enacted at Ludlow and at Cambridge would be impossible . No candidate
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will pay more for his constituents titen what hfe « an fairly calculate upon selling them for , reserving to himself a thumpiof per centage out of the bargain . There is a limit to the profits which accrue even from the trade of legislation ; tod hence constituencies mag , by enlarging them , be made too expensive , in the first outlay , to afford any hope of a profitable return ; and thus the "jobbers" may be driven to invest their u capital" in some other market . Hence , from the very worst premises that could be laid ^ comes an effective argument for Universal Suffrage go true it is ( as to matters of principle ) that . what L in itself right derives support from everything—evil as well as good . ^ - - - ^ - — - ^ -
We know it is said that Univirsal Suffrage would not prevent bribery , because it would not be necessary to bribe the whole , but only Bq . jagny ' ^ g might be necessanr to secure a majority . This objection is as fallacious aB it ig specious . It takes for granted that , with Universal Supprage , parties would be as aearly balanced as they now are ; but no man , in his seaics , ever thought so for two minutes in sober earnestness . The advocates of right would b « at least h ' vo to one against any of the factions ; aad to bribe such a multitude would be impossible . The factions know this ; they feel it ; and hence th « ir manifest determination to die in the ' last ditch , rather than concede Univebsal
Suffrage . The Ten Pound Suffrage is one thing ; UarrgRBAi . Suffrage would be another thing . In the one case parties are nearly balanced * and on one subject , at least , they are pretty well agreed—the plunder and oppression of the people . But a Parliament cboseu by altwtjuld legislate for all ; and general happiness wonJdteauU . Besides , with Universal Sd ^ tragb . mofit ^ ome
the Ballot , which would at once put an endtp bribery , by making it impossible _ for the briber to ascertain whether the bought v ^ fe were ever given to him . With any Suffrage s ^ St of that which embraces the whole people , tiie Ballot would be an immeasurable curse—a gross injustice—against which we shall never « ease to protest . With Universal Suffrage it would be a safeguard and a blessing .
At present , the Cambridge election , gross as are its details , furnishes nothing more than a Bample of the whole sack . Our whole system of Government and Legislation is one of bribery and corruption . The Queen is bribed , by an expensive establishment and regal splendour , to turn a deaf ear to the complaining voice of an impoverished and ruined people—the Bishops are Imbed by sundry "pomps and vanities of this wicked world "the Clergy are bribed by fat livings , or
the hope of them—the lay lords by titles and estates , and a tolerable share of " the Binful lusts ef the flesh "—the middle classes by various gifts of their God , Mahmok , to maintain the present state of things—while a small portion of the base among the working classes are , now and then , bribed with a little pothouse guzale to assiBt their enemies ; and'"treated , " at all other times , with low wages , dear food , high taxes , and a Poor Law bastile , standing in bold relief , as the most probable termination of their labours and their sufferings .
Away then with these trumpery denunciations of Whig or Tory bribery at an election ! We want and will have such a state of things as shall make the abettors of corruption hide their heads in corners , and shrink from the sight of honest men . We will then teaoh the " sound learning" and " religious education" classes that sound learning consists in securing the just rights of all without injury to any ; and that " religious education ? ' is , in its essence , neither more nor leas than the science of glorifying God by promoting the happiness of all his creatures .
Let the people , then , be determined that tho whole land shall become the seat of " sound learning" and "religious education . " Let them arouse themselves and be " determined to be free /' Let us have ' no mere insane outbreaks and , seditions speeches , by which our friends are sacrificed and the cause damaged ; but let a ceaseless , peaceful agitation be kept up , till Universal Suffrage be established . Then , and then only , will they be able , as O'Connell bids them , to "fling off their fetters " and " stand np like men . "
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^ ~~~ * PRIMOGENITURE . No . III . Ij « our former articles on this subject , we showed the effect of thie , in the present state of society , absurd and unjust law to be the continual increase of the burdens of industry for the sustenance of idleness and vice in the " privileged" orders . We now purpose to inquire a little into its effect upon those orders themselves , and to show that its natural and neeessary consequence is the destruction of every noble principle of life and the reducing of all those who , in the cant phrase of the day , " benefit" by its demoralising influence , to a condition of moral helplessness and degradation which renders them totally unfit to be entrusted with the powers of legislation .
To fit any parties rightly to exercise the most important of all civil functions , that of legislation , it is first of all necessary that they should be free from all party bias , and perfectly prepared to poise the interests of all the different portions of society in an equal balance , that the operation of the laws may be equitable and righteous ; but the almost inevitable tendency of this law of primogeniture is to create and foster an intense spirit of selfishness , the very reverse of all this .
It may happen , in some solitary cases , that one of these lucky mortals who are eldest bom may chance to marry , and have but one child , who , of course , will elip into his father ' s shoes when he shall go the way of all flesh . In this case , there is no immediate and necessary barrier to the expansion of the better feelings and the higher charities of human nature . The law has provided that the prosent possessor shall only kave a life-interest in the estate ; but , while he does hold possession , all the proceeds are
his own . He is at liberty to employ them as he pleases . He map , therefore , if so di ^ nosa ^ ajyJroTi himself in Borne tort a faithful steward of-the geods of Providence . He may promote improvement , encourage industry , relieve the indigent , comfort the afflicted , instruct the ignorant , 'feed the hungry , clothe the naked , and protect the helpless . But though all this may happen , in solitary instances , how frightful is the contrast of the picture with which the general rule presents ns 1
Two things are clear as daylight . Firstly , that bo aristocrat ever contracts a marriage , calculating that the issue of such marriage will bo only one ; aad seoondly , that as , if there be twenty children , one only is " provided for , " it becomes necessary to thinkhowthe rest can be provided for ; and this often causes the budding affections of the heart to be sacrificed at the shrine of avarice in the very outset , and converts " holy wedlock" into an unhallowed prostitution of the person to the means of enhancing family interests and apportioning nnportioned children . Thus , at the very outset of his life , does this law of primogeniture compel the aristocrat to drown the softer feelings and the kinder emotions of hia soul in
a flood of Mlfishness , which tends to the rendering him utterly unfit to exercise the virtues of honesty aad disinterestedness , which are of first consequence in a legislator . And this first beginning ef the vitiating of bis character , supposing it to hare been naturally of the best kind , is hopefully followed oat by every step in bis after life into which the operation of this . law can enter . Having obtained a family , he may have Beveral daughters . If a woman marry below her own rank , she sinks in the scale of society t » the level of her husband . Hence arises the necessity of providing such fortunes for the daughters as shall secure their being sought for by persons of , at least , their own rank , that the family piide may not be humbled . This can only be done
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by saving money out of the annual proceeds of the estate , or by obtaining it from the public purse : and hence inevitably arises a spirit of scraping penury totally foreign to all that should constitute a " noble" nature . Rents are raised ' wherever practicable ; wages are beaten down , to the lowest fraction ; the monopoly of legislation is clung to not so much for the honour as the jmj # ofthe thing—the facilities which it affords for turning the tide of public wealth into such channels as shall be sure to fill their own outers ; every act and stratagem which meanness can devise and power execute is put unhesitatingly into requisition to make the industry and resources of the . many subserve tho personal and family benefty of the few .
- The very game feeling , though often in a more open , disgusting ) and demoralizing form , are equally called into baneful activity in providing a maintenance for his unportfoned sons . He cannot provide for them out of the estate . That is the exclusive right and entailed property of him who had the luck to be the first comer . Ho cannot provide for them out of his personal property ; for all that he can scrape together is just little enough to procure eligible matches for the girls . He , therefore , sets his wits to work to get ono pushed into notico at the fear ; another stcp 3 over the head 3 of his betters into , a commission in the army ; a third into the navy ; while if the family contain , a fool , who is deemed fit for nothing else , he is , of course , pitchforked into a fat living in the church .
Nor is all this at all wonderful ; it is the natural result of the system . The education of the aristocratic orders is , in a moral point of view wretchedly defective . They ar « taught fsom . infancy to regard themselves as a superior race of beings—as the especial favoaritos of Heaven—and to view the rest of mankind a 9 beings of an inferior order , doomed to poverty and drudgery by the decree of the wise Governor of all . With these notions in their heads , and with the operation of this law creating so many necessities for the increase of their abundance , there is no room for wonder at the eagerness with which they seize on every opportunity of twisting the staff of life out of the hands of the children of toil , that they may grasp it in their own hands .
With the pressure of the necessities created by this . law weighing down their eyelids , it is not likely that they , should see the iniquity and baseness of 80 using their power of iaw making and of imposing taces , that twenty shillings shall be given forth by patient industry for one by titled idleness . Another deplorable effect of this vicious law is that it renders a huge portion of the "higher" and
" privileged" classes the bond slaves o / the Government of tke day . In all Governments like ours , there are nice pickings for those whose necks and consciences are pliable enough to bond without murmuring a question to the bidding of the minister ; and the operation of this law tends to provide him always with an ample supply of " noble" and " right honourable" tools . In fact it environB and embues the whole character of all its victims with
a thorough meanness—a determined spirit of selfseeking which destroys every noble sentiment . This spirit of selfishness—this determination to seek their own advantage , no matter at whose cost , is , like the abomination of Jerusalem , spoken of by the prophet , " molten in them ; " and to find one of these ruined specimens of human nature rising above the serfhood of his education and bis class connections is a phenomenon as rare as that of the fabled phtenix of the ancients .
Thus does this accursed law operate ; and thus , before its pestilential breath , withers all that is great , noble , just , and manl y ; all that i s generous , amiable , and sincere . While this law remains , it is vain to expect any thing like a sound or healthy moral tone to be given to the feelings and the conduct of the self-styled " superior classes of society . " It is then of first consequence to universal welfare that this law should be instantly repealed—but how is it to be done ?—Would we have the people start
an agitation for it ! No ; no ; that would indeed cause our enemies to laugh < We have placed this sketch of the multiform mischief resulting from one effect of class legislation before our readers to shew them the more forcibly the necessity of uprooting the whole system ; which can only be done by prosecuting to a successful issue the agitation for UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE . Who , that was not a fool , would look for the repeal of this law of primogeniture from a House of Commons made up almost entirely of eldest sons !
If then all these evils spring from this one deadly but prolific root ; and if this be but one of the many like roots of evil which go to make up the system , we bid the people ask themselves what probability is thero that any really useful national reforms will be effected by a House of Commons , the majority of whose members have a direct interest in upholding the present state of things t We know that the only security for the country ' s welfare lies in the harmonious working of all the parts of the community towards a general and universal good . This can only be effected by Universal Suffrage . To the attainment of Universal Suffrage , therefore , let the- energies of all who wish to see Government established for the benefit of all , be instantly and unceasingly devoted .
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THE TRICKS OF FACTION . Tub Whigs have found out an error in their reokoning . They calculated on a permanency of place and profit as the consequence of the Reform Bill ; and they are now horrified at the discovery that the Reform Bill works almost as well for the Tories as for themselves : so much so that they find themselves certain to be hurled from their pre-eminence , by , their own pet tools , the ten-pounders , at the very next el « otion . The Anti-Corn Law clique of the "base , bloody , and brutals" are in fits with the fearful apprehension , and ready to run mad with fright . There seems to be no hope for them unless another Reform Bill hoax can be successfully played off upon the people ; and in their desperation they have determined on the trial . Our neighbour Mercury , in b . ia laat P » per , thus ^ enlightens us : —
" DEMAND FOR FURTHER REFORM . " The pertinacious adherence of the landed interest to the existing Corn Law , combined with the obstructions that are interposed in Parliament toosalutary and beneficial reforms upon other subjects , have given an impression to great numbers of persons throughout th « country , that the House of Commons as at present constituted does no * fairly represent the intexests and wishes of the people . Under this conviction , measures kave been taken in London and in other parts ofthe kingdom to advance the principles of progressive reform , by extending the elect ive franchise , shortening the legal duration of Parliament , wearing tho freedom of election , re-moulding the electoral districts , and
removing the invidious distinction of a property qualification for a seat in Parliament , and making the qualification to depend upon the choice and confidence ofthe electors in the person elected . Upon these points a large body of reformer * ate pretty well agreed , except as to the franchise , which many of them think is already sufficiently extensive ; others hold that every householder should possess a vote ; and others again contend that the suffrage should be universal , mw » jpg thereby to confer the privilege on all male adults onconvicted of crime . Great as these differences am , many persons believe that tha middle and lower classes may be brought to harmonize in an association taking for it * basis "an Extension of the Suffrage—Shortening the Duration of Parliament—Tote by Ballot—the Redistribution of titie Electoral Districts of the Kingdom—and
the Abolition of the Property Qualification for Members of Parliament . '' With these views it was determined , at a meeting of several friends to reform , held In Leeds on Monday last , to form an Association forthwith to carry out the objects involved in these principles , and a Committee waa appointed to draw up rules for the association , and to report to a future meeting . As we have already intimated , this movement commenced in London immediately after the contemptuous treatment received by the million of petitioners for a repeal of the Corn Laws , on Mr . ViUiers ' s motion of the present year ; and . the landlords may rest assured that that conduct , but still more the oppressive Corn Law itself , is rapidly making converts to the opinion that a further reform in the representative system is neeessary . y
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We oaa tell the Mercury aad its masters , that the people by whom the Reform Bill Was esnfed , Kfttd become too * well acquainted with the concoctere of thai measure , to trust them in another "movement The vague terms , * Extension of the Suffrage , " and " Shortening ot Parliaments , " will not be swallowed ; nor will the Ballot be permitted to be hung as a screen of villany before the ten-pounders . The pretence is too flimsy ; the people must be worse than bliad if they did not see at once through it . If the Corn Law-repealing , cheap-labourmongers can get the people linked to their lumbering , broken-down vehicle , under the pretence of Carrying an "Extension of the Suffrage , ' a "Shortening of Parliaments . " and the Ballot along
with it , they , will , no doubt , succeed in repealing the Corn Law ; and probably in procuring the Ballot ; and they will then find plenty of insurmountable obstacles to the carrying of the other measures , leaving the people to rub their eyes in astonishment that they should have been again , gulled . We tell the people fairly , that if they walk deliberately into this trap , they deserve to be slaves for ever . But we know them better . They will not budge an inch . They will stick to their own principles—the principles of right ; and accept no aid or favour from , the treacherous factions . They will sail in no ship in which Universal Suffrage is not nailed to the mast head .
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Vabious poetical contributions declined . G . Holrovd . —We do not think the publication of his of his letter would serve him . J . G . Smith . —His first communication teas giten out for insertion , with the requested alteration ; and we were not aware , till the receipt of his letter of this week , that it had been omitted . The copy has been unaccountably mislaid ; but if Mr . Smith will favour us with any further communication on the same subject , it will be most willingly attended to .
S . B ., Huddersfield . —What was " the question asked of the Halifax Radicals" to which he alludes ? We know nothing about it . W . Matiiews . —Southern Star , London , Sunday ; Northern Liberator , Newcastle-upon-Tyne , Saturday ; Scottish Patriot , Glasgow , Monday ; Northern Star , Leeds , Saturday . An Impartial Observer . —Should have written before . The affair is now a month old . James Jackson , Sheffield . —We think he is
altogether mistaken as to the willingness of Ministers ofthe Gospel generally to forward the cause in any way whatever . Iota . —We cannot find the stanzas addressed to Mrs . Frost . We shall be happy to receive the lines by a friend , and the sonnets ; and . we are obliged by the trouble our correspondent has taken respecting * ' Chartism Unmasked , " a copy of which we shall receive from him with pleasure . Walter Mason . —We know of no tracts similar to that mentioned by him .
The Portraits for Glasgow are at Messrs . Paton and Love ' s , 10 , Nelson-street . A Chahtist at TnowimiDGE . —The Portraits left outoffice on Tuesday last . J . M . W . —Under no circumstances whatever , after the age mentioned . John M'Donald . —The Portraits he mentions were all sent to Fraxer , to whom he must apply . L . T . Clancy . —Arrived too late f or insertion this week .
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LEEDS . Radical Association . —The members of the Leeds Radical Universal Suffrage Association held their weekly meeting on Monday night , at the bouse of Mr . James Illingworth , Vicar-lane , Mr . Benjamin Knowles in the chair . After the weekly contributions were paid , several new members entered their names , received their cards . The following resolutions were unanimousl y passed : Moved by Mr . Joseph Jones , seconded by Mr . William Roberts , " That it is the opinion of this meeting , that a West Riding delegate meeting is hiehlv nece « -
sary , to take into consideration the best means of reorganising the people of the West Riding to obtain their just rights , and that the same delegate meeting take place at the Wellington Tavern , Dewsbury , on Monday , the 18 th of May . " Moved by Mr . Andrew Gardner , seoonded toy Mr . William Roberts , "That a public meeting of the subscribers of the Northern Star be held at the house of Mr . James Illingworth , on Tuesday night next , at eight o ' clock , to take into consideration whether the Slar ought to be advanced to fivepence , or that there be a public subscription entered into , to support the incarcerated Chartists and their families . "
The Coal Trade .- —On Tuesday , Mr . Henry Gelder . of Bees ton , colliery owner , appeared at the Court House , to answer to an information preferred against him under the Acts 5 and 6 Wm . IV ., for having , on the first instant , sold coals by measure and not b y weight , contrary to the statute . On the charge being substantiated , he was fined 5 s . and the costs . Two other oases , of a similar kind , against Mr . Wm . Hill , of the same place , were dismissed , the defendant having proved that though the coals left his premises without being weighed , they were for Messrs . Marshall , at whose maohine they were weighed , and the account transmitted to the colliery .
Socialist Funeral . —On Sunday afternoon , the funeral of John Tillotson , a Sooialist , took place at the cemetery , which was crowded to excess by persons anxious to gratify their curiosity by witnessing the obsequies ; it was estimated ; that there could not be fewer than four or five thousand present . Mr . Robert Owen , the founder of the Socialists , was present , and delivered an address to the spectators , both in the chapel and at the grave side ; it was impossible , however , for any person who had not taken care to get to the place beforehand , to obtain a situation within the compass of his voice .
Caution to Publicans , —On SaUrday last . Mr . Ibkw Fleming , landlord tf the Yorkshire Hussar , in York-street , was convicted by the magistrates at the Court House , on the information of Superintendent James , in the penalty of £ 2 10 s . and costs , for allowing card playing in his house . It appeared that the defendant ' s bouse was frequented by several of the nightly watch , when they were off duty , and the circumstance having come to the ears of Mr . James , he cautioned him as to what he knew was going off ; in spite of this , however , two of the watchmen were found there playing .
Free Gabdkmrt in the Leeds and Kiwutall Districts . —We nave much pleasure in announcing the progress this ancient order is making in these districts , and the harmony that now reigns throughout all the lodges . In consequence of some irregularities , three lodges had been suspended ; but them have complied with the rules , and are again engrafted and flourishing on their parent Btock . A new lodge , tinder the title of the " Harbour of Friendship , " was opened in the Leeds district , last Friday night . Distressing Cash . —On Monday , a very haggard looking man , who gave his name Thomas Senoles , and said he resided in a yard in York-street , was
placed before Messrs . Musgrave and Pawson , at the Court House , on a charge of having , on Saturday night , stolen some bread from a shop in York-street : the prosecutor , however , forebore to press the charge . The poor fellow stated that he had a wife and four children , who were literally starving to death ; he bad no work nor could he obtain any , and it was the sight of his famishing offspring which led him . to the commission of the crime . Mr . Musgrave told him he had better have gone to the overseers , whose duty it was to have given him relief , and after pre ^ senting him with half-a-crown from his own puree , he was immediately discharged .
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b w 1 " ? 9 S SS 2 ? J * Mswcnnt-rAt the Me « iSi &hoo £ on Thowday , prizes were awvd « SSSP Mowing ; gentlemen : ~ Surgery swtoT ^ lP ^ l Ha ^ Certfflea ^ Ut&mi . Wtok Mr . J . Hadson ; CertifcSHr ^ Hott « r . Mr , ^ B ; I ^ Rley .-MateriaMedu ^^ a ? . Mr , 0 . It Harrison ; Certificate of Honour ^ Mr . W * S . B » waterv—Midwifery medal , Mr . J . Hudson * Certificate of Honour , Bir . J . A . Locking . —Chemig . ' try medal , Mr . E . Joy . _ Leeds Medical Student ' s Societt . —The following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing year : —President , Mr . H . C . M . Stead ; Vice-president , Mr . H , U , Prioe : Secretary , Mr . T . M . Leak ; Libraria , Mr . J . E . Hebblethwaite . Committee of the Library , Messrs . B . Langley , T . M . Leak , W . Shacklock , and W . J . O . Wolaaiou . Disgraceful Rows . —On Monday , William Hani and James Fitzpatriek were plMMrebre the magis . trates , at the Court House , haytfljUen apprehended in Kirkgate , on Snnday evening , it « i state of intoxi . Vi *™? » K * ey had been drinking . - ^ fl
^" ^ at the Curriers' Arms beerhouse , in Harper-street in . which house , also , they had had a battle , and one of them presented a pair of beautiful black eyes * there being , however , no person present who eouH clearly prove the fight , ( the landlord , as we understood , having refused to come forward , ) they were each fined 5 s . and the costs for being drunk , - —Twotailors were then charged with having been found hi a boxing attitude , stripped to the skin , about nine o ' clock on Sunday night , in the Golden Cock Yard , Kirkgate . They had nothing to say , and were ordered to enter into their own recognizances of £ 10 each , to keep the peace for twelve months .
Holbeck Overseers . The adjourned special sessions , for passing the accounts of the overseers of the poor of Holbeck . was held aft Qxs > Court House * , on Monday . The adjournment took ' plate . jn consequence of an objection made by Mr . BondT ^ iMhepart ofthe late select vestry , a sum of £ 296 4 s . paid by the lace overseers , as the balance ' of the borougS " rate due from their predecessors , in 1838 , after notice had been given by the select vestry not to paythe same . The overseers satisfied the magistrates : that they had sufficient funds in hand , and haviaf-j their rate books and vouchers to this effect , tht item was allowed , and the accounts were consequently passed .
Odd Fellows . —On Friday last , the seventh anniversary of the Rock of Horeb Ledgeef Odd Fellows ,. No . 598 . M . U ., waa celebrated at the . h « use of Mr ; Joseph Lee , the Star and Garter , in Call Lane . Mr . John Hall was in the chair , supported by Mr * Steward as vice-president . The dinner and attendance were such as to call forth the wannest com * mehdations on Mr . and Mrs . Lee , and a vote of thanks to them for their excellent arrangements war proposed and received by the cordial approbation of the meeting . The evening was spent by the members with all the cordiality and good feeling whioh so distinguishes thiB excellent order .
Closing Shops . —The retail hatters of Leeds havfr come to the resolution of closing their shops at eight o ' clock in the evening , except Tuesday and Saturday The tea dealers took the lead a few weeks ago uj this march of improvement . Robberies . —During the night of Saturday , the shop of Mr . Stephen Mitchell , in Meadow-lane , wa entered by means of getting over the . door of the yard , and a piece of an end of wet cloth was cut from the rollers and stolen therefrom : —On the same night , during the absence of the occupier at market , tke House of Patrick Cave , in Nelson-street , was entered by means of a skeleton key , and twe suits of men ' s clothes , ( a waistcoat excepted ) were stolen therefrom .
Gambling . —On Sunday afternoon , nmnerOBs groups of young Iad 3 were observed ^ gambling 5 j various parts of the outskirts of the town ; some watchmen , in plain clothes , succeeded in takiogone lad , and he gave the name of his companions . They were brought before the Bench on Monday and fined . —At the same time , Thomas Rowley , waa charged with having committed an assault on the watchmen , in an attempt to rescue from them tha prisoner they had taken . The charge wag proved and he was fined 10 s . and eosts .
_ Stealing from the Person . —On Tuesday . John Burnett , cloth dresser , New Road End , was charged at the Court House with having picked the pocket * f Mrs . Margaret Clark , of York , of a purse , a railway ticket , and upwards of 16 s . in silver . The prosecntrut manufactures lint for the Leeds Infirmary , and on Monday had been delivering some , for which ehe f ^ d . got paid . After having her ticket to return to York by the railway , she was accompanied by the prisoner to a low beer-house neat the station , for the purpose of eettins some eirieer beer : here tha
prisoner was joined by two of his companions , one of whom commenced a dance in the room , in which they were sat , to divert her attention , while Burnett obtained the poor woman ' s purse ; he suoceediDe in getting it , and was to the act of boltine , when Mrs . Clark seized him by the coat lap , which came off , aad he escaped . Information having been given at the police office , Burnett was apprehended by one of the nightly watch , with his torn coat on . and on searching him , the woman ' s purse and 6 s . were found in hispocket , and the railway ticket in his hat Ining . He was committed for trial at tha
sessions . BRADFORD . . Bradford Chartkb Associatioh . —A meeting of thisi Association . was held on Monday evening last . at the house of Mr . R . Carrodus , North Tavern Ian , North-street , Wapping , when a number of new members were enrolled . TheletterfromMr . LowerT . which appeared in the Star of last Saturday , was read , and seemed to give general satisfaction ; after whioh a rery animated and interesting discussion took place , with respect to the benefits to be derived by the working classes , from either the repeal ofthe Corn Laws , Household Suffrage , or the adoption of thePeople ' a Charter , which ended in an unanimous declaration for the "Charter , " and no surrender . We understand that this Association will hold its next meeting at the above place on Monday evenn « next , at half-past seven o ' clock . ^
Destructive FiRs .-0 n Wednesday morning , about half past one o ' clock , a dreadful fire was di £ covered ( involving great destruction of property ) in the null of Messrs . Haste and Son , maSe maker * , situate at the bottom of SchoolWtreet , in this town . The null in question is adjoininir that of Messrs . Leeming ' s , used partly as a machine shop . mknnfi ! . f emam ? w the option of Mr . Leather manufacturer . On the alarm being given , and the fire bell rung , the new engine from the Station-House was shortly on the spot , and was succeeded bytheLeedsand Yorkshire Ka XS water bemgat hand , both engines comVencelplaying on the end of Msssrs . WingTmaVwhich w * f » tenedby thedevouring element w 7 th
_ .. , certain destruction , two of the wi £ low 7 in a £ Tgab e •^ , Tfarou ? « exertions of thefiremen , ooHk assisted by numbers of working men , who willintlT the only damage done being that of breaking a ptoe or two , . and lie two windows being ^ urai We other mill was burnt to the ground * The damage done as regards the machinery and tools , is ^ slmated at about £ 3 , m . We have betog inforSd that the machinery and toohareparU y ^ ed / buttO what amount we hare not yet heard . ' w > *
+ k n ^ K ~? a " d ' *»*» * n inquest was held at the Druids' Arms Inn , Westgate . on view of tho body of a young ^ man named John Kilfoyle , who xjameto his death by falling into Copy Delph Quarry , a ^ distance of at least forty yards , on the Thursday ™« to H ™™! J « deceased had been ohsened iff sSTeia public-houses . In * state of intoxication , on the mghtof the accident raft « r leaving which *? ^ supposed he had wandered in the direction of the SfciTki ?^^ & » " *¦ «• : *• Delph i » i af ^ rwards fell the abojedUtance . He was ionrf aboutjnght o ' clock the following morning . Vwdict , wer&ufgto the above circumstances , Tfie Jmy censured the proprietors of tha < i «* rrv for not burin * H fenced o «; and made more sff ^
Ah Old 0 PFRKDER .--On Monday last , Bob Shepherd , » wyer , was brought up at theCourt House , charged with attempting to break into the shop of Nanoy Farrar , of White Abbey , on Friday nfeht . gf waajetected by the patrole and apprehended . Shepherd has Jgured at the Conrt House several * " »« - Nothaving effected anentranee , thewthonties decided upon , boarding and lodging him for £ SS ! tf t f Wakefleld Bridge Eid , not M * gentleman , but as a rogue and vagabond .
_ Bradford Chartist Temperakck Co-ofbtutit Socirtt . —The members of the above society met « Monday eremiwlast , when Beveral Members we » admitted . On Wednesday evening the eomnitte * again met for the purpose of receiving subseriptkmt m aid of the Bradford ' chartist Defence Fund , when the following Bums were receiYed ^ Per Mesnrir Crowther and Morrell , llg . 10 $ d . ; per Mr . Henry HodMon , Is . ; Robert Brown , 6 d . ; -total 13 s . 4 * d » which was handed over to Mr . darkson . We v » informed that the next meeting of this society witt take place on Monday evening next , at half-paai ¦ eveD . o ' clock , at the house ofllr . Hopper , Hope * street . *^ ' ^^
Co-operative Store . —The Socialists in this town have opened a Co-operative Provision Store , in » large and Bpacious room under the Institution . We wish them every success in their undertaking . Odd Fellows . —Last week , in pursuance of th » wishes expressed by the U . P . ' s for Bradford , at the late Odd Fellows' dinner , E . C . Lister , Esq ., wu initiated into the mysteries of Oddfeliowahip , at the Faith Lodge , held at the Odd Fellows' Hall ; and William BusHeld , Esq ., at the Loyal Beuefolenfr ? Lodge , helxi at tha Bull ' s Head Inn .
The Northern Star. Saturday, May 9, 1840.
THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , MAY 9 , 1840 .
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• It -was his brother ' s master . + Fine morality in the kteper of a worisfeouse .
Leeds And West-Riding New$.
LEEDS AND WEST-RIDING NEW $ .
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MRS . FROST AND OTHERS . s . 4 . From the East Manchester Association , per W . Maddocks 2 6-By the hands of Mr . James Hart , from a few Friends at New Barf or d 10 t From Nottingham , per James Sweet ... 2 6 From the West Kilbride Universal Suffrage Association 2 6
GENERAL DEFENCE FUND . . * . From a few Fustian Cutters at Lewis ' s Shop , Manchester 5 9 From one ofthe unrepresented millions at Ross , Hereford 1 9 FOR MRS . VINCENT . I . d . From the Kettle Radical Association .. 2 6
To Readers And Correspondents.
TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS .
Htjddersfield Board Room..Htjddersfield Board Room. ^
HTJDDERSFIELD BOARD ROOM . . HTJDDERSFIELD BOARD ROOM . ^
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4 .- ¦ ' ' } i ___________ THB NORTflSRK STAR . - 1 -
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 9, 1840, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/king-y1kbzq92ze2683/page/4/
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