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Northern Star (1837-1852), 2nd March 1850, Edition 2 of 3, Page 8, 1 Printed by WILLIAM HIDER, ofNo. 5, Mneolesffeld^efit,

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      present swelled the attorney ' s bill of costs in suits tried in the superior courts . Mr . "Williams also approved of the motion , on -which leave was given , and the bill brought in . Labourers' Cottages . —Mr . Home then rose to propose the following resolution : — " That this house , taking into consideration the condition of the cottages of the labourers of this kingdom , and the -want of adequate accommodation for their families , is of opinion that a drawback should iri future bo allowed on tho bricks and timber employed in tbe construction of cottages , the rent of which shall be under £ 4 per annum , as a means of lessening the expense of their erection . " He Loped that the name unanimity which had prevailed

      in the house with regard to the two last resolutions would be extended to his motion . Those who had been in Parliament soma time knew that when there was a surplus in the Exchequer a great number of appeals were made to the government for relief from pressure . He had stated on the first night of the session that he conceived some relief for the labourer was more called for than any other , and urged upon tbe house the necessity of adopting some measures for the amelioration of the condition of the labouring classes , and more particularly as regarded tho improvement of their habitations . He had alluded to the strong desire which had been manifested by the higher classes during the last two or three years to increase the

      comforts and promote the health of the labouring classes . "With this view also , thpy had established boards of health , and bad directed the removal of nuisances , and bad passed Acts of Parliament to promote to a very great extent the carrying out of similar objects . Among other improvements they had effected , was the putting a stop to the making cellars in Liverpool , aid other places , human habitations . A great number of reports from all parts of the country bad been printed as to the manner in which the labouring classes were lodged . He -would not trouble the house by reading extracts from these documents , for he hoped honourable members had made themselves acquainted with these papers . Up to very lately the condition of

      the labouring classes had been shamefully neglected , and above all by the government . It appeared from statements received from various quarters , that the expense of building cottages for the labouringTclasses was so much increased by tbe duties on timber and bricks as to operate in many instances as a posi'ive prohibition to their erection . These duties then operated directly as a positive check on the social comfort and happiness of the labouring classes . He had recently visited several cottages , and was much struck with one in which were a man and bis wife and eleven children , and they were huddled together without regard to decency or comfort . He was convinced that tbe great impediment to the erection of comfortable cottages

      for the poor which the high duties levied on timber and bricks . The consequence had been , that the proprietors or builders of these cottages had been prevented from using foreign timber . It was almost impossible to estimate the effect produced by the brick duty upon the erection of these cottages , but he had been informed that ten per cent , on the cost was about tbe average increase of cost . There was no one who would not regret the uncomfortable state of the homes of those classes upon which so much of the welfare and prosperity of the country depended . One effect of it might be traced in the consumption of spirituous liquors and in the resort of those classes to public-bouses , which offered those comforts and relaxations of which

      their dwellings were destitute . Discomfort alienated a man from his home , and it was probable there wouldnot be such a consumption of ardent spirits by the population if the dwellings of the poor were better adapted for health and comfort . Mr . Laboccheue repeated the objection with which the motion of Lord It . Grosvenor had been met , namely , that it was desirable to suspend questions of remission of taxes until the Chancellor of the Exchequer had made his financial statement ; but , independent of this he objected to the resolution on its own merits . Mr . Drcmiiosd , in supporting tbe motion , exp lained the unjust way in which he considered the tax on bricks operated .

      After some discussion , Mr . Htme withdrew his motion . Mr . Lact asked leave to introduce a bill for intramural interments , by which railway companies would be empowered to form cemeteries , but , after some discussion , withdrew his motion in order to see the measure of the Board of Health on the subject . The house adjourned at twelve o ' clock .

      WEDNESDAY , Fra . 27 . HOUSE Of COMMONS . —Marriage Bill . — Mr . Stuart "Wortlct moved the second reading of this bilL This bill he stated to be nearly the same as that proposed last session . He bad , bowever , withdrawn the cause compelling clergy to solemnise marriages between a man and his deceased wife ' s sister , leaving that question to the individual conscience of every clergyman . Another clause , by which marriages with a deceased wife ' s niece was legalised , had also been removed . The hon . member proceeded to argue that & e measure -was necessary for the preservation of morality ; ¦ was aot contradictory to the injunctions of Scripture , and was designed to rescind laws which had

      only stood about fifteen years on the statute book . The marriages which it was now intended to legalise were not prohibited before 133 ? , and up to that year were frequent , especially among the lower classes . JSo interference with these unions was recorded during tbe first 300 years of the history of the Christian church ; and even then the prohibition was based upon considerations of discipline , and without any allegation of scriptural doctrines . Of the painful , and , in many cases , immoral consequences resulting froinjthe existing state of tbe law he adduced many instances , selected from a mass of evidence that had accumulated in his hands He called on the legislature to interfere , both for the sake of future relationships , and in order to place npon a proper basis those connexions which were now placing many innocent parties in a false position in the eyes of society . Sir P . Thesiger opposed the bill by a motion that

      it be read again that day six months . The measure he characterised as having been prompted by tbe -wishes of a few individuals of high rank , and fostered by motives of professional interest . The hon . and learned member entered largely into tbe precedents afforded by ecclesiastical history ; and controverted the positions assumed by Mr . Wortley by a multitude of arguments founded upon the legal , the moral , and the social view of the case . He appealed to the church to pronounce a definite judgment on a question that rested entirely upon the doctrines of religion . Col . Thompson supported the measure , Mr . Heaslau placed tbe question upon the broad basis whether there did or did not exist any scriptural prohibition to the unions referred to in the measure . He argued that no passages could be found prohibiting them in positive terms , and it was fitting to ascertain the interpretation of texts .

      Mr . P . Wood believed that scripture directly prohibited these unions , and that the prohibition "was re-inforced by a variety of other considerations , and the example of the most enligatesed among the heathen nations . Mr . Hope moved the adjournment of the debate , on the Speaker ' s account , whose duties required his presence elsewhere , which was agreed to ; and the house rose at a quarter-past four . THURSDAY , Ffbruabt , 23 , HOUSE OF LORDS . —The Pabtt Processions ( Ibelaxd ) Bill was then read a second time , after a short discussion . The house then adjourned .

      HOUSE OF COMMONS . —Parliamextary Retosm . —Mr . Home moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the national representation , by extending the elective franchise to resident occupiers of houses , or lodgers , for a year , rated to the poor ; and hy enacting that votes shall be taken by ballot ; the duration of Parliaments limited to three years ; and the proportion of representatives made more consistent with the amount of population and property . He began by urging the importance of tbe subject as regarded the peace of the country , the duty of the house to do justice to the people , and oar financial situation , the excess of the expenditure having grown up for want of due Parliamentary check and control . The representation , it was

      admitted , required amendment ; the only question was as to the extent and mode . Universal Suffrage was demanded by a large part of the community ; he thought that representation ought to be co-extensive with taxation ; Instead of universal suffrage , his scheme , which was tangible , easily carried out , and which need alarm no one , based the franchise upon ratability to the poor , whereby no trouble , or expense would be incurred , a registration being already framed : and taking the population at 16 , 000 , 000 ( the number in 1841 , ) instead of a constituency of 800 , 000 , there woaid be 3 , 232 , 762 electors in England and "Wales alone . He invoked

      the aid of the government , who in their Parliamentary Voters Bill for Ireland , and in their colonial policy , had recognised the right of the people to representation upon a liberal basis—at the Cape the suffrage would he all but universal . The Reform Bill had not fulfilled its object , which was to bring back the Constitution to its original theory , and that was the object he now aimed at by means of a principle which was at once simple and uniform . He concluded by observing , that whether this was a question of right , of reason or of policy and expediency , all were in -f avour of reform . He wished to add to the terms of his motion that there should benoqualihcation for members .

      > % Sir Joshua Waui 3 i . et seconded the motion . The people , he said , were growing more and more alive to the necessity of altering our representative svs--tem , and it was good polioy to make timely concessions . Ike represented as well as the unrepresented believed- that it was only by a reform of that bouse tbe burdens which pressed upon tbe industry of the county could be relieved , and the time

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      would come when the demands of the people could sot be resisted . - .,.. / . ; . Sir G-. Gee * complimented Mr . Hume on his conr sistericy and the patriotism , of his motives . He nevertheless called on the house to meet the motion by an immediate negative . The question now before them was not limited to an extension of the suffrage , a revision of the details , or a denial of tbe finalityof the Reform Bill . On this point be would pronounce no definite opinion on the part of the government . But what was now proposed was a sweeping change in the constitution a s established in 1832 . At that era the principle of representation and taxation was adopted , accompanied by certain checks to prevent abuses . Those checks thev were now asked to remove without providing

      any sufficient substitute . Tbe electoral body had been understated at 800 , 000 . It amounted last year to 940 , 000 , without including Ireland . Altogether the changes now advocated were separated by nothing but an invisible distinction from the Charter asked for by Mr . Feargus O'Connor . He denied that it was correct to represent as slaves and bondsmen all those individuals who did not enjoy the franchise . The inequalities in the electoral bodies the hon . baronet did not believe to be injurious , and at all events questioned the possibility of their removal . The ministry had proposed large measures of reform for Ireland , and a variety of remedial bills for England , all of which would be stopped if the country were now to be disturbed by an agitation for a new Reform Bill .

      Mr . F . O'Connor said that the ri ght honourable gentleman , like all members of . government , admitted the justice of the motion , but said that the time was not yet come for granting the demands which it put forth . He ( Mr . 0 ' Connor ) defied that house to continue as it was then constituted , Ilcre on the bench which he then occupied sat the ri ght bon . baronet the member for Tam . vorth , surrounded by the members of his party , who based their support on wounded feelings . At the opposite side sat the noble lord at the head of her Majesty ' s government , supported by his retainers ; whilst the bench to there ? rwas occupied by Irish gentlemen , who , whenever their services were required , or when the ministry was in danger , rushed in to the rescue , heedless of the consequences to their

      country provided they secured to themselves or friends places or patronage . ( A laugh . ) That was the present constitution of the house > and he told those hon . gentlemen who referred to the period of 1 S 32 and the passing of the Reform Bill that there had taken place a greater progress in the mind of the country within that period and the present than there had in the previous century . ( Hear , hear . ) He asserted that there prevailed more knowledge amongst the working classes of England than among the operatives of any other country . When the bon . member for Montrose insinuated that he ( Mr . O ' Connor ) in his advocacy of the People ' s Charter had urged it too far , and excited the people to violence , he defied him to point , to a word said or a line written by him ( Mr . O'Connor )

      that encouraged the people to violence or insubordination . On the contrary , the greatest difficulty he had to encounter was to oppose those advocates who countenanced violence and revolution . He bad ever supported the People ' s Charter , and ever would continue to support it , whether the measure of the hon . member for Montrose should be successful or otherwise . But though he ( Mr . O'Connor ) was the reviled of all revilers , and though persons generally formed their opinions of his character from the writings in the public press he would nevertheless defend that character , and stand by the principles of democracy to the last . The year 1842 had also been referred to ; but it should be recollected that though he ( Mr . O'Connor ) had been made the scape-goat , it was the manufacturers

      that turned out then : hands in that year , to carry by coercion tbe measure of free trade . He could not easily forget it , because he had been put on trial before a special jury for eight days , for having resisted an appeal to violence—at the end of which time he was unanimously acquitted ; and the gentlemen who sat on his jury , magistrates , after his acquittal invited him to dine , and declared that though they went into the jury box prejudiced against him , every single prejudice entertained b y them previously had been dissipated . ( " Hear , hear , " and laughter . ) He considered the Reform Bill as nothing ; it was merely a " mockery , a delusion , and a snare . " "What he wished to see was , that house constituted , as it ought to be , by the free will and choice of the labouring and toiling

      people . ( Hear . ) Howevercontenthon . gentlemen may be to see the house constituted as at present , yet , they might believe him the day would come when the people would appeal with something more formidable than a petition . If they looked at the manufacturing districts , they would find the peop le possessing more knowledge , and a keener sensitiveness of the inequality they were made to feel , than in any of the continental towns , where unfortunately the people were never as well prepared for the reception of the changes wbich they sought , as were the people of England . ( Hear , hear . ) Much as had been laid to the charge of him ( Mr . O ' Connor , ) It could not be said of him—as could of the noble lord at the head of her Majesty ' s government , and also of his

      partythat he it was who inverted the portrait of the sovereign , with the executioner following armed with an axe , to terrify majesty into a compliance with the demands of the people . ( Hear . ) Neither was it he who recommended the burning of Nottingham or Bristol ; but it was easy to justify violence and crime when they were committed to uphold a powerful and influential class . ( Hear , hear . ) It was not his intention to have spoken a single word , but to have voted on the question . He thanked tbe hon . member for Montrose for having introduced the measure ; and , however that hon . member might revile him , or abuse him and his party in that house , he would ever continue to vote for his motion , stand by the Charter , tbe whole Charter , and 2-To Surrender . ( Laughter and " Hear , hear . " )

      Mr . Page "Wood complimented Sir George Grey upon the adroitness with which he had sought to prejudice Mr . Hume ' s motion by confounding it with tbe demands of tbe Chartists , whereas it was diametrically opposed to them . He pointed out with regret the conduct of governments in offering ft premium to agitation , but never yielding reforms except to violent pressure from without ; and he asked wbether the house thought that three millions of grown-up non-electors were unfit to be trusted with the franchise , or , if they were fit , that they would not soon manage to obtain it ? Deprecating all policy which forced men into antagonistic classes and " orders" he supported the motion .

      Mr . Drovmoo t said that the antagonism complained of bad been chiefly produced by itinerant professional agitators . He should have supported Mr . Hume had he separated the extension of the franchise from the other subjects of his motion , every syllable of which , he prophesied , would nevertheless one day be carried by the "Whi gs , who cared not so they reigned whether it was by the grace of Brookes ' , or oy tbe grace of Manchester , and who had adopted the murder of tbe Sing and Queen of France , the mutiny at the Nore , and every other atrocity in modern history . The promoters of tbe motion were attempting to confound , into one great chaos , the system of degree and order which existed throughout all creation , downwards from the celestial hierarchy .

      Mr . Roeeuck said that government was bringing against Mr . Hume tbe very charge that had been made against Lord John Russell in tbe Reform times , namely , that of violating tbe spirit of tbe constitution , by creating a property test for voters . He believed that the house represented a great deal too faithfully the feelings , ignorance , and passions of the nation , and he also believed that vast benefits accrued to every man in England from the institutions under which we lived ; bnt there was a feeling among the people that they were wrongfully deprived of certain rights , and therefore he would accord them . It was the fashion in that bouse incessantly to praise the labouring man , but when he asked for political power the house was frightened at him—frightened most needlessly , for he was worthy of aU trust .

      Lord John Russell assailed the inconsistency of the promoters of the measure in describing all men without votes as slaves nnd serfs , and then leaving so large a mass in that condition by the restricted franchise they proposed , a franchise which would make tbe case of the excluded even still more galling . He agreed with Mr . Hume on the theory of the constitution , but differed from him as to its practice , considering Lord Camden ' s constitutional maxim , that "taxation without representation was tyranny , " meant that the Sovereign could tax only with the consent of Parliament , tbe direct share of every man in electing that Parliament being quite beside the question . He , therefore , deemed that he bad not departed from constitutional principles in framing the Reform Act , which did not alter the great outlines of tbe constitution , but only supplied what had become defective , and in the redistribution of representation , at that time , all

      he had sought was to preserve the just balance of interests . He conceived that the admission of voters proposed by Mr . Hume would lead to innumerable frauds , and he was at a loss to separate its bearing from that of the Chartist proposal . The conduct of the working classes in England was deserving of high praise , and he believed in their moral and social improvement . But he could not believe in their political wisdom , nor think them altogether fit to he trusted with political privileges On the contrary , he believed that the working men would be misled by demagogues , whose misstatements as to taxes , institutions , and laws , they had no means of correcting . But he appealed to the Irish Franchise Bill , now in progress , to show that he had no hostility to extending the franchise . In reference to the equalisation of districts , he exposed the inconsistent character of the proposed remed y , and said that if alterations were to be made , populous counties - which returned no . more members

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      than towns of " a - '' smaller ^ population" would have a right to claim additional representation ; / He conceived : that the . iphva would increase the feelings of collision between tho agriculturists ' and the dwellers in town . ;; He indignantly- denied the serfdom said to exist among tho non-electing classes , and pointed to the liberties and privileges they : enjoyed , and to their , being permitted to rise to the highest station , in the : 8 tate . But be did not look to the £ 10 franchise as a limit that must alw ays and necessaril y be adhered to , though it had been the opinion of himself and his colleagues that it was not expedient in . the present session to re-consider the franchise , other matters being of more pressing importance . He alluded ; to

      recent continental . events , as having afforded salutary lessons , and had especially shown liberty , endangered b y those who affected to come , forward as its friends . Pronouncing a panegyric upon the constitution , asserting that there was no popular demand for an alteration in the franchise , and rer minded the house that if we wei ghed our anchors and set our sails during a perfect calm , we might be driven upon the rocks , he said that when a new measure of representation was brought forward , it ought to be not a substitute for , but a supplement to the Reform Aot . Mr . / BEBKAL Osborne said ,, that as-Lord John RuSsoli ' would not put to sea either in a storm or a calmj'he supposed his lordship was waitirifIfor a breeze—tbat . of a general election ,, whenMo doubt , a bill for extending the franchise , would Ue laid * by ; the ministers ; upon the table , of . the ; house . His

      lordship ' s speech of to-night would , however ,., produce more of a gale than'he co . uld desire . He read extracts from evidence taken before committees , to show that this boasted Parliament had . been brought together hy . desperate bribery , He maintained that the power of the aristocracy had increased , was increasing , and ought to be diminished . Alluding also to Treasury influence ,, he said ( amid the roars of the house ) that . tjie emblem of the Treasury was not a " whip " but . a . " fishing rod , " with which the parliamentary Isaac Walton bobbed for patriots , and hooked country gentlemen ; and he described Lord Melbourne as having once , upon a critical occasion , made a " miraculous draught" of baronets . He concluded a long and humourous speech , abounding with personalities , which were excellently received by the house , by declaring that he supported this motion because he was a true

      Conservative . The house then divided , when the numbers were— For Mr . Hume ' s motion ... % Against it _ ... 242 Majority against ... 1 * 16 ( From our Third Edition of Last Week . ) FRIDAY , February 22 . HOUSE OF LORDS . —The house met yesterday at five o clock . The royal assent was given , by commission , to the County Cess ( Ireland ) Bill . On the motion of Lord Brougham , the Criminal Law Consolidation Bill passed a second reading .

      HOUSE OF COMMONS . —The Party Processions ( Ireland ) Bill was read a third time and passed . Parliamentary Voters ( Ireland ) ' Bill . — Mr . Napier objected to the' alterations effected by the measure in the qualification of county voters , and explained how , under its clauses , . the franchise would devolve upon parties having no beneficial interest in their nominal holdings . Mr . Home contrasted the liberal franchise accorded at the Cape with the hi g h qualification still required in Ireland . An £ 8 rating in that country , as enacted by the new bill , was equivalent to £ 30 in England . He wished the amount to be largely reduced in every quarter of the United Kingdom . Mr . Rkjnolds . approved of the bill , but

      announced his intention of moving in committee to reduce qualification to a £ 4 rating . The bon . member proceeded to illustrate his argument by a narrative of the celebrated Dublin election petition , which held its tedious progress during ninety-four days , and not only cost £ 15 , 000 , but exhibited , he would not say perjury , but a considerable " economising of truth" among tho witnesses . Sir J . Walsh and Col . Taylor opposed the bill . Mr . M . J . O ' Cornell said , that this bill would much diminish the household suffrage in boroughs . We oujrht to make concessions , not to democracy , but to the increasing enlightenment and increasing social virtues of the working classes . Col . Rawdon supported the bill .

      Mr . Feargus O Connor approved of this measure as most opportune and necessary . He looked npon it , not as a measure of principle , but of policy ; because it was said it would considerably increase the electors in the rural districts , but considerably decrease tbe number in the towns and boroughs . The promoters were afraid that , unless the county constituencies were enlarged , Ireland would return a majority of Protectionists j but they felt perfectly secure of the towns and boroughs . ( A laugh . ) When the hon . member ( Sir J . Walsh ) talks of the rapid strides of democracy , he must tell him that the landlords of Ireland had always measured their property by the standard of political power , rather than by the public necessities and state require : ments . It was to the resistance of the landlords to

      the developemeut of the generous mind of the people of Ireland that had driven the people to a wild democracy ; and he would tell the landlords , that until the present system of quibbling government was done away with —( a laugh)—we should never see the only proper and sound system of government established—a system of pure democracy . The landlords of Ireland could not say they were in the same position as the landlords of England —tho English landlords were gentlemen , the Irish landlords were tyrants . He accepted this measure because he believed that shortly the same measure of justice must be dealt out to the people of England . Talk of a £ 25 rating for Ireland ! Did

      the hon . member for Dublin ( Mr . Taylor ) know that 36 , 000 voters were the whole constituency of Ireland ? Why , the West Riding of Yorkshire alone had a constituency of 36 , 000 persons , and returned only two members ; so that the same number as sent to that house two members in one case , sent 105 members in another . Was there ever a greater anomaly ? The Irish landlords always made themselves tools to a government ; and ho would ask , did they over know anytbing more absurd and anomalous than the paltry subserviency to a minister which the Irish government bad shown last night , when they refused to relieve Ireland with £ 500 , 000 out of the Consolidated Fund at the same time that

      they accepted a grant of £ 300 , 000 ? ( Laughter and cheers from the Protectionist benches . ) Tho Irish landlords came with weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth , and yet said they would not take what their country wanted , merely because they wished to support the government . ( Renewed laughter and Protectionist cheers . ) He thanked the government for this measure . He had not much certainly to thank any government for —( a laugh)—but he regarded this bill as a step in the right direction . Lord Claude Hamilton said the landlords of Ireland were more successful with their tenants than Mr . O'Connor was with his tenants at Snig ' s End .

      Mr . O Connor said that his tenants did not pay any rent . Mr . Bright objected to certain restrictive clauses in the bill , and declared that as a new lteform Act will soon he demanded hy England , Ministers had better place the Irish franchise upon a basis upon which they could take their stand , and arrange a franchise for England , besides giving Ireland the ballot . After some further discussion the bill was read a secoudtime . Tho Estates Leasing ( Ireland ) Bill and tbe Commons Inclosure Bill were then read a second time and ordered for committal .

      Woods and Forests . —Lord John Russell gave notice of a bill for the better management of the Woods , Forests , and Land Revenues of tho crown , and of tbe Public Works in the country . This measure tho noble lord briefly explained to consist of a proposed separation of tho Woods and Forests from the Public Works department . Three commissioners ( one being unpaid ) were to undertake the administration of the Woods , Forests , and Land Revenues . The Public Works were to be erected into a political department , at the head of which would be placed a commissioner , who was to

      be a member of , and responsible to , tho House of Commons . The recei pts and . outlays of tho Woods and Forests were to be included among the items of the public revenues , and the C ommissioners of Public Works-were to draw their supplies from parliament in like nianner with the . other branches of the public service . No increase in the gross amount of salaries in the offices would be occasioned by the proposed measure . Much economy and an increased revenue from the crown properties were anticipated from the change . After a short discussion leave was given and the bill brought in . The house adjourned at half-past nine .

      • Tffcind S - ^ N^R«Mai» March % 1850 Th...

      - ^ ^ r « mAi » March % 1850 THE NORTHERN , STAft ^ > - , __ _ ^ - - ** ¦* ' ¦ W j ¦ - \ ! ¦ ¦¦ mm — r ~— - ~— .

      British College Of Health , Nbw Road, Lo...

      BRITISH COLLEGE OF HEALTH , Nbw Road , London . FALLACY OF ANATOMy " aT » EGAIU ) S THE CURE OF DISEASES — THE BURKING SYSTEM — DOCTORS BUYING DEAD BODIES WITH THEIR SHIRTS ' <' "ON ! I- « "Vio . ,.. As persons are continually disappearing no one knows how , it may not be out of place to consider whether" tlie burking system is not still carried on to a great extent . Had it not been for the terrible discoveries made onBiuke and Hare ' s trial , there can be ho doubt that thousands would have been sent into the next world in ' order to ' feed doctors with human flesh , so that they ( the'doctors ) nutrht fill their pochets . at the Expense . of . suffering humanity . This dissection our readers should know , forms oue of tlie very lucrative emoluments proceeding . from ' . Jiospitalpractice . ' For instance , the professor of anatomy pays wo will say , eight or ten guineas for a dead body , and then makes fifty or sixty out of it from the medical ' students ' who have paid their money in order to find out , as they are told the cause of disease in a < fead fiwlj * . * .. ' . , , Yi ' as there ever amore infamous fraud i Where is , the , doctor who lsnoiys how to

      British College Of Health , Nbw Road, Lo...

      wi ™' aa 5 wiiYe ~ fr 6 ^ SfulTecVofhimbug . aud * e yarelW tabit ^ e wise r AVnnVrtiMPrtiori" as tar as regards the cure of disease , it SSniSone ?! m 6 hey ! ' ! money ! . «" that theragca . mvtilk « t upjdustis thrown-into the eyesof the public , ana doctors : teh »( the wicked lie !) tha * anatomy is renuisite to understand ) the ; cure of diseases . ' . The only anatomy reaUy required : is BONE SETTING ,, in . case of accS which might be learnt by designs-the yegetable Universal Medicine wbTtheu do all that is necessary , by keeping the btoou pure and healing the parts—operations for stone , cataract , ' cancer , & e . are perfectly useless , which is proved by the disease . always coming again , Decause its seat is in the nwool ! 1 Burke , the murderer , found . ' Burking' the best trade going—he used . to smotner bebute , and then take them to the doctor , almost hot , some evenwith their SHIRTS ON , * and used , without the least difficulty ,- ' to get his £ 8 for each body . Now . there can be vie

      no doubt that the doctors must have known that the - thus had not come fairly by their deaths , yet they blinked at the whole business in order that they might par . their focksts ' . Talk ; after this about the ' honourable' protessioni the ' liberal * profession , and such humbug . ; We say , read the confession Of the burkers here given , and jf you can believe that these doctors did not know at the time thatthe parties had been murdered , why then you must have : more | cr , edulity than we , give you credit for . -The deadly ; chemicals of the doctors and their burkings are bfiltfod ' tt" par , only the first is not so easily debated oy the public asijie other ; but that a day of retribution will come we make no doubt . Wo understand that poor people will no longer allow their relatives who die inthe hospitals to be mangled by the knifo . of the human butchers . No wonderr y ¦¦¦ .. . .,, - ¦ ¦ _ * Read the effieial confession of Burke made in tho gaol , to be had of all the Hygeian Agents . Oh ! oh '! tho Guinea Tradel ! — ¦¦

      The Factory Question. The Teh Hours. Act...

      THE FACTORY QUESTION . THE TEH HOURS . ACT .. ATO . WAGES . . Sir Ttobert Peel has diligehtly ; studied Cocker . The right hon . baronet is . a Clever arithmetician . He has not studied human nature . Consequently , the late Prime Minister isnota " safe" statesman . ; During the debates . oh 'the Ten Hours Fact 6 ry Bill , Sir Robert Peel argued thus— ' * If you reduce the hours of labour in factories from twelve to ten , you will necessarily reducerthewages from twelve to ten . " And -then ' , - with affair of triumph , the selfsatisfied statesman asked— " Are you prepared to make such an enormous reduction from the earnings of a large portion of the"working population , whose wages , even at twelve hours per day , ' are not more than their necessities require ? "jBy such sophistry many members of parliament " were der ludied j" even nowthe economistsfollow in the

      nay , , , wake of Sir Robert , rest their opposition . ' , to the Ten Hours Act on similar assertions and Questions . ' Fortunately , experience - contradicts Cocker . Happily facts prove the folly of Sir Robert Peel ' s philosophy . Take the following . . I record it for the especial benefit of the right hori . baronet and his disciples—the Economists . My kind friend , Mr . Wm . Walker , has just placed a very important document in my bands . It is the record of the wages paid by a millowncr , in Bradford , for the working of thirty-two power looms , during the year 1848 . The table is drawn up by the overlooker who superintended the working of those thirty-two looms during the whole period . The speed , the looms , the wages per piece , the quality of warp and weft , and tho workpeople were the same and during the whole period the hands had full employment . The only difference was the time of working , and the amount received by the

      wotkifivs During the first quarter those thirty-two loonis were worked eleven hours per day . During tho following three quarters they worked only ten hours perday . Now I will state the result . To that result I respectfully , but earnestly , call the attention of Sir Robert Peel and the Economists . First quarter wages paid for eleven hours per day , £ m 3 s . 6 d . Second quarter , wages paid for ten hours per day , £ 183 5 s ., being £ 1 ls . od . more than for eleven hours per day ; and £ 22 3 s . 7 id . more than the amount assumed and asserted by Sir Robert Peel , according to Cocker . Third quarter wages paid for ten hours per day , £ 191 4 s . 6 d ., being ( £ 14 : Is . more than for eleven

      hours per day ; and £ 30 3 s . lid . more than the amount assumed and asserted by Sir Robert Peel , according to Cocker . Fourth quarter wages paid for ten hours per day , £ 187 12 s . 9 d ., being £ 10 9 s . 3 d . more than for eleven hours per day and £ 2 G lis . did . mow than the amount assumed and asserted by Sir Robert Peel , according to Cocker . The account before me gives me the name of the overlooker and the mill . lam not authorised at present to publish names . If Sir Robert Peel doubts the statement , I have no fear of being able to satisfy him that there is " no mistake . " And how is this apparent contradiction to be ac :

      counted for ? Simply on this truth—human beings are not machines I That is all . Cocker would bo correct if nature did not tire . Sir Robert Peel would be right if human beings were not needed to guide and watch the operations of machinery . i I asked an overlooker to account to me for this result . He said , " Under the system of long hours , the hands' were never fairly rested . Under the system of ten hours per day , they aro never exhausted . " " Ay , " said I , " my friend , you know more about itthan Sir Robert Peel . " . It is well to teach the overlookers logic ( logic proved by experience ) now , when the law is defie d which is working so well . Richard Oastler .

      The Te2? Hours Act. The Factory Operativ...

      THE TE 2 ? HOURS ACT . The factory operatives of Lancashire held another delegate meeting on Sunday . The central committee deemed it necessary to call a second meeting on account of the unfair means that had been adopted to pack the meeting held on the previous Sunday , by a few persons not at all connected with factories , and who appear to bedividing the workmen with a view of prolonging the agitation . The meeting , as on the former occasion , was held at the Cotton Tree Tavern , Manchester , and was very numerously attended—at least so far as tbe number of towns are concerned . The point for discussion appeared to be to whom should be entrusted the care of the bill in the House of Commons . Mr . Grant said , as

      soon as it was ascertained that there was a desire on the part of a few of the factory operatives to have Lord John Manners and Mr . Bankes united with Lord Ashley in the conduct of the measure through Parliament , tbe central committee agreed that Lord John Manners should be incorporated in the resolution requesting Lord Ashley to take the conducting of the bill through the House of Commons , but they could not see what benefit would result from the addition of the name of Mr . Bankes . And if there was to be a division , he ( Mr . Grant ) did not hesitate to say he would , and ho knew the workers generally would , rather forego the support and assistance of Mr . Fielden than the aid and co-operation of Lord Ashlev . in whom they had implicit

      confidence . Ultimately the following resolutions were passed unanimously : — " 1 . That this meeting of delegates from the manufacturing districts of the West Riding wishes to record its tribute of gratitude to Lord Ashley and all other supporters of the Ten Hours Act ; and thereby also to express its entire confidence in the noble lord and the other tried friends of the factory workers , to adopt such measures as shall secure the integrity and efficiency of the Ten Hours Act for all young persons and women , by putting an end to the odious modes of working by relays and shifts in some parts of the country , 2 . That the delegates and factory workers of the West Riding are ready to co-operate with their friends in Lancashire , and in expressing

      their , regret that thero should have been any attempt to create disunion amongst them , they now earnestly implore all tho delegates and factory workers of Lancashire to unite with each other most heartily for the speedy attainment of their common object . " BRAnFoRD . —On Friday the 22 nd ult . a meeting of tho clergy of the rural deanery of Bradford , Yorkshire , was held , on the summons of the Rev . the Rural Dean , to consider the critical position of the Factory Act . An address was unanimously agreed upon , to be forwarded by the Rev . Dr . Burnet , vicar of Bradford , to tho Ven . Archdeacon

      Musgravo ( brother of the Archbishop of York , ) requesting him to convene chapters of all the deaneries in tho archdeaconary of Craven , to take into consideration the best means of securing a Ten Hours Factory Act . As soon as the ruri-decanalchapter had been dissolved , the clergy of the two parishes of Bradford and Calverly assembled respectfully under the presidency of their vicars , and adopted and signed petitions to both houses of parliament , and a memorial to the Queen , in favour as a declaratory act which will secure to tbe poor women and children en-wed in factories the benevolent intentions of the three estates of the- realm—namely , a Ten Hours Act , giving no sanction to the relay or shift system .

      Oldham. ;. .On Monday Evening A Numerous...

      OLDHAM . ; . . On Monday evening a numerous meeting took p lace hi the Town-hall , at Oldham , to consider . the propriety of petitioning Parliament to pass an Act to carry into effect the spirit and intention of the 76 h Victoria , c . IS . , Air . A . Taylor took the ehair , in tho absence of the Mayor . Mr , T . Mills , an operative spinner , moved the first resolution ^ embodying tho views of the meeting , and condemning the system of relays ; which was seconded by Mr . Lear , and carried unanimously . The second resolution , to . the effect that . ' petitions to both houses of Parliament should be prepared ,, was carried in the same manner , after which , a petition , was agreed to ; and tho thanks of the meeting having bean passed for the chairman , the proceedings terminated .

      Death Op General Lord Anuun. ~ The- Abov...

      Death op General Lord Anuun . ~ The- above nobleman expired somewhat suddenl y on Saturday night at his residence in Eaton-sq uare . " ¦ >

      The M1ners ~ 0f 'Lancashire &&&'' ~R * ....

      THE M 1 NERS 0 F ' LANCASHIRE &&&'' ~ r * .-.-I . O ¦ /¦ ¦ ¦ > ¦ ¦ CHESHIRE . r-fi-tP \* i-i ' r ? iiV - :- ¦; TO : THE EDITOR OP THE ,, MOBXHBBN 8 TAB .- <>? - , - ; SiB , ~ The last . county ' meetingf . wa s , h ' eld '' at the Heywood Anias ;" ' Miles Platting , " -Manchester , on Monday and Tuesday * the l 8 th- atid 19 th' ult . —Mr . Jamea Price was' called to the * chair ; ' Several letters were read from members of Parliament , on the subject of Government inspection of'Mines and Collieries ; amongst " otheis- friendly to our ; interests , was one from Mr . Buncombe , which Ihavd read at several , meetings ; at all of which , a desire was cxpressed , ; that Ishould send a copy to tho Northern Star , so that the miners of the United Kingdom might see that Mr . Buncombe is so far recovered as shortly to attend his Parliamentary dutiesagaih , ; and as he has hitherto pleaded our cause so successfully in . the House of Commons , tho miners of those districts are desirous , ( if his health permit ) , that he should continue to be their cfcampion until thov have nroner protection for life and health . : ¦ "

      I was instructed at the previous county meeting , to ascertain whether his health would permit him to take charge of our Bill again , Here is the nobleand generous reply : — 5 , Palace Chambers , St . James' , . February Sth , 18 S 0 . , Dear Sib , —Many thanks to you for your kind inquiries respecting my health , which , ' ! am happy to inform you , has lately much improved ; and although prudence forbids my ginng a very ; constant attendance at present to the House of Commons , yet I hope at the time you mention , — viz ., after Easter , —to be able to resume my ParUamehtary duties as formerly , when I shallbe liappy to give the miners and colliers any assistaride in » ypower ; inthe meantime you are at full liberty to add my name to the committee of members , whom you say are equally disposed to support leg islative interference in tlie better aonducting and safer management of mines and cbUieries . .. . . 1 ami dear Sir , yours faithfully , Thomas S . Doncohbe . Mr . David Swallow , Bolton .

      Another letter was also read , in answer to one sent to the chairman of the coal proprietors' association of South Lancashire , with a view to both parties coming to a proper arrangement as to what kind of a bill would best suit the interests of the employer and the employed j but he declines to meet me as a deputation from tbe colliers in tha following ^ terms : — " He understood the Government ihtendedtotake the matter in hand ; in which case , it would ^ o no good meeting the de putation , " Jtjia . jlli very fine to ; put lis off with such an answer ; bift / I ' trust ; that the miners of Yorkshire , and . every other county in England , Scotland , and Wales ,, will better themselves , and take the matter in hand , and hot'leave the battle ' to be contested and gained by a few' counties ; let all give a ¦ help- ' ing hand—then the work will be li ght—let every district begin immediately to get petitions signed , holding meetings , « fec . On account of having five collieries on strike , 'it was considered impossible that two men could be

      sent to London to press the matter on the attention of tbe legislature , along with tbe deputation from Durham and Northumberland , out of the present levy ; therefore the following resolution was agreed to ; to be taken back to the districts for conside : ration : — " That it is the opinion of this meeting , that it is highly desirable , that a levy of twopence per member should be paid to the county board ( for once only ) for the purpose of defraying the expenses of a deputation of two men to London , as above referred to ; and that every delegate be very particular in laying tbe matter before his district , so that each delegate mi g ht come prepared to state at the next county meeting , whether their districts are prepared to pay the extra levy of twopence or not , for the above purpose . " After the other business , which was only of a local nature , had been transacted , tbe County meeting was adjourned until Monday next , March 4 fch , to be held at the George Inn , Lamberhead Green , near Wigan .

      At three o ' clock in the afternoon , a public meeting of the Bradford , Clayton , Moston , and Tinkerbrow Collieries ; was held at the above place , Mr . Hibbert , a working collier ; in the chair . The meeting was addressed by Mr . J . Price , Mr . H . Dennett , and others . The meeting was an excellent one , and a very enthusiastic feeling prevailed throughout the whole of the proceedings . Povnton ( Cheshire ) . —I held a good meeting on the Thursday previous , at the house of Mr . Peter Clayton , " Midway , " Poynton . Mr . Bramall

      occupied the chair , and opened the proceedings in an excellent speech ; after which Mr . Francis , the district secretary , read a copy of a very excellent address , and bye-laws for their own lecal government , drawn up by him , which was unanimously agreed to , and ordered to be printed . I then pointed out to the meeting , at considerable length , the evils of rash turn-outs—showing the difference between strikes and unions , which some people considered synonymous—to the satisfaction of all present . I anticipate that this colliery will soon be in a far better state of organisation than it is at present .

      I have also held a good meeting lately atHindley , amongst Strangeway ' s men . Mr . Price has held some good meetings in and around St . Helen ' s . I am happy to say that the union has been successful in obtaining a general advance of about sixpence per day on the colliers ' wages in those districts , during the last three months . Such are the benefits of union in this county .- Yours respectfully , D . Swallow . 25 , Sidney-street , Bolton , Feb . 25 th , 1850 . P . S . —Any person who may wish to write to me , upon any subject connected with our society , can do so as above . W . S .

      The Miners Petition. To The Honourable T...

      THE MINERS PETITION . TO THE HONOURABLE THE COJBIOSS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OP CHEAT JJB 1 TA 1 N AND 1 BELAND IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED , The humble petition of the undersigned Coal Miners of Northumberland and Durham , in public meeting assembled , on the sixteenth day of l ? ehruary , 1850 . ReSPECTFOLIT SUEUETH , — That your petitioners are coal miners , who , in pursuit of their avocation , are continually exposed to numerous dangers and accidents , such as falls from the roof , breaking of ropes , chains , < tc , and more especially t « those frequent and disastrous events , coUiery explosions , whereby many hundreds 6 ? lives are annually destroyed , entailing ruin and wretchedness upon numerous widows and orphan children .

      That in addition to those fearful calamities which injure , maim ' , and destroy so many of tho relatives . and friends of your petitioners , thoy are daily exposed to the injurious effects of badly ventilated mines , which being partly free from the explosive gas , engenders carelessness and disregard to the ventilation , and thereby ensuring the presence of carbonic acid and nitrogen gases the constant breathing of which , for a long period each day , necessarily impairs the health of your petitioners , ( maay of whom at the present time are obliged to work where a candle or other light will not bum , except placed nearly in a horizontal position , ) and which in a brief period brings them to a premature grave . Your petitioners would respectfully intimate , that in 1835 , the serious loss of life in coal mines attracted the attention of Parliament , who appointed a committee to examine into the causes of such accidents , and which committee , after a long and patient investigation , made their report , from which we make the following extracts : —

      ' Yourcommittee do not hesitate to express a conviction , that whilst some mines ,, equally foul , are materially freed from large accumulations of gas , by the approximation of tho seams of coal tojhe surface of tlie earth , others ; where tho seams lie horizontally or nearly so , require more shafts , additional opportunities for the injection of pure air and the rejection of foul , than are ordinarily afforded . A less parsimonious system in this respect , either in tlie original design of those miaes or in their subsequent working , would have rendered easy—otherwise—difficult ventilation , and saved many valuable Uvea ; the absolute necessity of greater attention to this point has been fully established . ' The committee further report , — ' That the practice of placing wooden partitions or brattices in the ventilating shafts is deservedly reprobated , the slightest explosion removes them , thus , the whole system of ventilation is destroyed , and no timely aid can be rendered to the temporarily surviving sufferers : to this point the committee attach an importance inferior only to the provision of a sufficient number of up-cast and downcast shafts , '

      ; Your petitioners state with regret , that those excellent and proper recommendations of that committee have bad practically but little attention from the proprietors of collet-ies , and that very recently shafts have been sunk , having wooden partitions dividing ' the ventilating shaft , in direct contravertion of the reprobation of that committee , thus exposing to danger the lives of many hundreds of the working colliers . . That , despite the expressed anticipations of that committee " , — 'That the mass of valuable evidence thus publicly exhibited , ' would , by its circulation , enlist the aid of science and humanity in the'fuluro working of coal mines , so as to ensure a diminution of such frequent and extensive loss of life . ' ¦ Your petitioners have to state that the loss of life by accidents have greatly increased since the report of the committee was made , aad that within tho last few years a still further increased fatality has obtained in that respect . ' .

      That in corroboration of the above , we would refer * o the parliamentary report of 1810 . A committee of which therein stated , that from -fifty-five mining districts the number of violent deaths in tlie year 1838 , were 349 . -That the census of 1841 , represent tlie number of males , twenty ? S ? ^« f ° e ^ and upwards , employed in the mines ; to be 124 , 600 , andi that amongst men of this class , the violent deaths in 1840 , ^ were 498 , which is very nearly thesarae ratio as that of the navy and merchant service at home , and as compared with agricultural labourers as 3 , 939 to 1 , 221 , and as 8 , 932 to 340 of men of the same ago n the community at large . That the following list , copied from Qa Jfmaq Journal , exhibits'by contrast the increasing number , of violent deaths in coal mines : _ luuc * - 'fc > Number killed b y various accidents , in tho year 1838-319 . Do v \\ t 0 ; - ' ditt 0 1810-493 . Si to * ° ditt 0 1815-562 . Do 1 * ° ditt 0 1847-462 . % :: ? ditto ditto 18-18-570 . Aittn j-V w . nu jo-jo—uiu .

      . , 'IWnff ^ r ' , ? " '' ¦ ( li -tto 1849-70-1 . amon"T ^ * conc i , " P roof of t , le increasing fatality among the miners of this country . - ¦ ¦ - .. ' > fntnrf l ) etitiouers sincerely believe that such increased taianty has arisen from tho want of a due inspection of ¦ lines , and that m the opinion of your petitioners the time lias tully arrived when such Inspection should be adopted , winch opinion has been fully confirmed by , tho reports of several scientific and official examinations into , the causes or particular explosions , one or two ' of which your petitioners will specify .- Sir II . De le Beclie and Dr . - Lyou Plnytair , who reported upon the Javrow colliery" " explosion in 1845 , whereby fifty lives were lost , state as follows : — " \ Ve are led to consider that the evils might be at least mitigated by the careful and judicious inspection of convenient districts , by competent persons , and we believe ^ tliat . the cause of humanity and the interest of the' coal owners would be alike benefited by a well considered legislative enactment

      The Miners Petition. To The Honourable T...

      • ofth"tffcind ; y ^^^^^ Smithe , officially appointed to investigateinto the cause of the explosieh at ArdsleyMain collie-ft . iln ; 1847 , reftrrmgt * the subject of inspe « tion , madetlie following declaration :-. " Vfe believe that this inspection ,,. If- rightly ^ conducted , would be alike important to the employers and employed and when we reflect that'the men ' who labour Lin our col ; lieries supply the great * mass ; of fuel which not only con . tribute to the . household . comforteof so law a portion of the Inhabitants of ^ . country , but also'to the means by which its wealth and resources are so greatly advanced , we cannot but conceive that , arrangements im the safety of their lives forms- ' a fitting subject for National care and Legislative ' provision . " - ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ '•' -. " -,, ' ] , ' ¦ ' ¦¦ ' ¦ ,,. i submit / that in addition . ^ J ..-.. ^ .... ^ . v «—I--- oi--Tr-u-T >« j | .-B—t .. „_ j . if _ ...

      Your ' petitioners further to the above official reports and evidence , they have to present an extract from the valuable . report of the South Shields com . mitfee , who examined personally several of the pits in this district relative to this subject ; as follows : — 'The adran . tages derivablefrom an enlightened public junsdiction in a well organised system of government inspection , are clear and indubitable . That such inspection and jurisdiction for securing the fullest protection in the public interest are perfectly compatible with the private rights of property and the freedom pf trade , and that the principle has already been acknowledged by the Legislation with regard to rail , ways , tbe professions , the manufacturers , and some of the trades , and is peculiarly applicable to ; mining , unlike the former , far removed from an enUghtened public investigj . lion . " - '

      Your petitioners beg also to state , that besides their ex . posureto those dangers above enumerated , they are subjected to' the abvupt Inundation ; of water , arising in many instances from wantof a proper register of plans , & c .. of the old and previous workings , such as occurred in Heaton colliery , in 1815 , and by . which seventy-five lives were lost and also at "Workington colliery , where thirty-six persons were drowned , and were , despite the many warnings and symptoms given of tbe apprehended danger , the self- win and obstinacy . of the agent prevented him from taking heed thereof , ' as will be seen by referring to the evidence of Matthias Dunn , Esq ., given before the recent committee of the House of Lords , on accidents in mines , and also from an extract of a letter sent by Mr . Browness , one of the under agents at the colliery to that gentleman . Extract : "Un . less some interference can be made , a very few days or ks will most in

      wee assuredly bnngthe water of the sea , and that opinion is now so generally expressed , that men are le & ving the colliery every day . " Notwithstanding such warnings , the workings were continued , and the sea broke in , destroying thirty-six lives , and ruining the property ; And y ' otir petitioners would intimate , that a similar case to the above occurred at ' . Landshipping , in Pembrokeshire , where , by working under the bed of the river , torty persons were drowned , both of which cases exhibit that sufficient warnings were given , but there bemg no authorised parties to compel attention to those warnings or to stop the works . the destruction followed as a matter of course . Your petitioners would represent that none of the bodies of the persons drowned being recovered , no inquest could be held thereon , so . that the carelessnes of the managers went without punishment , thus exhibiting a great defect In thelaw of coroners ' courts .

      Your petitioners enlist the attention of your honourable house to the tardiness of the colliery proprietors in introducing any of the aids of science to benefit and advantage the working colliers , and would refer , as in illustration thereof , to the well-known and ingenious invention of G * Gurney , Esq ., as detailed by him to the Parliamentary committee , in 1835 , but which invention had not been practically applied until July , 1849 , when it was partiaUy adopted at Seaton Delaval coUiery , Northumberland , and from the evidence of T . E .. Foster and J . Mather , Esqrs ., as given by . them to the committee of Lords , it was proven ,, that double the quantity of air had been got , by tha application of high pressure steam , to the ventilation ; and

      although now that such experiment has been before thecountry for nearly twelve months , . there are none of the other collieries making any efforts , as far as yourpetitioners know , to call in such aid , although at very many collieries the workmen are almost suffocated for want of wholesome air . Again , Mr . Fourdrinier has produced an apparatus for the saving of life by the immediate suspension of the cage inthe shaft , should the rope or chain break ; and although its efficiency has been tested in the presence of a large number of colliery managers , who signed * a certificate of such efficiently , yet but two or three collieries have put up such apparatus , notwithstanding tho expenses is not more than from 201 . to 308 .

      In conclusion , your , petitioners beg leave to implore your honourable house that for the several reasons given , and from the experience of your petitioners themselves , that your henourable house will , without further delay , ( a & delay in this case is death , ) proceed to enact that inspectors , of mines be appointed ( the same being practical men , } with similar powers as belong to factory inspectors , inspectors of railways , 4 c , that the frequent and extensive loss of life in coal mines may be diminished , and your petitioners' hitherto unhealthy employment be improved , and the condition of your petitioners and their families have a like consideration as other- classes of her Majesty's subjects . And your petitioners , as in duty bound , wiU ever pray , < fec .

      "Vi . The Land Scheme. ( Continued From ...

      "VI . THE LAND SCHEME . ( Continued from the eighthpage . ) Poor Law . It now became the interest of landlord ? and large farmers to elbow as many poor as possible out of the parish , in order to keep down the poorrates . Thousands of little farmers had now disappeared , and their houses were in some cases filled with labourer-paupers , and in others pulled down . Great difficulty was felt by the labourer-pauper to * get a cottage at all , and the young husbandman , whom Goldsmith called tho " country ' s pride , " and whom the malt-tax drove out of the farm-houses , had to seek a lodging m some small old cottage filled with half-fed and half-clothed children . There was little

      warmth or comfort to be obtained here of a cold winter ' s night , and so the young husbandman sought refuge in the comfortable " settle" by the blazing fire of the " Tommy-shop . " Here conversation flowed freely . There was no master ' s eye upon his men : no mistress to keep the blasphemous tongue in check . The village beer-shop'is theresort of all tbe . scamps in the neghbourbood ; tbe delight of the poacher , and the paradise of the uncaught felon . This is the school in which immense numbers of our rural population receive their education nnd get prepared to enter college , which is sometimes the county-jail , but more frequently the union workhouse .

      " Repeal the sale of beer bill , " says the clergy and others ; We say , repeal the malt-tax , and thousands of young husbandmen will be taken back into farm-houses , and resume their seats under a master ' s eye by his kitchen fire , instead of being freq \ i *| nVfrs of the beer-shop . Buijpe must return to the consideration of thepossibmjy of enabling poor men with a small capital —say £ ]§ Q or £ 200—to obtain land and to cultivateit themselves , so' as to be a burden to no one . Great doubts are entertained as to the policy of letting a poor man hare a small bit of land to cultivate it by spade labour . We know that in some places-it has been rejected by the labourers

      themselves , especially since the failure of the potato . Lord Willoughby d'Eresby thinks that it would be better to let the labouring husbandman have three or four acres of meadow land—a small part to be used as a kitchen garden , the chief part for a cow , & c „ but none to be used as plough land or for spade labour , except the kitchen-garden . A poor man would be able in this way to reap the advantage of cow ' s niilk and occasionally have a calf to sell . He would also be able to raise some pigs , a little poultry , some bees , some flax , and if the cow wovild permit , some hops , and even tobacco , and all his vegetables ; and with such advantages his labour-wages need not be increased .

      Still there are many persons residing in towns ready enough to return to the country it they could 6 btain a few score or a hundred or two acres of land on reasonable terms , and who have sufficient capital to embark in such an enterprise . But they will not be tenants-at-will ; nor tenants at all if they can help it . They want to possess the land in fee simple , as the lawyers call it . They wish to buy it out and . out , to make it their own . But there are legal difficulties in the way . Our laws are made as if there were no persons In the Kingdom desirous of becoming small landed proprietors and cultivators . The transfer of landed property , thanks to our noble " laws and constitution , " is a very expensive affair , and in the smallest purchase there is

      frequently a glorious picking to be made out of it in making , or seeking out , and in the examination of , titles , or leases , and mortgages , " releases" and " redemptions of the fee simple , " and all the jargo of Westminster Hall , which comes into full play the , moment a man talks of buying or selling real property of any kind and especially land . One of the first things , therefore , that aro required to be done is to simplify tho tranfer of real property , and to render such transfers as cheap as possible , and with as little interference of the law as possible . We believe there is a notice of motion to accomplish something of this kind on the books of the House of Commons , and we are not sure that a bill has not been prepared by some member with

      this object , wo do not know how it is , or Why it is , but so it is , that at the commencement of every session , notices of bills , and bills themselves , are brought before the house , many of them seeming to be well calculated to promote many practical social reforms ; but , somehow , before the session closes , most , if not all of these bills slip out of sio-ht , like the Copyhold Bills , and little or nothing Is done , or , if done , is so badly done that next session halfa-dozenmore bills are required to explain or amend or to ; repeal parts or the whole of such acts . Such is the tinkering for ever going on under the " omnipotence" of Parliament ; that the country has long ceased to expect any wide , sound , practical

      measures from it , and it is this conviction—that Parliament either cannot nor will not do anything of a really useful kind , so as to recall tho confidence of the nation—that has compelled thousands reluctantly to admit that something must be done to bring the , people and Parliament more into harmony .. . Neither emigration nor colonisation wil . be found a ' remedy for the present-social' condition of tho countiy . - IVe want more people to be engaged in producing for their own wants by the cultivation of the soil . Not half the people ' : who now keep shops , & o ., are wanted in the ; towns . .. How the ' change is to ' be , if it can be , ' brought about , ' is ono of tho great .. problems of the age .. Delay it . IS we may , it will ' be forced on public attention at last . —Brighton Herald . .

      1 Printed By William Hider, Ofno. 5, Mneolesffeld^Efit,

      1 Printed by WILLIAM HIDER , ofNo . 5 , Mneolesffeld ^ efit ,

      2 h ?~ " ' -WVw- , ^\ West «»« ster , at the Printingonv ^^^ a W S m-St !' ' " -Wket , i » the City v }} ^"' Sto j forthel ' rbpvietor , FEARGUS O'CONNOR , ¦ ¦ « $ ' Tim ' tmd'Pubhshed by the faid Wiixiasi Kimui , . at Mdrch 2 nd Ts-Sff ' ' ' ecUna ¦¦ m «* . ' 7 ! tatur * v

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 2, 1850, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_02031850/page/8/