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THE NORTHERN STAR MakCH * ¦ 18 ^ "
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Nov. - Ucadv, a New Edition of
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AaTFCI. OcCURRHtCE. — WoMAS "WORRIED BY A Dee.—On Tuesdav evenine. a frisTttnil occnrreTirfi
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took place in Clifford-street, Liverpool...
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«To «rormpoffi!$m$.
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Cautio.v—Some of our agents and subscrib...
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THE NORTHERN STAB SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1849.
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THE MINISTER'S "GREAT DIFFICULTY." Durin...
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THE FIRST MONTH. " The Ides of March" ar...
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PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW. Mr. Cobden commenc...
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Tho conduct ofthe Ministry with respect ...
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A considerable amount of miscellaneous b...
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RECEIPTS OF THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY Fo...
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EXECUTIVE FUND. Received by Mr. S. K\dd....
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Robbery by a Railway OmctR. — R. Frost, ...
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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Transcript
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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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
The Northern Star Makch * ¦ 18 ^ "
THE NORTHERN STAR MakCH * ¦ 18 ^ "
Nov. - Ucadv, A New Edition Of
Nov . - Ucadv , a New Edition of
Ad00412
HR . O'MaSdS'S WORK OH SMIL TMS . Just published , So . n . Price Sixpence , ©? THE G 01 I 0 IWEALTH : A MONTHLY RECORD OF DEfflOGnATIG , 88 GIAL & IHDU 8 TRIAL PROGRESS"THE COMMONWEALTH" wiUhe the Representative ef the Cliiirdst-s , Socialists , and Trades * Unionists , in the Monthly Tress . CONTESTS : L . The Crime ofthe Government against the People . 2 . Home Colonies in the Setnerlands . 3 . The Law of Representation . 4 . Louis Blanc 5 . Unaun of Liberty . G . Review ofthe Month : I . Foreign Affairs . U . Home Affiiirs . . to be forwarded to the Omee , lo , Great n » Haymarket , London . pas 3 a ; e , Taternoster-Wdlff J . Wateon Q *«« g ^ fe ; Manchester ; row , Loudon ; A . f ^ oot , ' " ~ : fiinszow .
Ad00413
"; 5 = »«« IS & IWDIP "tt ^ ttiS SS ^& f * UjmE FOltJIED ABUSES IN CHURCH and STATE : with a TreUminary Tractate on the Continental Revolutions . „ _ _ . . . „ . _ , , By Jons \ VADE , Authorof History and Political Philosopliy of the Productive Classes , & c London : Effingham Wilson , Publisher , Royal Exchange .
Ad00414
CROWX LANDS . This dav is Published , Price Is ., THE SPEECH OE H . W . HAKVEY , E « i ., ( when M . P . for Colchester ) , on movm- for a Select Coinaiittee to inquire into the estentand value of the ckowx rWnrrr . with a view to its puhhc appropriation , with an iNisoBCcnos . , To be had of Kidgrray , PiccadUly ; Wilson , RoyalExehange ; and of all odier BookseUers .
Ad00415
SOUTH LOXVOTi CHARTIST HALL , Comer of WeWjer-street , Blacfefriais-TC-ad . AX ORATION will be delivered at the above-named Hall in aid of , ^ Janfl tor fte support of THE WIVES AND FAMILIES Or THt CHARTIST VICTIMS . ud on Wednesdat EvESDtc . Mabch 7 th , ByTHOlIASCLABK ; On the following subjects : — M . utcn 7 th . Life and Character cf ' . THOMAS JEFFERSOX , the Third President of the American Republic - , Comparison between "Wasliington and Jefferson ; Democratic Tendencies of the Xatter ; JclTersou considered as the first man of his time Bad countrv . To commence at Eight o Clock . ADSisaos—Twofesce .
Ad00416
THE FRENCH EEVOLUTION FESTIV \ L . The Democratic Committee will meet on Monflav eve , Sarch Dth . at eight o clock , at the Two Chairmen- , "Wardour-strcct , Soho , tOTvind up the affairs of the late festival , fci-ld iu the . Tolm-street Institute , when the sellers or holders of tickets must cither attend or send and settle their accounts , that the business may be rclosed . E . Gill , Secretary .
Ad00417
jVTEW WEEKLY PUBLICATION , A « I > £ YOTEI > TO EDUCATIONAL , INDUSTRIAL , AND SOCIAL REFORM . On SATURDAY NEXT , March 10 th , will be Published Uo . L Price Twopence , ofthe "SFmrr of the times /* a Journal of Democratic and Social Progress . This VenoOical , being unstamped , wiU be necessarily precluded from s iring Political News ; nevertheless , it will not shrink from , boldly and honestly expressing its sentiments on the great public questions of the day ; while in its columns will be found carefully digested reports of Trades , Industrial , and Educational Intelligence , and all Other matters illustrative ofthe progress of the great Question of the A ^ e " THE Oi !<^ A 2 fMATro : s - OF LABOUR . " The rmjiieation will consist of Eight closely-printed 3 ? ages , of three columns each , and will be equal in execution to the first periodicals ofthe day . Arrangements are in progress for a Stamped Edition , for the aceomniiwhtiionofreniote districts , at Threepence : while , in order lo meet the wishes of many friends , a Monthly SujtpleDieilh uniform tilth the lmper , at the price of one Penny . will be issued , containing a carefully-written digest of all the News , Foreign and Domestic , up to the time . The Original Articles and Review Department will be supplied bv contributions from Mr . E . JONES , Mr . H . BUCHANAN , 3 fr . G . A . FLEMING , Dr . DIXON , and other iveH-known friends of Progress . Published by G . VICKERS , Holywell-street , Strand , to whom all Orders for the Paper , and Communications for the Editor , must be addressed .
Ad00418
LEEDS BRANCH OF THE RATIONAL LAND COMPANY . —At a meeting of Members , held on Sundav , the 11 th ult ., it was unanimously resolved : "Tliatalf Members , belonging to the Branch , who do not pay op tlwir contributions , or make arrangements with the Secretary respecting the same , on or before the first Sunday in May will forfeit all monies they have paid , aud tlieir names wiU be erased from the books ofthe Company . "
Ad00419
FOR SALE . A FOUR AND A TWO-ACRE SHARE in tile NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . As the party is going abroad , he wiU take the first reasonable offer . Apply ( post free ! to J . Fairbairn , 7 , Rose-street , llaln-Ltireh .
Ad00420
CHARTIST TRACTS FOR THE TIMES . ON THE FIRST SATURDAY IN MARCH , 1 S 19 , "Will be published Number One of the above Tracts . 1 HEV WILL BE COMH 3 CTED BY THE CHARTIST TRISOXERS Ef KIRKDALE GAOL , And are intended to form a text-book for the working classes , as to the various causes which produce the social and political degradation of the people . Although numerous writers have essayed from time to time to sympathise with the sufferings , and expose the wrongs which sure inflicted on the industrious classes , by the present unjust state of society , their works have contained so much peurile cant and miiivkish sentimentality , aud displayed such total ignorance ofthe real position of the parties ¦ whose cause they have undertaken to advocate , together with such an amount of misrepresentation as to their feelings and wishes , which makes their works—no matter how well intended—bear a closer resemblance to romance , or pantomime , than a serious statement of grave facts in which the interests of millions are concerned . We , therefore , a few ivorHnjr men—immured in a dungeon for the part we have taken in endeavouring to elevate our classhave resolved to speak for ourselves , in our own mode , and endeavour to exhibit the hideous deformity of the present Tmjnst state of things to our fellow-workmen ; and , at the same time , enable the other classes of society to understand our real thoughts , wants , and feelings . In these Tracts the whole machinery of misgovernment shall be laid bare , and the mode in which it operates on the social condition of our brethren—and we wish it to be understood that we shall cot imitate the example of £ ishionable book-makers , by crowding our pages with quotations of Greek or Latinour language shall be plain , and easy to he understood . "Vfe shall give our -riews on the errors and follies of those ¦ philosovhers who style themselves Political Economists , and lay hare the evils which attach to the present system of Laud Tenure , Popular Education , Enugration , Home Colonisation , Currency , Rankin ™ . Sanatory Reform , Enfranchisement of the People , History , and , also , the passing events of the day wiU lie dealt with , in order to show up the utter rottenness ot the present Plundering System . We therefore caU upon our fellow workmen to aid us in bringing their views fairly before the public ; we shaU bestow die leisure which we now possess within the walls of a prison to the defence of their cause , and elucidation of sound prhiviples of Justice between Man and Man . ( Signed ) James Leach , John- West , Geosge White .
Aatfci. Occurrhtce. — Womas "Worried By A Dee.—On Tuesdav Evenine. A Fristttnil Occnrretirfi
AaTFCI . OcCURRHtCE . — WoMAS "WORRIED BY A Dee . —On Tuesdav evenine . a frisTttnil occnrreTirfi
Took Place In Clifford-Street, Liverpool...
took place in Clifford-street , Liverpool . A dog of the bull and terrier species , and of enormous size , was kept chained up in the cellar of a house in Cufford-street . On Tuesday , however , it snapped its chain , broke through the cellar window , and ran in an infuriated state into the street . Mrs . Brown , the wife of a labourer , residing in a court-house iu the street , ran to protect one of her children who had been bitten by the animal , when the dog flew at her , threw her down , and proceeded to worry her in the most savage manner . It bit her severely in the calves ofthe legs and then seized her by the chin . Three or four men who witnessed the occurrence
were afraid at first to interfere . One of them at length attacked the dog , and broke a poker over its hack ; but it was not . till after the most violent means bad been used that the brute could he induced to relinquish its hold . The poor woman with upwards of a dozen serious wounds , was removed in a state of insensibility into her bouse , and medical aid . wthout delay procured , hut on Wednesday , she was hot considered out of danger . The dog . which is said to have bitten another woman and chid , ran off after its attack on Mrs . Brown , and has not been seen in the neighbourhood since . It is the general opinion that the aminal was not mad , but simply infuriated by long confinement , and the unfortunate victim has so far exhibited no symptom of hydrophobia .
Fail or a Cuff on the South-Eastekn RjAlvtay . —On Wednesday ni ght , information was r € ^ TP ? telegraph at the London Bridge Terminus , - that a portion ofthe cliff in the Merstham cutting hadfallenin , ' andblockednp the line , so as toimpecV ' the , traffic ; every available person at the station was -immediately despatched by special enghie to Clear the hue for the lastHp-train , which had been detained at Reigate as soon as the accident was ' made known , ;! . It iwas extremely fortunate that the fall ha 3 not : occurred a little later , when tbe train would hire been passing , as serious damage and a giteaCloss ef . life . amst have taken place . Aferstham is between Croydon and Rehjate , and nineteen miles / TOO London ,
«To «Rormpoffi!$M$.
« To « rormpoffi ! $ m $ .
Cautio.V—Some Of Our Agents And Subscrib...
Cautio . v—Some of our agents and subscribers act very foolishly by enclosing coin in letters . Since the commencement of the present year £ 3 Os . 4 d . ( said to be sent to us , ) has been lost from tins cause . We cannot be expected to lose sums thus carelesslv sent , and I trust the practice will henceforth be abandoned for the interest of the remitters . I subjoin the following extract from Harris's lhst-Qfiec Guide : — " Persons having " occasion to forward money by the post are " strongly recommended by the Postmastcr-Gene" ral to send it through the Money-Order Office , " and he also advises . not to transmit coin in " letters , under any circumstances . " The Post-Office business is well conducted ; but if people will act counter to the instructions given they cannot expect protection . Many are penny-wise
and pound-foolish , or there would not be so many convictions of dishonest letter-carriers , nor between £ 40 , 000 and £ 50 , 000 worth of unclaimed property at the Dead Letter Offices . —W . Rider . Mr . J . Heato . y , Cawthorne . —The charge will be 4 s ., with which you must send a copy ofthe advertisement . Nottingham . —J . Sweet acknowledges the receipt of the following sums , viz .: —For Mrs . M'Doiur&—From Beeston , 3 s . 3 d . ; the Colonel Hutchinson , Is . 9 d . For Victim Fran , ( sent herewith ) : From the Colonel Hutchinson , 5 s . For JIeefnce Fod , ( sent herewith ) : Mr . Perkins , 2 d . ; Mr . Knott , 3 d . ; from the Colonel Hutchinson , 3 s . Mr . R . Strisger , Sandbach , and Mr . J . Gosmn , Congleton . —They were sent , on Thursday , to Mr . Heywood . Joidj Aaxorr , Somers Town , acknowledges the receipt of
the following for the benefit of the Victim Fund , from Mr . James Watson , 3 , Queen ' s-head-passage , Paternoster-row , for which the committee return their sincere thanks : —Goodwin's Political Justice , 2 vols . ; Harwood ' s Six Lectures on the Corn Laws , eight copies ; Taylor ' s Dialogues on Bespect for Outward Tilings , two copies ; Monthly Messenger , three copies ; Thompson's Labour Rewarded , two copies ; New Age and Healtliian ; History of Greece ; Michelet ' s People ; Society and Manners in America ; Uuxton on Prison Discipline ; Memoirs of Charles Louis Sand ; Stewart ' s Life and 'Writings of Dr . Robertson ; Crumpe's Essay on Employing the Poor ; and a large quantity of Pamphlets . The "Wat Ttoer mesbebs—Your announcement must be paid for as an advertisement .
The Northern Stab Saturday, March 3, 1849.
THE NORTHERN STAB SATURDAY , MARCH 3 , 1849 .
The Minister's "Great Difficulty." Durin...
THE MINISTER'S " GREAT DIFFICULTY . " During the recess , and previous to the assembling ofthe Collective Wisdom , our far-seeing contemporaries indulged in most fanciful speculation as to the probable hill of fare of the Session , and the "IRISH STEW , " or , rather , as it is termed in Ireland , the " BEGGARS' DISH , " was announced as the MMsterialhead dish ; and , upon reference to the text book , our readers will find that Ave established Ministerial title to Irish support upon Irish dissension .
We said , that the Noble Lord at the head of the Government would tickle the Irish gentlemen with the " area of taxation , " well knowing that a Committee of Irish gentlemen , appointed to deliberate upon that subject , would have as many opinions as names , each influenced wholly by his own individual interest , and not , in the slightest degree , affected by the wants of the poor , or the pressing urgency of any measure that mi g ht be proposed . Well , wo were true prophets—the maxim of the great agitator has been realised . " IRELAND FOR THE IRISH , " says the Whi g Minister ; "But , no , " say the Irish
representatives , " Ireland is your adopted child—we are your adopted children—we feel pride and honour in our connexion with England—we have used our best endeavour , and strained our every nerve , to establish our intimacy and connexion upon our provincial degradationire enabled y ou to pauperise Ireland b y persecuting opinion , so long as ignorance constituted YOUR power and OUR patronage—but now , if you amalgamate the national will , if yon enforce the principle of national dependence , the black North that constituted your Protestant reserve , the loyal Protestants of Ulster , —ready to wade up to their necks in Catholic blood—will , if you nationalise poverty , proclaim their national independence . "
These inhabitants of the Protestant counties , occupants of Catholic estates , conferred upon them by an English King , have taken the lead in their opposition to the Ministerial proposition of a sixpenny rate in aid , as a means of securing , not permanent , but temporary , relief for tlieir starving fellow countrymen . The Press of the several parties take that view of the subject which is most likely to agree with the interests of their respective supporters—but we take the humanity view , the justice view , the equity view , the life-and-death view of it—and let us call the attention ofthe reader to the amount of tax proposed to be levied upon the Protestant North , in aid of the Catholic South and West . It amounts to
two and a-half per cent , upon the propertythat is , the landlord with a thousand a-year will have to pay £ 25 a-year to the support of the poor . There may be a difference between gratuitous and compulsory charity ; or , rather , there may bo a difference between the landlord ' s declaration that he does give so much , and the legal obligation that he shall give so uyich less than he professes to give , but that he SHALL GIVE THE ONE , while he only boasts of GIVING THE OTHER .
Let us now review the social condition of an Irish landlord , having a thousand a year , and compelled to pay £ 25 towards the support of the poor . We will not go into his principal items of expenditure ; we shall not canvass the justice , the propriety , or the decency of entering his kennel , and contrasting the condition of his fatted hounds with that of his lean serfs ; we shall not review his stud , and remind him that one horse , poorly fed , costs more than this Poor-law tax ; we shall not criticise his dress , or the wardrobe of his family , or even the liveries of his domestics ; if he does not keep hounds himself , we shall not ! enter into a consideration ofthe cost of his
hunting establishment ; and if he is a bachelor , we have too much modest y too nicely to scan or criticise his delicate casual expences : but , married or single , we will measure the tax by the excise gauge , and to the result we implore the attention ofthe English reader . We will presume , striking an average between the bachelor and the famil y , that there is consumed a pint of wine per day , valued lowly
at two shillings—this amounts to SGI . 10 s . per year , or the amount of tax payable upon nearly £ 1 , 500 property ; half-a-pint of wine a day , an indulgence which no man of common sense would object to abandon for so just a purpose as saving the lives of the poor , yet this amount of abstinence would be a saving of 18 / . os . a year , or would pay the tax proposed to be levied upon over £ 700 a year .
Now , will not those hard-working English labourers , who are not only compelled to forego every description of luxury , but who find it difficult to preserve existence b y incessant toil , we ask—will they not laugh to scorn and contempt the pitiful northern howl raised against this pitiful dole about to be levied upon the rich to preserve the lives ofthe poor ? We think we hear the advocates and apologists ofthe pampered aristocrats exclaiming "Oh ! their , class is already impoverished , bankrupt , and destroyed by the non-payment of rents . "—To this we answer : —
Firstly . —That they are 'the promoters of every grievance , of which they complain . Secondly . —That we never hear of a landlord dying of starvation . And , Thirdly . ' —That twenty-five pounds a year wisely , prudently , and economically adminisered , will save the taxed landlord more than double that amount . But we take a much more comprehensive view of this subject than our cotemporaries . Ireland requires a domestic eye over her domestic affairs . John Bull has enough to do at home , and could only spare an occasional commission to make a rapid survey , and give an iU-digefited repc-rtof the state of Ireland : while ,
The Minister's "Great Difficulty." Durin...
under this new system , the self-rel ying North , and portions of the self-rel ying Leinster , will keep a steady eye upon the impoverished South and West ; upon Munster aud Connau" -ht , upon Skibbereen in the south , and Couuemai-a in the west . Neither do we agree with those fanciful notions as to Ireland ' s exemption from taxation , as every man must understand that taxation is established hy the Exchequer standardand
, that Irish exemption is a consequence of Irish poverty , and not of Ministerial leniency or consideration , as tho slightest tax upon an article , to be paid by an impoverished people , would amount to a total prohibition of the use of that article . The maxim of tho CHANCELLOR of the Exchequer is identical with that ofthe trader , "QUICK SALE AND LIGHT PROFIT , " and , therefore , upon this score , Ireland has nothing to be thankful for .
So far we have taken the kuife-and-fork , the life-and-death , the breeches-pocket view of the question , and now we shall turn to its political phase . Whenever the slightest manifestation of dissatisfaction or discontent has been exhibited by the starving Catholics ofthe south or west of Ireland , the Orange leaders of the loyal Protestants of theNorth , instantlytendered their allegiance and support to the English Government to suppress Catholic disloyalty . " Send no more troops , " say the usurpers , the real aliens in religion , in language , and blood , " only give us , the loyal
Protestants of Ulster , the word , and we will wade knee-deep in Catholic blood . " But , alas ! how changed the tone , when the taxcollector's goad but slightly enters , nay , scarcely scratches their loyal Protestant skin , then , as if b y magic , hig h sheriffs take the chair , magistrates flock round his standard , landlords constitute his staff , and tenant-right farmers his reserve , and we have the dirge of Saxon rule , and the chorus of Irish nationality . "If , " say they , " taxation is to be national , let representation be national also . " And we add , " Thank God , English justice has done for you what English misrule could never accomplish . It has roused you from your lethargy , you noble disciples of the immortal
William , of glorious , pious , and immortal memory , who freed y ou from Popery , slavery , wooden shoes , and brass money , and put the Pope in the pillory , the pillory in hell , and the devil pelting priests at him . " Oh J verily , ye glorious , pious , and immortal Protestants of the North—ye staunch supporters of the Protestant church , as by law established—you have abandoned your loyalty , you have forsaken your religion , as by law established , now that the glorious , pious , and immortal Russell has made you tributary to Popery , slavery , no shoes , and " no money , and your toast , henceforth , will be , " The Queen in the pillory , the pillory in hell , and tho devil polking parsons at hor . "
But , Protestants of the North , is sixpence in the pound to be your test of loyalty now ? And has this first prod , to be only skin deep till the year 1851 , and , 'then , when you are better prepared for the operation , and are used to bleeding , to have an additional thrusthas this experiment convinced you , that Irishmen upon the spot can better manage their own affairs than foreigners , aliens in language , religion , and blood , can manage them ? Russell , you have done more for the cause of Irish nationality than all the Irish agitators
that ever went before you ; and when the Protestant North throws off the Whi g manacles your Saxon Lord Lieutenant will find it more difficult to deal with Protestant discontent than with Catholic starvation . Your suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act is now a dead letter . Enforce it as your Viceroy may in Catholic Munster and Connaught , he dare not enforce it in Protestant Ulster . It over happens , as in the present instance , that tyranny outwits itself , and Ave hail the sixpenny rate in aid , as the precursor of Irish nationality and the destroyer of Whig tyranny .
The First Month. " The Ides Of March" Ar...
THE FIRST MONTH . " The Ides of March" are come , and can the tax-payer derive profit , pleasure , or satisfaction , for the value he has received from the first month ' s legislation of the present Session ? Coercion Bills have passed Avith railroad speed , while Railway Bills , Hi g h Road Bills , Small Tenement Bills , and all those Bills interesting to parties and factions in the House , have dragged their slow-length along , spurring the advocates and opponents on to energetic support or opposition . The Financial Reform question was over in a night , and could command but seventy-ei g ht votes . The admission of the Jews insured a large muster of Christians , while the cause of the death of 150 pauper" children was discussed in question and answer , and tho destruction of eightythree lives in a colliery was disposed of in a minute ; the flippant official , amongst cheers from Coal Kings , telling the House that the means resorted to for the preservation of life in Germany and other countries , were too minute and complicated to he adopted by Christian England . But , nevertheless , wo have the official ' s assurance that something shall he talked about when some more lives are lost , hut at present it is impossible to recommend any plan for the preservation of life .
Let the labourer turn to the past month ' s Parliamentary history , and ask himself what cause for future hope he sees in past legislation . Divided as parties now are in the House of Commons , a large majority , if not all , looking to the possession of a seat as the grand desideratum , this Parliament , if not stirred by the popular will , is not likely to expire until it dies a natural and contemptible death . The Protectionists arc iu search of a leader ; the Peelitcs aro in search , of a party , the Irish are in search of a grant i and the Whigs are in
search of that support which they can glean from the rankling hostility that exists in the Tory ranks . Peel , holding the balance ef power , and justly stung by the ingratitude of those whose properties he saved from confiscation , says "You shall notpass from this to tho othersideof thellouse ; " and the Protectionists , many of them now acquiescing in the wisdom of his policy , but still adhering to old class prejudices , exclaim , in return , "NOR YOU EITHER ; " while the « HAPPY FAMILY " smile complacently at those divisions and dissensions , which perpetuate tlieir power .
There are a few young men of businesshabits—studious , powerful , and eloquent in the House ; and among the first Ave name Mr . Osborne , the member far Middlesex—a man of quick perception , apparently accustomed to deep study , possessing poAverful concentration , a commanding voice , good address , and floAving , hut not bombastic eloquence . CoBDTEN is a close reasoner , a good debater , and commands considerable influence . BkightIs peculiar in his style of eloquence , which , like Osbobne ' s , is not bombastic ; he is a close
reasoner , an able debater , has command of his subject , and bring s his facts Avell to bear upon the discussion . Geoiige Thompson is eloquent and powerful , and would be convincing if he became the tool of a faction . Pox is powerful , eloquent , sarcastic ( but not illnatured ) , and is well attended to by the House . Milker Gibson is an effective speaker , a close reasoner , and good debater—apt at repartee , and always ready to grapple Avith the strong as well as Avith the weak points of his adversaries .
There are many others of the same class whom we could name , who , if united upon some ^ defined and understandable popular question , and backed by the pressure from without , would be too powerful for , and would assuredly defeat , allother parties in the House united . But we fear that their dread of the real solution of the Labour Question will prevent tbe possibility of a real , telling , aad
effective co-operation between those parties and the people . However , wo would warn thorn that AA-e live in new times—in the age of progress—and require , if not new men , at least , men with now ideas—ideas adapted to new circumstances , to gOA'crn us . If the English people saAV a faithful move made in the proper direction by those parties , they Avould look upon it as one stepping-stone in the ford , aud would trust them > but if , upon the other hand , the people find them only zealous and energetic in matters connected with their oavu interests , they will withhold their co-operation and support .
There is more danger in withholding what is just than in prematurely or hastily making too great concessions . Li the one case , a rush of indignation overpoAvers and controls the good sense and discretion of the nation ; Avhile , m the other case , natural prudence and Avisdom would check cind correct national excitement . The Reform Bill promised to purif y the House of Commons ; but we unhesitatingly declare , that that process has yet to be performed , as we believe that no Government in the days of rampant Toryism Avould defend extravagance ^—annihilate tho Constitutionabridge the rights and liberties—tyrannise over its victims—insult the nation—dishonour
its institutions , and disgrace its monarch , as the present House of Commons has done . HoAvever , Ave only rely upon the policy of the Yorkshire mother , Avho was obliged to submit to the naughtiness of her child for a month without correcting him , because she had not time . At the end of that period she AA'hipped him and said , " Noav , lad , thou ' st been a long toime looking for that—uoav thou ' st got it , and hoAvdo ' st loikeit ? " So wo Avillsaytothe British
Parliament Avhen they are subjected to that popular scourge Avhich has been too long spared , but which assuredly will , one dayand that ere long—overtake them . " Thou ' st been a long toiino looking for it—hoav thou ' st got it , and hoAv dos't loike it ? " And Ave fer-A'ently pray that the time may not be far distant Avhen avc shall have the pleasure of putting tho question to the naughty boys whohavo richly deserved the whipping . *
Parliamentary Review. Mr. Cobden Commenc...
PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW . Mr . Cobden commenced the Parliamentary Campaign of the Financial Reform party on Monday night . The motion which he then proposed was , however , neither so bold in its language , nor so precise in its demands , as his speeches out of doors . The Ten Million Budget shrunk into a general resolution , affirmative of the necessity of economy , and the propr iety of a diminution of our War Force , as speedily as practicable , to the standard of 1835 . The qualification as to time , deprived the motion of . all immediate and practical value . Who is to judge as to the " speed " with which such reductions are practicable ? Constituted as the House is , and with the predominance of tho aristocratic element in tho
Legislature ,, the real governing power lies with that class . The proposition to constitute a Ministry , composed of persons without titles or grandfathers , however eminent they might be as men of business , intellect , and political knowledge , would be scouted as the most pre * posterous that could be made to Englishmen . Thus , the real Government of the country is limited to a small class—in the case of tho present Ministry , to a few families of that class closely connected by blood or marriage . If the final decision as to the time for making these reductions , and the extent to which they can
be made , is to be left to such parties ; we fear the nation will only bo " led a wild-goose chace" b y this new Financial Movement . Again , look at the composition ofthe House of Commons under the present constituency . Of the House of Lords , nothing need bo said with respect to any proposals for economy , Their views on such a question may be anticipated by everybody . In the House of Commons , b y direct nomination , and indirect influence , they send a very large number of the members of their own families ; thus exercising—despite of the theory of the
constitution—a decided and preponderating influence in that branch of the Legislature also . Besides their weight in such questions , wo have also to take that of tho persons in tho House who are either directl y interested in maintaining a large Naval and Military Expenditure , in consequence of holding commissions ; or who are connected , in various ways , with thoso who do so . The " Daily News " gives a list of parties thus interested in the matter , amounting to 125 , out of a total majority against reduction of 275 ; not far short of one half the majority . With a Legislature and Government
thus constituted ,, real and effectual retrenchment is impossible . If the middle classes were to make such a general and determined movement , as to frighten those who live upon the taxes into a seeming acquiescence with their demands , it would be onl y nominal , and of short duration . The reductions would be so contrived as to fall not upon the idle sinecurist , and the over-paid and under-worked scion or protege of tho aristocracy , but upon those who really perform the work , and receive the least
pay . So shamefully and shamelessly has this been done in the reductions proposed on tho Army and Navy Estimates , by the Government , for this year , that even the " Times" is obliged to repudiate its Ministerial patrons . It appears , from an analysis of these Estimates , that it is proposed to reduce 10 , 593 men in tho Army , and 2 , 870 in the Navy . The total saving in money by throwing these 13 , 463 men upon an already overstocked Labour market , is onl y £ 772 , 913 ! On this notable proposal , the " Times" truly says : —
" If it had been desired to effect the least possible saving at the greatest possible cost , the plan now announced wouldhave deserved an honourable reception , for it fulfils these two conditions with a completeness quite rcmartaible . ; If all the more obvious means of retrenchment had been tried in vain , there would remain nothing to be said . The last pinch is always a cruel one . But a man does not think of pawning his coat while he keeps his hunters , mid us usually intent to prune his luxuries before he parts with his necessaries . The framers of the estimates , however , appear to have quite a different notion of judicious economy . They commence their reductions where they will cost most , and pay least , and while they retain the moat unproductive superfluities arc content to concentrate their efforts on tho least dispensable items of expenditure . "
The " most unproductive superfluities" are , however , precisely those things which our aristocratic Government are the least likely to part with , and the whole of this proceeding affords an excellent illustration of the spirit in which they would set about more extensive reductions , if they were forced upon them . The men who have actuall y to do the work in the army , the navy , and the dockyards would have more work assigned them at diminished wages ; while the high-paid idlers would remain untouched , or if meddled with , it would be in the most gentle style , with a hint , sotto voce , that in a year or two , the chances of quietly increasing the taxation , and replacing them in snug berths , would not be neglected .
Mr . O'Connor has calculated the exact money saving which would be realised by every individual in the country if the ten millions were taken off to-morrow . It is no great sum , even at his estimate , which we think decidedly favourable to the Financial Reformers . But it strikes usthattho /« K benefit of those reductions , whatever they might ultimately amount to , would not reach the working classes . Most of them would be intercepted in their passage downwards b y the upper , middle , and
trading classes . For instance , suppose the tax upon tea was reduced from 2 s . 2 id ., its present amount , to a uniform rate of Is ., as Mr . Cobden proposes , the benefit of this reduction would be very unequally distributed . The poor man wouldhave to pay Is . tax on his tea , which , perhaps , cost originally Is . 3 d . a pound , and the rich man would pay only tho same amount upon the finer Congous , Hysons , and Souchongs ,. which cost 3 s . Gd . or 4 s . Gd , a pound . la the one case . the tax would he
Parliamentary Review. Mr. Cobden Commenc...
eighty per cent , upon the article in the other fifteen or twenty per on * onlJ- *» ad \ ml duty , beginning with a low duty on the lowpriid teas . and ° increasing in rt ^ to ; quality and price of the article , J ™ H W some justice in it , but the rich ana »* classes are not likely to legislate in tnat fashion . They will take care of themselves ; and , unfortunately , they are the only parties who have the power of legislating . The pool * man is unrepresented , and is therefore sure to go to the wall . Again , the Repeal of the Window Duty constitutes no small item in
Mr . Cobden ' s out-door Budget . Now that is a tax which presses almost exclusivel y upon the middle and trading classes—the working classes do not generally live in houses subject to the impost ; the aristocracy take care that in proportion to the number of windows required in their princel y mansions , the tax decreases , until it arrives at a point where it stops altogether . As far as they are concerned , the remission ofthe Window Duty thoy now
pay , would amply compensate them for the proposed new tax on Probates of Personal Property . Then the repeal of the Malt and Hop Duties , would , in our opinion , ultimately be found to be of very slight benefit to the working classes in towns . It might , to some extent , be of service to the farmer and the agricultural labourers ; but in towns , the large bi'ewers , who monopolise the trade and own the greater part of the public houses , would take care that the remitted tax should
go into their pockets and those of the retailer . It would be discovered that it only made a difference of some such fraction as a farthing a quart , or so , and that it was impossible to allow for it in the price . "We might comment upon the practical utility of other parts of the Budget in the same manner , but it is unnecessary for tho object we have in view , which is to show , in the first place , that reductions in expenditure , if made , would mainly fall upon the tho real working classes employed by
Government ; and secondly , that while . the upper and middle classes monopolise the suffrage they will take care to snatch tho lion ' s share ofthe benefits arising from any remission of taxation . We have no objection to see these parties pitted against each other on such questions ; but , at the same time , we firmly believe that no substantial or permanent relief to the poor man , from the burden of taxation , will ever be secured , until the interests of Labour are as well and as fully represented in Parliament as any ofthe other interests now represented there .
The division on Monday night shows that the Manchester party will be left—at all events in the mean time—to fight their own battle . The Peelitcs hold aloof , waiting to see " what will become of it . " That numerous tribe" the Waiters on Providence "—also discreetly bide their time . Out of , at least , 500 members , before whom Mi-. OOBDEN made his speech , only 353 voted , and still more significant was the fact that , on such a question , the division was taken without any adjournment .
Tho Conduct Ofthe Ministry With Respect ...
Tho conduct ofthe Ministry with respect to Ireland is singularly inconsistent , to say the least of it . Having no plan "but the rough-andready one of knocking down the unruly , and g iving alms to the submissive , they proposed to shift the responsibility of proposing any better from their own shoulders to that of committees of both Houses . This also is part of the standard policy of a Cabinet , Avhich virtuall y confesses its inability to discharge the duties it is paid to perform . We do not see that unpaid and unofficial members of either House are bound to provide Lord John Russell and his Colleagues with plans for the Government of Ireland or any other part of the
country . It is their duty , as an Executive Administration , to initiate practical measures ; and if they are incompetent to that task , they ought to give place to those who are capable of performing - it . At all events , when the duty had thus been thrown upon Committees , it might have been supposed that they Avould have been allowed time to examine into the actual state of affairs for which thoy were called upon to provide a remedy . Not so . Lord Johk , in the meantime , caught f he idea ( very imperfectl y and erroneousl y , it subsequently appeared ) from Lord Stanley , of a rate in aid , and forthwith rushed to tho Committee of theHouse of Commons with a series
of resolutions , which he called upon them to agree to as the basis of a measure for the amendment ofthe Poor-laAv , and for raising the necessary funds to relieve the destitution in Ireland . The Committee stultified itself by agreeing to this proposition . They , in fact , decided first and heard evidence afterwards . They took upon themselves the responsibility of a measure Avhich Avas really proposed by the Minister , and Avhich he alone ought to have fathered ; and having thus "jockied" them into a false position , tho Premier brought forward his plan under cover of their authority . The best
ofthe story is , however , that the same resolutions were laid by the Marquis of Lansdowne before the Lords' Committee , with an intimation that they were not called upon to decide on them until after they had heard evidence , aud even then the Government would not pledge itself to introduce a measure based upon these resolutions ! There must be a singular unity of purpose , and good mutual understanding , surely , in the Cabinet which perpetrates
such extraordinary freaks as these ! Lord Stanley , in commenting upon these matters , took the opportunity of disavoA \ -ing the paternity of Lord John ' s bantling—the rate in aid —and clearly enumerated tho preliminary conditions on Avhich alone he thought such a course might be taken ; Lord John , however , overlooked these conditions , in his hurry to grasp at what seemed , on the surface , a plausible idea . The ultimate fate of the plan remains to be seen .
It appears that the Whigs , yielding to the importunity of their manufacturing supporters , are about to introduce a Bill to undo their own handiwork in 1846 . Tho millownors of Lancashire and . the manufacturing districts , have hit upon what they consider an ingenious plan of evading the provisions of the Ten Hours Act . Instead of Avorking young persons under eighteen years of age for ten hours a day only , they have invented a system of relays , by AA'hich they work tAVO sets of hands under the specified age for eight hours each , and thus contrive to keep those employed
above that age at Avork for the protracted period , which is the practice in what are called '' brisk times . '' The laAv oflicors of the CroAvn condemned this practice as illegal upon being applied to by the factory inspectors , who thereupon brought actions for tho penalties levyable for acting in contradiction to the act . The millowning magistrates , howevor , set both the law , the officials , and the Crown lawyers at defiance , and decided in favour of themselves and class . Instead of being bold and decided , as they have been Avith Irish Nationalists and English Chartists , the present Government have succumbed to tho
millowners . They only dare to be courageous where their opponent maybe safely grappled with . If there be the slightest approach to equality between them , they are always cowards . Hence , the millocracy , it a ppears , aro to have a measure legalising relays , and we presume an act of indemnity for all past violations ofthe law ! Admirable , impartial high-minded Government ! ' Meantime , in the midst of " brisk times "
and plans to enable the wealth y capitalist to reap , rapidly , a golden harvest , at the expense of Avorking one set of hands beyond tho period at which they can bo employed without injurr to their health , and of working two sets of hands at Avages insufficient for their maintcnanco-What is the actual condition of the working classes ? The " revival of trade" has come , but it brings no " healing on its wings . " It has been publicl y stated , at tho meetings
held by Mr . Oastlee , in the manufacturing districts , that the factory operatives , AAiiou iu full work , receive such low Avages that they arc absolutely eked- out from the poor rates to ' an amount which Avill ensure a bare subsistence < In Spitalfields , Ave know , the silk trade lias not been so busy for many years . Yet tlijfcrcduction in wages has been so great ( and thev aro still proceeding ) , that , unless tho weavers are strong enough to work on Sundays as well as week days , thoy are also obliged to have rccoui' 80 to atas and the assistance of charitable
societies ' . Such is the state of things to Avhich Free . TradV and an unregulated , rapacious and selfish misapp lication of machinery has re ' duccd us ! In a few months , at most , tho oA-er-AA-orking system Avill again glut all the available markets of the AA-orld , and then the thousands avIio aro uoav over-tasked and underpaid Avill be thiwn entirely on the rates and on public charity . The best commentary upon the Avickedness and the atrocity of this system is to be found in the figures contained in the annual reports ofthe Poor Law Commissioners , just issued . It appears that the sum collected for the support of the poor , ending March ,
1848 , amounted to £ 7 , 817 , 430 , or £ 852 , 6 * 05 more than in 1847—nearly a- million . This is more than has been levied in any year since 1834 , the last of the old laAv , aud , in fact , very closely approaches the amount then raised for poor rates . It has , in fact , been incrcasiuw ever since 1838 , and uoav exceeds b y more than two millions , the sum collected in that bad year , 1839 . It is clear that under the reign of the Political Economists , this country is fast approaching the same general destitution and misery Avhich has made a desolate AA'aste of Ireland . The cheapness of AA'hich they aro so much enamoured , will prove a dear bargain to the nation .
A Considerable Amount Of Miscellaneous B...
A considerable amount of miscellaneous business has been transacted during the week , but as a general feature avo may say , there has been , as far as indications yet present themselves , an entire abs . ence of either the comprehension of tho actual condition of the country , or the will to attempt tho construction of adequate remedies .
Receipts Of The National Land Company Fo...
RECEIPTS OF THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY For the Week Bamsa Tw / rsdat , March 1 , 1819 . SHARES . £ s . d . £ s . d . Housel ! .. 10 6 Swindon .. 10 0 Stoke-sub-IIam- - Derby .. 1 17 0 den .. 1 e 0 Burnley .. 1 u a Long Buckby .. 0 12 0 Ashton .. 4 11 U Holmfirth .. 3 8 8 Hanley .. 5 9 ( i Merthyr , Powell 2 9 3 Walsall .. 0 3 0 Market Laving ' ton 0 5 0 Coventry .. 10 0 Grown smd An- 3 . Lewis .. 0 ' 1 < i chor .. 114 0 P . Trumblc .. 0 10 Holbeck .. 1 10 0 R . Sudbury .. 0 2 0 Stalybridge .. 1 G 0 B . Lockwood .. 0-2 0 Manchester .. 1 10 0 J . Vigors .. 0 16 Nottingham .. 0 15 10 C . Vigurs .. 0 10 Korherham .. 1 10 0 C . Mow ! .. 0 2 C Sleaford .. 2 G 0 W . Penny .. 0 2 « Leicester , Astill . 10 0 Westminster .. 0 1-3 3 Rochester ,. 0 10 0 Myth O IT 8 £ 39 131 Preston , Brown 13 0 ——EXPENSE FUND . LongBuckby .. 0 7 0 Carlisle .. 0 2 0 Holbeck .. 0 2 0 Derbv .. 0 4 0 Stalybvidgo .. 0 4 0 Hanley .. 0 10 Nottingham .. 0 6 ' 0 Westminster .. 0 10 Sleaford .. 0 18 Rochester .. 070 £ 2 12 0 TOTALS . Land Fund 39 13 7 Expense ditto ... ... ... 2 12 0 Bonus ditto ... ... ... 03 2 10 Loan ditto ... 1 12 4 Transfers ... ... ... ... 0 4 0 Rules ... 0 0 4 £ 112 5 I Erratum . —The fls . Cd . from Liverpool , in the Star of the 17 th ult ., credited to the Expense Fund , should have been to the Bonus Fund . W . Dixojt , 0 . Doixe , T . Clark , Cor . Sec . P . M'Grath , Fin . Sec .
Executive Fund. Received By Mr. S. K\Dd....
EXECUTIVE FUND . Received by Mr . S . K \ dd . —Per E . Sylces , Henley , 2 s . ; iluddersfield , 5 s , ; For Cards , 3 s . 4 d . ; per J . Topping , Crewe , Od . DEFENCE FUND . Received by Mr . AV . Rider . —J . F ., Eyam , Is . ; J . B ., ditto , Cd . ; Walsall Chartists , per 3 . Perkins , 0 s . 2 d . ; Lincoln , per J " . Budd , Is . ; Nottingham , per J . Siveet , 3 s . 5 d . ; Miles Platting , per A . Charles , 10 s . Gd . ; Emmett's Brigade , for Mr . Nixon , for Vernon ' s Defence , per S . Mundin , 3 s . ; Birmingham , People ' s Hall , per AV . II . Rudhall , 2 s . Id . ; A few Friends , Merthyr Tydvil , per M . John , 5 s .,- A few Friends , Pratt-strect , Kirkcaldy , per J . Syme , 3 s . ——Received by Laxd Of fice . —Uxbridge , 4 s .
VICTIM FUND . Received by Land 0 * fice . —Uxbridge , 4 s . FOR WMfcS AND FAMILIES OF VICTIMS . Received by Mr . W . Ridek . —An Enemy to Oppression , £ 1 ; Sudbury , per J . Goody , 2 s . ; Nottingham , per J . Sweet , as . ; J . Topping , Crewe , 3 d . ; Emmett's Brigade , per S Mundin , Bs . ; A few Friends , Merthyr Tydvil , per M . John , 6 s . M ' DOUALL ' S CASE—FOR WRIT OF ERROR , ( OB OTHERWISE . ) Received by Afr . W . Rider . —J . Taylor , Stour Provost , Is . Received b y IiAsd Office . —Merthyr Ty dyil , 2 s . id .
FOR MRS . M'DOUALL . Received by Mr . W . Rideb . —Lincoln , per J . Budd , 2 s . ; X . V ., IV . A ., County Durham , Is . ; T . Topping , Crewe , 3 d Padiham , per B . Pillinj ; , 15 s .
NATIONAL VICTIM AND DEFENCE FUND . Received by Mr . J . Abnott . —Totncss , per Mr . Tanner , 7 s . ; Cheltenham , per M . Ileimnin , 8 s . 4 d . ; Land Office , as per Star , £ 1 10 s . ; Coventry , per G . Freeman , * Js . ; Mrs . Austin , received at John-street , per J . Milne , Is . ; Mr . Rider , as per Star , £ 2 Is . 8 d . ; Laud Office , per Mr . Clark , 4 s . ; Westminster , per J . Grassby , Is . ; Crown and Anchor , per Mr . Pelteret , 10 s . ; ditto , per Mr . Allen , Is . ; South London Hall , per Mr . Egcvton , Us . ; 28 , Golden-lane , Cripp legate , per Mr . Brown , 3 s . ( id . ; Globe and Friends , per Mr . Thomas , 3 s . lid . Erbatuh . —The sum announced from the Ernest Jones Locality , in last week ' s Star , should have been 9 s . Sid ., instead of 8 s . 8 ! , d .
The Victim Committee being aware that Mr . Thomas Cooper will shortly visit the- North of England , would advise their Manchester Mends to solicit his services on behalf ofthe iVctims .
Robbery By A Railway Omctr. — R. Frost, ...
Robbery by a Railway OmctR . — R . Frost , aged 27 , ajaihvav guard , was indicted on Wednesday at the Oentriil Criminal Court , for stealing a snuffbox a miniature , a paper knife , abook , a seal , some plate , aad other property , belonging to the Great Western Railway Company , his masters , on the 10 th of November . The Steward of the Earl of Craven sent from his lordship ' s seat , Ashdown-park , by the Great Western Railway Company , some boxes , on inspecting which it was found that one , containing the articles in question , which were about £ 100 in value , had been forced open and rifled of the most valuable portion of its contents . Information was iu consequence given to the authorities of the Railway Company , and the seal was traced to a man named Brooke , distantly related to the prisoner , and who had pawned it at Stratford ( in Essex ) ,
for him , having first tried to dispose of it by a raffle . It was then discovered that the prisoner had been one of the guards of the goods train on the night the boxes were brought up . The seal , which was a very rare and valuable one , was seen by several persons to be in the possession of the prisoner a few days after tbe boxes had been sent up from his lordship's seat . —The prisoner , when called upon to account for the possession ofthe seal , said he had bought it for a few shillings from a guard on the Eastern Counties Railwav : The jury returned a verdict of " Guilty . " —Mr . Clarkson said there were other charges against the prisoner , in some of which he acknowledged his guilt , and scarcely ever had he been guard to the goods tram but something was stolen . —The Common Sergeant ordered the prisoner to be transported for seven
years . Poisoss in Confections . — The . fcWi / Mi'naZ says , that three children were nearly poisoned at Marlborough by having eaten an ornament in the forni ol a fuchsia blossom on a confectionary cake , ur . Fergus submitted a fragment of the flower to tne black flux and reduction test , and obtained an abundant ring of metallic arsenic in the test tube , m « y confirming that arsenic of copper was the colouring matter of the flower , aad the cause of what might have been a most serious calamity —[ What is to be done with the confectioner ?] ¦ _ , „ - fine
Extraordinary Leap of a Hark «—One morning lately , Mr . George Grave , of BroughtQtt Newby-bridge , was astonished to find a hare dancin „ about on the warm lime that was burned down to the bottoaof the kiln . How it happene d th atpooij puss fell inisunkuown . George Grave , J ™ ., ° " scendedwith the intention of securing pussey ; out she sprang clear out to the top , leaving the young man dumb-founded . The height leaped by the hare was seventeen feet four inches . The inside ot tne kiln is lined with brick , and no fissures or projectm , stcttjs ., —Wfistmyrctyntf ( tastff «» .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 3, 1849, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_03031849/page/4/
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