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      The Constitution Of Ohio Affirms That Th...

      E ebbuary 17 , 1849 . THE NORTHERN STAR . ^^^^— . — f————— ¦ ¦ ' SSSlS ^ -MMMMMM'l ^^^ MMM ^— '' — —— «' I 1 I ~ : " " ! ¦ SSSS

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      Freedom's Lyre. By Heb. Just E. Haxwell....

      FREEDOM'S LYRE . BY HEB . JUST E . HAXWELL . Attune the chords of Freedom's lyre , To boundless notes of g lee ; And swell upon each burning wire , The anthems of the free ! Strike I strike again the notes of old , That swept these hills along : "Where Freedom ' s sons her flag unrolled , And shouted Freedom ' s song ! "Wake ! wake the tones of victory now , For Freedom ' s heart heats high . I And triumph sits on manhood ' s orow , And speaks from woman ' s eye . The sun that rose in cloud and gloom , How beams in radiance bright ; And in meridian splendour soon Shall blare with . Freedom ' s light . When slavery ' s nig ht shall pass away , And wide o'er land and sea Again on every breeze shall play The banner ofthe free : Then tune the lyre—let music sweep Our hills and vales along ! "While ocean ' s waves in gladness leap , And dance to Freedom ' s song .

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      America Compared With England. London: E...

      AMERICA COMPARED WITH ENGLAND . London : E . Wilson , Koyal Exchange . The author of this work , apparently holding with Helvetius , that "tie virtues , and the vices of States are the effects of their legislation , " has written a well-filled volume of nearly three hundred pages , for the purpose of contrasting "the social effects of the American andEnglish SystemsofGovernment . " Oar readers will not he surprised to learn that the palm is awarded to the trans-Atlantic system .

      The work is published Because the author is " anxious to assist in \> ringmg about a reform at home , by removing errors and prejudices , and instilling into the English people that knowledge of free institutions which must be attended by their approval and gradual adoption . " In the present strugg le of the nations on the Continent for freedom , "the desire to contribute something to facilitate the choice of political institutions in Europe , by presenting the experience of two great and dissimilar systems , has stimulated the author , in addition to Ms anxiety for Ms own country . "

      The work opens with an account of " The Constitutions and Governments ofthe several States" ofthe American Union . There are now thirty States or Republics in the Union , and the number is constantly increasing , in consequence of the formation of new _ States in the Western and Southern territories . In a new territory , "the Confederation assumes the Government of it until the population he ^

      comes sufficiently numerous to form a State , and then the people elect delegates to frame a Constitution . It must be a Republican Constitution , and no aristocracy is permitted , When the population of a territory numbers sixty thousand , it may obtain the rights of a State . The people of anew territory [ not yet formed into a State ] are represented by agents in Congress , who have a right to speak , but

      not to vote . " The different States have different constitutions , governments , and laws ; although all must be Republican , at least so far as the absence of royalty and aristocracy make a Republic . To enable the reader to understand the general character ofthe State institutions , as distinguished from those ofthe general confederation—the author of this work takes the State of Ohio as an example , the constitution , government , & c ., of which he describes at considerable length . In Ohio the suffrage "is practically universal ; every white male adult

      citizen , who has resided in the State one year , and has been charged , or is chargeable with a tax , is entitled to a vote . All are chargeable with a road-tax of four shillings a year , except aliens and negroes , who are not permitted to vote . " The voting is by ballot . The electoral districts are equal according to populalation , [ to secure that equality there is a census taken of the male adult population every four years . ] Elections are annual ; there is no property qualification for representatives , who are paid eight shillings a day for their services during the legislative sittings .

      One half of the members of the Senate ( or second Chamber ) are chosen every year , so that there is anew election ofthe whole ^ every two years . The only qualification required is , that the Senator shall be thirty years of age , a citizen ofthe United States , and a resident of the district . The Governor of Ohio is elected directly by the people , every two years . He has a salary of £ 200 a year . [ Think of that , Master BuU J ] Justices of the Peace are elected hy tie people every three years . The Judges of the

      Supreme Court , and County Courts , are elected by the Legislature , every seven years . The people of each county elect a Fublic Prosecutor every two years . He manages all prosecutions , and the party aggrieved is put to no expense . On the whole , the judiciary system of Ohio has immense advantages over that of England ; still it is not perfect , and the author of this work points out evils which popular intelligence , working through popular suffrage , will doubtless remove ere long .

      The people of each county elect a sheriff and a coroner every two years , and a recorder of deeds every three years . The township officers are elected annually . AH officers are paid for their services . In the nulitia the privates elect their captains . Majors are elected by the captains and subalterns of their battalions . Colonels are elected by the majors , captains , and subalterns of the regiment . Brigadiers-general are elected by the commissioned officers of their respective brigades . Majors-general and quartermasters-general , are appointed by a joint vote of both houses ofthe Legislature & c , & c . There is no church-establishment in any of

      ihe States ; and in an , the people are generall y well educated . In many of the States a large part ofthe public lands has been appropriated to education , and the halance of the money required for that purpose is raised by taxation . The children of the poorer classes receive an excellent education unmixed with religion . A classical education is bestowed gratuitously in some of the States . The American labourer ' s son is usually hetter educated than the son of an Eng lish master

      tradesman . All classes read books and newspapers , and hear speeches , debates , and lectures . Public libraries and reading rooms abound in the large towns . In some of the States a public library for adults is provided , at the expense of the Commonwealth in each district . The peop le are thoroughly acquainted with , all the important news ofthe world , and take the deepest interest in whatever concerns the progress ofthe human race . We blush to own that there is too much of

      truth in the closing portion of the following extract : — roLrncAL knowledge Ef -uiebica versus pouncjii IGX 0 BA 5 CE IS EXGLASD . The late continental revolutions—the fall of monarchy in Francc-the rise of democracy there and ia Germany and Italy , excited the greatest enthusiasm in America-thegreat cities were uluminated and the inhabitants ofthe remotest villages shouted ^ th joy . The electric telegrap h extends over the 5-nion from Maine to louisiana , communicating

      "stantaneous intelligence to the important towns and villages - ; " so that the news of these great En-* 'I « an events was made'known throughout a cir-^¦ i t of many thousands of miles with the speed ot Muring itself . How was this news received 1 in fngland ? We saw more peop le collected together * I * udon to learn the result of the races at Cheswth an we saw at any time assemhled to ascerftVfe results ofthe conflicts in Paris , Yieana , or ?* »! And as to the English country people , it ^ too much to sav that a majority are to this t ^^ orant of these mighty struggles and

      America Compared With England. London: E...

      The constitution of Ohio affirms that the people have , at all times , a . complete power to alter , reform , or , abolish their government . "So that in Ohio it is no offence to excite disaffection to the existing order of things ; whereas , in England , it is highly criminal to do so ; for it has often been held to be sedition , ' and in serious cases it has been declared to be treason . " In all the States of the Union the people are the recognised source of all power . '' The principal difference will be found between the Ttin nnmo + ifnfinn if CWan affirms that + I 10

      constitutions of the free and slave States . In the latter , for example , laws exist to prevent discussion on the subject of slavery . Slaveholding needs sedition laws for its support like those of England . " Within the last twenty years the constitutions of several of the States have been remodelled . The tendency of the . new constitutions is to deprive the executive of power . The various officers , formerl y appointed by governors , are now elected directl y hy the people or their representatives . "We quote the following notice ofthe

      SEW YORK COXSTIIOTION . By the constitution of New York ( the most important state in the "Union ) adopted in November , 1846 , all the judges , superior and inferior , the sheriffs , prosecuting attorneys , & c , are to be elected directly by the people in their several districts . They are elected for short periods only . The same constitution provides that every male citizen ofthe age of twenty-one years who has resided fire months in the county where he may offer Kis vote , shall be entitled to vote . Formerly the elector was required to be a tax-payer , and the governor and senators were required to-possess a small property

      qualification . - This restriction is also removed . Men of colour are allowed to vote if possessed of a freehold estate worth 250 'dollars ( about £ 501 . This is the same as the old law . In some of the free States negroes are allowed to vote ; in others they are excluded ; in most of them they are allowed to hold land , hut are subject to various disqualifications , the object of which is to prevent coloured people from being attracted to those States . The enactments imposing these disqualifications are all had in princi p le as well as impolitic , and calculated to keep the free coloured race in a state of comparative ignorance and viciousness , besides fostering barbarous prejudices and antipathies .

      The legislative power ofthe State ot flew lorK is vested ia a senate and assembly ; the former consists of thirty-two members chosen for two years . The house of assembly consists of 128 members , annually elected . All the members are paid for their services so much per day out of the funds of the Republic . There are equal electoral districts , and the voting is b ballot . So that the six points of the Charter , which are in England the subject of so many ignorant remarks in the daily press , are the law of this great republic , as well as of most of the others ; and under the Charter thus reduced to practice we have the sublimest specimens of free government . The governor of Sew York exercises the pardoning power , and has a suspensive veto , which may be overruled by two-thirds of both houses .

      The constitution of the United States was formed on the lfth of March , 1787 , hy delegates from a large majority of the ori ginal thirteen States , and was afterwards adopted by the whole of them . It went into operation on the first Wednesday in March , 1789 ; and certain amendments were effected in the years 1789 , 1793 , and 1803 . The constitution has provided a federal executive , a federallegislature , and a federal judiciary . The limits of each department are defined , and there is as little interference as possible with the sovereignty of the several Republics . The legislative power is vested in the President , Senate , and House of Representatives . The Executive power is in the hands of the President and Senate .

      The constitution of the House of Representatives is the same in princip le as the constitution ofthe representative assemblies of New York , Ohio , & c . The Senate is composed of two members from each State , chosen by the State Legislature . There is no property qualification required ofthe members of either Assembly . The representatives are elected every two years ; the senators every six years , but an election of one-third of the number takes place every two years . The President is chosen for four years . He is not elected b ythe direct vote of the people , but by electors chosen by the people . The number of electors to

      which each State is entitledjs the same as its number of senators and representatives in Congress . No property or religious qualifications are required ofthe President . He must be an American citizen hy birth , and , at least , thirty-five years of age . His salary is well known , its amount being in this country often contrasted with that of the sum paid to that exceedingl y useful personage Prujce Albert . The dignified simplicit y of the American Executive forms a glorious contrast to the "barbaric splendours" which—all things taken into account—a million of pounds sterling scarcely suffices to pay for . Oh ! wise John Bull I Oh ! matchless Jack Ass !

      After pointing out the peculiar excellencies and defects of the federal constitution , the author of this work gives it ais his opinion that the constitution will be , ere long , amended , so as to place it on a more popular basis . He anticipates the time when the slave States will be shorn of their preponderance , and the disproportionate power ofthe smallEastern States be amended in favour of the great "Western States .

      The chapters comparing the administration of justice in America and England will repay perusal . The author of this work insists that the general prosperity of the people of the United States is to be attributed entirely to their democratic institutions , and not to the abundance of land . " Russia has an abundance of land , so has Lower Canada ; and yet , in consequence of the want of democratic institutions , the people of those countries are poor and ignorant . The superior morality of the people he attributes to the same cause .

      , " The women of America are far more chaste than those of England , taking the whole mass of the people of both countries into account . " " If there were a titled aristocracy , and a privileged class in America , but little respect would be shown to females in the lower ranks of life . They would be seduced by the glitter of titles , wealth , and power ; a had example would be set by the most prominent men in the country ; this example would be . generally followed , andthe morals of the people would be sapped anddestroyed . "

      We are not told in this work , that America is in all things an Elysium , when compared with England ; on the contrary , the author states that : " The climate is not so temperate , nor so healthy as that of Eng land : nor is the country so beautiful . " " Many ofthe large towns are not well drained , cleansed , lighted , paved , and watched . Parks and public walks are generally wanting . The roads are almost everywhere bad . " " Foodis abundant and cheap butthequality ofthemeat , poultry , & c ,

      is inferior to the Eng lish . " VVemayaaa that in many an Englishman ' s home , the meat and poultry is worse than inferior , seeing that thereis none of either J Better lean beef than none at all . The evils of competition abound in America , as well as in this country ; employment in the cities and sea-board towns is uncertain , and wages in many departments of Sstry are but little ( if any ) better than m England Needlework is so badly remunerated , that the "Song ofthe Shirt" might find a wide application on the other , as well as on

      this side of the Atlantic . Still , on the whole , the Americans seem to he well off , ' compared with the masses in this country . And this fact cannot be disputedthat the people have the power to revolutionise societv , without pulling a trigger or shouldering a pike . They possess political power amply sufficient to enable them to establish the reign of Social Justice whenever they p lease . Experience will yet instruct them how to properly emp loy lie almighty power of Universal Qnflra iTG * The chapters on the " Social Influence of the Aristocratic System iu England j" and

      America Compared With England. London: E...

      the ' ^ Restrictions . of : theJibertieswof Englishmen " are admirable exposures ofthe working of that " glorious constitution" so often extolled hy designing knaves , for the purpose of humbugging gullible fools . The illustrations , taken from the reports of the recent Chartist trials , will come home to our readers , many of whom number relatives amongst the victims , and all may be said to number friends—sacrificed at the blood-reeking altars of Privilege . From these admirable chapters we quote the following : — « , /» H T >_ . i _ :-ii / . , 1 -r ., .. ' ...

      INFJUIOUS OPPRESSION—THK VILE MESS-GANG . Within the last few weeks , the laws prohibiting the people from learning the use of arms , have been put in force in England and in Ireland ; one man has been transported for saying « ' ri ght shoulder forward , " ana several have been tried and convicted for similar offences . The laws against public meetings have also been rigidly enforced , so as to prevent assemblies of persons complaining of the House of Commons . And public opinion , so far from being outraged by these exhibitions , has looked on with complacency ; The newspaper press made no complaints against the very objectionable doctrines propounded liy the Attorney-General , or laid down by the bench on trials for political

      offences , but treated all such doctrines as undoubtedly sound , just , and proper , and requiring no legislative correction . We feel no hesitation in saying , that if the government had arrested every popular advocate of the working classes in England , had seized and destroyed all the Chartist presses , had suppressed every radical association directly , and prohibited every Chartist meeting , had instituted a search for arms and put in . force all the existing laws , the Parliament would have passed a bill of indemnity , sanctioning- any overstepping of tho bounds of the law ; " public opinion , " i . e . the opinion of the wealthy classes , would have assented to all this , and clamoured for more coercion , and the leading newspapers would have applauded the entire performance .

      What may be termed the second part of the work is devoted to a consideration of " The Mission of Democracy , " in which the author points out the various social reforms which he believes would follow the establishment of Universal Suffrage in this country . Hs evidentl y looks forward to Communism as the grand , though distant , remedy for all social evils open to human improvement . His account of the co-operative Communities in America is interesting , and , altogether , the second part of this volume is not the least valuable portion of the work .

      We observe that the Times , in reviewing this work , assailed the author for his " fanatic attacksuponreligiohj-andhislicentious assaults upon the sanctity of Marriage . " The author replied , denying the charge , and challenging the Times to produce proof ofthe " attacks " and " assaults . " The Times published the letter , but added a rejoinder , commencing after this fashion : — " We acquit the author of attacks upon Christianityin the abstract , whatever may be our convictions of the really anti-Christian tendency of his views of human nature and society ; what he does attack , and that in the most bitter and fanatical spirit , is the Church of England and certain portions of her teachings which stand in opposition to his views for revolutionising this country . "

      The rest may he imagined . So to attack the Church of England is to attack reli gion . ' What will the Dissenters say to that doctrine ? But this is the way ofthe Times , and the " respectable" Press generally . Let a man write a book in the spirit of honest independence , and for the purpose of enlightening—instead of misleading the people , forthwith the Press-gang raise the yell "infidel and anarchist . " If the author has the spirit to reply ,

      and convicts his accusers of falsehood , he onl y gets himself assailed in terms of increased abuse . The liar assumes the bold front ofthe bully , and takes credit with not a few brutes and fools for defending (!) " property , " "family , " " religion , " "law , " and " order , " against the attacks of " anarchists , " " infidels , " and the rest of the terrible phantoms usuall y paraded b y the Press-gang to convince the "intelligent classes" how much they owe to their "bestpossible instructors . "

      One word to the author of this work . We notice at page 21 a slur cast upon the members of the late Chartist Convention . Amongst other things he says , " Some may he said to have appointed themselves delegates . " We beg to assure him he has been misinformed , for we take it for granted he has not made thisunfoundedassertion onhis ownknowled ge of that body . If there were some men who from lack of education , discretion , or general political knowledge should not have sat in that Assembl y , it should be remembered that the

      choice of the people was limited in the extreme . The " respectable" and "intellectual" Reformers will not associate with the proletarians , who are , therefore , thrown upon their own class for representatives of their wrongs , sentiments , and desires . Amongst those representatives are men who , for sound political knowledge , and devotedness to principle , are second to no men on this earth . We admit , however , that those men are too few ; not sufficient to stock a popular Assembly , without the alloy of less competent tribunes of the masses .

      In addition to the extracts already given , we have copied into another column a lengthy extract from this work , on the important subject ofthe laws affecting the transfer of Land in England and America . Were we inclined to be critical , we might take exception to some of the views set forth , in ' ? , America compared with England ; " but viewing the work as a whole , we regard it as a valuable contribution to tho literature of Democracy . As such we heartil y recommend it to those who , in the words of Robert Nicol , are resolved to " makthe warld better yet 1 "

      Our Great Military And Naval Parliaments...

      Our Great Military and Naval Parliaments . London : " No . 353 , Strand . The substance of this pamphlet , now published in a cheap form , originally appeared in the Standard of Freedom . A list is given of three hundred and forty-six "individuals" in the House of Peers , and another list of three hundred and fifty-six in the House of Commons , who are themselves military or naval officers , or are immediately connected with the war establishments by their brothers , sons ,

      nephews , and other relations . Small chance has Mr . Cobdbn of compeUing retrenchment to any considerable amount in the naval and military departments , when—independent of office-holders and office - seekers , and the hangers-on of the aristocracy- —such a host of " men of war" stand ready marshalled in both Houses to oppose all reform . There is but . one adequate remedy for this state of things : —The Charter ! We cordially recommend this pamphlet to oiir readers , and wish it a large circulation .

      The Ethnological Journal. February. Edit...

      The Ethnological Journal . February . Edited by Luke Burke , Esq . London : 14 , Olement ' s-lane , Strand . Until the present number we have not seen this magazine for three or four months past . In the number before ns we are sorry to observe indicatioris of failure—that is , failure on the part ofthe public . It appears that unless prompt assistance is rendered to Mr . Burke ,

      the next number must terminate the career of the Ethnological Journal , Such an untimely conclusion to that gentleman ' s labours would he a public misfortune , and , we trust , will be averted by those who , feeling an interest' in his researches , possess also the means to furnish him with the necessary aid The Ethnological Journal deserves well ofthe votaries of science and they will be unfaithful to themselves if they allow it to

      pe Oneofa series of Mr . Giiddon ' s Lectures on Egyptian Archaeology ; and a paper on the « Importance of Mythology m the stud y of Primeval History , " fully warrant ns repeating the commendations we have before bestowed on this publication , and adding thereto

      The Ethnological Journal. February. Edit...

      . our , soncere wishes , that , its enterprising and talented proprietor may succeed in weathering the adverse gales which at present menace his progress . - .

      The Reasoner. - Part Xxxiii. London: J. ...

      The Reasoner . - Part XXXIII . London : J . Watson , o " , Queen ' s-head Passage , Paternoster-row , This part commences the sixth volume ofthe Reasoner . The Editor , in thanking his tnends and supporters , announces himself master of an improved position , and M of hope as regards future progress .

      The National Guardsman. London; J, Watso...

      The National Guardsman . London ; J , Watson , 3 , QueenVhead Passage , Paternoster-row , London . A new Radical penny paper , containing some very good , and some rather curious articles . Amongst thelatterweobserv e one headed " Our friends of the Press , " in which the assertion is made , certainl y most erroneousl y , that "the majorit y of the weekly press works for the people !!» The writer goes on to recommend to popular support the Standard of Freedom , Jerrold ' s Weekly News , Weekly Dispatch ; ( !) and Sunday Times ( !!) And these are all the " people ' s (?) papers" the "National Guardsman" affects to be acquainted with !!!

      Land Reform. Ame Rica Versus England. Ih...

      LAND REFORM . AME RICA versus ENGLAND . IHE ADVANTAGES OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS SHOWN IN THE UWS IttXATING TO THE TRANSFEB OP WND IN AMERICA , CONTESTED WITH TUB BSGLISH STSTEM OP GORGING HUNGRY iAWTBBS At THE EXPENSE OP HONEST INDUSTRY .

      ( From America compared with England . ) The laws for the simplification of the transfer of land are of vast importance . In all the States there are registers kept of all the deeds relating to the land , whether conveyances , mortgages , or leases . The importance of this system is not known in England , or a popular demand would be raised for its introduction into this country . An explanation of the system of transferring land in Ohio will serve by . way of illustration of the system prevailing throughout all the States , for the principle is the same in all of them . In each county there is a register kept of all the deeds affecting the title to the lands within the limits of that county . An officer , called a recorder

      , is elected by the people every three years : it is his duty to cause the deeds brought to his office to be copied at lull length into the books kept for that purpose . The fees for making these copies are about three shillings . The recorder ' s certificate appended to the copy of a deed , makes the copy good evidence wherever the original deed would be received . All wills , judgments , and decrees affecting the lands in the county , are also recorded in the office of the clerk ofthe court of common pleas or supreme court . The whole legal title , therefore , is on record , and open to the examination of anybody without charge . Generally speaking , the title to land is , in consequence of this publicity , notorious , and the purchaser does not find it necessary to

      fully examine it . He may easily look at the recorded title-deed ofthe man from whom he intends to purchase , and ascertain whether he has charged or encumbered the property . This will cost the purchaser nothing—there are noi fees to pay for the search ; and if he be a man ot ordinary intelligence he is quite able to make these inquiries himself ; nor can he have far to travel , for the recorder ' s office is in the centre of the county , which is only twenty miles square . In some cases , however , where the title is obscure or complicated , it may be expedient to employ an attorney to examine the records , for which , and preparing the conveyance , the fee of one or two guineas is ample remuneration . All proceedings relating to the sale , mortgage ,

      partition , or other disposition of land , are simple and inexpensive under the American system . A voluntary partition ef land owned by two or more in common is effected in Ohio at the expense of 5 s . A compulsory partition , costing about £ 5 , is effected as follows : —A petition , on half a sheet of foolscap , is presented to the Court of Common Pleas : three freeholders are appointed to make the division , and the proceedings are recorded . If no division is practicable , the property is appraised . Any one of the parties interested may elect to take the property at the appraised value . If no such election is made , a public sale takes place . The sheriff conducts the sale , and makes the deed to the purchaser j but , before doing so , report ^ his proceedings to the court ,

      where any party interested may raise objections , and a new sale may be ordered for good reasons . The proceedings occupy about three months . In this way , the interests of minors , idiots , and lunatics are sufficiently protected , and at the same time prevented from injuriously interfering with the rights of the other owners , and property is not locked up and kept out of the market . Guardians for minors are empowered , by order of the court , to bo obtained , on a proper showing , to sell the lands of their wards . Executors and administrators may obtain orders in like manner to sell land for the payment of debts or legacies , which are the first charges upon it . All these proceedings are simple , brief , and inexpensive . Contrast them with English law and practice . The compulsory partition of land is so

      expensive in England that it is very seldom resorted to . Where minors are interested , the property is practicably unsaleable , and the adult owners must wait till their co-tenants' minority . The lands of minors can seldom be sold for their benefit , and where any judicial proceeding are necessary for that purpose , the costs are ruinous , unless the property is very large . A chancery suit , to subject lands to the payment of debts , can only be resorted to in certain cases , and then the expenses are overwhelming . It would not be easy to overrate the importance of the advantages possessed by the Americans in these respects . It is their policy to facilitate the transfer of land on all occasions in every possible way , and to simplify the instrument of transfer : the consequence is , that there is a vast body of freeholders .

      In England , on the contrary , the legislature has never had such an object in view , but has constantly inclined to the preservation ofthe present system , as part of a glorious whole , the ultimate result of which is the monopoly of tho land by a privileged few . The more we examine this subject , the plainer will it appear that the difference in the social condition of the American and English people is chiefly caused by the difference between their laws and political institutions . In America , the labourer or mechanic can , with great ease , become the owner of a house and lot , although the price of the property may be as hi g h as in England . He makes the purchase without the intervention of a lawyer , pays down say

      onetenth part of the purchase-money , and executes a mortgage for the balance , payable in , perhaps , from three to eight annual instalments . He may thus become the owner in a few years , by paying a little more annually than he would pay as a tenant for rent . If he fails to make a payment , according to the terras of the mortgage , the mortgagee may foreclose and sell , but the expenses are insignificant ; and in most of the States the mortgagor is protected from sacrifice by judicious regulations , providing for an appraisement , and public sale of the property , after due notice , and forbidding a sale at less than two-thirds of the appraised value . Li England , if the mechanic desires to purchase a dwelling-house , there are various difficulties in his way : the expense ofthe conveyance and of a mortgage to secure a portion of the purchase-money , may be estimated at £ 30 or ££ 0 , and he cannot

      transfer his interest to another person without great expense . If a foreclosure ia resorted to , the costs will entirely eat up the property . In this state of things , it has been impossible for the practice of purchasing small properties on credit to become common ; the cost of a few transfers would soon exceed the entire value of a small tenement or lot of land . Whenever , then , a man is willing to encounter the expense of a transfer , and seeks for a small Jiiece of property , he soon discovers that he is asking or a thin » which not being in common demand can hardly he found at all . Tho owner of a row of small cottajjes never thinks of selling one of them singly ; and if the purchase of one of them is sought for , the purchaser must be content to dispense with an examination of the title , and must , in addition to enormous law charges , pay a fancy price , as all people must do who wish to purchase that which is not offered for sale .

      ihe desire to own land is astrong natural desire , which is gratified in America and suppressed in England . If the English mechanic could , like the American , purchase his dwelling-house , ^ he would soon acquire provident habits ; the anxiety to own the dwelling ' occupied by him wouldlead to economy , care , and industry , and the ownership of land would elevate his . character . Political equality , a good system of , education , and the introduction ofthe American system of conveying land , would in tho course of a few years , effect a complete reform in the character of the English nation . ' But many other important measures may be added to those just named . One ofthe consequences of an inexpensive system of conveying and mortgaging land woftld be the discontinuance of the grants of building leases for ninety-nine years , or other long terms , not renewr able . These leases are now preferred to purchases ofthe land , because the builder has not sufficient capital to pay the purchase-money ; and the beneficial system of purchasing on credit , and giving

      Land Reform. Ame Rica Versus England. Ih...

      a mortgage for part of the money is , owing to the expensiveness of conveyancing , almost unknown . There are no such leases in America , and yet the price of building-ground in cities and large towns is higher than in England . In Cincinnati , the largest city of Ohio , land m the principal streets is worth from £ 100 to £ 200 per foot front , running back 100 feet . In this city of 100 , 000 inhabitants , 2 , 000 houses will be built this year ; three-fourths of which will be built by the owners of the lots , principally mechanics . In America , a mortgage is given for tho principal part ofthe purchase-money , to be paid by five or ten yearly instalments . The seller of the land is assured tho payment of the purchase-money , because the erection of buildines

      upon tho land sold will greatly enhance tho security . So , under a similar system of conveyancing in England , the obnoxious leasehold tenure would be superseded by freehold titles . The builder would purchase tho land , and give a mortgage for the whole , or greater part , ofthe purchase-money , payable with interest , in ten or fifteen years , by instalments . The leasehold tenure is very obnoxious , the covenants in the leases with respect to repairs , insurance , and other matters , arc rigid , there is always a liability to forfeit the lease . The creation of long leases ' with these conditions ought to be prohibited altogether . The adoption of the American system of land titles and conveyancing would lead to the

      discontinuance of building societies on their present basis , because those persons desirous of purchasing houses could readily obtain credit from the vendor for the greater part of the purchase-money , securing him by a mortgage , according to the American custom . But the greatest result of all would be the division of great estates , ., and the establishment of small farms . To effect this consummation so devoutely to be wished , the aristocracy must bo prevented from enjoying the spoils of government and monopolising the various' offices ; the ' necessities of their families will then force " ; them to soil large tracts of land , aiid these ' will bo sold in

      small parcels , if the expense of conveyancing bo reduced to a mere nothing . Better prices will be realised by selling in small rather than large parcels , under such circumstances . These changes can only be effected through Parliamentary reform . Until that is obtained , the aristocracy will quarter their sons and relatives on the public , and retain their vast ' estates entire . The utmost resistance would bo . offered by any House of Commons elected under the present system to the abolition of entails , and to the introduction of a complete registry of deeds , without which there can be no cheap conveyancing .

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      Olympic. An English Version Of The Well-...

      OLYMPIC . An English version of the well-known French drama Un Secret was produced on Monday under the title of the Lost Diamonds . The plot turns on the conscientiousness of a banker ' s wife , who , find * ing that her husband has in early life ruined an unfortunate man by surreptitiously taking a sum of money , endeavours to repair the injury by protecting the son of the victim , and making him her bus . band ' s cashier . The interest she takes in the young man awakens the suspicions of the banker , who loads her with reproaches , and the crisis of the

      drama is produced when she retaliates upon him , by repeating the story of his early dishonesty . The anxiety of the suspected wife , and her triumphant repulse of the aspersions heaped upon her , gave scope for some excellent and powerful acting by Mrs . Stirling ; and the agonies of the jealous husband were depicted with much feeling by Mr . Stuart . A comic gentleman , wbo is a keen investigator into the affairs of his neighbours , but absolutely blind as to what concerns himself , is quaintly represented by Mr . Compton . The piece has been repeated with success .

      Standard. A New Domestic Drama Has Been ...

      STANDARD . A new domestic drama has been produced from a tale by Mr . E . Roberts , entitled « Punishment , or the Victim of a vitiated Society ' . This piece should be seen by all who value the well-being of the community , and especially by those who take a lively interest in our prison discipline . It show hows the once innocent victim of poverty is dragged to a dungeon , and treated as a criminal by the harpies of the law , and how , in every stage of his career , the law pursues its victim to the death . Such scenes are , however , unfortunately of daily occurrence in the streets of the metropolis , and we almost fancied we were witnessing the reality instead of the ideal , while folio wing the ' Victim of Society' in his doomed career . The piece ( which has been played a fortnight ) , is eminently successful , and great praise is due , not only to the author , but to the excellent acting of Mr . Freer , and Mrs . Honnor who personates the hero . It is well put upon the stage , and will no doubt reward the enterprising manager as he deserves .

      Hokiublb Tragedy.—It Was Near Lizan That...

      Hokiublb Tragedy . —It was near Lizan that occurred one of tho most horrible incidents of the massacre of 1843 , caused by the invasion of Bedcr Khan Bey , the chief of the adjacent Kurds . Ten thousand men , women , and children were sliiughtered in cold blood on this occasion , and a large number of girls , besides , were earned into a slavery which is worse than death . An active mountaineer offering to lead me to the spot , I followed him up the mountain . Emerging from the gardens , we found ourselves at the foot of an almost perpendicular detritus of loose stones , terminated about one thousand feet above us , by a wall of lofty rocks . We soon saw evidences of the slaughter ^ ' At first a solitary skull rolling down with tho rubbish , then heaps of blanched bones ,, further up

      fragments of rotten garments . As we advanced those remains became more frequent—skeletons almost entire still hung to the dwarf shrubs . I was soon compelled to renounce an attempt to count them . As we approached the walls of the rock , the declivity became covered with bones , mingled with the long plaited tresses , of the women , shreds of discoloured linen , and well-worn shoes . There were skulls of all ages , from tho child unborn to the toothless old man . We could not avoid treading upon the bones as we advanced , and rolling them with the loose stones into the valley below . " This is nothing , " exclaimed my guide , who observed me gazing with wonder on these miserable heaps ; "they are but the remains of those who were thrown from above , or sought to escape the sword by jumping from the rock . " When the fugitives who had escaped from Ashoeta spread the news of the massacre through the valley

      of Lizan , the inhabitants of the villages around collected such parts of their property as they could carry , and took refuge on a platform at the summit of the rock in question , hoping to escape the notice of the Kurds , or to be able to defend against any numbers a place almost inaccessible . Beder Khan Bey was not long in discovering their retreat ; but being unable to force it , he surrounded the place with his men , and waited until its occupants should be compelled to yield . The weather was hot and sultry ; the Christians had brought but small sup- , plies of water and provisions . After three days the first began to fail them , and they offered to capitulate . The terms proposed by Beder Khan Bey , arid ratified by an oath on the Koran , were accepted ; and the Kurds were admitted to the platform . But after they had disarmed their prisoners they commenced an indiscriminate slaughter , until we ^ ry of using their weapous , they hurled the tew survivors into the river below . —Nineveh and its Remains . '"

      A Spiteful Woman . —A few days ago , a foreign ambassador , on his way to the Court of Sardinia , ' took up his quarters at one of the first hotels ofthe Rue Richelieu in company with his mistress a very beautiful woman . Some dispute having taken place between the latter and the mistress of the hotel , an offensive epithet was applied to the ambassador ' s lady . This so galled her that , on the day on which she and the ambassador went away , she cut , hacked , and destroyed the furniture , carpets , pictures , curtains , looking-glasses , in a word , everything in the apartments . The work of destruction was not discovered until some time after she had loft , but complaint was immediately laid before the Commissary of Police , who communicated it to the Embassy of the nation to which the ambassador belongs .

      Encroachment on Nbw-road , Islington . —Prom the corner of Osnaburgh-street to the top of the hill at Pentonville , says a correspondent ofthe Builder , tho ground iu front ofthe houses , originally appropriated as gardens or open courts , has , in numerous instances , been built upon , to form shops and places of business , close out to the footpath , particularly between the first-mentioned point and the Hampstead-road ; and a large group of shops has very recently been erected near tho corner of Osnaburghstreet . Thus , the view and free air are obstructed , and the openness which characterised this leading thoroughfare is becoming gradually extinguished .-For many years past I have observed the increase of

      this evil , and lamented it as one that could not bo remedied or prevented , conceiving that the parties had a right so to deal with the" premises , and that the public view of the matter , if it ever occurred to them , was not for a moment weighed against the commercial or pecuniary advantages to be gained by this mode of occupying their frontage ground . Under these ' circumstances I was agreeably surprised to learn that these erections are actually illegal j and in contravention of a law specially framed fortheprevention of all such , obstructions ; it is , therefore , not . V little . astonishing that the law should hot have be . en enforced , and that it should so ld » g"haW ^ jSnuih " ed inoperative .

      Vavittie$.

      Vavittie $ .

      Hn.H^« V° A Ss.—The Late Mr. .Tarry W Z ...

      Hn . H ^« V ° A ss . —The late Mr . . Tarry W Z n , ? th T ° " - cc itha told of a brother about s-lrn ^ te Ster f , !' cuit - As theco : ic 1 ' ™» tAIZ ^ n ^^ ' modc 8 t of could not ttatadlof going without gh lng L ^ liss " Friend , " said she , •« thee must not do it " " Oh b y heavens I will ! " replied the barrister . ' » Well ' friend , as thou hast sworn , thee may do it but thou must not make a practice of it . "

      Iimk . —Time is like a creditor who allows an amnio space to make up accounts , but is inexorable at last . Time is like a verb , that can only be of usa in the present tenso . Time , well employed , gives that health and vigour to the soul which " rest and retirement afford to the bod y . Time never SltS heavily on us but when it is badly employed . Time is a grateful friend ; use it well , and it never fails to make a suitable requital . Juvenile Coxctusioxs . — "Mamma , " said a girl , " Solomon must have been very poor . " "Why ?" said her mamma . — " Because it says in the Bible Solomon slept with his fathers , and if he had been rich , lie would have had a bed to himself . " Forms op Intempebaxce . —There is the intemperance of mirthand then its victim is a silly buffoon ;

      , the intemperance of seriousness , and then ho is a gloomy ascetic ; the intemperance of ambition , and then he is the laureled hero of a hundred fights , a madcap poet , or a mountebank statesman ; tlie intemperance of love , and then he is a good-for-nothing driveller ; the intemperance of anger , and then he is a frothing ' madman ; the intemperance ot * dresa and manners and then he is a glittering fop ; the intemperance ofthe purse , and then he is a sordid miser ; the intemperance of the palate , and then he 18 a filthy glutton ; the intemperance of the bowl , and then he is a reeling drunkard ; therefore , let " reason iu all things" be your constant guide . Curious if True . —Frederick Dickens , brother ? , ™ ,, or '„ has mar « ed a lady ofthe name of " Weller . "

      Jjsnht Lind . —isothwithstanding all tho rumours of retirement , marriage , & c , Jenny Lind is engaged for the coming season at her Majesty ' s theatre . THE LAND . A people among whom equalitv reigned would possess everything they wanted where they possessed the means of subsistence . Why should they pursue additional wealth or territory ? No man can cultivate more than a certain portion of land . —Godwin . Jfo one is able to produce a charter from heaven , or has any better title to a particular possession than his neighbour . —Palcy . One Town ' s Newspapers . — Eighty-one newspapers are published in Boston ( U . S ) , of which fourteen are daily , nine semi-weekly , and fifty-eight weekly . The Schoolmaster Abroad . —The following notice may now be seen in a window in the Crescent , near tho Gas Works , Bury : — " Number Ellis to Mond Here . "

      Jot oo with Him . — The Roman Catholics of New York are about to hold a public meeting to request the Pope to take us his permanent residence in America . Dalmatian Proverbs . — " He that is prodigal of thanks is avaricious of gratitude . "— " When the wolf is fatigued , even his tail is heavy . "— " He that seeks to act gloriously must not act dexterously . " — " When you steal another man's hen , tie your own bythe leg . "— "Every one praises tho rose while it gives a pleasant odour . "— "When misfortunes come , pause not to weep , but hasten to change . "— " The heads fullest of brains are often the most liable to extravagance . "— " Choose yourwife by your ears rather than your eyes , " A Trifle . —At a student ' s farewell visit to a professor , on leaving one of the German Universities , he said , among other complimentary speeches , " I am indebted to you for . all that I know . "Ah" returned the professor with equal politeness , " don ' t mention such a trifle !"

      To Smokers . —The Plough recommends smokers to try hops , instead of tobacco , observing that the fragrance is balsamic , and , diffused in a bedchamber , will bring calm refreshing sleep . AVert . proper Club . —We find from the American papers that "the bachelors of Philadelphia have formed an association called the ' Want-to-be-Married Club . '" ' Cheap Bread . —It is curious that the termination of all but a nominal duty on corn was ushered in by a small improvement of prices in all the English markets last week . Reading . — The amusement of reading is one amongst the greatest consolations of life ; it is the nurse of virtue—the proof of independence—tho support of a just pride—the strengthener of elevated opinions ; it is a shield against the tyranny of all the petty passions ; it is tho repellor ofthe fool ' s scoff and the knave ' s poison . —Sir Egerton Brydges .

      A Goon Heart . —There is no nobility like to that of a good heart , for it never stoops to artifice , nor is wanting in good offices where they are seasonable . Extraordinary Swine . — Afc Vaughan ' s farm , O ' Connorville , near Rickmansworth , may be seen two extraordinary specimens ofthe " swinish multitude , " each possessing six foot . One of them , a sow , is little more than a year old , and has two feet on each of the fore legs . About a month since the sow had a litter of seven pigs , one of whom also was born with two feet on each of the fore legs . The animals are of a fine quality , no doubt , too , mentally as well as physically , seeing that , six-footed pigs must necessarily possess a good understanding . Of course , they are "whole-hog" advocates of the " six points . " They are , however , strictly for "moral force , " holding in abhorrence the " point" of a knifo .

      Rather Snobbish . — In tho Darlington Times we read tho following : — " The weather is warm , and the sun peeps blythely into our editorial room as wo indite this paragraph . Sterne ' s Retort . —On Sterne ' s entering a coffee room at York , a Mr . A ., staring him full in the face , said , he hated a parson . Upon which Sterne rejoined " And so , Sir , does my dog , for as soon as I put on my gown and cassock , ho falls a barking . " "Indeed , " replied A ., "how long as he done so ? " "Ever since he was a puppy , Sir !" answered Sterne , " and I still look upon him as one !" Capital Punishment . —Being kissed to death by a pretty girl . DYING SPEECH OF AN OLD PHILOSOPHER . I strove with none , for none was worth my strife : Nature I lov'd , and , next to Nature , Art ; I warm'd both hands before the fire of Life ; It sinks : and I am ready to depart .

      W . S . L ., m . the Examiwr . A Knotty Request . — "I wish you to make for the church , " said an Episcopal vestryman , one morning , to a carpenter in a neighbouring village , "two new commandment boards . We want them of free sound timber with no knots in it . "— " You'd better take some of the ' nots' out of the commandments , then , " replied the carpenter , " I never saw a commandment board yet that wasn't full of ' em !" The First Step . —Chateaubriand says— " In new colonies the Spaniards begin by building a church ; the French a ball-room ; and the English a tavern . " There is nothing the absolute ground of which is not a mystery . —Coleridge .

      The Womes op Mostekeotio . —Though able , the men are seldom inclined to carry any thing , or take any trouble they can transfer to the women , who are the boasts of burthen in Montenegro ; and I have seen women toiling up the steepest hills , under loads wliich men seldom carry in other countries . They are , therefore , very muscular and stron " ; and the beauty they frequently possess is soon lost by the hard and coarse complexions they acquire ; their youth being generally exhausted by laborious and unfeminino occupations . The sheaves of Indian corn , the bundles of wood , and everything required for the house or tho granary are carried b y women ; and tho men are supposed to bo too much interested about the nobler pursuits of war or pillage to have time to attend to meaner labours . Issovation , —Of all the old things ever seen or heard of , there is not one that was not once new . Whatever is now establishment was once innovation

      —Bentham . Woman ' s Privilege . —You may meet with twenty men in a day who stutter , but you never heard of a woman who had an impediment in her speech . AH Amouous Poet . —A young man sent his sweetheart a present on New Year ' s day , with the following lines . It is hard to tell whether tho fire of the poet or tho skill of the grammarian is most to be admired ;—

      " Madam , myself and all the muses , Begs your acceptance of a pair of shoeses . " New Fashioned Weddings . —At a wedding the other day , one of the guests , who is often a little absent , observed gravely , " I have remarked that there have been more women than men married this year !" "Widders . "—A young Tipperary widow , Nelly M'Phee , I think ho called hor , was courted , and actually had an offer from Tooley O'Shane , on her way to her husband ' s funeral . " She accepted , of course , " said Grossman . " No , she didn ' t , " said Smith . > " . Tooley , dear , " says she , " y ' re too late ; four waaks . ago it was , I shook hands wi' Pat Sweeney upon it , that I would have him in adaceat

      time arterpoor M'Phco went underboard . " " Well , " said Grossman , " widows of all nations are much alike . There was a Dutchwoman , whose husband , Diedrick Van Pronk , died and loft her inconsolable . Ho was buried on Copp ' s Hill , folks said grief would kill that widow . She had a figure of wood carved that looked very like her late husband , and constantly kept it in her bed for several months . In about half-a-year she became interested in a young shoemaker , who took the length of her foot , and finally married her . He bad visited the widow not more than a fortnight , when tho servants told her they were out of kindling stuff , and asked what should be done . After a pause , the widow replied in a very quiet way : — " Maype it ishwell enough now , to sbplit up old Van Pronk , vat is up stair .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 17, 1849, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_17021849/page/3/