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(Conlbmedfrom the First .Page.) "We are ...
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A JOURNEY TO THE PEOPLE'S FIRST ESTATE, ...
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FESTIVALS ON THE 17th OP AUGUST. CARLISL...
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FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
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From FRANCE we learn, that on the occasi...
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fue Printed by DOOGAL M'GOWAN, of 16, Great Winiim j
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street, Ilaymurkct, in the City of Westm...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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( Conlbmedfrom the First . Page . ) "We are the aristocracy of labour , thirty-five freemen , \ rill soon take possession of this ^ estate ; yes , really Independent freemen—men coming to take possession of their own land , purchased with their own mosey , and who would henceforth live by the culture of that land , by their oim independent labour . ( Great cheering . ) By ^ examples of this sort ,-we hope to set the whole industrial population of the empire hungering after the soil . ( Cheers . ) An eminent statesman , Lord John Russell —( laughter)—has told Mr . Buncombe that be will not give the Jive points of the Charter—he did not appear to have intelligence enough to know there are six points in the People ' s Charter . ( Hear , hear , and turn him out . ) A gentleman says turn Mm out , had we been consulted he never would have been in . ( Lond cheers . ) However , was he present on this occasion , he , perhaps , nvght alter his mind , and think you fit to be trusted with the franchise . ( Great cheering . ) The Chairman then introduced
Mr . Ersesx Joses . who was received with a nearty welcome . He said : We have recently cdebratedthe birthday of renewed Chartism in the north-l . tttinK we may call this its christening . Her Majesty s children are baptized with water f ™\™ ™** Jordan / which they therefore tail holy **»*» - ** «» great christening we baptize with ear . h instead of water-and this " indeed is holy earth , since it is the land devoted fo 'the purpose for which God designed it . the maintenance of those who till it by the sweat of their brer . ( Cheers . ) When 1 left London fins
morning , I thought I was only going some seventeen or eurhteen miles out of town ; I now begin to think I must have made a very long journey indeed , for I lave come to a land , that at one time I scarcely ever expected to see . I have come from the land of slavery , to the land of liberty—from the land of pivertv to the land of plenty—from the land of the Whins " , to the great land of the Charter' This is the promised land , my friends ! and all honor to those , who not only promised us the ' and , but , unlike some men in the hum Whisr land bevond , have actua'lv
kept their promises . We have come to the first province of a ereat empire—the Chartist empire . ( Loud cheers . ) But , I must confess , that some . things which I see , and some things which I do not sec , excite my surprise . —fori look upon you as being a community by yourselves , with invisible , but mighty barriers around you ; open to all the good , without reference to creed or class , but firmly closed against the ministers of tyranny and monopoly . In the first place then , where is yonr workhouse ? Can you possibly hope to set on respectably without a workhouse f "What will you do with your poor , your aged , and your infirm ? Why , I actually do not see one fat overseer among you to take care of them ' . ( Laughter . ) . . Jfo poor law guardians to minister to the comforts , and improve the morality of tiie young I Oil 1
my friends' if you go on as you have now bosun . I think you will have no poor ;• and if , by any chance , yon should have , you will be able to take care of them Toi : rs : ! ves , —place them under the best guardians for tire p ™> r , the affection of their brethren , not theusury of their taskmasters—netheir do I see the factory—« hat parent of the workhouse and the jail—that breeder of poverty and crime—that strange alembie , from which issue the splendour of the rich and the rain of the poor . Side by side they grow out of each other , that infernal trinity of factory , jail , and workloise ; the factory—belching forth fire and smoke from its tall chimney , lib * a . hellieli torch lighting the ruined to perdition . The workhouse—that punishes men for growing old , instead of rewarding them for having toiled when young ! The jail—that visits
on the oppressed the crimes ofthe oppressor—neither do I see the parsonage or the church as yet ; bat then 1 see an a 1 t « r upon every hearth of the beautiful cottages ; I hear a sermon in every cheer of emncipated labour—and I read a prayer flf thanksgiving in every smile of a liberated people . Neither do I see the stately mansion and farspreading park , with closed gates repelling the weary wanderer from shade and rest . So many trees , so ? naay streams , so many pastures for the use of one man . while his brethren are footsore , thirsting and faint' Oh ! surely he must have enough and to spare I Those stately places conld not beautify this scene . I see more beauty in these smiling cottages , than in the frowning fortresses <' -f the great , ferlsee " welcome" written on every doorlatch , and hospitalitv waitin ? on everv threshold . There will be
more beauty m these little orchards than in the < 5 eersfocked park and preserves of the millocrat , for instead of the poacher ' s whistle and the gamekeeper's gnn , will be heard the laugh of merry children and the b ' essings of contented age . ( Great cheering . ) Oa ! What a strange , new land is this , that we have come to A land , that will dispense blessings on its vicinage . For , I presume , you don't mean to destroy the surr . unding country , after all , you don't mean io be ihe death of Hertfordshire , as some have said . ( Langhfer . ) Ton will be glad to see others prosper around you , —thrive and make others thrive ! —that is the motto of the Charter . You will stretch ibrih your heads , down into the slavish ranks of onemancipated labour , and raise them up to the aristocracy of freedom . Nor do you mean to stop
here either , I presume . You will keep extending your territory—conquering fresh provinces , not by the sword of battle , but by the power of reason . One of these days , perhaps , you will become lords of the manner . When yon are , let me ask you , what do you mean to do with your game ? Do you mean to transporta man for shootinga sparrow ? ( Laughter . ) Or do you really mean to let all have a share of what God meant for all ? Stranger and stranger still 2 fot only the land of promise , but the land of performance . How unlike the old , is this New England of ours !—If I compare our farm with one of the finest in Old England , how great is the contrast in cm * favour . There is a Landowner in Dorsetshire , who owns an entire parish , and lets it all out in one farm . This farm is so well managed , that the
fanner received for it the first prize at the hands of the Blandford Agricultural Society ; think what his profits must be from such a farm so managed , and vet the wages he sives his labourers are so low , that the majority of them are obliged to seek parochial reliet . ( Shame . ) But what is this , compared to the lot of the poor mechanical operative ? I have but ju * t returned from the manufacturing countiesand there I have heard tales of misery , that would astonish you . I will give you an instance—one out of many . There is a factory-lord , who can employ about 2 , 000 hands in his factory , but , in order to be more independent of his slaves , works partly by steam and partly by human power . 1 , 500 hands , however , he constantly employs , since he finds flesh and bone to be cheaper materials than steland iron
These 1 , 500 workmen he pays at the rate of 6 s . per week ( in some cases Irs . ) . But even this is merely a nominal pay , since , whenever a machine is damaged , he makes them pay for the injury , makes them pay as much as 3 d . per week each , to make good the wear and tear of that which has been worn out in his own service . More than this : — 3 have told you that he works partly by steam . This what be calls the balance of power , this is what enables him t « create competition for work—and keep on an average 500 half-naked , starving fellow beings shivering in his yard , hoping that some large order may come down from London or abroad , to give them a cbame of employment , since they have no prospect of finding it in other factories , where the same scenes are enacting , and famished
crowds -would drive the hungry interlopers away . Then , when Iw does want a few additional hands , this British slave-driver comes out of his lair , and stalks through the ravening mass outside ; they crowd around him , imploring him for work , underbidding each other , desperate gamblers for their own ruin , —while he is calculating in his mind the amount ; of their distress , thence estimating the lowr . ess of their offers , till the 7 s . are reduced by a third , and they choose a lingering torture , instead of a vapid death . ( Shame . ) Or they can buy employment with a more horrid bribe . They have wives and daughters , crushed by labour , it is true , but by nature as beautiful , and as gentle and as noble , as the silken dolls that sparkle at the Court of St . James ' s . The eye of pampered tvrannv falls on these ,
and they are often bartered as the coin with which labour buys a respite from capital . ( Shame . ) My friends ! this is no solitary instance—this is the general rule . Neither have I heightened the picture , but I have spoken in the plain language of truth . Ob ! think then , —think , that you see this mass of agonized humanity standing in the factory-yard of that proud man , —father and son , by famine turned to strangers , trampling on each other in their frantic race for employment ;—think that you see him looking on , with a smile of supreme contempt , to mark the pitch of abjutness to which man may be reduced , —think . thatan order has just come , —that he is reckoning his immense prospective gains—while they are beaten down beneath his golden lash—think , if in the moment of despair , suddenly a whisper was
to steal through the crowd , telling them , that each bad a Chartist cottage , —had a freehold farm , held by noservile tenure from no grinding landlord , but direct from God , by the title of their labour and the charter of their freedom—think , I say , what a delirious throb of joy would beat through every bosom , with what a look of unutterable triumph they would return the insulting scorn-glance of the tyrant , —and now , full of their great thought of liberty , they would fo marching on to the land of promise , and leave the allied wretch alone in his mouldering prison , to morn the fall of monopoly and the redemption of the human race . ( Immense applause . ) Let us
persevere , my friends 2 and we shall purchase that redemption . And , remember , you are not fighting your battle alone , but that of your poor crushed brethren in the North , as well . Let that inspire you to increased exertion . —Every step taken onwards in ihese fields is one more step away from the gin-{ galace and the hell , —from the workhouse and the goal , for them as for ns . Every sod you turn upon this soil , is one more spadeful hollowed out for the grave of monopoly . ( Cheers . ) A great mechanic ef old said : give me but some spot to stand on , and I could move the earth ! We have that spot—we are standing on it now , and , greater than themachanic of old , w shall be able to lift the dead-weight of capital , 35 st , doubtlessly , as the cause of truth always Buffers
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persecution at the hands of those who lived by falsehood , doubtlessly , Whig hirelings haw been endeavouring to poison the minds of «? * " *** Sg 2 ** Hertforshire ' againstus . Doubtlessly , thej ' havere snscitatcdold , worn out calumnies . ™ ft 8 h £ nw remembered the Persian « W \ * ^ £%£ ^ SsScbSSIS being merefclf vScef Thesearerather peacet ^ eSS ^^^^ r" - - Welme . It bShed ? We ? - * ho . set our faces againsUn American war- ? Aye ! nyuriy prevented a fratricidalI straggle with America ;—far , I do say , the
unanim ous protest of the English people was greatly conducive to the maintaihance of peace . Wbc are the men of bloodshed ? Those who prevent it , — or those who slaughter flying Indians , drowning in their own rivers beneath the range of our artillery , — batter the vast cities of China into dust , for the sake of merchants , profits , —can trample on undisciplined barbarians in New Zealand and the Cape , but dare not raise an arm in vindication of a nation ' s honor , when its treaties are violated in Poland , by their powerful brother-tyrant , the autocrat of Russia ? —( lond cheers . ) They accuse us of being infidels , and the enemies of religion . We are not tiie enemies of
religion , but we are the enemies of those , who turn religion into a trade , and love upon its perversion . It is they , who are the infidels , not we , since they profess a creed they do not follow , flow dare they preach : Ho unto others , as thou WOUhM that others should do unto thee ? If we were to do unto them , as they have done unto us , where would they be tomorrow?—How dare they preach : thou shalt not steal !—when they have stolen from us the harvest of our fields , the produce of our hands , —the brightness of our vouth , and the ' comforts of our age ?—How dare tliey preach : thou shalt not murder ! when they have purpled the tissues of their splendour with
the blood of iitt ' e children , —cast their sailors into the seas , and their soldiers on the deserts , for the triumph of their merchant princes , —ahd hold thelash vet reeking in their barrack yards ? How dare they say : Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain—when they have used the name of their God te cloak this mountain of iniquity ? We arc no enemies of religion—we war with no man ' s creed —we respect everv man ' s opinion ! The advocates of civil liber tv are ' not the men to encourage religious intolerance , " ( cheers ) . They accuse us ef being mere levellers—of wishing to pull down all above us , to the level of onr degradation ;—we are not levellers , my friends , we are uplifters ;—there is misery enough
already , of their making , without our wishing to increase it . We do not wish to pull down the prosperous , to that gulf of wretchedness to which they have so long consigned ns , but to rise ourselves up to the level of their prosperity . We do not wish to build our cottages ofthe stones of shattered palaces or broken churches , —but of far more lasting materials , those of right , peace and liberty . We are willing to live upon our labour , but we are not willing to starve upon it ., ( cheers ) . We are determined to respect the rights of every man , —but we are as determined that our own shall be respected too . Wc are determined not to assail any man unjustly , but wc are as determined to repel unjust aggression by every means in our power , ( continued cheering . )
Mr . O'Coxsok next presented himself , and was received with cheers awl waving of hats that surpassed any thing ever witnessed at a public meeting He said , Mr . Chairman and my friends , I venture to assert that I am the first conqueror that ever was awakened by the sound of cannon proclaiming ilie people ' s victory . ( Loud cheers . ) I was aroused this morning from my slumbers at tout o'clock by this booming , this cheering intelligence . There are many here who have beard the roaring cannon proclaim the tyrant ' s victory—there are many who have witnessed the jubilee in honour of faction ' s triumph —there are many who have participated in those
rc-Ijaieings to commemorate the [ shedding of human blood , and proclaim the triumph of the strong and wily over the weak and artless—( Cheers)—but for the first time in this country ' s history , nay , in the world's annals , the FIREBRAND , the DESTRUCTIVE , the LEVELLER , can say , 'Turn right and left , and behold the bloodless victory of right over might , of industry over cunning , of labour over idleness . ( Loud cheering . ) It has been said that there is nothing new under the sun ; but 1 have lived to produce a novelty in labour ' s refuge from its hunter and oppressor . ( Loud cheers . ) Although there are thousands now congregated around me , yet I venture to say that lew even of those present understand the real cause of this gathering . It owes its origin to the mind ' s progress , rather than to my exertions .
( Cheers . ) For years the mind of this country has been marching on with rapid strides , until at length faction finds it impossible longer to resist the rushing torrent . ( Cheers . ) There are three parties in the state—Whigs , Tories , and Chartists , and the genius of the age called upon each to derelope the real meaning of their respective theories . The mind of the country was in advance of the phantom of Whiggery , the moonshine of Toryism , and the enthusiasm of Chartism , and the universal echo now is , Proclaim , develope , declare the result of your several theories . ( Cheers . ) Whiggery had a long life of "Wait and you shall see . " Toryism has exhausted , " You shall see what you shall see , " and the wisdom of Chartism required to see the promised fruits of its continuous enthusiam , its religious and
indomitable perseverance , its manly suffering and undying endurance . Thus propelled by genius and forced by its growth , Russoll proclaimed the policy of Peel as the fruit of Whiggery —( Cheers and laughter )—and straightway free trade was emblazoned upon the Whig banner . ( Cheers . ) Peel , more shrewd , a better seer , an abler diviner , and more profound statesman—( Cheers)—adopted the principle of granting precisely as much as could not be safely withheld—( Cheers)—and Chartism , knowing that ihe struggle of both was for the LION'S SHARE of labour—( Cheers ) -8 aid The LAND—( Loud and continued cheeringV-that being the only
raw material to which Individual labour COllld he applied for individual comfort . ( Cheers . ) You have then before you the choice of Free Trade , which neither Queen , Lords or Commons , merchant , banker or farmer , political economist , statist , or shopkeeper , editor , reporter , or mortal man can define— ( Cheers and laughter)—as the principle of Russell and the Whigs . You have' Stop where you safely can , ' as the principle of Peel and the Tories —( Cheers)—andyou have' Cottages , landand capital , ' as the principles of Chartism —( Tremendous ap
plause . ) Now , as the name Chartist sounds as musically , and , to my ear , more pleasingly , than that of Whig or Tory , you have to choose between their several results ; you are to choose between phantom , moonshine , andXhome on your own land . ( Loud cheers . ) Fo man living can define the meaning of free trade , and no man living can guess at its results . It is a problem much more difficult of solution than even the CRIMINAL LAW —( Cheers ) —for I can solve the one , but I cannot guess at the solution of the other . For the last week I have been
engaged fifteen hours a day in preparing fortius magnificent , this surpassing , this astoundingldemonstra * tion—( Cheers )—and I hare arrived at a critical solution of the criminal law . I derive much knowledge and great information from my intercourse with all branches of labour , " and I was astonished ttaat so many of those who worked earlyLand late , and who were compelled to work hacd —( Laughter)—for a liring should have been treated as criminals . I learned from three fine stout , able young fellows , who worked abreast m a gang , that each of tiiem had been imprisoned , and to my surprise not one appeared ashamed of it . I asked one what his crime was , he said he had SNAE . EB A RASBIT ; another
had snared a hare , and a third had been found some yards off the path in the squire ' s laad . ( Shame . ) I then asked them as to their mode of living . 1 said , How do you support your families ? The answer was , Why we get work . Well , but if you can't get work ? Well , we get into debt . Well , suppose ycu can't get credit ? Why , then , we get into MISCI 11 EF — ( Cheers and laughter . ) Now , there was the proper solution ofthe Criminal Law . There was labour ' s transition from willing industry to ignominious
degradation , ( Cheers . ) fle got into work if he could , into debt if he could not , and into mischief and prison if the labour and credit market were closed against him , and who could blame him to prefer the worst to starvation , or the attractions of a prison to a cold-blooded Poor Law Bastile . ( TreniGndou cheering and waving of hats . ) There , then , is the problem of the ] Criminal Law stated for Lord John Russell . The able-bodied industrious man is made a criminal , that others may live luxuriously upon
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! system which well accommodates events to the advantage of the rich f and 'privUeged ? ( GhwrS . ) Russell ,... after ton years' -unopposed ^ possession of power , has discovered ; that your sanatory condition requires great improvement . I deny that Government can , or will , make the alteration . You behold what may be done in the way of wholesome ventilation , when man is allowed to labour for himself—it is lie intellect that is in a woefully defective state—( cheers and laughter . ) Then as to the educational question , I have solved that . Behold that stately , that heavenly edifice , 75 feet long , erected for the education of the children of the free labourers
on this estate , ( great cheering ;) that has been done without Whig aid or Government patronage . ( Cheers . ) . There is the asylnm to teach youth its duty , and to prepare it for a freeman ' s life . ( Cheers . ) To make it hate slavery and love liberty . ( Cheers . ) He had been charged with making the working classes too proud , ( cheers)—he pleaded guilty . His object was , not to make them too proud to work for themselves , but to make them too proud to allow
others to fare sumptuously upon their labour ,. while they . were quartered upon what privilege pleased to spare . . ( Cheers . ) He asked no man to live in idleness , andlthe value of the plan of which he was the propounder , the father , and originator , ( loud cheers , ) was that it would hold the idler up to ridicule and scorn , while it would distinguish the industrious . ( Cheers . ) As he saw many about him belonging to all classes of society , he would take that opportunity of explaining its value to each . To the farmer he would willingly admit that its effect would be to raise the standard of wages in the agricultural
market , but then , in return , it would spare him the infliction of poor-rates , the tax imposed upon him for the prosecution of system-made criminals—the tax upon him for a standing army and a rural police —and all the other taxes that were consequent upon the mal-administration of the law , and the unequal and capricious distribution of property . ( Loud cheers . ) And more than that , it would compel the landlords to take the item of increased wages into account of rent . ( Cheers from the farmers . ) Thus it was more as a terror to griping landlords than to
industrious farmers . Then as to the shopkeepers , he would take the picture that they saw before them as an illustration of their . share in the change . He would ask them , whether it would be more profitable to their order to have two customers , badly paid , upon that farm , or thirty-six customers well paid . ( Loud cheers . ) lie would take a wide district , and ask , whether it was more beneficial to society at large , that a thousand acres of land shall be badly cultivated , by fifteen or twenty badly paid labourers , in the hands of one individual , or that it should be well cultivated in the hands of five hundred
individuals . Who , he would ash , would be the best customers wiih the shopkeepers in the district , the one farmer and his twenty badly paid labourers , or the five hundred well-fed labourers . ( Loud cheers , ) This question of labour was well understood in the manufacturing districts , where he and his struggling friends had so long expounded it ; as yet , it was but an A . B . C . question with the agricultural labourers . Were they aware that the interest of the farmer ' s capital , the means of educating his family , the fortune he amassed , and the losses on speculation , were one and all furnished ,
and ' solely furnished , by the profit upon labour . ( Cheers . ) lie was not now speaking against the farming class , he liked them better than the proud aristocracy of the mill . He found them more generous , more kind hearted , and better employers than the manufacturing class ; but , at the same time , the great changes that had recently taken place would demand either the new modelling or the destruction of their order . ( Cheers . ) When he came amongst them first , few ofthe little squires would condescend to speak to him , ( Laughter . ) At length they vouchsafed a nod , and , finally , they condescended to hold
out a finger . ( Cheers and laughter . ) There was one exception , which he was bound to make . He took that opportunity of expressing his thanks to a young gentleman from whom he had received a great deal of useful local information , as well as the most unremitting kindness and attention—he meant Mr . Weedon . ( Cheers . ) But after this day he conGdcntly hoped , that henceforth they would meet him with open arms , as he would undertake to instruct them in the only means by which they could save themselves from the perils and dangers of free trade . ( Cheers . ) He stood there
rejoicing in being the best abused man , not in England , but in the world . But he could say what no man in the world before > that day could say , namely , that lie and his friends had addressed men from every county in England , and from Scotland and Wales . ( Loud and continued cheering . ) Yes ; there was not a county in Eng land that had not sent its herald to labour ' s demonstration to carry back a true and faithful account of labour ' s victory . ( Cheers . ) He was called a leveller , but he laughed the name to scorn ; he wa $ an elevator . ( Cheers . ) He sought to debase no man , his object was to elevate
those whom tyranny had debased . ( Cheers . ) He had heard mucji ofthe ancient land marks of the constitution , but they were no bounds for the present mind , of which the constitution should be the reflex . He required new land marks for a new population as he required new books for new minds . ( Cheers . ) Fences nine yards wide , occupying over six acres of this farm , were the old land marks ; a post and rail would be the new land marks . ( Cheers . ) An old farm house built of lath and plaster , and tiled , was the old land mark ; the labourer ' s cottage built of brick , of the beat bricks , stuccoed outside , and with
gutters , were the new land marks . ( Loud cheers . ) And herein is the anomaly that statesmen confess their inability to solve . They are engaged in an impossibility , they are endeavouring to increase , to decorate , and beautify the superstructure while they are narrowingthe foundation . ( Loud cheers . ) Would it be possible to widen the walls of those cottages , without , at the same time , widening the foundations , without the danger of their tumbling . ( Cheers , and No . ) Well then , how can you with safety go on year after year extending palaces without equally improving cottages , upon t jwhich they must rest ( Loud
cheering . ) They are putting too large a body upon slender legs , and the limbs are tottering under the weight that oppression places upon the monster ' s back . ( Great cheering . ) We are told that labour is the source of all wealth , and the only source of political power , and is the man to be esteemed a criminal who would endeavour by the application of labour to increase the resources of the country , and to secure those increased social blessings by increased political power . ( Cheers . ) They had been preceded here by ill-fame , but it was beginning to vanish before the thought and approval of the agricultural
labourers . ( Cheers . ) It had been tho practice of all parties to govern by division . They had taught the agricultural labourers to believe that they had no interest in common with the manufacturing operatires , but what would Lord John Russell say when he learned that he ( Mr . O'Connor ) had added this new section of agricultural strength , sinew , and mind , to the grand army of Imperial Chartists . ( Loud cheering and waving of hats . ) Ah ! the tyrants had consigned him to a felon ' s cell for eighteen months for advocating labour's ; rights and labour ' s cause , but he stood before them with as little shame as the poor man who had been sent to St . Albans for
snaring a rabbit to keep his family from starvation , ( cheers ) and he lived to tell the Whigs , though they were in office , he was still in power . ( Tremendous applause . ) There were many present , both of the higher and of tho middle ranks of life , who hail heard of Chartism as the accepted doctrine of destructive firebrands and plunderers , and , therefore , he would use ihe opportunity of merely recapitulating what the six points of Chartism wcre . and ho would rcpectfully invite any opponent to the principles to come forward manfully on that platform and state the grounds of his objection , and he would undertake to promise him a patient , calm and respectful hearing . ( Cheers . ) The first point was , Annual Parliaments . The second was , Universal Suffrage , by which was
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meant , that every man untainted with crime , asm of twwty-one year & $ age , should have a voice in the election- of his representftMi ytyuu en «» . ) The third was , that the Vote should be . by Ballot in order to prevent the influence of wealth or the dread of retaliation upon the poor voter . The fourth was , Equal Representation , which meant that England should be divided into equal electoral districts , instead of seeing the farce of Harwich with its 200 electors , and the West Riding of Yorkshire , with its 80 , 000 electors returning two representatives each . The fifth was , that the representative should
require no other qualification than the confidence of his constituents ; and the sixth was , that the people , instead of the minister , should pay members for their services . This point was called the Payment of Members , and such were the six points of the People ' s Charter . ( Loud cheering and waving of hats . ) And he would ask those of the higher orders and middle classes around him , whether they thought that more honourable ser vice would be performed by the honest servants of
the people , or by the paid tools of the Crown . When wages are not stipulated , necessity compels the hard pressed minister to allow the Janissary to name his prize . ( Cheers . ) Now was not that a constitution worth living for , and dying : for . ( Cheers . ) He had been frequently asked if he meant to reduce the English people to the servile state of the small farmers in Ireland ?—his answer was , that there were no small farmers in Ireland , that those who tilled the soil were mere dependents
for their very existence , upon the caprice of their landlords ? Herein consists the difference . In Ireland the small farmer has no lease , and consequently no inducement to improve his holding or . to make other improvements than will secure him from the wrath of his landlord . If he takes twenty acres of land at a pound an acre , and increases its value to 30 s . an acre , the tyrant landlord will set the improved value up to competition , he will ask and get 30 s . an aero , and thus pocket £ 10 a year for ever , which rightfully belonged to him whose labour has thus increased the
value-- ( loud cheers)—whereas if that poor man had his twenty acres for ever he would have made it worth , not 1 . , an acre , but £ 2 an acre more than when he took it , and this is just the difference that exists between day labour and piece work—the man who works at day labour works as little as ho can , and small blame to him , because another gets the profit —( cheers)— : but if he works piece work , he will work from morning till night , and by moon light , as the labour , the produce and improvements will be all his own . ( Loud cheers . ) If he is sick he lies down in his own house , and when he is dying he has the
solace and gratification to know that it goes to those whom he loves best , instead of into the coffers , of those who , while living , have been grinding his face . ( Cheers . ) Not only must this plan succeed upon the principle of Co-operation , but he was prepared io prove that individuals having spare capital can without risk make ten per cent , by following it , without any column for arrears , and without an individual in twenty years being a defaulter , while they would also confer an everlasting benefit upon Society , lie would now ask if the world had ever witnessed
such a spectacle , such a prospect , and such a demonstration before ? ( Cheers and never . ) And yet some foolish sceptics affected to doubt the ultimate success ofthe plan , buthe ( Mr . O'ConnovJproclaimed fVotu that spot , and in the face of all opposition from the silent hireling press and all , that he would conquer and the plan should succeed . Yes ' , he would rather die than that it / should fail . This plan presented advantages and inducements to morality which no other plan ever did present . Nay , it held out a premium for confidence . He had offered the successful allottee £ 40 besides a share in the second
section for the house with four rooms that he then occupied , but the man declined . ( Cheers . ) [ Here Mr . Linney . ofBilston , stepped to the front of the platform and said the man told me to say that he declines taking £ 400 for it . ( Cheers . )] Well then , is not that a chance for the poor man , and as Section I , which is now full , goes on balloting , there will be £ 10 , £ 20 , and even £ 30 offered for the transfer , not of the house and land , but for the share , and for the chance of the ballot . One thing only could frustrate ; the object , and that is thedivectors allowing themselves to bepushed too fast ,
but that we will contend against , as the success and the very safety of the association depends upon our prudence and caution . ( Loud cheers . ) Gentlemen we have been termed levellers and destructives , infidels , unbelievers , and firebrands ; but I now reiterate what has frequently subjected me to reproach from the democratic party . I tell you that I am neither leveller nor destructive—that I am for the altar , for the throne and for the cottage ; but I wish to see the altar the footstool of God , instead of ihe couch of Mammon . I wish to see the throne based upon the affections of the people , instead of
the caprice of an aristocracy . I wish to see the cottage the castle of the freeman , instead of the den of the slave . ( Tremendous cheering and waving of hats . ) But , if any should go , if any must go , perish the throne and perish the altar , before the cottage that sustains both shall crumble and decay . Gentlemen though I have had but little sleep this week , my labours are not yet over to-night , while you are amusing yourselves , I start upon a journey of 98 miles , ( and will return before I sleep , ) to purchase 456 acres of land , whereon I hope to knock down the old landmarks and erect new ones . ( Loud cheers . ) But
before we part , let me again remind you that I have produced a novelty—that I have brought together men from every county in Eng land , Scotland , and Wales , and that I have shown you for the first time in this country , or the world , suitable habitations for labourers to live in ; andperhaps yen will be astonished when I tell you that 10 weeks ago the old landmarks still stood here , and not a brick was laid , and you will be more astonished when I tell you , that up to this time , thebuildings . nownearly completed , and the
materials necessary for their completion , have cost short of £ 2 , 700 : a sum which a squire would expend upon a stable , ( Loud cheers . ) Nor can I lose the opportunity of the presence of so many who have heard so much evil of me , to announce to them that this experiment has cost me over £ 30 , 000 ., and that the general approval with which it is hailed , more than re-pays me for all . ( Loud cheers . ) Korean I fail to give vent to my pride in telling you that 1 have been prosecuted by government seven times within
these seven years < Hes of shame ) and that I am still resolved to beat that government into the acceptance of my policy . And , Gentlemen , while demagogues , while traffickers and political pedlars have been enriching themselves , by pandering to the passions of the credulous or deluding the ignorant , it is my pride , my boast , and my glory , to say that I have never travelled a mile , or eaten a meal , or received the fraction of a farthirg for any poor service that I have rendered , from any party or from any individual during the whole of my life . ( Tremendous cheering . ) It is my pride to say , that 1
have abandoned profession and friends , and given up pursuits that would havo enriched myself , that 1 may follow those that would enrich the poor . ( Loud cheering . ) I am not yet a pauper , although any other man living would have sunk beneath the weight of half that I have borne . ( Cheers . ) I have yet land , I have profession , and I have intellect , and such a lover am I of what is natural , that if I was obliged to surrender two out ofthe three , I would say take the land , take the profession , whieh may be narrowed in their uses , and leave me God ' s
inheritance , which may yet conduce to the unbounded advantage of mankind . ( Loud and tremendous applause . ) 1 am now drawing to a close , —I congratulate you , while I have not werds ; Jto express ray own gratification , but this is nothing to what you shall see , —I now proclaim the 17 th oi' August a Sacred holiday throughout the land , a feast , not a fast . ( Cheers . ) The poor have fasted long enough , and upon this-day-twelvemonth you will noj know this spot , then made much more lovely . Tho & o who visit it will see it a perfect garden , blessed by God
(Conlbmedfrom The First .Page.) "We Are ...
nd enriched by man ; and if I live to make one of the visitors , when I go from house to house , from neid-ic- field , and from gardei to gardenj to see the . industrious husband , the cheerful wife ^ ad prattling children all in their proper placee ?^ Jf ^ elements , and it they tell me that they > re prdeperous , c # ntented and happy , I will bless God for making me the instrument of so much real bliss . Mr . O'Connor retired amidst tremendous cheering and waving Of hats . .- ' ¦¦¦ Mr . Chbisiophkr Dotle , was next introduced . — He said he was not surprised to see such an immense gathering on the present occasion , as doubtless they wereallanxious to see Labour ' s estate for themselves , ( cheer * . ) . What waa the Chartist Cooperative Land Society ? Is it a society to benefit the aristocracy or as some would say the nobility ( much laughter ) . No ,
, for these people it would be admitted had not got their estates by their ability or industry , and had you possessed property by the same means it would be called robbery , ( loud cheers ) . Mr . Doyle entered into a minute and most lucid exposition of the principles of the Chartist Co-operative Land Society , which elicited the loudest applause . My friends , said the speaker , you attend heie to day on your own land , purchased with your own money ! without any fear of molestation , or expulsion , my most ardent aspiration is that you may speedily be blest with many more estates of your own . ( loud cheers ) . Three hearty cheers were then given for the Charter . Three more on the motion of Mr . O'Connor ior the Charter and tho Land . . Three for O'Connor and O'Connorville . Three fc * Frost , Williams and Jones . ¦ ¦• ¦ ¦ ¦
. . . Mr . Stallwood , then moved a vote of thanks to Mr . Knight for his excellent conduct in the Chair which was carried by acclamation . The Chairman in acknowledging the compliment , said he was much more indebted to the meeting tor the excellent order they had observed , than the meeting could be to him ; better order he had never seen preserved , and congratulated his brother Chartists on their general decorum and propriety , and dehea tne aristocracy to point out one single meeting ot tiieirs conducted with a greater degree ot decorum tnan that had been . ( Greatcheering . ) He again thanked them and respectfully bid them farewell—and all that remained for him now to do was to declare this meeting dissolved . The company then dispersed over the estate , to admire the villas , and with the numerous parties with whom we had the honour to meet , we did not find one but was loud in their praise of these delightful villas and the charming
spot on which they were situated . There could not have been less than 15 , 000 persons on the estate , the surrounding towns and villages within a circuit of ten miles , having liberally supplied their quota of visitors . The company , from the experience they had gained on their journey from the "Great metropolis" to "O'Connor Town , " found it necessary to leave the " Estate" earlier than they had originally intended , and nothing could better demonstrate the kindly spirit of good feeling and the cordial unanimity thatprevailed than this one incidentat half-past six o ' clock not one vehicle remained on the ground , notwithstanding the Terpsichorean and Pyrotechnic attractions , but all departed , highly delighted with what they had seen and heard , travelling Londonward in a right merry mood , making the several towns and villages resound with the songs of "The People ' s First Estate " and ¦« Those Beauti . ful Villas , "
At dusk two monster bonfires were lighted upon the hills , cast and \« est of the People ' s Estate , and the volumes of flame muat have been seen distinctly from the neighbouring counties , whilst skyrockets , blue-fire , catliarine-wheels , ronian-eandles , and all the different description of fireworks brightened the atmosphere till twelve o ' clock at night ; the cannons still keeping up a continuous peal until the same hour , while the dancing and show booths , and the several places of entertainment , were crowded with tho merriest of the merry ; and by that hour the London visitors had safely returned to their respective localities before the amusements at the People s Estate had concluded , —and thus ended the greatest Jubilee over witnessed by the sons of toil commemorative of their own triumph .
A Journey To The People's First Estate, ...
A JOURNEY TO THE PEOPLE'S FIRST ESTATE , AUGUST 17 th , 1840 . . ' { From a Correspondent . ) It is seven o'clock and a most lovely morning it is , the air is pleasant and refreshing . See yon procession of vans , men , women and little ones , packed together , all clean , cheerful , and happy . They are labourers , yes working men and working women arrayed in holiday attire . They are journeying to the country resolved on one day ' s pleasure . Farewell for a few hours , yes , one whole day , nature smiles on us . We say farewell to the dingy dull monotony of the workshop and cellar , aye , to the Great Metropolis itself . We feel freedom , yes , we are free .
There are banners flying , read their mottoes . A plain flag , " The Charter and no surrender . " Think over these words ' The Charter and no surrender . " Read them Sir John Cam Hobhouse and think ofthe future ! Read my Lord John Russell and remember ' 39 and York Castle . There is another banner " The Land and common rights for the people . "Chartists our own Land bought with money saved from the scanty earnings ofthe " poor oppressed honest men" Who talks of vicious nabits , & c . ?
Herringsgate Farm , it is to us for one day our one idea . Brother Scotchman , » Thomas Macaulay of Edinburgh , remember the fact when our next petition begs from you an enfranchisement of the people . Remember that the average wages of the weavers in Auchterrauchty , in Fifeshire , is 4 s . 6 d . per week . The Chartist Co-operative Land Society own an Estate , have a capital of £ 12 , 000 , think of it , Canny Thomas , and answer me , is there no virtue in such a saving ? Answer mo also , who supports the palace-looking brothels in the new town of "Modern Athens . "
It is ten o ' clock , the day is beautiful , the fields are bare , the stack-yards are filled , but there is still one field of barley , it is cut but yet remains on the field . Every eye gazes on it anxiously , all love to see it , how black the straw is , yet it seems well filled in the ear . Children run along the road-side laughing , happy little fellows , and mirthsome music-making girls . It is a village , the astonished villagers rush to their doors , they wonder , enquire , smile , and look pleased . We bait , man and horse rest for the moment , we breathe the fresh air and think ourselves younger . All is right , " off we go , " one general '' hurrah" at our starting . Women in the field rest
and cheer with us . The horses , climb a hill , the young and healthy men turn out of their conveyances , and journey on foot ; the women and children are prevailed on to remain seated . It is half-past eleven , our attention is attracted by a banner flying in the air , it is placed on the top of a tree rich in all the verdure of snmmer , we read " O'Connorville . " Look around , see thousands of women , men , and children , all is orderly and happy , 'Donkey-racing , " nine-pin playing , " old friendsshak * ing hands , and new friends making enquiries for your welfare . There is a freemasonry between all , and all feel the better for it .
But let us get to the cottages , we hie across the field , it is loose gravelly soil , and every foot we put on it we feel it is " our own , " for once we feel independent . The cottages are in an unfinished state , but we could the better judge of them , they are substantial , roomy , airy cottages , oak floors—excellently lighted , with every convenience for the ordinary necessaries of life , excellently cast grates , with every appurtance for cooking , in short , they are cottages for the labourer , but such cottages , they must be seen to be appreciated . Fancy such a cottage with two acres of land for an annual rental of £ 5 . The agricultural labourers greatly admire them , one of them told me such a cottage was a palace compared with his house . He pays £ 5 for a hovel and a small garden .
Reader , were you at the Peoples' First Estate ? are you one of the many I saw ? It was a memorable day in the history of your life , one of the landmarks of your recollection ; it will yet be a Iflndmark in the history of the world , at least I think so , but it is late , you and I may meet again , so good bye . A Leaf from the annals of a Shoemaker ' s garret .
Festivals On The 17th Op August. Carlisl...
FESTIVALS ON THE 17 th OP AUGUST . CARLISLE . Land Festival . —The members of the Carlisle Branch of the Chartist Co-operative Land Society held a festival at the house of Mr . James Clarkson , Koy . il Oak Inn , Caldewgewgate , on Monday evening , the 17 ih inst , in commemoration ofthe first jubilee held at the Chartist Estate—O'Connorville . The number who met to partake of " The good things of this life , " which were provided with great taste , was numerous and respectable , and the proceedings of
the evening were conducted with the greatest hilarity and decorum . As soon as the cloth was removed Mr . Gilbertson was called to the chair , who opened the proceedings by stating that when tiie Chartist Land Plan was first mooted , it was met by every opposition which malignity could invent , but it had lived to convince even the most prejudiced , that it was most practicable . He concluded by proposing as the first sentiment— "The People the legitimate source of all power " . Which was responded to by Mr , Fish .
The Chairman then proposed— "The Charter , and may its principles , which are admitted by all to be just and reasonable , soon become the Law ofthe Laud . ' ' This was ably responded to by Mr . Blyth . The Chairman then proposed— " The Chartist Cooperative Land Society , and may it continue to meet the same success it has hitherto done . " Mr . Roney in a neat speech responded .
Festivals On The 17th Op August. Carlisl...
Mr , Blyth then proposed— " The Executive , a D ( i the whole of those who attended the "Demonsfration at , O'OonwrYille , and : may ftey separatejwtthout accWeut or harmV * * Drunk standing . < > r ^ 'Vr ' r Mr . 'Coulthbrd then rose , arid' in a pithy addresj moved— " That the thanks of this meeting are due and are hereby given to the People ' s Champion h \ the British Legislature , Thomas Slingsby Buncombe for his straightforward and manly ; conduot during the
last session of Parliament , but more particularly the last fortnight , which has strengthened our convictions in his ability as a leader- ^* the stern advocate of justice—and as the unflinchiag advocate ofthe rights of the people . " Mr . James Arthur , seconded , the resolution , and in doing so fully concurred in what had been said respecting Mr . Buncombe . It was unanimously agreed to . Mr . Lowrt , proptsed , " The health of Feargus O'Connor , and may he live to convince his slanderers ofthe truth and justice of the cause he advocates . " "
Mr . Arthur responded and passed a high eulogium on his character . Mr . Lowby then rose , and after a few observations , moved : — " That the thanks of this assembly are due and hereby given to Thomas Wakley , M . P ., and the whole of the jurors , who sat on the inquest over tho body of John Frederick White , who was flogged , and died of his wounds , at Hounslow Barracks , for the ability which they displayed , and the searching in . quiries they made on that occasion . " Mr . Ahm-troso seconded it , and it was unani mously adopted . . A subscription was also entered into , to purchase the discharge of private Matthewson , and we trust it will be an example to other places to do the same .
The health of the host and hostess were then drank , and the assembly separated highly gratified with their night ' s proceedings . P . S . At the commencement of the proceedings a letter was read from the Wigton friends , who apologised for their non-attendance on the occasion , They , stated that they would have attended had the harvest not been on , and the most part of them engaged in consequence . Newcastle-won-Tyse . —The members of this branch of the Land Society assembled on Monday evening last , at the Sun , Turnaside , at S o ' clock , to celebrate that important event , the taking possession ot the first estate purchased by the said society , bv a pnblic supper . After the cloth was removed the
following toasts were given : — " The People , " " The Charter , " "The Chartist Co-operative Land Society , " " Feargus O'Connor , Esq .. " "The first occupants ofthe people ' s land . " " T . S . Buncombe , Esq ., M . P „ and the other trustees of the Society , " " The immortal memory of Thomas Paine , " " Frost , Williams , Jones and Ellis , " ( fcc . ^ djc . In the course of the evening it was suggested thai a subscription should be opened for the families of Messrs . Frost , Williams , Jones , and Ellis , to present each of them with a four acre share in the Land Society , that the next Conference be requested to give them their allotments as speedily as possible , and that Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., be the Treasurer , to receive subscriptions . The sum of eight shillings was subscribed as a commencement .
Cabrinotgn . —A Convivial meeting was held on Monday evening . , The entertainments gave great satisfaction . Newark-upos-Ttest . —A Tea party and ball look : place here on Monday evening . Navarre , France . —The members and friends of the Chartist Co-operative Land Society , celebrated the taking possession ot * tiie people ' s first estate , on Monday August the 17 th , by a public Tea party afe . Mr . Paul Rozeuthall ' s Hotel De Chemin , De Fer . Grand Rue , Navarre St . Germans . After Tea a public meeting was held to explain the object of the society . Persons resident in France , are informed that Cards , Rules and Northern Star ' s , can be obtained and members enrolled bv applying to John Sidaway , Sub-secretary , and " general agent for trance , No . 2 Navarre-street , Gerraains Press Eureux , department De l ' Eure , Prance .
Sheffield . —A supper was holden on Tuesdav evening , the meeting was a very happy one . Hull . —On Monday a Tea party was held at the-Ship Inn , Church lane . Among the toasts were" F . O'Connor , Esq . " " the Charter , " and the "Northern Star . " Stockport . —A Tea party and Ball was held in the Chartist Institution , Bambers Brow , on Saturday evening , August the loth . On Monday a goodly number of the Land Society , met at Mr . Pollett ' s and partook of a repast , anil enjoyed themselves in the large room till a late hour in the evening .
NOTTINGHAM . The report of the delegate to the late Convention has given the greatest satisfaction to the members in this district . He received a unanimous vote oi thanks for his services to the Chartist Cause generally . ® On Monday last , the members and friends ofthe Land Society , celebrated the taking possession ofthe " People's First Estate . " Mr . Sweet was unanimously called upon to preside , Mr , Wingfield officiating as vice-president . Shortaddresses , recitations , songs , toasts and sentiments upon the all prevailing topic—the Land—were given . Votes of thanks to the directors , also to our highly respected treasurer , cheers for O'Connor , Buncombe , The People's Charter , and the speedy return of our exiled friends , Frost , Williams , Jones , and Ellis waa heartily responded to . The company which were very numerous , did not seperate until a late hour .
Foreign Affairs.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS .
From France We Learn, That On The Occasi...
From FRANCE we learn , that on the occasion ef the 16 th annivf rsary of Louis-Philippe ' s accession to the Throne , hepardoned wholly or in part 502 prisoners , consisting of thieves and other criminals ; the political prisoners were excepted frbm this actof royal clemency . ' On Monday , Louis-Philippe opened the newly-elected Chambers , and delivered , on the occasion , the usual hwnbug about the " prosperity , " " grandeur , " "freedom , " and " happiness" of France ; and his own disinterested labours and sacrifices ! Of course the . Bourijjcoisieshoutcd" Vive le Roi ! " The National ventures , at some risk of being " seized , " sundry sarcastic remarks on His Majesty ' s hobbling gait , as he ascended his temporary throne , and on the extraordinary activity with which his head , arms , legs , and cocked-hat simultaneouply saluted his own new Chamber of Beputies . From
SPAIN we have nothing but " rumours" of coming revolts , and attempts at revolution . The Spanish Government is trying the bullying system to force the Portuguese government to give up the Spanish refugees . AFrom PORTUGAL we are in receipt of a proclamation from General Macdonncll , who commanded Don Miguel ' s army in 1833 , proclaiming that" worthy" King of Portugal * and summoning all classes to re-instate Mister Miguel in his " rights and dignities ! " We advise the Portuguese to keep out Bon Miguel , and kick out Donna Maria , and try their hands at governing themselves . From
GERMANY we hear that the Diet intend to still further fetter the press . A project is spoken of which , amongst other enactments , is to again subject to the censorship all writings of more than twenty pages of impression . Secret associations of the students at Leipsic are exciting alarm . In our seventh page will be found a long ( account of the insurrection at Cologne , The reader will bear in mind that the account is written by a correspondent of The Times , and therefore the working men are called " rabble , " & c . But for the . Bourgeoisie it is very evident that
the working men would have gone to work in earnest , and in all probability Frederick William would have found the " rabble" more than a match for his insolent military ruffians . Evidently the royal , puritanical , pietistic perjurer was in a cold sweat at the prospect of such a " flare up " and , remembering Jack FalstaiFs doctrine that " discretion is the better part of valour , " wisely withdrew the troops . Germany is in a state of everincreasing ferment , a spark like this Cologne affairmay at no distant day fire the train . Intelligence from the
CAPE OF GOOB HOPE , to the 16 th of June , states that a battle has taken place , of some hours' duration between the Kaffirs and the force under the command of Colonel Somerset , in the vicinity of the Fish River , in which the Kaffirs were completely defeated . The loss of the Kaffirs is stated to be between 300 and 100 ; tho English have lost one killed and 10 wounded-The overland mail from INDIA AND CHINA , has arrived , bringing infotmation that the Cholera was raging with great fierceness , hundreds dying daily . There is likely to be trouble again in the Punjaub ere long , the natives hato their English masters , and will give their conquerors some trouble yet . In China the hatred towards foreigners is on crease , and a Chinese mob had expelled foreign residents from the city of Foo-chow-foo .
Fue Printed By Doogal M'Gowan, Of 16, Great Winiim J
fue Printed by DOOGAL M'GOWAN , of 16 , Great Winiim j
Street, Ilaymurkct, In The City Of Westm...
street , Ilaymurkct , in the City of Westminstfi- ' »' Office , in the same Street aud Parish , for "' , " ,. , « j prietor , FEARGUS O'CONNOR , Esq ., anil r » l , ll , ^ . t „ hy AViLtiASi Hewitt , of No . IS , Char / es-streer , hrm don-street , Walworth , in the Parish of M . Mary . ^« * ington , in the County of Surrey , at the Ofltce , £ 0 . J . Great Windmill-street , llajiuarlwt , » u *¦»« utJ v Westminster . , ,.,. Saturday , August " 22 , IS 1 C
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 22, 1846, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_22081846/page/8/
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