Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 2nd January 1847, Edition 3 of 3, Page 8

Page 8
Page 8
8 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (3)
    • police Intelligence*
    • Cftartfet tartf Company
    • l Printed bv DOOGAL M'GOWAN. of ltt, Great WUidniUitii
  • Adverts (2)
  • Text (8)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      (Ft The Northern Star. .„ January 2, 184...

      ( ft THE NORTHERN STAR . _. „ January 2 , 1847 ,

      Ireland. ""* X X -Thing Can Be Cleaned F...

      IRELAND . _"" * X X -thing can be cleaned from the provincial papers _, _hirhich w » uld lead to the inference tkat the eneirmoui utlutlay of half a million sterling per month of the _uhublic money has tended materially to check the pre _availing _destitution . North , south , cast , and west Ihe he reports tell the same gloomy story . Tillage , in wowo provinces at least , wholly neglected—public iroivorks absorbing all the available labour of the _counry ry ; and still n beneficial results , nor any diminu-.. iminn ia the complaint * of wide-spread distress . The ¦ r * ar * ader is already familiar with the _scenesof wretchedinefless described as existing in the countiesof Cork and _iM-Mayo ; it would appear from the Ulster papers that Iththe condition , of the people hi the comity nf _D-megiM iis is sc ircely a whit better , and that 'death by _iturv _** fiction" is no more _am-velly in that district than it i _* in _SliSkibliereenor Tyrawlyor Castlebar . __ _ _

      , , Dcnus , Dee . 2 C—It is the sober belief of many _cocompetent judges that the famine this year , in Irela land _, will prove rrt' _-r-i destructive to human life than tbthe cholera , and that probably a million of persons w will b * swept away by it . The Kilkenny papers of this day present an awful li-list of sheep and cattle lifting in various parts of that cc countr . One attempt , however , on a very large scale , fa failed . ' On Tuesday night about twenty armed men vi visited the lands of Mr . Ilutchiuson , at Jerpoint , and di drew off a whole flock of sheep and seven or eight hi he . id of cattle .

      State of _Ro-coumox . —Coroners' inquests have bf been held on the b : tdies of three men in the course of la last week , and from the evidence adduced it was _fofully proved that the wretched creatures had died frfrovu absolute hunger . In consequence of the enntitinuance of outrage and robbery , the magistrates of tithe county have made an application for an _additional police force to be stationed in the barony of H Boyle . No man can count on tbe _possession ot his si sheep or cattle for a single night . Extract of a Lktter from Skibereek . — "Dec .

      2 20 .--Distres s * disease , and death are running ramp pant here . Every dsy is adding to our miseries , and t titer * is not a single gleam of hope before us . Our s supplies are rapidly exhausting , — our demands a are in an equal degree _increasing—and there is not t the chance , I fear , that our coffers will be in any d degree replenished . Oh ! I am sure that if the English I people generally knew of our sufferings , they would 1 hold forth the helping hand of charity , and not allow a a people whose destinies arc identified with their c own to perish miserably of famine .

      A Fast Day . —A clergyman in a neighbouring I parish , belonging to the archdiocese of Tuam , ani nounced on Sunday , from the altar of his chapel , that ttbe following Wednesday , Friday , and Saturday , ** would be the last days of strict obligation upou one i meal . One of his _congregation with great truth , ex-< c aimed ,, * Father Charles , you need not take the i trouble tn tell us that—sure every day now is a fast _< day with us , and . we ' re fortunate and happy the day i we can get even one meal fur our families . "—Galway . Mercury . _Corxir of Lritrim . —A great numfwr of people are < dying here ; some days it is not unusual to see from f this neighbourhood , and including the poorhouse , 12 i funerals . The number on last Monday was fifteeu . — . Ballinasloe Star .

      _AttMixGOF the Peasantry . —fhe correspondent of 1 the " 7 Y « es says—the * ' popular armanent "—whether i for offensive or defensive purposes , is a question for ' future solution—continues to form a prominent feature in Irish journalism . The latest notice of this _; perplexing * " movement" will be found in the following strange statement copied from tbe Cerlota Sentinel : — " Alarming as the circumstances may appear with respect to the free importation of arms by the railw ay , the speculation ia -40 or 50 stand of arms , as a branch of trade , _dwindles into insignificance when compared with the campaign opened by another

      speculator this week , who proposed to sell by public auction , at the _Assembly Rooms , no less than 500 double and single barrelled guns , 1 , 000 pair of pistols , and 500 , 000 _percussion caps . & c ., and at a time when robberies by wholesale prevail throughout the country , not excepting the fat sheep even of bis Excellence the Lo : d L ' eutenant . The trade in guns and pistols appears to have beea remunerative ; for tbe speculator had a _supplementarr stock for sale , in the way of _-fla-ks . _' _- _sbot bags " , ' 'belts , ' * _* ash rods , ' ' nipple wrenche ? , '' tarn screws , ' < fcc ; in short , erery article in the Hue essential to a complete equipment of the peoples—say 2 , 000 or 3 , 000 men .

      "Since the foregoing was written we hare visited the room of an auctioneer in Dublin-street , and we can assure the Government that so crowded was the meeting , so anxious were the peasantry to secure arms , that the competition for guns , pistols , powder _, and pere _tssion caps , was so ereat that the auctioneer had some difficulty in providing a supply for the demand—guas and pistols being purchased the moment they were put up to auction . In fact , tbe country _people _, who crowded the town , marched off all armed ; and the novelty of the sale was such , and so urgent the demand , that during the _davs of sale the room was crowded by _thwclass _thebiddiog being mom ntary and the supply incessant . ''

      REPEAL ASSOCIATION . The _- ' _romn" of this body met as usual to-day at Conciliation Hall . __ The lion . Cecil Lawless was called to the chair . The proceedings were more than ordinarily silly . Mr . Steele moved a tote of thanks to the Belfast repealers , in his usual style , _addressing the Chairman descriptively as " Son of the illustrious Cloncurry . " Iu the _eou' -se of his sublime oration , hedid not forget to pay his respect to the Young Irelanders—denouncing- their presumption in daring to dispute either law or facts as laid doarn by his august leader , the great inventor of moral-force revolutions , and the father of h _' s country . Mr . 0 'Cos . vKtt commented on the obstinacy of Mr . Srnit ' i 0 'Brien ia refusing to agree to a

      conference to decide the " legal question . " which formed the sole matter of dispute between the seceders and tL e association . It was not , however , to be wonder d at that Mr . Smith O * Brien should prove so pertinacious , when it is recollected with what obstinacy he opposed the entreaties of the Irish on the question ot attend-inoe on Parliamentary committees . In spite of every entreaty he _per-isted _, and the consequence _wastbat lie got locked up in jail . He did uot go thera ; in vindication of any puhlic principle , but solely to _indulce a whim of fancy , and for his pains he was _laughed at by the whole liouse of Commons . The present wis the last occasion ou which he should advert to the " secession" or t & e seceders . It _aopeared as if Mr . Smith O'Brien was walking in the steps of Mr . Feargus O'Connor , who had ruined the reform _pirty by his raculeation of the

      _principles of physical force . But he would _asettre Mr . O'Brien that he should not destroy the Repeal Association by any such means . Tlie Association now stood on a fair and intelligible basis , which he trusted the machinations of thc evil _di-posed would sever be able to shake . In conclusion , he announced that it was the intention of the Association , before the end of th <* week , to issue an address to the people to give up all force and violence , and to abstain from plundering property , and _interfering with the _transmisiioa of provisions from place to place . Mr . John O'Co . vxeu , replied to some passages in Mr . O'Brien ' s letters , and took his part in the pending controversy between tbe Young and Old parties , lie maintained the correctness of his father ' s statement- touching the _financial relations of tiit- countries , and tbe right ot Ireland to the loan of th . r-5 millions .

      ' l'h e proceedings and debates were as flat as possible , and the hall was very thinly attended . The rent lor tbe week was £ 57 . 7 a . 61 .

      TOUKG _IBKLAND . Mr . Smith _O'Briea has addressed a long letter to Dr . M'ley , in which he gives a history of his con-D . ction with the Repeal movement , and his late - _reparation from Conciliation Ilall . The letter is _elateei fr . _«» Dromoland , December * 23 . Thefoliow ' mir

      are exfacts : — " Ass .-il .-4 as I have _b-eo by the partisans of Mr . O'Conuell and by _himself , 'I have abstained perhaps for too Kmg a time _fromt _' efendiHg myself . The case which you have endeavoured to rr _. ake out against Hie in t'ie three long letters which you have laid before the _publi -, justifies , if it does not demand , a general exposition of my views with respect to the past and present policy ofthe Repeal movement . "Allow me to begin by _paying that I did not join ihe Repeal Association for thc purpose of acquiring a command of money—of power—af patronage , or of popularity—nor even for the pu pose of extracting through iu instrumentality advantages of a tern porary and subordinate kind for Ireland . I made up my miud honestly to struggle throuch evil report and through good report for the attainment ofa domestic IVIiameut , until Bue _^ ess sh ould crown the efforts of the Irish nation .

      Until the year 1813 I continued to cling to thi hope that useful legislation and good government could be obtained for Ireland through tht medium of an Imperial _ Legislature . That hope , much dimmed during several _previous years , was finally extinguished by the proceed _, ings of thc Parliamentary session of 1813 . It i _* * _probable , bowever that 1 might have remained for a long time " an unassociated Repealer , " if the Clnntarf proclamation and the State prosecution had not occurred . Many reasons made me reluctant to form a clo * e connectioa with Mr . O'Connell . Soon after my first introduction into public life , I had beea iuduccd to enter , perhaps unwisely , into collision with bim on account of bis having assailed my

      family in a manner which seemed to me to be _unjustifiable _, lie had subsequently endeavoured , upon more than one occasion , to shake the _confide-ace reposed in me by my constituents , if not to deprive me of tbe representation of thc county of Limerick . TVhen ,-4 jo * ever , I found that the liberties of my country _wVie at stake , and that tbe most renowned ofits public men was about to become the victim of » n unjust prosecution , I cast aside these and many other personal considerations , which might otherwi-e have restrained me from uniting with him . In October , 1 $ 13 , 1 waited upon him at his private residence fur the first time in my life , aud a few days afterwarIs sent my subscription and adhesion to the Repeal Association . During the years 1814 aud

      Ireland. ""* X X -Thing Can Be Cleaned F...

      1 S 45 , 1 co-operated with him on terms of frank and confidential intercourse . Differences of opinion oc-• • _asionally arose between us ; but I must do him the j . _isticetosay that I always found htm disposed to make , rather than to exact , _cmco-moiis . No interruption of this harmony of action occurred until thc _resiiinationof Sir Robert Peel in December 1845 . 1 then regretted to find a tone adopted at the Repeal Association with reference to the Whigs , which appe ared to me to be inconsistent with the high p « _sition and perfect independence which ought to be assumed by the Iri-. h nation . I felt it to be my duty to indicate , both by letters to the Association , and by my speech at the Repeal dinner at Limerick , in January , 1 S 4 G . that 1 could be no party toan alliance with the Whigs . The game of 1834 , and \ _T 5 , was not to be delayed again . We hsd vowed to obtain , not "Justice or Repeal' but simply Repeal .

      , " Arriving , in hi < history , at the great fracas in Conciliation Hall , when the Young Ireland party walked out , he proceed-.: — "Soon after this occurrence , I intimated to Mr . O'Connell , by a private _messase _, conveyed through his son , my readiness to assist in bringing about an accommodation in case he felt disposed to _change his conduct with respect tothe Young Ireland party . He preferred to proceed in the career of which we have since witnessed the full development , lie induced the committee to s : » p the circulation of the Nation . _Havinc failed to ruin the _property of Mr . Charles Gavin Duffy ( whom I believe to be not only one of the ablest men in the kingdom , but also one of the most virtuous ) , he next arraigned him as guilty of high treason by a formal

      indictment , which was _sustained by neither legal nor constitutional argument , but was marked by ali the perverted _ingenuity of a crafty Attorney-General . He has since endeavoured by most ungenerous means to fix upon Mr . Duffy , and his friends , the charge ef infidelity , or of indifferentism in regard of religious belief . All the proceedings of the association have been of a similar character since the secession . Mr . John Martin , a Presbyterian gentleman of most inoffensive demeanour , and of unexceptionable character , was excluded from the association because he asked for a publication of the accounts , and because he expressed his disapproval of the recent proceedings—a large body of the mostactiveand earnest supporters of the Repeal cause have been expelled , without a vote ofthe association , by the supersedeas of Mr . _^ Ray—a remonstrance , respectfully worded , conveying to the association the sentiments of &

      very considerable proportion of tbe Repeal wardens of Dublin , was fl . ing into the gutter . The " worst despotism that ever existed could not have outraged the rights of free discussion in a more wanton or contumacious manner . In the mean time , fulsome -ind _ indiscriminate praise was lavished upon the Whig administration' and Conciliation Hall became a mart , in which there waa open bidding for appointments under Government . Fer a long time the Young Ireland party remained quiescent . Forbearance was carried to the verge of pusillanimity . For myself I can truly say that 1 have suppressed , with considerable effort , the indignation excited in my mind by many ofthe proceedings which have taken place at Conciliation Hall during the last five months , in the hope that a better spirit might again prevail th * re . Finding , however , that the remonstrances made by different bodies in different parts of the kingdom were unavailing .

      I thought it criminal any longer to _| neglect our dnty to our country , merely because we were prevented from endeavouring to perform it in conjunction with the Repeal Association . Hence my suggestion for the formation of what has been called " The Phalanx , " in derision , but to which we have given the more appropriate name of " The Irish Party . " The report of the association , adopted in reply to the Cork resolutions , compelled the Seceders to place before the country a solemn vindication of themselves . The meeting at the Rotunda took place—a meeting which it appears that I designated as a " victory" in speaking to you . You seem to forget that I recalled the word as soon as it had escaped my lips ; but in truth it was a triumph—the triumph of honest and

      honourable men overcalumnyand misrepresentation . No sooner had this meeting taken -place than Mr . O'Connell changed his tactics . After refusing , during four months , to lend himself to the various efforts which were made , with a view to reoonciliation , he suddenly proposes an arbitration or conference . This conference was accepted by the Young Ireland party . The result of the preliminarv interview , as reported by the deputation , speaks for _itself . I need therefore say nothing respecting the design with which the proposal was made . By me plan ofa conference was rejected ; but another mode

      • _"• f efftseting an accommodation was proposed . If I had been disposed to consult merely my own personal inclination , I should hare refused altogether to bring myself into contact with men who have misrepresented me in a very ungenerous manner _, and assailed me with very ungentlemanlike aspersion . But I do not feel myself at liberty to allow personal inclination to interfere with the perform ances ef my duty to my country ; and I would have returned to the association if I c mid have persuaded myself that the line of conduct hereafter to be adopted by that body would really conduce to the attainment of repeal , "

      On the question of physical force . Mr . O'Brien says—I declined to enter into any discussion upon the question of " The Forces , " because I felt convinced ( I should be glad to believe erroneously , ) that this oagbear had been used as a mere pretext for a quarrel with the Nation party—a pretext of which nothing was heard during the trying times , when oar personal _saf .-ty was endangered by every ill-advised expresHon used by any member of the association . As _regards myself , I had distinctly placed upon record my views with respect to the right of resistance under certain contingencies , whilst at the same time I have repeatedly denounced the fatuity and _wickedness of resorting to physical force , except upon such _occa-ionsaa would afford a full justification for its exercise in accordance with the views ofthe soundest

      moralists and ofthe be * t writers on the British constitution . If Sir _Ce-lman O'Loghlen , Mr . _O'Hea , Mr . O'llagan , and a dozen other lawyers , were to pronounce my opinions illegal , such , their judgment , would not induce me to forego convictions derived from the instincts of nature , and fortified by a study ofthe history of mankind . I also refused to enter into the discussion of this point , because I deny altogether the right ef Mr . O'Connell to put any test to the members of the Repeal association with regard to speculative opinions of any kind . We acknowledge ourselves bound by the original rules of the association _, but no man could safely join that body if he wereliable at any moment to be excluded by the imposition of a new test .

      He then states the conditions in which he was willing to rejoin the association . The first essential-requisite is the renunciation of alliances with any English party opposed to Repeal . The draft resolution which referred to this point was as follows : — "That it shall hereafter be an invariable principle of the Repeal policy to keep the Irish nation wholly independent of _£ EnglUh parties _opposid to Repeal ; to support good measures and to oppose bad measures , from whatever party they may emanate ; and that with a view to give effect to this policy upon the most honourable terms . Repealers be entreated to abstain from solicitation of situations under government , either for themselves or for their friends . "

      ** That , in order to indemnif y the proprietors of the " Freeman ' s Journal" forthe expense of reporting the proceedings of the association , copies of the pnolication of that journal issued upon the day immediately following the meeting at Conciliation Hall be purchased weekly . " I further proposed that we should require that the accounts should he published on the following terms : •—' That an abstract of the past expenditure of the Repeal Association be published with an account of

      its _as-ets and liabilities to the 1 st January , 1847 , and that in future the abstract of receipt and expenditure wbich is submitted weekl y to the committee , be published every week . That Mr . O'Connell still continue sole treasurer and _trustee for the association , but that no payments be made by bim except with the recorded sanction of the committee . That the funds ofthe association be lodged in one of the metropolitan ba . tks or in government securities , and that a statement ofthe balance in the hands ofthe treasurer be laid before the _committee weekly . "

      In order to render this suggestion intelligible it is right that I should explain the mode in which the accounts were arranged whilst I acted with the association . An ace -unt of the weekly receipts and expenditure was . at ray instance , submitted to the committee every Thursday . The surplus of receipt over the week ' s expenditure was paid to Mr . O'Connell as treasurer , who accounted for these balances to the auditors appointed Dy the committee , tjver a large class of expenses he possessed entire controul . Now although 1 acquiesce in this mode of transacting the _business of the association sooner than imply any vant of confidence in Mr . O'Connell , I do not think that it is a satisfactory mode of dealing with the funds of a public body . Neither is it safe for any man of property to join an association , the funds of which may be applied according to the judgment ofa single individual , without any _control on the part of the committee .

      With reference to the staff , I proposed the following terms : — " That no officer receiving a regular salary from the as ociation be entitled to vote in committee . ' That Mr . Ray prepare a report upon the internal arrangements necessarv to give effect to the objects contemplated by the Repeal Association , in order that the public mny be satisfied that no unnecessary expense is incurred in thc maintenance of an useless staff , and tbat hereafter the utmost publicity be givcu to all proceedings as the most secure basis for the attainment of public _confid nee . "

      Possibly an ambiguity in the phraseology of my draft memorandum , hastily drawn up for private use may have led you into the error of supposing that I acquiesce in the propriety of maintaining the stall paid by the association , when 1 partici pated in its management . To mention a single _inst-ince—it is well known that 1 strongly objected in committee to he appointment of Dr . Nagle to an ofiice which seemed to me to be unnecessary _.

      Ireland. ""* X X -Thing Can Be Cleaned F...

      Such are the private memoronda which [ read to you . I have since added tw _» more upon the suggestion of others : •—" That no person be hereafter expelled the association , except upon a vote of the association , after a week ' s notice . '' That inasmuch as the Repeal Association is a confederation to wliich persons belonging to every religious persuasion are invited for the purpose of working out the legislative emancipation of their common country , b . _rmeans of moral , intellectual , and political influences , it is desirable to avoid as much as possible the expression of opinions and the discussion of topics of a sectarian character ; but that such understandin ; : is not intended to prevent remonstrance against substantial grievances which may affect the religious interests of any particular body of Irishmen . " The conclusion is in these terms : —

      " Having now completed a narrative of my connection with the Repeal movement , and a general review ofits policy , I have only to say with reference to the imputation that my conduct has been dictated by a desire of 'leadership , ' that 1 would cheerfully have _continued to follow Mr . O'Connell , if he had continued to lead in a path which would eventually conduct us to the attainment of a domestic Legislature ; but I am under no obligation to follow him when he deviates from that path . The aim of ray political life is to assist in securing my country ' s welfare through the means of national institutions . I will place myself under th- leaderhsip of any man who will guide me to this result , whether he be Mr . John O'Connell or Mr . Charles Gavan Duffy ; but I will not follow any chief who can truckle to English party , or encourage his followers to barter their patriotism for place . I have the honour to be , Your ' s very faithfully , «« William S . O'Brien . "

      Police Intelligence*

      _police Intelligence *

      "Monday. Mansion-House.—Charoh Or Matici...

      "MONDAY . _MANSION-HOUSE . —Charoh or _MAticiocsi . T Shootimo . — Patrick Pow » r , a man who has been several years in the employment of Messrs . Eyre and Moses , of Crown Court , Fhilpot-Iane , merchant ! , was _charged with having unlawfully aud _malicloutly _ahot at William N « wlan . — Thc prosecutor , a porter ia the service of Hecsri . Teed and Bishop , stated tbat the prisoner's employers occupied the upper part of the premise ! owned by that firm . Between eight and nine o ' clock on the morning of Wednci . day last , he had a dispute with the prisoner about a water pipe which curried off the water from the upper premises to a blind well in a cellar belonging to Messrs . Eire and Moses . The prisoner d—d hit eyei about the water pipe , and afterwards rushed out of the cellar , and retired about three _yardo , deliberately fired at bim with

      a pistol , saying , "that's the way to strike terror into you . " He heard something pass his ear , aad he fell down supposing that he was shot , in wbich supposition however , he was mistaken , as he sustained no injury . The witness further stated that he believed the prisoner tobe a very desperate character . In his cross-examination , the witness eould not exactlj 6 . iy why he called the prisoner a desperate character . The wadding of the pistol was found , but no bullet . The prisoner made a very roundabout statement , which plainly indicated thut hehad been harshly treated by some of the men employed on the adjoining premises , of whom tbe prosecutor was one ; that they had d—d him for a spiteful wretch , asked bim wby he did not go back to hii own country , wed otherwise insulted him -, and that the conduct of tbe prosecutor was particularly _aggravating , "I had , "said

      the prisoner , "to go up and down , and each time to pass Nowlan , as he ) stood at the door , threatening me , and I had : i pistol with powder and paper only in my side packet , and I snapped it at his breast only to frighten hira , and to bring the case bifore tbe Lord Mayor or some _othermagistrate . 1 had that pistol , I assure your Lordship , to protect myself against a combination which has existed against me more than two years . " The Lord Mayor said , the prisoner had been guilty of a very gross offence , at all events ; for , supposing there was no ball in the pistol , the wadding might bave struck the eye of the prosecutor , and done him irreparable mischief . Although the statements which bad been made in favour of the prisoner would , in all probability , influence a Jury , he had no alternative but to submit the caBe to that tribunal . Tbe prisoner was then committed .

      Dustmen on Boxing Night —William Pond , a regular dustman , and bis wife Margaret , were charged witb having assaulted an old woman and two little boys . Several of tbe fraternity were present . The defendants had been drinking in the neighbourhood of Petticoatlane at the close of their labours on _Boxing- _' ay , and the beverage Uld more severely upon the dustman's wife than upon himself . An old woman was hobbling by as tbey came out of a public house , and the dustman , who was ripe for fun , set his wife upon ber , anderiedoot " Pitch into the ould * un _, Peg , jou devil . " The order was no sooner issued than obeyed . Peg floored the poor creature , and two little fellows , who saw the inci lent , tried to prevent any further violence . Tbe antagonist , however , soon showed her superiority by pitching the

      boys over the old woman ; and the dustman , whose powers were not called into action until the police ap . peered and collared his wife , then began to show that he was deserving of his partner . He tried to rescue ber , but the '' force" wera not to be denied , and they securely lodced both in the station house . The Lord Mayor . — Which was tbe more intoxicated ! The policeman , in whose custody they were introduced to . his Lordship , said the man was sober iu comparison with the woman . Pond—Why , jou see , my lord , she was v « ry lusby—a little ovtrtuck her . It ' s all she bad , all tbis blessed Christmas , and I wanted to carry her home , but the gentleman there wouldn ' t stand it , so 1 thought I wouldn ' t leave htr in such a pickle . The Lord Mayor—Youare fined 20 s _., or H days , and she is fined 10 s „ or H days . A rough voice in tbe crowd—I « ay _, my Lordship , what will

      you let the pair on ' em at liberty for ! The Lord Mayor —They shall be discharged upon pajirlg , 30 * . The voice—take ten , we'll raise ten bob here , if you'll let the pair on ' em go . ( Laughter . ) The Lord Mayor-No ; they must pay SOs . or go to prison , and that won't be comfortable . If the old woman and the second boy had appeared , the punishment would be much heavier . A deep and general groan issued from the dustmen behind the bar , and their wives , and one ofthe latter cried out , " Oh , a ' nt it scandulous to lock ' em up for a fortnight for only pitching into an old warmint , not worth the dirt she was tumbled in . " In a very short time the fraternity contrived to pay the 80 s ., the presence of the defendants being indispensably necessary . in going the rounds for Christmas-boxes , in consequence of the apprehended competition ofthe flying dustmen .

      _WORSHIP-STREET , _—AppBEnEKSiou or A Pickpocket bt A Female . —A young fellow of smart ap . pearance , who gave his name Henry Squince , was charged with having picked tbe pocket of Elizabeth Hanson , a dress-maker , residing in Barbican . The complainant was passing through Finsbury . square , on Sunday _sfter . _n-ion , wben she was beset by the prisoner and tw * others , and she felt a tug at her pocket , immediately sftcr which she heard one of them say , in a low toue , '" Have you got it ! " On feeling her pocket , she missed her purse , and following the prisoner who had betn nearest to her pocket , she seined him by the collar , and _acsused

      him of the robbery . He pretended that he knew nothing about her purse , and struggled to get away , but she assured him that she would tear him to pieces before she would let him escape , and held fast hold of him , nntil he was taken charge of by the police . Haywood , one of the warrant officers of the Court , said he cams up at the time when the prisoner was struggling with the prosecutrix , and assuring her that be was an innocent person . Seeing the prisoner's hand firmly closed , he was about to examine it , when he saw him drop the purse , which was picked up and now produced . The prisoner was remanded .

      BOW STREET . —Music and Discoid . —Signor Phillip Cioffi appeared to answer a complaint preferred against him , by his wife for neglecting to maintain her and his daughter , whereby they become churgebale to the Strand Union authorities . Mr . Beswood , the relieving officer , having handed to the court a printed order , signed by-Mr . Cooper , an overseer of Saint Paul ' s , Covent Garden , said , that in obed ' ence to it , he waited on the complainant , who was lodging at 5 , Taviatock _. strect , her husband lodging at No . 40 , in the same street , and from her _representation it appeared she had come from America with her daughter , to fill situations in Covtnt Garden Theatre , where her husband was to be _engaged in the orchestra , he having resigned the placa he had filled at Her Majesty ' s Theatre . Having ascertained that the defendant

      was living with another woman , he waited on bim to hear what reasons he could advance for allowing his wife to become' chargeable . He refused to give any until the case was brought before the court . The complainant said , that having eloped with the defendant from her father ' s liouse iu New York , she was married to him on the 4 th October , 182 C , as appeared by the certificate produced . The ceremony was performed by the Rev . Henry _Chage , in private , as she feared her father would prevent bar marrying , she being a member of the Church of England , Tbe only form observe ! wag , tbat they mutually promised to become partners for life , and there was a few prayers read ; but there was no ring , as on similar occasions . The defendant , she believed was a Catholic : but lie adhered to no religion in particular , aud they bad lived together for several years , except when he was obliged to absent himself on theatrical business ; and having arrived in England on the 27 th January , she in consequence of ill _hcRlth _, and through the mediation

      of Mr . Felton , who longed in the same house , _obtained parish relief from tbe Strand Union .. . The defendant denied that bis wife was compelled to seek for parish relief , as she bad sufficient money in her possession arising from the sale of his property in America , in addition to which he bad sent her £ 20 about six months back . Mr . Hall put several questions to the complainant , und from her answers it appeared that she had disposed of two lots of ground by his directions , " which , however , were of very little value , and also a slave , for whom she got , 105 dollars , from which 35 were deducted , and she hud paid 75 dollars for medical assistance , together with 12 dollars for medicine ; and on her ' arrival in England , on Saturday week , she had 100 dollars , part of which she expended in the purchase of clothing , for herself and her daughter , and the reason why she . had applied to the parish was , that she anticipated her husband , at ' whose repeated solicitations she had come to this country , would not support ber . Mr . Hall said the case was not ripe foi '

      "Monday. Mansion-House.—Charoh Or Matici...

      magisterial interference , and he would _suggMt that she would arrange her differences Ju a quiet and satisfactory manner witb her husband . The Complainant said that she would prefer returning to America , where -foe could support herself by teaching music , to accepting of any engagement in London , as her husband had deceived her in many ways for years . Mr . Hall said he could express no other opinion upon the matter , and tbe parties left the court .

      TUESDAY . GUILDHALL Chbistmas Freaks— Jeakin Hawks , a hairdresser carrying ou business in Bowling-greenlane , Clerk 6 nwell , but attired as a female , and Matilda Boddington , a powerful young woman , looking less feminine than her companion , were brought before the magistrate . Hawk ' s voice and mode of training his huh were so truly feminine that the sitting magistrate was for a time completely deccired as to his proper sex , and was almost incredulous when tu « fact was mentioned . J _« hn Goram , City policeman , No . 05 . stated that about nine o ' clock that morning he saw the prisoners crossing Smithfield , and Boddington was carrying a bundle . _Hethought they looked _sutpiciously about , and he asked what they had in the bundle . She at first

      said it contained her own clothes , and then that it waB her brother's clothes , and thathe lived at Greenwich . Suspecting they had stolen the clothes , and left somebody in a very distressing situation , be took them to the station , where the female searcher _iiiscovered -one of the supposed ladies to be a gentleman . Th « male clothes in tho bundle were then claimed by htm . Hawk ' s was directed to take off bis black bonnet and veil to show that by the cultivation of his locks this personification of a female was not a new idea , and one of the policeman felt tolerably certain that he had seen the prisoner walk several times In female attire threugh St , _Martin's-le-grand . Matilda Bodding . ton explained that it was nothing more than a holiday frolic . They had been at a private fancy ball at the Star _Coffde-housa in" _Stockncll-street , Greenwich , from whence they could not obtain a conveyance at so early an hour in the morning , and they came to town on foot . The clothes belonged to her corapan _' on . There was at

      all events no ground for detaining her , as she appeared in tbe dress appropriate to her sex . They accosted nobody , they offended nobody . Hawks made a similar statement , and- a card for a ball to be held at the same place in a few days was found on him , and seemed to corroborate their statement . Sir Chapman Marshall said he would test their story by seeing whether the coat and trowsers would fit bim , and he allowed bim te retire to a cell a nd redress himself . The barber nervously thanked his worship for allowing him to get out of a dress which might endanger his life should a crowd assemble . The clothes appeared to fit . Sir Chapman Marcholl , finding that the female evaded giving her proper address , as she was not known ia Wingrove-place , _Islington , at tho house she named , thought the police should have a little time for inquiry , and thaiJM _/ _iras entitled to call upon the prisoners to send for tbeir friends to show they were persons of good -character , and that they had no evil design in what they 1 iad done . He therefore remanded them till Wednesday ,

      MANSION-HOUSE Mary Green was brought before tbe Lord Mayor , John Spittle , ( policeman C 71 ) stated that , as he was ou duty , iu plain clotbes , opposite to the theatre in Norton-folgate , at a quarter past five on Monday evening , he noticed the prisoner near several ladies , and knowing her to be a thief , he watched her . She endeavoured to pick tho pockets , of several females at tbe doors . At last she attempted to rob a lady who was ascending the staircase to the boxes ; after which she suddenly retreated , and made her way to _Bishopgatestreet . Another policeman ( White 667 ) then followed her by direction of witness , who returned to the theatre , and learned tbat the lady to whom he had alluded had been robbed of her purse . In the meantime White _dodged tbe prisoner to 5 , Skinner-street , Bishopgate , ap .

      prehended her as she was going in at the hall door , and upon searching the spot , found behind a shutter a purse containing 14 shillings and two penny pieces , which proved to be the property that had been stolen from the ludy atthe theatre . Miss S . Wells stated that she bad gone to the City of London Theatre , witb some friends , and after being spoken to by the policeman , fe _/ und that she had been robbed of her purse , containing silver under the value of £ 1 . ( The purse found under the shutter was here produced , an _4 identified by the witness . ) Tbe Lord Mayor having ordered that the prisoner should be committed for trial , Spittle said tbat be had another charge to prefer against the prisoner , in conjunction with a man called James Green , with whom she had been living for some time .

      James Green , a tall , well dressed , resolute looking young man was then put to tbe bar , next to the female . The officer said he charged the two prisoners with having in tbeir possession a quantity of house-breaking int . pleraents _, consisting of crow bars , files , picklock keys , & e . —he had after the woman ' s apprehension watched at the door of the bouse , and at an early hour nextmorn . ing apprehended James Green unlocking the door to go in . In the back room of tbe second floor witness found the articles already described , aud nine silk handkerchiefs , fifteen duplicates , most of them relatiug to silk

      hankercliiefs , and a new silk umbrella . Elizabeth _Nichull stated that she owned the house No . 5 , Skinner _, street , and let out several rooms of it to lodgers ; that she knew both tlie prisoners well , tbey having lodged in the bouse as man and wife above twelve months ; that they appeared to be very quiet people , and upon taking the room they gave a reference , to which , however , witness did not take thc trouble to apply , aad as witness went to bed early herself , did not know what hours they kept , Spittle said he believed he should be able to produce the owners of some of the property found ou the man . The case was accordingly remanded .

      The commitment of tbe woman for stealing the purse of Miss Wells was then made out , and both prisoners were ordered to be brought up again on Friday . WOOLWICH . —Btiittfi off a Man ' s Nobe . —William Staple , tbe son of a farmer , at Wilmington , wns charged with assaulting and biting off the nose of Mr . Samuel Smith , a person employed in the Royal Arsenal . It appeared from the evidence of the complainant , whose face was covered with strappiug _, that on Saturday , week he was standing at bis own gate , talking to a friend , when the prisoner , who was in tbe company ofa common prostitute , came up , aud without the slightest provocation , knocked him down , got upon his person , and bit off

      nearly the entire of his nose , which witness believes he swallowed . A friend interfered to prevent further violence , and he threatened to serve him out Lancashire fashion , ' when he was taken into custody by the police . The prisoner pleaded that he was drunk at the time , and had no distinct recollection of the circumstance , Mr . Traill said that lie had made up his mind to send the case for trial , as more revolting , brutal , and savage conduct hehad never met with since he had presided as a police magistrate ; and any summary punishment he could inflict , either by fine or _imprisoment , would not meet the ends of justice . He should therefore send the case to a jury . The depositions were then formally read over , and the prisoner committed fur trial .

      SOUTHWARK . —A Sham _Attoknei . —George Paulo Fitt was brought before Mr . Seeker for final examination , charged with having obtained money under false pretences . The prisoner , well known on tbe south side oftlie water as tbe '' Kent-street , lawyer , " has been for some years past in the habit of frequenting the police courts , and contriving to pick up _businsss by representing himself as a professional man , and under that pretext , obtairdng money from them by whom he was employed . For some length of time , however , his business has fallen off at this eourt , in consequence of an order issued by the magistrates , cautioning the public against employing such persons . Since then it appears the prisoner has bit upon another expedient , and instead of making his ap . pearanee at any of the police courts , he has been

      accustomed to call at the goals , and on _ascertaining that prisoners convicted and about to be sent out of tbe country , were inmates , managed to have interviews witli their friends , to whom he undertook to procure a remission of their sentences . By this stratagem tbe acensed has _succeeded in obtaining various sums of money of poor persons whocould ill afford it . There were twocases of the above description preferred against the prisoner yesterday , of which the following were the brief facts -. —The complainants , the wives of two men under sentence of transportation , engaged tlio prisoner , who introduced himself as a " professional man , " and he undertook upon their payment to him of a certaiu sura of money to obtain the release of their husbands from prison . The women , glad to embrace such an offer , readily gave him various sums of money at different times , he pretending

      that it was required for the purpose of paying the necessary expenses attendant upon the important proceedings wbich he had undertaken . In order to raise sufficient cash in both cases it appeared the poor women were compelled to have recourse to the pawnshop ; but alter tlie lapse of some time , finding that their hopes wore not realised , and that tlieir husbands had no chance of having their seutences remitted , and that in point of fact no exertions on the part of the prisoner had heen used for such a purpose , they had come to the resolution of making their cases known to a respectable _professional man under whose instance they had adopted the present proceeding against the accused . The prisoner , who merely said that he was not at present in posscssiou of all the documents he required for his . def ' encc , was then committed to the Central Criminal Court .

      THURSDAY . SOUTWARK . —Robbebi . —Elizabeth Brown and Mary Keefe were charged with robbing a Mr . Gowding of eleven sovereigns , and also with the _commission of other robberies . It appeared that the complainant had accompanied Brown to a house in Revels-row , at the rear of this court , on Tuesday night , where he had not been _lony before he was robbed of a purse , containing eleven sovereigns . ¦ The woman , however , had left the house before he was aware of his loss , and on the following day she was met in the street , in the company of the other prisoner , by the complainant , who gave

      them into custody . When the policeman was conveying thcni to the station-house Keefe ' dropped a gold and u silver watch , the latter of which she said belonged to her husband , but from the marks upon the l ' nce of the article , it was found tc be the property of the Southwestern Railway Company , and to have been stolen from oneof their servants . In addition to tbe above articles , there was ' also found ' in the possession of both prisoners several sovereigns , together with upwards of fifty duplicate ' s of gold and silver watclios , and other articles . When the policeman subsequently examined the _houuin which the prisoners lived , in Angel . court , he discovered

      "Monday. Mansion-House.—Charoh Or Matici...

      the pune belonging to Mr . Gowding , and also his gloves , which had been taken from him on the night in question . A Mr . Nash , superintendent of the carriage department of tbe South-western Railway Company , attended , and being shown tbe silver lever watch above-mentioned he at once identified it , and in describing the circumstances under which he lost it , said tbat in August last he dined in the Tower , and on proceeding homewards at night he was induced to treat some females , and on that occasion he was robbed ofthe watch bow produced . He , bowever , could not undertake to say that the prisoners were tbe women whom he treated on the night in question . It was manifest , however , from the marks upon the watch indicating its owners , the South-western Company , that the thieves could not dispose of it without the risk of

      detection , and to that circumstance was to be attributed tho fact of Its being found in the prisoner's possession _. The _prinoners were remanded , as other charges were likely to be brought against them . LAMBETH . —Louisa Harris , Frederick Harris , and William Harris , father , mother , and son , were placed at the bar before Mr . Norton , thc mother on a charge of plundering her master and _roistress to a very considerable amount , and the father and ' son with pledging the property with a guilty knowledge . From the evidence , it appeared that the female prisoner entered the service of a gentleman named Jude , residing in Camberwell , about four weeks ago , and had not been four hours in her situation when she commenced a _regular and wholesale

      system of plunder . On tbe evening of boxing day she was sent out for « ome trifling article , and did not return for some tim * . Her conduct on this occasion led to her discharge , and on a box , in which she kept her things , being searched , _varioui articles of property belonging to her master and mistress were found there . This led to a further examination , when it was discovered that a vast quantity of property was missing , and portions of it were traced to the possession of two pawnbrokers , whose shopmen produced it . Mr . Norton severely censured the conduct of the pawnbroker ' s shopmen for receiving the principal part of the property in pledge from the son of the elder prisoner , who was only 13 years of age , and remanded all the prisoners to a future day .

      WORSHIP-STREET . _—Distuessinq Case . —Mr . Honley , the chief usher , who has been directed by the _magistratesfor some days past to visit the habitations of poor persons in tlie district , on whose behalf applications had been formally made at this Court , and to administer relief in the shape of fuel , food , and blankets from the funds of the poor box , made a report amongst others of the following distressing cases which have come under his _cognitance : —Thc officer stated that on entering a < wretched hovel in Willow-street , Shoreditch , he found a poor widow named Crick lying almost destitute of covering upon a miserable bed , to which she had been confined for eight weekB in the last stage of consnmption , during which time she had been depending solely upon the labours of three little boys , her sons , of ages varying from ten to fourteen years , The little fellows at tbe time of bU visit were sitting round their mother's bed ,

      busily engaged in the _manufacture of lucifer match boxes for which they were paid at the rate of 2 ' d . per gross , and as the utmost number tbey could make was onlj about 24 or 26 gross in a week , tlieir joint exertions produced net more than 4 s . Cd . or 4 s . 9 d . for the subsistence of the whole family . The officer immediately _supplied the poor woman with an order upon the poor box for fuel und food , and two pairs of warm blankets and sheets , of which they were entirely destitute ; and considered it his duty to lay the case before the parish authorities to secure the poor creatures some permanent out-door assistance , as the woman herself would not communicate her distress to the parish , from a fear that she mi ght be com pelled to enter the workhouse witk her children . That course , however , had not bee rendered compulsory by Mr . Ross , the relieving officer , who had consented to allow her 4 s . per week and bread ip propertiou .

      The next case the chi t usher investigated was that of two orphan sisters named Jane and Mary Anne Baker , lodging in Finsbury market , who had been suddenly deprived of the scanty means of subsistence they had previously obtained by shirt and waistcoat making , in consequence of their inability to furnish tho requisite surety for tbe safety of their work . Having been several weeks without employment , tbey bad parted with nearly everything tbey possessed to procure food ; and their pale and hogged looks painfully verified their assertion that they had not tasted animal food for nearly three weeks . The

      place bore the appearance of the most abject wretchedness , nnd to aggravate tbeir misery they had _justreceived notice from the agent of their landlord , to whom they owed seven weeks' rent , at 3 s . per week , tbat unless the amount were discharged forthwith be should be compelled to turn tbem into the streets . Having administered to their immediate wants , the usher directed the young women to apprise him if tbe landlord should adopt coercive steps against them , that he might render them some further assistance to alleviate their helpless condition .

      FRIDAY . LAMBETH . —On Monday last Alexander M'Leish , a journeyman baker , was charged with inflicting a serious wound on the head ef a female named Wood , who he had mistaken for his wife , and who was then in so dangerous a state , as to be unable to attend , and the prisoner was , in consequence , remanded until she was in a condition to appear against hira . To-day a communication was made to Mr . Norton , from Mr , King , the medical gentle _, men iu attendance on the poor woman , to tho effect tbat she was much worse , in fact , she was fast sinking—and therefore that it would be _advisable to have her deposition taken as soon as possible . Ir consequence of this intimation Mr . Norton lost no time in proceeding to the residence of the i . ijured woman , accompanied by Mr . Gunn , tbe clerk . On reaching the house , No . 1 , Nelson street , Camberwell , tbe magistrate found the poor woman as described , sinking very fast , and rapidly approaching her end , but still in perfect possession of all bet

      faculties . Finding this to be tbe case , Mr . Norton directed that the prisoner , M'Leish , who had been brought from Horsemonger . lane Goal , to be brought into tho room , and he was accordingly taken to the bedside , in the presence of the evidently dying woman . The latter was then sworn in tbe usual way , and her evidence , as follows , taken down by Mr . Gunn : — "My name is Mary Elixabeth Wood , and I am a widow On _Saturdey evening last , about seven o'clock or later , I went to Mrs . _Leish ' s to take her a pitcher of water ta her house , 4 . Pitt-street . I took it iuto her room , and I think I took it out again . The prisoner was there , but his wife was not in the room , He said he wanted some tea , and that be would hit bis wife with tbe poker . He was in liquor I am sure or he would not have said it . Whether it was coming into the room or going out I can't say , but I felt _« blow on my head , and that's all I remember . God forgive him , for I do ! I don't recollect hew long I had been in the room when this took place . I bad no conversation with him about his wife that I re .

      collect . He said he wanted some tea and I said I would get some for him . I was with him long _eneugh for him to talk much about his wife . He didn't call bis wife any names that I heard . I have been a friend to them and tried to make up their quarrels . If he had been in his senses he would not have injured a hair of my head . "The prisoner was bere asked if he wished to say anything , and replied , "I have only to say , that as Mrs . Wood was coming in , I said I would strike my wife , and as she came in I thought it was her . I hare nothing further to say but that I am very sorry for it . " The poor injured woman held out her hand to the prisoner when hb was about to leave tbe room , and grasping his band ,

      shook it heartily , declaring two or three times that she forgave him with all her heart . The kind sincerity ot her manner as well as her truly forgiving disposition , excited the deepest sympathy for ber sufferings in tlie minds of all present , and Mr . Norton kindly directed tbat she should uot want for anything which her situation required , and he should see them paid for The prisoner was again remanded and sent back to Hoiseinong * _r-laiie gaol . WESTMINSTER . —James Mortimer , shopman to Mr . Saunders , of No . 35 , _King ' _s-road East , cheesemonger , was finally examined , charged witb plundering his employer to an enormous extent . The prisoner had been six months in the service of the prosecutor , during nearly the whole of which time , according to bis own

      confession , he bad been robbing him . The accused owed his detection to thc circumstances of keeping late hours and indulging in expansive habits , which became known to bis master , added to his pocketbook having been found , by an entry in which , in thc prisoner's handwriting , it was clour that he was in the habit of suppl ) ing persous with goods on his own acconut . Mr . Saunders , in order to ascertain whether his suspicions were well-founded , got a friend to mark some money and send it to the shop in payment for goods on the morning of thc 24 th , and on finding by an examination of the till shortly afterwards that there was none of it there , accused the prisouer with robbing him , and four of the marked shillings and a half-crown

      were found in his possession . Mr . Saunders then charged him with stealing goods , end supplying persons , on his own account , with them , when prisoner admitted the fact , and _suid he had carried the game on for five months , and it appeared , by his private entry , that 48 lb « . of butter , which was only a part of his immense depredations , had been supplied to one person . Prisoner , who made no defence , waa committed on tbe charges of stealing the marked money , and supplying two separate quan . titles of butter , and neglecting to account for the proceeds . Some idea may be formed of ' . lie extent of the prisoner's depredations , by a slip of p _* per found in his pocket-book , in wliich by a gig , tavern bills , cigars , & c ., be had disbursed no less u sum than £ 3 6 * . on one Sunday ,

      Cftartfet Tartf Company

      _Cftartfet _tartf _Company

      Tiie Late Chartist Land Confe. Resce. At...

      TIIE LATE CHARTIST LAND CONFE . RESCE . At a meeting of the _VVes-tminster district of the National Co-operative Lan . l Company , atthe Assembly-rooms , 83 , Dean-street , Soho , on Sunday evening , December the 27 th , Mr . I _' arkes in the chair , a deputation attended from Somers Town , _toconBult on the propriety of holding an aggregate meeting of the members residing in the Metropolitan districts ; after some discussion it was resolved , That an aggregate * meeting of the members of the National Co-operative Land Company resident within the Metropolitan district , be hereby convened , to he holden in the Assembly-rooms , Deanstreet , Soho , on Monday evening next , January thc lib , for tlie purpose of hearing _twepc-rtl ' rom Messrs . Ross , Cuil ' ay , and Shaw , the delegates to the late

      Tiie Late Chartist Land Confe. Resce. At...

      Conference , and to transact such business a 8 m , arise therefrom . " _w _" MARYLEBONE . Mr . Thomas Clark lectured to a most attent . v audience at the Coach Painters' Arms , _Circus-stfA ; * - on Sunday evening , December 27 th , on the " _» _3 of the Democracy of Britain . " He reviewed tho dm ! ceedings of the pa > t year , both of the National _CuT ter Association and ofthe Land Company , and i _t-JL " the proceedings ot the past drew a livel y picture ( Z the future , predicted the speedy coming of " »•? : good time , " when universal brotherhood would nrl vail , and freedom and happiness be ours . T uiSB

      aspirations were received with great cordiality , an at the conclusion , on the motion of Messrs . Aliiona and Godwin , a vote of thanks was un , * iiiijn i _* awarded to the lecturer , for his able address ; . ii )( j . J ; meeting , after Mr . Clark had answered some n „ tions ( tho answers being deemed satisfactory ) rclati _™ to the arrangement for the division of labour amnn » the directors of the Land Company , separated _i-vi dently pleased with their evening ' s ins truction

      Total Destruction <5f Ihong-Ytv Prop&Ty!...

      TOTAL DESTRUCTION < 5 f _IHONG-ytv prop _& ty ! VESSELS ' _* _« f On Thursday afternoon , one of thc most cxtcnsiv 8 conflagrations that has occurredduring the past _veaibroke out on the premises of the above wharf and from thc combustible nature of the property ' th » whole of the extensive building and contents , ' aVwell as the Busy , of Bridport , and a considerable portion of the Hawk , of Montrose , were consumed bef ore tho devouring element was subdued . The loss is stmJ to vary from £ 150 , 000 to £ 200 , 000 . " _*** It appears that the numerous men emplovcdat the wharf were busily engaged in following thciVdirle _ren t occupations , when , about twenty minutes to four o ' cUck , a loud and unusual report was heard at the

      eastern part of the building , and before the cause could be ascertained , ' a thick heavy smoko * vas see to rise from the lower parts , or cellars of the wh _^ f The density of the vapour left no doubt as to the place being on fire , which caused an instant alarm _^ be given . Within five minutes after the first dis . covery a heavy red flame was seen to rise , catchine hold of everything in its way . The alarm wag instantly given , and the Tower bell , used in cases of fire and danger , was set in motion , when thc Guardg on duty were turned out , and taken to the spot . Within half an hour after the outbreak , there were on the spot a number of engines from the more distant stations , independent of those belonging to the Tower and Docks , and the float *; unfortunately it was

      low water at the time , whioh caused those who were ready and willing to exert themselves to stop the progress of the devouring element , to remain passive spectators of the destruction of property of all da . scriptions . By the time the engines were set into play , the whole building was one illuminated mass the flames shooting up through the roof , and out of the windows in long fiery streaks , of a deep dun colour , proving to those well experienced in these matters that all attempts to save the building and contents were fruitless , while the only object to play upon the vast burning mass was to deaden the fire , so as not to heat the north wall of thc St . _Katheriue Docks , and thereby prevent ignition taking place within the docks . During two hours this appeared

      to be a hopeless task , for in quiet succession strong livid flame , accompanied by a report , was seen to rise up , and while it lasted , added additional fury to the fire . These exhalations , if they may he so termed , were found to arise from the puncheons of whiskey , as they one after the other exploded . While thc work of destruction was thus going on on shore , a still more fearful scene presented _itself at the water ' s edge . Alongside of the wharf were moored the Busy , of Bridport , and the Hawk , of Montrose . The former had arrived on Sunday with a general cargo , and waa nearly unloaded , while the Hawk had only come to her moorings

      in the course of thc day . Directly after the outbreak they were both cut away from their moorings , but being low water it was found to be impossible to get them away . The consequence was the Busy speedily caught fire , and although the power ot the floating engines was directed towards her preservation , she was burnt , as faras the reporter could understand , to the water ' s edge , while the masts , spars , and other parts of the Hawk , were consumed . The vessels were found to be 100 tons burden , and the latter * contained a very valuable cargo , most of which was damaged and _destroyed by water .

      We have already stated that the fire began at the east , or lower end of the premises , and at this part a great body of the devouring element was concentrated . About fifty feet from this point , Loader , the engineer , of the _Famngdon-street engine , was stationed , and , _whtj-fcho was engaged in holding the branch , the _^ _''^ _'SPisii ? - ° f the front , to where he stood , lell w 1 w _iPtremendous crash . Loader , on hearing the wall crack , ran towards the wall of the St . Katherine Docks , and he had _scarcclv got there before the _branchland hose were buried beneath the burning mass . When all danger was past the branch was extricated , aud was found to be completely

      flattened in some parts , while other portions wero greatly indeuted . During the period the fire was at his height considerable alarm was manifested for the safety of the docks , and men were sent to the top by Sir J . Hall , who kept pouring : water down the walls for the purpose of keeping the brickwork cool , and , being ably aided by the engines , they succeeded in preventing an ignition taking place within . The same exertions were made with regard to the Marquis of Granby public-house , which , with the exception of a portion ofthe roof , was saved _. By eight o ' clock all danger ef the further progress of the fire was at an end .

      LATEST PARTICULABS . It has been ascertained that the outbreak occurred n the first floor of the warehouse , in which compart * ment there were an immense numberof bales oi linen and some cotton waste . One ofthe workmen whe was in the building at the time , stated that another workman went into the front warehouse with a lighted caudle or lamp , in order to examine a bale of goods . Whilst he was so engaged , a spark flew from his light , and upon falling the loose cotton , the same became ignited . The party immediately tried to throw

      down a bale of goods upon the same , hoping , by that means , to extinguish the flames . In that endeavour , however , he was foiled , for the firs mounted bo fearfully that he was obliged to make a hasty retreat , otherwise lie would have been burnt to death , for in the brief space of two minutes , one hall of the warehouse was enveloped in flames . The clerks at once began to remove the books from tbe counting liouBe , but so rapid was the progress of the coiilla _* : ration , that they were enabled to save only a _portion of them—the others were burned in the fire .

      Ihe lower floor contained an immense number of casks of tallow , puncheons of whiskey , hogsheaJs und bags of sugar , 1 , 500 barrels of beet and pork , and a deal of coffee . The two upper floors were filled with bales of linen , canvas , and miscellaneous articles , together with a numberof firkins of butter . Upon the quay was stored casks of tallow , hogsheads of sugar , bundles of hides , and puncheons of whiskey . The latter articles were rolled out before the flames had penetrated the flooring , and were as soon as possible removed to the Tower for protectit _**! The whole of the immense stock in the warehouse *') however , fell a prey to the fury of the flames .

      It was for some time . feared that two men , --ho were on the premises nt the time of the outbreak , had been burned . It was ascertained on Friday that they had both _e-caped uninjured ; it is therefore believed that no person has perished .

      Ad00812

      THEATRE ROYAI , JIARTLEBOJ _**" . PKOPBIETOB , MB . LOVEIUPQE . _LKIJSEE , MR . JOHN DOUGLASS . _ . UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS OF THI' GUAM- ) NE W PANTOMIME , universally pronounced the- " Sans . > _*• pareil" of tlie season . Thirty New and Beautiful Scenes by Messrs . G . II . He" ' and J . Heville . ON MONDAY and during the week , Fridav excep ted , 1 , To commence . witb ' _Fn-der ' e _*"** . the Great , or the ie Band of the Muck Forest . " Supported bv Messrs . Cottle , e , J . Rayner , Gates , Liekfold , « . Pennett , W . _l'lii-- _' _!*' Robbcrds Mrs . Campbell , and Mrs . Liekfold . To be followed by " Tlio Prnnks of a I _' _rttty _Pagf- * ¦ Characters by Messr 8 . Gates , G . I _' _enne-tt , LiekfoW- _, " _-. ' : " . "¦ lnlb ps , Mist ) _Miirtin _, Mr . J 0 lm Douglass , aud Miss Clan ir Ilurcourt . To conclude with the Grand New _Pantoimim _' . _entit- _''" Harlequin and the spirit of the Moon , _eir eiis ' _*¦ ' '< and tbe Night _Praiice-rs . " Giselle , Mr . T . _Le-e ; clow " . /» J . Doughty ; Harlequin nnd Pantaloon , by the _biotlursr buffos ; Columbine ) . Miss Clari ilarcourt .

      Ad00813

      NATIONAL HALL , 242 , HIGH _UOL-BOBN * ,. AN ORATION will be delivered every Sunday eveo-c ing , hy THOMAS COOPEU ; Author of the " Purgatory of Suicides . " . Suuday , January crd _, 1 S _17 , on "The Life ot M _**** _- _** _Lutbur . " Succeeded by tbe following subjects -Mahomed' - "' * " 11 ; —Age of Chivalry-Superstition of the Middle A _•;« -- _« - Thomas Paine , kv . A Soiree , to commemorate the llirth of Thomas l _^ _- ' _* _- will take placo at the above Hall , ou Monday _eveun'B " February I , lSt 7 .

      L Printed Bv Doogal M'Gowan. Of Ltt, Great Wuidniuitii

      l Printed bv DOOGAL M'GOWAN . of ltt , Great _WUidniUitii

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 2, 1847, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_02011847/page/8/