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Northern Star (1837-1852), 19th December 1846, Edition 3 of 3, Page 1, ' '^'^^'^"^'"' '^'''''^^'^'^ ^^^^^^'¦¦^-...

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    • jNSTItUCTJOXS FOR REMITTING MONEY ON ACCOUNT OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE LAND COMPANY.
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      Jnstituctjoxs For Remitting Money On Account Of Shareholders Of The Land Company.

      _jNSTItUCTJOXS FOR REMITTING MONEY ON ACCOUNT OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE LAND COMPANY .

      All Monks Mnst Be Remitted In Post Offic...

      All monks mnst be remitted in Post Office _Oilers , or by Batik Order payable on demand to Feargus O'Connor . All Post Office Orders must be made payable at the General Post Office , St . Marun ' s-le-Granil ,

      j _^ ndon , as none otber will be acknowledged _, fhe person s name applying to the local post office for tbe order must be wriiten at full length at the top of ihe order , and wbo must see the order properly stamped _^ aud die order mnst be made payable to FeaTgus O'Connor . -All letters containing money must be addressed as follows , for " The Directors .

      Land Office , S 3 , Dean Street , Soho , London . " Note—The local post master Is bound to make all orders payable where the applicant wishes ; the Deputy Treasurer has now -E 172 in Post Office Orders made payable at the London Office , Charing Cross , Strand , Oxford Street , Piccadilly , Old Cavendish Street , Bloomsbnry , Oxford , Manchester , and

      Leeds ; manv of them not stamped at the local office , and therefore refused payment by the London branch ; many of them made payable to the parties who may apply for them ; many of them not payable to Mr . Roberts , Mr . O'Connor , or Mr . "Wheeler ; many of them advised in _^ different names to those represented to have obtained them , whereas there ought not to he a mistake of a shilling in ten years-All persons receiving Post Office Orders at tbe local office will see that the order is stamped by the Local Postmaster before he accepts it as satisfaction for

      cash , and he will then write the name of the person who has applied for and taken ont the order , at the top of the order . Now nothing can be more simple than this- John "White goes with £ i to the Leeds Post Office , and asks for an order in the name of John White , payable to Feargus O'Connor at the London branch . John "White then writes his name in full at the top of tbe order , and transmits it as directed to the ofiice ;—for " The Directors , Land Office , 83 , Dean Street , Sobo . London . "

      The Land. To The Members Of The Chartist...

      THE LAND . TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CHARTIST COOPERATIVE LAND COMPANY . Mx Dear Emends , The struggle that I am now making is to secure a nest for every one ofthe human family , of which the strong cannot dispossess tbe weak , as well as a field for the parent aud young brood to work in for their own subsistence . This letter will necessarily be a long one , because my purpose is to explain to jou all that has been done by the late Land Conference ; bnt before I proceed to the analysis I must be permitted to offer a few observations upon our present position and no distant coming prospects .

      Firstly , —I call yonr attention to the stunning incontrovertible fact , that , in the midst of circumstances which formerly would have aroused agitation throughout the land , there is but one party existing , active and organised , in the state—and that party is the Chartist party . The Tories are paralysed by the treachery , as they call it , of their leader , but for whose sagacity they would be now in open rebellion . The Whigs are struck dumb by the incompetency of their party to deal with a calamity , ' _¦ fl p in part ont of their own inefficiency . The _freetraders are banging odium upon their own measuVe by being foremost in the ranks of oppression , daily reducing

      tbe hours of labour as a first step towards reducing wages . The Socialists have been wrecked upon a rock for want of a proper lighthouse ; they committed the egregious blander of supposing that a spacious and well-furnished house was to pay the tent of land , instead of the land paying the rent of the house . Poor Sturge and his party bave vanished into thin air , while the London management finds it rather difficult to keep the Holborn theatre open during the short season before Christmas . So much for England ; and then look to the present state of Ireland ; a country tbat one short _year ago presented a confederation , which , if properly directed , might hare bid defiance to Europe .

      Thus I show you that Chartism is now the only living principle , while I must remind you , that formeily , in the season of calm , Chartism was always tbe most apathetic , and its apathy was an invitation to some crotchet-monger to bid _'{ _p popular support . I Lad ' no objection to admit that Chartism was a _bimijiT howl , but I feel indignant that the howl should instantly cease upon the slightest improvement of circumstances , thus affirming the fact , that want was necessary to elicit principle . When the land plan was first introduced , those who had lived

      in idleness upon popular excitement denounced it as calculated to injure Chartism . They knew that they were ignorant of the subject , and they dreaded the addition of the social principle to the political question . But I think I may now ask you where Chartism wonld be but for the Land ? I may ask jou where it was from 1842 to 1845 , when the breath of Landism was breathed into its nostrils "md gave it fresh vitality ? I must remind you of another fact , that onr association now numbers a ! iout twelve thousand members , and tbat in its ranks are to be found the verv best of the old

      Chartist body . Again , but for the land where would now be the Chartist Executive or Chartist staff ? The great advantage ofthe Land movement is thistliat it supplies food for sensible agitation in good nines and in br . d times . Good times have always _Wp destructive of Chartism , but now assist it , because it is then that the working classes have the _fet opportunity of subscribing to the Land plan ; _* Me bad times compel them to think about the laud _** the only means of escape-Having made those few observations , I shall now Poceed to a consideration of the business done by - _* _- **• Conference , and shall commence with the pro . Etunme .

      Firstl y , —A Finance Committee was appointed to _^• Uiae my accounts from the formation ofthe * 0 Qet * ' to the day on which we met , and you will ¦ _*¦* their report appended to the balance sheet with _** _oecessary observations in their proper place . _L -condl y . —We resolved that the company ' s lands _* * d neither be sold nor mortgaged , but that a _Y * of deposit shonld be established , the machinery _w nich will appear in a simple form in next s Star . This was a most wise resolution , * - •* I still adhere to my original declaration , % t lb ' — ** ¦ — _^^

      . in e redemption department , which will be a "cb of the establishment , will enable every _occu-^ J _Purchase his allotment in les 3 than five years _^ - _" ¦ out inconvenience . I shall here merely sketch fc . u a for - - We propose to raise a thousand _^ " _^ _« ery £ 50 payable to the company , j _^ _** e the land and houses of the . company w _•* ° -be depositors ; and we propose to pay _fe _^ * - _* - 65 deposited interest atthe rate of 3 J dtp _^ •~~ lliat is , we hand over as security to the _^ leC _* m , t for every * 10 s * _* we ar € * _** _^ e propose that the additional 1 £ per

      The Land. To The Members Of The Chartist...

      cent shall become a sinking fund to merge into the redemption fund , and to be applied to the purchase of the occupant ' s property when the affairs of the section are closed . The redemption department will he for receiving amounts paid by the shareholders , whether in possession [ or not , towards the purchase of their allotments , or the fining down of their rent , —for instance , suppose John White to have paid np £ 25 to the redemption fund before he received his allotment , and suppose his rent to be JE 10 a vear , he would receive his land for £ 9

      a year , and be allowed one pound a year reduction for the £ 25 he had paid , or in other words , his land would then become his own bank at £ i per cent ., that is , he would be allowed to purchase his property for ever at 25 years' purchase , while the company would be enabled to give 33 years purchase , and while ,-as an individual , he would not be able to secure his allotment at 50 years' purchase ; firstly , because there is no market open for him -, secondly , because individuals would lease their property at the retail price , while the company leases

      it * at the wholesale price in the retail market ; and thirdly , if he purchased , the weight of title , legal expenses , and conveyance , would break his back ; while , upon the . other hand , the company , npon the principle of co-operation , not only does those things for him , but further- gives to their tenants respectively , _£ 15 , £ 22 10 s , and £ 30 capital to commence with . Upon thi 9 subject I will give you a simple , comprehensive , mercantile prospectus next week , for the present consoling myself that no profit-monger is , thank God , to

      make political property or money profit of your labour and mine . Indeed , if I had mortgaged or sold I could have gone to a cerlain extent much faster than I have gone , but , then , I know the heart-burning tbat would be caused to every occupant when he discovered his ability to buy the land and the impossibility of inducing the purchaser to sell it . Now , for instance , an occupant paying £ 10 a-year rent , and having saved £ 400 , would cheerfully give it all , that is forty years' purchase , to be tbe proprietor instead of the tenant of his allotment ,

      While we allow him to purchase his allotment for ever for £ 250 , or twenty-five years * purchase , and always observe that , when an occupant purchases , be is his own banker and his allotment is his ledger . Now I would ask you if any work _, ing man in the world , who has saved £ 250 , can apply it so profitably , so comfortably , so respectably to any other purpose as to the purchase of £ 10 a-year for ever , in land and a house ; while you must bear in mind that , as an individual , he could not purchase the same property for £ 400 , nor yet for £ 500 and you must also bear another fact in mind , that the capital he receives from the company goes in part payment of the purchase which would reduce it to

      twenty-three tears' purchase , and something under . For instance , a man draws a three acre share in an estate , the price of which would make his rent come to £ 10 a-year , the £ 22 10 s . capital is included in tbe rent and , therefore , if he choses to pay £ 227 10 s . to the Redemption Fund , he at once becomes the propr ietor instead of the tenant of his allotment , with the title made out and the conveyance costing him nothing . _Now this we never could do if we mortgaged or sold , while the operations of the company will proceed with tenfold vigour and speed . Sale or mortgage would entail fresh expence , the Bank guarantees a profit of 3 $ per cent . Upon this subject I shall be very explicit next week .

      Thirdly . The Conference has decided , that the maximum sized Cottage shall not exceed four rooms of twelve feet square each . This is a wise and wholesome resolution , and a just one , because it inflicts injury upon none . It is wise , because it preserves a larger amount of land value than of house value , which is not as valuable as land value . It is just , because the occupants will pay rent in proportion , that is . if a four roomed house cost £ 30 less

      than a five roomed house , the occupant will pay 30 s . a-year less for his holding . It is equitable , because it enables the company to locate more members and more speedily . It is no hardship , because the ballot for preference will take place after the general ballot , before the houses are built . And when the allotments are marked out and each occupant ' s share is known , then the corresponding secretary will write to the several members and ask them il

      they wished for a _iout loomed house , a five Toomeu house , or a castle with stabling and a court yard , and for the additional expence above the iour rooms they must lodge the money before tbe work is commenced . Upon the other hand , if a single man , who has drawn a three acre or a four acre allotment , shall consider a comfortable three roomed house , each room twelve feet square , sufficiently large , he will notify to the directors , through the secretary , that he will only have a three roomed house built and he will have a reduction in his rent at the rate of five

      per cent upon the diminished expenditure . Now I will shew you tbat tbis is a necessary resolution . We are bound to legislate for the general good , and although some working men may say , that they took four acre shares for the express _purpose of having the larger house , yet , as the land is the field for industry and the thing that is to support the house , many of the industrious poor became shareholders for four acres who considered the over-sizp . of the house a grievous tax upon them . I always was in favour of the smallest description of houses , my

      principal object being to get possession of as much land as possible , convinced that untrammelled industry would soon enable every man to build a liouse to his taste-, and , even now , I would implore the three acre and four acre shareholders to remember that five per cent will be deducted from , or added to , the rent in proportion to the size of the house , and , that they ought to be able , when they have the security of the land , to raise money at 3 | per cent . As Mr . Smyth , the delegate for Bradford , observed , and than whom there was not a more attentive ,

      shrewd , and business-like delegate in tbe Conference , the poor woolcombers in Bradford huddled together in one room , ventilated with a charcoal stove , would think themselves in a palace in a three roomed cottage , and wonld consider it a hardship to have their release from those hells postponed for the gratification of those who wished for large houses . However , I may conclude this head with a simple observation , that nine in every ten who will be entitled to a good four roomed cottage , are now pining in cellars or existing in garrets .

      fourthly . In order to pr event a monopoly of the land by any one person , we bave decided that in all cases where an aggregate of persons to the numberof four , wish to hazard their chance upon one ticket in the same ballot , that each ofthe iour shall have attained his eighteenth year at least . It was contended that fathers should have the power of placing tlieir infant children ' s names upon this aggregate ticket , but this , it was clearly shown , would lead to a monopoly , of , perhaps , 16 acres out of an estate of one hundred , or one sixth ofthe whole amount , and might lead to the dilapidation of the cottages upon the three allotments of the infants , and must introduce the MID-

      The Land. To The Members Of The Chartist...

      DLEMAN SYSTEM ; and for this reason the leases should be made to the infants , for I did not , as reported in the Northern Star , say , that the Company could not make leases to infants , but what I said was that the infants could not make leases . However , I am quite ready to admit the general accuracy and excellence of the report in the Star . But then to the subject , you must lease to the infants , and the father as their trustee must either place three undertenants in the three cottages during their minority , which three undertenants would present the eyesore of slave labourers working amongst freemen ; and , if i

      he did not place tenants there , the cottages would go to rain , and , if he did place tenants there , he might demand what rent he pleased ; and as a minor cannot be bound , it would be optional upon attaining his majority , whether he would take to the land or not ; and if the middleman , or the father , suffered it to deteriorate in value , it would be an injury to the whole company . Moreover , the minors could not purchase except by trustees , and that would impose an amount of complicated duty which a hundred directors could not discharge . Again , it must be borne in mind , that minors now stand precisely in

      the same situation as they always did ; they may enter the ballot singly , and if they are drawn singly , whether in Cumberland or Cornwall , the father , or some of the family , will be sure to go with the minor , so that in no case will the house become dilapidated or the _lantLneglected . The mode of dealing with the aggregate number is this . Suppose a ballot for fifty to take place , and an aggregate ticket containing four names to be in the box—if that ticket is not drawn within forty-seven , it must be a blank ; if it

      is drawn forty-seven , it is a prize , because 4 / , 48 , 49 , and 50 are four allotments , which will ' satisfy the four upon tbe aggregate ticket ; but if it is drawn 48 , 49 , or 50 , it is laid by as a blank , because there will be only three allotments left to satisfy four shareholders . Now , this is no hardship , even if the rule was more stringent , because it is optional with thc individual members whether or no they will risk their chance upon the aggregate ticket ; and as the rule stands , it is now incalculably in favour of the aggregate shareholders .

      Fifthly—We have decided that all incidental expenses shall be paid out of the two shillings a share , while the directors' salaries , stationery , «& c ., shall be paid out ofa fund raised by a levy of one shilling per year , or a farthing a week upon each share . This fund also to furnish poor occupants , who are recommended by their localities , with the means of transmission to their respective allotments—the amount to be paid back in easy and convenient instalments , and to merge into the Redemption fund , so that it will be a _savings-bank for the purchase of the allotments by members . Sixthly . —This question has been decided by the adoption of the above rule .

      Seventhly . —It has been decided that the Directors shall be empowered to build school-houses under such , circumstances as render the ' r erection necessary , and that the school-houses shall be the property of the Company and not ofthe allottees upon the estate , because tlie expense of the erection and the land should then be added to the rent of the occupants . Eighthly . —It has been decided , that the schoolmasters and schoolmistresses shall be appointed bv

      the Directors , with power rested in two-thirds of the occupants to dismiss them upon proper cause . In treating upon this subject , I trust that no schoolmaster will be elected except he is also an agriculturist , as the ground allotted to the schoolhouse should be a model farm , entirely cultivated by the children , according to tbeir strength , who should work upon it three hours a day , from six till eight in the morning , and such other hour in the day as shall be approved of by a majority of the occupants .

      Ninthly . —It has bem decided that discretionary power shall be vested in the Directors to expend monies in the improvement of land from purchase to occupation , in manure , draining , and other such operations as will be more cheaply done by cooperation than by individual labour , and not to be deducted from the amount of capital to be respectively given to the occupants . Tenthly . — It has been decided that the Directors shall have the power of increasing the Funds of the Company by the sale of estates . Elevenily . —The Conference have elected Thomas Slingsby Duncombe , Esq . M . P ., Jobn Sewell , Philip M'Grath , Ernest Jones , and Feargus O ' Connor , trustees .

      Twelflhly . —The Conference has elected W . P . Roberts , Esq ., as the Company ' s Treasurer , with a vote of thanks for his past services . Thirteenthly . —The Directors have elected Feargus O'Connor as their Deputy Treasurer . Fourleenthly . —The Finance Committee did report , for which see resolution at foot of Balance Sheet . Fifteenthly . — The Conference elected William Cuffay and James Knight , auditors to the Company .

      The sixteenth proposition in the programme was withdrawn;—and thus 1 have gone through the several propositions contained in the programme , and I shall now draw your attention to the several collateral questions uot contained in the programme . Firstly . —The Conference has very wisely conferred the power upon four of the Directors to dismiss one of their own body for misconduct or neglect of duty . This is a most wholesome rule , and is a power which the four objecting Directors would

      not dare to exercise capriciously , while it will make all more vigilant in the discharge of their duties , and no member of the Company will believe that four Directors would dare to conspire against one , while no member of thc Company will contend that four should be subject to the neglect or improper conduct of one during twelvemonths . The mode of filling up the vacancy is this , —the Directors elect a person in the place of the dismissed officer , and then appeal to the Shareholders to elect , not the person appointed pro . tern , by the Directors , but whomsoever they please . .

      Secondly . —The Conference decided that there should be two Secretaries , a Corresponding Secretary and a Finance Secretary , and the Directors have elected Mr . M'Grath as corresponding Secretary , and Mr . Wheeler as Finance Secretary . Thirdly . —The Conference decided that henceforth only one list should appear in the " Northern Star , " and that that List should be a report of all the monies SENT TO ME—that is , that henceforth all monies must be made payable to me , and remitted according to the instructions at tbe head of this _letfer , and no money will appear . in the " Star " except money that is made payable to me by post-office order , and sent as directed in instructions , and received by me before insertion .

      Fourthly . —The , Conference decided that the allottees of Herringsgate should not be located till the lst of May . As a matter of course this will be some disappointment , though I doubt it , to a few , but then it must be borne in miud that the Con-

      The Land. To The Members Of The Chartist...

      ference wa _^^ _WRll ' - 'tb legislate for the benefit of all , and _notTor ' tHefconvenience of a few . Moreover _^ it isj _|^ just rule , and was . urged upon the strongest _if | _rf « _pi \ _t-, Mr . Donovan and Mr . Smyth ; well acquainre _* with the subject , convincing me of the propriety of the step . I moved the 25 th of March ; Mr . Donovan moved the 1 st of July , and Mr . Smyth moved tbe 1 st of May . They contended that from after Christmas till May was the spring

      trade and the best trade ; that February _w-iuld be the coldest and most disheartening month for those coming from the heated atmosphere of factories , and that it would be a comparatively idle month upon the land . This alteration was made npon the understanding that the whole available season from February , to May , should be taken advantage of in the cultivation of the several allotments , and let it be understood that a transition from the artificial to the natural state will be much more

      cheering when the ground is covered with the budding crops than if covered with snow . It is a bad seasWifoYremoving , it isa bad season for going into a newhouse ; it is an inappropriate season for agricultural pursuits , add to which , the postponement will be a great saving to the occupants , inasmuch as cheaper and better labour can be per . formed upon the principle of co-operation than hy individuals . Another , and no small consideration , is , that our immigrants must feel cheerful and happy upon the very first day they take possession .

      Some people who are not shareholders say , that Mr . O'Connor promised to locate a hundred within the first year from June last—Mr . O'Connor did promise it and will accomplish it , and more . When Mr . O'Connor promised it , the standard size of farms was two acres , and we have now 264 acres of ground which , accordimr to Cocker , would locate 132 persons at two acres each , and that was the rule in the first instance . But Mr . O'Connor lias

      now , a complete answer for those who assert that a section cannot be located in less than fifty-seven years , three months , three weeks , five days , and two hours . Mr . O'Connor now undertakes to say , tbat , not only a section of 6 , 000 , but a bodyjof 20 , 00 . ) , will be located in less than five years , with the assistance of the Bank . Mr . O'Connor always said , and still repeats it , that he would rathei have a loan of a hundred thousand pounds to be repaid with

      five per cent interest than £ 20 , 000 raised by small shares , and that tbe operations of the Company would go on quicker , and the Bank will afford tbat . Further , I could by this time have secured the location of 500 members if I bad mortgaged the land as I bought it , hut , then , that process should have an end , each repetition of it would lessen our available capital , and I hold it to be unjust that tbe interests of 5 , 500 should be injured for the benefit of 500 .

      As to the postponement of the time of taking possession , then 1 have no hesitation in saying , that the step will meet with the approval of four fifths of the occupants themselves ; while , upon behalf of the 5965 shareholders , whose interests would have been injured by an earlier occupation , I am prepared to ' take all the responsibility . Fifthly . —All ballots , till the meeting of the next Conference , are fo take place in London . Sixthly . —The next Conference will be held at Nottingham on the first Monday in January , 1848 .

      I think I have now given you a very fair analysis of the . business , performed at '' Conference _^ and a better Conference of any class I would not desire to sit in . You will see that I have made myself acquainted with every thing that has been done , and that I took one man's share in doing it . Now , my friends , 1 cannot dismiss this subject without drawing your serious attention to the fact , that the Land question is the one topic now interesting all Europe ; and that , after the several crotchet-mongers had tried their hand at patching the old system , all have been obliged to come to the plan established by that "COMICAL GENIUS , " Feargus O'Connor . Every newspaper in the kingdom is now adopting the plan , in one shape or other , as its own

      concoction . Every Irish resolution tends to the same point , while the Nation newspaper is advocating the system , though for the present lamely , because leaning upon a very rotten crutch—one Mr . G . Ramsay , who contends for the substitution of the plough for the spade , as a means of improviug agriculture . Tbis notion is so thoroughly ridiculous and childish , that none but a child would waste his time in combating it . It cuts at tbe very root of the system contended for by the Nation , inasmuch as it would be impossible to carry out the principle of a small proprietary , without first renouncing the plough . 1 wish , from my soul , that every plough and every harrow in England was turned into ashes for manure , and the plough shares into spades to dig the ground .

      By the Star of this week you will see that I have not been idle since the Conference , and , besides the industry that its colnmns develope , I have had several conferences with some ofthe ablest merchants in London upon the Banking question , and all appear _j ore than delighted with it , as an auxiliary to aid in the purchase of Land . I have also had conferences with the directors . I have gone attentively through the whole Deed of Settlement with the solicitor , and from it I learn that there is only one great change made—a change which I believe will be

      bailed by all who feared that the Land plan would hurt Chartism . It is this : that our members arc not to be tenants , but proprietors . That upon receiving possession tbey are not to get a lease , but the conveyance of their allotment in fee , with a rentcharge reserved , amounting to what the rent would have been . One of the brawlers may ask , what is the difference between rent and rent charge , between lease and conveyance ? Why just this—that in the one case the man is a tenant—in the other case he is a proprietor ; in the one case he is apolitical serf without a vote , in the other case he is a

      FREEMAN , WITH THE VOTE , Now , is this no difference ? Did Chartism , with * out the question of the land , ever effect this ? It is a subject to which I am bound to say our solicitor , Mr . Roberts , was the first to direct my attention more than a year ago ; but I hesitated evcD to hint at it until I was convinced of its practicability : so that now the thirty-five occupants at Herringsgate will have conveyances and not . ' eases made to them , and they will be proprietor . * and voters as soon as they are in possession . This circumstance will considerably assist our banking operations , as every shareholder will save , beg ,

      borrow , or steal the means of reducing the rent charge at four per cent . In conclusion , I have only to add , that the responsibility and labour imposed upon me by the Land Plan would frighten any other man in Europe , while the more extensive its operations and ramifications , the better 1 . feel myself equal to the task . If 1 had all the money that will smoke and stink in thc kennels and poison the air during the Christmas month , I wouid convert every Poor Law Bastile in England into hospitals for the friendless the old , and thc infirm ; I would convince the Archbishop of Canterbury that famine in Britain is the dispensation of man , and not of God ; and I would prove to the Free Traders that domestic freemen are

      The Land. To The Members Of The Chartist...

      better customers than foreign slaves . Jnstjfook at th subscriptions , even for this Christmas week , when our class of shareholders" are all pushed to make np their rent and pay their shop accounts ; ill fact , I didn ' t expect £ 10 this week . The greatest pleasure that I derive from the Land Plan is , the belief that in our exchequer wiU be found some THOUSANDS THAT HAVE BEEN SNATCHED FROM THE i GIN PALACE AND THE BEER-SHOP . Again I

      promising you a clear and simple _proepectus of our Banking Plan in next week ' s Slar , I remain , Your faithful friend and bailiff , Feargus O'Connor . P . S . —LABOURERS ! BE SOBER ; BUY LAND INSTEAD OF GIN ; AND YOU WILL HAVE A GOVERNMENT OF YOUR OWN CHOICE -THAT'S MY CHRISTMAS BOX TO YOU .

      R 0^0^ ^^Ti^ Af&T&Ij^^

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      ' ^'^^'^"^'"' ' ' And National Frapesjou...

      AND NATIONAL fRAPES' _JOURML .

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      ' _'^ _' _^^ ' _^ _" _^'"' ' _^''' _'' _^^ _' _^ ' _^ _^^^^^^ _' _¦¦^ -. _^^ - ' _^^^^^^¦ _^^•¦ _^ - _^ - _^ - _^^ _MW _^^ _WMW . _MW _^ I j , _"" _********** " _* " _" _VOL-j . NO . 478 . LONDON . _SATORDAV _j ) ECE _# p 19 _^^^ _^ _^^ _"" _™ " * ¦ ¦ " * — "

      Ireland. Narrative Op Malcolm M'Gregor, ...

      IRELAND . NARRATIVE OP MALCOLM M'GREGOR , SO . TIT . As the task I have undertaken is to familiarise the English reader with the manners , customs , habit * , opinions , peculiarities , character , and grievances of the Irish , I should consider it injudicious to clog my narrative with any romantic feelings , which should be confined to my own breast , and , therefore , all

      thought of Kathleen shall sleep for the present , nor shall her simple charms in any way influence me in the discharge of my duty . I have been a very earnest reader of novels in my time , and am willing to confess a great debt of gratitude to many of our authors , both living and dead , forthe amusement and instruction tbey have afforded me . Fielding , Goldsmith .. Lytton Bulwer , have drawn many a tear from my eye ; Smollett , Scott , and D'Israeli , have afforded me refreshing laughter , and many of ourfair writers have seasoned a moment of doubtful mood with a welcome

      momentary excitement ; but f or the most part novelists commence with the autumnal tint and rising or setting sun , and the effects of the wakiitg or slumbering luminary- upon imaginary scenery , and then select an imaginary being for their hero and tlieir heroine . The silvery spray of tbe briny deep , and all about it , may be matter of absorbing interest to Olivia , while her Charles is wafted from her weeping watchful eye upon its bosom to some distant shore , perchance to hazard his precious life in defence of his country ' s liberty ; and _Constantia may be interested in the hue , delicate texture , and smiling

      appearance of the expanding bud , as her Cardemo is engaged on some mission of love , wliich reminds her of his purity ; or Fidelia ' s guitar may be inspired and _refuse response to her angelic touch , if her Edwin ' s absence should chill her heart , and forebode some teasing misgiving . AU these passionate touches may do very well for those who can afford to pay £ 112 s . 6 d ., for three volumes about the sun , moon , and stars , rosebuds and spray , and the exactitude with which the sun rises and sets , and sheds his slanting rays upon all around ; and the inconstancy or jeopardy of the false hero , and the devotion and

      hair breadth ' scapes of the daring and reckless heroine ; but it is a branch of literature , if literature it can be styled—but of the peasants reach , and a portion of that course from which 1 fear many social errors have been imbibed . The hero or heroine is for the moment the world of the excited reader , and many a broken heart and pale face has been the sacrifice at the shrine of susceptibility , imagination , and conceit . Rejecting , therefore , the jumble of ghosts , bleeding hearts , and romantic vows , which have been now brought to my recollection , I shall proceed with my narrative .

      The morning after I had heard the O'Donnell s history—mind , I abstain from troubling the reader with my night ' s reflections and dreams—I started , with Pheliraeen , for the residence of my friend , Father O'Farrell , at ten o ' clock , having taken a cordial farewell of "The O'Donnell" and Kathleen . We had not proceeded more than some half a mile upon our journey when wc overtook a middle-aged mountaineer , trudging his way to the market of Skihbereen with a pig , who , being an acquaintance of my fellow traveller , after saluting him , asked him where he was going ; and , having learnt his mission , and that I was a friend of Father O'Farrell's ,. he at once threw off all reserve , and , wishing to know something of the opinion of his class of our rulers ,. I asked bim , —

      " Well , my friend , wliich of the Ministers do-you like best for Ireland I " " Wisha , " he replied , " there's neither of them any great _things ; but , of the two , I believe Parson Preachlove has the advantage over Parson Giiabum . " " No , no , " said I ; " I mean Sir Robert Peel or Lord John ?" " Wisha , " said he , " but who are thej ) your honour ? I never hear of them . " " Why , " said I , " the Whig and Tory leaders . " " Wisha , " he responded , "I ' m sura the divil a laider we ever heard of in these parts , barring Phelimeen here , and Shamus O'Niel , that heads the factions when we has a ruction at fair or market . " " What ! " I observed , " Do you not read _&**

      Times ?' "Ogh ! then , indeed I do ; " he answered . " Well , " I said , " have you not read of t _* * -ose names in that newspaper ?" " What newspaper ? " said he . " Why thc Times ; you _s-sy you read it ?" " Wisha , " said he , " but I don't understand you . I can ' t reai ; only I _dpes be always _mining the times as they passes ; asd , upon my word , I never see worse times for a poor man nor the _present . ' ' I shall not weary the reader with a repetition of our conversation , in which this peasant , a large farmer , appeared to be totally ignorant of everything passing in the world .

      As we reached ,, a turn in the mountain pass , 1 observed Phelim and tbe peasant take off tlieir hats and bless themselves , when , turning to me , the former observed , — " There , your honour ; ther's the blessed cave where my father tould you of . " We had now crept and scrambled over about five miles ofa rugged mountain pass-, and were in sight of a small green valley , that seemed to _have-, been carved out of the surrounding hills , and , pou _**)* . ing to which , Phelim said , — "There , your honour , you see that green op-wing there ; and ' just back of the trees is his _reveisn-ce ' s house . "

      This intelligence was rather welcome ,, after so rugged a tramp ; and in a few minute- * , we found ourselves at the door of " mine host /* and which , upon knocking , was opened by a neat , motherlylooking person of about sixty years , of age , who accosted me with— " What ' s your honour ' s will ?"and Phelim with a welcome . " Why , " said I , " 1 am a traveller , and have brought some letters of introduction to . the Rev . Mr . O'Farrell from Captain Burford . "

      " From Captain Burford ! " exclaimed the good dame , in an ecstacy of delight ; " and wisha , then , and how is his honour ? and won ' t you walk in ? and I'll engago but a dog belonging to him would

      Ireland. Narrative Op Malcolm M'Gregor, ...

      be welcome to this house i and look _iK-rfl _—Ffl _^ mg a very nice pocket-book out of her pocket—it wa the Captain ' s honour that gave me this -, aud but I loves it for his sake . Wisha , come in ; you'fl starved with the cowld , and I'll soon make you a good fire in the parlour , and get you something fa eat ; " adding"Wisha , Phelim , I wonder where we could send for the priest , for I'm sure he'll long to see your honour . ; hut he has so many calls it ' s a chance if we could find him ; but come in and tell me all about the Captain . My God , then , is he well ?

      and but that ' s the good man I'll engage when ihey'de have him out with the troopers , and tell him to bid them fire , but its in his pocket he'de put his band , and not on his sword , and pay what would be 08 them , and but the poor loved Wm ? But the devil * never stopped till they rorrted bim away , that tbey may shoot the people—Wisha , then , when dnl your honour see hio _*? and tow did he look ? and where h he ? and what ( fid he say ? and ; did he ever mention my name , and speak of Father O'Farrell ?—Come in , come-in _•* ¦ and' a thousand welcomes .- for sure ; I ' m keeping you in the cowld all the time . "

      This salutation was _poured forth wrth such unbroken volubility that I hadn ' t an opportunity of saying a word until' F found myself in a very snug little parlour , with the Dame' still making the most anxious inquiries about her dear 'friend- the Captain , until at length , in a moment of truce-,. I sasid , " The Captain is well , and does- not forget your kindness and hospitality ; and often speaks or" you' and the Rev . Mr . O'Farrell , and ! desired hfe * best love to him and Mrs . Mahony , who * ,. I'presume * _-P have- now the honour of addressing . ' *"

      " Wisha "she responded ' , " the- dear arentleman , that ' s my name sure enough , and but I thought he'd forget me . O my dear ,, he and the- priest used to be great friends- _. be'a walk over and din _« here , and he'de be as simple as * a-poor body ,, and but he'de listen to the Priest-while he'de-be-telling him all about ould times , and ' about the Irish ,, and its often I'd be dropping with ' the sleep until' it would

      be almost daylight , and * being rich ,, and young , and handsome , the quality and Parsou Preachlove used to be out of their wits with , him coming here , as they'd like to have _him-forone- of their daughters , but he'd rather be _herejaslie-often said ,. hearkening to the good man of the house . ' But , my goodness , _yoa ' re cowld all the time-Fin talking , I'll soon make you a good fire , we let ' s * it'out here when the- Priest takes his breakfast , to spare the turf . "

      u Spare it , " said I , " surely I- saw a heap- nearly half a mile long- —you ; must * keep a great many fires if you burn all that . " ' Why , thanks be to God- ; , we has a good 1 rick infb > od , buf tbpn . _CZnA Iialr .. yAii i ihavtx . vann . t . ha a _snrl ot that agin Ladyday ,. we _> ll ! be buying from , that out : my dear , that would last os-many a long year but sure all does be pulling at- it . " " What , " said I , " and : do they steal' from the Priest ?"

      " Steal , is it , " sh'' retorted , rather impetuously , " no , nor a sod , if it rotted there , but then' the poor craythurs hadn ' t the'praties to cut it in tte _? sum - mer , and the Priest gives them lave to _come-. and but I'll engage they ' re as sparing and more than they'd be with their own . Steal indeed , no , no , 1 ? 1 I be bail but they'd ait the praties raw first .. Indeed I'll tell your honour what happened only yesterday at Sessions , before theJ _' _ustices at Skihbereen-.. There was a _pooromidhawn-of a fool of a half-witted craythur , a poor lonfr widow's daughter , and indeed

      her only support , God help us , and her ould * mother being taken poorly ,, at ni g htfall she run : over to Parson Preachlove's . rick and was taking a handful of turf to make a fire when the steward caught her , and gave her up to toe _polis _, and kept her all night from her poor ouldi sick mother , and took her off to Skihbereen , and * fined her a pound , or to go to gaol for a month ;; and sare if they'd takeii ! her life she hadn ' t a pound , nor a halfpennv , and : when the

      Priest came home at night , my jewel- ; . I never see that man in- such a passion : he sends , the boy off on the mare-to Skihbereen and pays tile pound , and had Molly Murphy ( that was her name ) brought up here , and : indeed you'd think her life-was frightened out of her ,, he stamped and axed how she dared go there for turf ,, while lie had a sod in his rick ? But now stop , and I'll get you something to ait , for you must be hungry . "

      I thanked : the dame , but assured her that 1 would prefer waiting till the return of Mr . _O'Farretl , when she replied , ° God help you ,. may be it would be midnight before you'de see bim ; being there ' s SO much sickness and fever now . on account of the bad praties anil cowld ; he'll no sooner be dons' in one place than he'll have a score of calls ( o gs to , and the fi' _-st _question he'll ax ine , is , Well , did you take care of ilia Captain ' s friend ; so you must ait , and I won't be- a minute making you a good : fire . "

      The dame was as good as her word ,, and iu less than ten minutes I was seated to a substantial luncheon , over a cheerful turf fire , Mrs . Mahony overpowering me with-attention and : civilities , all in honour of Captain Burford , while she gave me no little * information as to the state of- the country and the character of the-people , who could not possibly hav _£ a more zealous and powerful advocate . now hail a moment to , enquire for my companion , who , Mrs . Mahony _assa-ed me , was very comfortable ia the kitchen and not forgotten ,, as she said there was not an _honsster boy in the * parish , or one that same from a dccetiter stock .

      u hen _Pkel' _-m had refreshed ; himself , he came to take leave , and thank my . honour for my condescension in partaking of his . humble- hospitality . I offered hirru a small token of th * compliment I thought I was under ; ' ut be refused it in so peremptory a meaner that I feared to press' its acceptance , lest I slwnid offend him , and whan he left I asked Mrs . MSsUony if sWUiought _nis remaining for a few _d-jivs would be any _inconvsaience , if bis reverenccj invited tne , i _^ sd if they had a spare bed for that , night .

      " ¦ Inconvenicnfse , " _shereplaed ; "tncnlll fins-age tke longer you stop the more- welcome you'll be . and as for the _bc- _]^ . we have three of 'them for _strangers , and sometimes we has two , in every one of them , and but if you'll come "with me , you'll se » your sheets _befi-i-e a rousing ! $ • ¦ !; wisha , this is ho house to get a damp bed , I'll be- bound , and , indscd , my

      poor dear Captain hat _£ a very severe fit of' sickness from a damp bed , be . tould us he goi at Parson . _Preai _& love ' s one , wet night he slept tben « - » X spent a few hours in walking about tbe little _sequestered valley , and was indulging in another conversation with the worthy housekeeper , when , ' , watting at the sound of horses , she said , "Here's the priest now , aud you'll soon have your dinner . "

      In , a lew minutes Father O'Farrell and his curate made their appearance , and having learnt all about me from Mrs . Mahony , who was g ifted with almost superhuman volubility , and befora I presented my letters of introduction , he welcomed me most cordially , and , as if by magic , I found myself quite at home . He read my friend ' s letter , and , like Mrs . Mahony , made many enquiries after tho . writer , liestowed well merited praise upon his several

      excellent qualities and the generosity of his nature , when we sat down to a good substantial dinner , and spent a long evening and a part of the night in instructive conversation , from which I learned more of the Irish character in a single night than is likely to be acquired by tourists who become the guests of the wealthy and prejudiced in a long life , and which . I propose making the subject of my next _pai-e _^ w ' ( To It continued . )

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 19, 1846, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_19121846/page/1/