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HOUSE OF LORDS—Friday , May 17. Lord Abi...
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Death from Contamination by a Corpse.—A ...
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HOUSE OF COMMONS—Friday, May 17. Mr. M. ...
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Incendiarism in Suffolk and Essex—Burit ...
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Parliament Arg 3snitliitcjmtt.
_parliament _arg 3 _snitliitcjmtt .
House Of Lords—Friday , May 17. Lord Abi...
HOUSE OF LORDS—Friday , May 17 . Lord _Abisgbr _, after the usual _ctremonies _, took hi seat in the House o ! Lords . Lord _BEAratosi postponed the second reading < the Soman Catholic Penal _ActsTtepeal BilL and at ti same time expressed a wish that the Governmei would allow if to _T » brought on with as little dels ss possible . Lord _Brotjghaii callea attention to the propose -annexation -of Texas with the "United States , an pointed cut _britfiy the probable political tffecta < such a measure if _carried into effect , by giving tl "United States a great additional extent of aea-coas and a preponderance in the Gulf of Mexico , not t mention IU unhappy effect on the great question t slavery .
The Bail of _Aberdeen said it was true that _ "treaty had been _signed between Texas and tho United States , but before it because of "validity , it required the ratification of two-thirds of the Senate . The subject comprised a question new and unexampled in the history of pnblic law , and it wonld receive the serious _attention of the _Government . The Bishop of Exeter , after presenting a petition on _tbefubject , laid a Bill on the table for " The more effectual suppression of brothels , and trading in seduction and prostitution . "
Lord _WHARitexrWE called the attention of their lordships to the present state of the Houses of Parlia ment , and made some remarks not at all complimentary to Mr . Barry . He said It had become necessary to bring tbe subject nnder the _consideration of the Honse , inasmuch as very extensive alterations bad been made by Mr . Barry in tbe plans as originally laid downthese alterations having been made withont ihe concurrence of the Committee which had been appointed to watch the progress of the new buildings . He moved that the matter be referred to a Committee of the Board of Works . Several other Noble Lords made remarks on the _surject , but none of them _Beemed disposed to justify tbe _cunrae adopted by Mr . Barry ; and Lord Brougham expressed » hope that the architect for tbe Houses of Parliament in future wonld make no changes without consulting the Government . The motion of Lord Whamcbffe was agreed to , and the House adjourned at eight o ' _clsck .
Mosdat , Mat 20 . thi factories but .. Lord Whabsclitke moved tbe second reading of the Factories' Bill' Ha stated the leading provisions of the bill , and the nature of the alterations which it wonld effect in the existing law . The Marquess of _Korhaxbt Bpoke at some length , arguing in favour of a greater limitation _<* f the hours of factory labonr . His opinion was , and , although he tasew he differed npon this point with many of Mb If oble Friends , he should declare that serious opinion , namely , that inierfeience having been once commenced this bill did not go far enough . Those who objected to the biB because they objected te all interference on ths _snrgect , upon the groand that the patting any
limitation npon labour was impolitic , were opposed to universal practice and all sound theory . He was quite convinced tbat the Noble Lord wonld not maintain snch a doctrine , and he had not done so . The question was this : it having been established by the Legis lature that interference was necessary with regard to particular sorts of labour , the question was one of degree , to what point tbey should go , and at what point tbey should stop . His opinion on the subject had been formed dating the period be administered the Home Department , and it had squared { as we understood the Noble Marquis to say ) with all Ms previous opinions on tbe subject He certainly felt that the state of the manufacturing districts was such—there was snch an accumulation of population in those
districts , where the whole of the occupation was of one description , and it was so difficult for a labourer to . remove from one district to another—that there was a ground for interfering with the subject ; the labonrera , moreover , being of a peculiar class , young persons snd women ; and for confining the labour to tbe usual limits in other parts where the masses were combined . To show how absolute the power of tbe masters -was , it was sufficient to _state the fact , that masters were led by the low rate of their wages to employ women and children , the mother and the children , _whilstthe husband was lef tin idleness , owing to his high rate of wages . It has been said that we could not compete with foreigners working for fourteen or sixteen hours s-dsy . If this _irsTiinent were to be urged at all it wunld be an
argument against the bill as it stood , as well m against going further . The same principle applied to any restriction _, and they ought not to pass the Bill a - . alL If be asked their Lordships to pot a limitation upon the hours of labour it was only to the extent which was _suggested by common _Bense _, that is , the extent to which the mass of labourers were regulated by the laws of nature . Twelve boars _a-dsy , all the year round , wss an amount of labour which man conld not render throughout the world ; it wonld be regulated hy light , by climate , and by the operations of nature , Look at the labourer in the tropics , where day succeeds night immediately , there being no twilight . If it be said , you should not _interftre with labour , what would yon do _st the tropics ? In the measure of emancipation in
the West Indies it was provided that there should be " _sbeD-blow , " as it was termed , at sunset at six o'clock ; and nothing was then said about the spoliation of tbe right of owners ; bnt he Bhouid be told that then they were dealing with slaves . He answered , they were , indeed , slaves by law ; but were there no snch things as slaves by _eireamstances ? A large proportion of onr working population , who were dependant npon a particular species of labour , were in effect slaves , for they , bad no option ; they conid not remove themselves to other employments . He did not intend to propose any _amendment to the Bill , and he did not recommend to other Noble Lsrds , after the divisions which had taken place upon the Bill in the other Honse Of Parliament , to attempt to alter it , bnt he was
anxious tbat the BUI should not pass without a protest en bis part . The Noble Marquis alluded to recent divisions on this question in the Honse of Commons , as being calculated to bring the present representative system Into disrepute . He had been one of those who hid supported the Beform Bill for the amelioration t . 1 our representation ; but if there was one gronnd upon which be objected to that measure , it was that be considered that , whilst it enlarged the constituency , it did sot increase the share which the working classes had in the representation . He adopted it , however , as a great constitutional _amelioration ; but if ever there was a dorument likely to excite those feelings towards the representatives of the _i-ation which their Lordships would not like to push to extremes , it waa the record of
the recent division of the other branch of tbe Legisla ture npon this Bill Be regretted that decision , as not providing for the education of the young and the care of their children by women ; he regretted it because It tended to defer the period when that particular class of the community might be admitted to a share in the . _representation , and because it aggravated their sense of the injustice of their exclusion , and created an anxiety to alter the existing system of the Legislature , because it would prodnce an impression that those who were elected to represent the opinions of the nation did not honestly represent them . If that was the impression , it would . be one which every man must deprecate , if created by the conduct of tbe other House of Parliament and the proceedings of her Majesty _' B Government- It had created a sensation througbon- the country , and the seats of some Members might be affected by it . In the North _Riding of
Yorkshire a very considerable interest bad been felt in the elections of 1 _SS 5 and 1839 , and an Hon . Friend of his , related to tbe Noble President of tbe Council , had received a good deal of support from the parties connected with this question , Tbe Hon . Member for thi West Biding had been taken to represent the opinions of the Noble Lord- Why , he ( Lord Normanby ) looked at tbe the E _* t of votes in the other House , and he saw the name of his Hon . Pritnd as one of the tellers of Lord Aihley , which showed a very strong opinion . The _condnct or the Government on this measure , had been _JBost imprudent and injurious , in inducing the House of Commons to reverse its decision three times distinctly pronounced . At the same time , a considerable improvement w _^ _s contained in the Bill , and as he should have no chance of succeeding in that House in attempting to amend the Bill , and if he did succeed it would not pass the other branch of the _legislature , be should not press Upon their Lordships an amendment of the BUL
Lord BK 0 CGHA 3 I protested altogether against the bill . He protested against the whole doctrine of his _2 ? bbls Friend . The Noble Marquis had become ths champion of the working classes , and said the Reform Bill was objectionable because it did not let in the Working classes . The Noble Lord ' s argument was , that inasmuch as the working classeB will _ind themselves not represented , whereas the master class are represented , they will cry out for a bill that will secure to them the same rights and privileges that are enjoyed by their employers . But why wss it tbat the noble Lord said the interest of the working classes was not Teprestnted in Parliament 2 Because , according to Mb Noble Friend , the Parliament refused to say to young men and to women , " Ton shall not work above ten hours in the
day- —( hear , hear ) . Could any mortal who eahmly reflected on the subject really string np his mind to believe that it waa for the interest of working men and of woiiing women to have _!>>? _' _* hours ot work reduced to ten tours a-day , when they were able , and when they were willing , and when they were anxious , to work tor a longer period—that it was not for their interest fiat they should be free in disposing of their own time ? 2 iey were the disciples of the doctrinas of free trade on bis ( the Opposition ) aide of "the House , and Ms Noble Friend was an advocate of free trade , ana he conld not concave on what principle they "were—while
_advocating free trade with one breath—to turn round the ntxt moment and say to tbe working classes , * ' Tou are not to cany jour labour to the best market . Tou are not to be employedat aHiouraof tbe day _duringwhich yen feel your eonstitatien allows you * or your spirits bear yon _**?! or perseverance and industry excite you to work . '' _^ bey were to declare it expedient , in order to show _^ bat they were the friends of free labour—to go to toe working classes , to-deprive them of their frtedonFof _kbour , _au 5 to dothe them in the shackles of an act of _^ Parliament— -prescribing to them what neither nature * or thai ewa judgments , nor their strength pointed cat as necessary or advisable—the hours beyond which
House Of Lords—Friday , May 17. Lord Abi...
the legislature would not allow them to work or 1 * boar for hire—( hear ) . If those individuals , for whom they were about to _legislate , laboured , as his Noble Friend told them they did , and as might possibly be the ease , under the same delusion ss some of their betters , and would prefer having their hours of labonr confined to ten hours a-day , might it not be that they perhaps expected to get twelve hours' wages for ten hours' work ?—( hear , hear ) . If his Noble Friend conld make out any process by which he could persuade the manufacturer to be easy enongh and silly enough , and wealthy enough , to give his workmen twelve hours' wages for ten hours' work , he would then no doubt have invented an instrument that would prove vary _beneficial to the operatives ; bat be should
take care not to lead them into a blunder and a delusion _, which must be short-lived , for tbey would no doubt soon find out the error into which they bad been led . Hia Noble Friend bad in the course of his speech instituted a comparison between the agricultural labourers and the factory operatives . Now , he ( Lord Brougham ) wonld pledge himself , if the subject of the agricultural labourers ever came before their Lordships' House—which he rather doubted—to bring nnder their consideration a frightful picture of the suffering of the peasantry , from being barely fed , scantily clothed , hardly worked , and rudely sheltered , while they were at the same time exposed to the blast in the rain , and in the snow —( hear , bear ) . His Noble Friend would prevents boy of seventeen working more
than ten honrs . A boy of sixteen or seventeen years was able to make a bargain for himself , and if he happened to be nnder that age be should be left to the care of his natural protectors—his parents . His Noble Friend talked glibly enough about nature ; but _* hat could be more indicative of nature than for a child to be left to the care of its parents ? He would again warn tbeir Lordships against committing the gross blunder of interposing contrary to the order of nature and to the direction of Providence , which was imprinted in the bosom of the mother , and of the father , in the care of that offspring which it was the great object of that Providence to secure . He would warn them how they interposed by legislative enaetmeut , contrary to the order of that nature and the dictates ot
that Providence , between the parent and tbe child , and prevented that which was unavoidable , which fact and reason showed to be nnavoidable , and which experience proved to be requisite for their existencethe necessity and the right of labouring , as they had done heretofore , far their subsistence , and which right would never have seen questioned but for the meddling interference of the Legislature . The unavoidable consequence of snch interference would be to deaden the natural feelings of the parents by no-longer leaving to them the exclusive management of their offspring , for in such a case tbe parent would cease about that child kindly and naturally to care . Those were tbe reasons on which he differed entirely from the Noble Lord who had preceded him . He considered the bill wonld be
made still worse by their Lordships agreeing to the ten hours * clause , and having their eyes open to the consequences that would be likely to result from it , and discovering , above all , that if the working classes laboured for a less number of hours in the day they would be paid a proportionably less amount of wages , he trusted their Lordships would see tbe danger to which such a provision must lead . He rejoiced at the large _majority which in the late division had supported tbe Government on this question . He had , on more than one occasion , trespassed on their Lordships'attention as the friend of the working classes ; and he still occupied the same position _. _end was literally their friend ; and it was because he believed this measure the worst that could possibly be introduced ftr
; their interests , and because be thought they would be -most prosperous if left to manage their own affairs and ! the duration of their own labour , that be gave it his decided opposition . He wonld not interfere with the Bill , except to enter his protest against it to the extent which be had stated . He did so because he _thought , if they went a single fraction of a step towards so wrong a course , that they would injure the interests of the classes whom they professed to serve . The Noble and Learned Lord concluded by repeating his determination to" protest against the parts of the Bill of which he had complained . The Marquis of No » : Ma > -jy explained —His Noble . and Learned Friend had questioned his statement
respecting the comparison between the agricultural and manufacturing labourers , but he had then in his hand the report on tbe sanatory condition of the labouring classes in 1842 , wMch bore him out in showing the more perfect health enjoyed in tbe agricultural districts . Tbe Noble Lord then read sn extract from tbe statement of air . Chaowick in that report , referring to the condition of tbe agricultural labourers of Rutlandshire , and stating that tbe duration of life was as great among them as among the higher classes in Manchester , and nearly donble that of the factory labourers , the proportion being 17 . 1 to 38 . Tbe report also bore eviuence to the superior morality , sobriety , and industry of the agricultural labourers .
Toe Earl of _Winchelsea expressed bis deep regret tbat this Bill did not limit the period of labour to ten honrs daily . Tbe ages of the children employed in factories generally ranged from thirteen to eighteen , and he did not think persons of that age conld be regarded as free agents , for it was well known that tbey wers frequently compelled to work by their parents The atmosphere in which tbe factory labonrera worked was of a most pernicious nature , and having himself visited the manufacturing districts , and examined into the condition of the people , be waa prepared to say that the atmosphere tbey breathed was extremely injurious lo their health . When in the manufacturing districts he had said , " Why don't you provide better ventilation ? Look at the state of the children here .
They are the very pictures of ill health , their constitutions _destroyed by the atmosphere they breathe . The answer was , " It is impossible for us to give more _complete ventilation . Look at these threads of cotton ; if there is a breath of air in the place , the whole manufacture will be destroyed . " The legislature of this country bad , as be thought , most justly _established the _principle of interference ; but he regretted they had not carried out that principle still further , and limited the period of labour to ten hours . That was tbe limit of labonr in tbe case of the great body of the agricultural population . In tbe summer their honrs of labonr were from six o ' clock in the morning to six at night , with intervals of an hour
for breakfast and an hour for dinner . He was happy to say that it had never been his lot to witness , among the agricultural population , such pictures as had been drawn to-night by the Noble Lord ( Brougham ) . He _i Lord Winchelsea ) was connected with three different _countifcs ; bB was intimately acquainted with tbe state of the labouring population in them ; and he defied tbe Noble and Learned Lord to show that such circumstances ss he bad described , or anything approaching to them , had ever existed in any of those counties . He hoped the time wonld come when even the manufactures wonld see that it was their interest , as be was convinced it was , to limit the daily duration of labour to ten hours .
Lord Campbell was opposed to the Ten _Houtj system- He had made some inquiries on this subject , and be could not find any instance in which a limitation below twelve honrs had been imposed npon labonr , except in a certain country of which an acccnut had been given by Sir Thomas More—Utopia . The limitation in Utopia did not extend to ten hours ; it was f er six He had translated very literally the Latin passages in More _' s work , which referred to the limitation of labour in Utopia ; and if they could depend npon tbe statement of its effects there , they might be greatly encouraged to adopt a similar measure in this conntry , for , although the people worked only six honrs , they had all the comforts and necessaries of life " Nor is an Utopian severely worked , " says More , " like a
beast of bnrden , from early in the morning till late at night Th' : s wonld be worse than the life of a Blave , although operatives are generally condemned to it , except , in Utopia ; but there , day and night being divided into twenty-four hours , they allot only six honrs to labour , —three before noon , when they dine , and after they have reposed two hours they work three hours more , when tbey sup . Tbe rest of their time they employ in reading , hearing lectures , and in recreation and amusement It might be apprehended that from their working only six hours a-day , a scarcity of necessary things might be experienced
among them ; but this is bo far from being the case , that from the portion of time allotted to labour , they _hsve net only a sufficiency , but a superfluity of all the necessaries and comforts of life . " —fLord Xyndhnrst exclaimed , "I wish I lived in that happy bind . " ]—An Irish bish * p was said to have remarked , on one occasion , that he feared Captain Gulliver told a great many lies in his celcbiated " travels . * ' H he ( Lord Campbell ) could rely npon the statement of More he bad just quoted , he might be prepared to support a ten honrs ' bill ; but , till be conld be persuaded that this was a true account , be conld not consent to carry the limitation of labour beyond twelve hours .
The _EjtI of Haddington vindicated the Government from the remarks of the Maiquis of Normanby . Lord _Whassclifpe , in reply , said his Noble Friend had specially referred to the last electien for the West Biding of York . He apprehended there was nothing very strange that a father and son should be of different opinions on some subjects —( bear , bear ) . _TJndsnbtedly , his son ' s opinion npon this subject was declared at the last election .- it was then extremely strong , and was extremely strong still ; and if he were not an agitator , he had "very much encouraged the
feeEng on this question ; but he ( Lord Wharncliffe ) was one of her Majesty ' s servants- —one of tbem to whom tbe government of the conntry was confided , and it was Mb duty to look not only to the feelings of those persons with whose feelings he should always be glad to be in unison , but to the general good of the _country—( " heat , hear , ** from the Duke of Wellington)—and to take those vlewB of measures that were prepoaed that would be most likely to' lead to the contentment of the country . He was altogether opposed to a limitation of labonr to ten hours .
The Bill was then read a second time , and ordered to be committed on Friday , tbe 31 st instant ; after which their Lordships adjourned . Tuesday , Mat 21 . french interference at ten 1 s . Lord Beapmoxt then rose , pursuant to notice , to move for copies of tbe correspondence which had taken place between her Majesty ' s Government and the British Consul at Tunis , on tbe subject of a trial cf a Maltese subject for the crime of murder . His object in submit-
House Of Lords—Friday , May 17. Lord Abi...
ting this motion to their Lordahips _. was toBhowthat a most unwarrantable interference had been shown by the French at Tunis , and to show that by tbat interference the treaty which had been entered into between the Sublime Porte , this conntry , and the Day of Tunis , had been -violated . The Noble Lord , after _apeaklngat some length in _Bupport of his motion , concluded by moving that an humble address be presented to her Majesty for extracts from correspondence between the Foreign Office aud Sir Thomas Beade , _CohbuI at Tunis , respecting the trial of the Maltese _Xolbet , and the interference of the French Consul-General Monsieur de Lagan .
Lord Aberdebn Bald that the difficulties connected with the jurisdiction of the Levant were very great indeed , and no man knew tbem better than the Noble Lord opposite 'Lord Campbell ) . He ( Lord Aberdeen ) had himself introduced a Bill which had become tbe law of the land , and which he thought would apply a remedy which would remove those difficulties . He bad no objection to lay tbe correspondence which the Noble Lord moved for on the table of the House . Their Lordships then adjourned .
Death From Contamination By A Corpse.—A ...
Death from Contamination by a Corpse . —A poor woman named Owen , residing in Water-street North , Colcheater , was a short time since _eogaged to " lay out '' the corpse of a man for interment , and on entering the cottage of the deceased forthat purpose , slightly scratched her finger with the latch . Having performed the required duty , sbe returned home , and Bhortly after her hand became painfully _iuflimed , which increased so much that medical aid was obtained . The fatal poison bad , however , reached the springs of life , a » d , after lingering in great agony for several weeks , she died a few days ago . —Essex Standard .
An Innocent Man Transported for Ten Years . —On Saturday an investigation took place before Mr . Wakley , M . P ., and a respectable jury , at the New Model Prison , Pentonville , on the body of _Gaorge Gibbons , late a prisoner In tbat gaol . Mr . W . Bradley said be was the resident medic _& l officer of the prison . The deceased was admitted in the month of February , 1843 , under _Bentence of ten years * transportation . He waa at that period in apparent good health . He began to complain of illness in the month of January last , and consumption soon developed itself , which continued until Thursday last , when he expired , having gradually sunk under the effects of that dreadfnl disease . In answer to the Coroner , the witness stated , that it was proposed , as
soou m fatal symptoms betrayed themselves in thia case , to- apply to the Secretary of State for the Home _Department on behalf of the deceased , but he believed it had nstr been done . John Taylor , 3 prisoner , was next exarained as to tbe mode of treatment to alek prisonera . Hie said , he had been in the New Model Prison _sixtesn months , and had been fer tbe last nine months under the doctor ' s hands- He had nothing to complain of . He was well fed and clothed , and properly taken age of . He had been confined in Preston gaol for nine weeks prior to being sent to that prison , aud would not go back to the former if he could help it . He had been s cotton spinner , and had a wife snd five children living at Blackburn . Ha had been sentenced < o ten years *
transportation , although he declared he was innocent of the offence -for whicb be was sentenced . He was convicted through the evidence of a man who swore against him solely through malice , and who had himself since been transported for life for robbery . Tbat man asked witness to buy a coat of him for 2 s ., which was worth : 10 a . Gd ., and which be refused to do . The man waa afterwards taken into _eustody for stealing the coat in question , and sent for witness to swear that he saw him buy it ; but whieh he also refused to do , as he did no such thing . The man escaped conviction , and subsequently out of revenge gave false evidence tbat witness had stolen five cheeses . He ( witness ) waa foreman cf the factory where he worked , and having paid the men returned home and went to bed at eleven
o ' clock on the night previous to which the robbery was committed at three o'clock in the morning , and remained there until the time to go to work next day . He had then been fifteen years in the employ of hia master , at a salary of 30 s a week , who attended at the trial and apoke to his character . Evidence was also adduced to prove he was in bed at the time of the robbery . After some further investigation as to tbe prisoner's ease , Mr . Bradley , on being appealed to , said he was labouring under hypochondria . The Coroner remarked , that he really believed tbe simplicity with which the poor man had told hia tale indicated his innocence . It was to be lamented tbst the proper authorities did not more strictly investigate cases before they were sent for trial .
So many were tried at once , and so tew defended by counsel , that it often happened that the innocent suffered with the guilty . It was really horrible for them to reflect when they left tbat place they might leave im mured within its walla an innscent man . It certainly would be a delightful duty for some humane individual to employ their leisure hours in examining into tbe cases of prisonera with a view to ascertain if they had been wrongfully convicted . In answer to inquiries , the _Governor replied that the prisoner Taylor was an exceedingly well-conducted mas . Tbe jury , having with tbe coroner expressed a strong hope that some means would be adopted to restore Taylor to hia wife and family , returned , in the case of the deceased , a verdict of ' Natural Death . "
Fatal Occurrence . —Three Lives lost . —On Sunday night , between eight aud nine o ' clock , the moat painful excitement was _produced in the neighbourhood of London-bridge and Fresh-wharf , in consequence of a distressing accident , involving the loss of three lives , occurring on the river at the foot of London-bridge steps . It appears that at about half-past eight o ' clock a boat under the charge of the sen of a waterman , named Williamson , a young man about eighteen years ef age , pushed off from the stairs on the City side of London-bridge , with about eleven boys ( under the age of twelve years ) and three girls , intending to take them to tbe _Customhouse . The boat had not reached ten or a dozen yards from the stairs , before she came athwart tbe tide , Which waa running down
very fast , and she waa carried with great violence against tbe bows ot the Diamond steamer , moored off Fresh-wharf . Had they kept tbeir seats , in all probability nothing further would have happened , but unfortunately the whole got up , and instantly the boat went down stern foremost , precipitating all of them into the water . The accident being observed by many hundreds of persons assembled on tbe bridge , and on the different steam-boat piers , the excitement that en sued was of a character easily conceived . Fortunately , a man having charge of the dumb-lighters in front of Fresh-wharf was standing at the bow of the Diamond steamer . at the time . He threw overboard ropes and
other floatable articles for tbe children to lay held of . Most of tbem rose to the surface , and eleven , including the waterman , were with great difficulty saved ; but the remainder ( some say three , and others six ) were drowned . Among them are known to be two girls ( one sixteen and the other eighteen years of age ) , and also a boy eight years of age , whose parents are living in Milton-street Those saved were in a most exhausted state . They were all immediately conveyed to the Royal Humane Society-house—the New Castle , in Lower _Thamea-street—where they received all possible assistance . Drags were _directly put into requisition , and search . wasmade for the bodies of tbose drowned ; but , op to eleven o ' clock , none of tbem bad been
discovered . Extensive Fire at Tattersall ' s Farm , W" .-lesden-Paddocks , Middlesex—On Sunday morning , shortly after nine o'cloek , the inhabitants of the picturesque village of _Willesden , about five miles from Hyde Park-corner , were aroused from their usual quietude by the outbreak of a Are upon the extensive range of premises belonging to Edmund Tattersall , Eeq ., who is universally known for his connexion with the _sportiug world , situate at Paddocks , Willesden . The tire originated in the rick-yatd , contiguous to which stands a line of stabling chiefly built of wood . In the yard , there were at tbe time of the outbreak two immense stocks of hay , containing ( our reporter was informed ) 140 loads . It appears that a boy employed upon the premises was amusing himself by cleaning out a kettle which had contained a quantity of pitch , used the day before for farming purposes . To do this the
more effectually he heated the vessel by kindling a fire near to a hedge close by the _ricka . By some accident , yet unexplained , he upset the pot of pitch , and the wind blowing very fresh at the time , the flames communicated to the body of hay . Alarmed by the circumstance the boy ran away into the fields to seek for help , and in a few momenta several labonrera were upon the spot attempting to aubdue the violence of the raging element . Finding it impossible to check the flames , information waa sent off to Willesden and London , and several engines were promptly in attendance , but although great efforts were made by the firemen , aided by at least 200 countrymen , the flames could not be subdued , and the whole of the hay would have been consumed had not the expedient of cutting the unburnt from tbe burning mass been resorted to ; but the opera * tion was performed with great difficulty , and some danger to those engaged in it By two o ' clock tbe fire
was got under . Destruction of _Nawoeth Castle , _Cumbekland . —About two o ' clock on Saturday afternoon last , a moat violent fire broke out at Naworth Castle , one of tbe seats of the Earl of Carlisle , when an express waa immediately sent off to Carlisle for the fire engines and other assistance . The engines were almost instantly sent off by the railway , and arrived at the scene of destruction about six o ' clock . The progress and devastation of the fire in the mean time had proved so rapid and violent , that on the arrival of the engines the roofs of the principal building had fallen in , with the exception of the large tower , which tbe uncoutroUable element had not reached . The exertions of the firemen were directed to the _preaervatlon of this tower , which , after the most venturesome and arduous work , was at last With great difficulty saved . We understand that the valuable collection of eld paintings , by the best masters , and _alao the ancient and valuable furniture were nearly
all destroyed . The smoking ruins of Naworth _Castte are all that now remain of the baronial mansion of the great Barony ol _eilslahd , situate in a verdant park , embossed among lofty trees on the _southmargin of the river _Irthing . This specimen of a feudal residence consisted of two lofty tpwers connected by uther ; massea of masonry , inclosing a _^ uad * rarig _^ _arcduit " . Up ' to the time of its desteuctioh by fire , on . Saturdaylast , it was kept np In the style In . which it _appeiaed when occupied by Lord _^ _^ _Wuu _^ _mlHbw atd , the "' ' *« Belted Win " pi "theLay of _theLaatMinBtreL'V FoHuhate , however , it is for tfee , Bake : of antiquity , that the tower which ia saved is that which contains the private _eppartaientB . and furniture } the library , oratory , and armoury , which «« convey a Btxong impression of tbe solitary grandeur andmaghiflcence ' of thefeudal _lowl . The private apartments ] _communicate _bylaecret p _^ asageu _. mth _j ; h _^^^ thus , whilst ; reading In his library , 9 _* f ?& W _*^ mf \ confessional , his eyes .: might _stm M _^^^) _kj „ _«^ = A * . _«™ « n ri _fh « ir _guards . " SO _tbatltn _^ S _? _WFVlffXpJ _~~ _^ _STNawort _^ CasWe , ° « _7 tbat _^ m _^ mm i _& _mm _^ _Sctw _feaSfeev . _y _^^^^§ _M _^ _^ fire cannot aa yet be actually _aswrtet _^^ _haUi _^ _-M _^ enormous . _Ko lives were \ oS _\ , _^ _.- . - , _{¦ _ip _- _^ fu . M : _^ _^ . ¦ '/•"! - _^ 'ii _^ . _feat _- _' " J * " {* v _' _- . > _i-V _^' " _< _t _^\ -, : _•] ¦ ¦ _. ¦ ¦ - ' - ' - _^ ' ¦ _^
House Of Commons—Friday, May 17. Mr. M. ...
HOUSE OF COMMONS—Friday , May 17 . Mr . M . O'Connell presented ninety-Beven petitions , from different parts of Ireland , against any ministerial measure respecting registration In that country . A large number of petitions were presented in favour of the Dissenters Chapel Bill , and a few against it
CUSTOMS DUTIES BILL . Ou the motion for the Speaker leaving the chair , Mr . Labouchebe called attention to the state ofthe cooperage trade in this country , which was suffering from tha effects of the alteration in the tariff of 1842 . He advocated free trade ; and when individuals complained to him that free trade waa ruining tbem , be told them tbat it was because the principles of free trade were not fairly carried out Utter ruin waa impending over the cooper trade ef this country , fur they were unable to maintain competition either in their
colonial or tbeir foreign trade , exposed as tbey were to an od 9 alorem duty on _Btaves from 30 to 60 per cent Ont of 1500 journeymen coopers in London , there were not at present 500 employed . It was not a question of revenue at all , for the whole duty involved amounted only to £ 20 , 000 a year . The manufacture of furniture was a case in point ; by a reduction of the duty on the raw material we were now creating a foreign trade In the export of furniture , and thus extending the field for onr cabinet makers . The same favour should be extended to our coopers .
Mr . Gladstone complained that this subject was unexpectedly brought forward . Admitting that the coopers had a strong case , he : ¦ farmed that there was , notwithstanding very considerable exaggeration in their statements . The remission of the duties on timber effected by tbe new tariff was unquestionably insufficient to place our workers in wood on a fair equality with foreigners , but the present short supply of Baltic staves , and their high price , was a temporary reason for the present difficult condition of the coopers . Their colonial trade was on a better footing than it was some years _sgo . Lord J . Russell , after a few remarks on the character of the remitted timber duties , asked the Cnancelior of the Exchequer what duty was contemplated on foreign chicory .
Mr . Hume interposed , with a general disquisition on the advantage of a consistent and comprehensive scheme of free trade , especially in the remiBslon of duties on raw materials . Mr . Aaron Chapman mourned over the decay of the shipping interest Ships were never cheaper than at present The coopers were suffering more from the decline of tbe West India demand than from the reduction of the duty on colonial staves . A conversational debate fo lowed , shared in by Mr . Hutt , Lord Sandon , Sir John Hanmer , Mr . Thornely , Lord Howlck , and the Chancellor of the Exchequer , whose answer to Lord J . Russell respecting foreign chicory was inaudible . The Customs * Duties Bill then went Into committee .
Mr . Ewart moved to equalize the duties on foreign and colonial coffee . He avowed that this proposal was aimed by him as a blow at the differential duties , to which he proclaimed himself an enemy . He believed that the revenue , instead ot being diminished by a reduction of duty , would be increased by it Tbe phrase increase by reduction was originally Mr . Pitt ' s , and experience bad verified it The coffee-growing countries were now the chief purchasers of British manufactures . But his greatest object was the British consumer , whose less was much more than in proportion to the Exchequer's gain . The use of this sober stimulant was highly favourable , not only to temperance , but to intellectual cultivation , and he would gladly encourage its consumption . He desired to apply the same principle to cocoa .
Mr . _Goulbubn answered , that the question of _differential duties had been fully argued at the time of the tariff ; and unless the House were disposed to rescind the whole principle then affirmed , they ought not to rescind it with reference to one or two particular articles Oar colonies had a right to the protection that afforded them . America , indeed , imposed no duty on foreign coffee , but then America grew none of her own . It waa true that a former reduction of duty on c » _ffee had increased revenue ; but that was because tbe reduction so made had _brought the article , from being a mere luxury of the few , to be tbe common beverage of multitudes . But now that it was already in general use , a further reduction of duty would not produce a like increase of consumption-Mr . Ricardo britfly supported Mr . Ewart
Mr . P . Howard thought it ought to be recollected , in lejrislating ( or the colonies , that they did not now possess tbe virtual representation here which they had enjoyed before the Reform BilL Their people were not to be regarded by us in tbe light of mere foreigners He , therefore , acceded to the view of the Chancellor of the Exchequer . The Committee then divided—For tbe differential dnty ..... 39 For the equalization .. 28 Majority for the differential duty 11
Some attempts were made by Mr . Alderman Humphery , Mr . _Warbnrton , and Mr . Bright , to introduce into the discussion certain minor articles not tbe subjects of the present bill , such aa apples and canaryseed , chiefly with a view to impute that tbe county of Kent had been unfairly favoured In point of protection through the Cabinet ii fluenee of ber represents tives , Sir E . _KuatchbulJ . This was disproved ia detail j and SirB . Peel , protesting , however , againBt thiB irrelevant debate upon extrinsic topics , observed that the tariff , so far from favouring Kent had reduced in a very large proportion the most important of all her productions , in lowering so materially the duty upon hops .
wool duty . The clause proposing the abolition of tbe duty on wool was _brought up . Mr . Gladstone , who , admitting tbat at first Bight the aboiition of tbe duty might seem to be injurious to the home grower , expressed his strong conviction tbat he would speedily reap the advantage of tbat increase of consumption which would arise from tbe impetus given to trade . He adduced returns to show that the duty had not been beneficial , and to prove that when you tax foreign wool you tax British , and when you relieve foreign , you , in like manner , relieve British .
Mr . Miles regarded the abolition of the duty as another movement towards free trade . The present moment seemed very unsuitable for the experiment , as the woollen manufacture waa rapidly recovering from that depression which it had shared with others of our staple productions , and was increasing at a rate which was calculated to excite fears for the future . The abolition of tbe duty , though it would net benefit tbe consumer , would be beneficial rather than otherwise to the English grower ; bnt it would interfere with our rising Australian colonies , whose wool growth had been stimulated by the little protection which the duty afforded . Mr . Charles Wood replied tbat as German wool was required for a different use from that of colonial , there was no apprehension that Australia , with its large trade in wool , could suffer from the abolition ol the duty .
A number of members joined in the debate , Mr . Divett thanking the Government , Mr . Trotter cordially approving of the reduction , Mr . Aldam declaring that no proposition could be made by which bo mnch good could be dene with bo little loss to tbe revenue , and Mr . Darby protesting , that , in consenting to it , he and thoBe who thought with him did not do it as a step to free trade . Mr . _Labouchere insisted tbat the Government were acting on Free Trade principles , however distasteful it might be to the inconsistent advocates of monopoly who supported the abolition of the duty . This provoked a reply from Mr . Dabby , who was answered by Mr . Labqcchere , reiterating bis opinion that the measure was nothing else but a free trade movement
Mr . Wabbubton , not thinking the occasion a very suitable one for entering on a general Free Trade discussion , took the opportunity of expressing the feelings cf bis constituents ( Kendal ) , who were grateful for the abolition of the dnty . SirB . FEEL hoped that the harmony of the committtee would not be disturbed by any debate on abstract principles . Nevertheless , he adhered to those principles on which he acted in framing the tariff of 1842 , and considered the present reduction of duties to be hat a following out of it , and that , by benefitting the consumer , tbe grower would also reap a corresponding advantage from greater demand . After a few remarks from Mr . S . Wortlet , the clause was agreed to , and the whole Bill having been gone through , tbe House resumed . The Honse next went into committee on the Stamp Duties BilL
All the clauses of the bill were agreed to , and on the schedule , Mr . Forsteb entered Into a long statement to show the _prejudicial operation of the present , scale of dntiea on marine insurances , and moved the following scale of duty on marine insurance , as an amendment on that proposed by the Chancellor ol the Exchequer , viz . : — on premiums nnder and not exceeding 10 a , 3 d . ; ou premiums exceeding 10 a and not exceeding 20 s , 6 d ; on premiums exceeding 20 s , Is ; on premiums ©» time risks exceeding aix months , 23 ; on mutual insurance policies , la ,
House Of Commons—Friday, May 17. Mr. M. ...
D * _^ , 0 WB , NG supported the amenrtma < t xne chancellor of the _Exchequeb defended the present state of tbe achedule . He bid carried re-$ Tw _» T ** J * " he could- lt dld n _»* folio- * , because ne _nsa reduced the duty on marine insurances so far , tfiey _ousht to give up the great bulk of the duty . _«« _t _™ \ Cew , Worda fr 0 lQ Ml - Dirac & n , si , c . Burrell , and Mr . M . PhilipB , ,. . The Committee divided—For the clause , „ _gg For Mr . _Forster ' a amendment" ! . ' , ' . ' . ' . ' . * . ' 22 Majority 47 The clause was then agreed to . The other clauses and the preamble were also agreed to , and the Chairman reported progress . The report to be received on Monday . After a few worda from Dr . Bowring , The report on the Isle of Man Customs waa received and the _resplutiona adopted . The West India Relief Bill went through Committee . The House adjourned at one o ' clock , Monday , May 20 . After a good deal of Important discussion on Railway Bills ; the House went into Committee on the
BANK CHARTER . Sir Robert Peel spoke at considerable length , re-expounding the principles which he bad laid down in his speech of the 6 th of May hat , and giving explanations on various points . Hia termer speech bad been made without any communication with anyone interested , for the principle of maintaining secrecy in Government measures held especially in those relating to monetary matters . If , therefore , subsequent communication had led him to alter bis opinion , he would have had no hesitation in modifying his plan . But no reason had been adduced that would justify him in doing so : he adhered to hia plan as originally stated , and had only some explanations to m » ke on a few of its details , Thug , the Bank of England is to isBue _notea on
securities to the amount of £ 14 , 000 , 000 , and the remainder on bullion ; which , aa ita present stock la not less than £ 16 , 000 , 006 , would enable it to have a circulation of £ 30 , 000 , 000 . But £ 22 , 000 , 000 la about the average amount required ¦ by the necessities of commerce ; arid , therefore , if tbe Bank _shonld at any time require an increase of its issues on securities , It can only be done by an Order in _Ciuncil , duly published at thetime in the Gazette . Though adhering to a gold standard , _regulating the issues by gold , and making gold , aa now , the only legal medium of payments , he thought it might be convenient to include silver in the atock of bullion . It ia the standard of other countries ; large amounts of it are now imported from China and America ; and though in
this country silver coins are only tokens , aud it wonld be injudicious in any form to make a compromise of the principle of a gold standard , it would give convenience and facility to commerce If the Bank could include a certain amount of silver in its stock of " bullion ; " and therefore , it will be allowed to return onefourth of it , aay out of £ 5 000 , 000 in bullion . £ 4 . , 000 may be in gold , and £ 1 000 . 000 iu silver These two points were the only explanations he had to make on his plan , bo for as the Bank of England was concerned ; the increase of circulation on securities beyond £ 14 , 000 000 can only be effected through an Order in Council , and silver to the extent of one-fourth may be included in the Atock of bullion . With respect
to joint-stock and provincial banks , he bad also some explanations to give on detail ? . He claimed tbe privilege of issuing paper meney as the prerogative of Parliament , which it may deal with when and bow it pleases . But as the prerogative had been parted with , aud waa not at present to be withdrawn from those who possessed it , he wonld take the 6 th of May last aa tbe line of demarcation ; all existent batiks of issue on tbat day will retain their privilege until Parliament shall think fit again to interfere ; the amount of their issues is to be regulated by their average amount durirg the two years preceding the 6 tb of May last , and the present maximum amount of country bank circulation , which is £ 8 , 000 , 000 , ia not in future to be exceeded . Tbe returns of issues are to be made da ily to the
Stamp-office , from which a wekk . lv average is to be made up , for publication iu tbe Gazette , along with tbe weekly publication of the returns from tbe Bank of England , which establishment ia prepared to enter into negotiations with provincial banks of issue , for the purpose of substituting its notea for theirs . He had been blamed for a want of logical sequence in bis speech of the 6 th of May , and it waa said that he had not made out a sufficient oase for Interference with the privilege of issue . He thought he had done so fully ; for he referred to tbe experience of tho last twenty-five years , which proved the absolute necessity of a controlling power ovet tbe issue of bank-notes . In 1825 , in 1832 , in 1835 6 , and 1838 9 , each of these periods being marked by great monetary derangements , tbe
evidence showed that when gold was draining from tbe Bank of Eogland , and the state of the exchanges waa compelling a contraction of ita circulation , the country bank ' s , instead of contracting , enlarged their issues , to which they were tempted by temporary rise in prices , and consequent speculation . This , ot itself , would justify interference ; but the history of their management afforded another .. : In 1839 , nine country banks failed , seven of which paid no dividends ; in 1840 , twenty-four failed , seventeen paying no dividends ; and if they went back to an earlier period , tbey would find that in tbe three years from 1814 to 1816 no less than 240 _failed . The causes assigned for tbe failure of some of the issuing banks were ludicrous or absurd , and showed how imperfectly or recklessly tbey were managed , as speculation in Spanish bonds _.
tbe state of tbe spirit trade , _advancea to partners , railway speculations , and so forth . One of these banks , which on its bankruptcy bad liabilities to the extent of £ 150 , 000 , had only £ 20 in assets , aid of course paid no dividend . When , therefore , tbey talked of affording facilities for commerce , tbey must recollect that when pushed beyond a certain limit , facilities in tbe issue of bank-notes became an injury instead of a benefit . The notes of bankrupt banks were most usually to be found in tbe bands of that class of the community least able to protect itself or to bear the loss . Let them take precaution in time ; and assuming that the principle of a metallic convertible currency was adopted as a sound one , he contended tbat his present measure would secure our commerce from those extraordinary revulsions to which it has been exposed from tbe state of our currency in past times .
Mr . Charles Wood follswed in a speech of considerable length , In which he went with great minuteness over the whole subject , and criticised the new plan , which he characterised as been sound so far aa it went He 1 concurred generally with the principles laid down by Sir Robert Peel ; the doctrines of free trade we Inadmissible in the regulation of the currency . He pointed out two or three objections to the details of tbe plan , to which , however , aa a whole , he would give his cordial support . Sir William Clay , in like manner , expreaaed hia approbation of tbe plan . Mr . Stuart Wortlev approved the plan , and added aome suggestions of his own upon particular points of it
Mr . P . Stewart , though he applauded the plan in general , had some objections to make to it , which he intended hereafter to try whether be could induce the House to carry . The experiment of a single bank of issue was a bold one ; but still it waa an experiment only : plausible at this peaceful period , but not likely , he feared , to atand well in stormy days . Meanwhile he thanked the Government for the improvements proposed in tbe Irw of joint-stock partnership . Mr . Montagu Gore thought this plan would provide a sufficient curxeney , and guard againBt an
one . Mr . GiSBORNE was alarmed by the awful unanimity which was manifested on tbe subject He waa for free trade in banking as in other commercial matters ; and doubted the _aoundnesa of the doctrine which would regulate the circulation by the foreign _exchancea . Mr . Newdegate , Mr . F . Baring , Mr . _Piumptre , Mr , Muntz , Mr . Charles Buller , Lord Worsley , and Mr . Darby followed . The resolutions were then agreed to and the House resumed . Sir James Graham postponed the committal of the Poor Law Amendment Bill , until Monday , the 10 th of June . Mr . Gladstone proposed to _paBS the Customs' Duties Bill tbTou & h another stage , bnt
Mr . T . Dun combe objected . He had many objections to the details of the measure , and could not think of allowing it to go through a stage at that hour of the night Mr . Gladstone promised that all Mr . Duncombe _' s objections should be fairly considered on the third reading . Mr . DUNCOMBE— "Of Sir , we have had enough ot postponements of discussion until measures get to the third reading— - ( cries of ' hear , bear- ) . Marvellous changes of opinion take place whilst bills are getting to that stage , and for my part I must decline being satisfied with _pTonrises of fair discussion at a time to be hereafter fixed . " Mr . Gladstone postponed the measure . Sir J . Graham postponed the second reading ot the Registration of Electors ( Ireland ) Bill , until Monday , June 10 th . —( An ironical _*» Hear , hear , " from the Opposition benches ) . The House adjourned at half-past one o ' clock .
Tuesday , May 21 . Mr . O . Puncombe presented 102 petitions against the proceedings ofthe Anti-Corn Law League . A large number of petitions were presented , for and against the Dissenter's Chapels BUI . Mr . T . Buncombe presented a _petition frc-m York against the County 1 Courts Bill j also u _petition from Aberdeen , complaining of the present state of tailoring there . _> Mr . T , Duncombe begged to _ftsfe the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the _re- _^ rt of the Commission appointed to inquire into the Cnatom-hottae frauds would be ready to be de _^ d to Hon . Members . He peceived by the Tim _^ tnat that journal was in _posaesaionof therepo _^ _^ it commented upon it not In terma very coiy _^ _jjmgntary to the _Custom-house , but quite as comp >' . mentary aa the Custom-house deserved . The cha _^ , ce li < or of the Exchequer ; said be bad _noknow ' . ' edge of how that paper got possession of the
House Of Commons—Friday, May 17. Mr. M. ...
report . He waa aware that ili was in trpe _« and aa S 00 D aa ready for delivery it _jwoult l be laid on the table . Mr . BoBTHWicK rose : to 01 'in ? forward hia motion for a Committee of Inquiry in , _*» the operation of the Anatomy Act , and into the alle \ _nations contained in the petition of Mr . Roberta , _preae . ited on the 25 th ol March last He should jjpare the time of the House and the sensibilities of the _Right Horn 'arable _tlw Secretary of State , by abstaining from having the petition read at tbe table , and he should only _recru ' to such portions of those allegations aa he considered tbe House were called en by public principle to nota ce . The _question waa _whtther the Bill which the Hon Gentleman had
brought before the House , and which waB now the law of tbe land , had _sffectedithose great _ofy ' ecta at which ft aimed , er whether it was required , aa the numerous petitiona laid on the table of the Houae 1 bowed , to be remodelled , for the purpose of really carry lr > g out those objects ? He was of opinion that the 1 WI teqaited careful remodelling . Its ] principle was to ; oreyent the " traffic in dead bodies ; but there waa nothii "g > n it to prevent the traffic in parte of dead bodies , ai *» d according to the statements in , tbe petitions , there were _numeroua _inatancea in which that traffic was still t » Uowed . The Hon . Member was proceeding with hia a _ddreas , when another Hon . Member moved that the Ho use be counted , and there being Only thirty-one Membet 3 present , tbe House adjourned .
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Incendiarism In Suffolk And Essex—Burit ...
Incendiarism in Suffolk and _Essex—Burit St . Edmunds , May 18 . _4 The continual recurrence of agrarian outrage in this eounty is an evil so imminent and so destructive aa to demand the most prompt and efficient preventive measures on the part of the Government The farmers are paralysed : they appeal to tbe magistrates for protection ; but the _magistrates have no power to assist them . Even tbe insurance offices begin to be alarmed : many of the directors decline to effect polices for the insurance of farm buildings and stock unless on the payment of what are termed " hazardous " premiums . At a Special Conrt of the Directors of tbe Suffolk Fire Office a resolution was recently adopted , and subsequently laid before the magistrates of the _Stowniarket bench , referable to the subject It was in these terms : — " That it ia tbe opinion of thia meeting that the police force is of essential aervica in the protection of the public against loss by incendiary fires , as well by the increased facility given by sucb force to the detection of incendiaries . " If the officers of the Loudon
Detective Police Brigade , who have been located in various parts of tbe country for some months , have acted on the instructions they received from the Home Office , tbe Secretary of State must be fully aware that the mete presence of police , however numerous or efficient , cannot afford an adequate check to the commission of incendi _iry crime , perpetrated as it is by a mysterious agency , even in open day , which _bbfflas all ordinary vigilance . In former times the incendiary accomplished hia guilty purpose by common means ; by the tobacco-pipe , or a flint and ateel . These vulgar
implements of revenge have latterly been rejected , and the more certain and scientific agency of chemical preparations is now commonly employed to tbe same end . The corn rick or tbe barn rick bursts Into flame , as from spontaneous combuBtion , under tbe eye of the owner , surrounded by hia farm-servants , who are too _frequently suspected , whilst the miscreant author of the crime may be many milea away , plotting tbe commission of a similar outrage in a _distant part of the country . How ia thia evil to be met is now the question asked by many rt fleeting men .
The following particulars of recent Area are derived from the official returns made to the various local authorities ;—Between twelve and one o ' olock on Friday , tha 10 th inst , flames were seen issuing from a straw stack on the premises of Mr . J . Baldry _, al Ltdgate . The alarm was given by one of the female domestics , who called her master from an adjoining field , where he was superintending bis labourers . The aid of a powerful engine from Dalbam-hall was promptly obtained , and the fire waa subdued without serieua loss of property . The circumstances were _Buch as to admit of no doubt that the fire waa occasioned by means of some chemical combustible having been deposited in the straw on the previous night , as it was impossible that any person could bave entered tbe stack-yard in open day , without being aeen from the house . A man named Pulmon was arrested on suspicion , and has been fully committed .
Another fire brok out on Monday morning in a farmyard , tbe property of Mr . T . Brackenbury , of Shouldbam Thorpe , and waa attended by most disastrous results . There were several men thrashing wheat in the barn when the dry straw burst into _fiimes and spread with irresistible fury in every . direction . The live stock was saved , but tbe barn , which contained 70 quarters of wheat , a large quantity of straw , various farming implements , the out-buildings , and three cottages were wholly consumed . ] The property destroyed
ia estimated at £ 500 . The owner ia , however , fully insured . A searching investigation has taken place , but nothing has been elicited to account for tbe origin of tbe fire . Tbe men in the barn were working a threshing machine , and tbey suggest that the _flimes may have been produced by friction , which ia not improbable ; but the known aversion of agricultural labourers to the use of machinery in husbandry operations serves to raise the presumption of design . This is the second fire that has taken place within a week under similar circumstances .
A third fire , equally destructive , took place about two o ' clock en Tuesday morning , on the premises of a widow lady named Jonas , of Great Thurlow . The family narrowly escaped with life , owing to the barking of the yard dog , which aroused young Mr . Jonas , who perceived tbat a quantity of loose strew near the granary was on fire . A number of labourera speedily collected and worked with alacrity , though to little purpose . The flames having caught tbe granary , soon spread to tbe ban'a , stables , cart-sheds , and other outbuildings , which , from the combustible nature of tbe material , burned with terrific fury until the whole was
consumed , including two clover { stacks , forty coomba of threshed wheat , sixty loads of straw , a large quantity of barley , and the farm bouse , from which the inmates bad barely time to escape . The Haverhill engine was brought to tbe spot , but too late to make any impression on the flimes , which had then spread over the entire homestead . The furniture , plate , and a large stock of wine were saved . Mrs .: Jonas is Insured . The police on tbe following day apprehended a man named Barrett , who was known to have frequently threatened the late Mr . Jonas to burn his premises . The prisoner was committed .
Another widow lady , named Clayden _, who occupies a large farm at _Whithersfleld , baa been made the victim of a similar act of atrocity . The fire in this case was discovered about eight o'clock on Tuesday evening , just after the labourers bad left off ) work . The barn and granaries , containing a large quantity of thrashed corn , together with sixty coombs of wheat in the straw , and forty coom _B 8 of beans , beside the farming implements , were all destroyed . By the exertions of the neighbours and farm servants the farmhouse waa saved . The flames , which were vi 8 ib ! e many milea round , attracted a vast concourse of labourera , who generally exerted themselves to save the property , aa the owner ia known to pay liberal wages .
Three other fires—one atSnarehill , near Thetford _, on the premises of Mr . J . C . Partridge , a county magistrate , which destroyed a rye stack ; another on the premises of Mr . Day , of Garboldisham , which destroyed a haum stack ; and the third at Mr . Emerson's farm , near Bradfleld ( tbe second on the same premises within a year ) , which waa fortunately got j under without _aerious damnge—complete the catalogue , so far as has been ascertained , of the outrages of the week in thia county . Several arrests have taken place of partlea who are 8 _uspected of having been concerned in these and previous incendiary Area ; but , aa the evidence ia almost invariably circumatantial , and the delinquents generally keep their own counsel , there Ib little chance that convictiona will be obtained .
Braintree . —ThiB town was the scene of another coDfiigration on Thursday night last Between ten and and eleven o ' clock , the alarm of fire was given through the streets , when It waa discovered that the premises at a farmcilled " Chenery _' a" were on fire at various parts . It being but a very Bhort distance from the town , thousands of persona soon congregated at the apot , and rendered eveiy assistance in their power , but were unable to arrest the progress of the flames , although there were three engines at full play- The flames first burst out from one of ihe barns , and almost immediately after Beveral other parts ofthe premises were on fire , although at a considerable distance , and unconnected with the bam in which the flie originated , so that there is no doubt that the combustible matter had been
introduced at different parts , and about the same time . The two barns , the stables , a long range of sheds , _coaebhousea , piggeries , poultry-house , granary , and two . large stacks of hay , were entirely consumed . The life atock were all saved . The premises destroyed covered threequarters of an acre of ground , j The farm ia in the occupation of the Bev . Alexander Fletcher , minister of _Finsbury chapel , and the Rev . Gentleman ' a travelling carriage was completely burnt , although the greatest _efforta were made to save lt There was a range of cot tagea adjoining the premises , which were saved , except one next to the fire , which was entirely pulled down to eat off the communication of the flames with the others , another was completely gutted , and the poor cottagers furniture demolished . The damage ia estimated at
£ 1 , 400 . There ia no doubt tbat jit wan the act of an incendiary , or incendiaries . j About _Beven o ' clock the same _evening that the above fire took place * a large bean stack j was mallcioualy set on fire upon the premises of Mr . ] Jeffery , Gardner , of Tollesbury , about a mile and a _Ibalffrom _ToUeshunt _D'Aicy , where an incendiary Are occurred upon the farming premises of Mri Seabrodki a few evenings previously . This was one of the _rapsV dairag instances that has occurred , aa Mr . _Gardner ' slchHdwn were playing at marbles In the road , within a few yards of the stock-yard , when they discovered ] that the stacX -was on fire . They instant ly ran into ithe house , and Informed their father , who immediately went in _pnwult Of the vUlain , thinking it impossible hecould have been but of sight , from the circumstance of the diabolical act _bti'ttso recently committed , as the fire had only , extended abont two feet 5 but he wan _unBUcessful . On his return , he despatched a messenger to Maldon for afire _, engine , but long before Us _Wriyal . _j tbe stack was burn . *
Incendiarism In Suffolk And Essex—Burit ...
to' the ground . There was a large wheat-stack within a few yards of tbe bean-stack , which was fortunately preserved by wetted blankets being placed upon it , which , as there was but little wind at the time , had the desired effect
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 25, 1844, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/nss_25051844/page/7/
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