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Northern Star (1837-1852), 26th May 1849, Edition 1 of 3, Page 8

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      ¦ ¦¦ Monday, May 21: . "" - Iiouse. Of L...

      from a high authority , he would not compromise the constitutional demand for Triennial Parlia _mei't ; . The right hon . gentleman concluded by _movinsr for leave to bring in a bill . lord !) . Stdabt said , he had great pleasure in seconding the motion of his right hon . friend . He coi _>* 5 . kr _? d the subject as one of the most important that could be discussed in that House . There were few subjects which had been more frequently discussed , or upon which more able arguments had been addressed to the House ; but it had never been discussed precisely under the same circumstances as at present , and therefore he hoped that , although it had not been carried formerly , it would now find favour with the House , and if the House should pass ithe was sure it would find favour with the

      people at large . ( Hear . ) He did not know what mbfhr . l _~ the state of opinion upon this subject in the saloon * and ball-rooms of this metropolis but he believed that on railroads , omnibuses , and _steamboat and in other public p laces , tbe opinions would be found urcttv unanimous m its favour . After _rfaVcin- ut _the _' _Hstoricalfactsof the ease , the noble fordr _^ ded to observe that , though the term of seven vears had been enacted to meet an _emersencv ' which had long since passed away , the people lad never ceased to require short Parliaments . The _n-.-iH-sition before the House was not , like the ballot , " open to the assertion that it was un-English , for It was known to our laws . If the noble lord at the head of the government only reflected on what had p . _-i _« ed for the last year and a half upon the

      continent _, he would see of what importance it was ibat the _le-iislaiiire should be the fair representative of the people . One trembled to think what might happen if they were not so . In a moment Louis Philippe lost ' his throne because the legislature of _rftanee was but a mockery , a delusion , and a snare . _^ Although the expenses of elections had increased so much under the Septennial Act as to have ruined noble families , he did not advocate the repeal of that _sintute so much on the grounds of economy , as that ii would be impossible to obtain a fair , full , and efficient representation of the people without it . Hon . gentlemen often forgot the promises they made on the _huntings , but short parliaments would make them less likely to neglect or violate their duties ;

      undoubtedly corruption did not exist to such an extent as formerly , but no one could be ignorant of the iniiiv .-nse power possessed over members by the _increasing patronage of the government . Some persons urged that short parliaments would interfere with the prerogatives of the crown , but it appeared io liim that the theory of the exercise of the prerogative was not that the crown should have the means of intimidating parliament when it pleased by the threat of a new election , but that when the crown doubted if parliament represented the people , It might ascertain the fact by a dissolution . He "was equally satisfied that short parliaments would not interfere with the influence of the House of Lords—an institution to which he looked with no

      degree of hostility , and which often , he believed , had exercised a salutary power on our progress . "Withrfcsprettothe motion before the nouse , all ikos" who -bought the present duration of parliament too great should vote for it , whether they believed Qiunquennml or Annual Parliaments the best , lie did not know what course government would take with respect to It ; indeed the noble lord had altered his opinions so much on this question , that he mig ht be fairly said to have " boxed the compass " upon it . ( Hear . ) Pirst he was in favour of Triennial Parliaments ; when the Reform Bill _Tfas introduced he expressed himself in such a way as to hold out an invitation to any independent -member to propose such a measure ; then in 1833 the noble lord opposed the motion of his ri ght hon .

      friend in the most violent terms ; in _1-S 34 he gave a _siici : ' . vote against the proposition ; in 1 S 37 he said he thought the country did not require it j and last y _^ -ir , when it was made by the hon . member for _lUv-itrose , he declared that , sooner than have _Trieiuiial he would have Annual Parliaments . [ Lord J . Bcssell : But I said I was against both . ] Tes , but _tlw noble lord ' s declaration , though he had no doubt it was made in debate , and that the noble lord would vote for the longer period , had had a great effect on the country . He appealed , in conclusion , to evory Befonnei _' * in the House to vote for the repeal of the _Sepienuial Act , which had been demanded by the people for upwards of 100 years , and which had been always understood to form a part of every scheme oi reform which had been advocated by

      Ckaih & ai , Pitt , Fox , Romilly , and _^ Mackintosh ; and which , while it interfered with no other measure of reform , more than any other secured the House , and _xei . ded io promote the happiuess of the nation by _brl ' _iuh'g the legislature into harmonious co-operation with the people . ( Hear , hear . ) lord J . Russell considered that the effect of the motion -vas to shorten the duration of parliaments to three years . In deal ' ng with the historical part of the subject , he observed that the grievance against wiie _" i our ancestors were anxious to pro-Tide was tlie suspension of parliaments , and tlie Triennial Act contained a clause requiring that a parliament should be called within three years . Twenty-one _ye- _'urs after the passing of that act , those who ban been most instrumental in _framinsr it

      complained of its evil effects , which were enumerated in the preain'Je of the Septennial Act , namely , the enormous and continual expense to which it subjected the elected , and the violent and lasting animosities which It engendered amongst the electors . The question , therefore , was not merely one of abstract reasoning and theory , but had been tested by the experience of our ancestors , who had , after a trial , _( h-jnaiided a change of the law . There were other considerations of very great weight . If parliaments w _^ re triennial , it would be found that much time would be lost through the inexperience of new members , and in the third year there would be an _'indispositi-. in on the pari of the House to decide upou great questions , which might exert an effect upon a general election ; so that two out of the three years would be disturbed by these causes . He admitted that the advantages attending the present law would be dearly bought if the opinions of the constituency and of the public did not influence the conduct of the members of that House :

      but his opinion was , that since the Reform Act general attention had been paid to tbe wishes and _opinions of the constituency and the public on the part ufihe representatives , upon whose conduct and votes they " had as much influence as they ought to have ; f « r if the influence were earned to a greater extent , iuioo many instances members would sacrifice their honest convictions , and defer to the transient passions of their constituents . He disputed ihe position that the influence of the Crown _woui-i he less felt in short parliaments than in Jong ones : and upon the whole he had come to the conclusion that there was no reason why the present law for _liie duration of parliaments should be disturbed . Whether , if the question were open , it would be wise to settle six years ( the practical

      period ) a » the precise term for the duration of parliaments ii . was unnecessary to inquire ; he had at Die thud thought that five years would he better than seven , as a general question ; but he did not think there was any sufficient reason for making a chaujfi- that would after all merely diminish the term by one year . From 1826 to ISil , the average duratKHi of the Parliaments had been less than three years . ( Hear , hear . ) The noble lord concluded in the following genuine Tory style : — Jly _rlirh * hon . friend remarks that we have a different d «! _- ; _uion of parliament from other countries , and _tiwt 7 looking into other constitutions in Europe , we _caiaioi find any one which provides for a durationef _-i-ven years in the case of a representative assembly , and that five and four years are the more frequci !; limits prescribed for the duration of

      popular _as _^ _-eiiuslies . _IVIth great deference to my right hon . { _rk-Si'l , 1 am not disposed to quarrel with those new _connkutions of other countries . We have seen monarchy in France overthrown . "We have seen the advisers of the Crown in that country exposed to viok-nt- popular disapprobation , and the throne itself perish beneath the ruins of that general _con-Tulsion . llut we have seen , likewise , that the form of gov * . _= - : ment which has succeeded has not established _ir-vfilf in popular opinion , and that those who , with ihe _rtiost _^ brilliant talents and the most unqne ? t !«) n ; sli ! e integrity , have declared themselves _-fkvourcrs of the form of government thus established , have fallen themselves within these few days tinder the displeasure of the same popular opinion _which overturned the monarchy- When in other

      ¦ countries we see all government disturbed and _brok-jn—constitutions voted which are never put in force—constitutions which have long existed overthrowa _, and east in the dust—men seeking for some form of jfwvernment to which they can attach them--selres—ror some leader who is worthy to guide them t-1 find no fault with those who , exposed to such storms , are seeking for better forms of political go--vernEieiit : the imperfect forms under which they have long lived may have rendered necessary such straffs !© —may have awakened doubts—may have made sueli lamentable contests inevitable ; but I rejoice t _' _u-. t we ourselves have long ago passed _through _s-iwh contests ; and I for one am not prepared to imitate any part of those constitutions which I see so little trusted—which are still so uncertain—which are still so little likelv to endure .

      Par from vne be the sentiment that it is agreeable to stand on the shore , and see others labouring in tho depths , to behold the storm without having any part In the danger ; but , on the other side , when i see that .-mrm rising , when 1 see other barks labouring under the effects of the wind and waves , I _^ m n ot prepared to launch my vessel into the same oeeaiitphe exposed to the same perils . My ri ght hon . friend must , therefore , excuse me if I am disposed ai _ihistime , whatever I might be at another , -rather to cling to the security and to the _advantages _TTO have , than be caught by the prospect he holds out tome , when he tells me that other nations have no laws similar to thoje which he wishes us to change . I _conclude , as I concluded on a former cc-_ casi _«; : _i . by opposing my ri ght hon . friend ' s motion . . 1 _dm ' t think the duration of parliament , as at _present fixed , too long . I think that public opinion has a very gi cat and a sufficient influence on members

      ¦ ¦¦ Monday, May 21: . "" - Iiouse. Of L...

      of this House , and that if you made elections so _exceedingly frequent as my rig ht hon . friend proposes , you would lose much on the ground of _puulnr security-much-on the ground of habits of businessmuch on the ground of stability of _*»»»*^ _ J " deliberation on measures ; _anJ you would not gam , in respect of public _« berty , _anythn-f to countervail the disadvantages I have stated . ( Loud Ch i 3 Ciuwfobd said , that in discussing this question it was right to know what the constitution LS—whether that House was to represent the

      peo-, ple If that was the constitution , then this House ou « dit to he under the control of the people . But the people complained that this House did not fairly represent their wishes and feelings , and one of the causes why it did not was owing to the duration of _j iarliament . He did not deny that evils might arise and did arise from all forms of government , but the question they had to determine was , whether the public good would be best promoted by keeping the House of Commons under the control ot the people . He maintained that it could not be under their ,

      control as long as parliaments continued for seven years . It had been observed that thi 9 measure had not excited any popular feeling out of doors . The reason of that was , that this was but one of a series of measures which the people believed to be necessary for the amelioration of their " condition . The principal of these measures was the extension of the suffrage , which they looked upon asthe prime means of p lacing the House in the position of their real representatives . ( Hear . ) It was said that the frequenev of-elections would increase tbe expenses . What those expenses were he could not tell , unless they were expenses for the purposes of corruption ; and that was one of the reasons why he maintained that _parliaments _ousht to be more frequent , for

      persons would be less likely to spend much money in corrupt practices when they knew they would be elected for only a short perioi * . Again , it was said that the _representatives of that House should not be under the control of the people . If that was so , then they ought to have recourse to that which was the practice formerly in Ireland—namely , elect the representatives for life . But that would be the very reverse of the constitution . He did not think that frequent elections would g ive rise to frequent changes in the persons elected . On the contrary , he believed that those who did their duty would

      have abetter chance of being re-elected than under the present system , and that greater harmony and good feeling would exist between the representatives and the represented . ( Hear , hear . ) But he did not think it would be worth while to promote a change , for the purpose of establishing a five years ' duration of parliament . Indeed , he hardly thought it worth while to promote a change for Triennial Parliaments ; but at the same time , as Triennial Parliaments was the principle of the old constitution , he was . willing to take that step . ( Hear , hear . ) The House then divided . The numbers were , — For the motion 46

      Against it ... 41 Majority —5 The announcement of the numbers was followed b y loud cheers . Tub Working Classes . —Mr . Slaney then moved the appointment of a standing committee , or unpaid commission , to consider and report from time to time on practical measures ( unconnected with political changes ) likely to improve the condition ef the working classes , to encourage their industry , and increase their contentment . He had not to apprehend opposition or contradiction from the House at that moment . What he had rather to dread was , that hon . members would quietly and silently steal

      forth from tbat House , and leave him with so small an audience that he should be counted out . If such were to be his fate , he trusted a good cause would procure for him a hearing on some future occasion . But , if he were permitted to proceed , he should observe that the improvement in the condition of the working classes had not kept pace with the improvement in the condition of the more opulent classes . With respect to the peasantry , the parliamentary committees of 1 S 17 and of 1819 reported tbat abuses prevailed in many of the southern counties . And the same result was shown from

      the proceedings of the committee of 1824 on labourers' wages , over which the noble lord at tho head of the government presided . He then referred to the reports of a parliamentary committee of 1830 and a commission of 1833 for additional evidence of the unsatisfactory and neglected condition of _theagricultural labourers , which he said led them to commit acts of outrage in the southern counties . Then was passed the stringent law of 1835 , which had slowly effected some improvement in the agricultural districts . The evils which that law was intended to remove had been admitted to exist for twenty years before the remedy was applied . That could not have happened if there had existed some fovernment department whose duty it would have een to watch over the condition of the working classes and endeavour io improve it . What now

      was tbe condition of an agricultural labourer ? When he attained the age of seventy all he could hope for was to be able to eke out a miserable existence by means of parochial aid . The hon . member then proceeded to the case of the population of large towns , of those engaged in manufactures , mines , and railway construction , and read extracts from a report of a parliamentary committee of 1840 , of the Poor Law Commissions of 1843 , of a commission issued under the government of Sir It . Peel in 1843 , of the Mining Commission of 1843 , of the Handloom Weavers Commission of 1841 , of the Committee on Eailway Labourers in 1846 , and of the Sanitary Commission of 1842 , to show that , as regarded the sanitary , moral and reli g ious condition of those classes , " improvement was imperatively demanded .

      At this time notice was taken that forty members were not present , and the House thereupon was adjourned , at a quarter past eight o clock .

      ( From our Second Edition of last week . ) THURSDAY , Mat 17 . IIOUSE OP COMMONS . —Tub Landed _Impbovemexi and Drainage ( Ibelaxd ) Bill was read a third time and passed . Pooh Relief ( Ireland ) Bill . —On the question of the second reading of the said bill , Mr . Gkooan suggested various amendments which he considered necessary , with a view to the better carrying out of the relief of the poor . Mi * . P . Scrope drew a melancholy picture of the state of distress and starvation going on in Ireland , contending that , although the government said they were doing all they could for the alleviation of these evils , in his opinion they had not done sufficient .

      He would suggest that in administering relief , a greater responsibility should exist somewhere than was the case at present ; that some public officer should be appointed , whose duty it should be to give compulsory orders for relief in cases of urgent necessity , for it was not a sufficient security that the _velievin" officer might he subject to dismissal , if a pauper died through his negligence . Mr . Osborne desired to know why the bill was brought forward at a time when there was a committee sitting up stairs on the subject of the Irish Poor Laws . If the passing of the measure was

      necessary before their report was received , why was not the bill brought in at the commencement of the session ? At the same time it was not his intention to oppose the second reading , because he felt that it was impossible with the present system of poor laws to struggle with the condition of Ireland . As to able-bodied poor , they did not exist . There were no able-bodied men in Ireland except such as were emp loyed by some f ew proprietors on their own estates . It was merely deluding the people to suppose they could ho supported under the existing law , or by such a peddling chango as that now under consideration .

      Lord Claude Hamilton called upon the _government , to introduce a bill on the subject or settlement _, j Mr . Callaghan said by the existing law occup iers of crown property were exempt from the payment of rates , and suggested that they should be called upon to contribute their fair proportion towards the relief of distress . Col . Dunne did not believe that the committee would make any report . Mr . Bright had the committee completely under his influence , and he knew many witnesses had been examined on subjects totally irrelevant to ihe Irish poor law .

      Mr . H . Hbrbert charged the government with having changed the character of the Irish people from habits of honest self-dependenco into that of hopeless beggary , no resource being left but that of the Imperial Exchequer . Sir W . SoMERriiiJB defended the course taken by the government in introducing the bill , which was the result of a portion of tho evidence taken by the committee and alread y submitted to the House * . Mr . V . _Smiih was desirous ofknowing , from what source , ' when the maximum rate was exhausted , the further amount for the relief of the poor wa 3 to be raised , whether from the land or the consolidation fund .

      Lord J . Russell defended the principle of a maximum rate , and with regard to a rate-in-aid , as a general principle , thought it ought not to be continued beyond a limited period . Respecting the consolidated fund , he did not think it would be any ground for calling upon that fund to say that the 7 s . rate had been found insufficient , for it would be much better to leave those who were still to be relieved to such sources as they had before the poor law was introduced . The noble lord concluded his observations of a general character by sta . ing that he should reserve any remarks on the details until the bill went into committee . ..

      Mr . _Horsman contended , in a powerful speech , tbat Ireland possessed great resources , land and labour , within hcrsejf , and enormous accumulations of capital close at hand , which , was looking for investment , and asked whether * it was to be said that the present opportunity which providence had given was to be lost because in a British parliament there was not energy , or skill , or capacity enough to turn

      ¦ ¦¦ Monday, May 21: . "" - Iiouse. Of L...

      j them to the best advantage . Could they sit quietly town with a conclusion so discreditable to their in-[ telligence , to their patriotism , and to their common sense ? The treatment of Ireland was tho foulest that ever disgraced a Christian conntry , but he trusted the time had now arrived when parliament would do something to remedy the wrongs of a virtuous , a generous , but a much oppressed peop le . After a few observations from Mr . 'Napier , Mr . Clements , Mr . M . O'Connell , Sir II . Barkon , Mr . Moxsell , Mr . S . Crawford , Sir D . Norreys , and Mr . Stafford , tho bill was read a second time . The Police of Towns ( Scotland ) Bill was read a second , and the Accounts of Turnpike Trusts ( Scotland ) Bill a third time , and passed ., Sale of Bread . —Mr . Bankes postponed his motion for a committee on the subject of the sale of bread until after Whitsuntide .

      Mr . Smith . O'Brien . —Lord Joun Russell stated that he should propose on Friday that the " record in the case o the conviction of Mr . W . S . O'Brien be read , that then he should move two resolutions , and that a , new writ be issued for the election of a member for the county of Limerick in the place ofMr . W . S . O'Brien The House then adjourned .

      ( From our Third Edition of last week . ) FRIDAY , Mat 18 . HOUSE OF LOllDS _.-fiAYWATioN LAws .-Lord Stanley gave notice that he should move such alterations in tho bill for abolishing the Navigation Laws now before the House as would change the whole character and principle of the bill . Italian Affairs . —The Marquis of Lansdowne entered into an explanation of his answer to Lord Beaumont on Monday evening last , with respect to the invasion of the dominions of the Pope . Lord Aberdeen- followed in a vituperative speech condemnatory of the government with respect to Austria , after which the matter dropped . Iuisu Rate ix Aid Bill . —The Marquis of

      Lansdowne then moved the third reading of the Bui . The Earl of Glenoall , in a speech of considerable length , warmly opposed the bill , and after repeating several of the objections which have been so . often urged against the measure , concluded by moving that the bill be read a third time that day six months . Lord Cremobne had no hesitation in supporting the bill , and Lord Desart declared his intention of voting for Lord Glengall ' s amendment . The Earl of Mountoasuell had voted against the bill on a former occasion , and felt bound to continue his opposition in its present stage . The Earl of Wicelow and Lord De Bos also spoke against the measure .

      After some observations from the Earl of Carlisle in defence of the ministerial policy in introducing this ineasure _# Earl _Fitzwiuum expressed his decided disapprobation of the bill . Their lordships then divided , when the numbers were— For the third reading 37 Against it ... ... 29 Majority ... ... —8 . HOUSE OP COMMONS . —Mr . W . Smith O'Brien . —Lord J . Russell then moved that the record in the case of W . Smith O'Brien be entered and read . The record was accordingly entered and re id . Lord J . Russell then observed that , by the record iust read , it appeared that William Smith

      O'Brien , a member ef that House , had been convicted of high treason . " The course , therefore , which he was about to take was without precedent , In 1715 John Foster , a member of the House , had been taken in arms against the Sovereigu , and expelled the House . The same with Mr . Carnegie , who in 1716 had also been proved to have been in arms against the government . But the present case was different from these , in this , that , instead of at once proceeding to expulsion , the House had waited for the conclusion of the proceedings against the party accused . The House was now apprised , by the record , of the conviction of W . Smith O'Brien of high treason . By the law of Parliament , no person convicted of treason or felony could be a member of the House . By his conviction , W .

      Smith O'Brien was , in contemplation of law , civilly dead . He believed , therefore , that if he now moved for his expulsion , he would bo establishing an improper precedent in a case differing from those in which the House had formerly resorted to such a course . To this conclusion he had come , after consultation with others , amongst whom was the Speaker of the House . What he proposed to do , therefore , was , first to move a resolution to the effect _> that it appeared from the record entered that W . Smith O'Brien had been convicted ot hi gh treason . Should that resolution he agreed to , he would then move the issue of a new writ for the county of Limerick . Sir F . Thbsioer suggestd that the word attainted

      should be substituted for convicted , inasmuch as civil death did not necessarily follow from conviction , but from the judgment or attaint . The Attorney-General thought it more advisable topursuea middle course , inasmuch as judgment did not necessarily follow conviction . He , therefore , suggested that the word adjudged should be substituted for conviction . The House then agreed nem . con , to the resolution , that it appeared that Wm . Smith 0 ' Brien had been adjudged guilty of high treason . Lord John Russell then moved that a new writ be issued for the county of Limerick . Mr . F . O ' Connor said , that it had been his

      intention to move an amendment , to the effect that an address be presented by the House to her Majesty , praying her to extend her pardon to Wm . S . O'Brien . He understood , however , that the relations of that gentleman wished the matter to be left exclusively in the hands of the government , and he would not carry out his intention . The House then resolved itself into committee on the Parliamentary Oaths Bill , when Mr . J . 0 ' Conhell , who had complained in an early part of the evening of a report in the Times , " noticed" that "strangers" were in the House . The Chairman immediately ordered the strangers to withdraw , and . with them , of course , went the reporters .

      In about threo hours the gallery was re-opened , when the House was still in committee upon the Parliamentary Oaths Hill . Some discussion took place upon the motion of Mr . M'Cullagii , to omit the sixth clause , which provides that the act should not extend to Roman Catholics , nor affect the Roman Catholic Relief Act . The motion was negatived by 103 against 54 . The Defects in Leases Bill passed through- committee ; and the other orders on the paper having been disposed of , the House adjourned , at a quarter to ten o clock , until Monday .

      Tiie Victims On Whit-Monday. To The Edit...

      TIIE VICTIMS ON WHIT-MONDAY . to the editor of the northern star . Dear Sir , —It gave me pleasure to observe in the Star , of Saturday week , another appeal to the Democrats of this country from an Old Chartist of Nottingham on behalf of the victims and their families , in which he states that one halfpenny per week from the Chartists of that county would be more _tlmn is subscribed throughout the country . As the Whitsuntide holidays are approaching , I hope an effort will be made by all good men and true to cheer the captives in their dungeons , by not only sympathising with them in their imprisonment , but by a firm resolve henceforth to do what each one

      lias the power to do , always bearing in mind that the widow ' s mite is as acceptable as others from their abundance . Let every Chartist make a calculation what he can do b y so small a sum as one halfpenny . I will take the true and decided Chartists , those who are fully convinced in their minds that the objects sought for in the People ' s Charter are for the benefit of the whole people , at 100 , 000 , and surely it is a small number , when we know that millions have signed a petition for that object ; one hundred thousand persons subscribing one halfpenny per week each , would amount to £ 208 6 s . 8 d ., and at the end of the year would amount to £ 10 , 833 , which sum , applied to the purchase of tracts and lectures / would disseminate our principles in the minds of thousands who have not begun to think for themselves . My present purpose in addressing you , sir , is that you may endeavour once more to impress on the minds of the veritable

      Chartists that it is their duty to make an effort to obtain a sum for the relief ofthose who aro suffering for their cause , and I can see no fitter time than on Whit-Monday . The plan I would propose is that one or more if the place required it , should take upon himself to collect one penny each from all who are friends to the cause , and let the whole lie forwarded to the office of the Star immediately . And now , brother Democrats , let the enemies of mankind see you are united to support the oppressed , and firmly resolved to emancipate yourselves from the thraldom in which you are held . Show them that you still are true to the cause of justice and humanity by subscribing throughout every city , town , and village , through the length and breadth of the land . Don't forget it on Whit-Monday , and you will then cheer the hearts of the oppressed , and make the oppressors tremble . A Chartist of Twelve Years Abiding . Barnstaple .

      Pulhtpensonality.-~A Curious Incident Re...

      PuLHTPEnsoNALiTY .- ~ A curious incident recently occurred at the Old Church , Calcutta , during Divine Service . The night was a wet one , and there was but a scanty congregation . Among those assembled , however , was a jolly , tar , who no doubt either thought a church a very justifiable retreat from the rain , or intentionall y went there to be benefitted . While the Rev . Henry Thomas was preaching and expatiating on the duties of good soldiers , Jack listened attentively till the rev . gentleman had ended when , starting up , aHd holding forth his hand in a * deprecating attitude , no doubt to arrest attention he exclaimed « And what do you say for the saiE -dotheynotdo their duty ? " The blood rushed up the preacher ' s face , tlie clerk nearly swooned with horror the whole orchestra were invisible ag . a ion , and it was feared the organist won _.

      no auo to play the voluntary after service-the congregation _stared-but Jack cared not for the whole & _rfKfcSS f lmt and _^^ d out whh an an of indignant defiance . _-Ca ' c ««« Englishman . _Jffwn _^ f _, bo _^ ace on the Tyne . One _hnm _^ ; _of , _? r erlt of th * _e Times remarks how ihe _tw i _^ _*" ubhc 8 neak int 0 Westminster Abbey as broker _s instead of a Poot > coraer ,

      Haslingdbn-.—On Sunday Last Mrs. Theobab...

      _Haslingdbn-. —On Sunday last Mrs . _Theobab * 0 f Derby , delivered a _lecture on the Ri ghts of Jfrtn and the People ' s Charter , in the Chartist room which gave unbounded satisfaction to an _overflowing _usssiudIv _JSotrnQUhU , —At a meeting of delegates held at the Seven Stars , it was unanimousl y resolved - _^ " That this meeting will redouble their exertions for the overthrow of despotism , and are determined to agitate for each and all of the princi ples contained in the document called ' The People ' * Charter , ' and further to support the Governmen t-made victims to tie uttermost of our _pow-er , and call upon the localities to declare their intentions whether they will act with the Democratic body _o-enerally or not . " " That we meet every Sundav , at three o ' clock , at the Seven Stars , Barker-gate , where all the localities are requested to send delegates . "

      . , ,, Sheffield . —The Chartists held a meeting on Sunday last , in the Democratic Temperance Hotel , 33 , Queen-street ; Mr . John Taylor in the chair ; when , in consequence of the progress of Democracy Oil the Continent , and deeming the present . a proper time for renewing the agitation for the __ Charter , it was resolved , "To hold a series of meetings for that purpose , due notice of which will be given . " Birmingham . —On Monday week a public meeting was lield in the Public Office for the purpose of pe . titioning the Legislature for a full representation of tho people , as embodied in _$ h e People ' s Charter ; Mr . Goodwin in the chair . Resolutions and tho

      petition were moved , seconded and supported by Messsrs . Dalzell , Ward , Connor , Blaxland , Iliggins , Brewster , Rev . A . G . _O'Neil , and Councillor Baldwin . The petition was signed by the Chairman , and forwarded to G . F . Muntz , Esq ., M . P ., fcr presentation to the House of Commons . Birmingham , —A public meeting was held on Sunday evening , in the People ' s Hall , Mr . Dairies in the chair , when Mr . Ward delivered an excellent address on "Passing Events , " which gave evident satisfaction ; after which , Mr . Goodwin read two letters from the members of the borough , pledging themselves to support the Chartist petition to their utmost .

      Carlisle . —A meeting of the members was held at So . 6 , John-street , Caldewgate , at which tho following resolution waspas 3 cd : — " That this meeting do adjourn until Sunday , June 3 rd , at two o ' clock in the afternoon , and tnat steps bo taken to summons the members to attend , to decide upon tho best mode of putting in force the resolution passed by the Conference at Birmingham , respecting members in arrears . " Edinburgh . — A public meeting was held on Monday evening in the Rev . William Reid ' s Church , Lothian-road , for the purpose of adopting the petition for tho People ' s Charter . Mr . _Menzies in the chair . The meeting was addressed by the Rev . Mr . Duncanson , the Rev . Mr . Shaen , and Mr .

      S . Kydd , and the petition and other resolutions were carried unanimously . At the conclusion Mr . Muirhead moved the following resolution , and that an address be drawn up in accordance with its tenor , and transmitted to the proper quarter : — " That we congratulate the Roman people upon their enlarged views of civil and religious freedom , and in having secured an Assembly of representatives chosen by Universal Suffrage , we rejoice that they have boldly , determinedly , and irrevocably willed , that no priestly power should ever interfere with their political rights . " The motion was carried unanimously , and the following gentlemen were appointed to draw up tho address : Mr . Menzies , Mr . Musket , Mr . Muirhead , Mr . Burkett . After thanks had been moved to the managers for the use of the church , and to tho chairman for hi * conduct , the meeting adjourned .

      Corn. Mark-R,A.F B, Monday, May 21.—Ther...

      CORN . MARK-r , A . f b , Monday , May 21 . —There was a small show ° f wheat samples from the near counties this morning , and the stands were partially cleared by the millers at Is under last Monday's prices . Of foreign wheat and flour we had a good supply ; tho former sold in retail Is cheaper , and the latter , unless of finest quality , went off very slowly . Grinding barley meets with buyers at previous rates ; but nuilting in less demand . Beans scarce , and held at higher prices . Peas quite as dear . Rye firm . The arrivals of oats , principally foreign , were moderate ; sellers consequently asked rather more money ; hut at last week ' s pvices there was a good sale . Linseed Cakes unaltered . Wednesday , May 23 , —We are fairly supplied with grain this week , and the weather being favourable for the growing crops , our trade ia very heavy to » day . Prices without variation .

      BREAD . The prices of wheaten bread in the metropolis are from "d to 74 d ; of household ditto , ohd to Oid per _ilbs loaf .

      CATTLE . Smitiifield , Monday , May 21 . —The arrivals of boasts fresh up for our market this morning- were seasonably good , and , for the most part , of excellent quality . _Notvvitlistaiul . ing that the attendance of buyers was somewhat extensive , the heef trade , owing to the unfavourable state of the weather for slaughtering , was in a very slnggish state , at barely Friday ' s decline In the quotations . The primest Scots were selling at from 3 s 0 'd to 3 s 8 d per 81 bs—the hitter being an extreme figure . The numbers of sheep were considerably on the increase ; hence , all breeds were very dull in sale , and prices ruled quite 4 d per 81 bs beneath those realised on this day _se ' _nnight . Tho primest old downs sold at 3 s lOd per 81 bs . Lambs , the supply of which was good , sold heavily , and the quotations were 2 d per 81 bs lower . Prices ruled from 4 s Sd to o ' s per 81 bs . The supply of sheep and lambs from the Isle of Wight comprised _4-14 head . In calves very little business was transacted , and late _currsneies were not supported . The pork trade was heavy , and last week ' s prices were barely maintained .

      Head of _Cattxe at Smitiifield . Beasts .. .. 3 , 3501 Calves .. .. 171 Sheep .. .. 25 , 0701 Tigs 310 Price per stone of 81 bs . ( sinking the offal ) Beef .. 2 s 4 d to 3 s Sd I Veal .. 3 s ( id to 4 s 2 d Mutton .. 3 s 2 d .. 3 s lOd | Pork .. 32 .. 42 Lamb .. .. 4 sSdto 6 ' s 0 d . Per 81 bs . by the carcase . Newgate and _Leadenhall , Monday , May 21 . —Inferior _bsef , 2 s _„ 2 d to 2 s 4 d ; middling : ditto , 2 s Gd to 2 s 8 d ; prime large , 2 s lOd to 3 s Od ; prime small , 3 s Od to 3 s 2 d ; large pork , 3 s 2 d to 3 s Gd ; inferior mutton , 2 s Sd to 3 s Od ; middling ditto , 3 s 2 d to 3 s Gd ; prime ditto , 3 s 8 d to 3 s lOd j veal , 3 s 2 d to 4 s Ud ; small pork , 3 s 8 d to 4 s 2 d : lamb , 4 s lOd to 5 s lOd .

      PROVISIONS . Loxdox , Monday . —Without animation in markets , business in the past week was slow and limited . Of butter nothing worth notice was done in old Irish . The arrivals of new , consisting mostly of Limerick and of Cork low qualities , were nearly all cleaved oft "; the former at 72 s to 74 a for firsts , the latter at GUs for thirds ; 54 s to Oils for fourths , and 43 s to 45 s per cwt for fifths . Foreign was not freely dealt in , and for the best prices declined Gs to 8 s per cwt . —Bacon . —There was no activity in the demand for Irish or American singed sides , and the transactions accordingly were of a moderate diameter , at steady prices . Middles , hams , and lard presented no material change iu value or demand .

      English Butter M . uiket , May 21 . —Our trade rules very dull , and prices still present a downward tendency ; the plentiful supply of foreign butter , at twenty-five per cent . under the rates of last year , now operates much against the sale of English , which will occasion many of our west country drtirymen to hold back their future make , although this course presents a poor prospect , as the article will bs worth less when _mutte stale than if sent us in a fresh state . Dorset , fine weekly , 80 s to 84 s per cwt ; ditto , middlinfi (• Us to 70 s ; fresh Buckinghamshire , Us to lis pur dozen ; ditto West country , 7 s to 10 s .

      POTATOES . Southwakk Watiiuide , May 21 . —The continental arrivals continue to be more than equal to the dematid , which has been heavy the past week , and with some _samples lower prices havo been submitted to . The following ! _M " this day ' s quotations . - —Yorkshire llegents , 20 i ; s to - _* . Scotch ditto , 140 s to 150 s ; Ditto Whites , 90 _= i to 100 _i irench Whites , 80 s to aOs ; Belgian 80 s to 90 s ; Dutch , 80 s to 180 s . *

      COAL . _Londok , Monday , May 21 . —The market very heavy , with little doing . Left from last day , 29 ; fresh arrirals _, _(!»• Total , 97 . ( Price of coals per ton at the close of the market . ) East Adairs Main , lis Cd ; Holywell Main , IS * Kl 1 t 0 _ISsyd'Ord ' s Kedhcugli , 12 s ; _Barcnsworth West Hartley Us 6 d ; Taiifie'd Moor , Ms ; Townley _, 12 s t » d , Wall ' send : —Brown ' s 12 s 9 d ; liewicke' and Co ., 14 s : Gibson , 13 s 3 d ; Hilda , 13 s 3 d ; Hedley , 13 s 9 d ; Percy , 13 s Od ; hdtn Mam , 15 s ; Belmont , 15 s 3 d ; BraddyU ' s Helton , 16 s ; -Bell , 14 s Ud ; Hetton _. lUs 6 d ; Haswell _, 16 s Ml Lambton lGs ; Pemberton _, 13 g 9 d ; Whitwell , 15 s ; Cara _** , Ua Gd ; Hartltpool , 10 s Gd ; Heugh Hall , 14 s Cd : Bishop ' s Tees , 14 s 6 d ; Cowndon Tees , 14 s 6 d ; _Deuison , 14 s ; _Stf-\ _S- S - Us 9 d * Tees > 16 s M _: West Coniform , 14 s < M ! West Hetton , 14 s Gd ; Cowpen Hartley , 14 s Od ; Grangemouth , 12 s Gd ; Nixon ' s Merthyr , 20 s Gd : W . E . Elgin , _»"•

      WOOL . City , Monday , May 21 . _ The imports of wool into LondoJ last week included 1 , 301 bales from South Australia , w " from Odessa , 265 from Spain , 109 from the Cape of 0 °°° Hope , and a few from Italy . The public sales ol wt » 1 . ? _2 _progressing favourably at the Hall of Commerce , _auu » 'o prices have been realised , in some instances . _., „ _,, Livehpool , May 19 .-Scotch—There has been ratn _» more inquiry for laid Highland this week , but as it _«« "j little business we suppose information was wiat _wwanted . White Highland is not inquired ftr . Good _thesis still wanted , and commands full prices . fl Laid HiKhland Wool , tier 241 hB .. 8 9 to J jj

      White Highland do . .. .. 9 6 * _" A Laid Crossed do ., unwashed .. 8 9 % s Do . do ., washed .. .. .. 9 9 ' _; j Do . Cheviot do ., unwashed .. 9 6 ' ¦ ' : n Do . do ., washed 13 0 } ' j White Cheviot do . do . .. .. 20 0 _i-Import for the week .. .. _®\ , zi Previously this year .. •• W i 0 " *} . ' iii ' " " * - Foreign , —The public sales are pro gressing veri _j . j , torily in London , which gives a better tone to » " _( _,,, _# . the manufacturing districts . We have little d ° '" . hc _iiK h vatecontract . There will he a public sale 0 " . _, a E » a " instant , \ vh * ii some Portugal and _Entro HlOSi ' India , Turkey , and liussia will he offered . __ . , Imports for the week .. .. i'HjiwA Previously this year .. .. ' © _¦* _•***

      . Printed Hy William Rider, Of No. 5, *M...

      in tho parish of St . Anne , Westminster , a «' _^ W © fri . ee , 18 , Great _Windmilkstreet , Haymar Wt , ' _0 O »» _cWestwiuster , for the rraprietor , _FiAKb u ° Riptf , » Esq . M . P ., and published by the _**>' * w " l ! _X- Sjittt ) * " the Office , iu the . same _streatwtf *** * _* Mav 2 ( Jth . im ,

      Ar00804

      MANCHESTER VICTIM COMMITTEE FOR Tl ( Prom the 31 st December , 184 INCOME . 1848 . . * - B-d _* Dec . 31—Manchester , collections ... i » " 1849 . n . , Jan . 2-Rochdale , per William Bake ... 0 10 0 , ft 9 ft 3—Bury , Mr . Jones ... « - u 7—Manchester , collections ... 119 0 * 8—Higher-lane , Pilkington , per J . Herstwood ... ... 0 9 0 8—Leagb , per James Cook ... 0 7 0 9—Borrowed of Thomas Fildes ... 0 10 0 12—Todmorden , female Chartists ... 10 0 14—Manchester , collections ... 3 3 2 J 15—Ditto , collection in Cora Exchange , at Mr . Barker ' s Lecture 2 14 10 21—Manchester , collections ... 2 0 3 i 22—Bacup , per James Wilson ... 0 5 0 28—Manchester , collections ... 2 8 10 Levensholm , per John Gaskill 0 2 6 30—John M'Rown ... ... 0 5 0 Chartists of Salford 0 15 0 Rochdale , per William Bake „ . 0 10 0 31—Leeds , per . Mr . Brook ... 10 0 Todmorden , Female Chartists 0 5 0 Sutton-in-Ashfield , O . J . Harney 0 13 0 Feb . 4—Manchester , collections ... 3 7 0 } 6—Coventry , per George Freeman 0 5 0 11—Manchester , collections ... 2 11 6 Levensholm , per John Gaskill 0 2 8 13—Rotherham , per John Turner 10 0 24—Todmorden , per Richard Barker 10 0 Hull , per George Barrett ... 0 4 4 1 _J 3—Manchester , collections ... 3 14 1 } 25—Rochdale , per William Bake 0 10 0 Manchester , collections ... 1 16 ii Mar . 4—Manchester , collections ... 2 13 3 5—Middleton council 0 6 0 9—Pilkington , per John Herstwood 0 14 7 11—Levinsholm , per John Gaskill 0 3 0 Manchester , collections ... 2 2 4 } 13—Bacup , per James Wilson ... 0 6 0 18 _^ -Todmordcn , per Richard Barker 0 17 11 Manchester , collections ... 1 18 2 25—Manchester , collections ... 3 4 7 } Total income 47 5 J Thomas Ormesher , Secretary . _j _^ _T _^ OF _, to the 27 th of March , 1840 . ) Ig _^ Q EXPENDITURE . £ S . d . Jan . 2-Remitted to Prisoners Post-office Order , and Eig hteen Stamps 2 1 9 Mrs . Leach , printing 300 Labels fl-Prisoners , Order , » i % I Thomas Roberts ' s Family ... _» ¦* B 15—Fifty Collecting Books , 2 Cash Books , and Minute Book ... 0 » 4 16-Thomas Roberts ' s Family ... 0 2 £ Paid T . Fildes , Borrowed Money 0 10 o Bad Coin ... " 0 1 0 . Relief to Prisoners' Families ... 1 b u Prisoners , Post-office Order ... 2 10 6 Mr . Barker , Cab Hire from Corn Exchange .. _; ... 0 16 To Visiting Families ... 0 10 Mrs . Leach , printing 112 double crown Addresses ... ... 1 13 0 23—Bill Posting ... ... 0 2 0 Thomas Roberts ' s Family ... 0 3 6 Prisoners , Post-office Order , ¦ and Eighteen Stamps ... 2 19 39 _ Thomas Roberts ' s Family ... 0 3 6 Prisoners , Post-office Order , and Eighteen Stamps ... 2 12 0 Feb . 6—Thomas Roberts ' s Family ... 0 3 6 Prisoners , ' Post-office Order , and Eighteen Stamps ... 2 2 0 Cooking Utensils for Prisoners 0 18 1 13—Prisoners , Post-office Order , and twenty-seven stamps ... 2 12 9 Thomas Roberts ' s Family ... 0 3 6 Twelve Victim Boxes , to Mr . Willake _, at 2 s . 9 d . each ... 113 0 20—Prisoners , Post-office Order , and eighteen Stamps ... ... 2 19 Thomas Roberts s Family ... 0 3 6 27—Prisoners , Post-office Order , and eighteen Stamps ... 2 12 0 Thomas Roberts ' s Family . ... 0 3 6 Mar . 4—Prisoners , Post-office Order , and eighteen Stamps ... 2 19 Thomas Roberts ' s Family ... 0 3 6 11—Prisoners , Post-office Order , and eighteen Stamps ... 2 12 0 Thomas Roberts ' s Family ... 0 3 6 IS—Prisoners , Post-office Order , and ei g hteen Stamps ... 2 19 Thomas Roberts ' s Family ... 0 3 6 27—Prisoners , Post-office Order , and eig hteen Stamps ... 2 12 0 Thomas Roberts ' s Family ... 0 3 C In the late Treasurer ' s haads 2 7 C To twenty-eight Meetings of the Committee ... ... 18 0 Postage of _Lettersjcceived by the Secretary ... ... 0 0 10 Stamps for the Secretary ... 0 12 10 Stationary ... ... ... 0 5 1 Balance in hand by Auditor ' s account ... . ' .. ... 2 19 5 £ 47 5 ' 7 Thos . Ormesher , Secretary

      Ar00805

      literature . There was , however , a cold selfishness and haughty "doctrinaire" philosophy distilled through tho alembic of the useful knowledge teachers , which the more intelligent o our working men detested , and the less informed neither knew nor wanted to know . The Malthusianism of Brougham had but little in common with the warm heart of a generous parent , Tho mechanic loved his children and hated Malthus . Prudence and law are very good things in their places , and every wise man practises them daily , but there is a law older and stronger than that taught by the useful knowledge school , and their dry teachings and preachings were uninviting . Our mechanics' institutions are all "respectable , " and in this country

      respectability is another name for property . If you are poor you may be moral V and good and wise men may esteem you , that is tho few such who know you , but the many will pass you by ; even if you . be an author of talent , poverty will often be the pretext of the rich for shunning you . In their shop language they say , " He is a clever fellow , but very poor , " which simply means , I must not meet him if I can avoid it . lam richer than he , and more " respectable . " Oh , cruel , cold , accursed vanity and pride , you have been a barrier to progress , and sent not a few of earth's best spirits hence , ere they have reached even tho bloom of manhood . This " respectability" has closed the doors of our mechanics' institutions , and made them middle class Athenseums . In the course of a week's stay in Glasgow , I visited a splendid reading room

      in the Trongate dail y , newspapers and magazines in abundance , admission one penny , but I saw no mechanics there . Shopkeepers , clerks , and monied men were the constant attendants . Such places do not reach the necessities of the people , and the people cannot reach them . We have had the cheap literature , the penny magazine , and the three halfpenny journal , yet are we not saved . What door what can your halls and lecture rooms do for the starving , depressed and demoralised poor of our large towns , those colonies of want and death which but few enter ? and yet they fatten and flourish at your feet . They gasp for breath and you stuff their mouths with tracts ; they ask for light and you open your rich saloons and tax their windows ; there is a knowledge surely to be found of more worth than your " useful knowledge . "

      I p ass over numbers of schemes for the elevation and improvement of the poor . Each of which may deserve praise for good intentions , and not a few of which are patronised by rich lords , and speechmaking bishops . All these societies may do good in their way , but they seem to me to be totally incommensurate with the evils they try to overcome ; and I confess that I have a horror of a state of society , that aims at nothing more solid than stopfaps and charities . It can be at best a bankruptcy elayed by bills and promises to pay , and is not at all consistent either with national ' security or the hi g hest perfection of individual happiness .

      We require a government strong enough and willing enough to put an end to tnis let-alone doctrine that has been practised for so many years . The Irish landlord says , " as a freeman I claim the right of doing with my own as I please , " and he is pleased to turn a hundred families adrift , to starve , beg or die . The result is , the Irish landlord ' s love of liberty becomes the source of the misery aud slavery of thousands . But the government cannot interfere . It is not the province of government to do so . What a miserable beggarly tiling is this that we call government . If the government want money , society must pay it ; if government make laws , society must be ruled by them ; but if society require amendment , government cannot take the initiative .

      Our workmen require homes , good clean places of rest and enjoyment—a sweet word is home , but how few know , or feel its full worth . It is home and home associations that keep alive a love of country and of rectitude . The dens and barracks of our poor arc not homes , they are hiding places , to be loathed and shunned even by their unfortunate inmates , and hence it is that the g in-shop and tap-room are preferred . The owner of these hovels pockets his wretched money , and what cares he who live or who die , who drink or who are sober , God and the Devil are all one to him , if his rent be paid . Our workmen , too , require the opportunity which every man ought to have , of earning his bread by the sweat of his brow . Labour is natural and honourable ; but men , now-a-days , cannot live b y labour : The labourer begs for leave to toil , and steals , or dies , when he cannot find employment . Free trade and cheap corn mend matters but very

      little indeed ; cheap labour and cheat nei ghbours neutralise even the expected trifling relief , that some but too fondly antici pated from such measures . The condition of the people will not be remedied hastily or easily , but man must be roused to thought on the subject . We have been fiddling with Rome in flames too long . Our speech-making parliament and pompous parish authorities have not governed too wisely . Our mathematical sneerers nave had too much influence . We require more of heart and head than we have yet had . All honest and true men must speak out , and leave the makeshifts and smatterers in the rear . If society be not moved , government will remain in statu quo , taxing and talking , pensioning and killing , as of yore . To day a flatterer , to-morrow a tyrant . I do not wish to dogmatise , and submit that the condition of our large towns—ay , and small ones too—calls for immediate attention . Sami / el Kxdd .

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      Another New Planet . —Professor Schumacher , ° _* Attonia , announces , by a circular of 11 th May , the discovery of another new planet . It was first observed at Naples by Signor _Gasparis , on tlie 12 th April . It resembles a star of the Oth or 10 th magnitude , and its position was near a star which appears on Stenheil ' s celestial chart in right ascension , 12 b . 9 m . 49 s ., andin—7 deg . 0 m . 9 s ., and forms No . 23 , 098 m Lalande ' s catalogue . ¦ The motion of the planet was retrograde , and it was approaching the . equator . This is the ninth new body ( including planets and satellites ) which has been added to the . solar system within the last four yoars . —• Scotsman . ' '

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      ADDRESS OF TIIE COMMITTEE FOR THE PRISONERS . TO THE _CIIARTISTiToF GREAT BRITAIN . We , the members of the committee elected to protect our friends now incarcerated in Kirkdale Gaol , return our sincere thanks to all those who have tendered their assistance tor the support of our brethren , but we arc compelled io complain that subscriptions to a sufficient amount are not forwarded forthfir support in due time , and in accordance with the . demand our brethren have upon us , and the Chartist body in general . We have also to complain that some localities have sent private donations to our friends , which has caused a difference amongst them . We , the committee , are of opinion that if any contributions can be spared , it

      ought to come through the hands of the committee , who are determined to ' support them to the last , if possible . We have Leach , West , White , Donovan , Rankin , Grocott , Clark , and Chadwick , and you will see by our balance sheet that we are no respecters of persons , but do to one and all alike ; but unless the Chartists generally render ustheir assistance and that speedily , wemustresign , as wecannotact without funds , and our friends will have ho alternative but to subsist upon the prison allowance . Should this be the case , the blame must rest on the whole body , and not upon us . There now remain nearly seven months for us to struggle on their behalf , and we hope sincerely that this appeal will not be made in rain . We remain , yours in the cause of liberty , Thomas Maddocks , William Dain , '

      Joseph Boom , Francis Maddocks , William Shelmerdine , Treasurer . Thomas Mather , Chairman , Thomas Ohmesher ., Secretary . All money orders must be sent and made payablo to Thos . Ormesher , 52 , Bridgewater-strect , Manchester . Manchester Committee Rooms , May 15 th , 1849 .

      Ar00812

      CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE . TO the editor of the northern star . Sir—In my brief notice last week of the condition of Glasgow , I endeavoured to be faithful , and studiously guarded against over-colouring the picture . The poor and degraded inmates of the houses I described , are not themselves trul y sensible of the wrongs they suffer , the miseries they endure . We are all one family , chained together by common ties of interest and association , but the links are small and the chain long , and those at the extremities have a difficulty in _seeing each other . Let me illus trate my meaning ii my own way . A workman fully emnloyed is not far removed from the

      workman half employer * , nor is he at a great distance from the small employer . The small employer can find access to the merchant—the merchant to the extensive manufacturer—the manufacturer to the lord : but the lord cannot associate with or know tho half em ployed man . Society is a sliding-scale , and it sometimes happens that the rich slide downwards and fie pi o upwards . The extremes , however , seldom meet There are two worlds , although one universe ; and many of those who are born in the poor world , live and die in their poverty , hunger , and dirt ; and those who live in the rich world only examine the inhabitants of the poor world through a telescope , as they would the mountains in the moon ? Glasgow lying contiguous to Ireland and tho Highlands , is inundated with Irish and Hi ghland

      misery . Irish misery , like the cholera , is not confined to any particular locality ; it travels along the banks of our rivers , ' and finds a location in our cities . In Manchester we have a district called " Little Ireland , " and almost every city and town has its "Little Ireland . " Our colonies , . too , have their " Little Irelands "—large nestlings of the downtrodden children of Erin . Thus English , Irish , and Scotch misery are all related , and Irish destitution reduces Scotch and English destitution to its own level . We must therefore expect but little relief" so long as Ireland remains the great difficulty ; and the continuance of the difficulty is destinod to make England and Scotland great difficulties also . The inhabitants of those islands have therefore one common intere it .

      I will not _repeat scenes of wretchedness too common to be uiioliserved or unknown to your readers . I am anxious to notice what the folks in the rich world arc _doinj for the folks in the poor world . First , there are the church building and bible-distributing _astioiomers ; and I give them credit for good intentions—they are to reform the poor world with bibles , _jrayers , _und grace . The same scheme was tried years ago , in hopes that it would Protestantise Ireland . The Irish got the bibles—sold or pawned them , in many instances—and experienced booksellers of twenty years' standing know that the

      most profitable branch of their business wa 3 buying up the Protestant bibles in Dublin and elsewhere , and selling them to their customers in England . Bibles are how low-priced , and the temptation to sell or pawn may not he so great , but the necessities of the poor are greater ; and those who will borrow one halfpenny on a bottle would bless you most heartily for even a cheap Testament . As for the Srayers and tho grace , I need say but little . The ills of mortality , and the return of annually-increasing pauperism speak out but too unanswerably .

      Next come our park and wash-house reformers , for whom I have much sympathy . They seem to have discovered that man is a material as well as a sp iritual being—a discovery which I wish to become more genera ) . I havo visited mo 3 t of their parks . In the forenoon they are deserted ; in the afternoon you find a few nursery maids , airing the children of the middle classes . In the evening a few warehousemen and clerks , _walking hurriedly along . A few groups of shouting schoolboys , playing cricket —not the children of the poor , but of the rich . The weary feet of the poor toilers seldom tread them . They are too far from their dwellings , and they have neither strength nor habit to walK so far , even on Sundays . They are chiefl y the youthful

      and better-paid operatives that are to be found within their gates . Our parks are noarl y non-eflective . Baths and wash-houses are valuable , to those who have the requisite pence to spare , but are also non-effective so far as masses of tlie poor are concerned , It has been well hinted , that human misery is stronger than the " Tale of a Tub . " The cheap literature and mechanic institution philosophers , call for a special notice . Many of them are men . of vast resources in intellect and property . They start from the profound saying of Bacon : — " Knowledge is power , " a maxim , which I hope , few thinking men will dispute . They found us with _-anaristocraticphilosophy , andthov resolved to popularise it by _chculating libraries aid a cheap

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      _Iftarftet _* . _&(

      Ar00814

      _<& tovti # t _MUMwtm

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      ioRT THE KIRKDALE PRISONERS .

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      1 _. _ficld-S' _* " Printed hy WILLIAM RIDER , of No . 5 , _* Ma « * » " » _^ _. m * t

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), May 26, 1849, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/nss_26051849/page/8/