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THE AGRICULTURAL izABOTTRERS AKD THE NEW POOR LAW . That -something MrsT be done for the sgricultnr&l labon-ers is x > oiw being admitted on all bands , eTen those " dumb doxs" tbe parsons are beginning to Epesk out . A new ligiil has broken in npon these faithless shepherds , and their eyes are beicgopened to the ' burning -wrongs about -which , heretofore , they have been altogether silent At a late agricultural meeting in Someretshire , the Bev , ~ 2 ix . IfeTibolt came cut with the following . — " That , as a clergyman , he confessed he should wish to see more done fur the poor . He had waited -a long time to see something done for the poor j he had read the speeches of lord Ashley , his friend , Mr . Teatman , and
others , and there "was no disguise about the matter . The fart was , their show for fat stock -was a humbug . The great beauty was -what tliej did for the sfrlcultural labourer , and he confessed th * t was what , had brought him there that day . The agricultural labourer was the point now . That perhaps "was not the opportunity to speak en ench subjects , find he should . be the last man to interrupt their harmony ; imt he feared they were all to blaJie . « ' There -was no doubt that great distress f listed ; and they should set to wprk , heart and soul , in their endeavours to ameliorate the condition of the peasantry of this fertile country . Until they did that all their breeding of cattle and speculation in manures was xf little use ; for , until tkat blot was wiped out , they could not expect the blessing of heaven upon their undertakings . "
Toon which the Tvntes has the following comments : — " There is not a word of Bus—not a single wordwhich we should wish to take away j cot a syllable that we would -wish to add to it ; not A letter of it in which -we do not heartily concur , and which we do not take up and echo with all the strength and emphasis that we can give . Tes , the agricultural labonrer ii the peint , * as Mr . Xewbolt says ; and with himj ¦ we , too , * -very much fear that all , xvi . ' sotaety-inonrers ,
fat-stoet-Bhow-moBgers , priza bean and prza lib mi dealers , distributors , not of wages given as of ri , jM , but of ioles mads necessary ' . solely "bj the withholding of tborsTragesj political economists , workbouse-test disciplinarians , men who punish hecanse people ask for relief , and ask it of them—yes , alx are indeed mu _ h , Tery much 'to blame . " Work—employment , as Mi . Sc-ffiferriHe says— this is what is wanted . This , and this alone , * is calculated to mske the labourer a moral , a rtj ^ ious , ' and , therefore , we will add , , a happy jEau . *"
But , instead of this , what has in fact been given ? And -why i 3 it that the people hav * not work , and therefore have net -s-aaes ? la it because they , as a body , will = oJ work ? If o such thing . It is not even pretended , « e fcelkve , th 3 t if " a fair day ' * wages" be cfikred , in any single part of the country , " a fair daj ' s work , " and that , too , well and skilfully dore , might uot be obtained- Is it , then , or is it not , the people ' s fault , that they are out of work ? If there be * sy men who doubts -which ^ ray to awwer tiiis question , -sre Bay to him—only take care that wurk and f&ir ¦ wages are cfered to the able-bodied poor , and we wiil answer for it , that there wiil be doubt no longer -which it is the peeple want , whose fault it is that they have no . empioraient .
Now , this being tbe ease , "what is the answer of the " yYhig Poor Law to the demand for employment ? It Ja this—pr >* iSH , not those who ought to-give tbe poor work , but do » ot , —bo , but punish tht poor themselves , because they , not having ¦ work , do not do it , because they do not obsam " wnat they cannot get Is ft is a right ' answer to the complaint , that " employ raest" is the thing needful ? Work , tfb contend , is the thing , ana the first thing , which is to be provided , and to which the poor have an indefeasible right . Employment is tbeix right , and if not thai , Lhen , but not till then , gratuitous public suppor t ,
This , -sre ray , ia the ancient eonstitnHonal principle of the Poor law of Elisabeth , and it is just the overthrow of this principle by theWhig law , and nothing else , -wiiclrlias caused all tbe mischief deplored by our cor temporary . Give the poor man work . Give him irork , ana give him fair wages , and depend npon it , he "Will not refuse it , nor come upon the parish for help . If work be found there need be no " supplementary TTB ^ es ^* tlie parish ™» y employ its o"wa poor at fair "Wages at its own work , and if work cannot at Srst be found , cr if the employer lower his wages in the hope that the parish will be unable to 3 nd "work without him , and so ¦ will be obliged te give in and pay him the difference , —then let the parish , if it can find no other work , pay the libotmj bis accustomed wages , not
allowing *" " » to work for ha selfish employer , and the Tate of "wages will Tery soon rise again to its former level . ThuB fair wag £ 3 will be insured and we are sure , that if only Ibis T > e done , there Trill be no lack of materials for work . Evtry farmer , erery landowner , has abandonee of work to be done , which would Improve his land and increase its produce ; and the real question iB , whether . he will spend Ms capital in giving fair wages to those who could do this , or "whether in supporting the same people idle is a union workhousa This is the real alternative , —if . he should by to get the work done at irnfair wages , here shonld be the Poor Law to step in and prevent him , and to protect the pool , &njhc-w ,
there is plenty of work ; tfcs question iB to secure it , With good wages , to tbe Oblebodied poor , and not to Jet ihe capital , -which otherwise could and would secure it , go to support the workhouse . That capital should be secured fcr -working tbe land , by a l » bonr-rate , which should keep up the price of labour , and compel a f&ir employment of the poor , by obliging all those who ¦ would otherwise shriek from the burden , either to give £ air wages themselves for work of their own , or to contribute towards a fund for employing the -poor , at good ¦ w ages , upon other work , to the exclusion of their own . Surely either of these alternatives would be much better for the employer than keeping the poor in a union "Worihonse .
STATE OF THE VFEXSH PEjLSAXXBT . A writer in the We ' . shmcm says"It is utterly impossible to convey to the distant leader a just description cf the dreadfnl distress per-Trading a principal part of Carmarthenshire , withoni esdtmg that kind of incredulous astonishment which seeks for relief in the belief that tie account is exaggerated , and that things cannot be so bad as they are represented . * * ? The common rate of -wages in this part of the country for able-bodied labonrira Is sixpence a-aay and their food , and atthaa ^ ratB of wages msny of them do not ret constant workThere —»¦ ¦ uvuotoiiv »! &
. — ^ m ^<» w " . J . UCXC aMf ^ m ^ a—SJb fiTmsre , in this neighbourhood , who poorfarmersnear earthen , w ^ rsS ^ d o £ poor people m tte town itself , & toiiMWSaSSeSiSr and-ireadd disgraceful to any couuby ^ l ^ fS toihe gpvenungclass mit-semeaa . TTak ofai ^ h . fi ^ poor in ttxs pa n cf Wales-aye , " fa ' S , ^ town , a » a hundred times worse off than the Irish peasant , er even the Hibernian denizens of St . Gilea /' —Welshman .
THB CABXISLS VTEATESS , According to a statement in one of the Carlisle papers ; iiie Bverage day ' s labour of twelve handloom ¦ weavers ' amounts to fifteen and a third ho » rs ; while their dear weekly earningi do not aaomat to five ^ " » ntgt p « * «*! Xv&ust xfdma * 9 t &t " Cemdittom of Sirh * L IWCEHBIXKT IIBB « . ( From ihe Sltm / brd MercuryJ SaTEKSY . —^ Anothei oT those agrarian outrages , Showing the fleep-seated discontent of the-labouring classes which is bursting forth on all bands into a demoniacal war agaanAproperty , occurred at Eavenby on Friday morning last The sufferer by this incendiary eocflsgration -waa Mt Claiie Hales , farmer , who resides dcro upon that extensive villager the fire was perceived toon ! Tout o'ilock in the morciiig , ard notwithstanding immediate aid was procured to s-r . ^ t the progress of the devasting elfcia « i » , wheat slacks co- ^ laing ten
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quarters , and a staok containing thirty quarters of barley , were wholly consumed before the fire could be subdued . Most providentially the wind was blowing in a direction that carried the flames from one pea and two barley stacks ; hail tha wind blown in an opposite directkm , and these ignited , the fhmes would have commnnicated to the town itself ; and it is calculated taat no exertion could have prevented the destruction of hal ! tbe large village . Mr . Hales iB stated to be insured In the Hand-n-Haxd Fire-office . After the fire , ii was earrt } , i ' y rumoured in Linco ' n thai he 7 ia 4 presided at a meeting of farmers for ihe purpose of reducing ihe wages of ihe labourers of the village . This report is utterly with < ut foundation ; and Mr . Hales ib deeply and widely respected as a generous and humane man to the labouring classes .
Eakrikg —On Tuesday evening , the 12 ib inst ., a fire wa » discovered in the jstack-yard of Mr Robert Storey , bntchar . It first made its appearance between two stacki in the centre of the yard , and , an alarm having been immtdiatcly given , a large number of the inhabitants were soon on the spot , who prevented tho fire from spreading . It was got under at about one o ' clock , but , had the wind been high , it is probable that the loss would have been -very great , as the premises are contiguous to another Btackyard belonging to Mr . Bourne , and also to & range of buildings where a number of horses and fat stock are kept . There is no doubt that the fire was the work of an incendiary , as it appeared in ssvera ] different places at once , and a strong sulphurous smell wtss perceptible .
Bissroox . —On Saturday , the 16 th inst , about saven o ' clock in the evening , a large barley-stack belonging to Mr . JohnBon , farmer , was discovered enveloped in flames , but by tbe prompt exertions of the neighbours the fire was happily put out before the stack was entirely destroyed , or bad ignited the adjoining property . No doubt exists of its being the act or an incendiary , but the perpetrator has eluded detection . On Friday , the IStb , some malicious person again set fire to a stack of straw in the yard of Mr . Rhodes , of the Forteecne Anns , TattersbalJ , -with an evident intention of doing ; much damage , tbe stack being placed near a range of buildings composed principally of wood , and had not the wind providentially ceaeed at the moment , and prompt assistance been rendered by the neighbours , tbe incendiary -would undoubtedly bave succeeded in his diabolical attempt
The incendiary who set fire to Mr . Rawson ' s comstacks at Scrivelsby , near Horn castle , on the 14 'h inst ., has not yet been discovered . A reward of £ 225 is fPared on conviction of the incendiary . We are sorry to state ibnt an incendiary fire took place at C . rfe Castle , on the premises » f Mr . Waters , of Rollington Farm , last Saturday , by which a wheat rick , containing twelve or thirteen loads of sheaves , was completely destroyed . This has been the second fire of this description in our neighbourhood within the lost month ; but , fortunately for the owners , both properties were insnred . —Sherborne Journal .
we regret to Btate that two of these abominable fires occurred last week in the parish of Speen , The first was discovered about eleven o ' clock on Tuesday night , in a field near Speen Church , which totally destroyed a pea rick ; and the other broke out about seven o ' clock on the following morning , about half a mile distant from the above , at Speen Moor , in a hay rick ; but by the prompt arrival of tbe engines the fire was soue extinguished and part of the rick saved . Tbe whole was the property of Mr . 5 L Price , of Speen , and was insured in the Royal Exchange-office . —Devizes Gazelle .
Fihb at Habxow . —On Monday night a daring act of incendiarism « as committed upon Campions Farm , a short distance from the town of Harlow , in tbe occupation of Mr . Mstbews . Inspector Xo"vr and constable 98 cf the constabulary force were in conversation with Mr . Mathewg about fealf-past eleven o'clock , when one of two men , who bad been set to watch the premises , shouted that the buildings were on fire . Mr . Ma thews instantly despatched a messenger for an engine , which promptly arrived , and , with the aid of a plentiful snpply of water , confined the ravages of the names to
tbe dsrstrnctien of an out-building about forty feet in length , and some implements of small value . Inspector Low burnt his arm , and experienced a severe fall from off the house , in hia exertions to cat off all commnnicsticuB with the flames , which were rapidly approaching it . One of the men on tbe watch says he saw a stranger run from the place whence the flames first issued , about eight o ' clock , and it is Bnppostd that the Fsms party left some combnstible material , wcich , as he designed , did not tffect bis diabolical purpose for thrte hours and a half , giving him an opportunity to esaxis . —Chelmsford Chronicle .
Kobe I > -cekciarisx al Fritchlet . A fortnight ago we stated that a Biack of wheat , and also a stack of straw , belonging to Mr . Fritcb > y , of Fritchley , near Crich , wae destroyed by fire . \ V « regret to add , that some diabolical villain set fire to another wheat stack early on Sunday morning last The fire was discovered by oome labourers who were proceeding to their work , and though the whole of the wheat was not destroyed , it was rendered unfit for use . Tbe villain mnsi have crept nnder the stick frame and sut Ere to it in tbe centre . — Deriv Reporter .
Fjee at Daefi £ ld . —Abont four o ' clock on Sunday morning last , some people were alarmed by seeing a whe ^ t stock on fire in the stack-yard belonging to > 5 r . Thomas Inehbold , Croas Keys Inn , DarHeld ; and "which , there is no donbt , has been the act of an incendiary . There were three stacks , two of wheat and one cf hay , standing near to each other close behind the barn ; the middle one beir-g much larger than the © Users ; and as the fire was put to it thtre 5 s no doubt tbai it -w » e tbe intention or tb . e villain to destroy the whole cf the premises . The whole tx-ss is estimated at nearly £ 100 , and we are sorry to say the stacks were not inrured . —Doncasler Gazelle . Firs at Lbchester . —A rick of beans , standing in z stack-yard at this place , in tbe occupation of Mr . J . Ward , of Grendon , NorthamptonBhire , was destroyed by fire on the 7 th instant . A Btacfc of Barley adjoining was much damaged . A reward is offered . —Derby Reporter .
DESTITUTION 15 TUE METE . OPOL 1 S . The Times says—A meeting was held on Wednesday last at tbe Mansion-bonse for the purpose of receiving additions to tbe members of the committee which had bten appointed to manage the subscriptions , " for giving nightly shelter to the houseless . " Tbe account , thonyh short , is Dot ¦ without interest , nor nnBnggeative of reflections . It appears that the number of inmates received at tbe central Asylum in Playhouse-yard between the 3 rd of January an 3 tbe 4 tb of April last was 6 . G 81 ; the nightly l » dging provided , -41 . 30 S ; and the rations of bread distributed , 96 , 141 . Nutwithstandine the
large ameunt of persons relieved , we arc told that " before the Central Asylum had been opened a fortnight , applicatiens for admission bad become so numerous as to endanger the health of the officers and inmates ; and it waB not until the Eistern Asylpm had been opened , that anything like an adequate provisien was afforded for tbe daily increasing number of applicants . '' Couple this with the declaration of Mr . Pownall , that " tbe Committee had enconntered great difficulties in allowing their generosity to outstrip their means . Very little encouragement was required to induce poor people to leave distant parts of the country to make experiment of London , for very little sounded largely in the ears of those who encountered hardships in procuring
toe means ef subsistence . "What a picture does this present to the * niind ' s eye ! Destitutien in London ] Destitution in the country ! The poverty of the country jostling the poverty of the metropolis in its scramble for nightly shelter and morning bread ! Men , women , and children wandering wearily to London to snatch tbe morsel from tbe jaws of the metropolitan poor ! 6 . 681 souls relieved st ene asylum in Playhouse-yard , by casual charity , independent of local and Poor Iiaw assistance , and * his found to be mockingly insufficient ! Another rises to co-operate—both still unequal to tbe weight of indigence—and now a third is created in the west
May it be—we dare not say , we dare not hope that it can be , sufficient to do all that is wanted—but may it do away with that fcul blot which Bullies wiih hideous contrast the palatial magnificence of London ! Let us no longer see the It * gal quarter of our metropolis defiled with a combination -of squalid famine , ragged vice , and loathsome disease . Let us no longer witness the painful contact of the most luxnrieus indulgence and the most utter indigence . "We have borne tbe contemptuous sneers ef strangers and visiters too long ; let us at last do something to rid ourselves of a merited reproach . DEATB TS . 0 U NEGLECT . An inquest was held last week at the Blueccat Boy ,
- Brewer's Green , Westminster , before Mr . Higgs , the ; Jtepnty Coroner , on the body of Catherine Smart , the j wife of a bricklayer's labourer , named William Smart , j residing at No . 14 , Goodman's Green , Palmer ' s Field , whose death was alleged to have taken place from uterine hemorrhage , resulting , as was snppoBed , from . - { rant of proper medical attendance during her conflngmfcnt . , It appeared that tee deceased , Catherine Smart , had ) been recommended to the Royal Belgrave Lying-in ; Institution , Sloane Sqnare , of which Dr . Lock , of : Chapel-street , ( Jrosveuor Square , ia the manager , and i whieh professes to have thirteen experienced midwives . \ The way the poor woman was treated may be gathered j from the following extracts from the evidence adduced ; j the report in full is too lengthy to give . This case I is another specimen of tbe heartless cruelty with | which the poor of this " Christian" England are i treated : —
Anne Barnes , No , 8 , Goodman ' s-green , was sent for *> y the deceased on Saturday morning , who complained *™* J *• •«« bci procire medical aarictuee , IhoBgh a h ^ beeaffl fKaBai » ! rhnBday 8 i diBne « . time . The SUSf ^/ S ¦** *¦* a letter to tte Belgrade InHtita-Sm ^ -S ?** , ? 1 " aeTOn 8 « returned from tier * on Friday with a list of midwives . The deceased said she Tt » ^ ^ ea * bBt tte 8 nCTre ' turned was that * S ™*^* fc do D' - I * ck * business with ou t bein g paid , and Uie poor woman added , « O , I'm lost , I'm lost , I ' m done , I ' m done . " she theH fainted away several times , and said she had gone beyond the time when ier labour shonld have taken place . Witness advised her to send for tie parish doctor , for the woman was in such a way as quite frightened her , and as a restorative she bathed htr temples with vinegar . At eleven o ' clock en Saturday morning the
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parish surgeon came from Tothill-fleldB Prison , on which -witness said to the deceased , " Tou need not be afraid now , you have medical attendance , " bat the answer was , Tis too late now . " That was all the witness could get from her . Mr . Simpkins here observed , that tbe deceased was very nervous in her confinements , as on one occasion ahe had three children at & birth , all of whom were living , and were extremely healthy . MaryDodd , the mother of fourteen children , was then called , and stated , that on Friday the deceased said she bad sent for two midwives , one of whom , named Brown ,. said she would not attend , a * Dr . Lock had not paid her . She then said , "Oil shall be lost ; I sball be lost ;"' bnt witness said , " Tou can't be lost in a Christian country , for if one doctor won't come another will be found . " The deceased was then i » a Btate of lieaiorrbage . Witness advised her to have some castor oil , and was sure that if sbe bad bad some medicine then her life would have been prolonged .
A Juror—What is the institution to which the woman was referred ? A person , who seemed to accompany Dr . Lock , replied , "You can have the prospectus lor your amusement Here it is . " The Juror—Sir , there is nothing amusing in this case . Tbe inquiry is a very solemn one , and as you are here a stranger yon have no right thus to interfere with the proceedings .: Several of the jurors expressed their coincidence in this observation . Dr . Lock said , be c » nld furnish the jury with a vote of thanks to himself from the director * . A Juror—Tbat might be useful ; but the interference of your friend to-night is not calculated to do you much good . '
Airs . Dodi , in answer to ajaror , said that with her experience , she considered the case a very extreme one . The deceased was parched up with fever and much in need of castor oil , which was administered the next day . Mary Bailey , the midwife who attended the poor creature when too late , was next examined . Mr . Blandford , a surgeon , of Chester-square , Pimlico , here inteiposed , and said the midwife was utterly unfit for her business who , when haemorrhage intervened , did not at once resign her charge into the hands of a medical man . Mrs . Bailey Baid she did not think there was any serious tasaiorrhage . a Mr . Blandford . —No serious bwmorrbage ? Why tbtre was b » morrhage before and after the birth . What did you do ? ilrs . Bailey . —I applied cold lotions . Mr . Blandford—In what quantity ?
Mrs . Bailey . —I applied a quart of vinegar with a quart of water . Mr . Blandford . —A quart of vinegar , woman , to a poor craature in such a state , in a close room , near a hot fire ? Why , she should have had buckets , and if fee or snow was to be had anywhere they should have been procured . She should have b « en put into damp sheets , and all the windows and doors thrown t > pen . The Jury having considered for half an hour returned a verdict , that "The deceased' Catherine Smart , died of 1 sb Jiorrage during child-birth , being in want of proper medical attendance at tbe proper period . " The foreman { Mr . Bott , of York-street , Westminster ) , at the request of the jury , wished to add , that the thanks of tbe jurots were due , and by his mouth conveyed to Mr . Blandford , for his attendance at the inquest , and the assistance he had afforded .
Immediately after the the poor widower was introduced , with the three children of the decea-er ) , who were born at one birth . They were very flue-looking little creatures , apparently about two yeara and a half o > u , and much grown for their years . Genteelly but plainly clad iu fall mourning , their sppearance as they clung ronnd their father , whom with a sort of instinctive sympathy they embraced , as if feeling he was their only support , exc ' . ted general commisseration amongst the jurors , who instantly Bet on foot a shilling subscription to meet his immediate wants .
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THE OASTLER LIBERTY FUND . The press of matter occasioned by the great length ef the aH-important Thornley CoIIery ca ^ e ; reports of the Yorkbhiie Assize , tec 4 c completely prevented us even noticing the important meetings , to raise subscriptions for the release of Mr . Oastler , whieh have been held , since the meeting in the Leeds Court House . We now report progress , though we c * n only give an abstract of what has b « en done in the noble work of philanthropy and too-long delayed justice .
THE MANCHESTER MEETIJiG On Thursday evening , Dae . 14 th , a public meeting of the friends of Mr . Oastler , convened by advertisement , " for the purpose of considering the beat means to be adopted to rake funds to procure his immediate release from prison , " was held at the Corn Exchange , Hanging Ditch . Though one or the League ' s " Ticket " gatherings took place at the Free Trade Hall at the same hour , there waB a most crowded attendance , every seat being occupied a full half-hour before thq time appointed for the commencement of the proceeding ? . Crowds subsequently poured in , and before the chair was taken , the reom wns filled to overflowing . The chair was taken by Mr . FieWen , M . P ., at a little after eight , the meeting having , for some time previously , manifested coDsiJtrablu impatience for the speakers to come forward . They were loudly cheered on their appearance on the platform .
Tbe Chairman delivered a lengthy and excellent speech , in the coutss of which he was -warmly applauded , and concluded by introducing Mr . Gregory . Mr . Gke » obt moved and spoke to tho following resolution : — " That this meeting views with regret and indignation the long and unjust imprisonment of Mr . Oastler , ibflicted upon him as a punishment for bis able and disinterested advocacy of tbe rights of the poor , and persevered in with the hope tbat tbe suffering of imprisonment and poverty may weaken , if not destroy , the powerful advocate of their cause in future . That it is tbe imperative duty of every man to assist in obtaining the release of Mr . Gustier from prison , and in providing for hia future security , by aiding , with all the means in his power , a subscription for that purpose . "
Mr . W . J . Hodgetts seconded , and Mr . J . P . Cob bett supported the resolution ; which was put and carried unanimously , aniid&t the most enthusiastic cheering . Mr . Thomas Fielden moved— " That a subscription be raised within the counties of Lancashire , Cheshire , and Derbyshire , for the purpose of obtaining the release of Mr . Oaatler , and of providing for his future security ; and that a treasurer and a central committee be appointed for carrying the resolutions of this meeting into effect within the said counties . " Mr . James Leacu , who was received with much applause , seconded the resolution . Mr . Ferrasd , MP . was received with the most deafening cheers , tbe ¦ whole of the company rising and waving their hats . We give the following extracts from that gentleman's speech , all we can find room for , ( requesting the attention of our readers to
" THE GREAT FACT " of Mr . Alderman Brooks admission , that , " WE'RE ALL FOB OURSELVES IN THIS WORLD . " Mr . Ferrand ^ aid , Mr . Chairman and inhabitants of the town of -Manchester , iu rising to address you tonight , for the purpose of supporting the resolution which has been moved and seconded by the two preceding speakers , I can fearlessly say that never public man in this country , undtr the aame circumstances , addressed a public meeting with bo much credit to himself—( applause ) . For , in tbe part which I have considered it my duty to perform , as a Member of the -House of Commons , I was led to believe , if I could have believed tbe assertion of those who gnve
utterance to tbe expressiona , that here ,, in the town of Manchester , if I dared to show my face —( loud and prolonged cheers , and cries of "Long live F « = rrand i " ithat if I dared to appear before a public assembly iu this town , & verdict of utter annihilation would await me —( " Never , never ! " )—tbat I should be driven from the town of Manchester with ignominy and disgrace—(" never , never ! " )—for having brought charges against certain individuals which were false and unfounded—( applause ) . But here , my friends , in an open meeting —( hear , hear ) , —without any tickets , for you to be driven to the eounting-hbnses for —( loud and prolonged cheers ) , —you have come here , clothed in the garb of true-born independent Englishmen—( applause)—determined to stand by those who have stood by
you—( applause)—and topreve toEDgland and tbe world tbat gratitude is ret a bright feature in the breaet of the labourer of England —( loud and loug applause ) . Mr . Ferrand then proceeded to eulogise Mr . Oastler , and at some length ' reviewed tbe services of that gentleman iu his endeavours to obtain justice for the working classes against the tyranny and grinding selfishness of the millocracy . In illustration of the selfishness of the loud-mouthed " » nti-monopoliBta , " (?) he introduced th& following idling anecdotcB : —In attempting to describe to you . what I mean by selfish interest , I cannot do better than relate to you a short anecdote . During the period that the tariff was under discussion in the House of Commons , it happened that the subject of the diminution of the duty on coffee was to be brought forward on a particular night I went down , Mr . Chairman , to the House of Commons , for the purpose of being present during the debate . As I passed through the lobby of the House , Mr . Croucher , the
parliamentary agent , whom I have no doubt you know , tapped me on the shoulder , and said— " Mr . Ferrand , I am extremely anxious to introduce to you a deputation from Mancberter . " I turned round and « aid I should be moat happy to meet any gantlemen from Hwtbetter on any qneriion . He said they wished to speak to me abomt the one now before the houe . " Allow me ( ha said ) to Introduce to yon Mr . Alderman Brook * . " —( Great langbter . ) I made a low bow to Mr . Alderman Brooks , * nd he did the same to me , — ( Laughter . ) " 0 , ( he fays ) Mr . Ferrand , I am glad to shake hands with you ; you've given us some hard raps . "—( Laughter . ) "I replied , I hope nothing but what iBtrue , Mr . Brooks . " "Why , ( hesaid ) Iinastsay . some of them are , some of them ar'n't . " He then said" Mr . Ferrand , I and the genttennai you see around me , ( and there were five or six along with him ) wish to-ask you to vote against the diminution of the duty on coffee" —( gnat laughter , and "There ' s free trade ") . I raised my hands in tstonUbment . He eaye— " I'll teil
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you how it is . You see there ' s myself and these gentlemen bave been speculating very largely In coffee "—( great laughter ) . And my reply was— " And I hope , Mr . Brooks , you bave been taken in "—( laughter ) . " Ay , ( he says ) you flee , if Sir Robert Peel reduces the duty on coffee to the extent which he proposes to do we shall lose a very great sum of money . " "What ! ( I said ) this from Mr . Alderman Brooks , the great champion of the Anti-Corn law Leage—( applause ) the apostle of free trade —( applause ) who is for doing away with every protective duty in the country ! Impossible ;! " "O , God love you , ( he said ) we ' re all for ourselves in this world "—( Boars of laughter , the mirth being not a little heightened by tbe close imitation which the Hon . Member gave of the worthy
alderman ' s voice and manner ) . His ( Mr . Ferrand ' a ) reply was , tbat he saw before him . the best sample of the Anti-Corn Law League , for he had the honesty to speafe truth , and had admitted it to be self-interest * * But ^ my friends , I am addressing you in the town where monopoly has also raised its head in another way during the last twelve months . It was only last year that a grand dinner was given here to Mr . Emerson Tennant , by the calico-printers of Lancashire and the country at large . Amongst the subscribers to tbat splendid service of plate which was given to Mr . Emerson Tennant on that occasion , waa Mr . Cobden—( hear , hear )—and that service of plate was given to Mr . Emerson Tennanl for his successful exertions in obtaining an act of parliament which gives an unlimited
protection to the calico-printers of this country—( applause ) . Then , if such be the case , let me ask these men to mete out the same justice to you as they have given to themselves : if their property is to beprotected . it is high time yours was—( loud applause ) . And if you will stand true to the principles which I profess , and which your worthy Chairman and cumbrous other manufacturer- * are professing at this moment , we will , legally , peaceably , and constitutionally , obtain for you your just rights and privileges—( great applause ; . My friends , I'll give you another instance of self-interest . Mr . Williams , the member for Coventry , is a great free-trader—( laughter ) . Last year a person came over from the continent for the purpose of obtain ng
an act of parliament which should give him the power of manufacturing cheap watches in England ; he was applauded to the skies ; but the free-trade watch and elect makers of Coventry sent word up to Mr . Williams— " If you vote for tbe destruction of our trade we will vote you cut of Coventry "—( Applause ) . And so , fearing that he should be ' sent to Coventry " a different way from what he had been heretofore , he went down to tbe House , voted against the act for cheap watches , calling 1 % " a monopoly , ' and the man , who came from Swltzarland , a " Swiss adventurer . " Mr . Ferrand continued at great length , interrupted only by repeated bursts of enthusiastic applause , and finally sat down amidst loud and prolonged cheering .
The resolution was then put and unanimously carrled . TheRev . J . ScnoiEFlELD , who waa received with much appiauae , moved— "That Mr . Thomas Fielden be the treasurer of this fund . " Mr . Da vies seconded the resolution . The Rev . Mr . Stephens spoke in support of tbe resolution , which was carried unanimously . Mr . B . S . SoWLER moved the appointment of the committee , and Mr . R . B . B . Coebeit seconded the motion .
Tbe Chairhan was about to put the resolution , When some sensation was created in the meeting by the appearance of Mr . Alderman Brooks on tbe platform , He looked about him , apparently a little bewildered , as though he had got to the wrong meeting , but some few persona iu the body of the room having called out his name , he thrust forward to tbe front ot the platform , and essayed to address tho audience . At first it was all dumb show , great confusion being caused by such tot ; unexpected intrusion ; but the Chairman having stated that Mr . Brooks had been invited by the committee to attend , and that he wished to bave an opportunity of addressing the meeting , he was allowed to proceed .
Mr Brooks then , evidently very much excited , said , I have been at another meeting , and I heard there was a charge made against me hero ( looking at Mr . Ferrand , near to whom he stood ) ; so 1 thought 1 would come and see him face to face—( applause ) . Now , gentlemen , don't you think tbat is straight-forward ? Therefore , I do hope you'll give me a heaiing . You have heard , I suppose , from Mr . Ferrand , that I was one of a deputation in London who culled upon him to get him to vote against the lowering of the duty on coffee ?—(• ' Yea . ' ) And now you shall heat all the truth . He told you that , didn ' t he?— t" Ye ° , yes . " ) Is it true what he said , think you ?—( l . md cries of Yes , " and " lE'a true . " ) Then I say there ' b not : i word of truth in it —( groans and uproar , during which the speaker
was . for some time inaudible ) . You see . I won't charge him witn . stating that which he did not believe , mark you ; because people are often mistaken about mutters —( laughter );—and I am quite cure he must have bo understood me , or ho "" ould not have made thu charge — ( hear , hear ) . Now , I'll tell you how this coffee matter wna—( groans and other murks of disapprobation ) . You Bhall hear every word , or else I'll wait While you < lo . I say you are aU suffrage people , ne Well as I ; but you must learn better manners , for Us only fair that we should all be heard . Well , gentlemen , if you recollect , when Sir Robert Peel's tariff came out he made a difference in tbe coffees : I'll tell you what it waa . The duty bt-fore the alteration was for British plantation , 81 a pountl—( A voice : " No ; six-1
pence . " } For British plantation , 8 tl— {• ' Sixpence . ' ) Here Mt . Brouks se « mod to be trying to tecolleot himself , nnd after a short consideration , said—O , yes , I beg the gentleman's pardon ; it was sixpence ; he ' s right . —( laughter , and great confusion , which led tho Chairman to interfere in behalf of Mr . Brooks , who , after a pause , proceeded with his statement . ) Now , gentlemen , on British plantation it was Oil , and on foreign , that is , that -which has gone round the Cape , 01 . Now , they took one-third of the duty off the British , aud made it 4 d . ; but instead cf taking ouethird , or 3 d ., off the foreign , they only took off Id . Now , what I went to London with the deputation for was to get them to take the same proportion of duty off the foreign coffee , as they were taking off the British plantation . They took 3 d . off the British , but
only Id . off the foreign , thereby robbing tbe people of this country , who used foreign coffee , of 2 1 . in the pound . Now , why I went to London on the deputation 'was to get the foreign coffee reduced one-third , to « d . And I will tell you why I went ; the first thing was my own interest ; for I lost £ 3 . , and a friend of mine lost a Bimilar suni . —( A burst of ironical cheers and laughter , which was kept up some minutes . ) I see you'll understand it ; it you'll wait , I'll bring it to your senses . —( Continued uproar . ) Now , gentlemen , tht > government robbed the people tbat day of £ 300 , 000 , in consequence of the differential duties . If it bad not been for this , I should bave been able to sell my foreign coffee ' 26 . a pound cheaper . It was a dead robber ? on the men who held foreign coffee . —( Ironical cheers . ) Mr . Brooks having paused till the noise should subside ,
Mr . Ferrand » 0 Be , and was greeted with most deafening cheers . He said—That is not the charge Which I made against yeu , Mr . Brooks . —( Cheers . ) Mr . BROOKS—What was it then ?—( laughter ) . Mr . Feiuund—Mr . Brooks was going to make a long speech about the different duties on coffee : I said to him that was not the charge , and he tum « d round and asked what it was . Now , he came into the room , and . said every word I had uttered against him was untrue ; I ask you if ho baa not proved it out of his own mouth ?—( loud cheers , and " He has )") . And I now , in his presence , repeat what I stated before , and what I should not have repeated this evening h ? . d I not known that the gentlemen below were reporting it , anrf that jfc would meet bis eye—tapptnwe ) . I stated
that I was passing through the lobby of the House of Commons , to take my place in that House , during the debate on the reduction of the duty on coffees . As I passed through it Mr . Grouober , the parliamentary agent , tapped moon the back , and he said , " Allow me , Mr . Ferraud , to introduce you to a deputation of gentlemen from Manchester . " Mr . Alderman Brooks came upland Mr . Croucher said , " Mr . Ferrand , Mr , Alderman Brooks . '' I said , ¦ How do you do , Mr . Alderman Brboks ? I am happy to bo introduced to you , or to any deputation from Manchester "—( applause ) . Hb said , " I am happy to be introduced to you Mr . Ferrand . You have said some strong things against us . " I Baid , " I hope I have Baid nothing but what is true "—( applause ) . He eaid , " Aye , there ' s some
hard bits , and some of them ' s perhaps true "—( great applause ) . He ~ seemed all iu a hurry to tell me about this coffee ; for I have no hesitation , as I said this evening , in saying that be is one of the hone 8 test in the lot . But Mr . Oroucher said , " You had better let me state the case to Mr . Ferrand ; " and before be got half way through , Mt . Brooks could not be quiet , but he began himself , and said , " Ay , and this gentleman , along with myself , has been speculating in cfcffee ; and if Sir Robert Peel reduces the duty to the extent he proposes , we shall be great loisers . " Now , he tells you to-night that he has lost £ 3 000—( Applause ) . I held up my bands in amazement , and I said , Vl What I Mr . Alderman Brooks , the chairman of the Anti-Corn Law League ! tke man who supports it with
his pocket to the extent he does ! he who proclaims himself the advocate of free trade and no protective duties i What ! you oppose the reduction of duty on coffee , by which the poor man could have hia cup of coffee reduced in price »"— ( Applause ) . " O t ( he says ) you see we are all for em selves in this World "—( loud cheers and laughter ) . ( Here the Hon . Member fixed a steady gaea upon poor Mr . Brooks , who waa catted ctae beside , looking dreadfully agitated ) . Now , then , let Mr . Broots deny that , and I will produce witnesses who heard It—( cheers )—at the door of the Bouse of Commons , in the presence of the door-keepers , in the presence of Mr . Croncher , ia the presence of other gentlemen , aa well aa of the dep » t * tlon who aurrouaded him ; and what I have said , I will stand by to the last hour of my life—( loud cheers ) .
Mi . Brooks again attempted to speak , bat the noise was so great that only a few unconnected Words could be heard . We understood him to allege that Mr . Fertand had varied the terms of the charge against him , and to Btate that the deputation had gone to London , not to keep up the duty , but to get it reduced , and that Mr . Croucber , the parliamentary agent , waa specially employed by them for that purpose . * At the close of this scene , Mr . R . So-wler moved a vote of thanks to Mr . Ftrrand , for his attendance at the mestiog ! and his able aud consistent advocacy of
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the interests of the working classes . The motion , being seconded , was carried amidst enthusiastic cheering . The thanks of the meeting were then voted to the Chairman by acclamation . The proceedings terminated with three cheers for Mr . Ferrand , three cheers for Mr . Oastler , three for -Mt . O'Connor , three for Frost , Williams , and Jone 8 ,-tbree for the Northern Stir and three for the Manchester Courier , and three groans for the Manchetter Guardian . Oldham . —A meeting was held in the Town Hall , on Friday evening , the 15 th inst Tbe room was filled to overflowing . Mr . Wm . Taylor , manufacturer was called to the chair . Tbe usual resolutions were adopted unanimously , and } a committee was appointed to carry out the objects ofj the meeting . Mr . Ferrand Was present and was moat en thusiastically received .
Boltoji . —On Saturday evening , Dec . 16 fcb , a meeting , waa held in the Temperance Hall . The usual resolu tions were meved and apoken to by Messrs . Myerscough , Fishwick , j Ferrand , and ethers . A committee was appointed to I carry the object of the meeting into effect ; and after a vote of thanks to Mr . Ferrand and the chairman , thejmeeting separated . Stockpobt . —On Monday , Deo . 18 th , a large and enthusiastic meeting was holden in the Hall ot Science . Mr . Ferraud delivered a lengthy and able address , in the course of which he was enthusiastically applauded . A committee was appointed to raise Butyscriptiona .
Preston . —A crowded and enthusiastic meeting was held in the Theatre , on Wednesday evening , Dec . 20 ; Mr . T . Swinglehurst was called to the chair . Mr , Ferrand , M . P ., speke at great length in support of the objects of the meeting , almost every sentence of his speech elicited unbounded enthusiasm . A committee was appointed , arid the meeting breke up .
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NEW ZEALAND . We have been requested to give the following extracts from a letter received at Hull from the undersigned parties . The husband , Jonas , is a native of Holbeck ( Leeds )! The writers' descriptions of life in New Zaaland will be found interesting . Nelson , New 29 alaDd , Feb . 14 th , 1843 . Dear Parents , —We sailed frem Gravesend on the lat of August with' about two hundred persons onboard , including men , women , and children . We met with contrary winds and bad weather for three ¦ weeks , and had a great deal of sea sickness on board . We came in sight of Madeira on the 23 rd August , and have had five deaths up to this time . We have bad three deaths during the last five weeks , and bave had four births during the same time , and all tbe women have doue well , bnt only one of tbe children has lived .
On the 22 od November we had a most awful stormthe thunder and lightning was terrible . We thought the ship wss on flrp for some time ^ ; the captain and several of the sailors Were blinded for a few minutes ; ene of the sailors lost tbe use of his limbs altogether . There was not one adult { died during the voyage , nor any children above five years old . Wo suffered a good deal from sea sickness , but the children ailed very little . We arrived here on the 2 lst of December , and we need scarcely say we were all well pleased to get safe on land once more—tbe natives crowded round us to welcome us in their usual way . The men and women all wear a blanket to cover i them , except a few who adopt the
English dress , which we think willbecome more general amongst them . They area Hue race of people , kind and hospitable in tbe extreme . Tbey sre perfectly harmless , and much attached to the white people , Some few of them can understand a good deal of English , ail of them a little ; they are ' remarkably honest , but like to have things given to them , such as pipes , tobacco , needles , cotton , or biscuit ] Wo have frequently six or eight of them in the hou ^ e together ; they wa \ k in one aftex another without any ceremony , and seat themselves on the floor . We have not seen a house with windowshutters ^ bolts , or locks to the door ; every one " thinks themselves safe without .
The country is dne of the finest in the world , such a one as we never beheld—it is very mountainous : some of the mountains arejthree miles high—many covered with suow all the year round , and several with evergreensthere are beautiful flowers growing wild . We have Hot seen a bit of fruit of any description . There is none but a few young plants that bave been brought from England lately . There iaflsh ot almost every kind in abundance—the natives will sell one tbat weighs twelve or fourteen pounds for a shilling . There are plenty of vegetables , butjthey are rather dear . The land , will produce anything ' you like to grow upon it in a-very remarkably short time . Land is letting at a low rent in some parts of the colony * Clothing is very dear ; there ara several large Stores where they sell all kinds of
things , both eatables , drinkables , and wearables . We can buy some things as cheap as in England . Porter is 8 > i a pint ; , bread Jis 6 < 1 per two pound loaf ; butter 2 i 6 d to 3 a 6 I per pound ; cheese 3 s 6 ( 1 per pound ; ctndles is 6 d perpoend ; mutton and beef from Is to It 2 d par pound ; flour , best quality , 24 s per cwt , coffee la per pound ; tea , good , 4 s to 5 (; milk 6 d per pint ; fresh pork 9 d per pound ; salt pork 7 d per pound ; salt 21 per pound ; potatoes Id per pound ; stsrcii Is 4 (\ per pound ; loaf sugar lOd per pound ; raw sugar 4 d to jfid per pound ; eggs 3 d each ; soap 5 d per pound ; rice 5 d per pound ; wines cheap . . There are plenty of curious shells , plenty of wild pigeons , plenty of wild ducks and pigs , besides a variety of small birds . j
Trade is net very brisk here at present , but there is every prospect of an improvement . We have ten ships here at present ; two from Eogland . When any of the emigrants are sick , the company ' s surgeon attends them gratis . If the husband ia sick , they give him the beat of attendance , and medicine , and keep him and tis family until he is better—and keep ] them well too . The doctor is the kindest man we ever met with as a surgeon . We can wish for nothing better than the arrangements of the country . The houses are mostly built of wood , a few of bricks , and some thatched . i Jo . nas and Mary Rider .
(Excluded From Our Last For Want Of Room.J
( Excluded from our last for want of room . J
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South London . —CHAimsT hall . —The Chartists of this locality have fixed the 1 st of January , 1844 , for the collecting and receiving subscriptions for the National Tribute . A Donation of five shillings has been received from Mr . Ensor , Tunbridge Wells , for the above HalL MARYLEBONE .-pAt a meeting of the members of this locality of the National Charter Association , held on Wednesday evening , Dec . 20 th , at the Mechanics Institution , Circus-street , New Road , the following resolutions were agreed to : — " That we agree with the
proposition to pay Id . per month to the National Victfm Fund , and earnestly impress upon our Chartist brethren throughout the country the propriety of their adopting similar means to support tbe wives and families of oar unjustly persecuted brethren . That the first cellection take place on Sunday , Jan . 7 th , 1844 , and that the council be instructed to forward the proceeds immediately to the National Victim Committee with a request that they ! take into their immediate consideration the case of Mrs- Ellis , with the view of giving btr every assistance in their power .
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FRANCE . —The Legitimists . —Louis Philippe has dismissed eight Mayors of communes for attendee ; the levees of i the Duke of Bordeux at Belgravosquare . } The Fortipications—Another guardhouse , says La Reforme . is about to be erected and fortified at the parilioa of the institute on the Quai Malaquais . According to the proposed plan , this fortress will present twenty loopholes on the side of the river Seine , ten on e :: oh side , and ten in the Rue de Seine , making altogether fifry . The guardhouse which exists near the same situation is condemned as not sufficiently formidable .
Prince Louis Napoleon has instituted a suit against the public treasury of France , and uhe case was called on Thursday , in the Chamber of First Instance of Paris . The Prince claims the payment of an annuity ( in perpetuity ) of 1 , 800 , 000 francs , granted to him by a senatus-consultum of 1 & 10 ' constitutive of the appanage of King Louis and Queen Hortense . He adduces likewise , in support , of hia pretensions , an ordinanoe of King Louis XVIII ., conferring the estate of St . Leu on Queen Hortense , who was known ever afterwards under tho title of Duchess de St . Leu . The Treasury opposes to the demand of Prince Louis a plea of incompetency . The affair has been postponed until a future day , when M . Nogent St . Laurent is to plead for the Prince , and M . Pongefc for the Treasury .
SPAIN . —Intelligenoe from Madrid of the 14 th instant , state that Olozaga continued to absent himself from the sittings of the Cortes . He does not Bleep in his own } house , bat , is said to be concealed m the home of one of his friends . A great number of Opposition members had also absented themselves , and , about thirty of them , according to some accounts , had left the capital to rouse the provinces against the Bravo Ministry . The discussion in the Cortes , on the Queen ' s declaration * continued , but tpe interest in the affair was subsiding . The Deputies Who spoke last were Alcon , and Cortina . Bayonnb , Dec * 20 . —In the sitting of the 17 th , the Congress adopted , by a majority of 101 to 48 , tho proposition of a message to the Queen .
Th © Times Correspondent , writing from Madrid , on tho 17 th , Bays ] : —The Gazette teems with dismissals and promotions by tho new Ministry . Gefes Politico * , Contadores , aud Ia > . en . deutea of Cu&toms
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and Taxes in various provinces figure in the daily list of changes along with judges and magistrates . The Camarilla is undoing all that the Provisional Government did at such coat to the country during its short and troubled reign , and preparations for civil war are evidently once morg on foot . Indica * tions are already apparent at Saragossa , where the townspeople paraded the city in crowds , playing their famous national air , "La Jota Arragonesa ? and giving tivas for the constitution , and mueras for traitors I These crowds were dispersed , on the night of the 10 th in 3 tant , by the bayonet ; bat the citizens continuing to promenade , shout , and play thelj ' ota , and matters growing worse , a bando was published by the Gefe Politico , on the 13 : h , prohibiting its performance , and placing the disobedient under the operation of martial law .
Here , in Madrid , all is sympathetic alarm and military precaution . Sentinels , with loaded muskets , are plaoed at the corners of cross streets . The Princesa Regiment is kept ready in its barrack , untroubled by garrison duties of an ordinary character , and ready at a moments warning to be let loose on the turbulent . Narvaez drives about with a sergeant's guard of Hussars in front and rear , and an aide-de-camp at each of hia carriage windows armed with a carbine " ready" to deal with anybody who looks like an assassin .
Catalonia . —A letter from the frontiers of Catalonia , in the Pbare of Bayonne , informs us that the fort of Figueras continued to fire on the lith oa the fortifications thrown up by Prim . That person , in the hope of deterring Araottler from firing upon the town , had resorted to the extraordinary proceeding of sending detachments into the country to arrest all the relations of tho insurgents who could be found , and bring them into Figueras . This barbarous measure , however , appears to have had no effect upon the insurgent chief , whose fire has rather increased than diminished since his own family and three of his friends and partisans have been dragged into the town to sustain the Horrors of a bombardment .
GREECE . —A Trieste letter of the 13 ch states , that some disagreeable scenes had taken place ia Athens , on December 6 , on account of a motion by M . Packos , one of the members of the National Assembly , for pecuniary relief to be givea to distressed foreigners . The people when they heard of thia , collected before the house of the deputy , and broke his windows . Another riot took place in consequence of a satirical article on the Greek nation , inser . ed in a journal published by M . Soatjos . The Ministry bad been compelled , in order to quiet the people , to order M . Soa'jos to quit the country .
Preparations of thk Russian Government . — The Cologne GuzXte having stated that the Kussian Government had sent strong reinforcements to the army of the Sonth , and this having been contradicted by other German journals , the Gazette repeats its statement , it adds , on the authority of letters from . Bessarabia , that the reinforcement amounts to fifteen thousand men , and that the evident motive for it ia to keep down the agitation that reigns in the provinces bordering on Turkey , and also to be prepared for any insurrection of tbe Greek population in Turkey .
CANADA . ^ -The disruption of the French ministry produced a prodigious excitement in Kingston , which continued till late in the evening of Tuesday , the 28 th ult ., the date of our last advices . No explanation had been given for this explosion , but Latoutaine , who is the master-spirit of the French party in United Canada , has promised the Assembly to give it in a few days . In the meantime , he and his adherents remain with the governor , but in an inactive state till he forms a new ministry . it is impossible to tell what has been the chief cause of this difficulty . It will shake Canada to
pieces , unless Sir Charles Metcalfe acts with tact and decision . Ever since the coalition of the French and British interests , or rather si ace the French were placed in power over the British , the pot of trouble has been boiling till the steam has forced tho top off and brought on a crisis . Kingston was full of ruraouisas to what course the governor would pursue , " but the most probable was , that he would call Draper , formerly Attorney-General of Canada , and Morris , an independent member of the Legislative Council , to his aid . These men have just influence enough with the French , it is said , to give the administration a working majority .
We find in the Niagara Chronicle accounts of disturbances which had taken place amongst the Irish employed on the Weliand canal . Fire-arms were used , and tbe result was the death of two ' or three men aud a number wounded . The same journal spates that it was given in evidence at the investigation , that ihe men employed in the quarries weTe in possession of no less than one hundred stand of arms —a fact which , the writer considered , should induce the Government to consider whether the country is not in want of an arms bill .
FOREIGN MISCELLANY . The Dead Alive . —La Presse publishes the following statement : —During the night of the 7 th instant , a man was supposed to die in the hospital of Gex . On the following morning he was placed in a coffin . At eleven o'clock the same day preparations wer- j made for his funeral , when suddenly a noisa was heard from within the coffin . The lid , which had been nailed down , was then raised , and the man was removed alive . He had only fallen into a lethargic sleep . Mount Etna . —The Augsburg Gazette states , that the late eruption of Mount Etua had been most fatal —ISO persona have perished , and the hospitals are filled with wounded . The small town of Bronte has hitherto escaped uninjured ; but letters of the 4 th inat . announce fresh disasters .
Thb Eruption of Mount Etna . —Adeeno , Nov . 26 . —I wrote to you yesterday in great haste ( as an opportunity for Catania and Messina was just offering ) from a place which people have agreed to call a convent , but which at the present moment scarcely offers a miserable shelter to the traveller caught by bad weather , —where , before a sparing fire of dearly bought brushwood , he may dry hia garments a little and warm himself . During the time I was writiug my letter the top of the monntain had commenced , with renewed vehemence , and with tremendous noi 3 e , to throw out , at first thick black clouds of smoke and vapour , and soon afterwards a mass of water , ashes , sand , and enormous stones , which flew away in every direction , and probably * a *
least to leeward , to a great distance . We < # d not think ourselves any longer secuie in < place of refuge , and we left it to get nearer to *^ to&d leading to Aderno , as it now had become impossible , without much circuitous travelling , to reach Bronte , where I originally intended to proceed . We had , however , scarcely come iato the open air , when we became aware that the present new volcano , in half height of the north western declivity of the mountain , had also recommenced to rage , and to throw out a irass of fiery lava , which , as every unevenness of the ground has been filled up by the effluxions going on since the 18 th , poured down with immense velocity into the valley in a southern direction from Bronte . The vapour which this eMux from hell emitted , and
the gas which developed itself , made breathing difficult . Being so near , we began to feel rather uneasy aud retired therefore towards Aderno , without , however , losing sight of the firestream . It had pursued , in the meantime , the direction taKen up before , and roiled itself with , a roaring noise over the road , already destroyed and covered thirty feet high with dross and rubbish , aud over the descent , cultivated with great industry , towards the sloping banks of the Simeto . On this descent a gre&t number of men and women , inhabitants of Bronte and its vicinity , were buoy trying to save from this universal devastation the fruits of hard and uninterrupted toil of many years , at least the wood of the olive , and other f ru-. t trees , for firewood . When the firestream surprised them , many of them , some thirty persons , were completely surrounded and burned to death , and several others could only be Baved with great
difficulty , and not without dangerous wounds . Last night the dbw crater and the lava-stream presented a sight which can only be speechlessly looked upon , but cannot be described . The moon came coldly piercing through the gloomy clouds and hung her pale light over the country , bloodred illuminated by the fire of the eruption and of the liquid lava . Here and there , when the stream threw itself over a declivity or a craggy rock , a new awful noise arose ; when the lava reached trees or shrubs , cleat flames were flickering up suddenly , but only for moments , and also the distant trees were seen toblaz ^ andfall . The highest cone of the giant mount did not keep quiet all this time , but continued with the same violence to throw out , although without fire . During the night the imposing sight was heightened by vivid lightning forking through the darkness of the black clouds of smoku . —Augsburg Gazette .
Duelling -Fhankfort , Dec . 15—We have jusfc learned that at eleven o ' clock yesterday morning a duel , with pistols , took place at Oggersheim , in Rhenish Bavaria , betvreen Moritz von Haber and Von Soracbaga , in which the latter was shot . Yon Haber returned yesterday to Menfz , Von Sarachaga was killed on the spot . This is the third victim which this melancholy affair has caused—Frankfort Zeilung . The Tomb of Napoleon— " It is now four years " says the Corsair * . " since the Chambers vbtedftbe
tunas necessery for the erection of the Emperor ' s tomb . To-day , after a lapse of four years , not a stone © f the Imperial monument has yet been laid . But B « xt June it will be four yean wnce the Cha »; bora had the weakness to rote ibe embast&enuni d IW- * work worthy of the Titans . Well 1 not only have the bsstilles been constructed , but extensive works hate been added to the Castle of Tin * cennes , and another fort has been erected at Auber-Timers , of which no mention is made in the la * - w > mpare and draw the inference . "
HuHRicANE at Buenos Atres—A violent hurricane occurred in the River Plate , on the 8 lh oi Uetober , when seventeen vessels where driven on shore ; the water suddenly rose unusually high and washed down ' several houses at Buenos Ayres , and proper ' . y to a considerable extent was damaged .
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TEE CLOSE 07 THE 1 XQUIBT AT THE BIRMIKGHAM TTOXKBOrSE . Oa Thti » d » 7 -week , ibe Assistant Poor Xvse Commissioner commenced his inqniry into the mode adopted at the Workhouse on the application of destitute persons for admission and re . iet He said he would first examine a Jew of the Police Officers vrith respect to the state of destitution in -widch \ hey foand persons in ttie town , and the difficulty , if any , vrhich they experienced in procuring relief for them , or their admission Inlo tbe Workhouse . James Bradley , Patrick Ktlly , George Kirk , and James Tomer , Police Officers , were severally examined . These "witnesses deposed to bavins found a number of persons in the streets in a state of destitution ; that they took tfeem to-the Workhouse , snd Were refnsed admission for them ; and that they wers compelled to lock them np in the Statioas and take them before the Magistrates .
iheroTrere « me other Police Officers in attendance to depose to facts of the above nature , but toe . Ccmmissioner said he hid heard quite sufficient to show the nature of the system . The existence of a defective system -was clearly proved in reference to the mode of admitting destitute persons . The system of hssdjisg abont of the p&or occht not t « be continaod . Sir . Shackel said ihe Members o ! the Committee appointed to inquire into the dnties anS salaries of the Clerks of the Establishment , summoned together to meet the Commissioner , had arrived , - and -were in a room below stairs . Tha Commissioner forth-with attended this Committee , Which tfm qzrite private ,
__ After an absence of abont two hours , the CoHrmisaoner returned , and said he should close the inquiry , bnt that he should again visit Birmingham the -week after Christmas . H e had received sufficient information to show the vrorkinj of the present parochial system of Birmingham , -which he believed wonta lead t © some useful alterations . The Learned Gentleman then left thi house .
** ≪£%* ©Xmjriiijm Of (Bwzlmib I&Uxjmm." " Lavs Grind The Peer, Aad Rich Men Rule The Law."
** < £% * © xmJriiijm of ( Bwzlmib i&uxjmm . " " lavs grind the peer , aad rich men rule the law . "
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* Mr . Brooks has since the above meeting again denied tbe truth of Mr . Ferrind's statement . A friend of Mr . Brook ' s , who has volunteered a letter in his defence in the Horning Chronicle , admits that tbe words " We ' re all for ou ^ aclvea in thia worW , " were apoken by Mr . Brooke , but he asserts that they were apylied in another sense to tbat alleged by Mr . Ferrand . Our readers may decide for themselves . Tliey know Mr . Ferrand , and they know something of the blustering Leaguer , Mr . Alderman Brooks , { at least out Manchester readers do , > they will have no dMcully in deciding which man to believe .
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$ THE NORTHERN ST A R |_ ¦ -. , .. _^ ^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 30, 1843, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1245/page/6/
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