On this page
- Departments (5)
-
Text (10)
-
Untitled Article
-
Uato Intelligence
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Cvatiejs' ittobnncntg.
-
ftijc €f)eatre*»
-
TprojttUtatt police $nUlligentt
-
t street tar vie Printed by DOUG AL M'GOWAN, of 17, Great TTtodnufl-Btreet, Haymarket, in the City of Westminster, at**
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
, - ' yi" : " MAXSI 02 T HOUSE . * tic& 5 AT . —A CHiisrau-B Customx . —A man -named ¦ ffiUj ^ n longwood tvas charged with having stolen two tn ^ ys andV goose , the property of Mr . Howard , pordterj * i 5 Ti < eiSenhaIU : market . The prisoner had been seen ov ^ ne ' i Mr , Howard ' men to deliberately take one of fhe'iiirlfes and tbe goose from the place in tie shop ¦ wfcfi ife . ^ sjvrere deposited , place them across Ms shoulder , Tva ^ k ' into' the street , thrust them into a . bag which he caAie ' dj ' anffretarn to the stall and pici up tbe other turkey in itk ' e manner . The wiiaggf iuid followed the prisoner anS'toHsfed "Kim the moment lie was iralkiQg off with
Ms 3 ifei-prize . The prisoner declared that he knewnoihisg at » IPof the last turkey , "but merely that it lay at his fee # « tfheh he was taken into custody . . As for the first nrrkexssfi ^ fae goose he had most honestly bought them of two country people , who called upon all passers-by to toy- tSe IKSt turfcry and goose , and if the Lord Mayor tho ^ glk of ' Jfettiag Mr . Hoirard have Ms property it would be gre £ t en ^ puragement to butchers to charge respectable peoj le ^ wfio ^ iad made purchases , with robbery , in order to get possej £ ion of all they had . ( A laugh , } The prisoner waScommmed for trial .
T - "' - ilARTLEBO ^ E . TirrisD ^ x . — Qtttbage . —The court was much crowded from an early hour , in consequence of a report that a number of . Spaniards had murdered a man by cutting his throat . Th&rnmoiir , however , -imh regard to the murder fortHnately turned out to be untrue . - The names of the prisdn ^ ts were Unnuel Santa , Vincent Peston , Philip A * c 5 heioii , and Dias Garcia . Mr . Juhn Teals , landlord of the Tictoria public-house , Charlton-street , SomerstowB , deposed that on the previous night , between eleven and twelve o ? dock , the prisoners entered his premises and called for drink . They were accompanied by eleven of twelve 5 others ; but as all of them were much intoxicates , he refused to serve them . They then abused him ^ and Santa struck at him with a stick , in
addinaa to which he threw at him a number of quart and pinTipotB , some of ¦ which hit him . Another of the party alsc&tttmpted to injur * him with a bVudgeoTi . — "VTiuiam Xhetman , the man who was wounded , deposed that as he wasjpassing £ through Chariton-street he heard a gTeat disturbance , and saw nearly a dozen Spaniards , amongst whoM' W £ I £ the prisoners , armed with large sticks and bmd ^ ons i-he seized hold of one of the sticks which was in the possession of a man not in custody , when he was immediaiely knocked down by nro tremendous blows , and ¦ jrhil # lyinfr upon the ground , Ascencion and Garcia brine on the ^ Bop of him , he received several severe wounds from
3 shsjp-iastrnmexit rrpon the nead and ear , and the collar of hj ^ ppaJ-was cut completely through . He also received man ^ TSFj seTere kicks upon his body . It appeared from the 5 > ji 6 asee of Mr . Parker , a surgeon , thai Therman had beea ^ aj-- seriously injured . The prisoners were also charggdjWith assaulting the constables . The prisoners , throngh . ^ aBj interpreter , who had explained to them the -jrhoie , ^ tiifi , evidence , denied the truth of all that had been aHegg 4 ; agjinst them . Santa and Peston were each commiSg ^ tOjibfi House of Correction for a month for-assaulting 2 l § constable . ? , and Ascencion and Garcia were re-TpanflpfljrO T'hTTi-sflgj next . # ¦** . 'irz > MABLBOBOUGH STBEET .
TKtBxt . f- " CHiicr . ' Chxsti * , Chabgi ! " —Edward 3 hirrjiy , it-Veteran soldier-looking man , between fifty and Hirjj ^ crs-ef age , was charged with being drunk , and IneapHSe U ^ jf takinir care of himseli PoHce-constable ycfSTflRhe G division , stated that between twelve and one Vc 1 bck thi 5 morning he found the defendant in 'Wardou&shree&excessJTelr drnak , . and sapporrrn ^ himself against ffifc'shutters of a shop window . Witness asked himo / he "Bred there - he replied " 2 ? o : " but afterwards said ^ fe resided up the street . "Witness said , " "Which is ihelronse ? ' The defendant said , " The glorious 42 d :
waSmooT ^ Charge' charger witness seeing him so disorderly , charged him accordingly at the station-house . Mr . Hardwick : "What have you to say , sir , in answer to the eiarge against you of being drunk and incapable of raVi ^ g care of yourself ? Defendant : 2 Jv . jrood sir , the iactis this : 1 served in the -i 2 d— -that is , 1 had the honour to do so—with many brave fellows , at the memorable battle of Waterloo . It is , 1 believe , allowed that the 42 d did their duty there . Mr . Hardwick : I .. shall discharge you ; but don ' t come here a ^ ain in the same character . T > efendant : I thank you , sir ; but 1 hope you will have the candour to admit that the lid always do their dutv .
Mosdat . —Esteezzxeseest . —T . Thomas Parker was "brought before Mr . Maltby , charged with various acts of g * Tn > v » T-ylA-mpTir "i £ r _ ^* . Winch , liverv siahle-lteepex , Great "Windmill-street , said the prisoner had formerly been inTiis employ as clerk . It was the prisoner ' s duty , ¦ whe never he received money or cheques from the customers , to" pay the property over to him immediately PraS 9 CnlCrriaving ascertained that the prisoner had received 3 ,. cheque from Dr . 3 Iarsden for £ lv , made inquiry abonjitj . and the prisoner then admitted he had received
the ^ moDej and had appropriated it to his own use . Pro ^ arutorammediately took the prisoner to the Guarantee SocSejyjSj ^ Bces in the Poultry , and told the clerk there thai- the --jrisener hnd embezzled the procetrds of a chegna ^ ftr £ 10 . The prisoner did not deny the charge , and ^ pivdue&l a paper on which were various amounts he hadjj ^ eeb ^ d and Expropriated . The prosecutor added thaV ; h . § hadjust received a second paper from the prisoner wmt § iaiBg' additional names , which made the amount embezzled , « ince August last , between £ S 0 and £ 40 . The pTi §« 65 , jas remanded .
PjSte » T . —William Wicks was charged- with having fOi jlfl'tifer name of his master , Mr . Shaw , upholsterer , of Moriinier-iiTeex , to a cheqne for £ 10 on riie fnion Bank of I / o 3 K ^ , * ArgvD-street . The prisoner was remanded nil SPSSwdav next .
r - WORSHIP STREET . 5 j ^ djit . —CorxiSG . —James Green , a welUdreEsed mi ^ ge-s ^ gd tti ^ ti ^ and Aivne Green , his daughter , a little girijiJI ^ eirs of age , were charged before Mr . Binghain wiii ^ gviiisbeeii found engaged in the manufacture of a larg&rBPaSPty of spurious money , and also with having conjjjjfted a murderous assault upon wro officers of polic ^ nijfess ^ peaxed , from the statement of . Serjeant Branna % j 5 rjft , "was in such a state of suffering that he was scarcely > bfe to give Ms evidence , that , having TeceivedinforBaaikstijihat the male prisoner was" closely connected Tvit ^ jg ^ giti nsive gang of coiners , who had recently put intfe-j eirejilatioii a large amount of spurious money , he X' : roqEgd £ < b }> etween nine and ten o ' clock on the
pre-TioTis . tjj ? gBVig ., in iompany of the officer Cole , to the hon ^ SiJ ^ Llhe prisoner , in Booth-court , City-road . On ingtkisgi 3 i the door they were admitted by the younger pri ^ aasTjjSJJio , the instant she saw them , called loudly toljepxaijaer , on which the male prisoner , suddenly majg hg apperance at the top of a flight , of stairs , communicating with a room , into which the' street coor _ op * ned . Witness rushed up stairs , in the hope of securing him , and had reached within three steps of the laa& ^ g ^ ' iCThen the prisoner exclaimed , *• Tou ' -re not rbtjjjSjget , Brannan , you thiefj" and springing at fcnnVsrn . c ^; him such a violeni blow on the chest with his fcj » t _ jpV ^* y *<> was instantly hurled from the top of the 5 tai » -to the room below , where his spine came in contact wi ^^^ e edge of a chair , and the prisoner , who was unable to check ^ it osn impetus , fell with his -whole -weight
Tipqgjljh £ lower part of his body . Cole then seized the prisfjaer , and a severe struggle ensued between them , in the ^ oir * e -o f which the wi tness , who had partially re-C 0 T « jed , feam the fall , saw the younger prisoner in the act of concealing something in her bosom , which he forced xroSher , ? a& found it to he a parcel containing twentytwo ^ . « pgjo $ frfat half-crotrns , finished for circulation . "Witness then proceeded up stairs , -where he found a great number of base coins strewed about the table , and while secSing them the male prisoner , followed by Cole , burst int the Toom , and , seizing a large glass b » tt ] e filled with TitrlOl , " dashed the greater part of the burning liquid over their hands and the -upper part of their persons . Tbe male ' TJrisoner then pulled from under his apron a bag £ Hed % ifii spurious coin and handed it to the girl , desiring herioget'lidofit-, bit witness succeeded in snatching it from ' her ' aiidsecnringiherestofihe basemonev , amounting to more than a hundred shillings and half-crown pieces . TheV also" found several bottles of plating , liquids and
acids ; , 'frith some cnriously-constmcted implements for perfetfeng ^ the coins , which the prisoner was in the habit of rSAing in a rough state for the purpose of finishing and ~ 5 cn&ering- them complete for circulation . Sergeant Brannan added that the injuries he had received during his Struggle with the prisoner were of such "a serious natureiihatiie was apprehenave he should feel the effects of thejfrksiSng ashe lived . Cole , the other officer , whose hanttS" atfff wrists appeared dreadfully scorched and swoHfa 7 "cfcToTxjrated the sergeant ' s evidence , and stated thavttetJnBonerhaQ set abuH-dogupon him , which bit and tluJ ^ TOqifn with such pertinacity that he had the greatfft ^ difiict&ty in bearing it off , and that the resistance oC&e& ^ tJjtbe prisoner was the most desperate he had ereJ ^^ fczfaiitered . In his def ^ nee , thfe prisoner declared tha *? ffi £ "B ^ ole of the articles found at his house had been left * ffielre % a -man who promised to call again , and that he ^ SFwiioBj innocent of any guilty use of them . Ur . BlflzBiEO ordered both the prisoners to be remanded for tae st feniianee of the solicitor of the Mint to prosecute the
TC " BOW STREET . S ( i ; rcBBir , Tte . c . 21 . —Attempt at Raps . —A respfeabhF-dressed Toung Tnnn , about twenty-five years © fSfe / Tras brought before Mr . Jardine , under the name raf ^ Thomas George Hampton , charged "with iafiSgiiteinpted to commit a rape upon the person © f Owmg ^ ri j named Amelia Stewart , living in &er-¦ iri ^^ lt"ftie nonse of Mrs . Edwards , confectioner , 366 , StraiE . ; " ^ Tie girl appeared to be much confused as'Sfe'lpntered the ¦ witBes 3-bo : x , and it was with diScultv she could be got to give her testimony , she -was so abashed at the questions put io&eri ' - ^ he deposed that abont four o'doei on the in
TBissda ^ preYious she was do-wn stairs the kitchen , ad& ^ foeeeded to the eoal-cellar to get some coals , "tyifewfee ^ got near the coal-cellar , she sawtbe prisoner EtaSSiSg in the areaJ He came up to her and capght hold ^ fffia-j ^ ajing , " I haTe seen you several times befop ^^ Mknd beean puQing her abont . She retreated batt > iite iiie Mtehen , and he followed her , and , taking field of her , pushed her back * into a chair SSb gtpnggled to release Lerself , bnthelieH ler tight , as ^ Sbl ^ -Ieft hold of her when slie began to scream out . "When she had got some little distance from him h # agiin approached her , and attempted to lay hole ofofegf : again , Trpon -which she seized the dust pt efr-ifHifh wbleL" she had been going foi cow , ^ snd stmck at bnn so as to make him re law * wi He afterwards , however , got hold o ; her arms , and on pushing her back , the dust
Untitled Article
pan broke a pane in the door , which was half glass . He pushed her back into the chair again , and was proceeding to further extremities , when her mistress heard the bustle and came down stairs . The prisoner immediately let go his hold of her , and ran up the area steps , getting clear away . "Witness immediately toW her mistress of the assault , and the police were iii farmed , but nothing was heard of the prisoner till the next day , -when her mistress going into the coal-cellar , found him there . She immediately gave him into custody . —Mrs . Edwards , the mistress of the girl , corroborated the evidence of the last witness . The prisoner confessed the truth of the charge , and expressed his sorrow for what he had done . He was committed for trial , the magistrate admitting him to baU , himself in £ 40 and twe sureties of £ 20 each .
Ttesdat . —Post-Office Ejibizzlkent . —Robert Hobson , the keeper of a receiving-house for the postage of letters at "Walthamstow , was brought up for final examination , charged with embezzling the snm of Is . 10 d ., being the postage of a letter to Calcutta , ami fully committed for trial . The prisoner was again charged with unlawfully detaining a number of newspapers which came into his possession for the purpose of being transmitted by the post . The evidence given on the former examination -was repeated and perfected . The prisoner , by the advice of Ms counsel , made no defence , and he was ordered to find bail , himself in £ 100 , and two suriti . es in £ 50 each , to answer the charge at the sessions . The prisoner was then removed from the bar .
"CMOS HALL . Sattkdat . —A Lovisg Pair is Thocble . —A goodlooking voung woman , named Margaret Sheen , was brought before Mr . Traill , at this office , and charged with having stolen a black satin waistcoat , the property of her master , Mr . Charles Bright , residing at No . 5 , Holland-street , North Brixton . The female prisoner was put forward in conjunction with Edmund Edwards , a groom , who was accused of being found in Mr . BrighVs house , for an unlawful purpose . It appeared a ~ child of the complainant ' s was in the habit of sleeping with the female prisoner . Towards the middle of Friday night the child was heard to scream , and Mrs . Bright got out of bed to see what was the matter . She entered the
prisoner's room , and was somewhat surprised to find the child sleeping bv herself , and the prisoner's part of the bed undisturbed . She informed the complainant ( her husband ) of this , who , without loss of tune , repaired to the kitchen , where he discovered a roaring fire , before which was lying what he conceived to be two large buijdlcs . On a more minute inspection , however , he observed the legs of a man protruding from one of them . This slightlv alarmed him , and , making as little noise as possible , he returned up stairs , and called in police constables 114 and 162 3 \ and then returned to the kitchen . It was soon discovered that the bundles were no less than the two prisoners , who were lying fast asleep in each other ' s arms , rolled up in blankets . The
larder had been rifled , and on the table were left ihe remains of a large quantity of eatables and drinkables . Both prisoners were taken into custody , and , on the way io The station-house , the female prisoner threw away a black satin waistcoat , which was afterwards identified by the complainant as being his property . The female said her shawl hung over her master ' s waistcoat , and in her hurry she most haTe pulled it down unknowingly . —Mr . Bright denied this . —Tbe male prisoner said he had kept company with his companion upwards of two vears , and as she had on Friday night to iron the linen , she invited him to sit up with her . Having partaken freely of the refreshments placed ^ before him , he fefl asleep before he was conscious . —Mr . Traill remanded the prisoners till MondaT .
Moxdat . — Chasgx or Tbept . —Edward Edwards was brought up for re-examination for being found in a ilr . Blight ' s house at North Briston , for an unlawful purpose : and Margaret Sheen , the nurse in tbe family , was charged vrith stealing a satin waistcoat , belonging to her master , and also with harbouring the other prisoner in the house . The circumstances attending the discovery of the prisoners at four o'clock on Saturday morning , lying together before a blazing fire , in the complainant ' s kitchen , and of the woman dropping her master ' s satin waistcoat on the way to the station-house , appeared in our Town edition of Saturday last . The nurse ( Sheen ) was therefore committed for two months to hard labour for unlawful possession of the article , and Edwards was adjudged to enter into his otra recognizanre in £ 40 , and find wo sureties in £ ' 20 each , to be of good behaviour for twelve months .
THAMES POLICE . Trx 5 B . 1 T . —IhsTXissiJiG Case . —A poor woman , named Ann Fos , came before Mr . Broderip and related a tale of ¦ woe deserving the attention of the humane . She stated that an eldeTly woman , named Joiner , living in a miserable court called PeeJ-aUey , Peel-place , Shadwt-11 , had not the means of paring the funeral expenses of her grandchild , which died that morning , and that another child vras just recovering from the scarlet fever . The mortality in the family had been \ ery great , the old woman ' s daughter , whose name was Botwright , and two other children , having ditd within a few weeks of each other since Julv . Thrv fell victims to fever and want of
sufficient food . On the second Fndav in Julv , Mrs . Joiner s son-in-la'w , BotwTight , who -was a bailor , was killed at Quebec , and the old woman , who obtained a scanty living by making up slops , had since kept the orphan children , although she was herself labouring under illness . . Mr . Bos ? , a surgeon of High-street , Shadwell , had been attendinsr the sic-i children , and had kindly offered to pay for opening the ground and providing a grave for the body of the child , but the grandmother was unable to procure a coffin and shroud . Mr . Broderip said this was a painful rase , and be directed Ellis , the usher , to make inquiries about it , and if the woman Joiner wanted assistance to afford her some relief , and take care that the body was dectnilv interred .
QUEEN SQUARE . S ^ TURD-iT . —Smashing . —Mary Ann Brown , Emma Page , and William Posten , three notorious and well-known smashers , were placed at the bar under the following charge : —John Foster , beer-shopkeeper , Princes-street , Westminster , deposed that between eight and nine o ' clock on the previous night , the three prisoners came to his house and called for a pint of ale , in payment for which Page g ^ ave him a good halfcrown ; he returned two good sliillings and fourpenee .
Knowing the parties to be utterers ol oase coin , Jie was particular in ringing both the shillings on the counter . Page then asked for a biscuit , and gave him a bad shilling , declaring it to be one she hadjust received . He said he was determined to give them into custody , when Posten struck him a violent blow on the hand , and the shilling fell on the floor ; he , however , placed his foot upon it , when Posten butted him on the stomach with his head with such violence as to nearly knock the breath out of his body . Tbe prisoners were remanded till Monday .
Uato Intelligence
Uato Intelligence
Untitled Article
OXFORD CIRCUIT . Stxttokd , Dzc . 19 . —The " WoLVERa&itPTos Case . —Child Murder . —This case , which appears to have created a great sensation , not only in this county , but throughout England , came on for trial this morning , after being -twice postponed . Jane Railton , aged 32 , was indicted for concealing the birth of her child , at Wolverhaippton , in the month of October last ; and John Sheriff , aged 28 , and James Hildreth , aged 38 , were charged with aiding and abetting her in such concealment . The particulars must- be fresh in the recollection of our readers . The result of the trial wa 3 , that after tbe examination of a great number of witnesses , Miss Railton , not being a poor unfortunate , like Mary Furley , and the other prisoners being , like Mrs . TyVwhitt , " "highly respectable ! " were Acquitted .
Corx-Exchaxgx , Frtdat . — The supply of ^ English Wheat here was very limited , owing to which , and the fair attendance of * dealers , the demand for that article was steady at full Monday's quotations . Foreign wheat , free of duty , was in good request , and previous rates were steadily supported . The quantity of English barley was not large , yet the trade was dull , without any variation in price . Foreign barley was plentiful , and the distillers supplied themselves with the best sorts at previous rates . The best tender malt was in reqnest , but other qualities were dulL Owing to the contrary winds , the arrivals of oats are small ; yet buyers held back , in anticipation of good arrivals . Other grain as on Mondav .
Smithtieij ) Cattle Market , Frtdat . —For the time of year we had a fair average supply of Beasts , both as respects number and quality , while the Beef trade was firm , and Monday ' s quotations were steadily supported . Scarcely a single head of foreign stock was offering , while the receipts from Scotland were small . Sheep , the supply oi which was good , met a sluggish demand , yet we can notice no alteration in prices . In calves very little was doing , yet the rates remained stationary . Pigs were a dull sale , bnt not cheaper . Milch cows sola heavily at from £ 16 to £ 19 each .
Stafford , Dec . 20 . —Sentence . —At the sitting of the Court this morning the learned Judge passed sentence of transportation for ten years on Joseph Penn , convicted of the manslaughter of Prudence Hughes , at Sedgeley . The WotrERHAMPTos Case agaj > -. —John Sheriff , an account of whose trial , together with that of Miss Hailton and Mr . Hildreth , for the concealment of the birth of a child , has already appeared in our columns , was again placed at the bar , under an indictment for using a certain instrument on the 16 th and 20 th October last , at the parish of "Wolverhanipton , with intent to procure the miscarriage of Miss Jane Railton , a
young lady who happened at that tune to be with child . The prisoner pleaded not guilty , Mr . Beadon appeared for the prosecution , and stated the facts of the case clearly and concisely to ihe jury . Miss Railton was then called several times as a witness against ihe prisoner ; but as she did not come into Court for that pTirpose , the Judge ordered her recognisance to be estreated . Mr . Beadon then observed that it would be needless for him to proceed with the ease during the absence of so material a -witness , and the learned Jndge directed ihe jury to acquit the prisoner ; opon which he was discharged from custody .
Untitled Article
; NORFOLK CIRCUIT . Norwich , Dec . 19 . —Incendiarism . —George Dye , aged 17 , was indicted for wilfully and maliciously setting fire to a wheat-stack , the property of Daniel Watson , of Larling . The prosecutor is an innkeeper , and on the night ot the fire the prisoner and five other men had been spending the evening at the prosecutor's house . Shortly after leaving the house the wheat-stack was ¦ discovered to be in a
blaze . The prisoner was apprehended on suspicion , but afterwards discharged . Subsequently he confessed to a constable that himself and two others were engaged in the fire , lie also confessed to the commission of several other fires , not being aware that the party he was confessing to was a constable . He was consequently again taken into custody . On his trial the prisoner told the jury that the constable had spoken falsel y ; but the jury thought otherwise , and found the prisoner Guilty . Sentence deferred .
Another Iscesdiart . —William Medlar , aged 37 , was indicted for wilfully and maliciously setting fire to a stack of wheat , the property of Robert Samuel Thome , Burgh next Aylshjun . The prisoner had been apprehended on suspicion , a few hours after the fire . The prisoner ' s shoes were taken off and compared with the impressions in the field , and they corresponded in every respect . The cottage of the prisoner was searched , and part of a box of lucifermatches was found on the mantel-piece , and the matches corresponded in colour and dip with one that was found in the ditch of the wheat field , near ' the gap leading from the stack-yard . The jury found the prisoner Guilty . Sentence deferred .
Norfolk , Dec . 21 . —Sentences on Convicted Incendiaries .: —Mr . Justice Williams took his seat in court precisely at nine o'clock , and proceeded to pass sentence upon the persons who had been convicted of the serious crime of arson . John Rutland , George Dye , William Medlar , Christopher Rump , J . Quantrel , Thomas Baker , and Robert Parker , were sentenced to fifteen years' transportation ; Jane Watts to twelve months' imprisonment ; Thomas Scssams two months * imprisonment ; and John llervey one month . With this proceeding terminated the business of thd countv assize .
Untitled Article
Leicester . — Framework-knitters' Condition . ^—To the Editor . —Sir : The question that has been raised concerning the condition , prospects , and earnings ; the manner in which the wages are deducted ; and the evils which afflict the Frame knitters body , has become a question of magnitude . The wrongs that have uccn accumulating for years has merged into a system most corrupt . 1 will try to detail the great evils which ainict the mass of Framework-knitters , and those who are dependent upon them for support . To prevent the idea that the facts contained in this letter are only selected cases , I will take villages in all parts of the county , working under different
manufacturers and bag hosiers ; so that I may be able to show the separate workings in each . Mr . Felkin ' s account of the average wages of the work-people in the _ three counties is one that ought to be in the possession of all classes . Yet there is one tiling wanting in that account , to show the inexperienced reader one of the primary evils that Infect our social system . It has been argued by some that nothing but an increase of power in machinery ^ can ever be of much service to us ; and c / ia * niacluuery * to be adapted to steam power . Nothing , in my opinion , acts so prejudicially to the interest of work-people as the introduction of any power to supersede manual labour , unless accompanied by a provision for those whom the increased power throws out of employment . Labour is the
only property of the working classes ; and when impaired by mechanical science , the profits arising from such inventions ought to be made available to the use and protection of the individuals displaced . Suppose that there were l , 0 t ) 0 persons in Leicester engaged in any particular branch of manufacture by hand labour , and that by mechanical contrivance one machine was made to do the work of ten men , 900 must be thrown out of employment ; left to s « : k subsistence by other means , or become a burden to the inhabitants who receive no pecuniar } ' advantage from the introduction of the improved machine . H We trace the increase of machinery from the invention of Lee , or from the year 1680 , when a man bv the name of Alsop was the only stockinger
in Leicester , we shall not find any increase that would have been injurious to the interests of working men , had that additional machinery been made to produce good manufactured articles . The people have always watched with a vigilant eye the progression of machinery ; not that they feared the accumulation of frames—but they feared the results that must follow the introduction and progression oi a spurious mode of manufacturing stockings . As early as 1774 the people gathered in great numbers to destroy an improved machine , introduced by Simpson and Goode , of Leicester . And in 1770 a general combination of . working men had been entered into » to obtain an Act of Parliament , to prevent fraudulent work , and to limit the number oi apprentices , in accordance with the spirit and wording of the framework-knitters' charter , which prohibited the
manufacture of spurious goods . Two bills were successively introduced into the House of Commons , but , being opposed by the Hosiers , were lost . When the result ol these " struggles was forcibly pourtrayed to the injured workmen , they devised plans for the tie struction of the machines , for which several ended their earthly existence on the scaffold . From 1810 up to 1817 , the introduction of wide frames became more universal ; and as they progressed , the wages oi the wrought or fashioned works decreased . Moreover , as the wide frames became more prevalent , the value of the narrow ones diminished , as shown before a Committee of the House of Commons in 1819 ; and I may also add , that the poor's rates increased to an alarming extent throughout the country . In 1817
the Hosiers hem a meeting and formed a list of prices , or what is generally termed a " statement , " containing the lengths , widths , and prices ; and to show the disposition of several of the leading Hosiers , they stated that " the wages were low enough . ' * Yet in spite of thisjionest declaration , ere twelve months h : ul elapsed another serious reduction took place in the fashioned stockings , which caused a tumult in 1811 ); when numbers of iiighly respectable individuals placed themselves at the head of the •¦ love . uient . So convinced were thev of the evils a . " sing from a superfluous amouHt of goods manufactured by the new system of " spider work , " or " dap dash , " as it is technically termed , that a society was established , to prevent a surplus amount of goods being manufactured :
and so formidable had this society become , that subscriptions were made in churches and chapels to aid the funds , out of which more than £ 3 , 000 were paid away in a month to support men , rather than they should be engaged in making goods to glut the markets . So powerful and beneficial was this effort of the philanthropists and union-men , that , according to Air . J . Cort ' s pamphlet , the peor-rates were reduced from £ 23 , 599 , to £ U , 050 ; and after the Union was broken up they again rose to £ 22 , 824 . During the year 1811 ) , before the Union , the poor-rates of Sileb y were £ 2 , 205 , and in 1 S 24 , during the Union , they fell to £ 649 Is . Bd . At Syston , in 1824 , the poor - rates were £ 740 ^ and in 1829 , aftcr the Union , they amounted to £ l , 920 . Yours , TdomasWinters . —( To be continued . J The London Cork-Cutters' Societt . —On Mondav
last , Messrs . T . Barratt ( secretary to the Associated Trades of London ) , Gamman , and Fisher , as a deputation from the above Society , waited upon Richard Norman , Esq ., Bank director , of Broad-street , City , and treasurer of the " Duneombe Testimonial"fund , with the sum of £ 20 , the second subscription of that publiospirited body to the " Duneombe Testimonial . The first remittance of £ 0 10 s . we announced a fewweeks since from the Edinburgh and Lcith division of the same society , and we are credibly informed that the Cork-cutters still retain £ 5 in hand as a nest-egg towards the third contribution for the same good purpose . Would the other trades only imitate the exemplary conduct of the spirited Cork-cutters , Mr . Duneombe would have such a testimonial as would alike reflect honour on the givers and the
re-. Great Aggregate Meeting of the Mechanical Trades at Liverpool . —In accordance with public announcement , the aggregate meeting of the mechanieal trades of Liverpool viz ., Mechanics , Millwrights , Engineers , __ Moulders , Smiths , and Boilermakers , was holden in the Assembly-rooms , Nelson-street , on the evening of Monday last , December 23 d , 1844 . The meeting was an extremely large one , and one feeling appeared to pervade the minds of those present . That feeling was > ne of indignation at the present attempt ot the employers to rob the working man of his only hope and protection—his Trades Union . A determination was also manifested to act on the defensive , and make known to the world that
the men would not tamely submit to such monstrous tyranny , let the consequences be what they might . The meeting was called for halfpast seven o ' clock , at which time Mr . Robinson , of Manchester , was unanimously called to preside . Mi . Robinson on rising was received with rapturous cheers , which having subsided , he said , he felt the full weight of the duties of the office in which they had placed him . He trusted , therefore , that they-would assist him in fulfillingthe duties by giving every speaker a fair hearing . The subject on which they had met , and the circumstances which had brought them together , were alike importanti , and probably would call forth discussion . So far as he was concerned , every person should have a fair
hearing ; andhe hoped the parties addressing the meeting would confine themselves to the subject which they had met to consider . The masters of Lancashire , and particularlv those of Liverpool , had introduced a system called " quittance papers , " which system struck at the best interests of the working man , inasmuch as it prevented him from taking hie labour to the best market . This had been the effect of the system in other trades where it had been put into operation . Suppose that he was working for . 18 s . a week , and he asked his master to give him an advance of two shillings . The master refused and he left ; but he had to take a sealed quittance paper to his next employer . In that paper was stated the reasons for leaving his
Untitled Article
last employer . It would run thus : — "Left of his own accord . We gave him 18 e . per week ; but he was dissatisfied , and wanted 20 s . This was a perfect barrier to his getting , an advance of wages . He considered it a . grogs infringement on their rights , and for one was determined to resist it to the last—( much cheering ) . The masters had , through the press and otherwise , stated that their association was purely protective ; but the case of the moulders ol Liverpool was sufficient to prove that there was no truth in what they said . The moulders had not struck , but had been turned out by their employers , because they would not give up their Union . He would read them two printed circulars which had
emanated irom the Masters' Union , which he had got hold of . [ Mr . R . then read a circular entitled an Address of the Masters to the Workmen , which was signed by a vast number of the masters in various parts of the country , extending as far as Derby" ) . This circular disclaimed nuy intention of aggressive measures by the masters ; but the other told him that there was no reliance to be placed on their words . The other circular which he held in his hand , had conic from the same source as the one he had readin fact , in the same week , and signed by the same person who had gained for himself an unenviable notoriety by the part he had taken in this onslaught agamst the rights of labour , namely , Mr . George Peel . ( Much indignation . ) The circular stated that a
meeting had been held at the Clarence Hotel , Manchester , when a declaration was agreed to which the men were to sign , or quit their employment forthwith . Well , this declaratiou had been presented to the men in several large shops in Manchester ; and what was it ? Whv just this . The men were asked to sign not . to belong to the Union , nor to seek a fresh shop at the week-end . The men were to a man determined to give up work rather than give up their Union . ( Loud cheers . ) They now knew what were the ulterior objects of the Masters' Protective Association . It was to protect themselves and destroy the little protection which the men hnd left . Air . Robinson gave a lucid explanation of the principles and objects of the Mechanics' -Protective Society of Great
Britain and Ireland , and then called on Mr . Roberts to move the rirst resolution . Mr . Roberts said that the resolution which he held in his hand was one in which they individually and collectively were much mterested . In fact , the time had come when the Trades must bestir themselves , or they would be undone . Capital was rallying its forces to subjugate Labour ; therefore , it was their imperative duty to be up and doing . Mr . R . moved the following resolution : —That it is the opinion of this meeting that we , the Mechanical Trades of Liverpool , ought to form a Branch of the Protective Society of Great Britain and Ireland . Mr . Roach , in an able speech , seconded the motion , which , on being put from the chair , was agreed to unanimously . Mr . G . Cannforth
moved tl'o following . —That we , the Mechanical Trades of Liverpool , in General Meeting assembled , do hereby adopt the principles laid down in the Rules agreed to by the Mechanical Trades of Manchester . Mr . Craggce , on behalf of the Smiths , asked several questions relative to the working of the principles of the Association , which were answered by the Chairman . Mr . Craggee said he was perfectlysatisfied w ith the straightforward manner in which the chairman answered the questions . He therefore begged leave to second the resolution . —Mr . Rowe came forward to support the resolution , and in doing so begged to say , that he was a Trades' Unionist—not so much from principle as from expediency . In fact he was forced to be one . He hoped no one would
misunderstand him . He was not compelled to belong jto the union of his trade by his fellow workmen , but by the system under which he lived . That system was one of Trades' Unions from the Queen on the throne down to the humblest artizan . He would ask , had not the church a Trades' Union ? Aye , and one that gave protection to the parsons . The bar had its Trades ^ Lnion , and its' list of prices ; the medical profession had its Union ; and the great landed aristocracy had its Union , and the landed aristocracy had their Union , which was passed in 1815 in the shape of a Corn Law , In a word , the holders of property , whether landed or commercial , were all Trades'Unionists ; and as he had to contend against those Unions , it behoved him to be in a Union likewise .
There was also the Trades' Union of franchise , both in the boroughs and counties . The ten-pounders in the boroughs were in the Union , also the forty shilling freeholders , likewise the fifty pound tenants at will ; and he ( Mr . Rowe ) must be a Trades' Unionist until he was placed on an equality with them , and had a rote in the-great Union ; and that was until he was fully and fairly represented in the Commons House of Parliament . Mr . Rowe then replied in a masterly manner to an article which appeared in the Liverpool Journal , and Concluded a powerful speech by denouncing the quittance-papers in no measured terms . lie resumed his scat amid repeated rounds of applause . Mr . Roach moved — That three persons from each trade be appointed a Committee to
draw up the rules ; and that they meet at the Rose and Crown , Cheapside , on next Monday evening , at half-past seven o ' clock . The resolution bemg _ seconded , was carried new . con . A person in the gallery asked if it was true that the Moulders ha < l turned out of their own accord . The chairman said it was not true . The masters had turned them otl" because they would not leave their union . The querist had another question to ask—Did the Moulders demand a uniform rate of wages , irrespective of the man's . ability ? Chairman : Ko . They fix a rate of wages which is the lowest that is to be paid , and the man of talent mav get as much more as he can . The rate of wages is fixed for the inferior workman , and the superior has to trast to his
abilities to get more . —Mr , Dixon then addressed the meeting for a short time . —Mr . Roach said that they should at all times support their friends ; and the Nortkern Suxr newspaper was the only one that would do the working man justice . He , therefore , hoped that as the report of that meeting would be in it , they would purchase it , not only that week , but every week ; for by so doing they would see what was going yn . amongst the other Trades in all parts ot the country . ( Cheers . ) Thanks were voted to those masters who had refused to join the mastei's' association , and likewise to those who had so nobly with drawn from a cause which had for its object the
injury of the poor mam Mr . Robinson having left the chair , Mr . Roach was called to it , when the thanks of the meeting were given to Mr . Robinson for his conduct in the chair . Mr . Robinson briefly acknowledged the compliment . One of the Moulders then read the following ;—The Moulders of ' Liverpool return their sincere thanks for the unsolicited support they have received during their present struggle ; and they beg leave to say they will not be found wanting if ever their brother Tradesmen should be p laced in . similar circumstances . The meeting broke up with throe hearty cheers for the Protective Scoiety nf Great , Britain and Ireland .
Mixers' Intelligence . —The next general delecate meeting of the Miners of Yorkshire will be held at the Griffin Inn , Northgate , Wakefield , on Monday the 30 th of December , 1844 , to commence at nine o'clock in the morning , when the new cards and rules of the Miners' Mutual Benefit Society will be ready for delivery .
Untitled Article
THE CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES . Hitherto we have not treated of matters theatrical in the Star ; not that we were blind to the necessity of so important and attractive a feature of London journalism , but that , hardly settled in our new locale , we have had so many matters to occupy our time as to prevent us paying attention to this one in particular . AlwayB intending to include theatricals in the contents of the Star , we nave considered we could not better commence than at Christmas , when old and young , grave and gay , the great and the humble , combine in crushing and cramming together to witness the tricks and jests mClotvn and Pantaloon ; and the wondrous transformations of Harlequin and Columbine . Accordingly , the coming of boxing-night saw us
commence our new duties , which will henceforth form one of the features of this paper . How it is that we have managed to play the ubiquitous part of witnessing at one and the same time , the doings of Robinson Crusoe at Drury-lane , Valentine and Orson- at the Lyceum , Johnny Gilpin at Astley's , Robin Hood and Little John at Sadler ' s Wells , and Lazy Dick at the Olympicin short , all the pantomimic glories which illumined the metropolis on Thursday night , our readers need , not inquire . Let them have faith that there are more things in the Craft Editorial than are dreamt of in their philosophy . Enough that , as Trotty Veck says , " here we are , and here we go ; " and from west to east , from north to south , we nave witnessed , we have been delighted ; and we now beg to introduce to our readers a notice of entertainments which , enjoying ourselves , we could wish all others to enjoy , and -which we cannot doubt have already , or will be , participated in by thousands of the metropolitan readers of the Northern Star .
DRURY-LANE . Pantomime still reigns triumphant ! The antics and malcontretems of Clown and Pantaloon , the ubiquitous agility of Harlequin and Columbine . ' the ludicrous metamor pl » oses and tricks which formerly kept the house in a roar are still enjoyed ; there is still a laughter-loving audience to be found even in these days of utilitarianism and matterof-fact . From the top of Old Drury ' to the bottom not one vacant seat could have been found within a short time after the house was opened . Pit , boxes , and gallery , all were full to overflowing to welcome Fuck ' s Pantomime , or SarUquin and Robinson Crusoe . The opera of
the Daughter Of St . Murk preceded the pantomime , and was allowed to proceed and terminate without those indications of impatience which are usually manifested in the ^ higher circles on the first night of the season . The fun in reserve then commenced . The scene openo with ad distressed author in want of a subject for the opening of a " Christmas piece . " Pueie appears to him , and conjures up tableaux vivantt of the principal tales of fairy and romance for his selection ; but these have been used up by the great Farleyr—at last appears our old loved friends , Robinson and his faithful black . The author seizes upon the idea , and Puck undertakes to " get up " the opening . We are then taken to the coast on which Crusoe was
Untitled Article
wrecked —; the shipjis high and dry—and the solitary mariner is discovered clearing out the hold and selecting from the cargo the several articles to be useful for , his 1 stay . This scene was admirably illustrated by Mr . W . H . Payne . After a good deal of capital fun with Robinson , Friday ( Wieland ) , -and the Caribbees , the usual transformations took place . Friday was metamorphosedinto Harlequin ; j Clown , Pantaloon , and Columbine made their appearance as if by magic ; the Caribbees were no longer in sight , but the scene was thatof a musicshop and artificial } arm and leg manufactory . Several good tricks were here exhibited , and Wieland made one or two excellent leaps . Among the most effective of the scenes and tricks that succeeded was that of the exterior of the Insolvent Debtors' Prison , with the ' act of Parliament abolishing imprisonment for debt pasted on the wall ; Harlequin with his magic wand touches the scene , and immediately it is transformed into baths and washhouses for the labouring classes , with a large
placard announcing that all who avail themselves of the convenience must bring their own soap . A score or ttfo of washers are engaged at an enormous tub in the centre , keeping up an incessant wrangling and jangling . The Clown and Pantaloon come in disguised as respectable old ladies with their dirty linen , and produce no . little confusion by the mistakes they commit of substituting for immersion the bearers of clothes instead of the clothes themselves .- A bell rings—the bathing hour 'has arrived—the women vanish—coal-heavers , sweeps , and a numerous body of the unwashed appear and betake themselves to the different apartments labelled as baths for those of their respective particular callings . The poor wretches are luxuriating in their ablutions , but the Clown and Pantaloon are ' on the alert—mischief is in the windthey turn on the steam , and the bathers are nearly boiled before they can make their escape . Other tricks followed ; and after the usual amount of bustle , leaps , grins , tumbles , and transformations , the curtain fell amid a few hisses , and pretty general applause .
COVENT GARDEN . This house , thank God ! has at length opened in the " regular line , " with a complete change of players ; The grim farce that has been so often repeat «' . > n its boardsonce trod by a KiiinUe and a Siddons—by Cobden and Co ., has , for a tinie at least , given place to something more in character ; ' for now niiut is presented is avowedly theatrical representation ; and we are not insulted by the request to believe that the " actors" are really , and to the life , what they for ( he hour appear to be . We know them to be actors ; and they aie honest enough to say so : and we therefore ^ sit easy under them , and enjoy the fun , not having the spirits weighed down to the depth of disgust and loathing whicli is always engendered by the manifest hvpocrisy of the League actors . The play .
on this occasion was the oid stock piece of George Bamtct'K , which was listlessly received . In fact , the play was neither more nor less than a bore—a dreary , dismal , yet non-pathetic thing ; that dragged its weary way along till the welcome 6 ound of the' bell that summoned Barnwell to execution told the audience that they were released from the infliction . ; The coda finished , up rose the curtain upon Harlequin Crotchet and Quaver ; or , Music for the Million . The idea ! is capital , and is full of sly satire at the late musical movements that have taken place at this theatre . It jis a decidedly comic pantomime — the thought is clearly made out— -those that run may read—and those that are seated be amused . The first scene represents the Palace of Discord , and is a clever and fantastic picture , occupied with various
grotesque figures , playing ou harsh musical instruments . Discord , who is the chief of a kind of Sax-horn band , has seduced Sharp , Flatjand Natural , three oddities , from their allegiance to Apollo , and resolves , with their assistance , to carry off Miss Semiquaver . Apollo and Co . determtne to save Semiquaver from the clutches of Discord . This brings us to the cottage of Demisemiquaver , who is the father of Semiquaver . The notion of this cottage is rather ingenious . The walls are covered with musical notes ; the roof is formed of two open music-books , and the chimnies consist of two ' , trumpets . Discord succeeds in carrying off Semiquaver , with her lover Crotchet , tempting the parent ' s avarice by changing his cottage into a domicile of gold—a very clever transformation . The two lovers are conveyed to a c'ottage on the clef ( cliff ) , and there seem
to be in an awkward predicament , till Apollo comes to the rescue , and turns Crotchet into Harlequin ( Smithers ) , Semiquaver into Columbine ( Miss Massally , Discord into Clown ( Charles Marsh ) , and Demisemiquaver into Pantaloon ( Guriet ) , adding to the motley crew a second Harlequin ( Spencer Forde ) , a second Columbine ( Miss Ryalls ) , and a jsecond Pantaloon ( T . Blanchard ) . And then begins the fun so glorious . All the quips and quiddities of the day , thu popular hits , the political gyrations , the wonderful inventions , the Poor Law improvements , the pauper ! provision , tbe Gibbs installation , the contemplated ablutionary receptacles , and all the infinite crotchets of the hgge Babylon , are humorously descanted upon , and most laughably developed . Foremost in the van of the comicalities is the chairing of the present
mayor , with ambulatory ledgers , the basket-men in Armour , and the > opposing mob of civic absurdities , Loud is the din , and uproarious the mirth . The Daguerreotype , with its peculiar portraits , and the magic changes from the white to black , and the lecture on soap | by the Clown , are admirable . The two great changes are a lodging-house , in which the several stories are changed from parlour to garret , and )*{<•< : verm , and the exterior changes to the interior ; and then > ve have a e ockmuker ' s shop , in which all the movements become mesmerised , and the dials and their indices perform the strangest antics . Taken alto , get her , Crotchet aiid Quaver may take its stand with the best comic pamoniimes . One long shriek of mirth followed each scene . The ] scenery is admirably painted , and the various tricks ingeniously constructed .
i THE LYCEUM . The entertainments consisted of a new drama founded on the new work of Mr . C . Dickens , and an extravaganza , called Valentine aivd Orson . The goblin story of The Chimes it will not ; be necessary to describe very myiutely . The two wreaths 0 f our Christmas Garland will have made the reader pretty well acquainted with the plot and construction of the Story . The piece is divided into fhree parts , called peals ' . The first peal on opening discovers Trotty Veck plying for hire as a ticket porter at the foot of the old church , arid ends with his taking Will Fern and Lilian to his house , and welcoming them there with a poor man ' s welcome ; the peal being closed by a chant of the goblin chimes . The second peal consists wholly of Trotty's dream . ! The third opens in Mrs .
Chickehstalker s shop , I and , after concluding the dream , ends with the merry chimes of the drunken drummer —here we are , hqve we go—and the ball . Keeley ' . s fun formed the support of the piece . Probably the character of Trotty could nqt be made to jield a greater number oi hits than he brought into play . His dress and appear , ance were admirably in character . But no one could look or dress any character better than Mr . -Emery as Will Fern . lie was the haggard , three-quarters starved labourer , with a ^ fierce desperation in his looks at one time , yet , at another , sinking , cowed , and heart-broken under the pressure of want , with a reality that was almost startling . Mrs . Keeley , as Margaret , or Meg Veck , drew great applause in the passionate scene where Lilian dies at her feet . Richard was prettily acted by Mr . F . Vining . The audience , which was a numerous one , graced each peal as it ended with a distinct round of
applause . Valentine and Orson which immediately followed , seemed to meet with unqualified applause , and we think it deserved all the praise that can be deserved by a Christmas piece . ) Mr . F . Matthews was excellent as King Fepin . Mrs . Keeley enacted there-doubtable Valentine with exquisite spirit and vivacity . Then who could resist Keeley as Orson , with his cincture of ivy leaves ,, his coal-black wavy locks , and stereotyped beard . His humour and antics were delightful . Bruina—that is to say , the bear—Orson ' s reputed mother , vras well played , if we may use thie term , by Mr . Collier . The scenery is remarkably well executed , particularly a distant view of the city of Orleans . Tbe drosses , decorations , arms , armour , Ac , are jail of the most brilliant description ; indeed , no pains seem to have been spared in this , case to render perfect tKat important portion of the sources of pleasure we derive from scenic representations .
i HAYMARKET . The performances at this popular theatre commenced with the successful comedy of Old Heads and Young Hearts , which was followed by a moving Diorama of Swiss scenery . It commences with a view of the town and lake of Zurich , and | eads the spectator on through various glimpses of romantic scenery to Lake Leman and Geneva . This portion of the entertainments was greatly applauded , and must prove a great attraction . The novel and pleasing Panora . ma wa ^ B followed by a Fairy Extravaganza , entitled p-raciosa and Percinet , from the pen of Mr . Planche . Th ' piece begins with an interior in the castle of the ugly oldjDuchess G-rognon ( Mrs . Stanley ) , to whom we are immediately introduced , and shortly after to King Esorious , played by Bland . The King ' s visit is an
accidental drop in , in the course of a day ' s hunting , but leads to very important results , us tbe Duchess Grognon contrives to captivate his widowed heart , if not by the charms of her person , by a dazzling display of those of her purse , and the King becomes an accepted suitor . In the-next scene we are introduced to Graeiosa ( Miss Bennett ) , the King ' s lovely daughter , the toast of all the gallant inhabitants of the country , and the hatred of the Duchess Grognon . She is made acquainted with her parent ' s matrimonial intentions , of which she is far from approving . Here the other ! fairy , Prince Percinet ( Miss Horton ) , makes his appearance , and commences the declaration of true love , which runs , as usual , not smoothly through the piece . He ( places her on a milk-white steed , and conducts her through the country by a contrivance called a movement in jfour flats , the scenery moving while the horse stands still , until they meet with the marriage cortege of her respected father with his newly-chosen"bride .
The Duchess Grognon is envious of the beauty of the house , orders poor Graeiosa to be unceremoniously shifted from the saddle , and mounts it herself , but she not being remarkably skilful in horsemanship , the result is a fearful tumble , from the effects of which she recovers only to vent her redoubled rage against Graeiosa , from which her father , with a prudent eye to the eligible match in view , declines to screen her . Prince Percinet is her only friend in need , and he is , fortunately , one well enabled to serve her , having at command all sorts of magical assistance . The scourges with which the fair Graeiosa is ordered to be whipped are turned by him to feathers . ; he vanquishes all the knights who come forth as champions of Grognon , in the character of Queen of Beauty , and asserts Graeiosa to be alone entitled to the sovereigntyj ; in short , under every persecution heaped by the deformed spouse of the old King , he proves her saviour , although his services are very ungraciously received by Graeiosa , whose coyness continues until her i
Untitled Article
last disaster at the hands of Grognon' —namely , being thrown down a well , at the bottom of which , instead of death , she finds a Crystal Palace , and being there again wooed for her hand , finally becomes the bride of Percinet . The piece was decidedly a hit , and at the conclusion was greeted with vociferous aud continued applause . SADLER'S WELLS , This theatre , which the fame of Grimaldi has consecrated in the eyea of all lovers of Christmas pantomime , was , from the commencement , crowded to overflowing . The first piece was the Stranger , of which , to our great regret , not a single word was heard ; for it appeared to have bee - "veil got up , and equally well played . Indeed , those wn y desire to Tritness the regular drama are now compelled to go to Sadler ' s Wells . The play at length concluded , and that which was alone looked for as the evening's entertainment , the pantomime proper , commenced . This was entitled Harlequin Robin Hood and Little John , or Merrie England in the Olden Time , The first scene opens by Old England ( a portly
old gentleman , a bit oi a grumbler , although in possession of a sound constitution ) advancing to the stage , surrounded by Ms old English subjects , Old King Cole , Tom Thumb , and Alfred , carousing , and singing a chorus to the tune of Old King Cole , each subject wearing an enormous mask ] of unsurpassable ugliness . Old England bidding them be jolly calls in Sir Loin , Plum Pudding , and OJd England ' g Beer , and immediately a gigantic sirloin of beef , a plum-pudding to match , and an enormous pot of stout walk on to the stage , and pay their homage to Old England . In the midst of this scene Young England , a boy ( a very sorry philosopher ) , who has been heard crying , descends in a cloud , surrounded by fireworks , with the mottoes above and below
him , " Equality and "The new Balance for the Future . " The latter was exemplified by a large pair of scales . Seated in the balance at one end , with his heels and head out , was a noble lord smoking a cigar ; in the opposite balance sat a coal-heaver in a similar attitude , smoking a short pipe . A dialogue then takes place between Old and Young England , in which Old England suggests that we are wise enough , and that his subjects want not philosophy to make them happy , but Bread and Cheese , and Means of Health ; to which Young England replies : Right , sir , my views are these . When asked how he will be so knowing as to accomplish this , Young England replies , he is small as yet , but still is daily growing . Some very pretty
panoramic views then followed , and after a pretty considerable amount of business with Robin Hood , Little John , Allan-a-dale , the Sheriff of Nottingham , and Marian , all in accordance with the wellknown history of those-important personages , Young England again descended in his cloud and transformed Allan into Harlequin , Marian into Colunv bine , Robin Hood and Little John into Clown and Sprite , and the Sheriff into Pantaloon , Then the usual pantomime scenes commenced . Amongst the tricks which told best was the introduction of a large black bottle , labelled—a black dose for the lawyers , law reform , 1844 , simultaneously with the entre of a man habited as a counsel , in wig and gown , of whom the Clown is taking advice , when Harlequin touched the bottle with his wand , and out sprang Lord Brougham in short plaid unwhisperables , in training order , with boxing gloves on , and
immediately hit right and lelt at the counsel . This witticism told well . Another trick was vociferously cheered . A huge twelfth-cake was introduced ; Harlequin touched it , and a label dropped , " TheLord Mayor for 1844 , " when up rose from the centre of the cake a black sheep with a large book under its fore leg , labelled — Unbalanced Accounts . Another—The prize pauper-show for 1844^—exhibited a miserable , half-starved looking pauper fed on gruel , beside Prince Albert's prize pig , fed on the best barleymeal , —a boy stuffed till he can scarcely walk . A box was touched by the Harlequin labelled—Medi cine for the Million—Patent life pills , and opens out a sirloin of beef , a standing pie , and many other good things , at sight of which the hungry-looking pauper licks his lips . The pantomime was , upon the whole , lively and bustling ; and though some may be better , many are worse , and will prove infinitely less attractive .
THE PRINCESS'S . Mr . Gilbert A'Beckett is the author of the new extravaganza at this elegant theatre . The performances began with Balfe ' s opera of the Castle ofAymon This concluded , Mr . A'Beckett ' s new piece commenced , entitled Joe Miller and his Men . The scene opens with the fairy Court of Bankruptcy , with Apollo aa commissioner ' of the Court , and Mercury as the attorney ; thedeities are bewailing the insolvency of Melpomene and Thalia , and Mercury proposes to restore the British drama by modernizing ilaeheth
and turning him into a modern Scotchman with a Tweed . At Apollo ' s suggestion , however , they agree to take the Miller and Ms Men , adapt its situations to the present time , and , for the want of reason , turn them into rhyme . The deities are then dispersed under a cloud , and a beautiful scene is revealed , representing the branch banks of a river , with the mill in the distance . Some of the points told bravely . For instance , when old Kelmar is . urging Claudine to marry Grindoff on account of his wealth , she
says"Not all his gold—his wheat—his oats—his barley " Could make me wish to be his better half . " Kelm . — Not all his corn ? " Ckiud . —No , nor all his chaff "excited great laughter . Again , when Lothare ( played with extravagant humour by Oxberry ) volunteers to join the robbers , and they bind his eyes , he says" Just leave sufficient freedom to the nose ; " Hereditary brigands , don ' you know , " The nose that would be free , himself must blow !" ¦\ Vhen Grindoff comes back to fetch bis hat he excuses himself for the apparent effeminacy by saying , with : reference to the hatless heroes of the day—¦• There ' s Wellington upon Comhill , His head's remarkable for keeping cooL " And when at the last the hero is summoned to surrender , he exclaims : — " What , yield to a set of supers ?
I'd just as soon yield to the Lumber Troopers . Yield to six men at eighteen-pence a night ! Xo , no , I'd rather take my chance and fight . " Miss Emma Stanley danced , sung , and acted de light fully throughout the piece ; Oxberry was occasionally clever , and a portion of the scenery , which the play bills ascribe to Mr . Beverley , is admirably painted , and shows that gentleman to be an artist of the highest range of talent .
THE SURREY . The Christmas performances at this theatre commenced with a new drama , entitled the Seven Ages of Man , founded on Shakespere ' s celebrated description . The piece was received with unanimous approbation ^ The new pantomime is entitled Pounds , Shillings , and Pence ; or Harlequin L . S . I ) . Amongst the scenes which take place that representing the Marsh and Surrey toll-houses ( so long suffered to be a nuisance to the inhabitants on the Surrey side of the water ) was by no means the least effective . In the course of the pantomime Herr Von Joel gave his admirable imitations of birds . The pantomimic bustle is well kept up throughout , and no expense has been spared on the scenery and decorations of the introductory part . The house was crowded to an overflow , ana was as uproai'ious as could be expected on a Christmas night .
THE ADELPHL The Christmas entertainments at this theatre were abundant . Dickens ' s Christmas Chimes , in itself a drama , furnishing food for thought to the philanthropist while ministering to the highest flights of imaginative romance , and , at the same time , cutting with the most caustic satire the disciples of Malthus who would quell every feeling of humanity to carry ont a heartless theory . This , however , was not all . The Chimes requires a great deal of scenic decoration , and so necessarily does a pantomime . It became , therefore , necessary to give breathing to the machinists ; and accordingly the very pleasant comic operetta of the Fox and the Goose intervened between the two real and substantial entertainments of the evening .
"he pantomime was entitled the Caffs Castle ; or , Harlequin and the King of ihe Rats , founded , as the bills inform us , upon a categorical and doggrel poem , written by a laureate who invoked the Mews in the middle ages , called Cat ' s Castle , and how it was besieged and taken . The plot of the pantomime , the title of which we have given above , turns on the antipathy which , is well known to prevail between the rats and the cats . When the transformations take place , the usual bustle , changes , and intricacies of the harlequinade ensue , and the ground is skipped over with wonderful celerity by all the dramatis persona There was some pretty dancing by Harlequin and Columbine , and Clown and Pantaloon exerted themselves to the utmost to gratify their Christmas au * dience—jumping , tumbling , kicking , and being kicked —and they received their reward in hearty roars ol laughter . The pantomime was completely successful
THE EXHIBITIONS . We have only space to say that the Chinese Exhibi tion ; the Diorama ; the Panorama , Leicester-square ; the Polytechnic Institution ; the Adelaide Gallery ; Madame Tussaud's ; Tom Thumb at the Suffolk-street Rooms , and the Sahon of Arts , Great WinumiD street , all presented their several attractions , and were crowded with pleasure-seeking visitors througtt the whole of Thursday .
Cvatiejs' Ittobnncntg.
Cvatiejs' ittobnncntg .
Ftijc €F)Eatre*»
ftijc € f ) eatre *»
Tprojttutatt Police $Nulligentt
TprojttUtatt police $ nUlligentt
T Street Tar Vie Printed By Doug Al M'Gowan, Of 17, Great Tttodnufl-Btreet, Haymarket, In The City Of Westminster, At**
t street tar vie Printed by DOUG AL M'GOWAN , of 17 , Great TTtodnufl-Btreet , Haymarket , in the City of Westminster , at **
vmcem ne same ana rarun , * " - prietor , FEMIGUS O'CONNOR , Eeq ^ dptibl&hedbJ Woliah Hewitt , of Ho . 18 , Charles-street , Bra ndoa > , . stre « t , Waihroith , in th * JPar ifih of St . Mary , Kewinf- .,. ton , in the Connty of Surrey , at the Office , Jfo . V » t Strand , in the Parish of 8 t . Maxy-le-Sttand , »*• ; Gky of Westminster Batnrday , December 28 , 1844
Untitled Article
J / - THE NORTHERN STAR . I Decembers , 1844 .
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 28, 1844, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1295/page/8/
-