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Ctetfsit iHteUfgtntfc
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Rational ILm\a oi/ompanp*
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"¦ Printed fcy DOUG AL M'GOWAN, of IB. Great WimH"^'
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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.
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TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . " last speech , confession , and true dying declaration of Thomas Bailey , late proprietor of the Nottingham Mercury , who was found smothered in a heap of waste papers , at his office in the Market-place , on Thursday last , the 11 th instant—May the Lord have mercy on his soul i " BastardNottinghamNov ember 9 tn , 1847 .
, , 3 a , —Although I did not embrace the opportunity of meeting you on the p latform in " « Exchange Hall , Nottingham , on the evening of the 27 th ult ., yet have I not been the less desirous on that account to express to you inpnhlie the grounds on which I differ from you in respect of your proposed scheme for ameliorating the general condition of the British labouring class , by locating them in agricultural colonies , on the principles of your Land Plin .
I propose , then , that we have a meeting in public for the discussion of this question , and its co-relative one , the influence of these colonies , supposing them to be extensively established , on the moral , the intellectual , and social condition of the industrial Masses of this country , as well as on the wealth , the power , the prosperity , and real greatness of the empire at large . All reference to balance sheets , or the detail of management of tbe colonies at present in existence , to bs prohibited on this occasion , and the discussion be confined exclusively to principles .
To secure order , and guard as much as possible against exhibitions of undue partiality by any portion of the audience , 1 propose that each party shall no . minale a Chairman , who shall , if they think proper , nominate an umpire . The audience to range on opposite sides of the hall or place of meeting . I engage to commence the proceedings , by stating my objections to the Land Plan , for which purpose I shall be allowed one hour and a half . You shall then enter on the defence , being allowed a similar period of tune , after which , half an hour shall be granted me for reply . I am fearful there is not time during your present -stay in Nottingham to complete the arrangements necessary for this discussion , though I am most desirous that it should come off at as early a period
as possible . \ Taitiog a line from you on this subject to-morrow morning , addressed to me at the' Mercury Office . * I remain , sir , yours most obediently , Thos . Baukt . Peargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P ., Ram Hotel , Nottingham .
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JWJ - juru-j ^ f ^^ m . uu-Tlt Bam Hotel , Nottingham , Tuesday , November ~ 9 th , 1847 . Sir , —I accept your challenge—name your day , and g ive me sufficient notice to enable me to travel to Nottingham . Feargus O'Connor . Mr Thom& 3 Bailey , Mtrcury Office , Nottingham . Now , my friends , I invite you—nay , I implore you—to read the above letter of Mr Thomas Bailey with care and attention , and from it you will learn that the assailer of my character—the critic and denouncer of the balance sheet—the exposer of my wasteful
expenditure of your funds , and the enemy of the principle involved in the Land Plan , when worsted in the conflict , abandons every objection to the balance sheet , surrenders every ¦ charge of wasteful expenditure , and gives np the denunciation of the principle , and is now satisfied to rest his opposition upon the effects that the plan may have upon the moral , intellectual , and social condition of the people . I Let me ask you if ever a more dishonest , or more disreputable , or more disgraceful shuffle was resorted to by the greatest juggler ? But from my acceptance of his challenge you will
learn a valuable and a wholesome lesson—the lesson that I do not shrink from any inquiry into the subject before an audience whose minds would be easily biassed against me , because interested in my integrity , if the shadow of a shade of wrong could , be proved against me . You must always hear in mind , that I am the person who , above all others , has pressed upon you the necessity of jealous , and even suspicious , watching of your funds ; and so particular am I upon this point—the want of particularity on which has been the rock that every movement has heen shivered upon —that last night , when presenting my banker ' s lookjtthe secretary ' s book—in which there is not a figure of mine—and the balance sheets ,
to a deputation of the several secretaries of this district , that I was the least impatient of all , and the most anxious for the most searching inqniry . I showed to that deputation every item set down from the secretary ' s book , in my answer to Bailey , of last week ; and there was not one single fraction of variance "between those books , my balance sheet , and the banker ' s hook . 1 even directed their attention to the items cavilled at b y Bailey and showed the entries , dates , and amounts in the banker ' s book . I did not make one figure ; the secretaries took the figures from the several bookstand , as you will find by their resolutions -at foot , they were perfectly satisfied on behalf of their constituents .
There were also present two accountantsmaster manufacturers—and to those gentlemen , and the secretaries , I exhibited the banker ' s book , making them cast the debtor and creditor side up , and showing the balance of 1 . 200 Z . due to me . Then , as my character , with regard to the " Northern Star " accounts , Lad been assailed in the "Mercury , " I exhibited the books connected with that , paper from the first week , and upon them I think I satisfied the deputation that there wasn ' t a figure of mine ; and upon which they expressed themselves in no very measured terms .
You will not suppose that a gentleman can he too minute in his explanation ofthe smallest item connected with the funds of the working classes , and so particular am I in carrying all forward to their credit that they have paid , you will find that I have debited myself with a sum of nearly 2 Q 0 J ., which , * contrary to my repeated entreaties , has been placed in the different banks in London to my credit , and which still remains there , although I have given you credit for the whole amount in the balance sheet .
The wide range of accusation , now adopted by ouVopponents is , that , being unable to keep my own accounts , I am not competent to keep yours : my answer is , that your accounts are not kept by me ; that they are kept , firstly , by the" Directors ; secondly , by my London agent ; thirdly , by my banker and broker ; and , fourthly , by the overseer and bailiff . Hence , I have four checks upon those accounts , and my duty is the mere administration of those funds / , taking care that I receive value for all expended . And I now pray your attention to the following curious and startling fact .
I have erected about 150 houses . They will not average 100 Z . a house , with outbuildings . My friend , Mr Allsop , has contracted for building a number of houses near Lincoln , upon the very same scale—and beautiful houses they are too—and for these houses the cort for overseer , architect , and builder , is abont 155 / . ; so that if : you take a hundred houses , built under fmy supervision , and a hundred houses ; built on account of a gentleman , whose time is too precious to- admit of
personal supervision , you have the astounding fact , that my management , in the erection of these hundred houses alone , saves you fifty-five pounds a house , or five thousand five hundred pounds ; ard when I shall have built a hundred thousand houses , ¦ which , with God ' s blessing , I will , I shall have saved the Gompauy the small item of five millions five hundred thousand pounds . Now what think you of that ? But that ' s not all . I save you an equal amount by performing every operation myself , from the purchase ofthe Land , to the location of the occupant .
Here , then , is the distinctive character of this undertaking . In every other instance the money of a Conipmy is considered public property , a property from which every one connected with the Company has a kind of prescriptive . right to help himself , and all get afraid of each other ; whereas , I am afraid of no man and the crime with which I am chargeable is , that I have been more jealous and particular about this Company ' s money than I have been about my own money .
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The one view , that I wish you to take of me , my Ire , and the Company , is this : — Firstly . —That I could not spend money luxuriously if I had it . Secondly . — That through the whole of life I have only valued money in proportion to the good I could do to the poor ; and Thirdly . —That if my object was to make property for myself , I date say I could rake and scrape s me £ 20 , 000 . or £ 25 . 000 . of my own together ; and from that sum I weuld undertake , in ten years , to make myself the richest mail inEurope , by purchasing land in the wholesale market , and selling it in tbe retail market , and discharged of the necessity of submitting myjnanagement , or my balance sheet , to the criticism of Bailey , Hobson , the ' Whistler , ' and C * .
It is a very extraordinary fact connected with this our most holy of all undertakings , that . the poorman-protecting press never assailed it , until it took such a firm hold of the minds of the working classes as to make it a terror to monopoly , and surely , from the outset , the principle was precisely the same as it is now . As long as we were mere talking Chartists , a bench of master magistrates could send us before a jury of mas * ei manufacturers , for riots , routs , sedijailtion , conspiracy and tumult ; they could send me to forpublishing other men ' s speeches , but they canntt send me to jail for publishing tbe receipts of other men ' s money . In fact , and I defy mortal man to deny it , I , of my single self , certainly aided by the good and trusty men with whom , thank God , I have teen associated , have created a greater mental and moral revolution within the last ten years for this is
THE BIRTH DAY ofthe Northern Star . This day it has completed its tenth anniversary ; and , however those who have lived luxuriously , and amassed money by it , may now undertake to show and prove the difficulties , the hazards , and hair breadth ' scapes through which that popular life-boat has passed ; yet , however searching , diving , critical , or minute , their recitations and narratives maybe ; yet will all fall far , very far , short of the reality . The poor
devils who undertake to pourtray the vicissitudes through which the Northern Star has passed , and the calamities it has survived , will find that when the vial of their wrath is expended , they have not named , half nor yet a twentieth part , while in the narrowness of their limited memories—only remarkable for fabrication—they appear to forget that no man has been so anxious , so ready , and so willing , at all times , to submit those difficulties to the world , and to develope my own pecuniary condition .
You will say that I have not performed an easy week ' s work , when I tell you that it is now nearly twelve o ' clock on Thursday , and that from Monday night to this hour I have not been outside of this room , except to my bedroom , and that I have only eaten three meals ; and that , from nine o ' clock in the morning till twelve at eight , I have been engaged in receiving deputations . Nofr is ' nt that time worth something to the poor ? I have stolen the time from my rest , for all this , to write several letters , to read the daily papers ; and last , not least , to peruse Josh . Hobson ' s immense " long yarn" of five cohnns and a half ! and if Mr . Roberts gave him a pill on Monday night , I'll give him a bolus on Saturday next that he is little prepared for and , then I'll leave him to wallow in his own tnire , to be dealt with in future by those who know his character even better than I do .
I eannot however conclude this letter , without informing Mr Bailey that I will give him tbe aid of Hobson and the' "Whistler , ' on Monday evening , the 22 nd inst ., for that ' s the night of the discussion ; and that while I undertake to confirm myself strictly to the conditions laid down in Mr Bailey ' s letter , twill allow them to fire away at my character , both public and private , through tbe whole of life . And here allow me to make a distinction between Mr Bailey and tbe other two ; as regards Mr Bailey , I have only to declare , that if one single insult is offered to him during his address or reply , or if a single unseeraingly exhibition of feeling is manifested , I will instantly leave the hall ; and as I have ever sought for a full and fair discussion and inveslgation of every princi ple I have propounded , I will confine myself strictl y to the p oints proposed to be
discussed in Mr Bailey ' s letter—namely , 'The effects of the Land Plan upon the moral , intellectual and social condition of the working classes . ' I am only too happy to meet a controversionalist , upon any subject connected with the Land Plan , and if Mr Bailey had informed me of what his Editor , Mr Walter Ellis , communicated before several gentlemen yesterday ; namely , that his information was derived from letters written by other parties , I would have treated Mr Bailey in a very different manner . And here I now beg to tell that gentleman , that having had the courage and manliness to meet me , 1 bury all the past in oblivion . I shall meet him like a gentleman , and treat him like a gentleman , and if he can suggest any possible improvement in the Land Plan , I will receive it with gratitude , and henceforth hail him as one who CAN make it more perfect .
I have a moment just to repeat here a sentence from one of the two splendid speeches made by Mr Roberts , on Monday night last . His last speech was an hour and a quarter ' s length , and never flagged for a moment on his audience ; but , on the contrary , when about to dose , he was requested to proceed . He said , and mark it : — "Now , my friends , what is their disappointment , their antipathy , and their hatred to the Land Plan based upon , why , upon this one fct , that they see that the people are determined not to be bamboozled , and that all that is necessary to carry it out is confidence in one man , and that man is Feargus O'Connor : and , it would be
harmless if they confined their speculative opposition to newspaper squibs and conundrums , but when such mea as Mr Joshua Hobson undertake to expound the law , then I feel a little indignity offered to my own trade , for I don ' t want you all to be lawyers . However . Jthis ' gentlemanjhas ventured a legal gnessin reply to Mr O ' Connor ' s assertion , that prior to commencing proceedings for the recovery of penalties , the Attorney-General ' s consent shall be obtained . Now Mr Hobson has declared , that throughout the whole act there is no such provision—in fact ,
repudiates the assertion wholesale . " Well , I began to think , that surely no man would " make so broad an assertion without some grounds , and I jogged my memory . and said , ' surely , William Prouting Roberts , in July , 1847 , you considered the Joint { Stock Companies' Act , an important matter for consideration , and is it possible that you are the ksobstick , and lawyer Hobson is the authority ? So I turned to the 77 th clause of this Tsame Act , printed in the People ' s Legal Adviser , for July , 1847 , and what did I find there ? why , just this , and I'll read it for you : — .
LXXVII . Andbs it enacted , That it shall not be lawful for any Person to commence or prosecute any Aetion , Bill , Plaint , Information , or Proiecatien in any of Her Majesty ' s Superior Courts , for the Recavery of any Penalty or Forfeiture incurred by raason of any Office committed against this Act , unless the same be commenced or prosecuted in the Name and with the Coaient of Her Jlnjesty ' s Attorney General ; and that If any Action , Bill , Plaint , Information , or Prosecution , or aiy Proceeding before any Juitices as aforesaid , shall be commenced or Prosecuted in the Kama of anj other Pdrion than is in that Behalf before mentioned , ths vamo shall ba and are hereby declared to be noil anJ sold .
( Loud and continued cheering , followed the reading of the above clause . ) " Now , " continued Mr Roberts , a lawyer Hobson appears to have a go at this Land Plan , and I tell him from this spot , and before my clients , that the Miner ' s Attorney-General is ready for him , and all other spies and informers , whenever they feel disposed for a tilt , as I am determined that nothing shall be left undone on my part , to uphold , defend , and assist this , the most holy , the most glorious , the most heavenly cause that ever the people of any country were engaged in . " ( Renewed , and ' rapturous applause . )
Now , my friends , what say you to that ? That comes from a man of the clearest legal perception in this country ; I'll not except one of any branch of the profession . It is the opinion of the man , who , in opposition to six barristers of high standing , contended and successfully , against the informalities in the monster indictment ; the man who is received as an authority by the judges ; the man whom the coal kings dread , as the general jail deliverer ; and with this observation , ; I conclude . Ever your fond and affectionate friend , Feargus O'Connor . Nottingham , Thursday .
At a meeting of the undersigned members of the National Land Company , appointed to examine the accounts of Feargus O'Connor , Esq . M . P ., the trrararer ofthe abeve Company , we have the greatest satisfaction in deelaring to our brother shareholders throughout the country , that after carefully going through such accounts , we declare them to be We sre , therefore , of opinion that the attacks made by the' Whistler * in the HmchttUr Examiner , Mr Thomas Bailey in the Nottingham Mercury , also
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the writer * in the Ditpatch . Lloyd ' i paper , the Ghle , and other newspapers , so far from preventing our onward progress , will onljr stir up to greater exertions , in order to emancipate ourselves from , the thraldom under which we at present labour : We cannot conclude without tender ' wg to our highly rejected treasurer our grateful thanks , and we assure him , that come weal , or come woe , we are doterminedtohold his and our enemies responsible for their acts , and if they dare to use any unjustifiable means in order to injure us through him , we will by
every means in our power repel such attacks reeardless of conFequences . We have examined the Bank books , tbe secretary ' s book and tbe balancesheet , and find all to correspond to the fraction with the accounts and statements furnished by Mr O'Connor . JamrsSwkt , Nottingham Branch . John Wam ,, ditto . ditto , John Let . ' Carrinzton ditto , Robert Moori , Old Basford do , John- Allrotd , ditto , ditto , James Saundbes , No w IUdford ditto .
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m * ¦ THE LAW AND THE LAND . [ We commend this to the perusal of lawyers Hobson and 'Whistler , ' as an answer to their knobstick law . ] The assailants of the National Land Company have , among other numerous assertions , declared that it , on its promoters , have violated the statute relating to joint-stock companies . We have thought that a few pages devoted to this subject may not
be unacceptable to our readers . To begin at the beginning , it is necessary to state that , previously to 1844 , joint-stock companies or associations were formed under various instruments , viz .: —1 . By act of Parliament . 2 . By royal charter . 3 . By let . ten patent . 4 . By deeds of settlement . 5 . By articles of provisional agreement . And even now companies may be established by any of the first three instruments above mentioned , as the act passed in 1844 does not apply to such cases .
. In that year a statute was passed ( 7 and 8 Vic . c . 110 ) , for ' the registration , incorporation , and regulation of joint-stock companies . ' The object of this statute , amongst others , was to prevent the formation of fraudulent companies ' , and to obtain a registry or account of all companies . It expressly excepts from its operation' friendly' or' benefit' societies- The requirements of this act may briefly be stated to be , that companies coming within it should be formed by deed , should be first provisionally registered , and then completely registered . There is no time fixed for complete registration to take place , but if certain acts are done before such registration , penalties will be incurred by the promoters of the company .
The legal charge against the Land Company is thus stated by One ' who has whistled at the plough ; and it is a great pity he ever was taken from it . He mnst have been the plough-boy' who whistled as he went for want of thought . ' He certainly was not cut out for a lawyer . We give his own words ;—• The Society / he says , « is not yet registered ... .... It never will be registered . It cannot now be done S . 23 of the Joint-Stuck Company ' s Act , enacted for the protection of the public
from fraudulent schemes , provides that it shall not be lawful for a company , until completely registered , to make calls , nor to purchase , contract for , or hold lands , ' &c . It provides penalties for the infringement of its clauses , the penalties varying from £ 5 . to £ 25 . each ; every one of which clauses the Chartist Land Companyhas already violated ; to every one of which penalties they are already liable , amounting in the aggregate to several thousand pounds . The penalties may be reco . vered as soon as they are registered , but not sooner , as it is not until then a cempanv . '
Now , in the above extract there are as many blunders as can possibly be stuffed into an equal number of words . The statements made are not only erroneous in law , but also in fact . First—The society is registered . Not completely , but provisionally registered ; which the Whistler ' seems to think i 3 no registration whatever , as he says , ' it is not registered ; ' and again , ' until registered it is not a company . ' In this also he is wrong , if he means it is not a company until completely registered , for it became one on
provisional registration . To show this it is only necessary to refer to their powers at such a stage , and to the 23 rd section of 7 th and 8 th Vic , c . 110 , whereby it is enacted , that ' on the provisional registration ot any company being certified , it shall be lawful for the promoters of any company so registered to act provisionally , ' while , by section 25 , on complete registration , the company becomes incorporated . Probabl y the writer was not aware of the difference which prevails between a company and a corporation , and thus was led to mistake one for the other .
Secondly—He says that the society cannot now be registered . As we have said , it is registered provisionally . And we repeat , that a company may be completely registered at any time ; there is no limitation as to period whatever . We should like to see tbe reference to the act , and the section of it , that prevents a company from being completely registered at any time Thirdly—la this lawyer ' s opinion innumerable penalties have been incurred by the company , or its promoters , by their having purchased land
before they were completely registered . In the very same article from which we have made an extract , he attacks Mr O'Connor because he has purchased the land in his own name , and as if it were for him . self . There is , therefore , a gross inconsistency on the face of tbe statement ; first , the company is liable to penalties for having purchased the land ; but presently it appears , on his own showing , that not the company , but Mr O'Connor has purchased it . How is this to be reconciled ? We know not , but this we know ; that with a due regard to the state ofthe law , and the difficulties that occurred to the
company , the land has been bought in Mr O'Connor ' s name , conveyed to him , and allotted by him . It is not held by the company , but by liim or the allottees in their individual character . The fabric raised by this imaginative writer , therefore , falls to the ground . No penalties whatever have been in . curred , nor can any , therefore , be recovered . On complete registration the land may be conveyed to the wmpany . We are not aware of any law pro . hunting the purchase of land by an individual , as such , at any period , or under any circumstances , or the allotment of land by him to any number of persons that he may think proper . If it were otherwise all landowners who have bought their estates , or who have let them out to tenants , or allotted them in small or large parcels , would have violated the law . The joint-stock company ' s act , was never intended to spply , nor dees it apply , to such
cases . We would refer this writer , for his information in other cases , to a late statute , which appears to have eseaped his notiee , the 10 th and 11 th Vic , c . 78 , which repeals many of the penalties which are imposed by the statute , 7 th and 8 th Vic , c 110 . in those cases where companies , as companies , have infringed its enactments . In the same article from which We have quoted , it is suggested that Mr O'Connor mi ght devise the land to the company if it were completely registered ; but if he did not devise it , the land
would go to his next of kin , or if he devised it to the company not completely registered , he must devise it separately , perhaps , to about 50 , 000 shareholders . Now the first part of this suggestion adraits that he may convey or devise the land to the company when completely registered , which is something for an opponent to admit , though presently , we shall see he states that the original owners of the property , from whom it was purchased , may resume it , and all contracts now made relatiug to it will be void , even if the company be completely registered .
In the latter branches of the above proposition this writer has conveniently overlooked very important facts . First , that the land purchased is conveyed to the allottees , as so many indivduals , as soon at possible after it has been purchased , and , therefore , that Mr O'Connor is then divested of all property and title in it . Secondly , that it may be devised to one trustee for numerous parties . And thirdly , that in any event equity would enforce the trust reposed in Mr O'Connor , and see that the parties beneficiall y entitled to the land became possessed of it . If I am employed as a land agent by five hundred persons , or any number , and am entrusted with their funds to ' purchase land for them , and do so purchase it , in equity it is their and not my pr « pertv .
It was next alleged by this writer , that on complete registration of the company « all contracts become illegal and lapse . ( What is the meaning of a contract lapsing ?) The original owners of the estates may resume ownership , as if they had had not been sold , and penalties to the amount of nearly 4000 / . may be enforced . ' ' The contracts will become illegal' by doing what ? B y pursuing the act of parliament and com-
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pletely registering the company ! If they are legal now , it » eenis strange that illegality : should be imparted to them by doing what the act requires . This is new law . It will also be observed , that throug hout this passage the writer assumes that the company , as such , have purchased the land , although he had before asserted that Mr O'Connor alone had done so . We have already said that the company do not purchase the land ; but , even if it were otherwise , the above conclusion by no means follows . Supposing , for the argument , that the promoters had infringed the statute ; the only result would be that they might be liable for penalties , but their contracts would not be void . The orig inal owners could not recover the property . It is well established in law that , even under an illegal contract , where money has been pajdf '" or land conveyed , it cannot be recovered again .
The law will not assut parties to an illegal contract , either to enforce or rescind it . Although , if an action be brought to carry into effect an unexecuted contract , the illegality thereof is a de * fence ; yet , after it is once executed , a party to the contract , and the illegality of it , cannot on that ground render it null . No party would be allowed to avoid his own deed by stating that he had been a party to the violation of a statute , that he had received the purchase money for so doing , but that now he would like to have the land also , as a re * ward for his own wrong .
What is to be said of one who sets up for a public writer and teacher , and thus blunders in every assertion which he makes ? Who can depend either upon the facts or the law ( heaven save the mark !) which he publishes for the mystification of his unhappy readers ? However , we have done with him for the present , and his effusions . . We will now proceed to lay before our readers a statement relating to the Land Company , regarded in its legal aspect . When the Land Plan was first projected , its promoters were anxious to avoid every unnecessary expense , and to render it as simple and as economical as was consistent with a due reerard to the
protection of the interests of the subscribers . For this purpose they submitted the rules to counsel , who were not in any way connected with the project . The rules were settled by these counsel , who advised that the company should be enrolled as a friendly or benefit society . Mr Tidd Pratt , who is the gentleman officially appointed for the purpose of enrolling such societies , decided that this , association—so novel in its principle , and so extensive in its contemplative operations—did not come within the intention , or provisions , of the statutes relating to friendl y societies . His own individual opinion was in favour of its enrolment ; but he stated that
a learned judge had recently held , that a more limited construction was to be put upon these statutes than he himself had thought requisite , and , of course , he was botmd b y the judicial holding . The rules were again laid before counsel for revision and alteration , so that they might be rendered conformable to the statutes , provided that could be done without sacrificing the essential principle of the association . They were remodelled , and again laid before Mr Tidd Pratt , who still , however , refused to enrol them , much as he regretted what he considered his duty , on account of the judgment above mentioned . Consultations were held with
him , but all to no purpose . What , then , was to be done ? A bill was actually prepared , and was brought into parliament b y Mr Duncombe , to amend the Friendly Societies' Acts , so as to include the Land Company within them . This , of itself , shows how strenuous were the efforts made to give the members of the company the benefits , privileges , and protection of a friendly society . The hill paised , but so altered and limited in its provisions , by amendments proposed by Sir Jaroes Graham , and adopted by the House—with a view , it is believed , to exclude the Land Company—that still it was not supposed to come under the denomination of a friendly society .
Counsel were again consulted , and then it was resolved , as the moat proper step to be taken , to make the association a joint-stock company , and to bring it within the provisions of the Act 7 and 8 Vice . 110 . The deed was prepared as soon as possible ; the company were provisionally registered ; Mr Duncombe was registered as the trustee ; and , in the meantime , purchases were made under legal advice , in the name of one individual . Thus , the only law in existence of which the company were permitted to avail itself , was brought to bear upon it ; but , for want of proper machinery , under the statute ] to conduct so huge an affair as
the Land Company—from the magnitude of its constitution and operations—from the vast number of members , and the distances at which they reside from each other—delay and difficulty in the complete registration of the company , have unavoidably occurred . As one instance , among many , it may be sufficient to state , that the deed must be signed by at least one-fourth of the subscribers , before a certificate of complete registration can be obtained —that the first deed required the signatures of between 8 , 000 and 9 , 000 persons , scattered throughout the country ! Notwithstanding , however , all these obstacles , the deed has Jnow received almost every signature that is required ; andin a few weeksthe
, , company will be completely repistered , and an ap . plication be made to the Board of Trade , under the statute , to enable tho company to hold lands in the names of their trustees . Such is our legal statements of the matter , so far as it comes within the scope of the present article . In concluding these remarks we would observe , that , for tho purpose of preventing fraudulent schemes , and bubble speculations , as far as they can be prevented by Acts of Parliament , it is a great mistake to suppose that complete registration is the material point . Provisional registration of companies is the most important part . It was so intended to be by tbe statute ( 7 and 8 Vic , c . 110 ) , and it is well known that railway companies seldom , if ever
register , except provisionally . It is the provisional registration that gives the public information as to the nature and purpose of the company—as to the names of the promoters and committee—their occupatwn , and places of residence—their agreement to take shares in the undertaking—the names and residences of the officers , and the like . All this is required on provisional registration , by section 5 ot the Joint Stock Companies' Act . It was to give this publicity , and to impose the consequent responsibility , that the act was chiefly passed . This purpose is answered by provisional registration alone . Whoever will turn to the act ot parliament may satisfy himself on these points .
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Devonshire . —The delegates of the several looali . ties in this county , assembled on Sunday week , at Havill ' a Temperance Hotol , Exeter . Mr Thomas Flood , orBarnstaple ; Mr JameB Edwards , Teignmouth ; Mr W . M . Tanner , Totness ; Mr John Oooke , Newton Abbot ; MeBsw Thomas Pearson . and S . B . ffoodley , Torquay ; Messrs Wilkinson and O'Brien , Etceter ; Mr O'Brien represented the Chartists of Plymouth . The following resolutions were carried : — Proposed by Mr O'Brien , and seconded by Mr Tanner : — That W . 3 . P . Wilkinson , Esq ., take the chair . Proposed by Mr Tanner , and aeconded by Mr Cook : —
That Mr O'Brien ba the secretary of the mtetlng . Proposed by Mr Flood , and seconded by Mr Cook : — That we form a County Association In connexion with the National Charter Association . That officors be elected , consisting of pie 3 ident , trea surer , and lecretary , and that the city of Exeter be the central part of said county association , AUliis period of the proceeding , a dolegate araStSKK ' ^ handed »» * « JLa £ , wa rd ? - edbyMr C ° | andsecondei 1 by Mr Ed-That W . J . p . Wilkinson , Esq , b » president proposed by Mr Flood / and ' seeonded g Mr Wood-That Mr J « me Edwards be treasurer . Propose by Mr Flood , and seconded by Mr
ThatMrP J O'Brien bo the 8 fcretary . wanE y Tanner > 8 nd seconded ^ Mr Ed - cri r v R C T ^ ° ? e 0 b 9 0 pcneawith ^ o general seor . tary , and that each tuwn in the country through ita proper officer , send for the number of cards , &c ., ro ! quired to tbe eounty secretary . Proposed by Mr Flood , and seconded by Mr Woodley : — That payments be made in accordance with the rulej ofthe National Charter Association , aid that one . fourth of the amount contributed be sent quarterly , ( commenc ing next Christmas , ) to the central officers , for tho pur r 6 c : f cnSm . lectuw 9 > tract 8 ' - ' to ^^^
That the delegates now aisombled do oarnestl y reeom mend to each locality , the immediate adoption of such m , ans a , shall tend to carry out the Jgoiog resot t Ftopwd by Mr O'Brien , and second by Mr ^ P ^ ^ Ui ^" . ;^*
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end being the social and political emancipation of tbs ^ Proposed by Mr Flood , and seconded by Mr Pearson : — That we cannot " separate without recording our unbounded confUonce in Pear / jaa O'Connor , E « q ., M . P ., and declaring our sympathy for him , under the vile aspersions of a corrupt preia . That tho tincere thanks of this meeting are due , and given , to Mr Wilkinsen , for bis able conduct in the chair toil day , as well as for his exertions on all occasion ! in theoauio of tinman freedom .
Thot wo earnestly intreat of the several localities in thUaonnty , to strongs themielvei . where Chnrtift societies are in existence , as well as where rtey are not . Now is the time , the favoured child of Chartism , ( the Ka . tional Land Company , ) h proudly rearing its head ; will we lot its fond parent droop ! No ! forbid it ! Rally around your couniy association ; bear in mind , that Union is Strength , * that by co-operation the greatost difficolties can be surmounted , aid In the agitation of the county , and success must ensue . Tru'h must pro . Tail , oar principle * n « a only to be known to be admired . In the cause of truth , faithfully your * . W , J P . Wilkinson , President .
James Edwabds . Treasurer . Patbick Joseph O'Bbiek , Secretary . Hunt ' s Birthday at Ajhtok . —A number ofthe disciples of the immortal Hunt met at the house of Mr Walker , Charlestown , on Saturday evening , Nov . 8 th , to celebrate tho birth of that great patriot , The ro bm was decorated with all the portraits of characters nf the day , at the head of which was a large painting of Peterloo , and at the other end a large painting of the immortal Hunt . That veteran , Mr James Iligson , was called s on to preside , who opened the business of the meeting in a very n « at speech , which was highly-complimented by the as-Bembly . He concluded by giving the first toast : —
'The People , may their sovereignty be epeedily eatablished and universally recognised as the legitimate basis of equitable government . ' Responded to by Mr James Dewanay , in his usual masterly style . Song : — ' Ye wealth producers , ' by J . Bardsley . The second toast was : — ' The immortal memory ofTTenry , Hunt the man who never deceived the people . ' Drank i up-standing and uncovered . This toast was responded { to by Mr William Aitken , schoolmaster . His speeoh elicited much applaesp . Song by James Ashworth : — ' In Wiltshire fair a child v ™ s born . Third toast : — ' The People ' s Charter , and may an enlightened community appreciate the wisdom and valuo of it , devote entirely their energies to its support , until it' is numbered with the statutes of this great realm . ' Responded to by Mr Samuel Iladfield .
Song : — 'Rights and Liberty , ' by Kdward Hulme . The fourth toast was : — 'The land we live in ; and may Feargus O'Connor Esq ., make it a happy home for the people . ' Responded to by Mr James Hig-Bon . Song : — 'The Parson and Pigs , ' by Mr William Burgess . Toast fifth : — ' The non-electors and non-elected , may the one soon have power , ihe other privileges . ' Responded to by Mr John Smith . Toast sixth : — ' The democratic gentlemen who have been returned to Parliament , may their success accelerate the triumph of liberty . ' Responded to by Mr James Hadfield . Song : — 'My Emmett ' s no more 'by Samuel Walker . Seventh toast ty The Nokthbrn Stab , the only luminary that enlightens
the people of England . ' Responded to by Aaron Walker , Eighth toaBt . — ' The memories of Simon Bolivar and George Washington , and the independence of America , ' including all the illustrious dead of every country , who , by theiracts or deeds , have contributed to the cause of freedom . ' This toast was responded toby a young gentleman , who recited Erarneit ' s speeoh before Lord Norbury . Song : ' Exile of Erin . ' Ninth toast , ' The men , women , and children of Manchester , and surrounding neighbourhood , who assembled in St Peter ' s Plain , August 1 . 6 th , 1810 , peaceably to petition the British legislation for reform , who stood enosed to the wanton nml
brutal attacks ofthe Manchester and Cheshire yeomanry cavalry , aided by the 15 th Hussars , and part ofthe 81 st Regiment of Foot , with two pieces of flying artillery ; and may the perpetrators of these foul deeds be speedily brought to justice , and the people of England ba the jury ? Responded . to by Mr James Hadfield . Song : — « Peterloo , ' by John Stafford . Other songs and reoifatlons enlivened thoeveninc until a late hour , when the company departed highly delighted . The meeting to celebrate the birthday of Thomas Paine , will take place at the house of Mr James Hitjaon . Cotton-street , Ashton-under-Lyne , January 29 th , 1848 .
Thr Late Chartist Victory at SnsmgLD . —On Monday the 1 st inst ,. the day of tho struggle for municipal power , the Chartists turned out in gallant style , with two full bands of music , and paraded the streets with fiajrs , banners , &c . The working men ' s committees worked from the opening ' of the poll until the close , with untiring energy , when the result proved that they had returnedeijjht out of the twelve candidates started , being a majority of two over the Whigs and Tories united . When this announcement was made , the thousands assembled to ascertain the result , qave a cheer which made the ' welkin ring . ' The vast assemblage then formed in processionand moyed down Queen-street to the house » f the indefatigable Cavell . where nine cheers were given for the Central Committee . Mr Wbilley then briefly addressed the aisemblage , after which the people departed to their homes , highly delighted at the victory they had achieved .
A splendid meeting took place on Tuesday evening in the Circus , to hear a lecture from Mr Clark , the late oandidate for this borough , and notwith-Rtandmg the charge at thedoorwasld ., 2 d . , 4 d ., and 6 J ., the vast place was filled to suffocation . It was a pleasing sight to see the newly-elected councillors supported by their working friends present on tbe platiorm . At a little before eight o ' clock Mr Clark entered , accompanied by x gentleman from Manchester , and his reception was truly grand and gratifying , one loud peal of cheers succeeded another for several minutes . Mr Clark acknowledged the
compliment in a most gentlemanly manner . When the encoring had subsided ,. Mr Ottley was called to the chair , and introduced Mr Clark , who addressed the meeting for upwards of an hour in a continued strain of graceful and ' manly elequence , which repeatedly drew dpwn thunders of applause . MrDixnn followed Mr C . for a short time , afterwhich the thanks ofthe meeting were given to the 326 independent voters who recorded their vetes for Mr Clark at the late election ; likewise to the directors of the Land Com-P » ny « the conductors of the Northern Stab , and the chairman . The meeting separated at about
NomricB .-Ata pubho meeting ofthe Chartists , &o ,, the following resolution was carried with enthusiasm : —That the thanks of this meeting be jjiven to Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M , P ., for his spirited and truthful reply to the notorious and infamous Dispatch , with all the other papers , that in spite of all that has been stated , we still plac 9 implicit confidence in F . O'Connor ' s honesty and integrity , and that we intend to enter into a subscription to indemnifyhim for any cost he may be at for defendinr himself against their calumny ana slander . Central Registration and Emotion Committeb . Receipts from October 29 th , to November 5 th : — Wmlaton , per Edward Summendine , 8 a . 2 d ; James Grassbt , Secretary .
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Barn 81 bt . —Mr Clark , one of our directors , and Mr John EdwardB , attended at Barnsley with tha monster deed . The appearance of the deed in tho town created the greatest excitement , and our meeting houses were crammed in every part : harmony prevailed during the whole of the evening . Hobson ' s propositions were warmly discussed , and a vote of 'rascality' passed upon him . The list of tha shareholders who had paid up their shares was read to the meeting , tho number was eighty-one . Tha money that has been paid by the poor working raea of this district in two years and a quarter , amounts to something above £ 500 ., the largest portion oi which has been saved from the gin palaces .
Citt op London am > Fmsburt .- —At a meeting of the members oftho above branch on Sunday , Oct . 24 th , a member aaid it had been reported that Mr C . Doyle bad gone to tbe ballot before the whole of his subscription had been paid up , when two delegates were appointed to inspect the books , - which they did , and found that the report was totally un * founded , the money having been paid in July previous to the ballot taking place in August . The following resolution was unanimously passed : — ' That the members of this society having heard the report of'the delegates appointed to inspect the books of the National Land Company , to see if Mr
C . Doyle had paid up previous t « being placed in the ballot , hereby declare , that the report which has been circulated through the country is unfounded , and that M ? Doyle had paid up previous to tha ballot / At a meeting of the members on the 31 st , the following notion was carried ; moved by Elijah Nobbs , and seconded by Mr Wright : — 'That we approve of the manly manner in which Mr O'Connor bas met the infamous aspersions of the press-gang , he haying to contend agaiast such fearful odds , viz . six te one ; and that the members of this branch have the greatest confidence in Mr O'Connor ' s proceedings . ' This branch meet at the Good Intent Coffee-house , every Sunday evening .
Uobncastle . —At a meeting of this branch resolutions of confidence in Mr O'Connor were unanimously adopted , with the expressed determination to support that gentleman against the assaults of hia enemies . GalashieLs . —The first quarterly meeting cf this branch was held on Friday last , when the folloiring officers were elected , viz . —Alexander Johnston , president ; Thomas Dickson , treasurer ; George Johnston , secretary ; Rybert Dalgliesh and William Trater , auditors . A vote of confidence in F . O'Connor , Esq . M . P ., was unanimously adopted .
Dowlais Iros Works . —A set of Whigs having lately concerted a false and unfounded charge against our worthy secretary , with a view of destroying bis character aad popularity , those pereons were invited tojprove their charges . A night was appointed , when a few of them came forward , and the case was carefully examined , when a vote of confidence in the secretary waB unanimously carried , and a vote of censure on his false accusers . Merthtr Tidvil . —A branch of the National Land Company has been commenced at H . Evans ' s house , and the following officers have been appointed : — Thomas Price Powell , secretary ; H . Evans , scrutineer ; S . G . Thomas and Samuel Harris , auditors Rees Davis and Thomas Evan ? , treasurers . A lecture will be delivered on tbe Land and Charter , on the Bth instant .
According to announcement Mr Evan Lewis delivered an interesting lecture at the weekly meeting of the second branoh . held at tha Chandlers' Arms , Nantey Gwenith Gate . He spoke for an hour and a quarter , and gave great satisfaction . Next Monday evening Mr William Gould will deliver a lecture . Easikgion Lasb . —Saturday , November 6 th , this branch held its quarterly meeting , Dr M'Cale in the chair . The secretary laid the receipts and disbursements upon the table , which wereaudited and found correct . Proposed and seconded ;—Tbat the secretary ' s salary of 5 j , for the ensuing tbrti months .
Proposed and seconded : — That J . Hunter bare-elected as letretary . Proposed and seconded : — That each member pay threepence towards the remn . nerationof the secretary , for his past services . Proposed and seconded : — That the Miolutioaa passed by the delejatf » , on Sun . day , tha 17 th of October , at Eaaington-lane , be approred of by thii meeting . Proposed and seconded : — That Mr J . Hunter represent this branch at the forth coming osnnty delegate nieotlng , to bo held at Shlncy . row , on Sunday , Not . Hth inst .
The secretary was then instructed to eonveythe heartfelt thanks and gratitude of this meeting to our honourable leader and zealous bailiff , Feargus O'Connor Esq , M . P ., and that in spite of all the Tom Bailey ' s in the world , our confidence ia our chief a unbounded , and shall remain as long as he stands b y the oppressed people . Hamilton .-A general meeting of the members of the Land Company was held on the 1 st inst ., when it was stated that the treasurer ' s , scrutineer ' s , and secretary s books , had been found correct . The following offico bearers were elected : —James Rea president ; John Wilson , treasurer ; Jehn Pettigrew , scrutineer : John Thomas and Hugh Smith , auditors ; Archibald Walker , secretary . Also , that notwithstanding the base attacks brought , a vote of confidence in , and resolve to support Feargus O Connor , Esq , was unanimouslv adWpd
Sheffield . — . The committee of this branch attended a meeting at Thorpe Helsley , a village seven miles from Sheffield . for thepurposeof explainingtheprmoiplesofthe National Land Company , likewise to form a branch . The meeting was held at the Blacksmith * ' Arms—Mr Wood , an enthusiastic young democrat , was unanimously called upon to preside . After the chairman had opened tha proceedings , the meeting was addressed by Messrs llolmes , Jackson , Seward , Cavil ! , Goddard , Jones , and others ; after which it was moved by Mr Jessop , seconded by Mr Benjamin Woraley , and unanimously carried , That a branch of the National Land Company be formed here . It was likewise arranged that the meeting nights should be Monday , from eight to half-past nine , at the house abovementioned .
Mibihtb TrDvit .-Just formed The Emraett Brigade branch , No . 3 , Court-street , Nov . 8 th , S . ^ T ^ a " , chair ' Ifc wa B unanimously agreed that the members of this branch would support Mr O Connor in prosecuting his assailants . A lecture will be delivered on Monday , the 10 th inst-i oy Mr G . Morgan on the Charter , PADinAM .-On Sunday , the Slat of October , ft P b !? 8 tins was hcl « in the Odd Fellow ' s Hall , about 300 persons were present , Mr Butterwortb , of Uurnley , was called to the chair . The meeting was addressed by Mr Thomas Tattersall , of Burnley , and Mr John Hull , of Padiham . Messrs Hull and Tattersall recommended and defended the Land Sohenie , and replied to the objections that had been mado by the press . Ilobson . and the « Whistler' Mr J . Hull , moved the following resolution , and MrT . Howard , seconded it : —
That this meeting having watched Mr O'Connor ' * caree * for a number of years , are convinced tbat bi » character is unimpeachable , and that his object is « o elevate the tolling millions of this country . The motion was put and carried unanimously . The meeting then separated . In the ' evening , Mr Tattersall delivered a lecture in the same hall , Mr Jo » n Hull was called to the chair . Mr Tattersall sF oke in his usual style for nearly two hours , and gave great satisfaction . Mebtji tb Ttdvil . —At a meeting of the member * of this branch , a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Rider , for bis straigthforward evidence at the 5 WJ ' Chester meeting . A subscription has been opened W aid tho prosecution of the Manchester Examiner-
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street , Ilnymarket , in tha City of 'Westminster , » ' Office , in the same Street and Parish , for the Pw-P » L , d FEAttGUS O'CONNOR , EBq ., M . fc , and puW'f ' , by William Hewitt , of Vo . 18 , Charles-street , * t *" don-stroet , Walworth , in the parish of St . Mar ? . . " ' , ngtcm , in the County of Surrey . » t tto Office , J > o . * Grout WindmiJUtreet . Haytnaftet . iu the Cit ^*" uiiaster .-Snturdiiy , »> TW 5 » r Uttb W > — - ^
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FORTHCOMING MEETINGS . The West Riding Delegate Meeting will he hold at Butterworth-buildings , Bradford , on Sunday November 21 rt . at half-past twelve at noon when delegates from Bradford , Leeds , Wakefield HaS Hudder 8 field , DeWsbury , Elland , Holmflrth , ffiley , Littleton , Queenshead , Hebden-bridS Sower bv are requested to attend or by letter addressed S Jjgjm Lacy , Cleckheaton . near Leed ^' west J ^ p ^ : ^^^^^ Ssafessa on Sunday next , at six o ' clock . A me ^^^ S
a u T £ r te delation , will be held on Mo * MMmB . TTOva . -Mr Matthew John will deliver a lectureat the Chandlers' Arms , near Nantygwenitb bate , Georso Town , on Monday evenihjf next . Lowbb WARLW .-Mesara Webber and Wilson , will address the Chartists of this plaoe , on Sundav Nov Uth , at six o ' clock in the evening . •» Midomct . —Mr Clisset will lecture at this plaoe on Sunday , Nov . Mth , at six o ' clock in the evenine Elland . —Mr Shaokleton will lecture at this rd ' aca on Sunday , Nov . Uth , at six o ' clock in the evening Assembly Rooms , 83 , Dean-street , Soho-lMJ Philip M'Grath will deliver a lecture on tho iniltiiitv and injustice of death punishments , on Snnri ..
evening next mvember 14 th , at half-past seven precisely . At the conclusion of the lecture a dfs cussion on the subject is expected betwpnn m . M Grath and Mr Dalrymple . een Mr The Westminster Chartist localitv will ™»«* i seven o ' clock the aame eveninT 17 £ i * R f minster branch of the iSTSnS pS ? ^ jj" ^ ^ aa ^ Wi ^ Api ^ s ^ t AxSpia ? Commutee ****** & Mr Edmb . nd Stallwood will lecture at tha rinu and Pnends , Morgan-street , Cornn \ ercfal-rOad on "ay rang text , Norombn UthT &S& - h | Pa ^ nSr ' T ° ™ at wiU » £ " ? « m f aber 80 . f the Chartist Assooiation ^ SffiSffg ?** ' ** ' **'*
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LiMEHOusB . —On Monday evenin ?? at *; ., u *^ cisely , MrE , StsKwbodwilldeliver apuMiCT ^ at the Brunswick Hall , RopemakerWalk « ! s jeot : — ' Progression . ' To commence at eicht , ' i ^ precisely . b « i . o clock ToRqrjAT ,-The membere of the National Pi , ^ Association in this town , meet every Tuesday r ing , at eight o ' clock , at the house of MrJon i ^ ' 14 , George-street . There is a library in « ££ & with this branoh of the association , consisting J- good ly number of political and other works . a Bdrt . —This branch will meet at the ' So .-Room , behind the Albion Hotel , near the New m ° ket , ontheMtbinst . ^ "M a * Iluui—The members of the Land Company nW every Monday and Wednesday evenings , at half na f seven o ' clock , at tbe Ship Inn , Church-Lane . Th members of the auxiliary to the Land and Labon Bank , are requested to attend on Monday eveoin next to appoint trustees and other officers . °
Northumbbbund akd DumuM . —A district delp gate meeting of members of the National Land Com * pany in the Counties of Northumberland and Dot " ham , will he held in the house oi Mr Thomas Waf " kin . Mill Pit , Shiney Row , Durham , on Sundar November 14 th , at eleven in the forenoon , a dele gate meeting of members of the National Charter Association in the counties of Northumberland and Durham , will bo held in the house of M . Jude , Cook Inn , Head-of-the-Side , Newcastle , on Sunday , No » 1 st , at two o ' clock in the afternoon . ' ' Saifobd— On Sunday next » lecture will h » delivered in the Chartisc room , Bank-street , Great George-street .
Mr Stallwood will lecture at the Globe and Friends , Morgan-street , Commercial-road , on Sun , day evening , November Uth . Mr J . Jones *? ill lecture at the same place on Tuesday evening , Nftr 16 th . Subject , 'The Charter and the Land . ' Chilir ' to be taken each eveningjtt half-past seven o ' clock .
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THE NORTHERN , STAR . . November ,-13 , 18-n . »
"¦ Printed Fcy Doug Al M'Gowan, Of Ib. Great Wimh"^'
" ¦ Printed fcy DOUG AL M'GOWAN , of IB . Great WimH" ^ '
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 13, 1847, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1444/page/8/
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