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and scores of thousands of TrMte-fingered idlers , in the shape of managers and clerks . I do aot wonderthat Mr . Culpan 13 " at a loss to discover the meaning of my first proposition , * " as it is evident that he has not read it with attention . I said , 't if all the other institutions of a community Trcre as they ou » ht to be , the quantity of the circulating medium , or money , of the community would not be of the slightest moment . " Now he leaves out the word other , and makes me to say , " if all the institutions , &c . " lie then goe 3 on to say , " it is evident that were all institutions riqht there would he nothing wrong , and is not paper money an institution ? " This is unfair . My second proposition , he says , " charges a class of indiridnnlo «; n , and scores of thousands of Trlrite-finaered . idlers , in the shape of managers and clerks .
being swindlers , and yet in a former part of my letter I advise the laitsez faire principle ; " he then asks , " how can these evils be remedied on the letalone principle ? " Xow this is too bad . I advise the ' -let-alone principle" with regard to money . Conformable to this , I find fault with rascally paper moneymakers , because they have not let it alone , and my words are construed into a recommendation to ht them atone / to allow them to go on in the wicked career . With your permission , Mr . Editor , I will enlarge a little on these propositions . In the first place I contend then , that if a community were fairly and honestly governed , it makes no difference to that community whether the circulating medium be five pounds , or ten pounds , per head . The difference , if any , would be in favour of the smaHcr amountas '
, in that case , the half-sovereign would be equal to the purchasing power of the sovereign in the other cast . In one state of things it would require ten pounds , perhaps , to move a borse from the hands of the seller to the buyer ; and in the other , it would take twenty pounds to perform the same amount of trade . In a community , with one half of the circulating medium , the shoemaker would receive five suilhugs for a pair of shoes , for which , if the money ¦ wc ™ doubled in quantity , he would receive ten shillings ; but as the shoemaker in the former case would be able to purchase his hat , his coat , and every other article he wanted , at half-price , the smaller amount of money would make no difference cither to him or to any other honest man .
Xow do not let Mr . Culpan , or any body else , misunderstand me , —these observations have no reference to our enormous amount of taxation and outrageously extravagant expenditure . If , indeed , that is to he maintained at its present amount , —if vc arc still to continue to raise sixty millions a-ycar iu taxes for landholders , tax-eaters , and pensioners , —and six or eight millions for parsons , —let us by all means establish the bank , —let us multipl v lank notes , —let us increase the amount , and consequently decrease titf value of the money , until the oo : nin : d value of a pair of shoes reaches to five or ten pounds , and the quarter of wheat to fifty pounds . Seeing that this decreased value will also ' decrease the pressure of taxation in the same proportion ; and ^ whatever is kept from the gripe of the taxeater is so much gain to the nation , —to tte industrious part , at least . So far , I sec an advantage in
paper money . But would it not be wiser , safer , and better , to reduce these taxes at once in a fair , straightforward manner , than effect the same purpose in this roundabout way ? It is a well known fact , thit all sorts of commodities have , on au average , fallen in value one half within the last twenty years , which fall is principally owing to Pt-el ' s Hill , and a repeal of the Corn Laws , and , therefore , instead of going back io these laws , let these taxes be reduced , at any rate , so as to give the t : ix receiver the same amount of provisions , of clothing , andothercommodities , as hehad at thetime when these taxes were imposed . As an individual I should go much farther . I look upon the taxes imlosed upon me for the National Debt , —Wellington and Queen Adelaide ' s pensions , and all such like , — to be just so much robuery , —which I would get rid of , n 1 were able ; every farthing of which- is extracted irom me at the point of the bayonet .
I would just suggest , in conclusion , that this question must be argued apart from our pi-csent enormous taxations ; the pro paper money partisans are expected to prove that a paper money is preferable to money possessing intrinsic value ; they must snow us how this paper would work in our foreign transactions ; they must give us the precise details as to the working of the Bank , and the issuing and withdrawal of the notes ; and they will please to shovr hoar a poor man is to obtain the cash to build his cottage at one per cent , per annum . Let them give us all the details in the working of fie scheme , avoiding all matters which are irrerelant . and , with your permission , Mr . Editor , they shall have my reply . Tours respectfully , IllCHARB BKOOK .
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MASSIOX-IIOUSE . — How to Live itox " S . vons . "—James AVeiitworth , who was some days ago brought up on charges of swinding , having obtained goods by representing himself " as the son of Godfrey Wantworth , Esp , of " \ Voolley-park , Wakefield , and nenliew of E ; -. rl Fitzwilliam , was put to the bar before Alderman Gibbs for further examination . The justice-room was crowded with respectable tradesmen , who were drawn together by the public statements made of the achievements of the prisoner , who appeared upon the occasion to he full of confidence , and wholly regardless of the effect produced upon the auditors . —Mr . Lewis appeared in support ofthe prosecution , which was brought by Jlr . Owen , secretarv to the London Trade
Protection Society , ao . 1-jO , Regent-street . The prisoner defended himself . lie was in the first instance , it will be recollected , accused of having defrauded Mr . Beck , of Colcman-street , of mathamatical instruments and of having by false representations obtained possession of the house Xo . 31 A , Savillc-1 row , and fixtures and other property therein from I the cwiier , Mr . Reynolds , of Cambridge-terrace , Hyde-park , and Moor ^ ate-streefc , surgeon . —Mr . 1 Lewis said he could on the present occasion show that the prisoner hud , in his dealings with Mr . Iveyr . olds added forgery to the offence of misdemeanor with which he was charged , by handing over to that gentleman two promissory notes for ] £ ] : £ i , in pavnient of the amount for which the
conj tract had been mad ? , signed Jarae 3 Wentworth , a name assumed by the prisoner for the purpose of fraud , and to winch he had no claim whatever . — The prisoner : Ob , then the charge of fraud is abandojicd , as you intend to prefer the heavier one of forjjery . —Mr . Lewis said the prisoner was mistaken . Mr ! Beck would proceed with the charge of fraud . Tiie forgery would proceed without reference to that charge . It would appear from the evidence i to be adduced , that the prisoner , instead of being ! the relative of a noble family , was a person named I Green , who had lately been discharged from a cri' ¦ minal prison , and that he had been engaged in several cases in which gross plunder had been committed , ill ' , llevnolils ' was called . —The Prisoner
Now is this examination with reference to the forgery or the fraud ?—Mr . Lewis : The forgery . — Tiie prisoner : Ycry well . —Mr . Reynolds proceeded : He sot possession of n . y house , Xo . 01 A , Savil-row , and some fixtures and furniture . He w . 13 to pay . € 135 on the 15 th of August , the day he got possession . I did not receive the money , but on the 8 th of September he put these two promissory notes , the oae for £ 6 D , the other for £ 7-5 , into my hands . —The Prisoner : —Xow , I beg that you will make a special note of that statement . —Mr . Reynolds : I refused to take the notes then in lieu of money , but I toolv them afterwards . When I did tike them I took , them believing the prisoner to be the man he pretended to be . —The prisoner objected
) to such a course of examination , as it was the very I course he meant to adopt in his cross-cxamhmtiou I —Mr . llevnolds : I objected to receiving the bills at I all . I said I knew nothing of bills , and never used I them , but if he could prove to me that they were I securities , I should have no objection to take them . I After a good deal of conversation , he referred me to I his friend , Mr . Tvoraold , the banker , director of I the Northern Counties coal Company , whom he re-I presented as the man of money in the concern , and I he said that if I would show the signature to Glyn f or Jones Loyd , the bills would be at once dish , counted , as " his name was well known to every I Lanker in London . ( A laugh . ) Upon inquiry of i Mr . Wcrraold , I found that the name of the party
I with whom I had been negotiating was Green , and I not Wenttrortb , and then I immediately had com-I munication with Mr . Beck . On Tuesday I wrote to | r Sir . Godfrev Wentwortb , of Woolley-park , and ret ceived an answer informing me that the person i about whom I wrote was not one of the family , and , I of course , an impostor and swindler . —The pri-I soner : Xow , my lord , before you proceed further I in this examination , I apply to you , that , as this is I I a charge of forgery committed , if any where , m the \ yieountrv . to send it away from this tribunal , as it I f | c anil 0 tliC legally matter of inquiry here . —AlderiHfrnan Gibbs said he would satisfy the prisoner upon Plt ' . nt suliiott , and read the " Forgery Act , " by which ¦^ 1 * 3 ! na < n » u-iie in the place in which a prisoner may : ^^ : ivc ~ been apprehended , may examine and commit , ? % iiat"ver da .-ictu . il offence might have been com-/ c- EJitted . —The Prisoner : Oh!—After some evidence " ^ 6 r tailors Jiud ethers who had been swindled by the P prisoner MrGeorge Morris , of No . 100 ,
Oxford-, - ' 6 t !«< t , hnswr . ftil'i I have known the prisoner vrry ¦ well since 16 £ > , as James Green . He was a debtor ; of mine , and I never knew him in the name of Weutr . Vorth . —The Prisoner : How long is it since you i ' . "" ¦ Jast saw ine?—Witness : Within the last mouth . — i The Prisener : You said , I think , that I was a ^ credito r of yours ? ( Laughter . )—Witness : No : a debtor You might have dealt with me ten years ^ j mentioned to the Society for the Protection M the Trade that 1 had seen you in the street . I ^ &d not mention the name of Wentworth , and did ' '" nnt knowanvthing of it , hut I described you , and £ ^ j £ 25 w fA Ja ^ Mle Prisoner : Now , f ! £ * & lord , tee is a heterojjenpus mass of evidence ^ ffinHit before your lordship , . and I am sure you ^? Sl 5 oteBtertai £ it .-Mr . Lewis : I shall close the ^ % se of forgery with one nwrewiMess . ~ &r . Ceorge
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Hoare , warden and deputy-goveinor , of Cold-hatufleldaPrison , was then called . He said : I know the prisoner . He was sentenced in May , 1847 to two years' imprisonment for fraud , on two indictments , hi the name of James Edward Green , and he served out the period of imprisonment , and was dis charged on the 9 th of May , 1849 . - [ Here the order of imprisonment was produced and read 1—Mr Lewis : He was not permitted during that time to take any survey of India , I suppose ' -Witness : By no means ( Laughter . ) -Mr . Lwis : That is all the evidence I shall bring forward oa tho charge if f jrgery . I shall now complete the evidence with ftSifr £ * " A T i ^ truments obtah ed from Mr . Beck .-A pawnbroker then produced a box of mathamattcal instruments whictf had bee ! pledged at his shop on the 9 th of September-AI ? ^ BB ^^^ Hoare , warden and deputy-governor , of Cold-bath fields Prison , w . is then called . H « mM-t w
n ^ ver had given that carcf to the tt butbe S ^ jr ^ sssssss ^ BaWAfttfeStt at mv II ' t i - nam f TOartworfh . He called at my house and introduced himself without cere-3 ™ S / amcs Wentwortb , Esq ., civil engineer-SS ? i 5 x ^ r a ! lroad in the IlMlies > and said ho wished to take a house for Sir John Hamilton ' s fi 1 ! i IsaidIlla < 1 no objection , and he said the lady was in reduced circumstancesbut her
, money would pass through his hands , and I would be perfectly safe in letting the house . He appointed to meet me next day at his office , 31 a , Saville-row , where I saw all appearance of respectability , and I said it was a matter of indifference to me whether I let the house to the lady or to him . I saw some persons withdrawing implements apparently vcrv busy , and I finally let the house to him . Soon after he got possession I found that , instead of Lady or Miss Hamilton , there were ei ght or nine dirty children in it , and I suppose it is all going to pieces . ( Laughter . )—The prisoner : How canyon be sure that Lady Hamilton is not there ? ( Great laughter . ) —Witness : I am sure slie is not . —The prisoner * I am sure she is . ( Loud laughter . )—Mr . Lewis
uavc the children been taken out of the workhouse and placed there ' - "Witness ; I believe they have either come out of the workhouse , or out of some wretched four-roomed house in the neighbourhood . rrt \ " SItw < blltcner of Pollen-street , said , I let chambers to the prisoner on the 23 rd of July lie is now in occupation , but has not been much thereof late . —Theprisoncr : They were only chambers , bachelors' chambers . —Mr . Lewis : Do you know anything of his wife and children ?—Witness lie ban a wife and six children in the workhouse a short time ago . —Mr . Little : I dare say they are in the house now . ( Laughter . ) -The prisoner : I am still in occupation there—I have no idea of leavin " ^«« « . — i lie
... .. / auow : introduced one lady as Lady Harewoodto me- ( langhter ) -and he had several other visitors , whom he described as persons of rank . I . have seen a great many visitors « o to him , whom I did not consider at all respectable -The prisoner : That ' s saying nothing at all . — Mr . Lewis : Did you get any rent yet ? -The prisoner : I took the chambers by the quarter , and of course he could not get any rent yet It ' s quite time enough to pay when the time arrives . ( Laughter . ) -Alderman Gibbs : I remand the prisoner until Thursday next , in order that the depositurns may be made out , and then I shall commit
WORSIIIP-STREET . -A Cruise on Shore .-John Barrett , a tall weather-beaten sailor , was charged before Mr . Hammill , under the following circumstances : — A cabman , named Plumlev , stated that he had just set down a fare at the ' Eustonsquare railway terminus , on the preceding evening Avhen he was hailed by a policeman , who directed his attention to the prisoner and another man-the former of whom was in a state of helpless intoxication , and told him that as the sailor was entirely in capable of taking care of himself , he had better receive them both into his cab , and take instructions trom his lnend , who * as quite sober , as to wh ° re he should convey them to . The prisoner was then helped into the cab with the assistance of his friend , who desired him to proceed to the St . Katharine ' s Docks and he accordingly drove them in that directurn ; but oa reaching a street near Finsbury-square , the _ sober man pulled the check-strin < t , ami sot out .
teiimg mm that He must call upon a friend close bv , and would be back m a few minutes . After waiting nearly- half an hour without seeing any more of him , he opened the cab door to obtain further instructions Irom his remaining fare , when he found the ^ prisoner stretched out in the cab , in a state of perfect helplessness , with all his pockets turned in-SI j " i ^ lb wa ? manift ' st tnat he had been j obbed , and was too insensible to comprehend anything he said to him , he considered the best course he could adopt was to drive him at oace to the police station , that he might be properly taken care of . —On being called upon by the magistrate to state what fae knew about the transaction , the prisoner said that he had not even the faintest recollection of either the cabman or his vehicle ; but he remembered , to his sorrow that on leaving his messmate , with whom he had been cruising about the Newroad , he was picked up by a man who c ' ainiPri hia
acquaintance , and that he had theu a good round sum iu gold and silver in his possession ; but what became of the man , whom he had never before seen , he did not know , and upon recovering his senses that morning at the station-house , he found that the whole of his money was gone , with the exception of a few shillings , which were stowed away in the corner of a side pocket , and had escaped the clutches ot tne thief . —Mr . llammill , after expressing a hope to the prisoner that the loss he had sustain *! would be a warning to him for the future , intimated to him the necessity of devoting his few renmninshillings to the liquid itiou of tbe cabman ' s fare ami expenses , to which tie poor sailor very readily acceede-l , and having handed over the amount with characteristic recklessness , he was thereupon ordered to be discharged . LAMBETH . —A Burgiar caught is the Fact . —beorge Breston , a well-known " cracksman , " was charged with breaking into the dwelline-hou * e of
wiiiiam Myers , Jisq ., a gentleman residing at No . 13 , Doddington-grove , Surrey . —William Yeudle , a servant to Mr . Myers , deposed that three weeks ago , las master and family went out of town , and left him in charge of the house , and he slept there every night uutil Friday last , whea the family returned to town . On the evening of Monday week he observed the prisoner and two other men lurking about the house , and having seen them there on two or three evenings before , his suspicions were aroused . On the Baine ( Monday ) evening , he left the house , and
walked past them , and at that time they were standing in front of the railings . On getting a short dislance he looked back , and saw two of them getting over the railings of the front garden . He in consequence came back , and saw a light inafront room up stairs , and observed that the third man was standing in the gutter of the road . He ( witness ) went for assistance , and brought five or six men beldes a constable , and with the latter he went into he house . They found a side door , which he had locked at ax o ' clock , and which led into the garden , open . They also found the prisouer in bed in the r ; om where he had seen the Jight . and discovered that a number of drawers , &c . had been forced opeu , and the property which they contained strewn about . These drawers he had seen at six o ' clock , ar . d they were then locked and secured . —Some further evidence having been given , the prisoner was fully committed for trial .
MARYLEBOXE . —Aiiempied Suicide . - Harriet Smith was charge with having attempted to drown herself on the preceding night . —Jas . Bunby police-constable 247 S , stated that he was on duty in Queen sroad , St . John-wood , on Friday night , at a quarter past 10 o ' clock , when he heard a loud cry of '' Police . ' and afterwards 3 shriek , proceeding from a place called St . Johns ' s-wood Park ; itwas a piece of waste land . He ran directly , to the spot , and found the prisoner lying in a small pond , the water of which was not more than two or three feet deep . Ue took hold of her clothes and pulled her out . Her Jace and body were entirely covered with water . with the exception of one foot . He procured assistance immediatel y , and conveyed her to the station-house .
fcfte was quite insensible . Mr . Adams , a surgeon , residing in Portland ten-ace , was sent for ; that gentlemen administered some restoratives , and in about a quarter of an hour she partially eame to herself , when she said she had contemplated the rash deed for the last two or three months ; that it was the ill treatment of her friends that had driven her to it . She was a servant , and lived at Uo , 17 , Ordnancf-road . Mr . Long asked the young woman what could have induced her to commit so sinful an act . —bhe replied that she had kept company with a soldier , contrary to the wishes of her relatives ; that she was obliged to forbid him from associating with Her , and this had made her rcekless of life . —Her
jnothcr here came forward , and said that she bad heard of her keeping company with the soldier , and had expressed her disapprobation of her so doing , as she might have looked for a higher and more respectable connexion , he being only a private in the foot guards . She denied that her daughter had ever been treated with harshness , and , in fact , she never wanted anything . —The prisoner here ejaculated that it was not on account of anything done by her family that she made the attempt , but she had told the soldier that they should part forever . That was the cause . —The magistrate directed that she should be taken in a cab to the House of Detention , to be properly taken care of there , and brought bfore him again next Saturday . '
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LETTERS TO THE WORKING CLASSES . LX " mS ! ¦ i m 2 b * ' and a smaU ^ p of lnlc That ^ li ; , w-u P ° a tliought , produces tWnt'V mak £ S ^ " ^ ands , perhaps millions , lmnK " BXBO . V . LETTERS
THE POLITICAL MARTYRS . Brother Proletarians , It was while ou a private visit to friends in the West of Scotland that intelligence reached me of the deaths of our martyred brothers , Williams and Sharp . Notwithstanding some experience of prison-life , and a full recollection of the end of Holberuy and other victirxiB , I had not anticipated so terrible a termination of the sufferings of our unfortunate friends . I witnessed their trial , and well I remember their dauntless bearing when bearding their pitiless enemies . If my memory is to he trusted , poor Sharp—whom I had never
before seen—was a remarkabl y sturdy and healthy-looking man , and , of all the " defendants , apparentl y the least likely to . find a premature death . Williams— whom I was well-acquainted with some years ago—but whom I had for a length of time lost sight of , though sallow-looking , by no means presented a debilitated appearance . Yet both have A !?~ oners' » 1 ( l uest 8 have said by Asiatic tholera ; but Public Opinion has recorded a very different verdict . Public Opinion has affirmed the dying declaration of poor Williams , " that he was slain not by the Cholera , but by cold and starvation ; " and that by the same means his fellow sufferer , and brother victim , Sharp , was also martyrised .
How bitter is the reflection , that we live in a state of society in which men like Williams and Sharp are persecuted , and deprived of liberty and life , because of their virtues ,- Had our brothers belonged to the aristocratic or the respectable classes , they might have committed a thousand crimes , and been rewarded and applauded for their criminality . Had they been called Lord Bacirent , and the Honourable Hawk Pigeonplacfor , or Squire Swindle , and the Rev . Rob ' em CIteafem , —haA they lived on rents or tithes , taxes or profits , they might have plundered , swindled , dealt in spiritual
fraud , or cut throats in the name of " glory , " and they would never have been arraigned at the . Old Bailey , condemned to torturing imprisonment , hunted to the death . No ! On the contrary , they would have been dubbed " noble , " or "honourable , " or " respectable , " or " reverend , " and might have sat on the judgment-seat , or iu the jury-box , instead of being placed in the dock and the prison , to herd with felons , preparatory to suffering death occasioned by cold and starvation . Williams and Sharp were-working men ; they lived not upon other mens' labour , but by their own , when they could find work , which was not always the case ; for both had known the misery of seeking " have to toil , " and too
often seeking in vain . Both were animated by a holier feeling than that of self-interest . True they had regard for their own families , but each had " a heart that could feel for another , " and their sympathies were bounded neither by family nor country . Fired with a holy yearning for Justice , they desired Justice not merely for themselves and those of their own households , but for all their fellowsufferers , for their enslaved countrymen , and for their wronged brethren of all lauds . They were Proletarians who knew their rights , and dared maintain them ; who felt the wrongs of their order , and determined to do their best to obtain the redress of those wrongs . " The head and front of their offending , Was this , —no more !"
It was enough , however , to subject them to the honest swearing of Government spies—the calumnious abuse of the infamous press— -the truculent accusations of venal lawyers—the ready condemnation of a jury of profit-mongers , acting in the spirit of "Away with them ! Away with them ! Crucify them Crucify them ! " —the sneers , the calumnies , and the Austrian-like sentence of a most just (}) impartial (!) and « iercj / ttZ (!) judge ! Then followed the second act of this ^ g rim drama . Williams and Sharp were "disobedient "that is to say : —
" Their hands scorned bondage for their hearts were free . " They had been sentenced to imprisonment , but not to labour ; but over and above the sentence passed in the public court of Law , they were sentenced by the prison " ruleB , " to work at a toilsome , health-destroying , degrading occupation , or to purchase exemption by tho payment of five shillings each weekly . For a time that sum was paid by their political friends ; but funds failing , the payments ceased / and then they were bade pick oakum , or starve on bread and water in solitary confinement . They refused—nobly refused to stoop to injustice and degradation . Their courage and manly resolution accelerated their
doom . I will not go over the tragical details with which you are already familiar ; enough that you too well know that your friends were destroyed . Of course , they were not murdered , seeing that they were " done to death" according to Law . The Law sentenced them to imprisonment ; the Law authorised the imposition of oakum picking , or a weekly fine ; the Law sanctioned the infliction of the solitary confinement and bread and water punishment ; and all this was wound up " according to Law , " by the juries laying the deaths of the victims to the account of " Asiatic Cholera— " a decision perfectly in accordance with the time-hallowed precedents of " Crowners' Quest Law !"
For our fallen brothers — peace to their ashes , and honour to their memories—onr sympathy can take the shape only of regret mingled with admiration . Wore justice done them by their order , the builder and the sculptor would unite to raise a monument , which would tell the story of our brothers ' martyrdom to future generations ; but , even though their graves should lack the ornament and inscription which the gold of the wealthy can always purchase ; still the resting place of Liberty's Martyrs will long be honoured by all who love Justice and dare battle for tho Right .
Far dearer the grave or the prison , Illumed by the patriot ' s name , — Than the trophies of all who have risen On Liberty ' s ruins to fame . " The families of the deceased patriots claim the fulfilment of a duty on the part of the people which , I trust , will be faithfully performed . WiiiiAJis and Bjasr have died fighting in your cause , just as ranch bo as if they had fallen on the barricade or the battlefield . Their families should , henceforth , be the People ' s pensioners ; attheveryleaBt , sufficient succour should be rendered to them to save
them from the tender mercies of the Poor Law officials . Short of such aid , a er ime will be committed by the people—a crime which will complete that committed by the people ' s enemies . On you , Brother Proletarians , is imposed the duty of protecting the widows and sustaining the fatherless . _ There remains another duty not to be lost sight of . There are living , as well as fallen martyrs . The latter are " where the wicked
cease trom troubling , and the weary are at rest ; " but the former are still subject to the prison " rules , " the carrying out of which occasioned the deaths of Williams and Sharp . At least once—if not more than once—Ernest Jones has been punished in precisely the same way that the deceased patriots were punished . He is yet living ; but a repetition of the punishment may make him a sharer of their doom . Even should there bo no repetition of the bread and water dietary , the ordinary punishment of confinement , &c , in that Giant Despairs Castle , might alone suffice to induce cholera , orany other of "the thouaandiUa which
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Sest X ' " ^ FeBentlnamebut I" d nf - Speak not for Wm only . * SSvSSttft'fe ^ s : ssRhS& BJ f ten ' » Aether with allfines , the providing of sureties , &c ., &c < « iu ? " ,, ? Metl' ° Polis are working win h * T " ' and J trust & »* a ** example will be instantl y and generall y followed . J ^«* thot I wa s unable to attend the meo ing at the John-street Institution , on S fZTm ^ kst ; for the present I cannot attend public meetings . When recently IZSf' \ state of » yheaIth com P elle ^ iS ?^^^ : strongly urged the necessity of geSgup mesonerf SdlW ***" ° ^^ S p £ soneis , and I have reason to believe that in Glasgow and other PlaceS ) the good wk ta in course of accomplishment doaTi i * ! , « :- *_ » T 7 T ~ : — "
JeZ SSf ^ an 0 ther ™ tropolitan meeting C for the above , namcd purpose , is ann 3 r 7 at ^ sSft * 7 enifl * A oSoSr 3 id , at the South London Hall , Webberstreet Blackfnars-road , which vill Te addressed by a number of the leading advocates of Democracy . I trust that the men of South London wll emulate those of the East and West The work to be done Should be done quickly . If while tho terror of the cholera yet exists . Public Opinion is brought to bear , temperately , but firmly , upon the Government , the Mends of the prisoners can hardly fail of success . Whatever the issue , Dutythe Sovereign Lawgiver to all true
mencommands that the people should do all in their power to save tho political prisoners from the doom of Williams and Sharp . Brother Proletarians , I shall not appeal to you in vain . Throughout the length and breadth of the land , you will raise your voices , appealing to the Government to " break the prison bonds " of our brethren , and "let the captives so free . " Sept . 27 , 1849 . L'AMIDTJPEUPLE -
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A TRIP TO PARIS . People who live at a distance from the Metropolis , or who have only visited it occasionally on business or pleasure , can have no idea ot the intense desire which grows upon a regular denizen for a mouthful ' of pure air , the sight ofblue skies , green woods and fields . London is a province of itself , thickly covered with bricks and mortar , ' and containing nearly two millions and a quarter of inhabitantsnot very far short of thewliole population of '
Scotland . To those whose avocations—like mine—involve close attendance upon daily duties , and continual residence within this region of smoke and bustle , tho approach of the autumn months is most welcome . The rising of Parliament and the Courts of Lawthe migration of the fashionables from the West-End , followed by that of the citizens from the East—slackens tho speed of the highpressure engine of London life , and offers tho chance of a brief holiday , which is eagerly embraced by all , according to their means .
Steamboats , railways , aud excursion trains have , fortunately , of late years , materially increased the facilities for spending such relaxations from active business pleasantly and economically . When I was young , tho person who had seen London was looked upon as a great traveller , and one to whoso opinion every deference was to be paid by those in the distant country town , who had not enjoyed the same enviable advantage . Now , by means of cheap trains , expressly run for the accommodation of provincial visitors , and allowing time for " seeing all tho sights , " a visit to tho
Metropolis has been placed within the reach of povsons possessing comparatively small means . In hko manner the opportunity is afforded to the Londoner to make acquaintance with the celebrated and picturesque spots of his native land ; and there can be no doubt that , apart from the individual advantage derived from such visits , the tone of public opinion is liberalised and improved . The petty prejudices and local errors sure to accompany isolation , or a limited field of observation , are dispelled , and an enlarged knowledge of the country , and the views of our countrymen acquired , which cannot fail to be beneficial in a thousand ways .
The same observations may be oxtended to the facilities which now exist for making a personal acquaintance with foreign countries . That advantage was , up to a very late per iod , almost exclusively confined to persons possessing large incomes ; and tho consequence was , that the most absurdand injuriousprejudicesobtainedground amougthepeoples thus separated . It was upon this ignorance and prejudice that our rulers traded when they plunged into that protracted war , which added 600 , 000 , 000 ? . to the National Debtimposing thereby 2 l , 000 , 000 Z , as an annual
burden upon the country . Even at * recent period , while the Orleans dynasty seemed destined to rule France , the publication of a boastful and threatening pamphlet—by one of the young men who are now glad , with their father and mother , to seek shelter and security in England—was made the ground for an outcry for additional National Defences , and , of course , for the imposition of additional taxes , The old and wicked maxim , that England and France were " Natural enemies , " was again rigorously enforced by those who wished to set tho people of tho two countries by the ears ,
in order that they might enjoy tho pleasure and profit of plundering both . Happily , however , the revolution of 1843 immediately afterwards 'ensued , and conclusively proved tho falsehood of all the statements of the warparty . Thatrcvolutionhasnot yetbornoits full fruits ; but I cannot agree with those who , on that account , despair of its ultimately conferring upon the people of France the blessings of a veritable Republic . It would , indeed ,. be infidelity of the worst description to doubt it . Depend upon it , that a nation which has made such repeated and such noble efforts for full and complete self-government , will never rest satisfied till they have attained their obiect .
_ One good effect , however , has , in the meantime , resulted from the overthrow of Louis Philippe ' s despotism in 1848 . Large portions of the people of the two countries have been enabled to hold personal intercourse with each other , and thereby to unlearn , to a great extent , the pernicious lesson which in former days led them into deadly conflict with each other . To the continuance and extension of that intercourse I look , as one of the great means by which the occurrence of wars may be lessened in frequency , because it will lay the foundation of a mutual good understanding , which will be the best possible preventive of wars got up to serve the interests , or to gratify the whims of politicians and diplomatists .
Paris has been so recently the theatre of a grand historical drama , that apart from its own intrinsic and peculiar attractions in other respects , the desire to see pesonally tho scene of such exciting events as those of 1348 , strongly impelled me to spend my holidays there . Fortunatel y , the moderate prices and excellent arrangements . of the continental Railway Company , enabled me to gratify this desire . For eight pounds thoy guaranteed conveyance to Paris and back in the saloon of tho steamer , and first class on the railway—a
* 1 « -v t .... clear week in Paris—including board and lodging at one of tho best hotels—free admissions to theatres and other places of amusement , and trips to celebrated places in the vicinity , besides the advantage of being attended by trustworthy and intelligent conductors , so that the fullest advantage might be taken of the time spent in Paris . Of these offers 1 availed myself ; and having been highly delighted with what I saw , and the way I was treated , I propose to jot a few cursory recollections of a week in the French capital .
Of course , the first thing that engaged my attention was the public buildings with which it abounds . The freedom of access to these , with all their treasures and attractions , was a most agreeable contrast to the surly and avaricious spirit exhibited in similar cases in this country . Before the stranger can enter St . Paul ' s , he must pay twopence to the verger who takes toll—if he wishes to sco the whole of that edifice , it will cost him four shillings andeightpence . At the Pantheon at Paris—which occupies a similar position as St . Paul ' s does in London— I ascended to the
top of the dome , and had a magnificent birdseye view of the whole city , without paying a single sous . The whole of the Churches stand open at all hours of the day , and no one who has not seen them , can form any idea of the richness of their decorations . They abound , as usual in Roman Catholic countries , with side chapels , dedicated to tho Virgin Mary and to various Saints ; and in each of these the shrine is decorated with valuable paintings , and works of art , in gold and silver , not unfrequently enriched with precious stones ? They are , also ,
abundantly adorned by sculptures of a very superior description . In mauy of them , tho stained glass windows are of the most gorgeous description—I especially recollect thoso of the Church of St . Gtrm ' ui / is C'Auxerois—every window in which was completely filled with the most beautiful coloured glass I ever saw . In addition to the riches displayed in the chapels , and the works of art—pictorial and sculpturesque—they arc adorned witlui profusion of polished marble of various colours , and
. with gilding liberally applied . In none of them is there the slightest appearance of the fee-system . At the entrance there are , generally , a few poor old women seated—eugaged in knitting , who depend on charity—but even they do no obtrude on the visitor ; and , in fact , I may mention , that I was only twice accosted by persons seeking alms , during the whole of my stay . Once on the Boulevards , and a sec ond time , while rambling in the grounds of St . Cloud .
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PARLIAMENTARY AND FINANCIAL REFORM . STOCKPORT . On Friday last Mr . Prentice delivered a lecture on I mancial and Parliamentary Reform , in the hall of the Lyceum , Stockport , to a numerous and attentive auditory ; Charles Hudson , Esq ., in tho chair Mr . Prentice , on behalf of the Manchester Association , has attended meetings at Gloucester , Stroud , Worcester , Leicester , Derby , Birmingham ( twice , ) Wrexham , Ruthin , Denbigh , Llangollen , Edinburgh ( twice , } Haddmgton , Paisley , Grcenock . Kilmarnoek
waning , l ' erth , Dundee , Dumfries , Newcastle-upon . Tyrie , Bolton , Littleborough , Rochdale , Ashtonunder-Lpe , Hyde , Royton , Rawtonstall , Cupar-in-Pife , St . Andrews , Kirkcaldy , Dunformline , Warnngton , and Stockport . At all these places an unanimous feeling has been manifested in favour of extensive financial reforms , and for such further reforms m the representative system as should give to the people a more complete control over the House of Commons . We understand that it is the intention of the Manchester Association that all the boroughs north and west of the Trent should be visited in succession .
WALWORTH . A numerously attended meeting of the Walworth branch of the National Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association was held on Monday ni « bt at the Beehive Tavern , Carter-street , for the purpose of furthering the objects of tho Council , as explained m their report to tho first awregate meeting recently held in Drury-lano theatre . Mr . lusuell was called to the chair ; and Mr . Aim <§ , who was present as a deputation from tho Central Association , at tho request of the meeting , entered into a lengthened explanatory statement , in which lie showed the necessity for promoting the registration of members throughout the metropolitan districts . The movementhe observedhad in point
, , of fact assumed a national oharacter , as would be shown by tho proceedings about to bo commenced in Liverpool , Manchester , Birmingham , and other groat towns . The most encouraging assurances of co-opcratiou had been received from all grades of reformers in every part of the country ; and it onlv requiredja little more " pressure from without" to ren . dei- the movement , already so imposing , entirely and permanently successful . Mr . Aime , in the course of bis address , adverted to the gratifying progress made in the midland and in some of the home counties by the Freehold Land Societies , whose principles he explained and vindicated ; and he announced that they were rapidly develownff their usefulness in
more distant places . An interesting discussion then took place , in which several speakers dwelt with much force upon the local and national burdens which the middle and working-classes are compelled to bear in consequence of past extravagance and misgovernment . They uniformly insisted upon an extension of the franchise , the protection of the ballot , and the limitation of parliaments to a duration of three years . All these views were cordially assented to by the meeting ; and it was eventually resolved that another and more general mcetinnshould be convened for a future day , for tho promo tion of these essential purposes . The proceedings then terminated .
nOXJTON . A public meeting of tiie inhabitants of Boston Old town , took place on Tuesday evening at the Bridge House Tavern , 'Witmore-road , Iloxton , "for the purpose . of forming a district society inlsupportof the objects and principles of the National Parliamentary and Financial Refom Association . " There was a numerous attendance . \ f . A . II . Hows , Esq ., of Kingsland-road , presided ; and Sir Francis Knowles , Bart ., and Thomas M'Entecr , Esq ., attended as a deputation from the central society . Mr . Matson moved— " That this meeting , fully approving the principles and objects of the National Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association , and appreciating the energy with which the council of that body has hitherto most successfully condupted Its proceedings , resolve to promote thoso objects by forming a district society , to be called " The Hoxton Old Town Branch Reform Association . "
Mr . FoitnESTEit seconded tho motion . Mr . MEnniMAN , who spoke from the body of the meeting , said he was d ' ssatisfied with the way in which the movement had been conducted in that district , as no working man had been asked to say a word at either of tho meetings . Sir F . Kxowi . es—I am a working man . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Mbrbiman proceeded to criticise the measures advocated by tho association , but concluded by expressing his readiness to support tho movement if ¦ working men were put on the council . Sir F . Knowms deprecated tho continuance of those class divisions , which had existed too long The measures advocated by tho association were for the benefit of all classes : and it was out of
order for any one to propound a measure which he deemed for the benefit of his own class exclusively . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Hoiiot did not think the association was doing enough for the working classes . He should move as an amendment , " That this association pledges itself , in conjunction with the questions of parliamentary and financial reform , to take into consideration that of currency or money reform . " ( "No , no . " ) Sir F . Knowi . es rose to order . The association sought parliamentary and financial reform as a means to an end , and did not encumber itself with details ; otherwise there would be no end to the specific measures that might bo ombr-iewi . mnnr )
Mr . Homy said ho should press his amendment ; He had been taught by experience that mere political reforms were of no avail to abate distress . ( "Hear , and much disapprobation . ) At present , fifteen out ot the twenty-eight- millions were in a state of pauperism ; this could only be remedied by a free trade 111 money as well as corn . ( " Oh . oh !" Mr . Meihhmak seconded the amendment , and said that the money-ocracy of the country had done much more than tie aristocracy to degrade and impoverish the working men . The amendment was then put , but only six hands were held up m its favour .
The original motion was put and carried , amidst great applause . By a subsequent rc ? olutio ! i , , 1 committee was appointed to carry out the objects of the association ; and the _ thanks of tho mce tin * were then voted to the chairman .
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The Fuee-Tkade Club was dissolved , by the vote of a meeting of its members , on Saturday last , and a new club , to be known as the National Reform Club , is to be formed forthwith , and will occupy the premises m St . James ' s-square , hitherto enjoyed by the free-traders . . Rhode Island has within her limited territory 163 cotton mills , consuming annually 560 , 000 bales ° 1 S manufacturing 70 , 000 , 000 yards of
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Tho civic buildings are equally free WP Si t Vhole" <« th ^ nSi W suite oi apai . t ment 8 in tho Hotel dc vflle _ tj cene of so many memorable incidenis -and were treated with the greatest courtesv . ? he noble galleries and rooms in fli ^ palaco of tho We-which contain , I suppose , tho largest andfinestcollcction of pictures by the great masters , in the world—were , when I visited them , thronged with mala and female artists , engaged in copying these pictures . In fact , there is 110 restriction—the Palace and its
contents is really national property . The J qrdin dts Plantcs , which , upon a larger scale , combines our Zoological and Botanical gardens , with immense Conservatories and Museums , in which tho rarest treasures of science are stored , including the noble works of Cuvier , and a list of eminent i . uiloso-Unce . The public buildings , as a whole , far exceed ours in magnitude and gp lw ^ our . They are evidentl y national . Whether from policy or ostentation , tho paid rulers of France have gratified the passion of the Pwt > 1 o for such things , and taught them to identify themselves with the public monuments and institutions of the nation .
Perhaps much of this has arisen from the social outdoor habits of the French . They are eminentl y a gregarious race . Home , in the English sense of tho term seems unknown to them . They sleep in their dormitories , but no more . The Cafe and Restaurant supply them with all their meals . Out of this avain arises that universal politeness of manner which is so marked a feature of the national character . Accustomed to associate so much in public , all classes insensibly acquire the habit of making themselves agreeable , and those easy self-possessed manners which can only bo acquired by such intercourse .
Another thing which strikes the English visitor most agreeably , is the exceeding purity of the atmosphere , and the brightness of the sky . I have alread y mentioned ascending to tho dome of the Pantheon . It was in the middle of the day , at an hour when London would have been almost invisible from Saint Paul ' s ; and when a Manchester man placed on the tower of tho "old Church , " ( now the Cathedral ) , would not have seen one hundred yards around him , But Paris , with its numerous towers , domes , spirespalaces
, , squares , streets , fountains , and gardes , lay below , clear and distinct , under a Rowing sunshine and cloudless sky , so beautiful that it excited the thrill of a new , and heretoibre-unfelt sensation . From the top of tho Triumphal Arch , at the end of the Champs Jihsees , another splendid view is obtained , includingm tho immediate viciuity of the eve—that favourite resort of the pleasure-seekers of Pans , and the gardens and palace of the Tuilleries .
The Gobelins Tapestries—the Porcelain-Manufactory at Sevres—and the Grand Exposrtion of National Industry in the Champs Mysees—afforded matter for reflection , as to the artistic and industrial position of the French , and were in themselves exceedingly delightful places to visit . The programme ' of the company , iiieluded trips to Versailles , to St . Cloud , and to St . farermains , which appeared to me the most agreeable parts of the whole excursion . I visited Versailles on the national fete of St , Louis , and after walking through wallerieaL saloons , and chambers , which appeared as though there was to be no end of thorn—filled with paintings , sculpture , mirrors , nuu-bK and giwing , I enjoyed a hasty run over that most exquisitely laid-out place—the Little Tvian « n .
wnere Marie Asioiseue and Lows XYJ . used to Play at farming , and convert the ladies of the bedcliamber and maids of honour into dairr niaids , betore the revolution swept all before it . I should Have hked to linger longer in its beautiful walks and gardens , but hurried from it in order to witness tne grand display of the fountains , which takeg place on such occasions , and I certainly do r . ot regret that I did so . It is utterly impossible to conycy any idea of the effects of so many iMpnificent Am beautiiully lormed fountains , throwiii" their waters high into the air in every direction the eye may be turned , through the trim and symmetrically planted alleys which surround the palace . The cvowninp sight was , however , that at t ! , o Grand JJasm of Neptune , where , at least , 200 , 000 neonle Had assembled to witness what certainly j ? a chef aauvre of fountains .
Fountains of beautiful design abound also in i ans , and their waters impart a pleasing coolness to the air , besides being the finest ornament that can adorn a great city . In looking attlicm I fel t myself blush for the tasteless abortions of Trnfalffarsquiire . ° St . Cloud is chiefly remarkable for its beautiful woods , and fine views , which , from tho elevated parts of the grounds , are to be obtained of Paris and for its artificial cascades , anothnv sh !™^
piece of art in water . The palace having always been a favourite , it has , of course , been d ' nly cared for , and is a conspicuous and agreeable iwrt of the landscape . St . Oermaius possesses a far different interest . Its partially ruined and dismantled palace , is connected with French history for centuries . Its noble and extensive forest is faced by an elevated greensward terrace—I should suppose upwards of two miles in length—which ovwiooka tie valley of the Seine , at a height qui to equal to that of Richmond Hill , over tho valley of tho Uiames , but the scenery , as may bo imagined , is much more varied and extensive . Our party
finished off with an excellent dinner in the room where Louis XIV . was bora , and , where , in some of the choicest wines of France , we did not iorset to toast " Old England . " I have purposely avoided touching the political and social questions , arising out of the condition of the people , : md the present state of Shingsin k ranee , because I wished to make the present paper a mere string of holiday recollections . Many others suggest themselves , but these must suffice in the meantime . In another paper I will glance afe the industrial and political questions su »«< -sted by my observation * , both in the capital and tiie part of
the country through which I passed . In bringing these very cursory and rumbling notes to a close , 1 feel bound injustice to state that the Company fully performed all its promises . V , o were lodged in tho Hotel des Prince ? , Rue Ilkhclic >> .-one of the vary first m Paris-whero we enjoyed ail tha advantages of the most abundant and rcchercha cmsine ; and we had , throughout , the advantage of being attended by ayounglinglishgcntlenu !] , who , to the possession of a thorough knowled- .- of tha language and habits of the people , added the valuable qualifications of zeal and assiduitv in his
exertions to enable the visitor to see the ir . ost that could be seen in the comparatively limited period of his stay . It is not unnatural that people should hesitate to entrust themselves to tho gooti faith of Companies of this kind from the fears that tha promises made may not be fulfilled . In the hop 9 that I may thereby be giving useful information to any one now contempting a holiday , I cm vouch from lnyown experience as to the good faSh and liberality which was observed throughout For the saKeof both nations I trust such facilities willba permanent . GAP
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Railway Accidents . —By an analysis of the re * tons made to Commissioners of Railways , it appears that of the ninety-six persons kitod , and seventy-five injured , on all tho railways open for public traffic in Great Britain and Ireland , during the half-year ending 30 th June , 1819 , there wore-S 0 passengers killed , and 30 injured , from cause 3 beyond their own control ; 7 passengers killed , and 2 injured , owing to their own misconduct or want of caution ; 12 servants of companies or of contractors killed , and 9 injured , from causes bevomi their own control ; 51 servants of companies " or of contractors killed , and 30 injured , owing to their own misconduct or want of caution ; 20 trespassers and other
persons , neither passengers nor servants of the compnny , killed , and 4 injured , by iiuj . roperly crossing or standing on the railway ; sui (' ii ) e , 1 ; total $ 113 killed , 75 injured . The number oi' passengers conveyed during the half-year amounted CG 28 , 701 , 85 ) 5 . The number of miles of r : iilv ; . v i > jm \*» 011 the 31 st of December , 1848 , was 5 , 12 ^; tlla niimhrr of miles open on the 30 th of June , l . v . li wag ; 3 , M 7 i ; inuroiise 'luring tho kiif-yc .-ir , 320 niU-s It is stated in naval circles that ex-eon . am-y Pittman , recently dismissed the service " inter da appealing to the Court of Queen ' s Bench aeatoBfc the judgment of the court-martial , which sor asS te ^ 4 fthccoffinij 53 ioniiodis ^ ii
Lohd BRquoHAM .-Tho noble and learned lord completed his seventy-first year on Wednesday last , % ^ gT * hv& * m * * Australian WimT .-The vessel Jane Francis , amyedlm the docks from Launceston , Van Diemen ' s Land , has brought 1 , 494 bags of wheat as a portion ox her cargo , the produce of that distant golgey .
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Amehicax Tbovisioxs . —The Lords of the Treasury have authorised the admission , duty free , of igs ' tongues , " " . /
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September 29 » 1849 . „ , „„ * .. rWr THE NORTHERN STAR . ^^^ ===== ¦ ' ' ! gg ^ " — " —— -- — 1 5 .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 29, 1849, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1541/page/5/
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