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Northern Star (1837-1852), 16th March 1850, Edition 1 of 3, Page 3, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Ad

      we require to have a knowledge' of . over the rest , it in cer ^ . .,, tainly that class of disorders treated of in the new and ini , ' . ' .,,. proved edition of the " Silent Friend . " The authors , ^' ... thus sending forth to the world another edition of theft , ' . ' medical work , cannot refrain from expressing their gratt : ' / } fication at the continual success attending their effort ^'" which , combined with the assistance of medicines , excllfc ' .. ' . ' sively of their own preparation , have been the happy cause ' of mitigating and averting the mental and physicalmlaeriei attendant on those peculiar disorders ; thus proving the fact , that suffering humanity must always derive the greatest advantage from duly qualified members of the medical . pro » fession adopting < V particular clAse of disorders for their exclusive study , in preference to a superficial knowledge . ot all the diseases that afflict mankind . Messrs . R . and' !* " Perrv can with confidence offer hoDe . enerev . and vigour .

      Untitled Ad

      AMAZING SUCCESS OF THE NEW MODE OF TREATMENT WHICH HAS NEVER FAILED . DR . ALFRED BARKER , 108 , Great Russell-street , Blopmsbury-square , London , ( near fhe British Museum ) , having had a vast amount of practice at the vurions hospitals in London nnd en the Continent , is enabled to treat with the utmost certainty of cure , every variety of disease arising from solitary and sedentary habits , indiscriminate excesses ; and infections , ' such as gonorrhoea , gleet , strictures , and syphilis , or venereal disease , in all its various forms and stages , whether primary or secondary , which , owing to neglect or improper treatment , invariably end in gout , rheumatism , skin diseases , gravel , pains in the kidneys , back , and loins , nnd finally , an agonising death ! Tha lamentable ¦ nBgleet of tltis class of diseases by medical men in general is too well known , and their attempts to cure by means of such dangerous medicines , as mercury , copaiba cubebs , < tc , have produced the most deplorable results . All sufferers are earnestly invited to apply at once to Dr . Barker , as he guarantees to all a speedy and perfect cure , and the eradication of every sympton , whether primary or secondary ,

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      A LAY OF LOYE . Tf&yw ta * « " cr ^ TofskM , the Earth Herg tay- « te ? f /» ^ ^ ^ Ind oldwoods have music , fireen leaTes and silver showers ; Th&s & »« homes where honoyed blooms Tn beauty smile above ; . ¦ . ¦ J r fi vearmng hearts their Kurfxnr dreams ;—Ind we , sweet , we have lore ! There's suffering for the toiling poor On Misery ' s bosom nurs d ; nich robes for ragged souls ; and crowns for branded-brows , Cain-cursed ! ijnt cherubim with clasping wings , Brer about us be ; And happiest of God ' s happy things , There s love for jou and me ! ffe walk not with the jewelled great , -ffnere LoTe ' s dear name is sold ; Yet haTe we wealth we would not give For all their world of gold ! - ffe revel not in corn and wine , Tet have we from above , Manna divine ; Then we'll not pine : * Do we not live and love ? I fcnow , dear heart , that in our lot . M ay mingle tears and sorrow ; Bnt Love his rainbow builds from tears , To-day , with smiles to-morrow ! The sunshine from our sky may die , The greenness from life ' s tree ; But ever * mid the warring storm Thy nest shall sheltered be !

      I see t hee—Ararat of my life ISmiling , the waves above ; Thou hails't me , victor in the strife ; And beacon ' st me with Iiove ! The world will never know , dear , Half what Tve found in thee ; But tho' noug ht to the world , dear , Thou ' rt all the world to me 1 Gerald JIasset .

      Untitled Article

      Ireland—A Letter to John BrigM , M . P , $ c , <§ -c . By Kigby Wasos , Esq . Ayr : M'Gormict and Gemmelli Is this Letter , Mr . Wason protests against John Bright ' s proposed remedies for the relief of Ireland as inefficient , and not calculated to produce the devised end—the employment of the people . In Ken of those " remedies , " Mr Wason advocates the reclamation of

      waste lands , and he proposes to raise the necessary capital by Tontine . The scheme may be worthy the consideration of those who have money to invest in such an enterprise , but can he of no interest to our readers . Mr . TTason ' s plan—though more business-like than tie propositions of Bright w Feel—is only another scheme for nsing up Labour for the benefit of Capital . Ireland needs more honest —more revolutionary measures—to restore her children to a state of comfort and freedom .

      The People ' s Revi ew . ^ N . 2 . ¦ London : C . -Mitchell , Bed Lion-court , Fleet-street Wobsb and worse ! The first article—which is , nominally , a review of Harriet Martineau ' s History of England daring Thirty Years' Peace —overflows with the critic ' s ill-feeling towards the Chartists , Red Republicans , and all other xeallyeaniest reformers . It would beeasy to cite contradiction upon contradiction , and absurdity upon absurdity , contained in the reviewer's article , but we can better employ our space . Another long article , on the tyrant Strafibrd , concludes with the reviewer observjncr : _" "Wehave tears for him , though he would have scorned them for us , &c ., &c . " Very magnanimous , no doubt ; but had tec as

      many tears at command as , altogether , would form a stream equal to the Thames , not one drop should we have for any such scoundreL Stratford felt the weight of the people's just revenge ; and may every such murdering villain meet withalikeend . The sufferings of the oppressed demand onr sympathy , hut the destruction of oppressors excites our exultation . A vegetarian article ( containing plenty of absurdities ) on The Science of Diet , concludes vith the precious assertion , that " much of the failure of the French and German Reformers is attributable to their unfortunate addiction to the use of stimulants ! 11 " One of fhe least objectionable articles—though the writer thereof would seem to be a mere

      surface politician—is the one on " The Politics and Prospects of Germany /* We extract the following passage : —

      THE GEBSIAS BEPCBUCAXS . Of course , the discontent rose from year to year , and broke out into open revolt after the French re-Tolntion ofl 848 . The men who knew the history of Germany and the characters of the German sovereigns , declared immediately that Germany never could be happy , united , and free , as long as monarchical government should subsist . They declared that the German people could not expect to be relieved from any grievance they had to complain of , because , by abolishing those institutions upon which alone their government reposed , the princes would be assisting in the work of . their own destrnctioD . They showed that all the individuals

      who were sitting on the thrones of Germany were most viscions characters , voluptuous drunkards , perjured , covetous , and tyrannical . They proved that such men would never keep any promise ¦ which mioht have been extorted from them , and forewarned the people that if they did not introduce at once republican government , the revolution vonld continue for many years . But the old liberals deceived the nation . Having been doped by the princes , they promised all kinds of liberties . The greater part of the Germans believed them , and instead of overturning monarchy , they were satisfied

      with the promises of liberal institutions . Only the Eadianswere clearsighted enoughnot to bedeceived . Tiier claimed openly and manfully republican government , and as this was not granted to them , tbej rose up three times in arms , in order to conquer it by force , But they have been hitherto overpwered by numbers . However , the result of the three Badian revolutions was , that a powerful republican party was formed and organised in Germany . Three-forths of Prussia , a large majority in Baden , 'VFurtemberg , Saxony , and Tburingia , besides which it embraces a respectable minority in Austria , Bavaria , nnd Hanover .

      This praise of the Baden Kepublicans"which we do not object to—is in direct hostility to the praises of moderation , so londly chaunted in the first article . It is the constant complaint of the " friends of order and progress" that the Baden Republicans , by their "haste" and " violence , " prevented the tri-* Knph of "constitutional liberty . " We are T happy they did so ; for far better any kind of political system than that " organised hypocrisy , " which , hitherto , has monopolised the Meot " constitutional liberty . " Art before the Exhibition , is the title of a well-written article .

      The Peoples Renew is edited by "Friends « Order and Progress" —la designation which sounds very like the " Order and Liberty *• of ionis Philippe , and the " Order , Family , and 1 ifcperty , " of Louis Napoleon . Judging them ly their own productions , we must say we believe that the likeness observable between &em and the Ordermongers of France , is not one of mere " sound , " " signif ying nothing . " To conclude , we find in this very number of the Review , the best possible description of its editors , supplied by one of their own friendsthe author of Bob ThuCs Political Alphabet , " * ho , in the following lines , most happily hits ° ^ his literary and political associates : 5 * liffipnf Reformers who have grandly m ? 3 erialcen 'set 5 Jix on his jjgs ^ jf each may save hislittte bacon : . '; vaTe' » ysi ( Hphaanthrpi > islsandvagn ? ljrcosniopolitan - « - o / nB tke horrorsin tie worlddisUieaXedllepMicin '

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      Fr eehold Land Societies injurious to the Weifae of the People . By a Wobk 3 IA >~ Max . London : Tickers , Holy well-street . » eheartil y accord with the author of this Pamphlet ; the character ofwhich will be best flamed by the following extracts :--j ° ^ ? TO TOE PBEEnOtD 1 AXB SCHEME . tiev . oliJect > tnen » t 0 tne ^ societies , because perr n vi he ri = ht to . Tote to depend upon aPrOr Ir ^ . y ^ eation , which must amount to a 40 s ; tide ill i . contend « ia opposition to this prin-Z-BatftengiiJ tokTe a voice in parliament , doef Iv ? * ^ «? bjuneans of representation , rftetinw de FP - PP ? -. ti > e Possession of a 40 s . f ^ uoHL . nor upon the ownershi p of any amount of

      Untitled Article

      property however large / but thatit is the ciyil . and constitutienal . right of every man , ' attained " . to the age of twenty one years , possessed of a sound mind , and nh ' der no criminal sentence of the law . To make the right of the franchise to depend upon the possession of a mere piece of land , or like another class of politicians , ' upon the' payment of a" certain amount of rent , is to depart from every principle of liberty and justice , "for it is attaching rights to mere matter , and making man' the agent of that matter . " But what can be more unreasonable and unjust , more absurd and ridiculous . It is an insult to our common sense , and a degradation to our common humanity . - 2 . We object to these societies , because they are helping to perpetuate this principle of property

      qualifications . Many excellent and well meaning persons , who have joined these societies , fancy they will have a contrary tendency . Such persons , we believe , are suffering under a great delusion . It must be plain to every thinking man , that in proportion as this principle is practised , so m proportion must it be strengthened and perpetuated . The middle classes , who are generally in favour of thisprincinle , are well aware of this fact , hence , they will only give their support to an agitation which embodies this principle . .... 3 . Weobiect to these societies , because byjoimng them , we should be virtually acknowledging that our rulers are right , and that the pervading prmcinle of our constitution is just . The language ol

      our actions would be to the government , " xou are right in declaring that no person should have the franchise , but those that pay rent and possess property . We will , henceforth , take your advice , ana instead of opposing the princip le of Property Qualifications , we will endeavour to practise it , and t&us take advantage of those great privileges , which onr olorious constitution' offers to every person . Yes ! working men and Chartists of England ! you , who have joined these societies , this is the language of your actions ! Ton , T * ho have a thousand times thrown up your hat in the air . and cried ' The Charter and no Surrender ! " are now literally eating vourown words I Ton , who have denounced the Whi"s and the middle classes as infamous , called them all kinds of hard namesdesignated them the

      , greatest tyrants beneath the sun , are now erOuCn-£ »<* , cringing , and crawling at their feet , and allowing yourselves to be made instruments in the propagation of their corrupt principles ! 4 We object to these societies , because of their abuse of the representative system , and destroy the true equality of man ' s political rights . All men have equal rights and privileges . " Every man has a right for one "vote , and no more . " He that possesses more than one vote , possesses that which does not belong to him . We have no more right to monopolise votes , than we have to monopolise the land , the sea , or the air . A monopoliser of votes is a monopoliser of power . He acts an unrighteous part towards Ms fellow-men . He is a traitor to

      his country , and an enemy to the people . Ihese srcietieslead to this monopoly of votes , and we need no greater proof of the corruptness of their principles , and the ' iinjustaess of their policy , than , in their so doing . Does the reader require proof of this remark ? Let him refer to the speeches of Mr . Taylor , of Birmingham , who boasts of being the founder of these societies , and he will find that gentleman declaring that he alreadypossetsa seven votes , and that it is his intention to dbtain ' morc 1 Yet , thi 9 gentleman can denounce the monopoly of the aristocracy , whilst he himself is monopolising as much power and as many votes as seven men should possess ! .. .. 5 We object to these societies , because there are safer , quicker , easier , and more useful methods to social and

      obtain land , and to gain all our political rights . We tako it for granted , that this Freehold Land Scheme is p . middle class movement . We draw this conclusion from the simple fact , that the principal leaders and supporters of these societies are middle class men . Their founder being a working man , does not invalidate our position . Working men can , and working men have before this , sold themselves to the advocacy of middle class interests . Kqw , taking this for granted , weaskthe middle classes of this , country , whether it would not be more honourable to themselves , and more useful to society—whether it would not be more magnanimous of them at once to come forward , and join the working classes hi an agitation for tho People's Charter . Such an agitation would receive the support of the working classes , for it would be more in accordance with their feelings and

      principles , than the circuitous method winch tnese societies are takinjj . We ask the middle classes to give this fact their serious consideration . Let them remember , that they will never receive the hearty support of the tolling millions , until they have erased from their creed the principle of property qualification , and inserted in its place the enlightened principle of " Manhood suffrage . " Such an agitation , as we have here proposed , need fear little or nothing for the government . 3 fo government would dare to resist It would sweep every obstacle before it . Such an agitation would , in half the time , and by less than half the labour bestowed npon these societies , place men in the Douse of Commons , that would not only repeal corrupt and unjust laws , redress long and grevious wrongs , but would also pass measures for the better distribution of land , and for the better regulation of the

      interests of labonr . . . . 6 . We object to these societies , because itism > probable ( even granting for the sake of argument the justness of their principles , ) that they will gain the " objects * ' they have in view . It is one of the " grand objects" of these societies to gain over the counties . For this purpose they have established themselves in many counties throughout the United Kingdom . But they forget , in doing so , that there are many ways by which they may be baffled in gaining this end . Are these societies sure , for instance , that the Freeholders will use their votes on the side of true liberty ? Are they sure that they Cottonlord

      ¦ w iU resist the crushing influence of the , or the gold of the Landlord ? Thei * being poor will not cause them to do so . Freemen are generally poor , yet they are the most corrupt body of men upon the face of the earth . Their promising will not cause them to do so . The middle classes , wlien they obtained the Reform Bill , promised that they would aid the toiling millions in obtaining their rights . But have they done so ? Have they fulfilled their promise ? Ifo ! Take them as a body , and they are still unwilling to use the same honourable means to gain the working classes their rights , as they used to obtain their own . "We recommend this pamphlet to our friends . It deserves an extensive circulation .

      Untitled Article

      PICTURESQUE EXHIBITION OF THE BRITANNIA BRIDGE . A new and highly interesting exhibition has just opened at 309 , Regent-street , adjoining the Polytechnic . It is a representation of a tour from London to the Britannia-bridge . The excursion is supposed to commence at Hampstead , of which a view is given . This is followed by several of the principal places that are passed on the rout , Coventry , Birmingham , Chester , Cbnway , are separately

      presented to the spectator . The last view is that of the Britannia-bridge , where the excursion is supposed to terminate . The views are all painted by Mr . J . W . Allen , the landscape painter , and are of a very superior character , and reflect great honour and credit to the talents of this artist . The effect of daylight is given , and the brilliancy and tone of the paintings are preserved . This exhibition is highly instructive and interesting , and is superior to most things of this kind , and gives ns a glimpse of all the chief objects of interest and note passed by the traveller , from the metropolis to North Wales . -

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      BRITISH COLLEGE OF HEALTH , ISew-boav , Losdow . Fellow-Countrtjies . —In the name of humanity and justice we ask how much longer are the remains of the poor to be cut up in the hospitals , in order to pat gnineas into the doctors pockets ? Oh ! the infamy ! Are the poor -who die in hospitals aware that doctors make money by selling their remains to medical students , who p ay them so much for a leg , another so much for an arm , < fcc ., &c . ? Down with the odious traffic , say all Hygeists . Anatomy is perfectly useless in the cure of any disease . People arise !!

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      TAXES ON KNOWLEDGE . —DEPUTATION - " ¦ WTHE- 'PREMIERr v '

      On Monday a deputation from the Newspaper Stamp Abolition Committee waited on Lord John Russell , at his official residence in Downing-str ' eet , on the subject of the Taxes on Knowledge . The deputation included , among others , Mr . James Watson , Mr . Moore , Mr . Livesey , and Mr . Holyoake , and was accompanied by the following members of parliament : Mr . Cobden , Mr .-Kershaw , Mr . John M'Gregor , Mr . Monckton Milnes , arid Mr . Mowatt . Mr . Mflner Gibson introduced the deputies . Mr . J . D ; Coixkt , secretary to the committee , said , —My Lord , in agitating for the repeal of all the taxes on knowledge we have placed the newspaper stamp prominently forward , because we consider it

      as the key-stone of a system . We would not venture to say that the paper duty was originally imposed for the purpose of hampering literature , or that the advertisement duty had no other object than that of impeding communication , but the penny stamp on newspapers appears to us to have been retained in 1836 for the exDresspurpose of prohibiting newspapers to the working man . It is to obtain the repeal of this prohibition on the working man ' s newspaper that we are here to-day . Tho regula * tions of which we complain are contained in the Newspaper Act , 6 & 7 Wm . IV ., cap . 76 , which we contend ought to be repealed . First , because it erects a censorship , investing the Commissioners of Stamps with arbitrary power . Second , because its

      provisons are so stringent that they have never been carried into effect . Third , because the means of esforcing those provisions are beyond measure severe . The act declares every periodical publication brought out" ofterier than once in twenty-six days , and containing any public news , intelligence , or occurrences , or any remarks or observations thereon , " to be a newspaper , unless it reachs a certain size and price . But by the 25 th clause , all persons who shall have given notice of publication to the Stamp Office , ' and snail have paid the advertisement duty , are exempted from penalties till they in their turn receive notice of the . illegality . of . their publications . In exercising their discretion , the stamp commissioners appear to - be actuated by no consideration

      either of morality or ot utility ; tnree lnqecent publications dealing in libels , with specification of date , place , and person , are stated by . Mr . Keogh to be not liable to the newspaper stamp duty . One of these was put down last year by a private prosecution for a scandalous libel , the defence to which was that the proprietor knew nothing either of its truth or of its . author , but published it for a living . Under the present administration , all expressions of opinion , are permitted , to circulate freely ; the only thing prohibited is that fact which would prove the best antidote to erroneous doctrines . It has not been found practicable to' prevent working men from studying pbliticfv' but an efficient bar is placed to their being taught by persons who understand anything of politics or of

      political economy as a science , the capital which would go to remunerate such persons being forcibly withheld from that purpose . But the act isnot merely stretched by- the construction put on the 25 th clause ; ' from the beneficial operation of that clause all registered newspapers are excepted so that it is clearly illegal for any such paper to publish a partof its impression without a stamp , yet this is constant !* and openly done for the sake of cheap postage . " According to a return made last month to the House of Commons , there are fiftyone newspapers thus published contrary to law in England alone . The Newspaper Act contains no postal regulations ; the newspaper stamp is not a nostaere stairiD . As a large proportion of the

      stamped -newspapers now go by post , we cannot think that this plan would cause any serious loss to the revenue . If it be said that the act works well , because under it no prosecutions have yet taken place , we reply , first , that the commissioners stretch the act more and more in favour of the public ; and secondly , that the penalties amount to absolute ruin . The power of seizing the presses of offenders is a most effective method of stopping publication . It will be in your lordship ' s recollection , that Lord Montesgle , in proposing the change in the law , rested his case mainly on the success with which that law had been defied . The immediate effect of the change was to annihilate the unstamped , and to add eighteen millions annually to the stamped

      press . Since then a demand has arisen for still cheaper publications , and though the greater part of the supply exists contrary to the letter and often to the spirit of the act , yet this encroachment has been wisely and kindly permitted ; the only thing now prohibited is the systematic record of important facts . We are anxious that the theory of the law should be assimilated to its practice , and that all restrictions should be abolished . When this committee was formed it was thought not impossible that some method might be found of obtaining the repeal ef mischievous restrictions , which should be more satisfactory to both parties than a series of breaches ofthehwonone hand , and of prosecutions on the other . That the laws which pr ohibit the communication of knowledge are doomed j . we

      are convinced , but we would fain owe this conviction to your lordship ' s sense of justice rather than to political antagonism . In this stage of our agitation we are bound to confess that we have no power to extort anything ; whatever is given now will be a concession , not so much to a popular demand , as to reason and justice . We venture to hope that ' your lordship , in liberating the press from all taxation , will be . willing to perform ah action worthy to be placed beside the enfranchisement , of the Dissenters and the passing of the Reform Bill Mr . E . Edwakd 3 , Secretary to the Compositors ' Association , directed his lordsbip's attention to the injurious consequences of the newspaper-stamp , as also to the objects of the deputation itself , in

      respect to the regulations of the post-omee . It is impossible , he said , not to notice the increasing appetite of the community for that kind of mental food which the newspaper furnishes . During the last ten years ( since , indeed , the reduction of the duties on paper , on advertisements , and the stamp on newspapers , ) a new order of literature had sprung up , eminently calculated to soften down the asperities of the . people , and to . impress them with a true sense of their responsibilities . For example , let the-eye be turned on that department of the press , called publications . With but few exceptions these- periodicals are- of an exclusive character They do not interest the general reader , their contents being suitable only to particular classes of

      professions . And it is here that the compulsory penny stamp on newspapers is seen to operate most prejudicially . The periodical called the Builder is by law restricted to the publication of such matter as shall interest the building trades . Its proprietors would jeopardise their property were they to publish any portion of the parliamentary debates , the proceedings of the courts of law and police offices , the Bankruptcy and Insolvent Debtors' Courts . Such news would immediately subject them to a governmental prosecution , for the Builder would then cease to be a periodical . In every sense of the word such matter would cause it to be set down as a newspaper , and every copy printed must bear a stamp : or grievous penalties would follow the

      infraction of the law . So with the Athenaum and journals of that class . Nor can we except , in these remarks , the work called Punch . Albeit , our whimsical friend may not publish the debates , and law , and police cases ; yet his baton « repeatedJy being levelled against particular obstructions to the world's progress , as manifested in events quite recent , which events are , to thousands of men , decidedly news . How ofteni is it seen that some hon . member ' a speech , delivered but some five or six days previously , is Quoted from , and favourably or severely animadverted upon ; . yet it is clear the Act of Parliament does not give Mr . Puuch this privilege ' ¦ of observation as by it at least twenty-six

      days ought to expire before such remarks would become , so to speak , the property of the periodical press . Of course your lordship is aware that the works named are not made amenable to the law . They severally published stamped and unstampec copies : the former only for the convenience of postage , the latter for the generality of their subscribers . Were they compelled to publish their entire impression on stamped paper only , like the newspapers are , they would fall in sale directly , because their price , for the town editions , woulc have to be enhanced twenty-five per eent ., and more . Punch sells for fourpenco a stamped copy , threepence for an unstamped copy . To interfere with this work because it publishes news ( and

      * ere the law followed out , it must necessarily be objected to ) , would be to diminish its sale , for its price must be increased to fourpence , or the profits of its proprietors must pay the cost . Now , it would be a grievous thing thus to interfere ; and , consequently , the law is shown to he as inoperative as its workings are -proved to be essentially partial . But these objections are comparatively insignificant , when the restriction is considered as preventing substantial and really useful iaformation from being published , while the law allows men to publish demoralising periodicals , and . political writings of a very mediocre character . To name the works now issuing from the press , Would be but to advertise them to' the world ; but your lordshi p ^ doubtless , is oia

      aware that many periodicals are now published decidedly political character , whose articles are directed against certain abuses of the state , and also for the advancement of particular party views . Now , it-seems very anomalous that a leading article on a debate may be published , while to print but a summary of the debate itself would make the pub ^ lication a newspaper . This , however , is the actual operation of the law ? What , then , is required ?—not the suppressiou of ; the political works alluded to , but the repeal of tBe law that prevents an editor from printing such matter as t'b him shall appear most likely . to advance the success of the journal he is connected with . Then , were the compulsory penny stamp abolished , these , publications might 11 be , and would bo , turned into newspapers ; they , " would seyerally contain matter interesting to all

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      classes . ;; This would bring . tW antidote to the poison asidon as it has- been issued jf-but now- the former is often needed , though it is not forthcoming . The postage and re-postage of a newspaper to any part ef the country for one penny is a great boon ; and as Buchvifc is appreciated , for it ^ ia not sought to alter the existing arrangement in this respect . All that your lordshi p is solicited to help us in is , to allow men to print what they please ( always being subject to the law of libel ) , ' upon any sized paper , and without any stamp upon it , if they are so disposed ; while , for the convenience of transmission , any number of copies might be printed upon stamped paper procured , as now , from the proper authorities ; or affixine a penny Queen's

      hcaa tnereon , each copy would be forwarded to its destination as at present . . This alteration would immediately lower their cost . Papers which now sell for fivepence , would then sell for feurpence in the towiis where published ; and this reduction would not only tend to an increased salej but would also cause many new journals to . be originated , dependent upon their merits for popular support . In London and the great towns of the north , where a large number of inhabitants are located upon a confined area of ground , this diminution would be deservedly appreciated . So it would be in tho less populous districts , because the addition of the penny stamp , while it restricts the sale , tends also to throw into the hands of large capitalistsa

      , power which experience tells us has not been used for the welfare of the people generally . Having thus set forth the serious objectious to , and stultifying operations of the law > a passing word ' may be urged upon the advantages of an unrestricted press . Englishmen full well know that the pen is a better weapon for them to wield than the sword . If it be less exterminating , it is far more truly effective in what it performs , Politics are becoming more _ and more to be appreciated ; and a sense of their importance will endear men to those institutions of their country which , diffusing liberty , defy demagogical control . A free press in England is a desideratum to be sighed for , not a thing to be guarded against . The best way to paralyse the

      uplifted arm is to induce tho mind to think . The press , -with Englishmen , is all the force they stand in need of exercising . If its advocacy bo sound ; success will be sure to follow its noble efforts . Do not fear , my lord , by letting men . write and print , in their publications , political matter , the peace of the country will be endangered . Rather conclude , by its dissemination , that impracticable schemes would be nipped in their bud , and designing men be held up to the ignominy of those they sought to betray . After further expatiating upon the value of the newspaper , the expenses consequent thereon , and the necessity of a large sale to realise

      any profit , the speaker concludedby saying , that though He spoke as a compositor— one wishing to see the large numbers out of work in employment , which he thought the abolition of the stamp duty would , to a great extent , give them—he did not ask from the government any particular favour for his calling . Printers were , so far , like the Bordeaux merchants , they would wish tho government to leave them alone . ' It was for tho benefit of the country he advocated theTepeal of thisenactmeut , for he was confident nothing would tend to promote such great satisfaction in this country , with existing liberties , than that of giving the people an untaxed [ press ., .

      The Rev . Thomas Spencer called the attention of Lord John' Russell to' the moral bearing of the question . He said that benevolent men were perpetually devising new schemes for the improvement of the condition of the people , and calling upon goverument to aid them by legislative enactments , but if he ( Mr . Spencer ) mi"ht give his advice it would be that government should not undertake the management of the people ' s affairs , but that they should remove all obstacles out of the way and repeal those taxes which checked the communication of knowledge ; and thus allow full scope to those who were willing to convey sound principles to the popular mind . He would briefly apply to this some of the great questions of the day .

      1 . National education . It would be impossible to devise a scheme that would not be attended with much injustice . and dissatisfaction . Some wished for secular education without religion , and others for education combined with religion ; and eachparty would object to pay taxes towards the scheme of the other . Whereas , if instead of increased grants on taxation for education , the government would take away the tax of three-halfpence per lb . on paper , one shilling and sixpence on advertisements , and the penny stamp on newspapers , it would benefit all these parties equally , and would enable them to carry on their own system of education with greater facility and much less cost . Instead of complaints that the church of England

      obtained four-nfths , and the dissenters only onefifth of those grants from public money , the sordid strife for money would be changed to an honourable strife for truth , and in the end truth would prevail . 2 . The promoters of religion , temperance , emigration , and other important matters , would be able to disseminate bibles , tracts , and useful knowledge , with tenfold facility . A paper confined to religion only , to temperance only , or to emigration only , is too dull and exclusive for the generality of readers , but if all these papers might insert tho most important intelligence of the day , it would add great interest to those publications . 3 . As to politics , the benefit would be incalculable . The most . hopeful education would take place , that of our young men

      and of the adult population ; and when these were filled with enlightened views and honourable sentiments they would take care of the education of their children . Tho Bible declared that "He that withholdeth corn the people should curse him : " and the corn laws have been repealed . The Bible also declares , " That the soul be without knowledge it is not good ; " and " My people are destroyed for lack of Knowledge , " and yet the taxes on knowledge—the corn-laws of the mind—are still unrepealed . Since the repeal of the corn-laws the millions of England have consumed much more food than formerly , and when the mental corn-laws shall have been repealed , it will be found that { he consumption of montal food will be increased in a still

      greater proportion . It was a grand national benefit when the people were enabled to get cheap bread ; but the government should remember , that . ' . ' ¦ man doth not live by bread alone , but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God ; " and these words which God speaks to men in national revolutions' and in public calamities , or in great prosperity , are only to be heard through the channels of public intelligence ; and it is by the public press that the dealings of Providence can be generally made known . The people , too , will derive much information from the great Exhibition of Industry of Works of Art and Skill ; but the government should also remember that the highest authority has pronounced it to be mere hypocrisy to be wise in these matters , and yet not to discern the

      signs of the times . And how shall men know the signs of the times but by constant reading of the newspapers , which record all the events of this and other countries , for the mediation of thoughtful men ? By enabling the people to ponder over these events of daily life , rulers would imitate the supreme Ruler of all ; for when he gave to the Jews his revealed word , the Bible , he cpnvfeyed to men not only the knowledge of his laws and of the way of salvation , but the history of the world from the beginning , and of their own nation in particular ; and not merely the history of ancient times , but in the Books of Kings and Chronicles in the Old Testament , and iri the Acts of the Apostles in the New , he placed before them the events of the times in which they lived . In like manner the daily and

      weekl y papers are the Books of Kings , Chronicles , and Acts of the present day , and tho people of this country should have free access to them . Obections to this are made by men who think it is better to keepthe peop le in ignorance of what is going on . But this is a dangerous error . The people will get at some information , and ; if good and wise men are prevented by law from presenting it to them in a cheap forra , ( bad men will evade the law , or in some way convey garbled intelligence , creating a bad feeling towards the government , and towards other classes of the community . Jf they had a cheap newspaper the people would read it at their own fireside , and would quietly discuss with their neighbours the events of the day ; but if bv

      the taxes on knowledge the newspapers are made scarce and dear , they will assemble in the publichouses and beer-shops , where alone they can obtain access to the newspaper , and in pot-house politics exists the danger to the peace of society . . It is to these places that all riotous proceedings may be traced ; but there is nothing to apprehend from the politics of sober and domestic men . At present the seller of gin and beer has the advantage . He invites the masses by announcements of balls , cheap plays , free , harmonic concerts ; he has well lighted rooms and a cbeorful fire , and , above all , he has the newspapers of the day ; and by all these attractions he soils his deadly drinks , and ruins the people by thousands . If those who wish to do the people good could present a more powerful magnet by cheerful rooms and abundance of newspapers full of good principles , or if they

      could prepare newspapers which every man could afford to take at his own house , then would the power of the dealer in strong drink receive a death blow . But it is- not only more prudent to let the people have opportunity to correct thoir errors of opinion by reading such papers , but they have a positive right to know what is going on . Because « citizen obeys the ' . laws , he ought to know what the laws ' are , and- what newlaws are being made . Because he pays the taxes ; either directly or indirectly , ho ought to see . whether those taxes are of proper amount and equitably , levied ; and this can be _ . done by reading the debates in parliament . Every citizen is more or less affected by social changes , and he as . a right to know what things are going on that may affect his own prosperity . If out of employment , he ought to be able to mako known his wants to such as may have work to give ; and this implies cheap papers and no duty on advertisements . As a .

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      affairs of his felI 6 w-men , to undo heavy burdens and to break every yoke ; for this his religion re ' quires of him ; as a Christian , too , he is called upon to think upon and promote all things that are true honest , -lovely , or of good report ; and for these a free press is highly , essential . At present the greater part of the English people never read a paper ; and of those who do the greater part read them at the public houses ; ' and hence the mistake people make in their benevolent intentions towards their fellow men . They relieve vagrants , give indiscriminately to beggars and encourage pauperism , merely because they nave not seen the statements of the mischievous effects of such conduct , and that

      such benevolence only encourages intemperance , idleness , and crime . It is true there are dangerous errors in the minds of some , which might find vent in cheap newspapers ; but these errors are less dangerous when brought to light ; they can be . answered ; and none are more frank and honest in telling the truth than working men to each other . Hear , for instance , a working man address his fellow-workraen on intemperance , and you will adr mire his fidelity and plainness of speech . But at present , if a well-wisher to the people would disseminate sound reason in reply to error , it will take him £ 5 to advertise even a penny tract ; and if he would establish a daily paper , it would require a capital of many thousand pounds . That the good

      enects to be anticipated from cheap newspapers are not fanciful theory , but real and well-founded , may be seen from tho condition of the people in the United States . In the free states , it may be safely asserted that the pepple are a moral people , sober , industrious , and evincing great self-respect . You will scarcely see rags or drunkenness . The great successs of education , temperance , and religion , must be ascribed to the cheapness and universality of the newspapers . In Boston , New York , and other cities , every man may have his daily paper for a halfpenny ,: and if ho wishes for first-rate intelligence , he can obtain it for 2 Jd ., and thus almost every house takes in its daily paper ; and men can read of public affairs without going to places whore

      their health is destroyed , their money , spent , and their tempers soured by strong drink , and from whence they return angry with themselves and with all around them . At the debate respecting war with England , Elihu Burritt published articles in favour of peace , and these were sent in slips , or " , Olive leaves , " to all tho papers of the States , and inserted by them , and thus the efforts of some men to inflame the mindsof the people against tho English were counteracted , and a more brotherly spirit infused into their minds . A cheap newspaper would be a great boon to our own people ; it would implyconfidence on the part of the government ,

      and would inspire affection in the people towards their rulera . And if anyone step can vastly tend to educate , improve , and elevate their minds , it is the removal of the existing taxes on knowledge , and especially the penny stamp on newspapers . Lord John Russell received the deputation with his usual courtesy . He of course declined to give any answer to a demand for a reduction of taxation , but observed that the fact of the government having reduced the stamp from 4 d . to Id ., and the postage of letters from 6 d . to Id ., was an evidence that the government were not indisposed to promote the enlightenment of the people .

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      A Cahd . —Admiral Pavker begs to inform English persons residing abroad , that he will be happy to , collect any sums of money that they may consider due to them from foreign powers . Individuals native of any part of the British dominions , who have been cheated in their change by the postmen of a foreign power , who have paid half a franc more than was requisite for a passport , or who have accidentally dropped bad sixpences into any foreign lake , river , or sea , are advised to lose no time in applying . Admiral P . has it in his power to offer extraordinary advantages , owing to the number of officers and bailiffs before the mast in his employ ,

      and also to an arrangement he has entered into , by which all the expenses of distraining , seizure , &c , will be paid by the English people . First-rate reference to Lord Palmerston . TnERE is not a much more deplorable sort of existence than that which is dragged on by an old man , whose mind is destitute of the materials proper for yielding him some entertainment suitable to the more sedate time of life ; I mean , useful knowledge . For the remembrance of fifty years spent in scraping of money , or in pursuing pleasure , or in indulging vicious inclinations , must yield but poor entertainment at a time of life , when a man can at best say , he has been ..

      The inhabitants of Dorton Hamlet were last week invited to a farm house to commemorate the birthday of a grandmother , aged eighty-five ; her eldest son , aged fifty-five ; and her youngest daughter ' s grand-daughter , aged fifteen , They were all born on a Candlemas-day , He that wants a heart , wants everything . A wrong head may be convinced , but who can give a heart where it is wanting 1 HaPPIMBSS . —It is happy for ft perS 6 n td leave ihe world possessed of every one ' s love . Happiness and Riches are two things , . and very seldom , meet together . . . .... .... Parliamentary . Reform . —In a free state , even

      man who is supposed a free agent , ought to be in some measure his own governor ; and therefore a branch at least of the legislative power should reside in the whole bodt of ihe people . —Blackstone ' s Commentaries . Rather WonsE . —Eord John Russell recently remarked , in a metaphor applied to Reform , that " by getting under weigh in a calm you may fall upon the rooks . " He- is obviously preparing for the celebrated command of the Channel Fleet , but he must remember that if a ship waits at anchor till the gale has come , she has literally to " cut and run . " We hopo to see him in that predicament

      soon . . Appropriate Names . — The New York Literary World , in a chapter on names , observes , "Shoemakers' spouses should be Peggies ; gamblers ' ladies , Bets ; and Sue , would be just the wife for an afcorney ; Sophies should be of a sedative disposition , and confectioners wives should always be Patties , Sometimes a name will excite remark . All the papers copied tho marriage of Ilenry Apple and Sarah Apple , but we could see no impropriety in the making of two apples into one pair . : The people of Paris , with their usual love of saying something against the powers that be , havea joke that Napoleon built barrack 3 , Charles X . churches , iouis Philippe fortifications , and Louis Napoleon prisons , each according to his disposition . , Tub Virtues practised by the Heathens . —There

      is not a virtue which the Heathens have not shown to be practicable . Do not pretend that it is impossible for a Christian to forgive injuries , when we know , that Phocion , going to suffer death unjustly , charged it upon his son , with his last breath , that he should show no resentment against his father ' s persecutors . Do not excuse yourself in giving up the truth , through fear of offending those on whom you depend , when you know that Attilius Regulus gave himself up to tortures , and death , rather than falsify his word evon to his enemies . Do not excuse yourself from a little expense , trouble , or hazard of ill-will , for the general good , when you know , that a , Leonidas , a C . ilpurnius Flamma , the Decii , and hundreds move , voluntarily devoted themselves to destruction , to save their country . If you pretend to be a Christian , that is , to profess the most pure and most sublime princi p les in the world , do not infamously fall short of the perfection of unenlightened Heathens ;

      Courtship . —The plain English of the politest address of a gentleman to a lady , is , I am now , dear madam , the humblest of your servants : be so good as to allow me to be your Lord and Master . TnB Narrow-minded Man . —Little knows the narrow-minded tn . an . the pleasures that fill the heart of a beneficent person , on reflecting on the good he has been enabled to do to worthy objects . Shakspbare Right Again . — " What ' s in a name . ? " asks the Swan of Avon . Very little , we should say , recollecting how lately our ambassador

      at Athens has shown himself anything but Wyse . A Boston editor says : — - "A boat loaded with castor-oil sunk in the canal . Whether this will open tho navigation earlier than usual next spring remains to be seen . " Cutting liis own Throat . —Lord John Russell says , " We should he idiots if wo did not observe what was going on in other pnrts of Europe . " We think it rather injudicious of his lordship to mention this , as it must naturally make us reflect what is standiag sphere ; . namely , tho Goverment .

      Unpublished Anecdotk of Dr . Johnson . —One evening , as Boswell was speaking of Mr . Hudson ' s management of tho Borwiclc line , he observed that the gross receipts were very great . " Sir , " replied Dr . Johnson , "they are nothing to the gross frauds . " Boswell was silenced for the rest of the evening . The independence ot a good man consists in a superiority to every influence , but of moral persuasion , and to every force , but of rational conviction . It proceeds from a senso of dignity , and personal rectitude ; it is that decent pride , that characterises generous . minds ; that high sense of

      honour , that will not suffer them to yield to profligacy , or to stoop to . meaness : it is a kind of majesty , essential to virtue ; or mere properly speaking , it is the grace of ingenuousness , and the freedom of innocence . A person was once expressing his admiration how so learned and well-written a dedication came to bo matched to a very foolish book . " Truly , " replied his friend , " they may be very properly matched , for thoy are no way of kin . " . The Rale " . Cure . for it . —Wo see , from the daily newspapers , that it is proposed to remove the railings which at prosnt surround St . Paul s Cathedral , and to throw the space - which surroxinds it open to the public . Would it not be hotter to throw

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      the inside open to the public , and thus , ( to use .: « venerable but appropriate pun ) do away with other "railings , " which must he far more obnoxious to the Dean and Chapter ? Nobody likes to . be nobody , but everybody ia , pleased to think himself somebody ; but tho worst of the matter is , that when anybody thinks himself , to be somebody , he is much inclined to think evcry- ' body © lso nobody . . Pride . —pride , in people of birth and fortune , 131 not only mean , but needless . The contempt a proud man brings on himself , is a counterbalance for his greatness . Pride ever must , and ever will , provoke contempt . Anecdote of Quin . ~ As Quin was one morning near the Lower Rooms , in Bath , he was met by a celebrated gambler , who said to him , " So , Mr . yum , I see you are going to take your ride , to get an appetite to your dinner . " " Yes , " replied Quin , •' you are going to get a din ner to your

      appe-MODEL EPITAPH . Here lies the body of Ephraim Snubhs Who got his living by mending tubs ; He caught his death while it was rainln ' , * And met his fate without complainin ' . , Two nephews of the old Emperor of Austria ' Ferdinand , were disputing upon a certain occasions in presence of their uncle , who was considered »¦•;! not possessing an over quantity of sense , and onfr » i of them growing angry , said to the other , "You are the greatest fool in all Vienna . " " Young gen- " tlemen / ' observed the sapient emperor , " you seem ; to have forgotten my presence . " ' * , ' A YocxG lady , noted for her affected manners , re- cently entered the show-room of a fashionable milli- ner with whom her family were acquainted , for the purpose of making some trifling purchase ., ' How is your mother , miss ? " politely inquired the tradeswoman . " She ia not very well , " replied ! Affectionate . "Ah ! what is the matter with her ?" ""

      — " She fell down stairs and hurt her courtesy bender , " " Her what ?"— " Her courtesy bender , % ' " Courtesy bender ! what is that ? " inquired thc ^' i puzzled milliner . — " Why , her knee . " ' '¦ ¦

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      Taxe 3 oh Kxo-wledge . — Wo understand that Alilner"Gibson , Esq ., M . P ., has received six individual petitions from persons in this town for the repeal of the knowledge imposts which he is unable to present to the House of Commons , the regulations respecting petitions not having been complied with For the guidance of others who may wish te wet up petitions , to assist in the good movement , we state that individual petitions must be written in the singular number ; that all petitions must be signed at the bottom , and that no petition can be received without one or more signatures on the same sheet as the prayer . The secretary of the Birmingham Association for the Abolition of the Taxes on Enowledge , 14 Russell-row , Ladvwood-lane , might be advantageously consulted by our friends who wish to prove themstlves friends to progress , and 3 ihcere haters of all ' shackles on the intellect of inah .--Btrmimltam ' Mrcurii . - \ " ..

      __ _ .. _ Astley / s . —Her Majesty has presented Mr . Batty , the proprietor of this theatre , with a pair of pure Arabian ponies , recently imported , whose first appearance in tho arena' is to take place as soon as their objections to the substitution of " sair-dust " for the " sand" have been reconciled , and their efforts to square the circle overcome . . . There caxkot bo . a greater treachery , then first to raise a confidence , and then deceive'it .

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      un , ng-16 . J 850 . THE NORTHERN STAR . 3

      If Mankind Are Liable To One Mseaee More Than Another^ (J Or If There Are Any Particularaft'ections Of The Human Bodjrf I

      If Mankind are liable to one MseaEe more than another ^ ( j or if there are any particularaft ' ections of the human bodjrf i

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 16, 1850, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1565/page/3/