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'? (£%s Cxmfrtttsn ai <£«£latOr teyttttim" ' "Lure grind the poer, and deb men rule the lav."
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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'? (£%S Cxmfrtttsn Ai ≪£«£Lator Teyttttim" ' "Lure Grind The Poer, And Deb Men Rule The Lav."
' ? ( £% s Cxmfrtttsn ai < £ « £ latOr teyttttim" ' "Lure grind the poer , and deb men rule the lav . "
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THE VOBSSXSBXBX POOH A 2 CD LOBD ASHtBT . i Tfci state of the labouring-classes in . Dorsetshire is the rn 'jeet of special sad active discussion . Mr . Richard i 3 r \ nslty Sheridan recently published some account of the miserably Insufficient wa * es , tha squalid dwellings , the confined space , leading to the most immoral practices—ail things previously asserted ovar and over again , }) ct sow confirmed by the testimony of an independent ccu ^ try-ce&tfem&n . Some persons , including certain j < 3 trgy 7 Een , denied 2 dr . Sheridan ' s statements ; but , as ] bt remarks in a letter to the Times , in doing * o they ! com berate what they contravene . One clergyman j astsisSoES a « oaple { . the man being -very aged ) ¦ whose vsces are 2 s . 6 & . and three loaves ; and several who I
is-re * rom 2 a . with all , or to 5 s . a -week ¦ with part , of ! tb ? ii food . Mr . Sheridan saya , tha price of a peek of ! ¦ w heat per diem has been considered the proper rate of i \ rsces fora labourer ; that would be 9 a . Sd . per week , j at tbe present cost of "wheat : but figures are ' adduced f > £ bo-w that even that sum is inFBfiicient . For example , a man , his wife , and eight children , earn lls . 6 d . a ' Trtck ; they spend it thusr-10 loaves , 5 i ; half a bushel of barley , Is . 6 d- ; K » p sod candles , lOd . ; eleven : pmads-of met to mix with potatoes and bread , 6 d ; j fcouse rent , 2 s . 3 d . j total , 10 a . ld . j -leaving Is . 5 d . to ' tlc'tbe iM supply with other necessaries ten persons !' Tzriter , the lower late of wares , 6-. or 7 s ., are given in jirticnlar districts—not . generally throughout the coontrj ; ^ bieh proves thatibere is in justice somewhere . | ; j ; ] ;
T .-- > r-i Ashley comes ont in support of Mr . Sheridan , tbe parity of-whose motives he boldly assert * . . At the StTmninster agricultural dinner , be observed that JhnsetzhiTB was becoming a by-word in men ' s mouths . He sattd whether such charges were true ? whether tbfe cc ^ s-qs * were fiiihy , ill-drained , and calculated to Inerease immorality and disease ?—" Are "vre prepared to rafute these statements or not ? IB the late of wages afforded to the labourer a fair rennnifcrsiion fsr his labour , and -in iaii proportion to tie prcfiis of the Boil ? Or if the evil is not to be traced to this cause , and if it 1 b not immediately obvious what it is , I sdrise that counsel "be takes between the © WD = re and occupiers t > f land to discover "where it be , SDd endeavour » o find the remedy ; for I am sure that BSEBctMEsr must be done . 1 am net prepared to say What ; bet , if necessary , let us practise more selft lfni ^ j ? t Ttflgn onr luxuries , and . let this he commenced * rUb ib « highest and . wealthiest in the county ''—[ lond ehfcfcrs ) .
Be gave blB hearers good advice—to pay their lafco iucra in money and in good time ; to shut not the gleaners f rma their fields , and to avoid the truck system . Be exhorted those present to " look the charges fuli in tie face , acd to disprove the era , or remedy it .
DISTRESS Hi LB 1 CESTEBSH 1 BE . Tr =- Hisekley S ' . ocidngex hiB sent a second letter to tte Jic-rivg Chromde . He says—« : > = 3 C- the publication of my list letter I have per-Boc = liy inTcstl ^ atbd the homes and circumstances of fiftj f-amUes , averaging six persons each , and taken from th £ ir ( .-SB lips their w&ekiy income and expenditure . 1 have- sot raken the worst c » ses in this town , or the me *; unskilled workmen in the trade , but present a fair gpecimss of the actual condition of ths people , and defy coca aulcuoa . The following presents tie result of my laV-crE : — yaa . bir of families visited , 50 ; number of individual-- iz- posing these famflifs , 321 ; number of looms in du- « , 109 . Averse weekly earnings per family , lls 3 fd ; average ffittc V ^ sr loom . 5 s 2 i
Average expenditure of each family—House rent , Is S-- \; loom rent , 2 a -3 d ; coal and candle , la 6 d j soap and nt ^ Jlc * , 5 d ; total expenditure , 53 ic-l . Weekly snecr-c , lls Sj ^ j weekly expenditure , 5 a 10 di leaving 5 s S 3 . L " Ii scill be seen at once from tie above > hal there only lemitns lid per bead per weefc , oi 1 ^ d per day , a « nn Borc-lT at-Scient to procure food eaongh . fortliesus . tecastc cf life , In my visits to these abodes of misery It wis fv-tdbly impifcBEad on my mind— ' Eye hath not ^ eeii , ear hatb not heard , the heart cannot conceive / the half of the sufferings-endured by this portrty-stcicten people . In one instance I found a bed
{ the criy one ior the faHxDy ) , -rcithout " pillow or bolster , or sheets , or blankets , and nothing to COV&r them but old rice bags . In another I found ; two beds fif beds they might be called ) , one without a j rtcst , and tie other without a blanket "JVhen I saw ] the groups of shoeless aad ragged urchins , some at work , ¦ -others paying ronad their cSeerlesa hearths , and wit- j seesed ths tear roll down many a faced yet manly ; cheek , scdheara the filtering tenons exclaim , 'Wej never iasied meat this many a day "— we have almost j JbrgottcE its taste , ' I canld not help . bnt wish * that our . rulers weald come here , and take a lesson of human , sufi ^ xing and learn the duty of devotedness and disin- j l ^ e = te ^ ct > £ 3 for the common -good . For the last fort- i % it ; «^^; VW **^» V » rf ^ ' HV HUXVM » VVU | ^ V * ¦»«« # ¦*— 1 W - »• - •* to 1
sight , xbe quiet of the SabLaib has been disturbed by tis KZUe of the loom . A thing to unusual made no small jtir . iTrisited two myself to inquire Into the KothrVs - * b 5 ehlfed thtm to this reckless condnct One j JCM ^ . - ' Xr - ~*^ T - ^ % T ^ y riVlW ft TftTI &Xk 3 . ** X ^ ^ oSXfce * » pd W * k " *»*> * more ; 1 ^ iil tell you , bowe-vtr , why I work on thu day . lv is because my poverty compels me ; 1 casnoi 13 d lrxlt cotbeai my childran cry for bread withuut i taiitg Vbt only means honestly to get it iast Monday i xnorttrs 1 rose at two o ' clock , ana woilted till neai ; jBiddgli ^ - 1 -rose at six each succeeding-morning , and ; » ork ^ tin between eleven and twelve each idgjit , and How you see what 1 have far dinner . I cannot do it \ longer , I shall go to an untimely grave if I do . ; I will j lierefere-end my labours at t » n o ' clock e&ebnght , and i Stake no the time thu 3 lost Tsy labouring en the Sun- ; day . * 3 e fcad four caiidren , the oldest only six years i old ; ± b ? ether had a family of the same number , and j abeut tbe BimsMfl .
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; tlisy were -when they wers born . The door of the vault or cell was open at the time , and the man was giving them food . I . did not see them come out . I never saw any person except Harris talking to them . I told Mr . M'Pherson the men were in the vault , and that they asked me for bread , ard that I would have given it to ttemif I toted . Other witnerses were examined who corroborated the evidence previonily given ,
| THE SICOND CHAKGB . The Commissioner aald , he -wished the boy , Boper , to be brought in , who , he understood , was an inmate is the House . The boy was then brought into the room , and , after hearing a bri « f narrative of tbe case which he was called to support , [ The Commissioner said , before he examined tho boy , j he would go with him , and he should point ont the places in which he was pnt , and to : which he would have to refer when giving his evidence . Any of the Guardians who wished to attend him in this part of his enquiry , migtr do so . It was necessary that the boy should point out the different rooms in which be was placed before lie took down his evidence . The Commissioner then left tbe room with the boy , and proceeded with several Guardians and the reporters to the passage leading to the Infirmary .
The Commissioner ^—Now , my little boy , point ont to me tbe place you were first placed in . The boj pointed to the first floor in the passage on the rigtt hand side . A Guardian present— " O , no 1 that cannot be : that is a luaber-room . ** The Commissioner—You make a mistake , boy ; was it not the next door ? No , Sir ; I was put in here first . Commissioner—Are you sure of that , my boy I Yea , Sir . —Where is the key ? Let tbe door be unlocked . A Guardian—No person is ever placed there ; It is full of lumber . The Commissioner—The boy adheres to it that he ¦ spbs pnt in there . Let the doer be unlocked . One of the servants , who brought the key , said the boy -was put in there first . Commissioner—You see , gentlemen , however incredible hia statement at first appeared , the boy is right . Let the door be unlocked .
The door of the vault was then unlocked , and one of the most dark and dismal places it was ever our lot to behold was opened to view . It was an arched vault , without any window or grating for tbe admission of light or air , filled with lumber , leaving scarcely room for three persons to stand in . Its appearance produced & Strong feeling of disgust in the minds of all -who saw it Commissioner—Where were you next taken to ? The boy then proceeded to the door of the b'iick-hole , where the four men were confined . This horrible hole we gave a faint description of in our List Commissioner—How long , my boy , were yon confined in this place?—One night the first timo , and . three days and three nights the second time—Where were you next taken to ?—The room opposite . —Shew us the room .
The boy then walked across the passage to a vault or cell directly opposite to tbe black bole , which waa formerly called the black hole . Commissioner—How long were you kept here ?—Three days and three nights . Commissioner—We will now go to thB tramp-room . The Commissioner , the Gaardians , ~ and the reporters then proceeded to what is called the tramp-room at the top of the yard , on entering which the stench was dreadful , and tbe scene revolting . It was a small confined cell , around which were fixed boards which were called bedsteads , without bedding or straw upon them . In one corner of one of these bedsteads , at tbe farther end of tbe cell , lay a boy huddled up in a rug ; and in the opposite corner another boy in a similar position .
Commissioner—What is that . ' —pointing to one of Ihe miserable objects—is it a human being ? A Guardian—Yes , Sir . The Commissioner—Get np . Two young , "Wretched , and filthy human ereaturea then rese np . The Commissioner—What a state for human beings to te in ! Then addressing the younger boy , he said—How old are yon ?— Nine years . How long have you been here ?—A week last Satniday . To the next boy . How old are yon?—Fourteen , Sir . How long have you been here ? . —Four days . Sir . They have no business to remain here so long
The Commissioner asked a man who was ill , how long he bad been there , and he said several day * . Ba teen visited other parts of the House , ' the appearance of which and the unfortunate inmates wa » , ' as our contemporary justly observes , ' thoroughly revolting . ' The reporter , at the request of one of the Gaardiang , went through the House , but we must not here give his description of the scenes he met with , and hia remoris thereon , as it is understood that many of them win be tbe subject of official investigation . On tbe return of the Commissioner to the committee room he called the boy Roper to him , and after seriously cautioning him to speak tbe truth , the whole truth , and nothing but the truth , and explaining to K- ^ w » V . fc fi . 'ttfnl ^^^^^ mwKi ' i ^ g j ^ f oiwizia ^ hiwi ^ iilig TO
fslseiiood , when be called God to witness , he most solemnly administered to him tbe oath . The boy Boper said , I am twelve years of age . And I was brought to this Workhouse by my mother , for being a naughty boy . I was taktn into a zoom , before some gentlemen , and they were asked if the ; would take me into the Workhoos © for being a bad boy . Jiy mother took me into tha kitchen , to the Governor . The Governor called a man , who took me into the dark-bola . His name was John . He gave me up to a man named John , with a wooden le » . This man pnt me into tbe first bole in the passage , on the right hand side of the passege leading to tbe Infirmary . I staid there until from about six o'clock to eight at night , when lira . Hirst came , and I was taken ont
md put into the second door in the passage , meaning the black-hole . When I was first put into this second place , there vraa no one there . Two boys came in about five minutes afterwards . Some men came in , and there were seven of us altogether in the cell . Mrs . Hirst aDd a female servant came and gave us some rugs . She gave us all one a-piece . I do not recollect of either of the other boys or the men refusing the xng . Oux supper , oi soap and bread , -was brought tons . Two « f the boys had no shoes on . Abont halfpast seven o clock the next morning Harris let us out , and be put me into a room on the opposite side , where I had my breakfast At ten o'clock Harris took me out of that room , and put me into the top men ' s tramproom , 'where 1 remained three days and three nights .
Every night I was there , trampB were sleeping in this room ; I can ' t say how many , bat there were a good many . I ebeuld think on the Saturday night there were twenty . After that I was taken to tbe dark hole , where I had before been in on the right hand side of the pauage , and there kept three days and three nights ; and I was then removed to the opposite side , and there 1 stopped three days and three nights . I never slept in tbe dark hole by myself . There were always tramps there . There were not more than Beven in the hole ; it would not hold more . The grating was open to the top . I bad no water or convenience to wash myself the Srat morning I "was in the Workhouse . la tbe upper tramp room 1 did wash once . Harris gave me Boap
and water , and I wiped myself on my handkerchief . On the Sunday I came out I was washed , when I was taken to a bath . I had no clean shirt or clean clotbin ? during that period . I bad nothing to sleep upon but boards from tbe Wednesday until tbe following 5 nn-$ zy week , when I left I was kept In bed a fortnight by Mrs . Hirst After I first went to bed on a Sunday evening , and kept my bed for a fortnight , the Schoolmaster told me not to get up . He told me that the matron had ordered him not to Jet me get up . My ci&ihea were taken from me when I went Into tbe bath . A clean shirt and pinner was then given me . The boys brought up my food . The Schoolmaster said I was kept in bed for punishment . I was a week and three days in bed , and the other days kept in tbe room .
Edward Rogers , fourteen years of age , sworn—He corroborated the testimony of the boy Boper as to being kept in bed nine days . The investigation was then adjourned-Pbidat , Dec . 1 . —Tbe Commissioner read a paper from the Govvrnor , containing his reply to the charge relative to the four tramps . None of the facts given above were disproved ; the reply was a mere piece ef " explanation , " not at all mending the Governor ' s case . The Mother of tbe boy Boper was examined , and her evidence confirmed that of the boy . William Harris , the man who was ordered by the Governor to put the boy in the black hole , confirmed all ths impertant points of the boy ' a evidence . Mr . Charles Smith , tbe house surgeon , was next examined , after which the investigation was again adjourned .
TEE THIBD CHABGE . Saturday , Dec . 2 . —The Commissioner , on taking his seat this morning , said he was now about to enter upon anether charge , which was this , tiz- — That & young ¦ woman , named Harriet Rodder , "was put into the tramp-room by way of punishment Mrs . Hirst—She iB very ill—she is in the Infirmary . The Commissioner—I wish to examine her on oath . Mrs . Hirst—Sheiaunable to attendhere , Sir . The Commissioner—If she be unable to walk to this room , I must go to her and take her evidence , Let the surgeon be sent for . Mr . Smith , the House Surgeon , ' waa then sent » r , sod on hlj © qming into Che room , the Commia-« oner asked Mm if he thought Harriet BoSdei ^^^ ble of being bro » ght to that room to giva
Mr . Smith aid he considered thai she 'was . fo ^ g mmu « io ner--Let her then be brongnt here . S ' S « SL ? isa . Siis&KS m » " £ S . ~ - A-r * ™ *¦* The Commissioner—We Bhall see . This centlemen ia a different and distinct cetb . ' gentlemen , The witness was then brought into the room—sbe appeared to te j&rj ilL
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Thin witness depoaed -that » be bad been conEaed in the tramp room " from a Saturday night to the next Wednesday morning . " She was ill and taking medicine at the time . In answer to questions by Mr . Boucher , the witness raid , I have-known women pnt in the black-hole for quarrelling . ; Ann Morris , the woman who quarrelled with me , was put in the black hole about three or four months ago . I have known other women separated and put in the tramp-room I was In for quarrelling . Ann Morris , I understood , was put in the black-hole because she refused to go to ehapcl . Sho was put in about five o clock in the afternoon , and taken oat about nine at night , and she then went to bed with tbe other women . The Commission ^—Are you certain that Ann Mortis was put In the tiisck-hole , and that you saw her put in ? « ' - Witness—Yes . Sir .
The Commissioner—This Is a new charge . It Ib the first I have beard of a female being put in the blackhole . Surely it cannot be the horrible place the four men and the boy were confined in . She shall show us this black-bole where she states she saw Ann Morris placed in . Mrs . Hirst—I do cot think she ia able to walk there and back to' this room . The Commissioner—I will take the pen and ink with me , and if ihe finds herself unable to walk back here , she can sign her deposition there . Mrs . Hirst—Are you able , Harriet ) to go there and walk back ? Witness—Yes . The Commissioner— Let her show us the way . The witness , followed by the Commissiener , several Guardians , and the reporters , proceeded to the passage leading from the Workhouse to the Infirmary .
The Commissioner—Now show us theplace into which you saw Ann Morris put The witness then pointed out the horrible black hole in which the four men and the boy were confined . The Commissioner—Are you certain you saw Ann Morris put in there ? Witness—I am , Sir . The Commissioner—Now show us the tramp-room in which you were placed . The witness then walked to a miserable and confined place , which is called the female tramp-room . The Commissioner—How long were you kept here f Witness—I was kept here from the Saturday to tbe Wednesday . The witness was cross-examined by the matron , bat made no alteration in ber statements .
Mr . Smith , house-surgeon , was agaia examined at conslderabla length . He stated that last witness was ifflicted with a chronic disease , and that her confinement in tbe tramp-room was most improper in her state # f health . Sarah ftlorley was then examined on the part of the Governor . She denied that the boy Roper bad been confined to bis bed nine or ten days . The boy was re- ( xamined , but persisted in his farmer statement William Wear and John Fair were then examined ; they admitted that they had put Ana Morris in the black hole , by order of the matron ; but denied that she ¦ was placed in a straight jacket .
Monday . —Mr . Edward Townsend Cox , of Birmingham , surgeon , said he bad been surgeon to the Infirmary connected with the Birmingham Workhouse for upwards of thirty years . Harriet RoddiB , otherwise-Rodder , ¦ was under my charge on the 1 st of March last At Inat time she was Buffering from stricture of the rectum and fistula . She was discharged from the Infirmary on the 17 th of July , relieved . Sbe was again admitted on the 2 nd of September , and attended by me for the same disease ; discharged on tbe 7 th of September , relieved . She waa again admitted on the 13 ch of October , and attended by me for the same disease , and is at this time a patient in the Infirmary . She has , since ber last admission , had an operation
performed on her by me for fistula . I Know the female tramp-ward ; from what I know of this tramp-room , with the knowledge I have of the state of the woman , Roader , is now in , and my previous knowledge of her state , I should say it waa not a fit place foi her to be placed iu during the time she baa been under my charge . I was not awar « she was there . Had I seen her in the tramp-ward nt any period from the 7 th of September to the 13 th of October , I should unquestionably have suggested to Mr . Smith , the House Surgeon , to have had her removed , I do not think her disease has been increased from her being placed there , but that she must necessarily have experienced Increased inconvenience and suffering from pain from the circumstances .
Mr . Scholefield , M P . for the Borongh , requested admission , which was immediately granted .
FOURTH CHARGE . William Weare . keeper of tbe lunatlo ward , was then examined . We cannot find room for his evidence at length , frem which it appeared that a pec * man named Bates , weak in intellect but perfectly harmless , had been confined in the lunatic ward as a punUbment , and there strapped to a chair by order of the governor and matron . Mr . Smith , houss-sargeon , confirmed this statement Mr-Smith had ordered the poor man to be released which had given great offence to the Governor . From the evidence of A » m tui- » . k ~ . x ~ . « . # u >» fcmile Insane ward , it appeared that a female not insane had bees sent to tha lunatic ward by the Gdvemor as a punishment for some offence . Mr . Hirst ( the Governor ) was not in attendance today on account of illness .
Tuesday . —The ho . 'Jiry was resumed at ten o ' clock Mr . Molo , solicitor , attended on the part of the Work-. nonse Governor . The Commissioner addressed Mr . Mole , and said that he would now proceed with the Governor ' s defence . He would read over his notes , and point out those facts of the evidence which most affected Mr . Mole ' s client . There iwas no doubt about the confinement of tbe four men , or the treatment ¦ which they received . Mr . Hirst had himself admitted this . The Commissioner then read over the charges , and those parts of the evidence which in any way affected the Governor and tbe Matron . Mr . Mole—It is necessary for me to Bee the Governor for the arrangement of the defence . I shall be occupied with him some time .
The Commissioner—We went en till Friday night before it was stated that Mr . Hirst wished his professional advi « er to ba present . I will give you until Thursday morning to prepare the defence . I am willing to afford you every facility , and to give you every information you may require in preparing the defence to tbe charges . Mrs . Hirst stated that the Governor was too ill to attend . After the bearing of some unimportant evidence , the Inquik ? was adjourned until Thursday morning .
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course , quite dead . Mr . Juppett bad the mutilated remains removed to tbe union workhouse , which waa resorted to during the day by numbers of persons , in jpder to the body being identified . Information was sent to Mr , E . Eagles , the coroner , who issued bis warrant for the inquest , which Was held on Saturday ; the only witnesses examined that day being the labourers by whom the fire was discovered , and who could not account for the origin of the calamity . The inquiry was consequently adjonrned over till Tuesday , when the body of the deceased was folly identified . His name is John Simmons , and he waa said to be about flfty-seyen years old . He waa a native of the town of Bedford , and entered the army when a mere boy . By good conduct , he attained the rank
of colour-sergeant in the 40 th Regiment of Foot He was in the battle of Waterloo , where he was wounded in the head and in the leg , and was commended by the Duke cf Wellington for his bravery on several occasions . The poor fellow was in receipt of Is . a day pension . Owing to the wound in hia head , he had for some years been subject to periodical attacks of insanity , and had been for some time an inmate of Bedford Lunatic Asylum , from which he had been lately discharged . Having no employment , be was in the habit of wandering about the precincts of tbe town , and about an hour before the fire broke out he was met by a man in the employ of Mr . Francis , builder , of this town . He was at that early hour proceeding towards the Kimblo toa-road , but for what purpose no one could form any probable conjecture . ;
By direction of the coroner , apostmotttm examination of the body was made by Mr . Mitchell and Mr . Blore , surgeons . These gentlemen stated , that one at the arms and one of the legs were burnt off ; that the body waB in other respects extensively Injured . They had also found a contused wound on the head , which they were of opinion had been caused after death , probably by the falling of a piece of timber from tbe roof of the barn . They concluded that death had been caused by suffocation . There was no evidence adduced tending to implicate the men in custody ( the brothers Parkins ) beyond the fact of the workmen having seen them come from the barn , as already described , which they accounted for by showing that on the previous night they had slept at a cottage in the neighbourhood , and , when dressing , were attracted to the spot by tbe strong glare of light
The Coroner recommended the Jury to return an open verdict , in case additional evidence might be obtained at some future time . The Jury concurred in the suggestion , and a verdict to that sJ ^ ot was accordingly recorded . The Parkinses have undergone two Ions examinations before the bench of magistrates , including Mr . Joseph Brown ( the late Mayor ) , Mr . G . P . Livius . Mr . T . A . Green , and Mr . Davis . The witnesses were the same as those called before the coroner ' s jury . There being no evidence to justify the further detention of the prisoners they were discharged . They gain a livelihood by repairing rush-bottomed chairs , and travel about the country in that character .
; This appalling affair , together with the repeated recurrence of incendiary flies , produced the most feverish state of excitement in the town and county of Bedford , and haa been rapidly followed by another conflagration within a short distance of the town of Ampthill . The latter fire broke out on Saturday morning , at a place called Hownes , about six miles from Bedford . Here a large barn and out-offices , in the occupation of Mr . Barnes , an extensive farmer , were wholly consumed . Fortunately this is not accompanied , as in tbe other case , with loss of life ; but the destruction of property is very great , and tbe owner is only partially insured . Upwards of fourteen stacks of com , a large quantity of agricultural implements , together with the buildings , have been sacrificed by the torch of a nocturnal incendiary , who , happily for the ends of justice , has been secured . His name is ThomaB Elmer , a native of Ampthill , and be is said to be a person of all others
the least likely to be suspected of a crime so heinous as that of . arson . Having received a fair share ef education he obtained the appointment of master of the Sunday school in connexion with the National Society which haa recently been established in the Village of Hownes . Owing to some information obtained by Captain Boultbee , Chief Constable of the Bedford Rural Police , Elmer was apprehended as he was leaving tbe church On Sunday last , to the great astonishment of the congregation . He was conveyed to Ainpthlll by Superintendent Bates , when be was examined on Thursday before the Rov . J . B . Wbitburu , one of the district magistrate * . Tbe evidence was so strong as to leave no doubt that he was a principal in , if not tbe sole author of , tbe fire at Mr . Eauies's premises , j When in the cage the prisoner made a voluntary confession of hia guilt , which being reduced to writing , he signed it in presence of tbe Bench , and has been fully committed for trial on the capital charge at the ensuing
The terror excited amongst the farmers throughout the agricultural districts in this neighbourhood is quite painful . The rural police discharge their duty , wearisome as it has become , owing to the frequency of incendiary fires , with laudable zeal and alacrity ; but they are too few in number to overcome tbe marauders who are prowling about every night over a county of such extent . The Bedford Association ( county ) for Protection of Property have employed a number of men to co-operate with the rural ponco , t > ut u > io ia uui euuugn to restore confidence . It is reported that a meetiDg of the magistrates is about to be held , in order to consider the propriety of an application being made to the Secretary of State for some increase of the constabulary force during the remainder of the winter .
SW 1 WQ IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE . ( From the Cambridge Independent Press . J Fen DtTTON . —It is our melancholy task to record one of the largest and most calamitous fires that has occurred in this port of the country for many years , and which there is no doubt was tbe work of an incendiary . On Thursday evening , about five o ' clock , a stack of outstraw , ata ding in a farmyard belonging to Mr . J . Fyson , of Fen Dltton , about two miles and a half from Cambridge , was discovered to be ou fire . The yard contained seventeen stacks , of every description of grain , two large barns , a granary , pigeon-bouse , cart-hovels , piegsriea , and other outbuildings . It was of groat extent , the stacks and buildings forming a large square . In a few minutes from the discovery of tbe fire , the whole
of the stacks were in a blaze . The wind blew from tke west with great violence . The alarm speedily reached Cambridge , and in i a very brief space the Norwich Union fire-engine , which was accompanied by Mr . W . Ekin , reached tbe spot . Tbe PJ ? CB ! iix-ofnce end other engines soon arrived . The stack in which the fire commenced was situate at the southern extremity of the yard : and at the time when the first engine arrived the fire might eaBily have been extinguished , but , unhappily , there wag a most deficient supply of water , and the flames spread with such rapidity as to defy tbe feeble opposition that was brought against them . The fire communicated from stack to stack with alarming speed , and in Ie 8 S than ten minutes the whole yard was in a bl&z 3 . The barns , which were of great size and
contained a large quantity of grain * were quickly enveloped in flimes . The cattle and farming implements were ,, by strong exertions , safely removed , with the exception of two wooden rollers . At this moment the fire was grand and awful in tbe extreme . A space which occupied an area of mote than two hundred yards square , was crowded with immense burning masses of material . Tbe wind blew with great violence and carried the flames with terrific force to a height and extent which threatened destruction to tbe whole village . The efforts of tbe firemen were powerless to stay their progress . At this time , to add to tho horrors of tbe scene , some burning materials fell upon the stack of Mr . Kent , whose farmyard was on the opposite side of tbe road . This yard contained nine large stacks of barley and
hay : In a moment ; all were in fliinos , and another fire almost equal in extent to the one we have been describing raged most fearfully . Fortunately the wind carried tha flames from the bouse of Mr . Kent , and the largtr yard in which wore tbe barns . Twenty-six large stacks and numerous buildings were now all on fire at once , and to stop the ravages of the devouring flames seemed utterly impossible . The scene' waa terrific , and amidst it all we were grieved to observe the apathy and reckless indifference displayed by the labourers , but few of whom manifested ihe slightest desire to aid iu txtinguishing the fire . The engines were chiefly worked by members of the University , many of whom most actively and energetically employed thinselves in attempting to ; save the property of the sufferers . Some were seen up to their knees in water , passing buckets of water from one to the other ; but the fire wa 3 beyond control . Its ravages were unBtopped until all on which it could spend its fury was destroyed .
Tbe noise of fulling tilea—the crush of burning beams —the cries of the fowls and pigeons as the poor creatures fell into the flames—the shouts of the thousands assembled , and tbe awful grandeur of the flimes sending up to heaven lurid clouds of smoke , presented a scene , of such awful sublimity that words cannot descri be it . Tbe fire was extraordinary from tbe immense extent of ground which it covered . Look on all sides and you were surrounded by burning masses . Had the wind been in on opposite direction the whole village must have perished . That this awful calamity was the work of an incendiary , there is unhappily no doubt Two men were apprehended , one of whom ia now in custody ; againBt tbe other no evidence was adduced which warranted his detention . The village during the whole night was thronged with labourers , hundreds of whom came from distant and adjacent villages . The loss cannot be under £ 5 , 000 . All the property was insured in the Norwich Union Office .
Boxwoeth—On Wednesday evening hat , shortly after eleven o ' clock , Mf . Kirby , farmer of Boxworfch , whs had retired , to rest , wa « awakened by a man named Ellard , an Inhabitant of the village , who three years Btace Worked with Mr . Kirby , and who communicated the alarming intelligence that his premises were on fire . On descending be found that a barn , containing unthrashed barley , was in a blare in the siiddle Tbe flames rushed forth with great fury , and speedily communicated with the eavea of the dwelling house but were prevented extending further in this direction by the great exertions of Ellard aud Kirov . The fire had by this time been perceived by others in the village , and the whole neighbourhood was speedily alarmed . A messenger was despatched to Swaveaey for tfceenpine , which speedily arrived ^ and proved to be meat efficient in preventing the extension of tbe fire to tbe dwelling-house from a neighbouring stable , in Us *
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than ten minutes from the discovery of the fire the whole of the contents of the yard were in flames , together with twojeottages , occupied by a wheeler named Butler ( who bis seven children ) and a farm labourer named Allen ; thesa had barely time to escape , as they , with tbeir families , were in bed when the fire caught their roofs . The whole of their furniture , with tt » exception of one bed , waa consumed . The children of Butler , I in a partially naked state , were sorte of them afforded shelter by the villagers , and the remainder , with theirjunfeappy mother , might have been seen congregated round the ingle nook of the only publicbouse of the village , in a atate of hopeless despair . The labourers used every exertion possible , and removed the furniture of Mr . Kirby , part to a close
opposite the residence , and the remainder to tbe premises of his ; neighbour , Mr . Wolflngton , where hia family , consisting of hia wife and three children , the eldest of them nuder eight years of sge , al » ° tound shelter , and this was all the assistance that could be rendered , as the fire was blazing with such fury as to prevent all hopes of saving any of the contents of the yard . The heat was most intense , an 4 the dwellinghouse from this cause waa not out of danger till nearly half-past ; three o ' clock , at which time the supply of water was becoming exhausted , the pump being consumed and two ponds having been drawn nearly dry in pumping on this and the nejarest stacks . Almost tbe whole of the stock , li or 1 a cows , and as many horses were got out of the yard , and te accomplish this , they bad to be
led through a pond ; but two horses , one bud , fourteen store and three ! fat hogs were burnt , together with a large quantity of poultry . Another horse was so much burnt that it isjdoubtful whether be will not bave to be slaughtered . The con rents of the yard were the whole of the produce of a 450 acre farm , and consisted of sixteen- stacks , namely , three of wheat , two of peas , one of barley , one of oats , and one of tare stubble . These , contrary to the ! usual practice of Mr . Kirby , were this year all stacked in the yard . Tne buildings consisting of a barn containing chaff , two of bcrluy , one of wheat , and one of oats , na « stable , and cart-shed , log-hovel , cow-lodge , two granaries over stable next tha bouse , and a wheat [ case , containing about three bays or eighty loads of j wheat , with piggeries , henhouses , &c .
The grain wasj in tho straw , with the exception of from eighteen j to twenty loads of wheat and fourteen or fifteen quarters of barley , and the greater portion ; of this was tbraBhed on the Wednesday . The cottages were completely gutted , the walls only being left standing , and those in a tottering condition . The party wall was an unusually substantial one , and fell with a loud craBh about five o ' cloek . The implements burnt consisted of five carts , one waegon , a drill , a gig , dresaing ^ machine and blower , ploughs , harrows , &c No accident occurred to any human Deing , although the occupants of the cottagf had a vary narrow escape A south-west fwind was blowing the whole hi >> ht ,
which towards imorning veered a Jittle more to the west At half-past eleven o ' cloek on Thursday , at which hour our informant left ( having been attracted from Cambridge the previous night by the reflection on the horizon ) , the stacks were etill burning , although , of course , there was no danger of the fiames extending , and the fury of the devouring element was well nigh speni . This comfortable horhestead at that time presented a melancholy picture of deaolation . We regret that we caDnot close this report without adding that not tbe slightest doubt exists onjthe mind of the proprietor , or any in the village , that the coiiflagration waa caused by an incendiary . ~]
MORE DREADFUL FIRES . | Steeple MORden . —On Monday night , about eleven o'clock , a fire ) broke out in the rickyard of Mr . S . Strickland , of Steeple Morden , Cambridgeshire , which consumed all the ricks , barns , corn , and outbuildings , leaving only the farmhouse . The fire is supposed to have been the vile act of an incendiary , and a person is taken up on strong supposition . This is tbe second fire within a period of six months at this farm ; consequently the whole of the newly-erected buildings are destroyed . Hah it not been for the attendance ef tbe Basslngbonrn Engine very little doubt ; is entertained but ths house Must have fallen a sacrifice to tbe flsmea ; for although there were hundreds of the labouring class of both Hexes iu attendance , with tbe exception of a very few , they ] rendered no assistaBco iu saving it
MaULDEN . — -On Friday evening , Dec 1 , a fire broke out at Mauldenj which has caused the greatest possible alarm . Two large bean-ricks , the produce of twentyone acres , tbe ^ property of Mr . John " Seabrook , were entirely destroyed . The Ampthill engine , and its complement of firemen , promptly attended , but was of no avail , as no water could be procured ; and bad there been plenty of water it would have been useless to play , as the stock was a complete mass of fire in a few minutes after it was discovered . Mr . Seabrook is , we understand ; insured to the full amount . SAWBttiDGEJwoRTH . —On Monday evening , about ten o ' clock , a fire broke out in the farm of Mrs . Bennett , called Noon ' s farm , near Sawbridgeworth , inthe vicinity of the { farm which was destroyed last week . The whole of the outbuildings and a part of the dwel-Unghoase were ] destroyed , together with a quantity of pigs and poultry , and a calf . There iB , we fear , little room for doubt that this fire is the work of an
incendiary . Two n \ en , suspected of the crime , - were tnb « n bttf ««> tup ifsv . U . o . BourcDier , who rownuded them until Monday next . —Herts Reformer . On Sunday ) night last , another fire broke out in Rowell , by which a hovel and a barn were consumed . They coutained a quantity of corn , which , fortunately , was saved . Oa the next evening , a fire broke out in the rick-yard of Mr . Horspool , of Broughton , which consumed a stalk of wheat and a stack of barley , and occasioned the destruction cf a hay-rick . Both are presumed to be the work of incendiaries . —Northampton Mercury i
On Friday ee ' nnight a double barn , filled with barley , the property of Mr . Stephen Gooch , of Honingbam , was entirely consumed by fire . Mr . Gooch bad a stack burnt the previous Friday . Three men—two Lincolns , father and son , and Wright , the son-in-law of Lincoln—are in custody , and remanded till Tuesday ; and Hunt , another man , is taken up . Tbey all reside at Honingham .- *— Norwich Mercury , Early in tbe morning of Wednesday , last week , the stackyard of Drumniawhanee , near Crieff , was discovered to ba on fire by an individual belonging to a neighbouring farm , who immediately crave the
necessary alarm . Considering tbe untimely hour , a great number of persons , anxious to arrest the work Of devastation , were ; soon collected to the soot ; but , in defiance of every exertion , eight stacks were consumed before any effectual resistance could be offered to the progress of the flames . How the fire originated is still a mystery ; but , from certain circumstances ,- strong suspicions a » e entertained of its having been the Work of an incendiary . The proper authorities , we believe , are busy investigating the affair ; but , so far as we have beard , without elucidating anything as yet to criminate any person ia particular . —Glasgow Chronicle . )
DARLINGTON . ;— On Thursday evening , the 30 fcb ult ., the stable of Mr . Stockdale , butcher , waa discovered to be on fire ; but so prompt and energetic were the persons living in the neighbourhood , that it was extinguished without the aid of the fire engines . On the same evening the stable was again on are , but quite in another part , which excited suspicion that it has been the work of an'incendiary . Happily it was extinguished by the same energetic means as the former . Sunder / and Herald . Fire at Clapham . —On Saturday night , a little before ten o'clock , a fire bryke out in the rick yard of Mr . Crisp , of Clapbam , Beds . The fl » mes reached to
so great an height that they were viaible in Bedford , and the engines jwere drawn out and in the road before the messenger arrived to give the alarm . In less than half an hour from this period some hundreds of persons were on their way to the fire . Two stacks of barley , one of beans , and one or wheat were entirely consumed , together with the barn and some adjoining buildings , and a ( thrashing machine , which had been at work on that day uj » on some clover seed , was also burnt We have at present heard no estimate of tbe damage , but learn tbat the property 1 b insured in the Sun Fire Office , j The origin of tha fire has not been ascertained . —Herts Reformer .
MORE INCENBIARISM . Bishop StorItord , Dec . 11 . —The following incendiary fires have occurred in this neighbourhood within the last few days : —On Friday morning about six o ' clock , the farm-yard of Mr . Ro £ ere of Shorley Hall , was discovered to be in flimes . Express tva-j immediately seat to this town for engines and assistance being speedily procured , and a plentiful supply of water , the fire was confined to a large shed filled with agricultural implements , a haulm Btaok , and other small buildings . The morning was fortunately very calm , else the large barns adjoining must have fallen before the devouring element .
On Sunday evening another large fire waa observed to break out north of the town . The engines were speedily despatched in the direction of the fire , which was found to be the Parsonage Farm , Mauitden , in the occupation of Mr . Smith . On arriving , we found the whole of the extensive buildings , With the exception of one small barn , in flames . The attention of tne firemen was ) directed to the dwelling-house , to which the flames were fast approaching . Water being short ,- it was with difiioalty saved ; but the
remainder of the premises was soon a mass of ruias . Two goats , and one fat hog were the only live stock destroyed ; the j rest were saved . Mr . Smith , the occupier , bears a most excellent character , and what could induce the perpetration of this aot we are at a loss to conjecture . It broke out while the family were at tea , in the thatch of the middle barn . Letters have been picked up in the town , iu which Other property is threatened . The greatest alarm prevails , this being the fourth fire ia rather more than a fortnight :
INCENDUEY Fires in Berkshire , — -We regret to state that two more incendiary fires have taken place in tbia county . The barn of Mr . Matthews , a farmer at Stocfccross , containing a quantity of com , was fired , a few eveniBga jsince , and , with the whole of Its contents , totally | consumed . A poor and industrious man , named John Grey , living at Burden ' s Heath , near Tbatcham , jbad hia little barn , and all it contained , burnt to the ground . There is very little doubt that both thesa foea were wilfully caused by incendiaries , i
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More Incendiarism . —Information has been rfr ceived at the Bow-street Police-office , and circulated , that on the night of Tuesday last seme persons mail cionsly set fire to a barn occupied by Mr . James Hind . ley . Hurst Hall , Calchett . Daring the burning of the barn the following property was « tolen--namely , * coat , waistcoat , and other articles of wearing apparel On the same night , between , the hours of eleven and twelve o ' clock , some persons set fire to a bam belong , ing to Mr . James Blackburne , of Astley , in Lancashire , and the building waa destroyed , together with a quantity of bay . Suffolk . —In tha county of Suffolk no fewer than four incendiary fires attended with serious loss , have occurred within the space of forty-eight hours .
Bedfordshire . —Incendiarism , by the frequency of its occurrence , has ceased to be considered a crime by tbe generality of labourers ; and some , I am persuaded , have been excited to commit the crime by the force of example alone . —LetUr of a Bedfordshire Farmer in the Mark lane Expresi . Beccles . Dec 11 . —It is our painful duty to inform you of tbe further spread of incendiarism in our district On Suuday night last a fire of no ordinary character took place at the village of Stockton , ^ orfolk , on a farm in the occupation of Mr . Robert Grimmer ; and to a short space of time a large barn , filled with the produce of twenty acres of bailey , was entirely consumed . The utmost exertions were used to save the ptopeict y , but entirely without effect . Mr . Grimmer , we understand , is insured . —Chronicle , Wednesday ,
Government Rewards . —^ The Government Police Gazette exhibits too faithfally the alarming progress of incendiarism throughout the country .. The determination of Government ta ^ unish With the utinoBt degree of severity the perpet ^ nrs of these incendiary acts ia manifest by the large igffards offered for the apprehension of the chief actors , and the inducements held out to the less guilty accomplices that may cboose to turn Qaaen ' s evidence . The following are the last ci 8 eB of incendiariam which have been communicated to the proper authorities : —Oa the morning of the 12 th ultimo a barn and other out-buiidingB ; the property of Mrs . Tyrrell , of Polstead Hall , in the occupation of Mr William Tabar , together with a quantity of beaBB
and straw , were feloniously set on fire . Government offers £ 50 reward ; C . Tyrrell , Esq ., JS 50 ; and the Suffolk Fire-office £ 50 . for the apprehension and conviction of the offender or offenders , together with her Majesty ' s pardon to any but tho person , actually firing the premises . On the same night a stack of- barley on the farm of Mr G Gayford , of Rymer-house , in the county of . Suffolk , was wilfully set on fire anddestroyed j £ 259 reward ia offered . Her Majesty ' s Government and his Grace the Duke of Graf ton each offer £ 56 . In this case the Royal clemency will be extended to any but the actual tjggtodiary . On the morning of the 18 th ultimo the barns ^ nd out-buildings in tbe occupation of Mr . Samuel Buck , of Hawatead-lodge farm , also in
the county of Suffolk , were wilfully set on fire and destroyed , together with ft quantity of corn therein ; £ 200 reward is offered , £ 109 $ eing given by the Government , besides the inducement of pardon to accomplices being held out On the night of the 18 th nit . a stack of barley , on the farm of Mr . Thomas Kersey , Pafeenham , Suffolk , was wilfully set on fire and destroyed ; £ 250 reward is offered , £ 100 by ber Majesty ' s Government , and £ 50 by bis Grace the Duke of Graf ton , and in tbia case the Royal pardou will be granted to any accomplice who may turn Queen ' s evidence . For tbe bean hovel of Mr . Thomas French , of Whitfleld , two carts , and also bay-rick damaged ; for the bean-rick of Mr *
Brown , of Rothwell , Northampton , together with a wheat-rick , barley-rick , 'and range of beast hovels , £ 50 by Government For a barley-stack , belonging to at * . George Nead , of Eaaton , £ 52 10 s . by the Norwich . Union Insurance Company . For tbe barley Btack of Mr . S . Gooch , of Honingham , £ 105 , by the . Norwich Union Fire-office , and also £ 105 by Mr . S . Gooch . In the first case a man named Thomas Heyes , farm labourer , twenty-five years of age , five feet five inches high , fair complexion , light hair , small whiskers , and dark brown eyes , is suspected of Betting Mi . Hindley ' fl property on fire , he shortly afterwarda having left the village .
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COVENTRY ASSOCIATION " FOR THE PROTECTION OF WAGES IN THE PLA . IN RIBBON TRADE . At a public meeting , bolden in the large room . Rose and Crown Yard , Coventry , the Committee to the Trade brought forward tbe following report , which waa unanimously adopted . Its insertion in tbe pages of the Star will much oblige , The Trade .
HALF YEARLY REPORT , DECEMBER 1 ST , 1843 . Gentlemen , —Your Committee , in presenting their half-yearly Report , congratulate you on the increasing prosperity of the funds of the 'Association . Daring the last six montha , your delegates have had various difficulties to contend with , arising in part from the continned ^ determination ef some manufacturers to use every artifice to evnde the present list of prices . For this purpose , they have oppressed some of tbe most needy of our fellow-workmen with extortionate hire for tbeir hand-loom machinery , first ascertaining where the ' greatast n < w > oa » ifcy existed amongst tbeir worfcmeD , and ' then taking a mean , and base advantage of those very necessities , which , had they been possessed of
one apark of humanity , Christianity , or common sym-! pathy , they would have done all in their power-to : alleviate . A small advance baa lately been gained 1 on the weaving of shaded ribbons ; and some dissatiai faction has been expressed by certain members of the ' Association , because an advance has not been obtained | oa tbe weaving of plain Swiss ribbons : your Committee , after canvassing the opinions of the manufacturers , | and giving the -subject their most mature consideration , < have come to tbe conclusion that it would be unwise 1 for the Bake of an advantage , which is not likely to be permanent , to force a rise in the present instance , and thereby provoke retaliation , and endanger the stability of the present list . Taking this view of the subject , and yet being well aware that the aforementioned article is highly deserving a rise on the price of weaving , we nevertheless think it most prudent to let tha question rest at present , at the same time assuring the
members of tbe Association , tbeir Committee will take advantage of the first favourable opportunity to gain this desirable object , kaving been promised the assist ance of same principal manufacturers should tbe de * rnand for S wiss ribbons continue . Although your delegates condemn the oppressive conduct of some manufacturers , there are others who profess themselves willing to lend every assistance in their power to forward the objects of our Association . To these gentlemen we return our grateful acknowledgments , trusting our proceedings wsll always gain , as we intend them to merit , the approbation of every friend of the peace and well-being of society . We wish it to be distinctly understood that we are willing to make any reasonable alteration which necessity may require . All that wa desire is to be met in an open straightforward manner , and to bave proof that such alterations are requisite , and for the benefit of both parties .
In conclusion , while taking a review of tbe events of the last six months , we call upon you to be more firmly united than ever . In thus catling upon you , we wish you to force no ene , nor to injure any class ot society . AH that we ask of you i » that every member of the Association will do his duty to himaalf , his family , and posterity , by using every lawful means to establish such a price for labour that the working man , instead of being the slave of avarice , may shake off the bondage of oppression , and rise to his prof sr position in society .
Fwllow Artiz < tns , —We , in common with yourselves , feel the accumulation of evil that is , year after year , pressing upon the productive classes cf this country . Wo witness with grief the honest industrious man walking the streets of his native city in ragged raiment , with starvation and despair depicted on his deathlike countenance , receiving the smile of cen tempt , instead of commiseration , from the very men who have raised their fortunes on the poverty of their workmen . When We behold you surrounded by such humiliating circumstances as these , we must acknowledge you nave experienced sufficient to cool your ardour , and prostrate your energies . Bat still we have a hope still we have confidence in you , that you will not suffer yearselves to sink step by step into degradation and rain , without striving , by every constitutional effort , to better your condition .
£ > a-Total amount collected since the formation of the Union in May , 1842 , up to 30 tb October , 1843 , inclusive ... . ... 2 ? 5 9 0 Disbursed in Bame period ... ... ... 92 10 1
182 18 11 in bands of Treasurer of General Committee 2 10 H _ £ 185 9 W
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It is gratifying at all times to be able to refer to persons whose position in society place them abo ^ a the cummon sphere , for when they exert themselves to advance the cauee ef truth its progress is mucb accelerated . This is strongly evidenced in & 6 generous testimony of T . R . Mandall , Esq ., coroner Doncaster , who permits reference to be made to bin with regard to the restorative power of Blair ' s Goal and . Rheumatic Pills , he having been a martyr to gout for many years .
The Mysterious Tbayelleb and the InQOTSI " xivb Scot . —Two ' gentlemen fell in together , bow travellers on horseback , and strangers to each other * whei j the following conversation took place : — "B »" evening sir , rather , " observed the one with an Aberdeen accent . "Yes , rather , " replied the ot&er . " You will likely be a stranger in these parts ? continued the Aberdpnian . " If I can r" lacowcW replied the other , looking neither to the right norio the left . " Perhaps , like myself , you may be going on to Banff ! ' M Perhaps , " responded the mer > yawning-. « In that casej perhaps , you will v ^ H at the Cullen ! " « I may or may not , " answere his companion . ? ' Pardon me the liberty <» -tffi quOTtion , sir , may I ask you if you area bacneton "No . " "OI married V - ' No , no ! " "S tt ^ beg your pardon , sir : a widower V " No no , no . " Neither a bachelor , nor married man , nor vriaW ** Tueu what can . you be ? " " A . divorced man . sV * w you must know 1 " exclaimed the stranger , claPP * his spurs to hia horse , and dashing out of 6 'S * au instant .
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£ TflTl NORTHKRK STAK- . . ' ——^ 1 ^^^^ ¦ ^^—^—¦ M — ¦ ¦ ^ * _ . _____ - _ M _^ MM " ' I —___^ B || » M |»»| , | . ||—^ , M M | _ -J | j ^_ J ^ t II ' ^ fc —^ J ^ l f * ' ^¦¦ l ^ l » lUH . . ¦ !!! ¦ — . ^—~«^_ 1 M ^^»»—^—M ^—^ B ^*^— . ^—~— ' ' ~ P " ^^^*^*^^ " * " - *• —————_^»—__^—^ - ———^^~*~~^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^ _ M ¦
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IHE 3 > 3 POBT _ 2 JT IXTESUGAT 1 OX AT THE BIRMINGHAM WOKKHOTJSE- ; On Tfcnrrfsy , the mvesUgitioo "was resumed , Mr . 1 sm \ txe of the GaardianB of the Poor , In theehair . ; "There " w ^ ra present during the day tbe following Gnardii . ; " ? : —3 ies » 3 . Ryder , Knight , ^ Pritebard , ~ 9 J . < 2 ieBsfcire , Mataa , Biriey , Jlateh ' ett , Bobicaon , Bodeiick , Joaeoh Corbttt , HolliDgsworth , Boucher , SeSbert . Tan » T , ABsHidge , Potter , and Taylor , of jBdgb 2 « to 3-stre « . It tad been « learly established , fcy tbe evidence of Severs ! -witnesses at the former meetisgB , that four tremrE had been confined , contrary to law , in a borllble b ie . for Bight ^» tb and eight TtigTvta , in a state ¦ of nu-ivj- ^ iaiout heading or covering , except » rug each , T- ^ -x t&st ihej "srere supplied with very Inferior food eII the time .
Ths Cemi&is 5 ioner commenced the further inquiry liy ssy ^ g , VLzt he should like to examine Mr . 5 d'Pt _ r-cti- —tier looking at the cell in ¦ which the four sits "s ? ere confined , he thought it impossible bat ttuX v-= persona in the Infirmary Dispensing Boom most ~ ne heard thB tramps in the place they were . Et . X ^ icas—I have "been told , Sir , that the boy , eg viz .-r 2 - ^ -e have beard eo murh , ia now in the Workhoni-Iki- Co ^ nnaissiorier—If that be the ease , ' I am very sorry I-x is . The Governor has positively stated thai he fair * - w > t > nnz afcontlum .
Mr Jiabirt a * Pherson , a member of the Gollege o Apotieeiries . and Apothecary to the Infirmary , ¦ w sj Jiten examined . He stated _ e knew of She four ttaap laing confined in the " black hole , " but did not b& taem . I shouia say they vere in eight often dajs Ihe Sist threecrfoor days they seemed very theerful singing sad making a noise , which annoyed na -ver , much . Mtervstds they were very quiet ; in fact the : Ijcame so quiet that I had forgotten tiey were then Until tfce Sunday , irhen my little boy , who was vita me , sa ^ s- t&e can taking food to them . He told hi ¦ mo ^ jer Tfcen he got home he bs 9 three or four nak «
men . B . 's mother atked me if such was ihe case ; an not believing it possible , I toM her I thought it in pDssIble . Whea I returned from dinner I made h 5 _ lriM of James Dewaon and John . ^ Farr if the me ¦ were stiH there , and if they were really naked ? The rajureA db Qi&j were . James Dewson told me th men b * 4 "ranted bread , and that he could save thei Borne -i hia if he dare give it them . I never saw th men c ? 231 . 1 did not report Hie Enbject to snybod ; I mir ;> r . have talked about ths suVject to she Hous Surrey - I made no reserve , Ior the matter was talke el vary fr = e } yhy the servants .
Jair . ^ Ds - sreon was then called , and examined by the Commissi oner . He said , J aa a jpauper in the Birmingham Workhouse , _ Q d I have teen an "inmate in the House u } x > ut two yews . About two months ago I recollect To ?? men being put in the vault or cell in the P&oigi : lading io the Infirmary . I had nothing to do rorthm -waen they were there . I saw them in that ?« f vv 7 ?* bettCT- ^ y * M they were hnn-I m ' w thtnT ll " "" * The l were ^^ " ffheD « £ Sr 3 ££ rr Hoir ofien did yon ~ *•» *
JFl C 7 h \^ f ^ ed two or thre * times , as I SSn * Zf ^ T * ^ V—Me-rtttn Harris was giving fvmlooi . Onee , as I ¦»_ , p _ sirjg at the back of the C 3 D , they asked meto liandtbenHoW ™ i which ttS laatfcru £ through the grating at oSrJo ? f £ -ndlk . They wererags which had haenput throng the window or grating , &s I understood , to keep thTcold © nt At this-time ftey » ked me if i haa a lit <> j mouldy emst of "bread to glrc them . They complained OC "bem ? inngry . I would have given them some bread at that time , if I dared . She Com—lissioBBr—Whxt time of the day yas it wtien they asked you for bread J
Mr . Joseph Corbet *—Was It before breakfast , < * fter , that they asked yoa for this Mt of xoouia ¦ root ?
Witness—it wm abont slevsn xs twelve o ' clock . Hr . J . Corbett—What time did ihey have then fcreakfest given to them ? Witness—The breakfast was usually given ont tc them Abbot nine o ' clock . The Commissioner—Are yon , witness , quite sure you mw the men ns £ ed ? Wlis 6 s «—I sai quite confident I saw them nflSed . The ComnsJssiontr—AH four naked ? Witness—Yes . S r ; I saw them nsked several times U I was passing . They were as entirely naked as
Untitled Article
INCENDIARISM IN BEDFORDSHIRE AND SUPPOSED MURDER—ALARMING STATE OF THE RURAL DISTRICTS . ( From a Correspondent of ihe Times ) Bedford . Fridat . Dec 8 . —During the last fortnight this generally tranquil county has been disturbed from end to * nd by repeated nightly fires , and unhappily , there is bat too much evidence to show that these atrocious outrages upon property have been the work of incendiaries , although it is impossible to assign to tbe commission of such wanton mischief any probable motive , inasmuch as the agricultural labourers appear to be generally more contented than iu other rural districts of the kingdom .
To the ] 0 Dg list of fires ascertained to be cases of arson , and of which some particulars have already appeared in the London and local papers , fresh outrages of a similar kind have been added this week , a brief account of which is subjoined . Before adverting to the new cases . It may ba right to state tbe result of the investigation which has been going on relative to the fatal fire at Mr . Alderman Biggins ' * barn on ths Kimbolton-road , near this town , last Friday maFiaing . That disastrous affair , in which an unfortunatcunan lost bis life , remains involved in myBtoTy , thongh the magistracy and tbe police have been actively engaged in an
endeavour ) to obtain some clue by which it could be explained .. Though 'the inquiry has closed fur the present without any d finite result , the suspicion at first entertained of a murder having being committed previous to the fire ( the latter course being resorted to in order to conceal the crime ) , seems to be the generally received opinion of all those who have attentively considered the subject . The following is a brief outline of the facts , as Bt&ted on the coToner ' a icqueBt , and in the progress of the inquiry had before the magistrates , which cloBed yesterday afternoon with the liberation of two men , who were apprehended under circumstances of strong suspicion .
It appears that , en the morning of Friday last , just at daybreak , some labourers in the employ of Messrs . Green , of Bedford , were commencing work at a brickkiln on the Kimbelton-road ; they observed flte issuing from the windows and doors of a large barn a short distancs from the road , and in tbe occupation of Alderman Higgins , of Bedford . An alarm of fire was promptly given , and a number of persons hastened to the spot . On approaching toe house two young men , brothers , named Parfeins , were Been to rush from the barn , which was then on fire in three separate places , and blazing furiously . When questioned as to the origin of tbe fire , they pleaded ignorance of it , the elder brother merely remarking , that they had attempted to enter the barn , and had narrowly escaped with their
lives . An express was despatched to Bedford for the engines , two of which were speedily on the spot , but were wholly inoperative owing to want of water , which was slowly obtained and in small quantities from an adjacent draw-well . The barn , which contained several quarters of . com , was totally consumed , and the rick escaped destruction only through , the active exertions of the firemen and the police , aided by Messrs- Green ' s workmen . The two Parkinses were observed tojbe only partially dressed ; one assisted in extinguishing tbe fire ; but the other brother remained a listless spectator of the conflagration . These circumstances tending to raise an unfavourable impression Bgainst the two young men . Mr . H . J . Juppett , superintendent of the police , took them into custody , and they were removed to Bedford for txamination before the magistrate .
When the flames were got under , which was not till the barn was reduced to tbe bars walls , the firemen and police entered , and discovered , en tinning over the pshes , the body of a man frightfully burnt , and , of
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 16, 1843, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct512/page/6/
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