Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 30th December 1843, Edition 2 of 5, Page 3, Untitled Article

Page 3
Page 3
3 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (4)
    • ipOCtVD.
    • %Lsbieb>$.
    • ^Literature,
    • HOfeRIRLE MURDER.
  • Text (14)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      THE PATJPKJTS CHB 1 STMAS CAROL . "According to annual « ad pzKaevort&y custom the unfortunate imnitea both of the -workhouse * and prhxrai throughout the aetropolb , will , upon Chrirtmas-day be regaled trltb the moil good fare of the reuon . The proportions of the allowance * twj slightly to different institutions , but In alia good dinner will be provided . "Jformaff Chronicle . Fuxl of-driidcud-fall of meat , On . our Saviour ' * n&Ul day , Ghaxitfa perennial treat ; Thru I heard a pauper say : — " Ought not J to dance and slug Thus supplied with famoaa cheer * Belgho ! I hardly ^ now—Chriitm&S comes bnt once a year . '

      ! ' After labour * long turmoil , Sony fare and frequent fast , Two and fifty weeks of toll , Pudding-time is come at last ! But are raisins high or low . Hoar and suet cheap or dear ? Beifbo ! I hardly know—Christmas cones bat once a year . ' " Fed npon the coarsest faro Three hundred days and sixty-foui But fur one on viands rare , Just as if I wasn't poor Ought not I to bless my stars , " Warden , clerk , and ovtrseex ? Hekho '

      I hardly know—Christmas ceines bnt once a year . " Treated like a welcome guest , One of Nature ' s social chain , Sea l ed , tended on , and press * 4—Bnt when shall I be presa'd again , Twice to pndding , thrice to beef , A dersn times to ale and beer ? Heigbo ! 1 hardly know—Christmas conies bnt once &

      year" Gome to-morrow how it will Diet scant and osa ^ e rough , Hunger once has had its fill , Thirst for once has had enough , Bat shall I ever dine again 1 Or Bee another feast appear ? Heigbo I 2 only know—Christmas comes bntjonce a year ** Frozen cares begin to melt , Hopes reviTe and spirits flow—Feeling as I hare net felt Since a dczen months ago—Glad enough to sing a song—To-morrow shall I volunteer ? Heifiho !

      I hardly know—Christmas comes but once b year . " Bright and blessed is the time , Sorrows end and joys begin , While the btlls -with merry chime Ring the D 3 y of Plenty in . ' But the happy tide to hail With a sigh or with a iear , HelgnoJ I hardly know—Christmas comes bnt once a year ] " —Punch

      Untitled Article

      TAIT'S MAGAZINE . We owe an apology both to the publisher of this JIa £ 3 riae and to out readers for not noticing the PcCt-mber number earlier in the jnomh . lie faul * B do ; ours . The fact is , lie Magazine only reached » s a few days aeo , it having , -we understand , on its arrival at the office been borrowed for pernsall Now , " sre protest against this . Any woxk sent to us for review , -we are resolved to act honestly by , and we deem it little short of robbery to take books from authors and publishers , and not afford them that notice the parties naturally look for when sending them for review . ¥ e hare then to desire of our Zorrotrhig Ji lends that when a work is received at this office" for reviaw , they -will allow us the first perusal , that to mas thereby be enabled to perform what we deem to be a duty ;— "a word to the "Wise ( let us hope ) snfficeth ]"

      Tait closes the old year well , In addition to original papers , and the usual excellent critiques , we have *¦ Scenes in the Life of an Authoress , " -which , judging by the opening Chapiers , we expect will be found an exceedingly attractive feature in future irBinber 3 . From Mr . Morison ' s * Reminiscences of Sir Walter Scott , Slc ^ " wegue the following interesting sketch of life in tie Hebrides , forty years xgo : — Frem Tobermoy 2 w » l 3 c « aJdowii the Sotsnd to Attos , where tbe : e is an old castle , and f rcmZhepoe to tb » head of loch Ka-Keal , where I found a bost with a Bnmber of young men about to esabark . 1 inquired ¦ whither tney -were bousd . They said for lona ; that

      ibey had plenty of previsions , and invited me to-come on board . They were purchasing whisky from a person who had a still in the neighbourhood , with whom they seemed well acquainted . I purchased a gallon as my contribution . They bought two more . They had also co . a fowls , roast beef , bams , -with bread and cheese in abundance . We commenced fishing , and were very BuccettfuL We called at a farmer ' s house , and -were invited to dinner . The lady pl » yed very gracefully on the guitar , and accompanied with her voice in Gaelic ; the rabject was from Ossian , and the ai * ef the * amis aye , -rezj plaintive and besntrfuL We went to Tint a cave , and landed on Inch Kenneth , the former residence rf Sir Allan Maclean , where Dr . Johnson was entertained . The island -was now withont an

      inhabii ~* It was now tee late for gaining lona , so we unfisd i « -m ,, ^ Ma were jjoapjtabiy entertained at the house of a elersyx*—„ a 1 BOSt hospitable gentleman , with & XMnerons family ol axoghtew . After tea . vr » were entertained by the ladies wjid some excellent ghost stories ^ the scene of one of which wa » not fifty yards froni where we were sitting . A yonng lady , the ieatty of the country , was abont to be married , and , With hel betrothed and many friends , "was -mftlring S 3 en 7 ob the green , when a handsome youth on

      horsetitk mce hi * appearancej and at once rode np and Tfbbpend ia the bride ' s ear ; on which she at once sprang up behind him , and they golloped off like the wind , snd were never seen or heard of mere , except on the anniversary of their flight , when the horse with Mi riders ia seen galloping round the green . -The Tc ncf lady is said to have been very proud and fickle , asd" hErloTer some air or water spirit , and she was thai pulled ; so that the tale is cot withont a moral . Weatnp late &ft £ i sapper , and were entertained by taies of the swnt kind ; one of a mermaid who carried

      Vwvj \ yonBg map ^ and kept kim for seven year » in a P * bie studded with precious stones . ShB allowed him to C 3 o « to land and Tint his friends , who cenld see no syiBjiosu cf approaching age ; indeed , he himself ttocjht that he had been absent a day only . He , how-^ ja , dedixied to return , and removed more inland . ifir 3 EErffiaid was often heard lamenting on the shore sad liopng B mouruJnl ditty , which , with its original tone , » is nna , by a young lady of the company . is tts

      rflcnang the minister paid ub a TiBit in our ted-room , -with the family whisky bottle nnder bis f ' v ? ? 11 e w ^ mora " 1 IJS dram - &iteT an excel-¦' ajt creskfesi , wspnrsned onr voyage ^ and soon landed f Ima . ^ e sacred island of St . < tolnmba .- After YiHitttg Ofi graTes ef the kings , Scots , Irish , and Nor-™ % w , tie Crosses and monastery , I proceeded to caw , my yp ^ g friend ' s forming a circle around me , " ^ ui * bottle of mountain dew and some tiseait .

      Pre-Z ** 03 to ^ m we had aeenred a room in ths pnblicvm ^ laafiea ^ p IOTi aOnBj ^^ ored our boat- I tin ^ n drairtll 8 iai seTeral hows ; and in the meSn w ; iL !!? tgreed to * ¦« should pass the night on bioJr ^ v } srx 5 oM to draw a » l 0 D 8 M Po Mil » le . ^• " -g um th tre wonid be little tame after dinner ; I fonnd ay companions Tery accommodating fc * h £ L " »*» plenty of £ sh , « od had it oS ^ S ^ ^ iroikd a txcellent styls ; which , with j ^ 2 £ * ° - * t teJ and pie , made fl Bnmptnons Id w <»\ " ^ plent y of SD «« to mate onrtoddy . inz a ^ -iv f veni tot > ttidi drniTdng , I proposes hsv-Sai rfo ^ J ^ " * e Ehonia ascend X > un I , —that is , the "Whith ^ L , &nd Beeiie mn setting on the Atlantic ; be m h * ^ ^ J seconded . The hill is said to tv-. ^ 'EJML I fhrrnirl ihinV )) ,. ( } f !« mnn- hnt

      , &ih *?^ aaim * fo % ' *~ The sea was smooth *** iSitow ^ iiaa : DdZ ! * ° ^ est-CcIl , Tiree , diaaeiCTrfv * ^ ' na others , with the sun three « na ? anttrfw * boTeaie « aline - We descended , tog , « mB i ^ - Abbot ' s Walk , where we saw , in a itcoT Uc ^ vll ?^ o' birch-wood . Some old people hrn kea PlicS ! ^ deca yi D 8 ^ ees , that appeared to ifcd « d , aa ^^ m rows , forming an avenns ; and , ""W ^ j ^^ ddnf" ^ * ^^* coD taifl the ' reraaina of I"ilai 4 AtBr& »^ rt on ? " to haTe coTered the the uiani T ^ > *«« is not ene bnBh growing on ^• yroaDi * nd ™ * to our inn throngh the bury-01 C - '«** 7 Ba n ^ 5 Jll 6 d tte ^ y Judgment Stone ponna , ¦» e » h » ^ 6 e '' ojws of about three or foni * 0 Bsidenj £ ^ S ' " placed on a thmch-stone aV a ^ " ^ SiTeeaArf ^^ 0111 ^* 110 ^ 61- Every Btranger ' s * ttl » Tt ^ v ~ MJtone » * turn round ; andttey Ioir ^ -M feL & ***** & > *« « ch hai worn a JjoI-^ 'O 1 tt » eBML ^* ^ P ^ tod aeHojt of t « mi « j round r **^ Ww ^*? > OT < w iitl 1 »» ftalMnrfl-W M to -fl » t » B ^ : aiIollSb' » ° that the Btsnw ah&U " ^^ J d ! Srr ?** eomes tte end of the trorld , ten tae » ^^ cnl ! K " acconnted unlucky aotJto ^^ w &toaaA *' \ equally so to turn them more 236 d « .. ^ f ^ e eresing , a ? we retnmed by tnouKaDai

      - —'¦ " ^ giretjDTurof ^ ' ¦> "" ooBerrea ox ™ ^ » t 2 j ofS ^ tfce « a- » here to their lodgingB loratd iy pid ^ iTr ^ ^» e holas , or nests , are i ^^ aZ ? *• mort a *^^ JHiallftones ; and ^^ -ieiDg to M » ^ v * " ^ ting haU in and half out , pearsd *<* ^ tSff ^ 'o t 0 OB 1 « : l- » es' They ap" ^ tout distUTt ^ ^^ piEKnce

      Untitled Article

      though we were standing not more than three yards from tbe walL If not speaking to us , it is at least probable that we were the subject of their conversation . The daws were also returning to tbe abbey . The starlings and daws form distinct and separate establishments , the one not intruding on the other ; and are held sacred by the people . They are thought to be tne souls of the monks and nnns , and are not allowed to be molested . Some dandy tonrlaU , vlaiting tbe island , commencedahootlDgthe birds ; and after being warned , still persisted . They were instantly seised , and underwent a seveie docking .

      On arriving at out inn we had good tea , which h » d been brought front the mainland , with excellent flab and bam ; and finished with toddy of the best quality . There was but oce bed , which , it was insisted , I should occupy , being the stranger . Tbe rest of tbe party were to sit up , and drink modermlely . This preference I declined ; when it was concluded that we should oceupy tbe bed by turns , and that I should take the first . We , however , sat singing and telling tales till midnight . I went to bed , which was in a separate apartment ; but the people of tbe inn contrived to m&ke up a succession of beds , or shake-downs , all round tbe took ; and wbe& I awoke , fur the first time , about four o ' clock , on going into the room , I found my new friends all fist asleep .

      The sun was jnst rising over the noantai&s of Mnll ; and on going out , I found my old friends , the starlings , at the morning ' s conversation , consulting , 1 suppose , in ¦ what direction they were to take their flight ; which is , 1 was informed , always rpgulated by the point from which the wind is blowing , which best an 8 W « s their feedinc-ground . 1 stood very near ; but they did not btern in tbe least alarmed , and kept chattering away . After I bad retreated to a considera'blfi distance , they all took flight in the direction of il nil , which is their feeaing-gronnd . I was soon joined by most of the company , who brought along with them the morning dram , and stood and overlooked my drawing , which 1 continued till the hour of breakfast After breakfast ¦ we embarked for Sxafia , and had a pleasant sail , the morning being beautiful . After reading Sir Joseph

      Banks' and Pennant's description , I was disappointed inSiaffa ; which however , must strike every beholder with wonder . On entering the cave , the action and BWell of the wattr below makes one giddy . > Iy attention was directed to a sound , which was not the immediate action of the waves ri » ing and falling within the cave ; for I was told that it was the nmsic of an enchanted organ , played by a wizird ; which all my companions firmly believed . It appeared to me to be an echo , from tbe roof of the care , of the roshing of the waves , which rose and fell not less than fifteen feet When our piper played a p'dbroch , the music of the waves drowned or softened down the harsh sound of the bagpipe , which discoursed most excellent nrnsic . I recommend all performers on the great pipe to go to thia cave , at least once in their lives , and get a lesson .

      We landed on the island ; and as the sea was becoming rough , we felt the ground trembling under our f 6 ; t . A family once resided in Stsffa j but they were afraid , one stormy night , that the island might fall to pieces ; and left aa soon as a boat could be launched . Here we spread tbe feast , having seated ourselves immediately above FingaFs Cave . The day was fine ; but a heavy sea was Betting into the cavs . Tbe sound was musical , and the ground beneath us was still trembling . Our glasses and plates felt the motion , and made a small clattering noise .

      Prom Siafia we landed onTJlva , where I found a boat preparing to sail for Rasay , which , in passing the strait between Glenelg and Skye , could readily land me on that island . The boatman offered to carry nie for halfa-crown , including provisions ; bnt this last was unnecessary , as my friends , from our boat , put me np a basket of biscnit , ham , cheese , and three bottles of whiskey , which was the half of our remaining stock . As my boat was not to Bail till the evening , we had tea and toddy before parting . Some years after this , I had it in my power to be useful to two of those yonng

      men , when thty were attending college in Edinburgh . We had a good -voyage to the ferry betwixt Glenelg and Skye ; and in order that I might have a view of Skye as an island , I was landed on the shore of CHenelg , frosn which the view of the Cuchullin mountains is magnificent ! I was ferried ovbi to Skye , and walked about fifteen miles to Cunscaith castle of Cucbnllin , " the noble son of Stmno . * I rested on the rock , which affords the best view of the sea towards Ireland , and thought of the spouse of the cai-borne chief of the Isle of Mist . —

      Dost thon raise thy fair face frem the rock to find the Bails of Cuchnllin ? Return , my love , for it is night What remainB of tbe castle is not much ; but the view towards Strathaird , Gornishk , and the whole range of the Curhullin mountains , is a scene vf gloomy grandeur that I have never seen equalled . From Dunscaitb I engaged a boat to cast me over to Cornisbk at once , a distance ol about seven miles . I sat in the stern of the boat , and kept drawing tbe

      varylrg outline of the scene before me , "which I was approaching , Dn landing , I began to ascend theCachullin mountains to the west of Comishk . Tbe view to tbe west , with all its island , is very flne ^ and from the edge of the susimit , to look down into the dark waters of Comishk , is not unmixed with terror . To the north and eas t * tbe mountains enclosing tbe lake are of most rngged character ; and beyond the first range , enclosing the lake of Coruisbk , the mountains seem much higher . They we , I was informed , the highest in Skye .

      The sxai was abont an hour frem sinking in the ocean , which was smooth and of a rich yellow . I begin to think , like Edom of Gordon , *• of drawing to some hauld / ' and descended down Strath Na , a valley to the north . I had not walked a mile downvf ard till I met a shepherd , and inquired if a public-bouse waB near . " Ton can & 3 at no loss , " said he ; '' for the first house that yon come to will be happy to receive you . 1 Will go With yon . * ' We soon arrived at , and entered tbe cottage . 1 a * ked for whisky , intending to treat my guide , when a good-lookiDg young woman put down glasses , and a bottle and whisky of the finest quality , and said that tea would soon be ready . I observed tbe whisky was fine—• ' Tea / 1 said he ; " 1 made it " 11 Then this is your house ? 1 ' " It is , " said he ; " and that is toy sister . You are in no pubEc-honse ; but make equally free . ''

      The tea came , and was excellent , with eggs , ham , cakes , &c The sister had been in Giasgew for yeara with a lady , and understood housekeeping well . My Kci ^ nna »» d t > td -were -rory neat In the morning we bad an early breakfast , and tbe shepherd proposed to instruct me tbe proper ronte ol descending to the Glen of Ghosts , and insisted that 1 should return in the evening . t We have bsen much pleased with the article , entitled , "Minor Spanish Poetry of the Sixteenth Century , " it will be fonnd a treat to the lovers of beauty aed soDg . We mav hereafter give some extracts from the critique on " Lyon ' s History of St . Andrews . " The crittgue on the " Correspondence between Burns and Claxinda" will keep a week or two , but the 3 < 3 mirers of the poet—and their n&me is Legion , may depend upon us not forgetting them . In conclusion , though our good word in behalf of thi 3 number comes rather late , still " better late than never . " We heartily recommend it .

      Untitled Article

      What we conseientionaly think wrong , we shall honestly and earnestly oppose ; and hope to Have the suffrages of all good men with us . In addition to the articles from the pen of the Editor , we notice several able papers by Mr . Ryall and others ; also a very interesting correspondence between : the London Anti-P « rsecution Union and Dr . Kalley . We warmly recommend this periodical to the support of the movement party .

      Untitled Article

      NEW YEARS' DAY . " Another year 1 s numbered with the past , With all its stormB and sunshine , smiles and tears The dim Toil of tbe future round it cast , Another following in its path , appears We hall It with a joyous welcoming , With feasting , and with revelry , unknowing The griefs , the disappointments , it may bring To many a heart with fervent hopes now glowing . Now , as it were npon the "verge extreme Between the future and the past , we stand—The past , appears but as a shadowy dream—Almost forgotten ; whilst , with aspect bland , The future seems t « smile . "

      ;¦ Charmck s Poems . Christmas Day i 8 come and gone , but not bo Christmas festivities ; we have yet New Year ' s Day and Twelfth Nij > ht before up , and gladly do we SDatch at the remaining houM of mirth and joviality , ere we finally resume the stern duties , toils , and struggleaof another year . It is not unusual with the knights of the " grey goose quill" to present their readers with a sort of retrospective view of the remarkable events , and political occurrences of the departing year . But we must be excused if we decline following this orthodox custom ; our reason is , that wo would fain , at this season of the year dip our pen in as little of the gall of politics as possible . " Ti 8 our vocation" to " measure swords " on the field of political strife wherever a foe to the rights of mankind presents himself , or whenever the victim of oppression appeals to ub for help against the wrong-doer ,. But there are seasons

      when we mayprofitably abstain for a moment from the toils of the contest , take breath , and thereby gather up new rigour for future conflicts . Such a season is tbe present . True , wo might in a political retrospect have embraced muoh on which to have congratulated our readers , and derived therefrom hopeful anticipations of future triumphs . We might have reminded our readers of the victory , not soon to be forgotten , won in this present year in the city of John O'Gaunt , where the * ' red rose" Bmiled on the triumph of right over might , and the victory of honest eloquence orer law-backed treachery . We might very naturally have expatiated on this memorable event , priding { ourselves , as we do , that we were one of the combatants in that conflict go honourable to the victors . But we abstain , anxious as we are to hasten back to the flowers of literature from which to cull a " Garland" for the " New Year ' s Day . "

      With these prefatory remarks , we beg to introduce our readers to the following extracts ( all we can find » oom for ) from the pen of Leigh Hunt , on—NEW TEAB ' S DAT , NEW TKAB ' s GIFTS , AND THE WASSAIL

      BOWL . All the Christmas holidays have , or may have , if they please , some things in common , such as mincepies , plum-puddings , holly-boughs , and games of play ; but the three principal ones have each their indispensable accompaniment , —Christmas Day its log on the fire —New-Tear ' s Day its wassail-bowl—Twelfth Night its cake , Every man may think he i » e < tins a New Year purely by entering into the let of January ; but he is mistaken . The New Year is no more to him than the old one—the 1 st of January nothing different from the 31 st of December . The poor man walks in error . People , if they could , have a right to hustle him back again into the preceding week , and ask him what business he has out of hia twelve-month .

      Formerly , everybody made presents on New-Year ' s Day , as they Btill do in Paris , where our lively neighbours tnrn the whole metropolis into a world of cakes , sweetmeats , jewellery , and all sorts of gifta and greetings . The Puritans checked that custom , out of a notion that it was superstitious , and because the heathens did it ; which was an odd reason , and might have abolished nmny other innocent and laudable practices—eating itself , for one—and going to bed . Innumerable are the authorities which ( had we lived in those days ) we would have brought up in behalf of

      those two cuBtouiB , in answer to tbe New-YeaT b Dayknocking-down folios of Mr . Prynne , the great " blasphemer of cuBtard . " Unfortunately , if the Puritans thought gift-giving superstitious , the increasing spirit of commerce waa too well inclined to admit half its epithet , and regard the practice as , at least , superfiuom —a thing over and above—and what was not always productive of a " consideration . " " Nothing ' s given for nothing now-a-days , " as the saying is . Nay , it ii doubtful whether next to nothing will always be given for something .

      This must fee mended , or there will be no such thing as a New Year by and by . Novelty will go out : tbe sun will halt ' in the iky , and the prudent men sharply consider whether they have need of common perception . " - • * * For present-making , then , npon New Tear ' s pay , the casb must Bland bb it may happen- It is no longer a sincquanon . People may make them or not , either on this day or birth-daya , without , of necessity , proving their generosity or-U * e want of it—always provided they exhibit the present-making capability somehow or other in the course of their lives . But we cannot consent to rank ourselves among iboBe woo would let the day pass over without some distinctive mark of old times ; especially as we trust that better days are in

      store for all the world , and will bring the best of old customs round again ; and , therefore , one virtue we hold to be incumbent upon all thinking and social people on the 1 st of January , and that is tbe having a Wassail-bowl . We have done something in our time towards restoring the use of this venerable jollity in the metropolis , and have reason to know that we succeeded in many quartets ; tnd we hereby enjoin such of our readers aa are not yet acquainted with it , but hav e sense and good-humour enough to deserve the acquaintance , to set about preparing one forthwith . It is a good-natured bowl , and accommodates itself to the means of all classes , rich and poor . You may have it

      of the costliest wise , or tbe humblest malt-liquor ( we fancy we w ^> several pieaBant fa ces in stantly , over ihiB paper , looking their resolution to have it—some in porcelain and seme in common ware ); but , in no caBe must the roasted apples be forgotten ; they are the sine fua non of tbe Wassail-bowl , as the Wassail bowl is of the day—and very pleasant they are , provided they are not mixed up too much with the beverage , — balmy , comfortable , and different , — a * ort of meat in the drink , —but innocent withal , and reminding you of tbe orchards . They mix their flavour with the beverage , and the beverage with them , giving a new meanine t « tbe line of the poet : —

      " The gentler apple ' s winy juice ;" For Doth winy and " gentler" have they become by this process . Throw off your reserveB , then , dear people , and be " merry and wise /'—with the courts of kings , if you are Tories ( for they nsed to have the Wassail-bowl , ) with Addison and Steele , if yon are Whigs ( jovial as well as moral fellows in their time ) ,- with this most radical moisture and thorough-going refreshment , if you are Radicate ; and cry one and all with the poet whom Plato pronounced tbe " wisest , " or with his translator who has bit the passage off like a proper wassailer , — I pray thee by the Gods above , Give me the mighty Bowl 1 love , And let me sing , in wild delight , / trill , I will be mad to-night . Moore ' s Anacrcon .

      THE WASSAIL BOWL . ( From Brand ' s Popular Antiquities . ) There was an ancient custom , which is yet retained in many placeB on New Year ' s Eve : yo « ng women went abont with a Wassail Bowl of spiced ale , With some sort of verses that were sung by them aa they went from deor to door . Wassail is derived from the Anglo-Saxon vel heel , be in health . " The Wassail Bowl , " says Wharton , " ia Shakspeare ' s gossip ' s bowl , in the Midsummer ' s Night ' s Dream , ' Act I . Scene I . The composition was ale , nutmeg , sugar , toast , and roasted crabs or appleB . It waB also called Lamb's Wool . It appears from Thomas de la Moore ( 'YitaEdw . II . ' ) and old Havillian ( in 'Arcbitren . Lib . 2 . ) that was hail * and drim-hett were the usual ancient phrases of quaffing among the English and synonymous with the " Come , hertt ' B to yoa , " and •¦ 111 pledge you , " of the present day ^ ...... ., „ .,,. little

      It waa unn ' icestwy to add , that they accepted present * on the occasion from the bouses at which tbey stopped to i » ay this annual congratulation . We ha-d intended to have said something respecting the festivities in Scotland , where New teat 8 Day ia the grand festival of the year ; but onr space " cribVd . cabin'd , and confin'd , " will not permit us to do so this year . No matter , Reader , let us h ope we sh& ' il meet again , and next yew , perhaps , we may say something about the New Year ' s Day as kept m Has " land o' cakes . " Reader , the old year is waning to a close , and ere we shall again greet thee through the colw '« *• Norihsr * Stan-It * wfllLie o ^**?* J ^ Jfe " things th » t w « ra . " Look back ere the oW 7 »« ¦»» 0 T ever gone , and ask ibjself hart thou don * all that thou mightest have done for thine otto honour and the welfare of thj brethren ! How many - ol' m can c « , » vp * t » Few . verv few . we fear . It « not for ,

      sfera srj&&& z& rrS should hesitate to lift it . It is not r eproof of past omissions that is onr purpose , but encoura gement to a more active well-doing for the future . Reader , if in thy tussle with the world thon hast witnessed a wrong done to a brother man , and Jast fl " ed to do all that was in tby power to prevent t £ t wrong , oi pimisb . the wrong doer ; then resolve

      Untitled Article

      that for the future thou wilt play the man ' s , and not the craven ' s , part , if tbou hast omitted any one thing , no matter how seemingly trifling , which would have added to the happiness , or soothed the affliction ef thy fellow-mortals ; resolve that increased watchfulness ia the future shall atone tor these omissious ! of the past . If thon art one who believes in the great princi-P ]« ° f social and political justice , and yet whilst ° l I ve toiled * ° e 3 * ablish those principles , thou bast gazed heedlessly on and seen thy brother tail because he had not tby help , then resolve to gird up thy loins" and bare thine arm for tby share of the work ; which being for the salvation of the many , must by the many be wrought , and cannot bei accomplished by the few . If possessing knowledge thyself thou hast neglected to impart that power" to the ignorant who were within the reach 11 7 teacbi » g ) then set about the task at once and do thy little best , to make the world wiserbetter than thou found it . If when the widow ' s

      wail and the xHrphau ' s cry has emote upon thine ear , thon hast turned afdeaf ear to their cry , —widow'd and orphan'd , it may be , because the husband and father fell buttling for thy rights , and u > as crushed because he sought to raise thee to the dignity of a freeman , —then rouse thee from thy dreaminess , and -stretch forth thine hand to succour and to save the victims of tyranny from want and sorrow . In short , dare to do all that "becomes a nnan ; " let each labour for the common good as though the world ' s regeneration from sin and suffer-J 8 depended upon him , and the work will be done . 1 he New Year will be indeed a " happy one , " because out of suoh acts of virtuous heroism , generous selfdenial , and universal loving-kindness , an order of things must spring which will an » ihilate ignorance , crime , and suffering , and make the earth that which " might be—that which it must he made—the abode of knowledge , virtueand happiness .

      , But ' tis time we finished our homily . Wall then while revolving all good things for the future , let us t ike a 1 e » rty and loving farewell of the past ; to do so we must of necessity call in the aid of the muses , and We might search far and wide to find more appropriate lines than tho following , from the pea of that , justly popular rhymster , Eliza Cook : —

      SONG OF THE OLD YEAR . 0 ! I b&ve been running a gallant career On a courser that needeth nor bridle ner goad ; Bu > . he'll soon change his rider and leave the Old Year Lying low in the duBt on Eternity's Road . Wide has my track been , and rapid my haBte , But whoever takes heed of my journey will find , That in marble-built city find caniei-trod waste , I have left a fair set of broad waymaiks behind . I have choked up the earth with the sturdy elm board , I have chequered the air with tbe banners of strife , Fresh are the tombstones I ' ve scattered abroad , Bright are the young eyes I ' ve opened to life . My race is nigh o ' er on Time ' s iron-grey steed , Yet he'll still gallop on as he gallops with me , And you'll see that bis name will be flying again Ere you've buried rue under the green hol ) y-tree .

      If ye tell of the sadness and evil I ' ve wrought , Yet remember the share of " good worka" I hare done ; Te should balance the clouds and the canker I've brought " ; With the grapes I have sent to be crushed in the sun . If I ' ve added gray threads to the worldly ¦ wise-heads , I | have deepened the chesnut of Infancy ' s curl ; If I ' ve cherished the germ of the shipwrecking worm , I have quickened the growth of tbe crown-studding pearl ; If I ' ve lengthened the yew till it brushes the pall , I have bid the sweet shoots of the orange bloom swell ; If I ' ve thickened the moss on the ruin ' s dank wall ,

      I have strengthened the love-bower tendrils aa well Then speak of me fairly , and give the Old Year A light-hearted parting in kindness and glee , Chant a roundelay over my laurel-docked bier , And bury me under the green holly-tree . Ye have murmured of late at my gloom-laden hours , And look on my pale wrinkled face with a frown ; But ye laughed when I spangled your pathway with flowers , And flung the ret ! clover and yellow corn down . Ye shrink from my breathing , and say that I bite—So I do—but forget not how friendly we were When I fann'd your warm cheek ia the soft summernight , And just toyed with the rese in the merry girl ' s

      hair . Fill the goblet and drink as my wailing tones sink , Let the wassail-bowldrip and the revel shout rise—But a word in your ear , from the passing Old Year , 'Tiff the last time he'll teach ye— " be merry and wise }" Then sing , while I ' m sighing my latest farewell , The log-lighted ingle my death pjre shall be ; Dance , dance , while I'm dying , blend carol and bell , And bury me under the green holly-tree . Wo have done . We pray of our readers , from Johu o' Groats to the Land ' s End—our numerous friends , North , South , East , and West , to accept our heart-itlt benediction ^ - " WE WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR . "

      Untitled Article

      A PAUPER SHOW . From Punch , Punch presents his compliments to the Poor Law Commissioners , and begs their acceptance of an idea . It is one which he has derived from a visit to the Fat Cattle Show . But he must be allowed to prefaoe the donation by a few remarks . The object of the New Poor Law is the prevention of poverty . Poverty is a heinous crime . It is an offence against the purs © of society . It has , therefore , been visited with the utmost severity . Paupers have been imprisoned , and no pains have been spared to render them ridiculous , for , their own reformation , and by way of example to others . The success , however , with which this truly Christian practice has

      been pursued has hitherto been but partial . The sufferings of the culprit , indeedj have effected little more good than the gratification of the well-constituted mind , which r ejoices at the punishment of ^ Jtow , tbe wason of this comparative failnire of the Poor Law is obvious . The hprrora of the workhouse are inviiible . The tears , and sighs , and groans of the prisoners are thrown away . Their bitterness is wasted on the dungeon air . The pauper—viciouB wretch!—is a soareorow in ftsack . His fate is unknown to those who might pront by its spectacle . To remedy this defect it has been proposed— £ 0 Punch is informed—to build workhouses of glass . This device is ingenious ; but glass is expensive . The poor rates would be awfully augmented ; and , besides , there are things done in workhouses which would hardly bear the light . The idea which Punch now offers to the Poor Law Commissioners will meet , he hopes , the exi «

      Untitled Article

      geacy ox" the case . It is this ;—Let priza paupe : exhibition . s to take place annually about Christ mas , bo ea > tabliahed in the various Union district : throughout the kingdom ; and first let a model ex hibition be i ' ormed at Somerset House after th < following marLacr .- — Let the gallery formerly appropriated to the Roya ; Academy be fitted up with pen 3 on either side of it Each pen shall contain a form of plain oak , verj hard , for the pauper to sit upon . Tne paupers constituting the exhibition shall be selected from the most wretched ] objects in the different workhouses in the metropolis . ; Prizes , for the production of the leaaest and most haggard , are to be awarded to the master of each ; and perhaps some little encouragement for extra brutality may bo allowed the matron and beadle .

      Each pauperj is to be attired in the union uniform , the males having their hair cropped or very closely shaved . Over the head of each , against the wall , is to be fixed a paper , detailing their names , wiights , and ages , the regimen to which they have been subjected , and other particulars as thus : — 11 MR . BLOGO , MASTER . A PRIZE OF £ 4 . " Peter Small . —Age 40 . Weight at period of admission , twelve stone . Confined three months . Present weight nine stones two pounds . Fed principally on water gruel , j Has been separated from his wife and children in the workhouse , and occasionally placed in solitary confinement for complaining of hunger . Employment , breaking stones . " mjei . brunt , master , a prize of £ 5 10 s . 11 Jane Wella . t-Age 70 . Weight five stone , lost two stone since her admission one month ago . Gruel diet , tea without sugar , potatoes and salt . Has been set to picking oakum .

      " Mil . GRIMES , MASTER . A PRIZE OF £ 6 . " John Tomkins . —Age 85 . Has seen better days . On admission weighed eleven stone , which has been reduced to eighj and three quarters . Diet , weak soup , with turnips and carrots , dry bread and cheese parings , a few jounces of meat occasionally when faint .. Haa been deprived of snuff and tobacco . Came to the workhouse with his wife , whe is five years younger than himself . Has not been allowed to see her for a month ; during which period has lost in weight two ounces on an average per day . Employed in carrying coals . " To the exhibition thus constituted , the public , for the benefit of the lower classes , are to be admitted gratuitously on all days of the week except Saturday , on which days , for the accommodation of the exclusive circles , admission is to be had for Is .

      Punch , having ofifared the above suggestion to the Somerset-house authorities , expects no other fee or reward for his pains than au invitation to a private inspection of the iPriza Pauper Exhibition , when completed ; which he hopes Sir James Graham will be so kind as to Eend him .

      Untitled Article

      ^ C Clayton—Died on the 18 ch inst , Mr . Joshua Andrew , of Clayton ; aged 81 years . Death . —Patrick ! Boyle , a labourer , was found dead ou Monday evening , at Rockview , near Ballinesty . j Crime—The following is a list of persons who have been sent to prison from the Court House , Bradford , from the 1 st of December 1842 , to the 1 st of December 1843 :-4- Females under eighteen years of of age , 26 ; Females above eighteen , HO , ; Males above eighteen years of age , 531 ; Males under eighteen , 108-Total 805 .

      An Irish Estimate op Joseph Sturqe , —We expect such a reply from the Liberator as will silence the wordy casuistry of Joseph Sturge and hia brother crotcheteer , Sharman Crawford . Mr . Sturge is certainly ja genuine philanthropist ; but he , or indeed any other of the drab-coloured family , is not made of the right sort of stuff for a popular leader . —Belfast Vindicator . Ma . anp Mks . Charles Kean have , concluded a most successful engagement in Dublin , the theatre having been nightly crammed to witness their performance . It is said they have realised £ 900 by their visit to the Irish metropolis ; they have now proceeded to Belfast [ to fulfil an engagement pre ^ vious to their appearance at Drury-lane Theatre on New Year ' s night . ]

      The weather in j London still continues very fine . This has been j one of the most remarkable days of tho season . At two p . m . the thermometer had risen to 56 , the barometer stood at 30 . 5 , and for several hours tbe sun shone with considerable brightness . We learn from the Dublin papers that the weather in Ireland is mo 9 t splendid ^—milu and warm almost as in summer . —Sun , Saturday . Steam Boat Statistics . —By a return recently

      made of the number of steam boats of all descriptions used for conveyance of passengers (" and merchandise on the coast , lakes * add rivers in America , it appears that there are no less { than 1 , 300 , of which 82 S are in constant service . Of these 488 are of high pressure , and 340 low pressure . The aggregate amount of horse power of tbe engines is 57 . 020 . During the last 30 years there have beeu 253 steam boat disasters , by which no less than 2 , 000 persons have lost their lives , and 443 have been maimed .

      Ready for Etebyt ' hing—During the last American war , a revolutionary veteran , living near the ocean , never went to bed without having a well loaded gun by bis side . One night there was a violent thunderstorm ; which shook tbe house to its foundation . " Husband ! husband I" screamed his wife , " get u-p ;> the Britishers nave landed , or the day of judgment has come—I don ' t know which . " 11 Well , " said the old soldier , jumping up , "let them come on—they'll ! find me ready for either of them . " j Citt Ai » M « umE 3—During the operations of the workmen employed in making ezoarationa for new

      sewers in tha parish of St . Ann's , Blackfnars , several pieces of the foundations of anoient buildings have been fonnd , as well as a great quantity of human bones . A skeleton , apparently perfectly prior to its removal , has been discovered under the foot pavement In front of the Times newspaper establishment , from five to six feet from the surface . No vestige of coffin , er any description of covering could be traced , There is but little doubt that these remains of mortality were deposited where they were found prior to the fire of London , if not during the existence of the convent and church , of ; the order of Black Friars , of . which , this neighbourhood was the site .

      Untitled Article

      Wakepielp Prison . —When the new werks are finished , Wakefidd prison will be the largest in the world . Aristocratic Morality (?)—We last evening received a letter dated Deo . 22 , twenty minutes past ten a . si , signed " William Paget , " and addressed to the Earl of Cardigan , in which we find these words : — " My solicitor , Mr . Bebb , has this instant made known to me that my principal witness , Winter , who was with me until within a few minutes of

      the opening of the Court at Guildhall , had suddenly disappeared . " The rest of the letter wecannot publish . It expresses , in strong language , the feelings of the injured party , and applies certain epithets to Lord Cardigan which should be communicated to him privately . Judging from the letter , the affair is brought to a close . We really wish these partieswould settle their dispntes in a court of law , and not annoy the proprietors of newspapers by communications which give a very low idea of morality ia high life . —Sun .

      Lord Willum Paget v . Lord Cardigan .- ^ -We have received a letter from Messrs . Powell , Broderip , and Wilde , solicitors for the Earl of Cardigan , requesting us to publish two letters enclosed , the one from Lord Cardigan , and the othor from themselves , in reference to this case . Having declined to pubiish the letter of Lord William Paget because it made most serious charges against Lord Cardigan , we must in like manner decline to publish the letter of Messrs . Powell ^ Broderip , and Wilde , which conveys a very serious imputation against Lord Williaitt Pager . We quote as much of both letters as will convey their denial of the charge brought against them . Lord Cardigan says : — " I authorise you to give the most unqualified ; denial of the accusation of haying ' bought or sent , out of the way' the man named

      Winter , and declare most solemnly that I have neither directly nor indirectly , had or authorized , or sanctioned any communication whatever with any of his witnesses , or been in any manner privy to , or cognizant of any attempt to buy or put out ef the way any one of them , or to prevent the most searchins inquiry being made into the whole charge Lord William Paget thought fit to bring against me , which . I was fully prepared to meet and to show was altogether without foundation . " Lord Cardigan adder , that it is his intention to take legal proceedings against Lord William Paget , for the publication of the letter alluded to . Messrs . Powell , Broderip * and Wilde , desire , as the solicitors for Lord Cardigan , " to give the same unqulified contradiction to the accusation . " which they state they can prove to be false . —Momma Chronicle .

      A Composite Veteran . —The Memorial Borde lais states , that not far from St . Sever , there is living an old military man who has a false leg and a false arm , both usable by means of springs , a glass eye . a complete set of false teeth , a nose of silver , covered with a substance perfectly resembling flesh , and a silver plate replacing part of the skull . He walks about with a martial air , bearing on his breast the Cross of the Legion of Honour , won , together with , his mutilations , by his deeds of arms in the campaigns of Egypt , Italy , aud Russia ; at Friedland , Jena , Aasterlitz , Wagram , and Waterloo ; and which was conferred upon him by the hands of Napoleon on the 2 nd of May , 1813 , on the field of the battle of Lutzen .

      Wills and Testaments . —What boundless riches , what extensive estates , and what change ! of fortune are associated with the words , " WillB and Testaments ! " Could we form an idea of the amount of property which has descended to family heirs , through ; these media , we should be struck with astonishment indeed . But , after all , what are the riches , estates , and possessions , as a whole , when compared with that inestimable bequest which enriched the Will and Testament of the venerable Old Parr 1 By this pearl of health and life , thousands have been , are stil ! being , and will still be benefitted . The bequests of ordinary wills , are confined chiefly to families and friends—while that of Old Parr will extend to whole generations .

      Distressing Case of Somnambulism . —On Friday evening a serious accident happened to Henry Stirretfc . a private of the Royal Sappers and £ 4 inersv stationed in the Artillery Barracks , Bromptpn . Ik appears that tho soldier had retired to bed with the other men at the usual hour , according to the military regulations , when about an hour afterwards a corporal of artillery , who slept on the lower floor of the rear of the barracks , was awoke by a noise resembling a tub of water thrown from an upper window ; shortly after ho heard a considerable groaning as of a person in distre ? 3 , which induced him to get up , and go down to the passage door , when he found the soldier lying on the stones in the yard weltering in his blood , and with only his

      shirt on . Tho poor fellow waa curled up , and lying between five and six feet from the side of the building . The corporal immediately raised au alarm , and with assistance , the wounded man was placed oa a stretcher , aud conveyed without delay to the Royal Military Hospital in a state of insensibility . He waa promptly attended by Dr . Chisholme , of the Royal Artillery , who bled and rendered every assistance to the sufferer . It was found the injuries he had sustained were of a serious nature ; almost all the joints of bis body are more orless injured , and it is feared the lower jaw is fractured in two places ; the right wrist ia very much injured , also the left elbow , and both knees . The unfortunate

      man lies in a very precarious state , with not the least prospect of recovery . It is stated by some of the soldiers who slept in the same room with Stirrett , that tbey heard him get out of bed and open the roum-door and go into tbe passage , when he must have gone to the window in his sleep , and having raised the sash , and placing himself on the sill # about three feet from the flooring , he preeipUatei himself into the yard , a depth of between thirty to forty feet . He is a fine young man , rather above the common size , and only twenty years of age . Four of his teeth were knocked out of his head , and were picked up next morning on the pavement amongst the blood .

      Singular and Mblancholt Event .- * It is pretty generally known to the public that that monarch of modern comedians , Mr . W . Farrer ,, some time since experienced a severe shock of paralysis at the conclusion of his inimitable performance of Old Parr , at tho Hay mark ut Theatre , and by which attack he was compelled to relinquish bis professional duties . On partial recovery , however , his three medical advisers recommended the air of Brighton . Thither he proceeded , and took up his residence on the Grand Parade , where he is , we are happy to . say , rapidly recovering . It happened that , at a few doors distance , No . 65 , in a house belonging to the Dowager Countess of Winterton , lived Usher Glaaville Doyle , a long standing acquaintance of Mr . Farren ; a man of wealth—of rare qualities in

      literary , musical , and medical attainments ( although aa M . . D . in the latter branch , he never practiced)—an author , and in convivial society he was an actor of great vivacity , power , aud originality , his peculiar and vivid manner of reciting and acting anecdote never failing to ** set the table in a roar . " With all these fascinating powers of amusement , he bad been for upwards of twenty years grievously afflicted with a tremulous affection of the whole nervous system , which unfortunate malady frequently carried him to such extremes of elevation and depression of spirits as to render his joy or grief painfully excessive . He would sometimes plunge so deeply into the latter passion as to indulge in the wildest and most gloomy presentiments of the extent of bis

      existence . On a recent occasion , when his spirits were highly elated , he resolved upon giving an entertainment of the most recherche description on Christmas-day , and for that festive purpose he invited , amongst others , two of his oldest friends from London . The invitation was acknowledged and accepted in a humourous and facetious answer , the conjoint effusion of both the old friends , and it so tickled the mirthful fancy of poor Doyle as to induce him to communicate the contents to Mr . Farren ( to whom the guests wera perfectly known ) , in the hope that he might be prevailed upon to join , them , in tbo festivities of tbe day . An interview followed , at whioh the spirit of the epistle provoked much laughter between them ; but the conversation taking a serious

      turn , Mr . Farren , at the request of his friend , proceeded to describe his attack of paralysis ia the most graphic and painfully vivid manner ; how , when first attacked , a chilliness came over tbe region of hia heart ; h&w his limbs deadened , and refused to perform their wonted offices ; how a mistiness came over his eyes ; boW all around him appeared confused —obscure ; m brief , a chaos . This conversation occurred on Saturday , the 8 th inst ., at four o ' glock in tho afternoon , and the two friends separated in high spirits , to return home to their respective repasts . Mr . Doyle ate a hearty dinner , but it was too soon made evident that a powerfully-wrought description of an infirmity of which he had had a presentiment , added to a predisposed and highly

      excitable temperament , had produced an alarming etfect upon his nervous system , whicn raised in the minds of his family the most painful apprehensions , which apprehensions , melancholy to state , were ia less than two hours agonisingly realized by the poor man receiving & shock of paralysis which withered his left side , aud at one fell blow prostrated nearly all his mental and bodily energies . Mr . Furner , his own medical adviser , was immediately in attend * ance , followed by Dr . Hall and other bo * - gioal professors ; boith © attack was 6 » deeply'tooted that it baffled the ^ ihed skill of all those eminent » en , and on Tuesday , the 12 th inst . at half-oast tira

      p . m ., the witty , generous , benevolent Usher Glauville terminated his mortal career . His remains were on Saturday * the 16 th inst ., at ten aan ., con-Bigned to the silent tomb , in a vault under Christ Church , MoatpBlier-road , Brighton , the worthy vicar , the-Rev . Mr . Wagner ( who , under the distressing circumstances , most kindly rendered every poaaibla assistance to the afflicted family ) , and the Rev . Mir . Cook , officiating . The funeral obsequies were attended by the Rev . J . G . Glanville ( a relative ) , his Vwo old friends who were to have dined with him on Christmas-day , Mr . Furner , aud Mr . Hcttsemaiu--Observer ,

      Ipoctvd.

      ipOCtVD .

      %Lsbieb&Gt;$.

      % Lsbieb > $ .

      ^Literature,

      ^ Literature ,

      Untitled Article

      THE " SONQ OF THE SHIRT . " Our readers must have read with admiration the "Song of the Shirt" which formed so bright a gem in our * ' Christmas Garland" published in our list . That Song ' has had the rare honour of being quoted ( we believe ) into almost every newspaper published in Engand , bath daily and weekly : —we ourselves have seen it in a very many papers which are received at this office . It will then bo an universally asked question " Who is the author of this * Song' I" We are happy in being able to gratify the curiosity of our readers by the republicatiou of tho following letter from the Sun . — " Sir , — -Permit me to thank you for your very flattering remarks on some verses of mine in Punch , called the " Song of the Shirt . "

      I have derived an unusual gratification from the reception of those lines by the journals , as evidence that my intention has not . been altogether without effect . " I am , Sir , yours , very truly , " Wednesday . Thomas Hood . " We heartily agree with the Editor of the Sun , that " -Of all the numerous clever poems that he has written , this is the one that does m- > $ t credit—and in saying so , we are far from meaning to disparage the others—to Mr . Hood ' s head and heart . "

      We take this opportunity of doing Mr . Hood all the little service in our power , that of directing the attention of the public to his forthcoming publication . Under the title of " Hood ' s Monthly Magazine and Comic Miscellany , " the author of the M Song of the Shirt" launches a new candidate for public patronage on the first day of the New Year , We have been favoured with a copy of the Prospectus , from which wo give the following extract : — One prominent object , then , of the projeoted publication , aa implied by the sub-title , of " Comic Miscellany , " will be the supply of harmless" Mirth for the Million , " and light thoughts , to a Public sorely oppressed—if its word be worth a rush , or its coniplaints of an ounce weight—by hard times , heavy taxes , and those " eating cares which attend op the securing of food for the day , as well as a provision for the future . For the relief of such afflioted

      classes , the Editor , assisted by able Humourists , will dispense a series of papers and woodcuts , which it is hoped will , cheer the gloom of Willow Walk , and the loneliness of Wilderness Row—sweeten the bitterness of Camomile Street , and Wormwood Streetsmooth the ruffled temper of Cross Street , and enable even Crooked Lane to unbend itself . It is hardly necessary to promise that this end will be pursued without raising a Maiden Blush , muoh less a Damask , ia the nursery grounds of modesty—or trespassing , by wanton personalities , on the parks and lawns of Private Life . In a word , it will aim at b ^ ing merry and wisei instead of merry and otherwise .

      After learning that Mr . Hood is the author of the "Songof the Shirt , " we can have no hesitation in wishing him " God speed" in his new undertaking . Not doubting but that in his own publication , as in the pages of Punch , he will be found ranked on the Bide of humanity , employed in adding to the mirthful enjoyment and general happiness of the human family . ;

      Hoferirle Murder.

      HOfeRIRLE MURDER .

      Untitled Article

      » THE NORTHERN BTAB . 3 - ' ~ " " ! — - ¦ ~ . ' - ! ' * * - ¦ = ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ _ . ¦ ¦ . . » . ¦ — , ., ' - . , .-. , ... ^ ¦ - - . _ . ^«»« a » . , ^^ s iS ! 2 i

      Untitled Article

      WILSON'S CATECHISMS AND LESSONS FOB CHILDREN . London : Barton and Llari , Hoiborn-hill . There are ten of these publications in all . The three first numbers , consisting of a " First , " " Second , " and " Third" rt Catechism of Common Tnings / ' This tiile hardly conveys an idea oi the coniente of these excellent liuie works . The first embraciDg every sDbject under the bead of "Arncles of Common Consumption and Commerce . " _ The second , " Manufacturing Processes , Arts , Sciences , &e . " Tbe third , " Titles and Distinctions , Architectureice . & . c . " Then follows a series of three

      , numbers ef " Catechisms of Natural Philosophy , " embracing the almost « ndless subjects under that comprehensive head . Then a " First Catechism of Mu ^ ic ¦ " a " Fiist Catechifim of Geography ; a » Catechism of tbe History of England ; " and a « First Catechism of Bible History . " Each subject is kept carefully distinct , and the whole embraces a mass of information never before brought together in such small compass , and familiar and engaging terms The Eeries would form a beautilnl and vXble " Ney 9 Year ' s Gift , " and the very best present with which we could desire to gladden the hearts and improve the minds of the young .

      Untitled Article

      THE M OVEMENT ; and ANTI-PERSECUTION GAZETTE . -London : Holyoake , Holy well Street , Strand . ^ Issssm

      S& ;* « S ? S ni * -i * " proceeds U xertion " 1 » eTer "" ^ —

      e * . » ° ,, _ . . u ,,.,,, exeraon ., ~~ - inmateug their ac-^^^ S ^ Sm SSah « "d r * conten t U > Beek freedom in tt » * f ° * o ? to pwma But for such Me - m the course we propose w p ^ ^^ ire do not , we cannotrate- " rotOfit > ^ cannot * bnt SSSt ? S of , u 7 owB ^ e ffieDtconUnt '

      Untitled Article

      ( Abridged fr $ rii the Wolverhampton Chronicle . ) On Tuesday last , a long investigation took place before Mr . T . M . Phillips , coroner , and an intelligent jury , at Bilston , into the cause of the death of a girl named Mary Jane Wild , eighteen years of age , who , it would appear , ( was thrown down a pit , in conseqaeoce of her refusing to comply with tbe wishes of four men , who had met her ( while is company with another girl ) on the toad betweeri Wolverhampton and

      Bilston . The names of the men charged with this atrocious crime are Samuel Fellowes , Robert Puralow , John Perry , and i Daniel Webb ; and they bad " previously been committed by the magistrates at Bilston upon the capital charge ef having thrown the poor girl down the pit with the intention of murdering her . They were , however , brought into the presence of the deceased , when her death became certain , in order that her dying declaration might be taken in their presence , which was done by Mr . W . Baldwin .

      Mr . Charles Hqdgkins , aurgeon , of Bilston , stated that he attended ; the deceased from tbe time . she received her injuries to the time of heir death , and minutely described ] the different fractures from ' which she suffered . He had , he said , made a post mortem examination of the body , and detected the source of all the mischief , which was a fracture of the os pubis or pubic bone , near its junction with tbe hip bone , and which bad p-oduced , by means of a very minute portion or spiculum of j none , a small laceration of the peritoneum and caused } death . The deceased had a severe lacerated wound on tbe forehead , two lacerated wounds on the right knee , and a compound fracture of the right Ihigh . ]

      Mr . W . Baldwin then gave evidence that he took down the following deposition of the deceased , made in tbe presence of the prisoners , Fellows , Purslow , Perry and Webb , and that tbe deceased was sworn , and perfectly collected at the time . She alao made her maik to tbe deposition : — " lam eighteen yeara old , and have lived in Bilston , in the county of Stafford , about six months . I never was married . I went from Btlsten to Wolverhampton onj Wednesday last , in company with another girl named Ann Willis . I came back with the same Ann Willis . That we were overtaken ou the road by five men , whom I shall kuow when I see them . That four of these tuen ill-used me . They pulled me out of the turnpike-road , and . ' . ., but I would not suffer them , and the same four men threw me down a pit . The man that waa with Ann

      Willla never Injured me at all- They pushed . me into the pit , Una I cannot recollect anything after that It was late at night when it happened , and I was quite sober , and I make this declaration in the prospect ol death soon takingiplace , and fully believing that , 1 shall live but a short time , through the injuries I have received . I did not ; think they would have put me in j I thought that they : were only threatening me . They took hold of me round the waist , and tfaen pushed me into the pit The four men are now present . 1 know them all , having seen them before , except John Perry . They are the same men that were with me on Wednesday night . I had been with three of them previous to that night There jtrere four men went off the road with me , and ene went back again , but I can't Bay which it was , I was * so knocked about by them before they got me to the pit "

      - — The evidence of Ann Willis , and others examined before tbe jury , corroborated the dying declaration of tbe deceased . The jury , after a short deliberation , returned a verdict of" Wilful murder" ! againBt all the four prisoners , and the Coroner issued his warrant for their commitment to Stafford , to take their trial at the ensui&g tvinter issizsa . \ - — ^

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 30, 1843, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct514/page/3/