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{F £Ty Cxntiritixtn X»F ≪£Ng;Ianrr " Iaws Grind The Poer, And Rich Men Role The Law."
{ f £ ty Cxntiritixtn x » f < £ ng ; Ianrr " Iaws grind the poer , and rich men role the law . "
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THE AGRICULTURAL 1 . AB 0 URERS AKD THE NEW POOR LAW . That . something must be done for the sgricultnral labou-ers is bow being admitted on all hands , even those " dumb dwts" tiie -parsons are beginning to Fpesk out . A Dew ZiiAi has broken in npon these faithless shepherds , ana their eras are beic ? opened to the burning -wrongs about -which , heretofore , they have been altogether silent At a late agricultural meeting in Someretshire , the Rev , Mr . Ife- * bolt came cut with the following . — " That , as a clergyman , he confessed he should wish to see more done fur the poor . He had waited > a long time to see something done for the poor ; he had read the speeches of lord Ashley , bis friend , Sir . Yeatman , and
Others , and there was no disguise about the matter . The fart -was , their show for fat stock "was a humbug . The grsat : besuty -was -what tb . es flid for the Efricultural labourer , and tie confessed that was -what , had brought him there that day . The agricultural labourer-was the point now . That perhaps "was not the opportunity to speak on eneh snbj ^ ets , asd he ahonld . be the last man to interrupt their harmony j but he feared they -were all to blajie . " There was no doubt that great distress tlisted ; and they should set to wprk , heart and soul , in their endeavours to ameliorate the condition of the peasantry of this fertile country . Until they did tiat all tberr breeding of catUe and speculation in manures Tras t-f little use ; for , until that blot was » iped out , they eooM not expect the blessing of heaven npon their nndertakings . "
Upon which the Times has the following comments : — " There is not a word of this—not a single wordwhich we should wish to take aw » y j not a syllable that we would wish to add to it ; not a letter of it in which we do not heartily concur , and which we do not take up and echo with all the strength and emphasis that we can give . Tes , the agricultural labonrer it the paint , * as Mr . 2 fewbolt says- , and with , bimj we , too , very much fear that all , . H . L' society-mongers ,
fat-stoet-Ehow-moBgers , pr . za bean and prza ltbmr dealers , dtetnbubors , not of wages given as cf ' risht , bnt of Holes mads necessary " solely hj the withholding of thwsTragesj political economists , workhouse-test disciplinarians , men who punish because people ask for relief , and ask it of them—yes , alx are indeed mn- -h , Terr much 'to blame . " Work—employment , as Mr . Sc-msrrille says—this is what is wanted . This , and this alose , * is calculated to mske the labonrer a moral , a rtj ^ ous , * and , therefore , we will add , , a happy ' man . ***
Sot , instead of this , what has in fact been . given ? And why i 3 it that the people ha- ?* not work , and therefore hare not wases ? Is it because they , as a body , trill zol work ? 2 » o tnch thing . It is not even pretended , we belLve , that if " a , fair day ' s wages" be ofikred , in any single part of the country , " a fair day ' s wcri , " and that , too , well and skilfully dote , might uot be obtained . Is it , then , or is it not , the people ' s fault , that they are out of work ? If there be asy men who doubts irhich way to answer this question , we Bay to tim—only take care that wurk and f&ir -wages are cfered to the able-bodied poor , and we wi ' , 1 aus-wer for it , that there will be donbi no longer -which it is the peeple want , whose fault it is that they have no . employment
Kow , this being the ease , what is the answer of the "Whig Poor Xaw to the demand for- employment ? It is this—yrifisH , not those who ought to-give the poor work , but do » ot , —no , "but punish tin poor themselves , because they , not having work , do not do it , because they dopen obain ' -wtat they cannot get . Is 1 ft is a rigbfanawer to the complaint , that " employment" is ihe thing needful ? Work , we contend , is the thing , and the first thing , ¦ which is to be provided , and to which the poor have an indefeasible right . Employment is their right , and if not thai , Lhen , but not till then , gratuitous public rapport .
This , -sre ray , is the ancient constitutional principle of the Poor "Law of Elisabeth , and it is just the overthrow of this principle by theWhig law , and nothing dee . wiicarhas caused all the mischJef deplored by our cor temporary . Give the poor man work . Givs him ¦ work , and give him fair wages , and depend npon it , he ¦ wiU not xeluse it , nor come upon the parish for help . If work be found there need be no " supplementary 'WB ^/ esf ftp pariah nay employ its O"W 3 poor at fair wages at its own work , and if work cannot at Ersi be found , or if the employer lower his wages in the hope that the parish will be unable to 3 nd "work without him , and so will be obliged te give in and pay him the c ^ fieraies , then let the pariit , il it can find rso other work , pay the labourtT his accastoiBed wages , not
allowing W" » to work for hi * selfish employer , and the rate of wages will very soon rise again to its former level . ThuB fair wage 3 will be insur&d and -w © are sore , that if only this Tje done , there Will be no lack of materials for work . Evtry farmer , every landowner , has abandonee of work to be gone , "which would improve his land and increase its produce ; sad the real question ib , wb . etber . be will spend his capital in giving fair wages to those who could do this , or whether in supporting the same people idle ia a union workhouse . This is the real alternative , —if . he should by to get the work done at ¦ nnf air wages , here should be the Poor Law to step in and prevent him , sod to protect the poor . Anyhow ,
there is plenty of work ; the question ib to secure it , with good wages , to the ablebodied poor , and not to let the capital , which otherwise could and would secure it , go to support the workhouse . That capital should be secured let -jrorking the land , by a l » bour-iate , which should keep up the price of labour , and compel a fsir employment of the poor , by obliging all these who would otherwise shriek from the burden , either to give fair wages themselves for work of their own , or to contribute towards a fund- lor employing the -poor , st good wages , upon other work , to the exclusion of their own . Surely either of these alternativea would be much better for the employer than keeping the poor in a union workhonse .
STATS Or THE-IFE 1 SH PE 1 SAXTEI . A writer , in the We ' . shman soys" It ia utterly impossible to convey to the distant reader a just description cf the dreadful distress pervading a principal part of Carmarthenshire , witboni exciting that tvnd of incredulous astonishment which seeks for relief in the belief that tfee account is exaggerated , and that things cannot be so bad as they are represented . * * ? The common rate of wages in this part of the country for able-bodied labourers is sixpence a-asy ana their food , and at this TatB of wages many ^ of them fio not ret constant workThere wvii UUUCtOillUiA
. — _ ^ - -- ^ VH ' ^ > AUCfC ™ K ?!? Sr ~* 7 - ? l f : ' TmsK ' ' m this neighbourhood , who poor fanners near Carmarthen , ^ r ^ Z 5 ** poor people in fte town it * if , toriblThiaSre ^ aine and-weadd , disgraceful to any country-Ss ^ Sul to ibe gpvenung class in it wemeaa . Tak oftti Mrf , ' ttjepoor in this i » tt vt Wales-aye , in this vTry town , a » & hundred fames worse off than the Irish peasant , er even the Hibernian denizens of St . Giles . " —¦ Wel shman .
TTTR ri-BTTST . B TT 2 ATESS . According to a statement in one oF the Carlisle papers iho average day ' s labour of twelve handloom weavers ^ smountB to fifteen and a third homrs ; while their dear weekly eaminp do not u ^ mfc to five « mw » £ » p » wet ! AjuOux spMiKM « f tht CMditlo «
ofJtar-IWCEHDIAST TOIB * . ( From Oe Stanford Mercury . J "S ATB 5 M . —Another of those agrarian onfcrsges , « howing the deep-seated diecentent of Uie-labouring classes which is burstiag forth on all hands into a demoniacal tear against property , occurred at Navenby on Friday aoraing last The sufferer by this incendiary eoEfisgration wa » Mr . Cladfee Hales , tanner , who resides dose npon that extensive village- the fire was perceived ibon ! four o / iTook in the morcing , ard notwithstandmg immediate aid was prijcured tc s-t . ^ t the progress or the devasting elfcrntai , wheat , slacks co-plains ten
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quarters , and a stack containing thirty quarters of barley , were wholly comnmed before tbe fixe could be subdued . Most providentially tha wind was blowing in a direction that carried the flames from o&e pea and two barley stacks ; hail ths wind blown in an opposite direction , and these ignited , the fUmea would have commnnicated to the town itself ; and it is calculated that no exertion could have prevented the destruction of half the large village . Mr . Hales ifl stated to be insured In the Hand- ' n-Hatd Fire-office . After the fire , it was earrei . i ' y rumoured in Linco ' n that he Had presided at a meeting of farmers for the purpose of reducing the wages of the labourers of the village . This report is utterly with < ut foundation ; and Mr . Hales iB deeply and widely respected as a generous and humane man to the labouring classes .
Eakring —On Tuesday evening , the 12 * inst , a fire was discovered in the jstack-yard of Mr Robert Storey , bntcbar . It first made its appearance between two stacks in the centre of the yard , and , an alarm having been immediately givan , a large number of the inhabitants were soon on the spot , who prevented tho fire from spreading . It was got under at about one o ' clock , but , had the wind been high , it is probable that the loss would have been very great , as the premises are contiguous to another stackyard belonging to Mr . Bourne , and also to a range of buildings where a number of horses and fat stock are kept There la no doubt that the fire was the work of an incendiary , as it appeared in ssvera ] different places at once , and a strong sulphnrons smell wbs perceptible .
Bisskoox . —On Saturday , the 16 th inst , about saven o ' clock in tbe evening , a large barley-stack belonging to Mr . JohnBon , fanner , was discovered enveloped in flimes , but by tbe prompt exertions of the neighbours tbe fire was happily put ont before the stack was entirely destroyed , or bad Ignited tbe adjoining property . No doubt € XABta of its being the act or an incendiary , but tbe perpetrator has eluded detection . On Friday , the ISth , some malicious person again set fire to a stack of straw in the yard of Mr . Rhodes , of the Fortescne Arms , Tattershall , with an evident intection of doing much damage , the stack being placed near a range of buildings composed principally of wood , and had not the wind providentially ceaeed at the moment , and prompt assistance been rendered by the neighbours , tbe incendiary -would undoubtedly have succeeded in his diabolical attempt
The incendiary who set fire to Mt . Rawson's cornstacks at Scrivelsby , near Horncastle , on the 14 * h inst , has not yet been discovered . A reward of £ 225 ia ffered on conviction of the incendiary . We are sorry to state that an incendiary fire took place at C -rfe Castle , on the premises » f Mr . Waters , of Rollington Farm , last Saturday , by which a wheat rick , containing twelve or thirteen loads of sheaves , was completely destroyed . Tfeia has been the second fire of thiB description in our neighbourhood within the lost month ; but , fortunately for tho owners , both properties were insnred . —Sherborne Journal .
We regret v > Btate that two of these abominable fires ' occurred last week in the parish of Speen , Tbe first was discovered about eleven o ' clock on Tuesday night , | in a field near Speen Church , which totally destroyed a pea rick ; and the other broke out about seven o ' clock 1 en the following morning , about half a mile distant from the above , at Speen Moor , in a hay rick ; but by . the prompt arrival of the engines the fire was soon extinguished and part of the rick saved . The whole was the property of Mr . 5 . Price , of Speen , and -was insured in the Royal Exchange-office . — Devizes GazetU .
Fibs at Hablovt . —On Monday night a daring act of incendiarism w as committed upon Campions Farm , a short distance from the town of Harlow , in the occupation of Mr . Mathews . Inspector Lotr and constable 98 cf the constabulary force were in conversation with Mr . M&thews about kalf-paat eleven o ' clock , when one of two men , who had been set to watch the premises , shonted that the buildings were on fire . Mr . Mathews instantly despatched a messenger for an engine , which promptly arrived , and , with the aid of a plentiful supply of water , confined the ravages of the flames to
the dfc 3 trnct » n of an eut-building about forty feet in length , and some implements of small value . Inspector Low burnt his arm , and experienced a severe fall from off the honse , in his exertions to cat off all communications with the flames , which were rapidly approaching it . One of the men on the watch says he saw a stranger run from the place whence tbe flames first ibsntd , about eight o ' clock , and it is Bupposid that the same party left some combnstible material , which , as he designed , did not tffect his diaboli < sal purpose for three hours and a half , giving him an opportunity to escape . —Chelmsford Chronicle .
More I > ce ?; ciari 8 M al Fritchlet . A fortnight ago we stated that a stack of wneat , and also a stark of straw , belenging to Mr . Fritchl ^ y , of Fritchley , near Crich , were destroyed by fire . \ V « regret to add , that some diabolical villain set fife to another wheat stack early on Sunday morning last The fire was discovered by some labourers who were proceeding to their -work , and thongh the whole of the wheat was not destroyed , it was rendered unfit for use . The villain mnsi hsve crept nnder the stick frame and sut fire to it in tbe centre . — Derby Reporter .
Fish at Dabfi £ LD . —About four o ' clock on Sanday morning lagt , Bome people were alarmtd by seeing a whnt stack on fire in tbe steck-yard belonging to > 5 r _ Thomas Inehbold , Cross Keys Inn , DarHeld ; and ¦ vrhicb , there is no doubt , has been the act of an incendiary . There were three stacks , two of wheat and one : f hay , standing near to each other close behind the barn ; the middle one beir-c id neb larger than the owners ; and as the fire was put to it ibw * 5 s no doubt tbat it -was tbe Intention or tne villain to destroy the ¦ whole cf the premises . The whole l « -ss is estimated at nearly £ 100 , and we are sorry to say the stacks were not inEured . —Donoaster Gazette . Fibe at 1 BCHESTKR . — £ , rick of beans , standing in a stack-yard at this place , in tbe occupation of 31 r . J . Ward , of Qrendon , Northamptonshire , was destroyed by fire on the 7 tb instant A stack of Barley adjoining was much damaged . A reward b offered . —Derby Reporter .
DESTITUTION 15 THE METROPOLIS . The T * 77 ?« 5 says—A meeting was held on Wednesday last at the ^ Mansion-house for the purpose of receiving additions to the members of the committee which bad been appointed to manage the subscriptions , " for giving nightly shelter to the houseless . " The account , though short , is not -without , interest , nor unBUggeatlTe of reflections . It appears that the number of inmstes received at the central Asylum in Playhouse-yard between the 3 rd of January and tbe 4 th of April last was 6 . C 81 ; the nightly lodging provided , -41 , 308 ; and the rations of bread distributed , 96 , 141 . Notwithstanding the large amount of psrsons relieved , we arc told that
| " before the Central Asylum had been opened a fl-rt-\ night , applicatiens for admission bad become so numerous I as to endanger tbe henltb of the officers and inmates ; and > it waB not until the E-istern Asylpm had been opened , I that anything like an adequate provision -was afforded j for the daily increasing number of applicants . ' ' Couple ; this with tbe declsrasion of Mr . Pownall , that " the Committee had encountered great difficulties in allow-, ing their generosity to outstrip their means . Very i little encouragement was required to induce poor peo-; pie to leave distant parts of the country to make expej riment of London , for very little sounded largely in the ears of those who encountered hardships in procuring the means ef subsistence . '
What a picture does this present to the'niind ' s eye ! Destitutien in London J Destitution in the country . ' The poverty of the country jostling the poverty of the metropolis in its scramble for nightly shelter and morning bread ! Men , women , and children wandering wearily to London to snatch the morsel from tbe jaws of the metropolitan poor ! 6 . 681 souls relieved st ene asylum in Playhouse-yard , by casual charity , independent of local and Poor Iiaw assistance , and * his found to be mockinjly insufficient ! Another lises to co-operate—both stiJl unequal to tbe weight of indigence—and now a third is created in the west .
May it be—we dare not say , we dare not hope that it can be , eufficient to do all that is wanted—but may it do away with that fcul blot which sullies whh hideous contrast tbe palatial magnificence of London ! Let us no longer see the IS ; gal quarter of our metropolis defiled with a combination -of squalid -famine , ragged vice , and loathsome disease . Let us no longer witness the painful contact of the most Inxnriens indulgence and the most utter indigence . We have borne the contemptuous sneers ef strangers and vititers too long ; let us at last do something to rid ourselves of a merited reproach .
DEATB PROM NEGLECT . An inquest was held last "week at the Blueccat Boy , Brewer ' s Green , Westminster , before Mr- Higgs , the Itepnry Coroner , on the body of Catherine Smart , the wife of a bricklayer ' s labouwr , named William Smart , residing at No . 14 , Goodman ' s Green , Palmer ' s Field , whose death was alleged to have taken place from nterine hemorrhage , resulting , as was supposed , from wast of proper medical attendance during her confinement
It appeared tbat the deceased , Catherine Smart , had been recommended to the Royal Belgrave Lying-in Institution , Sloane Square , of vrhicb Dr . Lock , of Chapel-street , Groavenor Square , is the manager , and whieh professes to have thirteen experienced mid-wives The way the poor woman was treated may be gathered from the following extracts from tbe evidence adduced ; the report in foil is too lengthy to give . This case is another specimen of the heartless cruelty with which the poor ol this " ChriBtian" England are treated : — -
Anne Buses , No , 8 , Goodmsn ' s-green , Wit Bent for by the deceased on Saturday morning , who complained . r ^ f ^ " ^ *«**«> me&lai laittanee , ttomgh A h * l beeamf « att « J « Thoriday&tdiane » . tiBie . The S ^**^/^ *• -bad » letter to the Belgrade Institution , and Qu * ha aemenger returned from then on Friday with a ua , oi mia ^^ rhB deceasea said she sent to two of them , but the answer returned was that they vonld . n « tdo Dr . Lock * business without being f ^ l' ^ f ? ^ woman * 4 ded - "O , ra lost , I ' m lost , I ' m done , I ' m done . " She tbeH fainted away several times , and said she had gone beyond the time when her labour should have taken place . Witness advised her to send for the parish doctor , for the woman was in such a way as quite fri ghtened her , and as a restorative she bathed btr temples with vinegar . At eleven o ' clock en Saturdsy morning the
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parish surgeon came from Totbill-fleldB Prison , on which witness said to the deceased , " You need not be afrsid now , yon have medical attendance , " bat the answer was , "Tis too late now . " That was all the witness could get from her . Mr . Simpkins here observed , that the deceased was very nervous in her confinements , as on one occasion Bhe had three children at & birth , all of whom were living , and were extremely healthy . Mary Dodd , the mother of fourteen children , was then called , and stated , that on Friday the deceased said she had sent for two midwives , one of whom , named Brown , said she would not attend , a ? Dr . Lock bad not paid her . She then said , "Oil shall be loit ; I Bfeall be lost ;" . ' hut witness said , " You can't be lost in & Christian country , for if one doctor won't come anether will be found . " The deceased was then in & state of issMorrhage . Witness advised her to have some castor oil , and was sure that if she had bad some medicine then her life would have been prolonged .
A Juror—What is the institution to which the woman was referred ? A person , who seemed to accompany Dr . Lock , replied , "You can have the prospectus tor your amusement . Here it is . " The Juror—Sir , there is nothing amusing in this case . The inquiry is a very solemn one , and as yon are here a stranger you have no right thus to interfere with the proceedings .: Several of the jurors expressed their coincidence in this observation . Da Lock said , he t » nld furnish the jury with a vote of thanks to himself from the direetora . A Juror—Tbat might be useful ; but the interference of your friend to-night Is not calculated to do you much good . :
Mrs . Dodi , in answer to a juror , Bald that with her experience , she considered the case a very extreme one . The deceased was parched up with fever and much in need of castor oil , which was administered the next day . Mary Bailey , the midwife who attended the poor creature when too late , was next examined . Mr . Blandford , a surgeon , of Chester-square , Pimlico , here inteiposed , and said the midwife was utterly unfit for her business who , when haemorrhage intervened , did not at once resign her charge into the hands of a medical man . Mrs . Bailey said she did not think there was any Betious 1 SBHtorrhage . a * Mr . Blandford . —No serious hemorrhage ? Why thtre was hemorrhage before and after the birth . What did you do ? Mrs . Bailey . —I applied cold lotions . Mr . Blandford- —In what quantity ?
Mrs . Bailey . —I applied a quart of vinegar with a quart of water . Mr . Blandford . —A quart of vinegar , woman , to a poor crsature in such a state , in a close room , near a hot fire ? Why , she should have had buckets , and if ice or snow was to be had anywhere they should have been procured . She should have b « en put into damp sheets , and all the windows and doors thrown epen . Tbe Jury having considered for half an hour returned a verdict , that "The deceased' Catherine Smart , died of 1 so jiorrage during child-birth , being in want of proper medical attendance at the proper period . " The foreman ( Mr . Bott , of York-street , Westminster ) , at the request of the jury , wished to add , that tbe thanks of tbe jurors were due , and by his mouth conveyed to Mr . Blandford , for his attendance at the inquest , and the assistance be had afforded .
Immediately after the tbe poor widower waa introduced , with the three children of the deceased , who were born at one birth . They were very fine-looking little creatures , apparently about two years and a half old , and much grown for their years . Genteelly but piainly clad in full mourning , their sppearance as they clung round tbeir father , whom with a sort of instinctive sympathy they embraced , as if feeling he was their only support , excited general commisseration among at the jurors , who instantly set on foot a shilling subscription to meet his immediate wants .
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THE OASTLER LIBERTY FUND . The press of matter occasioned by tbe great length ef the all-important Thornley Collery ca ^ e ; reports o < the Yorkfehiie Assize , dec 4 c completely prevented us even noticing tbe important meetings , to raise subscriptions for the release of Mr . OastJer , whieb have been held , since the meeting in the Leeds Court Housu . We now report progress , though we cin only give an abstract of what has been done in tbe noble work of philanthropy and too-long delayed justice .
THE MANCHESTER MEETI ?» G On Thursday evening , Dae . 14 th , a public meeting of the friends of Mr . Oastler , convened by advertisement , " for the purpose of considering the be 9 t means to be adopted to rake funds to procure his immediate release from prison , " was held at the Corn Exchange , Hanging Ditch . Though one of tbe League ' s " Ticket " gatherings took place at tbe Free Trade Hall at the same hour , there was a most crowded attendance , every seat being occupied a full bnlf-bour before thq time appointed for tbe commencement of the proceeding ? . Crowds subsequently poured in , and before the chair was taken , the reom was filled to uves flowing . the chair was taken by Mr . Fielden , M . P ., at a little after eight , the meeting baving , for some lime previously , manifested consiJerabk' impatience for the speakers to come forward . They were loudly cheered on tbeir appearance on the platform .
Tbe Chairman delivered a lengthy and excellent speech , in the coutss of which he was -warmly applauded , and concluded by introducing Mr . Gregory . Mr . GRX » oinr moved and spoke to the following resolution : — " That this meeting views with regret and indignation the long and unjust imprisonment of Mr . OdBtler , it > fl ' : cted upon him as a punishment for his able and disinterested advocacy of tbe rights of the poor , and persevered in with the hope that the suffering of imprisonment and poverty may weaken , if not destroy , the powerful advocate of their cause in future . That it is tbe imperative duty of every man to assist in obtaining the release of Mr . Oastler from prison , and in providing for his future security , by aiding , with all the means in his power , a subscription for that purnoBe . "
Mr . W . J . Hodgetts seconded , and Mr . J . P . Cob sett supported the resolution ; which waa put and carried unanimously , amidst the most enthusiastic cheering . Mr . Thomas Fielden moved— " That a subscription be raised within the counties of Lancashire , Cheshire , and Derbyshire , for the purpose of obtaining the release of Mr . Oastler , and of providing for his future security ; and tbat a treasurer and a central committee be appointed for carrying the resolutions of this meeting into effect within the said counties . " Mr . James Leacu , wh « was received with much applause , seconded the resolution . Mr . Ferrasd , MP . was received with the most deafening cheers , tbe whole of tbe company rising and waving tbeir hats . We give the following extracts from that gentleman ' s speech , all we can find room for , requesting the attention of our readers to
"THE CrUEAT FACT " of Mr . Alderman Brooks admission , that , " WE'RE ALL FOR OURSELVES IN THIS WORLD . Mr . Ferrand said , Mr . Chairman and inhabitant * of the town of Manchester , in rising to addre 83 you tonight , for the purpose of supporting the resolution which has been moved and seconded by the two preceding speakers , I can fearlessly say that never public man in this country , under the same circumstances , addressed a public meeting with so much credit to himself—( applause ) . For , in the part which I have considered it my duty to perform , as a Member of the House of Commons , I was led to believe , if I could have believed the assertion of those who gave
utterance to the expressions , that here ,, in the town of Manchester , if I dared to show my face —( loud and prolonged cheers ,-and cri 68 of "Long live Ferrand ! "ithat if I dared to appear before a public assembly in this town , a verdict of utter annihilation would await me —( " Never , never ! " )—that I Bhould be driven from the town of Manchester with ignominy and disgrace—( " never , never ! " )—for having brought charges against certain individuals which were false and unfounded—( applause ) . But here , my friends , in an open meeting —thear , hear ) , —without any tickets , for you to be driven to the countiDg-hbnses for —(] oud and prolonged cheers ) , —you have come here , clothed in the garb of true-bom independent Englishmen —; applause)—determined to stand by those who have stood by
you—( applause)—and to preve to England and the world that gntitude is jet a bright feature in the breaet of tbe labourer of England—( loud and loug applause ) . Mr . Ferrand then proceeded to eulogise Mr . Oastler , and at some length reviewed the services of tbat gentleman in his endeavours to obtain justice for the working classes against the tyranny and grinding selfishness of the millocracy . In illustration of the selfishness of the loud-mouthed " unti-monopolists , " (?) be introduced the- following iellinp anecdoUB : —In attempting to describe to you . what I mean by selfish interest , I cannot do better than relate to you a short anecdote . During tbe period that the tariff was under discussion in the House of Commons , it happened tbat the subject of the diminution of the duty on coffee was to be brought forward on a particular night I went down , Mr . Chairman , to the House of Commons , for the purpose of being present during tbe debate . As I passed through the lobby of the Honse , Mr . Croucher , the
parliamentary agent , whom I have no doubt you know , tapped me on the shoulder , and said— " Mr . Ferrand , I am extremely BDXiouB to introduce to you a deputation from Mancbeiter . " I turned round and laid I should be most boppy to meet any gentlemen from lf « ntfH ? rtfr on * ny question . He said they wished to speak to me abomt the one now before the hoiie . " Allow me ( ha said ) to introduce to you Sir . Alderman Brooks . "—( Great laughter . ) I made slow bow to Mr . Alderman Brooks , * nd he did the same to me . — ( Laughter . ) " 0 , ( he fays ) Mr . Ferrand , I am glad to shake hands with you ; you ' ve given ub some hard raps . " —( Laughter . ) I replied , I hope nothing but what is true , Mr . Brooks . " "Why , ( he said ; I mast say , some of ibem are , some of them ar ' n"t . " He then said" Mr . Ferrand , I and the genttenwn yoa see around me , ( and there were five or six along with him ) wish to ask you to vote against the diminution of the duty on ccfitB "— ( great laughter , and "There ' s free trade ") . I raised my hands in ustonifcbment . He says— " I'll tell
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you how it is . You see there's myBelf and these gentlemen have been speculating very largely In coffee "—( great laughter ) . And my reply was— " And I hope , Mr . Brooks , you feave been-taken in "—( laughter ) . " Ay , ( he says ) you see , if Sir Robert Peel reduces the doty on coffoe to the extent which he proposes to do we shall lose a very great sum of money . " " What ! ( I saidi thiB from Mr . Alderman Brooks , the great champion ; of the Anti-Corn Law Leage—( applause ) the apostle of free trade—( applause ) who is for doing away with every protective duty in the country ! Impossible ! " "O , God love you , ( he said ) we ' re all for ourselves in tbta world "—( Roars of laughter , the mirth being not a little heightened by the close imitation which the Hon . Member gave of tbe worthy alder *
man ' s voice and manner ) . His ( Mr . Ferrand ' a ) reply was , that he saw before him the best sample of tbe Anti-Corn Law League , for he had the honesty to speak truth , and bad admitted it to be aelf-interest * * But , my friends , I am addressing you in the town where monopoly has also raised its head in another way during the last twelve months . It was only last year that a grand dinner was given here to Mr . Emerson Tennant , by the calico-printers of Lancashire and the country at large . Amongst the subscribers to tbat splendid service of plate which wa ? given to Mr . Emerson Tennant on that occasion , was Mr . Cobden —( hear , hear )—and that service of pkte was given to Mr . Emerson Tennant . for his successful exertions ia obtaining an act of parliament which gives an unlimited
protection to the calico-printers of this country—( applause ) . Then , if such be tbe case , Jet me ask these men to mete out the same justice to you as they have given to themselves : if their property is to beprotected . it is high time yours was—( loud applause ) . And if you will stand true to the principles which I profess , and which your worthy Chairman and numerous other ruanufaclurer . i are professing at this moment , we will , legally , peaceably , and constitutionally , obtain for you your just rights and privileges —( great applause ; . My friends , I'll give you another instance of self-interest-Mr . Williams , the member for Coventry , ia a great free-trader —( laughter ) . Last year a person came over from the continent for the purpose of obtain Dg
an act of parliament which should give him the power of manufacturing cheap watches in England ; be was applauded to the skies ; but . the free-trade watch and clock makers of Coventry sent word up to Mr . Williams— " If you vote for tbe destruction of our trade we will vote you out of Coventry "—( Applause ) . Ami . so , fearing that he should be " sent to Coventry " a different way from what he had been heretofore , he went down to the House , voted against the act for cheap watches , calling it " a monopoly , ' and the man , who came from Switzerland , a " Swiss adventurer . " Mr . Ferrand continued at great length , interrupted only by repeated bursts of enthusiastic applause , and finally sat down amidst loud and prolonged cheering .
The resolution was then put and unanimously carried . TheRev . J . ScnoiEFlELD , whe was received with much applause , moved— "That Mr . Thomas Fielden be the treasurer of this fund . " Mr . Davies seconded the resolution . The Rev . Mr . Stephens spoke in support of tbe resolution , which waB carried unanimously . Mr . K . S . SoWLER moved the appointment of the committee , and Mr . R . B . B . Cobbeit seconded the motion .
Tbe Chairman was about to put the resolution , When some sensation was created in tbe meeting by tbe appearance of Mr . Alderman Brooks on tbe platform . He looked about him , apparently a little bewildered , as though he had got to the wrong meeting , but some few persons in the body of the room baving called out his name , he thrust forward to the front of the platform , and essayed to address tho audience . At Brat it was all dumb show , great confusion being caused by such am unexpected intrusion ; but the Chairman having stated that Mr . Brooka had been invited by the committee to attend , and that he wished to have an opportunity of addressing the meeting , he waa allowed to proceed .
Mr Bi-ooks then , evidently very much excited , said , I have been at another meeting , and I heard there was a charge made against inc hero ( looking at Mr . Ferrand , near to whom he stood ) ; so 1 thought I would come and see him face to face —( applause ) . Now , gentlemen , don't you think tbat is straight-forward ? Therefore , I do hope you'll give me a bearing . Yuu have heard , I suppose , from Mr . Ferrand , that I was one of a deputation in London who culled upon him to get him to vote against the lowering of the duty on coffee?—(• 'Yes . ') And now you shall hear all the truth . He told you that , dWu ' t hu?— V Ye " , yes . ") Is it true what he said , think you ?—( l . > ud cries of " Yes , " and " It ' s true . ") Tbeu I say there ' s not : i word of truth in it —( groans and uproar , during which the speaker
was for some time inaudible ) . You see , I won't charge him witn . stating that which he did not believe , mark you ; because people are often mistaken about matters —( laughter );—and I am quite sure he must have so understood me , or ho " " ould not buve made thu charge — ( hear , hear ) . Now , ill tell you how this coffee matter was —( groans and other murks of dinupprobation ) . You Bhall bear every word , or else I'll wait While y »* Uo . I suy you are aU suffrage people , as well as I ; but you must learn better manners , fur its only fair that we should all be heard . Well , gentlembn , if you recollect , when Sir Robert Peel ' s tariff came out be made a difference in tbe coffees : I'll tell you what it waa . Tbe duty btfore the alteration waa for British plantation , 81 a pound—( A voice : "No ; sixpence . ") For British plantation , 8 il— \ " Sixpence . "> Here Mr . Brooka setmed to be trying to recollect himself , and after a short consideration , said—O , yes , 1 beg the gentleman's pardon ; it was sixpence ; be ' B
right . —( Laughter , and great confusion , which led too Chairman to interfere in behalf of Mr . Brooks , who , after a pause , proceeded with bis statement . ) Now , gentlemen , on British plantation it was Cd ., and on foreign , that is , that which has gone round the Cape , 9 i . Now , they took one-third of the duty off the British , and made it 4 d . ; but instead of taking onethird , or 3 d ., off the foreign , they only took off Id . Now , what I went to London with the deputation for was to get them to take the same proportion of duty off the foreign ceffee , as they were taking off the British plantation . They took 3 d . off tbe British , but only Id . off the foreign , thereby robbing the people of this country , who used foreign coffee , of 2 1 . in the pound . Now , why I went to London on the deputation was to get the foreign coffee reduced one-third , to Cd . And I will tell you why I went ; the first thing was my own interest ; for I lost £ 3 000 , and a friend of mine lost a similar suni . —IA burst of ironical cheers
and laughter , which was kept up some minutes . ) I see you'll understand it ; it you'll wait , I'll bring it to your senses . —( Continued uproar . ) Now , gentlemen , thu government robbed the people tbat day of £ 300 . 000 , in consequence of the differential duties . If it bad not been for this , 1 Bhould have been able to sell my foreign coffee 2 d . u pound cheaper . It was a dead robbery on the men who held foreign coffee . —( Ironical cheers . ) Mr . Brooks having paused till the noise should subside , Mr . Ferrand iobo , and was greeted with most deafening cheers . He said—Tbat is not the charge which I made against yen , Mr . Brooks . —( Cheers . ) Mr . BROOKS—What was it then ?—( lauchter ) .
Mr . Ferrind—Mr . Brooka was going to make a long speech about the different duties on coffee : I said to him that was not the charge , and he tum « d round and asked what it was . Now , he came into the room , and said every word I had uttered against him was untrue . I aak you if ho has not proved it out of bis own mouth ?—( loud cheers , and " He baa )") . And I now , in his presence , repeat what I stated before , and what I should not have repeated this evening h" . d I not known that the gentlemen below were reporting it , and that it would meet his eye—iapplause ) . I stated that I waa passing through the lobby of the House of Commons , to take my place in that House , during the debate on the reduction of the duty on coffees . As I passed through it Mr . Grouoher , the parliamentary
agent , tapped mo on the back , and he said , " Allow me , Mr . Ferrand , to introduce you to a deputation of gentlemen from Manchester . ' 1 : Mr . Alderman Brooks came upland Mr . Croucher said , Mr . Ferrand , Mr » Alckrman Brooks . " I said , " How do you do , Mr . Alderman Brdoks ? I am happy to bo introduced to you , or to any deputation from Manchester "—( applause ) . He said , " I aw happy to be introduced to you Mr . Ferrand . You have said some strong things against us . " I said , " I hope I have said nothing but what is true '—( applause ) . He said , " Aye , thore ' s some bard bits , and some of them ' s perhaps true "—( great applause ) . He ^ seemed all iu a hurry to tell me about this coffee : for I have no hesitation , as 1 said this evening , in savins that he is one of the
honestest in the lot . But Mr . Croucher aaid , " You bad better let me state the case to Mr . Ferrand ; " and before he got half way through , Mt . Brooks could not be quiet , but he began himself , and said , " Ay , and this gentleman , along with myself , has been speculating in ciffee ; and if Sir Robert Peel reduces tbe duty to the extent he proposta , we shall be great loBers . " Now , he tells you to-night that he has lout £ 3 000—( Applause ) . I held up my bands in amazement , and I s . iid , u What 1 Mr . Alderman Brooks , the chairman of the Anti-Corn Law League ! tke man who supports it with his pocket to the extent he does ! he who proclaims himself the advocate of free trade and no protective
duties ! What ! you oppose the reduction of duty on coffee , by which the poor man could have his cup of coffee reduced in price {"—( Applause ) . " O ( ( he says ) you see we are all for ourselves iu this world "—( loud cheers and laughter ) . ( Here the Hon . Member fixed a steady goes upon poor Mr . Brooks , who was seated cl «* e beside , looking dreadfully agitated ) . Now , then , let Mr . Brooks deny that , and I will produce witnesses who heard it —( cheers )—at the door of the House of Commons , in the presence of the door-keepera , in the presence of Mr . CtonchBr , ia the presence of other gentlemen , as well as of the dep « Ution who surrounded him ; and what I have said , I will stand by to the last hoar of my life—( load cheers ) .
Mr . Brooks again attempted to speak , but the noise was so great that only a few unconnected Words could be heard . We understood him to allege that Mr . Ferrand had varied the terms of the charge against him , and to state that the deputation had gone to London , not to keep up the duty , but to get it reduced , and that Mr . Croucher , the parliamentary agent , was specially employed by them for that purpose . * At the close of this scene , Mr . R , Sowler moved a vote of thanks to Mr . Ftrrand , for his » ttfciidapeo at the meeting , and hia able uutl consistent advocacy of
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the interests of the working classes . The motion , being seconded , was carried am idst enthusiastic cheering . The thanks of the meeting were then voted to the Chairman by acclamation . Tbe proceedings terminated with three cheers for Mr . Ferrand , three cheers for Mr . Oastler , three for : Mt . O'Connor , three for Frost , Williams , and Jones . -three for the Northern Stir and three fotthe Uanchester Court *? -, and three groans for the Manchester Guardian . Olpham . —A meeting was held in the Town Hall , on Friday evening , the 15 th inst The room was filled to overflowing . Mr . Wm . Taylor , manufacturer was called to the chair . The usual resolations were adopted unanimously , and ? a committee waa appointed to carry out the objects of ; the meeting . Mr . Ferrand Was present and was most enthusiastically received .
BotTOJi . —On Saturday evening , Dec . 16 fcb , a meeting , waa held in the Temperance Hall . The usual reaolu tions wt > re meved and spoken to by Messrs . Myerscongh , Fishwick , j Ferrand , nnd ethers . A committee was appointed to ) carry the object of the meeting into effect ; and after a vote of thanks to Mr . Ferrand and tbe chairman , the ] meeting separated . Stockporx . —On Monday , Deo . 18 th , a large and enthusiastic meeting was holden in the Hall of Science . Mr . Ferrand delivered a lengthy and able address , in the course of . which he waB enthusiastically applauded . A committee was appointed to raise subscriptions .
Preston . —A crowded and enthusiastic meeting was held in the Theatre , on Wednesday evening , Dae . 20 ; Mr . T . Swinglehurst was called to the chair . Mr , Ferrand , M . P ., speke at great length in support of tihe objects of the meeting , almost every sentence of bia speech elicited unbounded enthusiasm . A committee was appointed , arid the meeting breke up .
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* Mr . Brooks has since the above meeting again denied the truth of (' Mr . Ferrund's statement . A friend of Sir . Brook ' s , who has volunteered a letter in his defence in the Morning Chronicle , admits that the wordB " We ' re all for ourWves in this world , " wete spoken by Mr . Brooks , but he asserts tbat they were apylied in another sense to Jthat alleged by Mr . Ferrand . Our readers may decide for themselves . Tliey know Mr . Ferraud , and they know something of the blustering Leaguer , Mr . Alderman Brooks , ( at least our Manchester readers do , ) they will have no difficulty in deciding which man to believe .
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Crjatfitet $ utdltg ;* ttc * . ( Excluded from our last for want of room . )
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South London . —chauttst hall . —The Chartists of this locality have fixed the 1 st of January , 1844 . for the collecting and receiving subscriptions for the National Tribute . A Don At ion of five shillings has been received from Mr . Ensor , Tunbridge Wells , for the above HalL Martlebone . -J— At a meeting of the members of this locality of the National Charter Association , held on Wednesday evening , Dec . 20 th , at the Mechanics Institution , Circua-Btreet , New Road , the following resolutions were agreed to : — " That we agree with the
proposition to pay Id . per month to the National Victim Fund , and earnestly impress upon our Chartist brethren throughout the country the propriety of their adopting similar nieans to support the wives and families of our unjustly persecuted brethren . That the first cellection take place on Sunday , Jan . 7 th , 1844 , and that the council be instructed to forward the proceeds immediately to the National Victim CommiUee "with a request that they j take into their immediate consideration the case of Mrs- Ellis , with the view of giving htr every assistance in their power .
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FRANCE . —The Legitimists . —Louis Philippe haa dismissed eight Mayors of communeB for attendns ; the levees ofi the Duke of Bordeux at Belgravesquare . [ The Fortifications—Another guardhouse , says La Jieforme , is atout to be erected and fortified at the parilion of tlie institute on the Quai Malaquais . According to the proposed plan , this fortress will present twenty loopholes on the side of the river Seine , ten on e ^ eVi side , and ten in the Rue de Seine , making altogether fif / y . The guardhouse which exists near the same situation is condemned as not sufficiently formidable .
Prince Louis ; Napoleon has instituted a suit against the public treasury of France , and the case was called on Thursday , in the Chamber of First Instance of Paris . The Prince claims the payment of an annuity ( in perpetuity ) of 1 , 800 , 000 francs , granted to him by a senalus-consultum of 1810 , " constitutive of the appanage of King Louis and Queen Hortense . He adduces likewise , in support , of his pretensions , an ordinance of King Louis XVIII ., conferring the estate of St . Leu on Queen Hortense , who was known ever afterwards under tho title of Duchess de St . Leu . The Treasury opposes to the demand of Prince Louis a plea of incompetence . The affair has been postponed until a future day , when M . Nogeni St . Laurent is to plead for the Prince , and M . Pongefc for the Treasury .
SPAIN . —Intelligence from Madrid of the 14 th instant , state that Olozaga continued to absent himself from the sittings of the Cortes . He does not Bleep in his own . } house , bat , is said to be concealed m the home of one of his friends . A great number of Opposition members had also Absented themselves , and , about thirty of them , according to some accounts , had left the capital to rouse the provinces against the Bravo Ministry . The discussion in the Cortes , on the Queen ' s declaration * continued , but the interest in the affair was subsiding . The Deputies who spoke last were Alcon , and Cortina . Bayonne , D £ ci 20 . —Id . the sitting of the 17 th , the Congress adopted , by a majority of 101 to 48 , tho proposition of a message to the Queen .
The Times Correspondent , writing from Madrid , on tho 17 th , Bays ] : —The Ouzette teems with dismissals and promotions by tho new Ministry . Gefes Politicos , Contadores , and Infeendentes of Customs
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and Taxes in various provinces figure in the daily list of changes along with judges and magistrates . The Camarilla is undoing all that the Provisional Government did at such cost to the country during its short and troubled reign j and preparations for civil war are evidently once morg on foot , lndiea * tions are already apparent at Saragossa , where the townspeople paraded the city in crowds , playing their famous national air , La Jota Arragonesa ? and giving vivas for tbe constitution , and mueras for traitors ! These crowds were dispersed , on . the night of the 10 th instant , by the bayonet ; but the citizens continuing to promenade , shout , and play
thel jota , and matters growing worse , a bando was published by the Gefo Politico , on the 13 : h , prohibiting its performance , and placing tbe disobedient under the operation of martial law . Here , in Madrid , all is sympathetic alarm and military precaution . Sentinels , with loaded muskets , are plaoed at the corners of cross streets . The Princesa Regiment is kept ready in its barrack , untroubled by garrison duties of an ordinary character and ready at a moments warning to be let loose on the turbulent . Narvaez drives about with a sergeant's guard of Hussars in front and rear , and an aide-de-camp at each of his carriage windows armed with a carbine " ready" to deal with anybody who
looks like an assassin . Catalonia . —A letter from the frontiers of Catalonia , in the Phare of Bayonne , informs us that the fort of Figueras continued to fire on the lath oa the fortifications thrown up by Prim . That person , ia the hope of deterring Araettler from firing upon the town , had resorted to the extraordinary proceeding of sending detachments into the country to arrest all the relations of tho insurgents who could be found , and bring them into Figueras . This barbarous measure , however , appears to have had no effect upon the insurgent chief , whose fire has rather increased than diminished since his own family and three of his friends and partisans have been dragged into the town to sustain tbe norrora of a bombardment .
GREECE . —A Trieste letter of the 13 ch states , that some disagreeable scenes had taken place ia Athens , on December 6 , on account of a motion by M . Packos , one of the members of the National Assembly , for pecuniary relief to be given to distressed foreigners . The people when they heard of this , collected before the house of tbe deputy , and broke his windows . Another riot took place in consequence of a satirical article on the Greek nation , inser-ed in a journal published by M . Soajjos . The Ministry had been compelled , ia order to quiet tho people , to order M . Soa'jos to quit the country .
Preparations of the Russian Government . — The Cologne Gazette having stated that the Russian Government had sent strong reinforcements to the army of the South , and this having been contradicted by other German journals , the Gazette repeats its statement . It adds , on the authority of letters from . Bessarabia , that tbe reinforcement amounts to fifteen thousand men , aHd that the evident motive for it is to keep down the agitation that reigns in the pro * vinces bordering on Turkey , and also to be prepared for any insurrection of the Greek population in Turkey .
CANADA . ^ -The disruption of the French ministry produced a prodigious excitement in Kingston , which continued till late in the evening of Tuesday , the 23 th ult ., the date of our last advices . No explanation had been given for this explosion , but Lafomaine , who is the master-spirit of the French party in United Canada , has promised tbe Assembly to give it in a few days . In the meantime , he and his adherents remain whh the governor , but in an inactive state till he forms a new ministry . it is impossible to tell what has been the chief cause of this difficulty . It will shake Canada to
pieces , unless Str Charles Metcalfe acts with tact and decision . Ever since the coalition of the French and British interests , or rather si ace the French were placed in power over the British , the pot of trouble has been boiling till the steam has forced the top off and brought on a crisis . Kingston was full of rumours as to what course the governor would pursue , " but the most probable was , that he would call Draper , formerly Attorney-General of Canada , and Morris , an independent member of the Legislative Council , to his aid . These men have just influence enough with the French , it is said , to give the administration a working majority .
We find in the Niagara Chronicle accounts of disturbances which had taken place amongst the Irish employed on the Welland canal . Fire-arms were used , and the result was the death of two ' or three men aud a number wounded . The same journal states that it was given in evidence at the investigation , that the men employed in the quarries weTe in possession of no less than one hundred stand of arms —a fact which , the writer considered , should induce the Government to consider whether the country 13 noo in want of an arms bill .
FOREIGN MISCELLANY . The Dead Alive . —La Presse publishes the following statement : —During the night of the 7 th instant , a man was supposed to die in the hospital of Gex . On the following morning he was placed in a coffin . At eleven o'clock the same day preparations werj made for hia funeral , when suddenly a noise was heard from within the coffin . The lid , which had been nailed down , was then raised , and the man was removed alive . He had only fallen into a lethargic sleep . Mount Etna . —The Augsburg Gazette states , that the late eruption of Mount Etua had been most fatal —130 persons have perished , and the hospitals are filled with wounded . The small town of Bronte has hitherto escaped uninjured ; but letters of the 4 th inst . announce fresh disasters .
Thb Eruption of Mount Etna .. —Adeeno , Nov . 26 . —I wrote to you yesterday in great haste ( as an opportunity for Catania and Messina was just offering ) from a place which people have agreed to call a convent , but which at the present moment scarcely offers a miserable shelter to the traveller caught by bad weather , —where , before a sparing fire of dearly bought brushwood , he may dry hia garments a little and warm himself . During the time I was writing my letter the top of the monntaia had commenced , with renewed vehemence , and with tremendous noise , to throw out , at first thick black clouds of smoke and vapour , and soon afterwards a mass of water ashes , sand , and enormous stonea which flew away in every direction , and probable a *
least to leeward , to a great distance . We * & not think ourselves any longer secure in ' place of refuge , aud we left it to get nearer to ** « 8 road leading to Aderno , as it now had becomo impossible , without much circuitous travelling , to reach Bronte , where I originally intended to proceed . We had , however , scarcely come iato the open air , when we became aware tbat the present new volcano , in half height of the northwestern declivity of the mountain , had also recommenced to rage , and to throw out a irass of fiery lava , which , as every uneven ness of the ground has been filled up by the effluxions going on since the 18 th , poured down with immense velocity into the valley in a southern direction from Bronte . The vapour which this eMux from hell emitted , and
the gas which developed itself , made breathing difficult . Being so near , we began to feel rather uneasy aud retired therefore towards Aderno , without , however , losing si ^ ht of th e firestream . It had pursued , in the meantime , the direction tafcen up before , and roiled itself with a roaring noise over the road , already destroyed and covered thirty feet high with dross and rubbish , aud over the descent , cultivated with great industry , towards the sloping banks of the Simeto . On this descent a gre&t number . of men and women , inhabitants of Bronte and its vicinity , were busy trying to save from this universal devastation the fruits of hard and uninterrupted toil of many years , at least the wood of the olive , and other f ru ; t trees , for firewood . When the firestream surprised them , many of them , some thirty persons , were completel y surrounded and barned to death , and several others could only be saved with great
difficulty , and not without dangerous wounds . Last night the new crater and the lava-stream presented a sight which can only be speechlessly looked upon , but cannot be described . The moon came coldly piercing through the gloomy clouds and hung her pale light over the country , bloodred illuminated by the fire of the eruption and of the liquid lava . Here and there , when the stream threw itsalf over a declivity or a craggy rock , a new awful noise arose ; when the lava reached trees or shrubs , clear § ame 3 were flickering up suddenly , but only for momenta , and also the distant trees were seen toblaz ^ andfall . The highest cone of the giant mount did not keep quiet all this time , but continued with the same violence to throw out , although without fire . During the night the imposing sight was heightened by vivid lightning forking through the darkness of the blaek clouds-of smoktt . —Augsburg Gazette .
Duelling-Frankfort , Dec . 15—We have just learned that at eleven o ' clock yesterday morning a duel , with pistols , took place at Oggersheim , in Rhenish Bavaria , between Moritz von Haber and Von Soracbaga , in which the latter was shot . Von Haber returned yesterday to Meniz , Von Sarachaga was killed on the spot . This is the third victim which thiB melancholy affair has caused—Frankfort Zeilung . Thb Tomb of Napoleon- " It is now four years " says the Corsaire ¦•• since the Chambers voted " the
, funds neceBsery for the erection of the Emperor ' s tomb . To-day , after a lapse of four years , not a stone ef the Imperial monnment has yet been laid . But a « xt June it will be four yean * mce the Cha «; bers had the weakness to rote titeembasHOerMnt ot FariB- * trork worthy of the Titans . Well I not only have the- bastilles been constructed , but extensire works hare been added to the Castle of Tin * cennes vand another foit has been erected at Auber-Timers , of which ho mention is made in the law . l / ompare , and draw the inference . "
Huhricane at Buenos Atbes—A violent hurricane occurred in th « River Plate , on the 8 th « Uetober , when seventeen vessels where driven on shore ; the water suddenly rose unusually high , and washed dowr , ' several houses at Buenos Ayres , and property to a considerable extent was damaged .
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NEW ZEALAND . We have been requested to give the following extracts from a letter received at Hull from the undersigned parties . The husband , Jonas , is a native of Holbeck ( Leeds ) i The writers' descriptions of life in New Zealand will be found interesting . Nelson , New asaland , Feb . 14 th , 1843 . Dear Parents , —We sailed from Graveaend on the lat of August with about two hundred persons onboard , including meu , women , and children . We met with contrary winds and bad weather for three weeks , and had a great deal of sen , pickness on board . We came in sight of Madeira on the 23 rd August , and have had five deaths np to this time . We have bad three deaths during tbe last five weeks , and have had four births during the earae time , and all tbe women have done well , but only one of tbe children has lived .
On the 22 od November we had a most awful stormthe thunder and lightning was terrible . We thought the ship wss on firo for some time ^ ; the captain and several of the sailor ? Were blinded for a few minutes ; ene of the sailors lost the use of hia limbs altogether . There was not one adult jdied during the voyage , nor any children above five years old . Wo suffered a good , deal from sea sickness , but the children ailed very little . We arrived here on the 2 i » t of December , and we need scarcely say we were all well pleased to get safe on land once more—the natives crowded round us to welcome us in their usual way . The men and women all wear a blanket to cover ( them , except a few who adopt the
English dress , wbicu we think willbecome more general amongst them . The ; are a tine race of people , kind and hospitable in the extreme . They are perfectly harmless , and much attached to tbe white people , Some few of them can understand a good deal of English , all of them a little ; they are remarkably honest , but like to have things given to them , such as pipes , tobacco , needka , cotton , or biscuit , j Wo have frequently six or eight of them in the hou ^ e together ; they walk in one after another without any ceremony , and seat themselves on the floor . We have not seen a house with windowshutters , bolts , or locks to the door ; every one ' thinks themselves safe without .
The country is 6 ne of the finest in the world , such j » one as we never beheld—it is very mountainous : some of the mountains arejthree miles high—many covered with snow all the year round , and several with evergreensthere are beautiful flowera growing wild . We have not seen a bit of fruit of any description . There is none but a few young ! plants that have been brought from England lately . There iafish of almost every kind in abundance—the natives will Bell one that weighs twelve or fourteen pounds for a shilling . There are plenty of vegetables , butithey are rather dear . The land , will produce anything ' you like to grow upon it in a . very remarkably short time . Land is letting at a low rent in some parts of the colony . Clothing is very dear ; there ard several large . stores where they sell all kinds of
tbings , both eatables , drinkables , and wearables . We can buy some things as cheap as in England . Porter is 8 > i a pint ; bread jis 6 < l per two pound loaf ; butter 2 i 6 d to 39 Slp ^ rponnd ; cheese 2 s 6 d per poun't ; c . 'in < llea Is ( , > J perjpoend ; mutton and beef from Is to Is 2 d par pound ; fljur , best quality , 24 < j pel cwt , coffee Is per pound ; tea , good , 4 s to 5 *; milk fid per pint ; fresh pork 93 per pound ; salt pork 7 d per pound ; salt 21 per pound ; potatoes Id per pound ; stsrcii Is 4 d per pound ; loaf sugar IOd per pound ; raw sugar 4 d to | 6 d per pound ; eggs 3 d each ; soap 5 d per pound ; rice 5 d per pound ; wineB cheap . There are plenty of curious shells , plenty of wild pigeons , plenty of wild ducks and pigs , besides a variety of small birds . . '
Trade is net very brisk here at present , but there is every prospect of an improvement . We have ten ships here at present ; two from EDgland . When any of the emigrants are sick , the company ' s surgeon attends them gratia . If the husband is sick , they give him the best of attendance , and medicine , and keep him and his family until he is better—and keep ] them well too . The doctor is the kindest man we ever met with as a surgeon . We can wish for nothing better than tbe arrangements of the country . The houses are mostly built of wood , a few of bricks , and some thatched . i Jonas and Mary Rider .
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e TflF . NORTHERN STAR- ___ I __ - '
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TEE CLOSE OF THE IXQUIBT AT THE BIBMISGHAJI TTOSKHOTrSE . On Thursday -week , the Assistant Poor Iiiw Commissioner commenced Ms Inqniry into the mode adopted at the Wozfchonse on the ^ plication of destitute persons for admission and relief . He said he would first examine a few of the Police Officera -with respect to the state of destitution in ¦ w ^ ioh they found persons in fiie toTrn , and ihe difficulty , if any , -which they experienced in procuring relief for them , or their admission inlo the Workhouse . James Bradley , Patrick Ktlly , George Kirk , and James Tomer , Police Officers , were severally examined These -witnesses deposed to tavins f onna" a number 01 persons in the streets in a state of destitution ; that they took them to-the Workhouse , and Were refnsed admission for them ; and that tkey wets compelled to lock them np is the Stations and take them before the Magistrates .
Then * Trere * osie other Police Officera in attendance to depose to facts of the above nature , but the . Commissioner said he tetA heard quite someient to show the nature of the system . The existence of a defective system -was clearly proved in reference to tbe mode of admitting dentate persons . The system of iissdyisg aboDt of the p&or onght not t « be continued . Mr . Shackel said ihe Members of the Committee appointed to inquire into the duties anS salaries of tbe Clerks of the Establishment , summoned together to meet the Commissioner , had arriyed , - and were in a room below stairs . The Commissioner forthwith attended this Committee , Which to qnite private
After an aosence of about two hours , the CoHnnisaoner returned , and said he should close the inquiry , hnt that he should again visit Birmingham the week alter Christmas . H e had received snfficient infonnstion to show the ' working of the present parochial system of Birmingham , -which he believed would lead te some ¦ useful alterations . The learned Gentleman then left thb house .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 30, 1843, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct514/page/6/
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