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TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS
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THE FIVE STAB PORTRAITS FOR THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS.
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PEOM OTJU LOHDON CORRESPONDENT.
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MAHBXAGES.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The daughter of the deceased being the principal evidence against him ,, she in her anxiety to have the blood of her father ' s murderer , thought to strengthen facis by interpretations of her own ; and among © ther things she swore that , "in resisting the prisoner , he called her a bitch . " This the prisoner denied , and swore he was accused wrongfully . He was convicted , however ; and , previous to sentence being passed , upon being asked by the Court if he had anything to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon him , he replied , " Oh , then , my Lord-Bhip , isn ' t it too bad to murdei & man with fake oaths ? for God above he knows I never call'd Jude a bitch . " u If you had called her so , replied his Lordship , and not murdered her father , your crime would hare been less . " -
bach is precisely Beuek's case . He was only the means of clearing Ballytaraia , while he swept th « other denominations in person ; and Mr . Maheb , Tery properly making no distinction between the acts , charged him with all ; and Bbcbx says , " no ; I never did , in person , eject the families from Ballytarsnaf but does not deny ibe remainder of the charge . What , we may ask , must be the consequence of
tMsfrightfulre-aciion , when we find the most objectionable man in Ireland returned by the largest majority ever known in the county of Carlow , Staslet ' s Bill being the easus belli ? Does it not clearly prove that those within the pale do not desire any addition to their society , constituted snugly as it now is ; but would rather get rid of some of the poor fringe of the garment , if possible ! Will this teach the Whigs a lesson I Will it teach the people & lesson ? Will it teach the eountrv a lesson ! Will
it teach O'Co ? well a lesson ! The only balm for the wound is , that not a single pledge , in which the people are interested , ttos required of Possosbt ; and , therefore , they hare experienced no defeat ; while the great sting of the triumph is to be found in the fact of many poor Catholics having voluntarily voted for the destroyer of their race , aad the reviler of their religion , What will Gisbobsz , the Liberal Member for the County , think of his chance of re-election upon the next occasion ! The only moral effect prodneed , we feax , will be a delay of dissolution ; and , doubtless , the Whigs , on the Carlow defeat , will witness the approach of general re-action .
Perhap 3 a trifling anecdote of Colonel Brces may not be out of place just now . The gallant gentleman is supposed to be the very ugliest man in Ireland ; and upon one occasion , when very flush of cash , he proposed to a kind of toady-mason , in a walk round his domain , the project of enclosing it with a brick wall , twenty feet high . The mason , who had the whole ear of his master , and whose
wit recommend Mm as a kind of companion , laughingly observed , " Your honour , it can ' t be done . " "Can ' t , "' responded Bkubs , " why so ? " " Why , H is impossible . " " Impossible ! " rejoined the Colonel , " nonsense ; money will do it ; money can do anything" " Oh , I ax your honour ' s pardon , " aid the mason , " there ' s one thing that money can ' t do . " "What is it ! " asked Bbcbn . H Indeed , then , I'll tell your
honour" Why , then , all the money in Brces ' place " Couldn't put a handsome nose on Bbci >" s face . " Bbuhi ' s nose is about an inch and a half in length , and is turned up short , like the end of an aged donkey ' s hoof . This patriotic gentleman , in the year 1885 , paid his countrymen generally the compliment of declaring them to be " all savages . "
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THE CORONER'S INQUEST UPON THE DEAD MURDERER , AND MR , WAKLEY'S LAW , WITH THE JURA'S FOLLY . Travellmc by railway being likely to become the only mode of conveyance , and being as yet in its infancy , it is highly necessary that some denned and intelligible rules should be laid down for its regulation ; and & 3 the whole speculation is likely to be managed by , and for the profit of , the wealthy at the expence of the lives of the community , it is also high time that the law should be defined as to the question of responsibility .
We are the more induced to enter upen a consideration of this subject now , in consequence of the extreme ignorance manifested by Mr . Waklet , the Coroner for Middlesex , and the misconception of the very dull Jury , whom he succeeded in mystifying upon the request lately held , arising out of the Harrow accident . Mr . Waelet , in his extraordinary charge , quoted largely from Judge Fosxeb , but not a single case in point . In the case of the man who threw the brick from the window , whereby a passenger wa 3 killed the man was living , and he alone was concerned
but if his master had been at hand , and had said , " throw those bricks out to save time , " and if the passenger had been killed , as all are principals in murder , the master would have been guilty of murder . So with the reckless coacoman , who , from his own devilment , faced the precipice , and having ensured the destruction of his passengers , jumped off the box himself , before the moment of danger ; but if the proprietor had said to the coachmanu The trustees or directors of the road to Blackacre have opened the new line and shut up the old * with positive orders not to use t e old , in
consequence of some bridge being broken own ; but don ' t jou mind ; watch the opposition , and as you save two miles and the hill by going the old way , ' go it : ' ' now , in such case , we incline to think that the proprietor would be guilty of murder . Again ; the other case upon which Mr . Wakley seems to rely % s being quite in point , of the driver of a cart , after sufficient caution , still persevering without due care , being liable for any accident which may occur . Here , likewise , suppose the carter had been ordered to go on , as usual , by his master , regardless of consequences , the master would , in such case , be guilty of murder ; therefore , we say , that not one of Mr . Waklet ' s cases was by any means in point .
Let us tell him the maxim of law which should have directed him in his charge , and then show , from the evidence , how , under it , the Directors were the parties guilty of murder . The law says " quam Jocit per alien , facit per te ,- " who act 3 by another acts in person ; so if an agent distrain upon a tenant wrongfully , no rent being due , or illegal ^ by making distress at night , in such case the tenant has his action against the landlord . In like manner , if a sub-sheriff make a wrong return , or refuse to execute judgment , or execute it illegally , the party aggrieved has au action against the High
Sheriff . So if a debtor make his escape from the eustody of a gaoler , who is the Sherm ' s officer , the creditor at whose suit be wa 3 confined has his action also against the Saeriff . So with a carrier , who shall neglect to deliver goods , or allow them , through negligence , to ba damaged , the parties nave their action against the master . But what is « till more in point , is this , in our crimina ] interpretation of guilt : suppese a man keep 3 a wicked bull , or stallion , or dog , or any other animal , after he shall have done injury to any person ; or that he keeps him after reasonable caution that he is likely to do mischief ; it has not only been held , but it has nerexi > een-disputed , that in such case the proprietor
is amenable for every injury committed by the animal ; and in this view we are inclined to consider the present ease . It is evident that Simpson wu the mad ball , of whose ferocity bis masters had been warned . This appears from the fact of Sikpbok ' s having been fined a pound for neglect of duty npon a previous occasion . We care not whether the fine was justly imposed or not ; that is not the question ; the question is , whether or not the masters "were justified in retaining in their service a person necessarily entrusted with the Iive 3 of number of persons , after having committed an act which justified , or even called for , a fine of a single penny . We say not .
It fnrther appears that every breaksman , fireman , policeman , and engine-driver upon the whole line , Most have been cognizant of Simpson's recklessness ;
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and that the Company knew nothing of a man who refused to obey signals , rattled through those placed for his guidance , " rovred" the police who dared to stop him , and , in . short , whose chief practice appears to have consisted in the disobedience of orders . This is our view of the case ; and , in conformity with this view , we have no hesitation in saying , that tnc verdict should hate been , " Insanity , " as regards Simpson , and " Wilful Murder" against the Directors , who kept a mad bull after having been warned of his ferocity : bnt Waklet is not likely to take this view of the case .
We need say nothing of the law , or the verdict , which makes a dead man guilty of the crime of mnrder ! It is a fair conclusion that Simfso * first lost his own life ' va . the occurrence , and then murdered Dawsox 2 We may probably next week ( we have not time just now ) frame an indictment against Sikpso * for the "Wilful Murder , " of such a nature as will fully justify Lord DbnhaK in issuing ft writ of "habeas corpus , " in order that the grave-digger , or rather the road-diggers ( for the verdict deprives him of the rights of Christian bur ial ) shall produce his body to take kis trial for the wilful murder of Dawso . v at the next Old Bailey Sessions !
We also incline to think the verdict , as regards the deodand , vicious , inasmuch as the whole sum should have been laid on the whole train , or the immediato part of that portion which did the damage ; but if there was any justification in the severance , —that is , of laying a portion on one part , and a portion upon the other , —common sense will show the fallacy of having laid it upon 82 engine , which was the only part of the whole which coulu not have killed Simpsos and Dawsos . The verdict , then , should have been , "Insanity" against Simpson , " Wilful Murder" against the Directors , and a deodand on a wheel of the engine No . 1 , to Lord
Northwitch , as Lord of the Manor . In fact , instead of enriching any person , its effect should have been to frighten those who cannot otherwise be brought to entertain sufficient respect for human life ; and whose only object appears to be the making of as much profit as possible , a great portion of which arises from payiDg small wages to ignorant persons , instead of giving to merit its just reward , by employing able engineers , at proper remuneration and responsible salaries ; whereby some guarantee would be given for the safe arrival of those who commit , themselves to their guardianship , instead of placing valuable lives under the kind protection of " mad built . "
We are xot for hanging ; but let one third-class carriage full of Directors go as convicts from Kirkdale to the Hulki , along the whole line of road from Liverpool to L » sdon , with iron wriBt-bands aud garters , and our lives for it there would be some high qualification required for engineers on all the lines now open , and hereafter to be opened . Something most be done to Etop the murderous
system . We are informed that the Directors of Insurance Companies are deliberating upon some elause in policies upon life inFurances , to guard them from liabilities in certain cases of railway accidents ; and we opine that upon the occasion referred to , equity ( if we had Euch a commodity ) would , in case of a man being killed whose life was insured , have mulct the Railway Company in the full amount of the premium .
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THE GLASGOW ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN , AND TILL ANY OF THE LORD PROVOST . We need do no more than direct the particular attention of our readers to the important meeting recently held in Glasgow , for the purpose of voting a fulsome address from a few slaves to her Majesty upon the presentation of a very dear child to her loving , very poor subjects , and the rejection by sheer villany , falsehood , and fraud , of the addres 3 really carried , and truly speaking the language of friendship sincerity , and loyalty , without blarney .
The Lord Provost , as he is called ( the Lord help and defend us from such lords ) , presided ; and now be it observed , that he was the only man in all Scotland who was not eligible , and for this simple reason , because he was interested ; having the hope of knighthood before his eyes , aud which hope the Chartist address would have dashed to pieces , because , even in the event of being declared carried , it would not have been presented . Well , the Queen
may be-knight the wretch , but we defy her to begentlemau him . W e only hope that the brave fellows who , in defiance of the threat of force , so nobly did their duty , will now call a meeting , aud put " hay upon the horns" of the Lord Provost , which the Queen cannot take off , by declaring him unworthy of the confidence of his townsmen , and by hissing him most lustily whenever he presumes to intrude his particularly obnoxious presence in decent society .
Perhaps the most valuable part of the whole proceeding was the glorious following up of the triumph , by the affirmation of the tellers , Messrs . Ross , Camxron , and Jack , that they counted seven hundred and eighty-Jive who roted for the amended address , aud this in a room only capable of holding twelve hundred . These men know how to win the battle , and how to enjoy the triumph ; such men as Moie , Ross , Cameron , Jaik , and Thompson are an houour to their country , their cause , and themselves .
In connection with this we would also draw attention to the splendid meetings at Manchester where the humanity humbugs were foiled and routed in their camp , with their ablest advocate , Mr . Thompson , the most eloquent speaker , and the cleverest tactician at a public meeting , that we ever met with . But the time has gone by for the people to be humbagged even by him . The best part of the business was the indignant refusal of the unwashed to be palavered into the giving ap of their true position to the wait-a-whiletill-we-have-done request of the palterers who would have had them reserve thtir amendment for subsequent resolutions . We rejoice to see the fnstian jackets awake .
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MR , HETHERINGTON am > "PLAIN JOHN "' S
BLASPHEMY PROSECUTION . " We did purpose to make some comment on the spirit and tendency of such prosecutions as the infamous one alluded to in the heading of this article ; but , as we 2 nd it well done to our hands by a daily contemporary , we shall content ourselves with transcribing the following from the Sun : — " We regret to announce that Mr . Hetherington was yesterday found guilty of publishing a blasphemous libel , but the Court postponed passing sentence on him . _ We hepe it 'will be a lenient one , for his spirited defence deserves the approbation of all the friends to free discussion . The Judge ( Lord Denmanj spoke of his exertions with respect , and the Court will , vre therefore trust , be convinced that justice will be best satisfied with the sHialleet possible punishment
" As long as certain doctrines are merely used for the enrichment of the priests , and spiritual terror is only employed to coax the wealth from industry into the lap of a Sybarite clergy , they m&y be regarded by politicians with indifference ; bnt when , in despite of philosophy , which says that no man is answerable for his belief , and in despite of eommon sense , -which require * that the doctrines on which the priesthood build their power over the human mind , end use other men ' s property at their discretion , be subject to a rigid investigation , a * n «» i is sect to prison , not for investigating those doctrine * , but for publishing the investigations of another , the question becomes of Tery great importance . Punishment ia fitly appropriated to guilt ,
but there can be no more useful virtue than to strip toe mask off hypocrisy , and expose to merited contempt those who r ^ Uim our reverence from being particularly holy . But how can this be done , if investigation is to be stopped by those crying out blasphemy at every step whose pretensions are to be investigated ? The decision of yesterday is a severe blow to free inquiry , and th « law , which is said to be the perfection of human reason , does all which it can , by such a decision , to bolster up hypocrisy , if it exists , and maintain the human mind in the <*>»» " * of a selfish priesthood . 2 io doubt the Jury meant honestly , Vat they pronounced ignotantiy , and their decision strikes a blow a * , truth , freedtm , and virtue .
" As long as men may be prosecuted and punished for pnbiifihing opinions , we shall boast in Tain of our freedom . In Germany , ti : e subjects which we most
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not discuss are open to every man ' s investigation . * * There it is held to be no offence to subject both the Old and New Testament to a critical examination , and to treat those parts as historical which are so , and explain , if they can be explained , those parts which are mythical The consequence is , that in Germany there is a great deal of genuine religion aud no hypocrisy , while both the Old and the New Testaments are correctly appreciated . They are not suffered to be obstacles to science , nor aro they used by a party to uphold a systtm of political slavery .
" We apprehend the case is not very different here amongst the upper classes . Straura , the most formidable opponent Christianity bag yet met with , is freely imported , both in the original language and in the French translation , and even Blackwood has read and pra : sed the infiJeL The Attorney-General seemed to feel the force of Mr . Hetherington ' s remark , that his offence consisted in selling blasphemy , as it is called , cheap . It is quite true that if it be bound up in a twoguinea volume it is freely circulated ; it is only when the discussion assumes the form of a penny pamphlet , and goes into the hands of the working classes that it is pronouueed to be dangerous . The upper classes , including the clergy — -whose education , founded on paean books , makes them take pleasure in all sorts of profane writing—enter into the discussion of anti-religious subjects . In fact , there is more filth
and more profanity in Ovid and'Horace , and the other so-ealled classical books , which are the basis of the education of the upper classes , and which they habitually read and quote , than is to bo found in the writings of all the infidels from Spinoza to Strauss . The great object , however , of these gentlemen and of the law is to keep such books from the lower classes , and the prosecution of Mr . Hetherington is to be considered as another instance of the determination of the preisthood and the aristocracy to continue the slavery aud degradation of the working classes . We shall return to the subject of this trial , which we consider of great importance , and in no light more important than as another evidence of there btslng one law for the rich and another for the poor—one law for the opulent readers of infidelity , bound uj » ia two-guinea volumes , and another for the ren . iers of biruilar writings in peony tracts . "
We shall only say , in conclusion , that so long as the readers of the two-guinea volumes continue to monopolise the power of law-making , so long will this and every other iniquitous evidence of partiality before the law continue to be manifested by them .
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In order to prevent any possibility of misunderstanding , er disappointment , aVout the next series of our Portraits , we beg to announce that the next series will « onsist of the four already stated , together 'with the Presentation of the Princess Royal to the Privy Council by Nurse Lilly . Th # "whole of tue persons present , together with the Nurse and Prince Albert , ¦ will be faithfully and critically represented , together
¦ with her Royal Highness upon the Council table , and the inspection by the Archbishop ; this is the least poor John can have for his share . O'Connor ' s portrait is now being printed , and will be given the moment a sufficient number shall be struck of ; the remainder will be given as soon as ready , and we expect to furnish all within the period above stated . Specimens , -when ready , will be sent to our agents j the great siia of our portraits require much time in execution .
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An Advocate of Justjce has sent us a severe animadversion on a letter published in the Northern Liberator , and signed "Charles Winspeare . " As we did not publish Winspeare ' s letter , it would be unfair to publish this one . It should be sent to the Liberator . We cannot find the letter containing a critique on the Stockton Theatricals . We never do preserve rejected communications . William Atkinson complains that hit namt was attached to the report of the Council of the Carlisle Charter Association , published in our last , without his knowledge or $ onsent . He says , also , the report , though proposed and seconded , was not adopted by the publi * meeting to uhich it teas submitted .
An Agricultural Chartist must stand over . A Radical , at Addingham , hat sent us a long rambling story , of uhich we can make neither head nor tail . Sheffield . — We have received a letter complaining that no reports of the meetings of the Sheffield Chartists are inserted in the Star . The reason » - that ire don ' t receive them . It ix the duty of the Secretary of the Association to sc-td us their reports . If he do so , and if he take care thai we always have them in the Office by Wednesday at furthest , tneyshult be attended to . Lambeth Queen ' s " Babbv" Meeting . — . 4 Correspondent writes us . inclosing a report from , a London paper , of this meeting , held at the Horns
Tavern , Kensington , at which it was stated , in our last , that there were seven persons present at the time of meeting . It appears , however , that , an hour after the time advertised for taking tke chair , there were exactly twenty and six persons in the room ! including the waiter and three reporters . ' . ' and that some Dr . Bedford havmg taken the chair , the farce of carrying an Address of the Inhabitants of Lambeth was gone through . A motion having been made for the adjournment of t / u ; meeting te an hour wlien the working people could attend , there appeared 11 for it , and 11 against it , and the Chairman gave his casting vote in favour of proceeding . The Queen was therefore of course congratulated by
the people of Lambeth in due form . K Constant Reader is desirous to see the people give up alt their crotchets , and unite firmly for the Charter , histeud of quarrelling with each other about trifles . He knows of no better way for working men to obtain that object—their rights—than by forminff themselves into small societies , and depositing such sums as each may find convenient for himself to do on pay days each man continuing to deposit , say for a given time , and to have the cnntroul ovir his own , both for private and political purposes , the time might arrive when working meti mightsendin their petition , with this annexed—'" We trill rest from our labour for one month , waiting anxiously for an answer . "
E . H . S . —Xext week . Freedom to the Slave next week . VeritaS states , that at a recent meeting of the Edinburgh Chartist Association , after a discussion of fully two haurs , the late Secretary was dismissed for writing certain letters injurious to the Associalion in a sham-Radical print in town . This is of importance to be made public , that such as read these letters may know how far the Association is responsible for them . Dr . M'Douall . —Next week . BaiSTOL Radicals . — We cannot publish their
address . Thomas Clark . — We have not received either . He . VRY SCULTHORP . —His communication would be charged to us as an advertisement . James Rawson . — We have no doubt in the world of the truth of his statement ; but are perfectly sali-Jird it is libellous . R . 13 ., GmxDLETO . v . — We are not quite sure as to the buying ; but it is clearly i'Lgal , as well as unjust , for the weaver , under such circumstances , to sell . Walter Mason . — We have an article preparing on on the subject , which will render his letter
unnecessary . Selby Radicals wish to know why Mr . Bairstow did not visit them on the ' 24 th November , according to promise ? Or why , if otherwise engaged , did he not apprise them ? R . K . Philp . —The report was received too late for insertion . Newcastle- vpon-Tyne . —All the valuable news from this district , communicated by Mr . Byrne , reached us loo late for use . Colli . ns ' s Committ&k , Birmingham . —T / teir report
was received too late for tnsertwn . Frost , Williams , and Jones ' s Committee , Birmingham . — Their petition und report was received by the last pod before going to press : it was impossible to insert them this week . Studley . —The report was received by the same post , and , therefore , omitted for the same reason . An Indian ' s Opinion of Civilization shall appear . The "Address to the Commutes at Birmingham por the restoration of frost , williams ^ and Jones" too late .
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All the Specimens desired to be sent per Mr . Cleave can be had by applying to him . S . Mann . — We eannot send to the person he desires : tee can tend to Cleave , Shoe-lane . The parcel to Elms , enclosing the plates , he inquires about , wtre sent some time since . Jakes Authub cannot have the Northern Star sent so as to receive it on the Friday . A Constant Reader , Manchester . —Convention , Frost , Stephens , Oastler , Collins , and M'Douall .
R . Marsden , Little Bolton . —The papers were posted in time : will attend to his request at the end of Ihe month . Mask Orniston . —Cowing nee at Edinburgh , if you go there before the end of December . J . Darken , . Norwich j and S . Dobson , Mansfield . —The mistake was at the Leeds Post-office . The mail came t » very late , and , in the hurry to get it off as soon as possible , the papers were forgot : no doubt they will be more careful infuturt .
The Sky-Lab . * Crew request us to say that they have sent 10 s . to Mrs . Vincent , the proceeds of a ball .
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A Chartist , in Bucks . —Send by Post-office Order 5 s . 6 d ., for half a year in advance . S . Swelling . — We mil send by Post ; if it should be neglected , remind us . FOE THE WIVKS AND FAMILIES OF THE INCARCERATED CHARTISTS . £ s . d . From Dublin , per P . R 0 5 0 „ Huntlet , by a Friend ... 0 2 0 „ Leeds , per A . Gardner ... 0 9 B „ Amicus ... 0 10 fob Peddie ' s Attorney's Bill . From Great Norton , near Bradford ... 0 5 0 PBOSTS ' S DEFENCE FUND . ( Omitted in account published . ) From Dtventry ... 10 0 „ Fox and Hounds , Nottingham 10 0
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Wednesday Evening , December 9 th , Half-past Seven o'Clock . Trial of Mr . Hetherington . —In the Court of Queen ' s Bench , yesterday , the long-threatened trial of Mr . Hetherington , at the prosecution of the Attorney-General , came on , for " having published a blasphemous libal , " called " Hasiam ' s Letters to the Clergy . " The Attorney-General ( with whom was Sir Frederick Pollock ) stated the case for the prosecution . Mr . Hetherington conduotod his own defence ; and in a lengthened address , maintained the right of every man to freely discuss any question of politics or theology , and claimed an equal right for those who , in the ooursa of their business as publishers , disseminated these discussions . Lord
Denmaii , in summing up , intimated that were the publication i& question simply one of " discussion , " and were the point in controversy ( although adverse to the established religion of tho country ) properly and conscientiously set forth , it might bo a question whether the charge of blasphemy could ba substantiated ; but in the present case there was nothing of the kind : there were abundance of ridicule , grossness , aud positive assertion , without anything that could allow the exercise of the mind , and the work was more especially pernicious to tho ignorant and youthful portions of the community . The J ury returned a verdict of Guilty , and the Attorney-General prayed immediate judgment ; but . Lord Denman deferred passing sentence until ho should have the opinions of the full Court , which Will be about the 13 th or 14 th of January .
Surrey Sessions . —This morning , Joseph Robinson , a hue young man , a private of the 9 th Lancers , was placed at the bar , charged with stealing two Bibles , value 10 s ., and an inkstand , value 4 s . ( id ., the respective properties of Messrs . Sele and Fortune , stationers , of Kingston , Surrey , on the 31 st of October last . It appeared , from the evidence , that the prisoner entered the shop of Mr . Sole on the day above-mentioned , and selected two Bibles , which he baid he wanted to shew to a comrade outside , but he never returned . In a short time afterwards , he went to the shop of Mr . Fortune , and Bold them for 5 s . ; and , on leaving the shop , stole the inkstand , which was found on his person . The Jury found the prisoner Guilty , and ho was sentenced to six months ' imprisonment and bard labour .
The Middle-men , the Chartists , and the Window-Taxks . —Last ni ^ ht , a meeting of the ratepayers of the parishes of St . Marylebone aud Paddiugtou , was held at the White Lion , Edgwaro-road , to adopt measures for procuring a repeal ( or , at least , a revision ) of the winduw-taxe »; the meeting was announced for seven o ' clock , but as an opposition , on the part of the Chartists , was expected , and as a few working men made their appearance punctually at that hour , when it w * t most probably expected they could not leave tvork , the chair was not taken until nearly nine ; and as soon as this had been done , the chairman intimated to Mr . Scott , a Chartist , ( who had asked leave to put a question ) , that "discussion was invited , but they would not
permit tho words ' Universal Suffrage' to bo used , nor would any person be permitted to speak $ ontrary to the object of the meeting . " This Irish mode of discussion was not exactly the thing for "the lads ; " and accordingly , when Mr . Farrow , a pseud * - Chartist , was " performing a clap-trap , " by stowing how nicely the knocking off the allowances to the three supernumerary kings and queens , supported by this country , would enable the Chancellor of the Exchequer to repeal the window-taxes , a cry of "Go with us for the Charter , firut ! " was raised ; which was responded to by the counter exclamations of" We got the Reform Bill together , go with us now , and we'll soon get off the window-tax . " " 'Twon ' t do , " &c . &c , making altogether a " sweet harmonious ditoora . " Amid tbis state of things , tho chairman , who had previously invited ditcussim , ( . of
a sort ) , made the following sage and impartial annuueiation : — " 1 will not allow discussion , for we pny for the room , and Mr . Harris has tho prerogative of calling in persons ( query , policemen !; and turning you out . " Such , however , was the confusion chat , though the Chartists were not indisposed to allow all manner of denunciation , and feelingly-severe execration poured forth by the middlemen against the " odioua window-taxes , " they were quite good enough generals to assert the paramount importance of '" Universal Suffrage and the Charter ; " which they did , more effectually than formally ; and succeeded , besides , in passing three hearty cheers , each , for " Feargus O'Connor , " and for " John Frost , and his companions in captivity . " As regards tho window-tax party , they were , at the end of the meeting , exactly where they were at the
mencement . Marylebone National Charter Association . — At eight o ' clock , last evening , Mr . Prior delivered a lecture at the Mechanics' Institution , Circus-street , New-road , " on the causes that have degraded , and are degrading , the working classes of thiskingdum . " The lecturer divided his discourse into three portions ; 1 st ., the formation of character ; 2 nd ., the distribution of wealth ; and 3 d ., tho government of society . On the first point , he asked , whose business is it to form tho character of tho community ! Was it not that of the clergy , who take 2 g . ( id . outof every pound produced by the labour of the country , yet have done nothing to moralise the people , but much towards setting one man against another : who
though they declared it to be " easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God , " yet contrived to divide , among the minisurs of the various sects in this kingdom , twenty millions annually of the wealth of the people , of which , nine millions were monopolised by the church parsons alone , whose sole business teemed to be , to impress upon the productive classes the belief , that " tho powers that bo are ordained of God , " thus contriving to bring tho landlord , lawyer , and the profii-mouger into the same category with these clerical educators . That these inen , who Were entrusted with the formation of the character of tho community , were utterly incompetent to their task , is sufficiently proved by the thousands of children
who are brought up ia this metropolis and other large towns , to become thieves , and who are as regularly trained for that purpose us others aro to their several tradeB ; the clergy taking no pains whatever to "incline the twig to grow a statfly tree . " Mr . Prior then adverted to the second point of his lecture , —the power of production , and the means of distribution , —showing , by statistical returns , that our prcseut power of production is equal to 400 millions a-year , and that there is sufficient power , animate and inanimate to produce su . 08 iM , ence for a population of 300 millions . All , therefore , that we want is a proper distribut ' 1071 ; so that each inaividu-il may db able to consume equivalent to their poodnce . On tho third
pointthat of government—Mr . P . enlarged to some extent . He observed that , " experience has proved in all ages , that those" who think will always be enabled to govern , those who tail ; consequently , those who neglect to think , lose their produce and their independence at the same time . " He urged on his hearern , therefore , to become thinkers ; to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the constitution of society , and to understand the law of our nature ; for , assuredly , wherever the latter is in opposition to a law of society , the law of society will be violated . Mr . Prior ' s address was very well received ; an animated discussion ensued , and the meeting dispersed , much edified by the evening ' s proceedings .
Ludicrous Affair . —This afternoon , shortly after two o'clock , a gentleman , who had every appearance of being one of the higher class of society , hailed the van used for t . ho conveyance of prisoners to and from the police offices to the different metropolitan prisons . The driver , thinking he was a magistrate , pulled up , aud tho gentleman walked to the back , and was in the act of stepping in , when the policeman , who is stationed at ^ tho entrance , informed him that he could not allow him to enter , as the van was used only for the conveyance of prisoners . u Eh I" said the gentleman , " I thought it was tho Belgrave Square omnibus , and , I can assure you , I have no wish to be an inmate of a prison . " It rained at the time , and both the driver and conductor had on a Macintosh , whi « h covered their uniform .
Awful Instakce ov Suddex Dbath . —This afternooD , an inquest was held before Mr . Carter , Coroner for Surrey , at the Horso and Groom , Great Guildford-street , Sosthwark , on view of the body of Mrs . Elisabeth Catr , a $ ed sixty-seven years , the wife of a broker residing in Holland-street , Blackfri&ra , who expired suddenly in the street , on her return home from chapel , on Sunday evening last . Vordict , " Died by the visitation of God . " Drunkenness and Suicide . —Yesterday , an inquest was held before Mr . Carter , Coroner for Surrey , at the Cobourg Arms , Esher , on view of the body of Thomas Wellbeloved , aged thirty-seven years . It appeared , from the evidence , that the deceased w » 3 the son of a master baker , living at Esher , and for some time past ho has given way to continual intoxication . Ou Saturday last , he threw himself into a pond of water , belonging to William Spicer , Esq . Verdict , " Temporary insanity . "
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Ht EWG ASTIiE-UPOK ' -T'SrNE . Reported Death of . Mr . Fainlough . —We aro happy to have it in onr power to contradict the statement of this gentleman ' s death , which appeared in onr last number . He still lives to advocate the cause of the people . The account of his death sent to us , was so circumstantial in aU its details , that we did not hesitate to insert it ; but it now turns out that it was a stupid hoax . We have received a letter from Mr . Fatnlough himself , in which he requests us to furnish him with the name of onr informant . We do not recollect the name at present , nor have we the manuscript at hand to refer to ; but it' it should turn up we will let him know .
C&BXJiSXJB . Eden Lodge of Free Gardeners at Carlisle . — —A somewhat singular case , retarding this body , came on in the Town-Hall , on Wednesday , Dec . 2 d , before Messrs . Fawoitt and Slator , Esqrs . It appeared that one of the members , Mr . A . G . Deans had summoned all the office-bearers of the society ( nine in number ) to show cause why they had suspended him for six months from the benefits of the society . It appeared that the case was one of peculiar hardship towards Mr . Deans . The whole of the office-hearers were present , with the exception ot one individual , and numerous other members . Mr . Christopher Wannop , solicitor , stated the case for Mr . Deans . He said that Mr . Deans had been
expelled from enjoying the benefits of the socisry contrary to tho rules , and as they were sanctioned as the rules ; of a sick , society , the case came under tho jurisdictionofthemaKistrates . Mr . Deans had notonlyb .-on illegally expelled , but tho most arbitrary and unfriendly spirit had been practised towards him ; for instance , they had passed a resolution to the effect , " That no master gardener should either communicate or converse with brother Deans directly or indirectly . " If such proceedings were sanctioned , great injury might arise to a person like Mr . Deans , who was carr / iii ^ oa a very respectable business as a grocer , and was al"o connected with a coaching establishment . Mr . John Saville , one of the party summoned , stated that they suspended Mr . Deans for six months , as the most merciful way they could deal with him , as he was a very troublesome and contumacious member , and evidently had the destruction of the society in view . Mr . Fawcitt—Can you show that you have acted in accordance with
the rules of the society , for it appears from the 27 th rule , that you ought first to have fined Mr . Deans sixpence , then reprimanded him , an < t if he continued disorderly and coatniBacious , then they could expel him . Mr . Sewill—We never fined him , but he ha 3 been reprimanded . Mr . Fawcitt—Then you have not acted in accordance with the rules , and I restore Mr . Deans to all the benefits of the society . Mr . Wannop—Of course you will allow costs . Mr . Fawoitt—Certainly . The costs were then paid , and the party left the hall , evidently very dissatisfied with the decision of the magistrates . Such proceedings towards a brother member is very overbearing , and contrary to that spirit of brotherly love for which they take credit in the preface of their rules : — " Brethren be ye all of one mind , having compassion one of another ; love as brethren ; be pitiful , be courteous ; not rendering evil for evil , or railing for railing ; but contrariwise blessing . "
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TO MR . THOMAS IRELAND . Sir , —You have made some strictures on a lecture which I delivered in Greenock , without ascertaining from rae whether or nut t '« e language reported was made use of by me . To say the very least of it , you have acted an unfair part towards me , and , judging from your expressions , I would imagine that you , an utter stranger to me , entertained a hostile feeling towards a man whose strength , health , and means have been unsparingly expended in the causa ot the working men . You have had time enough to apply to me , and you might , for my information , have inserted the whole of the obnoxious paragraph to which you allude . I will always afford you any information which you may require , and shall be the last to complain if you prove me to be In the wrong .
You have this time wasted your remarks in vain ' because , from wbat I remember of mj lecture in Greenock , lw-s contrasting the compensation received by tbe slave owners , with the robbery practised open the hand-loom weavers , and after claiming the whole of the land for the British labourers , I said that the very teatt compensation which could be given by the Government to the starving weavers , should have been tbe tews /« land of England and Scotland . I was not discussing so much the abstract right of the working man to possets the land , and tat the fruit thereof , as 1 was comparing the infamous transaction of the sl * f ttmpmieation , with the inhuman desertion of the plundered weaver , by the self-same Government . If compensation has been laid down as a principle by the Government , how is it that the hand-loom weaver receives no compensation ? and 'which party have thu better right to it , the prqfiimong % rs in human Ji * ih , 01 the plundered producers of human dothing f
If you desire any other information , direct to me at Mr . John Legg ' s , <• , « hsorge ' s-street , Aberdeen , as late as the 12 th of December , and , in tbe meantime , 1 remain . Sir , A thorough-going Chartist , And something mora , P . M . M'BOIALL . Bre « hin , Dee . 7 th , 1840 .
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TO THE CHARTISTS OF GKEAT BRITAIN . Fbllow-Chartists , — " These are the times to trj men ' s souls ; " those are the times when every man must be prepared to act unitedly and determinedly in exposing the suffering and wrongs of himself and fellow working men , and enlisting into the ranks of democracy all those who have hitherto remained aloof and inactive , and diffusing that political knowledge which will be tbe meauB of altering the condition of our fellow-countrymen , and raising them to that station which God and nature designed them . Let me impress upon you the necessity of unity , organiaation , and determination for the purpose of accomplishing tbat object , ( the principles of our glorious Charter , ) which will most assuredly end in giving peace and contentment to the miserable and impoverished people of this country .
Remember that on New Year s Day you are called upon to do your duty to those three nobles of nature , Messrs . Frost , Williams , and Jones , who aTe now undergoing miseries ten times more horrible than death , and compelled to drag out an existence revolting to human nature , for the advocacy of those rights which you are now contending for , and for advocating which , hundreds of the best of men are immured in the bloody bastiles of onr faithful friends , the excellent Whigs and Tories . Let me impress upon you the necessity of joining , without delay , the National Charter Association of Great Britain , by instantly forming yourselves into classes- ^ by contributing to tbe support of the Executive Council—by distributing tracts among the unenlightened
of your fellow-countrymen—by sending all spare copies of the Northern Stmr , and all other democratic newspapers , to poor , deluded Ireland—by electing lecturers , and supporting them in their endeavours to promulgate the glorious and sacred principles of democracy—by meeting tbe factions , and meeting them by argument , at every meeting called by them , for whatever purpose ; and enforce your claims upon tae Saxon and West of England gentlemen , first , by argument , and then by submitting resolutions , expressive of your determination to agitate for nothing leas than the principles contained in the People ' s Charter , and to secure the return of our beloved countrymen , Frost , Williams , and Jones , and the liberation of all persona confined for upholding tbe principles of the Charter .
Trusting that you ¦ will seriously and calmly consider the principles contained in these few lines , ami , as far as lies in your power , act up to them fearlessly and faithfully , deviating noither to the right hand nor to the left , but pursuing the straightforward course laid down by the moat excellent of men , I remain , In the undying cause of liberty , Faithfully yours , William H . cotton . Birmingham , Dec Cth , 1840 .
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TO THE EDITOa OF TUE NORTHERN STAR . StR , —Having upwards of six years faithfully acted upon the principle of total abstinence from intoxicating liquors , we feel called upon to state , that our attachruont to that principle , and our conviction of its importance , increases daily . The dangers from which it has preserved us , the benefits it has conferred upon us , the goed that it has enabled us to do , are such as to afford us the highest satisfaction of mind . We , therefore , request that you will append our names to the noble address BigneJ by yourself , Messrs . Cleave , Uetherincton , and Vincent
We have gt «* at pleasure ia acquainting you , that nearly every officer connected with the Charter Association in Suuderlaud , a considerable majority of its members , and most of tho leading Chartists in the county , are total abstainers . Let other districts imitate their example , and Frost , Wiiliania , and Jones will soon be restored to their native land , and the Charter established through the downfall of the tyrant system , of which drinking is the chief prop . Of the drunkard it ha » been truly said" To him corruption's panders preach-To him their lore the despots teach ; He shouts for shark , he fights for leech , He drinks for every jobber ' s job . Thus toil is robbed , and thieves are paid . By men like him aro » Utes betrayed ; Of such materials mobs are made , And tyrants often w » nt a mob . " We are , Sir , yours respectfully , J . Williams .
George Binns . P . S . We venture to suggest the propriety rod advantage of publishing , in an early uumber of the Star , say the 2 Gth December , the names of all officers of the Charter Associations , all Chartist missionaries , and all imprisoned Chartists , who are vailing to sign the address , and act upon the abstinence principle .
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TO THE EDITOR OP THE N 0 RTH £ RN STAB . Sir , —In looking ovtr the columns of your invaluable Journal for Saturday last , I fouud many things calculated to inspire the Chartists with renewed vigour , ? , nd many articles from which much benefit may be derived by the reflecting mind . It is truly pleasing to hear of the rapid progress ¦ which the sacred cause of Chartism is now making ; ia every province of this country . The zeal of the advocates of universal right—the ardeur , activity , and firmness of the operative portion of the community , anil the shifts , tricks , and subterfuges of the opponents of the Charter , are certain presages of the speedy overthrow of Whig and Tory domination , and of our approximation to that glorious era when " man o ' er man shall not he lord . " but the full measure of right be equally possessed by all .
This is the " consummation devoutly to be "wished ;" for th * is our patriots have long struggled—for this they have sacrificed domestic comfort—for thi * they hav « suffered and are suffering insults , persecutions , prosecutions , imprisonment ; banishment , and ( to use a Scriptural phrase ) " deaths many . " Bat , Sir , -while we rejoice at the advance of our cause , and tender the nteed of praise to our noble-minded advocates , it is necessary tkat we be wutchful , and , as we proceed , take care that no declension is allowed to take deep root among ua ; and as it is better to crush an evil in its bud , I will , with your permission , mak « a remark or two on a paragraph which I find in your Third BJition for last Saturday , n » ge 8 , ' cr furau i .
ft avpeara that two pirsuns ( Andrew Gardner and Joseph Jones ) cave collected a , uuin of money in Leeds for Mrs . Frost , and for the wives and families of the imprisoned Chartists . So far . they hav * done well ; but I further rind that their well-doing has not been gratuitous , for five shillinss is taken from tho subscriptions for Mrs . Fruat , and * iike sam from that for the wives and families of th « imprisoned Chartists as wages " paid for collecting . " Now , Sir , I really cannot understand such patriotism ; it Bvnacka very strongly of jobbing , and is indicative of a greater love of gain thau ? ympatby for the sufferers , oh the part of tbe collectors . Surely , Chartists might b « found who would willingly sacrifice a few hours to the service of the Whig-made widow of the expatriated patriot , ami to obtain m * aaa to alleviate the Bufferings of the distressed wives and families of those now lingering in the cheerless cell for opposing the tyrants * power , and labouring to promote the common weaL But here we find men who would mulct the widows *
mite , and tax the orphans' bite for doing that whica cost them naught . Yes , Sir , I repeat they suffered no loss , they made no saeriQco of timu while soliciting the donations of the persons whose names aro mentioned aa donors . They were engaged in the rfeeent" dog figbt , " and the money was collected during the canvass for their pet candidate , or in other words , while subserving the purposes of the " Fox and Goose Club ; " this is very evident from the names of the subscribers , who , we all know , were principal actors in the Whig and Tory combat , and who would sooner have consigned the wives and famili < -8 to the fate of their husbands and fathers , rather than have given the fraction of a farthing to soothe their sorrows , had they not been influenced at the time by motives more approximating to self " interest and party purposes .
Now , Sir , I would ask the " collectors"if they wer » paid for their services as whipperb-in at the late municipal election . If so , why do th' -y accept a two-fold remuneration ? If not , why is tkeir timo of greater value when spent in the cause of suffering humanity ( had they lost tiny time ]) thau when spent in the service of rival factions f I would also suggest to the collectors , the auditor , or some other individual connected with the affair , th « necessity of furnishing the readers of the Star with the dates on which the subscriptions were given ; because , from the names of the subscribers and the sums given , your readers cannot but conclude that the sums have been divided by the collectors lor the purpose of
having a double remuneration . Did Mr . Ayrey give is . on the Monday , and 15 s . on the Tuesday ? Did Mr . Cawood give 10 s . on the Wednesday , and 10 s . ontht Thursday , &c . &c . If they did not , but gave their 2 ts . at one and the same time , then ought the disinttresttd collectors to have made their account thus : — ForMrsFrost £ 2 * 1 0 For the wives and families of the imprisoned Chartists 1 14 0 For collecting ... « ... 5 For dividing the money between Mrs . Frost , the wives and families , and our-SBLVES 5 Total ... £ i 11 0 I leave the collectors to their own reflections , aud trust that no Chartist wbo may receive money for th * poor victims or their families , will follow the example of the worthies adverted to . A Watchman , Leeds . December 8 th , 18 * 0 .
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TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN . FELLOW-CooffTRTMEN , —We , the National Victim Committee , take the liberty of addressing yon on behalf ef the Whig-made widows and the orphan children , knowing , if We make the call you will respond , and « ome forward with your support , if that call be just , ' it is justice and support we are seeking for th « brave men's wives and f imilies that are suffering themselves to be tortured under the hands of the merciless Whiga , because they will not give up one iota of their principles to satisfy the cravings of tbe hungry and hlood-thirsty , and ravenous factions ; will you sit in silent composure , and sit and look on with an unpltying eye at persecuted and insulted justice and humanity , and allow the familieB of these brave men to suffer from hunger and 1 tor vat ion , aud to pine away in misery and wretchedness , and not try to comfort their heart-breaking sufferings in . the hour of trouble and want ; will you allow the factions to point their unhallowed fingers
of scorn , saying , there's our victims ; and where is the sympathy and support of the people ? Forbid it Charlists , yea , forbid it heaven , forbid it every lover of liberty and humanity ! Will you allow a double suffering to come upon the families of the brave men that art in prison ; first to be deprived of their guardian supportes and protector , through advocating your and our cause , the cause of libetty and justice , the cause of equal political rights and privileges ; and , secondly , to see an indifferent people in those that cheered them on in tho good work of the Charter and political regeneration ? We know that you art oppressed , and your means ate very small ; but small as they are , when all put together , and directed into ono focus , you can , with your mites , support them with honour to yourselves , and with paia and vexation to our tyrant factions that consigned them to the gloomy dungeon , to the tread-mill , and , alas ! across the Atlantic , to return no more . A voice of thunder
answers
NO , THEY SHALL RETURN f Fellow-Countrymen , —We cannot pass this opportunity without expressing to you the necessity of bringing together , into one common focus , your exertions ou behalf of these victims of a treacherous faction , Froat , Williams , and Jones , where every man ' s individual exertions are required , as if their fata depended upon himself . Then , fellow-countrymen , prepare ; let us coiameDce the new year with credit to ourselves , and "justice , justice , justice , to the exiles ; be up and doing , the time is short ; by your united
exertions you will not only bring tbe exiles to their homes , to their country , but to a people that sympathises with persecuted justice and humanity . By your united exertions you can not only bring home the patriots , but support the families of the brave men that are immured within the walls of a gloomy hell ; not only this can you do , by your united exertions , but you can overthrow the city of corruption , and on its ruins raise the puie temple of liberty and justice to all ; where aU men shall be free , where all men shall be equal before tbe law , the landlord , and the peasant , the money monger and the artisan .
Fellow-Countrymen , — -We say , Frost , Williams , and Jones , Universal Suffrage and no Surrender , be your motto ; we , the committee , hope and trust , that our friends throughout the country will look to the families in their respective localities , aud not see them want ; but immediately communicate their circumstances to our secretary , Mr . P . Shorrocks , 70 , Gunstreet , Great Ancoats-street , where their sufferings shall , as far as our funds will permit , have their sufferings relieved . We request our friends in Wales tosend us the account of all their victims , their residences , and tbe number of each family ; and from all
other places that have not , to immediately do so ; and all communications to come through the secretary of the associations in their respective districts , and you will oblige the committee . Our next balance sheet will appear on December the 26 th , and all monies received up to that time will be duly acknowledged . William Maddocks , Signed , Andrew Melville , James Wheelkr , JOBH MiLLINGTOX . Samuel Chamberlain , President , Peter . Sho&bocks , Secretary .
P . S . We request that all our friends that have not received any support from the committee , to immediately communicate with oa , and be particular in sending their address to Mr . P . Sherrockt , 7 , Quastreet , Great A neoats-Btreet Manchester , Dec . 7 , 1840 .
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Oa Sunday , the oth mst ., at Almondbury , Mr . Charles Boothroyd , of Armitage Bridge , near Hud * dersfield , to Miss Waterhoufie , of Beny Brow . On Monday , the 7 th inat ., at Kirkheaton , Mr . John Folgate , woolsorter , Armitage Bridge , t » Ellen , daughter of Mr . Joshua Gledhill , Brown Cow Inn , Bsrry Brow , near Huddersfield . DEATHS . On Thursday , the 26 ch ult ., Mr . David Dyson , aged 38 years , butcher , Armitage Bridge , near liuddorisneld . He was greatly respected by a larg * circle of acquaintances and friends , and has left » wife and four children to lament hjs Joss . On the 2 nd inst ., after a long and pt n ul illness , Mr . Henry Nelson , hair-dresser , of thin wwn , aged 29 years . . i On Wednesday last , aged 22 , devply regretted , Theresa , wife of Mr . Stephen Caappel , of the Leedi Pottery .
To Readers And Correspondents
TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS
The Five Stab Portraits For The Next Twelve Months.
THE FIVE STAB PORTRAITS FOR THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS .
Peom Otju Lohdon Correspondent.
PEOM OTJU LOHDON CORRESPONDENT .
Mahbxages.
MAHBXAGES .
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• THE NORTHERN STAR . 5
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 12, 1840, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct532/page/5/
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