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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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OK THE PROPRIETY OF THE WORKING CLASSES AIDING THE CORN-LAW BEPEALERS ; IX REPLY TO S . K . OF
GLASGOW . Sis , —As it ia evident from the composition of your letter that you are not in the habit of putting your thought * noon paper , I stall mate no caption * or verbal criticism ; but whew your meaning appears Clear , or can be gathered from what you say , I shall take " such meaning , without regard to the phraseology , and comment upon it accordingly . It will be evident to all who hare read my flret letter that from the matto prefixed to it and from the composition of the first paragraph , I appeared to donbt the fastice or propriety of resorting to any but strictly honourable means for the attaining of any great object . Bat , I concluded , " if the parties with whom we have to do keep no measure of faith ; if they resort te anything or everything , no matter how tricky or base , to think the end
prevent hs obtaining our just ends ; I wauld sanctify the means , even if we did return the contents of the poisoned chalice to their own lips , and hoist them from their uDJust position by means of thair ewn petard . " Now , sir , this was one of the positions which you ought to have either endeavoured to controvert or to have acknowledged . If yon had controverted It , the whole ol the subsequent reasoning would necessarily have fallen to the ground ; and if you hid acknowledged it , the whole matter in dispute would have resolved i ' - * elf into the qnesiion , vrhether the repeal of the Corn Lavs tcould have a tendency to cause th * middle cLuses to become alarmed for their own situation , and eoKS'qutzt ' y cause them to join the people to obiaiu that povxr in the legislature tchidi , AND OSLT -WHICH . am prevent them from being swallowed up by the gulf of fired payments
Here the whole thing would have been in a nutshell , asd if you had taken these two , eitb £ r jointly or singly , ir * should not have been in danger of tosing the main object in a labyrinth of , at thebest , tut secondary consequences . But as you have not taken this course I must follow you in the best way I can . Your first attempt at reasonisg is in the following words : — " How I contend that the interest of the retail merchant and the labourer are the same . If the labourer receives no wages , the retailer receives no profits : if Email wages , the retailer small profits .
Thus their interests are co-extensive , and this , according to his own showing , necessity being tbe basis of nnioa , it was never so likely as how . " Now , Sir , suppose I grant the whqie of this , what would it be but reasoning , to the best of your pawer , for my position ? If necessity be the basis of union , the more yon ^ increaBe that necessity , the greater the ^ ianed of union , and , therefore , it brings you round to my position , that the more they are alarmed for their own position the sooner they will join the people to prevent their own complete rain .
But if you meant to include the whole of the manufacturing' and trading class when you said that " the interests of the retail merchant and the labouring class are co-extensive , " I must beg most respectfully to dissent from the opinion . Is it true that the interest of the merchant and manufacturer , whose dealings are abroad , can be " co-extensive with those of the labourer . '" By co-extensive I suppose you mean identical And how , pray , are the interests of these parties " identical" with those of the labourer ? Their interest is to purchase cheap and to Bell dear ; and , therefore , it is their interest for things to be in that state in this country wheh will compel the labourer to work for the least possible amount of remuneration , and then it ia their interest to sell the produce of th . it labour for tfee highest possible amount on the other side of the water ; and , therefore , if they have any internts " identical" with these of any body , it is with those of their foreign purchaser .
Nor ia it quite so evident that , the interest of that miserable slave , the shopkeeper , and that of the working man is so completely identical as it would appear at the first glance to be . Let us just examine for 3 moment whether the interest of those who deal is hesTily taxed articles is so very identical with that of tbe working man . Let us , then , take as an instance oae of theflish "TEA WAREHOUSES ' ' in ons of the principal streets of Glasgow . And , let us also premise here that the tax upon tea will amount to , at the least , one half of its cost to tbe consumer . Now , then , let us suppose that this shop has the whole of its establishment based upon the sale of £ 100 per week , and that by that sale be gets ten per cent , or £ 10 per week . Now , then , let as suppose that his gas , his servants , his rent , his taxes , in short , all the miscellaneous expencea , which are based upon this £ 16 per week , amouDt to five pounds per week , leaving the proprietor a net profit of the remaining five pounds .
Now , then , let ns suppose the tax on tea abolished ; and let us suppose that this flssh shop of yours continues to retail the same weight of tea which it did before the abolition of the duty . No one need be told ttat the same weight of tea which before the abolition of the daty raised £ -100 , will , after the abolition of the fluty , it being one half only , raise £ 50 per week Now , then , suppose him to get ten per cent upon his tarn over as before , it will be evident , that as hi » turn over is only £ 50 per week , the profit upon that will be only five pound per week ,- and , as we have supposed his expences of all kinds to amount to five pounds per week , it will leave the proprietor for biB share just nothing at all !! What think you now , S . K ., about the iHterest of the retail merchant and that of the labourer being co-extensive ? Will it be likely , think you , that the retail merchant will be anxious for the abolition of the tax apon tea ?
But you will tell me that m consequence of the reduction in price hi » sale -will be doubled , and therefore he will gain as much in nominal amennt an he did before tbe abolition of the tax . Ltt us try this . Let cs suppose for a moment the absurdity that his sale wonld be doubled , ( which mind I do not , only for the sake of illustrating the argument , ! what would be the consequence ? Would he not want double warehouse room , doable the number of hands , in short would not his expence be , if not quite , nearly doubled if he had to do double the amomat of business ? This must inevitably foUow , or else we must suppose that the " canny " fi shopman is such a good soul that he has been Trilling to pay for double the amount of warthouseroom which he wanted ; double tbe amount of hands Tthieh he stood in used of ; in short , that he has been ¦ wiiliag to pay double the amount of expence which he bad any occasion for , and that too out of pure good will , rather than put the amount in his own pocket
Now S . K ha 76 you any retail merchant of this kind ? Are the" canny Scotch" famed for doing things in this manner ? But , however , admitting all these absurdities , ii it not evident that the " retail merchant " ard his asiktants ¦ wculd Live double the amount of labour to perform ? And ¦ will they be anxious to do thlB ? Thiak ycu that thsir interests are so co-extennve ? Bat ycu observe that tbe poor -workies -would be the £ rit to suffer , and then what are they do ? I grant you that in preat social cb&Dges the workey is the first great sufferer . Bat what is his state tinder this system of " goeial order" ? Does he come in for the lion ' s share of the comforts ? and if he does why is he disaffected ? Lord John Rt ^ ssII said that he had arrived at suca a staU cf -vne ' . cliaclnfcss that ke had " e&ien bis bed . " . alderman Ktrshaw , of ManebesteT , corroborated
this by saying that in one tmall district 10 , 000 were withont bed to lie on . The ex-Mayor of Lee ^ s said that part cf the people of Leeds were living upon rotten potatoes picked up from the -wharf . The Irish stole sea weed which fead been laid on to the land as manure , and eat it to preserve & miserable existance . And Mi Aldara , M , P . for Leeds , said that the workies must be starved down to the required quantity ; and hundreds of things more horrible and awfal , whieh e ' en to name would be unlawful . But in England this has no occasion to be to acy great extent if the working classes would act with spirit acd be dete : mined to go in shoals to the poor hr-use . You have the same right to relief from the kad as the landlord bas to own it Do this and you will quickly alarm them for their situation , and then they will quickly loot about for a remedy .
But yen wi 1 tell me about the independance of men , cf the degraded name of pauper , and all tbe other cant whieh is put into the mouth of the working man , to dike him struggle with an hungry belly and a naked back . I know all about the afikir . I cm see the h ' jnsst , industrious , and too patient working maa go with his wife aDd famishing children to " ask some brother of the earth to give him leave to toil , '' and I can enter into all tbe anguish which wrings a father ' s bosom * feen he bears his " Lordly fellow worm , the poor petition apurn ;" 1 can accompany him to the bastile's portal , and I can hear , " amid the pulses maddening play , " the order to separate him from his wife and children . I cun hear the aether ' s shriek of agony ; I can hear the father exclaim in anguish , " what all my little ones ! " Damn them ! Berrec ? > " what all ?''—yes all .
This U horrible ! most htrrible ! But S . K . must eoJ forget , at the time be is contemplating this scene . the hundreds of good men and trne who have to rot in dungeons , under the present " mild paternal sway . " Be mest not forget Frost , Williams and Jonea ; ke most doS forget the scores which have been transported from Sitfbrd ; be must not endeavour to disguiBe from himself that the unprotected , heart-broken wife and fonkhing children have all the previously described horrible scenes to undergo , in addition to the harrowing ftfieetion that the partner cf her sorrows ia pining in the dttngeon $ 0 I clanking his chain as a felon , because be tad endeavoured to wring from capital a fail remuneration for hi « lahonr .
Besides , yem say , " let even martyrdom come , and it * iU be welcome . " Now if this be not all unmeaning ' ast ; if it be not a stringing together of words which » e » fnii Of fnjy but 6 ignify nothing , " yon cannot despair , even though your employer andfyonrself should ttart the " hungry race together . " For although the much feared harassing of capital may inrolve the * P wn from his ] ord ; y fellow-worm ,- although It may « "el-re fte ^ paration for a time from hia wife and cnildren ; suil he ninst remember that " mabitbdoh mvo . ves tfctm all . ^ more , mrch more ; und I would pmicu hiiy impress this fact upon your mind , laat the vh ' Jlt of the straggle is nearly exclusively for wie benefit of the -working-man . In proportion as he gains , ajiiio ^ all otber cla £ Se 8 -win lose . And , therefore , 'srhi : he has to suffer iuriDg the ttruggle is the
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price which he pays for tbe good he expects from hli emancipation . And this I would say further , that if ever he expects to hare a Toiee in the making of tbe laws until the other classes become alarmed for their situation , he is one of the most mistaken ef men ; and , therefore , the great consideration for him is this , ftoio can I tk * most easily alarm them for their own situation ; aad I contend that a repeal would alarm them to the fitfck . I think , if you read the quotation from my letter again , you will see that it is not quite void of common sense ; and that there cannot be any great mystery In our aiding the corn law repealers , and at the tame time eontiouing our own agitation .
In paragraph 5 , you say— " Nothing is plainer than this ; to aid in repealing tbe Corn Laws is to lend ourselves into the hands of our oppressors , -enabling the capitalist to east labour prostrate at the feet of capital , and rivet the chains of middle class despotism more firmly ronnd the neck of the people . " This is the sort of declamation used by all those who write and speak upon this question , without knowing anything about what they are talking about Lay labour prostrate at the feet of capital ! What . ' more prostrate than it is ? And , pray , how is it to effect this t Do tell me how it is to give capital more power than it has ? I shall die if you do not tell me . But if you know that it would effect this , bow happens it that you did sot prove to us how it was to work all these miracles 1 You jvere bound to show that I was wrong in the position I bad taken , instead of cavilling about the minor details .
But I am still sick to know how this , "laying prostrate " is to come about . But , however , the thing can only be brought about one ef two ways—either it would cause us to have such an extension of commerce that we should " have prosperity for ages ; " or its tendency would be such as I have described it to be . Now , in my first letter arguments arc used , which , if I had space for their full developement , would completely prove that the repeal would aot cause an ultimate extension of our commerce . If you thought the reasoning there was false , why did you not expose - it , instead of assuming the whole
question at issue . And if you think that it will cause us such an extension of our commerce , if you think that it will give us prosperity for ages , why do you oppose the repeal ? It can be on no other ground , if you think this , than that on which I advocate the repeal , that is , to keep tbe country in a state of distress on purpose to obtain a political purpose . Ah , sir , what think you now of your employer and you " runing the hungry race together ? And if ysn prevent a meaanre which -will be fraught -with good to every cla 584 do yoa not certainly come up to the picture drawn of you by every Whig and Tory scribe in the land ?**
But , even admitting that the " repeal would cause us ta hate proiperity for ages , " how , in the name of all that is good , could that tend to " lay labour prostrate at thefeet of capital ? " Are we not everlastingly told that the wages of labour depend upon " demand and supply ; " that there is no other way of bettering the cendltion of the labourer but either by bringing the labour up to the quantity of hands , or reducing the quantity of hands to the labour ; that the labour market is overstocked ; and that the labourers must be starved down to the quantity which the capitalist can employ ; and now , whtn a measure is proposed which has a tendency to cause us to have prosperity for ages , which promises to bring the demand up to the supply , we are gravely told that it would have a tendency " to lay labour prostrate att ^ e fee t of capital ! ' This is most ad mirable reasoning ! and a most singular way of causing the labourer to . hare to run the honery race by himself I
But in order to escape tbe dilemma In which you are involved , you are bound to turn round and say that you do not think that repeal will produce any of the wonderful results promised by it 3 advocates ; in short , you are bound to say that you believe it would produce the results I described in my first letter . Ah , Sir . ' this shall not serve your turn . If you think this , how is it that , yon do not oppose repeal ? Why do you permit your employer and yourself to " run the hungry race together" without an endeavour to prevent it ? Is it for some political purpsse ? And if you do not prevent a measure-which " will be fraught with mischief to every class , " do you not certainly come up to the picture drawn of you by evary Vf nig and Tory writer in the land ?
In paragraph seven you say , " convince the middle class of their interest , by argument , and tbe day is our own . " Lord help us ! what a task you have set ub . Hoi are we to convince the recipients of the interest of the" unjust debt that it would be for their interest sot to receive their dividends ? How are we to go about to convince the recipients of the sinecures and pensions that it would be for their interest that those pensions should go to clothe the nakedness of those who had produced them ? By what process of reasoning are we to convince tbe half-pay and fall-pay oScers
and dead weight that it would for their interest that & standing aimy should be disbanded ? Convince all the Bwurm of poor-law commissioners , police commissioners , police magistrates , ice , that it would be for their interest to work for their bread instead of devouring the substance of tbe widow and tbe fatherless ! Convince tbe jnerch&Et and manufacturer that it would be for their interest tfeat you should have a voice iu the making cf those laws which would insure you a day ' s wage for a fair day ' s work ! Convince ail these fairly of these things !
Truly , Sir , but you have Btt us an herculean task . Don Qaixote ' s most extravagant of projects was a complete embodyment of wisdom compared to this . No , no , Sir , you cannot convince them of these things because they are f ally convinced of exactly the contrary already . Notclng bat being alarmed for their Own safety will jever convince the middle classes of tbe necessity of taking part with the labourer ; and they must be convinced , too , that nothing but taking part with the labourer can sav <; them from the gulf of fixed payments . Repeal of the Corn Laws would lay capital prostrate at the feet of the fixed payments , nor conld it escape without the aid of the labourer . Then hurrah for the repeal of the Corn Laws ! W . P .
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W THE EXECUTIVE . TO THE ED 1 T 0 B OF JUS . N 0 RIHKB . N STAR . Dear Sib , —The call of our country should be as religiously obeyed as the call cf God . Impressed with this opinion , I held myself in readiness , cheerfully to attend the wishes of the people whenever they think I can be of any Bervice to them . But I would not accept an office of national trust except by Universal Suffrage and upon honour . The call of the Executive pro tern , to elect a new Executive wis not responded to . by tbe country and for these lufficient reasons . The pro tern was a self-elected body—at least , elected by a council of which the pro tern were themselves members . No appeal was made to the conntry at large—not even to
the localities in London . There was more haste than good speed in this , and the affairs of tbe Cbariist body did not require such an undeliberate proceeding . It looked too much like waiting for dead men ' s shoes , or rather , snatching up their shoes without waiting for them . Let Chartism run not like an eccentric comet , cat of its course—never let it bs '' frightened from its propriety "—tut still let it shine on all occasions Bttady and fixed as the Northern Star . I remain , Dear Sir , Yours respectfully , Manor House , Battersea . Joh . n Watkins .
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TO THE EDITOE OF THE WBTHERS STAR . Warwick County Gaol , November 6 , 1842 . Dear MR . Hill , —By the time your next paper is published I shall have be-rn elevert vxek $ in soUlary confinemeni , and , although Mr . Justice Crtsswell has ordered bail to be taken for my appearance at the Assizts , and thnt nine sefficient persons have tendered their names , still the Birmingham Authorities persist in their r-fasal to accept them . I received a letter on Thursday morning from Mr . W . Chilton , of Birmingham , informing me tbat he had received tbe Judge ' s order , and that Mr . Griffiths , tbe presenting attorney , required eitjht sureties in fifty pounds each , whilst a letter which I received from mj worthy friend , W . P . Koberts , of Bath , stated that only four sureties in fifty pounds each were required . is
I am unable to s ^ y which statement correct ; bnt this I know , Ifeat the names and residences of nine sufficient persons were handed to Mr . Griffiths on Wednesday last , and on Friday he delivered bis decisian to my friends to the following effect : —Messrs . Nurse and Hemming were accepted ; and Messrs . Taylor , Watts , Corbfctt , Follows , Wright and Monle were rejected Another geatleman , named Grattan , who is a press-tool maker , is not yet decided on . From the conduct of tbe Birmingham Authorities , it is quite clear that they are determined to keep me here until the Assizas . From tbe time o £ my arrest to the
present moment they have acted base towards me . At the conclusion of my examination I applied for bail , which was granted , the Mayor informing me that he shauld require two sureties in one hundred pounds each , which , he said , would do for all three indictments . I had tUen two respectable freeholders in court , who were well known to be worth ten times the amount , waiting for the purpese of offering themselves as my sureties , arid-informed the magistrates that I was then prepared ; upon which they said they must have fortyeight hours notice , although the two persons were as well known as any in tbe town .
In ten minutes after , I ' was hurried off to this place , a dUtance of twenty-one miles from Birmingham , and for some reasons , best known to the magistrates , the men . who came unsolicited to tender bail for me , afterwards declined . The next time that my friends applied they were told that four sureties , in £ 100 each , would be rtquired , and the Governor cf this prison afterwards informed me , tbat from the manner in which tbe commitments were signed , he should require Si ' s , sureties in one hundred pounds each , and thai the Mayor must have kr . oun it from the first , he being the person that signed two of them . They have since then refused about fourteen Ehopksepers and tradesmen , who are worth a vast deal more than tbe amount required ; acd I am informed tbat tbe policeman who was Bent to inquire into the qualification of some of those who gave their names as willing to become sureties , threattEed . an bullied them about being Chartists .
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Notwithstanding the Judge ' s order , my case is now in slaiu quo . They seem determined to keep me here , and b 6 re 1 suppose I must remain . I don't see anything else that can be done in the matter . My Birmingham friends have done their part well , sod 80 has Mr . O'Connor , and 1 therefore thank them as much as if I was liberated . The poor , miserable Whigs are in a doleful plight , when they are to terrified about one man being liberated . I trust that my other friends have' had better lock , and that I am like " The last rose of tummer , left blooming alone . " I am glad to hear that yoa keep " going a-head / ' and watching the pedlars , " And am , Your brother Chartist , George White .
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THOMAS M . WHEELER , TO MR L T . CLANCY Six—I , in common with my brother Chartists , feel greatly surprise * at the tone of a letter addressed by yoa on Saturday last , to the Editor of the Northern Star , regarding you * nomination to the Provisional Committee , In that letter you state , " Tbat the election of such a body was very unnecessary , and to say the least of it , a very unbecoming proceeding ; that it reflected neither credit on tbe judgment or foresight of its originators ; that the country generally wa » not in favour of tbe scheme ; that you believe it is altogether the trick of some enemy ; that it is too bad tbat the whole Chartist body should be set in motion to please the whim of any one who thought proper to Bend a line to the Star , and that you oppose any power being ta&ea from tbe present Executive , and will never be a tool in tbe bands of the enemy to disarm them . "
This , sir , is the substanca of your attack upon a body of men , who , in the hour of danger , volunteered , at considerable loss and risk to themselves , to brave the common enemy , and preveut , if possible , any advantage being taken of our party , 6 ither by open foe or pretended friend . I , as an individual , could well afford to let such idle charges , such unjust imputations , pass unnoticed , considering the approbation of the great majority of the Chartist public to far outweigh the calumny of one individual ; but in justification of the body with whom I acted , I will endeavour to convince you , not by bitter invectives , but by a plain statement of facts , that your charge of its being a trick of the enemy is unjust and nnfotLndeii .
The address of which you complain w * h issued on the Monday after the arrest of the secretary of the Executive . From tbe amount of bail , * c ., demanded , it was not reasonable to suppose that the charge was of such a trumped up nature as it has since proved to be ; and your faculties must be very obtuse indeed , or your brain clouded with envy and jealousy , if you discovered in the line of conduct which we laid down , any wish or design of throwing off our allegiance to the Executive , or in any way depriving them of their justly acquired station . Our object was to
consolidate and preserve , and not to destroy . The policy which we adapted met with the approbation of Mr . Bairstow aril Mr . Williams , the only members of the Executive with whom we could correspond , and was sanctioned by the great majority of tbe Chartist body , upon whom your attack tells with equal efficacy as upon ourselves . It is also approved of and acted upon by Messrs . Campbell and Leach , who now propose that the machinery which we created to meet the emergency , should be adopted and made part and parcel of our organization .
In conclusion , when y » u are again attacked by a fit of the spleen or a pugnacious desire of showing that you possess the organ ef combativeness largely developed , I trust that your attack will be made upon the common enemy and not upon men equally honest , equally active with yourself . In the words of the poet" L ? t your guns so unerring such vengeance forego , What mark is so fair as the breast of a foe ?" I remain , Yours respectfully , T . M . W HEELER .
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TALES WRITTEN EXPRESSLY FOR THE "NORTHERN STAR . " BY CHARTTUS . THE FOUNDLING OF AYR . TTJRNISHED BT A MASON CHARTIST . HO . V . " Good lack , an"t be thy will ! what have we here T Mercy on ' s , a barne ; a very pretty bame . " Winter's Tales . It was a cold November morning—tho night bad been stormy , but had settled into a dull black frott more perishing than windy weather . The birds were huddling themselves together upon the leaf-dropping tnea , without paying their accustomed matins . The cattle had not risen to graze , and their breath was steaming in the stagnant air . Daylight came heavily forth . No smoke from the chimneys yet indicated that any of the cottage fires were lit—the shutters were unclosed , and the town looked like a deserted village .
James Wilson , stone mason , was tbe first to cross his threshold that morning , to begin the customary day ' s avocations , and as he did so , he stumbled upon what appeared to him a bundle of clothes , but on taking it up judge of his astonishment to find a mala infant . He thought at first tbat it was dead ; probably it was benumbed with cold , but it presently opened its eyes and stared in his face with the penetrating gsza of a physionomist , for little children , like dogs , judge by a person ' s looks—they are guided by unerring instinct , so mutb surer and quicker than reason . Apparently what this poor half-starved infant saw in James ' s face did not give it any high opinion of his humanity , for it immediately began to cry lustily , and James himself raised his voice to the top of its pitch , calling on his
good darae to get up and come down stairs instantly . Tbe good wife , loath to leave her warm bed at that early time of the morning , enquired what was the matttr ? to which James briefly replied , " Come and see . " Startled at this early summons , and at the loud and earnest tone in which it was uttered , she came as soon as sho could make herself ready . " Here , " said James , giving to her the screaming infant , " what think you of this ?• ' The good wife took the child mechanically , but seemed equally at a loss -with James what to think of it . The babe , however , seemed to relish its new quarters better , for it was no sooner laid upon her bosom tban it bushed its screams , and rested with its eyes looking quietly and rfeposingly into those © f the good dame , who wos regarding it with that maternal fondsess which helpless
innocence seldom fails to draw from its best protector —woman . James now related the circumstance of finding the child , and concluded with saying he should like to know who bad laid their sins at his door , he would punish them for it . His good dame was not joalous , nor , to do James justice , had he ever given her cause . She , therefore , said , "It is some poor creature that could not take care of it herself , anil thought tbat it would be care taken of here—we roust take pity on it" " See , ' said Janus , " if there be any mark on it , or any money left with it . " Looking into the flanctl petticoat in which it was wrapped , " no , " said she , " here ' s nothing but its poor naked self , half peri&hed with cold , poor thing ! " " We are not bonnd to take it in , " said James , " we have enough of eur ownwithout being burdened with other fo'ks' .
James had a son and a daughter . " Let me see , '' be continued , going to the door , and looking up and down the street , " there's nobody stirring yet ; I'll go and lay it at the minister's door—h 9 ' s better able to keep it than we are . " the good dame clasped it closer to her breast while she said ; " No , poor thing 1 it will die of cold and hanger ; providence has placed it here , and we must take it in ; besides , if anybody should see you , what a thing that would be < " This last intimation seemed to weigh most with James . He stood considering for a moment , and then broke out in a fit of vexation , which made him do all but swear , and tbat he would not do for the world . " Dan ;; it ! I sheuld like to know who laid it here ; I would willingly lose a day ' s work , if only I could find them . It is a shame and a sin that honest folks should be plagued this way
with beggars'brats . " " Nay , come , says she , " you shan't be troubled with it I'll take take care on't ; leave it to me ; go away to your work ; I'll manage with it" James , after casting a rueful look at tho child , sulkily obeyed ; but he did not do mueh work that day . His mind was troubled with the occurrence of tbe morning , and he several times left his work to make inquiries , but could find no trace of the parent or person who bad laid such a stumbling block in his way . All the towspeople began to talk of the circumstance ; many went to see the child , and James , for his own credit's sake , was obliged to make a virtue of necessity , and to maintain the little charge which had been so mysteriously entrusted to him . He gave it his own name of James , as the finder , and tho name of Ayr , after the town in which it was found .
James was an austere man , who was reaping where he had never sown . He was a member of tbe Scotch Kirk , indeed one of its elders , stern in his' morals , strict in all his dealings . Whenever he was out of temper or out of health , he vented his spleen on the additional charge to his family which circumstances had constrained him to keep—he begrudged everything it got , and could not bear to be put out of the way by its cries or even by its playfulness . He used to exclaim vehemently against the sin of bastardy—especially against those who were guilty ef having children they could not keep—and seemed ever disposed to visit tbe sin of
the parents on the poor innocent fruit of it Not so the good dame—she regarded little Jemmy as her own —nay the circumstance of his deserted condition awakened in her breast something more than maternal softness for him , and she never ltt him feel tbe want of the mother who , Hagai-like , had exposed him to charity or to fate . What articles sha procured for him , she got when her husband was absent at work , and would represent that the things vere gifts from cbaritabjy disposed neighbours . At other times she soothed him by telling him that no doubt the chi ' . d ' s parents would turn up some day and recompense them for all tLey bad done
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for it . Her daughter , a girl aboat « ev « n years old , used to nurse and dress the little foundling as thengh he were her doll ; but her son , a boy about twelve , imbibed too much of hia father ' s dislike . Thus while the come-by-cHanca was treated like a pet-Iamb by one half of the fan . ly—he was kept si much in awe by the other that it was only necessary to threaten him that they should take him , to qoiet him when disposed to be refractory . Time passed , and little ' Jemmy grew up a fine healthy boy In spite of the frowns of his foster-father andi brother-for his foster-mother and sister took care that they should not affect him . James had not sent his own son to school-he was in the habit of teaching him himself after work ; but he left the adopted one
^ untaught The foundling , however , -was natnraUy quick , and learnt from hearing bis brother ' s lessens . Whenever any of the neighbours presented him with a token oflheir compassion , he bought little books or pencils witn it , and sometimes brib « d his brother to lend him his . But ho sooner had he told eight years , than he was taken by his father to assist him at his work , in order , as James expressed it , that he might do something for his keep . At first , indeed , his taBks were light enough—being employed in carrying "the dinner , " and if any object by tne way tempted him to loiter , he bad the rule applied to hU shouldera , for James was determined to keep square with him . He soon
put him to other jobs , a ;; d was not always careful to proportion them to his strength or his skill , though he never failed to punish him for any default in either . He afterwards boand him his apprentice , and then he was still more severe apon him , because he considered that the law gave him a right to be so . Often in a winter ' s morning hat * Jemmy been near fainting at his work before breakfast , but what cut deeper than the cold winds were the taunts respecting his birth and condition fiom old James , and his son , who , released from being a slave to his father , now tyrannised in hia turn overthe foundling . All these things sunk deep upon his spirits , and made him thoughtful beyond hia years . .
But though James did not care much for the mind or body of his foster-son , he cared greatly for his soul , and was very strict in enforcing bis attendance at kirk He even paid out of his own pocket for a "Sunday Bark" for him , that he might appear decently there . If the boy ever broke the Sabbath , he was sure to have bis bead broken in retaliation—and the devil himself could not be n \ r , te severe in punishing his sins tban James was , » lio said such severity was neeessary lest the child should become a scape-grace as his parents had been . All the while that little Jemmy was In tbe place ot worship , old James kept his eye on him—and while his lips moved in prayer or song he
has frequently administered a smart blow on the hoad ot hlB pupil with his Bacred hymn-book to admonish him of some inattention or inadvertence . The terror imparted by all this , forced tho boy , to assume a demure aspect—to Imitate the reverend elder his foster-father—and to become as great a hypocrite . But in secret be often mused on the great contrast between the character and conduct of the gentle Jesus and that of his " bumble follower" the stern Jimes , and he saw bow little forms and ceremonies have , to do with true religion—how often they mock or mask it ; but it might be said of James that ke assumed true holiness , if he had it not .
More were the conflicts at home between James and his wife respecting the treatment of their foundling ( the only thing they ever quartelled about ) , ard many a blow has the good dame intercepted from the poor fellow . Whether it proceeded from his sufferings , or that bis own nature was kindly , I know not ; but young Jamea was a remarkably considerate lad , und never eaw anyone in want without being himself in woe . He often meditated upon the secrets told him by his foBterj-mother . Who had his parents been ?—his mother especially ? Had she been some unfortunate deceived one—betrayed and deserted—or a mendicant ? Was she living now ? Was there no way of ascertaining this ?—no due t » find her out ? How gladly would he work to keep her ! These thoughts
aoftened bis temper and inade him inclinable to melancholy . He was a great sympathiser with any one in diatresg , and eften gave romantic proofs of it , by reliaving every poor beggar-wonian tbat he cculd , for he said to himself , she may be my mother , and many vrere the questions that he asked them to discover if it was so or not . A bUU greater proof of his sensibil ity he gave by falling in love out of pity to a poor girl named Susan , because , like himself , she was a cast upon the world and had a hard place in it This did not please his foster-father , who rated James soundly upon it—but the young man ( he had now grown up ) was near the close of his servitude , had become a good band , was sensible of the value of his work , had lately joined a mechanics' debating society in the town where
he had learnt much of the rights of man , and was less disposed than formerly to submit in helpless acquiesence to the tyranny of his foster-father and master . He maintained the light to think for himself , and ; to act for himself , at least on such a point as choosing a partner , but old James told him if he did not leave her be should leave his house . This young James would long since have done had it not been for his filial attachment to hia foster-mother , but it wan that very attachment which at last brought about his departure , for on one occasion when she had received a severe blow aimed at James he stood up in her defence , and , not able any longer to contain his rage , struck at his master , who forthwith banished him outright James immediately went and married Susan , then with his heavy tools across his back tramped southward in search of work . ( To be concluded in our next . )
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CONTINUATION OF AN ESSAY ON THE PRESENT SYSTEM , INTENDED AS A COMPANION TO DR . CHANNING'S ESSAY ENTITLED "THE PRESENT AGE . " There are two great interests in England—the agricultural and the manufacturing interests—the former is identified with the upper classes , the latter with the middle classes . The working-men or lower classes , as they are called , have no interest at all ; it Is deemed sufficient for them to labour for the interests of others , of those above them . But besides the landlord and tbe mill-lord , there is tbe funalord and the shiplorcl—all lords together ; but I do not enumerate the two latter as having separate interests , because they have not . Indeed tho true interests of all ia for each to consider
tbe interest of the other ; to blend harmoniously ; to unite as one But the manufacturers are struggling for ascendancy over the agriculturists , or rather to supplant them . Tbe manufacturers wish that foreign landlords should sell us all the corn we want , and buy of us all the goods they want ; but they forget that the foreigner can manufacture for himself , aye , and for us too , tut well as grow corn . " Perish commerce , live the laud !" is an agricultural maxim ; but tbe cry of the manufacturers ia , " Live commerce , perish the landlords and the land too ! " Both forgut the equitable maxim—live and let live . The Bhiplords say that foroigutrs are already teo much encouraged ; that foreigners are runnine us off the seas . But tba fundlords and the shoplcrds side with the manufacturers , because , say . they , trade , not agriculture , brings wealth to a nation . Yes , but it brings vice and corruption too . Such wealth is
weakness . AH overlook the main point , that is , home trade , or home consumption . If tho waste l ; mds in Great Britain were cultivnted ; or if the cultivated lands were improved , hot only would there be no need to import foreign corn , but we could export as we formerly did—nor would there be that need of a foreign market for our own manufactured goods , because Englishmen at home could take them . Home coloniKition , therefore , is the grand remedial measure for tbe distresses and crimes of the country . The land that is suffered to lie waste where employment and food is wanted—is a reproach to our rulers—is an insult to Providence ; for God said , let the earth bring forth its fruits in due season—bring forth what it is capable of producing—but the aristocracy say so , let it breed nothing but game for our aport , wo will not be barred our diversions , though the people have to cast lots , and kill each other for food .
Not only would the cultivation of the waste lands give employment to all whom machinery has driven out of work , but it "Would enable the employed in their turn to emp ' oy all the manufacturers aud tradesmen whose warehouses and shops are at present filled with all kinds of goods for which there is no vender , for how soon would they be emptied , and how often might they be refilled and re-anptied , if all who now wander the streets and highways without food , without clothing , and without habitations—if all the unemployed were put in a condition to maintain themselves aud families , to procure all the comforts and conveniences of life , and how much more creditable would this be to the creation—how much snore conducive to the interests of virtue and humanity than as now .
when we everywhere see British artizins and mechanics more like scarecrows than men—ragged , attenuated ;—with wives more like mummies than women , living Bkeletons , and children nothing but skin and bone , shadows , spectres . It was trade that took men frem the land , and now that machinery is doing man ' s ' work—is reducing men to mendicants , they must go back to the land—the land is the true refuge for the destitute . But Government refuses them their natural right to live by the soil—to live by tbe labour of their hands , by tbe sweat of their brow—the curse pronounced on Adam ' s posterity would be deemed a blessing now , if Government would allow it , but Government transports the
working man if he does but take of the wild creatures tot food , that are no man ' s property , but God ' s gift to all men—Government ships him off to cultivate the lands in other hemispheres , to fish and hunt there , or shuts him up in a bastile . Now that Government Is unworthy the name which , with ample resources to feed , and clothe , and teach the peeple , leaves one man unfed , unclothed , untaught—that Government is nothing but an usurpation which denies any man his right to the soil , or to a voice in the making of those laws by which he is bound and governed . A member of society should suffer nothing that society can relieve . All that perish of huDger ( and niore die of that than of any other disease ) are cruelly murdered by our usurpers —our -wanton tyrants .
Under Buch a government and with such a system of Bociety how could it be otherwise than that the people skould degenerate—that ^ England should become the scorn of all nations ^ Our legislators have filled huge volumes with criminal laws—each law a libel on the people , for every law- presupposes that the people need
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prohibition , need prevention , need punishment , when the fact is , the people are degraded by oppression , their very nature is changed—they are uneducated , then taunted With ignorance—they are encouraged to deprave themselves with drink , then taunted with crime—and they are driven mad with hunger , then taanted with coveting food . Instead of baing wholesome preventstires of the passions of men , our laws are for the most part provocatives , or rather they are licenses , royal HcenBes to the vanity , the selfishness , the avarice and the ambition of eur law-makers themselves . Such is class-legislation { It encourages that close competition which aa Its circle is gradually more and more narrowed by monopoly is fast making England like the black hole of Calcutta , where every man was heated to the nuisance , the enemy the death of his fellow-man , his neighbour , his brother . ( To be continued )
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ADDRESS TO THE WATKINS TESTIMONIALISTS . ( Concluded . J " Strange , unusual bload ! When man's worst sin is , he does too much good . " Timon of Athens . The country Chartists in London ( such of them as have not been cockneyfied , ) and all the cockney-Chartists , who are actuated by the spirit of the conntry , intending to testify their respect publicly for Borue Chartist whom they deemed worthy of it , and deeming me worthy of that honour , formed themselves into a Committee for this purpose , and the Editors of the Northern Star and Mriiish Statesman , though disagreeing with eash other in other respects , agreed to recommend the objects of this Committee ; but their nnbought praise renewed the Ire , awakened the envy and malice of my uncharitable detractors , who again " cooled my friends , heated mine enemies ; " and , by all
those petty personal tricks which long practice had made them perfect in , attempted to frustrate or to divert tbe purposes of the Committee ; for , said they . " a young man and a stranger should not fee suffered to bear away the palm from old and known Radicals . " I name no names ; I descend to no details ; I did not intend to mention these things ; I have hitherto forborne to notice them ; but there is a time when forbearance becomes culpable to one ' s-self , when forgiveness is a crime to society , whan , for the honour of human nature , we should resent an injury , and , for the interests ot society , should punish the doers ot it . If my brother Chartists deem me not an unworthy or ill-duserving member of their body , they will rejoice to Bee me assett myself with becoming spirit—to see me stand at bay , and repel the foul insinuations of the yelping pack that bark their baffled spite at me . There is not one of them who is reputable either in public or private life , not one but would be hissed and hooted out of society in the country .
" Let them do their spite . The services that I have done to Chartism Shall out-tongue their complaints . " Ba it known then that I do not regret the malevolence of these curs , on the contrary I feel proud of it , for I take comfort from the words of Swift , whe says , " You may know a man of genius by the confederacy of all tho dunces against him , " and again , "You may know the best fruit by its being most pecked at" Moreover I know that were I a fool or a knave , I sbould not be feared , I should not be bated , I should be flittered , I should be favoured by fools or knaves . It is the honest man they dislike .
The much-abused sermon was again brought up and cast into my teeth—it was again made a bugbear of . Now to every word of the sermon I stand as I would to my gun while there was a shot in the locker . I am ready to discuss it word by word with one , with all , who may dislike it ; and I solemnly avow it as my most serious conviction that Chartism in London will be like Jonah ' s gourd , spring up lone day to wither the next , or like a wave that rises and falls ia mere noise and froth , the " tale of an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing "—a mere maygame until the men ef London screw their principles up to the pitch of that sermon . Have not the people and their rival leaders united to pronounce it good ? Are not its prophetic truths dully proving themselves , yea , hourly making themselves manifest ? Had the warnings in that sermon been properly heeded , we should not have heard of the Sturges , tbe Treadwells , or the Griffins . Let those who have not
read it , read it ; and those who have read it , read it again . Let them look at those who denounce it—seek them and you will find them to be a mere cabal , a clique that follow the cause as sharks follow a ship at sea , not from principle , bnt from interest—carrioncrows , who gather where the carcase is—they would have left the cause long aga could they have decoyed tbe people after them—they do not suffer , nor will they serve , for nothing—they make themselves all things to all men , that by any means they may get money—hollow , rotten , slimy things are they , whose fingers are Hme-twiga—whose tongues are forked—they are the political pedlars , the Chartist cheats , who scruple not to rob even the poor victims that suffer for their fidelity to the cause— " London lice" as O'Connor eptly termed them—leeches , who should be treated to a little Attic salt to make them disgorge their plunder , or at least to force them to quit their hold of their prey .
We are told that Pharaoh held out against all the plagues except the plague of lice ; he held out against darkness , against locusts , against frogs , 4 c , but bo could not stand tbe lice . So it is with Cliartiam—we have been tried with famine , tempted by disunion , proved by persecution , and now what can prevent the good ship from arriving at the harbour—what but the barnacles that stick to her bottom ¦!—what can hinder tbe good cow from thriving ?—the lice upon her backl ¦ : ¦ :- . ¦ ' . '¦' Itia for the people to see that tbe cause be not eternally disgraced , be not eternally lost , by the intrusion of things possessing neither talent nor honestyclap-trap Chsrtista , mere mouthers , decoy-birds for fowlers , second hand retailers of other men ' s cast-off
thoughts—things who degrade the dignity of the cause , whe make it lose its imposing attitude , its moral influence ; who draw upon the cause the contempt due only to themselves , who make a byeword of Chartism . Men of self-respect will not have their names associated with the insects that fritter away the public time and money—lions will not stay to be annoyed by gnats—drive these out and their betters will come in . But hew are they to be driven out?— -by satire ! they ate impassive to reason—the toads should be touched by Ithuriel ' 8 spear—the rats Bhould be smoked out , and nothing less strong than brimstone can do it The Antolycuses and the Momuaes are not wanted , and must be weeded before the seed can bring forth fruit .
I know that many sincere Chartists have withdrawn from the association—that many others have refused to join—that the tradeB keep aloof from the fountain because its watere are troubled—becauso something ails the cause—because it is cursed by the rats and the lice . Men get ashamed of Chartism when such things can call themselves Chartists—things that can only subserve sinister ends or make a fool of Chartism . Falstaff was ashamed of his followers , but our followers have more reason to bo ashamed of some of their leaders . These things are entitled to the most serious consideration of all true Chartists , for it is owing to these things that tho cause does not progress as it
ought to do and would do . I have no personal enmity to indulge in these remarks —the provocation I have received wonld justify the severest retaliation ; but not for myself but for the sake of the cause do I speak—not for myself but fur the sake of all who way have Buffered similarly with myself . I own no man as uiy enemy who is a friend of his country ; nor no enemy of his country as a personal friend . Had I an enemy I should forgive him were he a friend © f tbe cause ; but this is paradoxical . I had rather put up with private wrongs then suffer my exposure of them to retard public rights , for I am of the mind of Scylla in this
respect"He who did subdue His country's foes , ere he would pause to feel tho vrrath of hia own wrongs . " Nor have I any disappointed ambition to gratify—quite the contrary . Ever since I came to London I have had to tteer through Ehoals and quicksands , and if I have escaped tho rocks on which eoma older and more promising barks have Bplit—if I have weathered out the storm by keeping out at Bea and not running with a trade-wind for any onug but dishonourable harbour on the lee , it is because I have ever kept tbe cause in view—the cause has been my Northern Star .
In conclusion . I have made this statement of facts upon principle , that the people may have an opportunity of forming a just judgmentfor the benefit of the cause . I have stated these facts gleaned from personal experience and observation to give our brethren in the country a . true idea of tbe ordeal which any young aspirant of probity and talent may expect to be subjected to in London . I have made this statement in writing , because by the machinations of my vulgir and venomous traducers I am prevented from doing it personally—I have made it because unless a better understanding takes place the people ' s frieada cannot do all the service they would wish to the people ' s cause . This paper will not be written in vain if it prove from example that after all there ia nothing profitable but honesty—nothing expedient bnt what is just and that " there is no time bo miserable but a man may be true . " When I was confined to my bed by the dangerous
Ulnesa which my za \ or enthusiasm | though I was denounced for it ) had brought upon me , then were my maligners most active—that-was the time the earwigs , the " nest of unclean birds" took to spread their principles which are misrepresentations and abuse , bnt thank God I am spared to be an instrument in bis hands for the furtherance of this most righteous cause—thank God I baye regained my health and spirits—thank God I am . independent ; and now I and my backbiters like the Jewaof whom Christ said , when he went about dally teaching in the Temple and Synogogues , they shrunk from questioning him . Yes , it is not in open places—in broad daylight—and by fair means ; but it ia behiud back , underhand , and by treachery tbat such men work . Like Elfrkla , they give the eup of friendship with one hand , and , while you are drinking it , they 8 tab yeu in the back with the other .
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But London , after all , would ba a good Chartist place—it would be tbe best , as it is the most important , were it not for the " lice . " Let not the country be innocutated by the virus of the town ; but let the town , be made healthy-by an infusion of country blood . JOHN WATKIWS . Manor . Honse , Battersea .
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THE EXECUriVE . TO THE ' CHARTISTS OF OBEAT BRITAIN . I cordially agree with the sentiment of our General Secretary , tbat the election of individuals to fill up vacancies in the Executive will have to be abandoned , I think , in fact , it ought to be ; the period of time it would have to sit before the annual election is so short , that no injury can arrive in the mean tima sufficient to justify the trouble and inconveniense that would be occasioned by adopting the proposition . This is ray individual opinion , but as the Editor of the Star truly observes , it is . for tbe people to determir * .
I embrace this opportunity to return my thanks notwithstanding , to the Chartists of Nottingham , Carrington , and * their respective localities for their confidence , evinced as it has been by their requisition for me to allow my name to be placed on the nomination list , and to assure them that my cheerfa ! consent was spontaneously given at tbe crisis from a conviction that it is the duty , of every man who really wishes to promote his country ' s freedom to stand firm by his principles in the hour of danger , as well as a desire that our oppressors may see , howev r they may vainly endeavour to thin eur ranks of our acknowledged leaders , by tyrannical persecution—that there is no lack of patriotism to supply the vacuum thus momentarilly occasioned . Should the election be proceeded with I shall ba found at the post assigned to me whatever it may be , but for the reasons before stated , I think the better course 1 b to abandon it for the present . . Richard Hankins . New Inn Yard , Carrington , near Nottingham , Nov . 7 , 1842 .
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TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN STAB . SIR , —The town of Hanley and the Potteries generally are at the present time quiet and peaceable , and are likely to remain so for pome time , considering tbe authorities of these townships ore backed by tb . 6 physical power of the Government . There are , however , now very few specials on duty , as some of them have become discontented with receiving no lie for their labour ; but to make up this deficiency , the county Quarter Sessions have come to the decision of putting the whole of the Pottery district under the new Constabulary Act , and discharging the whole of our local police . It is very likely the Act will be adopted for the whole of the county of Stafford .
The system of centrah ' Bing the new police feroe put in operation by my Lord John Russell and other pseudo Liberals of tbe late Government , has been wellrecommended at the above sessions , and , no doubt , will be carried out most stringently in thAs neighbourhood , at least' The Whigs of these townships have , nevertheless , taken great offence at this step , as it bas taken away the power of the township commissioners and vested it solely in tbe sitting magistrates of the Potteries . The Whigs say , they « will only have the privilege of paying for this new power , ' without having the chance of selecting the officers , &c . < ts . ; but these Whigs forget to tell us that the commissioners were before a perfectly irresponsible body . The BcreW then will be driven tighter for the Whigs iu future , as well as for the * poor deluded Chartists . '
The colliers at Mr . Sparrow ' s coal works have again this week struck against a redaction of four shillings ia the pound . This will plainly show that the masters , even with physical force at their back , will not be able to compel the miners to submit to the iron-banded despotism of the coal-masters . Mr . Sparrow is the same master who first reduced the men previous to the late disturbances , and which was considered the cauae ot the late outbreaks . The principal leaders of the Chartists have been seized and lodged in prison . Some have taken their trial , and some are about to be bailed out , consequently cannot be charged with having turned out ; the miners afresh . Thus the- causes are still removed , viz , class legislation . When will the eyes cf the Government be opened to the interests of the working classes ? We eay never , till the people are ready to force themselves upon its notice .
Bail has be « n , offered by two respectable gentlemen of this neighbourhood for John Richards , and probably will be accepted . Let every ChartiBt look out and claim his privileges , and let them render their support more than ever at this very critical period , and allow not their enemies to triumph over them , by eeeing their friends immured and then neglected , Let the Chartists th ' . &ugbout the Staffordshire Potteries bring up the means to forward William Ellis s case to the Queen ' s Bench , which remains at present in sta ' . u quo . Up and be doing , for there is no time , to lose . I will here just mention that the same week as the sentence was passed upea Ellis , his poor old mother ' s parish relief was taken from her , while her husband lies ill in the house and not expected to live . Will Mr . Ailbutt , the Christian Editor , enquire into this ? Let us see .
A tea party is expected to take place soon , of which due notice will be given . - Youra , Moses Simpsow . Hanley , Staffordshire Potteries , November 8 th , 1842 .
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Singular Accident . —Last week , Mr . Beeding residing at Pennia Rocks , Sus ? ex , had been out during the day shooting , and on . his return took off his jacket and threw it across a chair . Mr . Beeding ' a dog went to the-pocket and took out the powderflask aud dropped it into the fire ; it immediately exploded , biew out the window and damaged the furniture ; but although Mr . Beeding was in the room at the time , he fortunately escaped unhurt .
The Trial of Suisse . —Some notion may be formed of the heavy expenses attending the defence of Suisse , the late Marquis of Hertford ' s valet , from the subjoined tavern bill sent in to Suisse ' s solicitor for the refreshments , « 3 to , supplied to hia witnesses during three days only . The account- commences , " 1842 , August 24 . " and runs thus : — " Dinners and dessert , £ 20 ; luncheons , £ 4 ; tsas and coffees , £ 3 ; Sherry , ( iced ) £ 10 15 s . : Port , £ 8 8 < . ; Champange , £ 16 10 a . 6 d . ; Hock , £ 8 18 * . 6 d . ; Claret , £ 4 16 s . ; soda water , lemonade , and ginger beer , £ \ 5 s . 6 d . ; cigars , £ 1 2 a . ; malt and spirits , £ 3 17 s . 6 d . ; rooms as eagaged , £ 3 33 . " The items for the second day are : — " August 25 ih . Dinners and dessert , £ 20 ; luncheons , £ 3 10 s . ; : teas and coffees , £ 2 153 . ; Sherry , ( iced ) £ 11 15 j . ; . Port , £ 6 15 s . ; Chsmpaffne , £ 15 103 . 6 d . ; Hock , £ 6 15 s . 6 . d . ; Claret , £ 5 103 . 6 d . ; soda water . £ 3 10 s . : Cigars , £ \ 7 s . 6 d .: malt liquor and
spirits , £ 4 3 i . Id . ; rooms as engaged , £ 3 3 i . " On . the third day , tho 26 chof August : —Dinners and desserts , £ 20 ; luncheons , £ 2 5 s ,, ' teas and coSeeS i £ 2 7 s . 6 d . ; Sherry and Port , £ 17 0 s . 6 d . ; Champagne , £ 15 10 d . 6 d . ; Hock and Claret , £ 15 9 s . ; soda water , lemonade , &c , £ 3 ; malt liquor , spirits , and cigars , £ i J 9 .- ) . 6 d . ; refreshments at the court three days , £ 2 6 s . 9 d . ; room 3 as engaged , £ 3 33 . " Total for the three days ' refreshment , £ 257 1 3 * 4 d . To which is added , £ 7 10 s . for "waiters , chambermaid , and messenger , " £ 2 10 s . per diem as desired ; " and for " sundry broken glasses , £ I 9 s . 3 d . ; " making the whole amount £ 2 G 6 13 ? . . Id . It has been already stated that Mr .. Thesiger had 300 guineas for his brief , and Messrs . Clarkson , Chambers , and James , fifty guineas eaeh . Suisse is at present residing in Paris , and the whole amount of his fortune is stated to be little short of £ 400 , 000 .
Cheap Fish . —The take of cod-fish at Brighton has lately been unusually largo , fine fish selling at less than one penny a pound . On Monday tbe mar * ket was completely glutted , and seven fish , weighing from twenty-five pounds to thirty pounds each , were sold for eight shillings . The fish are fresh from the water , and the i ^ sh is firm and good . Loss of THBEie Pilots . —On Tuesday evening last three pilots , Richard M'Ureevey , and two men of the name of M'Keown , went down to tho Lough on tbe look put for vessels . Yesterday morning , the boat in which they went out was picked up near Bangor with her stern out . It is supposed that either the boat had been run down by a steamboat , or had been capsized in a squall ; the former supposition , ic is to be hoped , will prove correct , as there will bo then a greater probability of the men having been rescued from a watery grave . — Ulster Times .
The Completion of the Tunnel . —ThiB stupendous work is finished , and Wapping has reason to be proud of such a truly wapping undertaking . Perhaps no enterprise ever had so much cold water thrown upon it , and never was there a project which it seemed at one time go difficult to go through with . The engineer has worked like a horse , and ha * scarcely ever been out of the ehalt . The original shareholders , whose pockets were well drained in fruitless efforts to drain the tunnel , have now the satisfaction of oncejnore running through their property . For some time the ardour of the projector ! was damped by the works going on too swimmingly . When accidents were every-day occurrences the Tunnel was a matter of interest : but , since the water has
been effeotually kept out , it bas been a drTJjMM On more than one occasion , the companvjgoigB > hlJ been swamped , in spite of all hands beivftypfcfigpi pumps , if government had not lent them OU&BUfta The funds , in fact , wete at iow-wate * m * k 3 flBMG fore the works reached the same deai ^ tafflmj } and the more the tunnel was set afloat , ttojngTOrwty the shareholders aground in their underftkipra B the perils are now past , and the TunnelJffnwNHjj monument to British enterprise . We KSrlCPfl perhaps , a pillar to the fame of iI » fln || V were sot that a pillar is incompletsVtMwnnl things , one of which , the shaft , has been tokea ^ n while the proprietors have loiig since lost signtflNl capital . —Cruikshank ' s Comic Almanack for 1845 ,
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^ THE NORTHERN STAR . J
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 12, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct624/page/7/
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