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MARKET INTELLIGENCE.
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NATIONAL EDUCATION . Is onr last tiro papers we attempted , In a some--gist brief and cursory manner , to trace the progress pf op inion politically and economically . We propose to deToie the present to an equally brief retrospect cf the educational moTement . Tfc . e now celebrated asiom , "Property has its ^ ua « as well as its righte , " is capable of -wider appjication fh * is generally supposed . The acojusitaoii ef power and political influence by tie masses ,
refored to in a former paper of tMB series , involves , gflnjittbg the principle enunciated in that axiom , jjje duty of ihe people to acguire the inotrledge of jicjus that power rightly - . and the -wisdom and fore-^ pit ^ jf the founders of the American Bepublic is perhaps in nothing more strikingly shewn than in the national provision they made for educating the peoplel Ther , at least , "were convinced , that Democracy could ODJTbe securely based upon and perpetuated by xanrersal intelligence .
But even if there was not this positive reason , iare ye not the melaneholy fact , that the ignorance of jie masses has in afl . ages made them the slaves of the enEgntened and the cunning ? The very dread eQiibited by those wno fatten on popular abuses of ererj attempt to instruct the masses , to cultivate £ heir reasoning facilities and derate them in the jcaleol * humanity , should demonstrate the inestimable valne of such instruction to those who for want of it are doomed to be the helot class of sometv _
Besides , let us ask Tray any one human being ahouiu receive more fostering care or higher developementfrom the State than another ? Are not all alike entitled to every one of its advantages , on the broad ground , that all in ftieir several spheres contribute to Ittmaintainance and well-being ? By what natural ! aw or solid argument can the practice be justified of making " spoiled children" of a small section of the community and treating the Tast majority in siepmoiher-fashion ?
Fortunately for us , however , it is unnecessary at this time of day to offer asy apologia for treating on rhTs subject . Its importance and Its probable influences are too widely and generally appreciated foT that ; and it is precisely in consequence of this gent-Til and earnest appreciation , accompanied as it has been bj indrridnal efforts to acqnire the power arising from knowledge , that the popular will has already attained the acsendancy we formerly pointed out .
It is , comparatively speaking , only yesterday , that the question of Xaxioxu . Enrciisos -was mooted . The men who first broached it -were ridiculed as visionaries , Utopian dreamers ; and the other usual common places were applied , Hrhich brainless and unexper ienced people have always at hand to greet innova-: ors with . Bat there were others , clearer-sighted , like the priest who saw in the first printed volume liat which would destroy the Church , unless the the Chnreb . destroyed it- These parties pereeired that ihe communication of knowledge to the masses would lay the axe to the root of our stupendous system of injustice and oppression : and they eried aloud in defence of tiie ** craft by ¦ which thev had their Irvine . ' "
The idea of edncating the " common people" was denounced as fraught with the nost dangercos and revolutionary consequences . It would unfit them for the discharge of the duties ef " that station in life which it had pleased Providence to place them in ; " give them ideas incompatible with their true interests and happiness ^ and render them unreasonably discontented and disaffected . " The few were made to think—the many to u-ork ; " and any measures which threatened to interfere with t ¥ U arrangement were not only impious and seditious , but , if carried out , calculated to inflict the most serious injury on the body politic , and subvert the whole established order of things .
0 ! how bitterly have we felt , in early years , the searing contempt of the " privileged elasse * " at the idea of educating the " swinish multitude "—the " great unwashed "—and the other delectable nicknames it was then the fashion to bestow on the ** workiesl" How painfully do -we remember the time , when the only idea entertained among aristocraticcircles of " the noblest work of God "—of a man
who honestly earned his bread by the sweat of his brow , "was that of a dirty ignorant being Tvho could only TalV ungrammatically in a barbarous provincial dialed . Bat Lanoculer , BeU , Ourn , Brougham , Sirnpum , Wyre , and a host of co-adjntors , have at least removed that stigma on onr national character and if we have as yet done little practically , our ears are now never outraged by such insults I
The history of the progress of this question is full of insirnetion and encouragement . It gradually overcame the unreasoning and interested opposition we have described ; and having aMlited vndeniaUe xmjAom * of attaining popularity , was Xaeex w bt THX T 2 BT P-ABHES TTHO HAD 7 OB 1 CEBI . T SCOCIED THE Jones or iDrcAHOs poh THz P 2 OFJLE ¦ Failing in arresting its onward march , their next step was to attempt to direct its course in channels innocuous to themselves . Education -was , -all of a sndden ,
discovered to be a marvellously good thing ; but then , of course , it must be conducted bj proper persons , and oca right basis . The Church established a " National School Society ; " the Dissenters a " British and Foreign School Soeietr ; " and each party having laid down the postulate that " all education must b » basei on religion , " forthwith went to work in Infa&t Schools , Day Schools , and 2 vormal Schools , to manufacture their pupils into sectarians , instead of good citizens and intelligent human beings .
The results of their labours -were Indicrona in one sense , and most lamentable in another . The wide spread is £ ? -education , or positive ignoranee , resulting from centuries of past neglect , or systematic fraud , was scarcely perceptibly diminished hyiheir feeble and fragmentary efforts ; and where they did exert an influence , in too many instances they replaced the rril of -want of knowledge by the devil of sectarianism or bigotry . After years of eiertion and expenditure , the nation has yet to begin a real and genuine reform in educational matters . The evils intended to be remedied are almost untouched .
If we are asked for proofs of the trnth of this statement , we refer to the numerous reports issued by Parliament in late years . These official " Blue Books" constitute a bill of indietment against the governing powers of this country—and that too furnished l . y themselves—more criminatory and disgraceful than tould have possibly been drawn up by the neglected , suffering , and indignant people .
The minutes of evidence appended to the Report Of the Select Committee on Education of the Poorer Classes in England and Wales , which sat in 1838 , disclose an amount of mental destitution which is thoroughly discreditable to a cation boasting of its superior enlightenment , and its proud position in fhe van of modern civilization . The efforts made since * hai period , though they have somewhat altered the position of the subject theoretically , hflreitot materially altered it actually . Keeping oat of sight for the moment the hundreds of thousands who were shewn never to enter a school door of anv kind : the
de-Knptjon of the schools and schoolmasters to -whom " * ere entrust ^! , as Charles Lamb * ays , the task of iJ dragging up " the children of the poor , is most horrifvjDg , The day and dame schools—the only ones to which the major portion have access—are described in the majority of cases as being dark and confined ; ttany sre damp and dirty , and a large number are used as dormitory , dwelling , and ^ chool room . "Ofthe-com Eum schools in the poorer districts , " says the report , " it is difikult to convey an adequate idea : bo dose tod offensive is the atmosphere of manv of , them as
to be intolerable to a person entering from the open iff . more especially as the hour of quitting school approaches . The dimensions rarely exceed those of the dame schools , while frequently the number of leholars is more than double . Bad as this is , it is ^ efcUggravatedby filth and offensive odour , arising from other causes . " The teachers themselves are " ^• eribed as being " generally ignorant of thedepressing tod unhealth y effects of the atmosphere which sur-T ° ttnd them ; and do not eonrider it desirable that t ^ ar schools should be better ventQatedV" One icbool ia thus depicted . — ' In a garret up three
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pair of dark broken stairs was a common day-Bchool with forty children in the compass often feet by nine On a perch , forming a triangle with the corner of the room , sat a cock and two hens ; under a stump bed , immediately beneath , was a dog-kennel , in the occupation of three black terriers , whose barking , added to tie noise of the children and the cackling of the fowls , on the approach of & stranger , were almost deafening . There was only one small "window , at which sat the master , obstructing three-fourths of the light it was capable of admitting . It beggared all description , and was filthy in the extreme ; bo that , in obtaining information , I was obliged to withdraw three or four times . I always carry scent with me to scent my pocket-handkerchief . "
In such dens as these , "worse than the blaek-hole of Calcutta , are the seeds of disease generated rapidly , and the foundation laid for those early and numerous deaths of the offspring of the poor , which stand out in the reports of registrars , in strong relief to the com parafive healthiness of the children of the comfortable classes . Bad , however , as the physical conditions are described to be , they are exceeded by the intellectual and . moral . In many instances , the teachers only become so after having failed at every thing else , or are ori ginally led to adopt the profession either because they are dunces , incapable of otherwise earning a subsistence , or cripples , unfit for active work at a
trade . The worst ; conseqnences ensue to the children Subjected to the sway of such incompetent persons . 2 \ umerons instances of their incapacity are adduced in liie report . Oae master having stated that he Tised the globes , was asked if he had both or one only ? Ee repplied " both ! Bow could J teach geography u-ith one / " And on farther questioning him , it appeared that both were , in his opinion , necessary because one was supposed to represent one half , and the other the remaining half of the world . He turned out of the school the visitor who attempted to explain to him his error . We might adduce numer ous similar and worse instances from the ample store in the report ; but this mav suffice .
The gross defects and evils of the " let alone " system of education are , however , even more frightfully shown in the moral than either of the two departments previously alluded to . The violent passions exhibited by many of the teachers before their pupils ; their total want of comprehension of the term moral at all , and the gross superstition inculcated in many instances , all contribute to make up a wholx , which can only be regarded with profoand orrow by every true philanthropist .
The last , as well as the present Government , deserve the credit of having attempted to provide , in some small degree , a remedy for this shameful state of things . But the fierce struggle between the Church on the one hand , and the Dissenters on the other , for the power of forming the national mmrf , antithus achieving and perpetuating mental and spiritual tyranny , frustrated the efforts of both . Lord John Russell was defeated in 1838 ; Sir Robert Peel , with a stronger Cabinet and larger majority , was beaten in 1843 . The first grant ever made by Parliament for educational purposes was in 1834 , to the amount of £ 20 , 000 per -annum . For such a purpose the sum was paltrybeneath contempt ; but the feet of ita being voted at
all , was a proof of the advance of the question ; a recognition by the Legislature of the duty of providing XmoxiL instruction . This jsum was , up to the year 1 ? 3 S , disbursed through the two societies we have named , the Church having by far the largest share . In 1839 Lord John Russell proposed to make the sum £ 30 , 000 , and to intrust its distribution to a Committee of the Privy Council : thus introducing a new principle into action , namely , that National Education should be untrammelled by sectarianism in any shape . He was , as we have said , defeated -, and his more powerftil successor had to encounter a similar defeat on the same ground four years afterwards .
But what Sir Robert Peel could not do by legislative means , he has done by prerogative . If the sects were too strong for him in the Legislature , he has shown himself more than their match in the Council Chamber . Lord Wharncliffe has announced that henceforth " Prune Isstbucxios is a def ^ artmmt of the 3 &i « r 7 T / .- " and " that hi- is charged br the ^ ueen with its superintendence . " He has also announced thfi rntentirm of the nahrnot to pi-oposo a further < vd
dition of £ lO , 0 l > 0 to the flTimml grant ; and intimates that this is merely preparatory to still greater liberality . The speech in which these statements were made , was remarkable at the same time , for the quiet imperturbable and determined tone in -which the right was denied of any sect , established or otherwise , to suparintend the education of the nation , or disburse nap tional . funds for such sectional purposes as the incul * cation of their peculiar dogmas .
AH these are gratifying symptoms oi progreae . Looking back to the days of Joseph Lancaster ; remembering the virulent-prejudices of the classes who throve on popular ignoranee or misedueation ; the apathy which had to be overcome among the parties most deeply injured and most deeply interested ; the insidious and selfish manner in which , when the demand had grown too strong to be openly resisted , it was attempted to make it a fresh means for spreading flTifl-marntaiTnTurTnPTit . nl thraldom ; and lastly , looking to the opposition it has had to encounter in Parliament , -we may fairly congratulate aU who feel interested in this vital question on the position it now occupies .
We know there are many estimable men among the ranks of political reformers , who look with what we conceive a feeling of morbid apprehension on any measure for the education of the people by the Government . They point , and not unnatorally , to Austria and Prussia , as examples of the evils of State instruction , as proofs of its capability of being perverted into a machine for manufacturing political slaves . We are not insensible of the danger—and would struggle against it to the uttermost . But we think that it is much overrated ; and that there can be no fair parallel drawn between those two countries and Great Britain . In them , Education u-ai grafted on institutions essentially despotic : wnn us , it will
HATE IO JLDAPT ITSELF TO THAT DEMOCRATIC TEXKEXCT WHICH WX HAVI ALREADT SHOWS TO BE THE HEXING rsTxrEscE . In Austria , the Government makes the people : with us , the people make the Government . The difference both in principle and fact is immense ; and so long as we have a press untrammelled , the right of public meetings , and the other machinery for brinsiiig the popular voice to bear on any subject of importance , we have little to fear .
If . we would form a correct idea of the educational power , the events now transpiring in France may help-ns . The conflict between the "University and the Clergy , and the desperate efforts of the latter to regain that ascendancy over the mind of France of which the Revolution deprived them , and of which they must continue deprived so long as the University maintains its present ground ; these tell powerfully of the immense value , the paramount importance , of sound educational institutions for a nation .
The subject is however important , and requires consideration in eo many aspects , that we feel it is impossible to do justice to it in the limits of one short paper ; but the same reason which prevents our exhausting will justify returning to it . In the mean time this slight sketch of its progress as a question , and the contrast its present position furnishes to the earlier portion of the century , may ikiriy be regarded with emotions of a pleasurable and hopeful natpre , It is one more of those phenomena which tell to the anxious watcher of societarian
progress that the tide is Tolling onward ! New elements of Imental and moral . being are evolving and coming into action , which wiD , in due time , mould society into accordance with themselves . Hitherto , in our review of the nature and effect * of these elements , -we have diseovered no cause for complaint or despair . On the contrary , when the natural impatience of the individual to realise results is separated from the prtK grees of general principles , there is every cause for rejoicing . In the history of a aation , years count but as days ; andrif within the last twenty or thirty
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years such immense progress has been made by sound principles of political , economical , and educar tional reform , as that we have faintly endeavoured io delineate , joyful may be the prospects of Yovrsa Eutot ^ avd .
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IKTEKNAL FEEE TRADE . TO THI XD 1 TO 11 OF THE XOBTHEBN BTAS . So—It appears to me , after meditation on the subjeet , that the endeavours of the Trades UnionB have hitherto been directed towards imperfect ends . I mean that they have not shown the people sufficiently what vast advantages might be acquired by union . They nave limited their attempts to gain a little more wages , or pecuniary means , but they have not expounded any grand theory of union . Now , it is a picture of this kind , a harvest for their future hopes , which ought more expresssly to be placed before the general population . This would constitute an inducement for them to « cert themselves . A Blight advance of salary or weeldy remuneration is but a trifling encouragement , compared to the inspiring belief that they win become the founders of a new and more enjoying state of existence for all .
" Whether the projects which might be put forward might bear successfully the test of experiment or not , they would be peculiarly useful as rallying standards . For this purpose , ihe more extensively comprehensive they might he the more effectively would they attract the curious enquiry of the public . One singularity of a union of trades is , that the greater extension , the greater perfection it would have . Consequently , the obtainable advantages of Trades Unions can only be displayed in theory at present , as the operatives and their advocates are totally destitute of the means of exemplifying them fully in practice , without the cordial co-operation of the whole nation .
There is a theory of what might be done , expounded in a small pamphlet which was published a year or two ago , which deserves the notice of the members of trades combinations . As to the validity of the scheme , that is of secondary importance ; the object being , in my view , to give the people some idea of what mightbe achieved , were the working people and the middle classes aroused to their true interests . Just now , whilst-the Colliers are pearforming their duty so bravely ,, such a prospect as the author of the work I allude to sets before us as attainable , might operate rather cheeringly upon them . Even if it be only a phantasm , it will do a great service , by opening new trains of thought .
The work I allude to is entitled Internal Free Trade ; and purports to explain a system of Joint-Stock Commercial and Industrial Associations . Its author signs himaelf " Arislarchos . " I do not intend to giye any opinion as to its literary merits , farther than that I think the brief declaration of its plan deserves to be made generally known , if for no other reason , yet for those above specified . After a good deal of discursive reasoning , touching upon most of the general topics of the day , the writer gives Ms " propositions en masse , " as follow : — " The country or district available for the project should be divided into portions of land capable of maintaining by their produce from 200 to 4000 individuals each . " There may , however , arise contingencies in which more or less land might be required ; and in these cases , of course , the extents should be altered .
" Each of these landed tstates should have an Associative Establishment erected on it , and one peculiar manufacture should be carried on in it , according to the custom and suitableness of the locality . " A factory should be raised in each of these establishments . " This factory should be the main stay of the association : its productions should , by exchange , provide them with all their luxuries and necessaries except food and lodging . " The food would be raised from the estate by the agri . cultural , horticultural , and pastoral labourers belonging to the association . " Dwelling-houses should be erected at a short distance from the factory , for the convenience of the members of the association ; and contiguous to the dwelling-houses should be large edifices for the purposos gf amusement , instruction , and domestic labour .
" The arrangements in building * , machines , and cultivation , for vach association , should be formed from a selection from a competition of plans by several architects , surveyors , and agriculturists , acquainted with the necessities of the association , and the peculiarities of its staple trade and locality . It is impossible for any man to give a general plan suitable for every place and every trade . " All should be conducted in the very best manner , and no expense should be spared in procuring the most ingenious superintendents . Success will mainly depend on the skill of those superintendents , for it must be remembered that they furnish the principles of action , whilst the operatives only work out the details of the principles . " The agricultural produce should be warehoused in large buildings for the purpose ; from whence supplies should be taken as wanted by the associative population ; and the surplusage , if any , sold to those Associative Establishments which might require it .
" A constant trade should be kept up with the other Associative Establishments for the disposal of the manufactured produce , which should be always paid for in ready money , either in coin , tn- the bank notes of the various association ^ . " With this money all the other articles required by the members might be easily procured from the Associative Establishments which might niake the production of these articles their especial care ; and thus barter would be no more prevalent than it is under the present system . " An association , as before intimated , would probably consist of from 200 to 4000 individuals , more or less , and should be governed by a board of directors elected by the universal suffrage of the adult members from among themselves . " The number of these directors should vary according to the size . of the association ; and the most proper number and kind of men for the office would be discovered by experience .
" There would be the most Unproved engines for every special applicable purpose , and a division of labour as minute as possible , both in the manufacturing and agricultural operations ; every department should be originated under the superintendence of the most experienced person in that kind of labour that , could be obtained ; and afterwards all should be carried on with the greatest order and regularity . " Every separate manufacture which is now managed on the morselling system bv » ir'gle shopkeepers , would be , under the united system , icientifically , liberally , yet economically carried on in the most first-rate wholesale style ; and as the dealings would usually take place with associations , and not with individual men or families , they would partake more of the nature of wholesale than retail business .
" The whole property of each association should be vested in the holders of shares of £ 1 each , or more , which shares should bear interest at the rate of £ 5 per cent ., or more , or less , as might be found to work well . " The profits arising each year from the excess of production over consumption should be divided equally among all the members of the association ; and by this means the most indigent member would be gradually raised to a very superior condition . " Remuneration should be apportioned to the skill of each operative in his particular function ; and the precise value of his services would be determined by the amount they would fetch in the general competition of the nation . " A retail storehouse for miscellaneous articles must be conducted in each establishment , whence the members mav be supplied .
" There should be a ledger kept in the counting-house of each association , in which every member ' s account should be entered , debtor and creditor . " On all the articles furnished to the members , a profit of 20 , 25 , or 30 per cent , should be realized : that scale of profit should be adopted which should be found to answer best . Those who might expend most would thus contribute most to the general profit fund . " As to the g ^ oods sold in the external market , the profit would , of course , be fixed by the competition of the general business in the articles . " Dwelling apartments of varing neatness or decoration should be charged at varying rents , but the charges should be high , for two reasons—first , because the rents would be nearly all profit , and second , because high prices would preserve the handsomest apartments from being contaminated by improper residents .
" The services of the members should be bargained for at SO much per famUy ; and the employment of the women and children should be regulated by an equal regard for the interests of the association , and the health and happiness of its members . "Dissatisfied members , could , of course , quit the society at their pleasure , and go and dwell in other associations which might offer better remuneration or other advantages ; and their shares might -either be disposed of or retained . " As many affluent persons might be expected to avail themselves of the splendid accommodations offered by these societies , we may reasonably take the outlay , consumption , or expenditure . of every family as averaging £ 100 per annum , at the present rate of staples ; arid by assuming this as an hypothesis to calculate from , we shall be able to arrive at something like the amount of the annual increase in each member ' s property .
*¦ Considering that each family expend the same asthey receive for joint wages , as a datum , the annual increase in the value of the property of the society will average £ 25 as the share of each family , or individual adult male member , at a profit of 25 per cent , from the internal expenditure as a whole . " But we must add , likewise , the income from the rents , which will be about two-thirds profit , deducting the usual 25 per cent , "We may fairly average the extra profit , from the rents at £ 10 per annnm for each family . " Then £ 15 a-year each tvould probably be realized from the profits in dealings with the other societies ; which , with £ 10 and £ 25 , make £ 50 a-year as the increase of each member ' s property ; supposing , even , that he saves nothing from his salary , but expends every farthing . " Thus there -would soon IJE an extinction of poverty in
these associations . " Therooms and furniture of the dwelling-houses , and the workshops , engines / and tools of the factory should be of the most tasteful description , that the associates might always be surrounded by the movt pleasing and elevating eircumstanceB ,
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" As to the construction of the rooms and apartments , whether there should be internal or external communications , whether there should be separate bouses , whether corridors , stair-cases , or balconies—these details must be left to the opinions of the architects . " Every Associative palace should differ from all the others in its architectural design . ' " As before stated , the apartments should be of various sixes and decorations , so that each family might suit themselves according to the length of their respective purses ; but the lowest priced apartments ought to be beautiful , and always clean to an extreme . " The furniture should differ , and become more and more ornamental according to the grade and quality of the rooms . .:
" Great care should be taken to have a first-rate kitchen , with the best possible apparatus for the use of the cook and his assistants ; and much skill would be required to bring this branch of art into full play for the use of these Associations . " Several classes of refreshment rooms should be instituted , as it would be unwise to have persons mixing together whose habits are repulsive . " The appurtenances of the rooms , the quality of the food , and the scale of prices would , of course , differ in these saloons ; but in the lowest priced rooms it would be indispensable that the : food should be perfectly pure and
. " "With respect to : the method of charging , —in the cheapest rooms it should be done in the way-usual at the eating houses of present society , by the dish ; and in the principal rooms the table d'hote system should be adopted , and individuals charged at so much per head . " In general there will be no small money transactions whatever between the Association and its individual members : but all the articles of food , clothing , lodging , or other requirements , should be entered to the debit of the member in the hooks of the society , as he or his family ' may receive them : to his credit will be placed his salary , ' profits , and the capital and interest of his shares ; but no member should be suffered to expend more than his property would admit . " Thus the transactions of the society would be exceedingly simple and correct , providing care was taken to procure honest directions .
" Though each Association might be devoted to its own particular trade , as iTailors , Carpenters , Colliers , Ironworkers , Fishermen , « kc . ; yet , as it would require a number of jobbing operatives always on the premises , individual jobbing hands at the needful trades should be admitted as members , and kept employed . " A bank of issue , not of discount , should be an adjunct of each Association , for convenience : no bauk to be suffered by the provincial inspector to issue more notes than the net value of its connected establishment , " There are innumerable other details , which may be easily invented by committees of a proposed Scientific Convention , to carry out the grand
principle—Interchanging Joint Stock Association of One Trade each . " The concoctor of this scheme evidently has gone to work on the principles of Mons . Guizot , as laid down in bis philosophic History of European Civilization ; those principles being , that when'institutions of society have endured through many long ages , and during the mutations of time have in' general been productive of good , it is an inductive series of proofs that those institutions were providential , and natural to man , and that in some shape or other they ought to be preserved in any state of society for human beings . These are also the principles of the British Constitution ; and such , I fancy , are the foundations of " Young England ' s" political and social faith .
As might be supposed , the brochure elucidates and defends the opinions of its author , regarding the practicability of the plan ; but the plan itself is all that appears to me requisite to place before your readers . : It is far , very far a-head of Owenism and Fourierism , to my judgment ; and as it is more congenial to the ideas and habits of the Trades Unionists , it is very likely they will coincide in that belief . But what I have taken the liberty to write on the foregoing subject is mere speculation . The Colliers ! the Collier *!—they must occupy our more immediate solicitude . On them reit our present hopes . God help them , and maj they luccecd ! is the prayer of , Sir , your well . wiishvr ,
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murderous doings , we shall look upon theirpilesof wealth as undeniable monuments of their villany . When that day comes they will find , that however we may now resemble them , they will not . then , have mummies to deal with ! but men who have homes to protect , andjfamilies dear to us as our own life-blood . The day of mockfphilanthropy is gone by j we have outgrown the period wlien , a rich man ' s cold charity would gloss over our wrongs ; and neither foung England's " stake in the hedge , " Cotjden ' s " big loaf , " nor the philanthropist ' s " wash-tub , " willsatisfy our demands . Bradford , Yorkshire . ¦ A Dehocbat . P . S . The working-men of this par | t feel grateful to Mr O'Connor for his admirable and exceedingly clever answer to Chambers'trashy pamphlet ; and think he would render essential service to the cause of Labour by publishingit as a tract , !
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Condemned Criminals . —An or | der for the execution of Mary Sheming , the unfortunate female who is under sentence of death in the county gaol , in this town , for poisoning her grandchild a . t Martlesham , arrived here yesterday morning . Jit ia to take place on Tuesday next , the 31 st inst . A scaffold has Deen prepared , which is to stand in the ] road opposite the entrance to the new courts . We understand that an earnest petition was last Monday forwarded from the
competent authorities to Sir Jamets Graham , Bart ., the Secretary of State , praying that the execution ot Mary Sheming may be stayed untjil the 25 th of January , so that the town may be spared the pain of two executions ; and there is , we believe , every reason to hose that the pi-ayer ot" the petition -will be vouchsafed by her Most Gracious Majesty . The judge , by the same post , sent a respite for William Howell , Walter Howell , and Israel Shipley , who are in the same place under sentence of death for the murder of M'Fadden , until the 25 th . of January . — Ipswich Express of Tuesday . |
Attempted Robbeuv at St . Kathebine s Docks . —Another daring attempt at robbery was made in these docks on Sunday afternoon j which was fortunately prevented from being carried into effect with much success , in consequence of having been discovered in time , although a large jquantity of spirits has been lost in the attempt . It jappearsthat several casks of brandy had been remoyed on the previous afternoon from the London Dopks by craft , and shipped onboard the Napoleon , a vessel at present loading in . the St . Katherine ' s Docks . The customs officer on board having occasion to go to the forecastle on Sunday afternoon soon after dark , stumbled over something which , on further examination , proved to be two large bladders filled with brandy . On further search , he found that one ojf the casks in the hold , which had been shipped the previous day , had been bored and a quantity of brandy abstracted ; the cask having been but imperfectly stopped up again
and leaking at the time , a quanifitY of coals near it were quite saturated with the spirit . lie immediately called for assistance , and gave information of the discovery to the dock authorities . The cask has since been gauged and found to be deficient no less than twenty-one gallons , though very little more than two was contained in the bladders . So that presuming none to have been actually got away , nineteen gallons must have been wasted in the attempt by the thieves . Not the slightest clue has yet been obtained with respect to the parties implicated , though the company are using the utmost exertions in the matter , as they have donejin the two previous instances without success . It appears that the captain and crew were absent at the time and during the whole of Saturday night , n-ot a soul being on board but the officer in charge , which is a very unusual circumstance in the case of a vessel loading for foreign parts . f
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BANKRUPTS ; , ( From 'J \ icsday ' s Gazette J John Peart Birley , Brompton-row ; Kensington , plumber and glazier—John Christie and James Rodgers , Sottingliill , Middlesex , stone-masons—Ely ah Brentnall , Coldharbouv-road , North Brixton , builder—John Walker Wood , Churton-street , Vauxhall Bridge-road , wine-rrK > rchaut—William Preston , MonwoUth-roiid , BayswuU'r , builder—Henry Biggins , Leeds , merchant—John Peach Burdett , Ottoxeter , Staffordshire ,- grower— Henry i ! a . . Waller , Foulsham , Norfolk , merchant—Michael Graham , Darlington , Durham , attorney—Nicholas Trevenen Hawke , Penzance , tea-dealer—Joseph ^ Ilarley , Wolverhampton , plumber . ]
DIYIDENDSJau . 1 , J , Quy , White Ruthin , Essex , cattle-dealer Jan . 14 , E . M . Good , Peckham , farmer—Jan . 13 , J . Pledge . Vauxhall-street , Lambeth , bricklayer—Jan . 13 , W . ddlier , Cambridge , grocer—Jan . 13 , J . Piggott , ^ un ., Richmond , Surrey , cabinet-maker—Jan . j 14 , K . Petugrew , jun ., Woolwich , tailor—Tan . 17 , C . James , Grand Junctionterrace , Edgeware-road , oilman—Jan . 15 , J . Bates , Worship-street , coachmakcr—Jan . 14 , $ . C . Boyce , Walbrook , oil-merchant—Jan . ' 22 , J . Uowser . ) Milton-street , Dorget-. « quare , timber-nierchant—Jan . 21 , 1 J . Peaten , Padingtonstreet , Marylebone , ironmonger—Jan . 21 , J . Lock ,
Northampton , ten-dealer—Jan . 1 ( J , R . Mitchell , Lime-street , merchant—Jan . 15 , J . Jolley , St . Albau ' s-place , Ilayinarket , builder—Jan . 15 , R . Edmeads , T . Atkins , andG . Tyrrell , Maidstone . bankers—Jani V > , C . O'Neill , R , Salkold , and G . S . Digby , Margam , [ Glamorganshire , shipowners—Jan . 15 , D . Hart , Cambridge , perfumer—Jan . 15 , T . Robinson , Leadenhall-street , talkw-rnerchant ^ Jan . 16 , M . W . Vardy , Newb . ry , Berkshire , bookseller—Jan . 17 , K . Goodeiiougn . Xewtpn Abbot , Devonshire , woollen-draper—Jan . 17 , W . J . J . fcoall , Exeter , grocer—Jan . , C . li . Buchanan and W . Cunningham , Liverpool , merchants—Jan . 'J 3 , J . Iligginbottoin , Ashton-under-LyiK * , money scrivener . I
Di-CLABATlOtiS OF DIVIDENDS . T . Balls , Thames-street , City , iron merchant—first dividend of Is lid . in the pound , any Saturday , at the office ot Mr . Green , Aldermunbury . f C . Teesdale , Westminster-bridgeiroad , furnishing warehouseman—first dividend of 12 s Ujl in th » pound , any . Sa turday , at the office of -Mr . Green , kldevmanbury . E . Foster , Dover , tailor , first dividend of Is lid in t ? ic pound , any Saturday , at the offlcje of Mr . Green , AloVr munbury . ; R . Ilowland , Thame , Oxfordshire , auctioneer , first dividend of 2 s 2 d in the pound , any Wednesday , at the office of Mr . Graham , Coleinati-street . I J . Young , AJdermanbury , City , jlaceman , first dividend of 2 s lOd in the pound , any Wednesday , at the office of Mr . Graham , Coleman-street . j T . Gibson , North Scale , Isle of Walney , Lancashire , coal merchant , first dividend of 1 ? 3 ^ d in the pouud , any Tuesday , at the office of Mr . Fraser , Manchester .
O . D . Ward , Manchester , merchant , third dividend of Id and seven twenty-fourth parts of ja penny in the pound , any Tuesday , at the office of Mr . Fjraser , Manchester . J . S . Daintry , J . lly le , and W . Rj Kavenscroft , Manchester , bankers , first dividend of 4 a in the pound on account of dividend of 5 s 4 d , on Wednesday , Jan . 9 , and every following Wednesday , at the office otj Mr . Pott , Marchester . J . S . Daintry , Manchester , banker , second and final dividend of 9 d , and one-sixteenth pWt of a penny , in the pound , on Wednesday , Jan . 9 , and every following Wednesday , at the office of Mr . Pott , Manchester . J . S . Daintry and J . Kyle , Manchester , bankers , second dividend of 8 Jd in the pound , on Wednesday , Jan . 9 , and every following Wednesday , at thejoflice of Mr . Pott , Manchester , f < j . Robertson , J . Garrow , and Jj , Alexander , Liverpool , rope-manufacturers , first dividend of 3 d in the pound , any Thursday , at the office of Mr . Cazenove , Liverpool . J . Haddock , Warrington , Lancashire , bookseller , first dividend of 8 s Cd in the pound , any Thursday , as the office of Mr . CazenoveLiverpool . )
, M . Atkinson , Temple Sowerby , \ Westmoreland , second dividend of lljd in the pound , anyj Saturday , at the office of ilr . Baker , Newcastle-upon-Tyne . H . Hall , Smalesmouth , Northumberland , farmer , dividend of 2 s 8 Jd and one-tenth of a penny in the pound , any Satnrday . at the office of Mr . WaKlev , Newcastle-upon-Tyne . } * . E . S . Boult and T . Addison , Liverpool , stock-brokers , second dividend of one-third of a { penny in the pound , on Wednesday , Jan . 8 , and any subsequent Wednesday , at the office of Mr . Morgan , Liverpool , i R . Warren , Liverpool , druggist , ( dividend of 8 s 4 d in the pound , any Wednesday , at the office of Mr . Morgan , Liver , pool , j Certificates to be granted , tnlsss cacsb bb shown to
THE CONTRAEY ON THE DAT OF MEETING . Jan . 14 , G . C . Smith , Kensington , builder—Jan . 16 , T . Goldsworthy , " Clifton-street , Maida-vale , Middlesex , merchant—Jan . 16 , J . Jones , Berners-street , Oxford-street , apothecary— Jan . 18 , T . Pearce , Bermondsey-street , triperuan—Jan . 21 , C . Redman , Herne-bay , builder—Jan . 15 , H . It . Gibson , Xorthaw , Hertfordshire , wine merchant-Jan . 21 , T . Caldicott , Newport , Monmouthshire , grocer—Jan . 15 , J . W . Carter , Long-acre , coach plater- ^ Jan . 14 , B . Osborne , Sheffield , table knife manufacturer—Jan . 21 , J . limes , Cheltenham , ironmonger- ) -Jan . 14 , W . Collinson , East Butterwick , Lincolnshire , shipwright—Jan . Xb , E . Kinsey , Newtown , Mpntgomeryshjre , innkeeper—Jan . 17 , T . Tabberner , Birmingham , corn factor—Jan . 16 , J . L . Tabbemer , Birmingham , auctioneer—Jan . 14 , W . May , Liverpool , commission agent . 1
PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED . J . and J . Laing , Murton , Northumberland , farmers—E . h . Brown and Q . Young , Upper Thames-street , City , blacking manufacturers—J . Barjigh and M . Wingrave , High Holborn , oilmen—J . Robbms and J . P . Nixon , Old Change , City , lace manufacturers ^— T . and J . Cullen , Nottingham , lace manufacturers—W . j Marshall and J . Kelcey , Hythe , Kent , millers—8 . Lovell and J . Cooper , St . Neot ' s , Huntingdonshire , boot makers —; S . Park , J . Bryant , and G . Cains , Crewshole , Gloucestershire , quarrymen . — 3 . Sheard , J . Hirst , and J . Graham , j Osset-street-side , Yorkshire , cloth dressers ; af far as regards J . Sheard—W . Element and R . T . Knight , High Rplborn , upholsterers—T , E . Wallace and G . P . Browne , Diss , Norfolk , attorneys—H . Wood , J . E . Partington , and W . Nicholson , Henriettastreet , Covent-garden , wood carters—C . Appelmans and G . J . A . B . Griefyene , Little LUchfield-street , Soho , merchants—J . Garrett and E . Hunt , Bristol , hosiers—A . Barklimore and W . Simpson , High-street , Bloomsbury , surgeons— W , Suteliffe , W . Bllins , aiid W . Leach , Bradford , Yorkshire , worsted manufacturers ; as far as regards W . Ellins—E . H . Fell and J . Hellen ; Ulverstone , Lancashire , rope-makers . '
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London Corn Exchange , Monday , Dec . 23 . —We had moderate arrivals of wheat and barley from our own coast and Scotland during the past week , with a very short supply of oats , but of beans , peas , and flour , the receipts were to a fair extent . From abroad the arrivals consisted of 1000 ! qrs . of wheat , and a small quantity of flour from Launceston , with a few cargoes of barley and oats from the Baltic . At this morning ' s inarket there was aismall show of wheat by land carriage from Essex , Kent and Suffolk , and little or none fresh up coastwise ; the quantity of barley offering was moderate , and the display of oat samplea scanty in the extreme . Of beans there was a plentiful supply" , tut peas were rather j scarce . Owing to the sharp frosts experienced sinceIPriday , all sorts of corn come forward in good condition . English wheat gold without difficulty at fully the rates current on this day se ' nnight , and duty-paid foreign , thougli only in
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limited demand , was likewise quite-as de ; ar . r-i'lour was saleable to a moderate extent at previous k ;« . s All descriptions of barley were held with increased firmness , but the inquiry was not particularly ^ actaYe , and no advance on former terms could be establMQed Malt was saleable in retail , at last Monday ' s quotations . The bare state of the oat marketcwiaed fine corn to be held at rather higher prices , and ^ dealers being very unwilling to pay advanced rates , businesB was dull . Beans moved off at quite asmuchjnon . ey . Grey and maple peas brought the terms of thiaday week , and boilers were the turn dearer . In bonded corn nothing of interest transpired . High prices continue tote demanded for white clover-seed , but the actual transactions have been unimportant ; red has met buyers to a moderate extent atpreviousrates . Canary seed was in slow request to-day , and most other articles moved off tardily at former quotations . CURRENT PRICES OF GRAIN , PER IMPERIAL
QUARTER .-J 5 ritMA . s 8 * s Wheat , Essex , & Kent , new & old red 42 43 White 50 64 Norfolk and Lincoln . ... do 42 46 Ditto 48 53 Xorthnm . and Scotch white 41 45 Fine 46 50 Irish red old 0 0 Red 40 44 White 45 49 Rye Old 33 35 New 33 34 Brank 36 38 Barley Grinding . . . 27 29 Distil . 30 32 Malt . 34 38 Malt , Brown .... 54 56 Pale 58 63 Ware 84 65 Beans Ticks . old < fc new 31 34 Harrow 33 88 Pigeon 36 42 Peas Grey ...... 32 33 Maple 33 35 White 86 40 Oats , Lincolns & Yorkshire Peed 22 24 Poland 23 26 Scotch Angus 23 25 Potato 25 28 Irish White 21 23 Black 20 22 Per 2801 b . net . s s I Per 280 lb . net . 8 s Town-made Flour . * . . 43 45 j Norfolk & Stockton 33 35 Essex and Kent . . * . ' . 34 3 G ) Irish * 4 36 Free . Bond .
Foreign . 8 8 s Wheat , Dantsic , Konigsburg , &c 50 58 36 38 -Marks , Mecklenburg 48 54 34 35 Danish , Uolsteiu , and Frieslandred 45 47 31 32 Russian , Hard 45 46 Soft ... 45 47 81 32 Italian , Red . . 46 00 White ... 60 52 34 36 Spanish , Hard . 46 50 Soft .... 48 52 34 36 Rye , Baltic , Dried , ... 32 33 Undried . . 32 33 24 26 Barley Grinding . 27 29 Malting . . 33 35 24 30 Beans , ' Ticks . . 32 34 Egyptian . 32 34 26 32 le 34 35 28 32
Peas , White . . 36 38 Map . . Oats , Dutch , Brew and Thick 24 25 19 20 Russian feed 20 21 14 16 Danish , Friesland feed 20 22 14 16 Flour , per barrel 25 28 23 24 CORN AVERAGES . —General average prices of British corn for the week ended Dec . 21 , 1844 , made up from the Returns of the Inspectors in the different cities and towns in England-and Wales , per imperial quarter . Wheat .. 45 s . 3 d . I Oats .... 21 s . lOd . I Beans .. 35 s . lid . Barley ., 34 s . 2 d . J Rye .... 32 s . Od . J Pease .. 35 s . 4 d .
London Smithfeeld Gattle AIarket , Monday , Dec . 23 . — -For the time of year , considering that the . great market was held last week , we had a full average number ofcbeasts on sale here to-day , in the general quality of which there was nothing caning for particular observation . As might be exp " ected , the attendance of both town and country buyers was very limited , owing to which , and most of them having previously purchased tlieir Christmas supplies , the beef trade was very dull , at a decline , on last week ' s quotations , of 2 d per 8 lb ., the very highest figure not exceeding 4 s . 4 u ., and at wliich a clearance was not effected . The fresh arrivals were extremely small from all quarters , the bullock supply being chiefly composed of those portions turned out unsold on Monday and
Friday last . The imports of live stock under the new tariff since our last have been very limited , only eight beasts and 20 sheep being on sale this morning from Rotterdam . Comparatively speaking , we aad a good supply of sheep offering , and which , being more than adequate to meet the wants of the butchers , met an unusually dull sale at barel y ^ in some instances , a trifle beneath last week ' s quotations . Scarcely any calves were at market , yet the veal trade was dull , and prices were with difficulty supported . In pigs exceedingly little business was doing , yet the rates were about stationary . By the quantities of 81 b ., sinking the offai . e . d . s . 4 > Inferior coarse beasts !! 10 SO ¦ ¦ ¦
. . . Aiutiiui vvuiov v \ . uoia • — - - v Second qua . lity . . . . 3 2 2 6 Prime large oxen . . . . 3 8 4 0 Prime Scots , < fcc 4 2 4 * Coarse inferior sheep . . . 2 10 3 4 Second quality . . . . 3 C 3 8 Prime coarse woolk-d . . . 3 10 4 0 Prime Southdown . . . . 4 2 4 4 Large coarse calves . . , . 34310 rriine small i 2 4 4 Suckling calves each . . IS 0 30 0 Large hogs ... . : i 0 3 6 Neat small porkers . . . . ' 18 4 0 Ouarter-old store pigs each . . 10 0 20 9
HEAD OP CATTLE ON SALr . { Front the Books of the Clerk of the Market . ) Beasts , 1319-Sheep , 18 , 420—Calves , 17—Pigs , 250 . Liverpool Corn Market , Mond ay , Dec . 23 . —We have received small parcels of Flour and Oatmeal , by steam , from Ireland ; but of these articles the aggregate quantity for the week is moderate , and the arrivals of Grain are of very small amount .. The duty on Rye has advanced to 10 s . Od . per quarter , being the only change that has occurred m the rates of impost on foi-eign produce . Holders of Wheat
have remained very firm , but the dealers have been equally steady in confining their purchases to what they might want for immediate use , and we have thus to repor t a limited business in that grain at full prices . No change in the value of Flour . The market has continued to be sobare of new Oats , that the quotations for them may be considered almost nominal : a parcel of tine mealing has sold at 3 s . 3 d . per 45 lbs . Oatmeal has met a good demand , and must be quoted 3 d . to 6 d . a load dearer : 24 s . Gd . to 25 s . Cd . per load the current rates for old Grain . Ao alteration as regards Barley , Ueans , or Peas .
Manchester Cohn Market , 8 aturday , Dec . 21 . —With a change in the weather and rather languid accounts from the London market of Monday last , the activity in the demand for Flour noted in our " preceding report received a check , and , the dealers . and bakers being pretty well suppjied for the present , the trade has subsequently remained in an inactive state , without change in prices . In the absence of adequate supplies of both Oats and Oatmeal , these articles have continued to find buyers at very full rates , but only in retail quantities . At our market this morning there was very little passing in Wheat , but we cannot vary onr previous quotations . For Flour there was by no means so activp a demand as on this day se'nnight ; still , the article found sale to a moderate extent ; and the recent clearance of accumulated stocks enabled factors to establish an improvement in the value of well known marks . With a limited offer of neither Oats or Oatmeal , the business passin g wag trifling , but prices were the turn higher . La the value of Beans no alteration can be uotod .
Liverpool Cattle Market , Monday , Dec . 23 . — We have had a good supply of Beasts at market to-day , which met with dull sale , at high prices . There , was a small supply of Sheep . Anything of good quality was eagerly sought after , and readily sold . Beef 5 id , to 6 d ., Mutton 51 d . to 61 d . per lb . Cattle imported into Liverpool , from the l « thto the 23 d Nov .: 1772 Cowb , 41 Calves , 2072 Sheep , 0 Lambs , 4572 Pigs , 12 Horses . State of Trade . —Our present number being issued before the great weekly market , we have nothing new to state , except that , during the last two or three days there has been an improved demand for most descriptions of manufactured goods ; and prices , which had become a little unsteady , have resumed their former firmness . —Manchester Guardian of Wednesday .
Newcastle Corn Market , Dec . 21 . —At our market , this morning we had a very large sujjply of wheat from the country , and the condition being indifferent , it sold slowly at last week ' s prices . . Of south country qualities our market is bare , and with such we can with confidence recommend shipmetits ; several cargoes are expected on the first change of wind , but we have reason to believe they will not be generally offered forjsale without prices improve in the meantime . Foreign continues to be held / with increased firmness , more especially pantzic , Ro ' stock , and choice Stettin , the stocks of which are now within a moderate compass . Some further sales have been made for shipment coastways , but the unremunerating state of the flour trade causes our millers to purchase as sparingly as possible of these
wheats , owing to the high relative rates' demanded . In bonded we aid not hear of any transactions taking place . For flour there was only a slow inquiry , but this arose more from a want of a choice of" quality than from any other cause ; the trade may therefore be quoted precisely as last week . In rye father more doing . Malting barley may be noted rather dearer , and the same may be said of distilling and grinding qualities . Malt unvaried Beans stationary . Boiling peas are held for more money , which tends to check business ; as , however , the stocks are extremely light , we are of opinion prices are more . likely to advance than recede value , and that our dealers will be compelled in
to give the terms generally required , although at present they resist any advance . With oats we are again largely supplied , and the demand proving corresponding ; the whole met a quick sale , at the full rates of tnia day week . The duty on rye is Is . pej qr . higher ; on other articles there is no change . Maltos Corn Market , Dec . 21 . —We have a good supply of all kinds of grain , except oats . Wheat , barley , and oats without alteration . Red wheat , 43 s . to 49 s . ; old ditto , 50 s . to 52 s . ; dittoivhite , new , 51 s . to 54 s . ; old ditto , 53 s . to 56 s perqr . of 40 stones . Barley , 28 s . to 33 s . per qr . of 32 st . Oata , 9 } d . to 10 } d . per stone .
York Corn Market , Dec . 21 . —The supply of Grain is good ; Wheat fully supports the rates oflast week ; fine Barley the turn dearer ; Oats andBeana as before , 'the tone of the market is- 'decidedly healthy ,. and , with a continuance of fiosty weather , the trade is more likely to increase than otherwise . London Hat Markets . —SiixrHziBfiD , Thursday . — Coarse Meadow Hay , £ 3 10 s . to £ 418 s . useful do ., £ 4 17 s . to £ 5 4 s . ; ffne Upland do ., £ 5 5 s . to £ 510 s . ; Clover Hay , £ 4 10 s . to £ 6 ; Oat Straw , £ 1 14 s . tg £ 116 s . ; Wheat Straw ,. £ 1168 ; to £ 118 s . per load . An average supply , and a sluggish' demand . Whitbchapel . —Coarse Meadow Hay , £ 3 16 s . to £ 4 15 s . ; useful do . ; £ 4 16 b ; to £ 5 4 fl » iin& ^ Iplan . d do ., . £ 5 5 s . to £ 5 10 s . ; Clover H »^ s £ « 0 £ iffifUjj . ; Gat Straw , £ 113 « . to £ 114 s . W ^ $ BBBJ& £ [ to £ 118 * per load . Supply gmmSsmmSt dun
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Untitled Article
FIRESIDE SCRAP 8 . —THE FACTORY SYSTEM . TO THE EDITOB . O ? THE WOETTIERN 8 TAE . Mr . Editor—Ab you are now a sort of Political Nat » b in your new hemisphere , perhaps it may not be displeasing to jour highness to receive a few lines from one of those who feel where the shoe pinches . The Factory System . '—Don't tell me about your Royal Commissions , or butterfly travellers , in quest of information on this subject ; They don't see anything of the system but the mere outside . Poor folks are not fond of revealing their real circumstances to their nearest relatives ; how then is it likelv for you mere " book-makers , " whether'I " blue" or "bound in calf , " to know anything of the state of the factory workers ? It ' s out of the question—mere moonshine .
This is considered the best town in England for factory operatives . They are better paid , better fed and clothed , and under less restrictions , than those of a similar class in Lancashire ; " Then they ought to be content , " replies some hungry speculator in human blood . Ought they ? Let us sec . Wetave bad " good trade , " a " roaring trade ; " " plenty to do" fur the last two years : night and day : helter skelter—new rattle-boxes erecting , steam hissing , powerlooms clacking , spinning frames buzzhig , and men , women , and children combintr wool to keeD them all in motion . " Plenty of work" for the combers , sixteen or eighteen hours a day . 'Well , what is the result of all this ? It is now Christmas week . The manufacturers art " taking stock" to ascertain the amount of their year ' s profits i here goes , to " take stock" for the slaves .
Powerlocrm Weavers . —Above 200 young women work at this branch of our trade , in one factory . Now this is boasted of as the very best paid branch for females . They are now making superfine " merino" or " Orleans " cloth ; doubtless , the capabilities and wages of such a number will vary : but here ' s a fair medium . S ^ - worked a fortnight for twelve shillings ; she is a good hand , and engaged ! on the finest work , A few years , very few years ago , the employer was a Scotch hawker . He is now building a new factory for himself , at present renting the place in question . He has made a fortune ; whilst the utmost gained by the poor girl is a Sunday frock , bought from one of his hawking brethren , and paid for by instalments . ' Piecers , tkc . —The children who are employed in the various departments ; of spinning , receive from three shillings to five shillings weekly , and in some few instances more , for which they have to devote the whole of their time . Education or recreation is out of the question .
Wodkomben . —These form the most numerous body in this town and neighbourhood . There are about 10 , 000 of them , and they are the heads of the families whose members are employed in the various factory occupations ; a description of tlieir circumstances will at once show the plundering , all-grasping disposition of the " lords of the long chirxjnie 8 . " During the strike in 1842 , and for a year previous , this class of men Buffered the extremity of privation ; hundreds who had been used to live in comfort , had to
endure all the horrors of actual starvation . Their clothes and furniture were sold or pawned , and every available means used to keep their families from perishing . During tiiis time , numbers were partially employed by large capitalists , who took advantage of tlieir necessities , and plundered them unmercifully . Those were " piping " times for hordes of heartless speculators ; . and several infamous hypocrites actually pretended to employ men for a miserable pittance , on the score of Religion !! They have since made 200 per cent , by their Holt and Christian " sacrifices . "
Well , at last came 1848 , bringing with it " good trade " and " plenty to do . " The prices of manufactured goods rose rapidly , and some of the factories worked night and day to supply the demand ; but notwithstanding the immense advance on' the manufacturers' profits , they still persisted in doling out the pittance of 184 ii to the woolcombers , who at length formed a union called the " Protective Society , " and compelled them to advance their wages , in some cases as much as 20 per cent ! This advance , large as it may seem , did not bring the prices up to what they had been previous to the " Panic : " and the mnnnfriRtvirers' " insatiable desire of accumulation" led
them to practise innumerable cheats , to hinder their workpeople from benefitting by this god-send called Good Trade , by mis-naming their sorts , and keeping up the appearance whilst they withheld the mbstance . The Protective Society has endeavoured to battle with them by strike r s , and by appeals to their humanity and reason : but no—it was unavailing . From these causes the best workmen have been compelled to labour sixteen or eighteen hours daily to procure a livelihood ; : and instead of being enabled to educate their children , they are compelled to drive them from their beds at half-past five in the morning ( not a very agreeable job for even an adult , these winter mornings ) to labour at those monotonous wheels in order to swell the fortunes of their inhuman oppressors . Nay more , they are forced to send their wives also ; thus depriving themselves of all means of cleanliness and comfort .
Now , mark * Trade is getting bad again , vv ages are being reduced . The masters are " taking stock . " What is the situation of the slaves after nearly two years of " good trade , " and " plenty to do V Thousands of them read your valuable journal—let them answer . Have they , during this good trade , secured good furniture for their houses , good clothing for their families , and a few pounds in their purse to provide for future contingencies ? Sot a bit of U . They are worn out by toil , exhausted in body and mind , without resources , and looking forward to a gloomy future . Here ' s a picture of one of our best paid manufacturing towns—a true picture > which will defy contradiction . This is the working man ' s share of the boundless wealth ; he creates—mere food and shelter in " good trade , " with a continual foreboding of misery before bis eyes , and absolute unrelenting and , inexorable destitution wben trade is bad !
There ! I'have" taken stock ! " Print it or not , there it is ! Let Chambers , and Baines , and Stcrge , and Smileb , and the innumeraDle horde of grasping' speculators aid profitmakers , look at it I This is the condition of sensible , intelligent , deep-thinking working men ! burning with a keen sense of their wrongs , and eager for an opportunity to redress them , i They may publish their trashy tracts till doomsday to reconcile us to this state of things , and may dress np their ghosts and mummies to answer for us , when breathed upon by CBAjresBS and Co . ; but a reckoning day vriU cornel and wien we " take stock" of their
Imnlu Upts, J&C»
iMnlu upts , j&c »
Market Intelligence.
MARKET INTELLIGENCE .
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r Decembeb 28 , 184 . THE NORTHERN STAR . 7
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 28, 1844, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct688/page/7/
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