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" €%t Cxmftitum $f (SnsJattJi " laws grind the poer, and rich men rale the lair.
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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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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
" €%T Cxmftitum $F (Snsjattji " Laws Grind The Poer, And Rich Men Rale The Lair.
" €% t Cxmftitum $ f ( SnsJattJi " laws grind the poer , and rich men rale the lair .
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TBE IMPOBTA 2 fT 1 XYE 5 TIGA . TI 0 N AT THE B 1 B 3 UKGHAM WORKHOUSEOn Thursday , the inTestigation "was resumed * Mr . Iucr 3 , one of the e ^ iaraiaaa of H * e Poor , in the chair , 3 £ ere -were present during the day the following Guardians : —Messrs . Byder , Knight , Pritchard , V 7 . Cbesshiie , MaTns , Biriey , Matcbett , Bobinson , Hofierick , Joseph Corbet * , Hcllingsworth , Boucher Behbfcrt , Turner , Alldridge , Potter , and Taylor , o : Edgboton-streei . It fcafl been clearly established , by the evidence o several -witnesses at the former meeting * , that fon trtmps had teen confined , contrary to law , in ft boi i _ ble "hole , for eight days and eight nights , in » ** at of nadi ' -y , without "bedding or covering , except a ru each , snd that they -were supplied with Tery Inferk food all the time . . .
The Commissioner commenced the further inqtu by saving , that he . should like to atftTninn- 3 M * Ph = rsoa- After looking al the cell in which 1 lour men were confined , he thought it impossible 1 that tie persons in the Infirmary Dispensing Ito must hare heard the tramps in the place they were vr . luc ? 5— I hsTe 'been told , Sir , that the b of whom we haTe heard so mu ; b , is now in the Wo Ijocsr-The Comnnsaoner—If that be the case , I am r soiry for it . ThB Goremor has posiBTely stated t he knew nothing about him .
Mr . Kobert M' Paerson , a member of the College Apothecaries , and Apothecary to the Infirmary , i then examined . He stated he knew of the four traa i Tng confined in the "black hole , " but did not tnem . I should say they were in eight or ten d * The Sist three or four days they seemed Tery cheeri singing and making a noise , which annoyed ns t much . Afterwards they were very quiet ; in fact t t -reams 30 quiet th 3 t I had forgotten they were th until jie Sunday , when my litfielwy , who wasw me , saw the man taking food to them . He told mother when Tie -got home lie raw three or four nal
men . His mother asked me if such was tfie . case ; i Ljjot believing it possible ,- I told her I thought it j ! S 3 ible . When I retnmed from dinner Insde fairies of James Dswron snd John Fan if the i ¦ werssSUthsTB . and H they waetieaHy naked ? TJ insured me they were . James Itewaon told me men had wanted bread-, and that he could saTe tl Borne of Ms if he dare giveit them . 1 neTer saw menatalL I did not report the subject to anybc I might hys-e talked about the jni ¥ ject- to the Ho Surgeon ; 1 made no reserve , for the matter was tal of Tery freely by the aerrante .
James Ds-waon was then called , and examines by Comtmadoner . He said , I am a pauper in the Birnu bam Woikhouse , and I hare been an inmate in Eousa about two years . About two months ago I collect four men being put in theTanlt or cdl in passage leading to the Infirmary . I had nothing to for them when they were there . I saw them in t place ± or a week or fc 3 tSer . They saidtbey -arerei f ry , and * hat it tt Tery cold . They were naked w I saw them . The Comm 5 ssioner—How often did yon see then a state of nakedness ?
Witness— I saw tbemnatsd two or thret limes ,: WH 5 going" through the passage-when Harris wai gn f ! em fbo « . Osce , as I was psssmg at the'iacVof C ^ I , they asked me to hana thf-rn some i&grf ' TrMeb t jisfl QuusS ifirough th& grating at onB corner of Tsnlfc ^ eywererags wMch bad been put through Srindow or grating , as I understood , to keep " the < ent At this fime they asked me if I had a bi mouldy crust of bread to gyre them . They complai of- toing hungry . Ijwbuld hare giren them some fa Si i&at time , if I dared . \ Ibe Commissioner- —! OT £ st time « f tl » 4 sj -wj
Hz . Joseph Corbet *—Wisjfc fcsfore breakfast , after / that they asked yon for this * bit of mot BRtft ? * - ¦ - '" ^ Wttnea *—It-wm about eleren at twelre o ' clock . Mt J . Oorbett—What time dH ihey haTe tl bsakfEStgiren to them ? "Witness—The breakfast was nsnally siren on ] them about nine o ' clock . " * The CommissiOBei—Are you , "witness , gnite sore ; BV fee men naked ? . -Witness—I am qnite confideni I saw . them ja -The-Comnjissioner—All-four naked ? . Witness—Tea , Srjl saw tiiem naked seTeral & Ml was passing . Ihey were as entirely naked
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tbey -were wbea they weru born . The door of the Tsuft or cell was open at tbe time , and ; the man was gi-viog \ hem foofl . 1 did not see them come out . I neTer saw any person ercept Harris talking to them . I told Mr . M-Phereon the men were in the Tault , and that they asked me for bread , ard that I would haTe gi ^ en it to them if I dared . Other witne s ses were examined who corroborated the eTidence previously giTen .
THE SECOND CHASGE . The CommiHsionex said , he wished the boy , Roper , to be brought in , who , he understood , was an inmate in the House . The boy was then brought into toe room , and , af ler hearing a bri « f narrative of the case which he was called to support , The Commissioner said , before he examined the boy , he would go with him , and he should point out the places in -which he waB put , and to Which hB would have to refer when giring his evidence . Any of the Guardians who wished to attend him in this part of his eLqniry , might , do so . It wasnecessary that the boy shonld point out the different jooms in which he was placed before he took down his eTidence . Tbe ConimiBSioner then left the room iwlth ihe boy , and proceeded with seTeral Guardians and the reporters to the passage leading to the Infirmary .
The Commissioner—Now , my little boy , point out to me the place you were first placed in . The boy pointed to the first door in the passage on the right hand side . A Guardian present— " O , no I that cannot be ; that is a ln » ber-room . " The Commissioner—Tou make a mistake , boy ; was ii not the next door ? No . Sir ; I was put in here first Commissioner—Are you sure of that , my boy- ! Yes , Sir . —Where is the key ? Lst the door be nnlocked . A Guardian—No person ib eier placed there ; it is fall of lumber . -The Commissioner—The boy adheres to it that fee was put in there . Let the door be unlocked . One of the servants , who bronght the key , said the boy was pnt is there first . Commissioner—Tou see , gentlemen , however incredible his statement at first appeared , the boy is right Let the door be nnlocked .
The door of the Tault was then unlocked , and one of the most dark and dismal places it was ever our lot to behold , was opened to "view . It was an arched -vault , without any window or grating for the admission of light ox air , filled with lumber , leaving scarcely room for three persons to Btand in . Its appearance produced a strong feeling of disgust in tbe minds of all who saw it Commissioner—Where were you next taken to ? The bjj then proceeded to the door of the b ' aek-hole , where the four men were confined . This horrible hole we gaTe a faint description of in ourJast . Commissioner—How long , my boy , were you confined in ibis place ' —One night the first time , and three days and three nights the second time . —Where were you next taken to ?—The room opposite . —Shew us the
room . The boy ihen walked across the passage to a Tault or cell directly opposite to tbe black hole , which was formerly called the black hole . Commissioner—How long were you kept here ?—Three days and three nights . Commissioner— -176 will now go to the tramp-room . The Commissioner , the Guardians , and the reporters then proceeded to what 1 b called the tramp-room at the top of tbe yard , on entering which the stench was dreadful , and the scene revolting . It was a small confined cell , around which were fixed boards which were called bedsteads , without bedding or straw upon them . In one corner of one of these bedsteads , at the further end of the cell , lay a boy huddled up in a rug ; and in the opposite corner another boy in a similar position .
j Commissioner—What is that?—pointing to one of the ¦ miserable objects—ia it a nnnnvn being ? j A Guardian—Tes . Sir . j The Commissioner— Get up . 1 Two young , wretched , and filthy human ereatnres ; then rese np . : The Commissioner— What a state for human beings j to be in ! Then addressing the younger boy , he saidi How old are yon ?— Nine years . | How long haTe you been here ?—A week last Sa-I turday . | To the next boy . How old are yon . ?—Fourteen , I Sir . i How long haTe you been here?—Fonr days . Sir . j They haTe no business to remain here bo Jong
The Commissioner asked a man who was ill , how long hB had bees there , and he said seTeral days . He then Tisited other parts of tbe House , ' tbe appearance of which and the unfortunate inmates was , ' as our contemporary justly observes , 'thoroughly revolting . ' Tbe reporter , at the request of one of tbe Gaardians , went through the House , but we must not here giTe bis description of the scenes he met with , and his remarks thereon , as it is understood that many of them will be the subject of official Investigation . On the return of the Commissioner to the committee room hB called the boy Roper to him , and after seriously cautioning him to speak the truth , the whole truth , and nothing but the truth , and explaining to him the awful responsibility of giving utterance to falsehood , when he called God to witness , he most solemnly administered to him the oath .
The boy Roper said , I am twelve years of age . And I was brought to this Workhouse by my mother , for being & naughty boy . 1 was taken into a room , before : some gentlemen , asd they were asked if the ? would - take me into the Workhouse for being a bad boy . My mother took me into the kitchen , to the Governor . : The Governor called a man , who took me into the : dark-hola . His name was John . He gave me up to a , tpv named John , With a wooden lee . This man pnt . me into tbe first hole in the passage , on the right . hand side of the passsge leading to the Infirmary . I ) staid there until from about six o ' clock to eight at j night , when Mrs . Hirst came , and I was taken out ! and pnt into the second door in the passage , meaning the black-hole . When I was first put into this second
i place , there was no one there . Two boys came in 1 about five minuUs afterwards . Some men came in , ; and there were seven of ns altogether in the cell . j Mrs . Hirst and a female servant came and gaTe \ &s some rags . She gaTe us all one a-piece . I do not ' recollect of either of the other boys or tbe men refusing ; the rag . Our sapper , of Boup and bread , was brought ; to ns . Two ef the boys had no shoes od . About half-: put seven o ' clock the next morning Harris let us out , 1 and he put me into a room on the opposite side , where ' 1 bad my breakfast . At ten o ' clock Harris took me out of that room , and pnt me into the top men's tramp-) i room , where I remained three days and three nights . I ! Every eight I was there , tramps were sleeping in this
] room ; I can t say how many , but there were a good \ many . I sh « uld think on the Saturday night there ! -were twenty . After -that I was taken to tbe dark bole , ; where I h&d before been in on tbe right hand side of ! the passage , and there kept three days and three nights ; ;; and I was then removed to tbe opposite Bide , and there i * I stopped three days and three nights . I never slept in ; the dark hole by myself . There were always tramps , ' . there . There were not more than seven in the bole ; it -1 would not hold more . The grating was open to the top . I I had no -water or convenience to wash myself the J' first morning I was in the Workhouse . In the upper t . tramp room I did wash once . Harris gaTe me soap " and water , and I wiped myself on my handkerchief .
f On the Sunday I came out I was washed , when I was a ; taken to a bath . I had no clean shirt or clean clothing s during that period . I had nothing to sleep upon but i \ boards from the Wednesday until the following Suni ., day week , when I left I was kept in bed a fortnight , ! by Mrs . Hirst After I first went to bed on a Sunday y evening , and kept my bed for a fortnight , the Schoolf \ master told me not to get up . He told me that the e I matron bad ordered him not to let me get up . My a I dethes were taken from me when I went into the bath . % \ A clean shirt and pinner was then given me . The boys ! { brought up my food . The Schoolmaster said I was 31 kept in bed for punishment . I was a week and three -1 days in bed , and the oUier days kept in the room .
Edward Rogers , fourteen years of age , sworn—He 31 corroborated the testimony of the boy Roper as to being f ' kept in bed nine days . b The investigation was then adjournedr Fhidat , Dec . L—The Commissioner read a paper e from the GoTvrnor , containing his reply to the charge r " relative to the four tramps . None of the facts given e i aboTe werffdisproTed ; the reply was a mere piece of " " -explanation , " not at all mending the Governor ' s case . e The Mother of the boy Roper was examined , and her ' " evidence confirmed that of the boy . ^ i William Harris , the man who was ordered by the * " I GoTernor to put the boy in the black hole , confirmed all e the important points of the boy ' s eTidence . ° ] Mr . Charles Smith , the house surgeon , was next t j examined , after which the investigation was again '' j aajourned . & * fay ** v fV ^ TTTT ^ T ^ ^^ T 7 i ^^) ^^ T 9 THE THISD CHARGE
. a SiTrjRDAY , Djse . 2 . —The Commissioner , on taking his seat this morning , said he was new about to 1 j enter upon another charge , which was this , tx&—g That a yosng woman , named Harriet Rodder , wrs e put into the tramp-room by way of pnnishmen *' 7 ¦ Mrs . Hirst—She is Tery ill—she Is in the Infiris mary . ¦ . ' 8 ' The Commissioner—I wish to examine her on d oath . . rf Mrs . Hirst—She is unable to attend here , Sir . " The Commissioner—if she be unable to walk to this d room , I must go to her * nd trte her eTidence . Let tt » surgeon be sent Joe . - . »¦ Mr . Smith , ae House , Buigeon , was then sent ' *?* » ^ od on hU coming into the room , the Commis-« » oner asked Mm If . he thought Harriet Rodder r JSdeM ? ° * beins broB s hfc to that r * s ™ fr ' JK ^ J ^ nWlM OMii dMd that she was . forthwith !* miHW 1 «* -I * t her then be bronght here
to Mt Hirst—i beg to observB , Mr . Weale , pretioUB to the witnessR « ld « «*** in , that LtaqS ^^ SSSt * 1-- *^ -- ^ - *
, The witaew was then bronght into the room—she appeared to he very ilL
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This witness deposed -that she had been Confined in the tramp room " from a Saturday night to the next Wednesday morning . " She was ill and taking medicine at the time . In answer to questions by Mr . Boucher , the witness said , I have known women put in the black-hole for quarrelling . Ann Morris , the woman Who quarrelled with me , was put in the black hole about three or four months ago . I have known other Women separated and put in the tramp-room I was in for quarrelling . Ann Morris , I understood , was put in the black-hole because she refused to go to chapel . She was put in about five o ' clock in the afternoon , and takes out about nine at night , and she then went to bed with the other women . Tbe Commissioner—Ato you certain that Ann Morris was put in the black-hole , and that you saw her put in ? . Witness- * Tes , Sir .
The Commissioner—This is a new charge . It Is the first I have heard of a female being pnt in the blackhole . Surely it cannot be the horrible place the four men and the boy were confined in . She shall show us this black-hole where she states she saw Aim Morris placed in . Mrs . Hirst—I do not think she ia able to walk there and back to this room . The Commissioner—I will take tbe pen and ink with me , and if she finds herself unable to walk back here , she can sign her deposition there . Mrs . Hirst—Are you able , Harriet , to so there and walk back ? Witness—yes . The Commissioner— Let her show us the way . Tbe witness , followed by the Commissioner , several Guardians , and the reporters , proceeded to the passage leading from the Workhouse to the Infirmary .
The Commissioner—Now show us the place Into which you saw Ann Morris put The witness then pointed out the horrible black hole in which the four men and the boy were confined . The Commissioner—Are you certain you saw Ann Morris put in : there ? Witness—I am , Sir . The Commissioner—Now show us the tramp . room in which yon were placed . The witness then walked to a miserable and confined place , which is called the female tramp-room . The Commissioner—How Jong were yon kept here , r Witness—I was kept here from the Saturday to the Wednesday . The witness was cross-examined by the matron , but made no alteration in her statements .
Mr . Smith , house-surgeon , was agaia examined at considerabls length . He stated that laat witness was afflicted with a chronic disease , and that her confinement in tbe tramp-room was most improper in ¦ > her state « f health . Sarah Morley was then examined en the part of the Governor . She denied that the boy Roper bad been confined to his bed nine or ten days . Tbe boy wn re-examined , but persisted in his former statement William Wear and John Fair were then examined ; they admitted that they had put Ann Morris in the black hole , by order of the matron ; but denied that she was placed in a straight jacket
MONDAT ;—Mr . Edward Townsend Cox , of Birmingham , surgeon , said he bad been surgeon to the Infirmary connected with the Birmingham . Workhouse for upwards of thirty years . Harriet Roddis , otherwise Rodder , was under my charge on the lst of March last At that time she was suffering from stricture of tbe rectum and fistula . She was discharged from the Infirmary on the 17 th of July , relieved . She was again admitted on the 2 nd of September , and attended by me for the same disease ; discharged on the
7 th of September , relieved . Sbe was again admitted on the 13 th of October , and attended by me for the same disease , and is at this time apatient in the Infirmary . Sbe has , since her last admission , had an operation performed on her by me for fistula . I know the female tramp-ward ; from what I know of this tramp-room , with the knowledge I have of the state of the woman , Roader , is now in , and my previous knowledge of her state , I should say it was not a fit place for her to be placed in during the time she has been under my charge . I was not awara she was there . Had I seen her in the
tramp-ward at any period from tke 7 th of September to the 13 th of October , I should unquestionably haTe suggested to Mr . Smith , the House Surgeon , to haTe had her removed , I do not think her disease bas been increased from her being placed there , but that sbe must necessarily have experienced increased incon-Tenience and suffering from pain from the circumstances . "Mr . Scbolefield , M . P . for the Borough , requested admission , which was immediately ' granted .
FOUitin CHARGE . William Weare , keeper of tbe lunatic ward , was then examined . We cannot find room for bis eTidence at length , frem which it appeared that a poor man named Bates , weak in intellect but perfectly harmless , bad been confined in the lunatic ward as a punishment , and there strapped to a chair by order of the governor and matron . Mr . Smith , bouse-sargeon , confirmed this statement Mr Smith bad ordered the poor man to be releeied which had given great offence to tbe Governor . From the evidence of Ann Titley , keeper of the female Insane ward , it appeared that a female not insane had been sent to the lunatic ward by the Governor as a punishment for some offence . Mr . Hirst ( tbe Governor ) was not in attendance today on account of illness .
Tuesday .. — . The kquiry was resumed at ten o'clock Mr . Mole , solicitor , attended on the part of the Work-. house Governor . The Commissioner addressed Mr . Mole , and said that he would now proceed with tbe Governor's defence . He would read over his notes , and point out those facts of the evidence which most affected Mr . Mole ' s client . There was no doubt about tbe confinement of tbe four men , or the treatment which they received . Mr . Hirst had himself admitted this . Tbe Commissioner then read over tbe charges , and those parts of the evidence which in any way affected tbe Governor and the Matron . Mr . Mole—It is necessary for me to see the Governor for the arrangement of the defence . I shall be occupied with him some time
The Commissioner—We went en till iriday night before it was stated that Mr . Hirst wished his profeBeional advi ° er to ba present . I will giTe you until Thursday morning to prepare tbe defence . I am willing to afford you every facility , and to give you every information you may require in preparing the defence to the charges . Mrs . Hirst stated tbafc the Governor was too ill to attend . After the hearing of some unimportant evidence , the Iki ^ uiky waB adjourned until Thursday morning .
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course , quite dead . Mr . Juppett bad the mutilated remains removed to the union woikb . ouse , wbAch was resorted to during the day by numbers of persons , in order to the body being identified . Information was sent to Mr , E . Eagles , the coroner , who issued bis warrant for the inquest , which was held on Saturday ; the only witnesses examined that day being the labourers by whom the fire was discovered , and who could not account for the origin of the calamity . The inquiry was consequently adjourned over till Tuesday , when the body of the deceased was fully identified . His name is John Simmons , and he was said to be about fifty-seven years old . He was a native of the town of Bedford , and entered tbe army when a mere boy . By good conduct , ha attained the rank
of colour-sergeant in the 40 th Regiment of Foot He was in the battle of Waterloo , where he was wounded in the head and in the leg , and was commended by the Duke of Wellington for his bravery on several occasions . The poor fellow Was in receipt of la . a day pensieD . Owing to' the wound in bis head , be had for some years been subject to periodical attacks of insanity , and had been for some time an inmate of Bedford Lunatic Asylum , from which he bad been lately discharged . Haying no employment , be was in the habit of wandering about tbe precincts of tbe town , and about an hour before the fire broke out he was met by a man in the employ of Mr . Francis , builder , of this town . He was at that early hour proceeding toward a theKimble ton-road , but for what purpose no one could form any probable conjecture .
By direction of the coroner , a post mortem examination : of the body was made by Mr . Mitchell and Mr . Blore , surgeons . These gentlemen stated , that one of the arms aud one of tbe legs were burnt off ; that the body ' was in other respects , extensively injured . They had also found a contused wound on the head , which they were of opinion bad been caused after death , probably by the ( ailing of a piece of timber from the roof of the barn . They concluded that death had been caused by suffocation , There was no evidence adduced tending to implicate the men in custody ( tbe brothers Parkins ) beyond the fact of tbe workmen having seen them come from the barn , as already described , which they accounted for by showing that ^ n tbe previous night they had slept at a cottage in the neighbeurhood , and , when dressing , were attracted to the spot by tbe strong glare of light
Tbe Coroner recommended the Jury to return an open verdict , in case additional evidence might be obtained at some future time . The Jury concurred in tbe suggestion , and a verdict to that effect Was accordingly recorded . The Parkinses have undergone two Ions examinations before the bench of magistrates , including Mr . Joseph Brown ( the late Mayor ) , Mr . GK P . Livius , Mr . T . A . Green , and Mr . Davis . The witnesses were the rime as loose called before the coroner ' s jury . There being no evidence to justify the further detention of tbe prisoners they were discharged . They gain a livelihood by repairing rush-bottomed chairs , and travel about tbe country in that character .
This appalling affair , together with the repeated recurrence of incendiary fltes ^ produced the most feverish state of excitement in the town and county of Bedford , and has 1 been rapidly followed by another conflagration within a short distance of the town of Ampthill . The latter fire broke out on Saturday morning , at a place called Hownes , about six miles from Bedford . Here a large ) barn and out-officss , in the occupation of Mr . Eanies , an extensive farmer , were wholly consumed . Fortunately this ia not accompanied , as in the other case , with loss of life ; but the destruction of property is very great , and the owner ia only partially insured . Upwards of fourteen stacks of corn , a large quantity of agricultural implements , together with the buildings , have been sacrificed by the torch of a nocturnal incendiary , who , happily for the ends of justice , has been secured . His name is Thomas Elmer , a native of Ampthill , and he ia said to be a person of all others
tbe least likely to ba suspected of a crime so heinous as that of arson . Having received a fail share of education he obtained tho appointment of master of tbe Sunday school iu connexion with the National Society which has recently been established in the village of Hownes . Owing to some information obtained by Captain Boultbee , Cbief Constable of the Bedford Rural Police , Elmer was apprehended P" ) be was leaving the church on Sunday last , to the great astonishment of the congregation . He was conveyed to Ampthill by Superintendent Bates , when be was examined on Thursday before the Rev . J . B . Whitburn , one of tbe district magistrates . The evidence was so strong as to leave no doubt that be was a principal in , if not the sole author of , the fire at Mr . Eamcs ' s premises . When la the cage the prisoner made a voluntary confession of his guilt , which being reduced to writing , he signed it in presence of the Bench , and has been fully committed for trial on tbe capital charge at the ensuing
The terror excited amongst the farmers throughout the agricultural districts in this neighbourhood is quite painful . The rural police discharge their duty , wearisome as it has become , owing to tbe frequency of incendiary firea , with laudable zsal and alacrity ; but they are too few ia numbi-r to overcome the marauders who are prowling about every night over a county of such extent . The Bedford Association ( county ) for Protection of Property have employed a number of men to co-operate with the rural police , but this is not enough to restore confidence . It is reported that a meeting of the magistrates is about to be held , in order to consider tbe propriety of an application being made to tbe Secretary of State for some increase of the constabulary force during the remainder of the winter .
SWING IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE . ( From the Cambridge Independent Press . J Fen Ditton . —It is our melancholy task to record one of the largest and most calamitous fires that haa occurred in this part of the country for many years , and which there ia no doubt was the work of an incendiary . On Thursday evening , about five o ' clock , a stack of oatstraw , sta ding in a farmyard belonging to Mr . J . Fyson , of Fen Dltton , about two miles and a half from Cambridge , was discovered to t a on fire . The yard contained seventeen stacks , of every description of grain , two large barns , a granary , pigeon-house , cart-hovels , picg « riee , and other outbuildings . It was of great extent , the stacks and buildings forming a large square . In a few minutes from tbe discovery of tbe fire , the whole
of the stacks were in a blaz * . The wind blew from tke west with great violence . The alarm speediiy reached Cambridge , and in I a Tery brief space the Norwich Union fire-engine , which was accompanied by Mr . W . Ekin , reached tbe spot The P £ cenix-office end other engines soon arrived . The stock in which the fire commenced was situate at the southern extremity of the yard : and at the time when the first engine arrived the fire might easily have been extinguished , but , unhappily , there was a most deficient supply of water , and tbe flames spread with such rapidity as to defy tbe feeble opposition that was brought against them . The fire communicated from stack to stack with alarming speed , and iu less , than ten minutes the whole yard was in a blaze . The barns , which were of great size aud
contained a large quantity of grain , were quickly enTeloped in flames . Tbe cattle and farming implements were , by strong exertions , safely temoved , with the exception ef two wooden rollers . At this moment the fire was grand and awful in the extreme . A space which occupied an area of more thau two hundred yards square , was crowded with immense burning masses of material . The wind blew with great violence and carried the flames with terrific force to a height and extent which threatened destruction to tbe whole village . The effoits of the , , firemen were powerless to stay their progress . Al this time , to add to the horron of the scene , some burning materials fell upon the stack of Mr . Kent , whose farmyard was on the opposite side of the road . This yard contained nine large Blacks of barley and
hay . In a moment all were in fliinos , and another fire alraoat equal in extent to the one we have been describing raged most fearfully . Fortunately the wind carried tha Sanies from the bouse of Mr . Kent , and the largbr yard in which were the barns . Twenty-six large stacks and numerous buildings were now all on fire at once , and to stop the ravages of the devouring flames seemed utterly impossible . The scene was terrific , and amidst it all we were grieved to observe the apathy and reckless indifference displayed by the labourers , but few of whom manifested the slightest desire to aid in extinguishing the fire . Toe engines were chiefly worked by members of the University , many of whom most actively and energetically employed th niselves in attempting to save the property of the sufferers . Spnie were , seen up to their knees iu water , passing buckets of water from one to the oiher ; but the fire was beyond control . Its ravages were unstopped until all on which it could spend its fury was destroyed .
The noise of fidling tiles—the crush of burning beams —the cries of the fowls and pigeons as the poor creatures / fell into the flames—the shouts of the thousands assembled , and the awfur grandeur of the fliiues sending up to heaven lurid clouds of smoke , presented a scene of such awful sublimity that words cannot describe it . The fire was extraordinary from the immense extent of ground which it covered . Look on all sides and you were surrounded by burning masses . Had the wind been in an opposite direction the whole village must have perished ^ That this awful calamity was the work of an incendiary , there is unhappily no doubt . Two men were apprehended , one of whom ia now in custody ; against the other no eTidence was adduced which warranted bis detention . The village during the whole night was thronged with labourers , hundreds of whom came from distant and adjacent Tillages . Tho loss cannot be under £ 5 . 000 . All the property was insured in the Norwich Union Office .
BoxwoRTH—On Wednesday eTenlng last , shortly after eleven o ' clock , Mr . Xirby , farmer of Boxworth , whs had retired to rest , was awakened by a man named Ellard , an inhabitant of the Tillage , who three years since , worked with Mr . Eirby , and who communicated the alarming intelligence that his premises were on fire . On descending he found that a barn , containing unthrashed barley , was in a blaze in the middle The flames rushed forth with great fory , and speedily communicated with the . eaves of the dwelling house but were prevented extending further in this direction by tae great exertions of ; Ellard and Kirby . The fire had by this time been perceived by others in the village , aud the whole neighbourhood was speedily alarmed . A messenger was despatched to SwaTeaey for tbe engine , which speedily arrived , and proved to be mi . st tfilcient in preventing the extension of the fire to tbe dwelling-house from a neighbouring Btftble . In lcfl *
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than ten minutes ! from the discovery of the fire the whole of th « contents of the yard were la flames , together with two cottages , occupied by a wheeler named Butler ( who his seven children ) and a farm labourer named Allen ; these had barely time to escape , as they , with thelxj families , were in bed when the fire caught their roofg . j The whole of their furniture , with the exception of one bed , was consumed . The . children of Butler , in a partially naked state , were some of them afforded shelter by the villagers , and the remainder , with their unbappy mother , might have been seen congregated round the ingle nook of the only publicbouse of the Tillage , in a state of hopeless despair . The labourers used every exertion possible , and removed the furniture of Mr . Kirby , part to a close
opposite the residence , and the remainder to the premises of his neighbour , Mr . Wolflngton , where his family , consisting of his wife and three children , the eldest of them ' under eight years of age , also found shelter , and this was all the assistance that could be rendered , as the fire was blazing with such fury as to prevent all hopes of saving any of the contents of the yard , the heat was most intense , and the dwellinghouse from this cause was not out of danger till nearly half-past tbree o'clock , at which time the supply of water was becoming exhausted , the pump being consumed and two ponda having been drawn nearly dry in pumping on this and the nearest stacks . Almost the whole ot the stock , 11 or 12 cows , and as many horses were got out of the yard , and te accomplish this , they had to be
led through a pondi ; but two horses , one bud , fourteen store and three fatthogs were burnt , together with a large quantity of poultry . Another horse was so much burnt that it is doubtful whether he will not haTe to be slaughtered . The contents of the yard were the whole of the produce of a ] 450 acre farm , and consisted of sixteen stacks , namely , three of wheat , two of peas , one of barley , one of oats , and one of tare stubble . These , contrary to the usual practice of Mi . Kirby , were this year all stacked in [ the yard . The buildings consisting of a barn containing chaff , two of barley , one of wheat , and one of oats , nag stable , and cart-shed , log-hovel , cow-lodge , two granaries over stable next the house , and a wheat case , containing about three bays or eighty loads of wheat , with piggeries , henhouses , &c
Tbe grain was in the straw , with the exception of from eighteen toj twenty loads of wheat and fourteen or fifteen \ quarters of barley , and the greater portion of this was thrashed on the Wednesday . The cottages were completely gutted , the walls only being left standing ] and those in a tottering condition . The party wall was an unusually substantial one , and fell with a loud crash about five o ' clock . The implements burnt consisted of five carts , one waggon , a drill , a gig , dressing-machine and blower , ploughs , harrows , &e . No accident occurred to any human being , although the occupants of the cottage had a very narrow escape . A south-west wind was blowing toe whale night ,
which towards morning veered a little more to the west . At half-past eleven j o ' clock on Thursday , at which hour our informant left ]( having been attracted from Cambridge the previous night by the reflection on the boria m ) , the Blacks wire still burning , althqngb ., of course , there was no danger of tne flames extending , and the fury of the devouring element was well nigh spent . This comfortable homestead at that time presented a melancholy picture of desolation . We regret that we cannot close this report without adding that not the slightest doubt exists on the-mind of tbe proprietor , or any in the Tillage , that the conflagration was caused by an incendiary , j
MORE DREADFUL FIRES . Steeple Morden . —On Monday night , about eleven o ' clock , a fire broke out in the rickyard of Mr . S . Strickland , of Steeple Morden , Cambridgeshire , Which consumed all the ricks , barns , corn , and outbuildings , leaving only the farmhouse . The fire is supposed to have been the vile act j of an incendiary , and a person is taken up on strong [ supposition . This is the second fire within a period of Bix months at this farm ; consequently the whole ! of the newly-erected buildings are destroyed . Had it not been for the attendance ef the Bassingbourn engine very little doubt is entertained but tbe bouse must ! have fallen a sacrifice to the flames ; for although there Were hundreds of the labouring class of both sexes in attendance , with the exception of a Tery few , they rendered no assistance in saving it .
Maulden . —OnjFriday evening , Dec . I , a fire broke out at Maulden , which has caused the greatest possible alarm . Two large bean-ricks , the produce of twentyone acres , tbe property of Mr . John Seabrook , were entirely destroyed . ] The Ampthill engine , and it * complement of fireman , promptly attended , but was of no avail , aa no water { could be procured ; and had there been plenty of water it would haTe been useless to play , as the stock ! was a complete mass of fire-in a few minutes after jit was discovered . Mr . Seabrook ia , we understand , insured to the fall amount .
SawbridqewoIith . —On Monday evening , about ten o ' clock , a fire broke out in the farm of Mra . Bennett , called Noon ' s farm , near Sawbridgeworth , in the vicinity of the farm which was destroyed last week . The whole of the outbuildings and a part o ( tbe dwellingbouse were destroyed , together with a quantity of pigs and poultry , a ad a calf . There is , we fear , little room for doubt that tbis nre is the work of an incendiary . Two men , suspected of tbe crime , ' were taken before the Rev . C 8 . Bourehier , who remanded them until Monday next . —Herts Reformer .
On Sunday night last , another fire broke out in Rowell , by which a hovel and a barn were consumed . They contained a ( J lantity of corn , which , fortunately , was saved . On the next evening , a fire broke oat in the rick-yard of Mr . Horspool ' , of Broughton , which consumed a stalk of wheat and a stack of barley , and occasioned the destruction of a hay-rick . Both are presumed to be the work of incendiaries . —Northampton / Mercury ; On Friday sennight a double barn , filled with' barley , the property '< ot Mr . Stephen Grooch , of Honingbam , was entirely consumed by fire . Mr . Gooch had a stack burnt the previous Friday . Three men—two Lincolns , father and son , and Wright , tke son-in-law of Lincoln—are in custody , and remanded till Tuesday ; and Hunt , another man , is taken up . They aU ' . reside at Honingham . —Norwich Mercury .
Early in the morning of Wednesday , last week , the stackyard of Drummawhanee , near Crieff , was discovered to be on fire by an individual belonging to a neighbouring farm , who immediately gave the . necessary alarm . Considering tbe untimely hoar , a great number of persons , anxious to arrest the work of devastation , were soon collected to the spot ; but , in defiance of every exertien , eight stacks Were consumed before any effectual resistance could be offered to the progress of the flames . How the fire originated is still a mystery ; but , jfrom certain circumstances , strong suspicions are entertained of its having been the work of an incendiary . ] The proper authorities , we believe , are busy investigating the affair ; but , so far as we have beard , without elucidating anything- as * yet . to criminate any parson in particular . —Glasgow Chronicle . \
DARLiNGTON .- ^ -On Thursday evening , the 30 th ult ., tbe stable of Mr . Stockdale , butcher , was discovered to be on fire ; but so prompt and energetic were the persons living in the j neighbourhood , that it was extinguished without the aid of the fire engines . On the same evening the stable was again on ire , but quite in another parti which excited suspicion that it has been the work of an incendiary . Happily it was extinguished by the same energetic means as tho former . Sunderland Herald . Fi&E AT Clapham . —Ou Saturday night , a little before ten o ' clock , a fire broke out in the rick yard of Mr . Crisp , of Clapham , BeUB . The flimes reached to
so great an height that they were visible in Badford , and the engines Were diawn out and in the road fcafore the messenger arrived to give the alarm , In less than half an hour from this period some hundreds of persons were on their way to the fire . Two stacks of b < iri « y , oue or beanB , and one of wheat were entirely consumed , together with tbe barn and some adjoining buildings , and a thrashing machine , which had been at work on that day upon some clover seed , was also burnt We have ! at present heard no estimate of the damage , but learn that tbe property is insured in the Sun Fire Office . The origin of the fire has not been ascertained . —Herts Reformer .
MORE INCENDIARISM , Bishop Stortford , Dec . 11 . —The following incendiary fires have occurred in this neighbourhood within the last ] few days : —On Friday mornings about six o ' clock , the farm-yard of Mr . Rogers , of Shorley Hall , was discovered to be inflames . Express was immediately seat to this town for engines , and assistance being speedily procured , and a plentiful supply of water , the fire was confined to a large shed filled with ! agricultural implements , a haulm stack , and other Mnall buildings . The morning was jortunately Tery calm , else the large barns adjoining must have fallen before the devouring element .. On Sunday evening another large fire was observed to break out norith of the town . The engiaea were speedily despatcHed in the direction of the fire , which was found to be ! the Parsonage FarmMaundenin
, , the occupation of Mr . Smith . On arriving , we found the whole of the extensive buildings , with the exception of ono small barn , in flames . The attention of the firemen was directed to the dwelling-house , to which the flames were fast approaching . Water being short , it was with difficulty saved ; but the remainder of the premises was soon a mass of rums . Two goats , and 6 ne fat hog Were the only live stock destroyed ; the irest were saved . Mr . Smith , the occupier , bears a most excellent character , and what could induce the : perpetration of this act we are at a loss to conjaoture . It broke out while the family were at tea , ia the thatch of the middle barn . Letters have been picked up in the town , in which other property ia threatened . The greatest alarm prevails , this being the fouith fire in rather more than a fortnight . in
Incenduby ^ iees Bebk « hi » e . —We regret to state that two more incendiary fires have taken place in tbis eounty . Toe barn of Mr . Matthews , a farmer at Stockcross , contouring a quantity of corn , was fired a few evenings since , and , with the whole of its contents , totally . consumed . A poor and industrious man , named John Grey , living at Burden ' s Heath , near Thatcham , hud his little barn , and . all it contained , burnt to the ground . There is Tory little doubt that both tbesa firea were wilfully taased by incendiaries . .
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More incendiarism . —Information has been re » ceived at tbe Bow-street Police-office , and circulated , that on the night of Tuesday last seme persona mali ciously set fire to a bam occupied by Mr . James Hindley , Hurst Hall , Calchett During the burning of the barn the following property was stolen—namely , ••» coat , waistcoat , ani other articles of wearing apptreL On the same night , between the hours of eleven and . twelve o ' clock , some persons set fire to a barn belong ing to Mr . James Blackburne , of Astley , in Lancashire , and the building Was destroyed , together with a quantity of hay . Suffolk . —In the county of Suffolk no fewer than four incendiary fires attended with serious loss , have occurred within the space of forty-eight hours .
Bedfoedshike . —Incendiarism , by the frequency of its occurrence , has ceased to be considered a crime by th « generality of labourers ; and some , I am persuaded , have been fxcited to commit the crime by the force of example alone . — Letter of a Betifotmin Farmer in the Mark Lane Express . Beccles , Dec 11 . —It is our painful duty to inform you of the further spread of incendiarism in our district On Sunday night last a fire of no ordinary character took place at the Tillage of Stockton , Norfolk , on a farm in the occupation of Mr . Robert Grimmer ; and in a short space of time a large barn , filled with the produce of twenty acres of barley , was entirely consumed . The utmost exertions were used to save the property , but entirely without effect Mr . Grimmer , we understand , is insured . —Chronicle , Wednesday ,
Government Rewards . —Tbe Government Police Gazette exhibits too faithfully the alarming progress of incendiarism throughout the country . The determination of Government to punish with the utmost degree of severity the perpetrators of these incendiary acts h manifest by the large rewards offered for the apprehension of the chief actors , and the inducements held out to the less guilty accomplices that may choose to turn Queen ' s evidence . The following are the last cases of incendiarism which have been communicatel t » the proper authorities : —On the morning of the 12 th ultimo a barn and other out-buildings , the property of Mrs . Tyrrell , of Polstead Hall , in the occupation of Mr . William Tabar , together with a quantity of bear * and straw , were feloniously set on fire . Government
offers £ 50 reward ; C . Tyrrell , Esq ., £ 50 ; and the Soffolk Fire-office £ 50 . for the apprehension and conviction of the offender or offenders , together with her Majesty ' s pardon to any but the person actually firing the pre « misea . On the same night a stack of barley on the farm of Mr . G . Gayford , of Rymer-house , in the county of Suffolk , was wilfully set on fire and destroyed ; £ 250 reward is offered . Her Majesty ' s Government and his Grace the Duke of Crrafton each offer £ 59 . In this case the Royal clemency will be extended to any but the actual incendiary . On the morning of the 18 th ultimo the bams and out-buildings in the occupation of Mr . Samuel Buck , of Hawatead-Ipdge farm , "also In the county of Suffolk , were wilfully set on fire and destroyed , together with a quantity of com therein ; £ 209
reward ia offered , £ 100 being given by the Government , besides the inducement of pardon to accomplices being held out On the night of the 18 tb ult . a stack of barley , on the farm of Mr . Thomas Kersey , Fakenham , Suffolk , was wilfully set on fire and destroyed ; . £ 250 reward is offered , £ 100 by her Majesty ' s Government , and £ 50 by bis Grace the Duke of Grafton , and in tMa case the Royal pardou will be granted to any accomplice ; vebo may turn Qaeen ' s evidence . For the bean hovel of Mr . Thomas French , of Whitfield , two carts , and also hay-rick damaged ; for the bean-rick of Mra Brown , of Rothwell , Northampton , together with .
a wheat-rick , barley-rick , and range of beast bevels , £ 50 by Government . For a barley-stack , belonging to Mr . George Nead , of Eaaton , £ 52 10 s . by the Norwich Union Insurance Company . For the barley stack of Mr . S . Gooch , of Honingham . £ 105 , by the Norwich Union Fire-office , and also £ 105 by Mr . S . Goqcfa . In the first case a man named Thomas Heyes , farm labourer , twenty-five years of age , flva feet five inches hisb , fair complexion , light hair , small whiskers , and dark brown eyes , is suBpectefl of setting Mr . Hindley ' s property on fire , he shortly afterwards having left the Tillage .
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COVENTRY ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF WAGES IN THE PLAIN RIBBON TRADE . At a public meeting , holden in the large room , Rose and Crown Yard , CoTentry . ' the Committee to the Trade brought forward the following report , which was unanimously adopted . Its insertion in the pages of the Star will much oblige , u The Tbade , half yearly report , December 1 st , 1843 . Gentlkhen , —Your Committee , in presenting their half-yearly Report , congratulate you on the increasing prosperity of the funds of tbe Association . During the last aix months , your delegates have bad various difficulties to contend with , arising in part from the continued { determination ef some manufacturers to use
every artifice to evade the present list of prices . For this purpose , they have oppressed some of the most needy of our fellow-workmen with extortionate hire for their hand-loom machinery , first ascertaining where thejgreateat necessity existed amongst their workmen , and then taking' a mean and base advantage of thve Tory necessities , which , had they been possessed of one spark of humanity , Christianity , or common sympathy , they would have done all in their power to alleviate . A small advance bas lately been' gained on the weaving of shaded ribbons ; and some dissatisfaction has been expressed by certain members of the Association , because an advance has not been obtained on tbe weaving of plain Swiss ribbons : your Committee , after canvassing the opinions of the manufacturers ,
and giving the subject their most mature consideration , bare come to the conclusion that it would be unwise for the sake of an advantage , which is not likely to bJ permanent , to force a rise in the present instance , and thereby provoke retaliation , and endanger the stability of the present list . Taking tbis Tiew of the subject , and yet being well aware that the aforementioned article is highly deserving a rise on the price of weaTing , we nevertheless think it most prudent to let the question rest at present , at the same time assuring the members of the Association , their Committee will take advantage of the first favourable opportunity to gain this desirable object , having been promised the assist * ance of same principal manufacturers should the
demand for Swiss ribbons continue . Although your delegates condemn the oppressive conduct of some manufacturers , tbere are ~ others who profess themselves willing to lend every assi stance ia their power to forward the objects of our Association . Ts these ; gentlemen we return our grateful acknowledgments , trusting our proceedings will always gain , as we intend them to merit , tbe approbation of every friend of the peace and well-being of society . We wish it to be distinctly understood that we are willing to make any reasonable alteration which necessity may require . All that we des're is to be met in an open straightforward manner , and to have proof that such alterations are requisite , and for the benefit of both parties .
In conclusion , while taking a review of the events of the last bis months , we call upon you to be more firmly united than ever . In thus calling upon you , we wish you to force no ene , nor to injure any clasa of society . AU that we ask of you is that every member of the Association will do his duty to himself , hia family , and posterity , by using every lawful means to establish such a price for labour that the working man , instead of being the slave of avarice , may shake off the bondage of oppression , and rise to bis prot-sr position in society .
Fellow ArtizinB , — -We , in common with yourselves , feel the accumulation of evil that ia , year after year , pressing upon the productive classes cf this country . We witness with grief the honest industrious man walking the streets of his native city in ragged raiment , With starvation and despair depicted on bis deathlike countenance , receiving the smile of c&m&mpi , instead of commiseration , from the very men who baTe nised their fortunes on the poverty of their workmen . When we behold you surrounded by such humiliating circumstances as these , we must acknowledge you have experienced sufficient to cool your ardour , and prostrate your energies . Bat still we have a hope ; still we have confidence in you , that you will not suffer yeurselves to sink step by step into degradation and ruin , without striving , by every constitutional effort , to better your condition .
£ ' a . d . Total amount collected since the formation of the Union in May . 1812 , up to 30 th October , 1843 , inclusive 275 9 0 Disbursed in same period ... 92 10 1 182 18 11 In hands of Treasurer of General Committee 2 10 U £ 185 9 K >
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6 Tttfl NORTHERN STAR- — - = ___ = __ _ == ___ _ ^^
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THE DOBSSTSHTRE POOB ASD iOSD ASH 1 BI . The state of the labouring-classes in Dorsetshire is tbe sntgect of special and active discussion . Mr . Richard Bilnsley Sheridan recently ' published some-account of the miserably insufficient wares , the squalid dwellings , tie confined space , leading to the most immoral practices—all thingB previously asserted over and oTer again , bet sow confirmed by the testimony of an independent CGUctry-gentleman . Some persons , including certain clergymen , denied Mr . Sheridan ' s statements ; but , s * fee remarks in a letter to the Times , in doing so they corroborate what they contraTene . One clergyman mentions a couple ( the man being Tery aged ) whose ¦ races are 2 s . Sd . and three losvss ; and several-who
tETBfrom 2 i with all , or to 53 . a "week "with part , » f tfcrir food . Mr . Shtiidan says , the price of a peck of ¦ wheat per diem has been considered tbe proper rate of Wages for a labourer ; that would be 9 s . 9 ( L per Week , at tie present cost of wheat rbnt figures are add need t ¦> show fiat eTen that sum is insufficient . Tor example , a man , his wife , and eight children , earn 11 s . 6 d . a wetk ; they spend it thus—10 loaTes , 5 s . j half abnshel of barley , Is . 6 d . ; soap and candles , 10 d . ^ eleven pc _ ds of suet to mix with potatoes and bread , 6 d . ; benss rent , 2 s . 3 d . ; total , IDs . ld . j lea-ring Is , 5 d . to clc-tbe md supply with other necessaries ten persons ! Fsirther , _ e lower rate of wares , <* . -. or 7 s ., are given in jirtienlaT districts—not generally throughout the country ; -which proTes that there is injustice somewhere .
"Lord Ashley -comes out in support of Mr . Sheridan , frhtt purity of whose motives be boldly asserts . At &r- Stnrmicrter agricultural dinner , he observed that D . Tsetshire -was becoming a by-word in men ' s months . Be asked "Whether such charges were true ? whether fte cottsge * were filthy , ill-drainedj and calcinated to increase immorality and disease?—" Are we prepared to refute these statements or not ? Is the rate of wages afforded to the labourer a fair aremnnerstion f « r his labour , and in Can proportion to fiie profit of tbe soil ? Or if the erfl is . not to be traced to this cause , and If it is not immediately- obvious what itis , I advise that counsel be taken between the -owners and occupiers of land to discover where it be , and endeavour to find the remedy ; f or I am sore that ssnxetblng must be done . I am net prepared-to say what ; but , if necessary , let us practise more selfdenial , abridge our luxniies , and let this be commenced wIOi the highest . and wealthiest in the county ''—( loud tkters ) . ^ - "¦ jm
He gave hia * nearer 8 good advice—to pay their la-Jjonrcrs in money and in good time ; to shut not the gleaners from thair fields , and to aroid the truck Bystem . Be exhorted those present to look the charges- full in the face , and to disprove tbe eiil , or remedy it .
DISTRESS IS LEICESZEBSHIKE . Tha Hinckley S-ockingbT has sent a second letter to lie MoTTting Chronide , He says—•* Since the publication of my l * st letter I have personslly inTe&iigatcd the homes and circumstances of fifty families , sTeraging six persons each ,-and taken from their own lips their weekly income and expenditure . I bflveEot taken the worst cues in tT"t town , or the most unskilled -workmen in the trade , but present a fair specimen of the actual condition of the people , and defy contradiction . The f ollowing presents the result of my laVwirs : — 2 » amber of families Tisited , 50 ; nnmber of indivitins }? cs ! :: posing these famines , 321 ; number of looms Is ditio , 208 . Arera ^ e weekly « arningB per family , he 3 J 3 ; ayerage ditto per loom , 5 s 2 i
Average expenditure of 63 ch family—House rent , Is 3 d j loom Tent , 2 a 3 d ; coal and candle , Is 6 d ; soap and needles , 5 d ; total expenditure , 5 s 10 d . "Weekly income , Us Sjij weekly expenditure , 5 s lOd- ; lea-ring 5 s oji J : will be seen at once from the above that there only remains lid per head per week , orljd per day , a sum acsrcJy "efficient to procure food enough for the busienaxtes of life . In my visits to these abodes of misery it -was forcibly impressed jdu my mind—• Eye >»** h not sees , ear hath not braid , the heart ' cannot conceive , * tha 'h * if of the sufferings endured by this pDTci ty-stricken people- in one instance I found a bed * ( the only one for the family ) , without pillow or bolster , or sheets , or blankets , and nothing to
cover them but old rice bags . In another I iound Iwo beds ( if bads they might be called ) , one trlthont a t ~ ieet , and tie other without s bl _ kei . When 1 saw Uie groups of shoeless sad tagged urchins , some at work , othea playing r » und tbeir cheerier * hearths , ai . d witnessed tbe tear roll down many a faded yet manly cheek , and beard the faltering tengne exclaim , 'We uerertasted meat this many a day *—' we hsTB aJmort lorgoittn its : tasi «/ I e » uid not belptbnt -wi _ £ bst our TDlczs would come fcere ' , acd take a -lesson of human sagging Slid learn the duty of JeTotedness and disinttresteaiiessTor tie common cood . For the List fortnight , tbe quiet of Ice Sabbath has been disturbed by *" ie rattle of tbe loom . A thing so -unusual made no irmVlV stir . 1 Trisated two myself to inquire into the
SiUives ¦ s-hieh led thtm to this reekl&ss conduct One saii' Look -at my children and my home , and ask no more ; I w _ tell you , however , why I work on tbis day . It ia because my poverty compels me ; I cannot » - > d yrUl not hear my children cry for bread without-_ siiig the only means honestly to get it X 3 st Monday molting 1 rose at Vwo o ' clock , sntf worked till near xnifiTiisht . I Tose at six each succeeding morning , and "Worked till l > etween eleven and twelTe each night , and now you see what I have for dinner . I cannot do it longer , 1 shall go to an rntimely graTe if I do ; I will therefore end my labours at" ten o ' clock eachnjjht , and make np the ' time-thus lost by labouring an the Snnaaj . ' He had fouT children , the oldest only six years old the other Bad a family of the same number , and
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INCENDIARISM IU BEDFORDSHIRE AND SUPPOSED MURDER—ALARMJNG STATE OF THB BUBAL DISTRICTS . f From a Correspondent of the Times ) Bedford . Friday . Dec . 8 . —During the last fortnight this generally tranquil county has been disturbed from end to end by repeated nightly fires , and unhappily , there is bat too much evidence to show that these atrocious outrages npon property baTe been the work of incendiaries , although it is impossible to assign to tbe commission of such wanton mischief any probable motive , inasmuch as the agricultural labourers appear to bo generally more contented than iu other rural districts of the kingdom .
To the long list of fires ascertained to be cases ot arson , and of which some particulars have already appeared in the London and local papers , fresh outrages of a similar kind haTe been added this week , a brief account of which is subjoined . Before adverting to the new cases , it may be right to state the result of the investigation which has been going on relative to the fatal fire al Mr . Alderman Higgins ' a barn on the Elmbolton-road , near this town , last Friday morning . That disastrous affair , in which an unfortunate man lost his life , remains involved in mystery , though the magistracy and the police have been actively engaged in an
ende&Tonr to obtain some clue by which it could be explained . Though ; the inquiry has closed for the present without any d . finite result , the suspicion at urat entertained of a murder having being committed previous to the fire ( the latter course being resorted to in order to conceal the crime ) , seemB to be tbe generally received opinion of all those who haTe attentively considered the subject The following is a brief outline of the facts , aB stated on the coroner ' s inquest , and in the progress of the inquiry had before the magistrates , which closed yesterday afternoon with the liberation of two men , who were apprehended under circumstances of strong suspicion .
It appears that , on the morning of Friday last , just at daybreak , some labourers in tbe employ of Messrs . Green , of Bedford , were commencing work at a brick-Kin on the Kimbelton-road ; they observed fire issuing from tbe windows ana doors of a large barn a short distanc 3 from the road , and in the occupation of Alderman Higgins , of Bedford . An alarm of fire was promptly given , and a number of persons hastened to the spot . On approaching the house two young men , brothers , nsmed Parkins , were seen to rush from the barn , which was then on fire in three separate places , and blazing furiously . When questioned as to the origin of the fire , they pleaded ignorance of it , the elder brother merely remarking that they had attempted to enter the barn , and had narrowly escaped with their
lives . An express was despatched to Bedford for the engines , two of which were speedily on the spot , but were wholly inoperative owing to want of water , which ¦ van slowly obtained and in small quantities from an adjacent draw-well . The barn , which contained several quarters of corn , was totally consumed , and the rick escaped destruction only through the active exertions of the firemen and tbe police , aided , by Messrs . Green ' s workmen . The two Parkinses were observed to be only partially-dressed ; one assisted in extinguishing the-firei but the other brother remained a listless spectator of the conflagration . These idrcurostances tending to raise an unf&Tourable impression against the two young men , M * . H . J . Juppett , superintendent of the police , took them into custody , and they were removed to Bedford for examination before the magistrate .
When the flames were got under , which "was not till theiarn was reduced to the bare walla , tbe firemen and police entered , and discovered , en turning over the c _ es , the body of a ^ nan frightfully burnt , and , of
Untitled Article
Ix is gkatifting at all titaos to be able to refer to persons whose position in society place them abort the cummon sphere , for when they exert themselves to advance the cause ef truth its progress is maen accelerated . This is strongly evidenced in tho generous testimony of T . R . Mandril , Esq ., coroner , Doncaster , who permits reference to be made to him with regard to the restorative power of Blair's Cron ' and Rheumatic Pills , he having been a martyr to gout for many years . The Mysterious Traveller and the In qhib 1 ; tive Scot .- ~ Two gentlemen fell in together , bota travellers on horseback , and strangers to eaob . otber « when the following conversation took place : — "R ** evenin' , sir , rather , " observed the one with an
Aberdeen accent . w Yes , rather , " replied -the- other ; " Yoa will likely be a stranger in these pwtsT continued the Aberdonian . " If I can , " laconicwj replied the other , looking neither to the tight nor to the left . " Perhaps , like myself , yon may be going on to Banff ! '' M Perhaps , " responded the other , yawning . " In that case , perhaps , you will pat "P at the Cullenl" "I may or may ^ not , " answ ered his companion . " Pardon me the liberty of tna question , sir , may I ask you if yoa area bachelor 1 u " "O ! married I" '' No , no ! " "Sir , * bee your pardon , sir : a widower V " No no , no . " Neither a baohelor , nor married man , nor widow er . Taen what can you be 1 " " A . divorced mau , since you mustknovf ! " exclaimed the stranger , * - jftia hia Bpurstohja horse , au 4 dashing out of s'g "" " an iusCsaOt
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 16, 1843, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct832/page/6/
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