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400 THE IEA ' DEB. [No. 422, April 24, 1...
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,, , .mmsL MmjW j^&p*?-. There is very l...
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THE "REVIVAL" IN AMERICA. Those who snee...
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Wanted a Free Library in the Citv.—What ...
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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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Manchester And Borneo. Sm James Buookm H...
rights thus guaranteed to Great Britain , the Rajah of Sarawak proposes that this country shall become the creditor of his principality , indemnifying him for the private fortune which he has expended in fertilizing , civilizing , and protecting the north-west of Borneo . Upon this stipulation , however , he does not insist . With the public spirit and singleness of purpose that have uniformly characterized his chivalrous career , he is willing to abandon all personal claims , provided that Sarawak be placed under the permanent protectorate of England . The Governm ' ent , we trust , if it considers the project at all , " "will-not for a moment entertain the idea of
accepting these valuable privileges as a free gift . Nations gain nothing by parsimony , and it would be a national disgrace were Sir James Brooke , after his heroic efforts , attended with so many beneficent results , to see the last of bis fortune sunk in the very moment and act of handing over his sovereignty to the British Crown . As affecting our Eastern interests , we have everything to hope from the attachment of Sarawak as a protected territory . A great commerce passes and repasses through the channels of the vast Malayan Archipelago , from Port Essington in Australia , and Port Montague in New Britain , to Timor , Tlores , Sumbawa , Java , Borneo , and Celebes , and beyond these groups
to the Cliina seas . Sarawak , therefore , is a favourable field for British enterprise , commercial and industrial . Its climate is as suitable to the British temperament as that of the Australian colonies , except in the low and swampy disticts , or the localities encumbered by dense and rank vegetation , while it is preferable to that of the Philippines , Java , or Singapore . It is not to be expected , perhaps , that European mechanics or labourers should emigrate thither in large numbers , since the native inhabitants are numerous and available for every branch of mechanical and agricultural industry . Therefore , any British settlement in Borneo must always bear a nearer resemblance to Singapore than to Victoria , the great bulk of the population consisting of Malays and Chinese , the latter not very tractable , but far from being indolent . We
Lave little doubt but that , with such supervision as Sir James Brooke might bestow upon Sarawak , the settlement under a British protectorate would ultimately attract a trade worth from ten to twelve millions sterling a year . The position is central , many of the native inhabitants are ambitious of becoming shipowners , merchants , planters , manufacturers , and builders , and every step taken to abolish piracy and slavery is an encouragement to independent enterprise . Sir James Brooke has ^ set the example . In his noble exposition to the commercial community of Manchester , he told the story of his efforts and his successes with simple dignity , and explained to his hearers what advantages might arise to the people of Great Britain from a constant and influential intercourse with the races of insular
Asia . The position of Sarawak is central , and the best in the whole Indian Archipelago , not only in relation to the island trade—a trade into which thirty millions of people may ultimately enter—but in relation to the seas and ports of China . The southernmost point of Borneo is within a day's steam of Java , the easternmost within a day ' s steam of Celebes . The entire island is intersected by navigable rivers , and the most important of these are under the jurisdiction of the English Rajah , avf Aur 1 inA > a Itmirivorl ttiiIao £ *\ Tf * Trv Wfl . 17 frflllfl t . llfi f * , OWTl -
UAVUUULUg ** JLAU , IJ , V 4 * VtV * . lAlAlUhJ V » *** "J " * "J " ~ w ^« v»<— - — . m-m of Sarawak . The question is now before the Colonial Office , and it may be hoped that a , matter of so much national and commercial importance will not be neglected . An Englishman who belongs to the same class , historically , as Drake and Raleigh , has prepared almost a new Indian Empiro for this country , and it is now to be decided whether the most commanding position in the Malayan waters shall bo incorporated with the mass of British dominion , or abandoned to uncertainty .
400 The Iea ' Deb. [No. 422, April 24, 1...
400 THE IEA ' DEB . [ No . 422 , April 24 , 1858 .
,, , .Mmsl Mmjw J^&P*?-. There Is Very L...
,, , . mmsL MmjW j ^& p *? - . There is very little to say on the reception of the news of Dr . Bernard ' s acquittal in France . As ¦ was to have been expected , the Government papers , sublimely unconscious that there are such things as right and wrong in this world , arc indignant that Borne satisfaction has not been given to Imperialist requirements ; and disouss the question as if the [ English' nation , perfectly aware that Bernard was a regicide in , intention , hod deliberately declared itself in his favour . Wo need not point out the absurdity of this view . It is only necessary to say that , for
our part , we believe the verdict was perfectly honest ; and though we should think it highly improper to compliment the jury for doing what was simply their duty , we may certainly be proud that England possesses institutions which enable public opinion to defeat complaisant Governments , and make the life and liberty of a foreigner as sure as those of a citizen . As to whether M . Bernard was guilty or not , it is mere impertinence to discuss henceforth . ' The two most powerful governments in the world have used all their efforts against him , and - i ; s [ i ; ¦ :
have been unable to satisfy twelve honest men that there is a shadow of a presumption in favour of his guilt . We most sincerely believe that if a single word , a single scrap of writing , a single act that went to show that Bernard haa regicidal intentions had been produced , the jury would have hastened to find acondemning verdict . It maybe true that they belong to a democratic class ; but they belong to a class which sets truth above opinion , and which is incapable of being intimidated as it is incapable of
perjury . We must confess , however , that if the verdict of the English jury has been misunderstood by the French official classes , it has been equally misunderstood by the opposition . By them it is regarded as a hostile demonstration against the Empire . We have seen several letters , and spoken with several persons , whose words leave no doubt on this matter . Never was the enthusiasm of the
Liberal party in Trance for England and her institutions greater than it is at present . " Let mesee you and compliment you on your noble country . "" Glory to England and her juries . " — " Honour to English opinion . " We copy phrases from letters before us . Our own countrymen in Paris report that the delight of the real French public was almost extravagant when the news of the verdict was circulated . Every Englishman over there feels a cubit added to Ids moral stature .
The truth is , that the whole interest of Bernard's trial was domestic . If anything more was meant by the verdict than that insufficient proofs were brought forward , it was simply that we are sick of French interference , of French diplomacy , of French exigencies . This was certainly the only interpretation that could be given to the acclamations of those who witnessed the trial . The lessou may be thrown away . If not , the Imperialists over the water will learn that , with the finest army in Europe , the most submissive population , and the highest-paid police , they are bound to defend themselves at home ; and that England , at any rate , which has vaster concerns on her hands , cannot be pestered by continual demands to support a tottering Empire , and that she will not attend , to such demands even should that Empire threaten to fall upon and crush her .
The "Revival" In America. Those Who Snee...
THE " REVIVAL" IN AMERICA . Those who sneer at this religious agitation forget that at the worst it is better than a mania for rotten banks , or for railway shares . Anything that takes away New York men from their dollar worship for an hour during the busiest part of the day , must incidentally , if not directly , do some good . Beyond this there is no doubt that some of the prayers and preachings they hear during the hour have in them much nobility of thought , and much of the spirit of true reli g ion . One can oasily pick out ludicrous passages , though , considering the general excitement , they are marvellously few . The poor negroes singing , — " The dobbil and mo wo can ' t agree ,
¦ W ' » * . «¦« Via 1 «_ _ J % li 1 . 11 I don ' t like him , and ho don ' t like mo ;" the announcement one day that " Burton is converted , " which Burton , owner of a theatre , " flatly contradicts " the next evening on his own stage ; the " prayers for the conversion of James Buchanan ; " the telegrams announcing " thirty-four conversions , this day ; " the thought of recording angels solemnly suggested to one speaker by the sight of the penny-a-liners , —these , nnd a fow more less notable , comprise all the oddities that may bo discovered in columns of report and comment . As a ^ pjampenaatiQjn ,- ^^ and others some fine words that would bo no dishonour to a Wesley or a Whit field .
There is however about the whole movement an clement of intellectual intoxication that gives room for the feur of a very painful reaction . Religion is too subtle to bo moved by monster meetings ; religious habits arc too real and too grave to bo instilled by resolutions . The Divine Spirit was best likened b y tho old inspired writer to " a still , small voice ;" would it be hoard amid tho stir and sound of these public-prayer meetings P Bat more painful to our
mind than any fear of reaction or distrust of efficacy is the evidence that many old habits still cline even to the foremost men of the movement A "Coloured Man" writes to the New York Tribune which seems a kind of official organ of the agitation ' giving an account of a visit he paid to one of the prayer meetings . Shortly after he seated himself he and " a coloured lady" were affec tionately invited , by one of the leaders of the meeting to take a seat in another room . He led the way up to the top of the building , on the third floor , where he halted on the landing , and turning to the ladv said : — *' " 1 presume you are a sister in Christ ?" " I am , " said she . " To what church are you attached ?" " To Mr . Garnett's , " she answered . "Ah ! " said he " I am happy to see our coloured friends taking an interest in the salvation of their immortal souls . " Then , turning to me , he said : " You are also a dear brother , I suppose . To what church do you belong ? " I told him that I was a member of the Episcopal Church . " I am very glad to hear it , " he added . " We have sometimes very interesting meetings up here . " After placing a chair ixi the far end of the room , near the window , and requesting the lady to be seated , leading her to it , he said to us : " I hope you will not think anything , my dear sister and brother , of my inviting vou up here ; you know how it is ! " " Yes , " said the lady ; " I know all about these things . " " I had been spoken to , " said he , " by a couple of the brothers down stairs , and we thought you would like to come ' ' here . The coloured people have good meetings ' 1 ' here , and we generally lead them ourselves . " He then , after placing a chair near the lady , and asking me to be seated , turned to leave , remarking that while we were waiting we might like to have a little religious conversation by ourselves , but when near the door was brought up by the lady saying , " I hope these are about the last clays of ' these things , ' and wh ' en we get in the , other world , for which we all profess to be striving , this distinction will be done away . " " Oh , j'es , " he replied , " there will be no more of it there , I hope . " Shall we say that we English , thank God , are not like those Republicans yonder ? Shall we say that in our churches no Christian lud y or gentleman would object to sit side by side with the poorest brother or sister in Christ ? Shall we say that free sittings are universal , and that there are no little drawing-rooms called pews , where fhe select , elect are cut off from communion , even in praying , with the whole Church ?
Wanted A Free Library In The Citv.—What ...
Wanted a Free Library in the Citv . —What would it cost ? Attend without alarm , ratepayers , everyone ; it would cost you almost nothing to establish one of the noblest institutions of which thid wealthy city could boast . Under the Act , tho rate cannot be more than a penny , and even that cannot be levied without your consent . " Suppose the Mansion-llousc proposition to have been carried , " says Mr . Keod , " the utmost burden would have been the cost of a Times newspapor once a year for every 101 . householder , and tlic price of a lawyer ' s fee for tho 160 / . trader . The ruling of this City shows that there nro 16 , 701 persons rated for properties at 10 / . and upwards ; and tho total amount ot property rated under tho Act , would bo l , 116 , 01 J < ., which at one penny would give 4 G 5 O / ., nnd nt one ^ haltpenny ( the probable annual amount required ) , 23-ol . 1 ' or a halfpenny in tho pound , every citizen , whether rich or poor , could lmvo access in his leisure liour to « grn " library of amusement nnd reference , and thouso of dooks nt homo for the plensnnt beguiling of evenings at ine fireside , nnd , besides this , tho ubo of newspapers , maps , nnd globes ; and if a Museum wore added , there would bo n legitimate homo provided for thousand * of curiosities that are now huddled away in collars nnd darlc corners , unaoen nnd almost unknown , though of tho groatesi local nnd historical interest . —City Press . Tub Cnuitoii-KATu : Contkht . —A «>>» rc 1 ' rftt ? A h a 3 " refused by ' tho vestry of St . Mnry , Truro , by ~ > 08 vow to 183 . —A majority of 05 has effected the > 8 mno result in the pnrish of Charlbury , Oxfordshire—A doputa on of members of Parliament and other gentlomon waiteu on Monday on the Earl of Derby at tho ^ W' » introduced by Sir John Troluwny , for the » " ° " " ° church rates . After honring atatoments from aovor members of tho deputation , tho Borl of Derby aoid tn ' ho b » w no ouoh solution of tho question at prc « n >» " . should think flt to adopt , nnd that , until ho < " «¦?•' should continue to opposo any mcasuro for tUo APom of tho rnto . « nntnin-Soitoh Kkneungton Muskum . —Now rooms , « " »¦" ing tho most valuable of tha collections miulo i > y * department elnoe ito origin , have boon oponou yy * Quoon , and nro now free for public V 8 Q and toflMWlwn-
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), April 24, 1858, page 16, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_24041858/page/16/
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