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Sept. 20, 1860] The Saturday Analyst and...
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The very first, article in the book is a...
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• rOKlCIGX-OOHUKSPONDENCE. si'r.fiAL. Xl...
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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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Sept. 20, 1860] The Saturday Analyst And...
Sept . 20 , 1860 ] The Saturday Analyst and Leader , 833
The Very First, Article In The Book Is A...
The very first , article in the book is a curiosity . It is the description of" a voyage in one of Pickford ' s barges , by the canal , to Birmingham , at the rate of two miles and a half an hour , day and night . Here is a new , if limited , world disclosed . First , take the bargemen , with their usual attire—short lustain trousers , heavy boots , red plush jackets , waistcoats with pearl buttons and fustian sleeves , and gay silk handkerchiefs slung loosely round their necks . Next , the fly-beat Stotirport , commanded by captain Handle ; his crew consisting of two men and a youth , with a good allowance of straw iri the hold , and a very light cargo of goods on board . The author and his . travelling friend Cuddy , took their places in the ¦ straw , whereupon they , were poled out of the company ' s wharf into the broad basin by two of Gaptain handle ' s boatmen . " \\ c must refer the reader for a full description of the boat and its arrangement to the essay itself . It is enough to describe the early progress of the vessel , ' as the result of the poling of the two boatmen standing on the top of the tarpauling structure , teaching the Islington tunnel , another process of barge-propulsion , called " logging , " commences . On two narrow insecure platforms the two venturesome boatmen lie on their backs , holding on by grasping the- board underneath , and with their legs , up to the waist , hang-ing over the water . Their way is then described Tintil they reached the Cirand ' Junction Canal , near the Hai'rowroad at Paddington : when friend Cuddy has engendered an aprpetite for tl > . e-great meat jne with which they had . provided themselves . " A large watchman's lantern was handed down the hold ; and by its rather dim . light , at exactly two a . m ., the frugal meal began . The picture formed was of a mixed character ; the ] jio , a bottle , and the grouping being suggestive of Teniers , while the 'lantern-light and its effects were decidedly Kembrandtish . The picture-struck the astonished gaze of a Paddington lockkeeper , who luicl . been man and boy at that lock for five-andtwenty years , and who had never seen anything like it in the hold of a flyburg-o—always devoted to bales , boxes , and casksduring the whole course of his long experience . He gazed in silence , and went away while the lock was filling with water , only to return and indulge in another gajce . " .. This bewildered- 'lock-keeper at last made a ruin attempt to stop such irregular doings . Anon , they are launched on the inland canals , and arcs practically initiated into the mystery of canal locks . The rush of tho water woke them up from a brief sleep , and startled them with its violence . Here wo stop our analysis . For other curious particulars , vide the original narrative . ( Some of the scenery they passed through was passing beautiful ; some of the places they stopped at as barren of food as a desert shore . Having exhausted their meat pie , they sought in vain for a long time to purchase other edibles . A fowl was impossible ; at last . some steak was procured , and they got to the end of their canal voyage im starved . The dramatic portion of . this narrative is excellent . The narrowness of intellect' induced by tho narrow experience of the captain and crew , whoso , monotonous life was spent on board the barge almost entirely , gives a characteristic individuality to the small group , that must strike the reader as original . In such " odd journeys" as these , Mr . Hollingsbead has struck upon a new vein . The subsequent portions of the book justify the impression made by the leading paper . Hero we have a joxirney performed on the coke-tender of a wteam-engiiie , preferred to the first-class carnage interior , in conipiiny with the driver and stoker . Seated on the edgo of tho coke-tender , with his head above the screen which protects the driver- nnd stoker , tho writer becomes " buffeted mid deafened , and finds it difficult to keep his scat . Tho whole country lies under a thick veil of a dark grey mist , nnd tho black trees nnd hedges rush past , casting a momentary shade upon the vision . On ' cither side tho white telegraph posts puss in rapid nnd regimental siit'ccs . sion the wholo way through the journey . The Ninall , fVuil stations seem to totter as they go by ; and wo greet them with nu tirlditionul rosir , like a tiger howling for prey . When wo rush through an arch , we arc covered for an instant with a circle of fire , aind wo lusivo behind us wreathes of light , white , curling smoke . " Such a journey yets more and more exciting as it proceeds . This is followed by MliU'tling experiences of diving-bells . Wo lmvo then < i humorous account of oyster towns , such uh Whitstable , und of the peculiar happiness of free-dredgers . The Ltumbeth Shot Tower furnishes materials for an entertaining essny ; ua do also Altlorshott Town and Cninj ) . The coinmro process at the Mint ; tho trufliti over Now London ISrulgo j iirst-lloor windows , us st'en from the top of iiu omnibus ; Hie virtues of ciiljinen ; tho practiced of Newgale Market ; tho divMoml ( invM at . tho Bank ; tho now institutions of housetop telegraphs ; tho punsugo of n letter through tho pout ; tho amusement of pleasure trains ; tho mysteries of tho Urout Eastern ; nnd sonic other ctjiiully popular topics , are developed iu n suoeoHsio'h of pnpero which clisplny sin ^ 'iilnr skill in urtistiu construction , » nd uncommon nu ^ 'ucily in Ihw ciosoriptions nnd reflections thoy contain , llifvh as Mr . llolliiiirnhend ' s reputation in , it will bo muchincroi ^ od by tho sterling <|» inlity of tho various nrtioles collected in tins now volume . Kiu .-oljons nml eccentric , it is equally iiiMtructivu nnd editing , and will attract roiulei'H of every class .
• Roklcigx-Oohukspondence. Si'r.Fial. Xl...
• rOKlCIGX-OOHUKSPONDENCE . si ' r . fiAL . XlAis'ovicit , Sept . 2 fi , 1800 . C OMFAKK 1 ) with tho stirring accounts froan Italy , how stale , flat , and unprofitable must tho Gorman agitation for reform nud unity anponr . Yot of nil who now pore , over tho letters of
Italian correspondents , and peer into maps to discover where the theatre of each succeeding Ecene is situated , how many are acquainted with the-prehminary movements of the people , of their failures , and woful sacrifices , before Mazziki , Cavoxji ? , andGARibaxdi appeared ? The Germans are as unanimous as the Italians for the unity of their country ; . but they are a long way behind the Italians in political and patriotic ardour . They have not yet shaken off their love of ease , nor found a " re f / alanhtomp ; " but the last iv > o years have-shown-a vast progress in political activity , and the numerous congresses of unionists , economists , chemists , agriculturalists , are to be regarded as the preparatory education of the people in political life and action , bringing the active men of the different states into contact with each other , drilling them into a party , and accustoming them to act in concert , apart from local interests and prejudices . Some years must , doubtless , elapse before the object sought for will be obtained , but sooner or later peaceful union , or a sanguinary revolution , must be the result . The grand meetings of the National Verein is over , and the members and friends who attended at Coburg have returned to their homes pretty ¦ well satisfied with the unanimity displayed , but with great misgivings as to the propriety and policy of setting up the Regent of Prussia as " II re yalantuomo" of Germany . His antecedents , and present clansmanlike regard for the so-called prerogatives , and the feelings of his fellow ' princes afford strong reasons for many unionists to resist the attempt to elevate him to the supreme rulership of entire Germany . Indeed , one journal after another is coining to the conclusion that it is hopeless to expect the union of Germany under the auspices of this . Prince , and the popularity of the National Verein , Prussian intendency , suffers accordingly . It has also excited some discontent that the members of the | Committee have absorbed for their expenses the sum of 2 , 260 guilders out of the year ' s income . Although , no doubt , this sum has been most legitimately applied , the ' ¦ fact of its having been received by the promoters of the agita-• tion leaves the impression of interested motives . It tends to prove [ how desirable it is in . every national movement to have chiefs | wko , by their position and wealth , . are beyond the reach of suspi- — - cion . The appropriation of this suinhas given the feudalists and republicans a handle against the Verein which they have seized with , great eagerness . Under these circumstances the congress of political economists , just concluded at Cologne , must be considered ? as the most important and popular of the demonstrations for national unity , as it has also been the most fruitful in results . The attainment of self-evident , or clearly-proved practical reforms , beneficial to princes and people , is the sole aim of the Economical Association . A thoroughly legal and argumentative agitation has lent the Economical Congresses their chief strength and usefulness . The elder and younger members and friends of these assemblies return to their localities from these annual meetings with the resolution to assist in a work which offers a prospect of success without any risk to themselves ; they establish associations , they speak in . public , they write articles in the local papers , and boldly preach reform without the slightest hindrance from the authorities . In . this way an active propaganda , apparently unconnected , with politics , or what is generally understood on the Continent as politics , has sprung up all over the country . Two years ago , when , the first congress met in Gotha—a report of which was given in the columns of the Zea / Ar- ^ -freerlom of trade and of tlie handicrafts was hai'dly spoken of , much less the question of free settlement . . But at that first moeting t'ie plan was conceived which has produced the important consequences that are beginning to ensue . Since the first , congress , freedom of tho handicrafts has been introduced in Austria and Nassau , while in WurTemburg , Oldenburg , Saxony , and Thuringia laws , bused upon the principle of free ]> ihour and settlement ^ have been framed with every prospect of their being shortly carried into effect . Judging by the great success which has attended the exertions of tho Economists during those last few months , tho fall of the guild and passport system may bo confidently predicted as near at hand . It . is now sottled that tho rumoured meeting of the rulers of Austria , Russia , and Prussia -will take place at Warsaw in tho course of a -w . eel < or two . The Liberals aro filled with anxiety , the Feudalists with hopo at tho reconciliation of Russia with Austria , and the friendly footing that Prussia seems to bo upon with both of those despotic Powers . Much as Germans dread the power of France , thoy fear tho alliance of Russia , more , . and would rathor , have tho latter ns an open enemy than see her reinstated , if only ia appearance , as the protector of Germany against France and demo * crncy . Tho telugra-ph hns already convoyed to you the rumour thnt the Emporor of tho French has sought for an invitation to this meeting , and mot with a refusal ; upon what ground is not ' Raid . In almost all Sclavonian countries , the people aro rifo for revolt and union . Croats and Hungarians have fraternised , nnd from tho Grand Duchy of Poson we havo accounts of moothigsnnd inllnminatory speoohes , Tho opposition against Iho ubo of Iho Gorman languago is curried to suoh a rlegreo that the Polos refuse < lrnf < s , post-hills , or other documents of n public imluro , written m Gorman . Thagonornl belief is that this state of affairs hap led to , tho Conference- at Warsaw , and this belief is strongllieiiod by tho . refusal of Napoucon ' b request to bo allowed to talco « part m the Conference . ^ . , , , According to the Mar / daburg ZaUimg * Donmnrls has resolved not to make a diroofr Voply to tho diplomatic note of Mr . Von Scuj-kiwtz , respecting tho affairs of ftohlosw e and IIol-Btoln , but lias transiniltorl n full statement of the relations oxjsting bolwoeu tho two countrio » , considered from tho ipunMh point of
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 29, 1860, page 9, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_29091860/page/9/
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