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$rgmri|atnmii nf fljt |fonpk, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL.
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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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ing an Ethiopian melody or two . Stigelli was mistaken for Bones . The theatres have been filled , I am glad to bear witness , every night this week ; and are now beginning to reap their share of the benefits of the Exhibition year . The playbills are an evidence that they do not forget to deserve support . I went a night or two since to take a peep
at—GOD IVA at Punch ' s Theatre . It seemed to suit the taste of the audience , and , therefore , why should I take e ception to the puns of Godiva which I thought worse than usual ( for puns are nothing if not detestable ) , and to burlesques in general which I cordially hate and abjure . They have done a great and permanent injury to the stage by destroying the illusion on which the glory of the stage rests . This wit of words too , so far removed from the wit of thought , makes me first sick , and then savage .
Why should so much capability for better things be wasted on such trash ? Mind , I am no stickler for the "legitimate drama " in an exclusive or formalist sense ; the true " legitimate drama " , to me , is the drama which purifies , instructs , elevates , but not didactically . The drama should at least represent human life , and not be a machine for infusing slang into the English language , and a vehi le for the lowest form of wit . Why are you in so great a hurry , young men , to rob the stage of its illusion ? Think of your boyish days , and
don't defraud the . rising generation of the faith you once enjoyed in that mimic kingdom . All illusions are short-lived enough . Life itself , as it gathers years , is but their funeral pile ! A word to the authors of My Wife ' s Second Husband . When so many Frenchmen are present , with but an imperfect knowledge of our language , would it not be kind to tell them that this original farce is a translation of an Arnalerie , produced sorre time since at the Varie ' tes , and entitled Le Second Maride ' ma Femme ? Le Chat-huant .
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The Executive Committee of the National Charter Association met on Wednesday evening last . Pre-¦ e nt—Messrs . Arnott , Hunt , Jones , and Milne . Messrs . Harney and Reynolds , being in the country , were absent , as were also Messrs . Grassby , Holyoake , and O'Connor . Mr . John Milne presided . Ernest Jones reported that he had made arrangements for his tour , and would commence his engagements at Exeter on Monday , August the 4 th , by deliver ing two lectures . From thence he should visit Torquay ( two lectures ) , Devonporr , Plymouth , Bristol , Brid ge water , Merthyr Tydvil ( two lec : ures ) , . Llani dloes , Newtown ( two lectures ) , Birmingham ,
Peterborough , Newport Pagnell , Northampton , Congleton , Stockport , Padiham , and Bolton . The friends in other places ( who may require his services ) are requested forthwith to communicate with him at 72 , Queen ' e-road , Bayswater , London . The Secretory was instructed to state that G . Julian Harney was on a tour in Scotland , and would , ere long , return through the North and Midland counties , the friends who may be desirous of his services are requested to address * 'O . Julitm Harney , Mauchline , Ayrshire , North Britain . " And also , as G . J . Holyoake will be at Newcastle-on-Tyne on Sunday , Jul y 27 , and expects to remain inth ;« t district for two or three weeks , those friends who desire a visit from him
are requested to address their communications , " care of Mr . James Watson , bookseller , Green-market , Newcastle-on-Tyne . " The mutter to be inserted in the forthcoming Monthly Circular was then discussed and arranged , and the Secretary waa instructed to give the followin g extract from the introduction thereto : — " Ihe object we have in view in issuing this Circular is to _ promote Mid extend the organization , Mint thereby a ¦ pint of emulation may be arousedami that one locality
, ceing what the others are doing may be stimulated on o renewed energy and action . Although we are cunincrd that it in the worst policy in the world to attempt prematurely to force a movement , yet we feel nsHiired that the materials are arranging themselves for the corning onsis ; and , ns we are keenly eyeing panning events , we ¦ re most desirous of preparing for that time . " the committee then adjourned to Wednesday evening , Jul y 30 . —Signed on behalf of the committee , John Ahnott , General Sec .
Chartists' Boahd . —The secretary was instructed to announce at the last meeting , that the Monthly < - »» cM /« r would be printed by the 1 st of August ; and »« localities and friends are specially requested to "ate as earl y us possible , by letter addressed to the general SecvoUtry , the number of copien that muy bo
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HARMONY-HALL PETITION . [ We have been requested to publish the following petition , which we do , however , disagreeing with the spirit in which it is expressed , which , to say the least of it , is not happy , considered as the emanation of Socialists whom we suppose have the honour of that cause at heart . "Wherever dissension exists it is better that it should come out and get itself put genial , and on this account we accord the petition insertion . As it stands it , will be read as pointing out the legal advisers mentioned , as the authors of the acts complained of . We cannot enter into a matter of which we are wholly ignorant , but we must say that this mode of expression can only weaken the case of the petitioners . Messrs . Atkinson and Saunders are strangers to us ,. but we feel bound to say on public grounds , that the character of Mr . Ashurst is so unquestionable that we can only trace the implications in the petition to partisan spirit or misapprehension . ]
To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland , in Parliament assembled , The Petition of the Central Board of the Rational Society , enrolled under 10 George IV . and 4 and 5 William IV ., Sheweth , —That in 1835 , Robert Owen commenced a society for the practical carrying out of his views on cooperation . That in 1837 , the rules for the government of the society were agreed upon at a general meeting of delegates from various parts of the country , signed among others by Robert Owen and John Finch , and copies were sent to J . Tidd Pratt , for enrolment and certificate , and were certified and enrolled accordingly . That by the said rules the name of the society was declared to be the " National Community Friendly Society . "
That at the annual congress of the society , held in 183 S , the said rules were revised , and other copies , signed by Robert Owen , John Finch , and William Pare , amongst others , were sent as before for enrolment and certificate , and were certified and enrolled accordingly . That at the , annual congress of the society , held in 1843 , it was unanimously agreed , amongst other things , that the name of the society should be " The Rational Society , " and the altered rules were enrolled and certified as before . That after the first enrolment of the society , in 1837 ,
upwards of sixty branches , numbering altogether some thousands of members ( principally working-men ) , were formed in various cities and towns of England and Scotland ; namely , amongst others , in London , Manchester , Liverpool , Birmingham , Bolton , Stockport , Bristol , Huddersfield , Halifax , Blackburn , Bradford , Leeds , Worcester , Macclestield , Coventry , Oldham , Bath , Itochdale , Leicester , Ashton , Sheffield , Doncaster , Great Yarmouth , Hull , Wigan , Preston , Newcastle-on-Tyne , Cheltenham , Brighton , Chatham , Sunderland , Darlington , Norwich , Reading , Stourbridge , Northampton , Derby , Edinburgh , Glasgow , Paisley , and Dundee .
That after the said first enrolment the members began to subscribe money to carry out the objects of the society on the faith of its principles , the good chnracter of its leaders , and the perfect legality of all the steps that were taken . That at the annual congress , held in 1839 , the said " John Finch , of Liverpool , iron merchant ; William Clegg , of Cheetham-hill , Manchester , merchant ; arid Charles Frederic Green , of London , gentleman ; were appointed trustees of the society and lesseen of an estate at Queenwood , in the country of Hunts , which had just then been taken of Sir Isaac Lyon Goldsmid , on behalf of the society , and the sum of £ 37 , 791 was raised and afterwaidu xpended upon the said estate .
That at the annual congress of 1840 the draft of a trust deed , prepared by W . II . Ashurst , of Cheapside , London , the society ' s solicitor , waa considered und ordered to be completed forthwith . That the said John Finch has written many letters and addresses , from time to time , in the New Moral World , which was the weekly publication of the society , declaring his utmost confidence in the experiment , and urging the . members to come forward liberally with their subscriptions ; that besides being lessee and trustee as aforesaid , he has been the president of the society and signed scrip in that capacity ; that he has been president of the congress on various occasions , and governor of the community established at Queen wood , as aforesaid ; and that lie insured the said estate in the names of " John Finch and others , trustees . " That from an official account rendered to the annual congrvBB in 184 /> , it appeared that ihe Hum of JL' 37 , 791 had been subscribed and lent by the members , benefit KocieticN , and others , and the properly wuh valued at £ ' 2 f ) , (> 7 <) , leaving n deficit of £ 14 , 239 , after deducting £ 2121 , being the amount of liabilities to various tradesmen . That in consequence of thin deficiency it was unanimously agreed , on the Kill * of July , lH 4 « > , by the congress ( the 8 uid leBBeen and J . rustccH concurring ) to uanign ihe properly to John Buxton , Frederic Bute , and George Brucher , in trunt for the benefit of the creditors of the society . That the fluid assignees forthwith proceeded to compel the members of the society who were located on Ihe estate , with their families , to leave it , and begin the world again » n best they might ; thut they alno proceeded U > make arrangements for a «« le of the whole e « tute , which wa . duly adverted to take plaoe on December fi 1846 ; and that the 8 ui < l Jolm rillo || U | cn iiueifered I t ehtSL \ t " ° " tO hUV ° Ukca t > lace ' ttlui That thif Baid John Finch aft « w * rd « requested a special
congress to be called , to consider the best mode of proceeding , which was accordingly done . Th f }« , e said 8 P ccial congress , which was held in April , 1846 , the said John Finch attended , and took his seat as ah ex-officio member , by virtue of being trustee of the society , as aforesaid ; that he also moved and signed resolutions upon which he spoke ; and that the congress confirmed the assignment made , as aforesaid , at the previous congress ; and , by resolution , requested the said Robert Owen and William Pare to confer with , the said lessees and assignees , in order that a speedy and satisfactory settlement of the whole affair might be made .
That in the following month of May , 1846 , the said John Finch went down to the said estate of the society , at Queenwood , and at night , along with others , broke into a part of the building , well known throughout the country as Harmony-hall , and took therefrom the official books , papers , documents , agreements , and correspondence belonging to the society , and afterwards boasted that all the members of the society were in his power . That at the annual congress of the society , held in 1844 , the said John Buxton was appointed president of the society and governor of the community , and had possession of the property , in that capacity ; and that after his appointment as one of the aforesaid assignees , he continued to hold possession , by request of his coassienees .
That on the 9 th of June , 1846 , the said John Finch headed a party of agiicultural labourers , and forcibly ejected the said John Buxton from the estate , and also forcibly turned his wife and children out upon the highway , where they all encamped for the space of several weeks , until a meeting of creditors and all parties interested had been held , to decide on what was best to be done under the circumstances . That the said meeting was called for June 29 , 1846 , and the said John Finch , by public advertisment , forbade the parties to meet upon the said estate , and threatened all who came upon it that they would be liable for trespass ; and also stated in the advertisements that it was believed the principal object of calling the meeting was to afford an excuse for parties to congregate together and commit si breach of the peace .
xhat the meeting was , therefore , held at Rose-hill , a place adjoining the said estate , and the said William Pare attended and moved certain resolutions as and for the said John Finch , which were passed without any opposition by the meeting . That immediately after the meeting , the said John Buxton left the estate , and it has since been in the possession of the said John Finch , and of one George Edrnondson , who now holds it . That no account whatever has since been rendered to the society , nor any moneys paid over to the members , nor has any statement whatever been made , of what is intended to be done with respect to the said property . That from correspondence which has been published , it appears that the said John Finch acted , and is acting , under the advice of the said W . H . Aehurst , and of Messrs . Atkinson and Sanders , Manchester , solicitors .
ihat one of your petitioners received a letter , on May 18 , 1846 , from the said John Finch , in which he stated his opinion to be that the property of the society was faidy worth from £ 18 , 000 to £ 20 , 000 . That your petition , r . s being publicly and prominently connected with the said society ' have received very many affecting letters at various times , from poor working-men , in til it to it all parts of the country , urging them to take effectual steps to obtain a M'ttlernent of the society ' s a / Jairs , and to get them the money which they hud subscribed , the nun-possession of which w ; ia entailing cruel hardships upon them . That your petitioners have c xlled upon the said Robert Owen to interfere and obtain a settle-incut , but that he refused to do so .
That ) our petitioners have done all in their power to bring about a settlement by mural means , not being able to sec that much real benefit w ; is likely to result by any proceedings at law . That your petitioners are unable to state whether a trust , deed was ever executed or not , inasmuch as the papers und documents of the society were improperly tuken out of their possession as aforesaid , and as they are thus debarred from all ac 3 ess to the accounts , they cannot ascertain from a perusal of the bill of the said W . 11 . Ashurst , any information relative to the execution of the . said deed .
That the spvciouu and plausible promises hold out to the members to subscribe tlu ir hard-earned money in order to benefit their condition , the number of poor nuinbrrs in all parts of the country who were inveigled by tho . se promises , the extent of their subscriptions , ihe utter non fulfilment of the promises , or return of any of the money , and the wide-spread calamity which has been the result , are fuels which loudly call for the interference of your Honourable House . Thut uh your Honourable House has ordered an inquiry to he made into the affairs of the National Land Company , from which much good appears likely to result , it id the opinion of your petitioners thut u Himilur result would be effected by an inquiry into the uffuira of The Rational Society ; und thut the circiimHtniiceH of tlu- cu « c strongly warrant tmch an inquiry .
Your petitioners therefore pray that your Honourablo House will forthwith order an inquiry to be rnudo into the uft ' tkirH of the Kationul Society , before a committee of your Honourable House ; und that your petitioner , in common with other incinbcrti thereof , muy be heard in support of the allegations herein contained , in order that justice may be done to ull parties iutcrctitcd . And your petitioners , ua in duty bound , will ever pray .
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(< BNTltK Ol' Coo ' VKUATIVH AuJCNOY . - - TllO public will bo ( or at least ought to be ) glad to learn , that th « Company established at f (> , Charlotte-street *
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July 26 , 1851 . ] &t ) $ & *> £ & ? t \ 711
$Rgmri|Atnmii Nf Fljt |Fonpk, Political And Social.
$ rgmri | atnmii nf fljt | fonpk , POLITICAL AND SOCIAL .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), July 26, 1851, page 711, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1893/page/19/
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