On this page
-
Text (5)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Untitled Article
called the head commissioner . The entire management ofPesthwasin their hands , and they were constantly toeether each day from early in the morning until late m the evening . Csanyi had interviews with several persons during that time , but never with any person calling herself the Baroness von Beck . He was personally acquainted with Kossuth , the Governor of Hungary , many years . His ( witness ' s ) official duties brought him constantly into communication with Kossuth . Three or four times a day , and often at night , Kossuth sent for him . The Government returned to Pesth in June , 1849 , having been absent from December , 1848 , he having been , in Aprilreappointed to his office over the police . One
, part of his duty was to grant passports . He had the exclusive power to grant them . He remembered a woman at Pesth known by , and calling herself Racidula He jaw her in Kossuth ' s antechamber . He saw the same person last night in Mr . Tyndall's house . He never saw her in Kossuth ' s private room , nor was she ever an intimate friend of Kossuth ; if she had been , he must have known it by his public position . She was a paid spy , and when he saw her in Kossuth ' s antechamber there was another woman with her , who was a principal spy . Racidula was to his knowledge a paid and subordinate spy . Kossuth on one occasion called hitn ( witness ) and said to him , ' Please give these people passes ; they will go with
you . He never heard of the Baroness von Beck , lhere was a noble family named Beck in Hungary ; but she never belonged to it , nor did Bhe ever lose any estates in Hungary . He knew several Hungarian Generals now in Paris and England . Several gentlemen whose names are mentioned in the baroness ' s book had told him ibat the parts relating to them were quite false , not a word of truth in them . —The witness here turned round to the prisoner , and asked him if he knew him ?—The prisoner acknowledged that he did ; that he was Mr . Hajnik , of Pesth . —The witness then spoke feelingly of the prisoner ' s family . He said he regretted very much seeing him in such a position , as he knew him to be the son of a distinguished and honourable man . He very much pitied the prisoner's father , who had been obliged
to disown him . —In answer to questions by the Mayor , the witness said he was quite positive that there was no such person in Hungary as the Baroness von Beck . There was a family of that name , consisting of three ladies , but neither of them was , or had a right to be called a baroness . Most certainly Bacidula , who had assumed that name in England , was not of that family . If any of the ladies of the Beck family in Hungary had taken the name of baroness , it would have been an improper assumption of title . The ladies of the Beck family were all accomplished ladies , and could , no doubt , like other Hungarian ladies , speak French and most other languages of Europe . The pretended baroness could not write three lines , and to his knowledge she was a paid spy . "
We now come to the inost interesting document and most startling pieee of information disclosed by this remarkable examination . The report of Mr . Smith ' s statement proceeds : — " But if any doubt existed in the minds of the magistrates respecting the real character of the woman , he would read a letter which would show that , in place of being a friend of Kossuth in the cause of Hungary , she was actually , whilst receiving money from the friends of Hungary , in the pay of the Foreign Branch of the English Police Force . Mr . Smith read the following letter : — " 13 , Sussex-street , University-street , August 26 , 1851 .
" In reply to the inquiry contained in your kind note , I beg to inform you that the person styling herself' Baroness de Beck' is the same who , accompanied by Dr . Heinemann offered personally her services as a spy and informer to the recently-established foreign branch of the English Police Force . This I know from good authority , and I know likewise that for a fortnight or three weeks she has obtained for such services the sum of £ 5 16 s . 8 d . per week . It is . also no secret to me that the soi-disant baroness introduced herself to the Commissioners of the Police by forwarding a letter written by Dr . Ileinemann , and containing an inclosure , which consisted of some
articles and regulations adopted by an Association of the German Communists in London . With regard to Mihaloczy , he himself has admitted to me that the baronesB instigated him to the attack on your husband , and that she has defrayed all the expenses of the subsequent proceedings . Should it be requisite , I will with much pleasure substantiate the above statement by the production of unexceptionable evidence . Trusting you will use your best endeavours in placing the illiterate she-impoator before the public in her true character , and In tearing the maek from her unblushing countenance I beg to subscribe myself ,
•• Yours very respectfully , Chahlks dk Sodkn . " This mass of evidence clearly proves that Baroness von Beck wa 8 an impostor and u spy ; it proves nothing to the prejudiceoi'Derra , who in h ib defence urged that he had met the woman last April , that he hud believed she was the Baroness von Beck , friend of Kob-BUth , and herself , a Hungarian refugee ; and that he regretted extremely havingever met with her . The Mayor discharged Derra , as there was not sufficient evidence to convict him ; but he considered that the churgo against the defunct impostor was fully proved . Mr . JJawaon said , tut the unfortunute woman had died in Buch un awful manner , ho thought it was but right to Buy that there was no ground whatever for bo-| Ievm K tlmt aueh un event would have taken place . V . * h' * r » day evening lust she was waltzing with spirit ; but even if the fatal termination could have dooii foreseen , it would still have been their duty to wave proceeded as they had done .
an application to the Bench to have some papers which were found in the woman ' s possession impounded . They were very important , appertaining , as they did , to a conspiracy said to be carrying on amongst the Hungarians . The Magistrates consulted with their Clerk , Mr . Gem , and said the papers might be retained . An inquest was held the same day on the body of Racidula , and a verdict returned of * ' Died by the visitation of God . "
And this examination of uurprbeii wound up with ou . 0 iuor « nUrtling fttuiowicement . Mr . Smith , roado
Untitled Article
Birmingham , Septembers , 1851 . Sir , —The facts of the " Von Beck , " case will of course appear in your columns on Saturday , allow me to make a few remarks . When Racidula and Mr . Derra called on me , they showed me an agreement with Mr . Bentley , an agreement with Mr . Gilpin , and subscription lists from Liverpool , &c , containing signatures , the genuineness of which I have recognized , and have since proved . "When news came from London that she was an impostor , a gentleman
went from here ; he made many inquiries , the result of which is an impression on the minds of many here that Beveral persons who had good reasons to know the Sretensions of the soi-disant baroness to be false , id little or nothing to expose her , or to guard others from deception . This is so wrong that I hope explanations may be given which will show why exposure was delayed . To assist such explanations I will ask some questions : —How Mr . Bentley discovered that the book he published , contains many lies , and that it does not contain the adventures of a Baroness
Friend of Kossuth , &c . ? If so , why has he given no hint to that effect , which might have prevented a brother publisher and the public from being further taken in ? Did Mr . Gilpin know of this imposture before the exposure of Birmingham ? and had he in consequence forbidden the use of his name in the prospectus of the new book ? Had Lord Dudley Stuart found the baroness only before the exposure , and where did he commence his discovery ? "Why did no Hungarian ( M . Pulszky for instance ) point out the falsity of the book , though the concocter might not be known ?
Answers to these questions may show why the Exposure , which altogether came from London , did not come earlier . I am , sir , yours , &c . Geohge Dawson .
Untitled Article
We find the following in the Times of Friday addressed to the editor : — " Sir , —Your correspondent " Veritas" asks how it is that not one of the chiefs of the Hungarian emigration came forward to unmask Kacidula , alias Baroness von Beck , and quotes a letter of mine to prove that Bentley accepted her book in consequence of what I said . " Being since March , 1849 , a resident in England , I could not and cannot know everybody in the Hungarian emigration ; and though I had strong suspicions against the person in question—which I always openly expressed as often as I was asked as to her character—it is but since a very short time that I got some proofs of her guilt . I never recommended a person who was a common spy in our army .
" As to the recommendation of her manuscript , your correspondent is wholly mistaken . Three sheets of it were sent to me ; not more . I read them , and gave the opinion that it promised to be amusing , and would probably sell well . ' The result has shown that my estimate has been correct . Publishers do not want an opinion on other questions , and ' Veritas ' will find upon inquiry that moat of those who published books sympathizing with Hungary , published at the same time others in favour of Austria . Believe me , your obedient servant , " FllANCIS Pui . BZKY . " 34 , St . Peterburg-place , Bayswater , September 4 . "
Untitled Article
MORE GOLD DISCOVERIES . " Tremendous excitement" is reported as existing in Bathurst , a town about 150 miles from Sydney , in Australia , owing to the discovery by a Mr . liargraves that from the Mountain Ranges to an indefinite extent in the interior is " one immense gold field . " A rush for these new "diggings" was made ( according to the Bathurst Free Press of May 17 ) forthwith , und people of all trades , cullingH , and pursuits were quickly transformed into miners : —
" Many a hand which had been trained to kid gloven , or accustomed to wield nothing heavier than the grey goosequill , became nervous to clutch the pick and crowbar , or ' rock the cradle' at our infant mincH . The black-Hmitha of the town could not turn off the picka fast enough , and the manufacture of cradled wuh the second briskest buaincsu of the place . A few left town on Monday , equipped for the diggings ; but on Tuesday , Wednesday , and Thursday the roads to Hummer hill Creek became literally alive with new made miners from every quarter , some armed with picks , others shouldering croivshovels
nars or , and not a few strung round with washhand basina , tin pots and colanders ; garden uinl agricultural implements of every variety cither hung from the saddle bow or dangled about the persons of the pilgrims to Ophir . Now and then a respectable tradesman who hud juHt left hit * bench or counter , would heave in Bight with a huge Bonu'thing in front of his home which he called a cradle , and with which he wa « about to rock himself into fortune . Scores have rushed from their homes , provided with a blanket , a damper , ' and a pick , or grubbing-hoe , full of hope that a day or two ' e labour would fill their » ook « la with th « ureelou * awUl : and we
have heard of a great number who have started without any provision but a blanket and some rude implement to dig with . Such is the intensity of the excitement that people appear almost regardless of their present comfort , and think of nothing but gold . " Business was all but suspended , and provisions at once rose above 50 per cent , in price : — " What assisted very materially to fan the excitement into a flame , " continues our authority , " was the arrival of a son of Mr . Neale , the brewer , with a piece of pure metal weighing eleven ounces , which was purchased by Mr . Austin for £ 30 , who started to Sydney by the followine dav ' s mail with the gold and the news . Since
that an old man arrived in town with several pieces in mass , weighing in all from two to three pounds , Be also started for Sydney with his prize . Mr . Kennedy , the manager of the Bathurst branch of the Union Bank of Australia , visited the diggings on Saturday last in company with Messrs . Hawkins and Green , and each of these gentlemen picked up a small piece of the pure metal ; and a few handfuls of the loose earth from the bed of the creek , which were brought home by Mr . Kennedy from motives of curiosity , have been since assayed by Mr . Korff , from Sydney , and a piece of gold extracted therefrom of the size of a small pea . Besides these we have not heard of any particular instances of success .
" On Wednesday morning last , Mr . Hargraves , accompanied by Mr . Stutchbury , the Government geologist , went to the diggings , and with his own hands washed a pan of earth in his presence , from which twenty-one grains of fine gold were produced . He afterwards washed several baskets of earth , and produced gold therefrom . Mr . Stutchbury hereupon expressed his satisfaction , and immediately furnished him with credentials , which have since been forwarded to Government . The fact of the existence of gold is , therefore , clearly established ; and whatever credit or emolument may arise therefrom , Mr . Hargraves is certainly the individual to whom it properly belongs . "
In the leading columns of the Times we find a minute description of the gold region . If we are not mistaken in the hand , the paper is by a distinguished colonist who well understands both the material and political condition of the colony : — " The district of Australia in which we are informed a golden harvest is to be reaped , has received from the hand of Nature favours far more substantial than the questionable advantages resulting from the possession of the precious metals . The eastern coast of the continent , from its extremity in the 38 th degree of south latitude to the Tropic of Capricorn , is defended by the Blue Mountains , which rise somewhat abruptly from the plains to a
height of some three or four thousand feet . The summit of this range forms a table land , which falls by almost imperceptible degrees towards the vast interior . It is on the commencement of this gradual slope , in pretty nearly the same latitude as the city of Sydney , that the region is situated of the newly found treasures of which we have received such nattering accounts . Nothing can be imagined more delightful than the climate of this elevated plateau . The air is peculiarly clear and salubrious , and the summer possesses all the brightness without the sultriness of the Australian climate . The country is thinly dotted over with trees like a park , and the soil is rich and well adapted both
for pasture and agriculture . These allurements have already concentrated in the neighbourhood a larger population than is to be found elsewhere in Australia at so great distance from the coast ; and the town of Bathurst , which is the metropolis of the district , contains already between three and four thousand inhabitants and many substantial and commodious buildings . From this place to Sydney a road has been carried over the Blue Mountains by the skill of Sir Thomas Mitchell and . the labour of convicts in irons , by which difficulties oi" no ordinary magnitude have been surmounted , and the pass of
Mount Victoria , in which a formidable chasm has been filled up by an enormous mass of ru&sonry , may rival the feats of Swiss engineering . It was the discovery of this district , and the opening of a practical communication with it , which gave the first great , impulse to the pastoral industry of Australia , by relieving the colonists from these narrow limits within which they had bem previously confined . It must be admitted that if nature has selected this spot as the receptacle of her treasures , the colony has not been wanting in opening with great labour and at much expense the path by which those treasures may be obtained . "
Untitled Article
Sbpt . 6 , 1851 . ] « I > * & *«>*?? 841
Untitled Article
ASSOCIATION IN SPAIN . The revolution of ' 48 , say the greybeurds of political intrigue , and the flippant world of ministerial « ntcchamberH echoes the complaint , wan < i disastrous surprise , ix fiitul accident , a eutimirophe . Hhort-highted and superficial diplomacy—intent upon little cannon of great events — nscribcH the overthrow of the monarchy of 1830 , and the cataclysm which for a moment threatened to engulf all the European dynasticH , to the accidental dfHcharge of a inunket on the night of the 24 t . h of February . To them the
state of Europe in an affair of courtn , armies , cabinets , embfiHsieH , regulated by boudoir infliiciiccti mid tho busy whiBperingH of cabinetB . The quotations of tlio Stock Exchange are their barometer of Mtorin and calm , of confidence and panic . And whil « t" <«<> royal and official puppetw , pulled »> y invimlilo wm » are dangling und grimacing <> n this Htiw of ihu nineteenth century , too largo lor their puny mities . the People - unrecognized , ignored , h « v « «¦ inntrumentH of labour and of luxury , to be governed l , y bit und bridle , or appeued by J « iu » t « -nd how . —wlently and patiently awxking up to work out their » oo * al , moral ,
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 6, 1851, page 841, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1899/page/5/
-