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
It may be proper to say that some fifty persons were present , among whom were several Parisian savans of great eminence , and who participated in the performances . There were also other persons of high distinction . The party was strictly private , and I therefore do not give the names . No professed adept in the art was in the room . In the first placej a light mahogany tea-table , with six legs , was placed on the waxed floor of the saloon , and the palms of the hands of four persons- ( two ladied and two gentlemen ) were placed upon it . The formation of a chain or circle , connected by the touching of the little fingers , being a mere pedantry of those who know little of the subject , was not observed . In three minutes the table cracked , undulated , and then moved . On being directed by the will of one
of the party , it moved along the floor slowly or rapidly , to- the right or the left , forward or backward ; when thus directed , it also rose on two legs , and resisted strong pressure before it would come down . While standing on two legs , it also turned round to the right and the left , as directed by the -will . A child of seven years , weighing 351 b ., was put upon the table , and it then moved as before , though somewhat less rapidly . Similar experiments were made with other tables—one smaller and one larger . The former moved freely under the hands of two of the French scientific gentlemen , going round , and backward and forward , and rising upon two legs or one , in exact obedience to their volition . They fully admitted the astonishing reality . A large table , weighing 75 lb ., was tried
and the experiments were perfectly successful . It moved rapidly and freely , and rose upon two legs by the volition of one of the party—an effect equal to raising a weight of 15 lb . The experiments were repeated over and over again . There was no doubt , I believe , in the mind of any person present , as to the facts here stated . I need but add , that these are only confirmations of what is familiarly known in the United States , and what any sensible person may determine for himself . Let the experiment be made in any circle of a dozen persons , men and women . Among these , some will probably be found to have the requisite magnetic power . Four such persons being found , the rest is obvious and certain . Two persons of strong magnetic power will succeed perfectly . I have also seen one
person go through with all the performance . It is to bo understood that a person who has not the power to charge the tables can direct them , if he has a steady intellect and a strong persistent power of volition . He must put his hands on the table , with the others , so far as my observation goes . It will be understood that I here state facts , and attempt" no philosophical explanations . I use tho term ' animal' magnetism to designate the unseen and mysterious instrument of these phenomena only in obedience to popular usage , and not pretending to suggest its true natui-e and essence . I only add , that behind and beyond this wonderful discovery lies the question of spirit rappings . When I say that 30 , 000 people believe in that as fully as in tho electric tables , I suggest—though I do not assert—that perhaps a still more marvellous leaf is yet to bo opened in tho book of human endowments . "
Untitled Article
HE FORM OF COMMERCIAL LAW . The commercial men of the North of England have taken counsel together , on the laws relating to British commerce , and have exposed , in a series of resolutions , tho many Inconveniences arising from the present manner of commercial judicature . The Conference was held at Liverpool , on Saturday . Representatives from Bradford , Bristol , the Potteries , and Worcester , were present ; also deputations from the Law Amendment Society , of London , the Manchester Chamber of Commerce , and the Manchester Commercial Association . On tliii evening before the Conference , tho "Mayor of Liverpool gave a dinner to tho principal parties ; and , on Saturday , the Conference took place , marked , throughout , by a general agreement and cordial concurrence . Mr . Holmes ( the Mayor ) , Mr . Ilorsfall , Mr . Leone Lovi , of London , ( who has been tho earliest and most active advocate of the required reform , ) and Mr . Ashworth , of Manchester , vvero the principal speakers . The resolutions were comprehensive , and declared tho bearings of tho subject . The first want is the assimilating of tho commercial laws of England , Scotland , and Ireland , the present distinctions obviously leading to injury . Regarding bills of exchange , tho statutes of limitation and insurance of cargoes , the diverse
judicatures in the three countries causes inevitable inconvenience . A code of commercial law is also . absolutely required : the merchant , now , has to search through a great variety and indefinite extent of statutes utteeting lu s business . Permanent local tribunals , accessible to tho suitor , and informal and equitable in procedure , Avonld be oi" great service , as doing away with the expensive and embarrassing intervention of lawyers . Other delects in tho existing system are the withholdin " of equitable jurisdiction- from the ordinary lavv courts , thereby disqualifying them from administering
entire justice , and not uiifrequeiiUy driving disputants into another and distant court ; and the want of commercial men , as judges , in cases where mercantile usage and experience am concerned . Regarding tribunals , the Law Amendment Society recommend " arbitration , " but tho Liverpool Chamber of Commerce contend for a regular public judicature . Mr . Heath , who " twitted the Manchester people with hanging back upon this subject , contrary t <> their usual custom , " attributed most oi * tho present inconveniences to tho manner in which tho lawn won ) administered , rather than to tho
laws themselves . Many speakers instanced the successful working of the foreign tribunals of commerce , as the best argument in favour of tho establishment of such special courts in this country ; and the incompleteness of the late Common Law Procedure Act was also indicated . The tone of the whole proceedings indicated a feeling , on the part of the commercial body , that , in the making and administration of laws concerning commerce , their interests and opinions are not
sufficiently consulted ; and that much annoyance arises from the intervention , in mercantile disputes , of men not versed in the intricacies of trade . This feeling was expressed throughout the resolutions and speeches , in somewhat " strong" but measured language . However , nothing more decisive was done , than a vote of thanks to the London Law Amendment Society , and a formal approval of the proceedings of the Conference on the same subject , held in London , in November last .
Untitled Article
A REAL ' ' RESTAURANT" IN LONDON . It is a common remark among those who have had opportunities of knowing and enjoying the life of the French capital intimately , that London wants a Restaurant . The town abounds in dining-rooms , and eating-houses , and chop houses , and other voracious dens of impatient cannibalism , whose very titles imply that " business" of " eating to live" which Brillat Savarin so wittily and pleasantly resented as unworthy of the human being . We believe that the character of our social existence in England is prejudicially affected by this coarse and careless feeding , which ,
like every other English amusement , is transacted as a business , with celerity and despatch , but without refinement , and without ease . To men engaged in the weary struggle of city or professional life in London , an artistic and intellectual repast at dinner-time would be a healthy stimulant , and a delightful recreation for the jaded brains : now the dinner is too often a dull routine of joints , only varied by detestably disguised cutlets . Of course , we are here speaking of the vast nomad population of diners , who have neither clubs nor homes accessible . Even in the clubs ,
however , the ordinary table-dinner is the " joint' again , with the accessories of a more comfortable service . No such thing exists in England as a first-rate dininghouse , with the cuisine and the prices regulated according to the excellent conditions of the French restaurant , in which you are not obliged to pay for twice as much as you want of one dish , when you prefer moderate portions of many , nor are assailed with the perpetual steam of the same ponderous covers , and the perpetual grease of the same oppressive joints . We are certain that the whole moral and social tone
of the numerous class we have alluded to may bi > affected for the better by an improved culinary regime . We may add that a good cup of coffee is at present almost ail impossibility in London ; and a good cup of coffee may he pronounced an " institution . " Certainly a better one than our eternal " chops and steaks . " In Paris , moreover , you can obtain liglit preparations of cocoa , rice milk , etc ., which are- peculiarly grateful after a long evening at the theatre ; for instance , when a more decided supper is not intended . The establishment of sucih a restaurant as wo have indicated , is not
oidy interesting to the large class of idlers and of bachelors engaged professionally or commercially during the day , but it would be found sensibly advantageous to our theatres and places of amusement . Our present style of dinners renders hundreds really quite incapable of enduring the hot atmosphero of the theatre without weariness . We do not say that lighter cookery would make the legitimate drama go down ; but it would at least make the public more disposed to appreciate intellectual food , and so tho temper of tho audience would affect the actors , and both would be improved . Wo can but sketch faintly these considerations . These remarks have been suggested by the
Announcement of the intended opening of the old Croekford ' s , which has passed through ho many vicissitudes , us a . suite of public dining-rooms , on a Hciile of great liberality ami oleganco . Tho speculation , adapted principally it seems to the wants and tastes of the West-end idlers will , if well carried out , l > o scarcely less a boon to the general public . It is , we hear , the intention of tho proprietors to establish a scale ; of prices not exceeding those of tho most steamy aitd ill-adapted of the existing " dining-rooms , " so culled . Such an undcrlaking is really of some general interest , if only as a bold and liberal step towards establishing a restaurant that may rank with tho leading ouch in Paris Ah mich it deserves Mio public . support . ¦
Untitled Article
BRITISH MORALS ILLUSTRATED . A m ystkiuoos and painful case of erhno has been di « - cIohihI Uiis week . A young lady , named Kliza Warden , took lod"iii"H iii a house on tho ( Mapliiun Itoiul . Him lived alone " Soon after a surgeon , named Cunningham , oullod to two her , and aftor aomo jfitorviovti iuforxaod tho
landlady that the young lady was suffering from an internal disease , and that an operation must be performed . Enough afterwards passed to make the landlady suspect that the young lady had had a miscarriage , and ( hat Cunningham had taken means to cause aborlion . Cunningham has been remanded , also a Dr . Curric , who , it seems , introduced Cunningham to the young hidy , and had been in the habit of introducing him to other women , for he " had often heard Cunningham say ho could do these things , having learned the practice in France . " The mother of . the young lady was ignorant of her daughter ' s situation until the delivery took place . herself stated the facis of
On Thursday , the young lady the case . She looks younger than twenty-two ( her real age ) . Her delicate condition , and her general appearance , excited much sympathy in court . Her manner , however , considering her painful position , as relaling incidents unusually embarrassing , was singularly self-possessed . At the close , however , she got faint and weak , and it was found necessary to send for a glass of wine , and remove her into the fresh air . Her story was to the following effect : The Reverend George Campbell Gordon ( a married man , about fifty-three years old ) , curate of St . Andrew's , Holborn , lodged at her mother ' s house , in Elyplace . In September , Miss Marden being extremely ignorant of physiology , Gordon took advantage of it , and became too intimate with her .
In December , " in consequence of the state of her health , " a lodging was taken for her [ she did not state by whom ] at Hackney . About this time she " had some conversation with Mr . Gordon about the state of her health . " One day she sent her servant to Thomas , a chemist , to get some pills , and she shortly after called on Thornas herself . Thomas informed her she was enceinte , and said , " I have got a friend who will put you all right ; " saying it would cost 101 . He then told her of e * Dr . Smith , " and that he could be seen at Currie ' s , 10 , Norfolk-street , Tottenham Court-road . She there saw the prisoner Cunningham , then called Smith . On an after occasion , Currie undertook
to inform " Smith" from her that he was to come to her lodgings . When he came she gave him . 10 ? ., which sho had got from Mr . Gordon . The young lady then described the circumstances and manner of the successive operations .. The details seem to establish clearly the commission of the offence by Cunningham . Afterwards , sho experienced severe pains , and on Sunday , it would appear , the miscarriage took place . Cunningham continually attended her . The three prisoners—Cunningham , Carrie , and Thomas —have been again remanded .
The following anecdote is told of Mr . Gordon;—X pon hearing that the case was to undergo investigation , tho father of the child , who is an eminent preacher in the City of London , waited upon Mr . Greenwood , a surgeon called in when something wrong was suspected , to entreat , him to keep the matter secret ; and hinted that he might naino any price for his compliance . Mr . Greenwood rejected the proposition , upon which the clergyman exclaimed , " Then I am like a fallen star from the firrnmnent of heaven ! " He left his residence immediately ; but , nevertheless , he preached a sermon on Sunday morning week , to a very crowded congregation .
Untitled Article
STNGULAH CONDUCT OF A MAGISTRATE . Tins City Hospice and Soup Kitchen , though dead , is the cause of a lively quarrel between . some quondam officers of tho deceased institution . On Friday at Oluildliall Mr . Surr . Edward Packo Barber , ( ho late , secretary , and Mr . Palmer , of Bartholomew-close , appeared on summons charging them with assaulting the oflicer in possession of the premises of tho institution . It was stated that the summons had been withdrawn , the matter , by tho advice of Sir F . Kelly , having been arranged . Mr . Barber said , as fur as ho and Mr . Palmer wore concerned , no arrangement had been rnarlo aft all .
Sir Petor Laurie : I wanted to havo Keen Mr . Cochrano horo if 1 could . Mr . Palmer . - So did I , Sir Peler , for I am the builder of the premises , and have an execution out against him . Mr . Barber : A . report of the application for these Kiimnions lias appeared in ( lie papers , from which it wou'd seem that I have committed an assault , whereas the fact , is this—Mr . Coehrane has held adverse , possession . of the premises , and while passing the door and seeing it . opon , wo walked in , and wero immediately assaulted and ejected . Sir Vi ' . icv Laurie : 1 know moro of Mr . Cochvano than
almost any man , and t foresaw how this " Institution , as you call it , would all end . It ' s astonishing to me how you could have been gulled by him . Mr . Palmer : I am tho largest , creditor , but I thought my money ( juile . safo on seeing Sir F . Kelly ' s and Alderman Wire ' s names connected with the institution . Sir 1 ' e . tor Laurie : Sir F . Kelly has mmlo himself notorious for being so simple in parting with his money towards Hueh schemes . M r . Palmer : Sir F . Kelly has been
very kind to the institution . Sir Petor 'Laurie : Very kind to Mr . Cochrano , you mean . ( Laughter . ) . Hut . I should like to see I he accounts . Mr . Harbor : Tho . se would come from Mr . Coehrune us ( ho treasurer . Sir Peter Laurie : I never could get at a debtor mid creditor account , of any hiilihln in which Mr . (' oclirnno hud any influence Mr . Hurbor : M r . (' oehniiio has belonged to a great , many sue el . ics , and always iiimiaged to bo appoint o « l tho treasurer . _ * mm ^ r * mt ~ ' W ^ 9 *
Sir Peter Laurie : Mow much , Mr . Palmer , in your claim ? Mr . Palmer : It was 7 <» 0 A , which I wns puid by Mr . ( \> elinmo in part , liy bills , which wero dishonoured . Nir I ' vicr Laurie : Ofcour . se ; what < ilsn could you expect ? Ho is respectable , and a man of property ; but I have- my own opinion of that . You never sen my name to any bubble or Hchcmo of this kind . I never lend myself to anything of the sort . Do you know where Mr . Codirunn i . s now r Mr . Palmer : 1 believe ho in in Boulogne , mid in trying to <> HtahIish a street , swooping association there . t > ir JL'otor . Laurie ; And i . duro nay Uo will auccood . piurtiou-
Untitled Article
1 May 7 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . 44-3
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), May 7, 1853, page 443, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1985/page/11/
-