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tog 1852. L_ THE STAR OF FREEDOM. 5
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democratic ^ofcemcttts
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jg- Onr Friends will oblige by forwardin...
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THE O'CONNOR FUSD-THE CHARTIST PRES S AS...
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ADDRESS FROM. THE WORKING MES OF BRADFOR...
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THE WOMAN'S ELEVATION LEAGUE. _ . OBJECT...
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FkAmpton's Pill of IIealid.—For bilious ...
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ewm&tfa ©fwnicle
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THE WORKINGr TAILORS' ASSOCIATION
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TO THE EDITOR 01? THE ST&R OF FREEDOM, D...
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OP TJA T TTTCT) TRA...
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THE SILK WEAYERS ASD FREE TRADE. On Tues...
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year. I am told-ihafc has decreased, J'd...
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Transcript
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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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'Young Englanplsm' ^Dts^F 5 ^ His Btjdge...
Sfthat of population considerable . The foreign Softhecountry hasfaeen greater than m any other fan -eaS in thehifitory of British commerce . The SteS ^ g aerefromonghttohavevastlyincreased . gd t he trade of this country been really prosperous , Tdule D would hare indicated an increase of the Sts of trade proportionate to the increase of the S erial property of the country , and the actual . sales „ f Briti * goods . Toproveyour case of ' prosperity it is not enough to acknowledge a * diminution , and hope for an increase ; you ought to he able to show a ve large advance , amounting to at least one sixth
0 f the net receipts under Schedule D . Can you do so ? You cannot ; I 8 I 7 was an unhappy commercial ^• ear ; the same spirit of speculating gamhling , which is a tree of rapid growth , still flourishes . England in ier aggressive commercial policy is selling the products of her industry at a reduced value ; her merchant princes playing the game of * hazard' with , maddened impetuosity . The few win , the many lose . Each clear gain is a fortune to the gambler ; the losses are to be found reflected in the reduced wages and
increased toil of hurdreds of thousands of human beings . TvTiat say yon , Disraeli ? The day has heen , when you , the author of , * Coningshy / mighthave professed to look into that matter . Now , you are exalted far above such grovelling themes , and you leave labour to be disposed of through the sieve of Exports ana Imports '— -a guide which to the uninitiated is as deceptive as a black-leg ' s betting book . Shonld the Chancellor of the Exchequer write a & oofc chaining his Parliamentary experience and speeches , we lommend him to give the following brief oration » prominent place . We send it to him as a present from our-Stag the taxes paid : —" Gentlemen on both sides of the S ^^ daHtfhlr Majesty ' s subjects interested 1 ?
political discussions , will , in judging of my acts generally , oe Sued to note that I have never had any ^ defined Snciples to guide me in political action on the question of £ i . if refer indirect taxation ; it is more . secretm 33 operation , * and better suited for the ow JJ State . The truth is , the nation would rebel again , dffect taxation . Such is much too straightforward ^ *«» f * a means of nub * revenue to meet with « V * P ^ £ S " Thegrcatambitlonof my life has been to acquire ptoce , poirer , aud a share of tho patronage of the Crown , lam ^ solved to keep in office so long as I possibly can . I had £ » 00 ft a Year to bo a very handsome addition to myincome .
I will remain in office , and , if needs be , forget all about tne Bast The farmers mav call me treacherous ; let them ; to me they are no longer useful . The artisans may sneer at me and complain . " lime always nsed men only to enable me to "ratify ambition . I will , to my utmost ability , strive to manage tne House of Commons , and , under my guidance , I doubt not bnt Free Trade Conservatism will rise inthe ascendant . Should I fail iu my present course , 1 can fell hick on Radicalism . The Marylebone Liberals will welcome me with open arms . A General m the army ot the Earl of Derbvis sure to find a place under Sir -James Graham . I Mean to be successful ; and my motto is , Any port in a storm . " In following the course I nave marked out Ibavemunv precedents ; for , as Kelson remarked in nis own rough sailor-like , bnt truthful , manner , All ministers of tings and princes are , in my opinion , as great Ecoandrels as ever lived . "' Gbacchus .
Tog 1852. L_ The Star Of Freedom. 5
tog 1852 . L _ THE STAR OF FREEDOM . 5
Democratic ^Ofcemcttts
democratic ^ ofcemcttts
Jg- Onr Friends Will Oblige By Forwardin...
jg- Onr Friends will oblige by forwarding reports of Chartist meetings , and other Democratic proceedings .
CHARTISM . XATIOXAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Tbe Executive Committee of the above Association on taking office found an accumulated debt of some thirty to fortv pounds . It was at once resolved to incur no fresh li abilities , and that the utmost energy should be used to liquidate the amount already due . from that purpose we have box swerved , and to those who have approved of our phcy , by supporting us to carry it out , we tender our grateful acknowledgments . * Wc had fa : n hoped that , among so large and influential a body as the Chartists are said by some to be , the above amount would long ere this have been liquidated , and that , after a laps * of four months , we shonld not have found ourselves with £ G or £ 7 still due .
Bat from what has recently heen received , it does not appear that there is that disposition to contribute which we would desire to see manifested ; we have therefore decided that this shall be oar last appeal ; consequently , we request all who have funds in hand , or feel disposed to give towards the payment of this just debt , that they will forward the same on or before Thursday , May 13 th . The following sums have been received : —J . S . Clark , Is . ; Dunbarton , per W . M'Intyre , 9 s . ; J . Julian , Manchester , 6 i . ; John Howard Is . Gd . ;—Total lis . Cd . James Gbassbt , Secretary , 96 , Regent-street , Lambeth .
SIethopolixas Delegate Couscn .. —This body held its nsnil weekly meeting at the Literary and Scientific Institution , Little Saffron-hill , on Sunday afternoon , May 2 nd . Mr . Smugg was called to the chair . The report of the O'Connor Fund Committee was received . Mr . Wheeler stated that the sister of Mr . O'Connor was in a deplorably destitute condition . Mr . Wheeler said , the Committee of observation had determined to recommend to the Council the policy of adopting two resolutions , —viz ., " That no persons be invited to speak in their behalf at meetings convened by them , but bona fide members of the Xational Charter Association ; '' and secondly , " That an address bo issued to the country , setting forth the rejection of Mr . Buncombe ' s propositions by the borough of Finsbury
meeting , arid calling on it to follow the example . " Report received . —Mr . Wheeler moved the first , and Mr . Stratton seconded it—ultimately carried . —Mr . E . Jones reminded the Council that the Treasurer had no funds in band ; and that the Manchester Convention would be holden on the 17 th inst . He suggested that a public meeting shonld he speedily held at John-street , for the election of delegates . —Mr . Wheeler thought that a wiree might be the means of raising funds . He would therefore move—" That a soiree he heM in celebration of the establishment of the " People's Paper . "—Mr . Butler seconded the motion , and Mr . Stratton opposed it . He said they had not the funds to get it up . —Mr . Farrah , Treasurer , moved the previous question . He was opposed to getting up a soiree for the ' People ' s Papper" exclusively . The «• Star of freedom "
was evidently doing its duty as a good Democratic paper , and was therefore entitled to be considered a ' * People ' s Paper" as much as any other . He emphatically denied that the organised Chartists of London were in favour of we Manchester Convention . There were thirteen localities , seven of whom were opposed to it , and six only in favour w it . Mr . R . Farrah seconded the amendment . —Mr . ruilen thought it right to meet and offer their mutual gratulations on the advent of the said paper , especially when us editor was the only Quintius Curcius in England . — f » . Bezcr thought the - Star of Freedom" ought to be deluded , and moved an amendment to that effect , which wasJost . The original resolution for a soiree was then carri ' -d . —Mr . Jones suggested that the election of dele-Sates should take place after the soiree , the public beinc
emitted at the conclusion , at a low charge for admission . "~ Mr . Wheeler then moved a resolution to that eflect . — * r . Clark said ifc would require 10 $ . from each locality to defray the expense of delegation to Manchester . The motion was then carried , and the Council adjourned . Fissbukt Locality . —May 2 . —The auditors reported tbat they had examined the balance sheet , and that the in-Come amounted to £ 1 I 63 . 5 d ., and the expenditure amounted to £ 1 Si ., showing a balance cf 8 s . 5 d . Mr . Butler reported from the Tisiting Committee , that they had visited several old members , who had not taken any active Pirt in Chartism lately , and that they expressed their intention of rejoining the Locality . The Locality adjourned ™> til Sunday next , at sis o ' clock p . m . —Alfbed Fessbll , « creiary . The South Lincashire Delegate Meeting , on Sunday " * * , will be held at the Co-operative Store , Royton , and "fat Mr . Horsefkll ' s . —By order of the Council , Robem ^ u , Land ' s-hillOldham .
, . . f ° « bt . —The Chartists of this Locality held their wetely meeting on Monday , May 3 rd . The sending a deleft ? . the forthcoming Conference was fully disenssed and It vl = " Ui , on- Jlr ' - Dosier was Pnt m nomination he ] d a- rtS ^ Ved thafc a meetu » g t 0 elect the delegate be Havii' usual place of meeting , on Tuesday evening , . uta ; to conimenceafc eight o ' clock . lasti ^ n 0 IlD - ~ -The Chartists cf Bradford met on Sunday * 4 wT ' street Sch 00 i Kooia » ^ hen it decided that a tt * eeriS , e < tmS be teld ° n Sanday next at half-past fcoom o ckln tlMJ afternoon , in the Democratic School Council r " *" * " * . f ° r the purpose of electing a new toe soeH \ f IInportant bnsin esa in connexion with kctuiM i . lT " * - Holyoake is delivering a course of Ies lu ^ e town — Correspondent . 10 TUS ELECTORS ASD XOX-ELECTORS OF
KOTTKGHAM . G ^ or ? e M ^ ~ T ^ ddress (? s bave appeared from Mr . Thomas ** ° tedltoL i ™ i T ' and , Mr - John Salter , eaeh ^ Boithlv ? fee l ^ ers , and favourable to an esten-5 * eonfijf ^ c 0 ?« l « ctof those / gentlemen , how far you la * ccSct Pre £ e 3 t V 1 CWS ' depend oa tbeir l * ft the « HSi appear t 0 m * ° ^ "wj-todofoU 5 f * m BiS / fn ° T CCUnt f 'cn- . Tbe - *> mit " that tbo tb 6 J would ort 5 ° , lonser be considered a final measure ? " ** Zol ^ r t the Suffr f ^ t 0 b »^ e oider w ! lplra ' JjeHBH ., ?™ 8 ^ of rent and taxes : and transfer « £ v ? .
. ^ submi t AS ? . J ? 3 sm , lcr *» a * l ! irSor boroughs . ^ « 8 i £ iS hiH , ? f ttle tbe ° - uestion- Ev « v fe ^ S ^ whtt h r P ^ d ^ the protec . fi ^ the sC ^ l f 0 ple ' wi , 0 i - v their b'b ° » ' - > S ° f their bS' b"e . f ° treated as aliens in the Sssm ^ ssA cmtma ™ ° - * tl ° ! & *<* -TourttSl-1 ? , fleas , nre the welfare and happi-5 % l ° . ^ ^ lotm ' e f ° ? alaUOn - Y «« 'iU be called ^ fe ^ . bSSSl ? ? ' , f ^ f'P ab »^ not * " «» fl » ri ghts of W l he b . estof K > arabilities , ° ™ ^ by returning those men who
Jg- Onr Friends Will Oblige By Forwardin...
pledge themselves to the advocacy of a full , fair , and free representation of the whole adult males of the United Kingdom , Who will bo at the trouble to register themselves , and who are unconvicted of any crime by a jury of their countrymen . Thisis theonly way to settle this important question . You can have no -moral right to deprive your neighbour of hia having a voice in the legislation of the country , while you call upon him to pay taxes and obey the laws . Mr . Walter tells you he is " prepared to advocate an extension of the Suffrage , " but the honourable gentleman does not tell you to what extent;—he voted against Mr . Hnmes ' s motion , and , therefore , it is fair to presume
that his extension of the suffrage will be very limited indeed . He is opposed to the Ballot , while no doubt he uses it at the club . There is ono paragraph in his address with which I most cordially agree—viz . — " Between moderate Whigs and Conservatives there is no essential difference . " The people have long finco been convinced of that fact , and for that very reason they have so long heen deprived of their fair share of political power . Both Whigs and Conservatives may rest assured that the present system cannot he muck longer tolerated . The masses are tired of the political thimble-rigging of both factions , and desire most ardently to be relieved from all such
selfish legislators . , , Son-Electors ! What becomes your duty at the present crisis will you any longer lend yourselves as tools to men who withhold from you your Political Rights \ Can it matter to yon who are sent as members for the to ^ n , while you are deprived of a voice in the matter ? Ceise doing the dirty work of Faction ; let them distinctly understand that until justice is done you they may fight their own battles ; that you protest against their usu nation of power in your name . , . , , , . , Hitherto you have been designated as the ignorant mob , whom it would be dangerous to enfranchise ; thereby adding insult to injury . If you are ignorant , who are to blame ? The government , most certainly , who refuse the means to educate yon .
Is it not your duty to attend the public meetings at which the candidates address the electors , and ascertain for yourselves how far they aro prepared to recognhe your just claims , and put such questions to them as will elicit in an unmistakeable manner that information ? Bo not follow the suicidal policy recommended by some individuals , who say— " we will have everything we want , or we will have nothing . " There is a wide difference between frittering away or giving up a righteous demand , and getting all you possibly c ; m in part payment thereof . The time I hope will soon arrive when men will learn to be just
to each other . By our good conduct let us hasten as far as possible that"" good time coming . " I am , gentlemen , a firm believer in the omnipotence of truth , and feel assured that it will ultimately triumph . Her Majesty ' s chief adviser has declared that " Democracy shall progress no farther . " If we are Englishmen , we shall teach him as we have taught his predecessors , that "he is too small for his place . " All the aristocrats upon earth cannot stay tho onward march of men who have made up their minds to be free . We cast back their threats with scorn , and we tell them , in the words of the Poet ,
that" The dawn of truth , long overcast , Shall kindle into day at last , Bright , boundless , and divine ; And man shall walk the peaceful sod , A being worthy of his God . " It was never designed that roan should be a slave to his fellow man , and it becomes us to aid in knocking off their fetters , and bidding the oppressed go free . Tbo army of labourers throughout tho country must now *• stand by their order , " and declare for " Justice , Immutable , Universal , Eternal . " I am , gentlemen , yours respectfully , James Sweet .
P . S . —Mr . Walter in his address last night ( Tuesday ) declared tho policy which he intended , if returned , to adopt . In my next I shall take the liberty of reviewing the same , and offering an opinion thereon .
The O'Connor Fusd-The Chartist Pres S As...
THE O'CONNOR FUSD-THE CHARTIST PRES ASD EXECUTIVE-THE WEST-RIDING ELECTION . Qaeen ' shead . near Halifax . —The Committee for the Relief of Mr . O'Connor , met at Belmfortu ' s Temperance Hotel , on Sunday last , for the purpose of handing in the funds which had been collected for that purpose . In consequence however , of the abrupt departure of that gentleman to America , the funds ware not delivered in , nor any business in connexion therewith transacted , and as no informat ion could bo gathered concerning his condition or future prospects the meeting was adjourned sine die . The meeting having been closed , a long and angry discussion ensued concerning the disgraceful system of denunciation and proscription again disgracing and tearing asunde . i the
Chartist ranks , which resulted in the panics present forming themselves into a committee , in in order that some resolution might bo come to on the subject . Mr . Joseph Alderson , of Bradford having been elected as chairman , Christopher Bhackleton moved the following resolution , which was seconded by Tliomas Wood , and unanimously carried : —Resolved That the parties who are preparing the programme for the Manchester Convention be requested to draw up a code of laws for the guidance of the movement ; defining the principles by which any future Executive shall he guided , and the policy which they shall pursue in carrying out those principles , and r- ^ viQing a tribunal to which any officers having violated , or being supposed to have violated , such laws shall be brought , in order that they may have a fair trial . And likewise providing
that any condueters of newspapers or journals connected with , or supposed to represent the Chartist body , shall not be allowed to attack either the policy or supposed motives of any of the officers of this body . But that any one having any charge to bring against such officer , shall bring it before such tribunal , and the case impartially heard . And that any conductor or conductors violating this law shall , if a member of the society , be expelled its ranks and his paper abandoned , and uo longer considered as an organ of theniGveaieut JAudl ' uiicase su !; b | editor } be not a member , and elected ia the manner above-named , he sliall be abandoned as a common enemy . And , further , should any member be
found attacking the motives , character , or policy of any officer or officers of this society , by private letter or otherwise , he shall be expelled from it , aud the parties to whom such communications shall be sent shull be couipe'led to deliver up the same on proof thereof . Such a measure is indispensable for the safe working . ' of the society , it being utterly impossible for any executive to live with an irresponsible censorship of the Press over them , except as the mere mouthpieces of such censor . " ( Signed)—Halifax : — Thorns Woftd , William Flim , Harr ison Bolt , Benjamin Wilson , Samuel Hilton . —Bradford : —Richard Gee , Thomas Cameron , Joseph Aldcrson . — Queenshed ;— Christopher Shackle ton .
From a correspondent at Bradford we have received a report of the above meeting so far as concerns the O'Connor Fund ; with the following addition : — The Committee then took into consideration the forthcoming election , when it was resolved : — " That a West Riding Delegate Meeting should be held next Sunday , May 9 th , at Mitchell ' s Temperance Hotel , Union-street , Bradford , for the purpose of devising- means to bring forward a candidate , on the day of nomination , for the West Riding of Yorkshire . A person that will represent the opinions of the inhabitants of the Riding , —at least one that will represent the principles of democracy at the hustings , and that question of all questions—tho labour question . Also to discuss tbe programme put forth by the Manchester Chartist Council , for the proposed Convention , which is announced to bo held in Manchester on an early day .
Address From. The Working Mes Of Bradfor...
ADDRESS FROM . THE WORKING MES OF BRADFORD . Fellow-WouKMns , —An election is at hand , and you will be called upon to awe your support to those candidates who are pledged to Free Trade , TJuIiuiitedCoinpetition , and the' leaking this country depend more upon commercial enterprise for its means of life , than upon onr own resources being applied to our own nativo soil . Before you give your support to such men , it will be as well to weigh the merits of the case seriously over in your minds , with a view of ascertaining whether it really deserves your unqualified support or not . If we listen to tiie statements of such men as Richard Cohden and John Bright , we find , as they tell us , that this country , ever since its government began to pursue a Free Trade Policy , has experienced more happiness and contentment than it did before that period ; because , they say . Free Trade , as based upon competition , has given to peoplo more food , more wages , and more clothing . If we could sea tbat Free Trade had really given the people all these blessings , the same as it has given Bright and
Cobden them , probably we should make the same statements as those gentlemen . But allow us to say , that these individuals are attempting to deceive you , the working men , by making these assertions . They fancy , that by raising the cry that bread is cheaper since the Repeal of the Corn Laws , they imagine they can gull you into the belief that you have al = o more wages and better clothing than you had previous to their repial . As an answer to this , we would call upon the factory operatives , woolcombers , weavers , spinners , and others connected with Manufacturing Industry , to say what are the average wa <* cs they receive now , after six years of Free Trade experience , with what they were previous to th ;> t time ; and if they say the average is higher now than then , we will allow ' that Free Trade is really a blessing . But when we find , not only from our own experience , but from that of others , that the rate of wa ^ es is far less now than ifc was formerly , we are obliged to assert , that Cohden and Bright are deceiving the people by their cry of cheap bread meaning plenty of work and high wages .
If cheap bread means plenty of work and high wages , we should bke to know \ iow it is tbat Wookombers—numbering at least 14 , 000 in this district—do not average now more than eight shilling ? a week wages when in full work ; bnt be-ldes this , large numbers are being thrown out of work by the continual extension of machinery ; and bring thus thrown out of work in their own trades , they are forced to resort to other trades , which are already overstocked with h surplus of hands , thereby gradually pulling down the wages of the men engaged in those trades until they will shortly be brought down to the level of the poverty-stricken Woolcombers .
This wesee and feel will shortly be the effect of tiie cursed System of Competition , caused partly by the continual increase of machinery , and partly by other causes such as the desire to enter upon a system of trade with every part of the world , which , of necessity , causes manufacturers to make manual labour do its work as cheaply as machinery , in order that they may compete with all in the markets of the world .
Address From. The Working Mes Of Bradfor...
Now when we find such professed p hilanthropists as Cobuen , Bright , and Col . Thompson , wishing to maintain and extend a system of trade , based upon competition , which means placing men in hostile array one against another , how can we , as working men , support such persons ? Besides this , we find Colonel Thompson ( a man who , it is said , is favourable to the political enfranchisement of the people ) coming forward in the House of Commons on behalf of money mongers and usurers , by giving notice that ho intends to move a series of resolutions , having for their object the continued payment of the rate of interest upon the money which was advanced some fifty ov sixty years ago , by speculators , in order to give the government the means of carrying on a continental war at that time against Jfapoleon , and for crushing the spirit of Democracy which rose in France at the time of Robespierre and Mirabaud . This money—which is now called the National Debt —amounts to at least £ 800 , 000 , 000 , and tho interest , at the
rate of 27 , 000 , 000 , is annually voted out of the public revenues . This Colonel Thompson is afraid will be paid offnow the markets are beginning to be well supplied with gold from Australia and California ; ho is also afraid the Fund , holders will lose their blood money , which exists in the shape of three or four per cent , interest—and , bear in mind , this is a Freo Trader ! If this question had been raised by a rabid Tory , or great fundhnldor , why then we should not have been any way surprised ; but to find a man like Colonel Thompson—a man of the . people—in effect telling us that the National Debt shall be for ever fixed upon our shoulders , like some dead weight , crushing our industry to tbe owest point of misery and pauperism , it is really too bad to bo borne any longer . But as the elections are near at hand , let working men fairly test tho various candidates upon those questions which are of the most importance ; and as Free Traders have " shirked" the question of the Suffrage for that of hree Trade , it will be as well to tell them a few facts , with a view of showing the people what Free Trade and Mn
tition are doing for us . We tell them that weavers who used to mind one loom , are now forced to mind two , by Free Trade employers , at a considerable reduction of wages j 1 and have also been obliged , in many cases , to weave their pieces thirty-five yards long , for less money than formerly they got for twenty-nine . We say , working men , tell them all these things , and let us sec it they can triumph over them with the usual shuf-. l ng E , etty , nt % > es which have generally characterised tho Free Trade partv . As far as regards the Tory candidate Mr . Wickham , ho says in his address , tbat he is in favour of civil and religious liberty : we suppose he means we may worship as we please , even such a sturdy animal as a jackass , providing we tthepeole ) only consent to pay his church at the rate of eleven millions annually . Working men , we urge you to rally to no cry but that of Manhood Suffrage and
Protection to Labour ! because we feel convinced , that no other question of the present day is worth a moment ' s consideration , because , if we have not the Suffrage , and Protection 01 Laiiour , it is then clear , from all past precedents , that we are a down-trodden people . Signed on behalf of tbe Working Men ' s Committee , W . Moobe , President .
The Woman's Elevation League. _ . Object...
THE WOMAN ' S ELEVATION LEAGUE . _ . OBJECTS . t lie 1 . Social Moral , Professional , Pecuniary , Political Elevation of Woman .
MEMBERSHIP ASD SUBSCRIPTION . mepaymeiitof One Shilling to constitute any person a On Th fini " nUal Contl ' ibution > due on tbe pirsfc of January , The presentation of Five Guineas to constitute the Donor a Lite-member . The League established for tho Elevation of Woman , calls the attention of the Friends of Humanity to Woman ' s present humiliating position , in relation totho / meparticu lars above specified . Social . —Tbe Social wrongs of Woman appear not to the
world—her name is associated with happiness , love , and beauty . In social gatherings , men reverently bow and do her homage . So invincible is her power , and so great her influence , that she is often deemed the most favoured of all created beings . But , alas ! she-withers under unnatural restraints , suffers the most crying wrongs , pines under the severity of cruel customs , which consign her to uncalledfor dependence , and diminish her moral influence . Such wrongs , however sanctioned by time , or authorised by the Legislature , the Woman ' s Elevation Loague denounces , and pledges itself , by all constitutional means , to labour for their removal .
Moral . —Many things which were strictly Moral in the earlier ages of the world , are now considered as grossly immoral . Several of the moral duties of the Patriarchal ages , became immoral under the Mosaic dispensation ; and much of the morality of Moses , was repudiated , condemned by the Founder of Christianity . On the introduction of Letters into this country ( 500 years ago ) the peoplo were in a state of comparative civilisation , when contrasted to their forefathers at the time ' of the Norman invasion , but , in a state of comparative barbarism , when contrasted to their posterity in our day . The variety of changes which have taken place during the advances of the people of England towards civilisation , have been accompanied with corvesponding changes in " the doctrine of the duties of life , " called morality ; yet , it is demonstrable , that Woman has not been installed in moral privileges commensurate with the moral advances of Man ; and the League , without stickling for the Rights of Woman , pleads that justice may
be done to the Wrongs of Woman , insisting on the rectitude of Woman ' s being morally raised to the level of Man , that she may be enabled to fulfil her duties as a daughter , a wife , a mother , a guardian of her offspring , and a franohisa member of the great human family . Professional—Who should plead the cause of injured innocence ? Who should stay tho progress of disease ? Man , and man only—if Woman , properly educated , prove incompetent . What professions should bo closed against woman ? Those only which she cannot be qualified to fill ; but , at present , what preferment awaits female talent , or , to what is woman eligible ? Her limited sphere is not , however , dictated by nature , it receives not any support from revelation , nor can it claim better ancestry than ancient barbarism . The Woman ' s Elevation Loague demands the abolition of every barrier which excludes deserving femalos from any calling or profession for which the sex can be physically and intellectually-fitted .
Pecuniary . —Immorality and crime aro frequently produced by ignorance and poverty , and these evils exist to a frightful extent , as consequences ofinsufflcicntremuneration for female labour , in the few departments to which woman is admitted , and her exclusion from others , fur which she is qualified , or , would become so , were opportunities and inducements presented . The League , irrespective of sex , demands compensation for labour , according to tho value given—education , scope , and remuneration sufficiently ample for rendering each daughter able to sustain herself —that marriage may result " from affection , and be less frequently an arrangement merely for maintenance . Political—Blackstone says : — " The very being or legal existence of the woman , is suspended during marriage , or , at least , is incorporated or consolidated into that ' of the
husband , under whose wing , protection , and care she performs everything . " All who are debarred from taking an active part in the formation , from participating in the administration of tho government of the country ; who are prohibited from voting , from holding office ; who aro under the necessity of contributing their individual share towards tho expenses of government , without being allowed any influence in its direction ; who are held amenable to the laws when made , but not permitted to have any voice in making them ; all such individuals are in a state of political slavery , of civil and moral depression : and this is tho state of all the women in England—they aro punishable for transgressing laws imposed upon them without their consent , and they aro compelled , by law , to pay taxes for the support of a government thoy had not any share in
establishing , and over which they have not any control . As custom , however ancient or universal , cannot convert a civil wrong into a political right , the Council of the Woman's Elevation League , protests against the continuance of females in their present humiliating condition , and resolves to agitate this grievance ngainst humanity , until a new 2 > ullic opinion shall bo created on this subject—when justice will speedily triumph over oppression . The stoli : ! indifference of some females in the higher ranks of life , and the insensibility of women in general , to the existing low state of woman , as a member of the community , ' speak volumes on tho necessity of elevating the sex to a sense of their ignoble , unmerited positionin society ; and the Council of tho League will shortly attempt to awaken the women of England from their lethargy , by public meetings , lectures , publications , < tc .
Council op the League . Mrs . Holmes , ' Annb Knight , Mrs . Kino , Mr . Dexter , Mrs . Robertsos , Mr . IIoksblh , Mrs , Dexter , Mr . King , Mrs . Natler , Mr , Nailer , Communications and suggestions may be addressed to the Secretaries of the Woman's Elevation League , 71 , High-street , Camden Town , London .
Birjiinoham . —Hall of Progress . —Recently a tea party was held in the above Hall , to commence an organisation for progressive purposes , Mr . Broom , of London , lectured on "The Religious Sentiment . " The meeting was addressed by Mr . Wright , Mr . Skerritt , Mr . Broom , Mr . llankesford , & o . The following sentiments were heartily responded to : — " The Banishes ! of Despotism—Miclielot and Gninet , the consistent opposers of Jesuitism—and Augustc Comte , the illustrious enforcer of Positive Science . " " To the friends and advocates of Mental and Physical Progress . " " Reason , tho Grand Guide , may all become its expounders . " The proceedings were terminated by an address from Mr . Broom , in which he announced , that he should shortly give a lecture on "A Fact and a Warning , " the proceeds of which woujd bo presented to Augustc Comte . Lectures are delivered at tho Hall of Progress , Essex-street , Birmingham , every Sunday , Monday , and Tuesday evenings . Every Sunday afternoon Mr . Broom preaches in the open air near Vauxhall .
Fkampton's Pill Of Iiealid.—For Bilious ...
FkAmpton ' s Pill of IIealid . —For bilious or sick headache , indigistion , and for the whole train of symptoms arising from a weak stomach , or vitiated bilious secretion , are pre-eminently successful . For costiveness , either habitual or temporary , they are admit able , and for elderly persons Mill prove the most agreeable medicine that can be Uken . They are used with the greatest advantage by either sex , and will therefore prove an excellent family pill ; for in any case where an aperient medicine is required , they need only he tried to be universally adopteil . Sold by all medicine venders , l'rice Is . ljd . per box . See the name of ' Thomas Front , W , Strand , London , ' on the government stamp . ^_ ^ .
Ewm&Tfa ©Fwnicle
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The Workingr Tailors' Association
THE WORKINGr TAILORS' ASSOCIATION
LONDON . ( By its late Secretary . ) A CHAPTER TOWARD THE ASSOCIATIVE HISTORY . THE EXPERIMENT . Much of the aytnpathy called forth for the forlorn Seamstresses and " Sweated " Tailors , —indeed the mission of Mayhew himself in that good work of his , may be ( raced to the effect wrought by poor Tom Hood ' s " Song of the Shirt . " A greater Sartor Resartus , or Clothes Philosophy , was contained in that than in Carlyic's work oi that name . It bursi like a thunder-clap upon startled society , which began to tremble , and to investigate the appalling truth . And it was discovered tbat human beings , tender females .
were toiling and starving , and stitching their lives into their work for twopence-halfpenny par day ! That whole families were toiling worse than the slaves in Egypt , in foodless and tireless garrets for a few shillings a week to subsist upon ! It was discovered that side-by-side with all aur boasted wealth and magnificence was the most hideous poverty and the most squalid wretchedness . That all our splendour and grandeur was mingled with human blood and tears , and that our plenty and prosperity meant utter beggary and starvation for thousands . Pictures oi horror and terror were graphically pourtrsyed of the scenes in which the bravest human hearts might well despa r an 1 die , wherein the children ofjabour , born in tears and reared in misery , where sapped if all tbe finer feelings , robbe . l oi
their manhood , and the swe / t treasure of intellect and love ; and when they ought to be summering in the leafy prime of life , they were dropping out of existence , and ending their dark and damning destiny with the pauper ' s grave . The Tailoring trade called especial attention . Meetings wereheld , and thepoorslop-workers themselves gave their terrible experience to the world . It was shown , that even where a tolerably fair price was given in the first place for the ranking of garments , the intermediate " sweaters " were reaping rare profits out of it , and the work was absolutely done for nothing . Thus , if Kicol—one of the most respectable rascals—wanted a hundred Paletots made , he would give them out to some contractor to have them done , say for 7 s . 6 d . each . This fellow—most probably
some blubber-lipped , hook-nosed sponge-seller originallywould transfer the clothes to some other of the tribe , to be made for 5 ? . each ; and in turn would visit tbe slopworkers , in their dirty dens , and get them made for 33 ,, or 2 s . 6 d . each . It was thought that tbe best remedy for this would be in setting the workers up in business upon tbeir own account , and upon the associative principle . It would at least conserve to the workers the profits of those middlemen . On this ground many support Association who would not support it did they foresee its ultimate tendencies . It does more—it conserves to the men all the profits of capital and previous cost of mastership , which in most cases amounts to more than labour itself gets out of its own produce . Walter Cooper chanced to be a tailor by trade , and
an Association was determined upon under his management . And now , to my thinking , the first error was committed . It was in promising too much—in raising expectation too high . We did not rightly estimate what we had to do . We spoke of gain continually , instead of demanding sacrifice ; and self-interest is not one of the beat elements for a true bond of unity . We did not calculate the difficulties that lay a-head , the mighty monopolies of Capital and Law that were against us , the plots that would he formed to thwart us , and the opposition we should receive from our own class , and tbat it would need the united energies of men prepared to do and suffer , rather than men who came merely to get what they could , the heroism of men who came to sow , rather than the blind se'fbbness of men
who came merely to reap , to carry such an experiment to success , and work out Association . Again , in starting in such a cause , it is a most fatal thing to bring in personal friends with you ; like most others , the Associative Cause has been more curst in its friends than its enemies . So Walter Cooper has found it . He gathered around him some personal friends to start with in this experiment—men whom he was solemnly warned of , and assured tbat he could not work with . But Walter Cooper thought that the millennium , at least , had dawned , and the reign of fraternity begun . He would waive all differences oi opinion , and sink all crotchets , and , like the magnanimous French people after the struggle of Februaiy , on launching their young Republic , he had neither suspicion nor fear , and , therefore
took no precaution , and , like them , he found himself deceived . On the 11 th of February , 1850 , commodious workshop * and premises having been taken in Castle-street , East , twelve men , called together promiscuously , were set to work , and before the expiration of that first week their number had increased to twenty . Work came in thick and fast , for tbe promoters had organised a valuable customalmost calculated to keep a considerable business goingamong their own immediate friends and circle of connexion . And to see the anomalous classes of supporters which thronged to that Association , any man , as sanguine as W alter Cooper , might reasonably have thought that it personified tbe millennium so long spoken of as " coming , " lor the Won most assuredly lay down with the lamb , and the most
clashing and conflicting interests became mutual in supporting that Association . Lords , bishops , duchesses , marchionesses , lawyers , clergymen , mechanics , and labourers were chronicled in its list of customers , and , for a time , " all went merry as a marriage bell . " It was proposed that tbe men should work together for three months on probation ,. to test each others sociaUnd working qualities , and their mutual fitness for entering upon the life in association . Meanwhile they were to discuss a code of laws which they would agree to work under when the Association was formed . And here was perpetrated the greatest error at starting . Instead of the promoters drawing up a code of laws and presenting it to the men , asking whether they would be willing to form an
association and work together on such and such terms , at least until the borrowed capital had been repaid , a set of laws , translated from the French by M . Le Chevalier , was given W them to discuss , which suited them admirably , for , mark you , these were the laws of an Association which had found its own capital , and , consequently , was its own master , Therefore they were in nowise applicable to an association which had not found its own capital , and which was tobe governed , not by a manager of its own choosing , but by one who was placed over it to represent that capital , for which he was held solely responsible , Here began the struggle between manager and men . Geraid Massey .
To The Editor 01? The St&R Of Freedom, D...
TO THE EDITOR 01 ? THE ST & R OF FREEDOM , DEii ? Sir , —The cause of Association is flourishing in this neighbourhood , notwithstanding tho late attack made by Mr . Ernest Jones upon it . A sound cause will male progress from the blows and licfa of enemies , as tvell as from the Hndly propulsion of friends , and such is the cause of Co-operation . ' Eat , what do I see , sir ? Mr . Ernost Jones himself come over to us ? Well , the weighty arguments of Mr , Lloyd Jones must have had their offect on the mind of his opponent after all , for , in his address to the electors of this borough , he comes forward as tho assumed champion of Free Association of Labour . Hear him desoant upon the subject . I quote his own words : —
At present the laws , as you are aware , throw insuperable difficulties in the way of associations of working-men for productive and distributive purposes . Is it not a monstrous thing that difficulties should be thrown in the way of industry 1 Instead of difficulties being thrown in the way of men becoming idle , difficulties are thrown in the way of men becoming industrious ! Instead of the surplus labour of the country being eneouraded to associate together and to produce , tM law sa $ s , you . shall yemain iu \ e : we will prevent your being useful—work at your peril . So mueh labour power shall be wasted—so inany resources shall he undevelopedso much starvation shall exist . To remedy this , I propose new laws of partnership , and the establishment of a credit-fund by the state , for the assistance of associative labour . And this , sir , from a man who has thrown every possible obstacle in the way of Working men desirous of associating —who has misrepresented the motives of men promoting Association and quoted lie upon lie respecting them , after he bad been assured they were lies .
What a miserable repentant sinner ho must bo . But , no , sir , we ara not deceived . Mr . Ernest Jones is great in plausibility , perfect at a quibble , unequalled in putting a squinting meaning on things , but , truthfulness , frankness , and honesty aro not easily feigned by those who have them not . And the Co-operativo electors of Halifax will have none of him ! With us , sir , tho Associative idea is fast gaining ground . Mr . Jones is aware of this , and he is like a miser who becomes charitable when ho smells hell through tho key-hole of his death-chamber door ; but , it will not do ! Besides , sir ,, it is fresh in Jmy memory that \ E Joces D 108 t virtuously repudiated taking his sent on the Chartist Executive with men of such character as Mr . T , Wheeler , and yet this very week ho advertises this same person as his co-worker on the forthcomin" " People ' s Paper . " Out upon such humbug ! We havo ° had all too much of it ! I am , Sir , Yours , Faithfully and Fraternally , ¦ A Halifax Co-opekator and Ciuriist ,
We learn , by the " Journal of Association , " that a body of journeymen plumbers , who meet at the Hen and Chickcnsj Great Suffolk-atreet , Borough , tire forming a working Association in their trade . Messrs . Walter Cooper and Shorter , on invitation , recently attended one of their meetings , to advise them as to tho best means of carrying out tbeir object . The Clockmakers aro forming themselves into a society for carrying out Association . Some preliminary meetings have already been held at their place of meeting , tho Albemarle s Head , St . John-square , Clorken well . They already number forty-five members , who pay a weekly subscription of sixpence each .
Tho Shoemakers also are considering the question of Association in their trade policy . Christian Socialist Conferences wnn Wobkino Meij . —The fifth adjourned meeting of this body was held in the room of tho Castle-street Tailors' Association , on Wednesday evening last . Professor Maurice in the chair . The subject of debate being— " What shonld be tbe duty of Co-operation with reference to othea parties . " Mr .
To The Editor 01? The St&R Of Freedom, D...
Lloyd Jones , who opened the discussion , advocated that their policy should bo to keep aloof from all other sects and work out their own plans , Mr . Fleming though otherwise : ho thought there were various other movements they could work in conjunction with . An interesting discussion ensued , in which Mr . V . Nealc , Mr . Bezer , and others , took part . The subject of debate being adjourned to that evening fortnight . SHKFPlKLn . —On Tuesday evening ; the Sheffield Equitable I 'oncers Co-operative Association held a Soiree and Ball in the nail of Science , Rocki ngbam-strcet . This society is doing well , as ate most of the co-operative societies in this town . ? 1 ™* Tuesday , and Wednesday evenings , Mr . Tracy delivered his three lectures . I think John Parker , who has I hnT / n '" rL ° W ' l 832 - fc d 00 med ' at Ie 8 St ' ?»; ^'« , . « W 0 f the t 0 . wnis by no means flourishlne . Ihey are finding out their mistake about " Free trade . .
National Association Op Tja T Tttct) Tra...
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OP TJA TTTCT ) TRADES . w - >* iiJJJ " fiat jvsnm . " " If it were possible for the working ekssca , by comeir-ins among tliemsclves , to raise , or keep up tho gwwval iW oi wages , it need hardly be said that this would bo a thing not to bo punished , but to be welcomed and rejoiced at . "—Stuakt Mill .
We were unable last week to announce the liberation of the "Wolverhampton victims , after au imprisonment of just five months , the last two of which it will be remembered under an attachment for the costs , £ 537 ., & c . The defendants themselves could no doubt have evaded , or escaped from their responsibility in tho matter ; but tho interest of tho eighteen individuals , who had so generously proffered themselves as their bail , would have rendered any such step on their part mean and di s honourable . An ineffectual attempt was made to effect a compromise with tho prosecutors , from the mistaken notion , that after the
imprisonment of their victims , and the large subscriptions which it was known had heen entered into by the manufacturers , merchants , factors , & c , of the district , to reimburse the prosecutors for these same costs , they would have had the decency , if not tho justice , of surrendering at least some part of their claim ; but the leopard shall as soon change his spots , or the Son of Africa his ebony skin , as these men divest themselves of the spirit of revenge and persecution . The greater part of these costs have heen paid in cash , and a balance of £ 188 by bills , the last of which is due in five weeks from this , at the joint responsibility of the five defendants and the Secretary of the Defence Committee .
The defendants would certainly not have entered into any such furtliev responsibility , except to relieve the bail from the legal effects of their recognisances , and thoy hope—and we trust not without reasonthat the Trades will at once enable them to meet this last liability ; and thus will have terminated one of the most fiercely contested struggles between Labour struggling for its rights against the usurpations of Capital on record ; and although the issue has not been favourable , it has certainly not been dishonourable . Prom the beginning to the end of this tedioua contest , no iota of principle has been sacrificed upon the altar of expediency . The thing contested for was
so just and moderate as to obtain the spontaneous admission of Justice Erie , whose duty , it appears , on that judgment-seat , was to administer law , rather than equity , or an acquittal must have followed that admission . The means by which these just and moderate claims were enforced , were marked throughout with an unexampled degree of moderation , pa « tience , and endurance by the delegated deputations " , and the men , unaccompanied with the slightest particle of fraud or deception . The subsequent persecution was met with manly defiance aud an uncompromising resistance , and the legal penalties of our defeat have been suffered with cheerful fortitude and
a proud consciousness of having done our duty . Wq think , therefore , we are justified in assuming that the Wolverhampton Conspirators will not he considered by their fellow workmen as having in the slightest degree betrayed those principles of which they were the fortuitous defenders , and that they come out of the battle defeated , hut not dishonoured . It will now be our duty to prepare for another campaign with a spirit unbroken by our persecution , and a judgment improved , we hope , by our past experience .
The double defeat of the Wolverhampton Tin-plate Workers , and the more powerful Amalgamated Engineers , demonstrate the folly of all partial and seoti-. onal combination . The legal right of combination has been , at all events , judicially confirmed ; but wa are now taught that any but a wide and general combination is utterly useless . Tho law is virtually repealed by the decrees of the Napoleons of Bucklersbury , and pains and penalties are enforced without sanction and in violation of the law .
Capitalist ) conspirators are tolerated , but the Associates of Industry are proscribed , starved , and incarcerated . The demon-spirit of insatiable avarice stalks through the land with triumph of its recent successes , eager and fully prepared for fresh victories and new triumphs . The last feather has not yet been placed upon the donkey ' s back , though , tho poor animal groans and staggers under its burden , and winces and trembles at its barbarous usage . Let ub make one more glorious effort—one more struggle for our industrial freedom , ere we yield ourselves to our tyrants . William Peel , Secretary .
The Silk Weayers Asd Free Trade. On Tues...
THE SILK WEAYERS ASD FREE TRADE . On Tuesday night a general meeting of the broad silkweavers of Spitalfields and its v cinity was held at the School-room , St . John-street , Brick-lane , the same having been convened by the Trade Society for tbe Protection of Native Industry , "for the purpose of taking into consideration the alarming position of the trade , and to adopt reso . lutions condemnatory of the present unregulated and stimu lated system of competition , which is reducing the working classes of this country to the continental level . " Mr . Howsuam took the chair .
The Secretary ( Mr . Delaforce ) read the following letter from Mr . T . Brook , of 26 , Spital-square : — "I am by no means surprised at the determination of the operative Spitalfields weavers to hold a meeting for tbe purpose of expressing their views upon the present system of the importation of foreign goods , and I have no hesitation in saying that they have abundant reason for complaint . The deplorable condition to which many are reduced by tho want of employment for the last six months , is , I fear , beyond the apprehension of those who are not acquainted with this locality , while the wages of those who have been fortunate enough to obtain employment are so low as scarcely to afford thorn a subsistence . "
Mr . J . Fbrwasdo moved the following resolution : — " That this meeting is painfully convince ^ that tho distress now existing among the operatives engaged in silk manufacture is unprecedented in character , inasmuch as wages are reduced not less than 25 per cent , sinco lSiG , and at tha present time ono half of the trade are unemployed . We therefore hold tho opinion that the present government should take the earliest opportunity to bring to a speedy termination the present system of reckless competition , byintroducing the principle of external protection and internal regulation , and prevent tho sacrifice of tha industrial classes to the idle consumer and commercial speculator . " Mr . J . Fox seconded the resolution , which was spoken to also by Mr . Hollis . Mr . Vakdoms proposed an amendment to the effect that nothing short of the total abolition of the importation of all foreign raw goods could be of real service to the trade , Mr . Tempest seconded the amendment .
Mr . Henry Mayhew ( who was received with loud cheers ) said : —Gentlemen , I commenced my inquiries into the state of the working classes , being at the time an inveterate IJYec-trnder . 1 began ihose inquiries among men who gave me the . first shock , ( Hear , hear . ) The conclusion larrive at is , that there is a system which degenerates the working classes from their natural position . I find that the bootmaking trade is cut up , that men are starving , and that from the same reason—the foreign boots are largely imported ; and the system involves this—that that work is wrested from the Esp , liali workmen which they have a right to expect to have ! Then I go to the cabinetmakers . Here I find a greater state of destitution . I find the maa labouring from early morn to the last gleaming of light . I speak of those who are called " slop cabinet-makers , who make the fancy writing-desks , and who are brought into competition with ( he Frenrh trader . I see every Saturday some poor fellow with bis load upon his back carrving it to what is most smgihcantly catted
, " the slaughter-house . " I know this was brought about by the unrestricted importation oi foreign lubour . It is only two or three years since I began my inquiry , and no person has dared to deny what 1 have stated . I said at the meeting of tailors , let Cobtien , if he has a soul , accomo-inv me and I will take him to a place where I will tear ifc out of ' him . I will show him such scenes of misery aa shall prove tho best appeal to the alleged cheap bread and the increased consumption . I will show him those cases of misery , where tho means of existence is merely dry bread * and tea-leaves from year to pauperism has decreased—that crime it . I take the last ten years , and Trade commenced , tho crime of greater than it was before . Mr . Mayhew a variety of statistics , in elucidation solution , which , after some further and the meeting broke up .
Year. I Am Told-Ihafc Has Decreased, J'D...
year . I am told-ihafc has decreased , J'dqny I say th ' at . BinCO'Free the BttufntryJiaa . been ^ Keu ' eiterclliiito ; and support pf-. the redisoussJbni % ai ; oarriea ;; £ - Ca -r ^ i . (• pear . lam told ~ thafc ,,. has decreased , J' dejiiy .. ' . : ¦ . I saythat " . BinceFree . ..-, lie BttufntryJiaa ; beci ^ " ¦ ' ¦ ¦ _ lew ^ tKeu ' e ^ terclllnto •' . - md s ; upn " ort ' 6 f-. the re- ' * "; .. ' . ' scussib ^ aS ' carried ; ji ; . r- W-V ' ¦' ¦¦ "" . •'' \'' •'¦! - ¦ ' V \ Xi -- ' 'ft > V » :- ; . ¦ ¦ tfa / JSi ^ . Vl V , ' .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 8, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_08051852/page/5/
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