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THE NORTHERN STAR. SATPfiDAT, DECEMBER 21, 1844.
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&o ttratJfvs ann t^om#pcmtJrM&
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Staftrewtg, <©fijfnr«8, En<iu<>0i0, &t.
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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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mjm ^— —^—^— — = £ I 5 TE £ ^ SED COM ) ITION OF THE AGRICULTFRAL LABOURERS IN MIDDLESEX . A meeting tjf the landholders and principal inhabitants of the parish of Rmslip , Middlesex , convened ixy-R . Dean , Esq ., tbe I / 6 rd of the Manor , vrasheldthis dav ( Satordav } in the T-estry-room of the chorch , for the pnrpo 6 eof adopting means for lettering the condifion of the labouring poor of the parish . The meeting ma held in consequence of another meeting convened by the churchwardens and OTerseers , and held -on Wednesday , the -itli' instant , losing terminated without any satisfactory result having been come to .
Kalph Dean , T 5 sq ., h-a \ dng been called to the chair , the meeting was addressed bjr seTeral of the gentlemen present , and the following resolutions ¦ were unanimously agreed to : — " That certain lands in the parish of Ruislip , the VTopertj ofBalphDean , Esq ., amounting . to about forty acres , be tired for the purpose of spa'de culti-Tation . "Thas a person be appointed 4 o lire in the house skuaie on such lands : which person must be a good accountant , and capable and accustomed to measuring land generally . 'That the lands so hired be held in trust by the said Mr . Dean , the Rev . G . Paeke , Ticar , and Messrs . Soames , Pearee , Houghton . 4 c , for such poor persons in the parish of Raislip , desirous of having the same , as tenants in common , subject nevertheless , to the following conditions : —
" That tue-peison appointed to superintend ( as proposed in the second resolution ) be authorised to issue ticket * upon the treasurers , Messrs . Hall , Smith , and Co .. bankers ., Fxbridge . for all works the tenants skall perform , at the rate of twopence per pole for the vlicgvng , and for the other works in proportion . * " Thai the owners and occupiers of land in the parish vx Ruislip be and are hereby requested to come forward ami make up a fund , to be advanced for the cultivation and cropnins of such land , such fund to
amount to the sum 01 JE 20 D . *¦ That « very person who advances £ 2 and upward- ? hull be consntated a member , and shall be entitled to vote upon any question that the trustees may brirc forward , as to the present or future managemciit of the land . That every person advancing £ 5 shall liave r ? ro votes , £ 10 four votes , £ 15 * sii votes , £ 2 o eight tors ; and that the churchwardens , overseer * , raid ' guardians of the parish be appointed visitors daring the term they hold such offices . '
" That tie fennerg and others in Ruislip shall give all the assistance in j their power , by occasionally draTviriir manure , « fcc ., to the said land . *• That a . sale of the -srhole of the produce of the said iajjt shall take place annually , by auction , the last -xcza . at the latest , of the month of October , in each yer . r , after -which a diviaon of tlie proceed ? of ihe-mtp . and a statement- of the receipts and expenses , fihaE i > e laid before ihe . trnstees . " That after paying , the rent and taxes on such laii ' i , nr . d ihe money advanced for carrying on the work , the balance of the sale of the crops shall be pai < l over by the trustees to such poor persons who iha ; I bite io laboured , in equal moieties , according io ti . ' - 'ir respective shares . xn the
That anv Derson liavrn ^ a share division of sudi profits , being convicted of felony , snail be excluded from the benefits of such division . " Mi-ssr =. Dean , Houghton , HU ] , Pearce . and Stone , > c > ames , &c , immediately put down their names for sums amounting to upwards of £ K > 0 ; . and the ; u < . ve , and several other gentlemen , at the sngge-rlon < -r" Captain "Tile , entered into a liberal subscriptivr : for the immediate relief of the poor of the parish during the present inclement season . The meeting ilien adjourned .
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REPEAL ASSOCIATION . —Drain * , Dsc . 16 . The -weekly meeting of the Repeal Association was held at the t-oncniation- 'hall to-day . Mr . Mcholas Markey , of Walshestown , was called to the chair . The Sscbxtabt read a communication from Mr . SietAe , the bead pacificator , wb . 0 nad gone to Leitrim ami Cavan for the purpose of putting down the system of Ribbonism , lately established in those counties under the name " 3 JoIry Idacuires . " It was accompanied by an address from Mr . Steele , which he iad promulgated among the inhabitants of the disaSw-xed districts . Mr . u'C-o > - > tell moved the most marked thanks of tae association to his esteemed friend and com-5 anJoD in every struggle for the liberties of Ireland , " om bteele , and also the insertion of his letter on the niinntes .
Mr . ( VCosssu . again rose , and after abusing the JExai > ii > -rr- . newspaper ., for ' tie alleged " ignorance and insf-lence" of ita editors , proceeded to comment on the fisancial injustice done to Ireland by the A « of Union . He concluded a lengthy address by saving that the association would nold but two meetings pore in that year , but they should commence 1845 aa if they were then only really beginning to agitate for repeaJ , and a 3 if all tier had Mtherto done -were as nothing ; 1 S 43 was tne repeal year for monger meeting ? , I 5 i 4 for patience and for legal triumph , but 154-5 should ke marked by the weekly collection of the rej « eal rent . If it were to be but Is . or Id . in any locality , still it should be collected weekly . They solicited from no man more than Is . a year , or onefartltins n-vcek , -with four "weeks for nothing ; but-if
every rnzr . subscribed that stem they Trould have i 5 u * 'xj <> , > md he would expect even £ 100 , 000 at the end of tic year . Lord Cloncurry stated eight years . ago , and it had never since been contramcted , that in 1 & 3 » the JJuke of "Wellington and his minsitry had agreed to uropose a modiheation of the union ; and irtiat lie did tiien he could be compelled to do again ; and -when they had £ 50 , 000 in one vear , where was the mac who would tell them that they were not in earaest , or that repeal could be any longer delayed ? ~ hlr . OTonnell concluded . by moving that the Repealcis throuehout Ireland be ealled upon to demonstrate their perseverance in the repeal cause by sending ui weekly contributions on and after the 1 st of January , 1 * 4 , 5 . The motion was carried unanimously . After the disposal of some routine business , Mr . O'Co . wxll announced the rent for tlie week to
be £ } 7 S 12 s . 2 d . 3 Ir . Edward dements , barrister TOj tLeii ealle > l to tie chair , and the meeting ad Vramed .
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iU ? £ ^ i i > Lvsoox . —TacxsDiT , Drc . 25 , 1844 . —Tlie movement is it ftvtv < j * o iere—meetings are held , money SBDscribed , and transmitted to Dublin as -usual . It is intended xo besin tlie uctr year -with a reorganizatioii of tyitem , i « -v . cii as irilb more vitrocr of pnrjiose . Gxix " Ixjc "WiXD , Altert , Gray's lim Lane . —On Sunday cvenhis-L » it the chair ¦ R-as ocenpied by Mr . O'Henest-T , wbo addressed the meeting -with much effect . Mr . Collins foD'jued . and st-veral ne » r BepeaJers were enrolled . Jas . » . isgI > « "WXB . D , Uxion Asxs , Hoiboxj ; Hill — at the isst mettrag of tJiis ward , Mr . Banid C-ocorcan , iise chairman , < ieliytred an aole speech on the wrongs of ireiiJ ; A - "> rvcral oilier s }> cechbs irere deirrered , and seTtral rt ^ i- j -i ? v . cre enrolled as associate * .
Los * Firsca ' a 'Waxp . Fountain and StiQ , Guidtnl&nr . Bartecaiu—On Sundaj evening last a numerous and rc-sj ^ - liibli : meeting was hdtl iu the long room ; ilr . Burke ii > thv chair . Dr . Lojney uddrcsstd the meeting at gr ^ -at 1-iusth , appealing to them to be rtadv with their subsrriptioas for ISio . MiiTiSGi -n ere . held va Snudaj last at the folio ^ in ^ ¦ nu rit ¦ —ituro , jTeptforJ , Kensio ^ loa , Maorfidds , Lainbsth . aid-i ^ ite '; Smith IKBrieii , Harp , I ) rurj-laue ; Gra ' . ti ..-.. Prarj-lane ; PilvJt , Xatioa , Blwomsbury , St Jvio ;' - yr—id , r ? hr , redixch , Ur . GraVs , SLannon , &c .
Beishivjs Co 5 CIiiatio > - ILlu . » AS . D . — Ai a latt mc-enr ^ at the Thistle , in Middle-street , 3 Ir . Banner in the chair , e ^ ct-Iluat spf _ -cbKi were deliveretl bj Mr . Johnson , Mr . Butler , ilr . Freal , and Mr . O'K . eeft . Mr . P . f ^ nnjiWl R . W . and V ., iben stated that it tt 3 ~ intended to cstablisii a Repeal Beading-room , and he should begin by griinp them suitable apartments fur that pnrr > os £ reut frtt . This aniionnceEieiit Tras hailed vnth enthusiasm . T-ntrht- '¦ ur > oiii -rnrolled themstlves as associates .
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m Kl ^ COMBE TESTIMONIAL . Fis = T ^ Leexesg ot th £ Ibjsh es LoiiiOX i > Aid or the TfcsimosiAi io "Fxxsbcb . t ' 3 Pbide . '—A numerous and highly respectable meeting was held in ihe Temperance Hall , ClemeniVlane , lincoln ' s-ian , on Sunday evening , I > ec 15 . The meeting was conxened in a « eoTdanee -nlrh a vote unanimously pass > ed at the Eepeal W ^ rdenniDte , jk . —'' That subscriptions be raised in each Repeal "iYard in support of the . tes timonial to tuat great raid good patriot , Thomas < SIingsby Duncombe . " 31 r . A . O' 2 S " e 2 , R . W . V ., vas ^ f ^ kwbIj called to ihe chair . lie said that Ms o ^ S ^^ mM . ^ m ^^ i z ^ . f £ *? lie tot earlier
, neart and < £ && £$ && ?*¦ > regretled the subject had not ^ e ^^^ 8 f an penod , \ & matters connected y ^ FSISmS ^^ P ^ i **< " * 'an had occupied their tim ^ M- ^ f ^ ¦ Id , thev irere determired n ot ^ e > -3 ^ their cause ; but stick to it until Rep TStq ^ ^ ful . ( l ^ ud and continued cheers . ) ihey Bafl now commenced , and were determined to tst to raise a testimonial to that good man , -ube . ( Cheers . ) Ee { Mr . l > uncombe ) -bad d MmseK a patriot ; and his constituents Tds to be proud of their representative . T bear in mind , that at the great din-•^ Hberator" in CoTent Garden * $ ^ e Trials -trere pending , Mr .
• ad stg ^^ & ^ S ^ ed £ 114 ^ 8 ^^^ ft ^ \ © &TOna o /^ esraote ; ^ Smidi . D'BriCT , ' of iartjfe ^ Kn -t andsdaiinBfof g Repealer , ' * er pleasure England
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led by Mr . Duncombe . ( Great cheering ) . He was fully aware the enemies of England were the enemies of Ireland —( hear , hear ) ; and he was quite certain he spoke the sentiments-of his countrymen when he said they were always ready" to aid and assist the English in obtaining their just rights . Mr . Duncombe ' a great services in exposing and putting a stop to the nefarious proceedings of the miscreant letter opener should never be forgotten . ( Loud cheers . ) Messrs . Cufey , Thorn , and Stallwood , as a deputation from the Central Committee , briefly addressed the meeting in faypur of ihe object , ana were most cordially greeted . Mr , Thomas O'Connor also ably and eloquently addressed the meeting ; after which a collection was made , a vote of thanks given to the chairman , and the meeting separated . The sums collected will be announced when all the -wards hare made their returns to the Warden-Mote .
The Northern Star. Satpfidat, December 21, 1844.
THE NORTHERN STAR . SATPfiDAT , DECEMBER 21 , 1844 .
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THE SUKPLITS These is not hotv to be found in our language a term lQore fashionable , ot one in more general use , than the word " surplus * " The malcontents have each their peculiar surplus , which is respectively urged by them as the cause of-each peculiar grievam-i-. If want of employment is complained of , we are met vvith surplus machinerr . ¦ Want of prices is met bj surplus produce ; popular discontent bv surplus population . There 18 a surplus of
labour in the market , aBd a surplus of mouey in the market : a surplus of labour that cannot be diminished to the safety point : and & surplus of capital that seeks employment with the least possible reference to labour . We haie a surplus of paupers , and the Prime Minister has a surplus of money—the only surplus to which taugible ralutf ia attached : while we fear that the Eight Hon . Gentleman will discover , that of all surpluses , his will be the most difficult to deal with .
ITaving procured a surplus " per / m et nefas ; " by hook and bj crook ; by Chinese-rausom , income-tax , pro _ j-erty-tai , and duties on increased importations to supply deficiency caused by commercial apprehension pending tlie discussion of the Right Honourable Baronet ' s Tariff : ¦ wt- say , having procured a surplus , Six Robibt Peel will nnd it difficult to persuade his backers that there can be a surplus of parsons ; a surplus of sailors , of soldiers , of placi men . of pensioners , excisemen , custom-house officers * spies . lackeTS , eoTernment dependents , hangers on , and
wealthy idlers of everv description . > o , no ; howeTer some might imagine that the Beform Bill really meant rvtrenchment , yet those who have again sprung into existence as representatives of the old system , wiU not believe in the necessity of retrenchment while the Prime Minister has a lar ? e surplus revenue ; on the contrary ^ such a god-send , howerer procured , or however looked upon as cash-in-hand to meet coming exigencies , ever has been considered , and under the present system ever will be considered , as a windfall applicable to the wants and demands of idlers ; in fact , as a patronage fund .
We are drawing the picture of a aystem , and not of a man : but we are showing that still the system liTe » , and that it will make the man subservient to its -rfcef . On all questions of chances , speculation , contingencies , and every thing that is problematical , the supporters of Sir Bojist Pxxi yield implicit obedience to the will of their leader . He is an embodiment of their fears , their doubts , and their apprehensions , rather than the representative of their affection or their confidence : » nd therefore , in the balan cing of the great antagonist interest *; in deferring- their d » T of jndgment ; in screening- them , pro tern , from the actiTe assaults of the Corn Law League , and in saving them
from the roaring thunder of srim Poverty and the flashing blaze of the agricultural torch , they are pliant , yielding , subservient , and obsequious : but the moment the dread of the future is calmed by present prospect , and especially such a prospect a 3 a divisible turplui , then do the bumpkins in their pot-valiancy lose sight of the financial arithmetic , official calculations , aiid ministerial schemes , by which the bird in the band haj been caught . It is there : that is , their " -memorin technics ; " and they will hare it " in meal or xn malt f rndlridually in meal , or collectively in malt . £ &ch power ful faniSlj -n-ill look for their stare of meal or « ollectiT * lv the class -will h » Te it in malt .
Hence the cautious Minister will find no little difficulty in " muciing" his surplus . If , as we believe , Sir Robert Peel is too wise to apply it in the shape of individual patronage , the respective parties will squeeze it out of him in the shape of reduced taxation ; and the small surplus , iniiguificant in comparison with the amount of anticipation , will be found the great difficulty with which the distributor will have to contend . The repeal of the Income-tax will be pressed by industrious capitalists ; the repeal of the Property-tax by the landlords ; the
repeal of the Mali-tax by the farmers " that whistle at the plough f the repeal of the Corn Laws bj the free-traders ; the repeal of the duties upon cotton by the manufacturers of lhat article ; the repeal of the duty upon paper by the powerfol parties that represent that interest : in short each according to hi * calling , as they find duties presiing on their respective trades , will attempt to hare their nibble at the Minister ' s surplus ; and thus will free-trade in the ensuing session diverge into as many points ai there are speculators , instead of as heretofore confining ita assault to the one general question of the Corn Laws .
There is another question of repeal , and that the most iuteresdng to the working classes . "We mean the repeal of the rate-paying clauses of the Reform Bill : and we hare little doubt that that subject wi ! U be considerably influenced , as well by the prospect of honourable members tbortly meeting their constituents , as by the tone and iemper the Eight Honourable Baronet shall assume ¦ with respect to the mode of dealing with that surplus , out of which must spring -nofuJ disappointment . If the sop-in-the-pan > vas auSiciently larg-e to satisfy the craving hungvr of the Right Honourable Gentleman's own friends , he misht purchase peace for another session ;
but being too rmaU to satisfy all , it is not at all improbable that the disappointed , making a virtue of necessity , may turn round and become the most zealous advocates of tlie Rights of Labour : and thus , with theassistam-i- of the working classes , ensure success for thr demand of the Bight HosouraWe i ^ e member for Tinsburv—the repeal of the rate-paying clause . ' . It is only out of party disappointment that any , the slightest , boon is ever conferred on tie industrions poor : and to that source rather than to the justice- of any , do we anticipate a fen partial triumphs for their order during the approaching session . TheT have gained oue important step in tlie right road
bv rejecting all the fascinating schemes proposed for their amelioration "by the several svmpatbisers and r iiayitv-BiDiiJJfci ' - * , wh >> , durin ™ tbe Tece-s ? , have bid eo liberally for tb . tir afttrtiyti and support . They have turn- ; d a deaf car to the National Washing system . The' have laughed to Rcorn the idea of parks and pleasure grunuili conferrins benefit uj > - > n pent-up Mares , who work fr'rtn sunrise to sunset , and who , after a long day ' s slavish toiL are but too happy to seek repose as a means of recruiting strength for another day of slavery . They feel that they must be fed and clothed , and less slaved , before they can take advantage of the promised hoon .
They have rejected the tender mercies and fresh invitatiun 3 of their friends , the League . They have pondered over the candid and disinterested advice tendered to them by the ilessrs . Chambees . Air . Waxp , and the noble Earl FlTZ'B'm . lAM- They bare thought of all , and pondered over all -. and they have eome to the conclusion , that all tlie proffered assistance is at best but a bribi ; to poverty to be silent under sufferin : ; , in the hope that in the calm a regenerator may arise . Anxious to assist Sir Kobxbt Peel out of his present dilemma , with a surplus that is too mnch for one and too Tulle for all , we will tell huu what a very sag-acious gentleman , wEo-livt-d on his wits , once did under similar circumstances . Itt- ihe good old times , when visitors were
in the habit of eonferrtr" ? - large perquisites on the servants of their host , £ n > •» man with small pretensions but large appear" - « and agreeable manners made him' verhewent ; * grtjten the otbery . dered dear by M * c £ 58 |* ry" ? V -for such was tnVgf ^ le man ' s n / up the dainties , ftglMbgfflwl toT -e menials undisjAlllJipaa W = financial dodge . Qr igfefi&jte \ @ ^ . vdered footmen and yjfl ^ wr ^ jW or-domo thus— " Do ^ I&ttfgmf "Tes , your honour , " || ^ t £ s £ fty / ' rejoined Mr . Crofts , arrfe ^ ~ J io xntlch for one and too
wtl 53 f « V for lt ~ " " liat > £ hcn > we would rj > : EEL to do is , to toss with the tevf y * trhich should have all .
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COXDITIO' OF THE LABOURING POOR , AGRICULTURAL AND MANUFACTURING . Them has , for some time , been a sort of contet raging between the two orders of Capitalists—the landlords and the manufacturers—as to the actual and relative condition of the labourers employed and dependant on the respective occupations of tilling the soli , and working cotton flax , wool , and silk , into fabrics for clothing purposes . The landlord-class have , whenever they wished to foil tlie attacks of their mortal enemies , the Free Traders , directed attention to the mass of misery—to the horrible amount of human suffering existing in those large townB where
the manufacturing system has obtained the greatest head . They have told of the foodless homes ; the comfortless dwellings ; the naked backs ; the want , disease , and death in their most hideous and loathsome forms , constantly met with in the courts , alleys , and back streets of our manufacturing cities : they have , with triumphant manner , pointed to the pallid cheek , the sunken eye , the bloodless veins , and tho distorted limbs of the care-worn , toil-worn , factory child , they have exhibited the picture of an English mother , forced to leave her baby-offspring in the care of a drug-applying ttranger while she—the mother and the wife—went to the mill
to earn " the scanty living" for the whi , her husband and the father of her babes , —and wliik he who ought to have been the prop of the household , was walking the street , idle , or wasting their little substance iu dissipation : tho landlord-class hare , readily enough , revert ed to these but too notorious facts , and tauntingly asked the Millowncrs if it was to that ' condition that they wished to bring the whole of the population ; if the thai actual state of the operatives of Manchester , of Leeds , of Bradford , of Stockport , of Bolton , and of the other " hives" of manufacturing-indu . str » , was what they destined for aU ; if tueh was the Elysium that they sought for the workers of all sorts .
And tlie answer of the Millocrats to the landlords has been : Look at home : See the condition of your own serfs Look at your "independent labourer ; " your animal in the shape of man , vegetating on 7 s . a week , when lie can get work ; starving or stealing when he cannot . Look at his home . ' Contrast his miserable hovel with the worst we provide . dee him kenuelling in a place pervious to wind and rain ; no floor but the damp earth ; no light but what enters the door ; no fire ; no furniture ; no clothing ; no '; anj thing . See him there , without the spirit of a man ; without knowledge—his mind a perfect intellectual blank : ave , see Mm broodinj ; over his misery '
forming plans either for the burning of his neighbour ' s stack , or fvr taking and eating " roua" hares that run ¦ rrild at his feet . Bee him attempt the latter , as one passes across the road on the side of which his miserable abode has been thrown together : and see him committed to prison for the heinous crime , and his family either left to pine alone in V | is absence , or forced into the Union—a place they dread and hate to loathing . Xook at these things , ye proud and lordly landlords of England , and say whether the destiny of the labouring ciasB ought to longer continue in your hands . Have you proved yourselves tho " Friends and Fathers of the poor ! " Hare you been the
defenders of their rights ; the upholder * of their privileges ; the MOTEcxoas of them from wrong ? Have you seen to their being well-fed , well-housed , well-clad , and well-educated * Have you done these things ? to entitle you to lecture US on . the condition of those who have fled from your estates to seek heller in our towns , and find employment for their hands to do , denied to them at home . ' or blame us for evils incident to the locality where they may dwell and not necessarily consequent on Mill-labour . There are crowded streets , —miserable dwellings , —undrained localities : and sometimes they are visited by fever , more or less malignant : but then , to alleviate this evil , —not of our making , —we have provided public Dispensaries ,
Infirmaries , and Houses of Recovery , which you have not . There is ¦ little chance of the epidemic in the way-side " coKag-c" reaching the palace rn the park ; and SO the pteickrn are left to die off , unnoticed , unknown , unvisitcd . except by the Union doctor , when your " yeoman" guardians will permit . Say nothing about our treatment of the workers ; Seek not to interfere between us and our " hands . " Leave us and them to settle what little difference we may have , between ourselves . Look you at hotM ! Better the condition of your own " serfs , " and don ' t sei-kto make the privations and inflictions of the manufacturing operatives au excuse for your own wrong doing ; nor our conduct to the working people we employ , a reason for the longer continuance of your usurpations and rob-¦ berieb committed on the whole people .
Such ha * e been the criminations and re-cruniuations bandied between those who have the two great divisions of Labour in their clutches ; those , to whom a just and equitable system of laws and government leave the producers of wealth an open prer . BOTH ARE IK THE RIGHT ; though , Wie Pea cB ' ets and Locxit in the play , " both are in the wrong" ( for themselves ) to tell it . Their doing so , however , will go far to produce a universal conviction that fcfltfj have undue powers which they most scourgingly apply ; and that it will be necessary for the general weal to greatly abridge the one and curb the other .
We have been led into this train of thought from read , ing iu the Brighton Herald a " crv from the ranks" of Agr icultural labour , which it will be for all parties inte * rested to give ear to . It is seldom that the voice of complaint in that quarter is given utterance to , in vordi , by the sufferers themselves . Isolated in position ; denied the benefit of constant intercourse ; enjoying not the advantage of newspaper reading ; with no schoolmaster or teacher , but the parson and the squire's lady ; no lesson , but to " fear , honour , and obey " the squire , the shovel-hat , and the farmer—and be contented in the station it hath pleased ( somebody ) to place
himthe labourer on the soil is in a far worse plight than the dweller in a manufacturing town . TKtrt , if poverty and misery have been centralized , political and economical information has Leen centralized also . There the wrongs the toilers are subject to are talked of—are detailed—are dwelt on : and there the cause is sought for and the remedy canvassed . Consequently , every aggreBSion Of rampant Capital is met with opposition : opposition unavailing in too many instances , it is true—but still an opposition , which , if it does not prevent the onward march of the spoileT , throWs difficulties in his path ; causes him to be wary in his footsteps ; and tells him that those who know tr ? iu they are wretched and poor , will rndure not
one moment longer tliau the combined powers of force and fraud can make them . Not so with the labourer on tbe soil . He is plotted against ; he is defrauded ; he is sunken to the deepest abyss of want and woe : but he knon a not the cause ; he sees not the hand that strikes , no discerns only that he has been hardly dealt with . He feels that he has been wronged : and , unable to give expression to his maddening thoughts in the ordinary language of the tongue or pen , he obeys the promptings of the grim demon of despairing recklessness ; and the lurid glare from the incendiary ' s torch lights to thu spot where misery dwells , and reveals to an affrighted world the soul-harrowing suffering that enduring humanity groans under , and rebels against .
In the ra .= e to which we have referred , however , We find there is one of that oppressed and grouud-down class who can " speak out " - —onu who can , in " words of fire , " give utterance to " thoughts that breathe . " He speaks for himself and his class . He sends up the bitter wail of the smitten-down . He appeals to the heart of society ; may his apptal not only be heard , but 6 peedily attended to ! May bis complaints sink deep into the breasts of the powerful and the unheeding-strong : and may they do their share in causing justice to be done to the entire class o £ Labour . If not , those interested may rely ou it , that that class will soon do justice— " wild justiee'Mt may be—for themselves : and of that fact the following remarkable production is an evidence : —
Mr Fel ^ ow-Labocbees , —Dr . Johnson has observed that "the poor look up with stupid malignity at the rich . " But he did not tell us that this bad feeling arises from the hardships and privations we undergo , and the little comforts we enjoy , in comparison to all ther classes . Let us respectfully ask the three gentlemen whom wo maintain in luxury out of our labour ^ -viz ., the landlord , clergyman , and farmer , not to grind our faces as they hitherto have done . Let us pray them to stretch forth their hands to save us fn > m that squalid poverty lo
wards which we are approaching- with gigantic Strides . Our condition gets worse every year . The cry of thp farmer now is , that we are too numerous ; this is a falsehood . "We must first cultivate e \ cry acre of waste land , insluding the various parks throughout England , ere we can say this . Human pride v ill try to forbid our cultivating the numerous parks ; but , in the eyes of Him who sent us here to till the land , what has human pride to do with his laws and the natural rights of man 1 We are Nature ' s out-door cooks ; and we are the only cooks in this world who are not allowed to take a sop in the pan .
There are those who think that bread alone is sufecient to keep a man ' s strength up who has to labour in the fit-Ids . 1 wish those that think thus would accompany me OU a cold winter ' s morn , with the bitter biting north wind blowing in Ms face , with rain , sleet , or snow . Let him work in the fields for five hours , and afterwards sit under a wet cold hedge , ' and eat for his dinner a bit of bread day
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after day . He would then , like me , and thousands more , in the words of Burns , "find every sad succeeding night and joyous morn the Bame . " He would wonder why he , of all created beings , should be so -wretched . How often have I eiwied the birds and beasts ! "You , " said I , " have a table spread in the wilderness ; you eat and drink from it without anxiety or care . " When I look around on the providence of God , everything I see is conducted with so much benevolent care to every living being , that I am quite convinced that he never sent a human being to pass through a life of misery . * "' The New Poor Law was a direct robbery of 25 per cent , from the labourer ' s wages . The difliculty of bringing up a family at this time is extreme , more especially if the two first-born are females . Boys get to work much sooner than girls . :
Surely it is very laudable and kind to send out missionaries abroad to ameliorate the condition of our sable brethren ; and it would be also very laudable to inquire into the condition of our own labourers . And it is very kind of the gentry to send us religious tracts—to teach the rustic moralist to die ; and it would also be very kind if our superiors would teach us how to briug up a family upon ten shillings n-week . We beseech the thret gentlemen whom we are keeping in luxury , when they make laws for the people , to recollect that we form a part of the community—a low part , certainly , yet we are a link in the great chain of society .
Brethren , our state is worse , much worse , than it was In our fathers' time ; uiid I am sorry to say it will yearly get worse , unless we are allowed to till all tlie waste laud in Britain , or emigrate to some of our colonies—not under the present system , but under a well-organised system of emigration . Leave not your native land to starve on a foreign shore , as thousands have done lately . W « often see accounts of the depravity of matt ; but can there be an instance of greater depravity than the following fact ?—Iu consequence of tlie rapid increase of the population , we have not of late years grown corn enough for our consumption ; we are , therefore , obliged to buy many thousand quarters of foreign corn to supply and make up the deficiency , llow kind is God to Bend US a supply from other countries ! And how wickedly depraved are those who try every means in their power to starve us by refusing to take the gift a kind God sends us !
This careless , h .-ird-liearted behaviour to the labouring people lias created in us a disgust and hatred towards the aristocracy ; and 1 um sorry to hear that this bad feeling is often display ed by the . burning of corn . This i . s wicked , and indeed very stupid . The gentry do not pay us just wages to enable us to bring up our families ; and in order to be revenged on them we do a very wicked , stupid , : and malicious act , which injures those people who do not injure us , viz ., the people who keep the fireoffices : for ev-tiry stack and rick is insured . Let us petition Farlinment to take ui > our cause .
I made , some little time since , a calculation . I took the amount of meat consumed : by ten of the families of the aristocracy , and I found each of the members , including servants and all , amounted for each member per day to one pound and a liiilf , which is ten pounds ami a half to each inditidnal weekly . I also took the amount of meat consumed by ten families of poor people , and it amounted to only half-an-ounce per day , or nearly lutlf-a-pound per week . ' 'So that rve see that the idle eat or waste three times as ; much per day as the poor do in one week . Did they but know the fuintness and langour that 60 often comes over the hard-working labouring man who eats only bread , the gentry would pity us . I am not speaking about those labouring people who have grown-up children and able to work , but those who have to bring up families with only the man's waires to live on .
Some little tune since I saw tiiis shameful paragraph in the Agriaultural Expreis : — " If we look into the beershops on a Saturday night , we shall see the cause of the distress : among the agricultural labourers . " A more gross falsehood against a suffering class of the otmmunity was never uttered . Perhaps the man that wrote that insinuation against us has read Burns ' s description of a cotter ' s Saturday night ? If lie has let him compare it with my wife ' s description of tho English cotters ' Saturday , night : — 11 Well , James , I have just been to market . I wish you would go yourself , for I really do not know how to lay the money out . I have paid 7 b . for flour , Is , for coals , 3 d . soap , 3 d . candles , 3 d . yeast , 5 d . for butter , 6 d . for meat , 2 d . for tea . I did mean to save 2 d . for you to buy
one pint ot beer , because you have been so poorly for the last three days , but I could not spare It ; for you know our little babe cannot eat his sop without a little sugar ; if he has dry bread to eat for two or three days lie is readyto starve , dear little soul . I have bought one pound of mutton , with which I will make you some broth to-night ; it will do your cold good ; what you leave will make a dinner for us to-morrow . I wanted to buy some- flannel for Mary , and some calico for myself . George wants his shoes mended , and Richard wants some trousers ; he and all of us are very thin clad for winter . I was in hopes this week that I should be able to buy a basin or two , for we have only one for us all . 0 , dear me ! I have spent all the money and have forgot to buy some oil for the shoes and boot-laces . Dear me , my head turnb round ; I am bewildered when I think of our numerous wants . When you was-ill a month since and could not work for a week , we should have perished if the shopkeeper had not kindly
given us credit for a little grocery , and the miller for a grist . These people expect their money . They do not ask me for it , certainly , but I do hate to look them IU the face , because I owe them so much . I hope none of my dear children will ever marry , for love is to the poor the greatest curse . Ah , James , you may look at me ; eveu my love to you is a curse . How hurtful to my feelings is it when in winter you come home wet through , no good shoes to keep your feet dry , day after day , in consequence of which you hare got the rheumatism in your feet . How do I wish at these times 1 bad got something to nourish you In lieu of a bit of-bread and a little toast and water , a poor reward for a . man who ha , 6 stood the peltiug of the pitiless storm all ( lay long . God grant that in the next world we may not be governed by human beings , but by the law of God , which wicked human beings wilfully mis-CQustrue , There we shall no more hear the voico of our oppressors . "
My fellow-labourers , it > not this a true picture of the Eng lish labourer ' s Saturday night to eight out of ten ? Nay , I hayo put down . nearly word for word the speech that my anxions w 4 & has so often made U > me . Let us send petitions to our good Queen , Btutingr the truth of bur wretched condition . Do not make kaown our griefs by incendiary fires , Or sit down brooding and planning schemes of revenge , as did a inau at Rye last year , who invented a new crime , which , had it not been nipped in the bud , would have made England one vast watchhouse .
My fellow-labourers , my experience of human life convinces me that the majority of mankind—notwithstanding their vary strict observance of the forms , r ites , and ceremonies of religion—notwithstanding the gloomy counteuauces they put ou , and which they most sillily think looks religious—notwithstanding the repeated admonitions of the still small voice—are but half civilised , and bear too close a resemblance to the finny tribe , which inhabit the deup and prey upon each other . But there is a glorious minority of human beiugs who possess souls . To those who possess that inestimable gem let us make an appeal ; let us try to interest them by our respectful and patient behaviour to intercede for us , and not let us sink down into a much worse than Egyptian bondage .
I have said that bread alone will not keep a man's streugth up ; nor will it . But , alas ! how many thousands of us are there that do not f , et enough of that necessary food ' . How many times have 1 myself been obliged to make up a dinner on raw turnips , because I have not had bread enough for myself and two boys ; and how often have I told my poor boys that my muster gave me leave to take thein , fearing to inculcate a bad lesson An them on their first experience of life . Why is it that fevers always stop at the poor man ' s door ? The answer is as plain as the way to the parish church—it is our low living that breeds this miasma . I could say much on the harshness imd severity with which we are treated by guardians and fanners when wo apply for work ; but iu this case I shall at present keep in nvj mind the motto of theabsent Allan— " I bide my time . "
I must now conclude by telling you all , that our condition will yearly get worse if you do not come forward and state jour grievances . Therefore , if you love your wives , if you love the children whom Uod has committed to your caro , for purposes best known to Himself , come forwurd with respectful jjetitiuns , and pray foi adequate and fnir wages . I remain , > nur well-wishing friend , ******
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To Aqi . nts . —Those ugents whose accounts have been forwarded , will find their papers stopped if tho amounts are not forthwith transmitted . We must also take opportunity to remind the agents of Northumberland and Durham , who were supplied during the strike , that it is now time to think of discharging their debts . The agents say that the men have not paid them . If that be so , we must suy that such treatment is not calculated to encourage us in such another experiment . This is another source of emolument of the great national property—the Northern Star . Ma . Hoijerts . —We have already published Mr . Roberts ' * three several addresses ; and had our friends from Birmingham paid attention to the notice , they might have communicated directly with Jlr . Roberts , instead of sending to us . We cei-tainly cannot take the liberty of answering for any person , nor can we soothe down the nervous anxiety of the niauy who have applied to us to know if it CAN be true that the Christian Chartists had
Mr . Roberts ' s sanction for inserting his name as a guest to the Fourth Anniversary Tea'Party of the Christian Chartists under that of Henry Viucent , " the trafficking gedlar , " as more than a scora of our correspondents designate that gentleman . Had Mr . buncombe voted in favour : of tho Masters and Servants JJill , we verily believe tbe circumstance would not have created greater anxiety than the insertion of , Mr . Roberts ' s uame in the place to which we refer . Mabtha GiBaon Jobslth is no poetess . If the specimen she has sent is the best she can do , it would be time mis-spent for her to try again . We dare wager a trifle that she will make a pudding better than poetry . At all events she ought to do if she is unyoked ) andiiopes to obtain a mate . Alas . Johs Duncan , of Edinburgh , acknowledges the receipt of £ 2 15 s . Id . from Dundee , pur Mr . Kydd ; and 6 si from Bolton , per Mr . Fulton . W . F ., Little Goban .- —Thanks for the compliment paid to the Northern St « r . His verses are inadmissible .
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The Land , the Land , the Lamd . —We are inundated with correspondence from every part of the kingdom , on the all-important subject of the and . From many places we have received requests to draw up rules and regulations for the guidance audgovernmant of local land associations , to which requests , when time , permits , we will devote attention . The Lewisham association appears to be determined to go to work in a right , good , efficient , and practical manner . Mr . O'Connor has taken twelve shares in their undertaking ; and has promised to superintend the farni in its infancy . To calm apprehension that we had lost sight of the " land question . " we beg to assure our readers that we consider it to be the question of
questions ; and one , only checked for a moment T > y the ignorance of many who had tongue enough to shout " the Charter , " but not brains enough to undestand the value of the land . We hare pleasure in referring our numerous correspondents on this subject , to Mr . O'Connor's letter in this week ' s number ; the first ] of a series of letters to the landlords of England , j And it also gives us pleasure to State , for the gratification of Counsellor Parry and the " Washam" and ' } Educatam" Chartists , that Mr . O'Connor is about : commencing practical operations on twenty-four acres of land in the neighbourhod of Harrow ; the results of which will be faithfully sub- , mitted to the working classes periodically . This will be another step iu the right direction .
Hbmbugh and Humbcgginb . —In the LeecU Timei of Saturdav last , we find | the following : — " It is a fact , " said Mr . Ferrand , at Knaresborough , " that England is a nation of humbugs ! " We fear there is a great deal of truth ia the charge . ! Most mun in this country are tlie doomed victiinsof '' humbug . " They " humbug" themselves , ; md "humbug" each other . The rich "humbug " the poor with fair words , " charity , " and pa . ronage ; the poor " humbug " the rich with adulation and worship , as if they were a race of superior beings . Bishops of £ 20 , 000 a year " humbug " the people when they preach that " money is thu root of all evil . " The enfranchised classes- " humbug" the unenfranchised when they say they virtually represent them . The Parliament " humbugs" the Commons when it assumes to be
their "House . " Tli $ Peers utter gross "humbinj" when they say they are responsible to " God and their own consciences . " Peel '' humbugs " the landowners when he pretends to protect them . Lord Ashley "humbugs " the operatives by pretending to carry-a Ten Hours ' Bill for them . Feargus O'Connor "humbugs" tb . e Chartists when he 'pretends to seek the Charter for them . The Bishop ] of Exeter " humbugs" his priests when he pretends white coverings are better than black for preaching- in . In short , all " humbug" and are " \ um bugged " by turns . | The Knaresborough electors are "humbugs" for choosing such a representative ; and Busfield Ferrand is an extraordinary " humbug , " as his thousand and one Shoddy and Devil ' s Dust speeches abundantly testifv . "It is a fact , " trul y sav-a Mr .
Fer-Tand , " that F / nglarid is a nation of humbugs !"—[ To this we just add , thuit of all humbugs that ever tried to humbug a humbugged people , the Leeds Times ne \ vspaper , the PROPERTY OF A TORY , edited by a "Liberal " quack ( doctor )—who sold himself to mill-owner Marshall for a price—and supporting the best paying principles , whether they be Whig , Tory , Radical , Chartist , High Church , JLow Church , Free Trade , Fixed Duty , or no duty at all , is incomparably the greatest , living or dead—ancient or modern ; and the greater humbug , because the worst . ] T . Winters , Leicesteb . —We must see what we can do for him next week , i At present our space is occupied . A Poor Mas , London .- !—We know nothing of the Tropical Emigration Society j other than from the reports and
advertisements that have appeared in the Northern Star . We know nothing ofi the parties actively engaged in it , other thau by public ) rumour . We therefore are totally unable to answer his questions , " whether it would be Safe to take Out shares , " or " whether it be merely a scheme to raise money for the promoters V There is one mode , however , ; by which our subscriber may satisfy his own mind . The ; meetings of the society are open ; they are held at stated periods at the Parthenium , St . Martin ' s-Iane ; he can attend with his eyes and ears open , aud judge of what he sees and hears . This will be a far better course than seeking for our opinion that he may act on it . On all such schemes we are very reluctant to speak in a manner that would lead a single man to engage in them , who would otherwise
have remained free . ; Most of them have in them the seeds of failure : and we are not anxious to be the cause of disappointment to any one . As far as the general scheme of Emigration of the society in question is concerned , we at once confess ourselves opposed to it ; . not because of tlie particular mode taken to accomplish it , nor the spot chosen as the future locale : but because we are disinclined to Emigration as a remedial measure for the wrongs and evils labour haa to endure . As to the practicability pf the plans and Inventions of Mr . Etzler , which are relied on by this society to make the "chosen spot" ( when they get there ) a paradise , we caunot at all speak for we have not even seen the models : but we can and do say , that an experiment could be tried here in England , the success of which would in
some measure justify the roamers from home in departing to a foreign clime to carry out what is but plautible theory at the best as thing * now stand . The feeling that prompts this suggestion may be selfish ou our part ; for as we do notintend to go to Venezuela—at least with tlie first batch ;! and as we feel some interest in the settling of the question as to whether the plans have been exactly hit on that are to make machinery " man ' s holiday , " we Bhould { certainly like to have tlie inventions tested by practice hebe , on the spot , where-all can see , and where those ] most interested can judge , before they break up their present homes and connections to try their fortunes inj a distant land . Besides , what place so likely ? In 'England machinery has attained the highest degree ! of perfection- —* , e ., tried
machinery . Here arej to be found the most able and acute mechanics . Here the peculiar machines could be best made , j Here interest Js to some degree excited . Here the Ictton , if succesbtcl , would be of inestimable value . Here it would teach the " most civilised people on the face of the earth " a new phase of civilisation , for which they are most fitted . Here , then , it seems to us most reasonable and most desirable for all parties , especially the intending emigrants , that the « xperiment should be made . It is true that experience , "farfetched and dearly bought , " is good for some folks : but as we are advocates for home—home in every sense of the jword ; home in the land of our birth ; home-manufacture ; home-colonization— we want our experience of the adopting of all uew and strange theories to tho business of life to be as much
home as possible . It may be that we are not strongly imbued with the entjerprizuig spirit of adventure ; but we certainly should not be disposed to leave England for Venezuela or anyj other clime , tropical , temperate , or frigid , relying mainly on the plans of a machineinventor , until we had seen the machines in actual use , and had witnessed that they were equal to the intended purpose . : An Old Subscriber , Ipswich . —Much would depend on the onn of the note he speaks of , whether an action could be sustained . | Let him show it to an Attorney , and take his advice , jafter detailing the whole facts of the case . I Jonw Smith , Uincklet . —If we had his case to deal with , we should stick to ! the cottage , and run all risks . Forty-four years of uninterrupted possession should give the light to continue there .
The Lincoln , Rutland , and Stamfobd Mebcurt , after a long and disreputable life , terminated a miserab ' e existence ou [ Friday last , to the great satisfaction of every respectable person of all classes of society . This low publication ; was marked by littleness of mind , want of honesty , disregard of character , and indifference to principle . We are told that , when the weather permits , it is in contemplation to hold a jubilee in Lincoln , to commemorate the cessatiou of the plague .
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Dreadful Accident at Dbuby-lake Theathe . On Saturday night a | frightful occurrence took place at this theatre , during the performance of the Revolt of the Harem , which in its consequences has deprived the stage jof the best English dancer of the day . In the second act of the ballet the ladies
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—¦——————i——————i—¦—^——of the Harem were discovered bathing , among whom Zulica , the Royalslave { Miss Webster ) , was ^ bne . ' . ' ,- During- the scene the gas placed at the bottom of the stage , or under the sunken portion of it ,-wil ^ re the water pieces , or waves , are placed , caught the light draperr of Miss Webster ' s dress , and m an instant her whole person was enveloped in flames . This frightful event taking place on the stage in sight o £ the audience , the whole house was in a state of consternation , and screams issued from the ladles in the front boxes and pit , who were the first to perceive the appalling accident . When first the dress of MUs Webster was discovered to be on fire the whole corps de ballet , who were on the stage with her , closed round her almost simultaneously , as if by instinct , to
crush and extinguish the names , but , terrified at the terrific appearance which almost instantaneously pre sented itself , they retreated , and she rushed forward towards the front of the stage . Mrs . Plunkett alone endeavoured to extinguish the flames , and in so doing was herself nearly falling a victim to her intrepidity and good feelings . At this moment a man sprang from the wing of the stage , and throwing himself upon the young lady , threw her down and extinguished the fire by rolling upon her . In so doing , however , he severely cut her upper lip , and received some slight injury himself from the burning clothes . He is not , however , much hurt , and was on Sunday at the theatre . Mis 3 Webster was immediately taken into the greeu-room
and placed upon a soia . tier clothes were aearlyall consumed , at least all her external garments . Fortunately , Dr . Marsden , of Lincoln ' s-inn , wag in vthe theatre , and his assistance was rendered without delay . The usual applications of spirits of wine and water , flour , « fcc , were had recourse to , and everything done that , under the immediate eircumstanees , could be done . Miss Webster ' s face was much blistered , ai * d in some part scorched , the eye-lashes and eye-brows burnt off ; but the hair of the head was untouched . The lower extremities were much scorched , and the flesh of the hips was also much burnt . The hands also suffered dreadfully , being burnt almost
to the bone . Miss Clara Webster never lost her recollection , but exhibited , notwitlistanding the dreadful agony under which she laboured , great physical power and extraordinary moral fortitude . She was conveyed to her home in Upper . Nortonstreet in a carriage , attended by Dr . Marsden , who administered fresh applications , and who was afterwards unceasing in his attendance . During the whole of Sunday the inquiries were incessant after her welfare . Mr . Liston , the eminent surgeon , and other medical gentlemen , were called in , but they concurred in all that Dr . Mars ! en had done , and his mode of treatment lias been adhered to .
Death oy Miss Claiu Webster . —It is with extreme regret we state that the distressing accident which befell Miss Clara Webster at Drury-laneTheatre on Saturday last has terminated fatally . Miss Webster died on Tuesday morning , shortly after three o ' clock , at her apartments in Upper Norton-street , Regent's Park . From inquiries that we have made , it appears that the medical attendant of this unfortunate young lady considered that throughout Monday the symptoms were favourable , and that no ultimate danger was to be apprehended . About six o ' clock on that day , however , it was apparent that a , change for the worse had taken place ; she became delirious , and q ^ uite insensible of what was passing in the room ; reason never returned— ' she never rallied
for one moment . She talked incoherently , arid was continually counting one , two , three^—one , two , three , until death put a p eriod to her sufferings , which were of the most excruciating character . Shortly before she expired a lady inihe room thought she appeared somewhat more sensible , and consequently knelt by the bedside , and said , "Clara , Clara , " several times , to-which she ' replied * in a faint voice , "Yes . " She never spoke afterwards ; her breathing became bad ; and she expired without a struggle at ten minutes past three o ' clock on Tuesday morning . Dr . Marsden was in attendance on the deceased from one o ' clock until nearly two , and when he left Mr . Liston waa immediately sent for , and arrived shortly after three
He had not been in the room more than a few minutes when Misa Webster ceased to breathe . Miss Webster ' s mother had but a short time left the room , for the purpose of taking a little rest , and when the melancholy intelligence of her daughter ' s death was made known to her , she became almost distracted . Miss Webster was in the twenty-first year of her age . Mr . Webster , of the Hayniarket Theatre , is a brother by a former marriage of the late Mr . Webster , the father , who , we understand , was married three times , and had families by each wife . The lamented deceased was the issue of the last marriage . We understand Mr . Liston stated he was of opinion that the brain had been injured by the dreadful accident which had befallen this accomplished young lady .
Axothek Account . —Miss Webster died very tranquilly ; indeed , she went off as if merely sinking into a gentle slumber . She bore her sufferings with great fortitude , and did not appear to shrink from the prospect of death , which we understand , it was intimated , during the evening , awaited hei \ The following letter appeared in fcne morning papers of Wednesday : — "Theatre Royal Drury-lane , 11 o ' clock , a . m ., Dec . 17 , 1844 . At the time I despatched the letter which appears in this morning ' s papers , I had the assurance of the mother and another member of Muss Clara Webster ' s family , that she was entirely out of danger ; but I deeply regret to say their expectations were too sanguine , for she died this morn ing . I will only add , on this distressing subject , that the benefit announced for this unfortunate artiste will be given on Monday next for her family . —J . Cooper , Stage Manager . "
The Ikquest ox Miss WEnstKR . —On Thursday Mr . Wakley held an inquest at the Green Man Tavern , New-road , on the remains of Miss Clara Webster , whose melancholy and shocking death is described above . Tlie jury having gone to 54 , Norton-street , to view the body , returned , and proceeded to examine witnesses , who deposed , to the facts above stated , but nothing new was elicited . In tlie course of the examination of the witnesses , -Mr-. Wakley remai'ked on the unfortunate want of presence of mind exhibited by those whose clothes are set on fire . If they would drop on the burning clothes they would at ouce be extinguished ; and the second best mode was for the individual so situated to lie down at length . The whole of the evidence having been heard , Mr . Wakleyaddresssed the jury : —An occurrence like
this might easily be averted if simple and proper precautions were taken . In most of the cases of a similar nature that came before him , he generally found that fatal results might have been prevented i £ ordinary precaution had been taken immediately after the clothes had taken fire . It had loug been known that gauzes of every description could be so prepared as to prevent their being inflammable . It was done by starching them in a particular way ; and he trusted his mentioning the circumstance would be productive of good , and perhaps serve to prevent the recurrence of another of these dreadful occurrences . Cases of fire were really dreadfully frequent ; within the last ten days there had been no less than frwentv cases of this
character within his district ; and he was sure he spoke within bounds , when he said that from 130 to 140 cases of burning and scalding occurred yearly in the division of the county to which he was coroner . He held inquests yesterday on two children : both of them were scalded to death from want of proper precautions being taken . The first was at the Free Hospital in Gray ' s Inn-lane . A child , while undresgingiicrself before the fire , accidentally fell , and there being no high femler , she knocked down a kettle and scalded her head so severely that she died soon afterwards . Now accidents of this nature could never occur to children , if their parents would take the precaution to have wire fenders before tlieir fires . In this case , } how evcr , danger had not been apprehended . Yet the
means of avoiding the clanger were very simple , for if a lattice of wire had been extended over the Limps the dresses of the actresses could not possibly have caught fire , and accidents of this character would never happen . The precaution was a very simple one , and where the results would be so satislaetovy > it would be well at once to put it in practice . Where the dresses of performers were likely to be exposed to flame , the gauzes , as he had already observed , might be so prepared by a solution of alumina , or alum , as to be quite uninflammable . Impressed with this fact , he had yesterday written a note to Mr . Gardiner , a most excellent chemist in the neighbourhood ' ( Great PortlandVstreet ) , asking him if he knew any person in London who was in the habit of washing
muslins , gauzes , or dresses in the solution alluded to . That gentleman returned this answer .- { Tho Learned coroner then read Mr . Gardiner * s letter , in which it was stated that muriate of ammonia , or a similar solution of alumina , would have the effect of preventing ignition . ) It was also stated that a Mr . Hodson , of 406 , Strand , had given much attention to this matter . How far that gentleman had succeeded , the inclosed pattern of gauze would show ; it would not light at the flame of a candle . Mi-. Hodson proposed to sell a starch , to be used instead of-common startih , which would answer every purpose , and at the same time be perfectly safe in cases like the present . He would undertake , fora trifling consideration , to keep all theatre "property , " or dresses , from any danger by fire . He ( the coroner ) did not know that there had been sucha gentleman in existence as Mr . Hodson , but where , as m this ease , the mention of his name would serve a of
double purpose , ih ^ t benefitting the public , and , perhaps , doing good to himself , he ( the coroner ) thought it but common justice to give him publicity . ( The gauze was then tested at a candle , and found to verify all that was-said pf it . ) Mr . Wafcleysaid , certainly no young child of his would bo without an outer dress so prepared , and , the attention of families would , he hoped , be directed to it . The witness , Daniel Coyle , whose hands were bandaged , mtunated , at the conclusion of the coroner ' s address , . that it had been erroneously stated iu some of the newspapers that he ,-was quite recovered . This- was not the case , nor was he likely to be well for some iuue . Mr . Wakley told him the intrepidity he had ¦ displayed on the occasion of the accident was worthy T ) f the highest praise , lie was confident if he were to take a benefit at some place of entertainment , the public would not be wanting in their endeavours to support him . A verdict of " Accidental ' deatk" returned .
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The Jfaw Bbtdge or -Athloxe . —Appalling Mpbbkb . —On Monday last tie body of an ; unfortunate woman was found in the river at Seven Churches , a < fistance of seven miles from town , with he throat cut from side to side . —Galu-ay Paper .
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Erratum .-The sums of £ 1 5 s ., acknowledged in la * t weeks list from Ashton-underXyne , Khould have beon £ 110 s . j - __;_ 1 . ¦ .
Staftrewtg, ≪©Fijfnr«8, En≪Iu≪≫0i0, &T.
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CARDS . Tavistock ( omitted ; . ; 0 9 Hollinwood .... 1 G Mottraia \ l ' J Ditto , Hand Books ' . 0 2 Colne ...... i < i 3 Leeds 50 Marsden 16 0 Northampton ( New Lo" iiury — cards , i ' s . 3 d . '; cality ) .... ( j Rule , Id \ -i 4 Ditto , Hapd Books 0 4 Ditto , Hand Books . ] 3 2 K . Hide , ditto ... 0 2 iPOJr-ATfO > S . W . p ., Batter .-ea . . 10 6 O'Connor Brigade St Christopher Doyk . ! 1 0 John ' s "Ward , Prest-. m i 0 VICTIM FUND . Christopher Du . vle . . j-l 0 Crown A AnchorCVV . T . ) 2 G duncombe testimonial . R . P . Lawry .... 1 6 R . Side , Southward 1 0 W . D > , Battersua . . 10 6 KB . H ' DOVAhL . Part proceeds of a raffle at the Falcon , Tower iramlets \ 5 0 \ THOMAS M . WHEELER .
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¦ ¦ 4 THE NORTHERN STAR ? _ j December 21 , 1844 .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 21, 1844, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1294/page/4/
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