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LETTERS TO THE WORKING CLASSES . LXXXVL « ' Words are fhfcss , ana a small drop of Me Vaffinz—like dew—upon a thought , produces That ifhich makes thousands , perhaps millions think . " Bn : os ' crucifixiox of the labourer . Brother Pkoletaiuaxs , It is a mournful fact that the Labourer is crucified between two thieves—the Landlord Mdthe Moncy-menger .
Yet , hy turns , Loth these puhlic enemies masquerade in the character of ' The Poor Jfcra ' s Friend ! ' The one is , forsooth , a friend to the ' Protection of British Industry ;' the other , a , ' Ecfcnner' and 'Friend to I ' ro-< ress . ' Tbe tenant-farmer . " ! rally round the fandlord , and the shopocracy follow the standard of the profit-monger . The Protectionists have this week heen making a grand dismay of their strength . A thousand or more fanners assemhled on Tues-3 av at the Crown aad Anchor , and there and then , " under the presidency of the Dulve oi Richmond , vowed they would do or die—restore ' protection , ' ' peaceably if they could , hut forcibly if they must . '
This so far frcui being an exaggeration of the sentiments expressed by the loyal farmers , falls short of conveying to the reader an adequate idea of the uproarious' physical force ' recommended by the speakers , and applauded to the echo by their admiring hearers . A Mr . Chowler declared it to La ' the general determination cf the tenant-farmers to scud their surplus and unemployed labourers to the workhouse : ' andhetisked , ' W hat vrould be the
consequence ? ' Observe his answer : — ' He knew ' what the consequences would then he , and 'he should be sorry for them . A great deal * had been said ahout the importance of the ' yeomanry of England . Hitherto the . posi' tion we have held ( said ^ ir . Chowle ' r ) has ' been one of peace and quiet ; we were not ' agitating men , hut if labourers will cougrct gate—they know the cause , and they do not ' blame ns—but is it likclv that we shall mount
' ourhorses and go forward ( loud cheers ) to stop our labourers from what we all know to 'he our just rights ? ( Cheers . ) If they are ' industrious and steady they have the right to ' have the means of living comfortably , and ' are we to mount oar horses to stop them' ? ' ( Cries of « No , no , ' and ' I vnm ' f . ' ) Mr . Cob' den says if you attempt to re-introduce pro'teciion -what he would do , and what will 'become of the landlords . But I sav that if
' the landlords stick to us we will stick to them . * ( Here the assembly rose and cheered vocife-* rously , which was renewed when Earl Stan-* hope struck the speaker upon the shoulder in ' approbation of his sentiments , and the gen' tlemen npon the platform rose in response to * the appeal . After a pause the meeting again ' rose , and the cheering was renewed . ) But , * gentlemen , we will go a little further . We 'have got nine-tenths of the horses of the liing-* domandvce hate got men io ride them . We * "will support the Grown as well . ( Here the * assembly again rose and cheered . ) Her
Ma' jesty need not fear that if she turns her back * upon the townspeople she will then be unpro-* tected . We trill proteet her Majesty , if she ¦ will protect ns . " ( Great cheering . ) Mr . Chowler added : — ' His opinion was that * without some alteration in the law this coun'try would he so shaken—after the harvest , ' and not before it—that it would be impossi-* ble to preserve the public peace . ( Tremen' dous cheering . ' ) A Mr . Ball challenged Cobden to carry out his threats ; affirming that the farmers had nothing fear from '
discord , on the contrary , tliey were prepared to * risk all , to brave all , and to dare all . ( The ' assembly again rose and cheered , and waved ' their hats . ) They would be prepared , in the 'hour of their country's peril , to take those ' terrrible steps which it was most frightful to ' imagine , hut which ¦ necessity was driving * them to the contemplation of . ' ( Great cheer' ing . ) Professor Aytoun , of Edinburgh , encouraged these belligeroas outbursts , by assuring his Southern hearers that 'Those who * had met in arms in days long gone by were
' now associated in their determination to have ' the iniquitous measure that was overriding them repealed , and when the red cross ' of St George and the white cross of St . * Andrew weije blended indissolubly together , 'he would fear no Cobden . —( loud cheers)—he ' would fear no demagogue in the world . ' ( Vehement cheering , which was led by Earl Stanhope with great tajergy . ) A Mr . AHnut warned the fundholdeis that it was impos-* able that the working bees , when plundered ' of then- honey , should any longer support 'the drones . " ( Great cheering . ) If the
'farmers were robbed , he warned the fund' holders that their time would come , and that ' the term ' national faith' would not be 'found in the vocabulary of the farmer . " ( Cheers . ) This speaker repudiated the House of Commons in terms of the utmost scorn . 'He used to think that something was to be ' expected from the justice of the presentHouse * of Commons , but he had done with signing * petitions to that Honse . ( Cheers , and a cry of * So have we . ' ) He should no more think * of sending a petition to the House of Com' mons than to the 'Man in the Moon . '
' ( Laughter . ) Mr . Sidney Herbert once told * them that they must not come to the Legis-* lature ' whining for protection . ' Now , he * ( Mr . Ball ) did not mean to whine . There ' was no cause for ' whining for protection , ' * for the fanners would raise their heads erect , * and demand it . ( Great cheering and waving ' of hats . ) Another delegate from Scotland , a Sir Watson , of Keillor , assured the English formers thai they might rely upon the cooperation of the Scottish tenants , who were ready to say ' Come on , Macduff . '
( A burst of cheers drowned the close of the quotation . ) A Mr . Caldecott , of Irating Lodge , near Colchester , recommended the agriculturists to baud themselres together ia a league for withholding the taxe 6 nntil they obtained their demands . Lastly , a Mr . Higgins , of Hereford , concluded his speech by advising the Ministers to ' take warning from 'that the most extraordinary meeting ever * held in England . ( Cheers . ) I call on the Go' vermnent ( said the speaker , suiting his action ' with outstretched arms to the concluding
* words of the sentence , ) and I tell them to rc-* dress our wrongs , and nnless they do so tee ' are prepared to ixercise the strength we still * retain in our arms . ( Loud cheers . ) If they * won't be led by argument and by rational ' means—if they won ' t listen to the voice of rea' son , and to facts and figures which shoAv the * impossibility of farmers continuing under this ' system— if they wont alter their ' . system by ' moral force—then ice will fight for it . ( Tre-* mendous applause , the whole meeting staud' ing up and cheering vigorously . ' )
The first reflection that will occur to the Chartist reader , on perusing the above , is that of admiration for the justice and impartiality "with which the laws of this country are administered I ! Neither the Tenth of April , nor the subsequent Chartist trials were preceded by anything like the ' seditious , scandalous , and disloyal language , ' spouted by these fanners . A fevr members of the Chart ist Convention , coming fresh from scenes of misery , which tier had shared ,
spoke warmly of the sufferings of their class , and talked of defending themselves by force , if opposed by violence . On this , the vile journals raised a howl against the ' anarchists '—the Government introduced , and the Parliament sanctioned , a gagging law , and the London shopocracy turned out in battle ^ ay , to aid the Government in stifling the "voice of the working men . This series of gross provocat ions naturally exasperated the people , and those who were leoked up to as the exponents of their wreugg . These leaders spoke
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what the law called « sedition , ' and for which they -were persecuted with the utmost malignity both by the Government , the judges , and the jurors . Contrast the language of Ernest Jones , condemned to a cruel imprisonment for calling on the people to ' organise , ' and giving expression to a poetical anticipation of the green flag floating over Downing-strect , 'contrast this so called ' sedition' with the revolutionary outburst of Chowler ! Contrast Bezer ' s facetious oiler , in his character of fishmonger , to sell Lord John Russell a ' pike , '
with the war-whoop of Higgins ! Contrast poor Shaw ' s offence of taking the chair at the Milton-street theatre , with the Duke of Richmond ' s loyalty iu presiding over the furious conclave at the Crown and Anchor ! Will tho Government prosecute Chowler and Higgins , Aytoun abd Watson , the Duke of Richmond , Earl Stanhope , the Earl of Eglintoun , Lord John Manners , and the rest of the noble , right honourable , honourable , reverend , and respectable abettors of this seditious assembly ? Not S" > . And why not , brother Proletarians ? Because there is one law for the rich and
another for the poor . Because , if the Government was inclined to prosecute Richmond and his confederates , juries would acquit them . How is it that your friends are invariably condemned ? Because ' Liiw i ^ 'ind the jiooi ' , and rich men ruic'tlic laws . " Because the judges are selected from a class interested in crushing your friends . Because , yon have no representation in the jury-box , and jurors are taken from the ranks of your masters and oppressors . The Times sneers at the warlike fanners , and turns into ridicule all their threats of
appealing to arms in pursuit of their object . The Times is right in warning the fanners that if they drive the agricultural labourers into a state of insurrection , they will , themselves , be the first victims of the new ' Jacquerie . ' The labourers are supposed to be very ignorant , and undoubtedly they arc so ; but the most ignorant of men comprehend when they suffer , and when let loose arc the he most terrible of enemies . The farmers
have treated the labourers a thousand-fold worse than they treat their dogs or their swine ; and the Times truly says , that machine-breaking and riek-burning would be the first results of a peasant outbreak . Even more serious results might be looked for . The squirearchy , the parsons , and farmers , generally are intensely hated by their serfs , and the overflowing hatred of the rural masses would hardl y be quenched by machine-breaking and rick-burning . It may , therefore , be safely calculated , that the landlords and farmers will pause before they open the floodgates of rural insurrection .
But the Protectionists are nevertheless in earnest . They mean to seize upon power , and they will do so ; and in the struggle that must follow it is not impossible that landlords and mill-lords may find themselves committed to more than a war of words . May it be so . The sooner the miserable Whigs are ousted , the sooner Disraeli heads a Protectionist Ministry , the sooner will the working classes succeed in achieving their own emancipation , provided they are wise enough to repudiate the two tldeves between whom they are at present crucified , and struggle only for themselves .
Protectionist sympathy for the people is all bosh . The Duke of Richmond , Earl of Eglintcjjx—and others of the same stamp—desire to protect their usurpation of the soil , and their oligarchical privileges . The farmers desire to protect their own breeches pockets ; but neither class care one jot for the welfare of the labourer—agricultural or manufacturing . On the other hand , the millocrats , and the profitmongers generally , are equally enemies to the wealth-producers . Their ' cant about re-form is all fudge . They desire to reform only so far as will enable them to take
the place of the old aristocracy , in ruling and plundering the people . The conduct of their chiefs , when questions affecting the social interests of the working classes are brought before Parliament , proclaims them the remorseless enemies of the Proletarians . Is proof demanded ? Witness Hume ' s speech on Friday night last , on the Ten Hours Question . On Tuesday night last , Lord R . Grosvenor —for the third time—appealed to the House of Commons to throw the shield of legislative protection over that cruelly-enslaved body of men—the Journeymen Bakers—than whom
there exists no harder-worked , worse-paid , or miserably-used class of workers in this country . Of course , his appeal was rejected ; and the most bitter opponent the Journeymen Bakers encountered , was the Radical champion . of baurgeaise supremacy—John Bright . In this , Bright only imitated his chief , Cobden ; who , in the Session of 1849 , opposed Lord R . Grosvenor ' s motion , for leave to bring in a Bill to prohibit night work in bakehouses , on the ground that such prohibition would be a legalisation of Communism . On Tuesday night , Mr . Bright
denounced the member for Middlesex as the advocate of Socialism ; and quoted from the Bakers' Gazette , to show that the writers thereof , in demanding that Parliament should regulate the hours and wages of labour , so as to prevent the latter from falling below a certain minimum , were , in fact , preaching the principles of Communism . He described the Boiers' Gazette as a newspaper , significantly adding , that as 'happily the Stamp Office ' authorities had not yet put their impress upon 'it , it could be sold for three halfpence . ' I 1
believe that the BakersGazette is not now published ; otherwise , there is no doubt the Stamp Office authorities would at once strangle it , by acting on John Bright ' s liberal hint . The member for Manchester sneered at the journeymen bakers , observing that , ' they were ' not women or children , but grown-up men , ' and not ordinary men either , but Scotchmen ; ' and it was generally thought that if any de' scription of persons were better able than ' any other to take care of themselves , Scotch-• men formed that class . The condition of
' these journeymen bakers was represented as ' most horrible—the dens in which they worked ' were said to be dreadful . Then , if they ' came to England voluntarily to work in such ' places how very horrible must be the places ' which they quitted ? ' He added , ' they were ' a body of stalwart men , who needed no pro' tection . * John Bright pretends that men voluntarily engage to work eighteen hours out of the twenty-four ( not uafrequcntly for a still longer period ) for a miserable remuneration , and nnder circumstances which ensure immediate injury to health , and the certainty ,
m nine cases out of ten , of an early death . And they do this voluntaril y ! Yes , as voluntarily as the Sheffield grinder sits down to his daily toil , foreseeing that he will be asthtfiatic at twenty-five , infirm and worn out at thirty , and in his grave before reaching the age o . f forty . . As voluntarily asthe miner encounters choke-damp , and the fire-blast . In short , as voluntaril y as the Cuba slave works for his lord . The distinction between the negro and the journeyman baker is this , the black Blavc
must work for the profit of his master , or Buffer the whip ; the white slave must tail for some master , or feel the scourge of starvation There is , however , this difference in favour of the negro , that his master is also his protector . No such relation exists between the English toiler and his employer . And when that toiler appeals to Parliament for protection , John Bright , the' Liberal , ' the ' friend to reform and progress / takes the lead in refusing that protection ; at the same time adding insult
to injury ! . The Tories in power would be the signal for Cobden , Bright , and their party , outrivailing the revolutionary roarings of the Protectionists . While landlords and farmers attempted to rally their wretched serfs , the millwracy would try to excite the Proletarians of
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the towns to engage in deadly conflict for the profit of—their masters . That would be Labours auspicious moment to achieve its own emancipation . The capitalists , without the working men , would be beaten , and the latter would be fools indeed , and merit eternal slavery , if they did not compel the capitalists to terms as a condition for battling on their side against the landlords . We have seen the Crosby Hall conclave refuse to go beyond the ' Little Charter ; ' but let tho Tories climb the heights of power , and the working men , if only true to themselves , will be able to force Hume , Cobden , Bright , and Co ., to swallow the Charter— ' name and all . '
The new electoral law was laid before the French Assembl y yesterday ( Wednesday ) . A crisis is at hand . The people seem to be terribly in earnest . A journal called the Republique having recommended patience under any circumstances , was torn to pieces and committed to tho flames by the people ; and , in consequence , the editor has recanted , stating that he had expressed only his own
personal opinion , and not that of tbe party of which the Republique is the organ . The correspondent of the Times is gloating over the prospect of seeing the democrats slaughtered , and the establishment of a dictatorship supported my military law . On these and other matters I will comment in my next letter—if permitted to write in the' Star , a matter of doubt at this moment to L'AMI DU PEUPLE . May 9 th , 1850 .
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GUILDHALL . — Charge of Embezzlement . — Joseph Hall , a clerk in the employ of Messrs . Martin and TritchaTd , solicitors , was charged with embezzling money , the property of his employers . — William Taylor Pritehard stated he was in partnership with llr . Martin , and that tho prisoner had been in the habit of receiving money on various occasions for him , for the purpose of paying fees and other charges iu the Couvt © f Bankruptcy . He ( prosecutor ) produced a book purporting to be a sort of ledger account between himself and the prisoner , kept by , and in tho handwriting of the latter . He then proved by the book that prisoner had received a cheque for £ 9 5 s ., ami also one for £ 2 4 a . both of which amounts were entered in the book as expanded in court fees , and one guinea for a
subpoena served on Mr . Glass . The fees were entered under about twenty headings , but he had ascertained that only two of them had been paid . — Kichard Atwood Glass deposed , that on the 31 at of January last , he was served with a subpoena bv the prisoner , who handed him a shilling . Oh his remarking , that a shilling was a very shabby fee for Messrs . Martin and Pritchard , who generally gave a guinea with a subpoena , prisoner replied , that he ( witness ) might settle that with Mr . Pritchard . — John Powcl stated that he was a clerk in the Registry Office of the Bankruptcy Court , and that he had examined the items Mr . Pritchard had supplied him with , with the books at the office , and could only find two of the items , and which were entered as having been paid on the 11 th of March last . The prisoner was remanded .
Attejipied Suicide . —Sarah Ilussey , a young woman about twenty-seven years of age , but who declined giving her address , was charged with attempting to throw herself off Blackfriars-bridge , with a felot ious intent to commit suicide . —Charles Cossins , of 5 , King ' s-head Court , Shoe-lane , stited that about three o ' clock on Monday afternoon , he saw the prisoner on the outside parapet of Blackfriars-bridge throw an umbrella into the road , and prepare to leap into the river ; he seized hold of her baad and obtained the assistance of Police-constable 346 . During the time he was calling for assistance , she repeately said , " Oh ! for Gud ' s sake let me go ;" and " It won ' t do—I won ' t have it . "—When asked by Sir George Carroll what she had to say in excuse , she replied that she was in great distress , having been out of a situation for a considerable perkd without a friend to assist her . —Sir George Carroll ' remanded her till Saturday , to give the ( fficer time to ascertain who and what her friends were .
__ MARYLEBONE .-Cuhiocs CASE .-On Tuesiiey the court was much crowded by persons of both sfxes , who were anxious to hear the further proceedings against Charles Jopling , an embosser , living at No . 5 , Windsor court , Strand , and who was brought before Mr . Broughton , on the 30 th ult . on the charge cf havine administered chloroform to a pretty-looking girl , named Mary Anne Elton , his presumed object beinst that of violating her person . The evidence previously given went to show that the prisoner had been courting the complainant for many months , with the sanction of her aunt , with whom she resided in Camden Town , and that on the ni ght of the 29 th ult . they went to a concert at a house in Munsterstreet , Regent ' s Park . On the way home he (
prisoner ) took her down a yard , and , after acting indecently towards her there , he poured something from a bottle upon his handkerchief , wh ' ch he held over her mouth . She instantly thrust it from her , calling out for assistance . Police-constable , 243 S , took the prisoner into custody . It was further shown that the constable saw the prisoner throw something against a wall which sounded like glass , and that when searched at the station prisoner tad in his possession a handkerchief which was wet , and had a most powerful and unpleasant smell . The- remains of a bottle were subsequently picked up by the officer , close to the spot where he made the capture , and he took the said handkerchief and portion of the phial to Dr . Bermmgham , who at once said that there had been a
quantity of chloroform in both . The . prisoner was remanded till to-day , when Mr . Robinson , solicitor , Hatton-garden , attended for the prisoner ; and Mr . Rivolta , Hart-street , Bloomsbury , on the part of some of the relatives of the complainant . The complainant , however , upon being placed in the witness box refused to proceed with her evidence , alleging as a reason that she had been married to the prisoner that . morning , and she stated her belief that she should be happy with him , and that he would treat her well . I he solicitor on behalf of the newly-made bride ' s relatives contended tbat undue influence had been resorted to , to induce her to contract the marriage and the magistrate remanded the prisoner until Tuesday , but consented to take bail .
BOW-STREET . - The Cdaiiok op Attempted Murdeh ur a Pcgilist . — On Monday Daniel Donovan , who stands charged with attempting to murder his wife , Ann Donovan by ill-using her and afterwards by throwing her out of a window at Ko . 19 , Short ' s-gardeiis , Drury-lane , was brought up for further examination . —The prisoner , who conducted himself in a very imperious manner throughout the examination , and who appeared to feel no remorse for his brutal conduct , desired all the witnesses to leave tho court on both sides which was immediately complied with . —Two cLili dren of the prisoner , a boy and a girl , 8 and 10
years of age respectively , were examined , and their eridenco went to show that tho prisoner had not only thrown their mother out of the window after using her with great violence , but that he had threatened to beat them if they told tho truth . — The prisoner said now that his wife had come to her senses she would acknowledge that she had jumped from the window . —Mr . Hall said lie was aware of that , which he did not believe . He did not intend so ask the prisoner for any answer to the charge at present , as he was informed that there was not the slightest hope of the recovery of his wife . As it required some days before tho result would be known he should remand him until Monday next .
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FROM THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHEE , THE EXILE . V We have the pleasure of presenting , to Iris troops of friends , along , detailed , and most inter esting letter from Meagher . Frank , coraial , hopeful , uncomplaining—it is a typo of ins generous character .. Andithough it needs no iurfcher interest to be welcome everywhere m d ' clleerful and graphic sketches of all ue has seen give ifc a singular charm . Van Diemen ' s Land , 1 st Dec . 1849 . After a very weavisome and somewhat stormy passage across tho Indian Ocean , we sighted the extreme southern point of this island about one o clock on Saturday ,. Oct . 28 th .
The day was extremely , beautiful , and this was all the more delightful to us , not alone that wo had heen sickened , for many days previous , with wet and boisterous weather , and required a soft and sunny change to . cheer U 3 up , but that we were thereb y afforded an opportunity of enjoying , . to the best advantage , the charming , noblo scenery which lines the shores of the bay , at the mouth of the river Derwent . I ski p over our six weeks' sailing from the Cape , for a very good reason—indeed , for the best of all reasons-tliat I have nothing to say about it . 1 he weather , certainly , threw considerable life and spirit , now and then , into our movementssales upon gales—sometimes blowing within a figure
or two of a hurricane—frequently giving rise to ' unusual bustle and excitement ; . and , what with shortening sail taking in two reofs , and finally strinpintf off every shred of canvass until , at last , wo stood before- the wind under bare poles , as the sailors say —the monotony of the voyage , upon certain memorable occasions , was rather startlingly diversified . But , putting aside these incidents ~ incidents winch , after all , count for little or nothing in a seaman s reckoning—our , sailing across so many miles of sea was marked by no ono event or featuro worthy of the slightest notice . Not a sail was seen the whole way across , though in mentioning this strange fact , I must not omit to state-, 'that with some degree of kindliness , that in the worst of
weathers the albatross , swaying to and fro upon his great snow-white wings , favoured us with his companionship , now mounting high above the mastheads—then gliding swiftly and majestically into the deep valleys that divided the high waters over which our little ship mounted with such buoyant strength and gracefulness , at another moment fronting the spray and foam which broke from the crest of some huge wave , and having battled through ltfloating off along our wake , and disappearing fora time . But for a time onl y ; in a few minutes you might have seen him emerge from tho black thick mist , and expanding from a small white speck into his own great proportionsbear down upon us
, again in all his strength , and pride , and stately beauty . There , too , wo had flights on flights of Capo pidgeons , shearwaters , and Mother Carey ' s chickens ; all wheeling round us , and performing the most intricate and inexplicable evolutions with the swiftest and sharpest precision you can imagine . Me amused himself-almost eyovy day fishing for these birds , with a pretty long lino , a float , and a hook , well supplied with a tempting bit of pork . On the whole ho , was very " successful ; having caught by the time we sighted Van Diemen ' s Land four specimens of tho albatross , one of them measuring eleven feet and a half across , from the tip of one wing to tho corresponding point of the
other , besides some half dozens of Cape pidgeons , three or four shearwaters , and two or throe Mother Carey ' s chickens , the latter the most difficult of all . I must not admit , however , to mention what occurred at the Capo on our arrival there . About 8 o ' clock in the evening , on the 11 th of September ; we cast anchor in Simraond ' s Bay , a fine , deep , spacious basin , lying somewhere near twenty miles from Cape Town , the capital of the colony , and the seat of government . In less than five minutes after , wo were boarded by a lieutenant , who came direct from the commodore in command of the station , bearing instructions of a very startling nature . These instructions forbade anv one
on board the " Swift" to land ; forbade , in the next place , any communication between tho '' Swift" and the shore ; and , finally , they conveyed the desire of the commodore that we should make sail , and be out of the harbour by 12 o ' clock the next day . This was delightful intelligence , surely ! considering that we had nothing but suit provisions on boardthat twenty feet , and upwards , of our bulwarks had been knocked in ; and that tho little brig , in this , as in several other instances stood in need of repair . The captain , however , could seo the commodore on board his ship , the "Castor ;" and , as far a 3 she was able , tho latter would supply the " Swift , " with fresh provision . Of courseyou have
, heard , some time since the reason of all this . That evening wo saw very little of the country around us ; indeed , saw nothing but a few lights , which , scattered hero and there , up and down along the shore , shone pleasantly enough ; but , as far as wo were concerned , to no purpose at all . Next morning before six , I was on deck , staring most inquisitively at the thirty or forty houses which constituted the little town of Simmond ' s Bay . It is situated at the baso of the long high table-lands , which spring up almost abruptly , on three sides of the Bay . Bleak , sterile heights they are ; variegated their entire extent with alternate patches of sand and brown crass , and havins
nothing in the least inviting about their look or stature . At this early hour even , tho water-tanktho hulk of an old Brazilian slaver by-the-bye—was moored alongside , and out of it a party of marines from the " Castor " were pumping a supply of fresh water into the poor thirsty little "Swift . " Then , further on in tho morning , we had boats putting off from this benevolent * old " Castov , " loaded with joints of Cape beef , and eggs , and potatoes , and a head or two of sheep , and rolls of butter , and pints of milk , and loaves of bread . By-and-bye , odd spars and timbers , and spare canvass , along with
some pounds of tobacco , and the requisite quantities of rum and Hollands , wore stowed away on board ; and by twelve o ' clock we were standing out to sea with a stout breeze behind us , and a wild black sea sweeping down upon our bows . In a few hours we found ourselves companionloss once more among the waters . And so we continued , until as I have said , we sighted the extreme southern point of Van Diemen ' s Land on Saturday , Oct . 28 . I forgot to mention , that mid-way between the Cape and our destination , like two small rocky islands—St . Paul ' s and Amsterdam—the former an extinct
volcano ; both uninhabited , and affording shelter only for a few wild goats and pigs . They lie directly opposite to each other , about sixty miles apart . A deep channel , navigable with the greatest safety , flows between , them ; and for this channel , ships running from the Capo to New South Wales , or Van Dieman ' s Land , usually make . It is the shortest run , and enables the sailing masters to certify their chronometers . The breeze , however , which took us out from Simmohd ' Bay , bore us a considerable way to the south , and compelled us to leave the more southerly of these islands some forty miles to the north . Ilonce , we lost sight of the only land we could have seen : during the latter half of our
four months ' voyage . Yet , for all this dullness , for all this wearisome waste of sea and sky , a deli ghtful compensation was afforded us by the scenery , through which , from Storm Bay , we glided up to Hobart Hobart Town . Bold cliffs , springing up full eighty feet above the clear blue water , ana bearing on their summits the forests of tho gum-tree—a tree , tall and beautiful as the Cedar of Libanus , and , like the palm tree of the desert , throwing out the richest foliage from the capital of its bare but stately shaft ; a wide cleft next , from which , as from some delicious valley of our green isle , a farm-house , with its garden " in front and stout hay-ricks behind , peeped out so quietly ; by-and-bve a sicnnl towci-. -wit . h tho ™\
, flag _ waving above the tallest tree ; then again , a hshing-boat , sparking all over with the silver light that flashed from , the spangled waters ; and , alter a litile , Mount Wellington in all its glory ! ring is a noble mountain which Arises to the m ! i » ht of 4 , 000 feet , immediately behind the town . Aobleat all events , it seemed to us upon that evening , as it towered aloft so calmly and solemnly in tho still blue sky , from which , owing to the thin streak of snow along its summit ; it stood out in distinct and bold relief . Well , all this , and more than this—more than I could hero note down with so
rough a pen as I am using ; all this made up with its gay freshness , its high-toned beauty , its serene and smiling glory , for the stupid , sluggish sameness of the days we spent upon the ocean . Yet , all this while , twilight was effacing the bright colouring of tho scene , and blending rock and tree , the signal tower , the' sky , and mountain , into one deop mass of purple shadow . Night had set in when our anchor dropped . Captain Aldham , shortly after , went ashore , and having returned in an hour or 60 , informed us we were not to be removed for a day or two .
Next day we amused ourselves looking through the classes , prying into gardens , streets , stores , and buildings of every description ; scanning , too , the features of soldiers , sailors , and civilians , and following ' , to the utmost point of observation , the horses , carriages , and cabs which turned out of one street , and then dashed up another , and flying past some open spaces ; disappeared at length , within a abyrinth of red bricks , or the foilage of the Park Hobart Town , you must know , boasts of Buch a resource , and a first-rate one it is too , i ; Tk-u , day we had the ; Swift , I may say ; all to ourselves ; , the officers , and towards evening , most of the men , being away through tho town enjoying themse ves in every direction , as well they might , poor fellows ! after the hard quarter's work they went through . During the day . several boats
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decked out . m the gayest colouring , and swept ! along wihhnsk . and flashing oars" % Sd ' round . us in . the most livel y spirit , ; and as they nearedlho gangway , or , speeding bye us crossed our stern , we saw many an inquiring glance thrown up towards tho quarter deck , where the prisoners were supposed to be . Sometimes a hat ivas raised , a parasol thrown back , and a kerchief waved ; at other times , despito the order of tho marine on guard "to keep off , " a little craft , moro zealous and intrepid than tho rest , nulled in closer to the gangway , and a friendly voice bidding defiance to the bayonet which gleamed above , and the ball cartridge it betokened , inquired "how tho gentlemen were , and when would they come ashore . " In all theso incidents , slight and fleeting as they
were , we saw at onco the evidence of a kindly feeling towards us ; and somehow wo felt as though ;» few warm whispers of the old Irish heart at homo were floating through tho air . Nor were wo wrong in this , for , later still , wo heard in its full broad tone , tho true expression of that old , but faithful and enduring heart . About seven o ' clock , O'B . and I were walking up and clown tho quarter-deck together , when a boat rowed by a fine young lad , and having two women in it , stole quiotiy alongside . The sentry , however , was wide awake , and was not long in bidding them "be off . " "Ah ! then , why would you be tellin' us to be off , sentry , my davlin ' , when you have got the best of tho counthry aboard V The accent and tho sentiment
were not to bo mistaken ; so O'B . and I mov ed forward to have a nearer view of the visitors , lhe moment they saw us , the eldest of the women -for one of them was rather old , and the other was bctli young and handsome-clapping her hands , with tho pocket-handkerchief between them , exclaimed , ' « Oh ! yo ' re welcome , yo ' re welcome Mr . O Bnen , you ' re welcomo to us ! though it ' s a quare homo you ' re coining to . " Hero the scntrv conceived it his duty to be a decree or two more peremptory , awl pitching his voice to a luvol with the conception , ordered the boat to " bo off , " and "not to be a minute about it ; to do it sluiup -in double quick time , they had better . " Upon which out poor countrywoman renuwed her welcome , and
adding , " shure it was a hard cato not to get a sioht of the gentlemen at all , " wished us good ni « * lit . Next morning , along with a number of other women who had come for the . officers' linen , she was fouiul on board . She had a long talk with about Limerick and Clare , and the gentry on both sides the Shannon from Tarbcrfc to Doonas ; for she know them all well , that she did , and why not , when she was born , bred , and reared in Newmarket-on-Peargus , where she hud seen many a bright Mayday , and many a harvest-home , and cheerful Ilolyeve . To continue the story , her husband had been in tho " troubles " some years ago , a Whiteboy , or something of that sort , and after he got his liberty she came out to him , and brought " tlmt
slip of a boy we saw in the boat , and his sister beside him , " along with her , all the way from the Cove of Cork out here ; for she heard it was a beautiful climate , and money in plenty , and mutton for nothing . So they took a farm , but the bad times came—there are bad times here as well as at home , says she—and they had to come into town ; and her husband was working for Mr . Somebody over the way , and she did a little in the manglin ' " line ; but that wouldn ' t have Lrought her on deck if Misther O'Brien wasn ' t there for his counthry and her starving poor—God help the crathuvs ! So much fora morning visit ; now for one in the evening . Between three and four o ' clock in tho afternoon , two gentlemen sent a message to the
captain , upon which the sentry was directed to allow on board tho assistant-comptroller of convicts and his clerk . These two gentlemen stepped up the gangway , with a bundle of long papers , embellished with red tape , under their arms and forthwith entered into a confidential conversation with the captain ; whereupon , the captain and the assistant-comptroller descended to the cabin , leaving the clerk to look disconsolately at tho wheel and the compaas-box . Two or three minutes elapsed—two or three minutes of anxious surmise and intense excitement , as the fashionable novelist would express it—and then , up pops the head of our worthy marine—the marine who had been specially assigned us during the voyage—and in rather
tremulous accents he informed us , " Tho captain wished to see us in our saloon , " Down we went , and , shutting tho door , were , one by one , formally introduced , as an indispensable part of tho lugubrous ceremony of transportation , to the assistant-comptroller of convicts , Mr . Win . E . Nairn . After which , wo cordially asked tho captain to take a chair , and solemnly invited tho assistant-comptroller to do the samo ; both of which requests being complied witb , Mr . Nairn informed us that ho had received directions from his Excellency tho Governor to communicate to us , that ho had received from' tho Secretary of State for tho Homo Department instructions to grant us " tickets of leave , " provided that , in the first place , the captain undei whose charge we were reported favourable of out conduct during the voyaqe ; and , in tho secont
place , that , previous to our receiving the tickets of leave , we pledged ourselves , as men of honour , not to make use of the limited freedom so conferred , to escape from tho island . Tho captain having reported favourably , it now only , remained for him ( Mr . Nairn ) to receive the pledgo required as an indispensable condition to tho tickets of leave . Having taken a few minutes to consider tho proposition , and conceiving tho condition upon which we were to receive it to be fair and honourable , I determined upon accepting tho ticket of leave . Mr . Nairn afterwards informed us , that each of us was to be ' assigned separate districts of the colonyno two being allowed to reside together , or within the same district even ; that Campbell-town had been assigned to me , Ilobart-town to O'Donohoe , and New Norfolk to M'Mauus ; and that we were to remain on board until Wednesday . Mr . O'Brien having declined to accept tho ticket of leave , Maria Island was assigned to him .
The next day , several gentlemen came on board to visit us ; amongst them , the Very Rev . Dr . Hall and the Iluv . Mr . Dunn , both of them Catholic clergymen—tho former Vicar-General of the dioccso ; the latter , a missionary at Richmond . Their manner towards us was most warm and affectionate ; and their offers of kind services unbounded . With such visitors as those , you can easily imagine the pleasure with which the day passed over Besides , from day-break we had been on the look-out for O'Doherty and Martin , who were hourly expected from Sydney . Every sail that hove in sight down tho river * was to us an object of very anxious interest , and tho glass of the ofheor on tho watch was seldom idle during the day .
The following morning , at half-past three , the guard-boat came alongside ; for once in my life , I was up to time , and ready to start . Having shaken hands with O'Brien , M'Manus , and O'Donohoe , I went on deck . - There I found the captain , the surgeon , and two or three of the officers , waiting to wish me good-bye . This I looked upon as particularly kind of them . But , it was " part and parcel , " to use a very poor and awkward phraseof the amiable , generous , gallant kindness wo had experienced from thorn during tho entiro voyage . I must , indeed , havo grown very cold and * hardened , not to havo felt this kindness sensitively ; an « l , I know , it would hereafter bo to me a source of deep reproach , were I to refuse to it a frank and
grateful acknowledgment . The officers , as I mentioned to you in my last letter from the Cape , wero fine , generous , gallant young follows . With the best manners of the educated gentlemen , they combined the honest heart and genial spirit of the sailor . Our intercourse with thorn was very slight indeed , owing , of courso . to the restrictions imposed by tho Home Office . But , for all that , not a day passed over without our receiving some new and gratifying proof , that wo were in the company of gentlemen , from whom , despito of the duty they were performing , and tho prejudices with which they must first have met us , wo had won sincere esteem , and , I might say with perfect truth the warmest and most anxious friendship . As for
Captain Aldham , I am inclined to believe there could not have been a better man selected out of tho whole navy list . It is not for mo to speak of tho skill , judgment , and disciplino with which he conducted a voyage , so long , so arduous , and wearying . Of such matters—of tho qualifications of a sailor—it is not for me to speak , knowing little ot them . But of tho amiable qualities of his heart- ' his gentle , yet dignified demeanour , his willininiess to concede any little privilege wo asked for , whereever his instructions conferred the power or left it in his discretion to grant such ; his promptitude in attending to whatever representations wero made and the generous alacrity with which ho had any inconvenience removed , or want supplied ; of all this I can speak for I have been made deeply sensible of it , and , with tho hel p of a good heart , I trust , havo learned to appreciate it to its full extent . It i J * " . ! " i . esas «> W ^ at the English fl aicommands
respect , and becomes worthy of ail honour . For my part , I shall never cease to entertain a grateful recollection-never fail to speak with warmth , I might almost add , with affectionate regard-of the gallant little " Swift , " and all her officers and crow . From what 1 have just written , you will easil j conceive the feelings with which 1 left tho " Swift" on that Wednesday morning , the 4 th of November . It is not too much to say , I left it with as deep a regret as if I had been an old mess-mate of the gun-room for many years . One circumstance , however , lightened my heart a bit as I took my seat in tho boat that w as to bring me ashoro . Two of tho officers had permission to go up tho country for a few days , and they agreed to accompany me this moraine ., so that I felt somewhat less dismal than I would otherwise have felt , at the prospect Of their companionship along the road '
Five or six minutoa brought mo to the vrnarf . j and five or six minutes more brought me to the coaoh , which was on tho point of starting when I arrived . The morning had not yet dawned , and , hence , all I saw of Hobart Town , in my rapid tran-
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sit through it , was aii oil lamp or two , the sentry box and a soldier at the gate of the Government House , the coach-offlce , and an editor of a paper , who , like a rig ht zealous servant , of the public , " was at his post to ascertain the interesting particulars ' of my departure . I found my fellow travellers from tho " Swiri ' already seated ' behind the coachman , and a vacant corner for myself along side of them . Away then wo dashed ! sweeping down the most precipitous declivities , and tearing up the most perpendicular of hills—now in graceful gallop along a smooth mile or two—and then again going to extremities , and flying at full speed-flying past lazv , pondorouB waggons ; whic ! , , even at that early hour , wore on their way to iown-flying through turnpikes , tho gates of wliieU had jusUcen opened by t ., 0 proprietors m hnlf-ilress-flyineLv f / irra-liouses .
wnercait signs ot life wore yet invisible , and the dogs themselves aslccp-fi . unfr over white primbuilt bridges , under which tho wnter seemed rather drowsy , and far from being whi 0 awake-flyine along a road , winch , whether it sunk or rose , crossed a marsh , or climbed ii woodc-d hill , was sound or dry compact as a pier of granite , and as broad as some old avenue at home . As tho morning advanced , tho features of tho country , gradually disclosed , becanio more and more distinct ; and , " after a little , we found ourselves travelling through a continuous scene of wood and hill , which required , in many parts at all evi'iits , only a little water to render it enchanting . Water is the soul , tho vitality of all scenery . Without it , tho most beautiful pictures in nature arc languid and inanimate . Favoured , with it , even tho less finished works of tho Divino Hand—those which seem to us to want a moro
radiant sky or a greunor soil , flowers of a richer bloom or trees of a statelier growth—even those unfinished works , as we presume to call them , blessed with this bright purifying gift , possess a charm boyond all price , and will attract both mind and heart far ttore powerfully than the former—rich in azure skios and verdant fields—rich in flowers and foliage as they may bo . This scantiness of water spoils the j oauty of this Island ; renders it a tame and sleeping beauty : like a handsome set of features under the influence of ether , vritli their colour subdued , and their expression stupifieil . Xor can the scenic beauty of Van Diemon ' s Laud afford to be thus so sadly spoiled , in as much as tho foliage and grass being of a rather dull brown hue , require considerable relief .
From what I have said about our ' ¦ ' dashing off " and "flying along , " you will naturally conclude that the coaches here are turned out in a superior style ; and so they are . Tho coach itself is not very cleg-ant to be sure ; neither is it very comfortable ; but the horses aro first rato , and do their business nobly . Hough business it is , too , for some miles of the road ; or , to speak more accurately , where there is no road at all . Between Oatiands and Ross , just halfway from Hobart Town to Launceston , theso being the two extrcmo points of tho main road , a large plain occurs . It is called "Tho Salt Pans Plain / ' includes several thousand acres of grass land , and is chiefly used as a sheep walk . Over this the coach had to drive '; and such
jolting 1 such bumping ! and zijr-zug evolutions as here take place , it would be difficult to describe . The government , however , are engaged at present in constructing an excellent road through the plain . At three o ' clock in tho afternoon we " pulled up at Mrs . Kcan ' s hotel , Campbell Town , and here I parted with my friends of the " Swift , " who went on to Launceston . After dinner , I strolled out to ascertain tho features , tho eyesores , and beauties of the town . It consists of one large struct , in the first place ; but thi 3 street has .. only ono side to it—that is , only one row of-houses ; the other side , for the most part , being done up with several yards of wooden paling , a post-office , three cottnges , and tho Established Church .
Upon the other Bide , I observed an apothecary ' s shop , three large hotels , a saddler ' s , five or 6 ix private houses , a forge , a butcher ' s stall , a ' sort of Civet Cat , where walking sticks are sold , and watches set to rights ; and , though last riot least , an " eating house , " slim in size , and of an humble aspect . At the right angles with this street , two other streets run off both being still more destitute , in point of edifices and population , than tho former—the carriage-ways , and tho footpaths too , being thickly carpetted with grass , hemlock , and dandelion . Having seen so much , I returned to the hotel , ^ rent to bed , and slept soundly until next morning . After breakfast , I took a sent upon the coach for Ross , a little village- seven miles from Campbell
Town , but within tnc district . Hero I met , an Irish gentleman , who has since proved himself to be , in my regard , a sincere and warm friend . This visit satisfied me that Ross would be a preferable place to Ciim pbcll Town ; it seemed to me much quieter , much more ' secluded , and I decided upon returning in a day or two , and there taking up my quarters , my friend having promised to look for a cottage , or part of one for we . Accordingly , in a day or two , I returned , and herd have remained . At present 1 am stopping at the hotel ; but , towards the end of the week , expect to move to a pretty little cottage , a quarter of a mile from this , which I have engaged at a very moderate rent-. Judging from the kind of rooms vou would cot in Ireland
for such a rent , it may bo concluded that lhave got into quarters in which no one , but-a poet , like Goldsmith , could be happy , or a painter , like Barry , could exist . Ah ! well had it been for the poor , noble spirits , that , one after the other have toiled and trudged through the rugged ways of life , each day weaving , to gain theiv dally bread , the brightest tissues to clothe and beautify the social world—thai world which , in its giddy round and ceaseless chase of pleasure and of wealth , seldom uplifts an eye in thankfulness to the li ght which genius sheds , from solitary heights , and in tho bleakest seasons , down
upon it , until the eclipse conies , and the light shines no more ; well had it been for such poor , noble spirits , if , for so small a sum , they could havo purchased , as I have done , so good a w orkshop for their drudgery , so sweet a shelter for their repese j their toil would have been less irksome and less wasting ; tho weakness that result from poverty would have been subdued ; and , purified from many errors and asperities , their lives mi ^ ht now he spoken of with less pity , with deeper gratitude , and prouder homage . This , to be sure , is a strange wandering from my matter-of-fact narrative ; but I could not help it , so wer . t through with it .
Iromwliat I have said , you will justly infer , that my life in lloss is very lonesome ' . In fact , were it not for the occasional companionship of my friend , it would bo as lonesome as that of the most secluded hermit . This , however , does not in tho least dispirit me . On the contrary , I am rejoiced at it , for in such a place , and for one in my position , a greater amount of personal independence , and , I am inclined to imagine , a greater amount of respectability , results from this seclusion , than could possibly bo obtained by tho enjoyment of larger privileges , or the range of a wider society . I am in excellent health , and right good spirits . I spend four or five hours every morning , and two or three hours every evening , with my books ; during tho interval tako a gallop through the " bush . " in quest of a kangaroo ; or stroll on foot along ' the banks of the Macmiiiric , on tho gut vivo for snakes—which reptiles , by-the-by , are very numerous and very venemous in this colony .
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THE VICTIMS . My dear Mr . Arxott , —Having , after twenty months' solitary confinement in Chester Castle experienced as a criminal the clemency which characterises and humanity which pervades the doings of her Majesty ' s government , I Log most respectfully and gratefully to acknowled ge and make public , through you , my obligations to the patriotic and disinterested rulers of the land we live in . I had it in my intention to send you some few facts , illustrative of the treatment to which those " who dare to interfere with politics" havo been subjected ia the North ; but I como home broken in health and strength-bankrupt in all but principle , determination , and hope—and cannot , at present , endure the
. inguo ot writing a long letter . Jfext week , perhaps , I may furnish you with a story which , coupled with the treatment of Dr . M'Douall , will , or should be , sufficient to make the very stones rise ' and mutiny . One political prisoner alono remains at Chester—viz ., Charles Sollars—convicted of drilling and training , and sentenced to two years ' imprisonment , lie is penniless ; his family were in tho poor-house , or receiving pay from thence .-Thero ia also , in Kuutsford House of Correction , one prisoner—Shove—convicted of riot . They have both soven months to remain . I ask nothing for mvsolf from your committee ; but suffer me , on
behalf of theso , to say—if you can—hel p ! It ia much needed ; and the knowledge I haveof the men enables mo conscientiously to recommend them to your board . A few shillings would he , to them a fortune ; and I ask it for them not without hope that they will receive a small substantial assurance that we remember , and feel for them—because they lire our brothers , and their cause is ours . Believe me , I pray you , right hcaitily your friend Mr . John Arnott . George Joseph Masile C , Bond-street , St . John ' s-squaro , Wolverhampton .
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The Nailoks of Winlaton . —The nailor is kept in constant motion , alternately blowing the bellows , wielding his hammer , or giving the finishing stroke to his nails . The latter operation , in making large nails , requires the assistance of " a striker , " but we noticed an ingenious contrivance to supersede this called a " wooden man , " by which one nailor does the work of two . A hammer is suspended over the anvil , and a spring which the nailor moves with his foot , makes it strike the heated" metal apd operate like a weaver s shuttle . Yet here great agility is requisite to shape the nail before the metal contracts . The iron red is first heated , veil hammered and cut to the desired length , and then driven through a groore or shape which gives to it a head and form . To do the latter part while the metal is sufficiently pliable fully tasks the energies of the workman .
Pattens be . : ngnow less worn than formerly , accounts , we suppose , . for the decline of" ring making" at Winlaton , there being but twenty hands employed in this department . Small chains and , hinges still engage a g-od m . iny hands , and in one shop large quan ' titles of kitchen fire-irons , pail handles , and navviespikes or hacks , w ^ re forged . The occupant , a strong , healthv . and intelligent old man , related with regret the falling off in the " tea heaters " which formerly were so much in fashion , before the modern wrns became so common . Most of the other articles were for the Scottish market ; but , even that source , he informed us , was beginning to fail . The Scotch , having abundance of iron at home , are applymg it to whatever is requisite for their own uses ; and , in losing them , "Winlaton will sustain considerable injury to its manufactures .
House op Common's . —The estimated amount required to finish tho official houses for the speaker ajid officers of the House of Commons , is £ 30 , 100 ; "' expense alread y incurred for them having been £ < 4 , 000 . Since the years 1806-6 ; there has [ been paid in rent for the temporary official residence of the Speaker , and in allowance for rent to the other *™ , ™? £ l J House of Commons , a sum of ; U 7 , UK 5 Us , 5 d ,
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IO MR . OBOnQE JOSEPH MAXTLE Mr dear Maktle ,-I beg to assure you . that the Victim Committee would feel most happy in comply ! ' ilLY ? ^ T tn ^ fcnovolent ^ anCympathetb appeal , had they funds wherewith to do so ; but . as . - ^ hey havo not the funds , I trust that those « % M . \ f > Have hearts to feol for suffering humanity w& fet ^ 'V . ^^ a once arouso themselves , and thei-ohy j-emovk fc A \ y $ stigma that they allow those who havo strt ^ gSjp ^ 4 ^ s . ^ in . their causo ' to ^ inger on in want and . de 3 titiftioM' % ' -JVf ^ I am truly and fraternally yours , c /? K > J ^ V ^ 'cSH John Artpik | , l 5 ' £ a » Secretary to the Victim ComMU « f MaHfl H , Southampton-street , Strand , ?( W ^ I ^^ B
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ltoll , 185 Q . THE NORTgERN STAR
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 11, 1850, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1573/page/5/
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