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HORRIBLE MURDER.
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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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THE PAUPER'S CHRISTMAS GASOL . ' ^ According to annnil aad praiseworthy custom the unfortunateinmates both of the "workhouses and prisons throughout the metropolis , srill J upon Christmas-day be regaled with the nsnal good fare of the season . The proportions of the allowances vary sUgbtly ia different institntions , but in all a good dinner will be provided . "Morning Chronicle ^ Pull of dnniand full of meat , Oa onr Saviour ' s natal day , Charity ' s perennial treat ; Thus I heard a pauper aay : — M Ought not I to dance and sing Thus supplied irith famous cheer ? Heigho ! I Hardly know—Christinas comes but once a year }
i' After labonr * long turmoil , Sorry fare and frequent fast , Two mid fifty -weeks of toll , Padding-time is come at last ! Bnt are raisins high or low , "Flats and saet cheap or dear ? Heis&o ! I hardly know—Christ-mas comes but once a yearJ " Fed upon the coarsest fare . Three hundred daya and Eixty-fonr But for one on viands rare , Jnst as if I wasn't poor > Ought not I to bless my Etare , Wayden , clerk , and overseer ? Hew-ho '
I canny know—Chnstmss cames but once a year . " Treated like a welcome guest , One of Nature ' s social chain , Sea * ed , tended on , and press'd—Bnt when shall I be press ' -d again . Twice toiradding , thrice to beef , A dczan times to ale and beer ? Heigho I 1 iardly know—Christmas comes but once a year .
" Come to-morrow how it will ; Diet scant and VE&gerough , Hunger once has bad its fill , Thirst for once has had enough , Bat shall I ever dine again ? Or see another feast appear ? Heigho J I only know—Cbristmn comes fentjonee aye ?? ** Frozan cares begin to melt , Hopes revive and spirits flow—Feeling as I hare net felt Since a dozen months ago—Glad enough to sing a song—To-morrow shall I volunteer ? Heigho 3
I hardly know—Christmas comes but once a year . Bright and blessed is lie time , Sorrows « nd and joys begin , w fiila the bellB -with merry cfri ™« 3 trnj » the Itey of Plenty in I But the happy tide to hail With a sigh or with a tear , Heigho I I hardly know—Christmas comes but once a year !"—Punch .
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TAITS MAGAZINE . "We owe an apology both to the pnblisher of ihis Magazine and to our readers for not noticing the December number earlier in the month ; The fault is not oars , Thefact is , the Magazine only reached ¦» s a few days ago , it haying , we understand ,, on its arrival at the office been borrowed for perusal . Now , we protest against this . Any work sent to us for review , we are resolved to act honestly by , and we deem It Jittle short of robbery to take books from Authors and publishers , and sot afford them that notice fiie parties naturally look for when sending them for re-view . Wo have then io desire of onr
borrotcing jiiends ihat when a work is received at this office for xerisw , they will allpw ns ihe first perusal , that we may thereby be enabled to perform what we deem to be a dn \ j i— " » word to the -mse Oet ns Lope ) snfficeth I" 4 Tut dose 3 ihe old year well . In addition to original papers , and the usual excellent * critiques , ire have ik Scenes in the life of an Authoress / "which , jndging by the opening Chaprers , -we -expect ¦ ftH Tbe fonnd an exceedingly attractive feature in future nHmbers- Prom iir . & 1 orison ' s "Rerninisoences of Sir Walter Scott , &c" we she the following interestinj ? sketch of Life in the Hebrides , forty years * go : —
From Tobennoy I walked down the Sound to Anos , ¦ where Ibsie 5 s as old ti&sUe , and from thence to tbe tiead of Loch Na-Keal , where 1 fonnd a boat with a number of young men abont to embark . 1 inquired ¦ whither they irere-boiiaci . They said / or Ions ; that they had plenty of provisions , and invited me to-come -on board , They were purchasing whisky from a person ¦ Who had a still in the neighbourhood , with whom they seemed well acquainted . I purchased a gallon aa my Contribution . They bought two more . They hid also ¦ fold fawls , roast beef , hams , "with bread and cheese In abundance . We commenced fishing , and -were very -successful . We called at a farmer ' s house , and were invited to dinner . The lady played very gracefully on "fhe guitar , and arsonrp&nied with her voice in Saelic ;
the subject was from Ossian , and the air of the same r ^ 6 j Toy plaintive and beantifuL We went-to visit a cave , and landed on Inch Kenneth , the former residence of Sir Allan Maclean , where Dr . Johnson was -entertained . The island was now -without an inhabir-nt It was now te « late for gaining Iona , so we landed in Mull , and were hospitably entertained at the ionse of a clergyman ; a most hospitable gentleman , with a numerous family of daughters . After tea , we Were entertained by the ladies 'with some excellent ghost stories ; the scene of one of which was-sot fifty TETds from where we were sitting . A young lady , the 1 — . uty of the country , was about to be married , and ,
with her betrothed and many friends , was making Sierry on the green , when a handsome youth on horae-I ck made Ms appearance , and at ono rode up and "Whispered in the bride ' s ear ; on which she at once sprung up behind him , and they golloped off like the vind , and were sever seen or beard of mere , except -on the anniversary of their flight , when the horse ¦ with his riders is seen galloping round the green . The young lady is said to have been very proud and fickle , and her lover some air or water spirit , and she was thus punished ; so that the tale is not without amoral We sat up late after supper , and were entertained by ^ es of tbe same kind : one of a mermaid who carried
Sway a young man , and kept him for seven years in a palace studded with precious stones . She allowed him to come to land and visit his friends , who could see no symptoms cf approaching agej indeed , he himself "thought that he had been absent a day only . He , however , declined to return , and removed more inland The mermaid was often heard lamenting on the shore T'd singing a mournful ditty , which , with its original tune , was snug by a yonng lady of the compauj . In the morning the minister paid us a visit in our isd-room , with the family whisky bottle under his arm , and gave us the morning dram . After an excel lent breakfast , we pursued our voyage , and soon lauded -on Iona , the sacred island of St . Colnmba . After "visltisg tee graves ef tie kings , Scots , Irish , and Nor-Tregian , the Crosses and monastery , I proceeded to draw , my young . friends forming a circle around me , Kith s bottle of mountain dew and some biscuit . Previous to *> " » we had secured a room in the
pnblicfcouse , landed our provisions , and moored our boat I contraneil drawing for several hours ; and in the mean time it was agreed thai ¦»» should pass the night on holy ground . I was anxious to draw as long as possible , knowing that there wonld be little time after dinner ; and I found my companions very accommodating We cad caught plenty cf fish , and bad it fcoth boiled and broiled in excellent style ; which , with osr cold rout fceef and pie , made - a sumptuous least . We had also plenty of * ngar to make our toddy . In order to prevent too much drinkiBg . I proposed having a walk ; that wb should ascend Dun I , —that ifijthe Hal of God , —and seethe sun setting on ihe Atlantic ; ¦ which was unanimonBly seconded . The hill is raid to L ? 5 DD feetbigb . 1 should think that it is more ; bnt I had no means of ascertaining it . The sea was smooth I 1 glass , with all the islands to the west—Coll , Tiree , ike I > ntcbmanV Gap , and others , with the sun three diameters of himself above the » ea line . We descended ,
rid -returned by tbe Abbot ' s Walk , where we saw , in a bog , some remains of birch-wood . Some old people recollected iaving seen decaying trees , that appeared to have been planted in rows , forming an avenue ; and , indeed , all the mosses or bogs contain the remains of "wood , which is * tfr \ at one time to have covered the * -laad . At present , there is not ene b ush growing on Tie island . We returned to onr inn through the burying-gronnd , and examined the Day of Judgment Stone orgladt-braih . Three atones of about three or foar panada weight , were placed on . a thruch-stone at ft eoMideable distance from each other . Every atranger SMstgive ^ ach cf these Jtones a turn round ; and they pwt have often been tuned , for each h * s Trorn altoV
low or pot from the repeated action of taming ronnd' Pliea *• grave-stone , on which the Clacb&ralh are PlKsd , shall be worn through , so that the stsnes shall n * l to the ground , Sien comes the end of the world , MdDay of Judgment ! It is accounted unlucky not to tana these atones j and egnally so to tnm Jhem more tpan once round , in the evening , as we returned by * w ruins of tie'Nunnery , we observed thousands of |*™ Dp retoiuEg ftOm tfce eea-shere to their lodgings m the - waUs of the building . The ^ e hoi zs > or nests , are lormed by pitkmgout the mortar iud ssiallEtonesj s > nd aieach bole -ie c-smer was sitting half in and half out , tia 5 ** ing ' ° tis neighbour , or to ourselves ; They appesred not in the least disturbed by onr presence ,
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though we were standing not more than three jBtds from the wall . If not speaking to us . it is at least probable that we were the subjeot of their conversation . The daws were also rstnmini ; to the abbey . The starlings and daws form distinct and separate establishments , the one not intruding on the other ; and are held sacred fey the people . They are thought to ba the souls of the monks and nuns , and are not allowed to be molested . Some dandy tourists , visiting the island , commenced shooting the birds ; and after being warned , smi persisted . They -were instantly aeizsd , and underwent a sevei e ducking .
On arriving at our inn we had good tea , which had been brought from the mainland , with excellent fiBh and bam ^ and finished with toddy of the best quality . There was but one bed , which , it -was insisted , I should occupy , being the stranger . The rest of the party were to sit up , and drink moderately . This preference I declined ; when it was concluded that we should occupy the bed by turns , and that I should take the first . We , however , sat singing and telling tales till midnight . I went to bed , which was . in a separate apartment ; bnt the * people of the inn contrived to make up a succession of beds , or shake-downs , all round the room ; and when I awoke , for the first time , about four o ' clock , on going into the room , I found my new friends all fast asleep .
The sun was just rising over the monntains of Moll ; and on going out , I found my old friends , the starlings , at the morning ' s conversation , consulting . I suppose , in what direction they were io take their flight ; which is , I was informed , always regulated by the point from which the wind is blo ^ wing , which best answers their feeding-ground . I stood very near ; but they did not seem in the least alarmed ^ and kept chattering away . After I had retreated to a considerable distance , they all took flight in the direction of Mull , which is their feeding-ground . 1 was Boon joined by most of the company , who brought along with them the morning dram , and stood Bnd overlooked my drawing , which 1 continued till the hour of breakfast . After breakfast we embarked for Staff * , and had a pleasant sail , the morning being beautiful . After reading Sir Joseph
Banks' and Pennant ' s description , I was disappointed in Staff *; which however , must strike every beholder with wonder . On entering the cave , the action and swell of the water below makes one giddy . My attention was directed to a sound , which was not the immediate action of the waves rising and falling within the cave ; for I was told that it was the music of an enchanted organ , played by a wizvrd ; which all my companions firmly believed . It appeared to me to be an echo , from the roof of the cave , of the rushing of the waves , which rose and fell not less than fifteen feet When our piper played a pilbroch , the music of the waves drowned or softened down the harsh sound of the bag . pipe , which discoursed most excellent ir . nsic . I recommend all performers on the great pipe to go to this cave , at least once in their lives , and get a lesson .
We larded on the island ; and as the sea was becoming rough , we felt the ground trembling under onr fe .-t . A family once resided in Sthffa ; but they were afraid , one stormy night , that the island might fall to pieces ; and left as soon as a boat could be launched . Here we spread the feast , having seated ourselve 3 immediately above Fingal ' s Gave . The day was fine ; but a heaTy sea was setting into tie enve . The sound was musical , * nd the ground beneath us was still trembling . onr glasses and plates felt the motion , and made a small clattering noise .
From Staffs we landed on OTva , where I found a boat preparing to sail for Rasay , which , in passing the strait between Glenelg and Siye , could readily land m « on that island . The boatman offered to carry me for balf-B-crown , including provisions ; but this last was unnecessary , as my friends , from our boat , put me up a basket of biscuit , ham , cheese , and three bottles of whiskey , which was the half of our remaining stock . As my boat was not to sail till the evening , we had tea and toddy before parting . Some years after this , I had it in my power to be useful to two of those young
men . when they were attending college in Edinburgh-We had a good voyage to tbe ferry betwixt Glenelg and Skye ; and in order that I might have a view of Skye as an island , I was landed on the shora of G ! e- _ elg . from which the view of the Cuchullin mountains is magnificent ! I was ferried over to Skye , and walked about fifteen miles to Cunscaitb castle of Cuchullin , " the noble son of Semno . "' I rested on the rock , which affords the best view of the sea towards Ireland , and thought of the spouse of the car-oorne chief of the Islb of Mist : —
Dost thou raise thy fair face from the rock to find the sails of Cuchullin ? Return , my love , for it is night . What remains of the castle is not much ; but the view towards Strathaird , Cornishk , and the whole range of the Cuchullin mountains , is a scene of gloomy grandeur that I have never Been equalled . Prom Dunsealth I engaged a boat to cast me ov « r to Cornishk at once , a distance of about Beven miles . I sat in the stem of the boat , and kept drawing the
varying outline of the scene before me , which I was approaching . On landing , I began to ascend the Cucfenllin mountains to the west of Cornishk . The -view to the west , with all its island , is vt-ry fine ; and from the edge of the summit , to look down into the dark waters of Coruisbk , is not unmixed with terror . To the north and east , the monntains enclosing the lake are of most rngged character ; and beyond the first range , enclosing the lake of Coruishk , the mountains teem much higher . They are , 1 was informed , the highest in Sky *
The sun was about an honr frem sinking in the ocean , which wss smooth and of a rich yellow . 1 began to think , like Edom of Gordon , " of drawing to some bauld , '' and descended down Strath Us , a valley te the north . 1 had not walked a mi ' e downward till I met a shepherd , and inquired if a public-bouse waB near . " Yon can bs at no loss , " said he ; * 'for the first house that yon come to will be happy to Teceive yon . I will go with you . " We soon arrived at , and entered the cottage . I asked for whisky , intending to treat my guide , when a good-lookirg young woman pnt down glasses , and a bottle and whiBky of the finest
quality , and said that tea would soon be ready . I observed the whisky was fine—*• Yes , * said he ; "Imade it . " ? ' Then this is your house ?" ** Jt is . " said he ; " and that is mj sister . You are is so public-house j but make equally free . *' The tea came , and was excellent , with eggs , bam , cakes , &c . The sister had been in Glasgow for years with a lady , and understood housekeeping well . My bed-room and bed were very neat In the morning we had an early breakfast , and the shepherd proposed to instruct me the proper route of descending to the Glen of Ghosts , and insisted that I ihould return in the
evening . We have bsen much pleased with the article , entitled , " Minor Spanish Poetry of the Sixteenth Century , " it "will be found a treat to the lovers of beanty aad song . We may hereafter give some extracts from the critique on " Lyon ' s History of St . Andrews . " The criUgue on the * ' Correspondence between Burns and Clarinda" -will keep a week or two , bat the admirers of the poet—and their n&me is Legion , may depend upon us not forgetting them-In conclusion , though our good word in behalf of this number comes rather late , still better late than never . " We heartily recommend it .
numbers ef " Catechisms of Katural Philosophy , ' embracing the almost endless subjects under that comprehensive head . Then a " Firsfc Catechism of Music ; " a " First Catechism of Geography ? ' a * ' Catechism of the History of England f and a ** First Catechism " of Bible History . " Each subject is kept carefully distinct , and the whole embraces a masB of information never before brought together in euch email compass , and familiar and engaging terms . The Beriea would form a beautiful and valuable " New Year ' s Gift , " and the very best present with which we could desire to gladden the hearts and improve the minds of the young .
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What we conseientiously think wrong , we shall honestly and earnestly oppose ; and hope to have tbe suffrages of all good men with as . In addition to the articles from the pen of the Editor , we notice several able papers by Mr . Ryall and others ; also a very interesting correspondence between the London Anti-Persecution Union and Vr , Kalley . We warmly recommend thi 3 periodical to the Support of the movement party .
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NEW YEARS' DAY . " Another year is numbered with tbe past , With all its storms and sunshine , smile 3 and tears The dim veil of the future round it cast , Another following in its path , appears—We bail it with a joyous welcoming , With feasting , and with revelry , unknowing The griefs , the disappointments , it may bring To many a heart with fervent hopes now glowing . Now , as it were upon the verge extreme Bdtween tbe future and the paBt , we stand—Tbe past , appears but as a shadowy dreain—Almost forgotten ; whilst , with aspect bland , The future seems to smile . " Charnock * s Poemi
Christmas Day is coma and gone , but not so Christmas festivities ; we have yet New Year ' s Day and Twelfth Night before us , and gladly do We scatch at tho remaining hour 3 of mirth and joviality , ere we finally resume the stern duties , toils , and straggles of another year . It is not unusual with the knights of the " grey goose quill" to present their readers with a sort of retrospective Tiew of the remarkable events , and political occurrences of the departing year . But we must ba excused if we decline following this orthodox custom : our reason is , that we would fain , at this season of the year dip our pen in as little of the gall of politics as possible . " 'Tis our vocation" to * ' measure swords " on the field of political strife wherever a foe to the rights of mankind presents himself , or whenever the victim of oppression appeals to us " for help against the wrons-doer . But there are seasons
when we may profitably abstain for a moment from the toils of the contest , take breath , and thereby gather up new vigour for future conflicts . Such a season is the present . True , we might in a political retrospect have embraced much on which to have congratulated our readers , and derived therefrom hopeful anticipations of future triumphs . We might have reminded our readers of the victory , not soon to be forgotten , won in this present year in the city of John O'Gaupt , where the " red rose" smiled on the triumph of right over might , and the victory of honest eloquence over law-backed treachery . We might very naturally have expatiated on this memorable event , priding | ourselves , as we do , that we were one of the _ combatants in that conflict eo honourable to the victors . But we abstain , anxious as we are to hasten back to the flowers of literature from which to cull a " Garland" for the " New Year ' s Day . "
With tbe&e prefatory remarks , we beg to introduce our readers to the following extracts ( all we cati find room for ) from the pen of Leigh Hunt , on—MW YBAB ' S DAT , NEW YEAR ' S GIFTS , AND THE WASSAIL
BOWL , All the Christmas holidays have , or may have , if they please , some things in common , such as mincepies , plum-puddings , holly-boughs , and games of play ; bnt tbe three principal ones hare each their indispensable accompaniment , —Christmas Day its log on the Sre —New-Teat ' s Day its wassail-bowl—Twelfth Night iti caka Every man may think be feesiuu & Now Year purely by entering into the 1 st of January ; but be is mistaken . The New Year is no more to him than the old one—the 1 st of January nothing different from the 31 st of December . The poor man walks in error . People , if they could , have a right to hustle him back again into the preceding week , and ask him what business he has out of his twelve-month .
Formerlyi everybody made presents on New-Year ' s Day , as they still do in Paris , where our lively neighbours turn the whole metropolis into a world of cakes , sweetmeats , jewellery , and all sorts of gifts and greetings . The Puritans checked that custom , out of a notion that it was superstitious , and because the heathens did it ; which was an odd reason , aad might h&ve abolished many other innocent and laudable practices—ealing itself , for one—and going to bed . Innumerable are tbe authorities which ( bad we lived in those days ) we would have brought up in behalf of
those two customs , in answer to the New-Year ' s D ^ yknocking-down folios of Mr . Prynne , the great " blasphemer of custard . " Unfortunately , if the Puritans thought gift-giving superstitious , the increasing spirit of commerce was too well inclined to admit half its epithet , and regard tbe practice as , at leait , superjtuous —a thing over and above—and what was not always productive of a " consideratioa" " Nothing ' s given for nothing now-a-days , " t » the saying is . Nay , it is doubtful whether next to nothing will always be given for something .
This mast be mended , or there will be no such thing as a New Year "by and by . Novelty will go out : the suu will halt in the sky , and the prudent men sharply consider whether they have need of common perception . * ? * For present-making , then , upon New Year ' s Day , the case must stand n it may happen . K is no longer a sincqua-non . People may make them or not , either on this day or birth-days , without , of necessity , proving their generosity or tbe want of it—always provided they exhibit the present-making capability somehow or other in the course of their lives . But we cannot consent to rank ourselves among tbose who would let the day pass over without some distinctive mark of old times ; especially as we trust that better days are in
store for all the world , and will bring the beat of old customs round again ; and , therefore , one virtue we bold to be inenmbent upon all thinking and social people on the 1 st of January , and that is the having a Wassail-bowl . We have done something in our time towards restoring the use of this venerable jollity in the metropolis , and have reason to know that we succeeded in many quarters ; and we hereby enjoin nuch of our readers as are not yet acquainted with it , but bave sense and good-humour enough to deserve the acquaintance , to set about preparing one forthwith . It is a good-natured bowl , and accommodates itself to the means of all clnses , rich and poor . You may bave it
of the costliest wine , or tbe humblest matt-liquor ( we fancy we cee several pleasant faces instantly , over this paper , looking their resolution to bave it—some in porcelain and some in common ware ); but , in no case must the roasted apples be forgotten ; they are the tine qua non of the Wassail-bowl , as the Wassail bowl is oi the day—and very pleasant they are , provided they are not mixed up too much with the beverage , — balmy , comfortable , and different , — a sort of meat in tbe drink , —but innocent withal , and reminding you of the orchards . They mix their flavour with the beverage , and the beverage with them , giving a new meaning tt the line of the poet : —
" Tho gentler apple ' s winy juice ;" For both winy and " gentler" bave they become by this process . Tbrow off yonr reserres , then , dear people , and be " merry and wise , " —with the courts of kings , if you are Tories ( for they used to have the Wassail-bowl , ) with Addison and Steele , if you are Whigs ( jovial as well as moral fellows in their time ); with this most radical moisture and thorough-going refreshment , if you are Radicals ; and cry one and all with the poet whom Plato pronounced the " wisest , " or with his translator who bri hit the passage off like a proper wassailer , — I pray thee by the Gods above , Give me tbe mighty Bowl I love , And let ms sing , in wild delight , / will , I will be mad to-night . Moore ' s Anacreon .
THE WASSAIL BOWL . ( From Brand ' s Popular Antiquities . J There was an ancient custom , which is yet retained in many places on New Year's Eve : young women went about with a "Wassail Bowl of spiced ale , with some sort of verses that were sung by them as they went from door to door . Wassail is derived from the Anglo-Saxon x * l hml , be in health . « ' Tbe Wassail Bowl , " says Wharton , " is Shakspeare ' s gossip ' s bowl , in the Midsummer ' s Night ' s Dream , ' Act I . Scene I . The composition was ale , nutmeg , sugar , toast , and roasted crabs or apples . It was also called Lamb's Wool . ; It appears from Thomas de la Moore (' "Vita Edw . 11 . " ) and old HavilHan ( in 'Arcbitren . Lib . 2 ) that was-haile and drinc-heil were the usual ancient phrases of quafing among the English and synonymous with the " Come , here " 8 to you , " and " Til pledge you , " of the ~ present day .
It was unnecessary to add , that they accepted little presents on the occasion from the houses at which they stopped to pay this annual congratulation . We bad intended to have said something respecting the festivities in Scotland , where New Year's Day is the grand festival of the year ; but our space " cribb'd , cabin'd , and confin'd , " will not permit us to do so thiB year . No matter , Header , let us hope we shall meet again , and next year , perhaps , we may say something about the New Year ' s Day as kept in the" land o ' cakes . "
Header , the old year is waning to a ciose , ana ere ¦ we shall again greet tbee through the columns of the Northern Star , 1843 will be numbered with the " things that were . " Look back ere the old year isfor ever gone , and ask thyself hast thou done all that thoo mightest have done for thine own nonour and the welfare of thy Dretnreni How many of us can say " yea ? " Few , very few , we fear . It is not for , ns to condemn , for , judged by the righteous law "Let him that ia guilty throw the first Btone , ' we should hesitate to lift it . It is not reproof of past omissions that is our purpose , but encouragement to a more active well-doing for the future . . .
Reader ^ if in thy tussle with the world thou hast witnessed a wrong done to a brother man , and hast fai ' ed to do all that was in thy power to prevent that wropg , or punish the wrong doer ; then resolve
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that for the future thou wilfc play the man ' B , and not the craven ' s , part . If tbou hast omitted any one thing , no matter how seemingly trifling , which would have added to the happiness , or soothed the affliction of thy follow-morials ; resolve that increased watchfulness in the future shall atone for these omissions of the past . If thou art one who believes in the great principles of social and political justice , and yet whilst others have toiled to establish those prmefples , thou hast gazed heedlessly on and Been thy brother fail because he had not thy help , then resolve to " gird up thy loins" and bare thine arm for thy share of the work ; which bein ^ for the salvation of the many , must by the many be wrought , and cannot
ba accomplished by the few . if possessing knowledge thyself thou hast neglected to impart that 11 power" to the ignorant who were within the reach of thy teaching , then set about the task at once and do thy litile best to make the world wiserbetter than thou found it . If when the widow ' s wail and the orphan ' s cry has smote upon thine ear , and thou hast turned ajdeaf ear to their cry , —ioidow'd and orphan'd , it may be , because the hns * bajid and father fell battling for thy rights , and was crushed because he sought to raise thee to the dignity of a freeman , ^—than rouse thee from thy
dreaminess , and stretch forth thine hand to succour and to save the victims of tyranny from want and sorrow . In short , dare to do all that " becomes a man , ; " let each labour for the common good as though the world's regeneration from sin and suffering depended upon him , and the work will be done . The New Year will be indeed a " happy one , " because out Of such acts of virtuous heroism , generous selfdenial , and universal Jeving-kindneas , an order of things must spring which will annihilate ignorance , crime , and suffering , and make the earth that which it might be—that which it must be made—the abode of knowledge , virtue , and happiness .
But ' tis time we finished our homily . Well then while resolving all good things for the future , let us take a hasty and loving farewell of the past ; to do so we must of necessity oall in the aid of tho muses , and we might search far and wide to find more appropriate lines than tho following , from the pea of that justly popular rhymster , Eliza Cook : —
SONG OF THE OLD YEAR . O ! I have been running a gallant career On a courser that needeth nor bridle nsr goad ; But he'll soon change bis rider and leave the Old Year Lying low in the dust on Eternity ' s Road . Wide baa my track been , and rapid my baste , But whoever takes heed of ray journey will find , That in marble-built city nnd camel-trod wasts , I have left a fair set of broad waymatka behind . I have choked up the earth with the sturdy elm board , I have chequered the air With the banners of strife , Fresh are tbe tombstones I ' ve scattered abroad , Bright are the young eyes I've opened to life . My race is nigh o ' er on Time ' s iron-grey steed , Yet he'll still gallop on 9 % he gallops with me , And you'll see that his name will be flying again Ere you ' ve buried me under the green holly-tree .
If ye toll of the sadness and evil I've wrought , Yet remember the share of " good works" I bave done ; . ! Yo should balance the clouds and tbe canker I've " brought With the grapes I have sent to be crushed in the son . If I ' ve added gray threads to the worldly wise-heads , I bave deepened the cnesnut of Infancy ' s curl ; If I ' ve cherished the germ of the shipwrecking worm , I ; have quickened the growth of tbe crown-studding pearl ; If I ' ve lengthened the yew tilt it brushes tbe pall , 1 have bid tbe sweet shoots of the orange bloom Bwell ; If I ' ve thickened the moss on tbe rain ' s dank wall ,
I have strengthened the love-bower tendrils as well , Then speak of me fairly , and give the Old Year A light-hearted parting in kindness and glee , Chant a roundelay over my laurel-dscked bier , And bury me under the green holly-tree . Ye have murmured of late at my gloom-laden hours , And look on my pale wrinkled face with a frown ; But ye laughed when I spangled your pathway witb fLowera , And flung the red clover and yellow cotn down . Ye shrink from my breathing , and say that I bite-So I do—but forget not how friendly we were
When I fann'd your warm cheek in the soft summernight , And just toyed with the rose in the merry girl's hair . Fill the goblet and drink as my wailing tones sink , Let the wossait-bowl drip and the ruvel shout rise—But a word in your ear , from the passing Old Year , 'Tis the last time he'll teach ye— " be merry and Wise !" Then sing , while I ' m sighing my latest farewell , The log-lighted ingle my death pyre Bball be ; Dance , dance , while I'm dying , blend carol and bell , And bury me under the green nolly-tree .
We have done . We pray of our readers , from John o' Groats to the Land ' s End—our numerous friends . North , South , East , and West , to accept our heart-felt
benediction" WE WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR . "
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A PAUPER SHOW . Prom Punch . Punch presents his compliments to the Poor Law Commissioners , and begs their acceptance of an idea . It is one which he has derived from a visit to the Pat Cattte Show . But he must be allowed to preface ihe donation by a few remarks . > The object of the New Poor Law is the prevention of poverty . Poverty is a heinous crime . It is an offence against the purse of society . It has , therefore , been visited with the utmost severity . Paupers have been imprisoned , and no pains have been spared to render them ridiculous , for their own reformation , and by way of example to others . The success , however , with which this truly Christian practice has been pursued has hitherto been but partial . The
sufferings of the culprit , indeed * have effected little more good than the gratification of the well-constituted mind , which rejoices at the punishment of guilt ; Now , tbe reason of this comparative failure of the Poor Law ia obvious . The h orroraof the workhouse are invisible . The tears , and sighs , and groans of the prisoners are thrown away . Their bitterness is wasted on the dungeon air . Thepanper—vicious wretch !^—is a scarecrow in a sack . His fate is unknown to those who might profit by its spectacle . To remedy this defeot it has been proposed—so Punch is informed—to build workhouses of glass . This device is ingenious ; but glass is expensive . The poor , rates would be awfully augmented ; and , besides , there are things done in workhouses which would hardly bear the light . The idea which Punch now offers to the Poor Law Commissioners vull meet , Uo hopes , the . exv
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gency of the case . It is this : —Let priz 3 pauper exhibitions , to : take place annually about Christmas , be established iu the various Union districts throughout the kingdom ; and first let a model exhibition be formed at Somerset House after the following manner : — Let the gallery formerly appropriated to the Royal Academy be fitted up with pens on either side of it . Each pen shall j contain a form of plain oak , very hard , for the pauper to sit upon . Tfte paupers constituting the exhibition shall be selected from the moft wretched objects in the different workhouses in the metropolis . | Prizes , for the production of the leanest and most ba-ggard , are to be awarded to the master of each ; and perhaps some little encouragement for extra brutality may bo allowed the matron and beadle .
Each pauper is to be attired in the union uniform , the males having their hair cropped or very closely shaved . Over the head of each , against the wall , is to be fixed a paper , detailing their names , weights , and ages , the regimen to which they have been subjected , and other particulars as thus : — ' . " MR . BLOGG , MASTER . A PRIKE OF £ 4 . " Peter SmaW—Age 40 . Weight at period of admission , twelve stone . Confined three months . Present weight nine stones two pounds , Pud principally on water gruel . | Has been separated from his wife and children in the workhouse , and occasionally placed in solitary confinement for complainiDg of hunger . Employment , breaking stones .
MR . BROST , MASTER . A PRIZE OF £ o 10 g . " Jane Wells . 4-Age 70 . Weight five stone , lost two stone since her admission one month ago . Gruel diet , tea without sugar , potatoes and salt . Has been set to picking oakum . " HH , GRIMES , MASTER . A PRIZE OF £ S . ** John Tomkins . —Age 85 . Has seen better days . On admission weighed eleven stone , which has been reduced to eight and three quarters . Diet , weak soup , with turnips and carrots , dry bread and cheese parings , a few jounces of meat occasionally when
faint . Has been deprived of snuff and tobacco . Came to the workhouse with his wife , whe is five years younger than himself . Has not been allowed to see her for a month ; during : which period has lost in weight two ounces on an average per day . Employed in carrying coals . " To the exhibition thus constituted , the public , for the benefit of the lower classes , are to be admitted gratuitously on all days of the week except Saturday , on which days , for the accommodation of the exclusive circles , admission is to be had for Is .
Punch , having offered the above suggestion to the Somerset-house authorities , expects no other fee or reward for his pains than an invitation to a private inspection of the 'Prize Pauper Exhibition , when completed ; which he hopes Sir James Graham will be so kind aa to fend him .
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Ciayton—Died on the 18 ib inst , Mr . Joshua Andrew , of Clayton , aged 81 years . Death . —Patrick Boyle , a labourer , was found dead on Monday . evening , at Rockview , near Ballinesty . j' ' « , Crime—The following is a list of persons who have been sent to prison from the Court House , Bradford , from the 1 st of December 1842 , to the 1 st of December 1843 ;*—Females under eighteen years of of age , 26 ; Females above eighteen , 140 ; Males above eighteen years of age , 531 ; Males under eighteen , 108—Total 805 .
An Irish Estimate of Joseph Sturoe . —We expect such a reply from the Liberator aa will silence the wordy casuistry of Joseph Sttirge and his brother crotcheteer , Sharman Crawford . Mr . Sturge is certainly a genuine philanthropist ; but he , or indeed any ] other of the drab-coloured family , is not mado of the right sort of stuff for a popular leader . —Belfast ^ indicator . Mr . and Mrs . jCharles Kkan have . concluded a most successful engagement in Dublin , the theatre having been nightly crammed to witness their performance . It is said they have realised 4900 by their visit to the ilrish metropolis ; they have now proceeded to Belfast to fulfil an engagement previous to their appearance at Drury-lane Theatre on New Year ' s night .
The weather [ in London still continues very fine . This has been one of the most remarkable days of tho season . At two p . m . the thermometer had risen to 56 , the barometer stood at 30 . 5 , and for several hours the sun shone with considerable brightness . We learn from the Dublin papers that the weather in Ireland is most splendid—mild aud warm almost as in 6 ummer . —Sun , Saturday . Steam Boat Statistics . —By a return recently
made of the number of steam boats of all descriptions used for conveyance of passengers fand merchandise on the coast , lakes , and rivers in America , it appears that there are no less than 1 , 300 , of which 826 are in constant service . jOf these 488 are of high pressure , and 340 low pressure . The aggregate amount of horse power of the engines is 57 . 020 . During the last 30 years there have been 253 ateam boat ' -disasters , by which jno less than 2 , 000 persons have lost their lives , and 443 have been maimed .
Ready for Everything—During the last American war , a revolutionary veteran , living near the ocean , sever went to bed without having a well loaded gun by his side . One night there was a violent thunderstorm , which shook the house to its foundation- ^ Husband ! husband ! " screamed his wife , " get up ; 'the Britishers have landed , or the day of judgment has come—I don't know which . " "Well , " said the old soldier , jumping up , "Jet them come on—they'll find me ready for either of them . " i
City Aktivjities—During the operations of the workmen employed in making excavations for new sewers ia the parish of St . Ann ' s , Blaekfriars , several pieces of the foundations of ancient bnildingshave been found , as well as a great quantity of human bones . A skeleton , apparently perfectly prior to its removal , has been ! discovered under the foot pavement in front of the Times newspaper establishment , from five to six feet from the surface . No vestige of coffin , or any description of covering could be traced . There is but little ] doubt that these remains of mortality were deposited wheie they were found prior to the fire of Londoniif not during tho existence of the convent and church of tbe order of Black Friars , of which this neighbourhood was the site . ,
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Wakefield Pfi « o 5 . —When the new works f ter finished , Wakefield prison will be the largest jn the > world . Aristocratic Morality (?)—We last evening received a letter dated Dec . 22 , twenty minutes pajfc ten a . m , signed "William Paget , " and addressed to the Earl of Cardigan , in which we fiad these words : — "My solioitor , Mr . Bebb , has this instant made known to me that my principal witness , Winten who was with me until within a few minutes of
the opening of the Court at Guildhall , had suddenlydisappeared . " The rest ot the letter we cannot publish . It expresses , in strong language , theieemifcj of the injured party , and applies certain epithets to Lord Cardigan which should be communicated to ? him privately . Judging from the letter , the affair is brought to a close . We really wish these parties would settle their disputes in a court of law , and not ; annoy the proprietors of newspapers by communications which give a very low idea of morality m high life . —Sun .
Lord Wilu « . m Paget v . Lord Cardigan . —We ha ^ e received a letter from Messrs . Powell , Brodenp , and Wilde , solicitors for the Earl of Cardigan * requesting us to publish two letters enclosed , tha one from Lord Cardigan , and the other from themselves , in reference to this case . Having declined to publish the letter of Lord William Paget because it made most serious charges against Lord Cardigan , we must in ttko manner decline to subiish the letter of Messrs . Powell , Broderip , and Wilde , which conveys a very serious imputation against Lord William Paaet . We quote as much of both letters as will convey their denial of the charge brought against them * Lord Cardigan says : — " I authorise you to'giveth © most unqualified 'denial of the accusation of having 1 bought or sent ont of the way' the man named
Winter , and declare most solemnly that I have neither directly nor indirectly , had or authorized , or sanctioned any communication whatever with any ot his witnesses , or been in any manner privy to , or cognizant of any attempt to buy or put out ef tho way any one of them , or to prevent the most seaTcnine irqijiry being made info theivhole charge Lord William Paget thought fit to bring against me , which . I waB fully prepared to meet and to show was altogether without foundation . " Lord Cardigan adds , that it is his intention to take legal proceedings against Lord William Paget , for the publication ^ the letter alluded to . Messrs . Powell , Broderip , and Wilde , desire , as tbe solicitors for Lord Cardigan , " to give the same unqulified contradiction io > the accusation . " which they state they can prove to be false . —Morning Chronicle .
A Composite Veteran . —The Memorial Bordelais states , that not far from St . Sever , there is living an old military man who has a false leg and a falsa arm , both usable by means of springs , a glass eye , a complete set of false teeth , a nose of silver , covered with a substance perfectly resembling flesh , and a silver plate replacing part of the skull . He walks about with a martial air , bearing on his breast tho Cross of the Legion of Honour , won , together with his mutilations , by his deeds of arms in the campaigns of Egypt , Italy , and Russia ; at Friedland , Jena , Austerlitz , Wagram , and Waterloo ; and which was conferred upon him by the hands of Napoleon on the 2 nd of May , 1813 , on the field of tbe battle of Lutzen .
Wilis and Testaments . —What boundless riches , what extensive estates , and what changes of fortune are associated with the words , " Wills and Testaments ! " Could we form an idea of the amount of property which has descended to family heirs , through these media , we should be struck with astonishment indeed . But , after all , what are the riches , estates , and possessions , as a whole , when compared with that inestimable bequest whioh enriched the Will and Testament of the venerable Old Parr ! By this pearl of health and life , thousands have been , are still being , and will still be benefitted . The bequests of ordinary wills , are confined chiefly to families and friends—While that of Old Parr tvill extend to whole generations .
Distressing Case of Somnambulism . —On Friday evening a serious accident happened to Henry Stirrett , a private of the Royal Sappers and Miners , stationed in the Artillery Barracks , Brompton . It appears that the soldier had retired to bed with the other men at the usual hour , according to the military regulations , when about an hour afterwards a corporal of artillery , who slept on the lower floor of the rear of the barracks , was awoke by a noise resembling a tub of water thrown from an upper window ; shortly after he heard a considerable groaning as of a " person in distress , which induced him to get up , and go down to the passage door , when he found the soldier lying on the stones in the vard welterin g in his blood , and with only his
shirt on . Tho poor fellow was curled up , and lying between five and six feet from the side of tbe building . The corporal immediately raised an alarm , and with assistance , the wounded man was placed ox a stretcher , and conveyed without delay to the Royal Military Hospital in a state of insensibility . He was promptly attended by Dr . Chisholme , of the Royal Artillery , who bled and rendered every assistance to the oufforer . It was found the injuries he had sustained were of a serious nature ; almost all the joints of bis body are more or less injured , aud it is feared the lower jaw ia fractured in two > places ; the right wrist is very much injured , also the left elbow , and both knees . The unfortunate
man lies in a very precarious state , with not the least prospect of recovery . It is Btated by some of . the soldiers who slept in the same room with Stirrett , that they heard him get out of bed and open the room-door and go into the passage , when he must have gone to the window in his sleep , and having raised the sash , aad placing himself on the sill , about three feet from the flooring , he precipitated himself into the yard , a depth of between thirty to forty feet . He is a fine young man , rather above the common size , and only twenty years of age . Four of his teeth were knocked out of his head , and were picked up next morning on the pavement amongst the blood .
SlNGCXAR AND MELANCHOLY EVENT . —It IS pretty generally known to the public that that monarch of modern comedians , Mr . W . Farren , some time sinco experienced a severe shock of paralysis at the conclusion of his inimitable performance of Old Parr , at the Haymarkefc Theatre , and by which attack he > was compelled to relinquish his professional duties . On partial recovery , however , his three medical advisers recommended the air of Brighton . Thither he proceeded , and took up his residence on the Grand Parade , where he is , we are happy to say , rapidly recovering . It happened that , at a few doors distance , No . 65 , in a house belonging to tha Dowager Countess of Winterton , lived Usher Glanville Doyle , a long standing acquaintance of Mr . Farren ; a man of wealth—of rare qualities m
literary , musical , and medical attainments ( although an M . D . in the latter branch , he never practised)—an author , and in convivial society he wai an actor of great vivacity , power , and originality , bis peculiar and vivid manner of reciting and acting anecdote never failing to " set the table in a roar . " With all these fascinating powers of amusement , he had been for upwards of twenty years grievously afflicted with a tremulou 3 affection of the whole nervous system , which unfortunate malady frequently carried him to such extremes of elevation and depression of spirits as to render his joy or grief painfully excessive . He would sometimes plunge so deeply into the latter passion as to indulge in the wildest and most gloomy presentiments of the extent of his
existence . On a recent occasion , when his spirits were highly elated , he resolved upon giving an entertainment of the most recherche description on Christmas-day , and for that festive purpose he invited , amongst others , two of his oldest friends from London . The invitation was acknowledged and accepted in a humourous and facetious answer , the conjoint effusion of both the old friends , and it so tickled the mirthful fancy of poor Doyle as to induce him to communicate the contents to Mr . Farren ( to whom the guests were perfectly known ) , in the hope that he might be prevailed upon to join them in tho festivities of tbe day . 4 / ta interview followed , at whioh the spirit of the epistle provoked much laughter between them ; but the conversation taking a serious
turn , Mr . Farren , at the request of his friend , proceeded to describe his attack of paralysis in the most graphic and painfully vivid manner ; how , when first attacked , a chilliness came over the region of his heart ; hew hia limbs deadened , and refused to perform their wonted offices ; how a mistiness came over his eyes ; how all around him appeared confused —obscure ; iu brief , a ohaos . This conversatioa oeourred on Saturday , the 8 th ius * ; ., at four o ' clock in tho afternoon , and the two friends separated in . high spirits , to return home to their respective repasts . Mr . Doyle ate a hearty dinner , but it wrs too soon made evident thut a powerfully-wrought description of an infirmity of which he had had a presentiment , added to a predisposed and highly
excitable temperament , had produced an alarming effect upon his nervous system , which raised in the minds of hia family the most painful apprehonsiona , whioh apprehensions , melancholy to state , were in less than two hours agonizingly realizsd by the poor man receiving a shock of paralysis which withered hia left side , and at one fell blow prostrated _ nearly all his mental and bodily energise . Mr . Fnrner , his own medical adviser , was immediately in attendance , followed by Dr . Hall and other sargical professors ; but the attack wMBedeeply ^ ootod that it baffled the united ekiU of all those eminent men . and on Tuesday , the 12 th insfc . at half-past two Glaa
p . m ., the witty , generous , benevolent Bsher - vme terminated his mortal career . His remains were on Saturday , the 16 th inst ., at ten ajn ^ nsigned to the silent tomb , in a vault under Chnst Cfioroh , Montpelier-ioad i Brightonrtheworthy vicar , the Rev . Mr . Wagner ( who , under the distressing circumstances , most kindly rendered every possible assistance to the afflicted family ) , and the Rev . Mr . Cook officiating . The funeral obsequies were attended by the Rev . J . G . Glanville ( a relative ) , hia , two old friends who were to have dined with hint on ChilBtmas-day , Mr . Furnor , and Mjr . Hou 3 ein $ n « - ~ Observer ,
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WILSON'S CATECHISMS AND LESSONS FOR . CHILDREN . London : Darton and Clark , Holborn-hill . There axe ten of these publications in all . The three first numbers , consisting of a " First , " " Second , " and M Third" * ' Catechism of Common Tilings . " This title hardly conveys an idea of tha contents of these excellent little works . Tne first embracing every subject under the head of "Articles of Common Consumption and Commerce . " The second , " Manufacturing Processes , Arts , Sciences , &c . " The third , " Titles and Distinctions , Architecture , & . c . &c . " Then follows a series of three
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THE MOVEMENT ; and ANTI-PERSECUTION GAZETTE , —London : Holyoake , Holywell Street , Strand . This is an excellent little puplication , edited by Mr . G . J . Holyoake , whose name must be known to most of our readers , as that of a talented and daunt * Jess advocate of reform , polities ! , social , moral , and religious . Ae we have before stated in this paper , Mr . H . is a man who has sealed his devotion to what be believes to be sound and correct principles by suffering persecution and incarceration for their advocacy . Snob , men as the Editor of The Movement > re but too thinly scattered in this " age of money : " those , therefore , that are to km found battling on the side of justice and truth , should have the hearty snpport of "the men of the progress . " From the introductory article in Ko . 1 , we extract the following . The Editor , after stating the principal intended features of M The Movement ? proceeds to
EZ The n" » deteimination -we hope to bring to other crest cuesticnB we agitate . Onr exertions may be i'j vain;—still -we Bball make them . They -who -will r . ot attempt f luitlesa things are unfitted for moral reform era . He woo must first be assured of success before m / iimr exertions , -will never achieve great good . Those whose chief merit consists in making their actions square witb existing customs , and are - content to Beet freedom in the hollow patfes of life , wf ji see " no nae" in tfce coarse we propose to puiBue , 7 _ $ ut for such ¦ we do not , -we cannot -srrite . VF . e have fe ? . t the lasbionable ir ' qijUy Bgainst which we protest , i >_ nd cannot shut onr eyes to tbe Throng that lies in onr v ay , and strike the burp in praise of w ; o « n vebemo ' jt content *
Horrible Murder.
HORRIBLE MURDER .
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THE " SONG OF THE SHIRT . " Our readers must have read with admiration the " Song of the Shirt" which formed so bright a gem in our ' Christmas Garland" published in our last . That" Song" has had the rare honour of being quoted ( we believe ) into almost every newspaper published in Engand , both daily and weekly : —we ourselves have seen it in a very many papers which are received at this office . It will then be an universally asked question " Who is tho author of this * Song't" We are happy in being able to gratify the curiosity of our readers by the republioation of the following letter from the Sun . — " Sir , —Permit me to thank you for your very flattering remarks on some verses of mine in Punch , called the" Song of the Shirt . "
I have derived an unusual gratification from the reception of those lines by the journals , as evidence that , my intention has not been altogether without effect . " I am , Sir , yours , very truly , "Wednesday . Thomas Hood . " We heartily agree with the Editor of the Sun , that" Of all the numerous clever poems that be has written , this is the one that does mtst credit—and in saying so , we are far from meaning to disparage the others—to Mr . Hood's head and heart . "
We take thia opportunity of doing Mr . Hood all the little service in our power , that of directing the attention of the public to hia forthcoming publication . Under the title of " Hood's Monthly Magarine and Comic Miscellany , " the author of the " Song of the Shirt" launches a new candidate for public patronage on the first day of the New Year , We have been favoured with a copy of the Prospectus , from which we give the following extract : — One prominent object , then , of the projected pub . lication , as implied by the sub-title of "Comic Miscellany , " will be the supply of harmless " Mirth for the Million , " and light thoughts , to a Public sorely oppressed—if its word be worth a rush , or its complaints of an ounce weight—by hard times , heavy taxes , and those " eating cares which attend
on the securing of food for the day , as well as a provision for the future . For the relief of such afflioted classes , the Editor , assisted by able Humourists , will dispense a series of papers and woodcuts , which it is hoped will cheer the gloom of Willow Walk , and the loneliness of WildernesB Row—sweeten the bitterness of Camomile Street , and Wormwood Streetsmooth the ruffled temper of Cross . Street , and enable even Crooked Lane to unbend itself . It is hardly necessary to promise that this end will be pursued without raising a Maiden Blush , much less a Damask , in the nursery grounds of modesty—or trespassing , by wanton personalities , on the parks and lawns of Private Life . In a word , it will aim at being merry aud wise , instead of merry and otherwise .
After learning that Mr . Hood is the author of the "Songof the Shirt , " we can have no hesitation in wishing him i \ God speed" in his new undertaking . Not doubting out that in his own publication , as in the pages of Punch , he will be found ranked on the side of humanity , employed in adding to the mirthful enjoyment and general happiness of the human family .
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( "Abridgedfrom the Wolverhampton Chronicle . ) On Tuesday last , a long investigation took placs before Mr . T . M . Phillips , coroner , and an intelligent jury , at Bilston , into the cause of the death of a girl named Mary Jane Wild , eighteen years of age , \ rho , it would appear , \ was thrown down a pit , la consequence of her refnsing to comply with the wishes of four men , who had met her { while in company with another girl ) o » the road between Wolverharopton and
Bilstoo . The names of tbe men charged with tms atrocious crime are Samuel Fellowes , Robert Purslow , John Perry , aDd Daniel Webb ; and tbey bad previously been committed by the magistrates at Bilston upon tbe capital charge ef having thrown the poor girl down the pit with tbe intention of murdering her . They were , however , brought into tbe presence of the deceased , when her death t : came certain , in order that her dying declaration might be taken in their , presence , which was done by Mr . W . Baldwin .
Mr . Charles Hodgkins , surgeon , of Bilston , stated that be attended the deceased from the time' she received her injuries to tbe time of her death , and minutely described the different fractures from which she suffered . He had , he said , made a post mortem examination of the body , and detectsd tbe . source of all the mischief , which was a fracture of the os pubis or pubic bone , near its junction with the hip bone , and which had p oduced , by means of a very minute -portion or spiculum of bone , a small laceration of the peritoneum and caused death . The deceased bad a severe lacerated wonod on the forehead , two lacerated wounds on the right knee , ! and a compound fracture of the right thigh . i
Mr . W . Baldwin then gave evidence that he took down the following deposition of the deceased , made in the presence of the prisoners , Fellows , Purslow , Perry and Webb , and that the deceased wa ? sworn , and perfectly collected at the time . She also made her mark to tbe deposition : ^ - " J am eighteen years old , and bave lived in Bilston , in the county of Stafford , about six months . I never was mairied . I went from Bilston to Wolvcrbampton en Wednesday lait , in company witb another girl named Ann Willis . I came back with the same Aon Willis . Tnat we were overtaken on the road by five men , whom I shall know when I see them . That four of these men ill-used me . They pulled me out of ! the turnpike-road , and . < , bat I would not suffer them , and the same four men threw me down a pit . Tbe man that -was witb Ann
Willis never injured me at all . They pushed me into the pit , and I cannot recollect anything after thai . It was late &t night when it happened , and I was quite sober , and I make this declaration in the prospect of death soon taking place , and fully believing that I shall live but a short time , through the injuries I have received . I did not think tbey would bave put me in ; I thought that they were only threatening me . They took hold of me round the waist , and then pushed me into tbe pit The four men are now present . 1 know them all , having seen them before , except JohnPerry . They are the same men that were with me on Wednesday night . I bad J been with three of them previous to that night . There were four men went off the road with me , and ene went back again , bat I can't say which it was , I was so knocked about by them before tbey got me to the pit "
The evidence of Ann Willis , and others examined before the jury , corroborated tbe dying declaration of tho deceased . : Tbe jury , after a abort deliberation , returned a verdict of" Wilful murder" against all the four prisoners , and tbe Coroner issned ; bis wairant for their commitment to Stafford , to take their trial at the ensuing winter
i ^
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' THE ^ 0 fi T H E R N HTA 9 . 3
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 30, 1843, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct683/page/3/
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