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    1084 TH E LEADER, [^actrday,

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    MR. ROEBUCK ON EDUCATION. Our readers wi...

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    ANOTHER IRISH ROW. Miss Cantwell'b trial...

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    THAMES IMPROVEMENT. Tins following prosp...

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    Cellars .similar to those before describ...

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

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    1084 Th E Leader, [^Actrday,

    1084 TH E LEADER , [^ actrday ,

    Mr. Roebuck On Education. Our Readers Wi...

    MR . ROEBUCK ON EDUCATION . Our readers will be glad to see the following , which Mr . Roebuck has recently addressed to the Mayor of Sheffield , in reply to an invitation to attend a soiree of the Mechanics' Library : — ' ¦ •" ¦ - ••¦ . ' « Milton , October 31 , 1853 . "' My dear Sir , —I am sorry to say no to any request of yours , but as my great object is now to take my place in the House of Commons next year , I rigidly observo every rule of conduct prescribed to me , by which I am told I shall be able to obtain xny wish . Among other things , all excitement is forbidden ; and I was blamed for making my appearance at the cutlers' feast . All speaking and public meetings are especially proscribed ; and I am ordered to be as quiet and calm as my nature will permit . To bo absent from your gathering will be to me a subject of great regret . I say this sincerely , and without

    affectation . " Education has ever been with me a subject of the greatest interest . My first eiforts as a public man were to promote it , and my last wishes will be in its favour . All other subjects in comparison with it appear to me insignificant , and could I see the people of this country once impressed with a due sense of its importance , I should then have no fear as to our future . But at present I see sectarian differences , and the private interests that thrive upon division in the way of all improvement ; and it would seem that to some minds ignorance of everything appears better than a creed differing from their own . Those people seem to forget that morality among the various sects of

    England is the same , and that a man may be honest and a good citizen , no matter to what sect ho belongs . But the fact is that it is not religious belief that stands in our way so much as human pride . What is feared is the top of power , not error in belief . But whatever maybe the cause of opposition , the opposition itself , to all attempts of legislative aid in support of education , is at the present time so formidable as really to be a complete obstruction . In this state of things I look upon mechanics' institutions as neutral ground , and one of our chief means of educating the people . By this means the people wilL I hope , be able to do for themselves what the State ought to do for them , and they , therefore , have my warmest support .

    Again I say , would that I could be . with you , but my first duty is to be again , if possible , in Parliament—to that I make everything yield ; and I therefore most reluctantly deny myself the pleasure of being at your soiree . I hope this my excuse will appear to you sufficient , and that you will not think me lukewarm in the good cause . " We heartily hope that the next session will see Mr . Roebuck strong enough to take part in the discussion not only of education and Parliamentary reform , but of the foreign policy of the Aberdeen Ministry .

    Another Irish Row. Miss Cantwell'b Trial...

    ANOTHER IRISH ROW . Miss Cantwell ' b trial is no sooner over , than Dublin is all agog about another trifle . Not long since John Smith presented a handbill , containing ; i gratuitous refutation of Romanism , to a Mr . Bremian , a Romancatholic schoolmaster . Indignant at the insult , Brennan crumpled up the paper , and gave the offending Smith into custody . Mr . Brennan alleged before the magistrate , Mr . O'Callaghan , that the handbill had been "thrust violently" into bin hand , such conduct being calculated to make Jirennan break the peace . Then the dramatic action in the court continued thus :

    The magistrate , Mr . O'Callaghan , said , in giving his judgment , —It strikes mo , to say the least , of it , to bis exceedingly indiscreet and improper for any man , whatever may be his religious opinions , to thrust them upon another man , who , as m this instance , is of a dilforent wuy of thinking . If a paper put . into a person ' H hand contain anything that , is likely to make liini angry , or to disturb bin feeling * , it is , in n > y judgment , calculated to provoke a breach of tho peace , and it . in the province of the niugistrato ( who in termed a justice of the peace ) to take eitre that it is efficiently preserved . I eannoi , entertain a doubt , that conduct such a . s the prisoner lias been guilty of in greatly calculated to lead to a breach of the peace ; but ; hh no actual breach has occurred in this instance , I will only roipiiro the prisoner (<> enter into bis own recognisance to be of good behaviour for the future .

    Prisoner : I . have no witness to speak for me ; but , as Hiire as I stand before your worship , I did not , "IhruHl . " the bill into Mr . O'lirenniin ' ri bund . I simply olfeivd it , and he took it , without , the least , pressure on my piut . Mv . O'Callaghan : I am a justice of ( lie pence , and 1 . nni determined to prcNorve id ho far as I can in all I . he . se canes . You must enter into bail , or be committed fur fnurUwn dayn . The prisoner accordingly entered into tho required bail , and was dim-barged from custody . Thin decision outraged ail proselytizing Dublin , and thoy hold a meeting in tho . Rotunda , to devise ineii-HuniH for redressing tho wronga of Smith . They ngroud to a memorial , which wan presented by Mr . Martin and a deputation to tho . Lord-Lieutenant , on Monday . After roeiting tho facts of 1 . 1 io cane , the memorial broke forth aH 1 ' oMowh : —

    "Your memorialists submit , to your Kxcelloncy that tho judgment ; limn attributed to l , he magistral . *) would appear to bo natural and suitable if pronounced in Spain bv nri algunzil , oorregidor , or in <| uiHilor , or in Turkey by a luusliu or vizier , but ( . bat it . \ vii . h utterly unconstitutional , tyrannical , and intolerable , from the mouth of a . innginl . mt . o in tho administration of KngJish law . Thai . il . compromisoN Mio liberty of the press , tho liberty of publication , liberty of coiiHCionco , and the liberty of the iViliNh nuhjcct . Mini ; Protestants would not complain of any paj ) orn thus circulated , however much opposed ! , o their religion , and wioh wo , in point of fact , lroquonlly i-irciihdad , without complaint of any uunuo of innult on their purl , whuloyorj iijjr

    that if the papers thus circulated are untrue , they ( the Protestants ) feel required to explode them ; whereas , if they be true , they may learn wisdom from them . That we submit to your Excellency that the magistrate was bound to tell the complainant in this case that , as a guardian of public liberty , of the rig hts of conscience , and of the cherished rights of British subjects , he could not make his unreasonable and contemptible sensitiveness the ground for trampling upon the rights of freemen ; that if the handbill told falsehoods , he should laugh at it or answer it , and if it told truth , he should learn from it ; but that he should not presume to think that the tribunals of British majesty could be made the allies of silliness and intolerance . That , however , instead of this , Mr . O'Callaghan audaciously , daringly , unconstitutionally , bigotedly , lent himself to sustain the intolerance of a bigot , and to crush the

    rights of British subjects , which rights were bought with the blood of then * fathers , and shall never be surrendered but with their own . That we , therefore , in the exercise of constitutional prerogative , come thus before your Excellency with our complaint , and do most humbly pray that your Excellency may be pleased to cause official inquiry to be made into the premises , and if you find them to be true , and that this Mr . O'Callaghan has yielded to the suggestions of his Romanist principles , and severely dealt with an humble citizen for praiseworthy zeal , instead of , in the spirit of noble and free England , rebuking a narrowminded and intolerant bigot , your Excellency may forthwith dismiss him from an office which he is disqualified to fill , and thus teach society in general that the British Government will not , directly or indirectly , become the supporter of tyrannous , enslaving , and unconstitutional

    intolerance . To this outburst the Lord-Lieutenant coolly replied : — "Gentlemen , —I have listened with much pain to this memorial . It is a matter of deep regret that the meeting on whose behalf you present it should have sanctioned the use of language which appears to me to be inconsistent with Christian charity , and to be calculated to prejudice in public opinion the right of free discussion .

    "The memorialists impute to the magistrate gross misconduct in his office . They say that he ' audaciousl y , daringly , insolently , and bigotedly lent himself to sustain -the intolerance of a bigot , and to crush the rights of British subjects . ' They describe the judgment pronounced by him as being ' utterly unconstitutional , tyrannical , and intolerable ;' ¦ and they suggest that in pronouncing it lie was actuated by improper motives . Having thus stated the case , they pray me to institute an inquiry into the facts of it .

    " I will not advert further to the language of this memorial , but will proceed at once to remind the memorialists that if the charges which they prefer against Mr . O'Callaghan bo well founded , his office can afford him no protection , that be is amenable to the law , and that the Court of Queen ' s Bench , which is open to all aggrieved persons , can inquire not only whether tho judgment was erroneous , but also whether the . motives byrvhich the magistrate was actuated were improper . That tribunal can correct an error , and it can punish an offender . "For these reasons I must decline to comply with tho prayer of the petition . " Mr . Martin said he had been advised that the Queen ' s Bench was not a competent tribunal . A conversation ensued , in the course of which the Lord-Lieutenant said : —

    " I think the case can only be satisfactorily dealt with in the Queen ' s Bench . I don't , think any gentleman I might appoint , could take upon himself to lay down law for Huch canes , lie could only advise mo as to Mr . O'Callaghau's motives , which are apparent . I could not remove Mr . O'Callaghan from his oflice unless it was proved Mint he had acted from corrupt or improper motives ; and even if tie committed an error in law , that would not be a suflicicnt ground upon which to remove him . " This opinion being sustained by tho Attorney-General , the deputation retired .

    Thames Improvement. Tins Following Prosp...

    THAMES IMPROVEMENT . Tins following prospectus , of a design for tho improvement of the Thames , has been put in circulation . ^ The present ; uiiHightly and offensive condition of tho Itivor Thames , especially that , portion which extends from London bridge to Lambeth , has for many years been tho subject of complaint ,, und lias at ; different times attracted ho much attention , thai ; several plans liavn been brought , forward and carefully examined and inquired into by select committceH of the House of (' ominous ; but . up to tho present moment , none of these projects liavo been carried out , owing either to imperfections in design , or to the ditlieult y ol dealing with tho existing interests along tho river . SiilliiM ) it , to say that , no one design lias yet boen suggested mdlicienll y Comprehensive , or embracing all tho requisite provision for sanitary improvements and the requirements of the public .

    Kor . somo time Mr . Lionel Oisborne , CIO ., ] i » h carefully Htudied tbo Hubject , in a | l its phasoa , and after a great , deal ot consideration brought forward a plan . . Hcloro explaining tho nature of tho improvements contemplated , it should |> i > stated that tho principle on which tlioy are based in Ht . rictly noli-supporting , and that it in not , intended to apply j Op pecuniary aid cither from tbe Government or Corporation . The proposed dwi frn in an follows : viz ., to < 'onfbio the water-way of tho river to a width of not ; Iohh than seven hundred Joel , ( tllo width already sanctioned by Parliament ; lor tho new bridge , at Westminster ) by means of quay walls , to bo built «„ , bo ( , | , H | , oreH , onoh laid out . with roforonoo to the best direction for tho unmtorruptod / low of IJio water , at tho mirno timo being Huitwl to tiioso bridgon

    at present spanning the river , and which are likely to remain there for years to come . The present wharfs are to be accommodated with floating basins , the minimum , width of which is to be one hundred feet , and will be provided with entrances ai suitable distances , that can remain open at least , three hptu : a each tide , to admit of the ingress and egress , of barges . On the ground to be acquired by filling in , to a height of four feet above high water mark , between the river wall and floating basins , the following works are to be executed

    MIDDLESEX SHOE !! . The quay wall on this side of the river is to extend from Westminster bridge to London bridge , and is to be twentyone feet over Trinity high water , thus avoiding " the necessity of draw-bridges over the entrances to the tidal basin . At that level and as far as St . Paul ' s wharf , where a new bridge is in contemplation by the Corporation , Mr . Gisborne proposes to have a covered esplanade for foot passengers , next the river , twenty feet in width , alonffsid «

    of which the ground , for fifty feet back , will , be let for building , except at those points where buildings would be objectionable , as opposite'Whitehall Gardens , the Temple & c . Parallel with the esplanade , and extending from Westminster bridge to London bridge , a railway will be constructed at a very trifling additional expense . Next the railway is to ^ be a street , forty feet wide extending from Westminster to the proposed brid ge at St , Paul ' s , and passing under each of the bridges , with approaches leading to the Strand at intervals , wherever found

    most convenient . The remaining portion of the embankment , having an average width of about sixty-five feet , will be let for building ground ^ suitable for large stores , one side of which will face the new street , and the opposite side the floatin g basins . In addition to the foregoing , large cellars are to be constructed under the esplanade , railway and road , which will connect the river with the stores next the floating basin , and by that means greatly facilitate the unloading of barges at any time of the tide .

    Opposite Whitehall , the Temple gardens , & c ., as well as from St . Paul ' s bridge to London bridge , the quay wall is only to be built four feet above Trinity high water ; and the esplanade , railway , & c ., are to be carried on columns , about twenty-five feet apart , so as not to shut out the present view of the river , or to interfere with the existing wharfs between the proposed bridge near St . Paul ' s ana London bridge . Tor this distance , an additional width of about forty feet will be added to the present wharfs .

    SUBLET SIDE . The quay wall on this side of the river is to extend from Lambeth Palace to London bridge , and for nearly the greater part of this distance it will be about twenty-one feet in height above Trinity high water . The existing wharfs are to be accommodated in a similar manner to those on the Middlesex side—and the ground acquired by the improvements is to be laid out as follows : —next the river , a road seventy feet wide is to be mado , alongside of which the ground is to be let for building purposes , where largo stores and shops can bo built according to approved designs .

    At each of the bridges it is contemplated to divide tho road in two , half forming an approach to tho bridge , tho other half accommodating the through traffic , and therefore passing underneath .

    Cellars .Similar To Those Before Describ...

    Cellars . similar to those before described , and for similar purposes , are to be constructed under the road . Immediately behind tho quay walls on each side of tho river a largo outfall sewer is to be constructed , which will be available for any future system of drainage . The many public and private advantages to bo gained by these proposed improvements are obvious . Bearing in wind that tho City is now fast becoming one largo storo and emporium for trade and commerce , and that its resident population is yearly decreasing , owing to tho many facilities offend by railway communication , # o ,, to the merchants and other business men to live at a distance from their oflic . es , and at tho same timo to be aplo to attpnd daily to thoir respective duties , it becomes a matter of great ;

    importance to perfect us much as possible a rapid and safe mode of transit ; betweoixtho east and west end of London . . 11 , in therefore with this object in view that a railway Jinn boon combined with tho proposed improvements , which can bo mado at a trilling additional cost . By tho proposed plan , a street forty foot , wido in provided , winch , lying between two rows of building " , win answer all the purposes of trado , and bo the means ol clearing the Strand and other overprovyde <{ thoroug h f > u' » tf . Should tho much-required bridgo near S |; . Paul ' s bo built , it will then become neeoHNnry to make a wide approach to it from tho we . st-end of How Cnnnon-stroet , which will attho name time servo ns a connecting link between that street , and tho one proposed by this plan for the Thames and

    Improvement , and thereby complete a perfectly now wido thoroughfare , from Westminster bridgo into tho heart of tho City . Tho esplanade , covered as proposed with « Pnxtcm roof of glims , will form a most , delightful uh woll «« healthful promenade for thoumuulH , who livo at , too gr'tnt a distance to enable Lhoru frequently toonjoy tho reoroation afforded by tho parks ; and now that , by a recent not <>» tho legislature , all Hleuinei'H plying abovebrjdgonuiHt , n < t < r August next , be huioIjoIchh , tho very great and only objection to such a wnl !; has by that mount ! boon removed , imu tho shops faoiiifr I ho river may with tbo greatest Hafcty <; xpoHo any goods J ' or nulo , without ; fear of injury from » uc , h a ciuiHo . In fact , Lhoro oxists no doubt that when that act . conioH into force , I ho atmonphero on tho river will l «> « pure ns in the bout slreotn of tho woh ! , end ,

    At proHonl , from tho oliito of tbo river Imnlrfl , barg < 'H oun onl y approach tho exist ing wharfs whon tho <> do in nearly at its full height , and very soon boconio fltrniidcd , in" ! F' »" main ho until tho no *| t lido riacu Hiifiicjonlly U > ilon > w awny ; tbo eoiinoq ? ioneo it ) , that many of tfunn a *« opJifff'a to bo unloaded afc a distance from tho wharf , ft * tho o * ponfiO

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 12, 1853, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_12111853/page/4/