Current:

Leader (1850-1860), 16th October 1858, Edition 2 of 2, Page 4, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROMOTION O...

Page 4
Page 4
4 of 32

On this page

  • Text (5)
  • 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.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Wiieeever We Succeed In Coming Upon Ike ...

      and that they have catered upon " that most serious task with the single and earnest endeavour so to mend the representation of the people in Parliament as to secure the best electoral body and the best representative body which can be obtained for the people of this eduntry . " It heeds no ghost to tell us that the bill must be a comprehensive one , the time having long gone by for offers of petty and time-seeking compromise . Even our youngest

      colonies are pushing us on by the force of example . The present mail from Australia brings the news that the Legislature of New South Wales has established a manhood suffrage and the Ballot . Another recent act of the Legislature gives strong proof of the vigour and growing enlightenment of our colonies : the sum of 712 , 000 / . lias been votej for railway extension , and the Parliament has determined upon conveying immigrants into the

      interior of the country at the public expense—a measure of true political econo 1113-. The details of the horrible catastrophe of the burning of the Austria are coming to light little by little . The . rapidity of her destruction is an awful characteristic of the story ; every circumstance that could tell against the chance of saving her , or even of retarding the progress of the flames , seemed to weigh dead against the unhappy souls on board . The boats are alleged to have been numerous

      and in good condition , but the old fate awaited them—swamped and crushed one after the other as they were got over the ship ' s side . According to the statement of three of the officers who have just reached England , there was a regular fire-roll organised , and also a boat-roll , every man and officer having his appointed boat in case of accident . J 3 nt there is one other arrangement that ought to be made on board of passenger ships ; it is a boat-roll of the passengers , who ought to be practised « t \ vo or three times a week in taking their places about the boats , so that in the event of accident there

      might be at least one more chance of saving life by avoiding that most fatal impediment in such cases , confusion and overcrowding of the boats . We cannot conceive that any passenger—not even the most delicate lady—would object to assist in a practice so manifestly desirable for the safety of all . Scarcely have we taken breath after the late colliery catastrophe , when we have the news of another horror of the like kind . This time it is an

      explosion of fire-damp , and fourteen persons have been killed . Only the bare fact of the fri g htful occurrence is at present known , and therefore comment is out of the question ; but it is really time that the dangers of labouring amid the easily controlled works and gases of the mine should bo reduced to a much lower standard , and in any case of manifest neglect on the part of those whose duty it should be to devise safe mcaus of working mines , we would press for a signal punishment wherever decided neglect can be brought positively and definitely home to any man .

      1084 The -L E A P E B. [No. 447, October...

      1084 THE -L E A P E B . [ No . 447 , October 16 , 1858 .

      •Working, On Mr-. Spicer's Private Land....

      • , on Mr-. Spicer ' s private land . Whon told to desist , they artfully protended not to understand what TM flftid , so another plan was adopted 5 one or two of their cradles were destroyed ; this seemed to convince them tliat something was wrong , and they began to move , but it was only for a short time , for later on in the day they all returned , whon thoy woro again driven away . Tins may prove a dangerous expedient should they go on increasing in tho same ratio as thoy have done lately . There is no doubt that they are great cowards , a resolute Englishman being a match for some dozen of them . Ills prowess , however , would bo sovorely tested if pressed single-handed by some thirty or forty of sacn perfidious barbarians .

      working Chinamen at the Diggings . — A Sydney paper says that the Celestials are daily mustering stronger and stronger on all parts of tho Meroo , and are a constant source of annoyance to the European diggers Their pretended limited knowledge of the English language is peculiarly advantageous to them , especially -when they have encroached upon other people's claims or are otherwise working where they have no right In such cases talking is useless ; they shake their heads and proceed with their work j consequently thoy are either allowed to go on , or else have to be driven away . Last week some fifty were busily , and we expect , su « cessfullv

      National Association For The Promotion O...

      NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF SOCIAL SCIENCE . Tiik opening of the Social Science Conference took place at Liverpool . The inauguration meeting was held in St . George ' s Halt , which was entirely incapable 6 f accommodating the numbers who were anxious to obtain admission . .. ' „ . - - ' . The opening speech was delivered by Lord J . Kussell , who having brieflv alluded to certain amendments in the Bankruptcy Law which he thought desirable , then advocated the consolidation of our laws , and for an illustration of what he meant he referred especially to the

      in pursuit of distinction , or of comfort , or of happiness and enjoyment higher than comfort , there was but one road to the attainment of their wishes , and that w hard work , sobriety , avoiding excesses of all sorts even of hard work itself . The noble Lord expressed his gratification at the great attendance on that occasion and observed that they were engaged in a work in wliiJli all parties , political and clerical , however much they mb ^ t differ on other matters , might cordiall y unite—the improvement o £ the condition of the people . The Earl of Carlisle moved , and Sir J . K . Shuttleworth seconded , a vote of thanks to Lord Jo hn Russell which was acknowledged by the noble Lord , and the ' meeting then separated .

      Code Napole ' on . The splendid victories of Napoleon , the rush' of armies , the masterly decision , the instant obedience have passed away . The pride of empire , the kings waiting in the ante chamber—the sway of a mighty will from Rome to Hamburg , from the Manzanares to the Elbe—has vanished as the baseless fabric of a vision . But the transactions between man and man , the trial of the offender , the adjudication of property throughput the French Empire , are still regulated , and probably will long be regulated by the statutes of the immortal legislator . He ventured to say , that if four or five persons of competent qualification were appointed as commissioners , they would , in a few months , make an actual commencement , and in a few years present

      to Parliament a complete code , worthy of the country , simplifying and improving our laws , on principles fit to be adopted in an enlightened age , and founded on the solid masonry of our ancient legislation . Coming to the question of criminal reform , the noble Lord expressed his satisfaction with the results of the system introduced by Col . Jebb and Capt . Crofton , and quoted a number of facts and statistics on the subject ofjuvenile delinquency and reformation . He paid a glowing tribute to the value of education . It is education , he said , which enables the United States of America to proceed in their wonderful career , upheld by the most popular institutions , without serious disturbance of law and order . It is education which in England has mainly prevented such tumults as the minds

      forty } -ears ago broke the peace and alarmed of this country ; it is education which has bound the mass of the people to the Throne by the links of an enligliteried loyalty . The noble Lord concluded as follows : — "A few words , before I have clone , on the generalobjects of our association . Our first meeting took place under the presidency of Lord Brougham , who u nites in a singular degree the largest views of political and social science with the most laborious practical attention to all its details . We are not , like some philosophers of the last century , enamoured of an age of reason which will never come to pass . Nor do we share in the dreams of the philanthropists who ten years ago imagined that if property , and capitaland competition were put down by

      autho-, rity , the human race might sit down in happiness and contentment . Our task is more humble , but , as we conceive , more in accordance with the decrees of our Divine Creator . To mankind is allotted labour as its portion , and perpetual inheritance . If any think that he has nothing to do but to eat , drink , and be merry , in that very night as fearful a doom may fall upon him as it did upon the tyrant of old . If any suppose , like the masters of tho Roman Empire , that the sword has done its work , and that nothing remains for them but luxurious enjoyment , that very luxury may revenge the conquered world . If any imagine that to them belongs dominion , and that they may indulge in contempt of the unlettered and ill-fed multitude , that very multitude

      may overwhelm them in bloody and merciless retribution . It is for us to work as truly as the man who forges tho iron bar , or the woman who works at tho factory-loom . It is for us to endeavour to improve the laws by which the community is governed . It is for us to show how education may be extended and diffused . It is for us to examine and record what has been done for the reformation and punishment of offenders . It is for us to confirm and animate tho efforts which are being made to sustain the public health , and thereby preserve for this country her eminence as tho homo of a vigorous and independent race . It is for us to investigate the conditions of tho great problems of political economy , which may often admit of eruptions , but never of refutations . In so doing wo shall but consult tho welfare of the present and future generations ; in so doing we shall follow tho path traced out for us by Almighty JBenovolenco and Almighty Wisdom . "

      ... At tho conclusion of Lord John Russell ' s address , tho Earl of Shaftcsbury moved a vote of thanks to Lord Brougham for his sorvicos as President of tho Association . To that nobleman they wore indebted for the foundation of that society , for its good conduct , and for tho success which had marked its progress . Sir John Pakington seconded tho motion , and expressed his grntifloation that men of different parties could thus assomblo upon common ground , and act cordially together for tho public good . Ho trusted that tho effect of the association would bo to servo tho interests and welfare of tho working classes of tho country . Ho added that they had proof that the groat intolleot of Henry Brougham was still bright and unclouded , and thotr hope was that it long might remain so .

      Lord Brougham said ho would offer , ono romark in illustration of the principle that people must thomeelvqs work out their own Improvement . Whether thoy wore

      On Tuesday, Lord Brougham Traced The Pro...

      On Tuesday , Lord Brougham traced the progress of periodical literature from the " Penny Magazine " ' of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge , which was addressed to that class who have but little spare time for reading , with a view to prevent a less profitable employment of their leisure , lie referred to the paper duty as a great obstacle to the progress of popular education , but recommended the working man to mitigate the evil by reducing his consumption of fermented liquors , thus making the practice of temperance k ; ul to the acquisition of knowledge , and placing him in a iiosition to shame a short-sighted and inconsistent Legislature by the wisdom and consistency of their own conduct . To the newspaper press he briefl y alluded .

      observing that , generally speaking , the traffic in slander had ceased ; but while making this statement , he must except certain papers calling themselves religious , which still want purification from outrages against decorum , truth , and Christian charity . His Lordship also said : — " It appears that fur the treatment of every subject , and to suit the condition , the capacity , and the taste of every class , there is ample provision made in the popular literature of the age ; that the means are afforded of encouraging those to read who would else devote their hours of rest to mere listless vacancy of thought , or to dissipated courses ; that the opportunity of fuller instruction is given to those who are desirous and capable or receiving it , that while all are thus greatly improved , some are made fit to improve others ; that the instinct of" curiosity effectually prevents all risks , converting ,

      when desirable , superficial into solid information , but having even partial acquirement to do substantial good ; and there is thus the clearest proof afforded of the people ' s instructors working out theendsofProvider . ee by the employment of the means bountifully i . iLiced within their reach , improving the mass of their fellowcreatures through the intelligence bestowed and the instincts implanted by the Heavenly Father , who desireta not that his children should perish in the darkness of ignorance , but rather that they should learn and live . But it would be a groat mistake to suppose that the benefits of tho popular press are negative only . The tales composed for the working men ' s hours of relaxation are of a kind that address themselves both to the understanding and the heart ; at once giving lessons of instruction and fostering the kindly affections . "

      Mr . Cowper and tho Earl of Carlisle addressed the meeting on 4 ho proceedings of the second department ( education ) and the third ( prevention of crime ) . The Earl of Shaftcsbury hiade a long and interesting speech upon the subject of public health . Tuesday's proceedings were diversified by a visit of tho members to the Akbar reformatory frigate . In the evening the Liverpool Academy and the 1 lulharmonic Society ' s concert ware opened to members nnu associates , and lit eight o ' clock a conversazione took place in tho St . George ' s Hull .

      Tho Association Reassembled On Wednesday...

      Tho association reassembled on Wednesday morning for tho purpose of hearing tho Right Hon . Si ^ " ^ Stephen deliver his address as president of the » uC 1 <" Economy" section . Ho remarked on tho influence which tho British islands and the Britiah colonjos ¦ reciprocally exercise on the social condition of cacu oner , and especially on the manner in which they are uowi affeetod by that tido of emigration which ia coiitimwiiy flowing or ebbing between them . It was said by a > u » - bishop Whately that wo have lost tho art of colonisationfro auunw

      Since tho peace of 1815 we have sent m our upwards of five ' millions of emigrants , of whom » " «»>< two millions have reached Australia arid Unnaa ; »» these , if the archbishop be right , must have become nm . well settled colonists , but so many aimless vngubonus . In answer to Dr . Whatoly , ho glanced at the F ° b ^ of our colonies , especially tho province of < -ftl 111 "' When Dr . Whately entered this world there were nw nearly Iuw , 000 Canadians on it . Now there are mow than 2 , 000 , 000 , and they tho constituents of a lot ¦ turo unrivalled in dignity or powor by any lo ff "" y ,

      on earth except tho Parliament of this kingdom an »• Congress pf tho United States . Therefore , tlio fertw commentator on Lord Bacon ' s " Essay on OolonUntion is in error 5 that It is an art which this ago line > ' « '" JJ but dhcovared ; and that , though it bo an ago < J |{ " marvels , it has produced nothing more truly man *' than tho recent growth of our colonial ampins . t In tho department of Jurisprudence ami » mc « ijw of the law , Mr . a . W . Huntings made a ropi t ° tho Spoclal Committee on Bankruptcy add *'*'" { t ge Tho committee mot to discus * tho Improvement 01

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 16, 1858, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_16101858/page/4/