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Leader (1850-1860), 20th August 1853, Edition Country of 2, Page 9

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      Iiushand And Wife. The Honourable Mrn. N...

      specially ajipointed for the speedy administration of justice , because an agreement with his wife cannot bind him , all I can say is > that it will be a singular spectacle in a court of justice /' The husband was in court while this statement was made , and his counsel then . commenced to cross-examine Mrs . Norton- as to the other sources of income she possesses , and as to her mode of life . He said ^ < t Do yoU mean to say tnat you have not received an income of 6001 . a year through the late Lord Melbourne ?" Mrs . Norton answered , " I could receive no income from the late Lord Melbourne ' s -property , which is all entailed . My husband brought an action against Lord Melbourne . " Mrs . Norton hero rose , and in a voice showing much emotion ' said , " Lord Melbourne left nothing hut a letter to

      his brother , in which he solemnly asseverated , as a dying man , that I had been falsely accused . I stand here as a blasted woman , not in the eyes of my own class , but in the eyes of a class whom I do not less respect ; 'and Lord Melbourne ,-as a dying man , begg " ed his family , on account of the great disgrace , the great misery , the loss of home , the parting from my children , and the wreck of all my happiness , which I had unjustly suffered , that they would show me all kindness ; and his family have done so ; and I believe my husband is the only one who eve ? accused him of a base action . " ( At this stage of the proceeding there » was a burst of , applause from some two or three hundred persons in the body of the court ; but which was at once properly suppressed by order of the Judge . ) The witness continued— " My husband can cheat me because I am his wife . ¦ . ¦ . : ¦ ¦ . ¦ ' ¦¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦ : . * .: ¦ ¦ . '¦ ¦ ¦ .

      Counsel : Pardon me , madam , Mr . Norton has done all that becomes a man , and it is not his fault that you are in this degraded position—— - ' Mr . Hay ward , the Queen ' s counsel , who accompanied Mrs . Norton to the Court , appealed to the Court whether a counsel had a right to address such language to a lady . Mr . Norton : Is it regular , your Honour , for me to say a word ? Mr * . Norton ; It is all irregular- —you wish to disgrace me , and I throw it back upon you . Mrs . Norton afterwards stated that she had reeeived

      during 1852 two sums of 2911 . 5 > ., each from Xady I * almers 6 on ; but that she was not in regular jreceipt of any " annuity of 600 ? . from Lord Melbourne . " " No one is bound to give me anything . I depend on the charity of Iiady Palmerston . " ~ " Have you any other sources of income P" asked the counsel . " Yes , " replied the lad y ^ " I have another source of income , which my husband cannot take away from me . I am a popular writer , and I had an agreement with a publisher to pay me 600 ? . for one work ; but that is an

      uncertain source of incomo , and I work as hard-as any lawyer ' s clerk . And you must remember that I came to this" income burdened with thirteen years of debt , and two years of absolute destitution . " " Ig your literary incomo 500 ? . a year ? " said the advocate for the husband . " No , Mr . Norton has claimed my copyrights from the publisher . " "My solicitor did , " said the Honourable Mr . Norton . " Does he act without knowing your wishes , sir ?" asked the wife , with indignation . The character of the rest of the examination by tho husband's counsel will bo understood from tho following questions and answers .

      Mr . Needham : Do you mean seriously to say that you have never had another carriago ? Mrs . Norton : What do you moan by thus repeating your question , and asking mo if I mean " seriously" to say so and so ? You aro only wasting tho time of tho Court , and insulting me . On my oath I never had any other carriago than this brougham . Mr . Noedham : How many servants do you keep ? Mrs . Norton : Two maidB and one man-sorvant , this year . Mr . Needham .: You give dinner parties , do you not P Mrs . Norton : I have occasionally askod pooplo to dino witli mo .

      Mr . Noodham : Have you not given as many as four dinner parties in one week ? Mrs . Norton : I do not boliovo that I over have . Sinoo I havo known that Mr . Norton can defraud mo I havo novor given a dinner . Mr . Ncodham : Havo you not set Mr . Eoaron , your creditor for your wino bills , upon Mr . Norton P Mva . Norton : I claim tho protection of tho Court against your insults , Tho roverso was tho case . I wrote- to Mr . Foaron to bog him not to subpoena mo bocauso I was too ill to appear . 1 wrote to Messrs . Thrapp also , bogging them not to mako mo appear . I havo givon all tho aamo answer , and havo told them of tho agroomont outorod into by Mr . Norton to allow mo 500 ? . a year . Mr . Neodham : You say that your income ia deficient . Do you not support somo ono oIho ' h child ?

      • Mrs . Norton " : My children woro taken away from mo whon ono of thom was six years of age , another four , and mother two ; and if you know anything of ft mother who hug young children who havo boon takon away from her , 'm '" ' cnovv '' ' ?' ifl compassionate towards childron . ¦ M-y hoiu-t was blooding , and I look this labourer ' s child JM'fiiuiHo I wasmisomblo , booaiiHo IJwns comimHtuonato , and uociuiso I was brokon-houvtod . Tho chila of whom you iik is tin

      « P « , daughter of a Suhhox labourer , and her niol ' J * a < l boon killed through hor cottage being crushed by n Hno wHtorm . A Siissox clorgyman ( Mr . Ctoi ' tn ) appoalodl , o nw lor n subscription for tho child , and I ouid that I would ( ako her and bring hor up . Bho Ihih boon brought up in-« x |> onnivoly , in hoi- Ration , at a _ <; ont ; of 20 / . a year , and who AVjll jr 0 ou j . ( , fi ( , j (! 0- JiJ 1 ( , iH a young WOllHUl HOW , of H « v « nt ,, ( , yOlu . of ngl } m i ( | o no | ( w j Ha' | ; o honHt of my ; "wml ; y , | ) Uf , | , | U - explanation haw boon forced from mo . It Ji of no coriHOquonco to Mr . Norton what my charity may »<><•<> a poor Itibouror ' fl child . Mr- lionmn , tho solicitor who drow up tho deod of w puriition , informed tho Court tlmt it wiw not binding

      in law , but " I think Mr . Norton is bound as a man o honour . " Mr . Traill , another solicitor , estimated Mf Norton ' s nett income at 2370 Z . But the carriagebuilders were non-suited on the ground that during the time the debt was incurred , the annuity had-been paid without any stoppage or reduction . The " Honourable Mr . Norton" then came forward to contradict his wife , stating that she had told " the grossest falsehoods . " The hisses of the people in court interrupted the gentleman , and the magistrate stopped him as out of order .

      Autitrst 20, 1853.] F H Ib L E A D Eb. 8...

      AutitrsT 20 , 1853 . ] f H iB L E A D EB . 801

      Death At The Crystal Palace. Ik Raising ...

      DEATH AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE . Ik raising the arched roof of the great transept of the Palace a bold method of construction was adopted . To raise and fix the iron ribs which are to form the framing of the roof , it was determined to throw across the width of the great transept ,-at an elevation of 102 feet from the main floor , and of 132 feet from the basement , a series of huge trusses 120 feet long , and formed in the usual manner with " struts" and wrought-iron tie-bars . To commence forming them at so great a height the chief facility possessed was a gallery floor , the fifth tier in the series at each end of the transept . Upon these floors the first pair were to be constructed side by side at either end , moved into their respective places and made fast , one being

      carried out beyond the gallery . The additional footing thus gained was to be used for the formation of others , to be slid out successively into the body of the transept and naade fast , until the whole area on either side of the intersection of the nave had been spanned by them . This was a daring method of construction . To project gradually from a gallery , at a height of 102 feet , a series of immense trusses one hundred and twenty feet long , and to fix them over a space so vast , is an undertaking hardly inferior , in a mechanical point of vie < v , to the instinctive skill of the spider , who weaves and hangs his web in the most impossible situations . The principle seems unobjectionable , and the practicability of it , as we shall show , has been proved ; but rough handed workmen do not calculate the

      scientific laws upon which the safety of such structures is merely balanced , and even if they could do so the strength of the materials used cannot always be depended on . When anything goes wrong the consequences are tremendous , and of this , after several warnings , we now have a sickening example . The first attempt of the contractors to erect the trusses for raising the ribs of the main transept failed —a strong gale of wind bringing the whole down , and fortunately without personal injury to any one . Not daunted by this mishap , they commenced afresh , and had more than half finished the scaffolding on the north side of the navo when tho melancholy loss of life took place . The workmen , rendered nervous by the failure at the outset , and by tho

      prodigious height from which they must be precipitated if anything went wrong , were once or twice in the progress of their task seized with a sudden panic , which certainly implied a sense of insecurity . It is even rumoured that some of them refused to go on with'tho work ; but there seems no reason to doubt that every care was exercised , that experionccd foremen were selected to superintend , and that what has happened , though wo can now sec how it might havo been avoided , could not fairly have been anticipated . Six trusses , thirty feet deep each , had been fixed in their places ; over four of thom had boon constructed upper trusses , shorter b y thirty feet , but tho same in depth , and tho two first main ribs had been erected on tho north

      front . There were thus two trusses unloaded in any way and fixed in their places . Besido that nearest tho intersection of the nave , tho men were on Monday , at half-past two o ' clock , finishing tho construction of tho seventh , and preparing to slide it forward into its place , when tho accident took place . Tho three unloaded trusses , with their cross timbers and attachments , fell suddenly to tho ground , wrenching themselves looso from tho loaded ones , and carrying with them in their descent soventeen workman . Tho fall was tremendous . Twolvo workmen woro killed , and fivo others seriously wounded .

      Tho weight of woodwork which foil is catimatod at twenty-five tons . In tumbling down a few girders and ono or two columns woro smashed , but tho injury thus done is quito insignificant , and only places in a stronger light than ovor tho strength of tho building itsolf . Tho public alarm oxcitod by this fatal occurronco may raiso doubts ns to tho general security of a utructuro in which so terrible an accident has takon placo , but theso would bo quito groundless . Not a column lian boon pushed out of

      tho perpendicular , and tho only question which tho coroner ' s inquost will have to deal with in how tho trusses gavo way . That is certainly an important point to determine , but ono which seems at present ; involved in comploto mystery . MoH . sr . s . Fox and Henderson are bound , for their credit's sako , to havo t , hin mystery if possible cleared up , and to show that , having adopted a inothod of construction singularly bold , and attended in ohho of fail tiro with fearful rwkti , fchoy took such precautions as exempt tho in from tho responsibility of what has happnnoil .

      Tho inquiry into mo cannon ol tho accident lian resulted in a verdict of " Accidental Doalh , " it boing clearly proved that ovory oaro wan taken in constructing tho truHwoH , and that tho malorialu wow good . 1 . 1 ; i « pkuuuug to no . t . o that Mohhi'h . Fok and Hondoram piirposo to provide for fcho widows and orphans of tho mon killed .

      Tjim Working Classes. Communcino, Thin W...

      TJIM WORKING CLASSES . CoMMUNCiNO , thin wook , with tho khqoohsoh , wo lmvo to record Unit tho authorities of Dovonporl ; Dockyard havo given up tho partial Hyutoiu of taskwork , which opiM-nUul unfairly on ( . ho wages of tho mon . Tho Cornish nunildoi'H havo got an uUvuuoo of U . v . por woo lc . In other movements already recorded thoroarc noiijo ohangoH . Tho groat South Wales strike , that of tho mon Milder tho Powlaia Company , w « w to huvo beon

      tormmated on to-day , by the dismissal of all the men , The men have behaved quite peaceably , and are still very firm . The relation between employers and operatives are friendly and satisfactory in the Manchester district . From Leeds there is the same report . The workmen of Birmingham aro for the most part well employed ^ A great movement is being organized to settle working time at ton hours a day for five days , and a half day ' s ' work .. on Saturday . The Belfast report says : — " The quiet and peaceful aspect of affairs in the relations between masters and workmen and its neigh - bourhood has so far conduced to the advantage of both , that business is in the healthiest state . " From Ireland generally the news is of good harvests , and a great demand for labour at good wages . Domestic servants are very scarce ,

      As indicating a beneficial change in the habits of craftsmen , and in the desire of the superior classes to encourage them , we are glad to record that the directors of the Derby Museum , in Liverpool , have resolved to open it on Saturdays to the general public , Saturday afternoon , being now the great half-holiday of the cotton districts . We also remark with pleasure , that the Literary Society of the Great Western Railway Company ( noticed in these columns some time ago ) is still making way . The number at present on the books , exclusive of 12 life members , is 166—47 of

      whom are resident at the country stations of the railway . In April , 1852 , the committee commenced the circulation of tho books in the library among the members . At that time the library contained 730 volumes , and it has since been gradually increased to 1375 volumes . Of these books , 460 volumes have been presented to the society , and the remainder purchased . The books purchased have been selected with great care , and embrace the best standard works in the various departments of historical , scientific , philosophical , and general literature .

      The best light to -declare the true character of the position of craftsmen at hoine is the juxta-position of a foreign face like this : — "Agents from the United States have been in Quebec , distributing printed notices , requiring 10 , 000 inen on the Illinois Central Railway , 370 miles long ; wages one dollar per day , with steadyemployment for three years . " This , be it noted , is for unskilled labourers . The progress of new machines superseding human labour should bo noted in this column . The manufacture of tho digging machine of Mr . Samuelson , of Banbury , already gives occupation to many

      Birmingham artisans . Not only is their use extending rapidly in this country , but they are likewise , being exported to Australia , Cuba , Russia , & c . — a now proof of the rapidity with which any useful invention becomes disseminated in the present day . That thi . course of invention docs not , in tho long run , injuro tho operative is shown at Nottingham . The " cut-up and selvage heel" hosiery workers have demanded a rise in wages , respectfully entertained by the masters , who will probably make some concession . It is a remarkable fact that those arc tho operatives who were most affected at the introduction of tho circular machinery , and whose frames it was supposed would have to be sot aside , but they aro now found to be useful and

      necessary adjuncts to tho new system , and , besides , havo succeeded in producing many now articles . By thus adapting themselves and their machinery to the now order of things they arc now as well and a . s constantly employed as any branch in tho trade . Tho same result is likely to follow tho general use of tho reaping machines , a trial of which has been made this woek at Gloucester . Crossbill ' s " Bell ' s Reaper " has won tho prize , Burgess and Koy , and Pray and Co ., boing next in merit . Tho judges suggest a " surpassing" implement which should unite the advantages of simplicity in construction , greater durability , lightness of draught , and reduction in price , with tho thorough capability of being moro onsily managed by tho agricultural labourer .

      Great Fi1m0 At Dover. Uunkatu Dover Clif...

      GREAT FI 1 M 0 AT DOVER . Uunkatu Dover cliflk , partly excavated into tho rock , woro largo oil and ttocd waroliouHCH , whoroin won ) stored goodn of groat valuo , chiefly Noed . 4 and oil-aikoH . 1 'hopremiKOH covered an area of thrco quarfor . s of an aero . On Hunday ovoning tho warohoiiHOH look / iro . Tho conflagration was terriblo . Firooiigino . s hnnLonod to tho spot ; tho Itillort and tho railway jnon unod all ( heir < ilforta , but tho flamoH Htill nproad . " Tho Holdiorn woro regularly relieved

      ovory two hourH , and tw « ml . y- / ivo woro kopt on each ongino , and a Hmulur number kop ' t in ronorvo , roady to supply thoir placo as thoy booamo oxhauHl . od . In thoii- anxioty to prevent tho lire fro in uploading , tho HoldievH tore down Hovoral small building , which wan exceedingly fortunak * , for had not thin boon dono , tlio ( lamoH would havo travelled much further . 'Mvoii with thin precaution tho materiulH of tho Imildhitf .-i tlnw rawd bocaino ignitod . Whilo tho firomon wore actively omployed , a moat fearful accident look plan-. Mr . Birkbook , a gontloman connected with Uio tiouUi-J ^ ufltom Railway Company , waa buail y onguged

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 20, 1853, page 9, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_20081853/page/9/