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Leader (1850-1860), 23rd September 1854, Edition Country of 2, Page 14

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      $02 The Leader. [Saturday,

      $ 02 THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,

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      [In This Department, -As Am. Opinions, N...

      [ IN THIS DEPARTMENT , -AS AM . OPINIONS , nOVTEVEE EXTREME , AR » ALLOWED A . X BXPKESSIOir , THE EDITOR KEOESSAEILTf HOLDS HIMSELF RESPONSIBLE FOR NONE . ]

      There Is No Learned Man But Will Confess...

      There is no learned man but will confess he hath much profited by reading controversies , his senses awakened ., and his judgment sharpened . If , then , it be profitable for him to read , why should it not , at least , betolerablefor his adversary to write . —MiLTOff .

      A "Family Bible" Proposed. C To The Edit...

      A " FAMILY BIBLE" PROPOSED . C To the Editor of the Leader . } Sept . 13 . Sib , —As a companion to the question of Liturgical reform which is now in agitation amongst churchmen of the Establishment , that of Biblical revision has been started . That this is a point involving consequences anore important than are immediately apparent , a very little consideration must render clear , and I can easily imagine there are many persons who will think it too delicate and hazardous a

      matter of controversy for the columns of a general newspaper . However * I happen to think otherwise , and possibly you may not object to have the subject now introduced to the readers of the Leader < My wish is to promote a useful discussion thereon , and I have been led to this "by the perusal of a letter signed ' Pater 3 ? iliarum" in the Clerical Journal of September the 8 th . The Ea , ther of Daughters writes to the editor in the following strain : " Speaking of translations of the Holy Bible , " says he , "if any other th _ antheone now in use is performed it would be ¦ wis e , I conceive , to omit / or leave untranslated , or give a more modest rendering- ; to many passages which occur even in the Sunday Lessons , and to

      many , more which in private study cannot escape notice . As a specimen of what I mean , I would refer to the First Lesson , p . m ., for twelfth Sunday after Trinity , and would ask whether a more edifying : rendering could not be given of verse 27 ? But your readers will easily recollect others of an equally unreadable kind ; and I , for one , would hail the publication of an edition of the Holy Bible adapted to family use , and to the public service of the Church ;" In these sentiments I am confident all modest and sensitive minds will concur . Whatever opinions may be held touching the character and extent of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures , few rational Christians-will deny that there are some portions at

      least of the Word of God which might be obliterated without detriment to the temporal interests or eternal welfare either of the rising , or the risen , generation . " Pater Filiarum" appears to be a conscientious churchman , but he has nevertheless the candour and courage to admit that the Bible contains much that is " unreadab l e , " much that is hurtful to private morality , much that is at variance with public decency . He instances a verse in the 18 th chapter of the 2 nd Book of Kings—a verse which no clergyman can feel comfortable in reading aloud before a mixed congregation , and which no father or mother would suffer to pass the lips in the course of family devotions . Many qlergymen slcip over these kind

      of passages when they occur in the lessons , but this plan has usually a worse effect on the congregation than if they were read out boldly , and without a faltering voice , for the " skipping" is , in most cases , done in a confused and ungraceful manner . To ojcpunge sucli parts of Scripturo is quite practicable , if a new " authorised version" were to be prepared . The inconsistency of those paients and guardians ^ schoolmasters and schoolmistresses , who object to allow young people to road any but a strictly " Family Shakspere , " and yet readily permit the " young idea" to ' search" the present edition of the Holy Bible and study its details ad libitum , would indeed be surprising if wo did not know how often old religious prejudices pervert the reason and corrupt the moral judgment . For my own part I would infinitely ratlncr allow a . child to road tho entire works

      of fohaksporo , than give it free access to tho pages of tho existing Bible , It is with no feeling of hostility to that most wonderful of books that I assert this , but from a profound conviction that more obscene conversation nnd impure thoughts are suggested to tho youths of both Boxes by the Old Testament , than by any other volume that fulls into their hands . Hence it would bo advisable that u now translation of some parts of tUe Hebrew Scriptures should bo made , and that the publication of a puri fied edition should bo sanctioued by authority , wot simply for private and scholastic purposes , but for tho purposes of public worship in our churches and chapels . I foroseo a ntultitudo of objections that will be offered against this proposal , and doubtless thcro arc numerous dililautiea in the path of this , as in that of every other reform ; still I believe tho objections are not unnns-weruble , or tho diflloultioa insurmojintabLo , Yours , & c , Zkta .

      Czaeism And The War. (To The Editor Of T...

      CZAEISM AND THE WAR . ( To the Editor of the Leader . ') London , Sept . 14 . Sir , —As soon as the war was declared , foreign goods rose in price in Russia ; a sycophant poet wrote , " Russia doesn't want them ; as for steel pens , we have plenty of geese ; instead of champagne we may substitute our own gin , and drink the health of the Czar with it ; and as to railways , our horses will do . " There are , indeed , plenty of geese even in the Russian cabinet ; gin may serve for the healtli of Nicholas well enough , but for railways there is no substitute . As rails were needed , the Czar ordered some to be made at home ; but they came in at 2 rb . 40 cop .,

      silver , a nood ( 401 b . ) , whilst the English cost only 75 cop . a pood , and the former broke in pieces the first time they were used . The railway from Petersburg to Moscow is magnificent , but is very badly managed . The Emperor travels that distance on it in nine hours , his family in 15 , -the public in 22 hours , and goods in two days . The Czar , being a celestial being , always does what he does with more haste , but not better for that . There is in each train a smoking carriage , in which they may play cards too . General KhrustchofF oiice gained 700 r . s ., and broke one of the panes in the window . One of the conductors said to him , " Your Excellency , I have only 40 r . s . for my salary , and the pane costs 12 r . ; if you don't pa . y I shall have to pay . "

      " How do you dare to speak with me in this way , " answered the general ; "don't you know that I can make you run the gauntlet ?" It is generally thought , in Petersburg , that an . Englishman , having some time before the war obtained permission to establish an ice warehouse at Cronstadt , made plans of the fortress . I can assure you positively the pretended enthusiasm for the war never existed in . Russia . When the first call was made on the disbanded soldiers to re-enter the army , very few old volunteers presented themselves : then came an order , and they Were compelled to take lip arms . The peasants of Petersburg are taught to say that they will liberate St . Sophie , who is till now

      kept a prisoner in Constantinople , but the peasants of the interior neither speak nor think . Now the nobility don't sell their corn , no business is done at the exchange , the dissatisfaction is great , and a revolution is not impossible . There is not a single criminal court , and there is not a day in each province ( government ) , where there are not one or two eases every day of masters or managers being killed or maltreated by the serfs . The heretics are beginning a political opposition ; their drawings of the final judgment represent Nicholas as the Antichrist , Nesselrode and Kleinmichel as dammed spirits . Literally no one is any more allowed to think in Russia . The Moscovite review haviug spoken in high terms of the late freedom of Novogorod , received an advice not to speak of the past . A certain Popovizky has had his portrait painted with this motto : " Happy

      the man who is allowed to wear mustachios . " The portrait was seized , and the original shaved ! The noblemen are treated by the Czar with the greatest contempt . Prince Gagarin , having , on account of illness , solicited permission to travel , the Emperor wrote on his petition , " You are as healthy as a bull , manage rather your estates better . " Prince Serge Trubetzkoi is obliged to sweep the snow from the roof of the barracks , thanks to the intrigues of M . Kissedef , the lover of his wife , and formerly Russian minister in Paris . Prince Kurakin , colonel of the " chevalier guards , " was on guard when a fire broke out ; and the Emperor arriving at the place of the disaster , " What news ? " said he to tho Prince . " All ia right , " answered he , according to rule . " You are a stupid fellow , replied tiie Czar , alluding to the fire .

      "I hear , your Imperial Majesty . " " Bah ! a true Kurakin , that you are , " cried the Czar , spitting out , But when any officer speaks to A lll ^ ny way contrar y to rule , ho punishes him . One of his aides-de-camp was dismissed tho court service for speaking to him with gesticulation . All these grounds of dissatisfaction will not be turned to advantage by the allies , who know little of them , or don ' t know how to benefit by them . Tho seizure of Jfinnieli boats , and latterly the sinking of two Blupa laden with building materials belonging to Buron Korf , in the port of Winduu , furnish tho Russian government with meaniB for exciting tho indignation of tho aborigines against those who profess to make war with the Czar , and yet invade private property . *

      It ia positive truth that not a single fact could bo related honorable to Nicholas . The Secretary of btato for Poland , Turkul , UBed however to imrrate tuo iollowiiig anecdote , as an instance of the Czur ' e sense of juwtice , but I should like- to know whether tho oivihsed world would look on it with the same eyes , iho Nova waa just beginning to bo frozen over and a losUval presented a groat assemblage of Uusslan notabilities on tho banks of tho rivox , A peasant began to cross it , a very fine looking fellow , and every ono wished him sueeesB in tho bold attempt . When lie had accomplished ono third of the

      task , the danger was really great , as well as was the anxiety of the spectators . He succeeded , and cheers followed him , but the Czar learning that he had done it for a wager of 5 ruhel assignats ( 4 s . ) , ordered them to give him one hundred blows with the stick , saying thai if he had done it for so little he was capable of committing any crime for money , and was a dangerous fellow ! Yet not a single arm is raised against so great a tyrant ! I am , Sir , yours , & c ., The Author of " The Nations of Russia and Turkey , and their Destiny . "

      Scottish Hand-Loom Weavers' Emigration M...

      SCOTTISH HAND-LOOM WEAVERS' EMIGRATION MOVEMENT . ( aTo the Editor ofHie Leader . ) Sir , —Having "been desired to furnish some inform a tion to the readers of the Leader , regarding the above movement , I cheerfully comply with the desire , and proceed to do so . The weavers of Scotland have repeatedly , and at various times , by the aid of union combinations of the trade , endeavoured to raise the price of their labour , and preserve it when up from returning downwards . The cases are few and far between , in which their efforts were crowned with success .. Their continual failures spread a " damp" amongst the

      trade generally , and were the direct cause of a wittering influence springirig up , which has had the effect of putting a check upon the effective working out of any scheme for their social and intellectual elevation . A little reflection upon the antagonistic circumstances , and a slight knowledge of commercial laws , would have dissipated any such disheartening influences , and engendered a healthier state of being' and mode of action . Steam competition " created" to many of us , and so we have become a pauperised trade , a drag upon the community ; , and a burden to ourselves . The question has been asked by many , and often by ourselves , was there no other thing to which we could betake ourselves ; no way

      we could be lifted out of the slough of despond and starvation in which we are sunk ? Emigration has been suggested as a relief ; and , to it of late we Tiaveinstinctively pointed . That it would be beneficial for us , and other trades similarly circumstanced , is true beyond a doubt . It must , however , be admitted that weavers are slow to convince , and when convinced , rather unwilling to act . I believe the cause of this is , the impossibility of emigrating upon their own resources . Also the length of time which must of necessity elapse before any permanent and substantial advantage would accrue to them . Add to these the difficulties of emigration from the time you leave Britain until you land iu your new home ,

      along with some other things of minor importance , and you will readily account for their feelings of apathy and indifference . Notwithstanding , however , all I have enumerated there prevails a strong desire for , and a warm feeling in favour of emigration , among great bodies of us . This is shown , chiefly by the younger portion of the trade . Many are also willing to assist in any way they can , who are either too old to emigrate , or unwilling to leave their native land . These parties , wishing to improve themselves , physically and mentally , want more congenial means to enable them to do so . These means being beyond their reach at home , they are willing to go abroad to find them .

      With this view , the weavers favourable to emigration have laid the foundation of a " Handloora Weavers' Emigration Association ; " and have inaugurated a new , and successful , they hope , emigration agitation . This step , was taken at a- conference of delegates , held in Glasgow on tho 31 st ult . A central board is to sit in Glasgow upon the last Saturday of every month . The " central board" to bo composed of delegates from weaving districts in Scotland . Every district may send a representative . The object of this board is , in the mean time , to agitato for weavers to bo put upon a level with tho labourors and other artisans emigrating to Australia through tho " Colonial , I ^ and , and Emigration Commissioners . " Every district is to bo urged to farm a

      local emigration society , and to affiliate them sol veB upon the central board , by putting themselves into conimunicatioft with tho central secretary , and sending a delegate to tho meetings of the board , to consult upon questions of action and general import mice . Some district *! have already formed societies . Others have had societies in being . You -will perceive that we arc in quite an infantile state ; but wo are organising and moving forward . Festinv lentc , slow but sure . l \ y next week 1 will have something to show moro particularly concerning tho association . This will bo regarding numbers , how wo hop © to effect our objoct , and our hopes and ijIjuib of act ion generally . In tho meantime , any party desiring any information regarding us , or our movement , will receive the same by applying to mo . ' Hugh Mituiucxu Secretary to tho Handloom Weavers' Emigration Association of Scotland .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 23, 1854, page 14, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_23091854/page/14/