Current:

Leader (1850-1860), 30th November 1850, Edition Town of 1, Page 849, Untitled Article

Page 849
Page 9
9 of 24

On this page

  • Departments (2)
    • <7l ~~^l*ll^ * fri^^^. ^ %WNSSXSmX& idtMttM ^V^WrWWH ^ ^J\r lX% \,X,7W. •
    • POSTSCRIPT. Saturday, Nov. 30.
  • Text (7)
  • 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.

      Untitled Article

      THE WELSH COMMUNAL ESTATE . Lefcds , Nov . 12 , 1850 . Sir , —I have long felt a deep interest in Practical Communism , because I have not been able to discern in w hat other mode , either peaceably or otherwise , society can be extricated from its present dilemmas , and the interests of various classes become reconciled . In the experiment now going on under the auspices of " The Leeds Redemption Society , " I have been specially interested , not only because , in its origin , it was connected with my own neighbourhood , but because it seems based upon the soundest and safest principles , and has , in the earnest and self-denying services of its conductors , a strong guarantee for its being brought to a successful issue .

      Just a month ago this day , being on a visit to South Wales , and at the prettily situated town of Caermarthen , I embraced the opportunity presented by my being in the vicinity to inspect the estate which Mr . George Williams , junr ., had , with such , rare liberality , bestowed upon the Society as a basis for its experiments . I may here observe , that with Mr . Williams himself I was greatly pleased ; he seemed profoundly penetrated with the evils of our present antagonistic modes of life , and the desirability of establishing in his own country such communities ( though without theix religious narrowness ) as he had seen conducted with eminent success in the United States of North . America .

      south aspect , and one of the most beautiful and parklike views imaginable . Immediately in front of the buildings , if erected here , is a long natural terrace , from which a meadow sweeps down with much steepness to a pasture in the valley dotted with trees , and around which the stream , bordered with plantations , passes in a perfect semicircle . On the lef t hand of the semicircle the rivulet has a fork , which ascends for a mile above , margined with rich wood , then clothed in its beautiful autumnal drapery , and connected with intensely green meadows . The abrupt hills on the opposite bank of the stream are in summer exquisitely variegated with the golden gorse .

      .... The quality of the land is , on the whole , very good . The farm now is but imperfectly cultivated in any part , though its capacities of improvement are immense . It wants draining , with four feet drains , through at least one-third of the whole , and all the appliances of scientific farming . It could not fail , I think , to yield a good return both _ for labour , capital , and stock placed upon it . Coal is cheap and near at hand , but not on the estate ; and fine limestone and marble rocks within sight of the house .

      Altogether , though I found the Garln-wyd and Gorse in the rough , and saw them in the autumn season , I was much struck with their great capabilities for the union of agriculture , handicraft-trades , and manufactures . All that seems wanted is a sufficiency of earnest workers—the backwoodsmen of Communism , and capital and directing skill to make their labour productive . Let the friends of Social Reform do their duty , and the Welsh Communal estate will not fail to become the germ of others . At present , the great thing needed is a fund for the erection of buildings for the workers . Frederic It . Lees .

      The morning was beautifully fine as I left the city to pursue my walk to Gorse , a distance of some eight miles . * There are two excellent roads to the estate ; the one towards Llandilo , overlooking rich and extensive valleys ; the other towards Porth-Rhead and Swansea , passing over what may be called the "highlands of Caermarthenshire . " The country I passed was all cultivated , but not highly , with a good deal of wood in the hedge-rows , which gives the district a pleasant appearance ; the road commands some most extensive views of the surrounding scenery , and of the distant mountains towards the north and east .

      The cottages and farmsteads being almost universally whitewashed , imparts a lively effect to the landscape . As we approach Porth-Rhead , the country assumes a richer aspect and more romantic outline . At the clean little inn—" The Prince "—I dined , and then proceeded to Garln-wyd , as the estate is called . Mr . Swindells and Mr . Denton gave me a truly " fraternal" reception , and while a message was sent to Mr . Williams , who lives on the opposite side of the small stream which waters the estate , I went out to examine the locality and condition of the farm . The farmhouse is better than many occupied by Welch farmers in the neighbourhood , who are " wellto-do " and have saved money , though their farms are under the most slovenly cultivation . It is

      undergoing some improvements , which are much needed lor the comfort and convenience of the inmates . The barn is far too small even for present wants ; the cowhouses and stables are better adapted to the condition of the farm ; but even these require enlargement . In the stackyard I observed a number of neat wheatstacks , the produce of the late harvest . There is a deficiency of the best agricultural implements , ploughs , drills , harrows , cutting machines , dibbles , &c , and , indeed , as I afterwards learnt , of hands and power to bring them into full and profitable play . When the house , &c , at Gorse , at present occupied by Mr . Williams , shall accrue to the Society , its inconveniences will be very much reduced , and its advantages encreased .

      The farmhouse is situate at the verge of the gentle hill which crowns the estate . The land now best cultivated runs back from the house in a sweep westward and southward ; the fields in front are wet for want of draining , and partially covered with gorse ( or whins ) , which , however , yield £ 4 or £ 5 per acre as food for cattle . A stream runs partly through and partly round the estate , on the east and south , and which , is never dry , that might give a fall of from fifteen to twenty feet . Passing from the house towards the south , and keeping the same level , which , indeed , should be the course of the central road of the estate , we come to a field at present bearinjr turnins . some of them of a large size , though the

      crop had been evidently injured for want of hands to thin and weed them at the proper moment , and through which , I observed , were two streams of excellent surface water—the best and purest water for drinking . After carefully examining the whole estate , I should pronounce this field , near the ashtree at the south-east corner , to bo the proper site lor the Communal Buildings . The field above would necessitate much unnecessary waste of force m ascending the hill , and expose the inmates to the unbroken sweep of the south-west winds and rains , which are exceedingly bitter in winter ; while this field is sheltered by the shoulder of the hill , n obviously wanner than any other part , possesses a

      • From SwtuiBcathe eMate is distant about eightt'cii miles . A coach from Swansea , via Cross lima , tlnioe a w * ek , to rortnrhcuil , distant from the communal farm about a mile and a nan .

      Untitled Article

      Manchester . —The progress of the Socialist Society , since the opening of their new hall by Mr . Holvoake , has been of the most satisfactory kind . The seed sown on that occasion has not fallen by the wayside , nor yet upon barren ground , as its fruits are now appearing . Objections were urged to us at first on the grounds that we were only a society for lecturing and talking purposes , and that nothing would come of it . It is , therefore , with pleasure that I state that the kind of talking we have had has led to something substantial . Our society was one of those which sent Mr . Holyoake to the Educational Conference , who was the means of initiating , in our opinion , a very useful discussion , and whose report must have had a great influence on all who have either

      heard or read it . Next , we have been the means through which the Redemption Society established a branch in this town , which promises to be not the least effective of its branches . We have also started a working association of our own , to be called the " Manchester Cooperative Manufacturing , Trading , and Agricultural Association , " which , in one week , has had nearly one hundred shares taken up , and most of the money paid down . Since Mr . Holyoake lectured at our opening , the lectures have been delivered ( with two exceptions ) by Mr . James Campbell , who is as energetic and persevering as ever . On Sunday , the 1 st of December , we hold our second tea party , and expect to see many of our friends from a distance , as a Conference has been called for the same day . —John

      M'Kenzie , Secretary . The Redemption Society . —Moneys received for the week ending Nov . 25 th -. —Leeds , £ 1 15 s . 2 d . ; Padiham and Burnley , 5 s . Communal Building Fund : — Leeds , 14 s . ; Padiham and Burnley , 16 s . ; London , a Family of Friends , £ 1 ; Lancaster and Hemingway , 2 s . 6 d . ; Horsforth , near Broadbent , 5 s . The " Friend of the People . "—We are desired to state that a preliminary number of this publication , which has been announced as the successor to the died llepublican , will appear this week , in which the Labour Department will be preserved . Mr . Harney , we regret to announce , is suffering from a renewed attack of quinsey . But his immediate friends will superintend his literary work .

      Completion of TiLiiicoui / mY Joint-stock Building Society . —On Friday , the 8 th instant , at seven o ' clock p . m ., a company of eighty-four persons , chiefly the members of the building society , with their wives and daughters , sat down to supper in the Tillicoultryhall , to celebrate the completion of this society . Mr . Robert Graham , one of the founders , presided , and , after a blessing asked by the Reverend Mr . Browning , the business of the evening was begun with a substantial supper . The chairman gave an account of the formation , progress , and completion of the building society . Toasts were followed by short speeches , with pleasant interlude of vocal and instrumental music and recitations . Votes of thanks were given to James Johnstonc , Esq ., to the arbiters , to Philip Anstruther , Esq ., Andrew Hutton . Esq ., writer , Stirling , and others . The object

      of the society was to raise the members , by combining their savings , to the possession of a comfortable dwellinghouse . The society was constituted in 1830 , and the rules were certified according to the provisions of the Building Societies Act of 6 th and 7 th William IV ., and the Friendly Societies Act therein referred to . Ihe payments required were 5 s . per month , an additional Gd . per quarter , and a double instalment of 10 < s . half-yearly , making the whole annual payment of each shareholder £ 3 17 s . A rental of £ 6 9 s 7 d . was paid into the funds by each shareholder when he entered upon possession of his house allotted to him ; and now , at the conclusion of the society , there are 59 shareholders possessed of o \) dwelling-houses , each house consisting of three apartments , a kitchen , a room , and a garret , well finished and of good materials .

      Untitled Article

      The first annual meeting of the National Freehold Land Society was held at the London Tavern last evening , Sir Joshua Walmsley , M . P ., in the chair . From the report read , it appears that , " Up to the 3 l 8 t of October last , 5019 shares have been taken by 2824 members , and the total amount of money subscribed to the funds of the Bociety was £ 21 , 25716 s . lOd , Fourteen estates , costing £ 62 , 000 , and sitnated respectively at Maiden , Kingston , Croydon ( north and south ) , Anerly , Tunbridge , Bromley , Walthatnstow , Stoke Newington , Chatham , Uxbridge , Manningford , Enfield , and Godalming , have been purchased fox distribution among the members . Five of these

      properties have already been divided into allotments , believed to be of the full annual value of 40 s ., at an average cost of about £ 20 ; and of these allotments 207 have been taken by members paying up the full amount of them , and 175 by members paying on the plan of periodical subscription . The gross profit made on the year ' s transactions has been £ 1265 8 s . Id . ; and the whole expenditure , including the preliminary charges , has been £ 768 9 s . 7 < i . ; leaving a nett surplus of £ 496 18 s . 6 d . — a rate of profit which will enable the directors to place at least £ 5 per cent , to the credit of the members at the end of the second year . "

      The meeting was addressed by the chairman , Mr . Cobden , and Mr . Lattimore , all of whom spoke in sanguine terms of the great advantages which may be anticipated from the rapid extension of the Freehold Land Movement . Mr . Cobden made some sound remarks upon the great desire among the industrious classes to obtain a piece of land : — " I like the plan , " said he , " because it gives to the people more political power , and prevents the operation of that system of vast masses of property indivisibly reverting back to one family again . { Cheers ) . The principle of this national society is in some respects

      different from those established in the rural districts . We have gone further from home . We carried our operations from London to distant parts of the country ; and , I may add , that we have found quite as good a field fox the operations of this society in agricultural localities as in great towns . ( Hear , hear . ) We went to Godalming , for example , a pretty market town in the county of Surrey , where we bought some eighty or ninety acres , and we bought the manor rights , too , if I recollect right . I think we are lords of the manor . ( Cheers and laughter . ) But , notwithstanding that , we are going to enfranchise all our freeholders , and we have no

      design of retaining any rights or privileges over them . { Haer , hear . ) We don ' t intend to retain any part of the feudal system here . { Cheering . ) We bought that estate , and directly afterwards there was not a man in the whole town who was not rummaging in his pockets and in his hoards and drawers to see whether it was not poseible that he might jget so much money together as would enable him to offer for one of these allotments . I think it is probable that two-thirds of that large estate might have been sold to inhabitants of Godalming . { Hear , hear , hear . ) In every district you will find blacksmiths , shoemakers , small traders , and others , all anxious

      for a little land . But under the present system , they cannot get it . { Hear . ) There is not an inch of it for them ; and even if a bit of ground is to be sold they have such a horror of the lawyers and their long bills—{ Laughter)—that not a man of them , ever thought of putting himself in the hands of a lawyer for a conveyance . There is quite as much scope , therefore , in the rural districts as in the large towns for operations such as were carried on by this society . I do not see why , with proper , judicious , and well-considered management , those operations might not be greatly encreased . { Hear , hear . )"

      Untitled Article

      For some days past a huge effigy of the Pope has been paraded in a carriage about the neighbourhood of Clapham , with the ultimate view of its being publicly burnt on Clapham-comrnon . Every night this week crowds of persons have assembled on the common in anticipation of the exhibition . They were , however , disappointed till last night , when the execution formally took place , in the presence of an immense assemblage of persons from all quarters of the metropolis . The figure , which was of huge size , was attired in a bright scarlet coat . A stake was erected in the middle of the common , and the effigy having been attached to it , various combustible materials were piled around , and the whole burnt , amidst the shouts of the assembled spectators . As soon as the figure was consumed the ashes were piled up again , with a fresh assortment of combustibles , and a large bonfire

      keptlburninf ? till a late hour . m Cardinal Wiseman has not been out of England during the week . Upon his departure from St . George ' s Chapel on Sunday morning , accompanied by his chaplain , he proceeded to the scat of a Roman Catholic nobleman in Buckinghamshire , where he has been actively engaged in conference with some of the most influential of the Human Catholic peers and commoners for the last four days . The result of the lengthened consultation is to be

      the issuing of a rnaniftsto from the Catholics in this country , a most important poition of which will be a severe castigation of Lord Beaumont , whose letter to the Earl of Zetland has given mortal offence to the zealous supporters of the Pope's late proceedings , many of whom , declare his lordship unfit to be a member ot the Komish Church . Tho cardinal , having completed the object of his sojourn , returned to town yesterday morning , and arrived at his permanent residence in Golden-bquan * , where he will remain in ictircment till alter his installation , which is to begone through in the strictest possible privacy . —Times .

      &Lt;7l ~~^L*Ll^ * Fri^^^. ^ %Wnssxsmx& Idtmttm ^V^Wrwwh ^ ^J\R Lx% \,X,7w. •

      PWll I II ii — - ¦^¦— ¦— ¦ - jtamatittt | foigrm m

      Untitled Article

      Nov . 30 , 185 a ] ® f > * JLeatiet . 849

      Postscript. Saturday, Nov. 30.

      POSTSCRIPT . Saturday , Nov . 30 .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 30, 1850, page 849, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1861/page/9/