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Leader (1850-1860), 26th February 1853, Edition 1 of 1, Page 201

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      Untitled Article

      to 100 , about 20 , 000 between 100 and 200 , and more than 9 , 000 which exceeded 200 acres . The increase in the breadth of Cultivation has been accompanied by a change in the relative proportions of the crops raised . In 1847 * the proportion of cereal to green crops was , in acres , four and six-tenths to one , whilst , in 1851 , it was two and three-tenths to one . But the diminution is only relative , for the actual acreage devoted to cereal crops in 1851 was very nearlj equal to that employed for the same purpose in 1847 . Green crops , however , covered 1 , 350 , 000 acres , instead of 700 , 000 ; and more than 140 , 0 tX > acres , instead of ftO , 000 , were given to flax . The Report proceeds to state some interesting details respecting the proportions which each description of crop ,

      as cultivated in 1851 , bore to every 100 acres in each class of holding . It appears that wheat was most extensively grown qn farms or from 50 to , 100 acres ; but the largest proportion of other cereal crops belonging to farmers occupying from 6 to 15 . The greatest extent of flax was grown on holdings of the same class , and of the one immediately above it . The proportion of meadow land rose continuously from less than $ per cent , in holdings under one acre , to more than 45 per cent , in those exceeding 500 acf es . From this class of details the Report passes to others of equal interest relative to the live stock of Irish farms . The number of cattle has increased from less than two millions in 1841 , to nearly three millions in 1851—that of sheep remains stationary at two millions—and that of pics has fallen from 1 , 400 , 000 to about 1 , 100 , 000 . Under

      the head of horses and mules there is a slight decreasewhich is not , perhaps , a bad symptom , for the late Mr . Anthony Blake , a most competent witness on Irish affairs , told a Committee of the House of Liords , in 1846 ; that " many a poor mftn had a , horse which he would be better withput . It would be a blessing if each poor family were provided with a cow , and the horse were got rid of . For the sake of comparison , the valuation adopted by the Census Commissioners o » 1841 has been used for the present Returns . Taking the prices assigned by them , which are below thte existing rates , an increase is shown in the total value of Irish farm stock , frpni 21 millions in 1841 , to nearly 28 millions in 1851 . It is gratifying to observe that this improvement is distributed over alt the counties of Ireland , without a single exception . In the province of Ulster it is 50 per cent ., m Connaught 31 , in Munster 24 , in Leinster 23 .

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      RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION IN THE FREE TOWN OF HAMBURGH . We have received the following communication from M . Johannes Ronge . ( To the Mditor of the Leader . ) Sib , —Some weeks ago an article * copied from the Strasburg Gazette , appeared in the English press , in which it was said , " the German Catholic communities formed by Dr . Ronge have at last expired . " This false account was a forerunner of a new persecution against the free religious communities in Germany , which the Jesuits and diplomacy are determined entirely to suppress ( if possible ) . They have heard that the new reformation has Bpread out to America , and that I have formed a free religious community in London , and they fear the mutual influence of these communities . Jesuitism and Austrian diplomacy have commenced boldly in the north of Germany , in the free town of Hamburgh , employing the Senate of this town as a willing tool to serve their purpose .

      I have just received the news , that this Senate has sent to the Sechziger ( a body of citizens elected by the senate ) a resolution to forbid the German Catholic community of Hamburgh the celebration of all religious acts and ceremonies . The Sechziger have not only confirmed this despotic resolution , but at once carried a resolution to dissolve the community , and to exile its ministers . This community I fouhded in the month of

      November , 1846 , and it has sinco during seven years not only celebrated all religious acts , but received in 1848 a lawful existence from tho Senate . The number of members is about three thousand souls . The chapel is crdwded every Sunday , and tho discourses of its ministor are heard and read , by the most cultivated classes of the town . Tho school and the children ' s garden aro flourishing . Three iMjnovolont Ladies Unions were formed by the members , which have worked with great success since 1846 and 1848 .

      One of these Unions supports tho free religious communities of Germany ; tho second tlie poor , without regard to difference of creed ; and tho third has founded children ' s gardens , and a university for young ladies , which is supported and directed by the Unions . These schools , and institutions especially , while propagating the new ideas of humanity , have been the cause of constant anxiety to tho bigoted or Pusoyito Protestant party , which is connected with the Protestant Jesuits in Berlin , and secretly led by the Roman

      Catholic Jesuits . When this party could not sunprosa the free religious community by means comnionl y employed by Josuitism , they resorted to measures of violence , instigated by tho Austrian diplomacy . There ; iro several members of tho Senate and of the Secliziger w ) nJ beliove nptbittg at aU , And feel ntore dlspoted to pay hotoigA to 8 a 6 ciu \ B ana Vdnu *; than to Cntttt atid

      Christianity , but they are willing to obey the Austrian ambassador in Hafnburgh . The Community has nobly resisted , with the exception of two of its members ( two merchants , I hear ) , who deserted on the first approach of alarm . Every one at all acquainted , with the present posture of affairs on the continent , must know that such oppressive measures will only be the means of adding "more fuel to the generaf indignation , which forebodes a general outbreak at no distant period .

      I maintain here only that such violent measures are against the fundamental principle of Protestantism itself , that they establish brutal force , and that Popery , jftuitism , and the Emperor of Austria , are justified , by theSenate of Ham burgh , occasionally to use the means of violence , sanctioned by an older historical authority , to suppress the protestant churches of Hamburgh , and to exile protestaut ministers . * The senate of the free (?) and protestant town of Hamburgh , with its co-citizensj has gone in the face of the civilized world and of history , and has placed itself on a level with the fanatic tyrant of Tuscany .

      This catholic tyrant imprisoned two men ; the protestant senate of Hamburgh , of a protestant town , deprives three thousand respectable inhabitants of their first divine right— of the right to worship God in truth * and according to their consciences . This Senate has brought down scandal on the citizens of Hamburgh , whose forefathers have struggled and suffered so nobly in the cause of religious liberty and progress .

      They betray the very principle which raised Hamburgh to her present position and wealth . From this moment , all true relig ious noble-minded English and Americans , who stand in commercial connexion with the merchants of Hamburgh , must recoil at such irreligious and base conduct , and feel ashamed of the cowardice of the Senate , for it is here well known that Austria and Popery have a hand in all this .

      Sir , I beg you will allow me to lay down in your organ , my solemn protest , in the name of religious liberty and humanity , against these violent proceedings , which are a shame to the 19 th century , and especially to Protestant countries . May the noble-minded and true religious English and Americans not be silent and inactive in this important cause , and may the press of England act herein with the same noble indignation as it has

      done in the cause of the Madiai . The free religious communities in London , and those of America , will do their duty by their suffering brethren in Hamburgh . Respectfully yours , Johannes Ronge . Iiondon , 24 th Feb . 1853 . 11 , Hollis-place , Camden-town .

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      THE ROMANCE OF THE " DIGGINGS . " The Dublin . Commercial Journal publishes a letter giving a novel glimpse of society at the diggings . The letter was lately received by a lady of Dublin from a young female friend , and former schoplfellow of hers , iiow at the Australian diggings . It appears from her narrative that she and her brother were suddenly left orphans with 300 J . for their necessities , and all the fancies and niceties which life in prosperous circumstances is wont to include . " He had passed through college with credit , and could write poetry , and rido up to the hounds as well as any huntsman who ever hunted tho Golden Vale , while I , on mv part , could play polkas , sing ballads , speak French

      and a little German , was a capital horsewoman ( only I had no horse ) , and once in my life had composed a waltz , and written sixteen chapters of a novel , which broke down fj-om my not knowing how to get my heroine out of a terrible scrape . But , alas 1 my dear friend , all these things might have done well enough * once upon a time , ' but tho real battle of life was now to bo fought by two utterly inexperienced raw recruits , and the question was , how our time and means were to bo profitably rather than pleasantly spent . Fortunately , wo were both young , strong , active , and hearty , and never did any Sebastian and Viola of thom all love each other with a stronger and more enduring affection than did Frank and I—solo remnants , as wo were , of so much prosperity and so little prudence . "

      After much nervous consultation over tho 300 ? . they determined to emigrate to Australin . On reaching Melbourne they found they could not encounter worso inconveniences at the diggings , and there they now are under singularly interesting circumstances . Tho young lady says ;—" I woa rosolvodito accompany my brother and his friends to tho diggings , and I folt that to do so in my own proper costume and character would bo to run unnecessary hazard .

      Iioncb my change I cut ray hair into a very masculine fashion ; I purchased a broad felt hat , a sort of tunic or smock of coarse blue cloth , trowaor * to conform , boots of a miner , and thus parting with my set for a season ( I hoped a bettor one ) , behold mo an accomplished candidato for mining operations and all the perils and inconveniences they might be mippoRod to br ing . All this transmutation took place with Frank and Mr . M ' a sanction ; indood , it was ho who first suggested the change , which I grasped

      at and improved on . I could not bear to be separated from Frankj and we all felt that I should be safer in my male attire than if I exposed myself to the dangers of the route and residence in my proper guise . We have now been nine weeks absent from Melbourne , and have tried three localities , at the latter of which we have been most fortunate . We are near water ( a first rate article ) , and our tent is pitched on the side of as pretty a valley as you could wish to visit . I have for myself a sort of ' supplementary canvas chamber , ' in which I sleep , cook , wash clothes—that is , my own and Frank ' s—and keep watch and ward over heaps of gold dust and ' nuggets , ' the sight and touch of which inspirit me when I grow dull , which I seldom do , for I have constant ' droppers in , ' , to own the truth , even in my palmiest days I never was treated

      with greater courtesy or respect . Of course , my sex is generally known . I am called ' Mr . Harry' ( an abbreviation of Harriet ) ; but no one intrudes the more on that account . In fact , I have become a sort of ' necessity , ' as I am always ready to do a good turn—the great secret , after all * of social success ; and I never refuse to oblige a ' neighbour , ' be the trouble what it may . The consequences are pleasant enough . Many a ' nugget' is thrust on me whether I will or no , in return for cooking a pudding or darning a shirt , and if all the cooks and semptresses in the world were as splendidly paid as I am , the ' Song of the Shirt' would never have been written , at all events . My own hoard amounts now to about 101 b . of gold , and if I go on accumulating , even the richest heiress in my family in former days will be left immeasurably behind .

      Sometimes , when I have a few idle hours , I accompany Frank and his comrades to the diggings , and it is a rare thing to watch the avidity with which every ' bucket' is raised , washed , examined , and commented upon . Wild the life is , certainly , but full of excitement and hope ; and , strange as it is , I almost fear to tell you that I do not wish it to end ! You can hardly conceive what a merry company gather together in our tent every evening , or Iiow pleasantly the hours pass . Tea and coffee we have in plenty , for every one brings a hoard , and milk we manage to

      obtain , for among us we have imported two cows , which cost us about 507 . each , but that is a mere trifle . Cake of various kinds I manufacture , thanks to old Betsy D for teaching me ; and , as for liquor , we sometimes have a little wine , brandy , or arrack , and sometimes not . And then we dance to the music of a German flute , played by a real German , or we sing glees and quartetts , or talk of Moore , Byron . Burns , Goethe , ' Shakspeare and the musical glasses , ' &c , until midnight , and sometimes long after it . As to suitors , I have them in plenty , and not despicable ones either I assure you . "

      We trust the fair writer will not be too rash in exchanging her merry life , as the Maid Marian of the diggings , by rashly accepting one of the most despicable suitors .

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      PROGRESS OF ASSOCIATION . The members and friends of the Preston Co-operative Store Society have just celebrated their second anniversary with a tea party and ball , in the Temperance Hall . A very numerous and respectable party were in attendance . From inquiry , we learned that the society has been making , throughout the year , quiet and steady progress , increasing in numbers and in wealth ; that all the members were animated with true co-operative spirit ; and that they had succeeded , in a great measure , in establishing confidence with the public , by the honesty of their dealings—carefully avoiding all tricks of trade ; in fact , from all wo could learn , they considered their experiment had been eminently successful . —Preston Chronicle .

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      RAILWAY SMASH : A " DIRECTOR" KILLED . The Board of Directors of the Great Western Railway had assembled at Paddington terminus on Thursday , and were waiting for some colleagues . Suddenly camo tho news that a fearful accident had occurred at Haling , and that one director was killed , and three others seriously injured ! We append the " official report" as it tallies with others . " The morning express train from Bristol reached tho Ealing cutting at the umml time , 11 . 15 , and had passed tho Failing station on its way to 'Paddington , when tho travelling porter , who situ on tho tender looking back on tho carriages , observed one of tho first-class carriages to sink at one corner , and to run oil" the rail . Ho instantly culled to tho engine-driver , who , on looking buck upon tho train , saw tho gravel flying about , and shut oil" tho steam , reversing tho engine . When this was dono , hut before tho train could bo stopped , the threo ( irst-clasH carriages broko away from his coupling , arid woro discovered running up tho left slope of tho cutting . " Tho foremost of them , after reaching tho minirnit oi tho slope , foil over , and tho second carriage , coming into violent collision with it , also fell over on its side . " Tho last carriage wuh but sli g htly injured , * md tho passengers in it escaped without injury . " In tho second body of thn middle carriage four of tho Groat Western directors were Heated , coming to attend tho weekly mooting of tho board . One of thom ( Mr . Jamos Clibbfl , of . Bristol ) wo lament to say , was killed on tho spot . Dr . IVichard Smith was severely injured l > y a dislocation of tho shoulder . Tho other directors ( Mr . Potter , of Gloucester , and Mr . Simonds , of Heading ) escaped unhurt . Three or four of the pusHongorn mot , with Home injury by cuts or contusions , ltut not , in any easo to a Horious extent , and all were enabled to proceed on thoir journey . " The onl y causo which can be assigned for tho accident is tho breaking of tho scroll iron emd axlo guard of the

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      February 26 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . 201

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      :. f | GerviuuB wa » eoijMderf d to be- in 1848 , a conservative , to-day ho is imprifl < mea m too liberal .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 26, 1853, page 201, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1975/page/9/