Current:

Leader (1850-1860), 23rd April 1853, Edition 1 of 1, Page 393, Untitled Article

Page 393
Page 9
9 of 24

On this page

  • Text (4)
  • 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

      fttame , out of high excellence and world-wide celebrity—a ^ ork , the felicity of whose conception is moie than equalled by the admirable tact of its execution and the Christian j terievolence of its design—bv its exquisite adaptation to its accomplishment—distinguished by the singular variety and consistent discrimination of its characters—by the purity of its religioiiS and moral principles—by its racy humour and its touching pathos , and its effectively powerful appeals to the judgment , the conscience , and the heart —a work , indeed , of whose Sterling worth the surest test is to be found in the fact of its having so universally touched and stirred the bosom of our common humanity , in all classes of society , that its humble nande has become & household word from the palace td the cottage , and of

      the extent of its circulation having been unprecedented in the history of the literature of this or of any other age and country . They would , at the same time , include m their hearty welcome the B . ev . C . E . Stowe , Professor of Theological Literature in the Andover Theological Seminary , Massachusetts , whose eminent qualifications as a classical scholar , a man of general literature , and a theologian , have recently placed him in this highly honourable and responsible position ; and who , on the subject of slavery , holds the same principles and breathes the same

      spirit of freedom with his accomplished partner j and along with them , too , another member of the same singularlytalented family with herself . They delight to think of the amount of good to the cause of emancipation and universal liberty which her ' Cabin' has already done , and to anticipate the still larger amount it is yet destined to do , now that the : Key' to the Cabin' has triumphantly shown it to be no fiction ; and . in whatever further efforts she may be honoured of Heaven to make in the saine noble cause , they desire , unitedly and heartily , to cheer her on , and bid her . * God speed . ' ' *

      Dr . Wardlaw expressed his own pleasure in being called upon to move this resolution , and his unqualified admiration of Uncle Tom ' s Cabin . "My judgment and my heart , " said he , " alike fully respond to everything said in the resolution respecting that inimitable work . " He then spoke of Mrs . Stowe ' s present illhealth and physical exhaustion with deep regret , attributing it to " the effect of severe mental labour on the bodily frame . " " No one , " he added , " who looks at the Cabin and the Key will marvel at this . " He expressed a hope that her sojourn in the United

      Kingdom might recruit her strength and help to prolong a life so useful to her fellow-creatures and the glory of God . " Meanwhile , she enjojs the happy consciousness that she is suffering in a good cause , " &c . The Doctor then grew somewhat facetious . " It may sound strangely that when assembled for the very purpose of denouncing property in man , we should be putting in our claims for a share of property in woman . So , however , it is . We claim Mrs . Stowe as ours , — -not ours only , but still ours . She is British and European property as well as American . She is the property of the whole World of literature and the whole world of

      humanity . Should our transatlantic friends repudiate the property , they may transfer their share;—most gladly will we accept the transference . " Dr . Wardlaw declined to speak of the slavery question , leaving it to Dr . Stowe , the husband , and the Rev . Edward Beecher , the brother of the distinguished authoress , who were both present . Dr . Stowo was received with loud cheers . He thanked the city of Glasgow in his wife ' s name and his own . In deprecating the immense admiration excited by Uncle Tom ' s Cabin , he said of t he book that which from a

      literary critic would bo very high praise : " I specks nobody ever nlade that book ; I specks it growed . " Ho proceeded to dilate on the slavery question in America . In the course of his remarks , he mentioned the fact that the old Scotch seceders and the descendants of the Scottish Covenanters , are the only two religious parties in America who have never tolerated slavery ; and that the Quakers have censed to hold slaves . At the conclusion of his speech , Dr . Stowe requested the assembly to excuse his wife ' s early retirement , on account of the weak stnte of her health ; and Mrs . Stowo left tho hall amid the liveliest demonstrations of

      enthusiastic admiration . Dr . King afterwards addressed tho assembly , reminding them that while tho resolution condemned sluvory , it was respectful towards tho Americans and their institutions generally . On tho one subject only did ho see cause of blame against tho grand Now World . In many respects ho thought tho United States superior to Groat Britain . Mr . lieochor afterwards spoko . Hoi' wiih Glasgow destined to bo tho only city honouring Mrs . Stowe . A banquet was held on

      Wednesday evening , in tho Music-hall , Edinburgh , in presence of a crowded and brilliant assemblage , presided over by the Lord Provost of tho city . Mrs , Sto , we , pn tuking her seat at tho right hand of his lordship , was enthusiastically cheered , and every mention of her name and work throughout the evening was rocoived with groat applamd . In tho course of tho evening thoro whm entruatcd to the care of Mrs . Stowe , to uro for tho benefit of tho hIuvo and tho promotion of the abolition caiiuo , th « sum of 1000 overeign * , being tho result of tho national " Undo Tom Penny Offering , " Originated

      several months ago in Edinburgh , and being made up of pence and small contributions . The gold coin was presented on a silver salver , the gift of a few ladies of Edinburgh to Mrs . Stowe . Professor Stowe replied briefly on behalf of his wife , and , in the course of the evening , the Rev . C . Beecher addressed the meeting . Mrs . Stowe is to attend meetings in Edinburgh on Saturday and Tuesday next , visiting Dundee in the interval .

      Untitled Article

      PROGRESS OF THE SUNDAY REFORM MOVEMENTS . We have received the following letter from Mr . C . ~ E Nicholls . 10 , Great 'Winchester-street , Old Broad-street . , Sib , —The friends and foes of Sunday Reform have not been idle since I last addressed you . Mr . Robert Le Blond lectured on Sunday fortnight at the Tower Hamlets Literary Institute , Morpeth-street , on " Ought tho Crystal Palace to he Open on Sunday or not ? " Mr . Le Blond premised that his discourse would consist principally of extracts . He was true to his promise .

      From Eusebius to Archbishop Whately quotation after quotation was brought forward , showing that the opening of the Crystal Palace on Sunday would not have been objected to on religious grounds by the Christian Fathers , by the Reformers , or by modern theologians . Calvin , Luther , Cranmer ,. Baxter , and a host of , other authorities , were adduced . I need not touch on the lecture further , as Mr . Le Blond consented , at the request of the meeting , to have the lecture printed , and a valuable text book it will be . The large hall of the Institute was well filled , the Committee having thrown it open free to the public for the

      occasion . The opposition was as weak in its logic as it is unsound in its protestantism . Instead of grappling with the argument of the lecture , it laid hold of an incidental remark made in reference to Sunday Schools . The opposition had nothing to say , but had not arrived at a consciousness of that fact . At Sydenham a public meeting was held at the Golden Lion Inn . The large room was crammed , though the rain poured down in torrents . Numbers could not get in . Mr . Peter Taylor was in the chair . The opposition was energetic , though unsuccessful . The resolution affirming the desire that tho Crystal Palace should be open on Sunday , was carried

      by an overwhelming majority . Mr . W . Newton made one of his usual able speeches , which the meeting fully appreciated . The meeting was noisy , vehement , but good tempered , and considering that Sydenham is not addicted to public meetings , it was , as the chairman said , in reply to the vote of thanks , " Not the most unruly meeting he had attended . " Friends in favour of the opening are at work at Ipswich , Leicester , and some other places , the names of which I have forgotten . One thousand signatures are already recorded at Ipswich . The self-appointed saints are not idle . A letter from J . Alderson * informs me , that for several weeks

      past petitions against the opening of the Crystal palace on Sunday have been lying in shop windows for the signatures of working men . The working men showing no disposition to sign , as the next best thing tho saints are now canvassing the shopmen and shopkeepers , handing a tract to those lost persons who refuse to sign . Tho tract gives the statistics of labour already employed , but does not say that the authors intend appealing against such employment . In the enumeration is forgotten the lamp-lighter , tho Sunday policeman , who protects property and take up drunkards on that day , also tho soldiers who guard

      the palace of tho Queen . It is hard to bo consistent —• hard to bo forced , to carry out your own couclusions The Pharisees of 1853 , whoso piety lives in forms —these Protestant popes can overlook the soldier that guards tho palace and person of tho Queen—but tho Palaco of tho People , to guard that is irreligious , improper , breaking God ' s Law . Another letter , received from a draper ' s assistant confirms , the view taken by myself at the London Tavern in respect of them . It reiterates , " Our opponents dare not fuirly canvass tho 100 , 000 shopmen of London . " TIioho letters are but

      samples of more than two hundred received within tho last month by Mr . Lo Blond and mysolf . A largo portion of tho people interested in tho opening of tho Crystal Pnliwie on Sunday think it is sure to bo opened . They overlook tlio influence of Bigotry—of tho cry of " relig ion in danger" ou tho minds of the timid and tinio-serving . Evory effort will bo made to prevent tho first rending of the bill . If tho opposition i « BuceoBBful in this , tho question will bo closed for sorao timo . Everything depends on public opinion pronouncing Itsolf unmistakably in favour of its opening , ftvory one having an opinion should cxprctw it . Every

      one desirous of the Crystal Palace being open on Sunday should record that desire in a petition , and persuade others to do the like . Statesmen are with us —the intelligent among the clergy are with us . Both require backing up by public opinion , or they may not deem it safe to act . All depends on energy . Every petition tells . Promptitude must be the watchword of our friends , if what they do is to have effect . Yours faithfully , C . F . Nichoi / l .

      P . S . On Monday , April 18 th , Mr . Newton and myself attended a meeting of the working classes of Ipswich ; a deputation from the London committee having been requested . The opposition was numerous and vigorous . Mr . F . R . Young was appointed chairman . An amendment was made by the opposition and lost . An ex-alderman and several other gentlemen of local importance attended in opposition . The first resolution , affirming the Crystal Palace ought to be open , was carried by two thirds of the meeting . The amendment proposed was well supported . Mr . Sims spoke at first neither in favour of amendment or resolution .

      He made a doubting speech , and ended jvjth a doubt against the Crystal Palace . His speech made considerable impression on the audience . The opposition would not believe they were beaten . Not satisfied with a show of hands , the meeting was obliged to be divided before they would be convinced . The meeting was noisy and somewhat turbulent , but good humoured and hearty . Mr . Newton was greeted with three hearty cheers . A meeting took place last night at Orange-street Chapel , Leicester-square , to oppose the opening of the Crystal Palace on Sunday . I was unable to attend and have not yet learned the result .

      Untitled Article

      CHINESE LOVE-LETTERS . ( From the " Panama Herald" ) We think we might safely venture on a wager that perhaps not half-a-dozen—if any—of our readers have ever seen a genuine Chinese love-letter . We have , though . Recently in Amoy a marriage was concluded between a son of the ancient family of " Tan" and a daughter of the equally old and respectable house of " O , " and the annexed productions , we are assured , are literal translations of the letters that passed on the occasion between the fathers of the young couple . Hero we have the proposal of the father of the bridegroom •—

      " The ashamed younger brother , sur named Tan , named Su , with washed head makes obeisance , and writes this letter to the greatly virtuous and humble gentleman whoso surname is O , old" teacher , great man , and presents it at the foot of the gallery . At this season of the year the satin curtains are enveloped in mist , reflecting the beauty of tho river and hills , in tho fields of tho blue gem are planted rows of willows close together , arranging and diffusing tho commencement of genial influences , and consequently adding to the good of tho old year . " ' I duly reverence your lofty door . Tho guest of the Sue country descends from a good stock , tho origin of tho female of the Hui country likewise ( is so too . ) You havo

      received their transforming influences , resembling tho great effects produced by rain , much more you , my honourable nearly-related uncle , your good qualities are of a very raro order . I , the mean one , am ashamed of myself , just as rotten wood is in tho presenco of aromatic herbs . I now receive your indulg-onco inasmuch as you havo listened to tlio words of tho match-maker , and given Miss S . in marriage to fcbo mean one ' s eldest eon named Kang : your assenting to it is worth moro to mo tlian a thousand pieces of gold . Tho marriage business will bo conducted according to the six rules of propriety , and I

      will reverently announce the business to my ancestors with presents of gems and silks . I will arrange tho tilings received in your basket bo that all who tread tho threshold of my door may enjoy them . From this timo forward tho two eurnaxncH will do united , and I trust the union will bo ft felicitous ono , and last for hundred years , and realize tho delight oxperienced by tlio union of tho two countries Chin and Chin . I hopo that your honourable benovolenco and consideration will defend me unceasingly . At present tho dragon flies in Bin Hai term , tho first month , lucky day . I , Mr . Su , bow respectfully . Light before . '" tho

      On thin decoction of the essential oil of modesty young Miss O ' h father looks with favour , ko ho respond * in a state of still more profoundly polite humility : — " Tho younger brother eurnarnod O , named Tuh , of tlio family to bo related by rnarriago , wiihImjs his head clean , knocks his head and bovvfl , and writes thin mnrriago letter in roply to tho far-famed and virtuous gentleman 8 urnamod Tan , tho venorablo teacher and great man who manages thin businoHH . At this Boason tho heart of tho plum blossom in increasingly whitti ; nt tho beginning of tho first month it opens its petals . Tlio oyo-browB of tho when shaken btho wind it

      willow flhoot out their greon , y displays its glory , and grows luxuriantly into five goriflrations . 'Tis matter for congratulation tho union of HX ) yearfl . I rovoronco your lofty gato . Tho prognostic is good , also tho divination of tlio lucky bird . Tho stars aro bright , and tho dragons m <> ot together . In ovory Bucceeding dynasty oflico will li « hold , and for many a genoration official vcNtments will bo worn ( not only thone of your family surname will onjoy all the aforementioned felicity ) , more especially will your honourable gentlemen who nonsews abilities groat « jvd deop , yowr mfuu * pr » are dipuified and pure J , tho foolish ono , am twlimuod of my dxiniriu

      Untitled Article

      Atftit 23 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . 893

      Untitled Article

      * Will Mr . Alderson forward his address , as I should like to communicate with him . It will bo Strictly « 6 t \ jl d * nti<—Q , F . N .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), April 23, 1853, page 393, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1983/page/9/