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Leader (1850-1860), 11th February 1854, Edition 1 of 1, Page 129, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      cholera ( 24 hours ) . ' This disease which unhappily has kept its ground in various parts of the island , notwithstanding the sharp frosts of winter , has almost disappeared from iLondon , —however brief the respite may be . In the last week of 1853 , 10 deaths from cholera were registered ; in 5 weeks of the current year the whole number has been only ft . Last week the births of 857 boys and 798 girls , in all 1655 children , were registered in London . In the nine corresponding weeks of the years 1845-53 the average number was 1470 .

      At the Iioyal Observatory , Greenwich , the mean Height of the barometer in the week was 29 * 958 in . The reading of the barometer decreased from 29 * 98 in . at the laeginning of the week to 2970 in . by 10 h . o . m . on the 29 th ; increased to 30 * 09 in- by 9 h . a . m . on the 31 st ; decreased to 29-82 in . by 8 h , a . m on the 1 st February * , increased to 30-22 in . by 9 h . a . m . on the 3 rd ; and decreased to 29 * 73 in . by the end of the week . The mean temperature of the week was 42 degs ., which is 4 * 3 ( tegs , above the average of the

      same week in 38 years . The excess of mean daily temperature was 5 * 8 degs . on Sunday , 11 * 8 degs . on Monday , 11 * 3 degs . on Tuesday , 7 * 9 degs . on Wednesday , only 0-4 degs . on Thursday . On the last two days the mean temperature was below the average . The mean dew-point temperature was 39 * 3 degs- The temperature of the water of the Thames rose to 46 degs . and upwards on Wednesday , Thursday , and Iriday . The wind which blew frcm south-west on the first four days , aftterwards changed to north .

      Untitled Article

      STBEEES . —OPENING OF THE MELLS . Preston was amazed on Wednesday afternoon by the publication of a placard announcing , in the following terms , the opening of the mills on Thursday : . " At a special meeting of the Associated Masters , held at the Bull JRotel , in Preston , on Wednesday , the 8 th of February , 1854 , it was unanimously- resolved , that in consequence of the greatly increased disposition shown by the operatives to resume work since the meeting of the Associated Masters on the 26 th of January last , and firmly be-Having that large numbers have been deterred from openly manifesting a' desire to free themselves from their present leaders , and to return to their respective employment , only by fear of ill-treatment and of the loss oi their present means of subsistence ; this meeting is of pinion that the

      time has at length arrived when it is incumbent on the masters , in fulfilment of the pledges repeatedly given by them , to re-open the mills , in the hope of thereby bringing this nnfortuuate and protracted dispute to an end , and of rescuing the _ town and neighbourhood from that wide-spread and rapidly increasing distress from which they are now unhappily suffering . " Public notice , therefore , is hereby given , that the several mills of the Associated Masters will be re-opened , and will be prepared for a resumption of work to-morrow ( Thursday ) at eight o ' clock in the morning , upon the terras and in accordance with the resolution passed on the 4 £ h of November last ; and all persons desirous of obtaining employment may depend upon constant work , and are reminded that the masters are pledged and are fully determined to protect them against any improper interference or molestation .

      •• By order of tho Associated Masters . * Feb . 8 , 1854 . " Tho operatives immediately met . There was a y-ery large attendance . After hearing several addresses , the multitude pledged itself not to resume work without the advance claimed . The meeting concluded , as usual , with three cheers for the 10 per

      cent . The measure of the masters , however , has hitherto proved a failure . The mills were opened , the bells rung , but very few handa came to the call . In the afternoon , the largest and most enthusiastic meeting ever held by the operatives resolutely and unanimously resolved not to go to work unless their demands were conceded . The utmost order prevailed . The shipwrights of the Tyne and Wear struck work on Saturday fox an advance of wages from 30 a . to 36 s . ii-week . By ten o ' clock in the forenoon the Shields masters had complied with the terms of the men ; and it is thought that in a day or two the Wear men will have come to terms witli their employers and gone to work again .

      Untitled Article

      LOO All LEGISLATION . Lord Palmerstoh ' s known intention of organising a Sewers Commission upon tho principle of local representation , will meet with a ready support . A committee appointed by the Marylebone Vestry to inquire into the subject , with a viow to future legislation , recommend tliat the construction of all severs should be taken out of tho hands of builders , and ( lone by the officers of the commissioners , and that all house-drains should be constructed under their supervision . Thu committee make the folio-wing proposition : — "Wcro the city of London and each of tho metropolitan borough * — Greenwich , Finsbury , Lambeth , Marylebone , South vark , Towor Ham lota , and Westminster—to appoint by election each throe metropolitan counniasioners of sewers , aad these twenty four commissioners to fleet and appoint four itOrqu .-iti-ly remunerated professional commissioner !) , al

      often years * standing in their professions—a barrister to act as chairman , a civil engineer , an architect , and a medical officer , being a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians , pi the Royal College of Surgeons , London ; the twenty-eight commissioners would form a board based on popular representation , combined with talent legal , engineering , architectural , and medical , able to meet all possible questions on sewers , sewage , and drainage . One-third of tie twenty-four representative commissioners to go out of office annually , but to * be eligible for re-election . "

      Untitled Article

      THE OPENING OF THE MtTBBAY . The following extract from a private letter announces the commencement of a most important commercial enterprise in connexion with thia colony — the opening of the navigation of the Murray River . The writer is a squatter in the Liewan dis > trict , adjoining Edward ' s River . Under date October 2 , 1853 , he says : — "I had the ' pleasure the other day of starting with the first load of wool ever shipped on the Murray Hirer , at a distance of 14 O 0 miles from the sea mouth . The opening of the navigation of this river will be a great benefit to all of us squatters on or near its banks , and will greatly

      increase the value of our runs , as in a great many instances we shall he able to roll our wool from the wool-shed into the barge . The steamer that has commenced running—the Lady Augvsta , Captain Cadell—islOO feet long , and ~ 20 feet team . She is housed over for passengers , and carries no , cargo , brat tows a tender of 70 tons' burden , -which , will convey 500 bales of wool , and tbeytalk of making the trip from this point and back in three weeks . At present their freight is too high , but they hope to reduce it as labour becomes more plentiful . Farming is now

      a profitable employment . We are beginning to feel the benefit of the gold discovery in the price of our fat stock and wool , and I intend to realise , if I can , while . things are high , as * I am sure there must be a turn . I have nearly got through my shearing now , but I am very short-handed , and have had a great deal of trouble , chiefly owing to the inconvenience arising from want of labour , which is still as scarce as ever . At this time I am without a house-servant , and have been so for some weeks , nor do X see any immediate prospect of obtaining one . "

      Untitled Article

      THE THIEF AttD THE OATH . George Brooks was charged at Bow Street with stealing a volume of the Lancet , the property of Edward Truelove , bookseller , of the Strand . A police-constable of the F division having stated that he stopped the young man with "the book in his possession , and that the prisoner admitted having stolen it " from distress , " The prosecutor was called upon to identify the property , and the chief usher was about to administer the oath to him in the usual manner , - when he requested permission to make an affirmation instead . Mr . Jardine inquired upon what grounds ? The Prosecutor : Because I object to take an oath . Mr . Burnaby , chief clerk : What religion do you profess , then ?

      Prosecutor : I profess no religion . I claim exemption on conscientious grounds . Mr . Jardine : I can only exempt you on religious grounds . Prosecutor : By a recent act of Parliament any man who conscientiously objects to take an oath is permitted to make an affirmation . Mr . Jardine : There is an act which enables Quakers , Moravians , and some other religious sects , to make affirmations , because they object to the oath on religious grounds . Your objection is based on irregular grounds , and I am not aware of there being any law , recent or otherwise , that recognises such an objection to that .

      A question then arose as to which was entitled to the possession of the property—the prosecutor or the prisoner ? .. Mr . Jardine said the prisoner must have the book if he claimed it , but probably he would not . " ' > The prisoner - was asked il he would consent to give up the book to the prosecutor ? Prisoner : Yes , he may have it . The prisoner was then discharged .

      Mr . Jardine : Yes , certainly . Ihs woman , although a prostitute , may have some religious belief ! Prosecutor : Then I can have no redress , and HO protection for my property ? . ; ; Mr . Jardine : That happens to be so inthiscage ^ because you have no one else who con . speak as to the identity- < pf the property . It is the legal consequence of tne course you have taken . ¦> Prosecutor : Forgive ine , Sir , for urging ' you , as a magistral , to use your influence to effect an amendment jtSr this most unjust law . ; Mj fc ~ J » fline : That is not my province , and , if it were * 8 ^ 1 could n ot say that the frequency of such casj&rendered an alteration necessary , for during all ravrexperieace as a magistrate I do not remember a similar occurrence , with one exception . At all events ; the matter is at an end no > w , and the prisoner is discharged .

      The prosecutor adhered to his opinion that there had been some recent legislation which placed the conscientious non-believer on the same footing as the conscientious Quaker or Moravian , and consequently some little time was spent by the magistrate and chief clerk in overhauling acts of Parliament , law reports , &c , with a view to enlighten him on the point ; after which , Mr . Jardine again informed the prosecutor that he must be mistaken . According to the law of this country there must he a religious sanction given to

      tho evidence received in courts of justice . The Quaker was exempted , not becauso he had no religious belief , but because he had religious scruples which the law deemed it right to respect . No such consideration was shown to the non-believer , and , consequently , if he refused to take the oath , hia cvidenco must bo rejected . In doing -what the law required him to do , he ( Mr . Jardine ) did not mean to cast any reproach upon the prosecutor , who , no doubt , was at full liberty to enjoy hia own opinions in common with other men .

      Tho Prosecutor : Then I am to understand that the abandoned prostitute who was examined on oath just now is entitled to the protection which is refused to me , because I conscientiously object to the solemn appeal which she had no scruple in making ?

      Untitled Article

      Colonel Percy Herbert has been elected for Ludlow . Conservative ; ¦ will support the Governntfent on the Eastern question . The formal election of Sir William Mecthcote as , member for the University of Oxford took place on' Tuesday . Lord Charles Wellesley is about to retire from the representation of Windsor . " The nomination for South Staffordskixo took place on Wednesday . The candidates nominated wore Lord Ingestre , Conservative ; and Lord Paget , Liberal . . The show ofhauds was in favour of the latter .

      The Hon . F . Campbell delivered an unintelligible statement of his opinions to the electors of Cambridge , on Saturday . His mental calibre may be estimated from the fact ' that he looks , upon Mr . Disraeli as the coining man I Mr . Palk ., an anti-tractarian , living near Exeter , lias come forward to oppose Sir Stafford NortJicote for South Devon . . I 'Die inquiries into the elections at Hull and Bdrristaple havd been published as reports . At Hull in 1841 each party tiaid , between 600 and 700 voters : in 1847 about 1200 were bribed ;

      in 1852 , of the 8983 who voted , nearly 1400 were bribed . The constituency consists of 1500 freemen and 8000 occupiers , and the commissioners state that 1100 of the freemen were bribed once at least , and the greater number of . them oftener , in the course of these throe elections . At Barnstaple , the election in 1847 was a pure one , t > ut corrupt practices extensively prevailed at the election In 1852 , 255 of the 696 who polled having been bribed—viz ., 121 householders , tuul 134 freemen . Only five of Lord Ebrington's voters were , bribed .

      Untitled Article

      The freedom of the City of London -was formally presented to Mr . Layard , the explorer of Nineveh , on Thursday . Mr . Layard announced that he 6 hould probably see those dear scenes on the Tigris and Euphrates no more , for he had now entered on public life . , Dr . Newman has arrived in Dublin to organiso the New Roman Catholic University . . . The family of tho late Lioutenant Bellot have just given to the mayor of Rochefort , as a stri ) dn £ proof of their gratitude , tho Cross of tho legion of Honour , winch Lieutenant Bellot had with him on board tbo Phoenix , at the time of lua last and disastrous expedition to tho Arctic Seas .

      Herr Sommera' monster concert , in the Great Exhibition building , on Monday evening was a . complete triumph , both as regarded the attendance and the inu » ioal arrange * m ( nta . The numbers present , it is estimated , ranged between 14 000 and 15 , 000 persona , and comprised all grades and classes of Dublin society . The concert was honoured by the pro ,-once of tho Lord-Lieutenant and tho Countess of St . Gormnru . Tlio Caledonian Mercury says , tlie Duke of Hamilton , with tho Assistance of thu law , bus compelled the Roman Catholic church at Hamilton to restore to him certain precious pieces of plato ( funnily hdr-looma ) presouted to the said church by the duchess . —North British Mail .

      Untitled Article

      Rbbrua-rt 11 , 1854 . ] JT * H < EAEHA 3 PE ! R . jgj

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      MISCELLANEOITS . The records of the Court are of the mostjordinary . kind—the usual details of a quiet life . We find this significant announcement in the Court Circular of Monday ;— , " Mr . J . G . Middleton tad the honour of submitting for her Majesty's inspection the portrait he has -recently finished of his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French . " ¦ ¦•¦¦¦ ~ - Everyborly -will remember the visit to the Ghateau d ' Eu , and the return visit paid toQ . ueenVictoiia t > y that paternal Ulyssea—Louis Philippe ! Tenjpord mutantur .

      Untitled Article

      A Cabinet Council s&t for four hours and tltree * quarters on Saturday . All the J ^ inisters were pre-J sent . . .--. ¦ ; Another Cabinet Council , attended by all the Ministers except the Duke of Argy ll , sat for three " hours on Wednesday . J It was not until Thursday that the JRussiaxi Minister , embarking at Dover , left England for the Continent . '

      Untitled Article

      Meetings , in favour of reformatory schools for juvenile offenders , have been successfully held at : Cardiff and Gloucester . ¦

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 11, 1854, page 129, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2025/page/9/