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Leader (1850-1860), 24th April 1858, Edition 1 of 2, Page 400, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      rights thus guaranteed to Great Britain , the Rajah of Sarawak proposes that this country shall become the creditor of his principality , indemnifying him for the private fortune which he has expended in fertilizing , civilizing , and protecting the north-west of Borneo . Upon this stipulation , however , he does not insist . With the public spirit and singleness of purpose that have uniformly characterized his chivalrous career , he is willing to abandon all personal claims , provided that Sarawak be placed under the permanent protectorate of England . The Government , we trust , if it considers the project at

      all , will not for a moment entertain the idea of accepting these valuable privileges as a free gift . Nations gain nothing by parsimony , and it would be a national disgrace were Sir James Brooke , after his heroic efforts , attended with so many beneficent results , to see the last of his fortune sunk in the very moment and act of handing over his sovereignty to the British Crown . A . s affecting our Eastern interests , we have everything to hope from the attachment of Sarawak as a protected territory . A great commerce passe " s and repasses through the channels of the vast Malayan Archipelago , from Port Essington in Australia , and Port Montague in New Britain , to Timor , Flores , Sumbawa , Java , Borneo , and Celebes , and beyond these groups to the China seas . Sarawak , therefore , is a

      favourable field for British enterprise , commercial and industrial . Its climate is as suitable to the British temperament as that of the Australian colonies , except in the low and swampy disticts , or the localities encumbered by . dense and rank vegetation , while it is preferable to that of the Philippines , Java , or Singapore . It is not to be expected , perhaps , that European mechanics or labourers should emigrate thither in large numbers , since the native inhabitants are numerous and available for every branch of mechanical and agricultural industry . Therefore , any British settlement in Borneo must always bear a nearer resemblance to Singapore than to Victoria , the great bulk of the population consisting of Malays and Chinese , the latter not very tractable , but far from being indolent . "We have little doubt but that , with such supervision as

      Sir James Brooke might bestow upon Sarawak , the settlement under a British protectorate would ultimately attract a trade worth from ten to twelve millions sterling a year . The position is central , many of the native inhabitants are ambitious of becoming shipowners , merchants , planters , manufacturers , and builders , and every step taken to abolish piracy and slavery is an encouragement to independent enterprise . Sir James Brooke hasjset the example . In his noble exposition to the commercial community of Manchester , he told the story of his efforts and his successes with simple dignity , and explained to his hearers what advantages might arise to the people of Great Britain from a constant and influential intercourse with the races of insular Asia .

      The position of Sarawak is central , and the best in the whole Indian Archipelago , not only in relation to the island trade—a trade into which thirty millions of people may ultimately enter—but in relation to the seas aud ports of China . The southernmost point of Borneo is within a day ' s steam of Java , the easternmost within a day ' s steam of Celebes . The entire island is intersected by navigable rivers , and the mo 3 t important of these are under the jurisdiction of the English Rajah , Avfrni /^ inmn ltutiriro /) miloa PVArv ucrnv frr * m f 111 * f . nwn

      of Sarawak . The question is now before the Colonial Office , and it may be hoped that a matter of so much national and commercial importance will not be neglected . An Englishman who belongs to the same class , historically , as Drake and Raleigh , has prepared almost a new Indian Empire for this coumry , And it is now to be decided whether the most commanding' position in the Malayan waters shall bo incorporated with the mass of British dominion , or Abandoned to uncertainty .

      Untitled Article

      PUBLIC FEELING IN PARIS . JTjjjEi #$ jsjy ; ryJitt ^ news of Dr . Bernard ' s acquittal in Franco . As ¦ was to have been oxpeoted , the Government papers , sublimely unconscious that thero are such things as right and wrong in this world , are indignant that some satisfaction has not bcon given to Imperialist requirements ; and discuss the question as if tho English nation , perfectly awaro that Bernard was a regicide in intention , had deliberately declared itself in Ilia favour . Wo need not point out tho absurdity of this view . It is only necessary to say that , for

      our part , we believe the verdict was perfectly honest ; and though we should think it highly improper to compliment the jury for doing what was simply their duty , we may certainly be proud that England possesses institutions which enable public opinion to defeat complaisant Governments , and make the life and liberty of a foreigner as sure as those of a citizen . As to whether M . Bernard was guilty or not , it is mere impertinence to discuss henceforth . The two most powerful governments in the world have used all their efforts against him , and

      have been unable to satisfy twelve honest men that there is a shadow of a presumption in favour of his guilt . We most sincerely believe that if a single word , a single scrap of writing , a single act that went to show that Bernard hadregicidal intentions had been produced , the jury would have hastened to find acondemning verdict . It maybe true that they belong to a democratic class ; but they belong to a class which sets truth above opinion , and which is incapable of being intimidated as it is incapable of

      perjury . We must confess , however , that if the verdict of the English jury has been misunderstood by the French official classes , it has been equally misunderstood by the opposition . By them it is regarded as a hostile demonstration against the Empire . We have seen several letters , and spoken with several persons * whose words leave no doubt on this matter . Never was the enthusiasm of the

      Liberal party in France for England and her institutions greater than it is at present . " Let me see you and compliment you on your noble country . " — " Glory to England and her juries . " — " Honour to English opinion . " We copy phrases from letters before us . Our own countrymen in Paris report that the delight of the real French public was almost extravagant when the news of the verdict was circulated . Every Englishman over there feels a cubit added to his moral stature .

      The truth is , that the whole interest of Bernard s trial was domestic . If anything more was meant by the verdict than that insufficient proofs were brought forward , it was simply that we are sick of French interference , of French diplomacy , of French exigencies . This was certainly the only interpretation that could be given to the acclamations of those who witnessed the trial . The lesson may be thrown away . If not , the Imperialists over the water will learn that , with the finest army in Europe , the most submissive population , and the highest-paid police , they are bound to defend themselves at home ; and that England , at any rate , which has vaster concerns on her hands , cannot be pestered by continual demands to support a tottering Empire , and that she will not attend i o such demands even should that Empire threaten to fall upon and crush her .

      Untitled Article

      THE " REVIVAL" IN AMERICA . Those who sneer at this religious agitation forget that at the worst it is better than a mania for rotten banks , or for railway shares . Anything that takes away New York men from their dollar worship for an hour during the busiest part of the day , must incidentally , if not directly , do some good . Beyond this there is no doubt that some of the prayers and preachings they hear during the hour have in them much nobility of thought , and much of the spirit of true religion , One can easily pick out ludicrous passages , though , considering the general excitement , they arc marvellously few . The poor negroes singing , — " The , dohbil and me we can't agree , I don't like him , and he don ' t like mo j " tho announcement one day that " Burton is converted , " whioh Burton , owner of a theatre , " flatly contradicts " the next evening on his own stage ; tho " prayers for the conversion of James Buchanan ; " the telegrams announcing " thirty-four conversions , this day ; " tho thought of recording angels solemnly suggested to one speaker by tho sight of tho penny-a-liners , —these , and a few more less notable , comprise all tho oddities that may bo discovered in columns of report and comment . As a compensation , wo have from Ward Bocohor . ftni ^ J tor ^^^^ honour to a Wesley or a Whitfiola . Thoro is however about the whole movement an element of intellectual intoxication that gives room for tho fear of a very painful reaction . Rohgion is too subtle to bo moved by monster meetings ; religious habits arc too real and too grave to bo instilled by resolutions . Tho Divine Spirit was best likened by the old inspired writer to " a still , small voice ; " would it bo hoard amid tho stir ana sound of these mblio-prayor meetings p Bat more painful to our

      mind than any fear of reaction or distrust of efficaor is the evidence that many old habits still cling even to the foremost men of the movement a " Coloured Man" writes to the New York Tribune which seems a kind of official organ of the agitation ' giving an account of a visit he paid to one of the prayer meetings . Shortly after he seated himself he and " a coloured lady" were affectiona tely invited , by one of the leaders of the meeting to take a seat in another room . He led the way up to the top of the building , on the third floor , where he halted on the landing , and turning to the ladv said : — h

      " 1 presume you are a sister in Christ ?" " I am , " said she . " To what church are you attached ?" " To Mr . Garnett ' s , " she answered . "Ah ! " said he "I am happy to see our coloured friends taking an interest in the salvation of their immortal souls . " Then , turning to me , he said : " You are also a dear brother , I suppose . To what church do you belong ? " I told him that I was a member of the E piscopal Church . " 1 am very glad to hear it , " he added . " "We have sometimes very interesting meetings up here . " After placing a chair in the far end of the room , near the window , and requesting the lady to be seated , leading her to it , he said to us :

      " I hope you will not think anything , my dear sister and brother , of my inviting vou up here ; you know how it is ! " " Yes , " said the lady ; " I know all about th « e things . " ^

      " I had been spoken to , " said he , "by a couple of the brothers down stairs , and we thought you would like to come ' up ' here . The coloured people have good meetings ' up 'here , and we generally lead them ourselves . " He then , after placing a chair near the lady , and asking me to be seated , turned to leave , remarking that while we were waiting we might like to have a little religious conversation by ourselves , but when near the door was brought up by the lady saying , "I hope these are about the last days of ' these things , ' and when we get in the other world , for which we all profess to be striving , this distinction will be done away . " " Oh , yes , " he replied , " there will be no more of it there , I hope . "

      Shall we say that we English , thank God , are not like those Republicans vondcr ? Shall we say that in our churches no Christian lady or gentleman would object to sit side by side with the poorest brother or sister in Christ ? Shall we say that free sittings arc universal , and that there are no little drawing-rooms called pews , where the select elect are cut off from communion , even in praying , with the whole Church ?

      Untitled Article

      400 ¦ THE LEADE R . [ No . 422 , April 24 , 1858 .

      Untitled Article

      Wanted a Free Library in the Citv . —What would it cost ? Attend-without alarm , ratepayers , everyone ; it would cost you almost nothing to establish one of the noblest institution * of which this wealthy city could boast . Under the Act , the rate cannot be more than a penny , and even that cannot be levied without your consent . u Suppose the Mansion-llouse proposition to have been carried , " says Mr . lieed , " the utmost burden would have been the cost of a ' / Vines newspaper onco a year for every 107 . householder , and this price of a lawyer ' s feo for the ICO / , trader . The rating of this City shows that thero are 16 , 7 ( 51 persons rated for properties at 101 . and upwards ; and the total ftl » ount ° l property rated under tho Act , would be 1 , 116 , 01 . " ., which at one penny would give 4650 / ., and * ' ° '" *" ; pennv ( the probable annual amount required ) , 28-5 / . 1 ' or a halfpenny in tho pound , every citizen , whether rich or poor , could have access in his leisure hour to ai gr » na library of amusement and reference , und tho uso of boons at homo for the pleasant beguiling of evenings at tnc fireside , and , besides this , tho uso of newspapers , maps , and globes ; and if a Museum were added , there wouia bo « i legitimate homo provided for thousands of cunosus that aro now huddled «> vny in cellnra and dark corners ,. unseen and almost unknown , though of tho groniosi local and historical interest . —City Press . Tub Churoh-RAth Contkht . — A . ehuroh ratohasi been refused by the vestry of St . Mary , Truro , by 208 votes to 188 . —A majority of 85 lins oflbotod tho same result iu tho parish of Charlbury , Oxfordshire . —A doputatwn of members of Parliament and other gentlemen waited on Monday on tho Earl of Derby at tho l « " » ury «« reference to tho bill now before tho House of Commons , TnTKaucOTbyw-Joinr ^^ church rates . After hearing statements from sovenii members of tho deputation , tho Karl of Derby said tUjt ho flaw no fluoh solution of the question at present as m ahould think fit to ndopt , and that , until ho did . so , " should continue to oppoao any moaauro for the i « u ° »» of tho rate . nnntn \ n-South Kknhincton Mvsihjm . —Now rooms ,, oontmn Ing tl > o moat valuable of ths collections miulo by u department since Us origin , have boon < f " ° { & Qwcpn , and aro now free for public uso opd inspect 1 ™

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), April 24, 1858, page 400, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2240/page/16/