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Leader (1850-1860), 22nd January 1859, Edition 1 of 2, Page 118, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      of Germany'are trnderr the imprieraioh that England la festering in a mass of wealth -and utter poverty , that her navy is unpopular and not to be relied on , her army composed of the scum of all nations . This last notion dates from . the late war , when Lord Palinerston committed the shameful and egregious blunder , endorsed by his disgraceful Parliament , of recruiting foreigners from every nation ; and this , too , in spite of the lesson learnt in the American war of Independence . Is any Englishman now sorry that the English colonists defeated'the Hessians ? I boldly assert that the English press have , by the continual ahd exaggerated abuse of free and liberal England , done more injury to civil liberty in every other conn try than all the despots put together . What is the use of civil liberty if it makes England the thing she is described to be by 'her own sons ? It may be good for liberty and progress in England , but : nowhere else .

      The great event of the past week was the opening of the Prussian Landtag by the Prince of Prussia in person , when he read the following speech : — "Noble Gentlemen of both Houses of the Landtag , — The liour in which I see you assemble around the throne , and bid you heartily welcome , fills me with deep seriousness . The exercise of . the royal prerogative awakens in me more than ever the painful recollection of that which has befallen , and still afflicts , our gracious King and master . His faithful ' , people join with me in fervent prayers to the Almighty that Hej in His mercy , may strengthen and restore our King ; under a xrifld sky .

      " Gentlemen , fully appreciating the high significance ( JBedey £ ung ~ ) of your office , I call upon you . to support ine , by your penetration and devotion , in the path which : I , keeping in view Prussia ' s task , her glorious history , and native traditions , have , entered upon , and wliiich I , with God's help , am firmly resolved to pursue , within those limits which I have drawn , and . ¦ which never shall be narrowed ( von Mir unverruckbaf gezogenen Grenzen ) . One of the chief tasks of my Regency is to maintain intact the prerogatives of the

      King and his crown . It affords me pleasure to be enabled to state that the condition of the country is satisfactory . The result of the late harvest has , indeed ^ not equalled expectation in some provinces , but there is nowhere a threatening want of the common necessaries . life , nor is the * rate of wages disproportioned to the price of food ; A lively desire has been evinced to improve tne cultivation of the country , and ameliorating enterprises have been actively entered upon which deserve the protection and assistance of the Government . .

      " The commercial crisis with which the past year began has , by the unanticipated extent and . continuance of its effects , been seriously detrimental to trade and manufactures ; at the same time , however , it has afforded proof of the . solidity of the basis upon which both rest in Prussia . Most , branches of industry are now beginning to recover , and with the farther continuance of peace there is every prospect of a flourishing progress . Plans for the further improvement and extension of our railway communica-j &on will lie laid-before you for your decision . The arrangement which lias been concluded with states on the ( Rhine , in consequence of the proximate completion of the Bhine bridge at Cologne , will , likewise , be laid

      before you . It is agreeable to observe that our criminal statistics sliow a considerable decrease in the number of prosecutions and prisoners . I regard this as a proof not only of progress hi morality , but also as a sign of increasing > vealth and the wholesome influence of the existing criminal laws . My Government will strive to make further improvements in these laws , and to remove all abuses . I consider it aa one of my most important dtttieB to watch , carefully over the finances , that every means may be secured to maintain , the welfare and di gr nity of the country . You will perceive , with satisfaction by the Budget , which will be immediately laid Tjefore yon , the favourable state of the finances , for which we are'indebted to a conscientious management .

      *' In the cautiously calculated revenue of the year , and the surplus which has been left , the means are offered not only to defray the current expenses , and to proceed with the increase of the salaries of officials , which has been generally acknowledged as desirable , but likewise to meet all other pressing requirements . I rely upon your ready acquiescence in an increased supply for maintaining the dignity of tbo Grown , forthe strengthening of the army , the further development of our navy , w » d for the common " weal of our country . •? Yon will see by the Budget what unwearied oare I Wave devoted to the perfecting of our army , which ,

      • with tmwavering loyalty and devotion in war as «> e 77 ew in vXBAcm ( im Kriege tote im Friedon " ) , has ever known bow to maintain by force of arms the honour of Prussia (• awMreEreussena avfrecht % u erhalten ztnetzu erbilmpfen ytmt 88 t hcHi ) . ?* 3 STo change has occurred in tho peaceful nature of out relations with foreign powers . More especially our fipwriflly intercourae iylth t ^ o other groat powers is vmdiaturbed . In conjunction with tho . other Gorman Governments my exertions have been , and still are , employed to put the Duohioa which are under tho sceptre Of fho King of Denmark hi the full enjoyment of those rights whioh they are ontftlbd to by the Laws of the Confederation , and the arrangement entered into with tho Cabinet of Copenhagen .

      ' " Gentlemen , when , some months ago , T for the first time as Regent addressed the representatives of the country from this spot , I called upon them to bear the banner of Prussia aloft . Upon this banner is inscribed : " ' 'Royalty , by the Grace of God [ which means in spite of the people ] , a firm adherence to Law and Constitution [ jas they stand , no more if no less , which is a question ]] , Loyalty of the People and thk Akmy that feels rrsEi / F victorious [ that is , the submission of the people who were conquered by the army in 1848 ] , Justice , Truth , ConfidencEj Fear of

      The * audacious challenge contained in these words can hardly be seen in the translation . The paragraph is a bold defiance to revolt , which , if I were a Prussian , I would accept in all confidence that the day would shortly arrive when I should not stand alone . The speech concludes : " Now then , Gentlemen ! " or , " Now then , you Sirs !" for it may be taken either way— " Wohlan , Meine Herren ! Help me ( or , lend me a hand ) to bear this banner aloft . He who follows it , follows me . We shall then be able to look with the same pride upon the present of Prussia as we look uponMier past , and send down as an inheritance to late generations the old Prussian spirit which vents itself in the unanimous shout , even though mixed with melancholy , ' Loxg live his Majesty the King I '"

      The first two paragraphs of this speech the-Prince read with an elevated tone of voice , laying an unmistakable emphasis upon the words , " "Within these limits , " &c . The following paragraphs relating to matters of business were read with more rapidity and less intonation . In the concluding sentences , " Gentlemen , when some months ago , ' &c , the Prince , after a short pause , again raised his voice arid spoke the rest of the speech with a loud and emphatic tone , accompanied with

      expressive and somewhat violent gestures . At the words , " To bear the banner of Prussia aloft , " he held up his right l » and as if about to take oath after the manner of his nation ; when he came to the words , "He who follows it , follows me , " he pointed to his breast . In cheering for the King he gave the signal to cry ' ? Hoch" each time with rather commanding gestures , just as Mr . Bumble might be expected to do when signalling to some hundreds of Oliver Twists to let three cheers resound for our noble arid gracious

      parochial authorities . The House of Representatives met at one o ' clock , when the member for Dusseldorf , being the oldest member , took the place of president , and opened the session with the following speech : " Gen'lemen , since the last session , much has changed in our state . The royal word of the illustrious Prince Regent that he will respect the laws and the constitution has found a lively echo throughout the land . We see the expression of this noble consciousness in this high House ( I beg your readers to observe that I am translating literally ; and cannot be made responsible for the nonsense of the original ) , which presents to us a spectacle rarely evident in the history of nations . A common bond encircles

      the representatives of the crown and the country , ba 9 ed ( geffrimdet ") upon the' greatness and the fame of the Fatherland . Much has , in these times , been changed ; but the loyalty and love for our hereditary sovereignsrthe loyalty which , firm as a rock , cleaves to us in all differences of opinion—t"hat remains as of old . Allow me , before I proceed to business , to call upon you to unite with me in the double cry , ? Long live his Majesty the King , and his Royal Highness the Prince Regent . '" These two speeches will , I think , enable your ' readers to judge of wlrat may bo expected from the Prince Regent arid from the present House of Representatives , unless the latter prove of very different calibre to their President .

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      We have received the following excellent letter , and are happy to find that the work alluded to in it is the production of a working man . There was no intention , in our notice of throwing the slightest imputation on the artisan class , but we know , from a large experience , that It is very unusual for any one not trained in literature , to express himself with the facility-shown in Mildred Norman . We are now convinced that it is the production of a working artisan , and rejoice at the proof it gives of the advance of that class .

      [ To the Editor of The Leader , ] Sir , — -I have no doubt your sense of common justice will induce you to insert the following explanation in your next issue . In your criticism on my new work Mildred Norman , published in your last number , you open as follows : — " We wish we could persuade ourselves that this work was really written by one of the labouring classes , or what we understand to be a working man . We . think that there is sufficient internal evidence to warrant us in saying that , although Mildred Norman may not be a professional literary hand , it is certainly the production of some one of a higher grade than the artisan class . "

      It is . respecting this quotation that I wish to write a few sentences , and first as to my own claim to be considereda working man ,, or , in . your own words , an artisan . I was taught in a charity school ; went for an errand boy , when 'I . left school , at twelve years of age ; , was bound apprentice for seven years , which I duly served , and have worked at the same trade , man and boy , for twenty years ; have worked at the same business this very day , and after the usnal ten hours , I sit down at home to write this letter . I enclose my name , address , and present employer , where you are at perfect liberty to ascertain the truth of the statements I have made , and which , in my opinion ,

      are amply sufficient ,, if . anything can be , to warrant my claiming the title of a working man . I venture also to call your attention to the plain fact that I am by no means the most gifted or able man of my class even amongst my own limited circle ; out of it I rejoice to know that my superiors , both in ability and application , may be , counted by thousands . The spread of machinery is doing its work among us , producing a class of educated men , who , casting aside the old ideas of pot and pipe , of enjoyment . to day at the expense of next week , are silently but rapidly growing up to be a

      new power in the state . , and which in the natural course of events must sooner or later be recognised , known , looked up to , and enjoy the confidence of their fellow ¦ workmen-Such as I speak of will become representative men—the leaders of their less-educated brethren for good or for evil . That such men are I know , and any one . who takes the trouble to inquire may easily arrive at the same knowledge . Let me point you to one of many significant proofs , from the Standard of to-day , where prize essays are advertised for on ten different subjects , the competition limited exclusively to working men .

      I have been told that I ought to take the implied doubt as a personal compliment . ; that I do not think bo this letter will prove , for it is also implied that there are no artisans of sufficient ability to write the book , and that the publishers have connived at a misrepresentation for the purpose of attaching a spurious importance to the work in question . Hoping that , if this letter fails to remove your doubts , you will apply to my employers and convince yourself , I remain , Sir , Your obedient servant , The Artisan Author of " JMildrkp Norman . "

      January 18 , 1859 .

      Untitled Article

      Trade ) of Labuan . —Labuan has become famous by Us association with the name of Rajah Sir James Brooke . Official tables now before us inform the public that in 1856 tho total population was 1202—viz . 1079 moleB , and only 183 females . Tho European males only numbered 21 , while the fair sex of ( Europe was represented by one solitary woman ( in Tanjong Kubong ) . There were no birtliB ( recorded ) , but 25 deaths . Tho revenue was 1805 ? . ( 2805 ? . ?) , and the expenditure 89007 . ; of tine revenue 10007 . accrued from a Parliamentary grant , and 1084 / . from " licenses" farmed out .

      Tho salaries , &c M of tho ( Lieutenant-Governor and other officers swallowed up 82267 . of the expenditure ( 89907 . ); 42 vessels entered inwards ; tonnage , 12 , 800 ; and 40 cleared oat ; tonnage , 12 . 444 . Tho Imports were 88 , 9107 , and the exports 20 , 0807 . There is no trado with tho United Kingdom direct , tho chief trade being with Singapore and Borneo . ILauuan chiefly imports cottons , specie , sago , and sundries ; while it exports coals , LlrdB ' -noHta , ango , and specie . Tho quantity of conl sola was G 589 tons . Tho prlgo of the native tobacco ia 2 fl . 0 d . porlb . Domestic labour 1 b remunerated at the rate of 20 . ' . a year , and tradoa nt the r » to of 06 f . a yqnr .

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      /¦ ¦' ¦ yi ^

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      118 THE IiEADIK [ No * 461 , January 22 , 1859 ,

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      Fuanoe aotd Austria . —It reaultB from a dispassionate and correct survey of the policy of the French Government in Italy that designs undoubtedly exjBt whioh may prove fatal to the peace of Europe ; that the desire of leading tlie French armies to victory over those plains which witnessed the triumphs of General Bonaparte and of the First Consul is not unfelt by Napoleon III . ; that his cousin , for personal motives , actively promotes these views ; and that the difficulty of maintaining a pure despotic Government in euoh a country as France impels the empire fatally to engage in foreign wars . This danger is aggravated by the inflamed state of Italy and by tho possibility that acts of violence may ensue . But , on the other hand , tho course ie not clear . Austria is

      no longer the Bomi-ofFete Power which crumbled to pieces at the first shock of the earthquake of 1848 ; her sovereign is a young and daring prince , passionately devoted to the army , and not unwilling to encounter his enemies in tlie field ; her army ia the boat ehe ever poaaosfled } and her cause , as long as it ia strictly confined to the defence of her own territories , ia juat . Europo , whatever may be her sympathies , will condemn htm who fireB tho " flrat ahot and strikes the fleet blow . ¦ France ¦ herself will condemn Kim . And , whatever may bo the ambition of prlncos , or tho madness of , popular agitation , tho great interests of mankind are all leagued against an infraction of tho general peace , rind It xnny yet bo hoped that ( their sacred cause will not bo overthrown . ' — Times .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 22, 1859, page 118, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2278/page/22/