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Northern Star (1837-1852), 7th November 1846, Edition 2 of 3, Page 6

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      « ' T ' Hr Northern Star. Novembeb 7, 18...

      « ' T ' HR NORTHERN STAR . Novembeb 7 , 184 a - —^— I ,. ^^—^——^^ Mll IU - ' ' ' ' I ' ll I ' - mf ~ ' i 1 ——^———« M———¦ «

      Cradled' Tftobementgi

      Cradled' tftobementgi

      National Association Of United Trades. G...

      NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES . Giasgow , Monday evening . —Mr . Jacob * attended the engineers * meeting , when it was agreed , that the qucsiioa of the National Association should be entered into at tbe next meeting . Tuesday . —The joiners held their adjourned meeting in Trou Church Session-house , when Mr . Jacobs attended , to give such information as might be re--quiivd on the subject of joining the association . Several members expressed their views in approbation ef their adhesion ; and Mr . Jacobs , in reply to several questions on the application of the society ' s fund :- , set forth the various investment * effected and intended , and drew a very vivid picture of tlie proposal industrial establishments , under the head Permapunt Investment , which called forth the most enthusiastic approbation . The resolution to join of the former meeting was confirmed by vote , and the secretary instructed to carry it into effect forthwith .

      Wednesday . —The dyers held a meeting in their ha' ! , Charlotte-lane , to decide on joining the Natio . ' : sl Association , when Mr . Jacobs t'elivcred a lecture thereon , which was much applauded throughout . At liie close it was proposed and seconded ;—That the Dyers'Society do join the National Association , that they may be enabled henceforth to resist encroachments and secure fair wages . Tiiat the committee do take shares in the Employment Fund , in the name of this society . The above were carried without dissent . Friday Evening . —Mr . Jacobs delivered a lecture to the boiler makers , in the new school-room , Gorbal- " , when the following resolution was passed : — That the committee call a general meeting to discuss the question , and that the Secretary write to the several lodges , preparatory to the lecturer visiting them .

      SMA . LLWARE WEAVERS—THE DOCUMENT AGAIN . An Address to the Trade * generally on behalf of tbe Small-ware weavers of Tamworth , Measham , Burtonon-Trent , and the Surrounding Districts .

      Respected Friends , —Some time since , tho small-ware weavers of Manchester joined the National Association of United Trades , and thinking the interest of their trade would be better protested by the co-oprratiou of the country diitrleti , the Manchester men solicited them to join alomjwith them , and they responded to their call ; and we beg to state to the trades of England , and the public at large , the consequence * : — At Tamworth there are two shops , and they having joined the association , and one of the employers , Mr . Hamuu-11 , having heard of the fact , seat for the other mastrr , Mr . Harding , and they commenced the following cowardly and nnmanly attack : —They immediately wrote to all the small-ware employers in their district , including Measham , BurtoH-on-Trent , Cheadle , Teen ,

      and various other places , stating that their men had joined the Union , and earnestly calling on those employers to aid and assist them in making their men withdraw from the association . They stated , also , that the men intended to interfere with the business ofthe masters , and wanted to ' raake them pay the same price for weaving as the Manchester employers , without a due consideration to their interests , and concluded by asking tbe above employers not to allow their men to remain in the association , nor employ any men that they , Messrs . Hammell and Harding might discharge ; and we arc sorry to say , that other employers have taken the advice given -them * as instancedby Meeson , of Measham , having turned -the whole of his men from wor t , in consequence of them belonging to the association ; also , Mr . Cook , of Bnrtonon-Trent . has discharged a number of his men for the

      same cause . TTe may here state , that the Tamworm employers sent for their men , and asked them if they were prepared to " sign a document , " not to belong to any union ; hut the folio ' -ing was Ihe men ' s answer : — -We do not allow our hands to speak for our hearts !!! " Then , answered those employers , — " We have no further call for you . " In vaiudid the men endeavour to reason with them , that it was the interest of a roaster to demand such a price from the public as woald enable them , to five a just remuneration for their labour ; to this they replied : "it was interfering with the principles of Free Trade ; for they had a right to buy labour cheap , and sell it as dear as possible ! end if they " would not sign the

      document , they must go about their business . " The men appealed to their feelings as men that had families of their otra , and asked them to contrast their position in society compared with other trades , and told them that to enable them to live , they had to bring to bear the labour ot" their children at an age that was revolting to the feelings of every man , and likewise that of their wives , when some of them had infant children , which had to he entrusted to tha cate of another , who cared not for the welfare ofthe child , but for the small pittance they received for it . In vain did they teU those masters the union was formed to protect their interests as we / 1 as the workman , inasmuch as they wanted all master , to pay one price , in order that no advantage would be allowed to any single employer with regard to the price paid for the labour they might employ .

      And the consequence is , that upwards of eighty poor families are thrown in tbe street to starve ! which causes ns to appeal to the trades of England on their behalf . "Will yon submit to the vile persecutions of these tyrannical employers who league themselves together from selfish motives , and would starve the operatives to death for uniting together for the mutual protection and assistance of each other ? We hope the time has come when the artisans of England see the necessity of acting each for all , and all for each ; and we hope you will rally round these men , and by your support euable tbtm to keep the tyrant at bay .

      This public appeal would not have been made but in consequence of the men not being six months' members of theXational Association of United Trades . The position At these men m & y be best imagined when you know they have been out of work four weeks . We , the small-ware weavers of Manchester , solicit your attention to the case ; and if the case of the weavers who turned ont against signing thv document , deserves your support , we hope you will assist ns iu endeavouring to throw down the bulwaik of tyranny , as we are sure that if it is carried into effect by those employers , it will be adopted by other masters , ia other places , and other trades . Signed by the Manchester Small-ware Weavers' Committee , on behilf of the men turned out , Jahei Bolton , President . John Pcluh , Secretary .

      tW Subscriptions will be thankfully received , and all information given at the Rovai Archer , Dale-street , Oldhara-street , Manchester , at eight o clock on Saturday and Monday evenings . THE ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TBADES . —THE

      MANCHESTER DISTRICT COMMITTEE . 10 THE EDITOB . 01 THE H 0 B . THEES STAS . Railway Inn , Deansgate , Manchester . Nov . 2 nd , 1846 . Sir , —The -Manchester District Committee , of the National Trades' Association , will he obliged by the insertion of this reply to a letter signed "T . JWinter" in yonr number of the 24 th Octobsr , and addressed to them . "Tour correspondent commences with an insinuation that this committee has , by the distribution of secret circulars , endeavoured to sow dissension in the association , aud to " entrap some into wrong and hasty concltt-ions . " The influence which has entrapped Mr . "Winter into so very " wrong and hasty a conclusion , " as to stigmatise a circular sent by post to 130 individuals , including the President and Central Committee of the association , must ; indeed , he a rery potent one .

      "Whatever p jints of difference may exist between this and the Central Committee , we do not consider the columns of a public paper the proper medium for discussing them , and we think we should have subjected ourselves to very just censure , had we , Instead of complainingto the only parties interrested { the members of the Association ) adopted the very " wrong and hasty conclusion" of Mr . Winter , by making your paper the organ of Our complaints , which might have had a tendency to agg ravate and widen a branch which all good men would desire to see closed .

      This committee represent aver ; numerous and important district of the Association , and the course they have and may pursue in this matter , has , and will be such as a due Reuse Of the duty they owe their constituents shall dictate , And as they do not think it would be prudent tohe drawu into a newspaper controversy upon matters which the public , generally , are not directly concerned iu , Mr . Winter must excuse them if they pass over his and aU similar communjcations with this brief explanation . At the same time the Manchester District Committee would feel obliged if such of the Conference Delegates as have not yet replied to their " secret" circular wiU do so at their earliest convenience . I remain , Sir , For the Manchester District Committee , Tour ' s respectfully , Jameb Govuhm , Sec Wh . Peel , sub-Sec .

      P . S . —Some of the delegates having changed their residence since the last Conference , some ofthe circulars have been returned . If those parties will forward their addiess , or any trade newly joined to the Association , who may wish to he admitted into the " secret" will have a copy of the circular forwarded immediately . J . 6 .

      THE POTTERS AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION . TO THB EDITOR OP THE KOKTHERK STAB . Shy—Permit me through your paper , to call the attention ofthe Operative Potters ] to the paramount subject of National Combination . It is , with the fullest conviction , of the perfect adaption ofthe National Association , to remedy the wrongs of labour of every class ; that induces me to invite the co-operation of operative potters . The potters , like every other trade in the kingdom , have had its loeU unions to the fullest possible perfection . But after all our combination of energy and pence for years past , we are not in a position to help ourselves against the aggressions of tyranny , and our expi rk-nce ifaftrade amply demonstrates , and painfully exhibits j inadequacy and absolute insufficiency of sectional

      National Association Of United Trades. G...

      unions , to procure an honourable remuneration tor « ur toil . After all our struggling and tailing , and sacrifice of thousands and thousands of pounds , to aid us In our operations against the encroachments of money grabbers-, and the unjust impositions of grinding capitalist , ( though we have slightly resisted some attempts at tho reduction of our wages . ) After all we are left in a most pitiable and defenceless condition . Our energies are wasted , our hopes of triumph are cut off— our coffers once richly teeming with gold are completely exhausted . The members once united and firm , are become

      disjoined and scattered . This Is the position of the operative potters . And why Is it so 1 Is it because we liai e had no unions ! Sol Is it because of the apath y and indifference of our members ? No I Is it because there has been an indissipation on the part of our members to contribute to the funds ! No ! What then is the cause of our weakness * Why , is it mainly attributable to the contracted principles upon which our unions have be . n founded , our plans of operation have been too narrow and circumscribed . We have vainly striven to do battle with extensile capitalist , with no capital at our command . Our local unions have failedftom no other cause

      but that of there being local . And so long as they continue local , so long will they continae to be signal failure . It was with this conviction that we joined the National Assertion of United Trades ' . And with this con . vlctlon we call on the potters of Staffordshire and Derbyshire , the potters of Leeds , ofMiddleborough and New . castle-npon-Tyne , of Wales and of Scotland to follow " onr example . Nothing else will procure far us an adequate compensation for our hard labour , and secure the elevation of our trade , nothing else will so easily , speedily and effectually , remedy the wrongs under which we have so long been growing , I remain , Yours , on behalf ¦ f the Staffordshire Potteries District of the National Association of United Trades ' . Edwabd HumfHRIEb , Secretary .

      BARNSLEY . Thf Stoosd Meeting of Jocbneykrk Wbavkks . — This meeting was held in Mr . Acklam ' i large room , on Saturday , October 31 st . The members of the committee appointed to draw up the rules separately addressed the meeting . Each individual stated it was not tbe intention of that society to enter on a crusade against the " housekeepers , " they have objects ranch more extensive in view , namely , the advancement of their wages . The rules were read over proposed separately , and all adopted . It was then agreed that a copy of the rules be sent to tbe Northern Star for insertion . —[ The rules will bo inserted in our next . —Ed . N , *" . ]

      State of Trade —The trade of this town is in a deplorable condition—the once high minded and independent weavers of Barnsley are becoming more servile every day . At a certain warehouse may be seen between okc and two hundred half-starved half naked individuals , men and women , standing in the yard every day , whilst the foremen whose duty it is to attend to them , eoes strutting up and down , nnd leaves them famishing for three hours together , before they will condescend to tell them to go home to live on expectation for aneteer day or week as the case may be . A report in the Star last week was calculated to convey a wrong impression . No more than 6 d . per week each is charged for the looms to work common work in ; it is the damask looms that are changed from two to three shillings per week ; neither is it the men with small shops that live out of the labour of others , but some half dozen fellow * who have contrived to pick np a living by means of their large shops .

      THE KEIGIJLEY TURN-OUT . —EXTENSION

      OF THE STRIKE . The battle betwixt the combers and their employers srsws daily stronger and hotter . The men finding that the obstinacy nf their employers , and their numerous tricks fnr procuring the assistance of the unprincipled and degraded workmen of other parts , was likely to continue the strugele to an incessant length of time , came last week to the resolution of changing their tactics and grappling more closely with their enemies . For this purpose they consulted the pswer loom weavers and factory workers of one of the Leaguers named W . Lund . toknow whetherthey would be willing not to strike work till be save the combers the advance , providing they received wages nearly equal to those-they could earn at their employment .

      The weavers and parents of the children consented to the proposal , and the whole of his hands , about 300 are now on strike on behalf of the nombers . The factory bell rung on Monday morning as usual to summon them to their daily and monotonous toil , but , to the honour of the weavers and spinners , not one solitary being obeyed its call . The wheels and shuttles in this modern temple of mammon are consequently silent for the present , and the little boys and girls usually employed in administering to the monster , are no * . v delighting themselves with a holyday . In consequence of the guardians refusing relief to the starving combers , because one or two of tbe Leaguers proffered them work if they would go in at their old wages , and belong to no uaion , a public

      meetisg was held in tbe market p lace on Saturday last , presided over by W . B . Ferrand , Esq ., M . P . About 5 , 000 were present at the meeting—indeed , the market place was literall y crammed out with people , to hear tbe honourable gentleman ' s opinion ofthe conduct of the manufacturers and guardians . The combers had drawn np a statement previous to the meeting , exhibiting by facts and figures their rearcondition . In this statement they prove that the average wages of combers was 10 s . per week for twelve hours per day labour , and that after paying out of this sum for rent , fire , soap , and candles , which could not on a low calculation be less than 3 s . 6 d . per week , had 6 s . 6 d . left to find themselves and families in fond and clothing , not to mention Rates and many other incidental expenses .

      Mr . Ferrand , in the course of his speech , read the statement to the meeting , and wanted to know by a show of hands if it was correct , when every hand appeared held up in confirmation . * ' If , then , " said he , " your statement is correct , which I have no reason to doubt , I pronounce you the most injured and oppressed body of workmen in tbe kingdom , and vastly inferior In your condition to savages themselves . I find , " said he , " from the parochial books , that the greatest amount of money granted for relief has been paid to combers' families ; proving that the poor ' s rates have been rnaki g up

      your deficiency of wages to enable your employers to accumulate large fortunes . " After condemning in most eloquent and pathetic language , tbe conduct of the guardians and manufacturers . He exhorted them to persevere in their straggle till they improved their condition , and promised them every support his power and influence onuld afford . He told them to go boldly to the board and demand relief ; and if , said he , they should refuse it , and-any death should happen through starvation , an inquest shall beheld , and the parties shall quickly find themselves lodged in York Castle , on a charge of manslaughter .

      Several of the combers addressed the meeting , and a vote of thanks was passed by acclamation to the chairman for his humane and gentlemanly conduct in presiding at the meeting . The following are the resolHtions , which were parsed unanimously * . — That the conduct ef the Poor law Guardians of the Keighley Union , in refusing relief to the woolcombers oat of employment , is quite in accordance with the spirit of that unholy law , and at variance with the principles of Christianity , humanity , and justice . That the manufacturers ought never to be allowed to sit as guardians , it having been proved to a demonstration , that they will do all they can to make those guardians who are not manufacturers into their tools , and the working classes who may apply for relief into their serfs and slaves .

      On Tuesday la * t , the 27 th ultimo , a wonlcomber named John Murgatroyd , fell a victim to tbe cruelty ofthe manufacturers . Like many more , he was driven to seek work in the neighbourhood of Bradford ; end , while delivering at the warehouse , fell through a trap door , and broke the spine of his neck Being a man highly esteemed and respected , about four or five hundred of the combers attended his funeral on Sunday , and walked in procession to his grave . The concourse of spectators was greater by far than we can recollect seeing on any previous occasion .

      We shall conclude this week ' s report by mentioning a circumstance which happened at FarohUl la .- > t week . A manufacturer there named Smith , taking advantage of the Keighley strike , thought proper to reduce his combers' wages . Finding that all remonstrance with him was in vain , they came to a resolution of drawing out his power weavers and factory hands , by proffering them a certain weekly wage till he agreed to give back what he had taken from the combers . The bands accordingly came out , and in a day or two the refractory manufacturers yielded .

      UNITED TAILORS' JOINT-STOCK COMPANY . Mr . Parker , the General Secretary has been holding very successful meetings at Hamilton and Airdrie in Scotland . Mr . P . intends to hold meetings in Glasgow , Edinburgh , Paisley , Port-Glasgow , Greenock , Ayr , Kilmarnock , Alloa , Stirling , Dumfries , Inverness , and Aberdeen . All communications must be addressed to Mr . Parker , at Mr . Frankham ' s , P # st Office , Duddingston , near Edinburgh .

      Commehcemkxt Op Mlchaelmas Term.—The Lon...

      COMMEHCEMKXT OP MlCHAELMAS TERM . —The Lonl Chancellor ' s levee , preparatory to opening the courts of law for the ensuing Michaelmas Term , took place on Friday morning , when nearly the whole of tbe judges and most of the leading members of the equity bar paid their respects to their noble and learned lord . The " cup of friendship" having been handed round , the learned dignitaries proceeded in state to Westminster Hall . Previeus to the Judge ' s levee , Mayor-elect , accompanied by several aldermen and civic officers , attended for the purpose of obtaining Her Majesty ' s approval of Sir George Carroll , the choice of the livery , for the office of chief magistrate for the ensuing year , when the lord chancellor formed signified ber Majesty ' s approbat tion .

      Fuwit Jleetfe

      fuWit Jleetfe

      The Ribbbidob Union.—At The Weekly Meeti...

      The Ribbbidob Union . —At the weekly meeting of the guardians , on Saturday , a letter from the Poor Law Commissioners was read in which the duty was urged of indicting Sktcr at " the ensuing Sessions , for the assault , committed by him , upon Webb , the insane pauper , and which were held to have accelerated his death . After some discussion , the guardians agreed to summons a full meeting , for the special consideration of the subject » n Friday . It is considered that the guardians , by this decision , have shown a culpable apathy in the matter . At the Marylebone Vestry , last Saturday , the clerk read a letter from an anonymous friend to the poor , who had offered to subscribe £ 500 towards the comfort of those who having seen better days were , through reverse of fortune compelled to become

      inmates of the workhouse . The writer having received no satisfactory reply to his offer said , that if the vestry did not soon accept it he would make it to another Board . The letter was referred to the Board of Guardians , and £ 50 left with the rector for charitable purposes , was ordered to be added to the amount proffeted , a subscription was also proposed in order to make up the sum to £ 1000 . The present Lord mayor will have the merit of accomplishing a great service to the poor in the mayoralty , by his resolute condemnation of the practice ofthe guardians in sending all the unfortunate applicants for . assistance in the city to the receptacle at Peckbam , called Marlborough House , In which they were rlgoi ousl y treated in the night to be turned out in the morning to prowl about the

      streets . In cossequenee of the repeated attacks made by his Lordship upon such a disgraceful system as that by which crowds of poor fatigued , halfstarved wretches were walked a distance of four miles from the city to lie down in filthy straw , the guardians have determined to erect a building in the neighbourhoed of the city for the reception of their poor and diseased . They are in treaty for a piece of ground at Iloxton for the erection of a building , of suitable dimensions and accomodation for the poor . It is really time that some measures should be adopted to prevent the starving poor from being left to the caprice and defective judgment of the workhouse officers . Persons almost perishing for want daily apply to to tbe magistrates for redress and assistance ; yet they , in all probability , form but a

      small proportion of the miserable objects who , turned ruthlessly away from , the doors ot the workhouse , have not the courage to complain at a police office . On Saturday no fewer than fire casea of this sort oi inexcusable cruelty came before the magistrates at different police courts . At Guildhall , an emaciated and sickly woman with a child in her arms , applied for the interference of the magistrate . She had presented herself to the officers of the Cripplegate parish , to which she belonged—and explained that no fond had passed her lips for some time , and that , having no home to shelter her , she was in danger of perishing in the streets from want ; yet she was turned away unassisted . The chief usher said , that at Cripp legate workhouse , poor creatures were refused assistance without the slig htest explanation . It was an every-day occurrence ; the magistrates

      orders were quite unheeded . At Westminster a wretched-looking man , wilfully broke a pain of glass , to obtain the ( to him ) luxury of a jail , because , though in a starving and destitute state , he was refused admission even for a night in St . Margaret ' s workhouse ; to his great satisfaction he was committed to prison for twenty-one days . —At Marylebone Court , a miserable object , was also charged with breaking a lamp . He had applied for temporary relief at St . Pancras workhouse , was refused , and gained a fortnight ' s board and lodging in the ilou * e of Correction by his misdemeanour . Four other persons were committed for a similar offence for the same reason from the same court . —A destitute woman , had been- refused admission to St . Saviour ' s union , and was taken before a Southwark magistrate .

      Opening of tub Pouts . —On Tuesday a deputation waited on Lord John Russell , with the memorial passed at the Marylebone meeting last week , on this subject . His Lordship said be did not see any necessity for the measure . In reply to tbe statement that avigourous agitation was about to be made in the metropolis , and that perhaps that would have the effect of prevailing upon him to accede to tlie measure , Lord John replied , " No , that would not induce me to take the step you suggest . But if I deem the measure necessary , if I see a probability that prices are about to rise , I will not , in that case , hesitate to advise my colleagues to order the immediate opening of the ports . "

      The Gilbert Unions . —On Friday ( last week ) a dinner was given at the Steyne Hotel , Worthing , to Captain Pecbell , M . P . for Brighton , as an acknow lodgment for his exertions in opposition to the extension of the authority of the Poor Law Commissioner . * over the Gilbert Unions . Tbe invitation was given by the guardians ofthe East Preston Incorporation Act , but many of the influential farmers ofthe neighbourhood , as well as gentlemen and tradesmen from Brighton and Worthing , joined in the demonstration , and the party was about 150 in number . The Chairman in proposing the health of Captain Pechell , referred to the attempts which had been nude for the dissolution of the Gilbert Unions , and

      in resisting which the Captain had taken a leading part , The eyes and ears of the people began to open . In the Poor Law unions the rates began to increase rapidly , large sums were required to reimburse the building funds , and satisfy an expensive host of officials ; boards of guardians were set at nought by the commissioners and their assistants , the poor were grievously oppressed by their orders , and the public became dissatisfied with the denial of relief except in those dwellings which , although fair to the eye , were within abodes of discontent and misery . ^ He asked , then , those who loved to administer their own money in their own way , and among their own people , to do honour to him who w * s now seated as a guest at their festive board . ( Lott * d applause . )

      Captain Pkchbix acknowledged the toast in a speech of great length , in which he contrasted the management of the Gilbert Unions with that of the Poor Law Commission , and contended that , both aa regarded humanity , economy , and efficiency , the former was superior to the rule of Somerset House . The Poor Law Commissioners told them that tlie Gilbert Unions were , mischievous examples ; why then wish to add them to their unions ? The only answer he could ever get to this question was , that it was desirable for the sake of uniformity , and that one law ought to prevail through the country ; but to this be replied , "You have no uniformity except your uniform incompetence , and your uniform tyranny . " In conclusion , the Captain recommended the Gilbert Incorporations to unite with places under local acts , and to maintain perpetual watchfulness , in order to he prepared to meet any fresh attempt that might be made to bring them under the rule of the Commissioners of Somerset House .

      Mr . E- Born , of Brighton , spoke of the New Poor Law as a disgrace , not only to a Christian , but to any civilized community . He not only wished to ward off the Poor Law Commissioners from his own parish and the Gilbert Unions , but he wished for a complete revision of the system applicable to the whole of' the country . ( Applause . ) The Poor in St . Pancras . —On Monday the St . Pancras vestry assembled in the Vestry-roem , Gordon-square , for the purpose of hearing the Report of the Poor Law Commissioners as to the recent charges against the authorities and general treatment of the poor in St . Pancras Workhouse , and to confirm the resolution ofthe previous vestry , proposed by Mr . Mann , to the effect , " that twenty-live vestry-men . not being directors of the poor , should be appointed

      to reinvestigate the general management and discipline of the workhouse . " Mr . Churchwarden Ilowarth having been called to the chair , a long and stormy discussion ensued , as to the legality of Mr . Vann ' s motion , it being contended by the chairman Mr . Douglas , and tho directors' party , on the one hand , that the motion being for the appointment of twenty-five vestrymen not directors of the poor , and there being but twenty-one of such members present , the resolution was informal . On the other side , Messrs . Mann , E . F . Smith , Boulting , and other gentlemen , contended that this attempt was a most unfair and side-winded plan to evade the inquiry

      which the vestry sought to carry out . After the exhibition of a great deal ot personality and ill-feeling , in the course of which it was declared on the one hand that there was a determination no longer to allow Mr . Howarth and Mr . Douglas to be the sole rulers ofthe parish , and on the other that the object of the motion was to support Mr . Cooper , the workhouse surgeon , and procure the dismissal of Mr . Lee , the master , the original motion was withdrawn , and a fresh notice given , appointing an indefinite number of vestrymen , not being directors of the poor , to investigate the management of the workhouse , and the ; illegations contained in tbe Poor Law Commissioners' report . The vestry then separated .

      The Infani Obphan Astium , Wansiead . —A halfyearly election of children to the benefits of the Infant Orphan Asylum , which is under the' patronage of Her Majesty , took place at the London Tavern , Bishopsgate-street , on Monday , when thirty children were admitted , making 239 children in the establishment , whoso ages vary from three months to the completion of their eighth year . Opening op tub Pubis . —A requisition signed by nearly 2000 persons having been presented to the Mayor of Birmingham , requesting him to call a meeting for the purpose of memorializing Government to open the ports , the meeting was held on

      Tuesday , in the Town-hall . It is optimated that between 4000 and 5000 persons were present . The Mayor took the chair , and the Members of the Borough were present . Resolutions , and a memorial to the Government , praying it to pass an order in council for the abolition of the present duty on corn , were unanimously agrosd to . The most practical speech at the meeting was that of a working man , who said : — " That while he was for free trade iu everything , he was sorry to say that since the passing of the Corn Law Bill provisions bad so much advanced in price as to make a difference in bis household expenses of 4 s , a week . "

      The Ribbbidob Union.—At The Weekly Meeti...

      Shkffibld—Municipal Affairs . —On Thursday evening ( week , ) a public meeting was held in the Town Hall , Sheffield , in support of Mr . Bnggs , Chartist candidate for Brighton Ward . The hall was well filled . and the meeting was addressed by Mr ; Seward ( the chairman , ) Mr . Otley . Mr . Ironside , Mr . Brigga , and several other speakers . 'Two resolutions were unanimously adopted to the effect . That ! t was the duty of the working classes to lay hold of the local powers within their roach , nnd that it was of paramount importance to . tho , preservation of their rights to use them ; the meeting , tbere oro , pledged themselves never to rvlax tlieir exertions till the people had accomplished so desirable an ebjeot , thus proving themselves in' every way worthy the suffrage . That a committee be appointed to furnish the working classes with all necessary information concerning the ob tainment and exercise of the municipal franchise

      [ In our Chartist Intelligence it will be seen that Mr . Briggs has ; been triumphantly elected to the Town Council . ] ¦ The Sufitkrihgs or thb Irish People—Public Mektimo at Barnslbt . —A public meeting was held at Barnsley , on Tuesday evening , to consider the distressed state of the Irish people , when , after stirring addresses from Messrs . Segrave , _ Leary , Williams , and Mirfield , the following resolution was adopted . IH' ^ W—I Mill 1 * - i . i . i . w ¦ ¦ ' ¦• •— - — -- — - _ , That this meeting deplores the extraordinary dtBWisS that now prevails in Ireland , and consider the conduct of the government to he highly criminal , in not making a proTisienfor the working classes from tbe property which they themselves have created ; this meeting , is , therefore , Of Opinion , that the numerous deaths that have lately taken place in the country , have been caused by tbe accursed 8 } stem of class legislation . A memorial to the Queen , pointing out the sufferings ef the Irish people , the causes of those sufferings , and requesting her Majesty , to call to ber councils , T . S . Duncombe , M . P ., Feargus O'Connor ; W . B . Rob . rts , P . O'Higgins . andE . Jones , Esquires , as men possessing the confidence ofthe people , and capable of advising her Majesty as to the means necessary to put an end to present wrong and suffering .

      Who Were Thb Normans ? The Period From W...

      WHO WERE THB NORMANS ? The period from which the English aristocracy dates i ! R origin 18 that of the Normau Conquest , Aristocracy , indeed , there was in tbe country before , but « as annihilated by the Normans ; and this epoch is the vaunted birth-day of our nobility . There is nothing of whicb we hear so much as ofthe prido of a descent from these first JTorman nobles ; ofthe pure and immaculate blood deri . ved from this long descent . To say nothing i . f the wretched fallacy of blood aud descent , —for the most wretched and mischierous fallacy it is which ever cursed the human race , —being the pretext for every insolence , nnd every species of tyranny amongst men , and being besides , the most hollow bubble that ever was blown by pride , for , there is no bpggar who , if he could trace bis pedigree , would not find himself descended from kings , and no king who is not descended from beggars , —we will take the trouble to refer to tbe histories of the time , and show what these Norman conquerors really were . We shall then find that , so far from being a set of men to be

      proud of as ancestors , there cnnnot . be a more scandalously disgraceful origin . They were , in fact , a swarm of the most desperate and needy adventurers ; " a rascal nibble " Of vagabond thieves and plunderers . They were not in fact , one half of them , what they are pretended to be , —Normans ; but collected by proclamation , and by lavish promises of sharing in the plunder of conquered England , —vultures from every wind of heaven rushing to the field of British carnage . We shall find that , allowing the claims of such families as now can trace a clear descent from these men—and these are very few indeed—even such of them as were Normans were but of the lower and more rapacious grade . The great vultures fleshed thtraselves to the throat with the first spoil , and returned home , while their places were obli ged to be repeatedly supplied , through renewed proclamations , and renewed offers of the plunder of the Anglo-Saxons , from the still hungry tribes of knights who Here wandering and fig hting anywhere for bloody bread .

      Again we shall come to the cutious question , who the Normans actually were ! Aud here will come another singular laying bare of tbe proud pretences of our proud nobles . Forsooth , they arc descended from the gallant and chivalrous Normans . They will be descended f rom them and them alone . There is not a soul of them that will claim the honour of descent from the Dunes .. Oh no ! They are thieves , pirates , plundsrers , and savages . Nobody is descended from them , except some plebeians in the North of England , and except that the rabble rout of the common people are contaminated with their blood . And yet , who are the ' Normans ! Why , the Danes !

      Yes ! the proud aristocracy of England , such of them as have any long known descent at all , are actually descended from the Danes ! They are the legitimate issue of this bloody aud barbarous people that nobody wishes to acknowledge as ancestors . The Danes . " driven from England , fell on the shores of France , and amid the dis tractions of that kingdom , laid Paris in ashes , aud seized on that district which thence received from these Northmenner , or Normans , its name of Normandy . Here , though settled too comfortably for their deserts , they never ceased to keep an eye on the far richer prize of England , from which , for their cruelties and fiery devastations , they had been chased away . In the time of the Conqueror , they had been settled about two centuries in Prance : and thoug h they had acquired a considerable degree of external civilisation , and much martial discipline , yet , if we are to jud „ 'e by their proceedings on the acquisition of England , they i * ad lost none of . their greedy hunger of spoil , nor of their reckless and ruthless disposition to shed blood .

      The Obioin ov Hioh Blood . —what now becomes of all the beasts of high blood ? of des ; ent from those victorious Normans who won England at Hastings ? Here we have the clear declarations of history that these , and the sons of these bad eifchvr gone out , or were driven out till scarcely one of them remained . But if the proud blood of the present day be not descended from these first eonqaerers , as it appear * evident enough that it is not , there is every reason to believe that it is descended from a much meaner but equally rapacious broodthieves , parasites , low adventurers ,-and ruffians of all descriptions , which continued , at all possible opportunities , to stream over from the Continent for ages , and Co slip into the serrice and the favouritism of a succession of tho worst monarclis that ever sate oa any throne . We find these muddy inundations on almost every page of our early history .

      During the civil wars of Stephen and Matilda , swarms of these vile mercenaries had insinuated thamsulves . ; had seized on castles and lands ; had become such intolerable nuisances that a cotemporary writer notes the exultation which the people displayed when Henry 11 . ordered th « m to quit the kingdom in one day . " We saw these Brabanconsand Flemings cross the sea to return to the plough-tail , and become serfs after having buen lords . " But though on this occasion a pretty good batch of these animals was -rot rid of , the process of their insinuation was continually going on . In the disordered reign of Richard Gcsur de Lion , and still more so in that of the detestable John , they swarmed like beasts over the devoted island . Especially afttr the barons had compelled John to sign the Charter , did he send out and collect to his standard troops of such adventur- rsfrom France aud Flanders . At the head of a host of these base fellows ,

      Poictavins , Gascons , Flemings , Brabantcrs , Ice ., did this vile king traverse his kingdom , niw here , now there , like a fury or a murderer , burning , destroying , and plundering , as if in a foreign country which he doomud to destruction . The very name of his leaders and companions strike one with horror . "Falco without bowels «" " Manleon the Bloody ; " " Wattet Such , tho Murderer ;" " ¦ Sottim , th « Merciless ; and "Godeschal , tha Ironhearted . " To such men were his subjects given up , who tortured them to make them show where they had concealed thoir property , burned down their villages and towns , and , th « horrid monarch himself often setting them example by burning the bouse where he had lodged with his own hands , wfien he quitted it tbe next morning . Yet to these fellows did he give the t-iwns and lunds of such nobles as they destroy ed , and they became part of the aristocracy , and transmitters of the proud blood of the English nobility .

      To rid themselves of this nuisance , tbe barons in op . position to John , committed a worse error , aud created a nuisance "till greater . They invited over Louis , the son of the French king , offering him the crown , and thus was the kingdom put in danger of becoming a province of France ; and the strange spectacle was beheld of a French prince and army fighting on the fair soil of But . land . Happily , in the following ruign , Liuis was compelled td retire ; hut in the meantime many oi his followers had got possession of castles and lands , and also became part and . parcel of the aristocracy of England , and the progenitors of pure blood . Again , the great evil ofthe reign of the weak Henry III . was the inviting

      in and employment of these foreign adventur . rs . This was the perpetual source of his quarrels with tie elder barons . At one time Hugh de Burgh succeeded in taking Bedford Castle , and hanging eighty of these foreigner ? , knights and others , who had been guilty of the greatest excesses . But still Inter we read that Peter des Rouhri . a Poietavin , bishop of Winchester , taught the king to detest the older race of barons , to undermine Magna Charts , and to rely on foreigners , with whom he filled up every office in the court , the church , the army , and government . The hungry knaves , Pofctavins , Gascons , and French of every description , revelled in the national revenues , grasped at estates , and insulted the people iu the most audacious manner .

      Such is the state of things down to the year 1270 , and we mi ght pursue the matter further ; but here is surely enough to demonstrate in what manner the oldest and best blood of English aristocracy has been compounded . It is the product of successive herds of the most mis . cellaneous and most Uoody-mimled adventurers which ever disgraced history . —Hampden ' s Eistory of the E > iglish Aristocracy .

      Absconding Op A Clerk.—The Cashier Of Wi...

      Absconding op a Clerk . —The cashier of Wingatc Grange Colliery has absconded with £ 680 . He was traced to York , where it was ascertained that he had been at a house of ill-fame , and departed in the company of a young woman for Hull . On the arrival ol his pursuers at that port , they learned that he had sailed for Antwerp onlv about an hour before thev reached the place , To Autwoi'p , then , they have followed him ,

      Corit$Po$Ienrfv

      Corit $ po $ ienrfv

      Messrs. Bell And Dixon. [We Publish The ...

      MESSRS . BELL AND DIXON . [ We Publish the following from a sense of justice , how over , with the understanding that not another word upon the subject shall appear in the Star , except the proceedings of any public meeting that may result from the controversy , and then only the resolutions . Wc have en . deavaured to keep our columns fres from such controversies , and shall persevere in our determination to do so ; we offer no word of comment , nor shall we upon the subjvet . — £ a . ( V S . ] . TO THE BD 1 TO & OV TBE NOBTOERN 8 TAK . Tfton shall not bear false witness ajoinst thy nei ghbour . On looking over the Star of Saturday last , I was somewhat surprised to find another letter from Mr . Dixon . From the perusal of which , I am induced to believe that Mr . Dixon either has not learned , or , having learned , wilfully disregards , ) the solemn , and divine injunction with which I hare commenced this letter .

      In reply to Mr , Dixon ' s letter I will be as brief as the notions of the subject will permit , and shall , in order , to prore that Mr . Dixon does bear false witness , I will commence with falsehood The first . Mr . Dixon says , that , "Mr . Bell , in his letter' of the 6 th instant , endeavours to mntte the public believe that I have been unwilling to meet him , lie knows it is false . " Now , if the reader will lookovermy letter of the Gth instant , he will find that I have repeatedly requested Mr . Dixon to meet me before ihe public ot' Hey . wood , and either prove or retract the fal « e assertions tie

      has made against me at the Middleton Camp meeting , up to that time he had refused to do so—he still refuted to do so . That the reader may ascertain that Mr . Dixon does bear false witness let him refer to the letter itself . He says , that 1 sent him a letter replete with the classic language of Billingsgate , and that among othtr things , I unhraid him with having delivered two lectures for a fund which his friends got up for him . Why did he not publish the letter to which he refers 1 If he had done so , the reader might have judged for himself relative to the classic language , also to the taunt contained in that letter .

      Falsehood the second . Mr . Dixon endeavours to make it appear that I had placed this business in the hands of the South Lancashire Delegates , and has also published several letters which he fain would make the readers of the Star believe , t <> be proof that 1 had done so , these letters were produced before the South Lancashire Delegates at their meeting at Oldham , on tbe 11 th instant , I attended that meeting , and . with the exception of the first letter , denied tbe charge ef ever having authorised tbe Heyvrood council to place this business in the hands of the South Lancashire Delegates .

      Mr . Butterworth , the secretary of theHeywood council , was present at that meeting , and , if my denial had not been corrrot he could have disproved it , Mr . Dixon likewise published my letter of the 31 st of August , from which he infers that I was a party to the arrangement , I told Mr . Dixon , at Oldham , that when I wrote that letter , I did so under the impression that the county council would meet in- Oldham on the following Sunday , and that I would meet him there , and make arrangements with him as to the place where we should meet for him to prove ( if he was able ) the assertions he made against me . At that meeting I also distinctly told him , that it should be at a public meeting and not there , for that would have been like hole and corner work . H- - > knows very well that I was never asked to be a party to such arrangements . If he knew I bad been asked why did he not state who were the parties that asked me ?

      I authorised the Heywood Council te request him to meet me In He . t wood , I gave them no further authority to interfere with the business . Mr , Dixon , after having retailed something that some nameless friend of mine hare teld him , says ; " I therefore leave the matter for the intelligent readers of the Star to judge for themselvec , whether a man would go a distance of near one hundred miles , and not know where the money came from , I told bim before the delegates in Oldham , that James Leach was the man that insured me of my expenses , and also furnished me with the money fortbe journey . Tea ! I was furnished with money by honest James Leach , tbe man who has been eulogised in the Star , and often by Mr . O'Connor himself as being ( and who 1 still believe to be , ) one of the most honest men in the movement .

      Mr . Dixon says that the fact should not be lost sight of , that I wanted to discuss the merits ot a document , which was not printed until three weeks aftVr the Middleton meeting ,, ' If this be true , I must have considered Mr . Pison a ve > y " prophe ic soul" to think that he was able to discuss the merits of a document which , he asserts , was not printed till three we .-ks afterwards . 1 told bim at the Middleton meeting , that we had drawn up an address at Birmingham which would shotiy Be printed for circulation , and that 1 would undertake to defend the merits of that address . Again , he asks if I was able to prove that he made false statements at Middleton . TFhy I did not do to , the reason why I did not do so was , because I did not know whether he was tbe second person that was asked to join the movement or no , but I suspected at'the time that he was telling a wilful lie ; I afterwards made inquiries and found he had done so—he was never asked to join the movement .

      It is rather too hard of honest William Dixon , the man who never dirtied his hands with Tory Filth to denounce James Leach , John West , William Jones , Johu Mason John Lacli , R , G , Gummage , and William Bell , simply , because they went to Birmingham without soliciting him to accompany them . He says that I would not enter into the question before tho delegates . It is true 1 would not , knowing as I did , that he made the assertions before the public , and before the public only , I am determined the matter shall be tried , and for that purpose I will meet hlra , either lit Heywood on Monday evening next or on Monday evening week , This , I presume , will give him sufficient opportunity . If he thinks proper to meet me on Monday week , I will placard the town , obtain a room , and

      guarantee the expense . If this should hot suit him , I will meet hiinat Middleton on the same ground where the meeting was held , at which he made his false assertions and guarantee half the expenses . These , I conceive to be " honourable proposals , ' . ' and as Mr . Dixon says he will not again occupy the columns of the Star with this subject . I do not know that I shall have occasion to do so . For it is my opinion . Jirthere be an atom of manliness in Mr . Dixon ' s composition , he will at once accede to the just and equitable pr -positions which 1 now make , and hoping these will satisfy him , and that this matter may be brought to a speedy conclusion , I remain , yours truly , William Bell . Mills Lane He ) wood , October 20 th . 18 i 6 .

      The People's Representatives, To Thb Edi...

      THE PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVES , TO THB EDITOR OP TBE NORTHERN STAR . Sib ., —Permit me through the medium of your journal , to say a few words relative to the choice of Chartist can . didates at the next general election . The Central Registration < md Election Committee is composed of men in whom the country may have the most unbounded confidence . That Committee has been elected in compliance with tha resolution of the Leeds Convention , and I feel confident that If the netion furnish the means which the importance of their object demands , we can hare little doubt of a successful issue . But should the people treat the matter with their wonted indifference , or satisfy themselves with talking instead of helping , it would require no stretch of human for .-sight , no jre . it amount of prophetic knowledge to foretel how the labours of the Central Committee will end .

      To let the present opportunity slip will show our want of principle . If the people really mean doing anything , they should begin immediately ; there must be no delay . Surely we shall not be cny longer blinded nud deceived by pretending friends : who , kindly warn us against a scheme which they tire sure is impracticable ; or lulled again to sleip in imagined security until the hour arrives to demonstrate our weakness , and show the world we are unprepared for action . My friends , we are said to possess all the advantages of

      a free and popular election . I admit we have the mockery , or the semblance of the thing , but not the real original substance . Neither would I have you suppose that , becnuse our state affairs are gone into confusion , they are beyond the reach of proper remedies—or are , as some have asserted , irretrie 7 ablj ruined . Whi-rt tbis the case , all our labours to reform the state would be fruitless . We are uot under the yolk of any foreign power . The country still is said to be ours , nnd in proportion as we are in earnest in demanding , our rulers will be eager , if for nothing but their own safety , in granting

      redress . The House of Commons is the spot for the discussion and promulgation of our principles , The Charter cannot become law until our law-makers are made to understand it ; and that can only be effected by an unflinching , faithful band of CLartist pioneers removing the obstructions to the truth of progress , ignorance and prejudice—and clearing the ground for the approaching conflict between the rival faetians—Whig and Tory , and down trodden labour . The nation will ere long be called to elect a new House

      of Commons , and it is to be hoped that such men may be sent who , having no interest to defend but that of the commonwealth , they may live to see the principles of the Charter made the law of the land ; and their exertions crowned with success . And should any proud House of Peers , or haughty monarch refuse their assent to the salutary change it would be easy to bring thorn to reason , or to tell them their services were wanted no longer . lam thoroughly persuaded neither Jhe prerogatives of tbe eroiru , nor the privileges of tho peers can be exereised to the injury ef the people , without the guilty concurrence of the House ot Commons :

      Elcctors how can you expect the nation ' s business to be properly transacted and good laws made , unless you send good men to make them . No one disputes the right of rational individual to have his business done in the manner he does approve of . We maintain that the people are the onl y fountain of power . Tho public business is their business ; who will contend then , that whatever they order is not right , and whatever the people object ' to is not wrong . The principles here alluded to lie at the foundation of all free Government . The people were accustomed to the wholesome practice of instructing their - representatives , and held them responsible for their actions ; but 1 these salutary regulation * are , with few exceptions , fallen

      The People's Representatives, To Thb Edi...

      nto dUuie , their utility i »; dsslrojed by ionB p menti , in which only let your mombars obtain a «» ^ away goes your dearest rights for g even years , " y * servants will then be approached » nly in the "h * guise of petition ; " and even jour petitions are r ™"''' ' or unheeded without the slightest Consequence to « T ^ selves . Englishmen I Electors I these are your van " "' privileges . ^ What ! has the c ! erk more power than his empW , Hive our representatives set themselves above tlieir ^ stltuents ; and dispise tha authority of th « verj pe rso who gave them all they power they ever possessed , v ' indeed , and the time has arrived when your eyes sW , ' be opened to tho undisguised , stubborn reality , i .. not suppose that your old servants will be re-elected T that you-will delegate power to their hands to Irani * upon your rights with impunity , aud tyrannize over tj nat ' ion at pleasure . - ...

      • Such is now the case , and so it will continue until vn choose men p ' eilged to carry out your instructions , J ! to resign tbe trust you reposed in them at ' any time ' call upon them to do so ; Remember when once tle ^ your representatives power to do good or ovil cxt ^ , according to law , ovr a period of seven years , 1 ^ heed , therefore , who yeu choose . The power of beneJt ing your country will shortly fall into your hands , tnn the tables , and the game is yours . I am fully persuade from personal acquaintance and observation that tfe central committee will chserfully and patriotically ^ charge their important duties . They will conceutrat t the electoral power as closely as possible . They i » U | contest those cities or boroughs only where there app « arj the greatest chance of succsss ; those places are few , stir those few cannot be contested without the tnoniis » iu the people supply them ? lam prepared to do one man ' , share of the work , to the best of my humble ability , s „ j as the business proceeds to pay my fall shore of the « ,

      pense . I will not venture to name those who should be breast forward as candidates ; It is Jay Intention otd y to po ; nt out those characters who , I think , ought not . j \ n ^ V'en , I would caution tbe people against a renewal of the lease of power with most of the members of the pre . sent House . No doubt but they , or their agents , will fe the first in the field , for having tasted the " sweets o ( office , " and the advantages of power , they will show no . ordinary degree of eagerness to regain their seats at any cost ; you will see them the first on the hustings , —li «| them bellowing out—National Education—Short Ting Bill—an amended Poor Law—Britain and her ins %

      tlons—the Extension of the Suffrage—the . Ballot , anj liberty of conscience . But , surely , ' En ' gUshmeii will aoj again be deceived , jostled , and earried away by the cri « of faction . The elector will look before he leaps , " t 6 will reflect that he is shout * a exercise an important trust , not only for himself , but for the whole community Should be , after all , sell his freedom for goW , let th « wretch know that he has not only bartered for "dross th > happiness of his fellow-man , but the liberty of his couti ! try , and for such acts as these he will deserve to be belj up to public execration .

      I remain , respected sir , yours truly , EOBEKT WltD Mottram in Longkendal , Xov . 2 , 1816 .

      Capabilities Of The Land. To The Eb1to* ...

      CAPABILITIES OF THE LAND . TO THE EB 1 TO * OP THE jeOBTBERN STAR . Sib , —I have read with diffi-ience the statistics whiofc haie been published in the Star , and elsewhere rei . pectlng the Capabilities of the Land , hbwerer m . doubts would have at last been altogether removed bj the following facts : Last Spring , I sowed forty square yards with oai . rots , one half of the seed was deficient , but I let then all stand and kept them clear of all weed and filth , and they were very healthy . My constitution lacking sta . mina , I have not eaten any myself . I have sold them at sixpence per stone , and they have made me nine shillings . Now , if I put this In a statistical form . I find that 40 multiplied by 121 gives 4840 , which is the number of yards in an acre , and 121 multipli d by Is , gives £ 54 -9 s ., which would be the value of an acre .

      Now then , I deserve for my labours , send , manure rent , & c , 5 s then 121 multiplied by 5 s . gives an eipeo , dlture for the acre of £ 30 5 s ,, leaving a nett profit upou the acre of £ 24 4 s . I am not a member of the Land Soe . ety , and can have no Interest in exaggerated statements , neither bars I been experimentalizing either upon " O'Connor ' s plan " or any other plan . I only wish to let the Malthuahu wi « e-acres know , that seed sown by a manufinturiti operative will actually grow , although he may not haij as much sap in his constitution as would grease a joiner ' s gimblet .

      I have a neighbour , who is a member of the Land So . oiety , who jhowed me a carrot a week since , which weighed 31 bs . which would be worth one p nny farthing ; this man is confident of being very soon ( with the ble >« . ' ingofhealth ) placed outof tbe reach of poverty , a compa . nion which is just now crossing our thresholds , but a companion winch we really did not expect to see so sooa after : ¦!! the free trade palaver of the last seven years , James Haiou , Emley , October 12 , 1848 .

      . Thb Inundations In France. Official Do...

      . THB INUNDATIONS IN FRANCE . Official documents declare that the loss at Roann « alone of houses carried away by the late inundations amounts to 200 , and this number is being daily arga . mented . Not less than 2 , 000 persons s > re without foo : ! or raiment ; and to tbis amount must be added sixty fama . lies belonging to the neighbouring communes , A letter from Cosne , dated the 24 th ult , and published in tbe Proumc * , a Journal of Moulin ? ( MHer ) , contains the Mlowing picture of horrors not before mentioned , but which it is to be hoped are irreatly exasperated : — " We have acquired the lamentable certainty that tin small town of St . Pirmin , above Briare , containing about

      600 souls , has been entirely ingulphed , and tha : the whole population have perished ! This horrible news , which was first circulated on the 21 st , is this day confirmed by a letter from the president ofthe tribunal ) at Gleu , which states that tha banks are covcre < with dead hodlej . The inhabitants , surprised in their beds , were unable to find any means of escape . The banks bein ; broken down let in the body ofthe river at the baek » f the town , so that these unfortunate beings were completely surrounded by a torrent , which every minute narrowed its inner circle , and at last completel y covered them . "

      The little commune of Epercieu-St .-Paul , n ^ r Feurs , has lost forty-two houses out of ninety-one . Upwards ol forty importMil domains have been ravaged between Monfr > nd and Peurs , on the two banks of the Loire . At Yanchetto all the inhabitants of the lower grounds were forced to fly , and scarcely bad they escaped when tlieir houses were inundated . The water was in gentral three feet higher that in November , 1790 . At Langeac , three men , two of them fathers of families , perished in endeavournir to save six persons stir . roundsd by the waters , and » ho had passed a whole night in trees suspended above the abyss . AtTencea

      man was drowned in attempting to save a piece of tiniM ' brought down by the torrent . At Lnvonte the Allief carried awny several house- * , We learn from Fertiss ( Vaucluse ) that the floods have forced the Durance outof its course , and its waters , driven back by the works a ' tlie canal of Marseilles , have formed a new bed on lis side of the department of the Rhone . In consequence of the late heavy ruin a large building , in course of eon § truo tion , at Marseilles , in the Rue St . Jacques , suddenly fell to the ground on the 28 th ult ., and buried under its ruins three workmen . Every effort was made on the instaaf to extricate them from their dreadful position , but ineffectually , as , when reached , they were all dead .

      Public Health Is Thb Summbr Quarter, 1s4...

      Public Health is thb Summbr Quarter , 1 S 4 CThe usual return of deaths has been made by the Registrar-General for the summer quarter , ending Sep . 30 . That return includes 115 districts , subdivided into 576 sub-districts . Thirty-four districts are in the metropolis , and the remaining 81 comprise , with some ajrricultural < Iistiids , the principal towns and cities of England . The population of the whole was G 579 , 693 in 1841 . 51 , 235 deaths were reciste-ed within tbe quarter—a number exceeding by 15 , 221 those in the corresponding quarter of List veiir . I " the mild winter quarter ending March , ' lS 46 , the deaths were nearl y 5 , 000 below tbe average ; in tba spring quarter ending in June , the mortalitv vii slightly above tbe average - . the intestii al comp ' laints which then arose , and became epidemic , have W

      the principal causes ot the immense ] oss of life on record . The deaths in London were 12 , 409 , while ia the summer quarter of 1845 tbey were only 10 . 843 . Of the excess of 1 , 567 deaths , 1 , 303 were from diarrhoea , cholera , and dysentery ; which proved fatal « s * peetively to 1 , 549 , 197 , and 75 persons . The niortility by intemperance , delirium tremens , jaundice Uvev diseases , and vl \ e « m ;\ tism , was also > i «&' than usual . The five weeks from July 11 to Aiigij st 15 , were the unbealthiest . Young children were tw greatest sufferers , the form of the disease beine ^ in America is designated cholera infantum . Thonfi tbe disease which also proved fatal to many oW P ^ pie and adults—could not , in some adult- cases , w distinguished in its symptoms frem Asiatic cliol ™ yet it was evident from tbe first that it bad not tn » character of the malady of 1832 . In London , »

      deaths rose fourteen per cent . ; in some oi « densely peopled towns the mortality was op 11 " . ' \ No such mortality had been witnessed in B irntin ^ ham for many years . The number , which ui ^ em-responding quarter of 1845 amounted to C 94- ^ , to 1 . 627 . In Liverpool , the increase was fr ^ r'ti to 4 , 090 : in Manchester and the contaeions « % ofSalford and Chorlton . from 2 , 411 to 4 . 21 S . £ persons died in Sheffield , though the m < f ji ^ anv preceeding vear had never exceeded hi / . , ^ high mortality of the towns is attributed to cro * lodgings , dirty dwellings , personal unclea iiii" - and the concentration of unhealthy emanations ' narrow streets , without iresh air , water or sc The wealthy parish of Marylebone affords an slance of the little regard paid to sewcraee . * , sitlerablo part of that parish is [ Still without « c « nr nnv Airpr . k nnein nmnmunications with the SC > ,

      an-, 1 it is said that half the bouses have cc * l » many of which remains unemptied from J * " " - 1 qJ No effectual arrangements are made the removi decaying animal and vegetable matter .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 7, 1846, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_07111846/page/6/