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Northern Star (1837-1852), 18th October 1845, Edition 2 of 4, Page 5

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      The Present Gambling Mama. Its Parallel ...

      by the extravagance of the winners . New adventurers no more engaged in it ; and many becoming sensible of the odious traffic in which they had been engaged , returned to their former occupations . By these means , as tub taluk of tulips still xKLvl AND NEVER . ROSE , thc sellers wished to deliver the roots i "« natura to the purch ^ gj-g at tne prices agreed on ; but the latter v ^ -evsen 10 take THEM OK TO PAT FOtt THEM . T ' fojflfc rt cmy ; w burst : and to end the disrates that arose , the tulip dealers of Alkmar &> . & deputies to Amsterdam , -where a relation vsftapassed in February , 1037 , that all contracts made prior to November , 1636 , should be nuU end void ; andthvtin all made after that date purchasers should be free on paying ten per cent , to tie-vender .

      " The more the people became disgusted with this trade , the more-did complaints increase to the magistrates of the vMcrcnt towns ; but as the magistrates would take no eognizinceof such complaints , the Dutch Govenunent interfered , and a decree was passed , ordering that every seller should produce and offer- his bulbs to the purchaser , and in the event of the latter -refcsing to receive them , the vender had it in his power to retain his tulips , and sue for damages , ft was also ordered that all contracts should remain in force'till further inquiry could be 5 nade . But as no one could foresee what judgment ¦ would'besgiven respecting the validity of each contract , " ^ iuyers were more ob stinate in refusing payment -than before ; aud venders , thinking it safer to accommodate matters amicabl y , were satisfied with a small profit instead of exorbitant gain : and thus

      ended this extraordinary traffic , or rather gambling . " tf hat a parallel this , to the transactions of our own times ! How well it "keeps " in all its points . First -the extravagant price paid for bubble " shares" in 'moonshine ; then in the number of parties of ali . ¦ classes drawn into the vortex , mixing up aristocratic -and plebeian blood inagameof < ltsreputable ' chancc ;" - = then aU gaining , xsn xoxs iosixc , while the game was going up ; then the crowds of fresh -adventurers to do as the first batch had done , —realize houses ,: ¦ coaches and horses fromttoitun g ; -then the "traffic in things which never had existence , and which ncver ^ will exist ; and the purchase and sale of more roofc , [ for which read SHARES— " Bradford , Halifax , and Huddersfield Union" to wit ] than were to be-found in the country ; then THE " PASIC ' !—brought on by the number of contracts , and from partes

      HAVING ENGAGED TO PAY MORE THAN THEY WERE ABLE . ; then REPUMATION- ! - and ruin ; and then an end of the gambling forthe time ! How alarmingly in "" keeping" is thc picture of the past with the jwcscnC' What the FUTURE will te , —time will reveal ! Meantime , we majindulge wath the Bullai'World In a "peep * ' at sorae-of the probable efiectsaof the " intense" speculation on our monetary affairs . This will enable the reflecting to prepare iu sonic degree for the ¦** coming time" " : —

      It should beevident to every thinking mind that independently of the results'wbich are inevitably consequent npon'the extent of the-existing speculations , they will produce in another'jmint of view an evil ofgreat magnitude not generally discernible—but vvhiclnvasone of the greatest causes of the panic and -wide spreading Bankruptcy "that followed the first outbreak of the Railway mania in England . It is this : —In -England there is . so « ote-circulation under £ 5 . Htdii o * mustthereforebe-cmployedfor almost all purposes of Railway outlay , because nearly thc whole capital is expended-in paying for Labour , weekly , in small sums to each of the thousands ot mechanists and labourers employed , as-well in thc

      construction of the Railways rg the manufacture of the Rails , Locomotives , & elc & c ,- & e ., the sam paid to each individual being always of an amount requiring gold or silver . It iuu « t be-dear , therefore , that in proportion as the constructisn of Railways extend , the circulation of bullion must -increase—and that that-increase can only be supplied from "the coffer * of the-Bank of England—fortbecavital-in-gold held by the banks throughout the country , is rarely , it ever , more than sufficient for-the local demand—Consequently the bullion In the--national- 'Bank must diminish in exact ratio as theisrorks of the Railways of England advance . Worse—to a-very grectamount this gold is diverted into lower .-channels than

      usually ; it is circulated amongst the meanest grade of dealers , namely , those wko-supply the commonest necessariescflife to the working class-so numerously employed en the Railways , and it -remains circulating from hand to hand , paying for and representing small transactions for a considarable period before it amounts to cums inconvenient by their weight as bullion ^ when for convenience sake only , it is paid back into « the Bank and converted into notes , which requires-a . loEg time to acomplish even-after the increased demand caused by Increased labour . And this is not a theory—it is a fact proved by the experience of the past . What an immense amount , thenef gold will be required for this extra circulato

      , tion when the sum already ^ determined upon be expended in iSattways exceeds forty millions—and the average time for completion-of the work is something about two years—withia which period , o ! course , these 3 > crty " Millions must be supplied . 2 fow the next demand upon the bullion of the countryman be at ouee understood . It is for the shares subscribed in Eng land for the continental Railways , amounting to the enormous sum of Ten Millions . It is plain these shares mast be paid for In gold oRlv-randif any return be ever received , it

      cannot be , at all events , for some years—while thc bullion will Uo immediately drawn from us . . Here , then , is about Fifty Millions of Money to be supplied In two years , < or . three , at the very utmost , and it isevident that in the firstinstanee , at all events , gold must be tie tstedium . of payment . We almost fear to ask where it is to cuue from ? The nation vaunt of its prosperity > wlth some fifteen millions of gold 5 n the coffers of . the Bank—the remaining amount in the country being merely what is necessary for its every-day wants .

      This was written beflbre wc had the full developement of the scheming projects . In addition to the nrrr millions thiffi shown to be needed during the next two years , titer * u'ill-have to be paid in February next upiwrds of £ 40 , 000 , 000 , as deposits on sew schemes ! Verily , we may wonder where the money Is to come from ?! though there is not much difficulty in imagining what Vie end will be !

      October 18, 1845, The Northjsrn Star

      October 18 , 1845 , THE NORTHJSRN STAR

      Co Srcates & C&Mspmitients

      Co sRcates & c & mspmitients

      To Agexts, Scesckibebs, Jlssb Readers.—F...

      To Agexts , Scesckibebs , jlssb Readers . —For some time after our location in the metropolis , we xwre inconvenienced hy having the paper macbiusd away from the printing-office where it was "szi" This arose from the machines we had at Leeds having to be removed andrc-erected . Muck disappointment to the readers was the con-: sequenee , ioth in bad printing aud late arrivals . Another cause of delay was iu having thepriut--iisg and publishing office so wide apart . Letters -intended for cue place ware constantly sent to the other ; andaliSlie arrangements we could make did

      not jrevent mistakes arising from this source . This J } 3 S determined us to concentrate our operations . The printing machine is now at vw > rk in our ovve office . ; and we have further determined ta gnblish there also . In future , therefore , the " setting , ' '' printing , and publishing of the Star will be doae under one roof . This will involve no change tg t ^ s agents an . 3 subscribers , only in the addressing of their . communications , and the greater punctuality with which their orders can be atten d ed to , AU communications must , therefore . in future , he addressed as follows : —

      Orders for the paper and advertisements , to F . O'Connor , Esq ., 17 , Great "W indmill-street , Haymarket , Loudon . Communications for the paper , to Mr . Joshua Hobson , Editor Northern Star , Office , 17 , Greal ^ Windmill-street , Haymarket , Loudon . All orders for money must be made payable to Mr O'Connor , at the Charinff-cross Post-office .

      Dixon Fran.—The Committee Beg Leave To T...

      Dixon Fran . —The committee beg leave to tender their thanks to the subscribers of the following sums , Tiz .:-Burnlev , per John Gray , £ Hs . ; Stockport , per "Win . Bennet , £ 117 s . 7 d . ; Pant-Blyddyn , per J . Auty Is . . Heywood , per James Leach , £ 1 5 s . 5 d . ; Dudleypark , per Geoise Ramsey , 5 s , 3 d . ; dyers and printers , Kn-iniil , 5 s . Tbe Iast Euu > or Bbsffsi . — Received . Shall appear as soon as we can find room .

      The P£O?Ib Of Hi Wick E. The Ddke Op Boc...

      The p £ o ? iB of Hi wick e . the Ddke op Bocclebch . — TBS JtflLtOCRiTS-UsD ? HZ "L » XI . " SZLFI 8 H AND P ' owirdiy cokduct of the SuoFOCRiCi . —We have received the following communication from a correspondent ;—Hawick , Oct . 13 . —On the 30 th June last a public meeting of tlie inhabitants of this town , called by the magistrates , on a requisition of 200 householders , was Iieltl ( the Town Hall being- fnund too small to hold even thc half of the people wishing to attend the meeting ) on the open space in front of the Free Church . Kone of the magistrates being present , Hubert line , a working man , wag called to tlic chair , and the meeting elected a committee , and instructed them to use all diligence iu procuring information as- to the bye-roads or paths which hud been illegally shut up , and to procure legal advice how to get them again restored to tlie public . The mealing then adjourned , and met again on the 14 th July , when they gave iu their report ; the

      meeting than unanimously resolved to use every legal mode to regain tlie bye-roads which had beau unjustly taken from them , and empowered the committee to raise sub-Ecriptions lor that purpose . After tlie meeting was again adjourned a number of people went to one of the roads recently shut up , and in accordance with thc legal opinion ofau eminent lawyer removed tlic obstructions ; the b : irrier was put up again in a few days in a more substantial maimer , but , even before the wurliinen had hit , the people tore it down again . For this offence twelve men have been held to bail , and are to be tried on Wednesday , before the Sheriff , aud a host of witnesses are summoned against them . Thc road being through the property of tlie D-lce of Uucclcugh , every ett ' ort will he made to punish them . The committee also found it necessary to interdict some erections , to extend a factory built on a part of thc common lands of the town . Thest- building * , if finished , would block up a road , and

      interfere with the right of the inhabitants to the use ot the ground for recreat ' o i , bleaching and drying clothes , Aic , a right which they have enjoyed from time immemorial . After a few days the Sheriff recalled the interdict , allowing the buildings to he proceeded with at the risk of the partie * . till the case was judged , on condition of their leaving a road ten feet wide in the line claimed . The buildings went on , and the law-suit went on also , till a few days ago the Messrs . Laidiaws commenced operations for laying a shaft across the road ; the Sheriff was immediately applied to , to stop them , in terms of his own interlocutor , and he cited them te appear before him for examination , a full week after , thus allowing them full time to complete their operations . Upon knowing this the people took the law into their own bands , and went and removed all the obstructions from the road-way in a quiet but effectual manner , doing no damage to the materials . This brought the Sheriff quickly to the town , where lie spent all Wednesday last in examining evidence on the "

      outrage , " as they are pleased to caUit . The call of the wealthy miilocrat was quickly rcspon led to , while the application of the committee was in a manner neglected , < tliey being all working men . At the beginning of this -movement , such of the middle classes us were spoken to seemed very favourable , and promised their assistance : but , as on all former occasions they have , with a very few honourable exceptions , entirely deserted , and left the battle to be fought by the workers . Indeed , they would not have acted consistently if they had done otherwise . This is just another instance , added to many former ones , of the folly of working men putting their trust in the premises of tlie middle classes ; aud it is to be hoped it wiil have this good effect , titatit will teach a few inore-of the workers thii wholesome lesson —that if ever the -vouditiou of the workers is to he improved , or any of their rights regained , it must be by their oivn exertions , and not by means of those who have an interest-in keeping them as they are . Mattes or Fact Mas . —We have not the means of

      reference at hand . C . T . F . —Every geographical dictionary of England contains the ii . formation our correspondent -seeks . Mr . Cbbett published one a few months before his death ; aud we doubt not but that it is still on sale by the present publishers of Cobbett ' s works . W . Dixon , 1 UNC 11 ES . T 1 SK , is assured that uo < one can regret more than we dothe irregularities that 'Itave arisen iu the publishing arrangements ol"the Star since its locution in Loudon ; but they ' navc been caused by circumstances which it did not fall under our province to alter or coutroul . Whatever the ill-natured "friends , " of whom Mr . Dixon -speaks , may think or say to the contrary , we beg to teU him , for their satisfaction , that the cans *! of the delays that have taken place has not , in any one instance , been with the conductors of tlie paper ; nor can any alteration in their arrangements conduce to a more regular publication , or it would bc . gladlymade .

      AVe make bold to say , that there is not another newspaper in the kingdom wliere attention on the . part of the conductors is more exact , than on the -Star—or-wherethe convenience of-the printers is more studied and accommodated . Tho delays of which Mr . Dixon complains have arisen from a series of mishaps iu the printing office , for which perhaps nobody is blaiueable—but which have been anythingiut pleasant to any party concerned . We hope we have now passed them . A CoRBEsroNDENT , st Wootteii wider Edge , writes us as follows : —If the facts are as he states them , it is time somebody looked about tltcui . The factory inspector had better see to it : or some ugly questions may be put respecting liiin iu ' tUe House of Commons . Our correspondent saysr—Ilavinjr for some time observed the shameful manner in which thc Factory Regulations Act has been trampled en by the manufacturers ju this district , without auy notice being taken of it by the

      inspectors , I am induced to send you one or two iacts relating to one manufactory , and leave it tojrou to make wuat remarks you may think proper . The Act enacts that no person under 18 years of age shall work in any factory more than sixty-nine hours iu one week . In the factory iu which I am employed , it is a common practice for youths under that . age to-work . fourteen , hftcen , and even sixteen hours jier day . ; and they are at the present time working from six hi the morning till nine iu the evening : out of which one hour is allowed for meals , namely , half an hour for breakfast , and half au * hour for dinner . If any tfcae is .-lost notice shouldbe given to the inspector , if it is-required to work extra ln . urs to make up for such lost tune ; but this is . never done here . The inspector visits the town about twice a . ycar , but he never goes into the & ctory—he merely walks into the counting-house , and examines ( or pretends to examine ) a time book , kept by rhe master or manager . The

      workpeople do not kuow-him . I do not remember his entering the factory more than twice since the act was patscd and it is a common remark with the working men , " Whatistheuseofa factory inspector S we never set him—it is ouly putting , the country to a useless expense . " Yet these men are so much the slaves of their employer that they arc afraid to spealc openly . If any remarks you may make shoutdiustigate the inspectors to perforin their duties iu accordance with the Act , it will be conferring a benefit on thejnanufacturing operatives of the district . , .,, ,. W . B ., Dsprronn , asks , —Would it not be advisable to call the attention of tho CliartUts to the forthcoming November elections for " lowii Councillors , " so tu . it they might be prepared with candidates ? For if it is intendeu to do anything , there is no time to lose . The hint wil . be sufficient . J . K ., Leicxstse , should . ask himself how it is that after a

      man has paid rack-rent for a period of fifty , or even ten times fifty years , the properly he rents should belong ti . another . Aud he should . then ask himself , if he had the means of purchasing property , whether he would be content that the payment uf the rent yearly , for the space of twenty years , should entitle another person to " own" it ? J . C . K ., KittKihTiLiccK . —Let all the facts of the case be embodied iu a memorial to Sir James Graham , thc Sc cretarv of State , particularly those that are dwelt on , as extenuating in character ; and let such memorial be sijrned by till the influential parties they can get to attach their names : but particularly by those to whom the tacts are known . Then it must . be forwarded to the Sir James , who , no doubt , will attend to the circumstances brought under his notice . A Commokist , Bekwick-ojj-T . weed , should send his claim to the assignees of the I ' ational Society , who will .

      no doubt , meet it along with all others , to the extent ol the means placed in their truf t for tlie purpose . S . T ., Newabk . —The best book . on gardening that we arc acquainted with , is Cobbett ' s . Agexc ? fob the Kostheks Stab in Edinburgh . — Messrs . W . and II . Kobinsou request us to state , that the Xorthcrn Star is regularly supplied by thsm at their wholesale and retail book and news depot , 11 , . Greenside . strect , Edinburgh . TnofiSTos ' s Small FaBsi , neab . Hopdersfield . —With much pleasure we give insertion to the following : — Sir , —Being much pleased with the account you gave . of Hr . Thornton's small farm , iu the Star of August 30 , -1 felt a great desire to see aud hear for myself . 1 mentioned this to a number of friends , who were all anxious to go with me ; we hired two spring carts , and on Sunday last twenty persons , all Chartists , set out Kir i ' addoek , near Huddersfield : the morning was dull

      and misty until we got about ouclmlf of our journey , when the sun made his appearance and a glorious fine day we had . About twelve o'clock wc got within two miles of Iluddersfield , here we put up the horses , and after we had refreshed ourselves with the good things the house could aftbrd , we proceeded on to Faddock , where we arrived about one . Mr . Thornton was in the ficid ; lie received us in a very friendly manner , and , although we were ali strangers , he treated us with the greatest kindness . He showed us his stock and produce , and gave every information we required , for which we returned him our warmest thanks . The field is weli . arranged ; there are now growing , cabbages , turnips , rap . ' , common grass , and Italian rye grass , in separate plots ; the last is short of a quarter of an acre , which has been cut three times this season , and is now ready for a fourth cutting . He has four very fine cows ; . they are in excellent condition . He

      said one cutting of the rye grass would feed four cows three weeks , at which rate four cuttings would feed the same number for three months , or oue cow fortyeight weeks . There is herbage growing that will last until Christmas . With these facts before us , we were soon convinced that the report in the Star was a correct one . More than that , Mr . Thornton is a scientific man , and understands well the business he is engaged in ; he is likewise well adapted to give instruction to those who have not had an opportunity of studying the science of agriculture , and we hope he will take the trouble of publishing the results of his practical experience . If you think the above worthy a place in your valuable journal , by inserting it 1 shall feel much obliged . I am , Sir , yours truly , Wm . Hameb .

      Oldham , October 14 , lSlo . Abbauam Gbeen , RocnniLE , wishes to know the addresses of Mrs . Ellis , llichard Tattersall , and the secretary of William Dixon ' s relief fund . J . B ., IlEi'woop , —Your poetry is inadmissible . We cannot afford to waste space for comments on thc " blethering bitclues" who figure in the Rational Deformer . Hhyme aud reason are alike lost upon those contemptibles . Besides , the wretched Dcformcr is near its last gasp , and it woujtl indeed be cruelty to torture it in its dying throes , Vf . Tbacchton , Holme . —The shilling was acknowledged in the Star of October 4 th , under the head of ' ' Dixon Fund . " Was it intended for that fund or for Mr , Jticiiards ?

      Receipts Op The Chartist Co-Operative Ii...

      RECEIPTS OP THE CHARTIST CO-OPERATIVE IiAND SOCIETY . * EK HK . O ' COHKOB . £ e . a . Selby , perJ . Bryan 2 0 0 "Wootten-under-Edge , peril , Lacey .. .. 2 10 10 Dudley , per W . Rankin 2 17 6 "Warrington , per S . Travers .. „ .. 0 18 o Chorley . per W " . Wilkinson .. .. ,, 200

      Receipts Op The Chartist Co-Operative Ii...

      Greenock , per H . Burrell .. ., „ .. 200 Radcliffe , per T . Bowker .. ., ,, ' i ¦ ., 200 Kidderminster , per G . Holloway .. .. .. 2 o o Stockport , per ' f . Woortbouse .. .. .. 20 0 Barusley . perJ . Ward .. .. .. .. 500 Norwich , per J . Hurry .. .. „ " .. 300 Leeds , per W . Brook .. .. .. .. 5 0 0 Heywood , per J . Dewhurst „ ,. .. 5 0 0 Macclesfield , per J . Warren 5 0 0 Huddersfield , per J . Stead ., .. .. 11 5 1 Shelton , per H . Foster „ 2 0 0 Bradford , per J . Aldcrson .. „ .. i o 0 Glasgow , per J . Smith .. .. .. , . 0 Hamilton , per J . Weir .. ., .. .. i 0 0 Yeovil , per J . G . Abbott ' 1 Vi S South Shields , per J . Patrick 1 18 2 Artichoke Inn Locality , No . 1 , W . Flower .. a V 10 Blackburn , per W . Sutclifte .. .. .. 6 15 0 Ashtoii-uiider-Lyno , per E . Hobsoa .. .. 219 Manchester , per J . Murray 20 0 O

      FEB GENEHAt , SECRETARY . INSTALMENTS . £ « . d . £ s . d . J . Smith .. .. 0 1 4 J . Hancock , Lnm-H . Culpet .. .. 014 bevheud-green .. 0 1 4 W . Culpet ., 0 1 4 Mr . Weller .. 014 E . Culpet .. .. 014 Mr . wllroore .. 014 Ucddiich .. .. 074 SOABES . Jas . Smith .. 010 Somers Town .. 2 10 0 Mr . Caughlan .. 040 Sudbury 200 Mr . l'ldgc . .. 010 Mottram .. .. 412 4 Air . lingers .. olo Leicester .. .. 1 18 0 Westminster .. 200 Lambeth .. .. 600 CAllDB AND ROLES . Sunderland .. 0 5 10 Kidderaingtcr „ 0 4 0 South Shields .. 014 Darlaston .. .. 0 110 Newcastle-on-Tjiie o 0 10 Coventry . ; .. 0 0 8 Thomas Mahtin Wueeleb , Secretary .

      RATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . PER K » . O ' COHNOB . EXECUTIVE . Norwich , per J . Hurry .. .. .. .. 0 10 0 VETERAN PATRIOTS * VEND . Dudley , per W . Rankin .. .. .. ., 050 VICTIM FUND . Brighton , per W , Flower .. .. .. „ 0 7 0 PER GENERAL SECRETARY , Marylebone .. 0 3 0 Newtown Class , Whittington & Cut 0 1 G Bishop's Wcar-Lamberhead-green 0 2 6 mouthy . .. 0 10 0 Sunderland , cards 0 12 Leicester , profits WoottUU-Under- on .. WtfiernSt « r 0 3 0 Edge .-. .. 050 Bo ., a friend .. 0 0 6 Hanley & , Shclton 0 10 0 Sowerby Helm .. 0 2 4 J Lower Warley .. 021 VICTIM iund . Wootten-uuder-Edge .. .. „ .. 010 VETERAN PATRIOTS' FCXD , IVeotten-undcr-Edge .. .. .. .. Olo

      DIXON FOND , Wootten-under-Edge .. .. .. .. 010 All places in arrears to thc Executive are requested to pay up tlie same prior to the publication of a balance sheet . I beg to call tbe attention of the sub-secretaries in each district to the immediate necessity of raising the levy of threepence on each member , iu order to defray the expenses of the ensuing Conference . This business must be done at once and the money remitted to me ; tind in proportion to the number of paying members in each district will be the number of representatives allotted to them , taking thc scale of 200 members to a representative . The balance sheet is now being printed ; but in answer to

      several inquiries I have to state , 'that the item of salaries is at the rate of Ids . per week for the services of Messrs . Clark , . M'Grafb , and Boyle , and £ 1 per week for the secretary : this sum being deducted from their salary as members-of the Executive Committee of tlie National Charter Association ; the item . Local Committees , is the expenditure of the various sub-secretaries and treasurers for 1 ' ostoftice orders , bank orders , postage , stationery , ifcc , ite , all which are defrayed by the Board of Directors . Trior to the balance sheet being issued , it will be audited by tke auditors of the National Charter Association appointed by the late Convention . . Immediately upon the arrival -of Messrs . O'Connor and Iloyle in Loudon ,-a definite day will be paid for the assembling of the Convention . Thomas Martin Wheeler .

      ^Aftrmtsv^Fitncecf, & Inqtiesjte

      ^ aftrmtsv ^ fitncecf , & inQtiesJte

      Shooting A Roliceman At Livkbpooi,.—An A...

      Shooting a roLicEMAN at Livkbpooi ,. —An affair of this nature , which may turn out to be one oH ' atal consequence , occurred at ilotham-strect Bridewell at halt-past one on Sunday morning . It appears that , about that hour , ithroe very respectably-dressed persons were found drunk and disorderly in one of the neighbouring streets , and in tlic act of attempting to break open a door . Upon being conveyed to llothamstreet llridcwell they were searched , and upon the person of one a brace of pocket pistols were found . The pistols were laid upon the counter for a minute or two lor the purpose of completing the search , and thc person upon whom they wore discovered seems to have put those present unon their guard , for , as our informant states , he distinctly declared , in an audible voice , that they were loaded . -Immediately after ,

      however , the youngest of his companions seized one of the pistols tind . fired at police-officer No . 418 . The contents entered tlie bridge of the unfortunate , man ' s : iosc , and passed , as was subsequently ascertained , in a slanting direction through his head , lie was placed on : a mattress in the Bridewell , and surgical assistance was' speedily procured . The wound bled profusely . Subsequently he was conveyed to the Infirmary in Brownlow-street , where he lay during the whole of Monday iu . a very precarious state . Up to Monday night thedoctors were unable to extract the ball , and consequently to pronounce any opinion as to the probability of the man ' s recovery . There is every reason io fear that the pistol was loaded with ball or a large slug , for the wound is of such a nature as would have

      been inflicted with a charge of that kind , and a large slug litis been extracted from the second pistol . It was rumoured on Monday that both the pistols had been loaded for the last six months , and that tlie owner had carried them with him upon a tour he made during the past summer through the south of England . The three prisoners , on being booked , irave fictitious names ; but it has since been ascertained that their real names are , Emanuel Eromilow , Thomas Benbow , and Thomas Francis Russell . The latter , who had the sum of £ 23 upon his person , fired thc shot . One of them states that he is a medical man , and another that he is brother to a timber merchant ; Russell is an attorney . The unfortunate police-officer is an Irishman by birth . On- Monday the parties charged were brought before Mr . Rushton aud a bench of magistrates , when Benbow and Bromilow were charged with forcing open thc door of a person called YVothing , in Hill-street . They

      made no defence . The b . neli , after examining Wothiug aud one of the police-officers , took up thc case of ' Russell , who is an attorney , lie defended himself , and cross-examined each of thc witnesses with considerable coolness and self-possession . He endeavoured to show that the occurrence was of an accidental nature , and that he had expressed his gratitude . to rroyidencc after it was over that it was no worse . Some evidence was also given to the effect that the wounded man , before the trigger was pulled , moved forward as if for the purpose of pushing the pistol aside , and that it was at that very moment the report was heard . After an investigation , which lasted nearly three hours , Russell was ordered to be remanded , and the same bail as before was taken for the due appearance of Bromilow and Benbow . The policeman -still remains in a dangerous position . The ball lias nofcyefc been extracted . On Wednesday Mr . Rushton liberated ^ Mr . llussel from custody , on tending bail , himself in £ 300 , and two sureties in £ 150 each .

      Fatal Accident off Battersea . — On Monday evening , between five and six o ' clock , another melancholy and fatal accident took place nearly opposite the Pied House Tavern , Battersea , by which an elderly gentleman named George Ruttcn , of the Vauxhall-bridgc-road , lost his life . It seems that the unfortunate deceased and a friend hired a small pleasure boat for the purpose of proceeding down the river . They were rowing very gently down with the stream , when they by some means came in contact with a heavily laden barge . The force of tho collision turned their boat , a" funny , " completely over , immersing them in thc water instantly . An alarm was immediately made by the persons who witnessed the accident on shore , and several boatmen rowed to the spot , but before they could get to them the deceased had disappeared . The other gentleman was fortunately saved from a watery grave by clinging to the head-part of the barge .

      Important Decision UNDEn Lonn Ashlet ' s Act AT Airdrie . —A number of'fresh cases of females being employed in the p its at the Shotts came on for trial on Friday week , in the Court-house of Airdrie , at the instance of J . Muir Steel , Esq ., before Messrs . Kid and Rankine , justices of the peace , when John Bevcridge , Alexander Gillies , William Gillies , and Hugh Bennett , were placed at the bar , found guilty as libelled , and fined in the lesser penalty of £ » each , with costs . It is understood that a number of females are still in the pits round Airdrie , but from the active measures now taken , it is hoped the illegal practice will be put down .

      Great Fire at Inverness . —This town was on Wednesday week subjected to a calamity greater than has visited it for many years , three large lofty tenements being destroyed by fire , involving the loss of property to a great extent . The locality in which thc fire took place embraces part of Inglis-street and Theatre-lane . It broke out in the premises occupied by Mr . M'Kay , merchant , Mr . Maekay , tailor and clothier , and others , from which it spread to two lands adjoining , possessed on the ground floor by several shopkeepers , and occupied above as dwellinghouses . The fire was first observed about three on Wednesday morning , and so rapid were the ravages of the flames over the building that some of the tenants only became aware of their danger by tbe beds in which they slept being ienited , and were glad to

      make their escape in their nig ht clothes . The whole of the furniture in these dwelling-houses was destroyed—thirteen families , amounting to sixty-two individuals , having been burned out . Great loss was also sustained in the shops beneath . Mr . M'Kay , merchant , referred to above , is said to have suffered to the extent of nearly £ 5 , 000 . It appears there is only one fire-engine in Inverness , and it was all but useless . We learn by a private letter that the fire was still burning on Friday afternoon . Buugukves at Notting Hiu ,. —On the night ' of Sunday last , the houses of Dr . Waggot , No . 1 , Norland-square ; Mr . Read , No . 11 , Norland-terrace ; and Mr . Lewis , No . 13 , on the game terrace , were burtfar . ously entered by thieves , who , however , only

      Shooting A Roliceman At Livkbpooi,.—An A...

      succeeded m carrying off from ilr . Waggofs a plain silver salt spoon ; from Mr . Read ' s , two £ 5 Bank of Jijiglaml notes , two sovereigns , and two shillings in silver , a pearl necklace , an ivory brooch , a cornelian ditto , a gold ditto , with the word " Regard" set on it in various coloured stones , and two silver salt fipoons ; and from Mr . Lewis ' s a silver teaspoon , pair ol sugar tongs , mustard spoon and fruit knife , with the letter " L" in cypher . AuuMixo- Fire at Nottixciiam . —At nine o clock on iuesday evening last , the neighbourhood ol Barker Gate was seriousl y alarmed by a fire brc ; king out on the premises occupied by Mr . Bates , as a framesniith ' s shop . It appears that the forgers and workmen had been at their work as usualand Mr .

      , Bates bad not left the premises more than half an hour before he was alarmed b y the fire itsuing through the window from the middle floor of the building . The shop being situated iu the midst of thc framework knitters , and that part of thc town being densely populated , great numbers gathered to the alarming scene of conflagration . The fire brigade with tho engines Were quickly on the spot , but not in time to subdue the dcvouring ' elcment . At ten o ' clock the extensive building , with upwards of two hundred valuable stocking frames was enveloped in one awful volume ol flame . At this time every effort wits made

      to arrest the fire ' s progress , but all to no purpose ; in less than an hour the floors , with the root and the frames , and other valuable property , fell in with one simultaneous crash . The sight at this time was awfully grand { large flakes of fire were seen to ascend over \\ ool-aliey into Count-street , and to tlic foot of Hockley ; although the premises were edged in by other buildings , fortunately none took fire . We learn that the building , the property of Mr . Kelk , was insured , but the frames , & c ., belonging to Mr . Bates and others , were not . The estimated loss is £ 1 , 200 . Nothing satisfactory has , as yet , been ascertained as to the origin of tho fire .

      Accident on the Great Western Railwav . — An accident of a very frightful nature , though happily unattended by fatal results , took place upon this line on Friday evening . Itappears that the company are erecting a stage or wharf close to the rail , between Bathand Bristol , and within a mile of the former city , in order to afford increased facilities for the lauding and unloading of coals brought from the pits at Radstock , forcouveyance along the line . On the evening iu question two labourers with a waggon and horses were so employed , when the down train came along at a rapid rate . The engine-driver shut oft the steaoi when he perceived the obstruction , but tbe train , carried forward by its own momentum , ran into the waggon , which was fortunately thrown off the rail , or the consequences to the train must have been most disastrous . The labourers were both

      knocked down and seriously injured , one having his shoulder fractured . One of the horses was killed , the legs being severed from the body . No blame is attached to the company ' s servants . Nkwcasti . e-on-Ty . ve . —Fatal Railwav Accident . —On Tuesday morning , about half-past four o ' clock , while Robert Saunderson , an engine-driver , a ^ ed thirty-four , was engaged cleaning an engine , at the Carlisle station , in this town , another engine came in collision with the one he was superintending , and , owing to his being in a stooping posture , crushed his head so severely as to cause instantaneous death . In the afternoon of the same day , an inquest was held at the Locomotive public-house , near to where the accident occurred , when , after an investigation before W . Stoker , Esq ., thc coroner for thc borough , a verdict of Accidental Death was returned .

      Attempt to Murder . —Between five and six o ' clock on Wednesday evening , a man named Frederick Field , carpenter , of Wood-stroet , Clapton , while passing a field near Tcniplo Mills , Homerton , observed a young man holding in Jiishand a loaded gun , cocked , pointing in the direction of the footpath . Field remonstrated with him upon his reckless conduct , when thc man assailed him in a grossly violent manner . Field proceeded onward about a dozen yards , and on turning round was alarmed to find the fellow aiming at him . In an instant he discharged the gun , and Field fell to theground . In a few minutes he rose , and seized his assailant ; a violent struggle

      ensued ; during which both fell into a ditch , Field bleeding profusely from the head . Fortunately Mr . Thompson , a publican , living in the Commercialroad , came up and secured the ruffian , who , with police assistance , was lodged in the station-house , lie gavc his name Philip Ernst , d yer , ot'Pundersonstreet , Bcthnal-grcen . Mr . Garrod , divisional surgeon , attended Field , and pronounced him to be out of immediate danger . The contents of the gun entered the fleshy part of the head and the right side , and inflicted a wound one inch and a half in extent . Ernst ' s friends visited him at a late hour , but he evinced no remorse at his situation . At ten o ' clock Field was pronounced to be in a precarious state .

      Singular Death of ax Officer ik the Royal Artillery . —A very considerable and painful excitement has for the last few days prevailed iu the village of Elstree , near Edgeware . from tho general rumour that Lieutenant-Colonel Edward James Mctcalf , ol the Royal llorsc Artillery , had been killed in a duel by a brother officer ; that the body bad been removed to his residence in the dead of the night , and that it was the intention ol * his Mends to conceal the affair from the public , and to bury the corpse without an investigation of thc circumstances leading to his death . This report was so current that everybody believed it . The parish authorities lost no time in making the necessary inquiries , and succeeded iu ascertaining that the report of thc unfortunate

      gentleman having fallen in a duel was without foundation , although he bad died from the effects of a pistol bullet under circumstances of the most singular and afflicting nature . Notice was immediately forwarded to the coroner , and a jury , consisting of the most iespcctable inhabitants of the neighbourhood , was si mmoned to the inquiry , at the Artichoke Inn in the village , before Mr . Osbaldeston , the coroner for lb rtfordshire , when the following evidence was given in elucidating the melancholy illiiir : —William Iloivaid examined . — The witness stated that he lived as groom to the late Colonel Mctcalf . He occupied the room immediately under that of his master . On Saturday night last , the 11 th inst ., witness saw him go into his apartments for the purpose of dressing to

      attend a party . Witness heard him go out in about an hour after , and he ( witness ) then went to bed . In a short time his master returned and again went into his room , but did not remain long before ho left . Witness went to sleep , and did not hear any more of him during the night . At about seven o ' clock the next morning he went into his room , as was his usual custom , to call thc deceased , when upon entering he was astonished at finding" two candles burning in the sockets of the candlesticks , and his master not in bed , nor had he been , from thc undisturbed state of the bed-clothes . Upon looking behind the screen which divided the room he discovered thc deceased sitting on thc sofa , with his head reclining over the side , weltering in blood , which appeared to come from

      his month , although the lips were closed , and he was quite dead . Witness gave an immediate alarm , and hastened to procure the attendance of a surgeon , who , on arriving , declared the deceased to have been dead some hours . The deceased was undressed , with the exception of his drawers and stockings . Witness afterwards found the pistol now produced in his drawers , which were hanging about his legs . —Captain Robert Maynard was next examined : lie stated that he was well acquainted with the unfortunate gentleman , who was very highly connected . Examined the remains of his gallant friend soon after the last witness gave thc alarm . The pistol appeared to have been recently discharged . On opening the lips the whole of thc upper jaw was found to be completely shattered , and the ball , which was subsequently extracted , had lodged in the back of the head .

      Witness was confident that the deceased never intendtd suicide , but that his death was caused someway or other by accident . He was a particularly highspirited man , and the last in the world to commit self-murder . In answer to questions , Captain Maynard said he was strengthened in his opinion that the death was accidental from the examination he had made of the pistol . Upon looking at thc ramrod he found it was very difficult to remove , from which he believed that the deceased was about to draw the charge of the pistol , and finding he could not shift the ramrod with his hand , he had applied the teeth of his lower jaw to a small ridge near the top of it , and in doing so the lock must have caused the pistol togo off and produced the dreadful event . After much discussion , the jury returned averdict— " That the deceased was accidental } ' shot . "

      Fires ix the Metropolis . —From eight o ' clock on Iuesday night to four o ' clock on Wednesday morning , no fewer than eight fires occurred in different parts of the metropolis . The one attended with the greatest destruction of property took place at a chymist ' s shop , belonging to Mr . Hunt , 82 , Gray s-mn-lane . Police-constable Lowe , 84 G , having on the appearance of smoke , raised an alarm , the inmates were , after some trouble , aroused from their slumber , but not before the flames had laid hold of the staircase , thereby cutting off the ordinary means ot escape from the building . The children were thrown out of the window , and , with the exception ot one , were received in safety by the crowd below , that one having fallen upon the pavement , and been severely injured . The fire progressed so fearfully

      that the only means of escape left for the other parties in the house was from the upper windows . The escape belonging to the Royal Society for the Protection of Lite from Fire was quickly in the way , but m consequence of the road being up for the formation ot a sewer , some time was lost before the machine could be brought in front of the premises , f ortunately , however , a cabriolet was brought from the other end of the lane , and being placed under the windows , the whole of the residents were enabled to leap upon it , and thereb y escaped a horrible death . Ihe engines of the parish , tho London Brigade , and the v \ est of England Company , promptly attended , and were quickly set to work , but the firemen were unable to get the flames extinguished until the whole ot the stock in trade , thc furniture , and other effects were consumed , and the building nearly destroyed . i- £ - ^ „ P ASTROP HE .-The Basle Gazette publishes intelligence of the slipping of a mountain in the Orisons on thc 7 th inst . It occurred at Busclt-

      Shooting A Roliceman At Livkbpooi,.—An A...

      laws , and carried away an entire forest of yoilllj trees ' . On thc 14 th , another catastrophe of the sann nature occurred immense masses of rock wci \ rolled into the valley , the inhabitants of which flet in the greatest consternation . The damage dout is estimated at 400 , 0001 ' . Attempted Murder of a Young Lady . —On Monday night the usually quiet village of Byfovu ( a few miles from Hereford ) was thrown into the greatest agitation and alarm , in consequence of Mi » a Ellei buviea , a very interesting and pretty girl , bavin ; , been shot at . She was picked up ( the exact spot it not mcutioKcd ) insensible , and bathed in blood , which flowed from the left arm and shoulder , which are fractured , and she lies in a very dangerous state . A quantity of blood was also traced down the mcadow and over a stile at the hack of the house , ss that some one else besides Miss Davics must

      have been wounded , as she was not in that direction . It is supposed that the pej . etrator nftenvardiattempted his own life . For nearly three years past a gentleman paid his addresses to hor , hut was rejected on account ofa previous engagement ; he then left England , but returned again , and renewed hb addresses in a most threatening and resolute manner , she vainly endeavouring to avoid him . Her friends , seeing that he still pursued hor , thought that she Ii »

      Mklanciioly Occurhknck.—Sunderland, Oct....

      Mklanciioly Occurhknck . —Sunderland , Oct . 15 . —A very distressing accident occurred hereto-day , by which four lives have been lost . About noon , ii > is usual when the weather is favourable , the pupils ol Dr . Cowan , of thc Grange Academy , near this town , proceeded to the sea-beach for the purpose of bathing . On this occasion thirty-eight went down , accompanies by four teachers , and they bathed at a short distance from Ilentlon . There was rather a heavy ground swell , and two boys named Baird and Lennie were swept out of depth by a strong sea . On their dangerous situation being observed by Robert Baird and Mr . Special , one

      of the tutors , they rushed to tho resistance of their juvenile friends but they were both swept away by the ebb current , and neither of them being able to swim , they were all drowned . By this time Mr . Wilson , the senior tutor , who was bathing at a short distance came up , and succeeded in drawing Lennie out of th . c _ w . iter , but he was then quite dead , ltobt ., Baird is eighteen , atid Archibald Baird sixteen year .-of age ; they are sons of Sir David Baird , whose residence is near Dunbar . Lennie is ten years of « f , e , and the son of Mr . M' Alpine Lennie , of Dulswinton , Ducar ampler .

      The Pestilence Aboard The Eclair Sliekkn...

      THE PESTILENCE ABOARD THE ECLAIR SlIEKKNESS , SATUKOAV . Mr . Saunders , the pilot who brought the Eclair round here from Portsmouth , has also fallen a victim to thc fever , lie died last night about half-past ten o ' clock , and was buried in the quarantine-ground this morning . Lieutenant Isaacson is alittlc better , but not yet out of danger . Dr . Coffey and the other sufferers on board the Worcester are going on quite favourably . Thc medical attendants , Drs . Stewart and Rogers , continuewell . Sunday . Dr . Rogers was attacked yesterday afternoon , and was dangerously ill last night , but is considered better to-day . Lieutenant Isaacson died this morning . One other fresh easo 1 ms occurred since yesterday . Dr . Heath of the Dwarf , Laving volunteered his services , has been put on . board the Revenge to watch anj' symptoms of disease among the healthy part of the crew .

      Wigan Election.—On Thursday, Captain Lin...

      Wigan Election . —On Thursday , Captain Lindsay , Conservative , was elected member for Wfean , in the room of Mr . Grecnall , lately deceased . The successful candidate was opposed by a Mr . Tbicknesse , Liberal . The numbers were , at the clo-e of tho . poll , Lindsay , 273 ; Thickness , 211 ; Majority for Lindsay , 02 .

      Failure In The Potato Crop Of Ireland. M...

      FAILURE IN THE POTATO CROP OF IRELAND . Most alarming accounts of the failure of the staple food of the Irish poor in the county of Cork—thc Yorkshire of Ireland—have appeared in the recent numbers of the local papers . So long as there was room to hope that these statements were exaggerated , we forbore alluding to the subject ; but from the multiplicity of corroborating testimony , in the shape of letters , some bearing the signatures of gentlemen of skill and experience in Biich matters , which have since been published , it is greatly to be feared that the calamity will be much more severely felt than was at first supposed . Mr . Cooke ( Jolles , of Kilworth , thus writes : —

      "I regret to state that I have ascertained , beyond a doubt , that the panic concerning the potato crop is but too justly founded . Within a few days I have had several trials made on both good and bad land , and the result has been my conviction , that in this district at least every potato field of what may be termed the main crop , is more or less attacked by the rot . That it is on the increase is evident ; and the prospect for thc poor is dismal , both for food for this season and seed for th < --following ; the early settings have nearly escaped , and all that are bad are of the white kind , which , I am sorry to say , is the universal crop of this country . " A correspondent writing from the neighbourhood of Inhshaniion , savs—'

      "I am sorry to tell you that almost ( he whole of tht crop of potatoes in this neighbourhood is diseased . 1 dug some white potatoes about a week ago and pitted them , and they all seemed perfectly sound ; but on bringing them home to house tliem this morning , I find the greater part of them hunted with ihe rot . lliavcjust heard that Mr . Payne , who took the precaution of pulling the Stalks , had his crop in a wretched state also . Tinalarm amongst the poor people about here is great ; alio unless the Almighty sec it well in His wisdom to proridc soine substitute for the esculent on which poor Paddy has so long existed , the prospect is indeed melancholy . " Another , who dates his letter from Skull ,

      writes"In West Skull the appearance of thc potato crop was so good , that the fanners never thought of cxiunininv their late ones , as the early were never better . Last Monday , at the fair of Skull , a report was circulated that the potatoes were all lost ; the consequence was that many examined their gardens , and , sad to tell , found the report too true , as every field is more or less injured ; in some , half the potatoes are lost , others less . Four gentlemen shooting yesterday ivent through a considerable part of the country , and in almost every potato field tried some stalks , and found a considerable number of potatoes injured , even under the soundest and bestlooking sta ks . Some farmers tried the potatoes boiled , first cutting off the black or injured part ; they found uo objection to eating thorn ¦ but if boiled without cutting off the damaged part , it is impossible to use them , as the damagedpart injures the water , and gives an unpleasant smell and taste to all , "

      Mr . Dillon Croker , of the Castle , Mitchelstown , has addressed thefollowing important communication to the editor of thc C' onst ^ utton ; thc letter is dated the 7 th inst . — " I came here from Quartertown yesterday , and am grieved to stiy I found all in this pr . rt of the country labouring under the delusion that the unfortunate pestilence had not reached them , and that all their potatoes were sound ; but , alas . 'in a drive of 11 Irish miles this day , from here to Sir . Massy Dawson ' s , I found every field more or less affected . Having hud Lord Kingston ' s carriage , I stopped on tho road wherever I saw the farmer digging potatoes . I asked if the crop was sound . Invariably was I answered ' they were perfectly so , ' but on going into the field Iliad little trouble in speedily

      convincing each that such -was not the case , having in most instances shown that the plague had made fearful ravages . One fanner had a great number of men at work , and was , in the usual way , pitting the potatoes , good and had together . I told him thc consequence would be a total loss , and that speedily , if he did not alter his plan . The poor fellow exclaimed , ' What shall I do , Sir V I recommended him at once to stop the digging , and put all tlie hands he had to oven the pits , and carefully separate every potato that he even suspected was diseased . My advice he instantly followed , and said he would further do , what I believe to be the onl y thing that can be done , by those who dig them , viz ., to make the pits very narrow , and put more dry earth than potatoes in them , so as , possible , to prevent one from touching another . All that

      have written on the subject seemtojoin in opinion that it is essentially necessary to have them put up , or mixed with some dry substance that will absorb moisture , and keep the potatoes separate from each other . One recommends sand ; but where , may I ask you , are 09 out of 100 to procure it ? Another , dry slaked lime—to this query I put the same question . A third tells his readers to use sawdust—as well may be advise that all tinkers should be set to work to make separate cases for each tuber ? therefore , dry earth seems to me to be the only thing that every farmer can procure , ns the season is now approaching forgetting the potatoes out of ground . I tear to offer an opinion as to whether they should dig them at once , or let them remain for some time longer ; it is hard to say what should be done . In high dry ground 1 would let them remain for a few weeks , hoping that those which are now infected will he totally gone , and that those

      which have escaped may be put up without fear of loss . The great difficulty of selecting at present the tuber in which the disease has appeared from those which are reallysound , is such that I would say—do not dig outat present . On theofherhand , many that are only partially gone may be used for feeding pigs . The question then is , which are we to consider , the presentloes or the future calamity , to my poor countrymen , when perhaps want arrives God forbid that it should ever border on famine . For my own part I have no hesitation in saying , that if we even saved one month ' s food for the people , we should throw present emolument and pigs overboard . I will , therefore , lot my crop remain in ground , a large portion of which has , within the last week , shared the fate of the country at large , for I now am convinced that not one field can be found in which the disease is not more or less to be discovered . "

      Failure In The Potato Crop Of Ireland. M...

      The Cork Reporter Ji » 3 still more distressing omits of the positive failure of the oron ,-not mercy n Cork , but in the adjacent county of Kerry . iuo ubject was broucht before the notice of the lermoy Hoard of Poor Law Guardians by one of their Dcay , \ lr . Step hen Barry , wkotocwoutsem-ai suggestions t > meet tho alarming evil . t Since the above was in type we have received information that the disease is ascertained to extend through thc counties of Louth , Down , Antrim , ualwny , Limerick , Armagh , Watcrford , Kilkenny , ami Carlow . The accounts from these several districts arc of a most distressing character . The correspondent of the Times , writing from Dublin on Tuesday last , says : — " There appears to be no longer any room to doubt that thc failure of the staple crop of this country is complete ; and that it will require promp t ind energetic measures to soften a calamity which

      : hreatens consequences more disastrous than any from which Ireland has been afflicted for many years . The accounts from all quarters tell thc same tale . TIlO infection SOCIUS Well nigh universal . Fields which present thc most healthy appearance one day ire the next discovered to be ' irretrievably ruined , die produce not being fit food even for beasts . " A -amine throughout the country seems to be inevitable . It is stated that Government Commissioners arc at ; he present examining into the state of the potatoe rops in thc neighbourhood of Clonmel and in the - ounty of Cork , and , we trust , that Ministers will lose no time in having the condition of tlie crop carefully examined in all parts of Ireland , and if the statements in the Irish papers are found to be true , that they will immediately adopt the necessary means tor preserving thepeople from the horrible fate which otherwise must befall them .

      The Ten Hours Bill.—Lord Ashley In Manch...

      THE TEN HOURS BILL . —LORD ASHLEY IN MANCHESTER . Maxcm-sto , Wednesday . —Yesterday , Lord Ashley met a deputation of two operatives from each mill in this town at the Brunswick Hotel , for the purpose of laying before them what course he intended to pursue , and to receive tUeir opinions as to ihe general state of the question , and how far , if at all , they had been benefitted by the interference of the Legislature . There were about 400 delegates present . At thc request of the operatives Mr . Joseph Gregory , calico-printer , took the chair . There were also a number of gentlemen present ivho are favourable to thc reduction of thc hours of labour , including extensive mill-owners , also Mr . Brothcrfon , M . P ., ind the Itev . Mr . Huntington , incumbent of St . John ' s . The Chairman briefly opened the proceedings , an I called upon his Lordship to address the meeting .

      Lord Asiukv then rose and said , he was exceedingly happy to once more have an opportunity of meeting them for the purpose of talking upon those subjects that they had so very near at heart , but he should hare been much more happy had lie been able to have met them for the purpose of congratulating them on the great victory which he hoped would linally crown their efforts in thc cause . But as he was not fortunate enough to do that , he could only say that he was happy to meet them once more , that they might take council together , and sec in what manner they could carry on the great struggle which they had been so long engaged in . ( Applause . ) It appeared to him unadvisablc , —nay , more than unadvisablc—rash , to have introduced the measure last

      session of Parliament . When he proposed to do ) so he encountered tlie very greatest reluctance from many of their own friends , from many , in fact , of the best friends of the cause . It was thought unadvisablc to introduce it after it had been debated , discussed , and rejected in the preceding session . Another reason for the postponement of the bill at the beginning of Inst session was , that he had iio ground on which he could actually stand , because at that time no petitions had been prepared for presentation , and it would have been almost impossible for him to have opened the question , unless he was prepared to show to the house that those whom he professed to represent cordially concurred in thc measure . But even had the

      petitions been presented in time , the House of Commons was so completely absorbed in railway legislation , that it would have been impossible to have attended to them . But lie was not disposed to allow the next session to pass away like its predecessor ( cheers ) , because he thought that they were in a far better state of preparation . Thc petitions that bad been presented at thc close of the last session were a sufficient basis on which to stand for the commencement of operations in the next . With regard to the railway question , which threatened to bo far more formidable than during thc last session , he would say that they must endeavour to forestall it by giving notice for l eave to b ring in a bill on the very first night of the opening of Parliament to shorten thc hours of labour

      in the manufactories . ( Applause . ) Now , it the people were ready upon that point , he was quite ready to serve them with the best of his humble energies ( applause ); and , God willing , if he should have health and strength , he would not fail to give that notice , and exert his humble abilities to carry the measure to complete and entire success . But he had now to consider what were the hopes of success ill the next session . Now , their hopes for success , if they made careful inquiry , would be found to be certain , and by no means diminished . They would derive very great evidence as to tho state of public feeling on the question from a comparison of the difficulties which stood in their way when the bill was first introduced , and those which opposed their

      progress now . When thc bill was first introduced , many said " For what purpose do you introduce this measure ? it will never be carried ; you will never be attended to ; it is all time thrown away ; you may as well save yourself thc trouble . " Now-a-days we hear nothing of language of that sort . Ho had a great deal of advice afforded him as to the desirableness of patience . He was desired not to be too eager , not to press forward j list now , but to take tO himself the delightful consolation that if he only waited his time the thing was inevitable . Now , that wasa very ^ i eat change . It was said at one time , that there was no hope whatever . ; but now the opinion of a great portion of thc members of Parliament and the public generally was favourable to the measure . —thev , in

      fact , said it would be a matter of great expediency , nay , lie might . say « fnecessity , to pass this ameliorating - measure . If they looked abroad , they would find that they were not singular in their desires ; they would nnd by a document which reached this country a few months ago , a copy of which Lord Ashley forwarded to their excellent friend who had acted as secretary , that even in America , even in thc district of Lowell , which wtis supposed to be without spot or blemish , they were so entirely dissatisfied with the system ot long hours of labour , that they presented petitions to the local Legislature of Massachusetts , praying for a limitation of their time of working . He knew that the same feeling prevailed in Prussia ; they were aware that the Government of . that country listened

      to the remonstrances of the people , and reduced the hours of labour to ten hours a day for all persons under 16 years of age , and he ( Lord Ashley ) had received from Prussia " a statement on the authority of some of the greatest manufacturers as to the g ' ood effects of that enactment . The master manufacturers in that statement declared that physically , morally , and financially , the effects were so beneficial , that they wondered they could at any time doubt the good results to arise from the enactment , which was in consonance with the principles of humanity . ( Applause . ) Now , he was very anxious to hear the opinions of those before him on this question , because on those opinions did he , in a great measure , base his hopes of success . He was very anxious to hear from them what had been the effect in their town and neighbourhood of the admirable

      experiment which had been made by their friend Mr . Gardner , of Preston , in the limitation of the hours of labour , because , if it could be shown that those were not isolated experiments , but such as could be made with equal success in every mill in the kingdom , then he considered they had every reason to af k the Legislature to pass thc measure they had so much at heart . But he was told by many that thc experiments in Mr . Gardner ' s mill were not applicable to other mills , lie was told that there existed a great difference in the weaving departments of the mills in this district , and that , in fact , were the time in those mills te be diminished , the amount of produce would be diminished in thc same proportion . He was told that although thc spinners themselves might be benefited , yet that the masters would sustain a loss . He should therefore like to have

      the opinion of those persons present upon those points , because they were practical men , and fully prepared to give correct statements on the subject . He believed that they would be able to show that the cxepiments which had been made were effectual , and that Mr . Gardner ' s mill was not an isolated one . He had recently read thc report of tlie factory inspector , and his observations in reference to Mr . Gardner ' s mill , and in that report he stated it was his opinion that tho experiment in that gentleman s mill had been worked fairly , and that there was no reason why the same result should not follow

      in other mills . He was glad to learn that Mr . Horrocks , ot the same town , had introduced thc short hour system into his mills , and that the result was satisfactory . He ( Lord Ashley ) had , with a view to the carrying of the question , abstained from any interference in the great political questions of the times ; he had given himself up entirely to the cause ( hear , hear ); and , by SO doing , ho had sacrificed many political friends , and he had closed against himself the pleasure and benefits of many honours . ( Applause . ) The noble lord concluded by urging the meeting to bestir themselves , and sat down amidst loud cheers .

      At the close of his Lordship ' s address , tho chairman of the Short Time Committee moved a vote of confidence in and thanks to Lord Ashley , which was put and c arried with loud cheers . Mr . Brotherton and Mr . Huntington , in acknowledging a vote of thanks , also addressed the meetimr at some length . b Several operatives addressed the meeting , after which thanks were voted to the chairman , and the delegates separated .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 18, 1845, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_18101845/page/5/