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Northern Star (1837-1852), 19th December 1846, Edition 2 of 3, Page 1, MI) 1^^ ; /£ 1^1 ?^*

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    • rttjyrRTJCTIONS FOR REMITTING MONE y ON ACCOUNT OF SH ARE-' - h^JDERS OF THE LpD COMfa Ni/ i
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      Rttjyrrtjctions For Remitting Mone Y On Account Of Sh Are-' - H^Jders Of The Lpd Comfa Ni/ I

      rttjyrRTJCTIONS FOR REMITTING MONE ON ACCOUNT OF SH ARE- ' - h ^ JDERS OF THE LpD COMfa Ni / i

      All Monies Mnstbe Remitted In Post Offic...

      All monies mnstbe remitted in Post Office Oilers , or by Bank Order payable on dead l 0 Feargus O'Couuor . All Post Office Orders must be made payable at the r neral Post Office , St Martin ' s-le-Gratid ,

      t nclon , none ot ^ acknowledged . rfi , e person ' s name applying to the local post ffi ce for tne or ^ mnst be written at full I nfill at the top of the order , and who l gee the order properl y stamped , and the order ninst be made payable to Feargus O'Connor- All letters containing " money mast he addressed as follows , for « The Directors ,

      Land Office , 83 , Dean Street , Soho , London . " jfofe—The local post master is bound to make all onlere payable where the applicant wishes ; the jeputy Treasurer has now £ 172 in Post Office Orders made payable at the London Office , Charing Otoss , Strand , Oxford Street , Piccadilly , Old Cavendish Street , Bloomsbury , Oxford , Manchester , and

      j / eds ; many of them not stamped at the local office , and therefore refused payment by the London jianch ; many of them made payable to the parties vhomay apply for them ; many of them not payable jo Mr- Roberts , Mr . O'Connor , or Mr . "Wheeler ; jnany of them advised indifferent names to those jepiesented to have obtained them , whereas there ought not to be a mistake of a shilling in ten years , ill jgrsons receiving Post Office Orders at the local office will see that the order is stamped by the Local Postmaster before he accepts it as satisfaction for cash , and he will then write the name of the person

      who has applied for and taken out the order , at the top of the order . Now nothing can be more simple than this . John White goes with £ A to the Leeds Post Office , and asks for an order in the name of John "White , payable to Feargus O'Connor at the london branch . John "White then writes his name in full at the top of the order , and transmits it as directed to the ' office;—for "The Directors , Land Office , 83 , Dean Street , Soho . London . "

      The Land. To The Members Of The Chartist...

      THE LAND . TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CHARTIST COOPERATIVE LAND COMPANY . Mr Dear Friends , The struggle that I am now making is to secure a nest for every one of the human family , of which the strong cannot dispossess the weak , as well as a field for the parent and yonng brood to work in for their own subsistence . This letter will necessarily be a long one , because my purpose is to explain to yon all that has been done by the late Land Conference ; but before I proceed to the analysis I must be permitted to offer a few observations upon our present position and no distant coming prospects .

      firefly , —I caB your attention to the stunning incontrovertible fact , " that , in the midst of circumstances which formerly would have aroused agitation throughout the land , there is but one party existing , active and organised , in the state—and that party is the Chartist party . The Tories are paralysedby the treachery , as they call it , of their leader , but for whose sagacity they would be now In open rebellion . The "Whi gs are struck dumb by the incompetency of their party to deal with a calamity , arising in part out of their awn inefficiency . The tree traders are bringing odium upon their own measure by being foremost in the ranks of oppression , daily reducing

      the hours of labour as a first step towards reducing wages . The Socialists have been wrecked upon a rock for want of a proper lighthouse ; they committed the egregious blunder of supposing that a spacious and well-furnished house was to pay the rent of land , instead of the land paying the rent of the house . Poor Sturge and his party have vanished into tbin air , while the London management finds it nther difficult to keep the Holborn theatre open during the short season before Christmas . So much for England ; and then look to the present state of Ireland 5 a country that one short year ago presented a confederation , -which , if properly directed , might lave bid defiance to Europe .

      Thus I show yon that Chartism is now the only Bring principle , while I must remind you , that formeily , in the season of calm , Chartism was always & e most apathetic , and its apathy was an invitation to some crotchet-monger to bid for popular support . I had no objection to admit that Chartism was a huniry howl , but I feel indignant that the howl should instantly cease upon the sli ghtest improvement of circumstances , thus afiirming the fact , that wot was necessary to elicit principle . "When the Jffld plan wasjfirst introduced , those who had lived in idleness upon popular excitement denounced it as

      calculated to injure Chartism . They knew that ftey were ignorant of the subject , and they dreaded tte addition of the social principle to the ' political Soestion . But I think I may now ask you where Gartism would be but for the Land ? I may ask P > u where it was from 1842 to 1845 , when the Wth of Landism was breathed into its nostrils afl gave it fresh vitality ? I must remind you of another fact , that our association now numbers about twelve thousand members , and that in its ftals are to be found the very best of the old Charfist body . Again , but for the land where would n » w 1 ) 6 the Chartist Executive or Chartist staff ? The

      Feat advantage of the Land movement is thisflat it supplies food for sensible agitation in good tones and in bsd times . Good times have always ken destructive of Chartism , but now assist it , bemuse it is then that the working classes have the •* 3 t opportunit y ot subscribing to the Land plan ; * h 3 e lad times compel them to think about the land 25 only means of escape . Having made those few observations , I shall now P ^ ceed to a consideration of the business done by ^ Conference , and shall commence with the propamine . Firstl y—A . Finance Committee was appointed to ^ mine ray accounts from the formation of the

      ^ ety to the day on which we met , and you will ^ th eir report appended to the balance sheet with e "ecessary observations in their proper place . & cs > % . _ We resolved that the company ' s lands "" H neither be sold nor mortgaged , but that a jjp of deposit should be established , the machinery which will appear in a simple form in next s Slur . This was a most wise resolution , ^ se I still adhere to my original declaration , the redemption department , which will be a of the

      j ^* establishment , will enable every occu-^ Purchase his allotment in less than five years ^ ! incon * emence . I Snaii here mereiy sketch toto ? f ° y 0 U " WeDro P ° se t 0 "I thousand fed to upoa eveiy £ b 0 payable t 0 thecom P y > ^« ke the land and houses of the company % > n " ! . , ' iede P osilors ; and we propose to pay te ^ monies deposited interest at the rate of 3 i d ^ ° " ~~ , 1 , at is , wehand over as security to the * fc to * iD reDt f ° CVery £ 31 Qs ' that we are 5 and Ave propose that the additional 1 * per

      The Land. To The Members Of The Chartist...

      cent shall become a sinking fund to merge into the redemption fund , and to be applied to the purchase of the occupant ' s property when the affairs of the section are closed . The redemption department will be for receiving amounts paid by the shareholders , whether in possession ^ or not , towards the purchase of their allotments , or the fining down of their rent , —for instance , suppose John White to have paid up £ 25 to the redemption fund before he I received his allotment , and suppose his rent to be £ 10 a vear , he would receive his land for £ 9

      a - year , and be allowed one pound a year reduction for the £ 25 he had paid , or in other words , his land would then become his own bank at £ 4 per cent ., that is , he would be allowed to purchase his property for ever at 25 years ' purchase , while the company would he enabled to give 33 years purchase , and while , as an individual , he would not be able to secure his allotment at 50 years' purchase ; firstly , because there is no market open for him ; secondly , because individuals would lease their property at the retail price , while the company leases

      it at the wholesale . price in the retail market ; and thirdly , if he purchased , the weight of title , legal expenses , and conveyance , would break his back : while , upon the pother band , the company , upon the principle of co-operation , not only does those things for him , but further gives to their tenants respectively , £ 15 , £ 22 10 s , and £ 30 capital to commence with . Upon this subject 1 will give you a simple , comprehensive , mercantile prospectus next week , for the present consoling myself that no profit-monger is , thank God , to

      make political property or money profit of your labour and mine . Indeed , if I had mortgaged or sold I could have gone to a certain extent much faster than I have gone , but , then , I know the heart-burning that would be caused to every occupant when he discovered his ability to buy the land and the impossibility of inducing the purchaser to sell it . Now , for instance , an occupant paying £ 10 a-yearrent , and having saved £ 400 , would cheerfully give it all , that is forty years' purchase , to be the proprietor instead of the tenant of bis allotment ,

      while we allow him to purchase his allotment for ever for £ 250 , or twenty-five years' purchase , and always observe that , when an occupant purchases , he is his own banker and his allotment is his ledger . Now I . would ask you if any working man in the world , who has saved £ 250 , can apply it so profitably , so comfortably , so respectably to any other purpose as to the purchase of £ 10 a-year for ever , in land and a house ; while you must bear in mind that , as an individual , he could not purchase the same property for £ 400 , nor yet for £ 500 ; and you must also bear another fact in mind , that the capital he receives from the company goes in part payment of the purchase which would reduce it to

      twenty-three years' purchase , and something under . For instance , a man draws a three acre share in an estate , the price of which would make his rent come to £ 10 a-year , the £ 22 10 s . capital is included in the rent and , therefore , if he choses to pay £ 227 10 s . to the Redemption Fund , he at once becomes the proprietor instead of the tenant of his allotment , with the title made out and the conveyance costing him nothing . Now this we never could do if we mortgaged or sold , while the operations of the company will proceed with tenfold vigour and speed . Sale or mortgage would entail fresh expence , the Bank guarantees a profit of 3 i per cent . Upon this subject I shall be very explicit next week . ¦ ,

      Thirdly .- The Conference has decided , that the maximum sized Cottage shall not exceed four rooms of twelve feet square each . This is a wise and wholesome resolution , and a just one , because it inflicts injury upon none . It is wise , because it preserves a larger amount of land value than of house value , which is not as valuable as land value . It is just , because the occupants will pay rent in proportion , that is , if a four roomed house cost £ 30 less

      than a five roomed house , the occupant will pay 30 s . a-year less for his holding . It is equitable , because it enables the company to locate more members and more speedily . It is no hardshi p , because the ballot for preference will take place after the general ballot , before the houses are built . And when the allotments are marked out and each occupant's share is known , then the corresponding secretary will write to the several members and ask them if

      they wished for a four roomed house , a five roomed house , or a castle with stabling and a court yard , and for the additional expence above the four rooms they must lodge the money before the work is commenced . Upon the other hand , if a single man , who has drawn a three acre or a four acre allotment , shall consider a comfortable three roomed house , each room twelve feet square , sufficiently large , he will notify to the directors , through the secretary , that he willonlv have a three roomed house huilt and he

      will have a reduction in his rent at the rate of five per cent upon the diminished expenditure . Now I will shew you that this is a necessary resolution . We are bound to legislate for the general good , and although some working men may say , that they took four acre shares for the express purpose of having the larger honse , yet , as the land is the field for industry and the thing that is to support the house , many of the industrious poor became shareholders for four acres who considered the over-size of the house a grievous tax upon them . I always was in

      favour of the smallest description of houses , my principal object tsing to get possession of as much land as possible , convinced that untrammelled industry weald soon enable every man to build a house to bis taste ; and , even now , I would implore the three acre and four acre shareholders to remember that five per cent will be deducted from , or added to , the rent in proportion to the size of the house , and , that they ought to be able , when they have the security of the land , to raise money at 3 } per cent As Mr . Smyth , the delegate for Bradford , observed

      and than whom there was not a more attentive , shrewd , and business-like delegate in the Conference , the poor woolcombers in Bradford huddled together in one room , ventilated with a charcoal stove , would think themselves in a palace in a three roomed cottage , and would consider it a hardship to have their release from those hells postponed for the gratification of those who wished for large houses . However , I may conclude this head with a simple observation , that nine in every ten who will be entitled to a good four roomed cottage , are now pining in cellars or existing in garrets .

      Fourthly . In order to prevent a monopoly of the land by any one person , we have decided that in all cases where an aggregate of persons to the number of four , wish to hazard their chauce upon one ticket in the same ballot , that each of the four shall have attained his eighteenth year at least . It was contended that fathers should have the power of placing their infant children ' s names upon this aggregate ticket , but this , it was clearly shown , would lead to a monopoly , of , perhaps , 16 acres out of an estate of onahundred , or one sixth of the whole amount , and mig ht lead to the dilapidation of the cottages upon the three allotments of the infants , and must introduce the MID-

      The Land. To The Members Of The Chartist...

      DLEMAN SYSTEM ; and for this reason the leases should be made to the infants , for I did not , as reported in the Northern Star , say , that the Company could not make leases to infants , but what I said was that the infants could not make leases . However , 1 am quite ready to admit the general accuracy and excellence of the report in the Star . But then to the subject , you must lease to the infants , and the father as they ; trustee must either place three undertenants in the three cottages during their minority , which three undertenants would present the eyesore of slave labourers working amongst freemen ; and , if

      he did not place tenants there , the cottages would go to ruin , and , if he did place tenants there , he might demand what rent he pleased ; and as a minor cannot lie bound , it would be optional upon attaining his majority , whether he would take to the land or not ; and if the middleman , or the father , suffered it to deteriorate in value , it would be an injury to the whole company . ' Moreover , the minors could not purchase except by trustees , and that would impose an amount of complicated duty which a hundred directors could not discharge . Again , it must be borne in mind , that minors now stand precisely in

      the same situation as they always did ; they may enter the ballot singly , and if they are drawn singly , whether in Cumberland or Cornwall , the father , or some of the family , will be sure to go with the minor , so that in no case will the house become dilapidated or the land neglected . The mode of dealing with the aggregate number is this . Suppose a ballot for fifty to take place , and an aggregate ticket containing four names to be in the box—if that ticket is not drawn within forty-seven , it must be a blank ; if it

      is drawn forty-seven , it is a prize , because 47 , 48 , 49 > and 50 are four allotments , which will satisfy the four upon the aggregate ticket ; but if it is drawn 48 , 49 , or 50 , it is laid by as a blank , because there will be only three allotments left to satisfy four shareholders . Now , this is no hardship , even if the rule was more stringent , because it is optional with the individual members whether or no they will risk their chance upon the aggregate ticket ; and as the rule stands , it is now incalculably in favour of the aggregate shareholders .

      Fifthly—We have decided that all incidental expenses shall be paid out of the two shillings a share , while the directors' salaries , stationery , & c , shall be paid out of a fund raised by a levy of one shilling per year , or a farthing a week upon each share . This fund also to furnish poor occupants , who are recommended by their localities , with the means of transmission to their respective allotments—the amount to be paid back in easy and convenient instalments , and to merge into the Redemption fund , so that it will be a savings bank for the purchase of the allotments by members . Sixthly . —This question has been decided by the adoption of the above rule .

      Seventhly . —It has been decided that the Directors shall be empowered to build school-houses under such circumstances as render the ' r erection necessary , and that the school-houses shall be the property of the Company and not of the allottees upon the estate , because the expense of the erection and the land should then be added to the rent of the occupants . Eighthly . —It has been decided , that the schoolmasters and schoolmistresses shall be appointed by the Directors , with power vested in two-thirds of the occupants to dismiss them upon proper cause .

      In treating upon this subject , I trust that no schoolmaster will lie elected except he is also an agriculturist , as the ground allotted to the schoolhouse should be a model farm , entirely cultivated by the children , according to their strength , who should work upon it three hours a day , from six till ei g ht In the morning , and such other hour in the day as shall be approved of by a majority of the occupants .

      Ninthly . —It has beta decided that discretionary power shall be vested in the Directors to expend monies in the improvement of land from purchase to occupation , in manure , draining , and other such operations as will be more cheaply done by cooperation than by individual labour , and not to be deducted from the amount of capital to be respectively given to the occupants . Tenthly . —lthas been decided that the Directors shall have the power of increasing the Funds of the Company by the sale of estates . Elevently . —The Conference have elected Thomas Slingsby Buncombe , Esq . M . P ., John Sewell , Philip M'Grath , Ernest Jones , and Feargus O'Connor , trustees .

      Twelfthly . —The Conference has elected \ Y . P . Roberts , Esq ., as the Company ' s Treasurer , with a vote of thanks for his past services . Thirteenthly . —The Directors have elected Feargus O'Connor as their Deputy Treasurer . Fourteenthly . —The Finance Committee did report , for which see resolution at foot of Balance Sheet . Ftfteenthly . — The Conference elected William Cuffay and James Knight , auditors to the Company .

      The sixteenth proposition in the programme was withdrawn;—and thus 1 have gone through the several propositions contained in the programme , and I shall now draw your attention to the several collateral questions not contained in the programme . Firstly . —The Conference has very wisely conferred the power upon four of the Directors to dismiss one of their own body for misconduct or neglect of duty . This is a most wholesome rule , and is a power which the four objecting Directors would

      not dare to exercise capriciously , while it will make all more vi gilant in the discharge of their duties , and no member of the Company will believe that four Directors would dare to conspire against one , while no member of the Company will contend that four should be subject to the neglect or improper conduct of one during twelvemonths . The mode of filling up the vacancy is this , —the Directors elect a person in the place of the dismissed officer , and then appeal to the Shareholders to elect , not the person appointed pro . tern , by the Directors , but whomsoever they please .

      Secondly . —The Conference decided that there should be two Secretaries , a Corresponding Secretary and a Finance Secretary , and the Directors have elected Mr . M'Grath as corresponding Secretary , and Mr . Wheeler as Finance Secretary . Thirdly . —The Conference decided that henceforth only one list should appear in the " Northern Star , " and that that List should be a report of all the monies SENT TO ME—that is , that henceforth all monies must be made payable to me , and remitted according to the instructions at the head of this letter , and no money will appear in the " Star " except money that is made payable to me by post-office order , and sent as directed in instructions , and received by me before insertion .

      Fourthly . —The Conference decided that the allottees of Herringsgate should not be located till the 1 st of May . As a matter of course this will be some disappointment , though I doubt it , to a few , but then it must be borne ! in mind that the Con-

      The Land. To The Members Of The Chartist...

      ference was ; bound' to legislate for the benefit of all , andVrlotifor tbe ^ onvenience of a few . ; Moreover ;' " if ^ " a . just -rule , and ' was urged upon the st ronges |||^ ieni g well acqutthte & wftb ; the subject , convincing me of the propiKty of the step . I moved the 25 th of March ; Mr . Donovan moved the 1 st of July , and Mr . Smyth moved the 1 st of May . They contended that fromafter Ohristmastill May was the spring trade and ' the best trade ; that February would be the coldest and most disheartening month for those coming from the heated atmosphere of factories , and that it would be a comparatively idle month upon the land . This alteration was made upon the understanding that the whole available season

      from February to May , should be taken advantage of in the cultivation of the several allotments , and let it be understood that a transition from the artificial to the natural state will be much more cheering "when the ground is covered with the budding ; Crops than if covered with snow . It is a bad season for removing , it is a bad season for going into a new house ; it is an inappropriate season for agricultural pursuits , add to which , the postponement will be a great saving to the occupants , inasmuch as . ' cheaper and better labour can be performed upon the principle of co-operation than by individuals ^ Another , and no small consideration , is , that our immigrants must feel cheerful and happy upon the very first day they take possession .

      Some people who are not shareholders say , that Mr . O'Connor promised to locate a hundred within the first year from June last—Mr . O'Connor did promise it and will accomplish it , and more . When Mr . O'Connor promised it , the standard size of farms was two acres , and we have now 264 acres of ground which , according to Cocker , would locate 132 persons at two acres each , and that was the rule in the first instance . But Mr . O'Connor has

      now a complete answer for those who assert that a section cannot be located in less than fifty-seven years , three months , three weeks , five days , and two hours . Mr . O'Connor now undertakes to say , that , not only a section of 6 , 000 , hut a bodylof 20 , 000 , will be located in less than five years , with the as . sistance of the Bank . Mr . O'Connor always said , and still repeats it , that he would rathei have a loan of a hundred thousand pounds to be repaid with

      five per cent interest than £ 20 , 000 raised by small shares , and that the operations of the Company would go on quicker , and the Bank will afford that . Further , I could by this time have secured the location of 500 members if I had mortgaged the land as I bought it , hut , then , that process should have an end , each repetition of it would lessen our available capital , and I hold it to be unjust that the interests of 5 , 500 should be injured for the benefit of 500 .

      As to the postponement of the time of taking possession , then I have no hesitation in saying , that the step will meet with the approval of four fifths of the occupants themselves '; while , upon behalf of the 5965 shareholders , whose interests would have been injured by an earlier occupation , I am prepared to take all the responsibility . Fifthly . —All ballots , till the meeting of the next Conference , are to take place in London . Sixthly . —The next Conference will he held at Nottingham on the first Monday in January , 1848 .

      I think I have now given you a very fair analysis of the business performed at Conference , and a better Conference of any class I would not desire to sit in . You will see that I have made myself acquainted with every thing that has been done , and that I took one man ' s share in doing it , Now , my friends , I cannot dismiss this subject without drawing your serious attention to the fact , that the Land question is the one tp ; u ' c now interesting all Europe ; and that , after the several crotchet-mongers had tried their hand at patching the o'd system , all have been obliged to come to the plan established by that "COMICAL GENIUS , " Feargus O'Connor . Every newspaper in the kingdom is now adopting the plan , in one shape or other , as its own

      concoction . Every Irish resolution tends to the same point , while the Nation newspaper is advocating the system , though for the present lamely , because leaning upon a very rotten crutch—one Mr . G . Ramsay , who contends for the substitution of the plough for the spade , as a means of improving agriculture . This notion is so thoroughly ridiculous and childish , that none but a child would waste his time in combating it . It cuts at the very root of the system contended for by the Nation , inasmuch as it would be impossible to carry out the principle of a small proprietary , without first renouncing the plough . I wish , from my soul , that every plough and every harrow in England was turned into ashes for manure , and the plough shares into spades to dig the ground .

      By the Star of this week you will see that I have not been idle since the Conference , and , besides the industry that its columns develope , I have had several conferences with some of the ablest merchants in London upon the Banking question , and all appear uiore than delighted with it , as an auxiliary to aid in the purchase of Land . I have also had conferences with the directors . I have gone attentively through the whole Deed of Settlement with the solicitor , and from it I learn that there is only one great change made—a change which I believe will be

      hailed by all who feared that the Land plan would hurt Chartism . It is this : that our members are not to be tenants , but proprietors . That upon receiving possession they are not to get a lease , but the conveyance of their allotment in fee , with a rentcharge reserved , amounting to what the rent would have been . One of the brawlers may ask , what is the difference between rent and rent charge , between lease and conveyance ? Why just this—that in the one case the man is a tenant—in the other case he is a proprietor ; in the one case he is apolitical serf without a vote , in the other case he is a

      FREEMAN , WITH THE VOTE , Now , is this no difference ? Did Chartism , without the question of the laud , ever effect this ? It is a subject to which I am bound to say our solicitor , Mr . Roberts , was the first to direct my attention more than a year ago ; but I hesitated even to hint at it until I was convinced of its practicability so that now the thirty-five occupants at Herringsgate will have conveyances and net leases made to them , and they will he proprietor and voters as soon as they are in possession . This circumstance will considerably assist our banking operations , as every shareholder will save , beg ,

      borrow , or steal the means of reducing the rent charge at four per cent . In conclusion , I have only to add , that the responsibility and labour imposed upon me by the Land Plan would frighten any other man in Europe , while the more extensive its operations and ramifications , the better I feel myself equal to the task . If I had all the money that will smoke and stink in the kennels and poison the air during the Christmas month , I would convert every Poor Law Bastile in England into hospitals for the friendless ^ the old , and the infirm-, I would convince Uve Archbishop of Canterbury that famine in Britain is the dispensation of man , and not of God ; and I would prove to the Free Traders that domestic freemen are

      The Land. To The Members Of The Chartist...

      better customers than foreign slaves . Just ^ look th subscriptions , even for this Christmas week , when our class of shareholders are all pushed to make up their rent and pay their shop accounts ; in fact , I didn ' t expect £ 10 this week . The greatest pleasure that I derive from the Land Plan is , the belief that in our exchequer will be found some THOUSANDS THAT HAVE BEEN SNATCHED FROM THE GIN PALACE AND THE BEER-SHOP . Again promising you a clear and simple prospectus of our Banking Plan in next week's Star , ' I remain , Your faithful . friend and bailiff , Feargus O'Connor . P . S . —LABOURERS ! BE SOBER ; BUY LAND

      INSTEAD OF GIN ; AND YOU WILL HAVE A GOVERNMENT OF YOUR OWN CHOICE -THAT'S MY CHRISTMAS BOX TO YOU .

      /£ 1^1 ?^**^

      / £ 1 ^ 1 ?^**^

      Mi) 1^^ ; /£ 1^1 ?^*

      MI ) 1 ^^ ;

      X D J J' At Yol. . No. 478. London, Satu...

      X D J J ' at yOL . . NO . 478 . LONDON , SATURDAY , ECEMiptg , 1846 jtf ; f ¦ ^ - ^ BSgS ? - o- ^ - - ¦ ¦ " ' ••"

      Ireland. - Narrative Op Malcolm M'Gregor...

      IRELAND . - NARRATIVE OP MALCOLM M'GREGOR . NO . VII . As the task I have undertaken is to familiarise the English reader with the manners , customs , habits , opinions , peculiarities , character , and grievances of the Irish , I should consider it injudicious to clog my narrative with any romantic feelings , which should be confined to my own breast , and , therefore , all thought of Kathleen shall sleep for the present , nor shall her simple charms in any way influence me in the discharge of my duty . I have been a very earnest reader of novels in mv time , and am willing to confess

      a great debt of gratitude to many of our authors , both living and dead , for the amusement and instruction they have afforded me . Fielding , Goldsmith , Lytton Bulwer , have drawn many a tear from my eye ; Smollett , ; Scott , and D'Israeli , have afforded me refreshing laughter , and many of ourfair writers have seasoned a moment of doubtful mood with a welcome momentary excitement ; but for the most part novelists commence with the autumnal tint and rising or setting sun , and the effects of the waking or slumbering luminary upon imaginary scenery , and then select an imaginary being for their hero and

      their heroine . The silvery spray of the briny deep , and all about it , may be matter of absorbing interest to Olivia , while her Charles is wafted from her weeping watchful eye upon its bosom to some distant shore , perchance to hazard his precious life in defence of his country ' s liberty ; and Constantia may be interested in the hue , delicate texture , and smiling appearance of the expanding bud , as her Cardenio is engaged on some mission of love , which reminds her of his purity ; or Fidelia ' s guitar may be inspired and refuse response to her angelic touch , if her Edwin ' s absence should chill her heart , and forebode some teasing misgiving . All these passionate touches may do very well for those who can afford to pay £ 1 12 s . Gd ., for three volumes about the sun , moon ,

      and stars , rosebuds and spray , and the exactitude with which the sun rises and sets , and sheds his slanting rays upon all around ; and the inconstancy or jeopardy of the false hero , and the devotion and hair breadth ' scapes of the daring and reckless heroine ; but it is a branch of literature , if literature it can be styled—out of the peasants reach , and a portion of that course from which I fear many social errors have been imbibed . The hero or heroine is for the moment the world of the excited reader , and many a broken heart and pale face has been the sflcrifice at the shrine of susceptibility , imagination , and conceit . Rejecting , therefore , the jumble of ghosts , bleeding hearts , and romantic vows , which have been now brought to my recollection , I shall proceed with my narrative .

      The morning after I had heard the O'Donnell ' s history—mind , I abstain from troubling the reader with my night ' s reflections and dreams—I started , with Pheliuieen , for the residence of my friend , Father O'Farrell , at ten o ' clock , having taken a cordial farewell of " The O'Donnell" and Kathleen . We had not proceeded more than some half a mile upon our journey when we overtook a middle-aged mountaineer , trudging his way to the market of Skibbereen with a pig , who , king an acquaintance of my fellow traveller , after saluting him , asked him where he was going ; and , having learnt his mission , and that I was a friend of Father O'Farrell's , he at once threw off all reserve , and , wishing to know something of the opinion of his class of our rulers , I asked him , —

      " Well , my friend , which of the Ministers do you like best for Ireland ?" " Wisha , " he replied , " there's neither of them any great things ; but , of the two , I believe Parson Preachlove has the advantage over Parson Grabum . " " No , no , " said I ; " I mean Sir Robert Peel or Lord John ?" " Wisha , " said he , " but who are they , your honour ? I never hear of them . " " Why , " said I , " the Whig and Tory leaders . " " Wisha , " he responded , " I'm sure the divil a laider we ever heard of in these parts , barring Phelimeen here , and Shamus O'Niel , that heads the factions when we has a ruction at fair or market . "

      " What ! " I observed , " Do you not read the Times ?" " Ogh ! then , indeed I do ; " he answered . " Well , " I said , " have you not read of those names in that newspaper ?" "What newspaper ? " said he . " Why the Times ; you say you read it ?" " Wisha , " said he , " but I don't understand you . I can ' t read ; only I does be always minding the times as they passes ; and , upon my word , I never see worse times for a poor man nor the present . " I shall not weary the reader with a repetition of our conversation , in which this peasant , a large farmer , appeared to be totally ignorant of everything passing in the world .

      As we reached a turn in the mountain pass , I observed Phelim and the peasant take off their hats and bless themselves , when , turning to me , the former observed , — " "There , your honour ; ther ' s the blessed cave where my father tould you of . " We had now crept and scrambled over about five miles of a rugged mountain pass ; and were in sight of a small green valley , that seemed to have been carved out of the surrounding hills , and , pointing to which , Phelim said , — " There , your honour , you see that green opening , there ; and just back of the trees is his reverence ' s house . "

      This intelligence was rather welcome , after so rugged a tramp ; and in a few minutes we found ourselves at the door of " mine host , " and which , upon knocking , was opened by a neat , motherlylooking person of about sixty years of age , who accosted me with— " What ' s your honour ' s will ?" - and Phcliui with a welcome . " Why , " said I , " 1 am a traveller , and have brought some letters of introduction to the Rev . Mr . O'Farrell from Captain Burford . "

      " From Captain Burford ! " exclaimed the good dame , in an ccstacy of delight ; " and wisha , then , and how is his honour ? and won ' t you walk in ? and I'll engage but a dog belonging to him would

      Be Welcome To This House: And Ibk Here—T...

      be welcome to this house : and iBk here—taking a very nice pocket-book out of ' laHBekpt—it wa the Captain's honour that gave me thU ; and but I loves it for his sake . Wisha , come in ; you ' re starved with the cowld , and I'll soon make you a good fire in the parlour , jand get you something toeat ; " adding— ' " " Wisha , Phelim , I wonder where we could send ! for the priest , for I'm sure he'll long to see your honour ; but he has so many calls it's a chance if we could find him : but come in and tell me alt "

      about the Captain .- My God , then , is he weU ? and but that ' s the good man I'll engage when tliey ' de ; have him out with the troopers , and tell lii . ia to bid ; them fire , hut Us in bis pocket he'de put his hand / and not on his sword , and pay what would be on ' them , and but the poor loved him ? But tho devils never stopped till they routed him away , that they "' may shoot the people—Wisha , then , when did your honour . see him ? and how did he look ? , and where is he ? and what did he say ? and did he ever mention my name , and speak of father O'Farrell?—Come in , come in ; and a thousmtf . wel- \ comes : for sure I ' m keeping you in the cow id all the time . "

      This salutation was poured forth with such unbroken volubility that I hadn't an -opportunity of : saying a word until I found myself in a very snug little parlour , with the Dame still making tha most anxious inquiries about her dear friend the Giptain , , until at length , in a moment of truce , I sai . ! , " The •' Captain is well , and does not forget your kindness , and hospitality ; and often speaks of you ami the Rev . Mr . O'Farrell , and desired his best lovrs to him and Mrs , Mahony , who , I presume , I have now the honour of addressine . "

      " Wisha , " she responded , " the dear geni-teinan , that ' s my name sure enough , and but I thought he'd forget me . O my dear , he and the priest used to be great friends , he'd walk over and dine here , and he'de he as simple as a poor body , and but he'de listen to the Priest while he'de be telling him all about ould times , and about the Irish , and its often I'd be dropping with the sleep until it would

      be almost daylight , and being rich , and youns , and handsome , the quality and Parson Preachlove used to be out of their wits with him coming here , as they'd like to have him for one of their daughters , but he'd rather be here , as he often said , hearkening to the good man of the house . But , my goodness , you ' re cowld all the time I'm talking , I'll soon inake you a good fire , we let's it out here when the Priest takes his breakfast , to spare the turf . "

      " Spare it , " said I , " surely I saw a heap .-marly half a mile long—you must keep a great man ; ' tires if you burn all that . " " Why , thanks be to God , we has a good rick indeed , but then , God help you , there wont bo a sod of that agin Ladyday , we'll be buying from that out : my dear , that would last us many a long year , but sure all does be pulling at it . " " What , " said I , " and do they steal from the Priest ?"

      " Steal , is it , " she retorted , rather impetuously , " no , nor a sod , if it rotted there , but then the poor craythurs hadn ' t the praties to cut it in the summer , and the Priest gives them lave to come , and but I'll engage they ' re as sparing and more than they'd be with their own . Steal indeed , no , no , i ' i ! be bail but they'd ait the praties raw first . Indeed I'll tell your honour what happened only yesterday at Sessions , before the Justices at Skibbereen . There was a poor omidhawn of a fool of a half-witted

      craythur , a poor lone widow ' s daughter , and iiuieed her only support , God help us , and her ould mother being taken poorly , at nightfall she run over to Parson Preachlove ' s rick and was taking a handful of turf to make a fire when the steward caught her , and gave her up to the polis , and kept her a !! aighfc from her poor ould sick mother , and took her off to Skibbereen , and fined her a pound , or to go to gaol for a month ; and sure if they'd taken her life she

      hadn't a pound , nor a halfpenny , and when the Priest came home at night , my jewel , I never see that man in such a passion : he sends the lioy off on the marc to Skibbereen and pays the pound . , and had Molly Murphy ( that was her name ) brought up here , and indeed you'd think her life was fri ghtened out of her , he stamped and axed how she dared go there for turf , while he had a sod in his rick ? But now stop , and I'll get you something to ait , for you must be hungry . "

      I thanked the dame , but assured her that 1 would prefer waiting till the return of Mr . O'Farrell , when she replied , " God help you , may he it would be midnight before you'de see him ; being there ' s so much sickness and fever now on account of the bad praties and cowld ; he ' ll no sooner be done in one place than he'll have a score of calls to go to , and the first question he'll ax me , is , Well , did you take care of the Captain ' s friend ; so you must ait . and I won't be a minute making you a good fire . " The dame was as good as her word , and in less

      than ten minutes I was sealed to a sul , skntia \ luncheon , over a cheerful turf fire , Mrs . Mahony overpowering me with attention and civilities , all in honour of Captain Burford , while she gave me no little information as to the state of the country and the character of the people , who could not possibly have a more zealous and powerful advocate . now had a moment to enquire for my companion , who , Mrs . Mahony assured me , was very comfortable in the kitchen and not forgotten , as she said there was not an honester boy in the parish , or one that came from a decenter stock .

      When Phelim had refreshed himself , he came te take leave , and thank my honour for my condescension in partaking of his humble hospitality . I offered him a small token of the compliment I thought I was under ; but he refused it in so peremptory a manner that I feared to press its acceptance , lest I should offend him , and when he left 1 asked Mrs . Mahony if she thought my remaining for a fov ? days would be any inconvenience , if his reverence invited me , and if they had a spare bed for that night .

      "Inconvenience , " she replied ; "then I'll engage the longer you stop the more welcome you'll be , and as for the bed , we have three of them for strangers , and sometimes we has two in every one of them , and but if you'll come with me , you'll sec your sheets before a rousing fire ; wisha , this is ns house to get a damp bed , I'll be bound , and , indeed , my poor dear Captain had a very severe fit of sickness from a damp bed , he tould us he got at Parson Preachlove ' s one wet night he slept there .

      I spent a few hours in walking about the little sequestered valley , and was indulging in another conversation with the worthy housekeeper , when starting at the sound of horses , she said , " Here ' s the priest now , and you'll soon have your dinner . " In a few minutes Father O'Farrell and his curate made their appearance , and having learnt all about me from Mrs . Mahony , who was gifted with almost superhuman volubility , and before I presented my letters of introduction , he welcomed me most cordially , and , as if by magic , I found myself quite at

      home . He read my friend ' s letter , and , like Mrs . Mahony , made many enquiries after the writer , bestowed well merited praise upon his several excellent qualities and the generosity of his nature , when we sat down to a good substantial dinner , and spent a long evening and a part of the night in instructive conversation , from which I learned more of the Irish character in a single night than is likely to be acquired by tourists who become the guests of the wealthy and prrjudiccd in a long life , and which I propose making the subject of my ( To be continued . )

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  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 19, 1846, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_19121846/page/1/