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      Meetkg At Manchester On The Yio February...

      February 10 , 1849 . _TjETE y _p-r _tn R tt XT g r—m-mmmm-maammm—mm-ma-ma—w—ammam—a—mam , i _w _*»• - _*¦¦¦¦¦¦*******¦¦ _. . _ _^^^^ t _^ _mmma - _* _mt-U _% tma _ u _____ m _^ _ r ___^ _^_^^ -1 _***¦ _** _l - _"C ha it _0 \ . TZ _^^ _¦•¦•¦•*—¦— .. .... O

      Letters To The Working Classes. Xxxiv. "...

      LETTERS TO THE WORKING _CLASSES . XXXIV . " Words are things , and a small drop of infc Falling—like dew—npon a thought , produces That which makes thousands , perhaps millions , think . " _eisox . THE C 03 _DEEXCEMENT OF THE SESSION . BnoTHER Proletarians , _~ _n _^ . _„„~«

      Blessed are those who expect nothing , for _xerilv they shall not be disappointed . Innumerable newspaper-writers predicted the vast importance ofthe Session which has just commenced ; but judging by present appearances , it seems likely that the verdict of six months hence wffl be : " Great cry and L _' ttlewool . " It hasbeen remarked by old politicians , that whenever Koyal Speeches have been more than ordinarily rich inpious phrases , some new attack was meditated on the public purse ; and it has been wisely said , that whenever " Divine

      Providence" is introduced into a " speech from the throne , " John Bull should forthwith button up his breeches-pocket . As " retrenchment" is the order of the day , and as , consequently , cant is altogether unnecessary , It is a pity that the Whig Ministry dealt in religions allusions when concocting the late Royal address ; more especially , seeing that the mention of "Almighty God" is made in con-Bexion with the strange assertion , that "the Constitution" is "founded" " upon the principles of Freedom and Justice . "

      Taking into consideration the sex and position of the reader ofthe " Speech , " I abstain from characterising the above assertion as I would have done had it been directly uttered by any one ofthe Whig Ministers . In entering my protest against thc assertion , that England enjoys a free and just constitution , I reject all consideration of the theory of the Constitution . It is the Constitution in practical operation that wc have to deal with , and that Constitution—if the system we are plagued with may be allowed such a title—I pronounce to have no relationship to either freedom or justice .

      Is that system founded in freedom and justice wliich dooms six-sevenths of the adult male population to political vassalage and social slavery , and invests the minority ol oneseventh with the power of life or death over the rest of the community ? Is the Gagging Bill ( passed in the Session of 1848 ) to be regarded as a proof of our " freedom ?"—or is the employment of spies to first entrap and then betray the despairing victims of class legislation , to be taken as evidence ofthe " _justice" ofthe system ? Then there is Ireland , in which for centuries Justice has been unknown ; and since the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act , even the mockery of Freedom has departed .

      Yet the " protection" of "Almighty God " is invoked for this precious system , assertedjudge ye with what truth—to be founded upon " the principles of freedom and of justice . " Laws exist against blasphemy , and parsons preach against lying ; all in vain , it seemsat least , so far as some persons are concerned . The most noticeable subjects yet discussed in the House of Commons , have been those relating to Ireland . The Government has demanded a renewal of the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act for a further term of six months . This demand is grounded principally upon a communication from the Lord-Lieutejkast of Ireland to the Secretary of the Home

      Department , describing the present state of popular feeling in Ireland . Lord _Clakendox avows that "the feeling which gave rise to , and encouraged the late movement , still remains unchanged , and would again become active upon any occasion that appeared to offer even a distant prospect of success . " It is confessed , then , that while Coercion has cowed the people , it has not restored popularity to the Government English rule exists in Ireland on the same foundation that

      Austrian rale exists in Lombardy—force . The English viceroy is constrained to admit that the Government he represents is hated b y tbe Irish people . Tet these blind rulers persevere in a course which must perpetuate the hatred of that people , until some favourable -opportunity arrives for giving to that feeling the expression of deeds . The " wild justice of revenge" will assuredly—sooner or later—¦ punish the iniquity of English rule in Ireland . Onl y eighteen members voted against the prolongation of _Clarexdox ' s dictatorship . I

      have been looking through the division lists to ascertain how many of the Financial Reformers ** roted against the longer continuance of unmitigated despotism in Ireland . I find in the list ofthe minority , _Mcxrz and Scholefieij _) , the members for Birmingham ; J . Williams , the member for Macclesfield ; and George Thompson , the member for the Tower Hamlets . Two of these are Financial Eeformers and something more ! Sharman Crawford was in the minority , bnt he is a great deal morethana mere " PinancialBeformer . "

      , Of course , I need not specify the politics of ihe Chartist member for Nottingham . On the other side ofthe Question , that is in favour of unbridled despotism , I find the names of the pro-Polish advocate , Lord Dudley Stcaet , and the two newly-elected Liberal members for Derby—Bass , of " pale ale" notoriety , and the roaring Radical , Lawrexce Heyworth ! . '! In the same list is the name of Joseph Brotherton , M . P . for Salford , and the gallant member for Bradford , Colonel TnoMPSON ! The Colonel has learned nothing from the drubbing he got the other day at Bradford . He appears lobe incorrigible . Very well . "Wait a little longer !"

      Cobden and Bright did not vote for the Croverament measure , but neither did they vote against it . They absented themselves from the division , no donbt deeming discretion the better part of valour . But tried by the just and good old note— " Those who are not for us are against us ; " there can be no difficulty in coming to a decision as to the real value of the much-vaunted patriotism of Messrs . Cobden and Bright .

      But the prolongation of Clarendon ' s dictatorship is to be accompanied by a sop of Fifty Thousand Pounds and a Committee of Inquiry into the working of the Irish Poor Law system . Seeing that all parties and classes in Ireland are agreed in condemning the Poor Law , the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry can only be regarded as a " move " to kill time , and throw dust in the eyes of the public . The appointment of such a committee , considered in the most charitable point of view , is , at least , evidence of the miserable incapacity ofthe Government . But the incapacity of the Whigs is , to say the least , equalled by their unwillingness to attempt any measure of real Reform . The Whig administration is the

      • "right-mare of these kingdoms . The new alterations of the Queen's palace at Pimlico will , I expect , be found to have cost a larger sum than that proposed to be voted -for the relief of Irish pauperism ! But that is not the worst . The Whigs seem to be as far off as ever from having any notion of nsing that , or any larger sum ,, in . furnishing reproductive employment to the people . Justice not charity , ia the cry of the Irish people , but justice is withheld , and charity is turned into an instrument for prolonging the degradation and misery of that unhappy race . And this stato of things will continue , until you , Brother Proletarians , take your affairs into vour own hands , and by winning the

      Charter , acquire the power to say to your present rulers and leg islators : " Get ye gone ! Make way for better men 1 " _L'Ami du Peuple . February 8 th , 1849 .

      Letters To The Working Classes. Xxxiv. "...

      MEETKG AT _MANCHESTER ON THE YIOLATIOX OF THE TEX HOURS ACT BY THE MASTERS . A public meeting was held at the Com _Exchange , Haniring Ditch , on Thursday evening , 1 st inst ., "lbr the purpose of taking into consideration the best means to be adopted to suppress the present system of working by relays ; also , to devise the best means of insuring a uniform working of ten hours per day for adult factory -workers . " The large room was filled , the audience being composed chiefl y of operatives . On the platform were Mr . Richard Oastler the Rev . J . R . Stephens , Mr . W . P . Roberts , « fcc . ' Mr Thomas Mawdeslet was unanimously called to the chair , and having opened thc _proceedings in an appropriate speech , ° 'VTiYf _MWf-llViiTVT-t TUP . YTft

      " Mr . Peter Clark moved the first resolution , which was as follows : — " That the factory opera tives composing this meeting , after mature deliberation , and some experience in the working of short hours , affirm their unalterable determination to maintain inviolate the provisions of the Ten Hours Act , as it now affects the working of females and young persons in factories , as by law established . " Mr . Jons Brabsox seconded the resolution . The Rev . J . R . Stephens , of Ashton-under-Lyne , in a l ong , eloquent , and energetic address , supported the resolution , which was carried unanimouslv .

      Mr . G . H . Smith proposed the second resolution , which was as follows : — " That we deeply regret thc necessity of reviving the agitation of tliis most important and long sought for measure ; but as the provisions ofthe Ten Hours Act have been grossly violated by many masters , and as these violations of the law have been sanctioned by magistrates , who had solemnly declared , upon their oath , their determination to administer justice without affection or favour to any one , we are resolved to assist , by even * means in our power , tomaintain , in all its integrity , the provisions of the present factory law ; and we pledge ourselves to give our most hearty support to the officers ofthe government , appointed to carry the Factories' Regulation Act into effect . "

      Mr . _Hesrt Greek seconded the resolution . Mr . Richard Oastler was received with vehement cheering , which was continued for some time . When it had subsided he said : —Before I begin to address this meeting I hope I may be permitted to ask a question or two . ( Hear , hear . ) Is this a public meeting of factory operatives ? (" Yes . " ) Xo tickets of admission or anything of the kind ? ( "No . " ) The meeting has been advertised by placard ? ( "Yes . " ) Then I ask you , in public meeting assembled , the factory operatives of Manchester , are you or are you not in favour ofthe Ten Hours Bill ?—( Loud cries of "Yes , " " yes , " and vehement cheering . ) That's a very great shout , but we must have no mistake , let me see your hands

      calmlv . ( The entire company immediately held up their hands . ) Well then , there's an answer for the government—there's an answer for the Home Secretary—there's an answer for the Queen , who did herself the honour to sign the Ten Hours Bill , notwithstanding the lies that were told her . ( Cheers . ) My business with you as _opsratives is now ended , the Ten Hours Bill is the law ofthe land , and you are satisfied . But there are other parties to whom I wish to address myself —( hear , hear)—parties who are deeply interested in the solemnity of that short word called "law "—parties who if that word had no signification had no possessions themselves—no rights themselves . ( Hear , hear . ) And I have to ask these persons , from the highest personage in

      the kingdom , whom no man honours or reveres more than I do , to those cotton-lord magistrates who , I am prepared to say , have laid the foundation of rebellion in this country . Are we , or are we not , henceforth to live under the authority and protection of the law ? ( Cheers . ) After mentioning the names of several advocates of the Ten Hours BUI , Mr Oastler said : We demand ofthe Attorney-General and ofthe Solicitor-General that they should communicate , as they have no doubt done , their opinion to the government upon the law—and we demand of those magistrates , those officers to whom hasbeen intrusted the execution of the law—we demand of them , there is no petition at all , it is the law of the land , and we demand of those

      officers that they see to it that the law of the land is executed . And if , in defiance ofthe opinion ofthe Attorney-General andthe opinion ofthe Solicitor-General , —if , in defiance of the op _*' nion of the only law officer upon the bench , the paid officer of the crown—if , in defiance of the opinion of every clerk to the magistrates , for I speak advisedly when I say every clerk of the cotton lord magistrates has told his masters that the law is as their chairman said it was , —then we ask no _favour , but we demand of those cotton-lords , or their relations and neighbours and friends , who sympathise more with them than with the law , if those cotton lords are determined against light and knowledge , against the opinion of every

      law adviser below them , or law adviser on a level with them , or law adviser above them , if they are determined to make themselves not the judges ofthe law , but the violators ofthe law , then we demand the exclusion of every man connected with factories , either by marriage or birth , that they shall no longer sit upon the bench to adjudicate on this law . ( Loud cheers . ) These are times when more than ever the sacredness of the law should be respected —( hear , hear , )—and especially thc sacredness of that law which was given at the earnest anl long-continued petitions of the working classes , —which was received as an act of mercy , and which is now doted upon as the _birthright of the factory labourer . ( Hear , hear . ) If I

      could transport the factory masters that despise the Ten Hours Bill and resolve that it should not have dominion over them—if I could transport them to scenes which have been described to me by an active participator in the streets of Paris during the late revolution—but I have not the eloquence ofthe tongue that related them , nor have I the imagination to describe , in such language , the history of those days . My author is Louis Blnnc . ( Cheers . ) He called upon me when I was in London . And what do you tliink that man told me when he came to see me ? During the hottest three days of the revolution in Paris , whenever he had to address the assembled , and dissatisfied , and disaffected masses—the maddened and enraged masses of Paris

      —what do you think was their cry ? ' Ho said : " You have not heard the report truly in England . Tho universal cry was not -Down with Louis Philippe ; ' the universal cry was not * Vive la Republique ; ' but the universal cry during _^ the most maddened period of the rebellion in Paris was ' Ten hours a day labour . '" ( Loudcheers . ) Let the mag istrates in Manchester hear that . ( Hear . ) I speak it not to excite to rebellion against the law , but to excite in their rebellious hearts reverence for the law . After a letter from Mr . Bull had been read , Mr . Oastler quoted the following from a letter of Mr . Cobden to Mr . Gladstone : — " Finally , I contend that we must endeavour to act at home , more in accordance with the good old constitutional

      principles of governing by the civil and not by the military power . We are , I fear , tending towards too great reliance on soldiers , and too little "—now _mai-k this— " on measures calculated to ensure the contentment ofthe great body ofthe people . " Now , these are words of warning from Mr . Cobden's pen to the men of Manchester , who trust in him . ( Hear , hear . ) Now , here we have an act of Parliament which was passed for this express purpose—to ensure the contentment of the groat body of the people—and the business of our meeting has been caused by Mr . Cobden ' s own followers determining to resist this beneficent measure . ( Hear . ) They , therefore , upon his own showing , are sowing the seeds of discontent—( hear , hear)—and are marring

      the very purpose for which , thoy are subscribing , coalescing , and agitating—( cheers)—what will be the state of the cotton districts if the Ten Hours Act be declared a nullity from the bench—what will be the condition , supposing Mr . Cobden ' s views were carried out , and there was to be no more trust in soldiers , supposing the soldiers were entirely withdrawn , the law a dead letter , the people dissatisfied , the magistrates rebellious and undefended , what wouldbethcconsequence ? Not rebellion against the law , but rebellion against unjust judges . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Oastler then alluded to an Eleven Hours Bill ' which Mr . Stephens had said that the millowners of Manchester were about to get their men to sign , and _ha-pinnr _wampd the workmen to resist such a mea-~ —— —

      ...... ... sure by demanding an Eight Hours Bill , he advised there should he a clause , " that the rich man , when he breaks the Law , should go upon thc treadmill . " Mr . Oastler concluded a very lengthy and excellent speech by saying— " They ( the manufacturers ) were not born into the world that their whole and sole object should be the worship of Mammon—that they should hold themselves responsible to nobody , but make their £ 10 , 000 into £ 20 , 000 , their £ 20 , 000 into £ 10 , 000 , and their £ 40 , 000 into £ 400 , 000 , and then die like dogs , and leave their riches behind . I thank you for the kind attention you have shown in listening to me . ( Continued cheering . ) The resolution was earned unanimously .

      Mr . Thomas Smith moved the third resolution . — " That the factory operatives of this city who have experienced the advantage of working ten hours a daylsince the first of May last , are fully convincedof the great advantages that may result to then ., both in amoral and physical point of view , fromits _^ uniform adoption , nrndy resolve to _« f . t _^ -J { _g « _T _deavours to insure the -inifo _^ working of _^ that period per day ; and that , as the \ g l 8 lat _" n r us £ pass laws to regulate adult labour , we now take our affairs into our own hands , and endeavoirf to effect , by combination , an abridgment of our time to ten hours a day ; andthat , . therefore _, aU aduM factory operatives be invited to _jom the association now formed for that purpose . " . „ -,: „* , Mr . Samuel Hill seconded the resolutien , which

      was carried nem . con . „ ; , __„ ,.- ¦ ,,.: _«« Mr . P . Harcreaves moved the fourth resolution - " That the best thanks of this meeting are due , and are hereby given , to Dord Ashley , M . P ., Joiu Fielding , Esq ., J . Brotherton , Esq ., M . P ., C . H _** wj ley , Esq ., M . P ., the Don . W . Cowper , M . P ., l > . _»•

      Letters To The Working Classes. Xxxiv. "...

      fim " th ? - ! ' ! _*?& ? EUosmcre , Lord Fever-Bull tho r _"' ] i - _* » ' ? - Esq ., the Rev . G . S . w ; , ev- _? an , Wn , y . and aU other friends \ r _,: _ntv _^ " 1 0 bt aillin _? T _™ Hours Act . " AI ' w » V _* EN' _scconde-l the resolution . wWi ' ,, V ll 0 BERIS supported the resolution , winch was also carried unanimously . af-rccdt _^ ° resolutions were unanimously R Tn *} the best thanks of this meeting be given to 11 . UaStlCl _" , Esq .. for his r > nntiniin ( l _ovor +. inns nn our the "D ~~ ' _* '

      behalf , and especially for attending this meeting ; _^^ Rev . J . R . Stephens . " Thatthe thanks ofthe meeting be g iven to the _Chairman , for the able manner with which he has conducted the proceedings . " " That this meeting cannot separate without expressing its best thanks to Daniel Maude , Esq ., for the honest part he has taken on this question , in opposition to his fellows on the bench . " The meeting lasted till after eleven o ' clock .

      Great Public Meeting Of The Inhabitants ...

      GREAT PUBLIC MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF ST . PANCRAS , TO PETITION PARLIAMENT FOR AN INQUIRY INTO THE CAUSES OF THE LATE TRAGEDY AT TOOTING , AND THE WORKINGS OF THE NEW POOR-LAW GENERALLY . A public meeting of the inhabitants of St . Pancras , to tako the above subject into consideration , assembled on Tuesday evening last , February 0 th , in the Literary and Scientific Institution , Johnstreet , Fitzroy-square .

      On the motion of Mr . Stallwood , Mr . William Dixon was unanimously called upon to preside . Mr . Dixox , on coming forward , said , he at all times considered it an honour to take part in the public business of his fellow townsmen , and never more so than on the present occasion . He believed they had been called together in order that they might make known their unmistakable opinions to the Legislature on the recent disgraceful tragedy at the Pauper Asylum at Tooting , ( on the mention of that establishment the meeting gave vent to its pent-up indignation . ) After the popular feeling of disgust had subsided , Mr . Dixon proceeded to say , that they not only had the Tooting case to consider , but the whole question of the present

      Poor Law . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Dixon then entered into an examination of the Poor Laws and their effects upon the people , politically , morally , and socially ; and concluded by introducing Mr . P . M'Gkath to move the following resolution — " That we have read , with feelings of horror and regret , the accounts published in the newspapers of thc sudden deaths of children at the Tooting Infant Pauper Asylum , under the management of Mr . Drouet , and _iudgaig from the evidence adduced before Mr . Wakley , at the inquest on the bodies of the deceased children sent from the Holborn Union , we cannot doubt but the disease of cholera was engendered and

      aggravated by over-crowding , inefficient ventilation , clothing , and food , and we declare such treatment of defenceless children to be disgraceful , inhuman , and brutal . We are further of opinion , that the New Poor Law has been ruinously expensive to the ratepayers , and not beneficial for the interests of the poor of this country , and recommend the legislature to take under their consideration the propriety of endeavouring to find profitable employment forthe able-bodied but unwilling idlers on the uncultivated lands of England , and also to afford such relief to the aged and infirm , from thc national resources , as their necessities may demand . " Mr . M'Grath said tins resolution condemned in

      strong terms the treatment experienced by the children in the Tooting slaughter-house , and proposed a plan , which , if . adopted by the legislature , would remove for ever the curse of pauperism from the land . ( Hear . ) It behoved every man to speak his sentiments upon the late appalling catastrophe , and his impression was , that the detestable Poor Law system had murdered upwards of 130 helplessfriendless children . ( Hear , hear . ) Such institutions as Mr . Drouet ' s were a reproach to the humanity and Christianity of the hind . The happiness

      and lives of the children of the poor should not be placed at the mercy of mercenary avarice . The system of farming out children adopted by the London unions , was in every point of view reprehensible . If the union houses be insufficient to afford accommodation , why not engage other premises and place them under the control of responsible persons ? It appears from the evidence given before the coronor ' s jury , that Mi ' . Drouet received forthe support of these children 4 s . Od . a-week each . It also appears that they were each fed , lodged , and clothed for about 2 s . Cd . each . Now this child

      farmer had in his establishment 1 , 400 children , he was therefore deriving a profit from his trade of £ 140 weekly ! If this sum , which was wrung from the ratepayers , was expended in nutritious diet and warm clothing for the cliildren , the feelings of the community would not be horrified by the Tooting tragedy . ( Hear , hear . ) He felt assured that if justice were done the people , there would be rib heed of poor laws in England . ( Cheers . ) They were told that "the poor should never cease out of the land . " Such will be the lamentable fact as long as society is cursed with tho Wasting influence of Whig and Tory rule . ( Cheers . ) There ought not to be in Britain , such a being as an unwilling idler . They did not meet merely to express their horror at the Tooting atrocity , or their disapproval ofthe Whig Poor Law Bill . They would be unworthy the name

      of reformers , if they could not propose a substitute for the system they condemned . An excellent substitute was pointed out in the resolution , which was that the poor should be employed upon their native fields , instead of being degraded as paupers , within the walls of the hateful bastile . ( Cheers . ) Some of the best lands in England had been , under the sanction of law , stolen from the people ; let them , if none other can be found , be restored to tho poor , and then , instead of being a reproach to our civilisation , and an onerous burden upon the resources of thc ratepayers , they will become happy and Industrious husbandmen , an honour and a stay to tlieir country . Mr . M'Grath after having elucidated at some length the practicability of locating the poor upan the land , and the advantages which such a course would secure , not only to the poor , but to the state itself .

      The resolution was seconded by Mr . T . Clark and carried unanimously . • . ¦ ... . x Several other speakers having addressed the meets ing the following petition was then adopted- and the , meeting separated . :: .

      TO THE HONOURABLE THE COMMONS OF GREAT BRITAIN AM ) IltELAND , IN PABLIAMENT ASSEMBLED . The petition of the inhabitants of the parish of St . Pancras , in the borough of Marylebone , at the literary and Scientist Institution , John-street , Fitzroy-square , in public meeting assembled , on Tuesday the 6 th inst . Shewetii , —That your petitioners have read , with alarm , and horror , the reports ofthe sudden death of numbers of pauper children , under the management of Mr . Drouet , at Tootinj * , inthe County of Surrey . From the evidence * -of Mr . Grainger , member of the College of Surgeons , and others , as g iven by them at tlie inquest , held at the Royal Free Hospital , before Mr . Wakley , coroner for the County of Middlesex , on Friday , January 12 th , it is evident to vour oetitioners that the principal causes of the deaths of

      the deceased children were overcrowding in room and beds , inefficient ventilation , and insufficient medical and nurse attendants . Your petitioners submit that those were removable causes , and remembering tliat the Board of Health , but a few months preivous , issued recommendations to the people , calling on them to be watchful over all symptoms of cholera , and , so far as possible , to live on wholesome and nutritious food , to be well housed and clothed , and to be careful as to cleanliness and ventilation . Your petitioners are of opinion that tlie total disregard of these wise and precautionary steps , on the part of Mr . Drouet and those whose duty it was to guard over the health of the children under their management and care ,

      was highly reprehensible and ought to be stringently guarded against for the future . m Your petitioners are strengthened in tlie opinion just expressed from tlie statement of Mr . Grainger , to wit : — "In the month of December , out offour hundred children in the Mile-end workhouse sixty were seized with violent purging and vomiting , but medical treatment was iminediately adopted by the surgeon and not one ofthe cliildren passed through cholera . " Symptoms of cholera were manifested among the pauper children at Tooting , fourteen days before the malady proved so generally fatal . It is but fair , therefore , to infer that caution and proper medical treatment would have alleviated the disease , and saved the lives of many of the

      deceased children . Your petitioners consider tlie system of farming out children , as practised by the parishes , sending the pauper and defenceless infants to such establishments as Mr . Drouet ' s , to be pernicious in principle . It cannot be reasonably supposed that a pers n deriving profit as the proprietor ofa pauper asylum , can feel any great interest in the health and morals of those whom he looks upon chiefly as a source of pecuniary grain . Your petitioners therefore recommend the total abolition of such asylums ; _suggesting that the monies paid for the maintenance of the inmates ofthe same by ihe parochial boards , will in an average Of cases , be found adequate to the maintenance of the dependant children , if paid to tlie parents or relatives . Your petitioners submit , that whether the New Poor'Law was passed with a view to the prevention of fraud , when practised by the applicants for relief , or to " depauperise r _* n-rland by the terror of the workhouse , " and reUeve the tlie oi _j-jim ¦««« . « ~

      u _^ _fh-rvnenranertv from Duraens , . _„ ... _™ _toto ' _lSnffiL foilure . A reference to the increasing proved to De » . -S _»*" _'"" . , { ne spread of vagrancy , and poor rates of _cye 7 . _^ "f' _^^ 7 _^ every-dav miseries 2 S 55 _a _?^ . _* -vs * & r the attention ofthe < _} __^_ _^ vast masses of in-Your petitioners ; k- * 0 _^ _X Xncn in everj" branch of dustrious and _" _^^^ rf _^ trade and cornmanufacturing art , _^ _E _*™^ _Sustain themselves mercial prosperity are _*^ -Ldew ndence . Fluctuations and families iji _^ comfort and _«^ e m to u 6 _pcri _^ , iu _^ _n" _***^ _S £ g and severity _.-improvements in and increasing _-nnmnoe shoals of these useful machinery , andI otter auscs , t mftny . . wUom decitizens on their pansiicbiu _«» » ' _betoko fliciiiselvcs testing the present _^ _Uio-ise - » stem __^ re . 4 . _^^^ _l _^ _iSd _-lMlicea to settle down as _StoXen Such evils existing and increasing arc to be regretted mid feared . milUons Your pebtwnen are ff _^ _f _^ _^ over the surface of of acres of ¦ _M _^^ _. _nUijS iSw _^ f _° u _* -d m _¦* hnost England , and r _«^ _ft _^ _'Uralile . House every punsb , which commutee . _J ° _\\ _"J ,. petitioners _r « _ffi _^* _S _^ _^ _^ _^ ' _^ _^

      Great Public Meeting Of The Inhabitants ...

      i « t' _- vmei _' * ' " - able-bodied _J . 0 O 1- now _ili-pendant on Pr ™ nt - _* ' ' s tjr sl , l'l * o _* _-t , in the cultivation of such lands , _stenw , i ,, ; i ? '*} 'at _* _ve- _. - _' - " ¦ ' _" _*¦ ' of wages , an initiative n mo _«« _, H ? tUo vi r direction towards an _imderfblv v _^" _- tCln . i ! " _* _'l' - _™ _- ' -d industrial ' svstem . consipauperisra . S ' I 10 t cnth ' ' _" y suPl"' ' _-ssi"S , able-bodied ouU (! ov 3 _^ rf . _? 0 , nW " w _» tn a judicious scheme of and fo ? hi _L ' --- •¦ " "enance of the aged and infirm , " wld -J . _l . _^ mi \ and « _l" « . tion of pauper children _i-hvof _JSS . ? Vf ' mect witl _* the sui'Port of the majoitS _ProtrgT _^ _fe _^ t 6 nd t 0 _— _^ to amend t h . ° ne - ! ; _*•¦*«• ' _** - _VW Jour honourable house _andTnlmnt , sn _^ _rT _, Law-toau 0 u 8 _** «« - unnatural _r ™*™ practice of farming out infant pauper ehilabh _^ iP , i _™ V 0 Ur t 0 , find - > rofitaMe employment for the ? ud _^ w _£ S * ° ? , uncuIti > ated lands of England , ? h _. n P „ I _^ 3 uate ouUoor r * -1 _" _* . « w the maintenance of tne aged and inhrm , And your petitioners , as in duty bound , will ever pray .

      Murder Asd Highway Robbery Near Brighton...

      MURDER ASD HIGHWAY ROBBERY NEAR BRIGHTON . In our provincial _intelligence will bo found an account of the murder of Mr . George Stonehouse Griffith , principal of the firm of Griffith and Co ., bvewors and coal merchants , Brighton . On Wednesday afternoon at four o ' clock , an inquest was held by F . II . Gell , Esq ., the coroner , on the remains ofthe unfortunate man . Thejury having been sworn , Mr . Harry Mills Blaker deposed—I am a surgeon residing at 7 , Pavilion Parade , Brighton . 1 have known Mr . Griffith between three and four years , and hive been his medical attendant . He was about 42 years of age . I have this day

      examined his body . The only mark on the surface ofthe body was a wound in the centre ofthe breastbone , exactly in the centre . It was a round wound , evidently caused by a bullet . I afterwards made a 1 _*> st-mortem examination of the chest , heart , and lungs , and tracing thc external wound , I found it to go through the breast-bone , through the fore part of the bag of the heart , then penetrating through the heart itself , and thc bullet finally lodged in the back , ofthe heart . It was a leaden bullet . The lungs were not wounded . It was a slug . ( Mr . Flanaohan , inspector ofthe East Sussex constabularly , produced the bullet , which was flattened . ) This bullet was extracted by me from the back of the heart . Such a wound would produce almost instantaneous death . I should say the bullet had

      not changed materially in passing through the different substances . No other parts were wounded . The pistol was evidently fired close to Mr . Griffith ' s breast . When I say the pistol , I mean the fire arms . The clothes were singed , and the flesh scorched , and a portion of the wadding was also found iu the wound . ( The wadding , composed of paper , was produced . It appeared to be a portion of a newspaper , and it was put aside to be dried . ) I have no doubt of his death having been caused by the wound that I have described . A Juror . —Do you suppose that he would have groaned after the shot ? Mr . Blaker . —He might have uttered ono groan or shriek and no more , for his death would have been almost instantaneous . Foreman . —Could he have done it himself ?

      Mr . Blaker . —No , I believe not ; he could not have done it himself . I don't think ho could . The wound does not appear to have been inflicted by the party himself in a , scuffle . A Juror . —From the moment such a wound was inflicted do you think he had the power to move ? Mr . Blaker . —No ; I believe he fell down directly . Mr . Somers Clarke , who attended to watch the case for the friends of the deceased , inquired whether the body could be removed ? The _Couojjur said , that as the body had been identified there could be no objection to give an order for its removal . ' ' : FpnEMAN . —Is it , then , pvobable that ho was shot standing" ? ' ' •¦ "Mri-Blaker . —Yes . .

      Mr ! " James Hodsox examined . —lam a miller , and reside at the mill on the Dyke Road , near Brighton . About two o ' clock this morning , as I was returning from Mr . Smith ' s , at Woodmancoat , in company with my brother Charles and Mr . Kirton , in a light cart , I saw something lying on the off-side of the road ; and , as I approached thoobject , Isawa hat lying beyond it . I stopped and told my brother to get down and see what it was . ne got down and spoke to the object ; but received no answer . It proved to be the body of a man . He examined the body , took hold of it , and said , Get up , " or something of that sort , but still received no answer . Charles Kirton then got out , and looking in his face said directly , it was Sir . Griffith . I turned round , got out of the cart , and saw a pistol lying By our off-wheel . ( The pistol

      was here produced . ) I saw some reins lying by the hat , and thought it was a snaffle bridle , and that some one had fallen from his horse . The pistol appeared to have been discharged ; the pan was open . ( Three pistol halls were here taken from a case . ) I found a knife near thc horse ' s head . ( Mr . Harper , one of the inspectors , produced the knife . ) It was a buck horn-handle . The names Of James Green and Co . were on the handle . I found , on tho other side of the cart , a piece of bjack crape ( produced ) , attached to the frame of a pii , ir ef spectacles ; a purse with one ring off—a steel bead purse . There was not anything in the purse . I found a right-handed glove on the oft-side ofthe road . ( All these articles were produced . ) It

      was a very light night , but the moon was not sinning at the time . The body was lying with the head rather inclined to the bank and the feet towards the road . The legs appeared in a cramped position ; the right leg was rather rased . He was quite dead . My brother and Mr . Kirton placed him in the cart , and we took him to the Plough . I noticed the wound in the bosom when we laid him down in the Plough room . The shirt was very much singed ,- I saw no _mai'ks of blood . The body was lying on its hack . I saw Mr . Kirton pick up a whip . I saw the loaded pistol now produced , a book , and a seal taken from his pocket by Mr . Kirton—a memorandum book . The whip was broken , but it did not appear as if it had oeen broken by the

      wheels . The right hand breeches pdeket oi deceased was turned inside out . The whi _^ ap peared to have been wrenched asunder . , The pistol was about a couple or three yards from the body . The crape _jwas very near the hind wheel . It was a hired horse _, and . gig , belonging to Mr . Roberts . The reins found in the road were fitted to those found upon the horse , and they exactly corresponded . The reins were evidently cut at one stroke . The road was very rough , and I could not trace any footsteps . We made a mark at the spot where we found the body . . W . S . Martin stated that he is manager of the Rock brewery , at Brighton , of which the deeeased

      was tho proprietor . "Witness had been in the habit of going the Horsham round himself during the last twelvemonths to collect money . This time Mr . Griffith took the journey himself in consequence of having some business at Horsham which witness could not do , The deceased , he stated , was lying on his back when they found him . The legs were rather in a cramped position , and one of them was rather rased . They placed the body in the cart and brought it to the Plough . They did not discover the wound until they brought him to the house ; they then saw the wound in the breast . The deceased generally wore a gold watch and chain . The knife produced was not deceased ' s

      property . George Siders , groom , in the employ of Mr . Mannington , farmer , stated thathis master ' s bouse is about 300 yards from the spot where the body was found , across fields . About half-past nine he was standing at the door of a stable , and heard the report of a gun or pistol . H . Crophky , whose husband keeps Dale Gate , about half a mile from tha spot , stated that she was standing outside the house at half-past nine o ' clock , and heard a " shriek holloa . " Richard Pollin , labourer , who lives in a cottage about half a mile off in -mother direction , stated that at a qua _> ter past ten he h _; ard a person groan several times . He opened the window , and again heard it . There was an interval of about hall a minute between each groan . The inquest was then adjourned till Monday .

      A reward of £ 200 is offered for the apprehension and conviction ofthe murderers . Among the money stolen frora the deceased was a £ 5 note of the Brighton Union Bank , numbered 84 , 712 and dated June 24 , 1848 .

      The New President Of The United States A...

      The New President of the United States a Missionary . —The October number ofthe Democratic Review , in page 287 , contains the following : — •¦ It is stated on irrefragable evidence , and as illustrative of character , that the American Bible Society forwarded to the army of occupation several hundred Bibles for the use of the troops . These Bibles were by order used for cartridges and wadding . Some of the raw troops had compunctious visitings in relation to the ramming down new Bibles into their guns on going into battle , and their expressions of dissatisfaction having reached General

      Taylor ' s ears , he rode up to a regiment at Buena vista about to fire , and called out with an _Qath—" Now , then , you cowardly fools , let us see how you can spread the gospel in Mexico , " The Frexch AssociATioNS .-r-Three democratic and socialist associations of Paris have lately united to prosecute together the common object for which they had been formed . One of these is the Central Electoral Reform , over which a representative of the people , M . Joly , presides ; the other , the Central Socialist Reunion , presided over by M . D'Alton Shee : and the third the Republican

      Association . As an example-of the rapid advance of New Zealand , it may be noticed that public _omnibusses ply up and down tho streets of Wellington .

      Mnm.

      mnm _.

      Clerkenwell.—Foiutsi-Teluxo. — A Woman N...

      CLERKENWELL . _—Foiutsi-Teluxo . — A woman named liose , was charged with being found in tlie dwelling-house of Mr . Withers , of 41 , High-street , Camdcn-town , for an unlawful purpose . —Mr . Withers stated that having recently heard tliat an elderly female had for three months past been in the liable of visiting his abode at an early hour in tlie morning , he watched and saw her leave it on thc previous day while he was dressinar , but she disappeared before lie could get down stairs . He was up a little earlier on that day , and , finding her in his parlour with his servant-girl , he questioned the latter , who , after some hesitation , confessed that tlie accused had visited her as a fortune-teller , and , under that pretence , had obtained from her on several occasions

      various sums of money , and also induced her to part with her best gown and shawl to raise money upon m pledge , to supply her , as she said , with the means to " cast her nativity , and show her the man destined to become her husband , " Tho prisoner not denying the admission ofthe credulous girl , he thought it his duty to hand her over for punishment . —The unfortunate dupe , in reply to the magistrate , blushed , and reluctantly admitted that the prisoner promised to show her this week thc man she was to marry . —Tlie prisoner , in her defence , said that she had merely gone to ask thc gin to recommend her some work . —The magistrate said she was a fit subject for the troadmilC and sentenced her to two months' imprisonment in the House ot Correction .

      The Factory ACT . —Mr . John Plummer , of Golden-lane , St . Luke's , proprietor of an extensive cotton factory , appeared on summons before Mr . Hammill , the sitting magistrate , charged with an infraction ofa clause in tlie statute for the _regulation of factories , which requires , under a ifeavy penalty , that in tho event of any accident occasioning personal injury , the proprietor or his agent shall send written notice thereof to the surgeon appointed to grant certificates of ago , Ac ., for tlie district in which the factory is situate . —Mr . James Bury , subinspector of factories , who had taken out the ' summons , stated , that on visiting the defendant ' s factory a few days baek , he ascertained that one ofthe workmen named Robert Dyer had , on the 13 th ult . lost his right hand , by incautiously i > uttin < - it

      amongst the machinery , and he had been taken to St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital , where he still remained , but no notice of any such occurrence had been given to him or to the appointed surgeon , as the act required , and it therefore became his duty to summon tlie defendant for tho penalty to which he had by that neglect rendered himself liable . — The district surgeon proved that he had not received tlie required notice . —The defendant at once admitted all the facts as stated , and expressed his deep regret at the occurrence of the accident , and lie added that he had done all in his power to mitigate the calamity , and was maintaining the man ' s fiimi'lv

      while he was in the hospital . It liad not occurred to him to send the written notice to the factory surge on . —Mr Bury , the inspector , admitted that thc defendant had done all he could , with the exception of sending the written notice , which thc act made imperative . —The magistrate convicted the defendant , but , in consequence ofthe circmstances stated in his favour , mitigated the penalty from £ 5 to 40 s . and eosts _, which the defendant paid . —Tho inspector , in answer to a question as to the appropriation of the penalty , said that all moneys so received went , as directed by the act , towards a fund for educating the factory children .

      SOUTHWARK . —Charge of Assault on a Child . —D . Thomas was charged with assaulting Phoebe Hyde , aged 12 , who said she lived in Shoreditch , and that on Saturday she was sent by her mother on an errand with a bundle , when she met the prisoner , who asked her where she was going . She told him , ' and he then took the bundle out of her hand , and said he would carry it for her as it was heavy . She refused at first , and he then said if she did not let him carry it he would throw it into the canal . She allowed him to take it . He then said that he wanted her to come into town with him , saying that he would buy her a new frock and a pair of new shoes . They walked on together and he took her into a public-house and they had some beer , and he wanted her to drink some < rin and

      water , which she refused . He afterwards took her into two or three other public-houses . When they came out of the last house she wanted him to give her the bundle , hut he refused , and she began to cry , but still kept walking by his side . Two women who passed asked her what she was crying about , when she told them she wanted her bundle ; upon which the prisoner said that he was her father , and that they had no business to interfere . The prisoner brought her over London-bridge , and they went on until they got to Deptford , and when there , he went down a by-street , and with a key he had with him he opened the door of a house , into whieh he desired Jier to follow hira , adding that ho would got her the frock and pair of shoes he had promised her . She entered , and found no person within , and when he got her into the parlour , he took out a

      penknife , and said he would kill her with it if she made any noise . Tho complainant hero described an assault committed on her by the prisoner . After keeping her there for some time , they loft the house together , and , as they were returning the same way as they came , he took her into another publichouse , in the tap-room of which , no persons being present but themselves , he again repeated the assault , and while he was doing so the potboy came into the room , and he must have seen the state of disorder in which her clothes were on his sudden entrance . She was afraid ho would kill her if sh _» cried out ; she therefore made no noise . After they had left the house she began to cry again , and a policeman came up . She informed him of what had happened , and he took the prisoner into custody . — The prisoner was remanded for the attendance of the pot-boy of thc last public-house they were in .

      WORSHIP-STREET . —Mrs . Emma Yarnold , the well-known actress and lessee of the Pavilion Theatre , presented herself before Mr . Hammill , to solicit advice and assistance , under tho following peculiar circumstances : —From tho statement ofthe applicant , and from a professional gentleman who accompanied her to the court , it appeared that the lady had for some time boen subjected to great annoyance b y a gentleman who professed himself to be passionately devoted to her , and was not only in the habit of pestering her with letters of an amatory tendency , but of frequently obtruding himself upon her for the purpose of impressing in person his unwelcome importunities . On a recent occasion he contrived to obtain admittance at a late hour of the night into thc house of her father , where she was now residing — had even , after she was denied to him , the audacity to invade the privacy of her

      chamher , before his expulsion could he effected . A lew days after her tormentor assailed her at the private entrance ofthe theatre , and grasping her by the arm , declared , with an air of startling wildness , that she should never have a moment ' s rest until she lent a favourable ear to his suit . Every attempt to convince him of the utter hopelessness of such a course had been wholly unavailing , and she therefore trusted the magistrate had the power to internose his authority to afford her protection against lurthor persecution . — Several of the epistles Mrs . Yarnold had received from tho gentleman having been handed to Mi ' . Hammill , he said that , although the letters showed ample evidence ofa distempered imagination , the writer had not by any threats brought himself within thc scope of the law , to justify a magistrate to interfere in the case . —The applicant thanked the magistrate and withdrew .

      Fatal Affrat . — -II . nunt and J . _Hunton were charged with having caused the death of E . Rumball in a pugilistic encounter . It appeared from thc evidence of J . Stubby and several other witnesses that the deceased and a number of other workmen were assembled on the preceding evening in the taproom of the Anchor public-house , _adjoining the Imperial Gas Factory at Haggerstone , . when an altercation arose between two of the party , which led to a general challenge on the part of Hunt to _fir _iit any one present . The deceased accepted the challenge , and after a short contest , in thc course of which hard blows were exchanged on both sides , they fell together against an iron fender in front of tlie grate , but got up apparently uninjured and resumed their seats , as if nothing of an unpleasant nature had occurred between them . Almost

      immediately afterwards the deceased commenced quarrelling with another man , whom he struck and challenged , and the prisoner Hunton having interfered to restore order , the deceased suddenly started up , and insisted upon fighting him also . The deceased then pulled off Ids frock and was in the act of adjusting his belt when Hunton struck him a slight blow on the side of the head , and he staggered back into his seat , but rose almost immediately , and , falling forward on his face , rem incd perfectly still , and never spoke or moved afterwards . Medical assistance was procured as speedily

      as possible , and three surgeons were shortl y in attendance , but they pronounced the unfortunate man to be quite dead . —Mr . J . 11 . Morgan , a surgeon at Hackney , who had been called in upon the occasion , deposed that he found the deceased had sustained an extensive contusion ofthe occiput , apparently produced by a heavy blow or fall , but he was unable to state the immediate cause of death until he had made a post mortem examination . —The prisoners , in defence , said that the disaster resulted from the violent conduct of deceased ; they had merely acted in self-defence . —The prisoners were remanded .

      Attempted Murder and __ Suicide . —Anno Mullandine was charged with having attempted to murder her son , a boy seven years of age , by throwing him into the Regent ' s Canal ,-and also with having attempted to aestroV herself . —Mr . J . Stoddart stated that he was standing outside his employer ' s counting-house , at Haggerstone , within a few yards of the canal , at four o ' clock on the precedino * afternoon , when he observed the prisoner grasping her boy tightly by the hand and tovcing nun across the

      Clerkenwell.—Foiutsi-Teluxo. — A Woman N...

      _tiiwing ji _.-itii in tin-direction oft hi' water . Tue little fellow , who wa- _evidently much rei riiied . . i ] ' | . eareil * -iniggliii <* lo lrloaH * _liiiiiH-tt ' , and repeat-il ! y called out , " '' Don ' t , mother , don ' t ; " but tlie _priMJiici continued to drag him on till they reached the edge of thc bank , when she suddenly caught him up in Iter arms and flung him into the canal . The prisoner then rapidly divested herself of her shawl , and was in tho act of untying her bonnet , when witucss rushed forward and seized her , and a friend coming up at thc moment , he consigned her to his charge . He then hastened to the side , of the canal , and liuding that the boy was completely exhausted with his struggles , which had earned him some distance from tlie bank , witness plunged in , reached him aa he was on the point of sinking , and succ- > i > ilmi ;••

      getting him out , and he speedily recovered . On being questioned , the prisoner said that her son and herself were botli starving , and thoy had not broken their fast since the preceding morning . Mr . Hammill ordered the prisoner to be committed to Newgate for trial . LAMBETH . —Life i . v the Workhouse . —James Masterman and John Burton , inmates of Lambeth workhouse , were placed at the bar , before tlie Hon . G . C Norton , charged with disorderl y conduct in that institution by playing at cards-Brookes , tho taskmaster of Lambeth workhouse , deposed that a short time before he had occasion to leave the yard in wliich the prisoners were en < _ragcii n working a pump , and on his return he found them in a shed playing at cards . He endeavoured to get the cards ' away from them , but they

      managed to pass them away , and he felt it to bo his duty to give them into custody . —The prisoner Masterman was described as a person who could obtain an excellent living as a bnrge-biiilder or waterman , but such was his indolence-that he preferred to lead a life of idleness in the workhouse , and be a burthen to the rate-pavers , to living by his own energy and industry . —Mr . Norton : Well , Masterman , what have you got to say to this chargo ot playing at cards in the workhouse , contrary to the regulations in such institutions ?—Masterman .-I did no more , sir , than others ; card-playing _goem on the wholo day . It commences immediately after breakfast , and is kept up all dav ; but when urookes

      is coming , the office is given , and then those playing manage to stow away the books . On the present occasion Brookes did , certainly , manage to come on us unawares , but he was not clever enough to bone the flats . —Mr . Norton : What do they play for ?—Masterman : For pence and halfpence . —Mr . Norton : I hope the board of guardians will be made _acquainted with this matter , and that card-playing will be put a stop to . I think it rather too much of a good thing that those persons should be enjoying card-playing at the expense of the industrious rate-piyersof the parish . He then committed the prisoners to the House of Correction for ten davs .

      Advebtisinu for Covxtby Produce , — Mr . Hugh Owen , of Albion-grove , Islington , called the magistrate ' s attention to the following fact' " : —A few daya ago lie received from a brother in Wales a circular , which had been forwarded to a resident in the same neighbourhood by a person in the London-road , Southwark . His brother had requested him to make inquiries respecting the writer of the circular , and lie liad found it to he an imposition . It stated that the writer was a _wliolesalu and retail poulterer , and dealer in Welsh and Dartmoor mutton , & c . in thc London-road , and that his shop was patronised by thc nobility ; advertisements to the same effect had appeared in the Welsh newspapers , the object being to induce people in the country to send up goods to the shop . He ( Mr . Owen ) had visited the shop , and found that it contained no property of any value , but that _naeka-ros

      were delivered there daily , and carried away almost immediately . He did not succeed in seeing the person named in the circular and advertisements ; but he was informed by a man in charge of the shop that thc articles received there were forwarded by his m _.-tstcr to Newgate and LcadenhaJlmarkets for Sale . The man , however , did not refer him to any salesman in either of those markets who might be able to verify his statement . From what he ( Mr . Owen ) had seen and heard , he believed the intention of the party to be to impose upon the public , and he wished to caution simple country people against allowing themselves to be deluded by his representations . —Mr . Elliot said if people were so indiscreet as to send their property to shopkeepers without making the necessary inquiries , they had nobody but themselves to blame . —Mr . Owen then withdrew .

      MARLBOROUGH-STREET . —Alleged Murder of A Woman bv her Husband . —J . Manlcy , a plasterer , residing in Phoenix-street . St . Giles ' s , was charged with having murdered his wife , Elizabeth . Elizabeth Gurdcn said—I know the prisoner and his wif ' e . About one o ' clock this ( Wednesday ) morning I was in bed with my daughter , when I was awoke by a knock at the room door . I asked who was there ? Thedeceased said , "It is Mrs . Manlcy ; my old man has turned me out of doors without bonnet or shawl . " I let the deceased in . She was without cap or shoes . She came to the bed , which was on the floor ,, and laid down by my side and went to sleep . About half-past seven this morning thc ] prisoner came and knocked violently at the door . I called out , " Who is there ? " The prisoner replied ., " You have got somebody belonging to me here ,

      open the door . " I said 1 could not open the door to any man till I was dressed . He said , " I will not wait . " He then forced open the door , and came into thc room , and dragged his wife out ot bed by her heels to the window . He then took hold of her and dashed her head on the floor ; and while she was lying there , he kicked her about the head , and said " I will be the death of you . " Ho then gave her a dreadful kick , and she dropped her head and never spoke again . The prisoner then stooped over his wife and pulled something from her pocket , and ran out ofthe room . I saw him again about ten minutes after , and told him that his wifo was dead . He said , " I am going up to see her . " I then went for a constable , and gave the prisoner in charge . The prisoner ' s wife was perfectly sober , In answer to Mr . Hardwick tho witness said tho

      prisoner was quite sober . He was in the habit of ill using his wife . About a fortnight ago he struck her , and blackened both her eyes . He told her on Saturday last that he would lie the death of her . The prisoner did not express the least regret for what he had done . —Agnes May lived in the same house as prisoner and his wife . Was awoke about halt-past twelve last night by hearing the prisoner and his wife quarreling in the back yard . Heard the prisoner call to his wile to come in doors . She said she would not . The prisoner and his wife , when they first came to lodge in Phoenix-street , appeared to be a happy couple . Deceased was a teetotaler then , but latterly she had taken to drinking , and thc result has been repeated quarreling between them . A constable said , about a quarter-past eight o ' clock

      this morning , I was called by the first witness to go to li , Dudley-street , where a man had murdered his wife . I went there , and on going into tlie front attick , I found a woman _lying on the floor on her back quite head . I examined the body , but I did not see any blood . I sent for a surgeon , and took the prisoner into custody . I told him he was charged with killing his wife . He replied , " Yes , I have dono it by kicking her on tho side of the head and neck , because she robbed me of two shillings . "—Mr . W . Simpson , surgeon , said , there were no marks ot violence or blood upon deceased . Her face was bloated , and had more the appearance of a person having died from a fit or a fall than from ; i kick . — The prisoner said his wife was given to drink . He had . cone with a coniDanion to have a not of beer .

      andTiis wife and the first witness followed him into the public-house . He took his wife homo twice that night , and found she had contrived to steal tivo shil lings from him to spend in drink . —Remanded until Saturday . UOW-STItEET . —A Row in the Straxd Theatre . —J , Randall , F . Harrington , and D . Carroll , were charged with aiding ana abetting in a row at the Strand Theatre , and with throw ng a considerable number ofthe gallery seats over into the pit , to the imminent danger of the persons there . —J . Harley , onc of the servants ofthe theatre , said that a _% eleven on Monday night there was a disturbance in the gallery of the theatre , in consequence of some disappointment having been felt because , -while four pieces were announced , _tltree only wero pur formed . To allay the disapprobation , Miss Terry kindly sang two or three songs , and danced a medley , but the gods were inexorable , and commenced to tear up the seats , which they hurled over into the pit , making tho people there scamper in all directions .

      Randall was particularly conspicuous ,, and _llai-ringon threw over the seats . On taking them into custody Carroll assaulted him . —Mr . Jardine : Has any person been injured ?—Witness ; I believe so , your worship—one of the fiddles has been smashed to pieces . —Harrington , in defence , said the row commenced because Mr . T . Lee ,, who was to play Iago , did not come forward , but Mr . Sharp said he would try to please as well as he _> could , upon which he sang a song in his black face as he then was . Tho play was about to commence but the curtain could not be drawn up , and they were not able to go on . Then there was a great disturbance and Miss Terry sang and danced , upon whioh some boys laughed in tho gallery , and Mr . Lewis , said he would not have her _insulted , after which some one else tried to dance , but ho could not , and then the music would not play to him . Mr . Savillc did not come forward in the third piece . —Tho two first prisoncrs were ordered to find bail in £ 20 , and Carroll was fined 10 s .

      The Severx. —A Great Stimulus Is Likely ...

      The _Severx . —A great stimulus is likely to be given to thc trade of thc Severn and the city of Worcester by tho application of anew kind of vessel for trading on thc Severn and the coast . The principle of the invention is to adopt sliding keels instead of fixed ones , so that the vessels will draw much less water , and _sonsequently the freight may be increased from soventy tons to nearly double thutj weight as the average class of traders .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 10, 1849, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_10021849/page/5/