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Northern Star (1837-1852), 16th March 1850, Edition 3 of 3, Page 3

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    • ISf-watf*.
    • 23ttblic amit^nuttte
    • mit*****—»¦¦•—
    • If Mankind are liable to one disease move than another,, or if there are any particular affections bf tha human body
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    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

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      - M Arch,Mi550. _ The _ Northern^Tar.

      - M ARCH _, _mi _550 . _ THE _ NORTHERN _^ TAR _.

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      A Lay. Of Love. He Aven Hath Its Crown O...

      A LAY . OF LOVE . He aven hath its crown of stars , the Earth Her glory-robe of flowers ; __ The grand old woods have music , Green leaves and sUver showers ; Ibe birds have homes where honeyed blooms In beauty smile above ; HiEb . _vearning hearts their rainbow dreams ; Ind * we , sweet , we have love I Th ere ' s suffering for the toffing poor On Misery ' s bosom nursd ; -Rich robes for ragged souls ; and crowns For branded-brows , Cain-cursed ! But cheru bim with clasping wings , Ever about ns be ; And , happiest of God ' s happy things , There's love for jou and me I

      • ffe walk not with tbe jewelled great , " Where Love ' s dear name is sold ; Tet have we wealth we would not give For all their world ofgold ! _TVe revel not in com and wine , Tet have we from above -yanna divine ; Then we'll not pine : Ho we not live and love ? 1 know , dear heart , that in our lot May mingle tears and sorrow ; -gat Love ms rainbow builds from tears , To-day , with smiles to-morrow ! Th e sunshine from oar sky may die , flie g reenness from life ' s tree ; * Gut ever ' mid the warrinj * ; storm Tbv nest shall sheltered be I

      I _--ee thee—Ararat of my life !—Smiling , the waves above ; Thou _bails't me , victor in the strife ; And beacon ' st me with Love ! The world will never know , dear , Half what _Tve found in thee ; But tho' nought to the world , dear , Thou'rt all the world to me I _Gekjod Massey

      Isf-Watf*.

      _ISf-watf _* .

      Ireland—A Letter To John Bright, M.P, $C...

      Ireland—A Letter to John Bright , M . P , _$ c , & C . B * f _Kigby Waso ~ s , Es _* _j . Ayr : "M'Cormick and Gemmell . Js this Letter , Mr . Wason protests against John Blight ' s proposed remedies for the relief of Ireland as inefficient , and not calculated to produce the devised end—the employment of tiie people . Jn lieu of tliose " remedies , " Mr . Wason advocates the reclamation of

      waste lands , and he proposes to raise the necessary capital by Tontine . * The scheme may be worthy the consideration of those who have money to invest in such an . enterprise , _Tiut can he of no interest to our readers . Mr . Wason s plan—though more business-like than the propositions of Bright or Peel—is only another scheme for using up Labour for the "benefit of Capital . Ireland needs more honest —more revolutionary measures—to restore her children to a state of comfort and freedom .

      The Peoples Review. No. 2. London: C. Mi...

      The _Peoples Review . No . 2 . London : C . Mitchell , "Red Lion-court , Fleet-street Wobse and worse J The first article—which is , nominally , a review of Harriet Martineau ' _s History _qfJEngland during Thirty Years' Peace —overflows with the critic ' s ill-feeling towards ihe Chartists , Eed "Republicans , and all other really earnest reformers . It would beeasy to cite contradiction upon contradiction , and absurdity npon absurdity , contained in the reviewer ' s article , hut we can better employ our space . Another long article , on the tyrant Strafford , concludes with the reviewer observing ;_ " "We have tears for bim , though he

      would have scorned them for us , & c , & c . " Very magnanimous , no doubt ; bat had we as many tears at command as , altogether , would form a stream equal to the Thames , not one drop shonld we have for any such scoundrel . Str afford felt the weight of the people ' s just revenge ; and may every such murdering villain meet with a like end . The sufferings of the oppressed demand onr sympathy , but the _destractioTA of oppressors excites our exultation . A vegetarian article ( containing plenty of absurdities ) on The Science cf Diet , concludes ¦ with the precions assertion , that " much of the failure of the French and German

      liteformers is attributable to their unfortunate addiction to the use of stimulants ! 11 " One of the least objectionable articles—though the writer thereof wonld seem to be a mere surface politician—is the one on " The Politics and Prospects of Germany . "' ' "We extract the following passage : —

      THE GEEMAX EEPCBLICAXS . Of course , the discontent rose from year to year , and broke out into open revolt after the French revolution of ISIS . The men wbo knew the history of Germany and the characters of tbe German sovereigns _,, declared immediately that Germany never conld be happy , united , and free , as long as monarchical government shonld subsist . They declared that the German people could not expect to he relieved from any grievance they had to complain of , because , by abolishing those institutions upon which alone their government reposed , the princes wonld be assisting in the work of their own destruction . Tbey showed that all tbe individuals

      wbo were _fitting on the thrones of Germany were most viscious characters , voluptuous drunkards , peijured , covetous , and tyrannical . They proved that such men wonld never keep any promise which might have been extorted from them , and forewarned the people that if they did not introduce at once republican government , the revolution wonld continue for many years . But the old liberals deceived the nation . Having been duped by the pr inces , they promised all kinds of liberties . The greater part of the Germans believed them , and instead of overturning monarchy , they were satisfied

      with the promises of liberal institutions . Only the Sadians were clearsighted enough not to be deceived . They claimed openly and manfully republican government , and as this was not granted to them , they rose up three times in arms , in order to conquer it by force , But they have been hitherto overpowered by numbers . However , the result ofthe three Radian revolutions was , that- a powerful republican party was formed and organised in Germany . Three-forths of Prussia , a large majority in Baden , "lFnrtember « j _* , Saxony , and _Thnringia , besides which it embraces a respectable minority in Austria , Bavaria , and Hanover .

      This praise of the Baden Republicanswhich we do not object to—is in direct hostility to ihe praises of moderation , so loudly chaunted in the first article . It is the constant complaint of the " friends of order and progress" that the Baden "Republicans , hy their "haste" and " violence , " prevented the triumph of " constitutional liberty . " * We are "very happy they did so ; for far better any kind of political system than tbat " organised _hypocrisy , " which , hitherto , has monopolised the title of " constitutional liberty . " Art before Hie _ExTdbitioB , is the title of a well-written article .

      The People ' s Review is edited by "Friends of Order and Progress "—a designation which sounds very like the " Order and Liberty ' * of Louis Philippe , and the " Order , Family , and P roperty , " of Louis Napoleon . Jud ging them b y their own productions , wc must say we believe that the likeness observable between them and the Ordermongers of France , is not one of mere " sound , " « signifying nothing , " To conclude , - we find in this very number of the Review , the best possible description of its editors , supplied b y one of their own friends the author of Boh ThuCs Political Alphabet , who , in the following lines , most happily hits off Ms literary and political associates :

      Tiie _lillijiut Reformers who have grandly undertaken " "Io set _ULlv on his legs , if eachmay save * hisliu " e bacon : " ley are very ns 8 d philanthropists and _vaguslycosmopolitan _*** " of all the horrors in the worlddisliieaSedBspiMican

      Fi'tejtold Land Societies Injurious Lo T...

      _Fi'teJtold Land Societies injurious lo the Welfare of the People . By a Workman Mas . London : Tickers , Holywell-street . We heartily accord with the author of this Pamphlet ; the character of wliich will be best explained by thc foliowibg extracts : — OBJECTIONS TO THE FESEIHrtJ _) LASH SCHEME . ih _^ 0 l > i cct ' then , to these societies , because _nwL n ? the ri = ht to vote to depend upon a _Pro-Ppny _Quahficition , whieh must amount to a 10 s . oh ? ? C I J _? . * tend » " m opposition to this _prince , tbat the tight to have : a voice in parliament , eaherpereonally , or by means of representation , -fiKV- _# d 6 pend Vpm _^ Possession- of a 40 s . _freehold , nor upon the ownershi p bf any amount of

      Fi'tejtold Land Societies Injurious Lo T...

      _«_^ _i—i _»* - _^»* V- > i-. » _' * _tJ ««> 'r _* a 1 a _ ,- _ _..- _ -. _^ _sotm . _-. % _-. ¦ - ..,., - . property however large , hut that lt ' isthe " _civiband constitutional right of every man , attained to the age of twenty one years , possessed ofa sound mind , and under no criminal sentence of the law . '; To make the right bf the franchise to depend upon the possession ofa mere piece of land , or like another class of politicians , upon the payment of a certain amount of rent , is to depart from every principle of liberty and justice , " ior it is attaching rights to mere matter , and making man the agent of that matter . " But what can be more unreasonable and unjust , more absurd and ridiculous . It is an insult to onr common sense , and a degradation to our common humanity .

      2 . We object to these societies , because they are helping to perpetuate this principle of property qualifications . Many excellent and ; well meaning persons ; who have joined these societies , fancy they will have a contrary tendency . Such persons , we believe , are suffering under a great delusion . It must be plain to every thinking man , that in proportion as this principle is practised , so in proportion must it be strengthened and perpetuated . The middle classes , who are generally in favour of this principle , are well aware of this fact , honce , they will only give their support to an agitation which embodies this principle . 3 . "We object to these societies , because by joining themwe should be virtually acknowledging that

      , our rulers are right , and that the pervading principle of our constitution is just . The language of our actions would be to the government , " You are right in declaring tbat no person should havo the franchise , but those that pay rent and possess property . We will , henceforth , take your advice , and _iastead of opposing the principle of Property Qualifications , we will endeavour to practise it , and thus take advantage of those great privileges , which * our glorious constitution' offers to every person . Yes ! workin" men and Chartists of England ! you , who have joined these societies , this is the language of your actions ! Yon , who have a thousand times thrown up your hat in tho air . and cried '« The Charter and no Surrender ! " are now literally eating

      your own words ! Tou , who have denounced the Whigs and the middle classes as infamous , called tbem all kinds of hard names , designated them the greatest tyrants beneath the sun , are now crouching , cringing , and crawling at their feet , and allowing yourselves to be made instruments in tho propagation of their corrupt principles ! 4 . We object to these societies , because of their abuse of the representative system , and destroy the true equality of man ' s political rights . All men have equal rights and privileges . " Every man has a right for one vote , and no more . " He that possesses more than one vote , possesses that which does not belong to him . We have no more right to monopolise votes , than we have to monopolise the land , the sea , or the air . A monopoliser of votes is

      a monopoliser of power . Be acts an unrighteous part towards his fellow-men . He is a traitor to his country , and an enemy tothe people . These societies lead to this monopoly of votes , and we need no greater proof of the corruptness of their principles , and tbe " unjustness of their policy , than in their so doing . Does the' reader require proof of this remark ? let him refer to the speeches of Mr . Taylor , of Birmingham , who boasts of being the founder of these societies , and he will find that gentleman declaring that he already possesses seven votes , and that it is his intention to obtain morel Te t , this gentleman can denounce the monopoly of the aristocracy , whilst he himself is monopolising as much power and as many votes as seven men should possess I

      5 We object to these societies , because there are safer , quicker , easier , and more useful methods to obtain land , and to gain all our social and political rights . We take it for granted , that tnis Freehold Land Scheme is a middle class movement . We draw this conclusion from the simple fact , that the principal leaders and supporters of these societies are middle class men . Their founder being a working man , doeB not invalidate our position . Working men can . and working men have before this , sold themselves to the advocacy of middle class interests . Now , taking this for granted , we ask the middle classes of this country , whether it would not be more honourable to themselves , and more useful to society—whether it would not be more magnanimous of them at once to come forward , and p in the working classes in an agitation for the People ' s Charter . Such an agitation would receive the support of the working classes , for it would be

      more in accordance with their feelings and principles , than the circuitous method which these societies are taking . We ask the middle classes to give this fact their serious consideration . Let them remember , that they will never receive the hearty support of the toiling millions , until they have erased from their creed the principle of property qualification , and inserted in its place the enlightened principle of " Manhood suffrage . " Such an agitation , as we have here proposed , need fear little or nothing for the government . No government would dare to resist . It would sweep every obstacle before it . Such an agitation would , in half the time , and by less than half the labour bestowed upon these societies , place men in the n _« use of Commons , that would not only repeal corrupt aud unjust laws , redress long and grevious wrongs , but would also pass measures for the better distribution of land , and for the better regulation of the interests of labonr .

      6 . We object to these societies , because it is improbable ( even granting for the sake of argument the justness of tbeir principles , ) that they will g ain the " _objects ' ' they have in view . It is one ofthe " grand objects" of these societies to gain over the counties . For this purpose they have established themselves in many counties throughout tbe United Kingdom . But they foTget _, in doing so , that there are many ways by which they may be baffled in gaining this end . Are these societies sure , for . instance , that the Freeholders will use their votes on the side of true liberty ? Are they sure tbat they

      will resist the crushing influence ofthe Cottonlord , or the gold of the Landlord ? Their being poor will not cause them to do so . Freemen are generally poor , yet they are the most corrupt body of men upon the face ofthe earth . Their promising wilj not cause them to do so . ( Tbe middle classes , when they obtained tbe Reform Bill , promised that they would aid the toiling millions in obtaining their rights . But have they done so ? Have they fulfilled their promise ? No I Take them as a body , and they are still unwilling to use the same honourable means to gain the working classes their rights , as they used to obtain their own . We recommend this pamphlet to our friends . It deserves an extensive circulation .

      23ttblic Amit^Nuttte

      23 _ttblic _amit _^ nuttte

      Picturesque Exhibition Of The Britannia ...

      PICTURESQUE EXHIBITION OF THE BRITANNIA BRIDGE . A new and highly interesting exhibition has just opened at 309 , Regent-street , adjoining the Polytechnic . It is a representation of a tour from London to the Britannia-bridge . The excursion is supposed to commence at _Hampstead , of which a view is given . This is followed hy several of the principal places that are passed on the rout , Coventry , Birmingham , Chester , Conway , are separately presented to the spectator . The last view is that of

      the Britannia-bridge , where the excursion is supposed to terminate . The views are all painted by Mr . J . W . Allen , the landscape painter , and are of a very superior character , and reflect great honour and credit to the talents of this artist . The effect of daylight is given , and the brilliancy and tone of the paintings are preserved . : This exhibition is highly instructive and interesting , and is superior to most things of this kind , and gives us a glimpse of all the chief objects of interest and note passed by the traveller , from the metropolis to North Wales .

      British College Of Health, Nsw-Boad, Iio...

      BRITISH COLLEGE OF HEALTH , NSW-BOAD , IiONDOJ * . _FEUow-ConsiEtiiEN .--Iii the name of humanity and justice wc ask how much longer are the remains of the poor to be cut up in the hospitals , in order to put guineas into the doctors pockets ? Oh ! the infamy ' . Are the poor who die in hospitals aware that doctors make money hy selling their remains to medical students , who pay them so much for a leg , another so much for an arm , & c , < fcc . ? Down with the odious traffic , say all Hygeists . Anatomy is perfectly useless in the cure of any disease . People arise !!

      ! Taxes Ok Kkowledob. — We Understand Th...

      ! Taxes ok Kkowledob . — We understand that Milner Gibson , Esq ., M . P ., has received six individual petitions from persons in this town for the repeal of the knowledge imposts which he is unable' to present to the House , of Commons , the regulations respecting petitions not having been complied with For the guidance of others who may wish to get un petitions , to assist in the good movement , we state that _mdiridaal petitions must be written in thc singular number ; that all petitions must be _signed at the bottom , and that no petition can be received without one or more signatures on the same sheet as the prayer . The secretary of the Birmingham Association for the Abolition of the Taxes on Knowledge , 14 , Russell-row , Ladywood-lane , might bo advantageously consulted by our friends who wish to prove themselves friends to progress , and sincere haters of all shackles on the intellect of man . —Birmingham Mercury .

      Astley ' s . —Her Majesty has presented Mr . Batty , ihe proprietor of this theatre , with a pair of pure Arabian ponies , recently , imported , whose first appearance in the arena is to take place as soon as their objections to the substitution of " saw-dust " for the ' -sand" have been reconciled , and their efforts to square the circle overcome . 1 ' iiebe _cassot he a greater treachery , then first to raise a confidence , and then deceive it .

      *-*Taxe{*F-$|N-Enowledge. -^Deputation.....

      * - * TAXE {* f- _$ | N-ENOWLEDGE . - _^ DEPUTATION _.. ; v - .: ~ . ' _., . T ' P THE PREMIER .: ; "'" On Monday a deputation from t he Newspaper Stamp Abolition Committee ' waited on Lord John Russell / at his official residence in _Downmg-street , oh the subject : of the Taxes on Knowledge . . The deputation included , among others , Mr . James _WataonrrMr . Moore , Mr . Livesey , and Mr . Holyoake , and was accompanied hy the following members _^ parliament : 'Mr . Cobden , Mr . Kershaw , Mr . John M'Gregor , Mr . Monckton Milnes , and Mr . Mowatt . Mr . Milner Gibson introduced tho deputies . Mr . J . D . Coiakt , secretary to the committee , said , —My Lord , ih agitating for the repeal of all the

      taxes on knowledge we have placed the newspaper stamp prominently forward , because we consider it as the _key-stono of a system . Wc would not venture to say that the paper duty was originally imposed for tbe purpose of hampering literature , or that the advertisement duty had no other object than that of impeding communication , but the penny stamp on newspapers appears to us to have been retained in 1836 for the express purpose of prohibiting newspapers to the working man . It is to obtain the repeal of this prohibition on tho working man ' s newspaper that we aro hero to-day . The regulations of which we complain are contained in the Newspaper Act , 6 & 7 Wm . IV ., cap . 76 , which we contend ought to be repealed . First , because it

      erects a censorship , investing the Commissioners of Stamps with arbitrary power . Second , because its provisons are so stringent that they have never been carried into effect . Third , because the means of enforcing those provisions are beyond measure severe . The act declares every periodical publication brought out" oftener than once in twenty-six days , and containing any public news , intelligence , or occurrences , or any remarks or observations thereon , " to be a newspaper , unless it reachs a certain size and price . But by the 25 th clause , all persons who shall have given notice of publication to the Stamp Office , and snail have paid the advertisement duty , are exempted from penalties till they in their turn receive notice of the illegality of their publications .

      In exercising their discretion , the stamp commissioners appear to be actuated by no consideration either of morality or of utility ; three indecent publications dealing in libels , with specification of date , place , and person , are stated by Mr . Keogh to be not liable to the newspaper , stamp duty . One of these was put down last year by a private prosecution for a scandalous libel , the defence to which was that the proprietor knew nothing either of its truth or of its author , but published it for a living , Under the present administration , all expressions of opinion are permitted to circulate freely ; the only thing prohibited is that fact which would prove the best antidote to erroneous doctrines . It has not been found practicable to prevent working

      men from studying politic *** , but an efficient bar is placed to their being taught by persons who understand anything of politics or of political economy as a science , the capital which would go to remunerate such persons being forcibly withheld from that purpose . But the act is not merely stretched by the construction put on the 25 th clause ; from the beneficial operation of that clause all registered newspapers are excepted so that it is clearly illegal for any such paper to publish a part of its impression without a stamp , yet this is eonstantlv and openly done for the sake of Cheap postage . Acc ording to a return made last month to the Ilouse of Commons , there are fiftyone newspapers thus published contrary to law in

      England alone . The Newspaper Act contains no postal regulations ; the newspaper stamp is not a postage stamp . As a large proportion of the stamped newspapers now go by post , we cannot think that this plan would cause any serious loss to the revenue . If it be said that the act works well , because under it no prosecutions have yet taken place , we reply , first , tbat the commissioners stretch the act more and more in favour of the public ; and secondly , that tbo penalties amount to absolute ruin . The power of seizing the presses of offenders is a most effective method of stopping publication . It willbe in your lordship ' s recollection , that Lord Monteagle , in proposing the change in the law , rested his case mainly on the success with which

      that law had been defied . The immediate effect of the change was to annihilate the unstamped , and to add eighteen millions annually to thc stamped press . Since then a demand has arisen for still cheaper publications , and though the greater part ofthe supply exists contrary to the letter and often to the spirit ofthe act , yet this encroachment has been wisely and kindly permitted ; the only thing now prohibited is the systematic record of important facts . We are anxious that the theory of the law should be assimilated to its practice , and that all restrictions should be abolished . When this committee was formed it was thought not impossible that some method might be found of obtaining the repeal © f mischievous restrictions , which should be

      more satisfactory to both parties than a series of breaches ofthe law on one band , and of prosecutions on the other . That the laws which prohibit the communication of knowledge are doomed , we are convinced , but we would fain . owe this conviction to your lordship ' s sense of justice rather than to political antagonism . In this stage of our agitation we are bound to confess that we have no power to extort anything ; whatever is given now will be a concession , not so much to a popular demand , as to reason and justice . We venture to hope that your lordship , in liberating the press from all taxation , will be willing to perform ah action worthy to be placed beside the enfranchisement of tbe Dissenters and the passing of the Reform Bill Mr . E . Edwards , Secretary to the Compositors '

      Association , directed his lordship ' s attention to the injurious consequences ofthe newspaper-stamp , as also to the objects of the deputation itself , in respect to the regulations of the post-office . It is impossible , he said , not to notice the increasing appetite of the community for . that kind of mental food which the newspaper furnishes . During the last ten years ( since , indeed , the reduction of the duties on paper , on advertisements , and the stamp on newspapers , } a new order of literature had sprung up , eminently calculated to soften down the asperities of the people , and to impress thorn with a true sense of their responsibilities . For . examplo , let the eye be turned on that department of tbe press , called publications . With but few exceptions

      these periodicals are of an exclusive character . They do not interest the general reader , their contents being suitable only to particular classes of professions . And it is here that the compulsory penny stamp on newspapers is seen to operate most prejudicially . Tbe periodical called the Builder is by law restricted to the publication of such matter as shaU interest the building trades . Its proprietors would jeopardise their property were they to publish any portion of the parliamentary debates , the proceedings of the courts of law aud . police offices , the Bankruptcy and Insolvent Debtors' Courts . Such news would immediately subject them to a governmental prosecution * forthe Builder would then cease to be a periodical . In every sense of the word such matter would cause it to be set down aa

      a newspaper , and every copy printed must bear a stamp , or grievous penalties would follow the infraction of the law . So with tho Atlicnamm and journals of that class . "Nor can we except , in these remarks , the work called Punch _* Albeit , our whimsical friend -may not publish the debates , and law , and police cases , 3 _* et Ms . baton is repeatedly being levelled against particular obstructions to the world ' s progress , as manifested in events quite recent ; which events are , to thousands of men , decidedly news . , How often is it seen that some hon . member ' s speech ,, delivered but some five or six days previously , is quoted from , and favourably or severely animadverted upon ; yet it is clear the Act

      of Parliament does not give Mr . Puuch this privilege of observation , as by it at least twenty-six days ought to expire before such remarks ' would become , so to speak , the property of the periodical press . . Of course your lordship , is aware that the works named are not mado amenable to the law . They severally published stamped and unstamped copies : the former only for the convenience of postage , the latter for the generality of their subscribers . Were they compelled to publish their entire impression on stamped paper only , like the newspapers are , they would fall in sale , directly , because their price , for the town editions , would have to be enhanced / twenty-five per eent ., and more . Punch sells for fourpence a stamped copy ,

      threepence for an unstamped copy . To interfere with this work ' because it publishes news ( and were the law followed out , it must necessarily be objected to ) , would be to diminish its sale , for its price must be increased to fourpence , or the profits of its proprietors must pay the cost . Now , it would be a grievous thing thus to interfere ; and , consequently , the law is shown tobe as inoperative as its workings are proved to be essentially . partial . But these objections are comparatively insignificant , when the restriction is considered as preventing substantial and really , useful information from being published , while the law allows men to publish demoralising periodicals , and political writings ofa very ' mediocre character . To name the works now issiiine- from the press , would be but to advertise

      them to the world ; but your lordship , doubtless , is aware that many periodicals are now published ofa decidedly political character , whose articles are directed against certain abuses of the state , and also for tho advancement of particular party views . Now , it seems very anomalous that a leading article on a debate may be published , while to print but a summary of the debate itself would make the publication a newspaper . This , however , is the actual operation of the law ? What , then , is required ?—not tho _auppressiou of the political works alluded to , but the repeal of the law that prevents an editor from printing such matter iis to him shall appear most likely to ' _advance the success of the journal ho . is connected with . Then , were the compulsory penny stamp abolished , these publications might all be , and . would be , turned in to . newspapers ; they would severally contain , matter interesting . to all

      *-*Taxe{*F-$|N-Enowledge. -^Deputation.....

      classes . —This ,, would .. bring , the ... . _antidote , _JflLjkhe poison as soon as it has been issued ; but now the former is dfteri-heeded , though it is not forthcoming . The postage and re-postage of a newspaper to any part ef the country for one penny is a great boon ; arid . as such it is appreciated , for it is not sought to alter the existing arrangement in this respect . All that your lordship is solicited to help " us in is , to allow men to print ; what they please ( always being subject to the law of libel ) , upon any sized paper , and without any stamp upon it , if they are eo disposed ; while , for the convenience of transmission , any number of copies might bo printed upon stamped paper procured , as now , from the proper authorities ; or affixing a penny Queen ' s

      head thereon , each copy would be forwarded to its destination as at present . This alteration would immediately lower their cost . Papers which now sell for fivepenco , would then sell for fourpence in tne towns where published ; and this reduction would not only tend to an increased sale , but would also cauSe many new journals to be originated , dependent upon their merits for popular support . In London and the great towns of the * north , where a large number of inhabitants are located upon a oonfincd area of ground , this diminution would be deservedl y appreciated . So it would be in the less populous districts , because the addition of the ponny stamp , whilo it restricts the sale , tends also to throw into the hands of large capitalists , a

      power which experience tells us has not been used forthe welfare ofthe people generally . Having thus set forth the serious objectious to , and stultifying operations of the law , * a passing word may be urged upon the advantages of an unrestricted press . Englishmen full well know that the pen is a better weapon for tbem to wield than tlio sword . If it be less exterminating , it is far more truly effective in what it performs . Politics aro becoming move and more to be appreciated ; and a sense of their importance will endear men to those institutions of their country which , diffusing liberty , defy demagogical control . A free press in England is a desideratum to be sighed for , not a thing to be guarded against . The best way to paralyse the

      uplifted arm is . to induce the mind to think . The press , with Englishmen , is all the force they stand m need of exercising . If its advocacy bo sound , success will be sure to follow its noble efforts . Do not fear , my lord , by letting men write and print , in their publications , political matter , the peace of the country will be endangered . Rattier conclude , by its dissemination , that impracticable schemes would be nipped in their bud , and designing men be held up to the ignominy of those they sought to betray . After further expatiating upon the value of the newspaper , tho expenses consequent thereon , and the necessity of a large sale to realise

      any profit , the _Bpealier concluded by saying , that though he spoke as a compositor—one wishing to see the largo numbers ' out of work in employment , which he thought the abolition of the stamp duty would , to a great extent , give them—he did not ask from the government any particular favour for his calling . Printers were , so far , like the Bordeaux merchants , they would wish the government to leave them alone . It was for tho benefit ofthe country he advocated the repeal of this enactmeut , for ho was confident nothing would tend to promote such great satisfaction in this country , with existing liberties , than that of giving the people an untaxed press .

      The Rev , Thomas . _Spi-nce ** . called the attention of Lord John Russell to the moral bearing of the question . He said that benevolent men were perpetually devising hew schemes for the improvement of the condition of the peoplo , and calling upon government to aid them by legislative enactments , but if he ( Mr . Spencer ) might give his advice it would be tbat government should not undertake the management of the . people ' s affairs , but that they should remove all obstacles out ofthe way and repeal those taxes which checked the communication of knowledge ; and thus allow full scope to those who "were willing to convey sound principles' to the popular mind , He would briefly apply to this some of the great questions of the day .

      1 . National education . . It would be impossible to devise a scheme that would not be attended with much injustice and dissatisfaction . Some wished for secular education without religion , and others for education combined with religion ; and each party would object to pay taxes towards the scheme of the other . Whereas , if instead of increased grants on taxation for education , the government would take away the tax of three-halfpence per lb . on paper , one shilling and sixpence on advertisements , and the penny stamp on newspapers , it would benefit all these parties equally , and would enable them to carry on their own system of education with greater facility and much less cost . Instead of complaints that the church of England

      obtained four-fifths , and the dissenters only onefifth of those grants from public money , the sordid strife for money would be changed to an honourable strife for truth , and in the end truth would prevail . 2 . The promoters of religion , temperance , emigration , and other important matters , would be able to disseminate bibles , tracts , and useful knowledge , with tenfold facility . A paper confined to religion only , to temperance only , ov to emigration only , is too dull and exclusive for the generality of readers , but if all these papers might insert the most important intelligence of the day , it would add great interest to those' publications . 3 . As to polities , the benefit would be incalculable . The most hopeful education would take place , that of our young men

      and of the adult population ; and when these were filled with enlightened views and honourable sentiments they would take care of the education . of their children . Tho Bible declared that '' He that withholdeth corn the peoplo should curse him : " and thc corn laws have been repealed . The Bible also declares , " Thatthe soul be without knowledge it is not good ; " and " My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge , " and yet the taxes on knowledge—the corn-laws of tho mind—are still unrepealed . Since the repeal of the corn-laws the millions of England have consumed much more food than formerly , and when the mental corn-laws shall have been repealed , it will bo found that the consumption of mental food will be increased in a still

      greater proportion . It was a grand national benefit when the people were enabled to get cheap bread ; but the government shonld _iremember that " man doth not live by bread alone , but by every word that procecdeth out of the mouth of God ; " and these words which God speaks to men in national revolutions and in public _calamitien , or in great prosperity , are only to be heard through the channels of public intelligence ; and . it is by the public press that the dealings of Providence can be generally made known . The people , too , will derive much information from the great Exhibition of Industry of Works of Art and Skill ; but the government should also remember that tho highest authority has pronounced it-to be mere hypocrisy tobe wise in these matters , and yet not to discern the

      signs of the times . And how shall men know the signs of the times but by constant reading of the newspapers , which record all the events of this and other countries , for the mediation of thoughtful men ? Byienabliog the people to ponder over these events of daily life , rulers would imitate the supreme Ruler of all ; for when be gave to the Jews his revealed word , the Bible , he conveyed to men not only the knowledge of his laws and of the way of salvation , but the history of the world from the beginning , and of their own nation , in particular and not merely tho history of ancient times , but in tho Books of Kings and Chronicles in the Old Testament , and in the Acts ofthe Apostles in the New , he placed before theni the events of the times in

      which they lived . In like manner the daily and weekly papers are the Books of Kings , , Chronicles , and Acts ofthe present day , and tho people of this country should . have free access , to tbem . Objections to this are mado by men who think it is better to keep the people in ignorance of what is going on .- But this ' is a dangerous error . ' . ' _,. peoplei will -getvat some information , aud if good and wise , men are prevented by law from presenting it to them in a cheapform , bad men will evade the law ,. or in some way convey garbled intelligence , creating a bad feeling towards the government , and towards other classes' of thecommunity . If they had a cheap-newspaper tho people would read it at their own fireside , and would quietly discuss with

      tneir neigiiD . ours the events of the day ; but if by the taxes oh , knowledge the newspapers , are made scarce and dear , they will assemble in the publichouses and beer-shops , whore alone they can obtain access to the newspaper ; and in pot-house politics exists the danger to the peace of ; sooiety . ' It is to these places that all riotous proceedings may be traced ; but thereis nothing to apprehoridfrom the politics of sober and " domestic men . At present the seller of gin and beer ' has the advantage . ' Ho invites the . masses by announcements of balls , cheap plays , free harmonic concerts ; he has : well > lighted rooms and a cfceerful fire ,, and , above all ,: he has the newspapers of tho day ; and by all these attractions ho sells his deadly drinks , and' ruins the people by thousands . If those who ' -wish to do the peoplo good' could present a more powerful magnet by cheerful ! rooms vand abundance of newspapers full of . good principles , or if they could prepare newspapers which every man could

      afford to take at' his own house , then would the power ofthe dealer in strong drink receive a death blow . But it is not' only moro prudent to let the people havo opportunity _^ correct their errors of opinion by reading , such , papers , but they havo a positive right to know what is going on .. Because a citizen obeys the laws , ho ought to know what the laws are , and what new laws are being Wade ' X Because ho pays tho taxes , either directly or indirectly , he . ought toseewhother-thosetaxesareof proper amount and equitably levied , * and this can ibe done by . reading the _R ebates in parliament . Every citizen ' 'is nipre or less affected by ' social . changes ,,. and ho has _' a right to know what things are going on . that may-affect his'own prosperity . If out of employment , he ought tbbeable to mako known his wants to sucb as may have work tog , ive ; , and this implies cheap papers and no duty ¦ on _advertisem- 'nts' As a

      *-*Taxe{*F-$|N-Enowledge. -^Deputation.....

      aiiairs of his fellow-men , to undo heavy burden ' s and to break every yoke ; forithis his _^ lS _S quires of him ; _asa Christian , too , he is calfei upon to think upon and promote all thingsthat are true honest , lovely _^ or of good re port ; and for these a free press is highly _^ essential :- At present-the greater part of the English people never read a paper ; and of those who do the greater pavt read them at the public houses ; and hence tho mistake people make in thoir benevolent intentions towards tlieir fellow mon . They relieve vagrants , give indiscriminately to , beggars and encourage pauperism , merely because they have not seen tho statements of the _mischiovous effects of such conduct , and that such benevolence only encourages intemperance ,

      idleness , and crime . It is true there are dangerous errors in the minds of some , which might find vent in cheap newspapers ; but these errors are less dangerous when brought to light ; they can be answered ; and none are more frank and honest in telling the truth than working men to each other . Hear , for instance , a working man address his fellow-workmen on intemperance , and you will admire his fidelity and plainness of speech . But at present , if a well-wisher to thepeople would disseminate sound reason in reply to error , it will take him £ 5 to advertise even a penny tract ; and if he would establish a daily paper , it would require a capital of many thousand pounds . That tho good effects to be anticipated from cheap newspapers

      are not fanciful theory , but real and well-founded , may be seen from tho condition ofthe people in the united States . In the free states , it may be safely assorted that the people are a moral people , sober , industrious , and evincing great self-respect . You will scarcely see rags or drunkenness . The great successs of education , temperance , and religion , must be ascribed to the cheapness and universality _° l newspapers . In Boston , New York , and other cities , every man may have " his daily paper for a halfpenny , and if he wishes for first-rate intelligence , he can obtain it for 2 Jd ., and thus almost every house takes in its daily paper ; and men can read of public affairs without going to places whore their health is destroyedtheir money spentand

      , , their tempers soured by strong drink , and from whence they return angry with themselves and with all around them . At the debate respecting war with England , Elihu Burritt published articles in favour of peace , and these were sent in slips , or " Olive leaves , " to all the papers of the States , and inserted by them , and thus the efforts of some men to inflame the minds of the people against tbe English were _counteracted , and a more brotherly spirit infused into their minds . A cheap newspaper would be a great boon to our own people ; it would imply confidence on tho pavt of the government

      and would inspire affection in the people towards tlieir rulers . And if any ono step can vastly tend to educate , improve , and elevate their minds , it is the removal of the existing taxes on knowledge , and especially the penny stamp on newspapers . Lord John Russell received the deputation with his usual courtesy . He of course declined to give any answer to a demand for a reduction of taxation , but observed that the fact ofthe government having reduced the stamp from id , to Id ., and thc postage of letters from Cd . to Id ., was an evidence that the government were not indisposed to promote the enlightenment of the people .

      Mit*****—»¦¦•—

      mit _*****—»¦¦•—

      A Cakd.—Admiral Parker Begs To Inform En...

      A Cakd . —Admiral Parker begs to inform English persons residing abroad , that he will be happy to collect any suras of money that they may consider duo to them from foreign powers . Individuals native of any part of the British dominions , who havebeen cheated in their change by the postmen of a foreign power , who have paid half a franc more than was requisite for a passport , or who have accidentally dropped bad sixpences into any foreign lake , river , or sea , are advised to lose no time in applying . Admiral P , has it in his power to offer extraordinary advantages , owing to tho number ol officers and bailiffs before the mast in his emploj _* , and . also to an arrangement he has entered into , by which all the expenses of distraining , seizure , Ac , will be paid by the English people , first-rate reference to Lord Palmerston .

      There is not a much more deplorable sort of existence than that which is dragged on by an old man , whose mind is destitute of the materials proper for yielding him some entertainment suitable to the more sedate time of life ; I mean , useful knowledge . For the remembrance of fifty years spent in scraping of money , or in pursuing pleasure , or in indulging vicious inclinations , must yield but poor entertainment at a time of life , when a man can at best say , he has been , Thb inhabitants of Dorton Hamlet were last week invited to a farm house to commemorate the birthday of a grandmother , aged eighty-five ; her eldest AAn nrtt \/ i _ttttn Hmt ¦ nnn nnn tf / innnnn ' i < 1 minli _> nu ' _n iiiklive uiiu _uui

      sun , _iigcu _} - _; _^ uungeNi . uuuginer s grand-daughter , aged fifteen . They were all born on a Candlemas-day . He that wants a heart , wants everything . A wrong head may be convinced , but who can give a heart where it is wanting ? Happiness . —It is happy for a person to leave the world possessed of every one ' s love . Happiness and Riches are two things , and very seldom' meet together . _Parliamentarv Reform . —In a f ree state , every man who is supposed a free agent , ought to be in some measure his own governor ; and therefore a branch at least ofthe legislative power should reside ia the wnoiiB hody of tub people , _—ZMac " _- -

      stone s Commentaries . Rather Worse . —Lord John Russell recently remarked , in a metaphor applied to Beform , that "by getting under wei g h in a calm you may fall upon the rocks . " Ho is obviously preparing for the celebrated command of the Channel Fleet , but he must remember that if a ship waits at anchor till the gale has come , she has literally to " cut and run . " We hope to see him in that predicament soon . Appropriate Names . — The New Yorh Literary World , in a chapter on names , observes , " Shoemakers' spouses should be Peggies gamblers ' ladies , Bets ; and Sue , would be just the wife for an atorney ; Sophies should be of a sedative disposition , and confectioners wives should always be Patties . Sometimes a name will excite remark .

      AU the papers copied the marriage of Henry Apple and Sarah Applo , but we could see no impropriety in the making of two apples into one pair . The people of Paris , with their , usual love of saying something against the powers that be , have a joke that Napoleon built barracks , Charles X . churches , Louis Philippe fortifications , and Louis _Napoleon prisons , each according to his disposition . TiieVirtues practisko by _inE Heathens . —There is not a virtue which the Heathens have not shown to be practicable . Do not pretend that it is impossible for a Christian to forgive injuries , when we know , that Phocion , going to . suffer death unjustly , charged it upon his son , with his last breath , that he should show no resentment against his father ' s persecutors . Donot " excuse yourself in giving up

      the truth , through fear of offending those on whom you depend , when you know that Attilius ttegulus gave himself up to tortures , and death , rather than falsify his word even tohis enemies . Do not excuse yourself from a little expense , trouble , or hazard of ill-will , for the general good , when you know , that a Leonidas , a Calpurnius FJamma , the Decii , and hundreds more , voluntarily devoted themselves to destruction , to save their country . If you pretend to be a Christian , that is , to profess the most pure and most sublime principles in the world , do not infamously fall short of the perfection of unenlightened Heathens' . " CouRTsnip . —Tho plain English of the politest address of a gentleman to a lady , is , I am now , dear madam , the humblest of your servants : be so good as to allow me to be your Lord and Master .

      The Narrow-minded Man . —Little knows the narrow-minded man the pleasures that fill the heart of a beneficent person , on reflecting on the good he has been enabled to do to worthy objects . _Shakspeare Right Again . — " What ' s in a name 1 " asks the Swan of Avon . Yery little , we should say , recollecting how lately our ambassador at Athens has shown himself anything but Wyse . A Boston editor says : — ¦ ¦ A boat loaded with castor-oil sunk in the canal . Whether this ' will open the navigation earlier than usual next spring remains to be seen . " ; Cutting nis own Throat . —Lord John Russell says , " Wo should be idiots if we did not observe what wns going on in other parts ofEiirope . " We think it rather injudicious of his lordship to mention this , as it must naturally make us reflect what is standiag still here ; namely , the Govormen't .

      _UNPUDLKIIEb Anecdotb of _Dk . _JoiINBON _.-MJne evening , as Boswell was speaking of Mr . Hudson ' s management of the Berwiok line , he observed that the gross receipts were very great .. ¦¦ Sir , " replied Dr . Johnson , " they are nothing to the gross frauds . " Boswell was silenced for tho rest . of the evening . . . , ¦ . . j ' ' ' ¦ ; . The independence ot a good man consists in a superiority to every influence , ' but of moral persuasion , and to every _foi-ce , but of rational conviction . It proceeds from a sense of dignity , and personal rectitude : ifc is that decent pride , that characterises generous minds ; that hig h ' senso of * honour , that will not suffer them lo yield tb

      profligacy , pr to , stoop to meaness : it is a kind oi majesty ' , essential to virtue ; or more _propoi-lj speaking , it . ' is the grace of ingenuousness ' and the freedom of innocence . I . . A person was once expressing his admiration how so learned and well-written a dedication came to be , matched' to a very foolish book . " Truly , replied his friend , ! , " ' they , may beA'ory _, properly matched , for they ave no way of kin . " ¦ „' _.,..,. Tim Hale" Cure _for-w . —We see , from . the daily newspapers , that itis proposed , to remove the railings which at presnt surround St .. Paul s CatheT drnl _.-Sudtb-tbr - ow'the'space which _sui'l'OUnds , ) t open'to the public ' . Would it not be better , to throw ¦ ¦ ¦ _•' ¦ ¦ ' ' • ¦• ¦ _' ¦ ¦ ¦ : " ' - _' ¦¦ 5 V" ¦ '• " ' ¦ .... ¦ ¦ ' ' _-U JU

      A Cakd.—Admiral Parker Begs To Inform En...

      the inside-open to the- public ,, and . t ' i . u-i ( to use a venerable butapprbpiiate pun ) do away wim other " railings , " which'must'be-far more obnoxious to the Dean and Chapter ? Nobodx likes , to be nobody , but everybody is pleased to think himself somebody ; but tlie worst of the matter is , that when anybody thin ! -s himself to be somebody , he is much inclined to tlii . sk everybody else nobody . Pride Pride , in people of birth and foriune , ia not only mean , but needless . The con torn pt a l * roud man brings on himself , is a counterbalance for his greatness . Pride ever must , and ever will , provoke contempt . Anecdote of Quin '—As Quin was one morning _^ es V _^' the Lower Room ' s , in Bath , he was met by a celebrated gambler , who said to him , So , Mr . _tyuin , I Bee you are going to take your _ri-ie , to get an appetite to your dinner . " " Yes " n _(>'> "d Qufti , and you are going to get a dinner to vour

      _appe-MODEL EPITAPn . Here lies the body of Ephraim Snubb * . Who got his living by mending tui _>< Ho caught his death while it was _lv-i-iiv ' And met his fate without complainiu ' . Two nephews of the old Emperor of ' Austria-Ferdinand , were disputing upon a cemiu occasion in presence of their uncle , who was considered at not possessing an over quantity of sense , and ona of them growing angry , said to the othur , " You are the greatest fool in all Vienna . " " i ' oung gentlemen , " observed the sapient emperor , " you seem

      to have forgotten my presence . A young lady , noted for her affected manners , re * cently entered the show-room of a fashionable milliner , with whom her family were acquainted , for the purpose of making some trifiii ) _- / purchase . " How is your mother , miss ? " politely inquired the tradeswoman . " She is not very well , " replied Affectionate . ' * Ah ! what is the matter wiih Uer ?" —" She fell down stairs and hurt her _cwrteey bender . " " Her what ?"— * ' Her courtesy minder . ' Courtesy bender ! what is that ? " inquired the puzzled milliner . — " Why , her knee . "

      If Mankind Are Liable To One Disease Move Than Another,, Or If There Are Any Particular Affections Bf Tha Human Body

      If Mankind are liable to one disease move than another _,, or if there are any particular affections bf tha human body

      Ad00319

      we require to have a knowledge of over the rest , it is certainly that class of disorders treated of in tiie new and Im proved edition of the "Silent Friend . " Tlie authors , ia thus sending forth to the world another edition of _thelt medical work , cannot refrain from expressing their gratification at the continual success _attending their efforts , which , combined with the assistance of medicines , exclusively of their own prcpiinition , have been the _liiiijpv caun of mitigating and averting the mental and physical miseries attendant on those _peculiur disorders ; thus proving the faoL

      Ad00320

      AMAZING SUCCESS OF THE NEW MODE OF TREATMENT WHICH HAS NEVER FAILED . DR . ALFRED BARKER , 108 , Great Rus' sell-street , Bloomsbury-square , London , ' ( ncav the 13 ritish Museum ) , having hnd a vast amount of practice at tlie various hospitals in London and on the Continent , is enabled to treat with the utmost certainty of cure , every variety . of disease arising- from solitary and sedentary habits , indiscriminate excesses , and infectious ; such a » gonorrhoea , gleet , _siricturea , and syphilis , or venereal disease , in all its various forms and stages , whether primary or secondary , which , owing to neglect or improver treatment , invariably end in gout , _rheumatism ' skin diseases , gravel , pains in the kidneys , back , ami _juin ' s , and finally , an ago _» isiug death ! Tha lamentable neglect of this class of diseases by medical men in genera ! is too well known , and their attempts to euro by means of such dangerous _medieintts , as _vaevcuvy , copaiba eubebs , _ki-.. havo produced the most deplorable results . All sntilrtrs are earnestl y invited to apply nt once to Dr . Barker , as he guarantees _toall a speedy and _perfectj . cure , aud -the eradication of every sympton , whether primary or secondary , without the use of any of the above dangerous medicine

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 16, 1850, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_16031850/page/3/