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Northern Star (1837-1852), 9th January 1841, Edition 1 of 2, Page 5, ¦Qfywtitit < StttfUtgfttt**

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    • < C^?l5?2!!!!?_?^ ^ t ifttotfna*.
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    • MOKE BLESSINGS OF THE NEW POOH LAW.
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      Untitled Article

      - or WEST-HIDING " CHARTIST-WELCOME-TO-DAN . " COMMITTEE . fins Committee have entered upon , and are pronticg their business with spirit aad determination . ^ ey are makin g all necessary preparations for the gsrtiss Gathering in Leeds , on Thursday the 21 st . is » recent meeting they resolved : — « That the Chartist Unions in all parts of the Empire v . - > ealed to , instantly to forword their contributions ? f ^ efrsT the necessary expences of 4 Dan * s-Chartist-S-dcome ' a = d thus prove that eTen in Wnig-ridden £ eds , the days of cru : chmongery are passed . " .. Xh * t each county , or district , be respectfully -mated to send a Delegate to the Gathering , to repre-^^ theHi that the Demonstration and ' Welcome-tog . . maybeO "» tionaIoIie - "

      O&nists ! b * ^ ^ ert > Sack up the Commiti Appoint your delegates ! Snbscribe instantly , d send yonr subscriptions to the Treasurer , Mr , JosnrA Hobsos , our Publisher . Up at once ! No ; moment ' s delay . Get all in readiness ! Men TBarndej , of Sheffield , of Wakefield , of DawsjL- o f Hnddersfield , of Halifax , of Bradford , &vd of ill p laces within thirty miles of Leeds , up and -gjdv i Come in your countless thousands on tie ' 21 st to " Welcome Das , " and give him

      sack » " Welcome" as will shew him you bjow your frieDds ' . " Hoores , " too , get tou ready ! You will not be behind , we aTe sure Your traducer deserves a " hearty welcome" from you ! Factory Children . ' you will also like to look » t yonr Chancellor !—the brute who sold your blood and bones , your groans and sufferings for , £ 1 , 000 !! Come and see him . Come , one and all ; faiherp , Bothers , sons , and daughters—come and " Welcome" the fiend , who wants to sell yoa again . Again we say . Up ! and readyil

      The ' Leeds Times says "The Northern Star si » n «} y urges the necessity of a mob and a riot " og the 21 st . The immeasurable liar ! We want noil well have not , any "mob or riot ! " But * we will have the fathers and mothers of England to tell the monster to his teeth that they know him , tai that he Bhall not again make merchandise of their babes . ' Jivi no ! well flare no "RIOT , " and well take are , too , that they shall not " riot , " and then charge it upon n 3 We will keep the peace ourselves , and we will also take care that they keep the peace So , bo , Mr . Jackall ; we'll have no " RIOT" ! f !

      Aeain we charge yon—Hoores , " get ready!—Falters , get ready!—Sons , gei ready!—Daughters , get ready ! March to Leeds , and let the iDdignant scorn of suffering worth and innocence annihilate the hopes of faction . Once more , and again , be Reidt ! ! { = g >^ Since our first edition went to press , we have received a letter and placard from Glasgow , from which we find the " good men and true" are in the field , at their post . A meeting was called for Friday ( yesterday ) evening , to appoint a delegate to represent the Glasgow Chartists at the national

      gathering at Leeds , on the 21 st . Well doneI Not a single Chartist leader or victim out of prison should be absent on that occasion ! Let the people of their several districts 5 e # to their appointment , so that they appear both in their own name and in the nams of the Chartists- of the several districts ! Let them arrive in Leeds on the 20 th , so that arrangements may be fnlly made for the 21 st . Let each appointment be duly notified to the Leeds

      Committee as soon as made , that they made duly announce them . Let this be done instantly —and let us have snch a Gathebisg as England never saw—the whole people , in person and by deputy , assembled under the broad canopy of heaven , to return thanks to God for the manifold " blessings" of Whiggery—and to declare , in terms not to be misunderstood , that the power of faction to betray and deceive has passed away . Let ns show that " THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE ARE OPEN if ?

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      Untitled Article

      IiK&uS , —The Science op Govervmknt . —On Monday evening , Mr . J . A . Roebnck , the Barrister , who has been attending the Leeds Sessions delivered , before the Leeds Reform Association , a lecture u On the Science of Government / 3 in what is di ^ nfied in the placards with the title of " the Festival Hall , " a portion of the Messrs . Marshall ' s mill at Holbeck , which has been Bet apart and fitted npfor the Whig-Radical muster that is to take place there on the 2 ; st inst . The members were strictly enjoined to produce their tickets , and none were admitted without , except on the introduction of a member . Though the Whigs on all occasions court the assistance of the extreme Radicals , yclept the Chartists , they take great pains to exclude them from all their private conclaves and meetings . —Leeds Wednesday Journal .

      Election of Impeot £ mk 5 t Coxhissio . yebs . —Tee factions of this corrupt place had a regular field-day on Thursday . The whippers-in and hangers-on of both Whig and Tory were hard at work ; a goodlyportion of Foxes and Geese also shared" in' the honours of the day . The waJls were posted with bills , calling on the people not to vote for the Whiy candidates , and described them as public robbers . Men were posted at the church gates , who distributed lists of the candidates , and all possible pains taken by both parties in order to secure victory . At twelve o ' clock , the small room , intended as a ' vestry , was crammed when the Mayor and Edward Baines , junr ., entered , the former of whom was called to the chair . He stated that they all knew the

      purpose for which the meeting was called - , therefore he need say nothing farther , but call on the Clerk to read the bill calling the meeting . The Clerk then read the notice , afVer which Mr-. Baines moved an adjournment to the Free Market ; and also , that in case a poll should be necessary that the same should take place at the Music Hall . This was agreed U >; and , the meeting having again assembled in the Free Market , the Mayor ordered the requisition to be again read ; after which Mr . Edward Baines , Jan ., addressed the meeting at great length , in the coarse of which he found fault with the Tones for holding office contrary to publie opinion , which they were enabled to do through the loose construction of an- Act of

      Parliament ; he concluded by proposing a long resolution which censored tue opposite party for their evil doings . Dr . Smiles seconded the resolution . Mr George White then addressed the meeting ; he said that it mattered little to him which faction succeeded oh this occasion ; ne merely wished to state that the present election was a complete farce , for the parties . chosen would be either Whig 3 or Tories , and sure to £ be rogues in either case . The present property qualification debarred the working classes from , returning fit men to manage the town business . r He agreed with Mr . Bainea that the Tories were rogues , bat the Whigs , whom Mr . Barnes represented , > were no better . The Mayor here interfered , telling - the speaker to come to a conclusion . 31 r . White s went on to say that he would not be interrupted by s the Mayor or any other person ; he had as good a - right to speak as Baines , and he would do so . He

      went on a little farther in the same strain , and was % interrupted by Jossy Bower , " when he replied , " Be iquiet a bit Jossjlj" he then proposed the following ' : resolution : — " It is the opinion of this meeting , that there is no hope of good government for the people , ¦ " either local or general , until property qualifications . are abolished . " This was seconded by Mr . Joseph . Jones , who stood in the body of the meeting . ¦ The Mayor then proceeded to read the resolution ' and amendment , both of which were pat to the lneeting ; he , of course , declaring the original moiion to be carried . After that commenced a scene that beggars description , and resembled abull-baii , lather than a respectable meeting . A list of names Was proposed by Mr . Baines on behalf of the Whigs * nd Bhams . Another was proposed by Mr . Moat , on -behalf of the Tories . The following are the names as proposed by both parties : —

      . Tories . — Mr . Peter Law Atkinson , Hanoverjriaee , friaerj Mr . Robert Bean , Upperhead-row , chemist ; Mr . William Cooper , Prospect-terrace , gentleman ; Mr . George Crabtree , Bnggate , hosier ; Mr . Jphn Daniel , Coburjj-street , builder ; Mr . Tnomas Dawkins , Briggate , cheesemonger ; Mr . John Garfed , Crown-street , builder ; Mr . John Howard , Fark-place , carpet-manufacturer ; Mr . Matthew Kitchen , Free Market , innkeeper ; Mr . John Met-« alfe , York-street , maltster ; Mr . George Millns , Bridge-end , "South , batcher ; Mr . Joseph Mitchell ,

      Meadow-lane , merchant ; Mr . Thomas JJewsam , Bark-row , land-surveyor ; Mr . Robert Perrmg Commercial -street , printer ; Mr . Robert Scartb Grove-terrace , dyer ; Mr . Joseph Sugden , Pontefact-lane , gentleman ; Mr . Samuel Taibotton , Briggte , druggist ; Mr . Charles Turkin ^ ton , Back onswick-street , gent . ; Mr . Thomas Weddill , York-street , paper-stainer . ^ iberais . —Mr . Israel Burrows , Mr . Horatio Wood , Mr . William Sellers , 3 Ir . Robert Bewley jmu , Mr . Edward King , Air . John Wales Smith Mr . William Hornby , Mr . Arthur Lupton , Mr . * o * spK Woodhead , Mr . William Brook , Mr . Charles |

      Untitled Article

      Ciftnmins , Mr . Robert Cadman , Mr . John Greaves , Mr . John Broadhead , Air . John Heaps , Mr . William Binns , Mr . Joseph Wilkinson , Mr . Joseph Raper , Mr . John Whitenead . The Mayor proceeded to put the names , as proposed , to the meeting . In some cases a division was called for ; the fugle men of each party waving blue and yellow papers to the crowd to urge them to their side . A parcel of blackguards , in the body of the meeting , pulling every one they could lay hold of to their side ; the Mayor generally deciding with the liberals . At the conclusion , Mr . Moat demanded a poll for the Tory candidates ; the election to take place at the Music Hall . This is a specimen of the doings of men who say the people are too ignorant to be entrnsted with the franchise .

      Stkalik g W easing Appaeel . —On Tuesday last , Joseph Deniss was brought up , charged with having stolen a bundle of clothes , the property of Samuel Fenton , of Skipton , a farmer ' s servant , out of employment . It appeared that they had been together at a lodging-house , in Marsh-lane , where the prosecutor had left a bundle ; the prisoner , during his temporary absence , took French leave , and absconded with the property . He was apprehended with the property in his possession , and committed for trial . Leeds Cloth Markets . —In the Coloured and White Cloth Halls , during the week , there has been a visible improvement in the quantity of business done , but no improvement in prices .

      Robbery . —On Friday , James Newel was brought up at ihe Conrt House , charged with stealing in the Yicar ' s-croft on the previous evening , a pocket handkerchief , the property of Mr . CroysdaJe , landlord of the Red Lion Inn , Hunslet . He wa 3 com- mitted to t 3 ke his trial at Wakefield . BRADFORD . —We understand the admirers of . Paine met on Saturday evening last , in the Chartist Association-room , ; at Mr . Goldsboroagh ' s , Goodmansend , and have . agreed to have a dinner on the 29 th of January , in commemoration of that noble of nature , Thomas Paine . The tickets are eighteen - pence each , and may be had at Mr . GoldsborougVs , Goodmansend ; or , at Mr . Burnett ' s , Reform-street .

      HTJDDESSnEU )—On Sunday last , theinterment of the three persons , a man , his wife , and child , who were killed by the falling of the gable end of the "brick factory , " which was burnt to a shell on the evening of Christmas Day , took place at Thornhill , amid a large concourse of people , who evinced their sorrow and regret on the melancholy occasion . A subscription has been set on foot for the four remaining children , who were in the house with their parents when they were bo suddenly .-Ditched from them : it is satisfactory to hear chat it is progressing very well . A requisition , nunumeronsly signed by the most respectable inhabitants , being presented to the constable , Mr . Samuel Makin , requesting him to conv « pe a meeting for ihe purpose of establishing a fire brigade , it was held on Friday , in the Guild Hall , at eleven o ' clock . It was not very numerously attended , but they all agreed it waa necessary to have a more efficient force .

      . LlXTHWAITE , . f £ iS HUDDERSFIELD , DECEMBES THE 31 ST , 1840 . —TO THE EDITOK . —SIR , — Perhaps you will permit me to occupy a small space in your valuable and extensively circulated journal , for the purpose of giving to your readers and the country a specimen of mercikss and murderous treatment of the poor in our to'wnship under the so called guardians of the poor , the relieving officers under the blessed New Poor Law . Mary Garside , a very old woman in this township , has laboured under affliction so great as to leave her unable to do anything -waaterer for herself , and in this state she has been relieved with one shilling per week ! What enormous relief ! Lately the reliever , no doubt from alarm for the consequences , relieved her with half-a-crown . She told him at the time it was too late , and very soon after she died . Mr . We Ired&le found that all had not been

      done in mercy , and noticed to the constable that he considered it necessary that an inquest should be held upon the case The Jury , of course , gave a verdict of justification to the town . To show the feeling and spirit of the said Jury , I may mention that they , immediately after passing the said verdict , commenced fa feast with such voracity that one of them was within a hair ' sbreadth of being choked . What disparity ! The unfortunate deceased evidently died of absolute starvation ; and one of the justifying Jury -was placed on the brick of eternity by the cramming to excess with that which ought to have saved her from starvation ! Do those ravenous wolves feel so delighted , "with the death of a poor fellow-creature , as to fergdt , in tbeir joy , that it is possible that someday they may come to the same fate . Toons , respectfully , Thomas Qvarmbt .

      Co-OPEaATTTB TRADING FbIENDLT SOCIETY . —The members of the above Society held their anneal festival on the last day of the year , in the Hall of Sripnna , w * pji nearly . WOmetplierK- with their families , sat down to tea . A full band of vocal and ins rumental performers were in attendance . Mr . George Barker was called to the chair , who opened the business of the meeting by observing that this had been a year of greater fufferiDg to the productive clashes than any England ' s people had ever j a&red- a year in which the best friends of the suffering millions had been incarcerated and transported for advocating the cause of humanity and the poor ; but the glad tidings had gone forth that labour was the source of all wealth , and ihe productive classes would not be satisfied until they had the

      full fruits of their iidustry . He said , they veil us that our system is impracticable ; but when we commenced we had but one store , now we have three , and have been manufacturing woollen cloth for six years , and can now supply onr brethren with as good an article for the same pr ice as any manufacturer in the kingdom . Song— "That labour produces all wealthis allowed , " &c . Mr . Walker gave the first sentiment , "May the Huddeisfield Co-operative Trading Friendly Society continue to flourish , and answer the end intended—the emancipation of all its members . " After which , in a clear and distinct manner , he shewed the rise and progress of the Society ; and although it had not done all ita friends could have wished , yet it had done a great deal ,

      fur it had shewn to the world that cooperation was practicable . Mr . Walker concluded a most powerful speech , which elicited much applause . Mr . Jame 3 Matthewman made a most energetic address showing , that to make co-operation what it should be , every society in the United Kingdom ought to co-oRerate with the whole , and until that was done , co-operation could never make that stand in the world which , as & party , they ought to make . Mr . M . showed that the reptal of the Corn Laws , or any bad laws , could make little difference to the working class so long as they work for others instead of themselves ; so long as we are without capital , so long shall we be the slaves of capitalists ; and as we cannot get capital singly , we must co-operate to get it . He continned to show the beauties of co-operation , and that nothing but co-operation could emancipate the labouring classes . Song— " Co-operators , comerejoice" &c .

      , , Mrs . Smith addressed the meeting in a manner highly becoming , calling upon the females to come forward and co-operate with their husbands , for nothing else could save them ; after which she introduced the cause of Mr . Oa ^ tler in a most feeling manner and moved that a collection be made in his behalf , which was done while the band played an overture . The collection for the " Old King " amounted to £ 1 12 s . 6 d . Song— "Freedom ! freedom ! freedom ! is the word , " &c . Mr . George Avison gave the next sentiment , " May success attend the exertions of all co-operative societies ; " and in a powerful manner showed , that so long as the people did not tike their own afiairs into their own hands , so locg would they be wretched and in want , and concluded a most energetic and powerful speech which drew raptrous applause . S » ng— " In ermin'd robes and costly slate , " &c . Mr . Joseph Bray Kave the following sentiment : "

      Cooperation can emancipate the labouring classes physically , morally , religiously , and politically' ^; aft-er which , in his forcible manner , he proved that , had all the producers of weahh acted as this society had done , the Charter would have been the law of the land before this . Song— " Each for all , " &c . Next sentiment— " The productive classes the source of all wealth , and may they unite to obtain that tvealth which they create . " It had now got into the New Year , and after the company had sung the Christmas Hymn , and expressed their wish that right might overcome oppression and tyranny , and that this year the cause of liberty might flourish the company separated , highly delighted with the evening s entertainments .

      OIBHAM .-Ob Saturday 3 ast , the members of the Oldham Relieving Society held a public tea party io the Independent Methodist Upper Schoolroom , George-street , when about 120 persons sat down to an excellent tea . The room was decorated with evergreens , portraits , &c . After tea a public meeting was held , Mr . John Dearden m the cbair . The meeting was appropriately addressed by Messrs . Abraham Walker , of Asbton ; William Harris ? , John Lees , of Oldham ; Jos « pb Ainitt , of Manchester ; and Jobn Kay , of Hol'inwood . The members of the above Relieving Sosiety express their thanks to their frieDds and the public for the support hitherto afforded in this great and noble cauee ; apd we trust the inhabitants of the borough of Oldbam will not be backward in this goed cause . The society has , during the last four months , visited tb ' . rty-six families , some of whom have been deplorable cises .

      , , ' , , THORNSET . —A public tea-party was held in i ; the school-room , Thornset , on Saturday evening : ! last , Jan . 2 nd , for the purpose of furnishing the ; [ school with a double bass violincello , stove , and ¦ j othar necessaries . About two hundred and forty ' persons sat down to tea . The room was beautifully . j decorated with evergreens , &c . After doing jubtice I to the gunpowder tea and plumb cake , the conip&DV I 1 was enlivened with several duets , choruses , over-, tures , & . c , from the very excellent band and choral society of the neighbourhood , conducted by Mr . J . > Wyatt .

      Untitled Article

      BINGZiE 7 a—Scddbn Death , and Coroner ' s Inquest . —On Wednesday morning last , the 30 th nit ., as a youpg woman named Newell , of this place , was arising from her bed to go to her work , her child which was laid beside her , was seized with a fit , and immediately expired . All preparations were made for the interment of the child on the Friday , but , to the great surprise of the family , the chief constable made his appearance , and stated that he could not allow the child to be buried till the Coroner had held an inquest on the body . The reason for the interference was occasioned by a slanderous wretch—a female that lived near the young woman—who had been stating that the child had been either suffocated or poisoned by some one of its family . The Coroner was sent for ; and a jury being summoned , they examined the child , and all agreed that the child had come to its death by the fit ; and a verdict was returned accordingly .

      BAS . NSLXTS ' . — New Year's Dat . —The English and Irish Teetotallers of the town walked in procession , and shewed by their demeanour that they , at least , were reaping tbe fruits of temperance . The English carried a large flag of damask , native manufacture , with various devices of temperance woven thereon ; and the Irish , headed by their revered pastor , the Rev . Mr . Cooke , carried a large nag , with Father Mathew on one side , administering the pledge to a grcap of postulants ; and on the other , the armorial bearings of the Bishop of Cork , iu honour of Father Mathew , and the harp of Erinbetween these was the shield of Father Mathew , surmounted with a cross encircled with rays of glory , with the motto , " In hoc signo vinces "—over head there was a crown of temperance , supported by two cherubs . There were various other banners aud streamers , with crosses Hpon them . In the

      evening , a large tea-party took place between both parties , in the National School , and hundreds had to go away that could not gain admission ; there could not be less than 800 individuals in the room . Mr . Flanagan , secretary to the Catholic Abstinence Society , read an address from his Irish brethren . y > his English friends , which was received with the most enthusiastic joy ; and a general call nudeiior the Rev . Mr . Cooke , their pastor , who cheerfully responded , and delivered an address , breathing a spirit of pure Chrisuaniiy . Several other speakers followed , and complimented the Rev . Gentleman on tho example he gave his flock , and animadverted with severity on clergymen in general , for being so lukewarm in the cauee of temperauce . The Rev . Mr . Kaye , of Bradford , aLo delivered a lecture on Monday night , in the National School Room , and was received with applause .

      Catholic Guild . —This useful and charitable institution bids fair to rival with auy yet established ' in the country , under the fostering car « of the Rev . Mr . Cooke ; there are now 100 members belonging to it . Shocking Death . —On Monday , a boy , son of James Wogans , weaver , Copper-street , was found sjspended by some lays of yarn in the bedchamber , quite dead . HINDXiEV , near Wigan . —At a vestry meeting , in Easter week , 1839 , the Church party attempted t » lay a rate for the chapel , but on a show of hands being taken they were defeated and demanded a poll , and through intimidation and other stratagems got a majority of votes , but never attempted to collect the

      rate . In 1840 , in Easter week , they mat again to lay another rate , and also to pass the churchwardens' aocounte , but therowere so many objectionable items , that our very lib .-raJ friends , theWhig party , refused to pass the accounts , , and the sense of the meeting being taken refused to pass the rate also . The Church party demanded a poll again , and a coalition of Whigs and Chartists took place conditionally , by which means the Church party lost the rate by an overwhelming majority . And now , Mr . Editor , using Mr . O'Connor ' 8 phrase , they have paid us back 25 s . in the pound ; for , you must know , there is an annual dower given to the poor of the said township on New Year ' s Day , which formerly consisted of linen cloth , as much as would make a

      man's shirt or woman ' s shift to tach family ; but , this year , it has been in calico cloth , and our Rev . Church Parson presided on the occasion at the table , attended by au attorney ' s clerk with the poll book , so that those . who came for a share of the dole we re interrogated as follows : " Did you vote for the rate or against it V " Yes , for the rate . " Then there wa 3 four yards of calico for them . Did you vote for the rate or against V " I voted against the rate . " Tho name being found in the polling book accordingly , the reply was , " Then there is no shirt for you , you may j . 0 home and go to your employer for a shirt . " " But perhaps you will vote for the next rate V " Yes . " " Well , then , here ' s four yards of calico for you . " . " . '

      DOTfSXIE * Dreadful Conflagration . Three Churches Burnt . —Sunday Morning , Jan . 3 . —This morping , about five o'clock , a fire was discovered in a portion of the venerable pile of buildings which have for many centuries been the pride and ornament of our town . The alarm waa immediately given to the police , the fire-engine and the fire-brigade ha . stoned to the spot , the alarm bell pealed forth to arouse theinhabitants , and thousands were disturbed from tbeir rest to witness the entire destruction of three of the churches , aud one of the most sublime spectacles that ever took place in Scotland . The fire originated from a stove in a pauFage betwixt the S . eeple and South Churches ; and when w « arrived at the scene of destruction the names

      , were bursting out of oue of the wimiowa , situate in au angle of the latter building . Nothing could equal the frightful vehemence of the devouring element ; it ran with the speed ol lightning along the galleries ot the church , the pulpit was a mass of fire , and in a few moments was entirely consumed ; an intense white fiime burst through the roof , while from the back part of the church an overwhelming volume of massive fire moved towards the front , aud gathering force as it proceeded , burst with irresistible fury out of the beautiful window facing the street , driving the assembled populace backward by the intensity of the heat . At the same moment the venerable cathedral , which has for 700 years weathered the storm , caught fire , and the sympathies of the

      spectators were much excited at the approach ^ destruction of the noblest remnant of antiquity of which our tow » can boast . Meanwhile tho Cross Church , forming a limb of the cross in which the churches are built , and situate immediately behind the South Church , which was first on fire , was one mass of flame . About half-past six , the couiLtgra tion was at its height . The three churches , from tie base to the highest pinnaoie , were wrapped in tbu devouring element . The sublimity of the spectacle may be imagined , not described ; its astound . ug jjraudeur paralysed every effort of the fire-brigado , the military , and the police . All seemed to feel at once the hopelessness of any attempt to check its fury , and to ponder upon the feebleness of man ' s

      efforts in comparison to the awful ravages of the flames . While all this was going on below , the ancient tower , which rises to the height of 150 feet , and is attached to the Steeple Church , the only one not in flames , lose , phoenix-like , above the terrific contention , aud the peal of thealarm bells from its interior added to the grandeur of the spectacle . The utmost efforts were made by the firemen to prevent the fire spreading to the Steeple Church , and happily this was effected by directing the hose to the ooor communicating with the lobby between it and the part of the edifice in flames . Thus both tho steeple and church were preserved . The utmost alarm prevailed for the safety of the old buildings to the east and south east—the sparks flying in these , directions in showers resembling the thickoat hail many of them of coutiderable size—but we are

      happj to say tho destruction was confined to the churches . The buildings are almost entirely ruined . Ihe East Church , or Cathedral , is a complete wreck ; ihe fine Gothic archer , with their supports , are destroyed , and the only articles rescued were the silver communion service , and the records of the Presbytery of Dundee ; a valuable library composed of many works of the fathers of the church in Greek and Latin is entirely lost . The fire spent its fury before niue o ' clock in the morning , and all fears for the safety of other buildings had subsided . The damage done to the churches is estimated at betwixt £ 30 , 000 and £ 40 , 000 , and the event baa occasioned great and universal regret in the mindi of our townsmen , the great mass of whom are warmly attached to the church of their fathers , and to the venerable edifices themselves . No lives have beea lost , nor have we heard of any casualty . rlt

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      ¦ WILTSHIRE . —Mr . Philp will hold meetings on Monday evening , at Westbury ; on Tuesday , at Monkton Deverel ; on Wednesday , at Mere ; on Thursday , at Warminster ; ou Friday , at North Bradley ; and on Saturday , at Bradford . SOUTH LANCASHIRE . —Mr . Bairstow will lecture in the following route through South Lancashire : —On Wednesday , January 13 th , at Bolton ; on Thursday , 14 th , at Preston ; on Friday , 15 th , at Wigan ; on Sunday and Monday , 17 th and 18 ih , at Liverpool ; on Tuesday , 19 th , at Warrington ; ou Wednesday . 2 _ 0 th , at Ashton : on Thursdav . 21 st . at

      Oldham ; on Friday , 22 nd , at Rochdale ; on Sunday , 24 th , at Newton Heath in the afternoon , and Failsworth in the evening ; on Monday , 26 tb , at Salford ; on Tuesday , 26-. h , at Middleton ; on Wednesday , 27 th , at Droylsden ; on Thursoay , 28 th , at Mottram ; on Friday , 29 th , at Stalybridge ; on Sunday , 30 th , at Ratcliffe Bridge ; oh Monday , February 1 st , at , Unsworth ; on Tuesday , 2 nd , at WoodhoiH > e , near Ashton ; on Wednesday , 3 rd , at Stockport ; on Thursday , 4 th , at Heywood ; and on Sunday , 7 th , at Mancheser , in Tib-stroet in the afternoon , and Brown-street in tho evening .

      WEST-RIDING . -Mr . Leech will visit the following places in the ensuing week : —On Monday , at Birstal ; on Tuesday , at Heckmondwike ; ou Wednesday , at Wakefield ; on Thursday , at the British Queen , Quarry Hill , Leeds ; on Friday , at Hunslet ; and on Saturday , at Morley .

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      KIDDERMINSTER . —Frost , Williams , and Jones . —On New Year ' s Day , a public meeting took place at the Freemasons' Arms Inn , for the return of Frost , Williams , and Jones , the meeting was very well attended ; when the following resolutions were proposed : —1 st . "That tbi 8 meeting do individually and collectively demand the restoration of Messrs . Frost , Williams , an d Jones ; also that this meeting do hereby give their hearty co-operation to the General Committee of Birmingham for that desirable object ; aud that a memorial be presented to her Majesty for the restoration of Frost , Williams , and Joues to theircountry and families " . 2 nd . " That

      threfrof the old Convention be appointed by the Birmingham Committee to present our address to the Queeiiiya 8 representatives of our feelings , our wants , our grievances , and our cause ; and that our London brethren be requested to attend our deputation to the Palace , and there to congratulate the Queen on this the commencement of a union of mutual love , respect , and loyalty , between the Monarch and her industrious subjects" . 3 rd . "That a petition likewise be prepared to be presented to the Commons ' House of Parliament , when assembled , for the restoration of Frost , Williams , and Jones" . The above resolutions were carried unanimously , and the meeting broke up with the determination to do all in their power for so noble an undertaking .

      TAVIBTOCa . —On New Year ' s Eve a splendid tea party took place at the Corn-Market Hall , kindly granted for the occasion by the Duke of Bedford ' s steward . About 35 Oj * at down to an excellent tea ; and at seven o'clock , the tea equipage being cleared away , Dr . Sleemantook the chair amul much applause . At this time the Hall presented an animated scene ; banners , evergreens , portraits , and flags ad itrfimiutn ; a sea of cheerful faces , belonging , not to working men alone , but many of them beaming with female ysiitli and beauty . After the Chairman nad opened the business of the meeting , Mr . JE . P . Mead , of Birmingham , proposed a song to stir up tbeir spirits , and the following song was sung with great zest : —

      Awa , Whigs , awa ! awa , Whigs , a \» a ! Ye tang fae'd canting hypocrites , you ' ve cae thing else but jaw . The Tories all are knaves , right weel the people know ; But they never built us living graves , as wigmirandies do ; Then awa , Whigs , awa ! awa , Whigs , awa ! Ye lang-fac'd canting hypocrites . 'ye are nae worth a ^ straw . There ' s Little Johnnie Raw , most like a young Jackdaw , For . when we ask him for Reform , he oniy answers " Law . " Then awa , Whigs , awa I awa , Whigs , awa ! Ye lang-fae'd canting hypocrites , the De'il may tak ' ye a' !

      The letcher , Charlie Lamb , bedchamber dames , and a " , Aud Spoony Rice ; a singled n , ye are nae worth , awa 1 Then awa , Whigs , awa . ' awa , Whigs , awa ! For not a single d a your worth ; awa , Whigs , awa ! Pass'd by the Chartists braw , full soon a righteous law , Shall rid us of the factious knaves , Tories Whigs , and a ' , Tlienawa , Whigs , awa ! awa , Whigs , awa I Ye lang-f . c'd canting hypocrites , you are nae worth a straw . And boil ye up in brimatone soup , Tories Whigs , and a '; The De'ii may tak ye a ' , he is your croney braw , Then awa , Whigs , awa ! awa , Whigs , awaJ Go join your Tory brethreu in cloven clooties , ha ! Mr . AftKOLD then moved the first resolution , with many excellent remarks amid much applause :

      " Tnat ' tbis meeting deeply symputuiBe with our exiled brethren , Frost ,, Williams , and Jones , and the three Birmingham martyrs , their companions in captivity ; and , that we , in common with ourbroiixer Chartists throughout the nation , are resolved never to relax in our exertions , until they are restored to their sorrow-stricken families and desolated hearths , and all the dungeons of Whig tyranny emptied of our suffering , brave , and \ ttuous leaders . " Mr . MeaD , of Birmingham , who has been lecturing In various parts of Devon , seconded this resolution in an able and taiented speech , which ws received with much approbation . Two vocal friends then sang a duett , " Liberty " with much taste ; after which , j Mr-jGlN , « j £ JPlyui < mth ,, moved , and Mr . Handcqqk of . TavtBtock ' , seconded tta second resolution : —

      «« That tuia m : iting as ot opinion that nothing short of the People ' s Chattel ' catt ever procure equal laws and equal justice . " Mr . Smith , agent to the Northirn Star , from PI jmouth , moved , au 4 'Mr . PBSjtiB , ofPlyjnouth , seconded the third resolution - . — ' . * . ' " Tfe » S a . petition be . preMittedto the Queen , praying for the recal of Frost , Wiiliauis , and Jones , and » geneial amnesty for all political prisoners . " Mr . Smith went into the case of Frost , Williams , anl Junes at some length , aud with unnheloquence and foeling ; and Mr . Petiue delivered afehort but pithy speech upon Cliartist principle * .

      The , -Cuaiuhak having l « ft the chair , and a vote of tbankt having bgen uproariously carried with cheers , be roieand addressed the meeting at some length , stating his firm conviction of the principles of the Charter being righteous , and that he woufel go even further , by admitting reformed criminals to the franchise after a limited period . Mr . Mead then poposed three cheers for the Charter , and three groans for Whiggery . Several other songs and duetts were sung , aud a collection made for the Victim Fund , the amount of wLi « h was considerable , of which notice will be given . About eleven o'clock the meeting broke up . Tavietocl ; is an out-and-out Chartist town—they have it nil their own way . Savtral of the friends from Tavistuck returned with the Plymouth , friends to reuder their assistance at the tea and soiree on New Year ' s Day . Thauk God , we are going a-head here , down away wtst , as Sam Slick says .

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      THE ETON UNION . —IMPORTANT DECISION . On Saturday a petty sessions was held in the Justice Kooiu , at the Christopher Inu , Eton , before Mr . J . B Sharpe , chairman , the Rev . T . Carter , and Messrs . Clowes and P ^ nn , for the putposo of disposing of a complaint against Juseph Howe , the master of the Eton Union Workhouse , made by Elizabeth Wise , one of the paupers under his charge , and brought before the Bunch tlirougli thel instrumentality of the Hon . and Rev . Godolphin Osbome , an ex qfficio Guardian , in a casual visit to tbu workhouse . Amongst the gentlemen present were S . jr T . Frelnantle , M . P ., Mr . R . Rice Clayton , Mr . R . Ward , the Rev . A . Gore , Dr . Brummett , of the Life Guards , Mr . Bachelor , &c . Mx . Orsborne did nut attend in his magisterial capacity .

      Mr . J . J . Williams , barrister , ( assisted by Mr . Voules , solicitor , ) attended on the part of Mr . Osbome , who had caused tho master to be summoned before the Bench . *• ' ¦¦ The Workhouse Master was defended by Mr . Parker , the Assistant Poor Law Commissioner , who played the counsel for him in gallant style , professing himself exceedingly anxious that the case should be investigated , but taking care to lay holA of every possible opportunity of throwing difficulty in the way of the investigation .

      Elizibeth Wise was sworf , and gave the following statement iu a clear and teriiperate m . inner . Her demeanour was not at all that of a fractions or ill-behaved person . She said—I have' a child in the workhouse j she wiU be three yea& old iu April next . About five weeks ago the maBter Wid me tltfe child had chilblains and was otherwise ill , having been neglected . He gave ine leave to sleep in the nursery with her until she should get better . I was ( o remain with her in the day time , and Mrs . Howe said she would send me upsom « needlework . A few days ago I was told not to sleep with her ; but I asked if I might attend to her chilblains , and was told " Yes" by the defendant . Under the idea that such permission was still in force , I went np to the nursery on Sunday morning lost , and was in

      the act of unfastening the bandages on the child ' s feet , when the defendant came up and said " What are you doing here ? " I told him I came up to do the child ' s feet . He said , «• You'll walk down . " I replied , "Yes , Sir . " " Do , then , " said he . I asked him to allow me just to l « ok at the child first , and I would go down . Hesaid , " Walk ! " and immediately took hold of me . as I w& 3 kneeling on one knee , and dragged me out of the room with great violence . He got me out on the staircase , which has stone steps and iron railings . I caught hold of the railings , but he forced me down before him to the bottom of the first flight of steps , having hold of one or both arms , I cannot say which . I then made another struggle to get away from him , but he pushed me down the second flight . I do not say that I fell . He never loosed bis hold of me till he got me to the scullery , where he

      kept me , while a place used as a lumber-room was cleared out by his orders . He then put me in that place . It is called the " Blackhole . " The words " Refractory Ward" are written on the door . I was kept by him in the scullery about five minutes before he put me in the " Blackhole , " where he locked me up . There was nothing in it but a wooden bedstead ; no blankets , sheets , or bedding , of any descrip . tion . There was no chamber convenience in it Just over the bedstead is a littlo window without glass ; but it has a shutter inside , winch does not shut close , so that the cold air could not be kept out . It overlooks the womens' yard . There are iron bars in the aperture . There was no fireplace in the room . I was let oat by the defendant between eight and nine o ' clock on Monday morning , bavins been kept there twenty-four honra . i told a woman named Finch that I wanted a atensiL Bhotaid ahehad asked for one for me twice ,

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      but was refused . I did not ask for any extra clothing , because I did not expect that I was to be kept in such a place all night I had no shawl or bonnet ; but was just as I bad left my bed-room on Sunday morning , and was kept in that state | for twenty-four hours . When I came out I was so cold that I had no feeling in any part of my body . I had " no animation . " I went up to the breakfast-room . It was after breakfast ; but I had a basin of cold grueL There was no fire in the breakfast-room , and a woman told me to sit down by the pipes which warm the house . When the defendant let me out he said ' Come out ; " and afterwards added , " You'll c » me and clean this place . " I had not been in the breakfast-room more than half-an-hour , when the

      defendant came to me and said , " Go and clean that place . " I told him I was not able then , I was so cold ; but as soon as I was warm I would do so . I spoke to him civilly . Delicacy alone would have made me do what he ordered as soon as I could . He then took me round the waist , carried me back , and locked me in the place again , where I was kept this second time from about nine in the morning until five in the evening . He gave me no materials for cleaning the place . It was in the same state as I left it I had no more clothes on than before . Mrs . Howe let me oat in the evening . I had been very much bruised by being dragged down the staircase ou Sunday , both in my arms and legs . One of my fingers was hurt against the railings , aud bled profusely .

      The witness was severely cross-examined by the defendant and the Assistant Commissioner , but they failed to elicit anything contradictory of her testimony . Mr . Williams then said he would take the information given by the pauper as the basis of the case before the Court The Hon . and Uev . Gentleman whom he represented on this occasion had not brought forward this charge against the master of the Eton Workhouse from any hostile feeling against any of the Poor Law authorities whatever , but simply in the discharge of what he conceived to be his duty as a man , as a British subject , and , above all , as a Christian minister , and a Guardian of the Poor . But , legally speaking , in so doing ; , ho had taken no improper or extraordinary step . Nominally , this was a complaint

      by the Crown , through the instrumentality of a subject , and it was a course w"hich was taken every day by policemen and others . Not only was it the object of the present proceedings to punish any one who should be proved deserving of punishment , but to try a very important point—a question of the highest consequence to the subjects of this free country , namely , whether , whatever happens to be done within the walls of a Poor Law Union Workhouse , because done there , is to be held sacred and secret to all except the Guardians , and to be unapproachable by the legally constituted authorities of the realm for the purpose of doing justice between the injured and the offender ? The question was , were the wretched inmates of a Workhouse—and he begged to say , he used not the term

      " wretched" in contempt , but in a very different sense , and ne one could tell whether he might not ultimately be reduced to a similar condition—were the poor to be outlawed in their own country ? Were they to be considered as put beyond the pale of the laws the moment they were lodged in a Workhouse ? If so , any atrocity might be committed , and go unpunished . It had been said , why not appeal to the Guardians , and , if they do not act justly , then come to the magistrates , and they will uphold the laws . But the Guardians had adjudicated upon this very cas « , and the Court would have the pleasure—If pleasure it could be—of hearing their decision upon it , a decision which alone was sufficient to drive his client and the unfortunate pauper to appeal to the Bench and the Laws of the realm for

      pure and perfect justice . The points for the consideration of the Court were these—either the defendant had acted illegally altogether , or he had exceeded his duty , or he was entirely innocent of the charge . If he had acted illegally , that must drag in the whole case , as in a case of trespass , assault , and false imprisonment , in which the Jury would not take the illegal caption of the plaintiff alone , but would give damages upon the entire case . The defendant , then , would be guilty , ab initio , if he were not justified in locking up the woman at all . But if justified , the next question would be , did he act according te the law under which he was so justified ? If the woman had permission to enter the nursery , and that permission had not been countermanded at the time the defendant

      acted in the way described , then he had no authority for locking her up . The 93 rd section of the Poor Law Amendment Act fully supported this view of the question . But there was a printed rule hung up in the workhouse , ordering that the mothers of children under seven years of age should be allowed to see them at reasonable time ' s . It was not denied that the child was under three ysars of age , and it could scarcely be contended that between eight and nine o ' clock in the morning was an unreasonable time to see a sick child , requiring the attentions of the mother , Juid more particularly fit the beginning of the day . *^ k next question was , whether the complainant wasVisorderly or refractory ? Now , according to the regumions propagated ty the Poor Law Commissioners , ^ ny persons

      neglecting the rules and regulations in force shall be deemed disorderly , and placed in an apartment provided for such offenders , er shall otherwise be dntingnlsbed in dresH , or placed on such diet as the Bonjra of Guardians shall prescribe . " So much for disorderly persons . ' But ' farther , " any person repeating Uie offefree within seven days , or by word or deed insulting the master , shall be deemed refractory , and punished by such confinement and alteration of diet as the Board of Guardians shall direct . " Therefore , if the complainant had been guilty of the conduct here defined , of which there was no proof , she would have been liable to confinement in the " apartment provide *' , " ami to change of diet , but at the direction of the Board of Guardians . But the defendant

      had imposed both these punishments without any authority from the Board , and was , therefore , gnilty of an assault in excess of duty . If the defendant said she was refractory , the answer was that she must commit Vwo such offences -within seven days to be deemed refractory , ami there was no proof of that . But then , if the defendant 3 nid that bo locked up the complainant for safe custody , the act stated that no master shall " confino any person for any offence or misbehaviour for any longer apace of time thau twenty-fonr hours , or for such further spaco of time as may be necessary , in order to Luve such person carried before a Justice of the Peace , to be dealt with according to law . " Now , it did not appear that such waa his object in locking up the complainant , for he liberated her , and took no

      st < .-p for bringing her before a magistrate on any charge * whatever , it could scarcely be credited that the Legislature ever contemplated giving to the master of a workhoute a power Of imprisonment in execution , which the Lord Chief Justice himself did not possess . Was it possible that the laws of England could suffer any human being to be imprisoned and liberated repeatedly by auy person , particularly by the master of a workhouse , ex mero viotu ? True , the law directed that a person when imprisoned by the master should betaken before a magistrate , who should decide whether the master was wrong or right . But if the magistrates wore to be deprived of this controul , confinement at intervals might be repeated to a most cruel and , perhaps , fatal extent With respect to the excess in duty , the

      question was first , did the defendant u $ e undue violence iu the inception of the transaction ? In the case of Ridley , to be found in Campbell , page 650 , taken from Russell's Reports , page 605 , the Judges held the exposure of any person , or a child of tender years under controul , to the inclemency of the weather , to be an assault . The complainant had been confined in a cold room , having an unglazed window , without bed or bedding , or sufficient clothes , on a night when the themometer was twenty degrees below Zeru , and therefore he was guilty of an assault , whetker he was doing his duty or not , because he had acted in excess . He would now read a most curious document to the Ceurt ; it waa the resolution of the Board of Guardians : — ( Copy of a resolution p- ^ eJ by the Guardians ef the

      Eton Union , Dec . 2 a , 1840 . )— " The master complained that Elizabeth Wise had behaved In so disorderly a manner as to oblige him to place bar in the refractory ward f « r the two several periods of twenty-four hours and seven honrs : the first time fur going into the nursery without leave , and there using improper language ; and the second time for refosing to work when desired to do so . The pauper was brought before the Board , and stated thaVshu understood from th « master that she might attend to her child , who had chilblains , for which purpose she went to the nursery ; that the master came and desired her to leave , which she hesitated to do , and he then forced her thence to the refractory ward , where she was kept for twenty-four hours without any bedding or chamber utensil ; and that she was so cold for about two hours after being

      liberated as to be unable to perform the work which she was directed to do by the master , and he again confined her for seven hours . The master , matron , and several of the paupers were examined , and it was resolved that the pauper had been guilty of improper conduct ; but that Mr . Howe had acted somewhat nastily in the matter , and that he should have provided the refractory room with bedding and proper convenience during the time that Wise was confined there . " In that document tho Guardians hail admitted the whole case against the defendant . Bat beyond the mere declaration that be had " acted somewhat hastily , " they took no step ; and thure the case would have stopped , had not Mr . Osbome most properly availed himself ef the law of the land for obtaining that justice which tho Board of Guardians had refused

      to execute . The defendant here said , that the woman had never asked for a convenience , or she would have had one . Mr . Clowes—It ought to have been furnished without any asking . Mr . Williams resumed . —He would leave the question of punishment in the hands of the magistrates . But , he thought , if they were satisfied that the assauH was proved , he had a right to call for a severe punishment W hataver might become of the cliaTge , Mr . Osborne would receive the thanks of all humane men , and of all men wno ' entertained sound and constitutional views of the laws of the land , and the rights of British subjects to protection by tt ? e « j laws from all injustice or oppression ; and be was convinced that the bringing forward of this C 4 SQ would be productive of immense good throughout tht . country .

      Mr . Barratt , the clerk to the Board of Gnardians , who was in the room , was called by Mr . Williams to speak to the authenticity of the resolution ; but he was very unwillingly sworn , and said , " I shall object to prove

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      ¦ . . V . - any co ^ y of auy resolution furnished to a gentleman who is a Guardian . This was the more extraordinaiy , as the very paper produced was a copy taken by himself from he minute-book . " Mr . Williams—You cannot object The witness—I cannot swear that that is a true document Mr . Williams—Were you present at a meetiiig of the Board on the 29 th of December last ? Witness—Yes ; I entered the resolution on the books . . ¦¦ Mr . Williams—Just look at that ( handing the paper to him ) . Mr . Long , t } ie magistrates' clerk—I must objeet to that Mr . Wi lli ams—I ask him to read it only . Well , do you remember tiny complaint being proved by the miister of the workLouse a-ainst Wke ?

      Witness—Yes ; it was not for being disorderly or refractory , it was for general misconduct j but it cama out in evidence that she was both disorderly and refra * tory . I have not the minute-book with me . The master said be had not been asked for an utensil ; he was not :. sked by the Board why he did not furnish one ; but I am quite aware wkat yon are coming at . Mr . Osborne—I eall upon you , Mr . Parker , to inter fere now ; you may do so properly now , as the witness seems to speak under fear . Mr . Parker—I do not know what he has to fear . The Chairman—I want an answer to a very important question . Did not the master give a reason fornol supplying an utensil , which reason he said he wo *" in the absence of the complainant ?

      Witness—I think he did . 1 think he said he w < v not asked for it . ; but if he had been asked lie would Lave refused , because he had read in the newspaper of a pauper having mutilated htrself with one . Upon iteing silked whiit a person so situated was to . do , he sai i she might go into the corner upon thr straw ; but when asked , he admitted tlat there was no straw in the room , nor any bedding whatever He said there was a considerable heat came up from tfce kitcben furnace , and wanned the room . I am not quite clear that t : > ere is a flue in it . I rather think then is not Mr . Clowes—Is the kitchen fire kept alight all night ? Witness—That depends upon whether there arfl sick persons in the house rendering it necessary . The Defendant—No , the fire would not be lit t . at night .

      Witness—In consequence of this investigation , the ) master has been desired to provide all that is necessaiy in future . : Mr . Osborne here took occasion to observe , that in some of -the newspapers it was reported that the place waa visited by the guardians and the defendant , and that the defendant was the only per on not moved by the miserable appearance of the place . Ann Bance was then called—I am a pauper in the Eton Union Workhouse . On Sunday morning iast , aftet

      breakfast , when the beU rang for us to make up our beds , soldier fashian , I went to the sitting-room . The master came in . and asked Wise to go up and clean the place . She Said , " I will go as soon as I am able , but I am very cold and lame . " He Went away , and returned a second time , and asked her the same question . She made the same answer . He then took her up , and ran off with her ¦ " like a bird " I wri so alarmed at his coming in , in Buch a passionate way , and taking the woman off in such a way , I could not observe more .

      By the Chairman—She was not at all impertinent or saucy . She said nothing but what I have repeatu ?« She was in a very wretched cold state . The expression used by this witness , an aged woman , whose language and manner indicated past respect ? . . bility of life , viz ., " that the defendant had carried the -woman Wise off like a bird , " caused one or two persons present to laugh ; bat she could not have used 4 more happy figure , as the complainant is a diminutive , weak-looking woman , and the defendant a gigantic man , at least'six feet six inches in height , and having a corresponding mascular frame . Mr . Williams announced that he had now closed his case .

      The defendant , npon being called npon to answer the charge , said—I understand I am here to answer for an assault' I considered I was doing no more than my duty , as the woman went up to the nursery contrary to my orders . On the Sunday morning , just after eight o ' clock , while I was at breakfast , Charlotte Peun came into my sitting-room , and said , " Sir , Charlotte Lipscombe has come do ;? n stairs , and says the woman Wise is kicking up a row up stairs , will yoa go up ?" I then went up , and found Wise there talking to her child in front * f the fire . There is a dry sitting-room for the children ,, and another , a sleeping-room , near it There were three females in that next room ; they had all- fled' away from Wise .. I asked hur what she was doing there ? She said she had as much righfr there as others . I toknher to leave the room . She said Bhe had a right tolstay as long as she liked , or words to that effect I ' said I will have my ordtrs obeyed ; leave the room . N She did not offer to go . I

      then took her by the shoulaers , and merely pat her oat of the room . When I gotjher outside , she fell down on her back . She endeavoured to take hold of . the handle of the door , and partially closed it I opened that door , so that I irinst have let go of her wuileshe was down kicking me Her feet were towards the d " oor . Shfer abused me , and the words , admitted to have been used by Wise were addressed to me on the staircase , and not below . She made several attempts to bite and scratch me . I did all I could to ease the violence .. -1 kept her In the scullery while the place was being cleared . I pushed her along until I arrived at the place where she was locked up . While we were standing In the scullery she abused me as before . I lacked the door myself . I gave her eight ounces of bread for her dinner , and not five , as she states . I did not go into the room ; I just stepped in at the door . I was not aware there was no gfass ' to the window . I have sometimes used the roem ; bat I never

      noticed that Mr . Carter—Did yoa not think at all what she was to do without clothing or bedding on such a night ? Defendant—No ; it never struck me ; and I am sorry for it Mr . Clowes—Do you mean to say that , as master of the Workhouse , you place persons in that room without any proper clothes or bedding to protect them from the weather to which they are exposed in it ? You are in the habit of sleeping comfortably , and are well fed and clothed yourself , and you are well paid for doing your duty , and it seems extraordinary to me that her situation never struck you . Did you go into the room , when you liberated her on the Monday morning ? .

      Defendant—No ; I threw open the door , and , the place being small , I stood aside to let her out . 1 called no witnesses before the Board to prove that the place required cleaning . I did not see anything to prove that I went after her and told her to go and clean the place . . Mr . O / . 0 WES—You knew it required cleaning , then f Defendant—No ; I only went by what one of tho women told me . Mr . Clowes—Having known the existence of tins necessity , y < . u locked her up again for eight hours more , and still without an utensil ? Defendant—Yes , I did . Mr . Clowes—We ll , that I consider to be one o most brutal points in the case .

      Defendant—I asked her to clean the place two or three times , when she said die would not , or couid not , or woriis to that effect ; I considered her still obstinate , and took hold of her again ; she offered no resistance , and 1 locked her up . Mr . Clowes-Did you not perceive that the place was very cold and wretched ? ' ; '" - * Defendant—There is mo * waimtb in that room than there is in the room up etairs where the people sleep . MrrClowes—She must have been ; Ai » wretchedly cold ^ tate when you let her , out on Bjonday . morning , and yet within half-an-hour you locked her up again , without fire or proper clothing ? that did

      Defendant—Yes ^ but I can assure you I not consider for one moment that I was going beyond my duty . It is a painful thing to be a master of a workhouse . When I tamed the key I intended to keep her there ' twenty-four hoars , but I should not have loeked her up so long m she had not been abusive , and tried to kick me . I insider that I acted under the regulations of the PooaLaw Commissioners . I cannot point out any particular rule , but 1 have always considered that I have thatnower . A Magistrate—Was ifc" « &der the refrastoiy i ' aje that you acted ? \ Defendant—I believe I called it disorderly ; it t" itrniounts , in my opiiion , as the same thing .

      Parker , the Asafctant Commissioner and the . Doctor of the Union then epdeavoured-. -to pxodnce an impression ' on the Bench unfavourable , M the poor woman . Their efforts were , however , js | jjgff confined to assertion : and insinuation . AU UMrfUtteuipts at proving her to be disorderly or refractory completely faiied . The Ductor stated that if asked to name a refractory pauper in the whole Union he should name this woman . But when required to name some instances of refractory conduct , his only proof was that on some occabion when he ordered her salts she wished to have pills , and at another time when he ordered her piils she wished for salts ! The Magistrates having deliberated for about halfan-hour , declared themselves satisfied that the assault was fully proved , and sentenced the defendant to pay a fine of £ 10 to the Queen , and 15 s . 6 d . cos * s , er in default of payment to be committed to the House of Correction for three months . _

      The defendant asked for a q ortificate to protect him from other proc eedings , which he was told the Court had no power to grant The Hon . and Rev G . Osborno said , it was notWa intention to take any further steps . The defendant , as he left the justice-room , was saluted * with hisses and groans by a crowd « f persons who had assembled on the spot the " Hoo Union . —The magistrates of Rochester are now engaged in taking evidence on which t * frame a bill of indictment against the roaster of the Hoo Union Workhouse , for horrible and cruel treatment of tha young-women paupers he has b&d under his eharg * . The revelations made by the inmates of this earthlyhell are of the most atrocious description . Nt xt WMk we shall endeavour to bring theui before our readerswant of space thh week precludes m from doing mow than thus notice them .

      ¦Qfywtitit &Lt; Stttfutgfttt**

      ¦ Qfywtitit < StttfUtgfttt **

      Moke Blessings Of The New Pooh Law.

      MOKE BLESSINGS OF THE NEW POOH LAW .

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      THE NORTHERN STAR 5

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 9, 1841, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1091/page/5/