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Northern Star (1837-1852), 31st January 1846, Edition 1 of 3, Page 6

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      " And I will war , at least in words , ( And—should my chsnCe so happen—deeds , ) Wiihall who war with Thouglltr * " I think I hear a little bird , who sings The people by and bj will be the stronger . "—Btr . oH .

      PRESENT POLITICAL STATE OF THE WORLD . THE COMING STORM . [ The following most important article recently appear ed in the chief liberal Spanish journal , the Eco dd Comerdo : ~\ — " A general panic prevails ; the period of disturbance is rery distant , because the people are happy ; prosperity overflows in all directions , the principles of order have become fixed , and revolutionary theories Live lost their influence . " 'f hu 3 do the Ministerial organs express themselves in all thestates of Europe ; of these iaetsdo the statesmen who now direct the destinies of the world endeavour to persuade us ; and yet . notwithstanding , the people remark a manifest difference lietween these words and partial acts .

      " The peace is profound ! " and yet all are making Preparations for war—all are observing , spying , fearinsr , fawning upon , and detesting each other . " The peace is profound ! " yet , at this time , there are more -warriors and more implements of war , more fortifications arc raised , and more marine armaments are fitted out tlian during the first fourteen years of the present century . "The disturbance of the peace is very remote , " say politicians , whilst all the armies of Europe are tip in arms awaiting and feariug the first cannonade of alarm .

      "Thepeaplearehappy , " tlie ? Uke \ visesay , " whilst in England they have on their hands the famishing Irish , and stand in fear of the lower orders , who are unable to find employment for their sinewy arms , or land on which to work ; in Italy , thousands of citizens are compelled to emigrate , whilst others are immured in the state dungeons ; in Germany , are germinating political and religious exigencies ; in Russia , the Caucasus is looked upon as the tomb of its warriors ; in Portugal and Spain , a hundred parties are struggling simultaneously in order to gain the tipper hand , and to satiate their thirst for vengeance . Such is the boasted felicity of the nationsot Europe !

      "The principles of order have become fixed , " simultaneously proclaim ourpoliticians . Assuredly ; but it is the order of tombs , the order of bayonets , the order of the emeutts of Paris—the order of the Councils of War , of the Swiss Guards of Italy—the order of the ** exceptional state" of our governors in the different provinces of the Peninsula , and that which Costa Cabral employs with , the Portuguese . This order is the precursor of peace , aud the complement of the felicity of nations ! Unfortunate nations ' . The cynicism of the statesmen who gown them makes the people desire the destructive azote of war , in order that a period mav be put to their sufferings , and to so much misery and agitatiou .

      The condition of Europe , like that of the entire political world , is au unnatural one , and must terminate in a violent explosion . The grand question at present agitated may be founded upon the principles t » i democracy and those of despotism ; these two elements have ostensibly been at unceasing variance for the last sixty years . Up to the present period there has not been found any statesman competent to reconcile them with each other ; all have sought to reduce than by half measurestoonesingle and common principle ; and all have been shipwrecked with their schemes , inn lining still more violently the popular passions , and rendering the task of conciliation still more difficult .

      One contemporaneous genius alone was able to introduce the idea of pacifying Europe and the whole ¦ world , by establishing a popular principle compatible with monarchical government . This man is I ^ ouis Philippe , King of the French , who vsas raised to the throne b / a revolution ; who had experienced all the bitter vicissitudes of life ; who had weathered the storms of a sanguinary revolution ; who had been acquainted and had negotiated wfth the greater part of the Sovereigns of Europe , some dethroned , and otners without the slightest hopes of obtaining a sceptre ; wlm had had opportunities of studying the histories and the exigencies of nations , and whoseappearance on the throne of France was like that of an unexpected meteor , which paralyzed the action of all the existing governments .

      Louis Phili ppe held in his hands the fate of the world , but Louis Philippe was blinded by the brilliancy of a throne . He was immediatel y changed from the well-informed and superior man to the vulgar politician , who adopts a system of tactics adapted to the necessities of the hour ; from an extraordinary man he became commonplace and little . He ceased to be a hero , in order to represent a father , whose only ambition was to make kings of his sons . Louis Philippe did not pursue the path by which he had commenced ; and ne will , peradventure , terminate it ingloriously ; the victim , perchance , of the revolutiun which he held in his hands , and which he has neither beeu ab ! c to strangle nor to shape its course , as the spirit of the age requires—that spirit whip . h

      is more powerful than all the kings and cabinets of fcurope combined . When L-iuvs I'hilippe was elected Kiug by the municijiality of Paris' whilst the barricades were still smoking with the blood of the valiant heroes who had perished during the "three glorious days" of July , 1830 , all the governments of turojie were in a state of commotion . Be Wum followed the example of the capital of France , and expelled the existing dynasty ; Italy was in a ferment iae emigrants of Spain hoisted the standard of liberty vu the mountains of Vent ; and all Poland rushed to arms . The wh « le of Europe would have prostiatedrtselfattJie feet of the head of the House o ; Orleans , if this Prince had statchedout a protecting hand to the people , and had said to

      theml win give youhberty , I will protect your petitions Jwiil place myseif at the head of M > : ial regeneratI ° . ° . Wlli confirm the peace of the world , and I Will inculcate the ureat lessuu which kings ought to receive in order that their thr one * way not agniu 1 ) 3 subyertel , or remain the sport of popular oscilla-Hulls * lie did uothingof the kind . He accommodated matteis with Ids brother raonarchs . imagining that tins transaction was sufficient to ca « ise the inscription ^ his name in the gMden book of Kincs .

      forgetting that an obscure hand uplifted fromthecentre Oi au insurrectionary rabble , was sufficient to blot it out for ever' He carried on communications with foreign Cabinets , in order that they might maintain torn iu the possession of his throne , oblivious of the iact that those very same Cabinets durst not stretch out thesr succouring anus to the head of the House or bjurb ^ n . He did not attempt to direct the revolution . a « d the revolution now drifts on the political ocean without rudder or compass , like a pla ^ uesminen barque that all states h . Jd in horror , whilst all close their ports against it ; it will not fail , however , to invade the coasts of one of them .

      lu that case—always fatal , because endemic difeasts : ne always fata !—Europe will become infected ; and to ward off that destructive pestilence neither armies n- > r fortifications , nor diplomatic conventions are effectual ; it seizes and lajs hold of everything ; ttl-enetrateswitU equal certainty both the palaces ol kiugs , aud the cottages uf the poor : " -Equo inileat iwde jiauptrum tabernas , Kr £ uiii < jue lurres . " It attacks with the sime virulence both the barracks of the military and the workshops of artisans . n hen tue political " plague of revolution extends its

      ravages , will auy one be found capable of keeping its excess ^ within du-. bounds ? And what are those poliut-uns il ,, in » in order to cxiin < : uish its destructive germ ? Exiecrlcitiug bad passions , dividin * pdifccal tactioiw , deifying immorality , sanctioningcrime , and harassing the people with prosecution * and imports . ' 1 he £ reatestdi * or

      respeclivc statians . The supponcrs of the cxistinorder of thin-s , who do not occupy the seat of supreme power , ieir that the acts ol" those who govern may bring discredit upon their the tries of party , and render them useless in fu ' . ure bv placing them * in evident contradiction with the forms of a just and liberal goverumeut . Tr . osein power fear their own fellow partisans , because they do not find in them the support that they desire . They fear tie Absolutist Jaeuon because they see that it is lab . urin « to enthroue U-elf , and because they believe it to l » e bised oil aaother power superior to that of the Ministry . They fear the Pro ^ rts-ste faction because they have humiliated , ppKccut . d , and harassed it in « uch a manner that they imagine it to be destitute of sulli-Cieut generosity to lay aside its grievances in

      obedience to principles . They fear foreign Cabinets and have not possessed the dignity urc& * iry for the rejection of their immoderate demands . Ali in fine are afraid « . f each other , and a'l stare aghast at the giant of revolution which is about to overwhelm them , without endeavouring to seek the means of appeasiug it . lf . iustcadof Wiadiy contending against this Colossus , which they affect to despise , they uo . iid stulv jtsdisjKtfiiwHs atid its tendencies , they would sec its deformities disappear , and would iiwl themselves able to di-cct it . Piudence directs force , a child guides atamc lion witli aatring , the people are tractable , peaceable , ai : dsut » mis ? ivc , and tliceutircslave > Of the Ikw when ihi ; Jaw is just—they are onl y furi-OUS , blind , = uid maniacal , when they are oppressed and when their digiiitv is violated . ' * '

      __ The st itcsmeu who now combat 3 social revolution , without endeavouring to comprehend it , are advancing up ro .-ks , fro : n which it is impassible to escape . Tk-y fear ltbend principles , and direct themselves tuwarfs a despotism whose waaM ' hniutiit would more quickly pr-. vokea revolution with all i ^ deadlr apparatus l * t politicians bs convinced by m , that they may dir . ct the people under representative toons ; ( ksjKtitiu harasses them to death , aud there

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      is no dealing with despotism ; the social revolution would lessen the horrors of the political , because it is the same element that is appeased or infuriated according to the manner in which it is treated—the skill of the p hysician consists in knowing how to direct it . -N either in Spain , nor in any other part of the world , does there exist the peace that politicians imagine ; in Spain , and in the rest of the world , the people are most anxious for it ; the means of giving it to them on a firm basis should be the study of those who govern ; up to the present period they have not hit upon the means ; let them change their course , and they may , perhaps , reap a rich harvest of glory .

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      MEETINGS IN BEHALF OF THE CHARTIST EXILES . MARYLEBONB . A numerousl y attended public meeting was held on luesday evening week , at th « Hall , Circus-street , Marylebone , when the following resolutions were unanimousl y agreed to : — That this meeting are of opinion that no one should be punished only in accordance with the injury inflicted on society , and are further of opinion that John Frost , Zephaniah Williams , and William Jones have fully atoned , by the punishment the ; have already xeceWed , for the crimes alleged against them ; and seeing that Gray , O'Couueil , and others , have been liberated , and the Canadian "rebels" pardoned , do rnnsiiipr that Hip coiH

      exiles should also be restored to . their homes and families ; . resolved , therefore , that this meeting petition the House of Commons to present an address to her Majesty , praying for the restaratuja of the above-mentioned exiles . That this meeting are of opiuion that William Sherrat Ellis was inuocent of the crime with which he was charged , and that his conviction was based on evidence procured at the expense of honour and conscience ; under these circumstances this meeting , [ therefore , resolve to petition the House of Commons to cause an address to be presented toherMajestj , prajing her exercise of the royal clemency for the restoration of the said William Ellis , to his countrv and disconsolate family .

      Petitions embodying the sentiments contained in the above resolutions were also agreed to . A memorial to Sir Robert Peel , requesting his support to the above measures was likewise adopted ; resolutions were also passed , requesting the members for the borough . Sir B . Hall and Sir Charles Napier , to present and support the petitions . The greatest enthusiasm in favour of this good object seemed to prevail . The chair was ably filled by Mr . Clark , of the Edgewarc-road , and the meeting was eloquently addressed by Messrs . M'Grath , Clark , Dojle , Cooper , Godwin , Favrer , JIannibell , and Dr . Webb . CUT CHARTIST HALL .

      On Monday evening last a crowded meeting assembled in the City Chartist Hall , to take into consideration the case of Frost , Williams , Jones , and Ellis , with a view to adopt measures calculated to secure their restoration to their native land . At the appointed hour Air . Brown was unanimously chosen to preside . The . chairman having stated the purport of the meeting , called upon Mr . Overton , who , in an excellent speech moved a resolution expressive of deep sympathy with the exiles , and of the propriety of petitioning Parliament with a view to their liberation . The motion was seconded and supported by

      Messrs . Clark , of Hereford , and T . Clarke , of the Executive , in speeches which frequently drew forth the plaudits of the meeting . The chairman having put the motion , it was earned unanimously . The chairman then proceeded to read the petitioa prepared by the conveners of the meeting at the request of Mr . Mills , who was to move it . After the petition had been read , Mr . Cooper rose and said , that he had drawn up a petition , which , with the cnairman ' s permission , he would read , and submit for approval to the meeting . The following is the petition : —

      TolheBdnourahUthe Commons of Great Britain and Ire > land in Parliament auembted . The humble petition of the undersigned inhabitants of the City of Loodon , in public meeting assembled , Sheweth , —That your petitioners re -ard with deep commiseration the expatriated condition ef John Frost , Zephaniah Williams , and William Jones , charged with a participation in an outbreak at Newport , in the month of November , 1 S 39 , and whose sentence of death was commuted into transportation for life . . That jour petitioners entreat your honourable House to cousider that the legality of the trial of the said John Frost , Zephaniah Williams , and William Jones , is held by the first law authorities to be highly questionable ; and that objections were urged against the procedure of their trial , which objections were held by a majority of the judges to be legal , if they had been taken in time .

      That the real motireg which induced the said John Frost , Zephauiah Williams , and William Jones to participate iu the said outbreak remain to this moment unknown ; but that eTen if their purposes were as revolutionary as they were affirmed to be on their ( rial , your petitioners , from all the information they have ever received coucerning tke personal characters of the said John Frost , Zephauiah Williams , and William Jones , . bolieTe them actuated by sincere but erring bentvolence and pity for the suffering and degraded coudition of the misgoverned and injured working classes of thiB country .

      That your jictitioners , notwithstanding the evil example of gorernments in raising large masses of armed men for mutual destruction in war , by calm reflection have come to the conclusion that all wars and fightings are wrong : that your petitioners reject even the doctrine of the right of war in self-defence , as a delusion aud an ^ 'or , inasmuch as it would give to tyrants the right to <> Ppress , while it seemed to justify the oppressed in their resistance : that your petitioners look for national prosperity and happiness solely in the establishment of the exalted principles of peace , forgiveness , and brotherhood , and beliere that the most effective step which could , at the present period , be taken for establishing these principles in the hearts and minds of the working classes , would be a restoration to their native country of the said John Frost . Zeuhaniah Williams , and William Jones .

      Thatjour petitioners farther entreat your honourable House to consider , that the long and painful exile of Johu Frost , Zephaniah Williams , aud William Jones , must-hare tended to produce in their minds deep re-Hection on the evil consequences and pernicious re-action uf a resort to violence ; while their conviction of the excellence of peaceful and constitutional courses would be settled and confirmed by a restoration to their native country , and a re-uuion with the improved and more enlightened mind of its working population . That your petitioners have heard with deep satisfaction of the restoration to their native land of Fapineau and other * , lately engaged in the Canadian disturbances ; but must express their conviction that the working classes of this country will feel every hour as a flagrant increase of injustice , which delays to extend equal favour to John Frost , Zephaniah Williams , and William Jones .

      Your petitioners therefore entreat your honourable House , from a consideration of the very questionable legality attending thir trial ; from an enlightened advocacy of the cnnabling principles of peace , forgiveness , and brotherhood—and from a sense of the right that native Englishmen have to expect equal lenity with Canadiau colonists—to recommend to her most gracious Majesty , . the Queen , the immediate restoration of the said John Frost , Zephaniah Williams , and William Jones , to their native eouutry . Andiour petitioners will ever pray . Mr . Cooper having read the petition , Bpoke in the strongest language condemnatory of war , whether aggressive or defensive . He thought that war was indefensible under any circumstances , nay , that man should not resort to violence in defence even of his lite .

      Mr . M'Grath came forward and said that he highly approved of the petition , with the exception of that part of it which alluded to war . lie considered it extraneous to introduce that suljectinto thepetition . lia felt as great a horror as any man at the shedding of human blood , but he could nevertheless picture to his mind a propablc conjuncture of circumstances in which the exercise of physical force would not ouly be justifiable , but be an act of the purest virtue that could be performed . He , therefore , recommended Mr . Cooper , for the sake of unanimity , to expunge that pai t of the petition which related to the subject of war . Mr . Cooper replied to Mr . M'Grath , and again urged with great earnestness the reasonableness and justice of his opinions regarding war . He would not agree to the erasure of a word from his petition ; if it were not adopted unmutilated , he would withdraw it .

      Mr . C . Harrison briefly addressed the meeting in support of Mr . Cooper ' s views . Mr . T . Clark appealed to the good sense of Mr . Cooper to allow the meeting to deal with the petition as they thought proper . lie dissented from Mr . Cooper ' s principles as regards defensive war ; and he was convinced that the majority of the meeting dilfcred with him upon them . He would , therefore , suggest to Mr . Cooper the wisdom of drawing up the petition so that the opponents of all wars as well as the believers in its justice uuder certain circumstances , might approve it , Mr . Cooper assured the meeting of his determina tion to permit no alteration to be made in the petition which he had submitted .

      Mr . M'Grath then said , that Mr . Coopers resolve to retain in his petition a paragraph which he considered not only irrelevant but fallacious , constrained him to propose for the meeting ' s approval , by way of amendment , the petition prepared by the committee who got up the meeting , which was as follows : — To tin Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled . Thepetition of the inhabitants of the City of London , in public meeting assembled , Sheweth—That your petitioners view with feelings of

      sorrow and commiseration , the long aud painful ten . tence of transportation to which John Frost , Zephaniah Williams , and William Jones are doomed , for participating in an outbreak at Newport , in Wales , in November , 1839 . Your petitioners believe that the time has at length arrived , when clcmeucy may be shown to these uafortunate men , without any forfeiture of national justice or national interests . Your petitioners have seen that her Majesty ' s government is favourably disposed to this humane measure , as evinced by the mitigation of the sentence of banishment , passed upon the Canadian pri-

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      soneri , tnktn in arms , in the late insurrection in that country ; they , therefore , pray your honourable House to present a humble address to her Majesty , praying bet to take the case of these men into her consideration , » nd be graciously pleased to remit the remainder of their sentence , and thus restore them to their distressed wives , families , and friendi . Ani your petitioners will ever pray . The petition was seconded by Mr . T . Clark , and a show of hands having been taken for each petition , the chairman declared Mr . M'Grath ' s carried . Mr . Cooper next brought forward a petition for the return of William Ellis . He very ably analyzed

      the evidence upon which Ellis was connoted ; He made Us weakness appear so clear to the meeting that they were amazed how any jury could be so stultified as to convict ; or how a judge pretending lo administer justice could doom him to twenty-one years' transportation upon it . He likewise descanted eloquently upon the strength and credibility of the testimony produced at Ellis ' s trial with a view to establish an alMon his behalf ; and passed a high eulogium upon him for his honesty , firmness , and intelligence . The petition was seconded by Mr . Tatlow , and carried without a dissentient .

      Mr . M'Grath moved , and Mr . Tucker seconded , that a letter be sent to each of the city representatives , signed by the chairman on behalf of the meeting respectively , requesting their support to Mr . Duncombe ' s motion on behalf of the exiled patriots . Carried unanimously . After awarding a vote of thanks to the chairman , the meeting separated . Throughout the whole of the proceedings the best spirit was indicated . The meeting individually and collectively appeared deeply imbued with the ennobling resolve to do tlieir duty in the good work of giving freedom to the patriotic captives , and solace to their injured families .

      [ Although we publish the petition of Mr . Cooper , yet we do not hold ourselves at all bound to follow the practice of publishing individual petitions , while we wholly dissent from the irrelevant doctrines in * traduced , tlurogh uncalled-fur , \ w the petition in question ; and we have earnestly to request the Chartist body to resist all and every attempt to drag them once more into discussions upon the relative merits of moral and physical force . We cannot , for the life of us , discover any reasonable motive which would have urged the introduction of such an

      UNCHRISTIAN DOCTRINE as passive obedience and non-resistance in its most loathsome and degrading form into a petition , praying for the restoration of Frost , Williams , and Jones , nor can we suppose that the exiles themselves would feel honoured by the admixture of humiliating and unmanly confessions with a manly appeal for their restoration . We confess ourselves rather 6 tunned by the rapid change that has taken place in the opinions of our friend since the Manchester Conference in 1842 , but he must not expect his pupils not only hastily to unlearn old lessons , but as hastily to imbibe new ones of a totally different character . — -Ed . N . S . ]

      BILSION . A public meeting ( called by placard ) of the inhabitants of Bilston was held on Monday last , for the purpose of petitioning the House of Commons " . to memorialise her Majesty toextendher Royal clemency to John Frost , Zephaniah Williams , William Jones , William Ellis , and all political exiles ; Mr . John Jones in the chair . Mr . Charles Powell moved the first resolution , that a "petition be sent to the House of Commons praying the house to memorialise her Miijesty to pardon the above exiles and restore them to their homes and families . " Mr . Powell , having been personally acquainted with Mr . Frost , spoke at great length on the many benevolent acts of Mr . Frost , which elicited great sympathy from the audience , and although the rain fell thick and fast the people stood to the ground with that determination which shewed they had a duty to perform towards their countrymen , and were steadfast in doing

      tt . Mr . Thos . llamersly seconded the resolution , and read the petition , which was unanimously adopted . Mr . Joseph Linney moved the second resolution , "that a memorial be sent to Sir R . Peel , praying that he would use his best endeavours in advising her Majesty to pardon the above exile * . " Which was seconded by Mr . Johu Willcox of Wolverhampton . Mr . Linney and Mr . Willcox sjoke at great length on the subject . Mr . J . Linney move'd , and . Mr . Fairburn , hairdresser , of Wednesburjf , seconded , "That a deputation be formed to wait upon all the ministers of all denominations within the parish to allow petition sheets to be placed at their chapel doors for signature , and that Mr . Charles Powell and Mr . John Jones be the deputation , with power to had to their number . " A vote of thanks was given to Mr . Isaac Uiggins for the use of the ground ; after which a vote of thanks was passed on Mr . Jones for his ' able conduct in . the chair , and the meeting separated highly satisfied with the whole proceedings .

      CHELTENHAM . On the evening of Wednesday week a public meeting took place in the room lately occupied as the Mechanics' Institution , for the purpose of adopting a petition to the House of Commons to intercede with her Majesty for a free pardon to John Frost and his associates . Although the rain descended in torrents , the large room was filled by various parties in politics , and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed , each one apparently anxious to outvie the other in marks of sympathy , and in tlieir efforts to assist . The best feeling and order prevailed—so far there was not a single dissentient voice to the passing of the resolutions or the adoption of the petition . Mr . W . Hollis was greeted on entering the room , and was voted to

      the chair by acclamation . The chairman opened the business by a lengthened detail of the facts , not only in connection with the conviction of the parties , but in respect of the position which John Frost bad attained in society , and of his political career . He proceeded : I have been called upon to preside without intimation , or an opportunity of a perusal , only at this moment , of the resolutions and petition ; but though a long period has elapsed since 1 last had the honour of presiding on a similar occasion , the fate of John Frost so much affected me , that the facts in relation to him and his illegal conviction are forcibly and indelibly marked on my recollection . I comply with your request , because I feel interested in the movement , arising out of sympathy for the parties

      we are called upon to serve . I knew John Frost personally ; and I positively assert , that a more worthy man , a better father , a more enlightened and useful citizen was not to be found in the British dominion . These men , I positively assert , were made the prey of the Whig government , and their tools in the provinces to put down the movement which then assumed a fearful aspect to their interests —the movement for an equality of political rights . John Frost was too firm , too honest and independent for the aspiring-Reform-Bill-made Whigs of Newport . He was a marked man . He raised himself to affluence by his industry ; by his talents and assiduity in local affairs he claimed for himself the honour of being the man of the people of Newport .

      He fought hard and well with the then Radicals of the then Radical locality of Wales , for the passing of the Reform Bill , and because he would not stop there—would not truckle and pander to authority ; because he would not ride the new hobbyhorse to pecuniary and honorary elevation , he must be put down—aye , and put down he was—not by fair , by legal means , but by perjury , force , and fraud . John Frost , on account of his opposition to the reckless course of Whiggery , and his strict adherence to principle—to universal justice , was hunted even to desperation ; but even in the frantic aberration of the moment his heart was too much moistened with human benevolence to shed man ' s blood . No , indeed , my friends , the physical force was on the part of the

      authorities . The authorities and the Whig pioniers of misrule were for some time previous cognisant of the facts of those foolish , mad-like arrangements , tor no doubt tlieir emissaries and tools who had forwarded the plans had not kept them in the dark on the subject , for their purpose would not have been served by stopping short until they had firmly secured their victims . The parties were arraigned before a commissionsent down purposely to try them ; evidence was called , and what , ray friends , was the character of the principal witnesses to prove the facts ? One had suffered the penalty of the law by transportation , and the other had previously absconded to evade the demand of justice , having been guilty of the crime of houscbreaking . Bear m mind these facts , which

      tully make good my premises of pre-determination m ° }' « M - me the p ? r ^ ies by a tncans--to crush them , that Whiggery might be more secure . Three judges were appointed to form the commission to try these unfortunate men . They could not defer the power with which they had been invested to any other of thejudges-they alone had the power to decide according to English law . To obtain a fair trial , to have , justice done them , they must be tried as directed by the letter of the law , which , in cases of treason , are very clear and positive ; and the law has been so framed purposely that bad rulers might not by unfair nteans take away the lives of innocent men . It was impossible they could be in a proper position to defend themselves unless they knew wko the parties

      were" who formed the list of witnesses . The law . positive in its requirement , says , the list of witnesses shall be delivered , with a copy of the indictment , at least ten days before the time of trial . The law was not complied with in this respect—an objection was raised which , if decided at the time , would have been fatal to the prosecution—the parties must have been acquitted . It was agreed that the point should be decided by a court of appeal—of inquiry ; in fact , that it should be left to the fifteen judges , not to decide the fate of these men , but the point of law . Instead of a decision of the

      jud ges forming the commission being the instrument of conviction , a secondary decision , an error in the time of raising the objection by the defendants , a decision of the inquirers was made use of for the purpose ; and although a majority of the judges ( nine out of the fifteen ) had positively declared the prisoners had not had a fair trial , not having been provided with the list of witnesses , because a majority of three considered that the lawyers had not done right , in raising the objection at an improper time , after pleading they must be sacrificed . So that poor Frost and his associates must be handed over as an intended sacrifice to tho scaffold aud the block , be-

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      cause having been called upon by the court to plead and having done so are punished became they so , instead of doing it only a few minutes before . The Whig Attorney-General was fully bent on conviction , lie contended that one and the same time meant one and another time . Now , my Mends , mark these facts . A majority of the commission ( twothirds ) were with the prisoners on both points , which was tantamount to an acquittal . A majority of the judges of the Court of Queen ' * Bench ( four-fifths ) , the highest court of criminal judicature in the land , decided in the same way . The Tory judges were in favour of justice , and the Whigs for hanging and quartering . Judge Donman , of the Queen ' s Bench , was the only dissentient to the majorityand against

      , the prisoners . The prisoners , it was agreed , should be situated the same as if the inquiry had taken place before , as after the trial . But what was transpiring during the time the j lulges were consulting ? Why , the strangling apparatus was being hastily put together—the decapitating knife was beingsharpenedthe block—the mangling block—was being prepared , and still further , the Whig Secretary of State had sent an order for execution on a certain day ; and this was done before the Court of Judges had given their decision . An order was sent for the ona day , and the sheriff , not being thoroughly acquainted with the proper tact necessary for such extraordinary butchery , posted off to London , and another early day was fixed for tho execution , and all this , and

      still more—the Worcester professional hangman was applied to , and received his fee for the intended bloody mangling , before it had been decided whether they had been legally convicted or not . It waB not through liberal Whig leniency that their lives wore spared , but through the Tory Sir W . Follett ' s influence , and the mass of petitions , the myriads of signatures of the people of every line of politics , that their lives were spared . At that time in this town we succeeded in doing much , for in the course of two days we obtained between 8000 and 0000 signatures . Let me now entreat you to proceed with the same kind feeling and perseverance , and those injured men will , ere long , return to country , to home , relations and friends , to spend the remainder of their

      years , without the manacles of the convict , within the bosom of native social comforts , in the pleasing contemplation of the future , without fear from the past . —Mr . Glenister moved the first resolution , and spoke at some length on the injuries and insults which Frost , Williams , and Jones had had to endure , and observed—These men were denied the right which they should expect from the law , in its protection . Tkey were never so insensible to fancy they had the power to overthrow her . Majesty ' s government , and such an intention was not made manifest by tlie witnesses called in on the part of the prosecution , and therefore a charge of high treason could not , and ought not , to have been sustained against them . I was in London at the time

      of theSpafield riots , in 1817 , and , of course , heard and savr a great deal of what passed . Very a ' . rong language was made use of by the speakers , gunsmiths' shops were broken into , and a number of guns and pistols taken out , yet with all this the Government could not establish a charge of high treason , although such charge was instituted against the Watsons and others , as some of you may remember , but they were acquitted , and though one man ( one of the principal rioters ) was executed , it was acknowledged by the lawyers to be nothing more than a riotous assembly . Violence , in this instance , was resorted to by the populace ; in Frost ' s case , the violence alone was on the part of the authorities . II the circumstances in the one case were extravagant ,

      in the other , in comparison , they were harmless . If the parties of the one might , be acquitted , in the other the penalty of transportation ought not to have been carried out , nor would it , had the parties been tried in London with a London jury , instead of a prejudiced and packed jury in the disturbed vicinity . Mr . Leach seconded the resolution . Tho Rev . Mr . Davis , Baptistministcr , made a lengthened , eloquent , and impressive speech , which called forth the repeated plaudits of the numerous assembly . Mr . Milsom spoke at considerable length on the services rendered to the people ' s cause by John Frost during his political career before , but more particularly

      alter , the passing of the Reform Bill ; and appealed , with the full force of reasoning , to , all present for their exertions in getting the petition numerously signed . Mr . Berry seconded the adoption of the petition in a very neat and appropriate address . The Hon . Craven Berkeley , member for the borough , was appointed to present the petition , having promised the deputation to support the prayer , and no doubt to vote for the motion of T . S . Duncqmbe when he became acquainted with its contents . A petition was also unanimously adopted for the release of Mr , Ellis . Each of the petitions are expected to obtain a great number of signatures .

      READING . On the evening of the 22 nd instant , a public meeting was holden in the school-room , Minater-atreet , to petition Parliament for the restoration of the Chartist exiles . Mr . J . Campbell in the chair . Mr . G . Barr moved the adoption of the petition for the restoration of Frost , Williams , and Jones . Mr . E . Rous seconded it in a brief speech . Mr ., C . Doyle supported it . After a few words from Mr . G . Rickman , a member of the Society of Friends , in support of the objects of the meeting , the petition was unanimously carried . Mr . G .-W . Wheeler then proposed

      one for the restoration of William S . Ellis , entering fully into the facts of the trial , which he characterised as tbe greatest piece of injustice ever perpetrated in the name of law . Mr . H . Lester seconded its adoption , and after a few excellent remarks from the chairman , it was carried without a dissentient , Mr . A . Pocock moved , and Mr . II . Ellis seconded , the adoption of a memorial to Sir Robert Peel , praying him to use his ministerial interest with her Majesty for the restoration of those four exiles . Mr . Doyle also supported the memorial , which , en being put to the meeting , was carried . After votes of thanks to Mr . Doyle and the chairman the racetingbr . ke up .

      OLDIMM . A public meeting took place in the Hall of Science , Horsedge-street , on Monday last , for the purpose of adopting petitions to be presented to the Commons House of Parliament for the restoration of Frost , Williams , Jones , and Ellis , to the bosoms of their families , and memorials to Sir Robert Peel , praying him to use his ministerial influence with the Queen fur their immediate liberation . Mr . Leonard Haslop , hat manufacturer , was unanimously called on to preside , when the following resolutions were passed without a dissentient : —Moved by Mr . J . Grimshaw , seconded by Mr . Isaac Nichols , and ably supported by Mr . James Leach , "That this meeting , deeply sympathising with the long and protracted sufferincs

      of the exiled patriots , Frost , Williams , Jones , and and Ellis , and reflecting upon the illegality and perjury connected with their trials , is of opinion , that the ends of justice and humanity can only be fully answered by an immediate and full commutation of their sentences . " Moved by Mr . S . Yardley , and seconded by Mr . J . Kay , " That petitions to the House of Commons and memorials to Sir Robert Peel emanate from this meeting , praying them to use their utmost influence in advising her Majesty at once to restore the before-mentioned patriot ' s to the bosoms of their families , their fatherland and freedom . " Moved by Mr . Alexander Taylor , and seconded by Mr . A . Mellor , "That this meeting , deeply regretting the announcement of General Johnson ' s intended resignation on the next dissolution of Parliament , do , nevertheless , most

      earnestly entreat him to present , and John Fielden , Esq ., to support , the foregoing petitions in the House of Commons . " Mr . S . Yardley moved , and Mr . J . Kay seconded , the adoption of the petition for Frost , Williams , and Jones , and a memorial to Sir Robert Peel . Mr . T . Wild moved , and Mr . J . Nichols seconded , the adoption of a petition for Ellis , and a memorial to Sir Robert Peel , which was ably supported by Mr . James Williams . Moved by Mr . W . Hamer , and seconded by Mr . A . F . Taylor , "That a committee of twenty-one persons be appointed , with power to add to tt . eir number , to carry the abovementioned objects into effect . " It was also agreed that every signature should have the occupation aud residence attached to the name . A vote of thanks was also passed to the chairman . Great sympathy was manifested throughout the meeting .

      GREENOCK . A public meeting of the inhabitants was held in the hall of the Mechanics' Institute , on Thursday evening , to consider th « propriety of petitioning Parliament in behalf of Frost , Williams , Jones , and Ellis . The meeting was got up by the Trades , and was well attended ; it was the largest public meeting that has been here for a long time . It was agreed that separate petitions be procured , and that they be signed by the public .

      PRESTON . A public meeting took place in the Temperance Hall , on Wednesday evening week , in behalf of Frost , WilliamS j Jones , Ellis , and all other politital exiles . Mr . William Liddle was called to the chair . Mr . R . Marsden proposed the first resolution in favour of Frost , &c . ; Mr . Odleum seconded the resolution . Mr , James Frankland rawed the adoption of the petition ; Mr . J . Leech seconded it . Mr . James Brown moved the resolution in favour of Ellis ; Mr . James Walsh seconded it . Mr . Michael Ward moved the adoption of the petitions ; Mr . James Duskett seconded the motion . It was agreed that the petitions be signed by the chairman on behalf of the meeting . Ihe restoration committee have issued a petition to be signed by the clergy gentrv manufacturers , merchants , and tradesmen ofPrestoh ' —Ihe following letter has been received from Sir George Strickland ; no answer has beeu received as yet from Sir Hesketli Flcctwood —

      Heaton House , Jan . 14 , 1846 . Dear Sir , —I have received your letter stating that a meeting of n deputation from various Trades' Societies has agreed to petition the House of Commons for the restoration of Frost , Williams , Jones , Ellis , and other political exiles . I can oulj say that I BUa \ l have great pleasure in presenting the petitions , and it would afford mo satisfaction if the Governmont could be Induced to address the Queen to extend to them such a pardon as would cnablu them to return to their country . —I remain , yoHrB , &c , Geoiige Stwckund , To Mr . John M'Lean . Preston .

      Aid ——Ww^« ¦ ^ ' [ _ ¦¦ «¦ ¦ - — G Comspon&Entt*

      aid ——ww ^« ¦ ^ ' [ _ ¦¦ «¦ ¦ - — g Comspon&entt *

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      THE "CONSPIRACY" OF SELF-DEFENCE . TO TUB EDITOR OF IDE XORTUIBN ( TAB , Sir , —I beg to make known , through your pages , gome particular of a dispute of a very important churncter , which has lately taken place between tbe employing and the employed in the trade of the shoemaker in the three towns of Belfast , Carrickfcrgug , aud Lisburn , in the nortli of Ireland . In these three towns there are , at the present moment , nearly 300 of the journeymen thrown out of employment , and whose wives and families amount to a still greater number , while the district secretary of the union of the men , with six others , who formed the committee , have been held over to bail for the next assizes , which will take place at Carrickfergus , on no leas a charge than thatof " conipiracy . "

      In order to duly understand th « cause of this most unhappy state of things , it will be necessary for me to inform you ef certain circumstances in connectiou with the proceedings of the journeymen , to which the result must be fairly attributed , and which I shall do in as brief a manner as possible . In the June of 1814 , a new system of association having been proposed for the trade affairs of the journeymen shoemakers , a conference of delegates met , and , after the raaturast deliberation , the conclusion thej came to was , that the former unconnected local forms of the union , which the journeymen up to that period had been accustomed to , were now to be done away with , and one union , based upon one uniform code of lawe , made to take their place . In the April of 1845 , on the holding of a second conference , the same altered system was confirmed , and , as before was done , the rules and a report of the proceedings were printed .

      On both these occasions—and this is a fuct most noteworthy in the present instance—the delegates assembled made it imperative that no strike for an advance at wages was to be allowed , on the supposition of the parties so striking obtaining [ assistance from the common funds of the association ; though iti all case 6 of reduction this support was to be unconditionally given , providing that the amount of levy on each paying member was to bt no more than threepence per week , It will by this , then , be seen , that the shoemaker strictly placed himself on the defensive ; gave up all aggressive strikes whatever , and simply bound himself to oppose but in cases where a curtailment of his usual wages receipts was attempted . Bad enough off as he already was , he clearly saw that aggressive strikes could now do him no good , and that as much as he could

      possibly hope , was to protect the last little holdings that still remained between him . aud the extrsmest poverty . In every place—city , town , or village—wherever he might wander , he still found full of his own " order "; work , at best , but indifferently paid for , and ouly this to be obtained with great difficulty . The deftnsive , thorefore , had now become his necessitated condition , and even here he has had , as it has been found , quite enough to do , for ( and no doubt it will surprise many who are unacquainted with the warfare which is going on from day to day in the bosom of our social system , to learn that ) the contests of this description which the union sheemaker 6 have had to struggle against , during the last eighteen months , hare amounted to many hundreds , while those which the non-unionists of the trade have had to do the same by , must , in all probability , be ten-fold as many hundreds , and with still less success .

      The strike in . Belfast and Us two neighbouring towns is but a proof of this warfare . A few months ago an attempt was made by one of the masters in Belfast , and rhtn by others , to reduee the wages of their men , but all of which were resolutely resisted , and the employers , after a contest of a month orfive weeks , gave way . Since then , these same employers , smarting , as it would seem , under the memory of such a discomfiture , have formed their own counter union , and , extending it to Lisburn and Carrickfergus , have now made a simultaneous onslaught on their men—discharging them from their employment , and resolving not to re-employ them , except on the condition of their giving up all connexion with th « journeymen ' s general union .

      Upon what grounds the charge of cONsmvc ? has been advanced against the secretary of the Belfast journey , men ' s society , and the Committee acting with him , is difficult to conjecture ; though , on whatever fiction of law it may be based , still must I doubt its validity , A charge of masters in union against journeymen in union ! and for what ! For resitting , as the latter believes , a foul attempt to lessen their wages , by endeavouring to break up the present defensive position which the jour , neyman has assumed as his only protection against this conduct in the employer . This is the plain state of the case , and truly , if anything ought to warrant , not only the shoemakers of every place , but the public in general , in taking a deep and effective interest in the results of such an attempt , surely 6 ucli warrantry is to be found in the particulars here given . Yours , sir , very sincerely , The Editoe op the «• Cobdwainers * Companion . "

      P . S . —Should the employers persist in their prosecution , and a conviction be obtained against the men ( of which there are considerable fears , from the character of the "judge and jury" system in that part of the country , and particularly in questions of labour ) , perhaps a Doncombe might be found to bring the case of the injured before the tribunal of Parliament , and the parties thus , ultimately , in the general indignation that would be brought down upon them , be compelled to feel that they had made a most disgraceful "MISFIT" in this their charge of twspiraes , superadded to the terrible cruelty of throwing , in the middle of winter , upwards of six hcndred men , women , and children , out of their accustomed means of livelihood , poor as that livelihood has been . Let them , then , beware ! . ¦

      ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . Since the foregoing has been written the Banner of mikr ( apaper printed iu Belfast ) has been sent me , of Friday the 23 rd inst ., and from which I copy the follow , ing account of the proce « dings which tools place at a late meoting of the trade in question , and of others connected with many of the different tradeB in Belfast . The statement there made by Mr . M'Cann , as will be seen , is full of information as to the cause and nature of thedispute 1—" On the evening of Wednesday last , " says the 2 ? amur , " a public meeting was held in the Odd FelloWB * Ha . ll , Mantgomery-street , for the purpose of bearing statements and adopting resolutions in reference to the alleged grievances of the journeymen boot and shoemakers of Belfast .

      The room was crowded , and , as mentioned by the chairman , the meeting was composed of the representatives of fourteen or mote various trades , besides the members of the' gentle craft . ' Mr . Nimmick , cabinet-maker , hating been called to the chair , briefly stated the objects for which they were met . Mr . M'Cann , boot aud shoemaker , thtn entered into a lengthened statement of the grievances under which , he stated , the persons belonging to hit trade in this town were placed . An agreement , as to wages , he said , had been entered into between the masters and the journeymen in 1840 , but , since that period , a con . stant attempt has been made by the employers to secede tr « m it , and low « r the prices then fixed upon . In October last , the journeymen formed a society in order to re . sist such encroachments , and to look after the general

      interests of the trade . In prosecution of these objects they then submitted a statement to the matters which they ( thejourneymen ) considered would give them a fair remuneration for their labour . Some of the item * were objected to by the employers , and they w « re deference to them , reduced , and at length a scale of prices to the satisfaction of both parties , was agreed to , to be printed at their mutual expense . ' But , befoie tnU resolution »» , carried into effect , the masters required , a primary » tep towardsgetting work , that each man should siKn an agreement to work at the prices alluded to for a period of two years , and then , upon this being refu . ed , for one year . The committee did-not sanction such a thing ,

      beeause they could not think it right for them to bind oTer in such a manner , not only the meu at present in Belfast , but all who might come from the various parti of thi United Kingdom . Accordingly the men refused what the masters required . But the masters endeavoured to gain over the men individually , and thus to destroy tho re » olutlon of the society and the society ittelf . They got a form of agreement drawn up by a solicitor , stating that they would eugageto jive any journeyman employment for twelre months who would leave the society and do his work in a proper manner . The expression— 'Do his work in a proper manner '—being intended , 6 aid Mr . M'Cann , as a loop-hole by which the masters might , when .

      ever it answered their purpose , neutralise the bargnU , by finding fault with the way in which the journeyman ' s work was executed . The boot and shoemakers were the worst paid class of tradesmen , and , taking them on an average , they did not earn more than ten or eleven shil lings a-week ~( Avoice ; : — "Say eight , and you will be nearer !')—and , besides this , they had to waste mauy hours each day going to , and from , and waiting at , the em ployer ' s for work , and , when they did get it , had to con tinue toiling at the rate of sixteen hours a-fay for the miserable pittance which he had mentioned . The mas ters were not all alike ; it was only some of tlwrn * who had acted in the dictatorial naannwhe had stated but b » tlieir means , no fewer than 220 men , and a still greater numb « « f females , had been thrown out of work at last Christmas-a season of the year when their business was a ways d « lk He had mentioned a few of the griev " uc of wlHchthc , had to complain , although man , oE might be stated ; aud , he would ask , wasiUust or Tnnl rtmt . tiiKv Klinniii » nn » , n ,,- « «_ , ' " J » sior proper thattheyshouldcontinuet

      Or , when the Tr cd b *? a 7 r and honourable , and legal means to benefit IZ- !¦' tion ought they to be tnreatened ' ° £££ oft law ! Mr . M Cann , after a few more remark . , concluded amid the applause of the meeting . Addresses were dtt hvered by Mr Harper , Mr . A . H . Thornton , Mr Turner Mr . Hugh Iim , and others , in support of resolutions ex ! pmaive of he right of the journeymen to combine , by fan- and lawful means , to protect their labour . A reso Union was also passed , that , with a view of gettine the unemployed journeymen into work , and otherwise L ,. hUnls the trade , a joinUtock boot and shoe company taouldbe forthwith formed , at shares of £ 1 each , to £ P « . d by instalments of half-crown . A eommUtee of went , was then appointed to take steps for Carrym 7 thc separa ed A b * V"V ° thti chairm » n , the meeting rr tt-SSS ^

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      * The " some" here mentioned are , however mueh th *

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      week , At this meeting , a secretary , treasurer , » nd | 8 necessary office-bearers will be appointed , ' Tli . ^ ll mittee report that the shares are already bt siDniosi % M bought up with avidity , and that the Joint-Stoek M and Shoe Company will be ready iu a 8 hort timo ^ « srj | raence operations . " *\ ffi To this account I may add , that Mr . B yrt , Of ^ M fergus , and the only emp loyer who in that town at ^ m conjunction with the employers in Belfaat , has yM ' H with his men . A singular circu . nstanco arisi n ? ' ^ f this dispute it may also be necessary to men ti s H young gentleman of Belfast , who felt much inter jA ? 4 the cause of thejourneymen , after having made hiijfi acquainted with all the circumstances of the caso , vrJljj ( iuaumuiwi

      taniy promised , as ms "" i ^ u , t 0 m ^ - , ^ gift to them of £ 1 swweek as long ae the auike u , * j continue . This one of the employers took umbragj * ' ^ and to show his valour in the cause he had engag ^ V ^ j sent—what think you , reader ?—a ehaUengi to Hie gi ^ m man to pistol the truth out between them . This , ht * : < % ever , was not acceded to , but dealt with in another , ^ much better manner . The fighting " man of le ^; was brought before the magistrates , and there , ,, ; " comforter , " he was bound over to keep the peace dU ( . g his life ! BM . ^ Jan . 28 . i

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      AWFUL EXPLOSION . # | j Nottingham , Saturday Evening . —This afternooj 4 *? lbout four o ' clock , alarming reports wero s ^ >\ £ ihrough this town of an extensive explosion luVj E ; ii iaken place at Arnold , a village lour miles oW vi , vhich had caused considerable loss otlife . 0 n ^ 1 pairing to the scene of the catastrophe , I obs ^ 3 three houses , each three stories high , so complete ] I mattered as scarcely to leave two bricks firmi . ' attached to each other . They are situated in Front i street , the principal street in Arnold , tho first tw . j | j being in the possession of Mr . E . Garratt , a grocj , 1 and druggist , and the third inhabited by a wii ] M The ground floor of the first house was used as a sa | " - $ shop ; the ground floor of the second as a store room , m the second story of both houses as lodging rooms , tfcj ? l ime in the second house being occupied by Mr . h , m

      ward Garratt , a lunatic invalid , who lor a consider } , m ble period had been confined to his bed ; and tlie fa ; i rooms , or garrets , were also used as store rooms fi } a ! articles of a combustible nature . About three o ' olofl | | Mr . George Garratt was in a kitchen on the grounj m floor , when lie heard a tremendous explosion . F ^ m ing the buildings might fall upon him , he ran from % , the kitchen through the shop into the street , whea % he saw the roofs of the houses flying into the air , th ; ^ front walls falling , and , amongst the general cO& -J fusion , he observed his brother driven with violence ?! through his bedroom window , and fall into the middfe m of the street , covered with scattered ruins . Won < W 1 tul to relate , Mr . George Garratt escaped withou ; serious injury , and with considerable alacrity assisted %

      his neighbours in rendering aid to his unfortunate brother . Mr . William Thompson , a framework . \ knitter , who was passing at the time , was knocked down , and partially buried . Other parties were also hurt , but not seriously . It was , however , deemed essentially necessary to convey Thompson and Garratt to the General Hospital , and they were remove ! thither with as much speed as possible . The cause of the explosion is a complete mystery , and can only be guessed at . The store-room over Mt . Edward Garratt ' a bedroom—which , be it re . inembered , was in the middle house—was filled with large bottles of oil , turpentine , spirits of wine , and two barrels of gunpowder . The combustion can only be accounted for by supposing that the unfortunate

      lunatic , by some means , set fire to his bed , after his brother had left him , which would quickly find its way through the floor above , and ignite the powder , But the brother cannot bring his mind to this con . elusion , as he says the sufferer was not in the habit of leaving his bed , and , to hit ; knowledge , hud not the means of striking a light in his chamber . That he did set fire to Ins own chamber first , however , there is but little doubt , as he was dreadfully burnt , besides being injured by being thrown from his bed , and buiied in the ruins in the street , lie is so severely injured as to be almost beyond the hope of recovery , ilis face , shoulder , and one hand , are horribly burnt , his bead is cut , and he is otherwise much shattered and bruised . Thompson is very bad , but is not fatally injured , and , being capable of speaking , I was allowed to take his statement . He

      said— "Soon after half-past two o clock this afternoon , just as the omnibus which leaves at that time for Nottingham was passing me , I heard an explosion whilst walking by Garratt ' s house . 1 looked up and saw the roofs of the three houses flying in all directions , andy . ho front walls appeared to be falling upon me . 1 ran into the middle of the road as fast as I could , but was soon knocked down by the bricks which fell upon me , and was partially buried . For s moment I was stunned , and lay still ; but upon recovering I drew myself from under the ruins , and ! ay on the opposite side of the road until my neighbour ! came to render me assistance . I am so much hurt on the head , shoulders , and loins , as to be incapable of working , and know not what my poor children will do , there being five of them at home without a parenj and the oldest not thirteen years of age . "

      After the explosion had taken place , the ruinous mass burat forth into flames , which were not extinguished for an hour . It is remarkable that ao few persons should have been seriously injured ; but this may be accounted for by the greater part of the villagers being at Nottingham at the time at the market , disposing of the produce of their frames to the hosiers . Mr . Garratt estimates his loss at £ 400 . Sunday Morning , Ten o'Clock . — Garratt , although not yet dead , cannot be expected to survive long ; and poor Thompson appears much worse than he was last night . Great crowds of people ever since daylight have been wending their way to the scene of the catastrophe , which appears likely to render Ar « nold for some time to come " as crowded as a fair . "

      Ihe Recent Explosion at Arnold . — . Inquest . — Nottingham , Tuksdat Afiehnoon . —As I anticipated , George Garratt , one of the sufferers by that calamity , expired a few minutes after I had been making inquiries at the general hospital respecting him , on Monday morning . Last night an inquest was held upon hia body , before Michael Brown , gent ., coroner for this borough , and an intelligent jury ; when the depositions of various parties were taken , but no face was elicited showing the precise cause of the explosion . Edwin Garratt ' s evidence confirmed the account we Jjave given above . Francis Sibson , lwuse-surgeon to the general hospital , said—1 ' The deceased was brought to this hospital on Saturday last , about four o ' clock in the afternoon ; he was suffering from an extensive burn of the body and head , and from great depression , the result , as I understood , of an explosion of gunpowder . The whole face was blackened , and the front hair

      singed from the explosion ; the side of the body and the whole of tho right arm were extensively and deeply burnt , and to a slighter degree the left hand . He was incoherent , and afterwards violently delirious . He died yesterday ( Sunday ) morning , about tea o ' clock , in consequence of the injuries he had sustained . I think that the extreme blackening of the face , and tho singeing of the hair , denote that he must have been close to the powder at the time of its explosion . " The jury returned as their verdict"That the deceased died in consequence of the injuries he received by an explosion of gunpowder ; that by some means he caused the said explesion ; and that , at the same time , he appears to have been of unsound mind and understanding . " Mr . Edwin Garratt , the brother of the deceased , and occupier of two of the houses destroyed , stated that the property was entirely uninsured , and that injury to the amount of £ 1000 had been inflicted . Thompson , the other nufferer in tho hospital , is recovering .

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      IIorkiblb Occurrence . —A horrible event has taken place at the Village of La Yazais , near Nantes . A farmer , named Tcssier , had some time a « o bcea confined in the hospital as a lunatic , but belli" behoved to be cured , he was discharged . He however , occasionally showed symptoms of a return of hi * malad / , but , as he continued harmless , hewasnoc f '" * . . forbearance was ill-judged and fatal . Sn , nT - ^ ., g 0 t UP in his shirt , and taking a toZ x I W' weut down te his wife , who was St * ' }* ? flie : P } MeinaWn B M » breakfast and stiuck her with this tremendous weapon several i ,, Tm ° T thc - llead ' leavi » S her senseless on the K ? " ^""" S , " * *? be dead ' he kissed h « . ittectionately , and hurried up to the loft , and there set tire to a quantity of flax , in the intent of burning house

      we , and with it himself and the body of his wite . hot being able to bear the heat , he ran down wl \ , f r ,, ^ e dwelliB 6 of the widow JrWVi f f"cud ! ? S hbour . and with one blow ot the bill deprived her of her life . He next struck tft S r 5 ?^ J ? > wh 0 was in the samc room , and leic it tor dead . Tessier then procured some chcmicil matches , and attempted to set fire to this cottage , as us nad to hm own house , hut at first failed from the oauness of the matches . Pursuing his wild idea , he procured a torch , and with it set the bed and furniture of the widow in flames . While they were burn"' g . . the madman heard the poor child cry , and seizing it dashed it on the burning floor , where it expired in agony . The inhabitants , oncomiug from ciiurcli , saw the flames , hastened to the spot , anil atter a desperate struggle , in which he severely wounded one man with his bill , secured the maniac , bound him , and seated liim by the sido of a ditch till

      C | ie gendarmes came to take charge of him . By this time Ins demoniacal rage was calmed , aud he himself elated the whole of the melanchol y talc . He spoke in terms of deep regret for what he had done , but saw tli . Lt the blame rested with those who , knowing ms malady , had left him at liberty . Tenter ' s wife } 3 m great danger , but still there are some slight nopes ot her recovery . Fatal Accidkn t on the NoRTn Usio . v Itiitwir , at fAHKsiDB . — On Friday morning , about eleven o clock , an accident , fearful to contemplate , occurred at the branch of the North Union Railway , at th « Park-side station . It app ears that & man was engaged repairing the rails , when a passenger train was coming up to which he had liis back turned , and unfortunately he was knocked down by tho engine , and the wheels passing up the middle of his body , cut him literally in two . The poor man has left a wife , who is tiuieute , together with six children all of whom are incapable of earning their livelihood .

      Tfom'p Iftobemettte/

      tfom ' p iftobemettte /

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      N' " M ' ¦ ¦¦ ¦ 6 THE NORT HER STAR . - January 31 , m ,

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 31, 1846, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1352/page/6/