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Northern Star (1837-1852), 1st December 1849, Edition 1 of 3, Page 7, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      W '' ^ s ^ m r uT ? £ Plaited it at him , sweSS ' * he w > uld blow his papist brains out . " Aft 2 ™ LhW ftewmdows they all , With one accordXkTS «™ $ «»* *«»«« I they would shoot , Seek and J » ujs-teae . The neighbours were alarmed and SSs ^ sSS ^ iKS rSirri ^ S *^ rajfejj * " ° " tad » »» O 1 » rit ; .-Jid / M g&ss ^^ saasria ctfr ^ A n ^ M pnHtacing its report criminatorr &f ^ ren - ° ' , ? bounded- The Jfeil and ifcclee , TO abusing the "brethren , " chime for « n ~ TrTH ^ .

      JtaSEWn . p t ? notes townnentaiyofthe -facia and the Pacfct that of the JfcflL The latler journal says :- " la onr opinion it matters but little whether or tot the report shall ever come into the world . The uncertainty of the hatdiers has so much dBtttrli ^ the nest , that the eggshave now grown cold , if not addled . By its deliberation the Grand Ora « ee liOdsehas lost the opportunity of conciliating the humbler brethren by taking a part in the exposure of the base treachery to which they were made victims rt has also spoiled the market of the compromisers . " Sfi f Hnd ' W ( l ^ d appear ' that ^ erc n » ?™ Jf «?^ y *? " $ "m ""**™* forthcoming tile Juent . Jyo witholding of documents ( says the Hail ) l-larendon . lbe truth is , the downfall of Orangei ^ m semsfr . approach at last ; the sansuinarr » tnTriri and

      or ^ ouysBrae the system of corraptionthat has been disclosed to the world by the " 'Grand Lodge , " have accelerated the event beyond any & * Sf aiTe f Ug its P S rcs ? . and the spite thev tea tor themselves and for each other cannot be coii-JS . DSICU > ^ " < pws .-The annual election of town ^ councill ow took place on Monday , on which occasion Mr . John Reynolds , M . P ., and Lord Mayor elect , was elected for no less than three wardsnamely , Mernon , Linen-hall , and Andrews .

      Repeai . AssociATiox . -Mr . John O'Conncll ' s gathering of the pence ft * the last week showed a decline of nearly thirty per cent , under the receipts of the previous vent-day , ' « "Universal Ireland " cutnbuting but £ 212 s . 6 d . ilr . J O'Connell read the following letter from -Mr . Bright : — ° - w ™ c T 1 R « diaale , 22 naXOTembcr , lS 43 . air DEia Sk ,-Ifiulyreccm-d your letter of the ittb of ttus month , convejing to me the resolution of die Lojal Rational Repeal Association , espresdvc of their ar . prol . atoon of iny recent speech on Ireland . I can sav witfc all sinewrtv that I am much gratified to learn that the views I Have formed and puMicly explained with regard to the calamities which afflict jour couutty , tore met with the concurrence of an association vlueh must contain ikOjIu iS . ^ ^ aJ ?^ nmnber of those thoroughly acquainted iui

      •» me conuraon ot lreiaud . and most honestly anxious to improve it I cau easily believe that ihwu a case of so much difficulty as that which Ireland now presents differences ofotiiuioHwU be inevitable , ar . d I am not therefore discouraged if tlie policy I have but very partially sketched should seem to you but a portion of what is required . I will not now enter into discussion upon the points you hare submitted to me , butcau assure \ outhat to evcrv one of them I v . ill give that eousideratW which , comin * " from such a quarter , they must so eminently merit 1 ma ? remark , however , that 1 have no idea that any changes oi tne law can instantaneously cliange the condition of Ireland . Anarchy , political and social , cannot give place to order in a moment of time . The Ions violation of every economical law cannot be remedied at once , nor can the traces of us ruin be obliterated in a single season . I have seen the laud , and I have seen the people I know the laud is ferule , and that the people are industrious . With tlie < = c elements , then , I propose to work out the salratiou of Ireland ; ana my policy would so secure to industit itc immi

      and by i * ifect justice in your political and ecclesiastical arrangements so extract the root of bitterness from your social system , that , were it adopted , I have faith that Irishmen would sueedily effect the restoration of Irehmd . I am delighted toMieve that a bitter feeling prevails with you and with us on the great questions which so deeply iuterest both countries ; and I shall especially njidec if the comili " session of parliament exhibit a more cordial and united efiort on the part of the EugU&li and Irish members to advance such legislative measures as shall be found necessary . orthe relief of your suSurinj country . I feel grateful to your association for the resolution they ' liave passed , and to you personally for the very kind manner in which you have conveyed itto me , and subscribe myself , Yours very laitlifully , Jons Bwcirr ,

      TllE MabQCTS OF WaTEHFOBD AND TnE PoACUEnS —Ihe ltppcrary Vindicator contains the followinir curious statement : — " The Marquis of "Water-ford' ! Keepers lately apprehended two men named Gaul and Kerns forsettinjetrapsfor game in the Curra « hmore preserves , nnd brought them before his lordship , who appeared incensed at the depredations continually mad ., - On iris « ame , and threatened to have summary jmnishmeiit inflicted on the ofll-nders . * hey howevcrtook occasion to state their circumstances to the angered nobleman , and in the end expressed a desire to leave a country where employment could not be had , and go to America . The Harquis ' s resentment was disarmed , and he ordered a sum of £ 20 to be given to defray the costs of their passage . " Acmccuuim . School of Ixdustbt et Muxster . —At a meeting of the committee appointed at the inauguration of the collegeto consider what steps

      , might be taken for the appropriation towards the improvement of agriculture of the sum of £ 5 , 000 remaining from the funds of the Keproductive Loan Committee , held in Cork , on Saturday , after some discussion , the following resolution was proposed bv Mr . Fagan , M . P ,, and seconded by Dr . Barter : — " That means be promptly adopted to complete the establishment of an agricultural school of industry in Munster , in connexion with the Provincial College , by the formation of an agricultural , botanical , and arbor icultuml garden and experimental farm , and also a museum of materials connected with these important subjects , so as io secure to this locality the appropriation of the £ 5 , 000 , as set forth in the second seetion of the 11 th and 12 th "Victoria , chap . 115 . " The resolution was put and carried unanimously , and it was agreed that circulars should be sent through the country for subscriptions .

      Dimisutkbj of Voters . —The question of the registries is beginning to excite the attention which it must command . The Evening J ' ost , in au article oa the results ofthe Cork election , says : — " In the city of Dublin we find , by a return in one of the newspapers , that the registries in favour of the Tories were nine or ten to one . IIo « - it may be in the corporate towns we cannot say precisely , but we are satisfied that most of them will change their members . " The Freeman ' s Journal says : — " Were a general election to occur to-morrow , what would the position ofGorfe county be ? In 1841 the total population is stated to have been 773 , 398 , and of these , according to the usual mode of circulation' there can

      hardly nave been less than 180 , 000 adult males , yet not more than 3 . 7 S 1 names at that period appeared upon the registry , and , as we know , the number of names on " the registry invariably exceed the actual number of persons who at any given time are entitled to vote . It is important likewise to bear in mind the proportion which rent-charges and £ 50 freeholders in every constituency bear to those endued with the popular franchise . Of the total number already stated , 1 , 237 belonged to the specially favoured classes of electors , who are privileged by law to register when they piease , without question or inquiry of any sort ; so that tbe popular share of representative power in the county of Cork in the year 1 S 41 may be said to have lain nominally with 2 , 447 individuals , out of a population of 773 , 393 . Whatever the roal or proportional numbers may have then been , they have of necessity been still , further reduced during the years of

      unparalleled calamity which bare since rolled over our heads . A return presented to parliament last session gives for the Lvgest county in the kingdom not more than 3 , G 2 G electors . The difference between this number and that ef 1841 should . be deducted from the popular part of the constituency , and thus we have for 1849 , just twenty years after Catholic Emancipation , and seventeen years after the English Reform BUI , an electoral body in the county of Cork , whose numerical inadequacy is without a parallel in the annals of constitutional farce . The ' nearest approach in figure to the constituency of Cork is that of Pembrokeshire , which , is not one-twentieth of its size , and which does not contain one-fiftieth of its population . The numbers are curious : — Cork county , population 773 , 393 , electors 3 , 620 ; Pembrokeshire , population 14 , 923 , electors 3 , 698 . What is thus said of Cork may unfortunately be predicted of all the Irish

      constitupnciuS iBian Coai * —The subjoined gratifying statement appears in the Xewry Examiner : — " The extensive coal field of Ballyeastle has at last been opened , and a ear » o of coals . therefrom has arrived at the mtav of Belfast It is fifty-five years since the Irish u-vrfiament discussed the national advantage of con-ItructinT a harbour at Ballyeastle for the exporta § od of Ite coals ; but , like all other important improvements out of Dublin , they neglected this great vork The public is now indebted to an tnglisk company for onenin ? this mine of wealih , which ' The harbour

      - « U 1 afford-so mnch employment . , as I an asvlum for shipping going north about from I filas ^ ow , Iiverpool , and Belfast to America and I cuTcolonies , should be looked to by government ; I the Irish ports jnrald-then-derife a-supply of native I roal from this inoxhaustiblemu . e In the meantime , I the company thathas obtained the extension of the I rnonfraUwayfrom Ballymena to BaUymoney should lBe 1 by « i Wnmcnfc andI further extended lf £ m Sl / money , which is bat ten . miles to ^ Rdly-R rite This arrangement would afford a vast lCaS tolr flhTindSpensable Article to the flax tefejKSSS kSSSSSSZ Si . pr ^ W . f CUter . "

      Untitled Article

      The Poor-law Difficcmt . — The insolvent ' . mions , as they are not inaptly termed , Te still StTH S" r T fT the enormous debts with which they are loaded , and seekinjr for a ceneral release from the Imperial Exchequer to efable SK ?«^ ir ^ fr 0 m their overwhelming in « f , , , nt 1 ! eClarc unions , tho rates now in course of collection aro comparatively low-merelv 3 ^ S " ? *? ^ th" c ^ cn / Spenses foV a few months but still some difficulty will be exfenenced in the lovy . The Clare flmal drawfa rrifj 1 w - tbe T , reaB Ws t ^ only source of relief . That journals savs : — « Tf t > o nmmnl . i ; , _

      , tatabes were now paid off by a grant from government , it would afford encouragement to all classes to make vigorous efforts for their own support in future ; and it would give some confidence to the SwSmtW , stop many 6 f them in their me - dtUted flight from the country . Xoris this union more distressed than others around us . Need we refer t ) iiilrush , where it would require a rate of 41 s . in the pound on some ofthe divisions to meet their liamiities ; but where the board of guardians do Hot consider it possible to collecta hi » her rate than that recently imposed by them-namely , a uniform one of 3 s . in the pound . " In Kilrush the markets are crowded with produce of all kinds , and food is consequently low " ! IJ " ce almost beyond precedent , because , as the Clare Journal observes , "the country people are making sales of all they can , and buying nothins they can avoid ; " farmers are putting : the monev

      in their pockets , waiting to know what abatement wiil be given on the land , and if their expectations are not realised , they sail for a foreign climn . °

      Untitled Article

      Disasters of the AlEDiTEmtASEAs Fleet . — "We extract the lollowing from the Hants Telegrajjh the following < let . lil . of the Lite disasters in our squadron in the Mediterranean : — " The squadron , consists ? J L § ucen ( flag , ) HO ; Howe , 120 ; Caledonia ° 120 ; Prince Ifcgent , 92 ; Powerfnl , 84 ; Yengeance 84 ; and Dragon steam-frigate , left Zante on the evening of the ISth of September . The Queen was the last away , and the wind falling light , she was taken in tow by the Dragon , but before her head could be got round to seaward , she ran foul of the Rosamond , steam sloop , carrying away that vessels stern boat , davits , bulwarks , quarter « al . lenes , and some more of her frame-work , lcavinHicr head-shoots and their contents on the Kosamond ' s

      quarter deck , as also losing the towing hawser by reason of the 'casting off' from both ships at ' the same time . The Queen got into something less than four and a half fathoms . On the aftemSon of the 21 st October , whilst working to windward between Zwi and Micronisi , wind light , and water smooth the Caledonia being on the port tack , ran foul of the Powerful , but got clear with some trifling loss to both ships . In anchoring in Basicabav on the 2 sth of Oct ., the Vengeance ( Captain Earl of ilardwicke ) ran foul of the Caledonia and Dragon owing to the latter attempting to . CrOSS the hows of the former—mother words , steaming ahead when she ought to have gone astern . The damage sn * tamed by the Caledonia was the loss of two boats

      stove , boats , davits doubled up like an iron hoop iron stanchions to the stern galleries bent double quarter galleries stove in , and considerable quantity of framework damaged . The Vengeance sustained the loss of the cathead bumpkins , spritsail gaff , iib and flying jib booms , bobstay , and shroud collars The damage , sustained by the Dragon could not have been much , as she was sent off verv soon afterwards to Constantinople with the mould for a new cathead for the Vengeance . Those who saw the cafcistrophe say that had the Vengeance not struck the Caledonia , she must have cut the Dra « on down to the water ' s edge , if not have sunk her . Tl-o Dragons flyingjibboom went into the Calodonia ' s stern . On the 1 st of November , when the snimlrnn

      was getting under weigh , with a double reefed topsail breeze from the southward , the Prince Renent Captain . Afartm , after she was a-weigh , but before her topsails were hoisted ( they wore sheeted home and jib and staysail set , ) ran into the Howe 120 * Captain Sir James Stirling ( the latter bein <* at anchor ) taking her amidships . The MneeWnt lost her cathead , her bumpkins , spritrafls . gaff , dolphmstnker , jibboom , ana twisted the bowsprit cap . The Howe escaped with the loss of the laniards of her mam rigging , which were cutaway in order to let the Prince Regent ' bowsprit clear her mainmast , which shook not a little from the . * « -,- ~« fc » w VUl flit shock hvcs

      - . J ^ o were lost on either occasion . The Powerful , on coming to an anchor , parted her cable but got it again next day . The Odin steam-frigate ' ou hoisting in a piece of timber for the cathead of the Vengeance , let it slip out of its slings , so it sunk to rise no more . Sir William Parker , with the captains of his fleet , called upon the Pasha of tho DavJanelles oa the oth , and Sir William ( whose repugnance to tobacco smoking , and to allow any one in his ship or squadron to do so either , is so well known , and so rigidly enforced in the former case ) actually took three whiff 3 ofthe Pasha ' s pipe and iJieii requested the consul to explain to his highness that if he took another he would drop down dead . *

      FnExcn Titeatsicals . —A great sensation has recently been created in the theatrical circles bvthe President of the Republic having , on the report of the Minister of the Interior , dectccd that in consequence of , the embarrassed state of the Theatre Fi-ancais , and of the necessity of reorganising it , II . Arsenc lloussaye should be appointed ad interim administrator and government commissioner an as such , should exercise all the administrative powers , heretofore held by the committee of the soaetaires . A gainst this the societaim ( tho principal male and feuude performers ) made a solemn protest , on the ground that it was a violation ofthe rights and privileges conferred on the company of the theatre by the Imperial decree of 1812 , and other decrees and ordinances . On Saturday the case was earned before the Civil Tribunal . M . Mane , for the sociitaires , contended at great lcn < nh that , though the government had theviphttn

      pvpicise surveillance over the theatre , it had none to meddle with the administration , inasmuch as a company was established many years ago , in virtue of an ordinary deed of partnership , for carryiiiT on the theatre , and that this deed had been adhered to by all the performers who had subsequently joined , or who now belonged to the company . This deed gave the performers the management ofthe theatre and the control and division ofthe receipts . The Imperial decree of 1 S 12 , signed by 2 vapoleon at Moscow , respected the rights of the performers . Other decrees and ordinances did so too , and it wouid be a violation of the rights of property for the government to deprive them of the administration ; whilst the appointment of the administrator would greatly increase the expenses . M Chaix-d'Bst-Ange , for M . Arscne lloussaye , maintained that the tribunal had no power to enter into the case ; that the government had the right to act as it had done ; and that it had taken similar me ; i-

      sures on previous occasions . The tribunal gave judgment to the effect that the theatre had frequently been subjected to the decrees and ordinances of the government , and that the recent decres were acts of public administration on the part of the government , with which the tribunal could not interfere ; it accordingly dismissed the case and condemned the plaintiffs in the costs . —Galignani ' s Mcfecnger . Fousdeuisg ot the Paxdoba Steameu . —Intelligence was received on Tuesday at the Custom-house of the total lots of this steam ship , which took place on the morning ofthe 2 Sth October , while on her passage from London to Alexandria . The particulars of the wreck and the escape of her crew are

      thu 3 reported by Capt . J . Itoskell , master of . the emigrant ship Asia , who witnessed the unhappy event : —At eleven o ' clock on the morning abovenamed , when the Asia ( which had upwards of 200 emigrants on board for Sydney , Port Phillip , and Adelaide , ) was in lat . 48 . 31 . long . 0 . 19 , west , a steamer hove in sight , which turned out to be the Pandora , Capt . Smith , commander , bound for AlexaEdria . Capt . Roskell hailed her , and be » ged of the master to report the Asia . The reply was that they would do so .. When they parted , the Pandora directed her . course towards Ushant . At that time Capt . Koskell , with his officers and passengers ,

      could not help remarking that the steamer was in a sinking condition , and much surprise was manifested at the circumstance ofthe captain not seeking assistance from the Asia . She had not passed more than half an hour before a signal of distress was run up to her mast , and she bore about for the Asia . Capt . lloskell immediately hove to , and as soon as she came up the master begged ofthe Asia to send her boats to them , for the Pandora was fast settling down , and ungovernable . This was instantly done , the first and second officers of the Asia taking charge of them , and on coming , alongside the steamer was found to be full of water . Her

      erewfifteen m number—immediately sought refuge in the Asia ' s boat . In another moment they would all have met with a frightful death , for her " boilers exploded , blowing up Ler decks , and the . ship instantly went down . Sothiuff whatever was saved hy the crew ; all they hi \ u was theclqthes thoy stood in . On board of the Asia they received every kindness and attention . It was the intention of Capt . lloskell shipping the crew on board the first vessel the Asia met bound for London , but not succeeding they were taken on to Madeira , where they were landed on the 2 nd instant . The Pandora was fully insured , at Lloyds . She was quite a new steamer , having been launched a few months since from the ship-building yard of Messrs . Kobinson and Co ., the engineers at Mtllwail . She had been purchased by the Egyptian government .

      Untitled Article

      Tns Late Mh . Yodatt , in one of his orations to the members of tlie Veterinary College , observes— " that by tue improvemenis in modern chemistry , the medical profession are enabled successfully to treat diseases which were previously supposed as not within the reach of medicine . " The truth has been msnifested for many years , but in no instance of greater importance to mankind than by ih » discovery of Blair ' s Gout and lUieumatic Bus . "

      Untitled Article

      THE MINERS OF THE NORTH . I On Saturday last the delegate meeting of the Miners' Society was held at the Pence Houses u-h i . near Houghton-le-Spring , Durham , at which the following proceedings took place : —• Mr . A . Stores was called upon to preside , and was assisted by Mr . J . Hall , as vice-president . The Secisetart called over the list of collieries previously represented . Seven more collieries gave in their adhesion to the unfon , and the announcement was received with gratifying acclamation . The debate on tho propriety of having a printed plan for the lecturers was discussed , and the followmg resolution carried- .- "That this meeting fully appreciates the utility of a printed plan of the lecturers appointments , but think they should be delayed until the collieries are more organised and united , and the same formed into properly arraueed districts . " . r t j b

      The next question was the utility of a general sick fund , into which the surplus avera ge weight earnings should be paid , estimated at tnree-penee per score After a lengthened discussion it was resolved , "That . each colliery be recommended to Ei fes ^ ' ° fair and e 1 uitable It was next considere d whether to have a general public meeting upon Shadon ' s Hill , or not ; ultimately it was resolved , « Toky the same before the collieries for decision at their next meeting . " Un the motion of a DeWate it was rosniml tiSs ? r ; i i , ^ 4 J £ jS « & SSstiX ;^ votes be recoiided ifl the

      Several collieries handed in an account of the prices got by the union , together with the extra weight of coal sent to bank , as follows- .-Black Boy Colhery-An advance of 3 d . per score ; have most excellent arrangements for conveying the coals from the workmen , which reflects great credit upon the agents The ventitation is superior to many of the neighbouring collieries , but would be much improved by additional brattices being provided Heugh Hall Colliery . —The hewers have gained an advance of Is . per score , or about sixteen per cent . The putters 3 d . per score advance ; all of winch have been the result of union , besides which previous to our union , the set out was verv omu-cssive

      . and amau was not allowed to measure his tub . iow we have the weighing machine , and a chance ot justice . At this colliery a serious evil -had crept «* •«« WC h ! i TV » I . so abolished . At the time when "kennens called " -which is the time for ceasing work for the day , and which day ' s work should not be longer than twelve hours-the practice had been to draw all the full tubs , which invariably kept tbe men and boys for two additional hours , thus making the day ' s work fourteen hours . This we have broken off , and insist that twelve hours be not exceeded ; these concessions are the result of the union , inasmuch as all attempts at reason or argument were of no avail with our . employers ,-until ^ re united ourselves-and these two hours will 1 ) 0 much better spent by ouv boys going to school .

      Corn- Crook ' s Colueot . —Ton years a ? o the price for hewing coals was Cs . 6 " d . per score- we arc now paid but 4 s . Gd ., yet the price of coals at market was exactly the same then as now ; besides , our standard weight , ten years since , was six cwt ., while now it is seven cwt . When a tub is considered by the banksman to be deficient in weight it is set out , but is not tested by the machine . Our previous price for driving headways was Is . 8 d . per yard now it is but Is . For turning away boards we had qs ., now we have 3 s . Narrow boards were Is . per yard , and now but ; 8 d . . Putters had Is . 4 d ., first rents or stage , at present the price , is Is . Id . for the same distance . Similar reductions have been made in the other seam , \ iz . —the five quarter . Then we Have to complain for want of air ; and if any ofthe workmen go out because of bad air the mastiw will

      ask the deputy : « What is the matter with the place cf » < L , ?? depu ^ sa y- " ail > is "ad , sir . Well , but could you not find them other places to work m ? " "So , sir ; the other places are worse than tbe ones they have left . " Last April , coals being low at the London market ( 14 s . I £ * j ) ° employers pleaded the depression of the trade for making a reduction then , but promised Jaitmullyto put it on again when times mended . Ills words were , "Lads , we cannot help this reduction now , but if all be well when the coals got up at market , you shall have it back a « rain . " The price of coals at present are 17 s . 6 d . per ton ., and ire have made our claim . Butiudse of ouvsnrnviso

      to Hear our master state , " Not a penny shall you liave . Ilus answer made ' the men desperate , and they have all given a month ' s notice for an advance of . wages . The men at Brancepeth Colliery have had a long struggle for an advance of wages , and have had to undergo unheard of difficulties , being turned out of tljeir houses , and otherwise suffering great privations . The dispute , however , has terminated with an advance of tenponce per score . Two of the workmen had been taken -beforp the magistrates , but

      were brought off clear by Mr . Homer , of Darlington . Wesiekto-v Collierv . —At the beginning of the present year the price was 12 s . Hid . per score of twenty-tubs , each tub seven and a half cwt . In March , the wei ght was increased to eight cwt . per tub , and the price reduced to 12 * . 4 d . per score . In October ,-we got au advance of Gd . per score , therefore our present price is 12 s . lOd . for the eight cwt . tub , which still leaves a reduction of 9 d . per score . Ihe pit draws about forty scores per day , which is a loss to the hewers of about £ 400 per annum Elswick

      Colliery has gained an advance of Gd per score . The pit draws fovty-eight score dailv ' which , together with some consideration paid for "' 2 % will advantage the workmen upwards of £ 300 per year . The hewers had , up to this time pvocureu their powder and candles of tho masters aad those gentlemen had charged tliom as much as l * d . per pound for candles more than the regular price , and Id . per pound for powder . Tho ° men now buy the articles wholesale , and save all the above . A curious circumstance occurred with a certain wholesale dealer of the above articles and the men of this colliery , which shows the power and influence ofthe employers of this district . A deputation ofthe men were sent to the merchant to ask

      the conditions and prices for the stores they wanted He received them very cordially , and explained all matters to them , and the men returned a few davs after to make their first purchase . In the meantime they set to work to build a powder house and store room , and although they requested a little assistance from the master , none was given , ' and indeed , as will bo seen , every obstruction was thrown in their way . However , having got over all difficulties of a physical character , away they hied to the merchant to make the purchase , but now the tables were turned , and the previous complacent mercliant began to read them a lecture upon the duty of servants to submit to their employers and not to obstruct the working of the colliery bv their Lruon and agitators , and oventually refused to

      allow the parties to have any goods whatever . Think of this Gatcshead merchant , you colliers who thrusts his nose into your business , and pleads the employers cause gratuitously . But why this change in his manner ? Because , no doubt , he had had a visit from the master of the colliery , whose loss m this business is estimated at £ 60 per annum . Siii . vcuFFE Colliery . —Our masters reduced tho price Is . per score , and also 4 d . per score wet working . After a severe struggle we- have got an advance of 8 J . per score , and the 4 d . for wet . Snn , Do . \ Colliery . —There lias been an advance of Gil . pev score , nnd 2 d . per yard for hewing , and 2 d . per score for putting . There are 200 men in the Union , and two men not in , earning at the present t me 3 s . Cd . per day .

      Saciuston Colliery . —We , the workmen ofthe above colliery , state , that since we joined the association , our prices have been advanced 7 d . per score in the main coal seam , and Gd . per score in the five-quarter seam ; also 4 d . per score advantage by having our coals properly weighed . Oxclose Colliery have got an advance of 4 d . per score in one part ofthe pit , and 3 d . in another ; also 4 d . per yard for driving narrow places . The measure box by which the lahl-out is determined llftS been moreasod from two quarts to four , thus givinw us a better chance to keep our earnings . Woodifield CoLLiKRr . —The advance of prices got here amounts to £ 23 per fortnight . Hurrah for the Union !

      The proceedings were then brought to a close with ; a resolution for an adjournment to the 8 th of December , at Mr . T . Greener ' s , sign of the Cock , Newcastle-on-Tyne , at nine o ' clock , a . m .

      Untitled Article

      THE XORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM MINERS . tO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERS STAR . Sin , —By the insertion of tho following address you will much oblige tlie men of Trimdou Gran ge Colliery : — . % " TO TnE MIXERS OF XOimmiBEULAXD- AND DURHAM ; " FELLOW-WonBMES , —Having liud our attention callod to the necessity of establishing some broad comprehensive plan for the hour of need , we now address you on behalf of the establishment of a General Aid and Benefit Society throughout the two counties . Visited as we are by ' casualties not common to trades ; we have been nlmest by common

      consent objected to as being unfit to become members in the various Provident Societies in our localities . This being the fact , it behoves us as men having a due sense of the calls of suffering humanity , to establish an order for the general benefit of each other in sickness and distress . We-need not harrow up your minds by reciting the many serious explosions that have taken place , ' and to' which we tire daily exposed , in order to induce ybuito action , yet it seems necessary to us to remind you , that whilo you have , and are still admitting the need of suoh an institution , we have all generally contented ourselves by only making such admissions . " KULES . 1 st . —That this , society shall he known by the

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      Sty . " * * Miners' Mut «« l Aid-and"Benefit fnS 0 TSt al 1 worki"ff miners , from the age of be o , ° m h mbertof ^ above ^ ety . nUZi J ^ colliery ^ hallhavethesolemanagement and control of its own funds ,-but in the event w \ K ^ Tv lOT casualtiea ^ out of the orditoy f £ S ,, 2 i « K ? ^ g ° ner » l levy shall be made tStS ^^ ° the "A- in order t 0 nin = i ^ t ° i Uld any member of this society have S v t ole ^ colliovy , and remove to another colheiy , he shall be admitted as a member free of X ^ iS ^ f ¦ *• " ««* cavd ft ™ Uie hnSS . V « rkmen ' « -HaWiiff brieflysketched thc Dealing ot the m-inninlo to w ) ,. ^ ^ i . n ,, « , iin , i

      S" ; " . we defer going into dot * Is until we Li 7 hcthei ' y ° «» P «> nd to our call . miKt ' if you P «» o good opinion of the S ? Li- BV-lf you respect and sympathise with dv iffl . " ^ P T y 0 lir res P eofc a nd sympathy Ed KS . " l » - " »«« "nnM » bond-of teothc ^ ffirJffi i&f * ^ ™™* that our a eal We beg to subscribe ourselves , On behalf of tho men-of Trimdon Grange tolhery , county of Durham , Robert Charlton , President , John Tjsmplb , Secretary .

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      NATIONAL REFORM LEAGUE . siden ? Mr ?!^ ^ lecture of th ° Prc " ton Johni'i ° Bllle Melivcred in the Institu-K ' wogi f \ \ ^ muare , was well attended last week . 1 lie lecturer commenced bv a refutation of the report in the Daily NcZ JnUSpacft-that he wished the people to forego their SSffita ft * " fT ' andto . ™ Xto 3 heir effoi ts to the woyk of social reform . In fact , r tLFT tlcal ° ^ - Kattonal *« ° ™ FTpSi ' tP Senfcm I wus the attainment of the People 8 Charter ; the other objects of tho League were confined to the enlightenment ofthe people-as to what tho Chapter ought and could do for them , —for the want of which knowledge the people of France were now worse off under universal suffrage- than they were under Louis VhWm ™

      notwithstanding all the blood and treasure they had wasted , and-all the patriotic struggles they had ' made . Many of their best men were murdered OV were ; now in banishment , or in dungeons : their taxation had nearly doubled ; and the producing classes found it move difficult than over to procure a subsistence . Did notthese things prove' that mere changes m the name ov form of government without such a change of' principle as should she the people their social rights , could never make the masses either prosperous or contented ? Yet , in this country there were parties who cLimouvously argued Si * IS ^ ^ 3 : P ^ liamentary represtntation would all social

      cure evil , and that the removal of a few millions of taxes would usher in prosperity . Besides , ho maintained that no such reduction could be made whilo nearly three-fourths ot the proceeds of taxation went to pay the interest on the National Debt . He should like to know how a reduction of ten millions of taxes would improve the condition of the poor sempstress , or the miserable clodhopper , who rarely consumed any taxed article , except perhaps a little tea ov tobacco ! If Mr Cobdenand thatparty would demand that the burthen ^ of the Rational Debt should be placed on the right shouldei-s , —the property classes , -to protect Whose UltcmtS It Was Orimnallv dontmntnil .

      that would be a measure worth agitating for . As for Mr . Cobden ' s project for reducing the army , it was all a delusion ; for while the present system lasted governments dared not decrease their armies . . Ever since the fall of Hapojeon ,. all tho governments of Europe had increased their fovecsnotfrom a fear of . international-war ,-but from a fear of civil war ; and as tho miseries of tho people increased ( which is inevitable under the existing system ) so would armies increase ,-and so would ^ A nn ^ -J q u ers < - - tfcwmonwnt Franco kopt up 5 / 0 , 000 paid honucides-ostensibl y hired to promote the glory , honour , and safety of tho country , but virtually , to kill and slay all those wliu toed to raise a . voice m defence of the rights of mnn , when those rights interfered with tho interests of tho rentiers , or the profits of the houvgeohk . In France every kind of constitution had been tried except the true one , —that of 1793 was nearest the truth , but that bad been forcibly put down bv t . l , e r . m .,.,, 4 «„_

      tiuences of the landlords and moneylords . All their attempts at political reform had hitherto failed , as had our own . Cobdcn nod hia frionds told us when our first Reform Bill was passed , that the Whim would then be enabled to carry out their professions ? f economy and retrenchment ; and how had they done it ? IV hv , by adding ten millionsto the state expenditure , through ipich amiable devices as eivin * a TIoa fc ^ . OWayenr , and a-Prince ( Ton soit , itW . UUU : they wanted to make it £ 50 , 000 had not the Torie

      : s . prevented them . And how have they provided for the wants of the ¦ people ? They Sr * Si Sm ? ° ; - i ! steingent ,- « nd voted only AJ 0 . 000 for national education . although at tho S JTn ™ T ii ey had , no com Punction in allowing £ 70 , 000 for the royal stables ! If they ¦ cut down taxes m one . place they planted them in others ; if they abolished a redundant office they opened a new one foi-theiv friends and relations . Cobden's party had told us , too , that Fvco Trade -was the panacea ; out it was now -well nrmmi twtui ..

      hour , class gamed nothing , by that measure , whatever the master class and fixed income people did Therefore , from these failures , he was bound to impale Mr . Cohden upon one or other of thc horns of-this dilemma—either he was docoiwd or a dcceiw ; and , in either case , it was time to expose the fallacy , so that the people might bo no longer subjected to delusion , and consequent disappointment . He ( Mr . O'Brien ) had been told that he must not probe these things too deeply—that ho must not expose those deceptions , for fear of alarming tho middle classes ! Well , suppose he did alarm them ,, what then ? -He considered he . was doing them a kindness in sounding thc alarm , although they had

      used the most unfair means to burke him . He know that a frightful disease pervaded society , and that the doctrtnes advocated by the National Reform League were the proper remedies for it . To apply less potent ones , would be like telling a man with a cancer m his face that he could cure it by paring a corn on his foot . But , in truth , tho measures advocated by thc National Reform League would rolieve : many of the middle-class from grievous difficulties . Some years ago ,. Mr .- Attwood and Mr . Wavd .. promised the working classes that if the Reform Bill were carried , tho time would soon arrive when , instead of two men looking for one master there would bo seen the gratifying sight of two masters looking for one man . Nowthat would not

      , have been a very pleasant thing for masters ; and yet Ward and Attwood pretended to be their friends , as well as the friends of the working-classes . And why dared these people utter such barefaced contradictions ?—because they knew the stupid habit the working classes have of swallowing everything coming from their " superiors , " without stopping to think about the . nature of the stuff offered to their mental capacities . Instead of so doing , the mem : uerst of the National Reform League claimed the right , and followed the practice of chewing the cud upon all measures propounded for political or social amelioration . If the principles of the Lea"iic were wrong ,-let those who made that discovery " point it out ; but if right , then thev had n . imn / vM ™ t «

      look for confidence and support . They were prepared to teach . , the people , if they could get at them their just , natural , and inalienable wghts-neither more nor less—and when the people fully appreciated . those rights they would , agitate for the Charter with that untiring constancy and enthusiasm which the cause required . Ignorance of political , social , and moral science was tho main cause of human misery ; and led the producing classes and i workers of society to oppress each Other far more than the upper or middle classes oppressed them . How could it he expected that a people would ever get their true rights , if they had no clear idea in what . those rights consisted ? A pe-^ Wf * « F <* entweek ( the PjbOn Speal-er , ) had

      uujlxlCu wuwirusingtneterm "National League , " ZS ^ I ^ EttFEZL Z 5 nSf B ?* K expense ' of others ; whereas , fLSl of " jo principles of the National ^ form League , wouUU p full Christian justice to all Pf f , ' a "V ; ealy inure non ( J - Tho-notion / too , P n ^? , o r ? T Blanc ' that the government could enfranchise labour from the daws of capital by ° ' ; s J" » s > nfi ; labour in masses , was deeidodlv r " !!* , „ ; ' that the People required from tlie government was to remove factitious obstructions m the way of improvement , and to prevent one class of society tram proyfog upon another class . Ii , conclusion , the lecturer eloquently denied . the ; : s sertion tiiat tlie dom-mes of iLo League would lead to anarchy and bloodshed ; and maintained that tney were the only really conservative party in Europe . Let such reforms as had been tried on the continent be tried here , and he fully believed that consequences infinitely more . to be dreaded would be the result . Universal Su&We . with such

      principles , would prove universal confusion ; and the . peoplc , o xaspevated by misery and disappointment , wou d venttuoir . rage in retaliatory acts , the contemplation of which was dreadful , even in approhension , but which-heieared vrouldsoon be exemplified on the continent of Europe . Tho lecturer was listened to throughout with the nffd nfn r T , was o ^ greeted with marks of the warmest applause

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      ' .. . "PtfBLI . C MEETINGS . NATIONAL FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY . A public meeting to promote the objects of this association was held at the London Tavern , Bishopsgate-street , on Monday . The attendance was very numerous , tho large-room being crowded in every pa "' . Mr . Richard Cobden , M . P ., was present , and on his arrival on the platform , he was reeeiveJ witli loud and continued cheering . Samcel Morlet , Esq ., having been called to the chair , introduced the business of tlie evening ;

      J !?™ ? -, , F . - -. was received with loud and pvotvactetl cheeking . He said they bad met there as members and ^ riends ^ of the Metropolitan and National freehold Land Society-to promote the objects ot that association-which was formed for the purpose of enabling individuals , hy means of small monthly contributions , to accumulate a fund by which they might be enabled in the best and cheapest vr \ . sess themselves of the county franchise . Now the object of that society was to purchase large esta . es , comparatively speaking , and divide' them amongst the members of the association at the cost

      I' ? ° d -u ° ms oft h ° se whohad looked closely into the . Building Societies Act , said that that act gave no power to buy estates and divide them . Now it was perfectly true that the aot made no provision for any such process , but it was proposed to do it through tuedirectora , who would , at the risk of the parties buying-tlie estate , undertake the purchase of freehold land , and give the members of that association the refusal of that land . It had been said that they undertook to find a freehold qualification for a county at a . certain sum , say £ 30 . He believed that the first prospectus put forth by the tocietv made that

      statement ; but when he heard of it , he stipulated that it should be at once withdrawn , as he could not he a party to anything of the kind . Now he appeared thp . ra mere y as a rfsponsib ' e director of that association , and all it proposed was , that whatever the property bought it should be divided without a profit to those who bought it , and that the members should have the land at cost price . ( Cheers . ) But whether a vote . would , coat £ 20 , . , £ 40 , or £ 50 , was a matter on which he could not undertake to make any promise or pledge , because it was not a matter that he could at all control . The honourable gentleman then expressed his full confidence in the trustees of the Metropolitan Freehold Land Society , every one of whom he would be ready any dav ,-if-iie were malewill

      ing a ,, to-leave as trustees for his children for everything he had to leave them . As to the difficulties started to the working of such an association , it was perfectly true they might not be able to get pruperty to purchase situated at their own doors ^ But they , must be content to go farther from home , just as individuals did with any other in vestment , whether it were Spanish or Austrian , or Austrian bondslaughter—nr ( to come nearer home ) shares in railroads running all over thc conntry , and many of them running away . ( Renewed laughter . ) But ' give him an investment in the "iirm set earth , " which never did runaway : so that he had a good title and received his rent by the penny post , be would not care much whether it was situate in his own parish or a tew parishes off . Now ; for an illustration , he would

      , aa C Case ot Suney > aBl 1 s « Pfose that a fai-m of 100 acres was to Resold in the neighhourhood of buildtord . The directors . would go-and look at the land , accompanied by a valuer ; they . would learn the price of it , and if it approved itself to their judgment they would buy it ;; but instead of letting it out again m one farm of 100 acres , they would let it out in lots of from one to two acres as garden ground ; and if the bell was rung through the streets of the town that such plots were to be let , he was sure there was not a mechanic or small shopkeeper in Guildtord who

      would not be so anxious to possess an allotment that iA e / Si Oul not be an acre it which was not let at 403 . ( Cheers . ) Indeed , he knew land in Wiltshire , of no more than ordinary value , which was let , he was sovry to say , at the rate of £ 1 or £ 8 per acre . Having thus explained the object of the association , he would take a wider range . They were here standing on the ascient ways of the constitution ho om could say of them that . they were Red Republicans or Protectionists ; they were sbmding up tor tlie ancient , rights and privileges of

      Enclishmen . Ihe question « as , could they by this means oiled a change in the deposit of political power in this country ; for he was willing to avow that his object-was by . every legal and constitutional means to place the political power of tbe country in tlie hands ot the middle and industrious classes . ( Lond cheers . ) He spoke of these classes ' as he had ever done—that their interests were inseparable ; forhs defied any one to say where tho one class ended * or the other began . At present they were governed by a class insignificant in numbers and insisnificant in importance , as compared with the mass of the people in this country . ( Loud cheers . ) Take the aWicultural interest , . who were perfectly insignificant as compared with the mighty interests of this empire What would they do if they had their own way ? Why they were trying to restore protection . —( hear , hear , ) -andthatatatime . when even the Austrian government was proposing to abandon its restrictive

      [ arm—wnen even the government of Russia hail got its tanft , as he had learned from receut accounts under revision , with a view to reduce the'dutieswhen America was reciprocating our liberal p-ilicyand when even Spain , which some wicked waff had called the - beginning of AfricaHlaiiphter . J-was following the example set by Sir Robert Peel . ( Cheers . ) Now , was it a wholesome state of things that nothing could be done in this country , except by great congregations of the people , to force their representatives * -to do them something like justice —to observe something like common sense ? Nothing could be done , nothing could-be carried , except by a seven years' stand-up tight betwew tlie people on the one side and those who called themselves their representatives on the other . They could get those reforms only by aiding this constitutional operation And it was astonishing how little required to be done to ettect' this transformation of political Dower

      mere was only about one million of registered electors over the whole kingdom , The total number of county voters in 18-17 was 512 , 300 , and of these the number of tenants at will which constituted the strength of the squires only amounted to 108 , 790 . why , half the money spent on gin in one year would buy as many county freeeholds as would counterpoise tiie influence ot the 108 , 000 tenant farmers . ( Loud cheers . ) In the county of Hampshire , according to the last census , there were 39 , 908 males above twenty years of a e , while the number of registered electors was 9 , 223 , so that the registered electors was only one-ninth of the adult male popuh the

      , «« J ; ? Sussex , adult male population was lb , 077 , wlnle the registered electors was 0 , 211 , or one-eight . In the purely agricultural county of Berkshire the adult male population was 43 , 120 . the registered electors were 5 , 241 , or one-eight . In Middlesex there was a perfect mine of undeveloped political wealth . The adult male population was 434 . 181 , while tho registered electors were 13 , 781 , or i -17 th of the adult male population . Taking in round numbers the population of the country at sixteen millions , that would give four millions of males above twenty years of age , while there were only 512 , 000 county electors in the fifty-two counties ' of Itoiffland and Wales , or one-eieht of the adult mains

      otlinglaud , aud seven-eights of them had no votes . Hear , hear . ) Now that was his ground of hope for ine lutmv . He did-not disguise from himself that there was a large portion of the people who could not aftord to obtain votes in this way . The agricultural labourers with from 7 i to 10 s . a week could not be expected to lay by a sum to purchase a vole . But lie called upon ths moderate shopkeepers , the mechanics , and the artizans , to set themselves resolutely to work , and they might put themselves in possession of the county franchise in the course of a few ; years . ( Cheers . ) It was the only effectual remedyfor removingthesocial inequalities of Dissentersand all other aggrieved classes of the community . ( Gheers . ) He did hot come there to seek this or that organic' change without having practical objects m view which he believed essential to the

      vjell-bning of the country . He looked on the stat e of "he national finances as perilous and disgraceful , ihe profligate expenditure and extravagant outgoings ot our governmentwere utterly inconsistent with the prudent , cautious , economy which all grade ' s bf the great body of the people were compelled to follow . He wished to infuse the common sense that pervaded the great body of the people into the principles of our government ; and he had to declare , in conclusion , as he had done at the beginning , that he saw no way of effecting this but by increasing the number of voters ; but the way to achieve that was not by goin » to the House of- Commons to ask for that which it would refuse ) but byalljoining associations of this

      description , and possessing themselves ofthe franchise by purchasing 40 s . freeholds , ( Loud cheers \ lne ^ hon . gentleman concluded b y moving the first ' resolution ; which was as follows : — " That this meeting is of opinion that-the freehold land' moveinent adapted as it is to the varied positions and circumstances of all clas-es of the people ,, is calculated io improve the parliamentary representaU- n of the country . ' - The resolution was seconded and carried . _ Mr . Charles G upin proposed the next resolution V 'i ~ . ' „ . ' this meeting is further of opinion that tlie treer . old lai'd movement is eminentlV calculated by encouraging saving and provident habits , toekvate the sor . ml and moral position of the workin * classes" . s

      A working man here rose from the body of the room , and said he , as a working man ,. had b « tn saving his half-pence for years , and he was prepared to P ^ down his £ 10 to the objects of his association ( Gheers ) He was satisfied other working men could do the same thing if they only would keep out of the public-house . ( Great laughter and cheerin * . ) He suggested that they ought to buy some of the laud which was now offered for sale in Ireland . [ He then came up to the platform and laid down ten soverei | ns » " moved off without waiting for any receipt . ] Mr . Lassell , in handing the money to the chairman , mentioned his name- Daniel Hopkins , of iiillingsgate-niarket ; ( Cheers , and a voicg " He ' s a tee-totaller / ' )

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      Mr . W . J . Hail seconded , and Mr . Cassell supported the motion , which was " then put , and carried unanimously . Mr . Coboen , in moving a vote of thanks to the chairman , said a gentleman had sent a note to him to ask whether the first stop ought not to lie a registration ofthe land . That would be an important change in the law ; and he looked forward to ,. the time when the transfer of land would be as free as the transfer of consols or railway shares But he feared that could not be done yet . Then the gentleman asked whether their movement would not be frustrated by an act ofthe Legislature raisiug the franchise to £ 40 instead of 40 s . ( Laughter . ) No ,

      no , sir , there were some things they could do , and some things they dared not do . The 40 s . franchise was too venerable to be touched , He would further mention that he expected the office of the society would become a sort of registration office , where parties . could learn where land was to he disposed of . i There-were many of the middle classes who had never thought of qualifying themselves , and if they thought of it uow they might learn from the officers of this society in what neighbourhood land was to be had . He then urged upon tlm meeting the necessity of individual exertion , and conluded by proposing a vote of thanks tothe chairman , which was seconded by M ( . Ebenezer Clarke , and carried by acclamation , after which the meeting separated .

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      PAKLIAMENTART AND FINANCIAL . BEFOBM . SOUTIIWARK . A meeting of this society was held on Tuesday evening , the 27 th ult ., in tho Literary Institution , Borough-road , for . the purpose of advancing the interests ofthe Metropolitan Reform League . Themeeting was well attended , the large hall being full . Mr . A . Pellat was called to the chair . The principal speaker was Colonel Thompson , M . P ., who adduced the inequality of taxation as a . principal reason for adhesion to this movement . ' He was no smoker himself , and never meant to become one , but if he used tobacco , and was obliged to use that species called « shag , " which he understood to he an

      inferior Kind of tobacco , ho should certainly consider it a hardship to bo obliged to pay eleven times as much for it to the revenue as did the polished dandy for the cigar he whiffed along tho street . Of thi 3 he complained , and did not suppose that lie was the only one present who complained in his heart at such an injustice . . The same thing showed itself in the tax on tea ; for that which the Countess drinks in her drawing-room is taxed far less in proportion to that of the hardworking washerwoman . And this came because the people are not properly represented in Parliament . Mr . C . Pearson , M P ., was present , and also addressed the meeting , which broke up shortly after ten o ' clock .

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      GLASGOW . On the evening of Monday last , Sir Joshua walmsley , M . P ., and G . Thompson , Esq .., M . P ., appeared before the citizens of Glasgow as a depution from the National Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association . The meeting was held in the City Hall , the largest place of assembly in Scotland . Long before eight o ' clock , the-hour at winch the chair was announced , to be taken , the hall and galleries were crowded in every part ; On . the appearance of the members of the deputation , Mr . Hastie , M . P . for the city and several wellknown Glasgow reformers , they were loudly cheered . Several influential gentlomen were on tho platform . The following leaders of tho working classes also appeared : —Messrs . James Hosey , Martin , Johnston , Brown , M . M'ParJane , Wilkinson , Cameron , Young , Stewart , Matthew Cullen . and several others .

      Mr . nAsnE , M . P ., having been called to the chair , went at great length into the expenditure of the government . He said that on looking over the votes this forenoon , thero was one which struok me as well worth mentioning . It is this : there is a small island , called tho Falkland Isle , tho inhabitants of which amount to 160 individuals . And the isLand has a governor , postmaster , and all the other °

      we Have taken possession of within the last two years ; and I am not aware whether there is yet-a white man upon it—I mean Labuan ; but upon this spot we have already a governor , ' master attendant , and a set of other officials , for whom we pay £ 10 , 000 per annum . Then let us look at some of our - larger possessions . Take Jamaica , for in-% Ifc c 01 itnlns * " ¦ population less than the city o -f Glasgow . "We think that the local government ot Glasgow is quite heavy enough ; but the island of Jamaica costs £ 400 , 000 ; and this extravagant expenditure is continued in the face © £ the remonstrances of their local legislature . The peoplo themselves wish to reduce the expenditure ; but the home government , for no other reason than to provide for their dependents and friends , say that it shall not

      be reduced ; and , consequently , as to Jamaica , ifcjs still labouring along with us ' under a heavy load of taxation . ( Hear , hear . ) Now , I would just bring the case , home from Jamaica , and point to a great job which is at this moment being perpetrated in the metropolis . I refer tO the JieW Houses of Piirlianient . It took no less than nine months to adjudicate and decide upon theplans and estimates of these new houses . One would think that in such a length of time , they should have been well considered ; and accordingly the estimates were given in and calculated to amount to £ 770 , 000 . Well , last year , a member moved fov a return of what they now cost , and it turned out that the amount was £ 2 , 043 , 000 . ( Hear , hear , and " Shame . " ) Now , this very enormity proves to my mind that this system must soon be abolished .

      Sir JosnuA Walmsley—who was received with immense applause—laid down the foundation , the principles , proposals , and measures of the Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association . Mr . G-eoroe Thompson ' , M . P . —who was received with loud cheers—in a lengthy and eloquent speech , ¦ ur ged the necessity oi parliamentary and financial reiorm . You want ( said Mr . Thompson ) a thorough revision and expurgation of the civil list , leaving the monarch in affluence and splendour , but showing no unnecessary mercy to those gilded butterflieg and animated clothes-pegs who flutter and stalk amidst the beams of royalty , only that they may be fed and clothed at the public expense , who have not the excuse ofthe pauper in the union-house , idle .

      whose helplessness is his misfortune , and whose idleness is compulsory , irksome , and involuntary . You want a reform in the pension list . O vo Belgravian recipients of alms from the' miserable but meritorious poor , would , that sometimes when alone , yc would thiidc of those pale , faint , consumptive creatures who toil and spin that you may dress in purple and fine linen ! Would that you would sometimes send your thoughts to the fcotid room of the slop maker , or the lonely fircloss garret of the sempstress , where- " work , work , work ; stitch , stitch , stitch ' —sit those who from Monday ' s sunrise to Saturday ' s sunset , the offspring of poverty , toil , to pay two-pence out of every three-ponce they spend In tea , that you may be idle and fare

      sumptuously every clay . ( Hear , hear . ) You want financial reform . Yes , to drive its ploughshare through tho stupendous abuses ofthe army , tho navy , and the ordnance , with their joint expenditure of seventeen million , upon men , and boys , and sand bags , and shells , and rockets , and cartridges , and . cannon balls , and muskets , and horses , and gun carriages , and ships of war , and arsenals , " and jobbing contracts , and generals without divisions , ana admirals without ships , and half-pays , and whole pays , and superannuations and pensions . You want financial reform . Yes , to cleanse that worse thaa Augean stable—the Woods and Forests , with its sinecure salaries , its fraudulent leases , its insane mismanagement , its guilty malversations , its

      disgusting iavountism to the nobles of the land — its innumerable petty peculations—its barbarous and ¦ feudalprivileges — its perversion ofthe land and resources of the soil which aro the birthright of the people , its unserviceable oaks , its useless verderers its costly establishment in Whitehall-place , and all its manifold and multiform and monstrous abuses . ( Renewed cheering . ) Sow , ' let the financial reforraers behold the hydra-headed monster with which we have to deal , defended by- seven-eighths of the members of the Ilouse of Commons as now censtituted , and let him say if he . soberly and gravely thinks it can be subdued without parliamentary reform . You that would free nolitics from thci >

      taint and selfishness , come forth and join -this new and independent movement , and unite with your brethren in every part of tho country . So united , you will form one compact indissoluble , and irresistible reform association ; the classes hitherto separated will be cemented ; and in tho sublimity of your aggregation , in the omnipotence of your blended energies , and in the unconquerable , resolution of your will , the victory will be cm-tain . Behold the signs i-. f the time ? . ' The spirit of reform is abroad ; so also is the spirit of bondage sind ol des-v potism . But who can doubt the issue of the conflict ? Hark ! amidst tho roar of elements the tumult of voices , and the clash of arms , hear you not the cry , Reform ! reform !— .

      O ' ei ' every vadianVisland of creation The music of that swelling peal is txwne Land bears to land , and nation shouts to ' nation , Iho war cry of thc age-Reform , reform ! Mr . Thompson resumed his seat amidst rounds e applause . Several gentlemen having addressed the meeting , and resolutions in ; aocordance with tho objects ofthe Association having been carried , the vast assem * Wage dispersed ,

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      Decem ber 1 , 1849 . T H E N ° CTggJt ' N OST A R . 7 '

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 1, 1849, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1550/page/7/