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Northern Star (1837-1852), 28th September 1850, Edition 1 of 3, Page 7, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      this part of Ireland—no yacht sailed owned by a serson of that Christian name—no skin or scale has le an left at the Coast Guard Detachment near Horn Bock , nor nave my men , or tne fishermen alongthe coast , heard of or Been such a monster . I am sorry the public and the editor of the Cork CorutttttUon should hare been so shamefully hoaxe d by persons from Bandon whose names are known . —I am , sir , your obedient servant , Jambs Tbayehs , Iaeut ; Coast Guard . " . ,, KEBBBsraiAnoN OF CoBK .-Mr . Serjeant Murnhy " having received confirmation from Mr . JaVan of his iStention to retire as soon as the new xelstry shall be available , " has announced hismiention to commence his canvass of the

      constituency of the " beautiful city" on his return in the course of a few days . The Cbffb-sibbbt Savings Bask . —The morning papers of Tuesday publish a correspondence bet ween the lord Mayor and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of the Cuffe-street Sa-\ ings Bank . Pressed by the importunities of the nnfortunate depositors , Mr . Reynolds requests information as to the time when the sum voted by parliament trill be in course of payment , to which app lication Sir Charles Wood replied , " That aninvestMptH > n into the pass-books and accounts of individual depositors must precede any payment ; and the first step was necessaril y to appoint proper persons to conduct this inquiry . Till this has been done no step whatever can be taken for any payment * * * You will recollect that in the resolution of the committee it is expressed that the cum to be voted by parliament should be in aid of

      local subscriptions ; and this resolution , I think , renders it necessary that an endeavour should be jnade to raise a subscription in Dublin for this purpose . " The Lord Mayor , in a lengthy letter , objects to charitable subscriptions , and says : —" Recollecting the case , the plain case made oubfor full payment from the pnblic Exchequer , I cannot , consistently with my notions of duty and justice , be a party to any appeal to my fellow citizens for contributions towards the liquidation of a debt which , in my judgment , is due by the entire nation . " After a lapse of six days , the Lord Chancellor replied , and , having expressed regret that Mr . Reynolds would not promote the subscription , says : — "I shall now take the necessary steps for investigating the claims of depositors , and the payment ef such sums as the vote of parliament enables me to make . "

      The Tesaht League is Wbxfobd . —The winter ' s campaign commenced on Monday at a great meeting held at Enniscorthy . The new movement numbers in its ranks nearly the whole mass of the Roman Catholic , aided by a large proportion of the Tresbyterian clergy ; while the old one seems to be abandoned to the harmless guidance of Mr . John O'Connell and the half-dozen tradesmen who make holyday every Monday at Burgh-quay . The chair was taken by Mr . Thomas Meyler , ot Harris-town The principal speakers were—the Rev . Mr . Meyler , C . C . ; the Rev . Mr . Rogers , Presbyterian minister ; the Rev . Mr . Bell , Presbyterian minister ; Mr Power , the Rev . Mr . Murphy , the Rev . Mr . Devereax , parish priest ; Mr . Lucas , Dr . M'Knight , Mr "Waddy , &o . The speeches were exceedingly able , argumentative , and eloquent , and were received with enthusiastic applause . The resolutions were

      Similar in their import to those recommended by the council of the League to be adopted at county meetings . The meeting , "which did not terminate until half-past five o ' clock , was followed by a public dinner in Xuzunfs hotel , which was attended by a great number of gentlemen who took part in the previous proceedings . ACCOUCHEMEXT OF THE COUSTESS OF C&ABE 5 D 0 H —On Sunday morning , at the Tice-regal Lodge , Phoenix Park , the Countess of Clarendon was safely delivered of a daughter . The Countes 3 and infant are going on favourably . Repeal Association . —The usual weekly meeting of the Association was held in . Conciliation Hall yesterday , Mr . W . P . O'Connor in the chair . The rent for the week was £ 16 0 ? . 61 < 1 ., which included £ 5163 . contributed by Irishmen resident in Boston , America .

      Rumoured Collision between the Police and Veisastry . —The Eilkenny Moderator contains the following : —" Yesterday ( Tuesday ) a report was current in our city of a collision attended with the loss of life , having taken place on Monday morning at the Commons of Ballingarry , between the police and peasantry . It is said that five of the constabulary went to escort the sheriff , or hi 3 bailiffs , in making a distress , and that an armed mob having attacked them the police fired , when one of the people was shot dead and several wounded . Jons Mitchsl—The JStiemy Journal says , " The last account of poor Mitchel is supplied in an Australian paper , which announces the arrival of the Xeptune convict ship at Hobart Town , and states that John Mitchel has received his ticket of leave , and on account of bis delicate health will be allowed lo reside at Bothwell , where he can enjoy the society of John Martin . "

      Crop Lffrnre . —The Cork Constitution contains the following : — "At an early hour on Sunday morning a number of men assembled on the lands of Jlondonnel , near Rathcorcnac , accompanied with horses and ears , and cnt down a field of barley , which they carried off . The landlord in this case is the Hon . G . F . Colley , of Eildare , a gentleman v > ho is highly spoken of as being an excellent landlord , allowing reductions to his tenantry when the season demands it , and draining and improving their lands at his own expense . Lust Saturday the agent of the Hon Mr . Colley ( Mr . Ross ) went on the land

      and offered the tenant a reduction of twenty-five per cent on his rent for the year , and on its being refused he made another , offering him the entire of the green crops and a clear receipt if he would surrender , but neither offer would be accented . This is a very poor return to an indulgent landlord , 'which the honourable gentleman is well known to be . A few weeks previous 300 men with reaping iiooks went on some wheat lands in the same neighbourhood , where there were eight bailiffs in charge , and cut down and carried off all the wheat fit for cutting . The bailiffs , seeing the determination of the reapers , thought it best to cnt and run .

      The late Attack ; ox the Police at Exsissagg Bridge . —Xsthing further has transpired as to the authors of the assault on "Wednesday night . Constable Kelly still remains alive , but there is no hope of recovery . The two otherpolicemen are still seriously indisposed—indeed one of them danger Onsly so . —Kilkenny Journal . 3 ? AlALACCIDEif 05 THEC 0 B&AXD BiSDOX BaHi"H-at . —On Monday , at the Chetywnd Viaduct , Castlewhite , the subcontractor , under Messrs . Fox and Henderson , for the completion of the Cork and Sandon Hailwav , commenced putting up the first

      rib of the iron work in presence of Mr . Xixon , engineer of the company , and Mr . Ronayne . The rih was hoisted to the top of one of the pillars , and was about being laidon its bed , when one of the men ¦ who had charge ^) f the guide-rope suddenly let it out , by which the weight of the rib was thrown on the sheer leg . The consequence was that the rib , weighing sixteen tons , gave way , and it fell to the ground with a dreadful crash , by which it was broken to pieces . One of the workmen underneath had his head ent off by the fall , as if he had been guillotined .

      Untitled Article

      Hiohwat Robbery by Mistake . —The following singular adventure is related in the French journals : —A party of gentlemen met a few days since for a day ' s shooting , in the neighbourhood of Montereau . The house in which the sportsmen spent the night , was situated half way up a declivity overlooking the high road . At about two o ' clock in the morning , one of the inmates hearing a noise , raised a cry that their vehicle was being stolen . The party were soon astir , and hearing a noise of wheels as of a coach going off , seized their weapons and rushed out in pursuit of the thieves , whom they Boon succeeded in coming up with , thanks to a cross cnt . TUe first of the party on the spot immediately seized the horses' heads , and stopped the carriage

      short . The people inside the carriage upon this immediately began to cry " Thieves ! ''—a degree of audacity at which our sportsmen grew exasperated , and cocking their guns they levelled them at the driver . The latter personage , together with the individuals inside the carriage , were seized with terror at this demonstration , and precipitating themselves from their seats rushed off into a neighbouring coppice , where they were presently lost Bight of . Congratulating themselves on the recovery Of their carriage , the sportsmen returned with it in triumph dead beaten , but swelling with pride at their exploit . It was now determined the carriage should be safel y secured in the coachhouse , but ¦ what was then- surprise at finding the lace already

      p occupied by their own carriage , which the servant had placed there the night before , without their knowledge . The cry of «• thieves , " which they had wnsidered as the height of audacity on the part Of the travellers , was now accounted for , and the een-Hementhusmterruptedin their journev were the hmajule owners of the carriage , which thev had been but too glad to abandon , in order to save their lives threatened by a band of armed ruffians The affair Was serious , and in order to avoid the accuaationof robbery on the republic ' s highway accompanied with violence and other aggravating circum . stancesi it was deemed expedient before retiring to rest to knock up the authorities , and apprise them of the circumstance on which they relied for their defence .

      MAB 8 TTAL Haysat ; . —A letter from Prague of the 17 tb , says : — " The general arrived here last night and this morning was seen walking on the promenade , dressed in plain clothes , and accompanied by an officer : He has the air of a dejected and desponding man . The treatment he experienced in London and Hanover , coming so suddenly upon his contemptuous dismissal by the master for whom he braved the censure of the world and of bis own heart , has made a deep and melancholy impression upon the old man . He is about leaving for Grate , yaere . bis feinily is residing / 1

      Untitled Article

      DESPERATE AFFRAY WITH Th £ POLICE AT ENNISNAGG , IRELAND .

      The Kilkenny Moderator brings the subjoined particulars of a desperate affray between the police and a party of marauders , in which the former appear to have been the greatest sufferers : — "A sensation of the deepest horror and regret was spread throughout our city on Thursday , the 19 th lnst ., by the intelligence having been carried here at an early hour of the morning , that three of the Stoneyford constabulary , whilst on patrol , had been attacked at Ennisnagg , and beaten in such a brutal manner as to be left for dead by their assailants . It appears that at twelve o ' clock on the night of Wednesday , constable Kelly , with sub-constable Arthur Holmes , and WilliamReardon , ' ' proceeded

      from the Stoneyford station , on patrol duty , and having had some cause of suspicion that an attempt at robbery was likely to be made at Ennishaggmill , they took up a position under the shelter of some trees at the northern end of the old bridge of Ennisnagg , having the mill in view at about fifty yards distance . The night was , unfortunately , very wet , in consequence of which they were buttoned up in their watch coats , beneath which are worn their bayonets and cartridge pouches , which cannot thus be readily got at . They carried their carbines , but these , according to the regulation of the service , were not loaded . Having remained in this position for nearly an hour , they observed six men come towards them , having descended the hill on the left

      bank of the King ' s River , by a pathway leading from the new road to Kilkenny . Four of these men were a few yards in advance of the other two , and upon their approach the constable challenged them , civilly asking , what was their business out at- that late nour . The fellows did not seem disposed to make any courteous answer ; but one of them , after a time , said , rather sulkily , that they were going to the fair of Bennet ' s-bridge . This response , even more than the dogged manner of the men , aroused the suspicion of Kelly . He told them they could not be intending to go to Bennet ' s-bridge , as they were turning their backs to it in the direction in which they were moving , and , interposing himself in their passage , he demanded that they should

      stand and account for themselves . Immediately two men seized him , one of them pinioning his arms and the other striking him . He called to his comrades to fix their bayonets , but whilst they were in the act of doing so , and almost instantaneousl y , each of them was seized , their arms pinioned to their sides by the grasp of one fellow whilst the others forced their carbines from them and struck them with them on the head . The struggle must have been a desperate one , as the roadway of the bridge was quite torn up by their feet , pools of blood lying about , and a portion of the parapet wall , in two places , broken down . Holmes succeeded in knocking down the man who had caught him , but he was immediately thrown upon him , and

      in their struggle upon the ground they grappled for the bayonet , with which they wounded each other ; Holmes having , he thinks , stabbed his assailant more than once , whilst he also received some stabs himself in the face , and the fellow bit his chin and nose in a shocking manner . Reardon received a blow from a carbine behind , which knocked him over the parapet of the bridge , though not into the water , and the force of the fall rendered him senseless . The two men who had been engaged in the encounter with him then turned to aid their two friends in the attack upon the constable , who , being a strong and determined man , was making a fierce resistance . The poor fellow ' s great effort seemed

      to be directed to the getting of a cartridge out of his pouch for the purpose of loading his carbine , which he appears to have retained for a long time . The pouch was found open , aud a bloody mark , as if from his fingers , on the top of a cartridge , but he did ' not succeed in getting it out , it may be supposed that when his original assailants were reinforced , as above stated , he was soon overpowered . His carbine was then taken and broken by the blows which it was used for the purpose of inflicting on his head , and , not satisfied with this , the ruffians jumped several times on the prostrate bodies of Kelly and Holmes , and tore stones from the parapet to hurl upon them as they lay bleeding and incapable of further resistance on the road . The

      constable became insensible , but Holmes , though much injured , retained his senses throughout . He heard one of the ruffians exclaim to the others , after they had several times jumped on Kelly ' s body , and himself , They are done for now ; run boys . ' ' They then ran in the direction of Stoneyford ; and he , finding that his carbine lay by him on the road , by a desperate effort succeeded in loading and discharging it . There are two houses within less than twenty yards of the place where the struggle occurred , and the noise of the shot brought the inhabitants out to ascertain the cause . These people finding the policemen weltering in their blood , proceeded to get a horse and car , into which they lifted them , and conveyed them to the barracks of Stoneyford , scarcely

      half a mile distant , where the professional assistance of Dr . Bradley was promptly obtained . Mr . Shirley , of Stoneyford , also despatched mounted messengers to the police of Kells , Callan , and Kilkenny , who were immediately on the alert in search of the ruffians , but , unfortunately , without success . Early in the day Mr . Joseph Green , R . M ., and Colonel Wemyss , J . P ., with sub-inspector Trant and Fortescue , arrived and held an investigation into the circumstances of the case , assisted by the Rev . Richard Pack , Mr . Prim , Ennisnagg , and other gentlemen of the locality ; however , very little in * formation was obtained , we believe , tending to throw a light upon the outrage , or reveal the parties concerned in it . Holmes and Reardon being both sufficiently collected , their statements were taken . They are in a very precarious position , the back of the head of the latter being beaten in with the lock of the gun with which he was struck , and

      all displaying other wounds ; whist the former complains more of the pain suffered from the manner m which his limbs were mangled by the fellows jumping upon him than of the bayonet stabs in the face , of which there are two or three , and the blows on the head , from which it is fearfully swollen . Poor Kelly ' s case was obviously the worst of all , and the doctor seemed to have little hope that he would survive . His head is mangled in the most shocking manner , and swollen to a great size , his ej es protruding and closed up . One of the wounds must have been inflicted with a sharp instrument , such as a billhook or hatchet , it being a severe cut across the side of the head and over the right eye . He was not altogether unconscious of the persons who were attending him on Thursday , but he could speak very little , and that very uncqnnectedly . He bore the highest possible character in the constabulary force , and was held in much respect by his superior officers . "

      Latest Particulars . —A further investigation into the circumstances of this most unfortunate and mysterious transaction was made on Saturday last by Mr . Peter Blake , county inspector , but nothing further was ascertained tending to throw light on the occurrence . Sub-constables Holmes and Reardon , though shockingly ill-used , arc in a fair way of doing well ultimately , but we regret to learn that the medical gentlemen entertain scarcely any hope of constable Kelly ' s recovery . An extensive fracture has been found on the right side of the head , inflicted by a sharp instrument resembling a hatchet , and there also appears to be an extravasion of blood upon the brain .

      Untitled Article

      Abolitios of Capital Punishment . —The following is from the legislative message of Governor Seymour , of Connecticut : — " In the course of our legislation several attempts have been made to abolish the death penalty . The subject has , within a few years , assumed a practical bearing , which is beginning to be felt in our courts of justice . It is there we see the great difficulty which is often experienced in procuring a conviction at trials for homicide , rendered remarkable often for the evident guilt of the accused . The reluctance to render a verdict of guilt in such cases is undoubtedly owing , in many instances , to the effect produced on the minds of jurors by the terrible nature of the punishment ; which requires blood for blopd . On all occasions it is felt that the pity which is excited in behalf of those who have been found guilty of the crime , and sentenced to death , has the effect to cast doubt and suspicion on the law itself . Thus , too ,

      horror of the crime is sometimes lost in the sympathy for the victim , and the punishment affixed to the crime becomes an act of the grossest injustice ; and thus , too , when a victim has been launched into eternity , many find it difficult to discriminate between premeditated an'd legal murder . I submit to the legislature whether the time has not come when we should blot from our statute book that relic of a barbarous age , and substitute instead thereof imprisonment for life . " Seal Skixs . —A vessel belonging to Denmark , which has arrived in the docks from Flensburg and Copenhagen , has brought from the former place 45 , 843 salted seal skins , consigned to order . In addition to the very large number of this description of skins brought on this occasion , the importation is further of interest , as they would not previously to the alteration in the Ifavigation Lavs have been admissible in this manner from Europe . __

      Importation of Tallow . —It has been directed that the weight of tallow of and from the British possessions , landed under a duty entry , be taken from the wharfinger ' s account , in the same manner as is customary with respect to free goods , and that the wharfinger ' s account be also adopted with regard to the amount of tare to be allowed . A Cube of a sevebe Skin Disease by HoimwAt's Ointment ^ jjh Vnj * . —James Jenkins , an ag ricultural labourer , residing in a farm near Uewtown , Buffered dreadfully from a most fearful disease of the skin , which broke out in blotches in Yarious parts of his body ; the complaint was graduall y impairing his constitution , he had become low spurted ana nervous . He had tried to obtain relief by medicines from two or three medical men , but their remewft ^ * ' ^ ess . He then commenced taking Hollo-W f sm ?' and rubbing theOintment well into the affected parts . and by these means he is now restored to perfect neaith , and aw Bkin freed from all impurities ,

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      NUMEROUS RAILWAY ACCIDENTS . Accidkni on thi » Great Western Railway . — During the night of the i . ° th instant a serious and alarming accident occurred " {> n the Great Western Railway , near Wootton Bassetw This Company , among the series of excursion trains whicfc they have been recently running , announced one ft ? Friday last from Bristol and Bath to the metropolis and back , and we learn that about eight hundred inhabitants of each city availed themselves of the opportunity afforded . In order to facilitate arrangements , and prevent the necessity for one inconveniently long and heavy train , it was determined to send on the passengers by two trains , one leaving Bath at about seven o ' clock , and the other Bristol at about the same time , so as to leave an

      interval of about half an hour between them . It was also intended to obserye the same arrangement on the down journey , for which purpose the two trams were formed at the Paddington station ; but when the hour for departure drew close , the excursionists began to pour in so rapidly and promiscuously that it was found impossible to separate the residents in Bath from those in Bristol , and they were allowed to take their places in either train . The trains wero started , with punctuality , and the first reached its destination at Bristol at before twelve o ' clock , and persons at the station awaiting the arrival of friends were told that the second train had been heard signalled at Swindon , and that it would be in in about a quarter of an hour . It was not fated , however ,

      that such should be the case . The second train made its journey with regularity so far as Wootton Bassett , but at about 200 yards from that station a terrible collision took place with a horse-box which was on the down rail , and which , as when the firs train passed down the line was clear , must have got into that position during the quarter of an hour or twenty minutes which had elapsed between the passing of the two trains . The effect of the collision was most alarming , and had the train been proceeding at its full speed it must have been direful . The engine and tender were thrown off the lino and run down the embankment into the field below , where the engineer and driver were thrown off with vielence , but fortunately did not receive much injury .

      The four first carriages followed the engine , and the whole train would doubtless have been drawn down but for the fortunate breaking of the chain which coupled the fourth and fifth carriage . The first carriage was turned over and over in its descent , and the passengers , who were thrown into the utmost confusion , and many of whom were considerably injured , could not be extricated until the roof had been broken off with a sledge hammer . A lady , named Lewis , who was said to be the wife of the high bailiff of Bath , received a concussion , and was for a time insensible , but she is now happily considered out of danger ; a lady residing in the same city had her collar bone broken ; a third received some severe injuries of the arm and side . Dr . W .

      B . Herapath and Mr . H . Biggs , of Bristol , received wounds of the head and contusions of the person , and several others were less severely injured . The mail train arrived at Wootton at its proper time , but the down line had been so injured that it could not proceed . Mr . Brunei , the engineer , and Mr . Burton , of Bristol , superintendent of the company ' s police , were passengers by it , and rendered every attention to the sufferers . After a delay of about three hours the mail train took as many of the excursion passengers and carriages as it could accommodate , and proceeded on its way to Bristol , where it arrived just before five o ' clock . How the horsebox came to be upon the line remains at present matter of conjecture . At about 200 yards west of

      the Wootton station is a siding , which , with the main line , is crossed at a little below its junction with the main rail by a footpath . During the day the horse box and a luggage truck were on this siding , and the policeman whose duty it was to do so , expresses his readiness to make oath that he " scotched "them ( fastened them by plugs ) so as prevent their accidentally rolling from their position . The policeman having charge of the station has been given into custody . On Monday an inquiry into the cause of the accident was opened before the bench of magistrates at Swindon . At the conclusion of the inquiry , the policeman on duty at Wootton Bassett was convicted by the magistrates in neglect of dutv , and sentenced to two months

      imprisonments . The prisoner and one of the porters swore that the horse-box which was broken into fragments by the engine of the excursion train , was on the siding properly " scotched , " when the first part of the excursion train passed down about twenty minutes before , and it appears probable that not knowing thai the excursion train was in two detachments , and that the second one was to follow , the horse-box was afterwards shifted off the siding . The regulations of the company provide that every siding on the line shall be properly " scotched , " that is lo say , that a large balk of timber shall be placed over the rails to preyent all egress from the sidings on to the main line , and it was the duty of the prisoner to see to this at all times .

      Untitled Article

      Eastern Counties Railway . —This company are prosecuting several country carriers for an extensive robbery of tarpaulins from the railway , amounting to about * 100 ,

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      THE RECENT ACCIDENT ON THE EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY . _ , ADJOURNED INQUEST . Thd adjourned investigation into the late fatal accident near Brentwood was proceeded with on Monday , at one o ' clock , before Mr . Lewis , the coroner . Pour of tho deceased were buried on Saturday at eJientonfield , the parish in which the accident occurred ; the others were given up to their friends at their request . The funerals wero all at tho expense of the company . On Sunday , the accident was made the subject of discourse in tho churches and chapels of Brentwood . . ..-.

      George Kirby , fireman , was the firs t witness examined : Was on the engine on the occasion of the accident on Thursday morning . Was at the break . John Snowdon was driving . He had the entire direction of the engine , except that the guard was at the foot plate . The guard had nothing to do with the working of the engine . The morning was very foggy ; one could not see before him more than thirty or forty yards at furthest . The whistle was sounded at Shentonfield station . It was also sounded between the two bridges from Brentwood , and again when the men were seen . The whistle was sounded at the Three Arch Bridge , which is tho second bridge from Brentwood . They were not going more than eight or ten miles at the mostat this time , being on the look-oufc they all

      saw the men at the same time at about twenty yards from them . / Put the break hard on . It was easy before . Saw Snowdon pull his lever over to reverse the engine . The men seemed to be standing in n , group . Snowdon pulled his lever over immediately on seeing the men . In a moment after the men were struck down . The steam was shut off before , on the other side of the second bridge . It was shut off because the morning was foggy , and the rails were slippery . ' The engine was brought to a stand-still about 200 yards from whore the accident happened . Snowdon asked the guard if they should go back or go on to the station . The guard said it was better to go on , as by doing so they would be able to do more service . They were coming down an incline . Docs not . know where the incline commences . Had no

      knowledge that , the men were ballasting at this place , lias been on the line the same time as Snowdon , about a month . Did not know that tho line was generally being ballasted . Had been at work on the Birmingham and Gloucester line . Was not employed before on any other line as a fireman . Was a fitter on the Birmingham line . There was a fog signal at the twelfth post after the accident occurred . Had no white-head light up . Had no head or tail-light lighted . Has the company ' s rules . The rule is to have a fog signal at the twelfth post on foggy days . That signal was up . Saw the ballast engine ; saw it at th * same time that he saw . the men ; there was great steam over the engine ; tho ballast engine had no

      lights ; they were not talking when the accident occurred ; the rails wero wet , and they were going down an incline , which prevented them pulling up sooner than 200 yards ; would not undertake to say within what distance a train could be pulled up . James Jasson , second guard , examined . —Lives at Braintree ; was with the train on Thursday morning ; was on the fourth carriage from the engine ; it consisted of two seconds , two thirds , ono first , and a van ; left Ingateson at eleven minutes before eight ; took out his watch and looked ; they were a minute late ; the morning was very foggy when they got into Shentonfield ; they were coming at the rate of twenty-five to thirty miles between Insatestono and Sheutonfield . After pas 9 in <»

      Shentonfield they slackened pace coming up the bank . Between Shentonfield and the Three Arch-bridge the driver whistled two or three times where there were men at work . The steam was shut off at the Three Arch-bridge and the whistle was sounded . They came on and three whistles were blown . Witness then applied his break directly . The three whistles was tho proper signal . Knew nothing of the accident till he came to Brentwood . The train was brought to a standstill at about four posts from the Seven Arch-bridge . The incline commences at about half a mile from the Three Archbridge . They were coming at the rate of ten or twelve miles an hour when the accident happened , Knew that men were ballasting on the line , but did not know that they were ballasting that morning ,

      There is no certainty as to the place where the men may be ballasting . Witness does not know that it is usual to give notice on this line where men are ballasting . Has not been upon any other line . They were two minutes before time when the accident happened . They , were just up to time at Brentwood . Their time at Chelrasford is twentyfive minutes to eight o'clock . They were a minute late at Ingatestone . —The Coroner : If you were a minute late at Ingatestone , and wero two minutes before time when the accident happened , you could not have come particularly slow on account of the fog ? Witness : Did not think they . were coming at a greater speed than he had mentioned . They took in water at Brentwood , and should be there a little before six minutes past eight on that

      account . Edward Muibhead , driver of the ballast engine , examined : Was with the ballast engine on Thursday morning . Was at the . foot-plate on the left-hand side ( the side nearest the bank . ) The engine was standing and blowing off steam . Was waiting to have the ballast trucks emptied . The signal man gave him a signal to go back ; witness sounded his whistle , and saw two ballast men on a truck which was not unloaded ; then heard a whistle from the passengers train engine . Called out to the ballast men to clear the road , for tho train was coming . Does not think they heard him . Saw the engine knock down one of tho men against the step ot his ( witness ' s ) engine ; almost at the same time the

      engine went through the rest . Saw them lying dead when the engine passed . The train was not coming bard ; but could not say at what rate . The steam was off . The whistle was sounded , as he thought , about thirty or forty yards off . That wns the first time he heard it . The noise of his engine would most likely have prevented him from hearing any previous whistle ; thinks it would prevent any person from hearing . Has been on tho lino about a month working the ballast engine . Has been working the line progressively . Does not think a driver would know where he was ballasting . The day before they were ballasting at Brentwood Station . Thinks a driver might expect to meet them at Brentwood Station . Has been before

      employed on the Edinburgh and Glasgow line for seven years and a half . It is not usual on that line to give notice where men are ballasting . Does not think men could see more than thirty yards before them . A man could not see either the Threo Arch-bridge or the Seven Arch-bridge on Thursday morning . Did not intend to ballast at the place of the accident that morning . His line ( the down one ) was proteoted backwards and forwards by fog signals . The men could not have been on the line more than two or three minutes . They were laying down sleepers . This was on the down lino . Heard the breaksman tell the men the train was due . The men were standing on the up line at tho time . Men

      very readily stand on the line they ought not , notwithstanding they may be told not to do so . Edwabd Durt , fireman of the ballast engine , examined—Was on tho right hand side of the engine . Was ordered to go back , and was doing so slowly when he heard tho gauger call out . He turned round and saw the gauger hold up his hand . Did not know the train was coming till then . It was then but five or six yards distant . The blowing off of the steam from his engine prevented him from hearing . Was for five years on the Groat Western line . It is usual on that railway to give notice to the drivers when any works are going forward on the line one i $ going . Never saw a notice . It is usual to hear at the stations along the lino when any works are going on .

      Several witnesses were examined , but their evidence exculpated the driver of the passenger train from all blame . The jury retired to deliberate about four o ' clock , and , after an interval of an hour and a half , returned with the following verdict : " Wo find that the death of the nine men was occasioned by misadventnre , but at the same time express our regret that more caution had not been exercised for the protection of the men on tho line . "

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      ^^>^ ^ ° X Kmmm The state of Europe id which tbe claim of the poor to relief is recognised & $ ft legal right , and where systems of succour are administered under authority , are Denmark , Norway , Sweden " , JWecklenbiirg , Prussia , Wurte . mburg , Bavaria , the Canton of Berne , and lastly Great Britain .

      DENMARK . In Denmark each parish forms a distinct district for the management of its own poor . The right to relief belongs to every one who is not in a condition to gain his living by work , and who , without the aid of others , would be destitute of the necessaries of life . The persons in whose favour the law acknowledges the obligation of assistance , are divided into three classes—the aged , sick , or infirm ; orphans , foundlings , and the children of parents unable to provide for their wants ; lastly , the families or individuals who cannot provide , by their labour , the supplies necessary for their own subsistence , cr that of their children .

      The poor of the first class are provided with nourishment , clothing , and medical attendance , either at home or in the parish puorhouse . The children , forming the second class , are placed in private families , where they are brought up or instructed at the expense of tbe parish , until they are old enough to be placed as apprentices , or go to service . The poor of the third class are so far relieved as they shall not experience actual want , but they are required to work according to their ability , Tbe overseers find them employment at ordinary wages ; where their earnings are not sufficient , a complement of gratuitous relief is afforded to tbe poor , not in money , but in provisions or clothing . The Danish law establishes it as a principle that every person who has received relief under the poor law contracts an obligation to repay the sum received to the

      parish ; and his chattels and the fruits of his labour are made answerable for this repayment . On the admission of-any one to relief , an inventory of his effects are made out , and the parish stamp is affixed to every article . Whoever receives , whether by purchase or gift , any of the chatties so marked , is compelled , under penalty of a fine , to restore the same , or pay its value to tbe parish . The overseers have also a legal right of attaching any property of which the receiver of relief may become pngsessed at a subsequent period and inheriting in their official capacity the effects of those to whom they have made advances . Any individual refusing to pay bis instalment of the debt he owes to the parish may be compelled to work for the latter ; and , in case of attempting evasion , may be imprisoned . Begging is forbidden , and is punished with imprisonment .

      The parochial funds , collected for relief are contributed to by the owners of land , by persons in trade , by domestic servants , and agricultural labourers—in fact , by all who are not themselves chargeable to the common fund , under the condition , however , that the tax shall not be so levied as to reduce the payer himself to a state of want . Since the introduction of this system into Denmark distress has sensibly decreased . The abolition of mendicancy , which , besides its demoralising influence , pressed with great weight on the rural population , is an immense benefit . On the other hand , the small middle-class has fallen into difficulties ,

      which increase every day . Sobriety , that restraint which a man left to himself places upon his own appetites as a safeguard against misery , is met with in a lower degree than formerly . The ties of family have also lost much of their strength . A man with a wife and four children may in Denmark earn 12 s . a week . The labourer ' s food consists of rye , oatmeal , potatoes , coffee , butter , cheese , and milk . Provisions are cheap , and a family , where economy is observed , finds in the ordinary wages of labour a sufficient provision for comfortable subsistence .

      . NORWAY . In this country the aged and infirm , the sick of all descriptions , all who have not the means of . providing for their own subsistence , are domiciled with tbe proprietors and such other inhabitants of the parish as are able to support this charge . These more fortunate classes furnish maintenance and shelter to their distressed neighbours , who in etum render such services as they are capable of performing . The distribution of this burden takes place according to the number of poor on the one hand , and to the extent and value of the different farms on the other . In each of these respects different

      parishes present great diversities . In some the number of the poor is so small , that the same invalid is allotted in the course of a year to five or six farmers , who receive him by trust .. There are other parishes where the same family keeps the year through one of more of these guests , which the law and their own chanty have imposed upon them . The wages of workmen in towns vary from 6 s . to 8 s . Gd . a week . The agricultural labourers receive from 3 d . to 5 d . per diem , with lodging and board . The usual food of these classes consists of salted herrings , oatmeal porridge , potatoes , and coarse barley bread . Once or twice a week only this fare is eked out with a morsel of lard or salted meat .

      SWEDEN . Every parish in Sweden is by law compelled to maintain its own poor . The funds for this purpose are furnished by voluntary contributions , legacies , donations , the produce of fines , and a property-tax . M . de Hartmansdorf , Secretary of State for Ecclesi . astical Affairs , estimated in 1829 the number of individuals in receipt of relief at 63 , 348 among a population of 2 , 780 , 132 inhabitants , which gives a proportion of one to forty-two . The provisions of the law against those who , being . able to work obtain assistance by fraudulent means , are very

      severe-The wages of artisans are about tenpence a day , and of skilful agricultural labourers sevenpence a day ; while the less skilful of the latter are receiving as little as fourpence and fivepence a day . In the southern provinces the agricultural classes live upon salt fish and potatoes . In the north a porridge and rye bread form the principal food . Now and then the artisans taste meat . Mr . Liddel , the English Consul at Gottenburg has estimated the annual domestic expenditure of a peasant farmer at £ 10 15 s . 4 d . In the families of the labourers about two-thirds of this sum would cover the expenditure .

      MECKLENBURG . In the Mecklenburg every poor person has a right to relief . The aged and infirm sre lodged and boarded , and the poor who are in good health may claim employment and a residence . Every inhabitant who is able is bound to contribute to the relief fund . In the towns the subscriptions are voluntary , but when the amount thus raised is unqueal to the expenditure , the overseers , who are nauiedby the magistrates , may demand more . Toe wages of artisans vary in the towns : they range from 6 a . 8 d .

      to 10 s . a week ; in the country they are about one third less . Besides their money wages , the work men receive their board and lodging from their em " ployers . The agricultural labourers are rewarded by a sum of 3 s . 6 d . per week , with a dwelling , a garden , pasture for a cow and two sheep in summer , and forage for the animals in winter . With these advantages the labourer is able to live well , and frequently dines on meat , which in few of the European states finds its way to the table of the labourer .

      PRUSSIA . In Prussia the law compels each ( own and village to take care of its necessitous inhabitants , provided that the latter have no kindred able to succour them . The territorial proprietors are made liable to the same obligation . The towns and villages have their own laws and customs in all that relates to the ad ministration of relief to the poor . These different communities have such a body called the armen di . rection ( board of guardians , ) whose duty is to superintend the collection of . the funds , and their distribution to several sub-committees , formed of

      citizens taken from different districts , called armen bezirke . The principal source of funds is private charity . In Prussia their exists no law imposing the obligation to contribute to the relief of the poor ; the customs and spirit of benevolence generally suffice . But when there is a deficiency , the poor-law administration comes upon the funds which were collected for other purposes , as lighting , paving , &c , and from these supplies the deficiency . Each province of Prussia has its House of Industry ,, where the poor are provided with employment suitable to their trade and abilities .

      WURTEMBURG . The kingdom of Wurtemburg is one of the states whose inhabitants posses ? the right of receiving public assistance in distress . The population is divided into two classes , the freemen , and those who do not enjoy the droit de cite , called bersitzers the latter form a tenth of the whole . The freemen , who have acquired their title by purchase or birth have the right to participate in the revenues of tbe district or parish of which they are members . The droit de cite may be obtained by payment of a sum inferior to that required for the right of freedom ; but that payment does not entitle the purchaser to the privileges of the citizens . Nevertheless , whoever is unable to command the necessaries of life by

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      trade or labour , or to obtain them by the nssUtanCT of fliends , may claim the succour of the jarish ifi wmch be . bad either of the rights just mentioned . If a man is bo poor to purchase the lower right he is assigned by the police to some one parish . The care of the poor is carried to a high degree of solicitude by the government , so that a death from want in time of dearth would entail the mo 3 t rigorous punishment Oh Ihe functionaries who might be found ehargeable with neglect of the deceased . A great number of parishes possess a fund called pittm corpus , arising from voluntary contributions and other casual sources , bat principally derived from lands , which before the refor mation were held by the catholic church , but which at that period , instead of undergoing confiscation by tbe government were set apart for the relief of the poor . In case of need recourse was had lo an

      old law , which permits magistrates to make a rate on the wealthy proportioned to their means and to the deficiency to be repaired . Persons in good health who apply for lelief are required to work at moderate salaries . It is often difficult to find employment for the numbers who apply ; on this account , establishments have been provided in the capital and some other towns , where the applicants are occupied in spinning and other analogous labour . Most of the towns have their poor « house 9 for the reception of theaged and infirm ; where those

      are wanted , the poor are received into all tbe houses of the inhabitants in turn , or farmed out in small establishments . The wages of the workmen in towns range from Is , 8 d . to 4 s , 2 d . per week , and in the country from 8 d . to 20 d . per week , beside board and lodging in each case . Workmen engaged by the year generally board and lodge with their employers , receiving in towns from £ i 12 s . to £ 5 , and in villages from £ 1 15 s . to £ 3 10 s . per annum . Women and children can gain from £ 3 10 s . to £ 4 10 s . per year ; so that the family is able to command sound nourishment , comprising meat once or twice a week .

      BAVARIA . In Bavaria each town and village is bound by law to provide a house for the reception o { the poor , except that in certain cases several villages are allowed to maintain a common establishment . The inhabit tants are required to contribute according to their means ; every person is bound to provide for his poor relatives . The aged and helpless poor are re « ceived into houses provided for them . The other poor , incapable of labour , whose physical condition does not require personal care , are assisted with

      money . The healthy and able-bodied are maintained in the houses of industry ; their ill-conduct or idleness there is punished by the magistrates . Marriage is forbidden to persons without capital unless they have the permission of the authorities . The clergy who marry such persons without this permission are bound to furnish them with assistance in case of distress . This restriction is considered as having restrained population and pauperism in Bavaria within limits which otherwise they had long since trans-Rressed . The labouring classes receive after the rate of 3 d . per diem in the country , and from 8 d . to Is . 2 d .

      BERNE ; The canton of Berne has from the seventeenth century admitted the principle of public and legal relief for the poor ; when there occurs a deficiency in the public revenues , special taxes are imposed to make up the necessary sum , We omit here a de « tail of figures , which would carry scrupulous exactitude to monotony .

      HOLLAND . In Holland the po , or are chargeable to the different religious societies to which they are associated in each parish ; such is the leading principle of relief in that country . In case of the insufficiency of tho resources possessed by the congoegations , tho distressed may apply to the magistrates , who redress the complaints . In many places there exists an authority of a civil c haracter , appointed to succour chose who do not properly belong to any religious society ; in others , the burgomaster or his deputies administer relief . The hospitals and orphan asylams are , for the most part , government establishments , Some are maintained wholly or in part by their own revenues . Admission is not

      contingent upon religious opinions . Foundlings are maintained at the charge of the locality where thoy are exposed . There are three houses > f industry , where the poor are admitted on application , under the condition of contributing to their own support by working according to their capacity . There are besides in various towns industrial charitable institutions , where work is provided for those who are in circumstances of pressing want . Besides those there are establishments supported by societies for certain specific objects , some destined for the relief of women in childbed , others for distributing provisions , and , in winter , fuel to the indigent . In all cases the local authorities are invested with the right of visitation and control over the receipts and expenditure of these charitable unions . Their

      officers aro bound to furnish an annual statement to the government in order that the same may appear in the report made on this subject to the States General . The average annual receipts of the hospitals and houses of legal charity amount to £ 100 , 247 . The average number of persons annually relieved is 241 , 513 . Pauperism appears to bo on the increase iu Holland , which , after the canton of Berne , stands in the front rank of pauperism in . Europe . Every one has heard of the Dutch agricultural colonies . The question has too often occupied public attention to render it useful to do more than mention them here . The amount of annual wages of . a family of workers in Holland fluctuates between £ 10 10 s . and £ 19 , while in England it is more than double that sum .

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      Condition of the Ballast-Heavers . —A public meeting of the ballast-heavers of the port of London was held at Hawkstone-hall , Waterloo-road , on Tuesday , for the purpose of directing public attention to the wrongs and injuries suffered by them . The meeting was well attended , and many of the auditory were females , probably the wives of ballast-heavers . Mr . Thomas Flinn was called to the chair . Mr . II . Barthorp , the secretary of the oommittee , said if something was not speedily done for the relief of the ballast-heavers the whole race would become extinct . The system had been productive of nothing but ruin and wretchedness to those who had the misfortune to be under , its influence , and reflected nothing but disgrace on those

      who worked it . Under it the sober man had to stand unemployed , while the drunkard waa taken in hand by the publican and work was given to him . He was one of their brother slaves once ,, but was fortunately rescued . Within 100 yards of tho office of the coal-whippers there worked some time ago forty of the finest men this country could , produce , bufc , in the course of one twelve-moritl ) ,. tney were all swept away . Their employer was in the habit of soiling them firery alo ; these fresh men coming from the country drank it copiously , and not one was now left . Medical men had stated that there was more mortality among ballast-hearers than among any other class of men . Their days wero spent in hard work and their nights in revelry .

      Great moral and social evils followed .. Their wives , perhaps , kept a stall in the neighbourhood ; some resorted to chemical factories , where the work was too hard even for men , and some resorted to a less honourable mode of obtaining a livelihood . In addition to this the ballast-heavers suffered from the system in a pecuniary point of view . Tbo publicans , however , were not the only persons who were to blame . There was a class of men , consisting mainly of low lodging-house keepers , who came forward and offered to undertake ' delivery for a less sum than the other agents did it for and the shipowners would then employ tuam . Upon this the old agents , the publicans , offered to do it as low , the ties of relationship prevailed , they got baekthe

      agency , and made up for their loss of profit by increased extortions upon the- men they employed . " So man could hope for employment unless lie was a drunkard : the more ho drank the more employment he TCOuld get . for a ballast-heaver to sign the total abstinence pledge would bo for him to sign the sentence of his own starvation . Hence they were all drunkards , and the evil , consequences of drunkenness necessarily followed . Those who had taken up this matter on bchalS of the ballast-heavers , for the poor fellows could not do it themselves , were endeavouring to destroy the system , aad the question was how they were to accomplish their object . They had already presented . petitions to the Houso of Commons , and to the Trinity House on the subject . He believe&that government were willing to move in the matter , and if they did , and . they

      brought in a bill ,, there would no doubt bo great opposition on the ] iart of those who were gaining by the present state of things . Such had also been tho case with the coal whippets ; but they procured a petition signed by 10 , 000 persons , and their cause triumphed ., And the ballast-heavera , wlioso condition was as bad as that of the ooal-whippers was formerly ,, would also have their evils remedied by egislation if their condition were fairly brought before the public . Mr . Green then moved tho adoption of a . memorial to tho Board of Trade , setting forth , the evils under which tho ballast-heavers labour , and praying for-an-inquiry , iuul tint it go vernment were then satisfied that the evils c x s . cd , they would introduce a bill to remedy Them : Mr . Harper seconded it ; and after a speech from Mr . West , the memorial was unanimously adopted , and the mooting then separated . -

      £ s 3 SfSwSb ** t * *« ta » ity of coal gas .

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      Fatal Accident on the Edinburgh axd Glasgow Railway . — William Robertson , one of the guards on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway , was accidentally killed on Friday forenoon , the 20 th inst ., in the neighbourhood of the Linlithgow station . The unfortunate man was the piard of the train which arrived here from Edinbugh at twenty minutes past nine o ' clock . He left Glasgow in charge of the express train at half-past ten , and was last seen alive at the Falkirk station , where he was actively employed in the performance of his duties . On approaching the Linlithgow station the break was applied in the usual manner , but the guard was missed for the first time , and on a search being made for

      him the small box on which he sat on the top of one carriage was found to be empty , and bia cap was discovered lying on the roof of a truck some distance further along the train . The cap was torn and spotted with blood , which showed that its owner had met with a serious accident . This surmise was speedily confirmed by the discovery of his dead body lying stretched beside the rails , a few hundred yards westward from the station . The head and face were dreadfully mangled , and from the extent and nature of the injuries received there can be no doubt that death was instantaneous . It is conjectured by some that while occupied on the top of one of the carriages , his head came in contact with the arms of the signal

      post , which it appears approach nearer the train passing below than they should do ; but had this been the case , it is thought his cap must have fallen , not where it was found , but without the rails altogether . The more probable supposition is , that in a moment of forgetfulness he neglected to stoop his heiid while passing below the iron bridge which spans the line at this point , and was thus deprived of life . The body was taken to Edinburgh , where the poor man resided , by the eleven o ' clock train , and delivered over to his sorrowing family . The deceased was a stout healthy man , about thirty-four years of age , was married , and the father of six children , the youngest not mere than two months old .

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      ACCinENT ON THE jftOBTII KENT RAILWAY . —At ten on Sunday night , an accident occurred at Stone-cross-eate , by which , it is thought , one of the company ' s servants will be rendered incapable for further duties . It appears that a man , employed as gate-keeper , was in the act of signalising " Allright" for the up-train due at the time mentioned ; and , before he succeeded in crossing the rails , he was met by the engine belonging to the down-train which passed over him , thereby fracturing his ribs , and frightfully mutilating his right arm and leg . The unfortunate man was conveyed to Guy ' s Hospital at an early hour next morning , with little hopes of recovery .

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      Accident on hie Great Nobthebn Railway . — On Saturday night an accident of a very serious character , happened on this newly-opened railway , and which there is every reason to fear will result in the death of the fireman , if not of one or two other persons who were unfortunately proceeding by the train . It appears that a very heavy cattle train , the first , it is believed , that . the Great Northern authorities have run upon the line , on arriving at the Hitchen station , had to be taken across upon the down line , to make room for two up trains , which were then due . At the timo the cattle train was so driven upon the down line the eight o'clock down train from the King ' s-cross station was also due . The red signal light was put onand a policeman was sent upon the Imo witn

      , the light to caution tho driver of tho down dram to stop . Whether the driver of tho down tram saw the red signal , or whether the cattle trsin was in advance—that is , on the London side of the Hitchin station—is not stated , and appears not to have been very correctly ascertained . The result , however , was , that the down train ran with great violence into the two engines that were attached to the cattle-train , all three-engines , each of which is estimated at about £ 2 , 000 Value , being so materially damaged as hardly to be able to run again . -Ino driver of the down train was thrown off the engine

      before he could become acquainted with the danger of his position , and has sustained such severe internal injuries that fears were entertained for his lire . The fireman had his leg broken , and a-lady who was a passenger by the train , had several Ol her ribs broken , and another passenger sustained fractures of limbs . Many others were injurod ; but , with the exception of those mentioned , they were not so severely damaged as to prevent their conveyance to their respective destinations . _ lne authorities have resolved on instituting a rigid inquiry with a view to ascertain the cause oi the lamentable accident .

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      i «« glf : The Catastkophe on the Eastern Counties Railway . —Four of the bodies of the nine unfortunate men who were killed on the 19 th inst . by being run over l > y a train were interred in the burial ground in the parish of Shentonfield , on Saturday last , that being the parish in which the shocking catastrophe occurred . The place in which the bodies of the men were interred is about a mile and a half from Brentwood , from -which place a number of persons attended the funeral .. The coffins were followed by a great

      many persons , including the men who had worked with the deceased on the Eastern Counties line . The other five bodies wero previously carried away to the various places where the relatives of the unfortunate men resided , bj whom they will be interred , Two only out of the nine were married men . The one has loft a widow and five children , and the other a widow and two children . For the families of the two married it is understood that a subscription will be forthwith raised , which it is not doubted will be headed by le directors of the Eastern Counties Company .

      The Society of Democratic and Social Pkopaoandism . —The members of this society met at the City Working Man ' s Hall , 26 , Goldon-lano , Barbican , on September 19 th , W . H . Cottle in the chaiv . when . it was unanimously resolved that tho weekly meeting be held at the abovo place every Tb . - ursday evening , after the transaction of private business . Tho meeting adjourned until the following Thursday evening . ' , Makt provincial newspapers aro publishing wood engravings of the building for the Great Industrial Exhibition of 1851 .

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      Se ^ e mbeb 28 , 1850 . __ THE NORTHERN STAR 7 ^_

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 28, 1850, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1593/page/7/