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Northern Star (1837-1852), 18th September 1841, Edition 2 of 5, Page 3, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      ON THE RELEASE OF MB . O'CONNOR The glorious flag of liberty Fleets on the breeze again , There let it irave—O'Connor " ! free , 0 "Connor * a come again , To lead us on to victory , And break the tyrants chain . They said a priaon ' a dnngeon cell His lion heart "would tame ; They found he was invincible , O'Connor ins the same ; His deeds shall after ages tell , And bless his patriot name .

      They'll bless bis name and courage bold That dar'd the tyrant ' s rage , Who fearless did through heat and cold The people's battle wage , And kept his spirit unctmtroll'd , Though coop'd in prison cage . He's left stone cell , and iron bar , To valk abroad in light , And rays of freedom from his Star , Shall skim so fierce and bright ; They'll scatter tyrants , \ ride and far .

      And -we shall thine our right W . X . Sept 7 ih , 1541 .

      Untitled Article

      THE GOVERNMENT'S ADDRESS TO THE WORKING CLASSES . How now ! ye blustering , discontented knaves , VTho rfoiTn the title of industrious bees , What -would ye have ? ye grovelling base-born slaves To dare to interrupt the public peace , With threats of daggers , torches , pikes , and staves , With which you would compel us to release You from the easy yoke which sits so light , And grant you -what you vainly call your right Whst tho the mountain fastnesses may ring With your mad shouts for justice , and tho your Seditious leaden may still fondly cling

      To the false thought that our defeat is sure , We laugh to scorn your harmless threatening , Your van : of snios mders us secure , We disregard your hypocritical petitions , Tis not our interest to alter your conditions . To alter your conditions , did we say ? Tile traitors ! that shall neTer be , tre swear ; What would ye hare ? have we not thrown away The ease of private life for your welfare . Do we not always your commands obey , When to object , requires a greater share Of moral courace , tf ^ n-n - we can command , Or , vkez unanimously you demand . Tain toasting wretches , we again would ask , Why with your stations are ye discontent ? I » to support the state bo hard a task ,

      That you would our ertr » vagaEce prevent ? Or would you alvrzjs in tht sunshine bask , And lire in idleness , that yon present Petitions so unmeaning , there is scarce a line , Which , for our pocket's sake , we'd rattier not define . Should not the New Poor Law your thanks engage ? Have we not granted all you conld desire ? Prmded bastiles , to which , when eld age Ov ertakes you , you may quietly retire , And there remain , until you quit the stage Of mortal life ; which should your heart's inspire With love and gratitude for us , who ne'er neglect , The interest of those we ' re chosen to protect . Are "we not labouring in the grand defence Of ovi beloved country ' s brilliant fame ; Are we not willing , at a moderate expezce ,

      To slaughter those * who now dispute our claim , And right to poison them , when common sense Should tell them tis a sin and deadly shame , To manifest such pagan impudence , but we Will make them take out poisos for their tea . Cease then of our exactions to complain , Tij madness to pretend ye are oppress'd , Nor dare to question onr just right to drain Your pockets , any fashion we like best With us alone such matters should remain , And shall ; for we ' re resolved to arrest , Imprison , and severely punish , those Presumptuous villains , who our tricks expose . Yes , let these mad , mis-nam&d patriots spread Their absurd notions , and your wrongs relate , But let tfaem our severe resentment dread .

      For they shall shortly feel the crushing weight Of eur aroused vengeance , tho' tis said You will such gross injustice reprobtte , And fereak their bonds , which nought can rivet , save Tour bi * e neglect uf lie advice they gave . Your petty opposition we defy , And your request we fearlessly reject , Your glorious cause ( so caU'd shall shortly die ; Its death-blow shall be dealt by your neglect Then may we safely oar plunderer joy , We gsxs with pleasure on the bright prospect , Believing we can frustrate your des ; gn , Ur ~ il together heart arid &ottl you join . W . J . Liverpool . * The Chinese .

      Untitled Article

      THE FLEET PAPERS . I Writitn for our lasl , hut excluded by press of matter . ' ] Mr . Oastler continues , in this weekly ontpotuing . of Ms own good feeling and just spirit " , ( despite his Toryism , ) to enunciate sentiments and offer advice ( . the result of great experience and deep investigation ) which it will be well for England and her people if the present Government lend a willing ear to , and be prepared to act upon . In the number for this day we find the following excellent remarks ¦ upon the pesition of several of the immediate and pressing questions of the day , and which we extract a ; length : —

      " The question—the universal question now raised in every bosom is , ' What ought the new Government to do ? ' Many subjects press ou the mind -when this question ii asked—icaay which , in the short space of one letter , it would be impossible te mention . 11 seems to me , however , that two questions have teen settled by the people of England it tie last election ; and if it be true that the Que ^ z is constitutionally bound ( as all paruEs acknowledge ; to change her Ministers when their rseaFJZcs are disapproved by her people ' s representatives , so must it be the constitutional duty of Parliament to obey the will of their constituents , whenever thr . t Will is manifest znd nndeniible .

      " There can be no doult that the question pTopsunded by her ilajesty to her people was , ' Are yon for free trace V It is equally certain that every exertion was made , every arj-ament was -osed , every exciting inducement was offered , to persuade the people to answer 1 Yts : * Svill , despite the most strenuous tfibrta of the free trade party , the answer returned to b-: r ilajesty w ^ s ' No r—in consequence cf vrtich , the Queen has discharged htr fret trace ilir ' svtis- I ; cannot , therefore , be too Es : h te require Pirliiment also to attend to the corsti ' . uiiunally declared will of tie people- The tviU of iiee trace are exhibit- , a in the facts that the more foreign trade we have nr . der its operation , the mere we Ic-se , the poorer ire bsccn ; e , and the less wages we pay . Thus ii'e facts v-roved . Trhat common Etnse has so long taught- that poverty is the consequence of dLTceCriiisil cempetiifun . The new Ministers ought , therefore , to tbindon tee syFtim of free trade , else why have the Whigs been driven cut ?

      " There is , however , another subject upon which they were not questioned , but on v . Lien it is admitted on all hands that the people have declared their will—namely , the New Poor law . Upon that point there has been neither if nor bvi . The new Ministers will , therefore , if they are wise , and resolve to walk in the light of the Cozsi-tztioa , repeal the > 'ew Poor Law , sud return to tte glorious 43 rd cf Elizibeib . " It wuild Ec-t be vise to modify the former . To pretend to modify the hsteful tting , is parieyirg wifb Sitan , foi it is the Devil ' s work . The very ninie of it is so odius , that it . s cue to the insulted and outraged feelings of the nation , that it be for ever obliterated . "Then , " say * . me , l " wLs . t will you do with the bsstiies V That is zo business of mine : let those who

      built them answer it , or , at tree pull them down , leaving not one store ui-on nuttier . The sooner the whole shin ? is forgotten the better . A mistake upon the New Poor Lsw wiii prove fatal to the new Ministers . Ccmnion s-. rse is k . t needful to discover , that if we tre to have the Ne ^ r Pv-.... r Law , the New Poor Law Ministers have teen th ^ Uj trtsted—if Of-it be a good measure , ihty tie Whigs must be good Ministers . " I &fk eo : wfcat is Sir Kobet VcnYs-private opinions ; nothing is n , . re clear than the fac :, that it ia lie people ' s Laura \ 0 the New Poor L ^ w which has given hira so lares a majority . If his supporters have usluded the people by their electioneering addresses , Sir Robert would have proved Lis wisdem by refusing ° Sce , for , ia that * case , the r « -action ' must be terrific .

      " The new Government will , if its members are wise , weaken ind impoverish the nation no more by emigration ; but , on the contrary , they will offer every inducement to persuaie aid encourage the people to locate on the land . Drawing the surplus population , " as fast as they prudently can , cut ef the manufacturing towns , and dius restore the just proportion of the creation of Wealth , by gradually rtdaeing the quantity of our manufactures , until they are equalled by Use demand , and by increasing our agriculture , so a 3 to reach the demand , and thus ruett the pressing wants cf the people . We have land enough for all we ne « d in England , Scotland , Wales , and Ireland , but we have foolishly withdrawn the hands ; aoJ , consequently , we are mir . xu the GOZB ,

      Untitled Article

      " If our new Ministers are constitutional , they will , of course , repeal the Rural Police Act , abandon the scheme of centralization , and restore the local system of management . In other words , they -will abandon the insane Whig notfon of governing the peopla by force . It is futile any longer to attempt to keep the people in awe by force and coercion—it iB against the genius of their laws , and the spirit of the Constitution . The presence of force implies injustice . 11 The Ten Hours Pactaries Regulation Bill they cannot refuse , -when the evidence of its necessity baa been so often proved before Parliament , and it is remembered that Sir Robert Peel'a father was the first who

      introduced it ; nor can they safely neglect to protect the labourersfrom the power of wealthy selfishness . This subject is obtaining more and more importance in the minds of tho well-dispowd manufacturers . They fe « l that something must be done by law to prevent the wasting influence of universal competition . They are well aware , that all our great statesmen recoil at the very thought , still they feel that someUiing must be done to prevent the cruel aud selfish from getting rich by any means , regardless of the miseries occasioned to their work people , and the loss sustained by all who wish to give a fair day ' s wages for a fair day's work .

      " The question of some restraint upon machinery , is , I am happy to say , forcing itself upon our manufacturers , and they say , ' Parliament must interfere . ' The approach to free trade has had one good effect—it has proved its unsouHdness , by emptying the pockets of hundreds who were formerly its admirers . " " There are many other subjects which require the immediate attention of Parliament , which I have no room to mention , but wfcich , in due time I shall place before you in the Fleet Papers . It is self-evident that the case of the working classes must now be seriously considered , with a view to their amelioration . I shall ever be ready to aid in that labour . "

      Untitled Article

      STOCKPORT . —The spinnershave boldly resisted th « attempted reduction of the masters , which has stopped some of them in their diabolical pursuits ; and , if persevered in , will cause the other masters to give war , that ia , if they are supported by the spinners of the surrounding district as they ought to be . They have always been ready to subscribe to others when called on . To the Shopkeepers , Publicans , and Tradesmen of Stockport .

      Fellow Townsmen , —We , the spinners of this town and neighbourhood , appeal to you at this important and truly alarming crisis , hnmblr soliciting your support , to enable us , successfully , to resist the enormous , cruel , and scandalous reduction offered by the cotton masters , mentioned in our placard , issued this week , believing , as we do , reductions , however small , are detrimental to the bvst interests of society , both locally and nationally , and if the one now pending be effected , the consequences must be dangerous and awful .

      Firstly , by taking money ont of circulation , which will be of no benefit at all to the cotton masters themselves , as no sooner do the merchants get to hear of an abatement than they seize the advantage in lowering the price of goods ; as a striking proof of this , the masters' interest fell , from 1815 to 1841 , 55 per cent Secondly , by taking the money from the working people , they disqualify them from purchasing a sufficiency of food and clothing , and thereby ruin the best market , viz , home consumption . Thirdly , by depriving the people of the means of paying their rents , cottage property is reduced in value .

      Fourthly , those who are fortunate enough to procure employment , will be reduced so low as not to be able to contribute to their unfortunate brethren who may be out , the result of which wilt be , a larger number will have recourse to tha workhouse for a living , whick will greatly augment the rates ; the working classes not being able to pay rates , those who can must , the authorities knowing full well that it is useless to attempt to sell the goods of the poor , as such would only increase the burden , the brokers' shops being crammed already ; their policy , as a matter of course , will be to press more heavily upon you who have property .

      Fifthly , the people cannot purchase high articles , which will cause a falling off in the revenue to a serious amount , and will be likewise a fertile source of , and cause misery , destitution , vice , crime , poverty , want , hunger , disease , pestilence , robbery , murder , bloodshed , and suicide to be more prevalent and frequent ; by such tyranny and oppression , they are disgusting the honest operatives , and depriving them of the means of obtaining an honest livelihood in the land of their birth , and driving them to the painful necessity of emigrating , as hundreds are doing , to other countries , to enrich our rivals and impoverish ourselves .

      Sixthly , because you shopkeepers , many of you , entered your houses when wages were at such a standard as only to be able to get a living , by attention and conorny , say that the people were earning sixteen shillings per week , and you could then only just live , what will y * u do when they are only earning half that sum , whilst your rents are the same , rates the same , expences every way the same ? Nay , rates will be higher , because there will be more poor , besides , customers will be fewer . Then , if such be the case , and we presume no one will contradict us , what but loss and ruin awaits the shopkeepers and publicans ? We call upon you , for the sake of yourselves and society , to help us in this desperate struggle . Signed on behalf uf the body of spinners , James Mitchell , President , Charles Da vies , Secretary .

      BILSTON . —The third anniversary of the Bil- i stoii Auxiliary Bible Society was held in the school- ' room belonging to St . Mary's Church , ou Friday i evening , Ihe 10 th instant . For some days previous i the public had been invited by placards and cir- culars , therefore the Chartists considered it their duty to attend and hear what the gentlemen in black ; had to say , and also to watch their proceedings , de- ' termined , if an opportunity offered , to seize it , and thea plant the Charter before them . When the hour j arrived our men were at their post of duty , and a ' fine turnout the brave men of Bilston made . They nocked in hundreds from the mine and the forge , i and astonished the clerical gentlemen to see so i many of their own colour ; indeed the black slugs

      were awe-struck beyond description , as they had i been previoCTly informed that tho Chartists would [ attend , and , in consequence of this report , the j parsons took the precaution to have the pk-. ee sur- ; rounded with constables . Before the public were j admitted the chair had been taken by the Rev . J . B . < Owen , who commenced the proceedings with prayer , J just at the time that our general , Stiran , and his i aids-de-camp , entered , provided with their amend- j ments ready to propose when the Reverends would ; submit their resolutions to the meeting . Prayer being ended , the Rev . Chairman briefly stated the ; reason for calling the meeting , and observed that ; there were pexsoas assembled there for the purpose j of opposing their holy cause ; but he assured the i

      meeting that no one would bo heard who was hostile to their pious purpose . It had been announced in the bills that many reverend gentlemen and esquires would attend and address the meeting . They were punctual in their attendance , and the platform displayed a fine show of the cloth . The first speaker called upon was the Rev . Mr . Rogers , Wesleyan minister , of Wolverhampton , who , in the usual strain , set forth the blessed advantages that would accrue to the whole community , and particularly the poor , by their liberal support of such a holy institution , at the tame time begging hard for every poor man to give his help , it' it was only a shilling or a sixpence : they could spare it—he was sure they could—and they would never be anything the poorer

      for doing so . He concluded by beseeching the poor people to imitate the example of the poor widow in the Gospel and her mite ^—that was to give all they were worth , and more if they could . He sat down , and the Rents tried to raise applause , but it was wo go , the Bilstoni&ns were silent . The Rev . Air . Bourne , from London , was next introduced . He stated that he had travelled over tho greatest part of the globe ; but he did not say that he had been in Freezjland . His speech was a disgusting rhapsody . He said that fifty years ago there was not a Bible to be found in the Welsh language ; but since the establishment of the society thsy printed Bibles in Welsh , and they were now plentifully circulated through that principality . This assertion

      was met by the disapprobation of several Welsh people present , who could flatly contradict it , and declare they can produce Bibles in the Welsh language that have been in possession of their families upwards of a century . One part of this gentleman ' s opeech was worthy of credit , and has produced a good , effect—it has made the people more anxious to obtain the Charter : he stated that a Bible meeting had been held on the lami in front of a gentleman's house , who was a planter , a slave owner , and a member of the B . ble Society . The meeting was chit fly composed ot negroe ? , from whom £ 40 was collected , which made the working men of Bilston conclude that the black slaves are much better oil than the tvhite slaves in this country . He quoted

      another instance which made tho people stare : he said that in some of the countries of South Africa , they gave fat sheep for Bibles ; and the missionaries frequently exchanged a Bible for a fat sheep , which wi 3 another proof that the pcoplo of that couuiry were much better provided with the means of living than the people of Britain . This speaker shewed himself a good economist , as well as Beg"arman . He advised those gentlemen who drajik three ghsies of wine per day , to drink two ; aud those working men who drank one pint of alo per day , to drhik but half-a-pint , * and ladies , who wore two yards and a half of ribband , at one shilling per yard , to wear , in future , but two yards ; and thus the savings ef money produced by sparing the wine ,

      ale , and ribband , to be given into the Bible fund . This system of economy did not escape the discernment of the crowded audience , and particularly the working men , who thought the grasp too much ; oue half their allowance was , in their opiuion , too much for the blacks to ask at once ; however ladies and gentlemen might abridge their -luxuries , the poor men could uot relish such a proposal , and shook tLeir heads as a symptom of disapprobation , which was soon observed by the gentlemen on the platform , wr . ose faces exhibited blushes , whether of shame or disappointment we cannot tell , and finding they had many hearers , but few supporttrs , the chairman instantaneously dissolved the meeting , observing thstt the place was too hot for the ladies ; but , in fact ,

      they ibundit too hot for themselves , as they perceived they wera not encouraged to carry on any longer . This announcement was unexpected , as we had hoped for an opportunity to have a few words ' wi . h them in the usual course of business , but the parsons put by their resolutions , seeing there was no chance of having them passtd , aud they did not like to incur the disgrace and mortification of defeat . On hearing the unexpected announcement , Mr . Stirau arose , and addressing himself to the chairman asked leave to put a question to the speakers , but the chairman promptly refused to hear him , as the business of the meeting was over . By this time the meeting was greally excited . A person near the platform called out" Mr . StiraR . they are

      afraid ; they won't hear you . " This excited the audience still more , and Mr . Stiran replied tb * t he submitted to the chairman , but he felt aggrieved ( hat he was not allowed to ask a question , and impressed on the people the propriety of peaceab . e conduct , as there were constables in attendance , and we had gained our object by our silence , and defeated the parsons , as our formidable appearance prevented them from offering their resolutions . We then moved out , and Mr . Stiran addressed the people , who flocked round him . He requested them to follow up their blow , and do the same at all public meetings in future . Ho then proposed three cheers for FearguB O'Connor and the People ' s Charter , which were eheerfully responded to by three deafening cheers , that made Bilston ring . —Correspondent .

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      BOUTHWARK . —A numerons meeting of the members and friends of the Repeal Association , r ? ;* ce ° " SaadayeTeninK , at Mr . Roche ' s , Red Lion , Maze , Tooley-street . A teetotal Chartist , of twenty years irtandinfo took the chair by acclamation . Several excellent speeches were made by M ?"« * % ac , ° ck « Murphy , O'Leary , O'Egan , Dale , and Mr . Parker , from the City of London Charter Association , who , in a beautiful speech , fully proved that a Repeal of the Union would do no good to the working classes of Ireland , unless it was accompanied with the principles contained in the People ' s Charter . A yote of thanks was passed to the chairman , who said that the Northern Star was the onl

      y Repeal I ^ ewspaper published and sold in London , and therefore he wished all sincere , sober , and honest Repealers to give their support to that paper , which was a real friend to the working classes of all nations . Eight members were added to the Repeal list , which makes near four hundred paying Repealers m this locality . Mr . O'Leary , a good and true Repealer , will take the chair on Sunday week . Severat Chartist and Repeal ladies were present on this occasion , who took great interest in the proceedings of the evening , after which the meeting separated ; but resolved to meet again , and again , until the unconditional Repeal of the Union took place .

      BERMOKrnSEY . —A public lecture , on behalf of the London Journeymen ' s Trade ' s Hall , was delivered by Mr . Sherman . Subject— " The moral and social improvement of the working class of London , " at Bigg ' a Temperance Coffee House , Abbey-street , George-street , Bermondsey , on Friday evening ; the worthy lecturer stated his conviction that working men would never gain their social and political rights without they had places for trades and public meetings , which they could call their own . He highly complimented the men of Lambeth for not

      meeting at a publio house , and censured the men of Bermondsey for meeting at a public house , when they could meet at a respectable coffee house , or have a trade ' s hall , which they could call their own property ; after the lecture was over , Mr . William Jones , in a cool and convincing speech of considerable length , proved , to the satisfaction of all present , the political importance of this noble undertaking , which would prove a great blessing to the working classes . He also promised to become a shareholder . After a xote of thanks to the lecturer , the meeting separated , highly pleased with the proceedings of the evening .

      Sign of the Times . —A wharfinger , in Tooleystreet , Borough , advertised in the Times newspaper , a few days ago , for a clerk , who must be a married man , at the large sum of twenty shillings per week . This honest Reformer received above three hundred letters .

      Untitled Article

      Royal Autillery—General Order , Sept . 8 th . —Lieutenant General Lord Vivian cannot quit the ordance department , over which he has had the honour of presiding during a period of six years , without expressing to all those belonging to it the greatest satisfaction he has had in carrying on the service in conjunction with them . It is a pleasure to him to bear his testimony that he has ever found all in their respective offices discharging the duties attached to them with zeal , ability , and efficiency . To the ordnance military corps , Lord Vivian would especially address himself . Many years of military

      service had afforded him opportunities of becoming acquainted with their merits and witnessing the excellent conduct of the officers and men of the royal artillery and royal engineers ; a more intimate connection with them confirming him in the high opinion he had previously entertained . In now parting from them , he ventures te express his sincere and earnest hope that they will ever be found pursuing the same course which has acquired for them their present high character , and ever be equally distinguished for their gallantry in the fiela , and their loyalty to their Sovereign . —( Signed ) H . D . Ross , colonel , deputy adjutant-general .

      Frightful Accident on the Bristol and Exeter Railroad . —On tho arrival at the Bridgewater terminus , on Saturday last , of the four o ' clock afternoon train from Bristol , the engine which brought down the train was ompioyed , after the passengers had left the carriages , in removing the train from the down line to the other . To effect this transfer it is necessary to remove the carriages from the station to a point on the line about 150 yards distance , where proper means are provided for transferring carriages from one line of rails to the other . Between that point and the station is a crossing for coaches , &c , over the rails ; the engine had already transferred some carriages from the down to the up line , and was returning for others , with its tender in

      front , when , on arriving at the crossing , the Exquisite stage-coach , with passengers for Exeter , was in the act of passing over the rails . The tender struck the fore part of the coach , which it shivered to pieces . The hind wheels , with a part of the body of the coach , were forced off the line by the violence of the shock , and fell over , while the passengers were scattered about in every direction . The horses , from the complete smash of the coach , were liberated , and escaped with but little injury * Six persons are more or less injured . Mr . Burford , of Bristol , one of the passengers , was removed to the Clarence Hotel , where he is suffering under a concussion of the brain , and other internal injuries . His head was so jammed under one of the wheels of the tender , that he could not be extricated until the engine was

      baoked ; another inch and his skull would have been crushed to atoms . Johns , tho driver of the Exquisite , and Hatchwell , the well-known coachman to the Sheriff at theaBsizes , are both seriously mangled . The other passengers have escaped with some serious bruises : but Ann Gore , a poor old woman of 73 , who had just crossed the railroad , was caught by the falling coach , and is not expected to survive . She was taken to the Bridgewater infirmary , when it was found that both bones of one leg were broken close to the ancle joint , a considerable portion of the skull laid bare , and a frightful contusion over one of the temples . She has continued , with slight intermissions , in a hish state of delirium , and cannot be expected to recover . We cannot learn that the least blame can be justly attached to the driver of the engine .

      Disgraceful Affair in the Queens Bench Prison . —At Union-hall , on Thursday , Robert Newman , a debtor in the Queen ' s Bench Prison , was brought up by habeas , on an alleged charge of indectntly assaulting James Haggett , an inmate of the same gaol . From the complainant ' s statement it appeared , that he was a tortoiseshell comb-maker , and had been incarcerated in the above gaol , between four and five months ; that on a recent occasion he was accosted by the prisoner , who spoke to him on the subject of making a leaden comb to prevent his hair from turning grey . On that occasion the accused invited him into his room to smoke a pipe of tobacco , and conducted himself in such a manner , as to convince tho complainant that ho was a man of

      improper character . On another occasion the defendant behaved in a similar manner , and the complainant determined on exposing the practices of such a man , informed a person of the name of Darrell of tho circumstances ; and it waa agreed between them , that on the next visit to defendant ' s room Darrell should conceal hinuelf underneath the bed , in order to witness the conduct of the alleged delinquent . Agreeably to this intention the complainant went to the defendant ' s apartment , and , while Darrell was underneath the bedstead , the defendant proceeded to act in such a manner towards complainant as to justify tho present accusation ; at which moment Darrell started from his hiding place , and witnessed ths assault , which was described , but was of a nature

      unfit for publication . It was further stated by tho complainant that on the last occasion of the alleged assault he made an alarm while in the defendant's room , and that several persons came to the spot , and tho aggressor was dragged out into the lobby and beaten by some of the other prisoners , who were about to inflict summary vengeance upon him , and pitch him bead-foremost into the large water-closet of the gaol , had it not been for the interference of some of tho officers of the prison . Darrell confirmed the complainant ' s evidence , and said that on his rushing out from beneath the bedstead the defendant begged for mercy and forgiveness . Other witnesses gave testimony of their having been attracted to the spot by

      hearing the affray in the deiendant s room , and 01 having witnessed the disordered state of his clothes on their entrance . The complainant , and also the principal witness , Darrell , underwent a rigorous cross-examination fay Mr . Locke ,, in the course of which they said that thoy were acquaintances , and that they were both confined as prisoners in the above gaol , for c ffeaces committed by them at the election of bridgemaster , and that indictments had been found against them . Darrell admitted that ho had been imprisoned in Giltspur-street Compter . and had been fined £ , 5 for assaulting a female , but he had no remembrance of ever having been charged with uttering unlawful coin , or of having swallowed three base half-crowns to prevent detection . Mr . Locke contended , that the evidence of such men could not be received with any degree of safety , particularly as such charges were so easily trumped up , and so difficult to be disproved by the unfortunate

      persons who happened to be tho accused parties . In the course of the examination the defendant ' s trousers were produced , to show the state in which they were torn , and he declared that it was done by the complainant , in order to induce a belief that he ( defendant ) had exposed his person . The defendant , who is a man of respectable appearance , declared that it was a foul conspiracy got up against him , and he complained that he had been most shamefully used on the occasion , and was determined on instituting proceedings against his assailants . Mr . Cottingham said , that notwithstanding the credit of the two principal witnesses was impugned , still their evidence was supported by the testimony of other persom who could have no motive in coming forward . The Magistrate then adjudged the defendant to enter into his own recognizance of £ 500 , and find two suretiea of £ 250 , to answer the charge at theSeee iottB ,

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      A Stbangb Execution . —In the year 1835 , a sow ate part of the child of a day-labourer of Falaise , named Janet . This aceident reached the ears of tha judge , who condemned the animal to suffer publicly the penalty of retaliation , as prescribed by law . The face and one arm of the child had been devoured : the sow was mutilated in the same manner , and then hanged by the executioner in the publio place , amidst a conconrse of people . The judge presided at the execution on horseback , with a feather in his hat . The father waa forced to attend , b y way of punishment , for not taking proper care of his child . The culprit , when brought to the gallows , was dressed like a man , wore a waistcoat , breeches , and gloves , and a human mask before her snout . — Excursions in

      Normandy-Terrible Conflagration . —Twenty-five Hodses Destroyed . —On Thursday last , about one o'clock in the afternoon , a dreadful fire happened at Fordington , a small village situated a few miles from Dorchester , which we regret to state extended to a frightful magnitude , and occasioned destruction to no fewer than twenty-five houses , and property to the amount of some thousands of pounds , It appears that the fire originated on the premises occupied by a baker , named Anstoy , situated in the centra of the village , and the flames were first discovered raging from the thatched roof of the bakehouse , which adjoined the dwelling at the back , and also a brewhonse belonging to the Union Arms Inn , in the same street . On the alarm being given .

      several of the inhabitants mounted on to the roof , and attempted , by throwing buckets of water over it , to stop the progress of the fire , but in consequence of the dryness of the thatch , it was impossible to do so , and in the coarse of a few minutes the premises were in a body of name . Within five minutes after , the dwelling-house and the brewery of the Union Arms caught , and from thence the work ot devastation extended with frightful rapidity to a row of dwellings two stories high , tenanted by respectable families , in the rear of those buildings ; and in a short time four of them were levelled to the ground . The engines belonging to the village were brought to the scene shortly after the commencement of the fire , and were put into play , but their services were

      of little utility , owing to the scanty supply of water , and the result was the destruction of the whole of tho above-mentioned premises , amounting to twelve brick buildings . The excitement that prevailed throughout the village was beyond measure great , and the scene on the immediate spot amongst the inhabitants was of a most heart-rending description People were running about in the wildest confusion , saving what property they could snatch from the flames . About three-quarters of an hour after the discovery , four engines arrived from Dorchester , accompanied by a detachment of soldiers belonging to the 9 th Lancers , with a party of the officers ofthe

      regiment , and were shortly followed by other engines from Stafford . By that period the fire bad extended to five houses in a line with the premises where it commenced , and at three o ' clock other houses had ignited , and very quickly became aheap of ruins . The conflagration raged with great violence for many hours after , and the military were unable to check its progress until three houses were pulled down , which cut off the communication ; and , but for their powerful assistance the greater portion of the village would have been reduced to ashes . The number of families burnt out is reported to be forty-five , most of whom are fortunately insured . The amount of propert y destroyed is very cons iderable . No lives wero lost .

      Effects of Railways . —A statement of the income and expenditure of the turnpike trusts in England and Wales , which has been printed by order of the House of Commons , will show , in reference to those counties which are more or less intersected by railroads ( for the year 11539 ) , how the income of those trusts has been affected . In Bedfordshire the ncome in 1839 amounted to £ 12 , 599 , and the total expenditure to £ 12 , 914 , leaving a deficiency of £ 315 . In Berkshire the total income was £ 18 , 362 , and the expenditure £ 17 , 151 . In Buckinghamshire the income amounted to £ 14 838 , and the expenditure to £ 16 , 199 , leaving a deficiency of £ 1 . 351 . In Cambridgeshire , the total income was £ 15 , 123 , and the

      expenditure £ 14525 . In Cheshire , the income amounted to £ 50 , 854 , and tho expenditure to & 52 . 015 , leaving a deficiency of £ 1 , 161 . In Derbyshire the income amounted to £ 40 , 997 , and the expenditure to £ 42 , 800 , leaving a deficiency of £ 1 , 803 . In Durham the income amounted to £ 32 , 612 , and the expenditure to £ 32 , 204 , leaving a surplus of only £ 408 . In Essex the income amounted to £ 31 , 4 G 0 , and the expenditure to £ 31 , 729 , leaving a deficiency of £ 269 . In Gloucestershire the income was £ 78 , 339 , and the expenditure to £ 81 , 594 , leaving a deficiency of £ 3 . 255 . In Hampshire the income amountod to £ 26 , 957 , and the expenditure to £ 27 > 978 , leaving a deficiency of £ 1 , 031 . In Kent the income amounted to £ 61 , 721 , and the expenditure to £ 60 , 964 .

      In Lancashire the income amounted to £ 148 , 822 , and the expenditure to £ 139 , 288 . In Leicestershire , the income and expenditure were respectively £ 25 , 250 and £ 23 , 772 , and in Linaolnshire , £ 31 , 274 and £ 33 , 574 ; leaving a deficiency in the latter county of £ 2 , 300 . In Middlesex the deficiency amounted to about £ 2 , 418 . In Northamptonshire the deficiency was no less than £ 4 , 443 . In Oxfordshire the income was £ 23 , 680 , and the expenditure £ 22 , 006 . In Shropshire the deficiency of income was about £ 2 , 595 . In Somersetshire there was a surplus of £ 578 . In Staffordshire the income amounted to £ 58 , 128 , and the expenditure to

      £ 59 , 752 . In Surrey the income was £ 61 , 000 , and the expenditure £ 63 , 578 , leaving a deficiency of £ 2 . 578 . In Warwickshire the income was £ 28 , 685 , and the expenditure £ 28 , 384 . In Worcestershire the tho income amounted to £ 42 , 824 , and the expenditure to £ 35 , 820 . In Yorkshire tho income amounted to £ 201 , 438 , and the expenditure to £ 199 , 107 , leaving a surplus of £ 2 , 331 . Thus , of the above twenty-four counties , there are no less than twelve in which the income is exceeded by the expenditure . These statements furnish a curious addition to the history of railway travelling and its effects in this country .

      Dreadful Calamity—Four Lives Lost . —On Saturday morning , between the hours of one and two o ' clock , a frightful accident , attended with circumstances of an extraordinary nature , occurred on the river near Southwark Bridge , by which four persons lost their lives . It appears that the Orion , an iron steamer which runs between Ipswich and London , and the Pearl , Gravesend steamer , were moored near Southwark Bridge on Friday evening , aud several men belonging to both vessels went ashore to obtain refreshment , and also to havt > a game at skittles at the George , public-house , Bankside . Among them was a man named Robert Clarkson residing at Ipswich , an invalid , who possessed an income of about £ 200 a-year , and was in the habit

      of going up and down the river in the Orion , and spending a great part of his time in the steamers . He appeared in a very low and desponding state when he came ashore , and said he would make away with himself . On reaching tho public-house his companions endeavoured to rally him , and began singing and joking with him , and begged him to be cheerful . Clarkson , however , continued in the same melancholy condition , and told hi 3 friends to acquaint a female at Ipswich , when they returned to that place , that she would never see Robert any more . At a late hour Clarkson procured some laudanam and swallowed a quantity of it , which his friends prevented taking effect , by giving him emetics , brandy , and other liquids . At half-past

      one o ' clock tho party , seven in number , four of whom belonged to the Pearl , and the remainder to the Orion , proceeded to Bankside-stairs opposite the Welch Trooper , where the Pearl ' s boat was lying , for the purposo of returning to their vessels . It was agreed that four of them should first proceed to the steamers , and retui n with the boat for the other three . Accordingly four persons , including Clarkson pot into the bout , which pushed off , but they had not proceeded more than ten or twelve yards before Claikson rose from-his seat and jumped overboard into the water . The others ail got up in the boat at once , and endeavoured to save him , when the boat instantly capsized , aud they were all thrown iuto the river . Tho tide carried

      them towards the bridge ; their struggles were short , and they all perished . The poor fellows on shore could offer no assistance to their drowning companions ; there was no boat at the stairs , and it was some time before any aid could be procured . The people on beard the Orion were no sooner made acquainted with the occurrence than a boat was lowered , and tho drags were thrown out . In about twenty minutes afterwards the body of CJementson was picked up , and taken to the Welsh Trooper public-house , to . await a coroner ' s inquest . The names ofthe ot ! : er unfortunate individuals are—JohnOxley and Joseph Taunton . of thePearl , and Wm . Clementson , of tho Orion . Soon after the accident , a Thames Polico galleycontaining Inspector Maddox , and

      , Gregory and Rowcroit , river constables , rowed down to tho spot , and also attempted to find the bodies , but were unsuccessful . The beat was found bottom upwards , off Horsleydown , by the Thames Police , and Oxley ' s jacket was also picked up . The parties were all sober when this sad occurrence took place . Tho tide was about half ebb when the accident occurred , and the bodies were carried down the river . By six o ' clock in tho evening three of the unfortunate men were picked up and conveyed to the George public-house , and which were identified as Ciementson , of Ipswich , and Oxley and Clarkson , of Gravesend . CJementson , it appears , was the

      second steward of the Orion steamer . The second body found was that of Oxley , who was a sailor on board of the Pearl ; fortunately , he was unmarried . His unfortunate death is , however , expected to be attended with most calamitous results to his mother , who is confined to her bed , occasioned by the sudden death of her daughter about a month ago . The third body picked up was that of Clarkson , the second steward of the Pearl , also a resident . of Gravesend , and who has left a wife to lament his untimely end . Thornton , the chief steward , who is supposd to have been the cause of the calamitous accident , has not been found , and , like CUurksoo , has left * wife .

      Untitled Article

      Sale of Vadxhall Gabdeks . —The justly celebrated property , for so many years a favourite place of public resort , was on Thursday submitted to the hammer , " by direction of the assignees of Messrs Gye and Hughes , late proprietors , under an order of the Court of Review . The tale , which was intrusted to Mr . Leifchild , took place at Garraway ' s Coffeehouse : the numerous attendance of wealthy capitalists and gentlemen engaged in theatrical speculations sufficiently attested the lively interest which prevailed as to the finaldispo ? al of the " royal property . " The bidding reached £ 20 , 200 , at which sum the hammer reluctantly fell . The purchaser is Mr . Thomas Fowler , a gentleman , we believe , wholly unknown in the circles to which such a property might be supposed to be more peculiarly desirable . The deposit-money , £ 2 , 020 , was paid down immediately after the , sale by Mr . Fovlet ' a agent , by a check on a London banker .

      Hovir the Public is Gulled and Poisoned !—On Saturday , at the Court of Requests , Kingegatestrcet , a pork-butcher , named Cutt 9 , summoned a tailor , named Williams , for £ 114 s . nnderthe following circumstances : —The plaintiff said , that in December last he sold the defendant three pigs for £ 3 49 . £ 1 10 s . were paid at the time , the defendant promising to pay the balance in three or four days , which he had never done . Mr . Heath , the Commissioner , asked the defendant whether he had any defence to make ! Defendant— " Certainly I have . The pigs died as soon as I had got them home , and Mr . Cutts knows it . Why , directly after the first one gasped its last , I sent for his foreman , wbo came and cut its throat , and I dressed it and sent it to

      market . " Mr . Heath ( shuddering )— " What did it die of , pray ? " Defendant— " Why , the mullensand yellow water . " ( Laughter and groans . ) Mr . Heath — And you stand there and tell us coolly that yoa sent a pig that had died of a disease to a market to be sold for human consumption ? " Defendant— " Yes , I conld ' nt afford to lose all my money . " Mr . Heath— " You ought to be ashamed of yourself , and be driven from society . ( To Mr . Cutts)—What have you to say to this 1 " Plaintiff—' The pigs were in good health when he bought them , and it was through his own negligence they brcame diseased . I heard that they were Sad , and went to see them , and I found them confined in a small privy , and the steam and stench arising from them was dreadful . They

      were suffering from a disease which all pigs areliable to . It is like the measles , and , like children , they have it but once . ( A few of the persons present here began retching , and others laughed immoderately . ) Mr . Heath— "Did you give him a warrant ! " Plaintiff— " No , we never warrant a pig . I will swear that they were quite weJl when I parted with them . " Defendant— " Oh ! old Richards , the pig-killer , knows different to that . " Old Richarda , by the desire of the Commissioners , was called . Mr . Heath" What do you know about the pigs ! " Old Richards ( shaking his head)— " They were very bad . Oh , so measely . You ' ve seen people with the small-pox . " Mr . Heath— " Don ' t make tho case worse than it is .

      You will make us all ill . " Old Richards— " Ah , I trimmed one of 'em , but all my ingenuity would not make it go off . I hung it up for sale , but it was no go , and we were at last obliged to bury it . " Mr . Heath ( turning to his brother Commissioner)—" Well , Gentlemen , I think you must have had enough of this abominable case . The defendant and his witness ought ' tobe indicted . The plaintiff swears that it was tho defendant ' s own fault that the pigs fell sick , and if you believe him you will find a verdict for the amount claimed . The Jury agreed with what had fallen from Mr . Heath , and decided accordingly ; and the defendant , fearingsummary punishment from some of ths bystanders , made a precipitate retreat from the neighbourhood .

      The Bee Business . —Mr . Rice , of Ripley , Er ie county , Pa ,, has an extensive establishment for keeping bee 3 . Twenty years ago he had one swarm , from which , in twelve years , he had 396 swarms . Tho Erie Gazette states that they had then become so powerful , that they commenced depredations on the neighbouring tribes , going out on predatory excursions to the distance of two or three miles , much to the annoyance of the unfortunate neighbours . He then killed off a number of swarms , and obtained above two tons of honey for the New York market , lie has now adopted the patent hives for a part of his bees , in which small glass drawers are placed in the upper part , with small apertures for access from the main part of the hive . In this way , by drawing the slide , the bees can be seen at work , and the amount of honey ascertained . When filled , the drawer can be removed and the place supplied by another , without destroying the industrious

      insects . Tiie Late Murder at Liverpool . —We undertand that a respite , during her Majesty's pleasure , signed by Sir James Graham , the new Home Secretary , has been received for Girolomo Capella , the convict under sentence of death in Kirkdale gaol for murder . —Liverpool Mail . A Ntw Way to Get Married . Splendid Prospects . — At the Guildhall Police-court , on Thursday , Anne Parrott , of Little Surrey-street , Blackfriar ' s-road , who appeared to be about thirty

      years of age , was charged with attempting to drown herself at Blackfriar ' s-bridge , about ten o ' clock the preceding night . Ebenezer Kibblewhite , a policeman , said , some man passing over the bridge gave the alarm , and he and Cockrell another policeman ran down the steps on the south-east end . They found her immersed up to the neck , and were obliged to rush into the water to save her ; she said she had quarrelled with the man she was living with . The man came forward and said , he was a labourer at the City Gas-works , and he had been living with her about four montha . Her sister was married on the

      precedingday , and , they were to be married at the same time , but he could not afford it at present . When the prisoner got a drop of drink she felt the disappointment , they quarrelled , and it appeared she attempted to drown herself . Mr . Alderman Pirie asked him if he was in earnest as to intending to marry her . The man paid be was , but he could not afford it just now , as it would cost £ 1 . Mr . Alderman Pirie said he would find him the means , and he trusted he would treat the young woman kindly . He might put up the banns directly , and he should

      have the £ 1 on the day of the ceremony . The prisoner was discharged with a kind admonition . Death from Bad Meat . —About a fortnight ago , a farmer in the neighbourhood of Whitworth , near Rochdale , lost a calf by the disease now raging among cattle ; after its death he got it dressed , and then sold it to a person who , on Saturday week , retailed it . No less than thirty-one persons who partook of it on the following day became suddenly affected ; one man died , and it is feared some others will not recover . —Liverpool Chronicle .

      Policemen and Prostitutes . The Tables Turned . —Ou Saturday , considerable amusement was created at Bow-street Police Court , by the following extraordinary disclosure : —For some montha past the polico of the F division , on duty in the Strand , have been very active in bringing before the magistrates of tho above court such unfortunate nymphs of the pave frequenting that neighbourhood , who , either from want of money , or other reasons , have been unable to make " all right" with thoso disinterested and impartial gentlemen . Among the more active in this kind of warfare , was one Job Thome , F Jo , a worthy follower in the steps of Russell , the ex-policeman , who was lately dismissed the force . Scarcely a night passed that Job did not

      apprehend five or six unfortunate girls , on the charge of soliciting gentlemen in the streets . On Friday night , two of them hit upon the following novel and laughable method of revenging themselves : —They induced one of the frail sisterhood ( unknown in that neighbourhood , and whom Job bad never seen before , ) to solicit him to take a little walk with her . Unfortunately the temptation of her charms was too strong for Job , and after looking round to see that no busy sergeant was watching his movements , he was led by thefair damsel , nothing loth , to a court in the Strand . Now , although it was his duty to take int * custody all females of a certain class , who solicit gentlemen in the street , yet as policeman do not como within that description , he

      did not think he was authorised in taking her to the station-house , and instead of doing so allowed her to take him to a house of a very different description . No sooner-had he entered than one of the girls , who had laid the trap for him , filled with a laudable anxiety to preserve the morals of the Police Force , started off to the Station-house and gave information of the " whereabouts" of the amorous blue-devil , and the nature of the " duty " he was then engaged in . The officers at head-qaarters were so fchocked at the alarming intelligence , that they were some time before they could decide upon ihe proper course to be adopted in such an emergency ; but at length a detachment of the Force , headed by a sergeant , was dispatched to the

      naughty house in question . On arriving there they proceeded to the ? ' two pair back , " and on breaking open the door , they discovered their frail and erring comrade locked in the arms of bis seducer . The astonishment of the guardian of public morals may ba more easily conceived , tban described ( to use a common phrase ) when he saw his sergeaut and several of the rank and file surrounding the couch on which he reclined with his ladylove . The virtuous party were deaf to all remonstrances , and they soon dragged the delinquent off to the Stationhouse . Sandbrock , the superintendent , who is anxious that the movements of the force should be conducted with as much regularity as those of a

      Dutch clock , on beiuginformed of the above circumstances ordered the offender to hold himself in readiness to appear before their mightinesses the Commissioners , an the following morning * and in the mean time , to consider himself as placed under arrest . The culprit , however , considered that under the circumstances , it would be much better for him to bolt , and as a well-tried dog who discovers preparations for kicking him down stairs , eaves his master the trouble by walking off , so Job , whose patience would not allow him to wait till the Commissioners ordered him to be dismissed the force , stripped himself of his uniform , threw down his staff of cffice and without even taking an affectionate leave of his comrades , left the Station-house for « er .

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      Untitled Article

      THE ENGLISH MAIDEN , a Modified Reprint of an American Work . We have been favoured with a sight of the first five sheets of a small work under the above title , which is now in the press , and which will , we understand , be in the hands of the Publishers in a few days . As far as we can judge from the specimen we have seen , will be highly deserving of the most extensive publie patronage . Tho work appears to us to be of an entirely anti-sectarian character , while , at the same time every page breathes with the vital spirit of practical Christianity , and is redolent with the beams of the most exalted patriotism . The chapters we have seen are entitled " The Capacities of Woman , " " The Influence of Woman , " " The Education of Woman , " and " Home . " And each subject is treated in a clear

      forcible , and attractive manner , at once calculated to please , interest , and instruct . The English Editor has erased several portions of the original work , which were adapted to American rather than to English society , and ha 3 added matter more suitable for the maidens of his own conntry . Much of the new matter thu 3 introduced is of a very valuable kind , and calculated to expand the intellectual , while it most carefully strives to improve the moral nature of those for whose especial benefit the work is intended . Should the book , as a whole , sustain the character which is justly due to the portion we have seen , we shall hope that every parent and guardian will lose no time in presenting to those under their care a present so well worthy their acceptance .

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      Untitled Article

      THE NOBTHimiT STAB . 3

      Untitled Article

      AN EXAMINATION OF THE CORN AND HROVISION LAWS . By Joh * Campbell , General Secretary to the National Charter Association of Great Britain . This gives promise of being a most valuabk and useful work—crammed with statistics from the works of the Anti Corn Law party by which their own arguments are stultified . We have as yet merely had time to glance at a few pages ; but what we have seen satisfies us tbat no chartist ought to be n-ithout it . When we have more leisuoely examined it we shall return to it .

      Untitled Article

      THE GRAMMAR OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRULY MADE EASY AND AMUSING , BY THE INVENTION OF THREE HUNDRED MOVEABLE PARTS OF SPEECH . By George Mudie . London : J . Cleave , Shoe Lane , Fleet-street . This is a great effort towards the accomplishment of a good work—the disentanglement of the Grammar of our beautifully simple language from the mass of rubbish which has been so mixed with and wrapped round it , by the pedantry of authors , as to deter many Binds from undertaking the study of h , and to present to many others a web so thoroughly ravelled as to bid a successful defiance to their capacities .

      It is the shame of English literature that with a language the most Eimple of any in existence , and , notwithstanding its great copiousness , requiring fewer rules for its construction tban any other , we are nationally ignorant of its mechanism ; a . nd we perfectly a ^ ree with the opinion of Mr . Mudie that tbis national evil is in a great measure owing to " the unnecessary parade which is usually made by the authors of ' School Grammars , ' by their utterly useless and contemptible exhibition of frivolous-, because already well known and well understood , information , on the one hand , and by their ostentatious display of almost equally useless refinements and distinctions , on the other ; as if the primary and ultimate objects of the authors had been io terrify and subdue the spirit , asd to perplex and overwhelm the understanding of the students ,

      by the array of everything likely to inspire tkem with the conviction of the impossibility of their ever comprehending a subject which has hitherto been rendered , by the mode of treating it , so abstract , and apparently both complicated and vast . " • • * " Rendering it no wonder that , after Grammar has been pretended to be i&ught by the ordinary methods of the school-books , the pupil 3 , generally speakiDg though they have been forced to go through the drudgery of committing to memory a set of unintelligible rules , find that they literalJy know nothing whatever of that Grammar which the so-called rules should have made plain to them ; and that , if any of them ever do know anything of Grammar in their after lives , that knowledge they owe not to the sotdi ; ant expounders of the science , but to their own subseqnem researches . "

      In another portion of his preface Mr . Mudie observes , very truly , " that every instance in which children are forced to mumble and dwell upon unintellibie jargon , not only wastes but depresses their energies—has a direct tendency to stultify acd ever to paralyze their mental faculties , and assuredly fiiL them with loathing and abhorrence of those very tasks which , if they cannot always be rendered delightful , should ai least be divested of everything calculated to make tLem unnecessarily disagreeable . 'Cw € re be ' . ter to introduce a . n improved tame at marbles into the school-room , than to uaJi anything there that can be as wdi or bettcracquired out of doors ; and it would be wiser to dismiss a class altogether , than to attempt uaching what the pupils are unable to understand , cr even vrliat requires very severe efforts of the mind for its apprehension . "

      In seeking to remed } ' the many mischiefs of the . method generally adopted in teaching grammar , Mr . Mudie has very properly endeavoured to divert his book of repuJsivenes 5 . By the ingenious device or ! " moveable parts of speech "—an adaptation of the ' well-known plan of conversation cards—he gives an amusing pla ) fulne .= s to the study which caunot ; fail to work well on the young mind . Mr . Mudie claims the honour of having invented these " niove-1 able parts of speech . " We are eo : disposed to be ¦ captious or to detract anything from the merits of a [ good performance , and sijalJ , iherefore , not dispute ; thi 3 claim , though the principle—beiDg precisely 1 that of the conversation cards , the geogra-; phicai di ; sec : iGn maps ; and the amusement puz-¦ z ! ei which have been Jong familiar to the nursery of f the " upper and midcle" classes of society—is

      certainly cot new ; an < i the present mode of applying that principle was suggested by the writer o : ' this notice , in various public lectures on the science of Gramcar , delivered eifcht or nine y ar ago . It is very possible , hovrever , that Mr . Mudiemayhavenever heard , or heird of , these lectuie ; as it is certain , that their author had never heard of Mr . Mudie or his book ; so tbat the merit of originality may be ami we have no doubt is , as effectually his own as if the plan of havirg " moveable p ^ rt of speech" had never been mcoted or thought of by any person buthimseli . We are EOrry to observe that Mr . Mudie still retains the absurd and irrational nomenclature of our common school grammars ; though he afRrms its defectivenes ? . He also adheres to the " nine parts of speech , " and the six tenses ofthe verb , with their foolish designations , and to all the nonsense about moods and participles .

      He aims rather at simplifying the means of attaining to an adequate knowledge of the system oi Grammar commonly laid down and received , than effecting any considerable improvement in the system . This is our objection to the otherwise estimable grammar of Mr . Cobbktt , who did that for the adult person which Mr . Mudie has here done for the child—placed what it celled " tho grammar of our language perspicuously before the student . In all the mere elementB ofthe language which can

      be exemplified by his moveable words or parts of speech our author has gone far towards annihilating much of the mystery hanging over the whole matter in ordiuary books ; though we are sorry we cannot afford so much praise to the philosophical department of his work . This , however , is a great achievement , and we veiy cordially recommend to all parents and teachers who are determined to adhere to the " nine parts of speech , " Mr . Mudie's very pleasant and amusing mode of teaching their children how to use them .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 18, 1841, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct397/page/3/