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Northern Star (1837-1852), 6th March 1841, Edition 3 of 5, Page 7, Untitled Article

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      THE CAUSE OF O'COlfXOR . * TO TBS BPITOB OF IHB HOSTHDUT SIAX . « ' A P atrM is the noblesi -work of God . " To pe , -with a slight alteration . gIB ^ j 0 T Bine long months has the patriotic . ^ ot been immured -within the dreary dungeon ; nine Jobs month * he has suffered every indignity and Lmlt that * n 16 * 11 fa *^ 9 US 2 * rtJ could derise to crush jjjjjjjj and noble spirit The brightness and beauty j gammer passed away , but they passed unenjoyed by -jeUtb in to * cell : * h- cheerless winter has beeB _ w digging on its course ; it found , and it is

      learw , oor generous and sincere friend an oppressed j iLjner ; but , Sir , thongh the » ea * ons change , though j ^ oie flia onwrd > though mutations occur in tbe poli- i T *! jj , { ie natural -world , yet O'Connor is found in j ^ rj jo d » onl the same—the same in rwolntion and I ^ jjope-troe to his principle * and ids promises— j jgdoui in the cause of right , and painfully anxious for j t&e beit interests of tbe people . Sir , I had the grata- ' jcation of hearing Mr . O'Connor , -when on his trial at i Tori , for what ** called " Libel ; " I there saw him j gnn and erect in the dignity of truth , contesting , inch £ . inch , the disputed ground -with the persecutors of Ike

      jys eoBntryiosn ; I b » trd him iKraA tbe thunders of ^ el ^ jnenee against compi minions of the CTOTTD , jnd paint their characters with such fidelity , that eren gjjj shrunk from bis frowns abashed and confused ; I jjso bad the pain of seeing him in the prison of the Qaeea " B Bench , where he was suffering , mentally and loiSj , from ill health ; I heard tbe opinions of his pedical attendants , and I saw their certificates , staking tbtir professional reputation , declaring that it TOtild most probably be fatal to their patient , if he w reooTed to tbe cold and cheerless castle of York ; T bt him dragged away in spite of all these

      circumjtjaoes , and heard his last aentinunU before his departure , showing defiance and scorn for his merciless grjpresus , snd lore and anxiety for bis dear eountryjbjb . I need hardly say what pleasure I hare since ( j ^ rred atlfiarning , from your truly Taluable columns , tinf be has ever maintained the same composure and fsssea of mind through the many and severe trials to wMch he has been exposed . He has shown himself to be willing to suffer as a martyr in a good cause , and to be endowed with % character , as ChruH&a , and as p &Sosophie&l , as it is truly patriotic . ' But why do I i __* ca these things ? It is needless , for the " High

      priest of Charoam" has been tned by erery test , and hu oome forth pure from the ordeai He is a tried B 3 xz he is understood , and he is trusted ; for his in . ^ riiy — appreciated by the masses , who hare neTer known him to break his word , or to leaTe a promise unfulfilled . Xo , Sir , it is unnecessary to paint the excellent qualities of O'Connor , when he is so dj-rersally acknowledged to possess them ; but yet it say be necessary to remind all of the fact , that one is bow away from them , who not only has the will , but also the talent and power to sexre them ; it may be seeesssry to remind them , lest there should be found any bo apathetic , or so lost to

      frii own welfare , as not to rouse all his Bterpss in the straggle we are about to make loi the restoration of our truest friend once more to our ranks , once more to freedom , aod the cause of justiee . Ihe appeal , which has appeared in your paper , and which has emanated from meetings assembled on the ftibjeet , wQl not , I feel certain , be disregarded . The people are grateful to those who lite but for their » ies , and an opportunity has now presented itself fox them to display their most fervent gratitude . They jnaj now declare the falsehood of the assertion that they are fickle , and skow that they will not desert their Mends in need .

      With regard , Sir , to the mode we should pursue for the desirable end of obtaining O'Connor ' s liberty , it appears to me that there are two features , which should be kept in Tiew , and which , perhaps , you will allow me to lay before you , and your readers . First , we must cwnxctrote our powers , and our exertions , m ant o ? j « rf ai a time . This is the an ] y way to attain any Jrat end ; the human mind , if much divided in its pursuits , may a-dvance some way in each , but seldom goes the whole length in any . And so it is with the people , as with an indmdoal ; if they propose too many triumphs of a different nature , and requiring different means at one time , they probably fail in all I , Sir , am as anxious as any one can be to see justice

      done to eTerj- sufferer , and to behold the blessings of freedom bestowed on eTery political prisoner , and every political conrict But , at the same time , I cannot disguise from myself the fact that we are not taking tie proper steps for the attainment of tkia ma ,- I cannot , but feel that we should first gain the presence of such a man as O'Connor amongst us , « £ & then , reinforced by his inestimable assistance , go onward for the restoration of those whom seas divide from their country . I adopt this opinion , Sir , after ia » i « £ re deliberation , snd I do so , first , because we can obtiin the release of tiie Tork prisoner , in a shorter ipaee of time , than we can possibly hope to obtain Sat of xrost , Jones , aad Williams .

      Secondly , because the latter object , as we all know , presents many more difficulties than the former , and we are in want of the aid of such a friend , as O'Connor , to orercoHi * tbem . And thirdly , because I know we mast select one of these subject * for cur first attack , snd ; hen ha-ring met with success , go on to another . I propose , therefore , that our powers should be collected isto one focus , and without deviating to the right or fee left , should be at once directed in their overwhelm ing force to the liberation of O'Connor . This adrantage we can gain immediately , if we set about it in real earnest , and do not weaken ourseires by haying too

      sasy points in new . When he is out , then let us do the ssme thing for other dear , though suffering friends . It i » eridect , Sir , that petitions for O'Connor matt Juno- into the House of Commons from t = rery quarter ; Sorth , East , Wtr t , and South , must rally in good earnest , if anythiEg is to be accomplished . And this brings me to the second point , which is the mode of ( Sawing up our petitions . If , Sir , the cause we are enpged id be worthy of our exertions , it is also dsserrirgof tome trouble to prerent those exertions from bbing frustrated We cannot blow hot and cold li tbe same time ; let us make our choice . If we

      petition , and desire to be heard , what in the came of common sense is the use of framing our petition so that it will not be heard ? Why fill it with rain and foolish farts , which prevent any good arising from it ? We 3 Bsy all hare our opinion on the capacity and honesty rf ror Parliament ; we let them know it sufficiently ; sad we let tbe world know it , bat it does appear the height of feUy in us , to choose the moment of petitioning for the moment of abuse . The result is , that we pin nothing by our trouble , for the appeal is immed&ely rejected . Let us be prndent in our actions , and WERstent in oux endeaTours .

      These remarks , Sir , I renture to offer in a true and friendly spirit , hating only our common good at heart Sboald yon think them of any value , perhaps you will Ifre them a place in " the organ of Chartism . " My eonntrymen , who may peruse these words , I need b&rdly exhort to do their duty . It lies plainly marked before them ; they hare but to follow it , and all will 7 * t be welL Let them remember that one who has * fered all things for them , who has deroted his

      Watj mrf-Mi rife to them , who is thsir well-tried , ^ aeere , and manly adTocate , is now secluded from their * ° oeSy and their serrice by a dungeon wall . Let them "" ember how he has glared for them , and how he is * 3 I ready to derote his best energies to their cause . ¦ m * them remember these things , and if they bare one " 5 ** of gratitude , one feeling of remaining affection * && their hearts , they wffl eagerly ruth forward te " ^ » old and a rained friend .

      I remain , Your sincere admirer , and Constant reader , T Amicvs ^ oa , February 27 th , 1841 .

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      ii

      WDDLE CLASS UXIOX , " AXD MIDDLE CLASS PERSECUTION . gl Edinburgh , February 22 , 1841 . * r . oSL * 6113 . t 0 T Pabli <» tton a prirate letter from *«»« on ? ^ v ^ v ^ * )** . in continuation of bis ^ C ^ ^ . ^^ P ^ ' I ^ ehadano-* ik * b . 1 shall ^? Wlucil be «» *""«* the subject , and oatettsTwit > f ^ f yon" Let y ° " waders weigh their aowT / J ^ T , tte ^ ds ^ &s of Collins and OTfeil . " « C * S ° Il ^! ieat t ' ajld tben ^ ^ tther the ORiT ^ vw Kpntta the two clwet be a " rotfuoT A . M .

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      j My DiAJi M-: ^ , —I was obliged , to cloa $ my fast I letter so abruptly , to be in time for post , that I left j much unsaid in connexion with the L- ^ eds affair which I was desirous of saying ; and whit I did say was ¦ written so hurriedly , that I fear y ^ n will either h&Te mis underst » od it , or at least Jv » t 6 drawn some erroneous J conclusions , unless I explain myself further . Well , then , let me resume tbe subject , that we may the better understand each oU \ er . | . I should no * b % opp aaed to & onion betwixt the mid-| die and -working classes , if I saw aay likelihood of a , real and hoijtst union . Bnt I see no such prospect ; nor j is there ,, I am persuaded , any such intention on the

      p * rt o ! the originators of thia scheme . True , their osf jatfibl * object is union , but their rest object is disunion . In pretending to nnite with the working classes , they only seek to disunite the latter among themselres . Indeed , they hare , to a small extent , done so already . They hare detached some of our leaders from tkeranks-Others are eTid « ntly " on the more . " These last h&Te not , at yd , openly joined the humbugs , bnt they are smoothing the way . I can see this in their eTery act and speech since the Leeds demonstration . Trust me , ^ M , you will see , before three months have elapsed , one half of the old Convention sitting cheek

      j i by jowl with the humbugs , ex less the people J SPEAK OUT , A > 'D THAT BIGHT EAENESTLY , AND AT once . ' Fear alone deters the traitors for the present . I But g ! re them , a little time , just sufficient to sound one ¦ another—to form a party—to proride themselres with ! a popular organ or two in the press—and to agree ' upon some legerdemain definition of Household Suffrage I that may appear to be Unirersal—just giro them time \ to do this much , and you will Bee them desert in a body I- to the enemy ' s camp , i " But what harm in this , " you may say , " if those yon

      i call the enemy come orer to TJnireral Suffrage V Not | the least , I admit , if , if , if ! but in the if " lies the : rub , " as Shakspeare has it . jT /' the enemy reall y meant j to come orer to UniTersal Suffrage , there would be no I harm in uniting with them ; but that is precisely what I they do wi mean . If they did mean it , they would I hsTe joined tbe Chartists , instead of asking the Charj tists to join them . If they did mean it , they would j not try to split the Chartists into two distinct bodies , i by calling one pertion of them " ratitmal , " " sensible , " | &C ., and the rest " physical-force-men , " and by paying i court to one particular set of Chartist leaders , while

      they incessantly calumniate better men in the persons of other leaders . In short , if they really did mean Uni-Tersal Suffrage , or anything calculated ko produce the results anticipated from Unirersal Suffrage , they would , instead of setting up for themselves , have gone among the Chartists ( attended their public meetings , for instance ) , and then and there told them frankly what they wanted , and why and wherefore they had not sooner joined the Chartists ranks . They would hare heard what the Chartists had to say , the Chartists

      would hare heard what ihry had to say , and if an amicable nnderstanding or agreement was the result , then , but not till then , would be the time to propose a union with the middle classes , or rather with that small portion of them who hare not altogether renounced God and humanity for the mammon of unrighteousness ; for as to uniting with the middle classes penerallt / , I cannot Tiew the prepoeal in any other light than as a gross and wanton insuli . How the devil are we to " unite" with men who shake a haltsr in out

      faces the moment we talk of equality of rights , and whose only arguments are the bludgeon , the bayonet , the domiciliary -visit at midnight , and the iron-doored dungeon ! ^ alk , indeed , of "uniting with the middle cl&sses against the Gorernment ! " of " uniting , forsooth , with the crtaior against bis creature . ' with the tool-maker against his own handiwork ! Why , if the people are not absolute fools , they must know that it it is not so much the protection of the middle classes against ~ the Gorernment that we want as the protection" of the Gorernment against the middle classes . What had the Goremment to do with the

      numerous cases of individual persecution alluded to in a former letter ? What has the Gorernment Imeamng its present members ) had to do with tbe innumerable cases of hardship and ruin with which masters hare Tisittd working men since the commencement of the present movement , and with which middle class magistrates , brewers , and house Ion ' s hare risited publicans , coffee-hoase keepers , and Tarious other descrip tions of small tradespeople , wholly and solely on account of their Chartist principles ? I hardly know a Chartist licensed Tictuaiier ( and I hare kaown manyi who was not persecuted during ths late aoTement The same

      of eating-hoase keepers , news-agenta , pork-butchere , jn short , eTery description of tradespeople , if they ha < l shown themselres Chartista . Their credit was stepped —their shops were deserted by the middle classestheir landlords came down upon them for arrears , where they oould , and where they could not , gare them notice to quit , or refused to renew their ltases . Nor was persecution confined to small trades-people . I know one Chartist landlord , who had three houses to let in one of ttte beat streets of a fashionable town , but could net find a tenant ? His business , a few years aso , -wasworVa £ 60 © a year to him ; last year and tbe

      year before it was not worth £ 150 ; and had he not i " made hay while tbe sun shone" falias , placed himself beyond the Ticisshndes of trade by the purchase of some freehold property in better times ; , he would , ere ' now , . most probably hare figured in the GuzeUe . As . it is , he has been obliged sharing a large family to provide for , ) to accept a local appointment under " tbe ' powers that be , " and of coarse to retire from Chartist ' politics . A more benerolest and b « tter man never existed than the indiridual I allude to , and I bare cited | his case enly to show you that eren men of wealth ! cannot escape persecution if they are Chartists , and

      ' that the best of men are sometimes driren to fly into 1 the arms of tbe enemy , as the only refuge from de-1 struction . Was erer tyranny more horrible than ' this ¦? "Fet I find it the sara « all ovtr ; the country . I could name to you not less : than forty honest tradesmen , and more than eighty honest and . skilful workmen , of the best character , who , hare been literally half starved since I carae here , throngh the system of middle-class persecution I allnde : to . I know one poor fellow , a publican , who had i spent nearly £ 300 is fitting up bis house , and making the addition of a large room to it , to accommodate

      Chartist meetings , * c This man was doing a flourishing business jost before my trial : he is now hooseJess , a wanderer like Cain , and that after six months' imprisonment in a debtors gaol ! ! Poor Bntterworth , who left this place at Christmas , has been starring ever since . He has bad bnt £ 2 ( giren him by the Manchester Chartists ] to lire upon for six weeks , so that , were it not for the bounty of his fellow workmen , his liberty would but hare prored his death . ' Xot a millovrner , not a master wonld employ him J * He tried a hundred of them in and about Manchester , but the answer of the orerseer inrariably was , " Mr . So-and-so will not allow me to employ a Chartist . " Sometimes the

      fellows are prudent enough to conceal their real motirea , and to pretend that they are full of hands . And to such extent is tbe pertTiy of those modern despots carried , Uwt they hare actually secret marks by which , under the appearance of giving a man a good character in the shape of a written recommendation , they render it impossible for him to get any employment at all ! 1 could tell you instarc-es of this that would perfectly horrify you . A poor fellow applying for work with one of these rectmmendatiom , imagines all to be right , ( for it gires him credit for being " steady , " " sober" "industrious , " and so forth , ) bnt then there is the damning secret mark , by which the conspirators recognise a Chartist or black sheep !! * * *

      I know a poor fellow who belonged to an hotel or bathing establishment , as bead waiter or chief attendant . He was many years in the situation , and was a great farourite with his m . \ ster , on account of his excellent character snd amiable disposition . Bnt , then , M , he was a Chartist , and no sooner was it known he had attended some Chartist meetings , than hia master was waited on by sereral " gentlemen" in succession , who gare bin ) to understand that unless he instantly dismissed the said farourite serrant , they wonld cui the establishment . ' But I might fill fifty

      sheets of paper with similar occurrences ; and , after all , what signifies all that has failen under my notice , in comparison with the sum total of suffering resulting from this dark and malignant system . Look to the case of my dear old renerable friend , William Flowers , of Brighton . This old man is upwards of serenty years of age—has been forty years a Radical—was connected with eTery morement in the country since 179 * ; and throughout has borne the reputation of Incorruptible hooesty * nd unblemished manners . He fU ouce In goed circumstances ; but in latter years has been indebted for a slender subsistence to a little millinery

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      establishment , superintended by his wife . He has been under one landlord lot the last twenty-eight years , and neTer was behind with hfe rent . No Opportunity or excuse , you will say , fot . falling ^ oul en auch an old man aa this . Tea , M , there is ! A Use , bloodsucking landlord will nerer fail to find an opportunity of wreaking rengeanee on the tenant that shall dare te be a freeman J The course adopted by poor Rowers' landlord , i * ioietttp another party in Ih * tume busmen nod door to him , which , poor Flowers tella me , will hare the effect of breaking np bis little establishment He has told me much more ; but you hare heard enough . For the wise , verbum tat ( a word is sufficient ) ? • Poor B , of S , was Ititratl * iuo day *

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      REVELATIONS FROM Js'ORTHALLERTON HELL-HOLE . [ The following rerelations from the hell-hole of Northallerton display some of tbe horrid and atrocious cruelties and indignities to which the Chartist rictitns are subjected by Whig tyrajiny . They were written by Martin to his friend , who has forwarded them to us for insertion . —Ed . ] Lancaster Castle , Feb . 12 th , 1841 . Mr Beau . Fbiend , —The Editor of the Northern Star rery truly observed that poor Clayton went to KortUallerton madhotue a haie man , but learts it a cerpse .

      The following summary of his treatment , and of the treatment of the other Chartists , will enable yon to judge of the cause of his death , and of what will be the result , if the other poor fellows be not immediately remoreU from their horrible dungeon . Thursday , the 26 th ef March , wus thfe day on which we were talcen from York to Xorthailerton . Tfce prison ran having btopped at an inn on the road , evme of the prisoners ordered drh . k , pipes , and tobacco , which gare rise to a conreraition ou tut&l nbstinence . Ciayton condemned the practice of drinking and smoking . He said that as he had been without for some time , and had found the disusd of them had not impaired his health , which he then remarked was rery good , he wuuld nerer again hare recourse lo such bad babits .

      As he and Marshall , Pentborpe , Benlson , and Paul Oldsworth , had been sentenced to hard labour , the only opportunity I had of acquiring any knowledge of their treatment ( after my removal from the mill ) was when tbe Tisiting surgeon came into the mess-room , in which M the prisoners , felons and misdemeanants , were indiscriminately arranged ; but his visits to that quarter were few , as he generally called at the workshops . I once heard him ask Ciayton how he was : Clayton complained of a pain in his back , and of the hard labour of the mill . He attempted to say something to induce tbe surgeon to alleviate his sufferings , by

      removing him from tbe torturing wheel , when William Shepherd , the governor ' s soa , in his usual peremptory manner , ordered him to sit dowo . On the same day 1 heard John Marshall address tbe kind physician ; but tbe worthy doctor , who appeared to be angry , told bim he would see him next day . Howerer , this paragon of humanity changed his wind , and toek the trouble to examine him , aad after he had dooe to , he told Marshall \ who 1 b a weak , debilitated old man ) there was nothing the matter with him , I was at tbe heels of this « ught-to-be-preserver of life aad health . He was going into the office when I heard him t&y , " These Chartists are always complaining . "

      J will now proceed to inform yoa tow th « other Chartists , not sentenced to hard labour , were treated . Upon our arrival at the prison , as soeaasour chuina were removed , I was put into a cell with one bed ii it , with a itrict injunction not to aaku any noise . There were some other prisoners in the adjoining cells , bnt 1 had ne idea who they were . About twe hours might hare elapsed , when I was taken to the robjng-room ; Holberry and WcllBCHUie in iiiimedinLely af terwaxils- A « soon as we ¦ were fitted out in our prison garb , we were placed with our backs against the wall , in the passage where the cell * , in which we had been placed , are situated . The governor ' * i > on stood on the stairs , * nd read » few of the prison rules , accompanied with violent threats of how we bhoulii be treated if we attempted to move our hands about , respecting which there is not one word t « be found in the whole vocabulary of the silent system .

      At the close of this harangue , we were taken to another part of the prison , a&d lucked in cells similar to tbe first It was then About three o ' clock ; at u > e o ' clock one of tbe officers threw a , black loaf on tbe bed , and a prisoner placid a tin cud of skilly on the floor . It was the worst meat I erer had in the whole course of my life ; and surely no individual can be a better ju

      On the following morning , the Governor came round to inform those who had not been sentenced to hard labour , that they must work upon the treadmill . I raised an otjection , and told him that the Judge s ^ id the law would Dot allow sie to be put to hard labour . But he told me he kad the Magiutrates' orders to do so , and must obey . I thought I would try it before I offered any resistance . I did do so ; but , so great were my sufferings , that I felt as I never felt before . God knows what my thoughts -were , but mortal' nerer shall :

      Abont fire o'clock upon tbe evening of the first day , which was one h'jur sooner than the usual time of leaving work , I refused to obey the signal for me to a * cend the wheel , for which I was arraigned before the Governor ' s aoa , who treated me with the greatest scurrility . But my fate was not decided until the following morning , when I was taken to the office . The Governor was there ; he asked me if I would go to 'work . On my answering in the negatire , he ordered his son to take me to solitary confinement . The countenance of the barbarous boy- brightened , and he ordered me to follow him . The youthful monster called for an officer , and , with a suppressed laugh , commanded him to put toe in a cold , dark dungeon , with double doors , where 1 was fed on bread and water—having first been deprived of my cravat and pocket handkerchief . This was on the morning of thu 28 th of March .

      On the following day , which was Snnday , the Gorernor came to see me . He said be would release me from this belly of hell , if I would promise to go to work on Monday . I consented , for I thought it would be better to die in the workshops , in the presence of some of my fellow prisoners , than in a horrible dungeon , where no persons bnt my assassins could Ull how I came by my death . On the ensuing Wednesday , the visiting magistrates came round . I applied for my removal from the mill ,

      and told them what I had told the Gorernor , tjz . ;—that the Judge , when passing sentence , said that the law would not allow me to be put to hard labour , and I did not ferget to tell them I had been to " solitary . " William Dent , then chairman , informed me that the Governor bad been order&d by the Magistrates to send me to solitary confinement ; and he likewise told me , that I should not bo removed from the mUJ , unless an order came from the Hume Office to compel them- to do co .

      The first heart-rending scene I had to behold was William Brook , of Bradford , who had fallen from the mill , stretched , to all appearance , lifeless on the floor .

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      Bnt whafrdoyou thfjafe ., my dear friend ? the poor Mlow , though flofc sentenced to hard labour , was compelled to wort on the murdering machine the following morning ! and poor Daffy conld hot hare Urea , had he been forced to perform hard labour two months lodger . Hts sufferints were great He was troubled with s > riolent expectoration , and frequent romitfng . I' ask now , my friend , do such fellows care about the JItot of their fellow creatures , who hare been treating poor men in the manner 1 hare described ? With what consistency can tbe Magistrates of Northallerton add reproof to a penalty of forty shillings for th * worrying or killing of a cat , while they themselres permit men to be tortured to death ? Or , how shall the Whigs , at a future election , reprobate the bad Government » f the Tories , when tbe people bare been treated worse by them than by Sidraonth and Castlereagh ?

      William Brook , Daffy , Holberry , Wefli , William Booker , and myself , were put on the tread mill , contrary to law . I was remored to Lancaster , Inconsequence of the mored tyranny of the Gorernor's son . You must put all this in your petition . I could fill a doaen sheets with their cruelties ; bnt I hope this letter will suffice , until 1 am at liberty , lam , dear Sir , Your's faithfully , William Maetin .

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      PLEASANT NOTIONS OF JUSTICE AND LIBERTY , TO THS EDITOR OF TUB NORTHERN STAB . We glre tti 6 following communication uve received it : — Sir , —I am a workfng man , snd hare had the mta fortune t « be out of werk for a long time , having had only eight weefcB for the last twenty-three weeks past On Friday week , I got work at Pontypool . After working eight days , I went into a publio-hoose with a shopmate , where we had four pints of ale between us , and no more . A soldier cornea into the heuie , and begins to insult the whole company , and to threaten to blow holes in the coats of some of the company . At length I rentured to beg of him to hold his tongue , for a soldier was no more than a man * and I feared and thought he was something less than man to disturb the company without provocation of any kind . Very few honest hard-working men ever entered the army , but

      it was ft kind of place to run to when all others failed . He said he had taken the Queen ' s money , and would not hear her name blasphemed . Now , no one had blasphemed her name ; but I told him the Queen would Dare no money if I and others of my class wonld give her none , at which word he runs off , and brings some men , and takes me off before a Mr . Roberts , Inspector of police , who looked Very wise , and told-we it was a < erioua charge . I called for my accuser to know what the charge was . The man came forward , and accused me of speaking blasphemy against the Queen . He could not repeat any words , but he knew it was very bad . On this charge I was locked up for four hours in the guard-house . The great man , Mr . Roberts , told me he had power to discharge me ; but for the future I must mind what I said . The soldier was rery drank , or perhaps the charge might be

      a very one . Now , Mr . Editor , I was taken in custody , and kept for four hours , on the word of a drunken fellow , with a green coat , who could' not eren give the charge , except the vague charge of blasphemy ; could not even tell the words of blasphemy ; and then discharged by a police man , without any other authority . If I had any cash , who could I bring an action against ? Neither policeman nor soldiers are worth action ; so I must report it to the world by meana of your paper , and let it rest George Eglintom . Pontypool , Feb . 33 d ., 1841 .

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      TO THE EDITOR . OP THE DOHTHEKN STAB . Sir , —For reasons , -with the repetition of which I will not trouble you , but which are to me important , I request your explicit and decided answer to this plain question . Hare all monies received by me from your agents , during the time I have been collector for the Star , been paid erer by me , at all times , in my next settlement of accounts after having received them ? Yours , respectfully , Robert Wilkinson . Halifax , March 2 , 1841 . [ Decidedly , Yes . —Ed . N . S . ]

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      TO THE HONOURABLE THE COMMONS OF GKEAT BKITA 1 N AND IRELAND IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED , Tin Petition of Robert Pedclit , tale Manufacturer and General Agent , Edinburgh , present Prisoner in the House of Correction , Btverley ; Huhbi / k Sheweth , —That In the month of August , 1840 , a petition was presented to your Honourable House from your petitioner , containing statements relative to his apprehension , trial , and conviction , upon a charge of sedition , conspiracy , and riot , at Bradford ; and complaining , but in very moderate terms , of the treatment to which he had been subsequently subjected in consequence of the serere sentence of three years ' imprisonment , passed upon him at the . March Assizes , held at York , in 1840 .

      That the said petition was presented to your Honourable House , by Joseph Hume , Esq ., but not pressed to a dirision , in consequence of a pledge from the Honourable Fox Maule , Under Secretary of State , that he would institute an inquiry into the truth of its allegations . Thut the petitioner waa grieved to learn that the Secretary of State for the Home Department , had retained for answer to your petitioner ' s friends , relative to this petition , that certain allegations were not borne out by facts ; but that those which related to impaired health should be referred to the proper officers . In regard to the first of these allegations , which weTe relatire to his entrapment aad condemnation through the agency and evidence of paid and acknowledged spies , he is prep » red to prove them at the bar of your Honourable House , should he be allowed the means ; and , in regard to the second , a dangerous illness of twentyeight days' duration , laid the officers of the establishment open to conviction .

      That it is further in the power of your petitioner to make clearly manifest to your Honourable House , that the principal concoctors and agents of that conspiracy , ( as detailed ia his former petition ) were persons employed by oae Briggs , a constable at Bradford , under tbe sanction of the magistrates , and who , in all their doings , had this man ' s concurrence and approbation . la short , that this person was the life and soul of that wicked -and disgraceful system of Bpy entrapment , which endangered the property and peace of the inhabitants of Bradford , and now crowds the prisons Of Yorkshire With victims .

      That your petitioner , who was at Leeds on business , was invited to attend a meeting at Bradford , in farour of John Frost -and others , then under sentence of death , which , out of a motive of humanity , he unhappily for himself , attended , and which wus tbe first connection he had with tbe Radicals of Yorkshire . That previous to this period the magistrates , through their emissaries , had ioformatioa of the farce of an insurrection at Bradford , and were prepared far it accordingly . That the petitioner was inveigled by one Smith , in conjunction with Harrison , or rather compelled by an armed foroe , assembled in his house , to attend a meeting in

      the Market-place , where be was " the means ( under Providence ) of saving muca property and life from the destruction of a lawless multitude ; and , on that account , had he no other claim , feels himself entitled to the clemency of your Honourable House . And be may hero be allowed to state , us a proof of bis innocence , that the inhabitants of Bradford hare held a meeting , if they have not already petitioned in his favour . Bo conscious , indeed , was the petitioner of bearing a conscience void of offence , that he went about his public business as usual , for some days previous to his being apprehended .

      That your petitioner on bis apprehension was committed to York Castle , on the serious charge of high treason , which was afterwards abandoned by the Attorney-General , as too ridiculous to be entertained ; but to the injury of the petitioner ' s cose this charge was kept up against him until within a few hours of his being placed at the bar , upon , the minor charges erf sedition , conspiracy , and riot That by such conduet on the part of the Attorney-General , your petitioner was compelled to go to trial with his arrangements incomplete ; and thereby both he and his counsel were prevented from doing that justice to his case which they otherwise might have done . That , as a striking mark of how little he had to do with the Bradford affair , be was not only considered by the Chartist party , as a spy himself , employed by Government , but vilified in their public journals while bis trial was pending , and eren denied the benefit of their most approved

      counsel . That upon the uncorroborated testimony of two accreditedsples and two policemen , the latter of whom he can prove to bare been deceived , in a very material point , and one Asbton , who was absent during part of the proceedings , your petitioner was convicted of sedition , conspiracy , and riot ; and although upon the charge of sedition no evidence was offered , yet had he passed upon him the cruel , severe , and , in his case , most undeserved sentence of three years' imprisonment , hard labour , and to find security ; a sentence of unprecedented hardship , the parallel of which waB never passed upon a political offender in Britain , and which he humbly submits to your Honourable House , that no act of hia , npen tbe most strict inquiry , will be found to warrant

      TbAt in pursuance of his inhuman sentence on the 23 rd of March , 1840 , he waa conveyed in the most ignominious manner to Beverley , chained to three robbers , one Chartist , and ene woman , and there subjected to the state , condition , and treatment of the most depraved , and worst of felons . That he was immediately subjected to the severe , painful , and healtk-destroylng labour of the tread-iniH , which to him has proved positive torture . ; and , as much ignorance exists in regard to the working of this accursed machine , your petitioner may be allowed to state , that the prisoner is compelled to keep ascending the wheel until he has accomplished an ascent of 1100 steps , which generally occupies twenty minutes ,

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      when he is permitted to rest for ten minutes . and is then put on again , aud is thus continued for about nine hours a day . By the time your petitioner has accomplished the third or four hundredth step , liia body is covered with th& most profuse perspiration . Every article of dress he wears ( and eren in winter he wears as little as decency will permit ) is wet through , and his shirt drenched as if taken unwrnng from a washing-tub . That by the time he has accomplished 800 steps , he is uniformly seized with giddiness in the head , dimness of riaion , nausea , and not unfrequently Tomtting . That by the time he has gained the on * thousand one hnndreth step , his state of body , from excessive suffering and fatigue , is past the power of language to describe .

      That thejonseqnence of his subjection to the painful operation of this cruel machine has been already most disastrous to his health , so much so , that fur many weeks together he has been under the care of tbe surgeon ; and that he entertains the most serious but too well-founded apprehension for the safety of his life , as the baneful effects already produced upon his constitution , by the operation ef the tread mill , are such as to warrant the assertion , that if the sentence is pressed to its fall extent against him , death , from general exhaustion and lo&s of appetite , must Inevitably follow . Tbat such being the true state of tbe case , your petitioner would have considered death , by the bands ef the common executioner , decidedly preferable to the more tedious but not less painful oae of tbe tread-mill , in his present deplorable situation .

      That besides the amount of bodily suffering he has now endured for about twelve months , he Is subjected to the mental agony and operation of the silent system , which is here rigidly enforced That he is denied the use of pen , Ink , and paper , except for a single monthly letter . That he is prevented from receiving visits ftom either friends or even the members of his sorrowing-and afflicted family , none of whom are , by the rules of the prison , permitted to see him during the three years of bis imprisonment . That by the rules of this house , to which in common with felons he is subjected , he ia only permitted to receive and write one letter a month . The extreme hardship of this arrangement will appear , when your

      Honourable House is informed that your petitioner in engaged to a considerable extent in trade . That owing to his unexpected and unaccountable apprehension , be was withdrawn from his business at a moment ' s notice , leaving his affairs in a state of confusion . That he is , moreover , a married man , with a family . That his wife , on whose exertions they now depend , is a woman of extremely delicate health , which , has been much aggravated by her anxiety for her husband . That his mental suffering , on her account , is painfully great , more especially as the poor privilege of a monthly letter has been , by one restriction or another , as unmeaning as they are , in his circumstances so frittered away , as to render his correspondence with bis family almost useless .

      That the magistrates of this place , acting , as tbe petitioner eonceires , under a mistaken knowledge of their instructions from the Home-ofijce , hare kept from him his wife ' s letters , bo that he has only received one letter for a period of nearly seven months . The reason assigned for this cruel conduct is , that these letters contain accounts of what exertions hare been made , publicly and privately , in the shape of getting up memorials to her Majesty in behalf of your petitioner , in order to procure a mitigation of his sentence . His present interest , according to their opinion , not being concerned in these proceedings , he is considered as not entitled to receive these letters : your petitioner is thus deprived of the comfort of receiving his wife ' s monthly letters—a privilege secured by law to the rery worst of falong .

      Your petitioner will not occupy more of the time of your Honourable House at present , by disclosing all the horrors of his situation ; but trusts that he has said enough , both now and formerly , to shew your Honourable House the base , artful , and wicked means by which he has been entrapped into his present unhappy situation , to which he considers transportation weuld hare been a mercy ; and he trusts that what little he has said of his bodily and mental sufferings will prove sufficient to interest the humanity of your Honourable House In behalf of himself and afflicted family . That , in addition to these sufferings , your petitioner has sustained a loss in business , credit , and otherwise , which one thousand pounds would not compensate . That the health , comfort , and prospects in life , of himself and family , hare been , by his imprisonment , already nearly ruined ; and that be would fain hope that the ends of justice may now be satisfied without dying her hands in blood , or at the expense of the life of the petitioner .

      Your petitioner , therefore , ttarowB himself , with full confidence , upon the justice and humanity of your Honourable Houbo , trusting that , in your-wisdom , you will so address her Majesty , as will rescue yonr petitioner from hia painful and degrading treatment—a treatment which throws negro slavery into the shade , and is repugnant to the spirit of the British Constitution ; praying that her Majesty may be pleased to order the remoral of the prisoner ( as has been done in some cases to others convicted for political offences ) to a place of confinement where the rules are less rigid— where the torture of the tread-mill is unknown , and where his communication with his friends and family may be uninterrupted . . And your petitioner will erer pray , fcc . Robert Peddie . Bererley House of Correction , 12 th February , 1841 .

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      MR . COLLINS . TO THE EDITOH OF THE NORTHERN STAB . Bread-street , Birmingham , Feb . 34 th , 1841 . " I concluded my remarks by observing that ' no union would be effected without such a definition of the term Household Suffrage as should include every man of mature age , and sound mind , &c , who had a residence in a house , or any part of a house ; ' and further , that , unless upon such terms , a union ought not , and , if I could prevent it , should not take place . " —Letter to Leeds Times .

      Sir , —You hare occupied nearly four columns of your paper in pointing out the difference between the Charter Suffrage and the Household Suffrage , which would not enable more than " one person to Tote out of a house , be it nerer bo large . " I need not say that I oppose as much as you can such a franchise . That the term " Household" can by no art be made to include more than one I totally deny , for if you have erer visited Scotland , you must know that , even under the present exclusive system , seven , aud eren t « n votes are obtained from one house ; and , moreorer , that the majority of £ 10 electors in the large towns hold the franchise solely on this footing .

      Had you taken the above quoted sentence , am shown that there was any difference between it and the Charter Suffrage , you woald have complied with my request ; and I have yet to learn that any man who reads the above sentence , can see any difference . It is exactly the Charter Suffrage , or to use your own expression in the fourth column " Universal Suffrage qualified by residence in a house . " If Any parties or persons agree to this extension of the franchise , I shall be most willing to receive them , as brethren , from whatever class they come , and I need not Bay that I shall be the last man to join any class or person , who do not espouso it and the other fundamental points of the Charter . I remain , yours , &a . John Collins .

      £ We regret that our reply to Mr . Collins ' s letter was too long for him ; but we should have regretted still more to weaken its force or perspicuity by shortening it ; and yet it appears that toi . g as it was , we may with great propriety adopt the foregoing of Mr . Collins as an appropriate postscript , wherein he most forcibly illustrates our position by his reference to the Scotch fiy 8 tem . We have always said that such a definition of Household Suffrage as would satisfy the owners of property , would make bouses mere stables for holding human beings , aud that to whomsoever the house belonged to him also ¦ would belong the vote . Mr . Collins knows full well that the voters to whom he refers are

      all manufactured voters ; urban Tbters qualified out of small allotments of land , and not as he states qualified out of one house . But , does Mr . Collins suppose that the power which the present system rests in the hands of the pririieged order for pro-, tecting their Toting serfs , would , if tbe rote belonged to the serf himself , be exercised by the master for the benefit otthe slare 1—We thank Mr . C . tor his confirmation , and now we will ask him a short question . Will any of the Scotch houses full of voters , be found Toting for a Chartist candidate ? or even further , are not Whig houses filled with Whig Toters , and Tory houses with Tory rotors ? and does Mr . Collins presume so far upon his strength or upon middle-class forforbearance , as to suppose that a like system would not prerail in England and Wales ? Ifso , we beg to refer him to the Beren thousand and sixtieth clause of the new alliance

      Household Suffrage Bill which is to be ; for to that , or even greater length , would the details run , rather than commit the blunder of allowing Chartist roters to stable themselreB on a qualification . We imagine that if we had merely said , " Then , Mr . Collins , as there is no difference , call the spade a spade , " we should bare satisfactorily replied to his former question . Again , we tell him that so long as one man ' s property constitutes another man ' s rote , ao long will the owner hate rent and Tote ; and we heartily thank our Mend for caring furnished bis Scotch case as the most trite and happy illustration of the position . If Mr . Collins is sufflcJ « ntly omnipotent to hare his Household Suffrage just as he likes , then let him call us brethren , but till then , we ehall remain related to the fundamental points of the Charter , —Mr . Collins with us if he will , without him if we must—Ec ]

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      O'CONNOR ON ELECTION CLUBS . In our last number we reprinted a letter of Mr . O'CONNOR'S , from thetforfftera Star , Sep . 28 , ' j 3 » There happening to be two letters of hi < in that , number , the printer mistook our directions , and extracted the wrong one . The following is the letter , we intended to hare given last week : —

      TO THE WORKING CLASSES . Brother Radicals , —For the same nasoB / fhat a . Serjeant ' s guard of disciplined and armed troops will beat and put to flight a squadron of raw and unarmed recruits , hare we been beaten by factions discipline * in the arts of treachery and deceit We must discipline and remedy this evil . We m » st meet them ob their own ground , and with their own weapons , W « must organise , and show the front of freemen . I » order to effect it , then , I anbmit the following suggestions for your consideration : —

      Peel says " Register , register , register r '—O'Connell says "Register , register , register . ' "—the Whig prew and the Tory press « ay " Register , register , register I " and , therefore , there most be some magic in the word " Register . " You cannot register , bat you can " Unite , unite , nnite ! " and Russell says it ia your right to exercise influence orer the elector ; while O'Connell says that it is your right , to use gentle coercion towimlB thertector . J , et us , then , place ouwelTO * in a position to be prepared whenever the struggle may coine ; and , believe me , it is at band , else would not our enemies be loading their pieces . Let a committee be established in every town and Tillage throughout England , Scotland , and Wales , according to tho following form , and for the performance of the following duties : —

      THE FORK . Let the electors and non-electors instantly ; fofnt county , city , and borough election clubs . Where the clubs consist of sereral hundreds , let them be divided into hundred * . Let each hundred appoint a chairman . The hundreds should then be dirided into tens , and each ten should appoint a chairman . The chairmen of the hundreds should constitute the General Election Committee . The chairmen of erery eleven tens should , according to convenient locality , constitute the district or ward committees . The committee of tens should report on erery Monday night , to the General Committee , the state of the public mind in their sereral districts ; after which , a compendious report should be submitted by placard , handbill , or through th « medium of the press . The terms to constitute membership to be one penny per week . The funds ' to b « appropriated as a Finance Committee , appointed by a show of hands at a general meeting , Ehall direct .

      THE pUTIES . The duty of the Election Club will be to select a flt and proper candidate , who shall bo rigorous and active in laying before his constituents the principles upon which he claims their support—to read at piu > li « meetings , as often as opportunity affords , the reports and resolutions from the sereral committees . Every candidate should be pledged to support Unirersal Suffrage and a repeal of the Legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland , to take his Beat if returned by a majority in the house called the House of Commons—and to restore his trust wheneTer required to do so by a majority of a committee to be called " ibe committee of review of public men's conduct , " " which step must be sanctioned by a public meeting of his constituents . The committee should also appoint Col lee tors

      of contributions , who should leave the following printed form of application at the house of erery voter in their district : — " We , the committee appointed to superintend the management of tbe election of — , do respectfully solicit your support and interest , and also such contribution . as you can conveniently give , to promote the aforesaid object . " A book should be kept containing the names of all the electors in the several districts , to be called " The canvas and cantribution book . " When the whole machinery is completed , public meetings of the electors and non-electors shonid be convened , to take into consideration the propriety of appointing a National Election Conrention of twentyone , whose duty it shall be to sit in London for the purpose of receiving , and disseminating throughout the country , digested reports from the sereral election committees .

      I think at a single glance you will see that tbe adoption of the foregoing plan will at once raise a safe and constitutional . standard round which the friends of Radicalism may rally . We shall then stand upon an equality , in the field of agitation , with both Whigs and Tories ; and , according as we are treated , ho shall we treat the enemy . In tins instance the constitution recognises no superiority ; and if we are not prepared to carry out this principle , we are not deserving of Universal Suffrage , if , upon the other hand , we are prepared , and if , by our united exertions , we can return a majority of the six hundred and fifty-eight , we shall be justly entitled to go to the House of Commons upon the tint day of the next session of Parliament , and there pass a law directing her Majesty to issue new writs for

      the return of a Parliament upon the principle of Universal Suffrage . This requires no exhibition of physical force , as any opposition' offered to the will of a nation thus manifested would be high treason upon the part of our opponents . The effect of our preparation would be the immediate liberation of our friends from their dungeons ; for , believe me , that our enemies but await our union to obey our command . I cannot cenceive a more glorieus sight than a nation of freemen marching to the hustings in sections , divisions , and squadrons , there to show their hands , which are ready to support the dictates of their hearts . My mind is always upon the rack , my invention is ever at work , to leara how I can best serve your uause ; and lazy men , who will not work themselves , call me presumptous—but how much more pleasing and easy would it be for me to remain idle , if those who abuse me -would -work ; but the work must be either left undone , or done by a

      few . Instead of constantly nibbling and carping at my propositions , let them suggest ,. and I will follow ; but 1 cannot and will not . remain idle so long as a single grievance remains unredressed . I implore you , then , my fellow men , by yonr valour , by your patriotism , and by your humanity—by the love which you bear to your God , your country , your family , and your kind , to awake , arise , and . let the voice of freedom be heard upon each passing breeze throughout this sea-bound dungeon ! Let ub proclaim the right of the labourer to enjoy the fruits of his own labour—of the freeman to enjoy the protection of his castle—of the community to enjoy social comfort and happiness—of the poor to lire upon the land of bis birth—and of tbe nation to be governed by laws made equally for the protection of tha rich and the poor , Lst union be your watchwordliberty your idol—and Universal Suffrage , and no surrender , your motto . For these things I have lived , and for these things I am ready to risk my life ; and

      am Your faithful and sincere friend , FEABGUS O'CpNliNB . Leeds , 25 th , Sept , 1839 .

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      We learn that the house of Montcfiore Brothers , connected chiefly with tho Australia trade , have como to the determination of suspending payments . It is confidently stated , howerer , that the su : pension will be but temporary , and that before , tho termination of the present year the firm will bo able to discharge their engagements . Falling of two Houses in Fleet-street . —One of the most awful casualties that can possibly occur in a crowded city , oocurred on Saturday night at ten o ' clock in Fleet-street . A few nights since a fin ; took place at the house of Mr . Bnndy , a trunkmaker , next rloor to the office of the Weekly Dispalch , and the ruins were left , as was imagined , in a state of perfect security . This , howreror , ' by the

      event that has occurred , appears , too awfully , to have been an error . » . On getting into the street , thft scene that presented itself to the spectator wmi frightful in the extreme . There was a wide and fearful gap of falling bricks and timbers , supported by gable ends and ricketty boards , rendering the approach of aid a matter of the greatest danger Soon after the accident , Mr . Harding and Mr . " Ward , builders in the neighbourhood , were sent for to examine the premises , as was also Mr . Elmes , the City Surveyor , who sent for a number of bnildera but without being able to obtain their co-operation . A man , named Wm .-Megaon , a journeyman tailor , vras let down by ropes from the back room on the third floor of Mr . Dobson ' s bouse , and which house

      also feil , with a tremendous crash , at the same time ; he had been in bed upwards of an hour when he heard the crash of the timbers . He instantly jumped out of bed , and endeavoured to open his door , but , finding it impossible to do bo , he i lighted his candle , and dressed himself , and remained standing upon half a foot of boards for nearly three quarters of an hour , until he was released by the police , in the way just mentioned . He also said , that finding his room-door going out of the lerel , he frequently warned Mr . Dobson of the danger , who , howerer , laughed at his fears . Every precaution was taken to arouse the inmates of the adjoining house to the perilous situation in which they were placed , and the police having made a communication to Mr . Dobson , a hackney carriage wasobtained , and Mrs . Dobson , with four or fire children ( the

      statements rary ) , were placed ^ in the vehicle , _ and drove to the residence of a friend . At this time loud cracking of the tottering walls became more loud and fearful , and the police observing the upper part of the houses bending forward , raised a shoit of "It is coming . " The constables took , to their heels , and a cab , which had just set down its fare , was peremptorily a few minutes before ordered off . The driver happily took the warning , and acting upon it , lost no time in leaving the spot , which , in a rery brief space of time , presented % melancholy instance of . the desolation thus * anexpectedly created . JDalton , the officer , bid » narrow escape , his clothes being completely covered with flying dust ,-which , but a second before , gare notice oi tho hU of the two houses . Vvon tha casualty Occurring , a large number of the City ' olice Force were in attendance , and prevented th «

      reckless females with which this crowded thoroughfare is thronged from meeting with accidents , which , in all probability , would have followed their temv rity ia approaching the ruins .

      ^Rtgrnal Corr-Rgponuntw

      ^ rtgrnal Corr-rgponuntw

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      THE NORTHERN STAR . . ; r 7

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      without food when I Last saw him as I passed through Preston about a fortnight before my trial . He told me a horrid tale ! * * * In fact , no good man who remained true to his principles , has escaped middle-class persecution . Youth , beauty , inuocance , or old age , has sometimes melted the heart of a Dey of Algiers , but nothing , human or divine , can touch the heart of a thoroughbred middle-class vampire ! Several of my old London Chartist friends hare gone off to America—others are preparing to follow—some are in gaol for debt—others hare just gone throngh tbe Gaxeil *—in short , I could neTer tell yon a tithe of a tithe of the cases of indiridnals suffering that bare fallen trlthln my own cognisance ; and , t- I have just remarked , what signifies all that has come to my knowledge in comparison with the sum total all over England . Scarcely a single one of my- London , Brighton , or Manchester friends has escaped .

      Now , M , the Gorernment has had nothing to do with this slaughtering system of proscription . It is wholly and solely the work of landlords , cotton lords , iron masters , brewers , lawyers , et hoc ffcrms omne . Yet these are the parties with whom the Leeds impostors ask us to enter into alliance 1 Why , the vagabonds might as well ask us at once to unite ¦ with death and damnation ! Even in respect of tbe gorernment prosecutions , is it not notorious that the Ministry were drlren to institute them by tie magisterial dogberriea of the provinces , and these dogberries themselves only acted in accordance with the prirate solicitations , and ererlasting remonstrance of the local shopocrats throughout the country ? Is it not notoriouc that these parties had been calling outfox " military protection , " and abusing

      the Government for non-intervention for several months before the prosecutions began ? Is it not equally notorious that the middle classes of Bradford raised subscriptions in support of subsidized spies and informers , whom they had sent amongst the Chartists ? Was it not at the urgent request of the " respectables" that the Birmingham magistrates first came into collision with the Birmingham Chartists ? In short , does not every man with a grain of common sense know right well that all the tyranny and cruelty exercised against us during the last two years by the Gorernment were urged upon , enjoined , dictated , and rirtually commanded to them , by the middle-classes ? Yet , the Leeds " Reformers" hare the modesty to ask us to unite with the middle classes against the Gorernment ? I will resume to-morrow , and meantime , 4 c . James B . O'Brien .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 6, 1841, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct539/page/7/