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Northern Star (1837-1852), 16th October 1841, Edition 4 of 4, Page 3, Untitled Article

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      Poetry

      Poetry

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      KING DEATH . Eng Death has a high and lonely seat , _ Aa other monar ch * tare ; I > Iged with a pall and -winding sheet , Biwaght from the last-filled grave . Vf , v k of *** greyand ^ ° iisw ftvn * • Of the cross-bones thick and strong ; And nothinglh-es there , that seat to share , Bat the earth-worm trailing along . £ nd King Death sits on his spectral throne , n un his footstool made of & church-yard atone

      Esg Derfn . ' King Death ! thy voice is heard In the sinking mariner ' s scream ; it comes ringing oat in the sudden shout Of the madman ' s feTered dream ; Jiow it breathes close in the pertHeat air , Till the Boenday ran is diE ; l « jvu > g the blot of the leper's spot On the proud man ' s giant limb . And the sage leases his book , and the chiM his play , When thoa thickest it fitting to eall them away . Xmg Death has riches create * far

      Than the merchant ' s stores unfold j Though he valueth nst the diamond star , A or heapeth np bright gold . Bat he hath the young and beautiful In his charnel caTems hid ; With the brain and the breast that we leve the best Shut fast " ntith the coffin lid . Azd who with theii treasures would not part lo purchase from Death the food man ' s fewri »

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      Low in the mouldering dust he has thrown The dearest and rarest things ; The patriot hero ' s laurel crown " And tl » poet ' s banting strings . But he cannot make the green leares fade , Nor quench the Immortal fire : All else he may chill , bat the wreath bleoms still , And a halo is round the lyre . For the nobly-won trophy shall never decay . And the songs of the gifted one pass not away . King Death , oh ! how them must chuckle to find The old man over Ms gold , While he reckons the wealth be must leave b « hind , With hands all palsied and cold . Some heart will be sad when thoa takest the bad , Or sealest the reckless one's eyes ; For the tide that has thrown but th « weed and the stone ,

      Hay hide pearls for the direr to prize . But thy -work , King Death , shall cause none to grieve For the one who has nought but his gold to leave . King Death . ' King Death ! thou art strangely feared , Yet the wisest cannot tell why ; For the woes we have here are as sharp as thy spear , And wring many a deeper sigh . The happy and blest may dread tby name , But though terrible then may ' st be , The blighted heart and the brow of shame Will eagerly fly to thee . For the harsh -world strikes with a wilder alarm Than the tyrant King with his skeleton arm . EL 12 A Cook ,

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      £ Uirieb ) g ,

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      THE ENGLISH MAIDEN ! HER MORAL AND DOMESTIC DUTIES . London ; H . Green Clakk ; Geokgb Bell , 185 , Fleet-• street . 1 & 41 . This long expected manual for the blooming daughters of England has at length made its appearance , and has already been bailed as worthy the patronage and countenance of those for whose special advantage its pages hare been written . We say special advantage , because , though a maiden ' s book , it contain ;) matter which may be available in every stage of life , and we will add that , while the advice and instruction contained in it is peculiarly adapted to females , the general principles which pervade the whole will make it a delightful companion to those

      ef either sex , who desire to receive the benefit of inward adorning , and are intent upon laying a foundation on which to erect a superstructure of future excellence . The work is divided into fifteen chapters under the followiDg heads : —Capacities of Woman—Influence of Woman—Education of Woman—Home—Society—Love—Single Life—Reasons for Marriage—Conditions of true Marriage—Society of Young Men—First Lore—Conduct during Engagement— Conjugal and Maternal Duties—Trials of Woman and her Solace—Encouragements . In treating on these important subjects , the design of the author is evidently to lead his fair readers into habit 3 of mental culture . His aim is at once to

      please and to instruct , and feeling the immense importance of establishing right principles in the human mind , and eipeaially in the minds of those to whose care the formation of the character is usually committed , he has commenced his labour with an eloquent yet plain investigation into the capacities of women , and has done what few of his predecessors have taken the trouble to do , that is , pointed out the ground of that essential distinction between the minds of the sexes which every one arnst admit to exist , bus for which very few have gone deep enough in their inquiries to ascertain the cause . Thss speaking of the capacities of woman , he sajs , pp . 3—6 " : —

      " Bat mankind are divided into two distinct portions ; bearing , it is true , a striking similarity to each other , but bearing also the clear and indelible marks of an essential diffidence , and impressing db by tbeir Tery appearance with the convictian , for it amount * to nothing less , that they were designed by their Creator to act different , though by no means discordant , but , on the contrary , the most hArmonious , parts in the important drama ef human life . Lock at man ' s erect and noble port , his bold and kindling eye , his broad and erpansire chest , bis strong and sinewy arm , and his very flesh of a texture which seems formed for endurance and to defy danger , and you will say at

      once that the indwelling spirit which had formed to itself a habitation so constructed { and , be it remembered , that every essence is the secondary causa or creator of its own form ) , must be one to dare , te know , to investigate , and to push its reasonings to a given and determined point In a word , we should decide at once that the whole form w&s the form of intelligence ; not , it is trne , apart from , but in superiority , to the affections of the will , because , in the male sex , until a junction of seme kind with the female is formed , man ' s affections all centre in self , and in that case they become the willing slave of his intellectual pride , and minister to the gratification of all its selfish demands .

      Now look at woman , —seethe delicacy of her whole form , her flowing tresses , her melting softness , her brilliant eye , her ivory forehead , her glowing cheek , her mouth radiant with smiles , of whom it may be said , — With what an airy and a sparkling grace , The language glances from her silver lips ! Her dear kind voice , bow exquisite it sounds , E ' en like a gentle music heard in childhood . Add to all this the swan-like neck , the modest heaving bosom , the arms ever ready to embrace a friend , and the hand which seems to open spontaneously to relieve distress , and we shall at once be induced to exciaim , she was formed to love and to be loved ! Here is the form of the affections , as man's is the form of wisdom ; and a correct judgment of ths relative equality of th « sexes will never be attained , until the declaration of a great ' author is understood and appreciated , that " woman is the lovs of man's wisdom , " and that " man is the ¦ wisdom of -woman's love . "

      Thas we have smTed at the true ground of the differenee which exists between the stxes . In the male sex the internal man , that is the real man ( for the material body is but the shell or house in which man dwells ) , consists of the intellect as its essence , and the affections as the form or body in which thatintellect resides . In the female sex the internal , in like manner , constitues the real man ; but in ber the affections are the sonl , and her antithetical powers are the body in which that soul resides , and by which it manifests its

      existence ; and bence we discover an inequality , but not an inferiority , and the inequality itself is productive of the most beneficial results ; for it is in a true and genuine marriage that the perfection of human naturo consists , and that trne marriage is neither more nor less than this : —The intellect of tke male conjoins itself with that of the female by its affections , thus losing itself in its like in her ; and the affections of the female become conjoined with their like in the m 3 le , by the medium of her intellectual power , and thus they are no more two , bnt one

      flesh" 1 . The Physical Constitution of woman is peculiar . In barbarous nations she has often been subjected to the same manual exertions as man ; sometimes to those even more arduous . Bnt the progress of refinement and civilization always establishes a marked distinction between the two sexes , in this respect We instinctively pronounce her to unsex herself , who arms for the battle-field , or engages in those agricultural , mechanical , or other manual pursuits , which demand great bodily vigour . God hath made the sexes herein to differ , and mfiT > , "we feel , ought not to confound them . "

      This is genuine philosophy , and the more the subject is examined the more convincing will the reasoning appear . The influence of woman and her consequent high responsibility is most ably pointed ont , and is insisted on , and as a consequence the friend of education , necessary to fit her for the due discharge of her high duties , occupies a considerable share of the Author ' s attention . We are especially pleased with the manner in which the subject of moral culture is handled in this little work . No one can read the chapter on Education without feeling the insufficiency of cultivating the head , while the heart remainB unvisited with those tender sympathies and generous affections , which are the crown and the glory of our moral nature .

      The importance of a right attention to the duties of home is strongly pressed upon the reader ' s attention , but we ean only find room for a single extract from this portion of the work . We , however , select a gem from pp . 78—80 . Here it is : " Another relation , happily suited te promote female virtue , is that of Brother or Sister . Here are those united , not only by natnre , but by all those sacred and dear ties which belong to the associations of childhood . Theirs is not the conjunction for an evening of planets , whose orbits lie all apart ; but it is an union that dates from their earliest moments of life . And it is one as pure as it is primitive ; giving scope for unalterable attachment , and deep joys ; for kind offices , and sincere virtue .

      "But let it not be imagined that all these fruits spring from the soil spontaneously . Not of necessity is a sister happy in this relation ; and the reason is apparent . She is not coerced into sympathy , and selfsacrifice and devotedness to her brothers ; and without these qualities no outward connexion brings peace and pleasure to the heart . It must be ber study to devise means , frame plan * , —and execute them faithfully , —of promoting their good . Her actions mnat be the still small voice , that conveys the rich tones of her beart If she refuse to enter into the schemes and prospects of a brother , and to render him those minute services which both indicate affection and prompt to it , she will regard this relation as a dull thing . It may be , but a source of alienated feelings , of vexation and strife .

      "Especially must the sister guard well the avenues of moral danger which beset ber brothers . Let her strive to make some attractive in tbeir sight By pleaast convetsatien , and by reading occasionally ft volume to a brother , she may bind him to the fireside . Doe * he desire to pass the eveniBg abroad ? Better join him , even at some cost of personal ease , or of taste , than leave him exposed to seek places of equivocal character . Be Ms confidant , his adviser , conato-nt

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      in demonstrations of kindness . Perhaps he is aiding your progress in . the 3 falks of %$ nteJUect * - How . xa ^ you so wellregotte bU < jaref as bjla steady itauAtiatf of moral and spiritual light ? A sister ' s love is often an amulet to the subsequent character of a circle of brothers . She whispers to them when on the brisk of temptation . Her form is ever present Their thonghts wander often to their childhood ' s home , and in secret self-communion the sentiment revisits the heart , — " For I , methinks , till I grow old , As fair before me shall behold , As I do now , the cottage small , The lake , the wood , the waterfall ; And thee the Spirit of them all . "

      All the other subjects are treated with equal judgment . Many a young maiden ' s heart will find itself reflected as in a mirror , and vre trasfc many a resolution will be formed and kept to become all that is here recommended . The following remarks , from page 36 , should be carefully stndied by all who wish well to their country and their kind . " The influence of woman is felt beyond the circle of her own fireside , in the well-being of her country . If this sex contribute so largely as we have affirmed , to the progress of civilisation and refinement , then can it be no little aid they afford , by their character and exertions , to the support of pure political institutions .

      " In these , latter day * , what is to give Integrity to the statesman , purity to the patriot , and tru « glory to the nation ? It must be done in part by woman . Let her be educated , and above all , let her educate herself in intelligence , grace , and holiness , and we have no fear of conflicts abroad , or of perils at home . The little watchman , shut in the security of a glazid frame , does not more sorely save the ship , amid darkness and storm , than does she who at the quiet fireside exerts the influence which she may , for her country , or son , husband and brother , to point out the path of political salvation . " We invite especial attention to the three next chapters of the work . From that on Conjugal and Maternal Duties , we extract the following remarks relative to the Duties of the Moiher , the author says , pp . 194 , 195 : —

      " The first requisite to the proper discharge of the important duties of a mother , is a due and entire acquaintance with the physical wants of children . It has been frequently observed , that of all animals children are the most helpless when they first come into the world ; how necessary , then , is it that those who have the care of their earliest existence should be well acquainted with the signs and tokens of their physical demands upon their attention and care . Let no mother , unless under circumstances ef the most pressing neces-Bity , consign the entire care and management of her infant to another . God has given her peculiar sensibilities , which no one , standing in a more remote connexion with the child , can possess , and it is therefore her peculiar duty , and ought to bt > her most delightful occupation , to minister to the necessities of the helpless being committed to ber care . She who can voluntarily abandon her offspriBg to the c \ re of others , forfeits all claim t « the sacred name of mother .

      " But not only should the mother have a competent knowledge of the physical wants of her offspring ; it is also essentially requisite that she should have a deep insight into human nature . It is from her that their expanding faculties receive their first impressions ; and such as the mother Is , such , to a considerable extent , will the children be . A very slight observation will convince any one who will be at the trouble to make it , that the living spirit of the mother imparts its own impress and influence to the living spirit of the infant Let her smile , and the smile is instantly returned ; let her frown , and sadness overcasts the drooping countenance of the observant little one . She is , in fact , in the place of God to her child , and fearful are her responsibilities . Yet she has not been left destitute of divine aid . The vast volume of nature is spread open before her , and it is redolent with lessons of wisdom and love by which to train the candidate for immortality to his native skies . "

      With this extract we close out remarks for the present , and most sincertly hope that every parent who wishes well to her daughter , will place the English Maiden in her hand . The work is elegantly bound in cloth , and we hope will have as wide a circulation as its merits deserve .

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      of the petition to Lord Viscount Melboprae , one of Wich , bi »* os 4 sbi » wassokindas to forward to her Mfejetty , Qaeeft Victoria , at my request " The w 6 rk takes a minute and comprehensive view of the efl gcts of a decimal calculation as applied to Money , Weights , Meaanres , and Time ; and in reference to the three former subjects , we think the reasoning is correct , and the facts and examples adduced satisfactory and conclusive , so far , at least , as wehave been able to examine them . On the subject of rime , however , our author has evidently pushed a favourite theory too far , and has thus illustrated a remark of Dr . Johnston j that" whatever is designed to fit every thing will fit nothing well . " We see no occasion for an alteration in the number of hours in the day , though probably no inconvenience could ariBefrom it ; hut , as to reducing the twalve months into ten , the idea is . one that could never be carried

      out into actual practice . The duration of the year is evidentl y circumscribed by the return of the seasons , and the motions , real , or apparent , of the heavenly bodies . It cost much time and labour to obtain a well-regulated calendar , but" that has been done , with surprising acouracy , and the apparent progress of the eua through the twelve signs has established the solar year beyond the hope of any beneficial change . It is useless introducing confusion into the calculations of science when no adequate advantage , is to be gained by it , and we confess we can discover none ia a decimal division of time . We , however , cordially recommend the book to the careful attention of every lover of improvement , and hope that the arguments of the writer will meet with that calm , dispassionate examination which the importance of the subject evidently entitles them to receive .

      THE DISTRESSING CONDITION OF OUR POPULATION , with a Plan for their Immediate Relief . Sug gested by Henry May . London : Strange , Paternoster Row , and all Booksellers . 1841 . Price One Penny . This little pamphlet may be regarded as another evidence that we have not laboured altogether in vain , in striving to direct attention to the fact , that the great evil existing in this country is the unnatural state of society ; the desertion of the land , the mother of all wealth ; of the green fields , and pure air ; the media of health and enjoyment ; for the huddling together of human beings in immense masses of living misery , disease , and crime . After giving from the authority of Parliamentary records a fearful picture of the almost universal destitution pervading this the richest of all the countries upon the face of the whole earth , the author proceeds to adduce his remedy as follows : —

      " Let us make a start comparison between the value of land used solely for agricultural purposes , and the mode suggested of having a mixed population partly engaged in agriculture and partly engaged in manufactures . Let us suppose an estate consisting of an area of two miles square . This area would contain 2 , 500 acres . Let us suppose this let at £ 1 per acre , to what the landlords are so fond of—five large capitalists , having each about 500 acres in bia farm . Each of these farmers may be supposed to employ twenty labonrers , making altogether one hundred labourers and families , which is a large allowance , as a considerable portion of these large farms are generally in grass . On this estate , as we have already seen , unless prices are fictitiously raised above 50 s ., the landlord can get no rent

      from the profits of produce . If he get rent it must be , according to the above evidence , from the tenant ' s capital . Now , it would appear , that on this estate there are the five farmers and their families , and one hundred labourers and families , none of them in prosperity ; bat if , instead of this being applied to the men of agricultural capital , it is let for the purposes of manufacture , let us see the difference . For manufacturing purposes it would supply four hundred and twenty-Bix families with ground for a cottage , and six acres of land each . If we average the families at fire , the population would amount to two thousand one hundred and thirty persons ; but it will not be an unreasonable assumption that each family might supply two hands for manufacture , leaving the bead of the family to cultivate the land . Supposing , then , tbat a factory was established in the centre of this estate , by which two members of each family conjointly could

      earn wages to the amount of even 15 s . per week , equal to £ 39 a year . The tenant and his family could subsist on tb * produce of the soil—could pay a sure rent out of the wages , and have a large surplus for extra necessaries ; if the rent be taken at £ 2 per acre , or £ 12 on the six , they would thus have an overplus from wages amounting to £ ' 27 , for their own benefit , to improve tbeir condition and supply them with comforts . Such wonld be the contrast between property let to manufacturers , and a property let to agricultural capitalists . In the one case there would only be one hundred families sapported . These hundred labourers' families would be half starred , while the tenants would become bankrupts ; in the other case , tneie would be four hundred and twenty-six families supported in every comfortthe proprietors' rents weuld be secured—there would be no need for Corn Laws , because the landlords' interest uvuld not depend upon the starvation of the people , but on the increase of the profits of industry .

      " Such would be the kind of property I would like to possess . I do not speak of this from theory alone , but from experience as to a small portion of land for the maintenance of a family , in which I will venture to assert , I shall be borne out by hundreds of individuals . " I propose , then , to raise a sum of money by five thousand £ 20 shares , and having before me the particulars of an estate for sale , of 2 , 400 acres , at an estimated rental of £ 1 , 000 per annum , containing a township , parish , and manor in itself , I recommend the immediate purchase of it No jealousy could arise as to the possibility of , at any time , encumbering the parish . There is a fine stream ef water running through the estate , for the erection of mills , ice

      " But there is no time to be lost ; it is hoped there are many good and kind-hearted individuals who would cheerfully and speedily aid such a plan , and if many would set about ' doing likewise , ' a great and mighty change in tbe condition of tens of thousands of our starving fellow-creatures would speedily follow . It would tend to quietness and good order , because every family would nave a certain amount of interest at stake . " Those who have read Mr . O'Connor ' s Letters to the Landlords of Ireland will find nothing new in the principle of Mr . May ' s proposed remedy for popular distress , nor in the reasoning by which it is supported . We think that a good thing cannot be said too often , by too many different people , or in too many different forms , and , therefore , we are very happy to recommend this book to the best attention of all true philanthropists , and the remedy it proposes to the adoption of the working men wherever practicable .

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      employer must give fovrteticb per diem , at the least , so that the labourer was at liberty to hire himself or not ; and , you may rest assured , that wages were oftener above the fearpenee par day , than at it ; and while the articles abovementioned were brought to market , and could not be sold only at a certain price , beyond whico they dare not be sold , yet the person selling was often compelled to sell them at a lower price . Thus , the working man bad a double advantage to what he has now ; because , although provisions , might be lower in price , and the rate of wages higher than specified by act of Parliament , yet wages could not be veduced lower , nor provisions higher , than the act specified ..

      "But , the best method to pursue is to-give you a list of the prices of the same articles in the present day ; also ; the average rate of wages of the present times , and eontrast the prices of . provisions and the rate of wages of the present times , With the rate of w * ges and the price of provisions in the times of our independent forefathers . The average price of the following articles at present are : — £ s . d . A fat Ox ... ... ... 20 0 o

      Sheep ... v > . ... i 15 0 Goose ; .... ... ... 0 3 6 The dozen Eggs ... ... 0 0 9 A Cow ... ... ... io e o A fat Pig ... ... 330 A pair of Chickens ... 0 2 0 A quarter of Wheat ... 3 0 0 The quart of Wine ... ... 0 3 4 The gallon of Ale ... ... 0 18 Shoes per pair ... ... 0 10 0

      Total ... 39 19 3 " You see , tbat the working man was enabled to procure the whole of the above articles by twenty weeks' labour , at the former period , whilst in the latter period , it would take a man to work seventy-two weeks before be could purchase them ; the average rate of wages being now about ten shillings per week , which I shall prove before I have concluded this work . " It must be therefore , plainly evident , that the condition of the people , as far as plenty to eat , drink , and

      wear were concerned , was far preferable to what it is now ; because the working classes could command fonrtimes as much of the necessaries of life then , as they can now ; and this fact is borne out by the evidence of Sir John Fortesque , who wrote in the feign of Henry VI . — ' The people have plenty of fieh , flash , and fowl ; tbe best furniture in tbeir houses ; they are well clad in woollen cloth ; they never drink water except in Lenten , or fasting days , but wine or beer ; ' yet these are the times that are called dark and barbarous . It would be well , indeed , if the ' barbarous custom of having enough of the comforts of life , might again be the lot of tbe labouring population . "

      He afterwards traces the history of those laws down to 1828 , and brings forward a mass of the most important evidence . At p . 29-30 , we find the following fiendish " sayings" of two of the "cheap loaf" demons in reference to the New Poor Law . - "In juxta-position with this heart-rending statement" ( one made by Ashworth , in reference to the destitution in Bolton , ) hear Mr . Ashworth on the New Poor Law Bill . In writing to Chadwick , the Poor Law Commissioner , he says : — " Respected Friend , E . Chadwick , —I take the liberty of forwarding for your consideration , a few

      observations on the New Poor Law Bill , the leading principles of whi&i I most cordially approve ef , whilst in some of the details , I fear it will be practically defective . Full employment in every department was never more easy to be found than now ; consequently . Wages nave advanced ten per cent . This bespeaks a scarcity of labourers here , at the same time great complaints are made of surplus population in the agricultural counties . Tbe suggestion I wish to throw out is , that steps ought to be taken to remove tbe agricultural population into the manufacturing districts . " Turton , near Bolton , June Stb , 1834 .

      " What is the meaning of this , when fairly tested Why , that Mr . Ashworth approves of the principle of the Bill , which was to reduce wages ; and he knows very well , when once wag ^ s come down , they never rise again ; so that to make the Poor Law Bill work practically , steps , in his opinion , ought to be taken io bring the agricultural labourer to compete with the already oppressed operative in the town , in order that the wages might be lowered . Mr . Ashworth , with all his philanthropy , felt extremely sore at the wages of the hand-loom weavers being even moderate ; and , to take the trifling comforts they possessed , he would bring people hundreds of miles from their homes , in order to reduce the miserable pittance even still lower . " Manchester , Sept 17 th , 1834 .

      " I have for some time thought of addressing you on the same subject that my frieMd Ashworth did some time ago . It must be looked upon as a happy coincidence , tbat at the period of curtailing , or depriving perhaps , tbe facilities of gaining a livelihood to the people of half of England , and causing a fall in their present low wages , and a scramble for employment , there should exist a difficulty of obtaining labourers at extravagant wages in these northern counties ; this fat ' lunate occurrence should be taken advantage of . —Extract of a Letter from Robert Hyde Greg , late M . P . for Man-Chester , The author notices several other matters of great public interest , which our space forbids us to notice , and ably exposes the inconsistency and ignorance of the Anti-Corn Law party : his pamphlet thus concludes : —

      " In conclusion , Chartists of tae United Kingdom , yours is a noble destiny ; on you depends the fate of liberty in the United Kingdom , prove yourselves worthy of that destiny . Times of great political agitation are approaching , in which you must take a part ; the reign of delusion , of Bophlstry , of cant , and of humbug , is fast fading away , and the glorious star of reason ia dawning upon us ; the sun of reason is beginning to drive the fogs of hypocrisy and knavery before its beams ; everything bids us advance and secure a constitutional , a moral , a peaceful , and a triumphant victory . Had we , in our possession , the sums the Corn Law repealers can command , we could soon carry tbe

      Charter by tha spread of our principles , At the great Corn Law Banquet , held in Manchester , in January , 1840 , there was an account of £ 2284 accounted for , that bad been expended by them in a very short time . This sum would pay eighteen . Chartist lecturers £ 2 10 s per week for twelve months ; and , if eighteen talented agitators could not make a complete change in tbe minds of the people , in twelve months , I would forfeit my existence . And pray how was this £ 2 , 284 collected ? Why , in many instances , when tbe cotton lord bad given bis donation towards the support of the Cora Law League , he afterwards dropt his hands one-sixth , one-fifth , one-fourth , and in some instances one-third of their wages , to make up the sum given

      away . " Brother democrats , it is time I should conclude this pamphlet , and my parting advice to you is , that you will keep united together , and not allow yourselves to be divided ; other parties , in tbe end , will be forced to come and assist you , to obtain for you your just rights ; and , if by my efforts , I can only throw the weight of a feather into the scale of liberty against tyranny , I shall feel myself repaid for the little trouble I have been at Hoping that you will persevere in the good cause , and never rest satisfied until you ore admitted beneath the sanctuary of the law , is my most ardent and sincere wish . " We trust that this important pamphlet will find its way to the fireside of every labouring man in the United Kingdom .

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      system of education , and let them be soundly convinced that a universal combination of skill and labour for the accomplishment of a universal purpose wonHfr-be universaUy beneficial , and there can be no doubt but that mere self-interest , under the guidance of rational principle , will lead them to band themselves together for the accomplishment of sucb an object as tbat of the fertilization of the world . When the interest of monarch renders it necessary that they should combine their forceiforthe purpose of humbling an usurper or weakening the power of a common foe , thefrarmies march into

      the field , and death and desolation follow in their train . When a mercantile company is desirous of founding a colony , or of establishing a lucrative branch of commerce , the principle of sslf-interest unites the energies of its members , and gives to them a unity of purpose , principle , and action , which enables the company to succeed . The resources of a nation can be , and frequently have been , directed towards the accomplishment of a national object And why , we ask , may not the energies of mankind be brought to bear oath © accomplishment of such a mighty , glorious , and beneficial object as the universal fertilization of tha world ?"

      No . 2 is on " Wealth-producing power . " After contemplating the strange contrasts of gorgeous luxury" and squalid wretchedness afforded by the dense , population of oux large { trims , and especially of the metropolis , he puts the question , " Is there at present a productive power in existence adequate to the supply of human wants 1 " And in discussing this question he considers : — "First—The amount of manual productive power which each individual possesses . And " Second—The amount of productive power which society possesses . And " Third—The capabilities which the earth possesses for affording the material of wealth . "

      In reference to the first of these positions , he quotes from Alison ' s principles of population , a well reasoned article , to prove that every man possesses m productive power , greatly more than equal to his consumption . In discussing his second proposition , he e ; ivesfrom Alison the following sweet pill for the "Plague" gentry : — " If , in order to test the comparative powers of population and production , it is allowable to put the physically possible , but highly improbable , and m » rally impossible , event of an old state like tbe British Empire , doubling in numbers every five and twenty years , it is of course necessary to suppose on tbe other side , the equally physically possible , but morally improbable event , of the whole resources of the country being

      applied , during the same period , to the production of subsistence . Now , if that were done , there cannot bo tbe shadow of a doubt that the island could , ia the space of five or ten years , be made to maintain double its present number of inhabitants . It is stated by Mr . Cowling , whose accuracy on this subject is well knows , and his statement is adopted by the learned and aMe Mr . Porter , that there is , in England and Wales , 27 , 700 , 000 cultivated acres ; in Ireland 12 , 125 , 000 ; and in Scotland , about 5 . , 000 : in all 45 , 090 , 000 : and of these he calculates that there are at present in coltivation by the spade and the plough 29 , 237 , 000 acres , and 27 , 800 , 000 in pasturage . * That is just about two

      acres to every human being in the United Kingdom ; the number of inhabitants in Great Britain and Ireland ia 1827 , being about 23 , 000 , 0 * 0 , and tbe same proportion probably obtains at the present time , when their numbers are nearly 30 , 000 , 000 . Now a full supply of subsitence for every living person in wheat , is a quarter a year ; so that at this rate , there is only one quarter raised over the whole empire , for every two acres of arable and meadow land . But an acre of arable land yields , on an average of all England , two quarters and a half ; ao that every two acres is capable , at the present average , ef maintaining five human beings ; or five times the present inhabitants of the empire . "

      • Porter ' 3 Progress of ; the National , vol . 1 , p . p . 178 , 179 . While the Malthuslau feelosofers are treated to the following sweet bit from another standard political ( Economist : — " For tha capabilities of North America , " says Scrope , " we refer to Mr . Stuart , who , in his late work on America , quotes from the American Quarterly Review a passage , the accuracy of which be confirms from his own observation , descriptive of the great plain which composes the nothera portion ot the basin of the Mississippi . ' It extends from the western slope of the AUegbany to the said plain , at the foot of the rocky mountains , a distance of about 1500 miles in length , and from the valley of the northern lakes to the mouth of the Ohio , a distance of 600 miles in width . ' ' It is

      uniformly fertile , literally all arable . There are no sterile plains , no rocky or precipitous ridges , and scarcely any swamps to deform its fair surface . This uninterupted fertility arises from the decomposition of the great limestone pan on which it rests . ' < It is dry , clean , and healthful . In addition to its unlimited agricultural capacity , this great plain abounds in mineral resources . Its coal fields would covet half of Europe . * 1 Iron , lead , gypsum , and saltpetre are found ia great abundance . ' * Here , indeed , every rood of land will support its man ; for of such a region , without barren mountain , or waste , where all is healthful , where no timber lands need be left for fuel , with mineral resources enough to stimulate all the arts , and contribute to supply all wants , who can say what is the limits of its future population ? Europe could seat all her nation * comfortably on this plain .

      " Mr . Stuart describes all those portions of this vast tract which be visited , as consisting uniformly of Praria land , thinly dotted over with timber , like a nobleman ' s parkin England ; composed of the richest vegetable soil from three to forty feet deep , and producing from thirty to fifty bushels of wheat per acre , with bate and India corn in . rotation , for an indefinite succession of years without manure . He describes second crops of wheat self-sown from the mere droppings of the former crop , as producing thirty-four bushels per acre 2 and , with proper cultivation , forty bushels are sure to be obtained as an average annual crop . " *

      " A . simple calculation will shew m that the plain tbns described , contains 960 , 009 square miles , or 576 , ooo , too of acres . Let us allow something for theexaggeration of its description , and suppose only 500 , 000 , 000 of seres to possess the qualities attributed by these' writers to the whole . Each acre , producing annually forty bushels of corn , would well support a family of four persons ; so that here , in this one valley , there is ample room for twice the entire population of the globe , to provide themselves with an abundance of the most nutritious food . And this is but one half of the basin of but one American river . " * Stuart ' s Three Years in America , vol . ii . p . p . 387 ,. 4 » 4 .

      The author ' s style is simple , Sowing , and perspicuous . But his forte seems to lie , not so much in original composition as in compilation , in which he exhibitB great and laudable industry . These essays are calculated to convey a large amount of useful information in a pleasing and inexpensive form .

      Untitled Article

      The Scottish bench job is now consummated . The Lord President has resigned . The behedy for the slipping off the covers of newspapers , whether by accident or otherwise , is writing the address of the party , &c , on the paper itself , which is allowed by the Post-office authorities . It is not true that any scheme for the increase of the existing rate of postage is at present under the consideration of the government . —Morning Post . The Distillers of Ireland held large meetings in Dublin on Tuesday and Wednesday last , for the purpose of bringing before the Government the depressed condition of their trade , arising from the state of the law as regards the intercourse between England , Ireland , and Scotland .

      Oppression under the Tdrnpike Act . —Mr , Holland , of Dumbleton , near Evesham , furnishes us with the particulars of an instance of magisterial injustice indicted on William Slatter , a labourer , employed by one of his tenants . The man , being footsore , had got up to ride on the shafts of his waggon , when he was observed by a policeman . T « n days after , Slatter having gone to bed , was roused from sleep , and told ( hat a policeman had come to serve a warrant oh him . He instantly accompanied the policeman to his master , who offered to be responsible for the man's appearance at Tewkesbury the following morning . The offer was not accepted , and Slatter started with the policeman for tha

      Station-house , about two miles and a half from . Dumbleton , and on the way was handcuffed to a ? man charged with theft . The handcuffs were kept on them for the best part of an hour after they had arrived . The next morning Slatter was again handcuffed to the same man , and they were inarched to Tewkesbury , a distance of six miles and a half , without food . He confessed his fault , and was convicted . Our correspondent says— "Remark the cruelty of the whole proceeding towards this man — for having committed an offence against the Turnpike Act ! Had hebeen xuihy of the worst of crimesrobbery or murder—wonld he , before trial , have been treated with greater severity than he experienced

      in this instance for riding upon the Bhafts or lus waggon ! But it was not personal oppression alone that lie experienced , for in consequence of * warrant being issued a larger sum was demanded from bin by way of co 3 ts than would have been had a mere summons been Berved upon him . A precisely similar case was brought before the aamo bench of magistratsa on the flame day ; they were twin cases ; yet how differently were the defendants dealt with—the one man was served with a summons , the other with a warrant—one man was allowed to sleep at home

      and breakfast in the morning , the other was roused out of his sleep over-night , consigned to » Stationhouse * conducted , handcuffed , and without food the next morning , a distance of some miles . Eleven shillings covered the costs of the more fortunate man ; the other's expenees amounted to fifteea shillings and ninepence . But then , by the Turnpike Act and the Highway Act a driver may : be apprehended ' with or without a warrant . ' How necessary it is that an Act of Parliament , authorising magistrates to deal with offences not strictly criminal , should declare when a somBUkoa is to be issued , and whenawamaV

      Untitled Article

      THE SOUTHERN STAR . _^ . 3

      Untitled Article

      fcUDBESS OP E . P . MEA 3 > , OF B 1 BMINGHAM , TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN A 2 TD IRELAND . JbOxheb Slates , — We ' ve kick'd the long-fac'd Whigs completely overboard , L canting set of hypocrites ! I am glad that they are fiDOT'd . [ fee Tories all are chuckling , and laughing in their sleeves , yjfi think to keep us under ; the sanguinary thieves ! Ue Orange pan&os now win set old Erin in a flame , kud soon the Yeomanry Cavalry will be at their old game ; go np , my brother Chartista ! united be , and true , r ^ * rJm ther !! eive us . working mm . another Peterloo .

      Tben be ye all united , and -watch their Tory tncks , etnember , beys , the fable of " Tbe Old Man and the Sticks ;" jjjere ' s nothing else bat onion &ad good faith will prevail ; I love the name of union—thouj ^ i not a union gaoL YVhai can we hops from Bobby Peel , the blood-stain'd cotton-lord ? 5 ^ iU he relieve our miseries ? Yes—by a ball or sword , ¦ yfiaat -will the Queen Yictoria do 101 her poor peoyle ' s-¦ w ees : ¦ RTiy , S £ tM roy * 1 hrats to keep , by dozens , I suppose .

      Tbe tyrant aristocracy cur rights will never yield ; 5 ae VTtizs , alas ! have scattered us , and now we shall be" Peel " 'd , Paless in countless numbers we round our standard press , Oie cotton-lords and landlords will give us no redress . A"waywith all your bickerings ; all minor points forego ; Aid show a bold , united front if you would crush the foe . O'Connor is at large again , Bronterre is in the field , And let as stick to them like men , and not an atom

      yield-Up , up , in countless thousands , thea , ye British lions roar , The Charter—the whole Charter claim , and that Till g iye us more ! Yes , fall Agrarian justice by its mema we shall obtain : It is the only file to cut our man-degrading chain . TKTias though the LoTett-middle-men have striven to divide , Xb&nX- God tut few deserted us : this ought to t * our pride . and union is

      Our strength is in our numbers , our power ; Then rally round jour standard , boys , and calmly wait your hour . jftni Providence is working round the wheel within the ¦ wheel ; ^ That can prevent His grand designs ? a Melbourne or a Peel ? Blinded by arrogance and pride—as tyrants always sr « re—They cannot see their ebbing tide and their declining star .

      • Trs-as so -with Babylon of old , with Persia , Greece , and Rome , * Jiras bo -with our America , with France—still nearer borne . Procd priestcraft , with its flattering breast , still bids them trust its word , And long-fac'd canting hypocrites their aid to them afford . TTith mighty zeal for " precious souls , " they gull the public mind ; Bat for the bodies of the poor co sympathy they find : They preach content to poverty , beDeath the tyrant' s yoke , And use , for their oto villany , religion as a cloak .

      Dissenter , Churchman , Methedist , together are combin'd To stem the tide of liberty , and reason"s eyes to blind . -Christ ' s Gospel tree , they all agree , to make of it a trade , And so the Temple of the Lord a den of thieves is made . -for Negroes , Indians , and Jevrs , they make a mighty bother , Bnt -where ' s tbe saint amongst them all feels for his English brother ? Te Ciiartista bold , tia all for gold , they tell their saintly lies . Til tell you how to atop their craft—By stopping tiieii supplies .

      The thousands which they now collect will then be kept at home , To give to Chartist lecturers , who ne ' er abroad irill roam . -Salvation's tidings they will preach—but not as parsons do—They'll preach salvation for the soul , and far the body too . The money they receive will do yoarselves and children good ; Tirill buy you a free press , and bny your \ rives and cUhdren food ; Twill bring the hirelings of the prea « to find a proper level , And send ths hirelings of the Church to labour , or the deviL

      Ton have no need of priests at all : God's Spirit and his word And freedom to a Throne of Grace , our Savionr bath restored ; The poorest heart can he&Te a sigh , and drop the contrite tear ; By proxy -why , then , need you pray ? To God " yourselves draw near . There ' s prayer in groans , as irell as words—O then draw near God ' s thronedele ' s prayer in sighs and -weeping eyes , though -words you may have none ; Go show your rags and misery , and sigh yam wordless prayer , You have an advocate ditine , for Christ "will meet you there .

      The Great High Priest will aid your plea—of human priests -what need , My poor oppressed brethren , -when he for yon -will plead f And as for kings of earthly mould , no need of them I see ; The King of Kings alone shall have allegiance from me . My Chartist friends , upsn your minds these things I would impress ; And that ' s the reason -why to you this letter I address ; In Corn-wall here ' s a desert draar , where nothing's to be found But apathy , and mental dearth , and biack sings all around .

      ily month ij shut : the Northern Star is open to my pen ; And , through its columns , I intreat you , " quit yourselves like men . " Be of one heart , and of one mind , avoid each silly jar That would disturb your harmony , all brsthren as yon are . Tour cause is holy , just , and right ; then one yon ought to be ; And soon your " majesty and might" the tyrant few Trill see . " Di-ride and congner" is their word , but disappoint their aim ; Te q-aarrel we can net afford , for this will lose the game

      "Bear one another ' s burdens , " each weakness strive \* hide , And be the Cornish battle-cry youj aiotto & » d your priiie—Tfcs , " One and an , " to stand or fall , our watch-word let it be , O'Connor , and our Chartered rights , strong love and unity . ° ^ - Brethren , adien ! I am with ' yon in life and unto death ; ¦ Be firm , be bra-re : if you would have the Charter keep the faith . I am , dear brethren , indeed , Your faithful brother , E . P . Mead . Gold SitLney , near Marizion , " rTest Cornwall , September 2 S , ISO .

      Untitled Article

      A NEW DECIMAL 'SYSTEM OF MONEY , WEIGHTS , MEASURES , AND TIME , proposed for adoption in Great Britain . By Dtcrurs Maslen \ Esq . London : Smith , Eldeb , and Co . 65 , Cornbill , 1841 . It has been a thing which has on many occasions occupied public attention why our monetary system was so complicated , and vrhy it was a matter of such difficulty to keep correct accounts . It was not found to occasion much trouble when money had to be received by poundB in hundreds or thousands , because in all these cases the sum could be divided , reduced , or multiplied by tens , and this was a method so simple as to be easily impressed upon the memory ,

      and to serve for a convenient reference at all times . But come below a pound and then begins the reign of confusion . A shilling is not the tenth of a pound . And when we descend still lower matters become still worse . A penny is the twelfth part of a shilling , and consequently a farthing should be the twelfth part of a penny ; but instead of that it is only one fourth of the latter sum . This occasions in the transactions of business a mass of trouble and inconvenience , and freqnently of positive loss owing to the complicated calculations into which it is found necessary to enter , by which also mnch valuable time is wasted , and the actnal cost of an article to be ascertained .

      The same confusion exists in reference to weights and measures . We have in neither case a fixed standard by which to proceed . We know that twelve inches make one foot ; but then the principle of measurement is not carried out . We cannot multiply twelve by twelve , and find the product one yard ; it would be four yards . It is the same in the measure of liquids , two gills make one pint , and two pints irake one quart ; but here the standard of measurement changes , and we have four quarts to make one gallon . If we go to weights , it is just the same . One thing is sold by the pound Troy , and another thing by the pound Avurdupoise , and even this is not the

      worst . Sixteen ounces make one pound ; but we have only fourteen pounds in the stone , and only eight stone in the hundred weight . Now all this occasions , in all the transactions of business , a waste of time and energy , which a more rational , because a more natural , system , would enablo us to avoid . And this wonld be effected by the establishment of some denomination of money , weights , and measures , as the unit , and adding , dividing , reducing or multiplying by tens . This method would save an immense amount of time and labour , would leave in the progress of education a vast increase of time to be employed in the acquisition of knowledge of other and varied descriptions .

      We have been led to these reflections by the perusal of the very able work Darned at the head of this article , a work bearing the impress of much thought , and calculated , we think , to draw the attention of the public to a most important , and , at present , most inconveniently managed arrangement of the trading community ; an arrangement , by the way , which occasions no small loss annually to those classes of society who are obliged , by their poverty , to purchase the necessaries of life by small quantities , and consequently at a dear price , and at a considerable Bacrince , The author thus explains what first induced him to turn his attention to a reform of the coiuage , and points out a most mischievous result which would follow the adoption of a decimal regulation of tbe currency without duly regulating the farthing in the same way , as proposed by Mr . John Watt : —

      " In the early part of my life I acted as one of the clerks in the countiDg-house of a respectable firm in London , in which situation I bad to ge through a vast deal of labour in adding up tbe sums of long columns f money in the large folio ledgers and journals of the concern . Although a pretty good accountant , yet I could not but observe what a deal of time was consumed in the redaction of the pence into shillings , and on tbe contrary how quickly the shillings were set down in pounds . As time was most precious when there was a press of business , it was frequently a source of some vexation not to be able to get on faster than I could , and I soon found out and attributed all the blame to the method of compound numbers and the want of a decimal notation of money .

      " Candour obliges me to say tbat I was not a little gratified as finding that I was not the only one who bad viewed the faults of the English system * f accounts with a patriotic desire for its improvement , and I was glad to see the facility and simplicity of his [ Mr . Watt ' s ] scheme , and the plain and intelligible way in which he had set it forth ; but on a farther examination of tbe tabled ef his Ready Reckoner , I found that his calculating the farthing at its old value made 2 old shillings and a penny instead of only two old shillings , equal to one decimal shilling ; 4 old shillings and 2 pence instead of 4 old shillings , for 2 decimal shillings ; 9 decimal shillings and sixpence instead of ten , for one pound;—96 pounds equal to 100 pounds ;—and 100 pounds new , equal to 104 pounds 3 shillings and 4 pence old money ; and so on . Supposing , therefore , that the deaimal divisioa shonld be adopted on this plan without an alteration of the farthing , it is clear that a man with a

      salary of £ 100 per annum , would only receive £ 96 , and be a loaer ol £ i per annum , whereas any change in tbe money of the lower denominations , such as the farthings , certainly ought not to reduce the number of pounds sterling which a man has been in tbe habit of receiving as salary or income . Such a system of calculating the old nosey into tbe new , if carried out , wo » ld have produced dismay and opposition in thousands of people . I , therefore , printed a petition in 183 a , praying for the adoption of a decimal coinage , to go-hand in band with Mr . Watt ' s system of decimal accovctSr bmt with the recommendation tbat a new farthing ef a trifling less value than the old , should be coimed , so- that one hundred should be equal to a decimal : on doable shilling , and tea of the latter be equal to cos pound sterling , which- would at once save the aeoeasity ef any Bead ; Reckoner , and be also , a great assinft ef time andkuahlSw I Beat two or three copiea

      Untitled Article

      AN EXAMINATION OF THE CORN AND PROVISION LAWS , FROM THEIR FIRST ENACTMENT TO THE PRESENT PERIOD . By John Campbell , Secretary to the Executive Committee of the National Charter Association . Manchester : A . Hevwood , 50 and 60 , Oldhametreet . 1841 . This is an able pamphlet , by an honest and worthy working man , in which much moat important information is condensed , and presented to the people in an intelligible form and at an extremely cheap rate . We have here a body of facts , figures , and calculations , drawn chiefly from the works of Corn Law Repealers , or from the calculations of those

      to whose writings they are in the habit of making constant reference , which cannot fail to let the repeal humbug in its true light ; and to convince the most sceptical that the only design of the concocters of the " Plague" is to cheapen labour , in order that they may coin more gold out of the life-blood of their slaves and bondsmen . Mr . Campbell has divided his subject into the subjoined subjects of inquiry , into each of which he has entered in a clear , plain , and forcible manner , calculated to afford mnch information and carry conviction to the minds of all who are not determined to exclude the light . He says " the question of the Corn Laws must be discussed under the following six heads ,

      : — 1 . How long has there been a Corn Law ? 2 . For what purpose were Corn Laws originally enacted in this country ? 3 . Who are the parties that ore now seeking their repeal ? 4 . What are the motives of these parties ? 5 . What would be the effects of their repeal , ( without accompanying measures , ) to the working classes ? 6 . By what means are they to be repealed ? And he then proceeds to give a brief exposition oi the origin and progress of the various ^ enactments relative to food from 1360-1 to 1534 , and then he proceeds : — " You must now plainly perceive , that any individual employing any other individual , could not , according to act of Parliament , give less than fourpence per day . He might give more , but he could not give less .

      " The price of provisions , being regulated by aet of Parliament , 34 Edwaxd IV . chap . 26 , was as follows : — £ s . < L A fat Ox ... ... ... 0 16 0 Sheep ... ... ... 1 2 Goose ... ... ... o 0 2 h The dozen of Eggs ... ... 0 0 o \ Cow ... ... ... o 12 0 Pig ... 0 3 4 ApalrofChickenB ... ... 0 0 1 Average price of Wheat per quarter ... ... 0 « 0 The quart of Wine ... 0 0 1 The gallon of Beer ... 0 0 1 Shoes per pair ... ... 0 0 4

      Total ... 1 19 4 Hen , then , theie was something like justice meted ont to the working man . Yon perceive , that th » labourer , in tha coarse- of twesty weeks , could earn , as much as would puMhase the- list of articles enumerated above ; btt the labourer had a greater advantage tban appears ft * fish . aighU that the act distinctly GfiftslAw that the

      Untitled Article

      PHILOSOPHIA RATIONALIS : a series of Essays on Theological , Metaphysical , and Politico Economical Subjects . By James Nameb Bailey . Nos . 1 and 2 . London , Cleave ; Leeds , Joshua Hobson ; Manchester , Heywood ; Glasgow , Paion and Love . These essays , as far as they have yet gone , evince an extensive course of reading , and are evidently the result of a benevolent and philanthropic mind . They are , perhaps , chiefly valuable for the mass of facts and reasonings , which , from a variety of valuable and expensive works , such as seldom come within the working man ' s reach , are brought to bear upon the several subjects of discussion . The first essay is on the universal fertilization of the earth , in which the author quotes largely from Make Brun , Bell , Professor Dunglison , and Col . Franois Hall , to

      show the effects of climate on the human constitution , and the manner in which climate is affected by the quality of the soil and its mode of cultivation : all tending to establish his position that a universal scientific cultivation of the earth would , beside rendering it productive of an unlimited supply of wealth , go far towards the correction and amelioration of almost all the physical disadvantages arming from an insalubrious climate . This he contends , and rightly , woald eondnce greatly to enhance the happiness of all mankind . He does not , however , in this essay , exhibit any plan by which this desirable object , the universal Totalization of the earth , can be accomplished , except , indeed , by the following allusion to that unanimity of purpose among men which , once obtained , would make easy to them the accomplishment of any object which did not counteract the very laws of being .

      •« It is natural for the cautious and deliberating mind to exclaim , « all these results which you predicate of a universal system of wsientific cultivation are exceedingly beautiful to look upon in perspective ; but how can you establish the system which is to be the parent of such a delightful series of effects ? How can you cause men to join themselves together for the accomplishment of a common object ao vast , and yet bo beneficial to mankind V In answer to these questions , I need only point to the progress of national improvement ; to the march of intellect and of civilization ; to the breaking up of old notions ; to the dissipation of long established prejudices and to the marked decay of that reverence for time-hallowed institutions which have marked the lapse of the last ten years . A change has come over us which passes not as a summer cloud , unheeded and uncared for , but which truly excites our wonder , and warrants us to anticipate still greater things of progressive humanity . Let men wceivetia benefit * oi a universal

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 16, 1841, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct725/page/3/