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Northern Star (1837-1852), 6th May 1843, Edition 4 of 5, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      SECOND PvEPOKT FROM ^ KE CHILDREN EMPLOYMENT COMMlbaluIS . LACE MANUFACTURE . A further perusal of tbe report made az . J the evidence ejected by the CommissicBers appointed ccuer tbe " Children ' s Employment Commission , " has fully eon-TiDced ns that Sir J . Graham trill be £ ui ' ty of a grrat QtrcUc ^ on of bis dmy-a dereliction , bowe-er , -which We by Eo means artiripate from him—if'he floes rot ixnmcaiateiv introduce into Parliament measures for tue protection of children and yours person employed in the murofaetiue oi lace . It is not a Httle sir . gular , that those occupations -which are engaged in adorning and embeliiBhini the frtnale sex she old be precisely those vsbich ii flic the tjuuimum of suffering and torture oa that helpless class of perscsc which , by the triie ecowcy i « I * nature , is mere particularly recvmmtnosd toitetsr .-pi ' . hifcs , and « e mar even artd to it * K ^ e ^ iiii re ^ urd ' tud protection . We submitted to cur rtaoiTs , in a recent number of cur journal , fin appaliirg tccsn .:. t of the various heart-Rrndiiig Lardnh . ps ami

      pri-Yatkts to ¦ which tbe young dress-maters of the metropolis are exposed during overy hour " of the day and cigLj : we propose in our present nusib = r to submit to thtw another picture of misery scarcely lfc « 3 appalling in its intensity , ceriainiy far more extensive in its randficauci ! , sad iiidtscribably more dangerous to tb « eosiiLunity , from the masses which it embraces , sr . d trcm the awfal immorality and debauchery -which it is hourly generating in three counties placed in the very heart of Eng ' an-. l . The main features of this picture &r * scattered over a very long tnd s . Ve report of Mr . Gr ^ icger , who has inveitigUed the different pr . c- ^ s of Ific-acr 12 the lace nun u fact ore w . ; h a patient asfciduitj -which does honour to his humanity- i ~ vi h&s described them with a clearttES asd vigour of langtau ? e which place him in the first rar . k among the vmtcrs on statistics . Our objtct vrii ] b * mor » than answered , if we can draw the attention of the public to the 160 page * of hie repon ly the rapid summary of i ; Which we now subjoin .

      The lace manufacture is principally coLfined to the ecu-ties of Nottingham , Leicester , ard Derby , there being , according t » > lrv Grainier , 2 , 760 mschines employed there , and only 787 in the Isle vf Wight and ill the rest of England- The value of tfci 3 machine ry maj be eftiSif . t-d in rouDd numbers at a torn not very much short of £ 1 , 500 , 006 . The amount of the actual fixed capital in tbe trade has not beeD ca ' culated ; bnt the value of the goads sold in the year 1835—theacDtsal vaiut has sii > c * fallen off , but Lo what fcXitEt is uncertain— "was , £ 2 , 212 , 090 . As a branch of r ^ itiorul industry , then , thtre can be no donbt as to the importance of the ' ace trade . Tne micif-crnre of lace comprehends a variety , of distinct occupations—viz ., " niikiogthe Jaoe , " " gassing , " " bleaching , " ' mecding , ' " embroidering . "' " drawing , per -riii ^ , and i . tmming , "' and " dressinggctting-t : p , cr f-LEhing ; " and in all of them children ann jt-nng pcisc : ns are employed . th tl by

      Wiadixg a ^ d reading the laca are sstd Mr . Grtzid ' . i under the occupation of " nufcn-g the iucr . " The winding is almost invariably performed by girls ana ; juvg women , -who begin about twelve or fourteen , tut are generally above eighteen . Taeir labour is : ' n wtLd into brass bobbins the necessary qrutitiry of thread to K . ake a pircs ef lace . The threading is principally performed by t < 5 js , -who Tsesin p . t the age cf eight years and a-haif , and crnticte ti * l fifteen , -wh ^ n tfeey usualiy go to tLe nuchints . We should transgress ow limits , were we to dfscr . be the process of threading minutely ; it niiy be rufiirltrt to" stute that it

      consists in pissing the- end of tLe thread which has b ^ en previcusly wouiid into the bobbin , throve tha aperture of the carriage ia which th « bobbin -is is ? rtci and afters-aids w . ifcB . Oi the prtcesa of passing sad bleacMig th * l '^ oe , Mi . Graiser wbeferves tha . t no particular otsfcrraiion need be made ; but on the process of Ejeudi : g , ejabrc 5 d < -riEg , &i > n crsTr ; rg , he rcicarks , that alciosl all the children of the iabc-uring daeaes in JT ^ tt-Egiani are engagt ^ i in oae or oihtr o [ thtm , " as boob as they can tie a trot or use a net * I ! e . "' TLe dressing a ^ d finishing the i-. ee al c o eu-pii / V m _ ny chilvirtn anj voans tersvDs of r- ^ ih stxe * .

      "We have niade these prelirricary reniaris on the diSVrent procsases in the lace manufacture , iu order th _ t tht pnblk may the better understand the vbicrvations -which we chal : hereafter h * ve to offer to it , on the labour tfldurod and tbe -ff ^ i ts rtceirwl b 7 th ^ drawtrs , tijcadus , winders , lase runntrs , as embroiderers are generally termed , at-d lacs menders of J » ottingLamshire , Li ^ ces ' . irshirc , zhtl Derbjitdra Ani £ . rfct with rs-5 pect to the drawers . Drs-wing is a Trry simple process , performrd by ura ^ in ^ out with a needle the tiirea-: s which hold toceth ^ r ihe separate

      widths which n . ? tr- up the entirr pitce as it comes out of the machine . In tie X * tungb-iuiiiiire district it ia common for cLildrsn to < emmence -t this worS at four , f ve , and six yesrs of art . Or . a ci tie witiie ? ies v . hcm ilr . Grainier tS £ Eun .-d tad thirty-&ix children in her empicy , chitdy uf ^ Vcii years of sge and upwards . Some , however , brjin as sc-on as th ^ y can hoi d a need ' . e . Mr . Grainger ioand a child pl * c * d at w ; rk by its parent tef <>' 't- it ir-js two yzars t > 'd . TLe eviuti . ee which h ; hun Cwli'cted on tLi : pc-ii » t is so cX * . i » -fficly curiovig , th-t we ahail mike no apulosy for subiLitticg i : to ^ ur reaJeii .

      " Mrs . H-cctron—Is a laoc- ^ wsr , and has four chUOryj ; Hdn ; -1 , el ^ ht ; -ea : s . Anae , g : x , Mary , ( on ., and E-iza , twj ; -faj Did ; -f ih ^ fb the thrtt- tifitr L ; e fcrap ' -jjed a * laci- . r ^ wers . Hi .: n- ; l wa * net qu : \ e ihre * whe ^ the c-gan to work , Anne wa « abcu- tic lame , and ilary was ^ ut quite two i-e ^ a old . Eizi ' his krita and dra-r : a few tbrca < ia out . * [ Safc-Coniniisekm- _ r—All tcis Wa 3 iD ! drupt . E < : i -with ' > lixid your work , ' ' iVse care / ' M ^ ke has : * , ' Xow , Anne , get or , " 'ilind your work . ' } B ^^ i ns gencr&I . y at six a m it the sxuzsner , lbcI StVtn iii the wiuter ; in the fanner

      gc > es -3 a till cuik , in the latter tui ten ? M . The two bij ^ e - . chi" -r n woik with wiisss these htnri ; I ? Iary bezin 3 it tho Bjne ti : riC in fae morning , but hiis kavt _ s off about p . m . The childrta have ~ o tin := Vj go out to play . ' They go cut very bclic ^ i . ' Hava trtukfast when thty have tirae to ret it ; the K » Tne with isiiEtr ard tea . Have about a qiirter of an hrur for each meaL The children are obligrd to sit ii thtir w ^ rk . Tfc = y sit all day . [ 'Miiid ycur wort . ] Tht work tries the eyes . Tae black is the woTEt . ' I : is drt = s wo . k . ' [ ' > fow , mind your wori . " The dilCren have vtry gotd health .

      " Sub-GoEiiiiiEsijLeT—The chiicren are very fine and pretty girls , and -. ppear healthy The two jonnger sit j ^ rc \* -: upon chairs , their legs too short to reach the ground . " . It apt > -i » rs froTO thia statement that a child of feui y ^ irs oi was worktd twelvr Lours , acd another of six nf % f * n hoars a-fi 3 y by their own ec otter , and that , too , wbibt her fcnsbsDd , who * enerai ) y ~ had work , was earning twenty-three shillings a-week by his rpgular waces . Tkt-re is a mass of evidence a ! i trnding to prove that thirteen or fourteen hours is the or -inary ? Fork of these Tery young children . The roost seriocs effects are in constquerce often produced upoD tbeir health and strength . One witness starts ifeuX " the children who are drawers are very delicate aci r . ckiy-looking . If they are well when they go to - * ork , in a year or two they b ^ senifr thin . Maiiy mothrrs have toi work at 5 nch

      an e ^ rly age sacs long s , but they are compelled to do it tu g * t brt-id f ir tbeir . families . The wa ^ cs for men are so much rc ' . acd in inasy of the tra'its in Nottingham , that to support the family they are compelled to Bend tbeir children cut to work . ; " and wbst do onr readers srppose the paitry stipend to be which is earned it the cxpence of tbe blood , muscle , and spirits of these infantile labour- - -rs ? Mr . Felkin stales that three shillings a week is a very high average ; and ili . Grainger , in cosimer ' . Inz npon that statement , expresses his convictien thai it is much more than is nrosiiy earned- Moreover , though Each are their earnings , lasy are vsry infcrEiHent y cloth-J and very poorly fed . Surely , then , it is incurnbiTn ujjoe the Govern-Eir ' . to&ke stringent measures without delay for tbe protection of the * = irfdnts , gmce it is eTicent that we Ciimct trait either to the nitursl feelings of their parenis , or to ths humanity of the souJ ] -mistressea who generally employ tb * m-

      The average ajre at which children beam to thread is , as we have already stated , about eiaht years and a half . The majority of threaders srt boys . At the age of fifteen the girls beeoma -winders , or go to other ' occupations , and tbe bzja then or earlier go to the machines . T > aring these Beven years the children who thread are liable to be called upon to w » rk during the whole of the time that tke machioas are at work , wh-tber that be during sixteen , twenty , or twenty-two hours out of the twenty-four . Mr . Grainger mentions one child who stated that be had often stopped from four o ' clock one morning till two on the next , and that , too , twice or thrice in one week . Robert Stinson ,- an opearative nineteen years of a ? e , deposed that when he was * thrs » 4 er , he had stopped al night in the factory three

      or lour toa a week , and added , naturany enou ; c , " Wben I catiie home it was a bit of treat to me . " Indeed , the threaders in most instances stem to £ > a much neglected by thetr parents . There are , of course , some exceptions to this rale ; and one exception deserves , says Mr . Q raingeT , to be specially recorded . Sirab Pym , herself almost mide blind by embroidering lace , his four children , who -were formerly threaders and winders . " I was assured ( continues Mr . Grainger ) that this poor wosan always sat up , however late , till her children returned home . " " Hany and many a sdok c * timea ( continues this poor ¦ woman ) have I gone into the street to look for them- I wonder how I have lived through it It is grievous to see the children dra ? - ffed ap as they now aw ; Vkey are not b : oughl up . A constable of tbe name ef Wilkinson testifies that

      " he frequently sees a number of children , many ' M young M eight or t * n , little things hardly ] as high at iht knee , ge-ing to various lace factories as ' , tiirMden » t all times of the night With them there j » re occwdonaHv young women of sixteen , seventeen , and itif ***** ! w- * o are winders . Dozing the late 1 intense frost he saw boys and girls come out in . the i middle of the night in light clothing , and apparently j g efferinf from the cold . " And no wonder that they were suffering from the cold , and suffering severely too ; for then la abundance of evidence to prove that the heat of the Iaee factories , in which the ventilation is very defective even in the day time , varies from 64 degree * to 85 degrees when the gas is lighted , and Mr . Grainger Informs n » that during tbe winter , when he Tisited them , the thermometer wag often as low ai 10 ; degrees . Though they have much idle time in the intervals of their work , during which they are allowed , '

      Untitled Article

      ' . ' . they tb / . rk fit , to plf-y , it i ? ecmd cr ell hands that the thr « iatis are subject to more hardship and greaitr w » nt of rest lhan almost any other persons engaged in uiiaufaciuricg labour . Mr . Wm . Hinde states , that hundreds have been sent to their graves by their incessant labour and want of rest " They have no regular time for their meals : they have tbeir food sent them , and eat it when they can . " That food is often insufficient , and eoHimerily consists of nothing but bread and tea- Ik Tbeir hours of sleeping , too , are as irregular u their hours of eating , ' and they are frequently Been lying down in the middle cf the shop floor , 01 under the tables , or on the carriage-boxes , 01 on lha old coats of the men , attempting to gain in a ahoit and nncomfortab ;© nap a temporary oblivion of their cruel

      sufferings . They are also oft « n beaten and illtreated by the men ttbo work tha machines , when they are tired and exhausted by their long hours of labour . Nor will this appear surprising to those who are informed that tbe earnings of the men are partly dependent on the time which is occupied in winding aid threading . Bnt even this is not all that these wretched children have to endure . The process of threading is very injurious to the sight , especially where the spring top-bobbin is used , for there the aperture is so small that it must be threaded like a needle , and the average number of bobbins to be threaded far one machine is about 1800 , which t . ill occupy two or throe threaders for two hours , or two benrs nnd a half . Mr . Grainger is , however , of opinion ,

      tLat their eyesight ia not permanently injured ; ana in this opinion he ia supported by Dr . J . C . Williams , the Vt-ry iiitdnrtnt physician to tbe Nottingham Hospital , to whuK valuable memoranda on the diseases of the < ye occurring in the different branchus of the Nottingham trade—the result of bis observation during fourteen yrars upon at least 10 , 000 cases—we shall have occa-5 kb , again and asa'n , to call the attention of the medical public . We shall not add a word more upon the degtte iu which the organization of these children engaged in threading , upon very inadequate wages , is debidtattd , and their liability to disease increased aiocg with their inability to resist it , until we have passed under review the scarcely less miserable condition of the young girls , who are compelled to gain by winding a scanty and precarious subsistence .

      The winding is almost invariably perfoimtd by girls and young -women , who bt < rin , as we have already stated , about the age of twelve or fourteen . It is a laborious employment , if the bobbins are turned by fcnmi ; but it is much easier vrhere tteani power ia employed . Tbe winders are very iinble to nightwork , bnt rot quite in tbe same degree , says ilr . Grsmrer , as the thrcaotrs , btcau&o the wincing is necessarily done btfure the threading . The commissioners , however , declare it to be proved , that " in winding for lace machines the children hid no regular and certain time whatever for sleep or recreation , being liable to be called upon at any period during sixteen , twenty , or

      twenty-two hours out of twent ; -f » uT , while they have f requently to go from one ps ^ te to another , often at cor . siu-rable di s ' ar . ctfc , at all hours of the nifcht and at a ' . L oer . sons . '" Ys . t . oub diseases are thus engendered . Dr . W : Ilhnis i ^ iorms us , thut winding , es ^ tcially brats bobbins , oft-rn strains tbe eyes , and that ainaurosis tit . tract , conjanctival icftiinm&tion , and icn » mniation of the cornea are produced by it . But these are by ro nieaiLS tbe wor _ t tviis which lie in wuit for these unfortunate young women . Thty are employed in the same factories with the workmen , and in a freafc m -jority of the factories no precautions are taken to ktcp the sexes apArt . This naturally kads to gTeat immorality .

      " In tbe town of Nottingham . " Bsys Mr . Grainger , " all pa-ties , cier ^ y , police , macufacturers , workpeople , and parents , agree that the present mode of employing ch idren and you :. g ptrsona as thre&iiers and winders is a most fertile source of imm ' . ralUy . Thtre can , in fact , be bu ; few states more immediately leading to vice and prxflLkracy . Children of both rexes are called oat of tLeir parciits' houses at all hours of tbe uight , and , as it is % Jte unceitain how long they maybe rtquirtd , whether for two hours or the whole night , a ready and unsnswfcrab' . e tXiruse for stuying -jut is furnished . Ttw

      : cr-& < : ' .. -rs , who are afu ? Jiy bojs , and the winders , wLo art generally girls , are required at the same time , and thus tfcey hn" 6 every faciiitj ftr forming improper constxlons . The i . atural results of &nch a iiuxiuus sysu-m are but too apparent , and mubt- have contributed in no slight degrte to the immorality which , according to the opinion universally rxprtsseJ , prevails to a mutt awful fcXteit in Nottingham . In addition to the immediate evils to the children themselves , the domestic peace and coHifur : of tbe fniuiliw of which they are members are sacrit .-rd to this most unnatural state of things . ' '

      To tLe saiua effect is the evidence of Mr . Burnett . the clerk to the Nottingham Union . " The extent of e - -rly wxcal intercourse is dreadful . A principal cause cf this cen ; on : 2 ition is the facility of boys and girls minting tOittbtr in tbe streets at night , and the almost total absence of parental control . " Another witnt ; S . a female , declares , that " as a mother she thi-ass that it is very wroDg to employ boys and girls in th' rvr tt , and that it ought to b « prevented . She has cf . ~ n fc ; d the heart ache , wfctn her sod wbb gone out at nitLt , snu sbe diii noS know -when be would return . . to at

      . . ibe evils cT nt ^ bt Work mus t d gu iminota'ity on the part of these so employed . M ^ ny of the cL- ' i- a at aa early age btsorue pregnant , and some o ? Ltiii -- . unpi i . i produce Hii'carriagB , a < o in ti . ia way : ' :-ir c-.-nsf . t . u ' .. u ! i is eoon ruintd . " 3 ilr . W . Enteld , jt-. iot , who is ihe son of the Town Cit-ik tf Notliiigriiij , is so fuly coavinced of the drtauful c ^ use-( j ^ tn cea arii . ng ircm this system , thst he declares " the jtitiEg should not be allowed to work at rn ^ tt r . " . all . To the health as well as morals of the 5 uung D-thvwr > : k is particularly injurious , for thty neithtr get ulrtp nei HitalB at proper hours , and are ex posed t-j g : eateT temptations to vice . " Oce of the medical witcetses examined by Mr . Graicg « r averred that the immorality thus ergendered was av . ful . Mr .

      T . H . Ssiith . the intelligent ard indefatipaLle vice , chairu . tn of the Nottingham Board of Guardians , gave the following striking evidence as to the moral and physical ruin , degradation , and death wL : ch this night w- ^ rk is constantly producing : *• I ba " e known many p' r . _ nts come out of the cc-untry merely to live on the iati . Gr of ttfcir young cbiidrun . Iu out case , a short time ^ go , a widow cams With three children , of twelve , fourteen , and rlxtetn years nf age , out cf Derbyshire . These children wcre seiit invo a fact ^ r > , the mother being i > Uy employed in prepirxg tht . r mtala , and jjcttirj ; ' . hem up early in tLe morning . They did not couie tome to their meals : thvy were taken in the

      factory . All these children died in eighteen months . I think this resulted from thftir employ men t- Almost ail the families employed in t ! ic manufactures of Nottingham are , with few exceptions , supported more or less by the labour uf their ch . fdren . A »' .: ng other evils of this sysfcm is that of rtv _ rsin ^ the trder of nature ; children become , at an eariy age . independent of their par-nts ; in mar . y c ^ ses the latter are even obliged to act as menials to tbeir children . Another class of evils ;•> , that worthless fathers are enabled to spend their time in low pothouses out of the earnings of th'iir children . Tbe vice s . iid immorality springing from such a system are too obvious to require illustration . "

      But the heart gets sick in recording these abeminations ; and yet we have a long and a worse list of tbtm before us . We abstain , at present , from alJ comment upen them , as we hwo yet to describe the lamentable suSerinsjB and the abjt ct , Equalid , and almost intoierabln poverty and destitution of another class of young females —the lacc-rnnners and the lace-mundtrs .

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      REPORT RELATIVE TO THE STSTEM OF PRISON DISCIPLINE . COPT OF A CIRCULAR LETTER TO CHAIRMEN OF O . U . 4 BTER SESSIONS , ACCOMPANYING COPF OP PK 1 SO . V RULES . Whitehall , January 27 . Sib ., —I have the honour to inform you that I have had under ray consider ^ ion the system of prison discipline , aud the state , accommodation , and arrangement of the several prisons in England and Wales , so far as I cac juice of ttem from the tenor of the rules now in force , and from the report 3 of the prison inspectors . I have thought it advisble , before I came to any conclusion on a matter of such grave importance , to avail myself of the local knowledge and of the general experience 'if the inspectors ef the different prisons of England and Wales , with the view of ascertaining what alterations acd amendments of these rcies may be necessary to effect and to secure the great objects of prison discipline , which are , the prevention of crime , and , as fai as human msans can avail , the reformation of criminals .

      I have directed that a code of prison rules should be forme ! , based upon the recommendations of tha inspectors . I hav- _ caiefully considered and revised that code ; and 1 now forward it to you , with a request that you will call the attention of the magistracy of your county to it at the approaching quarter sessions . I am convinced that it is highly desirable that immediate measures should be taken to introduce cenaistency and the utmosi practicable uniformity into the regulations of the " '"ffirent prisons . Where the crime is the same the punishment kflxted , under the operation of the same Jaw , ought not to vary either in its nature or degree .

      It may be said with truth that diffare&ce of construction , and in some instances that local peculiarities , or other special circumstances , in the several prisons , ' render strict uniformity of discipline impracticable ; but I am convinced that the accompanying regulations , framed as they have been with the greatest care , are n&oessary to carry into effect the intentions of the legislature , and that they are applicable to every prison throughout the eountry , whatever may be its » Z 9 , construction , or situation . I desire to call the special attention of the magistracy to those rules -which relate to the diet of prisoners . On

      tae proper adjustment of this particular their health mainly depends ; and I am convinced that the adoption of the proposed scales will prevent the recurrence of those complaints which have frequentij been preferred , and in some instances justly preferred , against the prison authoritUs . It is by no means intended that the precise articles of food specified in the dietaries should be Btrictly adhered to in the table-which you may adopt ; other kinds of fo « d , containing an equivalent amount of nntriment , may , with advantage , be ( substituted , when those articles which have been named are either difficult to be obtained in your neighbourhood , or are considered not snited to the customs and habits of the

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      prisoners ; bnt that quantity of food must , in all caspa , be given which is sufficient , though not more than sufficient , to maintain health ard strength at a moderate cost ; and , while due care should be exercised to prevent any approach to luxurious living in a prison , tbe diet ought on so accsunt to be made an instrument of punishment I have consulted , not only tbe prison inspectors , but medical men of the greatest eminence , possessing the advantage of long experience ; I have cnrsfully revised the dietaries now in use , and I have come to tbe conclusion , — 1 . That animal food should in all cases form part of the diet of prisoners employed at hard labonr . 2 . That a considerable portion of the food of every prisoner should be solid ; and , 3 . That there sbould be v .-. riety In the kinds of food forming the diet , and that occasional changes are necessaiT .

      The dietaries which I now offer for your adoption are framed on these principles , and are upheld by medical science , and by the recommendation of persons on whose authority and knowledge reliance may be placed , but they hare been fr . imed without reference to the local situation of particular prisons , or to any peculiar prisons , or to a ; y peculiar circumstances which Hiay render an increase necessary ; they are , therefore , proposed by me as the minimum amount which can safely be afforded to prisoners without the risk of inflicting a punishment not contemplated by the law , and which it is unjust and cruel to inflict ; namely , loss of health and strength through tbe inadequacy of the food supplied .

      I do not ffel that it will be necessary for me to enter into any explanation generally of the several rules which I propose for the adaption of the magistrates ; but I wish briifly to call tbeir attention to some points connected with the improvement of prison discipline , which nearly affect tho health and moral improvement of the prisoners , which cannot be made the sub je « » f any prison rule , but which are , nevertheless , of urgent inipomr . ee . 1 alJade to tbo defective ventilation which exists in many prisons , and to tho slothful habits which tire necessarily engendered among the prisoners by the want of aitiflcial liRht , and by tbe consequent lateness of the hour to which , during the winter months , their daily discipline or occupation is deferred .

      I consider it also highly desirable , that in all cases every window of a prison and of each cell khuuld bo gl » Zcd . The exposure of tbe prisoners duricg inclement seasons to the open air is and must be attended with serious results to their htaith ; and it is impossible that with uuglaz&d windows , th « uniformity of temperature can be maintained , which is oce of the surest safeguards against those diseases by which the inmates cf a prison are most liable to be attacked , and which to persons in their situation are of a most dangerous character . Medical experience has shown that extremes of heat and of cold , and of defective circulation and supply of pure air , are prcdnctive of the most prtjudical effects upon the health of prisoners ; and that the : temperature of a prisin ought to range from about 54 deg . to 60 d « g . of Fah-enhtiL

      1 s 5 ro ; gly recommend , therefoie , to the magistrates , that tbty should take into their inmudbte consideration buth the ventilation rind ligbtiuc of tho prisons under their contrcul , wit 2 i the view of introducing such improvements as may be practicable under tbe peculiar circi-mstaDces of ench prison ; the advice and assistance of Major Jobb , a ftrvtrtiiuent < fficer will be in all cases available , free of expense , to aid them in effecting these improvements . My attention has been called to the inadequate nature of the arrangements which are genera . ly in force , for the purpr . 3 f of providing prisoner j , both adult and juvenile , with riiijions and moral instruction ; and I am of opinion that in every prison , however small , a person rea . iy qualifltd should be engaged to give elementary instruction to tach prisoner for a portion of every day ; and that in the larger prisons one schoolmaster and one scnoolmislresa should be appointed , aud more than one whtre a creattr number may be requisite .

      I think it highly desirable that every prison should be fumijdibd with a certain number of books of various kinds , calculated to improve tbe moral and religious f « clicks of the prisoners ; and that the-bo < ks should be selected by the visiting magistrates , with the advice of tLie chaplain . I sin convinced that , for the flue dipcbiree of bis important duties , a room within the waiis of the prison should in all cases be appropriated to the use of tho chaplain . A ^ regards the appoi- tment of the subordinate officers of a prison , tbe visitin ? justices are more peculiarly responsible for the discipline , order , and state of tbe

      prison under tbeir superintendence ; tbur constant attendance at tbe prison pives tbem an intiniat'j knowledge of all that is required of any particular officer ; I am therefore of opinion tbat it is highly desirable that their recommendation sbonld be taken before any subordinate offices of a prison is appointed by the magistrates iu qu&TU'r-sessitns . I also recon . inend that a plain uniform Bbould be is-ued to the subordinate < flictrs of prisons . The responsibility of tLtw tfnsers will be thereby i ; . crua * : d ; they will bo marlied aa persons in authority , and they will be more certainly detected in any breach uf the ili&cipliriB v . 1 tbe prison , or in any violation of the duties ^ bicu are imposed upon them .

      1 have forborne U > txerci . a tbe power which is vested in me , as Secretary of Suite , of introducing into the prison rules now in forct the alterations and amendments which setm to me desirable . I have thought it better , in the flrfet instaucv , to call the attention of tbe magistrates assembled in Quarter Sessions to those alterations which I cunsidur mo 3 t necessary ; I confidently anticipate the adoption of tLe recommendations which I have offered to thtm , for I know that they are actuated by tLe sincere desire faithfully to discharge their important duties ; and no trust involves greater public interests than the management of thu gaols , where , for the sake of example , the punishment should be severe , l-ut w « ll regulated , ard where , for tbe sake of the prisoner , the utmost care should be taken that at tbe expiration of his confinement be may leave the gaol with his health and strength unimpaired , and with an improved disposition to earn by incius ; ry an honest livelihood .

      A wise economy prescribes attentions to these considerations—they camiot be nflslectad without entailing a permanent increase of charge od the county-rate ; but higher and more important objects are in view : the prevention of crime , the reformation of offenders , the peace of society , the vindic-it-on of th « authority of the law ; and I reiy with confidence on the cordial cooperation of tho magistracy in my endeavour to promote the attainment of objects sucha 9 these * I have the honour to be , Sir , Your obedient servant ,

      J . K G . GRAHAM The Chairman of the Quarter Sessions of the couuty of

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      11 UUSE OF LORDS—Friday , Atril 28 . Lord Wharncliffe laid on tbe table of tbe House a copy of the Cunventioa between France and tfc : s country , rela' . ive to thu Post- * ffice comuiuuications between the taro countries . Lord Campbell moved the second reading of his bill for facilitating the conveyance ol real property , by abbreviating the legal phraseology and processes . He proposed tbe adoption of a parliamontary form of couveyance , which might be conta i ned in the compass of a bank-note , and that solicitors sbonld be psid according to the value of their services , and not according to length nf Ano . um&nljL

      The LORD Chancellor stated aere-al objections to tbe bill , which he uot' . fciuered would only bd applicable in easts -where it would bo of little use . He objected to a parliamentary form of conveyance , the smallest mistake in which wculd vitiate the transaction . He , therefore , proposed that the bill shi uid be rejected , by the common form of being read that day Bix months . Lords LaKGDale and Cottenham also expressed tbeir objections to the bill , which was rejected , after Bouie discussion , without a division .

      Monday , May 1 . Lord Wharncliffe moved the second reading of tbe Registration of Voters Bill . Lord Brougham admitted the improvements which would be effected by it ; but contended that tbe principle of annual registration was accompanied with all tbe evils , without the benefits , of annual election , a point upon which he commented at some length . Lord DenmaN acknowledged the great value of the bill , as an improvement of the law-, but commented on the clauses directed against personation , which be considered to be objectionable in their provisions , and calculated to interfere with the freedom of election .

      Tbe Lord Chancellor recommended that the discussion of the details of the bill sbould be deferred until it was in committee . The bill was then read a second time .

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      HOUSE OF COMMONS .-FRIDAY , April 28 . It was intimated by Lord Stanley and the Lord Mayor , that some of the noblemen and gentlemen connected with the association for emigration to Prince Edward ' s Island , bad subscribed sums for the relief of the disappointed emigrants , and it was hoped that others would do bo likewise . Lord Eliot , in reply to Mr . Lefroy , saii that Ministers were not indifferent to , nor unwatchful of , the agitation in Ireland for the Repeal of the Union , which could not be carried on without danger to the public peace . The debate on tbe second reading of the Ecclesiastical Courts Bill , adjourned over from before tbe Easter recess , was resumed , and ,

      Sir George Grey expressed his determination to vote for the second reading , seeing that tbe main object of the bill was to carry into effect some of the i ecommendations of tbe Ecclesiastical Commissioners , and to improve the condition of that department of the law . But he should do so , in the hope that bis proposition w * nld be adopted , of referring the bill to a select committee , in order that its technicalities

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      might be carefully consider ^ , and its o'jecuonah . a matter removed . The Ecclesiastical Commissioners had pointed out the evils arising from the divided testamentary jurisdiction in the mutter of real and personal estate , and the awkwardness , inconvenience , and expense of a man having to go into two separate courts in order te prove tbe validity of one and the same instrument On tuis point it was highly important that a definite understanding sbould be come to , ia order that the law sbould hereafter be simplified . Another objection was the exclusive monopoly of Doctors' Commons ; Dr . Lunbington , who bad heen one of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners , having recorded his opinion ia favour of tbe expediency of throwing open the courts to common law practitioners . But these and other objections would be more fitly considered hereafter , if bis proposition of a select committee were adopted .

      Tbe Attorney-General remarked on the Ion ? continuance of complaint on tbe subject of tbe defects an < l irconvenience of the Ecclesiastical Courts , These complaints were illustrated by the number , not merely of active but of dormant jurisdictions , as in the case of peculiars , by which a jurisdiction in abeyance , might be revived to defeat the adjudication of a . disputed case . He entered at considerable length into details iu defence of tbo Bill , pointing out the number and conflicting decisions of tbe many Provincial Courts , and the importance of concentrating tbem ; and contended that the Bill exhibited a great improvement on tbe recommendations of tbe Ecclesiastical Commissioners , bv creating a Central and Supreme Court Amongst otber reasons in favour of the measure , was tbe importance of maintaining a body of learned civilians versant in international law .

      Lord Robert QROSvenor expressed himself as a strenuous friend of legal reform , but stated his objections to tbe Bill , such as tbo perpetuation of the monopoly of tbe practitioners in Doctors' Commons , and other defects , which would defeat the good intended by it . Sir James Graham and tbe attorney-General int&rposfcd some explanations , and then Mr . FlTZROY pointed out tho hardships which would inevitably be inflicted by the centralisation of the registry of wills . Mr . Newdigate , Sir GEonGE Strickland , and Mr . Collett 1 Lincoln ) , followed with similar objections to centralisation , the latter Gentleman expressing his regret that the Government bnd not made this an open question , and thus have spared him the awkwardness of opposing them .

      Dr . Elphinstohe commented on the number of provincial courts , amounting to 372 , almost all of them conflicting in their decisions , yet the entire nuraber having to deal with the administration of perbonal property to an extent of at least forty-two niillioud annually . Bnt by fixing the ni ' nimnra of litigious jurisdiction at £ 300 , the present Bill made goed law fur tho rich and bad Jaw for the poo ; - ; nor couid he Bee the objection to Riving the same court jurisdiction in realty as well us ptT . soDulty . He adduced some othe . r objections to thu Bill , which he recommended sbould be divided into three parts , and attentively considered ad amended in committee . Otherwise he tup ported the

      Bill . Mr ESCOTT avowed hie regret and reluctance to oppose tbe Bill . Bnt his dttermination had b ^ on strengthened by tbe objections which ha had heard urged against it ; aud oi ^ e main objection which he had against it was , that it was a rneasuro of inadequate reform , aud , therefore , would prove unsatisfactory and insufficient . Sit James Graham bad said that he would blush for shame if personal interests led the House to reject the Bill ; but if he blushed , it must be for the inefficiency of his own arguments . Tbe H u « o did not sit to register the reports of commissions , even though signed by the names of hi ^ h dignitaries ; and he obj « cted to the total abolition of the testamentary contentious jurisdiction of the diocesan couits , to the destruction of the busiii » ss of provincial practitioners , and to the i do ease- of expence by its transfer to London .

      Mr . Granville Vernon adduced his official experiences in favour of the bill , and against the existing htate of the law . As Chancellor of tho Province , ami Jud «? e of the Prerogative O ( . urt of York , he was cognizant of the co ) 'fl ; ctiDg character of the decisions of tfle inferior courts , and stated some of the many practical abuses which called for remedy , ; md w * uld meet with it under the present measure , which be hoped Would be rendered conducive to public advantage . Mr . T , Duncomdk , after some arousing comments on Mr . Vtsmon's speech , declared his opinion to be in favour of an entire abolition of all EccleHiastical Courts , and the transference of thair poweis to the Civil Courts . He therefore objected to the bill , though on grounds v = ry diffecent from those which had moved Sir R . H .

      Inglis against it . He agreed with Colonel Sibthorp in thinking it " a Doctors' Commons' job , " though such epithet would uot have coma fi um his side of the houae . The Ecclesiastical Courts were described by some petitioners as a disgrace to a free people , some amusing instances of which he produced , as the case of the owners of a public-house , which encroached o ; i the chuTuhyatd , and Bubjcctbd \ h . n > to an expansive suit for " brawliun , " and aiso an univpin ed statute which aubj . cts an offender for " 8 i :, itin ^ , " to have hia ear cut off , and if he bad no »» ars , to be branded on the forehead with tfi « letter F . But the Ecc ! esi : ; . itical Courts BUI had been useful in calling public attention to the nuisance , and , along with the Factories Bill , had roused a sleeping lion .

      Sir Robert Peel ttuated that tho House would not bu led by tho opinions of men whose opinions were so discordant , to resist a great improvement of the-lawan improvement embodying what had been proposed by L- ; r < 1 S ? owell , so fur back as 1812 , when he rt-preseatud tii » University of Oxford . M ore especially was he surprised that Mr . T . Duncomlia should object to a bill which , for tbe first time , proposed to ralibve him from his apprehension of having an ear cut off or being branded on tbe foialiead . The Government had been threatened with the peril which tht-y encountered in carrying forward this bill . But they had bucn quite aware that in carrying forward such a reform tkt-y roused up against them private interests , which , however , he hoped would not influtneo the House ; these

      who Complained that the Bill did not go far enough , should pass it into committee , aud endo . ivour to extend its provisions . The highest authorities , ecclesiastical and judical , had recommended the reforms now undertaken by the Government ; and if tbe House now rejected the Bill , let it ceasa to taunt Ministers with reluctance to introduce measures of improvement . When tbe amelioration of tbe criminal law , and the improvement of the civil law , bad beun undertaken , aa measures of progressive reform , it bad been urged that the ecclesiastical law should not escape ; it had hitherto escaped , but , whatever might be the fate of the present proposition , he deel > red , " So help him God , " that no corrupt motive had influenced the Government .

      Mr . Labouchere having presided over inquiries which recommended these reforms , supported the bill as condemnatory of the existing Bystem , and in the hope of leading to farther modifications of the present ine-isure . Mr . Hume was also prepared to support the bill , though be agreed that ic did not go far enough . Captain Gladstone could not vote against thu Bvcond reading , though objactiug to euiuo of its provisions . Sir H . W . Barron cor iially supported the bill . It remedied gross abuses in England , of which the counterparts exisU-d in Ireland . Mr . Koeuuck . admitting tbe evils requiring to be pwliod 'town , would vote for the second reading , but ol jectcd to the con-tructi-ve portion of the biil . On a division , the second reading was catried by 186 to 104 . MONDAY , May 1 .

      Lord Stanley announced that en Tt-ionday we k he wiH movu a rc-o ' ir . oa with the view of introducing the Canadian C > rnili ) i . Sir James Graham moved that the House shoulJ j ; o i . to committee pro forma on the Factories Bill . On thu motion that the Speaker should leaV 6 the chair for the commitment of this bill , Sir James Graham rosa to stnte the alterations which Government proposed to introduce into it . After adverting to the excitement which it bad produced in tbe country , he referred to the objection madu against ; it on account of its sudden and simultaneous operation , which objection he answered by referenece to the checks provided in its 64 th aud 65 th sections . He next proceeded to the objections of tbe Wesley an body ,

      which be considered as having been stated in tbe fairest manner , and as being entilted to the highest consideration from the praiseworthy efforts made by that body for the advancement of education . Ho accordingly specified the alterations which ho intended to propose in regard to those objections . The first would be thu allowance of a liberty to the parents in the selection of Sunday Schools . Another would relate to the hours of attendance at the Statute School , for tho pnrpose of instruction in the Cateohiom and Liturgy of tbe Church , which hours he proposed to arrange for the convenience of those who might desire to have tbeir children exempted from that attendance . The parent wculd also be relieved from the perhaps invidious obligation which the bill in its present shape

      imposed upon him , of declaring that be had a ground of religious objection ; and besides tbe Sunday , a time would oe allowed on each week-day for the attendance of tbe chilldren not belonging to the Church upon tbe instruction of the licensed minister or otber autborie d teacher whom tbeir parents might wish them to attend . A provision would likewise be made for the Roman Catholics , who object to tbe reading of the Scriptures in their entire fotm . With respect to the trustees , he would propose that instead of leaviug the second churchwarden to be nominated by the clerical trustee , the bill should give a right of election to those persons who should have oeeu donors or subscribers of »

      certain amount to the schooL Tbe remaining four trustees he proposed t ) constitute through the election of ratepayers assessed at £ 10 ; but in order to prevent the minority from being unrepresented , he would propose' that no ratepayer should be allowed to vote for more than two of these four trustees . The appointment of the head-master of the school he weuld leave with the Bishop , but all the assistants should be appointed by the trustees . He would give to any one trustee a power of appealing to the Committee of Privy Council against the acts of his colleagues ; and be would suggest some enlargements in the powers of the Privy Council . Tbe alterations which he had thus propounded

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      ware in strict , consistence -with the principle of tho bill as he bad originally opened it , a- * well as with the respect which was due to the conscientious feeling of the Dissentata . If this important measure , brought forward by Government , and treated with singular forbearance by tbeir opponents , should , with all these advantages , fail to obtain the public approval , he feared that the chance ef concord and conciliation would be gone by , and that a spirit of antagonism and bitterness would long prevail throughout this country . He deprecated such a controversy , and referred to the great Christian teat , " that ye love one another ; " bu ; he feared that the acorntsr might in these days point to some professing Chtiatiana , and say , " See how these men hateoae another . ' " This bill-was the olive-branch which he had to tender , and he trusted that the waiters « f strife would now be found subsiding .

      Lord John Kussell concurred in the hope that this Bill would be discussed with calmness . Meanwhile ho begged it might be remembered tbac when general education was first attempted in tbe country through the agency of Mr . Lancaster , the Protestant Disaanters . w ^ re the foremost to aid it , both with their exertions and with their contributions . And yet he understood that one section of tha church was at this day treating those Dissenters with suspicion aud obloquy ; and under that sort of reprnacti it couid not be matter of surprise if the education clauses in this Bill were received with some alarm . He considered the alterations now proposed as being a m : ) re efficacious fulfilment of tbe original design

      of tho Government , rathtr than as any departure from that design ; but for the present he must observe upon them , that the necessity of having the schoolmaster a member of the Church would , as to all thu masters amount to a test and a ditqunhdc ^ tion ; and that the principle of election just annoUuctd would still leave tbe Dissenting trustees in a minority at the Board , even though , as was tbe case in some of the manufacturing districts , ( heir constituents might ba a large majority of the rate-payers . He would , however , consider this Bill with a hope of effojtually accomplishing its objects , which were matter of niucu more importance to the poor of this country than to any political party .

      Sir R . H . Inglis abstained from pronouncing any opinion at the present sUge of the proceedings . Dr . Bow ring declared his determination to oppose tbe Biil , which had been originally frained So conciliate those who , like Sir . R . Imjlis , were bent on Church-of-Englamiising the community . Mr . Ewart said tho Bill proposed a scheme of education far too complicated to be carried into successful operation . It v / ould have been wiser if the Government had merely increased the annual education vote , aud hud not meddled With the tbeoligical portion of the system which they now proposed . Mr . Gally Kmgut considered that the Bill , as now modified , was in accordance with tbe opinions expressed in the petitions which bad been presented . Perfect religious equality could not prevail in a country with an Established Church .

      Mr . if awes admitted that great concessions had been made by the proposed alterations , but considered that the value of the Government scheme of edueattau was a matter to bv reserved for after consideration . Mr . : >! ilner Ginsox thought it Vv . iy unfortunate that Parliament should meddle wiih religious inrftraction at nil . Their business was to take care of secular education , and leave religious to the pastors of the different denominations to which the children iu the schools might belong . After a few observations from Btver&l members . Sir JAMES GRAHAM said it was his intention to adhere to the clauses of tbo Biil , which limited the employment of children under thirteen years of age , to six hours and a half .

      After some observations from Mr . P . Scrope and Lord DUNGannon , the latter of whotn praised the Government for their proposed scheme , and also Sir James Graham for the liberality of his sentiuieuts , the j Bill W : ia ordered to be committed on the 22 d inst . 1 The House then proceeded to the other orrlers , of the day , the first of which was the Irish Municipal , Corporations Bill , on which the Irish Attorney-G neral , Mr . T . B . C . Smith , made what may be termed a , maiden sp ; ech , consisting of details i : i defence of the Bill . After some discussion , it was read a seccni time . i On the proposition for going into a Committee of I Supply , on some items remaining over for further dis- i cussion . 1

      Mr . T . Duncombe called attention to tbe great increase in the law expenses of the Government . The expenssa of the recent special commissions , upward ** of £ 17 , 000 , had not bten fully explained . He considereit that it ought to be referred to a select committee , in order to inquire and report . Sir G . Clerk gave some explanation of the subject , but Mr . Francis Barins pointed out some discrepancies requiring explanation , which brought up Sir George Clerk again , aud the matter was allowed to pass .

      Some « her business of a routine nature fc'lowe . l , nnd then Mr . MURPHT obtained leave to bring in a bill to r . wien'l an act passed in tho last session of Parliament , intituled " An Act to enable Grand Juries at the e ;; su-1113 Summer p . ud Spring Assizes te make certain prusermuents in counties of cities an < 1 t ^ wna in Ireland , and to rfeinove doubts as to the jurisdiction of justices of the p . ace in places recently aunexed to counties at lav ^ e in Ireland . " j Mr . Escott called tho attention of the Secretary of i State for the Home Department to the fees demanded from defendants in misdemeanours at the assiz-w ; and moved for returns of all fec 3 taken or demanded from ' defendants by clerks of assize aud clerks of the paaco iu the TuVeraA countv s of Enclanu . anil Wales , nX tbe

      last t * o a « siz ? s and tbe four last sessions of tha pence , as well as at any special commissions heM within the last or present year . He mentioned aowo instances of abuaa arising out of the practice to wkieh he called attention . Sir James Graham expressed his surprise at the statements made by Mr . Escott . The roturnB were ordered nfter a brief dissussion .

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      saw a light as if it was burning ; I put pan { clothes on , and ran to tbe spot , which Is about abtti yard from my cottage , and in the adjoining parish 3 E 8 ey . I found the camp was down , and on flre . t saw Isaac and Martha Litt « n . The latter wa 3 rannini about crying for assistance . Isaac was stooping ( Join ? apparently lookiDg for something . I asked him wh » * the poor dear children were . He pointed to the snot and aaid—there . I then begged him to move the stuff away , that I might see where they were . I pni [^ tbem out , they were much burnt , and quite dead About two o ' clock Mr . Pinniger and John Ball cacaa and assisted me to remove tbe bodies into an eutbong ^ Mr . Parker , surgeon , Crickdale , said he had a . mined the childrenand found the eldest

      , child wag jjirl about ten or eleven years old ; she was very , J ! burnt , and in examining the bead , he perceived a severe fracture of the skull on tbe left side , which must hay beeu produced by a terrible blow , as a part of the skull was destroyed , which injury was sufficient to canto death . On Wednesday , tbe 26 th instant , I m& $ &l further examiuation of the body of the elder child « n 5 found the membrauce covering the brain scorched and burnt , from being exposed , by the loss cf the skull therefore I am of opinion tbat the biow was tecei ^ d before the body was removed from the fire . The oth » children were much burnt ; but I cannot say that th blow on the skull of tbe eldest was received whiia living .

      air . . assistant of Mr . Taylor , very ably corrobo . rated Mr . Parker ' s statement iu all its material poiat « and two other witnesses supported a portion of Richard Wheeler ' s assertion ^ but neither of them could sa tkat the father made or had appeared to have raade my effort to save the children . After a very protracted deliberation , the Jury returned & verdict , " That lay . Litten wilfully set his tent or camp on fire , th « reb » causing tbe death of his three children . " The verdict was received with great satisfaction by surrounding inhabitants , many of whom Were waiting to hear the decision . " Much dissatisfaction was expressed at the conduct of the p'jiieemeD who were -in attendance , and a letter of complaint was addressed to the chief constable on the subject .

      Jame 3 Wylie , the Draughts Plater . —TJu , extraordinary youth , who may be eaid to be the Napoleon of the draughts board , in the course of jug peregrinations alighted in this place last week , aud was not long in drawing around him all the aspi . rants to skill at the game in the burgh . Despite however , all efforts , none could gain % march upo ^ him ; he was found to be alone and unapproachable Wylie unites the capacity of pedlar with his celebrity as a draughts player , and is thereby enabled while going across the country , to exercise his won ' derful gift . He is a diffident , unpretending lad , and would be the last pivstm in the world to be taken foi what he is . His striking simplicity of character affords the more striking contrast to his shrewdness at the board . We believe he is engaged to play fes , short time a great match at Glasgow , tor £ 200 aside with Mr . Anderson , of Carlake , who is his only rival in Scotland . —Kelso Chronicle .

      An Inquest was held upon the body of a little girl , aged five years , who died from starvation , oa the road side near Llangefni , North Wales , last week . It appears that her father was unable to procure employment , and had applied to the relievinjj officer in the parish , who gave him one shilling , and told him to be off about his business , and not trouble him again . The consequence was that the father had nothing to give his children , one of whom died for want of proper food .

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      From tht London Gazette of Friday , April 28 . BANKRUPTS . Edmund ColJings , Southampton , perfumer , to snrre& der Miy 10 . at twelve , June 9 , at halfpist twelve , at the Court Bankruptcy ; solicitors , Mr . Neal , Token . housb-yard ; official assignee , Mr . Ahager , Birchin . lane . John Reynolds , Londen-road , Surrey , draper , May 5 , at half-past ten , June 9 , at one , at the Court of Bankruptcy ; solicitor , Messrs . Sole and Sole , Aldermanbury ; official assignee , Mr . Wnitmore , Baainghall street .

      William Gofton , Gilbert-street , Oxford-street , and Farrhigdon-street , pawnbroker , May 5 . June 9 , it twelve , at the Court of Bankruptcy ; solicitors , Messra . Harrison and D > bree . Hart-street , Bloomsbury ; iffidsl assignee , Mr . Pdnnell . William Dutton Townsend , Little Russell-street , Covent-garden , pawnbroker , May 9 , at half-past one , June 8 . at eleven , at the Court of Bankruptcy ; solicitor , Mr . A prey , FurnivaTa-inn ; official assignee , Mr . Graham , Basinghan-street . Bi >» jiimin Crussell , Croydon , Surrey , glass-dealer , Mn > 8 . at eleven , June 9 , at twelve , at the Court of Bankruptcy ; solicitors , Alesars . Russeii and Co , Southwark ; official assignee , Mr . Green , Alderman-^ ur 7 .

      George Hammond , sen ., Havant , Hampshire , camnion-brewer . May 8 , at one , June 9 , at eleven , at the Court of Bankruptcy ; solicitors , Messrs . Stiiniiand and L > ng , Bouverie-street ; official assignee , Mr . Green , Aldevma ' . bury . Nathaniel Bromley , Little Bentley , Essex msltster , May 16 . at half -past one , June 10 , at haif-paat twelre , tit the Court of Bankruptcy ; solicitor , Jlr . Mawe , Bri'lge-street , Bhchfriais ; official assignee , Mr . Edwards , Frederick ' a-place . Old Jewry . Henry Pearson , York , attornc-y-atla ^ , May 10 , at e ' ovan , at the District Court , Lfteii 8 ; solicitors , Mr . Brooks , Featherstone-buildinga ; Mr . Hodgson , York ; and Mr . Bjnd , Leeds ; official assignee , Mr . Yoong , Loeds .

      Nicholas Tuite , Liverpool , wholesale poulterer , May 13 , at twelve , Juue 12 , at eleven , at the D ' attirt C-iurfc , Liverpool ; solicitors , Messrs . Cuvoile and Co ., Southampton-buildings ; and Mr . Thompson , Liverpool j offieiil assignee , Mr . Turner , Liverpool . Willi-im Carter , Burford , Shropshire , cattle saleKnu , May 8 , June 8 , at half-past twelve , at the Birmingham District Court ; solicitors , Messrs . Price and Edwards , Tenbury , Worcestershire ; and Mr . Cullis , Birmingham ; official assignee , Mr . WhiUnore , Birmingham . John Fletcher , Evesham , Worcestershire , plamb « r , May 10 , June 2 , at one , at the Birmingham District Court ; solicitors , Messrs . Colmore and Beale , Birmingham ; official assignee , Mr Valpy , Birmingham .

      1 Jssse Prime , Keele , Staffordshire , maltster , May 10 , ' . June 16 , at eleven , at the Court of Bankruptcy , Birmingham ; solicitor , Mr . Jones , Newcastle-under-iynie , official assignee , Mr . Valpy , Birmingham . William Moses , Ripon , Yorkshire , innkeeper , May 9 , 1 at one , May 23 , at twelve , at the Leeds District Court ; ! solicitor , Mr . Blackburn , Leeds ; official assignee , Mr . , Feaine , Leeds . j' William Hussey , Wether Kuutaford , Cheshire , baker , j May 16 , at half-past twelve , Juue 2 , at twelve , at the : Manchester District Court ; solicitors , Mr . Cole , Adelphi-terrace , Strand ; and Messrs . Roscoe , Knutaford ; official assignee , Mr . Stanway , Manchester . \ Michael Jackson , St . Andrew Auckland , Durham , miller . May 22 , June 16 , at eleven , at ths Newcastleupon Tyno Bankrupts Court ; solicitors , Mr . Griffith Raymonds-buildings ; and Mr . Trotter , Bishop Ancfc 1 land ; official assignee , Mr . Baker , Newcastie-upon-, Tyne . _ .

      , i John Whitehouse Showell , Birmingham , bcok 3 eller , 1 May 6 , at eleven , June 1 » , at bnlf-pist eleven , at the j Birmingham District Court ; solicitor , Mr . James , j Birmingham ; official assignee , Mr . Bittleston , Biri mingbam .

      PARTNEasmrs dissolved . F . Burnham and B . Bolton , Kia ston-upon-HuHi builders . J . Greenwood and R . Wilson , LHi . f' * , M * ners . Thomas Riwson and Co ., Sh-. ti'M , or eisawhere , cmniison brewers , na far as regards H ., T ., and W . E . w .. J . and T . Galloway , . Manchester , p iper-stainera . iiauulton , Jackson , and C » ., Liverpool , merchants .

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      From the Gazette of Tuesday , April 2 . BANKRUPTS . Adam Holloway , draper , Basingstoke , Hampshire , w surrender , May 9 , at one , ar . d June 9 , at eleven , at tha Court of Bankruptcy ; solicitor , Smith , Golden-sqaare ; official assignee . Belcher . Robert Griffiths , coal merchant , Nine-elms , May P . « twelve , and Juno 9 , at one , at the Court of Bankruptcy ; solicitors , Wilkinson aud Satchell , QQ ^ " street , Cheapsic ' e ; official assignee , Penneil . Charli-8 Bunyard , grocer , Neiaon-placo , Old Kentroad . May 12 , at two , and June li , at three , tbd Cyurtof B : n kruptcy ; solicitor . K ^ mpstdr , Ksnningtoucrosa ; ( fficiul assignee , Lackington , Coleoian-stK" ' buililinrrs .

      John Nichols and Francis William Nichols , carrien , Dorchester , May 10 , and Jute 9 , at one , at the Court of Bankruptcy ; solicitor , Brookes , Great-James-s « e « t » Bedford-rove ; official assignee , G . GiD 3 on , BaBingnw-Btreet . " Jobr . C .-ow , licensed victualler , North-end , Fulnam , May 9 , at three , and June 2 , at two . at the Court * Bankruptcy ; solicitors . Pollock and Co ., Great Georgestreet , Westminster ; official assignee , Johnson , Basinghall-street . . . John Allan , brewer , Clapfeam , M&y 9 . at balf-pa « one , and June 2 , at twelve , at the Court of Bankruptcy , solicitors , Miller and Carr , East-Cheap ; offlcial assignee * Johnson , Basinghall-street . _ „ .

      - Charles Milns Nicholson , corn-dealer . New Coro- «« - change , Mark-lane , May 9 , at half-past two , an « Jun " 2 . at one , at the Court of Bankruptcy ; solicitor , B » ndall , Welbeck-street , Cavendish-square ; official assiy nee , Johnson , Basinghall-strwet . Wm . HarringUn , linen-draper , High-street , Aldgaw » May 12 , atone , and June 14 , at two , at the Co" ?** Bankruptcy ; solicitors , R . and W . Aldershaw , To * e " bouse-yard ; Craig , Braintree , Essex ; official assigns Johnson , Baainghatl-street . Samuel B . jteman , factor , Birmingham , Maj V . ™ one , June 21 , at eleven , at the Birmingham P 1 *** Court ; solicitor , Whateley , Birmingham ; official as « s Christie rfl

      nee , . ., T ., Gustavus Wolff , banker , Liverpool , May 1 Sf J ; . ^ . 13 , at eleven , at tbe Liverpool District C ^ urt ; ¦ " ! tors , Enstetby . Preston ; ATcber , Liverpool ; » flar ^» Staple Inn ; official assignee , Folletfc , Liverpool *

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      f » THE NORTHERN STAR '

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      Untitled Article

      , HORRIBLE OCCUHKENCE AT EISEY . ( From the Witts Independent . ) A labouring man , named Isaac Litten , b « l mo ;\ nz to the parish of Eisey , with his wifo and fuur children ' , haviug been ejected from thoir cottage , were sheltering on the night of Friday , the 2 l 8 t instant , in a miserable , hut which they bad constructed of hurdles and i-traw covured with a piece of catton patchwork , in Go . dsn Hose-lane , in tbe above parish , when about half past ten o ' clock , the fire not being properly extinguished , the place ignited . Litten and bia wife escaped unhurt , leaving three of the children , aged respectively , five , i

      seven , and ten years , ia the fUmes , without making any attempt to rescue them . Before any assistance arrived the poor children were burnt to death . On examining the ground whore the fire took place some blood was discovered . This excited suspicion , and on examination of the bodies , the skull of one of them was found to be fractured . This added to the suspicious nature of the circumstances , and the father was immediostely appreh .-mled . About nine months ago a child belonging to 'he same person was found drowned in a ditch hear tii >; s . uue place ; suspicion at that time fell oa the pa rents .

      A very fearful sensation of course prsvailed ia the neighbourhood , and in expectation of the coroner , a v ^ ry li . rge number of highly respectable persons assembled on Tuesday . James Crow < iy , Esq ., o : ie cf our magistrates , was present , giving such valuablo directiou . i as the horrible and intricate nature of the tranoaution i \ quired . The jury » o e sworn iu a cottage adjoining tho lane , and nfter making a very Miuiuie examination of the bo-lies , and or' the spot wherd thty wire burnt , adjourned to Mr . Pinnjijer's , of Seven Bridges farm , to take eviu > nce .

      Tae father , Isaac Litteu , after being cautioned tba ' any statement he undc would be taken "Sown and used as evidence against him , snid—I lived for the last fortnight in the lane . I went to bed about a quarter past eight on Fridsy night—ray wife waa not laid down . I c&tuu from Wheeler ' s , where I went to abk brni to take us in , as the policeman had told us we must more . There had been a fire about a yard and a half from the entrance . It was out when I went to bed , and had been ever since seven o ' clock . I undressed myseif and got into bed . We burn no candle . I and my wife

      slept just inside the tent , ami the children beyond us . About ten I waa awoke by the falling of fire . I j uniped up , ran out , and took hold of the covered hurdle to pull it off the children . The hurdles fell together , so that I could not find them . My wife ran for assistance , and in about five minutes Richard Whcoler came , and in about ten minutes afterwards we fou d tho children . I never heard them cry , nor saw them struggle . The dodged indifference with which this statement was made , combined with tue low , brutal app&arance of the man , caused a general feeling of horror iu the jury-room .

      The mother , Martha Litten , said—I and my children went to bed about eijjht My husband was not in . I covered up the flTe with the bricks . He came in about nine with a lighted candle . I was lying down with my baby on my arm . I saw him on bis knees . He did not get into bed . I fell asleep , and was awoke by some noise . My husband said " Damn thee , tbee be ' st all a fire ; " he was then getting off the bed ; he ran out and I followed as soon aa I could . I did not bear the children scream ; I ran away to call for help with my baby , and did not see him do anything . Richard Wheeler came with me . When I left the fire was only burning on tbat part which covered us ; it was not burning where tbe children were .

      Richard Wheeler—When I came from my work on Friday evening last , Isaac Litten waa sitting in my house in Golden Rose-lane about eight o ' clock . He told me the policeman said be must remove from tbe lane , or else they should take him before the magistrate ; he asked me if I could take him in and Ids family , so that they might lie down . I told him I could not , as there was only one room in the house . He said I might have the hurdles . I said I only wanted toy own ; I should wish him to bring them . He said that he would not remove a single thing , and that he would set fire to it all first Soon after he went aw ^ y , and took nothing with him from my house . I then went to bed , and about ten o ' clock , as near as I can tell , I was awakened by the screams of a woman . I jumped out of bed , and unfastened the window , and

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  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), May 6, 1843, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct801/page/6/