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Northern Star (1837-1852), 3rd April 1841, Edition 5 of 5, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      - - - ¦¦ -,. — ^ tm THE " LAST KICK" OF THE LEAGUE : DEFEAT AT XiE £ X > S > On Tuesday last , a pnblic meeting of tlxe inhabitant * of tb ' iM borough , convened by requisition to the Mayor , was fctld in the yard of the Coloured Cloth Hall , " to consider the propriety of petitioning Parliament for the repeal of the Corn Laws . " The meeting ni one of the most numerous ever assembled within the walls of the yard , and could not comprise less than from ten to fifteen thousand persons .

      The original intention of the " Leagna" was to have bad the meeting in the Court-house , bat finding that the Chartists had their ^ yea open—that thsy were , in fact , wide awake to all th « lr proceedings , it was determined , at the eleventh hour , to issue a notice , altering the place of meeting , under the prudent idea , that in the open air the Chartists would hare no chance , on account ef the extra number of the cheap-labour men which they would be there able to aocownodate , and with whom , being market day , the town was litetkUy swaminf , not only from the Tillage * wand Leeds , bat from Bradford , Huddenfield , Halifax , Dewsbury ,

      WakefleM . Heckmond wike , and all part * of the Riding , by which means they hoped to swamp any opposition which might be offered to them . The Chartists , lwwever , were not behind in their arrangements ; they fca * w with whom they had to deal ; they remembered all tte / oftt / ai promises of the middle-class men in former days ; and being now determined to be no longer gulled by a tricky faation , they resolyed to come boldly out , in imitation ot their brethren at London , Manchester , Glasgow , Birmingham , and other places , and to carry the war at once into the enemy's camp .

      The League issued a bill on the morning of the meeting , calling on the " working men , " if they wanted " good wages and cheap bread , " to attend ttie meeting and support the Leaguers . Bat alithtii efforts were of no use : " good wages and cheap bread" —at least thepromfs * of these—failed in their interest , and the working men were deaf to the voice ot the charmer . And we-should like to know what had become of all tie reqoisitors , on the faith of whom the Mayor had called the meeting . Beyond half a do » n , th « y were no where to be found . Had the " cheap bread" cry lost iu icfloence to suddenly , on lh * m J or is it tbat the " most intense interest , " which , the Mercury Uld its readers had been excited by the meeting , had fallen dead at their doors , and Btopped thtm on the tbreahhold ? To whatever cause , certain it is , that beyond Mr . Edward Bainea , Jan ., and three or fonr others , there were none of the " 150 of the most respectable gentlemen and firms in the town" present at the iour for commencing business .

      No , no , the " most respectable gentlemen" have found ont thit the " fustian jackets , blistered hands , and unshorn chins , " are the real men of business , and may be " reasonably deemed" cabable of being entrusted with the management of their own aflairsv They are perfectly right in this ; Mr . Balnea , Jan ., saw itfor him-Btlf , and in this day ' s Mercury the £ * cfc must be publisV . ed to the world , except Mr . Bsincs is still determined to enjoy the title ctnferred upon him by his friend Cobbett . Honour to the honest workies by whom he has been thus convinced !

      It was clear from tke first that the League felt the ground slipping from them . They knew that all they had to depend upon was to gull the ax-1 tea after their old fashioned easy way ; and when they were obliged to rab their eyes open , and compelled to acknowledge tkeir own miserable minority , rage took possession of their broasU , and , at some periods of tbe meeting , it was doubtful whether they would not have asserted their right to the title of " physical-force men" —even the meek Bdward Btines seemed almost tempted to use his fists . The " ragged regiment" at his right hand seemed iDeliced to march up the steps , and forcibly eject the Cnartists from them . But this more would not do . The Chartists were awake again , and met this movement by a counter movement of their own , executed in the most quiet and best tempered manner possible .

      But we are ruinrog away from the details of tbe mtetiDg , which it is our object to lay before the intelligent working men of the empire in as clear a manner as the circumstance * will admit of ; and then , if they do sot agree with tu that the middle classes bare lost all respect for themselves , we shall be very much mistaken . We proceed , then , to detail the circumstances as they transpired . About three minutes past twelve o ' clock , the time vlvertised for the e » mnieBcement of proceedings , Mr . Joseph Jo > es proposed " That Mr . J » shua Hobson do take the Chair . " Thin proposition was seconded by Mr Roberts , and , when put to the meeting , was carried almost unanimously , only one or two dissentients holdiag up their hands agaiast it . Previous to the motion being put , Mr . E . Bai . nes , Jun . said that be believed tbe Mayor was coming , and would take the Chair . The Mayor , however , was not present ; and Mr . Baines inov * rd no amendment , though requested by Mr . Sranafeld and others of his friend * to do &o .

      Mr . HOBSOJ then advanced to the front of the steps , the position uiually occupied by the Chairmen of meetings held in tbe Cloth Hall Yard , and said , tbat having been elected to the chair by a large number of the inhabitants of Leeds , he had great pleasure in acceding to their request , and he would promise that every speaker who offered himself to their notice , should be heard with attention . ( Here the Leagues and their friends broke out into hiSEei , which were speedily drowned in Chartist cheers . ) That meeting was called for the purpose of considering the propriety of petitioning for a Repeal of the Corn Laws , and ca ! 5 ed by the Mayor in pursuance ot a requisition presented to that gentleman . ( Here the interruption , accompanied by cries of "Go on , go on , " &C , were so great we could hear no further )

      The MatoE came forward , la front of the iron railing on tbe steps , and was received with various phrases and noists , expressive of the not very slight disinclination of a large portion of the meeting not te bear him , and varying in intensity from a hiss te a groan . The Chairman ( between whom and tbe Mayor a most lively dumb show was going on for some time , ) here said , " Gentlemen , I believe the Mayor is going to propose a resolution . " The Matob—As Mayor , I assert my right to preside on the present occasion . The CHAIRMAN said that having baen proposed and seconded as Chairman , and tbat resolution bavin * boen sanctiened by the meeting , he should insist on holding his office . ( Hisses , accompanied with loud applause from the " lads" on both sides . ) Mr . Edward Baines , Jun ., here c \ me forward , acd insisted , but quite ineffectually , on being heard .

      Mr . Alderman stansfeld appeared at the iron railing , and was received with partial cheers , proceeding from tbe cheap labour" men at the lower end of the yard ; but met with more wide and prolonged greetings from the "lads , " of " Millocrats , " "Fox Stansfeld , " &c , Ac The Mat ob then cime forward again to gpe&k , when The CHAIBHA 5 said that the Mayor had asserted that he bad a right to preside . ( Cries of "No , he lusn't .- } He did not think be bad . The Matob—I " m here by right of —( The confusion prevented the remainder of tbe sentence being heard . ) Cries of " Stick to thy place , lad , " were addressed t «

      Tbe Chairman , who proceeded—H « had been elected by a majority of the meeting to the chair , and he should therefore consider himself as fairly in tha chair . The Mayor said that he considered hiiBBelf in the chair by ri ^ ht of his office : he ( tbe Chairman ) did not think he -was . The Mayor and his party always professed themselves to be friends to the freedom of election ; and ( he the Chairman ) considered himseif in the chair by the election of the meeting , but the Mayor was net . ( Hear . ) He begged to tell the Mayor that he had obtained hia offioe by means of x swindle , and be held it bra swindle ; and it was rather too much for him after that to -w » nt to swindle them ( the meeting ) again . ( Cheers , mingled with hisses , and confusion followed . ) He would again call upon any speaker wht had any resolution to move , to come forward . If any gentleman offered himself to speak , he woald endeavour to procure him a fair hearing .

      The Mat ob here came forward again , but could not he h ^ ard for some time . At last he retired , and we heard him distinctly say , " I beg to close the business of the meeting . " ( Cries of " Hobson is Chairman " immtdiately followed this announcement . ) Mr . Edward Baikes , Jun ., again presented himself , and endeavouie * to secure a hearing , by the most strenuous exertion of his pulmonary powers , and the most frantic gesticulation . He was received with cries of " Three groans for the Queen , Neddy ; " " The Crown upside down ; - " Bed herring soup , " fcc . "What was the purport of his remarks could not be heard an inch beyond the stt-ps . The Rev . Mr . Hill ( Editor of the Northern StarJ next appealed to the Chairman for a hearing . All that could be heard was , tbat the meeting should hold by their own .

      An attempt at a division followed , the object of which could ict be gleaned , except that the leaders of the League beckoned to their adherents to separste , and go to tbe lower end of the yard ; the Chairman calling upon tke meeting to stind stilL Mr JtHK GOODMaS eitayed to addre *» the meetinj . Mr . Edwahd Baihej , Mr . Hobsok , aad the Mator held a parley together , which lasted for some time , and which was a complete dumb show . Cheers and counter cheers followed from the Chartists aid the Leaguers .

      Mr . Edward Baikes , Jan ., then did his best , by " physical force , " to throat the Chairman aside , and by the most pertinacious and obsiln&ie eontbs » nce is this gentlemanly line of argument , drew upon himself the jeers and laughter of the meeting , until he had completely exhausted himself by his indulgence in this unusual , but ineffective muscular exorcise . Various speakers in tbe crowd strenuously brightened up Mr . Baines ' s recollection of his pi oposing three groans for the Queen , and of his very economical recipe for a dinner in the shspe of a savoury diflh called red herring soup , " above noticed . Others , in reference to his unsuccessful attempt to push the Chairman aside , said " Yon cant do it , Neddy ; you can't doit . " " Put thy

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      hat on , Neddy ; go home and get thy dinner , Neddy . " [ Hera the meeting seemed animated by universal consent to make all manner of imaginable and npi ™*^ * - ble noises , cat-calls , whistlings , groanings , hissings , &c to . Every individual seemed to feel himself called upon to do his best in his particular line to excel his neighbour in vocal music ] The CHAiKKirf ( to Mr . Baines)—This is my place , Sir , and I shall keep it The Mayor triad his hand at a " spoke" again , but it was of no use . Mr . John Goodman made a similar attempt , with tbe same result . The CHAIRMAN—Does any gentleman offer himself te speak ? Mr . Alderman Stansfeld again presented himsslf , and continued to vociferate mos-t energetically to the meeting for some time , but we heard not a syllable of what he said .

      An attempt was now vade to thrust the Chairman and his friends fr « m the railing , when the former said tbe Cbartists had been accused , of attempting to use physical force , but what would they call that—pointing to the . parties who were'rdining up the steps * n the side nearest the Leaguers . A brief colloquy n « xt ensued between Mr . Hobson and the Leaguers , after which Mr . Hill moved the following resolutions , which he put in the Chairmaa ' s hands : — " That this meeting , looking to the manner in which former petitions and motions , upon the subject of the Corn Laws , and upon other subjects involving the interests or the working elasses , have be » u dealt with by the present House of Commons , deems it inexpedient to petition that body for & repeal of the Corn Laws . "

      "Tbat , in the opinion of this meeting , no partial measure of legislation can permanently benefit the people ; and that , therefore , this meeting disclaims all participation in any movement or agitation of a political character , which does not recognise the right of Suffrage by the people , to at least the full extent of the principls contained in the P « opl «' a Chirter . " Mr . Aid . Sta . vsfsld also put gome papers in Mr . Goodman ' s hands , as the resolutions of the Leaguers , which have been furnished to us . The following is a copj : — " 1 . That the Corn Laws , being based on the immoral principle of benvfitting the landowners , at the expence of all the other cl&ssts of the community , tend to dissolve tuo bonds of society , and endanger the peace and safety of the empire .

      " 2 . That the most severe and extensive distress has been produced by these laws during the lost three years in this country , involving an immense destruction of mercantile and manufacturing capital , cruel privations to the working classes , and a derangement of the currency , which haa endangered both public and private credit . That the Corn Laws are yearly giving new extension and stability to rival manufactures in other countries—are confirming the commercial hostility of the Governments of those countries , and are likely to lead to the very early establishment of still more unfriendly tariffs on the part of our two best customers , Germany and the United States of America ; and th »» thus the commercial ascendancy , and even the maritime superiority , of this country will be put to hazard . 3 . " That this meeting believes perfect freedom of trade and industry to be tbe most conducive to the prosperity « f nations , and it seeks the abolition of all restrictions , miscalled protections , on manufactures , as well as on the produce of agriculture . "

      4 . •« That a petition , founded on the foregoing resolutions , be prepared and signed by the inhabitants , and tbat it be forwarded to the Bight Honourable Earl Fitzwilliam , for presentation to the House of Peers , and to Edward Bainea , Esq ., and Sir William Molesworth , Bart ., for presentation to the House of Commons . " 5 . " That a deputation be sent to London , to watch the proceedings when the question comes beforo Parliament , and that the following gentlemen he requested to afford their services , viz . Mr . J . O Marshall , Mr . Alderman Stansfeld , Mr . E- Baines , jun ., Mr . John Goodman , Mr . John Waddingham , Mr . Peter Fairbairn , Mr . Joseph Bateaon , and Mr . Thomas Plint " Mr . Punt followed , but the meeting could not distinguish any thing be said . Various voices shouted out "Whigijery is falling , " " Down with him . " " D » wn with him , " &c fce .

      Mr . Gooduan then tailed for a show of hands for the m « tlon he held in his hand . The Chairman put the Chartist resolutions at tbe same moment , when , as a matter of course all bands were held up , and he declared that they woro carried unanimously . A vote of thauts haviDg been passed to the ChaIRMAN , on the motion of Mr . Baines , secomUd by Mr . West , and carried by the whole of the meeting , Mr . Hoi / . SQN acknowledged the compliment in a few remarks , politely tendering his personal obligations to Mr . Baines , remarking that be did not expect as much from him . Tnree cheers were then given for the Charter , and for Feargu * O Connor and the incarcerated victims . Mr . Goodman , Mr . Baines , and the Chairman , at this time , declared tne meeting dissolved , and the L ' .-Kguers &t oucs left the steps , followed in a short time by thu Chairman , and one or two friends .

      The great bulk of the meeting , however , remained fixed to the spot , seemingly determined not te leave the place , until they were assured tbat the Leaguers would not return and attempt a" snuggery" » f their own . The absence of the obstructives had produced a calm , and the assembled multitudo called out for the appointment of another chairman , and they would hold a Chirtist meeting ; observing that it was not often they had a chance of doing to in the Cloth Hall Yard ; the liberal trustees of tbe property exhibiting their partiality for every thing like fair dealing by refusing its use fox any purpose with which they are not politically connected . Accordingly , Mr . Joseph Jomes was then almost unanimously called to the chair , when

      Mr . T . B . Smith came forward to address the meeting . If he had never Been enough before , what he had seen that day had convinced him of the necessity for Universal Suffrage . He had seen the people insulted by the middle classes of this town . He would only refer them to that , which it was notorious to them all was an understood thing , that the people of England possessed the liberty , if such a thing existed more than in name , ot choosing their own president at public meetings . That had been done to-day . The Chief Magistrate , however , bad been bo ill-advised as to think that hs had n right to preside at all their meetings . He had a right to preside at the Court House at the trial of prisoners , and in the Council Chamber , but when they met to discu « s public grievances , or to enter into the consideration of public questions , then their

      Chitf Magistrate was present only as an inhabitant of Leeds ; and unless they pleased to put him in the chair , he had no right to be there . ( Cheers . ) It was not his ( Mr . Smith's ) intention to appear that day in borrowed plumage . He was a most inveterate opponent of tbe Corn Laws , ( partial applause , ) and was prepared to support a motion that they eught to be abolished , but that the House of Commons must first be reformed . He had , however , seen enough today to satisfy him the repealers loved the Corn Laws . ( Cries of ' No , no , " and reptated biases . ) They wire determined to do nothing for the working men unless thsy could make it subservient for their own purposes . What was their pretence , however ? They said that unless the employer could give good wages tho poor man would starve . He had watched them for two

      years , and they haa convinced him there was no truth in the pretensions they put forth . It was an attempt on the part of the miliowncrB and middle class men to drag the people into thtir net , that their machinery and their capital might bring profit out of the blood and bones of the working classes . ( Loud cheers , with slight interruption . Some person having shouted to the speaker , he said , If there was anybody present who would not hear reason , let them ( the meeting ) mark them and placard them through the town . ) They hud already seen enough of that that day . If those who bad advocated the repeal of tha Corn Laws had been sincere in their endeavours , they would kuow that there was no hope of obtaining relief for the poor families who were starving for want , in the present

      House of Incurables—they would be well s&tktled they would not give the remedy . ( Load applause . ) They had petitioned the House of Commons on this subject in 1839 , again in 1849 , and again in 1811 , without success . Had they sot bad sufficient evidence in the last two years that it was useless looking for a remedy from the House of Commons , as at present constituted ? What was the House of Commons composed of ? Landed aristocrats , chosen by capitalists , and middle men . There was either an understanding amongst them that the Corn Laws should not be repealed , or there was not . If they ( the capitalists ) were fairly represented , and there was an understanding with the House that the Corn Laws should not be repealed , their cry for the repeal of the Corn Laves was

      humbug , for they had the power te gain their object , but did not choose to effect it through their representatives . If there was a private understanding that the law would not be repealed , then they were men entirely unworthy of confidence or credit He believed , whilst they were praying for the repeal of the Corn Laws , they were privately instructing the Members of the House not to repeal them . ( Cries of " No , no , " and slight interruption . ) Supposing that they ( the millowners ) wera represented , acd that the House accorded with their sentiments , what hat they ( tho meeting ) or he to do with the House of Commons ? They had nothing to do with it—they were mere nonentities—they were nothing . They had ao Toice ia their election , and therefore they

      were mere ciphers . ( Loid applause . ) What had they ( the Chartists ) said to the Corn Law Repealers—what did they ask them ? Why , Help ua to get the Suffrage and we will help yon to * et tha Com Law , repealed . We helped you in 1831 and 1832 to get tho Houae of Commons reformed , when we were promised that we should have what we are now seeking for ; and we only ask now what was then promised . " One argument was , that they could not get tbe Corn Laws repealed by a Beroughmongering Parliament , and therefore Parliament must be reformed . He would take the Whigs on that ground . They well knew that the question of the Corn Xaws was still further off the point of success than it was before the House of Commons was reformed . They must therefore turn them out again , —( loud cheers ) : —there was no chance but

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      that now . If they had needed any evidence upon the subject , they had had plenty that day , that they must have an extension of the franchise—that they must not only have tbe power to make & bread loaf , but a key to < lo « k it up with . Let no on * imagine that be ( the speaker * was in favour of the Corn Laws , because he tdrocikted Unirersal Suffrage . It was , because he knew that if the present House of Commons repealed tbe Corn Laws to day , they could , if they thought fit . as the Hous » was now constituted , put them on again tomorrow . { Loud cheers , and cries of " hear , hear , " " Thee ' a right , lad . " > Let them first get Universal Suffrage , and then the Ballot , to secure themselves , and then thuy weutd not only get a cheap loaf , but good wages too . It might be askei him " How do you know that you would be better off with the Suffrage ? " He would answer because he saw the Whigs were better off . Let them get these things and take

      care for themselves . ( Here an interruption from behind the speaker took place . ) k friend there had said be was pouring p * isoa into their minds . If it were poison , be hoped the " poison"he had been giving them would sink deep Into their mind * . He was not the enemy of any man , and he could assure them be wished the powers those gentlemen had exercised to day for evil might be exercised for good . He had been at many scores of publlo meetings in his life before , but never saw a meeting bullied as It had been that day by the middle classes . It showed that they only wanted to treat the working classes like cipher * , and just get their names for their own purposes . Let any of the anti-Corn Law Leaguers meet him in any r » om in Leeds , and [ fae would prove to them that instead of a Repeal of the Corn Laws doing any good , under the existing state of things , it would only prove subversive of the remaining liberties of tbe people . ( Cheers . )

      Mr . Jkkvis Craik here made an ineffectual attempt to be heard . Mr . Smith concluded in a few more remarks , and by moving a resolution strongly condemnatory of the New Poor Law , which he said would test tbe sincerity of tho middle classes in all their asseverations of desire for the increased comforts of the poor ; affirming , at the name time , that the Poor Law , infamous as it was , would never be repealed any more than the Corn Law , until the people had the Suffrage . Dr . Smiles , having appealed to the Chairman for a hearing , next presented himself , and , in the course of his observations , called upon the meeting to unite for a

      repeal of tbe Corn Laws , as they were all agreed that they ought to be abolished , whatever opinions they might hold on other questions . He moved an amendment on the motion , to the effect that the Poor Law , unless accompanied with a repeal of the Corn Laws , was an inhuman and unjust law . He was of opinion that the man who refused to petition for a repeal of the Corn Laws , because he could not gtt the Suffrage , waa like a man who would not eat his supper , because he could not get his breakfast next morning . He appealed to them as rational honest men to petition against the Corn Laws . ( Considerable confusion prevailed throughout the speaker ' s address )

      Mr . Wm . Hick was next introduced to the , meeting by the Chairman , and said that he had nothiag to do with the Com Laws on the present occasion . They had already shown that they had no confidence in tha parties who had come forward to procure their repeal—nor had they any right to put confldence in tiieid ' . He would ask them what had Edward Baines , jun . done for them ? And what had Edward Baines , senior , done for them , with all his talk , since he came to Leeds ? And now they were to have a second edition in the shape of Edward Baines , junior . ( Laughter and loud cheering . ) They ( the meeting ) could have no confidence in their agitation for the abolition of

      tbe # urn Laws . He ( the speaker ; detested the poor man ' s tax , but it must bo abolished by the power of tbe people , or they would not have any repeal at all . Now for their confidence in the middle classes . Humer Stansfeld had told them in his Letters to the Editors of the Leeds Mercury , that when he and his friends the members of the Anti-Corn Law League waited upon Lord Melbourne in London , tears stood in the eyes of many of them when speaking about the distresses of the working clauses , which , proved their sincere desire to improve the condition ot the working people . There was something sincere in their tears , no doubt . Tears were often a tost of sincerity , for

      " Too oft is a smile But the hypocrite ' s wile To denote detestation or fear ; Give me the soft sigh When the soul telling eye Is dimmed for a time with a tear . " ( Cheers . ) But he would remind them that all tears were not sincere . He had heard of tb « crocodile shedding tears , and he ) ia < l heard ot « tber animals shedding t « arn ; but when a man came forward who waa living out of tha blood and bones « f the working classes , who was enriching himself out of their labour , —when he came forward and said that their tears and his tears were sincere , he ( the

      speaker ) would hurl the lie back ia his teeth . —( Cheers . ) Their sorrow was only manifested because they felt tbat their trade was departing from them , because thuy feared their own destruction "was coming , and because their ill-gotten gain wxs about to leave them . They pulled long faces , and , in the name ef religion , they had expressed a good deal of humanity for the blacks , for whom they had voted twenty millions ; but who did they get it from ? From the labour of tho working classes , and from the poor factory children at home , who were oppressed far more than the blacks were . They backed up all their proceedings with texts from Scripture , just as Hamer Stansfeld had done in his letters . It reminded him of King Richard in the play , who says : —

      But then I sigh ! and with a piece of Scripture Tell th : in God bids me do good for evil ; And thus 1 clothe my naked villany , With old odd ends stolen forth of Holy Writ : — I seem a saint when most I play the Devil ! ( Loud cheers . ) They said they -wanted to give the working man a cheap loaf , but they only wanted a little more elbow room to extend the use of their machinery and to obtain greater profits on their capital . Had not the working men ' s labour increased aud the fruits of it decreased ?

      They wanted to moke the working classes of England do the work of the whole world . He had now said sufficient to show that the working classes should not place any confidence in the League , and he appealed to ihtin to stand by their own order . ( Cheers . ) In Leeds they formed three to one of the other classes , if they were united they were quite able to carry out their principles in spite of the opposition of all the other classes . After stating that illness prevented him from addressiug them at greater length , Mr . Hick concluded by seconding the motion .

      Mr . Kichardson came before the meeting . He had for some time manifested morbid symptoms of a desire to unburtuen lriuisolf of a long speech , which he had apparently concocted , and which was ready cut and dried for delivery . In the course of a rambling , incoherent , and inconclusive address , wherein he introduced a pointless illustration about big cats and little cats , which nobody about him comprehended , he supported the motion of Dr . Smiles , and concluded by seconding it . Mr . Parker said Mr . Richardson had stated a deal about the cats , but he had heard of serpents which changed tueir colours , and which uttered a pleasing sound that lured travellers near to their own destruction . They had had sufficient experience of the consequence of listening to those who might be compared to serpents , already . They had bseu charmed with their colours long ago , and in this yard

      too—( cries of " aye , lad , its true , we have , " )—and with their music too , but they had had enough of them . Let them listen to their music no more , lest they be again made their victims—let them depend no more on those who had already deceived them . aud made them their victims . They had presented thu National petition—did the Whigs and middle classes support it ! ( Cries of " no . ' ) Did they treat it with any respect ? ( " No . ") Did they attempt to redress the grievances of the work-Ing classes ? <" No . ''/ Look at their conduct only last week , when the question of a property tax was brought forward . What waa tbe consequence ? They turned it neck and crop out of doors . Let them ( tbe working lasses ) depend upon it , do -what they might , their case could not be worse than it was . He concluded , by advising'them to do their best to get the purse strings of the nation , by wishing tbat every man would keep sober , and before long they would all have their own way , and by supporting the motion of Mr . Smith .

      Mr . Andrew Gardner said , his friend Mr . Richardson bad talked a good deal about the big cats and the little cats , aud the big holes and the little holes ; but all they wanted was to open the hole wide enough to get themselves in , and as soon as they could do this , they would repeal the Corn . Laws , and all the other bad lavs . ( Cheers . ) The Chairman here called to an individual , who was creating a little disturbance , to come forward like a man , and if had anything to say , let him say it This made tbe noisy fellow a little more quiet

      Mr . Gardner went on to say that Mr . Richardson must know that they could not repeal the Corn Laws , until the people obtained the power . He moved as an amendment upon both the preceding motions , that the meeting was » f opinion it was useless petitioning Parliament for a Repeal of the Corn Laws , or any other bad laws , until tbe whole people waa fairly and fully represented in tbe Commons' House « f Parliament . Tub Editors of the Leeds Mercury said that all parties were now fairly represented , but they knew this was false . If the people obtained Universal Suffrage , they could afterwards get all they wished . The anti-Corn Law league pretended they wanted discussion , but from their conduct that day , it was very evident they didn't want it , and that their saving w was all gammon . He concluded by repea ting his motion .

      Mr . GRORGR Sheridan Nusset next presented himself , and was received with « heers . He said that the Corn Law waa a bad , a wicked , and a cruel law—a law revolting to every specie * of humanity , the organ of immease mischief , diabolical in every shape and form . Such a law ought to be repealed—nay , it ought to be torn from tbe statute-book ; bat a repeal of it would be entirely useless unless accompanied , With a very wide extension of tbe franchise , and otker sweeping reforms—reforms which would make the interests of the representatives identical and coincident with the interests of a majority of the community . The speaker

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      then referred to the manner in which foreign nations bad already superseded us in oar manufactures , and to tho results which must ensue . One thing , however , ( he remarked , ) was certain—namely , that we wore at the present moment in a most deplorable condition . The people of England never were in so forlorn a state as at the present moment , A national bankruptcy was in the prospective j pur trade , and commerce were nearly annihilated ; the factories were closed ; the principal part of our manufacturers were insolvent ; the streets were filled with beggars ; and the lamentations of children crying for bread resounded from one part of the empire to the other . Skilful artisans were unable to end employment—unable to earn their bread by the sweat ; of their brow ; and obliged , by stern necessity , to cross the briny deep , and bid farewell , a long farewell , to the green meadows of their native country , or else consign themselves to all the horrors of a bastile . The Corn Lav ( be said ) was blamed for all the misery , the destitution , and the ruiu in which the country

      was now involvod ; and so tbe great capitalists said , " Come , and help us to get this mischievous law repealed ; then we shall be able to find you constant work , and you will be again in a flourishing condition . " The Com Law might be the origin of immense mischief , but it did not produce one-half of the evils which the capitalists said that it did . Class legislation , bad government , and unjust taxation , were the cause . ( A voice In the crowd— " Aye , that ' s it . " ) The speaker went on , at great length , to contend that it was not a monopoly of the article of food , but a monopoly of the representation , -which was the cause Of all the OVila the nation was afflicted with . He deprecated tha system pursued by the advocates of progressive reform , and would go at once to the root of the evil , and pass the Charter , by which alone would be done away with the humbug of anti-Corn Law agitation , and all other causes of poverty , bad trade , and no food . The speaker was repeatedly cheered during the whole of his loug artdrtss , -which we are obliged to curtail . Mr . skitu having withdrawn bis motion .

      The Chairman put that of Mr . Gardner , and the amendment by Dr . Smiles to the meeting , when the former wns carried by an immense majority . Three cheers were then given for the Charter ; three for Feargus O'Connor , Esq , and the incarcerated victims ; three for Frost , Williams , and Jones ; three dismal groans for the League ; three Cheers for the Chairman ; and the meeting then peaceably broke up , at three o ' clock in the afternoon .

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      THE "ABUSES" OF THE NEW POOR LAW . Let us take one of the latest It is the case of a poor wretch , a female , who had a bastard child , and who being prevented by this wise law from making her seducer pay for the maintenance of the offspring , was necessitated to apply to the parish for relief . The relief she got was to >> e imprisoned , as a vagrant , In Maulstone gaol . ' At the expiration of this term , she and her baby were turned forth from the gat ? s of the prison , where it would have been a charity to . have kept her—turned forth upon the wide world to perish or to live as chance might determine . The miserable wretch shall tell her own story aa to what became of her after this : — " When I was coming from Maidstone I was taken ill , withiu eight miles of Chatham , and a policeman employed a person to carry my child to the workhouse ; tbat was on Saturday , and I slept at the workhouse on Saturday night -with an order from the relieving officer of Chatham , and I was turned out with my child at seven o ' ftlock « n Suuvlay morning . I was very ill ,, and unable to proceed on my journey , and I received another order from Mr . Farrell , and was admitted again , and they kept me there until Wednesday morning , when I came out and walked as far as Stroud , and then I sat down on the step of a door , when a woman named Smith gave me a night ' s lodging , and in tbe morning she persuaded me to go to Stroud workhouse , and I went and told them what distress I was in , but not that I came from Maids tone gaol , and thtiy gave

      me 28 ., aud I walked part of the way to Graveseud , when a cab took nio to Gravesend . The money was given to pay my pasaage to London by . steam . At Gravesend I took the steamer and came to London , and arrived on Thursday last , but had only 6 d . in my pocket It waa dusk , and with the money I bought some food for my child , and wandered about the streets all night , and on the next morning ( Friday ) I went to Marylebone workhouse and saw the relieving officer , who told me that I should see the board . I stated my case to him , but omitted everything about Maidstone gaol . I saw the board , and they searched the books to see if I belonged to that parish or not , when they found the name of my mother , but not mine . They said I did not belong to them , and they turned me out without either money or food . "

      They turned her out without either money or food ! Thia is the isystem under the New Poor Law . Under the old they would hava taksn her in and passed her to her own parish . It was shown afterwards that the poor wretch had no milk to give her child—how could she , when she had no nutriment for her own sustenance ? Thus they -were turned into the strests together , hungry , cold , ariil almost naked—turned into the streets to wander and to die . The next account we have of what became of Harriet Longley and her infant is derived , as might have been expected , from a coroner ' s inquest ; but it was an inqu « st not upon the mother , but upon her baby . During her stay in Maidatone gaol the girl ' s conduct had been irreproachable . She had been employed as a nurse , and she had been remarkable for the attachment which shehad shown for her child—Poorthing ! she had nothing else that she could love ; nothing else that she ceuld even hope would ever love her . Hear the sequel from the mouth of the policeman : —;

      " Thomas Hobbs King , a sergeant , No . 22 , N division , having baen aw « rn , stated , that on Friday night last , about a quarter past ten o'clock , he was on duty at Islington station-house , when the prisoner knocked at the door , and on its being opened , she said that she had come there to give information that the had murdered her ousn child . He inquired in what way ? and She replied , "I have thrown it into the New River ; it was three weeks old . " Witness accompanied her to Owen ' 8-row , near Sadler ' s Wells Theatre , and on arriving opposite the house No . It , she said , " I had been sitting down on thai step for ha / fan hour before I threw the tfiild into the water opposite . " Witness asked her

      how long it was since she committed the act , and she replied , " Just before I called at the station-house . " Witness caused the river to be dragged immediately , and the body of the child was discovered . It appeared to be about a month old , and was dressed -as such infants usually are . She informed witness that her name was Harriet Longley , but that tbe child was re-, gistered in the name of Eliza Harris , in Maidstone gaol , where she bad given birth te it After the body had been found , the prisoner said that her child had been crying for many hours for wxnt of food . She was in great distress , and had no feod nor milk for her child . Her breast , she said , was dried up for want of nourishment , and that caused her to murder the child . "

      The wretched mother was committed , of course , Jand will probably be hanged—but who -was the murderer ? Was it the poor frenzied creature who sat upon the cold stones with an empty breast and a foodlees body , listening to her baby crying / or hours for food ? or was | it the agents of the New Poor Law , who thrust her forth into the streets , with the moral certainty that she must perish there ? Who was the real murderer , we ask ? the men who doomed the child to die of starvation , or the mother who terminated its Bufferings a little before they would have been terminated by the natural operation of the New Poor Law f

      Pho , this is a common case ; one of those numerous clap-trap stories which those damned newspapers make such a fuss about . Serve the b—h right , she shouldn't get bastard children . The Poor Law ia an excellent law—it reduced the poor-rates of the parish of Gruelen-the-Wash eighteenpence in the pound Jaat year . Of course we shall voto fer H . Very well , gentlemen , Tote away , but—the time will come . —Satirist .

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      A Female Highway Robber . —Elizabeth Loveall , a tall dirty woman in a very ragged condition , who has been frequently in custody for theft , was brought before Mr . Ballantine , at the Thames Police-office , on Saturday , charged with stopping a Polish refugee , named Cassimir Janikowaki , and stealing a bag and twenty-fivo shillings in money from his person . The Pole , who is an elderly man , and a nobleman of high rank , was on bis way home on Friday night , about eleven o ' clock , and was met in Cornwall-street , St . George ' s east , by the prisoner , who took hia arm against his will , and wanted him to go home with her . To get rid of her he said he had no money ,

      and attempted to get away , on which she began pulling him about , and put her hand in his pocket , from which she took out a bag containing twentyfive shillings ; and to which a valuable ring and two keys were attached . The woman then endeavoured to run away , but was prevented by the Pole , who seized"her by the hair of her head , and twisted it in his hands . The prisoner shook the bag , and some of the money fell out . A scufflo ensued between tho parties , and the woman screamed out for help , which brought a policeman , named Cook , 174 K , to the spot , who apprehended her , and caused her to b » searched , when part of the iproperty was found upon her . She was committed for trial .

      GbKENWICH POLI « E , SaTUBDAT . —HOBHIBLB ATTEMPT to MuKdkb . —A married woman , named ElJiaboth Brown , was charged with attempting to murder her two children . The husband , a workingman being questioned as to the cause of the occurrence , * » id chat Borne words took place between him and his wife about her having pledged some of the things , and after some quarrelling she e « i « ed the earving-knife , declaring that she would cut the throats of the children and then her own . They had been married about six years . She was a very passi « nate woman . The prisoner being ask « d what she had to say for hwself , acknowledged that she had as stated , threatened the , lives of Herself and children , but it was in her passion , caused by the words she had had with her nusband . The magistrate told her that he would take care eho should have ample time to get cool , for he should commit her to prison , in default of bail , for three mouths .

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      Thb total value of the monies coined at tha M ™ 4 from 1837 to 1840 , both inclusive , wasi fffollow ? t £ gold coinage , £ 4 , 612 , 7 £ 2 ; ( in 1840 , however ! thef t ^ " ^ f " **^ goId whate 'er ) ; silver coina *? £ t 47 , 981 ; and copper coinage , £ UJS 30- m . tfT altogether the sum of £ 5 , 475 , 079 . V ' mafa ^ Rk-speci-a-bimtt . —At Bow-street Police-office . > shoemaker of the name of Richard Sandailwi , chargsd with assaulting one of the gate-keepers 3 St . James ' s Park . The gate-keeper lefused to i 2 Sandall enter the enolosure , as hiB dress teat ml sufficiently respecfaofe , and the latter resisted but no violence was alleged , the point in litigation Lui

      the question of right . The Magistrate , Mr Tan ? ford , thought Sandall ' s coat quite decent encuA and was persuaded that the Commissioners of Wood , and Forests had no wish to exclude persons ofT , description from the enclosure . Neither was then ! anything in the manner of the defendant at all objeotionable . At all events , the law was one which it was difficult for a magistrate to enforce ; andMV Twyford objected strongly to being called upon to decide what was or was not " respectable" in the dress of . decently-behaved- people . Sandall »* discharged . "

      A Pee p into the Temple—Mother Church no doubt , gives her children some very salutarv Mile * but , like many more spoiled urchins , thej ' imteinl that they have a right to chalk out their own coarsV and do things in their own way . She tells them to come out from the world , bat BOme of the elder branches ot her family think it right to take alitth of the world into the temple , in order to ornament the same , as appears from the following feet- -On Ash Wednesday , as per custom , the bell suspended in the Bteeple of Old Washington Chnrcb , Mima oaeS the church-going parishioners to their deTotionaJ exercises . Mr . Amen was awake to the well-fcnewii call , and in 3 tanter threw aside his la pstone , leather lust , and awl , and proceeded to the 'tothershonS

      discharge the duties or his more sacred caUint But having , in the earlier part of the div been transacting a little business at tha Bhop of a neighbour , who is in the spiritual line , he was unable to keep time , or shoot the amen aitta word Of command . This enraged his reverence in the upper-tub , who reminded Tiia brother of the " errorof his way , " by giving a few powerful toa by the hair of hia head ; this only served to bewilder the sacerdotal snob the more , and he completely lost his lesson . The ire of " the other chap" now rose to ungovernable height , and he commenced an attack on po « r amen ' s head With the Prayer Book , oa which tbe devout little man sung out , " You won't do that again , will you V This insult and assault

      the man of mortal sole could not brook ; therefore after struggling through the service , they retired into the vestry , when and where the little' matt demanded satisfaction , as any other gentleman would do ; this his reverence refused to give . Heace amen brought his antagonist before " his betters , ' but the magistrates having heard the evident adduced , pro and con , decided that the little maa could have no just cause to complain , he having been unable to discharge the duties of his important office , by his having previously come hi too clos « contact with the " spirits" of his neighbour . Of course , the case was dismissed ; the \ T Worships pronouncing his reverence justified in opening the attack on " ' tother chap ' s" upper leather .

      The Devil s Law a « aiN . ' —An investigation i $ j recently taken place into the case of tho poor woman named Longley , who drowned her infant , in consequence of her destitution . Maryleboue workhouse was one of tho 3 e at which Longley said die was refused admittance . At a meeting of the Parish Board , on Friday , the 26 th ult ., a letter was read from Mr . Chad wick , the Secretary to the Poor Law Commissioners , requesting information as to the correctness of Longley ' s account . Mr . Messer , ths relieving overseer , attended at the Board , and stated that when Longley applied she said that she wu born in the parish . On reference to the records , however , it appeared that her account was incorrect ;

      and finding that she had slept , on the previoui night , in West Lane , Smiihfield , he referred her for relief to the West London Union . Mr . Messer says that Longley did not tell him that she was starring ; and had ne relieved her , she would have becomj chargeable to tho parish . Thomas Read , an inspector of out-door poor , who was by when Longlej made the application , says that she looked very weak , and the child seemed dying for want of nourishment . A resolution was moved , and affirmed by the Board , that there was nothing unusual in tha case , as it came before the relieving officer ; a proposition , moved as an amendment , simply to forward the explanation to the Commissioners , being rejected . [ There is something tolerably cool and exceedingly

      humane , either in the law or the officer . A poor woman is evidently looking very weak , and her child dying for want of nourishment , when tie relieving officer refers her elsewhere , to be bandied about from place to place , because she did ' nt tell hist she was starving , and she would have become charg-. able to the parish , had he relieved her . So a forlorn , destitute woman , on the verge of seeing her child die of want , is thus to be driven to murder her child , because she does not tell a relieving officer she is starving , and because she will becoma chargeable to the parish . No matter about murder and suicide , so long as a relieving officer does cot pay a few pence away more than he ought , or an " additional burden" is not placed upon the backs ef the parishioners 11

      Shameful and Unfeeling Fraud . —A few days since an advertisement was sent by post from Lou . don , for insertion in the Manchester Guardian , and , being paid for by meana of a post-office order , wu of course inserted on that day . It was to the following effect : — " To engineers , Engravers on Copperplate , Joiaen , and Cabinet-makers . —Wanted , go « d bands , to proceed to New York and Philadelphia . A free passage and mess , with capital wages . Parties mast forward age , particulars of family , if any , present rate of W 8 ge » * c—Post free , with a stamp , to Washington Percival , 11 , Southampton-street , Euaton-square , London , who will omnmnicate all particulars . "

      In consequence of this advertisement , so tempting at a time when employment is generally scarce many persons made application by letter , as Qirecwa iu the advertisement ; and , in the course of a post or two , eaoh applicant received a re ply , informing him that his services would be accepted , at a Terr handsome rate of wages ; but requiring from each * remittance of £ 1 , ' * to insure registration , and prevent disappointment . " The general character « these answers may be gathered from the following copy of one addressed to a mechanic , who bad maofl application : — ' " 2 , Oxford-street , London , March 16 , 18 " .

      " Sir , —In reply to yours , I beg to say that you will be required to enter into as agreement to serve Mwsia Grafle and Tomkins , of New York , for three yew , « the weekly sum of 60 s . English money ; week 65 hours , including two hours per day for meats . Yoa two sons shall also be engaged , and receive proportionate wages . Your and their passage , with b edams and provisions of tbe best kind will be free . You wife will be charged £ 10 , and your youngest son as ; tbe child under two years of age will not be charge * You must remit £ 1 by return of post to in sure reg *

      , tration on board , and prevent disappointment , wwea will be returned t « you ou your arrival up here , together With £ I 15 s . £ or your expenses . The passage money for your wife , fcc ... £ 15 , you will hare to repar by instalments of 10 s . per week , on your arrivil in America . You must be in town on the 5 th of Apru . As your application has been so late , you bsd better remit the registration money to the above adoreB ( No . 2 , Oxford-street ) by return of post , proviaw you make up your mind to go , as our list is neanj

      complete . *" ' ^ Washington pebcival " Thomas . .,. _«» On receipt of the £ 1 . you will be considered engaged . " Several of the parties who received these letters had the prudence to make a little inquiry ««" Weekly Dispatch office before Bending their money , and were advised to have nothing to *> *»» " £ Washington Percival . Others , however , 'were nm so careful , and we have reason to behew , that * number of sums were forwarded as d'rected . » L some of them , no doubt , fell into the . hands of m scoundrels who had devised this nefar oos scflenw of plunder . Amongst others , the party to wno ^ the preceding letter was addressed , who haa p ^ sometime out of employmentand waa ia ™ yj

      , circumstance * , pledged his watch to raise toe necessary sum , and sent it by post as directed . »•** £ - also have incurred the tother expence of conre ^ K himsblf and his family to London if n ^ Xt fortunately , had his suspicions a ™^ . ' ^ rf he heard from another applicant , wno , j ^ T rf sending the money required , ^ . theSJWgJ J writing to a friend in London , and requested nm make some inquiries about Mr , Wa shmgtoi . PercMJ at the place indicated in his letter . "«^ £ entrusted with this inquiry found . * £ * £ d of Oxford-street , was a pubhe-house , the »^ jj , which knew nothinj ? of Mr . Percival , « ce £ ^ he came there occasionally for letters . «»»' inquiry , it was found that there "WJjjjb . mechanic in the bouse , who ba 4 eome froa ^

      third person in waiting at the sanw p ^ ta ^ ^ to be » policeman in plain clothee , yrbo y «> £ for MrJW-hingtoti Pereival , with tMSfocr giving him an opportunity of explam « fj » £ " hld befow a magistrate . Mr . Perctval , ho ^ er , ^ moBtprobably receivedsome mUinatios ^ £ * *» , were abroad ; " and he did not . make &" "P ^ ndf though a number of letters , Sdme / J w ° re waitin * oontaining money and mono ? ^ rde" , * e ftot , for him . * We hope the piWica'waofj ^ ^^ will operate as a warning to . ^^^ ade hereany similar attempts »» f » ud m * ^ £ or workafter . No honest man ^^ wanting " ^ JJ ^; and men will ever require them * " ^ ffi / v *« whenever any demand of »• « j »» £ a design o » applicant may be qnito aare tkit there in * «<*>* foot to defraud him .

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      Ivor GniTT , ttpob kv Honour . —As a personage , ¦ whose tout-ensemble bore the stamp ef aristocracy , Was the other day lounging down B » nd-Btreet , he was closely followed aad beset by a little ragged mich-n . The great man appeared w fancy this sprig f c ^ 'aiUe wished to abstract tho cambric from his pocket , and , turning to the young eeapegraee , thus * ddr * - ? sed him : — " So yon are trying to pick my pocte ; , yon young ragamnffin , are you } " ¦* Don ' t kxo ^ what you mean , Sir . " was the boy ' s reply . * A-d Xtll me , before I hand you over to the police , ' O 0 T . ni . Ged he , ** are you guilty or not V * Here the ercb ^ n , teyiBg bis hand upon ids breast , and bowing pro-oandiy , emphatically pronounced the following were-: " Not guilty , npon my honour . " &' jfETHixG is it . — " There is eonething in that , " « tee gal said to her stocking ven Ehe put her foot iiit .

      A r ^ BwrL Scot . —A careful Scot , after taking Ms mother ' s corpse for burial into the Highlands , brociib ; back the hearse well filled with Fmnggled wh : riv ! Being joked about it by a friend , he replied * Hoot , Hian , what ' s the harm I I only took awa ifce p-dt aad brought back the SPEKKIT . " Socistt . —It has be « n told of a late nobleman , -equii y distinguished bv his abilitierand absence of mind , th&t having talked to-himself in his travelling « arria ^ e ihe whole way from Brighton to Londen , he eno » u , s . ; Hyde Park corner , by inviting himself to dinner , as the pleasantest companion he had ever travelled with . —C $ cil ; or the Adventure * of a Cosmnl . Tuf-He are nothingbnt quadruprdsal Drury Lune , thi « year , even a Bucke lets the boxes , and a Tabby prints the bills .

      I * Fiacourt ' s Histobt of Madagascar there is the following sublime prayer , said t » be used by the peep ' * we call ssv&ges— " O Eternal . ' have mercy npOB me , becauBe I am paasicg away . O Infinite because I am weak . 0 Sovereign of Life ! because I drsM- n » ar to the grave . O Omniscient ! because I sra in darkness , O All Sufficient , beca'ase I am noth jig . '' Consciences axb Beards . —It is related of Judgt Je £ r : es . ' . hat taking a dislike to an evidence vtho ha 4 & long D # ajd , he told him " that if his conscience were is long as hii beard , he had a swingen one : "to which the countryman replied— " My Lord , if you measure consciences by beard * , you have none at all . " The boy Joxes is supposed to have entered the « . rdt-r > i cf Buckingham Palace by scaling the walls . If he 'hould consent to go to Bea , he will have an oppor'uaity of practising nis ingenuity in other

      Treudobe Hook declares it was an act of perfee : jj ? uptrflnons liberality to bestow npon the lousy Gtra-iats a lict-ence . There is > ot a has living who saya , fo many in-© oe . .. rebensible things as Mister Jo ? eph Hume . The © tt- - - -Tuning , fer instance he presented a pstition ha th ^ House of Commons , which he said was signed "by ¦ v- ^ ry medical man residing in tfie county of Kilkenny , except three , who didn ' t live there !" T'W'i SMuyas 'were one day sitting on the gunwale "t their sship drinking groj , when one said to ihe o-. b . r "This ia neat and drink , Jack . " He hap . i ^ Eed at that moment to fall overboard , when his - " a . ^ etious companion coolly Baid , " And now you ve goi washiDg and lodginK , "Tom . "

      It is calcclated that at the present time there are thirty thcusand Germans in London , and more than fifty thousand domiciled throughout England . As- -niEg now that each abstracts but £ 10 * per anis ^ m from the pockets of John Bull—and we know ; hat four out of the number receive , in one way or ; be other , something like half a million—we have thus Fits Millions Sterling yearly taken from : he industrious classes of England to feed and fai t ' .:: a parcel of loathsome foreigners . Let the people of England ponder on this .

      A Liberal Offer . —A Hist to the Cloth . —A dervyman was presented to a liviig in the vicinity Of G ; 3 ~ trow , who had a proxubersuaee between his ahoo-. d-rs , ariiing from diseased g > i « e and a corres- ' . pond ^ protrusion of the chest . The parishioners \ were opposed to a person of snch ungainly appearance occupying their pulpit . The presentee heard j of th ^ dL'saiisfaction , and , being a personage ol some humour and tact , convened a meeting of the malcon- i tents , in rrder to ascertain tbeir otjections . " I baT ? heard , " said he , " that my settlement amongst j yon -. § not likely to be agreeable . >* ow , as I am not » war = of any objection to mv opinions or practice— '

      my si ii'Jtr abilities for sach a charge 1 admit—I ihoui-l j-ist like , & 3 we are all friends and brethren , and hare ouly one object to serve , that job "would stat- your objections . ' One glanced to anoiher , which vras significantly returned almost round tha vetoi-ts , and silence prevailed for some time . " Speak ont , " said the presentee , "don ' t be afraid ; I am not ready to take offence , " when one stammered oai , " Sir , yoa see , we—job see—Sir—gin' 1 maun speak for cy brethren here—dinna like your bodily appearauee / ' " Neither do I , " was the reply , " and if you can get h repaired , I'll be a ; > mlf ; he expense mysel ' . "—Laird of Logan .

      Tits Psli ^ cs ' s Hitstees . —One of the last hunters vart ' nsj- ^ d by the Prince , say ; he newspaper ? , La » been c \ ued the Pawnbroker . This elegant appellation has been given , it is understood , in compliment to tbe pledge of affec ' . ion lately brought into the world , ana to whom there attaches , of course , the greatest interest . Sr > cs the ACODSKT which occurred to Prince Albert &t che duck pond in the rear of Buokinchwn Palace , strict orders have been given by the Queen ths . t his Royal Highness must not be permitted , npoa any account , to be alone . Mrs . Norton sajf if the Prince were a loan , there is not the least aporehens on of his being dorrouced .

      OSE OF THS FlSEST PlSA-VTBT IS XH 3 WoBLD . — A pure specimen of the "finest plsantry in the world , " -who has joined the railroad at Troon , aceosud a -vrajcgieh friend of ours a few days a . go , whom he had seen noting down something in his tablets . I see , rur , " said he , " that you can write !" Out friend gave an affirmarory nod . " Wou'd yea have set objections to -write a Jetr . er for Eje to send hon ;? 7 . '' None were started ; and Pat was invived to onr friend ' s lodgings , as soon as bnginess permitted his attendance . Accordingly he ca , me , and tbe materials being at hand , the lether was begun . "Now , what do you wish to be said ! '' "Why , " says Pat , ' ¦ B » y bad luck to yez , Ballv ^ awly , that

      ever yei bred me , er rear d me , to have se come over here to work lite a slave , for a dirty ten shillin ' a week . Tell Molly Cajnaaiian it ' s dyin' I am on my feet , an' I ' m heart-scalded to death , through wan : of work , bekase of the frost . Tell Dory that I wya'da ' t be the worse of havin' my ould brogues here for a change . Say to my father that I'll never be home in the worl' ; but give Dory , my sister , z bint ihai 111 be home by midsummer . Your affectionMe 3 On aad brother , Patrick M'Clownan . "Tbe / ether was folded , sealed , and addressed , " To Owld Joe M'Clownan , at the end of Tim M'Cabe ' s whiftj-shap , Baliygawiy , or Molly Carnachan , ¦ whichever of them most convanient . " The above u a irue eopy , verbatim et literatim . —Ayt A dverliser

      Up to Ssitff . —An American editor remarks that ha saw a man the other day with a nose ? o thin that small print could be read through it distinctly . It wocud be a good place to publish , a snuff adrertise--nrent in . PETRARCH ' S Opision op Moset . —He who expends it properly , is it 3 master ; he who lays it np . its keeper ; he who loves it , a fool ; he who fears it , a slave ; aad he who adores it , an idolator . Go . ve off . — " My # un went off last nigh :, " ssid Tim Trap lately to an old acquaintance . " Were yoa alarmed ? " asked he . " No , but much injured , " replied Trap . " Ah ! how did it go off , at halfcock , " " No , " said Trap , " it went off-at half-past eleven , in company with a taraation scoandxel , who begged for snpper , and a night's lodging . "

      Expense op the War Ststem .. — Give me the mon-y that haa been paid in war , and I will purchase every foot of Isjid upon sLe globe ; I wiiloiothe every jeajj , womaa and child in aa attire th&ndngs and qu ^ cas wouH b 9 proud of ; I will build a schoolhouse upon every hiii-side , and in every valley , over the while habitable earth ; I will build 3 n academy in every town , and endow it ; a college in every tiate , aud fill it with able professors ; I will crown every hill with a church consecrated to the promalgs . tion ot ihe gospel of peace ; I vrill support in its pnlp ' u an able teacher of righteousness , so that on every Sabbath morning the chime on one hill should answer to a chime on another , round tbe earth ' s broad circumference , and the voice of prayer and the song of praise should ascend like a universal holocaust to heaven . —P . Stebbing .

      Couii 5 and Bannister were dining one day with Lord Erskine , the ex-chancellor , who , in conversation on rural affairs , boasted thai he kept on his pasture land nearly a thousand sheep . " I perceive then , " said Colmao , " your lordship hai still an eje to the woolsack . " A Tseful lKSTBrMK < T . —A correspondent of the ifontpeli cr Patriot ( American paper ) states that Mr . Joan Damerett , cutler , of that town , has made a ja « k-knife for himself , which he uses U cut ebony , whalebone , born , and at the same time makes his pens and ahaveehimself with it without grinding or a T \ l f ? I ¦

      A Yaxuke E » m »' s Accojjttt of Hiuszlt . —I m a real catastrophe—* small creation : Mount Vesurins at the top , with red-hot lava pouring ont of the crater , and routing nations below . My fists are rocky mountains—my arm ? , liberty poles , with iroa springs . Every step I take is an earthquake—every blow I strike is a elap of thunder—and every breath 1 breathe is a temado . My disposition is'Dnpont ' s b * tV gunpowder , and goes off &X a flash—when I blast , there'll be nothing left but a hole , tfcres feet 4 eep and no end to it .

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      Untitled Article

      ¦ 6 THE NORTHERN STAR . ,

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), April 3, 1841, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct849/page/6/