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Northern Star (1837-1852), 30th December 1843, Edition 5 of 5, Page 6, Untitled Article

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    • 44 &)t Cwtfrttwtr tf£ (Bttgl&tii i&w&Um" "Xitts g&na tie poor, asd rich men nls tbe la-w.
    • C^ aru^t £nlelJ(g-?n«. (Excluded from our last for want of room.) '
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      44 &)T Cwtfrttwtr Tf£ (Bttgl&Tii I&W&Um" "Xitts G&Na Tie Poor, Asd Rich Men Nls Tbe La-W.

      44 Cwtfrttwtr tf £ ( Bttgl&tii i&w&Um " "Xitts g&na tie poor , asd rich men nls tbe la-w .

      Untitled Article

      IBB CLOSB OP THE INQUIRY AT THE BIRMINGHAM "WOKKHOrSE . On Uraraasy treat , the Assistant Poor law CommlBjioaer commenced his inquiry into the mode adopted at ¦ die Workhouse on the application of destitnte persons for admission and reliet Ha said lie -would first examine v few of the Poliee Officers ¦ vrith respect to tha state of destitution in -which they found persons in Q >~ town , sad the diJBcnlty , if any , which the ; expejisneed in procoriDgrelief lor them , ox their admission inlo the Workhouse . James Bradley , Patrici Kelly , George Kirk , and James Tnroer , Police Officers , -were severally ezamined Tlieee -witnesses deposed to harisK found a nnmber of ptraons in the streets in a state of destitution ; thst they took tfeem to the Workhonse , and ¦ were refused admission for thesi ; and that they trtre compelled to lock them up in the Stations and take them before the Magistrates .

      There vrere some other Police Officers in attendance to depose to facts ol the above nature , but the Ccmmissioner said he had heard quite sufficient to -show the nature of the system . The existence of a defective system "was clearly proTed in reference to the mode of admitting des-tUute persona . The system ol bandying abont of the poor ought not i * be continued . ilr . Shackel said the Members of the Committee appointed to inqnira into the duties and salaries of the Clerks of the lEatabiishment , summoned together to meet the Commissioner , had arrived , and were in a tomb below stairs . The Commifisipnerforthwithattended this Committee , "Which "was quite private .

      After an absence of a'bout two hours , the Costmisskntr rtturned , and said be should close the inquiry but that he should again visit Binningbam the week after Christmas . He had received sufficient information to show the working of the present parochial system oi Birmingham , "which ho b 3 lieved ¦ sronM lead to Bome Sfcefal alterations . The Learned Gentleman then left the house .

      THE AGBlCUiTTJKiJ , 3 . ABOT 7 RERS AND TEE XEW POOR L& . W . T 3 U . T something srsT be Doss for the agricnltnral laboa-ers is no-w being admitted on all hands , even those " dumb dogs" thts parsons are beginning tospeBk out . A new light has broken in npon these faithless shepherds , and their eyes are being opened to the hum--ing wrongs about which , heretofore , they have been altogether silent At a late asriculrnral meeting in Someretshire , the Rev , Hi Uewbolfc came out with the following ;—" That , as a clergyman , he confessed he should wish to see more does ita the poor . He bad waited a ' long time to Bee something done for the poor -, he had read the speeches of lord Ashley , his friend , Mr . Teatman , and Others , and there was no disguise about the matter .

      The fast was , their show for fat stock was a humbug . The greit beauty was what they did for the agricultural labourer , and he confessed that was what had bronght him there that cay . The agricultural labourer" was the poirt now . That perhaps was not the opportunity to sptik on such subjects , and he should be the last man to imerrupt their harmony ; but he feared they were all to blajae . " There was no doubt that great distress txistea ; and they should stt to work , heart and soul , in thsir endeavours to ameliorate the condition of the peasantry of this fertile country . Until they did that all their breeding of cattle and speculation in manures was of litGe use ; for , until tfeat- blot was wipes ont , they could not expect the blessing ol heaven vpi / C their undertakings . " Tpra which the Tina has the following comment * : —

      " There a not a word of this—not a angle wordwhirh we should wish to take aw » y ; not a syllable iiisi ¦ = ¦ = ^ ronld -triai to acd to it ; not a letter of it in which we do-not heartily eoucur , and which we do not take op and echo with all the strength and emphs&is that we can give . Tes , 'the agricultural labourer u the- peint , ' as Mr . Kewbolt ays ; and with him , we , too . - Tcry mnch fear that all , ah" society-mongers , fat-tock-ihow-jBongtts , pr-zs beast and prse Isfeoar deaHis , -distributors , not of wages given as cf ri ^ hl , but of - ? oles nr . < 1 e necessary solely by the withholding of those wt ^ es ; political economists , workLouse-tes : disc 5 p : inaiians , men who punish becsnse people ast for relief , S 2 d atk it of i 3 ? to—yes , ail are isdtal mu . h , verj niacb 'to Name . ' Work—employment , as Mr . ScniriTiiie ssjs-thU is -what is wanted . This , and this alop-e , * is calculated to mike the labourer a moral , a religious / and , therefore , we will aid , * happy * mmrt * **

      But , instead of this , what has in fact been gi ^ en ? And why is it that the people have not work , and therefore have not waees ? Is it because they , & 3 a body , trill not work ? Ho * ncb thing . It is not ev ^ n preteDdt-d , we hellers , that if " a fair day > -n-a ^ es" be oSrr&d , in any anz < e part of the conntry , •• a fair daj a work , " and that , U > o , well and skilfally doce , misL ; not be obtained , is it , then , or is it not , the people ' s f 3 i ? Tt , that they ara out of work ? If there be » py men who doubts which way to susxeT this qne ^ - 1 ion , T ^ e S 3 j to ium—only take care that work and fair ¦ srajes are offered to the able-bodied poor , and we will answer for it , that there \ rill be doubt bo ioBgei which it is the pesple want , whose fault it is that they have no . empIovHieEt .

      2 « ow , this being the . ease , what is the answer of the "WliigJooi Ls-w to the demand for employment ? It is this —> r > "iiH , not those te-ho vugkl to ' zi-ve the poor ¦ work , but do not , —no , but punish the poor Ihtmstlces , because they , not having wuik , do not tio ' it , because they do . not obiain ' what they cannot get Is Oi is a rftjbt answer to the complaint , that * ' emplcjTnent" is the thing needful ? Work , we contend , is the thing , and the first thing , ¦ which is to be provided , and to which the poor have an iiidefeasible right . Employment is their right , and if . not that , then , but not till then , gratuitous ptfblk support

      This , we say , is tbs ancient constitutional principle of the Poct Law of Elizabeth , and it is jnst the overthrow of this ¦ principle by the Whig la w , srd nothing else , which has caused all the mischief dt ^ lortd by our cor temporary . Give the poor nian work . Give him work , and give him fair wages , ard dtptnd ujk-h it , he will not Tefnse it , nor come upon the parish for help . If work be found there need is no " Eupplt-ine : t » j ¦ w a ? f *; " the parish may employ its own peer at fair ¦ wages at its own work , and if work cannot at SisX be found , or if tfce employer lower his wages in the hope that the parish will be unable to find work without him , and so "will be obliged la give in and pay him the difference , —then let the parish , if it caa find i ^ o other woTk , pay the labourer his accustomed wages , not

      allotting him to work for bis selfish employer , and the late of wages will very soon rise again to ita former leveL Thus fair wages will be insured and we are sure , that if only thia be done , there will be no lack of materials for work . Every farmer , every landowner , has abundance of work to be done , -sraieh would improve his land and increase its produce ; and the real qaeatiun is , whether he will spend his capital in ^ Mng fair wages to those who could do this , or whether in supporting the same people idle in a union workhouse . This is the real alternative , —if he should try to set the work done at Tmfarr wages , here should be the Poor Law to . step in and prevent him , and to prottct the poor . Aayhcw ,

      there is plenty of work ; the question is to secure it , with good wa ^ es , to the ablebo € ied poor , and not to let the capital , which otherwise could and wonld secure it , go to support the ¦ srar'kboxiBe . Thai capital should be secured for working the land , by a labour-rate , which ahonld keep up tbe price of labour , and compel a fair employment of the poor , by obliging all tht-Be who Would otherwise shrink from the burden , either to give fail wages themselves for work of their own , or to contribute towards a fnnd for employing the poor , at good wages , upon other work , to the exclusion of their own . Surely either of these alternatives wonld he mncSi better for the employer than keeping tbe poor in a union Workhonse .

      "What a picture does this present to tbeTruintTs eye T > e 3 tiiutien in London ! Destitution in the country The poverty of the country jostling the poverty of the metropolis in its scramble for nightly shelter and morning bread ! Hen , women , and children wander-3 ng weirily to Xondon to snatch the morsel from the jaws of the metropolitan poor ! 6 iSl s ^ nls relieved at ene asylum Jn Playhouse-yard , bj casual charity , indepeatknt of local and Poor Law assistance , and this found to he mockingly insufficient ! Another llses to co operate—both eBU nneqcsl to the -sreisht of Incjigent-s—snd now a third is created in the west

      May it be—^ re dare not say , we dare not hope that it can be , Fuffi-rent to do all that is wanted—bnt may it do . away with that foul blot which sullies with hideous contrast th * palate njagEjficecce of London . ' Let us tic , longer see the Bigal ouartsr of our metropolis defiled with a combination cf tqualid famine ragged ¦ lice , and loathsome disease . Lit BS Do longer witness the painful contact of the most luxorieus indulgence and the most utter indigence . We have borne the contemptuous sneers ef strangers ana visiters too longlet ns » t last do something to rid ourselves of a merited reproach .

      THE CAKT . ISI . E TT 2 ATEES . According to a statement in one of the Carlisle papers ; the average day ' s labour of twelve h&ndloom weavers , amounts to fifteen and a third hours ; while their dear weekly < wn"ig « do sot amount to five shillings per week ! Anotker specimen of tb »" Condition-of £ sg . lsai- IHCEHDIABT FIB 5 * . ( From the Stamford Mercury . ) Navekbt . —Another of these agrarian outrages , showing the deep-seated discontent ol the labouring classes which is bursting forth on all hands into a demoniacal tour against property , occurred at Navenby on Friday acming last The sufferer by " this incendiary conflagration trs Mr . Clarke Hales , farmer , who resides dose upon that extensive viUase : tha fir © -vrasperceived Btaatlourrfclotkin the inorpicg , and notwithstanding immediate afd was pyDCUitd to arrfst the progrtas of tfc « devaatiug eliaeat , ufceit stacks , coataising tea

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      quarters , and a stack containing thirty quarters of barley , were wholly consumed before the fire could be subdued . Most providentially the wind was blowing in a direction that carried the tames from ose pea and two barley stacki ; bad thowind blown in an opposite direction , and these ignited , the flsmes would have commuaicated to the town itself ; and It is calculated that no exertion could have prevented the destruction of naif the large village . Mr . Hales is Btated to be insured ha the Hand-Ti-Haud Fire-office . After the fire , it was carrerd ' y rumoured in Linco ' n that he Ttad pre sided at a rnteiing of farmers for 1 he purpose of reducing the wages of Vie labourers of the village . This report is utterly withi ut foundation ; and Mr . Hales is deeply and widely respected as a generous and humane ?*» ti to the labouring classes .

      Eakrisg—On Tuesday evening , the 12 > b inst , a fire was discovered in the stack-yard of Hi . Robert Storey , butcbar . It first made its appearance between two Etacks in the centre of the yard , and , an alarm having been immediately given , a large number of the inhabitants were soon on the spot , who prevented the fire from spreading . It was got under at about one o ' clock , but , had th « wind been high , it ia probafele that the loss would have been very great , as the premise * are contiguous to another stackyard belonging to Mr . Bourne , and also to a range of bnildiDga where a number of horses and fat stock are kept There is no doubt that the fire was the work of an incendiary as it appeared in several different places at once , and a strong Eulpbnrons Bmell wes perceptibla

      Bi . njhoox . —On Saturday , the 16 th inst , about seven o " clock in the evening , a large barley-Btack belonging to Mr . Johnson , farmer , was discovered enveloped in flames , but by the prompt exsrtions of tbe neighbours the fire was happily put out before the stack was entirely destroyed , or bad ignited the adjoining property . No doubt exists of its being tbe act of an incendiary , but the perpetrator has eluded detection . On Friday , the lith , some malicious person again set fire to a Btack of straw in the yard ' of Mr . Rhodes , of the Fortescue Arms , Tattershail , with an evident intention of doing much damage , theitack being placed near a range of buildings composed principally of wood , and had not tbe wind providentially ceased at the moment , and prompt assistance been' rendered by the neighbours , the incendiary would undoubtedly have succeeded in his diabolical attempt

      The incendiary who set fire to Mr . Rawson ' s corn-Btacts at ScriTelsby , sear Horncastle , on the 14 "h inst ., has not yet been discovered . A reward of £ 225 is ffered on conviction of the incendiary . We are sorry to state ihat an incendiary fire took place at C -Tfe Castle , on the premises ef Mr . Waters , of RoUington Farm , laBt Saturday , by which a -wheat rick , containing twelve or thirteen loads of sheaves , was completely destroyed . TMs has been the second fire of this description in our neighbourhood within the l . ; st month ; but , fortunately for tho owners , ^ th properties were insured . —Sherborne Journal .

      We regret to state that two of these abominable fires occurred last week in the parish uf Speen , The first was discovered about eleven o ' clock on Tuesday night , in a field near Sjn-en Chnrcb , which totally destroyed a pea rick ; and the other broke out aVout seven o ' clock on the following morning , about half a mile distant from the above , at Speen Moor , in a hay rick ; but by the proirpt arrival of the engines the fire was soon extinguished and part of the rick saved . The whole was the property of Mr . T . Price , of Speen , and was insured in the Royal Exchange-office . —Devizes Gazette .

      Fiee at Hablot . —On Monday iiight a daring act of incendiarism was committed upon Campions Farm , a short distance from the town of HaTlow , in tbe occupation of Mr . Ma thews . Inspector Low and constable 98 of the constabulary force were in conversation with Mr . Malhews about kalf-past eleven o'clock , when one of two men , -who had been set to ¦ watch the premises , shouted thst tbe buildings were on fire . Mr . MathewB instantly despatched a messenger for an engine , which promptly arrived , and , with tha aid of a plentiful supply of water , confined the ravages of the flames to

      the deatrnctisn of an eut-buildinsj about forty feet io Je :: gth , and some implements of smtll " » alue . lnsj'ector Low burnt bis arm , anii experienced a Bevere fall from off the house , in his exertions to cut oft all communications -wiih the lames , which w « -e rapi'ily approaching it . One of the men on the watch says he ev-w a stranger run from the place whence the flimes first iasueJ , about eight o'clock , and it is supposed that the same party left some combustible material , which , as he designed , did not tfi " -ct his diabolical purpose for three hours and a half , giving him an opportunity to escape . — Che ' msford Chronic- ' e .

      More I . ncesciahuji h Fritchlet . ——A fortnight 330 we stated that a s » suk of ¦ w . ' . eat , and also a stack cf straw , belsnging to Mr . Fri' . cbley , of Fritchley , rtar Cnch , were < Jeetruve < 1 ly Sre . VTe regret to add , that some diabolical villain set fire to another ¦ wheat Etacfc early on Sunday morning last . The flre ¦ was discovered by bo id 6 labourers who were proceeding to their work , and tliough the whole of the wheat was not destTDyfed , it was rendered unfit for use . The villain musl have crept nnd » = r the stack frame and set Sre to it in the centre . —Drrby Jtrporter .

      Fike at DaRFIEUJ . —About ioui o ' clock on Sunday inomin ? last , some people were a . ' armed by seeing a wb-at stack on fire in the stack-yard belonging to Mr . Thomas Inchbold , Cross Keys lea , Darfltlrl ; an 4 ^• hich , th > -re ia no donbt . feas been the act of an inct : ; - diary . Tcere were three stacks , two of wheat and one of hay , standing near to each othtr close behind the bam ; tfc . 9 middle one bei ! z mnch larger than tbe others ; and as tbe fire was put to it there is no donbt that it was the intention of the villain to dettmy the whole of the premises . The whole kiss isotimated at nearly £ 100 , and we are sorry to say the stacks were not iBFured . —Bonoaster Gazelle . Fire at iRCrfESTEB . —a rick of beans , standing in a stack-yard at this place , in the occupation of Mr . J . Ward , of Grendon , Northamptonshire , was destroyed by fire on the 7 th instant . A stack of Barley atfjnining was much damaged . A reward is ifiered . —Derby Reporter .

      DESTITUTION 1 > " THE METROPOLIS . Tbe Times says—A meeting was btld on Wednesday last at tbe Mansion-house for the purpose of receiving additions to the members of tbe committee which had been appointed to manage tbe subscriptions , " for giving nightly shelter to the houseless . " Tfee account , though short , is not withont interest , nor unsuggeative of reflections . It appears that the nnmber of icm-vies received at the ctTitral Asylum in Playhouse-yard between tbe 3 rd of January and the 4 th of April last was 6 , 681 ; the nightly lodging provided , 41 308 ; and tbe rations of bread distributed , 96 , 141 . Notwithstanding the large amount of ptrsorjs relieved , we are told that

      " before tho Central Asylum had been opened a fortnight , applicatiena for admission had become bo numerous as to endanger the health of the officers and inmates ; and it was not until the Eaitfern Asylum had been opened , that anything like an adequate provisien was afforded for the daily increasing nnmber of applicants . " Conple this with the declaration of Mr . Pownall , that " the Committee had encountered great difficulties in allowing their generosity to outstrip thbir means . Very little encouragement was required to induce poor people to leave < iistant parts of tbe country to make experiment of London , for very little sounded largely in the ears of those who encountered hardships in procuring the means « f subsistence . "

      STATE OF THE WELSH PEASANTRY . A writer in tbe Welshman Bays" It ia ntterly impossible to convey to the distant reader a just description of tbe dreadful distress pervading a principal part of Carmarthenshire , without txcitmg that kind of incredulous astonishment which seeks for relief in the belief that Ike account is exaggerated , and that things car not be bo bad as they are represented . ? ? ? The common rate of wages in this part of the country for able-bodied labourers is sixpence a-dsy and their food , and at this rate of wages many of them do not set constant work . There

      are farmers—aye , farmers , in this neighbourhood , who are liteially without thfc common necessaries of lifewithout even clothes to cover their own or their children ' i nakedness . * ? * * The condition cf the pooT farmers near Carmarthen , we repeat , and of the poor people in the town itself , is terrible , heart-rending and—we add , disgraceful to any country—disgraceful to tbe governing class in it we mean . Tak of the Irish tbe poor in this part of Wales—aye , in this very town , are a hundred times worse eff than the Irish peasant , er even the Hibernian denizens of St . Giles . " — Wtiskman .

      DEATH yBOM SEGLECT . An inquest was held last week at the Bluecoat Boy , Biewei ' s Gretn , "Westminster , before Mr . Higgs , the Deputy Coroner , on the body of Catherine Smart , the wife of a bricklayer ' s labourer , named William SmaTt , residing at No . 14 , Goodman's Green , Palmer ' s Field , whose death was Bileged to bave taken place from uterine hemoirkage , resulting , as waB supposed , from want of proper medical attendance during her confinement .

      It appeared that the deceased , Catherine Smart , had been recommended to tbe Royal Belgrave Lying-in Institution , Sloane Sqnare , of vfhich Dr . Lock , of Chapel-street , Grosvenor Square , is the manager , and ¦ which professes to have thirteen experienced midwives . The way the poor woman was treated may be gathered from the following extracts from the evidence adduced ; the report in full is too lengthy to give . This case is another specimen of the heartless cruelty with which the pool of this " Christian" England are treated : —

      Anne Barnes , No . 8 , Groodman ' s-green , was sent for by the deceased on Saturday morning , who complained that the eould net procure medical assistance , though she bAS beraffl from tte Thursday at dinner-time . The deceased said ahe had a letter to the BelgraTe Institution , and that her menenger returned from there on Friday with a list of midwives . The deceased Bald she sent to two of them , but the answer returned was that they wonld net do Ut . Lock ' s business Without beiig paid , and tbe poor woman added , "O , I ' m lost , I'm lost , I ' m done , I ' m done . " She then fainted away several times , and said she had gone beyond the time when her labour should have taken place . Witness advised her to send for tfee parish doctor , for the woaan was in such a way as quite frightened her , and as a restorative she bsthtd her temples with vinegar . At tlevee o ' clock * n Saturday mcrnirjg the

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      parish surgeon came from Tothill-fields Prison , on which witness said to tbe deceased , "You need not be afraid now , you have medical attendance , ** but the angwes was , " Tis too late now . " That was all the ¦ wi tness could get from her . Mr . Simpkins here observed , that the deceased was very nervous in her confinements , as on one occasion she had three , children at a birth , all of whom were living , and were extremely healthy . Mary Dodd , the mother of fourteen children , was then called , and stated , that on Friday the deceased said she had sent for two midwives , one of whom , named Brown , said she would not attend , ' a * Dr . Lock bad not paid her . She then said , "Oil shall be lost ; I Bball be lost ; " but witness said , " You can't be lost in a Christian country , for if one doctor won't come anether will be found . " The deceased was then in a state of liomorrhnge . Witness advised her to have Botne castor oil , and was sure that if she had had some medicine then her life would have been prolonged .

      A Juror—What ia the institution to which the woman was referred ? A person , who seemed to accompany Dr . Lock , replied , " Yon can have the prospectus for your amusement Hera it is . " The Juror—Sir , there is nothing amusing in this case . The inquiry is a very solemn one , and as you are here a stranger you have no right thus to interfere with the proceedings . Several of the jurors expressed their coincidence in this observation . Dr . Lock said , be could furnish the jury with a vote of thanks to himself from the directors . A Jnror—That might be useful ; but the interference of your friend to-night ia not calculated to do you much good .

      Mrs . Dodl , in answer to a juror , said that with her experience , she considered the case a very extreme one . The deceased was parched up with fever and much in need of castor oil , which was administered the next day . MaTy Bailey , the midwife who attended the poor creature when too late , was next examined . Mr . Blandford , a surgeon , of Chester-square , Pimlico , here interposed , and said the midwife was utterly unfit for her business who , when bnmorrhage intervened , did not at once resign her charge into the hands of a medical man . Mrs . Bailey said she did not think there was any serious b » aiorrhag& Mr . BlandfoTd . —No Berious bwmorrhage ? Why there was Lwiuorrhage before and after the birth . What did you do ? Mrs . Bailey . —I applied cold lotions . Mr . Blandford . —In what quantity f

      Mrs . Bailey . —I applied a quart of vinegar with a quart ef water . Mr . Blandford . —A quart of vinegar , woman , to a poor creature in such a state , in a close room , near a hot fire ? Why , she should have had buckets , and if ice or snow was to be had anywhere they should have bteu procured . She should have been put into damp sheets , and all the windows and doors thrown epen . The Jury having considered for half an hour returned a verdict , that " The deceased' Catherine Smart , died of taniorrage during child-birth , being in want of proper medical attendance at tbe proper period . " The foreman ( Mr . Bott , of York-street , Westminster ) , at the request of the jury , wished to add , that tbe thanks of the jurors were due , and by his mouth conveyed to Mr . Blandford , for his attendance at the inquest , and the assistance he had afforded .

      Immediately after tha the poor widower was introduced , with the three children of the deceased , who were born at one birth . They were very fine-looking little creatorreB , apparently about two years and a half old , and much grown for their years . Genteelly but plainly clad in foil mourning , their appearance as they clung round their father , whom with a sort of instinctive sympathy they embraced , as if feeling he was their only support , txc ' . ted general cominissemtion amongBt tho jurors , who instantly set on foot a shilling subscription to meet bis immediate wants .

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      THE OASTLER LIBERTY FUND . The press of matter occasioned by the great length ef the all-important Thornley Collery ca = e ; reports of tbe Yorkshiie Assize , &o &c . completely prevented us even noticing the important meetings , to raise subscriptions for the release of Mr . Oastler , which have been hrid , since the meeting in the Leeds Court House . We now report progress , though we c ^ n only give an . ibhtract of what has b « en done in the noble work of philanthropy and too-long delayed justice .

      THE MANCHESTER MEETIKG . On Thursday evening , Dec . 14 th , a public meeting of tho friends of Mr . Oastler , convened by advertisement , " for the purpose of considering tbe bess menus to be adopted to raise funds to procure his immediate release from prison , " was held at the Com Exchange , Hanging Ditch . Though one of the League's " Ticket " gatherings took place at tbe Free Trade Hall at the same hour , there was a most crowded attendance , every seat beiDg occupied a full half-hour before tbe time appointed for the commencement of the proceedings . Crowds subsequently poured in , and before the chair was taken , the raoia wasfiiied to overflowing . The chair was taken by Mr . Fielden , M . P ., at a little after tight , the meeting having , for some time previously , manifested considerable impatience for the speakers to come forward . They were loudly cheered oq their appearance on tfeo platform .

      The Chairtuau delivered a lengthy and excellent speech , in the course of which he was warmly applauded , and concluded by introducing Mr . Gregory . Mr . Grecoby moved and speke to the following resolution : — " That this meeting views with regret and indignation the long and unjust imprisonment of Mr . Oastler , iiifl . cted upon him as a punishment for his able and limnterested advocacy oi the rights of the poor , and persevered in with thb hope that the Buffering of imprisonment and poverty may weaken , if not destroy , the powerful advocate of their cause in future . That it is the imperative duty of every man to assist in obtaining the release of Mr . Oastler from prison , and in providing for his future security , by aiding , with all the tueans in hiB power , a subscription for that purpose . "

      Mr . W . J . HODGETTS seconded , and Mr . J . P . COBbett supported the resolution ; which was put and carried unanimously , amidst the most enthusiastic cheering . Mr . Thomas Fielde . n moved— " That a subscription be raised ¦ within the counties of Lancashire , Cheshire , and Derbyshire , for the purpose of obtaining the release of Mr . 0 latter , and of providing for his future security ; and that a treasurer and a central committee be appointed for carrying the resolutions of this meeting into effect within tbeeani counties . " Mr . James Leach , who was received with much applause , seconded the reBolutiou . Mr . Ferrasd , MP . was received with the most deafening cfeeeis , the ¦ whole of the company rising and waving their hats . We give the following extracts from that gentleman ' s speech , all we can find room for , requesting tbeattention of our readers to

      " THE GREAT FACT " of Mr Alderman Brooks admission , that , " WE'RE ALL FOR OURSELVES IN THlg WORLD . " Mr . Ferrand said , Mr . Chairman and inhabitants of the town of Manchester , in rising- to address you tonight , for the purpose of supporting the resolution which has been moved and seconded by the two preceding speakers , I can fearlessly say that never public man in this country , under the same circumstances , addressed a public meeting with so much credit to himself—( applausw ) . For , in the part which I have considered it my duty to perform , as a Member of the House of Conimon 8 , I was led lo believe , if I could have believed the assertion of those who cave

      utterance to the expressions , that here , in the town of Manchester , if I dared to show my face —( loud and prolonged chet-rs , and cries of " Long live Ferrand ! " )—that if 1 dared to appear before a public assembly in this town , a verdict of utter annihilation would await me-- { " Never ; never ! " )—that 1 should be driven from the town of Manchester with ignominy and disgrace—( " never , never ! " )—for having brought charges against certain individuals which were false and unfounded—( applause ) . But here , my friends , in an open meeting —( hear , bear ) , —without any tickets , for you to be driven to the counting-houses for —( loud and prolonged cheers ) , —you . have come here , clothed in the garb of true-born independent Eugliehmen—( applause )—determined to stand by those who have stood by

      you—( applause)—and to preve to England and the world that gntitude is yet a bright feature in the breaet of the labourer of England —( loud and long applause ) . Mr . Ferrand then proceeded to eulogise Mr . Oastler , and at same length reviewed tbe services of that gentleman in hia endeavours to obtain justice for the working classeB -against the tyranny and grinding selfishness of the millocracy . In illustration of the selfishness of the loud-niouthcd " anti-monopolists , " (?) he introduced the foilowing telling anecdotes j—In attempting to describe to you what I mean by selfish interest , I cannot do better than relate to you a short anecdote . During tbe period tbat the tariff was under discussion in the House of Commons , it happened that tbe subject of the diminution of the duty on coffee was to be brought

      forward on a particular night I went down , Mr . Chairman , to the House of Commons , for the purpose of being present during the debate . As I passed through the lobby of the Home , Mr . Croucher , the parliamentary agent , whom I have no doubt you know , tapped me on the shoulder , and said— " Mr . Ferrand , I am extremely anxious to introduce to you a deputation from Manchester . " I turned round and said I should be most happy to meet any gentlemen from Manchester on any question . He said they wished to speak to me about the one now before the house . " Allow me ( be said ) to introduce to yon Mr . Alderman

      Brooks . "—( Great laughter . ) I made a low bow to Mr . Alderman Brooks , and he did the Bame to me . — ( Laughter . ) " O , ( he Bays ) Mr . Ferrand , I am glad to ehsks bands with yon ; you ' ve given us some hard raps . "— ( Laughter ) " I replied , I hope nothing but what is true , Mr . Brooks . " " Wby , ( he Baid ) I must say , some of them are , some of thtm ar ' n't . " He then said—11 Mr . Feriand , I and tho gtntlsmen you see around me , ( and tbere Mere five or six along with him ) wish to abfc you to v ^ te r . sflinst the diminution of the duty on coffee "—

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      you how it is . You Bee there ' s myself and these gentlemen have been speculating very largely in coffee "—( great laughter ) . And my reply was— "And I hope , Mr . Brooks , yon have been taken in" —( laughter ) . " Ay , ( be says ) you see , if Sir Robert Peel reduces the duty on coffee to tbe extent which he proposes to do we shall lose a very great sum of money . " "What ! ( I said ) this from Mr . Alderman Brooks , tbe great champion of the Anti-Cora Law Leage—( applause ) the apostle of free trade—( applause ) who is for doing away with every protective duty in the country ! Impossible ! " " 0 , God love you , ( he said ) we're all for ourselves in this world ''—( Roars of laughter , the mirth being not a little heightened by tbe close imitation which the Hon . Member gave of the worthy

      alderman ' s voice and manner ) . His ( Mr . Ferrand ' a ) reply was , that he saw before him the best Bample of the Anti-Corn Law League , forbe had the honesty to speak truth , and had admitted it to be self-interest * * But , my friends , I am addressing you in the town where monopoly has also raised its head in another way during the last twelve months . It was only last year that a grand dinner was given here to Mr . Emerson Tennant , by the calico-printers of Lancashire and the country at large . Amongst the subscribers to that splendid service of plate which wan given to Mr . Emerson Tennant on that occasion , was Mr . Cobdeii—( hear , bear )—and that service of phte was given to Mr . Emerson Tennant for his successful exertions in obtaining an act of parliament which gives an unlimited

      protection to the calico-printers of this country—( applause ) . Then , if such be the case , let me ask these men to mete out the same justice to you aB they have given to themselves : if their property is to beprotected . it is high time yours was—( loud applause ) . And if ycu will stand true to the principles which I profess , and which your wortby Chairman and numerous other manufacturers are professing at this moment , we will , legally , peaceably , and constitutionally , obtain for you your just rights and privileges—( great applause ) . My friends , I'll give you another instance of self-interest . Mr . Williams , tbe menibt-t for Coventry , is a great free-trader—( laughter ) . Last year a person came over from tbe continent for the purpose of obtaining

      an act of parliament which should give him the power of manufacturing cheap watches in England : he was applauded to the skies ; but the free-trade watch and deck makers of Coventry sent word up to Mr . Williams- — " If you vote for the destruction of our trade we will vote you out of Coventry "—^ Applause ) . And so , fearing that he should be " sent t » Coventry " a different way from what ho had been heretofore , ho went down to the House , voted against the act for cheap watches , calling it " a monopoly , '' and the man , who came from Switzerland , a " Swiss adventurer . " Mr . Ferrand continued at great length , interrupted only by repeated burBts of enthusiastic applause , and finally sat down amidst loud aud prolonged cheering .

      The resolution was then put and unanimously carried . TbeRev . J . Schoibfield , whs was received with much applause , moved— " That Mr . Thomas Fielden be the tre isurer of this fund . " Mr . Daties seconded the resolution . The Rav . Mr . Stephens spoke in support of the resolution , which was carried unanimously . Mr . R . S . SoWLER moved the appointment of the committee , and Mr . R . B . B . Cubueix seconded tbe motion .

      The Chairman was about to put the resolution , when some sensation was created in the meeting by tbe appearance of Mr . Alderman Brooks ou tho platform . He looked about him , apparently a little bewildered , aa though he had got to the wrong meeting , but some few persons in tbe body of the room having called out his name , he thiuat forward to tbe front of the platform , and essayed to addresB tbe audience . At first it was all dumb show , great confusion being caused by such an unexpected intrusion ; but the Chairman having stated that Mr . Brooks had been invited by the committee to attend , and that he wished to have an opportunity of addressing the meeting , he was allowed to proceed .

      Mr . Brooks then , evidently very much excited , said , I have been at another meeting , an < l 1 &ear < i there was a charge made against me hem ( lo < king at Mr . Ferraud , near to whom be stood ) ; sol thought I would come and 6 ee him face to face—( applause ) . Now , gentlemen , don't you think that is straight-forward ? Thertf « n > , I do hope you'll give me a healing . You have heard , I suppose , from Mr Ferrand , that I was one of a deputation in London who called upon him to get him to vole against the lowering of the duty oncuffee?—( " Yea , " ) And now you shall hear all the truth , lie told you that , didn ' t ho?—'(" Yew , yes . ") Is it true what he 6 aid , think you ?— ( loud cr'es of " Yes , " and " It ' s true . ") Then I say there's nut ; i word of truth in it —( groans and uproar , during which the speaker

      was for sometime inaudible ) , Tou see , I won't charge him with stating that whic i he did not beiitve , mark you ; because ptople are often mistaken about matters —( laughter );—and I am quite sure he must have so understood me , or he would nut have made the charge —( hear , hear ) . Now , I'll tell you how this coffee matter was—( groans and other marks of disapprobation ) . You shall hear every word , or else I'll wait while y « M < to . I say you are all suffrage people , aa well as I ; but you must learn batter manners , for its only fair that we should aJJ b « beard . Well , gentlemen , if you recollect , when Sir Robert Peel ' s tariff came out be made a difference in the coffees : I'll tell you ¦ what it was . The duty before tho alteration was fVr British plantation , 81 I a pounci—( A voice : "No ;

      sixpence . ") For British plantation , fid —( " Sixpence . ") Here Mr . Brooka seemed to be trying to recollect himself , and after a short consideration , said—O , yes , I beg the gentleman ' s pardon ; it wns sixpence ; bo ' s rlgbt .- ^ lLiUghter , nnd great confusion , which led the Chairman to interfere in behalf of Mr . Brooks , who , after a pause , proceeded with his statement . ) Now , gentlemen , on British plantation it waa Gd ., and ou foreign , that ia , tbat which has gone round the Cape , Oil . Now , they took ODe-thiijd of the duty off the British , and made it 4 d . ; but instead of taking onethird , or 3 d ., off the foreign , they only took off Id . Now , what I went to London with the deputation for waa to get them to take the same proportion of duty off the foreign coffee , as they were taking off the British plantation . They tcok 3 d . off the British , but

      only Id . off tbe foreign , thereby robbing the people of tbia country , who used foreign coffee , of 2 < 1 . in tba pound . Now , why I went to London on the deputation was to get the foreign coffee reduced one-third , to Sd . And I will tell you why I went ; the first thing was my own interest ; for I lost £ 3 . 000 , and a friund of mine lost a similar sum . —( A burBt of ironical cheers and laughter , which waa kept up some minutes . ) I see you'll understand it ; if you'll wait , I'll bring it to your senses . —( Continued uproar . ) Now , gentltmen , the government robbed the people that day of £ 300 , 000 , in consequence of . the differential duties . If it had not been for tbia , I should have been able to sell my foreign coffee lid . a pound cheaper . It was a dead robbery on the 01 en who held foreign coffee . —( Ironical cheers . ) Mr . Brooks having paused till the noise should subside ,

      Mr . Ferrand lose , and was greeted with meat deafening cheers . He said—That is not the charge which I made against yeu , Mr . Brooks . —( Cheers . ) Mr . BROOKS—What was it then ?—( laughter ) . Mr . Feruand—Mr . Brooks was going to make a long speech about tbe different duties ou coffeo : I said to him that was not the charge , and he turned round and asked what it was . Now , be cinie into tbe room , and said every word I had uttered against him was untrue . I ask yeu if be bas not proved it out of his own mouth ?—( loud cheers , and "He haa ) " ) . And I now , in bis presence , repeat what I stated before , and what 1 should not bave repeated this evening had I not known that the gentlemen below were reporting it , and that it would meet hia eye—mpplause ) . I stated

      that I was passing through the lobby of the House of Commons , to take my place in that House , during the debate on the reduction of the duty on coffees . As I passed through it Mr . Croucher , the parliamentary agent , tapped me on the back , and he said , " Allow me , Mr . Ferrand , to introduce you to a deputation of gentlemen from Manchester . ' Mr . Alderman Brooks came up , and Mr . Croucher Baid , Mr . Ferrand , Mr . Alderman Brooks . " I said , » How do you do , Mr . Alderman Brooks ? I am happy to bo introduced , to you , or to any deputation from Manchester "—^ applause ) . He said , " I am happy to be introduced to you Mr . Ferrand . : You have said some strong things against us . " I said , " I hope I have said nothing but what is true *'—( applanse ) . He said , " Aye , there ' s some

      hard hits , and some of them ' s perhaps true "—( great applause ) . He seemed all in a hurry to tell me about this coffee : for I have no hesitation , as I said this evening , in saying that he ia one of the honesteat in the lot But Mr . Croucher said , " Tou had better let me state the case to Mr . Ferrand ; " and before he got half way through , Mr . Brooks could not be quiet , but be began bimaelf , and said , " Ay , and this gentleman , along with myself , has been speculating in coffee ; and if Sir Robert Peel reduces the duty to the extent he proposes , we shall be great losers . " Now , he tells you to-night that he baa lost £ 3 , 000 —( Applause ) . I held up my hands in amazement , and I a . tid , " What ! Mr , Alderman Brooks , the chairman of the Anti-Corn Law League ! the man who supports it with

      his pocket to the extent he does I he who proclaims himself the advocate of free trade and so protective duties ! What ! you oppose tbe reduction of duty on coftee , by which the poor man could have his cup of coffee reduced in price ! " —( Applause ) . "Oi ( he says ) you see we are all for eutaelvea In thia world '—( loud cheers and laughter ) . ( Here the Hon . Member fixed a steady gaze upon poor Mr . Brooks , who was seated cl « se beside , looking dreadfully agitated ) . Now , then , let Mr . Brooks deny tbat , and I will produce witnesses who heard it —( cheers)—at the door of the House of Commons , in the presence of the door-keepera , in the presence of Mr . Croucher , In the presence of other gentlemen , as well as of the deputation who surrounded him ; and what I have said , I will stand by to . the last hour of my life—( loud cheers ) .

      Mr . Brookb again attempted to apeak , but the noise was so great tbat only a few unconnected words could be beard . We understood him to allege that Mr . Ferrand had varied tbe terms of the charge against him , and to state tbat the deputation had gone to London , not to keep up the duty , but to get it reduced , and that Mr . Croucher , the parliamentary agent , was specially employed by them for that purpose . * At the close of thia scene , Mr . R . Sow leu moved a vote of tbanka to Mr . Ferrand , for bis attendance at the meeting , and his able and consistent advocacy of

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      the interests of the working classes . The motion , being seconded , waa carried nnaidat enthusiastic cheering * Tbe thanks of tbe meeting were then voted ! to the Chairman by acclamation . The proceedings terminated with three cheers for Mr . Ferrand , three cheers for Mr . Oastler , three for MrlpConnor , three for Frost , Williama , and Jones , three for the Northern Star and three for the Jtfancheiter Courier , and three groans for the Manchester Guardian . i Oldham . —A meeting was held in the Town Hall , on Friday evening , the 15 th inst The room waa filled to overflowing . MrJ Win . Taylor , manufacturer was called to the cbair . The usual resolutions were adopted unanimously , and a ; conimittee was appointed to carry out tho objects of the meeting . Mr . Ferrand was present and was most enthusiastically received .

      BOLTOiN . —On Saturday evening , Dec . 16 th , a meeting , was held in tbe Temperance Hall . The usual resolu tionswbre meved aud spoken to by Messrs . Myerscough , Fishwick , Ferrand , ani ethera . A committee was appointed to carry the object of the meeting into effect ; and after a vote of thanks to Mr . ^ Ferrand and the chairman , the meeting separated . Stockfort . —On Monday , Doc . I 8 th ( a large and enthusiastic meeting was bolden in the Hall of ( Science . Mr . Ferrand delivered a lengthy and able address , in the course of which he waa enthusiastically applauded . A committee was appointed to raise subscriptions .

      Preston . —A crowded and entbusiastio meeting waa held in the Theatre , ] on Wednesday evening , Dec 20 . Mr . T . Swinglehurst Was called to the chair . Mr . Ferrand , M . P ., speke at great length in support of the objects of the meeting , almost every sentence of hia speech elicited unbounded enthusiasm . A committee was appointed , and the meeting broke up .

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      * Mr . Brooks has since the above meeting again denied the truth of Mr . Ferrand ' s statement A friend of Mr . Brook ' s , who bas volunteered a letter in hia defence in the Horning Chronicle , a Jmits that the worda " We ' re all for outBelyes in this world , " were spoken by Mr . Brooka , but be asserts tbat they were applied in another sense to that alleged by Mr . Ferrand . Our readers may decide for themselves . Taey know-Mr . Ferrand , and they know something of the blustering Loaguer , Mr . Alderiflan Brooks , ( at least our Manchester readers do , ) they Will have no difficulty in deciding which man to believe .

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      NEW ZEALAND . We have been re guested to give the following extracts from a letter received at Hull from the undersigned parties The husband , Jonas , is a native of Holbeck ( Leeds ) . The writers' descriptions of life in New Zealand will be found interesting . NeJson ; New aealaDd , Feb . 14 th , 1843 . Dear Paiient 8 , — -We sailed from Gravesend on the 1 st of August with about two hundred persons on board , including men , women , and children . We met witb contrary windB and bad weather for three weeks , and had a great deal of sea sickness on board . We came in sight of Madeira on the 23 rd August , and have had five deaths up to this time . We bave bad three deaths during tbe last rive weeks , and bave had four births during the same time , and all the women bave done well ,. but only one of the children has lived .

      On the 42 nd November we had a most awful stormthe thunder and lightning waa terrible . We thought the Bhip was on fire fbv some time ; the captain and several of tha 8 ailora wfere blinded for a few minutes ; ene of the sailors lost tbe < uae of bis limbs altogether . There was not one adult died during the voyage , nor any children above five years old . We suffered a good deal from sea sickness , but tbe children ailed very little . We arrived here on the 21 st of December , and we need scarcely say we were jail well pleased to get safe on land once more—the natives crowded round us to welcome us in thoit usual way . The men and women all wear a blanket to cover them , exc « pt s few who adopt the

      English divfcs , which , we think wi'lbecome more general amongst them . They area tine race of people , kind and hospitable in th « extreme . They are perfectly harmless , and much attached to tbe white people , Some few of them can understand' a good deal of English , all of them a little ; they are remarkably honest , but like to bave things given to them ' , such as pipes , tobacco , needlf s , cotton , Or biscuit We have frequently six or eight of thtm in tbe house Jtogetber ; they walk in on © after another without any ceremony , and seat themselves on the floor . We have not seen a house with windowshuttur * , bolts , or looks to the door ; every one tbiDks themselves safe without .

      The country ia one of the finest in tbe world , such a one aa we never beheld—it is very mountainous : some of the mountains are three miles high—many covered with snow all the year round , and several with evergreensthere are beautiful flowers growing wild . We bave not seen a bit of fruit of any description . There ia none but a few young plants that bave been brought from England lately . There is fish of almost every kind in abundance—the nativi 8 will Bull one that weighs twelve or fourteen pounds for a shilling . There are plenty of vegetables , but they are rather dear . The land will produce anything you like to grow upon it in a very remarkably short time . Land is letting at a low rent in some p " . rts of the colony . Clothing ia very dear ; there are several large at'ires where they sell all kinds of

      things , both eatables ^ drinkables , and wearables . We can buy some thicgs ' as cheap as in England . Porter ia 8 'iapint ; bread ia i 6 d per two pound loaf ; butter 2 s 6 J to 3 s 6 d per pound ; cheese 2 s 6 d per pound ; caudles Is Gil per pound ; mutton and beef from la to Is 2 ; 1 per pound ; id jut , best quality , 24 s per cwt , coffee Is per pound ; j tea , good , 4 s to 5 *; milk 6 d per pint ; frtsb poik 9 d per pound ; salt pork 7 d per pound ; salt 24 peri pound ; potatoes Id per poand ; atarch Is 4 a per pound ; loaf sugar lOd per pound ; raw sugar 4 rl to Cd per pound ; eggs 3 il each ; soap Sd par pound ; tics 5 d per pound ; wines cheap . Tbere are plenty of curioiis shells , plenty of wild pigpons . plenty of wild ducks and giga , besides a variety of small birds . 1

      Trade is net very ; brisk here at present , but there is every prospect of an improvement . We have ten shipii here at present ; two from England . When any of . ; the emigrants are sick , the company ' s surgeon attends them gratis . If the husband is sick , they give him the best of attendance , and medicine , and keep' him and hia family until he is better—and keep them well too . Tbe doctor is tbe kindest man we ever , met with as a surgeon . We can wish for nothing better than the arrangements of the country . The bouses are mostly built of wood , a few of bricks , and some thatched . Jonas and Mary Rider .

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      SOUTH LONDON . Chartist Hall . —The Chartists of this locality have fixed the 1 st of January , 1841 , for tbe collecting and receiving subscriptions for the National Tribute . A Donai ion of five shillings has been received from Mr . Enaor , Timeridge Wells , for the above Hall . MaRTLEBONE . —At a meeting of the members of this locality of the National Charter Association , held on Wednesday evening , Dec . 20 th , at the Mechanica Institution , Circus-street , New Road , the following

      resolutions were agreed to : — " That we agree witb the proposition to pay Id . per month to the National Vic tim Fund , and earnestly impress upon our Chartist brethren throughout tbe country tbe propriety of their adopting similar means to support the wives and families of our unjustly peraecuted brethren . That the first collection take place on Sunday , Jan . 7 th , 1844 ,. and that the council be instructed to forward the proceeds immediately to tbe National Victim Committee with a request tbat they take into tbeir immediate consideration the case of Mrs . ' Ellis , with the view of giving her every assistance in their power .

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      FRANCE . —The Legitimists . —Louis Philippe haa dismissed eight Mayors of communeB for attendng the leveea of the Duke of Bordeus at Belgraveequare . I The Fortifications . —Another guardhouse , says La Reforme . is about to be erected and fortified at the pafilion of thej institute oa the Quai Malaquais . According to ( he ( proposed plan , this fortress will present twenty loopholes on the Bid © of the river Seine , ten on each iside , and ten in the Rue de Seine , making altogether ] fifty . The guardhouse which exists near the same situation is condemned as not sufficiently formidable .

      Prince Louis | NiPotEON haa instituted a suit against the public ; treasury of France , and the case was called on Thursday , in the Chamber of First Instance of Paris . ; The Prince claims , the payment of an annuity ( in perpetuity ) of 1 , 800 , 000 francs , granted to him byja senatus-consullum of 1810 * constitutive of the appanage of King Louis and Queen Hortense . He adduces likewise , in support of his pretensions , an drdinanoe of King Louis -XVIII ., conferring ths estate of St . Leu on Queen Hortense , who was known ever afterwards under . the title of Duchess de St ; Leu . The Treasury opposes to the demand of Prince : Louis a plea of incompeteqey . The affair has been postponed until a future day , when M . Nogent jSt . Laurent is to plead for the Prince , and M . Pouget for the Treasury ,

      SPAIN . —Intelligence from Madrid of the 14 th instant , state that Olozaga continued to absent himself from tbe sitti n gs of the Cortes . He does . not sleep in his own house , but , is said to be concealed in the house of one of his friends . A great number of Opposition members had also absented themselves , and , abont thirty ! of them , according to some accounts , had left the capital to rouBe the provinces against the Bravo ] Ministry . Tbe discussion in the Gortes , on the Queen's declaration , continued , but tha interest in thelaffair was subsiding . The Deputies vrho spoke last were Alcon , and Cortina . Bayoitce , Dec . 20 . —In the sitting of the 17 th , the Congress adopted , ! by a majority of 101 to 48 , tho proposition of a message to tae Queen .

      The Times Corresvpndent , writing from Madrid , on the 17 th , sajs : f-Th « Gazette teems with dismissals and promotions by the new Ministry . GefeB Folitioos , Contadores , and lntendentes of Customs

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      and Taxes in various provinces figure in the daily list of changes along with judges and magistrates The Camarilla is undoing all that the Provisional Government did at such cost to the country during its short and troubled reign , and preparations for civil war are evidently once more on foot . Indications are already apparent at Saragossa , where the townspeople paraded the city in crowds , playing their famous national air , ** La Jola Arragonesa , and giving vivas for the constitution , and mueras for traitors ! These crowds "were dispersed , on the night Of the 10 th instant , by the bayonet ; but the citizens continuing to promenade , shout , and play thef / ota , and matters growing worse , a bando wa 3 published by the Gefe Politico , on the 13 ih % prohibiting its performance , and placing the disobedient under the operation of martial law .

      Here , in Madrid , all is sympathetic alarm and military precaution . Sentinels , with loaded musketf , are placed at the corners of cross streets . The Princesa Regiment is kept ready in its barrack , untroubled by garrison duties of an ordinary character , and ready at a moments warning to be let loose oa the turbulent . Narvaez drives about with a sergeant's guard of Hussars in front and rear , and an aide-de-camp at each of his carriage windows armed with a carbine " ready" to deal with anybody who looks like an assassin .

      Catalonia . —A letter from the frontiers of Catalonia , in the Phare of Bayonne , informs us that the ion of Figueras continued to fire on the ISA oa the fortifications thrown up by Prim . That person , in the hope of deterring Amettler from firing upon the town , had resorted to the extraordinary proceeding of sending detachments into the country to arrest all the relations of the insurgents who could be found , and bring them into Figueras . This barbarous measure , however , appears to have had no effect upon the insurgent chief , whose fire has rather increased than diminished since bis own family and three of his friends and partisans have been dragged into the town to sustain the horrors of a bombardment .

      GREECE . —A Trieste letter of the 13 th states , that some disagreeable scenes had taken place ia Athens , on December 6 , on account of a motion by M . Packos , one of the members of the National Assembly , for pecuniary relief to be given to distressed foreigners . The people when they heard of this , collected before the house of the deputy , and broke his windows . Another riot took place in consequence of a satirical article on the Greek nation , inserted in a journal published by M . Soatjos . The Ministry had been compelled , in order to quiet the people , to order M . Soatjos to quit the country .

      Preparations of the Russian Government . — The Cologne Gazette having stated that the Russian Government had sent strong reinforcements to the army of the South , and this having been contradicted by other German journals , the Gaxette repeats its statement . It adds , on the authority of letters from Bessarabia , that the reinforcement amounts to fifteen thousand men , aad that the evident motive for it is to keep down the agitation that reigns in the provinces bordering on Turkey , and also to be prepared for any insurrection of the Greek population in Turkey .

      Canada . —The disruption of the French minirtry produced a prodigious excitement in Kingston , which continued till late in the evening of Tuesday the 28 th ult ., the date of our last advices . No explanation had been given for this explosion , but Latontaine , who is the master-spirit of the French party in United Canada , has promised the Assembly to give it in a few days . In the meantime , he and his adherents remain with the governor , but in aa inactive state till he forms a new ministry . It is impossible to tell what has been the chief cause of this difficulty . It will' shake Canada to pieces , unless Sir Charles Metcalfo acts with tact and decision . Ever since the-coalition of the French

      and British interetts , or rather since the French were placed in power over the British , the pot of trouble has been boiling till the steam has forced the top off and brought on a crisis . Kingston was foil of rumours as to what course the governor would pursue , but the most probable was , that he would call Draper , formerly Attorney-General of Canada , and Morris , an independent member of the Legislative Council , to his aid . These men have just influence enough with the French , it is said , to give tho administration a working majority .

      We find in the Xiagmra Chronicle accounts of disturbances which had taken place amongst the Irish employed on the Welland canal . Fire-arms were used , and the result was the death of two or three men aud a number wounded . The same journal states t hat it was given in evidence at tho investigation , that the men employed in the quarries were in possession of no less than one hundred stand of arms —a fact which , the writer considered , should induce the Government to consider whether the country is not , iiL watit of an arms bill .

      FOREIGN MISCELLANY . Thk Dead Alive . —La Presse publishes the following statement : —During the night of the 7 th instant , a man was supposed to die-in the hospital of G

      The Eruption of Mount Etna . —Aderno , Nov . 26 . —I wrote to you yesterday in great haste ( as an opportunity for Catania and Messina was just olf « ring ) from a place which people have agreed to call a convent , but which at the present moment scarcely offers a miserable shelter to the traveller caught , by bad weather , —where , before a sparing fire of dearly bought brushwood , he may dry hia garments a little and warm himself . During the time I was writing my letter the top of the mountain had commenced , with renewed vehemence , and with tremendous noise , to throw out , at first thick black clouds of smoke and vapour , and soon afterwards a mass of water , ashes , sand , and enormous stooes , which flew a'vay in every direction , and probably , at

      least to leeward , to a great distance . We did not think ourselves any longer secure in our place of refuge , aud we left it to get nearer to the road leading to Aderuo , as it now had become impossible , without much circuitous travelling , to reach Bronte , where I originally intended to proceed . We had , however , scarcely comeiato the open air , when we became aware that the present new volcano , in half height of the north-western declivity of the mountain , had also recommenced to rage and to throw out a mass of fiery lava , which , as every , unevenness of the ground has been filled up by the effluxions going on since the 18 th , poured down with immense velocity into the valley in a southern direction from Bronte . The vapour which this efflux from hell emitted , and

      the gas which developed itself , made breathing difficult . Being so near , wo began to feel rather uneasy and retired therefore towards Aderno , without , however , losing sight of the firestream . It had pursued , in the meantime , the direction tatcen up before , and roiled itself with a roaring noise over the road , already destroyed and covered thirty feet high with dross and rubbish , aud over the descent , cultivated with grtat industry , towards the sloping banks of the Simeto . On this descent a great number of men and women , inhabitants of Bronte and its vicinity , were busy tryiug to save from this universal devastation the fruits of bard and uninterrupted toil of many years , at least th © wood of the olive , and other fruit trees , for firewood . When the firestream surprised them , many of them , some thirty persons , were completely surrounded and burned to death , and several others could only be saved with great

      difficulty , and not without dangerous wounds . Last night the new crater and the lava-stream presented a sight which can only be speechlessly looked upon , but cannot be described . The moon came coldly piercing through the gloomy clouds and hung her pale light over the country , bloodred illuminated by the fire of the eruption and of the liquid k ? a . Here and there , when the stream threw its » if over a declivity or a craggy rock , a new aw / a' noise arose ; when the lava reached trees or shrrdSi clear flames were flickering up suddenly , but fflly for moments , and also the distant trees were se » n toblazaandfall . The highest cone of the giant ^ nount did not keep quiet all this time , but continued with the same violence to throw out , althougl without fire . During tho night the imposing sigN was heightened by vivid lightning forking through the darkness of the black clouds of smoke . —Augshirg Gazette .

      Duelling—Frankfort , Dec . 15—We hare just learned that at eleven o ' clock yesterday morning a duel , with pistols , took place at Oggersheim , in Rhenish Bavaria , between Moritz von Haber and Von Sorachaga , io which tbe latter wasihot . Von Haber returned yesterday to Menta . 7 on Saraohaga was kiHed on the spot . This is the third victim which this melancholy affair has caused—Frankfort Zeitung . Thb Tomb o » Napoleon— " It is now bar years " gays the Corsaire , " since the Chambers voted the

      funds accessory for the erection of the Emperors tomb . To-day , after a lapse of four yeirs , not a stone of the Imperial monument has yet been laid . But next June it will be four years since she Chambers had the weakness to vole the embasillement of Paris—a work worthy of the Titans . Well ! not only hare the bastilles been constructed , but extensive works have been added to the Casleof Vincennes , and another fort has been erectedat Auber-Filliers , of which no mention is made n tbe iflrf . Compare , and draw the inference . "

      Hurricane at Buenos Atres—A vi (( ent harncane occurred in th < a River Plate , on the 8 th of October , when seventeen vessels whe » driven on shore ; the water suddenly rose unuually hign « and washed down [ several houses at Buenos Ayres , and property to a coasiderablo extent was damaged .

      C^ Aru^T £Nlelj(G-?N«. (Excluded From Our Last For Want Of Room.) '

      C ^ aru ^ t £ nlelJ ( g- ? n « . ( Excluded from our last for want of room . ) '

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      Untitled Article

      S THTCNORTHTCRNSTAR . ^

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 30, 1843, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct961/page/6/