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HOUSE OF COMMONS.-TUESDAY,…
HOUSE OF COMMONS.-TUESDAY, APRIL 9. WINDOW TAX. Several petitions were presente for a repeal of this tax, which Viscount DUNCAN followed up by a motion on the subject, de- claring that the abolition of taxes upon air and light was expedi- ent, on account of their acting prejudicially upon the health and moral condition of the people. The noble lord contended that, upon an Exchequer rich enough to afford a remission of taxation, the window duties possessed claims at least equal to those ofbi-icks or stamps. Beyond the inevitable weight of this duty, the scale according to which it was levied rendered it peculiarly and un- justly oppressive to certain classes of householders. Class interests, possessing influence over successive Chancellors of the Exchequer had secured unfair exemptions from this impost in favour of Ireland, the public-offices, farm-houses, churches, manufactories, shops, aud counting-houses. Notwithstanding the enormous number of houses now annually built, the amount received from the tax had diminished since 1842, showing the shifts to which the builders had resorted in order to avoid or reduce the window duty. The various attempts to promote sanitary reform made during the last few years had been seriously impeded by the operation of this tax. Sir DE LACY EVANS seconded the motion, which was framed so as to carry the exemption from duty to houses not having more than 12 windows, and added many instances of the unwholesome style of building which had grown out of the window duties. The tax was of the nature of a property tax, but was most unequal and injurious in its incidence. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that as the law stood, all farming, trading, and manufacturing industries enjoyed ex- emption; and the same might practically be said of all the dwellings occupied by agricultural labourers. The tax, therefore, fell in a great measure upon the classes most able to support it. As a question of fiuance, he could not consent to abandon the tax with- out securing some substitute, which he doubted the willingness of the House to sanction, or their ability to find a source. of revenue likely to prove less irksome to the contributors. Lord DUDLEY STUAKT, Capt. PECHELL, Sir B. HALL, Mr. HOME, and Lord R. GEOSVENOR, having all spoken in favour of Loid Duncan's motion, the House divided, when there appeared For the motion 77 Against. 80 3 Loud cheers accompanied the announcement from the chair of this close run division. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL obtained leave to bring in a bill pro- viding more simple and ample securities to purchasers of encum- bered estates in Ireland. The report of various votes passed in committee of supply for the ordnance and naval service was then brought up and agreed to. The Charitable Trusts Bill was then read a second time, and the H'm « djourued. HOUSE OF COMMONS —WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10. The Report on the South Wales Railway was considered and agreed to. The County Courts Extension Bill was read a second time. An amendment having been moved by Sir G. GREY, which was lost by 67 against 144, giving a majority of 77 for the Bill. The House then went into committee on Mr. Ewart's Pu lie Libraries and Museum Bill. Col. SIBTHORP S amendment that t be read again that day six months being lost by 64 against 99.
THE EVILS OF THE TRUCK SYSTEM…
THE EVILS OF THE TRUCK SYSTEM IN THE MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS OF THE OUNTIES OF MONMOUTH AND GLAMORGAN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRINCIPALITY. RESPECTED SIR,- Perhaps in these critical times, when there is a general effort made by our respected employers to reduce our wages, you will be pleased to grant a small space of your valuable journal in order to give the public an opportunity to view us in our connexion with the abusive, dishonest, and abominable truck system which is so generally and widely practised in our mining districts. If the few honourable mas- tors who regularly pay their workmen in cash have an occasion to reduce the wages, such occasion I shall not call into question at present; but it appears quite evident to myself, and to all who are in the least informed of the unjust operations of the truck, that the practisers ot the truck system have no justifiable reason for their barefaced attempt at reducing our wages, for this reason alone they charge us one-fourth per pound more for goods in their truck shops than we could purchase them elsewhere; or, in simpler words, we can buy goods in other shops five shillings in the pound sterling cheaper than at the company's truck shop, which is equal to twenty-five per cent. profit, which they realise by way of imposition over and above the profits of the general provision trade. But their profit is very enormous in the clothing line. We have a just cause to complain of the whole of such immoderate and illegal gain, which must considerably aid the truck companies to pay their way much better than the honourable employers who will not suffer such a disgraceful system to be practised, but give money on account of work in many places every week, and in other places twice in the month. The workmen then have full liberty to go where they choose to purchase goods and spend their money, which most undoubtedly is the workman's just light. But some may ask us why we encourage such a system, by buying goods with such companies and why not stop for the time when we should be paid in cash? To these and such queiies we can deliver very experimental replies. Thus, in some works the pay is withheld from the poor workmen for two months, which is too much for many of us, who have large families, and we cannot wait for the money. Owing to this many of us, if not the majority, are forced to submit to the enormous prices of the truck shop and again, if we aie not buyers in the truck shop, it is more than probable that in a short time we should be discharged from the works of the truck companies so many of us deal with them when work is scarce for fear of being discharged from the work. A month is too much time for a poor workman without receiving any money on account of his work in the interim. The truck companies are well aware of our unhappy circumstances, and oblige us to go for goods to their truck shop or famish, for we shall not receive any money till the pay, whether it will be a month or two-month pay. The truck companies consider us in many respects bound to (leal with them, even on any terms, and whether the quality of their goods will answer our palate or not. If the very goods that we want are not in their shops, we are obliged to buy what is there, and be off home with no more thanks from the servers or the manager than the dog receives for carrying his tail. The insults and the abuses we ourselves, our wives, and our daugh- ters often receive from these very unlike civil men of business, put us very often in memory of the land of the slaves even in the middle of a free country. In fact, and to cut it short, the monopoly of truck is injurious in the extreme to all trades and classes of society. As this is a fact too well known to need evidence, I shall pass it by to notice their methol at truck shops, which appears very strange. They employ a cashier in these shops, whose chief employment is (alter goods are ordered by any workman of theirs, and the amount calculated by the server,) to hand over that exact amount to the buyer of the goods for him to pay for them. It is evident this truck system of paying will do a great deal with little hard cash. Thus, a sovereign will pay a sovereign each to a thousand men, and move ad infinitum. Thus this illegal system at once monopolises the trade to the same handse i irerrupU the natural circulation of money, and enriches one party by reducing the other to a state of poverty. It "is more than probable that they engage such a cashier for the purpose of protecting them from becoming amenable to the law, as they well know if they were It,.twitli lioi d the money they would be amenable. But how much b-tter is it? Not the least. The money only passes from the cashier to the buyer of goods, then to the hands of the server, who takes it immedi- ately back to the cashier again and this is the whole circula- tio.i, which is no better than if the mo:uy remainel in .the cash-box of the company. There have been instances of persons ordering goods to the counter of these shops in order to have money thus \v hands; the same pesons, leaving the gojds h »■: their escape out of the shop with the money in their hands, and have used the moaey as they pleased, which was undoubtedly their right. Wiihout some such scheme it is next to an im- possibility to obtain a person's own money from the truck com- panies, even in cases of urgent necessity, at least before the pay, which takes place at some works not oftener than every eight or ten weeks but those that would venture to trespass so against the company will be discharged from the works as soon as possible. Now I have dealt in no personalities, though I could men- tion names. I have described the evils of the truck system but very sparingly. I have only showed the cap to the public, an shall content myself in seeing it wore by whoever it fits. But perhaps some of your readers will be so kind as to show us the most likely way to bring down this Diana," which I would wish to do in the most peaceful and inoffensive m, niier possi- ble. Having trespassed thus long on your patience, I beg leave to remain your humble servant, A WELSH COLLIER. Anti-Truck Vale, April 9th, 1850.
Advertising
JAMES REYNOLDS, SUNDERLAND BRIDGE HOTEL, SAINT MARY-STREET, CARDIFF, T1 EGS leave to inform his Fi lends in Cardiff and the County of Glamorgan generally, that he has lately succeeded Mr. James Howell in the above old established and commodious House and hopes that, by strict attention to the comfortable accommodation of his customers, he may be worthy of a share of their patronage. The Shipping Gazette taken in here. Prime Home-brewed and other Ales, Porter, &c. [NEAT WINES AND SPIRITS. Shipping supplied on the most moderate terms. DENT'S IMPROVED WATCHES AND CLOCKS. EJ DENT, Watch and Clock Maker by distinct appoint- ments to the Queen, H. R. H. Prince Albeit, and H. 1. M. the Emperor of Russia, most respectfully solicits from_the Public an inspection of his extensive STOCK of WATCHES and CLOCKS, embracing all the late modern improvements, at tne most economical charges. Ladies' Gold Watches, with gold dials, jewelled in four holes, 8 guineas gentlemen's, witu enamelled dials, 10 guineas; youths' silver watches,^ 4 guineas. Warranted accurate-going lever watches, jewelled in four holes, 6 guineas. E. J. DENT, 82, Strand, 33, Cockspur street, and 34, Royal Exchange (Clock Tower Area). Classical, Mathematical, and Commercial Academy, 24, Queen-square, Bristol. CONDUCTED_BY _MK. TAPSOJF. TN this Establishment Young Gentlemen are comfortably boarded I and carefully instructed in the English and Latin languages, the Mathematics, Geography, History, Chronology, riting, Arith- metic, and the other branches of useful and polite learning with every requisite of a souivl Commercial Education. To combine the comforts of a paternal home, with a liberal Edu- cation and moral improvement, is the leading principle upon whiqh this Academy is conducted and to effect this desirable o iject every exertion is used. MR TAPSON'S plan of Instruction simplifies as much as possible every branch of study by continued oral explanations, in such a manner as to render it pleasing to the Scholar and ensure his im- provement. Great care is taken that all the Pupils are thoroughly grounded in every department of Education by weekly examina- tions and for the encouragement of a spirit of emulation among the Young Gentlemen, prizes are awarded half-yearly to the most, deserving in each Class.. la the management of Youth Mr. T. has invariably found that by gentleness combined with firmness, the most lasting good is ef- fected it will therefore be his constant study by unwearied assi- duity to deserve the confidence of those who may entrust him with the care of their Sons. A Quarter's Notice or an equivalent will be required previously to the removal of a Pupil. TRENCH, DRAWING, &C., BY APPROVED MASTERS. Terms (which are moderate) and reference from Parents of Pupils in Glamorgan, Monmouth, and adjoining Couiiti-s, may be known on application. BRISTOL GENERAL STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY, OFFICE, QUAY, BRISTOL. fsa r i'SHE following steam vessels are intended to 1 sail from GUHlherland Basin, Bristol, to j\ and from Dublin, Shamrock; Cork, Juoerna and Sabrina; Waterfowl, VictoryandEo.se; Tpnhv. Gsprey (Tuesdays) and Phcenix,; Mil- ford, Pater, and Haverfordwest, Osprey; Cai mavthen, Phcanix; S wansea, County aud Beresford; Newport, iioi/t and Dart; Cardiff, Star and Prime of Iv ales, as under- mentioned during APRIL, 1850:— FROM BRISTOL "H S si c V Cu APRIL 3 H 4 |' P° £ m O 2, I c., Hon l 8^ am 8J am lues 2 9 am 9 aai 9 am 9 ami 8| am 9 am Wed 3 9i am ••• 9i am 9i am Thur 4 •• ••• am anl 10 am Fri. 5 11 "am 11am llamlofam 11 am Sat. 6 12 noo Hi aui'l2noon 1U am Mon 8 3 pm 3 pm lues 9 3.v pm 3J pm*3J pin 4 am 2| pm 3i pm Wed 10 4 pm « pni 6 am I I 6 5 ail1 6 am I'Vi.12 5j pm 5i pm £ 6 anii*j.| am 7 am Sat. 13 7 am 7 amj*Ci am 7 £ am Monl5 am am Vuesl6 8 am 8 am; 8 am H aT1i; 8 am 9 am Wed 17 8i am p 8? am- 64 am TiiurlS ••• am am am LM.19 soi'am lOj'am 11 amjloi am H. am Sat.30 12rioo ••• as "i am|113 am 12j pm Mot h 7.. 77 ••• 24 Pm ? Tues'23 3-i pm 3} pm 3^ pm H am| 3j pm 4 pm Wed.a-1 4 pm 4J pm- 6 am Thur25 ••• 6 am| 4 pm. am Fri 26 5j"pm 5J pm 6 ainj*54 am 7 am. Sat 27 7 am 7 atn;*GJ am 74 pm Mon 29 „• 7J am 8 am- TuesSO 7J am 7| am|7J am 8 amj 7| am ,8J am FOR BRISTOL FROM S o Jo S 5 8 '2 APRIL 3 g g | § 1"^ P £ H £ S | k u j-" 1-1 o „L_ Mon 1 ••• 6-l am 7 pm Tues 2 94 am 9 am £ >4 am 7 am 7 am Wed 3 am 74 am Thur 4 am 8 aro 8 am Fri. 5 12 noo 12 pm 11 am 6 pm ilH amj 8V am 9 am Sat. 6 ■•• 1 pm 10J am 10.! am Mon 8 Pm 3 P™ Vues 9 12 no.) 4 pm 44 am 2t pm 3.1 pm \y-d 10 2| pm 4 pm Thurll ••• 6 a™ Pin 6 am Fri 12 7 am <4 am m 7 am 4 pm 6 am Sat.) 3. 74 am I air, 7 am 4J pm 65 am -11 F1 Mon 15 5 5am 7 am Tues 16 9 am 9 am 94 am 6J am 7,j am Wed 17 P am 8 am ThurlS 10 am 7j am 9 am ThurlS 10 am 7j am 9 am Fri. 19 11 am 12 pn 10 £ am 6 pm ioj am SJ am 10 am Sat.20 § 1 pui 104 am 12noon. Mon 22 124 pm 24 pm Tiies23 Utam 4 pm 4 am 2 pm 3j pm Wed 21 2}pm 4 pm Thur25 6 am 3.V pm 44 pm Fri 26 7 am 64 am 7 am 4" pm 54 pm gat 27 74- am 1 am 7^ am put 64 am T.xon 29 '54 pm$4 am Tues 30 9 am S am 9 am 6i am 1 am Passengers can gO from Bristol and Merthyr and back on those days, having three hours to spare in Merthyr. NOTICE.—From 1st April and during the summer, the Juverua will leave Bristol for Cork on Wednesdays instead of Tuesdays. Cgjf The whole of the above vessels are fitted up for the convey- ance of passengers and goods.—Female stewards on board. Carriages and horses shipped with care.—Horses and carriages to be shaped two hours before sailing. 0 All Üoocls for Shipment must be alongside before 4 o'clook in the afternoon. i Particulars may be obtained by applying at the Bristol Steam Nrvigation Company's Office, Quay, Bristol; where all goods packages, parcels, &c., should be addressed:—For Swansea and Carditf, to Messrs. W. and H. Hartnell, at their warehouse, corner ef St. Stephen's-avenue, on the Quay, instead of Ciare-street-hall and Bull-wharf; and E. T. Turner, 12, Quay-street; an for New- port, to J. Jones, Rownham Wharf. Hotwells. A.GETS.-Ir. Joseph Morgan, Tenby; Mr. J. Rees, Haver- wdwest; Mr. Palmer, Milford; Mr. Bawen, Pater; Mr. John N. Smart and Mr. W. Pockett, Swansea; Mr. W. R. Harvey and Mr. C II. Bevan, Cardiff; Mr. Martin, Ilfracombe; Mr. Thomas 'laker, Lyntoa; Mr. Robert Stacey. Carmarthen and Mr. R Newport. I CROSSKILL'S PATENT ROLLER. Oil Rolling Spring Wheat, Growing Crops, Grass Lands, Sj Compressing Soft Soil, and Crushing Clods. Prize Patent Wheels, Carts, and Waggons —awarded 30 so vs. Prizes at Norwich. Prize Portable Farm Railway, will pay its cost the first year, &c., &c. On receipt of six penny postage stamps, a new Illustrated News- paper and Catalogue will be sent gratis per post, with full particu lars of the newest and best Field, ltoad, and Barn Implements, now kept in Stock, for delivery from Hull by water or rail to all parts of the kiugdoin. Address—Mr. CROSSKILL, Iron Works, Beverley. cuiliss's CONSTITUTION 'HORSE BALLS. rr»0 SPORTSMEN, AGRICULTURISTS, POSTMASTERS, 1 and all PROPRIETORS of HORSES, these Balls are paiti- • diavly recommended in all cases of swelled legs, cracked heek. toss of appetite, and vital energy; for coughs, colds, fever, or in- fiammation, they are the best Medicine that can be exhibited, moreover their operation, though effectual, is so mild, that they i-equire no alteration of diet, and if given with a bran mash on 82- turday night, will not interfere with the ensuing week's regular -work. NEAT CATTLE. The Constitution. Balls are strongly recommended by many highly respectable Gentlemen (see Testimonials) for Cows aud Qzen as a most valuable medicine in cases of Hove 0" Blown, Scouring or turning out to grass, or from bad food, Gargate, Hide Bound, Los3 of Appetite, Staring Coat. Distemper, Epidemic, or lnftllcuo;a. Bullocks fat much faster by occasionally giving a Ball. Prepared only by FRANCIS CUPISS, M. R. V. C., Author of ihe Prize Essay on the Disease of the Liver of the Horse," Diss, Norfolk; and sold by all respectable Medicine Vendors in Town fend Country, in Packets, six Bills each, 3s. 6d. per packet, with a wrapper giving full directions for the use of the Balls, and treat- ment of the Horse whilst taking them. Also a Pamphlet of Tcsêi- monials from many. Gentlemen who have used the Balls in various Complaints. Any Gentleman using the Balls may consult the F:¡Qp1Íetç,:r gra.- taitimsly, either personally, or by letter, posfl-paicc. BELL'S NEW PATENT LIQJJID OEISE^T IS READY FOR USE, simple in its application, and only ONE-EIGHTH the cost of oil paint. For beauty it is pre- eminent over all other materials used on the fronts of houses, giving the exact appearance of fine cut stone can be used at once on fresh Roman cement, or other plastering is particularly calcu- lated for country houses, villas, or gate entrances that have become soiled or dingy, which may be beautified in any weather at a tri- tiing cost.—Sold in casks of one, two, or three cwts., at 8s., 15s., and 21s. each, casks inclusive. BELL'S PATENT MINERAL PAINT, more permanent and not half the cost of any other paint; invaluable as a coating for all kinds of wood and metal work, roofing, felt, leaky roofs, spouts; gutters, doors, sheds, railing, all kinds of out-door work requires no preparation, and will dry in a few hours.—Brilliant black, 2s.; rich brown, 2s. 9d. per gallon. Light colours proportionately cheap; and as they will keep for any length of tine, well calcu- lated for exportation. G. DLLL & CO. 2, Wellington street, Goswell street, London. 27, Paternoster-row. This day is published, in foolscap 8vo, price as. doth 1. rpHE MAN OF GOD a Manual for Young Men contemn J. p'ating the Christian Ministry. By JOHN TYNDALE, George-street Chapel, Oxfoid. In a few days will be published, Second Edition, foolscap Svo, 2s. 6d. cloth, 2. rpHE CRISIS OF BEING: Six Lectures on Religious | Decision. A Book for Young Men. By the Rev. D. THOMAS, of Stockwell. Just published, in 8YO, price 6d., Revised, with Notes, 3. THE DISSENTERS: their Grievances and their Policy. j Reprinted from the Eclectic Review for Mav, 1849. Now ready, in foolscap Svo, price 5s. cloth, with Portraits of the most distinguished Friends of Liberal Education in Ireland 4. r [UIE PAST and FUTURE of IRELAND; indicted by L it8 Educational History. Dedicated, by permission, to the Right Hon. Sir R. Peel, Bart., M.P. Its style is correct and elegant, its sentiments enlightened and noble, its tone healthy, and its whole tendency is to diffuse liberal and just views, such as are peculiarly needed,"and fitted to benefit the people of Ireland at the present time. We heartily recommend it to the perusal of all our readers."—Londonderry Standard. Third edition, royal 12mo, 5s. cloth, 5. UTZLAFF'S CHINA.. A Journal of Three Voyages along VX the Coast of China. By CHARLES GUTZLAFF, D.D. Witn an Introductory Essay on the Policy, Religion, &c., of China By the Rev. W. ELLIS. I In 18mo, neat cover, Is. 6d., cloth, 2s. 6. rpHE UNVEILING of the EVERLASTING GOSPEL: JL with the Scripture Philosophy of Happiness, Holiness, and Spiritual Power; specially addressed to the Ministers and Church 0. Goda the present Crisis. Thhl edition, in IS mo, limp cloth, Is., 7. npHE SECRET DISCIPLE encouraged to avow his Master. a By the Rev. J. WATSON. What concord hath Christ with Belial ?" Just published, in foolscap 8vo., price 5s. cloth, 8. A HISTORY of the INQUISITION, from its Establishmen HjuL to the present time. With an Account of its procedure and Narrative of its Victims. London: VVAIW and Co., 27, Paternoster-row.
TO CORRESPONDENTS.'
TO CORRESPONDENTS. R. GAISFORD'S letter is respectfully declined. H. D. DAVIHS.—We exceedingly regret that this should be the case. We hope, when the South Wales Railway is opened, the transmission by post will be more convenient to us and our subscribers. STATE OF THE CHURCH AND DISSENT IN THE DIOCESE OF LLAN- r>AI?F.—David Davies says, with respect to Cadoxton-juxta- Neath, we omitted the Calvinistic Methodist chapel, which will hold a large number of people. WE have elsewhere inserted a letter from the Rev. Thomas Rees. We quite agree with him we did treat the charge of heresy against men of such known character and piety as Edward Miall and Dr. Price with levity, because no one would seriously enter- tain it. Sure are we that if to think and feel as such men be heretical, the majority of English and Welsh Dissenters will prefer to be heretical with them than orthodox with the editor of the British Banner. We consider the attack on the Anti-State Church Association by the sam gentleman as unfair. Mr. Rees does not-but the Doctor denies that he has made an attack at all. The following arc his words:—" We are satisfied that no jury of men of sound mind, however weak or unenlightened, if without prejudice, conk ever have construed the article into an 'attack' on the Association." This is a flight for which we were not prepared. The reverend doctor is almost as volatile as Brougham himself.
IR,ILLED Wl'rit KINDNESS.
IR,ILLED Wl'rit KINDNESS. WHAT this is we doubt not but that our readers will fully understand. The thing is occasionally done—one hears of such affecting cases now and then. Instances arc- not rare in which men can trace their misfortunes solely to the kind interference and anxious care of well-meaning friends. Undoubtedly it must tend much to console and comfort to remember that the harm one suffers-the incon- venience one is put to-results from a pleasing excess of love on the part of others. Such a reflection must do much to mitigate the rigour of the winter of our discontent." The poison one drinks must go down pleasantly—we hope our teetotal friends will forgive us for saying so-as champagne itself, when one remembers that the bowl which contains it is presented by the hands of love-and such love A dis- interested love which nothing can extinguish—which is ever seeking fresh opportunities for its active development- which coils around its object as the boa constrictor around its hapless prey. A case of this kind occurs to us now. We give it not for its being now, but simply for the reverse. It forms a fami- liar illustration of what we mean. In our days of juvenility and greenness—when CRUIKSIIANK was not, and LEECH was unknown to fame—the sister arts of poetry and paint- ing conspired to give it an interest of which it is now utterly bereft. The scene opens in an apartment which, from certain indications of order and propriety, we strongly suspect was intended to represent that of an elderly maiden lady. The presiding genius of the place is depicted in all the charms of spectacles and spinstership. Standing before her, bandaged from top to toe-bearing marks of every Z;. variety of fracture, simple or compound—appeared the un- fortunate suitor of her hand and heart. He has evidently been complaining of the somewhat unfeminine treatment he has received at her hands, whilst the lady, owning the soft impeachment, has been imputing it all to the strength of her affections. As any man would be who was not very far gone in love, it is evident the modern KOMEO is not exactly set at ease even by such striking proofs of the attachment of his JULIET. He thinks it a little too bad. He has enough of the man left in him to remonstrate against such excessive love; his feelings find a vent in language of which the fol- lowing affecting remonstrance forms a part- "Oh pray, when I tried your affection to move, Why in vain all my sighs and my tears ? 'Tis true you might wish to dissemble your love- But why did you kick me down stairs ?,j Unfortunately we can pursue the history no further. But we have given enough. It makes a good illustration of what we mean—the poor man was nearly killed with kindness. The history of modern Parliamentary legislation affords a not unapt illustration of the same thing. The love of our senators for the poor almost surpasses belief. Morning, noon, and night, we have nothing but legislation for the poor. The collective wisdom of the nation is as soft- hearted as the brothers CHEEKYBLE. We have now be- fore the House more bills than even the House can under- stand; and the patient reader of the dreary Parliamentary reports, utterly bewildered, sings, like MARIANA— "I'm aweary, aweary, Oh would that I were dead." This present session the number of bills introduced into the Commons by ministers is thirty-four, and by pri- vate members thirty-two. Besides these Messrs. SLANEY. IIUME, HENRY BERKELEY, and H. DRUMMOND, have each had a field day specially intended for the benefit of the working-classes. Altogether, these matters have occupied in the House of Commons, up to the Easter recess, thirty- nine sittings of an average of seven hours and a half. Then we have indications that similar legislating is, in some mode or other, going on. Mr. Fox undertakes to teach the peo- ple to read, and Mr. EWART to find them libraries. Mr. MOXCKTOX MILXES volunteers to reform juvenile offenders, and Lord ASHLEY to see to it that the operatives in the manufacturing districts be not worked more than the legal allowance of ten hours. Senatorial wisdom, like PAUL PRY, intrudes everywhere. For its observant eye and philan- thropic heart nothing is too great—nothing is too small. After all, is not this beginning at the wrong end ? May not our representatives reproach themselves with doing what they ought not to do, and leaving undone what it was their duty to perform ? Parliament resolutely sets itself agaiust any measure of good. To take off the window-tax and let heaven's sunshine and air come into the poor man's house- to lighten his taxation—to allow him his small comforts, such as his cup of tea or his evening pipe, without paying for them an outrageous price—to let him have his paper and his books duty free—to give him a political status to which abstractedly he has a most undoubted right, and the refusal of which is in practice a degradation and a wrong-is what Parliament rejects with scorn and yet one would fancy from ministerial talk that the benevolence of St. Stephen's was no Brummagem brass, but the genuine article itself. Alas we must mourn with CASSANDRA and CARLYLB. Not merely must we not trust in princes, but members of Parliament themselves are equally untrustworthy. Modern legislation aims at too much. It would do everything, and it can do nothing. It seems monstrously busy, whilst its business is but seeming alone. In one of FIELDING'S com- n medics a physician struts upon the stage with the most as tounding promises—nothing is beyond his skill—he is ready to restore the sick or to give to age the freshness and strength of youth. Ultimately, however, his boasted cures subside into one and after exciting his hearers to the ut- most he finis-lics by presenting them with a receipt for the cure of a disease more irritating than formidable, which is said to prevail very extensively in the land ofrakes. Parlia- ment, in the same manner, excites hopes it can never realise, and raises expectations which are sure to be blasted. To edu- cate the people—to enlighten the masses-is beyond Govern- ment machinery. In no manner can Government do it. It is very desirable that the people should be educated—should have public libraries—should be decent, respectable, well-to- do, but that is another question. It is very desirable that every urchin we meet when, as Dr. WATTS says- "We take our walks abroad"- should have a penny in his pocket-it is very desirable tha every aspiring clerk should, by a course of industry, be de- veloped into a ROTHSCHILD or LOYD JONEs-it is very de- sirable that every romantic nymph should be the pole-star of some faithful youth but these little affairs are best left t > themselves—you cannot get them as we get prize pigs, by feeding them they are not brought about by Parliamentary decisions, and a glorious majority for ministers. Seriously we ask—Why all this legislation for the poor, this readiness to do what he expresses no wish to have done It is seldom the working man comes forward to petition the House of Commons. Why, then, should the House, with its clap-trap philanthropy, seek to make a dupe of the work- ing man? The working man is learning the truth, the whole truth, and the vital truth, that Government must be powerless for good—that his own ills he must redress himself -that against the want, and the vice, and the ignorance around him, not Government, but lie himself must contend- When he has done this—when lie has become instructed, frugal, temperate—he will find it little concerns him how parties fare in St. Ste pliell's-wllet]-ter HUSSELL is out and PEEL in, or no. For true is it- Of all the ills which men endure, How small the part that laws can cure. And well were it if modern legislators would learn that L, wholesome truth. Let them undo the result of defective legislation—let them meet the commercial and financial wants of the age in a proper spirit—let them see to it that the poor be not more heavily taxed than the rich—that the strong do not oppress the weak-that there be no injustice in the land. As to their gratuitous benevolence in ths shape of Factory bills, encouragement to manufacturers or agriculturists, and JEREMIADS on the condition of England question, we want them not. We beg them to spare them* selves. The national heart is yet strong and manly stif- We want no more crocodile tears over the distress of the working man—no flourishes of cambric and rhetoric. Let the working man have the trammels of industry altogether' removed—let our legislators undo the mischief they haV done—let them make England the workshop d the world, and they may spare their sentiment and their pity fir s0111e more appropriate theme. Had they never touched on such matters it had been far better for the working man. As It is, we conjure them to cease from their boundless love; they have brought him to within nine inches of his life, and ic will be but a sorry consolation to reflect that his death re- suited from the best of motives—that he was killed Wlt!¡ kindness.
'.-'-TOWJS LETTERS—x\o, 48.
TOWJS LETTERS—x\o, 48. ON Monday night Parliament again resumed its sitting n 1,4 when the Government had a little humbling, which perhap9 Lord John Iiussell needed since his Manchester ovatioll". The question was a very trifling one-as to the position 0 t assistant surgeons in the navy—but ministers were Lcate" by a majority of eight. On the same night they were ah. a little annoyed by the Conservatives moving that, in C01; sequence of the reduction of prices consequent on the abo tion of the Corn-laws, it was necessary to reduce expcnal, ture and to begin with the ministers. This was, hovveve' > successfully opposed, and the ministers came off victorious' Tuesday night, however, gave them a very narrow eseape" They managed to throw out Lord Duncan's motion for t» repeal of the Window-taxes, alter the regular minister^ whipping-in, by a majority of three, but the debate was not ci c ditable to them, and the result ought to tell against them. 1 Chancellor of the Exchequer was the only man who ha^ impudence enough in the House to contend for the prcser" vation of a tax which seems specially intended to promo filth and sickness in the dwellings of the poor—a tax politicians of all parties and sanitary writers have ttnaf mously condemned—a tax which even the ministers thei selves were ashamed to defend, but with which they c:inJ}°rCi they say, afford to part. "W hen could a ministry ever al 0 j to part with a tax ? Official people never see their way/^ the people speak out in a tone impossible to be misund stood. Then their eyes are opened) but, till then, not a o*
. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY,…
=- Mr. HeME said that 229 ships hud been broken up which were better than those that had been built. Suice 1828, when our naval complements wers full, £5,900,030 had been spent at home itl d abroad in building ships-of-wav, while all the time there iveri vessels allowed to lie rotting in the dockyards that had xever b ae n at sea. Sir F. BARING qaoted returns showing that the ships broken up were invariably old aud worn out. The Canopus and Im- placible, two prize ships, still retained on our navy list, had cost us much in repairs as would have defrayed the cost of building four new ships of corresponding rates. Mr HnlE, alluding to the vote for training the dockyard arti- ficers, said that the practice of turning good carpenters into bad soliiiers had been commenced in a time of panic, but ought to be discontinued now we had come to our senses. Col. IVVZROY commended the dockyard artificers as having formed a very efficient brigade for military purposes. Mr. HUME declared his intention of taking the sense of the House on the sulject, and the committee divided, on the question thlt the sum £10,400 for training the dockyard brigade should be disallowed. Ayes, 15 noes, 68—51.