Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
7 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
PEACE SOCIETY.
PEACE SOCIETY. The thirty-third anniversary of this society was held at Fins- bury Chapel, on Tuesday evening, the 22nd ultimo, and, as on former occasions, was extremely well attended a large portion of the audience consisting of members of the Society of Friends. It is much to be regretted, that there is not more attention paid to the arrangement of the platform than is usually done at this chapel, where so many annual meetings are held. Charles HINDLEY, Esq., M.P., took the chair. The Rev. H. RICHARDS read the report, which commenced by alluding to the continental convulsions of the past year, but stated, that during no period had the principles of peace made greater pi-ogress. Attempts had been made in four great National Assem- blies to introduce measures for, settling disputes by other means han war, namely: in Germany, France, America, and England. Her Majesty's Government had been memorialised on the subject of arming the police. It was unknown whether that memorial had produced any effect, but it was a fact that very shortly afterwards the police were disarmed. Mr. Stokes had visited various parts of the country to advocate the principles of the society, and had been well received. Lectures had been delivered on the sinfulness of war in London and its neighbourhood, and were well attended. Reference was then made to the Congress held at Brussels, and the hospitality with which the delegates were received. The spirit displayed was worthy of the cause and the occasion. With a view to promote international treaties of arbitration public meetings had been held in many of the principal towns of England, and Scotland, and North Wales. Between 80J and 903 petitions had been presented in its favour to Parliament. Preliminary measures had been adopted for holding a Peace Congress at Paris, in August next. M. La- martine had given his unqualified adhesion to it. The society, during the past year, had been deprived, by death, of two of its warmest friends—Dr. Hancock and Mr. David Anderson, of Driffield. In reference to recent events in India, the report stated, that the whole character of our policy in that country, founded on the horrors of the sword, and aiming at boundless territorial aggran- disement, was such as must inevitably lead to the periodical and perpetual occurrence of such events,—events which could not cease till the public voice of this country compelled its rulers, in the exercise of their authority in India, to assume an attitude more befittin»' a Christian nation. After stating that many valuable auxiliaries had been formed, the report concluded by alleging, that no circumstances could arise to alter the force of the unchange- able truth, that it was the duty of Christians, at all times, to resist and condemn war in ail its forms. From the treasurer's accounts it appeared that the total receipts of the society during the past year had been £1,442 6s. 9d. the expenditure, as we (i:i(terstood, -PI,261 14s. llid.; leaving a valance in hand of ZSO lis, Ð;j-d. The meeting was addressed by the Rev. Mr. STOTI-IART, a cler- gyman of the Church of England, and by Giacomo MANZONI, an Italian. Geo. THOMPSON", Esq., M P., rose amidst loud applause to move the second resolution. Amongst other means adopted to check war throughout the world, so far as England participated in it, they must do what they could to create a representative assembly, in which the war spirit did not predominate to the extent which it did in the present llou-e oi Commons. I he resolution directed atten- tion to India, and to a campaign brought to an end, he trusted, which had recently been undertaken there. He did not hesitate to say, that it was as causeless as any into which England had ever entered. Little more than ten years ago Cndia was universally tranquil. She had then a wise and beneficent Governor-General, who desired rather to promote the arts of civilisation, and the cause of social improvement, than to lead armies to the battle- field, and add fresh territory to our overgrown dominion in that part'of the world. On retiring from the government he left an overflowing treasury and a constantly increasing revenue. Since that time, however, there had been slain in the field by armies, mustered by the British on the one hand, and by natives on the other, 120,000 human beings; there had been spent from fifty to fifty-five millions sterling, while the Exchequer was bankrupt, the excess of the expenditure over the income derived from all sources being S,2,500,000 per annum. All public works had been stopped, all improvements were stagnant, and all educational schemes, save those which derived their vitality and supplies from this country, neglected. Scarcely anything had been heard of during the last ten years, except war, and the wholesale destruction of the children of the soil. But the resolution referred particularly to the campaign in the Punjaub, and to acts which had tarnished the victories gained in that part of the world. He would endear our to convey some idea of the origin of that campaign. Had war come within the last lifty years to their own altars and their own hearths, they would have abhorred and execrated it, both in the miseries brought upon themselves and felt by others at the ends of the world. He had asked hundreds of persons, within the last few manths, if they knew why England was at war with the Sikhs in the Punjaub, but none were able to state the origin of it. Yet they had passed a vote of thanks to the army decorations had been bestowed, and peerages and pensions would follow. Men would shortly be on their w. v fume who would be caressed on their arrival,—be regarded as heroes,—and theta was scarcely a domestic circle in the land that would not be open to them yet if a North American Indian were to present himself at the door with an eagle's feather above his head, and the scalps of half-a-dozen men, whom he had slain in the field, at his girdle, they would re- gard him with horror. The same might be said of the savage of Borneo, or the untutored African. But where was the difference ? Did a fashionably-cut coat, a star glittering on the breast, a plumy helmet on the head, or two letters taken from the alphabet added t,) a man's patronymic, make a difference between an English and a North American Indian warrior? The wars of 1845 and 18,16 made England paramount in the Punjaub, the most distant part of India. Having taken all that belonged to the Sikhs on the left bank of the Sutlej, and extracted from them £ 2,500,000 sterling, as an indemnity for the war, an agent was left, in the person of Sir E. Lawrence, to manage the affairs on behalf of an infant Rajah. The Governor of Mooltan, Moolraj, was a man singular for his at- tachment to the British, and Sir E. Lawrence had great confidence in him. Sir Ed-.vard was obliged to leave in consequence of ill- health, and he was succeeded by a civilian from Bengal, Sir F. Currey. He had scarcely arrived, when Moolraj tendered his re- signation, wh:ch Sir F. Currey was obliged to accept. He deputed two voung men to go from Lahore to Moultan to succeed him, and they: were accompanied by 500 men. The young men were l'e- cco, ceived with the utmost respect by the IVinces they were assigned a small fort outside the town as their residence, and were told, that, on the following day, the Government would be transferred to them according to the usual ceremonies. A fray then took place be- tween the troops of Moottan and the sir.ail body that attended those young men. The first thing they did was to disband 1,500 cavalry who had been in the service of Moolraj. That order was likely to be attended with very serious consequences, and the men were incensed at it. On the next day, one of the you ig men was attacked by two of the exasperated Sikhs, and was conveyed to the fort almost lifeless. The 5 J ) men pUt the fort into a state of defence, expecting to be attacked expresses were sent for assist- ance, but, before it arrived, the fort had been attacked, and the un- fortunate Enghshmen slaughtered. It was nolV universally con- fessed, that Moolraj was innocent of any participation in their deaths. The moment he heard that the English had been slain, He demanded their b uhes, covered them with siik cloth, and gave them interment according to the forms of their own religion. He then sent an ambassador to Lahore lamenting the catastrophe which had taken place; but the ambassador was imprisoned, and the letter of Moo'lraj returned to him unopened. It was deter- mined t.) defer operations at Mo'il an until the cold season arrived, but on til(I Iof Ju te a glorious battle, as it was called, was fotuht by Lieutenant Edwardes. Moolraj sent his own brother-in-law to Lieutenant Edwardes offering to give up the citv on th; condition that his life should be spared. The am- bassador was assaulted before he came into the presence of Lieut. Edwardes he was kept until his wounds were healed, and then he was handed like a felon. The honourable member then read a letter from Moolraj to General WhUh, dated the 18th November, IS48, which was written, he said, before a drop of blood was shed, and in wltic.[¡ a. strong desire was expressed by Moolraj to be upon friendly tenin with the English. That letter did not suit the ob- ject of those engaged in the war; they demanded unconditional surrender..Moolraj retired mto the chadel, but when he found his men were frilling he surrendered unconditionally, with a view f)f saving their live?.. The Yrttivl of I/uli i, a paper edited by ll., Marshal i i, son of the late Dr. Marslitn-in, stated that Mooliaj of- fered to surrender five or six times, 01 condition that he should not be hung like a dog. He ( Nlr. Thompson) would leave the meensg to determine whether the conduce, displayed by the Bri- tish was in accordance with those Christian principles which had been so ably defended on that platform. Had the offer of Moolraj been accepted, there wouid have been no necessity for tiie siegeta.»ing place. Afrk Thompson then read a harrowing statement of the taking of the citadel of Mooltan, from the pen of Mr..Marshmnr, and w.ertt on to.observe, that it was very difficult to obtain .correct ncenunts-fromdhe scenes of conflict. The tale of the Sikhs, the Aff-dians, the Aifteers of Seinde, the people of Mahratta, and the Ohfnese, had nerer been told in this country. There was not on the Held of battle one disinterested witness. They were nil Com- pany's servants, and were naturally anxious to magnify the intre- pidity of the enemy in order to exalt their own superior prowess. Now and then, however, a subaltern wrote a letter to a friend, in which the facts of the case were stated. Mr. Thompson then read a letter of that character from the Times, which described, with the utmost levity, the cruelties inflicted by the British upon the Sikhs. The former entered a village in which there were 3,000 of the latter, who immediately endeavoured to escape, but from the narrowness of the streets were unable to effect it, and the writer stated that the English had nothing to do but to shoot them like dogs. Every wounded Sikh that was taken was either shot or C, pierced with a bayonet. Mr. Elihu BURRITT said he would glance at some of the objec- tions advanced, not only against the objects of this Society, but its very existence. If there were one sentiment more than ano- ther common to Christians of all denominations and all countries, it was the sentiment inspired by the conviction, that the principles of Christianity alone could exterminate from the earth war, slavery, personal violence, and wrong. There were millions of truly pious devoted persons, who believed that the simple preaching of the Gospel must and would do that great work, and thousands felt that it was almost irreverent to associate with the principles of the Christian religion any considerations founded upon mere hu- manity, economy, or commercial expediency. They sometimes asked why Christians associated in Peace, Anti-Slavery, and Tem- perance Societies P Had not the nrst and foremost, the indefati- gable and unwavering advocates of those enterprises of philan- thropy been members of a Christian Church —praying, godly men and women? Certainly. Why should they come out of her, to a certain extent, to concentrate their activities in Associations into which unbelievers were admitted ? Those Societies gave Chris- tianity7 a finger, and pointed the everlasting prohibitions of the Gospel straight into the face and eyes of systems that had defiled Christianity and trampled humanity in the dust. They gave it such a finger as John the Baptist pointed at Herod and his sin, when he said, in the midst of his parasites, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. He had braved the violated commandment, but he quailed before its pungent application. Had John contented himself with the mere abstraction of the law, Herod might have parried it off, and John might have re- tained his head until he died a natural death. But John gave the Commandment a linger, which nailed the culprit to the crime. The Peace Society was only the finger of Christianity pointed against a monstrous iniquity that out-lleroded all human crime- a linger which aimed at the conscience of every human being the piercing point of the commandment, it is not lawful for thee to kill thy brolher on the battle-field. It is not lawful for thee to shorten the probation of the human soul, and to peril all the pre- cious possibilities of its immortality for any evanescent considera- tions of time and sense." The Anti-Slavery Society was only another finger of Christianity, pointing the Gospel of Jesus Christ against the slaveholder of every country and every clime. To him it said, with all the emphasis of John's declaration," It is not lawful for thee to have and to hold thy brother in bondage." But were lho,e and similar lingers of Christianity superfluous and unnecessary for the welfare of mankind and the honour and vita- lity of the Christian religion? He wouU ask that religious as- sembly if Christian men and women had not waited long enough to see whether the preaching of the Gospel alone would abolish systems of sin which it never mentioned by name? Had not the most godly divines preached the Gospel prior to the battle of Waterloo? African shivery had gone on for a century, accumu- lating new horrors and atrocities in the face of hearing what was called the simple preaching of the Gospel. Was it, then, too early for members of the Christian Church to associate themselves in Anti-Slavery Societies, in order to raise an antagonism against a system which had proved itself the sum of all vileness P If there were a town in the United Siates which might be regarded as the capital and citadel of American slavery, it was Charlestown and yet, perhaps, in no town in the Southern States was there a greater provision for the simple preaching of the Gospel than in that me- tropolis. There the doctrines of the Gospel had been generalised, from century to century, without touching the conscience of the slaveholder. What did the administration of the Gospel need to help it to break every yoke? It wanted the finger of unsparing honesty to point the lightning of Sinai at the slaveholder, and tell him that he should gladly let the people go free. The time had come when philanthropists should not be pressed for apologies for associating themselves with Peace, Anti-Slavery, and Temperance Societies. The remaining speakers were L. IIEYWORTII, M.P., J. S. BUCKINGHAM, and Dr. BURNS. After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting separated.
BRITISH ILND FOREIGN ANTI-SLAVERY…
BRITISH ILND FOREIGN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY. On Monday evening, the 21st ult., the annual meeting of the friends and supporters of the above society was held at the Hall of Commerce, Threadneedle-street G. W. Alexander, Esq., the treasurer, in the chair. Mr. SCOBLE, the Secretary, then read the tenth annual report of the Committee, which commenced with a statement of the number of slaves at present existing in professedly Christian and civilised nations. Ma,cing allowance for manumissions which may have taken place in the South American Republics, the following was state a to be a correct estimate of the number of slaves in the following coun- tries AA /{\{\ United States o,UJ-3,ow r$rn7;i 3,2o0,000 Spanish Colonies 900,000 Dutch Colonies 'ana South American Republics 140,000 African Settlements 30,000 Total. 7,500,000 Some of the revolting proceedings connected with the iniquitous and oppressive system of slave traffic were next detailed, and the sub- stance of a tabular statement, which was laid before a Select Com- mittee of the House of Commons appointed last year, to consider the best means of providing for the final extinction of the slave-trade, was set forth, from which it appeared that the total number of Africans imported into Brazil during the last forty years has been 1 801,800 into the Spanish colonies, 1,446,027; into other coun- tries, 562,000; mortality during the middle passage, 1,121,299; and captured by British eruisers, since the year 1819, 117,380 making a grand total of 5,018,606, as the victims of the foreign African slave-trade from 1807 to 1847 The report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons was then given at full length, and was followed by a brief account of the proceedings of the Society itself in relation to the slave-trade. The memorial presented to Lord Johnltussell by the committee in 1846 was embodied in the report; and the committee congratulate I the meeting upon having, in that memorial, established the principle that, so long as slavery exists, there is no reasonable prospect of the annihilation of the slave- trade, and of extinguishing the sale and barter of human beings; and that the extinction of slavery and the slave-trade will be at- tained most effectually by the employment of those means which are of a moral, religious, and pacific character.' The committee of the Society subsequently felt it to be necessary to call the attention of Government to the power which it possessed over Brazil and Spain, by virtue of its treaties with them, both in relation to slavery and the slave-trade. They therefore, presented their case in a me- morial to Lord Palmerston in October last, and re-asserted the right of this country to demand the liberation from slavery of all Africans who, contrary to the stipulations of treaties and to municipal law, had been illicitly and illegally introduced into their territories and colonies respectively. Now it must be obvious that if, in this way, an attack be made oil Brazilian and Spanish slavery, so as to rcnder insccurc the tenure by which slaves are held, the whole system will be shaken to its basis, and tlie slave-trade will fall with it. ^Ihe subject of Coolie immigration into the British West India Colo- nies was next entered upon, and it was stated that during the years 1814, 181-5, 1816, and 1847, there were introduced into Jamaica 6,032 Coolies; British Guiana, 12,177; Trinidad, 6,734: total, 25,843. No Indian immigration took place into Jamaica during 1847 and 1848. in consequence of the House of Assembly of that colony having declined to provide the necessary funds for that pur- pose; but it was understood that Government had authorised the further introduction of 5,000 Coolies into British Guiana, and 1 000 into Trinidad, in 1817-8. The whole scheme of Indian im- migration into the West Indies was denounced as a costly failure, and attended with a mortality so frightful, and immoralities so depradins", as to involve all parties in disgrace who have participated in it. Details of the African and Madeira emigration, and of Coolie emigration to Mauritius, were given at considerable length and, respecting the mortality of the immigrants, it was stated that every elak of immigrants has suffered -the'Portuguese most, next to them the Cpo:ïes, and next to them the liberated Africans. They have died from disease, neglect of hospital treatment, want of proper shelter and care, not by hundreds, but by thousands; and tne ac- count* which the committee continue to receive of their wrcicaeu and suffering condition are truly heartrending. The committee tuen set forth briefly the proceedings of the Abolitionists during the year in the United States, Prance, Spain, Denmark lortugal, Br;lzil, Northern Africa, and the Levant, and concluded oy ex- pressing a hope that the Society should continue to experience public svmpathy and support." i the accounts appended to the report, it apoe red that the total receipts, from all sources, were £ 1,130, which had been expended in promoting the objects of the Society, with the exception "of a balance on hand of £31 6 s. 3u; Th: So- ciety, however, had incurred liabilities to the extent ofl; The several resolutions were moved and seconded by Mr. Gill F- rex, Dr. ALDrm, Mr. It CLAPX', of the United States, the Uev. E. CVHEV, the Key. A. CKUMMKI.T., an episcopalian clergyman, the Rev. Mr. DOVE, Mr. J. SruitQB, Mr. H. L'INSTAN r, of Haiti, and the Ri v. }. BUN NUT,
TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. On Thursday evening, the 24th ult., the annual meeting of the friends of this society was held at Exeter-hall, Mr. S. Bowley in the chair. The secretary read the annual report. It appeared from this that the society had pushed its operations not only into almost every county and town in England and Wales, but its mission- aries had visited great numbers of private families, and drunken men had been followed home, and visited at a subsequent pe- riod, many of them becoming converts to the abstinence doc- trine. Some idea might be formed of the efforts which had been made by the society when it was stated that during the year the ordinary agents of the association had travelled on foot through England and Wales, a distance of 21,000 miles- had delivered 1,900 lectures-distributed a considerable num- ber of tracts—visited some thousands of families—attended at 450 Sabbath schools and from these operations it was known that more than 400 confirmed drunkards had been reclaimed, and 7,000 persons had signed the pledge. This detail referred to the operations of the British Association only. The Wes- leyan Temperance Society had now in its ranks 30 Wesleyan ministers; the Central Association was progressing rapidly; the Scottish Association still gained ground and in Wales the exertions of Mr. Williamson, one of their chief friends, had been pre-eminently successful. The metropolitan mission had now three agents employed, and these gentlemen had during the year visited 2,329 families, 400 schools with an attendance of 19,362 children, besides expostulating with numbers of men known to be drunkards, and converting many. The report concluded with a letter from the Rev. T. Mathew, stating that the progress of the temperance movement in Ireland was most satisfactory. In the large city of Cork not a single person was seen drunk on last St. Patrick's-day, and the other localities in which the temperance plan had been preached were almost equally strong in its principles. The income for the year amounted to £1,813 16s. 63d., and the expenditure was short of that amount by £73 19s. Id., which remained as a balance. The liabilities of the society amounted to i:287 10s., leaving a balance against them of 1:212 10s. 7 d. This report was received and adopted, and several other gen- tlemen then addressed the assembly in support of resolutions inculcating the temperance principle. The meeting, which was very numerous, separated after a vote of thanks to the chairman.
[No title]
MR. Snolm's COST.S.-It appears that the London Committee have paid the costs for which Mr. Shore was attached and lodged in prison, but that he is now detained for the costs in- curred in the Court of Arches. We presume, therefore, that, so soon as the necessary funds are forthcoming, these costs also will be paid; and the prisoner then will have no choice but to go free. "Notwithstanding his affliction," says the Western Times of Saturday, 11 -Alr. Shore's firmness remains unshaken and, though not insensible to the kind spirit which animates the London Committee, and the friends who seek to procure his liberty, he is yet totally opposed to the principle of paying a farthing for his liberty and we think he is right." -Patriot. MIL NOHI/S long expected visit to preach at Mr. Evans's, John-street chapel (writes a correspondent), takes place on Lord's day, June 3rd, at eleven in the morning. This is au- thentic, as announced at the Church-meeting.-P(driot. OUTRAGE HY A CLERGYMAN*.—More than ordinary excite- ment has been created in Leek, Staffordshire, during the week, by the figuring of the Rev. Edward Powyss, the rector of Buck- nail and Bognall (whose living produces a yearly income of more than £ 1,000) at the borough police-court, on Wednesday, on a charge of having committed a cruel assault on a poor wo- man named Ann Clewes, aged 64. The rev. defendant is pos- sessed of great wealth, and is owner of the tithes at Bucknall. The husband of complainant rented a small farm in the village at a yearly rental of £ 50, subject to tithes. They resided there for six years, but left in April last, and they now paid Is. 2d. a week for the cottage they live in. The tithes were paid in kind, the defendant taking every tenth strike of corn. Four years ago the tithes were commuted, and the sum the husband had to pay was £ 4 7s. yearly, and shehad paid the defendantthe rent-charge in full, without deducting the property-tax. It was usually defrayed by the tenant, and afterwards deducted from the amount due to the owner. On the 8th of May, the defend- ant called for his yeai's tithe. She asked him to step in and wait till she got some change. lie said, "I have had no dinner," and jumped on his horse, and rode off. She then had the money. On the 11th lie sent two of his servants, but she did not pay them. The rev. defendant shortly afterwards came and said that he had heard she, was going to America, but that he had stopped her. The poor woman denied ever having had such an' intention. The rev. gentlcmun tlicn. flcmimaeS bis tithe. She said, I hope you have no objection to paying me the Queen's tax." lie asked for her receipts for that tithe. She showed him them, as also three receipts which he had given for tithe before. He put them in his pocket, and refused to return them. She begged of him to give her the papers back, and she would pay him the tithe in full, whether he de- ducted the Queen's tax or not. He still refused, and she, thinking that he would come upon her for the three years' tithes, the receipts of which he had got, again begged their re- turn. He swore by his God that he would not, and that he would return them to London. She got to the door so as to prevent him leaving with the receipts, when he struck her on the arm a violent blow with a large walking-stick. With pain and fear the poor old creature began to cry, and she went to him with a view of getting the receipts from him. He said- I swear by my God I'd not give them back." He then raised the stick and struck her over the head. She fell to the ground insensible, and remained in that state several hours. Blood flowed over her head, and Mr. Laste, a surgeon, on examining her, found a wound on her head of about half an inch in depth. The scalp was separated to the extent of half an inch. After a lengthened examination, the Rev. S. Sneyd, the chairman, said it was clear that a gross assault had been committed upon the woman, and one perfectly unjustifiable, and the bench con- sidered it a fit case to inflict the heaviest fine allowed by law, namely, C5 and costs. (Loud applause followed the decision of the court.) TUE MON-ASTIO SYSTEM IN EXGTAN'D. — Near to Leicester there are forty individuals settled, known as the Forty Monks." These forty monks, who belong to the Cistercian order, had, thirteen years ago, 280 acres of veiy bad land given to them, upon which they entered, and have at the present time 130 acres in cultivation. Notwithstanding the time occu- pied in their religious services, and although they are only forty in number, they have cultivated 130 acres of land with their own hands; and besides raising corn, grain, and roots of various kinds, they possess horses, cattle, sheep, and imple- ments of agriculture. Last year tliese monks relieved with food 32,000 persons, and gave occasional lodging to 7,000 more. In 1846 they relieved 36,000 people with food, and gave lodg- ings to 12,000 more. — Leicester Chronicle. THE WELSH.—The Commissioners of the Council of Educa- tion in Wales published some time ago, our readers know, along report, in which they pictured the ignorance and semi-bar- barism of the Welsh population in strong—perhaps rather too strong—colours chiefly attributing their low level in the ranks of civilisation, as compared with similar populations of English and lowland Scotch counties, to their ignorance of English,— the great language of literature, science, trade, agriculture, and other life-business and recommending a more systematic teaching of English in the national schools of Wales as the best and speediest means for the mental and moral elevation of the masses. This simple and obvious suggestion produced a num- ber of protests; of which one by Sir Thomas Phillips is the most ponderous, if not the most powerful. The kernel of the dispute is this question of language a dispute between the Government agents and a few antiquarians and enthusIasts, but to which it is believed the masses arc profoundly indifferent. They want improvement in their material condition—and their ignorance of English prevents it. The Welsh peasant. or farmer even, cannot travel; is in fact shut out from any parti- cipation. in the benefits derived from the general activity of the country.. He cannot converse- with a lowland farmer, or read a new "book 011 improved methods of production. It is easy for the rich to indulge in a sentimental desire for the preservation of old dialects but this is too costly a luxury for the peasant. The labourer in the British islands who cannot speak English has no fair chance in the race for bread and we hold it impos- sible that the hewers of wood and drawers of water in any country can advantageously maintain two languages in use. To perpetuate barbarism in a country for the sake of preserving the rags and tatters of a nationality—which after all is a dream —.is a^niadness unfitted to the meridian of time in which we live. Of course, the Government will follow its own method without reference to such Cambrian poetizers and proseis.— AtheiKeum, A LAN'HI. VDV IN GAOL ron POOR-BATH,—Wre understand a Miss M'Master, owner of the townlauds of Clonaghbig and Cappy. in the upper part of this county, is at present a debtor in U Lllldalk gaol for the poor rate. The tenants not having paid any rent—not even as much as would pay the obnoxious tax--she is incarcerated for the I Guardian. TIIE extent of the debts of the Countess of Blessington, who is cone to Paris, may be judged by her owing two milliners up- w.a-dsof £ -V)00.
Eittlmcif SitiflligntrL
Eittlmcif SitiflligntrL OPENING OF THE SHROPSHIRE UNION AND SHREWSBURY AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAYS.—The opening of these important lines, which will be the means of furnishing direct railway communica- tion with the metropolis and the north to a large portion of the population and mineral produce of Shropshire, hitherto without these facilities, is fixed for the 1st of June. The Shropshire Union runs from Stafford to Shrewsbury, thirty miles in length, through a rich agricultural district, at a cost of £ 500,000. The opening of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham line, being its first section, is from Shrewsbury to Okengate. FURNESS RAILWAY.—This line is to be opened on the 1st of June, and experimental trains are being run from the Preston station to the river Calder. LONDON AND BRIGHTON.—The opening of the Ilailsham and Eastbourne branches of this Company's line completes the Brighton and South Coast system of railways, at an expenditure, during twelve years, of E7,000,000 sterling. The capital account, in conformity with the announcement of the chairman at the last meeting, will now be closed. NEWRY, WARRENPOINT, AND ROSSTREVOR RAILWAY.—On Monday week Lord Newry and the directors made an experi- mental trip of inspection over this newly completed addition to the railway communication of Ireland. It will be opened on re- ceiving the certificate of the Government inspector, and be worked on the new principle of contract. LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN.-The opening of the new sta- tion at Euston-square took place on Saturday last. The building extends 220 feet in length, by 170 feet in depth, and was designed by Mr. P. C. Hardwicke. It appears that no expense has been spared to make it convenient, spacious, and ornamental. The cost is said to be about £ 150,000. This station contains all the necessary offices for carrying 011 the business of this great esta- blishment, including a large room, 75 feet in length by 15 feet in width, for the purpose of holding the half-yearly and special meet- ings of the proprietors. Several of the new offices are already occupied, and when all the offices are removed to the new building the old station will be taken down. According to a report just presented to the directors by Captain IInish and the resident en- gineers, it appears that by reserving an annual sum of £ 20,700, at ii 12 per cent., with compound interest, the permanent way of the London and North-Western, 433 mites in length, may be re- newed as occasion may require. IT is said that Mr. Fraelich, the engineer to the navy-yard at Washington, has invented a self-acting apparatus to prevent colli- sions on railways. Two trains meeting at full speed are pre- vented by this application from coming in contact, without the help of either engineer or fireman. THE RAILWAY ACROSS THE ISTHMUS 01" PANAMA.—A letter from Panama, dated February 24, in the Moniteur Industrielle, states that the Aspinwall Company's engineers had arrived at Panama, and were then making a survey of the line of the pro- jected railway. All preliminary preparations would be completed on the 1st July next, and the entire railway will be open for traffic on the 1st January, 1852. SOUTH WALES RAILWAY.—A preliminary meeting of share- holders in this company was held 011 Monday at 52, Parliament- street, for the purpose of considering the position of the company with regard to the 5 per cent. guarantee of the Great Western Company, the past expenditure of capital, and subscriptions to other lines. These and other matters were discussed at consider- able length, with a view to devise measures calculated to protect. the interests of the shareholders. The meeting was adjourned for a fortnight.
WRECK OF AN EMIGRANT SHIP.
WRECK OF AN EMIGRANT SHIP. The tidings of the total wreck of the Hannah, with nearly 200 emigrants, bound to Quebec, from Newry, was reported on Monday afternoon at Lloyd's, the particulars having been re- ceived by the America, at Liverpool. The ulifortuiiate the Hannah was a brig of between 150 and 200 tons bur Ion, belonging to Maryport, and manned by a crew, it is said, of 12 seamen, under the command of Mr. Shaw, the master. On the 3rd of April last she sailed from Newry with the above number of emigrants on board, having been previously overhauled and examined by her Majesty's emigration agent at that port. The emigrants chiefly consisted of agricultural labourers, and their wives and children. The passage up to the 27tli, considering the season of the year, was as favourable as could be expected. The vessel then encoun- tered heavy winds and a quantity of floating ice. On the morning Of 1,1 iw tilt; uufuituimtc cOuiy ouach. uxi tl i'UtrUf K'U It WUS about four o'clock when she struck. A charge is brought against the master and the first and second oflicers of their hav- ing been guilty of one of the most revolting acts of inhumanity possible to be "conceived. They had got the life-boat out, and the moment they found the vessel would inevitably go down they jumped into it, and abandoned the wreck with the, emigrants on board. Their screams for help rent the air, and it was with difficulty that the remainder of the crew could in- duce the frantic creatures to comprehend the only chance left of saving their lives. Fortunately the ice was firm under the ship's bows, and the seamen convincing them as to its security, many got on it. Its solidity being then apparent, a desperate struggle took place amongst the emigrants to leave the wreck. Men, women, and children, with nothing on but their night attire, were scrambling over the mass of ice. Many of the poor creatures slipped between the huge masses, and were either crushed to death or met with a watery grave. The last to leave the wreck were some of the crew, who contrived to save a small portion of spirits and a few blankets. Soon after they had got clear, the ship's stern rose as it were above the water, and she went down head foremost, just 40 minutes after the collision with the ice. The sufferings of the wretched creatures were most harrowing. The seamen who were among them humanely gave up what covering they had to the women, some of whom had been shockingly wounded and bruised. Thus were they exposed the whole of that day till five o'clock in the afternoon, when a vessel hove in sight, and bore down to the edge of the field of ice. It proved to be the bark Nicargus, also bound for Quebec, Captain Marshal. He got the ship ice fender clown, and prepared to take to the ice. By seven o'clock lie had got so close in that in the course of two hours he and his crew succeeded in getting hold of about 50 of the poor creatures, and placing them on board his vessel. The remainder stood crouched together in another part of the ice some distance off, inaccessible from the position of the ship. Captain Marshal had all the sails clewed up, and got a rope fastcned to a piece of ice, and with the long-boat pushed off with his men to the spot. After considerable difficulty he suc- ceeded in getting to the edge, where they remained huddled together. The whole of them were saved. The number got on the Nicargus were 120 passengers and seamen, the greatest pait of whom were frost-bitten. As far as Captain Marshal could ascertain from the survivors, the number that perished by being crushed to death between the ice and frozen to death were between 50 and GO. As soon as he had succeeded in getting all on board, the ship was got under weigh, and proceeded in the direction of Cape Ray. Every comfort that his means afforded was placed at the sufferers' disposal. The next day, meeting with the bark Broom, of Glasgow, 27 of the poor creatures were trans- ferred to that vessel; and in the course of the following day 49 of the survivors were placed on board three other vessels. The Nicargus reached Quebec oil the 10th of last month. The fate of the master and the others who took to the lifeboat and abandoned the emigrants is not known.
[No title]
DKATH OF Sm E. KNATCIUIULL, BAJ.IT.—We have to record the death of the Right Hon. Sir E. Kiiitclibull, which event took place on Thursday week, at his residence at Merstham Hatch, in the county of Kent. The right lion, gentleman was in his 68th year. He had been complaining for some time, but until a short period before his death no apprehension of a fatal issue were entertained by his friends. Sir Edward retired from the representation of Kent, and from public life altogether, four or five years ago. For many years he took an active part in political affairs, and was for a long time not only regarded as one of the leaders of the Tory party but as the strenuous advo- cate of the agricultural interest. He was a member of the last ministry of Sir R. Peel, but resigned his situation as Paymaster of the Forces 011 the announcement being made that Sir Robert had resolved 011 repealing the Corn-laws. Since then the right hon. gentleman lived in the closest retirement till the time of his death. SALE OF THE EFFECTS OF THE PRESIDENT OE FPA.Ncr.Tlie property of Louis Napoleon which lie left behind him in Lon- don, has been sold by Messrs. Christie and Manson, on the premises, No. 3, Killg. street, tit. James's-square. Some of the pictures realised high prices. THE TKOUELES or A LEGISLATOR.—We read in the Union One of the representatives of the Crcuse, the mason Nadautl, is at this moment in great perplexity. He wishes to appear in the new Chamber in his Sunday's suit; but his brethren who elected him insist upon his taking his legislative seat ill hi week-day's blouse, and some, it is said, even exact that it lte not the well-washed blouse of the Monday, but the plaster- g-n-mrnt of Saturday nigH."