OCTOBER 8, 1842 And now the time in special is, by privilege, to write and speak what may help to the further discussing of matters in agitation. The Temple of Janus, with his two controvcrsal faces, might now not unsignificantly be set open: and though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the earth,, so Truth be in the field, we do injuriously, by licensing and prohibiting, to misdoubt her strength. Let her and falsehood grapple. Who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter. Her confuting is the best and surest suppressing.— MILTON'S AREOPAGITICA. ADVERTISEMENT. SINGING AT SIGHT— The public are respectfully informed that a Course of Three Lectures on VOCAL MUSIC, and the comparative merits of the different systems of teaching it, especially those of Mr. Hullah and Mr. Mainzer; will be de- livered by Mr. Oestreicher, of Halifax, in the Odd Fellows' Mall, on Wednesday, October 19th, and the two succeeding Wednesdays. Practical lessons will be introduced into each lecture ; and the audience may, if they choose, take a part in singing the exercises which will be placed before therri » The ladies and gentlemen will, therefore, be requested to take d ifferent sides of the room; the f > rmer the right hand, and the latter the left. Tickets for the Course, front seats 2s., back seats Is.; Single Tickets, front seats Is , back seats 6d. The Lectures will commence at Eight o'clock precisely, and conclude at half- past Nine. No one will be admitted later than a quarter past Eight. Tickets may be had of Mr. Oestreicher, 16, Aked's Road j of Mr. Pohlman, Music Seller, Woolshops; and of Mr. Birt whistle, Bookseller, Northgate. THE KSSAY1ST. PUBLIC SPIRIT IN HALIFAX. Tlii" remark lias been often made, both by strangers and residents, tbat tliere is a less amount of public spirit in Halifax, than is manifested in many other towns of inferior importance. The truth or false- hood of this assertion may be difficult of proof; hut a few reflections will enable us to determine with re- gard to ourselves, without reference to others. The number, splendour, and magnitude of our public buildings, and the value and efficiency of our public Institutions, will, in a great measure, furnish the proof required. These, certainly, are not at all in accordance with the riches and ability of our resident gentry, or the resources and influence of our trading community. The baneful party feeling which unfortunately prevails to a great extent in all our public affairs, has a constant tendency to circumscribe every generous effort to benefit the town. It is not to be imagined that Halifax is the onlc place afflicted with this mania. The disease prevails in every town where the in- habitants can be registered in religious and political classes,— where each separate class is distinguished by particular colours, as well known as their Christian names; ar. d each party is claimed, by recognised leaders, as private property, to be influenced and controlled for individual, much more than for public purposes. This is agrealevil; hence the want ofunion among ns, for effecting any great undertaking, in the success of which all are equally interested. How much more might the amount of general prosperity and happiness be increased, by extending the principle of the family compact more universally among the peo pie 1 If union and good- will prevailed among us how easy it would be to improve the appearance o the town, and at the same time, give comfort and dignity to our public functionaries, who, by our re spect and attention to them, would feel honoured in our service. The small building at Ward's End, known by the name and style of the Magistrates' Office, is really disgrace to the town. The culprits are not the only persons who ought to blush at the sight of it. ought to he converted into a cottage for one of the Bailiffs, or some other inferior officer. The ground opposite would be a most eligible and suitable site for a new and commodious Sessions House, for the administration of justice ; and there is plenty of room ior a good area in front. We have no Exchange Building to complain of, although many attempts have been made to obtain subscriptions for one. They have, however, all proved abortive. The why and the wherefore need not be inquired into now; it is sufficient for the present occasion, that Halifax has no such honourable distinction to boast of. Our Town's Trustees have no office of their own, in which to hold their meetings, although they are intrusted annually with about four thousand pounds sterling, to be laid out, and disposed of, according to their own will and pleasure. Instead of being ac- commodated with a suitable building, with proper apartments for committees, offices for clerks, & c,, they rent a small chamber in a third story, situated a back lane, and connected on two sides with stables, rubbish, and heaps of manure. The situation has procured for the Trustees, the distinguished title of Back- lane Parliament." The story above them is occupied by noisy printers, who employ a numerous tribe of those turbulent officials called Devils ; and judging from the disturbance they create while on duty, they richly deserve the name. The lower parts of the building are occupied as a Jerry Shop, the inmates of which are sometimes engaged in swearing, shouting, and singing at the same time, by which exercises they cause great annoyance to those who occupy the parliamentary department. The reporter who is in attendance at the meetings of the Trustees, must be very clever indeed to give a correct account. Imagine to yourselves, the printers at full work, with all their imps plying their wooden paws on the wooden floor above ; the Bacchanalians in the shades beneath, engaged in a quarrel about some white marks on the mantel- piece, the exact number of which they are not able to determine, and to evade the knotty question, exclaim in fine style, Begone, dull care ! I pray thee begone from me." At the same moment, while the two classes of opera- tives are in full employment, the Trustees, situated between them, are also warmly engaged on some question almost as difficult of solution as the white mark problem. Their endeavours to be heard, the occasional cheers from those who approve of what is said, the " hear," " hear," and " chair," " chair," from others, joined to the Bacchanalian music from beneath, and the thunders from the gang of press- men above, together compose as full and complete a Babel of confusion, as the most densely populated Bedlam in the country could furnish, and is quite sufficient to account for any irregularities in the reports of the celebrated meetings of our Town's Trustees. Other proofs of our want of public spirit in Halifax might be enumerated. The present times, however, are not favourable for calling forth any noble efforts; or for making great sacrifices. Some individuals are cramped with bad trade ; others are out of temper with their income- tax papers, on account of their intricate, inquisitiorial, and very disagreeable con- tents ; and almost all are oppressed with the dark prospect before them. Providence has favoured us with an abundant harvest, the people generally are well disposed, and only want the means of earning, that they may enjoy a fair share of the bounty. They believe they could do so, were it not for the mischievous work of our cobbling law- makers ;— they are of opinion things would be better for all, even for the blind cobblers themselves, if they understood their business, and acted honestly;— but, as they do neither, the people are ready to cry out against them, as Diogenes did to Alexander, " Stand out of my way, that the sun may shine upon me." Our good town of Halifax might then exchange its diminutive public offices for more suitable, more convenient, and more splendid erec- tions ; such as would keep our gentlemen in counten- ance, and make tbem proud of their native place A TOWNSMAN. OUR LETTER BOX. THE " ORDER" OF THE " PLUG- PLOT." To the Editors of the Free Press. GENTLEMEN,— Permit me, through your paper, to make known information of great public importance. I am informed, and how far rightly the result must prove, that immediately after the re- assembling of parliament, a commission is to be appointed, for the purpose of discovering, making public, and rewarding, the acts, deeds, and merits of those great conservators of peace, life, and property,— the Special Constables, during the recent war of plugs. You may smile, but smiling, in this case, ill becomes you ; for parliament knows, better than you do, the value of Specials, and their valour, and how richly they deserve marks of merit, in token of their late arduous duties and good conduct. The commission appointed, its object will be to acquire all possible information ( through local sources and personal inquiry,) of the merit, conduct, acts, deeds, and daring, of each individual member of ' the force ;"— to report such in the proper quarter, in order to secure ; o the deserving person the intended reward. The duties of the commission so far ended, and the desired information secured aud duly registered, its next step will be to forward, to the local authorities of each Town, Oamlet, Borough, or City, the marks of merit and honour which Her Majesty, acting under the advice of Her Ministers, has been pleased to have prepared for presentation to the said honourable and honoured constables special ! The orders or marks of honour are to be five, and directions have been given for their immediate fabrication. The 1st is the order of the Grand Cross 1— To be given to, and worn by, all specials who killed any rioter during the late war 1 The design is upon gold. A bare arm, holding a drawn sword across a man's neck 1 The 2nd is the order of Might is Right!— To be given to all those who felled, knocked down, or maimed any rioter. The design upon silver. A bare arm, brandishing a huge club. The 3rd is the order of Valour !— The design upon bronze. A man riding upon a donkey, and brandishing allay fork!— To be given to all who either defeated, frightened, or put to flight, old or young women, or children ! The 4th and 5th orders are of less importance either in value or design. They are to be given to all who stood their ground, and did not run away. Merit, not tank, is to rewarded. All preliminaries being arranged, a day public is to be appointed for the grand ceremony of presentation, which day is to be observed, throughout the country, as a grand gala day,— a day of marked historical interest. The most important building in each town is to be selected on the occasion, where the inhabitants are to assemble to witness the noble and interesting spectacle of investiture. In every place where there is a parish church, that building is to be appropriated to the purpose. At 9 a. m. the bells are to ring a merry peal, to summon the happy mortals to their proud and well- won hour of triumph. The trumpets having sounded at the gates of the faithful, at 10 a. tn, the procession in each town and 2 THE HALIFAX FREE PRESS. city will form ; and, headed by the chief magistrate, j inarch to church, where, in obedience to the Queen's letter, a sermon will be preached to the specials and the people, setting forth, in true and eloquent language, the sin of hunger,— the crime of begging, in circum- stances of famine,— the blasphemy of union to make corn cheap,— and the superiority of the wisdom of Parliament over the wisdom of God, displayed in the laws which prevent man eating and enjoying the provisions the bountiful Creator supplies. In the next division of his discourse, the preacher will allude to the mercy of God, who,— though we, through parliament, starve our fellow mortals and deprive them of the comforts of life,— yet He ever provides for us, keeping us safe in seasons of peril arising out of evil laws,— laws made by the combined wisdom of man ! The discourse will further explain the exceeding sinfulness of complaining under any trouble whatever— seeing that trouble is the lot of man, and consequently he has no more right to com- plain of troubles caused by the mal- practices of mortals, than of troubles arising out of the dispensations of providence. The concluding remarks will set forth the duty and honour of obeying the Queen, and conforming to the laws,— of the religion of loyalty,— the love we owe the church, and the sacred office of her holy ministers, — the piety of passive obedience,— the sancity of fasting,— the worthlessness of riches and all earthly treasures,— and finally the thanksgiving we owe to the Giver of all,— assisted by those devoted men of meekness before them,— the constables special— specially sent, during the late troubles, to protect our worthless property and valuable lives, and through whose instrumentality we enjoy our present peace and comfort. The preacher, after producing a marked effect, concludes his discourse. A voluntary is now played on the organ ; this ended, amid the pride, pomp, and circumstance of religious grandeur, the presentations take place. This duty is performed by the Queen's special commissioner, specially appointed for the purpose. Intense silence reigns— every eye is upon him and them. After reading the Queen's letter of thanks ( an autograph copy) for the signal services done by the specials in rescuing her realms from civil war, he proceeds to invest each fortunate individual of the force, with their weil- won marks of honour. The five orders are disposed of in succession. The intended owners are arranged in five ranks, according to priority of merit, each rank kneeling during the ceremony of investiture, and whilst receiving their marks of distinction ! The commissioner, with his own hand, fixes each order upon the wearer's breast. This imposing affair ended, a murmur of approbation runs through the wondering crowd. Silence ensues, the Te Deum is sung, the heralds announce, by trumpet blast, the conclusion of the wondrous spectacle, to the waiting multitudes without, who send forward the glad tidings from rank to rank. All ended, the church is quickly emptied. The procession forming, the specials, with their blushing honours round about them thrown, headed by the chief magis- trate and clergy, will march, amid the thanks and blessings of a gladdened throng, to a given place for dismission. At Halifax, they will march, in this order, to the Piece Hall, the Odd Fellows bringing up the rear. Great preparations are making to give eclat to this interesting affair; and, I think, with good taste, in order that our town may stand second to none, either in Loyalty, Show, or Battle. Arriving here, after a speech of congratulation, and presentation of addresses from the inhabitants, they will be dismissed, with glory crowned. On this occasion there will be a grand display of firing, or fire works, at New Bank, Kann's Bank, Haley Hill, North Brigg, and Elland Wood. There will also be some grand mental illuminations. The column, 50 feet high, which is now in course of erection at Salterhebble, will be unveiled ! The figure at the top, a beautiful design, representing a magistrate, with one arm in a sling, will be an object of universal admiration ! Round the base. of this column are to he some admirable designs in bold relief. One, very unique, representing a dismounted hussar, his horse escaping at full gallop. Aaother, a hussar kneeling at prayer, an infernal chartist the while holding a razor across his throat. The spectacle of the unveiling of the statue erecting upon the now classic ground of Salterhebble, will be one of the most important and historical features of this notable day. At 2 p. m. the drums will beat as the first signal of preparation. At 3 the roar of the cannon will announce the lifting of the veil 1 Then will be disclosed to the waiting and wondering thousands the column of victory! Beauty, fashion, loyalty, enthusiasm, aided by the spell of music and the smile of love, will meet to do homage to the specially great, and gaze upon the column of glory, a monumentof their Town's Salvation. Oh ! Chartism '. where art thou now ? Some few who, during the battle of plugs, suffered mischief, by officiously risking their persons, and provoking the rioters, are to be knighted. In anxious expectation to witness this coming day of glory, andin special admiration of the special favourites offortuneand honour, the specials lately distinguished in the War of Plugs, I remain, Your friend and theirs, CORNET RIGG. Ovenden, Se^ t. 22, 1842. THE PRESS TURNED AN ENGINE OF RUIN. To the Editor of the Free Press. Mr. Editor.— As some inexperienced presnmer ad- vanced some notoriously false statements in your last number regarding the literature of the present age, yon are at liberty to insert the following observations. It is desponding to reflect that with all the efforts for improvement which have lately been witnessed, the moral aspect of the nation is rapidly languishing. Human moitality is fast increasing ; for within the last 17 years, in such cities as Glasgow, the number of deaths has risen from 1 in 36 to 1 in 25. The average term of life would appear to be shortening— physical strength would seem to be on the decline— crime has actually increased to an alarming extent — and vice has spread with an appalling quickness. In many manufacturing towns three fourths of the prostitution which exists has originated within the last six or seven years. Notwithstanding the means which are employed to check the ravages of intemper- ance, it is still on the increase in the British Empire in general. Atheism and infidelity have become po- pular principles— piety has nearly evaporated— and places of worship are nearly deserted by the mass of the people. But amid all the evils which are undermin- ing the foundations of our moral strength, there is none so insinuating, so artfully disguised, and so efficiently powerful, as the printing press in a per- verted condition. It comes in contact more directlv with the inward recesses of the human constitution— with the hidden springs of action, than any other in- fluence in existence. It excites and swells the foun- tains of human depravity, so as to cause a greater overflow of vicious action than can otherwise be pro- duced. The nineteenth century differs from ancient ages in this important respect, that a new power has arisen for propelling the human mind— a new lever for elevating it to happiness, or raising it for a more signal overthrow. A new light has appeared, to lead the nation to the summit of earthly bliss, or conduct it silently to its grave ! The perversion of the press may, in general terms, be said to have commenced, when it rejected the paths of truth and began to wander in the wilds of fiction. At first the minds of the public were led by green pastures and still rivers ; but that not proving sufficiently exciting, they were conducted into haunted forests and midnight dungeons. The modern novel, which constitutes the principal form ( either in volumes or penny sheets) in which the press has com- mitted its devastations, had its origin, it would seem, in the popular literature which preceded the downfall of ancient Greece. It was revived before the fall of Rome ; and at a later period received much attention in Germany and France. There it was lavishly en- couraged by a class of persons who had an antipathy to religion— who could not endure philosophy— acd who hated sincerity. Thence it was introduced into Great Britain, where it has now been carried to an incredible extent— where it has reached its most de- graded aspect— and where it has given a mighty im- pulse to every existing evil. My remarks on the post- octavo class of novels are intended to be few, as the low- sheet species of litera- ture is that which calls most for reprobation. It would, however, manifest an undue deference to the fashionable world, were these to be passed over in silence. The middle and higher classes, at the pre- sent day, are much in the habit of declaiming against the vices of the lower orders ; but they forget that they themselves are liable to corruption. The tide of literary phrenzy first set in among the leisurely por- tion of the community. In course of time it carried them so far into the regions of fancy that an interest was awakened in the transactions of the lowest classes of the community. The character of novels in general became altered, and those which are in highest repute at the present day consist of gross narratives and horrific representations. By these, fashion is continually led to pursue the phan- toms of vulgar life, while the lower orders are inces- santly aping fashion. The tendency of novels in the case of the middle classes has been an excitement of covetous desires— of an eager panting after show and extravagance. And when we reflect on the extent to which they have been read, we shall not be ready to dispute that they have contributed above all other causes to bring about the existing crisis of distress. In the town of Bradford, upwards of one thousand volumes of novels are devoured by the middle classes- weekly.* Very often three volumes are perused in one day. f The effects, in the case of many ladies, have been most fatal, as I have been informed by an eminent clergyman. A common result is liypo- chondriaisu), insanity, and an indescribable state of mind. When the individual begins to receive reli- gious or moral impressions, the vehement struggle which takes place between the state of mind engen- dered by novels, and the force of truth, is said to be beyond all horrors conceivable. The memory of such an immense amount of precious time almost wholly devoted to the deril under the garb of an angel of light, forms the bitterest element in the cup of torture. In very few instances has truth beer, able to take possession of the minds of such unfortunate in dividuals. They have been irretrievably ruined ! It is only within the last few years that the lower classes have been inundated with corrupt literature. The institution of those lamp posts on the highway to destruction, circulating libraries— has brought it to the doors cf the poorest individual. In Bradford there are three circulating libraries, and the largest of them vends about 350 volumes per week. At this library a great number of readers are boys and girls. They read the Newgate Calendar very much. Parents are consulted, and ignorantly allow their children to read such works. Jack Sheppard has been stolen. Numbers of grown- up women ( factory women and others) read voraciously such books as the " Mur- dered Bride," " The Avenger," Sis. The books are taken out principally on Saturday night, to be read on Sabbath. Many boys devour a whole volume of criminal adventures between Saturday night and Sabbath afternoon; and many, it is said, have nearly lost their eyesight by reading. At another circulat- ing library, the cry is for " Love and Murder." This library is chiefly supported by common women, and boys and girls. I have ascertained that novels are very much read by factory women. Several over- seers have given their testimony on this point. They were formerly much in the habit of taking them along with them to the mills, and they frequently got them destroyed Villi oil. Straw- hat makers are likewise much addicted to reading novels, and there have been instances in which they have fallen asleep while reading them, and allowed their beds to take fire. All the persons I have interrogated who have had ex- tensive opportunities of knowing, concur in stating that novels are read to an incredible extent among factory women— that they read them chiefly on Sab- bath, but likewise on every leisurely occasion— and that the notions gathered from novel- reading form one of the principal causes of an inordinate love of dress, which in its turn leads to starvation, felony, prostitution, and a host of evils. I have not yet made any allusion to the effects of the cheap fictitious publications which are now deso- lating the country, and which are principally publish- ed on Sunday. The names of some of them are the * In one library about 600 are given out; in another, about 350; and in other two, between one and two hundred. A considerable number of these circulate among the lower orders ; but the Magazines to which the middle orders hav access ought not to be forgot. t On the authority of Mr. Brown, circulating librarian, Bradford. THE HALIFAX FREE PRESS. 3 following :—" The Penny Sunday Times," " Lloyd's Companion to the Penny Sunday Times," " Cleave's Penny Gjizette," " Whyte's Universal Broadsheet," " The Squib," " Tom Spring," " Deeds of Dreadful Note," " Cupid," " The Grave of the Forsaken," " The Sunday Weekly Despatch," " The Odd Fel- low," " The Penny Sunday Chronicle," " The New Moral World," & c. & c. With the exception of the last, the nature of which is well known, the great object of the others is evidently to produce unhealthy excitement— to furnish the most horrific descriptions of the greatest number of murders, robberies, rapes, executions, fights, cruelties, and love adventures, in the smallest possible compass. The glaring blotches, called wood- cuts, are deplorable to be contemplated. Crime of the deepest hue is glossed over— criminals of the most detestable cast are held up to imitation— characters of the most worthless kind are invested with an immense interest— religion is ridiculed out of countenance— enjoyment is set forth as the grand end of life— the Creator is blasphemed in every page— in every column the horrid slang of thieves and malefac- tors meets your eye, except when it is relieved by the gossip of a strumpet. The circulation in Bradford is nearly two thousand * Many persons meet in what are culled batches to hear them read on the Sabbath day. Boys and girls may be seen selling them in the back lanes on Sundays. They are taken to church and chapel, and read much during prayers in Sabbath schools, where all the zeal of the teachers is of little effect. The publications of the Religious Tract Society, are scarcely at all read in consequence ; and that body on inquiring the cause in London were told by the booksellers that it was becausf they did not vend " Love and Murder," ! The consequences of these publications are beyond all exposure. They thin, in some instances almost empty, places of wor- ship— they effectually neutralize the labours of philan- thropists— they pre- occupy the mind, and defy the entrance of any religions impressions— they totally incapacitate for feeling any interest in truth— they excite directly to the commission of crime— a restless- ness is created to have the pleasure of perpetrating awful deeds— an admiration for the dexterities of felons and notorious criminals is awakened— they make " shooting one another,"- j- appear as excellent sport— by raking up the dregs of licentious adventures, they lead by degrees to giddiness, and finally to de- bauchery— ihey burden all the finer feelings— they brutalize the heart— they barbarize mankind. It was reserved in the history of the world for the nineteenth century to discover an easy and speedy way of making human beings savages ; and it will be reserved for a few years to come to disclose the kind of savagism which will be effected by the press. Could it have been conceived that such an instrument should ever be so fearfully perverted ! The most deplorable light in which the chief publi- cations I have been considering can be viewed, con- sists in their raising a barrier, more impassable than any yet known, to the civilization and christianization of the mass of the British population. There is scarcely a surrendering of the citadel of the mind when the morbidity engendered by these publications takes up its abode. They act more powerfully than a thousand inquisitions against the slightest perusal of any other works. But they likewise pave the way for open vice and misery. Many street- women in manufacturing towns have confessed that they were first led astray by reading fictitious publications; J and it is awful to reflect that in the manufacturing towns of the West- Riding of Yorkshire, prostitution has increased more than three- fourths since the intro- duction of cheap literature. What, it may be asked, is to stem the tide of ruin ? There is one remedy, and one remedy alone. The people must have instruc- tion, and if you do not instruct them, they will let you see that they will instruct themselves. Discoun- tenance by every possible means the spread and per- usal of fictitious publications— collect them and con- sume them 5— provide attractive, illustrated moral * One Shop sells 3'> dozen, another © dozen, and a third nearly 100 dozen. But there are more shops where they are sold in obscure part* of the town. t And likewise Shooting at the Queen! X One girl said she had learned from one of these publica- tions that there vias no God, and no hereafter; and that therefore she thought the best way was to enjoy herself as long as she lived, § Not long ago a gentleman collected as many of these publications as he could purchase, and set fire to them, while a number of children were singing hymns. and religious publications in their stead— do not leave them to read good pamphlets at their own conveni- ence, but read them before them, explain them, penetrate into the lanes, and like the ancient moralists, who found that regular lectures proved ineffectual, instruct their mind, by intercourse and conversation commence the work of reformation in earnest— and above all do not be misled by the greatest of all ethical fallacies, that man is naturally inclined to good, but act sternly on the principle, the fundamental one of revelation, that " in man dwelleth no good thing." I am, Mr. Editor, Your Obedient Servant, D. MACKINTOSH, Lecturer on Geology. EXERCISES, REVIEWS, AND ACTION. LETTER III. To the Editors of the Free Press. GENTLEMEN,— In my last, I showed that the Spec- tator's tendency to under- rate Col. Thompson was accounted for by the conductors of that publication having so far changed, as to become partizans of the Peel ministry, and to designate the present govern- ment a gift from heaven.* There is another reason too which may not have been without its influence— a key to it exists in one of the quotations from the Spectator made iu my last, wherein they express a wish that the people " would be persuaded to dis- perse themselves more equally over the' immense regions which belong to Great Britain." The fact is that the Spectator has a crotchet for exporting or transporting part of the population, under the name of emigration. Whether it be, as has been rumoured, that certain parties connected with the Spectator, directly or indirectly, are considerable proprietors of land in New Zealand, and other British settlements— whether it be that the proprietors of the Spectator, and the proprietors of the Colonial and Emiyration Gazetle, are one and the same, or whether the Spectator's advocacy of emigration is perfectly disinterested, I cannot undertake to determine. One thing is quite clear that if the Spectator has any personal interest in colonization, that personal in- terest may serve as a clue to account for their having become ministerial. In calling the present ministry " The Government God has given us," probably the Spectator had . in view that which a Mr. Conyers stated when chairman of an agricultural association in Essex, namely, that there were two P's to be viewed in connection— Peel and Providence. Now, as it is universally admitted that Providence provides its gifts and bounties in all climes and all regions, so perhaps Peel like Provi- dence provides gifts and bounties in the colonies as well as at home, for those friends who put their trust in him. Be this as it may, Col. Thompson has shown the fallacy of emigration as a remedy for national distress, and for doing so has incurred the charge from the Spectator of being deficient in apprehending actual or practical truth— and after making this charge, the Spectator proceeds— . This deficiency renders him not well adapted for combin- ing with others in any practical object, still less for heading a party or the section of a party which has any practical objects in view ; though by no means a man with one idea, he very often seems like a man with one notion. And this peculiarity of the Colonel's character appears to have been seen by the mass, with the intuitive sagacity which both Aristotle and Cicero attribute to them, whilst they are in capable of fully comprehending his valuable but more re- fined qualities. It is this, and this alone, we think, that explains his singular position ; for if Colonel Thompson is himself a host, he is a host by himself. Nobody thinks of electing him their head; exceedingly few of inlisting under his banner." Is it quite certain that this which the Spectator calls a deficiency, may not be something the very reverse of a deficiency? a plus instead of a minus? There are strong indications that such is the case— that Col. T.' s mind has been in advance of his contem- poraries ; the proof of it is that they have approximated nearer and nearer to his views. When he raised the standard of the Corn- Law Repeal— where then were the 22( i members of Parliament who voted with Lord John Russell against the Sliding Scale ? Where then were the great names which have since combined together to become members of, or to aid, the Anti Corn- Law League ; and did the deficiency exist in hi incapacity to combine with them, or in their incapacity to combine with him? " Still less for heading a party " indeed '. Has he not shown hi3 capability of heading by being con tinually a- liead of them ? The head or leader of a party should point out the course for those who follow. Has he not pointed out the course, and lia he not followers by tens of thousands and hundreds * The numberof the Spectator from which the encomium on the Peel ministry were extracted, was that of Sept. 17 not Sept. 10, as stated by mistake. of thousands, if not millions, on this very question of Corn- Law Repeal? In one point of view he is unfitted " for heading a party or the section of a party," that his views are not party or partial, or for party ; they are universal; consequently be is better adapted for the leader and guide, to be the head of a people, a nation, than a party, especially if " the practical object" of the party be the retaining office at the sacrifice of the progress of legislative and commercial Reform. He has, indeed, from some deficiency or other, been found not well adapted for combining with others for such a " practical object" as that; on the contrary, he has been a thorn in the side of all combiners for such practical objects. " Though by no means a man with one idea " 1— No, indeed, he who can write so much, and so well, and on so many subjects, must be the furthest possible remove from a man of one idea. " He veryoften seems likea man with one notion." — Yes ; he has the very odd notion that the people must be fed, that as life is essential to existence for human beings, and food is essential to life, that a full supply of food for a nation is of paramount importance. An exceedingly odd notion this. " And this peculiarity of the character appears to have been seen by the mass."— The peculiarity of the Col. to refuse to be a party to any line of action which stops the progress of Reform has certainly been seen by the mass of jobbing politicians, and their anxiety to keep him out of Parliament and in the back ground has been in proportion to their sense of this peculiar- ity. If the Spectator means it to be understood that ' the mass of the people are not favourable to Col. T. the Spectator widely errs. It is precisely because the right of electing is not possessed by the mass that he his not at present in Parliament. It is very few months since the masses both in England and Scot- land manifested their clear perception of the valuable qualities of Col T. byelecting him their representative. I allude in the one case to an important sea- port in the North of England— Sunderland— and in the other to the metropolis of Scotland. Nay more, I venture to say there is not a man in whom the more sober, in- telligent, and consequently more influential, of the working- classes so fully confide, as in Col. T. It is this, and this alone, we think, that explains his singular position, for if Col. T. is himself a host he is a host by himself." There should have been a break in the paragraph of the Spectator here, and the word WIT inserted over it, that the readers might understand it was intended for wit. If in a public man to be singularly clever in his p rception of the right course— singularly straight forward in pursuing that course— singularly talented, and singularly good, is to be singular : it is quite true that Col. T's is a singular position. That he is in himself a HOST is not even called in question by the Spectator, and if jobbing politicians choose to pursue crooked paths in which he was too honest to accom- pany them, he has much more reason to be proud of the stand which he has made on solid ground, even though alone, than be would have been had he been dragged into the pitfalls and morasses in company with a large number of lionourables and right lion- ourables. If ever they Retrieve their position, it can only be by returning to the path which he has never forsaken. " Nobody thinks of electing him their head, exceed- ingly few of enlisting under his banner." Indeed,—- Ask the members of all the Anti- Corn- Law Associa- tions ? Ask the members of all the Chartist Associa- tions ? Ask the members of all the Complete Suffrage Associations, if they are not ready to a man, to join in electing him their head, and enlisting under his banner, to at least the extent of giving him their support, in any contests in which be may be engaged. And have not many elected him their head and enlisted under his banner, who would on no account acknowledge it ? Is not the Spectator's friend Sir R. Peel, in reality a follower of Col. T., in the con- cessions he has already made to the principles of Free Trade generally, and the Corn Law in particular? And the tide has evidently set in the direction, that either Sir R. Peel, or some other minister, must entirely sweep away the Corn Laws within a few months, and thus by actions which speak louder than words, elect Col. T. " the head, and enlist under his banner." The admissions which the Spectator makes of his many virtues show the character and merit of Col. T and the consequent title lie has to public confidence. They acknowledge " His amiable and unblemished character, his various knowledge, his undoubted ability and industry, the liberality of his opinions, and the rarer liberality with which he has expended large sums of money upon public objects." The is perhaps no other man who has devoted so much time and labour to enlighten the public mind as he has, and who in proportion to his means has made such sacrifices to advance the principles which he THE HALIFAX FREE PRESS. 4 holds to be true. Doubtless his voluntary expenditure on public objects would have been ranch larger had he not been compelled to sacrifice that which diminished his income in perpetuity several hundred pounds annui lly by what he justly calls " a conspiracy to rob him at the door of the House of Commons." Tbe Spectator having instituted a comparison between Col. T. and individuals, as to his literary performances, I may be excused for comparing his public services with the united labours of a large number, namely, with the Anti- Corn- Law League.. This is an association of many lich individuals, the majority of whom have a personal interest in the re- peal of tbe Corn Law, and who, however strongly they may now be convinced of the injustice, did not perceive it until the pressure on themselves drew their attention towards it. Of their treatment of Col. T. in 1839, I forbear to say anything, I believe they now deeply regret it, and wish to wipe off tbe stigma. l! ut let us look what each party has done for the repeal of the Corn Law. They by their united sub- scriptions and collections from others have sent out hired lecturers, and distributed a few thousand Anti- Corn- Law tracts. Col. T. a private gentleman, with- out any interest in the question, or if any, what might be considered an adverse interest— for his income is mainly derived from land— has not only written and published without fee or rewaid, or hope of reward, for many years, but he has himself lectured in the districts essentially agricultural— in all the chief market towns of Norfolk and Suffolk, where the pre- judices of the farmers were greatly against the repeal of the Corn Law. He has also performed missionary tours to lecture in the manufacturing districts of Lancashire and Yorkshire, at a time when the popu- lation would listen to liim, though they would scarcely listen to the hired lecturers. The value of bis lectures may therefore be fairly placed as equiva- lent to those purchased by the League; and as to dis- tribution, I say nothing of the toil and labour which liis productions must have cost him, and his previous distribution ; I know that he has recently made gratui- tous distributions of tbe Exercises to the extent of upwards of 3,000 volumes 1 May I not, then, with truth say that if he is not an Anti- Corn- Law League, lie is an Anti- Corn- Law Host, regardless of the Spectator's sneer that he is a host by himself? But notwithstanding all this, says the Spectator, " Colonel Thompson is out of that assembly to which " the public speaker and active politician naturally " looks— and to which he has not disdained to look " as his goal." Some of tbe reasons for this exclu- sion may be learned from this paper; there are other bearings of it which it may be necessary to advert to on some future occasion, meanwhile I may confidently predict that the day for bis return to the House of Commons is not distant. But as to being the goal, lie is, in the opinion of those " exceedingly few" " who have enlisted under his banner," destined to a much higher goal than that of being returned member for a Borough. In proportion to the extent which a public man lias been kept back, so is the extent of reaction when the time for reaction arrives ? As the leader of public opinion on these great questions, some of which have been already carried, and others on tbe eve of being so, t\ ie merits Col. T. must necessarily be more and more appreciated, and in the changes of cabinets and councils incident to these legislative changes, who so fitting to be called into action as the man whose past Actions ard whose Ex- ercises are so well able to bear tbe scrutiny and the test of all before whom they pass under Review ? I am, & c. COADJUTOR. LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP. Love, like the butterfly, takes wing; He courts the rose but to forsake. Ah ! then, beware his treacherous sting, Which leaves the festered heart to break. But Friendship has the ivy's truth; And closer twines when tempests lower,. It takes its root in early youth; And blossoms in life's latest hour. ' TO GOT^ sfofMNTsT We beg to call the attention of our correspondents generally, to the desirableness of more brevity in their communica- tions. Mr. Mackintosh gave us permission to curtail his letter: but we thought the interest of the subject would warrant its insertion entire ; although its length compels us to postpone " Our Scrap Book," and several letters. " Mr. Sturge in Halifax," by " A Radical of the Old School and " Skircoat Moor," by " The Knight of Skircoat Moor;'' in our next " Peter Peerabout " has dropped us a few lines to say that he would willingly give the information asked for by " A - Burgess of Halifax," if he had the means of doing so j but as he has not, he hopes it will be supplied by some other correspondent. " A Corn- Law Repealer " informs usjthat the last number of the " Anti- Bread Tax Circular » contains a letter from the Secretary of the Holmflrth Reform Association, re- specting the enrolment of its members as members of tha League; and he asks how many members of the Halifax Anti Corn- Law Association have enrolled themselves in a Similar manner. Perhaps some member of the Assoeia iion will answer the question. CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK. OCTOBER 9th, SUNDAY. Twentieth Sunday after Trinity. Saint Denys. Of this saint there are two conflicting accounts. According to one, he was Dionysius, the Areopagite, converted to Christianity by the preach- ing of the Apostle Paul, as recorded in the 17th chapter of Acts. According to the other account, he was Bishop of Paris in the third century. The first- named Dionysius was one of the Judges of the Court of the Areopagus. Ecclesiastical historians say that he was afterwards Bishop of Athens, and that be suffered martyrdom in that city, in the year 96, under the persecution of Domitian. The writings which bear his name are believed to be forgeries of the sixth cen- tury. The other Denys, or Dionysius, is claimed by the French as having been tbe first who preached the gospel among them ; and, for that reason, they con- sider him their tutelary saint. The principal legend relating to this saint, is that referred to in tbe old stanza:— Saint Denys had his head cut off; He did not care for that: He took it up, and carried it Two miles, without his hat! According to tbe Romish historians, St. Denys was Bishop of Paris, and was beheaded, in tbe year 272, with other martyrs, near that city. " They beheaded them," says Father Ribadaneira, " in that mountain which is at present called Mons Martyrum, ( Mont- martre,) the mountain of martyrs, in memory and honour of them ; but, after they had martyred them, there happened a wonderful miracle. The body o( St. Denys rose upon its feet, and took its own head up in its hands, as if be bad triumphed, and carried in it tbe crown and token of its victories. The angels of heaven went accompanying the Saint, singing hymns choir- wise, with a celestial harmony and concert, and ended with these words, " gloria tibi, Domine, alleluia" and the Saint went with his head in his hands about two miles, till be met with a good woman called Catula, who came out of'her house ; and the body of St. Denys going to her, it put the head in her bands." Eddystone lighthouse completed by Smeaton, 1759 Charles Mills died, 1826. He wrote the " History of Chivalry," " History of the Crusades," " Travels of Theodore Dueas," & c. As a literary man, he oc- cupied a high place; and Lord Jeffrey pointed him out as one of tbe most promising writers of his day. His constitution broke down under severe mental exertion, and he died at the early age of 38. Michael Kelly, tbe musician, died, 1826. 10th, MONDAY. Oxford and Cambridge Michaelmas Terms begin. Harewood fair. Nottingham Castle burnt, 1831. A peal of eight bells opened at Halifax, 1787. 11th, TUESDAY. O'. d Michaelmas day. On this day, it was a custom, in Hertfordshire, for young men to assemble in the fields, and choose a leader, whom they were obliged to follow through ponds and ditches, " over brake and briar." Every person they met was taken up by the arms and bumped, or swung against another. Every publican furnished a gallon of ale and plum- cake, which were consumed in the open air. it was a septennial custum, and was called " ganging day." Roger Brook, of Halifax, died., 1568 ; aged 133 years. Barnsley and Selby F. iirs. 12th, WEDNESDAY. Columbus discovered America, 1492. Mr. Wilson elected Recorder of Leeds, but refused by Queen Anne, for being a Whig, 1710. Saint Wilfrid, Bishop of York ; A. D. 709. Idle Fair. William Angus, the engraver, died, 1821. He was celebrated for his landscapes ; anil bis principal work wa3 a collection of " Views of the Seats of tbe Nobility and Gentry." 13th, THURSDAY. Translation of King Edward the Confessor. This monarch was the youngest son of King Ethelred ; but as all his elder brothers were either dead, or bad fled, he succeeded to the crown of England, in the year 1042. He built Westminster Abbey; and was the first person interred in that edifice. He died in 1066. He collected all the most useful laws made by the Saxon and Danish kings. The title of Confessor was probably given to him by the Pope, for settling what was then called " Rome Scot," but is now better known by the name of " Peter's Pence." lie was canonized by Pope Alexander III, in the year 1265. He was the first English king who attempted to cure the scrofula, or king's evil, by stroking. The great seal was first used by him ; and the crown, chair, spurs, staff, & c. employed at bis coronation, are still used at the coronations of our monarchs. Joachim Mural, ex- king of Naples, shot, at I'izzo, in Italy, after ati ineffectual atterapt to regain the Neapolitan crown, 1815. His remains were torn from the grave, and afterwards burnt. To this Byron- alludes .-— And thou, too, of the snow- white plume, Whose realm refused thee even a tomb. * * * * * » Was that haughty plume laid low By a slave's dishonest blow 1 Once it onward bore the brave, Like foam upon the highest wave. There, where death's brief pang was quickest, And the battle's wreck lay thickest, Strewed beneath the advancing banner Of the Eagle's burning crest,— ( There with thuuder- ciouds to fan her. Who could then her wing arrest,— Victory beaming from her breast ?) While the broken tine enlarging Fell or fled along the plain : There be sure was Murat charging ; There he ne'er shall charge again! Jacob Powell died, at Stebbing, Essex, 1754, He weighed nearly 40 stone, or 560 lbs. His body was more than five yards in circumference, and his limbs were in proportion. He was carried to tbe grave by sixteen men. Antonio Canova, the sculptor, died, 1822. He ( lied at Venice, and was buried with the highest honours in tbe cathedral of St. Mark. Canova made an honourable use of the large tortu& e he acquired by his profession. He endowed ail the academies for artists at Rome ; established prizes ; and set apart a large sum for pensions to aged and decayed artisls. A high tribute is paid to Canova, in tbe 4th Canto of Childe Harold. The noble bard,— having, in the pre- ceding verse, introduced the names of Angelo, Alfieri, Galileo, and Machiavelli,— proceeds thus :— These are four minds which, like the elements. Might furnish forth Creation !— Italy I Time, which hath wrong'd thee with ten thousand rents Of thine imperial garment, shall deny. And hath denitd, to every other sky. Spirits which soar from ruin:— thy decay Is still impregnate with divinity, Which gilds it with revivifying ray ; Such as the great of yore, Canova is to- day. 14th, FRIDAY. Battle of Hastings, 1066. Tycho Brahe, the Danish astronomer, died, 1601. Butler says of bis hero Hurlibras, In mathematics he was greater Than Tyeho Brahe, or Erra Pater. Battle of Jena, 1806. Sowerby Bridge Exhibition opened, 1839. Haworth Fair. Robert Millhouse, the Nottingham poet, born, 1788. His parents were poor, and be was the second of ten children. All the education be received was in a Sunday school, where, to use his own words, " be- tween tbe age of six and ten, those truths were incul- cated upon his mind, by which he trusts he will be benefited both through time and eternity." He went to work at tl e age of six, and at ten was placed in a stocking manufactory. Many of his poems were com- posed at tbe loom. The Earl of Guilford died, 1827- He was Governor of Ceylon, anil accompanied the Rev. J. Cordiner in a tour, of which the latter published an account. He was afterwards sent on a mis.- ion to the Ionian islands, where be established a liberal system of public edu- cation. 15th, SATURDAY. Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, guillotined, 1793. Bonaparte arrived at St. Helena, in tbe Northum- berland, Admiral Sir G. Cockburn, 1815. Tweed net- fishing closes. The following curious advertisement is extracted from the " Daily Courant," of October 15th, 1716; and will amuse those who are now accustomed to travel by railway. It shows that, a century and a quarter ago, a public conveyance from London to Bath was looked upon as a matter of no common occurrence The announcement runs thus :—" A THREE- END Coach and six HORSES sets out on Thursday next, the 18th instant, for the Bath, from tbe sign of theCoach and Six Horses, in Wood- Street: If any gentleman has occasion to go thither, shall be KINDLY used by John Tea." John Gower, the poet, died, 1400. Leland, the antiquary, says, that " this John Gower was of tbe knightly order, and born in Yorkshire : that he was a lawyer by profession, and laboured much in poetry, and was tbe first polisher ot bis own country language, which before his time lay uncultivated, and almost quite rude : that he wrote many things in English, not only in verse, but also in prose, which were read with pleasure even in his ( Lelanu's) time, tbe reign of King Henry VIII. He flourished in King Richard II.' s reign, to wbo. il he dedicated bis works ; and, when he was blind, presented to him his Song in praise of Peace. He was an intimate friend and ac- quaintance ol that eminent poet, Geoffery Chaucer, as he shows in this book, and used to submit his lucubrations to his judgment, as Chancer did his Loves of Troilus to the censure and correction of Gower unci Strode." HALIFAX:— Printed and Sold, for the Proprietors, at the General Printing Office of H. Martin, Upper George Yard.