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 tw0 controversal faces, might now not unsignificantly be set open : and though all the winds of doctrine were let hose 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. ADVERTISEMENTS. LECTURES POSTPONED.— HALIFAX MECHANICS' INSTITUTION. — The members and friends of the Institution are respect- fully informed that the remainder of Mr. M'Taggart's Lectures, announced to be delivered on the 12th and 19th instant, are unavoidably POSTPONED. GENTLEMEN'S BEST LONDON BEAVER HATS.— J. ECKERSLEY respectfully invites theattention of Gentlemen to his superb Stock of Best Beaver Hats, ( just received from Three of the most eminent Houses in London,) which for lightness, durability, and colour in particular, stand quite unrivalled. Cash Price, 21s.; Beautiful Stuff Hats, from 12s. tol6ii.; the Rich French Velvet- Naps, on Stuff Bodies, from 10s. to ] 5s.; Gossamer, and other Hats equally cheap. 25, Crown Street, Halifax, opposite the Upper George Inn. THE GOVERNMENT BILL FOR EDUCATION IN FACTORIES. To C. Wood, Esq. M. P., and E. Protheroe, Esq. M. P. Halifax, Marcb 22, 1843. SIR,*— As one of your constituents, I beg leave especially to call your attention to the educational clauses of the Factory bill. In common with Dis- senters generally, of all shades of opinion, and forms of ecclesiastical polity, in Halifax and its vicinity, I regard the scheme of education as a most insidious and outrageous attack on both our civil and religious rights and liberties. It is nothing else than * n attempt to invest the Established Clergy with a mono- poly of the education of our youth, at the expense of the whole community; to establish a new ecclesiastical corps of chaplains and schoolmasters to drill the rising generation into Church principles, and thus prepare the way for a spiritual and, as its natural result, civil despotism. It not only does all this at the public expense, and while it gives the Dissenters the honour of paying their share of the impost, care- fully excludes them from all share of the manage- ment of it; butit makes it compulsory on masters and parents to send their children to these clerical semi- naries, as well as pay threepence per week from the poor pittance of their wages. It might have been supposed that insult would not have been added to injury, but so it is, in providing by sufferance for tbe exemption on tbe part of the children of Dissenters from an infliction of the Church Catechism and Liturgy. But, Sir, why this exuberance of compas- sion for tbe factory children ? I venture to say, that in comparison with the agricultural districts of Eng- land, in all the manufacturing towns not only are the means of education more ample, but there is a most marked and decided superiority both as to the educa- tion and morals of tbe labouring classes. The Sabbath- school system deserves the study of our legislators, not to induce them to tamper with and mar the voluntary working of the schools, but to learn what spontaneous and disinterested benevolence has done, and is doing, for the religious education of the people. As one instance, and it is not the first in magnitude, in this town, in connexion with Square Chapel, we have about GOO children regularly under instruction on Sunday. We have writing classes during certain days of the week, a library, supplies of the Scriptures provided, and more than one hundred young persons as teachers and directors. Now, Sir, this is not of yesterday. It has existed during many years ; and each year, besides gratuitous labour, at least £ 50 are expended in support of tbe Sunday school. Do not suppose, Sir, this is a rare case ; there is not one of the Dissenting ministers who are your con- • The letter is addressed in the singular number; having been sent to each of the borough members separately, and not to both jointly.— EDIT. stituents who might not furnish a similar one. I may ask, are our numbers, as Dissenters, so few— our position and influence in society so contemptible — our loyalty so suspicious— and our weight in tbe balance of parties so small, that we are to be treated with such injustice and indignity? I may as well take occasion to remind you, that in the recent opposition to the new Poor- law. Bill, the middle classes generally, and consequently the Dis- senters and Dissenting ministers, supported the Government measure. Some of us now begin to see evils arising out of tbe centralization of power, whereby the machinery of this bill is made a ready and fitting instrument for the creation of chaplains and schoolmasters, and other schemes such as the present, which violate and trample on the rights of conscience. I need not say what is likely to happen if such measures are persisted in, with the strong feeling already existing among the labouring popula- tion on this subject. In the present position of our affairs, true wisdom will dictate the policy of con- ciliating all denominations of Christians by a due respect of the rights of conscience, and not by such a partial and unjust measure as the present, casting the firebrand of religious dissension among them. Permit me, in conclusion, Sir, to assure you, from personal knowledge of the state of the working classes generally, that the means of subsistence must take tbe precedence of the question of education— that in the midst of wide spread and increasing destitution, the proffered boon of education, especially as con- nected with a diminution of wages, and a still further deduction for the schoolmaster, will be regarded as a cruel insult and a mockery. Sincerely trusting you will give this measure all the opposition in your power, I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, ALEXANDER EWING. LOCAL DOCUMENTS. REPORTS READ AT THE QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE HALIFAX TOWN TRUSTEES, APRIL 5, 1843. I. Report of the Finance Committee. This committee have much satisfaction in being enabled to report favourably as to their particular department. On account of arrears of rates payable previously to Dec. 31, 183", the sum of £ 45 9s. 7d. has been collected since the 1st of January last, and a further sum of £ 191 9s. 9d. in part of arrears upon the five subsequent years ending in December 1841. The rate for tbe former half of 1842 may be ex- pected to produce about £ 2,220, ( after allowing for deficiencies in respect of unoccupied property and small tenements,) of which £ 730 was received before the end of the year; and the subsequent collections amount to £ 920, leaving about £ 570 still receivable. The rate- notes for the latter half of the year are now in course of delivery ; and those, for the present balf- j'ear will be ready against the 1st of July, when the new arrangement in the collecting department will come into operation. The balance due to the Treasurers, on the 1st of January last, was £ 1,523 16s. 8d ; it is now reduced to £ 949 0s. 4d. The General Committee having referred to this Committee the consideration of Thomas Illingworth's account, which includes a set- off for alleged extraor- dinary services and expenses on his part, it is recom- mended that the Trustees accede to the. proposal made by Illingworth's attorney, since it is evident that so complicated a question, involving an exami- nation of numerous papers and entries, can scarcely be settled otherwise than by reference, which would doubtless be the recommendation of the Court, in the event of legal proceedings. By way, therefore, of prerenting delay, should this course be adopted by the Trustees, notice has been given of a motion for rescinding the resolution passed on the5th of October last, with reference to this matter; and it will be moved, in lieu thereof, that the question be referred to arbitration ; each party covenanting to abide by the decision. WM. BRIGGS, Chairman. Halifax, 15th Marcb, 1843. II. Report of the Trustees' Office Committee. The committee appointed to make inquiries res- pecting the conditions on which this office is occupied, the amount of rent paid, if the premises are held un- der lease or otherwise, in order to their being cleaned and painted, beg to Report— that the premises were originally occupied from year to year ; that on the 31st of August, 1826, they were taken upon lease for the term of fourteen years, which term consequently expired on the 31st of August, 1840 ; that, since that time the occupation has been continued, at the same rent, without any new agreement; that, notwith- standing the great length of time the premises have been occupied, they have never yet been either painted or papered. Being aware that the room is too small to accom- modate the whole body of Trustees, and knowing that, whenever any important business calls for a full attendance, another place is required ; and that, on a late occasion, a room was engaged at a cost of 20s., which was too small for the comfortable ac- commodation of those who attended ;— under these circumstances, your committee thought it their duty to look out for larger and more eligible premises, or to endeavour to get the rent of these now occupied, reduced to a more reasonable amount. The owner was, therefore, waited upon, and informed of the unfinished state of the rooms, and requested to paint, & c., and also to lower the rent, which we considered too high. The answer returned was an offer to reduce the rent to £ 23, provided you would take the premises upon a lease ; but, if you refused to do so, that you must continue to pay the old rent of £ 26 ; and that in neither case would tbe owner be at any expense in painting, papering, pr otherwise improving the premises. On receiving the above information, your com- mittee inquired at what time of tbe year the tenancy commenced, and were informed the time of entry was on tbe 1st of September, and that you would be obliged to hold the premises 18 months longer ; tbe proper time of giving six months' notice having gone by only a few days before this information could be obtained. Your committee are of opinion that the rent of £ 26 per annum is more than tbe premises are worth ; that the accommodation they afford is quite inade- quate to the necessities of the Trustees, and the general wants of the townspeople, for other purposes; and that the painting, & c. & c. required to put them in decent condition for occupation, ought to be done at the cost of tbe landlord. They are also of opinion that, if a large and com- modious room were provided for tbe use of the Trus- tees, many benevolent objects would be promoted, by the gratuitous accommodation such a room would furnish ;— objects which are now often frustrated by the fear of incurring . the unavoidable expense of hiring a room for the purpose of holding public meetings to promote them. Your committee beg to state, further, they have no doubt that, if a sum of money were judiciouslj' laid out in the ete. ct. ion <? f a suitable buildings tlje 125 THE HALIFAX FREE PRESS. interest upon which should be the same in amount as the rent now paid, more than four times the quantity of room and accommodation now enjoyed would be secured by such an outlay. Your committee, there fore, venture to recommend that a Special Committee be forthwith appointed to investigate the matter morefully. and report their opinion as tothe desirable- ness and the propriety of some such arrangements. D. RAMSDEN. SAML. DENNIS. ADAM LOWE. Trustees' Office, Halifax, March 21st, 1843. III. Report of the Water Committee. The Committee appointed to search for water on Highroadwell Moor, report that, during the last quarter, the working of the lowest drift, then in pro- gress, has been continued to a distance of 90 yards. In the course of the first 20 yards from the main shaft, a number of small springs had been found, as stated at the last meeting, but which were a few feet below the level of the main driftway :— this level was regained in the gradual rise of the stratum ; and the search was continued a further distance of 70 yards in the same direction, without increasing the supply previously obtained. It was, therefore, resolved to abandon this unproductive drift. After having ascertained, by boring, the depth to the next scalebed, it was thought best, from the absence of water in the drift already alluded to, and other indications, to sink the main shaft to the next lower scalebed. At the distance of about 11 j- ards below the main driftway, a very considerable spring of water was met with : and in working a few feet further, the pump, which had been constantly plying, became quite unequal to reduce the water so as to enable the men to work ; though lifting 30 gallons per minute, for several hours, without intermission. The amount paid, from the commencement to the present time, on account of these works, is, £ 607. The contract with John Holmes is now closed, and his account paid in full. The water committee have the satisfaction of stating their full belief that the exertions to procure a supply of good water, adequate to the wants of the town, have at length been crowned with success. It is true the present stream is below the level of the driftway already cut; part of which, could it have been known beforehand, might have been spared. Considering the importance of tbe object to be accomplished,— the valuable privilege of range for further increase of the supply, when needed,— as well as the obligation to provide, if possible, a sufficiency of water for tbe inhabitants,— the Committee trust that, after full consideration of tbe subject, in its present encouraging aspect, the Trustees will be in- duced to sanction the completion of this valuable work, in a manner likely to be the most extensively and the most permanently beneficial to the town of Halifax. IV. Report of the Reservoir Committee. The Committee appointed with reference to the conveyance of the water to the Reservoirs, report that four of their number, the rest being unable to attend, have visited the Waterworks and Reservoirs. From the account given of the spring of water now opened at the works on Highroadwell Moor, the Committee have reason to believe that, in quantity as well as quality, it is highly satisfactory. Being, how- ever, below the driftway now formed for bringing off the water, it will require either to be lifted by pumps, or a driftway to be cut low enough to run it off on the level. The many advantages of the latter over the former course, induce the Committee to recommend it for the consideration and futuie adoption of the Trustees. The Committee, wishful to proceed only on sure grounds, in the outlay of so large a sum as this work will require, suggest that the formation of the whole driftway should be deferred until an opportunity has been afforded, of testing the strength and permanency of the spring, during the drought of summer; and that such a portion only of the driftway as may be necessary to effect this object, should, at present, be undertaken. This, the Committee think, would be attained by sinking the second shaft to the requisite level, and working the driftway upwards to the main shaft, or until it draws off the present spring. The total length which it might thus be necessary to drive, woulchbe 229 yards, and the sinking the second shaft 12 yards ( Jteeper, Should the state of the reservoirs, during the summer, require an additional supply, the water at these works might be pumped, and conveyed thither by temporary aqueducts. On the question of a new reservoir, the Committee are of the judgment that, if effective measures are taken to secure the supply likely to be obtained from the works on Highroadwell Moor, the quantity will be such as to render the construction of any other reservoirs than those now existing, unnecessary, at least for some years to come. DANIEL RAMSDEN, JOSEPH THORP, MATTHEW NAYLOR, WM. HOYLAND. April 4,1843. V. Report of the General Committee. The Committee for carrying into effect the orders of the Trustees, report that the work done, in ac- cordance with the resolution of the January meeting, and which was estimated at £ 165 8s. has cost £ 130 7s. 4d.; but a small part of the causeways in Well lane and in St. John's lane remains yet to be completed. The expenses of cleansing, See. have not been quite so great as during the last quarter; the whole cost being £ 44 19s. lOd. which is abont £ 14 more than was expended in the corresponding quarter of last year. The wall at the delph having given way, and notice having been given to the Committee to fence off the delph in a proper manner, an expense of £ 25 has been incurred on that account, which was not calculated upon at the commencement of the quarter. About £ 12 has been also expended in carting away rubbish from Gibbet Hill; and the Committee are glad to report that the whole of the ground is now in a condition to receive flags, bolder, or whatever it may be necessary to carry into it. EMIGRATION. Rules and Objects of the British Emigrants' Mutual Aid Society, established with a view of purchasing and settling 20,480 acres of land, and forming a Colony, in one of the Western Slates of North America. ( Continued from our last.) 9th. That when sufficient funds are subscribed and paid in, a suitable person or persons be fully author- ized under the signature of the committee and Trustees, to go out to the state or territory agreed to, and select, survey, and purchase a suitable and sufficient tract of land in one or more lots as the same can be obtained, including some navigable river, or river that may hereafter be made navigable for boats or steam vessels— tbe said tract of land to be, as much as can be so obtained, in equal quantities on each side of the said river, in order to locate every allot- ment as contiguous as may be to water conveyance, and other water purposes— said tract of land to extend along the banks of said river 8 miles in length of the same and 2 miles backwards from said river, on each side respectively, or in quantity equal to these given dimensions ( the river not to be in the measure- ment) this will give the quantity of 32 sections, or 20,480 acies, the amount required, and the form will afford the easiest means of access to the greatest number for navigation purposes— for mill sites and other business situations hereafter requiring abund- ance of water or water power. 10th. That the stated meetings of the committee be fixed for the first Wednesday in every month. Any proprietor may attend, but the business to rest exclusively with the committee— alterations or re- scinding of the present rules, or proposing new ones, to be given notice of in writing at the stated monthly meeting of the committee, one month previous to its discussion. 11th.— That mutual aid be the bond of this associa- tion, as further specified in rule 12th; and that in order to accommodate the poorer members, they shall pay one or more shillings weekly, according to their ability, for every share subscribed for, until the full amount of their respective shares be paid up, which full amount must be completed against the time of payment for the general purchase. 12th.— That as the leading object of this society is assistance to the poorer subscribers, to the means of bettering their condition, and getting out to the settlement, it is proposed to furnish such members with pecuniary assistance, on condition of their working for tbe person advancing the same, at the rate of wages current at the time, in that country. Or by the following method, viz., farming on shares as it is called and practised in some parts of America, the farmer giving his labour and attention, the capitalist providing the necessary stock, seed, and implements, and what other assistance or means may be agreed to— said capitalist receiving one- half the produce of the land, and increase of cattle or stock annually, until the whole advance with cost of sub- sistence ( as may bs agreed) shall be repaid, or tbe capitalist more early satisfied, tbe lot or share of the person so assisted to be security to the capitalist until the engagement be fulfilled, the committee to have the power of enforcing this rule, or hold tbe property in abeyance until the claim be satisfied. 13th.— That one whole section of land or 640 acres be reserved for a town building lot to be the joint property of the society in a society capacity— yet nevertheless any individual may purchase whatever portion he may require as his own separate and indi- vidual property— the proceeds of such sales to form a fund for general purposes, more especially such pur- poses as ars of a benevolent nature, beneficial alike to every branch of the society in tbe town or country, under the direction and management of the committee for the time being, or such other directing body, un- der whatever name or denomination they may be known, that the management of the affairs of the society may be deputed to. 14th.— That the laying out the town in streets, squares, market- places, allotments for public build- ings, places of worship, allotments, sites of schools, cemetery, water courses, reservoirs, & c. be hereafter determined, excepting the town front to the river, which shall be left open full 50 yards in width, the whole length thereof for public pleasure or business, as may be fitting hereafter, these reservations to be made before any allotment for sales or other dispo- sition of the Town Land Lot be made— and if it be found advisable to plant or build a part of the town on each bank of the river, a similar reservation of 50 yards in width in front of the same, be in like man- ner adopted. 15th.— That in order to provide for the future wel- fare and prosperity of the Colony, the town allotment be public property for beneficial and liberal purposes, in aid of the whole proprietary in common with the surplus " Township Lands" as stated in the 17th rale, whereby an ample and continually increasing fund and revenue will be secured for general service — the order and regularity of building in the town better preserved, nuisances prevented, a better style of building secured, improvements will also be more spiritedly undertaken when a known means is at hand, and the whole community will be more benefited by the increased value of the town lots in compact order, than by scattered and detached buildings, especially as the greater part of the small town lots must neces- sarily lie far apart from their corresponding country allotments, and, at inconvenient distances for joint occupancy— the committee in the early period of the town will be disposed to accommodate all craftsmen and other town residents, with lots suitable to their purposes at verj moderate rates during the more early periods— and the purchasers of these selected build- ing or town lots will be more benefited by a suitably selected lot and a public assisting fund, than by having a lot at random, as the choice by ballot would necessarily be, and without the advantage of such building fund. Or in lieu of the 15th rule above recited, in case it should be resolved to apportion town building lots to the country land lots, they must necessarily be small in order to give each proprietor a lot aud secure a public reserve for streets, roads, public institutions, squares, markets, & c, and at same time leave suffi- cient for contemplated public resources, of mutual as- sistance and pecuniary revenue. If we assume a town building lot ( to every original 10 acre country lot) of 10 yards by 30 yards, and as there will be few so small as onzonty of these, it will give ample room for any business premises— then 2048 such lots will amount to 127 acres nearly, which with the river front,— reserve for public institutions — squares— markets,— sites for places of worship, cemetery, & c 140 acres, making together 267 acres which deducted from 640 the whole town lot, leaves 373 acres of available property for public revenue, eithe, as rented for farm purposes or as appropriated for sale. This disposition of the town lot may perhaps be more acceptable to the subscribers generally than ap- propriating the whole to public service— and as im- mediate shelter will be wanted for the settlers as they arrive— by this means they may have a lot of their own after tbe streets have been marked off— but in general to farm settlers the town lots will not be much benefit, as their rise in price wiil not be very immediate, and any attention to them will but divert too much of their time from their ( to them) more valuable occupation on their country allotments. 16th.— That as the whole tract of 20,480 acres is assumed as subscribed for, it becomes necessary to provide for the different reserves ( viz.) that there be one acre deducted from every original share or 10 acre lot into which the township is assumed as divided, or so considered to be, even though purchased in larger amounts— so that one whole section shall abate 64 acres— the remaining 576 acres to be considered 126 THE HALIFAX FREE PRESS. and taken as one whole section lot— and in like man- ner the 10 acres reduced to nine acres shall he deemed and taken and called an original ten acre share in consideration of the benefit the whole community will hereafter derive from such appropriation, and which is more fully explained in the ensuing rule. 17th— That the section reserved for building shall be called the " Town Land Lot"— and the balance after all allotments from it are made, shall be public property applicable as is stated in rule 15 along with the balance of the reservation of one acre per original share from the Country Land Lots, after all deductions for highways & c. are made, and shall be called the " Township Lands,"— which two joint properties shall belong to the original share holders, their heirs or assigns, in trust as public property for benevolent and general imnrovement purposes, under the man- agement of the committee or whatever the managing body may hereafter be called, as stated in the 15th rule. 18th.— When the funds expected from the public property are available, they shall as occasion requires be applied to the assistance of all entitled to the same at the discretion of the committee acting on behalf of the proprietary, in such manner and pro- portion as they may at the time think prudent, in the way of loan, apprenticing youths, relieving widows and infirm aged, assisting young persons to begin the world, and such other laudable and bene- volent purposes as come within the limits and views cf this institution. In all loans or assistance to indi- viduals in the nature of loans, satisfactory security shall be required for the return of the capital, aud payment of interest upon the same, hereby securing a permanent and increasing fund for beneficial and charitable purposes both to the present and to future ages, the proper objects of which shall be determined by the recommendation of proprietors and the judg- ment of the committee. 19th.— Should the funds arising from the public property be at any time more than is wanted for cur- rent demands, the surplus shall be vested in the purchase of further new and unappropriated land, or other real property, which additional purchases shall merge in the other public property, and thus become a source of continually increasing funds and means of prosperity and comfort, and be in like manner as other public property, under the management and care of the committee, or general council, according as the managing body may hereafter be denominated. 20th.— In laying out roads, previous to the sub- divisions of the general property, the natural undula- tisns of the country, and bendings of rivulets shall be accommodated to the greatest advantage, not ad- hering to straight lines when an advantage or benefit can be obtained by a deviation ; provided always that exact quarter sections, or any number of exact quarter sections be laid together ; but in dividing the quarter sections into the smaller allotments, straight division lines shall be adopted ; all intractable shapes or odd quantities of land that may he cut off from any of the divisions, shall be and remain public property until otherwise disposed of. This is one advantage of having a surplus quantity of land for public disposal, odd quantities can be thrown off in this manner without inconveniencing any one, yet remaining valuable to the general body as public lands available for sale or other purposes. 21st.— That when the land is purchased, it shall be surveyed and divided according to the previous rule, and rule 16, into sections of 576 acres ; and further into quarter sections of 144 acres, each section numbered with its corresponding quarters. Then snch of the quarters as shall be determined by ballot for choice, to be subdivided into nine acres or original shares, as is agreed to in rule 16, in order to accommodate the smallest purchasers; and that therefore the ballot* for choice be in quarter sections, those having subscribed for more than one quarter section, to complete their choice from the same drawing, either in lots adjoining, or otherwise at their own option. Subscribers for the small lots, or original shares to unite in numbers eqnal to quarter sections, and draw for choice for that amount, by one of their own body or number; then in a similar manner draw again for the choice of the smaller lots, completing their quantity from one drawing, if they require more than one of the said small lets, proceeding in this manner until the whole is appropriated. 22nd.— That all the residue and remainder of the * Themethod of balloting adopted in thisrule, istoavotd the great difficulty of apportioning the respective small Lots so as to afford the proprietors ttie option of choice, on ac- count of the impossibility of their all being present at the' time of balloting— then if not present there can be no choice — and if no choice be made or adhered to in its proper rota- tion, There will be a delay in procedure until such choree be made, however long it may be delayed from non- arrival of ttie proprietor; and if the choice be not made in due rotation, the regulation by choice of Lots becomes negatived; there- fore this regulation of forming Into quarter sections, balloting for the small Lots is in order to obviate the difficulty. property after the roads and other reserves have been deducted, and all the shares, & c., appropriated, shall be and remain public property as by rule 17 is determined ; this arrangement affords the subscribers an opportunity of choice to the last, as there will be several shares thus unappropriated, and a consider- able accession to public property available as mutual aid, as explained in the 18th rule, 23rd.— When the town lot, the highways, and other roads to private occupancy, and all the sections and shares shall have been appropriated, the re- mainder shall be public propertyas stated in the 17th rule, and shall be applied as is there and elsewhere directed, or in rewards to individuals for services in establishing this colony or township, in lieu of money payments during the infancy of the establishment as in the judgment of the committee shall seem proper, but not to apply to the expenses of survey, going out, selecting, & c., as these must be met with pre- sent money payment. ( To be Continued.) GOVERNMENT EDUCATION. THE NOOSE OVER THE NECK, The object aimed at by the aristocracy in their re- cent resolution to superintend the education of the labouring class, is, as we have Sf en, to govern them. They are beginning to be restive under oppression ; and, as it is not in the mind of their rulers to relieve them, it becomes increasingly necessary to break them in betimes. The scheme devised for compassing this end, we must admit to be a most efficient one. Noiselessly, deliberately, certainly, and with the ap- proval of the three political parties, aristocracy is about to throw the noose over the neck of a betrayed and deserted people. The mandate of our modern Pharoah is on the eve of going forth ; and, after the date of its issue, every masculine mind born in this kingdom is lo be destroyed. The plan of education proposed by ministers, and hailed as an inestimable boon by parliament and by the press, is the boldest inroad upon our liberties attempted since the revolution of 1688. It not merely tends to despotism ; it is despotism. When, some time last session, Mr. Hume expressed a wish that the compulsory attendance at state schools, of the children of the working classes, were enforced by- law, we laughed at that gentleman's ideas of govern ment and of freedom. It was, as it now turns out, no laughing matter. " The strike " came ; and the aristocracy, frightened by the first view given them of a new element of power with which armies and artillery were incompetent to deal, took the hint, and set themselves to work out the happy suggestion of the member for Montrose. The fruit of their inge- nuity and labour is " a bill for regulating the em- ployment of children and young persons in factories, and for the better education of children in factory districts." The superscription of this measure might justly be, " tyranny unto tyranny." It is a real scorpion,— completely formed, although as yet only in the egg. There are claws to it,— venom,— a sling, aye 1 a sting. It is dangerous enough, and in principle bad enough, for government to meddle in any way with the forma- tion of mind, habits, character, even if it do nothing more than to provide instruction for those willing to receive it; but to force it upon our industrious poor, by ruinous penalties, is a despotism which we had fancied would never dare to show its face in these realms. A parliament chosen under the reform bill carries us back lo the policy cf Charles the First. A penalty of from one to ten shillings inflicted upon the parents of every factory child, " for every- day less than the full number of days during which such child ought to have attended school in any week," and absent himself without leave of an in- spector or a medical certificate,— here is the barbed and poisoned weapon with which British liberty is to be thrust throuyh. The poor children, doomed to pay out of the scanty wages which legalised monopoly leaves them the possibility of earning, no less a sum than threepence a week to the schoolmaster appointed to cram them with maxims of slavish morality, extracled from priestly superstition,— forced to ob- serve the saint- days of a church, and to submit to the educational management of a clergy, saturated with the frivolous traditions of popery;— relieved from, the toil of earning wages, only to undergo the toil prescribed by men who seem to have got up this measure as a plausible pretence for sharing those earnings with them ;— the poor children, we say, or rather the proposed bill says, are never, nnder any pretence, to be absent from school, without subjecting to a fine, ruinous in amount to many of the working class, their parents or guardians. The lone widow, to whom threepence a week would be a large sum,— the father of a numerous family, who, with the wages earned by his young ones addedito his own, can pur- chase nothing more than bread and potatoes,— the toiling, pining, wasting artisan, of whom it may be said,— • " Meagre were his looks ; Sharp misery had worn him to the bone;" are bidden to pay to the agents of an aristocracy threepence a week for breaking in their children to passive obedience ; or in case of refusal are subjected to a heavy tine. Ah i Is it come to this ? Are English manufacturers to he converted, by a landed oligarchy, into the collectors, of school- fees from their workmen, for state- appointed pedagogues ? Is this the retribution which overtakes them, for re fusing to agitate for any but selfish and narrow ob- jects,— that the Houseof Commons, whom they would not reform, turns them into tax gatherers ; and puts them into a position of direct and odious hostility to their own " hands?" Is it come to this ? Are our people to be driven to school by force of law, and hunted by pains and penalties into aristocratic and ecclesiastical toils ? Yes ! it is come to this ; and parliament smiles approval, and the public press shouts " Well done I ••— Nonconformist. POETRY. SELECTED. THE BIRD OF HOPE. BY CHARLES SWAIN. A golden cage of sunbeams Half down a rainbow hung ; And sweet therein a golden bird The whole bright morning sung! The winged shapes around it grew Enchanted as they heard: It was the bird of Hope, my love ; It was Hope's golden bird. And ever of to- morrow The syren song began ! Ah ! what on earth's so musical As love and hope to man ? 1 listened, thinking still of thee. And of thy proh'. tsed word : It was the bird of Hope, sweet love; It was Hope's golden bird. Though ours should be a cottage home, From pr. de and pomp apart; The truest wealth for happiness Is still a faithful heart; And thus it sung, " UNLOVINH WEALTH WOOLD NEVER BE PREFERRED 1" It was the bird of Hope, sweet love ; It was Hope's golden bird ! ENIGMA. With eight ugly long legs, ladies, what can I be! " Oh I a spider, no doubt." Well, proceed and you'll see. A little brass thimble I wear on each toe; And this is not usual with spiders, you know. My body's remarkably slender and small; And, compared with its bulk. Ira excessively tall: But the most insignificant part is my head ;— ' Tis a subject on which scarce a word can be said : And, when not engsg d upon business, you'll see it Inverted,— just where you would look for one's feet, A species of helmet I wear, it is true ; Though I really might just as well call it a shoe. With regaid to my dress, why, I wear a green gown; Though sometimes it is purple, and often ' tis brown: And frequently, when I appear in my best, You really would think me quite handsomely dress'd. My gown, ( an additional hint to afford,) Is made very full round the bottom, and gor'd ; Vet, considering my number of legs, I must grant That there is not more fulness at all than I want. When I travel, I wear a pelisse, which is just A precaution to keep my silk gown from the dust, I wear it at home, too, but never forget To have it pull d off if I'm out in the wet; And, like many ladies, there's one little thing Which I often appear in, and that is a ring. I don't live in idleness. Oh I no. My trade is, In measure at least, to take care of the ladies. Sometimes you may see me with one on each side; Yet, strange to relate, while they're walking, I ride. I'm often a friend ir. distress; and I shed My wide- spreading favours o'er many a head. I've a smart little cousin, a delicate creature; Resembling me strongly in every feature: But she's ttie most lady- like, I must confess; And she rays more attention than I do to dress. She never stirs out all the winter, poor thing; But Bhe just takes a turn, now and then, In the spring; Though the summer's her time for enjoyment; but I Am out of my element when ' tis so diy. The number of marriages which took place befora the civic authorities, during the past year, in France, amounted to 247,737. Some years ago, in the North of England, a clergy- man of the church of England, in a town of moderate size, deemed it proper to preach to his parishioners a discourse on suicide. There had been no case of the kind occurring to induce him. Within three weeks afterwards three of his parishioners cut their throats. A parliamentary return of the number and expenses of the effective yeomanry of Great Britain, in the the year 1842, states the number of troops to have been 247, containing 831 officers, and 53,358 men, the total expense connected with whose maintenance was £ 101,831, 8s. lid, 4 THE HALIFAX FREE PRESS. THE FREE PRESS. BEGINNING BETIMES. Among the miscellaneous paragraphs now going the round of the press, we find the fol- lowing:--" It is generally rumoured, in the court circles, that a separate establishment will shortly be formed for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. There is every reason to be- lieve that a number of domestics will be selected for the young Prince, not in any way connected with her Majesty's Household." We have no wish to speak evil of dignities. We have no desire to cherish a feeling, or entertain a thought, disloyal or disparaging towards our beloved Sovereign ; but we can- not pass over this paragraph, without an ex- pression of deep and unfeigned regret that such a step as a separate establishment for a mere child, should be in contemplation. At any time, and under any circumstances, the forma- tion of such an establishment could only lead to the appointment of new officers, and its in- variable consequence, the payment of more salaries; and thus needlessly and uselessly to augment the cost of royalty, in times of priva- tion and suffering like the present, seems to us to be an insult to the common sense of an op- pressed aud overburdened people. THE BRAINTREE CASE. Sir Herbert Jenner Fust is a conjurer. He has made a most wonderful discovery, out- cockering the numerals of old Cocker, and out- muncbausening the adventures of the celebrated Baron. This erudite ecclesiastical functionary has found out that a minority can, in church- rate cases, outvote a majority of the parishioners; and that, consequently, a rate laid by the churchwardens and a minority, in vestry as- sembled, is valid, even though a majority had, at the same meeting, refused to sanction a rate ! Such is, in substance, the decision of Sir H. J. Fust, in the long contested church- rate cause arising out of the rate laid at Braintree, by the churchwardens, in opposition to a vote of the parishioners; and the decision is really too much at variance with common sense to require any serious examination. If the parishioners, in vestry assembled, have not the power to refuse a rate, why are they called together? To convene them, under such circumstances, is to make a mere farce of a vestry meeting, and to make fools of the rate- payers. The very fact of a meeting being ne- cessarj', implies the power of that meeting to grant or to withhold a rate ; and to maintain a contrary opinion, is, to our view, an absurdity of the most egregious description. Of course, the decision will be appealed against; and, should the Lords confirm it, we should like to see how the principle would work in parliament. Let Earl Fitzwilliam, in the Lords, or Mr. Cobden, in the Commons, be left in a minority on the repeal of the Corn- Laws ; and then let them immediately assume the conceded privilege of the minority, and de- clare the Corn- Laws repealed. " What is sauce for the goose," says the old proverb, " is sauce for the gander ;" and the principles that regulate vestry meetings, must surely bo the same as those which regulate the meetings of the legislative bodies. The scheme is worth trying; and would answer better than the new aerial machine is likely to do. DISSENTERS' MARRIAGES. " When as how you tells a lie, Jim, always do it a good un,— a reglnr thumper, and no mistake. What's the useo' doing it by halves ? A right out and outer costs no more, and goes a deal further." Such was the sage advice given by a certain gentleman of equivocal character to one of his bosoin friends ; and the Tory journals seem to have imbibed its spirit. A splendid specimen appears in the Halifax Guardian of Saturday last, with reference to the marriages of Dissenters. The paragraph runs thus:—" It is stated by the Standard, that every Dissenters' marriage costs the public eleven pounds sterling, paid bv the public in the shape of poor- rate; and these modest per- sons complain that they are called upon to pay, in common with their fellow- subjects, for the education of all." This statement is as outrageous a lie as was ever coined in the mint of the Standard, or of its equally fertile contemporary, the Halifax Guardian. Not one farthing is paid out of the poor- rate, directly or indirectly, for the mar- riage of a dissenter, whether celebrated at a dissenting chapel or at the office of the Super- intendent Registrar. The registration of the building is paid for by the congregation ; and the fees connected with every marriage are paid by the parties married. In neither case is one farthing paid by the public. The only expense paid by the public, with reference to marriages, is the fee for registra- tion. The Superintendent Registrar has a fee of two- pence for every entry of a birth, mar- riage, or death, whatever the rank, the circum- stances, or the religion, of the party so registered ; but that fee is paid out of the consolidated fund, and not out of the poor- rate. For the registration of births and deaths, the registrars are paid out of the poor- rate; but that registration is general, and not sectarian. For the registration of dissenting marriages, there is no fee to the registrar, except that paid by the parties married. Not so, however, with I he Church of England. The clergy of the establishment are not only to take the fees paid by the parties married, but every clergyman who transmits to the Superintendent Registrar a copy of the entry of such marriage, is entitled to a fee of sixpence for each entry,— that six- pence to be paid out of the poor- rate. So that, in point of fact, the marriage of a dissenter en- tails no expense upon the poor- rate; but the marriage of a churchman does. The lie of the Standard recoils, therefore, upon the head of its author. MR. PROTHEROE. What is become of the Radical Member for this borough ? Has he ratted to the Tories? Is it true,— can it be possible, that he is a sup- porter of Sir James Graham's illiberal and in- sidious education scheme ? Is it true that, in the division upon the vote for secret service money,— the ministry having asked for nearly forty thousand pounds,— Mr. Protheroe voted against Mr. Hume's amendment for a grant of twenty thousand pounds less? OUR SCRAP BOOK. " A tiling of Shreds and Pathces." PENDING AND COMING MEASURES.— The large majority for the Canine Relief Bill proves that the legislature is going to the dogs. Indeed, the framer of the measure admits that they are carrying a law fit only for the dogs. It is reported that as soon as the Dogs' Relief Bill is passed, Mr. East is prepared to introduce a measure for the emancipation of the " In- dustrious Fleas," under which the yoking of fleas in harness, or applying them in any way to the purposes of draft or burden, will be made matter of heavy penalty. In support of the Flea Emancipation Bill a society is now forming, and a meeting for the choice of officers will shortly be held at Exeter Hall. Much opposition to the Bill is expected, as the proprietor of the Industrious Fleas is about to set up a claim to compensation for tbe loss of tbe fleas which he has on hand ; and, in the present state of the country, his claim to compensation cannot be treated as a flea- bite. A harrowing account of the cruelties to which the fleas are subjected, in training them to carry Wellingtons and Napoleons, and to draw artillery and state carriages, will be laid before the public. The next question will be the Canary Bird and Bull- finch Water- drawers Suspension Bill. The Dancing- dog Abolition Bill is to be delayed, as it might be liable to some objection, in concurrence with the Draft Dogs Bill, of throwing too many idle dogs on the town, so near the dog- days. The Society for the Prohibition of Revolving Cages for Squirrels, and for the Liberation of White Mice, is rapidly increasing in numbers and in funds. The secretary and chap- lain have been appointed.— Examiner. A short time ago, a country gentleman wrote a letter to a lady in town, and sent it through the general post, with tbe following address :—" To the 25th of March, Foley Place, London." The postman duly delivered the letter at the house of Laity Day, for whom it was intended. The quantity of water ejected by the Artesian well at Crenelle, in 24 hours, has been ascertained to be 89 water inches. As water is paid for in Paris at the rate of 8,000f. the inch, the above quantity can bring in 712,000f. a year, almost double what the boring of tbe well has cost. EVILS OF MONOPOLY.— At the League meetings in Manchester, Sir De Lacy Evans, in speaking of the evil tendencies of monopolies, pointed to Spain, where every profession and institution is, or has been, a monopoly, and where, in consequence, poverty, disorder, and crime have prevailed, and almost ruined one of the most fruitful, and, with regard to commerce, most favourably situated nations on the face of the globe. In speaking of the markets that might be opened to British manufac- tnres, he pointed to Spain, and spoke of her rich soil, bearing far beyond what even her large popula- tion requires; and to that population, which would wear our cotton clothing, if we took the produce which her merchants could export in return, and if her monopolists and our monopolists would agree to reciprocal acts of free trade, or a tariff of low duties, instead of, as at present, absolute prohibition. In speaking of what bail been done to effect this desirable arrangement, which would be so much to the benefit of both countries, the General said that when he was in Spain, and when, by reason of poverty in tbe Government exchequer, the war was prolonged when it might have been ended, he urged on the then Spanish Government to admit British manufactures into their ports, on which, and through which, from British capitalists, they might raise supplies. In again speaking of the blindnesss which commonly ei. shrouded all monopolists, he instanced the Spanish merchants and manufacturers, who, in this case, would not permit their Government to adopt such a measure. And in speaking of the late Government of this country, and of himself, in con- tinuing to urge and promote this most desirable intercourse between England and Spain, even after the war was ended, lie mentioned the success that bad almost attended their efforts— a success which would have benefited the revenue of both countries, and especially the manufacturers of this, but that the present Government stepped into office, put a stop to tbe negotiations, and gave our manufacturers, for the benefit of our revenue, an income- tax. Tbe total number of passengers carried on 50 rail- ways foroneyearending 1st July, 1842, is 18,453,504, that is 2,926,980 first class, 7,611,966 second class, 5,332,501 third class, and 2,582,037 of a class not distinguished. Sir Robert Peel's increased duty on Irish whisky has had its predicted effect : it has extended smug- gling and contracted tbe revenue. Nine months of the old duty, in 1841, yielded £ 4,842,000 ; in 1842. only £ 3,600,000. Judge Morrow, of Missouri, has decided, " that a negro slave could not commit forgery, as, by tbe con- stitution and laws of the country, negroes are not recognized as persons any more than any other animals." HEROES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.— There are in the United States just one hundred soldiers of the revolution, on the pension list, over one hundred years of age. The oldest man on the list is Michael Hale, of Union County, Pennsylvania, who is in his 115th year.— New Yorlc paper. OUR CHATTER BOX. As Good Friday occurs next week, we propose to issue our paper on Thursday afternoon ; and must request the favours of our friends at least a day earlier than usual. ROWLAND HILL.— A parliamentary paper contain- ing the correspondence " relative to Mr. Rowland Hill's appointment to, and removal from, tbe situation recently filled by him in connexion with tbe Post Office," has been forwarded to us. We will notice its contents, at an early opportunity. The third chapter of " The Nine Wishes" shall appear in our next. COMPLETE SUFFRAGE.— Our correspondent whose communication we noticed in our last, has requested us to insert at least one of tbe Resolutions passed by tbe Council of tbe National Complete Suffrage Union. It is as follows :—" That Mr. Sturge be requested, at his earliest convenience, to make a personal visit to the head quarters of each district into which, for tbe purpose of complete suffrage agitation, the kingdom has been divided ; and, if possible, by private ap- plication and converse, to secure the services of suitable gentlemen in each district, to form an election committee for the district ; the business of which shall be to look out for candidates, residing in the neighbourhood, and arrange for their early introduc- tion to tbe notice of borough constituencies, so as to be ready for action whenever a vacancy may occur." A SUBSCRIBER TO THE BRITISH SCHOOLS asks us whether there is any truth in the rumour that the Committee of those schools have applied for a govern- ment grant; and, if so, whether they think the sub- scribers will approve of the inspection which will then he instituted. He thinks that the schools ought to be supported entirely by voluntary contributions ; and be decidedly objects to such inspection as would probably follow the acceptance of a grant. A DISSENTER will perceive that we have noticed the subject of his communication. A PAYER OF POOR RATES wishes to know whether it be true that, at the first weekly meeting of the newly elected Board of Guardians for the Halifax Union, Mr. J. U. Walker, of Guardian notoriety, took his seat as one of the representatives of the rate- payers of Halifax ; and also that, at tbe same meeting, a vote was passed, appointing the said Mr. J. U. Walker, printer to the Board ; and also that the said Mr. J. U. Walker took part in tbe debate upon the proposition that be should be so appointed. NEW ZEALAND FLAX.— A FRIEND TO COLONIZA- TION has sent us a copy of a letter from Mr. Nattras, on Mr. Donlan's process for preparing the phormium tenax, as practised by the Staffordshire Hemp and Flax Company. If the letter described the process in question, we would insert it; but, as it only men- tions the fact that such a process is adopted, we can- not afford space for the letter. The process is stated to be partly chemical and partly mechanical ; and to convert " the stubborn fibre ot the phormium tenax into a beautiful and superior material for manu- facture." INCONSISTENCY* OF PSEUDO DISSENTERS.— NON. CON. must cxcuse our publication of his very warm epistle; although we cordially agree with him that it is a gross inconsistency for a couple of avowed dis- senters to be married at church, and thus publicly insult their own pastors, their own denomination, and, in fact, tbe whole of the dissenting portion of the community. HALIFAX:— Printed and Sold, for the Proprietors, at the Conetal Printing Office of H. Martin, Upper George Yardh,