* APRIL 15, 1843. No. XXXIII. Price One Penny. 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 tu> 0 controversal 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. GEXTLESIEN'S BEST LONDON BEAVHB HATS.— J. ECKBRSI. BY respectfully invites the attention of Gentlemen to hissuperb Stock of Best Heaver 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. to IBs.; the Rich French Velvet Naps, on Stuff Bodies, from 10s. to 15s.; Gossamer, and other Hats equally cheap. 25, Crown Street, Halifax, opposite the Upper George Inn- A PARALLEL.— Two or three years ago, there was a great run on female sailors. Every newspaper had its paragraph announcing the discovery of a female sailor. The result was a thorough conviction, in the public mind, that all sailors were female sailorsi — that there were no other sailors than female sailors in disguise ; and now the curiosity would be the discovery of a male sailor, if such a phenomenon could be well authenticated. There is a similar run now on monomaniacs. Every day a new case is brought to light; and the public mind is tending rapidly to the conclusion that all people are mono- maniacs, and that the wonder would be the discovery of a sound mind. The question will soon be, quis custodiet custodes? A man at large will be, at no distant time, a marvel; and certainly it is quite clear that the nation collectively is incompetent to manage its nffairs, for never was there a stronger case of lunacy than that of the Corn Laws : but the monomaniacs are in the majority.— Examiner. A GOOD WIFE.— A good wife should be like three things, which three things she should not be like. First, she should be like a snail, always keep within her house; but she should not be like a snail, to carry all she has upon her back. Secondly, she should be like an echo, speak when she is spoken to ; but she should not be like an echo, always to have the last word. Thirdly, she should be like a town- clock, always keep time and regularity ; but » he should not be like a town- clock, to speak so loud that all the town may hear her. PUBLIC WORKS AND BUILDINGS.— For the year ending March 31, 1844, there will be required for public buildings and royal palaces, £ 105,636 ; tem- porary houses of parliament, .£ 9,590 ; new houses of parliament, £ 140,000 ; Trafalgar Square, £ 12,000; Holyhead roads, harbour, & c., £ 4,169; public buildings, & c„ in Ireland, £ 25,376 ; total, £ 306,771. The expense of public works for 1841, was £ 233,923 ; for 1842; £ 300,828. There will, therefore, be an increased expense in 1843, as compared with 1841, of £ 72,848 ; and as compared with 1842, of £ 5,943. A LONG JOURNEY.— The United States mails tra- versed 11,644,693 miles on horseback, 18,757,036 miles in coaches, and 4,424,282 miles by railroad and sieain- boat, during the year ending 30th June, 1842 — total, 34,835,991 miles, equal to 145 voyages to the moon, or 1,393 voyages around the world. To go this distance would have occupied a locomotive for 154 years, running at the rate of 30miles an hour night and day, Sundays excepted. The statistical returns of the Odd Fellows' Society establish the fact, that during the past year there were only 42 committals of persons belonging to that order, out of the gross number of members amount- ing to about 300,000. THE LIBERTY OF THE PRESS.— A master tailor in Glasgow, reading a newspaper to his family, came to some remarks on the liberty of the press ; and one of his daughters interrupted him by asking what was meant by the liberty of the press. " I'll soon answer that question," said he. " You know, when your mother goes out, and leaves the key in the cup- board door where the bread and butter and sugar lie, yon have acccts. That's the liberty of the press." THE NINE WISHES, OR THE NEAPOLITAN COURTSHIP. CHAPTER III. The second wish. An unpleasant interlude between the Baron and Tom Blunt. Miss Jones, of course, consulted her glass, that night, and felt convinced that she ha^ never looked so well before. Refreshing sleep and pleasant dreams followed ; and, in the morning, she was equally satisfied with her toilet. " But I can hardly believe," said she to herself, " that this stone has any thing to do with the matter. I never was thought ill- looking ; though, to be sure, the men have never been over- attentive to me. How- ever, that's no matter now, since I've won the Baron's affections. It is impossible for any lover to be more devoted, more ardent, more delicately at- tentive. He is everything that I could wish, except> perhaps,— yes,— I really do wish he was a leetle handsomer. Oh! What have I said ? I have uttered my wish ! How could I be so thoughtless ? I meant to have wished him a great deal handsomer,— like one of those statues of Adonis or Apollo." However, as one wish per diem was the stipulated allowance, regret was unavailing. So she consoled herself by reflecting that, if the Baron were really transformed into an Adonis, he might possibly seek another Venus, and thereby destroy all her prospects of becoming Madame la Baronne, wearing the ancestral jewellery, and dwelling in the castle of Shachabach. Scarcely had she arrived at this philosophical con- clusion, when the object of her cogitations made his appearance, and in an instant she decided that he was very considerably improved. His hair, whiskers, and moustaches, were changed from a coarse reddish tint to a silky blackness. His dress, moreover, which, ( in spite of his assurance that people of his rank never thought about their clothes,) she had some- times fancied not quite " eomme il faut," was now " exquisite." Not a lounger in the Stradade Toledo could have been more completely " turned out" by his valet. After the first lover- like salutations, she could not avoid gazing upon him with admiration ; and something in the expression of her countenance, per- haps, caused him to exclaim,—" Oh 1 I know it all. You have vish. I am at my toilette, and— piff! It come upon me, in my mind, as mon ange prefer some oiler coats. So I go at my big box, and pull out de dozen and de fifty gilets anil pantalon, and habilitate myself so as you see; and if he vill not do, I go back for de change." " Really, it is most wonderful!" ejaculated Wilhel- mina. " I declare I'm quite frightened. I suppose there must be some magic in that stone." " Sans doute," replied the Baron ; but vot for are you frightful ? I know de difference is come on me so veil as yourself. Three or four comtesse, dis morning, turn round to me vid de look vot say, so plain as noting, ' Very nice man dat!' " Mutual compliments and flattery followed; and then, a ride being agreed upon, Miss Jones withdrew to make the needful change in her dress. Scarcely had she left the Baron sitting alone, ere the door was unceremoniously opened by Tom Blunt, who forthwith advanced, with a more vinegarish aspect than usual. " Vot you vant, fellow ?" inquired Baron Shacha- bach. " I not sound de bell." " I comes here o' my own accord," said Tom Blunt. " I wants a word or two with you, Mounseer. I'm up to your gammon, d'ye see ; and shan't stand it." " Get out vid yon, yon rascal dog'." roared ths Baron. " Vot for you come at me vid your gammon and your stand ? Keep at your place, or I vill have you sent avay." " That cock won't fight," said Tom Blunt, sneeringly. " Vot I know about de cock- fight, fellow?" ex- claimed the Baron, passionately. " Come, come," resumet] Tom ; " it ain't o' no use pretending not to understand. The long and short of it is, as it's my business to look arter Miss, and see as she ain't imposed upon ; and I see'd her give you a note for some money yesterday, and that's how you come by them new clothes, or I'm blest, Howsomever, as you've been o' some sort o' use in showing her about when she hadn't got nobody else, mny be you've earned summut fair enough. So I shan't say no more about that, if you makes yourself scarce from this time; for I'm sure she's seen all she ought to see, and a little more too, mayhap. So, don't come here never no more. That's all." It is impossible adequately to describe the rage of the little Frenchman. He stamped, and swore, and clenched his fists, and jabbered, and ordered Tom to leave the room ; and, finding that his orders had no effect, even threatened to turn him out; but Tom Blunt stood, with his hands in his breeches' pockets, provokingly grinning defiance at his puny antagonist; and in this state matters were when Miss Jones made her re- appearance. Tom Blunt then very coolly walked out of the room, and left the exasperated Baron to tell his own tale, which he instantly did, with a degree of violence that shocked the lady's nerves so much that, if mat- ters had not gone so far, and the title of Baronne, with its etceteras, had not been uppermost in her mind, the " match" would probably have " been off." As it was, she acknowledged that it was natural for a nobleman to feel exceedingly indignant at being insulted by a footman ; but, after making every al- lowance for provocation, the Baron's excessive ir- ritation caused her to fear that his temper was not habitually so placid as she had been led to believe from his accustomed demeanour. Gradually, however, he became somewhat calmer ; but insisted upon it that Tom Blunt should be in- stantly dismissed. This proposition was evaded by Wilhelmina, who declared that it had not been her intention to keep him longer than the arrival of some English friends, into whose service it was arranged that he should pass, and that, therefore, for their sakes, she could not send him away. " But vot I can do, ma chere?" said the Baron. " Ven I come at de door, he open him ; I not keep in my temper vid his dam cockfight." " He is beneath J'our notice, my dear Alfonse," observed Wilhelmina, with one of her most winning smiles; and then, looking down modestly, she added,—" It will be but for a very short time, and so— for my sake' I will take care to keep him out of the way as much as possible." " Veil, veil," said the Baron ; " for your sake, mon ange, I vill do someting. So, allons ! Let us go for de promenade, for de veder is almost so beautiful as yourself." Accordingly, they went to pursue their pleasures for the day, dined at Portici, and finished the even- ing at the theatre of San Carlos. Wilhelmina, therefore, had no opportunity of lecturing Tom Blunt till the following morning, whan she very mildly, yet firmly, desired him not to interfere, with his opinions or advice, respecting any of her friends. " Very well, Miss," replied Tom. " Just as you please. It ain't no consarn o' mine. Only min< J 2 THE HALIFAX FREE PRESS. what I says. If that monkey- faced chap as you seems so taken up with, ain't a bad un, I'm a Dutchman ;— that's all." ( To be continued.) 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 States of North America. ( Continued from our last.) 24th.— That when any of the smaller lots that have been balloted for in quarter section associations shall fall out inconvenient for occupation, from the cir- cumstance of being much insulated from the occu- pation roads, or wasting too much laud in such roads, the proprietor of said lot or lots may have a fresh choice according to measure and quality out of the unappropriated or surplus lands at his or their option if applied for to the committee within 12 months from the time of the original ballot ( that all may be satisfied, and all may be comfortable) by paying into the public treasury, one dollar for each and every such small lot, and the expenses that may be thereby incurred— and may further if desirable at the time of such exchange, enlarge his lot from land adjoining his fresh choice or other unappropriated land by purchase at the valuation of the committee, and may be accommodated in the payment by security in tbe premises at the discretion of the committee— this is another advantage derivable from the surplus or township appropriation. 25tb.— That the town front next the river shall be left open and free, as stated in the rule, for public promenade, health, and greater safety from accidental floods in case such should occur, which sometimes happens in America in even well selected sites— that the bouses be all built with the first floor a few feet above the natural level of the land— it will give greater scope to the future improvement of the street— and that foot paths be left free for public use along both banks of the river, the whole length of the township ( eight miles) for the exercise and health of the inhabitants, and that styles or gates be fixed to accommodate the same, and tbnt the said foot paths be always kept in sufficient passable or walking re- pair, by the owners of the lands respectively, the committee to have power to enforce the same. 26th.— That in selecting the town site especial re- gard be had to future capabilities or possible future capabilities ; choosing a rather elevated situation near a navigable river, for future conveyance of merchan- dize, should be a first essential,— sal ubrity and good soil with contiguity of fuel another, though naviga- tion may relieve or assist in the article of fuel— then the land to the extent required be selected in the form described in the 9th rule or as near as may be— and as the command of water power is one of the most essential points as regards town employment, and without town employment no town can make much progress— this by a judicious foresight may be obtained to a great extent by selecting as above stated, a town site upon somewhat of an eminence, or ele- vated plot, or gentle rise near the river; then previous to any allotment been made, a tract of land ranging to some convenient higher point of the river should be determined upon, and reserved for the purpose of a water course or canal* to terminate upon the high- est level of said eminence, yet sufficiently regulated to prevent any overflow the damage of the town or adjacent lands,— here a reservoir would command every point of tbe town for domestic supply, and fur- nish power to any number of mills the original stream may be equal to, this also to be public property, and be undertaken at public cost, and will become a source of great and advancing revenue as the town advances in business and population, by sale, or renting the power, as the same may be required— but in the mean time the tract need only be reserved— scrupulously reserved as an essential to the future prosperity of the town." I" * All along which canal there would be powerful water- falls down to the river again, of different degrees of eleva- tion, more especially at the terminus in the town, wh re they might probably range from 20 to 30 or 40 feet, with a constant head of water in the . reservoir so as to be at all times i reserved from the power of- tiosc. f If a sufficiently powerful river be selected which may doubtless be found either upon the Mississippi or Wisconsin rivers in the territory of Wisconsin. The situation. com- manding the whole valley of the Mississipi by warer com- munication, and its numerous branch navigations opening out the last territories of the far west, as a market for its manufactu es of whatever kind, and the great facilities the Baid navigation affords for obtaining the raw material from the lower states bordering on the Mississippi. Iron ore. of the finest Quality in unlimited quantity from the Iron Mountains of Missouri, where it is procured with- out digging for, merely taken from the surface of the mountains.' And, also the probability of finding coal in the Wisconsin. qr Iowa district! it is already found in inex- haustible quantities in the neighbouring stateof Pensylvania 27th,— That building sites for two hotels be set off from the town allotment, at the two opposite corners of the foot of tbe principal cross street, and fronting the river, of such dimensions as may be thought suffi- cient, which said street shall be at least thirty yards wide, extending across the whole town allotment from the river to the town's utmost boundary, expanding to a square sufficient to accommodate the future market, at the low end thereof, and shall be called market street, and market square respectively. The said building sites shall be set out previous to any apportionment of tbe town lot to the subscribers and shall be public reserved property for the express purpose and built at public expense in the speediest manner for the immediate accommodation of arriving parties until their own dwellings can be completed, which said temporary hotels shall remain public pro- perty, and be conducted now and iu future as Tem- perance Hotels, and be under tbe superintendence of the committee and have pecuniary assistance from them at discretion until able to support themselves, but shall always hereafter with all others be con- ducted upon strict principles of total abstinence from spirituous liquors, and upon this account is the pecuniary assistance given, and that no other descrip- tion of hotel be ever permitted ; thus one fruitful source of misery and crime is intended to be prevented from the very commencement of this interesting settlement. 28th.— That a suitable site for a public school and master's hou| e, with room for ample conveniences to the same, be reserved from the town lot, regard being had to the most desirable and central situation, the expense of building and master's salary to be defrayed from the public funds or proceeds of the public lands sufficient to encourage a first- rate teacher, the test of whose abilities shall be judged of by some future de- termination, as also whose children be free or other- wise— a similar appropriation shall also be made in the country districts upon similar principles. 29th.— That a reserve be made out of the town lot to assist or form a salary for a clever medical pacti- tioner, whose abilities must be sufficiently attested ; this in order to secure a respectable one from the commencement. 30th.— That a reserve of 5 acres of land in some suitable location in the town lot be appropriated as a cemetery equally available to all classes— nevertheless private family portions may be disposed of by the committee to such as require that privilege ; tbe pro- ceeds of these sales to be in aid of the public funds or treasury and under the management of tbe committee. [ The remainder of the rules are postponed until next week, in order to make room for the following extracts.] Extracts from letters written by Mr. John Noble, late of Rastriclc, near Halifax, and now a resident of Wisconsin Territory, North America. The Wisconsin Territory may perhaps be the district selected on which to plant the intended colony of the British Emigrants' Mutual Aid Society. The former letter was addressed to his son, and the latter to a friend residing at Brighouse. New York, Nov. 24th, 1841. MY DEAR SON, This letter comes hoping to find you in good health, as it leaves us at tbe present. Since my sending the letter by James Dyson, I have seen a little of America. I then stated that I was going West. Starkey and I set out for Albany, on the Western part of New York State, on the 29th September, and reached there the next day, distant 145 m. fare § a dollar. From thence took the route of the Erie Canal for Buffalo, a distance of 364 miles by boat, fare one cent per mile, or two cents per mile with victuals. We reached Buffalo on the 8th day from Albany, having travelled very slow, though it is the cheapest conveyance. From thence to Detriot, the Capital of Michigan, and paid 3 dollars, a distance of 317 miles; it took us about 50 hours in reaching this place, and was very rough on the lakes. When we arrived at Detriot we found no encouragement to stay, so we took another steamer for Milwalkie, in Wisconsin, the distance being about 700 miles. On the 7th day after leaving Detriot, , we landed at Milwalkie, in Wisconsin, but was very much impeded in our passage, owing to stormy weather. We passed through lakes Erie, Clair, Huron, and Michigan, which are said to be 300 feet above tbe level of tbe sea, which makes them at times very rough, and also very cold. Well, we now thought we had arrived at our journey's end ; and, after getting dinner, walked out a few miles into the woods, and lelt quite dis- heartened at tbe appearance of the country, the woods being very thick and strong ; however, on our way back to our lodgings, we met with company who H'ere conversing on the subject of emigration, price of land, & c. The company told us not to be discouraged, but to go further back into the country, some 20 or 30 miles, and we should find a very pleasant country j and that the woods only continued about 15 miles. The next day we started, and when we had proceeded about 20 miles, we found a very pleasant open country, consisting of Oak openings and partly Praire, the Oak openings is land which is very thinly wooded, with a tree here and there. Prime land has no wood at all on it, and is the richest soil 1 ever saw, the depth varies from one foot to seven feet of thick black soil. We went to a village named Rochester, 31 miles from Milwalkie. We had two plans of towns in that neighbourhood, so we went to view the land that was not sold, to see if any would suit us, ( as tbe choicest lots iu that part were already sold) and we marked 10 lots of 40 acres each as ourchoice, at 1J dol. per acre. We also agreed with a man for 80 acres more, at 3 dols. per acre, partly fenced, and agreed with the same person to erect each of us a house on the said 80 acres, to be ready for us in spring, as we cannot conveniently get our families up from New York until April. We only paid for two of the 40 acre lots, because we did not take our money with us, but we intend taking the other lots in spring, so that we shall have in all 240 acres each of the best land I ever saw ; and it is generally said that this is the healthiest territory in the states. It lies in latitude 42 and odd. My opinion is getting stronger every day, that I had rather be in England, and that land is the only thing worth coming for. I think that trade, will very soon be in all the great towns same as in England, there will be too many of all brunches ; and as re- gards persons coming, I will give no advice at . all, only to advise those who will have no money when they get here, not to come at all. After making their purchase they return to winter in New York, and the Letter from which the follow- ing is extracted, is headed Rochester, June 18th 1842 ; and states that they ' landed here six weeks ago this day. Since coining, I have bought 396 acres more ^ it is very rich laud ; part prairie and part openings, very pleasant indeed, it i3 partly covered with wood, but only here and there a tree, say ten, twenty, or thirty or 100 yards asunder; then there will be as many acres, and not a tree upon it. The greatest part of the country that I have seen has the appear- ance of a gentleman's park, except the stately man- sion. There is abundance of fish in Fox river, which my land joins. There are a plenty of wild geese and other kinds of fowls, and lots of game, such as prairie hens, quails, turkeys, cranes, and many others which I cannot name. Amongst the wild animals we have deer. There is a great variety of birds of the most beautiful kind that I have seen, of various sizes, from half the size of an English wren to a crane ; but as to their beauty of colour words cannot describe them. We have a frame house 1ft feet by 16^ feet, and are going to build another 21 by 18 feet, two stories high, with an out- shed 16- feet square, one story ; these are frame buildings. We can make them pretty comfortable. We have taken 15 acres of land that is broken up for one year,, at a dollar per acre. This lot Staikey and I join at. We have sown four acres of wheat, six acres of Indian corn, three acres of oats, one acre of potatoes. I have purchased two cows, they had each a calf, one four weeks and the other one week old. The price was 28 dollars for ail; they would be worth in Eng- land about A' 12 each. I purchased a waggon for 70 dollars, and two horses, harness, and a waggon for 135 dollars, which was very cheap. I intend to buy a pair of oxen as soon as I can meet with them to suit me. We have every prospect of doing well ; and we all like well and are thankful that we left England, I have one son in England and he wants to come to us. I also left the house which I lived in unsold, and I should take it as a great favour if you could assist him a little, as he is young and unexperienced.. I have another favour to beg of you, it may do me good and you no harm ; th. it is, I wish yon to send me by my son a little instruction how to make barley into malt, as this country will grow barley well. I have bad some beer at a place about twenty miles from where I live, and as good as any I ever got in England ; and if I could get into the way to make malt ill'might be of great service to me. Hops also grow here ; indeed it is likely to be a thriving place I tiave got into a country where children are a bles- sing, and lived to see the days my grandfather used to talk about. I have bought some wheat for my family use at J of a dollar per bushel, and a quarter ot very good pork at three cents per pound. They kill rio beef in summer. It sold last fall at3f dollars per lOOlbs. Last autumn before I returned to New York groceries sold dearer than at N. Y. though much 130 THE HALIFAX FREE PRESS. cheaper than with you ; sugar is a little above half price what it is in England, coffee is 14 cents per pound; before leaving for this place I purchased 150 pounds of sugar at 5 cents per pound, about as good as your eight penny or nine penny, and 60 pounds of very good coffee, at 10 cents per pound. I also bought half a cliest of voung Hyson Tea by auction, at 15 cents per pound, it was of middling quality. Goods may be bought by auction at almost any price, trade is so bad and money so scarce. I will now give you a word or two on the dark side. We have wolves and rattle snakes, which before coming I was a little afraid of, but X find my fears vanish away, as they will run away from you if they can ; they are of small size and are called Prairie Wolves. The rattle snake is from two to three feet long, and as thick as a large walking slick ; their bite does not prove fatal, and they will get from you if they can. It is seldom any one is bitten ; last summer there was a boy bit, but the snake weed was applied and in two days he was well.; he was not sick, but the bite caused the part to swell; it is generally children who are bitten, as they go without shoes and stockings in the summer sea- son, and may happen to tread upon them. There are other kinds of snakes, we have killed several, but I am not aware any of them are venomous. I have seen a rattle snake but it was dead, they are only about in June and July, and tbey go blind in August. The Indians left this country five or six years since, except a few who are straggling about; they are gone to the west of the Missisippi, according to an agree- ment made between them and the American govern- ment, who bought this territory of them. A military force is kept to see they keep within their border, so that there are very few or none about here; we have not seen one since we came, and I have travelled 23 miles east, 30 north, and 10 west of this place. I am told they are very civil and do not molest any one, so that all our fears are nearly vanished ; we are situated between the 42 and 43 deg. of north latitude, or about one quarter round the globe from you. We ate bounded on the north by Lake Superior, on the west by the river Mississipi, about 150 miles distant, on the east by Lake Michigan, and on the south by Illinois ; your time is about 6 hours earlier than ours. And now I have fulfilled my promise in sending you a short account of the country I am likely to end my days in. We have a chapel about three miles off, and shall have one about one mile off shortly ; the one that is three miles off, serves for a day and sabbath school, and, is supplied by preachers of four differ- ent denominations, viz. Wesleyansone week, Baptists one week, and tbe Independents two weeks, each in their order. We have about 12 or 14 houses within a mile around us, and a village which contains from 30 to 40 houses three miles off. The inhabitants are very social and kind, they are principally from the old states. There is very little money here, the people having nearly spent all their means on house and land and have not yet received a return, but it will be better in a few years, if the market for wheat keeps open, and I think it will; they send it both to the south and east in great quantities, it will be next summer before I can grow sufficient for us. We wish all our relations were here with a piece of land, but, as I said before, I cannot give any encouragement for any person to come, unless he has some money when he gets here. I remain, Your Friend, JOHN NOBLE. ( To be Continued.) PATRIMONY AND MATRIMONY.— At an examina- tion of a school in Edinburgh, a gentleman asked one of the scholars by what name they called pro- perty that descended Irom a father. " Patrimony," answered the scholar. " And what do you call it when descended from a mother ?" " Matrimony," was the reply. WHY MONEY INCREASES IN SAVINGS' BANKS.— " Well, John, yon have been at the savings' bank again?" " Yes, I continue to save a bit of brass every week ; but as I can see no opening in trade, I take it there to make a trifle. I have a neighbour who had saved a little ; be bpgan a provision shop, but tbe people are so poor that they sot into his debt and he lost every farthing that he had scraped together. People don't know what to do now- a- days."— Struggle. The lawyers' charges to tbe Blackwall Railway Company, for a line of three miles and three quar- ters, amount only to the sum of £ 116,088 14s 7d. THE SEVEN PERILS.— Let him that would bs safe avoid seven things :— wasps, spiders, hyaenas, croco- diles, elfs, adders, and fine women !— Arabian Pro- verb. THE FREE PRESS. THE REVENUE. The quarterly returns of the public revenue have always been regarded as certain indications of the prosperity or adversity of the people ; and, for several years past, the continued and progressive diminution of the receipts, has furnished painful evidence of the lamentable decline of trade, and the consequent decrease of the power of the people to obtain the comforts, and even the necessaries, of life. The returns for the quarter ending on the 5th instanf, and for the year ending the same day, show an increase of revenue as compared with the corresponding quarter of 1842, and with the year ending April 5th, 1842. This increase, however, is not in any way indicative of the improved condition of the country ; for, if we deduct from the income for the year, the amount of the Property and Income Tax, we shall find a falling- off of more than a million and three quarters. If we take the income for the quarter, and deduct the Income Tax, together with the amount of the Chinese indemnity, we shall find a deficiency of more than half a million. In all the departments of revenue that are connected either with the commerce or the consumption of the country, there is a decrease, except upon the Post Office. That the post office revenue should increase, notwithstanding the protracted depression of trade, is a satisfac- tory proof of the wisdom of the penny postage, and of the augmented accommodation afforded by it to the public. The decrease, however, in the customs, excise, stamps, and taxes, affords melancholy proof that the trade of the country, and the comforts of our popuktion, are greatly on the decline. Ministerial scribes may assign, as the causes of this decrease, " the important reductions in the tariff of last year, the uncertainty attendant on the Portuguese tariff, and the gradual progress of temperance;" but these, notwith- standingthe assertions of the Halifax Guaidian, are not the real sources to which the decrease must betraced. Had our commerce been active and our merchants prosperous, the customs duties would have increased under the relaxa- tions of the tariff; for speculation and actual consumption would have jointly contributed to a vast augmentation of the imports. The decrease in the excise and taxes is probably aggravated, in some measure, by the operation of the Income Tax;— the payment of that hateful impost compelling many persons to discontinue the use of some taxable and excise- able articles; and thereby diminish their own personal comforts, in order to be able to meet the heavier pressure of taxation. This tax, therefore, does not increase the revenue to the whole extent of its amount; and a tax which has the effect of increasing the pressure upon the people, while it diminishes the productive- ness of other branches of the revenue, cannot be fairly lauded for its " wisdom," even though it might bedefendedonaccoisntofits" necessity." " The wisdom and necessity of the Income Tax," says the Halifax Guardian, very grammatically, " is now put beyond doubt. It is proved that the reduction of duties does not at first lead to an equivalent increase of con- sumption. Where, then, would the government have been, but for the equivalent of the Property Tax?" The conclusion here come to, is far from being borne out by the premises. There can be no true " wisdom" in augmenting the burdens of taxation, when a country is suffering under the privations occasioned by a grievous and oppressive monopoly of the main article of food ; and there can be no " necessity" for the additional burden, when the removal of the monopoly would be a more safe and more equitable method of relief to the people, and ultimately a more sure source of replenished resources to the government. But our sagacious and self- satisfied contem- porary asks,—" Where, then, would the govern- ment have been, but for the equivalent of the Property- Tax ?" Where? Why, where hundreds and thousands of the people are, and have been for some years past, in the receipt of an income inadequate to their ordinary rate of expenditure. And how have the people, thus circumstanced, met the difficulties of their position ? By re- ducing their expenses, of course ; and suiting their outlay to their income. The government of this country is conducted upon a scale of enormous expense,— far greater than is necessary for the legitimate objects of just and righteous legislation. Thousands upon thousands,— aye millions, of pounds are squan- dered, every year, upon persons whose services are either inadequate to the remuneration they receive, or who render no service at all, or whose services are of a mischievous character. The whole system wants a thorough and per- emptory revision, as also does the whole system of our fiscal and commercial legislation. This, however, is not a subject that we can now pursue, at any length. We shall take an early oppor- tunity of entering more at large upon the discussion. THE POET LAUREATE. We admire the poetry of Wordsworth, and respect the man for many amiable qualities; but we cannot look, with any sort of satisfaction, upon his appointment to the office of Poet Lau- reate, vacant bythedeath ofSouthey. Of what use is the office ? If it be spoken of as an en- couragement to literature, we deny that poetry has ever derived any lustre from its existence, or any benefit from its emoluments. Surely, such offices as these ought to be done away with, in the present age. THE GOVERNMENT EDUCATION SCHEME. The Wesley ans are moving, in downright earnest, against the new scheme of education in factory districts ; atid the Halifax Guardian,— an organ of church politics, and yet conducted by a Wesleyan local preacher,— is in a " fix." Asking as the Wesleyanssided with the church, and against tbe dissenters, a public writer might make things square well, and keep up a sort of connexion with both parties ; but, when the two are placed in collision, the case is altered, and the wavering " go- between" is compelled to declare himself on one side or the other. He accordingly declares for the government bill, and attempts to vindicate its character, by mis- representing its provisions and the objections urged against them. We shall not trouble our- selves to expose any of his fallacious statements, inasmuch as the public generally are pretty well aware of the real nature of the measure. We will, therefore, content ourselves with quoting the observations of the Watchman,— the official organ of the Wesleyans, and of high Tory politics:— " Another week's serious consideration of the Factories Bill has confirmed us yet more strongly in tbe conviction, which we expressed in our last, of its tremendously injurious character and tendency. It would be scarcely possible to devise enactments cal- culated to inflict a larger amount of evil on the edu- cational movements of Wesleyans and Dissenters than those which constitute the distinctive features of this measure. Not even Lord Sidmouth's cele- brated bill called for a more vigorous and extended exertion of every power of opposition which can be consistently and properly employed. The adoption of this measure as it now stands, would unquestion- ably be the greatest calamity that has ever befallen our Connexion, and would inflict a lamentable wound on Civil and Religious Liberty in general." * * * " A large meeting of the United Committees ( Privi- leges and Education) assembled yesterday for farther deliberation on this momentous matter. A consider- able number of ministers and lay gentlemen, especially from the manufacturing districts, were present. Pro- bably there never was a more completely unanimous expression of opinion on any subject than was heard from all sides in denunciation of this bill; the only diversity seemed to be iu the greater strength and earnestness with which that denunciation was uttered by the individuals who had most closely studied its true character, or who, from living in the localitiet ou which it particularly bears, were especially alive to the evils it is calculated to produce." OUR CHATTER BOX. The letter of " A Pupil " is under consideration,, not as to i: s insertion, but as to the propriety ot' handing it to the party concerned. To print it would be unjust, except with the real name of the writer';, and, even then, it would hardly be kind or generous to do so. The article on " Emigration will be concluded in our next. The April number of " The Voluntary," and the letter of our correspondent who sent it, shall be noticed in our next. Answer to last week's Enigma. It rains, and old John is a good- natured fellow, I think I'll just lend him an old UMBRELLA. B. F. aged 13 years. Hebden Bridge, April 11,1843. 4 THE HALIFAX FREE PRESS. POETRY. ORIGINAL. THE SNOW DROP. Peerless snow drop, fairest flower That in nature's book we see; Nought in Flora's lovely bower, Can be once compar'd with thee. What' 3 the roses crimson dye, Or the tulip's gaudy form? They may please the vulgar eye. But nobler minds thy beauties charm. In thy pure and spotless vest, An emblem bright we see Of worth and innocence opprest,— Of virtue in adversity. Halifax, April 6th. J. T— r. THE FORGET ME NOT. A PRESENT TO THE ABSENT ONE. Accept, my love, the flower I send: Though simple, scorn it not. It is the tribute of a friend: It's name, Forget me not. And when its slender form thou'lt see. From others' gaze remote, Then think on him who thinks on thee:— Forget,— forget me not I Entwine it with thine auburn hair, And form a tasteful knot: Nay, do not blush, my love, to wear The sweet Forget me not. Place it in thy bosom, dear; And be it ne'er forgot, Thst flowers, not love, may perish there:— Forget,— forget me not. And, oh! let one sweet, simple prayer, Whate'er thy future lot, Express thy soul's sincere desire;— May I Forget thee net. Halifax, April 6th. J. T— R. SELECTED. THE FOOTSTEPS OF ANGELS. BY W. LONGFELLOW, AN AMERICAN POET. When the hours of the day are numbcr'd. And the voices of the night Wake the better soul that slumber'd To a holy, calm delight;— Ere the evening lamps are lighted. And, like phantoms grim and tall* Shadows from the fitful fire- light Dance upon the parlour wall; Then the shades of th « departed Enter at the open door; The beloved, the true- hearted, Come to visit me once more. He, the young and strong, who cherish d Noble longings for the strife, By the road side fell and perish'd, Weary with the march of life. They, the holy ones and weakly, Who the cross of suffering bore: Folded their pale hands so meekly. Spake with us on earth no moie. And, with them, the being beauteous, Who unto my youth was given, Above all things else to 1- ve me, And is now a saint in heaven. With a slow and noiseless footstep. Comes that messenger divine; Takes the vacant ehair beside me, Lays her gentle hand in mine: And she sits and gazes at me, With those deep and tender eyes, Like the stars so still and saint- like. Looking downward from the skies. Utter d riot, yet comprehended. Is the spirit's voiceless prayer; Soft rebuke, in btessings ended, Breathing from her lips of air. Oh ! though oft depress'd and lonely, All my fears are laid aside, If that I remember only, Such as these have lived and died. testator, their share is to be divided amongst their children ( if any.) The executors named are Henry Herbert Southey, M. D., of Harley- street, and Mr. Henry TayJor, of the Colonial Office. It is well known that Southey began life with extreme liberal opinions, but became a Tory at a comparatively early age. His popular poems, Thalaba and tbe Curse of Kehama, are known to all ; his other poems are bet- ter known by name than perusal. His prose style is much admired ; some of his histories aie standard works ; and he was a principal contributor to the Quarterly Review. He had held the post of poet laureate since 1812. He was married in early life ; and again, a few years ago, to Miss Caroline Bowles, who survives him. MUSICAL DEVOTION.— Yorkshire, and the adjoin- ing counties of Lancaster and Derby, are celebrated for a love of music : its spirit pervades every rank of tbe people in a manner unknown and unfelt in the rest of our island. And amongst those districts famed for musical taste and skill, Halifax stands pre- eminently forward. There, as perhaps no where else in England, may be found, at stated periods, the justice of the peace and the artisan side by side in the orchestra, practising together their divine art, and forgetting, for a time, the artificial distinctions set up in the world of men. In an essay, entitled A Village Oratorio" by George Hogarth, justice OUR SCRAP BOOK. " A thing of Shreds and Pathces." A WIFE'S INQUIRY.— A woman had, by accident, severely struck her husband on the head. After his recovery, she said to him, " John, had I killed V( iu, and I been hanged for it, would you marry Kate M'Lauclilan , » " Those who respect themselves will be honourable; but be who thinks lightly of himself will be held cheap by the world.— Chinese Proverb. The return of the Philadelphia Health Office for the first week in February, reports a death at the extraor- dinary age of 133 years. THE LATE DR. ROBERT SOUTHEY.— This cele- brated man may perhaps be considered as having been one of the more fortunate of the literati, inas- much as he enjoyed a peusion from the Government for manv years, and left personal property amount- ing to about .£ 12,000. By bis will, dated the 26tb of August, 183"), he bequeathed to his wife all the personal property possessed by her previously to their marriage, together with tbe interest of £ 2,000 dur- ing her life. The residue of his property, including the above £ 2,000, he has bequeathed to his four children, Charles Cnthbert Southey, Edith Mary Warter, Bertha Hill, and Katharine Southey, equally; and, in case of the death of any . cf them before the lias been done to the musicians of this part of Yorkshire. " Of these singers and players," he says, speaking of choristers and instrumental per- formers, " very few are professional. Most of them are industrious tradespeople, cultivating music from love of the art, and making its practice their dearest recreation." As an instance of devotion to the art, we may relate, that the Halifax Orchestral Society consists of between 30 and 40 members, most of whom reside five or six miles from the town ; and, for years past, it has seldom happened, even on the darkest and wildest night of winter, that any one of its rustic members has been absent from his post on the nights of rehearsal, which takes place fortnightly. An officer of the society, a respectable tradesman residing in that town, had occasion, some time ago, to visit a brother musician and a irember of the society, who lives some miles from the town. His condition is humble, being a hand loom weaver ; his dwelling is of a character accord- ing with bis condition, and is situate at Coldedge, an outlandish part of tbe parish of Halifax, bordering upon the moor of Saltonstall. To find his hiding place became a task of infinite difficulty. However, after much inquiry, and many windings through a devious path, which lay over fields and through farm yards, the distant sounds of a violoncello fell upon tbe ear of our wandering musical votary, making him no longer doubtful of the " whereabout" of the " famous bass player," as some of the hardy moun- taineers had denominated him, on inquiry being made of them touching bis dwelling house. Following the direction whence the pleasing sound issued, he was led to a mean looking hut. He entered, and found the object of his search, half dressed, engaged in the performance of one of Lindley's concertos ; the room contained two pair of looms ; in one of these the " guid wife" was industriously " plying the shuttle ;" and on the hearth was herlord, surrounded by two or three younkers, deeply engaged, as we have intimated, in a domestic coucert of no ordinary or common- place character, for his execution of a difficult and beautiful composition is described as ad- mirable and worthy of all praise ! Thus, beneath this humble roof of poverty, and far from the haunts of cultivation and refineme nt, was a picture of simple and virtuous happiness rarely to be found in England. How truly might it be said, in this instance, that music has been given us, by our bountiful Creator, to assist in smoothing the path of human life I— Brad- ford Observer. EARTHQUAKES.— Beyond the limits of these vol- canic regions, all countries are subject to slight tremors at distant intervals of time. Slight shocks have frequently been felt in the British Isles, in France, Germany, andotherpartsofnorthern Europe ; but these countries cannot be considered as consti- tuting parts of either the southern European, or of the Icelandic, volcanic regions. In many instances these tremors appear to be mere vibrations, produced mechanically, through the external crust of tbe globe, and originating in some great convulsion in an adjoin- ing volcanic region. Such were the aaitations experienced in these islands, and over a considerable portion of Europe, during the great Lisbon earthquake. In other instances, however, these agitations appear to be independent of any such great convulsion. Tbe year 1750 appears to have been marked by several commotions of the latter description, occurring in the countries of Europe situate beyond the volcanic region. In the course of that year a severe shock of an eprthquake was felt at Munich, and in tbe sur- rounding country ; numerous shocks were also ex- perienced in France, particularly at Bordeaux, Tou- louse, Narhonne, Montpellier, & c. though thesbocks were most violent near tbe Pyrenees, where several houses Aiere thrown down, and many persons killed. In tbe same year, two smart shocks were felt in Lon- don and its vicinity. The first took place'on the 8th of February, and was felt in all parts of the metro- polis, as well as at Hampstead and Highgate, and along the banks of the Thames, from Greenwich to Richmond. It was particularly violent at Limehouse and Poplar, where, as well as in Leadenbali stieet, some chimneys were thrown down ; and, in several parts of the City, the pewter platters, ( then in use) fell from tbe shelves. The second shock occurred on tbe 8th of March, and was more violent and of longer continuance than the former. This took place at half past five o'clock in tbe morning, and many persons quitted their beds and ran into tbe streets in the greatest consternation. It, however, was attended with no loss of life, although several chimneys were thrown down and some houses injured. It was par- ticularly violent in the neighbourhood of Grosvenor Square, the copper and pewter utensils in the kitchens have been thrown off to some distance from tbe shelves. In St. James's Park, tbe ground is said to have heaved perceptibly. It extended to some dis- tance round London, having been felt in parts of Kent, Surrey, and Hertfordshire. So great was the panic in tlie metropolis that many persons, dreading a repetition of these convulsions, quitted London, shutting up their houses and shops, and seeking re- fuge in tbe country. No third shock, however, anpears to have occurred in tbe metropolis ; but during the same year slight shocks were felt in various parts of England. During the month of October, 1839, several shocks of earthquakes Here felt in various parts of Scotland. Although not severe, they were suffitientlv so to cause some alarm ; they oc- curred on the 7ih, 10th, 13th, 14th, 16th, and 23d days of October. Tbe bells were set ringing ; persons seated in chairs could with difficulty retain their seats, and stone dikes or walls were thrown down. But the most serious injury caused by this agitation of the earth was tbe bursting of the Eastburn reservoir, on the banks of tbe River Carron, tbe waters of which swept over the adjacent lands, bearing every trans- portable article before them, and even rooting up young trees. Compared, however, with the fearful effects of subterranean convulsions displayed in the volcanic regions of the earth, these tremors appear of trifling importance.— Zornlin's Recreations in Physical Geography. The total amount already expended for building tbe new l ouses of parliament, is £ 380,483 10s.; the amount voted lias been £ 438,5110, and consequently £ 58,016 10s. is in hand unexpended, which will be required for works now in progress of completion. It is estimated that a further sum of £ 578,424 12s. 9d. will be required to complete the buildings. From a pamphlet published by Mr. George Robins, we learn, that from 1815 to 1842, a period of 27 years, more than ten millions of pounds sterling, and near seven hundred thousand acres of land, have changed hands through the instrumentality of that gentleman. PUBLIC WORSHIP.— The following days of the week are set apart for public worship in different nations :— Sunday, or the Lord's Day, by Christians; Monday, by the Grecians ; Tuesday, by the Persians ; Wednesday, by the Assyrians ; Thursday, by tbe Egyptians; Friday, by tlie Turks; Saturday, by the Jews. From the last report of the Liverpool Mechanics' institution, it appears that the number of members has decreased from 3,767 to 3,365. This the com- mittee ascribe to the pressure of the times. BARBICAN.— The old English name for this, was a " Burgh Kehning," or watch- tower of the burgh or city ; so a " Bikening" is now called a Beacon. According to the report of the committtee of the House of Commons, the Bude light apparatus, ap- plied to the ordinary coal g(, s, saves 50 per cent in the expense, and at the same time gets rid of all the existing objections to the use of gas in private dwellings. George Robins, in announcing the sale of the pre- sentation to a rectory, after descanting on " the annual value of tbe glebe," the " pleasant lawn, flower bed3, and shrubbery walk," winds up the merits of the whole by staling, that " the incumbent is eighty- six." A Mr. Bain, of Wotton, near Wick, annonnces the discovery of an electrical printing telegraph, by means of which he can, " by one set of types, set up a newspaper in London, and print it simultaneously in every town of England and Scotland, nearly as fast as the steam machine throws off the sheets !" This will beat piano printing all to nothing. A NEW THEORY OF COMETS.— A correspondent of tbe Standard affirms, that " concatenations, or focal centralization of the reflections of our planets, pro- duce these appearances commonly termed comets." EVIDEXCE.— Every man that will confess the truth must own, that some of the things of which he feels most sure, are those of which he would be utterly un- able to offer such a proof as another might not find very good reason to reject.— Lord Dudley's Letters. In England, before the reduction of postage, the annual amount of property found in dead letters, was about £ 443,000. Since the reduction, it has only been about £ 298,000 I The amount distributed iast year by the Literary Fund Society, to distressed literary men, their wives and children, was £ 1,255. The effective force of the National Guard of Paris, which ill tbe year 1831 amounted to 80,000, is at present less than 50,000. PORTUGAL WINE.— A return ordered by the house of commons, shows that in the years ending res- pectively the 5th of January, the quantity imported, amount of duty, and amount of drawback, were as follows :— Year. Gallons. Duty. Drawback. 1810 2,998,151 £ 823,875 £ 20,888 1841 2,773,404 785,452 29,226 1842 2,481.345 715,950 27,068 1843 1,399,708 403,134 31,800 An extraordinary specimen of parliamentary re- porting appears in the government Portuguese paper Correio. The reporter, being lazy, cut short his labourthus :—" Ills excellency tbe minister annihilat- ed all the arguments of the noble deputy." It appears, from a parliamentary return, that in the year ending Jan. 5, 1842, the duty paid on 2,300,893 quarters of wheat was £ 389,865 ; and that, in the year ending the 5th of January last, the duty paid on 2,667,914 quarters was £ 1,112,453. HALIFAX:— Printed and Sold, for the Proprietors, at the Conetal Printing Office of H. Martin, Upper George Yardh,