I am, Sir, yours respectfully,
ONE OF THE PEOPLE.

November 21st, 1853.

have been tried, till men found out that they only went from worse to worse. In cases where no marked call can be proved for legislative interference, the best advice would appear to be, that both parties should ride with a light hand. Improved knowledge is making its way in all directions. Masters are not as imperious as they used to be, nor workmen as violent. There is no need for

ledge. We are also blessed with the "New saves the innocent from degradation and ig- legislative enactments never could. They Police,"'-men of notably circumstantial me-nominy? mories, never at fault; and, what with policemen, with their reputation for exactness at stake, the clerk, with his legal knowledge and sharp eye for "expenses," and the magistrates, with their legal ignorance and class feeling, the poor suspected have very little chance :in fact, no chance at all, except where there is no evidence, when the Court exercises its clemency, and the man is let off uncon- Ar the present moment there may be use in victed, if he will pay the " expenses." If any one doubts the truth of this, let him come with me some Monday morning to our Petty_Sessions," held weekly at the "Cock and Bull," in the large public room,

where the "ancient order of Oddfellows

ON STRIKES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL.

the subject of combinations, whether among
trying to trace some general conclusions on
masters or workmen.

either of them to threaten hanging to the principally derived from the stage; but I other. My authority for this having been threatened in the olden time, I believe is almost universal belief was that nothing was ignorance, things did actually go to such exThe times are happily gone by, when the fancy there is no doubt that in the days of to be done without combination. Everybody tremities. In our times, a few pages of letwere wont to hold their mysteries. There, and everything was combination. There was ter-press will save the expenses of judge and under a canopy of strange and cabalistic look, combination inside the walls of Newgate to jury, with chaplain to boot. sit our Bench, awfully dignified, and there, get out, and combination outside to get in. It is scarcely necessary to urge, that strikes just beneath them, at comfortable whispering- The laws were savage on the point, when are three times out of four a loss to all pardistance, sits our magistrate's clerk. He is a they got hold of a defenceless victim; but ties. They should therefore, like Lobelia, be sharp practitioner, that clerk: deep in the Adam Smith's testimony that "people of the administered with discretion. A wise man summary jurisdiction acts; a very Daniel in same trade seldom meet together, even for will submit to any imaginable operation, unassault cases; a Solomon on the subject of merriment and diversion, but the conversader certain imaginable circumstances; but felony. He is a man of elastic mind, and tion ends in a conspiracy against the public," the most foolish of all games would be to knows how to stretch a public-house brawl is proof that they produced no effect upon the gamble with legs and arms unnecessarily, or into an "assault," and a box on the ears into rest.

now

with mouths and stomachs in their stead. Yours sincerely,

T. PERRONET THOMPSON. Blackheath, November 26, 1853.

"grievous bodily harm;" a wonderful "ready- That neither weak nor strong are reckoner " is he, and can add you up a bill of threatened with severe punishment for such "costs"-and quite a long bill too-in less conspiracies against the public, is proof pertime than you can pay it, a long way; in fact, haps of the whole subject being better unhe does it so fast that no one can follow him, derstood. Men have found out, that howand reaches "£1. 5s. 6d." before you can say ever bad it may be, it is not hanging matter; Jack Robinson. Some people indeed allege and the hanging was never threatened, exthat his bill is reckoned like the bill of some cept to those who were thought to have no The Seven Lamps of Architecture. By John ordinary, where the waiter mumbles out-friends. "Bill, Šir? yes, Sir: beef, Sir, 10d.; pudding Ruskin. Still there is enough left for mischief; and

Reviews.

London: Smith, Elder, and Co.

6d. ; sixteen pence, one and sixpence: salt the case altogether appears to be one which The Stones of Venice. By the Same. 1d.; bread 2d.; one and ninepence, one only admits of what physicians call a palliative and ninepence, twenty-one pence; 2d. beer, treatment. Men must go on, rubbing against IT is not our purpose to give an elaborate -twenty-three pence: two shillings and each other, till they mutually discover the criticism of Mr. Ruskin's works. He is one threepence in all, Sir. Please remember desirableness of doing it gently. If the work-of those few thoroughly original writers of the waiters, Sir." But of course no man of men think they labour under disadvantages the day, whose writings may not be measured any respectability credits this, for " our clerk" which legislation could remove, they should by the ordinary rules of the critic's art; whose is not hard on any one, and has even been apply themselves to get their proper share in works we read, not for their style, but for their known, when defendant was too poor to pay, the legislation of the country. They should fresh and living thought,-thought which, to advocate his being let off, and the costs reflect upon such scenes, as the population of whether we agree with it or not, is always charged to the township! Thus endowed with a manufacturing borough holding up their valuable and instructive. Of all the great gifts, by nature and education, peculiarly hands to such an extent that the press de- features of his mode of thought, there is none adapting him to guide the County Magistracy; clared them to be "everybody," and then in more remarkable contrast to the common no wonder that he is looked on by the rural finding themselves defeated by the influences ideas of the time than this, that he sees the population, among whom his mission lies, as of wealth in one or other of the forms of seduc- connection of the parts of human nature and more terrible than even the Bench. And with tion or intimidation. If men were not seduced, life with each other; that man's life is not good reason: before him is a compendious and if men were not intimidated, where did to be parcelled out into separate pieces, and abridgment of every statute against every the opposition come from? his work and duties sharply distinguished, crime that the heart of sinful man can conThere is just now a vague report of some but that all his powers, and the different funcceive; beside him are a few stray numbers of great effort the working classes have in hand. tions needed in the world, have a wonderful the Justice of the Peace, in which decisions If it is directed to gain their proper share in connection and harmony with each other. are recorded which increase the magistrates' legislation through extended suffrage and the For there is a miserable centralizing tendency power, or the defendant's liabilities to "costs; ballot, the moment is very favourable for suc- creeping over many things besides Governand thus armed to the teeth, he stands as the cess; but if the object is to gain any decided ment. There is a centralization of principles champion of law, ready to trip up a confused advantage over the employers, or make any and of work, in every sphere of life. One set witness or to enlighten a confused magistrate. great change in the legal relations between of principles are for one sphere of action, and What wonder, that in such a state of things, masters and workmen, it will fail, as an effort are confined thereto; there is no hearty rethe vagrant never gets off; the trespasser is of the like kind proceeding from the masters cognition of eternal principles which underlie treated to the utmost rigour of the law; the would fail, and for the reason, that the thing all good work of every kind and link all topoacher finds the game go against him; and always ridiculed and always bowed to, the gether. The principles in trade are, free trade the wicked pauper who stole two turnips and a spirit of the age,-is moving the other way. and competition, or their variations. In poloaf gets "committed for trial at the sessions?" Men in all positions are more persuaded every litics, diplomatic expediency is the rule of acWhat wonder, too, if at our Quarter Sessions day, that commerce must be a matter of tion: in art, the particular critical canons of the Grand Jury often find no true bill? and agreement, and that all attempts to carry it that art: while Religion is for parsons, and what wonder that the poor-from their very on by rule and line, and set up this man's philanthropists, and Sundays. The things poverty open to suspicion-should thank God pleasure or another's as the measure of what are kept distinct; each principle is the centre the Juries of old England are not yet quite is to be done, are among the follies of young of a group of actions, which are ruled by it, done away with, and curse that wicked indiffe- antiquity, which more experienced generations and by it alone. None may intrude upon the erence which in these days, when poor men's crimes are watched for by such eager eyes, are outgrowing. province of the others. Religion is out of and punished with so sharp and heavy, a wrong is not to be redressed. But it is meant or expedience is the rule there, not the Gospel, And this is not saying that any proved place in the senate or the exchange; economy hand, would abolish, as useless and trouble- for warning against running to waste, by ex- which retains to itself the pulpit, where polisome, an institution which not unfrequently pecting to do by legislative enactments what tics and trade may not be spoken of. So in

find

As it

art: the artist is an artist and no more. our own fault that they are tardy or torpid. But can secure, but which it must be the first aim of Commerce has no relation to art, nor has re- they cannot be strengthened, unless we are content all Europe at this day to regain for her children." ligion; and he who should criticize an artist's to take them in their feebleness, and unless we -Stones of Venice. work by universal laws of right and justice, prize and honour them in their imperfection above instead of by the technical rules of the pro-is what we have to do with all our labourers; to tralization in work which, under the name of With equal clearness and power does he the best and most perfect manual skill. And this show the social evils which result from this cenfession, is an impertinent meddler. Now Mr. look for the thoughtful part of them, and get that Ruskin sees the foolishness and shallowness out of them, whatever we lose for it, whatever "Division of labour," is so much lauded; of all this, and a welcome sight is it to find a faults and errors we are obliged to take with it. the class feeling which it generates; the conman as competent as any to judge of art by For the best that is in them cannot manifest itself, ventional standard of respectability which it its own technical rules, and whose criticism but in company with much error. Understand raises, placing men according to what they can therefore be despised by none, yet quietly this clearly: You can teach a man to draw a do, instead of according to the way in which appealing from such, to the universal princi- straight line, and to cut one; to strike a curved they do it. ples which are applicable to all, even the line, and to carve it; and to copy and carve any "We are always in these days endeavouring to commonest works, and may be understood number of given lines or forms, with admirable separate the two; we want one man to be always therefore by the minds of all; proclaiming speed and perfect precision; and you find his work thinking, and another to be always working, and that the "artistic," in the highest sense, is perfect of its kind: but if you ask him to think we call one a gentleman, and the other an operaonly gained by the application of moral truth about any of those forms, to consider if he cannot tive; whereas the workman ought often to be to art; and that the broad rules of right and cution becomes hesitating; he thinks, and ten to both should be gentlemen in the best sense. any better in his own head, he stops; his exe-thinking and the thinker often to be working, and wrong are for everything-for painting, sculp- one he thinks wrong; ten to one he makes a mis- is, we make both ungentle, the one envying, the ture, architecture, for the building of a take in the first touch he gives to his work as a other despising, his brother; and the mass of sochurch, for the ornaments of a parlour. This thinking being. But you have made a man of ciety is made up of morbid thinkers, and miserable he does to a very striking extent in his pre- him for all that. He was only a machine before, workers. Now it is only by labour that thought vious works, especially The Seven Lamps an animated tool. can be made healthy, and only by thought that of Architecture, which is interesting to all "And observe, you are put to stern choice, in labour can be made happy, and the two cannot be who can admire fine architecture as well as this matter. You must either make a tool of the separated with impunity. It would be well if all to those who can technically explain it, be- creature, or a man of him. You cannot make of us were good handicraftsmen in some kind, and Men were not intended to work with the the dishonour of manual labour done away with cause he draws the principles which it is the both. special object of the book to apply to archi- accuracy of tools, to be precise and perfect in all altogether; so that though there should still be a tecture, from the heart of universal humanity of them, and make their fingers measure degrees commoners, there should not, among the latter, be their actions. If you will have that precision out trenchant distinction of race between nobles and and the practical experience of common life. like cog-wheels, and their arms strike curves like a trenchant distinction of employment, as between And besides this centralization of princi- compasses, you must unhumanize them. All the idle and working men, or between men of liberal ples, which disjoins the different spheres of energy of their spirits must be given to make cogs and illiberal professions. All professions should human life and thought, and gives each a and compasses of themselves. All their attention be liberal, and there should be less pride felt in technicality which narrows very much its pro-and strength must go to the accomplishment of the peculiarity of employment, and more in excellence vince, there is a like centralization in work. mean act. The eye of the soul must be bent upon of achievement. And yet more, in each several One man is always thinking, others always the finger-point, and the soul's force must fill all profession, no master should be too proud to do its working. One is all head-work, others are the invisible nerves that guide it, ten hours a day, hardest work. The painter should grind his own "hands." So the poet writes poetry, the that it may not err from its steely precision, and colours; the architect work in the mason's yard trader buys and sells, the soldier fights, the human being be lost at last a heap of sawdust, so a more skilful operative than any man in his mills.” so soul and sight be worn away, and the whole with his men; the master-manufacturer be himself minister preaches, the architect plans, the mason builds. The poet must not trade; the cerned; saved only by its Heart, which cannot We have only alluded to these special man of business would be laughed at for writ- into the form of cogs and compasses, but expands, points in Mr. Ruskin's works, because they ing poetry; the soldier must not preach,-it after the ten hours are over, into fireside humanity. are more interesting to us, and will be, we would be unmilitary, and thought hypocri- On the other hand, if you will make a man of the think, to our readers, than any extracts more tical; the parson may not fight,-it would be working creature, you cannot make a tool. Let directly bearing on art. They will serve to unclerical, and savours of worldly lusts. So him but begin to imagine, to think, to try to do indicate the breadth of view with which he it is not respectable for the architect to dirty anything worth doing; and the engine-turned pre-looks on man's life and work, and may perhis hands with a trowel; and his workman cision is lost at once. Out come all his roughness, haps interest in his writings some before unmust not think about his work, but do it as all his dullness, all his incapability; shame upon acquainted with them. mechanically as he can. Against this Mr. shame, failure upon failure, pause after pause: but out comes the whole majesty of him also."-Stones Ruskin eloquently protests in his late book, of Venice. "The Stones of Venice.' With great force he argues that though this minute division of It is a lesson much needed. The boasted labour is productive of a mechanical exacti- skill of English workmen is often only a sign tude and technical skill in each, which is of absence of thought. The wonderful exwonderful, yet that it is at the same time de- actness of form which we attain to in our grading to man: and shows that for the less manufactures is the exactness of rule and exact performance of a man who thinks as he works (and therefore can only work imperfectly, because of his imperfection of thought), it gives us the precision of the machine, which is controlled wholly by an external will, reducing man to the level of the brutes, who even excel him in the mathematical exactness of their operations.

far as its intellectual work in this world is con

go

Entelligence.

THE POOR-LAW BOARD'S ORDERS:
MEETING AT MANCHESTER.

Ir will be in the recollection of our readers that, some eight or nine months ago, several meetings of compass, wants the life and character of less Guardians, ratepayers, and others, from a large precise forms wrought by men who did their number of Unions, were held in Manchester, at the Albion Hotel, to protest against certain orders as to best, by their own thought, and not in copy-relief in kind, etc.," which had been issued by the ing or executing mechanically the works and Poor-law Commissioners to about a hundred Unions, ideas of others. The mouldings in a modern chiefly in the north of England. Various steps cornice or moulded ornament, are indeed were taken, and a deputation waited on the Poorfaultless in execution, and contrast with the law Board, and eventually the objectionable orders rougher carvings and strange figures of the were slightly modified; but still, not so as in any Thus the greatest mechanical swiftness and old Gothic times. But in which of the work- great degree to alter their character, or make them skill will be his, who works by rule and line, men was there most elevation of mind, the practicable and expedient. Still dissatisfied thereand does not think,-and therefore the re-moulder after a pattern, or the working mason fore, but unable to obtain anything more from the quirement of such precision is tantamount to who wrought his own design? The moulder Board, and feeling that it was more desirable that letting the mind and soul lie torpid. the unconstitutional power which that Board had "But, above all, in our dealings with the souls exercised of making orders having the force of law, should be permanently reduced, than that further of other men, we are to take care how we check, steps should be taken with regard to this particular by severe requirement or narrow caution, efforts interference, it was resolved to apply to Parliament which might otherwise lead to a noble issue; and, "Go forth again to gaze upon the old cathedral for this purpose. The Session however was so near still more, how we withhold our admiration from front, where you have smiled so often at the fan- its close, that it was hopeless to make any effort great excellencies, because they are mingled with tastic ignorance of the old sculptors; examine for the time; and as, during the next Session, the rough faults. Now, in the make and nature of once more those ugly goblins, and formless mon- powers of the Board would expire, it was deterevery man, however rude or simple, whom we em-sters, and stern statues, anatomiless and rigid; but mined to adjourn the meetings of the delegates till ploy in manual labour, there are some powers for do not mock at them, for they are signs of the life the approach of the next Session, when the effort better things: some tardy imagination, torpid ca- and liberty of every workman who struck the should be renewed; it being left to the chairman, pacity of emotion, tottering steps of thought, there stone; a freedom of thought, and rank in scale of John Holt, Esq., of Stubbey Lee, to call them toare, even at the worst; and in most cases it is all being, such as no laws, no charters, no charities gether.

needs no thought, a machine might, and
some day will, do his work, there is no life
in it; on the other hand," quoting again
from Mr. Ruskin-

THE NATIONAL POOR-LAW ASSOCIATION

AS for its objects the diminution of Pauperism with its demoralizing consequences, and the reduction of the burden of Poor's Rates, by promoting the extension of agricultural and other industrial employment and training for adult and juvenile "paupers," and the more rational and humane administration of the Poor-laws.

Charles Bray, Coventry

Rev. G. B. Brock, Chairman of Guardians,
Swansea

William Brockie, South Shields
J. W. Brooke, Saxmundham
Rev. P. Browne, Blackrod

J. Silk Buckingham, London

Rev. J. Burnett, D.D., Bradford

John Bushby, Carlisle

Rev. W. Butler, Wantage, Berks
T. R. Bridson, Bolton

Mr. Councillor Bowker, Manchester

Mr. Councillor Brougham, Manchester
Harrison Blair, Manchester

Rev. T. R. Bentley, Manchester
Rev. A. Barratt, Manchester

Rev. Edward Birch, Manchester

Mr. Alderman Boardman, Manchester
Hiram Brook, Manchester

Sir R. Gore Booth, Bart., M.P., London

James Bell, M.P., London
John Billing, London

George Bowyer, M.P., London

J. Stephen Dwyer, J.P., Castle Connell
Rev. John Dendy, Cheltenham

D. O. Evans, Manchester

William Ewart, M.P.,
W. Edwards, Leeds

E. A. Ennis, Dublin

S. Fisher, Hanley

London

John Ferguson, T.C., Dublin

Matthew Fletcher, Bury
G. S. Fox, Durham
F. Fry, London

Charles Fitzgerald, Dublin
William Fisher, jun., Sheffield
Thomas Feraday, Dudley
W. D. Fullalove, Manchester
William Fairbairn, C.E., London
F. Ffrench, M.P., London
William Gorton, London
Professor Gluckman, Dublin
John Glyde, jun., Ipswich
C. J. Goodhart, Reading
Thomas Grundy, Bury

Rev. W. Gaskell, M.A., Manchester
Viscount Goderich, M.P., London
James Gaskill, Hulme

William Green, Manchester
Richard Greenhalgh, Bury
James Greenhalgh, Bury
Benjamin Glover, Bury

W. Groves, Sheffield

Henry Hall, Ashton-under-Lyne

Rev. Henry D. Harrington, Banbury

Samuel S. Hatch, Highgate

Rev. Edward Hawkes, Kendal

Rev. J. B. Harrison, Buxton
Rev. W. H. Herford, Lancaster
Rev. Brooke Herford, Todmorden
Robert Heywood, J.P., Bolton
James Heyworth, Henbury Hill
Rev. J. S. Henslow, Suffolk
J. Hole, Leeds

Edward Holland, Evesham
Chandos Wren Hoskyns, London
Rev. John Hopton, Ledbury
Rev. F. Howarth, Bury

Rev. Hugh Hughes, D.D., London
Rev. C. A. Hulbert, Slaithwaite
James Hampson, Manchester

Mr. Councillor Haworth, Manchester
Rev. T. M. Harke, Manchester
Isaiah Hately, Manchester

C. J. Herford, Manchester

Mr. Councillor Heywood, Manchester

Rev. E. Harper, Manchester

F. W. Holland, Manchester

Rev. J. Hollist, Manchester
Rev. W. Huntington, Manchester

Rev. William Harness, London
James Heywood, M.P., London
L. Heyworth, M.P., London
Rev. W. F. Hook, D.D., Leeds
Henry Thomas Hope, London
Leonard Horner, F.R.S., London
Joseph Hume, M.P., London
Rev. William Hunter, London
Caleb Hilton, Wigan
William Hamer, Bolton

Benjamin Hawkridge, Nottingham

Robert Hughes, Wexford

Rev. E. D. Jackson, B.C.L., Heaton Norris

Rev. J. Angell James, Birmingham

Captain R. Johnson, Chirk

Rev. Lewis Jones, Almondbury
Thomas Johnson, Manchester
C. J. Julott, Manchester

Mr. Councillor Jones, Manchester
Joseph Kay, M.A., London
Rev. T. R. Keeling, Blackley
W. J. Keighley, Manchester
Rev. William Kelk, Manchester
James Kershaw, M.P., London
Rev. W. Law, Rector, Rugby
Rev. J. Levy, Bolton-le-Moors
Rev. J. S. Lievre, Leicester
J. Livesey, Preston

Prestwood Lucas, M.D., Preston
D. W. Latham, Bolton

J. M. Ludlow, London
Rev. S. J. Lyon, Sheffield
Rev. Dr. Lane, Manchester
R. A. Leake, Manchester
J. H. Law, Manchester
Rev. T. G. Lee, Manchester
James Lofthouse, Manchester
Rev. Robert Lamb, Manchester
C. H. Latimore, St. Albans
E. R. Langworthy, Salford
Rev. J. Mackay, Lybster, N. B.
W. Marsh, Leamington
Captain Martin, P.L.G., Cork
R. Martineau, J.P., Birmingham

E. Morgan, Vice-chairman of Guardians,
Holywell Union, N.W.

Sir R. Musgrave, Chairman of Guardians,
Lismore

John Middleton, Hull

E. Molineux, Manchester

Rev. H. W. M'Grath, St. Paul's, Kersal
Rev. Dr. M'Kerrow, Manchester

Rev. W. Mackenzie, Free Manse, North
Leith, N.B.

George M'Donald, Manchester
George Marsden, Manchester
Mr. Councillor Middleton, Manchester

William Martin, Manchester

Geoffrey Martin, Chairman of Guardians,
Ballinrobe.

P. MacMahon, M.P., London
George Macartney, M.P., London
Edward Miall, M.P., London
W. M. E. Milner, M.P., London
G. F. Muntz, M.P., London
Rev. J. G. Nelson, Great Yarmouth
Herbert New, Evesham

John Nowell, Huddersfield
G. Webster Napier, Manchester
Cornelius O'Brien, M.P., London
Rev. J. B. Owen, Wolverhampton
Samuel Ogden, Manchester
Rev. J. Owen Parr, Preston
Rev. G. Phillimore, Newport Pagnell
Captain Phillips, J.P., Dunmow
Edward Pollock, Ballymote
W. Porter, Birmingham
Rev. T. C. Price, Holby, York
T. G. Potter, Sheffield

Rev. Canon Parkinson, St. Bees
Rev. A. S. Pearce, Manchester
Rev. Mr. Pocklington, Manchester
Archibald Prentice, Manchester

A. Patterson, Manchester

Rev. J. B. Pitcairn, Longsight Parsonage
Rev. William Ponsford, Chairman of Guar-

dians, Okehampton

J. W. Philips, Cheadle
Apsley Pellatt, M.P., London
Robert Potter, M.P., London
The Lord Bishop of Ripon
C. E. Rawlins, jun., Liverpool
Rev. J. R. Redhead, Thurnby
William Robson, Warrington
James Rock, jun., Hastings
Rev. Dr. Rowley, Bridgenorth
Thomas B. Ryan, M.D., Tipperary
F. Richmond, Manchester
Rev. J. G. Robberds, Manchester
Rev. T. Robinson, Manchester
Dr. Radford, Manchester
William Scholefield, M.P., London
Francis Scully, M.P., London
W. D. Seymour, M.P., London
G. Poulett Scrope, M.P., London
Rev. James Sherman, London
Toulmin Smith, London
Rev. Canon Stowell, Manchester
Dr. Sutherland, London
Rev. J. Sheen, Stanstead
James Simpson, Edinburgh
Rev. Canon Slade, Bolton
Brooke Smith, Birmingham
W. Spencer, Coventry

English character. The Workhouse system, in

SUBSCRIPTIONS are requested to be paid into the Act, are satisfied with its results in diminishing Bank of Messrs. Glyn and Co., London; the Union the pressure of pauperism, in humanely providBank of Manchester; or sent by post-office order ing for the infirm or meritorious poor, or in culto Thomas Greig, Esq., Treasurer, 60, George-street, tivating that spirit of local and individual self-reManchester; and communications from gentlemen liance which is so essential an element of the desirous of co-operating with the movement may also be addressed to the Secretaries - Thomas particular, whatever advantages it may possess in Wheeler, Esq., LL.B., 1, Elm Court, Temple, Lon- deterring the really deserving poor from seeking, don; James Winder, Esq., Bolton; T. H. Battye, under any extremity, the relief to which the law enEsq., Huddersfield; T. Worthington Barlow, Esq., titles them, has been shown, by Parliamentary and Manchester: from whom can be obtained all the other evidence of the most conclusive kind, to per: addresses, etc., issued by the Association. Mem- petuate on individuals and families the habits and bers will be enrolled on the payment of half-a-associations of pauperism, and to recruit the ranks guinea and upwards. Donations of one shilling and of crime. (See the Report and Evidence of Comupwards, in postage stamps, will be received, and a mittee on Prison Discipline in 1851.) number of the Constitutional containing the acknowledgment, transmitted to the donor.

POOR-LAW CONFERENCE.

A CONFERENCE of Members of Parliament, Poorlaw Guardians, Municipal Officers, and others interested in the improved administration of the Poor-laws, is intended to be held in Birmingham on the eve of the ensuing Session, with a view to the consideration of the following subjects:

1. The general substitution for juvenile and adult poor, of useful labour and industrial instruction (upon the plans successfully adopted in the Bridgenorth, Sheffield, and other English and Irish Unions), in lieu of the present demoralizing system of degrading and unprofitable "tests."

2. An alteration of the existing laws of rating, settlement, and removal.

3. The securing to Boards of Guardians greater freedom of action, and independence of control by central Boards and authorities.

Specific measures, under these respective heads, will, it is hoped, be agreed upon, as a basis for united action during the ensuing Session of Parlia

ment.

Few persons, it is believed, after twenty years' experience of the so-called Poor-law Amendment

The early expiration of the anomalous powers exercised by the Poor-law Commissioners in England and Ireland (by whom, in Ireland especially, the beneficial employment of able-bodied inmates of workhouses has been till lately prevented) renders it necessary for Guardians of the Poor and ratepayers generally throughout the country to watch with great care the measures likely to be proposed in the next Session for the renewal, or even extension, of those powers.

Nathaniel T. Still, Axminster
Robert Sutherland, South Shields
Rev. Mr. Sayers, St. John's, Manchester
Mr. Councillor Stanley, Manchester
Robert S. Sowler, Manchester

Mr. Councillor Stracy, Manchester
Mr. Councillor Scholefield, Manchester
John Summer, Warrington

Rev. R. Storry, Huddersfield
Rev. A. S. Steinthall, Bridgewater
W. Skelton, Grimsby

George Sanderson, Sheffield
Jeremiah Spencer, Cockermouth
James Taylor, Bakewell

Frederick Thynne, Westminster
James Tweedale, Rochdale

Mr. Councillor Thackray, Manchester
Rev. W. Traill, Manchester
Christopher Thompson, Sheffield
R. A. Thicknesse, M.P., London
John Vaughan, Town Clerk, Stockport
Rev. J. G. Vance, Manchester
G. E. H. Vernon, M.P., London
Edward Warner, M.P., London
Thomas Wheeler, B.C.L., London
H. W. Wickham, M.P., London
J. A. Wise, M.P., London
Samuel Watts, Manchester
Thomas Worsley, Ormskirk
R. Walwyn, Bristol

Rev. J. Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

R. Walsh, Bolton

John Warnes, Trimingham

Mr. Alderman Watson, Limerick
Richard Welsh, Reading

Rev. G. Whitlock, Walkden

Rev. Charles Wicksteed, Leeds

Rev. W. T. Wild, B.D., Barnsbury Park

James Winder, Bolton

Rev. John Wright, Macclesfield

C. Wright, Tyldesley

Absalom Watkin, Manchester

Thomas Wright, Manchester

Mr. Councillor T. L. Williams, Manchester
Rev. S. Warren, LL.D., Manchester

Rev. W. Whitelegge, Manchester

Dr. John Watts, Manchester
Rev. H. Wray, Manchester

Archibald Winterbottom, Manchester
David Woolfall, Manchester
Peter Walker, Manchester

R. Trafford Whitehead, Manchester
W. Woolrych Whitmore, London
Francis Woodward, Chairman of Guar
dians, Pershore

Hon. and Rev. Grantham Yorke, Br
mingham

**

*

Suggestions, and communications written in It is conceived that the alleged prosperity of the a plain, earnest, and attractive style, are respecttwo countries, whilst it justifies a suspension of the fully requested, and may be addressed to the Edienormous expenditure still going on in the erection tors of "The Church of the People," care of Mr. of workhouses, and establishment charges, is pe- SOWLER, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, to whom culiarly favourable to the consideration of mea- books for review, and advertisements, may be sent, sures by which the future cost of pauperism, even not later than the 20th instant. in times of future commercial pressure, may be, if not annihilated, greatly reduced.

As it is exceedingly important to collect the views of the best-informed persons throughout the United Kingdom upon the several matters before referred to, the Committee invite, from Guardians of the Poor and others interested in those subjects, the immediate expression of their views, together with practical suggestions in furtherance of the important objects of the intended Conference. The names of gentlemen desirous of co-operating in the movement should be forwarded to the Secretaries.

London: BELL, 186, Fleet Street. Manchester: T. SOWLER, St. Ann's Square; A. HEYWOOD, Oldham Street; J. HEYWOOD, Deansgate.

Printed by JOHN EDWARD TAYLOR, of 10, Little Queen

Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the Parish of St. Gilesin-the-Fields, in the County of Middlesex, and of Weybridge, in the County of Surrey; and published by him at his Printing-office in Little Queen Street aforesaid.Sold also by CHAPMAN & HALL, 193, Piccadilly. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1853.

No. XIII.]

LONDON, JANUARY 2, 1854.

"I wish we could so perfectly distinguish the Legislative if they look very carefully indeed-s "from the Ministerial authority as once we did; when the HOUSE OF COMMONS had not the power of a COURT LEET "to give an Oath: which distinction, doubtless, is the most "vital part of freedom; as, on the contrary, the confusion "of them is an accomplishment of servitude."-A Plea for Limited Monarchy:-1660.

The Poor-law Board's Powers.-Meeting at Manchester

Meeting of the Committee

TO OUR READERS.

PAGE

1

PRICE THREEPENCE. STAMPED EDITION, 4D.

-some commenced by the "assistant overseer" being Small bills posted on the walls, announcing asked what has to be done. To this he rethat the Annual Election of Constables is to plies, that he supposes there is no need to take place, and that a meeting of the rate- make out a fresh list,-last year's list will payers and inhabitants will be held at such do, with only a name or two added, to make and such a place, generally the large room of up for several who have left the neighboura public-house, for the purpose of selecting, hood or died. So last year's list is read over, in accordance with the Magistrate's precept -a list of eighty persons in the parish, “fit [number uncertain], "fit and qualified per- and qualified to serve the office of Constable." sons to serve the office of Parish Constable.' We ask, in our ignorance, what eighty conYou have seen such a bill, reader, and stables are required for; surely, we think, maybe have wondered what these meetings this parish must be a very riotous one. But 4 are, and who goes, and what is done: if we are told that this number is merely reyou have asked any of the active reformers in quired by the Magistrates, that they may your neighbourhood, they will have told you, be appointed. This explains the matter, but select from it the ten constables actually to Oh! it is a mere matter of form," and that is rather contrary to our ideas of the right of no one ever goes. Let us go however, just to verify the statement, and see with our own popular election. 9 eyes the state of the affair.

2

3

4

6

8

8

10

10

11

12

We must appeal to our Readers, if they

wish to see "THE CONSTITUTIONAL" continued

a subject too serious to be attractive, too unpopudar to pay. We do not ask for pecuniary aid, to enable it to be carried on with a small circulation, we ask our readers to enable us to get it known, that, when known, it may stand or fall by its own merits. If every one of our subscribers in each place would get one friend in some other town to take it in for the next year, very much would be -done towards effecting this object. Especially do we request our friends to bring it under the notice of Members of Vestries, Boards of Guardians, Highway Boards, Town Councils, and other public bodies in their different localities. The Sheffield Highway Board have just directed that "a Copy of the Constitutional be ordered for each of the Committees." (Sheffield Free Press.) We draw attention to this, in the hope that other bodies may do the same. As soon as our circulation even pays expenses, we shall lower its price, or extend its size, to make it more worthy of general support. We therefore beg those who wish to give our Journal a chance of existence till known, to endea

Step in then,--here, the door on the right,

that is the room where the inhabitants and

come

We then ask whether the ratepayers can have the particular men out of the list of do nothing more,-cannot take any steps to eighty, whom they would prefer, chosen by the Magistrates.

ratepayers assemble to transact their Local Self-government. No one come yet?-oh yes, there, quietly smoking a long pipe in The suggestion is met by a general smile the chimney-corner, is an old man, a hand- of disdain, as too absurd to be entertained; loom weaver sometimes, but mostly doing and our old friend in the chimney-corner, who greeting, and he probably asks if you will not pipe from his mouth, and after indulging in a nothing: "A cold day, gentlemen!" is his seems really oracular on the subject, takes his through another year, to help us to bring it into wondering whether he is the "inhabitants quiet enjoyment of such unprecedented ignoby the fire. up You do so, and wait; prolonged clearance of his throat, as if in wider circulation. It is the only Journal which at and ratepayers" by delegation. No! By- rance, informs us that it has been tried again all takes up the question of Local Self-government; and-by enters another man-a farmer-who, and again, but all in vain, and so at last it has as the frost is severe, has nothing to do for been given up as a bad job, for "dun yo see, an hour, and has just stepped in for a chat yon owd chap at th' Hall" (an evident alluman, the loiterer of the neighbourhood; a go hisself when th' bench er choising on 'em, and a pipe. Next comes a shabby-genteel sion to our Local Magistrate) "taks care to man who was in business once, but failed, and, and gits 'em to choise th' men 'at he wants; subsisting no one exactly knows how, has and dun yo see too," adds he, giving us a taken, finding himself incapable of managing facetious poke with his pipe, "he jist axes his his own affairs, to looking after the affairs of clerk who he mun choise, and th' clerk tells the public. One or two more, several con-un to choise some chaps 'at 'll bring plenty o' stables for the past year, and then last enters grist to th' mill!" arm, and old-fashioned spectacles, and a busi- derstand now why no one particularly cares a bustling little man, with a book under his Ah, this explains the whole matter! we unness-like look all over him. Is he the Over-whose name is put on, or whose is not; in so seer? we ask, remembering that the placard large a list it is found practically impossible we have alluded to was signed by the Over- to keep out the names of some who will not, seers, and fancying therefore that as they as the old man said, "bring plenty o' grist to had called the meeting, one of them at least th' mill;" and so the people, finding that they bour; and he further informs that the Over- away; and every year the old game is rewould be present. Oh no!" says our neigh-could do no good by coming together, staid seers are a mere form, never take any part peated, the "Inhabitants and Ratepayers" or do any work, except signing such documents are summoned by a bill to an election of "conas this man, the "assistant overseer," who is paid for doing their work, brings them for ratification. This functionary, then, is the "assistant overseer and collector," and the upon him with awe and veneration: he is presiding dignitary of the meeting. We look the man who so possesses the entire confiReader, this is no fancy picture: it is what dence of the Overseers, who possess the entire we ourselves have seen; it is what actually confidence of the public, as that they pay takes place year after year in scores of neighhim to do their work. "Oh no!" says our bourhoods, and which results, in numberless informant, "the Township pays him.' Hem! places, in the appointment of men as conto business,-the little man with the book Police; and then any Centralizing Governwe do not quite understand this. However, stables, a degree worse even than the Rural opens it, and after a few observations of a ment paper, “zealous to get fresh power for light and cheerful character with regard to the people," but careless of their keeping the weather, plunges at once into the impor- what they already have, laughs at the ineffi tant business of the day by saying, "Well, ciency and corruption of the Parish Conwork." gentlemen, I suppose we may as well set to stable chosen by the people," and advocates a system of National Police!