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1838.]

107

COTTAGE ALLOTMENTS.

MR. WARNER stated that there were two parishes in England where poor-rates are only known by name, in consequence of the system of cottage allotment having been introduced by the landlords; one of these was Asweby, in Lincolnshire, the other was a place in Yorkshire, the name of which he had forgotten. Lord Sandon said he had 300 such allotments, of about a quarter of an acre each, which he let out at about 2. to 31. per acre, and which returned to the occupier about 3l. per quarter. Lord Nugent stated several beneficial results which had followed from the adoption of the system, and the chief of these was infant labour, which made every allotment an industrial and agricultural school.-Proceedings of the British Association at Liverpool, quoted in the Labourer's Friend Magazine for December.

EXTRACTS FROM THE PUBLIC NEWSPAPERS, &c.

Important to the Working Classes.-During the meeting of the British Association at Liverpool, Mr. Ashworth, of Bolton, read a paper on the statistical results of the late strike at Preston. From this it appeared that in Preston and the vicinity there are forty-two cotton mills, giving employment to 8500 hands, and requiring 1200 horse-power to work them. The estimated value of the machinery is 550,000l., and the amount of capital required to work them 250,000l. The beginning of the year 1836 was marked by great activity in the cotton trade; the master spinners were supposed to be making considerable profits, whilst the operative spinners, with some appearance of truth, supposed that their wages were not commensurate with those profits. A strike ensued, and 8600 persons were thrown out of employment. The report then detailed the straits of misery to which they were reduced, until at length they returned to work. Amongst the consequences of the turn-out the following facts were mentioned:-150 persons were taken before the magistrates, charged with drunkenness and disorderly conduct; seventy-five were committed for assaults and intimidation of workmen; twenty young females became prostitutes; three persons died of starvation; while 5000 at least must have suffered extreme privations. The total loss to the community, was estimated at 107,2067.

Effects of Gambling.-Saturday morning, Nov. 11th, between seven and eight o'clock, a Polish officer of the name of Nicholas Gorboswiski, residing in Lisle-street, Leicester-square, was discovered lying in one of the plantations on the north side of Regent's Park in great agony, having swallowed a large portion of laudanum. It appears that he had been out at a gaminghouse and had lost all his money. He was conveyed to the hospital, where, by the aid of the stomach-pump, the deadly poison was ejected from his stomach, and hopes are given of his recovery. Globe.

Mangel Wurzel Leaves.-At a dinner which took place at Downham Market to celebrate Mr. Coke's birth-day, Mr. Milnes, Honorary Secretary to the West Norfolk Association, stated that he had successfully tried the use of cut hay with mangel wurzel leaves steamed for feeding bullocks, and strongly recommended the same to his brother farmers.

Scales of Fishes.-A. M. Dumesnil, of Wunstorf, states, that according to his observations, the metallic lustre of the scales of fishes is due to the presence of the purest silver, and that the 1200th part of a grain of silver is contained in the scale of a carp.

At the Court of Excise an information was heard against Mr. C. W. landlord of a public house, charging him with adulterating his beer. The penalties sued for amounted to 500l. Bullen and Austin, Excise officers, went and examined his cellar. On the head of one of the puncheons they found the remains of a solution of treacle, salt, and water, which had evidently been poured into the vessel, and on the head of another, a can containing half a gallon of the same. Mr. G. B. tasted the beer on draught, and found it very inferior. It was very thin, and tasted strongly of treacle and salt. He waited a short time, and Mr. W. came in; and, on witness telling him he had been adulterating his beer, he said, "You are quite right. I have always done so; or how could I sell it for 3d. per pot?" The court fined him 50%.

Protection of Wall Trees from Frost.-I have for some years used a coarse woollen netting, made by the blanket manufacturers of Witney, in preference to bunting and other closer textures, which involve the trouble of removal by day. This article effectually protects the buds from frost and wet; and if kept at a distance from the wall, by means of poles, with the one point leaning against the wall, and the other struck in the ground, about 18 inches from the foundation, does not require removing so long as the trees require protection. This article is durable and cheap. Though it has the appearance of netting, it is in fact wove. This article was made in long lengths for the purpose of covering long surfaces of wall; but as walls are rarely equally covered with trees, there being usually trees of various growths, a considerable portion of netting was thus wasted; and I recommended to the manufacturer weaving nets of various dimensions, that each might be applied to a single tree.-Northampton Herald.

An Institution, denominated a "Benevolent or self-supporting Medical and Benefit Club," has been established throughout the Alderbury Union. The object of the Society is to keep the labourer from poverty, and to encourage the old English feeling of independence. No plan appears to be better adapted to answer these ends. The labourer will thus be allowed not only to choose his own medical attendant, but become entitled to the best medicines; and, during his sickness, a maintenance will be secured to him, in the way of weekly pay, equal to his wages. Since its commencement in July last, the Society has numbered upwards of a thousand free members, many of whom have already experienced its advantages.-Salisbury Herald.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We have received the communications of M. C.; J. D.; W. A. H.; E. H.; H. T. E.; H. H.; E. M.; N.; and a Layman.

N. Q. V's. article is good, but we do not deem it right to introduce so long an extract from a work already in print.

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CONRAD. You are a stranger, and appear weary; come

in and rest yourself.

Stranger. There is much comfort about your dwelling; are you its only inhabitant?

Conrad.-No; I have a wife and children: I expect them shortly: how did you reach this place?

Stranger.-On horseback.

I have a commission to

summon one of the inhabitants of the town to great honour and dignity.

Conrad. Oh, how happy should I be if your visit were directed to my humble abode !

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Stranger. You would, then, readily part with either of your family for such purpose?

Conrad.-I should be very neglectful of their interests if I were not so.

Stranger. Court?

But what are their qualifications for our

Conrad. My eldest son is bold, active, generous, and social; the youngest is a scholar, and ambitious of distinction.

Stranger. And the girls?

Conrad. The eldest has prudence, judgment, and sedateness; the second is literary and talented; the next is benevolent and affectionate; the fourth, cheerful and gay; the youngest, serious and religious.

Stranger. But you have said nothing of your wife: do you not desire her advancement?

Conrad. She is advanced in life, and has ill health; nor could I spare her.

Stranger. There are no exemptions. My prince is absolute, and whosoever I call must obey the summons. What are your powers to resist DEATH!

Conrad.-Unhappy wretch that I am! instead of a friend, I behold the great destroyer of the human race before me!

Stranger. Which shall I take? The eldest boy or girl?

Conrad.-Oh! spare them! they are the prop and stay of their parents: their mother's feeble health, and my declining years, require their active cares.

Stranger.-Pass them by: shall it be the second girl? Conrad. Her attainments render her of great use to the younger children: let her remain.

-

Stranger. Decide, then, between the affectionate and the mirthful children.

Conrad. I cannot: both are necessary to the comfort and happiness of the rest; one is a comfort in affliction, the other, a lightener of care.

Stranger. Your youngest son?

Conrad.-Pity a father's desire to see his opening qualities ripen into manhood: his bosom burns with hopes of eminence and renown.

1838.]

ON SUDDEN DEATH.

111

Stranger. You give me, then, your youngest child? Conrad.-Oh, no! she is a blessing and example; her devotional spirit shames our worldly feelings and pursuits.

Stranger. You are content, then, to resign your wife?

Conrad. Rather the rest, than her: by patience and gentleness she softened the ruggedness of my temper; and, without her, I should again become the harsh and intractable being I was before I saw her.

Stranger. You are selfish in your excuses: what have you to urge against my taking you?

Conrad. I feel that I am unfit: the thoughts of death recal to recollection the half-forgotten sins of early years; they crowd upon my memory, and cry for vengeance.

Stranger. Let them recal thee to repentance. And, for thy present comfort, know, that I am not sent to thee nor to thy house at present. But, be assured, that I shall visit thee again; and remember that, of all of whom thou now hast spoken, but one, and she the youngest, is prepared for heaven: be ready, then, against my sure return. Set thou thine house in order, that, at my summons, they may all be prepared.

R.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE COTTAGER'S MONTHLY VISITOR. SIR,

IF the following ideas are thought worth inserting in your valuable little work, I shall be happy to see them there.

ON SUDDEN DEATH.

F.

LET us not lose by our neglect the advantages to be derived from the warnings which it pleases God to send us. We know we must all die; true, but of" that day and hour knoweth no man."-The young think it far distant; the middle-aged, and old, forget to think of it at all. God, in His mercy, brings the subject home to every bosom by some sudden visitation: the effect is felt at the moment; but, alas! too often, like a flash of lightning, it startles, and is gone. Now this transient excitement does no real good. Let us look seriously at the truth, that we must all die,-and that when is known

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