No. 922. MONDAY, OCT. 3, 1825. THE POLITICAL EXAMINER. Party is the madness of many for the gain of a few.-Pere. MR OWEN'S PLAN.-ESTABLISHMENT AT HARMONY. THE benevolent ROBERT OWEN has done wisely to make his great experiment in the New World instead of in the Old. In the remoter portion of the United States, the habits of men are less fixed, their prejudices less stubborn, their bodily strength and moral activity greater, than in Europe. In an old country men of all classes, hardly excepting the lowest, have indulgences in their food, clothing, and way of life, which they are reluctant to surrender for a simpler though far more healthy and enjoying course of existence. In North America, however, the people are accustomed to perpetual change; they are more independent of customs which differ so much throughout the vast territories of the Union; and the scattered inhabitants of the backwoods in particular see in the new community an easy mode of procuring that sufficiency of food, clothing, and shelter, which it at present costs them pretty hard labour to obtain, and which is generally the sole object of their care and toil; not to speak of comforts which no individual settler can acquire, or of what is to many the greatest of all comforts-the society of their fellow-men. There are many alterations which Mr OWEN would wish introduced in a community on his system, but to which there would be considerable opposition in Britain. Take for instance the mode of dress. Nothing can well be more inconvenient, ugly, injurious to health, and expensive, than the present fashion, which is we believe French in its origin; yet it would be no easy matter to persuade some hundreds or thousands of people, living in a thickly populated and civilized country, to leave off-the men their coats and cravats, the women their stays and gowns. But on the banks of the Ohio there is no prevailing fashion in dress, because there are as many varieties as there are settlements; and the colonists would as soon wear tunic and trowsers-a simple, cheap, light, and sufficiently warm dress, favourable to activity and graceful movement—as a smock-frock or a jacket of buffalo-skin. A similar remark will apply still more forcibly to the placing of all the members of the community on a perfect equality. The distinction of ranks in Europe has generated so much reul incompatibility of habits and feelings as well as false pride, among the several classes, that it would be both an arduous and a tedious process to mix together, on an intimate and perfectly level footing, individuals who had previously occupied different stations in society. To say nothing of the fear of what their friends and acquaintances would think, members of the middling class, educated and refined in manners, although perhaps rendered by unprosperous circumstances anxious to join a labouring community, would feel no small repugnance to inhabit the same dwelling, to eat at the same table, and in short to work and associate, with peasants, artizans, or menial servants. In the American backwoods this difficulty hardly exists: the help there is quite as independent as the employer; the very names of master and servant are out of use, and still less known are the feelings with which those names are connected in Europe. A greater obstacle perhaps is the intolerance on the score of religion in this country. Not only the bigoted of all sects, but the politically corrupt those who worship the blessed Unity of Church and State hate and dread the establishment of communities in which religion would be left to individual reason and choice. The opinions of Mr OWEN were never disguised: a supporter of the philosophical doctrine of Necessity, his only religion is that of doing good to mankind; and he treats all systems of belief, however monstrous and mischievous they may appear to himself, with the utmost tenderness. He would not, even by the smallest exertion of personal influence, interfere with the faith of others. At Harmony, where he is sole landlord and owner, he permits the use of the Church to every sect among the colonists; and the latter may be of all sects. This is a system far too rational and benevolent for the Intolerants and Serviles at home, who are not content unless they can compel people to conform-or at least to contribute-to some of their exclusive dogmas. In the Transatlantic Republic however, this perfect liberty of conscience-this social harmony in the midst of speculative differences-obtains not only the toleration but the protection of the law. Hence their incessant abuse and calumny both of the United States and of ROBERT OWEN. Such are the principal difficulties which it appears to us that Mr OWEN avoids by making the United States of America the place of trial for a community on his system, instead of any country in Europe. We do not mean to say, that any one of them is in itself formidable, or that taken altogether they are such as to deter enterprising persons from the attempt. On the contrary, we believe they may be overcome by perseverance: but the operation will necessarily be slow, compared to the progress of Mr OWEN, who has only to build up on clear ground, not (as he would have in Britain) to pull down first, and sweep away the rubbish. His success however will assist his' dis-ciples at home, by demonstrating the practicability of the plan; and in the mean time the latter are not idle. They are about to form such an establishment as Mr OWEN would have formed, had he remained in this country. By means of a joint stock company, funds have been obtained, with which buildings are now erecting at Orbiston in Lanarkshire. One wing is already in such forwardness that it will be habitable in a few months; and many individuals, as well from the middling as the lower class, are anxiously waiting to remove into it. The intention is, that the community shall produce within itself all the food and clothing necessary for the consumption of the members, as well as make the machinéry required for its agriculture and manufactures; for which purpose it will include mechanics and artizans, in addition to cultivators of the soil. To do this, and to produce a sufficient surplus to pay the interest and repay the principal of the purchase-money of the land and the cost of the buildings, furniture, and stock, it is calculated that a moderate portion of daily labour on the part of each individual will suffice, leaving ample leisure for recreation and mental improvement. Above all, the education of the children will be an object of the greatest care and painstaking. They will have the advantage of learning together in considerable numbers, and will be taught useful knowledge upon the best system which modern skill and experience have been able to devise. The experiment is interesting and important in a very high degree; and it affords us great satisfaction that it is to be tried simultaneously in Europe and America. We are not now disposed to go into a discussion of Mr OwEN's entire plan, or to argue upon the views he takes of the perfectibility of man. That indeed is perhaps a question which mere argument will never settle, and upon which individuals decide rather from temper than reasoning. It is difficult to, deny, in detail, that Mr OWEN can accomplish any of the objects he aims at; yet it is more difficult to believe that he will succeed in the whole: nothing short of practical demonstration will convince the world at large, that human errors can be so universally corrected, and the bad passions so far eradicated, as to produce a state of universal peace and charity, public and private. The object however is a noble one the zeal and goodness of heart with which it is pursued are of the highest and most estimable kind-and the attempt must be useful, however much it may fall short of the sanguine anticipations of the excellent man who makes it. Looking at the undertakings at Orbiston and Harmony with reference to political economy, we cannot entertain a doubt of their success. Society is at present divided into a large portion who are excessively worked, and a small portion who are idle and live on the labour of the others. In the new communities, all will work equally, and by consequence there will be no need that any should work immoderately. In the improved state of science, and especially with the economy of common dwellings and the very best division of labour, very few hours of daily labour are enough to procure a family the necessaries and real comforts of life; but unfortunately, under the wretched and immoral system prevailing in this and other ill-governed countries, every improvement which science makes in regard to the time and labour spent in obtaining necessaries, in place of bettering the condition of the industrious classes, deteriorates it, and only serves to augment the number of the unproductive class. We hail the formation of these new communities with unmixed pleasure, because they will practically show in what abundance and comfort the actual producers of national wealth may support themselves with very moderate labour, provided the fruit of their toil is not extorted from them by an artificial, cruel, and immoral state of society. Let that be once made apparent by the prosperity of these undertakings, and the huge pauper-making and debasing system of this country must soon be changed for something better. LONDON CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.-MR OWEN. Southampton buildings, in consequence of a printed circular, inviting A meeting was held on Monday evening at the Mechanics' Theatre, those who are sincerely desirous of improving the condition of mankind in general, and those especially who suffer the most from the inname rable and complicated evils which must continue to exist while society remains as at present constituted, to investigate the merits of the London Co-operative Society's new system of social arrangements." Soon after seven o'clock, the theatre being quite thronged, Dr TUCKER was called to the chair, and opened the business of the meeting by reading from a paper the principles of the Society's system, which were founded on "mutual co-operation in the production, and perfect equality in the distribution of all the means of enjoyment-principles that, by uniting the individual and social interests of mankind (which ought never to have been separated), will lead to the highest possible state of human happiness, and remove all the obstacles, physical and moral, by which its attainment has been hitherto retarded. All friends to social improvement will be glad to learn that, while the New System is rapidly proceeding at Orbiston, in Scotland; at Harmony, in Indiana, under the direction of Mr Owen; and in other parts of the United States, under that of Societies, a plan is now in progress for establishing a Community of Mutual Co-operation and Equal Distribution, within fifty miles of London. The proposed capital for the Community near London is 200,000l. to be raised by shares of 1001. 401, and 10%. each, on which deposits of 31. 21. and 11. respectively, are received by Messrs Coutts and Co.-Those subscribing 1007. each will not be called on to enter the Community till all the arrangements are completed.-Capitalists advancing many shares, and not occupying more than two rooms, will be entitled to interest at 5 per cent. on all shares above one, until paid off by the Community. Any subscriber of 1001. not wishing to join in the occupations of the Community, may, by a yearly payment, partake of all the benefits thereof, except voting at the public meetings.-Those subscribing 401, each, will not be called on to join the Community till the first year's crop is raised, and a bed-room provided for each. Children under ten years of age, 201, each.-Those subscribing 101. each are to join the community as soon as the land is ready to receive them.-As soon as 20,000l. are subscribed, a public meeting of the subscribers will be called by the London Co-operative Society; and this nucleus of the Community will take into its own hands the regulation of its affairs." Mr OWEN then addressed the meeting. He said-It is, I believe, generally known that I advocate a social system of equality, in preference to the individual system of inequality. The reasons which have produced in my mind an irresistible conviction in favour of the social over the individual system, are-That the individual system necessarily creates and perpetuates poverty, ignorance, anxiety, competition, discord, unkindness, irritation, hatred, revenge, and all uncharitableness, between all parties, sects, classes, and nations. In preference to this system of evil, I advocate the social system,-because it will remove all the evils which the individual system has introduced; because, after its general introduction it will become impossible to find one of our fellow-creatures either poor, ignorant, or vicious; because, as man is to a great extent the creature of the circumstances by which he is surrounded, the social system of equality is alone adapted to admit the union of those circumstances which are absolutely necessary to draw forth the highest physical, moral, and intellectual powers of our nature, and thus place man in a state of independence, virtue, and happiness. The progress of science, has added greatly to the power of creating wealth. To give you some notion of its power, it is only necessary for me to remind you, that in the spinning of cotton thread only, modern mechanical improvements enable a population, not exceeding 250,000, of men, women, and children, but chiefly children, to produce as much as, previous to those discoveries, would have required the working part of a population of upwards of ten millions; and now the mechanical improvements which have been applied to the spinning of cotton thread form but a small part of the mechanical and chemical improvements which have been introduced to supersede manual labour in almost every branch of our manufactures, and in all the arts of life. Their increase has been such within my memory, that I am within bounds when I say that the population of the British Islands can now produce more wealth than twice the whole population of the world could create before these improvements were brought into practice. Yet with this overwhelming addition to our means of creating wealth-what is now the condition of the producing classes? Are their hours of labour, their anxieties, diminished? No. Is their condition changed for the better in any degree, in proportion to those stupendous means which have been acquired to ameliorate their condition? All know this has not been done, nor can it ever be done under the individual system of inequality, and this is the real cause why statesmen and political economists have been afraid to encounter this subject, and why they have been unable to explain the cause of the distress among the working classes here and in Ireland. It will be said, and said too most truly, that whatever may be the advantages of the social system of equality, men have not yet been trained to live in such society, for all their notions, habits, and feelings, have been individualised; they have not, in fact, been formed by the circumstances which have surrounded them to live in harmony together. This hitherto insurmountable evil will be overcome by a steady attention to facts relative to our own nature, which, when acted upon, will secure union and enable all to enjoy the advantages of the social system of equality, to be partakers of the benefit of the new arrangements before you. In common with selves I have seen the helpless infant come into existence, ignorant of the canse of its being, unconscious of its powers and its organization. Of infants thus helpless I have seen no two alike. There is a decided difference between all this difference is not created by themselves: and such is their plastic nature, that the circumstances in which they happen to be placed mould them to their own characters, If these infants be your born amongst cannibals, they become cannibals; if amongst Hindoos, they dislike the shedding of blood. When we consider this, must we not come to the conclusion, that the whole of society has acted upon notions diametrically opposite to simple and unerring facts, and therefore it is you live in the midst of circumstances directly opposed to the happiness of all classes, from the highest to the lowest. Will you continue to exist in the midst of vicious circumstances, when you have little more than to will it, and you will be surrounded by the most virtuous scenes that can be sought for, or desired? It may be said that this change will require great exertions and enormous capital. No such thing. Such an alteration will demand less than those wretched circumstances which now surround you.-[Here Mr Owen pointed to the model of one of his buildings, which lay upon the table, and continued :]-I regret this model is not sufficiently large to give a correct idea of the building. It would be twice the size of Grosvenor square; one side was to be devoted to domestic operations. The individuals who were introduced were, by their own labour, never over-exerted, to procure a full supply of the best of every thing. The rising generation would be trained up in the best possible manner, for drawing out the moral and physical qualities of their natures. One corner of the building was intended for the education of children. Here they were to be kept from infancy to the age of ten. They were not to be educated as at present-familjar with words but perfectly unacquainted with things; they should be instructed by means of signs taken from objects themselves; and if these could not be obtained, from the most correct models and paintings. The second corner was to be set apart for the education of children from ten to fifteen; and I shall fell much disappointed if the children do not leave this with more real knowledge than they could acquire at the most learned Universities in Europe. No system can be more simple; you see before you a complete University, and the children will have no occasion to leave the dwellings of their parents. There is a certain age at which children are best taught together, and in this establishment they would have the advantages of an education at once public and private, without the disadvantages of either. Here Mr Owen gave a minute description of the Square it was to be surrounded by one thousand acres of land, laid out as gardens and pleasure grounds; there were to be no streets nor lanes; the sitting rooms were to be all in front and the bed rooms in the rear, so that the inmates would have the benefit of the pure atmosphere before and behind; there were to be balconies, terraces, baths, buildings for gymnastic exercises for males and females, lecture rooms, chapels, rooms for balls, concerts, and general conversations: nothing was to be wanted that could supply rational amusement. Upon the fourth side there were to be chambers for the sick, the atmosphere of which could be heated and cooled according to the wants or wishes of the patients. The inhabitants would have an opportunity of enjoying exercise under a covered way. Trees were to be planted, the best libraries were to be procured; in short, said he, when the plan is rightly understood, not one of you will be content to remain as you are-not even the Sovereign himself; for no private fortune can supply such a combination of favourable circumstances as this establishment. What Sovereign is there whose children can be as well educated as those in this establishment? What Sovereign is there from whose children all unfavourable circumstances are so completely removed, and who possess greater excitements to health, temperance, and high enjoyment? You may think much time will be occupied in teaching men to act in a manner so new and strange to them. It is with delight I tell you, nothing is so easy as the acquirement of truth: only get rid of the ignorance and errors of past times, and you will acquire a sufficient degree of knowledge in a month, even in a week. The great impetus and necessary of the whole idea is good will, and I rejoice that we are now living at a period when that good will appears to be very far extended. This continual progression of good will and unanimity that will place power in the hands of the productive classes-the place where it really ought to be, and when it gets there, I am sure that it will be so used that no individual, be he of what sect, party, or politics, will suffer on those accounts in mind, body, or estate. (Cheers.) It is in fact equality that I am now contending for, and which I have been struggling for during the last forty years, and it is this equality that I now call upon you to struggle for. Think how delightful it would be for you to be able to leave to your children and your children's children, a liberty founded on so sure a basis-on the only basis, I may say, that can at all secure freedom, for I do not know what that kind of liberty can be where one man assumes a controul over the produce of the labour of another. It is with a view to these things that the following Resolutions have been drawn up, and which I will now submit to your consideration: "1. Resolved, That under the present general system of society, the great majority of the population of even this most wealthy of countries are suffering under an inadequacy of the comforts, and, vast numbers, under that of the absolute necessaries of life, while even the few who are possessed of splendour and superfluity, are far, probably farther than the poorer classes, from enjoying that happiness which a very moderate competence is capable of affording. "2. Resolved, That the increase of misery, vice, and crime, notwithstanding the increasing accumulation of wealth and diffusion of education in this country, is an afflicting evidence that a better general social system than the present is necessary. "3. Resolved, That the permanence of some small societies, such as those of the Friends or Quakers, the Moravians, the Shakers, the Harmonists and others, under system of social arrangements differing in various degrees from that of general society, and the great comparative of Correction. While there, it seems (as he tells us in a Letter he has absence of misery, vice, and crime in them, appear to demonstrate not published, addressed to the Archbishop of Canterbury) he was visited by only the possibility, but the perfect practicability of a better generala Clergyman of the Established Church, when the following curious social system. conversation took place:] 4. Resolved, That the nearer the system of those small societies approaches to that of co-operation and community of property, the less misery, vice, and crime, and the more concord, morality, and happiness exist in them. 5. Resolved, That with regard to those of the working classes and others, who do not e experience the actual pressure of want, the quantum of comfort, enjoyment, and security for themselves and families, at present within their reach, is very much less than would be afforded by the co-operative system; and that as the co-operative classes are the only producers of wealth, it is obvious that when their exertions are united upon principles of superior social arrangement, there can be no impediment to a given number of individuals producing for themselves not only an ample sufficiency, but a considerable superabundance. 6. Resolved, That it is desirable that an experiment of a Society, on as perfect a system of co-operation and community of property as possible, be made in this country, and (in order to afford the readiest opportunity to the greatest numbers of witnessing its progress and effects) within a convenient distance of this metropolis." Mr JENNINGS said, that he was very happy in having the opportunity of seconding the Resolutions; for he thought that they certainly tended towards the improvement of the happiness of mankind. On the Resolution being put, Mr WILLS said, he thought he should not do his duty as a Christian, if he sat a silent spectator, when Mr Owen urged that his system would have the effect of eradicating all misery from the human race. He stood firmly on the writings of the Holy Scriptures. (Uproar and hisses.) God had declared, that as long as there was sin on the earth, so long should there be misery. (Laughter and uproar). Minister. Are you the young man that says the King is not a most gracious King? Hale. I never objected to the word gracious, because it may be construed to several meanings. But how can you make him out to be a most religious King? Min. He is our most religious King. Hale. Whether he be or be not, or whether he was or was not, you do and would hold him up in that character. Min. Yes, to be sure we do. He is our most religious King. For Hale. Yes. He is our only earthly King. Min. Then, have we any King who is more religious than he is? He must be our religious King, if we have none other who is more religious than he is. Hale. At this rate, it may be said, he is our most irreligious, wicked, or even blasphemous King, because we have none other who is more so! Min. But all Kings are most religious. Mind me, I do not say that the King is a religious man ; but he is a minister of God, and therefore is a most religious King. Hale. At this rate, Nebuchadnezzar himself, who for his wickedness was driven by God from the habitation of mankind, and dwelt among the beasts of the field until seven years passed over him, was a most religious King. Min. Yes, certainly he was; and so was Cyrus; and even Nero himself was a most religious King. You confound the King with the man. Hale. Then, Sir, you mean to say that a man may be living in the commission of every erime, a pattern of vice and wickedness to his fellow-creatures in his private life, and yet at the same time be a most reliMin, Yes, I do. Mr RICHARD TAYLOR had been astonished and amused at the observations of the Gentleman. When Mr Owen had talked about the expulsion of misery, he certainly did not fly in the face of religion. He could only intend that he would do all in his power to lessen its baleful influence.gious and gracious King? (Cheers). Hale. And you mean to say, that a man may be a faithful servant to the Devil in his private life, and at the same time a faithful servant to God in his public or political character ? Min. Yes, I do, Hale. But you hold up the King as the very perfection of the Christian religion, the very image of the Son of God. Min. Yes: and I hold him up higher than the Son of God! I hold him up as God's Vicegerent upon earth Mr FENNER (an Operative) observed, that the evils of the class to which he belonged, were owing to the want of remuneration, the excess of labour, the want of stability in labour, and the impossibility of making a proper provision for their wives and families. He himself was a father, and as such he could not but feel that he had no security for his offspring; for as things at present existed, some few immense fortunes were made, while all the rest of the community were left in poverty. (Hear, hear, hear!) Another peculiar disadvantage arising from the present state of labour was, that it afforded no opportunity for that mental improvement, which was the only thing that could ultimately tend to the final improvement of the productive classes. This bar to intellect, how-to ever, could not hope to exist under the co-operative system: science would then have its full scope, and that which science produced, while it superseded much of actual labour, would add its produce to the increasing abundance of the labouring classes; so that in the end would be produced those two great desiderata, the greatest productions properly applied, and the greatest equality properly distributed. (Cheers). Hale. Sir, you are an awful liar! and a greater blasphemer than a Paine, a Rochester, or Carlile! and I would not waste my time in talking such a character !!! MR JONES, THE MARSHAL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EXAMINER. MR EDITOR, An advertisement which appeared in the John Bull a few weeks since, inserted at the instance of the Marshal of the King's Bench Prison, soliciting charity for two young ladies, prisoners in his Mr HODGSKIN said, that with respect to Mr Owen's views of the pro- custody, calls forth a few remarks, which if you oblige me by their inductive classes being able to produce much more than they required for sertion, will, I conceive, be a sufficient answer to your Correspondent consumption, he perfectly agreed with him, for it had lately been shewn, Philos. That the young ladies in question were highly deserving the that the operative classes of Great Britain produced more wealth than benevolent aid they received, I doubt not, and they were very fortunate those of the United States, France, and Russia put together, making alto- in being selected as "decoy ducks" to serve the purpose of Mr Jones. gether a population of about 88 millions. He therefore agreed with Mr O. You may recollect, Sir, that there was a clause in the last Insolvent that the produce of the working classes would be fully sufficient to make Debtors' Act, which prohibited the liberty of the Rules to persons about them happy, and that a reform was wanting in their condition; but he con- to avail themselves of it—this "inhuman" clause was a material disaptended that the system of individual competition possessed superior ad-pointment to the unfortunate debtor, and unnecessarily oppressive; but vantages to Mr Owen's co-operative plan, particularly in its being more what was it to the benevolent Mr Jones, whose heart bled at the inhucalculated to promote knowledge and produce great men. man clause-Bled, did I say?—Yes, bled for himself, for he found that he should be several thousand pounds per annum out of pocket by it in fees, which he otherwise would have received from persons obtaining the Rules. This reduction of income did in no little degree disconcert him. He was heard to grumble, and inwardly to" apostrophise," sending to Hell, &c. while pondering on a remedy for this decrease of pelf, which he at length hit upon, and the young ladies were selected as instruments to play his card off with. Accordingly, Mr Jones inserted his advertisement, with a letter from the Lord Chief Justice. Now, as far as this went, I admit that two amiable females were benefited; the public had an opportunity of shewing their benevolent feelings, and upwards of 1,000l. were collected. But, Sir, the drift of the Marshal was overlooked by the public, and, for the sake of the young females, I am glad it was, for it might have made some difference in the amount subscribed. Mr OWEN observed, that this country was already in full possession of the means of greatness; America was rapidly obtaining the means of greatness also; and he hoped that both countries would be united, for it was only from them we were to expect an improvement in the liberty of mankind. He would not advise any person to go there expecting to meet with the comforts they enjoyed here; if they did, they would be disappointed: but it certainly afforded a fine field for enterprise. The climate, however, was different, and that necessarily exposed a person going from this country to risk. Upon the whole, he would sooner direct his friends to form societies in this country, where they had greater opportunity of enjoying happiness and doing good.-Mr Owen then reverted to the benefits resulting from the adoption of his system; and at the conclusion of his address the resolutions were put, and passed nearly unanimously. In his advertisement, Mr Jones says, "He would have given these young women the liberty of the Rules, had it not been for the cruel and MR HALE AND THE PRAYER FOR THE KING. inhuman clause in the Insolvent Debtors' Act." He would have GIVEN― [Our readers may recollect, that a person of the name of HALE was, mark this, Sir, and I shall before long be able to shew you how liberal some time ago, charged before the Magistrates at Greenwich with having and charitable this man is-bow he gives. This advertisement was indistributed tracts among the soldiers, the object of which was to show, tended to meet the notice of his Majesty's Ministers more than to draw that their trade of war was a most unchristian one, in direct hostility to the attention of the public to the situation of the two females, and care the precepts and practice of Jesus. On that occasion, Mr Hale escaped was taken that some, composing the Government, should see it. In con with a slight punishment for the crime of putting forth unwelcome truths. sequence, a Bill was hastily moved by the Home Secretary, and run Subsequently, Mr Hale met with a sharper treatment, when, in the pro- through the Commons last Sessions, modifying the obnoxious clause secution of his singular vocation, he one Sunday interrupted the Pastor" Those who run may read" how far the humanity of Marshal Jones of St Clement's Church while praying for our Most Religious and Gra-worked on him in behalf of the two young ladies, and how far his own cious King," for which offence he was confined some months in the House interest guided him in the Act. Your Constant Reader, G. vb ST. MARK'S CHURCH, KENNINGTON. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EXAMINER. orders they receive. 66 Sunday, when they have the consolation of chusing whether to sleep SIR,-Seeing in your paper of last Sunday an article from a Corre- with the head-ache, spasms, &c. It may be asked by some, away the remainder of the day or return home to their friends half dead, spondent, relating to the shameful conduct of a Beadle at St. Mark's they submit to such usage, when they can easily prevent it? If they church, Kennington, I beg leave to coincide with him in every particu-chuse to do it, they must abide by the consequences." But let it be lar to which he has directed your attention; but I must observe, that he remembered, that the greater part of them are apprentices, and therefore Why do complains only of those who enforce, however improperly, the positive obliged in some measure to undergo these hardships. If any complaints The arbitrary exercise of authority which one of the Churchwardens the difference between mistress and apprentice? One works from choice, are made, the usual apology is, "Your mistress works the same hours; assumes to himself is perfectly disgusting. Being a populous district, and pockets the earnings of both; the other works from compulsion, and if she does, why can't you?" But who is there that does not know the applications for sittings (which must be made to this individual) have and gets nothing. Even those who have gone through that ordeal of been more numerous than could be accommodated; but such is the rude, female constitutions, a dressmaker's apprenticeship, obtain, with all overbearing, and unaccommodating spirit displayed on all occasions by their labour, wages which are insufficient to live at all comfortable upon. this man, that many most respectable inhabitants have been compelled to Surely this is a calamity which ought to be remedied. Do, pray Sir, seek for that civility and attention at other places of worship, which they did not meet with on their application for sittings in the district Church. suggest some means of putting an end to it; you will save more lovely It is such conduct as his, and such also as you have noticed from another sician in the land; you will be the improver of their intellects as well Correspondent in the same paper, to have taken place in an adjoining creatures from death, by lingering consumptions, than the greatest phy parish, that tends to bring disrepute and disgrace upon the Church Esta- their understanding can young girls have, who are thus occupied from blishment; which produces so much caviling and rancour at Vestry as their health and appearance: for what opportunities of cultivating meetings, which engenders a party-feeling that is but too frequently allowed to run its virulent and vehement course, even under the sacred morn till night, and from night till morn? roof where we are accustomed to offer up our prayers for deliverance from "envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness." You will, Sir, I think, agree with me, that it is a peculiarly hard case, where we can neither get a seat nor civility, and yet are constantly called upon to pay an Old Church Rate! a New Church Rate!! a Church obliged to attend a chapel for dissenters, or subject ourselves to the alBuilding Rate!!! and a District Church Rate!!!! and from necessity ternative of prosecution for not attending Divine Service. Kennington, 28th Sept. 1 Ä PARISHIONER OF LAMBETH. BENEFIT SOCIETIES. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EXAMINER. SIR,-I have long considered the public much indebted to you for your exertions in behalf of the working classes of society, and was particularly pleased at seeing an excellent little paragraph in last Sunday's paper respecting Benefit Societies; institutions which I have long paid much attention to, and to which I am desirous of calling your attention a few moments. I am apprehensive that at no period since such institutions have existed, has there been so much cause for alarm among the individuals belonging to them as the present. Every society on the old establishment that I can obtain any information respecting, seems to be gradually on the wane, and many of the members are too uninformed to ascertain the cause. They wonder that many of their more respectable members are withdrawing themselves, and so few others present themselves to fill up the vacancies. The fact is, they are sick and tired of public-house meetings, and the constant failure of such societies, and therefore gladly embrace the opportunity of joining themselves to those newly instituted ones where these evils are done away, and a more firm and respectable foundation is laid. The societies are continually breaking up owing to the hit-or-miss state of the contributions and allowances, the necessary result of their being formed by uninformed persons. appearance of societies, for a few years, while the members remain young The flourishing and healthy, inspires them with false confidence, and on they go until they all grow old together, and find out their error when 'tis past retrieve. YOUR CONSTANT READER. ON INSANITY. LETTER II. Insanity,-real Mania, is the subject of this: and our few hitats will be his very nature, and is grounded in the sure principle, that one fellow- (given in a former Examiner) of Insanity, it will be seen, was meant to that truths, which may be so obvious as to require no arguments to supIndeed, such sympathies are in themselves so natural, that any remarks port them, will yet admit of illustrations to give them force. Thas in on them would but appear as mere truisms; though it frequently occurs, the present case: none are more entitled to our sympathies than the really insane, yet none are so often removed from them.-The truth is, active exertions, has offered to it so many opportunities for doing reab that benevolence, though a genuine, natural feeling, has so many calls for service, that it may not choose to waste itself in what may appear hopeless endeavours and fruitless schemes; and pity, which can give no An outcry is set up against the newly formed societies, that the terms from local circumstances, from moral causes, from some conscientious are too high; but they do not consider that the cause of their own so-influences, or some constitutional incapacities, may seem to be placed relief, may seem a mere waste of feeling. There are also cases, which, cieties breaking up, is because the terms are too low, notwithstanding the beyond its reach. Distress, which is occasioned by extravagance, and enormous fines and additional contribution for deaths, &c. which they disease which has proceeded from intemperance, cannot be sure of symmay, without taking it into their calculation, leaving out of the question pathy, will perhaps hardly claim their positive right to it. And the he unnecessary spending at these public houses, the loss of time in visit- villany which terminates in disgrace, and wretchedness, and ruin.. ng the sick, the harassing and trouble that are continually attending it. involving, perhaps, many innocent persons in its calamities, instead of Would it not be a good plan for such societies either to adopt the new sympathy may sometimes only encounter detestation and horror. In like-lan themselves, or treat with the new societies to take them into their manner, though not for the same reason, there are certain evils, which ooks on the best terms they can make, before the foundations are totally seeming to be interwoven in the constitution of some individuals, or being apped and the societies brought to ruin? for they may be assured that deemed visitations of Providence, may be thought to be placed beyond o respectable or thinking men will join the old establishments where so relief; and by being accounted remediless, we are apt to pass them with uch uncertainty and unpleasantness exist. I trust, Sir, you will do me only a sigh,-Alas! my brother. e kindness of laying this before the public, though this rambling letter ould be unfit to be inserted in your columns.-I am, Sir, your's reectfully, AN OLD AND CONSTANT SUBSCRIBER (A. G.) Sept. 29, 1825. DRESSMAKEKS, MILLINERS, &c. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EXAMINER. SIR,It was with the most sincere delight that I perused in your from the world? Who so imprisoned from society? Who so cut off Such is the case of the poor Maniac. Mark him! Who so secluded from all its comforts? Who, often, so neglected and quite forgotten? Prior to the English Reformation, insane persons found an asylum in religious houses; on the dissolution of these houses, there being for some to the inclemencies of the weather, the rigours of want, the mortifications time no other provided for their reception, they were put adrift in the of insult, and the gibes of ribaldry. They were supposed to be capable world. They wandered through towns and villages, exposed half naked of enduring anything, and their capacity for suffering was put to the test. Thus wandered about these Abraham-men (as they were called) till Houses of Mercy, Lunatic Asylums, were opened; and then it will be remembered by many now living, that in Bedlam they were exposed to the keeper, in the same manner as we visit the wild beasts in the Tower! gaze of boys and girls and idle holiday people, on paying some fee to and the difficulties and perplexities in which they would involve their friends and families, Lunatic Asylums, as now established, must be If we consider the dangers and miseries to which lunatics are exposed, the sions, especially the former, whose absence from the winter theatres, considered as houses of mercy, though capable of being made houses of great oppression: and in their best and most merciful state, the circumstances necessarily attending them,-confinement, restraint, subjection to the will of others, and separation from friends, render them doleful abodes. Insane people may be perfectly aware of the situation in which they are placed, and of the treatment which they receive; and the state of what may be called Sensible Insanity must be most pitiable and wretched. In some cases, friends cannot see them; and in others, may not choose it: for to behold those whom they once knew as ingenious or learned, as lively and cheerful, as amiable and benevolent, in a state of idiotcy and fatuity, of phrenzy or melancholy, of bitterness and malignity, must certainly be most painful to the feelings. And, indeed, one misery of Insanity, and often a symptom of it, is, that insane people are apt to think their best friends their worst enemies, and their relations often as the worst of all, accounting them the causes of their misery, and the authors of their confinement. Such are some of the miseries of insanity; and we must not go beyond a general outline. As to the cause or causes of insanity, or real mania, this would be too large a subject to bring within the limits of this small attempt; for there is in all mankind a tendency to some predominant state of feeling in the animal system, which, as secretly influenced or externally worked On Monday this theatre opened to a crowded audience, with the apon, may end in either extreme, of phrenzy or melancholy. The play of Julius Cæsar and the French Coronation. In the way of emimmediate cause sometimes depends on the debility of the nervous sys-bellishments, in addition to re-painting and re-gilding, the principal tem; but more often, as an able writer on this subject observes, " on decorative novelty is a new architectural drop-scene, exhibiting a some particular or morbid quality of the circulating fluid, which being grand gilded and variegated marble portico, with a striking look-out “latent and inherent in the blood, like the gout, and some other hereditary on an extensive landscape. The play of Julius Caesar was thus early "diseases, may break out in the course of time," with little or no presentiment, without any external cause, and even after a great length of time selected with a view to introduce Mr WARDE to a winter audience, from the original taint, so as to terminate at last in settled disease, or in the character of Marcus Brutus. They who preserve theatrical temporary periodical paroxysms of madness; or it may be called forth, incidents in their recollection, "unmixed with baser matter," will as it were, by some powerful agent, or even originated by some violent remember that this gentleman appeared some seasons back at the passion, or serious overpowering weight of distress, by galling mortifi- Haymarket, and was received with approbation. His provincial cations, unexpected perplexing disappointments, or even the violence celebrity, we are also informed, is considerable; and lastly, it is added and excess of sudden joy. In some constitutions it may be occa- that he claims great respectability both from family and education. sioned by excess in venereal enjoyments, and sometimes by the want of them, or by intemperate eating and drinking: and the Dropping all these points, and coming at once to his Brutus, we injudicious use of some drugs will produce similar effects; in other think that we may announce him as an actor of high, falling someconstitutions, too ardent a pursuit of literature, or any other busi- what short of first rate, capability. He evidently possesses, in an ness, debilitating the nervous system. But wherever the disease may at eminent degree, the faculty of good sense, and that correct conception first have originated, however it may have been called forth, and how of character which keeps down the vulgar failings of rant and extrawidely soever it may be extended, as proving the overthrow of that vagance. Neither is he a copyist, but seems throughout, to act printowering faculty, Reason, which gives man the pre-eminence in this world, cipally from his own impulses. The chief defect of his countenance it must, when contemplated, awaken the emotions of at least a generous is a want of what we will venture to term mobility; meaning a power pity; and the remark made by the writer alluded to above, is at once in the features of expressively accompanying a change of sensations. humiliating and affecting: "That he has no where met, except in His action and general deportment are in no respect stiff or ungraceful, Tomances, with more fond husbands, more affectionate parents, more impassioned lovers, more pure and exalted patriots, than in the Lunatic but they require something more of dignity and impressiveness-that Asylum." Hence he infers," that persons of the greatest mental excite- aspiration in the gait which is generally looked for in a leading trament, of the warmest passions, the most active imagination, the most gedian, especially when personating the ancient Roman. The finest acute sensibility, are chiefly prone to insanity:" the author further adds, part of Mr WARDE's performance was unequivocally the quarrel "A melancholy reflection, but such as is calculated to call forth our best scene with Cassius, which drew down loud, distinct, and spontaneous and tenderest sympathies!" approbation. His animation in this scene leads us to anticipate that in characters of less philosophic repose than that of Brutus, he may appear to additional advantage. His delivery of the harangue to the people was judicious, possibly it might have been additionally spirited, but nothing can be more futile than to compare it with that of KEMBLE'S Anthony, as some of our contemporaries have done. THE winter season commenced at this theatre on Saturday week, with SHAKSPEARE has made it altogether inferior, and perhaps this very Faustus, The Camp, and Raising the Wind. Of the performance it quibbling speech of Brutus is one of the greatest failures of our imis unnecessary to say much, as there was no novelty except in the mortal dramatist; unless-and it is not at all unlikely—it might not personation of Mephistophiles, by Mr J. RUSSELL, of whom it is very have been altogether prudent in his days to make the oratory of little dispraise to say, that he fell short of TERRY in the same charac- this virtuous tyrannicide too powerful. To sum up, we are disposed to ter. When an actor is peculiarly favoured with aspect, voice, and regard Mr WARDE as one who may assume a very creditable manner, for a particular part, it is small disparagement to one less station on the London boards, although possibly not that to immediately qualified for it to say that he is, so far, inferior. The which the highest portion of the vivida vis animi is requisite. It alterations and improvements made in this house during the recess is repeated, in allusion to what we have said under the head of Drury are upon the whole striking and tasteful. The front of the boxes have Lane, that the proprietors of both theatres have agreed to discountebeen painted of a French white, and the gilded decorations have been nance the scheme of nightly engagements, and to try strong general cleaned and reburnished. The red devices in front of the lower tier companies against the frequent unreasonable pretensions of indiviof boxes have been effaced, and the panels are now ornamented with duals. We of course have nothing to say against talent acquiring alternate medallions, and antique scrolls in yellow, the centre of each what it can in the market; but on the other hand, we deem it equally scroll containing the bust of a dramatist in painted bronze. The red fair for chapmen to prevent extravagant demand from extending itsel draperies have given place to green, and the crimson velvet between into a system. In a word, we think the exceptions to regular engage the gilded Corinthian columns at the sides of the proscenium havements should be very rare and striking; and that the disposition ac been changed for plain fronts of deep green velvet, and the roof has sidera tollere vultus, has been recently in some small degree burlesqued also been painted to correspond with the façade of the boxes. Pass- But to return to the play, in respect to which, however, we shall only ing from the eye to the ear, we have to report a considerable enlarge- add, that the Antony and Casca of C. KEMBLE and FAWCETT wer ment of the orchestra, which is brought in a bold curve to the sixth excellent, and that the Cassius of COOPER, although now and then or seventh row in the centre of the pit. The space thus taken up is little too loud, was a sound performance. The house was crowded it supplied by an increased number of benches in the back ground, in every part; and attending to appearances, this Company has re opened under what was formerly the space for passing to the seats; this passage being now supplied by an opening to the pit through what was formerly the two extreme lower private boxes. So much for elegance, convenience, and novelty, as to the house. In respect to the more important department of the drama itself, we learn that Miss KELLY and (To be concluded in a following letter.) THEATRICAL EXAMINER. Z. DRURY LANE. very favourable auspices. FINE ARTS. Q. STUART AND REvett's AntiquiTIES OF ATHENS.-The study of th Mrs DAVISON have been added to the company; important acces-grand remains of Grecian Architecture has had a salutary influence upo |