Huddersfield Chronicle (06/Apr/1850) - page 6

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The Local Chronicle: Huddersfield, April 6, 1850

A free and candid discussion of all local questions. interesting to the inhabitants of this important-and extensive «istrict, or which are in any way-calculated: to affect the : iblic weal, will be a feature of the HuddersfizidChronicle

-at once marked and distinct, forming, as 'it: Were, a "department " of our Journal, distinguished by the head' y affixed to these. explanatory remarks. Under this '-ading we propose to examine, in, the spirit. qf true examiners, all projected: improvements of a public-nature, rt which. have. a public bearing, whether of an. archi;, 'zctural; engineering, social, or domestic character : — whe her they relate to the design, utility, or ornament -of our "treet elevations ; thecourse, direction, width, and formation 'f our streets ; the principle and mode of effecting both vsiblic sewerage and private drainage; the best. and most "sonomical materials for the. making of good: roads ; the 'vue principles upon which those.two esgentials. to a com"table and healthy town-life — water and gas — should be'. sipped, and the manner in which the. consumer ought to. 42, and may be, protected agaipst the suppliers ; the stanner in which the street-cleansing processes, — including 1 the term "street." all back-yards, courts, and alleys, where the working population dwell, — are conducted, and Te most economical modes for a complete riddance of the town-accumulated filth, and its-most profitable application 1» the soil as a stimulant to vegetable life-and increase ; the "ost mode of improving the character of the dwellings of +e labouring classes, and of at once putting ap end to that rprehensible system of back-to-back dwellings, without }rivate outlets, with its accompanying and consequent :struction to the innate modesty and decent reserve of the i.:nale character, and which also renders it impossible prosorly to train the young of both sexes in those matters so + iportant in their influeace on general character : all these g'izstions, with the collaterals flowing out of them, we pro1 «se to fearlessly and faithfully examine and discuss, the «21 and aim of such. examinations and discussions being, vith ws, pudlic. good — public benefit, In the course of 'indling these subjects, we may, perhaps, have to question, wid, possibly, condemn, the modes of procedure adopted sth by private individuals and -public bodies in authority ; : 11 whenever we see it nevessary so to do, the duty shall i > faithfully discharged : not in the spirit of mere faultding meddlers, or wholesale and indiscriminate censurers ;

! +t in tie spirit of true criticism — assizning reasons for the

«inions we may enunciate, and addressing those reasons 't) the judgment, and not to the passions or prejudices, of wer readers. In thus examining every question in this

"apartinent, on public grounds, and on pablic grounds.

'one, we shall endeavour to have constantly in. mind the

Eyet's injunction, —

" Nothing extennate — nor aught sect down in malice." Ard under this head, "THe Loca, CHRONICLE," we

2 opuse to let such of our realers as are willing, and abide fthe miles of fair and lonourable discussion, also. to have fivir say, whether it be in the way-cf complaint. of what i oy may consider aets of agzression on the part of 'public 2. 'shorities, or of acts of omission or commission of a repre-

fb msible character ; or whether it be to. question the modes

«° procedure adopted and in use by-those who are entrusted with the expea-liture of public funds. For these. inteljy 2tual contests we wiil provide "a.clear stage," aad-shall eevtainly show '"no favour" to the disputants on either

"ie, so long as they keep within the bounds of fair discus-

s'on, and do not degenerate into personalities, or indulge

'n random reckless assertion, without reason and without proof. By this course we hope to add to the stock of ceneral knowledye on local subjects, and'to be themeans

«! exposing reprehensible practices, and of: introducing

«'nendments in local management, where they are-required.

Of course it will be understood that, in thus offering the clumns of "THE Local CHRONICLE " to the productions of our correspondents, we are. not to be held answerable cither for the sentiments or the languaze that may be

».unciated or used in the discussion of debateable questions

— -except in so far as the public have a right to expect the conductors of a public journal to exclude that which would vi litfully give personal offence, and,serve no good public end. To this extent we do hold cuyselves responsible, and shall endeavour to act under.a.dae sense of that responsihility. In this spirit, and for these purposes, therefore, we ow cominence 'THE LOCAL CHRONICLE."

SSSI


Longwood Mechanics' Institution

LONGWOOD MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.

The annual festive gathering of members and supporters 9: the above Institution was held in the Longwood Meetingi-sise on the afternoon ot Good Friday, the 29th ult. The proceedings were opened by a Tea Party, liberally supplied ty the fair sex, who imparted by their numbers and smiling 'aces an additional interest to the festival. Upwards of 140 ueartook, in ' relays," of the repast, which was brought to a cmelusion to the satisixetion of all by half-past six.

'The proceedings connected with the annual meeting then commenced under the presidency of Mr. Jon Halcu, of Cuarmby, and on the platform there were algo present the iczv. Mr. Stocks (Baptist Minister) Longwood'; Mr. J.

LB. Robinson, Marsden; Mr. Walker, Lonpw 3; Mr. Joseph Wild and Mr. Wild, sen., Huddersfield ; Mr. Sharp, Luckwood ; Mr. David-dawson, Lougwood ; the Rev. Mr. -nson, (Baptist Minister) Milnes Bridge; Mr. Charles ?rook, and Mr. Saville Haigh, Longwood; Mr. Crosland ilirst, (Hon Sec.) &e., &e.

The Caainman, in opening the procecdings, humourously rsmarked upon the circumstance of his having been styled in the bilis John Haigh, Esquire, of Quarmby, a name by which he was little known, and a title to which he did not aspire. Though he regretted that some one more eligible liad not been selected to preside over the ing he would, under the circumstances, do his.best to. fulfil the duties with satisfaction and to the .best of his ability (hear, hear), from a conviction that though the committee had been unfurtunate in their selection of a chairman they had on the other hand been most fortunate in the choice of speakers (hear, hear). In conclusion he called on, the speakcrs near home.to be as brief as passitie, and thus allow more. scope for the addresses of friends from a distance (hear, icar), and respmed his.seat by calling on the Secretary,

Mr. Cros_tanv. Hirst, to read the report, from which Cocument it appeared that at the commencen:ent ofthe year just conchided the average attendance.in the classes was 3), but which had since increased to 50, an, improvement: t2e committee attributed to an increased trade, extended opportunities in the institution itself, end a growing desire for learning among the people of the neighbourhood. Instruction is imparted in the classes twe evenings per week, i reading, writigy, arithmetic, mensuration, and grammar, tz: two paid teachers and'sixteen voluntary ones,so arrap-

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2d as to, ensure the. presence of two eavh evening. Two fi, etures have ben delivered during the year, and were well gitended. A map of Europe and-30 volumes had also been a:ided to the library the past year, which now consisted of 232

ols., in history, trayels, & ography, philosophy, and general l::erature, and had been very generally circulated and }:crused with interest. The female class had declined in 1...nbers, but those whe remained had imbided a strong t. te for learning, and, all things considered, had made £ eat progress. The committee.are contemplating an efficient staff of voluntary teachers in general needlewurk, in. z:idition to. the night class, with the view to prepare the. female members fur the more respectabie duties of .after lite. In conclesion the committee spoke in high terms oft the orderly deraeanour of the puzils, and of the valuable essistance rendered by the patrons in pecuniary contribuions. A balance of 4s. 3d. remained to the credit of the igstitution on the year.

"The Rev Mr. Sirocx, moved that the report read be. adopted and circulated in such.a manner as the comuaities might determine. In looking at the importance. of. Mechanics' institutions he first opserved on their negative cacelencies in abstracting so much of the time of the people 'cin idleness or something worse than idleness, fer it was still true that —

" "Satan finds.some mischief sil for idle hands to de." lie believed that in many cases the want of empl. yment "25 the oriin of crime, unholy thougbts, and unhalewed were desirous as a. means of abstracting the mind from habits of idleness.or what was even much, worse (hear, hear). But further than this, these institutions. communicated:

stions did not give a religious educatign, but for his own part heshould deprecate the introduction of the religouse element there from a conviction that it could ngt be dene without destroying the harmony and peace. now happily existing amony the members. (hear, hear); The result of the training, however, was the leading ef men to think and ultimately to receive a higher d of instruction than these institations themselves afforded. In bis capacity of minister he had generally found ignorance thegreatest :barrier inthe way of divine truth, but. had seldom, found 'an indifference to God's word associated with the. highest -order of reasoning (hear, hear). He looked upon these institutions as the scaffolding of God's-church, in, the world ; 'and. could: not but think them calculated: to produce a beneficial igfiuence in promoting the progress of Evangelical ;truth among. the-masges.of the people (hear, hear); for if 'they could. only succeed in getting the young to distinguish 'between truth and falsehood in science they would be all }the better qualified to distinguish in like mauner in matters F of religion (hear, hear). The speaker further contended that these institutions were not. only of advantage to the _working-classes but also to their employers, who thereby obtained more sober, attentive, and efficient servants, and: he'trusted that inasmuch as the institution had these claims on them the. masters would give all the assistance in their power so th : erect_ a, Mechanics' Hall, similar to the.one. which did so much honaur:te the men of Lindley (hear, hear). In fone he regretted thet the members of his own ought, and called on them to be more zealous and more indefatigable in future in its behalf. — The_ speaker.concluded amidst applause.

Mr. J. B. Rosinson, of Marsden, next addressed the Lmeeting. After scme introductory remarks, he.went on te -observe that there was a strong tendency in some men to

'trace all the evils wnich atilicted mankind. to mis-government or to political causes.. He telieved such views to be 'very erroneous ones, and declared that men must not look so much to mere legislativeenactments or legislative changes for great and lasting improvementin their various conditions, as to their own conduct; for no.stategman, and no legisla-" tion, could ever give competence to the. idle, make the drunkard's home comfortable, evil consciences content, or. depraved hearts happy; end that if they really desired to add to their country's greatness, and secure their own happiness, the best way to accomplish this was by abandoning -bad habits, and by Giscarding every vice and evil propensity. The world would get on much better, and men would be much happier, if they would throw aside party prejudices and sectarian animosities; if they would cordially unite in 'giving a helping hand to every good work, whatever might be its name; and if the kind word, and the charitable judgment, took the place of.that rancour and ill-feeling which were much too prevalent; while the surest. course for men r to draw a blessiiig upon themselves and their country was by each and all doing their best to improve themselves and others, and faithfully discharging the duties pertainipg to them in their several stations of life.. After dwelling on two or three other topics, impressing upon the young the 'necessity and obligation of mental culture, and enforcing the truth that the truly t and noble of the world were 'those. men, however humble and despised, who laboured to :make.theirfellow men good: and wise; the speaker went Fon to observe, that much had. already. been done for the people of England in the way of education, and. much was doing now, yet he could not but regard the present intellectual condition of our country as discraceful to it. It was lumentable that amongst. our labouring population such a, very: great. propurtion should be unable to even read'or write; and that the education possessed by the great bulk g

-Kind. He believed it te be within mcn's power to remove this stigma, and he called upon labouring men then present, as they would become powerful, as they would beco:ne honoured and useful, to forsake those vices and evil habits' which injured themselves, and which n:ade England mourn (cheers). He called upon them th devote their le's.ire and their resources to self-improvement, — to making tke : homes comfortable and coutented, — to the restoring of healthy tastes, — to the acquisition of that knowledge, which would: make them happy and intelligent, and to the culture of those virtues which would bless them in time and prepare them for eternity (hear, heay, and applause). He felt, he 'should not bz doing his duty if he did not address a few words to those of the middle class who might be present,on that occasion (hear, hear). It was incumbent upon them to encourage and sustain all efforts directed to elevate the condition of their poorer fellow-men. It was the'r duty to cheer them on, to hold out the right hand of fellowship, and to do their best to benefit them in mind, in Body, and estate (hear, hear). This was a eommercial nation, and proud was he of.his country that it was so (hear, hear). e was proud of his-order that it did so much to make and keep it. so; but they should never forget that they were not only traders, but also beings endowed with souls; that they had: not only bodies to clothe, but also minds to develope and form (cheers). 'There.was a pewerful dispositizn in men to. becomie idolaters. We sent missionaries tito foreign lands to reclaim the savage,.and lead him from the worship of his idols, to the worship of the true God, but on this soil 'idolatry reared its head, and had tens of thous nds of adherents, for we were at home Mammon worship ers (hear, hear). We struggled with, and jostled each other, and lived as if there were no holier things than pounds. and shillings, as ifto gain riches were o-w being's end and aim, (cheers). This should not be (heav, hear). 'Fhe desire to thrive in the world, in every man, was worthy of all praise, but it should not absorball other desires (applause). Besides striving to thrive, it was man's duty, a duty he owed.to himself, his country, and his God; te alleviate suffering, to bind up the broken heart, to disperse the shades of ignorance, to freely give of his substance, and devote a portign of lis energies, to these movements directed to do his brother good, and:to promote the well heing of his kind (cheers). Class distinctions should be forgotten; and as we had one common Father, as we had one commun heaven in view, so should we be animated by one common love; never forgeting; that whether he be depressed by misfortune, blighted .by ignorance, or oppressed: by wrong, 'a man's a man for a'that" (applause). "He could not disguise from himself that men in this day-were too much actuated by mere feelings of selfishness (hear, hear).. Tell them of some scheme by which money might be made, and instantly every ear was open, and every energy ready (hear, hear). Tell them of some cause devoted to the improvement.of man's mental, moral, or social condition, and they would scarcely attend to you, or tender in some nigvardly acknowledgment, or perhaps exclaim 'Oh! men in' business should not attend to such things'! things! Had men in business no. business to do, good? Wore they not to strive to make.this world better? Were they not to teach its children to love and assist one another? Were they not to do their utmest to make this world — now ma: by ignorance, and defiled by foily, crime, and _Wickedness — the abode of intelligent, nobic, and upright men! (Applause) The being whe: declared that.such was 'not our duty cast a libel upor his erder, and-yave the voice alike. of..reason and_ revelation the lie (cheers), Men of business,. he confessed with sorrow, did-not aid suchefforts as. they should. He prayed to God that they might-wipe away this reproach; and as he hoped to see this. land wax in greatuess, and: increase in power, so did he hope that England's sons would deserve, and secure, such fortune, and such prosperity, by being diligent in business, and by 4 devoting a'share of their-means and.their time to makin mankind loving, good, and. wise. (applause). He. louk upon such institutions .as the one whose anniversary they. were then celebrating, as worthy of:the support ofall classes. He could from observation and experience speak of the good thev were capuble of accomplishing. He trusted he was uilty of no egotism in saying that for more than 8 years Fo had dovoted a measure of the best days of his life toadvantages to him had been the result. But he had-reaped his reward,, ia the approval of-his conscience, for there was no period of his existance that he could look back upon with purer pleasire than upon that devoted to such institutions as this (applause). He felt convinced thatwhere singleness of purpose went hand in hand with union and guod will, such socjeties.might de incalculable good. Let it then be the object of abiclneses frem henceforth te. make this Institution a blessing and-an-hanour to this: loeality (hear, hear). To those, continued the speaker, who have hitherto railied round it, I would sag. he of. good cheer, redoubie your exertions, and never relax in yuer efforts to uproat prejudice, and ignorance, and error ; 'to make. this an intelligent community; to make this a thinking, 9..Wise, an understanding people; to make Britain's sons virtuous and contented; lovers of'truth, loxers of justice, the pioneers of nunan progress, the peaceful champiens of humanity's

England's, liberties, and of England's reatness. — Mr. Robinson resumed his seat amidst enthusiastic bursts of applause. =. .

Mr. Josten Wilp, « Whuddersfield, ina few, brief but sensible remarks, moved the appointment of officers for the year ensuing, which was seconded by Mr. Saarp, schoolmaster, of Lockwood, and carried by acclamation.

ito the members a more -civilized and polished. taste, and itaised them above the pejudices and wv ities by which F ithey wers.surrounded. True.it was that M: nics' Instu-

fe short time they might be able to].

net done so much for the institutions as they |:

of the people should be of the most intpertect and meagre

Men in business not attend to such wards carrying out their aims (hear, hear). Trueno worldly }_

rights, and the worthy guardians of England's honow, of}.

twi ity, ndiesrho: had vided the creature-comfortsof theoventg, iin which he.was seconded and supported by the. Rev,. : i. 5 Anson, ot Milnes Bridge,and Mr. ' Se eomis 7

assembly was subsequently ad in the institution); and i Loneoceds who. moyed eae the evening ,, Which. wag seconded, by. fae eae ust ae brawg Wt to.a,conclusion at 9 p.m. i were. rp. a a ey by a vote of thanks, to Mr. iH, for his kindness and Hability as the chairman of the evening, and; thas.concluded :the 1850 anniversary of this interesting local institution, the progress.of which we shall record. from time to time m your columns,

Mr. CHARLES Brook, of. thanks to the speakers of Mr. Savile Hagut,

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Ramsden Street Chapel: Annual Teachers' Meeting

On Easter Monday, the 20th annual. teachers'-meeting 'was held in the girls' large school:room, underneath Rams'den Street: Chapel, when. an unusually large number o teachers connected with the Sabbath Schools, and, the friends of the chapel, partook of tea, The regulations connected, with the preliminary part of the busingss af the evening were admirably well managed; and'reflected great credit upon the ladies, who had: again undertaken the arduous duties of this office. Indeed; we understand that Randen. Street Chapel, has, gecome proverbial for having a good tea parties"" — a3 honour which may it long maintain. ie Rey. Richard, SKLNNER, the. res r of

"the chapel and president of the schools, took the chair, and in an eulogistic address congratulated the superintendents.and teachers on meeting them once, more at their nual gathering, and on the flourishing position of their institution. The reverend chairman set down, as a code of rules for the' speech-makers of the evening, that.three things should be observed; namely, that.every one should sak to the point, with as much brevity as possible con-

sistent. with his subject, and that no one who should be].

called upon to speak should give a refusal.

Mr. Joux Frost, one of the superintendents, then read the annual report, of the teachers, from which we make the ;

following extracts : — ; Begides the Sabbath labours, we have pleasure in drawing attention to the night-school as.a valuable auxiliary to the parent mechanical part: of his calling, and thus enables him more entirely to devote himself to the higher. offices. of his work, whilst, it diffuses.a taste for self-improvement, and also strengthens by one more link the chain that binds the affection of parents and children te the place, The number of boys in attendance is 60 ; of girls 32. . .

The book and periodical department shows, a considerable increase, and the foilowing periodicals have been circulated amongst t33;¢-familics of the children during te past year: — 976 Juvenile Missionary Magaziues, 335 Christian Penny Magazines, 210 Teachers'. Offerings, 170 Bible class, 146. Mother's Friend, 54 Missionary newspapers, 45 Christian Witnesses, 36 Missionary Chronicles,.61 Miscellanoous Magazines, 121 Bibles, 15 Manuals, 124 Hynin Books — total, 2,293 ; being an imcrease in ten months of 682 upon the previous, twelve months.. The number of teachers is — 49 males, 41 females,. being an increase of four on the year. The number of suholirs in the schvots. isi boss, and 400 girls, being an increase of six.cy the former, and ten on the lateer during the yeur-.

Interesting addresses on the importance of Sabbath school teaching, and the necessity of being industrious in the work, were: delivered by Messrs.. John Senior, John Cugming, Benjeinin, Boothroyd, William, Hirst, Enoch Sykes, and John Moody; and, after the Doxolog been sung, the meeting separated at nearly 10 o'clock.

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Correspondence

Huddersfield & Upper Agbrigg Infirmary

HUDDERSFIELD & UPPER AGBRIGG INFIRMARY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HUDDERSFIELD. CHRONICLE: S1r; — as I trust; your publieation will be always ready ta advocate the cause of; ont local and:charitable natin, d. te their: r prosperity, may 2 tuni through its pages to inform. the inhabitents of thus district that-the uddersfield and. Upper: Agbrigg Infirmary does _not receive that amount of support to which it is entitled ; and-that-.from thg apathy of mazy who are well able to subscribe to its. fands, the total annual income rom .subocriptuas and the interest on its funded. capitad does not ee it not for on occasional Legacy or Donation (and those sources are too casual to be relied upon for the support of a public Institution) some par. of the funded cape tal would 'heye to be called in for purpose of paying th be explained: er circumstances expenses,

7 Probably is state of things may in by the great depression of trade, and o' ¢ 'with which the rgighbourhood of Huddersfield along with other Districts have for. some years past been visited ; but this ought not te continue now that prosperity again smiles 'around us. Many who from necessity during the stagnation of trade withdrew their Subscriptions, and others never yet subgeribed, but who are.well able to do so, ought

'at onee and uncanvassed to send in their names to the collector as subscribers.

I understand the Board have most carefully scrutinized |, every item of expense and have brought the necessary out-

lay down to the lowest amount within their power ; and it .rem3ins: fer a benevolent. public to second their endeavours. for the prosperity of an Institution which is so essenteal in ja populous and manufacturing district like ours, and it is. "hoped that all who are not subscribers, and can really afford to subscribe, will do their duty and 'give in their r names witl ont delay. I am, Sir, your-obetient servant, ONE OF TH» Guvaennors OF THE HUDDERSFIELD INFIRMARY... Huddersfield, 3rd April, 1850. . Sk cee

Easter Holidays and Easter Dues

EASTER HOLIDAYS AND'BASTER DUES:

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HUDDERSFIELD CHRONICLE. Srtr, — though I hope your colunms will soon become sufficiently crowded with valuable matter, to render it difficult to find.a spare corner, I trust tkat on this, your opening day," you will be. able to insert. a small, but .seasonable grumble, on a matter periodically affecting the inhabitants of Huddersfield, and. especially those in thecertre ofthe town...

J allude to the dismal tolling of the Parish Church Bell, for payment of Easter dues, at this season of general holiday and festivity ; the sepulchral sound of this all day through for the first half of the week, grates horribly on the ear, and militates seriously against the cheerful tone of the season. .

lt this antiquated custom: must needs be kept up, surely 'the authorities might adopt some mode of making 'the .needful announcement less discordant and disturbing to 'those who have any 'music in their: souls", than the miserable " ding-dong" which afflicts our ears at present.

But why not take the modern, and mere convenient . plan of collecting these dues Ly house rows, and thus save the Vicar the wearisome task uf sitting three mortal days for ' receipt of custony'-in tite vestry ¢

I think this would be a great relief to him, and the abatement, of the noise would, certainly, be no less a relief to his parishioners.

i ain, Sir, yours respectfully, AN OLD INHABITANT. —

Proposed Public Testimonial

PROPOSED PUBLIC TESTIMONIAL... TO THE EDITOR OF THE HUDDERSFIELD CHRONICLE.

Sir, — the want of a local journal has long been felt by the numerous and enterprising inhabitants of this important district. That want, Iam happy to say, you have come forward to.sunply. I.wish you every success,

The vast and varied: interests of tiis large and spirited town will no longer be contined te short paragraphs in distant papers, but will hencefoth receive that attention which their relative in.po.tance demand. Our public meetings, whether religions or political, will, no doubt, be fully ;and fairly reported. Te proceedings of our several public bodies will unquestiora ly receive their share of attention, such as Improvement Commissioners, Board of Guardians, Infirmary, Water, and Gas.. . _ Publicity is the only safeguard against extravagance and -meompetency. :

Charlatanism must. be exposed; high moral principle must be upheld.

"De mortuis nil nisi bonum" is only applicable to the dead. Justice must be done to the living. When circumstances transpire in the history of any of our merchants,

Manufacturers, and traders, which exhibit features of unusual generosity and public spirit, let them be recorded, and jet them also receive tie stamp of your approval.

I am induced to mae this appeal, at the outset of your labours, in reference to a gentlernan who is universally esteemed, and one who has calmly-subinitted to appalling losses rather than tarnish the high character of a Britigsn fmerchant. As Iam writing entirely without his knowledge, : L wili not presume to mention his name, but shall leave the 'facts to elucidate themselves.

Some years ago this gentleman had the misfortune to become a shareholder in a certain Northern Joint Stock Bank, The management of which was subsequently shown to be loose, if not unprincipled. Previous to the stoppage of the bank, all the men of substance who were in the secret crept out, leaving immense responsibilities on the shoulders of a 'few. Our excellent neighbour, instead of retiring to the continent, as scures of the aristocracy under somewhat similar circumstances have done, nobly threw himself into the gap; and, like Leonidas of old, who sacriticed himself to conserve the liberties.of his country, our Manufacturer dis'dained all compromise, preferring the.loss of his fortune to the sacritice of his fame. He noblystood his ground, and fT am correctly. informed, he has already paid above one eee thousand' pounds. ia discharging the debts of others! |. Asa commercial man, I am proud that we have such an one in our renks. His conduct on that occasion is:the hest antidote to the calumny which is daily vomited forth by a portion of the press, that cur " Mill-owners are a grasping, rapacious, wnprincipled class!" Unprineipled indeed! I question if the entire ranks of our aristocracy can produce a parallel caze. I cam point to names in this immediate district where private debts have been either repudiated or compromised, by the heirs of entaiied estates. And shall, this gentleman, vsho has. made such great — such tremendous sacritices in maintaining the dignity of the British merchant, receive no tribute of admiration from his felluwtownsmen ?

'Be not alarmed; Iam not going to propose a costly testimonial. We have had too many of them! So many worthless individuals. connected with the banks and rails, have had services. of. plate, as to. make the whole thing a matter. of loathing and disgust.

I would suggest that a public meeting be eonvened; cra 'public dinner be got up, togive the numerous friends of the gentleman in question an opportunity of eliciting the strength of. public feeling. Unless I greatly mistake the character of my townsmen, they will cheerfully co-operate in this meritorious work. They have only to copy the wisdom of antiquity. What was it that contributed to_raise Athens to a degree ofsplondour unsurpassed by any modera 'nation? It was the honour velhnatarily paid by all ranks ta her most. deserving citizens. Cratory, poetry, painting, and sculpture, were all invoked to eternize the individual — not pieces of plate to.enrich, — the latier were left for these degener:te days, to reward equivocal services.

have long pondered this matter, andyshave never met the gentleman in. questisn ai any of our public meetings, without feeling a. blush ofshame, that no public recognition of his sterliney merit had been tendered him for the heavy sacrifices he has-made, Mr. Editor, as 1 have now introduced the subjeos.ta.year-notice, I shall be zlad if you will open. your celurgms to the suggestions of others on this interesting subject. — I am, Sir, yours faithfully, PLATO.

Huddersfield,: Aprik3, 1850.


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