abundant reason to congratulate himself on his discrimination, and motives for persevering in his "labours of love." Mr. Clark and his brother partners are remarkably easy of approach to all their workers. No aristocratic airs, no reserve, no haughty bearing, or aught that would make one feel he was in the presence of superiors. The fact is, they themselves have risen from the ranks, and experimentally know what it is to be servants as well as masters. This accounts for much of their disinterestedness, and of the regard they evince for the welfare of those under them. Yet strange to say, in this they are singular. For, we believe, it will hold true of the greater number of persons once in the condition of servants, but who have afterwards attained to positions of authority and wealth, that they prove the most overbearing, harsh, and tyrannical employers. Their pride gets inflated with their elevation; an undue sense of importance pervades their conduct; they forget their former condition with its hardships and sufferings, and, instead of trying by the use of their means and influence to better and ameliorate the existence of their late fellow-workmen, they oppress, annoy, and irritate. In opposition to all this, Messrs. Clark and Co. take a large and common-sense view of the relationship of master and servant. They practically look upon the interests of employer and employed as one. They regard it as their interest, in fact in the long run so much clear gain, to have healthy, active, skilful, sober, obliging workmen; and, knowing that they are brother human beings, made of In the year 1832, when the Cholera devastated this country, Mr. Clark built a house or hospital for the special accommodation of his work-people, in which was fitted up a number of steamheated beds, and other necessary conveniences. On any one falling sick, he was to be at once removed to this place, and attended by a medical man. Mr. C. provided every person belonging to the works with a lunch of bread and meat, daily, at his own expense, for a considerable length of time, and enjoined upon each the necessity of personal and domestic cleanliness, the importance of a good nourishing diet, regularity in sleeping, eating, etc.; and the consequence was, that out of 300 individuals in his employment not one was attacked by that disease, so that the building referred to, was never used in the way originally intended. About this time also, Mr. C. at the risk of his own life, opened a common sewer in the neighbour-like flesh and blood, and governed by principles, feelings, mohood of his premises, which had got choked up with offensive matter. Symptoms of the prevailing epidemic, of course, became immediately visible; but, on taking prompt and energetic measures, through the kind Providence of God, he recovered entirely in a day or two. Mr. Clark takes a great interest in the young. He sets apart three nights weekly for instructing and mentally training the boys connected with his own establishment, and the remaining three for similarly treating those in the Duke-street House of Refuge, of which he is a director and honorary superintendent. These boys are from twelve to eighteen years of age. We do not know what particular method he pursues with them; but understand that moral principles and duties are chiefly inculcated. He causes them frequently to commit a passage of the Scriptures to memory, and explains to them in an easy, familiar way its meaning, and adaptation to their individual case as servants, young, responsible, and immortal beings. We pause here to parenthetically express our high admiration of the rare benevolence which thus prompts a man, moving in the upper walks of life, to daily unbend his energies to the humble, yet exalted employment of awakening the tender mind of poor, erewhile, unbefriended humanity, to its capacities and powers, and guiding it to the fields of wisdom and knowledge. Verily, the schoolmaster is abroad! If any one commits an offence, it soon reaches Mr. C.'s cars, who, being no friend to "the reign of terror," or to the rod and birch mode of administering correction, reasons calmly with the culprit, points out the folly and the guilt of his conduct clearly yet kindly, and after a suitable impression has been produced, dismisses him in the spirit of our Saviour's admonition, "go, and sin no more." Should any boy give evidence of talent and ability, or discover an aptitude for learning, he is singled out for special favour; he gets occasionally a suit of clothes to encourage him, and urge him on to greater diligence; and by and bye Mr. C. charges himself with the expense of his education at some one of our popular schools, henceforth till it is finished, allowing the boy's parents the full wages earned weekly by him while at his ordinary employment. There are, we believe, ten or a dozen youths at present attending a seminary in the city, patronized in this way by Mr. Clark. When their education is completed, he advances them to some post in his own establishment, or seeks out congenial employment elsewhere. The bond of intimacy is kept up generally between both parties in after life. If any perplexing matter occurs, they repair to their benefactor for advice, who willingly gives it. In some instances where the young men have committed some error or mistake which threatened to interrupt their prosperity, Mr. C. has, by a liberal use of his money and influence, succeeded in keeping the matter private, and preserving their integrity; thus furnishing inducements for continuing in the path of rectitude, instead of forsaking at a critical moment his protogees, crushing their hopes, and blasting their reputations, Mr. C. is sometimes mistaken in the objects he selects for his benevolence-as indeed it would argue something about him superhuman if he were not-but, generally speaking, he has tives, and desires, equally with themselves, they act upon these in the way best calculated to beget and nourish said qualitiesin the way, in short, their consciences tell them is right: "doing to others as they would be done by?" The results are seen in the facts that there is more and better work performed here than at any similar establishment in the city; that the workpeople are healthy, intelligent, respectful, and strongly attached to their employers; and that there are few or no dismissals for bad conduct-many having been in the service ten, twenty, and thirty years. A closer tie binds the two than money. This, to be sure, cannot be done without, but there is something altogether beyond its power to effect-the knitting of heart to heart. This has to do with man's inner, hidden life, and no mere earthly power or influence can penetrate here. Kindness, condescension, sympathy, are all but omnipotent to cement man to his fellow. Money has relation only to his temporal and animal existence-these appeal at once to his soul, and recognize its immortality. Thus Mr. C.'s workers, though undoubtedly labouring for a livelihood, have nobler ends to accomplish. Their inmost soul has been moved and stirred by a continued expression of kindness, condescension, and sympathy, on the part of one far above them in station and circumstances, and they feel an impulse within them, strong and settled as an unalterable law of their being, to promote by every practicable means his well-being and happiness. Necessity, however, stern inexorable necessity, in many cases, is all that connects superior with inferior. The employer finds that in order to live, he must hire persons to labour for him, and pay their wages; and the workman, finding that he too must have bread for himself and family, enters his service. This is what prompts to the mutual compact, guides to the discharge of the duties, and sustains the intercourse. Nothing more, nothing less. The one feels his helplessness without the other. They adhere, simply because separation would be the certain ruin of both. The employer in paying out his money, thinks he has a right to an adequate equivalent in labour-and unquestionably so he has; and the workman perceiving the profit-and-loss light in which he is viewed, and feeling keenly the cold neglect of his position, puts forth just so much physical strength and skill on that labour as will realize the stipulated sum. Self-interest clearly governs each. But the employer is by far the most culpable. Nature, revelation, and civil society, alike point him out as the guardian, preceptor, and friend, of those over whom he exercises authority. But he fulfils the functions of neither. They appear in his eyes only so many machines of flesh and blood, bone and muscle, born to minister to his aggrandizement. Yet he forgets that those very machines might be considerably quickened in motion, made to act more harmoniously, and to execute a greater amount of labour, and withal render a much more willing, cheerful service, were he only to apply the all-potent power of not gold, but something altogether unpurchaseable by the current coin of earth, we mean-the milk of human kindness. Would employers generally but try this, throw aside the false, and assume the true dignity of their office, and treat those who toil for them with considerateness, humanity, and benevolence, the better part of their workmen's nature would quickly respond, like the frozen soil to the showers and genial warmth of spring: an attachment based on love and good-will would thus spring up, firm and lasting as the principles which gave it birth. Meantime, it is nothing less than the fatuity and blindness of selfishness which prevent them from realizing larger gains even from the labour of their workmen. This is exemplified in the case of the Messrs. Clark, who, though they have not amassed wealth so speedily perhaps as some of their grinding and haughty neighbours, have yet steadily secured an ample competency; while they sit at the perpetual feast of a good conscience, which is worth ten thousand times the wealth of a Croesus. They have seen commercial dynasties rise and fall, which sent mourning into the bosom of many a family; while hundreds of their own dependents, and fellow men generally, revere and esteem their persons and characters. As further illustrating the influence a good employer exerts on his servants, the works in Mile End, externally and internally, are models of order, cleanliness, and even beauty. Everything is in its right place. Every person at his post, and looking after his own proper business. No hurry, no bustle, no confusion: all is harmony and regularity, like the movements of a clock. The personal comfort, moreover, and convenience of the workers, are attended to, and every facility given for furthering labour. The workers themselves-especially the female portion of them-may even be distinguished in the streets from those of other firms, by their tasteful and cleanly attire, their elastic step, and healthy, joyous appearance. Triumphant example this of the moral power of love! A soiree was lately held in connection with the works—Mr. Clark in the chair. It was really a most delightful and heartcheering sight to witness several hundreds of persons, of all ages and sexes, assembled at a great tea-table brotherhood, headed and led on by, their employer, who entered into the thoughts and feelings of the youngest, and acted the part of a generous, good-natured host to all;-an employer, not austere, repulsive, and touchy on points of etiquette or honour, who would annihilate an inferior on a moment's notice, for anything approaching familiarity, or freeze his vitals by a withering lookbut easy, laughter-loving, and benignant. The addresses on this occasion, delivered for the most part by the persons in Messrs. C. and Co.'s employment, were highly creditable to the hearts and heads of the speakers. We could wish that working men, in general, paid as much attention to the culture of their minds as had evidently been done here; soon a happy day would dawn on Britain. We need not say, after the earnest appeals that we have lately made to the middle classes to come forward and save this nation from the perils and distresses into which a blind and selfish aristocracy is plunging it, with what pleasure we witness symptoms of an awakening interest in these classes. The thoroughly reform members of the House of Commons, have pledged themselves to unite, and come forward for the extension of the suffrage. Out of doors too we see a proposal for a new League of the Radical Reformers of the United Kingdom. The avidity with which the proposal has been seized on and welcomed by the press, shews that it has only to be heartily entered into by the leaders of the reform movement, to be hailed and acted upon throughout the kingdom. Already in Nottingham and other large towns, public meetings have been held for forming local associations of the same kind. We have seen an admirable address prepared by the movers in London, which we trust, soon will be before the public at large, and we would add, in addition to all that we have said on this subject, that now is the time for every honest reformer to step forward, and abandoning all minor notions, combine for an efficient extension of the suffrage. The salvation of the country requires it. Till this is done, we are standing every day on the brink of inconceivable national calamities, from the reckless rapacity of the aristocracy on the one hand, and the violence of popular misery on the other. THE LABOURERS. which would be thought striking and terrible if they were not I have this morning been in the country, and seen some sights so common. Many agricultural labourers working in the fields badly clothed, and seemingly brutalized. On enquiring if they could read! the same reply from all. "Noa! Can ye stand a drop, mas ter." I had occasion to visit three or four of their cottages, hovels they might be well called; little or no furniture; the most squalid want and misery apparent. In one house a hard-handed man just come in from work was seated at dinner-and such a dinner! No table-cloth, a brown dish full of small bluish half-rotten potatoes, and nothing else, save a little salt; he was devouring these on a wooden platter. At another house there was no At fire, no furniture; the eldest son just enlisted for a soldier. another, a poor wretch had just come out of the union, and was taken in by another as miserable as himself; four children, and his wife just confined a week, but trying to wash. Cottages hard to be got, with little or no gardens; the poor fellows often have to go miles to and from their work. Now, look on this! I had passed through two parks belonging to the aristocrats, three or four thousand acres stocked with deer and game preserves. Need we wonder at the crime and pauperism. Let us all work to improve the poor, and obtain them justice. A MAN OF KENT. ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF ENGLAND ON THE EXTENSION OF THE SUFFRAGE, BY A WORKING MAN. Our friend John Alfred Langford, the studious chairmaker of Birmingham, to whom we introduced our readers in an account of a visit to him some time ago, has issued an address on the above subject to the public, which deserves every attention. is a good sign when the working class take the pen instead of the pike to arouse attention to their condition. His opening remarks embody the general feeling at this moment. It "It is now universally acknowledged that a great political crisis is impending over this country. In this all parties agice. They also agree that it is necessary and imperative that measures should be taken to prevent this crisis leading to anarchy, confusion, and bloodshed. That revolution should be prevented by reform. That judicious and timely concessions should be made. That all classes should lay aside a portion of their demands, in order that they may unite, for the purpose of gaining a common object; of the utility, wisdom, and practicability of which, all entertain the same idea. This union is the great desideratum. This amalgamation of classes and parties is now the felt want of the country. How this object is to be effected, is the great difficulty." After stating these difficulties, he calls on the Middle Classes to be sincere, frank, free, and liberal in their adhesion to an active and prompt political union; and he concludes with the soundest advice to the Working Classes. "You cannot," he says, "conscientiously join any agitation which goes for less than complete enfranchisement. On this you have taken your stand. On this you must still continue firm. But do not, fellow workmen, oppose the motions and movements of any class not disposed to go so far as yourselves. Demand freedom to advocate your cause, allow the same to all. For remember, no one is so unworthy of the great and glorious treasure of liberty, as he who, while he claims a right for himself, refuses the same right to his fellow man." CONTENTS. Game Laws Abroad. From the Harz. A True Story. 1843. By FERDINAND FREILIGRATH-Facts from the Fields. The Meldrum Family. By WILLIAM HOWITT. (Continued.)-Scenes and Characters from the First French Revolution. By LAMARTINE. Madame Roland-The First of May. By EDWARD M. COLLINS-The Famished Hand. By MRS. FAYMORE-The Chro nicle of a Ragged Rascal. By EDWARD YOUL. (Concluded.)Letter from Paris. BY GOODWYN BARMBY-LITERARY NOTICE: The Female Poets of Great Britain Chronologically Arranged. BY FREDERIC ROWTON-RECORD: The Model Employer-The People's League-The Labourers, etc., etc. PRINTED for the proprietor by WILLIAM LOVETT, of 16, South Row, New Road, in the Parish of St. Pancras, County of Middlesex, and published by him at 291, Strand, in the Parish of St. Clement Danes. STAMPED, 24d THE TANGLED SKEIN.-A KNOTTY QUESTION. WE are happy in being able this week to present our readers with another of those stories of the affections -told in a picture-to which we alluded in our description of The Favourites," a week or two back, p. 286. Our present illustration is by the same artist, Mr. Marshall Claxton, and is chosen from the " Institution for the Free Exhibition of Modern Art," the objects of which are, as far as possible, Freedom for the Artist, Certainty of Exhibition for his works, and the Improvement of the public taste." We think all these objects good if they can be obtained, certainly worth trying for; and as far as the second is concerned, —viz., Čertainty for the exhibition of an artist's works, we feel assured from what has come under our own eye, and the frequent complaints of the hanging of pictures at the Academy, etc., that an exhibition or this kind was wanting; for we know of artists-aye, and some of eminence too, who after spending perhaps a twelvemonth upon a picture of importance, and after being congratulated on all hands upon their success, have had their pictures refused admittance on account of personal jealousy on the part of officials. Now, this just cause of complaint is likely to be obviated by the principle of the present institution, each artist having to pay for his space; and the public are benefited by having a Free Exhibition of Modern Pictures. We feel also certain that artists may with confidence appeal from clique influence to the growing taste of that larger audience the public. Our subject under notice, from which we have been diverted for a moment or two, is entitled "The Tangled Skein-A Knotty Question," and well does it tell its tale. guish that character of intensity, which was excited by "Here! "he answered,-" here, in the dark below!" "Great God!" exclaimed a manly voice, and presently the light flashed in on his head, so as to dazzle him and compel him to close his eyes. He was silent a moment under the effect of this, and then some one called down "Is some one there ?" "Who are you?" "Ah! that you know!" replied Harper-"the_unfortunate man that you let fall through your trap-door. For God's sake help me out! I have surely suffered enough." There was an active conversation above, then a ladder was put down, and Harper with some difficulty managed to mount up it, and by the help of several eager hands put down to lay hold of him, he emerged into the day-light. There was a general exclamation of surprise and horror, as the figure of a man covered with dirt-with bruises black and extensive, and with head and hair all clotted and matted with dried blood, rose from the trap door-way of the cellar. All were zealously inquisitive to know how he had come into that place and condition-but Harper was not all at once able to satisfy their curiosity, for a sickening sensation seized him, and he fainted away. On recovering his consciousness, he ascertained that the persons who rescued him, were the inhabitants of the two adjoining houses, who, seeing this house suddenly shut up, had fancied that they still heard cries, and hollow knockings from some one within. The members of one family had at length called those of the other to listen, and, satisfied of the true evidence of their senses, they had resolved to inform the landlord, who came, and forced a way into the house. The result was as we have related it; and when these deliverers heard what the character of the former tenants of this house had been, and who and what Harper and his errand were, they were no little struck with the circumstances; and only wondered to find the policeman alive. The coiners had, they informed him, decamped three days ago—for so long had the house been closed. A young man, and we doubt not, ardent lover is holding the Tangled Skein across his hands for his mistress, who is just such a mistress as to make an ardent lover she is unravelling the skein, an unfortunate knot has occurred, she is trying to untie it; our lover is looking up at her very expressively, and evidently alluding to, or thinking of, another sort of knot which he should like to have tied, while the lady looks very pensive and thoughtful on the matter-quite intent (of course) upon what she is engaged. The accessories of the pictures are very good, a little kitten is playing with a ball of cotton on the floor, which our female friend has just been winding from the skein, and is quite unobserved by the two lovers. On the left is a beautiful out door peep of English landscape, with a rustic gate, evidently a study; we think we could name several little bits of Surrey, or Kent, which it might be taken for; and two doves have just flown in, one of which has just rested on the door step. It is altogether one of those interesting pictures which tell their own tale at a glance, much better in fact than It is almost needless to say, that Harper received any explanation can do. We hope again to have an every kindness and hospitality so requisite in his conopportunity of calling attention to, and of giving an-dition, and a few days afterwards he re-appeared on other picture from, this exhibition. FACTS FROM THE FIELDS. THE BY WILLIAM HOWITT. SYSTEM BY WHICH MEN ARE WORKED UP INTO THE MELDRUM FAMILY. At length-did he deceive himself? or did he really hear faint voices? It seemed clear to him that he did, faint, but eager voices, as if beyond the wall, deadened by its thickness, yet not so much so as to extin duty with his head well plaistered and bandaged, and no little mortified that his over-doing the well-done, had so entirely reversed the success of his enterprise, and occasioned him so severe, and yet ludicrous a dis aster. But this was not the final result of Bates's imprisonment, and Harper's pretended incarceration in Bates's cell. At the same moment that Harper left for Birmingham, two active officers set out to visit Captain Crick whose concern in this coinage speculation had transpired at the same time. It turned out, in fact, that the captain was the great head and mainspring of the business, and that he had his emissaries and distributors all over the kingdom. The captain was, therefore, one night just on the eve of retiring to bed; the house was closed, and every guest of the evening had gone away, when a knock came to the door, and on the captain opening it, four tall, and strong-built men entered. No sooner was the entrance effected, then, ascertaining that the person who admitted them was the captain himself, they at once assured him that he was their prisoner-they being officers of the police sent to seize him. They who ever saw for the first time, Captain Crick, must have felt instantly, that he was not a man to yield tamely. They, therefore, who appeared the two principal officers, at the moment that they announced their message, drew and pointed each a brace of pistols, and the two others raised their heavy truncheons conspicuously. There was no time for delay, for the captain who sate as was his custom at such an hour, without his boots, and with his waistcoat unbuttoned, seizing a strong wooden-bottomed chair, incontinently protruded it into the faces of the two officers in front, and dashing forward with all his weight and force, drove them back in astonishment on their two followers, who were pushed rudely against the wall. All was in a moment clamour and confusion. Mrs. Crick, who, at the entrance of these unwelcome guests, was in the act of filling the warming-pan with hot embers, on seeing the commencement of the fray, rushed gallantly to the rescue, and elevating her copper weapon, discharged at once a violent blow on the head of the officer to the right, and the whole contents of burning cinders into his face and bosom. Still more astonished at this novel assault than at that of the captain, the officer burst forth into a perfect howl of pain and amazement, and firing one of his pistols in his fury, it dashed through the warming-pan which was now raised high in the air, and preparing for a second descent-with a loud clangour, and smashed the glass and face of the clock against the wall, which added to the extraordinary din which now resounded through the house. The captain was still smiting forward with his chair, which served him at once for sword, bayonet, and shield, and by his amazing strength and dexterity, astounded his assailants as much as Ulysses on one memorable night did the host of unwelcome guests in his palace. They who should have supported their superiors, were rendered almost useless by being cooped up between the wall and the end of the settle, which stretched on towards the door from the very mantelpiece so as to defend the flank of Captain Crick and his valiant wife. They made sundry desperate attempts to break through on the right side where Mrs. Crick fought, but that stout Amazonian woman dealt her blows with such amazing vigour and effect, that she not only gave these fellows some very awkward knocks, but brought the servant maid from her bed, who appeared at the head stairs in her night-gown, and then fled back with a loud shriek. This may not seem a very satisfactory succour, but we shall find that it proved so. The battle now was raging with the utmost fury. Two or three shots had been fired, but the officers, baffled by the chair and warming-pan, which were constantly dashed about before their faces, and sometimes the foot of the chair sent with almost annihilating fury into the tender regions of their vitals, did not take any effective aim. The two inferiors, however, who had not yet been able to testify their valour, were now allowed to come forward, while the principal officers re-loaded their pistols, and seizing the foot of the captain's chair, one of them was about to wrest it, if possible, from him, while the other aimed a blow with his truncheon at his head. At this moment one of the other officers rushed forward, and aimed a pistol at the captain, but at the very same instant, Arpthorp, the sturdy hostler, roused by the maid, and his access facilitated by the bridge, descended the stairs almost at one leap, and with a poker which he carried, struck the officer such a blow on the arm, that the pistol flew from his grasp, and discharged itself in the fall, while the arm that held it dropped senseless at the officer's side. Now then the melee was renewed with obvious advantage to the Crick troop. Mrs. Crick who had effectually battered the warming-pan to pieces on the heads of the officers, with occasionally resounding blows on walls and staircase, rushing to the fire, hauled thence a large kettle, called a tea-kitchen, which always stood with boiling water, not only for tea, hut for supplying gin and brandy glasses, now discharged the contents of this, as freely as she had done those of the warmingpan. It was more than mortal men could endure. The enemy recoiled. The captain and Arpthorp, each armed with a poker, now followed up their advantage, and another moment saw the foe evacuate the house. The captain and his man following close on their heels, the instant that they reached the open air, raised a loud war-whoop, which brought from their houses, numbers of the vagabond tribe who conveniently sleep in their clothes, and are ready to take the field without unnecessary delay. Numbers, in fact, were already in the street, roused by the sound of fire-arms, and the clangour of the battle, and another minute would have brought them into the rear of the official Philistines. These, now seeing their precarious position, mounted their horses with all speed, and galloped off, pursued by the yells and imprecations of the elite of Twigg's-Houses. Thus ended the attempt to sieze Captain Crick. The manner in which he and his man Arpthorp had defended themselves, sufficiently convinced the police, that they had both seen service of no ordinary kind, and knew how to handle their weapons to the utmost advantage. The next day brought a much stronger body of police from London, but the birds were flown. The captain, his courageous wife, man, and maid, had disappeared. The house was closed, and all search after the fugitives was vain. It was imagined that the captain had made a heavy sacrifice of property by thus being compelled to flee, but when the government attempted to levy fines on the estate of Twigg's-Houses for the captain's offence against the excise and other laws, it was found that Twigg's-Houses were mortgaged to the uttermost farthing, and that the captain was too much a man of the world to leave any eggs in a nest which he might be called on at a minute's warning to desert. We have heard from good authority, that the captain, his lady, his man Arpthorp, and all Arpthorp's family, betook themselves to Australia, where Joe Bates, who was shipped thither by government, was applied for by the captain on Joe's arrival, and was awarded to him as a convict servant. The whole of this notorious company it said, is now located on the broad plains of Australia Felix, where they range for scores of miles with their flocks and herds, and are noted for their dexterity in putting the captain's brand on their neighbours' stray cattle. This adroitness might possibly occasion the captain and his clan some day, to have to retreat some hundred miles into the interior, with as much speed as he evacuated Twigg's-Houses, but the terror of his name, and that of his band, is, on the other hand, a strong bulwark against the inroads of the natives, and the loss of a few bullocks which mysteriously change their ownership, is winked at, to avoid the greater loss of property and even life from the hands of the marauding aborignes. Meldrum, on escaping from the house of Brassington, made his way through various streets, alleys, and obscure turnings, to a considerable distance. After perceiving no immediate pursuit, he relaxed his pace so as to avoid all appearance of hurry or suspicious agitation, and the further he went, the greater was his confidence in eluding his pursuers for the moment. That he could long escape he scarcely hoped. The fulness of his crime had been now revealed to him by the newspaper which Brassington had read. He was not only a thief but a murderer. True, he was ready, in some degree, |