The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-09-27 00:00:00

vary in its operations, according to the circum-

stances, prosperous or advers

occasion

THE subject of STRIKES has a peculiar interest a
the present moment. It must always have ar
intimate bearing upon the commerce and manufac
tures of the country. Even at this time, when on]
free commercial policy is yet developing itself, anc
the transition from restriction to freedom, it
the practical results of that policy, is still going on
it certainly deserves more than ordinary attention
That the general prevalence of strikes just nov
affords evidence of prosperity, cannot, we think, b(
questioned. There is undoubtedly a reversal o
the old order of things, under which the producing

classes of this country

restraint instead of liberty, was the characteristi

of our commercial system. The demand in the
market of labour exceeds the supply. We are not
blind to the fact, that some other causes have been
at work besides an unrestrictive policy, to produce

, of each particular

It is not, then, too much to hope, that there is
nothing in such transactions to make it necessary
for bodies of workmen to declare war against their
employers, as they have done in many parts of the
kingdom, and more particularly in our own coun-
ty, in order to obtain the wages to which they

be fairly entitled. We would counsel for-
bearance on both sides. Let not the masters stint
the hire of their workmen, when they can afford
to give it liberally ; but let not, on the other hand,
the workmen be either too exacting in their de-
mands, or too rash in enforcing them, The one
party should remember, that they cannot be em-
ployed at all unless their employments will yield
a profit; and the other, should never forget, that
trade by which he profits largely, deserves to be
rewarded liberally. If it be true, that industry is
the philosopher's stone, which turns all metals,
and even stones, into gold, surely they who com-
bine to wield so magic an influence should, as
fellow-labourers, share in the due appropriation
have too long suffered, when I of so precious a product.

IT is not an agreeable subject to enter upon
discussing; but to one that is so full of pressing,
though painful interest, as the cholera undoubtedly
is, we cannot too early direct our attention. For
the pestilenceis not only in this country again, but
it is at our very doors.

Our object, however, is not to create alarm, but
to counsel precaution. We believe that it is quite
possible, if not to arrest the progress of the
scourge, at least to check its ravages ; and if ever

it could with truth be said, that to be forewarned
was to be forearmed, it will be found so, in truth,
with respect to this fresh visitation of so fearful a

plague.
The circumstances of Liverpool, in connection
with such a subject, are rather peculiar. In the
first place, in point of general density of popula-
tion, it considerably exceeds all other English
towns, having as many as 100,000 inhabitants to
the square mile,—while Manchester has only
83,000, and Birmingham not more than 33,000 to
the square mile. Then, until lately, a most vicious
construction of the dwellings of the working classes
has prevailed ; while their situation has generally
been very unfavourable. When the Health of
Town's Commission, a few years back, visited our
town, it was put on record, that as many as 55,532
of its inhabitants lived in courts, and as many as
20,160 in cellars—that there were as many as 1,982
of these courts, and 6,294 inhabited cellars—and
that the arrangement was such as to bid defiance
to the entrance of fresh air, and to render its free
circulation a matter of impossibility. Of the
courts, it was ascertained that nearly one-third
were closed at both ends, that but about half were
open at one end, and that only about a fourth
were open at both ends; while, as to the cellars,
it was found that they were generally but some
ten or twelve feet square, frequently less than six
feet in height, occasionally without any window,
too often having only the bare earth for a floor,
and thus, of necessity, both dark and damp. The
streets inhabited chiefly by the working classes,"
the Report at the time stated, " are on an aver-
age, perhaps, about eight yards in width; they sel-
dom exceed ten, and sometimes not more than five
yards across. Each house is usually occupied by
two or more families, exclusive of the cellar ; and
most of the densely peopled lodging-houses are
situated in these streets. As a general rule, the
houses have no thorough draught, being frequently
built up against the houses in the courts behind."

Then their numerous population had scarcely any
means of disposing of the large amount of refuse
organic matter necessarily eliminated, so as to
prevent its contaminating the atmosphere ; while
the drainage was generally bad, and the supply of
water defective. Many thousands, therefore, of
our neighbours were compelled by the circumstances
of their position, to breathe a most corrupt atmos-
phere, and to dwell amongst filth, a state of things
which was most conducive to the prevalence of
epidemic disease, and which had, no doubt, a
powerful effect in aggrevating the virulence of the
cholera.
But these evils have been mitigated. We refer to
them only for the purpose of comparing them with
our present improved condition, and deriving hope
from the contrast. Local Acts are in force, under the
operation of which a better construction of dwell-
ings for the working population has been promoted—
proper ventilation has been secured—efficient sewer
age has been provided—and more effectual means
have been placed within the reach of even the
poorest classes, of disposing of their refuse organic
So that we are in an infinitely better
position than before, for grappling with such a foe
as that which now threatens to invade us again.
Another, and a most important consideration, is
the improved condition -of the great bulk of our
working population, arising from the general plen-
tifulness of employment, and the better wages
which most of them are enabled to obtain. In this
point of view, we may regard the recent reforms in
our fiscal and commercial policy to have had a
powerful sanitary effect upon large bodies of the
people, whose comforts have been augmented, and
their health promoted. It is the remark of Dr.
Southwood Smith, "that any deterioration in the
physical condition of the poorer classes would not
only make them more liable to be attacked with
epidemic disease, but would render the disease
more severe and fatal; whereas, the better they are
fed, and the warmer they are clothed, the greater
is their resisting power." And certainly our poorer
classes are now both better fed, and more warmly
clothed, because they find the means of living so
much within their reach.
There is a decided change for the better, too, in
the moral habits of many of the working classes.
Our schools have not been without their influence.
Our Baths and Wash-houses have had a good effect.
And if cleanliness be a social virtue, it is also a
physical protection.
Still, amid all this encouragement, let us not
rest in any false security—as false that must en-
tirely be so long as any proper precaution re-
mains to be taken. We have yet amongst us too much
filth and foulness, to render it at all possible that
we shall escape another visitation of the pestilence
which is again in our isle, and which, at this very
moment, for aught we know, may be hovering over
our heads. Nor has it lost any of its fatal viru-
lence since last it was felt as a scourge in our land.
Judging from its ravages at Newcastle and Gates-
head, we might almost fear that it has, if anything,
increased in its malignancy. Our only hope, there-
fore, is in our better ability to resist it—as well

matte'

from our present vigilance, as our past improve-
ments. But we must yet be on the alert.

Her Majesty's government has, with praise-
worthy alacrity, already directed, by an Order in
Council, that the provisions of the act for the pre-
vention of epidemic, indemic, and contagious dis-
eases, be immediately put in force through the
whole of Great Britain; and Liverpool is not behind-
hand in giving effect to so necessary, so indispen-
sable a precaution.

The very attention which has in this emergency
to be given to such a subject as that of the public
health, may result in a permanent improvement of
the sanitary state of our town. Hitherto its mor-
tality has been at much too high a ratio,—higher
than London, Manchester, or Birmingham,—the
deaths being 1 in 28.75 of the population, while in
London it is 1 in 37.38, in Birmingham 1 in 36.79,
and in Manchester 1 in 29.64. " The causes of this
unfavourable position of Liverpool," it has been
officially declared, " both absolutely and relatively,
will be found to be the same as those already indi-
cated as the sources of the higher mortality of
towns generally, and which appear in Liverpool to
reach their maximum degree of intensity." Let it
be further attempted, now, to reduce this maximum
—we believe that it has been considerably reduced
already—and.if the exertions which must now be
renewed be rigourously and properly directed, it
may happily turn out that the curse we resist di-
rectly as a curse may indirectly become a blessing.

Is there really any hope for Ireland ? We may
well ask this question; and at no time more oppor-
tunely or appropriately than now. Not long since
we were disposed to believe that a " charm" had
at length been discovered for Ireland's miseries ;
and that the genius and patriotic munificence of
WILLIAM DARGAN had realised the fabled " Four-
leaved Shamrock," whose extraordinary properties
generations had extolled, and which, like I ouNA's
apples, or the Amrita of the HINDOO divinities,
would confer fresh life, vigour, and even immorta-
lity, on the nation.

But it does not seem as if the Sister Isle should
ever have her wounds cicatrized. They present
palpable evidence of almost hopeless incurability.
Every known art has been resorted to—every avail-

able appliance of skill tried—nothing, in short,
has been omitted that the necessity of the case
required—but to no conceivable purpose under

Heaven. When we flattered ourselves, in our idle
fancies, with the thought that _lreland's wounds
presented signs of healthy action, lo ! they opened
out afresh, and with increased virulence and

Things were better to-day

FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT

LONDON, MONDAY tVE..NING.

It is hardly possible to describe the alarm and even terror
which prevailed in this city on Saturday, owing to the state-
ments in two of the morning papers, that the United Fleets,
or portions of them, had been ordered up to Constantinople
from the anchorages they have kept for the last three months
There was perfect recklessness in the general desperation ;
and property was parted with at reduced values, as if the
wealth of the nation was about to be extinguished in one
universal bankruptcy. Nor was this the case only with
British securities. All others were involved hi the general
fall ; and men who rose in the morning that they might get
94 easily for their Stocks, found before night that scarcely
any body would buy for so loaf as 91, Indeed, there
was a panic, such a one as we have not seen since 1847.

There was a material variation between the statements
as to the movements of the combined squadrons, made by
the two Journals in question. One, the Morning Post
which has intimate relations with the French Embassy, and
whose announcements with regard to the Russian and
Turkish affairs, are written by Count Wallaski himself,
broadly asserted that all the ships of the allies, had gone
up to Constantinople; but the Times, inspired by the more
correct suggestions of Lord Aberdeen, stated that only two
vessels from each sqUadron had proceeded within. Another
material variation between the two was also obvious. The
first led to the inference, that this combined movement had
been made in consequence of some further hostile demon=
stration, on the part of Russia; but the second declared that
it was a simple precautionary measure for the protection
of the lives and property of British residents. Whithever
of the two versions turn out to be correct, either was cal-
culated to excite some degree of alarm, but nobody could
have anticipated, at eight o'clock in the morning, that by
noon the whole of Capel-court and the sensitive regions sur-
rounding it, would have been so utterly prostrated by the
intellegance.

The aggressions of Russia, and the insolent tone in which
they are justified before the Western Powers, have given to
Turkey, a hold upon the sympathies of this country too
firm to be shaken, even though Austria should, contrary to
her interest, isolate herself from England and France, and
attach herself wholly to the Czar. Indeed, the more the
Czar strengthens himself apparently by this alliance, the
more obvious it becomes, that the contest will, in fact, be
whatever it is nominally, one against despotism and arbi-
trary government. Independently, therefore, of the justice
of the case, which is as perfect as anything can be, the
people of this country cannot sympathize with the Czar ;
they cannot wish him good luck; and, I have reason to
believe, t hat if blows are resorted to, he will find no incon-
siderable array of British volunteers, helping the Turkish
army, to bring him to reason and moderation. Nor will
money be wanting, though the city will be shy of loans.
But, if the city will not respond to the Turks' necessities, in
this way, it, certainly, will not to those of Russia or Austria,
both of whom, and particularly the latter, have as much
need for ready cash as any tradesman in the world, who
ventures upon extensive operations without adequate means.
With such feelings as these, with a general readiness to
strike if need be, both at Russia and Austria, and with the
strongest conviction that in this quarrel Turkey and England
and France, have justice upon their side, the views of the
sailing of the squadrons or a part of them, excited fax diffe-
rent emotions at the west end than in the city. The
military and naval clubs were in the very intoxication of
excitement, and forthwith rules and plans were consulted by
groups and handed over by individuals, in order to foresee,
if possible, all the possible contingencies of interest. It was
unanimously decided in naval circles, so far as I can learn,
that it would not be impossible for the Russian I Let in th
Black Sea to be destroye'd by that very moment ; though of
course such a supposition was a little de trop, and only to
be dreamed of by the warmth of youthful ardour, or the
burnings of middle-aged enthusiasm. This state of feeling,
which began early in the day, so far from moderating as
time
_wore on, was strengthened by the reception of two
telegraphic despatches which arrived early in the afternoon,
one was that several French vessels of war were seen procee-
ding towards the north seas ; and the other that the fleet
now in the Cove of Queenstown were under sailing orders,
for some unknown place, and that neither men nor officers
were permitted to leave their ships. Both., of these
announcements, susceptible of a warlike interpretation, which
in the prevailing turn of mind of most people at that moment
appeared the only mutual interpretation, were inexact. The
French ships, supposed to be proceeding to the North seas,
were only proceeding to one of the northern ports of France,
to give the Emperor now upon his tour there, an
opportunity of seeing them; and the orders for the
flees at Cove were imaginary.: So dissipated the
alarms and fears, or rather I should say, the excitement
at the West End, arising out of these special points. But
the interest felt in, the presence of any part of our naval
forces before Constantinople, did not pass away with the
temporary emotions induced by these inaccurate specialties :
and up to the moment I am writing, there is the greatest
impatience manifested to know something more. Such a
condition renders all of us liable to take up with, and be
governed by, the miserable scraps of news, generally untrue,
or grossly exaggerated, which are doled out by the con-
tinental telegraphs, and, as if to enjoy the distrust and ex-
citement arising out of this yearning curiosity, Lord
Clarendon sits inaccessible in his Cabinet, at the Foreign
Office, permitting the French embassy to give to the British
public whatever version of facts it may think proper. But
all throughout this Russia-Turkey affair, through a servile
adherence to a foolish precedent, we have been indebted to
foreign sources for-early intelligence, and have been obliged
to make the best, or the worst of it.

Accounts have been received here, by telegraph,
from Constantinople, to the 16th. They make no
mention of the appearance of the squadron there,
but state that the city was tranquil.