The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1821-04-26 00:00:00

EDINBURCI-1, ILSOIRT I, Mt.

"'Tie time, high time, to shirt this dismal meat.
This homed, this hideous state, what art am ease?
Oue only;—but that one, what all mayreseb.
lteliev'st thou this, Lorca t'? Lead as ear,
A patient car, thuielt blush to disbelieve."
Some few years ago, a new view of society was
earnestly recomtnended to the world by a Mr.
Owen, of New Lanark. For a time it engaged the
public attention, but afterwards sunk, as it was
supposed, into merited obscurity. It has. however,
again appeared with renewed energy in a Report ad-
; dressed by him to the C‘utity of Lanark, which
I have read with the greatest admiration. He pro-
poses for the consideistion of the most enlightened
men in the kingdom—" A Plan for relieving pub-
lic distress, and removing discontent, by giving
permanent productive employment to the poor and
working classes; under arrangements winch will
essentially improve their character, and ameliorate
their coodition, diminish the expenses of produc-
tion end consumption, sod create markets co-
extensive with production."
I perfectly agree with him iu the view which he
takes of the subject, and feel an enthusiasm in sup-
port of his Waft, of which no words can convey an
adequa.e idea. May all who read the Report feel
the seine enthusiasm ! Something momentous mast
soon be done. Z-al nod perseverance, elided by
such practices as Mr. Owen'a, cannot fail to effect
much—aye, to work wonders in a just cause !
If one correct view be certain, of producing an
immediate abundance of wealth and comparative
oppiness to toil parties—if one correct view be cer-
tain, of prating an end to all jarring contentious,
chasing away every cause of strife, stopping a bar-
burin's expenditure of life, and exininging from all
codes of law the very principles or coercion and
punishment, can I doubt that it will quickly
uluii iii ate and captivate the minds of all mankind ?
I f one correct view be certain, of simultaneously lead-
ing us to discover the mental deception in which all
our ideas have originated; to see and feel the errors
of our first principles, both of moral and political ecu-
Homy ; and to enter on a smooth and simple course,
where no abstraction or difficulty is to be met
with, and where no chance of failure can arise : can
I doubt that the chauge is near at hand, speedy in
its operations. and delic;ous io its results ? No.
The Intel vesting time is quickly passing away ; a
new scene is ready to be unfolded to our anuses.
But let me pause—

Strange tidings these to tell a world who treat,
All ►at their us. experience as deceit."
I tnu•t recollect that the public have not had the
time, opportunity, and dieposition, to turn their
attention from the routine of the toils and temp-
tetionr of a disturbed world, to the proper carpi-
de's ion of a subject so novel, and presenting every
one with the prospect of Westing* $ll4l enjoyuicuts,
which have been long believed beyond their reach.
I must discontinue my exhilarated strains, till their
attention shall hors been ►ivetted to the examina-
tion of Mr. Owen', Report ; till they shall hove
well weighed his arguments. reflected upon his
observation., and closely traced all his most Mit-
testing deduction•.
By frequent communications with a variety of
persons in both kingdoms, I have learnt that Mr.
Owen'a arguments are considered inconclusive,
sod his reasoning unsound. They say that they
cannot follow the thread of his discourse, because
he takes such sudden and wide leaps—

Flings at !heir heads enwrieti ~,, is; n lump,
And gains remote cunclusiuus at a jump;

braving a gulf over which they do not see how he
passes to that fairy land which he b() beautifully
p►ctures to them. However much they may wish
to visit that abode of hatrpiors•, they have not been
prevailed on to give him the charge of their perilous,
though he has so Moen promised to transport them
thither in safety. The reason they assign is, that
he has not shown them each stepping•stonr, and
convinced them that, by following h►m, they would
not be pursuing an airy form but, on the con-
trary, human's; themselves to one, whose weight
is at least equal to their own, a►nl whose strength
and lirtune•s ►s, from long pr..cttee, able to support
end steady them the passege over.
In the mean time they endeavour to comfort
themselves in the language of the 'met :

" Life makes the soul dependent on the drat;
Death gives her wings to 1111,1111( above the spheres.
Lorenz., ! blush at fondness fur a life,
IThieh vends celestial soils ou errands vile,
To eater fur the sense.
laireuzu! blush al terror fur a death,
\Viler+ gives thee to re-pose in fesiive bowers,
Vs heae nectars sparkle, angels minister,
And more than angels share, and raise, and frown,
And eternise, the birth, blouse, bursts of bliss"

I have somesimes thought that the guide who
twee and promises them the happy land, is not he
who shad lead thesis over to possess it ; and that,
like omit) travellers, they will resist all he can say,
and reasons on the brink of the precipice to which
they have been driven, till their openly arrive, and
hurl them into the gulf. 'There is an evident
danger intending all half-measures, all dilatory
movements, all last resources and expedients.
Numbers tray be overwhelmed in a forced and
rapid passage, the stepping siones displaced, and
the guide lust in the coofusion.
calmer', therefore, believe it probable, that any
in the crowd, seeing the invincible enemy rapidly
ailvatieirig, steel haviug the happy land before them,
however great their fortitude to bear Misfortune,
and lies-sons' courage to resist danger and outrage,
will long delay proclaiming that they distinctly be-
hold the mime beautiful scene pointed to by the
guide, but 50 much ridiculed by those around
them ; though they may be fora time exposed to
the risk of axperiencing- as harsh a treatment as he
who declared the world round, when all the rest of
mankind thought it Hat. I cannot believe that
they will be silenced by the authority of airy
in the troubled mioltitude; either of those who
speak loudly or pompously, or of those who bold
themselves high ; of those who have, by force
or flattery, induced others to espouse their cause;
of those who have blinded all about them by
a glittering display of splendid decorations; or
of those who, aided by their natural powers, and
tormented by the oppressive crush from all eider,
have raised themselves upon the shoulders and over
the heads of their comrades; and now, goaded by
surroundirig evils into a heated and fanciful state
of imagination, in a frenzy boisterously clamour fir
a lab!) rally ; at a moment when there is no time for

iii

. • • .
teorganisation and discipline, anti at a point
from whence there is no quick and ray retreat in
the event of further defeat. I cannot, I repeat,
believe that such authority will be sufficient to si-
knee, and prevent the active exertions of any deer-
sighted hein,,w; aware of the sweets ready for the
acceptance of all ; and seeing, as they must, that
all parties have firm hold of one another; and that
not even the guide himself ran escape without them.
West's wild and fanciful picture of " Death oa
the Pale Horse," ably exemplifies the invincible
power of the approaching host, and forcibly illus.
trutes the beauty of that happy land, and the de-
lightful benevolence of that guide who presents
himself for our assistance. 1 therefore earnestly
call upon all to attend to the advice and instructions
of Mr. Owen; to observe accurately, and closely
examine all his proceedings; and to consult and
reflect upon all his publications. 1 most warmly
and enthusiastically entreat all my biend. and
countrymen to beck information and explanation, if
they are at a loss to comprehend Mr. Owen's views;
and to refer to his conduct in life, if they have any
misgivings respecting his channrer, or his sell-
confidence. I, further, wish to impress upon the
minds of all who understand the subject, the duly
• of spreading the knowledge of the real cl tinge imodi-
cated, and assisting Mr. Owen in his unrelaxing
endeavours to direct the sight, and fix she attention
of the thinking and enlightened individuals, who
have influence and authority in the nation.
Let the Report be closely analysed, explained,
and illustrated. Let all who have any knowledge
or the subject, and consequent wish to assist iu its
developeurent, endeavour to point out every shade
or colour, bosh or btiur—every rise or descent,
twist or turning—every maze which may lie in the
way. Let them, above all, endeavour to persuade
their hearers to dismiss the injurious thought that
across the gulf no such happy abode can he found,
Let them boldly call upon them to open their
ryes ; rinse themselves shove the groveliing posture
of the swine; (Ibsen ve the abundance which nature
offers to them, MI their abandoning the selfish pro-
ceedings of the brute crewing': I ceasing to
snarl like ignorard dogs over an overflowing bowl,
liberally direct their exertions for the common good.
All cry Reform. Reform things sr you will,
Without self-kmartesigs %is • prison still."
Fully satisfied of the truth of Mr. Owen's princi-
ple*, the correctness of hi. views, and the great
utility of his plans and arrangements, to which the
public have not yet directed that steady attention
necessary in order to understand them clearly, I
shall continue my rudeavoura, if possible with in-
creased ardour, to place them in the eight of every
individual I nuty encounter, at the stone time stu-
thing to quality myself fur an active !malt iu those
wise and beneficial proceeding., which, come what
may, must so soon force themselves upon society
at large.
But 1 hardly think it possible, that the influence
of dire necessity will be required to open the eyes
of people to self-evident statement., supported, too,
by positive facts. I hardly think it possible, that
time fear cif Oust foolish bugbear, an recess of papa-
lotion, or the 111/111111d Plippwotion that, in commis-
hairs, men of knowledge and understanding mast
disagree, without a cause of disagreement, without
a wain unaupplied, or a wish ungratified, will still
induce the cleverest and most enlightened gentle-
Intel in every parish in the kingdom, to continue a
system with the przsor and working classes, which
any ignorant or selfish company of traders has the
sense and prudence to avoid; from month to niesith
sinking an immense capital, and ruining a valuable
supply of active and intelligent labourers, artificers,
and meth; s ; while they have at COMOIIIII4I and
on the spot, without competition, at the lowest
rate of interest and wages, arid in the greatest
abundance, at once money, able and practised
men, good land, excellent machinery, and the beet
materials of every description. I cannot illustiate
may position better than by comparing our present
voodoo to that of sending soldier* to tipple in the
canteen, when the enemy is on the breach—
.r Why doubt we then the glorious truth to sing,
Though yet unsung, as &cued perhaps too bold

Mr. Owen, in his Report, page 59, says, that
his practical operation. wilt commence with those
who site now a burden to the country for want ‘r
employment. tie will enable these persons to
support themselves and families, and pay the in-
terest of the enlists, requisite to put their labour
in activity. From the effects which will be thus
produced on the character and circumstances of
this oppressed class, the public will soon see and
acknowledge that he has promised tar less than will
be realised ; and whet, by these arrangements, the
vicious, the idle, sod the pauper, shall he made
virtuous, indostrioue, and independent, those who
shall still be the lowest in the scale of old society,
may place themselves midstr the new orraiigementr,
when they have evidence before them that these
offer greater advantages than the old."
The Committee of the County of Lenart, in
their Report on Mr. oa-en's Plait, make the
following ob•ervatiun Your Committee c 41.-
not Conclude this brief Report without express-
ing the extreme satisfaction which they expe-
rienced on visiting the highly interesting este-
blislinients, under the more immediate direction
of Mr. Owen. There the benevolence of that
•individual and his partners is pouriraycd in the
most pleasing features ; sod so inspection of the
splendid -mossufactory at New Lanark, ►oust
convince the most sceptical, to how great
an extent the amelioration of the manufacturing
population may be carried, when the views
of the managers are governed by that. spirit
of philanthropy which actuates the partners
of the New Lanark works, whose means of con•
trol over their population ate only exceeded by
their desire to direct them to the most valuable
purpose, that of promoting the comfort and nude.
pendence of the parent., and of training up the
children, front their earliest infaucy, by such a gen-
tl e , hut at the same time systematic course of edu-
cation, as, in the opiniuts of your Committee,
*unite fail to render them very valuable membess
of society."
Can the government of a free county, can the
enlightened members of the State, long re.
main lost to a sense of the importance of the new
view of moral and political economy, which has
been so warmly advocated by an individual
thus distinguished for the great practical improve-
ments which he he. introduced within the were of
his action, and which have been so Cheerfully ac.

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