The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-28 00:00:00

LONDON CO.OPERATIVE SOCIETF

A Pleming of the London Co-operative Society was held at the
(town sod Anchor Therm, Strand, last evening, pursuant to
lablicadr,rtisent.nt, winch uas numerously and respectably at-
ended. . .

Mr. :lista having taken the chair, briefly adverted to the
objecns of the Meeting.
Mr. G. M Dix entered at considerable length into the principle,
ist el wealth is created by the labour of the working classes, which
se Wiled to be the foundation of Mr. Owen's system. Paupers
ere often considered an evil of no ordinary importance, but lie con-
sidered them an incalculable public benefit. That class of society
unapt ehending the merchants, traders. members connected wita the
army and navy, and individuals belorging to the liberal professions,
wee very ready to complain of the burden of the poor rates; but
its class of persons had little reason to complain, as they were in
net nothing hut burdens themselves—burdens on the labouring
noise,, from whom all wealth is derived. The complaint of high
rages was also very general, but it was equally ill.founded. The
ibourieg classes were self.paid, they received nothing, but were
allowed to retain a very small proportion of their earninga, which
ass necessary for their subsistence, The remit proportion of their
:diem went to defray the expenses attendant upon the present sys..
:en of poor rates; and a still larger proportion to suppmt the
sedan: classes, to support that magnificent system which had
teen so highly extolled. Mr. AI wide, on behalf of himself and the
Society, disclaimed all idea of creating dissatisfaction in the minds
o: the labouring classes, or of abridging the comforts and luxuries
at present enjoyed by the higher classes. Some years ages Dr. Hall
had estimated that the labouring classes enjoyed only one-fin:li of
the profits produced by their labour; in other words, that the la-
bourer worked one day out of nine for himself, and the other eight
for the support of the present system. The application of ma.
shinery, and the advantages produced by a more judicious distri-
bution of labour, had caused a great alteration, and it was calculated
by those wall qualitinl to judge, that the labourer now enjoyed only
the twenty-fourth part of the produce of his labour, and that the re.
staining 23 parts were taken from him to support the paupers and
the higher claws. Thia might be considered the birthright of the
infmt system, and he (Mr. 31odie) was extremely desirous that it
thouhl be well understood, and a knowledge of it diffused, through
tie agency of those who now heard hint. The advantages of the
sew system were, that the condition of the humbler classes might
be anehorived, without trenching upon the enjoyments of what are
ulleit the upper orders. This desirable consummation is to be ef-
fected by withdrawing what may be considered a small number,
from the pauper population or the urrYmductive classes, and adding
this number to the labouring clue. This plan wen interesting to all
persons. Setting aside the general principle of humanity, which
must renalct it desirable that our fellow-creatures should enjoy all
the comforts consistent with their condition, the new system was
interesting. as it came home to every man's selfish views. No con-
flation of society is so exalted, that it is no longer liable to depres-
sion, and every man must feel, that he himself, or at all events
hi children and his grandchildren, may one day sink, either
:amongst the labo firing classes or to the paupers. It hilst a chance
eon apoeared, that such a fall may one day come, it was only
sic to provide a soft bed. (A laugh.) Such was the simple
plan-, which he, and the individuals who agreed in opinion with
him, had to propose to the public. Their exertions were in
conjunction with those of Mr. Owen, of New Lanark, st hose pro-
positions be (Mr. Ibludie) conceived were founded on truth, and
better cilculated to improve the condition of society, and especially
of the lower orders, than any which had emanated from other per-
aAs. They were calculated, he thought, to effect more for the
moral and physical amelioration of the human race in one year,
than all the prupcisitions of all othrr persons could achieve in a mil.
lon of years. Toe errors of the old, and, he should call them,
snirious, schemes of political economists, were evinced by the
gems which heal been created by them. hock at the phenomenon
with Ireland presented a few years ago : that country produced
aeperabundant wealth—in other words, a superabundance of the
ternaries of life—and yet the poor were actually starving. At
this period, corn was exporting in large quantities from Ireland,
hei what said the spurious school of economists ? They said, that
Li demand had been supplied : the new school said, you know
7r: what demand means—demand is want, and how could the de-
raid hare been supplied, when the wretched peasantry were
raising? There must be something vicious in the principles of
tithe theoretical economists. The practical economists had very
diTerent views. According to their conclusions, in which lie fully
(incurred, the quantity of unproductive Rower which might be
epployed. was so great, that, if employed, the poorest family in
the kineflom should be placed in as a good a condition as any
wilily now possessing five hundred pounds per annum. It might,
and it had been urged against Mr. Owen's plan. that by adopting
0, too great emir:artisan of the necessaries of life would be pro..
auced, and none could be found to consume them. This doctrine,
however. was extremely fallacious, for, without commenting upon
the present conditition of the labouring classes, it admitted of no
shad*, that they would consume double as mach—nay, one hundred
times snore thao they now consumed—rather than that the extra
Frrduction should be lost.

Mr. lkludie Was warmly applauded at the conclusion of his
animated addr(l4.

Jr. IVIIITWELL, an architect, then came tor ward,and described
a very ingenious and well executed model of a community, living
alder Mr. oweit's plan. The building is Intended to include
a coneert-room, ball-room, baths, libraries, and every other domes-
tic conrenierce and luxury.
Mr. TIIOM PSON said, that in rising to propose the three Resolu-
tions which were committed to his care, he had to congratulate the
Meeting on the benefit they must have derived front the lectures
they had that night heard ; lie had to congratulate them on the
absence of all political or religious acrimony from amongst them.
They wete met for the purpose of considering what means were
ern adapted for the carrying into effect that system which would
bring into play the energies of the entire community, which was
funded on the bond of' connection, and not on the exertions of
isolated families. Mr. Thompson, after waste further remarks, pro-
vvded teary, that it did not at all follow from their agreeing to some
of the views of Mr. Owen, that they were therefore pledged to all
that geraleman's 'schemes ; he, for one differed from him in some
coact points ' • he (Mr. T.) had spent much time in the study of
tile present subject, and there were three reasons in particular that
islucad him to form his opinion. The co-operative system was
e.kulated, in the firm place to increase the general happiness of
ran; it was soondly likely to promote, in particular. the liappi-
vess of that better half of the community, who were hitherto kept
vo notch in the back ground_ lie meant the ladies. They could
rut fail to derive much intellectual improvement from it, and to
re! placed in a state of happiness equal at least to that of man ; and
why was it that they were not now on the same footing ? It was
because that man being much stronger, and producing more of the
necessaries of !ire, exacted from woman the direction of her libeky,
in return for the produce of his labour ; but if by the co-operative
'Nem all were reduced, as it were, into one family, then her depen-
,,ence would b.: transferred to the entire community, and cons&
%nem', not rest on one individual man ' • and besides, from the (me
valuable improvement in machinery, and its adaptation to almost
ow) purpose, mere physical strength was not much required ex-
'tpt to ocsupatiiras of the least value; and his last reason was a
ceaviction that the practical and theoretical education of every
intinberof the community must be advanced by it. Mr. Thorp.
bon, after some further obeerrations, proceeded to propose the Hese-
'talons, which were to the effect—that it was difficult at present to
ul what portion of society endured greatest mental and physical
'utreetuff.—that a means now existed for benefiting all classes, and
that, as all other plans had utterly failed, that of 3lr. Owen ought
t 3 he adopted.
A'yoang Gentleman, whose name we could not learn, spoke in
reply to some observation's that had fallen from the Gentleman who
'.marled him, and, in opposition to the last Resolution ; lie was re-
plied to by !Ir. 11l yore, and, after a short discussion, it was
tarried.

. THE PLAGUE-AND THE QUARANTINE
LAWS.

The provisions of our law against the plague arc framed
on principles the meat destructive of human life ; they
assume, most falsely, that the disease is propagated by
contagion, whereas it is an epidemic produced by the im-
pute and corrupt state of the atmosplicre, and the only
chance that infected persons have of recovering, is to
remove to a healthy and pure air. But the stat. 1 Jac. I.
c. 31. which still remains in force, enacts, diet if any per-
son infected with the plague, or dwelling in an infected
house, be commanded by the officer to keep his house, and
shall disobey, he may be enforced so to do; and if any per-
son to commanded to confine himseT, e.t.a abroad and
converses in company, if lie HAS NO rLAOUE-SORE vrow
nut, he shall be miniskyl as a vagabond by whipping, and
be bound to his good behaviour ; but if he 'has any infec-
tious sore upon hlm uncured, he shall be guilty of
retoNV.

I-We have here a striking instance of the flagrant evils
that arise out of a perverse• and ignorant 'spirit of legisla-
tion. If, hcliwe an individual is iaketcd, he attempts to
leave the spot in which the plaque is raging, that he ma♦
escape it, he is to be publie'y whipped as a vagabond, if
after he is attached, in consequence of being thus forcibly
confined and made to catch it, he seeks to be cured, by
changing his residence to some spot where the malady does
not prevail, he is punished with (troth !
If it can be demonstrated indisputably, from the evi-
dence of facts, that the pra„'ue is not a contagious disease,
ft follow 4 of course that all the severe restrictions and penal-
ties enacted by our quarantine laws to prevent its introdue-
tion, and which are replete with the most oppressive and
mischievous c.v.sequences in every part of their operation,
ought forthwith to be repealed.
By the general provisions of those acts (26 Geo. 11. c.
explained by 29 Geo. 11. c. 8. and further enforced by
stat. 28 Geo. 111. c. 34.) which direct the method of per-
forming quarantine, orfirty d its probation by ships from
foreign ports, masters of ships arriving from infected
places, and disobeying the directions given, having the
plague on board, and concealing it, and in certain other cir-
cumstances, are guilty offetotty without clergy. Penalties,
even to felony in some cases, are imposed on persons escap-
ing from the place wherein quarantine is to be performed,
on officers or watchmen neglecting their duty, and on per-
sons conveying goods or letters from ships performing qua-
rantine. A penalty of five hundred pounds is imposed on
the Captain quitting the ship, and two hundred pounds and
six months' iron' isonment on any other person quitting it.
Now, supposing the disease capable of being propagated
by contagion, it is certainly a most extraordinary law that
thus prevents the Captain and every other person on board
front attempting to escape the infection!
The Report of the Select Committee of the House of
Commons, appointed to inquire into the validity if the doc-
trine of CONTAGION in the plague, has been before the
public since the year 1819 ; and last year (1824) we had
the Report on Quarantine of the Select Committee of the
House of Commons on the Foreign Trade. The latter
Committee, proc-cling in that spirit of precaution which
is called for by the consequences which would attend any
precipitate measure, have thus recorded their opinion :
" The influence which this law ( that of quarantine) is supposed
to have in the protection of public health ; its bearing on some of
our strongest prejudices; and its containing the various precautions
which have been long deemed our safeguards against the introduc-
tion of contagious diseases, from whatever part of the world the
danger may be apprehended, renders every recommendation that
may affect it, a matter at once of general interest and peculiar de-
licacy. On the one hand, care is to be taken that in the attempt to
relieve commerce from burthens and inconveniences which press
upon it, and to AMA it the greatest freedom of which it is suscep.
tible, we do not expose the country to the most formidable risk. On
the other hand, that neither ancient prejudices, nor an excess of
anxiety to avert possible danger, should indnce the continuance of
restrictions inessential to their object; and ohould thus deny to the
trade any of those facilities, which, consistently with every pruden-
tial regard to considerations of protection and safety, it may be per-
inittedto enjoy."
. . . .

This mtist interesting subject is again to undergo the in-
vestigation of Parliament early in the ensuing Session ; and
it becomes therefore essential that every Member of the
House should make himself master of it. We had intended
to go into an examination of it at full length, but we find
it so convriliensively treated, in an article in the last
number of the If estminster Review, that we feel it our
duty to point the public attention to it, in preference to any
remarks of our own. The extracts we shall make from it
will sufficiently show the masterly manner in which it is
treated. We consider the generally-received prejudices on
the subject of the contagious nature of the plague, which
gave rise to the quarantine laws, as completely overthrown
by the conclusive testimony, both from reason and experi-
ence, which the Reviewer has there brought together.
A contagious disease is a disease capable of being com-
municated from one person to another. The character ts-
tsential to it is, its power of infecting any healthy person
that conies within the sphere of its morbid influence. The
small-pox, measles, and other contagious diseases of this
class may be, and are, conveyed through the mediae:ly* their
air, but do not derive their origin from the state of
air; whereas epidemic diseases are caused by the state of
the air, and cannot be coszreyed through the medium of the
air. Of this latter class is the piugue.
" Though there is the greatest possible diversity," says the
Reviewer, " in the phenomena of epidemic diseases, yet in all
countries; the periods at which they commence, decline, and
cease, are determinate and exact. These periods correspond
with certain states of the seasons. They differ in different coun-
tries according to their geographical position, and they may be
anticipated or postponed by circumstances, hut in general
they are remarkably uniform. In Asia Minor, Egypt, and
Syria, they commence in March or April, and cease in June or
July : in most parts of Europe, end in North America, they begin
in July or August, and end in Novemba or December. The 'pi-
' dentin which prevailed at Gibraltar and in Spain. in 1800, 1801,
1810, and 1814. prevailed in these autumn's] months. Not only in
Gibraltar and Spain, but in Italy also, anti ii all the places which
they attacked, they uniformly commenced at one period—they ter-
minated at one period. The yellow fever is stated by Dr. Rush to
hare appeared in America six times successively : it always com-
menced from the Ist to the middle of August ; it always terminated
about the middle of October. It is remarkable; that all the epi-
demics' ill Great Britain, of which we have any certain record, pre-
vailed in autumn, and committed the greatest ravages in August,
September, and October. The history of epidemic, in every part
of the world confirms these observations. Now, that diseases,
which depend spots the state of the air, should be thus influenced
by season, should commerce, come to their height, and cease, at
determinate periods of the year, is what might be expected ; con-
tar;ous dkeasea, on the contrary, from the very nature of contagion,
could not possibly be subject to such a law."
Proceeding still further to prove that epidemic +diseases
observe certain laws, and that those laws are the complete
contrast of those which regulate contagious diseases, he
carries on his reasoning in a manner so forcible as to make
its way irresistibly to our conviction.
" Epidemic diseases commence, spread, and cease, in a man-
ner perfectly peculiar. They arise, for example, in some particular
quarter of a town, or in some district. They do not proceed to at-
tack other places in regular succession, according to their proximity
to the quarter first affected, but they break out, at once, in the most
distant and opposite directiona. They prevail, suppose in a certain
district, suddenly they diminish or cease there, and appear in an-
other quarter, it may be, the most remote from the first ; then they
may again return to the piece first attacked, or they may suddenly
appear in a spot near to it, or in one in an opposite direction.
People are attacked, not In proportion as the inhabitants of the
affected mix with those of the unaffected places, but in proportion
as the inhabitants of unaffeeted expose themselves to the air of
affected places. The visits of the sick to unaffected places is fol-
lowed by no increase of disease ; the visits of the inhabitants of an
unaffected, to an afflicted place, is attended with a certain increase
of sickness. On their removal from a noxious to a pure air, the
sick otten rapidly recover; but they du not communicate the disease
At the inhabitants of a pare atmosphere; in the history, of all the
epidemics which have ever prevailed, in all parts of the earth,
there is not on record a single example of Om communication of
the disease from the sick to the healthy its a pure atmosphere.
Again, the manner in which epidemic diseases terminate is most
peculiar and characteristic. It is precisely at the period when the
greatest number of persons are affected, and when the greatest
mortality prevails, that these maladies rapidly decline and sud-
denly cease. There is scarcely an exception to this law in the
history of epidemic diseases. It perfectly accords with the nature
of the cause morn which epidemics are here supposed to depend :
it is totally inexplicabk upon the hypothesis that they are produced
by contagion. To suppose that a disease which is propagated by
contagion can rapidly decline, and even suddenly cease, at the very
period when the greatest number of persons are affected, and when
the greatest mortality prevails, that is, when the contagious matter
is proved to be in its most active and malignant state, is utterly
absurd. So true is this, that the most intelligent and candid con-
tagioniots acknowledge, in so many terms, that this important fact
is perfectly inexplicable upon their system. •• It it; • very curious
fact," says one of the most distinguished and able advocates of
the common doctrine of contagion, •• and perhaps isthol:y unac-
countable upon any theory qf the propagation •J contagion, that
pestilential diseases, after running an indefinite course, notwith-
standing all the measures adopted to restrain their progress, fee-
uently cease spontaneously, at a time when the walls of the