Star.
London, England, 1829-10-13 00:00:00

MA CHINER Y.

In our last paper we gave some account of a piece of
machinery, by which it is proposed to execute the harvest work
usually done by reapers, and, of course, to dispense with the ser-
vices of the people usually employed in that way. As to the pro-
bable success of the machine there are many opinions among
farmers ; and to us, upon the whole, it appears that the circum-
stances under which harvest work is generally required to be done
are too various and complicated ever to he satisfactorily met by
any one piece of mechanism, which, of course, cannot vary its mode
of operation. We have corn laid prostrate—we have it twisted by
winds into all manner of entanglements—we have it on level
ground—on abrupt declivities—on smooth clayey land without a
stone—and on rough ground full of boulders—sometimes we have
fields of wide and uninterrupted surface—at others there are only
patches, saved as it were from the surrounding and intermingling
moorlands, whins, or heather. To suppose that one machine
which cannot, of course, vary its form to suit these varying circum-
stances, should be capable of doing the work for all is to suppose
too much. Such an instrument, if it be ever brought even to mo-
derate perfection, would, of course, only be applicable to certain,
and those the best, kinds of land.
Hut whether the instrument is to be successful or not is a ques-
ti,,e which must be left to be decided by experiment. It has in the
meantime raised the old cry amongst the country people against
machinery ; and they are loud in their exclamations, that what with
machine, to spin and weave—to thrash and to grind—and now to
reap also—there will be nothing left for man to do on the earth;
and, as they expect in a few years to see the poor cotters who had
houses from the farmers for their harvest work turned out by this
machine, if it be successful to the extent proposed, they see no re-
source left them but to go to the lanes of some town and starve
there. The people never reflect on the doctrine of the political
economists, that when work is performed cheaper by machinery, the
produce will be sold cheaper, and that, of court*, more money will
be left the purchasers to spend on other articles affording equal em-
ployment. If the reaping machine does the work cheaper, say the
economists, corn will either become less dear, or land will have
larger rents; and in either case there will be more money to spare
for other manufactures,in which those thrown out of work maysgain
find employment. This is the common theory on the subject, and
we do not by any means question its truth ; but it cannot be ex-
pected to And much acceptance with those whom machinery in the
mean time deprives of daily bread, and certainly throws on their
wish to discover new occupations for themselves, unknown and un-
tried ; and there is no doubt that, while practically me, as far as
the resources and general prosperity of the nation are concerned,
it is a mere theory as relates to those who are imeiediately thrown
destitute. A machine, for instance, may be invented in England
to perform cheaper the weaving of stockings, which is now done
by the band, in Aberdeenshire ; the stockings will be sold cheaper,
the purchasers, with their savings, will buy some new comfort of
luxury, and will by that means give employment to a new set of
labourers • but what is this, in the mean time, to the poor women
rendered idle in Aberdeen? But a very small portion of what
new employment is generated by the saving can fall to their share ;
and, if there is prosperity flowing from that cause, they feel none
of it. It would be the same with the cotters employed at present
in harvest work. A saving by machinery which would be a benefit
to the country generally, would to them, in particular, be of course
only a warning to leave their homes, and to seek fur other employ-
ment where they could find it. It is this circumstance which
keeps alive the prejudice against the machinery among the people,
and even gives to it, among them, a semblance of justice. It is
not in human nature to console its own particular misfortunes by
the abstract idea of general advantage ; and political economists,
who insist so rigorouly on the truth of their own doctrines, ought
to recollect that if they are true (which we certainly do not doubt)
they are true only with the exception—the good which they indi-
cate in general increases only the resources of certain abstract
beings called the nation and posterity ; the evil is acute. poignant,
and reaching to the heart of individuals who have seldom a remedy.
We do not complain of the doctrines of political economy, nor if
we did so could we arrest that irresistible progress in mechanical
improvement on which they speculate; but it is right that all par-
ties should attend more to the crcumstance, that the good done by
such improvements is not unmixed with evil, and that the con.
plaints of the labouring poor on such subjects are neither capri-
cious nor unfounded.—Fife Gerald.
RESTORATION OF THE JEWS.

The following• curious extract is from a private letter
from Smyrna. We give it without note or comment: "The
confidence of the children of Israel in the words of the Prophet
has not been in vain ; the temple of Solomon will be restored in all
its splendour. Baron Rothschild, who was accused of having gone
to Rome to abjure the faith of his fathers, has merely passed
through that city on his way to Constantinople, where be is about
to negotiate a loan with the Porte. It is stated, on good authority,
that Baron Rothschild has engaged to furnish to the Sultan the
enormous sum of 350,600,000 piastres, at three instalments, with-
out interest, on condition of the Sultan's engaging, for himself and
his successors, to yield to Baron Rothschild for ever the sovereignty
of Jerusalem, and the territory of ancient Palestine, which was
occupied by the twelve ttibes. The Baron's intention is, to grant
to the rich Israelites, who are scattered about in diff parts of
the world, portions of that fine country, where he proposes to
establish Seigniorities, and to give them, as far as possible, their
ancient and sacred laws. Thus the descendants of the Hebrews
will at length have a country, and every friend of humanity must
rejoice at the happy event. The poor Jews will cease to be the
victims of oppression and injustice. Glory to the great Baron
Rothschild. who makes so noble a use of his ingots. A little army
being judged necessary for the restored kingdom, measures have
been taken for recruiting it nut of the wrecks of the Jewish
bstallion raised in Holland by Louis Bonaparte. All the Israelites
who were employed in the various deportments of the Dutch
Administration are to obtain superior posts under the Government
of Jerusalem. and the expellees of their journey are to be paid them
in advance."—CmirtJournaL
TilE NEW POLICE.

At an early hour on Sunday morning crowds of drunken
and disorderly persons, of both sexes, assembled, as usual, in and
about the Seven Dial* • and the appearance of a small body of
policemen, who had been ordered there in addition to the regular
patrols, was the signal for the commencement of a " row," the
men being assailed with such epithets as " there go the rascally
policemen!—there go the soldier traps—the sees de harm!" as
they phrased it ; and these tauntings were accompanied with
hootings and groans, and the men were followed, at intetvals.
by knots of vagabonds who seemed prepared for anything that
could occur, and some of whom pushed each other against the
officers. The men bore this treatment with admirable patience
for some time, contenting themselves with requesting the dis-
orderlies to disperse and go home quietly, but their cautions were
scoffed at, and, at length, they were compelled to take two or
three of the worst into custody. This act was the signal for a
general attack upon the Police, and the men who were then on
duty found themselves in a situation of considerable peril ; but
Mr. Thomas, the Superintendent of the District, with Preece and
Giles, two of the Inspectors, were soon on the spot, and a rein-
forcement of 40 or 50 men was, in a few minutes, procured from
the respective stations, and in as short a time nearly 30 of the
ringleaders in the outrages were secured and carried off to du-
rance. The Policemen continued their exertions in clearing the
rarest:, and in a quarter of an hour the whole neighbourhood of
the Seven Dials was as quiet and orderly, comparatively, as St.
James's-square.
The attention of another portion of the Police force was at the
same time directed to the state of Cosent-garden Market and
James-street, in which there are several coffee-shops and other
flash houses, and where men and women of the worst character,
who have gone from one gin-shop to another during the night, as-
semble in the morning, and fights and robberies tort of number ate
the consequence. The police met with considerable resistance for
some time, and bard knocks were exchanged ; but a few of the
worst were seized and taken to the watch-home : and when the
time of Divine Service approached, the streets were clear, and the
respectable inhabitants going to their devotion were no longer in
danger of witnessing some disgusting exhibition, or having their
ears offended with blasphemous and filthy expressions, at the corner
of every street. St. Giles's and Covent-garden watch•bouses were
completely filled, and some few were taken to St Clement's. In
Covent-garden watch-house the prisoners, about twelve o'clock,
commenced fighting among themselves, and the officers were com•
pelted to iron some. and give others a hearty shaking, to prevent
serious mischief. There were no less than 56 prisoners locked up
at four o'clock on Solidly afternoon.

a~TYsTE aloud I,LA•rii . Saturday an inquest was
held at the Spread Eagle, Millhank. before A. Cell, Esq. Coroner
for Westminster, on the body of Emma Curtaine, a fine looking
girl, 17 years of age, who was found drowned in the River Thames.
A witress was examined who proved the findirg of tke body..
Mr. Cell remarked to the Jury that there was no evidence to
show how she came into the water ; the witness who found the
body could only speak to that fact. The mother of the unfortu-
nate girl, however. was in the house. but her feelings were so ex-
cited that it would have been a pity to call her. Sht could merely
speak as to the state of her daughter'. mind. Ile let it to the
Jury whether they. under the citcumstances, would cot be justified
to returning a verdict of " Found Drowned." The death of the
deceased was involved in great mystery, and that verdict would
salbiect the cave to future investigation Jury returned a
verdict—" Found Droweed." The mother said, it Wail her ins.
wriwion that the deceaesd hall been n:urdered.