The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-12-09

LONDON, Nov. 3, 1S47.

LONDON, Nov. 3, 1s47.
"On account of the pressure in the money
market, large number of railway schemes
are temporarily suspended. 1t is said that
within ten miles of Manchester alone, no less
than ten thousand laborers will be put out of
employment during the present week. 1t is
also said that there is very general suspen-
sion of railway works in different parts of the
kingdom. Not only are the Birkenhead and
Cheshire Junction works entirely suspended,
but the contractors for the line from Liver
pool to Bury have discharged more than half
their workmen, and the work of the London
and North Western are progressing at less
than half their former speed, while the COM
pany is postponing all improvements and
other works upon the line. These diminu-
tons will be great relief to the embarrassed
holders of railway stock, but large numbers
of men will be thrown out of employment at
a season of the year when they cannot obtain
other work, while few of them have saved
shilling for the necessities Of the winter
The trade clubs or unions are said to be
powerful in numbers, and possessed of large
funds, and it is feared that there may be
general strike, and consequent total suspen-
sion of all railway works during several
months. 1t is stated that one great contract
or has more than 100000 of railway con-
tracts ION hand and incomplete at this mo-
ment, and although he has recently discharg-
ed two thousand workmen, he still pays fifty
thousand pounds weekly in wages alone
When it is considered that there are numcr-
Gus other contractors of less magnitude, it is
no longer wonderful that money should be
in great demand, and that high rates should
be paid for it. But money is not required to
complete railways in England only; vast
sums have already been sent abroad for for
eign railways especially for the French lines.
1t is calculated that no less than fourteen
millions sterling have been taken out of Eng
land for seals" on French railway lines
connecting the French capital, and lines pro-
ceeding therefrom, with the London Bridge
and South Western lines. There appears,
too, to be liability of eight millions sterling
to meet on the Northern Of France, and the
Paris and Lyons line.
France will require at least twenty -one
millions sterling to complete all her lines and
projected lines, q greater portion of which
has, however, already been advanced in Eng
land. With these vast sums, added to the
still large amount required for her own limits,
together with the millions sent abroad for the
purchase of food, and the millions voted to
Ireland, it is no longer wonderful that money
is scarce, trade is dull, and failures are con-
stantly taking place in this country!
There have been three or four melancholy
cases of suicide reported lately, and all of
them were caused by over-anxiety in bust
ness, which produced depression of the brain.
In one case the coroner stated that it was
surprising to see what little events caused
pressure on the brain. He had just attended
an inquest on the body of Mr.. Kean, gen
teman who resided in Regents Park, and
who had enjoyed most excellent health, but
he was u man of immense business and the
proprietor of thirty seven patents His great
attention to business had brought on q pres.
sure of the brain, which first showed itself
while be was in his counting house, when he
found that he was unable to sign check
He was told by his medical adviser that he
ought to take repose, but his business was so
extensive that he could not prevail upon him
to take that amount Of rest which his case re-
quired, and time went on without his symp-
toms improving, until at length he would for
get his friends at the dinner-table. He final
ly destroyed himself with a razor. The cor
roner brought forward this melancholy case
as a warning to persons to take repose and
leave business entirely when laboring under
pressure of the BRAIN"