The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-09
THE NATIONAL ERA.
LETTER FROM LONDON,
LONDON, December 10, 1850.

of his early history, and to state his convictions,
arrived at years ago, in reference to economy and
reform
There is no man in England with such stub
born will as Joseph Hume. Born of humble pa
rentage, by his undaunted courage he achieved
for himself large fortune and instead Of de-
sorting his own order, he consecrated his talents
and energies to the cause Of the people He is
by no means man Of brilliant parts, but his
strong common sense and iron energy accomplish
more than mere erratic genius or talents. He is
the only man in England who can bear to be
laughed at By the wits and critics, and yet pre-
serve his humor. lie is perfectly case-hardened
in this respect and it is now well understood
that be cannot be laughed out of anything, for
he cares not fig for rdicule. So in the House
Of Commons Joseph Hume is never coughed or
cried down Years ago the thing was attempted,
but il was soon discovered that the member for
Montrose was not made Of common stuff. He
mould be heard and if the House cried him
down, he quietly folded his arms on his breast,
always keeping the floor until it was quiet again.
His steady Scotch economy has caused many of
the sristocratie spendhrifts in the House TO in
suit and ridicule him, but all to no purpose what
ever.
The dinner at Southampton went off happily,
the speeches made were all reformatorY, and Mr..
Hume's was, though lengthy, of great interest.
Those persons who have read Charles Dick
ens's Old Curiosity Shop" will remember the
celebrated " limbs of the law therein described,
under the names Of Mr. and Sally Brass, and the
poor little girl, whom they almost s'arved to
death-Dick Swivellers " Warehouses" Many,
without doubt thought the characters over
drawn but a case came before the Police Court
at GnilIhall, on MoniIy last, which in itG terri
BILE truth puts to shame all fiction.
lawyer and his wife, Of good standing and
wealth. and prlcticing in one Of the Courts, were
charged with starving almost to death servant
girl in their employ. The facts ELECTED from the
Witnesses were some of~ihem roo bopriybleto re-
late; and the Judge remarked that he scarcely
felt strength to 90 on much farther that day with
the sickening details 1t was proved that the
poor girl-while the lawyer and wife were eat
ing their roast beef and steaks-was denied any
thing but a trihe of bread and some mustard
and this diet was continued, day after day. until
she got so poor that her bones almost wore
through her skin, and she could scarcely walk
She was most cruelty beaten, and was forced by
her inhuman master and mistress to tell every
one who asked, that she had plenty to eat, and
was happy. Tine physician who was called to
attend the girl testified that there was no sick
ness, nothing but the want of food had reduced
her to such a feeble and dangerous state At
certain stage in the proceedings the girl was
borne into court upon pillows, and was sworn.
She vas white as a corpse, and gave her testimony
ia whispers and when it was repeated by the
judge, who bent his ear down close to her lips,
thrill Of horror ran through the crowd in attend
ance. 1t seemed impossible that such things
could take place in the heart of London, and in
she family of one whose position was far above
the common herdo
In little while the girl ceased to whisper She
had tainted, and the physician said that her life
was in great danger, and the further examination
was put off until she could regain her strength
1t is doubtful whether she will live and, if not,
the charge against the lawyer and his hideous
wife will be still more serious than the one now
entertained against them.
The Earl of Carlisle-formerly Lord Nor
peth--hasnt length delivered his lecture at Leeds,
under the title of Impressions of America"
and it has excited considerable sensation. lie
dwells at considerable length on the voluntary
system in religion in the United States and
though not believing the question decided yet
there, whether voluntaryism is the best system
yet confesses that there certainly is health
and universally of religious liberty which do
not regard without some degree of envy" lie
was not particularly smitten with the American
Congress lie characterizes the English Paria-
ment as noisy but the American Congress as
" disorder y"
He gives vivid description Of John Quincy
Adams, whom he heard through n three days
speech Here is little Of the sketch of him:
"Another member whom ! need not name,
the ablest and fcrcest champion on the Southern
or STAKEHOLDER side whom | heard, made most
savage onslaught on Mr.. Adams; then up got
that old man eloquent and no one could have
reproached him with not understanding how to
speak, tNtH hdRRtTS' illH bTdNb DuJ bOHtNHAI
troublous spirit has passed from the scenes upon
which he played so conspicuous part but he
has left behind him words of fire. the sparks of
which are not yet extinct"
lie says of MIR. Clay " never met any pub |
lie man, in his country, or mine, always except
ing MIR Canning, who exercised such evident
fascination over the minds and affections of his |
friends and followers, as Henry Clay"
Mr. Legare, who was alive when he was in |
Washington, he regards as the most accomplished
scholar he met with in America.
lie speaks of the South and Slavery ut some
length, Culogziug the easy hospitality of the
planters. hut deploring the recklcssuess misman.
agemcnt. and lack of thrift, everywhere apparent
g The South he says " is to the free States what
Ireland is to England She is far behind in ev-
erythug like education, energy, and power But |
| will not quote him further.
On Tuesday, deputations from the city Of Lon |
don aud the Universities at Cambridge and Ok |
ford had An audience of the Queen, and laid be-
fore her expressions of their Indignation at the |
conduct of the Pope. Her Majesty replied to the |
London deputation very properly, but when the
deputation from Oxford read their address Lord |
] John Russell who was on the right Of the throne
at once assumed an air Of easy haHeHr All was
explained when her Majesty read her reply,
which though smooth and courteous, evidently
a rebuke for the digntaries at Oxford
who have persisted in teaching Puseyism to their
scholars During the reading of the reply, the
Prime Minister bent his head slightly forward |
with finger on his lip, and eyed the m mbers of
The deputation very closely, as if keenly enjoying
the scene The Queen bore the fatigue of the oc-
ragiou well, but was good deal flushed-says the
Times.
While upon the subject, may as well refer to
the resignation Of the Rev MIR. Bennett of St |
Paurs, knightsbridge, rigid Puseyite His
church is a very important one, but he has re-
signed his watch over il rather than relinqush |