95 Billy Butterworth, the Oldham Hermit. 96 review in vol. ix. col. 571. On that occasion | hut of "Billy Butterworth." The eccenwe spoke of its nature, character, and useful tric being who bears this name, from the tendency; and from a perusal of this manner of his dressing, an immense beard second part, we perceive no occasion to reaching to his girdle, and many other alter our opinion. The extraordinnry use- singularities, has obtained the name of fulness of this pious lady, labouring in the "the hermit;" though, from the great ninistry, though sometimes a little enthu- numbers that daily and hourly visit him siastic, is a sufficient answer to all the from all parts, he has no real claim to objections that can be urged from abstract the title. reasoning. Should ecclesiastical coercion impose silence on her, we may almost expect "the stones to cry out." 5. A Plan for Bettering the Condition of the Working Classes, by the Establishment of Friendly Societies, &c. by George West, M. A. (Longman, London,) is a pamphlet that enters deeply into the question, and proceeds with several curious calculations. Many of the author's observations carry their own evidence with them; and so promising are his plans and estimates, that they are fairly entitled to a serious examination, and, perhaps we may add, adoption. 6. A few Philosophical Reasons against Catholic Emancipation A Letter to Lord Farnham, (Robins, London,) are advanced with much spirit and judgment on this important question, which is now agitating the political and theological Billy Butterworth's hut is a rude buildworld. The author argues, that to comply ing of his own construction, a piece of with the demands of the Catholics, is to ground having been given him for the purgive them an opportunity of gaining an pose. In the erection of this hut, the rude ascendancy in these dominions, and, when- hand of uncultivated nature laughed to ever that takes place, of reviving the miseries scorn the improvements of modern times, which our ancestors endured. To the for neither saw, nor plane, nor trowel, Catholic religion he argues the wretched-assisted to make it appear gracious in the ness of Ireland may be attributed. "The eye of taste: a rude heap of stones, sods curse of popery accompanies it across of earth, moss, &c. without nails or mortar, the Atlantic.' are piled together in an inelegant, but perfectly convenient manner, and form number of apartments. The whole has the appearance of a heap of rocks thrown together, with trees and plants growing amongst them; and its parts are so firmly united, that its tenant fears not "the pelting of the pitiless storm;" but, snug beneath his lowly roof, he appears equally content with the smiles or frowns of fortune. BILLY BUTTERWORTH, THE OLDHAM MR. EDITOR. HERMIT. ap SIR.-Herewith you will receive a brief sketch of Billy Butterworth, the Oldham Hermit, together with a portrait of him, drawn by himself,-The portrait, you will perceive, wants varnishing; he will then pear older, as he really is: he had not any varnish, or he would have done it. Should you think them worth preserving in the Imperial Magazine, they are at your service. Yours, &c. J. SCHOFIELD. Hollingwood, July 3, 1827. Near the summit of a hill, called Glodwick Loes, situated on the borders of Lancashire, near the populous town of Oldham, commanding a very extensive prospect, stands the solitary, yet celebrated a To give a proper description of the hermit's hut, would be very difficult, but a brief sketch will communicate a pretty good idea of the object. The lodge is made of rude branches of trees, where the visitor has to bend, as he enters into the pleasure ground. It is surrounded by a fancy and kitchen garden, curiously decorated with rude seats, arches, grottos, &c.; a few plaster of paris casts are here and there placed, so as to have a pleasing effect. On the outer part of the hut for merly stood the hermit's chapel, in which painted by himself, and a great many other was a half-length figure of himself; to paintings, organ, jars, table, half-circle this chapel he used to retire at certain chairs, sophas, &c. From the saloon we hours, in devotion to his Maker; but as enter the repository, where natural curiosihe makes little pretensions to religion, he ties, such as mosses, shells, stones, coins, has pulled it down: besides, where wood-shoes, landscapes, &c. are so placed stood the chapel is an observatory; and as to excite the admiration of the gazing here the hermit amuses his numerous multitudes. Next is the library, in which visitors by exhibiting a small camera ob- a few books are so placed as to correspond scura of his own construction, by which he with the other parts of the hut. We next is enabled to explain the surrounding pass through the servants' hall, (in which is country for four or five miles. Near the a turn-up bed, ancient chest, shelf, cupcamera obscura is a raised platform, almost boards, sophas, a small oven, made of an on a level with the roof of the hermitage; iron pot turned on its side,) into the diningthis he calls "the terrace." From the room, through a narrow lobby, and painted terrace there is a beautiful view of the door. From the dining-room we enter the country. The towns of Ashton-under-lyne, drawing-room, which is covered with a Stockport, Manchester, lie in the distance, palm leaf, the gift of John Blackburn, Esq. with the adjacent villages, and the line of M. P. The walls are lined with drapery, Yorkshire hills, from among which “Wild tastefully hung, and the furniture exhibits Bank" rises majestically above its neigh- numerous specimens of ancient carved bours. The hermit makes use of this situ- wood-work. Pictures of all sorts, from the ation, to give signals to the village at the genuine oil painting, and prints of good foot of the hill, when he wishes to be sup-line engraving, down to the common cari. plied with any article of provision for the cature daubs, are numerously hung in every entertainment of his visitors, such as part of the hut. liquors, cream, sallads, bread, &c.: of confectionary, ginger beer, and pepper-mint, he has generally a good stock. We next come to his summer arbours, which are numerous in his garden, and furnished with tables and seats for parties to enjoy themselves separately, without interfering with others. He formerly had a dove-house in his garden, where he kept a few pairs of doves; but some unlawful wretch, in the absence of the owner, stole the doves,-which so offended the hermit that he took down the dove-house. Of the out-buildings, the last we shall describe, is the carriage-house. The reader may smile at the word "carriage" in such a situation, and would be more apt to believe me if I had said a wheel-barrow. But no! grave reader, "Billy Butterworth" runs his carriage, which is of the low gig kind, drawn by an ass, and on extra occasions by two asses. A little boy, called Adam, is the postilion, as there is only seating for one in the carriage. The boy acts as a waiter in busy times. In his carriage, "Billy Butterworth," drives to his wealthy neighbours, and meets with a gracious reception. He frequently visits the Earl of Stamford, Earl de Wilton, &c. &c. and, from his grotesque dress and epuipage, excites mirth to a great degree. The inner part of this hermit's hut consists of many different apartments, all of which are named in great style: the east front enters into the saloon, in which are two half-length portraits of the hermit, 66 Billy Butterworth" is himself a tall man, of rather a commanding figure, with dark hair, and dark sparkling eyes. His countenance is of a pleasing but rather of a melancholy appearance, which is increased by an immensely long black beard. On the whole, although he is now in the evening of life, the remains of a once handsome man are evident. His dress is varied according to the seasons; in winter he wears black cloth, in spring green, in summer red, in autumn yellow. He travels in black velvet, always resembling the costume of Elizabeth and Charles's days; a black cap, black ostrich feathers, and buckle, long waistcoat, jacket with silk let into the sleeves, small-clothes of the same, and over the whole a short mantle. Billy Butterworth has lived in this solitary abode for twenty-six years. His reasons for adopting this mode of life appears to be, in consequence of his residing in his younger days with a family of ladies, with whose retired habits he was so much captivated, that when he returned to live in his father's house, (his father is still living,) with his brothers and sisters, though he had been brought up with them, their manners so disgusted him, that, into the chamber in which he lodged, he made a way through the roof, and ascended and descended by a ladder; and it is called to this day, Billy's chamber.” But the general opinion is, that a disappointment in love has been the cause; and which, in some degree, he acknowledges, as he says, 66 99 Trial by Jury in India. the world will have it so. However, let that rest as it will, it is said he has accumulated, by these eccentric means, a handsome property; but he is so independent, that he will not receive a present from his friends. He is communicative to strangers; is polite, and well-informed on general topics, and has evidently read much. He was in his younger days a member of a corps dramatique. On the person, manners, and habitation, of this very singular character, a descriptive poem, by James Taylor, the Royton Poet, whose work we reviewed in our preceding number, accompanied the above account, and also an autograph of the hermit and the poet, but our limits at present prevent us from inserting either. TRIAL BY JURY IN INDIA, INTRODUCED BY SIR ALEXANDER JOHNSTON. THE introduction of the Bill to enable Natives and Anglo-Indians to sit as jurors on trials in India, has deservedly excited the attention of public men in this country, and will, we trust, lead to further improvements in the administration of justice in the East. From several communications of correspondents on that subject, we select the following, as calculated to set in a clearer light than heretofore, the measures by which the introduction of native jurors was accompanied in Ceylon. Sir Alexander Johnston was fully aware, when he first introduced trial by jury into Ceylon, that the degree of confidence which the people of the country might be expected to repose in that institution, would be proportionate to the conviction which they entertained, that they themselves would always be consulted as to the character and qualifications of those persons, whose names were to be enrolled in the list of men qualified to act as jurors; and that neither the local government, nor the supreme court, would ever attempt to exert any undue influence, either in the original formation of that list, or in the subsequent selection from it, of such jurors as might from time to time be required to serve at any criminal session, which might be held by the supreme court, in any part of the island. The great object, therefore, which Sir Alexander Johnston had in view, in all the regulations which he made upon this subject was, not only to render it extremely difficult, but to convince the people of the country themselves, that it was extremely difficult, if not impossible, either for the local government or the court, to exert 100 any undue influence as to the jurors, without their attempt to do so becoming directly a matter of public notoriety and public animadversion. It appeared to this judge, that the surest method of attaining this object was, to limit, as far as he could, by public regulations, the power of the court, and that of its officers; and to place them in every point, which was in any way connected with the jury, under the constant inspection and control of the people of the country. He accordingly, after much consultation with some of the most enlightened natives on the island, published a regulation, declaring that every man, whatever might be his caste or religious persuasion, had a positive right to act as a juryman, provided he was a man of unexceptionable character, a freeman, a permanent resident on the island, and had attained the age of 21, and also declaring that the people of the country themselves should be the judges, whether a man had or had not those qualifications, which by this regulation gave him that positive right. Sir A. Johnston, at the same time, published another regulation, directing the fiscal or sheriff of each province on the island, publicly to make and return to the supreme court, a correct list of all persons in his province, who are qualified, as required by the former regulation, to act as jurymen. To prevent the possibility of abuse on the part of the fiscal, the following mode of proceeding was observed by the court: As soon as he had made out a return to the court, a list of all persons in his province, who were duly qualified to serve as jurymen, this list was, by order of the court, published and circulated through every part of the province, for the specific purpose of enabling every inhabitant to make such remarks on it as might occur to him, and to prefer, when necessary, an immediate and public complaint to the court against the fiscal, if it should appear that he either had omitted out of the list, the name of any person whose name he ought to have inserted in it, or had inserted in the list, the name of any person whose name he ought to have omitted. After the list had undergone this public scrutiny, it was publicly ordered by the court to be considered by the fiscal as the list of all persons who were duly qualified to act as jurors, and that out of which he was bound to return, by rotation, all persons who were required to serve as jurors at the criminal sessions, held by the supreme court in his province. Independent of these precautions against any abuse on the part of the fiscal, every person in a province, in which the court was about to hold a criminal session, had public notice given him long before it was held, that the list in question was always liable to be publicly revised by the court at the commencement of the session, upon any complaint which might be publicly made to the court by an inhabitant of the province, either against the fiscal for any impropriety of conduct in making out the list, or against any individual on the list for any impropriety of conduct in getting his name inserted in that list. Although therefore, the supreme court, and its officers the fiscals, are allowed, for convenience sake, to be the instruments through which the list of persons on the islands qualified to act as jurymen, is obtained; it is hardly possible, considering the manner in which all their proceedings in this point are watched and controlled by the people of the country, that either the court itself or its officers can exert any undue influence in the selection of jurors, without such conduct being immediately known, and becoming a subject of public and general animadversion. [We hope to resume this subject in our next.] Literary Notices. Just Published. The Antidote; or, Memoirs of a Freethinker. 2 vols. 12mo. An Oration delivered before the Medico-Botanical Society of London, October 1827. By John Frost, F.A.S. F.L.S. and F H.S, A Sermon preached at the opening of the Scotch National Church, London, May 11, 1827. By Thomas Chalmers, D.D. A Sermon preached at the opening of the New Presbyterian Chapel in Belfast, September 23, 1827. By Thomas Chalmers, D.D. Rudiments of Music. By D. E. Ford. History of the Waldenses, from the earliest to the present time. Apology for the modern Theology of Protestant Germany. Part I. of an Exposition of the book of Psalms, explanatory, critical, and devotional. By John Morison. The Young Servant's Friendly Instructor. By Esther Copley, (late Hewlett.) The Plymouth and Devenport Guide, with sketches of the surrounding scenery. By Henry E. Carrington. Poems and Hymns. By Jane Kidd. Deep Things of God. By Sir Richard Hill, bart. Notes of a Bookworm; or, Selections from the Portfolio of a Literary Gentleman. Apostacy of the Roman Catholic Church, Socinian, Unitarian, Antinomian, and other Heresies. A new Volume of Tales, by the Author of " May you Like it." The Auctioneer's and Commercial Broker's Law Instructor. Part III. of Richard Baynes's Catalogue for 1827-8 of Theology and Generai Literature, ls. 6d. and R. B's. Catalogue complete for 1827-8, three parts in one vol. 8vo. bds. 6s. The second Volume of Allen's History of London, Westminster, Borough of Southwark, and Parts adjacent; with numerous elegant and rare engravings. liams. 12mo. The Teacher's Offering. By the Rev. J. Campbell. No. 1. New series. Part I. to XII. to be continued monthly, 1s. each, to be completed in 40 parts, or three thick volumes octavo, the Cottage Bible and Family Expositor; containing the authorized translation of the Old and New Testaments; with practical reflections, and short explanatory notes, calculated to elucidate difficult and obscure passages. By Thomas Williams. Anti-Slavery Reporter, Nos. 29, 30, and 31. Two Letters to the Rev. Isaac Keeling. By a Member of the Methodist New Connexion. Summary of the Progress of Reform in the Slave Colonies of Great Britain, since May 1823. tant Reformation Society. Extracts from the Report of the British Protes The Process of Historical Proof explained and exemplified. By Isaac Taylor, junr. 8vo. Selections from the Works of John Howe, M.A. By the Rev. W. Wilson, D.D. The second volume, which completes this author. 18mo. manner for young persons. The Elements of Astronomy treated in a familiar By the Author of Astrarium Improved. An Elegy on the Death of Joseph Butterworth, Esq late M.P. for Dover; and other Poems. By H. R. Griffiths. In the Press. In one volume octavo, with a portrait,-speedily will be published, Memoirs of the Life, Writings, and Character, Literary, Professional, and Reli gious, of the late John Mason Good, M.D. F. R.S. &c. &c. with numerous illustrative selections from his unpublished papers. By Olinthus Gregory, LL.D. &c. &c. The Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and the Doctrine of Spiritual Influence, considered in several discourses. By W. Orme. 12mo. The Life and Opinions of John de Wycliffe, D.D.; with a preliminary view of the Papal System, and of the state of the Protestant Doctrine in Europe, to the commencement of the 14th century. By Robert Vaughan. Moase (Rev. C.) on Religious Liberty, in Reply to Bishop Burgess's Catechism. A new Edition of the Rev. T. Binney's Discourse delivered at Petersfield, before the Hampshire Association of Independent Ministers, April 1827. A second Edition, in royal 12mo. of "The Revolt of the Bees," dedicated to the Emigration Committee. The Police Constable; or Observations on the Cause of the Increase of Crime, with the Means of Prevention, &c. &c. ; to which is added, the Duties of a Police Constable. Elements of Mental and Moral Science. 8vo. By George Payne, A.M. A closely-printed pocket volume, entitled Arcana of Science and Art for 1828; being the popular discoveries and improvements of the past year. By the Editor of the Mirror. A small Volume of Original Hymns. By J. Mann. In one Volume, octavo, Marriage; an Essay. By the Rev. H. C. O'Donnoghue. Elements of Geography, on a new plan. By Ingram Cobbin, A.M. 18mo. The Missionary Cabinet; comprising a gazetteer of all the places occupied by Christian Missionaries. By the Rev. C. Williams. The Rev. George Oliver is preparing for the press a History of Initiation, forming a second volume to his Signs and Symbols of Free Masonry. A Masonic Magazine. 103 Commercial Retrospect for 1827. COMMERCIAL RETROSPECT FOR 1827. 104 WE have now arrived at the close of another Year, a period at all times of interest to the Commercial World; and in tracing an outline of the past, we may arrive at some conclusions on which to ground our anticipations of the future. In a country like England, so pre-eminent in Manufactures, Commerce, and Agriculture, it becomes a difficult matter at all times for the Government to dispense true limits of protection to each branch of industry its measures for the attainment of general good are at times thwarted by opposing influence. This has happened with respect to the laws for regulating the importation of Grain. In this instance, the Landed Interest bas preferred claims, and obtained objects, incompatible with the liberal views of commerce and manufactures; and it is much to be lamented, that the temperate modifications attempted by the late Corn Bill, of admitting Grain on a graduated scale of duty, should have failed; more particularly so, as it afforded salutary prospects to the cultivator of the ground, and precluded the possibility of those sudden alterations, in price, which are so highly injurious to all classes of the community. In justice, let it be conceded to the grower, that he have protection, but not monopoly; then would the shipowner, artisan, and general consumer, be enabled to live; the grower of Foreign Corn receive an adequate encouragement, and a general exchange of Manufactures and Colonial produce would be promoted. The fears of the Agriculturists upon this important point, are equally as ill-founded as were those of the manufacturers of Silk on a late occasion, but who at length are convinced, by the test of experience, that monopoly only feeds indolence, and, as a forbidding rivalry, retards improvement. In defiance of competition, and the peculiar advantages enjoyed by Foreigners, our Silk manufactures are now in a state of progressive advancement towards perfection, that bid fair shortly to rival the boasted manufactures of Lyons. We have much pleasure in having to remark, that the country is recovering from the severe shock occasioned by the panic of the years 1825 and 1826. Employment among the labouring classes is not generally wanting; but it is painful to admit, that the recompense for labour is too low, and that the price of agricultural produce, and what constitutes the real necessaries of life, is disproportionably high. Prices of Grain per Gazette.-Wheat, 52s. 7d. Barley, 31s. 2d. Oats, 22s. 9d. Rye, 33s. 11d. Beans, 42s. 10d. Pease, 45s. per quarter. In Colonial produce, the article first deserving of consideration is Sugar. Its value for some time past has been but feebly supported, though the stock is considerably less than at this period last year. Coffee has been receding in value for some time past, and it may be considered as rating low. In the beginning of the year prices ruled from 50s. to 98s. per cwt. for an arrangement of qualities which now only bring 32s. to 88s. The reduction of duty on the berry has tended greatly to bring it into more general use, and we are warranted in concluding, that it must have increased the comforts of the poor. The stock of the country is about one-tenth less than at the same period last year. The article of Cotton, so important in our manufactures, is at rates sufficiently low to encourage a general demand for loom goods, both at home and abroad; but the extended cultivation of the Cotton plant has so materially tended to swell the amount of Imports, that we close the year with a heavier stock than was ever before known, and yet under prospects that afford but little temptation to the active speculator. Silk and Wool are each of them comparatively as low as Cotton. Several petitions were presented to Parliament during the late Sessions, against the importation of foreign wool, and claiming protection for the British grower upon which Lord Goderich observed," that it was fallacious to imagine that relief could be afforded by imposing a duty on foreign wool, as the result would prove, that the sale of the manufactured article would decrease, if the price of the raw material was raised." Metals generally, are very low, especially Spelter, Lead, and Tin. This may be accounted for in two ways; first, from the spirit that has been generally diffused in mining speculations; and secondly, from the reduced rates now payable on the import of metals, as well as admitting the ores at a moderate ad valorem duty. The establishment of Branch Banks, in different parts of England, has occasioned a vehement outery against that corporate body; and it is considered as an officious interference in the trade of the country. In some places the introduction of Branch Banks appears unnecessary, whilst in many manufacturing districts they may be found truly useful: to one good, at all events, they have given rise, which is, a facility in obtaining discounts, and more accommodation from private banking establishments, to their customers. Before concluding these observations, we are anxious to direct the public attention to the expiring Charter of the East India Company, which gives them a monopoly of the trade to China, Measures should be taken in time to terminate this monopoly, and to throw the trade open to the general competition of his Majesty's subjects; a trade which, followed by the commercial genius of this country, promises to open a wide field for the extension of commerce, in the exchange of produce and manufactures. The amount of taxation in this country, notwithstanding his Majesty's ministers have effected considerable retrenchment, is found to press heavily upon the public; and we must not conceal what is too obvious to be overlooked, that neither Commerce nor Manufactures are in a flourishing condition. Economy in all classes is necessarily the order of the day, and the want of employment at home has occasioned the emigration of a valuable portion of the people to a considerable extent,-they being actuated either by the prospect of cheap living, or by the benefit to be derived from the higher recompense given for mechanical labour. According to the present state of things, the Revenue will of course be found deficient, particularly the Excise but so soon as a liberal Corn Bill shall pass into a law, we shall see the income of the country advance, wages become higher, the Agriculturist benefited by an increasing consumption of produce, and other countries participating in the common advantages. Still there does not appear any reason for desponding; our general system has stability stamped upon it, affording security against senseless panics for the future. Wealth cannot long lie idle: but the possessors of it may be induced to turn it into the many varied channels, either of Agriculture, commerce, or manufacture; and thus whilst benefiting themselves, they will give an impulse to the manifold branches of industry; and the coming year will, no doubt, evince, that our lessons of severe experience have not been in vain. LONDON: PRINTED AT THE CAXTON PRESS, BY H. FISHER, SON, AND CO. |