THE LANCASHIRE BEACON'S' REVIEW OF THE

" REASONER.'

AFTER more than nine years' experience of public life, our conviction is that, while public men should be inflexible as regards principle, they cannot be too flexible in all that regards detail. There are 'philosophical liberals' who would have reformers always pursue the same course under every variety of ever-varying circumstances. Autre temp autre mœurs is a truth not dreamt of in their philosophy, although so simple that the wonder is how any one can fail to understand it. Those who pique themselves on ignorance so strange, pounce upon the 'inconsistencies' of public men, as hawks do upon pigeons; which inconsistencies,' as they call them, are not really such, but a judicious, because flexible, scheme of policy. Up to a recent date, we put forward what we believed to be truth in the most startling, and frequently the most offensive, language; but the Beacon is evidence that we are 'inconsistent' enough to modify a little the tone of our articles. We freely allow to others a liberty we think should be allowed to ourselves. To the change of style and matter, therefore, indicated by a comparison between early and more recent numbers of the Reasoner, we offer no objection. Autre temp autre mœurs is our admitted motto; and, doubtless, Mr. Holyoake has sufficient reason to justify him in making the Reasoner of to-day more political and less theological than the Reasoner of two years since. The number before us is an average one, and by consulting it a general judgment may be fairly arrived at. Mr. Holyoake's Oration over the grave of Hetherington, printed in the above, is beautiful, pathetic, and free of affectation or maudlin sensibility as any such oration can be. Sincerity breathes in every passage-not one of which appears to us impertinent or uncalled for. Articles on 'Popular Reformers,'' Facts of the Factory Question,' will also be found in this number. They are well intended and useful, though written in a style neither smart nor stupid; but the compound known as deadly lively. These articles are evidently not editorial, but the favours of correspondents, some of whom are able contributors, but have yet to learn that though, in little cock-boats of our own, carrying a great deal of sail and very little ballast is dangerous, it is equally so to have a great deal of ballast and hardly a rag of sail. Α sick Yankee, being asked how he felt, said-Oh! powerful weak, but cruel easy.' Now, it occurs to us that powerful weak but cruel easy are words exactly expressive of the style so much admired by certain 'forcible feeble' contributors to the Reasoner. If they wrote less and Mr. Holyoake more, readers of that periodical would be gainers, both on the score of instruction and amusement.-Lancashire Beacon, No. 6.

[Mr. Southwell has honoured us as above with a critical notice of the Reasoner of a somewhat ambiguous nature. It will be recollected that the reasons adduced by Mr. Southwell to justify the modification in his own policy, are nearly identical with those which, when presented by us some time ago on what we believe to be more independent grounds, were violently rejected by him. With respect to the choice of subjects, we have felt as journalists (a matter for which our judgments, and not our

motives, must be held responsible), and have deemed political topics to be of chief importance lately. But it does not follow from that (as others have said) that we have abandoned theological discussion. Always, when occasion offers, as our later numbers testify, we are ready to offer our opinion and stand fast to our convictions. A war of words and antagonisms merely, a fruitless and exasperating polemic can always be met in the same way, and frequently put down. In such a strife of passion and prejudice, the real question does not even come before the public, who is sure to pass a verdict on the manner employed by the disputants-upon the accessories not on the essentials. We labour to keep the issue of the unimpassioned question clearly before the reader. It is this habit which Mr. Southwell designates so facetiously. As we have said before, the writers in most of the people's journals deliver themselves as though their ideas were not produced by the ordinary law of intellectual births-by induction and inference-but were equivocally generated by the heat of fervid emotion, wrought upon by unbearable oppression. We pride that quality in our correspondents which maintains a legitimate calmness, superior to this excitement, more than any palm for 'smartness' which a contrary course might win from some. We are glad, however, to find Mr. Southwell coinciding with us more than formerly; for, always agreeing with him as to the enemy to be defeated, we wish to fight side by side in every attack.—ED. of R.]

DEATH OF EDMUND THOMAS GOOCH.

EDMUND THOMAS GOоCH, of High Street, Poplar, Middlesex-one or more of whose contributions appeared in an early volume of the Reasoner -died, on the 10th instant, of consumption; aged 24 years. Mr. Gooch was a self-educated liberal-an earnest inquirer, and friend of progress of studious habits-of untiring perseverance, and good natural mental endowments. He examined for himself the disputed questions in theology and politics, and after patient and laborious investigation he became a Deist in religion, a Utilitarian in morals, and a Communist in political economy.

Early removed from much social intercourse, his time was occupied, while minding his father's shop, or after the hours of business, in repairing the defects of an imperfect education-in acquiring habits of close study and patient research. He succeeded (in opposition to his parent's wish -who never knew any good come of reading') in acquiring sound and valuable information, that led him more recently to become a member of the Poplar Institution, where he made further progress. He served on the Committee, and ably assisted in the great work of education. He also served on the Committee of the Working Men's Poplar Reading Rooms. Having acquired great proficiency in Phonography, he lectured several times at the Poplar Institution, and taught many gratui tously the use of this system of Short Hand. When the weather and his health permitted he was a constant attendant at South Place.

Of strict temperate habits, he early discarded the use of intoxicating liquors; and from conviction that a fruit and faranacious food was the natural and proper diet for man, he abstained from animal food also, even

while living under very unfavourable social circumstances: added to his sedentary occupation as a Tailor, these exerted a debilitating influence on his constitution (by no means a strong one) and finally sowed the seeds of the disease of which he died.*

He died with all the firmness of a Rational Freethinker. Undismayed by the certain fatal termination of his disorder, he awaited the result with calmness, fortitude, and courage; he was sustained by the reflection that he had done his duty in endeavouring' to leave the world better than he found it'-in living a moral life, and in wilfully wronging

no one.

His loss is deeply regretted by his friends, the Social and Political Reformers of Poplar, who attended, uninvited, at his funeral-which took place on the 16th inst.-(Communicated by H. H.)

We knew Mr. Gooch, and much respected him, and looked forward to his development in public life as that of a young man of great promise. We quote the following verse from some lines of considerable merit, by a female friend who visited him in his last illness:

Oh! moral as the sleeper's life,

Oh! earnest as his soul be mine:

Bold was he when in righteous strife-
True worshipper at Reason's shrine.

HENRY LESTAR HARRISON TO THE EDITOR.

In your last number appeared a paragraph relating to 'Aurora Villa,' containing an overstatement, for which your informant is responsible. A few lines will suffice to rectify the impression it is calculated to produce. There is a satisfaction in ministering to the happiness of others, and having ourselves experienced the want of some suburban place of friendly resort, we are desirous to offer to those who appreciate them, opportunities for enjoying interchange of thought, and feeling, amid the energizing freedom of nature. In furtherance of this end friends assemble on Sundays at Aurora Villa,' passing the hours in agreeable conversation, music, and pastimes; and occasionally special meetings are held for lectures and discussion, for which a limited number of tickets are issued. Of these meetings Mr. Holyoake will kindly give announcement in this journal.

In reference to tuition, the advertisement, which appears on another page, will indicate the scope of our present exertions. Our desires and anticipations for the future may go unexpressed, simply intimating that there is a prudence in laying plans, and providing conditions for the development of contingencies, to which the present may not yield adequate facilities for realization.

We have no means of verifying the truth of these impressions. But we think it right to give insertion to the convictions of the writer and his friends. They rest on the authority of the writer; but we know him to be one not in any way likely to underrate vegetarianism, and capable of forming a careful opinion. ED.

Mustrative Notices.

A GENTLEMAN has lately died who has left Mr. Owen £200, and, we believe, Mr. O'Connor 500. The bulk of his fortune he has left to form a species of People's Institute to be called the 'Jenkins-Institution :' nor has he forgotten a salary for the school master.

Mr. Owen came up to town last week, suffering from inflammation in one eyeowing to a cold. He came to get advice.

William Weitling, the German Communist, is again with us in London for a short time. We have a few notes to give of his movements.

A revised and enlarged edition of Professor Newman's work, 'The Soul,' has appeared; and the title-page adds, by the Author of "A History of the Hebrew Monarchy." The following note to page 39 apparently refers to the review of the first edition of The Soul' in the Reasoner:-' I now find that there are persons who call themselves Pantheists, merely because they are Theists who have no belief concerning a finite era of Creation, but nevertheless firmly hold the intelligent Personality of the ever-acting and all-pervading Spirit.'

A Voice from the Forge' is a small pamphlet by an evident novice in writing -but amid its peculiarities there are some creditable ideas, and some suggestions earnestly addressed to operatives.

We have received an account of several plans for the carrying out of Building Societies, from Mr. Hogg, of Blackwall, addressed to the operative classes. We must, however, refer our readers to the Voice from the Forge,' noticed above, where these plans are more fully explained than we could hope to explain them in our columns.

Of Public Speaking and Debate,' by G. J. Holyoake, the Weekly Dispatch, of September 7th, says: This little book will be found an excellent and easy guide to those who are desirous of perfecting themselves in the art of public speaking and debating. The parts and chapters are so well arranged, that the progression from one subject to another becomes perfectly natural, and materially facilitates the efforts of the beginner, tending also to lessen any defect in his imagination. We can confidently recommend this work to all who are anxious of conveying their sentiments by means of a graceful and fluent delivery.'

Mr. Vale relates, in his New York Independent Beacon, that About the year 1830, Mr. M., a portly, elderly, and very respectable looking gentleman, of literary and liberal taste, called at Jones's book-store in Fulton Street, New York, and inquired for "Palmer's Principles of Nature," and "Paine's Age of Reason." The bookseller, with great gravity, and with some indignation, replied that "he was surprised that a gentleman of his appearance should think of asking a respectable bookseller for such works ;" and with much insolence added, "he (Mr. M.) ought to be ashamed of himself;" at the same time he handed him a catalogue, with the remark" these, sir, are the books 1 keep," and in a softened tone of voice, begged him to take a seat and look it over. There was something in this altered tone of voice which struck Mr. M. as curious; besides, he wished an opportunity of repelling what he thought an insult, or of demanding an explanation. Mr. M., therefore, took the catalogue and sat down to read. Immediately afterwards two gentlemen, dressed in black, with white neckcloths, left the store, when the bookseller immediately turned to Mr. M. and said, "I have those books, but those gentlemen are clergymen."

The Dublin Commercial Journal tells a story of a young lady who sang 'alto' at church, and who had some defect of speech, such that when there was a favourite anthem sung, commencing Turn, O Lord, O turn away!' &c., much performed by the choir, she always chanted it Tschurn, tschurn, O Lord! O tschurn away,' much to the edification of the congregation, most of whom were extensively engaged in the dairy business. G. J. H.

cipal, Mr. H. L. Harrison. Pupils Boarded and VF

HETHERINGTON, from the Eloge by T. S Cooper, author of the Purgatory of Suicides: the Oration at Kensal Green Cemetery, by G. J. Holy-J. oake, editor of the Reasoner: the Speech of James Watson a Tribute, by W. J. Linton with Hetherington's Last Will and Testament.'