arguments by which it has been sought to justify the conduct of the Governor of Malta will be felt rather to reflect discredit on those who have employed them, than to have succeeded in attaching the slightest reproach on the character of the defenceless exiles against whom they have been directed."

With the thanks of the Committee for the generous aid which your paper, in com. mon with the greater portion of the press, has gratuitously given to their cause, We are, sir, your obedient servants,

S. M. HAWKES,

J. STANSFELD,

Hon. Secs.

TO THE ITALIAN REFUGEE COMMITTEE.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,-In the month of July two vessels containing refugees entered the port of Malta. The refugees were most of them Roman, some from other provinces of Italy, but all had taken part in the defence of Rome. One of these vessels

was a small Greek sailing vessel heavily laden with coal, commanded by Captain Robin, the other was a French steamer, the Lycurgus.

In the Robin there were fifty-three refugees, amongst whom were four deputies of the Roman Assembly-Andreini, Antinori, myself, and one other the young Venetian writer, Doda; some officers of the army; and the worthy youth Follo, of a highly res. pectable family at Bassano, who, at the age of twelve or thirteen, had served in the Venetian campaign of 1848, and thence assisted at the defence of Rome, where he had much distinguished himself by his extraordinary valour. There were two invalids, one of whom was wounded in the leg.

Their condition was most dreadful. They had only had meat during two days of their seven days' voyage, and only the worst description of food; they were obliged to sleep upon the boards or upon the coal, and to endure many days of excessive heat huddled together in the small space allotted to them.

When they reached the port, they found the Lycurgus, which had arrived the day before, and soon learned that they must expect to share the fate of her passengers. They then addressed a respectful but urgent remonstrance to the Governor of Malta, setting forth that, after the misery they bad already gone through, to compel them to remain on board without freedom of motion, and exposed to the constant and intense heat of the sun, without shelter of any kind, would seriously endanger their health. The Governor refused to allow them to land. Then some among them-and among others, Andreini and myself-sent 10 entreat the Governor that he would at least allow us to be shut up in the Lazzaretto, or even in prison, that we might be able to get some rest, until some vessel should arrive to convey us to some other destination. This, also, was refused. We then requested that at least the two invalids and the boy Follo might be taken some care of. The physician stated that rest and assistance were necessary for one of the sick men. Nevertheless, two days after, when I left the port, the two invalids and poor Follo were still languishing on board the Robin, and were still so many days afterwards, as I am informed by letters since received. The conduct of the Governor of Malta appeared infectious to the consuls of the Levant, who showed themselves no way disposed to acknowledge the passports, and thus the sufferings of the refugees were increased by uncertainty as to their future fate; and the fact of hospi tality having been denied to them by the English governor, appeared to shut them out from every other shore.

When the Ripon arrived at Malta from Alexandria, two passengers from the Robin, Andreini and myself, two from the Lycurgus, Major Ugo Pepoli and Girolamo Moscardini, one from the Bulldog, General Avezzana-took passage for London, and sorrowfully abandoned their companions in misfortune.

In the Lycurgus there were about 130 refugees; many sick, and many wives and children. After some days a few of the sick were allowed to be taken on shore, the rest left to languish on board; and one of these unfortunates, who had been suffering from an attack on the brain, went mad, and was obliged to be carried by four of the sailors. At first it was said that those who were married should be permitted to land, but afterwards that the wives must land alone without their husbands; but this permission was not accepted. In the port at this time there were four large ships of war, and several smaller ones. Such is the truth as to the condition of these refugees up to the night of the 18th of July. C. AGOSTINI.

The Lazzaretto is the building appropriated to the passengers of vessels detained in quarantine.

Elustrative Notices.

C. S., of Coventry, on remitting his subscription, writes:-'I hold that it is our duty to disseminate our conscientious views and convictions upon the most important questions that can possibly engage our attention at all risk-and as all men cannot entirely devote themselves to this object, it is right that they should support some one whom they think will do this necessary work in the best manner, at the same time he may deepen their own convictions. But there is an error connected with this which the world generally falls into. In propagandism it is not only necessary that we should fully explain our own views, but that we should allow those who differ in opinion to explain theirs, and it is this feature of the Reasoner which gives it the greatest claim upon those who desire a fair field and no favour.' If the people would endeavour to raise their education sufficiently to become contributors in another sense to the Reasoner, they might benefit themselves and others-and it is on this account that I consider such a vehicle for their productions might be useful to a large number of young men possessing latent talent. Accept, dear sir, my warmest thanks for the instruction and pleasure I have received from the perusal of the Reasoner.'

We have received the following from a correspondent :-'Mr. Walter Cooper has been delivering lectures to the working men of Newcastle. The members of the Working Men's Reading Room and Library entertained Mr. Cooper to tea on Thursday evening, the 15th instant, to express their regard for him and their approval of his sentiments. The applicants for tickets were so numerous that it was found necessary to take tea in the library room of the institution in companies, and then adjourn to the large Victoria Hall, Grey Street, which was completely filled. Mr. Thomas Pringle was called to the chair, and said he was happy to preside over a meeting assembled to do honour to Mr. Cooper. He recognised in Mr. Cooper much earnestness and worth, and felt that the working men, in thus paying that gentleman a compliment, reflected credit on their understandings and did honour to themselves. Mr. Cooper being introduced entered into an analysis of the state of society, showing its elements of progress and the elevating tendency of its literature, and urged the young men to exertions by telling them what was doing at Uxbridge and elsewhere. He was warmly cheered throughout. Messrs. Heaton, Cresswell, and Kane also addressed the meeting, and the evening was varied by recitations and songs. Messrs. Allen, Watson, Hurst, and Warden doing all in their power to please. It was a pleasantly spent evening.'

Those who doubt what demoniacal sentiments pastors can utter and Christians cheer, let them read the Daily News of Saturday, which reports the following words by the Rev. D. Mc'Neile, at the Liverpool Irish Church Mission meeting: "The Romanists had long boasted of their millions-their late great leader was accustomed to exaggerate their numbers, and he used them to influence the government of the day as the pressure from without; but God had thinned those illions. (Great cheering.) He believed that decrease amounted, since 1846, to at least 1,500,000. Famine and pestilence had therefore done their work. Other causes co-operated to encourage the spread of the Gospel.'

'A New Heaven and a New Earth' (we have no objections to either—we think they are rather necessary) is a pamphlet by R. B. Lane, of New York. The writer says that he has written this book impressed with a power which he thinks divine.' We are sorry to find the book as vague as books written under this impression usually are.

Mr. H. Robinson has opened a Secular School at the Institution, George Street, Sloane Square. The time of attendance is from halt-paɛt 9 till 3. The Girl's School is taught by a Lady.

Queenwood College is being lighted with gas.

The Progressionist, No. 9, contains a correspondence between Mr. Gurney and the Northampton Herald.

Mr. George White has written after his liberation desiring to acknowledge the assistance he received, through the notices in the Reasoner, from Mr. Arthur Trevelyan, Mark William Norman, and others. G. J. H.

PURR'S TEMPERANCE COFFEE HOUSE, 10, Williamson Square, Liverpool. Travellers accommodated upon the most reasonable terms. J. S. informs his friends and others who are about to Emigrate, either to the Canadas or United States, that he has entered into arrangements with a respectable shipping house, and is prepared to furnish information as to cost of passage, time of

Just Published, 2nd edition for the million, Pages 313, closely printed, and neatly bound in cloth, with full Table of Contents and Compre-sailing, &c., &c. hensive Index, Price 28.,

AMERICA COMPARED WITH ENGLAND:

the respective Social Effects of the American and English Systems of Government and Legisla. tion, and the MISSION OF DEMOCRACY. By R. W. Russell, of Cincinnati, United States, Counsellor at Law.

He compares, in a very masterly manner, the respective systems of government and legislation in England and the United States.'-Law Times.

The object of the work is to show. by contrast, the working of the democracy of America and the aristocracy of England.'- Spirit of the Age.

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RECEIVED. The Chronotype, four copies. (Will the sender furnish us with his address?)-Northern Star, No. 630.-Spectator, No. 1116.Thanksgiving Day Sermons.'- Commercial Journal and Family Herald.-The letter addressed to Mr. Beattie, Post Office, Edinburgh -to be left till called for,' has been returned.The Rev. J. Crompton's 'Christianity without Sect.'-W. Knowles. (We never complained of the editor referred to because he did not insert al communications forwarded, but because he withheld replies to personal attacks.-G. Hornsey. (We shall be glad of any information he is able to give.)-W. B. W. (His letter was read with interest.)-G. Harnden. (The kind of services he specifies we estimate very highly. We could scarcely be served more effectually.)-T. Haves. (The Ethics of Progress' are hardly in Progress yet.)-Thomas File, Dundee.

London: Printed by Holyoake & Co., 3. Queen's Head Passage, Paternoster Row; and Published by J. Watson, 3, Queen's Head Passage, Pater' noster Row.

Wednesday, November 28, 1849.

THE REASONER

No. 23.-NEW SERIES.] EDITED BY G. J. HOLYOAKE.

[PRICE 2d.

AN author, from whom better things might have been hoped, exalts to the uttermost the fact, if it be so, of this age being free from fear of the faggot, or the torture-chamber. Fear of the social circle, fear of the newspaper, fear of being odd, fear of what may be thought by people who never did think, still greater fear of what somebody may say-are not these things a clinging dress of torture? A mean and cowardly reserve upon the most important questions of human life, is the characteristic of modern times.-Arthur Helps.

A THOUSAND SIXPENCES FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE TAXES ON KNOWLEDGE:

A

SUGGESTION то OUR READERS.

THE Newspaper Stamp Abolition Committee is proceeding on its work of usefulness with considerable success. The newspapers are, to an unexpected extent, in is favour. The Financial Reform Association, and many Members of Parliament, lend able assistance in the advocacy of the Committee's objects. It is necessary, however, that the Committee should be enabled to pursue their agitation on independent grounds, and to this end they need fresh funds. Its active exertions have exhausted all subscriptions, hitherto, as fast as they have arrived. It will occur to most that the abolition of all taxes on knowledge is a proposal of the first importance to the people, and one that interests every working man who would be wise and see his fellows free. But it will not be carried unless the people themselves take a practical part in demanding it, and in forcing its adoption on the government. The readers of each paper in the kingdom, so it seems to me, should unite to contribute the assistance the Committee need and deserve. They should not be left to ask for it. Subscriptions should be volunteered them. I am anxious that the readers of the Reasoner-who have contributed to so many objects amounts greater, in proportion to their numbers, I believe, than the supporters of any other journal-should set an example to the press in this particular. We have 1000 weekly subscribers, whom I wish to give sixpence each. This will make £25. If other journals and newspapers will do as much, the Stamp Abolition Committee will soon be able to move the country, and make their excellent agitation national. Will every reader send to me six penny postage stamps for this purpose? I will acknowledge each subscrip ion in the Reasoner. We then shall enable the Committee to post 6000 letters. Learning from the Committee that they were in want of help, I undertook to say that they might expect help to the amount of £25 from the Reasoner; and finding that 500 letters were waiting at their office to be posted, I sent 240 stamps to Mr. Collet, the able and indefatigable secretary of the Com

[No. 184, Vol. VII.]